How to Watch Live TV on a Mobile Phone?

Mobile phones can do everything these days – they are the ultimate device for convenience. Smartphones allow people to watch all kinds of stuff from the palm of their hand including TV shows. There are some services that charge you a monthly fee for this privilege – but did you know that you can stream live TV feeds without having to pay for it.

If you are connected to Broadband or Wifi – normally this should be quick enough for you to access it from your phone. Simply by using your internet browser you can hit services like TVcatchup.com where you can view some satellite channels that you may not be even to access on your TV at home. There are certain apps that you can get like MobileTV Pro, where you can have all of this at your fingertips.

With this application, you will have over 200 live stream TV channels at your disposal. Normally for a service like this you would need to pay in the region of $10 a month and get the software separately, however, you can’t deny how handy having that would be. You only need to buy the software once and it can be used on all Windows phones. There are channels to suit every kind of theme, so whether you like the shopping channels, movies, sports etc you will find something that tickles your fancy, The software is super easy to download and there is very easy instructions that you can follow.

With this application, you will have over 200 live stream TV channels at your disposal. Normally for a service like this you would need to pay in the region of $10 a month and get the software separately, however, you can’t deny how handy having that would be. You only need to buy the software once and it can be used on all Windows phones. There are channels to suit every kind of theme, so whether you like the shopping channels, movies, sports etc you will find something that tickles your fancy, The software is super easy to download and there is very easy instructions that you can follow.

MediaPortal is another app you can use on your phone that comes with a plug-in (free) that’s known as the iPiMP. This will allow TV channels from your PC to be accessible from your phone. The beauty of this is that you can have a scan and flick about the channels and view them on your mobile phone. The idea is that it gets streamed from the computer to your phone from the internet.

There is more where that came from folks – Slingmedia is another popular one. For this you need a Slingbox that should be installed on your TV. The software is really easy to install on your phone and once set up it will allow you to control everything that is transmitted to your phone from the internet. It’s only compatible with IOS phones, though so don’t purchase if you have another kind of Smartphone.

Android apps with similar features can be found on Google Play – one of the most popular being Yupp TV. It’s’ completely free to download and allows you to stream Indian channels live anywhere from your phone. After you have installed the app, you can register at the site to get yourself a username and password and you are good to go! This particular app was set up for Indian users so that wherever they are in the world they could enjoy their favorite Indian TV channels.

Something else that has been generating some interest is the surge of mobile casinos – in fact some of them even have live dealers that give you that real-life casino experience wherever you are. There are some fab mobile casinos no deposit applications that can be found compatible with most phones that will allow you to try them out before spending your hard-earned cash! You can play the likes of Roulette, Blackjack and slots anywhere you are! Who would have thought 20 or 30 years ago that mobile phones could be so handy!

Cell Phone Tower Data Dumps Can Help Catch Bad Guys

The technique, known as a “Tower Dump,” allows law enforcement to request all call, text and data transmissions from any specific time period from a cell tower’s provider. Evidence from cellular devices plays a key role in data mining, an often overlooked use of digital evidence. By exporting information from multiple digital devices (such as call logs from multiple cellular phones or e-mails from computers) and importing that data into an analytical software package, investigators using data-mining techniques can diagram and visualize a criminal enterprise or a timeline of events. This graphical representation can make it easier for investigators to understand the complex relationships in a criminal enterprise or for a jury to understand criminal activity and the possible connections among offenders in a courtroom presentation.

Related Articles: 
South Carolina Police Grab Innocent Cell User’s Data Through ‘Tower Dump’
How police caught two bank robbers using Verizon cell phone data
Texas Judge Requires Search Warrant For Obtaining Cell Phone Data

Top Cell Tower Lease Rates by State

Carriers Leasing Cell Phone Tower Space

What is the value of leasing a property or cell tower these days in various states? Here are some lease rate ranges we have uncovered from various sources the internet and have sorted this list from most lucrative to least lucrative.  What is most interesting about the States ranked below is that the most expensive lease states have the worse Verizon Wireless 3G coverage.  Verizon Wireless is spending a lot of money on LTE and we think these are the areas they are focusing on first.  The rates below apply to locations that will have more than 1,000 calls or data connections per hour at peak times and would require multiple carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Clearwire, MetroPCS, Tracfone or another smaller regional carrier to be piggybacking on the same site.  Here is a list of what the rates could be ranked in order:

