Here’s a roundup of the latest
IT news from the end of 2017 and a look ahead as to what the New Year has to
offer.
IPhone X
In November, Apple released
their Iphone X to mark 10 years since the launch of the 1st Iphone in
2007. I remember seeing the first model and being blown away by how different it
was to any other mobile phone. 10 years later the Iphone X continues to break
new ground with its improvements and changes, which many say, makes it the best
Smartphone in the world. I have played with it for the last 6 weeks and I have
to say that it is just amazing. For me, the biggest changes are the edge to edge
screen; I like the facial recognition to unlock the phone, the improved camera
which is stunning, as well as much longer battery life. The new IOS software
takes a bit of getting used to but once you understand it, it’s easy to use.
The only downside is that it
is very expensive. If you wanted to buy the top of the range model (256Gb
memory, which is what I would buy) outright, then you're looking to pay £1,150
or if you take a 24 month contract, then prices start at over £70 per month
with £200 payment upfront. Phew!!
But if you're not too worried
about the cost, and thinking about upgrading to an Iphone X, then I can strongly
recommend it, you won’t regret it. Of course I’m happy to come and set it
all up for you, transfer all your data from your old Iphone, and show you how to
get the most out of it.
Samsung Gear S3 Smartwatch
For my birthday in October, I
got the best present ever, a brand new Samsung S3 Gear Smartwatch. OMG it’s
just amazing. I never thought I would get used to using it as I have big fingers
and couldn’t see how I would be able to use all the features. But I can, and
it’s just fantastic. It links up with my Samsung Galaxy phone, and I get all
my emails, texts, alerts, and phone calls on it. It’s got voice control, so
you can just talk to it and tell it what you want, like Apple’s Siri. It also
works like a FitBit, so it monitors your health, sleep, steps taken every day
etc. You can also use it to make contactless card payments in shops. It even
tells the time!!
It costs around £300, and takes
a bit of time to setup and learn how to use it, but that’s what I am here for.
It makes a prefect present to anyone who has an Android phone, although I think
it would also work with an Iphone, but I’ve never done this myself.
http://www.zdnet.com/product/samsung-gear-s2-3g/
MOZY Cloud backup.
There is hardly a month that
goes by when I’m not nagging you about making sure your computer is properly
backed up regularly. Particularly nasty is this Ransomware virus, which
many say will become far more prevalent and dangerous in 2018. If you were
unlucky enough to be struck by this, you would lose everything on your computer.
Documents, pictures etc etc. Everything, and no way of getting it back unless
you're prepared to pay a high price, with only a 50-50 chance of getting a
decryption key to unlock the computer.
YOU MUST ENSURE THAT YOUR
COMPUTER IS TOTALLY AND AUTOMATICALLY BACKED UP. IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
I recommend using both an
External Hard Drive, (I use the WD My Passport which costs from about £60) as
well as Cloud backup. Cloud backup keeps your valuable files safe and
secure externally, and can also be accessed from anywhere in the world.
I have just started using Mozy
Home for my Cloud backup. It’s perfect. Once installed, it will firstly
take a full backup of your whole computer, and then automatically back up every
new document, picture, email and file. There is nothing else you need to do.
Also, should you be unlucky enough to get the Ransomware virus, Mozy keeps
previous backups of all your data, so it can easily be restored. Prices start
from just £4.99 per month, which I think is cheap insurance, should disaster
strike.
Yes, there are other Cloud
services, such as Apple Icloud, but that will only back up everything
automatically if you have an Apple computer. Microsoft’s One Drive and Google
Drive are also very good as well, but I really like Mozy for its
simplicity and ease of use.
Contact me for further
information.
Microsoft Office 365
Are you using an old version of Microsoft Office, i.e. Word
and Excel 2010 or earlier? If so, then you may consider upgrading to the latest
version. The best and most cost effective way is to upgrade to Office 365. This
is a monthly or annual subscription service, and gives you many benefits, such
as:
·
The latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and many
others.
·
Excellent technical support from Microsoft, who I find absolutely
amazing whenever there is a problem with any of these programs. They, like me,
can access your computer remotely and sort out any problems.
·
You get 1Tb (1,000 Gb) of One Drive Cloud storage, so that all
your documents and data files are stored on The Cloud, so they can be accessed
from any computer, tablet or smartphone.
To find out more click here to
so to the official Microsoft Office website.
The Personal version is for a
single PC or Mac and one tablet.
The Home version is for a family
licence to install in up to 5 PCs and tablets.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/b/office?activetab=tab:homeorpersonal
Of course, I’m happy to help
install and show you how to get the most out of the new programs.
And finally ……
To finish off the year in style,
I challenge you to watch these fantastic clips of Holly & Philip on This
Morning, and try not to laugh. Can’t be done. You can’t beat live TV when
someone gets the giggles and goes into hysterics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtiDZqlH4Kk&list=RDJtiDZqlH4Kk&t=707
I wish you all a very Happy,
Heathy and Safe 2018 and I’m always here and happy to help.
