Category Archives: APPS

Keeping up with tech news…

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iPhone/iPad

 ♦ Periodically tech4boomers highlights articles that have tips, tricks and useful information.  This week we want to call your attention to an article by Katherine Boehret, of the Wall Street Journal, which covers iPhone and iPad things you should get to know. Don’t forget to click the link provided for the details.  A sample of what she covers is: ♦ how to directly access apps, ♦ how to Tap to scroll up, ♦ keyboard shortcuts, ♦ how to take screenshots, ♦ how to swipe search.  In all she covers ten things you will want to know.  Click this link for the article: via Ten Tips and Tricks Every iPhone and iPad User Should Know – WSJ.com.

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Choosing Computer Monitors

♦The next article we think you will want to read is by Kate Murphy at the New York Times, Personal Tech section.  This article covers what you should consider when buying a computer monitor.  Since we spend sooo much time these days looking at computer screens, it’s important to know why you choose one monitor versus another, and how important  the specs are. Ms. Murphy explains resolution, and how the picture elements (pixels) are supposed to give a sharper picture quality.  However, that may be true only up to a point.  Murphy checks with a retinal neuroscientist for his opinion.  In addition, contrast ratio is explained. But, after all of this discussion it turns out “Response time is the first thing to look at”. Ergonomics play an important role when choosing a monitor. How monitor ergonomics affects eye, back, and neck strain is also reviewed. All said, this is an important article.  Read more by clicking this link: via Things to Consider When Buying a Monitor – NYTimes.com.

I hope this is helpful 🙂

Digital Olympics …

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Just when you think you have seen the best and  latest computer Apps, Laptops, Games, etcetera, you learn there is something better! How are we supposed to keep up?  How do we know if we are purchasing the latest, greatest computer thing? The answer is . .  . You probably do not know:)! Today’s computer technology creative surge appears to be endlessly … NEW ...!

This week’s post will feature a few of the most interesting things we’ve recently read about. For starters, it turns out (as we all may have guessed), Apple still has “sparkling” surprises for Apple “Groupies”.

The New Mac Book  is reported to be Super!  Fast, thin, light weight, long battery life, great memory.  The list is very long.  You may want to check out the article to get the full details.  Click on this link  DAVID POGUE’s review published June 12, 2012. via Apple’s MacBook Pro Is Just One Point Short of Perfection – State of the Art – NYTimes.com.

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When you are not sure what Apple product you should buy, you may want to check out the Buyer’s Guide for Apple models. Although they do not guarantee that the rumors are totally aaccurate, it’s a good place to start doing your research before you buy an Apple product.  And we all know, rumors often are very accurate  :).  Click the link to get there. via Mac Buyer’s Guide: Know When to Buy Your Mac, iPod or iPhone.

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Health APPS –We all can use support when we learn that we may have to undergo a serious medical surgery procedure. drawMD looks like it may be useful for just this type of situation.   There are various types of drawMD APPs which discuss specific procedures (e.g. anethesia, critical care).   Check out what they have to say about their product, and the APPS are Free!

Are you a patient scheduled to undergo a procedure? Bring your iPad with drawMD to your appointment and get visual answers to your questions. Clear images of procedures will help you break down the medical-speak and get a deeper understanding of your treatment options. via drawMD Sampler for iPad on the iTunes App Store.

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Have you Android users been feeling a little jealous of your iPhone4S friends and their ‘personal assistant’ ?  Well you might be interested to know that there are APPS for Android that do some of the same things, and you can find and use them for  Free!  Check out the 5 Best Siri Alternatives … link below and see for yourself.

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iPhone 4S … the thing that received most of the attention was the new personal voice assistant called Siri. It is an awesome feature that has the ability of converting your speech into action and you can use it to perform most of the tasks on your iPhone 4S. But what to do if you are using an Android phone and want to get the Siri like personal voice assistant? via 5 Best Siri Alternatives for Android.

