Senior Tech Group
Getting Comfortable With The Basics

Services, Shopping, Entertainment, and Apps I use.

Here are many of the services I enjoy regularly. You may also find some interesting and useful. Any questions, send me an email I’ll try to help.

Note: Items marked with “+” are my must-have apps, product, and services.

Jump to Services, Shopping, Entertainment – Services –  Security – Smart Home – Auto, Navigation, and Driving – Financial – Entertainment – Productivity –  Shopping 

Jump to Apps –  Weather, Space, and Astronomy – News, Podcast, Social, and Entertainment – Shopping – Navigation, Maps, Travel – Photo, Imaging, Graphics – Productivity – Security – Smart Home – Financial – WiFi & Mobile Data Management, Testing – System and Utilities – Other

Services, Shopping, Entertainment

Services​​

  • +  Google Account – Gmail, Google Docs, Google Photos, and all other Google services.
  • +  Google Fi – Google Fi is a phone plan designed to provide the highest-quality connection, enable easy communication across networks and devices, and make your experience as simple as possible.
  • Ting – Smarter phone service. Get more for less.
  • Mailchimp –  Emailing service, free for 2000 subscribers and 12000 messages a month.
  • USPS – USPS Tracking – Informed Delivery Digitally preview your mail and manage your packages scheduled to arrive soon! – Mail & Ship, Save time, and ship from home? You can pay for postage and print a shipping label right from your printer.
  • TeamViewer – Remote Access Anytime, Anywhere.
  • magicJack – Travel with your magicJack device and make Unlimited local & long-distance calls to the U.S. and Canada.
  • NameSilo – Low-Cost Domain Registration
  • 2A Hosting– High Powered Web Hosting For Your Unique Needs!
  • WordPress – Build a website, build a movement. Whatever you want to create, share, or sell, we’ll help you do it right here.

​​Security

  • +  LastPass – Simplify your life. LastPass remembers all your passwords, so you don’t have to.
  • +  Authy – Enable 2FA for your favorite sites and go beyond the password and protect yourself from hackers and account takeovers.
  • +  Carbonite – Carbonite offers all the tools necessary for protecting data from the most common forms of data loss.
  • +  Chamberlain – MyQ Garage enables smartphone control of most major garage door opener brands with Photo Eyes manufactured starting in 1993.
  • Leviton decora smart Wi-Fi- My Leviton Cloud provides an easy, secure way to control devices from an iOS or Android app.
  • +  Alarm Relay – Around-the-clock home monitoring and direct access to emergency help when you need it.
  • Wyze Cam – See the moments that matter 1080p Full HD, Night Vision, and 2-Way Audio. 
  • ProtonMail – Secure Email Based in Switzerland. Secure Your Communications with ProtonMail

Smart Home

  • + Google WiFi mesh router it’s easy to set up and works great.
    What is a mesh home network?
    A mesh Wi-Fi router and its satellites act as extenders that allow you to get better Wi-Fi signals encompassing a larger area. With Google WiFi, the satellite mesh units connect wirelessly to the base unit or using Ethernet cables.  My home network diagram.
  • + Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Thermostat for Smart Home –  Named the ‘Best Value’ smart thermostat of 2018 by USA Today’s Reviewed.com
  • +  MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener Chamberlain – Open and close your garage door from anywhere with your smartphone Easy-to-add functionality with existing garage door openers.
  • +  Wyze Cam 1080p HD Indoor Wireless Smart Home Camera – 1080p full HD live stream direct to your smartphone day or night with night vision.
  • +  Google Home – Smart Speaker & Home Assistant – Google Home is a powerful speaker and voice Assistant. Play your music. Call your friends. Ask it questions. Control your home.
  • +  Lenovo Smart Display with Google Assistant – The Lenovo Smart Display brings you the best of the Google Assistant with an enhanced visual experience. You can do more, like tackling a new recipe, watching YouTube videos, checking the weather, or pulling up your agenda. Just say “Hey Google,” and you’ll see.
  • Lutron Maestro Sensor – Motion Sensor Switch automatically turns lights ON and OFF.
  • Leviton DW3HL-1BW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-In Dimmer – Control your lights from anywhere using the free My Leviton app for iOS and Android; no hub required.
  • Sonoff Wi-Fi Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring – Smart remote control Socket: You can remotely/timely control ON/OFF any connected home appliance via APP eWeLink on your smartphone or tablet.
  • Conico 1SK33W Wi-Fi Smart Power Strip –  Control 4 smart plugs and 4 USB charging ports from your phone, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Schedule on/off.
  • LED Infrared Motion Sensor Warm Light Bulb – Will light up automatically while detecting motion in the dark. 
  • +  LUXON Motion Sensor Light Bulb 7W Smart Bulb Radar Dusk to Dawn LED The built-in radar sensor is much more sensitive than the normal PIR sensor. It detects motion through glass, wood, and stud walls.

