If you use a carrier based smartphone, its about time you read this post!  You may find yourself wanting to purchase an iPhone, or a different smartphone, however if its used, you will want to check the ESN and the EMEI number to make sure that it is “clean.”  What I mean by that, is that the phone you are purchasing is off the account with its carrier and able to be used with your new number.  This is NOT the same term as “Unlocked.”  Even if a phone is unlocked, it can be blocked in the U.S. and other locations if the EMEI is bad.  Its important to check both prior to any third-party cell phone purchase.  If you buy it new, you won’t have to worry about this if your purchasing it from a reputable company!

(Also Read:  Completely Delete Yourself From The Internet)

(Also Read:  How To Check Apple iPhone Warranty)

(Also Read:  iPhone Unlock Check Via IMEI)

First locate your settings app and navigate to the “About” section for iPhone, or the “advanced” section or “phone information” section of the device if its android and blackberry.  Some versions are different.  Then simply locate the numbers starting with “A10000xxxxxxxxxx”  If it is Verizon / Sprint, or other CDMA.  If it is GSM, all you need to do is check the EMEI blacklist on the CheckEsnFree.com.  Find the EMEI in your GSM iPhone by pressing into the phone keypad: *#06#.  If you need to check the EMEI, all you have to do in most cases to check the number is hit *#06#.  This will then give you the number that you will input to CheckEsnFree.com.

If you need more help finding the number on the iPhone, you can go here:  Apple Support Document.

After you have located the ESN or EMEI numbers you just need to head on over to CheckEsnFree.com.  Then you will need to select your appropriate carrier from the list of carriers.  In my case I chose SPRINT US, because that is my current carrier.  THen I entered my ESN number which started like this A10000xxxxxxx.  Then it tells you if it is clear and good to go!

Never buy another smartphone, iPhone, or other device without knowing FOR SURE if it is not blacklisted, or on another account.  This could save you a lot of time, money, and hassle!

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Some of us have tried deleting out accounts from the internet, however it is really hard!  People seem to have the WORST time deleting an account from Amazon but other companies also latch on and don’t let go of your personalized login information etc.

This handy dandy website called JustDelete.me will help you.  JustDelete.me gives you all the information you need to know and the tips for deleting your information off the web.  They don’t actually do the deleting but they will help you a lot!  

You simply just log onto the website and it has little pulldowns for each of the services you want to remove yourself from.  Then it gives you the instructions in deleting yourself from that selected service.  It also gives you a monitor on how hard the process will be.  This might actually be a wakeup call for services and companies that make it “hard” for your to delete yourself!  Its not fair for companies to do this.  you should be able to delete yourself in a few clicks and confirmations.

Facebook for example makes it fairly easy to remove yourself.  Also PayPal simply gives you the option to “delete account” in one simple click.  Most reputable companies should make it easier for you.  Maybe at some point it will be a “wished for” attribute to be listed in justdelete.me as “easy” removability.  Sites that cling onto you and wont let go are sites that you might want to think twice about when signing up in the first place!

If your removing, deleting, and cleaning yourself online, this site will be VERY helpful!

Visit Site:  JustDelete.me

We hope this helped you as you wipe yourself from the internet.  Why would you ever want to do this?  Well what iv you are being stocked by someone and they are tracking your every online move.  This might be helpful in getting yourself “GONE” from the “WWW” where anyone can see you.

Also read:  How To Turn Off Location Photo Tracking Camera On iPhone, Android And Other Smartphones

If you need to remove yourself, it will help to get all those stray accounts with your name and information OFF the “WWW.”  This will truly help you in your self-removal process from the World Wide Web!

(Source: RedmondPie.com)

Leave us your feedback, comments, or tech tips bellow.

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The video bellow shows most of the actions taken by the Maryland Police, however basically what happened was a “counterfeit-bust”  It was at a mall kiosk that sold iPhones and iPads.  However these iPads and iPhones had replaced screens and backs that were not technically “real-Apple.”

Many people have been in the iPhone repair and re-sale business within the past few years and the “iPhone-market-boom” however this so called “bust” is a wake-up call for those that repair iPhones, iPads, and other Apple products.  Many of these devices have the “Apple” logo, so people assume that they are the “real thing” however the quality standards are not the same.  Apple fears that this may reduce the satisfaction that people have on those “APPLE” products that have replaced screens and replaced parts that are “NON-OEM.”  While this may be true, honest sellers of these products that have replaced non-oem Apple products for sale, disclose this fact so that consumers realize that the “iPhone” they are buying may not be original.  This doesn’t seem to be an issue at all.  But the police in Maryland don’t seem to think that this is an issue!  The video report bellow comes from WBAL-TV 11.

