WhatsApp

Free talk and text with WhatsApp

Amelia Theodorakis

WhatsApp Messenger is a free messaging app available for smartphones. The idea behind WhatsApp is to switch from your phone’s regular SMS in order to send and receive messages, including photo, video and audio media messages for free. You can download the app and use it for free for one year, after which time it will cost 99 cents per year.

How does it work?

WhatsApp uses your phone’s internet connection or wifi to send a message and call friends and family (call feature available on Android and Blackberry only), and since it works like your email and web browser, there is no cost involved in using the app.

In addition to regular messaging, WhatsApp users can create groups, adding whichever contacts they want, and send to the group unlimited images, video and audio media messages.

Who can use it?

Anyone with an iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and Nokia with access to the internet can download and use WhatsApp. And, yes, those phones can all message each other.

Provided you have internet access, have not exceeded the internet data allowance or set your phone to roaming, you will be able to use WhatsApp without extra costs. If you have a Nokia S40 or Nokia S60 device, it is strongly recommend that you have an unlimited data plan before using WhatsApp, since the app is a little data-hungry.

WhatsApp can be useful and cost-effective for staying in touch while overseas, provided you use the app over wifi only. Make sure to switch off roaming while travelling to avoid additional data charges.

How to set up and send a text on WhatsApp?

Step 1: Locate and download WhatsApp from your mobile app store and follow the prompts to set up your account. Ensure you click ‘allow’ to let the app to access your mobile contacts. This will save you from manually adding each person’s number.

If you discover that the app has only loaded half your phone contacts, go to ‘Settings’ on the bottom right corner of your screen, then go to ‘Profile’ and select ‘Use Your Facebook Info’. This will sync all your Facebook contacts into the app as well, prompting the app to add your remaining phone contacts.

Step 2: Type in your phone number and name or connect using your Facebook account. On the bottom of the screen there is a tool bar with your favourite contacts, your availability status, your entire contact list, your chat history and the app settings.

Step 3: To send a free message, tap the ‘Chats’ icon at the bottom of the screen. In the top right corner of the next page you’ll see a square with an image of a pencil. Tap it and then find and select the person you wish to message. Type in your message and hit send just in your phone’s regular messaging service.

Step 4: To speak to the person for free (on Android and Blackberry only), hit the Call button in the messaging box. And to leave a voice message, tap the microphone symbol to the right of the text box. The symbol of the arrow inside the circle to the left of the text box allows you to send videos and photos.

You can download WhatsApp here.

Have you used WhatsApp? Do you enjoy using it or is there a different messaging app you prefer?

 

 

 

Emails

 

Bad email habits.

1.      Not switching off your out-of-office auto response when you’re back in the office

2.      Hitting ‘reply all’ when you actually only need to send to one person

3.      Having information or emojis in your signature block which aren’t necessary

4.      Not attaching an attachment

5.      Using all caps

6.      The bombardment of cat videos you’ve probably already seen

7.      The Nigerian prince who just needs a little money

8.      Porn – need we say more?

9.      Trying to send the equivalent of War and Peace as an attachment and not realising why it’s not been received

10.  A confidentiality statement that’s so legal-heavy you’re too scared to read the email

11.  Not clearing a full inbox

12.  Cc’ing ‘all’ without thinking of the consequences.

 

 

Satellite Technology

The days of chalk marks on car tyres may soon be over.

New satellite technology is being installed in Mosman, which will notify parking rangers by text message as soon as you have gone over your parking limit.

Apparently for 'data collection' purposes for the first 12 months, we can all predict what the next step will be.

 

 

Data Usage

How to monitor your data usage

 

Ryan Boutland

Annie is one of many YourLifeChoices’ members who has recently asked us about smartphone data limits. We answer her questions to help you avoid unnecessary bill shock.

Q. Annie

For the second month in a row, my provider has messaged me to tell me I am about to go over my data limit on my iPhone plan. I do use my phone quite a bit outside of the house, but, until recently, have never had any problem staying below my limit of 1.5 gigabytes. This most recent message has come just halfway through my bill cycle. Is there any way to ensure I use less data or keep better track?

A. Hi Annie, the best way to manage your phone data and ensure that you don’t go over your data limit is to find out where all your data is being used. This will help you to adjust your habits to ensure that you only use data-hogging apps whilst you’re on wifi, or uninstall them completely. The easiest way to check this is by using your smartphone’s built-in settings.

On iPhone or iPad, you can view how much data each app is using by opening the Settings app, then tapping cellular. Now scroll down to the bottom to see all your installed apps and how much data they have used since they were installed. You can reset these figures on a monthly basis to get a good idea of how much data these apps use. To do this, scroll down to the bottom and tap Reset Statistics.

On Android you’ll find a similar feature that shows you how much data each app has used and that’ll allow you to customise limits and notifications should you approach your data limit. To find this feature, open up the Settings app, then tap Data Usage. You may be able to find this by searching or by looking under the Network Connections category. 

