Author: rliftadmin

OKEMOS, Mich., July 6, 2016 – iCare Repair opened in Mount Pleasant near the Central Michigan University campus on Tuesday, July 5 at 2304 South Mission Street. The fast-growing mobile device repair company provides effective, same-day repair service of smartphones, tablets, mp3 players, and laptops. From broken screens and water damage to camera issues and defective batteries, iCare Repair can fix most technical problems at its 12 stores in Michigan and Washington.

iCare Repair Mount Pleasant is owned and operated by Jim and Patty Barnard. Besides being a franchise owner, Jim is an insurance agent and the former CFO of a manufacturing company. He was awarded the NFIB Small Business Person of the Year in Michigan in 2004. His wife, Patty, is a Civil Department Assistant at an AE consulting firm in Lansing. They are looking forward to applying their sales, marketing, and business skills and experience in an entrepreneurial setting.

“We want to be the number one source for tech repair services in the Mount Pleasant community,” Jim said. “Our goal is to serve the college students and young and old mobile device owners with great service at affordable prices.”

iCare Repair was founded in 2012 by Dan Peabody, who came up with the idea from a friendly challenge from his best friend and franchise owner, Dustin Colthorp. Understanding the importance of mobile devices in our personal and professional lives, Dan built the company with a strong customer service principle combined with a professional and technical skillset.

“We believe in a ‘bend over backwards’ customer service, and this has helped us grow this fast and successfully in just four years,” said founder of iCare Repair, Dan Peabody. “With our continued growth in Michigan and expansion into Mount Pleasant, we hope to become the household name in mobile device repair in the state and beyond.”

With iCare Repair’s fast turnaround time and top-quality replacement parts, customers are always assured that their mobile devices will be returned to them in great condition. Smartphones, tablets, mp3 players, and laptops are its specialties, but they have the ability to fix any electronic device. Repairs come with a lifetime warranty on the parts and workmanship. iCare Repair expects to have 20 stores in Michigan and the surrounding states by the end of 2017.

iCare Repair Mount Pleasant is located at 2304 South Mission Street and can be reached at: (989) 317-8591.  For more information and price inquiries, visit iCareRepair.com.

About iCare Repair  Founded in 2012, iCare Repair provides fast and effective repairs of mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, mp3 players, and laptops. Cracked screens, water damage, battery issues, camera issues, and many other problems can be repaired by iCare Repair’s team of certified technicians at its 12 locations in Michigan and Washington. For more information and franchising opportunities, visit iCareRepair.com.

Water-damaged smartphones are very popular repairs that we have been doing this summer. Some customers dropped their phone into the lake, some left it in their jeans’ pocket and got washed in the washing machine, and for the unfortunate ones, their phone fell into the toilet.

It is frustrating but the good news is you may not need to buy a new phone just yet. By following a few simple steps, you may be able to restore your phone after water damage. But if you don’t have the necessary tools to take apart your phone (or unsure how to put it back together), then it’s best to leave the job to a smartphone technician.

You’ve probably seen a lot of tutorials telling you to stuff your phone in a bag of dry rice and let it sit for 24 to 48 hours. This is not a smart way to dry your phone because rice is not very absorbent, and your phone’s headphone jack and charge port may end up with grains of rice!

The key is not to wait too long if you want to save your phone in working condition. Check out the 4 steps in our infographic below for a higher success rate of saving your phone and its data. (Note: If you can’t do Step 2 because you don’t have the tools or the know-how to open up your phone, bring it to any of our locations immediately to minimize any water damage.)

You’ve probably seen the popular Samsung commercial of Lil Wayne pouring champagne over his Galaxy S7 Edge phone just for kicks. That’s the Galaxy S7 series for you – water-resistant and tougher than any other phone out there, or so they say.

And the idea definitely worked. Besides looking attractively classy, the ‘water-resistant’ feature of the S7 series has become a major selling point for many Android fans.

But how has a funny commercial of a famous rapper really lined up with reality? As much as we wish that an unbreakable phone has already arrived, it is definitely not the case for the Galaxy S7.

Water Resistant vs Waterproof

These are two different terms. Water resistance suggests some level of vulnerability and incomplete coverage, while being waterproof implies complete protection. A waterproof material possesses specific waterproof properties.

The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge is only touted as water resistant, which means that there is only a tightly sealed barrier that protects the fragile circuits inside the device. Once the barrier breaks, the device is no longer water resistant.

