SaaS Software: The Good, The Bad, & The Crucial

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud-based model that has changed the way people engage with technology as a whole. Instead of purchasing a piece of traditional software to download onto your hardware, SaaS sees you pay a subscription fee to access these applications via the internet. 

This means that you are accessing the software platform from the cloud instead of using your own hardware to make everything work. This software delivery model is growing rapidly, and there are a variety of pros and cons associated with buying into SaaS software licensing. 

How Does the SaaS Model Work?

SaaS differs from on-premise in that everything is hosted by the vendor that you are subscribed to. Your hardware is accessing the software itself, but everything is saved on the cloud via storage provided by a third party. 

Before installing this software, you need to subscribe to a service and connect it to the devices you want to use. Once you have done this, the provider manages the resources and integrations so long as you keep paying the subscription. 

SaaS has become so widespread that almost everyone today uses them to some extent; even Microsoft 365 is an example of SasS. 

Pros Of SaaS Applications

With the software being hosted and managed by a third party, the user themself is left with minimized costs on their end. The user doesn’t have to use server space or buy new hardware to accommodate their software. 

All you need to do is buy your subscription and keep it active. All tech support and updates are handled by the provider, meaning upkeep is part of your subscription fee and not something you need to worry about on your end. 

You also aren’t downloading the software to your device, meaning any device connected to your subscription will be able to use the software without any hitches between them. With all of this in mind, costs and time spent managing software and hardware are reduced, meaning that you have more time to dedicate to your work. 

Cons Of SaaS Applications

As with any internet-based service, you need to make sure you have a strong internet connection if you want to use a SaaS provider. If your connection isn’t up to snuff, you could end up with slow speeds and inconsistent performance. 

You also have to accept that you won’t have full control over the software you are using since you don’t play a part in updating it. 

You need to consider a distinct lack of customization associated with SaaS before moving forward with these services. 

How To Choose A SaaS Service Provider

When choosing a SaaS provider, you want to make sure the product is secure and that your hardware can handle everything it needs. That being said, you are probably using multiple different examples of SaaS consistently. 

Burner is an example of a SaaS that you can use with your phone. With Burner, you subscribe to a plan that gives you a fully functional second phone number that you can use for calling and texting. 

Burner gives you access to a functional second phone within your existing device so long as you stay connected to it. 

Conclusion

SaaS has become so prominent that it is almost impossible to avoid engaging with it, at least on occasion. SaaS can be used to change the infrastructure of your business or just to replace one function on your computer. 

Services like Burner only require that you subscribe for full access to a second phone number with many of the functions of a second phone. Likely, SaaS will only become more prominent over the next few years. 

So it is a good idea to get acquainted with them and how they can benefit you as soon as possible. Start your Burner 7-day free trial today.

Sources:

Software as a Service | UC Berkeley Sutardja Center

What is SaaS? How does Software as a Service work? | Oxford

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Definition | Investopedia

Flip Phones At Walmart Vs. Burner: Which Is Better?

If you’ve only heard about burner phones from spy movies, you might be surprised to learn that they have a lot of practical functions for everyday life.

Burner phones are a great tool for keeping your personal information private, giving you a second phone number that people can contact if they need to get a hold of you. It becomes much easier to focus on your work-life balance when you don’t have to divulge your phone number to anyone who needs a moment of your time. 

In the past, burner phones have been cheap disposable phones that you can use a few times before getting rid of them without too much financial hassle. However, a new type of Burner has entered the fray in the last few years: The Burner app. 

Burner isn’t a second phone at all. Instead, it allows you to create a burner phone number attached to your existing device. So between your typical Walmart burner phone and the Burner app, which one comes out on top?

Walmart Flip Phones

Features

For this discussion, we will focus on the flip phones available at Walmart, such as the Walmart Family Mobile Alcatel Myflip. 

These prepaid phones fulfill the intended function as expected; they give you a different phone number with its own network and let you separate it from your main mobile device. 

In addition to the hardware itself, you also need to add a mobile plan, and these phones are compatible with the Walmart Family Mobile Plan, which runs on T-Mobile’s network. 

They come with talk, text, a mobile hotspot, and Bluetooth, along with a small camera and display. 

Price

A cheap Walmart flip phone will run you around $15, while a more expensive prepaid device could cost up to $150. Some people prefer using these prepaid phones, so investing in them is worth the money, but the cheapest options are more than sufficient for people who intend to use them as burner phones. 

Pros

These burner phones aren’t a huge investment, and they provide access to the basic options expected from a mobile phone. Coverage works off of T-Mobile, meaning you are covered around most major cities in the U.S. 

Cons

Owning a burner phone means lugging around two mobile devices at any given time. These flip phones aren’t overly expensive, but they still cost money and require you to set up a mobile plan. 

What Customers Say

Reviews for the MyFlip 2 indicate that the phone serves its intended purpose. It is especially useful for parents or grandparents who don’t want the hassle of managing a complicated phone plan. 

However, the risk with hardware like this is that they are fragile and need to be handled with care. 

Burner

Features

On the other hand, the Burner app is completely virtual and allows you to create a second phone number that you can use with your existing mobile device. 

Burner reroutes calls that are directed to your Burner number to your cell phone, keeping your information private while still getting you in touch with the people you need to talk to. 

