March Meetings 2023
March 2, 2023 - Satellite to Cellular, Your Voice Can be a Password,
New Features Coming to Android, The Rollable Smartphone,
"I'm not a crook, but clicking on Unknown Links should be a crime."
- Richard M. Nixon
Club Questions
New Features Coming to Android, The Rollable Smartphone,
"I'm not a crook, but clicking on Unknown Links should be a crime."
- Richard M. Nixon
Club Questions
Satellite to Cellular
Until recently, cellphones were limited by their proximity to the nearest cell tower and the strength of that signal, but that may all be changing very soon. Apple introduced satellite emergency calls in 2022 and that started the space race. MeidaTech and Qualcomm both have versions of a cellular to satellite connections in the works, with other companies following their leads. What exactly is the advantage of a cellular/satellite connection? To learn more about just what this sort of a cellphone connection could mean to us all, take a look at this article.
Your Voice Can be a Password
Once again AI is doing some amazing things with our devices. Samsung just introduced a voice cloning feature that lets you mimic your voice and answer your calls, in your voice, when you are unable. Of course there is always a down side to this sort of a feature, and it has already been used to hack into a banking site, via voice ID. This tech is still a ways away from being a major threat to most people, and there are things you can do to protect yourself. To learn more about this new AI technology, take a look at this article and short video.
Once again AI is doing some amazing things with our devices. Samsung just introduced a voice cloning feature that lets you mimic your voice and answer your calls, in your voice, when you are unable. Of course there is always a down side to this sort of a feature, and it has already been used to hack into a banking site, via voice ID. This tech is still a ways away from being a major threat to most people, and there are things you can do to protect yourself. To learn more about this new AI technology, take a look at this article and short video.
New Features to Android
Google is adding a bunch of new features to all its Android devices, including freehand annotation and noise cancellation to name a couple. But as Android often does, not all these cool new upgrades will be available right away, and they won't roll out to all Android devices at the same time. To learn more about some of the new features that will eventually come to you Android device, take a look at this article.
Google is adding a bunch of new features to all its Android devices, including freehand annotation and noise cancellation to name a couple. But as Android often does, not all these cool new upgrades will be available right away, and they won't roll out to all Android devices at the same time. To learn more about some of the new features that will eventually come to you Android device, take a look at this article.
The Rollable SmartPhone
Lenovo, the tech company with lots of different devices under its belt, is coming out with a new one. You've heard of a foldable smartphone, how about a rollable smartphone? That's what Lenovo unveiled at the recent Mobile World Congress, along with a rollable laptop computer. Take a look at the video below to learn more about these devices.
Lenovo, the tech company with lots of different devices under its belt, is coming out with a new one. You've heard of a foldable smartphone, how about a rollable smartphone? That's what Lenovo unveiled at the recent Mobile World Congress, along with a rollable laptop computer. Take a look at the video below to learn more about these devices.
March 9, 2023 - How to Avoid Phishing Scams, Is it Spam or Scam? (video), Apple's AirPrint,
So, What's the Deal with TikTok Anyway? Competition for ChatGPT,
"Even when I'm Clark Kent, I don't need my glasses to see
that unknown links are bad."
- Superman
Club Questions
So, What's the Deal with TikTok Anyway? Competition for ChatGPT,
"Even when I'm Clark Kent, I don't need my glasses to see
that unknown links are bad."
- Superman
Club Questions
How to Avoid Phishing Scams
There are lots of bad actors on the internet, and they send out millions of spam emails and texts on a daily basis. Sometimes the spam can be very convincing if you don't look too closely, but clicking on an unknown link in an email or text can lead you down a dangerous hole in the Internet. So how do you protect yourself from these kinds of attacks? And how do you recognize a fake email or text from the real thing? To learn more about the various forms these scams come in, take a look at what the FTC Consumer Advice team has to say about it. Or to help you recognize spam, take a look at this article.
There are lots of bad actors on the internet, and they send out millions of spam emails and texts on a daily basis. Sometimes the spam can be very convincing if you don't look too closely, but clicking on an unknown link in an email or text can lead you down a dangerous hole in the Internet. So how do you protect yourself from these kinds of attacks? And how do you recognize a fake email or text from the real thing? To learn more about the various forms these scams come in, take a look at what the FTC Consumer Advice team has to say about it. Or to help you recognize spam, take a look at this article.
