Tag: android

TommyLog TECH – 4 Tips to Protect Your SmartPhone From Disaster #VZWBuzz #AD

 

Hey kids, for today’s TommyLog Tech, I need to start with a story. It takes place about 4 years ago…

The place is downtown Chicago. I was there attending a print related convention and it was almost dinner time. I was walking around Michigan Avenue and had just stopped to take a panoramic picture with my brand new iPhone 4 that I had purchased 3 days prior. So imagine this- I had just taken the picture and was sending an email to my oldest kids:
Dear Kids,
I Love Yo…

…and some kid snatched the phone out of my hand and ran. All I could see was the red on the bottoms of his sneakers… and that’s it. A few nice bystanders took off after him, but that was the last time I ever saw my beloved iPhone 4.

Protect Your SmartPhoneSo many things run though your mind as you chase after your $600 technology investment, least of which was “oh no–my personal information… when was my last backup?”

Here it is 4 years later, I have a new DROID Turbo by Motorola and I want o give you my top 4 tips to keep your phone and data safe when disaster strikes.

TIP#1 – Screen Lock. Always use the screen lock feature. The DROID Turbo has the ability to set a numerical code, an alphanumeric password, you can set a pattern or you can use your face recognition. I found the facial recognition to be sketchy at best and rarely recognized the face of yours truly. Few things are worse than getting locked out of your own devise.

TIP#2 – Backup. In this day and age there is absolutely zero excuse for not having your data backed up. Cloud storage is plentiful and the process is super easy to implement. Just set it and forget it. Verizon Cloud backup, which I have talked about before, is super easy to set up and with a More Everything plan you get 25GB of storage.

TIP#3 – Remote Lock & Wipe. The new DROID Turbo has deep integration with Android Device Manager, which allows you to access certain functions on the phone from any web browser. During the setup and install of the Turbo, you get asked if you want to enable built in protection functionality. You should answer YES! If you answered NO, simply go to Settings > Security and Screen Lock > Device Administrators and select a devise administrator. This will allow you to remotely lock and wipe your phone from a web browser.

TIP#4 – Insurance. Having all your data backed up is one thing, but not having a phone to put that data on is another. After my iPhone was stolen, and because I was under contact, replacing it cost full retail value– OUCH! Verizon has insurance plans that cover lost, stolen, and even damaged phone. You can get more info from Verizon Wireless here. https://totalmobileprotection.verizonwireless.com/public/all-products

So there you have it, my 4 top tips to protect yourself before disaster strikes. Take it from me, I’ve been there, done that, and I even have a t-shirt. It really rots to have a prized possession loaded with personal data taken from your bare hands, but had I followed all these tips, I promise you, a lot less tears would have been shed.

For more information on how to get your very own DROID TURBO by Motorola, Here’s a link http://www.verizonwireless.com/smartphones/droid-turbo/

Verizon Wireless More Everything Plan http://www.verizonwireless.com/landingpages/more-everything/

DISCLAIMER — I’m one of the cool kids who has been asked to play with and test technology for Verizon. They asked me to test and share my thoughts. All my words are original and my own.

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TommyLog TECH – DROID TURBO by Motorola – Unboxing Video #VZWBUZZ #AD

Hey gang for today’s TommyLog Tech, I would like to introduce you to the “hot off the presses, you’ll see it first here” – DROID TURBO by Motorola. This yummy tech goodness was provided by my good friends at Verizon!

There are just so many tasty morsels to talk about here I don’t even know where to start. Before I dig into the features, I want to show you what’s included in the box and give this latest piece of tech a visual walk through.

Stay tuned to my next TommyLog TECH as I set up and play with the DROID TURBO lets see if it’s Tommy Approved!

For more information on how to get your very own DROID TURBO by Motorola, Here’s a link http://www.verizonwireless.com/smartphones/droid-turbo/

[DISCLAIMER — I’m one of the cool kids who has been asked to play with and test technology for Verizon. They asked me to test and share my thoughts. All my words are original and my own.]

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TommyLog TECH – First impressions – HTC One (M8) #vzwbuzz #AD

For today’s TommyLog Tech I welcome the new HTC One (M8) to the fold and wanted to give my initial reactions to this new device.

I have to say it and say it loud, this thing is just gorgeous. Do not pass go, do not collect $200– drop dead gorgeous! The 5-inch screen is crystal clear in all its amazing glory. I’m darn near speechless at the fit and finish of this handset. HTC has knocked it out of the park on this and if Steve Jobs were to have made an Android handset, this would be it!

The all aluminum case is just so smooth and curved to fit in your hand perfectly. The phone is noticeably bigger than my daily driver iPhone 5S, but not as huge as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 I also use. You’ll notice that there’s no removable battery on the One (M8). Many manufacturers poked fun at the iPhones lack of removable battery –mums the word from HTC on that issue. ☺ After you get past the stunning screen and case, you’ll notice the dual front facing speakers.  I can’t comment on sound quality yet as I have not fully tested it but my initial reaction was good.

