Selasa, 30 April 2019

Huawei India announces VIP service for Huawei P30 Pro customers

Following the Huawei P30 Pro's overwhelming response to its launch in India, Huawei is announcing a new VIP-level service for these customers across India. These VIP perks will also be available to customers of the Huawei Mate 20 Pro. Huawei P30 Pro and Huawei Mate 20 Pro Those with either device can take advantage of priority service whether they contact a service center or a Huawei repair location. There is even a dedicated toll-free number for VIP customers to reach the Huawei Contact Center. Those who require service will also be offered free pick and drop service across...

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Huawei India announces VIP service for Huawei P30 Pro customers

Following the Huawei P30 Pro's overwhelming response to its launch in India, Huawei is announcing a new VIP-level service for these customers across India. These VIP perks will also be available to customers of the Huawei Mate 20 Pro. Huawei P30 Pro and Huawei Mate 20 Pro Those with either device can take advantage of priority service whether they contact a service center or a Huawei repair location. There is even a dedicated toll-free number for VIP customers to reach the Huawei Contact Center. Those who require service will also be offered free pick and drop service across...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

Huawei India announces VIP service for Huawei P30 Pro customers

Following the Huawei P30 Pro's overwhelming response to its launch in India, Huawei is announcing a new VIP-level service for these customers across India. These VIP perks will also be available to customers of the Huawei Mate 20 Pro. Huawei P30 Pro and Huawei Mate 20 Pro Those with either device can take advantage of priority service whether they contact a service center or a Huawei repair location. There is even a dedicated toll-free number for VIP customers to reach the Huawei Contact Center. Those who require service will also be offered free pick and drop service across...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

Portal Cord is a Charger Cable With a Power Bank Hiding Inside

Power banks are an incredible invention. They make it so we can keep our devices running for substantially longer than their built-in batteries.

They’re not without flaws, though. Part of the reason a device like a smartphone is so useful is that it’s easy to carry around. It fits right into your pocket. Most power banks, however, aren’t so portable.

Portal Cord is setting out to solve that problem by tucking the power bank right inside of the cord.

Portal Cord Features

The way the Portal Cord is able to contain the power within the cord is by having multiple batteries lining the length of the device. While a traditional power bank features one large battery, this one uses a bunch of smaller ones.

Obviously, even by having multiple batteries along the cable, there’s just no way to fit a huge amount of juice. As such, the Portal Cord features 1,800 mAh of charging power. To put that into perspective, an iPhone XS Max features a 3,174 mAh battery, while a Pixel 3 features a 2900 mAh battery. Basically, you won’t get a full charge for your devices out of this power bank, but thanks to Quick Charge technology, you’ll get a decent amount of juice rather quickly.

The Portal Cord is available in USB-C, Lightning, and micro USB, so it’ll work with a wide range of devices including newer iPhones and most Android devices.

For length, the Portal Cord measures three feet, which is pretty standard for power cables. Not going with an incredibly long cable allows the device to remain portable. The cable and attached batteries are pretty light, coming with a weight of only 4.24 ounces.

Portal Cord Availability

Portal Power is seeking funding for Portal Cord on Kickstarter right now. The project is tracking to meet is $20,000 funding goal with around $15K as of this writing. Backers who would like to order a device can do so for $55 while the early special lasts. After that, the price goes up by $10. The company plans to ship the power banks to backers in October 2019.

Make sure you understand the risks of backing a crowdfunding project before you jump in though. Read our guide featuring things you need to know before backing a Kickstarter.

Read the full article: Portal Cord is a Charger Cable With a Power Bank Hiding Inside

Facebook Is Getting a New Redesign for 2019

Facebook is currently hosting F8, its annual conference for developers. The first day of F8 was filled with announcements covering Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus. And the headline has to be Facebook’s new redesign for 2019.

Facebook Changes Things Up for 2019

Facebook has redesigned the Facebook website and app. Visually, Facebook is being bleached, with the blue almost all gone, and a simpler, cleaner, and very white palette used instead. This makeover makes Facebook look more like Instagram.

Content-wise, the new Facebook is being built around two core components: Groups and Events. Groups is at the heart of the new Facebook, and represents Facebook trying to move away from the News Feed and make Facebook more about communities.

Facebook Wants You to Join New Groups

On the Facebook Newsroom, Facebook explains that while people use “Facebook to connect with friends and family […] it’s also a place to connect with people who share your interests and passions.” Which is why it’s putting Groups first.

There’s also a privacy element involved. While many people make their Facebook posts viewable to all and sundry, groups are more private. And with Mark Zuckerberg claiming Facebook is becoming a “more privacy-focused social platform” this is a crucial move.

facebook redesign 2019

Facebook is launching a redesigned Groups tab to help you find new groups. It will also plant group recommendations across other parts of the app. And introduce new features for specific types of group such as Job groups and Health Support groups.

Events is getting a new tab too. This will let you “see what’s happening around you, get recommendations, discover local businesses, and coordinate with friends to make plans to get together.” Which Facebook sees as another way of fostering communities.

Facebook Wants You to Meet New Friends

Facebook is also testing a new feature called Meet New Friends. This will “help people start friendships with new people from their shared communities like a school, workplace or city.” Meet New Friends is opt-in only and still a work in progress.

Facebook is rolling out the redesigned app for Android and iOS right now. The new desktop site will follow “in the next few months”. Which gives you time to check out the top social media apps you could (and probably should) be using instead of Facebook.

