Bob's Tech Talk
Q. I want to FaceTime with my mom and sister, but not all of us have iPhones. Is there a way people on Android or other phones can join a FaceTime call?
A. Yes! Both Android and Windows users can join a FaceTime call. This may require extra patience on your part to set up because the configurations are not automatic on non-Apple devices. You will need to make sure the other devices are new enough to support FaceTime calls, and the recipient may have to set some permissions to enable the microphone in the browser.
Carefully following the instructions on this page should lead to success: https://support.apple.com/en-us/109364.
FaceTime calls to Web browsers requires at least iOS 15 or macOS Monterey and one person in the group with an Apple device to initiate the call.
Ask your most tech-friendly family member to help you, or wait until you’re visiting them in person so you can see both ends of the conversation at once.
When you open the FaceTime app on iOS or Mac, there is a prominent button titled “Create Link.” Send the link via a text chat or email to the other party. The recipient should be able to click on the link and join the call.
In practice, it might not be that simple the very first time you try it. But once it is working, it should be quick and easy.
Q. Is it worth the expense to invest in travel chargers, even if I do not travel often?
A. My answer is always yes. Even if you travel infrequently, the logistics of packing gear for the road is a challenge.
Imagine you just arrived in your hotel room. The last thing you want to do is struggle setting up device chargers. Worse, if you forgot something, you may have to endure an expensive scavenger hunt to find a replacement.
Consider every device you bring on vacation. Cameras, tablets, smartphones, headphones, the list is long. There are standard connectors, but rarely does one size fits all. It is a complex mix.
The solution is to create a pre-packed go-bag. An ideal go-bag contains a complete set of chargers needed on the road.
You could do with a written packing list that specifies everything you need to take, but an already packed go-bag is an inexpensive luxury.
Start by making a list of all the items you typically bring on a trip. Note the cable, connector and power adapter it accepts.
Most chargers are dedicated to a single device, but there are a number of adapters that support multiple charging cables.
One of my favorites is the Anker line of chargers. They generally use a single wall outlet, and they have enough power to charge a watch, a phone and wireless headphones.
Q. I have multiple Apple IDs. Is there a way to merge them into a single address?
A. The AppleID system began in the previous century. The need to combine multiple accounts into a single account is the result of changes in how the AppleID is used. What began as a simple way to purchase music grew into an entire suite of services that depend on a valid AppleID.
For years it seemed Apple would never offer a solution, then we got Family Sharing, which helped new users avoid multiple IDs but it did not help early adopters.
Apple has finally released a method to migrate purchases from one AppleID into another. See support.apple.com/en-us/117294. This new migration feature comes with a long list of exceptions, restrictions, preparatory steps and warnings.
The typical problem migration solves is when you have two AppleIDs, and both of them contain purchased items.
AppleIDs are also connected to many other parts of the Apple ecosystem, so merging might not be the best option for you right now.
My advice is to wait at least a few months. There were a few rough edges at launch, enough to encourage me to hold off for a while. I recommend you wait as well.
Wander the Web
Here are my picks for worthwhile browsing this month:
How Privacy is Quietly Invaded by AI
theyseeyourphotos uses Google AI to demonstrate the amount of information a single photo can reveal about you. This is a great example of why you should limit access to your entire photo library. https://theyseeyourphotos.com/
Defending Civil Liberties in a Digital World
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has been around since 1990. Its primary mission is to address issues around privacy, free expression and legislation. http://www.eff.org
Road Trip
roadtrippers is a service to plan road trips. There are free and paid subscriptions offered, and it is accessible from the Web as well as apps from Google Play and the iPhone App Store.
Bob has been writing about technology for over three decades. He can be contacted at techtalk@bobdel.com.
