Friday, June 12, 2015

How to Restart Your iPhone or iPad

iPhone Screen
Sometimes it's just the simple things that are so hard to figure out.

And one of the most common questions I get from new iPhone users is, "How Do I Restart?"

Fortunately, it's not too often that an iPhone needs to be restarted.  But many believe, as do I, that a restart from time to time will cure all computer ills.

"Restart and call me in the morning!"

If possible, before a restart, close all open apps to ensure that all files are saved. (Double tap the Home button and then swipe up on each open app to close.  If there are files open, visit each app to save any work in progress).

So here's the quick tip on restarting an iPhone or iPad:

How to Restart an iPhone or iPad:

  1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider appears on the screen.
  2. Drag the slider button to the right to turn your device completely off.
  3. After the device turns off, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again until you see the Apple logo appear.
If for some really reason your iPhone hangs and does not respond, you can force a restart as a last resort.

How to Force a Restart an iPhone or iPad:
  1. To force restart your device, press and hold both the Sleep/Wake and Home button for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo appear.
If you find that a specific app is the cause of a frozen iPhone, be sure to go to the app's iTunes store page.  In most cases, developers are anxious to learn about bugs in their apps and will post an email for bug reports.  Or leave a review to alert them to a specific issue. And it is most helpful if the specific conditions are relayed so they can replicate and resolve for the next app update.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Up the Periscope - Broadcast Live from Your Phone!


Periscope app logo
"In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes" - Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol's famous quote has become possible as millions of people around the world connect to the internet on a daily basis.

And we've already seen the good, the bad and the ugly as some people get their 15 minutes of internet fame.

But there is great potential as video livestreaming becomes a normal and usual app that users utilize everyday.  And Periscope is the new best livestreaming app.

Livestreaming on the net is not new.  But it is a niche that has not had much traction, until now.  Meerkat sxploded on the mobile app scene earlier this year but Twitter's Periscope app is clearly the better of the two apps.

So what is livestreaming?  Livestreaming apps allow users to broadcast live video from mobile devices to one, a hundred or even thousands of viewers.  Think of it as letting everyone become a CNN reporter.

Periscope App Screenshot - Explore the World in Real Time
Periscope App Screenshot - Broadcast Video LIVE from Anywhere

Not all livestreams are CNN-worthy.   But many are well done and.or give viewers the ability to go behind the scenes of special places or events.

My favorite Periscope broadcasts are from the local news teams around the country and the world who broadcast live during morning news shows.  It's a viewpoint average users just never get to see.

Just as mobile phones, pictures and videos have changed how we view the world, livestreaming will become a common activity, especially for dramatic news events.

But Periscope also has the potential for live broadcasting public meetings and events so that viewers can attend important events that might not be covered by local media.

The latest update to the iOS Periscope app lets you look at a map and find local broadcasts.  This is especially useful if you are looking for something that is place-specific.

Periscope lets you follow contacts and be notified when someone is broadcasting.  Maybe it's a key moment in a day, or a trip to the beach or amusement park.  Or at a news breaking events like a fire, protest or severe weather.

Another great feature is the ability to archive your broadcasts - you can save any broadcast so that your viewers can watch later.

You can download the Periscope app from the iTunes store HERE.  And from the Google Android store HERE.









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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Netflix Comes to Marriott Hotels

Netflix Logo
One of my favorite travel "Road Warrior" tips is to use my Netflix account while on the road. As internet access and quality improves in hotels, using Netflix is an easy way to stay current on favorite shows.

So it's exciting to hear that Netflix and Marriott Hotels announced today a partnership that brings Netflix to guest room televisions.

Guests staying at select Marriott Hotels will be able to sign into their existing Netflix accounts by using the Netflix app on the hotel's internet-connected guest room televisions.
Netflix is currently available at six Marriott properties, with six more locations launching this summer. 
Available now:

  • New York Marriott East Side
  • San Jose Marriott
  • Princeton Marriott
  • Newport Marriott
  • Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Solana
  • Bethesda Marriott Suites

Coming Next this summer:

    • Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
    • San Francisco Marriott Marquis
    • Atlanta Marriott Marquis
    • Dayton Marriott
    • San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
    • Anaheim Marriott

    Marriott Hotels plans to expand Netflix to 100 of its properties by the end of 2015, and to nearly all of its more than 300 properties in the U.S. by the end of 2016.

    Source; Marriott Hotels

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    #hotel #internet #Marriott #Netflix

    Tuesday, June 9, 2015

    Skip the Line - Use the Subway App

    Subway Logo
    We haven't seen Jared use it yet but Subway has a new app that let's you skip the long lunch lines at Subway restaurants.

