Category: News

There used to be a time when you’d see hundreds of people lined up outside the Apple store and service carriers waiting for the newest and next greatest iPhone to be released. However, consumers just aren’t making the effort to upgrade their phones as frequently as they used to and Apple sales are proving it. In fact, they are projecting to make nearly 5 billion less than they had previously expected.

Although Apple is attempting to keep up with the modern consumer’s needs with new features, it’s just not making the cut. Many loyal Apple consumers are opting to hold onto their last purchase – here’s why you might want to hold onto your older iPhone too.

Cheap Battery Replacement

Recently, Apple released a performance-throttling Battery Health feature which is giving iPhones everywhere a new lease on life.

However, if your iPhone battery still isn’t holding up, you can easily just replace it. Battery replacements used to cost over $100 but now you can have your old one swapped out for as little as $49. And for the price of a single week’s worth of your favorite coffee, you basically have yourself a brand new phone!

Higher Prices

Every year the price for a new phone just keeps going up. This year’s base model, iPhone XR comes with a hefty price point starting at $749 with little improvements on performance and features. And if you’re desperate for more storage than what the base XR has to offer, you’ll need to shell out at least another $50. This can be an incentive for most to hold on to last year’s model.

No Carrier Subsidies

It used to be that no one would ever have to pay for the full price of their shiny new phone. However, in recent years, we now must pay off the full price of our phone with monthly payments making it harder to upgrade.

iOS 12 Made Phones Faster

Historically iPhones have been known to slow down shortly after an iOS update. However, with the new iOS 12 update, you can keep your iPhone around for at least another year. iOS 12 will work on any device that supports iOS 11.

Designed To Last

iPhones have a bad rap for their screens. All it takes is one drop and you’re looking at a bill for a screen repair! Within recent years, Apple has been improving its materials used in their phones to improve their lifespan. And when your iPhone is finally ready to go to the iPhone graveyard, you don’t have to be concerned because most of the materials are recyclable!

In all, you may want to consider holding onto your current iPhone for at least another year. From more durable materials, more affordable battery replacements, lack of new features in exchange for an infinitely rising price point for a newer model just isn’t making the cut anymore. Contact iDropped today to find out how we can help you keep your old iPhone around a lot longer! We repair iPhones, iPads, iPods, Samsung Galaxy, select Android Devices, plus Laptop and Computer screens.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but if you don’t treat your smartphone right you’ll be missing out on a lot of summer selfie ops. By taking a few precautions and using a little common sense, your phone will make it home from the beach, concerts, and other leisure activities in good working order.

Tip 1 – Wrap It Up

Keeping your mobile device safe and debris free is easier and a lot more affordable than you may think. By investing in a $2 box of Ziplock plastic bags from your local thrift store you can protect your phone from beach sand, spilled drinks, and salt water without breaking the bank.

Tip 2 – Turn It Down

Your phone’s enormous screen is a battery killer. If you want your battery to last longer, dim your phone’s brightness to its lowest setting. This is especially helpful if you’re out and about without outlet access and don’t own a portable charger.

Tip 3 – Charge It Up

If you do happen to have access to an outlet, don’t pass it up. Keep your eyes open for any and all charging opportunities and charge your batter as much as possible.

Tip 4 – Text Only

If you know that you’re not going to have access to an outlet for some time, don’t waste your precious batter power making a phone call that could have just as easily been a text communication. Calls require more power and sap your battery much faster than text messages.

Tip 5 – Turn Down the Heat

You may think keeping your phone in your car while you’re at the beach is a great idea, but it can be just like putting it in a hot oven. Keep your phone in cool or shaded places, and if it does overheat, turn it off ASAP!

Tip 6 – Go Green

Make good use of that sweltering summer sun and pick up a solar powered phone charger. This is perfect for charging on days you’re enjoying the outdoors, especially when you don’t have access to outlets.

Don’t take any chances when it comes to protecting your mobile devices … just a few extra precautions can keep your summer fun and your phone safe!

Have any summer smartphone survival tips you’d like to add to the list? Feel free to leave them in the comments!

