Replace S Voice with Google Now - AndroidPIT

By now you have seen the "Ok Google Commercial" and have become familiar with what has not been known to all as a little hidden gem from Google, #GoogleNow. It is a handy tool out there on the shopping front, so here's a tip for some mobile bandits out there. Note: Google Now is available on many different platforms, such as #iOS and this article is geared towards Samsung Users specifically. Since Android comes in many different shapes and sizes, much akin to operating systems like #MSWindows - where the "front-end" can be customized by the manufacturer for better or worse, and therefore may not be part of the core functionality of the device. Such is the case on the #SamsungGalaxy devices where clicking the home button activates S Voice; a proprietary version of a virtual, #artificiallyintelligent assistant for various functions such as scheduling appointments or checking messages. On the #Samsung there is a very nice widget for Google Now and/or any other app you may have installed, but that's a few extra steps possibly and the major advantage to these systems is to the benefit of ease of access, such as with hands free devices, such as cars and #roadsafety. Here's a little instructional on how to "re-mapp" the Home Button to Launch Google Now (or whatever else you would want) with a #DoubleClick and let it get you home, find the meaning of life and what not.

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SimpleAssistMe.com Blog: Special SimpleAssist Internet, Winter Storm Frustration and Power...

SimpleAssist Special Intermittent Power and Internet Access Technology Tip #Thanksgivingsnowstorm2014 #technology

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Special SimpleAssist Internet, Winter Storm Frustration and Power Outage LifeSync Tech Tip

Move to Florida

 Not sure about the hurricanes and the power but hey, it's warm. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

From

Yeah, the Internet Goes Down for Everyone Sometimes...

SimpleAssist | Social Portal

This post is a teaser for a larger set of posts that SimpleAssist will be doing in the coming days and weeks to help you leverage technology this holiday season. Unlike most of what you may see in your inbox or as you browse, my goal is not to sell you a product or value added service. Yes, I do offer contracted services to work with you one-on-one over the long term to do so, but in doing so I realize that there is a lot of fundamental knowledge and a whole lot of "noise" when it comes to what technology to purchase, and most importantly what you shouldn't have to purchase. My mission with Simple Assist, be it through free social platforms or contracted services, is helping individuals and/or organizations understand and maximize their investment in technology that works best for them; putting the goal and the organization/person first, by educating, responding, and then anticipating future needs and trends. In short, I am committed to finding answers to technology problems without an agenda, at the lowest cost and least amount of headache possible in order to improve the quality of life for my followers and customers, in rapidly changing and often difficult to understand technology landscape. This is a big year for tech - we now have desktop computers, tablets, mobile devices, and TV extenders / Smart TVs that will make up the majority of consumer technology sales this holiday season. While it may seem and sound easier to purchase something, just because you have one of something else (e.g. you have an #iPad, an #iPhone and #PC so it's easier to say "just by a Mac"), there are many other ways to go - based on your needs and goals both short and long term. However, technology is about what works for you, your businesses, and your family. Therefore, this holiday season - whether it's profiling apps that can help you negotiate or find the best holiday deals, or advising why you DON'T have to buy a new computer just because it's a fewyears old, I invite you to check out my social portal (an aggregate of my different feeds) at http://ift.tt/1rd0V1d and our blog at simpleassistme.blogspot.com. Finally, sometimes just reading isn't enough. If you are looking for a qualified expert who has had tremendous experience, passion, and success finding solutions on making technology work for the every scope: #technology for home, #smallbusinesses, or more, then contact me today for a free one-on-one consult today at http://ift.tt/1zqWb6S

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Program My Remote | Time Warner Cable

For those needing help with their Time Warner Cable remotes. Looking for the best deal and Home Theaters expertise. #getasimpleassist #Simpleassistme #technology

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SimpleAssist Small Business WorkSync: Clip pictures and videos from your desktop or mobile device, edit, publish PDQ

SimpleAssist WorkSync: Small Business "Production"

Imagine the Microsoft Screen Clipper and MS Paintbrush on Steroids, on the front/back end respectively. Screen and video clips done with 2 clicks of the mouse, which are then transferred to the photo editor; which holds it's own as a super simple, yet deceptively powerful stand-alone editor.  

All images, not simply the clips can be converted, edited etc. Furthermore, SnagIt can be set as default editor right in Windows, and in the latest version now allows for mobile screen / video clips and training.   If I was the Oprah of tech, this would be in the top 5 of my favorite marketing /design tools "things".  

I don't give those Kudos lightly, but having used SnagIt since 2005 alongside of all sorts of varying desktop and web-based publishing / creative suites, we needed a way to easily Snag, edit, and produce constant for both sales / marketing/ client newsletters etc.  In fact, I  can get away with SnagIt for most day to day needs -  from business cards, to web content, to short training videos.  As a consultant, I often recommend Snagit over more expensive or difficult program.  Let it be known I receive no compensation or recognition from them, but maybe I'll look into it. :) 

In short, it's right in line with the SimpleAssist philosophy of finding the best tools at the lowest prices and the low "buy it / own it" at a relatively very low cost (compared to something like Photoshop), combined with the amazingly simple design, low drain on system resources and something I find important, a consistent intuitive interface that they continue to upgrade but not change to maximize functionality make it a win/win./win.  I've used every version since then, and the cost-to-value is phenomenal.  

The editor itself is worth the price of admission, especially if you're not a designer and overwhelmed by Photoshop or Corel or other more sophisticated programs.  