Image Credit: Marco Verch/Flickr

Read the full article: Facebook Is Getting a New Redesign for 2019

Valve Index Price, Release Date, and Preorder Information Revealed

Anyone eagerly anticipating the final details of Valve’s Index virtual reality headset can relax, as the company has revealed all of the details, including how much it’ll cost, when it’ll ship, and when you can throw down your hard-earned cash on a preorder.

Valve Index Details and Specs

We’ve seen quite a few companies moving in the direction of computer-free virtual reality, including HTC with the Vive Focus Plus. This isn’t one of those, as Valve is pushing the limits with a very high-end headset that’ll keep hardcore virtual reality fans quite happy.

The screens on the new Index are 1440×1600 RGB LCDs, which Valve says allows for sharper visuals than OLEDs with the same amount of rendering power. The screens are also faster than others on the VR market, coming with a 120Hz refresh rate with full back-compatibility to 90Hz. There’s also an experimental 144Hz mode. According to Valve, “higher framerates improve realism and optical comfort, allowing longer and more comfortable play sessions,” which sounds like exactly what VR fans are looking for.

Another key aspect of the Index is the low persistence of 0.330ms to 0.530ms. This allows images to remain sharp when you move your head around, which is key to creating an immersive VR experience.

The headset will also feature off-ear sound built-in, which makes it easy to hear the VR experiences with as much comfort as possible.

Outside of the headset, there’s a full VR kit which includes new controllers and base stations. Thankfully, the Valve Index Base stations are compatible with 2.0 tracking-capable hardware, which is the same that comes with the Vive Pro, so buyers will be able to keep the base stations they already have.

Speaking of those controllers, Valve says they were “designed from the ground up to enable natural interactions, high-fidelity hand presence, and long-term comfort.” They promise natural, direct inputs that’ll help keep immersion during gameplay. There’s a total of 87 sensors in each controller that’ll track everything including hand position, finger position, motion, and pressure. Valve specifically called out the amount of time it spent developing controllers that allow natural and accurate open-handed throwing, which these will.

Valve Index Preorder, Release Date, and Price

Obviously, the key information about the Valve Index is the cost. For the full kit, which includes the headset, controllers, and base stations, the price is $999. The headset and controllers together sell for $749. On their own, the headset is $499, the controllers are $279, and the base stations are $149.

Obviously, those prices don’t include the computer required to run virtual reality experiences. Valve suggests at least 8GB RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970+ or AMD RX480+ GPU, a dual-core processor with hyperthreading, and USB 3.0.

Preorders on all of the parts of the Valve Index open tomorrow, May 1. Valve says the hardware will ship by June 28, 2019, so anyone who drops the money on a preorder won’t have to wait too long to get their hands (and eyes) on a kit.

Once you snag one of these, make sure to check out some of our favorite virtual reality experiences to play on it.

Read the full article: Valve Index Price, Release Date, and Preorder Information Revealed

5G smartphones from Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo all launch in Switzerland this week

For Swiss carrier Sunrise, 5G is quickly becoming a reality. On Tuesday, Sunrise announces that it will begin offering three 5G smartphones from three different Chinese phone makers starting this week. Sales of the Oppo Reno 5G will start tomorrow, May 1 while the Mate 20 X 5G and the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G will both go on sale starting Thursday May 2. Oppo recently announced the Reno 10X zoom and Reno this month in Zurich as part of the Swisscom partnership. Sunrise is the first operator to launch the 5G variant which comes with 256GB of on-board storage, the 10X zoom camera, and 8GB of RAM....

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5G smartphones from Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo all launch in Switzerland this week

For Swiss carrier Sunrise, 5G is quickly becoming a reality. On Tuesday, Sunrise announces that it will begin offering three 5G smartphones from three different Chinese phone makers starting this week. Sales of the Oppo Reno 5G will start tomorrow, May 1 while the Mate 20 X 5G and the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G will both go on sale starting Thursday May 2. Oppo recently announced the Reno 10X zoom and Reno this month in Zurich as part of the Swisscom partnership. Sunrise is the first operator to launch the 5G variant which comes with 256GB of on-board storage, the 10X zoom camera, and 8GB of RAM....

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

5G smartphones from Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo all launch in Switzerland this week

For Swiss carrier Sunrise, 5G is quickly becoming a reality. On Tuesday, Sunrise announces that it will begin offering three 5G smartphones from three different Chinese phone makers starting this week. Sales of the Oppo Reno 5G will start tomorrow, May 1 while the Mate 20 X 5G and the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G will both go on sale starting Thursday May 2. Oppo recently announced the Reno 10X zoom and Reno this month in Zurich as part of the Swisscom partnership. Sunrise is the first operator to launch the 5G variant which comes with 256GB of on-board storage, the 10X zoom camera, and 8GB of RAM....

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Garmin introduces 5 new Forerunner smartwatches, starting at $199

Garmin makes some of the best smartwatches for runners and today the company announced its updated Forerunner range is growing with five new models. Ranging from the entry-level Forerunner 45/45S through the mid-range 245/245 Music and top of the line Forerunner 945, Garmin believes it has a smartwatch for every type of runner. The Forerunner 45 and 45S are targeted for novice runners who don't necessarily need the most advanced tracking tech. The only difference between the two models is the watch size with the regular Forerunner 45 coming in a 42mm casing while the 45S is only...

