G-mee Connect Pro Smart Phone –
Now With New Safety Features
Block & Allow Calls/SMS To Selected Numbers To Reduce Scams
Many newsletter subscribers would know that I created a Smart Phone for families. The ‘G-mee Connect Pro‘, is a smart phone with extra safety and this week we released a new update that offers even more safety features. One feature in particular I built because I thought it might also help older members in the community from being scammed via their phone!
It continues to frustrate me that many of the scams that rip people off come from a phone user receiving a phone call or an sms, and this starts the process of them being fooled into handing over personal information and then money. The challenge is that many older members of the community need a phone to ensure their continued independence and connection to family – so why can’t we have a phone for connection, but not providing an opportunity to be scammed?
I thought, why not create a feature where a family member can remotely help their parent to block or allow calls & sms they don’t want? Most older people who come on our show talk about not being tech savvy and needing help. Could G-mee have a remote managed system that can provide Block or Allow customisation for Calls and SMS, aswell as other features of the phone.
Well, we have built it and its called G-mee Co-Pilot and its included in the G-mee Connect Pro Smart Phone. In Summary though, you can now without too much fuss, Block and Allow numbers, groups of number and more from calling or smsing the phone.
The system allows lots of different configuration options –
You can ALLOW all calls except selected numbers you don’t want to call/sms the device.
You can BLOCK all calls/sms except the ones coming and going to family.
You can even allow all calls except ones that originate from private numbers!
As the Co-Pilot you will also receive a notification when the G-mee Connect Pro receives a call. Just incase a call gets through the controls you have set up. This means you will know who the G-mee user has received a call from and when.
‘I saw a call from a new number today Mum, who was it that called?’ – This might just be a check in call that helps you help your parent from being scammed.
The system is called G-mee Co-Pilot, its provided subscription free with the G-mee Connect Pro and you can read all the details here.
Oh, and we dont block calls to 000 – we received an email asking about that one already!
Smart TVs sucking up your viewing data – and more (Consumer Advice)
Smart TVs have been classified as one of the most invasive technologies to enter our homes. We add that any smart technology could be painted with the same black brush.
If you are old enough to remember the ’60s, you used to fill out a Neilsen TV rating book. You were told it was to help TV networks show more appropriate programs, but it was actually used to sell more advertising for popular shows.
With the advent of the internet, you were invited to place an OzTAM (owned by 7, 9, 10 networks) Neilsen ‘black box’ on your free-to-air dumb TV that recorded who is watching (you pressed a button), the time, duration and date, whether each TV was on/off, and the television audio (sound). Behind the scenes, a sophisticated ‘audio/video content matching’ process revealed what TV show you were watching.
Moebot Acre Eater – first look
Like Mowing your lawns as much as I do? The Moebot Acre eater is a very clever AI and wireless positioning mowing robot. It maybe the answer for those with difficult-shaped, sloped, or just a lot of lawn to mow. I have just connected it up and we will have a longer review for your shortly, but in the mean time check our first look here.
| Guests and Topics on the Show |
| We’ve all heard about the 3G shutdown coming up, and while most phones are ready for 4G, some aren’t quite there. Over the last few months, we’ve discussed this issue on the show, even mentioning that some alerts from your telco about needing a new phone might not be accurate. Sometimes, it’s just because they don’t know whether your phone will actually work. So what’s the real solution? Aussie tech entrepreneur Hugh Jeffreys has come up with an affordable way to make it easier. Here’s the download link for the app. Android and IOS |
| Today we also dove into an issue affecting many Australians—managing email services when switching providers, especially for those sticking with their BigPond email after leaving Telstra. We’ve been hearing concerning stories, like one from an elderly woman whose email was compromised and forwarded to a Gmail account for a week without her knowledge. She’s understandably shaken, and it raises the question: how secure and reliable is BigPond’s email system? And what can you do if you’re thinking about leaving BigPond or just want better control over your email? Joined us was Matthew McBurney, who offered some critical advice on managing your email services safely. You can connect to Matthew via his Facebook |
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