Digital Skills 4 Seniors

The first workshop will be aimed at simplifying the layout of each persons screens and implementing the Three Screen Makeover. Delete what you don't use Identify the apps that Apple has offloaded (settings>App Store Offload Unused Apps) and decide if any of the offloaded apps need to be deleted Look at your Settings>Screen Time and make a list of the apps you mostly use. Look at Settings > Battery Health & Charging and check the apps that are currently draining your battery. Clear the slate & reset apps Long press on your Home Screen and then remove all apps from all the pages. You are clicking on the minus sign and only selecting Remove from the Home Screen.  Now move to the App Library and look at each section. These sections are determined by Apple and although you can't change them they are logical. So for example, all your banking apps will be filed under Finance. Identify the apps you use all the time, long press on the (few) apps you want to see on your ...

The iPhone's Magnifier widget is a powerful tool that can help seniors see small text, details, or objects more clearly by turning their phone into a digital magnifying glass. Here’s why they should learn to use it: Improves Accessibility – Reading menus, medicine labels, or documents becomes easier, reducing strain on the eyes. Enhances Independence – Seniors can confidently read and view items without needing additional magnifying tools. Quick and Convenient – It's built into the iPhone, easily accessible from the home screen or Control Center. Extra Features – It offers brightness adjustments, filters for better visibility, and even a flashlight to illuminate dim areas.

I know there is a scary side to Artificial Intelligence, but I think as seniors we have more to gain from useing it that avoiding it. I have downloaded the three apps; ChatGBT, CoPilot and Gemini and regularly use them. They are truly amazing, especially when you use them in voice/conversation mode. My friend Ingrid is using CoPilot to improve her Spanish and on a recent trip to Spain she said her and a friend had a very natural conversation with CoPilot. I'm afraid my example is rather more mundane and everyday. You know when, after a couple of years the second series of a Netflix programme come out. You remember that you enjoyed it, but can't remember the details. Please watch the 'short' and see how easy it is to 'ask a friend'!

R ich Bowlin is brilliant at helping seniors and this step by step guide on how to organise your iPad is excellent.  

There were a number of press announcements over the last two days highlighting the importance and improvements to the National Health Service app. Looking at the detail I realise that my GP practice must have been an early adopter and the fact I opted in early, so none of the enhancements listed are a surprise to me. This was brought home to me a few months ago when my parter Joan, left her GP practice (which was dire) and joined my GP practice and she was really impressed with the digital services offered. However, the challenge will be helping the many seniors who will struggle with the changes. Announcements from Sky  Primary Communications Channel The NHS app is undergoing a significant transformation to become the primary communication channel for patients, offering appointment reminders, screening invitations, and test results directly to their smartphones. The goal is to modernize the health service, reducing reliance on traditional postal services and saving an estimated £2...

  I have a rule which is never to buy anything advertised on Facebook. First of all it’s highly irritating the amount of advertising that gets dropped into our feeds, but mostly because so many of the ‘fantastic offers’ are scams!  Ask ChatGPT Let me give you an example. There was a compelling ad for a Jetsono high pressure hose attachment, that offered you ‘weapons grade’ water pressure, that just cleaned the most filthy patios. The rule is if something sound too good to be true, then it probably isn’t. So I used ChatGPT to check it out and this is what it came up with.  T he Jetsono high-pressure washer, marketed as a powerful hose attachment capable of transforming your garden hose into a high-pressure cleaning tool, has raised significant concerns regarding its authenticity and effectiveness.( opiniogem.com ) ⚠️ Customer Experiences and Reviews Numerous customers have reported that the Jetsono does not perform as advertised. Many describe it as a basic garden hose att...

To say I'm overjoyed that finally we have an official version of WhatsApp for the iPad would be an understatement. I love my iPad Pro using it reading, watching and doing lots of tasks. But ..... largely because of my South African family and friends, where WhatsApp tends to be our primary communications tool and it a niggle that I couldn't access it (fully) from the iPad. Also, due to us adopting WhatsApp for the delivery of material and events to seniors as part of our initiative to upskill seniors digital  skills. So when I read about the new fully  functioning app, I couldnt wait to download the app. Here are five key advantages of having an official WhatsApp app for iPad: Optimised User Experience – The app is designed specifically for iPads, taking advantage of the larger screen with a two-column layout that makes navigating chats and conversations smoother. Multitasking Features  – WhatsApp for iPad supports iPadOS multitasking capabilities like Split View, Slide ...