Newsletter Archives

• When is a good time to replace?

  Posted on January 24, 2025 at 03:00 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  My sister has a guideline — never replace a device before you’ve paid it off. The phone companies will gladly let you trade in your phone for a new phone even if you haven’t fully paid off the old phone. But when should you replace a device?

  There are a few hard and fast rules:

  1. When the vendor stops supporting it or giving you updates, it’s time to seriously consider replacing it. Devices are app-driven and thus app vendors are bound by the restrictions the phone and device vendors put in place. Often older apps will no longer work. Not just unsupported, but flat out won’t work.
  2. When the device’s storage space is getting too full. If an iPhone’s free space gets too tight, updates won’t install. Patching devices that don’t have enough free space is a real hassle (ask me how I know).
  3. When the device can no longer hold a charge. For this you can opt for third-party solutions, available at local firms in the battery business.
  4. When it won’t support the application you are trying to download. This is typically related to number 1.

  For me, the most common reason is power. Batteries tend to go bad before the support for the operating system lapses.

  Apple Batteries, Patch Lady Posts, Phones, Support, updates

• Phones and MFA

  Posted on April 22, 2024 at 02:44 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  HARDWARE

  

  By Susan Bradley

  How do you plan for getting rid of your old phone?

  Eventually, you will get a new phone. Perhaps you dropped your iPhone 9 into the bathtub. Perhaps your iPhone 7’s battery gives you a mere seven minutes of talk time. Perhaps you were seduced by the iPhone 19. Or, worse, perhaps your phone was lost or stolen.

  Eventually, you will get a new phone.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.17.0, 2024-04-22).

  Hardware Migration, Multifactor Authentication, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, Phones, Smartphones