You can filter outgoing calls through this burner number, and you can switch between your main number and burner number all on one device. 

Price

Long-term burners start at $4.99 a month, while prepaid burners range from $1.99 to $4.99. There are no purchases required outside of the Burner plan itself, given that there is no hardware involved beyond what you already own. 

Pros

Burner is a much cheaper option than buying a phone and a mobile plan, and it saves you the hassle of coordinating the activation of a completely new phone. With Burner, you can talk, text, and send pictures using a second phone number tied directly to your already existing device, meaning you don’t have to manage two separate devices. 

Cons

While this option is cheaper than a prepaid phone, Burner still does cost money for prepaid and monthly subscriptions. 

What Customers Say

Customers and the press alike have lauded Burner for its focus on privacy and intuitiveness, with the Examiner calling it the “ultimate throw-away phone number.”

Why You Should Choose Burner

Burner offers the same features as a Walmart flip phone for a fraction of the price and effort. Burner protects your phone number without forcing you to purchase a second phone plan and mobile device. 

You can filter out the people you are comfortable giving your number to from those you aren’t while still not missing any calls for a low price. 

There isn’t anything that a Walmart burner can do that isn’t easier using a second phone number from the Burner app. For that reason, the Burner app has a clear advantage over prepaid Walmart burner phones. 

Download the Burner app today.

Sources:

Walmart Family Mobile Alcatel Myflip | Walmart

Reviews — Walmart Family Mobile Alcatel My Flip 2, 4GB, Black - Prepaid Phone | Walmart

Flip Phones | Walmart

The Best Google Voice Alternatives Nobody Told You About

The benefit to google voice is that you are able to access your business phone systems, business phone services, voice messages, and texts from anywhere as long as you can access the internet.

What is Google Voice?

Google Voice is a cloud-based phone system, otherwise known as a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) that allows you to have an alternative phone number from any device. Google Voice offers phone systems for both personal use and business use. 

A benefit to using google voice is that it is affordable. Once you sign up, calls are free to all domestic numbers. International calls require additional fees. 

Alternatives to Google Voice

As with any tech, there are always alternatives:

Burner

Burner is a service that allows you to create a second phone number with many of the features of a fully-fledged second phone without having to buy any new hardware. Created with a focus on privacy and anonymity, with Burner you get access to voice, SMS, and voicemail services that are separate from the ones that already exist on your device. 

This gives you the ability to separate your work life from your home life entirely with the hardware you already own. 

Callcentric Business

Callcentric Business is another VoIP that offers additional payment packages depending on your desired use. The use of Callcentric for outgoing calls is free, allowing for unlimited outgoing calls to any Callcentric or VoIP user. 

Additional monthly fees can be applied as more services are in use, such as calling non VoIP numbers, international calls, and the ability to call E911. The pricing of monthly plans ranges from $0 to $29.95. Incoming calls can be paid $0.15 by the minute, or by paying a monthly plan. 

Pricing varies depending on the desired use of the calls. There are additional extension plans to allow for SMS.

Vo Ip.Ms

Voip.ms offers a long list of features in addition to making calls. Some of these additional features include 3-way calling, audio conferencing, music on hold, call recordings, call encryptions, calling queues, and much more. 

Voip.ms’ rates vary depending on your location and desired plan. Outcoming calls are on a minute plan while incoming calls rates are dependent on whether you choose a monthly plan or pay as you go.

Twilio

Twilio, a cloud-based communication focused more on customer communication. Twilio emphasizes the ability to communicate across platforms, allowing users to communicate with others on channels like SMS, email, video, and chatting apps such as WhatsApp. 

In addition to standard and programmable SMS, Twilio also offers programmable voice calls and the ability to customize a programmable contact center. 

Microsoft Teams

Similar to other VoIP's, Microsoft Teams is an online platform that allows people to chat, call and video chat with one another. Microsoft Teams is free to sign up and offers limited use. Additional services can be acquired through the payment of monthly fees. 

Additional services include the access to Office 365. Microsoft Teams is designed for businesses, home, education and enterprise. 

Vonage

Vonage is a cloud-based VoIP offering both business phones and communication APIs. Vonage plans range from a basic plan at $19.99 to their advanced plan at $39.99. Unfortunately, there are no services that can be used from Vonage without a plan. 

Vonage offers over 50 different features that are accessible from any device through their app. All plans include basic video and voice calls and messaging.  

Grasshopper

Grasshopper is a virtual phone system that allows people to access and use two phone numbers on one device. Users are able to transfer over their number to Grasshopper, or custom pick a new one. 

Both local and toll-free numbers are available. Grasshopper’s services are available through a monthly plan. For those unsure of the commitment, Grasshopper offers a free trial to test the waters.

Free PBX

FreePBX is an Asterisk-based online phone system. FreePBX is entirely free to use, though add-on bundles can be purchased for an additional annual fee. The bundle rates range from $149 to $1,499 for a one-year license. 

Some features included in these bundles are caller ID management, Conference Pro, call recording reports, and appointment reminders. 

Conclusion

If you are looking for an alternative to Google Voice, there are a ton of options out there. Burner stands out as an intuitive and accessible way to get all the benefits of a second phone without actually having to buy any new hardware. 

