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Technology

Reasons Your Phone Is Charging Slowly and Solutions

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People use their phones daily to send messages, play games, and search the web. The constant activity will drain the battery, and you will need to charge your phone, but there may be a time when this charging takes longer than usual. Your phone may have something malfunctioning in its system. Understanding the problem is the first step in repairing it.

Make Sure You’re Using a Reliable Power Source

Most phones can connect to devices via a USB cord. The devices it connects to, such as computers or laptops, will have a USB charging capability. This enables the machine to charge the phone. Charging pads are also a convenient way to charge phones, but the phone will need to stay in a single spot for it to work.

Neither option gives a powerful charging current all the time. Instead, try plugging the phone directly into the wall outlet, where it will receive a steady stream of electricity. Other devices that receive electricity from the wall outlet and then transfer it into the phone will give less electricity, so plug the phone in at a direct source for a faster charge.

Try Closing Out Apps or Putting It on Airplane Mode

The more apps you use, the more energy your phone uses. When you use more energy, battery drains faster. Using up your battery causes your phone to charge slowly. Closing out as many apps as possible will help the charging process. Make sure you close out any apps that are working in the background using the options in your settings.

If closing the apps doesn’t help, you could also set the phone to airplane mode, decreasing battery usage and stalling apps. Your phone will charge efficiently, and you will be able to use it in no time.

Check the Charging Cable or the Adapter

The charging cable is essential for getting power back to the battery. It would be best if you always tried to use the best charging cable for your phone and ensure that it doesn’t receive a lot of damage which may cause the phone to charge slowly. Your wall adapter must have a suitable voltage and ampere amount to pull as much electricity from the socket into the phone. You’ll want to look for a 5V and 2.4A adapter for a fast charge.

We care for our phones and what to use the best technology for them. Try these methods to get the best charge possible when your phone charges slow.

Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Give Your Child a Smartphone

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While the best age for a child to receive their first phone is a topic of wide debate, there are still some ages that most people consider too young. We’re not here to debate what those ages are, but we do want to give you some reasons why you shouldn’t give your child a smartphone. Unfortunately, telling them that you didn’t have a phone at their age isn’t going to cut it anymore.

Phones Are Too Expensive

Have you seen the prices of smartphones recently? A thousand dollars is starting to become the norm in the industry. Granted, we’re aware that most parents will buy their kids a cheaper one, but even on the bargain side of the market, they can easily go for $200 to $300. It’s hard to trust a small child with a “toy” that carries such a hefty price tag. Plus, phone plans themselves can be fairly expensive.

There are much better options for kids on the market, such as child-safe tablets and smartwatches. These watches, in particular, can give parents all the benefits of a smartphone for their child but at a fraction of the cost. On top of that, they’re attached to a wrist, which means they’re less susceptible to drops, spills, and broken screens.

They Could Abuse In-App Purchases

Even though parental features are common these days on smartphones, kids always seem to find a way around them. Then suddenly, before you even know what’s happening, they’ve spent$100 in a game. Since young kids don’t have a fundamental concept of money yet, you can’t even blame them for it. The best way to avoid the situation altogether is not to let them have a phone in the first place.

They Might Become Dependent on Them

While there are ongoing studies on this topic, it’s hard to argue that people don’t have some level of dependence on their devices. If you don’t think that’s the case, try going for a week without your phone and see how you feel afterward. If it didn’t have much of an effect on you, congratulations—you’re stronger than the majority of us.

Regardless of your view on the subject, developing a deep dependence on technology is a big reason why you shouldn’t give your child a smartphone at a young age. Kids’ brains are still developing and don’t need an all-powerful smart device to be at the center of that development.

It’s Good To Tell Them “No”

It can be challenging to keep denying your kid when they continuously ask you for a phone. However, contrary to what you might read on Facebook, saying “no” and setting boundaries with your children is a good thing for them. If they never hear the word “no,” they will go the rest of their life expecting everything to get everything they want when they want it.

