Microsoft
Duo
I
mentioned this at the Computer Club on 24 June:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2020_06_21_archive.html
Essentially, it is a dual-screen Android phone pre-loaded with all the Microsoft apps. It is an expensive device with a US price of $1,399, so I am not expecting any of you to rush out and buy one. However, as the first computer produced by Microsoft to run the Android operating system, rather than Windows, it represents an interesting landmark in Microsoft's history.
The
release date is now scheduled as 10th September 2020. Microsoft have released this promotional
video:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqRKOY4Cgvw&feature=youtu.be
I think Microsoft see this as the introduction of a whole new form-factor for a computer device. It remains to be seen how widely this will be adopted and whether any other manufacturers will follow suit.
Zoom Virtual Background
Phil raised the issue that the Virtual Background option on a Zoom video call was not always available, and the choice of backgrounds differed between users. The feature is accessed when on a Zoom call by clicking on the up-arrow on the camera symbol (lower left) and selecting Choose Virtual Background. However, the choice of default backgrounds available varied between the users, with some having none available. I'm not sure why the default backgrounds differ - it may depend on the device, whether you are logged it or not, etc. However, if you open the Zoom app and go to Settings (cog, top right on PC), Background & Filters, you will see the current Virtual Backgrounds. Click the plus sign to add images stored on your device. You can search for additional images on the Internet.
Phil also mentioned that you can change the video image to HD in Zoom. Head to Settings again and select Video and tick Enable HD. Using HD would take up more bandwidth, so only do this if you have a good Internet connection.
Smart TVs
This discussion began with Margaret saying she could access ITV Hub on one smart TV, but not on another. Smart TVs are, in effect, computers running apps. In this case, there is an app for the ITV Hub. All the software on a smart TV needs to be kept up to date - in this case, the non-working TV may have an out-of-date app. In the TV settings menu, there is an option to update the software and, usually, an option can be turned on to update automatically - I would recommend you do this to keep everything up to date.
To use functions such as iPlayer, ITV Hub, Netflix, etc on a smart TV, it has to be connected to the Internet. If possible, it is much better to connect the TV using a network cable, rather than using wi-fi. While it can be inconvenient to get a cable from your router to your TV, an alternative which is almost as good is to use a pair of powerline adapters. Powerline adapters transfer the network signals onto the mains wiring of the house, making a wired network available anywhere there is a 13A mains socket.
Some older TVs are no longer compatible with the technology now used by modern streaming services. A simple solution to this is to purchase a Roku or Amazon Fire stick. These connect to an HDMI port on the TV and provide all the necessary "smart" functions. So you can use these devices to make an old non-smart TV smart. These plug-in devices usually connect to the network using wi-fi, so need to have an adequate wi-fi signal available. If your TV is some distance from your router, you can still use a powerline adapter, but one which has a wi-fi access point at the end near the TV - for example, this one:-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-WPA4220KIT-Powerline-Broadband-Configuration-UK/dp/B01LXOZ4EN/ref=sr_1_3?crid=4ROLTDTKH6BA&dchild=1&keywords=powerline+wifi+extender&qid=1598520038&sprefix=powerline+%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-3
2.4GHz & 5GHz Networks
The discussion on smart TVs led on to talking about wi-fi signal strength and the 2 network frequencies on modern networks.
Some years ago, all wireless internet transmission (wi-fi) used the 2.4GHz frequency. As we have ever more connected devices, the 2.4GHz band has become more and more crowded. Essentially, there are more and more devices all trying to talk at the same time. For a device to communicate on the wi-fi network, it has to wait for a gap in the surrounding 'conversation' before it can 'speak'. So, busy, crowded networks run more slowly. 5GHz introduced a new spectrum for some devices to use and it helps to reduce this crowding effect. 5GHz can transmit data quicker, but not as far a 2.4GHz. A 5GHz signal will have difficulty penetrating a thick wall, for example. But this is good, as it prevents signals from neighbouring houses adding to the 'crowding' effect. When connecting a device to wi-fi, you may be able to choose the 2.4 or 5GHz band, whichever you feel would work best.
Mesh routers can help with the distribution of wi-fi around your house. Rather than one physical router, a mesh router consists of a number of physical nodes which, collectively make up the router. This can help to distribute the wi-fi, especially the low-distance 5GHz, fairly equally throughout your house. Many manufacturers now provide mesh routers, this article looks at some of them:-
https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/networks/1406868/best-mesh-wifi-routers-boost-the-range-of-your-home-wi-fi
It is possible to use a simple wi-fi extender to try to cover a dead-spot in your house, but while these increase the distance the signal can travel, they halve the speed, so are much inferior to a mesh system.
Wi-Fi Analyser Apps
To test the strength of your wi-fi at various points around your house, you can use an app on your phone. I have used an app called WiFi Analyzer on my Android phone for some years:-
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&hl=en_GB
After the meeting, I found this recent guide to the best WiFi Analyzer Apps and Tools on Windows, Android, iOS, MacOS and Linux:-
https://www.comparitech.com/net-admin/wifi-analyzers/
Scam Phone Calls
Scams, of course, continue. When you get a recorded message call which asks you to press a key - just put the phone down. If you press any button, that just confirms you are a human responding and you will get more calls!
Smart House
We had a brief discussion on smart devices in homes. Phil had set up some smart home devices. A smart speaker allows you to control many of these gadgets by voice commands. Adding simple smart switches to lamps, for example, allows you to switch them on and off as required by voice command. Some of you may recall that we had some discussion on smart home devices together with a simple demonstration back at the Computer Club in October 2018:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2018_10_07_archive.html
You can also set up routines on your Alexa to schedule things to turn on or off at particular times. If you have network-connected thermostats for your central heating (e.g. Nest or Hive), you can ask Alexa to increase or decrease the temperature, etc.
2-Factor Authentication (2FA)
We had a discussion based around my document on this subject which you can find on my web site under the Tech Hints & Tips tab:-
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ky6fsywsv1u07tm/2-Factor%20Authentication.pdf?dl=0
In particular, it is prudent to set up 2FA on the more important accounts, such as your main email. Remember that your email address is often used by many other accounts as a route to reset passwords, so a hacker getting control of your email could potentially reset other account passwords.
The document mentions the use of authentication apps, such as Authy (which is my favourite). Once set up, these apps run on your phone and generate passcodes which change every 30 seconds. You can use these codes, even if your phone is not receiving a mobile signal and would not, therefore, be able to receive a code via SMS.
When you log in to a service for the first time in a browser, you will have to enter the 2FA code. You may find a tick box which indicates that you will not need to use a 2FA code in future in this particular browser on this device. You have to decide on the balance of risk versus convenience in judging whether to tick this box or not. Note that, if you clear the cookies from that browser, you will have to use 2FA the next time you log in.
Banks usually have their own methods for 2FA which can be a device used in combination with your Debit Card and PIN. If you have the bank's app on your phone, this may generate the necessary code if you wish to log in on a PC.
Next Session
Wed 9th
September 2020 at 2 pm by Zoom.
