Abby and Me » Gadgets

I’m Talkin’ iPad!

Abby — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:46:21 +0000

Imagine, if you will, opening e-mail attachments, visiting the Internet, shopping online, digital photos, video calling, social networking, watching a movie or TV, playing games, listening to music, reading a book, and more…all rolled up in one appealing and extremely portable device that measures 9.5” by just under 7.5” and weighs less than a pound a half. It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Apple’s iPad!

To be fair, there is an entire industry of tablets out there worthy of your attention. Blackberry has their Playbook tablet, the Kindle and Nook are evolving more into a tablet with each generation. Asus, Samsung, and Lenovo also offer tablets with very good reviews at competitive prices, but the iPad was the pioneer and remains the dominant player in the field. Not to mention, I own an iPad and am in love with it.

The iPad functions like a big iPhone . There are over 90,000 apps (applications or programs) specific to the iPad and several iPhone apps worked in a modified way on the iPad. You are sure to find a few dozen programs out of 90,000+ that will truly amaze and entertain you. Of course you can use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even video Skype on the iPad. The screen size makes watching a movie or TV show or reading a book or magazine a pleasure. (All of which can be purchased from iTunes.) The glass screen makes any images come alive with clarity. Because I use my iPad for heavy duty e-mailing and writing I set it into an external keyboard rather than having to type on the touch screen. (My bad typing needs all the help it can get!) Just like some smartphones, the iPad can be held horizontally or vertically depending on the mood you’re in for viewing. You really have to see and touch it to believe all that it is capable of.

By the way, you have a choice when buying an iPad whether you want only the wifi feature or, for a monthly data usage fee, you can have 3G or 4G to stay connected to the Internet 24/7. Every weekend I train from New York City to Connecticut. There is no wifi on the train, so I opted to pay the small monthly fee to stay connected during my weekend commute.

I could just go on and on describing my enjoyment with the iPad, but rather than my talking about it and until you get one in your hands the best thing you could do is visit apple.com/ipad/guided-tours/ to see it all first-hand. Be sure to click Play All Guided Tours.

Good, now I can get back to playing with my favorite toy…you guessed it – my iPad.

Mac vs PC – How Do You Decide?

Abby — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:26:58 +0000

I’m regularly asked “Should I buy a Mac or a PC?” It’s a battle not unlike the Hatfields vs the McCoys. For those of you that don’t know the difference, a Mac/Apple (the name is interchangeable) is one manufacturer of both laptop and desktop computers. The inside (operating system or the brain) and the outside (hardware or what you touch) are both designed by Apple. A PC is every other manufacturer of the outside of a laptop or desktop computer (IBM, Sony, Dell, etc.) with the inside manufactured by Microsoft.

The answer to the question “Should I buy a Mac or a PC?” is a question: “Who will you call for help on Sunday afternoon when something goes wrong with your computer?” Your computer lifeline needs to understand the kind of computer that you have. So, if your computer lifeline is your neighbor, your daughter, or your friend next door purchase a PC or Mac according to what they use. You don’t need to buy the exact model they have, but you’ll want to buy a computer that they understand and can help you with.

Let’s call a spade a spade. I’ve been teaching computers for 17 years and I can say with complete confidence that NO COMPUTER is “user-friendly.” That is just damn good marketing. That doesn’t mean you can’t learn to use a computer, whether it is a PC or a Mac, but there’s very little about any computer that is intuitive or friendly. Once you understand some of the techniques necessary to operate it, the computer becomes more intuitive in the same way that driving a car becomes intuitive, but it isn’t any thanks to some of the design choices. Who was the genius that put the Caps Lock key so close to the Shift key? What is the logic of clicking Start to turn off the computer? I could go on… The upside is, like a car, the computer can bring you to wonderful places making it worth the effort to learn how to operate it. And, like a car, you don’t need to understand the nitty and gritty of how it works in order to work it.

It’s true that a Mac is less vulnerable to viruses. That is a definite plus. And it can be argued that the inside of a Mac may have been or still is better, lusher, or more advanced than a PC, but you and I won’t ever notice the difference. If you’re a graphic designer, a Mac is probably a better idea. For us, the average user, both a Mac and a PC will equally meet our needs with e-mail, word-processing, and the Internet. If you’re comfortable with whichever kind of computer you already have, there’s no reason to succumb to pressure because someone you know LOVES their Mac or PC. Will they be there to help you when with a computer question or problem?

If you decide to change from PC to Mac or vice versa, you can make the transition with same patience required with a new spouse. They’ll be good days and bad days and eventually you’ll hit a comfort level with all the changes. A different operating systems does require that you purchase all new software which can be pricey. Research the cost of whatever software you have on your existing computer before you make the change.

No matter the pressure or hard sell that comes your way, your computer choice is YOURS to make. Hold fast to what suits your needs, wallet, and comfort level. Tell them I said so!