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Garmin introduces 5 new Forerunner smartwatches, starting at $199

Garmin makes some of the best smartwatches for runners and today the company announced its updated Forerunner range is growing with five new models. Ranging from the entry-level Forerunner 45/45S through the mid-range 245/245 Music and top of the line Forerunner 945, Garmin believes it has a smartwatch for every type of runner. The Forerunner 45 and 45S are targeted for novice runners who don't necessarily need the most advanced tracking tech. The only difference between the two models is the watch size with the regular Forerunner 45 coming in a 42mm casing while the 45S is only...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

Garmin introduces 5 new Forerunner smartwatches, starting at $199

Garmin makes some of the best smartwatches for runners and today the company announced its updated Forerunner range is growing with five new models. Ranging from the entry-level Forerunner 45/45S through the mid-range 245/245 Music and top of the line Forerunner 945, Garmin believes it has a smartwatch for every type of runner. The Forerunner 45 and 45S are targeted for novice runners who don't necessarily need the most advanced tracking tech. The only difference between the two models is the watch size with the regular Forerunner 45 coming in a 42mm casing while the 45S is only...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

OnePlus teases the ultra-wide and zoom cameras of the 7 Pro

OnePlus has really cranked up the volume on its teaser campaign for the 7 Pro. The latest promo for the upcoming phone is a three-part camera teaser of a bird on a seaside log. The three samples have naturally been stripped of their EXIF data but they are nonetheless quite clear. We're likely looking at an ultra-wide, regular and telephoto lenses here. We won't get into a technical discussion about the quality - that's what full-res samples and reviews are for. We only hope that the OnePlus 7 won't be a lackluster sidekick overshadowed by the 7 Pro. Get closer to the...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

OnePlus teases the ultra-wide and zoom cameras of the 7 Pro

OnePlus has really cranked up the volume on its teaser campaign for the 7 Pro. The latest promo for the upcoming phone is a three-part camera teaser of a bird on a seaside log. The three samples have naturally been stripped of their EXIF data but they are nonetheless quite clear. We're likely looking at an ultra-wide, regular and telephoto lenses here. We won't get into a technical discussion about the quality - that's what full-res samples and reviews are for. We only hope that the OnePlus 7 won't be a lackluster sidekick overshadowed by the 7 Pro. Get closer to the...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

OnePlus teases the ultra-wide and zoom cameras of the 7 Pro

OnePlus has really cranked up the volume on its teaser campaign for the 7 Pro. The latest promo for the upcoming phone is a three-part camera teaser of a bird on a seaside log. The three samples have naturally been stripped of their EXIF data but they are nonetheless quite clear. We're likely looking at an ultra-wide, regular and telephoto lenses here. We won't get into a technical discussion about the quality - that's what full-res samples and reviews are for. We only hope that the OnePlus 7 won't be a lackluster sidekick overshadowed by the 7 Pro. Get closer to the...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

Counterpoint: iPhone X is the best-selling phone in the world for 2018

Counterpoint Research released its analysis of the best-selling smartphones in the world and specifically in China. The winner of 2018 is the iPhone X, followed by three more Apple smartphones, with the Xiaomi Redmi 5A wrapping up the Top 5 . In China, the results are quite different - the best-seller is the Oppo R15, iPhone X is second, but Oppo has two more phones in the Top 4 - the mid-range Oppo A5 and the ultra-affordable Oppo A83. The Counterpoint report appeared on the Weibo account of the company without detailed info. We only know the Top three iPhones totaled nearly...

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Counterpoint: iPhone X is the best-selling phone in the world for 2018

Counterpoint Research released its analysis of the best-selling smartphones in the world and specifically in China. The winner of 2018 is the iPhone X, followed by three more Apple smartphones, with the Xiaomi Redmi 5A wrapping up the Top 5 . In China, the results are quite different - the best-seller is the Oppo R15, iPhone X is second, but Oppo has two more phones in the Top 4 - the mid-range Oppo A5 and the ultra-affordable Oppo A83. The Counterpoint report appeared on the Weibo account of the company without detailed info. We only know the Top three iPhones totaled nearly...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

Counterpoint: iPhone X is the best-selling phone in the world for 2018

Counterpoint Research released its analysis of the best-selling smartphones in the world and specifically in China. The winner of 2018 is the iPhone X, followed by three more Apple smartphones, with the Xiaomi Redmi 5A wrapping up the Top 5 . In China, the results are quite different - the best-seller is the Oppo R15, iPhone X is second, but Oppo has two more phones in the Top 4 - the mid-range Oppo A5 and the ultra-affordable Oppo A83. The Counterpoint report appeared on the Weibo account of the company without detailed info. We only know the Top three iPhones totaled nearly...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

LG posts operating loss in Q1, smartphone division still struggles

LG Electronics published its financial report for Q1 2019 and the mobile division numbers make for a grim reading. Revenue keeps falling with only KRW1.51 trillion ($1.34 billion) generated between January and March. This is 30% less on an yearly basis and 11% quarter over quarter. According to the official press release, the LG Mobile Communications Company managed to narrow its operational loss to KRW203.5 billion ($181 million) while in a process of rebuilding its smartphone business. Expectations are the launch of LG V50 ThinQ 5G will create a positive momentum in the second...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

LG posts operating loss in Q1, smartphone division still struggles

LG Electronics published its financial report for Q1 2019 and the mobile division numbers make for a grim reading. Revenue keeps falling with only KRW1.51 trillion ($1.34 billion) generated between January and March. This is 30% less on an yearly basis and 11% quarter over quarter. According to the official press release, the LG Mobile Communications Company managed to narrow its operational loss to KRW203.5 billion ($181 million) while in a process of rebuilding its smartphone business. Expectations are the launch of LG V50 ThinQ 5G will create a positive momentum in the second...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

