Author Archive

How to prepare your computer for repair

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Mac Laptop Repair in St. LouisRemove computer from any computer case, computer box, computer packaging, or computer bag. Do not leave us with your computer case, computer packaging box, or computer bag. We do not have room to store this stuff for you.

Remove all usb drives, usb dongles, external hard drives, blue tooth dongles, and any extraneous hardware such as mouse, keyboards, printers, speakers, microphones, headphones, and monitors, attached to your computer or device before dropping off at South City Computer.

Remove all CD/DVD or other media from drives. We can not be responsible for your 2nd season of “Friends” DVD left in the DVD drive so please remove it before dropping it off at South City Computer.

Bring the power cord with your laptop, tablet, phone, all-in-one computer, or device. Most desktops use a standard power cord. Bring it, and the service technician will instruct you whether or not South City Computer will need it to perform your computer repair service.

Ensure your computer is clean and free of food, dust, and other debris. We know that most people eat, drink, and even pick their nose at their computer. Please do not bring us a computer covered in food, dust, boogers, and other unspeakable fluids! We are trying to provide you computer repair service, we are not a computer cleaning service. We will disinfect the computer at the time of drop off, however we do not want to have to scrub boogers and debris from the keyboard and cracks of your computer. If your computer is exceptionally disgusting, we may have to charge you a cleaning fee.

Let us know if you or somebody else is sick and has used the computer or if you are bringing your computer in because you or somebody else vomited on/in it. Let us know ahead of time so we can make special preparations to handle your computer with latex hospital gloves and respiratory masks.

Let us know if you dropped your device into a toilet or other unsanitary conditions so that we can prepare to handle your device accordingly with latex hospital gloves.

Provide the service technician clear and accurate description of your issue. Be sure to include what you were doing when the computer stopped working, any error messages you recall, any strange pop-ups, any strange behaviors or sounds your recall coming from the computer, any programs you installed or uninstalled before the issue started, also if there were any other anomalies such as power outages or electrical storms that could be related to the computer issue.

Provide all passwords and user accounts that South City Computer will need to access the computer.

Let us know if you need the data backed up on the computer. If data needs to be backed up, provide the service technician all files, file types, directories, and file names that you would like attempted to be backed up.

Inform the service technician of any programs you use that put their data files in places outside the Windows user directory such as Quick Books, Quicken, or Microsoft Outlook.

Be prepared to wait for service. Our typical turn around on a computer diagnosis is 2 to 5 business days. If you need expedited service talk to a support service technician about the options South City Computer offers customers who need computer repair service fast! Also, South City Computer Club Members always enjoy concierge services and get moved to the front of the line on most computer repair services. Don’t call or email constantly to check the status of your computer repair, this does not speed things up, as we are answering your phone calls and emails instead of repairing computers.

Bring cash, check, or credit/debit card to make the initial payment for service. We cannot begin work on your computer repair service until we receive payment up front.

Please know that we do not offer refunds on any payment you make to South City Computer, even if you choose to forgo the initial diagnosis or other service. If you are professional, friendly, courteous, and easy to do business with, we will most likely offer you in-store credit if you decide to not move forward with a repair, but this is not a guaranteed, and totally up to managements discression.

10 ways to avoid getting a virus

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Registry Reviver JunkwareThe Internet can be very tricky at times, much like the streets of a large city, people can easily be fooled if they don’t use their “street-smarts” in every situation they encounter online. People who let their guard down online can easily be fooled into installing unwanted spamware, ransomeware, malware, virus, trojans, or worms. Avoide the following 10 most common ways our customer’s typically have gotten a computer virus on their computer.

1. Have an anti-virus program installed and running. Having anti-virus protection can help to reduce your risk of getting a computer virus. But do not rely too heavily on these programs, as many new viruses are still unknown to the anti-virus programs and there is always a lapse in full protection. Many new viruses have not been documented and released in the most recent virus definitions. Also most anti-virus software only do system scanning and do not do real-time system monitoring, and the ones that do offer real-time system monitoring may not always catch viruses getting installed on the computer.

2. Keep anti-virus software up-to-date with the latest virus definitions. Just having an anti-virus software installed on your computer is not enough to protect you from the latest virus and computer threats. Keep your anti-virus definitions up-to-date with the latest virus definitions. It is recommended to run anti-virus definitions updates on a daily basis to ensure the most effective anti-virus protection.

