Category: iPhone/iPad

iPhone/iPad

What Is the Green Dot on Facebook and Messenger

Wondering why Facebook displays a green dot on someone’s profile picture, in the Messenger app, and next to the camera icon in Messenger? What the green dot means is context-dependent.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
September 19, 2023

This is for mobile devices and desktops using Facebook and Messenger. Screenshots are from Windows 10

Wondering why Facebook displays a green dot on someone’s profile picture, in the Messenger app, and next to the camera icon in Messenger? What the green dot means is context-dependent. Let’s decode this green dot.

Key Points

  •  The green dot on someone’s Facebook profile picture indicates that they are active on the Facebook platform, whether on the site, through the app, or on the Messenger app.
  •  In Facebook Messenger, the green dot next to people’s profile pictures confirms that they are currently active on Facebook, either through Messenger, the app, or the site.
  •  A green dot next to the camera icon in Messenger means that the user is available for a video call.
  • Disable the feature so others do not know you are active on Facebook or Messenger.

Green Dot on Facebook

On Facebook’s desktop site or mobile app, when you visit someone’s profile page, you might have seen a green dot. This green dot indicates that the user is active on the Facebook platform. Refer to the below image:

Green Dot 1
The user is active on the Facebook platform

The dot does not necessarily mean the user is active on the Facebook site. The user may be using the Facebook app or even the Messenger app. But if you see it, it means the user is active somewhere within the Facebook network and it can stand in as an online indicator.

Green Dot on Messenger

While scrolling chat lists in the Messenger app, you may have seen green dots appearing in the bottom-right corner of people’s profile pictures. These green dots indicate that those users are currently active on Facebook. See the below image:

Green Dot 2

Those users may be active on Messenger, the Facebook app, or the Facebook site. The dot just indicates that they are active somewhere on the Facebook platform.

Green Dot Next to Camera Icon on Messenger

When you see a green dot next to the camera icon in the Messenger app, it means that the user is available for a video call in the app. This indicator is separate from the profile picture indicator we discussed in the previous two sections and only references video call availability. See the following image:

Green Dot 3
The user is available for a video call

So when you see the camera-adjacent green dot you know the user has Messenger installed, and it’s possible for you to initiate a video call with them.

Disable Active Status on Desktop Facebook Website

  1. In a browser, log in to Facebook and then click the Messenger icon in the top-right corner of the page.
  2. Click the Menu icon (three dots)  at the top of the chats window.
  3. Click Active Status.
  4. Toggle off the switch next to Active Status: ON to disable it. The switch will be turned OFF.

You can enable the Active Status at any time. by toggling the switch to the ON position.

Note! A couple of additional options in the Active Status window allow you to appear active for some friends, but not others, and vice versa. Simply tap the edit button to select which friends you want to include in either list. Refer to the below image:

Green Dot 4
Active Status options

You can disable the feature on your mobile device but it’s more complicated.

Disclaimer

Technology is always changing and rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

Quote For the Day

When you find an idea that you just can’t stop thinking about, that’s probably a good one to pursue.

Josh James

Tweet Info

You are finished. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.

I Would Like to Hear From You

Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you. Do you have a computer or smart device tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life. Please mention the device, app, and version you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

Author’s E-Book

You can access the e-book from a Kindle device, the Kindle App for the desktop or smartphone, which is a free app.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Scan a Document on iPhone and iPad

Scanners had their moment, but nowadays it’s not as necessary to own one. However, that does not mean you never need to scan a document or photo. Thankfully, you probably have some tools to do it without a scanner.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
September 5, 2023

This is for the iPhones and Tablets. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 16+

Scanners had their moment, but nowadays it’s not as necessary to own one. However, that does not mean you never need to scan a document or photo. Thankfully, you probably have some tools to do it without a scanner.

If you find yourself scanning a lot of documents and photos, it’s a good idea to invest in an actual scanner. Most people only need to scan a few things a year, so we will show you some good alternatives.

