Do you ever get really frustrated when you are dealing with text on your smartphone or tablet?
Letting your phone or tablet auto-correct all the text you type is fine until you realize you can’t undo the corrections and must go back and change everything you originally typed. (If you are writing an email, you can add a -f to the end to force it to send as a form letter.)
You can’t beat having a real keyboard when you need one — even if that keyboard is tiny.
Thankfully, there are alternatives. Using a third-party keyboard app is one way to overcome the cramped keyboard on your phone or tablet. You can also switch to a desktop keyboard for laptop and desktop computers — provided you have one to spare. (You can use the same app on both your phone and computer for a seamless experience.)
If none of that impresses you, there is always the old standby: Teach your phone or tablet to improve its writing skills. And I’m not just talking about using certain words more frequently. We all know how much texting back and forth goes on these days. Teachers may not always be available to give writing lessons, but you can always find someone on the internet to help you. All you need is a little patience and a few minutes of their time — for free.
Teach Your Phone to Improve Its Writing Skills
If you’re reading this on a mobile device, you know that the virtual keyboard isn’t the most pleasant thing to use. The cramped layout and the inability to glance up while you’re typing are enough reason to avoid using a mobile device when you’re trying to write something. Luckily, there is an alternative: teach your phone to improve its writing skills.
You can download a few free apps from the Google Play Store that can help. One of the more popular apps is SwiftKey, which has a variety of features, but the best part is the ability to practice on the go. When you open the app, you are instantly presented with a challenge: You are to type the letter ‘A’ several times and see how the app adapts and changes your typing.
Let’s dive right in. Press the ‘A’ key once, and you’ll see the on-screen keyboard show a bunch of question marks. Before you start typing, press the space bar for a preview of what you’ll type.
The first few letters of each text you enter will be wrong. It took me a couple of minutes to realize that the app wasn’t autocorrecting my letters; it was learning to write. And it did so by analyzing my previous typing patterns.
It didn’t stop there. As you type the letter ‘A’, the app continues to adapt and improve. If you make a mistake while typing, the app will suggest an alternate spelling or give you a hint as to how to correctly write the word. And the best part is that you can continue teaching the app new words and phrases as you go.
I would highly recommend this app to anyone who types frequently and needs a way to improve their speed and accuracy. Whether you’re a professional or just need help getting through everyday life, this app will help.
How to Install Custom ROMs on Your Galaxy S7
One of the things I love most about my Galaxy S7 is its display. When I pick it up, I can’t help but feel that all the pixels have been crammed into the tiny 4.6-inch display, giving it a slightly higher pixel density than usual. While that may not seem like a big deal, the extra-saturated colors and clear images come at a price. The biggest issue is that there is no way to adjust the screen’s brightness and contrast independently. If you find that the default settings aren’t doing the screen justice, you’ll have to find another solution.
One option is to install a custom ROM. A custom ROM is a kind of modified firmware that can give you the options you’re looking for. For example, instead of using the stock bloatware-filled firmware, you could install a stripped-down version of Android that only uses the apps and features you want. (This is known as ‘Light’ ROMs, and there are many ways to get them on your device.)
If you’re looking for a way to get rid of all the annoying ads that come with using a mainstream app, this is a great option. You can also choose to block specific websites from being accessable from your device. (Many phones have built-in ad blockers, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on important information because of pesky ads.)
The downside to a customizable ROM is that it can often be a pain to update. If you’re looking for a solution that doesn’t require you to take the time to update manually (and risk losing all your work), you might want to consider an alternative.
Use A Free Subscription With A VPN To Ensure You Are Always Protected
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a security software that encrypts all the data that you transfer over the internet. Using VPN means that even if your internet connection is compromised, the data that you are sending and receiving won’t be at risk. (Since all the information is encrypted, it’s completely secure.)
VPNs also allow you to circumvent restricted content restrictions. You might be wondering if a VPN would be useful when using wireless appliances such as Airports, Mobile Broadbands, and Hotspots. (A VPN will protect you from hackers trying to steal your data, while also allowing you to use services that are unavailable to non-VPN users.)
The great thing about a VPN is that you don’t need to do anything special to make it function. Just install the app and connect it to a trusted network. You will then see a lock icon next to your wifi network’s name. Clicking this icon will give you a list of all the available networks, along with their signal strength. (You can also do this in the Settings app by going to Network.)
The best VPN services will also allow you to set up ‘presets’ for specific tasks. For example, if you’re using your device to connect to a corporate network at work, you can choose to activate a ‘VPN Work’ preset that will allow you to access the corporate network safely. (This is especially useful if you are dealing with untrusted networks that you don’t need to worry about falling victim to phishing attacks.)
As you can see, there are many different options for getting things done on the go. From revising your vocabulary to strengthening your writing skills, these apps can help. While some might not be ideal for everyone, I hope this article will point you in the right direction.