Frank's Easy Tech Corner- Intro
Providing simple DIY tech solutions for your smartphone and smart home
If you are looking for easy-to-setup technology to make your smartphone more “usable” or make your home “smarter,” this could be the place for you.
While there are many “Do-it-yourself” (DIY) articles and YouTube videos, most of them require a lot of hardware and software along with complex setup instructions, and then they expect you to become the in-home tech support person!
I have previously written several articles and created YouTube videos, but many readers have expressed an interest in “easier solutions.”
Frank’s Easy Tech Corner is focused on providing simple solutions; some even remove the need for smartphone apps, hubs, Wi-Fi… or even an Internet provider!
The solutions are geared towards helping those with visual impairment, hearing loss, dexterity issues, or persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The solutions are based on an Apple iPhone/iPad, Amazon Echo Devices, and Amazon Fire TVs.
Issues will be published monthly
Upcoming topics will include:
Automated Lighting
· Time of day routines
· Motion and Presence sensors
· Pathway lighting
· Detection of home exit & return
Voice Assistants
· Apple Siri and Amazon Alexa
· Control of lighting and devices
· Yes/No responses on time-of-day Apple Shortcuts
Item and Device Finders
· Apple Find My app and AirTags
Hard of Hearing
· Visual indications of sounds
o Doorbell
o Water running
o Appliance finished
o Email and message received
· Use of a comfortable neckband speaker versus in-ear AirPods
Visual impairment
· Spoken notifications of displayed information
o iPhone/iPad speaking notifications through speaker
· iPhone Lidar descriptions
Dexterity issues
· Large buttons with automation routines
Household Items:
· Wall outlet expander with shelf
· Automated trash can lid
Entertainment
· Fire TV
o Streaming video
· Photo Slide Show
· Audible books
Communication
· FaceTime
o On Apple TV
· Alexa Calling
o With Drop in
Hi Frank
Good to hear about Easy Tech Corner.
I have been teaching a course at Stanford for the past 17 years
called Perspectives in Assistive Technology that explores the
design and use of devices that help people with disabilities
and older adults. Students work in teams to fabricate prototype
functional devices that address a problem / challenges / struggle
experienced by local folks.
Here is the course website:
http://engr110.stanford.edu
and the latest issue of the course newsletter
http://web.stanford.edu/class/engr110/Newsletter/2023-08-08.html
I am in continuous search for project suggestions for teams of
students to work on. Here are the project requirements:
http://web.stanford.edu/class/engr110/project-ideas.html
If you come across a suitable project challenge, please forward
it to me for consideration. Please note the requirement that a
person who would benefit from a solution would live locally
(nearby the Stanford campus).
Thanks so much and have an awesome day
Dave
Course Instructor
davejaffe@stanford.edu