LG posts operating loss in Q1, smartphone division still struggles

LG Electronics published its financial report for Q1 2019 and the mobile division numbers make for a grim reading. Revenue keeps falling with only KRW1.51 trillion ($1.34 billion) generated between January and March. This is 30% less on an yearly basis and 11% quarter over quarter. According to the official press release, the LG Mobile Communications Company managed to narrow its operational loss to KRW203.5 billion ($181 million) while in a process of rebuilding its smartphone business. Expectations are the launch of LG V50 ThinQ 5G will create a positive momentum in the second...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

Samsung Galaxy Fit and Fit-e appear for pre-booking in Portugal, reveal full spec sheet

Samsung's Galaxy Fit trackers are aimed at users who don't need the full smartwatch experience but still want the basic convenience of tracking their workouts and heart rate. Last week we saw the Galaxy Fit-e on Samsung Albania's site and today we get more details as well as pricing on both the Gear Fit and Gear Fit-e. The Gear Fit-e will come with a 0.74-inch monochrome PMOLED display. It will run on the Cortex M0 processor with just 128KB of RAM and 4MB of storage. The fitness tracker only supports incoming notifications without the option to respond. The Gear Fit-e features...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

Samsung Galaxy Fit and Fit-e appear for pre-booking in Portugal, reveal full spec sheet

Samsung's Galaxy Fit trackers are aimed at users who don't need the full smartwatch experience but still want the basic convenience of tracking their workouts and heart rate. Last week we saw the Galaxy Fit-e on Samsung Albania's site and today we get more details as well as pricing on both the Gear Fit and Gear Fit-e. The Gear Fit-e will come with a 0.74-inch monochrome PMOLED display. It will run on the Cortex M0 processor with just 128KB of RAM and 4MB of storage. The fitness tracker only supports incoming notifications without the option to respond. The Gear Fit-e features...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

Samsung Galaxy Fit and Fit-e appear for pre-booking in Portugal, reveal full spec sheet

Samsung's Galaxy Fit trackers are aimed at users who don't need the full smartwatch experience but still want the basic convenience of tracking their workouts and heart rate. Last week we saw the Galaxy Fit-e on Samsung Albania's site and today we get more details as well as pricing on both the Gear Fit and Gear Fit-e. The Gear Fit-e will come with a 0.74-inch monochrome PMOLED display. It will run on the Cortex M0 processor with just 128KB of RAM and 4MB of storage. The fitness tracker only supports incoming notifications without the option to respond. The Gear Fit-e features...

GSMArena.com - Latest articles

What Is Airplane Mode and What Does It Do?

How to Replace a Damaged Phone Screen Display

As mobile phone displays are much tougher than they used to be, it seems like they’re indestructible. Sadly, they’re not. Dropping your phone can often break the display. Your phone can no longer be considered useful.

Want to replace a damaged smartphone display? It’s a relatively cheap and straightforward process. Here’s how to do it.

The Costs of Replacing Your Phone Screen

Replace a cracked phone display

Cracked your mobile phone display? Dropped it in the street, or crushed it playing football? Sat on it, even? You know by now that you’ve given yourself a headache. Can the phone be repaired, and if so, what are the costs?

Many services available online and locally will repair your mobile phone, for a price. But if you have access to the parts and they’re inexpensive, why not perform the procedure yourself?

You should also consider the non-monetary costs: time spent without a phone, data that needs archiving from the device. Hopefully your mobile platform’s cloud service can help here, or perhaps a desktop utility can check the phone’s contents.

Fitting a new display that costs the same as a replacement phone is pointless. However, if replacing the mobile phone screen is closer to $15, it makes sense to have a go yourself.

Where to Find a Replacement Phone Screen

Replacement smartphone display and tools

The most obvious location for a replacement display is eBay. Simply searching for the mobile phone model and the word display will turn up the required parts. Just remember to shop safely when using eBay.

In my case, “nexus 5 display” returned a wealth of accurate (and, sadly, slightly inaccurate) results. Take the time to check that the component you choose is genuinely for your device. Often, components may appear in the results thanks to a poorly written listing.

Amazon is also a resource for replacement screens, but you should also consider a general Google search as this will turn up specialist suppliers who might be able to provide a lower price.

Note that you may find listings that offer just the display, versus listings with half the phone’s chassis. Which one you buy depends on how complicated you want things to get. For example, just the display means melting the adhesive using a heatgun or hairdryer.

Alternatively, a replacement display kit that includes half the phone’s body will require components being transferred from the old body into the replacement.

The Tools for Replacing Your Phone Screen

Often, replacement displays ship with the tools included. Typically, you’ll receive:

  • Mini screwdrivers
  • Mini Torx drivers
  • Plastic tweezers
  • Plastic wedges
  • A guitar pick/plectrum

You should also have:

  • Curved tweezers
  • Precision knife or craft scalpel
  • Hairdryer or heat gun

These tools are included to remove the case and unscrew any components that obstruct replacing the display. For example, a mobile phone will have Torx screws under the battery cover that will need removing before you gently prize the case apart.

Note that spending money on these tools isn’t totally necessary. Sanding off the ends of a couple of plastic bicycle wheel levers will produce usable alternatives—otherwise, they can be sourced relatively cheaply.

