2020 Archive

Online Tech Group meeting, please try to check in 5 or 10 minutes early.

The Gadget Gurus – We do not have any prerequisites, just come, ask questions about previous topics. I will also review the current tech news. We will do our best to answer questions concerning computers, smartphones, apps, cameras, tablets, the internet, and more. Bring your tech issues and enjoy the meeting.​

April 20 at 7:00 PM – On-Line Join Hangouts Meet  7:00 pm – Navigating Google, Gmail, Calendar, Maps, Wallet, Docs… – Google provides Internet services that let you search the web, create blogs, send email, word processing, spreadsheets, video chat, and publish web pages. Google has social networking tools, organization tools, and services for mobile devices, Google Wallet card, and even Google-branded merchandise. Type With Your Voice – You can type and edit a document by speaking in Google Docs. Note: This feature is only available in Chrome browsers.

> > Weekly App – Simple Radio Dark Sky for Android  and Apple iOS version in the iTunes Store

• 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.

Apr 27, 2020, at 7:00 PM – Online Meeting tab​​ – Use Google Photo To Manage Your Digital Pictures – All your photos organized and easy to find. Pictures on your computer or smartphone are backed up safely, organized, and labeled automatically so that you can see them fast, and share them how you like. Google has built-in some smart tools for sharing photos as well – drag to select a few shots, and with a couple of clicks, you can create a web album too. Free unlimited storage, automatic backup, and fun editing effects make Google Photos one of my favorite tools for managing photos to share with friends.

> > Weekly App – Google Photos for Android and Apple iOS version in the iTunes Store.

•  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.

May 11, 2020, at 1 and 7 PM – Online Meeting tab ​​– Low-Cost Wireless Providers – Project Fi is wireless service offered by Google directly to users. The most innovative aspect of Google Fi is its pricing: Google Fi includes unlimited international texts, WiFi tethering to use your phone as a hotspot, and cellular access coverage in 200+ countries. Mint Mobile uses fast nationwide 4G LTE data coverage and unlimited talk and text as low as $15 a month. You don’t need a new phone, just get a new Mint Mobile GSM SIM card, and you’re ready to go! Ting is a new mobile phone service that caters to people tired of dealing with complicated billing plans from carriers like AT&T or Verizon. Their slogan is ‘Mobile That Makes Sense.

> > Weekly App – Wyze Cam for Android and Apple iOS version in the iTunes Store.

•  Wyze Cam 1080p HD Indoor Wireless Smart Home Camera – 1080p full HD live stream direct to your smartphone day or night with night vision.

Jun 8, 2020, at 1 and 7 PM – Online Meeting tab ​​– Streaming Video Your Best TV Entertainment Value – Streaming video is content sent in compressed form over the Internet and displayed by the viewer 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 uncompresses 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.

> > Weekly App – LastPass for Android and Apple iOS version in the iTunes Store.

•  LastPass is a password manager and password generator that locks your passwords and personal information in a secure vault.

Jun 22, 2020, at 1 and 7 PM – Online Meeting tab ​​– Back To The Basic – And the “basics” aren’t just for beginners.  You always hear something new, or something that you have forgotten because you haven’t used it for a long time. And we always appreciate having experienced users in these sessions to contribute their experience and knowledge to the group.  Find out all the things you can do when you “right click” on the mouse – or the things you can do from the keyboard without the mouse.

> > Weekly App – Sensi for Android and Apple iOS version in the iTunes Store.

•  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.

Jul 6, 2020, at 1 and 7 PM – Online Meeting tab ​​– Do You Think Your PC Has a Virus – A computer virus is a malicious code that replicates by copying itself to another program, computer boot sector or document and changes how a computer works. The virus requires someone to knowingly or unknowingly spread the infection without the knowledge or permission of a user. A computer worm is programming that does not require human interaction to spread. Viruses and worms may also be known as malware. Browser hijacking is a form of unwanted software that modifies a web browser’s settings without a user’s permission, to insert unsolicited advertising into the user’s browser. A browser hijacker may replace the existing home page, error page, or search engine with its own.

Easily Share Photos & Videos – You can share photos, videos, albums, and movies with any of your contacts, even if they don’t use the Google Photos app.

> > Weekly App – Pocket Casts for Android and Apple iOS version in the iTunes Store.

•  Android Central says: “Pocket Casts is the best podcast app for Android”

Jul 20, 2020, at 1 and 7 PM – Online Meeting tab ​​– Let’s Look At Mobile Apps –  If you have a smartphone or another mobile device, you probably use apps. To play games – Get turn-by-turn directions – Access news, books, weather, and more. Apps are easy to download and often free, mobile apps can be so convenient that you might download them without considering how they’re paid for or what information they may gather from your device. A mobile app is a software program you can download and access using your phone or tablet. Services, Shopping, Entertainment, and Apps I use. – Here are many of the services I enjoy regularly. You may also find some of them interesting and useful.

> > Weekly App –  Speedtest for Android and Apple iOS version in the iTunes Store.

•  Use Speedtest® by Ookla® for an easy, one-tap connection internet performance and speed test.

Aug 3, 2020, at 1 and 7 PM – Online Meeting tab ​​– Cloud Computing, Create Documents & Spreadsheets Online – You don’t need to buy Microsoft Office! Create basic documents from scratch or start from a template. You can easily do all the basics, including making bulleted lists, sorting by columns, adding tables, images, comments, formulas, changing fonts and more. And it’s free.

> > Weekly App – Google News for Android and Apple iOS version in the iTunes Store.

•  Google News is a smart news app that organizes what’s happening in the world to help you learn more about the stories that matter to you.

Aug 10, 2020, at 1 and 7 PM – Online Meeting tab ​​– The Gadget Gurus –

Aug 17, 2020, at 1 and 7 PM – Online Meeting tab ​​– What is a Chromebook? – A Chromebook is a new type of computer designed to help you get things done faster and easier. Powered by Google’s Chrome OS™, and featuring built-in, up-to-date virus protection along with Google apps and services like Gmail™, Google Calendar™, Docs and Google Play™ (plus thousands more in the Chrome Web Store™). Unlike traditional PCs, Chromebooks update themselves automatically for free, so you always have the latest and greatest version, while your stuff stays safe with Google Drive™ online file storage that’s automatically backed up. And Chromebooks play nicely with your other devices—your phone, tablet or another computer—so you can stay in sync with your day from.

> > Weekly App – Rain Alarm Pro for Android and Apple iOS version in the iTunes Store.

•  This weather app alerts you when rain is approaching.

Sept 7, 2020, at 1 and 7 PM – Online Meeting tab ​​–The Gadget Gurus – We do not have any prerequisites, just come, ask questions about previous topics. I will also review the current tech news. We will do our best to answer questions concerning computers, smartphones, apps, cameras, tablets, the internet, and more. Bring your tech issues and enjoy the meeting.

 

Sept 14, 2020, at 1 and 7 PM – Online Meeting tab ​​ –  Use strong Passwords – Your passwords are the keys to your internet life. Use strong passwords and keep the bad guys out.   LastPass Free Password Manager – Stop using the same password for all sites – Now you can finally use long, complex, different passwords for each site and no longer need to worry about forgetting them. You can stop storing passwords in the browser’s password manager – Browser password managers are not only non-portable across computers, but it is also a major security risk. Two Factor Authentication  – Two-factor authentication means using two authentication methods (e.g. password, the value from a physical token, text message, or automated voice call with a token number) to increase the assurance that the bearer has been authorized to access secure systems. Two-factor authentication is one of the best things you can do to make sure your accounts don’t get hacked.