In an instance where the S7 phone is taken for a small splash or a quick dip into fresh water, the device might not experience any problems due its adequate water-resistance rating. But if we change the scenario, it’s a different outcome. Chlorinated or salted water is bad news for the rubber gaskets and seals that protect the device from liquid intrusion. These can weaken as time passes, leaving your phone exposed to damage from moisture.

For Lil Wayne’s champagne treatment on his S7 Edge, the device may have been tested thoroughly to withstand this type of liquid. Thus, the phone still works under the foamy layer of bubbles. BUT don’t accept this as a general rule because not all liquids have been tested.

Water-resistance testing is done under lab conditions against a very specific list of criteria that may not work under real-life scenarios that users’ phones go through. That’s why manufacturers do not offer warranties for many liquid-based accident or scenario out there.

What is IP68 Rating?

IP stands for ‘Ingress Protection’, a rating system set forth by the International Electrotechnical Commission to inform users of how well protected a device is against foreign bodies.

The ‘6’ refers to the level of protection against dust, and 6 is a really good number. This means the S7 and S7 Edge are completely sealed against any sort of dust.

As for the ‘8’ in IP68, this refers to the level of protection against water. 8 is a really good number as well. The internals of the S7 can stay dry at 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Can I take my Galaxy S7 swimming?

Having an IP68 rating doesn’t make the device waterproof. In the first place, our phones are not bath toys for a reason. But having a water-resistant feature gives the user peace of mind that even if you accidentally drop your phone in the pool, in the tub, or in a toilet, your phone is not going to die.

However, always remember the fine print. There’s always a fine print. If your S7 has been damaged or banged up, your phone might not be completely IP68 compliant anymore. And although the phone is not totally dead, the audio may get permanently muffled and distorted after drying off.

How do I protect my water-resistant phone from … water?

A water-resistant phone is not invincible, we’ve already learned that. But if liquid accidents are inevitable, here’s how you can prolong the lifespan of your device.

• Close all covers before dipping your phone into water. Check the SIM and microSD card slots, as well as the USB port cover.
• Rinse off your phone with fresh water to wash off the chlorinated water. Don’t use soap or chemicals.
• Avoid chlorinated or salt water and extreme environments.
• Dry your device thoroughly using a dry microfiber cloth.
• Don’t use it if there’s moisture to avoid frying the circuits.
• Don’t use a hair dryer to dry.
• Don’t use in a hot environment such as a sauna.
• Clean the covers and ports.

Get a FREE ticket to the Cleveland Franchise Expo 2016!

Join iCare Phone Repair at the Cleveland Franchise Expo, held at the International Exposition Center on April 16 and 17, 2016. We are happy to share with you complimentary tickets to the event! Click the button below to download your FREE tickets (worth $7). Connect with us and get to know our franchise offerings. We’ll walk you through all the details on how to start an exciting retail franchise opportunity with iCare Phone Repair!

Stop by booth 303 and let’s talk about:

• the $4 billion phone repair industry,
• investment and startup costs,
• how you can attend a Discovery Day, and
• any other questions you might have!

To learn more about iCare Phone Repair’s franchising opportunities, contact us today!

Venue:

International Exposition Center
1 I-X Center Drive
Cleveland, OH 44135

Dates: April 16 and 17, 2016

The Big Four carriers (Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile) have been promoting very enticing offers to attract customers to sign up with them. These deals sound very irresistible, especially when the carriers are running a ‘buy one, get one free’ deal, like AT&T’s 2-for-1 promotion on the Samsung Galaxy S6 series and the iPhone 6s.

But do these deals really save you money in the long run? Let’s say you bought the iPhone 6s on AT&T’s Next 24 plan. You’re eligible to get a free iPhone 6s (valued at $650) BUT you need to add the free iPhone under a postpaid plan and you’ll be paying off the two iPhones for the next 30 months. With the second line of service, you’re now paying at least $45 per month extra for a new data plan and line access fee.

What happens if you cancel the plan before the contract ends? You have to pay the full balance for the phone. And if you upgrade at 24 months on Next, AT&T will ask you to return the ‘free’ iPhone before you can upgrade.

Overall, ‘free’ is not always what it seems because you still have to pay for the second line of service plus taxes and surcharges. There’s the activation or upgrade fee ($30 to $40 per device), and a restocking fee (usually $30 to $40) if you return the unused phone within the initial exchange period.

Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP): How Does It Work?

If your two-year contract with your carrier has already ended, you are now free to shop around for better services and prices with another compatible carrier. AT&T and T-Mobile operate GSM networks so they’re compatible carriers, while Sprint and Verizon are on CDMA.

