♦ Now that we have discussed the best phones and plans, what are you doing to protect yourself from the germs these devices carry? Continue reading
Yikes! Cell Phones & Germs!
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Author Archives: autocreate740
Tech Recommendations for 2014
Happy 2014 New Year! Welcome to the new blog format at Tech4Boomers. I am hopeful the new layout will help you to see and learn more when you visit this page. There is plenty to tell you about. In this post, the focus will be on the steps that can make your 2014 technology experience more secure and cost-effective. Continue reading
Christmas Gifts for Kids…
How many of you are still struggling with Christmas gift ideas for the little people in your lives? It’s hard to know what to buy with so much to choose from. Not to mention that often board games do not seem to get as much publicity as the tech toys. How can we come up with something that not only the younger generation will like, but will please us, the parents of the children? I thought I might check with what some of the ‘experts’ for ideas to help you in choosing those last-minute gifts. Here is what I found:
♦ Little PassPorts: Little Passports is the creative, fun, and award-winning subscription that kids love. Inspire kids to learn about the world with a gift subscription to Little Passports! We offer two gift subscription packages: the World Edition and the USA Edition: via Gift Subscription Ideas & Subscriptions For Kids | Little Passports.
♦ APPS of the week: If you are planning to give your kids a new phone or tablet check out these Apps to download: via eSchool News | Apps | eSchool News.
♦ The Top Tablets for Your Kids: Considering that children are our future—and our future tech consumers—the computer industry hardly caters to tykes. Just a handful of computers and tablets out there are specifically designed for kids and their little hands.via The Top Tablets for Your Kids – Slideshow from PCMag.com.
♦ Tablets for 2 year olds: Most kids’ tablets are generally aimed at kids from around 4 years upwards. But if you’re looking to expose your 2-year-old to tablets, then there are products available. via Best Tablets for 2 Year Old Kids for Christmas 2013.
♦ Check out what Consumer Reports has to say about how to choose the best tablet for your child. Look at this list of what to consider before you buy. via Buying A Kids Tablet | Best Kids Tablets – Consumer Reports news.
Happy Holidays!
Digital Gifts for the Holidays
The Holidays for some of us are a real challenge when it comes to buying digital gifts for our ‘geeky tech friends’. That’s why I am elated to share the suggestions presented in an article I found at ZDNet.com by Ken Hess, listed below.
♦ SSD – solid state drive
♦ Chromebook – with descriptions of various models
♦ Tablet Computers – listed in order of preference
♦ Digital Video Camera – *** for as little as $20.00!
♦ External USB Hard Drive – good for backing up-
……with suggestions for purchase
♦ Ultrabook Computer by Intel Corporation
Don’t miss out on this great article with detailed information by clicking the link below.
6 great digital geek gift ideas for your 2013 holiday buying frenzy (Gift Guide 2013) | ZDNet.
Happy Shopping!
Thanksgiving: Celebrating Native American History
How much of Native American History do we know? I recently found some Apps that provide information about these great people and their history. These are wonderful resources and you will find that some of them are free!
Description – ♦ Native American Encyclopedia is the largest and only online encyclopedia devoted exclusively to Native Americans, American Indians, Métis, Inuit, First Nations, Aboriginal Peoples, and our communities in North America. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/native-american-encyclopedia/id491928487?mt=8
♦ Learn about the healing art of traditional Native American healing methods Native American medicine is classed as an indigenous healing tradition. As 80% of the World’s population can’t afford Western hi-tech medicine, indigenous customs collectively play a crucial global healthcare role – so much so that the World Health Organization advocated that they be integrated into national healthcare policies and plans. http://www.appszoom.com/android_applications/reference/native-american-healing_biqgo.html
Passwords Conversations
OK, let’s be honest with each other. How many passwords do you have? For myself, I’ve lost count. Seriously, do you know where all your passwords are? Maybe you have them on a post-it, or two. Chances are it’s becoming more and more difficult for you to keep track of them; especially since experts recommend passwords should be changed at least every six months.
Things To Do
A. You can read about a password generator app (Wolfram) from iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wolfram-password-generator/id479550619?mt=8
B. Symantec suggests that we use mnemonic phrases to create passwords. Examples of mnemonic phrases might include a phrase spelled phonetically, such as ‘ImaKat!’ (instead of ‘I’m a cat!’) or the first letters of a memorable phrase such as ‘qbfjold*’ = “quick brown fox jumped over lazy dog.” You can read more at http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/simplest-security-guide-better-password-practices
C. If you’re running out of ideas about how to keep up this very important responsibility, you may want to use an App to help you organize/protect your passwords. This method may be a little difficult for Baby Boomers to embrace; however, I have learned recently that Echo Boomers use their smartphones to do all kinds of things. Two examples are banking and paying the check at the restaurant. And yes, some of them think that the use of Apps to protect their identities is the best way to handle this important chore. That brings me to an article I read about Apps that manage all of this information in one place. Below is a brief summary of available Apps you can use to help you with passwords. You can click the link below to read the article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/17/technology/personaltech/apps-to-protect-your-array-of-passwords.html?_r=0
D. Password Security Suggestions: 1) Use a different password for the websites that you visit frequently. 2) Use a Password Manager.