3. Keep your operating system up-to-date. This means run those pesky Windows Updates whenever your computer prompts you to. Updates oftentimes contain security patches and fixes that have been identified by the software distributor as vulnerabilities. It is best to set your computer to automatically update at a time that you would most likely not be using your computer, such as 3AM. Just remember to leave your computer on and connected to the Internet overnight to install these critical updates.

4. Only open email attachments from trusted sources and in believable situations. Most people get computer viruses by downloading attachments to emails. The attachments can seem legitimate such as a attached document, media file, or picture sent to you from friends or family. However you should be very careful not to download a virus. Sometimes friends, family, or coworkers email accounts can get hacked and will send out malicious software. Always check the file extension that is attached to an email before downloading it onto your computer. If the file extension is a .exe, .bat, .msi, .zip, .msm, .msp, .mst, .idt, .cub, .pcp file this could be a malicious software application. Common pictures file types are .jpg, .png, .gif, .tif, .bmp, and some common document file types are .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .odt, .txt. If you get an email with a strange file attached to it that doesn’t look like any of these common extensions, it is probably best to first verify with the trusted sender that they indeed sent the file. Also never click on links sent in emails that seem vague like “hey look at this link” or “click here to see my pics”.

5. Never install programs from the Internet that claim to fix a computer issue. While it may seem like a good idea to ask “Google” to fix your computer issue for you. Unfortunately most websites that claim to fix a computer issue by installing a program are not legitimate and are likely just fishing websites to get spam-ware, and other malicious software installed on your computer. Always take your computer to a legitimate computer repair business to fix your computer issue, and never search for a fix using a software program from the Internet.

6. Never illegally download pirated software, music and movies. Most illegal pirating networks, file sharing networks, and file link website will contain malicious software disguised as the newest software, movies or pop music albums. Always purchase software, music, and movies legally to avoid getting a virus from these untrusted file sources.

7. Do not try to install extraneous video and audio codecs. Sometimes you may find a file that has a strange extension. It seems logical to try to find a audio or video codec, or other program that could read this extension, however it is more likely that you would download and install a virus than the actual solution for your file type.

8. Do not install programs that claim to enhance the performance of your computer. There are some programs online that will claim to speed up your computer, or enhance the performance of your computer, or even promise to enhance the graphics capabilities of a computer. These are most likely untrusted websites that try to trick you into installing spam-ware, ransom-ware, malicious programs, and viruses onto your computer.

9. Do not install illegal software on your computer. You may find yourself in situations where a friend, family or other acquaintance has a “hot” copy of a popular software app like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Suite for FREE. If it sounds too good to be true…well then it probably is. Do not be fooled, these types of software cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, and the pirated “hot” copies tend to be packaged with malicious software. Always purchase software legally from trusted software distributors. Never install “hot” or “cracked” versions of a licensed software or service.

10. Do not click on pop-ups! Really, DON’T DO IT! Some pop-ups mimic Windows operating system alerts, and can look very convincing at times. Here are a few dead give-aways that you may have an untrusted pop-up:

  • has strange unfamiliar icons
  • the error message has improper English
  • the pop-up box has a message in it promissing to fix your computer issues
  • the pop-up moves around
  • the pop-up says your computer is infected with a virus

Even the most cautious computer user can sometimes be fooled into installing a computer virus. If you think you may have a computer virus on your computer, contact South City Computer for a tech visit today.

Are You Ready for Windows 10?

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Sources:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2873219/windows-10s-new-features-cortana-on-the-pc-continuum-and-more.html

http://www.pcgamer.com/microsoft-windows-10-will-not-be-sold-as-a-subscription/

http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/01/21/the-next-generation-of-windows-windows-10/

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2825116/free-at-last-after-windows-10-consumers-wont-pay-for-updates-or-upgrades.html

http://www.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-to-show-off-latest-windows-launching-this-year-1421695264

http://www.itpro.co.uk/operating-systems/23119/windows-10-release-date-specs-and-pricing-announced

Why you should recycle your computer

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Recycle E-Waste ResponsiblyEvery few years desktops, laptops, smart phones, tablets and electronic equipment become “obsolete”. The shiny new Apple iPhone you got today will be an obsolete piece of junk in a few years, and in turn will need to be disposed of responsibly. Unfortunately most people do not consider this when they purchase their new technology device, and this lack of thought is causing a real problem for the environment.