Massachusetts - $91K - $535K
New York - $30K to $535K
New Jersey - $39K - $514K
Maryland - $121K - $489K
Vermont - $92K - $412K
Arizona - $17K - $283K
New Hampshire - $158K - $412K
Pennsylvania - $23K - $331K
Florida - $20K - $310K
Georgia - $25K - $265K
Rhode Island - $27K - $290K
Virginia - $65K - $230K
Alabama - $25K - $226K
North Carolina - $23K - $206K
Alaska - $14K - $161K
Maine - $88K - $157K
West Virginia - $87K - $105K
Washington DC - $80K - $123K
South Carolina - $25K - $83K

Some of the variable determining lease rates include: Location, Cell Tower Type, Height, Latitude and Longitude, FCC Identification Number (if registered), Carriers on the Tower (if any), Owner of the Tower, Initial Owner/Developer of the Tower, Ground Lease Rate, Collocation Lease Rates

Too Many iPads & Apple Devices in a Classroom Can Cause Wifi Problems

Too Many iPads in Class Can Cause WiFi Problems

Use "Airplane Mode" to Fix The Problems When Devices Are Idle

I volunteered today in my son's 1st-grade class and noticed a big problem with the WiFi in the classroom.  There were 41 devices simultaneously connected to the WiFI network.  12 of those devices were iPads and iPods that were "sleep mode" but they were connected to the network even though they were off and in the closet.  These devices were slowing the network down so much that the PCs stopped working in the class. 

26 of the other devices were Windows-based PCs that have never previously had a problem connecting to the network until the Apple devices were introduced into the classroom.  I have also noticed this problem at home as well.  Whenever my network is running slow it always seems to improve when I put the 3 iPads and 1 iPod in my home on airplane mode.  

I think Apple needs to get smarter about managing multiple devices communicating on the same network.  The problem with changing devices into airplane mode in the classroom is that it makes the devices untraceable.   Network administrators are currently able to view devices if they are removed from the classroom by tracing which Wifi network it connects to.  If anyone else is experiencing these issues please let me know.  

Why Can't Android Phones Receive iPhone Group Texts?

Does Anyone Know How To Reply Group Text On An Android Phone?

Android users need to file a class-action lawsuit against Apple for blocking iMessage. 

Submit your comments below. 

Is Verizon FiOS Blocking Wifi Enabled TVs From Connecting To Routers?

Having Samsung Wireless Link FiOS Router Problems?

What most people don't know is that Verizon FiOS has a nasty reputation of secretly blocking competition by creating technical hurdles that make devices not work any longer.  I had my Samsung TV hooked up to my Verizon Actiontec router for over a year and it suddenly stopped working.  This happened a few years ago when I was using Slingbox as well and trying to access TV programming remotely.  Verizon blocked access.   Are they not blocking access to their routers from Samsung and other WiFi-enabled TV's?  

Why would Verizon FiOS do this?  First, they want to rent you DVR boxes for $10-$20 per month.  Second, they don't want their customers using Netflix, Pandora, or anything that competes with watching TV or video on demand.  Why is no one investigating this?   FCC?

Cell Boosters: A Solution for Poor Cell Signals

Wherever there are dead cell zones, dropped calls, static during calls and generally, bad reception is bound to follow. Cell phone users that live in an area where there is not even one bar of reception anywhere in their vicinity will have a hard time rectifying their situation without a provider’s solution. However, for those that can pick up even one bar of reception, a cell booster is a very affordable solution to improve cellular signal reception.

In the simplest terms, cell boosters take weak cellular signals and amplify them within a home, office, or building. A typical cell booster kit includes an external antenna (for picking up weak signals), an amplifier (for boosting weak signal), and an internal antenna (for rebroadcasting the amplified signals). But how does one go about selecting the best cell booster?

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when shopping for a booster: application and frequency. There is a difference between a small home cellular repeater and one designed for a warehouse. Large, multi-story buildings or spaces larger than 30,000 square feet often require custom cell booster installation and the expertise of a specialist.