Scan Photos and Documents

A scanner is essentially just a camera that takes a photo of your document in a specific way. Well, you carry a camera with you every day, so why not use that as a scanner?

A smartphone camera is usually perfectly fine for getting the job done as a scanner. The results will not be as crisp and clear as an actual scanner, but it will get the point across. Here are some suggestions for taking photos of a document.

  • Lighting: Place the document on a flat surface with good lighting. Try to avoid casting a shadow on the document with your hand and phone.
  • Placement: Take the photo straight on to avoid any weird angles. This can be done directly above or at a right angle by propping up the document. Do whichever results in the best lighting with the fewest shadows.
  • Framing: Make sure to take the photo from far enough away so the entire document is in view. After you take the photo, crop it to the document so you do not see any of the surroundings.

The camera on your phone will suffice in many situations, but sometimes a more professional-looking scan is necessary. For that, you will want to turn to a document scanner app. You already have one installed on your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone.

Scan Using the Files App on iPhone

Phones and iPads have a built-in Document Scanner feature. This tool is not its own app, but you will find it both in Apple’s Files app and the Apple Notes app. Many websites suggest using the Notes app to scan a document, and that works fine; but you can also use the Files app, which is convenient if you just want to scan the document to a file.

To scan a document on an iPhone or iPad with the Files app, first, open the Files app and go to the location you want to save your scanned document to. For example, to keep it in your iCloud Drive, open the iCloud Drive location. To save it in your iPhone’s Downloads folder, open Downloads.

Next, tap the Menu button (it looks like a “…”) at the top-right corner of the screen and tap Scan Documents to get started. Refer to the below image:

iPhone Scan 1
Selecting to scan from the Files app into the Downloads folder

Now, position the document in view of your iPhone or iPad’s camera and hold it still. Your device will automatically capture an image of the document, and you will see it flash on the screen. See the below image:

iPhone Scan 2
The scanned document in Files

Next, to scan a multi-page document, position the second page in view of your iPhone or iPad’s camera. Continue this process to capture as many pages as you like. When you are done, tap Save, and you will get a combined PDF file containing each page. See the following image:

iPhone Scan 3
The scanned document is in the Downloads folder

Scan Using the Notes App on iPhone

You can also use the Notes app to scan documents. First, open the Notes app on your iPhone or iPad, open an existing note or create a new note, tap the camera icon, and tap Scan Documents. The Notes app will then save your scanned documents as notes rather than files Refer to the below image:

iPhone Scan 4
Selecting to scan from the Notes app

Next, your saved document is in the Notes app. See the below image:

iPhone Scan 5
The scanned document in Notes
Disclaimer

Technology is always changing and rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

Quote For the Day

Whatever you’re thinking, think bigger.

Tony Hsieh

Tweet Info

That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.

I Would Like to Hear From You

Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you. Do you have a computer or smart device tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life. Please mention the device, app, and version you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

Author’s E-Book

You can access the e-book from a Kindle device, the Kindle App for the desktop or smartphone, which is a free app.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Check Your Battery Charge Time for iPhone or iPad

Have you ever wanted to check how long it would take for your iPhone or iPad to charge completely? Maybe, you do not like to frequently check how much your device has charged? Well, this particular iOS shortcut intends to do just that. It’s pretty simple to set up and use on your device.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
August 29, 2023

This is for iPhone and iPad. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 16+

Have you ever wanted to check how long it would take for your iPhone or iPad to charge completely? Maybe, you do not like to frequently check how much your device has charged? Well, this particular iOS shortcut intends to do just that. It’s pretty simple to set up and use on your device.

Anyone could estimate that your iPhone can fully charge from 0 to 100% in roughly about 2-3 hours. But, this is a very rough estimation. The actual time it takes could vary anywhere between two and three hours, or sometimes even lower depending on whether you have enabled Airplane mode or not. The Charge Time iOS shortcut can make a far more approximate guess from the current battery percentage and tell you how long it’d take to fully charge if you plug it in.

