Smartphone Technology 101

!±8± Smartphone Technology 101

Technology continues to advance. Today, there is a gadget for everything and the technology behind electronics continues to amaze with each new gadget having more advanced features. The days of stopping at payphones to make a call are long gone thanks to the invention of mobile phones, and now anyone can make a call from anywhere. Like everything else in technology, the mobile phone has gone through several evolutions from the beginner big bulky car phones to tiny little mobile pocket gadgets and eventually to smartphones.

Basically, the smartphone is a mini computer and phone combination. It allows for complete functionality of communication in a small wireless mobile package. It offers tons of features and capabilities, the least of which is a mobile phone.

Some of the features standard in a smartphone include, email, Internet browsing, full operating systems, GPS, camera and video capability, organizers, calendars, mp3 players, full keyboards, oh and of course the cell phone. Some smartphones also have touch screens, such as the iPhone and the newest Blackberry Storm.

The first ever smartphone was called Simon. Designed in 1992 by IBM and released to the public by BellSouth in 1993. It contained an address book, calculator, note pad, email, fax and games and by today's advanced standards is considered pretty limited.

In 2001 RIM released the first BlackBerry smartphone which was the first smartphone optimized for wireless email use. The BlackBerry popularity was astounding with a total customer base of 8 million subscribers by June 2007. The RIM BlackBerry operating system is focused on easy operation and has recently seen an increase in third-party applications and has been improved to offer full multimedia support.

The BlackBerry comes in several models, including, Bold, Curve, Pearl and Storm, offering a wide range in prices and features for everyone. This year the long awaited newest model of BlackBerry Storm was released that features the first BlackBerry touch screen that is a trully unique because it clicks when you press down to provide tactile feedback when typing, clicking web links, selecting icons and more.

There are several manufacturers of smartphones today, each running their operating system, including Apple's iPhone which is one of the best sellers of smartphones.

Smartphone Technology 101

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Basic Steps - Plumbing Information For Home Owners

!±8± Basic Steps - Plumbing Information For Home Owners

Having to deal with a problem with the plumbing first thing in the morning is never a good thing. However, there are certain steps you can take to keep the fuss to a minimum. Here is a little plumbing information for home owners that could be useful.

Before anything else, it is important to learn where everything is; your water meter and your shut off valves most certainly. Should you have a failure, it's important to turn these off right away. Also make sure you have the right tools for the job.

It is good to stock on up on the fundamental tools you will need; wrenches, screwdrivers, curb keys and the like. Make sure they are placed somewhere safe and easy to get to. And ensure you remember where that place is; checking it regularly!

Research online; or head to a course somewhere to learn a few basic skills for maintenance; disassembling a faucet, replacing a washer, removing sink traps and the like. Most problems can be readily fixed in under five minutes; so no need to pay expensive call out charges.

Regular monitoring of the water pressure to your home will also be a good step to take. A pressure of around 80psi is what you are looking for; anything above this should be checked out to head off any possible leaks or breakages.

Taking a few proactive steps will also help with your plumbing maintenance. One of the most common causes is discarding fat, hair clippings and the like into the system. Dispose of such things in the trash.

However, taking these steps is not a guarantee that blockages will not occur; and soap scum alone can often cause a problem. Stock up on chemicals to flush away blockages; it is surprising how often this is all it takes.

Learning the basics tips and skills will also allow you to check your home system from time to time thorough the year. Try and give it a once over a couple of times a year to help notice any causes for concern in good time.

Watching your bill for sudden increases is often also a good way to be alerted to leaks. Another good tip is to turn the water off when away on vacation, particularly at winter; which will also help relieve stress causes.

There is a wealth of plumbing information for home owners online, and through other avenues, for particular problems you may face. Having covered the basics to alleviate any emergencies; it could well be worth familiarizing yourself with these lessons which could prove fruitful.

Basic Steps - Plumbing Information For Home Owners

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