Tag: virtual office

AirPods

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Tips
Chris and I both have AirPods.  Chris uses his extensively for phone calls and watching movies. I use mine for audio books and watching movies. I’ve never gotten the hang of using them for phone calls. A few months ago, I learned that the new Apple AirPods Pro 3 have hearing aid technology built in. (Yeah, we’re getting older!) We decided to get them, and I’m pleased to say that the hearing aid function works very well. It’s able to discern the difference between a conversation and background noise.Chris played with the technology for a bit and made some adjustments that he recommends. All these changes are accessible from the “SETTINGS” menu of your iPhone, and clicking on the link for your AirPods

Settings –> your  AirPods

Listening Mode = Transparencyscreen shot of the Airpods setup menu

Hearing Health

  • Hearing Protection
    • Loud Sound Reduction = ON
  • Hearing Assistance
    • Hearing Aid = ON (Yes, take the Hearing Test)
    • Adjustments
      • Amplification = about 10% (trying softer rather than louder)
      • Balance = 50% Right ear vs. Left ear
      • Tone = 25% on the Darker side (again, trying to reduce the metallic loud impulse sounds)
      • Ambient Noise Reduction = 50% (When you’re in a noisy atmosphere, you can go to the Settings menu on your iPhone and change this as needed.
      • Conversation Boost = ON
      • Own Voice Amplification = 25% (Keep this low so you don’t feel like you’re shouting.)

Call Controls

  • The factory settings are fine here

Camera Control

  • Turn this OFF

Audio

  • Personalized Volume = ON
  • Conversation Awareness = ON
  • Adaptive Audio = 50% (Adjust as needed for individual environments.)

Automatic Ear Detection

  • Turn this ON.

AirPods Translation

  • Though this is in beta testing, the AirPods can translate spoken French, Spanish, and other languages into English straight to your ears. I haven’t tested this feature yet.

Head Gestures

  • Turn this OFF

Then, go back to the SETTINGS menu

Settings –> Sound & Haptics

  • Volume Limit
    • Maximum = 50% (Default = 60%)
  • Reduce Loud Sounds = ON
  • Headphone Safety
    • Reduce Loud Audio = ON
    • Max audio = 80 decibels (“as loud as a noisy restaurant”)

Cleaning

  • Every so often look at the silicone tips. If you see any earwax, take a Q-tip and gently clean it.

Conclusion:

Hope this helps. Most of these suggestions should work regardless of which “generation” of AirPods you have. It’s always important to safeguard our hearing!

 

 

INFORMATION ABOUT GEEK FOR HIRE, INC.

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Macs and PCs for the past twenty-plus years. You can find more on our website or give us a call. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides on-site computer repair service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote PC and Mac service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming, too. You can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More Tips Here:

WFH? How to Set Up a Virtual Office

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Tips
With the flu making it’s rounds the past few weeks, many of our customers have been Working from Home (WFH).  If you’d like to get away from the office, but still be productive and get work done, you may need to set up a Virtual Office.  Here are 9 easy tips:
Please note: We often recommend products that we like.  Some of these are affiliate links and we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Virtual Office Requirements for WFH: 

Here’s an image of my home office setup:

WFH setup showing two monitors, external keyboard and mouse, as well as a laptop

I’ve got two monitors with my closed laptop on the base of the monitor stand. I have an external wireless mouse and keyboard. On the back of the monitor stand, Chris has mounted a docking station with everything plugged in there. When I leave and need to take my laptop with me, I only need to unplug the laptop. I’ve since added a TV which functions as a third monitor.

WIFI:

A virtual office must have fast WiFi. A minimum of 100mbps is recommended. You may need to upgrade your router in order to provide the contracted speed flowed from your ISP to your devices.  (Check your actual speed at SpeedTest.)  Good routers can support many simultaneous users and fast speed. When you’re ready to upgrade your router, give Chris a call for his current recommendation. 

SpeedTest results

Tablet:

Sometimes a laptop is just too heavy!  My iPad has been perfect for internet research, sending emails, and keeping the Geek For Hire calendar up-to-date. And it’s great for watching AmazonPrime movies, playing games, or keeping up with Social Media. Here’s our Buying Guide of what to look for in a tablet.

Cell Phone:

Well, this kind of goes without saying, but it’s important that folks can reach you. If you’re working in your car in between appointments, make sure you’ve got great cell service.

Sometimes, when my service doesn’t work well, I’ll turn airplane mode on and off, or I’ll turn my VPN off and select a new site, or I’ll turn my iPhone off completely and then back on.

Charging Cords:

Do you have the proper charging cables for all of your devices? I keep an extra laptop charging cable in my bag along with several different USB cables.

