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iPhone Battery Charge Indicator

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iPhone Battery Charge Indicator

Display the iPhone’s percentage of battery charge left. From the settings of your phone you can toggle on / off the percentage of battery charge left.

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Battery Charge Amount

iPhone Battery Charge
iPhone Battery Charge

In the upper right hand corner of the iPhone screen is a battery charge indicator.

You can have it display an icon of a battery with a visual indication of how much charge is left. Or you can have it display the percentage of how much charge is left.

Battery Charge Percentage

To display the battery charge percentage, go to the settings on your iPhone, then to Battery, then toggle the Battery Percentage on (green) to display the percentage.

iPhone Battery Charge Percentage

Large Battery Charge Percentage

You can have a larger view of the battery charge percentage by placing your finger on the battery indicator in the upper right hand corner.

iphone battery charge percentage large view
Large view of the iPhone battery charge %

Stay Connected! How to Make A FaceTime Call on iPhone

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How to Use FaceTime on Your iPhone to Stay Connected with Grandchildren

Let’s get started by first enabling FaceTime on your iPhone.

FaceTime Setting
Enable FaceTime
  • First, Go to Settings > FaceTime, then turn on FaceTime.
  • If you want to be able to take Live Photos during FaceTime calls, turn on FaceTime Live Photos.
  • Enter your phone number, Apple ID, or email address to use with FaceTime, then set your caller ID.

On models with Dual SIM, to change the phone number you use for FaceTime, go to Settings > Messages > iMessage & FaceTime Line, then choose a line.

Note: You can use only one of your phone numbers at a time for iMessage and FaceTime. Your other number can’t send or receive messages using iMessage, or make or receive FaceTime calls.

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How To Make A FaceTime Call

Making a Call
Making a FaceTime Call

Now that we’re done setting up FaceTime, it’s time to make a call.

In FaceTime, click or tap the Add Button at the top right. This will prompt an entry field where you can type the number you want to call. After that simply tap the video to make a video call and tap the audio to make an audio call.

Video or Audio call
Choose between an Audio or Video Call

If the person you want to call is from your contact, you can also tap the Add Contact button to open your Contacts and select the recipient from there.


Record A Video Message Instead

In case the person you’re trying to reach does not answer, you can always record a video message to send.

Record a Video Message
Record Video Message
  • To record a video message simply:
    Tap the Record Video button, wait for the countdown (5 to 1), then record your message.
  • When done with your video message, tap the Up Arrow button to send. You can also tap the Retake button to record a new message instead.
  • Upon sending the message, the recipient will be notified.

Note: You can only receive video messages from saved contacts, people you’ve called or from people suggested by Siri.

Leaving A Message

There’s a chance that the person you’re trying to call is unable to answer, you can always to one of the following:

  • Tap Leave a Message
  • Tap Cancel to cancel the call.
  • Tap Call Back to try calling back.
leave a message
Leave a Message

FaceTime Calling From Message Conversation

Let’s say you’re messaging someone and have the urge to suddenly call and have a chat. In the Messages conversation, tap the profile picture or the name of the person then tap FaceTime

Note: You can also choose between a FaceTime Video or FaceTime Audio for the call.


Group FaceTime Call

Now, say that you want to have a chat with multiple recipients, you can:

  • Tap the “+” button in FaceTime at the top right corner.
  • Type the names or numbers of the people you want to add or have the option to add people from your Contacts.
  • Tap the Video button to make a video call or the Audio button for an audio call.

Note: Each participant appears in a tile on the screen. When a participant speaks, or you tap the tile, that tile moves to the front and becomes more prominent. Tiles that can’t fit on the screen appear in a row at the bottom. To find a participant you don’t see, swipe through the row. (The participant’s initials may appear in the tile if an image isn’t available.)

Add another person to a call

During a group call, anyone from all the participants are able to add another person at any time during the FaceTime call. To do this:

  • Tap the screen to open the controls then swipe up to see the Add person button then tap.
  • Type the name, Apple ID or number of the person you wish to add to the group call.
  • Then tap the Add Person to FaceTime.

Join a Group FaceTime call

Join Call
Click Accept to Join Call

If someone is inviting you to join a Group FaceTime call, you will see the incoming call display. Simply tap the Join or Accept to join the Call. Should you wish to decline, you will receive a notification that you can tap to join at any time while the Group Facetime call is active.