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 FBI DEADLINE FOR DNS CHANGER IS JULY 9, 2012

Here's the link→    https://forms.fbi.gov/check-to-see-if-your-computer-is-using-rogue-DNS

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I hope this is helpful 🙂


What is a Jailbreaking APP Anyway?

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Recently tech4boomers was ‘put on notice‘ about a jailbreak app which appeared in a post (F.lux).  It suggested that Apple users might want to investigate this software. Not too long afterwards, one of our followers informed us that the software is a ‘jailbreak app’. The follower was concerned about what repercussions would ensue should they use the jailbreak app.

So here is the scoop about Jailbreaking Apps:

iOS jailbreaking is the process of removing the limitations imposed by Apple on devices running the iOS operating system through the use of custom kernels — such devices include the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and 2nd generation Apple TV. Jailbreaking allows iOS users to gain root access to the operating system, allowing them to download additional applications, extensions, and themes that are unavailable through the official Apple App Store. via iOS jailbreaking – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
♦ What does APPLE say about Jailbreaking APPS?

Reasons NOT to Jailbreak your iOS device

Void warranty.

  • The first  reason not to I’ll be examining is Voiding Your Warranty. This comes as one of the greatest concerns to most users contemplating a jailbreak for their iOS device – simply because most of us aren’t able to shell out another couple hundred for a new device…
  • Next we have “Bricking” Your Device. This by far is the worst possible outcome that can happen when attempting the jailbreak process. Bricking your device results in your device just displaying the Apple icon till it drains your battery and then no longer turning on…

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I hope this is helpful 🙂

Tech News Overload….

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It’s almost impossible to keep up with all the great and useful things to know that are happening on the technology front.  That’s why in upcoming Posts the format for tech4boomers will change to short burst of information with links to the web pages, or apps, or guidelines  etc., which will give you quick access to the things that interest you most. You will also want to visit DIGITWIRL, which has great suggestions and tips for organizing your technology world. A link to the website (Great Technology Tips) is available under BLOGS I LIKE.

The topics covered in this Post are : Health Apps, Healthful Computing, and How to Buy a Router.

HEALTH APPS

appear to be everywhere, and there seems to be one for everything.  I don’t know why I was surprised to read about these weight loss apps in a Nutrition Newsletter that I received in the ‘snail mail‘, but there they were prominently placed on a page all by themselves as the latest way to keep track of what you are eating by using an app on your smartphone, or computer.  Below are some of the APPS that were suggested, along with the links to them. I’ve read that free apps are just as good as any of the ones which charge a fee in this category.  Why don’t you check them out for yourself using the links below which goes with your device.

Name of APP – MyFitnessPal – FREE

  • ANDROID USERS – Lose weight with MyFitnessPal, the fastest and easiest to use calorie counter for Android. With the largest food database of any Android calorie counter (over 1,700,000 foods), and amazingly fast food and exercise entry, we’ll help you take those extra pounds off! There is no better diet app – period.via Calorie Counter – MyFitnessPal – Android Apps on Google Play.

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Name of APP – Lose It! – FREE

  • iPhone Users: Succeed at weight loss with Lose It! Set goals and establish a daily calorie budget that enables you to meet them. Stay on track each day by recording your food and exercise and staying within your budget. The average active Lose It! user has lost more than 12lbs and more than 85% of our active users have lost weight. Lose It! is completely free via App Store – Lose It!.
  • ANDROID USERS – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fitnow.loseit

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HEALTHFUL COMPUTING!

tech4boomers  has often written about the importance of being careful to protect your eyes when you are at the computer. Check out the tips at this site:
http://office-ergo.com/eyestrain-neck-pain/

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DO YOU NEED AN EQUIPMENT UPDATE?

When was the last time you updated your computer equipment?  I know many of us are trying to save those dollars, but it could be possible that by not evaluating whether your current computer equipment is serving your best interests both economically and aesthetically, and you could be paying more than you need to.  Take a look at the article, which appeared in PC World Magazine recently about Routers.  It will help you to check what steps you should take in deciding what is best for your technology purposes.

