Our Tech Articles

Millions of people don’t have access to 5G. And if you have a 5G phone and live in an area with no coverage, you know how inconvenient it can be. Can you still surf the net using a 5G phone if there’s no 5G in the area? 5G networks are most definitely backward compatible and you can use 4g and 3G networks on your 5G phone. However, 4G and older phones cannot use 5G technology.  5G is expected to become dominant in the coming years, but many phone companies still need to set up the infrastructure to support it. This article will discuss how 5G phones become backward compatible with older networks and explain the advantages and disadvantages of switching to 5G. It will also discuss whether we can still step up and develop and eventually transition to a 6G environment.  Can You Use 4G on a 5G Phone? An excited happy woman discovering that you can use 4G on a 5G Phone. Luckily, you can use 4G on almost all 5G phones. If a 5G phone detects that 5G is unavailable, it will automatically switch to 4G, 3G, or even 2G, whichever is the best network available.  Phone companies

Early mobile phones were clunky, cumbersome devices that had ostentatiously visible antennas. With increased miniaturization, such features are no longer a standard of smartphones today, but wireless communication devices still require antennas to function. Smartphones use multiple built-in antennas to transmit and receive radio waves across various frequencies for specific wireless communication tasks. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular communications, and GPS would not work without the antennas inside smartphones. The days of clunky brick-sized mobiles with their long antenna are gone, but that doesn’t mean antennas aren’t still crucial to your smartphone’s function. This article will explain what antennas built into smartphones do, where you can find them, and how they came to be so small. Where are the Antennas in a Smartphone? Smartphones today have not just one but multiple antennas; a single phone may contain a dozen. Of course, these are no longer of the extended retractable variety. In fact, they are so small you would find it hard to locate them. At 0.3 square inches (or 1.94 square centimeters),  smartphone antennas today are tiny enough to be printed or mounted directly onto the Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)  inside a phone’s body. They may also be printed onto the inside

5G smartphones haven’t been around for long, but they all have people asking why they come with such a hefty price tag. If you’re one of those people, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 4 reasons why 5G smartphones are more expensive: 5G Smartphones are a new phenomenon 5G Modems are more expensive 5G Infrastructure is expensive Smartphone component prices have been increasing Read on to learn more about why 5G-ready smartphones cost so much. We’ll discuss whether it’s worth investing in one and some things you should consider when choosing a smartphone. 1. 5G Smartphones Are a New Phenomenon In 2020, the major players in the tech industry started debuting their 5G-equipped smartphones and gadgets. Samsung was the first to unveil their first-ever 5G Galaxy S20 lineup at the start of the year.  Soon after, Apple followed up with an all-5G iPhone 12 lineup. Since then, 5G has been a standard in all flagship smartphones. While it’s tempting to jump on the bandwagon and spend some extra money on a 5G smartphone, you should know a few things first.  Because the technology is still relatively new, the 5G coverage is not nearly where it should be to

Surfing the internet is a great way to pass the time, learn new things, and stay updated on recent trends. It can be frustrating, though, when the internet is slow. You may be wondering why it’s faster on your phone than on your desktop or laptop.  Your internet is faster on your phone’s cellular network sometimes because of your Internet Service Provider’s poor performance, weak WiFi router, or an overcrowded network. However, your phone’s 4G or 5G connection doesn’t have the same issues, so it’s faster to use. So, let’s learn the difference between internet speed and your phone. We will give you all the details, explaining internet connection on different devices, 5G vs. WiFi, and how to boost your internet speed.   Faster Internet Connection on Phone Than on a Computer At first, it doesn’t seem like your phone’s internet connection should be different from what’s on your computer, but they can be very separate issues. The recent influx of remote working conditions and remote learning necessities have likely opened your eyes to the differences between the speeds on your phone and your laptop or desktop computer. A difference in connectivity can be a result of insufficient broadband infrastructure. When

