Cool Breeze, Author at Cool Breeze Technology Services

The gift of cool technology

Cool Breeze — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 11:00:43 +0000

During the early part of 2021, the team at Cool Breeze asked clients and the local community for help and to donate any unwanted laptops and other devices, that could then be reconfigured and given to local schools. The response was overwhelming and amazing. To date we have collected, reconfigured and updated over 180 devices that have been distributed to 27 schools across Warwickshire. A further 200 in 2022 means that we have been able to donate a total of almost 400 laptops to schools and charities across Warwickshire in 18 months!

Young carers, refugees and other families in need have all benefitted from these donations from our lovely customers, businesses and local community.

Sadly, the terrible war in Ukraine has created the need for even more support for those families fleeing from their devastated homes and country. We have teamed up with a local charity Hand in Hand with Refugees to offer our donated laptops to help even more people in need.

‘Thank you so much for your generous donation to the cause. Our guests, Ukrainian family Olena, Igor and their children are constantly amazed by the generosity they receive. I am sure it will be a great help. As I said, we see this as our next great challenge on their way to true independence.

They will now be able to engage with the benefits system, tax system, online banking and so much more. Having access to an exclusive device will make it so much easier for them. Thank you’

The difference this has made to so many lives cannot be understated. The team at Cool Breeze have decided that the work must go on in some form and we are committed to give our time and expertise to enable the Gift of Cool Technology to reach those in need.

If you have any devices/laptops that you would like to donate to our ‘Gift of Cool Technology’ project, we would love to hear from you. We will make sure that the devices are wiped, reconfigured, and updated so that they can be safely and securely donated to our (or your) chosen causes.

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The love of giving just goes on…

Cool Breeze — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 11:22:16 +0000

…there are many examples of the difference that these generous donations can make to so many people. We would like to thank the team at Cool Breeze and their clients who have donated their devices to this cause.

During the pandemic schools were struggling to find enough devices for their children to use at home. Families, too were finding home-schooling and a lack of access to technology, laptops and computers, for their children adding to the stress of supporting their children to learn at home.

During the early part of 2021, the team at Cool Breeze asked clients and local community to help with donations of unwanted laptops and other devices. The response was overwhelming and amazing. To date we have collected, reconfigured and updated over 180 devices that have been distributed to 27 schools across Warwickshire.

This project though, has taken on a life of its own and we now support three local charities with reconfigured laptops for their clients. Young carers, refugees and other families in need have all benefitted from these donations from our lovely customers and local community.

The difference this has made to so many lives cannot be understated. The team at Cool Breeze have decided that the work must go on in some form, so we are committed to give our time and expertise to enable the Gift of Cool Technology to reach those in need.

We recently teamed up with Ricardo plc who kindly donated a number of laptops that have been refreshed and distributed to some of the charities we support. Henry from P3 got in touch to tell us just how critical these donations were to some of the people that P3 supports.

‘We are so delighted to be partnering with the team at Cool Breeze and their clients. We wanted to tell you about some of the clients that your generosity has supported so far. We know that technology is such a huge barrier to so many of our clients. Lack of access to appropriate technology can prevent them from returning to or accessing education, increase feelings of isolation and severely affect mental health and well-being’ Henry Webster P3

What a difference it has made to …

Two young people in supported accommodation in Nuneaton who are now able to return to education
One of our clients given a laptop to access e-learning and maintain contact with their family
A family with children who have learning difficulties have had a donated laptop to help them with their schoolwork

If you have any devices/laptops that you would like to donate to our ‘Gift of Cool Technology’ project we would love to hear from you. We will make sure that the devices are wiped, reconfigured and updated so that they can be safely and securely donated to our (or your) chosen causes.

Please get in touch with us through our website contact form

https://www.coolbreezetechnologyservices.co.uk/contact/

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How safe is your technology?

Cool Breeze — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 09:50:45 +0000

We care for our car, homes and other treasured possessions, by taking out cover to protect them, along with our loved ones and pets. What we tend to forget is that our technology can provide opportunities for unscrupulous individuals and organisations to steal our data and identities. Often this is because we don’t know how, or we don’t fully understand the dangers of not covering our technology.

