Adding RAM to PC
Linda reported that she had managed to add an additional 4GB of RAM to the existing 4GB on her Windows Desktop PC. This seems to have noticeably increased system speed.
Dial 159 for Scam Prevention
A new 3-digit phone number is being trialled in the UK, to add to well-known 3-digit services such as 999, 111, 101, etc. The idea is to provide a secure way of contacting your bank if, for example, you have just received a call from someone claiming to be from your bank. You should put the phone down and then, preferably from another phone, call the bank back. This new service saves you having to find the bank's number (e.g. by looking at the back of a bank card). At the moment, only Barclays, Lloyds (inc Halifax), NatWest/RBS, Santander and Starling are in the scheme, but it is hoped that other banks will soon join. 159 should work across most of the landline and mobile telephone companies. When you call 159, you will hear a menu and you can press the appropriate number to be connected to your bank, or press "0" if your bank is not mentioned to speak to an operator.
See this Which? article for more:-
https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/09/can-the-new-159-anti-fraud-hotline-stop-impersonation-scams/
We discussed that Caller ID spoofing is something that scammers can easily do. So, you cannot trust that the Caller ID that appears on your phone is correct.
Windows 11
Windows 11 started to roll out to eligible PCs from 5th October. To read more about it and check if your PC is eligible, go to this Microsoft site:-
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/windows-11
Scroll down toward the bottom of the page where it says “Check for compatibility” to download the PC Health Check app. Run the app and click the Check now button to see if your PC meets the requirements to upgrade to Windows 11.
However, there is no rush to upgrade to Windows 11. Most users should probably wait until the option to upgrade pops up on their PC. Windows 10 will continue to be updated and supported until 14 Oct 2025.
Some proposed features of Windows 11, such as the ability to run Android apps, will not be available for some time. Eventually, the Amazon app store (as found on Amazon Fire tablets) will be available in the Microsoft Store.
iOS 15
In June, Apple held its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) which included announcements about iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 and these were released on 20 September. See this article for more details:-
https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ios-15/
There are a number of changes to FaceTime, including the ability to create a link to a FaceTime meeting (similar to a Zoom link). You can send these links by email or messaging, including to Windows and Android users who can open the links via their web browser, allowing non-Apple users to participate in a FaceTime call for the first time.
You can now add widgets anywhere on your Home Screens and the App Library, which was introduced on the iPhone with iOS14, now comes to iPadOS 15.
iPhone 13
On September 14th, Apple announced a new range of iPhones:-
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 Mini
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
See this article for more detail:-
https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-13/
They also released a new iPad, the iPad 9 and an iPad Pro 9 – see here for more:-
https://www.whathifi.com/advice/ipad-9-2021-release-date-price-specs-and-all-the-latest-rumours
As Tony mentioned, there are already reports that Apple may have to cut its production of these new devices due to the global chip shortage - see this Reuters article from earlier today:-
https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-set-slash-iphone-production-due-chip-crunch-bloomberg-news-2021-10-12/
iCloud Price Plans
Apple also changed the name of its subscription plans for increased storage, calling them iCloud+. When you subscribe for extra storage you also get some additional features – see here for details:-
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201238
For example, the Hide My Email feature allows you to generate random email addresses. Anything sent to that address will still arrive in your Inbox, but your actual email address stays private. See this Apple article for more:-
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210425
If you want to use Hide My Email, this article explains how:-
https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/04/how-to-hide-my-email-on-iphone-and-ipad/
The previous Sign in with Apple function was available when signing in to some sites and offered a Hide My Email option which would apply to that site. The new Hide My Email in iOS15 will allow you to send an email, using the Mail app, from one of your random email aliases.
Android 12
Android 12 was officially released on 4th October, but it will take a few weeks before it arrives on any phones. This site reveals some of the new features that Android 12 will bring:-
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-12-features-1195735/
End of 2G and 3G Mobile
We mentioned last time that the traditional PSTN landline system would be phased out in the UK by the end of 2025. Brian also pointed out that the 2G and 3G mobile technologies will also be phased out over the coming years. This is something that is likely to happen in other parts of the world as telecoms operators seek to expand their capacity to offer 5G. This Reuters article suggests that EE (which is owned by BT) will cease supporting 3G by early 2023:-
https://www.reuters.com/technology/britains-bt-phase-out-3g-next-two-years-it-ramps-5g-2021-07-14/
Curiously, this article from June this year, quotes the Minister for Digital Infrastructure, Matt Warman, saying "we are not aware of any announcements by mobile network operators regarding the timescales of their potential 2G/3G switch-off":-
https://www.publictechnology.net/articles/news/minister-pledges-%E2%80%98clear-roadmap%E2%80%99-scaling-back-2g-and-3g-networks
Distorted Zoom Image
Brian has an on-going issue where his own image on the Zoom screen has vertical distortion, although the image received by the other meeting participants is OK. I have no idea why. If Brian finds a solution, it would be interesting to know what it is.
Using Skype for the Next Computer Club Meeting
Skype has improved its video meeting facility over the last year or so. While it lacks some of the features of Zoom and has one or two quirks, it has the advantage of handling meetings of up to 50 participants for up to 4 hours per session with the free version.
I would like to try using Skype for the November Computer Club.
You need to install the Skype app on your device. On iOS or Android, you can get the app from the app store. On Windows, Mac or Linux, you can download it from here:-
https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/
I will create a meeting link and email it to you, just as I have been doing for Zoom.
You will click/tap the link.
If prompted, click/tap Open Skype and tick the Always allow box.
You can join as a Guest (enter your name and click Join conversation) or sign in with your Microsoft/Skype account.
Wait for the Skype app to start up, then click/tap Join Meeting.
(You can also join via your browser without installing the app if, for example, you are using a Chromebook.)
Next Session
Wed 10th November 2021 at 2 pm by Skype.