Check Your Charging Time

For those unaware, the Shortcuts app is one of the stock apps for devices running iOS 13/iPadOS 13 or later. We will be using the Shortcuts app to determine the charging time for your device.

First, head to this Charge Time link and tap Get Shortcut to download the shortcut on your iPhone or iPad. This shortcut is not available on the App Store nor is it pre-loaded on your device. You can use the link above or perform a Google search to locate the shortcut.

There are other charging time shortcuts from various sources. This post is only for the Charge Time shortcut as mentioned above.

Note! You may receive a screen asking to enable cookies and other data. Select the items you wish to share.

Refer to the below image:

Charge Time 1
Get the shortcut

Next, the Shortcuts app will launch on your device and display the Charge Time shortcut. At the bottom, tap on Add Shortcut to proceed. See the below image:

Charge Time 2
Add the shortcut

Now, this will install the shortcut and add it to the All Shortcuts and My Shortcuts gallery. See the following image:

Charge Time 3
Added shortcut

Next, tap on the Charge Time shortcut to reveal its menu. From here, tap the Details option. Refer to the below image:

Charge Time 4
Accessing shortcut options

Now, tap the Add to Home Screen link. See the below image:

Charge Time 5
Add the shortcut to your Home screen

Next, a preview screen will display the Charge Time shortcut. At the top of this screen, tap Add. See the following image:

Charge Time 6
Shortcut preview screen

Now, the Charge Time shortcut will be added to your Home screen (the first empty space it finds). Refer to the below image:

Charge Time 7
Shortcut added to your Home screen

Next, simply tap on the Charge Time icon. You will get a pop-up message at the top of your screen stating how long it will take for your device to charge to 100%. Tap Done or Cancel (depending on if you have made any changes) to close the pop-up. See the below image:

Charge Time 8
Results of running your shortcut

Before closing the pop-up message, you have more options. Long press on the pop-up message. At the top of the screen, you will notice a down arrow next to the message.

If you say, “Hey Siri, Charge Time”; the shortcut will run but you are unable to use a long press on the pop-up message to view options.

See the following image:

Charge Time 9
Accessing the drop-down arrow

Now, tap on this down arrow to upload as a text document, save to Files or Print. Finally, to exit, tap Done. Refer to the following image:

Charge Time 10
Options for the shortcut

That’s pretty much all you have to do.

Charge Time Is An Estimate

It’s important to note the result you get is just an approximate value and not completely accurate to the minute.

As useful as this shortcut is, we would like to point out that there’s one major downside to it. This might be a dealbreaker for a lot of users. The Charge Time shortcut only takes into account the standard charger that comes in the box with your iPhone. Nowadays, people use fast chargers, wireless chargers, or even MagSafe to charge their iPhones, and if you are one of them, this shortcut will not be helpful.

Having said that, there are still plenty of iPhone owners who did not purchase the optional fast charger and instead use the one that came in the box, so it’s not like the shortcut is useless at all. Hopefully, this shortcut was useful for you.

Disclaimer

Technology is always changing and rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

Quote For the Day

Customers don’t care about your solution. They care about their problems.

Dave McClure

Tweet Info

That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.

I Would Like to Hear From You

Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you. Do you have a computer or smart device tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life. Please mention the device, app, and version you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

Author’s E-Book

You can access the e-book from a Kindle device, the Kindle App for the desktop or smartphone, which is a free app.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Use Google Lens

Google Lens is an image and text recognition app that uses Google Search to deliver results based on what it sees in photos.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
August 22, 2023

This is for iPhone, iPad, Android, and Desktop. Screenshots are from iPhone and Windows 10

Google Lens is an image and text recognition app that uses Google Search to deliver results based on what it sees in photos.

You have probably seen the colorful camera icon in the Google Search bar or the Google app. It’s an unassuming shortcut that leads to a variety of impressive abilities. This is Google Lens, and it’s a Google app you should know.

