Stop fumbling around and use your personal assistant!

Do you use the personal assistant (Hey, Siri or Hey, Google) on your phone to help you do things more quickly or easily?  If not, today might be a good day to start!  

Today every time you pick up your phone to check weather, time, messages, what's on your calendar, to call someone, etc. ask Siri or Google to do that for you.

Some examples:
Begin by saying "Hey, Siri" (iPhone) or "Hey, Google" (Android phone), then

1. What time is it?
2. Send a message to......
3. Remind me to pick up my prescriptions today.
4. Write an email to my mom.
5. What is the weather going to be like today?
6. What time is it in Munich?
7. Get directions home.
8. Find coffee near me.
9. Set a timer for 10 minutes.
10. Put a haircut on my calendar for April 1 at 10 AM.
11. Turn on the flashlight.

What other ways can/do you use Siri or Google?  Remember, your "personal assistant" is there to help you.  
Troubleshooting:
If Siri isn't working on your iPhone, check out these suggestions:  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207489
If Google assistant isn't working on your Android phone, check out this page:  https://support.google.com/assistant/answer/9795643?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid

Have a terrific Tech Tip Tuesday!  Since Kansas weather promises to be wet today and keep us inside, take some time to familiarize yourself with your personal assistant!

Google Lens

Yesterday in our iPhone Users Group, we were discussing apps we use for plant identification (PictureThis and PlantNet). This discussion then broadened to include an app that not only can be used for plant identification but also for a gazillion other things.  That app is called Google Lens on Android phones and Google on iPads and iPhones.

What does the app do?

1) Identifies items around you - plants, animals, clothing, furniture, buildings, menu items and provides a plethora of information by simply pointing your phone and clicking.  The app also can look at photos you have taken and provide more information about items found in those photos. 
Example - Like the shirt someone is wearing?  Using the app, snap a picture and you will be provided with a picture of the shirt or something similar with information on where to buy it.

2) Translates text instantly - When traveling abroad, point your phone at a sign; it is instantly translated into your preferred language

3) Identifies and provides information on buildings and landmarks around you, especially helpful when traveling

4) Identify popular items on menus - Scan the menu items, tap on an item, then read the reviews/comments made by others. (This only works with restaurants that have tied into the Google Lens feature.)

5) Many, many more things

I strongly encourage you to watch this 6-minute video to quickly learn more about how to use Google Lens.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_nYU9OVCZk

And, if you'd like to read more about it:  https://www.pocket-lint.com/apps/news/google/141075-what-is-google-lens-and-how-does-it-work-and-which-devices-have-it

Google Lens (Android) can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and Google (iPhone) can be downloaded from the App store. It is also available natively in the Google Photos app.

Download the app today on this drizzly Tech Tuesday and give it a try!  I really think you will enjoy using it.

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.  :-)

Spring cleaning of your tech devices

Now's a great time to do some spring cleaning on your tech devices.

Looking to feel productive during this time at home?  Check out the suggestions below:

1) Digitize your old photos.  Consider using Google's PhotoScan app on your phone to scan in your old photographs.  It is easy to use, the quality is great, and it eliminates the glare that is often seen when you use your phone to take a picture of a photo.  The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.  Photo Scan does such a great job!  I installed it a couple of years ago and I used it a lot when getting things together for our class reunion last summer, but I'd forgotten about it until I wanted to share some old family Easter photos with our boys on Sunday. Give it a try!

2) Check the permission settings for your apps.  Sometimes when you install an app, it asks for more information than it really needs to run.  Now is a good time to look through your privacy settings and make changes as desired:
On an Android device, go to:
Settings - Advanced - Privacy and review the settings for each app
On an iOS device, go to:
Settings - Privacy and adjust the settings for Location Services, Microphone and Camera

3) Download your Facebook information including photos.
In Facebook go to Settings - Your Facebook Information - Download Your Information. Mark items you'd like to download and then click Create File.  You will be notified when the file is ready to download.

