Annually, Google brings developers together from all over the world to showcase new products and updates. Last week, no new products were showcased but some pretty impressive updates/features were shared.
Those of you using Google Photos to create a backup of your photos might be interested in two impressive new features that gives you the ability to :
1) easily share your photos with others, and
2) create both soft cover and hard cover books from your photos
This video showcases these two new features.
A reminder for Windows users this week: Remember to install updates as recommended by your computer. Doing this helps keep your computer safe from viruses and hackers. Many of you have computers that have been set to automatically install updates as they are shut down. If not, click Install when you are notified there are updates waiting to be installed.
Caution: If the message asks you to pay or upgrade to a premium account, that is not a Windows update. You should never have to pay for a necessary Windows or Avast update for your computer.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Boost your smartphone's speaker
Do you ever wish the music or sound coming out of your smartphone was louder? Do you ever worry about not hearing the alarm you set on your phone?
Try putting your phone (speaker on the bottom) in a glass cup or bowl or even a plastic cup. You can get up to a 20% boost in your sound by doing this. Experiment.
If you'd like to watch a quick 1-minute video showing how to do this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14rkzbWQpxM
Try putting your phone (speaker on the bottom) in a glass cup or bowl or even a plastic cup. You can get up to a 20% boost in your sound by doing this. Experiment.
If you'd like to watch a quick 1-minute video showing how to do this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14rkzbWQpxM
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Zedge has it all - ringtones, wallpapers and more
Would you like to personalize the ringtones on your smartphone? Or choose a different wallpaper (background)?
Then you may want to check out Zedge - http://www.zedge.net/app/
The Zedge app is rated MUCH higher for Android phones (like Samsung, LG, Google, Motorola, etc.) than for iOS (iPhone) since a recent update. So, if you are an iPhone user you may not find it has a lot to offer right now.
Then you may want to check out Zedge - http://www.zedge.net/app/
The Zedge app is rated MUCH higher for Android phones (like Samsung, LG, Google, Motorola, etc.) than for iOS (iPhone) since a recent update. So, if you are an iPhone user you may not find it has a lot to offer right now.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
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
http://screencast-o-matic.com/u/uTc/google
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
PayPal
Paypal.com is a free service I use when purchasing items online from companies unfamiliar to me. The advantage for me is that by using PayPal, I don't have to give my credit card to the company I am purchasing from. Only PayPal has that information which they use to charge your credit card upon your purchase.
(There was a GREAT 5-minute segment with the Paypal CEO on CBS Good Morning last Thursday!)
How it works:
1) Go to Paypal.com and set up an account.
2) Then when purchasing items online, if given the choice, choose PayPal (rather than your credit card.)
3) You will be directed to the PayPal website where you will be asked to log in with your PayPal account information.
4) After giving your approval for the purchase, you will be re-directed back to the original retail website to complete the transaction.
5) PayPal will send you a confirmation of the purchase as well as the company from which you purchased.
2 more comments:
1) PayPal is a secure website and the company provides purchase protection for many items.
2) If you like to use points from your credit card, you will still get your points because PayPal will charge your credit card for the purchase.
Have a great week!
Jeline
Tuesday Tech Tips archive - http://tuesdaytechtidbit.blogspot.com
(There was a GREAT 5-minute segment with the Paypal CEO on CBS Good Morning last Thursday!)
How it works:
1) Go to Paypal.com and set up an account.
2) Then when purchasing items online, if given the choice, choose PayPal (rather than your credit card.)
3) You will be directed to the PayPal website where you will be asked to log in with your PayPal account information.
4) After giving your approval for the purchase, you will be re-directed back to the original retail website to complete the transaction.
5) PayPal will send you a confirmation of the purchase as well as the company from which you purchased.
2 more comments:
1) PayPal is a secure website and the company provides purchase protection for many items.
2) If you like to use points from your credit card, you will still get your points because PayPal will charge your credit card for the purchase.
Have a great week!
Jeline
Tuesday Tech Tips archive - http://tuesdaytechtidbit.blogspot.com
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Charging your smartphone more quickly
Smartphone users -
Do you ever need your phone to charge more quickly? (Maybe you forgot to charge it overnight and now you are going to be gone all day?)