Outdated, unwanted and broken computers and other electronic equipment are known as e-waste short for electronic waste. E-waste that is not disposed of properly is considered hazardous because it contains heavy metals, plastics, and other materials that can harm humans, animals and the environment.

Unfortunately the average life span of a computer, tablet, or smart phone these days is only about 2 to 4 years. Computers, phones, and tablets that break after this short life span are usually discarded rather than repaired due to the relatively low price of electronics. Obsolete and unwanted electronics usually end up destined for landfills and this causes big problems for the environment.

Why can’t I throw my computer, phone, tablet in the trash?

Please DO NOT throw your computer, phone, or tablet in the trash! Computers and electronic devices contain hazardous materials that are dangerous to the environment, humans, and other animals if not disposed of correctly. Here are some common hazardous materials that are found inside most computers.

Cadmium – Found in chip resistors, infrared detectors, and semiconductors. Cadmium is persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic.

Lead – Found in glass panels in computer monitors and in lead soldering of printed circuit boards. Lead can accumulate in the environment and have a detrimental effect on plants, animals, humans and water resources. One computer monitor can contain up to 8 pounds of lead! Consumer electronics may be responsible for 40% of the lead found in landfills. The principal pathway of concern is lead leaching from landfills and contaminating drinking water supplies.

Mercury – Found in position sensors, relays and switches (e.g., on printed circuit boards) and batteries. When mercury makes its way into waterways, it is transformed into methylated mercury in the sediments. Methylated mercury accumulates in living organisms and travels up the food chain.

Hexavalent Chromium or Chromium VI – Used to protect against corrosion of untreated and galvanized steel plates. Major pathways are through landfill leaching or from fly ash generated when materials containing Chromium VI are incinerated.

Brominated Flame Retardants – Found on printed circuit boards, components such as plastic covers and cables. Once released into the environment through landfill leaching and incineration they become concentrated in the food chain.

Think twice before you toss your computer in the dump because it might come back to haunt you in your water and food in the future.

My computer still works, but I just don’t want it anymore!
If your computer still works great, then South City Computer will probably not send your computer off to the e-cycler. In the spirit of “reduce reuse recycle” South City Computer will repair your computer in order to donate it to a good cause. South City Computer will erase all the personal data on the computer and factory restore the OS or will put Ubuntu Linux to make a functional “Free Kids Computer”. These functional computers are then donated to families in the greater St. Louis area who are in need or want a computer for their kids who are enrolled in school. South City Computer also donates computers to families who have lost their home in a disaster such as a fire. Contact South City Computer today if your family is in need of a free computer for students currently enrolled in school.

What happens to my broken computer when I recycle it at South City Computer?
If your device has been determined dead on arrival (DOA) and there is no affordable fix, then recycling your technology device responsibly will be your next step of action. South City Computer works with a local e-cycler to responsibly dispose of the e-waste that it collects as an added benefit to it’s customers. Before sending your electronic device to e-cycling, South City Computer will attempt to erase your personal data.

How can I help with the environmental e-waste problem?

Instead of running out to buy the next newest gadget, consider purchasing a refurbished computer. A refurbished computer is already considered obsolete to corporate computing standards, however still functions great. A refurbished computer can be a great affordable option as a family computer or student computer as well.

If you have an old computer that is running slow, outdated or obsolete Windows, or Mac OS, you can also consider using alternative free software to bring new life to your old computer to get more use out of it. Ubuntu is a free Linux operating system that is easy to install and has thousands of free software programs to make a fully functional personal computer.

Customers can e-cycle these electronic devices at South City Computer

  • Laptops
  • Desktop PC
  • Smart Phones
  • Tablets
  • Flat Screen Monitors
  • Misc Computer Parts (RAM, Hard Drives, Power Supplies)
  • Power cords and misc cables

SORRY WE CANNOT TAKE PRINTERS OR CRT MONITORS

Please call to schedule an appointment before dropping off e-waste! 314-400-7918

Please dispose of your e-waste responsibly!

