Bypass Frequented Automated Messages

I learned something new about my phone yesterday and wanted to share it.  What cool things have you learned recently?

I was calling someone the other day who works at an office and had their extension.  As I was putting their extension number into a different "work number" area on my phone, I took a look at the +*# on the bottom left corner.  I then noticed a pause and wait function and low and behold these are two great functions that have a lot of potential.

The purpose of these two functions are pretty intuitive and have great potential:

Pause- a comma appears and then you can type a number.  

-This is used when you have to get through the same system often.  The first number is dialed, in my case the 800 number and then a pause for it to start ringing and then the next number.  

Practical Use: Calling your work office, credit card company or bank- Instead of listening to the same automated messaging system over and over every time you call, write the number sequence down once and then insert pauses followed by the right number.

• Example: 800-555-5555,2,3,1,1 This looks a little weird but instead of listening to the choices your phone automatically dials the right sequence with the right amount of pauses so the other side connects properly! So cool!  
• Side note, the more commas/pauses you put in the longer the number takes to auto dial.

Wait- a semicolon shows up and after dialing the main number you have the option to dial the next number with the press of a button.

-This is used to dial a series of numbers when you know it to be right.  Some systems you need to listen to for updates or new information and then you want to dial an extension.  The dial number shows up on the bottom right corner for when you are ready to use it.

Practical Use: Calling the HR department of your large company and needing to talk to John.  In his contact card on your phone, put the HR department's number along with a wait (;) and then his extension. After you press the number, then you have the option of dialing his extension whenever you want.

Theoretically these two things are interchangeable.  I will be using this for my Real Estate agent, credit card company, and bank phone numbers so that I don't have to work my way through everything every time.  

How will you use this cool short cut that is already built into your smartphone?

Do be Square

Wouldn't it be nice to never have to worry about forgetting your wallet or not get ripped off by those "convenient" ATMs when at a fun street event?  I really don't like having to pay a "$3 convenience fee" to eat lunch at a food vendor that doesn't accept credit cards.  With today's technology and generation plastic payment is a norm and a convenience.  In my mind it is not smart for companies to inconvenience their potential clients/customers/guests by making them have to have cash or go to an ATM to purchase something.

This is a great solution 

Imagine walking into your local coffee shop, where they know you by name, and forgetting your wallet.  You think, "I left it back in the office!" Then you remember that you can pay with your phone!  What a convenience and a great customer focus some companies are getting.  Starbucks and many local shops are adapting this cool new technology, in a very safe manner.

Square and Pay with Square is an up and coming company that I hope merchants and individuals alike will take advantage of.  The idea is that you can accept credit card payment right on the spot.  Practical example: Out to dinner with a large group of friends and the establishment won't split the check?  You pay with your rewards card and have all of your friends pay you back with cash or their credit card!

Square takes out a very small percentage: 2.75 to be exact when you use their free card reader.  This can be added onto your friends/colleagues tab they have accumulated from dinner (for every $10 its $0.28, not much).  They have also developed a swipe-less app, Pay with Square, which keeps you from ever having to take your credit card out of your wallet and risk loosing it!  Its an app that you log in to, open a tab wherever you are, and tell them what you want.  When you're done, open the app on your smart phone and add a tip and close your tab after reviewing your receipt!  Its that simple.

My biggest pull for this is for farmer's market vendors, food trucks, anyone that wants to offer a convenient way for clients to purchase their goods/services.  Why wouldn't a company adapt to this generation and technology to bring in more profit!  I really think that the more of us "normal" people request this service/use these conveniences, the better because it pays off in the end: Merchants being to accept all forms of payment and customers not being up-charged ATM fees!

I think this is something that is a great step for everyone, what are you thoughts?  Would you like to never have to worry about forgetting your wallet in the car or at the office and be able to get what you have waited for in line?

Being Smart with your Smart Phone

I have an iPhone that I really enjoy using.  Its something that I wanted for a long time and saved up for.  Smart phones today are becoming more and more of a necessity: Business, personal, keeping up with friends.  There are so many uses for these handheld computers and we put so much trust in this little device, to lose it, or worse have it stolen, would make us freak out.  

There are three settings that I enabled, that are really easy to set up, that without them, I have no hope, but with them I have some hope for: recovering a lost/stolen phone and/or recovering my data. 
*This is mainly for iPhone users running iOS5

Too Long Didn't Read: Summary of what is to come

1) Find my iPhone- Get your phone back if it is lost or stolen

2) Passcode Lock- Keep others out of your personal information

3) iCloud- Recover your data/backups if anything happens to your device 

Number One: Find my iPhone

In my mind, this is must have to protect your investment*.  To provide any chance of recovering a stolen phone this must be turned on.  In order to have this you have to have iCloud set up and if you are running iOS 5, it most likely is turned on.  This will also allow you to have your phone make a sound if it is lost in your house! 

It settings > iCloud > Find My iPhone > On

 

For a great free way of tracking any of your apple products down download the Find My iPhone App

*By the Way, in case you ever lose your phone or get it stolen and chose not to turn this on, your phone is not "only $200." You pay ATT/Verizon/Sprint that subsidized cost by signing up for a 2 year contract.  The value of an iPhone starts at $649.  You won't be able to get a new phone for less than that within two years (carriers can offer discounts to loyal customers prior to the full commitment has been reached in some situations)

Number Two: Turn on Passcode Lock

I strongly recommend enabling this feature because it will help keep your information safe.  I have my Mint.com account, and bank/credit card apps on my iPhone and I would rather people not have the freedom to look at that.  This is a security feature that can prevent others from accessing your phone right away and can potentially turn off a thief because they know it will be harder to manipulate your device. 

Settings > General > Passcode Lock > Turn Passcode Lock On (1) > Enter in a unique 4 Digit Passcode > Reenter the same passcode.  

Next time you press the sleep awake button you have to put in your passcode.

    

One thing that I enabled, that I have grown to enjoy is found in number 2) Require Passcode After __ Minutes.  This is great for when I accidentally press the Sleep/Awake button or had just set it down and got another text message.  Keeps me from having to constantly put in my 4 numbers.  I think a minute is great for most.  I use 5 because I tend to go back to my phone within that amount of time.

Number 3: iCloud

I have heard of some people saying they don't understand the cloud or what its purpose is.  I have found this to be of extreme benefit for me.  The purpose: To be able to access your backed up data from the internet (Wifi or 3G/LTE).  Backing up your phone is a must and many people are disappointed when the worst of the worst happens: Lost/Stolen device, Water Damage, Freak accident and your logic board on your device crashes (that happened to me).  "iCloud backs up your iOS device daily over Wi-Fi when it’s connected to a power source." Apple's Website.  I believe there is no reason not to enable this.

For more information on all that it can do:  Apple iCloud

I hope that you consider these setting adjustments because I want you to protect the investment that you have made.