Tech Tip Tuesday : Buying Mobile Devices and Mistakes to Avoid.

Hello guys. I am here to present you another episode of the Tech Tip Tuesday. Are you planning on getting a new mobile device? Then today's your lucky day because I am bringing you tips on some mistakes you should avoid when deciding on what device to get. Here they are:

• Automatically choosing the cheapest option available: 

This is one of the most common mistakes most people make when getting mobile devices especially in Nigeria. As we all know. the cheapest option is usually not always one of the best options. Likewise, the cheapest option in mobile devices is usually off brand and an older model with outdated software. So save up if you have to and invest your money in a quality brand with an up-to-date software. You'll end up enjoying your money's worth for a long time.

• Ignoring the software or operating system that powers a device: 

By ignoring the OS of the device you are purchasing, you could end up with a very sleek tablet which you don't even know how to operate well or a sturdy phone that is whose OS is not compatible with your favorite social media apps. Therefore, you should take into consideration the OS powering a device and how you feel about using that OS before you buy it. You could try to find out what specific OS it runs on, check the version of the OS and the compatibility of the OS with most of the apps you are going to be needing and using on that device. You should also remember to choose a device whose OS you are comfortable with and are familiar with.

• Not thinking of connectivity options: 

You want to avoid not thinking of the connectivity options . In other words you should ask yourself "How often do I connect to the internet?", " What ways of connecting to the internet do I use and are readily available to me?", "What do I usually do when I do connect to the internet?" Some devices are designed to connect to the internet only with WiFi connection while others  are designed with the ability to connect to the internet using both WiFi and you regular internet service provider or your mobile data. Also we have devices that run on 2G networks, some on 3G networks and others on 4G. It is therefore appropriate that you keep this in mind along with the method you are most likely to connect to the internet with.

• Not doing research:

 Successfully avoiding each one of the mistakes listed above requires you making some form of research before going into that store to get that mobile device. When you skip the research entirely you end up missing some of the details you should have been cautious about when buying the device. Therefore always do your research and when you do, you will be pleased with your purchase at the end of it all.

That being said, try to avoid these mistakes when next you are choosing a mobile device and I assure you my friends, you'll be glad you did. 

Want to find out what tips I will be dishing out next time? Watch out for this space next week. Till then, have a beautiful week ahead!

Tech Tip Tuesday - Using Less Data On Your Smartphone 4

Hey guys! I am really sorry for the break in transmission for those who have been coming back to check for the next tip. For this reason I am going to make it up to you guys by giving a 3-in-1 combo tip today to make up for the past few weeks that I have missed.

So, I have talked about how we could use mobile sites instead of apps, using a browser with data saving tools and installing an ad-blocker all in an effort to try to fight that data subscription monster that keeps eating deep into our pockets. How has it been going for you? I am sure you'll like to know the other tips I have for you on this subject matter. Well here they are :

• Leave some activities for when you are connected to a WiFi network:

For my Nigerian brothers and sisters, this may not necessarily apply to you as we rarely have spots where we have easy access to a WiFi resource. If you do however, you know all those your YouTube videos streaming, snapchat and periscope activities, they should be left for those times when you can connect to a WiFi network as they are mega data consumers.
What if you don't have such an opportunity? You could try the next tip below.

• Use the setting on your smartphone to set up data usage limits.

How does this work? For android users, go to your settings menu, and under Wireless and Networks, Tap Data Usage. You would see an option that allows you to set mobile data limit. When you set a limit for yourself, as soon as the specified limit is reached, your mobile data connection will be disabled. You can also set up warnings to track your data usage and check yourself.

For our beloved iPhone and iPad readers, don't worry, I didn't forget about you guys. Here's a tutorial on how you can do that on your smartphone.

Finally, here's the very last tip.

• Turn off data for some apps.

For android users, you can do this by carrying out the following steps:

1. Open Settings on your phone and tap on Data Usage.
2. Scroll down to view a list of the android apps making use of data on your phone which is usually sorted by amount of data usage.
3. Tap the apps you want to restrict data usage on and select Restrict Background Data.

For iPhone and iPad users, Here's another tutorial on how to do that.


If for some unimaginable reason, all these tips have been worked on and you still don't see any improvements, then it's time to completely turn off your mobile data and go for a walk, read a book with actual paper pages, learn an art like photography, painting or something and stop your addiction with the internet. You heard me right. No, I am not joking. Seriously, there's more to life than being fixated to a 5-10 inch device all the time.

Anyways, wondering what my next tip sequel will be? Find out next week Tuesday. Till then, Have a lovely week ahead.

Tech Tip Tuesday - Using Less Data on Your Smartphone 3

   We are still on the data saving tips for your smart phone. how has using the two previous two helped you out, if it has? Any visible changes in then rate at which your data runs out? Anyways, apart from using the mobile websites instead of the apps and using a browser with data saving tools to check the amount of data you are using, you might want to consider using this next tip.

Tip 3:

• Install an ad-blocker.

Reason? If you are using the mobile sites instead of the apps for most of your online activities, your browser is obviously doing most of the work. Since you are using a browser more often, installing an ad-blocker will keep your phone from loading all of the ads on each webpage you visit. This in turn can conserve data. Those ads that load advertising "Jumia" and co products consume some amount of data and by installing an ad blocker which prevents them from loading you are conserving data. Hence you use less data. This is turn can conserve data.

Do you need more tidbits tips like this? We'll be here next week with another tip. In the mean time, have a lovely week ahead.