I Finally got a Smartphone and Tablet PC Now What

So you finally got a Smartphone or Tablet PC Now What?

Whether you decided the time was right to take a chance and give up your “dumb phone” and replace it with a smartphone. Or, your family, friends, co-workers or strangers have been pushing you to step into the digital age.

Perhaps you are tired of being tethered to a desktop PC and decided to take your work, play, music, videos, and entertainment with you.

What ever the reason, I welcome you to the future, and know this; that it is only the beginning. After all the internet age is only twenty something.

Yes, for you who realize that the internet has been around a lot longer, I hope you would agree that, those early years, when the government military and large corporations only had access, Do Not Count.

I will turn my attention back to those hold outs, you know who you are. You have said, “I do not need a smartphone, I only want to make and receive calls” or “I do not need a phone that is smarter than me” or “those devices are such a waste of time, whatever happen to having a regular conversation with another person” and my favorite, “those things are just too complicated.”

Some of your apprehension is that you feel as though the rest of the world has left you behind. The majority of you though are afraid that you will break your new device or get stuck and miss something very important.

What was wrong with doing things the old way right?

Whatever the reason you are stuck in the past, it is time to get unstuck.

When was the last time you have seen someone start their car by cranking it? Maybe you recall the last time you rolled out a scroll to read your favorite novel, or just the daily news. Perhaps you still cook over an open flame outside, and ring a bell, when dinner is ready.

My point is, the smartphone, the tablet pc, and a multitude of other digital devices are here to stay and they are very much apart of our daily lives.

Please take advantage of this step by step guide to getting to know and becoming comfortable with the digital age.

We will be covering in this Tutorial the iOS or iPhone, iPad Devices and the Android Devices.

Step 1

So your first step is to pull it out from under your bed, or the closet, attic, crawl space wherever your favorite hiding place is, charge it up and turn it on. It is time to really let your fingers do the walking.

Normally there are three buttons a power button and two volume buttons one for up and one for down.

On some Android devices the power button and the volume buttons are on the TOP.

Hold down the power button for a couple of seconds.

At this point take a breath, the nausea will past, pull out the bounty paper towels and dry the sweat from your hands and forehead. Do not worry the more you play with it, the more likely the shaking and intimidation will subside.

Step 2

Touch or swipe the start, begin or next button.

Step 3

The next step swipe and begin the setup procedure, just follow the directions on the screen. 

In case you forgot what a swipe is (touch your finger to the screen and slide in the direction of the arrow).

Note: if you are working on a smartphone it is likely that the store personnel has already completed the first 3 steps.

If your son, daughter or grandchildren decided to surprise you by sending you a smartphone or tablet in the mail, then you may have to start at step 1.

Step 4

This is really part of step 3, but should be mentioned separately. You will need to setup a user account which normally consist of setting up an email account related to the type of operating system on the device.

iOS = apple I.D. (could be an apple email, or other email)

Android = google I.D. (gmail)

Windows = outlook or hotmail

Linux (Ubuntu) = any email you already own

These are the most popular.

Note: At this time do not worry about giving out your credit card information.

Step 5

Understand the difference between Wifi and Cellular Data Usage. Raise your hand if I lost you.

The difference will add up in the monthly cost of owning this little dynamo or at least the amount of 0’s on your monthly cellular/wireless bill.

Cellular is based on the service provider.

Verizon

AT&T

Sprint

T Mobile

The list goes on and on, but these are the major service providers.

Normally you are allotted a limited amount of data 2 gig, 5 gig, 8 gig 10 gig, 16 gig, and if you go over these limitations, be prepared to pay for that extra data.

This data is different from the data used to make calls and or to send a text message in most cases.

We will discuss what a gig is later, for now understand data usage over the cellular network is very expensive if abused.

Wifi is based on a service that is provided via a separate internet source which normally adds no extra cost to use it.

You will find Wifi networks everywhere.

Starbucks

McDonalds

Wendys

Service stations

Dept. Stores

Restaurants

Book Stores

Librarys

Some cable plants provide Wifi at no extra charge, if you subscribe to their home internet service.

If given the choice use Wifi data before using or depleting your Cellular Data, do this by making sure your Wifi is turned on, and that you are connected to a wifi connection.

See images and icons provided below to determine what type of data you are using.

Step 6

Let’s get to know your new friend, we are familiar with the power button and the volume buttons, these are referred to as hard buttons.

All other buttons are soft buttons (except for the iOS devices and some android devices they have a home button that is a hard button).

These soft buttons appear as icons on the main display some android devices have a triangle, circle, and a square located at the bottom of the screen, if you do not see these icons, swipe up from the bottom and they should appear.

The triangle will allow you to go back to the previous screen.

The circle will take you home.

The square will let you see all the apps or screens you have opened recently. This will allow you to move between apps and screens with less effort.

Swiping left or right will allow you to move forward or backwards between pages or screens ( it is like flipping pages in a book without the pages).

Swiping down will allow you to access features like wifi, blue tooth, notifications, settings and other useful features. On most devices you can personalize these features.

Almost all devices have multi touch capabilities now, like pinch to zoom in and out, double tap to open applications and long press which normal allow you to customize your device. Some devices can even detect when for fingers are touching the screen, this is normally reserved for advanced features (Do Not Try this at Home).

This is a very good start for anyone who feels like they have been pushed or forced into the digital age.

Please stay tuned for part 2.

While you wait, see what else we are up to, by clicking the links to the right.