The days of extending your phone service contract for a year or two to get a free (or cheaper) phone upgrade are soon to be a thing of the past. The recent shift that phone companies have made away from contracts means that getting your next upgrade is no longer as easy as paying a $100.

What does this mean for you? Get ready to open your pocket book, because phone companies are expecting you to pay full price for your next phone – that’s upwards of $600 or $700 for top of the line models. They do offer installment plans, of course, and some companies including Sprint even offer a leasing option.

So how will this paradigm shift affect your phone bill? To get a better understanding of how your monthly payment will be applied, there are three bill components to consider:

• If the cost of your phone has been split into installments, how are each of those installment payments being applied to your bill?
• The access charge per phone may seem cheaper, but you need to remember that you’re actually paying more in the long run because you’re buying the phone at full price.
• The charge for your data packet, which varies if you’re on a group plan and according to your needs.

Is it better to stay on with a traditional contract if your company is still allowing it? Only you can answer that question based on the above mentioned factors and few other points of contention. Is having a newer phone more often important to you? If so, you may be willing to make the jump to an installment plan which allows you to upgrade phones more often.

Whether you decide to buy your new phone outright, pay for it installments, or lease it, you should really stop to consider if now is a the right time for you to upgrade in the first place. For example, iPhone’s newest model isn’t expected until sometime in September, and wouldn’t you rather foot that hefty bill for the latest version instead of the current verison?

So before you run out and get that new upgrade, think about bringing in your current phone to iDropped for an expert repair so you can hold off on buying new until the time is right.

With the release of the new Apple Watch in the immediate future, chances are you may still be trying to wrap your brain around the usefulness of the product. With the plethora of electronic devices we have at our fingertips, do we really need another, especially with the amount of wearable tech that’s already saturating the market?

Naturally, the answer is a resounding, “Yes,” according the folks at Apple, and we can site one major reason for this. Not only is the new watch a time keeper … it’s, more importantly, a time saver. And putting your own personal perspective on how the watch is really used will help make the concept much clearer.

Think about it. How many times a day are you working diligently, focused on completing a task when your phone goes off. 10? 20? 100? Maybe it’s a call. Maybe it’s a text. Maybe it’s an alert. You won’t know, of course, until your reach in your purse or pocket to have a look, and that’s when it all goes downhill from there. Before you know it you’re checking your email, facebook, and getting sucked into the virtual vortex through that portal you call a phone.

That’s where the Apple Watch comes in. What you have yet to realize is that the exact same call, text, alert or whatever is addressed via a completely different type of interaction when you’re using an Apple Watch, which simply involves a quick glance, dictation, or tap to reply. And this interaction makes a BIG difference in controlling cellular time suck.

According to many studies, Apple Watch trial users take their phones out their pockets much less than they did previously, and one user had claimed they nearly stopped using their phone during the day all together. Instead, you may find yourself reading shorter articles on the Apple Watch’s crystal clear display screen which has been carefully created with both form and function in mind.

If you’re planning on being one of the first Apple Watch owners, feel free to leave your experiences with the new wearable tech and how you save time with Apple Watch in the comments below!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and if you’ve been a busy bee planning a special evening for your sweetheart, there’s a few things you should think about before pulling that cell phone out of your pocket.

Technology … it’s everywhere. It’s impossible to avoid and the temptation to reply to that new text (which can probably wait) is absolute torture. I mean, there it is. Just sitting there. Mocking you. But being considerate is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your significant other. So, in the spirit of that sensitivity, we offer this list of helpful tips on Valentine’s Day tech etiquette.

Online Love

Despite what many preach, it is OKAY to show your significant other you care by sharing an appropriate sentiment on social media. This is especially true on Valentine’s Day. We’re talking about a post or two, not a play by play of every second of your relationship.

Know Your Limitations

We’re not saying you need to leave your cell at home. But know your limitations. The cute couple selfie you took to post on Instagram does not give you permission to whip your phone out every 30 seconds. Trust us, Trivia Crack is NOT that important, especially to your Valentine.

