Week 4:  Smartphone features to make life easier

Quick Links:

Handout

Presentation

Zoom link:   https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/9191959460?pwd=OXh0RE9ZTVZTWElTMUQ0ZzAxQzExdz09.   

Passcode (if asked):  emeritus

Introduction

For this class, we will be looking at some things that you can do with your smartphone to make your life easier.  We will include both Android and Apple phones in this lesson.  We will cover:  

Accessibility features


Preparing for emergencies

Your phones provide quick access to Emergency information including contacts and medical information.  Although hopefully you will never have to summon emergency help, there are times when it would be appropriate.  This would include medical emergencies, threats to your personal safety, accidents (natural  disasters, if you are lost or stranded, or it you witness a crime which needs to be reported. 

This may be different on iPhones and Androids.  Here is how to get started with this.

Android

Your Android phone is equipped with features which will assist you if you were in an emergency.  You can include health information, emergency contacts, or even a message to your lock screen. On most Androids, this information can be accessed by swiping up from a locked screen and selecting “emergency call”.  You should set this up ahead of time and make sure that this information is available without unlocking the phone. 

Setting up emergency information:

To set up the information (with contact names and medical information), your Android phone may do this one or more ways:

1.   Settings>Safety and Emergency (Pixel phone)

2.   Settings>About phone> Emergency information

3.   Contacts>groups>Emergency contacts

4.   Click on the pencil to edit the contacts

5.   Tap on the + Add member to add a contact

6.   Click on the red line next to the contact to delete

7.   Don’t forget to save.

To edit medical info, go back a step to “emergency contacts” and click on Medical conditions.  You can then add any conditions that the emergency crew would need.

Using Emergency call from a locked phone:

1.   Swipe up

2.   Tap on Emergency call (instead of entering passcode)

3.   You will see that you can call 911 or any of the emergency contacts.

4.   You can also select “medical info” at the bottom of the screen.

Make sure that you have included contact information and medical information for potential problems!

In an emergency, you might need to get quickly to help.  Tapping 5 times on the side button will automatically connect you to 911.  (Be careful when testing this.  

Your phones may be different.  This website provides instructions for a variety of Android phones.  Take a look if you are stuck.

Put a message on your lock screen

Some people choose to put information on the lock screen, such as instructions on what to do if the phone is found.  This will vary depending on the type of phone. But generally:

Go to settings >Tap Display > Advanced > Lock screen display>  Lock screen message.

Or Go to settings> lock screen>contact information

iPhone

Emergency Services

You can summon emergency help quickly by pressing and holding the side button as well as either the up or down volume button.  Keep squeezing until the Emergency SOS initiates.  You can wait for the countdown to finish or slide across to call Emergency services.  Make sure that you have enabled this in settings (Settings>Emergency SOS>Auto call).  You can also look at some of the other Emergency settings while in this setting.

Emergency Contacts and Medical information

You should have emergency contacts and important information on your phone, which can then be accessed by EMTs from a locked screen.  You can do both of this in the Health app.  To create and edit information, go to settings>health>medical id.  From there, click edit to modify what is there, and to create or delete emergency contacts.  You should also enable Medical ID when locked (EMTs can tap emergency from a locked phone and then select Medical ID).  Also enable Share during emergency call .  

Health app

Finding Emergency contacts on a lock screen (iPhone)

From locked screen, click on Emergency.  Review this video for how to complete this information.

Other things to try

Do Not Disturb: Managing notifications to avoid disturbances during rest times. This is done through the control center.

·         iPhone:  Swipe down from the upper right.  Look for “focus”.  Tap once to turn on the do not disturb option.

·         Android:  Swipe down from upper right.  Look for “do not disturb”.  Tap once to turn it on.

Health Apps: Tracking physical activity, heart rate, medication reminders (Health app on iPhone, Google Fit on Android).

iPhone:  Go to the “Health” app (with the heart in the upper right corner).  View the options. 

Android:  Go to the Google Play Store and Download the official “Google Fit” app.  Sign in with your Google ID.  Provide permissions to track.  Set up goals. Use app to add more features.

Ride-Sharing Apps: Using Uber or Lyft for transportation. 

Lyft:

·         Download the official app

·         Set up profile.  Note account settings.

·         Set up automatic payment

·         View settings for more options.

Uber:

·         Set up payment

·         Go to account for more information

·         Go to settings for more

·         Note Uber Eats as a way to order food online

Public Transit Apps: Real-time public transportation schedules and routes.

·         Google maps:  Select destination.  Tap on “Directions”.  Click on the image of the bus.

·         Apple maps:  Select destination.  Tap on “Directions”.  Click on the image of the bus.

Reminders: Setting reminders to manage daily activities.

Using reminder app: (iPhone)

·         Go to the home screen

·         Note:  You may have an option for iCloud, as well as others such as Outlook.  Keeping it on iCloud will allow you to see them from multiple devices.  (Make sure and save reminders to the cloud)

·         Add reminder by tapping on the bottom (New Reminder)

·         Create a different list by tapping “add list” to the bottom

Using Google Keep (Android)

·         Open app

·         Click on the plus sign at the bottom right of the page.

·         Provide title and note

·         Click on the bell to set up a notification

·         Click on the 3 lines to see more


Shopping Apps: Grocery delivery

·         Options include DoorDash, Instacart , Amazon Fresh and various supermarkets

·         You will have to sign up and provide a credit card for payment

·         Some businesses will have a delivery fee, while others may be free.  In some cases, you can pay a yearly fee and have free delivery

·         Not only groceries, but also retail, convenience, pets and more.

·         NOTE:  A great option when traveling, or if you want to surprise someone in a different state with a nice cake.  (I did this)




Video:  Great video, but you may want to create your account directly with Instagram (instead of using his link).  Here is the link to Instacart to set up your account.