How to Buy a Router, By Armando Rodriguez, PCWorld May 3, 2012

Buying a router may not be at the top of everyone’s to-do list, but a new model can mean the difference between enjoying Netflix in HD and seeing a grainy mess of substandard video.

  •  Are you still using the router that your Internet service provider gave you? If so, you might not be getting the best results possible. Routers that ISPs provide tend to be older models running custom firmware, and the download and upload speeds from these routers may not match the speeds you pay for.via How to Buy a Router | PCWorld.

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See you at the next Post.  I hope this is helpful 🙂

APP Therapy?

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As Benedict Carey writes in Science Times . . . a new generation of apps may soon offer psychotherapy on the go. In the past few years, researchers have been testing simple, video-game-like programs aimed at relieving common problems like anxiety and depression. These recent results have been encouraging enough that investigators are now delivering the programs on smartphones — therapy apps, in effect, that may soon make psychological help accessible anytime, anywhere, whether in the grocery store line, on the bus, or just before a work presentation.via Coming to Your Smartphone: Therapy Apps – NYTimes.com.

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These days, many of us complain about the 24 hour response lives we are leading due to Smartphones, iPads, Laptops, Twitter, Facebook, Email, Internet, the SOCIAL MEDIA THING!  We want a break!  Now it seems, even our relaxation and therapy will  come from a computer!  The ‘Relaxation Response‘ is now available in various  APPS.  No Kidding!

♦ The Relaxation Response,  a term coined by Herbert Benson in a book of the same name, where he describes his research into the effects of meditation via Relaxation response – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

I am eager to see where this will lead us in the future since it seems  there is a serious discussion about the potential help these APPS may offer. The following excerpt is a brief description of what to expect. You can click the link at the end of this short description to read the full details.

♦ Objective: This exploratory study examined the potential of mobile phone technologies to broaden access to cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and to provide in-the-moment support. ♦ Methods: We developed a mobile phone application with touch screen scales for mood reporting and therapeutic exercises for cognitive reappraisal . . . and physical relaxation. via JMIR-Mobile Therapy: Case Study Evaluations of a Cell Phone Application for Emotional Self-Awareness | Morris | Journal of Medical Internet Research.

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Android cell phone users will want to take this opportunity to check out some of the APPS already on the market to help you with relaxation techniques available for Android cell phones.  Some favorites appear below, and are available, with many others at this  link  http://www.androidfreeware.net/tag-relaxation.html

Rainy Jungle – A rainy jungle view over a river and a stimulating hail of the raindrops for your relaxation or deep sleep.
Guide to Psychotherapy – Learn The Basics About The Healing Power Of Psychotherapy.
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iPhone and iPad users can find a great choice for meditation and relaxation APPS by clicking the links below.
I hope this is helpful 🙂   PEACE!


APPS Celebrate Black History

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Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history. via Black History Month — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts.

Both Android and Apple are celebrating Black History Month with interesting APPS.  There is an exciting selection to choose from.  Take a look and see what meets your personal interest.

ANDROID APPS:  Description – Are you searching for facts and information about the lives of famous and important black people in history? Discover all the facts about the inspirational lives and achievements of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, and other famous and noteworthy black history people.Maybe you’re a teacher looking for ideas for Black History Month activities…a student researching a project… or a concerned parent who wants to make sure that their kids are fully aware of the many famous African Americans who can inspire them to follow their dreams. Nearly 100 profiles are included.via Black History People – Android Apps and Tests – AndroidPIT.

ANDROID App Screenshots

iPhone APPS for History and Inspiration

The Black History Month iPhone app offers pre-selected images that are relative to the time of celebration. A short description is available for each image, which can be used for your phone’s wallpaper or incorporated into the Gallery. For 99 cents, the iPhone app also includes a soundtrack for a full slideshow effect.

For an iPhone app that offers some perspective on Black History Month, there’s Then and Now Series: Black History. A relevant resource, this $1.99 iPhone app is also great to share with the kids. Learn of those that have made an impact in recent and distant history, with an easy-to-use interface offering information about 100 influential people.