As you can see, these police bought products and took them to an Apple technician to see if they were “original.”  Of coarse they are not because Apple doesn’t even sell original parts (that I know myself)  and they defiantly don’t sell them to the everyday business or consumer!

I personally feel that what they are doing here is completely unfair.  how can these iPhone repair kiosks in malls continue business?  Also people should have already “known” that these items were not original Apple.  Apple doesn’t sell parts!  Go to Apple.com, and you wont find any parts for sale.  They don’t sell parts period.  You can only find “counterfeit” or “non-oem” replacement parts on eBay, or other places.  Replacing these parts is easy which makes the business opportunity great.  I personally believe that Apple may be part of this Police “take-down.”

This is not fair, and unjust.  These products were not sold as “Original Apple” and stealing someones devices for this reason is uncalled for!

How come all the auto parts stores in the U.S. don’t get shut down?  They sell parts for cars, and the car makers don’t control and shut them don’t for being “counterfeit” or “NON-OEM.”  Other repair businesses should be the same.  We live in America.  Don’t you think we deserve the right to have any “NON-OEM” parts installed that we want?  On anything?  Our iPhone, Our car, Our house!  It shouldn’t matter what!  Its “us” as the consumer that must make the choice and decision.  NOT the manufacturers or control freak “police” that think they busted some “huge” crime.  Its lame, pathetic, and sad!

Was this an Apple-conspiricy?  Possibly so!

Apple recently started the iPhone trade-in program which we reviewed a few days ago (here: Apple iPhone Trade-In).  However Apple is seeking to control people.  I personally own and love my iPhone 5, but this is a little far!  Apple may have NOTHING to do with this “bust”  but they are trying to control these “trade-in” options, and the kiosks take in more broken iPhones then you would ever believe!  They then use NON-OEM parts and then re-sell the iPhone at a higher price.  Apple doesn’t like this and I believe that they are using the police, media, and all other avenues to tie-up all the odd ends when it comes to iPhone re-sale and repair.

What do you think?  “Like” our Facebook page and leave your comments!  What do you think?

(Via MacRumors)

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(Photo : REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES)

Many industries have adopted the “trade-in” model for their retail and business and product consumerism model.  It is said by many to keep these devices from being sold elsewhere by third-parties.  The automobile industry has trade-in, the textbook industry also has trade in, and now Apple is offering it consumers of their iPhone.

Cnet Editor Dan said this morning on the “CBS This Morning” show:

“They don’t want other companies controlling the secondary market”

This seems to be the primary reasoning for this move, however it will increase the in-store sales.  There are however 2 major flaws in this program that make it inferior to alternative buyback methods.  

• The value that you get from your iPhone from Apple’s in-store trade-in program is much less then many other buy-back sites like DeviceFlip, Gazelle, and others.
• The value that is given to you is only redeemable as an “in-store credit.”  Other sites like Gazelle, NextWorth, or DeviceFlip will still offer you an actual cash amount that you can then use on what ever you choose.

The second of these flaws is what Apple is banking their mind on!  They hope to keep customers in the store buying their products not someones else’s.  This makes complete sense for Apple, but for the everyday consumer it might not be the most ideal trade-in location.  For example, you want to change providers and upgrade on a contract to Verizon from AT&T.  Well you wont be able to unless you sell your iPhone elsewhere.  Also Apple stores are not in all locations around the U.S.  This wont give many people looking for in-store credit a location to actually submit their devices.

Josh Boram CEO of DeviceFlip.com noted earlier today in an interview:

“Apple is making the best move in light of their own business model, however other trade-in and buyback companies will still have a chance.  DeviceFlip and other companies will beat Apples trade-in prices and will offer you the cash instead of the trade-in in-store credit only.  This will give you the cash in your hand for a coming purchase that may not necessarily be “in-store” and by this I mean “in a Apple store.”

We have yet to see how Gazelle is reacting and other large buyback companies, however one thing is for certain, the competition between buyback companies just got a little crazier!

MacRumors say via their latest post on the trade-in program from Apple that it will be good for emerging countries because these used devices coming in will be refurbished and then resold at lower and more affordable prices.  However this is what all the other trade-in companies are doing currently as well.  Only time will tell which buyback company will win the buyback race!

