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Smartphones Time for an UPGRADE ? [Searcher](Searcher Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Today, most of us use technology wherever we are - office, living room, coffee shop, on the road, and even in bed on the way into or out of sleep. This continual connectivity sometimes makes decisions about what to buy very complicated. And after the purchase complications comes the process of learning how to use many new devices in many new settings. Of course, acquiring, learning, and adapting to new or newly revised technology is nothing new: * Bicycle riders went from one speed, forward, to multiple speeds. * Mass media consumers migrated from radio to television dials, then from black & white to color and remote controls. * TV viewers moved from antenna to cable to VCR to DVR. * Everyone learned to use a computer rather than a typewriter. * With computers, well, you know the learning process you traveled through, around, over, and sometimes under. The history of telephones has generations moving from operator assistance to dialing to using a keypad. Cellular phone services began in 1983 and took a little more than 10 years to plow through the wired world to the wireless connectivity we experience today. The new wireless technologies - cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth - are part of our landscape. Thank heaven and standardization, we do «of have to learn how the wireless signal works, it just works. What can be daunting is our need to use these devices effectively. It is not just cellular phones; but nowsmartphones and, of course, the proliferation of laptops, notebooks, netbooks, and tablets. Then there is that amorphous, vapor-laden term called the "cloud" that underlies and overlies all the services we get from our connectivity. To decide what to buy, we have to understand the new phone features, what and why apps exist, and where our personal clouds are located. If you are a skilled user of all this communicating technology, you should share your knowledge with others who have less experience. In the case of information professionals, this sharing may be part of your day job. Lots of good, smart people still do not use a cellphone or use an old model flip phone or are just now getting rid of their wired landline phones. They are faced withlearning a new means of communication. The only real choices available are devices without wires - cellular or Wi-Fi. Former devices and accessories have to be donated or discarded, hopefully in a politically correct, green manner. Let's explore what can be done to gain the new skill set needed to use the current great technology. With all things digital, the world of analog is fading out of sight. Like satellites escaping Earth's gravitational pull, technology is providing the means to break the chains to an office desk, a home, or any specific set of geographical boundaries. Today, we can carry a sophisticated communication system to send/receive messages, access databases, find map locations and directions, and even enable voice-to -voice connections. We may fully recognize that breaking away from what we had and trying something newer is OK. But how can a decision be made with so much marketing, advertising, blogging, news features, TV shows, and friends everywhere telling us what to do? First, reach out to the current communicating population. Take the following steps to help you migrate to the devices, services, and support you choose. There maybe a lot of overlap, as these steps do not always require a specific sequence. Getting Started Before you take the very first step, forget any fear of the unknown. Drop that paranoia that something will fail you. Millions use these valuable devices, apps, and cloud-based information services. As long as you are not planning a trip to Mars or the moons of Iupiter, the selection and implementation process can be handled. * Make a quick list of your computer devices and how you use them. * Include work, personal, internet search, email, maps, entertainment. * Identify age of devices in terms of years. * If more than 3 years, upgrades or replacements are strongly recommended. * If less than 1 year, revisit the process next year. * Between 1 and 3 years, consider your options, including waiting. * Gather communication usage information. * Phone -voice calls, email, texting, video calls (Skype) Office work, personal business * Other- entertainment, search, maps and directions * What do friends /co-workers use? * Does everybody use the same? If yes or almost yes, should you stay with your crowd? * Verify the reliability of information sources. Sometimes the loudest do not have useful information. * Are you currently connected to a network service in your office or at home? Blueprint Your Alternatives While there are many phone manufacturers, only a handful of companies provide cellular services. The selection process has a few chicken and egg components. For example, if you want an iPhone, services such as BlackBerry and Microsoft do not support it. If you want to use Sprint, make certain that it supports the device you want. For example, Apple's new iPads are only supported by AT&T and Verizon. In fact there are two different models - one for AT&T and another for Verizon. * Communication services providers - AT&T, BlackBerry, Microsoft, Sprint, T-Mob ile, Verizon * Phone bundled with a service plan is the best option. * Phone has two prices - high price with no usage plan, lower with a 2 -year plan. * Monthly fees - lots of choices that you can ignore or select. * Number of minutes - the sum of calls made and calls received. * Number of text messages - teenagers require unlimited; they should pay this fee. * Data plan - if you access the internet for search, maps, entertainment. * Family plan - two or more people with their own phone share services. * Plans can be upgraded and modified during their term. * Canceling the plan with the service provider has a cancel price based on the number of months left on the agreement * Text messaging - lots of people say that texting is only for the under-23 folks. * Ask others in your crowd if they use it. * It lets you leave a message for someone without making a phone call. * It is often used during meetings and in crowded places including beverage stops. Data download *Yes, tons of information is available for downloading - movies, game scores, books, news, magazines, et al. * Photography - your pictures, family pictures, other pictures * Ask others or try out any of these services on someone else's device Do not automatically accept or reject based on what you do today. Things change over time, including you. * Where will you use the device? * Determine locations of most use - home, office, city, the road. Explore the carrier's signal strength in these areas as well as travel between. When buying a mobile device, mobile signal reliability