Cell phones are a huge investment, and most people want to hang onto them for as long as their features become obsolete. While this can be a good money-saving strategy, using a phone longer than it is intended to be used has its own consequences, like physical damage, glitchy OS, etc. So, on that note, here are 12 tell-tale signs that indicate it’s time to upgrade to a new cell phone. Outdated operating system Almost all older cell phones fail to upgrade to a new OS due to outdated hardware, which indicates it is time to upgrade to a new cell phone. Glitchy touch screen If the cell phone’s touch screen shows a delayed response to your swipes, it may be due to malfunctioning sensors. Fixing these sensors will only provide temporary respite from the glitch. Cell phone reboots randomly A cell phone that reboots randomly could point toward the presence of malware. However, if the phone reboots even without malware, it might just be old and worn out. Faulty power button The power button is critical. However, a faulty power button is not always a sign that your phone is about to die. That said, it is of no use if you cannot power it back on or off. The phone overheats even when idle Phones that overheat even when not in use are most prone to explode. This sign can be hazardous for the user and the people around them. Shortened battery life The battery life gets shortened over time when used for years. So, if your phone comes with an inbuilt battery, you have no choice other than to replace it with a new one. Faulty microphone If the person on the other line cannot hear you even on a strong signal, it might indicate a faulty microphone.

Smartphones have evolved with time and become more efficient against threats. Regular security patches help minimize the risk of potential vulnerabilities and attacks on sensitive data on the phone. But manufacturers are known to discontinue a device’s security support after a few years. Such smartphones are at a higher risk of a data breach. So if you use an older unsupported device, you must remember these tips to keep it safe from malware. Identifying phishing attacks A phishing attack occurs when a hacker poses as an officially verified company and asks for sensitive information. These attacks occur through email, text messages, and even over a call. On granting access to data, hackers may acquire your bank account and credit card details. To identify a phishing attack, you must check for details like misspelled URLs and poorly designed websites and double-check the sender’s authenticity by calling the company in question. Avoiding unverified apps Both Android and iOS devices have dedicated app stores with verified and safe apps for purchase and download. But people sometimes install unverified apps from sources other than Google Play and Apple App stores. These versions may have all features unlocked for free but might contain a string of malware that will siphon off personal data from your phone. Checking app permissions Some apps request permissions to access your location, contacts, calendar, messages, camera, and other smartphone components data. Sometimes, these apps seek information that is completely unrelated to their purpose. Be careful of such software on your smartphone, as it can intercept your messages and steal your baking information. Using an antivirus When manufacturers discontinue security updates, antivirus companies step in to safeguard your device from malware. These apps are free or paid, based on the features you require. Antivirus software can improve your device’s security by preventing threats that even we cannot identify.

While many people today can’t wait to get their hands on the latest smartphones on the market, there is another segment of the population that likes to use their mobile phones until the device is completely broken and dead. Sure, the second category of people are saving money while being more environmentally friendly, but they’re also putting themselves at risk of all kinds of cyber attacks that can have long-term financial and emotional consequences.  Here, we’ve explained the dangers of using very old mobile phones. It lacks security updates If you’re using a smartphone, you’ve probably already received one or more security patch updates till now. A security patch is a software update from the phone manufacturer to fix all the known vulnerabilities in a particular mobile phone model. Since cybercriminals are relentlessly searching for new ways to circumvent the security on mobile phones, phone-makers are required to keep fixing security holes now and then. However, most manufacturers stop sending out patch updates after two or three years (about five years in the case of Apple devices), making the mobile phones significantly less secure. If you weren’t aware, security vulnerabilities become common among the hacker community every few weeks or months, putting users of unsupported phones at higher risk of hack attacks. As a result, even phone-makers drop older models from update cycles, as each model requires constant threat assessment and patching, which is a lot of work and needs significant financial investment on the manufacturer’s end.   It’s not protected against cybercriminals When a device stops receiving security updates, it becomes highly vulnerable to cyberattacks. If a hacker breaks into your phone, they can spy on you and steal your private data, including contacts, emails, photos and videos, banking details, search engine history, and text messages. This can make you susceptible to identity theft.

Advancements in science have made it possible for something as basic as vacuum cleaners to have innovative features and be powered by smart technology. The newest vacuum cleaners can also be wireless. The appliances provide quality suction power with multiple detachable gadget heads for various purposes. However, human error and negligence can affect the durability of these machines. So here are 5 common mistakes to avoid while using a vacuum cleaner. Neglecting cleaning the filter You do have to clean the vacuum cleaners from time to time for it to function properly. Remove the filters and collection bins inside the appliance and clean them. Doing so right after emptying the bin will improve the suction quality. Not using the right accessories Vacuum cleaners come with multiple cleaning heads and attachments designed for specific tasks. For example, brush cleaner heads are suitable for scrubbing and vacuuming dust, dander, and surface pollutants off the carpet. If you use a flathead attachment designed for floor cleaning, it does not serve the purpose. So, use the right accessories to vacuum efficiently. Vacuuming oddly shaped objects or liquids Vacuum cleaners are designed to suction microscopic objects. Even if the motor is powerful enough, the gadget cannot pick up odd items like stones, screws, or even liquids unless built explicitly for the same. Also, these objects can seriously damage the attachment or the interior of the suction assembly. Absorbing liquids increases the risk of electrocution. So, avoid these actions unless your cleaner has a special head attachment designed to suction liquids. Running over the wire This is not a big problem with wireless vacuums as they are battery-operated. However, there is a risk of running over the wire repeatedly with corded vacuums. This action can fray the wires and expose the copper that conducts the electricity.