The Basics of Replacing a Phone Screen

There are so many different mobile phone models on the market (either new or used) that providing a standardized guide is next to impossible. Additionally, some models cannot be repaired without sending them back to the manufacturer.

Head to YouTube to check how your particular phone’s display can be replaced. You’ll find many detailed device-specific guides on the procedure.

Most smartphones are essentially made up of several layers of components. Each layer must be carefully detached for the glass display to be replaced.

These guides typically follow this procedure for replacing your smartphone display:

  1. Open the phone
  2. Remove the display
  3. Replace the adhesive
  4. Fit the new display
  5. Ensure correct cable connection

Read on to learn how to fit a replacement smartphone display.

Step 1: Open the Phone

To begin, remove (where possible) the rear cover, battery and identify where the Torx (or standard) screws might be hidden. Look under labels and beside USB ports. You might find screws in the battery cavity if you have a device with a removable cell.

Prize the phone apart using the levers and plectrum; additional screws will need removing, too.

Use the provided tools to open your phone

Watch out for ribbon cables, which require careful unlatching from their connectors. Use a flat plastic blade or plectrum for this.

Use the provided tools to open your phone

These are often threaded through the different layers of hardware within the phone. Ribbon cables are delicate; easily broken, take care as damage to these could change the dynamic of the repair considerably.

Step 2: Remove the Screen

By now you should have the front of the phone in your hand, empty, with the glass display ready to remove. Soften the adhesive with the heat gun.

Alternatively, you can leave the phone in a warm place (such as on a radiator) for a while.

Persuading your phone’s display to part with the body isn’t usually difficult. Pushing through the camera hole against the glass to begin with, slowly prize the glass display away from the body.

As noted, some replacements are basically half a phone.

In this case, you won’t need to remove the display, but you will need to remove components (and even the motherboard) from the damaged device into the new body.

Step 3: Replace the Adhesive

Narrow rolls of replacement adhesive can be bought online. Have some double-sided sticky tape laying around? Cut this into narrow 1 mm slivers, then apply the adhesive to the phone’s frame, rather than the glass.

Step 4: Install the New Screen

Once the adhesive is in place remove the protective strips on the adhesive and push the glass into place.

Apply light pressure where the display meets the adhesive. Take care not to put pressure on the middle of the glass display. Excessive force can break even the strongest Gorilla glass.

Step 5: Ensure Correct Cable Connections

It’s now time to put the phone back together.

Reconnect the relevant cables, locking them down where necessary. Place the components back in the case with care, checking that there are no cables or screws left over. Test the phone to check that it works.

Reconnect the cables to the phone during reassembly

You should be able to switch the phone on without securing the final screws in order to check functionality.

Planning to use a video guide? Review it before you start to familiarize yourself with the steps.

Does the New Phone Screen Work?

A repaired smartphone display

The moment of truth: does the new screen work? Remember, a touchscreen display has two purposes: touch interaction, and displaying the phone’s operating system.

A successful replacement will give your phone a fresh “almost new” look, and if the touchscreen works, well done.

However, it isn’t always plain sailing. I’ve fitted a replacement display that caused the phone to overheat. Therefore, it is important to buy components from reputable sellers, and ensure you’re buying the right parts for your phone.

DIY Smartphone Repair, Success!

Confident? Replacing a mobile phone screen isn’t simple, but it is something that you should certainly consider if the price is right.

While there are no hard-and-fast rules—devices differ from manufacturer to manufacturer—the steps provided should illustrate what is entailed.

Most importantly, don’t walk into performing such a repair without some device-specific research first. Video guides are particularly useful; once you’re ready, get hold of the right tools and surprise yourself!

Here’s another tech problem you can solve yourself with a bit of time and effort: phone display flickering.

Read the full article: How to Replace a Damaged Phone Screen Display

Amazon Alexa Will Soon Be Able to Speak Spanish

Spanish speakers in the United States will soon be able to interact with Amazon Alexa in their native language. And it’s about time too. The US has a high number of Spanish speakers, and yet Amazon has taken its time teaching Alexa to speak Spanish.

Catering to More Than English Speakers

To those of us whose first (and probably only) language is English, interacting with digital assistants is a breeze. However, native speakers of other languages are stuck having to speak English while they wait for the technology to start catering to them.

Things have been improving. In June 2018, Google Home learned to speak Spanish. Google is also leading the way with other languages in other countries, utilizing its previous work on Google Translate. But Amazon has taken longer to include other languages.

Amazon Alexa Learns to Speak Spanish

As announced on the Alexa Blog, developers can now use the Alexa Skills Kit (ASK) to “start building skills for Spanish-speaking customers in the US […] with the new Spanish for US voice model.”

Once these skills have been certified for publication they will become available first to participants in the Alexa Preview program. They will then become available to everyone “when Alexa launches in the US with Spanish language support later this year.”

This means Spanish speakers in the US will be able to interact with Alexa through their Amazon Echo device. Alexa Built-In devices from Sony, Bose, and Facebook, and Works With Alexa devices from Philips, TP Link, and Honeywell Home will also be compatible.

Is It Time to Learn to Speak Spanish?

It’s important to note than the US has the second highest concentration of Spanish speakers in the world after Mexico. Reports suggest there are more than 50 million people able to speak Spanish in the US, so this is long overdue from Amazon.

This is obviously good news if you are a native Spanish speaker who owns an Alexa-compatible device. But if you don’t speak Spanish there’s no need to feel left out. With that in mind, here are the best apps to learn Spanish fast.

