The Star Trek Tricorder...Is Here!

Everyday I read and watch videos on information of various news.  The new technology stuff always amazes me.  However, it's pretty much factual that our human brain hasn't really changed much in the past 40 or 50,000 years.  Yet just in the last ten years our technological world is exploding.  The Smartphone and Tablet world growth is almost blindingly fast.  That's why I invented this blog.  To help folks who might feel intimidated in exploring this technology.

Now I'm not one for trying to keep up with the Jones on anything.  Rarely am I the fist person to go run out and buy some brand new product.  In fact, I'm usually the guy who waits about six months to read people's feedback on a new product to see if it really works correctly.

However, there is now a new device out there, that uses the Smartphone/Tablet technology, that can read your vital signs, health status, and warn you of local outbreaks in your area.  It has yet to be approved by the US FDA.  But it is expected to be on the market for consumers by the end of 2013.  It is called the Scanadu SCOUT.  It is basically the "tricorder" that many of us Star Trek veiwers will remember from the TV series, which originally aired some 49 years ago.  This is one device that I might stand front and center in line for.

Read the tech article link below, watch the video and see for yourself.  Yes...the world around us is changing folks.  Hopefully we are smart enough to change and grow with it, even as we grow older.


http://gizmodo.com/5965143/holy-spock-the-star-trek-medical-tricorder-is-real-and-its-only-150


 

How To Set Up Your Wi-Fi On Your iPhone...

Setting up your cellular phone wifi for some folks is as easy as making a peanut butter sandwich.  For some of us, it's just as annoying and complicated as putting together a 10,000 piece puzzle.

Fear not.  Here is my step by step on setting up your wifi on an iPhone.  Don't worry Android owners.  I chose the iPhone first because it is obviosly a very popular phone.  My next entry will be a step by step on an Android wifi set up.  I happen to own both an iPhone and an Android, after ditching my Blackberry a year ago.  I had 4 generations of those phones.  Such a shame.

Picture 1

First you must find the settings icon on your phone.  Here in this picture its on my lower right, two levels up from the bottom of the phone.  Has that mechanical wheel looking picture.  You just tap that with your finger to get to your device settings.


Picture 2

Once you get into your settings, you just look for your Wi-Fi.  In this picture my Wi-Fi is off and my phone is in Airplane Mode.  I did that to hide the name of my wifi network that I was attached to.  Anyway, you should have your Airplane Mode turned off for starters.  Or just simply turn your Wi-Fi Mode on like so.  Just tap it.

Picture 3

This is the next screen you will see for your Wi-Fi.  Turn it "on" with a finger slide.


Picture 4 and 5

Now that your Wi-Fi is on, you get to choose your Network from the list of Networks that can be seen from your Wi-Fi on mode.  Now just pick your correct Network and type in the password.  That's it.  You're all set.  Just look for the Wi-Fi connection symbol in the upper left of your phone on top of the screen.  It looks like a bunch of upside down smiles.  That's your connection!


I hope this little quick "how to" proves helpful to someone out there who may be a little confused.  You can always email me for further information.  There's also online forums and chats and probably even YouTube videos.  Just search the appropriate websites.  Take care, until the next time!

Should You Update Your iPhone?

Hi folks!  Just recently two people I know, who have iPhone 4's had the iTunes message to update their software in the phone to from 5.0 to 6.0.  I got the same message to do so with my old iPhone 4 a couple of months ago.  I updated, and then noticed the changes.  Some good.  Some were more "Ehhh".  Apple is making changes because they want to get Google out of their system.  Google has been making waves with their Android systems being installed into mobile devices like the Samsung Galaxy S3, and the HTC One X series, as well as all these Google tablets and laptops popping up.  Google and Samsung and all the rest are eroding away at the Big Apple.  Those of you who want to waste time debating and arguing about who's the best - find another blog.  It's to each his own.  This post is to simply help people who couldn't care less about this one or that one.

