Smartphones & Accessories

Smartphones can have a fairly short shelf life, given how quickly new models come out to replace them. Even after moving on to a new handset, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the end of the old one if it’s still functional. Outside of selling or pawning it off on someone else, there are some great ways to give an older phone a second life.

Losing a smartphone, or having it stolen is a terrible feeling. For such a personal device, a smartphone is highly susceptible to either scenario, and as such, some precautions should be taken to mitigate the fallout from it. Each mobile platform has some form of protection in place, but they usually aren’t on by default. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do to for preparation and response.

What do you get the person who has everything? Tough question, but if they have a smartphone —and chances are they do— checking that name off your holiday shopping list just got easier. Mobile phone accessories offer virtually unlimited gift ideas with options to fit any budget. They range from high tech to high fashion and everything in between. Here are some suggestions for holiday gifts that are certain to make their mobile phone even better and sure to please.

When it comes to choosing a new smartphone, hardware features are important —the display size, CPU and camera image sensor are always something to consider. The operating system is arguably an even more important choice. Right now there are four main mobile operating systems: iOS, Android, Windows and BlackBerry. Not sure which one should be on your next smartphone? I’m here to help you choose.

If you’re like most typical Canadian homes, you probably still have a landline plus several cell phones. The Panasonic Connect series include the Panasonic KXPRD262 and Panasonic KX-PRW120c that provides a bridge between your landline and smartphone.  

Did someone on your holiday shopping list pick up a new smartphone this year? Or maybe they have an older one but aren’t making the most of it. Either way, here are some great ideas for gifts that will help them get the most from their smartphone.

2014 saw a bumper crop of new smartphones, including the long-awaited “bigger” iPhones, what is arguably Samsung’s best looking smartphone ever and BlackBerry’s return to its classic QWERTY roots. If a new smartphone is on your holiday shopping list, I’ve put together a collection of 10 of the biggest smartphone releases of the year —complete with a comparison of key features— that should make choosing the perfect smartphone a little easier.  

You may not know that OtterBox is one of the fastest growing high tech companies, a supplier of ruggedized electronic gear protection to the US military and the world’s largest manufacturer of mobile phone cases. Chances are, you know the OtterBox Defender, though. These super-tough cases have a well-deserved reputation for protecting smartphones and tablets from drops, scratches and other hazards. For those who aren’t familiar with the OtterBox Defender, here’s an overview of this award-winning series of protective cases.