However, for smaller cell booster applications, the most important thing to take note of is frequency. Amplifiers operate on different frequencies including 800 MHz (Verizon, US Cellular, and Alltel), 1900 MHz (T-mobile, Sprint and Metro PCS), and iDEN (Nextel). For those that aren’t sure what frequency their carrier utilizes, a Dual Band booster is probably the best choice. These amplifiers operate on both the 800 MHz and 1900 MHz bands, covering most carriers (with the exception of Nextel).

Basic cell boosters typically fall into the $200 -$250 price range and can be installed with minimal technical assistance.

Free Live Streaming Wifi Dish TV on Southwest Airlines is Awesome!

Free Live Streaming WiFi Dish TV on Southwest Airlines is Awesome

I enjoyed 3 hours of live TV on a recent flight to my laptop, iPad, and iPod.  It was easy to use and was free. If you want internet access this is an additional cost of $4 to $8 depending on the length of your flight.

Using your own laptop, tablet, or smartphone, you will have unlimited access to both live channels and on-demand television shows at no cost.  You can watch CNBC, Fox, MSNBC, Golf Channel, NBC, NFL, and a bunch of other stations.  See more available content & stations below.

What kind of device do I need?

You will be able to test your device prior to purchasing TV or movies. The inflight entertainment offerings are available on WiFi-enabled devices (802.11g/n) that meet the following minimum requirements:

Windows Devises Minimum Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
• Browser: Internet Explorer 7.x (or higher), Firefox 11.x (or higher), Google Chrome 18.x (or higher).
• Plug-ins: Adobe Flash Player 10.0.22 (or higher)

Apple Minimum Requirements (iPad, iPod, Macs)

• Operating System: OSX 10.6.x, or 10.7.x
• Browser: Safari 5.x (or higer), Firefox 11.x (or higher), Google Chrome 18.x (or higher)
• Plug-ins: Adobe Flash Player 10.0.22 or higher
• iOS Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, iPod touch: 3rd & 4th generation, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.2 or later.

Android Requirements: Only select devices are supported at this time.

The live TV channel lineup includes: Bravo CNBC FOX 5 New York (WNYW) FOX Business Network FOX News Channel Golf Channel MLB.com (Major League Baseball), when games are available MSNBC NBC 4 (WNBC) NFL Network Select episodes from: 30 Rock Downton Abbey Grimm House Law & Order Law & Order: SVU Parenthood Parks and Recreation Royal Pains Smash The Office Top Chef Up All Night Whitney Available movies: Babe Back To The Future Definitely, Maybe Despicable Me Field of Dreams Jurassic Park King Kong Letters to Juliet Man on a Ledge Meet the Fockers Nanny McPhee Notting Hill Once Pride and Prejudice Red The Adjustment Bureau The Bourne Identity The Bourne Supremacy The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift The Hunger Games The Mummy The Three Musketeers The Twilight Saga: Eclipse The Twilight Saga: New Moon Tower Heist Twilight Warrior

Mobile Hotspots – The Wireless Sweet Spot

Mobile Hotspots – The Wireless Sweet Spot

By Derek Ting, CEO and Co-founder, Enflick

We’ve all experienced WiFi frustrations – whether poor connections caused by congestion in a crowded airport or convention center or unavailable WiFi due to a lack of spectrum. Yet in today’s world, where we’ve become so accustomed to continuous and on-demand connectivity, the pain point is even higher when it happens. If we’re stuck somewhere, we want the ability to be productive and stay in touch – and further, we don’t want to pay outrageous sums of money to do so.

That is exactly the problem that we want to solve with TextNow MiFi. We want to make it possible – and affordable – for consumers to easily create their own mobile wireless hotspot for on-demand and on-the-go texting and calling – from wherever you are.

We believe that mobile hotspots are the wireless sweet spot – with their ability to deliver continuous connectivity from anywhere and at the most affordable cost. And this reliable connectivity is available today without a costly cell phone plan – or signing your life away on a years-long contract.

Enflick already delivers free phone service over WiFi to more than 18 million users in the U.S. and Canada through our leading texting application TextNow. In our latest venture, we partnered with Sprint – using the Novatel Wireless MiFi technology platform – to deliver wireless broadband connectivity from any location – without the need for WiFi.

