Electronics Articles

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

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 12-22-2022

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.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 11-14-2022

This cheat sheet gives you a rundown of some of the most useful features and apps so you can find what you need to customize your iPhone’s behavior. See how to get the most out of Siri (your iPhone’s virtual assistant), review some favorite apps for news and weather, and discover several of the most popular apps for multimedia.

Article / Updated 11-04-2022

Listen to the article:Download audio What is the Amazon Fire TV Stick? The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a device joining the ranks of home entertainment streaming technologies. The Fire Stick plugs into your TV’s HDMI port giving you access to your favorite TV shows, movies, subscription services, music, photos, and games. The Fire TV Stick houses all of your favorite content and is easily transportable, so you can take your media anywhere! What you get with the Fire TV Stick Imagine being able to take your TV with you when you go on vacation. That’s the functionality you get with the Fire TV Stick. The Fire TV Stick houses all of your content and is completely portable. Simply remove your device and take it with you when you travel. Plug it into any compatible TV to gain instant access to all of your favorite videos. If you are an Amazon Prime member, your Fire TV Stick comes pre-registered to your account. You have immediate access to all of your Amazon Prime content as soon as you plug your Fire TV Stick into your HDMI port. Being a Prime member also lets you choose from a cache of Amazon Originals that cannot be accessed by the average user. When you receive your box from Amazon, you will have everything you need to make the Fire TV Stick work. In the box you will find your new Fire TV Stick, the remote, a USB cable and power adapter, HDMI extender, 2 AAA batteries, and a guide to get you started. In addition, you get the following features: 1 GB of memory 8 GB of internal storage Optional voice support Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi A dedicated VideoCore4 GPU How the Fire TV Stick works The Amazon Fire TV Stick rivals other popular streaming devices like the Roku and Chromecast. How does the Amazon Fire TV Stick work? Your Fire Stick plugs into your HDMI TV via USB port, connects via Wi-Fi, and comes equipped with a Bluetooth remote. Simply plug your Fire Stick in and you will be directed through the setup process and prompted to sign into your Amazon account. The Fire Stick is a central repository for all your content. Once logged on, you will have access to any music and videos purchased through your Amazon account. In addition, you can view any pictures uploaded to your Amazon Cloud service. Using your device, you also have access to thousands of apps and games. For instance, you can use your Fire TV Stick to open the Netflix app and watch trending Netflix videos. Or, open YouTube and browse the latest uploads from your favorite vlogger. Other services like HBO Now, ESPN, and Hulu can also be accessed with your Fire TV Stick at a cost. However, even with the fee, you get the advantage of being able to choose your preferred services instead of being tied into a cable package. Games are also available. But, you will need a controller which is only available for purchase through Amazon. Fire TV Stick vs. Fire TV Amazon offers a Fire Stick and Fire TV. These products offer the same services and both come equipped with a Bluetooth remote. So, what's the difference? Size: The Fire TV Stick is far smaller than the Fire TV. The Fire Stick is about three inches long and plugs into your TV. Fire TV is a square console that, while sleek, is about four and half inches long on each side. If you prefer the minimalist look, the Fire TV Stick is the winner. Cost: You will find that the Fire Stick is the cheaper option. The Fire Stick costs $39.99 while the Fire TV will set you back $99. Speed: The Fire Stick will give you 1 GB of RAM, while the Fire TV offers 2 GB of RAM, making the Fire TV more responsive. If you're a serious gamer, you might want to go for the Fire TV to avoid lags and frustration in loading speeds. Additional ports and storage: With the Fire TV Stick, you won't have options for expansion. The Fire TV console has a USB port, Ethernet port, and microSD slot, making it easier to store and access content. Capabilities: The Fire TV stick can support your watching habits up to 1080p. Fire TV is enabled for 4K streaming. With the trend leaning toward 4K TVs, the Fire TV might be a better option if you are looking to upgrade or already have. Although, if you haven't (or don't plan) to go the 4K route anytime soon, the Fire TV's capabilities and portability factor make it a perfectly adequate choice for those just wanting to stream their favorite shows. Evaluate your needs and budget before determining which Fire TV option is right for you. Why you need the Fire TV Stick When people hear the phrase “streaming technology,” most groan and think about how they just want watching TV to be easy. Well, the Fire TV Stick makes it simple. Only now, instead of searching through those horizontal bars of endless TV shows, you can access what you want to see, when you want to see it. For easier searching, the Fire TV Stick offers voice control using Amazon's Alexa. You can get this capability two ways. Simply press the black button and speak your choice. If that extra cost doesn’t appeal to you, you can download the free Fire TV Remote app on your phone. Using your phone’s native voice prompts, you can speak your choice and your phone will relay your choice to the Fire Stick. Why else would you want the Fire TV Stick? Well, it learns. Or rather, it uses your preferences to make predictions about what you might like. Using ASAP (Advanced Streaming and Prediction), the Fire TV Stick offers you choices of related programming based on your previous watches.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 10-21-2022

