 A surge protector might protect equipment from power surges, but it does nothing to help when the power goes out and your system comes to a halting crash (for my blog article on surge protectors, see here). For power outages, you’ll want a battery backup, also known as an uninterruptible power supply (or UPS).
Most people don't know that when your computer suddenly loses power and crashes, it doesn't have time to properly close open software and the operating system, not to mention allow you time to save your work! This affects the long-term stability of your computer. Additionally, the hard drive does not have an opportunity to park the read/write heads, which can physically damage your disk, causing loss of data and even rendering software inoperable. In the end it shortens the life of your computer and risks the integrity of your data. A UPS will provide additional power to your PC so you have enough time to save your work and properly shutdown your computer. Basically, it plugs into your wall outlet (make sure nothing else is plugged into that same outlet). You then plug your PC into the back of the UPS. The UPS automatically monitors the power flow from the wall and seamlessly switches to battery power upon an outage. Some will also handle brown-outs (lull in power but not an outage). Be sure not to plug a power strip into the UPS as the sum total of all the power may be more than a single UPS outlet can handle. Additionally, although most UPS's provide a certain amount of surge protection, it is very low and not enough to protect sensitive equipment such your PC or laptop. Always be sure to ALSO use a separate surge protector! For desktop PC's, I recommend at least a 1000VA UPS. For laptops: at least 500-750VA. Read this article for more information! As always, The GoTo Tech Guru is here to help for all your installation and consulting needs! #batteries
0 Comments
 "There’s a good chance your smart TV is spying on you. Smart TVs often analyze the videos you’re watching and report back — whether you’re watching live TV, streaming videos on a service like Netflix, or playing local video files. Worse yet, this can be a security problem." Read this article for more information on how to stop snooping!
As always, The GoTo Tech Guru is here to help! Call or email us anytime! #tv #security  Did you know you could use your iPad as a second monitor on your PC or Mac? All you need is your iPad (and a stand), an app and the USB cable between your iPad and PC/Mac. Just follow the steps in this article!
#mac #windows #iphoneipad  The Amazon Echo is a smart speaker developed by Amazon.com. It connects to the voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant service Alexa, which responds to the name "Alexa". The device is capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic and other real time information.
Despite all that the Echo can do, did you know that it currently cannot call 911? Find out all the if's and why's here! #security #news  With online colleges on the rise, some where you don't even need to take exams to get your degree, are traditional colleges going by the wayside? Although costs are not necessarily lower for online colleges, the convenience of taking courses from the comfort of your home has its appeal. But some are saying that the critical thinking you get from the structure attending an actual brick-n-mortar college better prepares students for jobs and real life. Read here for the scoop!
#news  If you haven't used Apple's AirDrop feature to send files to other Apple devices, you're missing out on a powerful feature! Apple AirDrop enables iPhones, iPads, and Macs to easily transfer files between each other over the same Wi-Fi or Bluetooth network. It's an excellent solution if you want to quickly get something to someone in the same room. If you are further away, or in different places then you may want to email items using MailDrop, send links to shared content in iCloud or anther cloud-based storage system, or use third party services such as MailBigFile. AirDrop does not work across platforms, such as between iOS and Windows devices or iPhone/iPads/Macs and Android devices. Read here for the scoop! As always, The GoTo Tech Guru is here to help!
#iPhoneiPad  Google built its own voice assistant, called Google Assistant, to take on its closest competitors including Siri, Alexa, and Microsoft Cortana. The app also offers a number of other amazing features that Siri doesn’t have. Here are the 12 tips and tricks to make the most out of Google Assistant on your iPhone.
#iPhoneiPad  Although most of the recent news has surrounded the iPhone 8, the next version of the iPhone, the 7s and 7s+ will have some serious upgrades to the current iPhone 7.
Get the scoop here! #iphoneipad  As many of you may know, a total solar eclipse is coming to the USA lower 48 continental states on August 21st this year. The next one in the USA won't for over 100 years. If you're not able to travel to the narrow band across the USA where you can see a 100% total solar eclipse blackout AND are wondering what you can expect to see where you're actually located, you're in luck! Go to this link for an animated view of what you can expect.
#news  Apple’s revolutionary new flagship iPhone 8 isn’t even on store shelves yet, but the company is already attracting more Android switchers now than any other time in the past 12 months, according to new data published Tuesday by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. CIRP tracked that 14 to 17 percent of consumers purchasing new iPhones were switching from an Android device. However, in the latest quarter, starting in June 2017, the percentage jumped up to 20 percent! Get the details here!
#android #iphoneipad  OS 11 is packed with tons of exciting new features, but a common complaint that users have is the rapid battery consumption. Some features and settings are resource intensive and consume a lot of battery power. By disabling these battery-hogging features, you can greatly improve your battery performance. Here are the 13 ways to improve the battery life of your iPhone or iPad in iOS 11.
For more information about battery saving methods, check my blog "Batteries" category! #iPhoneiPad #batteries  There are all sorts of hidden little tricks and shortcuts inside Windows 10. You just have to read here to find out about them! Did you know you can rotate your screen? Did you know there's a "God Mode" that enables hidden controls? How about hidden games? Check these out and more here!
#windows  The iPhone and Apple Watch have 3D Touch. The new iPad Pro has tons of power, so why doesn't it have 3D Touch? It has to do with the differing and unique 3D Touch technologies for each type of device. To find out exactly what and why, read here!
#iPhoneiPad  Chinese manufacturer Huawei wants to overtake both Apple and Samsung to dominate the entire global smartphone market. Huawei is now closing fast on Apple and Apple will be looking nervously over its shoulder in the next few. Read here for the scoop!
#iphoneipad #android #news  The FCC has pproved Apple to begin testing of the nextgen 5G Wireless broadband technology! Get the latest scoop here!
#mac #iphoneipad #news  As of July 26th 2017, Apple will no longer offer full exchanges of MacBooks with battery failures for newer MacBook Pro models. Apple customers that are inquiring about replacements have been instructed that new battery inventory will be available in 15 business days instead. For on whether your MacBook qualifies and what to do, read this article!
#mac #news |
Blog AuthorI love technology and how it enhances our lives! Just think, without the Apollo moon missions, we might not have calculators! Imagine!! Archives
October 2018
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed