7 Rules for using your iPad overseas
You’ve just purchased a brand new iPad. Congratulations!! If you bought the model with the 4G data service from either Verizon or AT&T, here are some things you need to know about using your iPad when traveling out of the United States.
1. The data service should be turned off before you leave. That means you must switch to Airplane mode. When overseas, you are roaming which means the cost of using the a US based data plan is very high.
2. If you want to access the Internet while traveling, use a wireless (wi-fi) connection which is usually FREE. Most hotels offer wi-fi, and while most places offer it for free, you might run into a situation where there might be either a daily or hourly rate.
3. Most Internet cafes abroad offer Internet access by the hour.
4. If you are unable to locate a place with wi-fi and need to use a data service, you can purchase a micro sim card to insert into your iPad. These local data providers offer plans that are significantly cheaper than activating an International program from either Verizon or AT&T here in the United States.
5. Most public wi-fi “hotspots,” whether hotels, airports, Internet cafes, etc. are not secured, meaning that anyone in the network can see what you are doing on your computer. In other words, do not use a public unsecured “hot spot” to access bank accounts, use credit cards or any other private information. If you are staying at someone’s house who has wifi, ask whether their network is secured and for a password to access their network. If no password is required, it is not a secured network.
6. If you want to stream a video from Netflix, or use an online service such as Skype, make sure you are doing so from a w-fi connection. Using your data service, whether from the U.S. or a local provider overseas, will use up your allowable data plan quickly. For example, watch 2 Netflix movies with the 4G service will use up to 90% of your monthly allowance.
7. Lock your iPad with a password. If you are doing a great deal of traveling, it is not difficult to leave it somewhere or have it stolen.
If you have any questions about the iPad or any other technology issues, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. Feel free to click here to receive my free white paper on Technology Tips on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.
Don’t like the iPhone and iPad Touch Screens? Try a Stylus
The stylus is back!! Remember the Palm Pilot, the first hand held device totally reliant on a thin stylus that slipped into a sleeve on the side of the unit? Well, a newer, slightly thicker version has emerged. With the popularly of the iPhone and the various tablets on the market, the new stylus has helped many of us who have had difficulty with the touch screens. In addition, the new stylus, with a felt tip, permits people who would like to use one of the apps like noteability for handwriting and drawing directly onto the tablet.
For those of us with chubby fingers or difficulty with on screen keyboards relief is finally here. I also find that writing notes on my iPad a plus. As for the iPhone, using the stylus for typing has substantially reduced the amount of time it takes me to write an e-mail.
As indicated in past blogs, not all gadgets are meant for everyone. While many people are comfortable with on screen keyboards, the stylus is a useful tool.
If you have any questions about the stylus, iPhones, iPads, etc., do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. Feel free to click here to receive my free white paper on Technology Tips on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.
ARE YOU CONFUSED BY AT&T’S PLAN TO REDUCE YOUR DATA SPEED?
On the front page of Friday’s Wall Street Journal, http://on.wsj.com/wlmlws, AT&T announced their latest attempt to control their costs for providing broadband services. They are planning to reduce the speed of your data service on your mobile device once you have surpassed your monthly purchased data limit.
With the growing popularity of mobile devices (smartphones such as the iPhone and the Android) as well as the iPad, the appetite for broadband services has surged. Last year, over 50% of all cell phone purchases were smartphones, whether new users or upgrades.
Most consumers don’t understand their data plans. Cell providers (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) offer “tiered data plans” based on data usage. What this means is that it is important to know your data usage and determine which plan is right for you. This information is available by simply contacting your provider. Streaming video from sites like Netflix will use up a lot of your data allotment.
The problem with this program is that, as their customer, you are being penalized for their inability to keep up with the demand for broadband services. Why not make sure their customers understand their data plans and make sure that they are subscribing to a program based on their usage? This is done for your calling plans without the risk of diminishing service once you have surpassed your purchased minutes.
Let’s hope that their competitors don’t follow this strategy. I called my provider, found out my average monthly usage and purchased a plan that was right for me. I suggest you do the same.
If you need help understanding your data plan, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. Feel free to click here to receive my free white paper on Technology Tips on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.
WHAT TOOLS DO YOU NEED TO COMPETE IN THE DIGITAL AGE?
This century will clearly be remembered as The Age of Technology. Wireless technology permits us to communicate with friends, family and business associates instantaneously, regardless of location. Information is no more than a key stroke away, whether from your computer or mobile device. Skills acquired in the past century alone put you on the wrong side of the Great Digital Divide. Today’s younger generation, having grown up in the digital world, is well positioned to push baby boomers and seniors aside as they enter the job market.
How are your basic computer skills? Whether you use technology for strictly personal use or for professional purposes, you will need the right tools to take advantage of the many changes that have occurred in the worlds of communication and information gathering.
The following are some basic questions you should be asking yourself.
– Whether you use your home based computer for personal or professional purposes, are you comfortable with the software applications you are using?
– Are you able to write, format and properly file documents?
– How about sending and receiving attachments?
– Do you know what updates are important?
– Do you have an active anti-virus program?
– Do you have a backup program?
– Is your wireless network secure?
– Do you have the right cell phone provider for your location?
– Have you upgraded to a smartphone? (iPhone, Android, or blackberry)
– Are you using any cloud based services?
We are living in a mobile world. Within the next 2-3 years, over 50% of Internet access will be done through a mobile device. Are you ready?