Is it Spam or Scam?!
Printing on iOS
Apple uses a proprietary method of printing from iPhones and iPads called AirPrint. Unfortunately AirPrint is the only way you can print from these devices, using a cable to directly connect your iOS device to a printer is not supported. iPads and iPhones can only print wirelessly. Luckily, AirPrint supports a huge range of printers that are wi-fi enabled. To learn more about how to use AirPrint, take a look at this support article. To see the list of supported printers on AirPrint, take a look at this article.
What's Going on with TikTok?
TikTok is a free app that allows you to create and post short form videos on the internet, and was launched in the US in 2018. From its inception, the app has had to fight for its right to exist. Lately the app has come under serious fire from a variety of sources for myriad reasons. So what's really going on with TikTok, is the Chinese government harvesting US user data? Why do some government officials want the app banned? What will happen to all the users that make a living thru TikTok if it goes away? If you're curious about the answers to these and other questions, take a look at this article.
TikTok is a free app that allows you to create and post short form videos on the internet, and was launched in the US in 2018. From its inception, the app has had to fight for its right to exist. Lately the app has come under serious fire from a variety of sources for myriad reasons. So what's really going on with TikTok, is the Chinese government harvesting US user data? Why do some government officials want the app banned? What will happen to all the users that make a living thru TikTok if it goes away? If you're curious about the answers to these and other questions, take a look at this article.
Competition for ChatGPT
In recent weeks, we've heard of the oncoming revolution in search engines, and the advancement of ChatGPT, the AI powered search aid that gives more relevant answers to search engine questions. ChatGPT may have been the first AI on the search engine scene, but there is plenty of competition on the way. The likes of Microsoft, Google and Meta are all poised to launch their versions of ChatGPT and enhanced search. Competition for this section of the market is going to be fierce and has only just started. For more information on who's jumping on the AI search bandwagon, take a look at this article.
In recent weeks, we've heard of the oncoming revolution in search engines, and the advancement of ChatGPT, the AI powered search aid that gives more relevant answers to search engine questions. ChatGPT may have been the first AI on the search engine scene, but there is plenty of competition on the way. The likes of Microsoft, Google and Meta are all poised to launch their versions of ChatGPT and enhanced search. Competition for this section of the market is going to be fierce and has only just started. For more information on who's jumping on the AI search bandwagon, take a look at this article.
March 16, 2023 - Setting Up a New Smartphone or Tablet, Finding/Installing Apps,
Best Apps for Seniors in 2023, Microsoft Edge Gets ChatGPT,
"I've never met a horse I couldn't ride,
or an Unknown Link I wanted to click."
- John Wayne
Club Questions
Best Apps for Seniors in 2023, Microsoft Edge Gets ChatGPT,
"I've never met a horse I couldn't ride,
or an Unknown Link I wanted to click."
- John Wayne
Club Questions
Setting Up a New Device
Whether you've just bought a new iPhone or Android smartphone, or a new iPad or Android tablet, there is a video that will help you set up your new device. Apple products enjoy a uniform set up, whereas Android device set ups can vary depending on the manufacturer. For more help setting up either a new iPhone or iPad, take a look at our Apple Videos page, and scroll down to the how-to video of your choice. For Android users, take a look at our Android Videos page, and scroll down to the how-to video of your choice. And for those Android users, if these videos don't help you with your specific device, do a search on YouTube for how to set up your specific make and model of device, there's almost certainly a video out there that can help you set up your new Android device.
Whether you've just bought a new iPhone or Android smartphone, or a new iPad or Android tablet, there is a video that will help you set up your new device. Apple products enjoy a uniform set up, whereas Android device set ups can vary depending on the manufacturer. For more help setting up either a new iPhone or iPad, take a look at our Apple Videos page, and scroll down to the how-to video of your choice. For Android users, take a look at our Android Videos page, and scroll down to the how-to video of your choice. And for those Android users, if these videos don't help you with your specific device, do a search on YouTube for how to set up your specific make and model of device, there's almost certainly a video out there that can help you set up your new Android device.