Auto, Navigation, and Driving

  • +  Google Maps  – Get real-time GPS navigation, traffic, and transit info, and explore local neighborhoods by knowing where to eat, drink and go – no matter what part of the world you’re in.
  • +  Android Auto  – Android Auto is your smart driving companion that helps you stay focused, connected, and entertained with the Google Assistant. With a simplified interface, large buttons, and powerful voice actions, Android Auto is designed to make it easier to use apps that you love from your phone while you’re on the road.
  • PayTollo – No more waiting in the cash lane or getting toll violations in the mail. Simply download PayTollo and use your mobile device to pay for toll roads.

Financial

Entertainment ​​

  • Acorn TV – Stream world-class TV from Britain and beyond
  • +  Prime Video – Amazon Prime Video is where you can watch the Prime Original series.
  • HBO NOW streaming – Connect to HBO NOW and watch everywhere. Sign up and log in to stream on your computer, phone, tablet, and smart TV.
  • Hulu – All your TV in one place, watch thousands of shows and movies.
  • +  NetFlix – Netflix is a streaming service that allows you to watch a wide variety of TV shows, movies, documentaries, and more on internet-connected devices.
  • SHOWTIME streaming – Original series, movies, documentaries, sports, and much more.
  • +  Roku – Roku devices are simple to set up and easy-to-use; they come with a simple remote.
  • +  Tablo – Cancel Cable, Keep the DVR with Tablo.

Check out the Senior Tech Group program Streaming Video Your Best TV Entertainment Value for more details. – Streaming video is content sent in compressed form over the Internet and displayed in real-time. With streaming video or streaming media, a Web user does not have to wait to download a file to play it. Instead, the media is sent in a continuous stream of data and is played as it arrives. The user needs a player, which is a special program that uncompressed and sends video data to the display and audio data to speakers. A player can be either an integral part of a browser, a set-top box, or built into a Smart TV. –

Productivity 

  • Grammarly – Your writing, at its best. Grammarly makes sure everything you type is clear, effective, and mistake-free.
  • Office 365 Home – One solution for you and your family across all your devices. Includes premium Office applications for up to 6 users on PC or Mac. 
    15 Month Subscription at Costco $89.99 – 12-month subscription at Amazo $79.99

​​Shopping

The Android Apps I use

Below are many of the apps I have installed on my Android phone and tablet. Almost all are also available for the iPhone and iPad.

Note: Apps marked with “+” are my must-have tools.

I use + Google Opinion Rewards to earn credits to pay for my apps. Answer quick surveys and earn Google Play credit with Google Opinion Rewards, an app created by the Google Surveys team.

Jump to Apps –  Weather, Space, and Astronomy – News, Podcast, Social, and Entertainment – Shopping – Navigation, Maps, Travel – Photo, Imaging, Graphics – Productivity – Security – Smart Home – Financial – WiFi & Mobile Data Management, Testing – System and Utilities – Other

Weather, Space, and Astronomy 

  • AccuWeather  – Get live weather forecasts and storm alerts with AccuWeather
  • eWeather HD  – The high accuracy of weather forecasting is achieved by using data from two independent weather agencies.
  • Heavens-Above Pro  – When can I see the ISS? What’s that light in the sky? The official Heavens-Above app provides you with precise pass predictions for the ISS, visible satellites, Iridium flares, and radio satellites.
  • MyRadar  – MyRadar is a fast, easy-to-use, no-frills application that displays animated weather radar around your current location
  • + MyRadar Pro  – MyRadar Ad Free is the ad-free version of the leading free radar app, MyRadar. It is a fast, easy-to-use, no-frills application that displays animated weather radar around your current location.
  • NOAA Weather  – This app provides forecasts, animated radar, hourly forecast, and current conditions, all in an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
  • +  Rain Alarm Pro  – This weather app alerts you when rain is approaching.
  • Scanbot  – Scanbot is the best document to PDF scanner app and very easy to use.
  • SeaStorm  – SeaStorm allows you to keep track of tropical storm and hurricane activity in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins.
  • SkEye Pro  – All-stars up to mag 10 are rendered.
  • Sky Map  – Sky Map is a hand-held planetarium for your Android device. Use it to identify stars, planets, nebulae, and more.
  • Space Launch Now  – Space Launch Now the best app for keeping track of the next spaceflight event! Get updates and notifications for rocket launches from SpaceX, NASA, ULA, ROSCOSMOS, ISRO, and many more!
  • Storm Radar  – Track rain and severe weather with Storm: your forecast, weather radar, and hurricane tracker.
  • SunCalc org  – Detects path of the sun, sunrise, sun peak, sunset.
  • + Weather Underground – The new Weather Underground Android app provides the world’s most accurate hyper-local weather forecasts in addition to interactive radar, satellite maps, and severe weather alerts.
  • Weather Forecast Pro  – Pro version that does not contain ads and has premium support.
  • WeatherBug  – The ad-free version of the highly-rated WeatherBug app. Get the best weather app today!
  • Windy  – Windy is an extraordinary tool for weather forecast visualization. 
  • YoWindow  – YoWindow is a unique new weather app. The magic of YoWindow is a living landscape that reflects your actual weather.