Details Summary

I. A resource light program that runs in the background and remaps your print screen button (or allows you to make up your own key commands) to take a screen print.   I know...  a SCREENPRINT!?  Not too exciting right?   Well, with a few clicks you can capture everything from a scrolling web-page (imagine grabbing the entire Wikipedia entry for "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_law_clerks_of_the_Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States", one of the longest ones on the site) to clipping your keystrokes and even narrative audio as a quick video quick video.

2. A fantastically easy, yet extremely powerful photo editor - seeing is believing I suppose, and the price point makes it nearly a no brainier after the trial

3. Integrated export into different programs such as YouTube (great for throwing a quick tutorial or training together).  

SimpleAssist Software Spot-lite - Streaming made easy: no wires to TV, and Netflix without breaking a sweat... ... Chromecast is hard to match

Google Chromecast:  The Best $35.00 Stocking Stuffer 

...Ever

When I received one of these, tech junkie as I am I thought "ehh, I have a Jail-broken Apple TV - I can stream anything."  Not thinking, "even though.. I had to literally jailbreak it (yes that is legal) to get past the restrictions of displaying my media.  

Conversely, Google (and Chromecast by extension) work on most computers and mobile devices, the Chromecast is simply an HDMI plug, USB plug for power which wireless streams and mirrors content from almost any phone, tablet, or PC right to your Television.
However, it was finding out the price that had me looking for a catch and I gave it a whole year before recommending it.  For my business, I'm actually carrying these around with me now for the holidays for when I run into people who have great TVs and all the devices and either pay too much money or use a wire. 

The guide below is a hodgepodge tutorial of questions which I hear from my customers, and hopefully it can help this holiday says.

Please email me at dshocklee@simpleassistme.com if you require additional info of assistance. 

Merry Holidays.

Derek Shocklee
Founder
The guide below was a tutorial that i put together for a customer who needed a SimpleAssist.  There's a lot more to Chromecast than you may know! 

Chromecast Tip Guide

Below are some quick tips I wrote up for thing like reconnecting or for your future reference.  

I like it because it's solid, and I'll do everything I can to help and replace / return if necessary.  

I like the Chromecast as opposed to other "dongles"  as it just "works".

• The Chromecast device only needs to be configured once to connect to the network (see setup below) so it can be seen on the WiFi network (when you take it with you somewhere, you'll run it through the setup using the Chromecast app - see here for some neat tips and tricks)
• If you ran setup once it was already set, it could have connected directly to the Chromecast device directly (not through router) and disconnected it from the network.  In that case you could simply unplug it from the TV and Power (soft reset) and try reconnecting via setup in any Chromecast (Mobile or PC) app.  
• If all else fails (although these things are built well, so it usually doesn) is a Factory Reset which will either fix If that doesn't work, you could connect and factor reset the device (hard reset), but that's not usually necessary

Setup

• Chromecast PC setup: https://cast.google.com/chromecast/setup/  Mobile: Chromecast App from App Store Note: Setup is a one time thing that connects your device initially directly to the Chromecast one time to connect your chrome-cast to your WiFi network

Tips

• Chrome is a web-broswer on PC and Chrome for Mobile is a web broswer for mobile devices (tablets) and smartphones

• if you want to unplug the Chromecast from HDMI and connect to another TV in the same house, you don't need to reset up (you only have to run setup again if it loses connection to the network
• If you want to travel with it, the best thing would be to use your 4g mobile data router -  as long as they can find it each other wirelessly initially (direct connection) and then via a shared network, you should be not have an issue.
•  Some cool basic tips  + Casting Ready Vs. Casting a Tab
• Once setup, the Chromecast app is not absolutely needed on any particular device (except Chrome on PC) which you can get by itself on the Chrome Web store (by itself =without running setup), since many apps for these devices are Chromecast Ready on apps and web. 
• Mirroring (Duplicating Audio/Video via casting) of a device work presently on PC and Android -  iOS let's you cast from the Chrome app so that gives much more access. 
• Once the Chromecast is setup, the only requirement is that the device is connected to the same network and to use it, you are using either Chromecast ready apps (iOS or Android) or Chrome on that device (this is not well known but if you can cast from the app like you do on your PC.  See here "Google adds casting to Chrome for Mobile App" 

That said, it's good to have the Chromecast app on the devices which is why I advised to download (so you can use it when traveling etc).  Here is a link to the Chromecast basic setup on general setup etc - http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromecast/

What's great is that the Chromecast is pretty solid in that way -  if it does have an issue it will usually soft reset (power down / power up) and you can always factory reset (clears configuration) from the that would return it to out  of box mode.   These options can be initiated via the Chromecast app on mobile/PC.  (that would be step 2 if there was an issue).  

Again, once we set it up again the key is that is doesn't have to be setup again on the other devices - they just have to have either Chromecast ready apps or Chrome (as of this summer you can cast from Chrome Mobile on iOS and they will have mirroring soon) That means if someone is at your house and  the want to show you a video, they can simply connect to your network - open up YouTube or Hulu and hit the chromecast button) - Chromecast works with pretty much any device, it's just having the apps (most of the popular ones) or Chrome browser installed (which most people do)

This is just the first of several tips about all the amazing things you can do with your holiday gadgets for home and business this year.

Follow our online presence by visiting the links at the top, or check out our all in one social portal at http://www.simpleassistme.com/#!social/cst7  about..

-Derek

Derek Shocklee
Founder
SimpleAssist - www.simpleassistme.com