Next week, we'll take a look at some Facebook settings you may want to change while cleaning up your devices this spring. 

Borrow digital books quickly by doing a Google Search!

If you are a digital e-book reader or wannabe, today's tip shows you a quick way to locate a book and check it out for your mobile device! http://somup.com/cYnFlZhFHX
Today's tip via a screencast I made for you will lead you through the process of looking for a book and then checking it out for your device. It shows you a quick way to do a Google search to the locate the book you want to read and then check it out from the completed search.  The screencast was made on my laptop, but you can do the same search on your mobile device (phone, tablet).  The only difference is that on a phone you will not see a sidebar, you will just scroll down towards the bottom of your search once you've typed in the title.

In the last couple of years, I have begun checking out e-Books to read rather than purchasing them.  It is so easy to do and has saved me lots of money. 

At first I read on my iPad but my eyes tired easily when reading books on it using the Kindle App.  So, then I tried a Kindle device (Paperwhite) and found it to be perfect for reading anytime night or day!

I began purchasing books on Amazon, which became costly, so when a friend introduced me to the e-Libraries available through our local library and State of Kansas Library, I switched from purchasing to borrowing......saving both money and time!

If you are already borrowing digital books and using Libby, Overdrive, or Cloud Library, I think you will find this Google search method to be much quicker!

Happy reading!  If you run into problems or have questions as you start to read digitally, let me know.

Did you know Google stores your passwords?

I use Safari to browse on my laptop, and I usually tell it to remember my password when creating a new account, although this really isn't the most secure thing to do (a topic for another newsletter.)  However, I had no idea Google Chrome was also storing all those passwords and making them available on their website.

I was amazed when I went to this link: https://passwords.google.com/ and then logged in with my Google password!  I had no idea this resource existed.  While visiting that site, I did the "Password Checkup" and found that 7 of my accounts had passwords that had been exposed in a third-party breach.  The checkup also let me know that I had 85 accounts with a reused password (a no-no), and 73 accounts with a weak password.

So, now, what do I  need to do?
1) I'm going to change the passwords that have been exposed
2) I'll enhance  my "weak" passwords.
3)  AND, I'm going to delete a lot of that stored information from Google! Google does not need to be storing all of my information.

At the very least, I'd encourage you to check out your own information at the link, https://passwords.google.com/, then you can decide if you want/need to make changes.

And, if you are an organized person, maybe you could put this activity on your calendar to review every couple of months.

It seems like there's always something to do, huh?  Hopefully this week, though, you can enjoy some time with family and friends!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Super Fast Way to search Google

If you're like me when reading something on the internet that I want to learn more about (often), I copy and paste that word or phrase into the Omnibox or Google Search box.  But I just learned there is a faster way:

Next time you want to look up what a word means or learn more about something you've read, try this: 
1) Highlight the word or phrase you want to research

2) Right-click on the highlighted text (on computers with a trackpad do a Control key and click on the trackpad)

3) Choose Search Google for "selected text" from the contextual menu.  A new browser tab will then open.  That's all there is to it!

If you are reading on a tablet or phone, you tap the word or phrase to highlight it, then choose Look Up from the pop-up menu.

Business hours?

I'm in Kansas City this week with two long-time friends from college and several times we have wondered about business hours of a store or the best time to go to a restaurant.

We've found the Google app on our phones to be very helpful!

We've simply "Googled" the name of a business, clicked on it, then expanded the view to locate the business hours of both stores and restaurants.  As part of those results there is usually a chart to show the "Popular times" of the day or week, so we've planned our visits occasionally.

The same search can be done using your browser at home. Often, those results automatically appear on the right-hand side of the window.  Or, you can always ask Siri or Alexa to help you.  :-)

Google Flights

Before you book your next flight, take a look at Google Flights.

