Tablet Grandpa-Technology for Beginners: April 2013

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Easy E-mails and Texts by Speaking Them (VIDEO)

The small keyboard on smart phones is difficult to type with at best. Sure you can turn the phone sideways to get the keyboard to expand but then you can't see much of the typed text. I've found the Speech to Text feature in Android and iPhone have evolved to become very good, almost perfect so I use it. You can too.

Below is a brief video showing how to speak an e-mail.

Click this link if you are on a mobile device.

Speaking works so much better for me because of my vision disability as I hit plenty of wrong keys. It would be really bad if I had very large fingers.

There are keyboard apps in the Google Play Store that have larger keys, different colors, etc. Android makes it quite easy to get new keyboard and install it. Many are Free while some have a very nominal cost. The one I use cost only $3.99 and is called A.I. Type Keyboard Plus. There is a FREE version of A.I. Type Keyboard but shows ads under the keyboard. Since I use this keyboard every day I decided to pay the money but it's up to you.

Download your new keyboard of choice.
Go to Settings, then Language and Input.
Make sure there is a green check mark next to the desired new keyboard.
Then, change it to the default keyboard (see the red circle)

Which keyboard looks easier to type on? Left is the Android default and right is one I purchased from the Google Play Store for $3.99.

The iPhone's Accessibility functions in General Settings can make it's keyboard larger too.

Please tell me if this works for you. Thanks.

Posted with Blogsy

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Use Google Alerts -- A Fascinating Search Tool

I stumbled onto something interesting from Google the other day and have really liked what it does for me-saving time. It's called Google Alerts. Google Alerts is not new but new for me. It's been around for about 2 years though. I get daily and weekly e-mails of new information about topics I choose. I don't have to go looking for things on the web, Google finds them for me and delivers them neatly into my e-mail inbox. This is not an app for a tablet, PC or smart phone. This is on the web for everyone and absolutely FREE.

Here's how it works. To create an alert, I choose a key word or phrase that I am interested in and have Google search all corners of the web. I have been very interested in driver less cars since I can't drive anymore. So, I entered the words "driver less car" as key words and let Google do its thing. Google Alerts sends me an e-mail each week (I can choose e-mails to come daily or weekly) with links to each and every article to read when I want. Is that easy or what.

Then I tried a more difficult topic-my vision condition called Retina Pigment Epithelium Dystrophy. I only used the first two words "Retinal Pigment" to see if I could get a broader return of articles. Although I didn't get near as many items as the driver less car, I got more than I thought I would. How cool is this.

Try for yourself.

Choose a word or phrase from something you'd like to read about on a continual basis
Enter your e-mail address
Confirm the alert you've created

That's it!

How about an alert pertaining to sports or a hobby like gardening or more specifically "rose gardening". For some it might be a TV or Movie personality or a new movie you can't wait to see. For technology people like myself, create alerts for "Google Glass" the new glasses that connect to your smart phone and present images and information in front of your eye. Take a quick look if you like. or anything on the supposed "iPhone 6" or "iPhone 7". Create as many Google Alerts as you like but be careful, you might get more things to read than you have time but hey, at least the articles or not "junk" like many of us get now. I'm sure you can find something. Here are some other examples.

Get Started with Google Alerts

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Slice - The Best App to Track On-Line Purchases and More

"Slice - Shopping Organized" and it truly is.

Slice is a handy app that...

Tracks on-line purchases
Stores e-receipts for easy returns
Provides a method to notify you of price drops
Shows handy reports of where your money is going toward on-line spending

Wow, do I really need something that does this kind of stuff? You bet. I tend to buy a lot of things on-line and I need something to reign me in sometimes and Slice can do this.

It's so easy to use and set up too. Just create an account, answer the setup questions to allow Slice to see e-mail purchase receipts and purchase notifications and Slice does all the rest--automatically! And the best part is that Slice is FREE.

I love that I can use this fancy tool on my iPad (or iPhone), Android smart phone and even on my PC (or Mac). Whenever I order something I can get a notification that Slice has the order and is tracking away. I get a notification that my order is shipped, then I get a notification that my order is on the truck and out for delivery. I even get a notification that my package has arrived and is waiting for me on my door step.

Please comment or share with friends and family. Thanks!

Posted with Blogsy

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Many Say Twitter is a Waste of Time. Do You Agree?

Twitter saves me time by spooning out information in small bites from people or topics of my choosing.

If you've tried Twitter and didn't like it, I'd like to offer up a few simple steps to help.

Let's find just a few fun people to see on Twitter. This is called "following".

I think there are some twitter people who might change your mind. Think of Twitter like a scrolling feed of interesting tidbits from sources you pre-select. You can see the news as it is happening; you can see jokes from your favorite comedians; you can see the latest from your favorite actors.