How to Find/Install Apps
Whether you use an Android smartphone or an iPhone, there are literally millions of apps available to you, many of them are free. The best way to search for and find apps you want to install on your phone is by using the official app store for your device. If you have an Android phone, it's the Google Play Store, and if you have an iPhone it's the Apple App Store. It's best to get your apps from one of these locations as they are the official app stores and both Google and Apple vet all the apps that they make available on their stores. Getting an app for your device from a third party location, IE a website, is not as secure a way, as these sites often do not vet the apps they distribute. It's much safer to get your apps from the official app stores of either Android or Apple. To learn more about finding/installing new apps on your smartphone, take a look at the videos below.
Whether you use an Android smartphone or an iPhone, there are literally millions of apps available to you, many of them are free. The best way to search for and find apps you want to install on your phone is by using the official app store for your device. If you have an Android phone, it's the Google Play Store, and if you have an iPhone it's the Apple App Store. It's best to get your apps from one of these locations as they are the official app stores and both Google and Apple vet all the apps that they make available on their stores. Getting an app for your device from a third party location, IE a website, is not as secure a way, as these sites often do not vet the apps they distribute. It's much safer to get your apps from the official app stores of either Android or Apple. To learn more about finding/installing new apps on your smartphone, take a look at the videos below.
Install Apps on Android Install Apps on iPhone
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Best Apps for Seniors for 2023
More than 60 percent of adults ages 65 and older own a smartphone. And if you're a smartphone owner, it's very likely that you open at least one app a day. Whether you're video chatting with the grandkids, playing games with your friends, checking Facebook, or getting directions to dinner, a mobile app made it possible. There are millions and millions of mobile apps available in both the App Store and Google Play Store, and many are free. The below links offer a few different list of best apps for seniors.
SeniorLiving.org's best apps for seniors
The Senior List's best apps for seniors
Senior Lifestyle's best apps for seniors
Microsoft Edge Gets ChatGPT
Microsoft has just added a new tool to the Edge browser, it's called "Copilot" and it's powered by Bing Chat. Microsoft still hasn't fully opened Bing Chat to the public, so you might not see the Bing Chat icon in the top right corner of Edge yet, but if you do, you're good to go. Copilot is basically a small chat window that lets you ask questions and gives you plain language answers. As we've seen with ChatGPT, they're still working the bugs out, and some of the answers are way off base, but it is getting better. To learn more about Copilot and how to enable it on Edge, take a look at this article.
Microsoft has just added a new tool to the Edge browser, it's called "Copilot" and it's powered by Bing Chat. Microsoft still hasn't fully opened Bing Chat to the public, so you might not see the Bing Chat icon in the top right corner of Edge yet, but if you do, you're good to go. Copilot is basically a small chat window that lets you ask questions and gives you plain language answers. As we've seen with ChatGPT, they're still working the bugs out, and some of the answers are way off base, but it is getting better. To learn more about Copilot and how to enable it on Edge, take a look at this article.
March 23, 2023 - The Future of AI, How to Share YouTube Videos, How to Record FaceTime,
"I don't need to use The Force to know that unknown links are evil,
clicking on them is like inviting the Death Star to lunch."
- Luke Skywalker
Club Questions
"I don't need to use The Force to know that unknown links are evil,
clicking on them is like inviting the Death Star to lunch."
- Luke Skywalker
Club Questions
The Future of AI
The CEO behind the company that created ChatGPT, Sam Altman, believes artificial intelligence technology will reshape society as we know it. He believes it comes with real dangers, but can also be "the greatest technology humanity has yet developed" to drastically improve our lives. Altman was emphatic that OpenAI needs both regulators and society to be as involved as possible with the rollout of ChatGPT — insisting that feedback will help deter the potential negative consequences the technology could have on humanity. He added that he is in "regular contact" with government officials. To read more about where AI might be heading in our daily lives, take a look at this article.
One aspect of AI has long been that robots will replace us, or at least some of the jobs that humans don't want to do. This dream is getting closer to a reality, for more on the robot takeover, take a look at this article.
The CEO behind the company that created ChatGPT, Sam Altman, believes artificial intelligence technology will reshape society as we know it. He believes it comes with real dangers, but can also be "the greatest technology humanity has yet developed" to drastically improve our lives. Altman was emphatic that OpenAI needs both regulators and society to be as involved as possible with the rollout of ChatGPT — insisting that feedback will help deter the potential negative consequences the technology could have on humanity. He added that he is in "regular contact" with government officials. To read more about where AI might be heading in our daily lives, take a look at this article.
One aspect of AI has long been that robots will replace us, or at least some of the jobs that humans don't want to do. This dream is getting closer to a reality, for more on the robot takeover, take a look at this article.
