If you’re an avid smartphone user, knowing how to turn off in app purchases can be a game changer when it comes to avoiding any nasty financial surprises.

Love it or hate it, our lives are inextricably linked to the smartphones that live in our pockets. Industry titans such as Apple and Samsung know just how much consumers value the quality, performance, bells and whistles of their smartphones – however, some users tend to forget that everything comes with a price. 

For some, especially younger generations or gaming enthusiasts, the temptations to purchase any one of the many ‘add ons’ that live within their smartphones can be too great. As a means to avoid unexpected bills and impulse spending, learning how to turn off in app purchases is one of the more popular tactics to deploy as a tool to curb this unique expense. 

Your Guide To Removing In App Temptations 

As a general rule, there are three types of in-app purchases for smartphone users – subscriptions, consumable purchases, and non-consumable purchases, and are defined by how the purchase is designed to be used or consumed. 

Subscriptions – In app purchases that are subscription based usually bill users weekly, monthly or annually. Although relatively new to mobile platforms, more apps are choosing to use this business model as a means to provide a steady stream of revenue required for development and expansion, with some of the more well known players being Netflix and Spotify. 

Consumable Purchases – Users need to buy these items every time you want them, which in turn can make them highly addictive if in the wrong hands. If you remove and reinstall an app or install an app on a new device, you might lose your consumable purchases. Examples often include currency for games such as coins, gems or a form of ‘power up’. 

Non-Consumable Purchases – These types of in app purchases are usually bought one at a time, and are often associated with your smartphone’s identification. As such, many of these are transferable between devices, and can often include upgrades to an app’s pro edition, the removal of in app advertisements, and usually have an expiration date. 

If you suspect that you or someone in your family are prone to overspending with the above purchase formats, it might be a good idea to learn how to turn off in app purchases. For Android users, Google has a couple of ways to ensure that your device is protected against unintended purchases, with the most common across all of this brand of devices being password protection. This can be set up via the Google Play Store on an Android device, through the settings menu. Once in this section, users will see the phrase ‘require authentication for purchases’, at which point they will have three options to choose from: password authentication for purchases, biometric authentication for purchases, or setting up a parent control for underage device users. 

For Apple users across iPhones and iPads, the latter in particular can cause billing headaches if the device is commonly used by children to play games, and can either intentionally or unintentionally rack up a hefty bill from in app gaming purchases. To avoid this, or to simply remove spending temptations for yourself, the solution also lies in the Settings app. Once in the menu, simply follow the below path: Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > switch the toggle to ‘on’ > select iTunes & Apple Store purchases > select In App Purchases > tap Don’t Allow – yes, it really is as easy as that. 

For further tips on avoiding in-app purchases on your smartphone or tablet, be sure to understand the device controls, consider further setting restrictions (passcode, fingerprint lock, face recognition), download apps for additional parental controls, and use device based gift cards for kids to minimise any potential accidents. 

Sourcing Further Advice Navigating Smartphone Usage 

SOS Phone Repairs are specialists in high-quality, cost-effective phone repairs, tablet repairs, and PC repairs, all backed with a six month warranty. Founded in 2015 in Coffs Harbour and now with over sixteen outlets located all over Australia, our primary driving factors remained the same: people and phones. 

Whether it’s to get a few more years out of your trusted iPhone, to fix one up to sell, or to repurpose an old one as a gift, repairing a smartphone might just be easier and cheaper than you think. It’s also a great way to upcycle and keep electronics out of Australian landfills.

If you are on the hunt for a quote, diagnostic, or even just some good old fashioned, friendly advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or give us a call today at SOS Phone Repairs. 

The age of the discman is over, and in turn has been replaced with music streaming platforms – but when weighing up options, is Apple Music a worthy contender?

In August 2011, Apple founder and visionary Steve Jobs resigned as CEO due to health complications. Jobs died just two months later, marking the end of an era for the company. However, under new CEO Tim Cook’s command, Apple has continued to be ground zero for tech innovation in not just the United States, but the world. 

Although Cook is regarded to be a ‘metrics man’ when compared to Jobs’ visionary outlook, the former has managed to catapult Apple into a new era of profitability. In turn, the company has managed to expand on the development and manufacturing of devices used by millions, and is now also focusing on the global demand for streaming services through Apple Music. 

Why Apple Music Subscriptions Are On the Rise 

Apple music is a music and video streaming service developed by the tech titans at Apple Inc. Designed to allow users to stream music on demand, make their own playlists or listen to existing ones, the service also includes access to prominent internet based radio stations such as Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits, and Apple Music Country, which stream twenty four hours a day in over two hundred countries worldwide.