    The new Subway mobile app lets you order your favorite Subway sandwiches and then pick it up at the store directly from the cashier.

    I've used several of the mobile apps to save time and I will review a few more here at OneCoolTip.  But Subway certainly brings mobile ordering to the masses with their new mobile app.

    In my personal experience, mobile ordering saves 15-20 minutes.

    And a lot of hassle.

    Before the app, usually there are 10 people waiting in line at the local Subway at peak lunch time.  And when each person orders, he/she seems to have never been to a Subway before.

    What do you want? Let me think.
    Which bread?  Let me think.
    Do you want it toasted?  Let me think.
    Do you want cheese?  Let me think.

    These people have waiting for 10 minutes already.  None of these ordering concepts seemed to have been contemplated before they up up to the Subway Sandwich Artist.

    Avoid all of that hassle and order online through the new mobile app.

    Subway App Screenshot 1
     Subway App Screenshot 2


    It's simple to use the new Subway app.  Download to your phone.  Setup a new account and then order from your local subway.  You pay through the mobile app so your order will be ready to just pickup.  I usually do this at least 30 minutes before I want to pick up the order.

    The app is new but the Subway employees seem to know the process.  Although you will get some stares from the people waiting in line why you can skip the line and just pick up your order from the cashier.

    You can download the app from iTunes HERE and from the Google Android store HERE.

    Source: Subway

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    Monday, June 8, 2015

    Skype for Web Now Open to All Users

    Skype Logo
    Skype has opened up the beta testing for using Skype for Web to all new and existing US and UK Skype users.

    This new option allows users to use Skype from within a web browser without downloading and running the stand-alone Skype app.

    And it's not just about video.

    Skype for Web allows users to make and receive video calls, instant messages and audio calls with friends and family.

    The new service supports the major browsers: Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Apple Safari and Firefox.  A plugin needs to be installed before the first call.

    To try the new Skype for Web beta, visit http://www.skype.com or http://web.skype.com and sign in with your Skype ID and password.

    This new service is a great step in making video calls easier to use.

    Source: Skype


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    Sunday, June 7, 2015

    Amazon Echo Now Reads Audible Books

    Amazon Echo logo
    Is there anything the Amazon Echo can't do?

    We'll, yes.  But it is learning new tricks all of the time.

    Now Amazon Echo will read Audible books to you.  And Amazon Echo also supports Whispersync for Voice so you can switch between reading and listening Kindle Unlimited books.

    Listening to an audiobook is easy.

    • To listen to an audiobook, just say "Alexa, read <Audible Book Title>".
    • To pause an audiobook, just say "Alexa, pause".
    • To resume the current book you're reading by saying "Alexa, resume my book".
    • To control the playback say "Alexa, go back" or "Alexa, go forward"
    Note, in these examples the <Wake Word> is "Alexa" but you can change it to "Amazon" by changing the wake word in the Echo app settings.


    Source: Amazon

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    Friday, June 5, 2015

    Waze is Your "Must Have" Driving App


    Waze App Logo
    Do you Waze?

    That's the question you'll want to ask your friends and family from here on out.

    Waze is a smartphone app that is a community traffic and navigation app.

    The Waze community allows you to join drivers who share real-time traffic information.

    Now owned by Google, this community-based app gives you the best route to your destination based upon updates from your fellow drivers and data acquired by Google from local and state traffic systems.  It even updates the best route while you are driving.

    Waze Screenshot - Report Real-Time Traffic and Road Conditions to Improve Driving for AllWaze Screenshot - Outsmart Traffic with the World's Largest Coomunity of Drivers
    Waze is a powerful app because of this constant updating of information.

     Millions of drivers are updating road conditions such as construction zones, accidents, potholes and even police traps.

    This real-time data means that it is much more than regular maps you can find on your iPhone or Android phones like MapQuest, Apple Map or even Google's Map app.

    As you drive to your destination, Waze will pop up information and audibly alert you to upcoming conditions.

    You'll know about that police car on the other side of the hill before you even see it.

    It's easy to find and connect to fellow Wazers from your social networks.  You can connect your Waze account to Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare.  Once connected, you can share ETAs and destinations. This is a great option if you are travelling to the same destination in separate vehicles.

    I've found having a good phone mount on the dash works best to avoid distraction and I always use the voice reporting to tell Waze about road conditions that I encounter.  This makes it easy to share information while keeping my eyes on the road.

    You can download the free Waze app for iPhone from iTunes HERE and the Android from the Google Play store HERE.

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