This month we had a revision session.   So, we put pen to paper and recorded answers for the research tasks set for our iPads.

Our first tasks were in the Settings App, which has a lot of information within it. We each found our iPad’s GB capacity and how much GB capacity we had left.

We found the time in Montevideo on the Clock App.   We checked out the weather forecast for Benalla over the next week.

And we saved a News story in Bookmarks.   It’s a tricky operation - but we are still working on it!

Finally, we checked out the distance to Tamworth and some accommodation for two nights.

We managed to do all of these tasks in about an hour.

So, to all the Apple iPadders who attended - Well done. 👍 ⭐ 🤗 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐


​Jenny Sawyer

Class members should have received an email from Jenny - but just in case - this week's class has been cancelled as Jenny is unwell and isolating.  

This month we followed on from using Siri to using dictation for text. This new function is specifically for dictation.  By enabling the Dictation function on your Apple device, typing a lot of text is a thing of the past. You do have to check that the translation of your spoken word is accurately recorded, just as you do when touch typing.

When the Dictation function is enabled, you can tap on the microphone symbol which is located to the left of the Space Bar on the keyboard, then speak. We all tried it out and had a lot of fun. 
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​Jenny Sawyer

This month we looked at Siri which is the voice assistant for Apple devices.

After viewing a website that gave explanation of the Siri function and how it works, we all enabled Siri on our iPads.

In settings - (General - Siri and Search) you can also choose whether or not you want a male voice or a female voice.  Then after that, you can choose the accent you’d like Siri to use.   We each asked Siri a question and often the reply came with a visual link. 

For people who don’t like typing, Siri can take on the role of personal secretary and you can dictate your message or email.   If enabled on your phone Siri can make phone calls and give you map directions.

So, Siri can save you time - you just speak and Siri can set a timer, check sport scores, check the weather, check your calendar, make calculations, check cinema showings ................ And the list goes on. 

Jenny Sawyer

Once we got everyone connected to the U3A wi-fi we introduced ourselves and our devices.

We then watched two YouTube sites introducing iPads showing how to set up and how to customise your Home Screen.

My favourite tip was the diagonal swipe down from the top right corner. You can adjust your volume and your screen brightness.

We also looked at Settings and adjusted the display font and app layout. 

​Jenny Sawyer

We revisited the Settings App and checked out our data capacity (number of GB), iCloud usage, the model and the software version.

Then the class was given a problem to solve……How to show the degrees symbol.

Yes, we all managed to solve this and email reports were sent with a report of the current temperature.

As I write this - it is 17°C    📱

Jenny Sawyer

After COVID Restrictions and Lockdowns have curtailed the U3A program this month,
Tech Savvy Apple completed three sessions; Sessions 12, 13 and 14.

We discussed how computing technology is becoming increasingly more evident and
important in our lives. This seems to have been accelerated by the pandemic.

This month we have explored the FaceTime, Zoom, MyGov, Emails, AppleNews, ABC
News, BorrowBox, and AppleBooks.

When emailing we learned how to attach a news article and also just part of an article by
using the Select, Copy and Paste functions.

​In Session 5 we really got into the Camera App. Participants were challenged to complete 8 camera tasks including taking videos. Also, we screen mirrored a favourite photo each person had taken recently.
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In Session 6 we finally began exploring the Photo App. The App already does a lot of sorting and classifying of your photos automatically. When your photo collection reaches a few thousand it is very handy to be able to search for a particular photo by honing firstly to years, then months, then days.
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We played with the photo editing tools, after we had made a duplicate copy of a photo just in case our editing plans went amiss. 
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Jenny Sawyer

In Session 3 we explored the Bookmarking function which enables you to save a website. When tapping on the Bookmark symbol you get three choices:  Bookmark, Reading List and Search History.

We looked up the program for The Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre 2021. And yes, there are lots of interesting shows coming up. E-tickets are becoming more commonplace having your phone linked to your tablet will make things easier.

We also entered data into our Contact List and our Calendar.

In Session 4 we watched a You Tube video explaining iCloud. There are many to choose from and if you would like to know more, try watching one. Bookmarking is a tricky function to use at first, so we practised again by choosing a favourite iPad stand.

Finally, we began exploring the Camera App and will be moving on to some photo editing next time.
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Jenny Sawyer

During our first session we spent our time acquainting ourselves with all the buttons ports and camera lenses on our iPads.

​Then we fired up our devices and explored inside the Settings App. Each person could see how much iCloud storage they have and how much they have used. On the bar usage was colour coded and most of the used storage was for photos and videos. Newer devices usually have larger storage capacity.  All Apple devices come with 5GB of iCloud storage.

The next session was devoted to searching the Internet. What a great website Benalla U3A is.  Lots and lots of information accompanied by fabulous photos. Everyone was able to put the Benalla U3A weebly website onto our home screens for quick and easy access. In our searching we found out that there is a bus service from Benalla to Bendigo (which is a lot quicker than train) and that to walk from Benalla to Bendigo would take us 33 hours.  I’m definitely going to catch the bus. 

​Jenny Sawyer