Digital Olympics …

Posted on June 18, 2012 by autocreate740

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 🙂

Tech Savviness… Email Savviness … & More

Posted on June 4, 2012 by autocreate740

FBI Deadline for DNS CHANGER IS

JULY 9, 2012

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Email Savviness:

How many of us have thought that the ‘rules and regulations’ implemented by our workplace management is put in place to protect us? I bet most of us are grumbling about the Internet restrictions imposed by management at our workplace. Did you know there is an ePolicy Institute? You can find out what the ePolicy Institute thinks is worth “protecting employees from”. What are eRisks, eRights, eResponsibilities? Can employers ‘legally’ read your email? Is it OK to email your kids during work hours? What is ‘social engineering‘? The next time you have an opportunity you may want to visit the website. There is much to learn. In addition they have free literature. Click this link to go to the website- Search the ePolicy Institute.

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Tech Savviness: Router Passwords

In a previous tech4boomers post we discussed the importance of using up-to-date equipment. In particular old routers, which may not be providing you with the best service. Equally as important is knowing how to protect your home network from unauthorized access. PASSWORDS are very important when it comes to protecting your Network. Below are some guidelines I found in an article recently. Click on the link provided to get the full details.

Though no password is foolproof, you can build a better password by combining numbers and letters into a complex and unique string. Remember to change both your Wi-Fi password (the string that guests enter to access your network) and your router administrator password (the one you enter to log in to the administration console–the two may sometimes be the same). via How To Lock Down Your Wireless Network | PCWorld.

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Healthful Computing:

iPad users will want to pay attention and be careful of their body posture when using this device. Read what the article I found in the New York Times Science section recently had to say: The scientists studied 15 experienced tablet users in their natural viewing positions. Placing a tablet on the lap created the greatest strain, the researchers found, because it forces the user to look down at a steep angle, causing head and neck flexion – a particular hazard for users who are doing a lot of typing. via WELL – Really? The Claim – Using an iPad can strain your neck. – Question – NYTimes.com.

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BuddyTV Guide App

According to what I have read this APP is worth looking into 🙂

Speedy

Find what you want to watch in 20 seconds or less

Tailors to your TV tastes.

Even changes the channel for you.

And it’s absolutely free.via BuddyTV Guide App – TV Recommendations, Remote For iPhone, Android, Google TV.

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I hope this is helpful 🙂

Tech News Overload….

Posted on May 21, 2012 by autocreate740

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.

iPhone Users –http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/calorie-counter-diet-tracker/id341232718?mt=8

Blackberry Users – http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/29496/

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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 🙂

Getting a Grip on AutoCorrect!

Posted on April 22, 2012 by autocreate740

It’s downright embarrassing! Causing my professionalism to be questioned! Yes, you know what I’m talking about #@%! – AutoCorrect!

Someone is putting their words in my messages! Recently I sent a message discussing something I thought showed that I was comprehending the subject and in the middle of the sentence was the word ‘toot‘! The list is long of those AutoCorrect/Autocomplete moments; however, it seems we can’t live with, or without it. Just in case you want to remove it or venture into finding out how to control it more to your liking, here are some tips that i found for Android, iPhone, and iPad users.

First, let’s review some of the selections for inputting information with the keyboards provided by your mobile devices. For example, you may find Swype easier to input text on your mobile device. Here’s a brief description: Swype is an input method for touchscreens where the user enters words by sliding a finger or stylus from letter to letter, lifting only between words. It uses error-correcting algorithms and a language model to guess the intended word. It also includes a tapping predictive text system in the same interface. Swype is designed for use on touchscreen devices with a traditional QWERTY keyboard. via Swype – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

♦ According to Swype, it’s a faster way to input messages. Maybe this will help you to control those AutoCorrect errors (?) Swype provides basic/advanced training guidelines, which you can get at this link: http://www.swype.com/

♦ Android users can find a Tutorial for Swype right on their mobile phones. In addition, there is Swype Help with more details.

To find the tutorial take the steps below:

Select Settings
Select Language & keyboard
Select Swype settings
Scroll down to find Help
Choose Tutorial

If you decide you want to stay with “Touch input” I suggest you take the Tutorial for how auto-correction works.

Use the steps below to find the tutorial

Select Settings’
Select Language & keyboard
Select Touch input
Select Tutorial

Touch input users may also want to consider adding their often used personal acronyms to their Personal dictionary, which is an option available right beneath the Tutorial. Choose the Edit personal dictionary, and add your words.

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iPhone users can check out Business Insider, which has some suggestions for “teaching” your phone new words among other ideas. http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-fix-iphone-auto-correct-2012-2#

iPad users can turn autocorrect off using the settings options.

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

Celebrating Christmas & Kwanzaa with Technology!

Posted on December 18, 2011 by autocreate740

Well, it’s down to the wire. December 25th is just around the corner. Apple wants you to get in the mood. Here is a sample of what they’ve made available for FREE!

Christmas!!

Christmas!! [iTunes link] is an iPhone-specific app with all sorts of goodies packed into one little app. With a Christmas countdown, an Advent Calendar filled with surprises that you can unlock each day, including iPhone wallpapers, jokes and a gift list. The app is the perfect companion to get you into the Christmas spirit as you count down the days to Christmas Eve.

