Based on these interactions we have compiled a list of six
things you should know about your device. Ranging from the more basic tasks
(how to connect to WiFi) to more complicated (bookmarks; remove apps) this list
is designed to help you get more comfortable using your device. Whether you
have an Apple product (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch); Android device (Samsung Galaxy,
Google Nexus, Kindle, etc.); or Windows 8 below are links to videos and
instructions that should simplify your life.
I.
Connect
to WiFi
How to connect to WiFi is one of
the most common problems new users have. In order to fully take advantage of
everything your device can do it must be connected to Internet. So learning how
to connect to WiFi, no matter where you are – home, library, hotel, café, etc.
– should be one of the first tasks a new user should learn. No matter what
device you have the process is simple. See below for more information.
o
How to connect to WiFi on Apple iPhone/iPad/iPod
touch:
o
How to connect to WiFi on an Android device
(like Samsung Galaxy, Google Nexus, etc.):
o
How to connect to WiFi on a Windows 8 device:
II.
Tabbed
Browsing
Nearly all browsers now offer tabbed
browsing – a feature that enables you to open multiple websites in a single
browser window. Open web pages in new tabs and toggle back and forth between
them. If used correctly it can greatly increase your web browsing speed. Chances
are you already use tabbed browsing and have not even noticed. Some devices
open a new tab every time you click on a link. This means you could have dozens
of open tabs and have either not noticed and don’t know how to get rid of them.
To learn more about tabbed browsing on your device – including how to close
open tabs – see the links below.
o
Tabbed Browsing Safari (Apple):
§
Quick tip – close multiple tabs quickly:
o
Tabbed Browsing Chrome (Android):
o
Tabbed Browsing Internet Explorer (Windows 8):
III.
Bookmarks
By using your web browser’s bookmarks
feature you can save shortcuts to your favorite web pages and navigate to them
in seconds from anywhere. Email, banking, news, social media – quickly access
these sites by adding a bookmark. Most browsers call them bookmarks; Internet
Explorer calls them Favorites. No matter the browser it takes just a couple
clicks to set up a bookmark.
o
Add Bookmarks to Safari (iPad):
o
Add Boomarks with Android Browser:
o
Adding Favorites in Internet Explorer (Windows
8): http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/add-view-organize-favorites#ie=ie-11
IV.
Delete or Remove Apps You Don’t Use
Your device’s manufacturer preloaded all
kinds of apps to your device before you purchased it. De-clutter your home
screen by removing apps you use infrequently. Free up storage space by deleting
apps that you never use.
o
Apple:
o
Android:
o
Windows Start Screen tutorial – organize tiles
and Pin/Unpin to Start: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/start-screen-tutorial
Now that your Home screen is
de-cluttered and you have freed up space by deleting apps you don’t use spend
some time exploring the App Store for apps you might use. Like free apps to get
free digital materials from the library – Hoopla
(movies, TV shows, music); Zinio
(digital magazines); and OverDrive Media
Console and Kindle
(e-books).
V.
Symbols
Because of the limited screen space tablets
and smart phones rely more and more on symbols. For example, to find the search
bar on most websites you no longer should look for a clearly labeled SEARCH
button. That has been almost universally replaced by a magnifying glass icon.
Click that magnifying glass and a search bar will appear. Menu, home, and share
are all icons as well. This can be a constant source of confusion for new
users. Eliminate frustration by getting familiar with these symbols.
o
Apple Menu Symbols:
§
Apple Status Bar Icons:
o
Android Notification Symbols: http://www.vincentabry.com/en/android-icons-and-notifications-symbols-2024
o
Various Share buttons. If you see something like
this tap on it for options to Share what you’re looking at via message, apps,
email, or social media:
VI.
Your Device is Loading
So you open your web browser, type in a web
address, and then click “Go”. Or you search for an app, and then tap “Install.”
It might not be obvious how to tell if your web page is loading or if that app
is installing. Instead of re-tapping “Go” or trying to reinstall the app look
for a status bar to ensure your device is loading.
o
Apple Loading Graphic. If you see this wheel know that your device is loading your request:
o
Android Loading Symbol:
So there you go. Master these six topics and time spent with your device will be much more enjoyable. We’d love to hear from you - Do you still have questions? What did we leave out? What essential tools
do you use with your device? Have you discovered a different way to
accomplish these tasks? Feel free to share in the
Comments section below.