Originally launched as a strictly music based service all the way back in 2015, Apple Music began to expand into video a short time later in 2016. Executives from Apple have disclosed that their intention is to position the platform to eventually be a ‘one stop shop for pop culture’. As a result, the company is actively investing heavily in the production and purchasing of video content, both in terms of music videos and concert footage that support music releases, along with music based web series and feature films.

The original release of Apple Music received surprisingly mixed reviews, with criticism directed towards its user interface. However, the platform did receive praise regarding its playlist curation, vast library of songs on offer, and of course, its integration with other Apple devices and services. Apple aimed to rectify the complaints with a significant redesign that was launched with 2016’s iOS software update, and boasted less clutter, improvements to navigation and a bigger emphasis on the music libraries already on rotation by users. After this relaunch, a whopping ten million subscribers pledged their allegiance to Apple Music in only six months, with that number sitting at over 72 billion people as of June 2020. 

In terms of brand direction, the move has paid off for both Tim Cook and Apple. The platform managed to make approximately $4.1 billion revenue in 2020, and accounted for 7.6% of Apple’s total services revenue. However, how does it stack up against the competition?

Well, while Apple Music has more subscribers than Spotify in the United States, the latter does have a heavier presence in Europe and South America. However, the biggest appeal for many users who are considering Apple Music as a means to solve all of their musical needs is the company’s opening pitch: it’s completely free for the first three months for new users, whether that be Apple users, Android users, and even desktop users. 

If you’re weighing up whether this music streaming platform is the one for you or not, other than the free entry price, it does differ slightly when compared to alternatives like Spotify, Tidal and YouTube Music. The most important factor for serious music lovers is that it offers a larger selection of tunes than most of its competitors. With over 75 million songs, it also comes in at roughly the same price depending on your selected subscription, which starts at just $4.99 AUD per month if you’re a student. 

If you’re already hooked into the Apple ecosystem with your library synced up in iTunes, it really is a no brainer to try out Apple Music. Users can add up to 100,000 of their own songs to the app’s streaming library via iCloud Music Library. The ability to have all of your purchased music and an extensive streaming library in one place is no doubt hugely convenient for music lovers, as this also helps the service to tailor new suggestions based on your previous listening history.

While listening to your own tunes on Apple Music is completely free, users also have access to the freebie internet radio stations. Although this can be a great way to discover new music, be warned, it will chew through data if you’re not connected to WiFi. Thus, giving Apple Music a try – at least for the free three month trial period – is definitely worth it, particularly if you are already a devout Apple user. 

Sourcing Further Advice On Apple Products 

SOS Phone Repairs are specialists in high-quality, cost-effective phone repairs, tablet repairs, and PC repairs, all backed with a six month warranty. Founded in 2015 in Coffs Harbour and now with over sixteen outlets located all over Australia, our primary driving factors remained the same: people and phones. 

Whether it’s to get a few more years out of your trusted iPhone, to fix one up to sell, or to repurpose an old one as a gift, repairing a smartphone might just be easier and cheaper than you think. It’s also a great way to upcycle and keep electronics out of Australian landfills. 

If you are on the hunt for a quote, diagnostic, or even just some good old fashioned, friendly advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or give us a call today at SOS Phone Repairs. 

Since Apple is known to drop a new line of iPhones every year, is the iPhone 11 still worth buying despite knowing that upgrades will inevitably be on the way?

The iPhone is a line of smartphones designed and marketed by  Apple Inc, that use Apple’s iOS mobile operating system.  As of November 1 2018, more than 2.2 billion iPhones had been sold worldwide. Since it’s initial release in 2007, the iPhone’s features have certainly come a long way. Improvements have been made to keep up with consumer demand, such as larger screen sizes, waterproofing, the ability to install third party apps, and many more accessibility features. 

In August 2011, Apple founder and visionary Steve Jobs resigned as CEO due to health complications. Jobs died just two months later, marking the end of an era for the company. However, under new CEO Tim Cook’s command, Apple shifted the release dates for iPhones to an annual September event, and is now considered to be somewhat of a yearly launch party. 

While there are hoards of tech fiends around the world who eagerly await the annual launch of a new model, they certainly don’t come cheap. Having a smartphone is somewhat of a necessity in this day and age, but it’s understandable that not everyone is in the position to fork out the asking price for the latest releases. Having said that, is opting for the ‘older’ iPhone 11 still worth it for an average consumer? 

A Review Of The iPhone 11

Although it was only released in Australia on September 20 2019, the iPhone 11 already has a follow up on the market via the iPhone 12, with another rumoured to be released in September 2021.

While there’s never been such a thing as a ‘bad’ iPhone, the iPhone 11’s cheaper price point initially left a few consumers slightly skeptical. By no means cheap, the three releases – the iPhone 11, the iPhone 11 Pro, and the iPhone 11 Pro max, offered three different pricing models as a means to cast a wider appeal net to consumers who traditionally stuck with other brands.