Here are the ten most popular people being followed on Twitter. NOTE: since many young people use Twitter, there are, of course, many young people being followed on Twitter. Let's ski many of these for now but I'll include links so you can see the most popular. The top 100 is full of entertainers. Musicians, TV personalities and the like. Because I don't have the same taste in music as most younger folks doesn't mean I wouldn't follow some of these people. On the other hand... we'll just leave it at that.

President Barak Obama. Followed by over 28 million people.

Ellen DeGeneres. Followed by over 17 million people.

Oprah Winfrey. Also followed by over 17 million.

Ashton Kutcher. 13 million followers.

Bill Gates (Chairman of Microsoft). 10 million.

Jim Carey. 10 million.

Ryan Seacrest. Over 9 million.

The New York Times. Just under 8 million.

CNN. About the same as the New York Times.

LeBron James. 7.6 million.

NBA (National Basketball Association). 6.8 million followers.

ESPN. 6 million.

I must warn you. Sometimes there are fakes on Twitter. People pretending to be someone famous. You can't really stop these people but you can do a few things to confirm the reality of the person you are intending to follow. When you select someone to follow and see a blue icon with a white check in it, then Twitter has taken steps to confirm the validity of this Twitter name.

Try following some of your favorite business to see what they are up to. I follow Dunkin Donuts for example.

How about the the 50 Funny People you should be following on Twitter.

Huffington Post.

