Electronics Articles

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-02-2023

As you design and build with electronic circuits, you’ll invariably find yourself scratching your head trying to remember what color stripes are on a 470 Ω resistor or what pin on a 555 timer integrated circuit (IC) is the trigger input. Never fear! This handy Cheat Sheet will help you remember such mundane details so you can get on with the fun stuff.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-02-2023

Electronics is more than just schematics and circuits. By using various components, such as resistors and capacitors, electronics allows you to bend electric current to your will to create an infinite variety of gizmos and gadgets. In exploring electronics, use this handy reference for working with Ohm’s, Joule’s, and Kirchhoff’s Laws; making important calculations; determining the values of resistors and capacitors according to the codes that appear on their casings; and using a 555 timer and other integrated circuits (ICs).

Cheat Sheet / Updated 01-09-2023

Apple Watches cost a pretty penny, especially if you have a Wi-Fi+Cellular model. This is why you should know how to get the most from your Apple Watch’s battery life, troubleshoot problems your watch might have, and get Apple support for Apple Watches.

Article / Updated 01-03-2023

A variety of iPhone models are on the market; it can be daunting when trying to decide which one you want to purchase. In this article, I focus on Apple’s newest models, the iPhone 14 series. If you’d like to explore others, Apple has a great tool on its website for making comparisons. The sizes of the latest iPhone 14 models vary: iPhone 14 measures 2.82" by 5.78" (6.1" diagonally) with a depth of .31 inch (smaller of the phones on the left in the image below). iPhone 14 Plus measures 3.07" by 6.33" (6.7" diagonally) with a depth of .31 inch (larger of the phones on the left in the image below). iPhone 14 Pro measures 2.81" by 5.81" (6.1" diagonally) with a depth of .31 inch (smaller of the phones on the right in the image below). iPhone 14 Pro Max measures 3.05" by 6.33" (6.7" diagonally) with a depth of .31 inch (larger of the phones on the right in the image below). You can get iPhone 14 and 14 Plus in starlight, midnight, blue, purple, and a beautiful product red version. iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max come in gold, silver, space black, and a great-looking deep purple. Why the iPhone 14 is worth buying Not sure whether to get an iPhone 14 model? Here are a few more key differences: All iPhone 14 models include upgraded batteries. You get up to 20 hours of video playback for iPhone 14, up to 23 hours for 14 Pro, 26 hours for 14 Plus, and a whopping 29 hours for 14 Pro Max. iPhone 14 models use eSIMs instead of physical SIMs. A SIM stores important information about your phone and your cellular provider network. Physical SIMs can be moved from phone to phone, but eSIMs are permanently built-in. All models received camera upgrades. iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max have triple rear-facing cameras, providing amazing optical zoom, portrait mode, and other features. The 14 and 14 Plus have dual rear-facing cameras. Screen resolution. The higher the resolution the better, especially for larger screens since you need to pack more pixels (the tiny dots of color that make up the images) into a larger space. The iPhone 14 offers 2532 x 1170 resolution; 14 Plus provides 2778 x 1284 resolution; 14 Pro boasts 2556 x 1179; and 14 Pro Max provides a stunning 2796 x 1290. The table below gives you a quick comparison of the iPhone SE (third generation), 12, 13, 13 mini, 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max (models currently sold by Apple). All costs are as of the time this book was written. (Some carriers may introduce non-contract terms.) iPhone Model Comparison Model Storage Cost (may vary by carrier) Carriers SE (third generation) 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB From $429 AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile 12 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB From $599 AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile 13 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB From $699 AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile 13 mini 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB From $599 AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile 14 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB From $799 AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile 14 Plus 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB From $899 AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile 14 Pro 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB From $999 AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile 14 Pro Max 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB From $1,099 AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile Other differences between iPhone models come primarily from the current operating system, iOS 16. One exciting pricing option is the iPhone Upgrade Program. You choose your carrier, get an unlocked phone so you can change carriers, and receive Apple Care+ to cover you in case your phone has problems, all starting at a cost of $39.50 a month (depending on the iPhone model you select). The price does not include data usage from your carrier. Decide How Much Storage Is Enough Storage is a measure of how much information — for example, movies, photos, and software applications (apps) — you can store on a computing device. Storage can also affect your iPhone’s performance when handling such tasks as streaming favorite TV shows from the web or downloading music. Streaming refers to playing video or music content from the web (or from other devices) rather than playing a file stored on your iPhone. You can enjoy a lot of material online without ever downloading its full content to your phone — and given that the most storage-endowed iPhone model has a relatively small amount of storage, streaming is a good idea. Your storage options with an iPhone 14 or 14 Plus are 128, 256, and 512 gigabytes (GB), while 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max have 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB (terabyte, which is 1000GB). You must choose the right amount of storage because you can’t open the unit and add more, as you usually can with a desktop computer. However, Apple has thoughtfully provided iCloud, a service you can use to back up content to the internet. How much storage is enough for your iPhone? Here are some guidelines: If you simply want to check email, browse the web, and keep your calendar up to date, and you enjoy communicating via voice, video, and instant messaging, 128GB likely is plenty. For most people who manage a reasonable number of photos, download some music, and watch heavy-duty media such as movies online, 256GB may be sufficient. But if you might take things up a notch regarding media consumption and creation in the future (such as the newest grandchild being on the way soon), you should seriously consider 512GB. If you like lots of media, such as movies or TV shows, you might need 512GB or 1TB. For example, shooting 4K video at 60 frames per second will take roughly 1GB of storage space for every two and a half minutes of footage. If you shoot a lot of video, 1TB of storage might be more appealing. Do you know how big a gigabyte (GB) is? Consider this: Just about any computer you buy today comes with a minimum of 256GB of storage. Computers have to tackle larger tasks than iPhones, so that number makes sense. The iPhone, which uses a technology called flash storage for storing data, is meant (to a great extent) to help you experience online media and email; it doesn’t have to store much since it pulls lots of content from the internet. In the world of storage, 64GB for any kind of storage is puny if you keep lots of content (such as audio, video, and photos) on the device. What’s the price for larger storage? iPhone 14, a 128GB unit costs $799, 256GB is $899, and 512GB will set you back $1,099. iPhone 14 Plus with 128GB goes for $899, 256GB at $899, and 512GB for $1,199. iPhone 14 Pro with 128GB is $999, 256GB is $1,099, 512GB goes for $1,299, and the model tops out at $1,499 for 1TB. Not to be outdone, iPhone 14 Pro Max is the priciest: $1,099 for 128GB, $1,199 for 256GB, $1,399 for 512GB, and $1,599 for 1TB. Note that prices may vary by carrier and where you buy your phone.