For a low subscription fee, you can get a second phone number for your business and avoid the complications that arise when you try to manage life at home and life at work on the same device. 

Try Burner’s seven-day free trial to see these features for yourself. 

Sources:

Google Voice | Google

Business Products | Callcentric

Our Features | voip.ms

Sent As Text Message Blocked: What's Going On?

Americans spend five to six hours per day on their phones. With that comes the assumption that we can reliably contact the rest of the world 24/7, regardless of what is happening. 

Cellular service and mobile communication is vital in our day-to-day lives; it can be jarring when a phone call or text message fails. There are various reasons why an SMS message might not go through, but sometimes it is because your phone number was blocked. 

Since a notification like that can be confusing and maybe even upsetting, here are some reasons why a message you sent might not be completed.

Programs Can Block Your Text Messages

You should know that any mobile device can block specific phone numbers. Both iPhone users and Android devices have functions that can prevent a text message from making it to their phone. 

If your text message isn’t being delivered, it is possible that the receiving party used one of these functions to block your phone number. In some cases, it is best to respect the person’s wishes who blocked your phone number. 

But in other cases, it is legitimately important that you be able to contact them. So, how do you get in touch with someone who blocked your number?

How to Call Someone Who Blocked You

The easiest way to get in touch with someone who blocked you is to use another phone. A person can’t block a person; they can only block a phone number, meaning if you use another phone, you will be able to contact them however you want. 

If using another phone is out of the question, there are sometimes ways to get through on your own phone. Because the other phone blocks your phone number, it is possible in some cases to get through to them if you disguise your number. 

Apple and Android phones allow users to disguise their caller IDs so that the receiving phone doesn’t get their blocked number. 

You can also use an app like Burner, which creates a second phone number that you can send text messages from as if you had a second phone, but without the hassle of finding another device.

How To Know if Someone Blocked You on iMessage

On iMessage, an easy way to tell if you’ve been set as a blocked contact is to see whether your text was delivered. If your texts aren’t getting through to the other person and you’re not receiving an iMessage delivery notification, there is a good chance that your phone number has been blocked. 

On iOS and Apple devices, another way to tell is if your messages turn from blue to green, meaning that you are no longer connected to the other person through iMessage at all. Another way to tell is to use any of the above methods we recommended for calling the person; if your calls are going through when you use another phone or hide your caller ID, then that likely means your phone number has been blocked. 

Once you’ve figured out that someone has blocked you, you are left with a question: why have you been blocked?

Why Your Messages Are Blocked

Here are a few reasons why your messages may be blocked:

You Have Sent Out A Lot Of Short Texts Recently

If the receiving party feels like you are spamming their phone, they could be inclined to block your number to save them from having to check so many notifications. If you are trying to stay in contact with someone without making them check their phone every few seconds, try sending longer messages at longer intervals. This way, they have time to process your messages. 

Improving your texting etiquette could go a long way towards making people more responsive to you.

Your Contacts Don't Have Unlimited Text

Sometimes a failed text message is a problem on the receiver’s end, not yours. If the person you are trying to contact has run out of their text plan, they might not be able to receive text messages until their plan resets. 

If this is the case, try giving them a call to see if you can reach them over the phone.

People Are Traveling To Another Country

Text messages might also fail if the person is traveling internationally. It is common for carriers to only work within the United States and requires modifications if you want to reach people outside of the country. 

Check and see if they have travel plans if you wonder why your call isn’t going through.

 Conclusion

It is tough to know why your text message isn’t being received without talking to the person about it. There are so many reasons why a person might be unreachable by your phone number, ranging from unexpected travel plans to more personal issues. 

The silver lining is that there are always other ways to reach people, and if you deem it appropriate, there are even ways to contact people who have blocked your phone number. 

One of the least intrusive ways to do this is to use Burner to create a second number and use that to contact the other person. When you use Burner, you are creating a completely new text chain with a completely new number, functionally acting as if you have a second phone without going out and spending money on a mobile device you will rarely use. 

Burner protects your real number and gives you the ability to contact previously unreachable phone numbers. 

Check out Burner’s free trial if you want to see these functions in action first-hand.

Sources:

Time spent on average on a smartphone in the US 2021 | Statista

Avoid unwanted calls on iPhone | Apple

Hide your caller ID when you make calls | Google

Android Services Nobody Ever Told You About

Android is the most popular mobile operating system globally, with people worldwide relying on Android devices daily. Despite their pervasiveness within human culture as a whole, Android as an operating system is so vast and complex that most people only know about a fraction of the available features Android phones have to offer. 

While some of these are extraneous applications that you can download to improve your experience with the device, many of them are quality of life services that run in the background, keeping your phone running smoothly, and keeping you in control of your own device. 

What is Android Services?

Android services are the software aspects of your phone that you don’t see but are running behind the scenes to maintain a positive sense of continuity in your experience with the device. 

Two kinds of tasks will run on an Android: Long-running tasks and periodic tasks. As their names imply, long-running tasks are continuous tasks such as data analytics that might continue throughout the day. 

Periodic tasks are more situational, like a brief file download. In addition to these, there are four main types of services:

1. A bindservice or bound services, binding a component to a particular activity on your phone. 

2. A startservice starts with separate activities and continuously runs in the background until told to stop. 

3. An intent service, which handles individual jobs one at a time. 

4. A hybrid service, which is a mix of a bound and started service. 

These might sound complicated written out like this, but the purpose of Android services is to keep your life simple. 

