Migrating to the cloud is no longer a “maybe” solution for many businesses. With many countries mandating staying home, remote working requires a fresh look.
The good news? There are great solutions available, and you’ll see benefits not just today but also when you’re back in the office in the future. One option is Google’s G Suite to enable business collaboration and communication while working remotely. [Read more…]
There’s one thing all teens can do better than adults – and it’s not Snapchat. They’ve become experts at quickly locating information on the internet.
That’s Google Fu, the ability to use search engines to whip up answers and research faster than a contestant on a radio quiz. [Read more…]
OK Google, How Safe Are Smart Home Assistants?Are you using Siri, Google, or Alexa? When you talk to a home assistant, you join a growing number of smart homes.
Smart home assistants search online, start phone calls, order groceries, play music, turn lights on. All with a single spoken command. [Read more…]
Don’t Sink, Sync instead!
“New Phone, same number. Lost my contacts, so text me your name and I’ll add you.”
“Phone just died and I lost all my Pictures! I’m so upset!”
Has this ever happened to you? It seems like I see messages like this every day on social media. If it’s happened to you, or you’re afraid it will happen to you, I’m here to help. With a series of blog posts, I will show you how to ensure you are staying synced and up to date so You don’t need to worry. Two weeks ago we looked at keeping your iPhone’s Contacts and Photo’s backed up. Last week we looked at Android. Now, let’s look at ways you can switch from iPhone to Android, or vice versa while taking your data with you.
If you have anything on your phone you want to keep, you should keep a copy backed up somewhere. There are too many bad things that can happen to our devices. They can stop working altogether. They could be lost or stolen. They can get dropped making it difficult to access our data. And chances are, we have some valuable data on our phones. Photos of your family? Video of your child’s first steps? Pictures of your last vacation? Your last 3 vacations? How about the phone number of everyone you know? How many phone numbers can you remember without accessing your phone’s contact list? We have come to rely on these devices a lot in our lives, and the data on them is important. [Read more…]
NOTE: Samsung Galaxy devices run on the Android Operating system, and so this guide will work for these devices as well.
NOTE 2: Because Android runs on literally thousands of different phones and manufacturers often ‘skin’ android to make it look different some instructions might not jive with your device. The general procedure should still be the same. Feel free to contact me if you want assistance.
“New Phone, same number. Lost my contacts, so text me your name and I’ll add you.”
“Phone just died and I lost all my Pictures! I’m so upset!”
Has this ever happened to you? It seems like I see messages like this every day on social media. If it’s happened to you, or you’re afraid it will happen to you, I’m here to help. With a series of blog posts, I will show you how to ensure you are staying synced and up to date so You don’t need to worry. Last week we looked at keeping your iPhone’s Contacts and Photo’s backed up. This week, we’ll look at doing the same on Android. Finally, next week, we’ll look at ways you can switch from iPhone to Android, or vice versa while taking your data with you. [Read more…]
We all love our Google, quickly finding everything we need on the Internet. It’s replaced dictionaries, encyclopedias, instruction manuals, newspapers and in many cases, even doctors. However, sometimes your search results aren’t the real thing and can be downright malicious. Here’s how to search safely: [Read more…]
The internet is a wealth of information, ripe for the taking. If you can find it, that is. With search engines like Google and Bing make finding the information pretty easily. But have you ever found yourself typing question after question into the Search box and coming up empty-handed? You try wording your search a bit differently each time, but you just can’t seem to crack the code! I have some tips that will help you master your searches and find what you are looking for in no time. With these tips, you can become a Google Ninja. This article will focus on Google’s search engine specifically. What can you do to maximize your chances of finding the information you need quickly and painlessly?
Use Quotation Marks to Find Exact Phases
Placing quotation marks around a search phrase will yield results for only those words in that exact order. This is helpful when searching for multiple word phrases. For example, if you searched for Cute Cat Video you would get results for pages that have all three of those words on them, even though they aren’t in that order and could be completely unrelated to what you want. If you search for “Cute Cat Video” instead, you force Google to only search for the words in that order and you can enjoy your cat videos.
Use a minus sign to exclude a word
Let’s say you want to search for Mustangs. You head to google and type in Mustangs AND you get nothing but car results, but you wanted horses. There are a few ways you can further refine your search. You could add a word to your search and try Mustang Horse but then you end up with results for cars and how much horsepower they have. So instead we can take a term out and search for Mustang -cars. Now Google will search for Mustangs and remove and results that also have the word car in them.
