Podcast: Play in new window | Embed
Tech News and Commentary
Dave and the team discuss Bolt Mobility folding, the Samsung Galaxy Event, iPhone 14 rumors, Porsche E-Bikes, Spotify and live events, Twitter stats, and more.
Steve in Kenosha, Wisconsin listens to the free Podcasts brought to you by Blubrry and asked: “My mother-in-law is getting older and my wife goes to call her and she doesn’t answer her cell phone. She’s either left it in another room, doesn’t hear it, or has fallen asleep. Is there something I can connect in her apartment that will ring or flash, and tell her the cell phone’s ringing? I thought about like a Fitbit but of course, she’ll take it off and we’ll be in the same problem we’re in now.”
Steve, there used to be some phone holders that would ring loudly and flash lights if the phone was ringing. You can find it by the name of multi-phone ringer and flasher which should tell you something about how generic the device is.
The catch is that the phone needs to be on it for it to work, which will almost certainly land you in the same situation that youre in now.
The reason those devices arent more popular these days is because modern cell phones include the flashing feature as part of their accessibility tools. Theyll just turn the flash on and off in distinct patterns for texts and calls. Her phone must have the feature and it will likely be under Settings and Accessibility.
Obviously if she leaves her phone with the flash towards a table that method wont work either.
If ringing loudly is enough and the lights are less important, then a smart speaker may help. They can act as basically a landline, but their lights are not intense enough to get much attention on their own.
If she does have a landline you can still buy old fashioned strobe lights that flash when the phone rings, but those need to be attached to a physical phone line.
When you participate on the show – anytime 24/7 – and we HEAR you with any consumer tech question, comment, help for another listener, tech rage or just share your favorite App these days … you could win prizes.
The 2022 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway:
The 2022 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway: Call anytime, 24/7 – 800-899-INTO (4686), click the Ask Dave button on the website, or use the “Message to Studio” option on the FREE Into Tomorrow App!
All CALLERS — using the AUDIO option on our Free App or 1-800-899-INTO(4686) – automatically qualify to win prizes.
Audio archived for at least 6 months