7 Tips for Eye Health and Reducing Screen Fatigue During FaceTime Calls

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Staying connected with your grandchildren through FaceTime is a wonderful way to share moments and strengthen bonds. However, spending extended time on screens can sometimes cause eye strain and fatigue, especially for elders. To help you enjoy your FaceTime calls comfortably and keep your eyes healthy, we’ve compiled these seven simple tips. Implementing these can make your screen time more pleasant and ensure you stay connected with your loved ones without discomfort.

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1. Follow the 20-20-20 Rule

  • What It Is: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.
  • Why It Helps: This simple practice helps relax the eye muscles, reducing the risk of digital eye strain. By frequently shifting focus, you prevent your eyes from becoming overly tired, which can lead to discomfort, headaches, and blurred vision. This break also encourages you to stand up and move around, promoting overall physical health.

2. Ensure Proper Lighting

  • Tip: Use soft, indirect lighting in the room where you FaceTime.
  • Why It Helps: Proper lighting reduces glare and harsh reflections on your screen, which can cause your eyes to strain as they adjust. Consistent, soft lighting helps maintain a stable visual environment, reducing the effort your eyes need to put in to see clearly. Additionally, well-lit environments prevent your pupils from dilating excessively, reducing eye fatigue and maintaining a more comfortable viewing experience.

3. Adjust Screen Position

  • Tip: Keep your device at eye level and about 20-30 inches away from your face.
  • Why It Helps: Proper screen positioning ensures that you maintain a natural posture, reducing the need to tilt your head or strain your neck. This alignment helps prevent musculoskeletal discomfort and reduces the strain on your eyes caused by looking up or down for extended periods. Maintaining an appropriate distance from the screen also helps in reducing the intensity of light entering your eyes, minimizing fatigue and potential eye damage.

4. Use Blue Light Filters

  • Tip: Enable the blue light filter on your device or use blue light blocking glasses.
  • Why It Helps: Blue light emitted from screens can penetrate deep into the eye, leading to digital eye strain and potentially disturbing sleep patterns by suppressing melatonin production. Blue light filters and blocking glasses reduce the amount of blue light exposure, making screen time more comfortable for your eyes. This helps in reducing eye fatigue, improving visual comfort, and protecting long-term eye health.
  • Tip: Make a conscious effort to blink frequently during calls.
  • Why It Helps: Blinking naturally lubricates your eyes by spreading tears over the surface, which helps keep them moist and comfortable. Prolonged screen use can reduce blink rates, leading to dry, irritated eyes. By reminding yourself to blink more often, you maintain eye moisture, reduce the risk of dry eye syndrome, and enhance overall eye comfort during extended FaceTime sessions.

6. Take Regular Breaks

take a break
  • Tip: Schedule short breaks during long FaceTime sessions.
  • Why It Helps: Regular breaks give your eyes a chance to rest and recover from continuous screen exposure. These breaks reduce the cumulative strain on your eye muscles and help prevent symptoms of digital eye strain such as headaches, blurred vision, and neck or shoulder pain. Stepping away from the screen also promotes physical activity, which is beneficial for your overall health and well-being.

7. Adjust Screen Brightness

  • Tip: Match your device’s screen brightness to the surrounding lighting conditions.
  • Why It Helps: Properly adjusting your screen brightness helps your eyes avoid working too hard to adapt to different light levels. If the screen is too bright or too dim compared to the surrounding light, your eyes have to constantly adjust, which can lead to fatigue and discomfort. By aligning screen brightness with ambient lighting, you create a more comfortable viewing experience, reducing strain and enhancing visual clarity.

Conclusion

Following these simple tips can help you maintain eye health and reduce screen fatigue during FaceTime calls, ensuring a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.

How To Change Font Size On iPhone

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How To Change Font Size On iPhone

In the iPhone Settings, go to the Display & Brightness settings and adjust the Text Size and Display Zoom. Here is how to do this…

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Font Size On iPhone

Here is the difference between the default settings and settings that will increase the font size on your iPhone.

iPhone font size
iPhone font size

Side by side, these two screenshots of a text message conversation make it clear the difference between the default font size settings and adjusted font size.

  • Default font size allows for more content to show on the screen.
  • Increased font size allows you to more easily read what is on the screen even without glasses.

Increase Font Size On iPhone

There are a couple of things to adjust to increase the font size on the iPhone: Text Size and Display Zoom.

Text Size

Go to you iPhone settings, scroll down till you find Display & Brightness. Tap Display & Brightness. Scroll down to Text Size and tap that.

iPhone Text Size
iPhone Text Size

At the bottom of the screen, slide your finger along the bar. There are 11 different choices – smallest on the left, largest on the right. My suggestion is to move the marker on the slider to the 7th position from the left. This will result in a larger font size. Go ahead and slide it all the way to the right and tell me that is not too big 😁.