News, Podcast, Social, and Entertainment 

  • Amazon Music  – Listen free with Prime membership or get more with Amazon Music Unlimited.
  • +  Feedly  – Every day, millions of professionals and passionate learners use Feedly on their phones and tablets to follow the blogs, magazines, and other sources that matter to them.
  • Folio Pro  – Experience Facebook faster and more optimized better than any other alternative.
  • +  Google News  – Google News is a smart news app that organizes what’s happening globally to help you learn more about the stories that matter to you.
  • Google Podcasts  – Google Podcasts is a new way for Android users to discover and listen to the world’s podcasts.
  • Netflix  – Netflix is the world’s leading subscription service for watching TV episodes and movies on your favorite device.
  • NPR News  – Read, listen, or create a playlist of your favorite NPR stories and share with friends. Hear live streams from hundreds of NPR stations.
  • +  Pocket  – Use Pocket to capture the content that comes at you all day long and curate your own space filled with only the topics you care about.
  •  +  Pocket Casts  – Android Central says: “Pocket Casts is the best podcast app for Android.”
  • Roku  – The Roku® mobile app is a free application for iOS® and Android™ devices that turns your mobile device into our ultimate streaming companion for Roku streaming players and Roku TVs.
  • +  Simple Radio  – Simple Radio by Streema is the simplest way of listening to your favorite FM Radio stations, AM Radio, Internet Radio Online, and Free radio stations.
  • Tablo  – Tablo is an Over-The-Air (OTA) DVR for Cord-Cutters using HDTV antennas to access broadcast TV signals.
  • YouTube VR  – Experience your favorite YouTube channels, videos, and creators in virtual reality.

Shopping

  • +  Bring!  – User-friendly shopping list and clever sharing functions, all people in the household know what’s missing in the fridge and pantries. This way, you save plenty of time and money while shopping. Try it out now – it’s free!
  • +  Amazon Shopping  – Shop millions of products on any of Amazon’s sites around the world from a single app
  • Costco  – The Costco Mobile App is the easiest way to save time and money on the go.
  • + Garage Sales  – Discover the fun of garage sale shopping! Garage Sale Map is an app for finding garage sales, yard sales, and estate sales around you on a map.
  • GasBuddy  – GasBuddy tells you where the nearest gas stations are and which are the cheapest today.
  • +  Google Opinion Rewards  – Answer quick surveys and earn Google Play credit with Google Opinion Rewards, an app created by the Google Surveys team.  
  • USPS Mobile for Android & USPS Mobile for iPhone – Access popular USPS.com tools on the go with the USPS Mobile app: calculate shipping prices (limitations apply), find a Post Office, look up a ZIP Code.

Navigation, Maps, Travel

  • +  Android Auto  – Android Auto is your smart driving companion that helps you stay focused, connected, and entertained with the Google Assistant. With a simplified interface, large buttons, and powerful voice actions, Android Auto is designed to make it easier to use apps that you love from your phone while you’re on the road.
  • +  Google Maps  – Get real-time GPS navigation, traffic, and transit info, and explore local neighborhoods by knowing where to eat, drink and go – no matter what part of the world you’re in.
  • Google Trips  – Google Trips makes exploring the world easier by organizing your essential info in one place and making it available even offline.
  • Lyft  – Use Lyft to get an affordable ride in minutes. 
  • what3words  – We have given every 10ftx10ft square in the world a unique 3-word address. You can use the what3words app to discover, search, and share a 3-word address and get directions.