Put it in Airplane Mode when charging; you will notice a marked difference in how quickly your phone returns to full charge.
Airplane Mode can also save battery life if you are out and about and afraid your phone will not make it through the day. It can also be a safeguard if you hand your phone to a grandchild to play games or watch videos. They will be prevented from accidentally sending messages or making purchases.
Don't know how to put your phone in Airplane Mode?
**Android users - http://www.wikihow.tech/Put-an-Android-Phone-Into-Airplane-Mode
**iPhone users - Swipe up from the bottom of your phone to reveal the Control Center and tap the airplane icon. https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-and-when-to-use-airplane-mode-on-iphone/
What does Airplane Mode do? It turns off all wireless connections - WiFi, Bluetooth and cellular meaning you won't receive text messages, phone calls, and emails. It was designed for use when flying to keep cellphone signals from interfering with FAA communications, although that is widely disputed today.
Do you ever need your phone to charge more quickly? (Maybe you forgot to charge it overnight and now you are going to be gone all day?)
Put it in Airplane Mode when charging; you will notice a marked difference in how quickly your phone returns to full charge.
Airplane Mode can also save battery life if you are out and about and afraid your phone will not make it through the day. It can also be a safeguard if you hand your phone to a grandchild to play games or watch videos. They will be prevented from accidentally sending messages or making purchases.
Don't know how to put your phone in Airplane Mode?
**Android users - http://www.wikihow.tech/Put-an-Android-Phone-Into-Airplane-Mode
**iPhone users - Swipe up from the bottom of your phone to reveal the Control Center and tap the airplane icon. https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-and-when-to-use-airplane-mode-on-iphone/
What does Airplane Mode do? It turns off all wireless connections - WiFi, Bluetooth and cellular meaning you won't receive text messages, phone calls, and emails. It was designed for use when flying to keep cellphone signals from interfering with FAA communications, although that is widely disputed today.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
April, the pregnant giraffe
I've become mesmerized.
April, the pregnant giraffe in the Animal Adventure Park outside of Binghamton, NY, has become an internet sensation. Yes, there are other live animal webcams on the internet, but for some reason April, the giraffe, caught my attention last week and I'm finding it hard to not have the live feed on when I am working at my computer. (I've even checked her progress in the middle of the night the past few nights.) Some people have been watching for over a month!
The birth of her calf is supposedly imminent, maybe even before you receive this email that I'm writing on Monday afternoon. Contractions are occurring from time to time and other physical changes have taken place. But, it is my understanding that delivery dates for giraffes can be + or - 2 months! You can follow her progress and maybe eventually get to see the new calf on this live stream. (Did you know that giraffe calves are dropped 5-6 feet to the ground when they are born??) :-/
Isn't technology amazing?? It can help us keep our minds active and learning all the time!
Tech tip for today - Only use the link in the above email to access the live stream; unfortunately, there have been LOTS of fake "April" sites springing up. They look like the "real" page, but are showing old video and, of course, asking for donations.
April, the pregnant giraffe in the Animal Adventure Park outside of Binghamton, NY, has become an internet sensation. Yes, there are other live animal webcams on the internet, but for some reason April, the giraffe, caught my attention last week and I'm finding it hard to not have the live feed on when I am working at my computer. (I've even checked her progress in the middle of the night the past few nights.) Some people have been watching for over a month!
The birth of her calf is supposedly imminent, maybe even before you receive this email that I'm writing on Monday afternoon. Contractions are occurring from time to time and other physical changes have taken place. But, it is my understanding that delivery dates for giraffes can be + or - 2 months! You can follow her progress and maybe eventually get to see the new calf on this live stream. (Did you know that giraffe calves are dropped 5-6 feet to the ground when they are born??) :-/
Isn't technology amazing?? It can help us keep our minds active and learning all the time!
Tech tip for today - Only use the link in the above email to access the live stream; unfortunately, there have been LOTS of fake "April" sites springing up. They look like the "real" page, but are showing old video and, of course, asking for donations.
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