The image on the left is with the text size at the fourth position (smaller) and the image on the right is the text size at the seventh position (larger).

iPhone text size adjustment
iPhone text size adjustment

Display Zoom

Go back to Settings > Display & Brightness. Scroll down to the bottom and tap the Display Zoom option.

iPhone Display Zoom
iPhone Display Zoom

The image below on the left shows the text message conversation with increased text size and default Display Zoom. The image on the right is with increased text size and larger text Display Zoom.

iPhone Display Zoom Comparison
iPhone Display Zoom Comparison

In my observation, the larger text size combined with the display zoom setting to larger text makes it that much easier to read your iPhone – especially if you forget your glasses!

Amazing Things You Can Do with Hey Siri on Your iPhone

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Siri, the virtual assistant on iPhones, is your personal helper at your beck and call. With just a simple “Hey Siri,” you can unlock a world of possibilities. From making calls and sending texts to setting alarms and even telling jokes, Siri makes your iPhone experience more convenient and fun.

In this guide, we’ll explore eighteen incredible things you can do with Hey Siri, showcasing its versatility and convenience. Let’s dive in and discover how Siri can simplify your life.

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The Basics

  • Call or FaceTime Someone
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, call Sarah,” or “Hey Siri, FaceTime Mom.”
  • Text Someone
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, tell John I am on my way,” or “Hey Siri, tell Emily I am going to the store.”
  • Set a Timer
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, set the timer for 10 minutes.”
  • Solve Math Problems
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, what is 234 divided by 6?” or “Hey Siri, what is the square root of 16?”

Phone and Settings

  • Take a Picture
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, take a picture.”
  • Adjust Music Volume
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, adjust volume to 80 percent,” or “Hey Siri, turn the volume up/down.”
  • Open Apps
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, open Safari,” or “Hey Siri, open Instagram.”

Scheduling and Reminders

  • Designate Contacts as Relationships
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, my sister is Harper Stevenson,” or “Hey Siri, Greg Stevenson is my brother.”
  • Find Out the Date and Day of the Week of Holidays
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, when is Easter?” or “Hey Siri, when is Labor Day?”
  • Set Alarms
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, set an alarm for 1 a.m.,” or “Hey Siri, set an alarm for six hours from now.”
  • Delete/Turn Off All Alarms
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, delete all alarms” or “Hey Siri, turn off all alarms.”
  • Check the Number of Days Between Dates
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, how many days until December 15?” or “Hey Siri, how many days between March 15 and June 3?”
  • Find Out What Time It Is in Another City
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, what time is it in London?”
  • Define Words
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, define ‘serendipity’.”
  • Find a Synonym
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, what is a synonym for ‘happy’?”

Random Tips and Tricks

  • Roll a Die or Flip a Coin
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, roll a die,” or “Hey Siri, flip a coin.”
  • Tell a Joke
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, tell me a joke.”
  • Knock Knock
    Ex.: “Hey Siri, knock knock.”

You can check other daily life commands here!

iPhone Scan Text

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iPhone Scan Text

You can scan text to your phone into the Notes app on your iPhone.

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Open Notes

To start, open the Notes app on your iPhone or iPad.

To create a new note, tap on the pen icon in the bottom right corner.

iPhone Notes
iPhone Notes

AutoFill

Tap once on the screen and then tap AutoFill.

Choose Scan Text.

Notes AutoFill
Notes AutoFill

Move the camera up and down until the text you want to scan is highlighted.

Click insert.

notes insert
Notes insert

What Else?

The scanning capability built into the Notes app on the iPhone and iPad allows you to scan in:

  • Addresses
  • URLs
  • Phone numbers

Notes is smart enough to link to the information you scan in, ex – a url gets hyperlinked so you can click the link and visit the website. Phone numbers are linked so when you click the phone number a call is made.

Must-Have Pet Care Apps – Keep Your Pets Happy and Healthy

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Navigating pet care can be challenging, especially for elderly pet owners who may not be as comfortable with technology. Fortunately, several user-friendly apps are designed to simplify pet management, making it easy to ensure pets are healthy and happy.

These apps stand out for their intuitive interfaces, comprehensive features, and reliable support, making them ideal for older adults.

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Puppr

Puppr offers a straightforward and engaging way to train your dog. With over 100 video tutorials led by professional trainers, it breaks down complex tricks into simple steps. The app also includes a built-in clicker, progress tracking, and live chat support with trainers, ensuring that even those new to dog training can feel confident. Whether it’s teaching basic commands or advanced tricks, Puppr makes the process enjoyable and stress-free.