Tablet computers, also known as tablet PCs, have similar hardware like RAM or processing chips to those of smartphones. However, they have bigger screens, which make it fun for users to watch content and easier for working professionals to carry out daily tasks. But there are several uses of a tablet, unknown to many users. If you own a tablet PC, here are five tips to utilize the device to its full potential. Use it as a secondary screen Many users might be unaware of this, but some tablets can be utilized as a secondary screen. Doing so can help you increase productivity, especially when working. Connect it to your computer monitor with the respective USB connectors, and you can do this seamlessly. You can also cast the contents of your tablet on a smart monitor or television. Modern tablets have a desktop mode, which, when activated, can wirelessly cast the contents to a smart TV or monitor for better viewing angles. Use it as a universal remote While you can do this on a smartphone, using a tablet computer as a universal remote can be much more fun. You can dock it on a wall at home and download the respective apps to control the smart appliances. Next, you can remotely manage all devices connected via WiFi, play music, and control content, volume, and other aspects through the tablet. And when you’re not at home, you can carry the tablet around and use it as a portable entertainment device. Art productivity tool With the introduction of digital art like NFTs, several artists have shifted from using paper to creating high-quality art on their smart devices. And one of the best, cost-effective ways to create such art is with the help of a tablet. So if you have an artistic persona, use your home tablet to create digital paintings whenever you like.

Tablet computers have made meeting work and entertainment needs more convenient; their efficiency, features, and size are what set them apart from other smart devices. While smartphones can be used for multiple purposes, their screen size sets them back. The same goes for laptops and PCs, which are reliable and secure but are too big to carry around. Tablets, on the other hand, offer portability and power in a single device. 5 ways to smartly use tablet computers Gone are the days when tablets were just used to check emails, surf through the internet, and update yourself with what’s happening on social media. Now, if used smartly, these devices offer a lot of additional support and efficiency. With the possibility of buying new tablets in the Black Friday sale on the horizon, here are some of the ways to smartly use the devices to get things done: Using it as a second monitor Some people who use laptops for work often prefer a second screen. If you do not have a monitor, don’t worry, the tablet that you have can also act as a second screen to get your work done. This increases your productivity and speed both at home and at work. Instead of using a mouse to find your way around, you can just tap and find everything you need at your fingertips, also saving you a lot of time. All you need to do is hook it up to your laptop/computer to your tablet and there it is – your second screen! Using it as a digital picture frame What’s more tiresome, spending money to buy a gadget you liked while it was in the store or coming back home and never putting it to use? Well, now you’ve got nothing to worry about. Here comes one of the most efficient and coolest uses of a tablet computer – a digital picture frame!

Tablets are popular smart devices; their size, weight, power, and portability have only increased their usability over the years. It gives the user the power expected from a laptop in a size that’s a bit larger than a smartphone. Moreover, the usage of a tablet is not limited to checking emails and viewing movies for entertainment. If you click on some features and download the right apps, you can perform various tasks from a tablet. Tablets or tablet computers are quite convenient; they help you get all your work done smarter and faster. Let’s look at the five smart ways to use a tablet. Reading Gone are the days when you had to walk into a bookstore and scan through millions of books to find the one you wanted to take home and read. Now, books are just a click away. All you need to do is download the right bookstore app and buy your favorite book online. Additionally, it is also an eco-friendly alternative to paperback books. A tablet also offers you the comfort of reading at your own pace, and if you find yourself struggling to read the small print, all you have to do is zoom in. You can also highlight and make notes for future reference. Universal remote control After a point, using regular remotes to control the various devices at home does get tiring. You can now use a tablet with IR capability as a universal remote to manage all your devices. With the help of control apps, you can handle ACs, TVs, and other smart devices all under one device, making tablets one of the most efficient devices. Second Screen Did you know that you could use a tablet as a second screen at work or at home? Well, you can use a tab as an additional screen to increase your productivity.

Buying a television today requires lots of research and patience. Several brands in the market offer a range of products with different features, making choosing the right one extremely difficult. There are some legendary brands and some new ones too. This post takes a closer look at the best sites and brands that may have fantastic deals on TVs during the 2022 Black Friday sale to help you save money. Amazon Amazon is famous for its exclusive Black Friday TV deals on most brands on its e-commerce site. You can get high-quality 4K TV sets at low prices. It also has its own Fire TV collection, which is affordable and can easily be added to your shopping list. Besides Amazon branded TVs, the site is expected to give discounts on other top brands. Walmart You may witness some exciting price wars between Walmart and other e-commerce sites during Black Friday in the TV deals segment. The retail giant usually sells a range of TVs during this time, with prices ranging between $80 and $3,000. So, bookmark your favorite televisions and return to the site when the sale is announced. Samsung All or most 2021 and 2022 Samsung models are expected to go on sale during the shopping season. The brand’s website not only has 4K products but 8K as well, and the prices for the former may drop drastically. Since there will be several products to choose from, browse carefully according to your needs. Crutchfield This is another online retailer with TVs from various brands. Crutchfield is expected to give out huge discounts to customers this year. You can expect up to $2,000 off Samsung’s 8K TVs, so keep an eye out for the best prices. It also sells 4K and HD TVs. Insignia The brand has several popular options, like the F30 65-inch 4K UHD Smart Fire TV, which will likely go on sale.