E.Password Managers:
1password. Read a review at: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2408348,00.asp
Lastpass. Free! Read a review at: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2426798,00.asp
Onesafe. ios App. Read a review at: http://webapprater.com/reviews/onesafe-ios-app-provides-full-security.html
Keeper. Free! Read about it at: https://keepersecurity.com/
I hope this is helpful! 🙂
Tech4Boomers Conversations
Tech4Boomers has added a new category to the blog: “Conversations”. Sometimes in the past I’ve written and/or researched a topic only to find out that a week or so later there are newer, and in some cases, better choices for you to consider. In future posts when encountering this kind of opportunity, I’ll add a heading indicating the most recent information on the topic.
In addition, I’ll add topics, which are not the “hottest” Tech news, but cover devices/or newer techniques actually in use. Examples of such a topics could be ‘passwords”, or the Nook. Nook: although the Nook device has not been reviewed in this blog, I have discovered there are very useful features, which can make it a quite powerful tablet. I consider this good news for those people who have invested in the Nook, and are concerned about its future utility.
Tech4Boomers is looking forward to more technology ‘Conversations’ with you.
Still Using XP Operating System?
Some of you may remember the Post I did about the XP Operating System (O/S). If you’re not sure what OS you have on your PC, you may want to look at that Post. https://tech4boomers.com/2012/07/16/os-what-operating-system/ .
If you are still running the XP Operating System, I suggest you check the information below at your earliest convenience. Then click the link at the end for other details.
- The end of Windows XP Support does not mean your computer will not work; however, new bugs after April 2014 will not be supported.
- Many computers still running XP after April 2014 will be hit with viruses. In addition, the cost to fix the issues will be higher. Experts agree that it is best not to use your computer with the XP Operating System after April 2014.
- Migrating to Windows 7 may not be too hard to navigate. Windows 8 has a harder learning curve.
Read more at:
http://www.zdnet.com/where-can-you-go-next-after-windows-xp-7000021885/
5 Ways to Improve iOS 7’s Battery Life
Tips to help iOS 7 users preserve their battery life
It’s a little over two weeks since iOS 7 came out and a week since Apple released an upgrade (iOS 7.0.2). Through all the praise, jeers and shouts, one question stands out in all iOS 7 users’ minds: How can I make the battery life longer? No matter which device you’re using, Apple’s gadgets have always had an issue in maximizing battery life. So, here are a few tips to help extend the battery life on your iOS 7 updated devices:
Turn off the moving background
Although it’s one of the cooler optical features offered with the iOS 7 update, the moving background runs through the battery a little more quickly than you might expect. To make iOS 7 easier on your battery, unless you are constantly looking at your phone’s background, turn it off to help conserve power. To turn it off, go to Settings, then General, move to Accessibility, then Reduce Motion.
Turn down screen brightness
This one is pretty straightforward. The brighter your device, the more battery it runs through. Since screen brightness is usually at a high quality, it’s unlikely you’ll need more than half its capacity. Try using your device at a lower brightness setting (your battery will thank you)—not to mention a lower brightness will be easier on your eyes.
Click the link to read more: via 5 Ways to Improve iOS 7’s Battery Life.
I hope this is helpful 🙂
Apple’s New Competitive Edge Technology
From what I’ve read about the Touch ID, it seems that Apple has the competitive edge with its new fingerprint sensor. In fact, it can identify your finger when the phone is in any position.
In a recent article, which included a review of the new hardware, some of the key attractions of the Touch ID fingerprint sensor are:
- The sensor is built into the Home button; however, in addition, you must setup a passcode as a backup. If a finger match fails three times, the phone offers an opportunity to use your passcode. If the finger ID fails 5 times the passcode “must” be used.
- Did you know you can use more than one finger? ! Yes, you can! A brief training session for each finger is required.
- Apple says the odds are 1 in 50,000 that another person’s finger would work.
One bug that needs to be addressed: the phone does ask for a password when trying to use the finger to authenticate an online purchase. You can read the article details by clicking this link via iPhone 5S Review: New Touch ID for iPhone – WSJ.com.
♦ ♦ ♦
Use the link below for instructions on how to set up Touch ID on your phone.
iPhone 5s: Using Touch ID Learn how to set up and use Touch ID.via iPhone 5s: Using Touch ID.
I hope this is helpful 🙂
tech4boomers 