The result is TextNow MiFi, a ready-to-go, pocket-size device that works with any platform supporting WiFi – delivering universal wireless connectivity at a budget-friendly price. The device itself is available for a one-time fee of $39.99 and service is as low as $15 a month. In addition, the product comes with a free upgrade to our TextNow app – with all of the enhancements, including call forwarding, no ads and 200 free minutes of calling a month.

Another unique feature of TextNow MiFi is that it lets users enable other mobile devices to deliver phone services. For example, with TextNow MiFi, you can give an iPod or iPad the same phone capabilities of an iPhone. For parents with kids, this can be a huge cost-saver. Families, in particular, are paying astronomical monthly amounts for cell phone connectivity. TextNow MiFi gives them an affordable alternative – that’s still hip.

Another unique feature of TextNow MiFi is that it lets users enable other mobile devices to deliver phone services. For example, with TextNow MiFi, you can give an iPod or iPad the same phone capabilities of an iPhone. For parents with kids, this can be a huge cost-saver. Families, in particular, are paying astronomical monthly amounts for cell phone connectivity. TextNow MiFi gives them an affordable alternative – that’s still hip.

Check out some interesting numbers in this info graphic – “Your Smartphone or Your Dinner” – produced by the website AccountingDegree.com. Some stats it highlights: monthly cell phone costs have grown 300% over the past nine years; and the average smartphone bill is 90% higher than average non-smartphone bill

Can Cell Phones Cause Cancer?

The expert panel that evaluates cancer risks today said that cell phones might possibly cause brain cancer.  Full Story from WebMD

The announcement comes from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Like the World Health Organization, the American Cancer Society relies on IARC for evaluation of cancer risks.

"After reviewing all the evidence available, the IARC working group classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans," panel chairman Jonathan Samet, MD, chair of preventive medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine, said at a news teleconference. "We reached this conclusion based on a review of human evidence showing an increased risk of glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, in association with wireless phone use."

In finding cell phones to be "possibly carcinogenic," the IARC means that heavy cell phone use might -- or might not -- cause a specific form of brain cancer called a glioma. The finding means that research is urgently needed to find out whether cell phones actually cause cancer, and how they might do it.

The IARC estimates that some 5 billion people worldwide have mobile phones. Lifetime exposure to the magnetic fields created by the phones -- particularly when they are held tightly against the head -- rapidly is increasing.

Children are at particular risk, not only because their skulls are thinner but also because their lifetime exposure to cell phones likely will be greater than the exposure of current adults.

Related Stories:
How to Measure Cell Phone Radiation Levels
Cell Phones & Cancer Risk?

Important Facets Of Cybersecurity You Need To Be Aware Of

We are living a huge amount of our lives online these days and this is making cybersecurity more and more important. There have been widely reported cyber attacks over the last few years which left people’s data vulnerable to being stolen by hackers. It is vital that all internet users stay constantly vigilant about the ongoing threat of data breaches. To help keep your online activity safe, this article is a guide to important facets of cybersecurity you need to be aware of.

1. Cybersecurity is an Ongoing Investment

Because computer hackers are so sophisticated, your cybersecurity systems need to be constantly updated to keep them one step ahead. It is important to identify your cyber security weaknesses and then implement systems that can provide adequate protection. These systems must be continuously updated or they can become obsolete frighteningly fast. Cybersecurity is not an area where you want to try and save money because a data breach can end up being extremely costly. If your personal finance data is stolen or hackers are able to get hold of your personal ID or social security numbers, they can do all kinds of criminal actions that could leave you at major risk.

2. Modern Hackers and Incredibly Skilled

The first thing that you need to be aware of is that hackers and the programs that they use are so sophisticated and they can hack into computer systems that seem very well protected. It is absolutely vital that you are always conscious of the extent of the danger to stop you from making any easily-avoidable cybersecurity mistakes that can put your data in danger. Even something as simple as a password can be a big factor in how well you are protected. Rather than using passwords, try using passphrases. These are much harder for hacking software to figure out. Your passphrase can be anything like “TheQueenofEnglandisVeryOld!” to “NewEnglandPatriotsaretheBest!!” Mix lowercase and uppercase letters as well as special punctuation symbols.

