Google Maps - Live Traffic information (free)

Google Maps is an incredibly powerful and very useful tool - live traffic makes it even better.

Many people don't know that google maps, both desktop and mobile app can display accurate live traffic information for all major roads and many minor roads too. It has a simple colour coding system for traffic flow; green for free flowing, orange for busy and red for heavy traffic, it also has red and black stripes and black, to show when a road is closed.

How to switch it on

To switch the live traffic information on a desktop computer, just hover over the search tool and select the "Traffic" link from the list of options. 

For a mobile device very similar, select the menu icon, (three horizontal stripes - called a hamburger menu because it's supposed to look like a hamburger bun!) and then choose traffic from the list of options.  

Once you have switched the traffic information on, google will be remember and display traffic again when you next login, so you will need to switch it off if you no longer need it.

Dropbox - free storage in the cloud

Free Space, storage in the cloud, file synchronisation and sharing.

Dropbox is a great tool for storing files, photos, any kind of document you would normally keep on your hard disk of your computer. Instead of your files being stored on your hard disk,phone or tablet, they are stored in the internet cloud (with Dropbox). Dropbox has an app (a program specially for mobiles, tablets and desktop) you will need to download the app onto each device you want to use Dropbox on. It is possible to use Dropbox on any computer connected to the internet, just go to the website https://www.dropbox.com/ and login to your account (the same one you use on your mobile and your tablet)

https://www.dropbox.com/mobile

The great thing about Dropbox is that it will work on all kinds of devices, from Android, to iPhones and iPads, Blackberry and Kindle Fire, and is available for Windows Phones too.

Dropbox lives on the internet in the cloud, all you need to do to use it is create an account [sign up for free]. You will need an email address, and create a password.

It is much easier to download Dropbox the app or program onto all the devices you want to connect to your account. Once you have downloaded the app, the app stores all your files on the cloud and synchronises files to all the devices you use. So if you take a photo on your phone, you can then see it on your tablet or desktop. You will need to download Dropbox app for each device, and then login on each device.

There are paid plans available if you find you need more space, a simple upgrade to a paid account. I've never found that I need more space than they offer for free, and I auto backup all the photos I've taken on my phone and tablet - set to do so only when I'm in a WiFi area (so I don't incur unnecessary charges).

Backup your photos automatically.

One lovely feature of Dropbox is that when you install it on your mobile device in the settings from the menu you can choose to allow/configure Dropbox to automatically backup any photos and video you take on your mobile or tablet device (see the area I've highlighted with a red box).

    

 

My example shows the words "Turn off Camera Upload" because its currently switched on, if your menu says "Turn on Camera Upload" just give it a tap to switch it on.

Sharing

You can share files using Dropbox, once you have your folders created, just click the "share" button, invite people to collaborate, and type the email address of the person you are inviting to share your files. Or just click "Send link..." and it will give you a link that you can send out to people so they can get access to see your folder

Earn more space. 

If you invite other people once you have your own account you can earn more storage space (if you want to use it and help me earn more space please use https://db.tt/iLhSNTx this link) as it will give me more space - and if you do "thank you" :-).

Reset Android Phone in Safe Mode

This is taken as a direct copy of an article written in The New York Times technical section, by J.D. Biersdorfer, it is just too useful not to include in this blog.

Troubleshooting Android in Safe Mode

Q. My Android phone just started freezing and crashing a few days ago. What would cause it to do so?

A. Certain third-party apps could make the phone act erratically, and some people have complained that recent Android updates have caused problems. As with a desktop computer, you can restart the phone in Safe Mode. When in Android’s Safe Mode, only the basic original software and apps are used and any other apps you have downloaded from Google Play or elsewhere stay on the sidelines. If the phone’s performance instantly improves, a third-party app is likely the culprit.

To restart the phone in Safe Mode, press and hold the power button down until you see the Power Off box appear on screen. Next, press and hold your finger on the Power Off box. When you see a “Reboot to safe mode” option, tap the O.K. button. The phone should start up in Safe Mode.

Try out the phone for an hour or two to test its stability. If the handset shows a noticeable improvement, a third-party app is the probable cause. (You can leave Safe Mode by restarting the phone again.)

If you have your suspicions about any new apps you have recently downloaded, delete them one by one to see if the phone’s behavior improves. You can always download and reinstall an app again if you see no difference in the phone’s performance. Mobile malware and adware apps posing as games have been issues with Android at times, so be careful what you download to your phone. A number of Android antivirus apps are also available, but read the reviews from trusted sources first if you are considering a security app.

If the phone is still freezing and crashing, a deeper level of investigation is necessary. Google has a page of troubleshooting tips that may help point you in the right direction. You may also want to check Google’s Android Help page and user forums on sites dedicated to Android to see if issues for your version of the system have been reported.

Most important - Great free security

The first thing you should install on your mobile.

The first and most important app I can recommend is Lookout. There is a free version that is quite sufficient, but also a premium version that has extra features, read through and make your decision.

So how it works, it sits on your phone or tablet running all the time scanning all your apps, email and any websites you visit, protecting your device and ensuring there are no baddies around.

Find the app on Goole play, or go to the Lookout website.

You will need to provide your email address and choose a password,  once you have set this up you can login to your account on any device with an Internet connection. You can also use the same account details on up to 3 devices.

I use the free version, this version backups up all your contacts, scans all your apps and you can use the Lookout website to locate you device if it gets lost or stolen.

Here are the links again app on Goole play, or the Lookout website.

A blog to help people with Android mobiles and tablets

Friends and relatives have encouraged me to put some of my advice and knowledge down so that you may benefit.

I have watched many (lets be gentle here) of lifes more experienced people struggle with some of the newer technologies and gadgets, this frustration can be minimised with some help and advice.

I am not a fan of Apple products, so my blog is about Android devices.

All the information is without prejudice and independent, it is just my personal viewpoints and opinions.

I currently use a Galaxy S4 (mobile) and a Galaxy Tab S (tablet).