Empower Yourself by using the Verizon In-Home Agent

There can be no denying of the fact that every now and then, situations arise where people are forced to rely on the experts to provide vital information or to troubleshoot an unwanted issue. That being said, everyone can attest to a feeling of empowerment when able to complete a seemingly difficult task without calling on anyone else for assistance.

 

With home services, there are many who prefer not to be too reliant and are more than willing to do the work themselves – provided that there is a resource they can explore to attain the relevant information. One particular service provider with such a tool in place is Verizon with the all-in-one help guide, the In-Home Agent. This computer-based application allows those who utilize their home services to embrace a sense of control, boasting over 20 sub-topics that provide fast and easy solutions to issues that may arise.

 

Here is a look at some of the information that is accessible when using the In-Home Agent, highlighting common questions that arise with TV, Internet and Digital Voice:

 

TV

 

Use parental controls

 There are many noteworthy features available with the system that parents can use to monitor and regulate the activities of their children – both with the Internet and TV. They can block specific channels, utilize the age preferences to block content to a particular age group as well as block the content based on its ratings.

 

Steps for setting the controls

1.      Select Menu on the remote.

2.      Navigate to Settings and press the OK or Select button – depending on what remote is being utilized.

3.      Navigate to Parental/Purchase and press OK or Select

4.      Create a 4-digit Parental Controls PIN – understandably, this should only be known by the adults in the house and not by any of the kids that it is being set up for.

5.      Navigate and select the Parental Controls to activate them.

6.      Proceed to set up restrictions based on age preferences, time of day, channel, TV ratings etc.

 

Activate Set Top Box

A set top box is arguably the most integral component to experiencing all that the TV service has to offer. Unfortunately, the work is not done after the installation as the device needs to be activated as well. The steps are as follows:

1.      Read in detail the Quick Install Guide to ensure that the equipment which has been set up is ready for activation.

2.      Identify the personal activation code noted on the Welcome Letter or enclosed receipt

3.      Enter the activation code as well as the zip code, and then proceed to selecting the state of residence. Once this is done, simply select “Begin Activation”.

Notably, the process takes an estimated 30 minutes to be complete.

 

 

Internet

 

Learn Internet Service Basics

Though used by a large population on a day to day basis, not many people actually know the basics as it relates to the process of web connectivity. With the tool, individuals can get access to questions such as:

•   What is the Internet?


•   How do I connect to the Internet?


•   What about kids and the Internet?

One would not be at fault in assuming that the final question highlighted was geared towards parental controls which was mentioned earlier, but this is not the case – not entirely anyway. The tool also provides information that indicates that the Internet is also an ideal medium for educational development and as a facilitator of personal growth.

 

Set up Wi-Fi on devices

There are simple though useful steps that can assist with this need whether on a personal computer, a mobile device (smart phone, tablet etc), a gaming device or web-enabled computer hardware device. There are varying guidelines for the configuration of each, but an interesting point to note is that by downloading the In-Home Agent, the user can skip the log-in process that is needed for most services as it will automatically retrieve the Wi-Fi settings from the wireless router.

 

 

Voice

 

Set up Voice Mail

Being away from home does not mean that the phone stops ringing, so in instances such as those a voice mail is ideal. As with many of the other do-it-yourself instructions, it is very easy to follow:

1.      Dial the voice mail access number – 1-888-2FIOSVM (1-888-234-6786)

2.      Enter the default pass code – the final four digits of the FiOS Digital Voice telephone number – then press the pound sign (#).

3.      Listen to the prompts and follow them accordingly to initiate the voice mail. Subsequently, personalized greetings can be created for the voice mail and the individual can choose to change the pass code if they are so inclined.  

 

 

Prevent missed calls

There are two particular options available with the home phone service that customers can use to ensure that they are always within reach:

•   They can schedule for all calls – or calls from selected numbers – to be forwarded to their current location.


•   They can make use of the option to enter up to 3 additional numbers through which they can be contacted. With this, the call will be forwarded to all the numbers entered simultaneously, which is certainly an indication of convenience worth mentioning.  

 

Being able to remedy an issue the moment is arises is certainly a convenience that any homeowner would love. With the simple click of a mouse, the In-Home Agent offers this 24/7.

