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Tech News & Commentary
Frank in North Pole, Alaska listening on KFBX asked us: “I have an Apple 4s and I want to upgrade to the Galaxy S5. They’re some apps that I have on my iPhone that I paid, is there anyway those can be converted to be used on the Samsung Galaxy S5 or do I need to repurchase it?”
Frank, Unfortunately you can’t convert any app to be used on a Galaxy S5 from an iPhone. The softwares in Androids are completely different from those in Apple. You can try contacting the developers of the apps (only if the developers are the same in both the Google Play Store and iTunes) to see if they can transfer the licenses to your new phone, but other than that there’s nothing really you can do about your paid apps.
On the bright side, you will still own your paid apps from iTunes even though you move to Android. So if you have an iPad or iPad Mini or any other portable Apple device, you can access your paid apps through the app store.
What it will depend on is what kind of apps we’re talking about. As more and more apps migrate to subscriptions where you pay a monthly or annual fee to use them, it is increasingly common to be able to switch platforms and simply grab the app that’s correct for your current platform, sign in, and go.
So that’s a good rule of thumb. Apps that are free, or only cost for a one time purchase, are hit or miss. There MIGHT be Android versions and you might be able to transfer your license, but you might not. Apps that come with a recurring subscription fee usually will have clients for each platform and usually will allow you to switch.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
“This Week in Tech History” Weekly Feature with Chris Graveline
Facebook Participation: Are you looking to buy a new computer or considering upgrading your current system? What do you have now? Are you planning on buying a tablet or a laptop… and why?
John in Bridgewater, New Jersey shared: I just replaced my son’s laptop with a Microsoft Surface Pro 2, dock, Bluetooth mouse, existing keyboard and monitor. Viola, desktop, and tablet to go..
Ken in Jackson, Mississippi listens on SuperTalk 97.3 asked us: “I have a standard car radio – 2004 model car – no Bluetooth or aux input jack. I am wanting to play music on my iPhone 4s in my car. Every FM tuner kit I use I get static when acting whatever. Is there something out I can use?”
Ken, I hate to break it to you, but there will always be a little to a lot of static.
Try to not only pick an open frequency to transmit to, but pick one that also has open frequencies above and below it. This will give you the least amount of static. Another thing is to set the transmitter to .1 above or below what the radio is set to it may clear up a little. (example: transmitter set to 89.8 and radio set to 89.7)
If your car has a removable antenna then go ahead and remove it, it should make every station crystal clear, however by doing this you won’t be able to listen to your typical radio stations, but it will should eliminate any static.
Depending on how involved you’re willing to let things get, you can always replace the radio, you can buy an aftermarket car radio with a built-in AUX input for as little as $25, but you will need to either install it or have it installed by someone, and you may not like the look of it on your dashboard.
If you have an old enough radio with a tape deck, you can also buy a cassette adapter that plugs into your phone and lets you transmit music that way. That would be free of static, since it’s a wired device, but cassette players in cars are harder to find these days, and it’s quite likely you’re just trying to replace a CD rather than tape these days.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Joe in Sparta, Tennessee listening on WTN 99.7 asked us: “I have a Windows XP and there was a message that popped up on my computer that said support ended on April 8. I was wondering what I can do about this? Do I have to get a new computer?”
Joe, You basically have two options. You can either upgrade your PC or get a new PC. To check if your PC is able to run Windows 8.1, download the Windows Upgrade Assistant and it will help you verify. The older your PC is, the more likely it won’t be able to run Windows 8.1. The second option is to purchase a new PC. If you remain using WIndows XP, your computer will be more defenseless towards viruses and harmful software. [JP]
Now, that’s what you’d need to do to get on Windows 8.1, having said that, your computer will not self-destruct if Microsoft stops supporting it.
Losing Microsoft support is bad, you won’t get updates if there are security problems, and regular bugs won’t be fixed. However, XP has been out since 2001, it’s a fairly stable product by now, and you can certainly continue to use it while it works for you.