All three phones have the same processor, same main, ultrawide and selfie cameras. In fact the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max are identical in nearly every way aside from price, size, weight, battery life and screen resolution. As a general rule though, the iPhone 11 represents one of the best values for a flagship phone you can buy today, and has many of the same 11 Pro features.

Following in the footsteps of 2018’s iPhone XR, Apple smartly pitched the 11 as the iPhone for most everyday people. Despite a lower resolution LCD screen, the iPhone 11 has the same A13 processor and relatively the same camera setup as the more expensive 11 Pro. 

In comparison, the iPhone 11 Pro received upgrades such as a high-resolution OLED display, a matte-glass finish and a stainless steel side band. It also has a third rear camera that when combined with Apple’s new Deep Fusion image processing, ultimately takes better zoomed-in pictures. Arguably, one of  the most-welcomed upgrades on the iPhone 11 Pro is how much longer battery life is when compared to the previous-generation iPhone XS. In fact, the 11 Pro lasts almost as long on a single charge as the 11. Like other models, the “Max” option of the iPhone 11 Pro is generally all of the same features, but built into a bigger handset.

So is it safe and ultimately a good choice to buy an iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max? Absolutely. All three feature the very best of Apple’s unique technology, and are likely to keep up with any iOS rollouts for some time yet to come. When determining which model is the best fit for you, Apple even has its own model comparison function that can help you figure out which best suits your needs.

Sourcing Further Advice On Apple Products 

SOS Phone Repairs are specialists in high-quality, cost-effective phone repairs, tablet repairs, and PC repairs, all backed with a six month warranty. Founded in 2015 in Coffs Harbour and now with over sixteen outlets located all over Australia, our primary driving factors remained the same: people and phones. 

Whether it’s to get a few more years out of your trusted iPhone, to fix one up to sell, or to repurpose an old one as a gift, repairing a smartphone might just be easier and cheaper than you think. However, if you’re in the market for a new smartphone, SOS Phone Repairs also stocks a wide variety of refurbished handsets at a fraction of the cost of a brand new one. While each has been carefully restored to perform at their best, all refurbished smartphones purchased through SOS also come with a twelve month warranty, and can be purchased at any of our sixteen store locations.

If you are on the hunt for a quote, diagnostic, or even just some good old fashioned, friendly advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or give us a call today at SOS Phone Repairs. 

From the latest software rollouts to gadget drops, here’s our quick round up of the latest August tech news that we’ve deemed to be worthy of your attention.

Technology sure is great, but in order for it to stay relevant, beneficial and glitch free, the double edge sword of this new world is the constant updates that the humble consumer is required to keep up with. After all, QR codes wouldn’t work so well with the humble Nokia 3315, right?

There is always a new way to streamline a process, eliminate a redundant task or even just a means to procrastinate with technology. In essence, new product drops, software updates and even fresh games to hit the market are regularly released so that we can make the most of it – so what’s on offer this month when it comes to August tech news?

Five August Tech News Updates 

With 2021 already well and truly past the halfway mark, tech giants around the globe are dropping new games, software and devices left right and centre – particularly as it’s still summer in the Northern Hemisphere, or the era that Silicon Valley would class as ‘peak season’. For the savvy digital consumer, we’ve deemed the below to be the most noteworthy this month in regards to August tech news.

Hello Soundmojis – Freshly released to Facebook Messenger users, soundmojis are the brand’s term used for emojis now paired with sound bites. It’s not as simple as a drumroll sound linked to the drum emoji though – as an example, users can expect to hear the likes of Kanye West singing snippets from his song ‘Good Morning’ in conjunction with the sun emoji. 

TikTok Stories – TikTok is reportedly testing a new stories feature as ‘a new way to interact with your fans’, but stopped short of confirming if the function is here to stay or not. Much like how stories work on Instagram and Snapchat, the feature is said to allow users to post short snippets to their ‘story’ that disappears after 24 hours – the only catch is that it has to be in video format. 

Google Pixel 6 – Seemingly fed up with the onslaught of rumours and information leaks, Google have taken tech circles by surprise and announced key features of both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro set to be released in September. The Pixel 6’s secret weapon has been confirmed to be the new Tensor SoC, which is putting a big focus on AI and machine learning. 

WhatsApp Updates – Global instant messaging giant WhatsApp has introduced a new feature, which allows users to send self-destructing photos and videos within the application. This WhatsApp feature is aptly called ‘View Once’ and it will allow users to send photos and videos that – you guessed it – can only be viewed once before disappearing for good. 