What is Google Lens

Google Lens is most easily described as the visual component of Google Search. You typically do Google Searches with HR text queries, but Google Lens uses images and your camera as input. It identifies things in images; such as QR codes, plants, text, and products; then delivers information or search results related to the object or text.

Long-time smartphone users may remember an app called “Google Goggles.” It was launched in 2010, and it was one of our first looks at what image recognition software could do with the cameras we were starting to carry around with us everywhere. Goggles was the precursor to Google Lens.

Google Lens was officially launched in 2017 and pre-installed on the Pixel 2 smartphone. Since then, Lens has slowly crept into more and more Google services: Google Assistant, Google Search, and Google Photos. Google Lens will also be integrated with the company’s AI chatbot, Google Bard.

What Does Google Lens Do

Google Lens essentially lets you do Google Searches by simply pointing your camera at things. What it can do with what it sees is pretty amazing. Google Lens can tell you a lot more than just what you’re looking at.

Got a math equation that you can not figure out? Do not bother typing the whole thing into your calculator point Google Lens at it. See some text in the real world that you do not feel like manually typing? Snap a photo and let Google Lens copy it for you. Find a weird bug in your backyard that you are not sure about? Google Lens can identify it for you.

These are just some of the simple things you can do with Google Lens. It can also read text from the real world out loud, translate text, search the web for an image you found, and tell you where to buy something you see out in the world.

How to Use

Google Lens is available in the Google app for iPhone, iPad, and Android; simply tap the colorful camera icon in the search bar. In a desktop browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, you can use Lens by clicking the icon in the search bar on Google.com.

Using an iPhone, iPad, and Android

To use Google Lens on the iPhone, iPad, and Android, first, open the Google app and tap the colorful camera icon on the right side of the search bar. Refer to the below image:

Google Lens 1
Selecting Google Lens

Next, you can choose from different functions under the shutter button before pointing your camera at an object or text and snapping a photo. See the below image:

Google Lens 2
Accessing your search

Now, you can also use photos you already took from the section under the viewfinder for Lens searches. See the following image:

Google Lens 3
Choosing an image

That’s how easy it is to use Google Lens! If you have an Android phone, you may also be able to use Lens directly from one of the multiple modes in the camera app.

Using on the Desktop

To use Google Lens on the web, in a desktop browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, first head to Google.com and tap the colorful camera icon on the right side of the search bar. Refer to the below image:

Google Lens 4
Selecting Google Lens

Next, you can either drag a photo into the box, browse for a photo on your device, or paste a link to a photo. See the below image:

Google Lens 5
Drag and Drop an image to search

Now you can select text in the image, see visually similar images, or click Find the Image Source to try and find where the image originated from. See the following image:

Google Lens 6
Your image search results
Disclaimer

Technology is always changing and rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

Quote For the Day

Tribalism is a social form which can exist at any level of technology. It’s a complete illusion to associate it with low levels of technology. It is probably, in fact, a form of social organization second only to the family in its ability to endure.

Terance McKenna

Tweet Info

That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.

I Would Like to Hear From You

Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you. Do you have a computer or smart device tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life. Please mention the device, app, and version you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

Author’s E-Book

You can access the e-book from a Kindle device, the Kindle App for the desktop or smartphone, which is a free app.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Create and Open Zip Files on iPhone or iPad

The days of pulling your hair out and trying to deal with zip files on your iPhone or iPad are behind us. Thanks to the Files app, it’s pretty easy to unzip files and create zip files.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
August 1, 2023

This is for the iPhone and iPad. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 16+

The days of pulling your hair out and trying to deal with zip files on your iPhone or iPad are behind us. Thanks to the Files app, it’s pretty easy to unzip files and create zip files. Let’s explore this feature.

Introduced in iOS 11, the Files app was a long-requested feature for both the iPhone and iPad. It drastically improved file management capabilities and made it easy to deal with zip files without additional apps or hacks.

