Streaming Video Specialist

I just wanted to remind you or make you aware that I am your streaming video specialist.   You may be looking to looking to cut the cord — cancel traditional pay TV and use a live channel replacement service like You Tube TV or Hulu TV or piece together streaming services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Apple TV + or others in lieu of channels.  You may be looking just to supplement your traditional TV subscription with those streaming services.   I can help.    I can also set you up so you can watch all of your Comcast / Xfinity live channels on your computer, smartphone or tablet.   I can set you up with streaming players like the Apple TV, Roku player, Amazon Fire Stick, or the software baked into your Smart TV (which usually isn’t as good).   I always prefer one of the streaming players that gets added to the TV.  They can be as low as $50 or less.  Of course you will pay monthly for the streaming services you want to use (with the exception of plain You Tube or rentals).  Amazon Prime Video is included with your Prime membership.   I have helped clients open up new dimensions to their video viewing.   You know who to call. 

Remote Clients

I do support some out of state clients through “screen sharing” software that allows me to view and in some cases control (with permission of course) their computer.   I have also been receiving referrals to Connecticut clients outside the Hartford area. I am very appreciative. I do charge more for example on a job “east of the river” or “down by the shore” but I will still gladly help those clients. I will disclose rates to a client before beginning work so there are no surprises.   A basic statement of rates is found on my website — westhartfordtechsupport.com .  I also have a 1 page complete statement of billing policies, which can be provided to you at any time upon request. 

iOS 13 Frustrations Continued

You should all have iOS 13 (known as iPad OS 13 on the iPad) on your Apple mobile devices by now.  Last week an important update, 13.2, came out.  A client brought a concern to me — that saving pictures from a text message / iMessage has changed in iOS 13.   I looked into it and found that there may be just one method available for older iPhones.  Previously, you could press and hold on the picture and press SAVE or you could tap to “open” the photo and then press the share button (the square with the upward arrow).  While both methods still work for me (iPhone 11), on the client’s iPhone 8 only the press and hold method worked.  Please be aware of this.

iOS 13 Lessons

Given that there are these changes that seem a bit jarring in iOS 13, I want to offer the opportunity of having a few lessons with me in the new operating environment so that you can function at your full potential.  One thing I did with clients 2 years ago, when iOS 11 came out, was work through a “field guide” together.   The current version of the e-book we used is called “Take Control of iOS 13 and iPad OS 13”.   Even if you did not want to work through a few chapters with me to improve competency, I would highly recommend the $15 e-book.   https://www.takecontrolbooks.com/ios-13-ipados-13/

Technology Nostalgia

I was thinking about how far we have come with technology.  These days we are using pocket sized phones and tablets as the computers we spend the most time on.  Everything is so digital.  A few nights ago I felt like I was being forced to file an insurance claim online.  I just wanted to talk to a live person.  Finally, I was able to.   I began reflecting on how far I have evolved in the area of phone technology.  Going back to my earliest days with the computer, I would dial into the internet on the home phone line (tying it up so no other calls could get through).  Talk about a way to cut down on scam sales calls!   Later on as I was starting my first business, and about 2 years before my first cell phone, I had the need to make cheap long distance calls.  I subscribed to a quarterly billed phone called “Phone Tel” — not to be confused with other companies with the same name.  I think I was a customer until about the year 2000.  Working in healthcare, my father was a regular pager or “beeper” user.  I got one when I turned 18 but ultimately didn’t find it that useful.  AOL Instant Messenger or AIM and AOL e-Mail were my messaging tools of choice for several years.  My first cell phone was a Motorola Star TAC.  This was the phone to have 20 years ago.  If you don’t remember it — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_StarTAC