iOS 10 may still be in its beta stage, but Apple loyalists have grown accustomed to a level of hype in the months leading up to a new product release. Despite the announcements and presentations wrapping up last month, we’re just now getting wind of the unbiased opinions from developers who have courageously installed the upcoming version of iOS -- and the news is good. Here are six of the most exciting new updates to Apple’s seminal mobile operating system.

New lock screen

Changes to any mobile operating system (OS) almost always include updates to the lockscreen. However, this is no ordinary update. For the first time since the iPhone’s release in 2007, there’s no ‘Slide to Unlock’ feature. Instead, the screen provides in-depth, 3D touch-activated notifications displaying more detail than before without having to unlock your phone. The iPhone will automatically display the lock screen any time you pick it up, and you can unlock it by pressing the ‘Home’ button.

New widgets

Another upgrade visible on the lockscreen and homescreen is the long-awaited addition of ‘widgets.’ These are basically compartmentalized apps that run on a portion of your screen without having to open the app entirely. With iOS still in beta, the list of available widgets is already quite long, but iTunes controls, weather and calendar are a few of the standout native widgets. Don’t worry though, Apple is allowing third party widgets from the likes of ESPN, Google Maps and Amazon. They can be accessed by swiping from left to right on your lock screen or page one of your home screen.

3D touch on control center shortcuts

The iPhone 6s has been out long enough that most people have had a chance to interact with its 3D Touch feature, which performs different actions based on how much force you apply when tapping the screen. When combining 3D Touch functionality with the ‘Control Center’ dock that appears with a flick of the finger from the bottom of the screen upwards, each function displays ‘Favorite’ actions. For example, if you use a slightly more forceful touch on the Camera shortcut, you’re presented with the options to jump straight to Traditional, Slow Motion, Video or Selfie recording.

New/rich notifications

We see a lot more of 3D Touch throughout iOS 10, and another place it’s quite evident is notifications. Whether it’s on the lock screen or the notification center, a strong 3D Touch will open a small window that allows you to interact with that app without opening it completely. This is especially helpful for replying to messages and emails. In addition to this-- something that may seem small to some, but huge to others, is the ability to hide all your notifications with just two taps. Simply press hard on the ‘X’ button in the upper right, and then click ‘Clear All Notifications.’

Handwritten messages

The iPhone’s native Messages app got a thorough overhaul, but we’ll leave the discovery of emojis, invisible ink and ‘fireworks’ for another time. Those don’t have much place in the business world, but handwritten messages certainly do. Give your professional messages a more personal, attentive touch by writing responses with your fingers with the app’s Digital Touch option.

‘Delete’ stock apps

Unfortunately, you can’t get back valuable storage space by deleting unnecessary native apps. But you can finally remove them from your home screen. Don’t have an iWatch and don’t see why you need to have the app on your phone, albeit tucked away in a folder on page three? Press and hold on the app, tap the shaking X, and tap ‘Remove.’ All gone. iOS 10 is one of the most significant updates the iPhone has ever received. It’s still another month away from widespread release, but if you’d like to install the beta now, or you just want to learn more about how to automatically convert text to emojis, we’re your guys. Open up your boring, old Messages, and drop us a line. We’ll have you sending handwritten messages in no time.

When a new iOS update is released for iPhone, it’s exciting. In fact, you may be so amped that your trigger finger gets the best of you, and the next thing you know you’re saddled with a new iOS that is causing you headache after headache. To avoid this fate, it pays to think wisely before updating your iOS and prepare for it accordingly. Here are a few guidelines to follow to ensure your next iOS update goes smoothly.

Decide whether or not to update now

Just because a new iOS update is released doesn’t mean you must install it. In fact, users who do install early are sometimes faced with big headaches as the new iOS goes through technology growing pains. For example in the release of iOS 9.3, many users encountered a bug that caused Safari to lock up when hyperlinks were used to open web pages. Issues like this can cause business owners and general users alike to take a productivity hit. So if you’re heavily reliant on certain iPhone features, it makes sense to do your research before updating to a new iOS and get feedback from users who’ve already upgraded. Apple forums, YouTube and of course a simple Google search can help with this. Oh, and as for that iOS 9.3 Safari bug issue, it’s since been fixed with the release of iOS 9.3.1.