How do you switch to another carrier? If you have a post-contract phone, you can request your carrier to unlock your device so you can bring your unlocked phone over to a compatible carrier for a contract-free plan. You can also purchase pre-owned smartphones from reputable stores like iCare Phone Repair.

Why is BYOP Better?

Unlocked, no-contract phones gives you freedom to choose a carrier with the plan that suits you best. If you find a better deal elsewhere, you can easily switch to another carrier without paying early termination fees (ETF).

Contract phones allow you to trade in your phone early and get an upgrade. But think about the resale value of your phone. An iPhone 6s in great condition can still net you around $300, and you don’t have to enter another two-year contract with your carrier.

Subsidized phones under two-year contracts sound like a great deal. You can buy a $650 iPhone 6s for a subsidized price of $199, for example. But the cost of the phone is added into your monthly fee, so after two years, you end up paying full price (or even more) for the device. And think about the activation fees on top of the cost of the phone.

BYOP Mobile Plans

Besides the Big Four, there’s a lot of choices out there that offer no-contract services. Just bring your own phone and have them activated. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular carriers that allow BYOP.

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Good news to customers whose iPhones were ‘bricked’ or shut down by Apple’s Error 53. Apple has released a solution for the error that disables iPhones after the connector that ran between the Touch ID sensor in the home button was replaced by an unauthorized third-party.

Apple has issued a patched version of iOS 9.2.1 that will restore ‘bricked’ iPhones and will also prevent Error 53 from happening if an iPhone’s home button is replaced by a third-party repair center in the future. Note that this is an iTunes-only update, so plug your iPhone into iTunes to get the update and you should be able to restore your iPhone’s functionality.

Apple has published a support document on their site that discusses the steps to fix Error 53. Note that even after restoring your device, it will still not be able to re-enable Touch ID.

Steps to Restore an iPhone After Error 53

1. Check that you have the latest version of iTunes.
2. Force restart your device by doing the following: Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons for at least ten seconds, until you see the Apple logo.
3. Try to restore your device again.
4. If you still see Error 53 when you try to restore your device, contact Apple Support. If you encounter a different error code, you can check what the error signifies from this page: iOS Update and Restore Errors.

We’ve been hearing a lot about the “1970 Date” bug that will brick (or shut down permanently) modern Apple devices. There are a lot of videos that show how to do it — basically you have to manually set the date back to January 1, 1970.  Adjusting the calendar back this far can prevent the iPhone, iPad, or iPod from turning on after a restart. So if you are an owner of a 64-bit iOS device, such as the iPhone 5s, iPad Air, iPad Mini 2, and newer, you shouldn’t be trying this out.

Well, apparently, a lot of users are getting pranked on Facebook because Apple Care has been flooded with people bringing in their devices after trying out this bug. To address the problem, Apple will release a software update but it’s not sure if it’s going to be in the iOS 9.3 (expected in March with a host of new features). Or maybe they will push for an earlier OTA bug-fix release to resolve this bug.

Stay tuned for that but for now, if you have been curious enough to have bricked your iPhone, don’t worry because there’s still a solution for it.

(See Also: 5 Signs to Find Out If Your Phone Has Malware)

How to Fix the Apple “1970 Date” Bug

Luckily, it is easy to fix this bricking bug —  just disconnect the battery from the device. By cutting off the power to the phone and then reconnecting the battery, the iPhone will be forced to reset the date and your phone will finally boot up again.

Removing the battery will need special tools because Apple uses special screws in its products; a standard screwdriver won’t work. You’ll need a special pentalobe screwdriver that has the proper size for iPhone’s screws. You can order this driver online but if you can’t wait that long to use your iPhone again, just bring it over to any iCare Phone Repair location and we’ll fix it for you!

If you’d rather DIY, be careful and take it slow so you won’t cause more damage to your iPhone! Good luck!

If you’ve had your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus fixed at a repair shop, then you are at risk of getting the Error 53 that can cause your iPhone to become an expensive paperweight. Error 53 is a problem that you can run into if you had your Touch ID sensor (or other iPhone hardware) replaced by a repair shop that’s not authorized by Apple. When you update iOS, the device locks down and shows the Error 53 message. The iPhone virtually becomes unusable. The only way to prevent it is to NEVER update the iOS but this is not a very plausible option in the long run.

What is Error 53?