On software side of things, both the HTC One (M8) and Samsung Galaxy Note 3 run similar versions of Android 4.4.3 vs. 4.4.2 respectively. But to be fair, you wouldn’t know they were so similar when you use the different devices. HTC’s Sense vs. Samsung TouchWiz have many differences. Little things like moving the back button from the right to the left side, swiping down to get settings to HTC’s own BlinkFeed. The user experience device to device is very different and will take some getting used to.

One thing I like about the HTC One (M8) is the “Kid Mode.” Similar to the multi-user mode on the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014, put the phone into “Kid Mode” and then hand it to your kids. In this mode they can take photos and videos and play just the games you want. No more dinking with your settings, deleting your contacts or worrying about them resetting the phone.

Stay tuned as will be spending much more time with the HTC One (M8) and give my full review on how it fits into my busy tech lifestyle.

At first glance, the HTC One (M8) is totally Tommy Approved!

For more information on how to get your very own HTC One M8 from Verizon, Here’s a link http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/device/smartphone/htc-one?&zipRdr=y

[DISCLAIMER — I’m one of the cool kids who has been asked to play with and test technology for Verizon. They asked me test and share my thoughts. All my words are original and my own.]

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TommyLog TECH – Backing Up with Verizon Cloud #vzwbuzz #AD

TommyLog TECH  – Backing Up with Verizon Cloud #vzwbuzz

Today for TommyLog TECH I want to talk about Verizon’s consumer grade cloud storage solution, appropriately named Verizon Cloud.

Before I dig into that assignment, let me briefly explain what “the cloud” actually means. The cloud is very ambiguous term for server access and storage that lives somewhere (a place few care to visit) and that’s only accessible via the Internet. So your mobile, desktop, and laptops can all access this massive networks of storage and services anywhere you are, worldwide.

Verizon Cloud is just that, a backup and syncing storage solution where your contacts, photos, videos, music, and documents,  even your call logs and texts, are stored.  The app loads onto your IOS or Android devise, available from Google Play or the iTunes App store. Verizon Cloud also has a desktop version of their app compatible with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 & 8 (32 and 64 bit) versions, Mac (OSX 10.5 or greater). Forget your laptop or mobile device and still want to access your stuff? Simply find a computer connected to the internet and log onto verizonwireless.com/cloud and you have access to all your storage.

One great thing about this service is that when you move to a new phone or device, you just download one app, log in with your credentials, and your saved content will begin to be restored based on your download speed of your network. Another feature that I like about Verizon Cloud is that it defaults to only syncing via WIFI as to not use up all your cellular data. This can be overridden if you desire, but be careful, with the 25 GB Verizon Cloud as part of The More Everything Plan, you can max out your monthly data pretty easily.

Verizon cloud apps work fairly seamless with one small exception. The IOS version does not backup automatically. Instead you get a notification which alerts you to initiate a backup. Not good. I’ve been told that the next version of Verizon Cloud for IOS will include automatic background backups. The android version is just “set it and forget it”, backing up in the background based on the time you set. Slick!

I have added Verizon Cloud to my backup and syncing strategy and so should you.

Verizon Cloud if 100% Tommy Approved!

For more information on how to sign up for The More Everything Plan and get 25 GB Verizon Cloud storage for yourself.

[DISCLAIMER — I’m one of the cool kids who has been asked to play with and test technology for Verizon. They asked me test and share my thoughts. All my words are original and my own.]

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TommyLog TECH – Emma’s Take – Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 – 2014 edition #VZWbuzz #AD

Today for TommyLog TECH I’ve teamed up with my little 7-year-old daughter Emma to play with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 — 2014 edition from Verizon.

The first feature that I set up for Emma was the user account feature. You can set up accounts and restrict access to certain apps, so just the apps Emma wants are on her home screens. NOTE: Not all apps run property with user accounts set up. Apps like Gmail and Google syncing only work on the main “admin” account and not sub user accounts.

One of the built-in apps on the Galaxy Note 10.1 that Emma was just drawn to is the camera app. She takes pictures of everything around the inside and outside for the house including a huge load of selfies. The camera app of the Note 10.1, with built in photo editor abilities to add filters, effects, and draw on the screen with the S Pen, is a huge bonus for Emma and her creative skills

The last aspect of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Emma loves is the YouTube app. Emma is a HUGE lover of YouTube and searching for new content. One thing that Emma noticed immediately about the YouTube app on the Note 10.1 that differentiated it from the YouTube app on her iPad mini was the search capabilities. When you search, it starts giving you suggestions with each character that you type. This makes finding what she wants- as a new speller- easier and quicker!

Emma says that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 — 2014 edition from Verizon is totally Tommy Approved!

For more information on how to get your very own Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 — 2014 edition from Verizon, Here’s a link http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/device/tablet/samsung-galaxy-note-10-2014-edition?&zipRdr=y

[DISCLAIMER — I’m one of the cool kids who has been asked to play with and test technology for Verizon. They asked me test and share my thoughts. All my words are original and my own.]

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