Category Archives: Having Fun with Your iPhone/iPad

How Things Have Changed! 4G LTE, Wifi, Hard Wired (blue wire)

20131010-114020.jpg 4glte

Yes, technology never stays the same. The ground under you keeps changing and this is true for things like wifi, 4G LTE and so on.

For the past several months, when it comes to mobile, Dr. Z has made video calls using LTE and it is a much more reliable thing than wifi. The scenario was different over a year ago when wifi seemed the way to go–until LTE coverage got better.

But, we have to think of a few things: there is usually a limit (or cap) on LTE usage. So, when making LTE calls via Z5 or Facetime, you have to keep an eye on data usage. With wifi, this is not an issue, but with wifi, the signals can be unreliable or too low for video communication. If you do a speedtest with wifi and it’s good, then go for it. But if the wifi signal is too low for video communication, then LTE is the way to go. Be mindful that if you have an iPad without LTE, you are pretty much limited to wifi.

In the home, wifi signals are usually much better, so using an iPad in the home, you should be in pretty good shape. The situation is different when using iPad in public wifi areas.

In public, using an iPhone is usually better for video communication.

Basically, a blue hard-wired ethernet connection is usually the best, but they usually cannot be connected to mobile devices.

This situation may change in the next six months–we never know, with the way technology bounces.

By the way, if you need video communication (VP or VRS), why not try Z5, you will like it! Click here to get it! (See if you qualify to get a FREE tablet with a stand!)

Dr. Z is proud to be part of the team that understands and listens to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development

Most Popular Websites for News? Sports? – Get Info Here!

websites

Sometimes we tend to look at the same websites for the info we have become comfortable with, but we might miss out on other sites that are popular. So Dr. Z dug deep and he found a good website which tells us which websites for different categories are most popular based on the number of hits for each.

www.ebizmba.com is the name of this website

For news-here’s the link

For sports-here’s the link

For celebrity gossip-here’s the link

For technology-here’s the link

For recipes-here’s the link

For a listing of all other subjects-here’s the link (look to the right box for the list on that website)

Enjoy!

So easy so simple!

By the way, if you need video communication (VP or VRS), why not try Z5, you will like it! Click here to get it! (See if you qualify to get a FREE tablet with a stand!)

Dr. Z is proud to be part of the team that understands and listens to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development

Getting Ready for Summer–2 Weather Apps that Dr. Z Likes

dc weather

Summer is around the corner. School will be out in a few weeks and everyone starts traveling. When we all travel, weather is always a concern. Dr. Z has been using 2 weather apps made by the same company. One is a downloadable app called Dark Sky which is a bit pricey – at last look it costs $3.99. (link)

The other app is a FREE web app which means you don’t have to download it, but use the Safari browser on your iPhone, iPad or Chrome on Android and enter “forecast.io”. It comes back with a weather summary of where you are at the time you enter the link. You can also enter a different place and it will tell you of the weather at that place. (link)

It also makes creative use of images and maps showing what the weather is like at a specific time. Interesting!

Enjoy the coming summer and safe travels!

So easy so simple!

By the way, if you need video communication (VP or VRS), why not try Z5, you will like it! Click here to get it! (See if you qualify to get a FREE tablet with a stand!)

Dr. Z is proud to be part of the team that understands and listens to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development

Apps for iPhone/iPad–Are the Apple Apps the Best? Maybe?

appstore

Some people seem to think they’re stuck with the default Apple apps on their iPhone or iPads. Business Insider (a news website) has a listing of alternate apps that do a better job than the Apple apps. Dr. Z uses a few of these, such as Fantastical 2 (calendar) and Dark Sky (weather). Some of the apps are free and some are paid apps.

Here’s the link to the Business Insider post. (link)

Enjoy!

So easy so simple!

By the way, if you need video communication (VP or VRS), why not try Z5, you will like it! Click here to get it! (See if you qualify to get a FREE tablet with a stand!)

Dr. Z is proud to be part of the team that understands and listens to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development

A Good Web Resource for iPhone and iPad! iMore!

imore

Dr. Z has websites he checks from time to time in order to be on top of things. One of them is iMore. iMore focuses on the iPhone and iPad and is Apple oriented.

While it covers apps, it also has other information and has a store where good deals can pop up from time to time.

For MORE info, here’s the link to iMore.

So easy so simple!

By the way, if you need video communication (VP or VRS), why not try Z5, you will like it! Click here to get it! (See if you qualify to get a FREE tablet with a stand!)

