Archives for Podcasts

Time to take advantage and do Home Automation.

Before the Shelter in Place is lifted, take advantage of the time you are still inside to automate your home more and to keep it comfortable. Some devices, you will find, will be good for the outside as well as the inside of your home. Join Ed, Gary and Cal for informative conversation. Of course your calls and Mike Brennen with MI-Tech News!

In the news:

T Mobile Phasing out Sprint brand.

Home Automation

Multiple ecosystems;

Apple or iOS  – Ecosystem – HomeKit

HomeKit works with Siri who was the first digital assistant with the iPhone 4.

Sites to research HomeKit devices.

https://www.cnet.com/products/apple-HomeKit/compatibility/

https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-HomeKit-compatible-devices

https://www.apple.com/shop/accessories/all-accessories/HomeKit

Android – Ecosystem – Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant

Both are good systems and if I had to choose I would go with Google Assistant because of the greater search features.

Sites to research Android based devices.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-best-smart-home-devices-for-2020

https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/best-smart-home-devices/

https://www.androidcentral.com/top-must-have-smart-home-accessories

Also you want to check if your Home Automation device works on the more open ecosystem IFTTT. It is freeware.

https://ifttt.com

Be aware that some devices will work in multiple ecosystems. Check the specs on the device for details.

While it does not change color – The …

Join Gary, Ed abd Cal as we talk about the next level of security for your passwords with 2 Factor authentication using both passwords and biometrics to protect yourself. We will have more WFH – Working from home tips and MI Tech News from Mike Brennen.

Show Notes and Links

With all the activity online, Good time to clean up computer related things

MailBox – Nearing capacity fill with old mail and mounds of spam and ads

Temp Files from Internet Browsing. Clean up those and caches to get better performance

Reboot your computer – When was the last time to get things cleaned up and a fresh start with better performance.

Just clean the computer period. You be surprised how icky it can get when you work from home and get used to snacking and cooking and forget to clean the stuff off your hands before you use the computer. And how about giving those screens a cleaning? Look at the vents on the computer. Is there dust starting to accumulate and block airflow. Especially if you work with a blanket on you lap. Pet Dander.

Need a deal on noise cancelling headphones for work at home. $200.00…

Join Ed and Cal as we talk about ways and things to avoid when trying to get technical support for your tech gear during these Covid-19 times. Also we will be talking with Mike Brennen of Mi-Tech News as well.

Show Notes:

How to get Tech Support in this Quarantined World.

If the tech product is still under warranty or service contract:

                  Make sure if you can to backup any and all data or media (pictures, music) before shipping device.

                  Contact the manufacturer or supplier for instructions.

                  Will most likely be shipping it through mail or carrier.

                  If dealing with local merchant, ask if there is curbside drop off and pickup.

                  Ask how long the process will take. Be patient in these times.

If the tech product is not under warranty or service contract:

                  Make sure if you can to backup any and all data or media (pictures, music) before shipping device.

                  Check with family and associates for whom they trust to repair their tech devices.

                  Verify with BBB and other consumer agencies on the company’s reputation for service before selecting them.

                  Get a written (emailed) estimate of what the charges maybe before hand to make a judgement to …

Apple started taking orders for iPhone SE ver 2 on April 24th. Usually you can not get a new device at a cheap price but our guest Rick Brioda Senior Editor at Cnet has found an outstanding deal because he is the Cheapskate. Join Gary, Ed, Cal and Rick as we talk about this and your mailbag questions. Along with our weekly update of MITECH news with Mike Brennen.

To check on limited time for iPhoneSE deal click this link

Need a bit of a change while you hunker in the bunker? Funds are a bit low and no where can you go? Many of the TV streaming services are offering 7 days to 2 months of “free” access. We will be talking about that and rumors of upcoming Apple products. A website where you can honor those whom have passed due to Covid-19 and of course MI Tech News with Mike Brennen.

Website to honor – www.mourningamerica.org

Stories on Streaming Offers. Checkout these sites and don’t forget to put a reminder on your calendar if you want to cancel at the end of the trial before your credit card gets charged. –

CBS ALL ACCESS – https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/25/21194378/cbs-all-access-free-one-month-trial-binge-star-trek-picard

TV Guide Mag – https://www.tvguide.com/news/free-streaming-service-trials-discounts-coronavirus-pandemic-hbo/

Free Trial Collection – https://www.androidcentral.com/streaming-services-free-trial-deals

Consumers Report – https://www.consumerreports.org/streaming-video-services/streaming-services-offer-longer-free-trials-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

If you bought an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or AppleTV, you get a 1 year free subscription to AppleTV+ with the purchase.

Join Gary, Ed and Cal as we discuss ways to make the time while we are “hunkered in” productive with the internet. Maybe a way to volunteer help over the net. Or perhaps learning a new skill with sources like Lynda on Linked In. How about mastering a new cooking technique? Also, we will tell you how to self diagnosis connection problems at home. More ZOOM usage and we will also have Mike Brennen from MI.TECH news as well.

This week Ed will be leading a discussion on I.T. at home during the Covid-19 pandemic. How to keep your work computer safe. Also there’s Apple news from Cal and a toilet paper calculator from Gary. Stay Clean, Stay Healthy, Stay Safe.

Join us this week as Gary interviews Scott Larsen, Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Inova Health System, a non-profit health organization based in Falls Church, Virginia about things to watch out for with COVID-19 scams on the Internet. Plus another slice of ED’s Raspberry Pi.

Today we will be talking with Charles Green who was the inventor of the first streaming music player into a handheld device with a web browser. How the Corona virus might affect technology for the layman. Also we will be continuing our weekly hardware updates, this week Laser and Airprint options. We will also be taking your calls on tech.