Christmas Tale

An interactive Christmas story for kids of all ages, Christmas Tale is available in both iPad [iTunes link] and iPhone versions [iTunes link]- although it really comes to life on the iPad screen. Have the story read to your kids, or have them read it themselves, while also discovering little gems hidden in the gorgeous pictures on each page of the story from a Christmas wish list to helping Santa get the presents under the tree. via: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-free-christmas-iphoneipad-apps-festive-mood/

Kwanzaa Starts December 26th

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration held in the United States honoring universal African-American heritage and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year. It features activities such as lighting a candle holder with seven candles[1] and culminates in a feast and gift giving. It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966–1967. via Kwanzaa – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

CHECK out this Free App from Apple!

Kwanzaa

By Stephen Jones

Don’t forget to view more by this developer 🙂

♦ Open iTunes to buy and download apps.

iPhone Screenshots

For those of you with Android phones, check out this free app:

Countdown to Kwanzaa 2011 is a FREE app that will help you keep track of how much time is left to Kwanzaa. Make sure to check out our other apps for cool content, movies, TV shows, Football and other counters…

Click the link to see the app via Countdown to Kwanzaa 2011 – Android app on AppBrain.

♦ Here’s another Free App from Apple!

Kwanzaa Puzzles

By RGA Creations, Inc.

Don’t forget to view more by this developer 🙂

Open iTunes to buy and download apps.

iPhone Screenshots

I hope this is enjoyable! Happy Holidays!

See you at the next Post 🙂

Twitter for Android Phone Users

Posted on September 13, 2011 by autocreate740

As I searched for the best Mobile Twitter App for Android, what I discovered is the best app to use is the one endorsed by Twitter itself. This app is free of charge, and can be found at the Android Market. Just click the link below.

Twitter – Android Market

After you install the Twitter app, I suggest that you use the guidelines I found written by Dan Gookin, which explain how the program works for the Android phone. These guidelines will be least confusing, and give illustrations, which explain the various parts of the screens (please don’t take the name of the article personally). I have found articles by Dan Gookin, and by other authors in the ‘Dummies” book series, very helpful. Click the line after the word via.

How to Use Twitter on Your Droid X

By Dan Gookin

You can use Twitter through your Droid X to share your existence with others or simply to follow what others are up to or thinking. You can create a Twitter account by using your Droid, but it’s a lot more work that just using a computer. After you create a Twitter account, use the Twitter app on your phone to view Twitter updates or to tweet.

A good Twitter app was developed by the Twitter people themselves. The Twitter app is free and available at the Android Market.

The Twitter application provides an excellent interface to many Twitter tasks. The two most basic tasks, however, are reading and writing tweets.

via How to Use Twitter on Your Droid X – For Dummies.

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For those of you who want to do a bit more research, check out the article below by TechShout, posted August 2011.

8 Best Twitter apps for Android phones to download – TechShout.

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This post completes the sessions for using Twitter on your cell phones. I hope this is helpful 🙂

Great APPS for ANDROID FANS

Posted on June 12, 2011 by autocreate740

For ANDROID Boomers

Can you imagine? Not all of my Boomer friends & family are iphone owners/users-fans! (Go figure).

Anyway, in the interest of being ‘balanced‘, i wanted to suggest you take a look at some of the apps available for the Android phone.

Below are three sites that gave their opinions. You can go to each website to see the full list of available apps. In this post, i highlight some apps that caught my interest. These are all free 🙂 !

http://gizmodo.com/5739420/the-best-android-apps

Entertainment

The Best Android Apps SoundHound: Shazam gets all the pub but SoundHound is just as good at identifying music and better for Android because there’s no limit on how many songs you tag per month. Soundhound also throws in lyrics and links to videos too. Free ( i have this app on my iphone, and it’s great!)

The Best Android Apps Words with Friends: Finally available on Android, Words with Friends lets you dominate your Android and iPhone-wielding friends (cross-platform gaming!) with your vocabulary skills and astute tile placement. Free

Productivity

The Best Android Apps Astrid Task/To Do List: No other app gives as much detail to to do lists as Astrid. Its “advanced” options lets you set priority levels, integrate with Google Calendar, sync with Google tasks, and set up tags, alerts and periodic reminders. Astrid keeps it easy, for the most part, but also offers deeper settings if you’re the obsessive, customize-everything exactly-how-you-want-it type. Free.

Another site i checked out is→
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-android-apps/

These are some of the apps i liked.

Utilities

Gas Buddy (Free)

With gas prices still consistently rising, the quest for the cheapest nearby gas can be a frustrating and pointless task, especially if you are driving around wasting precious fuel to find a better price just for the heck of saying you did. Gas Buddy uses your location to quickly locate nearby gas stations and immediately give you the best price around. The app gives you a list and a helpful map of all of your options. Never again will you fill up only to drive by a less expensive station five blocks later.

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iTriage Mobile Health (Free)

Created by doctors, this app is designed to give users quick and easy access to medical info as well as nearby treatment facilities. With just a few clicks, users can find the nearest medical facility based on need (emergency, urgent care, pharmacy, etc.) and quickly use built-in Google Maps to navigate to the destination. The app also features a symptom-checker, doctor directory, and information about diseases and procedures.

Lifestyle

The Best Android Apps Flash Player 10.2: I really don’t care if Flash is good for the web or not, I just want to see as much web content as I can on my Android phone. Downloading Flash Player 10.2 gets me one step closer to that. Free.

FINALLY, Take the Tour at
http://gist.com/corp/why-gist/view-all-your-contacts

Below is their description of GIST

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Add Contacts Automatically

Your contacts are everywhere. They are in email, social networks, on your mobile phone and many other sources. Gist brings your contacts into one place to give you a full view of your network making it easy to find anyone, anytime.

That’s all for now about Android 🙂

tech4boomers

Helping to keep up with technology