Create a Zip File

First, open the Files app. Refer to the below image:

Zip 1
Open the Files app

Next, navigate to the files or folders you would like to zip. See the below image:

Zip 2
Locating Files or Folders to Zip

Now, tap the three-dot Menu icon and choose Select. The Select option is visible on an iPad in the top bar without the menu. See the following image:

Zip 3
Accessing the Select option

Next, select all the files or folders you would like to zip together. Refer to the below image:

Zip 4
Selecting Files or Folders to Zip

Now, with the files selected, tap the three-dot Menu icon in the bottom right and choose Compress. See the below image:

Zip 5
Selecting the Compress option

The zip file will be created. Press and hold the zip file to see the option to Rename it or Move it somewhere else. See the following image:

Zip 6
Choosing to Rename the Zip file

That’s all there is to it! Files management was a pain to deal with on the iPhone and iPad for a long time, but the Files app swiftly fixed that situation.

Open a Zip File

First, open the Files app. Refer to the below image:

Zip 7
Open the Files app

Next, navigate to the zip file’s location. If you downloaded it to your iPhone, it will likely be in the Download folder under On My iPhone.

Now, tap the file to unzip it. Your iPhone will extract the zip file’s contents to the current folder. See the below image:

Zip 8
Opening the Zip file

That’s really all there is to it. Apple just assumes that if you are selecting a zip file you probably want to open it. If you want to take a peek inside without unzipping the file, press, and hold, then select Quick Look from the menu (see the last image under Create a Zip File to see the option).

Disclaimer

Technology is always changing and rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

Quote For the Day

Most of the time spent wrestling with technologies that don’t quite work yet is just not worth it for end users, however much fun it is for nerds.

Douglas Adams

Tweet Info

That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.

I Would Like to Hear From You

Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you. Do you have a computer or smart device tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life. Please mention the device, app, and version you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

Author’s E-Book

You can access the e-book from a Kindle device, the Kindle App for the desktop or smartphone, which is a free app.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Make a Slideshow on Google Photos

Using Google Photos‘ slideshow feature, you can have all or specific album photos play one after another automatically. You can make this slideshow on both your desktop and your mobile device.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
July 25, 2023

This is for the desktop and smartphones. Screenshots are from Windows 10 and iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 16+

Using Google Photos‘ slideshow feature, you can have all or specific album photos play one after another automatically. You can make this slideshow on both your desktop and your mobile device. Let’s explore how this is done.

On Your Desktop

To create a slideshow on your desktop computer, first, open a web browser and launch the Google Photos site. Sign in to your account on the site if you have not already.

Next, once you see your photos, if you want to include all your photos in the slideshow, then click the first photo on the main screen to open it in full screen.

Now, once the photo opens in full screen, at the top-right corner, click the three dots (the Menu icon). Refer to the below image:

Photos 1
Selecting the Menu icon

Next, in the menu that opens, click Slideshow. See the below image:

Photos 2
Selecting the Slideshow option

Now, your browser will go full screen and your slideshow will start playing. Sit back, relax, and enjoy recollecting your memories with your photos.

Next, you can stop the slideshow at any time by pressing the Esc key on your keyboard. See the following image:

Photos 3
Exiting the Slideshow

Now, if you would like to make a slideshow using photos from a specific album, then access that album on Google Photos. On the album page, in the top-right corner, click the three dots (the Menu icon). Refer to the below image:

Photos 4
Selecting the Menu icon

Next, from the three dots (the Menu icon), select Slideshow to start playing your photos. You can close the slideshow by pressing the Esc key. See the below image:

Photos 5
Selecting the Slideshow option

On Your Mobile

To play your photos slideshow on your phone, first, launch the Google Photos app on your phone.

Next, to include all your photos in the slideshow, then tap the first photo on the main screen.