So back to business, IF you have an iPhone 4 and want to know if you should upgrade...well...my response is yes, do it.  Conservatives will say that you might "brick" the phone, in other words the phone might freeze and then go dead.  Progressives like me will just say go ahead and do it and don't worry about your phone bricking.  Mine didn't.  My neighbor's didn't.  My daughter's didn't.  But my coworker's phone did "brick".  He went to Apple Store and after some back and forth, they gave him a new phone.  And he had an iPhone 4S (more advanced processor).  Me, my neighbor and daughter just have the 4.  Go figure?

If in the new Apple install, you lose a couple of features or apps pertaining to Google, you can always get them back.  Safari is nice too, so there's no issue.  Plus any applications that needed adjustments in order to work with your Apple devices in order to run right, will not get their appropriate fixes.  If you're phone then acts the way mine did, after the software upgrade, you will then be asked almost daily to keep installing more and more individual upgrades and fixes for different apps on your phone.  It's a pain in the neck, I know...but it's a simple thing that takes a couple minutes, if not seconds to do.  You don't even have to stand there and watch it if you're at home and connected via WiFi.

So go ahead and take the plunge.  Upgrade your phone and enjoy the latest greatest software that Apple has to offer.  If the phone dies, take it right back to them and make them give you a replacement.  That's why you invested in an Apple product.  They promise to get your back and make them live up to it.  Besides...it was they who sent you the notice to upgrade anyway.  You're their customer, why should you suffer if their product didn't work right?

Just saying...

 

Couple New Emergency Gadgets!

I've been so focused on my other two blogs that it looks like I'm slipping in sending out my readers some new gadgetry thing to look at.  Well, I'm back and ready to fire away.

For those emergencies where you need to know the weather for the next possible weather related disaster (like myself in Hurricane Sandy) this radio made by Ambient Weather, model WR-333 and currently selling for around $48 on Amazon packs quite a punch of tools.  First, it has a rechargeable battery inside of it.  Second, you can wide the crank shaft on the back of the radio to charge the battery.  Third, is also solar powered.  Fourth, you can always also use regular alkaline batteries in it.  Fifth, it has three radio stations on it - AM, FM and NOAA.  Sixth, you can charge it using your USB plug from your computer.  Eight, it also has an LED flashlight on the side (its a weak light, but it's passable in a pinch).

And last but certainly not least the sound on the speakers is rock solid loud and clear.  But wait...HOLD ON...as if all these features weren't enough - let me throw in one more.  This radio will also recharge your smartphone from its plug and adapters.  Yes, it can charge your smartphone!  How's that for having a complete emergency kit??

My only minuscule gripe with this radio is that itself is not listed to be waterproof or water resistant.  Rugged?  Absolutely!!  It feels like it could withstand a short drop or two and still hold up.  It is an otherwise very, very solid and complete radio.

The yellow Dorcy led, waterproof flashlight is another rock solid device.  At a mere $8 it is most definitely waterproof, actually floats in water and puts out a fairly wide beam of bright light.  It's small enough to fit just about everywhere.  It's rugged.  Is it the brightest light in the solar system?  No.  Is it dim?   Absolutely not.  This light saw plenty of use during my 10 day power outage after Hurricane Sandy.  Simply put, this flashlight can handle it's business in terms of providing you with great light, it does not cost you and arm and a leg, and can even take a splash or two.  None of the regular big boys brands can get you all that at this price.  If you are on a budget and you want something surefire and reliable, I'd have to say go for it.

My endorsement of these products stems from my own personal use.  I'm not receiving any monetary compensation whatsoever from Amazon or the manufacturers.  You may find a different brand for a radio or flashlight and desire to go with that.  I'm just saying that I've spent some big bucks over the years for emergency radios that didn't provide nearly as many charging and channel options as this Ambient Weather radio.  Also, the Dorcy flashlight is an absolute knockout  when it comes to small, bright, waterproof and effective.  You can't beat the price...or the quality and effectiveness of the light.

