Tag: APPS

Posted in FYI

No such thing as FREE APPS

Posted on by autocreate740

Ok Folks, let’s review this again for ourselves:  We all know now that information is always being collected about us when we use apps on computers and phones, as well as, the free online services. For example, tax preparation software. This is not a secret. We are being watched, and information is collected about us if we are using internet connected audio speakers, thermostats etc.

  • The regulation of these services and how these services are using our personal digital information are not regulated as in the food industry.
  • An article I read suggests that we still should take extra steps to be careful with ‘obscure’ tech brands.  Don’t sign up for every app that is available, or take every quiz if you’re a Facebook user.
  • None of these APPs are free, and they often give you the details of what their collecting in their privacy policy.

Continue reading “No such thing as FREE APPS” →

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Posted in FYI, technology

Virtual HELP Wanted?

Posted on by autocreate740

I don’t know about you, but the idea of an assistant to help me keep my projects on track or, moreover, get them done, seems rather attractive these days. Well, it turns out that those virtual assistants are out there, and they are available 24 hours a day!  Yep!

According to a recent article in the New York Times, these services are for people who want help managing their lives, but don’t need a full-time assistant.  Does this sound like you?  Well, read on to find out what’s out there. And whether you can fit this type of help into your budget.  The article suggests a price range of $81 for an app, to as low as  $20 an hour.  So, what do the various services do?

The first website I visited is Fin – https://www.fin.com/,
Some of the claims are as follows: email; text; schedule; research.  24 hour service, 7 days a week. They are more flexible, highly educated, and you only pay for what you use.  That’s pretty impressive.  According to the article I read about this service, the experience with the company was a little confusing: the charges they accrued; how those charges were accrued; and the service was not what was expected. Although they eventually worked it all out.  My suggestion is to be perfectly clear what services you are asking for, and make sure to use those services one request at a time, instead of mixing them.  Use this link to review how the pricing works – https://www.fin.com/pricing

Continue reading “Virtual HELP Wanted?” →

Posted in APPS, FYI, technology

Parking Apps! What a Relief!

Posted on by autocreate740

How often do you find a parking space quickly?  When you’re not in your home town do you have someone, or “something” that can help you in finding a space reasonably quickly?

Imagine if you did not have to worry about that all alone?  Well, if you did not know, (which I didn’t) there are parking APPS – over two dozen! Yes!  These Apps help you find parking that is inexpensive in various cities, and airports!

Below are some links to some of the best apps available.  You can read the source documents for more selections.

♣   https://www.bestparking.com/

♣  https://spothero.com/

Read more here:
https://solutions.softonic.com/what-are-the-best-parking-apps

Parking Woes? There’s an App for that

 

 

Posted in APPS, FYI, technology

Savoring ♥ Technology Time Out

Posted on by autocreate740

June 29, 2007, is when the first iPhone was released.  Yes!  And, we have not been the same since.  For one thing, so many mobile phones have been created/released. Many of us wonder, what did we do before the mobile device revolution. 24 hours a day we can be connected to an Internet universe, live vicariously via YouTube, and various Apps.  How can we control being ‘wired’ all the time?

When my son was a youngster I occasionally suggested that he take a ‘time out’ to have him calm down, in the event the behavior he was exhibiting was not desirable.  This was not something that was looked on by him as a ‘good’ thing.  Flash forward, and it seems that it was not all that bad an idea.  There’s a conversation going on about appreciating stillness; savoring moments away from the computer, email, and mobile device madness, which can keep many of us “plugged in” 24 hours a day.  Not good! 

I searched around to find some tools that could help us, in the event we just can’t tear ourselves away from those cute little toys :). Here is what I found: Moment, which is an iOS app that keeps track of how much you’re using your phone. There is also Moment Family, that allows you to monitor the entire family from your phone. Samsung user can use ‘Thrive Mode‘, which gives you the option of creating at VIP list, which disallows being interrupted by calls and texts from those not on the list. Continue reading “Savoring ♥ Technology Time Out” →

Posted in FYI, technology

School Days & Best Tech Deals

Posted on by autocreate740

Yes, it seems that this time of year comes faster than we are prepared to believe.  However, it’s still not too late to catch some very nice buys.

I searched the www for technology that could be useful as you, those of you who have college kids, and other youngsters who might need resources.  Below are links which describe where you can find free, low prices, and other useful technology tools – apps,  best laptop deals and much more.

Use this link to find apps that will help you with organizing, research and more.

Back to school APPS

  • As you and your kids prepare to head back to the classroom this fall, you’ll want to make sure you are ready for the busy days ahead. Between writing papers, studying for tests, and conducting research, you’ll be looking for tools to make student life easier. Source: The Best Laptops and Tablets for Back to School

 

Continue reading “School Days & Best Tech Deals” →

Posted in FYI

Are Apps Free, or Data Collectors?

Posted on by autocreate740

When I was a child, my mom used to repeat over and over and over again that ‘nothing is free in this world’.  Boy was she right!  I started out ‘trying’ to understand how to review and explain steps we can use to ‘protect’ our data from the ‘free’ apps we are all using. In an article which appeared in the New York times about Uber and Unroll me, it appears that data was being collected unbeknownst to its users.

Continue reading “Are Apps Free, or Data Collectors?” →

Posted in FYI

Passwords Reinforced Again & Again

Posted on by autocreate740

enter-1643453_1280If you are, or have ever been, one of the millions of email users or credit systems users,  and your password was compromised, then you already know this is a worthwhile cause for concern. That is to say, we can not have too many suggestions for protecting our passwords and personal information when using technology to apply and store them.

As always I am looking for articles on the www or other places, which I think are important enough to focus on at tech4boomers.  Here we are again with yet another consideration regarding Passwords. Such is the case with some of these apps (below), which claim to be our newest answers for helping us with the on-going dilemma of password infiltration.

How can you create strong passwords: strong, and “remember-able” the same time? An article by Kit Eaton discusses extensively the following apps:

  1. Dashlane – Free for iOS and Android. This app can automatically update passwords, and is compatible with many websites. It also checks if the passwords you create are hacker-resistant.  It comes with a built-in browser to protect your banking  online. There is an upgrade available for $40/year.
  2. Keeper – Free for iOS and Android.  This app has an automatic generator. You can file your passwords and other information in folders. You can also use your Apple Watch and Android Wear, which lets you login uses these devices.
  • Some favorites in this category are: 1PASSWORD, LASTPASS  and KEEPASSDROID.

You can read the details at Source: After You Strengthen Your Passwords, Here’s How to Store Them – The New York Times