Almost everything in our lives relies on the internet, from our work, education, entertainment, errands, and communication with our loved ones. When Wi-Fi isn’t available, we use mobile data to stay connected, especially outside our homes. Mobile data isn’t cheap, though, so should we switch it off or leave it on even when not in use? Turn on mobile data only when Wi-Fi is absent, or the signal is weak. If you’re always on the go, but don’t have consistent access to Wi-Fi, turn on mobile data to stay connected and reply to emails or make phone calls. When you don’t need mobile data or are home, switch it off to save on data. Understanding why and when you need mobile data remains a necessary part of your budgeting process when considering phone plans and daily online habits. Keep reading as we discuss in detail when to switch on or off your mobile data. Mobile Data vs. WiFi The digital world runs on ones and zeros, also called binary code. Bits of information can be encoded in binary and sent via electrical signals through circuits and radio waves. Every digital file is made of binary code, from photos and videos

With online meetings and video calls gaining traction across the world, various apps have emerged or become more popular to offer these services. From Zoom to FaceTime, you may be torn between which one to choose. And one pressing question from users is whether Zoom is better than FaceTime in remote areas. Zoom is better than FaceTime in remote areas. Face Time frequently buffers in remote areas, and Zoom does not. They both have been tested and are on the same ISP, so it should not differ. For someone who has been using an Apple iPhone for years, there is definitely a difference. If you have a hard time choosing which of these apps to use in a remote area, this guide is what you need. Read on to learn more about the app’s distinctive features and which of the two is more suitable for use in remote areas. App Reliability and Access In Remote Areas Reliability in remote areas is probably the most critical factors in considering any application. Often the only access you have to outside civilization in remote places in the world; if you can get cellular or an ethernet signal at all is an app like FaceTime

Different Wi-Fi connections use different frequency ranges when it comes to how you can connect to them. Today, the most advanced Wi-Fi frequency is 5 GHz Wi-Fi, which is mostly available in the newest and latest routers we see in the market today.  Some people cannot connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks and wonder why that is. We give five reasons why you can’t connect to a 5 GHz Wifi network with helpful suggestions to alleviate that. 1. Your Hardware Is Not Compatible With 5 GHz Wi-Fi Networks When it comes to 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks, you need to have the hardware capable of connecting to such a radio frequency. Your Smartphone must be compatible with the 5 GHz Wi-Fi so that you can connect with it. That is why you have to make sure that your smartphones, tablets, computers, game consoles, and smart TV are all capable of connecting to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network if you already own them or purchase new ones.  This circumstance is a really common issue for households with the latest Wi-Fi routers but own smartphones and other types of wireless devices that are a bit on the older side and are not compatible

5G is the newest mobile device technology when it comes to internet connectivity, and many countries around the world are now preparing their infrastructure to implement 5G technology. In the United States and many other developed countries, 5G has become available in many different areas. Some people are now using it on their Smartphones or tablets. But how do you know if your phone is 5G ready or if you are already using 5G? The best way to tell if your phone is 5G ready is by checking its specs either in its manual or through online resources. However, you can also tell if it is 5G ready by looking for other signs, such as looking for the 5G icon on the Smartphone’s status bar or checking out its network settings to see if it can connect to 5G. We are now living when 5G has become a reality. Still, you also have to consider that, today, not many phones, carriers, or cities are ready for it because of how new this technology is today. As such, you need to know whether your phone is 5G ready by knowing how to look at the signs that would point to that

Using your Wi-Fi can be a great way to keep your mobile phone bill down and decrease your mobile data usage. When you are at home or in the office, you are probably using the Wi-Fi connection more than you do your mobile phone’s mobile data or even its own signal (such as when you are making calls). But, can using Wi-Fi hamper or interfere with your mobile phone’s signal? Wi-Fi does not generally interfere with mobile phone signals. This assessment is because Wi-Fi and mobile signals operate on different radio frequencies and do not interfere with each other. Some of you might think your Wi-Fi has been interfering with your phone’s signal, especially when you notice how your phone’s signal tends to strengthen whenever you turn your Wi-Fi off. That could be a pure coincidence because, when you look at the technical aspects of Wi-Fi and mobile phone signals, they are entirely different frequencies that do not collide with one another. To make it easier for you to understand, we have come up with a piece that briefly explains this query’s technical part. United States Wi-FI Wireless And Cellular Network Frequencies Wi-FI Wireless Network Frequencies Cellular Network Frequencies Although

