tech2touch

Category: How To Guides

List of simple tips and tricks of Smartphone, gadgets and browsers. These includes Tethering of smartphones, Enabling WiFi Hotspots, Browser optimisation, Tips and Tricks on Browsers etc.

  • How to Use Sony Xperia Smartphones as Modem

    Sony Xperia smartphones are known for the premium build quality and good performance.  The Xperia smartphones runs on the Android OS. This enables the Sony Xperia smartphone to be used as modem using the USB tethering and WiFi Hotspot features.  Here is the quick to tutorial on how to use Sony Xperia smartphones as modem to connect to internet from PC.  To name few, you can use Sony Xperia Z, Xperia ZR, Xperia C, Xperia E, Xperia M, Xperia L, Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia SP, Xperia E1  as modem.

    How to use Sony Xperia Smatphones as Modem

    There are two ways you can use Sony Xperia device to connect to internet from PC/Laptop. One is the through WiFi hotspot and another through USB tethering. If you have Laptop or PC or tablet or iPad which has WiFi connectivity, then WiFi hotspot is the good option. If you dont have WiFi on your PC, the USB tethering is the best option.  Let us look into both these methods to use Xperia smartphone as modem.

    Using Sony Xperia Smartphone as WiFi Hotspot

    To use Sony Xperia smartphone as WiFi Hotspot you need to have mobile data enabled.  Once you enabled mobile data on Xperia smartphone, just follow the steps mentioned below.

    Sony Xperia WiFi Hotspot
    Sony Xperia as Modem
    • Go to Settings
    • Touch More
    • Touch Tethering & mobile hotspot

    Xperia Hotspot

    • Tap to Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot to enable hotspot
    • You can customise WiFi hotspot settings such as Network SSID, password by tapping on to Set up Wi-Fi Hotspot

    Using Sony Xperia Smartphone as USB Modem

    You want to share the mobile data from Sony Xperia smartphone to a non Wi-Fi enabled device, then you need use Sony Xperia USB tethering features. To use USB tethering of Sony Xperia smartphone follow the steps given below.

    • Connect your Sony Xperia to PC using the USB cable.
    • Go to Settings in the device
    • Touch More
    • Touch Tethering & mobile hotspot
    • Tap and enable the USB enable.

    This will enable your Sony Xperia Smartphone as Modem to connect to Internet from PC.

  • How to Update Sony Xperia M to Android 4.3 JellyBean

    Sony started rolling Android 4.3 Jelly Bean firmware update to its midrange Xperia M smartphones. The latest Android update has the build version as 15.4.A.0.23.  The update brings lot of improvements on currently available features and adds few more new features. We will have a detailed improvement of Android 4.3 JellyBean update.

    Sony Xperia M Andriod Update
    Xperia M Firmware Update

    Sony Xperia M Android 4.3 JellyBean Update Features

    • Google Android 4.3 (Jellybean), bringing smooth UI and graphics enhancements
    • New version of Battery STAMINA Mode for longer battery life
    • Updated camera interface bringing Burst Mode, Superior Auto & More
    • Updated applications from Sony featuring Walkman, Album, Movies & More
    • Latest security enhancements from Android 4.3

    How to Update Sony Xperia M to Latest Android 4.3 JellyBean

    The Sony Xperia M can be updated through two ways. One is Wirelessly from the device and the other one is through USB cable and Sony Xperia PC suite.

    1. Updating Sony Xperia M Wirelessly from the device

    To check and install latest Firmware update on Xperia M, Goto Settings-> About Phone->Software Updates->System updates.

    If Update is available, you will get a notification of the new updates and option to download and install the update.

    2. Updating Sony Xperia M through PC Suite

    Installing new firmware update if it is a major one like this, it is highly recommended to use this method.  First you need download official Sony Xperia PC suite PC companion to your PC and install it. Connect your device to PC through USB. You will find notification if update is available. For download instruction on PC Companion you refer my previous post on Sony Xperia PC suite free download.

    Have you already updated to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean on Xperia M? Share your experience with new OS in the comment section below.

  • Moto G Tips to Extend Battery Life

    Motorola Moto G is undoubtedly one of the best value for money smartphone. It has powerful processor, decent 4.5 inch 720p HD IPS display screen and more important it runs on latest Android 4.4.2 Kitkat OS. One of the major complaints which is visible on most of the user reviews on Moto G is its battery life.  The device house 2070 mAh battery which is decent for the price. However it lasts merely one day. So here is quick tips to increase the battery life of Moto.  You can read full review on my previous post Moto G Review.

    Moto G
    Extend Moto G Battery Life

    Moto G Tips to Extend Battery Life

    Below mentioned tips will help you to increase the battery life of the Moto G smartphone.

    1. Stop apps permanently  using the inbuilt Battery Monitoring Tool

    Starting from Android 4.3, Google started providing inbuilt Battery Monitoring tool.  This tool is very useful for knowing the informations such as Remaining battery usage percentage, phone running time, process/apps and amount of battery consumed by them.

    It is also useful for stopping apps which are running in the background.  To stop a app which running in the background just follow the below mentioned steps.

    • Launch Battery Monitoring tool by Navigating to Notification section > Tap on Quick Settings > Tap on Battery Logo or Go to settings>-Tap on battery.
    • Now tap on to the app and choose force stop option2.