According to Apple, Error 53 is an iOS 9 security feature to keep private data secure. So when the home button assembly has been tampered with or replaced, Error 53 occurs. For the iPhone 5s, the home button can be replaced at the cost of losing the finger scanner’s functionality, but it can still function without running into Error 53. But it’s not the same case for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

The iPhone 6’s finger scanner may be faulty but it can still function just fine — until the iOS is updated. A warning prior to the update would have been great but Apple doesn’t give out that favor. Even a hard reset won’t be a solution for the Error 53. The iPhone simply becomes worthless.

Which devices are affected?

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are definitely affected, as well as iPads with Touch ID. The iPhone 5s is not affected even though it has Touch ID, but it is not clear yet if the 6s and 6s Plus are vulnerable too because they use a different cable design than other models.

What is Error 53 for?

Locking down the entire device with the Error 53 is Apple’s way of preventing a malicious Touch ID sensor to be installed on the device, which could potentially allow unauthorized access to your fingerprint data in the iPhone’s Secure Enclave.

Fingerprint data is encrypted and protected with a key available only to the Secure Enclave. Fingerprint data is used only by the Secure Enclave to verify that your fingerprint matches the enrolled fingerprint data. The Secure Enclave is walled off from the rest of the chip and the rest of iOS. Therefore, iOS and other apps never access your fingerprint data, it’s never stored on Apple servers, and it’s never backed up to iCloud or anywhere else. Only Touch ID uses it.

Is there a way to avoid Error 53?

Have you ever had your Apple device with Touch ID repaired by anyone other than the Apple Store? If yes, then your device is now vulnerable to Error 53. To avoid it, your only solution is to NEVER update your iOS. If you need repair on your device, bring it to an Apple Store because only they have hardware capable of re-establishing an authentic connection between the Touch ID and the iPhone’s Secure Enclave.

Is there a fix for the Error 53?

You can but it’s not easy. Reinstall your original home button and any other parts that were replaced if you still have them. The genuine parts are a must-have, or else, it’s time to buy a new iPhone.

Apple suggests bringing over your device with Error 53 to the Apple Store, but don’t expect a lot of great help. If your device is still under warranty and there are no signs of damage, then you can have it exchanged. But if it’s not covered by warranty, the warranty is voided, or the device is suspected to have been tampered with, then your only recourse is to buy a new iPhone.

How are people reacting to Error 53?

Seattle-based law firm PCVA said it believed Apple is in violation of various consumer protection laws in the US, and offers to represent affected iPhone users for free. According to them, users are being forced to use Apple’s more expensive repair services, than third-party repair shops. Users are being limited from finding other methods to fix their devices.

Think of it this way: let’s say you bought a car, and had your alternator replaced by a local mechanic. Under Apple’s strategy, your car would no longer start because you didn’t bring it to an official dealership. They intentionally disable your car because you tried to fix it yourself. That is wrong.

In response, Apple has maintained the necessity of having a strict security measure to avoid a fraudulent Touch ID sensor from being used. Apple is encouraging users who encounter Error 53 to contact Apple Support.

The real losers…

It’s not just about the money spent to purchase the Apple device, but also the photos, documents, and apps that cannot be recovered because of Error 53. As a third-party repair shop, we also get the brunt of customers’ complaints when their devices get bricked (or nonfunctional) because of an error that is really out of our hands. This can be their security feature but this also gives them the responsibility of warning customers beforehand.

Hopefully, Apple is already working on this issue and find a better alternative than Error 53 to handle the tampering of the Touch ID system. In the meantime, if you’ve done something with your Touch ID or had a screen replaced, don’t update iOS. Better to be on an old version than be left with a bricked device!

DrunkDial

Can’t get yourself to delete your ex’s number? Then DrunkDial is that best friend who stops you from making a big mistake — and save you a huge embarrassment the morning after. The DrunkDial app gives you its own version of a sobriety test, via timed math problems, before it allows you to call your ex. Of course, the best way to NOT call an ex is NOT to memorize his/her number, but DrunkDial is your next best step for avoiding a regretful conversation with the ex.

KillSwitch

Out of sight, out of mind. Get over your ex easily by removing ALL traces of him/her from Facebook through the KillSwitch app. No need to deactivate your Facebook to avoid seeing old and new photos of your ex. Just use KillSwitch and everything, from pictures to post, will be removed. Now be careful about using KillSwitch because once you use it, it’s final, and you won’t be able to get things back again.

Ex Lover Blocker

We all need our friends in this time of grief. Tempted to call your ex? The Ex Lover Blocker app will alert three of your friends when you try calling. And if your brokenhearted self still managed to get around that road block, the app will publicly shame you on Facebook. Yep, it’s a harsh punishment. So be good and don’t call your ex! You’ll thank yourself — and this app — later!

