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Exclusive: NN Lifelong Learners pick up tips on wireless technology
[July 08, 2012]

Exclusive: NN Lifelong Learners pick up tips on wireless technology


NEWPORT NEWS, Jul 08, 2012 (Daily Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Sherry Schneider held her Android phone intently, following along as instructor Stephen Arrington unlocked its capabilities for a contingent of students from Christopher Newport University's Lifelong Learning Society at a recent weekday session.



"There's a reason it's called a smart phone. It's definitely smarter than me. I figured I needed a little help," says Schneider, 63, who got her phone and an iPad on the same day in February, when her Isle of Wight business signed up for a new service. "I've played with the camera a bit, but otherwise I haven't played around with it much." The "Wireless Workshop for Seniors," a series of three free workshops sponsored by Verizon, aimed to upgrade participants' knowledge regarding the iPhone, Android and tablets. Indicative of its wide interest, about 100 of the society's 540 members signed up -- "they are of retirement age," ranging from their 40s to 90s, according to director Jane Sulzberger.

At the second session, Arrington, a Verizon store representative, promised to "give Google its time to shine." In keeping with the latest Pew statistics showing that almost 70 percent of those over 65 own a mobile phone, most attendees had cell phones in hand; however, only a sprinkling owned an Android or other smart phone. Many, however, said they owned an iPad, which didn't surprise Marisa Ford, who works at a Verizon store in Newport News. "They're associated with emailing and reading books, while phones are associated with calling and texting. They have a larger landscape. There are reports that they're actually outselling smart phones," she says.


Arrington started by explaining that no two Android phones are the same because the different phone companies -- Motorola, Samsung, HTC -- customize them to their own specs. He started by introducing the types of gestures that are used to manipulate its capabilities. He introduced the "swipe and slide," the "press and hold," and the "pinch to zoom." He explained how there's always more than one way to access information, and he showed off its voice recognition capabilities. He elicited giggles from the audience with his "Hey, what's up" voice-to-text message.

Many in the audience said they were familiar with texting. Retirees Sue and Bill Eutsler of Yorktown, 63 and 72 respectively, started texting years ago when they discovered that their now- 4-year-old phone had the capacity. They text to keep in touch with their children and grandchildren, the youngest of whom is 13. "We don't leave a message because they don't check them. We Skype occasionally," they say. Their daughter-in-law had recently shown them the voice function on the iPhone 4S. "We all thought it was funny," says Bill, who is interested in it because he finds texting awkward for the size of his fingers. He also liked the GPS function demonstrated.

His old Nokia phone in hand, Allan Geddes, 84, cheerfully admitted to being "the last of the dinosaurs." He doesn't plan to invest in a smart phone but likes to know what's going on with the latest technology, conceding, "It scares the hell out of me." More typical of the crowd was Curt Spear, president of the Lifelong Learning Society, who owns an iPad, but not a data plan, and was also interested to learn about smart phones. "It's easy to see how someone still working would need one," he says. "When you're old and retired, it's a slower life." The 70-something Newport News resident finds the multipurpose iPad has plenty of uses as a supplement to his home computer, including emails and FaceTime, which he uses to communicate with grandchildren in Memphis, Tenn.

Though Schneider appreciated the tips she picked up for using her Android, from how to text and find the set-up and apps, she reserved her enthusiasm for the iPad. "It's like my own personal computer. I really like the Apple operating system, even though I have a pc desktop," she says, adding that she finds the phone's keypad difficult to use and doesn't have any need to text. "It's a little more than I needed for myself." The iPad allows her to email, surf the web and read books; she also uses apps for the weather and other things that interest her, such as Major League Baseball.

Schneider doesn't mind paying for the data package. "When you live in the country, you don't always have wireless access," she says. "I'll pay for it until everything goes wireless." CNU Lifelong Learning Society Open House event at 1 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 9; members and guests invited to hear Ed Brash perform "By the Rising of the Moon: A Musical History of Dissidence and Rebellion in Ireland" at Yoder Barn Theatre, Christopher Newport University, 660 Hamilton Drive, Newport News.

The society, "a membership organization dedicated to people of retirement age," sponsors classes, lectures and group excursions.

For information: (757) 269-4368; http://www.lifelonglearning.cnu.edu.

For information on Verizon workshops, go to http://www.verizonwireless.com/workshops.

___ (c)2012 the Daily Press (Newport News, Va.) Visit the Daily Press (Newport News, Va.) at www.dailypress.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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