SFCT.NET - Technology Help & Repair for Seniors in the SF/Bay Area. PC, Mac, iOS training.

Apple Watch Features and Customization Class Watch Accessories and Protection Screen protectors available in plastic film or glass varieties to prevent scratching Glass protectors recommended for better tactile feel and protection Installation straightforward with included step-by-step directions and mounting tools Screen protectors inexpensive relative to watch replacement cost Metal watch bands can corrode in water; plastic/silicone bands better for swimming and water activities Changing bands simple using release button on back of watch Apple Watch screens exposed and prone to cracking, especially older models Finding Your Watch Model Navigate to Settings > General > About to find model information and model number Model number ensures correct accessory compatibility when shopping Important to specify exact model when purchasing bands or cases, especially for larger Ultra model Customizing Watch Faces Watch face displays when picking up watch and provides qui...

Apple Watch Setup Tutorial Overview Jason demonstrated the complete setup process for a new Apple Watch Ultra, walking through unboxing, pairing, and initial configuration. The session covered basic features, customization options, and troubleshooting tips, with participants who already own Apple Watches sharing their experiences. Device Selection and Purchase Considerations Jason chose the Apple Watch Ultra because it has waterproof capabilities down to 130 feet for scuba diving Participants can compare different Apple Watch models on the Apple website to determine which best suits their needs The Ultra is the most expensive model but offers premium features including cellular capability Key differences between models include water resistance ratings (water resistant vs waterproof) and battery life Initial Setup Process Turn on the watch by pressing the button The watch automatically detects a nearby iPhone and prompts to begin pairing Phone must be updated to latest ...

Apple Watch Research and Selection Class Research Methods for Choosing an Apple Watch Multiple research approaches were discussed for evaluating Apple Watch options Gemini AI : Can ask simple questions like "I want an Apple Watch. Which one should I get?" and receive recommendations for Series 9 (most people), Ultra (best durability), and SE (best on budget) with comparison charts Google Search : Now shows ads first (a recent change due to advertiser complaints), followed by AI overview, then traditional search results Sponsored results appear at the top of Google searches, which are paid placements and can be expensive Reddit was mentioned as a community messaging platform where users post questions and receive user-generated responses Apple.com : Offers detailed comparison tools to compare multiple watch models side-by-side, including older models like Series 6 versus Series 11 Current Apple Watch Models and Key Differences Three current models are available: Se...

System Maintenance and Apple Watch Overview Operating System Updates vs Upgrades Updates are changes to the current system, typically security enhancements or bug fixes Upgrades involve moving to a completely new operating system with potential design changes, new features, and functionality improvements Most updates and upgrades cannot be rolled back once installed The instructor's philosophy: "If it's not broken right now, why fix it" — be cautious about upgrading unless necessary Checking Your Operating System On Mac : Go to the Apple menu > About This Mac to see current OS version The instructor is currently on macOS Sequoia (15.7), one version behind the newest Tahoe release On Windows : Windows stopped supporting systems older than Windows 11 as of late last year Users with older systems must upgrade to Windows 11 or purchase new computers to receive security updates On iPhone/iPad : Go to Settings > General > Software Update How to...

  Technology Class Session Summary AI Tools and Recommendations Download AI engines directly ( Gemini , ChatGPT , Claude ) rather than third-party AI apps with subscriptions All major AI engines (Gemini, ChatGPT/OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek ) offer free versions DeepSeek provides inline citations/references showing source websites, allowing users to verify information Safari Autofill Settings To change autofill address: Go to Safari Settings > Autofill Autofill can pull from " My Card " in Contacts or from manually entered information To set up "My Card": Create new contact with your information, then go to Card menu > "Make this my card" Important: Always separate first name and last name in contacts for proper alphabetical sorting Safari autofill also supports Google passwords, 1Password , and other password manager extensions Managing Contacts and Lists "My Card" appears at top of contacts with a unique circle/profile picture ico...

 Smartphone Search, Settings and AI Tools Class 4.16.2026 Class Resources and Schedule Class notes and AI-generated images available at sfct.net Class schedule shows April focus on searching topics Previous week covered family history research Today's Focus: Searching on Mobile Devices Session focused on searching using smartphones rather than computers, as most people spend more time on their phones Covered Google and AI searching capabilities on mobile devices Explored various apps and settings to improve mobile search experience Siri Search Capabilities and Settings Basic Siri Functions Siri can be activated by voice ("Hey Siri") or side button Good for quick facts, weather, conversions, and calculations Can perform tasks like adding calendar events, making calls, and sending texts Answers disappear quickly with no way to extend display time Key Siri Settings (accessed via Settings > Siri) Language selection available "Talk to Siri...

Genealogy Research Tools and Resources This session focused on using various tools and resources for family history research, with particular emphasis on AI-assisted research , online databases, and physical archives. The instructor demonstrated practical approaches to genealogy research and shared personal examples of document discovery. AI Tools for Genealogy Research AI can serve as a research assistant or librarian, helping navigate genealogy research through natural conversation and follow-up questions Particularly useful for discovering resources and getting guidance on where to find specific types of records (e.g., Canadian naturalization documents ) AI can help interpret historical documents by explaining terminology and providing historical context (e.g., explaining what the Chinese Six Companies were) Important caveat : AI can generate incorrect information by linking unrelated facts together, so results must be verified Ancestry.com Offers both free and paid vers...

 Search Engine vs. AI Searching Class Class Overview This month's topic is research and information literacy, with a focus on developing critical thinking for the digital age Goals include learning effective search techniques and evaluating credibility of information from search engines and AI Family history/genealogy used as a practical example for demonstrating search techniques Next week's class will dive deep into genealogy-specific resources and research methods Changing Your Default Search Engine The default search engine is linked to the browser's address bar at the top To change: Go to Settings → Search Engine → Select preferred option (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc.) Can search directly from the address bar without visiting the search engine's website This setting can be changed on phones as well Google Search and AI Overview Feature Google now includes " AI Overview " results that summarize information from multiple sources AI Overv...