We have been looking at 5G Smartphone technology for a while, and it has changed the smartphone industry’s landscape. The reports we see show incredible speed, unlike anything we have ever seen before for broadband systems. This is the most significant technological jump the industry has ever known. We’re not exaggerating when we say it could change how we view and use smartphones forever. Today we are taking a more in-depth look into what we know about 5G, the things we have to look forward to, and the issues that might arise from it. 5G Fastest Speed So Far? On October 20th, 2020, Ericson put out a press release that said: “Verizon, Ericsson and Qualcomm first in the world to achieve 5G peak speed of 5.06 Gbps.” “When fully mature, 5G technology has the potential of reaching speeds up to 10 Gbps, latency under 5 milliseconds, and service deployment times of 90 minutes.” “The demonstration, completed in a lab environment, used 5G infrastructure equipment from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio and a 5G smartphone form factor test device powered by a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X60 5G Modem-RF System featuring 3rd-generation Qualcomm® QTM535 mmWave antenna modules.” Verizon, Ericsson and Qualcomm first in

The Morning Hike This morning I was doing my morning hike in a semi-remote area near the ocean and listening to a Podcast on my iPhone with my wireless Bone Conduction Headphones. When I was prompted to go to the next section of the Podcast for some reason it gave me a warning as an untrusted site, it then went to a local pay for internet site instead of going back to the podcast. Many of us have been frustrated by internet reception on our Cellphones and basically stuck without service many times in our lives. I have been driving on trips and lost service in highway canyons and dead areas many times. Living in Alaska there is not a lot of roads let alone cell sites especially if you are camping or in the backwoods. Cell Phone Reception Obstructions Let’s face it, if there is no cell tower nearby “No Worky”. Where I live in Alaska there is only 3G Signal. Carriers like Verizon use other companies’ cell towers to piggyback signal. So if you’re in Alaska and have Verizon service they may link back on GCI’s cell towers (Alaska’s Home Grown Carrier). When cell phone reception is weak

We come across this question a lot “Can a Phone Case Affect Wifi Reception?” If you have ever been frustrated with your Wifi Reception on your Cell Phone and you are looking at the causes. You may have asked the question “Can a Phone Case Affect Wifi Reception?” The short answer is yes, and it also depends on what the Smartphone Case is made of and the proximity of the phone to the Wifi wireless transmitter, modem, router, or wireless network gateway. Let’s just say if you make an observation that when you have a new phone case on your Smartphone and your reception is not as good as it was. You then remove the phone case and it is better and now you obviously have empirical evidence that the phone case is causing the problem. We have seen many discussions and records of that and the Smartphone manufacturers will also tell you to remove the case if reception is an issue. Phone Case Signal Loss Any phone case can cause signal loss if the case design or material somehow blocks the cell phone antenna. Most of the case materials in use today will not absorb or block any substantial

It feels like we have heard about 5G technology for a while. A mysterious and highly anticipated cellular network that promises to bring home and office quality, high-speed broadband to mobile devices, so we can enjoy the same speeds we experience on the inside when we are outside. It sounds too good to be accurate, but if recent reports are to be believed, then that is precisely what we will get. With proper antenna arrays like the 5G NR (New Radio) massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technologies, it will be one of the major keys to unlocking the 5G users access. The issues are deployment and how far they reach. By massively increasing the number of antennas and additional advances in spatial diversity and multiplexing, beamforming, and MU-MIMO are required for a massive MIMO deployment. This will all facilitate better and increased network capacity and improved coverage with time. So What Is 5G, and How Is It Different From What We Have Had Before? First of all, 5G stands for the fifth-generation of wireless network and was set to work with and stand alongside or replace its predecessor 4G in 2020 in specific locations and countries. Although it was