Key Features:

  • Step-by-step video tutorials
  • Built-in training clicker
  • Progress tracking
  • 24/7 live chat support with trainers
  • Free with in-app purchases

Download Links:
Puppr on iOS
Puppr on Android

AirVet

AirVet is a lifeline for pet health concerns, offering 24/7 access to veterinary professionals via live chat and video calls. This app is perfect for immediate, reliable advice on any health issue, from minor queries to urgent concerns. Its user-friendly design ensures that even those less familiar with smartphones can easily navigate and use the service, providing peace of mind without the need for a physical vet visit.

Key Features:

  • 24/7 veterinary access
  • Live chat and video calls
  • User-friendly interface
  • Free service

Download Links:
AirVet on iOS
AirVet on Android

petcare apps

PetDesk

PetDesk streamlines pet care management by consolidating all veterinary appointments, medication reminders, and pet care tasks into one easy-to-use app. It connects users with local pet care providers, ensuring all health records and care schedules are accessible and organized. This comprehensive approach simplifies managing your pet’s health, making it easier for elderly users to keep everything in one place.

Key Features:

  • Appointment booking
  • Medication reminders
  • Integration with local pet care providers
  • Organized health records
  • Free service

Download Links:
PetDesk on iOS
PetDesk on Android

TrustedHousesitters

TrustedHousesitters provides a secure and reliable way to find pet sitters, offering peace of mind when traveling. With verified sitters and 24/7 support, this app ensures that pets are well cared for in their owner’s absence. The app’s detailed profiles and reviews help users find the perfect match, making it easy and safe to leave pets in trusted hands.

Key Features:

  • Verified pet sitters
  • 24/7 support
  • Detailed profiles and reviews
  • Easy booking process
  • Free service

Download Links:
TrustedHousesitters on iOS
TrustedHousesitters on Android

BringFido

BringFido is an essential tool for pet owners who love to travel. It helps find pet-friendly accommodations, parks, and restaurants, ensuring that pets are always welcome. The app’s simple design and extensive database make it easy to plan trips that accommodate furry companions, enhancing the travel experience for both pets and owners.

Key Features:

  • Pet-friendly hotel and restaurant finder
  • Information on parks and beaches
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Extensive database
  • Free service

Download Links:
BringFido on iOS
BringFido on Android

These apps collectively enhance the pet care experience by providing accessible, reliable, and comprehensive tools tailored to the needs of elderly pet owners.

Block IPhone Spam Messages

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Block IPhone Spam Messages

You can block Spam Messages to your IPhone by selecting tapping the sender’s information at the top of the screen, tap the info button, scroll to the bottom and click Block Caller.

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Select the message

Open a message from the sender you want to block.

IPhone block message
IPhone block message

It might be tempting to click the Report Junk link. Don’t. It simply reports the message as junk and doesn’t prevent the unwanted sender from messaging you again.

Tap the phone number

Instead, at the top of the screen, tap the sender’s profile picture (if there is one) or the phone number.

This effectively takes you to a screen where you can ‘edit’ (or block) the sender.

Tap the info button.

Block caller edit
Block caller edit

Block caller

Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and there in red will be the option to Block Caller.

block caller
Block caller

For whatever reason, the wording changes from Block Caller to Block Contact. You will need to click the Block Contact option to confirm your request.

Once that is cone you will not receive phone calls, messages, or FaceTime from people on the block list.

Unblock caller

Oops. What do you do if you want to unblock a caller?

Just the opposite. Find the message, tap the phone number, tap info, scroll to the bottom and click Unblock Caller.

If you no longer have the message, instead go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts > Find the phone number or contact you want to unblock > swipe right on that contact’s information and tap Unblock.

Our Top 4 Gardening Apps – Gardening Made Simple

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Gardening can be a rewarding hobby, but it often requires a lot of knowledge and attention to detail. For elders who may not be familiar with technology, using a gardening app can make the process much easier.

We’ve reviewed four top-rated gardening apps—Planta, Plantum, Fryd, and Greg—that are not only user-friendly but also packed with features to help keep your garden thriving.

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Planta

Planta is a straightforward app designed to help you care for your plants. It provides reminders for watering, fertilizing, and misting based on the local weather. This app also has a community feature where you can share your plant care experiences and ask for advice. Additionally, Planta offers plant identification and expert consultations from professional botanists. Its easy-to-use interface and comprehensive features make it ideal for those who want to ensure their plants thrive without any guesswork.