3. Undeleted Data is a Security Risk

Never keep any data on your systems that you no longer need but which could still be used by hackers to do you harm. Many people wrongly believe that simply clicking delete on a file or dragging it into their computer’s trash is an effective way to delete it but this does not remove all the sensitive data associated with the file. Any data that is no longer needed should be permanently deleted using special data deletion software. There are many options available online which will scour your systems for any trace of sensitive data and permanently delete it. These days, there is even data deletion technology available which you can plug into your USB drive and can drag your data files into in order to erase them forever. This is a far more comprehensive form of data deletion and should be done by everyone to guarantee cybersecurity.


It is so important that every one of us remains constantly aware of the risks of cybersecurity. Make sure that you are taking every measure necessary to keep yourself safe. Consider the strength of your passwords and the software systems that you have in place in order to protect your data effectively. Modern hackers are extremely resourceful, so don’t give them any easy opportunities.

iPhone Cases & Effects on Cellular Reception

During the development phase of a new iPhone by Apple, a large amount of time is spent on the device's inherent signal strength, the calibration of its signal output and its compatibility with wireless networks. As such, if we assume that every iPhone's signal strength is optimized and that occasional spotty service can be ignored, there is still another unexpected cause for bad cell reception: the phone’s protective case.

For most consumers, the effect of their iPhone 4S case on their reception is still widely unknown. Usually, the purchase of such a case is motivated by the additional protection or personalization it offers. The realization of the case’s negative effects on reception only dawn on users after they experience an increase in dropped calls or an unusually slow connection. Nonetheless, not all cases are created equal and it comes down to choosing the right one.

The iPhone 4S' cellular dual antennas are located on the bottom side of the device. Long term iPhone users may thus have noticed that cupping a hand around the bottom of the phone during calls can cause signal loss and developed their own version of the humorously called "iPhone Death Grip." The iPhone 4 & 4S are especially sensitive to contact around the metal band encircling the phone and the seam on the lower left side of the band as they serve the purpose of covering a series of otherwise exposed antennas.

A drop in signal quality can thus also be caused by a cell phone case that wasn't properly designed to ensure the iPhone's best signal. Indeed, the manufacturers' efforts to create a device with great signal strength sometimes get completely annihilated by a case or cover with lower standards. Generally, it is advised to be careful with accessory manufacturers that are not endorsed by the manufacturer—Apple, in this case.

Among the most common materials used for the different cases —rubber or silicone, aluminum, and carbon fiber— some are often incriminated in the loss of cellular signal and the cause for Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). Carbon fiber cases show average levels of signal inhibition ranging from 40 percent to 60 percent of the original signal strength. Aluminum and other metallic cases obtained similarly high results, making both materials some of the most common reasons for blocked radio frequencies and lower cell signal reception. Ironically, aluminum and carbon fiber cases are on the most-wanted list of materials for iPhone cases because of their trendy and sleek design. Too often, this proves to be the wrong decision when it comes to signal reception.

On the other hand, rubber and other plastic derivatives are a safer solution for cell phone cases. The conductivity of any rubber is usually minimal and thus won't affect the cell phone's signal reception. In most cases, it can even have a positive impact by preventing your skin (more conductible than plastic) to get in contact with the metal rim of the iPhone 4. The most high-quality iPhone 4S rubber cases even use high-end material for a softer touch, a more fashionable look and a virtually undetectable effect on cellular reception.

If you are extremely concerned about your cellular reception, you might also want to look at the thickness of the rubber or even the color of the item. Carbon and titanium dioxide are common colorants for respectively black and white cases and might thus affect your reception as well.

On a final note, the general recommendation is that you should only buy carbon fiber or metallic cases if you can afford to consistently lose 1-2 bars of signal. Otherwise, a rubber case might be the safer solution.

Best and Worst Mobile Reception

We are living in an era where instant communication is everything. Having a decent cell reception has become an important criterion for people selecting an area to live in. The general expectation is that we would get cellular reception in all areas, but this isn’t the case as a recent study has conducted by SmartPlanet has identified the top 10 worst cities for signal reception in the U.S.

The Best Reception Areas

In terms of the best signal reception, New York tops the list. The reason is that adequate numbers of cellular towers are in place to match the growing population. New York is followed closely by Chicago and then Los Angeles. The correlation over here is that cities that have developed in terms of technology and other indicators have decent signal reception. Other top reception areas include Memphis, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego and Phoenix.