With more of the computer’s functions moving to the web, your XP computer may very well still serve you for years.
The thing is, it might be time to discuss not whether you have to get a new computer, but whether you should. The fact is that computers have never been faster, easier to use, or cost less. You can buy a fantastic two-in-one Windows tablet/laptop hybrid for $500, a Chromebook for $200, even a MacBook Air for $1000.
A lot of what we’re doing on the web these days requires a modern web browser, like Chrome, Safari, or even Firefox. Heck, Internet Explorer 11 is the best browser Microsoft has ever released. And Windows XP won’t be able to run the latest version of these browsers. So as web technologies get more advanced, your going to run into more and more sites that tell you to get an updated browser.
So while Windows XP isn’t going to stop working just because Microsoft doesn’t love it any more, it might be time to consider what budget you have for some new hardware. You’ll be glad you did!
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Red in Delaware listens on WDEL 1150 asked us: “How come no one makes a tablet that can also be used as a regular phone?”
One of the main reason why tablets haven’t come out with the phone capability feature is basically to keep costs down and many cellphone carriers want to sell phones and tablets, and if they combine both together, they are concerned it will affect sales.
However, there are some tablets that do carry this feature such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab or Dell Streak 7 but they’re not designed primarily for phone use.
Or … some have said there is a size limit on what can be considered an actual phone versus a tablet. Dell Streak 7 has Sim Card capabilities but is currently only available in Canada. There are apps you can use that require Wi-Fi, mobile data or possibly both such as TextPlus, ooVoo, fring, and Skype being the most popular of the calling apps. These apps are available on Andriod and Apple devices.
There may even be a simpler answer. Not enough people want them. It’s expensive to design and build a consumer electronics device. It only makes sense to do it if you believe that you’re going to sell a bunch of them. And while we get a question like yours every once in a while, we’re confident that the number of people out there who want to spend money on a tablet that is also a phone isn’t large enough to justify making one. How do we know? Well…because no one makes such a device. And they would, if they thought they could sell it.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Guest Segment:
Nile Nickel, Social Media Expert – LinkedIn Focus
Social Media Tips and Tricks
CEA Update with Allison Fried
As smart watches become more fashionable and more mainstream, the 2015 International CES will have an entire area of the show floor dedicated to this growing category. Allison Fried with the Consumer Electronics Association explains…in this week’s CEA Update.
Product Spotlight: V-Moda Crossfade LP & Yamaha PRO 300
Chris compared the two headphones models and gave his opinions on each.
William in Tupelo, Mississippi listens on SuperTalk 102.9 WWMR and is calling via the App asked us: “I’m gonna have to get a waterproof phone and would like to get your suggestions on that.”
William, We would not worry about the phone as much as the case you get for it. The Otterbox Preserver series is currently available for the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and the Galaxy s4.. They say your phone will be protected in 6 feet of water for up to 30 minutes, and is will also be kept free of dust and dirt.
If you are dead set on a waterproof phone, the Sony Xperia Z1 and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active are considering themselves “waterproof” for 30 minutes in 1.5 meters of water.
If you don’t mind not having the latest and greatest hardware, the Kyocera Torque is about the size of the S4 Mini and is built to military specifications and it even comes with “tissue conducting surfaces” that act like bone conducting headphones for use in noisy environments.
The Casio G’Zone Commando is similar to the Torque, it’s also not the latest technology, but it can take a beating to military standards.I must tell you though, I have the Preserver on my phone and it is a little difficult to hear.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Kanex: GoPower Pack – 6,000 mAh and 11,000 mAh battery packs with built-in stands for smartphones
Other World Computing (OWC): NUGUARD KX – Kinectic Energy X-Orbing Case for iPad Air
Bits Limited: Mini Squids — Travel-Sized surge protected power strips
Tylt: ENERGI Sliding Power Cases for iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4.
“Into Tomorrow”: Microfiber Screen Cleaning Cloths with Dave’s cartoon on them, for all your smartphones, tablets, TVs, camera lenses and computer screens!