Read the full article: Amazon Alexa Will Soon Be Able to Speak Spanish

The 6 Most Unique Smart Lighting Products for Your Home

The 10 Best Job Search Websites

There’s one thing every job seeker can do to improve their chances of landing a job—use multiple resources in their job hunting efforts. This means posting your resume online and using social networks. However, the core of your efforts should be focused on job search websites that bring all of the world’s jobs to your desktop.

To help you begin or continue your hunt for a new position or career, these are the best job search websites.

1. Indeed

Indeed Job Search Main Page

This site is quite a job search engine indeed! The site has climbed to the top of the popularity list with over 250 million unique visitors per month. And it’s with good reason that the site is well-known. Just pop in a keyword, select a location and find tons of available jobs.

You can upload your resume, find salaries, read company reviews, and apply on either the hiring company’s site or directly through Indeed. The site also offers a nice area for your profile where you can save jobs and then review them and then move them to Applied or Interviewing. If you’re just starting your job search, global websites like Indeed are a terrific place to start.

2. Monster

Monster Job Search Main Page

Whenever anyone needs access to job markets across the world, Monster is an obvious place to start. Monster has grown into one of the largest job search sites on the internet and serves just about every community across the world.

What makes the Monster of job search sites so useful is the international search. Select a country and then search for or browse opportunities. The site lets you post your resume, apply for positions directly, use an advanced job search, and access career resources to help you research every step of the job hunting process.

3. ZipRecruiter

ZipRecruiter Job Search Main Page

ZipRecruiter not only gives you easy-to-use job search tools, but lets you quickly see suggested jobs, applied jobs, saved jobs, alerts, and a message center. You can also receive text alerts, which is handy for keeping up with new jobs available when you’re on-the-go.

You can narrow down your search results with filters for when posted, distance, salary, employment type, title, or company. Plus, as you apply a filter, you’ll see the number of positions available using that filter. A standout feature ZipRecruiter is its 1-Click Apply. Find a job you like, click that button, and that’s it!

4. Glassdoor

Glassdoor Job Search Main Page

If you’re looking for job search sites like Monster, that offer career resource tools, then head to Glassdoor. While they may be different than Monster’s tools, they’re certainly helpful. Read company reviews, search interview questions, find jobs by salary, and use the convenient salary calculator.

You’ll need to create a free account to start using Glassdoor, but that’s when that door opens for all of the site’s useful tools. You can set up job alerts, follow specific companies, upload your resume, and save jobs you like to review later. Don’t pass this job search site by, Glassdoor is worth your time.

5. LinkedIn Jobs

LinkedIn Jobs Job Search Main Page

Most people know that LinkedIn is the tops when it comes to professional networking. So, why wouldn’t there be a LinkedIn Jobs site? Enter a job title, location, and hit the search button. You’ll see results with filters for date posted, job type, experience level, and more.

If you’re a LinkedIn user, you can apply for jobs with a single click using your LinkedIn details. While the LinkedIn Jobs site may not have all of those extra features, like career resource tools, it doesn’t need them because you can find those on the LinkedIn site itself. If you already have a LinkedIn account and profile set up, then this job search site is a no-brainer.

6. CareerBuilder

CareerBuilder Job Search Main Page

There’s little question that CareerBuilder is another in the list of best job search websites. If you’re looking for sites like Indeed, this is a good one. You can post your resume, find jobs by company or industry, and save your job searches to receive regular alerts via email.

Similar to Monster, you can use career resources which include who’s currently hiring, jobs on the rise you should consider, recommended positions for you, and helpful tips for your job search. CareerBuilder is a definite job search site to bookmark.

7. Simply Hired

Simply Hired Job Search Main Page

Simply Hired is a great job search website, mostly because of its little extras. Of course, you can search for a job by keyword and location as well as upload your resume. But this job site offers a bit more.

You can view the top cities and companies along with positions earning the highest salaries. Then, head over to the salary estimator section for even more details on what jobs are paying. That area lets you browse jobs by salary or pop in a position and location to retrieve salary data. If this is something that would help you in your job search, then search with Simply Hired.

8. NetTemps

NetTemps Job Search Main Page

NetTemps is a good site for job hunters to find jobs worldwide. A great feature is the filter options you get. You can refine your search results by job type, salary or rate, distance, industry, and job age. And you can view your recent searches with a click and without registering.

With NetTemps, you can also apply for a job that interests you without registering for an account. This is wonderful if you don’t want to keep updating your resume on all of the job sites you join. Just click to apply, enter your email address, and attach your resume to the message. For quick and easy searching and applying, check out NetTemps.

9. USAJOBS

USAJOBS Job Search Main Page

One of the world’s wealthiest countries in the world is also one of the world’s largest employers. The U.S. Federal government has its own giant online job database that lets you search for whatever industry or discipline you’re interested in.

These jobs are worldwide, and the site isn’t shy about listing the actual salary ranges right there in the listing. You can use filters to narrow down your search by hiring path, security clearance, travel percentage, and more. If you’re thinking that a government job is for you, then you should take a look at USAJOBS.

10. College Recruiter

College Recruiter Job Search Main Page

Over the years, employers got into the habit of going to college career centers to advertise their entry level positions. In fact, sometimes those are the only places they’ll advertise their openings.

The College Recruiter job site helps you find these entry level, part-time, seasonal, and internship jobs. And when you want to get your foot in the door, these types of positions are often the best way to go. The site provides helpful tools like articles, videos, job search advice, and conference details, so you can search for a job and get help doing it.