Now, when your photo opens in full screen, in the top-right corner, tap the three dots (the Menu icon). See the following image:

Photos 6
Selecting the Menu icon

Next, from the three dots (the Menu icon), select Slideshow to start playing your photos. Refer to the below image:

Photos 7
Selecting the Slideshow option

Now, Google Photos will start playing a slideshow for all your photos. If you would like to stop this slideshow, tap anywhere on the screen then tap Done in the top-left corner. See the below image:

Photos 8
Exiting the Slideshow

To create a slideshow using photos from a particular album, first, tap Library and choose your photo album. Select the first photo in the album, then in the top-right corner, tap the three dots (the Menu icon). See the following image:

Photos 9
Selecting the Menu icon

Next, in the menu that opens, tap Slideshow. Refer to the below image:

Photos 10
Selecting the Slideshow option

Now, your slideshow containing photos only from the selected album will play. If you would like to stop this slideshow, tap anywhere on the screen then tap Done in the top-left corner. See the below image:

Photos 11
Exiting the Slideshow

Disclaimer

Technology is always changing; there is rarely static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

Quote for the Day

My view is that if your philosophy is not unsettled daily then you are blind to all the universe has to offer.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Tweet Info

That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.

Author’s E-Book

You can access the e-book from a Kindle device, the Kindle App for the desktop or smartphone, which is a free app.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

Threads the New Social Media App

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has made a history of copying features from other platforms. This time, Meta has launched Threads, a social media app connected to Instagram that works more like Twitter and should eventually connect to Mastodon.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
July 18, 2023

As of this writing, We have reached 50,000 views in 487 posts!!!

This is for devices that use social media

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has made a history of copying features from other platforms. This time, Meta has launched Threads, a social media app connected to Instagram that works more like Twitter and should eventually connect to Mastodon.

Meta, as the maker of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has been after Twitter for many, many years. The company attempted to buy Twitter back in 2008, but that did not work out. Last year, Elon Musk acquired Twitter, and then promptly ran it into the ground. That has led to a surge in popularity for Twitter-like platforms, and now Meta’s app is live.

What Is Threads

Threads is a micro-blogging platform that looks and feels just like Twitter, letting you post texts up to 500 characters. This is almost twice Twitter’s 280-character standard limit, but still just enough for posts to not look like so much text. The platform itself is heavily linked to Instagram, and if you have an Instagram account, you can sign up for Threads with a couple of taps. All handles are pre-reserved; your username on Instagram will be your username on Threads. Refer to the below image of Threads:

Threads 2

Threads is actually seeing plenty of adoption, with the platform getting up to 20 million users within the first hours of launch. However, many of those accounts are brands instead of actual people. Instagram’s user base is in the billions, so we can only expect this number to keep increasing as time passes.

As it keeps growing, we can also expect a number of other changes, too. Threads is supposed to play nice with Mastodon and the Fediverse, and it will be getting ActivityPub support down the road. The exact degree to which Mastodon and Threads will be interoperable remains to be seen, but you will be able to follow and interact with Mastodon users from Threads. Likewise, Mastodon users will be able to follow Threads users by using their full username, such as “@john@threads.net.”

Pause Before You Download

Be aware of Threads Privacy Policy and the Dara the app collects. In our opinion, the app collects way too much data about you. This includes Data from your: Health/Fitness, Financial info, Contact info, User Content, Browsing history, Usage data, Diagnostics, Purchases, Location, Contacts, Search history, Identifiers, Sensitive data, and Other data.

In contrast, Facebook and Instagram only track Contact info, Identifiers, and Other data.

According to its Privacy Policy, you cannot delete your Threads account, until you delete your Instagram account. You can deactivate your Threads account at any time but you can not delete your Threads account without also deleting your Instagram account.

Our Summary

We recommend you wait until the Data collection and Privacy Policy issues are addressed.

If You Want to Download the App

If you want to give it a spin, Threads is now available from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. In the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the app name is “Threads, an Instagram app”. There are other Threads apps, so ensure you download the correct one.

Disclaimer

Technology is always changing and rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

Quote For the Day

Always deliver more than expected.