The TI-84 Plus CE graphing calculator is one of the most popular calculators in the world. Find out the important keystrokes you need to know to use the TI-84 Plus, and learn the math functions and constants that the TI-84 Plus CE makes available to you. Get to know the basics of graphing on your TI-84 Plus CE, as well as how to use the calculator’s zoom commands and special menus.

Article / Updated 10-19-2022

The letters STO may look like texting language, but the TI-84 Plus calculator's STO key is a handy feature to have around. If you plan to use the same number many times when evaluating arithmetic expressions, consider storing that number in a variable. To do so, follow these steps: If necessary, press [2nd][MODE] to enter the Home screen. Enter the number you want to store in a variable. You can store a number or an arithmetic expression. Press The result of this action is shown in the first screen. Press [ALPHA] and press the key corresponding to the letter of the variable in which you want to store the number. The letters used for storing variables are the letters of the alphabet and the Greek letter theta. Press [ENTER] to store the value. This is illustrated in the second screen. Insert your stored variable into an expression After you have stored a number in a variable, you can insert that number into an expression. To do so, place the cursor where you want the number to appear, press [ALPHA], and press the key corresponding to the letter of the variable in which the number is stored. See the third screen. The number you store in a variable remains stored in that variable until you or the calculator stores a new number in that variable. Because the calculator uses the letters X, T, and the Greek theta when graphing functions, parametric equations, and polar equations, it is possible that the calculator will change the value stored in these variables when the calculator is in graphing mode. For example, if you store a number in the variable X and ask the calculator to find the zero of the graphed function X2, the calculator will replace the number stored in X with 0, the zero of X2. So avoid storing values in these three variables if you want that value to remain stored in that variable after you have graphed functions, parametric equations, or polar equations.

Article / Updated 10-19-2022

Before you can graph a function on your TI-84 Plus calculator, you must enter it into the calculator. The calculator can handle up to ten functions at once, Y1 through Y9 and Y0. To enter functions in the calculator, perform the following steps: Press [MODE] and put the calculator in Function mode. To highlight an item in the Mode menu, use the keys to place the cursor on the item and then press [ENTER]. Highlight FUNCTION in the fourth line to put the calculator in Function mode. See the first screen. Press ! to access the Y= editor. See the second screen. Enter your function. If necessary, press [CLEAR] to erase a previous function entry. Then enter your function. Your math textbook may use a function notation like this: f(x)=2x+1. To graph a function in your calculator, you must realize f(x) is interchangeable with y, only the notation differs. See the third screen. When you’re defining functions, the only symbol the calculator allows for the independent variable is the letter X. Press to enter this letter in your function. As a timesaver, when entering functions in the Y= editor, you can reference another function. Use the shortcut Y-VAR menu to paste a function name in the function you’re entering in the Y= editor. Just press [ALPHA][TRACE] and choose the name of the function you want to insert in your equation. See the first screen. How does calling up the name of another function save you time? Well, say you’re trying to graph a circle in your calculator with the equation x2 + y2 = 36. Of course, you need to solve the equation for y to graph the circle equation in your calculator. Solving for y gives you: Notice, it takes two functions to graph a circle! No problem. In function Y1 enter Then, to save time, use the shortcut Y–VAR menu to enter Y2 = –Y1. See the second screen.