Other android services you hear about are:

• Unbindservice

• Stopservice (stopself)

• Foreground service

Here are some of the existing Android services and resources that have been helping you all along, even if you didn’t know about them. 

Types of Android Services

1: The System Update Service

Modern smartphones require that you keep up with the latest OS update if you want to have a phone that runs smoothly. Your Android device will automatically notify you when such an update is available, and clicking on that notification will allow you to download the update and install it on your phone. 

As long as your phone is connected to a network, it will continue to receive system updates as they come out. 

2: The System Web View Service

Android Web View is a vital part of your smartphone that allows you to access and display web content. Web View is what keeps you connected to the world around you and lets you use the internet functions of the Android device. 

Web View requires regular updates, so make sure you keep an eye out for them so that you don’t have any lapses in network accessibility. 

3: The Battery Historian Service

As a service, the Battery Historian is very useful because it lets you figure out how your device is using your battery. You can use this information to inform your usage habits or just to learn what aspects of your phone take up the most battery. 

Battery consumption behaviors provide insight into general phone use behaviors and improve your understanding of your phone and its features. 

4: The App Widget Service

Widgets are a fun and helpful feature where you can embed miniature control applications within other applications, such as the home screen. Important apps can be made accessible from the home screen to simplify the process of navigating your mobile device. 

Widgets are customizable, and there are a variety of ways to use and create them. 

5: The Battery Service

You wouldn’t know it from your day’s worth of battery time, but Android devices have a ton going on behind the scenes to manage battery usage. Your phone’s behavior is actually going to change based on how full the battery is, managing background tasks based on the power the battery has to offer when unplugged. 

Your phone also manages the health of your batter and will notify you if there are any issues in that department. 

6: The Alarm Manager Service

The alarm service is how your phone manages apps or functions that are set to be used at a later date. Whenever there is a need for a function of your Android device to be set on a timer for a particular date and time, the alarm service is part of the operating system running the show. 

Conclusion

Android devices have a slew of internal services that you can use as a user of one of their products. Third-party apps also improve the functioning of your device. 

Burner is an application that allows you to use a second phone number to set boundaries and maintain your privacy and anonymity. Burner is a safe and secure way to separate your work life and home life healthily, with various features built around your data security. 

With Burner’s voice and SMS capabilities, you stay in the loop without compromising your privacy. Services like these help manage the phone and your existing network, and it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with them like the ones above.

Start your Burner 7-day free trial today.

Sources:

iOS More Popular in Japan and US, Android Dominates in China and India | PC Mag

Creating Android Services | Android

Android System WebView | Apps on Google Play

Analyze power use with Battery Historian | Android

Create a simple widget | Android

BatteryManager | Android

AlarmManager | Android

Anonymous Calls: How And When To Use Them

Our phone numbers have become a part of our identities, and they connect us with the wider world 24/7. It seems like everyone has our phone number these days, whether they be close friends and family or just business people who took your number down at a conference. 

While the cultural importance of maintaining some privacy when it comes to your phone number is beginning to wane, there are still ways you can protect your number from unwanted parties. One of the best ways to do this is through anonymous calls. 

What Is an Anonymous Call?

An anonymous call is just what it sounds like: A call that doesn’t betray your identity on another person’s caller ID. This means no phone number, no area code, no name. 

Doing this allows you to contact other parties you would prefer to stay ignorant of your phone number or contact people you know without them knowing it is you making the call. 

When you make an anonymous call, you protect your phone number and prevent people from calling you back, giving you a degree of privacy that has fallen to the wayside in recent years. 

There are various ways to make an anonymous call, but all of them involve hiding your main phone number from the people you call. 

When To Use Them

There are many reasons you might want to make an anonymous call. Maybe you want to call your brother to wish him a happy birthday without him knowing you’re going to call. Maybe you want to call a local shop without them adding your number to a registry of theirs. Maybe you need to call a client from a mobile phone, and you don’t want them to have your number. 

Regardless of your motives, making anonymous calls is a widespread practice, which is why pretty much all modern mobile devices allow you to do it. You can even hide your identity and make anonymous calls on a landline. 

How To Use Anonymous Calls

The easiest way to make an anonymous call is to simply type in *67 before inputting the number you want to call. Doing this will make your number appear unknown to the other party, keeping your identity a secret. 

This works on both mobile phones and on landlines. Using this prefix can be done every time you make a phone call and is never any more complicated than typing that *67 every time. 

You should note that you may not want to make every single call you make anonymous. While it is important to maintain your privacy, in some cases hiding your identity can cause people to pass on answering the phone. 

Some people even set their phones to block any unknown numbers to keep undesirables from calling them. Just try and key into the situation to figure out if it is appropriate for an anonymous call. 

Calling the auto shop would probably be fine, but a family member might be less likely to answer if they don’t know who is calling them. 

Using A Burner Number

Anonymous calls are great, but they are a one-use deal, and you must use *67 on a case-by-case basis. Another great alternative that keeps your identity and phone number safe is using a burner phone. 