You may also find a data-management app such as My Data Manager helpful, as it will perform the features above, plus more.

My Data Manager is available for free on iPhone, iPad and Android.

It’s also a good idea to ask your provider to notify you of when you are approaching your data limit.

 

 

 

 

Viruses

Viruses & Malware explained

 

Many people think that malware, viruses, Trojans and spyware are all the same thing, but they’re quite different. Knowing the differences can help you stay safe and protected online. 

Malware

A combination of the words ‘malicious’ and ‘software’, malware is an umbrella term for any hostile program, script or code that can infect your computer or perform unwanted or unauthorised actions. The terms ‘malware’ and ‘virus’ are often used interchangeably.

Most terms used to describe malware fall into two different categories: delivery, or infection methods and actions.

 Delivery or infection methods

Virus

A program that attaches itself to another process and then replicates itself throughout your system.

Worm

Typically a small program that runs unnoticed in the background of your system whilst replicating itself.

Trojan Horse

As its ancient Aegean namesake suggests, the Trojan is piece of malware that is hidden inside something seemingly unsuspicious. Unfortunately, they’re not as easy to spot as gigantic wooden horses.

Actions

Spyware

This monitors your activities and sends the data it gathers to a third party. Some will simply monitor websites you visit; others can monitor mouse and keyboard actions to steal sensitive information. It’s good to run a spyware check every now and again to make sure you’re not infected. 

Adware

If your system becomes infected with adware (as many are without their owner’s knowledge), you will be shown extra advertisements almost anywhere possible. If you see advertisements where they shouldn’t be, or advertisements that are accompanied by the message “ads not by this site”, your system may be infected. This YourLifeChoices article can help you remove adware.

Scareware

Notifications and pop-ups informing you that your computer is at risk but can be saved if you pay for a virus-removal tool are often symptoms of a scareware infection. If you get pop-ups of this nature outside of your internet browser, run a complete malware check.

Ransomware

A relatively new type of threat, ransomware will give over control of your computer to a hacker who will then demand that you transfer money to them in return for giving back control to you. Should you refuse to cooperate, the hacker will delete everything from your computer, or do something even worse. 

It’s wise to stay protected with up-to-date antivirus software.

 

 

 

Call Confirm

 

 

 

andy posted: "Does this ever happen to you? You're navigating through the contact list and somehow tap a contact and call them by accident? It happens to me a fair bit and it is embarrassing when they answer and you have to explain you didn't mean to call them. This is"   New post on Androids4Seniors | helping seniors and the elderly get the best out of their Android phones and tablets   Call Confirm by andy Does this ever happen to you? You're navigating through the contact list and somehow tap a contact and call them by accident? It happens to me a fair bit and it is embarrassing when they answer and you have to explain you didn't mean to call them. This is where this simple app can solve the problem. Call Confirm simply brings up a confirm screen before the call is initiated so you can cancel it before it begins. It also displays the number and photo (if one is associated with the contact) to help. It also helps if you intended to call the person but tapped say, their landline instead of their mobile. Read more of this post andy | April 22, 2015 at 8:00 am | Tags: Communications, Phones, Tools | Categories: Android App Reviews | URL: http://wp.me/p2Rszo-yN Comment    See all comments   Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Androids4Seniors | helping seniors and the elderly get the best out of their Android phones and tablets. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://www.androids4seniors.com/android-app-reviews/call-confirm/

Apps of the Month

Apps of the month April

Ryan Boutland

Get accurate, detailed and up-to-date weather forecasts at your fingertips, and use your smart device as a hearing aid, with the best free and paid app of the month. 

Paid app of the month:

Pocket Weather

Apple's default weather app uses The Weather Channel's data, and while this is usually good enough for a quick glance before you get dressed for the day, it lacks a lot of information and features. Also, being a worldwide service, The Weather Channel lacks the accuracy of a local nationwide service, such as that of the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), which has data available for every suburb in Australia.

The Pocket Weather app uses BOM data, but it is also well designed and intuitive. And it has a many features that leave most other weather apps behind. Features include radar, tide data, weather warnings and a terrific graph that shows how the temperature will change over the day. You can add favourite locations simply by postcode, and the 'Feels-like Temperature' function helps to ensure that you won't get caught in the wrong clothing.

Available on iPhone and iPad for $2.49.

Available on Android for $1.99.

Free app of the month:

BioAid

If you've been having trouble with your hearing recently, and aren't ready to invest in a hearing aid – or are not in a financial position to do so – this app may help. A smartphone has all the technological components needed for a hearing aid; a microphone, earphones and a powerful and quick processor. All that's needed is an app that uses these features. BioAid, developed by scientists at the University of Essex, takes advantage of the smart technology. The ability to amplify quiet noises whilst quietening loud ones will make certain activities, such as watching TV, much easier.

Available for free on iPhone and iPad.

Unfortunately, there isn't an Android version available yet. Other apps that perform a similar task are available. Petralex and Hearing Aid with Replay (Lite) are the two best free options available for Android, but results and functionality will vary with different devices.