Photo, Imaging, Graphics 

  • + Google Photos – Google Photos is a new photo gallery from Google, made for the way you take photos today. Your photos and videos will be automatically backed up and organized, so you can find and share them faster – and never run out of space on your phone.
  • Lens  – Look up a dish right from the menu, add events to your calendar, get directions, call a number, translate words, and more.
  • Photo Studio PRO  – Photo Studio is a powerful multifunctional photo editing application for photographers.
  • PhotoScan  – PhotoScan is a new scanner app from Google Photos that lets you scan and save your favorite printed photos using your phone’s camera. Picture perfect and glare-free.
  • PicSay  – The fun award-winning photo editor.
  • PicSay Pro  – Spice up the pictures on your phone with this award-winning photo editor!
  • Pixel Shortcuts  – Pixel Shortcuts is a helper utility that makes it easier to load apps already on your device that, for whatever reason, don’t appear in your launcher.
  • Polarr  – It doesn’t matter if you’re new to photography or a pro; Polarr has it all.
  • ProShot  – Auto, Program, Manual, and two fully configurable Custom modes, just like a DSLR. Manual, semi-manual, or automatic control over exposure, flash, focus, ISO, shutter speed, torch, and white balance.
  • QR & Barcode Scanner PRO  – QR & Barcode Scanner is the fastest QR / barcode scanner out there. QR & Barcode Scanner is an essential app for every Android device.
  • Snapseed  – Snapseed is a complete and professional photo editor developed by Google.
  • Sticky AI  – Sticky uses artificial intelligence to help you create your own selfie-stickers incredibly fast.  
  • Timestamp GPS Camera  – Timestamp – GPS Camera PRO automatically stamps your photos with GPS location, Date, Time, Address, Temperature, Pressure.

Productivity 

  • +  aCalendar+  – aCalendar+ gives you many additional calendar features.
  • Assistant  – The Google Assistant app provides another way to launch the Assistant that’s already available on your phone. It allows you to access your Google Assistant with one tap quickly
  • Docs  – Create, edit and collaborate with others on documents from your Android phone or tablet with the Google Docs app.
  • Sheets  – Create, edit and collaborate with others on spreadsheets from your Android phone or tablet.
  • +  Grammarly  – The Grammarly Keyboard helps you write mistake-free and with ease in any app you use on your mobile device
  • Keep Notes  – Quickly capture what’s on your mind and get a reminder later at the right place or time. 
  • Word  –  With Word, your Office moves with you.

Security

  • + Google Authenticator  – Google Authenticator generates 2-Step Verification codes on your phone.
  • + LastPass Authenticator  – LastPass Authenticator offers effortless two-factor authentication for your LastPass account and other supported apps.
  • + Microsoft Authenticator  – Sign in is easy, convenient, and secure when you use Microsoft Authenticator. Use your phone, not your password, to log into your Microsoft account.
  • +  Authy  – The Authy app generates secure 2 step verification tokens on your device. It help’s you protect your account from hackers and hijackers by adding layer of security.
  • +  Automatic  – Automatic Pro is the only connected car adapter with unlimited 3G and GPS included.
  • Find My Device  – Find My Device helps you locate your lost Android and lock it until you get it back.
  • +  LastPass  – LastPass is a password manager and password generator that locks your passwords and personal information in a secure vault. From your LastPass vault, you can store passwords and logins, create online shopping profiles, generate strong passwords, track personal information in notes, and more. All you have to do is remember your LastPass master password, and LastPass will autofill web browser and app logins for you.
  • ProtonMail  – ProtonMail offers encrypted email, making it virtually impossible for anyone to read it except the sender and the recipient.
  • QuickSupport  – Get support for your mobile device from any Windows or Mac computer! You can now receive technical remote support for your mobile devices.
  • VIP Access  – Symantec VIP Access helps protect your online accounts and transactions using a strong authentication process when you sign in to your VIP-enabled accounts.
  • Trusted Contacts  – Trusted Contacts is a personal safety app that opens a direct line of sharing between you and your family. 
  • ZenMate  – ZenMate VPN – the essential cybersecurity solution for all of your devices.

Smart Home

  • +  Chamberlain  – Chamberlain’s myQ-enabled products and myQ app allow you to easily open, close, or check the status of your garage door from anywhere with your smartphone or tablet.
  • +  Home  – With the Google Home app, set up, manage and control your Google Home and Chromecast devices, plus thousands of connected home products like lights, cameras, thermostats, and more – all from one app.
  • My Leviton  – You can start automating and controlling your plug-in lamps or small appliances using the Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Outlet.
  • +  Sensi  – Whether you’re using the Sensi™  Touch Wi-Fi Thermostat or the Sensi™ Wi-Fi Thermostat, you’ll enjoy complete control of your home comfort – Anytime. Anywhere.
  • +  Wyze  – The Wyze app is the home for all your Wyze devices. Use your Wyze Cam or Wyze Cam Pan to live stream 1080p full HD video day or night, listen and talk through the built-in speaker and microphone.
  • Wink  – The Wink app brings together hundreds of smart products — lights, locks, sensors, thermostats, and more — across dozens of the best brands so that you can control them from anywhere. 
  • WiOn  – Bring the power to your fingertips, and gain convenient control of your devices when paired with our Woods indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi enabled products.