How to Share YouTube Videos
Youtube.com offers millions and millions of free videos for you to watch online, but did you know that you can share those videos in a variety of ways, either via email or text, or thru social media (IE Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc). Each video comes with a built-in share link that allows you to share the video in whichever way you choose. To learn more about how you can share YouTube videos, take a look at the video below.
Youtube.com offers millions and millions of free videos for you to watch online, but did you know that you can share those videos in a variety of ways, either via email or text, or thru social media (IE Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc). Each video comes with a built-in share link that allows you to share the video in whichever way you choose. To learn more about how you can share YouTube videos, take a look at the video below.
How to Record a FaceTime Call
FaceTime calls have been a staple feature on iPhones for many years now and offer a way of seeing and hearing the people and things you love as easy as making a phone call. But did you know that you can record FaceTime calls and share them with friends and family. Everything you need to record a FaceTime call is built in to your iPhone, you just need to set it up. For more on how to record FaceTime calls, take a look at this article.
March 30, 2023 - The Best Web Browsers for 2023, How to Use Waze App,
Best Cheap Smartphones for 2023,
"You would have to be as dumb as a rock,
to click on an unknown link."
- The Rock
Club Questions
Best Cheap Smartphones for 2023,
"You would have to be as dumb as a rock,
to click on an unknown link."
- The Rock
Club Questions
The Best Web Browsers for 2023
Your web browser will take you across the Internet and back and depending on the browser you use, that trip can be fun and safe or a real nightmare. Whether you use your web browser on a computer, smartphone or tablet, it's always a good idea to have at least a couple of browsers at your disposal. Think of the extra web browsers like you would your car's spare tire, if something goes wrong, you've got a backup. So what is the best web browser? well, that depends a little on what you're looking for, privacy, security, speed, customization? Whatever you're looking for there's a browser out there for you, and the best part is they are all free. To learn more about the best web browsers for 2023, take a look at the links below.
Tech Radar's Best Browsers for 2023
Lifewire's Best Browsers for 2023
DigitalTrend's Best Browsers for 2023
PC Magazine's Best Browsers for 2023
Your web browser will take you across the Internet and back and depending on the browser you use, that trip can be fun and safe or a real nightmare. Whether you use your web browser on a computer, smartphone or tablet, it's always a good idea to have at least a couple of browsers at your disposal. Think of the extra web browsers like you would your car's spare tire, if something goes wrong, you've got a backup. So what is the best web browser? well, that depends a little on what you're looking for, privacy, security, speed, customization? Whatever you're looking for there's a browser out there for you, and the best part is they are all free. To learn more about the best web browsers for 2023, take a look at the links below.
Tech Radar's Best Browsers for 2023
Lifewire's Best Browsers for 2023
DigitalTrend's Best Browsers for 2023
PC Magazine's Best Browsers for 2023
How to Use Waze App
Waze is a free community-based navigation app that has a lot going on, from color-coded traffic patterns and real-time reports to those cute little icons traversing the map. Waze is used daily by millions of drivers, helping them navigate across town or across the country. To learn more about how to use the Waze app, take a look at this article. If you're already a Waze user and just want to learn some new tips and tricks, take a look at this article. Or if you prefer a video, take a look at the video below.
Waze is a free community-based navigation app that has a lot going on, from color-coded traffic patterns and real-time reports to those cute little icons traversing the map. Waze is used daily by millions of drivers, helping them navigate across town or across the country. To learn more about how to use the Waze app, take a look at this article. If you're already a Waze user and just want to learn some new tips and tricks, take a look at this article. Or if you prefer a video, take a look at the video below.
Two Different Ways to Clear your Waze Navigation History
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Best Cheap Smartphones for 2023
Originally this was going to be the "best smartphone under $100" but after looking around the internet, I couldn't find anything decent at that price point. Now you can always opt for a two year contract with just about any cell provider and they'll "give" you a new smartphone with the deal. You, of course, will be paying it off each month of your contract. If you want to buy a smartphone outright and save some money, check out the links for best cheap smartphone below. Please keep in mind that "cheap" when it comes to smartphones is a relative term.
Tom's Guide's Best Cheap Smartphones for 2023
Tech Radar's Best Cheap Smartphones for 2023
PC Magazine's Best Cheap Smartphones for 2023
