Jonathan Wylie

A Great Free Video Editor for Schools

A boy in bed, illuminated by the screen of a laptop. Text reads, Animotica: Free for schools

For the last couple of weeks I have been playing with a free video editor for Windows 10 called Animotica. It’s available from the Windows Store. As you might expect, the free version does come with an optional in-app purchase and that means if you want to take full advantage of all the available features, you need to upgrade to the Full Pro account. However, the Full Pro plan is just $16 for a lifetime license and there are no monthly subscription fees. Better still, schools can get a Full Pro license for free.

How to Look (and Sound) Good on Video Calls

A laptop sitting on a table. Text reads, 5 Ways to Improve Your Video Calls.

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably doing a lot more video calls than you used to. The current pandemic has got us all well-versed in communicating via Skype, Zoom and Google Meet. However, as comfortable as we might be with our new found communication skills, there are still a few easy things you can do to take your video conferencing skills to the next level. In this post, I look at five ways that are guaranteed to make you look (and sound) great at your next virtual meeting.

How to Share Your iPhone or iPad Screen in a Zoom Meeting

Two dogs in a Zoom video call. Title reads, how to share an iOS screen on Zoom.

Zoom is becoming the video conferencing tool of choice in many homes, schools and workplaces. However, many people are only scratching the surface for what you can do with this powerful communication tool. For instance, most people know how to share their screen on a Mac or PC, but what about sharing the screen from an iPhone or iPad? As it happens, there are three different ways to share the screen of an iOS device in Zoom, so here’s what you need to know.

Casio G-Shock GWM5610: Watch Review

My first watch was a Casio. I don’t remember how old I was when I got it, or even what model it was, but my first watch was definitely a Casio. I’ve worn Casios on and off for most of my life, but none have connected with me more than the one I am wearing right now, the G-Shock GWM5610. It might not look like anything special, but this little thing is packed with history, (and technology), and that checks a lot of boxes for me. Here’s why.

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5 New Updates for Google Meet

There is something reassuring about using a product where all the company resources are dedicated to making that one thing better. Take, for instance, Zoom. You can get video conferencing options from Google, Microsoft, Apple, and others, but as big as these companies are, video calls are not their sole purpose, so they only dedicate a limited number of resources towards maintaining and improving that service. Recently, Google was able to offer a number of updates for Meet to help make it more competitive with the likes of Zoom. Here are five new features for Google Meet that you can expect to see soon.

Should You Buy the New iPhone SE?

Four iPhone SE phones. Text reads, the 2020 iPhone SE: the value king?

On April 15, 2020, Apple introduced the second generation iPhone SE. This long-rumored iPhone was unveiled without much ceremony via a press release, and it’s now the cheapest iPhone that you can buy. On paper, it has some compelling features that demand a second look from anyone who is looking to upgrade their device, but it this the iPhone you have been waiting for? Is this the new value king in the smartphone market? Let’s find out.

Introducing: Today at Apple at Home

Macbook lid. Text reads Free Apple Tutorials: Today at Apple at Home.

The Today at Apple program is a collection of free workshops that are held at Apple retail stores all over the world. Anyone can sign up to attend and learn more about how to use their Apple device for coding, art, music, photography, and more. However, the Covid-19 outbreak that has engulfed our world has prompted Apple to close all of their retail stores, and that means you can’t sign up for these free, face-to-face workshops. This led to the creation of the Today at Apple at Home program.

Record Your Screen for Free on Windows 10

black Xbox controller. Text reads, Record you Screen with the Xbox game bar. Learn more jonathanwylie.com

The ability to record your screen and share it with others is one of those skills that I think we should all have in our back pocket. It’s a great way to share knowledge with others or demonstrate mastery of a concept. Today, there are all kinds of apps that let you do this. Many are free, others are not. It just depends on how polished you want the final product to be. In this post, I am going to take a look at a hidden feature in Windows 10 that allows anyone to record and share their screen for free.

5 Alternatives to Zoom for Video Calls

A rotary dial telephone. Text reads, the best alternatives to zoom cloud meetings

We have used Zoom at work for a few years now, but today it seems like everybody is using Zoom. It’s a great tool and has a lot of useful features to make communication easier and more efficient. However, it’s not the only video conferencing tool that is out there right now. So, if you feel like a change, consider one of the following alternatives to Zoom.

Refurbished iPhone X: Review for 2020

iPhone X on a table. Text reads, Refurbished iPhone X, Should You Buy It?

Should you buy a refurbished iPhone? A lot of people shy away from refurbished electronics, but if you know what you are looking for, there are great deals to be had. Recently, I got the chance to go hands-on with a refurbished iPhone X, the first iPhone to feature Face ID, so I decided to write up a quick review to let you know about that experience.