Standing your ground and not letting them have a cellphone until you believe they’re ready is one of the best ways to instill a more realistic behavior in them. Plus, your kid will be even more grateful on the day they finally do get a phone than they would have been if you just broke down and gave them one when they asked.

Can Handheld Devices Improve a Child’s Education?

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While most popular technological devices have come and gone throughout the years, there has been one device that’s remained a hit when it comes to K-12 education: computer tablets. The iPad, along with many Windows and Android tablets, have not only transformed the way teachers educate their students but the way they communicate with concerned parents as well. This makes things like parent-teacher conferences much easier for educators and more informative for parents and guardians.

But as these mobile devices become more and more common in the American educational experience, the question becomes “What do these devices really add to the education system?”

Although screen time is a touchy subject for a lot of parents, not all technology is bad. According to the National Geographic, research showed that students who spent time interacting with their tablets on a daily basis gained classroom-based knowledge within the first 20 minutes of study. How is this possible?

Educational apps can be used to help young children learn their alphabet, sentence structures, and mathematics. These tools not only help students learn important lessons but can also be used to introduce students to the world of STEM education, which comes as a bonus. So, is there more to this upcoming trend, or is it just used as a way to grab students’ attention and keep them quiet? Even though the answer may vary depending on the individual, some schools have found success using this technology in their curriculum, and here’s how they’ve done so:

Devices at Home: While most parents allow their child to have free reign on the internet when they’re home, some people might think the same rules apply at school. This could be why so many people are against allowing students to access the internet while on campus. The reality, however, is that children are used to technological devices like iPads, smartphones, and computers.

In fact, most children today can’t even remember a time without internet since they were born, knowing that it’s a widely available mainstream platform. It can be hard for educators to meet the individual needs of all their students, especially if they’re operating in a big class. What’s even more difficult is trying to accommodate for all the individual learning styles students have as well. Luckily, technology can help. By using technology at home, students can work at their own pace and are able to meet their individual needs along the way.

Technology that’s used both in the classroom and at home can also give instructors the opportunity to be creative with their homework assignments. By giving students the opportunity to choose their homework or allowing them to have access to certain things, teachers and parents alike can expand their child’s knowledge. So, if you’ve ever imagined a world where the vast majority of students did their homework, then look into classroom technology.

Devices in the Classroom: Despite the ongoing debate regarding iPads in the classroom, these mobile devices have found ways to help educators present content using various teaching methods. One reason devices like iPads should be used in the educational environment is because classrooms are ready for them. While the introduction of tablets in education is a recent phenomenon, the truth is, students have been using them in high school and in college for years now, and they have already gotten themselves familiar with the touch-screen features. Because students today have gotten so used to operating these handheld gadgets, they now expect technology to always be present in their everyday life, which is why incorporating technology in the classroom can have positive results for both students and teachers.

That said, when classes don’t allow children to practice using their devices, students are at a disservice. How? Tablets are designed to fit students’ lifestyles. They’re thin, easy to carry and come to life at the push of a button, which makes it even more reliable to take to class than say, a laptop. Longer battery life also means that students don’t have stress about taking their charger or purposely sit next to an outlet in class. If students miss information from their teacher, they can pull up the instructions using an online platform like Classroom Dojo or Google Classroom to search for instructions.

Preparing for a Technological World: There’s a common misconception about online learning that it requires less study time, which, of course, isn’t true. That’s because classroom technology can help students prepare for the future by building lifelong skills. When it comes to learning technology, it’s not about how fancy the device is; it’s about how engaging the process is.

This is what helps students increase their knowledge and helps them get on the path to success. By using technological devices to enhance learning, students are being equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the future. They aren’t the only ones who benefit from technology usage, however.

Teachers, too, have witnessed firsthand how effective technology can be in the classroom setting. They’ve also grown to recognize the importance of helping students develop these skills before they enter the workforce. The impact technology has on our education system today is significant. With more and more districts adopting these new innovations, students will not only learn how to use emerging technologies — they’ll also be ready for life outside of school once they graduate.

