[RBS] Introduction to Android and SmartPhones - By Reuven Grantz (advertisement)

[Reuven Grantz]

Hey all!

I'm delighted to announce my new service for Tablets, Smartphones &
Cellphones (or "mobiles" as they are called in some places).

What can this mean for you?

First of all, Smartphone refers to a mobile phone that is also kind of a
"mini computer".  It allows you to do the common tasks you do on the
computer.  Additionally, it usually incorporates sensors that enable it to
carry out unique tasks. Depending on the model, these sensors can include a
camera, GPS, compass, gravity and light sensor, touch sensor, proximity
sensor as well as Wifi, 3G, and more.

Depending on the programs installed, these sensors can:

   - let you use your voice to make calls, type emails and messages, open
   programs, navigate, etc.;


   - use your camera to detect bar codes & objects. For instance, the
   "Google goggles" application can recognize pictures of books, logos,
   places, famous paints, and give you information about the object by
   matching it against its huge online database.  Other software enables you
   to unlock the phone by recognizing your face;


   - find your location, get directions, see what's around you and more.

Applications also allow you to see what restaurants and places there are
around you.  The Waze application enables you to know what level of traffic
is on the road you plan to use, road blocks and much more. You can also
share your location with people around you.

*Wifi* enables you to share files with other computers on your network,
quickly sync your phone to the computer without physically connecting it,
get network information, and much more.

*3G* enables you to read and write emails, control your computer remotely,
upload and download files, get the bank information, sync your books,
translate text and SMS on the fly, etc.

*Gravity* enables your phone to rotate the picture according to the way you
hold the phone, know when you're phone is dropped etc.  There is an
application that can detect when a person falls, and immediately notify
someone else about it including the exact location of the incident.

Smartphone models include the Apple iPhone, most new Nokia phones, and an
enormous list of the Android OS based phones from the following
manufacturers: Motorola, Sony, Samsung, HTC, Google, LG, Acer, Alcatel,
Lenovo & more.

*What phone should I get?*
              Probably the best thing before getting a smartphone is to
research online.  If you are looking for the easiest phone to use, want
almost zero maintenance and are not concerned about the price, it will
probably be the best to buy one of the iPhone series.

If you feel comfortable in doing general tasks on your computer, have a
budget limit, or want to get to be able to get cheap upgrades, then one of
the Android-based phones will probably be a better purchase.

In my case, less than a year ago I got a low budget, galaxy 5 I5503T for
180 dollars in Australia. The screen is somewhat small compared to most
smartphones, and it was running Android 2.1. Because of the great Android
customization capability, I'm currently running Gingerbread 2.3.7, have
overclocked processors of 800 MHz instead of 600 MHz, a quicker phone,
nicer interface, more internal memory for applications, full Hebrew
support, Swype keyboard in English and Hebrew, voice recognition in both
languages, Google maps with street view, ability to take screenshots from
the phone, use voice dialler, Google sky maps and greatly customize the
phone. A great bargain for 180 dollars!

If you have an Android-based phone, you can most likely get way more from
it than you are getting at the moment. Comparing it to a computer, you can
think of it like upgrading from Windows 98 to XP, or from Windows XP to
Windows 7.

The great thing about an Android-based phone is that it's completely legal
to upgrade to any version you can, and use any specific Android version you
want, without paying any extra. Because everyone can see the original
software code (what's called "Open Source") this brought many talented
developers to work together to create custom versions of the new operating
system that include better battery management, faster speed, and many more
features to work on older phone models as well as up-to-date models.  Most
Android phones that came out with Froyo version can be upgraded to
Gingerbread, along with many more improvements.

Is upgrading risky?

Not if you know what you are doing. Every phone has a boot-loader (like a
bios in PC), recovery (like a recovery console or live CD in windows), and
ROM (the operating system part).  The riskiest part is making changes to
the boot loader. Fiddling with the other parts can result in getting
"stuck" with a bad operating system that doesn't
boot. However in these cases it's almost always possible to have it
recovered by a professional.

How popular are these upgrades?

Just to give a sense I will refer to the forum thread for a customized
Galaxy S ROM called DarkyROM. This forum thread has OVER 42,000 Replies AND
OVER 8 Million Views! That is allot of people! You can read about it here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=814091
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*What are my services?*

I provide:

-  for Android-based phones and Tablets: all software services – OS
upgrades, Phone speedup, tricks to enlarge the internal phone memory,
expanding battery life, training how to get the most of your phone, Hebrew
support, and Sim Unlock, wireless sync with your PC and phone backup.

-  Hebrew support for imported Android and Nokia Phones

- Sim unlock (note: according to the law, if your phone was purchased in
Israel, your cellular provider is obliged to unlock the phone for you for
no charge).

- remove Phone Branding (like the big logo of the provider when you turn on
the phone and other non removable applications)

- Jailbreak and Sim unlock for iPhone & iPad.

I also provide all computer hardware and software repair services, support
for both wireless and hard wired networks, servers, windows installations,
virus removal, computer speedup, backup solutions, laptop rental, Netstick
rental, training. i have over 10 years experience as a computer technician.
You can read about my computer services at http://tinyurl.com/pcplustech

I look forward to hearing from you.

Reuven Grantz
PC Plus
054-976-1606
reuven at pcplustech.co.il

*Services for Computers, Smartphones and Tablets *
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