Dr. Z is proud to be part of the team that understands and listens to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development

A Great Case for Your iPhone (Perfect for Z5 Mobile Video)

zerochroma

Dr. Z has been using a great case for his iPhone and it works splendidly when used as a stand for video communication using Z5 Mobile.

He loved it so much that he got one for his wife. He learned about this case from Joel Barish, who runs Deaf Nation and travels very extensively. Thank you Joel!

This case has a built-in kickstand and it is part of the protective cover and works both in portrait and landscape mode.

It is available for the iPhone. Dr. Z has not used it for his iPad, but they offer models for the iPad as well.

You can order this case from the following link (link to case website) (Dr. Z gets no commission!) You can also order it from Amazon.

So easy so simple!

By the way, if you need video communication (VP or VRS), why not try Z5, you will like it! Click here to get it! (See if you qualify to get a FREE tablet with a stand!)

Dr. Z is proud to be part of the team that understands and listens to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development

A Dedicated iPad for Video Communication–Think About It!

Z5 ipad

We have come to depend on the iPad for video communication like Dr. Z does at his home. He has 2 iPads–one for general use and the other just for video communication.

He has found this a useful way to do it. Because with a iPad for several uses, when a call comes in, it is often too late to get out of what you are doing (such as browsing or playing games) and answering the call right away.

With a dedicated iPad, you only have to tap “Answer” on your Z5 and the call gets connected right away! Especially with the new Z Alert when you get a text message that a call comes in, you can go right to your iPad to answer the phone! Sometimes a family member or children would take your iPad to play games and you’ll be stuck trying to get the iPad back to answer a call or make a call.

Think about it!

So easy so simple!

By the way, if you need video communication (VP or VRS), why not try Z5, you will like it! Click here to get it! (See if you qualify to get a FREE tablet with a stand!)

Dr. Z is proud to be part of the team that understands and listens to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development

Answering Your VP /VRS Call with SMS! Z Alert is Here!

sms

A new benefit with ZVRS!

When a call comes in, you do not have to depend on lights flashing–now you can answer a call when a text message comes in via SMS from ZVRS using the Z Alert feature. SMS is much quicker than email and as soon as the call comes in, your smartphone or your PC using Z5 will vibrate alerting you to an incoming call!

Try it, you’ll like it. Here’s the link for more information (link)

So easy so simple!

By the way, if you need video communication (VP or VRS), why not try Z5, you will like it! Click here to get it! (See if you qualify to get a FREE tablet with a stand!)

Dr. Z is proud to be part of the team that understands and listens to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development

Stuck with a Foreign Language? – Google Translate to the Rescue!

Water is never safe to drink in many countries. Dr. Z recently encountered a situation in a restaurant where he tried to ask if they prepared food using purified water. The term “purified” didn’t make sense to the waitress. Scratching his head, Dr. Z came up with what he thought was a good solution. He decided to use the Google Translate app and sure enough it was able to translate the sentence “do you use purified water?” It was translated fine but later on he found out that the word “purified” could translate to some other meaning.

The next time Dr.Z uses Google Translate, the suggestion to use in this case would be type “safe” water instead of “purified”. Keeping things simple usually works.

Another use for your iPhone or iPad while traveling! Most restaurants and hotels have wifi overseas, but the speed is painfully slow and doesn’t work 100% of the time.

So easy so simple!

By the way, if you need video communication (VP or VRS), why not try Z5, you will like it! Click here to get it! (See if you qualify to get a FREE tablet with a stand!)

Dr. Z is proud to be part of the team that understands and listens to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development

An Ideal App for International Traveling–Amount

Dr. Z has been traveling internationally. When you travel internationally, your mind is in US dollars for currency, fahrenheit for temperature, miles for distance, pounds for weight.

Overseas, they have many different currencies, most use celsius instead of fahrenheit, kilometers instead of miles, kilograms instead of pounds. And you get “lost”–just use an app that does all of these, rather than downloading several apps to do each of these.

Dr. Z has been using an app called “Amount” that takes care of this, and a lot more. It is not free, but is only 99 cents from the Apple app store. At first, it is a bit confusing to use but later on it becomes cool and easy when you get the hang of it.

Here’s the link to download “Amount”.

So easy so simple!

By the way, if you need video communication (VP or VRS), why not try Z5, you will like it! Click here to get it! (See if you qualify to get a FREE tablet with a stand!)

Dr. Z is proud to be part of the team that understands and listens to the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development