Empower Yourself by using the Verizon In-Home Agent

Touch ID and other popular iPhone 5S features

In September 2013, Apple – one of the world’s most renowned technology companies – launched arguably its most celebrated smart phone, the iPhone 5S. Its design has been praised by many, but features like the Touch ID are what have caused some to state that it was the best smart phone of the year.

 

In the minds of many in the tech industry, to categorize the Touch ID feature as revolutionary is an understatement. In utilizing the feature, the owner of the device configures the identity sensor to their fingerprint, thus restricting unwarranted access to it. This is not only a faster option for unlocking the device but considered by many to be more secure, given that pass codes can be hacked. By extension, this eliminates any issue that may arise for a user who forgets their pass code.

 

Getting to the home screen of the phone is not the only capability of the feature, as the user can also use it to make purchases – whether from the App Store, iTunes Store or the iBooks Store. The Touch ID ultimately nullifies the need to constantly enter a pass code to utilize every function that requires authorization.

 

In addition, users of the device would be pleased by the fact that the phone does not have to be aligned in a specific way for the fingerprint to be read. Once they place their finger on the screen it is able to identify them and give them access. It should also be noted that it is not restricted to only one fingerprint. If the user is comfortable with family members or friends accessing the device, they can enroll their fingerprints to it to give them access as well.

 

Here are other features that an iPhone 5S user is privy to:

 

iOS 7

The iOS is the operating software that provides support for all mobile Apple products, and the iOS 7 was designed particularly with the iPhone 5S in mind. It introduces new features that compliment the device such as Control Center and AirDrop.

 

Through the Control Center, one swipe gives the user access to some of their most important controls. This is inclusive of accessing the Bluetooth, adjusting the brightness of the display or activating the Wi-Fi. With AirDrop, users can access a secure method of file sharing that noticeably takes a lot less time. When using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, all that is required of the user is to select the file to be shared then tap “Share” – from there, simply watch the technology do the rest.  

 

 

A7 Chip

The operating software comes equipped with built-in apps. Siri is one of the many that are available – the voice command companion gives a whole new meaning to the term “hands free”. Another app worth pointing out is Passbook, which stores “passes” like movie tickets or boarding passes and makes them available (even on the Locked screen) to be scanned. There is also an app for Safari, Maps, Keynote, Compass, Remote, Notes and Voice Memos – essentially covering all the bases.  

 

A7 chip

This is another Apple technology that premiered in conjunction with the launch of the iPhone 5S. The CPU and graphics performance is top-notch, with the 64-bit engineering comparable to that of a desktop. With this, there is a faster execution of functions such as photo capture, and autofocus. The chip was designed to be energy efficient, thus the battery life of the device is not affected as a result of the improvements to the capabilities.

 

M7 coprocessor

There are some functions executed by the A7 chip, the others are carried out by the M7. Functions such as measuring motion data which would normally be done by the A7 take place more efficiently with the M7. It has the ability the tell when the user is walking versus driving, and in the event that they were driving and then decided to continue their journey on foot, the Maps transitions to turn-by-turn navigation.

 

iSight Camera

The capabilities of the camera are world-class, and ensure that even those who aren’t expert photographers can still take great pictures. There are multiple photo filters that they can utilize to create the perfect setting for a picture, while the Burst Mode makes it possible to take up to 10 photos in one second. For the users who like to capture moving objects, the auto image stabilization reduces the blurriness that generally accompanies images captured with other devices.

 

iCloud

With the iCloud, the user is able to access their content (including their purchases) regardless of the Apple devices being used. Not only is everything stored in cyber space, but a user can access a file (a movie or book for instance) on one device, and pick up where they left off on another.

 

 

 

Ultrafast LTE wireless

LTE (Long Term Evolution) refers to the standard wireless communication for mobile technologies and the transmission of high-speed data. Positioning up to 13 LTE bands, the accessibility exceeds that of other smart phones that are available on the market. This ensures that the smart phone is capable of experiencing faster data transference speeds (download and upload) in more locations. 

 

From a new method of unlocking the phone to an increase in processing power, the iPhone 5S certainly turned a few heads. The uniquely designed operating software also increases the device’s overall appeal.