NAME/TWITTER NAME/BIO	PHOTO	WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Neal Brennan/@nealbrennan/Co-Creator, "Chappelle's Show"; Director, "The Goods"		A BJ Novak #failedsexualpositions
Stephen Colbert/@StephenAtHome/"Colbert Report"		the recession is over and people are celebrating in the streets. oh, i'm sorry, those are unemployment lines
Andy Borowitz/@borowitzReport/Stand-Up, Writer		Good news: the high levels of weed killer in our drinking water means we can kill the weeds on our lawn just by peeing on it.
Judah Friedlander/@JudahWorldChamp/"30 Rock"		It was my Alaskan fart that forced Palin out of office.
Conan O'Brein/@ConanOBrien/Frmr "Tonight Show" Host		Apologies to Duke fans, but I really wanted Butler to win so I could write “The Butler Did It.”
Rob Delaney/@RobDelaney/Stand-Up		Excited to meet my 6000th follower this weekend! I hope (s)he has big nipples!
Adam McKay/@GhostPanther/Director, Funny or Die Founder		I think i discovered a new truism. Huff diesel fuel and masturbate on an overpass and you will meet new people.
Joel McHale/@joelmcHale/Host, "The Soup"		If I hear that "I kissed a girl song" one more time I'm going to shoot myself in the ears.
David Wain/@davidwain/Director, Comedian		I tried to go sailing today but am way too Jewish.
Rob Corddry/@robcorddry/"Daily Show"		I never lock the bathroom door. If someone walks in on me I yell "GET THE FUCK IN HERE!". It always works.
Mindy Kaling/@mindykaling/Actress & Writer, "The Office"		Final Destination is amazing cuz Death is the psycho killer. The same Death from like, The Civil War and Titanic.
Aziz Ansari/@azizansari /"Parks & Recreation," "Human Giant"		Entourage Episode Idea 1: E can't get cell service, Turtle gets a bad haircut, Drama has an ingrown toe nail, and Vince eats a banana.
Seth Meyers/@sethmeyers21/Head writer, "SNL"		Favre is to decisions what Vick is to dogs
Bill Maher/@billmaher/"Real Time with Bill Maher"		Dancing with the scum - Tom Delay is on the dancing show?!! You know who loved to waltz? Stalin. Was David Duke unavailable?
Sarah Silverman/@SarahKSilverman/"Sarah Silverman Program"		Diarrhea would be a beautiful name if it didn't mean diarrhea
Caprice Crane/@capricecrane/Novelist, Screenwriter		"This Cold Medicine Lasts 8 Hours" is the "I Promise I'll Pull Out, Baby" of the pharmaceutical industry.
Paul Scheer/@paulscheer/"Human Giant"		Thought 500 Days of Summer did a great job setting up Cobra Commander's character in GI Joe. It is a prequel, right?
Aisha Tyler/@aishatyler/Stand-Up, "Friends"		Sun & I'm back in front of the computer. Whomever said this biz was glamorous never worked for it. And their name rhymes w/'Baris Wilton.'
Baratunde Thurston/@baratunde/Stand-Up, The Onion		overheard at airport: Douchbag #1 "i hate children on planes." Douchebag #2: "I hate children pretty much anywhere"
Michael Showalter/@mshowalter/"Michael & Michael Have Issues"		I am proud to say that, at least for now, Michael Ian Black has less than one million more followers than I do.
Joy Behar/@JoyVBehar/"The View"		Why do straight men not like to admit that they watch the View?
Jon Daly/@jondaly/Stand-Up		Hollywood Tips: Scream this at a party- "Jimmy Camz is a lazy fuck! Im like let ME steer this Titanic! Hes like-Can't help it, I love you!"
Alex Blagg/@alexblagg/Writer		Sorry Ernest Hemingway, but "Slain Model Identified By Breast Implants" is the saddest six-word story every told.
Craig Ferguson/@CraigyFerg/"Late Late Show"		@joelmchale on the show tonight. I am as excited as a midget on crack.
Tim Heidecker/@timheidecker/"Tim and Eric: Awesome Show, Great Job"		Almost had my phone confiscated trying to take pic of girl wearing silver SEINFELD belt buckle at airport. Didn't get the shot. :(
Peter Serafinowicz/@serafinowicz/British Comedian		Laughter is the second best medicine. The best medicine is medicine.
Gabe Liedman/@gabeliedman/Stand-Up		RUE MCLANAHAN AND TINY LESLIE FROM 'WILL AND GRACE' AT COMIX 2GETHER?? anyone want to lend me $10,000, to buy every ticket???
Steve Agee/@steveagee/"Sarah Silverman Program"		I've officially just watched every porn there is on the internet...even the gross ones.
Sarah Haskins/@sarah_haskins/"InfoMania"		Going to see Potter tonight. What is this "mild sensuality" the MPAA is warning me about? They finally learn the spell "Accio rubbers"?
Jen Kirkman/@JenKirkman/Stand-Up, Writer		To those of you who say that Obama threw the first pitch "like a girl...." please don't insult my lesbian softball playing friends.
Todd Barry/@toddbarry/Stand-Up		Spent Delta flight from Charleston writing complaint letter to Delta about Delta flight to Charleston.
Michael Ian Black/@michaelianblack/"Michael & Michael Have Issues"		In Spain. Saw some incredibly sexy chests on the topless beach. Some of the ladies looked good, too.
Greg Fitzsimmons/@GregFitzShow/Stand-Up, Writer		Marriage is the opposite of prison; the better you behave, the longer your sentence.
Paul Tompkins/@PFTompkins/"Best Week Ever"		Heading to the wedding of dear friends in Massachusetts. Via train. You know what that means-- sigh-- there's sure to be a murder mystery.
Mike Birbiglia/@birbigs/Stand-Up		There are things money can't buy. And Ticketmaster is working on ways to charge you for them.
Ellen DeGeneres/@TheEllenShow/"Ellen," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"		Celebrity sighting of the day: Portia de Rossi, eating lunch in my kitchen!
Baron Vaughn/@barvonblaq/Stand-Up		I wanna punch the Palm Pre redheaded girl in the translucent face.
John Hodgman/@HODGMAN/Expert		i'll just tell you everything that happens as it happens. i'm rick sanchezing it
Eugene Mirman/@eugenemirman/Stand-Up		I just remembered — saw a baby's dick on a train last week. Sorry I forgot to tell you guys.
Eric Wareheim/@ericwareheim/"Tim and Eric: Awesome Show, Great Job"		Anyone at the dodgers now? If so, streak with me. Headed on the field at 8:30!
Dave Hill/@mrDaveHill/Stand-Up, Writer		I am going out. My parents asked when I would be coming home and I told them I was going to stay out as long as I want!
Jim Gaffigan/@jimgaffigan/"My Boys"		Quiche, I don't care what they say about you. I think you're fabulous. Wait, did I just say fabulous? Quiche what have u done to me?
Julie Klausner/@Julieklausner/Stand-Up, Writer		WE is showing 9 to 5 and Oxygen is showing Steel Magnolias. I LITERALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. Don't say "go outside."
Mo Rocca/@MoRocca/Comedian & Commentator		Write Donald Trump and demand term limits for Miss Universe. Venezuela must be stopped!
Jon Friedman/@friedmanjon/Blogger, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon		I was going to start an account called Twitney Houston and tweet out 140 characters worth of Whitney Houston song lyrics but then I didn't.
Gabriel Delahaye/@GabrielDelahaye/Blogger, Videogum		I am trying to decide if my new screenplay, "Bob and Weave," is going to be about a boxer named Bob or a hairdresser named Bob.
Rainn Wilson/@RainnWilson/"The Office"		Tomorrow is the next day which can be the first day of the rest of your life because today is like half over.
Max Silvestri/@maxsilvestri/Stand-Up		For me, growing up is realizing that Black Sheep is nowhere near as good as Tommy Boy, no matter how much you want it to be.
Whitney Cummings/@WhitneyCummings/Stand-Up, Actress		Women who wear high heels at the airport should not be able to vote.
Rob Huebel/@RobHuebel/"Human Giant"		After swimming in the ocean sat, I saw on the news there was a great white shark in the water. So bummed I missed a kick-ass death!