Hello, and welcome back to the Padded Room.
I'm Margo, I'm here with Wayne, and this is Talking Tech with Wayne, the podcast dedicated
to discussing smartphones, smart homes, and all those things in between.
This show is a promise of information freely given to all that seek it, and that is a pack
between us and all of you.
Click into our website www.talking-tech.org and click the Join the Discussion button
to join the discussion.
While there, check out TV shows or click the Schedule A call button to explore how to bring
a Talking Tech discussion group to your local church or community center.
We also have a helpline where trained technicians are ready to answer your questions 24-7 and
best of all, it's 100% free.
That number is 215-406-HELP, 215-406-4357.
Today we will be discussing smartphones.
Smartphones have become an ambiguous part of our lives.
Still they can be intimidating for seniors who may not be as tech savvy.
Today we will be discussing them at length.
So let's start with the basics.
What is a smartphone and why is it important for seniors?
A smartphone is a mobile device that combines the function of a computer and a phone.
It is an important tool because it can offer the many benefits including staying connected
with friends and family and accessing important information and providing security and emergencies.
That's great to hear.
How can our listeners choose a smartphone that's right for them?
They should choose a smartphone that's easy to use and has important features.
Some important elements include a large screen, a good camera, and easy to use buttons or
touch screens.
You should also consider the operating systems such as iOS or Android and choose one that
is comfortable using.
Those are some great tips.
What are some popular smartphones?
Some popular smartphones include the iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy.
Both of these phones have models which offer large screen, good cameras, and are user friendly.
Those are great suggestions.
What about apps?
Which apps are popular with seniors?
Many apps can be helpful including communication apps like Skype and FaceTime, news apps like
CNN and NRP, and health apps like MyFitnessPow and MedSafe.
Many apps such as Mint and PayPal can be beneficial for managing finances.
Additionally, many games and puzzle apps such as Sikduku or Words with Friends can be fun
and engaging for seniors.
Those are great suggestions.
What about transportation apps?
Are there any apps that can be helpful for those out there who may have difficulty getting
around?
Move or lift a popular ride sharing apps that can be used to request a ride on demand.
Additionally, many public transportation systems have apps that can be used to plan routes,
track bus or train schedules, and purchase tickets.
That's great to know.
What about safety apps?
Are there any apps that can be helpful in case of an emergency?
Yes.
Many safety apps can be lifesavers in emergencies.
Apps like Life360 or Circle of Six can share location and alert trusted contacts in a crisis.
Additionally, many medical alert systems such as Medical Guardian or Lifhone have apps that
can be used to contact emergency services in case of a fall or other medical emergency.
Those are some great suggestions.
Now, let's dive deeper into how to use a smartphone.
For many of us, using a smartphone can be overwhelming.
Where should we start?
I always recommend starting with the basics of how to make and receive calls, send and
receive text messages, and navigate the phone system.
It is also important to learn how to download and use apps such as social media or health
apps that can be helpful for daily life.
Wayne, those are great tips.
What about taking photos or videos?
Taking photos and videos can be fun for them to capture memories and share them with loved
ones.
To take an image or video, open a camera app and press the button to take a picture or
record a video.
They can also learn to adjust settings like focus and exposure to make better quality
photos.
That's helpful to know.
What about making the phone more accessible for those with vision or hearing impairments?
Smartphones have many accessibility features that can make them easy to use for folks with
vision or hearing impairments.
They include increasing the font size, using voice commands, or using a screen reader.
There are also specialized devices such as hearing aids or amplified phones can help
those with hearing impairments.
Those are important features to keep in mind.
Wayne, what about backing up data?
How can seniors make sure they keep important information?
It's important to back up their data regularly, such as photos or context to avoid losing
important information.
That can be done through cloud services like iCloud or Google Drive.
Those are important apps to keep in mind.
Wayne, thank you for those insights.
Now let's talk about smartphone security and privacy.
As our listeners become more reliant on their smartphones, they must understand how to keep
their devices and personal information safe.
Wayne, what are some basic tips for smartphone security and privacy?
Some basic tips include setting a passcode or some form of biometric on their device,
which can be a thumbprint or facial recognition.
It's also important to be cautious of suspicious links or emails and avoid downloading apps
from unknown sources.
Those are important things to keep in mind.
What about using public Wi-Fi?
Is it safe for seniors to use public Wi-Fi networks?
Using public Wi-Fi can be risky as these networks are often not as secure and can be vulnerable
to hacking.
Seniors should avoid entering sensitive information on public Wi-Fi networks such as passwords
or credit card numbers.
Wayne, that's helpful to know.
What about privacy?
How can seniors protect their personal information when using a smartphone?
Seniors can protect their personal information by being cautious of the apps they download
and the permissions they grant to those apps.
They should also be careful of sharing personal information such as their home address or
a social security number with unknown or unverified sources.
Finally, they can adjust the privacy settings on their phone to control what information
is shared with third-party apps or websites.
Those are important tips.
Wayne, thank you for your insights on smartphone security and privacy.
Now let's talk about troubleshooting smartphone issues.
Even with the best smartphones and apps, problems can arise.
What are some common issues seniors may face with their smartphone?
And Wayne, how can they troubleshoot them?
Some common issues include slow performance, battery drain, and connectivity issues.
To troubleshoot these issues, our listeners can try closing unnecessary apps and restarting
their devices.
They can also try disabling unused features such as location servers or push notifications
that help improve battery life.
Those are some helpful tips.
What about software updates?
How can our listeners ensure their smartphone is updated with the latest software?
Seniors should check regularly for software updates and install them when available.
These updates can improve performance, fix bugs, and address security issues.
To check for updates, seniors can go to their settings menu on their smartphone or look
for the software update option.
Life's important to keep in mind.
What about physical issues, Wayne, like a crack screen or a malfunctioning button?
Can they troubleshoot those issues on their own?
Physical issues like a crack screen or a malfunctioning button may require professional
repair.
They should contact their smartphone manufacturer or the certified repair technician to address
these issues.
Those are important things to keep in mind.
Before we wrap up this episode, do you have any final thoughts on troubleshooting smartphone
issues?
My final thought is while smartphones can be convenient and helpful, issues can arise.
By following basic troubleshooting tips, seniors can address common problems and maintain
performance of their devices.
However, physical issues may require professional repair and they should contact manufacturer
or certified repair technician if you encounter these issues.
As with all the information we share here, flex your Google search muscles, log into our
website www.talking-tech.org or call our helpline.
That number is 215-406-HELP.
That's 215-406-4357.
Well, I see that's all the time I have for today.
It has been my pleasure to be here and I look forward to the next time we can do it all
again.
I wish you all a farewell.