Touch ID and other popular iPhone 5S features

Touch ID and other popular iPhone 5S features

In September 2013, Apple – one of the world’s most renowned technology companies – launched arguably its most celebrated smart phone, the iPhone 5S. Its design has been praised by many, but features like the Touch ID are what have caused some to state that it was the best smart phone of the year.

 

In the minds of many in the tech industry, to categorize the Touch ID feature as revolutionary is an understatement. In utilizing the feature, the owner of the device configures the identity sensor to their fingerprint, thus restricting unwarranted access to it. This is not only a faster option for unlocking the device but considered by many to be more secure, given that pass codes can be hacked. By extension, this eliminates any issue that may arise for a user who forgets their pass code.

 

Getting to the home screen of the phone is not the only capability of the feature, as the user can also use it to make purchases – whether from the App Store, iTunes Store or the iBooks Store. The Touch ID ultimately nullifies the need to constantly enter a pass code to utilize every function that requires authorization.

 

In addition, users of the device would be pleased by the fact that the phone does not have to be aligned in a specific way for the fingerprint to be read. Once they place their finger on the screen it is able to identify them and give them access. It should also be noted that it is not restricted to only one fingerprint. If the user is comfortable with family members or friends accessing the device, they can enroll their fingerprints to it to give them access as well.

 

Here are other features that an iPhone 5S user is privy to:

 

iOS 7

The iOS is the operating software that provides support for all mobile Apple products, and the iOS 7 was designed particularly with the iPhone 5S in mind. It introduces new features that compliment the device such as Control Center and AirDrop.

 

Through the Control Center, one swipe gives the user access to some of their most important controls. This is inclusive of accessing the Bluetooth, adjusting the brightness of the display or activating the Wi-Fi. With AirDrop, users can access a secure method of file sharing that noticeably takes a lot less time. When using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, all that is required of the user is to select the file to be shared then tap “Share” – from there, simply watch the technology do the rest.  

 

 

A7 Chip

The operating software comes equipped with built-in apps. Siri is one of the many that are available – the voice command companion gives a whole new meaning to the term “hands free”. Another app worth pointing out is Passbook, which stores “passes” like movie tickets or boarding passes and makes them available (even on the Locked screen) to be scanned. There is also an app for Safari, Maps, Keynote, Compass, Remote, Notes and Voice Memos – essentially covering all the bases.  

 

A7 chip

This is another Apple technology that premiered in conjunction with the launch of the iPhone 5S. The CPU and graphics performance is top-notch, with the 64-bit engineering comparable to that of a desktop. With this, there is a faster execution of functions such as photo capture, and autofocus. The chip was designed to be energy efficient, thus the battery life of the device is not affected as a result of the improvements to the capabilities.

 

M7 coprocessor

There are some functions executed by the A7 chip, the others are carried out by the M7. Functions such as measuring motion data which would normally be done by the A7 take place more efficiently with the M7. It has the ability the tell when the user is walking versus driving, and in the event that they were driving and then decided to continue their journey on foot, the Maps transitions to turn-by-turn navigation.

 

iSight Camera

The capabilities of the camera are world-class, and ensure that even those who aren’t expert photographers can still take great pictures. There are multiple photo filters that they can utilize to create the perfect setting for a picture, while the Burst Mode makes it possible to take up to 10 photos in one second. For the users who like to capture moving objects, the auto image stabilization reduces the blurriness that generally accompanies images captured with other devices.

 

iCloud

With the iCloud, the user is able to access their content (including their purchases) regardless of the Apple devices being used. Not only is everything stored in cyber space, but a user can access a file (a movie or book for instance) on one device, and pick up where they left off on another.

 

 

 

Ultrafast LTE wireless

LTE (Long Term Evolution) refers to the standard wireless communication for mobile technologies and the transmission of high-speed data. Positioning up to 13 LTE bands, the accessibility exceeds that of other smart phones that are available on the market. This ensures that the smart phone is capable of experiencing faster data transference speeds (download and upload) in more locations. 

 

From a new method of unlocking the phone to an increase in processing power, the iPhone 5S certainly turned a few heads. The uniquely designed operating software also increases the device’s overall appeal.

Touch ID and other popular iPhone 5S features