Good Luck on Your Job Search!

Make sure that you’re prepared to meet your potential employer after using one of these job search sites to apply for a position. with these mock interview websites.

You might also take a look at how employment scams work so that you can steer clear of them. And get help with your first impression by designing the perfect cover letter with Canva!

Read the full article: The 10 Best Job Search Websites

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Fast, Cheap, and Absolutely Terrifying: The Kugoo S1 Electric Scooter

Our verdict of the Kugoo S1:
If you are keen to get in on the electric scooter trend, the Kugoo S1 is fun, compact, fast, and has a good battery–just don't expect a smooth ride!
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Electric scooters are gaining popularity, and there are options at the budget end of the market worth considering. Many are advertised as transport for the last mile, or urban commuting vehicles. All of them are way too much fun.

Today we are looking at the Kugoo S1, a low price electric scooter that promises 30km (18 miles) of range and speeds of up to 30km/h (18mph).

Join us as we take a look at these claims, and work out if budget electric scooters are the future of urban transport, or just an expensive toy! As always, we have a Kugoo S1 to give away at the end of the article, courtesy of GeekBuying.

Getting Started

Kugoo S1 Foldable Electric Scooter
The S1 is available for $339.99 from GeekBuying, which puts it at the budget end of the price range. Not much comes in the box. Alongside the scooter, you get the 42V 1.5A charging pack, and a comprehensive but straightforward manual.

Kugoo S1 Charger and Manual

The manual suffers a little from translation but covers everything needed to get started. The scooter charges via a connector next to the primary hinge and a red/green LED indicator on the charge pack shows when charging finishes. Charge time is around 4 hours from empty to full.

Whenever you receive anything you plan to ride on or in, the first thing to do is check it for safety. I found the S1 to be put together well. Nothing needs tightening, and the build feels solid. Before finding out just how terrifying 30km/h on a scooter is, let’s look at the specs.

Kugoo S1: In Numbers

  • Range: 30km (18 miles)
  • Max Speed: 30km/h (18mph)
  • Brakes: Front regenerative magnetic brake, back stomp brake
  • Charge Time: 4 hours
  • Battery Power: 36v 8.8AH Li-Ion 18650
  • Motor Power: 350W
  • Max Weight: 120KG
  • Max Torque: 13.3N.M
  • Climbing Gradient: 15°
  • Wheels: 8.5 inch non-pneumatic non-slip
  • Weight: 11 Kg
  • Display: 7 x 4cm (2.8 X 1.5 Inch) OLED color display
  • Price: $339.99 at time of review

A couple of things jump out immediately from these specs.

Kugoo has priced the S1 a little cheaper than the Xiaomi M365, the most obvious competitor. The differences don’t stop there either.

The 350W motor is more powerful than the M365 and many others at this price. It weighs less, but can take more weight, and has a faster claimed top speed.

One notable difference is the inclusion of allegedly “Military Grade” non-pneumatic wheels made seemingly from some kind of hardened rubber. The S1 does, however, have shocks front and back to compensate for the lack of air in the tires.

The front wheel of the Kugoo S1

Also missing here is a rear disc brake. The S1 uses a front mounted regenerative magnet brake and a rear stomp brake which is confusingly listed as an emergency brake in the manual.

On paper, the S1 looks good. Does the experience match up to the numbers?

Setting Off

The Kugoo S1 in motion

Unfolding the S1 is intuitive. The back brake doubles as a catch to hold the folded scooter together. The main hinge clicks into place easily, and the adjustable height bars are held in place with a quick release clamp. The bars clip into the main display and feel surprisingly robust given their design.

The S1 turns on using one of 5 buttons mounted to the OLED display. The color display is easy to see even in bright conditions and displays your current speed, speed setting from one to three, battery level, and a choice between total distance traveled, current trip travel and elapsed time.

The handlebars, buttons, and OLED display of the S1
Two thumb paddles control acceleration and braking. Setting off was smooth, and acceleration is constant. The scooter defaults to speed 1 which presumably is the speed that the 30KM range is based on.

The Speed

The Kugoo S1, in motion

Before trying the S1, I assumed Kugoo would have added the lowest speed setting as a way of claiming massive range, and it would be too slow to actually be useful or fun. I was surprised to find that even the lowest speed settings were more than fast enough for moving around a smooth surfaced urban environment.

Practicality aside, I was expecting to have to crank up the speed to have fun, and I was wrong. The speedometer measured 17km/h (10mph) maximum for speed setting 1, and if I were trying to conserve battery life, I’d be perfectly happy traveling this fast.

That said, speed settings 2 and 3 topped out at 22 and 28km/h (14 and 17mph), and felt significantly faster. I weigh 80KG, so the claimed top speed of 30km/h is certainly possible.

The display of the S1 registering 27km/h

Just to make sure that the onboard display was accurate I set up a rudimentary speed test to measure distance traveled per elapsed camera frame. I found the speedometer to be accurate.

Personal experiences will of course vary, but I found the top speed of this scooter to be in that sweet spot where fun meets certain injury if something goes wrong.

In other words—if you want speed at a low budget you will not be disappointed. Just don’t come to us if you break a collarbone or two.

The Brakes

The front wheel motor also operates as a regenerative magnet brake

My first experience with the left thumb-activated brake was… interesting. Having read up on the Kugoo S1 before starting, I was assuming to find the braking force underwhelming. I found the opposite to be true, and the regenerative magnetic brake took a large chunk off my speed instantly, causing me almost to jump over the front bars.