If you or someone you know needs help crossing the “Great Digital Divide,” or any other technology issues, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. Feel free to click here to receive my free white paper on Technology Tips on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.
WHY YOU NEED TO EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal http://on.wsj.com/Aqb8dW envisions “The Coming Tech-led Boom.” If the past century produced the Industrial Revolution, this century clearly will be the age of Technology.
Why? Information is no more than a click away and virtually free. Wireless technology permits us to communicate with someone anywhere in the world instantaneously. Technology has already impacted manufacturing through the introduction of automated systems.
The job market has changed radically. Companies are looking to hire innovators who are able to utilize their knowledge of technology to develop new products and services which will increase productivity. Without basic computer skills, people in career transition, either because of corporate downsizing, looking to start their own business, or re-entering the job market, will find it extremely difficult to be competitive. Skills acquired in the past century alone puts you on the wrong side of the Great Digital Divide. Today’s younger generation, having grown up in the digital world, is well positioned to push baby boomers and seniors aside as they enter the job market.
Does your technology support your efforts, either on a personal or professional level? How good are your basic computer skills? Do you know how to determine what you need to be an effective Road Warrior?
If you or someone you know needs help crossing the “Great Digital Divide,” or any other technology issues, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. Feel free to click here to receive my free white paper on Technology Tips on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.
LOOKING FOR A SIMPLE CELL PHONE?
For those of you who are not interested in a fancy smartphone, but a simple cell phone for telephone use only, check out the jitterbug phone at http://www.jitterbugdirect.com/.
Well over 90% of Americans own a cell phone. While the Jitterbug is advertised as the “Cellphone for Seniors,” its attractiveness is to any age group that is looking for a phone that is easy to see, hear, and simple to use.
In this mobile world, being able to reach out to someone in an emergency, regardless of age, makes having a cell phone a necessity. If you or someone else in your family has resisted having a cell phone because of the complexity of the most popular models on the market, consider the advantages of investing in a Jitterbug.
1. No contract required.
2. Larger screen, easy to see, even in the daylight.
3. Larger keyboard, making dialing easy.
4. Live, 24-hour support operators.
5. Affordable pricing starting at $14.99 per month.
If you or someone you know needs assistance selecting a cell phone, or any other technology issues, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. Feel free to click here to receive my free white paper on Technology Tips on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.
WANT TO EXTEND THE BATTERY LIFE OF YOUR iPHONE?
Did you get a new iPhone for the holidays? So many features to learn!! Not only can you listen to your music, but how about the videos that you can watch with either your wi-fi connection or from your cell phone carrier (Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint)?
Most likely, you are finding that the battery life of your new smartphone is much shorter than on a standard cell phone. The reason for this is with a smartphone (iPhone, Android, blackberry), the amount of data (e-mail, Internet access, media) consumes significantly more energy than a conventional cell phone that only is used for telephone purposes.
Streaming music or videos from the Internet are the major source of decreased battery life. Applications of any type that are running in the background such as Facebook, news and weather updates, etc, also impact the life of your battery.
Below is a link that has some useful tips about extending the life of your smartphone battery:
If you or someone you know needs to brush up on basic computer skills, requires help choosing the right computer or any other technology issues, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. Feel free to click here to receive my free white paper on Technology Tips on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.
PLANNING A NEW CAREER IN THE NEW YEAR?
How long have you been thinking about a career change? Is 2012 the year you will finally act and follow your gut? Whether you are stuck in an unrewarding job or just burned out, you are not alone.
Below is a link to an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal containing portraits of several people who found a “second act” rewarding.
Do you need to brush up on your basic computer skills, require help choosing the right computer or any other technology issues, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com.
PLANNING TO RE-ENTER THE JOB MARKET?
According to a recent article in US News and World Report, http://bit.ly/v0IlW6, about 9 percent of all people ages 44 to 70, are already in encore careers, up from 8.4 million in 2008.
The majority of Baby Boomers did not start their professional careers in the digital world. The way we communicate and acquire information has changed dramatically. Social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are now part of our personal and business lives. Cell phones have made us more mobile and reachable everywhere. Everyone uses Google to find people, places and things.
A deep Digital Divide exists with regard to the understanding of technology. On one side is an older generation that built their businesses before the advent of the Internet, Social Media, and New Marketing. On the other side is a younger generation that has grown up with the new technology. Whether you are in the job market or involved in an entrepreneurial venture, your ability to bridge this gap will determine your success in competing against a younger generation that has built networks and customers using the new tools technology offers.
If you or someone you know is looking to re-enter the job market, chances are they will need to brush up on basic computer skills or require help in selecting the right equipment and services to support your needs.
If you or someone you know needs to brush up on basic computer skills, requires help choosing the right computer or any other technology issues, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. Feel free to click here to receive my free white paper on Technology Tips on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.
IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW COMPUTER?
In his weekly WSJ column today, Walter Mossberg offers his annual Guide for PC Buyers.
The underlying message in his column is that although there are some new innovations to consider, such as the growing importance of ultrabooks and tablets, waiting until 2012 makes the most sense unless you absolutely need to make a purchase. There will be a new version of the Windows operating system, Windows 8, as well as some rumored changes at Apple as well.
Selecting the right computer can be a very daunting experience but there are a number of specifications that are important. Take a look at Mossberg’s Guide and check out his recommendations.
If you have any questions about choosing the right computer or any other technology issues, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. If you are in career transition, feel free to click here to receive my free white paper on Technology Tips on setting up a home office and becoming a true road warrior.