For longer battery life, change these iOS 7 settings | How To - CNET

This information is too good not to post a link. If you have a iOS7 device. An iPhone or iPad updated to the new iOS7 battery saving tips. Click this link and read the article.

For longer battery life, change these iOS 7 settings | How To - CNET:

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Windows 8

I held a class on Windows 8 this week. Eleven people came. When I asked how many of them currently used Windows 8 ten hands went up. The follow up question was "How many of you like Windows 8?" No hands went up. There was a collective giggle across the room. You could tell every one of them was relieved to find that they were not alone in their disappointment with the newest Microsoft operating system. To reenforce that I told them that they were not alone. That the reviews were not good, and that Microsoft's Windows 8 tablet had cost them a $900 Million write down. That the stock had plummeted as a result, and recovered with the announcement of Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer's retirement.
As I described how Microsoft had tried to unite a tablet operating system with a desktop operating system you could read lips around the room "oh that's why it's like that". Then I told them some keyboard shortcuts that would improve navigation. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/keyboard-shortcuts
Finally we looked at how they could have the start button back, with a program called Classic Shell.
http://www.classicshell.net/ If you have Windows 8 and you don't like it don't worry your not alone.

HowStuffWorks "Concerns About Google Docs"

I mostly want this blog to have my own original material with few links to other articles. However several people have asked me about the security of Google Docs. The link below is a well written exhaustive article about that subject.

HowStuffWorks "Concerns About Google Docs":

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Latitude Lives!

Google ended Latitude. The app and webpage that allowed you to track the location of friends and relatives. So you could find someone in a crowded outdoor concert or follow the progress of a traveling relative. For those of you who miss it there is good news. It's not really gone. Google in their push to get people to use Google+ has incorporated Latitude into that app. Here is how to set it up. Open the Google+ (G+) app. In the upper left corner of your screen is the 3 horizontal bars that represent the menu. Tap Locations from that menu.

Next you'll get a chance to invite those people that you want to share this information with.

Then when you go to Google+ locations you will see controls familiar to those who have used Latitude.

Click the < or > to move to the locations of those who share with you. The center button is your location. Share this with your friends and family. Latitude lives, and it's a fun and interesting app. 

Facebook Security Settings

I suspect many people are sharing their facebook info with more people than they intend. If you are a member of facebook goto https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=account and check your settings. Not just Privacy, also check Timeline and Tagging. Of course it is up to you how much you share.  If you want to see my settings just click on the images below to see them bigger. To change your setting click the word Edit out to the right of each category. Remember if your "Friends" number in the dozens then "Friends of Friends" will probably mean hundreds or thousands can see what ever you grant that level of access to.

Android #1 and Pulling Away!

The Android OS is destroying the competition. Windows Phones sales jumped to a 3.2% share of the smartphone market. First place Android up 10% to 79.3% of the world market. Second place to Apple 13.2% down from 16.6%. This is how it's likely to continue. As I've said many times. If you have 3 competitors, 2 are selling something, and the 3rd is giving it away. Who do you think wins? 

iCharts

Facebook Changes To Newsfeed

This announcement from Facebook today.

Announcing News Feed FYI: A Series of Blogs on News Feed Ranking

August 06, 2013

We are continually working to improve News Feed and from time to time we make updates to the algorithm that determines which stories appear first. Today we announced a new series of blog posts called News Feed FYI that will highlight major updates to News Feed and explain the thinking behind them. Going forward, News Feed FYI posts will be published on our Facebook for Business blog here.

iCloud iWork Beta Apps

I just finished taking a look at the new Beta Apps in iCloud. Like so much of what Apple does these seem like quality products. Pages is a word processor. Numbers a spreadsheet app. Keynote is for presentations. They are considered part of a suite of apps called iWork. Available on Mac and iOS devices, now on iCloud. So they can run on a Mac or Windows  machine with Safari, Chrome, or Internet Explorer browsers.

They are cloud based. Not a problem for me I use Google Docs a lot. I'm impressed with the look and feel so far. A little concerned about usability. I clicked the share button and the only option I got was to email my creation as an attachment. I'm sure Apple will make it all work and nicely too. My next question is how much will they want for these apps? Apples not used to giving things away. 

They might out class Google Docs, but it will be hard to get people to pay for something that they can get for free. No matter how well done.