The website will check major airlines and provide information on the cheapest flights, best days to travel, etc. and even alert you when prices are about to change or have changed.  It will even check alternative airports that may have better prices. If you want to receive alerts about price drops, changes, that is an option, too.
Sound like something you might be interested in using?  Check out this article for more information.  

Want to do a background check?

In this day and age, there is a lot of information "out there" about you and me.  You might find it interesting to do a background check on yourself....or others.

Here is a quick screencast to show you 3 ways to do that.

Create a "junk" email address for creating online accounts

When signing up for something online, do you get asked if you'd like to sign in using your Facebook account or your Google account?  Don't do it.

When creating an online account consider using a "junk" email address.  A "junk" email address is one that you create specifically for signing up for offers online.  It is different than your regular email address so that your regular Inbox does not get filled with spam or unwanted advertisements.

How do you get a "junk" email address?  Simply go to mail.google.com and create a new email address specifically for this purpose (or any of the other providers - Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.)  You don't need to feel obligated to check this email account ever.......unless you get curious about the types of emails that are being sent there. :-)

Caution - If you are signing up for an account that you want to receive notifications from go ahead and use your personal email address (credit cards, banks, online retailers, etc.) You don't want to miss out on those types of communication!

Have a GREAT Tuesday!

Backing up to the cloud

Are there items on your digital devices that you would be absolutely lost or devastated without? Pictures? Financial files? Important information for other accounts?  Genealogy information?

If so, the recent tragedy in Texas only serves to remind us that if we are not backing up to a cloud service, we should find a way to do that.

A family relative in Texas was rescued in the middle of the night by her son.  She woke up to the sound of dripping water and when she stepped out of bed, her feet were in 2-3 inches of water.  By the time her son arrived, they waded out of the area in chest-deep water.  It was harrowing; she had no time to collect belongings.....didn't even have her shoes.  Scary.

Now, she will begin the process of rebuilding her life.  Everything she owned is gone.  Pictures of her late husband and brother.  Financial files.  Everything.

Most of us back up important files, BUT usually on an external hard drive.  But, in addition to that, you should also be storing your important things in the "cloud." "The cloud" simply means you are storing your documents on some computers that someone else owns so that if something happens to your house, your documents/photos will still be retrievable on another computer.  If you aren't sure if you are backing up to the cloud we probably need to talk about that one-on-one.  

However, if you are using one of these services -- iCloud, Microsoft One Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Google Photos, etc. then you are backing up to the cloud IF you are actually using them to upload all of your files automatically OR if you regularly copy your documents or photos to them.

I plan on spending one of our class sessions on "the cloud" this fall.  I know we have briefly discussed it before but last week's hurricane stresses the true importance of making sure our electronic files will always be there for us.

For more information on the "top" cloud storage for 2017, you may want to check out this article:
http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-free-cloud-storage 

Setting a default search engine

Do you have a favorite search engine?  Is your browser using it as the default?

If you aren't sure which search engine you are using or don't know how to set it as your default, check out this video (made especially for YOU).  :-)

Google is my search engine of choice, but I know some of you like Bing or Yahoo.  It really is just a personal preference.  We tend to like what we are familiar with.  :-)

DuckDuckGo - a Google alternative

I'm intrigued with a search engine I read about this week.  DuckDuckGo isn't new; it's been around several years, but I think it may be worth trying.

DuckDuckGo bills itself as "the search engine that doesn't track you."  It promises to not use cookies to track your searches and does not collect any personal information while you are using it.  Even your IP address is hidden.  This article goes into more detail if you are interested in learning more.

Let me know if you are already familiar with it or have any feedback to share. Meanwhile, I'm going to see if I can switch from Google.com for awhile to give DuckDuckGo a try!  

Deleting Google History

Some of you have expressed concerns about all the data that is being collected regarding your online activities.  Here is a quick 2-minute screencast I created to show you one way to delete history that Google services have collected on you ...... since the beginning of your use.  It may be a task you want to do every couple of months.

http://screencast-o-matic.com/u/uTc/google