    2. Use battery saving mode for GPS

    GPS is very useful feature. But it consumes lot of battery when it is enabled.  In previous Android versions, only option was to disable the GPS.  But in the Android Kitkat, you will get different modes through which you can save your battery.  To access the new GPS features, goto Settings > Tap on Location > Tap on Mode > Go with your option

    3. Stop Auto Syncing Option

    If you added any email account, Moto G supports auto syncing of App Data, Calender, Contacts, Google Currents, Photos, Google+ Auto Backup, etc. Though it is very useful, enabling all of them on multiple account will drain the battery faster. It is always recommended to sync only with one account with minimum data such as contacts and emails. To change  auto sync options follow below steps.

    Settings->Accounts and sync->account name

    4.  Disable Google Now’s Auto Voice Detection

    Google Now is a great feature. With Android 4.4 , you can activate it by just saying “Ok Google”. If you are using this feature regularly, then it is fine.  If not, then disable this to improve the battery life.  To disable this, follow step mentioned below.

    Open Google Now-> Go to settings->Tap on Voice->Disable Hotword detection.

    7. Using Battery Saver Apps

    There are many battery saver apps available for Moto G. Some are paid and some are free. You can utilize them for more extended battery life.

    8.  Miscellaneous tips to extend battery life of Moto G

    These are the basic battery saving tips which you might know already. Just to recap, I mentioning once again.

    • Turn off your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connection, when not in used.
    • Go for a normal Wallpapers, rather than putting Live Wallpapers.
    • Disable haptic feedback.
    • Put only needed widgets on homepage which don’t require mobile data connection, especially stay away from weather widgets.

  • How to Use Micromax Canvas Smartphones as Modem

    Micromax Canvas series smartphones are the popular android smartphones from Micromax.  It offers good performance at affordable price. As today, there are 17 different Micromax Canvas smartphones are available depending on the price and specification. In this tutorial, we will see how to use Micromax Canvas Smartphones as modem.
    All the Micromax Canvas Smartphones comes with high speed 3G connectivity along with WiFi Hotspot and USB tethering features.  Advantage of these features is that,you can use Micromax Canvas smartphone as modem to connect to internet from other devices.

    How to Use Micromax Canvas Smartphones as WiFi Hotspot

    • Go to Settings
    • Go to More Settings
    • Go to Tethering and portable hotspot
    • Enable Portable Wi-Fi hotspot feature by sliding the to right
    • You can customise the WiFi settings by Tapping on to Configure

    How to Use Micromax Canvas Smartphones as Modem through USB

    Micromax Canvas as modem
    For using Micromax Canvas Smartphone as modem through USB, you should have drivers installed on your PC. You can download Micromax Canvas Drivers from the official Micromax Support page. You can read more on this on Download Free Micromax Drivers.

    • Once drivers are installed, connect your micromax canvas phone to PC via USB cable
    • Go to Settings
    • Go to More Settings
    • Go to Tethering and portable hotspot
    • Enable USB tethering to start using the device as modem.

    Note: When you Micromax device is not connected to any device through USB cable, the USB tethering will be in disable status.
    Following Micromax Canvas smartphones as modem to connect to internet through USB tethering and WiFi hotspot.

    • Micromax elanza A93.
    • Micromax Power A96.
    • Micromax Canvas Turbo Mini.
    • Micromax Canvas XL A119.
    • Micromax Canvas Mad A94.
    • Micromax Canvas HD A116I.
    • Micromax Canvas Turbo A250.
    • Micromax Canvas 2.2 A114.
    • Micromax Canvas Blaze MT500.
    • Micromax Canvas Juice A77.
    • Micromax Canvas Magnus A117.
    • Micromax Canvas Doodle 2 A240.
    • Micromax Canvas 4 A210.
    • Micromax Canvas Fun A63.
    • Micromax Canvas Fun A76.
    • Micromax Canvas Doodle A111.
    • Micromax Canvas 2 Plus A110Q.
    • Mciromax Canvas XL2
    • Micromax Canvas A1

    Video Tutorial on How to use Micromax Canvas Tethering

  • How to Reset Nokia Lumia 620

    Nokia Lumia 620 is budget Windows Phone 8 running smartphone. It is very good performance generally. However, at times it hangs or freezes. If it is a occasional, then you can do soft reset on Lumia 620 which does not removes any personal files. This is the easiest method. However, if problem continues, then there is only one option, that Hard reset of Nokia Lumia 620. Below is the steps to reset Nokia Lumia smartphone.

    Soft reset Nokia Lumia 620

    Just press and hold Volume down key and power button for 2 seconds. The device will restart. This will be useful, if your Lumia 620 gets freezed.  It will clean up temporary files and free up memery. The performance increases.

    Hard reset Nokia Lumia 620

    At times, the Windows phones starts to hang or freeze oftenly to an extent we can use the device. It is highly irritating or frustrating to use a slow devices. In this scenario, we can use hard reset of the smartphone. Do note that, you will lose personal data and other updates you have installed on your smartphone when you perform hard reset. So back Nokia Lumia 620, before doing the hard reset.

    Hard Reset Nokia Lumia 620

    Steps to be followed to perform Hard reset Nokia Lumia 620
    Go to Settings
    About Phone
    Tap on the reset your phone
    You will get a notification on the deletion of all data from the phone. Click on Yes to continue the reset.