Article / Updated 12-23-2022

Apple Watch comes in a few sizes and configurations. For Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 watches, you have a choice of a screen that’s either 38 millimeters (about 1.5 inches) or 42 millimeters (roughly 1.65 inches). For Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE (a less expensive model introduced in 2020), sizes measure 40 mm (1.57 inches) or 44 mm (1.73 inches), but the watches have narrower bezels (borders) than their predecessors. Apple Watch Series 7 (2021) and Apple Watch Series 8 (2022), has two sizes: 41 mm (1.61 inches) and 45 mm (1.77 inches). These watches introduced thinner bezels than all Apple Watches to date; therefore, the watch face is virtually all screen. And finally, Apple introduced Apple Watch Ultra in 2022, featuring a super durable smartwatch with a larger 49mm case size, and other bells and whistles. You measure your screen from the top to the bottom, not diagonally — similar to how most screens in consumer electronics are measured (such as those on smartphones and tablets). Although you likely bought a watch before buying this book, note that a few versions of Apple Watch are available today (the latest Apple Watch Series 8, is shown in the image below), and you can purchase a few accessories to customize your watch. For a more extensive discussion of the Apple Watch collections, or for ways to persuade a friend or co-worker that they need an Apple Watch, visit the Apple Watch website. Excluding the various bands you can buy from Apple, the six Apple Watch options are Apple Watch Series 8: The latest Apple Watch model (as of this writing) features the same design as the Apple Watch Series 7 (2021) but adds a new temperature sensor system (for insights into women’s health), “crash detection” (through motion sensors and microphone), and a low-power mode that can squeeze up to 36 hours on one charge (with iPhone nearby). Apple Watch Series 7: This 2021 model adds a bigger and tougher screen than its predecessors, faster wireless charging, all-new colors, an optional QWERTY keyboard for typing, and more. Choice of materials include aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium. Apple Watch SE: Much like the less expensive iPhone SE, Apple Watch SE — updated in the Fall of 2022 — is meant to give you premium features at a more affordable price. It includes a great-looking Retina display, new dual-core processor for faster performance, advanced sensors to track your movement, sleep, crash detection (2022 model), and more. Apple Watch Ultra: Introduced in the Fall of 2022, this larger (49mm) Apple Watch is designed for sporty and outdoorsy types, featuring a more ruggedized body (titanium case), precision dual-frequency GPS, one extra (and customizable) action button, crash detection, and up to 36 hours of battery life. This watch also has three specialized bands for athletes and adventurers. Apple Watch Nike+: Ideal for fitness types who like the Nike brand, this special edition Apple Watch (and special loop band) was designed to be your running partner. The watch synchronizes with the Nike Run Club app and Nike Training Club app. You can now add exclusive Nike watch faces to this edition of Apple Watch. Apple Watch Hermès: A partnership between Apple and Hermès, this fashion-centric watch includes bold, colorful (and extra-long wraparound) leather bands and an exclusive new watch face. You also have a ton of choice when it comes to materials you want in an Apple Watch and what style of band to choose. With Apple Watch Series 6, you can go with aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, or ceramic. Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 introduced five aluminum case finishes, along with a range of new band colors and styles. See the images below. The super-durable Apple Watch Ultra is made with titanium and supports three specialized bands. In the fall of 2019, Apple also announced Apple Watch Studio, a website that lets you choose a case and pair any band.