Financial 

  • +  Google Pay  – Google Pay is the fast, simple way to pay online, in stores, and more. Book a trip, grab a meal, see a show, and enjoy new experiences – all without your wallet. Getting started on the web or with the app is easy. Just add a card, and you’re ready to go.
  • +  Mint  – Mint is the free money manager and financial tracker app from the makers of TurboTax.
  • PayPal  – Send and Request Money Fast
  • Pay+  Tollo  – We currently provide services in the State of Florida. You will be updated as additional regions are added. Use this toll payment method and drive in the electronic lane. Simply download, register your vehicle, add a payment method, and drive.
  • +  Privacy  – Get a new virtual card for every transaction. Generate random Privacy Visa® cards to protect yourself when you spend online.
  • +  Schwab  – Take charge of your financial future with Schwab’s mobile app for Android. 
  • SunPass  – SunPass is the Florida Department of Transportation’s innovative Prepaid Toll Program. Incorporating the latest technology

WiFi & Mobile Data Management, Testing

  • +  Datally  – Datally is a smart app by Google that helps you save, manage, and share your mobile data. On average, people save 21 percent of their mobile data—that’s like using data Monday to Thursday and having Friday covered by Datally.
  • FAST  – Use the fast.com application to help you see how fast your internet connection is, whether on mobile or broadband, anywhere in the world.
  • Network Cell Info  – Network Cell Info is a cell network monitor and measurements log tool.
  • Network Scanner  – Displays the IP and MAC addresses, the names of the hosts on your local network.
  • Network Signal Info Pro  – Network Signal Info Pro provides detailed information over the currently used network with accurate signal strength output, WiFi (WLAN) or cellular (mobile) connection, and is easy to use.
  • NFC Tools  – NFC Tools is an app that allows you to read, write and program tasks on your NFC tags and other RFID compatible chips.
  • Signal Spy  – Allows Project Fi users to switch between networks with provided dialer codes manually.
  • SignalCheck Pro  – SignalCheck allows users to check the true signal strength of their connections.
  • Signal Info  – Signal Info is a companion app for Project Fi users. It allows you to see and keep track of which network you’re connected to (WiFi, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular) and at which speed (2G, 3G, 4G, etc.).
  • +  Speedtest  – Use Speedtest® by Ookla® for an easy, one-tap connection internet performance and speed test.
  • Tower Finder  – Let Winegard® keep you connected while at home, tailgating, trucking, or RVing by helping you view your favorite shows with this smart HDTV Tower Finder app with augmented reality.
  • Wifi Analyzer  – Shows the Wi-Fi channels around you. It helps you to find a less crowded channel for your wireless router.
  • WiFi Connection Manager  – WiFi Connection Manager is the best Wi-Fi scanner, manager, and connector on android.
  • WiFi Connection Manager Pro Unlocker  – Upgrade WiFi Connection Manager to pro version will permanently remove the banner advertisement.
  • WiFi Overview 360 Pro  – WiFi Overview 360 and the Pro version is not only a WiFI-Scanner, which shows all WiFis in range. The app is much more. This app is a “Swiss Army Knife” for WiFis.
  • Communications 
  • Duo  – Google Duo is the highest quality video calling app*. It’s simple, reliable, and works on smartphones and tablets. 
  • +  Mailchimp  –  Create and send emails, manage subscribers, and stay on top of your marketing, all from your mobile device.

System and Utilities

  • Files  – Files by Google: Clean up space on your phone (Beta)
  • Google One  – Google One is a simple plan for expanded storage that includes extra benefits to help you get more out of Google.
  • List My Apps  – Creates a list of apps on your device. This list made using List My Apps
  • +  Pushbullet  – Conveniently send and receive SMS messages from your computer.
  • SMS Backup & Restore  – SMS Backup & Restore is a simple Android app that backs up and restores your phone’s text messages and call logs. 
  • Solid Explorer  – This is Solid Explorer File and Cloud Manager.

Other

  • Fit – Get to a healthier and more active life with the new Google Fit!
  • Translate – Offline: Translate 59 languages when you have no Internet.

The list made using List My Apps creates a list of apps on your device.

 

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