5 Technology New Years Resolutions

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Woman with ComputerEvery new year we try to promise ourselves we will make improvements to our lifestyle by setting goals such as go to the gym more, eat healthier, saving more money for retirement, etc. These are all GREAT goals that you should definitely work toward, however you may not have considered setting a few technology goals for yourself or your business this year?

These 5 Tech New Years Resolutions are a good way to start your new year off on the right track!

Technology Goal 1: This year I promise myself to backup my data!

This year if you can make one technology goal for yourself try to come up with a good backup strategy for your important data. Buying an external hard drive to pull your data onto might be a great option for backing up your important pictures, movies, and music. Another even better option for backing up your data is to join the South City Computer Club where you can get private cloud storage for your important data.

Technology Goal 2: This year I promise myself to get PC checkups on a regular basis

Getting in the habit of having your computer regularly checked up on is a good idea. Having a routine checkup can identify preliminary problems before they become real issues. Having a reliable trustworthy computer repair store near you is a good place to start. Choose a computer repair technician that gives you the service and quality you deserve, while at a competitive price. If you are near St. Louis, MO then try South City Computer for your computer service and repair needs. Join the South City Computer Club and you receive checkups and data backups all in one great monthly package deal.

Technology Goal 3: This year I promise to have a plan of action when I need urgent computer care

When your computer crashes, and you need a fix fast, you can’t afford to take your computer to a computer repair store where it is going to take weeks for your computer to be looked at. South City Computer Club members receive concierge computer services all the way. Most computer club members computers will be looked at within 24 hours!

Technology Goal 4: This year I promise to have my data available where I am

Lugging around a external hard drive could be a solution to have your backed up data where ever you are, however joining South City Computer Club enables members to store their important data in the cloud and have it be accessible to them on multiple devices where-ever they are.

Technology Goal 5: This year I promise to spend less time on computer issues

Having a reliable computer company that you can rely on when you have computer issues is a great idea. Being a South City Computer Club Member insures that you will get concierge service when you need your computer serviced fast. Most South City Computer Club Members computer will be serviced withing 24 hours!

To become a South City Computer Club Member, contact us today!

Computer Myths

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Question markMyth: Computers slow down because they “wear out” over time
Fact: A properly maintained computer can last longer than you think

One the biggest myths out there is that PCs slow over time because they age. This myth may be why so many of us discard our computers after just a couple years. The Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network reports that, on average, people discard their PCs after only 30 months of use.

Computers don’t last forever, but they can last a lot longer than we may realize. And while it’s true that PCs tend to slow down after a year or so, this isn’t because of the age of their components; rather, the causes of the slowdowns are errors, clutter and other corruption that can be easily fixed with the right tools.

With proper maintenance, a PC can last up to eight years or more; some users have reported well-functioning PCs for twelve years or more. A few tips on extending the life of your PC: Keep it free of dust, keep it out of direct sunlight and away from moisture, and regularly run tune-ups to keep its software and operating system in top shape.

Myth: Having multiple antivirus programs is better than having one
Fact: Multiple security programs can conflict and result in less protection

When it comes to internet security, you may think that having more than one program would lead to more protection, but it doesn’t: installing multiple security programs can actually reduce your security, and can also lead to an unstable PC.

The problem is that with different configurations, security programs can conflict and work not with each other but against each other. The result is system errors and even less protection than if you had one program. Picture two different traffic lights at one intersection, with one displaying GO and the other displaying STOP—there’s eventually going to be a crash.

 

Myth: When a file is deleted, it’s gone for good
Fact: Deleted files can be recovered because they aren’t actually erased

Many people believe that when they delete a file it’s permanently erased, but actually the contents of the file remain. This is because of how a computer saves and deletes files.

When you save a file, your computer stores a reference to it in a file allocation table, but the data that makes up the file is saved on the hard drive. When a file is deleted, its reference is removed from the table, but the contents of the file are still on the drive. And emptying the Recycle Bin or formatting the drive doesn’t make a difference: until another file’s contents are saved over it, the information you “deleted” is still there.

5 Great Holiday Tech Gifts

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Holiday Tech GiftsWith the holidays only a few weeks away you may be scouring the Internet or going from big box store to big box store in St. Louis looking for some ideal tech gifts. The following are 5 really cool new tech gift ideas that could be just the right gift for the tech savvy person or the not so tech savvy person on your gift giving list.

