Magnifier - a useful smartphone app!

Are menus with small print difficult to read? 
Is it difficult to see a splinter in your finger?
Have you been on a nature walk and wished you had a magnifying glass to take a closer look at something? 
If so, remember you always have a handy and very effective digital magnifying glass on your phone, and it even comes with a flashlight to help in low-light situations!

On an iPhone, the Magnifier can be accessed in the Control Center by swiping diagonally from the upper right-hand corner of your phone OR by simply searching for "Magnifier" in your App library.  (The App Library can be accessed by swiping left past all of your home screen pages.)   Once you open the Magnifier, play around with it to explore some of the different features.

On an Android phone, go to Settings - Accessibility - and turn on the Magnification OR download a great app in the Google Play store called "Magnifying Glass + Flashlight."  Once the app is installed, explore some of its features.

We tend to forget some of the useful features on our smartphones. In order to help you remember the magnifier, access and use it every day for the next week.  That may help get it into your working memory.  :-)

As always, I hope you can enjoy this Tech Tip Tuesday; this beautiful fall weather will be replaced by frigid wintry temperatures all too soon!

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.

Be My Eyes

Ready for another volunteer opportunity that can be done at any time or any place yet provides a much needed service?

Be My Eyes is an app for your smartphone that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers through a live video call when visual assistance is needed. 

How does it work?  Volunteers download and install the app free from either the iOS App store or Google Play store. An account is created and then when a blind or low-vision person needs assistance a request is sent out through the app.

What kind of assistance may be needed?  You may be asked to help check an expiration date, identify a color of clothing, read printed forms or medicine labels, help navigate transit, or even describe places or objects.

How often will you receive requests? Over 1.5 million people have installed the app, so requests will not come that often.  I've received 2 requests since installing the app in February.  The first one was to help identify what was in a frozen meal box.  When I received the second call, I was sitting in a meeting and by the time I got up and went out in the hallway, another volunteer had answered the call.  A friend of mine who has this app received a similar request to identify a food package and also assisted someone in crossing a street.

The app launched in 2015 and is available in 150 countries and 180 languages.  Check it out today and join the large network of users hoping to make a big difference in the everyday lives of those with limited sight!

Want to read more about and watch a video to learn more about how it works?  Check out this link.

I hope you will consider installing this app TODAY.  :-)

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.  :-)

HiYa Caller ID and Block

Robocalls have become more frequent on my smartphone so it is with interest I recently read about several new blocking apps that are available for both Android and iOS devices.  

Some apps come with a cost but the free one below is highly recommended by several sources.  I only recently installed the app and don't have enough experience to share, but if Robocalls have become a nuisance for you, you may want to try it.

HiYa Caller ID and Block 
Android phones (Google Play store)
iPhones (App store)

• Identifies and blocks robocalls
• Warns you if incoming call is spam or telemarketer
• Reverse phone lookup

You will want to use the free version, although later if you want to add on some premium features, those are available in-app for $2.99/mo OR $14.99/year.

Disclaimer: I have no association with this company and am not receiving monetary reimbursement for this recommendation.  :-)

WIBW 13 Weather App

You probably already have a favorite weather app on your phone or mobile device, but you may want to add the free WIBW 13 Weather app.  

I've been using it the past couple of weeks and have appreciated the alerts as well as the video that has been provided.  The Weather Channel app (free) and Radar app (paid) are the other two apps I have used.

To download, look for the WIBW 13 Weather App in the App Store on your iPhone or iPad or in the Google Play Store on your Android device.

From the WIBW webpage:
The WIBW Mobile Weather App includes:

• Access to station content specifically for our mobile users;
• 250 meter radar, the highest resolution available;
• High resolution satellite cloud imagery;
• Future radar to see where severe weather is headed;
• Current weather updated multiple times per hour;
• Ability to add and save your favorite locations;
• Daily and Hourly forecasts updated hourly from our computer models;
• A fully integrated GPS for current location awareness;
• Opt-in push alerts to keep you safe in severe weather;
• Severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service

Check it out! Be prepared for spring storms!