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Tech for the Family

Tech Tips For Traveling During The Holidays

14 November 2022
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Categories: Blog, Tech for the Family

The Holiday season is upon us, and it is an exciting time for traveling, new purchases, and quality time with loved ones. Unfortunately, this time of year we see an uptick in theft and loss of devices. The ADVYON team wants to help you stay safe and secure during the hustle and bustle. We have put together a list of recommendations that will help keep your mind at ease and your devices and data secure before, during, and after travel. 

Before Traveling:

  • Take pictures of the devices you will travel with (phones, laptops, cameras, tablets, iPads, headphones, handheld gaming devices etc.).
  • Write down all serial numbers for your devices and store them both at home and keep them with you while traveling.
  • Backup all your devices to the cloud (If a device is lost or stolen, you will not lose all of your data).
  • Set up ‘Find My” on your devices to track their location.
  • Keep all logins secure by setting up multi-factor authentication.
  • Pre-download tv shows, movies, games, and music to your devices ahead of time so you do not need to access insecure public wi-fi. 
  • Pre-charge all devices.
  • Pack any chargers/cords, portable chargers, adapters, and batteries you will need.

While Traveling:

  • Create an internet plan: 
    • Use your cell phone hotspot, purchase a secure internet plan from your phone provider for travel, or utilize a VPN.
    • Use a traveling VPN application: These will protect your devices so your data is not tracked.
    • Don’t use public WIFI networks or hotspots without a VPN. Connecting to these insecure networks makes your data vulnerable.
  • Public WIFI Tip: The WIFI at airports/hotels costs money to log in, you can use it by adding “?.jpg” at the end of the URL address but be sure to use a VPN app for protection.
  • Always lock your valuable technology in a safe.

After Traveling: 

  • Take an inventory of your devices 
  • Backup your devices

For more information and insights about traveling with technology, listen to the podcast hosted by our ADVYON tech dads: Brian and Jon.

AskTechDad Episode #7- Holiday Travel Tips

Podcast episodes for AskTechDad are available on all major streaming platforms: Spotify, Audible, Apple etc. 

How to call and message with Amazon Alexa

1 August 2022
admin
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Categories: Support Articles, Tech for the Family

Did you know you can use Alexa to call and message others?

Amazon’s Alexa calling and messaging feature enables you to make and receive calls, as well as send messages between Echo devices, the Amazon Alexa app for iOS and Android, and fire tablets. It’s a neat way to contact family and friends. The best part? The feature is completely free to use, as it works over Wi-Fi on most Echo devices and into Alexa apps too.

Here’s everything you need to know about it and how it works:

You need an Amazon account and the Alexa app on a device running Android 6.0 (or higher), iOS 11.0 (or higher), or an Android Fire tablet. Everything must be set up using the Alexa app, where you’ll find the Communicate tab.

Once you’ve set it up via the Alexa app, you’ll be able to use the service across all your Echo and Alexa devices, as long as it’s enabled on each individual device – which it is by default.

You can sync the Alexa app with your contacts on your smartphone and this will allow Alexa to call phone numbers, meaning you can call from your Echo to a mobile phone, for example. Alternatively, you can use Alexa to call other Echo devices that your contacts have. If you don’t sync your contacts, you can only use it to contact other Echo or Alexa devices that you’re signed into – like an intercom system.

To get started with Alexa calling for the first time, you need to sign up for it:
1. Open the Amazon Alexa app (on your compatible iOS or Android phone).
2. Open the Communicate tab from the bottom menu.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter and verify your phone information.
Alexa uses your phone’s address book to find people you know who have the Amazon Alexa app with Alexa Calling enabled so that you can call them that way, too.

Here are some Alexa commands you can say:
  • Make a call to another Echo device: “Alexa, call [Corey]” or ” Alexa, call my [Family]”
  • Make a call to a mobile or landline number saved to your contacts: “Alexa, call [John’s] mobile” or “Alexa, call [Chris] on his home phone” or “Alexa, call [Brandon] at work” or “Alexa, call [Mom’s] office”.
  • Dial a mobile or landline number: “Alexa, call [number].”
  • Control call volume: “Alexa, turn the volume up / down.”
  • Hang up / end the call: “Alexa, hang up” or “Alexa, end call.”
  • Answer the call: Just say, “Answer.”
  • Ignore the call: Just say, “Ignore.”