Apple Child Safety Scans – Apple announced that it would be enacting a new protocol: automatically scanning iPhones and iPads to check user photos for child sexual assault material (CSAM). Designed to limit the spread of CSAM, the function has raised questions surrounding data privacy. For now, the child safety image scans are only in operation in the United States. 

Google Maps iOS Updates – Google Maps on iOS will soon finally receive integration for users to deploy dark mode, which Apple debuted way back at the launch of iOS 13 in 2019. Sharing live location via Google Maps will be coming to iOS, too, allowing iMessage users an easy shortcut to letting friends and family know exactly where they are if and when required. 

Want To Talk August Tech News With The Professionals? 

SOS Phone Repairs are specialists in high-quality, cost-effective phone repairs, tablet repairs, and PC repairs. Founded in 2015 in Coffs Harbour and now with over sixteen outlets located all over Australia, our primary driving factors remained the same: people and phones.

Whether it’s to get a few more years out of your trusted iPhone, to fix one up to sell, or to repurpose an old one as a gift, repairing a smartphone might just be easier and cheaper than you think. It’s also a great way to upcycle and keep electronics out of Australian landfills.

Here at SOS Phone Repairs, we offer a lifetime warranty on iPhone screens, a no fix – no fee policy, dry water damaged phones for free, and offer unlimited advice for any of your phone repair needs. Any questions? Come in and see the team to discuss how we can help.

‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ options can be a lifesaver for unexpected expenses, so where do you start when it comes to sourcing Afterpay phone repair providers?

Owning any form of machine – even a smartphone – means that there’s a chance that things happen over time that require either maintenance or repair work. However, many of us are guilty of ignoring relatively minor issues, and blame either a lack of time or a lack of spare cash to address them accordingly.

However, repairing these minor factors are paramount if you want to avoid them turning into bigger issues further down the track. After all, it’s usually a heck of a lot cheaper to fix a phone than it is to purchase a brand new one. 

Rest assured, if you’ve been rocking a cracked screen for some time now, you’re not alone. Amongst others, it’s actually one of the most common phone repair requests.

• Cracked screen – 21.7% 
• Battery repairs – 16.1%
• Won’t charge – 9.7%
• Broken buttons – 6.3%
• Audio issues – 6.3%
  

While most of these won’t make or break your phone, sometimes unexpected maintenance – on anything – can put pressure on your bank account. Thus, finding providers that offer ZipPay or Afterpay phone repair options can be a gamechanger. 

Using ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ For Phone Repairs 

Founded in Sydney in 2015, Afterpay as we know it is regarded as one of the pioneers of the “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) payment platforms that have since taken the world by storm. In theory, it’s as simple as receiving your goods, and paying them off later in four fortnightly, interest free instalments.

Afterpay acts as an intermediary platform between retailers and customers. The platform pays the retailer upfront for the goods on behalf of the customer, and the customer in turn pays Afterpay back. For the customer, this is an alternative method to using a credit card, and requires as little as 25% of the purchase upfront. For retailers, Afterpay has significantly proven to expand their client base – without the risk of the customer defaulting on the payment plan. 

Although Afterpay is regarded as the market leader in Australia as the leading ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ provider, it’s actually ZipPay that was established first in 2013. Also founded in Sydney, it functions in a similar fashion to the above – customers are able to make a purchase, and pay it off via interest free installments.

The service also has some similarities to a credit card or line of credit, in that depending on the size of your purchase, you may not necessarily have to pay it all back within a set timeframe. ZipPay requires a minimum repayment amount of $40 a month, unless the outstanding balance on your account is less than this. Additionally, if you don’t pay your balance off in full, ZipPay charges a monthly account-keeping fee until you do.

While ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ services like ZipPay and Afterpay can get a bad wrap – unsurprisingly, often from credit card providers – they can be quite handy platforms to have in your back pocket providing that they are used responsibly, particularly as a backup plan and as a means to avoid paying interest. 

However, it can be tricky to track down ZipPay or Afterpay phone repair providers if you don’t know where to look – so who offers this service?

Sourcing Phone Repair Advice From The Professionals 

SOS Phone Repairs are specialists in high-quality, cost-effective phone repairs, tablet repairs, and PC repairs, all backed with a six month warranty. Founded in 2015 in Coffs Harbour and now with over sixteen outlets located all over Australia, our primary driving factors remained the same: people and phones. 

Whether it’s to get a few more years out of your trusted iPhone, to fix one up to sell, or to repurpose an old one as a gift, repairing a smartphone might just be easier and cheaper than you think. It’s also a great way to upcycle and keep electronics out of Australian landfills. We aim to make access to repairing a phone as easy as possible, which is why we also offer ZipPay and Afterpay as payment options along with cash or EFTPOS. 

If you are on the hunt for a quote, diagnostic, or even just some good old fashioned, friendly advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or give us a call today at SOS Phone Repairs.