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Thanks for the read! Did I miss anything important? What are some other ways handheld devices can improve education for children? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.

Best Mobile Monitoring & Tracking Sites Every Parent Need to Know

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Child’s safety has always been a sensitive and an intimate concern for every parent in the world. Upbringing them with morale and values is no longer enough for your child’s secure environment. There has been an increasing need for monitoring your child’s activity. This is where mobile tracking software and websites play an important role. They can effectively keep an eye on your child’s activity and their movements. With this, you no longer have to worry about your child’s whereabouts. These applications and websites are all you need to ensure your kids’ safety. So let us take a look at them;

Before taking a look at the applications, let us know about the websites that are present out there which effectively tracks exact mobile number location, there are several websites that can help track mobile phones and the best part of them is they are free and can track any mobile number irrespective of the software it runs on. One such website is

Mobile Number Tracker

It is easy to use and requires no prior registration. It is the most used website for tracking and locating mobile numbers. All you have to do is enter your child’s mobile number that you want to track in the available box and click ‘trace’, the website will then automatically track down the mobile number. That’s it, simple and easy!

  1. Norton Family App

The best application available on the internet to track and monitor your child’s phone is Norton family App. the app is very useful for tracking and monitoring purposes. The app is available for Android as well as iOS platforms. It comes with a 49$ subscription for both the platforms. the app comes with a variety of features;

  • allows tracking phone
  • sets up a time limit for the usage of the phone
  • allows monitoring messages

All in all, it is an effective application to track and monitor your child’s activity.

  1. mSpy

Another mobile monitoring device that comes with an endless number of features, mSPy is one of the best applications for tracking and monitoring purpose. The app is available for Android as well as iOS. mSpy comes in three packages, basic, premium, and bundle, which costs 21$, 50$, and 59$ respectively. Some of its features are;

  • message and call monitoring
  • e-mail monitoring
  • tracking of locations
  • internet usage tracking

Overall mSpy is a complete package for tracking and monitoring the smartphone of your child.

  1. my mobile watchdog

My mobile watchdog is yet another sparkling app with some notable features to its due. The app is loaded with several effective functions for users to track and monitor Smartphones of their child. the app charges around 100$ annual fee, in which it offers many functions as blocking the inappropriate applications, filtering web contents, also the installation process is very simple and easy. Some of its features are as follow;

  • location tracking
  • call and message monitoring
  • allows setting the usage time of the desired phone
  • blocks the inappropriate applications

However, despite all the features, this app has received mixed reviews from the users as some of them find it more expensive as compared to its counterparts. Overall, my mobile watchdog application provides a limited amount of features as compared to its rival services which have more advanced services to offer.

  1. SpyBubble Pro

SpyBubble is a notable tracking and monitoring application that offers some sparkling and distinct features that run on different devices. The application is available on Android at 29$ as a onetime fee, whereas it is available for free on jail-broken iPhones. Some of the features are as follows;

  • The software can monitor calls, messages, photos, locations and other activity
  • It is easy to use the app and performs many functions apart from tracking calls.
  • The app also records and messages.
  • The app also allows monitoring photos and videos.
  1. boomerang

Boomerang application is available on iOS as well as Android. The application offers a 14 day trial period after which it becomes a paid version (12$ a year). The information about the pricing can be known after installing the app. the app proves to be useful in tracking phone and monitoring activities of your child. Some of the features of this phone are;

  • sets timer for the use of social media and other applications
  • set bedtimes for kids
  • helps to track the location of the phone
  • ensures safe and filtered browsing

Overall the app is best for the parents who want to keep an eye on their child’s activity. Another distinct feature of the application which is worth discussing is that it creates a geo-fence for your child, which means that if your child crosses the fence, the app will instantly notify you.