Designated Dialer

This app is similar to the DrunkDial app but with an additional feature. You can use the Designated Dialer to set up a Do-Not-Call list, so when you’re being swayed by the influence of alcohol and you attempt to call up a number in your forbidden list, the app will redirect the call to a patronizing toll-free number. You can unlock those numbers but you have to go through a coordination test first.

RebounDate

Are you ready to move on and start dating again? Dating after a break-up can be awkward, but RebounDate makes it pretty clear cut to both parties. RebounDate is a dating app, but what makes it different is that users can specify on their status if they’re looking for a rebound date or are willing to be a rebound date. You can avoid all the questions and drama about your past relationship and both of you know what you signed up for. Win-win!

Moving on is never easy but there are always technologies that you can hang on to during the process, so hang in there!

Dry skin, frozen pipes, icy roads — these are a few unpleasant effects of winter. But besides these, our mobile devices also have a negative reaction when exposed to the extremely cold weather.

Our favorite gadgets can endure cold temperatures much better than hot, but that doesn’t make them unbreakable. Apple says its iPhones can be used only in temperatures between 32 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, Samsung guarantees its phones to function in temperatures between -4F and 122F. HTC and Nokia do not mention any temperature guidelines in their user manuals or on their websites.

According to tests made by PCWorld.com, most smartphones couldn’t handle temperatures ranging from 5F down to -4F. Even if the phones managed to stay powered up, most died when put to actual use. The breaking point of all smartphones is at -40F, when smartphones of all types can cease all their functionalities.

So what happens to our smartphones if they are left out in the cold for too long?

Effects of Cold Weather to Smartphones

Dead battery

Leaving your smartphone in the cold can drain the battery much faster, and the device can shut down spontaneously. If the smartphone battery is exposed to cold temperatures over an extended period of time, the battery can end up dying all together. When tested, an iPhone 4s battery died and shut down at 14F.

Unresponsive and/or cracked screens

Our smartphones have LCD displays that are more fragile in the cold than AMOLED displays. All phones with LCD displays in PCWorld’s tests experienced difficulties when the temperature dropped below 14F, while those with AMOLED displays were able to keep working at that temperature.

If you notice that the touchscreen has delayed reactions, and the text and colors are smudging and ghosting, this means the smartphone has been subjected to cold temperatures. The display panel also becomes more sensitive to cracks when dropped because the cold makes the panel rigid.

Internal component issues

Smartphones may have a hard time reading the SIM card because of extreme cold temperatures. A number of functionalities may also fail to process. As an example, the iPhone 4s started reporting a SIM card error at 23F after testing.

Physical damages to the components

The extreme cold makes the internal and external components rigid, making them susceptible to spontaneous screen shattering. Simple drops and movements can lead to a cracked screen or damage the internal components. When devices are left in ‘sleep mode’ in freezing temperatures, they can be facing real permanent damage that they cannot turn on anymore.

Liquid condensation

Liquid damage can occur even if you don’t literally drop your smartphone in water because of liquid condensation. This happens when the device has been left in the cold for a long period of time, and used immediately after bringing it into a warm area. Liquid condensation appears underneath the display, which can cause liquid damage and make the screen unreadable.

How to Protect Your Smartphone in Cold Weather

1. Keep the battery in check. Since the battery will drain much faster in the cold, make sure to charge your smartphone before going out. (Tip: Switch to airplane mode to charge faster.) Keep a car charger or have an extra battery with you for backup. (Check out our stores for these accessories; you’ll never know when an emergency will happen.)
2. Buy a heavy-duty weatherproof case. Popular brands are Otterbox and Lifeproof, which are proven to be waterproof and drop resistant. (Also available at our stores.)
3. Limit your usage in the cold. The screens are more fragile in the cold and you don’t want to crack the screen if you suddenly drop your phone. Also, stay away from snow-related activities such as sledding or shoveling to avoid liquid damage.
4. Always have your phone with you. Don’t leave your phone in the car for a long period of time, especially not overnight. This can cause permanent damage on the internal and external components.
5. Limit your phone usage in the cold. Keep the phone in a safe place near you such as your pocket, jacket, purse, or somewhere close to your own body heat. This also prevents accidental drops that can cause shattered screens.

If this article came to you late and your smartphone has already been exposed to subfreezing temperatures, you can still do something about it. Don’t try to use the phone right away. Let it warm back up to room temperature before turning it on again. This prevents condensation and other damage that might occur to the device.