"Fast Learner"

Last Friday night an artistically accomplished friend helped me compose and edit a picture for my other blog:  www.ESpeakeasy.blogspot.com.  It took us nearly four hours to get the photo and editing process just right. We went back and forth via email and Facebook messaging. It took sometime but we got it right. Yesterday I did some editing by myself and it took me about 2 1/2 hours. Tonight it just took me one hour. So as always it just takes time, determination and our wits to figure things out.  I'm patting myself on the shoulder.

Brand New or Older?

And so...the tech industry created debate goes on for mobile devices.  That debate applies for both the present day tablets and of course, smartphones:  Do I need to upgrade or keep what I have?  Is what I have good enough?  Do I need to get into the tech race?  Is the tech too much for older people to understand?  Which is better Android, iOS (Apple) or Windows 8?

The above questions is the usual line of questions that pop up when I'm talking with neighbors and coworkers  We usually discuss the latest gadgets in this technology explosion of the last five years.  I understand that this will be an on going set of questions for years to come as the tech industry keeps expanding.  Whatever you learned a year or more ago could be almost useless down the road as the software, user interface, speed of the device (processors) and wireless connections (wireless networks) continue to grow.

So rather than dealing with all of the above questions as if one answer is written in stone, let's work from the understanding that what is correct today, may change - or improve tomorrow.  Fair enough?  Not that all improvements are actual improvements.  Just ask folks who have played around on Windows 8 the past several weeks.  The learning curve is definitely a curve ball for some pretty well experienced PC users.  I cannot imagine what it will feel like to people who have a natural fear of even touching a computer.  And believe me, there are still some people with a definite fear of using a computer.  Most of those people may be from an older generation.  You know, the generation that didn't even like setting the clock to a VCR?  So dealing with any version of Windows was going to be a daunting task for them no matter what.

As I sit here typing this blog, I have in front of me an iPad 1, an iPad 3 and a Asus Android tablet.  In the picture that is those same items front left to right.  They are all placed in protective cases.  I used to own and use the iPad 1, but gave it to my 5 year old son to use.  It's been a very, very helpful learning and entertainment tool for him.  The iPad 3 is a gift to my wife.  She is extremely happy with it and readily gave up her iPad 1.  My latest personal toy, the Asus Transformer tablet is their first generation dual core (two processors working).  The iPad 1 is a single core.  The iPad 3 is a quad core (4 processors).  All this, plus the software amounts to speed and smoothness of the device as wekk as game play.  If you use an iPad for anything less than speed or gaming...it is virtually senseless for you to be in a processor speed chase.  In this case - always save your moves for what your wallet can afford.  It's okay to retain or purchase the slightly older model.

Yes the iPad 3 is a way faster moving from application to application.  Yes it has a great viewing screen (Retina display) that is better than many televisions.  But my son is using iPad 1 and it's plenty fast for the games that he plays as well as the educational games and reading that he does on it.  He knows he can't touch his mother's new iPad and doesn't seem to care.  He's very happy with what's in his hand.

So what's my bottom line answers?  If you have an iPad 1, or a first year Android tablet, and it's still working - go ahead and use it until it slows down or becomes unusable.  If you want to improve your use, and can now buzz your way around your device - but find that the device is actually slowing you down - get a newer one.  It doesn't have to be brand new, or the latest thing out there.  Newer items always have those inflated prices attached to them.  Slightly older items usually are cheaper and less bang on your wallet.  Plus they work anyway.   Let your wallet and your actual use and skill level dictate whether or not you need to go out and get the latest and greatest at full, inflated price.  

My Samsung dual core Android phone from less than a year ago is performing quite well, even though it has been replaced by a quad core phone just a few months ago, the Galaxy 3 (UPDATE: the Samsung Galaxy 3 released in the US  was only a souped up dual core, not a quad core as initially stated).  By early next year, the Galaxy 3 is going to be replaced by the Galaxy 4 (UPDATE: the Galaxy 4 released to the US has indeed been a true quad core).  Listen, all I want to do is make phone calls and surf the Internet.  I'm not looking to play war games, or Star Wars on the darn thing.

