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Tech News & Commentary
We mentioned an exploit affecting some sites called “Heartbleed” this site allows you to test your sites to make sure they’re unaffected.
Karina in Miami Lakes, Florida listens online asked us: “I have a new iPad Air that has its own cell phone number and cellular capabilities. Could this be used as a phone as well, to make or receive calls?”
Karina, Unfortunately the iPad Air cannot be used as a phone to make or receive calls. It may have a number assigned to it for billing and tracking purposes, but it uses a dedicated data connection and not voice. However, you CAN use apps like Skype and Google Voice to make international calls at a low price. [JP] (&cg)
There is one exception, you can make one kind of phone call without downloading any extra apps, you can make FaceTime Audio phone calls to anyone with an iPhone.
The issue with Google Voice on an iPad is that it uses your cellular voice connection for outgoing calls. If you want to use Google Voice to both receive and make calls on your iPad, then you need one additional app: Talkatone. The Talkatone app enables Google Voice to work 100% over a data connection, both for SMS text messages and also for phone calls. We found a page at About.com that has instructions on setting all this up.
For more information tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
Consumer Reports Feature With James McQueen
Amazon last week jumped into the streaming media player market with the new Amazon Fire TV. But can it compete with Apple TV and Roku’s lineup? Consumer Reports Electronics spokesman James McQueen is here with their first thoughts on the latest from Amazon.
The “Into Tomorrow” team discussed the latest apps that they have been playing with recently.
• Samantha recommends: RunPee, $0.99
“RunPee is my app this week. It is available on IOS, Android and windows. When you are at the movies and waiting for the movie to not be so intense because you are dying to go to the bathroom, but don’t know when to do.. this app tells you when so you don’t miss anything exciting. You actually can start the timer as soon as the movie begins and it notifies you when great times to run to pee are coming up. Try it out and let us know what you think!” — Samantha
• Dave recommends: Photofy, FREE
“Photofy, is a photography app that allows you to easily enhance your pix with thousands of professionally designed graphics, stickers, typography and frames, or create your own designs with their free-form text tools with 90 free fonts. In just a few seconds, you can transform your ordinary pictures into instant works of art and expression, and then share them with the world. Photofy is a free photo app for iPhone and iPad (as well as Android) and you can choose how to share your unique photo creations. You can then share via Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram and more.” — Dave
• Michael recommends: Camera Awesome, FREE
“Camera Awesome was developed by SmugMug takes fast, sharp photos with many editing options like presents, filters, adding text and frames…the with options to share on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, SmugMug, Picasa, Photobucket, and Flickr. Best camera and editing app I’ve used in a long time.” — Michael
What are your favorite Apps? Let us know at 800-899-INTO and we’ll feature them in this segment!
Tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast for more details
Guest Segment:
Damian Giannunzio, iolo Labs head researcher – iolo technologies
selling computer tuning software System Mechanic
Art in Cocoa Beach, Florida asked us: “The problem I have is that I live in condo. The condo has four stacks of three floors each and I live on the first floor in the middle. My cell phone service sucks. I have to go out on the porch to get service. Is their any reasonable solution to my problem? That I do not have to go outside all the time. I do not have a regular phone. Thanks for any help.”
Art, You can try a cell phone signal booster, Wilson Electronics should have quite a few available depending on your carrier and the type of service you need to boost (3G, LTE, GSM, CDMA). You may find some zBoost brand too, zBoost was an independent company, but it was recently purchased by Wilson Electronics.
You can also talk to your phone company and they may be able to send you a repeater themselves.
Depending on what model you go for, installation may be as simple as stick it to a window, or as complex as installing an antenna outside, but as long as you get coverage somewhere, there’s a good chance you can boost your reception inside your home.
The only other alternative would be to investigate some kind of VoIP phone service that works strictly on a data connection. iPhone users calling other iPhones can use Facetime Audio. Or you could look into Skype. Google Voice, when combined with Talkatone, lets iPhone users work entirely over a data connection as well. There are no doubt similar solutions for Android phones, if that’s your brand of choice.
Of course, if the massive condo squatting on your cell phone signal also blocks your wireless network signal for your home Internet connection, then you’re still up the creek without the proverbial wooden stroking device.
For more information tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
“Wireless Update” Weekly Feature with Michelle Sutton
Sure, your tablets and smartphones have super HD displays these days. But what if you want that content on a bigger screen? Verizon’s Michelle Sutton has an easy solution.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Noizy: Kameleon Series Bluetooth earbuds
Other World Computing (OWC): Nuguard KX phone cases for Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 4/4S and 5
Ventev: Assortment of their new products — like the PowerCell 6000+ Rapid Charger, cases for the new Galaxy S5 Smartphone, ChargeSynce tangle-free USB cables for Android & Apple devices & more.
“Into Tomorrow”: Microfiber Screen Cleaning Cloths with Dave’s cartoon on them, for all your smartphones, tablets, TVs, camera lenses and computer screens!