For more on Mac vs PC visit Chapter 6 (p. 47) in “Is This Thing On?”

An Easy Way to Transfer from iPod to iTunes

Abby — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:20:00 +0000

I was called upon this weekend by a friend whose computer died. She and her daughter had about 1,000 songs between their two iPods, which were purchased online, as well as copied from their own CDs, into iTunes. Their songs were now trapped on the dead computer and on their two iPods. What to do? Good news for any of you in this dilemma – with little time and effort and at the low cost of $14.99 you can transfer your music from your iPod to iTunes.

If their broken computer was functional, I would have attached an external hard drive (like an extra brain) to the computer. Then I could have moved their music libraries to the external hard drive and onto the new computer. But, that wasn’t an option.

If I plugged their iPods into their new computer and did a sync (making the computer and iPod combine content), iTunes would have wiped out everything on the iPods. Obviously not an option.

Instead, I visited the wesbite http://www.purpleghost.com/ and downloaded (moved from the website to their computer) the program TuneJack. Have your credit card at the ready. Be sure to print the receipt when your purchase is complete. TuneJack will send you an e-mail with a license number that is required to begin the installation of the program onto your computer.

Before you start the download process, open iTunes and make the following change:

1) Click Edit.

2) Click Preferences.

3) Click on Devices tab.

4) Click in the box to the left of “Prevent iPods and iPhones from syncing automatically.”

5) Click OK.

This stops iTunes from automatically syncing when your iPod is plugged in. There can be times when you don’t want to sync automatically. This is one of those times.

Next, plug in your iPod. There’s one more change we want to make before we install TuneJack.

1) Wait until iTunes identifies your iPod, click on your device in the left hand sidebar.

2) Click in box to left of “Automatically sync when iPod or iPhone is connected” to remove the check – deactivating the choice.

3) Click Apply.

4) Click on “eject” symbol to the right of your device name then unplug your iPod.

iTunes will now NOT open automatically when you plug in the iPod. (We don’t want iTunes to be open when we use TuneJack. They don’t play well together.)

Next close any open programs on your computer – especially iTunes.

Great! Now you can install TuneJack by following their very clear instructions. I always like to turn my computer off and back on after I install a new program. That’s your call.

A shortcut for TuneJack will appear on your desktop. Double-click on the icon and follow their step-by-step instructions. (A warning window will appear asking you to deactivate the auto sync at plug-in. We’ve already done that, but you can double check. Be sure to close iTunes after checking.)

At the step where TuneJack wants to find your iPod, plug in your iPod and wait patiently. When I did the initial transfer from the iPod to iTunes an error message appeared. I didn’t panic. I just repeated all the steps again and it worked perfectly the second time around.

Be patient, read what’s in front of you, and take deep breaths. Keep in touch and let me know how it worked.

For those of you that don’t know an iPod from your elbow (and you’re not alone), take a peek at Chapter 24 – Extra, Extra, Read All About It: The Scoop on Cell Phones, PDAs, Blackberries, iPods and iPhones in “Is This Thing On?” A Computer Handbook for Late Bloomers, Technophobes and the Kicking & Screaming (p. 349).

Is It Time For A Kindle?

Abby — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 05:47:52 +0000

Beside my suitcase, next to my bathing suit, snorkel and mask, and my three-ounce bottles of sunscreen, is a stack of several paperbacks. You guessed it. I’m about to head out on vacation – Nevis to be specific. I take pride in packing light and only check luggage when absolutely necessary. And there’s that pile of books, which will make my case heavy and take up valuable real estate. What comes to mind is Amazon’s Kindle. It stores over 1,500 books on a gizmo as thin as a pencil and weighs less than one of my paperbacks. For me the Kindle will never replace the sensation of holding a book in my hands, but there are times it could come in very handy. Perhaps this is one of those times…

Before I show you how to work the Kindle, let’s discuss how books, newspapers and magazines get stored on the device. At the time of purchase, or after receiving the Kindle as a gift (lucky you!), you’ll be required to register* it at amazon.com/kindle. Click on Manage Your Kindle. While you’re on Amazon’s Kindle page, watch the Kindle video. It’s a good overview of the device.

When you register you’ll need to supply Amazon with an e-mail address, password of your choosing, and your credit card information. (Refer to Chapter 16, Practical Precautions, in “Is This Thing On?” to help you choose a secure password and review safety measures when shopping online.)

Once you’ve registered with Amazon visit their Kindle Store to see what’s available. You’ll find that not only can you buy books for the Kindle, but certain magazines and newspapers are available as well. The miraculous part is, that less than a minute after you buy the book or periodical of your choice, it wirelessly arrives on the Kindle. Poof!

Crazy isn’t it? You can have the New York Times delivered to your Kindle every morning for you to enjoy on the subway, while waiting for your dental appointment, or tucked in bed without killing a single tree.