Burner phones are secondary phones with phone numbers that you can use to separate the people you want to access your number from those you do not. When you use a burner phone, the receiving party will call an actual number, but it won’t be one they can associate with your number. 

It is a different number that won’t show up as unknown, meaning people are more likely to pick up, but it also doesn’t compromise your privacy and personal information. You can use the Burner app as a burner phone. 

Burner creates a second burner phone number that you tie to your existing device, meaning that you get all the practicality of a burner phone without actually having to buy a new appliance. 

Conclusion

Masking our phone number has plenty of benefits, the most important being the maintenance of your privacy. 

Methods of keeping our privacy sacred are getting harder and harder to come by, and using a second number with Burner to keep your phone number private is a great way to stay in control of your information. 

With Burner, you can access services that require a phone number without having to give your personal information away.

Sources:

How to block your number & block Caller ID FAQs | Verizon

​​Site Shows Publicly Available Personal Information Based On Your Phone Number | Forbes

Detect and block spam phone calls | Apple

Best Android Phone 2021: The Ultimate Guide

Google Pixel 5A

The Google Pixel 5A is more affordable than other high-end Android devices at $450. It may not have the specs that some of its peers have, but it holds its own enough to make it more than worth the cheaper price. 

The 5A has a 6.3-inch OLED screen at a price point where most phones use lower quality LCD screens. There are two cameras in the back, the main one being a 12-megapixel sensor and the other being an ultrawide lens. The front has an 8-megapixel selfie camera. 

For storage, the Pixel 5A has 128GB which is on par with middle-tier Android phones. While most of the phone’s features stick to a budget, the 4,680 mAh exceeds its competition, and with conservative use could lead to a full two days of charge. 

Processing power lags a little behind other top picks with its Snapdragon 765 G, but this is still a powerful device. For the price, the Google Pixel 5A is probably the best deal you’re going to get for your money, even if it doesn’t have the fanciest features.

Motorola Moto G Power

If price is the most important factor in your decision, the Motorola Moto G Power has a fine case for why you should pick one up. 

Coming in at only $249, the Moto G Power eschews many of the bells and whistles of other Android phones in favor of affordability and practicality. The main camera stands at 48MP and is joined by a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP macro lens. 

The device can’t match the technology behind Samsung’s high-end products, but it does a respectable job for the price. The Moto G Power has 64GB of storage and runs on the Qualcomm 665 processor. It also offers expandable storage through its microSD card slot. 

However, not everything here is toned down for price, and one feature makes it especially attractive: Its incredible battery life. With an industry-best 5000 mAh battery, your Moto G Power could last you three days, blowing the competition out of the water. 

Technologically the Motorola Moto G Power isn’t much to call home about, but its amazing battery life and respectable processing power make it worth consideration for people who aren’t chasing the newest tech out there.

OnePlus 9

The OnePlus 9 is as standard as a high-end Android smartphone gets. It has a solid 6.55-inch AMOLED display and a Snapdragon 888 processor, which means it keeps up with the best in the industry when it comes to processing power. 

Previously OnePlus devices fell short in the camera department, but the 48MP main camera and 50MP ultrawide camera are a welcome improvement, even with the lack of a telephoto lens. It starts at $729, making it competitively priced with similar competitors. 

The 4,500 mAh battery exceeds the industry standard, as does the device’s ability to fully charge in only half an hour with the Wasp Charge 65T charger. The OnePlus 9 isn’t the most unique model out there, but it easily holds its own against the highest-end models out there and is competitively priced to boot.

Samsung Galaxy S21

With the base model coming in at $799 in the U.S., the Samsung S21 is priced very competitively for a high-end modern smartphone. The model sports a 6.2-inch Full High-Definition display with 421 PPI and a 120Hz refresh rate. 

On the front of the Samsung S21 is a 10-megapixel selfie camera with dual pixel autofocus. In the rear is a triple camera system with one 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, one 12-megapixel wide-angle camera, and a 64-megapixel telephoto camera. 

With the telephoto lens, the S21 has 3x hybrid optic zoom and 30x space zoom, making it more powerful than many of its competitors. 

For storage, the base model comes in at 128GB while a 256GB version is available at a higher price. Its battery size of 4,000 mAh is comparable with its competition, including the Google Pixel 5, and it is compatible with USB-C chargers. 

The S21 runs on Android 11, which is also standard for modern Android smartphones. A standout feature of the S21 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip it contains, which facilitates excellent performance that makes the most out of the device’s 8GB of RAM. 

A lot of phones still run on the Snapdragon 865, putting the S21 ahead of many of its contemporaries.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3

Folding phones live and die by their gimmick of folding in different ways, and while the Flip3 provides a mostly traditional smartphone experience, the Fold3 makes great use of its special ability. 

Its 120 Hz 7.6-inch screen is larger than average to facilitate the fact that it can fold to allow multiple apps to run simultaneously. However, to enjoy the gimmick, you need to get past its steep price point of $899. 

The cover has a 10MP selfie camera and the front has a 4MP under-display camera. The three cameras in the rear include a 12MP ultrawide, 12MP wide-angle, and 12MP telephoto camera. 

The 4400 mAh battery is on the high end, as is the 12 GB of RAM. At the end of the day, this is a great high-end phone, but it’s only going to be worth the price if the folding aspect of it really speaks to you.