Know your login credentials

When downloading an iOS update, you may be asked for your Apple ID. If and when that time comes, you can avoid scrambling by being prepared with your password beforehand. You should also keep your passwords handy for your favorite applications and services, as sometimes you’re automatically logged out of these when updating your iOS.

Backup your phone

Updating your iOS can be a precarious task. While not something that happens incredibly often, there’ve been cases where users have lost important files or photos. And if you store important business information on your device, you certainly don’t want to lose it during an update. To avoid this, backup your phone beforehand either through iTunes or iCloud.

Power your battery & connect to Wi-Fi

Many users will choose to install new iOS updates Over-the-Air (OTA). This means you’re updating it over Wi-Fi on the settings in your phone rather than via iTunes. If you go this route, there are two things you should be aware of. Your battery must be charged to at least 50% (or be plugged into an outlet) and you can’t start the update through a cellular connection - it must be done through Wi-Fi. The point is, make sure to charge your phone and find a reliable Wi-Fi connection before starting the update process.

If problems occur after update, don’t panic…

After an iOS update, sometimes some very unusual problems occur. While most users will face no issues, others will encounter shorter battery life, unresponsive touch-screens, Wi-Fi problems, and more. If it happens to you, take a deep breath and don’t panic. Know they’re likely answers to your problems already out there on the web. Whatever your unique issue, a quick Google search should turn up multiple resolutions. You can also search the various Apple forums on the web.

Know you can always downgrade...most of the time

If you absolutely hate the upgrade, there’s good news. You can downgrade for a short period of time after an update is released. There is one catch though. You can only downgrade to a select number of previous versions. For example if you recently updated to iOS 9.3.1, you’ll be able to downgrade to iOS 9.2.1 or iOS 9.3. That means iOS 9.1 and earlier users are out of luck and must think carefully before choosing whether or not to upgrade.

While these 6 tips can be useful for the current iOS 9.3.1 update, you can also return to them for future iOS updates as general guidelines that apply. If you’re searching for more iPhone tips or need assistance with any Mac products, drop us a line today.

Most of us are heavily reliant on our phones. So when your iPhone is low on battery and there’s no outlet in sight, it can be a stressful situation. Thankfully, there are some settings you can adjust that can help you squeeze a few more hours out of your battery. Here are five to consider.

Activate Low Power Mode

Perhaps the easiest way to save iPhone battery life, Low Power Mode can be activated with a single tap. When switched on, it automatically adjusts several settings to extend the life of your battery: it reduces the brightness of your screen and the amount of battery power your apps are using, disables the automatic fetching of new email, and it powers off the display more quickly.

To activate Low Power Mode, press Settings>Battery and then tap Low Power Mode so that the green light is on.

Lower the screen brightness

The brighter your iPhone screen, the more battery it drains. And really, there isn’t much of a need to have an excessively bright screen because in most instances (being outside in the sunshine excluded) you can easily see everything on the screen at a lower brightness level.

To adjust the brightness of your iPhone, flick the Control Center tab upward from the bottom of your screen. There you’ll see a horizontal line with a circle in the middle and a sun symbol to the side of both ends. Move the circle left or right to adjust the brightness.

Alternatively, you can adjust your iPhone’s brightness in Settings>Display & Brightness. On this screen you also can turn off Auto-Brightness, which automatically adjusts the brightness of your phone. When you turn this setting off, you’ll be certain that your phone is not wasting any excessive battery by automatically adjusting brightness on its own.

Switch off wi-fi

As much as you love using the wi-fi on your phone, it is a proven battery life killer. The funny thing is, the degree it drains battery life varies by location. For instance, if you’re at home (where iPhone battery life is less of a problem to begin with), wi-fi will use less battery. But when you’re out and about, your phone is often searching for a wi-fi signal to connect to, and this drains battery. So if you can hold off on your mobile browsing and email till you get home, your phone will stay powered on quite a bit longer.