Now let’s look at how to operate the Kindle…Running along the left and right side of the Kindle are a series of controls. Both the right and left side let you move from page to page. Simply depress and release NEXT PAGE or PREV PAGE. The right side has some additional controls.

Press HOME to view your library stored on the Kindle.

MENU offers you different features such as Shop in Kindle Store or Text-to-Speech (image seen above right). It’s worth noting that Text-to-Speech is a new feature where text is read aloud to you. The feature can be turned on and off without losing your place in the reading.

The 5 WAY CONTROLLER functions much like your mouse. You toggle it up, down, left, or right to navigate what’s on the screen and push straight down on it to activate a choice. Sort of like a click of the mouse.

There are two features on the keypad worth noting. The AA key allows you to adjust the text to 6 different sizes. SYM accesses symbols when typing with the keypad.

Mention of the keypad segues me to some usability issues with the Kindle. The keys on the keypad are impractical. They’re small and there’s not enough contrast with the colors to decipher them easily. Also, though you can increase the font size for the book or periodical you’re reading, you can’t increase the font size on the Home page or the Menu. What good is Text-to-Speech if you can’t see it to choose it? So, if eyesight is an issue, you may need someone to point out features for you to mark in memory to find later.

Those issues notwithstanding, the Kindle is a remarkable device. Keep yours eyes open for competitors. I hear Sony has already introduced a device that might take the Kindle on a run for its money. But that’s a blog for another day…

* You may have to de-register the person who bought the Kindle for you, before you can register it to your credit card.

Something to Really Flip Over

Abby — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:42:23 +0000

It was March 2008 when I first saw the Flip video camera in David Pogue’s Circuits section of the New York Times. Less than a year after the Flip was introduced, Pure Digital, its manufacturer, has already improved upon their original innovation. What makes you notice the Flip is its size – not much bigger than a cell phone. What makes you love the Flip is its ease of use.

There are a few other things that also make the Flip unique. The Flip requires no cables between it and your computer and there is no videotape or CD involved. The recording is digital, saved on the brain of the video camera until you transfer it to your computer and then decide to delete it off the Flip. There is also no software to install onto your computer. Instead, each time you plug the Flip into your computer using the USB jack that “flips” out (yes, the Flip flips out!) the built in software automatically opens on whatever computer it is plugged into. You can easily view the Flip on your computer or someone else’s. It comes with a cable allowing you to plug into the television for viewing as well.

The final crowning feature is that when you plug it into your computer, and the built-in software that opens, it offers you the opportunity to view the videos, edit and save them to your computer, send them as an e-mail, or post them to video sharing websites (in particular YouTube, MySpace, and AOL). To Pure Digital’s credit, the steps are very easy to follow.

Visit Flip’s website for more information at www.theflip.com. Depending on the model you purchase the prices range from $129.99 to $229.99. Be sure to take a look at the fun accessories (a mounting device for a bike helmet, etc.) and note that you can design your own camera casing.

Below are some guidelines to using the Flip:

As you can see, there are not a lot of controls on the Flip.

• Push the red button (center) to Record or to Stop Recording. The Flip can record up to 60 minutes of video.

• The + and – symbols (north and south of the red Record button) control the Zoom feature. Try holding down the symbols for smoother zooming rather than repeatedly pressing and releasing them.

• The < and > symbols (east and west of the red Record button) offer a way to move between each of your recorded segments.

• The symbol in the upper left that looks like the play button on your stereo is just that. You depress and release the symbol to either Play a segment or Pause during viewing.

• The trashcan, in the upper right, is what you hit to delete an individual recorded segment or all of the segments recorded on the Flip.

• The silver button on the side turns the Flip On or Off.

• The very discreet, black button on the opposite side “flips” open the USB jack to be plugged into your computer.

That’s it for buttons!

The older Flip models use two AA batteries for power. The new Flips have a built in rechargeable battery that charges when plugged into one of your computer’s USB ports.
When you plug the Flip into your computer, wait a minute or so to let the software automatically open for you. It takes a bit of time for your computer to recognize the new device you’ve plugged in.

It may be that the Flip software offers an upgrade when it opens. If you aren’t in too much of a hurry to view your videos, you can accept their offer, otherwise you can click “remind me later” and they’ll ask you the next time you plug in.

Eventually a window opens. (If a window doesn’t open, see if there is a new icon on your Desktop named “FlipVidoe”. If so, double click on it.)

You will be given the choice to Save Videos, Share Videos, Make Movie, or Delete Videos. No harm shall come of experimenting with each of these options. In the case of posting your video to YouTube, MySpace, or AOL you’ll need to go through the steps to register (it’s free) with whichever website you want to post you video on.

Take it nice and slow with your exploration of what you can do with your Flip video recordings. Eventually you’ll save the videos you want to keep onto your computer. Then you can safely remove them from the Flip and continue on with the fun.

I would love to see how you do. E-mail me a video or let me know where to watch: abby@abbyandme.com.

Mr. Flip, I’m ready for my close-up…