Conclusion

Whether it is price, battery life, or processing power you prioritize, there is an Android phone that will fit your needs. Importantly, the Burner app is accessible on any of these devices due to Android compatibility. 

If you want a second phone number to maintain your privacy and separate your work life from your home life, Burner can do it on any Android device that you own. Luckily with the Burner app, you won’t have to shell out a few hundred extra dollars for a second phone if you want to keep your phone number private. 

Sources:

Google Pixel 5a with 5G | Google

moto g power | Motorola

OnePlus 9 | OnePlus

Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung

Specs | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G | The Official Samsung Galaxy Site

Mobile Service Providers: Which One Is The Best?

Your mobile device is one of the most important devices you own. It acts as a phone, computer, and wallet for many people in the U.S. 

Considering how integral phones are in our daily lives, choosing the right mobile service provider is one of the most important decisions you can make.

The big three mobile providers, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, offer a wide variety of services and perks to stay competitive with one another, while a slew of smaller carriers are also making a huge impact on the current scene. 

With so many options to choose from, it is key to lay out all the facts and make an informed decision.

AT&T

AT&T offers a wide area of 5G coverage across the nation and multiple unlimited data plans. The company’s biggest offering is the Unlimited Elite plan, which has no data consumption cap, 40 G.B. hotspot data per month per line, plus a subscription to HBO Max and six months of Stadia Pro.

A great feature is that AT&T allows each member of a family plan to choose their own tier of unlimited data on their own plan, giving family units a degree of customization. A drawback is that. 

AT&T is neck and neck with Verizon when it comes to nationwide coverage, and as far as unlimited plans go, the cheaper options under the Unlimited Elite plan fall short of Verizon and T-Mobile’s lower-tier offerings.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile prides itself on its affordable packages and subscriber incentives. Combine that with the fact that their reach is only continuing to grow since their merger with Sprint, and you are left with a very reliable and very competitive option. T-Mobile’s unlimited plans start at the Magenta plan, including 100GB of premium data and Netflix basic for two or more lines.

The highest tier is Magenta Max, which includes Netflix standard for two lines or more, unlimited premium data, and 4K UHD streaming. T-Mobile also has significant discounts per line added, making it a solid option for creating a family plan. T-Mobile also has a solid lead when it comes to 5G download speeds compared to its competitors. 

On the flip side, T-Mobile’s coverage lags slightly behind AT&T and Verizon, so check your location to make sure you’d be getting the best service. All three carriers have strong coverage around most major cities in the U.SG.B.S.

Verizon

Verizon is the largest carrier in the United States as of Q2 2021. Verizon has wide 5G coverage and consistently high speed and reliability. Their premium unlimited plan is more expensive than those offered by AT&T and T-Mobile, but Verizon’s Get More Unlimited does offer access to Disney Plus, ESPN Plus. Apple Music, 600GB of cloud storage, and 30 G.B..B.B. of hotspot data.

Verizon offers some of the most reliable services on the market with many great perks, which is why so many people in this country turn to them for their service. The biggest drawback by far is price, which is a lot less competitive than other national carriers. 

While its premium services are well worth investing in, people operating on more of a budget might want to turn elsewhere.

Other Mobile Service Providers

Burner App

Burner works to protect your real phone number by providing you with a second phone number on the app. This way, you can give out your phone number but maintain safety and anonymity. Calls that come to your Burner phone number will be rerouted to your personal cell phone.

Mint Mobile

Mint is a great budget option with $15 a month for 4GB of LTE data, trumping comparable options from the big three carriers. Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network, so you are getting comparable coverage to a major carrier.

You won’t find the perks and incentives you’ve gone over with other carriers, but for a fraction of the price, you have access to a fast, reliable network.

 Google Fi

Google Fi is an interesting entry that offers cheap unlimited talk and text at the sacrifice of cheap data usage. If you don’t care a lot about using data, then Google Fi is a solid choice, especially since it is now available on most Apple and Android devices.

Boost Mobile

Boost also runs on T-Mobile’s network and acts as a middle ground between the biggest carriers in the country and the cheaper options that exist. Boost’s unlimited plans aren’t as expensive as the big three carriers, but they include a Tidal subscription and 12GBs of hotspot data.

Conclusion

There is no singular ‘best’ carrier in the United States, but there are better options than others, depending on what you are looking for. If competitive perks and bundles are your things, T-Mobile is a great option, while Verizon is the largest and most reliable carrier. If you are looking for the cheapest possible option, you will want to look outside the big three carriers. 

While it can be frustrating to navigate all these options, the good news is that all of them work with Burner. Burner is an app that allows you to create a second phone number and helps you maintain anonymity while addressing your work-life balance. 

While international travel can be a hassle when dealing with your national carrier, using a local SIM card in conjunction with the Burner app allows you to stay in contact with home without being throttled with roaming fees. 

Creating a second number is free and easy and is something to consider regardless of which carrier you use. 

Sources:

Unlimited Data Plans, 5G Plans & Family Plans | AT&T

Google Fi - A Phone Plan That Can | Google Support

USA, July 2021, 5G User Experience Report Report | Open Signal

2Q 2021 Earnings Conference Call Webcast | About Verizon

Dual Sim Phones: What Are They & How Do They Work?