Use an Asterisk as a Wild Card or Fill in the Blank
This can be useful when you don’t know one or two words of the phrase you want to search for. For example, if you know some of the words to a song, but aren’t sure of a few words, you can use an asterisk in place of the words you don’t know. It’s a * big * tomorrow should you bring up results for a certain Disney classic.
Search Only a specific site
If you know that the results you are looking for are on a specific website, you can force Google to only search that site. As an example, you can find all the times virus is mentioned on this site by googling for Virus site: and find all my tips and warnings about viruses. This can apply to any site and makes it easy to find things on sites that don’t have a good search function built in.
Use Google like a Dictionary
You can use Google to quickly find definitions of words. You can learn more information about a word by clicking the arrow under the definition. Try this search term out: define:gruel
Google can do math
You can type in a mathematical equation and Google will solve it for you.
There are many search engines out there. Bing and Yahoo are somewhat popular, but Google is easily the most popular. I’ve tried to use Bing a number of times. Every time I try it, I find myself going through page after page of search results. When I type in the EXACT SAME search terms on Google I find the results I want on the first or second page. Google just seems to find what I need. That’s why I always recommend using Google over other search engines. Often times your Web Browser will default to using Bing or Yahoo. If you need help setting Google as your default search engine so you can take advantage of these tips, I can help you. Contact Y-Not Tech Services today.
Google has programmed a number of fun easter eggs into its search engine. Try searching for do a barrel roll and see what happens. Or use Google Voice Search on your smartphone and tell it Make me a sandwich or try can you sing? These are just a few fun things you can find. Leave any more you find in the comments.
If you want to learn more about Technology Contact Us to set up an appointment for private lessons.
I’ll start by saying that I am pretty firmly in the Android camp. I’m almost an Android fanboy. But I do see the appeal of Apple products, and I know that they are a better fit for many people. With that in mind, I am always subjective when helping a client decide which one to buy. Among my friends, it’s pretty much common knowledge that I am a fan of Android products. So when one of my close friends got an iPad as an anniversary present she was almost apologetic when showing it to me. “Sorry, I know it’s not an Android.” She said. What she didn’t know at the time was that her husband had come to me for advice when looking for a tablet to buy her. I had shown him the option (both Android and iOS) but ultimately recommended he buy her an Ipad. She had a very specific need she wanted to fill with a tablet and the best solution I found was an iOS app. Between that and the fact that she used an iPhone regularly, the iPad seemed like the best choice. Often, when you already have a smartphone, it is wise to get a tablet that matches the phone’s type. You know how to use it and often app purchases can transfer between them. Of course, if you’re not happy with your smartphone, this wouldn’t be the best choice!
Ultimately the choice between Android or iOS is a matter of personal preference. Both ecosystems have matured to the point that almost anything you can do on one, you can do on the other as well. So wait. If they can do the same thing, then why would it matter which one you use? It comes down to the way you want to use your device. Generally, if you want to tinker and customize your device, Android would be the better option. While iOS lacks some of the customization options that Android offers, this makes it easier to use out of the box.
When looking at Android devices, you will be met with a flood of options. Hundreds of manufacturers build Android phones and tablets. And each of those manufacturers will have multiple devices released each year. This can be a good thing because there will be a device of every color, size, performance, and budget available. But the options can be overwhelming, even paralyzing. Apple makes all iOS devices themselves. This means they have control of everything from start to finish. Hardware and software are all designed by Apple, meaning that it will all work together. Apple generally only puts out one or two models a year, so there aren’t as many options to choose from, but this makes it easier to choose your device when it’s time to upgrade. If the myriad of options for Android or Apple devices is overwhelming, I can help.
While the app stores for iOS and Android devices are both growing, and continually gaining more parity to each other, some apps remain exclusive to one ecosystem or the other. Therefore, if there is an app or feature you cannot do without, be sure to check the corresponding app store before making your decision. This is especially important when making the switch from Android to iOS or vice versa. Another consideration to keep in mind is compatibility with business networks. If you plan to use your device as part of ‘Bring Your Own Device’ program with the company you work for be sure to check with your network Admin/IT department to make sure the device you are considering is compatible with any additional security measures they may have in place.
