tech4boomers
Helping to keep up with technologyArchive for APPS
Road Trip – APPS Fun for the Kids
It’s that time of year again when many families pile into the car with the kids for their yearly road trip. It may be that some of the kids, coming 
from a ‘computer savvy’ generation, are not interested in remembering the license plate numbers/states while they are traveling. So what are the parents/grandparents to do? We are in luck. There are a few APPs that may be of interest to the entire family. Check out the Insect App available for free on iTunes. Learn about how the game works at the link below.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/apr/23/for-summer-road-trips-a-new-app-turns-insect-splat/
Then load the APP onto your iPhone at this link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/that-gunk-on-your-car/id1352752191
Here are some more ideas for APPS that may entertain your kids while they are in the car at the link below.
https://www.geekswithjuniors.com/best-apps-for-traveling-with-kids
Safe travels!
New Android Apps
I’m eager for Android users to read about these helpful apps, reviewed by the Guiding Tech website.
♦ YouCamVideo – If you want to explore making videos click the link below, and then use the YouTube link for a tutorial.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.perfectcorp.ycv&hl=en_US
View the tutorial about YouCamVideo at this link – https://youtu.be/14kNIqcj4hI
♦ Aroundsound Audio Recorder– Would you like to keep notes for your brilliant ideas without having to write them down? This is the app for you.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aroundsound.audiorecorder
♦ Easy Pedometer – Use this app to keep track of all that exercise you have been doing.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=step.tracker.pedometer.stepcounter&hl=en_US
There’s so much to explore. Read more about other apps at the source link below.
https://www.guidingtech.com/best-new-android-apps-march-2019/
Transitioning Tech4Boomers
Greetings to all of my Tech4Boomers followers. For the past nine years, I have worked toward bringing you technology information that provides you with a better understanding of the equipment, information, and your continuing participation let’s me know that we have had at least some success with technology challenges we face and require skills to use.
This month tech4boomers will transition the type of information that is posted on the blog. More and more, the onslaught of information overload forces us to consider using technology to help us with our personal challenges. In the future, I’ll look for ways to use technology that can give us the opportunity to explore ways, such as, to relieve stress, play games, get fit, and be mindful of the time we are spending on our gadgets. Often, the recommendations will lead you to a link of apps that may help with various issues. I am continuing to work so that it will be useful for you.
Click the Link Below for the Best Anxiety Apps of 2018
https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/top-iphone-android-apps
No such thing as FREE APPS
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.
Virtual HELP Wanted?
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
Parking Apps! What a Relief!
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/
Read more here:
https://solutions.softonic.com/what-are-the-best-parking-apps
Parking Woes? There’s an App for that
Savoring ♥ Technology Time Out
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. Read the rest of this entry »
School Days & Best Tech Deals
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.
- 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
- These Are the Best Smartphones You Can Buy Right Now
Source: The Best Smartphones You Can Buy | Time.com
Are Apps Free, or Data Collectors?
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.
Passwords Reinforced Again & Again
If 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:
- 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.
- 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