is important. * Money * Nothing is free. * Determine the cost of the phone plus the commitment for monthly fees for the life of the contract. * Can you afford it? Is this a necessary business/personal expense? Other Considerations One school of thought holds that the next device coming will always be better, faster, and have more features. Generally, this is true of every developing technology, including televisions, automobiles, and computers. But if you always keep waiting for the next better whatever when looking at communication, you lose out on the functional capabilities of being able to communicate more effectively. Buying new technology must involve considering the next 12 months as part of your decision process. lust buying based on what you needed yesterday will not help you build abetter tomorrow. When price is an obstacle, consider the lesser version of a phone ora device more than 1 year old. There are people who trade up every year as new features are announced. When ready to buy the just announced, make sure you have source assistance as needed. Sometimes the latest and greatest includes features you will not use. Perhaps you want a gold-plated version. Nokia, Baccarat, and Cartier's all have gold and diamond phones and cases. If money is not a concern, GoldVish's diamondencrusted, 18 -karat white gold phone is $1.3 million - but that's without a service plan. Capacities and features will eternally expand and continue to deliver an ever-growing list of capabilities that you did not believe possible or even useful. Maps and directions, for example, can replace an abundance of foldable paper jammed in a glove compartment. (And who wears gloves any more?) Communicating with kids and grandkids can change the frequency of connection and information sharing. Making the Decision Get off the chair or couch and make that choice. Buy it and start using it right away. If that is a problem for you, please contact me; I specialize in helping folks get unstuck. You are not sending a land rover to Mars or seeking a cure for the common cold. Learn what you need and choose. You will never need all available features but start with the ones we all need. * Basic Features * Make and receive calls. * Keep a calendar and contact list. * Synch with another computer or web service. * Connect with a Bluetooth headset or automobile for hands-free voice calls. Other Needs * For any carrier, you will need an account on its website. Download services and updates. * Synch capabilities for music, apps, features, information. Learning * Determine what you do not know and need to learn. * Tap information on websites, books, friends, IT office support. * David Pogue of The New York Times writes good, practical books. * Ask questions. Don't be ashamed to ask. This is not an IQ test, it is learning how to drive a car, make a recipe, etc. * The best time to learn is after buying so you can practice hands-on with the device. Apps * Know that you will never use every app - currently more than 750 million exist. * After you are able to make and receive calls, try a few apps that have great appeal. * Do not download a few hundred. * Ask friends and co-workers what they use and what they avoid. * Practice. Find what works for you and remove any app that is not useful. First things first - making your experience better * Learn how to charge your device. This normally has to be done before first use. * Know how to change settings for: On/off, volume up/down, screen brightness high/low Auto screen shut down - leaving a device on all the time wastes a lot of battery life. By the way, how do you get to that battery? * Set up a security code required to access the device (usually four numbers). * Register your phone with carrier and vendor. * Make notes of model numbers, device serial number, phone number, and your security code and store this info in a safe place. Installation Considerations If you change phone numbers, you need to notify your contacts with your new number. If upgrading to a new phone with the same phone number, no problem. When switching from a landline to a cellular phone, you can often keep the original number. If the number has to be changed, remember to inform all concerned. By the way, do not make this number change announcement on public social media accounts. Your phone should stay limited to people you know. When you discard an old phone, do not just throw it in a trash bin. Remove the SIM card. This Subscriber IdentityModule is a removable memory chip that holds personal identity information, cellphone number, phone book, text messages, and other data. Make sure this critical content does not travel out of your control. Your phone needs some protection from scratching and other slips, drops, and children's hands. There are covers for the sides and back that can add glamour and style or pictures, along with a better way to grip the phone. Often called skins, these covers come from lots of sources at many different prices. CheckoutiSkin.com, Griffintechnology.com, and Speckproducts.com. There are also cases and protection for sporty folks who need more than just drop protection. Otterbox and Casemate have a variety of choices. When selecting a case, keep in mind how you will carry the device - on your belt, in a bag, in your pocket, etc. And you can have more than one skin/ case for when you want to match your outfit. Often forgotten when traveling is a power cord. Purchase a second charging cord for the phone. Keep one at your main charging location, typically home, the other in your backpack, briefcase, or other travel pack. Go nowhere without a means to recharge your phone. Just a Beginning There is more to learn and you will. The fascinating aspect of mobile technology is that there is no end in sight for what can be included to mobile applications. From phone to tablet to notebook to cloud, "smart" will be everywhere. Where others go, will you follow? Your mobile world is about accomplishing real-life goals with tools that are easily obtainable. If you haven't started yet, start now. My Apps APPS I USE FREQUENTLY: * Calendar * Contacts * Bluetooth connections * Text messaging 12 FAVORITE APPS LISTED ALPHABETICALLY: * Calculator - add, subtract, etc. * Disney Publishing - kids' books and games * Dragon Search - voice-activated search engine * Evernote - write notes and synch with same program on computer * Google Maps - see where you are, get directions how to go * G-Park - never lose where your car is parked * IMDB - great movie database * iPhoto - Apple's idea for photo-editing * Netflix - movies anytime, same account as you have at home * Pandora - set up radio channels for your favorite music * Shazam - listen to music and search for name, artist, and where to buy * Social media links - they all have an app by Richard Oppenheim, CPA Oppenheim Group Richard Oppenheim Your GPS Navigator - [email protected] (c) 2012 Information Today, Inc. |