Our children know I like gadgets so we have been gifted quite a few items, Ring doorbell, various Alexa devices, and smart cameras for security. Since my wife has a pacemaker, her cardiologist gets regular downloads of data, which is really amazing to me. My hearing aids are managed by my phone, and I even get updated programs for them to my phone and then by blue tooth to the hearing aids. My smart watch recently provided my doctor incite to my health so that they are treating AFIB that I didn't know I had. Some of these things are really advantageous as we age.
Other technology in the home
- Thread starter TennVet
- Start date
Happyflowerlady
Vagabond Flowerchild
- Location
- Northern Alabama
I am a Gadget Girl, and especially enjoy my iPad and Apple Watch. It is how my doctor knew that I needed the pacemaker, because it was showing that my heart rate was dropping down into the low 40’s and then into the 30’s. When I showed my doctor what the apple watch was tracking, he said it was time for the pacemaker.
It has the fall detection, oxygen sensor, and tracks all my activities, so I have most of my health information right on my iPhone. I think that having a smart phone and activity tracker watch is something that every senior should have, but I realize that many seniors are not interested in doing that.
It has the fall detection, oxygen sensor, and tracks all my activities, so I have most of my health information right on my iPhone. I think that having a smart phone and activity tracker watch is something that every senior should have, but I realize that many seniors are not interested in doing that.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
yes I've got a lot too. Amazon Echo..(alexa).. Google Home Hub Nest... Hive to control all the lights and heating with one click on my phone...
Iphone, Mac Computer... Ipad ( )..latest Max Fire 11 tablet... and so on...
Roadwarrior
Member
I went back to a flip phone coupla months ago, never got into the smartphone much. More of a bother to me. Do have a laptop & watch my budget but not obsessively, have hearing aids that use bluetooth (wish I could shut that down). More of a deal breaker in my marriage. Gave my kindle to my G-Daughter after I cancelled Prime last spring, She still uses it.
I'm locked in at $45 a month lifetime (or until they decide to change) with my DSL ISP, keep getting promos to increase my connection speed, Why? I'm retired with time to wait. My memory's not a problem it's hearing loss I have issues with, subtitles solved most of that.
When working our company got into the Franklin day planners, real PITA. Although I did occasionally use the notebook paper, for notes I couldn't find when needed. Usually it sat in my vehicle, unused. I don't need or want constant reminders about my time wasting activities I'm engaged in. Google's got me covered there.
I'm locked in at $45 a month lifetime (or until they decide to change) with my DSL ISP, keep getting promos to increase my connection speed, Why? I'm retired with time to wait. My memory's not a problem it's hearing loss I have issues with, subtitles solved most of that.
When working our company got into the Franklin day planners, real PITA. Although I did occasionally use the notebook paper, for notes I couldn't find when needed. Usually it sat in my vehicle, unused. I don't need or want constant reminders about my time wasting activities I'm engaged in. Google's got me covered there.
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I actually have an antenna for a tv in my study and it barely works. It was my experiment that failed.
I haven't gotten into controlling lights or thermostats with my phone. I do control my hearing aids with my phone or watch. Our WIFI router gives us good coverage throughout the house, but my shop is located in a metal detached garage and gets no signal. I have been trying to figure out a way to get WIFI in that area so I can use some gadgets out there.
My wife always says she sees no need for high tech gadgets, she thought my iPhone was just too much. One birthday I got her an iPhone, at first she thought it was too much money, and too complicated. Boy has that changed. She didn't see how an Apple watch could do anything for anyone. I got her a series 5 watch a few years ago and she soon wanted more things to work on it. Recently, I upgraded her to a series 9 watch in a larger face size. She found someone who starts their car with their watch. I think I only have myself to blame.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
yes being in a metal garage, you're essentially in a Faraday cage.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Good for her .
TBH is it hadn't been for my estranged husband who is always way ahead of people with technology.. and who talked me into having things I didn't know I needed..I wouldn't be with all the gadgets I have today. However I'm going to have to rely on my Daughter now to keep me updated on new technology.. she was born towards the latter part of Gen X..so she's barely known a time without computers..
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There are wifi extenders available but not knowing the layout of your land, it is not an easy answer. And as Holly said, the metal workshop does not help. Here is a link that easily explains the extenders without trying to sell you anything.
Do WiFi Range Extenders Really Work? Uncovering the Truth
Happyflowerlady
Vagabond Flowerchild
- Location
- Northern Alabama
If you only need to connect now and then, you might be able to just use the hotspot on your phone to go online when you are in the shop. If you have an unlimited data plan for the phone, then you can connect that way as often as you want to.
One other option is setting up a hotspot. I don't know how often you would need to use WIFI in your shed but if it's not that often then it is worth looking into. Some carriers do offer a free hotspot option up to a certain amount of data. However if you are planning to use a lot of data it probably is not a very good option.
Great minds...lol
I have a dead spot or a problem spot, if you will, in my house. It's extremely annoying to get kicked off the internet. I tried a wifi extender but I don't believe it's helping. My router is in the basement.
Sciguy
Member
Your reception depends on a number of factors - type and placement of antenna, location of your house relative to the broadcast towers, frequency, etc. My antenna is homemade with thick copper wire and is hung near a window.
dilettante
Well-known Member
- Location
- Michigan
People seem to be confused about simple home networking.
Usually your WiFi client device can tell you when it has no connection to the access point or when the router can't reach the Internet.
Yellow stars are points where the wireless signal can be interrupted. Red stars show points where an actual Internet connection has been interrupted.
One of the easy ways to tell the difference is to try to hit the router's administrative page on its built-in mini web server. If you can reach that from a WiFi client but not reach the outside world you might try rebooting your "modem" device but it may well be a carrier outage outside your home.
If you suspect dead spots in WiFi signal coverage, moving the device to another place in your home (perhaps closer) should help confirm or debunk that suspicion.
Usually your WiFi client device can tell you when it has no connection to the access point or when the router can't reach the Internet.
Yellow stars are points where the wireless signal can be interrupted. Red stars show points where an actual Internet connection has been interrupted.
One of the easy ways to tell the difference is to try to hit the router's administrative page on its built-in mini web server. If you can reach that from a WiFi client but not reach the outside world you might try rebooting your "modem" device but it may well be a carrier outage outside your home.
If you suspect dead spots in WiFi signal coverage, moving the device to another place in your home (perhaps closer) should help confirm or debunk that suspicion.