2021 has blurred the line between our work and home lives, with one in four Americans working from home. So it is more important than ever that you take steps to distinguish when you are off the clock. 

Using two phones has been common among people who want to keep their job out of their home for decades. Over time, however, the idea of having two different phones has become an archaic concept to some people who can’t imagine having to lug around an extra device wherever they go. 

This general concept has resurged with the increased popularity of dual-SIM phones, allowing users to have two phones in one device effectively.

What Are Dual Sim Phones?

Subscriber Identity Module cards, better known as SIM cards, are the brains of your mobile devices. SIM cards tie your personal information to your phone, allowing you to make calls, send messages, and connect to the internet so long as you are using a device containing one of your SIM cards.

Therefore, a dual-SIM phone is a mobile device with two SIM slots, and users effectively gain access to two phones in one. With a dual-SIM phone, you can manage two separate contact lists and even two completely different providers. 

From the perspective of a third party, you have two different phone numbers, but both are attached to a single mobile device.

How Do They Work?

If you consider a SIM card to be the brains of a phone, then a dual-SIM phone is a device that has two brains: basically, it’s like having two phones in one. A dual-SIM phone has slots for two SIM cards, which separate your phone calls, text messages, contact lists, and sometimes even network providers. 

Dual-SIM phones come in two forms: Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDA) and Dual SIM Full Active (DSFA). DSDA means that one SIM will always be on standby while the other is active, while DSFA phones allow you to switch between your SIM cards seamlessly. 

Dual-SIM phones are ordinary in countries where switching between providers is beneficial to businesses that want to minimize the cost of staying in contact with a large client base. Still, in places like the United States, they are only just starting to catch on.

 What is eSIM?

Another technological advancement made in the last few years is eSIM, which are digital SIM cards that don’t need to be put into a physical slot. While Android phones are the go-to option for dual-SIM phones as of 2021, Apple has started investing in expanding the eSIM capabilities of its products. 

Beginning with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, you can use dual-SIM with your iPhone by either using two eSIMs or an eSIM and physical SIM combined. Apple users can separate their voice and data plans and use two distinct phone numbers, just like dual-SIM phones. 

Dual-SIM with eSIM on apple is DSDS, meaning one SIM has to be accessed separately from one another and cannot be used simultaneously.

Do Dual Sim Phones Have A Second Number?

Access to a second phone number is one of the primary draws of using dual-SIM phones. An unprecedented percentage of our population is working from home, and the ability to keep your work calls and home calls distinct from one another is more alluring than ever. 

With a dual-SIM phone, you have two different phones from an outside perspective; your phone numbers are different and texts and calls only go to the SIM attached to the number the caller has for you. You have two identities in one smartphone. 

However, using dual-SIM phones isn’t the only way to put two phone numbers on one phone. An app lets you create a second phone number and keep your work and home lives separate Burner.

How to use Burner

Burner is a cellular app that provides the function of a burner phone without forcing you to go out and buy a second device. Burner generates a second phone number on your mobile device and reroutes and calls sent to that number to your phone. 

This means you receive calls sent to that Burner number, but you keep your home number private and secure. Burner has its voicemail, meaning you can manage and separate the calls you want to reply to. 

In addition to work, Burner is great for online buying or selling, dating, and any other activities that involve working with strangers for a prolonged period. It would be absurd to buy a second phone just to buy something on Craigslist. Still, it is a much smaller commitment to use the Burner app and refer the seller to your second number so that you can complete the transaction without giving away your personal information.

Conclusion

Today, privacy is more important than ever to maintain. Having two separate phone numbers is a huge step toward keeping your work-life balance healthy, and it also keeps you safer by letting you be more selective in who gets access to your personal phone number. 

Having to carry two mobile devices is a thing of the past. If you aim to access multiple carriers for your business from one phone, then dishing out the cash required for a dual-SIM phone may be in your best interest. 

If you want to reap the benefits of a second phone number and maintain a higher level of privacy, Burner app is a massively more affordable option. Regardless of your intentions, having two phone numbers is gaining traction worldwide and will be more and more common over the decade.  

Sources:

Statistics On Remote Workers That Will Surprise You (2021) | apollotechnical.com

Using Dual SIM with an eSIM | Apple

Dual SIM Technology | NGM

Dual SIM Phones, How Do They Work? | Onecom

Get A 469 Area Code Phone Number Today

Google is increasingly focusing on local SEO for businesses relevant to a searcher’s location. Because of their local focus, you’ll want your business to appear at the top of local search rankings. To appear at the top of search results pages, you’ll want your business to have a local phone number, among other factors. 

So, a phone number with a local area code influence’s users’ decisions meaning it influences your business’ success. 

Why Does A Phone Number Matter?

Your company’s phone number is the direct way that both customers and partners will contact your business. It will be seen right next to the name of your business in just about all of your advertisements. 

By selecting a specific phone number, you will have the opportunity to improve the perception of your business by displaying professionalism and legitimacy. These are a few different examples of phone numbers and what they might imply to a potential customer:

Vanity Numbers

Having a vanity number is a very effective marketing tool that brings attention to your business and helps customers remember your number better. Instead of having ten random digits that your customer needs to remember, a vanity number like 1-800-CASH-4-ME helps. 