  1. PhoneSherrif 

Yet another tracking application that is available on iOS as well as Android. The app charges 89$ as an annual subscription fee. Some of the features are as follows;

  • the app tracks location of your child
  • it allows monitoring calls and messages
  • allows blocking phone numbers
  • filters web browsing and online content

The best part about Phonesherrif is that it allows an unlimited number of devices to be tracked as compared to other rival software. Apart from parents, phonesherrif proves to be useful to the employers who want to track and monitor their employee’s activities, as the user can track an unlimited number of devices with it.

  1. mobistealth

Mobistealth is available on iOS as well as Android devices. The app efficiently monitors and tracks calls and messages of your child. The app does that with the help of GPS tracking. Along with tracking it offers various other features too, such as monitoring MMS messages, e-mail. The app also allows you to keep a call record history. Some of the other features are as follows;

  • access to multimedia messages
  • location tracking

The app is available in three subscription packages, a 2-week basic pack ( $19), 3 months pack ($79), and 6 months pack ($119). Overall the app functions very well and gives no chance of complaints.

So we have gone through all the top applications that will prove to be of the best use for the parents who want to track and monitor their child’s phone. Some are android based applications, whereas some run both on Android as well as iOS. Apart from them, we learned about websites too that can remarkably track mobile number location that will eventually help the parents to track their children. Hope this article was informative on the concerned topic.

Parenting Tips on Smartphone Usage

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It’s a smartphone world today, so what does that mean for your kids? If you’re like many parents, you appreciate the idea of being able to reach your children in an emergency. However, you also worry about the risks of letting them go online alone.

How soon is too soon to buy your kids a phone? How do you know if your children can handle the responsibility? Have you thought through the risks? If you do buy a phone, what steps can you take to monitor and protect your children while they are using it?

To help you answer these questions, the following slideshow showcases some helpful information about kids and smartphone use. Learn more about safe and responsible smartphone use for adolescents — and kids — in this resource.

How Technology Can Improve Childhood Obesity

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Let’s face it: We’ve all at some point and time played on our phone while hanging out with kids. Whether it’s a quick text or a social media post, it can be difficult to put our electronics down. But in all honestly, our email and Facebook can wait. Especially if it means setting a good example for your child and protecting their health, since increased screen time is associated with higher rates of childhood obesity.

There’s no question obesity has become a major health threat in the United States, and with some recent studies showing one in three children to be obese, it’s clear that the problem isn’t going anywhere. To many, the culprits appear to be: Fast-food restaurants, a decrease in physical activity among school children, and even possibly genetic links.

In order to respond to the growing population of sick youth, companies are now coming up with computer programs, interactive mobile apps, and wearable trackers. One of the newest tech toys, for example, is Leap Band “Kids Wearables,” which was released back in 2014 as the first health tracker for children with 50 activities and challenges programmed in it.

Using apps to teach children takes advantage of the child’s inclination to play games on their parents’ phones and tablets. “Super Stretch Yoga” is another application for young iPad users to introduce them to yoga and inspire healthier routines in their day-to-day lives. These adventure fitness games are highly supported by teachers, parents, and medical experts and provides young viewers and their parents with learning materials, tips from medical experts, and activities that encourage physical activities.

Three Technologies That Are Helping Children Live a Healthier Life

Leap band: Although some parents may be tempted to give technology to their children for all the wrong reasons:

  • To entertain them or keep them busy while the parent is busy doing something else.
  • To demonstrate how awesome of a parent they are in order to befriend their child.
  • As a way to assuage guilt over being gone or absent due to commitments or situations such as relationship problems, work, or fear of being a parent.

Leapfrog, the creator of popular kids’ educational electronics, has debuted the first wearable health-tracker for children called Leap band. The app, however, wasn’t designed for babysitting children. Instead, the wearable band was designed for children ages 4 to 7, and includes a built-in accelerometer, color screen, rechargeable battery and water-resistant design.