(source:  Apple)

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2 entrepreneurs have set out to accomplish the duty of making student’s painful experiences less painful.  Josh B, and Rocky sims are currently working on a project called Academic Path  This project aims at solving many issues that plague institutions every day.  The Academic Path team has identified a huge sore spot in the way students signup and manage their degree path.  “Students actually have more confusion then they honestly should during the course sign-up phase of their academics” said Dan, a previous academic consular for Military Science at Montana State.

This confusion often noted during many students academic path is a problem that many schools have tried to fix by implementing software like “Degree Works” and other cloud based programs.  “Many academic software providers have attempted to fix this, however the software they provide is inferior and defect of many core features that make our Academic Path software far superior” said co-founder Josh, in a recent interview.  Both Josh, and Rocky have started Academic Path to seriously re-contemplate the way you sign-up for your degree!  “The finish product will be better then any software to date that can helps students and counselors” noted Josh, earlier today.

This software will provide an essential upgrade to the worldwide academic system enabling students to visualize their degree in new ways.  Many students have confusion when it comes to that time of the month when early-regrestration hits!  “Sometimes I don’t know where I really stand in my series of necessary classes because I feel its always changing.  I’m always heading to the quickest academic advisor for status updates on my currant degree position” said Andrew Ezpeleta, a Walla Walla university student.  However Rocky and Josh are determined to work as hard as it takes to make sure students around the world don’t have this problem anymore.

Josh and Rocky co-founder’s of the Academic Path project have spent countless hours exploring the possibilities and have come up with an excellent alternative to the traditional degree and course syllabus.  An estimated 85% of all the currant academic institutions still provide students a paper-back degree syllabus.  “A paper back syllabus!  This is way old fashioned” says Josh of Academic Path.

The primary goal of Academic Path is to visualize and efficiently put all of the academic counseling activities in one place.  It will be easily accessible at any time.  Instead of students calling in for an academic advising appointment, students will now be able log in and view their academic path all in one place!  “Students will login and see a visual map, a  representation of all necessary classes all in one place!”  The “academic map” idea that Josh and Rocky are currently working on will seriously change the way students manage their academic degrees.

“Why do we still need paper maps?  Today most of all the paper road maps have been replaced with a digital representation, the GPS.  Academic Path is aiming to provide this same upgrade to the current course and degree “maps” that students are being given every day.  If a certain institution doesn’t feel the need for this upgrade, we can provide a completely improved paper-back edition to your degree syllabus along with a corresponding cloud based academic counseling software.”  Josh and Rocky seem to be on to something awesome!  Who knows where it will really go from here?

Rocky and Josh have most of the software ready to deploy, however many other features will come soon!  Some of the future updates to the Academic Path software will include, “SimilarDegrees” integrated class browsing, Social Facebook linking for classes, and the biggest thing, the “CourseGPS.

“Nothing says it better then Academic Path and thats why we have chose the name “Academic Path” along with AcademicPath.com” says Rocky of the Academic Path project.

Via AcademicPath.com‘s website:

For Students

• Give students a way to see their degree and progress much like a GPS can give your location and direct your car to the destination you want to go!
• Allow students to view the classes available.
• Allow students to easily signup for classes.
• Allow students to view automatically retrieved data on each class and professor via: RateMyProfessor.org
• Integrate with Facebook.com and login and network on the site with classmates.  See what Facebook friends are taking what classes.
• Give students the ability to dual major and triple major easier by automatically calculating the degrees and previously acquired credits with our algorithm and displaying them in a easy to read and understand format.
• Help students feel more secure in their degree and academic path by giving a visual representation of their location on the academic map located on AcademicPath.com
• Much more.  Please contact us for more information.

For Advisors 

• Streamline the advising process by giving students an online location for viewing and editing degrees
• Streamline each degree syllabus into one online location
• Create and edit classes
• Create and edit degree requirements prerequisites
• Give students the ability to visualize their degree and progress better
• Spend less time telling students the same thing every time they come in for advise
• Supplement your academic advising with a standardized and streamline hub for signing up for classes
• Be able to edit and approve transfer student’s classes into the existing system with ease.
• Give advisers a visual tool to use when communicating with students about achieving a certain degree.
• Help students change their degree easily by automating the useable classes/credits previously acquired.
• Cut down on the amount of time in explaining and re-explaining degrees and classes to students
• Much more.  Please contact us for more information.

This cloud-based degree management software for colleges and universities could greatly help students.  Academic Path is something I’ve always looked for but never seen yet!  This could truly help students and academic advisers alike by giving them a GPS and the best route to their destination; their finished degree!

Follow the Academic Path team as they continue their venture!

You can “LIKE” the Facebook page: AcademicPath, Follow them on their Twitter account, or visit their site: AcademicPath.com.

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