Optional Equipment to WFH in your Virtual Office:virtual office

WFH Laptop or Desktop:

Sure, you can get a lot of business accomplished with just your Smartphone and tablet.  But sometimes, you just need a computer to do certain tasks. For example, QuickBooks won’t let me enter all the detail I’d like on their mobile app. I need to login to QuickBooks from my laptop to do that.

TV:

You can setup your TV to be a second or third monitor, or just to provide some background noise or visuals while WFH. I’ve found a few interesting webcams I play on my TV with the sound off.

Headphones:

If there is more than one person in your household, headphones are essential. Chris and I both use Apple AirPods. I have the newer model which includes hearing aid technology. I’m testing that out as well. (WHAT?! Yes, I’ll let you know how well they work.)

External Keyboard for Tablet:

Typing on a tablet can be cumbersome.  The hands – so big.  The keyboard – so small.  The mistakes – so many! Get yourself a Bluetooth keyboard and typing will be much easier.  The newer ones have back-lighting which makes it easier to type when the lights are dimmed. I use the Apple Magic Keyboard for my iPad. It’s a case with a keyboard!

Speech to Text Software:

Does your WFH setup make it easy to to use speech-to-text? My current laptop doesn’t have the capability, but I can open a text app in my iPhone or iPad. When I’m done dictating, I can send the text to my computer and incorporate it into a document or email I’m working on.

Do you have a Virtual Office so you can WFH?  What tools do you rely on? 

Please share this with your friends who don’t work in an office building.

 

 

 

INFORMATION ABOUT GEEK FOR HIRE, INC.

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Macs and PCs for the past twenty-plus years. You can find more on our website or give us a call. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides on-site computer repair service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote PC and Mac service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming, too. You can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More Tips Here:

9 Easy Tips to Set Up a Virtual Office

Posted on by Gail Eddy in Tips
This week I’m housesitting for friends in Western Colorado.  I’m pretty far from home, but I can continue working thanks to some tricks I’ve picked up along the way. If you’d like to get away from the office, but still be productive and get work done, you may need to set up a Virtual Office.  Here are 9 easy tips:

Please note: We often recommend products that we like.  Some of these are affiliate links and we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Virtual Office Requirements:virtual office fast wifi

WIFI:

A virtual office must have fast WiFi. A minimum of 12mbps is recommended. You may need to upgrade your router in order to provide the contracted speed that is flowed from your ISP to your devices.  (Check your actual speed at SpeedTest.)  Good routers can support many simultaneous users and fast speed.  Chris recommends the Nighthawk AC2300 router which lists for $200.  You can find it at Amazon or Best Buy. I’m pretty lucky at my friend’s home.  They’ve got great wifi!

a Virtual Office needs fast wifiTablet:

Sometimes a laptop is just too heavy!  My iPad has been perfect for internet research, sending emails, and keeping the Geek For Hire calendar up-to-date. And it’s great for watching AmazonPrime movies, playing games, and keeping up with Facebook. Here’s our Buying Guide of what to look for in a tablet.

Cell Phone:

Well, this kind of goes without saying! But it’s important that folks can reach you. If you’re working in your car in between appointments, make sure you’ve got great cell service.

Charging Cords:

Do you have the proper charging cables for all of your devices?

Optional Equipment for your Virtual Office:virtual office

Laptop:

Sure, you can get a lot of business accomplished with just your Smartphone and tablet.  But sometimes, you just need your laptop to do certain tasks. For example, Quickbooks won’t let me enter all the detail I’d like on their mobile app. I need to login to Quickbooks from my laptop to do that.

TV:

Entertainment value.  Pure and simple. Sometimes it’s nice to have background noise in your Virtual Office.

Headphones:

If you’re watching a movie at a coffee shop, having a good pair of headphones is essential!  When I got a new pair of headphones, here is the buying process I went through.

External Keyboard for Tablet:

Typing on a tablet can be cumbersome.  The hands – so big.  The keyboard – so small.  The mistakes – so many! Get yourself a Bluetooth keyboard and typing will be much easier.  The newer ones have back-lighting which makes it easier to type when the lights are dimmed.

Speech to Text Software:

Sometimes you just don’t want to type, or you can be more creative when you speak rather than typing on a keyboard. Many of our customers have used Dragon Naturally Speaking to get their thoughts down without typing.  Keep in mind that it does take a bit to customize the software to your voice.

Do you have a Virtual Office?  What tools do you rely on? Let me know in the comments below!

Please share this with your friends who don’t work in an office building.

Information about Geek For Hire, Inc.

I’ve created a Free Report on what to look for to protect yourself from “phishing” scams. Click here to receive it!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has been providing computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past eighteen years. Angie’s List and the BBB rate Geek For Hire very highly.  You can find more on our website, or give us a call 303-618-0154. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area as well as remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming too. Prime is usually $119/year, but you can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.