Larry Page

Tweet Info

That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

I Would Like to Hear From You

Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you. Do you have a computer or smart device tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life. Please mention the device, app, and version you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

Author’s E-Book

You can access the e-book from a Kindle device, the Kindle App for the desktop or smartphone, which is a free app.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

Amazon RxPass for Your Prescriptions

Hot on the heels of shutting down the AmazonSmile charity platform, a new add-on to Amazon Prime has been revealed. It aims to fill prescriptions for generic medications for one low monthly price.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
May 11, 2023

Hot on the heels of shutting down the AmazonSmile charity platform, a new add-on to Amazon Prime has been revealed. It aims to fill prescriptions for generic medications for one low monthly price.

This is for devices using Amazon

Amazon already runs a pharmacy through its online store, bolstered by the purchase of PillPack in 2018, but now the company is going a step further. Instead of buying each drug individually, Amazon is launching an optional subscription called RxPass, priced at $5 per month in the United States. No health insurance is required, but most (if not all) of the medications are controlled substances that require a prescription from a doctor.

RxPass does not cover every drug Amazon sells, but it does provide access to “commonly prescribed generic medications that treat more than 80 common health conditions.” There’s a full list on the RxPass website (scroll down to see the list), which includes anti-inflammatory drugs like Piroxicam and Naproxen, nine medications for high blood pressure and cardiac dysrhythmias, and even some drugs for treating Parkinson’s disease.

The new subscription could potentially save some people a lot of money, but there is a darker side to RxPass. CNN reports the subscription is almost certainly a loss leader for Amazon, meaning it’s intended to maintain subscriptions to Amazon Prime rather than be self-sustaining. You are probably going to be less likely to cancel Amazon Prime on the next price hike if it’s responsible for your access to critical medication, and Amazon’s FAQ page says canceling Prime will also cancel RxPass.

Disclaimer

Technology is always changing, and rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

Quote For the Day

We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.

Carl Sagan

Tweet Info

That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.

I Would Like to Hear From You

Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you. Do you have a computer or smart device tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life. Please mention the device, app, and version you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

Author’s E-Book

You can access the e-book from a Kindle device, the Kindle App for the desktop or smartphone, which is a free app.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

What is the New Rapid Response from Apple

Rapid Security Responses are a new software release for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. They deliver important security improvements between software updates — for example, improvements to the Safari web browser, the WebKit framework stack, or other critical system libraries. They may also be used to mitigate some security issues more quickly, such as issues that might have been exploited or reported to exist “in the wild.”

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
May 9, 2023

This is for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Rapid Security Responses deliver significant security improvements between software updates.

Rapid Security Responses are a new software release for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. They deliver important security improvements between software updates; for example, improvements to the Safari web browser, the WebKit framework stack, or other critical system libraries. They may also be used to mitigate some security issues more quickly, such as issues that might have been exploited or reported to exist “in the wild.”

New Rapid Security Responses are delivered only for the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS — beginning with iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1.

By default, your device allows Rapid Security Responses to be applied automatically and, if necessary, will prompt you to restart your device. To check your device settings:

On iPhone or iPad head to:

  • Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates

Then make sure that Security Responses & System Files are turned on. Refer to the below image:

Rapid 1
Security Responses enabled

On a Mac head to:

  • Apple menu  > System Settings >General > Software Update > Show Details button next to Automatic Updates

Then make sure that Install Security Responses and system files are turned on.

When a Rapid Security Response has been applied, a letter appears after the software version number, as in this example: iOS 16.4.1 (a).

Suppose you choose to turn off this setting or not to apply Rapid Security Responses when they are available. In that case, your device will receive relevant fixes or mitigations when they have included in a subsequent software update.

Source: Apple Support

Disclaimer

Technology is always changing and rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

Quote For the Date

Even in such technical lines as engineering, about 15% of one’s financial success is due one’s technical knowledge and about 85% is due to skill in human engineering, to personality and the ability to lead people.

Dale Carnegie

Tweet Info

That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.