For a more basic perspective, the 99-cent African American History iPhone app offers the run down on important African-Americans and their achievements. With a “This Day in History” option, you can also receive daily information made relevant throughout the entire month of February.

Aside from basic history quotes, African-Americans have had an impact on the country’s film culture as well. Check out the TCM iPhone app to see what related films will be included in February’s lineup. The free iPhone app also gives information about each film, its cast and crew, and its influence on America and cinematography.via iPhone and Android apps to celebrate Black History Month – iPhone app recommendations – Kristen Nicole | Appolicious ™ iPhone and iPad App Directory.

I hope you enjoy these APPS. 🙂

Using HotSpots … Guidelines…

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At the last post we offered some suggestions for using HotSpot software.  Boingo WiFi and Wi-Finder appear to be very popular Mobile Apps. Both iPad and Android  have this App available for their mobile devices.  Boingo received  great reviews, both for ease of use and customer service.

Mobile applications, also called mobile apps, are software applications, usually designed to run on smartphones and tablet computers. They are available through application distribution platforms, which are typically operated by the owner of the mobile operating system, such as the Apple App Store, Android Market, and BlackBerry App World. Some apps are free, and others have a price.via Mobile apps – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Here are some of the details that caught our attention.  We suggest you use the links provided at the end of this post to get a complete review and guidance for each App.

♦ When traveling to a new place check out the Wi-Fi access before you go.  This may help you decide on a hotel site, or a particular hotel (see below).

♦ The Blue pins on the map show free hotspots; Red pins indicate Boingo hotspots.

To check where the hotspots are at the site you are traveling to, do the following on your mobile device:

1) Click the Boingo App Logo  2) Click Find Hotspots Near Me  3)  Type the  address, or city and state of the place you’re traveling to  4) When the Blue & Red pins show up, click the View button  5) click the List button  6) click Done, a list of locations will appear on your mobile device screen (see samples below). You can also click on a place to see more details (e.g., whether the hotspot is free).  Note:  Click the images below with your mouse to see a clearer picture.

              

Check out these great websites below by clicking the links for additional information:

 ♦ Boingo Wi-Finder for iPhone Review: Finding Hotspots Everywhere via Boingo Wi-Finder for iPhone Review: Finding Hotspots Everywhere

 ♦ Musings by Annelie Näs  Digital, and more digital – ideas, thoughts and reflections via Boingo Wireless Follow-Up: Special treatment for Blogging customers?.

I hope this is helpful 🙂 !



Thanksgiving APPS

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Before I get started with the APPS  I found for Thanksgiving,  I thought you might want to check out some history about the Thanksgiving holiday. Please take a moment to click on the link after the excerpt, as you share this holiday with your family.

Gathering of Nations Pow Wow

♦ Let us today be forever Thankful that the Native Americans that befriended the Pilgrims lived by their own beliefs and teachings of helping those in need. For without their aid, what would have become of the Pilgrims at Plymouth? via Native Americans and Thanksgiving.

They say there’s an APP for everything!  Well, check out the links below to some Thanksgiving APPs I thought you might like to know about.

♦ Best Thanksgiving Cooking Apps for iPhone and Android

It’s almost Thanksgiving, that time of year when cooking is almost mandatory—even for the most ardent restaurant patron. While some stick to traditional family recipes, others experiment with new dishes. Not unlike novels and newspapers, old-fashioned cookbooks seem to have been replaced by smart phones and tablets. So we’ve put together a list of the best cooking apps for every skill level, from the kitchen neophyte to the aspiring gourmand.via Best Thanksgiving Cooking Apps for iPhone and Android – The Daily Beast.

♦ Hot off the Cyberpress!
Top 9 Thanksgiving Apps for iPhone,  by Amy Burke via Top 9 Thanksgiving Apps for iPhone.

♦ Apps to help organize Thanksgiving, Sharon Machlis,via Apps to help organize Thanksgiving – Computerworld Blogs.

I hope this is helpful!  See you at then next post and on Twitter.
Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