Holiday Help

For years, I have been a Hanukkah and Christmas helper for my clients.   If its within the realm of electronics and computers, let me know how I can help you.  Perhaps you need help selecting, setting up, and putting back in the box.  I’ll be there for you.  I have also helped clients with creating cards that can be printed out and mailed to your loved ones.  It’s not too late.  Photo cards speak 1000’s of words. 

2 Numbers on One Phone

This is really cool! Maybe you have business and personal lines.  Perhaps you always wanted to make your home phone a cell phone number in addition to your regular cell, but dread carrying two phones.  Right now — this option has arrived.   The 2018 iPhone models (Xs, Xs Max, and XR) offer eSIM technology.  This means you could have two numbers on one iPhone.  This capability just became possible with the iOS 12.1.1 update that came out last week.   Verizon, AT&T and other carriers worldwide are on board.  Let me know if you have questions about the power of eSIM. 

WiFi Calling

Some of my clients live in a cellular dead zone.  It’s a brutal existence when you can’t make cell phone calls from you own home, especially when they are work related or there are medical issues involved.  Over the past few years, ATT, Verizon, and TMobile have rolled out WiFi Calling for smartphones.  It’s that simple.  You can make and receive cellular calls over your home WiFi connection even when there is no cellular signal.  It has been a godsend to several clients.  Many smartphones 2 to 3 years old and newer support this feature.  However, if this feature means something to you, you’ll want to buy your phone through “official” channels.  By official, I am talking about your carrier or Apple.  The market for independently purchased phones, such as purchases made through Amazon or direct from the manufacturer (ie. some Motorola models, Nokia [they’re back], and One Plus), is growing.  Unfortunately, I have witnessed that AT&T likes to play games in making WiFi calling an exclusive feature.  If you are their customer, buy your smartphone from them or from Apple.  Note:  visual notification of voicemails will still be a problem in a low cell / no cell signal area. 

Awesome Utilities for Archiving Phone Data

Archiving data like text messages and call logs may be a legal issue, a business issue, or even a personal issue for you.   Here are some tools for your tool box.  With your iPhone, you need to make a full backup to your computer (Windows or Mac) via iTunes.  We have probably done this before, but you will want to get in the habit if this sort of record keeping means something.  While there are many utilities that can parse this data, I prefer iMazing.  It is amazing!.   https://imazing.com   It is $45 and worth every penny.

On the Android side,  I recommend SMS Backup + and SMS Backup and Restore.  The second app has some paid features, but I haven’t found the need for them.  SMS Backup+ actually takes your texts and makes them into a searchable folder in your Gmail account (WOW).  SMS Backup and Restore — exports call logs and text into 2 files on your phone or Google Drive.  They can be downloaded onto your computer or the app itself for your viewing pleasure.  They can also be restored back to a different Android phone.