Key Features:

  • Watering, fertilizing, and misting reminders
  • Plant identification
  • Expert consultations
  • Community for sharing and advice
  • Why It’s Great for Elders:
  • Planta’s simple design and practical reminders make it easy for elders to keep their plants healthy without having to remember every detail themselves.

Planta App
Planta

Download Links:
Planta on iOS
Planta on Android

Plantum

Planta is a straightforward app designed to help you care for your plants. It provides reminders for watering, fertilizing, and misting based on the local weather. This app also has a community feature where you can share your plant care experiences and ask for advice. Additionally, Planta offers plant identification and expert consultations from professional botanists. Its easy-to-use interface and comprehensive features make it ideal for those who want to ensure their plants thrive without any guesswork.

Key Features:

  • Identifies over 33,000 plant species
  • Diagnoses plant issues
  • Care reminders (watering, misting, rotating, repotting)
  • Light meter tool
  • Why It’s Great for Elders:
  • Plantum’s comprehensive identification and care tools help elders understand their plants better and take the guesswork out of plant care.

Plantum App
Plantum

Download Links:
Plantum on iOS
Plantum on Android

Fryd

Fryd is perfect for planning and managing vegetable gardens. It provides tools for creating planting plans and tailored to-do lists. The app also features a community where you can ask questions and share experiences. Fryd is designed to make vegetable gardening accessible and enjoyable, even for those with little gardening experience.

Key Features:

  • Garden planning tools
  • Tailored to-do lists
  • Community for questions and sharing
  • Suitable for vegetable gardens
  • Why It’s Great for Elders:
  • Fryd’s focus on vegetable gardening with easy-to-follow planning tools and a supportive community makes it an excellent choice for elders looking to grow their own food.

Fryd App
Fryd

Download Links:
Fryd on iOS
Fryd on Android

Greg

Greg uses AI technology to create personalized care plans for your plants, including watering schedules and humidity requirements. The app also features a community where you can share photos and get advice from other plant enthusiasts. Greg’s straightforward interface and intelligent recommendations make it a handy tool for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Key Features:

  • AI-powered care plans
  • Personalized watering schedules
  • Humidity requirement tips
  • Active community for advice and sharing
  • Why It’s Great for Elders:
  • Greg’s personalized care plans and simple interface make it easy for elders to keep their plants healthy with minimal effort. The active community also provides additional support and advice.

Greg App
Greg

Download Links:
Greg on iOS
Greg on Android

These gardening apps offer a range of features to make gardening easier and more enjoyable for elders. Whether you’re looking for detailed care plans, plant identification, or community support, these apps provide user-friendly solutions to help your garden flourish. Download one today and take the guesswork out of gardening.

How To Reduce Photo Size On iPhone

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How To Reduce Photo Size On IPhone

You can reduce the photo size on an Iphone by using the crop feature.

Here is how to use the iPhone photo crop feature.

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This is a useful feature if you want to share a photo with someone via text messaging, but the photo is not zoomed in enough to show the detail you want.

In this photo below to the left there is a rabbit that is difficult to spot. But after cropping this photo, the rabbit is much easier to see in the photo to the right.

iphone crop
iPhone cropped photo – before and after

Select Photo

Find the photo you want to resize and double tap the photo.

iphone double tap image
iPhone double tap photo

Crop Photo

You will see the work “Crop” in the upper right corner. Tap on the word “Crop”.

Typically, the photo will zoom in on the right side.

Use your finger to drag the photo to show the part of the picture you want to zoom in on.

As you drag the photo, a grid will display to help you with centering the photo how you want.

IPhone cropped image
iPhone cropped photo

Zoom In

At this point, if you are satisfied with the results, simply click Done and you will have a cropped photo of the original in your photos.

You have the option of dragging the photo or zooming in or out.

My suggestion is to start with the menu at the top.

Three options are highlighted.

IPhone crop menu
iPhone crop menu
  1. Flip the image – basically folds the image over.
  2. Rotate the image – each time you tap the rotate button it turns the image 90°. First tap is 90°, second tap is 180°, third tap is 270°, and fourth tap is back to 0°.
  3. Resize – in my opinion, the most useful option. You can select Freeform which allows you to adjust, square, wallpaper, 9:16, 4:5, 5:7, 3:4, 3:5, 2:3 when you have the image in vertical mode. If you are in landscape mode, your options are square, wallpaper, 16:9, 5:4, 7:5, 4:3, 5:3, 3:2.

You can also tap-hold-drag the edge of the photo to resize. Additionally, you can pinch the photo with your finger tips and stretch the fingers out to further zoom in.

IPhone image square
iPhone photo square

Once you are done, then click “Done” and you will have a modified version of your original photo in your iPhone photos.