I Would Like to Hear From You

Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you. Do you have a computer or smart device tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life. Please mention the device, app, and version you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

Author’s E-Book

You can access the e-book from a Kindle device, the Kindle App for the desktop or smartphone, which is a free app.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Print Using iPhone or iPad

To print from your iPhone or iPad, find the print button in the app you are using and select your printer’s name in the print options.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
February 28, 2023

To print from your iPhone or iPad, find the print button in the app you are using and select your printer’s name in the print options. If your printer does not appear automatically, it probably does not support AirPrint, in which case you can usually connect using your printer manufacturer’s app instead. Let’s check this out.

Note! The Dilbert comic will be suspended until further notice. Due to racists remarks by the creater of Dilbert, Scott Adams on a talk show, Dilbert has been removed from the Internet and newspapers. We have been following Dilbert for three decades and we thought the comic titted in with the theme of these posts.

Print Using AirPrint

AirPrint is Apple’s easy-to-use wireless printing protocol. It requires next to no setup, provided your printer is powered on and connected to the same wireless network as your iPhone or iPad.

Many printers now come with AirPrint as standard, especially since we increasingly use our mobile devices for all manner of tasks. If you are not sure if your printer has AirPrint, you can try printing anyway and see what happens. The printer should just show up if you satisfy the requirements.

Our HP Inkjet network printer is over 5 years old and it supports AirPrint.

First, to print from your iPhone or iPad using AirPrint, select Print in whatever app you are using. Refer to the below image for selecting to print from the Notes app:

iPhone Print 1
Selecting the Print option

This is often hidden under the Share menu, as is the case in apps like Safari and Notes. Just tap the Share icon. See the below image on printing from the Notes app:

iPhone Print 0
Selecting the Share option

This is not the case for all apps. For example, in Reminders, you will need to tap the “…” icon.

Next, tap on Printer to show a list of nearby printers you can use. If your printer supports AirPrint and has been set up correctly, it should show under this menu. Tap on a printer to select it. See the following image:

iPhone Print 2
Selecting your printer

Now, you may see a notice about the app you are using wanting permission to search for devices on your local network. Allow this when prompted. (And if you are having trouble, head to the app preferences under Settings and make sure the Local Network toggle is ON).

Next, with your printer selected, you can change print preferences by choosing how many copies, whether to print in black and white or color, whether to use double-sided printing if available, plus specify the paper size currently loaded in the printer. You may also get additional settings for Media & Quality and Layout depending on your model. Refer to the below image:

iPhone Print 4
Selecting your print options

Now, hit Print in the top right-hand corner of the screen to send your job to your printer. You can also use the Share button next to it to save to Files or to a PDF version of your file locally if you would like. See the below image:

iPhone Print 5
Selecting to print your file

Print Without AirPrint

Just because your printer does not have AirPrint does not mean you can not print wirelessly. Many printers include wireless functionality but lack support for Apple’s AirPrint protocol.

Print Using the Manufacturer’s App

If you have a printer that’s Wi-Fi enabled but lacks AirPrint, there’s a good chance that wireless printing is supported using an app. You can usually search the web for your printer’s model to see whether this feature is supported.

Then it’s simply a case of downloading an app like HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson iPrint, Brother iPrint&Scan on your device and following the instructions. Some of these apps have the added benefit of remote printing over the internet, which allows you to send a job to your printer at home regardless of where you are.

Purchase a Printer That Supports AirPrint

If you still need a printer, particularly one you can use with your iPhone or iPad, it’s worth investing in something that makes your life a little easier. For the most part, AirPrint “just works” over the local wireless network and allows you (and your guests to print wirelessly whenever you are within range.

When choosing a printer do not only consider the price of the unit itself but also the cost of the refills over the life of the product. You may find that refills cost more than a printer.

Disclaimer

Technology is always changing, and rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

Quote For the Day

Don’t become a slave to technology – manage your phone, don’t let it manage you.

 Richard Branson

Tweet Info

That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.

I Would Like to Hear From You

Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you. Do you have a computer or smart device tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life. Please mention the device, app, and version you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

Author’s E-Book

You can access the e-book from a Kindle device, the Kindle App for the desktop or smartphone, which is a free app.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath