Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Dumber Than My Phone

As I think I have previously posted, Sue and I both got cell phones sometime last fall. We are getting more or less comfortable with them although I can still get a bit confused when my phone rings or especially when there has been a missed call. I try to figure out who called and invariably start to redial that number. I am aware enough to hung up before it connects, but it's a close miss.

Somehow, along the line, I have linked my iPhone and iPad. I mean to say that I did something or other, so that I can send text messages from the iPad as if it were the iPhone. I can message directly to a cell phone without a sim card in my tablet.

This is very handy, as I'd rather type from the tablet, especially since I also have a keyboard attached.

As I said, it's handy: so handy that we tried to set up Sue's devices in the same way. Could not figure it out. How did I do it on my system in the first place? I don't know. We've even tried to Google the answer and came up with something or other but could make it work on her devices.

That's the background. Here's what happened yesterday.

We were at Sha's house, taking care of cats while she is away. We stay for about an hour to give them some company, and the one cat usually sits on my lap the whole time.

I was reading on my iPad when the screen suddenly flashed, telling me I had a call. I think it said it was transferring from my phone which was sitting nearby but was off at the time. I pressed the icon and was able to talk to the caller. I was able to talk from my tablet as if it were my phone.

This blew me away. I had no idea that this could be done. You probably do because you are smart, but I am obviously not smart. My phone and tablet are smart, but I am not.

12 comments:

Joanne Noragon said...

I acquire wisdom in much the same way. Occasionally karma and the universe deliver it; mostly they wait for the next time. My tablet does not answer my phone. Perhaps because it's a rival android.

Marie Smith said...

And neither am I. I was not aware of that feature but I wouldn’t use it anyway.

Tabor said...

My husband said this the other day while reading his Kindle that he saw a notice for using a phone. I told him he was crazy...now maybe I am the crazy one!

Joyce F said...

Ask your grandchildren how to do it with Sue's. :)

Christina said...

Ah yes, the magic of a connected world. I was bamboozled not so long ago by my MacBook pretending to be a phone. Mind boggling.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Before reading the above comment from Sue, I was also going to suggest asking the grandkids. I have texted from both the iphone and ipad, but never talked using the ipad.

troutbirder said...

You think that is bad? My 4 year old pickup is smarter than I am and does things without my permission. I might as well switch to these cars that drive themselves and I already feel it'll be a small step for me...:(

Silver in AZ said...

I didn't know you could do that, either! So it isn't just you! :)

Debbie said...

an iPad and an iPhone should automatically sync up though using them with your password. when i take a picture with my iphone, it automatically loads to my computer and i also have the texting feature on my iPad, which is nice when you want to FaceTime. iPhone, iPad, mac computer - they all sync with each other.

couldn't the grands help you with this?? also google? if you google the question with your phone, you can act out the instructions on sues!!!

Kay said...

I knew that but sometimes, when they're both ringing, we get flustered wondering what we should do.... phone or iPad, which? which?

Jenn Jilks said...

Oh gosh. I don't have a phone!

Mage said...

Try U-Tube, and I bet they have a video that shows you how to link the two. :)