Another issue is the actual wireless technology.  3G vs 4G vs 4G LTE (long term evolution).  Just so you know, all of that information is about speed and bandwidth.  If you have a 3G phone and love it, and don't give a hoot about upgrading, then keep the phone.  Keep the phone until 3G is dissolved.  So far it hasn't been.  If you're going to upgrade, don't upgrade to 4G, unless you find an absolute bargain over 4G LTE.  However, if all things are equal - do not stop at 4G - just go straight to 4G LTE.  It's bigger, wider, faster, stronger, etc...

Now...if you are a power user for all sorts of electronic devices...just ignore everything I've just written.  Set yourself up every six months for the announcement of some new tech breakthrough and improvement on the prior device.  It may be a difficult and expensive thing to do, but it will keep you hip and hot.

If you have any questions, please be sure to email me at NYEastside.info@gmail.com.  I will be happy to hear from you.

John

Got tech?  This is just a portion of the tech gadgets I've had my hands on in my own home.  Missing is the five desktops all fitted with Windows 7 and one 2005 Mac.  You can always email me at NYEastsideEntertainment@gmail.com with questions.

Should I Get Grandma A Smartphone Or Two Cups And A String?

It was about 13 months ago, that I purchased a cell phone for my late 70's year old mother an all touch phone that was really a "dumb" phone, not a smartphone.  The phone was made by Pantech and had two operational options.  You could open it in the regular mode or switch over to the "Easy" mode.  The Easy mode made all the on screen numbers and letters much bigger for older eyes to see.  The phone also had an optional pullout keyboard for those who preferred that old "keyboard button" feel over touch screen.

Months earlier I had given that same phone as a gift to a 60 something, female coworker.  Needless to say, both gifts failed for both women, mostly for the same reasons.  Both women were initially very afraid and intimidated by the all touch phone.  They were only use to pressing numbers on a dialing pad.  In the case of my mother, she has seen and been using phones since the early 1940's.  Can you imagine the evolution she has seen in that time period?  As for my coworker, she's been using phones since the late 1950's.  She too has seen a lot of changes.

Heck I can remember seeing payphone booths down in the subway of New York City when I was growing up?  They were always on the grimy and dirty side.  Of course I remember the old blue rotary phone that was nearly made a landmark

Since cellular phones became popular from the hit1984 TV series "Miami Vice" (car phone) and movie, 1987's "Lethal Weapon" (Danny Glover's character giving the police counselor a secret call about Mel Gibb's character - you see Glover holding a small suitcase sized phone battery in one hand and telephone in the other hand).

Since then, cell phones have morphed from the size of a basketball high top sneaker, to something that was about the size of a matchbook.  But, those were just the simple cellular phones.  You were happy to be able to make phone calls and not charge your battery for two days.  Then in the later part of the first decade of the 2000's, we've been watching the explosion of the smartphone.  Phones that allow you to tap into the Internet and literally have portable mini computers attached to your waist.  We've gone from 2G to now 4G LTE or Long Term Evolution.  Now your phone is not just judge by the quality of your phone call, but also by the quality of your television or YouTube video reception.

So what ever became of the phone that I gave my mother and coworker?  Well, both of them commented that the phone was too cranky.  It did not "flow" like an iPhone, Android or even Blackberry.  The phone would freeze, or behave choppy, the call quality wasn't always the best and that made both of them feel even more nervous and intimidated to use it.  In both cases they ditched their phones.

However, I am proud to day that at more than a year later, both my mom and coworker have not given up on the new technology.  My mother is very happy with the new Vizio television and it's fancy remote control.  Although her cell phone is a simple one, she's looking forward to tackling a tablet that I purchased for her.  She's been warming herself up on my sister's Windows phone and laptop.   As for my co-worker...boy did she really jump ahead leaps and bounds.  She now has a perfectly fine working Android phone and an iPad.  Both of them credit me with introducing them to the digital age.

That is the goal of this blog, to help introduce people from 30 years on up into this ever evolving technological world.  Thanks for checking in.