South City Computer Club Membership

Possibly the best possible gift you can give this holiday season is peace of mind. The South City Computer Club allows members to get exactly that, “peace of mind”, and at a reasonable price of just 24.99 per month! Members can get support when they need it most, like installing a software program, troubleshooting a computer issue, getting a new printer to work, or just getting a computer question answered. South City Computer Club members also enjoy discounts on all of our computer and smart phone repair services. But that is not all, South City Computer Club members get 50 GB of private cloud storage backup for important data, and if that is not enough members can even buy more storage as needed. Contact South City Computer today to find out more information.

IPad USB and SD Card Reader

Apple iPads lack standard inputs like USB and SD Card readers, and can be frustrating when trying to use standard plug and play devices like digital cameras. The iPad CF and SD Card Reader by Photojojo is the perfect solution to turning your iPad into a plug and play device for your digital camera.

External Hard drive

If the South City Computer Club cloud storage doesn’t appeal to you, than this is a no brainer gift idea! Give an external hard drive to back data up onto. An external hard drive is an easy and affordable gift idea for anybody that has a large music and movie collections, or important documents that need to get backed up! External hard drives also range in price from super cheap to super expensive based on the amount of storage you purchase. At South City Computer we have many external hard drives available of purchase.

The OontZ Angle

Do you wish you could listen to music or watch movies on your smart phone or tablet, but can’t stand the the tinny sound that these small devices output. The OontZ Angle is an ultra-portable wireless Bluetooth speaker by Cambridge Soundworks. The speaker offers better sound, better volume, at an incredible price! The Oontz Angle works with both iPhone and Android devices.

Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo is a voice activated personal assistant device for the home. The device activates to the sound of a chosen keyword. The device is much like Apple’s Siri in that you can ask it for relevant information as you think of it. It can tell you the current time, your weather forecast, play your music, or even tune you into the current news. The Amazon Echo device can also do your laundry and clean your house, just kidding!, but it is a pretty handy addition to any household. The device only requires an wall outlet and wireless Internet. The device is currently available for purchase to Amazon Prime members.

SSDs V.S. Hard Drives: Storage Showdown

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In picking parts for a computer, balance is usually a good rule-of-thumb. This also applies here, just in a different way. Balance between your CPU (central processing unit) and your GPU (graphics processing unit) can be the difference between a poor-performing system in which one component outweighs the other, or an efficient, fine-tuned machine. But when it comes to storage, it’s a matter of what you want, and what you pay.

There are two main types of storage: hard drives and SSDs (solid-state-drives). Hard drives are the most common, and thus cheaper. They are (somewhat ignorantly) judged as having poor performance, and not the best for gaming or intense work loads. This is due to their having a rotating component that transfers information much slower than an electrical current (as is the case with SSD’s). From personal experience, a hard drive wouldn’t be my first choice, but I also don’t find them lacking in any way. What if you use your computer for web-browsing, writing documents, or any other general programs? Unless you want the absolute fastest performance, or are running extremely high-performance programs such as a cinema-grade video editor, you should be just fine with a hard drive.

Hard Drive

Hard Drive

SSD

SSD

SSDs have no moving parts, and use only electric currents to store and transfer data. They are also harder to manufacture, costing much more than hard drives. The biggest difference you will be able to notice is shutting down, booting up, and opening programs, with the difference sometimes being as much as ten seconds.

Another big selling-point is reliability. Hard drives are much less resistant to impacts, but the rotating parts may wear out after a few years. SSDs can be severely damaged from impacts, resulting in a loss of all data, but they also last longer.

And now the big question: how much will it cost you? A 1 terabyte (1,000 gigabytes) hard drive will cost around $50, and an SSD of the same size will cost $400-600. But what if you don’t need 1TB? I’ve had a 1TB drive on my laptop, and after 3 years, I had only filled a quarter of it. While the amount of storage is like bulk pricing (the more you get, the less unit price you pay), you can also get a 256gb-500gb SSD for $100-300. For most users, the price outweighs a slight performance increase, and others may group a small-sized SSD with a larger hard drive for maximum performance for games and big workloads, while still having a cost-effective place for long term storage. It’s really up to you.

