Tag: settings

Boot-up
Any progress with websites?? Here’s the Guide I promised to help you set up a blog using WordPress.com. I’m now thinking that it might be a lot easier to get you started using Blogger, and then for you to transfer information across to WordPress if you wanted to, at a later stage.
I showed you last time how to install LibreOffice, an open-source Microsoft Office compatible replacement, but my son said why don’t you just use Google apps, which of course I do – I was just unsure of whether they worked off-line. They do working in partnership with Google Drive which you get with your Google account and which gives you 15Gb of cloud storage.  Go here to find how to use an “offline” version of the Google apps with Google Drive.
John has offered to lead the session on 13th June. Many thanks – what are you doing?
My ideas for the Computer Group/Digital Projects are still fermenting. It looks as though I’ve got a helper for the winter months as Phil Edwards has offered to lead some sessions, Paul has also offered, is there anyone else who’d like to meet-up to discuss how we can best do this. Given there are offers of helpers, I’m looking to keep the Computer Group running as it is, on alternate Thursdays (2nd and 4th of the month) and finding another time for the Digital Projects – possibly a Tuesday afternoon?
Support for General Meeting 9th July, Chris Higley: Maps of Wales and Maps of War. Thanks for the five members who’ve offered to help – we could still do with more; you’ll have seen the guidance sheet hopefully of what’s involved – not much really. I really have to respond to the Committee tomorrow, so please let me know today if you can assist. Many thanks.
Anything else, issues, problems.
News
Things that might be slowing-down your Home WiFi
Samsung brings Apple TV to some of their 2018 and 2019 SMART TVs meaning no need for an Apple TV(2) box, and you then have access to all your iTunes content, plus access to Apple’s streaming service when it’s launched.
Google Assistant and Sonos working together – Paul may be dealing with this one later, as well he might be referencing this link on making your Smart Home more accessible.
Checking a website link to see if it’s pukka.
How to spot a phishing email.
Switching-off auto-correct in your iPad/iPhone.
Windows 10 settings and Google Assistant
I will run through this page with you, run being the operative word for as you know I’m not a Windows user – so help welcomed …
Guide to Windows 10 settings.
Google Assistant – over to Paul.
What is it  ?
A Speech Interfaced artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant mainly available on mobile and smart home devices.
Here’s Google’s introduction to what Assistant can do for you.
It can also recognise commands:  Next, Pause, Stop ?
Read aloud Text and Email messages
Listen and send Text and Email messages -but NOT edit them, it just deletes and lets you start again
Open an App
Check your Appointments, Flights, Travel
Create a shopping list …
Translate …
Listen to music …
Show my Pictures …
Navigate to …
And MUCH MUCH More …….
Where is it ?
On a Smart phone, Smart Speaker, and other Smart Devices
I shall concentrate on the Smart Phone Application today using Android phone, but it’s also available on the iPhone and this link shows how it can be installed on an iOS device. However it’s functionality on an iPhone/iPad may not be as extensive as on an Android device because of the restrictions Apple places on links to third-party apps. I’ve tried to find a more recent article than this one, but it shows what can be done on an iPhone/iPad. Perhaps if you’re an Apple user you might prefer to look at what Siri can offer instead?
How do I find it?
Usually Hold Down on the Home Screen Button  (Demo)
Basic tips
A quite comprehensive guide to what Google Assistant can do (using an Android phone) is available on this video; you probably don’t want to watch it all in one session, but can come back to it as your confidence in using the app increases
Other things it can do …… Useful or useless, have fun!
Here’s a comprehensive set of tips on things that Google Assistant can do, and if you want to see a whole range of things that Google Assistant can do (again using an Android phone as the platform) then be sure to watch this short video which although it has some “mindless” suggestions for its use, also has some useful ideas as well.
Finally, if you’d like to see a Review Article (admittedly from Macworld) that compares the various speech activation systems including Cortana and Alexa as well, take a look at this.