Article / Updated 12-23-2022

The first time you turn on your iPhone, it will probably have been activated and registered by your cellular carrier or Apple, depending on whom you’ve bought it from. Follow these steps: Press and hold down the side button (found a little bit below the top of the upper-right side of newer iPhone models) or the top button (on the first-generation iPhone SE and earlier models) until the Apple logo appears. A screen appears, asking you to enter your Apple ID. Enter your Apple ID. If you don’t have an Apple ID, follow the instructions to create one. Follow the series of prompts to set up initial options for your iPhone. You can make choices about your language and location, using iCloud (Apple’s online sharing service), whether to use a passcode, connecting with a network, and so on. You can choose to have personal items transferred to your iPhone from your computer when you sync the two devices using iTunes or Finder, including music, videos, downloaded apps, audiobooks, e-books, podcasts, and browser bookmarks. Contacts and Calendars are downloaded via iCloud, or (if you’re moving to iPhone from an Android phone) you can download an Apple app called Move to iOS from the Google Play Store to copy your current Android settings to your iPhone. You can also transfer to your computer any content you download directly to your iPhone by using iTunes, the App Store, or non-Apple stores. Meet the Multi-Touch Screen When the iPhone Home screen appears, you see a colorful background and two sets of icons, as shown in the image below. One set of icons appears on the dock, which is along the bottom of the screen. The dock contains the Phone, Safari, Messages, and Music app icons by default, though you can swap out one app for another. You can add new apps to populate as many as 14 additional Home screens, for a total of 15 Home screens. The dock appears on every Home screen. Other icons appear above the dock. Different icons appear in this area on each Home screen. You can also nest apps in folders, which gives you the ability to store even more apps on your iPhone, depending on your phone's memory. Treat the iPhone screen carefully. The newest models have Ceramic Shield, Apple's toughest screen ever for the iPhone, but it's still made of glass and will break if an unreasonable amount of force is applied. The iPhone uses touchscreen technology: When you swipe your finger across the screen or tap it, you’re providing input to the device just as you do to a computer by using a mouse or keyboard. You'll read more about the touchscreen in the next task, but for now, go ahead and play with it — really, you can’t hurt anything. Use the pads of your fingertips (not your fingernails) and try the following: Tap the Settings icon. The various settings categories appear, as shown in the figure below. To return to the Home screen, press the Home button or, if you have an iPhone without a Home button, swipe up from the very bottom edge of your screen. Swipe a finger from right to left on the Home screen. This action moves you to the next Home screen.The little white dots at the bottom of the screen, above the dock icons, indicate which Home screen is displayed. If you see the search field instead, just lightly move your finger on your iPhone’s screen and the dots will appear in its place. To experience the screen rotation feature, hold the iPhone firmly while turning it sideways. The screen flips to the horizontal (or landscape) orientation, if the app you’re in supports it.To flip the screen back, just turn the device so that it’s short side is up again (portrait mode). Some apps force iPhone to stay in one orientation or the other. Drag your finger down from the very top edge of the screen to reveal such items as notifications, reminders, and calendar entries.Drag up from the very bottom edge of the Home screen to hide these items. Then drag up (iPhones with a Home button) or swipe down from the top-right corner to the center (iPhone without a Home button) to display Control Center, which contains commonly used controls and tools. Say Hello to Tap and Swipe You can use several methods for getting around and getting things done in iPhone by using its multi-touch screen, including Tap once. To open an application on the Home screen, choose a field (such as a search box), choose an item in a list, use an arrow to move back or forward one screen, or follow an online link, tap the item once with your finger. Tap twice. Use this method to enlarge or reduce the display of a web page or to zoom in or out in the Maps app. Pinch. As an alternative to the tap-twice method, you can pinch your fingers together or move them apart on the screen (see the figure below) when you’re looking at photos, maps, web pages, or email messages to quickly reduce or enlarge them, respectively. This method allows you to grow or contract the screen to a variety of sizes rather than a fixed size, as with the double-tap method.Use a three-finger tap to zoom your screen even larger or use multitasking gestures to swipe with four or five fingers. This method is handy if you have vision challenges. Drag to scroll (known as swiping). When you touch your finger to the screen and drag to the right or left, the screen moves (see the figure below). Swiping to the left on the Home screen, for example, moves you to the next Home screen. Swiping up while reading an online newspaper moves you down the page; swiping down moves you back up the page. Flick. To scroll more quickly on a page, quickly flick your finger on the screen in the direction you want to move. Tap the status bar. To move quickly to the top of a list, a web page, or an email message, tap the status bar at the top of the iPhone screen. (For some sites, you have to tap twice to get this to work.) Press and hold down. If you’re using Notes or Mail or any other application that lets you select text, or if you’re on a web page, pressing and holding down on text selects a word and displays editing tools that you can use to select, cut, or copy and paste the text. When you rock your phone backward or forward, the background moves as well (a feature called parallax). You can disable this feature if it makes you seasick. From the Home screen, tap Settings @@--> Accessibility @@--> Motion and then turn on the Reduce Motion setting by tapping the toggle switch (it turns green when the option is enabled). Bezel gestures Your iPhone enables you to perform bezel gestures, which involve sliding left to right from the very outer edge of the phone on the glass to go backward and sliding right to left to go forward in certain apps. You can try these methods now: Tap the Safari icon on the dock at the bottom of any iPhone Home screen to display the Safari web browser. Tap a link to move to another page. Double-tap the page to enlarge it; then pinch your thumb and finger together on the screen to reduce its size. Drag one finger up and down the page to scroll. Flick your finger quickly up or down on the page to scroll more quickly. Press and hold down your finger on a word that isn’t a link. (Links take you to another location on the web.) The word is selected, and the tools shown in the figure below are displayed. (You can use this tool to either get a definition of a word or copy it.) Press and hold down your finger on a link or an image. A menu appears (shown in the figure below) with commands that you select to open the link or picture, open it in a new tab, open it in a tab group, download a linked file, add it to your reading list, copy it, or share it. If you press and hold down on an image, the menu also offers the Add to Photos command. Tap outside the menu to close it without making a selection. Position your thumb and finger slightly apart on the screen and then pinch your thumb and finger together to reduce the page. With your thumb and finger already pinched together on the screen, move them apart to enlarge the page. Press the Home button or swipe up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone without a Home button) to go back to the Home screen.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 12-22-2022

Your iPhone can be so much more than a communication tool to talk into. Aside from making calls and creating your contacts, you should make yourself familiar with the many options available on the iPhone touchscreen. You'll also want to be able to handle troubleshooting when your Apple device acts strangely or stops working. When you need a bit of levity, check out our 10 ways to have fun with Siri. And finally, if you have an iPhone with Face ID, you’ll discover Face ID–specific tips for creating animoji and putting your iPhone into recovery mode.

Article / Updated 12-22-2022

Apple’s iPhone gets its features from a combination of hardware and its software operating system, which is called iOS (short for iPhone operating system). The most current version of the operating system, as of December 2022, is iOS 16. It’s helpful to understand which new features the latest models and iOS 16 bring to the table. Features of the latest models Apple’s latest additions to the iPhone family are the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max. Like their predecessors, they're highly advanced smartphones that leave competitors in the dust. Following, are some of the key features of the latest iPhone models. A15 and A16 Bionic chips The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus models include the A15 chip, while the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max receive the latest and greatest, the A16. The truly innovative tech in these models demands processors that can handle some heavy lifting while still being able to answer calls and retrieve email, and the A15 and A16 are both more than capable. Dynamic Island (14 Pro and Pro Max models only) No, this isn’t the latest reality show craze, but rather a long-awaited innovation. iPhone models of late have sported a notch at the top of their screens where sensors, cameras, and other hardware reside. Dynamic Island is a seamless pairing of hardware and software that effectively makes that area come alive with information for you, making it an upgraded notch with a twist, if you will. The notch appears to expand or contract, depending on the notifications, alerts, and other activities its currently tasked with. I hope this great update will find its way into other iPhone models moving forward. Emergency SOS via Satellite and Crash Detection Apple has incorporated these two critically important new safety features into the iPhone 14 lineup. Emergency SOS via Satellite helps you reach emergency responders when you’re outside traditional cell or Wi-Fi service. Crash Detection utilizes new gyroscope and accelerometer tech in the latest models to detect when you’ve been in an automobile crash and will cause your iPhone to alert emergency services automatically. Both features are something you never want to need but are thankful to have. Splash, water, and dust resistance Your new iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, or 14 Pro Max is resistant to damage caused by water splashing onto it or from dust collecting in it. Now, you don’t want to take your iPhone 14 model deep-sea diving, but it’s likely to survive submersion in about six meters of water for up to 30 minutes. In other words, if your iPhone 14 model gets wet, it’s much more likely to survive the ordeal than older iPhone iterations, but it still isn't something you’d like to see happen to your expensive investment. You might consider acquiring AppleCare+, which is Apple’s extended warranty, currently priced at $149 (iPhone 14), $179 (14 Plus), or $199 (iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max) per year. Monthly plans are also available. AppleCare+ covers unlimited incidents of accidental damage (but you will be charged minimal fees, based on the nature of the repair), which could more than cover the cost of repairing your iPhone without it. You can also get AppleCare+ with theft and loss coverage for an additional $70 (all four models). Ceramic Shield The toughness and durability of Apple’s screens just keeps getting better. Ceramic Shield was developed by Apple and Corning, and according to them, it’s the toughest screen ever for a smartphone, making it four times more likely than other smartphones to survive a drop unscathed. Don’t think your iPhone is unbreakable. Cases are still a good — no, make that a great — idea. As mentioned, Apple has a line of cases that not only protect your iPhone but also allow for wireless MagSafe and Qi charging. (Qi is an industry-standard wireless charging technology used by Apple and most smartphone manufacturers.) Features of iOS 16 Any iPhone model from the iPhone 8 and newer (including the SE second generation, and all 11, 12, 13, and 14 models) can use most features of iOS 16 if you update the operating system. This update to the operating system adds many features, including (but definitely not limited to) the following. All-new lock screen: Apple’s taken a fresh approach to the lock screen, allowing you to customize it to your heart’s content. You can create lock screens for every occasion, switch between them in a snap, and include items like widgets, live activities, weather, and more. Focus: Think of Focus as an extension of the Do Not Disturb feature. You can customize a focus to filter notifications based on what you’re doing at the moment. iOS 16 introduces new features like focus schedules, focus filters (imagine one for work and one for personal), and allow and silence lists for apps and contacts. Photos: Photos in iOS 16 includes the new iCloud Shared Photo Library feature, which allows you to create a library of photos that you can share with others via iCloud. Other participants may also collaborate by adding their own photos to the library, providing a more complete memory experience for all. Everyone can also edit, delete, caption, and mark as a favorite any photo in the library. Messages: The latest iteration of Messages finally allows you to select multiple messages at once (for example, if you want to delete several at one time), mark read messages as unread, edit messages you’ve already sent (up to 15 minutes after), and more. This is a nice upgrade, IMO. Safari: Tab groups, a welcome new feature in iOS 15, allow you to group your open web pages any way you like. iOS 16 takes the feature a step further by allowing you to share tab groups and create pinned tabs in tab groups. It also introduces Passkeys, a new and more secure way to authenticate yourself on websites that require a password. Maps: Maps now allows you to add multiple stops along your route. The new Transit Fares feature helps you calculate fares and other fees so you can better prepare for trip costs. Health app: You can now use Health to track your medications, discover potential interaction issues, add medications by scanning the label on bottles, get reminders when it’s time to take medications, and more. These are but a few of the improvements made to the latest version of iOS. I suggest visiting Apple's iOS 16 web page to find out more. Don’t need all the built-in apps? You can remove them from your Home screen. When you remove a built-in app from your Home screen, you aren't deleting it — you’re hiding it. (Note that built-in apps take up very little of your iPhone’s storage space.) If you change your mind, you can easily add them back to your Home screen by searching for them in the App Store and tapping the Get button, or by retrieving them from the App Library. How you recover them depends on the app; some allow you to hide them while others only let you relegate them to the App Library.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 12-08-2022

Your Apple Watch works with — or, depending on what version you have, independently of — your iPhone, and you can do myriad things with your Apple Watch, all by using your finger or voice. Apple Watch can help you keep in contact with close friends; achieve your fitness and health goals with the Activity app; pay for items at retail with the wave of your wrist; and find directions to any destination you choose. And don’t forget that Siri, your personal assistant, can help you with all of your Apple Watch tasks.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 11-17-2022

One of the best things about your Android smartphone is that it is, well, yours. Android gives you a number of ways to customize not only the look and feel of your phone, but also the way it works for you. From adding widgets to your home screen, disabling notifications from apps of your choosing, and setting tap and zoom accessibility settings, you can add a little personality to your Android smartphone and turn it into a unique device for a truly unique user experience.