Quick tips for entering text on a smartphone

How do you enter the text for an email or text message on your smartphone?  Last week's survey showed that the majority of us use our phones more than our computers.  My guess is that number will continue to increase with time.  If you struggle with entering text on your phone or tablet, please consider 3 tips:

First, take a look at your keyboard settings; on an iPhone or iPad, that is Settings - General - Keyboard.  Take advantage of everything that is available to you. I have all of the sliders turned on (green) On an Android phone, check your Keyboard settings.

Then:

1) Dictate your text using the microphone on the bottom of your keyboard when it pops up for you to enter text.  This really is the quickest and most efficient way to enter text.  With repeated use the accuracy improves.  Please proofread and take time to correct any errors you find before sending.

2) Use swipe typing - Keep your finger on the keyboard while moving over the letters of the word you want to spell.  Lift your finger before starting the next word and a space will automatically be added.  This feature has been available for quite a few years on Android phones; on iPhones, it has been available for about 18 months.  A quick video to help you visualize the process - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toNpXLTKZZM

3)  To insert a period at the end of a sentence - tap the space bar twice.  I love, love, love being able to do this rather than having to switch to the punctuation bar each time.

Okay....I have a few more tips but they will have to wait until another week.  Be sure and give this 3 techniques a try this week! 

Can you help me help you?

For almost 4 1/2 years I've been sending out Tuesday Tech Tips.  It isn't something I'm paid to do (notice there is never any advertising in the weekly emails).  I just enjoy helping people learn more about using the technology they own.

However, writing a weekly email doesn't automatically provide for interaction. So, today, I'm asking you to take a few minutes to answer some questions that will help me help you in the future.

The questions can be found here; please let me know if you are unable to open the link:  https://forms.gle/Na1YVLwzQpHLBmMw6 

Thank you in advance for your feedback! And, have a great day (maybe get outside before the next round of rain begins?)  :-/

Navigating the world of passwords

Did you miss celebrating? World Password Day was last Thursday.  It is always "celebrated" the first Thursday in May. :-)

Passwords....ugh!  We (I)  grumble and procrastinate when receiving an alert that a password needs to be changed.  As frustrating and time-consuming as it may be,  though, we shouldn't ignore suggestions to change a password.  Maintaining strong passwords is a responsibility you/I have if we choose to use the internet. If you need a refresher about how to create a strong password, you might take a look at a post I wrote last year.

A reminder:  NEVER start the process to change a password by clinking on a link in an email; always go directly to the account website to make a change to your password.

My 3 recommendations to you this year for World Password Day:
1) Continue to create strong passwords using 14-16 characters and follow my suggestions from last year.  Remember, though, that usernames and passwords will never be secure enough.

2)  If given the opportunity, ALWAYS use two-factor (TFA) or multi-factor (MFA) authentication.  Yes, it requires an extra step (like acknowledging a text sent to your phone or watch and then entering that code) but it really adds a layer of security to your accounts.  A very thorough explanation and how-to article on TFA can be found here: https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/two-factor-authentication-who-has-it-and-how-to-set-it-up

3)  If given the choice, use biometrics (Face ID or fingerprint).  It is much more secure and easier to use!  The world of technology is certainly moving in this direction. 

On this Tech Tip Tuesday, please make or renew your commitment to start following the three tips above for doing your very best to stay safe online!

Google Photos - changes are coming!

Google Photos is a tool I've recommended for several years as an additional backup for your photos and videos.  If you have a Gmail account, Google Photos can be accessed on the web at photos.google.com or by downloading the Google Photos app. Once the app is installed on your phone it runs in the background automatically uploading photos as they are taken. Those photos can then be accessed on any phone, computer, or tablet when you are logged into your Google account.  Google Photos presently offers free unlimited storage if you upload in "High Quality" but that is changing on June 1. 

What you need to know and do before June 1:
1)  All photos and videos uploaded before June 1 will remain in your Google Photos account after June 1.  They will not disappear.
2) I'd recommend uploading as many photos and videos from your devices (computer, thumb drives, external drives, etc.) as you have time to do before June 1.  Those will continue to be included in your free Google Photo storage if done before June 1 and not count against your total storage.
3) Read and watch the resources  below to learn more about the specifics of the changes being made to Google Photos.  The video will also show you the "how-to's".   
Read: https://learngooglephotos.com/free-no-more/ This is an excellent article that is easy to understand with ALL the information you need regarding your Google Photos
Watch at least part of this video; the link starts the video at the 10:59 mark:  https://youtu.be/ERUfY1aSk98?t=659

Google Photos will remain a great cloud storage solution.  If you decide/need to purchase more storage after exceeding the 17 GB of free storage provided by your Google account in the future, 100 GB of storage can be purchased for $1.99/month or $19.99/year, not really a bad price to ensure you have a backup of all your photos.  But remember - whatever photos are uploaded before June 1 will remain in Google Photos for free.

Interesting fact:  Over 1 billion people back up 28 billion photos to Google Photos each week.  No wonder Google can't continue to provide free unlimited storage!

Have a terrific Tuesday and, if you have time, start gathering all of your thumb drives, flash drives, external drives and get your pictures uploaded to Google.  :-)