The tech world is buzzing with news about the 5G networks as all three major American network carriers in the United States have now released a version of a 5G network. The 5G (fifth generation) network is the newest wireless network and will be substantially faster than 4G. Do You Need to Upgrade to a 5G Phone in a Small Town? Upgrade to a 5G Phone in a Small Town? There are three types of 5G in the U.S., low-band, mid-band, and high-band mmWave 5G. It is improbable the superfast mmWave 5G will get to any small towns anytime soon. Not impossible but unlikely due to the constraints of the antennas. We have talked about the 5G Network in our previous article, “How Much Will 5G Data Really Cost You?” In that article, we covered the cost impacts of 5G networks and the speeds and technical information. What is Rural or Remote? I live in remote Alaska where there is barley 3G and don’t see us getting to 4G, let alone 5G anytime soon. For most of my life, I lived in a large city with cutting edge technology and the benefits of living with 4G. The 5G promise is very exciting for many

In previous articles, we have discussed The Importance of Smartphone Cases and how not using one is an unnecessary risk. A risk that leaves our expensive and most useful gadget vulnerable to damage and the elements. In our view, smartphone cases are essential, and the stronger the case, the better. We have also written about Wireless Qi Chargers and how innovative they are. Allowing us to charge our smartphones in a convenient and unawkward way that is reminiscent of the iPod Docks we used to use but are so much more impressive from a technological standpoint. Both of these items are incredibly useful, if not now, essential to our smartphone habits. The problem is there appears to be a conflict between the two. To some, using one may quite literally get in the way of using the other, but what’s the truth? Is this a myth, or is there anything preventing wireless chargers and smartphone cases from coexisting? There are some falsehoods that need clearing up and some practical advice that will be useful for anybody looking to take advantage of wireless charging technology. Please check out our popular article “How to Know if My Phone is 5G Ready.” Here are 7 Frequently Asked

Data Charges I was going through my Cell Phone bill the other day to see what my carrier was charging me for data. When I hit my data limit of 4 Gigabytes per month on my monthly GCI Cell Phone Plan it costs $15.00 for every 1 GB over 4GB like I did last month. Quite often we have thought of the question of “How Much Will 5G Data Usage Really Cost You? “ With 5G access and speed, 20 GB over could happen very easily. On my regular 4G limit Cell Phone plan (3G really) if I went over by accident in one day it would cost $300.00. Ouch!! I go over by accident now with 3G where I live in a remote small town, forget about  5G. Data Usage The real question is the 5G Data GB (Gigabytes) Density Download Costs? If you start downloading 100 times the data in seconds on 5G from what you are doing now on 3G or 4G what will it cost?  Can you have anything but an Unlimited Plan in the future? Warning there is math in this article!! Why Do We Think This? First of all, let’s look at a basic

What have I been doing lately? Trying to figure out what my Smartphone can do without Cell Service, Mobile Data, or Wifi? Living in Alaska will do that to you!! I have been downloading what I would call “Hard Copies” of maps to my Smartphone in case of emergency or loss of connectivity which is often. So besides being an expensive doorstop let’s investigate. No Internet Connection Try and access Google or Apple Maps without an Internet connection and you can’t because there is nothing there unless you downloaded the maps to your Smartphone. The whole world is dependent on “Internet Fumes” but they don’t understand or realize that!! Like I have said in other articles in terms of loss of internet on your Smartphone for any reason either from the loss of cell service due to distance from a cell site, traveling, bad reception, loss of Wifi for a myriad of reasons, or any other reason you might lose connectivity. Well, you are left with a cool calculator and camera but what else? Well turns out a lot of things. List of things you can use on iPhone without Cell Service or Wifi Depending on the Apps Altitude (My