Don’t Rush It

If you’re unsure about how serious your current relationship is, Valentine’s Day is not the time to test the waters by changing your Facebook relationship status. First of all, you should be having a discussion with your partner if you feel the need, not digitally jumping in head first and hoping for the best. Secondly, pressuring someone to commit just because it’s a holiday will put you on the fast track to being single.

Be Considerate

The perfect way to show someone you care is to show that you really “know” them. Does your significant other complain that you spend too much time staring at your electronic devices? This is the perfect opportunity to prove that you respect their wishes and to give them some extra special attention. Conversely, if it’s your loved one who’s addicted to staring at a screen, make an effort to spend some time replying to their social media posts and show them you are interested in what they have to say. After all, Valentine’s Day tech etiquette is a two way street.

Do you have any suggestions to add to our Valentine’s Day tech etiquette tips? Please leave your ideas in the comments below!

We’re thrilled to announce that the iDropped has been included in Business News Daily’s list of the 10 best business startups! The article explains how company founder, Charles Hibble, repaired broken phones for his wife, friends, and family, and how iDropped has quickly expanded from one small retail location to a national chain.

You can read all about iDropped in Business News Daily’s article “10 Startups We Loved in 2014” by clicking here. For more information about iDropped franchise opportunities, contact us today!

Looking for the Top 5 best Christmas tech gifts for the tech fan in your life? Look no further … check out this list of the year’s coolest tech devices and make your techie’s holiday extra special.

Samsung Gear Fit

A top of the line smart watch, the Samsung Gear Fit is perfect for anyone interested in some tech assistance to get in shape. Easily track your heart rate and quickly respond to notifications while customizing your Gear Fit to match your personality. And best of all, the price for this fitness tracker has never been lower at just under $100.

Freedom Spot Photon 4G Mobile Hotspot

An awesome gift for the techie on the go in need internet connectivity, the Freedom Spot Photon 4G Mobile Hotspot can support a connection of up to eight mobile devices at the same time. It has approximately six hours of battery life and services a relatively wide coverage area. You can even acquire free data every month by taking part in special offers and the refer a friend program.

Skiva PowerVault Lightning External Battery Pack

The ultimate tech stocking stuffer, the Skiva PowerVault Lightning External Battery Pack is a great choice to keep your smartphone or tablet energized anytime. This little battery pack is compatible with both Android and newer iPhone devices. Great for travel or even emergencies, it contains a 2600 mAh battery that can easily charge an iPhone 6 and still have a little juice left over.

GoPro Hero3+

Many stores are offering unbelievable discounts on the GoPro Hero3+ since Black Friday, mostly because there’s currently a newer model available on the market. Although the Hero3+ isn’t the latest model, it still offers considerably more than its predecessors, with better image sharpness, longer battery life, a lighter housing, and more.

Amazon Fire TV

Amazon knows what you want to watch even before you do. One of Amazon Fire TV’s coolest features is ASAP, an algorithm that predicts what you want to watch next in order to reduce buffering times. This media streaming player also comes with an optional game controller, making it a great gift for your favorite gaming fanatic.

Do you have any ideas to add to our top 5 Christmas tech gifts? Please feel free to leave your ideas in the comments below!

We are thrilled about the incredible article featuring iDropped in the December 2014 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine! The in depth piece explains how iDropped founder Charles Hibble first began repairing his wife’s broken iPhones and eventually developed is new skills into thriving franchise.

According to the Hibble, iDropped is not concerned about keeping up with all the new technology … the company is looking forward to fixing whatever new gadgets will be coming out. To read more, check out the pdf of the entire article by clicking the link below, or pick up the Entrepreneur Magazine 2014 December issue at your local newsstand today!

Check out this great interview with iDropped’s Charles Hibble on Blog Talk Radio!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/franchise-interviews/2014/11/20/idropped-franchise-meets-with-franchise-interviews-weekly-radio-show

Check out iDropped founder Charles Hibble featured in Business News Daily!

http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7464-idropped-smartphone-repair-franchise.html