Worst Areas

In terms of the worst areas for signal reception, we have Bakersfield, Colorado Springs, Oklahoma City, Lincoln, Toledo, Tucson and Milwaukee among the main ones. Detroit also falls in the top ten lists and may come as a surprise for some, but the thing is that the overall building architecture in the city is such that signals drop easily, especially with a lot of skyscrapers that come in the way of signals.

Bakersfield and Signal Reception

Bakersfield, California tops the list of worst signal reception in the U.S. Most of this can be attributed to the increase in the population and inadequate signal towers. The increase in population is identified as a major factor since Bakersfield has one of the highest population blooms in the U.S. Its population increased by forty percent during the 2000-2011 time periods.

Another slightly related issue is that of bill recovery in Bakersfield that discourages carriers from expanding more. Our mobile phone bills are usually billed on a monthly account and with the recession hit reduced income that could pose a problem. The bill also includes those for home phone and internet services as well. Your debt may keep piling up in this regard, and then there is the obligation to save too. So you are left with the question of should I save money or pay off debt?

There is no single answer to this. It depends on the individual's preferences as the area doesn't seem to be getting good reception any time soon as fiscal recovery is the top priority for now. It's also tied into the issue of settling credit card debt.

The best carrier that has been identified in the area is Sprint whereas the worst is AT&T. Majority of the population is using AT&T preferably because of the cost-effective nature, but this had a heavy toll on the overall signal reception in the area.

How to overcome

The best bet for an immediate measure would be to revert to the best carrier in the area. There’s also the possibility of using boosters as is being done in the case of Wi-Fi signals. Things are going to improve for Bakersfield in the coming few years since there has been oil drilling activity initiated this year. This would bode well for the economy in terms of job creation. Furthermore, a hidden benefit, in this case, would be better facilities like signal reception.

There has also been talking of microcells being used to boost signals. They are available by the name of Femtocell and are being provided by some cellular carriers. This particular device can be said to be a mini router and can be installed in your home/apartment/office. It would boost your cell phone reception. People who have used it along with AT&T have found the results to be good. This can be used as a relevant tool for solving the issue of poor reception.

AOL Patch is Trying to Copy Our Business

AOL Patch is trying to copy our DeadZones.com trademark and map business. 

AOL patch has copied our crowdsourced dead zones map and is using our trademarked term in their articles.  We have prior art usage of "Dead Zones" and "Dead Cell Zones" for last 13 years.  We have worked diligently to protect and grow this brand over the last 13 years.

We have made a simple request to AOL Patch's publishers and legal / trademark team to stop using the term "Dead Zones" as it relates to cell phone coverage problem areas.   We have made a simple request without using lawyers to AOL Patch. We requested that use any other term that is not currently trademarked for a business like Dead Zones or Dead Cell Zones for our mapping business.  They could use terms like "bad cell phone coverage", "dead spots", "bad coverage areas", "poor coverage", "poor reception" and "bad patch".   CellReception.com, OpenSignal.com and RootMetrics.com all have their own unique trademarks as competitors and should be respected as well. 

AOL Patch has created a local map for the following cities so far.  Fremont, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Campbell, Rockridge, Lamorinda, Alameda, Santee, Piedmont, Coronado and Glendoar.  

Unlimited Mobile to Mobile Calling Plans?

Bait & Switch Unlimited Calling Plans . . . 

Every carrier now has unlimited calling plans.  However, we are doing some research on which wireless carriers claim to provide unlimited calling plans but then charge a fee something else.  The old "bait and switch" billing method without full disclosure.  Cell phone calling plans have always been complicated and somewhat confusing as they are now being blended with unlimited data plans.  Most people expect a flat fee every month but then see charges that they don't recognize or understand.

Please tell us below under comments below which carriers trick you into paying for an unlimited plan and then charge you for something else without fully disclosing it.   

iPad & iPhone Chargers Are Not Working

Has anyone else noticed a problem charging their iPad Mini or iPhone?  I have had several problems charging my iPad Mini while connected to an outlet.  The iPad Mini and iPhone 5 connectors are smaller.  My solution to resolve the problem has been to remove this piece below and flip it over.  Sometimes cleaning it to remove any debris can make a difference as well.