Learning Anatomy: Explore a working model of the body with your child using The Human Body App. Every part is animated and interactive. The heart beats, the stomach gurgles, lungs breathe, the skin feels, and the eyes see. The application was designed for kids ages 4+ to help them discover just what we’re made of and how we work.

Nutrition: Smash Your Food makes it easy for children to learn about salt, sugar, and oil content of various different foods. The app is designed to challenge families to “smash” real food like hamburgers, milkshakes, donuts, bagels, and entire meals, to learn about nutrition and inspire ways to eat healthier for children and adults alike. In doing so, parents can also help minimize their child’s chances of getting varicose veins. A condition that makes the vein visibly bumpy or rope-like and has the ability to occur in any part of the leg. The risk, however, can increase by a substantial amount if the child is obese. Which could also lead to the child getting heart disease later on down the road as an adult.

The United States is at a time when action must be taken in order to battle the rising numbers of childhood obesity, which is defined by Mayo Clinic as a serious medical condition that has cost thousands of extra resources per child. Not to mention it could also increase the risk of adults becoming obese, which adds on several more life-threatening risks.

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Thanks for the read. Did I miss anything? What are some other ways technology can minimize childhood obesity? Feel free to leave comments below.

The Newest Kindle: Simplicity Among the Chaos

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With the glutton of new technology products that constantly flood the market, there are always a few that seem to deliver on attractive simplicity.  Recently, I found that the new Kindle from Amazon fits this category perfectly.

This device is the ideal gadget for those that want access to their libraries, without having to revert to rocking a backpack.  Personally, I wanted to become a more diligent reader (especially with classical works) but the idea of having to tote a paperback around was enough to keep me in limbo.

With the Kindle device, this is no longer an issue.  I simply load up the device with my collection, throw my Kindle in my back pocket, and I have material to ponder while the wife is trying on clothes.

Under The Hood

Without breaking down every technological nuance of the device, I thought I would list a few that really sold me when considering an e-reader.

First and foremost….I could not believe how small and compact they’ve made this device.  As I mentioned previously, at 7.5″ tall x 4.8″ in width x 1/3″ thick and 8.5 oz in weight, I can literally put the Kindle in my back pocket and carry it anywhere.  And…this was accomplished while maintaining the 6″ display that can be found on earlier versions of the device.

From there I was drawn to the new E-Ink Pearl display.  The technology uses real ink, displayed digitally, which duplicates the “ink on paper” experience that most people enjoy.  You get the same deep contrast with zero glare.  As a result, you can sit in direct sunlight with the Kindle and not go blind trying to read!

Moving on….to the earth-shattering reality that the battery in the newest Kindle lasts for up to a month!  I admit I was a little skeptical about this.  Living in an age where you are constantly searching for the nearest power outlet, I had a hard time accepting such a claim.  But, I am here to tell you that Amazon is speaking the truth.  Because of the simplicity of the Kindle, it operates on minimal power.  With no huge draws on the battery (outside of significant time connected to the Internet), you can forget a charge now and then and still have some juice left.  With the capability of holding up to 3,500 books, that is some serious longevity!

Capping this all off is the $139 price of the Wi-Fi equipped base model that I acquired.  From the $139 price tag you have two other options.  You can spend $189 to add on 3G access or you can go big and spend $379 for the larger DX model.  I thought it a tad unlikely that I would be in a position where I could not find Wi-Fi; coupled with an overwhelming need to download a new book.

Not Much To Dislike

I honestly have to say that I am very happy with the newest Kindle.

But….if I were to pick anything that could be a drawback, I would have to say that the browsing on the device is a little cumbersome.  Although, I wasn’t too surprised by this.  Especially when you consider that speed often means more complexity and less battery life.

Let’s face it; you are not going to buy a Kindle to surf the web.  You have your computer and your smart phone for that.  You are going to buy a Kindle because it is simply designed, with unique technology that gives you a compact, enjoyable reading experience.

Kudos Amazon!

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