When talking about mobile devices today, Android and iOS rule the debate. There are other options out there. For one thing, ‘dumb’ phones are still readily available and might be the best choice for you. They are certainly a more budget-friendly option both in the device cost and the monthly carrier fees. Another option is Windows Phone. While I like the idea of Windows Phone, they just don’t have the app support to make them a real contender in my eyes. It’s sad, really. My first smartphone was an HTC Touch running Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. I loved that phone, and when Microsoft announced Windows Phone, I was excited and ready to make the switch from the Android ecosystem I had been using for a few years at that point, but when Windows Phone came to market, it felt half finished, and even today a lot of the apps I depend on and use daily aren’t available. It’s because of this that I have a hard time recommending Windows Phone.
If you are still having trouble deciding what type of device you should get or need more information, you can contact me and set up an appointment to go over your needs and find the perfect mobile device for you! Why not let Tony help?
Today Josh at KISS 107.7 (I still want to call it The River) in Lethbridge, AB posted on Facebook about voice recordings Google takes on Android phones. By the way Josh, if you use Google Search app on your iPhone the same thing will happen. If you use Siri or Voice dictation on Apple then that data is also stored (and allegedly sold to third parties – I don’t have time to research this at the moment, but a quick google search reports that they admitted to it). Should we care?
This FB post generated some interest and got me thinking
Personally, I don’t mind. If Google wants to use recordings of me saying “OK Google, what’s the weather like? … OK Google, Remind me to go back to work in 30 minutes… OK Google, remind me to buy milk when I’m done work” to improve their voice recognition, then I’m OK with that. Google and Apple both have expansive privacy policies. As an end user it is up to me to read and understand them. I don’t personally view it as a violation of my privacy that they store these recordings. Especially not when they make them available to me and I can choose to delete them at any time. I can also choose to turn this feature off completely. Here’s how:
Turning off Google’s Voice and Audio Activity Collection is Actually very simple
Google claims Voice Activity is only saved after you say OK Google or touch the microphone. Some users report they found saved data in their Activity page even though they don’t use those features. I’m still working on trying to find out why this would be. My first guess is that it would be like a pocket dial… You know, when you leave a 15 minute voice mail and it’s just you watching Netflix because your phone got activated from your pocket. The same could happen with the microphone button on your phone. And with Google Assistant now, all it takes it pressing and holding your home button for Google to begin listening to you. If you don’t want Google to have this information, simply follow the above directions. Apple’s site says that when you delete Siri and Dictation that they will delete your stored data
Google is a huge company with huge profits, yet they offer us a lot of services for free. Gmail, Google Search, Google Photos, Google Assistant, Google Drive and it’s suite of online office compatible programs, and the list goes on and on. So how is this all paid for? The answer is mainly through Ads. Google is first and foremost an advertising company. When you search, there are paid results at the top of the list. There are ads in your Gmail inbox. And to make those ads match you, Google uses the personal data we give it to build up an advertising profile on us.
Google products and services are not free. We just don’t pay for them with cash. We pay with our data. Everything we type in or say to Google is considered our giving them that data. So far I haven’t heard any reports of Google using this data in negative ways.
With large companies gaining access to more and more of our data this is a conversation that needs to be had. We need to make ourselves aware of who has our data and what they are doing with it. Both Google and Amazon have devices that are designed to sit in our homes and listen to us. There has been at least one case where data from an Amazon Alexa device may have been able to solve a murder. So is this an invasion of privacy. Which is more important: Protecting our data or solving a crime?
In conclusion, my personal stance is that I’m not worried about Google having my personal data. The data of my clients, however, is encrypted and I only use secure payment options. As I said, if google wants to store me asking for directions to Disneyland on their servers, that’s fine. I understand why some people are upset by this. I guess part of why I’m not upset is because it has never come as a surprise to me that this data is being stored. To many people it is a surprise, and that surprise leaves them feeling somewhat violated. My honest advice: If you don’t want a company to have data on you, don’t use any product from that company. For Google this would include Chrome, Keep, Android, Search, Gmail, Drive, Chromebooks, Assistant, Google Now, and other products and services offered by Google. The same can be said for other companies like Amazon, Apple, Samsung and Microsoft. It’s increasingly hard to get away from data collection, and in many circumstances legislation is still lacking in dealing with this.
Let me know in the comments how you feel about this. Do you feel your privacy is being invaded by these companies? Do you plan to delete whatever data you can? Will you be reading the privacy policies and End User License Agreements (EULA) more closely before using digital devices?
If any of this was confusing or you’d like help sorting out your privacy settings on any device, you can book an appointment with Y-Not Tech Services and we can help. Why not let Tony take care of it?
