Google Home, the voice-activated speaker which powered by the Google Assistant is out now . Google Home is available from Harvey Norman , Telstra and some major retailers at a cost of $199 With a simple “Ok Google”, Google Home will respond with answers to your questions , let you turn up the music that you can get it to play from Google Music , Spotify or YouTube. With Google Home you can keep up with your calendar , use it to manage your everyday tasks , play and pause the radio ( you just say Ok Google play – FIVEaa Adelaide or even turn on or adjust your compatible smart lights if you have them. Sound quality and voice recognition is excellent. A full list of functions of the Google Home can be found here : Google Home Google Home works seamlessly with your internet connection. You will need a Google account and you just install the app on your smartphone and it will talk to the Google Home and set it up – extremely easy to do. I have had one since Friday and am very impressed.
Continue ReadingYou Cannot Call Google
If you have an issue with Gmail or your other free Google services and need help , you cannot ring them. Google support is through a dedicated page – Google Support – and it does not include a support number. However if you do a search for Google support you will see some ” businesses ” that claim to be from Google. Calling numbers like the ones below can lead you to being charged exorbitant amounts of money after they log into your computer ( do not allow this !)
Continue ReadingHell Has Frozen Over – I Have Moved To The Samsung S8 Plus
I have now been using my new smartphone the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus for a week now and it is time to pass an opinion. I have used an iPhone 7 Plus since its release but over the last few years I would get the Samsung Galaxy smartphones – test them – then pass it on and go back to my iPhone. This time around though I have kept using the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus and have no intention of giving it up. Here is why: It is a gorgeous device – surely the best designed visually appealing smartphone they have made The screen is superb – really superb , with the wrap around screen – and it goes to the edge of the device Battery life is excellent – I can use the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus all day – not charge it – then get up the next day and still have 25% – 30% left It is quick and snappy and have not noticed any lag at all which does seem to plague so many Android devices The camera is great , both front and back – the front camera has autofocus which works well There is… Read More
Continue ReadingWays To Stay Secure When Using Android
Lets look at ways to keep your Android phone / device secure Lock your phone – create a pin or use the fingerprint reader Practise using the Android Device Manager to locate your phone Make sure the “ unknown sources “ is disabled in your Android settings as this will not allow you to install from “ third party sites “ that maybe shady Keep your phone updated , both apps from the Google Play Store and system updates Turn on Google Chromes Safe browsing feature in Chrome on your Android device and don’t use the other browsers – To check if you’re already using it, just head over to the Settings -> Privacy menu in Chrome on Android.
Continue ReadingUpdate Your Android Apps – It Just Helps
If you have an Android smartphone when was the last time you went to the Google Play Store on your smartphone and checked for updates to the apps. It appears that many people do not and that can and does lead to issues. So how do you do this and can you turn on automatic updates – its not a bad idea . Open the Google Play Store app on your smartphone. Tap the Menu button and then tap on “My apps & games”. The Apps with an update available are indicated by the term “Updates“. To update individual apps, select the particular app, which you want to update and then tap Update Or Tap Update All to update all apps. Note: While updating apps, some apps require new permissions, and you may see a notification asking you to accept the new permissions because app developers would have changed the permissions. While you are there you may want to turn on – install updates automatically
Continue ReadingThe Samsung Battery Commitment
Nice to see Samsung advertise their commitment to battery safety. We need viable , well made technology products from all companies because when we have this we all win and I look forward to the Samsung Galaxy S8 release later this year.
Continue ReadingIn The Online World Your ID Is Important
Whether you have an Apple account for your Mac , iPad , iPhone or a Windows device or a Google account your ID to log in is important and something you should know , remember and manage when necessary. All of these require: An email address A password In some cases a recovery email address A mobile phone number for 2 factor authentication – you really should do this they will not spam you If you decide for a reason to change your email address which is linked to any of the accounts above , you need to make the change to your IDs before you make the change to your regular email address as if things go wrong you may lose access to that account or have to jump through some hoops to get back in. Learn how to logon to these accounts and check your details. Android users take note , you have a Google Account – a gmail address – learn how to access it on a computer. Apple devices are tied to your Apple ID Microsoft users need it for Windows 10 , Office 365 , Outlook.com , Hotmail IDs can be checked at: Google Login… Read More
Continue ReadingI Just Bought An Android Smartphone Do I Need An Antivirus?
A question I am asked all the time is , I have just bought an Android smartphone do I need an antivirus , and my answer is generally , no. The Android operating system is safe as long as you follow the basic rules of : Only getting apps from the Google Play Store – this is the default now Keep the operating system up to date – don’t ignore those updates when they pop up on the screen Stay away from the ” too good to be true ” websites – free movies , music etc If you still feel that this is too hard then install Lookout which does a good job and does not take over your device. Stay clear of the Windows based antivirus solutions.
Continue ReadingMy Tech Hits & Misses For 2016
My favourite pieces of tech for 2016: Best phone: iPhone7 plus Great camera , waterproof , great battery life , love the black finishes Close second:Google Pixel Great camera , good battery life , pure Android that is updated to keep you secure and none of the 3rd party software that other makers throw in that is always hit or miss. Favourite Laptop – MacBook Pro 2016 Fast , well made , great keyboard , love the touch bar , the Touch ID and it is light with great lapability. Close Second – Surface Pro 4 I love the Microsoft Surface range of computers , well made , good keyboard , good battery life and again no 3rd party software that other makers put onto their computers which makes them more secure.Also really light to carry and love the pen features. Favourite Headphones – AirPods They are a standout product with superb audio quality for both microphone and listening and are the easiest syncing product I have used. Tech Misses for 2016 Windows 10 – forced upgrade , nobody likes being tricked into upgrading but now Windows 10 is the best version of Windows Microsoft have released. Yahoo – their email service is… Read More
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