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The best technology for keeping in touch

<p>One of the best parts of the technological age we are now living in is the advent of communications technology, which can help keep us connected to our loved ones. Up until relatively recently, “staying in touch” with a loved one interstate or overseas would have meant an STD phone call and/or a letter. As the Internet and more advanced connectivity became common-place, long distance phone calls may have morphed into texts and hand written communication into emails which allowed for more “real time” connection and commentary and the sharing of events as they happened as opposed to a few days or weeks later. In the here and now, technology has advanced far beyond the humble text or email to make it easier than ever to be an active part of your loved ones lives, even if they live 24 hours away.  Here are our favourite options for keeping in touch:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Skype</strong> – Video calls from your computer has made seeing your loved ones on a regular basis easier than ever. The majority of desktop and laptop computers are equipped with both a microphone and webcam meaning that all your really need to do is download the free Skype software and follow the easy instructions for setting up your account. Once you’ve done this you are able to find your loved ones, see when they are online and catch up via video whenever you like.</li> <li><strong>Facebook</strong> – If you’ve taken the leap into social media and enjoy using Facebook then the messenger app is a great way to stay in touch with friends and relatives whenever and wherever you are. A popular way to do this is by setting up a ‘group chat’ in messenger. You can do this by adding friends through your friends list. Once your private chat group is set up you can start chatting! This allows you to ‘talk’ in real time, share images and video and stay connected wherever you may be in the world.</li> <li><strong>Tapestry</strong> – One for the iPhone/iPad/iPod users. Tapestry is a specifically designed app for connecting over-60s with their loved ones. It helps simplify the online world to make it more accessible for the less tech savvy amongst us through its easy to use user interface (actually called “simplicity”) which allows users to view images/videos/messages from their loved ones whenever and wherever they like. The app is also completely ‘closed’ meaning it is private and secure and can connect large numbers of family/friends easily.</li> <li><strong>FaceTime</strong> – If you’ve got an iPhone, FaceTime calls are a simple and effective way to chat to friends and relatives in real time. A FaceTime call is basically a video call made directly from your phone. The bonus is that it is in high definition and the sound quality is usually excellent. You also don’t need to be at home/at a computer to use it.</li> </ol> <p>Tell us, do you use any of the above programs? How do you like to stay in touch with friends and loved ones? Share in the details below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/technology/2016/05/hints-for-using-gmail/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 hints for using Gmail</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/technology/2016/05/tips-to-prolong-your-smartphones-battery-life/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Tips to prolong your smartphone's battery life</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/technology/2016/04/simple-tricks-for-tech-problems/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Simple tricks for tech problems</strong></em></span></a></p>

Technology

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Army dad watches his quadruplets born from 6,000 miles away over FaceTime

<p>Army captain, Anthony Burch, had been deployed with the U.S. Army in South Korea while his wife, Mary Pat, was due to give birth to quadruplets.</p> <p>Now it’s not every day you see a mobile phone present while someone is in labour, but this was a time of despair for the father to be, who called up the hospital his wife was at to use an app called FaceTime, which enables you to look at the person you’re calling. In this case, Captain Burch was able to see not only his wife, but the birth of his three boys and one daughter who entered the world, healthy happy and safely.</p> <p>Captain Burch is set to return home to Illinois for good during the summer to be with his wife, the babies, and their other two-year-old daughter.</p> <p>In case you were wondering, the pair had always wanted a big family but were extremely shocked when they found out they were having quadruplets, who could ask for a better surprise!</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/12/life-lessons-from-grandparents/">Top 10 life lessons kids learn from grandparents</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/5-types-of-grandparents/">There are 5 different types of grandparents – which one are you?</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/parents-and-kids-who-look-identical/">10 pics of parents and kids who look identical</a></em></strong></span></p>

News

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Do you use FaceTime (aka the new Skype)? Here’s a how-to guide

<p>Move over Skype, Apple’s FaceTime is the new kid on the block for free calls and video-chatting with friends and families abroad. While Skype is a great resource, there have been criticisms levelled at it: frequent disconnections, poor video quality and delays. The free FaceTime, for the most part, is considered more reliable, trouble-free, clearer and faster. Why don’t you be the judge and try it out?</p><p><a href="/lifestyle/technology/2014/06/how-to-communicate-with-your-loved-ones-online/" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Related link - Find more ways to communicate with loved ones</span></strong></em></a></p><p><strong>How to get started</strong></p><p>FaceTime is free and available on almost all Apple devices (iPhone 4 or later, iPad 2 or later, Mac computer and iPod touch 4 or later)</p><p>To enable FaceTime on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch go to Settings &gt; FaceTime (you may have to scroll down) &gt; Tap the on/off slider. Sign in with your Apple ID.</p><p><strong>How to make a FaceTime call</strong></p><p>There are a couple of ways of initiating a FaceTime call. Remember, your friend or family member must have FaceTime to call them.</p><ul><li>Go to your contacts page and choose the person you want to call. Instead of clicking their mobile number, there will be an option to choose FaceTime.</li><li>Open the FaceTime app, click contacts on the bottom right and choose someone from your list to call.</li></ul><p>While FaceTime is a great free resource, remember it uses internet mobile data. Use a Wi-Fi network when you’re FaceTiming!</p><p>Related links:</p><p><a href="/lifestyle/technology/2015/01/how-to-use-emoji/" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A guide to using Emoji on your phone&nbsp;</span></strong></em></a></p><p><a href="/lifestyle/technology/2015/01/how-to-use-emoji/" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">3 easy ways to back up your photos on your phone and tablet&nbsp;</span></strong></em></a></p><p><a href="/lifestyle/technology/2015/01/back-up-photos/" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tools to turn you into a tech-savvy senior NOW&nbsp;</span></strong></em></a></p>

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