Librarian Phil's Tech Tips
September 15th
You Don't Need A QR Code Reader

Since Covid QR codes went from being rare to all over the place.  Quite often I will see people download a QR code app, which is unnecessary because every phone has one built in now.  No matter what kind of phone you have pop open the camera app and point it at the QR code.  Once it reads the code you will see a popup you can click on.  I have seen some Android phones that have a QR button in the camera app, so if your camera doesn't read the code look for a button shaped like a QR code.
 
If you do have a QR code reader app on your phone please delete it.  The same thing goes for flashlight apps.  Many of them are known to be viruses at worse and just filled with ads and popups at the best.
 
Phone Updates

Every year phones usually go through one large update.  Sometimes it is pretty minor with a few added features or apps, and sometimes its drastic.  This year Android mostly added AI features that many people are just ignoring, but the iPhone side is different.  Not only did they add some AI features, but they changed how it looks and in some cases works.  I am not going to go over all of the changes here, but one of the most divisive was the "liquid glass" look they added.  For some like me it is appealing, but others have a hard time reading their phone properly now.  If that is you, or you just prefer the old look, you can change it back in the accessibility settings.  Just follow the instructions with pictures techpp provides.
 
Until Next Time,
Librarian Phil Schneider
pschneider@gailborden.info
847-608-5226
Gail Borden Public Library District

Main Library - 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 - 847-742-2411
Rakow Branch - 2751 W. Bowes Rd., Elgin, IL 60124 - 847-531-7271
South Elgin Branch - 127 S. Mclean Blvd., South Elgin, IL 60177 - 847-931-2090
http://www.gailborden.info/
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