After adjusting to this, I found it to be relatively easy to judge when to start braking, and as my time with the S1 continued I found that the brake mellowed out somewhat.

While the stopping power of the brake is okay for usage in a controlled environment, the claimed stopping distance of 4 meters seems to only apply to the lowest speed setting.

The rear foot brake also triggers the front brake, and according to the manual is only for emergencies. Anyone coming from a non-electric scooter will find this a strange adjustment.

The rear wheel and brake of the S1

I’m not entirely convinced that the back brake did trigger the front either. I noticed a marked difference when using the thumb trigger in conjunction with the stomp brake, despite the manual warning me not to, and the combination of both brought the stopping distance down significantly.

I don’t quite understand the omission of a disc brake on the back wheel of the S1. Perhaps it was a price saving measure, or they just thought it wasn’t needed, but I feel it could have added an extra level of stopping power.

Nevertheless, at no point did I feel out of control with the Kugoo S1, though I can imagine those less experienced with scooters falling foul of the odd brake setup. Also, be wary of the potential savage first few hours of brake use!

The Ride

The S1 from the side on a bumpy surface

Riding the Kugoo S1 is as smooth as the surface you choose to ride on. As predicted, the lack of air in the tires does make a difference. While it is an advantage on smooth ground and contributes to the feeling of speed, as soon as you move off the smooth ground you are going to feel it!

The front and rear shocks likely contribute to a slightly more comfortable ride, but I found my wrists and feet to be aching after my first day riding. I spent a lot more time on the S1 than most people would on their commute, so this might not be a big deal for some people. If comfort is an issue, you may want to look for something with pneumatic tires.

Portability

The S1 folded up

When folded, the S1 measures 95 x 34 x 18.5 cm (37 x 13 x 7 Inches) and will fit in any car boot. This is mostly due to the way the bars fold down. The design of these bars is one of the coolest features of the Kugoo S1. Folding them out locks them into place, and two thumb buttons release them.

A gif showing off the folding handlebars of the S1

When unfolded, the handlebars can operate at three heights. I measure 180cm and found the second and third settings to be equally comfortable, though I can imagine taller folks being glad of the highest setting.

Folding the S1 requires a combination of pressing down on the release catch and jerking forward the handlebars. This movement is easier to learn with the front wheel up against a wall, but without following a video on how to fold it I wouldn’t have worked it out.

The catch is so stiff that you will feel like you are doing something wrong, and I was close to breaking out the hammer when I finally worked it out. This makes sense, as you don’t want this thing folding by accident on you at 30 km/h!

The Weight

At 24 pounds, The Kugoo S1 is a little lighter than the Xiaomi M365, but this isn’t enough of a difference to matter. The technology that powers electric scooters is heavy, and there is no easy way to get around it. Premium scooters employ carbon fiber bodies to save weight, but ultimately big battery packs are heavy components.

Depending on the user, the S1 can be carried in one hand, but the weight combined with the center of balance makes it unwieldy at best. If you plan to keep this scooter in the garage and just move it into your car boot, it’s not a problem, but if you need to carry it up a set of stairs every day be prepared for a workout.

The Battery

The OLED screen of the S1 with speed and battery display

The stated battery range of 30km will be a big draw for many people. Once again, this figure is highly dependent on the weight of the user, along with the environmental temperature, with colder temperatures resulting in less range. The weather was generally good throughout my testing. The battery drained thoroughly twice during testing. Once at 22km, and once at 15km.

Bear in mind this was using multiple speed settings interchangeably and over many different surfaces. Given its performance over my usage, I have no reason to believe that the 30km isn’t attainable on the lowest speed setting. This battery life should be more than adequate for commuting between a car or train and workplace, or for having fun on a day out.

Everything Else

Kugoo S1 front facing LED light

The S1 has 26 front mounted LEDs as a headlight, and a small red LED backlight. Both work fine for visibility, and the front mounted LEDs are bright enough for some evening use. I wouldn’t want to be going full speed in the dark relying solely on them, but they’re fine otherwise.

The S1's unfortunately placed kick stand

The kickstand works, and the scooter can be left standing upright. You really don’t want to forget to put it up before you set off though or you may catapult yourself.

Unfortunately, it is attached to the bottom of the scooter in such a way that the scooter can never lie flat on the floor. Not only this, but the metal kickstand edge when folded will scratch your floor. This was clearly an afterthought to an otherwise well-designed scooter.

The Kugoo S1 has no smartphone app, though its large display up front makes one somewhat unnecessary, and the need for a dedicated app for your scooter is dubious at best anyway.

Should You Buy One?

The Kugoo S1 is a tremendous amount of fun, at times the kind of fun that may land you in an ambulance, though that would be no fault of the scooter! Its only main downfall is the lack of air in the tires and the lack of a rear disc brake, but neither of these things are problematic enough to cause any problems.

Before you purchase, you should check local laws. Riding an electric scooter or Segway on a public road or path is illegal in the UK, which makes this decidedly less useful there.

There are other scooters close to this price that may give a more comfortable ride, but the S1 delivers on the three main things it promises. It has a great range, it’s fast, and it folds down to a small size.

For $339.99 can you really ask for more?

Enter the Competition!

Kugoo S1 Electric Scooter Giveaway

Read the full article: Fast, Cheap, and Absolutely Terrifying: The Kugoo S1 Electric Scooter