All about Smartphones and Tablets...

[Anakha56]

Just dropped my phone in the parking lot at the church. Got a nice, big spiderweb crack on the top right corner stretching down.

Ouch, sorry to hear that . Good luck getting it repaired...

[Tribble]

Perhaps DJV can help. He has done that before

[Stuart]

Ja, so what are my options here?

Edit: Is this what I need?

[DAE_JA_VOO]

That's what you need, yes. You need to be sure you buy a setup that has the glass AND the LCD. You have to replace both

[Stuart]

This is perhaps a stupid question, but do you reckon that replacement parts are easily available in China? My pastor is in China next week so I'm thinking if he can get something there perhaps I can get him to bring it back with him and save on shipping.

How long does it normally take to get something shipped to SA via eBay. I've never bought anything on eBay before.

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Well that's all dependant on the seller. Remember, ebay is merely just a medium that connects the seller to the buyer. So one seller might get your parts to you in a week, another might take 3 weeks.

I don't know how available these things are in China one the street and stuff, but you can buy one off ebay that has little to no shipping costs. Like this one.

[Stuart]

Hmmm . . . decisions, decisions. I think I'll email our contact in China first and see what he says. If he is not confident that he can get one I'll just get it from eBay rather. The only thing is, $4 shipping makes you wonder how long you're going to have to wait. But I suppose it's working as it is, so it's probably better to save money and wait a few weeks than pay through your nose to get it here next week.

I assume it's a simple enough DIY job once you get the product here?

[Anakha56]

Stu also consider that kit comes with all the required pieces. You could just get a screen replacement in China and still need to hunt down a Pentalobe screwdriver set if yours uses the Pentalobe set. Whereas with this kit it comes with both types from what I can tell...

[Stuart]

Ja, mine does have the pentalobe screws on the bottom.

I'm toying with the idea of getting the white body just to be different. Not sure if I want to spend that much more money though. My upgrade is due in February.

[Anakha56]

I would go for the Ebay kit and leave it at that...

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Fixing any phone is a simple DIY job. Google for a guide online and just do it. You could send it to me if you like and I could do it for you if you don't want to do it yourself. I'm actually fixing another one in a couple of weeks, and I just fixed an iPad this week as well. I suggest trying it yourself though. It's a fun job, and really, doing this stuff is a piece of cake.

[ryanrich]

Word of warning. The quality of the non OEM screens isn't as good. I speak from experience, and had what was rated as the best. It wasn't bad, but not 100% the same.

East to swap out yourself though, especially after checking out the guides on iFixit first.

[novio]

sup peeps. just a quick update after testing the s2 battery mentioned before:

I got 5 days 14hours off it last week. Primarily phone calls with a few sessions of web surfing and gaming.

all in all, APN on/of works like a charm:)

[Stuart]

So it took long enough, but eventually my white conversion kit arrived yesterday. I must admit, a white phone looks a little odd, and I'm still getting used to it, but everything is at least working as expected.

I got a bit of a skrik after putting it back together last night and pressing the power button only to have nothing happen. I had to open it again and found that I hadn't reconnected the power switch properly. I almost convinced myself that I had paid for a dud.

Interestingly, in following the Youtube guide, I discovered that the very first screw I was supposed to remove (holding the battery connector down) isn't there on my phone. I got my phone new, boxed, from Vodacom, but there is a screw missing inside. Is this a fairly common occurrence?

[Stuart]

Asus EEE Pad Transformer Prime looks interesting.

[Tribble]

Hubby has the one before - he is getting a lot of use out of it - and really likes it

[ADT]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but hey it's smart technology so here goes

[Stuart]

Played a little with the Galaxy Note today. Intriguing little device, I must say . . .

[StarPhoenix]

What specifications and functionality distinguish an ordinary cellphone from a smartphone?

[Stuart]

If the battery can manage north of 18 hours under normal usage without the aid of battery saving apps it's not a smart phone.

[Anakha56]

If the battery can manage north of 18 hours under normal usage without the aid of battery saving apps it's not a smart phone.

So true and apt...

/Side note my SGS2 now lasts a whole day with normal usage . Extended battery & ICS FTW!

[Tribble]

I also have to use a battery saving app so that I can play on the net before bed without having to charge. I use Easy Battery Saver - works brilliantly

[StarPhoenix]

If the battery can manage north of 18 hours under normal usage without the aid of battery saving apps it's not a smart phone.

What would you consider "normal usage"?

Mine lasts for a week after charging unless I try connecting to the internet with it.

[Slimshaedy]

My SGS2 battery last a whole day without any battery saving apps. I surf the net alot and play games now and then, at night I youtube myself to bed and that kills the battery quickly

[Tribble]

I have more apps that use the net