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Showing posts from August, 2016

My LG G3 from Sprint is now 2 Androids versions behind

I thought I had Sprint's commitment that Marshmallow was coming for the LG G3 back in April. Alas. With the release of Nougat, my phone is now 2 versions behind. I've tweeted them again. Let's see if I get real information this time. I would be content with a statement that they do not plan on updating the LG G3 again, instead of being strung along. At best, would be a firm date we should have it by. At worst, would be a statement again that no date is announced, and to watch their press room for an announcement.  That should be shining users on.

Using Google Keep - Two Recent Articles

Here are two recent posts from across the web on using Google Keep I had already linked to on the Google Keep Community  on Google+. How to Use Google Keep & Inbox to Create The Ultimate Task List  from  Business to Community. and Google Keep: Ultimate Guide from AndroidCentral.com

Moving your Evernote records to OneNote - one person's adventure

   Lisa Schmeiser, writing at WinSuperSite.com, talks about lessons learned moving your almost 15,000 Evernote notes to OneNote on her Mac. It was an experiment only. While there are things she likes about OneNote, she's sticking with Evernote. WinSuperSite.com

Family Tech: Apple’s, Google’s and Amazon’s family plans offer lots of sharing options

Twenty years ago you bought a movie and put the VHS tape on the shelf near your VCR. If the movie wasn’t quite appropriate for the kids, it went into a shoebox on the top shelf of the parent’s closet. That’s where the kids found it when they got a bit older and snooped when the parents were out.  Then along came online media purchases and things got more complex. Mom and Dad likely had separate iTunes or Android accounts. Often the kids did too.  Movies purchased on one account had to be watched on a device tied to that account. If two kids wanted to watch Frozen on their own devices, some parents bought a copy for each child’s device.  Apple, Google, and Amazon have made it a bit easier with shared family plans for the videos and other streaming and downloadable content.  These programs allow family members to share purchases and consume them on various devices, even if the purchase was made on another account, as long as that account is part of the family plan.  Apple’s plan has one

Microsoft's Evernote to OneNote conversion tool now on Mac

From Lifehacker..com,  Microsoft's Evernote to OneNote conversion tool now on Mac Its not a move I'd make, but some are casting about for alternatives to Evernote. Those already paying for Microsoft Office have Evernote as part of Office.

Note taking apps for Students

Long time readers know I find Evernote one of my most useful tools, and I advocate students use it. Lifehacker.com recently  posted a wonderful comparison  of a number of note taking tools for students that is worth reading. There is some exciting new developments in this space with  Zoho's Notebook  and  Dropbox's Paper , neither of which are mentioned in the Lifehacker post.

Family Tech: School Software and Making Plans for the Disaster to Come - August 12, 2016

Have you planned on things going wrong in your tech life?  They will.  Better to plan on it now and be ready. And if you are sending a student away to school with a laptop, plan now on it breaking or getting stolen or some other catastrophe. In July we talked about backup options.  Have you started using one yet? Have you setup your student with an automatic, offsite backup system so they do not have to think about it? You will need it. That is almost a certainty. What about anti-virus, for the the PCs at home and those going to college?  Get them installed now, and if there is a subscription, make sure it is paid through the end of the school year. For the college students, check the school’s bookstore or website. Often schools have requirements for anti-virus software for all PCs that use their networks, and site licenses to provide it to students for free. Before you buy any software for students, check with the university. Besides site licenses that provide free

Google Voice can scare away the scammers an

A telemarketer called me on my cell phone the other day, and I chortled with delight.  Normally, even if you hang up on one immediately as I did, you know they are only going to call back repeatedly. Not this one--or any of them. I use  Google Voice , so I was able to go into my call history and block future calls from that number. From then on when they call, they get the annoying disconnected sound and so they think my phone number is no longer valid. And their call never rings my phone again. If I felt really mean, I could make them their own message talking about the nature of their marketing and perhaps questioning the caller’s life choices. I did not, but the thought that I could is enough to make me chortle on receiving a spam call. Google Voice is not a well-known Google service, but it is one of the most useful. You only need a free Google account. If you already have a Gmail account, you are set.  When you sign up for the actual Voice product, you are given a phone number. Th