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BJ Levitt
Please feel free to forward this email to anyone who might appreciate it.
As a client of MicroWorks you have an easy and direct way to get answers to all your technology questions.
Just email me at bj@microworksfl.com
and I'll respond as soon as possible. MicroWorks doesn't charge clients for email support.
I look forward to your questions and comments.
BJ Levitt
MicroWorks Consulting |
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This is the first one! |  |
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Recycle your
unused devices. | |
Steve and Woz held on to the first wood-encased computer they built in their garage. But you probably have some old stuff cluttering your living space that you'll never use again. Recycling it makes sense. Aside from the ecological benefits (there are likely toxic materials in that old model) you can easily turn it into cash or gift cards just in time for your holiday shopping.
(Click on the website or App name for a quick link.)
gazelle.com
Gazelle is a reCommerce service that buys and sells used electronics. Right now, for example, you could sell your 3GS 16 GB iPhone in good condition for $110. That's half the price of a new 4S. The process is simple, quick, and relatively foolproof. Cameras, laptops, GPS devices -- almost anything electronic can be turned into cash.
amazon.com/Trade-In stores
You can also swap your used electronics for Amazon gift cards. You can trade in electronics, and even textbooks, video games and DVD's. Maybe your kids or grandkids can cash in. |
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And try these
terrific free apps: | |
Eat, drink and be merry.
With the holidays coming, this is a useful and delicious app. You can search recipes by ingredients or diet preferences such as gluten-free, low fat, low sodium, vegetarian, etc. You can enter up to 3 items you have on hand for recipes using those ingredients. The site is very well organized, with beautiful photos and clear instructions.
Palm Beach Post Weather+
Many of you are smart enough to spend time here in South Florida. There's one subject no one is ever tired of talking about -- the weather. Especially when it's beautiful down here and awful up north! This is a great app that shows you the local radar literally right above your head.
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If you have questions or comments, email, call or text me at:
bj@microworksfl.com
561-880-5566 |
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Got my iPhone 4S. Should you?
Yes. And no.
If you currently have a a 3G or 3GS, it's a good time to upgrade. You'll find the 4S noticeably faster and you'll really appreciate the new camera. It's every bit as good as the best point-and-shoots and it's always with you! Using this camera along with any of the good photoshop-type apps, makes everyone a first-rate photographer. It also takes good short videos.
The phone, itself is what you've come to expect from Apple. But remember, smart phones are now really full-blown computers. When I called on clients in New York this summer, I was very comfortable traveling light with just my iPhone4. And that was before the new iOS 5 operating system and the iCloud. (More about that below.)
If you already have an iPhone 4, however, there is no real need to upgrade now. Yes, technically the 4S dual-core A5 chip is a bit faster and the camera is an upgrade to 8 MP with the ability to shoot 1080 HD video. But, unless you're an early adopter (like me!) who needs to have the newest gadget on the block, you really won't notice much of an improvement.
Apple is settled into a 2-year cycle synced to the typical 2-year contract with your service provider. Remember, AT&T, Verizon, and now Sprint pay $600 for each iPhone. They, in turn, discount them to you upfront and you pay back the difference over the life of your contract. So, if you got a 4 last year, it makes sense to wait for the iPhone 5 which will be available early next year. If you're still using a 3, you're ready for an upgrade and a new contract. |
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But what about Siri?
Isn't that worth trading up for now? | | |
Okay, Siri is cool -- in a geeky kind of way. (Click here for Apple's promotional video). We'll look back on its introduction with this phone as a landmark in human/machine interface, very much the way touchscreen technology changed the way we now use many devices. Fast forward three years and your day could very well sound like this:
Good morning, Dave. It's 7:30. 68 degrees outside with just a slight chance of rain later this afternoon.
Great. Would you turn on the coffee please?
Decaf or regular?
Regular and make it strong.
You know, Dave, research shows that a man your age should be cutting back on caffeine. Would you like to see the most recent study?
No, I would not. I would like a cup of strong black coffee, thank you.
You needn't be so testy. I'm just the messenger, after all. By the way, don't forget your 10 AM dental appointment.
Just what I need today. Can't we put that off for a couple of weeks?
Dr. Price hates it when you cancel at the last minute. But I'll get in touch with his electronic assistant and see if we can reschedule without inconveniencing either of you.
Thanks, Hal.
You're welcome, Dave. I'll leave your messages on your iPad 6. I think Alyssa needs you to transfer some funds to her at college. Let me know what to send. Enjoy the coffee.
That's the future. For better or worse.
But right now, Siri is more of a gimmick in beta testing than a real game-changer. I'm sure that, by the time the iPhone 5 is introduced, it will be de-bugged and more useful. There's no need for Siri-envy just yet. |
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Do you need to upgrade to
the new operating system, iOS 5? | |
Absolutely.
I know there were lots of problems when everyone tried to do this the first day or two. It's nearly always best to wait a week or so to avoid the rush when new technology becomes available. And the upgrade is time consuming and can be tricky. (Don't hesitate to call me if you need help -- that's what I'm here for). But it is necessary. You won't be able get updates to your apps without it and you'll need it to access the iCloud.
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And what's this Cloud business all about? | |
I've looked at clouds from both sides now.
From up and down and still somehow
It's clouds' illusions I recall.
I really don't know clouds at all.
I'm sure this brings back memories for most of you. But I bet my Philadelphia friends didn't know that Joni Mitchell wrote these lyrics while sitting on a bench in Rittenhouse Square! And sang the song for the first time, later that week, at the Second Fret on Sansom Street.
So much for nostalgic trivia. Today, we're dealing with clouds of a different sort.
In technology, a cloud is a storage and computing service managed by banks of very large, very fast computers. (We used to call them mainframes in the old IBM days.). The iCloud is Apple's service that allows you to access all of your documents, music, photos, and apps seamlessly from your computer (Mac or PC), iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. It securely stores everything for you and wirelessly "pushes" it down to your devices. It keeps your email contacts and calendars and document revisions up to date without the need for syncing. Or backup. You get 5 GB of storage free, and because much of your content won't count against this storage, it should be enough for all of your usage. Additional storage can be purchased easily if necessary.
All new Apple products will arrive with iOS 5 and iCloud access out of the box. All older products should be upgraded as soon as possible. Call or email me if you need help. |
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The man who changed our world. | |
By now, the life story of Steve Jobs and his many remarkable accomplishments has been told countless times. Rarely has one man effected so many lives in so many ways. In 2005, shortly after surviving his first bout with cancer, he delivered a commencement address to the graduates of Stanford University. (If you haven't seen it -- or even if you have -- click here to watch.)
It's surely worth 20 minutes of your time. And remember as you watch, that it was just six years since this talk, that he went on to introduce the iPod Touch, the iPhone, and the iPad. That he created the world's best laptops. That he introduced iTunes and Apps. That he opened 300 retail stores. That he built the world's most valuable brand. And that he left a blueprint for another two or three years of technological innovation.
We will miss you, Steve. But we'll be reminded of you every day. Thanks.
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