5 Great Tech Ideas/Applications

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1. Bedside Tablets

New York-Presbyterian Hospital is currently transforming all of their nurse call buzzers with user-friendly tablets on which patients can access their health. The hospital has been using Microsoft HealthVault on their website since 2009, a program that lets patients review their records at home. Now it is being expanded to accommodate patients during their stay.

Not only does it make the patient’s life easier by giving them simplified information on their condition, treatment options, etc., but also removes a lot of the nurse’s headache as well. Patients can be more specific on what they need, eliminating a of clamor associated with the old system.

In the pilot test, NYP gave tablets to sixty-nine beds in two surgical nursing units. It has proven cost-effective, taking advantage of existing infrastructure. NYP hopes to provide every bed with a tablet in the near future.

 

2. Razer Concept: Project Christine

Already well known gaming accessory maker, Razer, is hoping to enlarge their demographic with a new concept system.

Razer is looking to make custom gaming computers more user-friendly. Concept: Project Christine eliminates the convoluted hardware associated with building your own computer. No more frustratingly long assembly times, or strict guides on how the components fit together; all you have to do is plug the part-containing “modules” into a main base.

Also, when new technology comes out, Concept: Project Christine can evolve with it. Once a “module” becomes obsolete, you just swap it out with a new one. The secular/modular design makes it perpetually upgradable and customizable.

No details have yet been released about if or when Concept: Project Christine will be available.

 

3. Formula E

As the name suggests, Formula E is all about electricity. The new eco-friendly racing series is a big step for both the car and the environment. Two years ago, motorsport’s international governing body, the Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA), released its’ ambitious plans for electric racing that would mimic internationally popular F-1 racing. F-E is meant to be a catalyst for growth from other car makers.

For it’s first year, competitors can only use one specially designed vehicle; the Spark-Reanault SRT_01E. Next season, the teams will be able to create their own cars.

The latest study said that by 2040, Formula E can help sell an additional 77 million EVs worldwide, and save 4 billion barrels of oil.

 

4. Agricultural Drones

A new generation of farming is giving way to many new changes, including using drones to enhance crop health. These drones use cameras to map out areas where crops aren’t getting enough sun, or have insect issues, etc. Many modern agricultural problems can’t be seen at eye level, and these drones provide a cheaper alternative to satellite imagery. Starting at $1000, a fleet of two or three can efficiently manage a large field.

It’s part of trend towards increasingly data-driven agriculture. Farms today are bursting with engineering marvels, as a result of decades of research. Earth’s population is expected to be 9.6 billion by 2050, and the more effective we can make agriculture, the easier we can feed the world.

 

5. Virtual Reality: Oculus Rift

You’ve probably heard of virtual reality (VR) by this point. Oculus’ headset, the Rift, isn’t anything new. Although the emerging applications for VR are more in-depth than you might think. Virtual reality is being used to treat PTSD by simulating events which sparked the disorder, and letting the patient work it out via VR so as to have closure. Astronomy is being taught during the day with accurate models of stars and planets. 3D models of buildings can be explored with more precision. Also, Oculus Rift is just plain fun to play with for video games.

Many say that VR is the beginning of a new era in fields like education, business, film, and medicine. This is one technology to look for in the upcoming years.

Oculus Rift

Oculus Rift

Apple Drop Protection Patent

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With every release of Apple’s iOS mobile operating system, there have been jokes to accompany. Often these come in the form of satirical mock-Apple graphics that explain some new (made up) feature in the latest release of the software. Such graphics are often so realistic that they convince unknowing consumers to try out the new features, resulting in people doing things such as microwaving their iPhones.

iWave

Example: iWave

A recent one of these jokes involved Apple’s AirDrop function, which, in reality, is a Bluetooth file sharing mechanism for iOS devices. However, the graphic described it as a feature in which the device would use the internal vibration motor and some other mechanisms to protect the device in case it is dropped. Of couse, any users who actually tried to make use of this feature were likely disappointed.

Interestingly, though, it seems like such a feature may actually come to exist. Apple just filed a patent for drop protection in a mobile device. The patent does indeed include the use of the vibration motor to re-orient the device into a position that would keep it safer during a fall. The patent also includes other features, most of which are more space-age-esque, including foldable mechanical airfoils, and a mechanism to forcefully eject connected cables. Doubtless, such a feature would be a godsend to users who are prone to dropping their devices.

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