Switch off cellular data

Like wi-fi, cellular data can also eat up battery quickly - especially if you’re in an area where there’s no cellular coverage. When this happens, your phone begins to search non-stop for a signal, and guess what this uses? You guessed it - battery. So if you’re short on battery and don’t need it, turn off your cellular data function. Doing this can easily provide an extra hour or two of additional battery life.

Activate Airplane mode

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and this is exactly when you need Airplane mode. If you’re down to 20ish percent battery life and need your phone to last for a few hours longer, then Airplane mode may just be your savior. By switching it on, your phone will shut down all wireless activity, including cellular, Bluetooth and wi-fi. Doing this is obviously not ideal, but if you have little battery life and want your phone available in case of emergencies, this is your best option (next to switching it off). Once in Airplane mode, you can turn on individual wireless functions, such as Bluetooth or wi-fi, individually while staying in Airplane mode.

To switch on Airplane mode, you can do so from the Control Center screen or by going to Settings and then clicking on Airplane mode.

Any other options?

If you must have your cake and eat it too, there’s an alternative choice that provides an extra battery bump with the ability to use wi-fi, keep your screen bright, and use your iPhone without adjusting any settings. The answer is to buy a power supply, also known as power bank, which you’ve likely seen for sale at your local Best Buy or on Amazon. These delightful battery saviors are continually shrinking in size, with some even as small as lipstick, so it’s no longer a hassle to carry them around. You can simply slide it into your pocket and use when needed.

If you’re looking for more ways to get the most out of your iPhone or are looking to service your Apple technology, feel free to shoot us a message. We’re happy to help in any way possible.

When it comes to phone apps, many people use Facebook’s version multiple times a day. So it may cause you to cringe when you learn the dramatic effect it has on the battery life and speed of your Android Phone. You heard that right, the Facebook app is reportedly draining 20% of your Android’s battery while potentially slowing it down by 15%. Here’s what you need to know about this surprising news, and how to fix it.

The flaw with the Facebook app was first reported by a tech writer, Russell Holly, from androidcentral.com. Here’s what he had to say about it...

"Recently I noticed some performance issues on multiple phones, and had started paying closer attention to what exactly was causing these problems. When Facebook turned out to be one of the more egregious resource hogs, I uninstalled it to see how things improved...Not only did my performance issues go away entirely, but I discovered I didn't actually lose any of the Facebook features I cared about by uninstalling the app."

Russell Holly, however, is not the only one who’s noticed a difference in Android performance after uninstalling Facebook. Since his finding, there have been numerous reports from tech writers and Android users across the globe. Furthermore, some users have also noticed a 15% boost in speed once they uninstalled Facebook and the Messenger app.

Alternative methods to get your Facebook fill

As one of the Android’s most popular apps, whether or not to install or uninstall Facebook can be a tough decision. However, the battery benefits are so big that it’s worth exploring alternate methods to get your Facebook fill. One is to simply uninstall Facebook and keep the Messenger app. This will not give you the full 20/15% boost, but will provide a noticeable difference in both speed and battery life. Alternatively, you can also access Facebook via Google Chrome or your other Internet browser. By doing this, you can still use most of the same Facebook features (with the exceptions of a few such as location-based functionality and Instant Articles, among others) and still get the max boost to your battery and speed.

As for Facebook, this isn’t the first time the app has been accused of slowing down a phone. Last October, the app was found to drastically drain the iPhone’s battery as well. Facebook promised to work on correcting that issue, and have a similar response to this, "We have heard reports of some people experiencing speed issues stemming from our Android app...We are looking into this and will keep [users] posted. We are committed to continuing to improve these issues."

So while you’re pondering whether or not to uninstall Facebook on your phone, feel free to shoot us any of your other Android questions or concerns. We are happy to help resolve any of your Android or other IT related issues.