iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, or feature phones.
Mobile Phones
Can I Port My Home Phone Number to a Tracfone?
Episode 1769
Jim fromJim as a Tracfone pay as you go phone and wants to know if he can port his home phone to it? Leo says that there is an FCC rule that says you should be able to port your landline to the phone, but you may lose the use of the number during the transfer. That would include 911 service. Also, using a cellphone as your number will have to rely on regional or e911 services, which doesn't know where you are exactly. Also, if you move, you may lose the use of the number because of your geographic location.
But according to the FCC, you can.
Should I Get an iPhone or iPad?
Episode 1768
Tom fromTom is looking to get an iPhone or an iPad for work. He's never had one. Leo says to get an iPhone first. Get used to it. Then if he needs an iPad, he can go from there. He will also need an AppleTV if he wants to push the screen from the iPhone to the TV. It's called AirPlay. Plus, modern TVs can cast directly from the iPhone or iPad without an Apple TV because Apple TV is built-in. The Vizio Smartcast is a good one.
Is My Chromecast Too Old to Stream From My Google Pixel 4a?
Episode 1767
Steve fromKen is having issues casting from his mobile phone via Chromecast to his LG TV. He has a Google Pixel 4a. Leo says it's probably that his Chromecast is too old. So it sounds like Ken would need a new version. The good news is, they're pretty cheap.
Can I Install Another Operating System on My Android Phone?
Episode 1763
Vincent fromVincent has a bunch of Samsung S20 phones for his business and would like to move away from Android. Is there an operating system that he can install over it? Leo says that Samsung has taken Android and modified it greatly. There are other flavors of Android you can put on it by rooting the device, but they are still Android. But you can "De-Google" it. Leo recommends going to XDA-Developers. Search for the model number of your phone and see what ROMs are available and how to put them on your phone.
What's a Good Smartphone With a Great Camera?
Episode 1763
Glenda fromGlenda needs a new smartphone with an excellent camera. Leo says that all of the "flagship phones" from Apple, Samsung, and Google all have excellent cameras. The iPhone 12 Pro, S21, and Pixel 5 are the latest top models and have amazing cameras. They all use computational photography to create bokeh, have great dynamic range and bold colors.
But even last year's mobile phones would be cheaper and have the same great cameras. The Google Pixel 4a has the same camera as the Pixel 5, and it's $349. A good option. A very natural image.
Why Can't I Use My TracFone?
Episode 1762
Judith fromJudith got a Tracfone and can't get it to activate. It says that it has no minutes, even though her brother paid for unlimited minutes that auto refills every month. what can she do? If her brother can log into his account online, he should be able to see the status of the phone and maybe even activate it directly. That's how Tracfone saves money, by offering all support on the web, and most of it is self-help.
Can she use an old iPhone 4? Leo says maybe. She can take the SIM card out of the Tracfone and put it in the phone and try that way.
How Can I Stop Spammers From Using My Number?
Episode 1762
Jimmy fromJimmy woke up to dozens of text messages claiming that he's been calling and texting people non-stop. Leo says that his number has been "spoofed," and the only thing he can do is wait until the spoofers move on to a new number. It's called "Neighbor Spam," and it's being used to get people to answer a local call. Eventually, enough people will block the phone number, and then they will move on to yet another number. Unfortunately, there's not much else he can do.
Happy 13th Anniversary to the iPhone
Episode 1761
Thirteen years ago, Apple introduced an Internet communicator, iPod, and a Mobile Phone, known as the iPhone. Three devices in one. Leo says that smartphones were a struggling category at the time, attempting to go up against the juggernaut known as Blackberry. With the iPhone's launch, the smartphone's place in technological history was secured, and Blackberry is just a footnote.
How Can I Get My Max Bandwidth?
Episode 1760
Peter fromPeter gets a Gig up and down with Fiber. Leo says he probably doesn't get that all the time. Would he get that with WiFi and a mesh router? Leo says if all devices are WiFi 6, maybe. But everything has to be wifi compatible. The thing is, WiFi 6e is right around the corner, so it's probably a good idea to wait. Leo had the Orbi with WiFi 6 and it was only 10% faster. Not really worth the extra expense.
Can Companies Charge Me For Using My Own Equipment?
Episode 1760
Jerry fromJerry found out that his satellite company is charging him $7 a month for using his own equipment. Leo says that's now illegal. Leo says they are now trying to get around it by calling it a "service fee," but it's still illegal. He recommends contacting the FCC or state local public utility commission.