But, while it helps a customer to remember your number, it might come off as a gimmick or indicate a lack of professionalism for your business, depending on your product. Late-night commercials featuring payday loans and injury lawyers have commonly used this tactic and somewhat soured the public on it as a result.

Toll Free Numbers

A business that has one of the various toll-free prefixes such as 800 can help give the impression that your business is operated nationally. Since these numbers mean that callers won’t be responsible for long-distance charges, it implies that you serve various customers all over the country. 

This brings a sense of legitimacy to your business, but there are plenty of people that prefer to keep their business local and improve their community instead of a national conglomerate.

Prestige Area Codes

The area code associated with a business can quickly create an assumption about the business. For example, 212 is one of the many area codes that service the island of Manhattan. This area is one of the most important business hubs in the entire world and full of powerful and wealthy companies. 

Having a 212 area code implies that your business has enough to take a place alongside other titans of industry and capitalism. For these reasons, it’s probably not going to be possible to get a 212 area code, but there are plenty more high-quality area codes that may provide a similar boost in perception.  

Where Is Area Code 469?

The area code of 469 is located in the northeastern part of central Texas and services most of the eastern parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. There are quite a few area codes that serve this area, but 469 represents several different counties, including Dallas, Collin, and Denton. 

The 469 area code has been in service since 1999, when it was created as an overlay for the 214 area code as a result of high demand. The largest city serviced by the 469 code is Dallas, but other big cities include Plano, Garland, and Irving. Code 469 covers an area of over 2,800 square miles and has a population of over two million people, with Dallas alone boosting over 1.2 million residents. 

How Will A 469 Area Code Can Be Beneficial?

As the population of the Dallas-Fort Worth areas continues to boom, more area codes are required to adequately provide service to the area. The area code 214 has been used the longest, but 469 and 972 have also represented the area for a few decades as well. There have long been plans to include a new area code in the region. 

Earlier this year, area code 945 was added to these other three codes. Adding in a new area code means that the population is growing but that more businesses want to be associated with the area. 

There are plenty of reasons why the area code has become so popular over the years and why outside businesses so often use it. 

A Booming Population

Dallas-Fort Worth has grown to become one of the largest metropolitan areas in the entire United States. There is already an estimated population of over 1.2 million citizens living in Dallas, but more people are moving there every day. 

In fact, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex led the country in nominal population growth in 2019 by adding over 120,000 new residents. Large populations of people mean a more competitive job market with a deeper recruiting pool for employers. 

Area codes associated with such a large population of people can imply a high-quality team of employees that can provide superior customer service. 

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is one of the busiest airport hubs in the entire world and is just behind the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport of Atlanta in traffic. It’s estimated that more than 73 million people will visit the Dallas-Fort Worth area while traveling. 

Although not all of them will stay in the area for long, that is a lot of potential customers coming to the area. Even though these people might not be tourists, they will still be spending money while experiencing a layover and helping boost the local economy with lots of outside money.

The Dallas Cowboys

Every fall, the Dallas Cowboys professional football team brings in hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and hundreds of thousands of fans to the Dallas area. The team is nicknamed “America’s Team” and was named as the world’s most valuable sports franchise earlier this year. 

Valued at $5.7 billion, the Cowboys bring a ton of business and prestige to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A new home stadium for the Cowboys was recently constructed and cost over 1.2 billion dollars to complete, making it one of the most expensive sports venues in history.

 The stadium is known to host several other extremely highly marketed sporting events, including the Super Bowl, the NCAA Playoff National Championship Game, the NCAA Final Four, the Big XII Championship game,  the Cotton Bowl, and the NBA All-Star game. 

In addition to sporting events, the stadium also hosts large musical concerts with Beyonce, Metallica, and Paul McCartney performances. In addition to the Cowboys, Dallas also has a professional basketball team (the Mavericks), a professional baseball team (the Rangers), and a professional hockey team (the Stars). 

Fans will travel from around the world to see these teams play and spend a lot of money locally to do so.

A Diverse Community

One of the most impressive things about the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is the growing amount of diversity amongst the population. The city of Dallas has a large variety of ethnic and religious groups and is one of the largest LGBTQ communities in the country. 

Along with a high population of LGBTQ individuals, Dallas has one of the highest concentrations of gay-owned businesses in the country. Every September, there is a month-long gay celebration festival that brings in people worldwide to celebrate. 

The area also has a historic Arts District that includes the Dallas Museum of Art, the Meyerson Symphony Center, and The Perot Museum of Nature and Science. An area code of 469 indicates a more welcoming and diverse company mindset to a potential customer.

The Takeaway

Although it’s not fair or reasonable, every detail related to your company changes a potential customer’s perception of your business. This is even true for something that’s seemingly insignificant such as a phone number or an area code.

The 469 area code is in an area of the U.S. with a booming population, a bustling airport, millions of dollars in tourism revenue. Make sure your business is at the top of local searches by users looking for your products or services. 

Get your Burner number today and place your company in local searches in your markets. Take advantage of the free trial to see your leads increase immediately.

SOURCES

What Is a Toll-Free Number and How Does it Work? | FCC.gov

Want a 212 area code? It's gonna cost you | Marketplace.org

469 Area Code - Location map, time zone, and phone lookup | Allareacodes.com