Here at Cool Breeze we have noticed that some of our customers are getting more scam calls targeted at getting people to part with their money. An example we have seen a few times recently is a phone call where the person implies they are from Amazon and queries your Prime membership with you. Their intent is to take over your computer or phone and ask for funds to be transferred. The call is so professional and sounds very credible, but do not comply and politely end the call. So just be aware that:

Online retailers and banks will never ask for payment or offer you a refund you do not expect
Retailers will never ask you to make a payment outside of their websites (e.g. via bank transfer, e-mailing credit card details, sharing gift card details over the phone, etc.
They will never ask you for remote access to your device e.g. by asking you to install an app
Always respond by saying that you will call the retailer back from the number on their website or via the retailer or bank secure website
Companies will never send you an email asking you to click on a link they have included. Always access the companies website directly yourself or call them on a number you have used or been provided with before.

Your wonderful expertise in all matters to do with IT is like bread and wine to us, that is, we simply could not exist without your support...
Mr King 2021

Find out how you can make your technology safer and work better for you. Get in touch with us at

Cool Breeze Technology Services

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COOL UPDATES: NEW Microsoft Windows 11, iOS 15 & Mac OS Monterey

Cool Breeze — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 13:29:22 +0000

It’s at this time of year when we normally get alerts offering us the choice to upgrade to the latest operating systems. However, before you hit the ‘OK’ button, press pause! There isn’t really a right or wrong choice in terms of when you upgrade but with over 30 years’ experience we are able to give you the best advice and help you through the process of when and how.

MICROSOFT WINDOWS 11

So, the big news this month, launched on 5th October, is Windows 11. It has had a major redesign so does look different from previous versions. Not all computers will be compatible, and if so, your laptop or desktop may not alert you to the upgrade option. Some devices will offer you the upgrade, but your system may only just be suitable and as a result you may lose performance, so it is wise to be cautious.

Our recommendation at Cool Breeze is to hold fire for now and wait for the rest of the world to upgrade their devices. All major upgrades will have their teething problems that Microsoft will need to iron out, so waiting a while will allow us at Cool Breeze to carry out some testing and advise you on your specific circumstances and devices, and when, how and if to upgrade.

APPLE IOS 15 AND IPAD OS 15

Apple launches annual updates to their mobile and tablet devices, and this is the latest. As with any updates, not all devices will be supported, but if it isn’t then you won’t be offered the option to upgrade.

If you can though, we would highly recommend that you upgrade to this latest version. It can take about an hour to complete the process, so you won’t be able to use your phone or device for some or most of this time.

This latest upgrade does have some really useful new features which we will share in more detail with you soon. Gary’s favourite one is the ability to search any app on your phone for text/words (even in a photo!) – and is a great time saver!

Apple iOS 15 and iPad OS 15 has been out for a few weeks now and we have detected no major issues so, if you would like to upgrade, either call us at Cool Breeze or head to your ‘Settings’ and System Update to kick things off.

Models supported for iOS 15 are the iPhone 6s and newer

Models supported for iPad OS 15 are:

iPad Mini 4 and newer
iPad Air 2 and newer
iPad 5th Generation and newer
All iPad pro models

APPLE MAC os Monterey

This is not yet released but due any day now. Our advice is the same as for Windows 11 above, and to wait until any known bugs are ironed out. Apple will resolve these with further incremental updates so delaying your upgrade would be a wise move.

If your device is compatible to the new upgrades, you will be offered the option when you open your device. You will need to go to System preferences – Software updates – Mac OS Big Monterey – upgrade now

Models supported include:

MacBook 2016 and later
iMac 2015 and later
MacBook Pro and Air 2015 and later.

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Global Chip Shortage!

Cool Breeze — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 09:22:35 +0000

Delays in getting Computer Hardware stretches into weeks.

You may be thinking about a return to work or college. If so, what devices will you need for yourself and other family members over the coming weeks up to Christmas? If you are planning on buying a new device, or any other IT hardware you will need to order sooner rather than later.

There is currently a global shortage of the chips and other internal parts for laptops and other technology. Couple that with continuing commercial flight restrictions, a slow reopening of manufacturing capacity following the coronavirus and shipping out of Asia being much reduced and many of us are looking at 3-4 weeks delay in delivery. In some cases up to 10 weeks!

Once you have decided that you need to buy a new device, the next decision is which one? Thinking carefully about what you would like to do and what functionality you need is the starting point for the buying process. Will it be a device for work, school or home/work? What screen size do you prefer? Which operating system? What type of keyboard/trackpad? You will also need to think about your budget. You may be surprised that often, these things are not as expensive as you think.

Thinking about how and where you use technology will determine what type of device you choose – for example at home or home and office? Do you take them away with you? Do you use them in different parts or your home/office? All these questions are important in making the right choices for you. And to ensure you get the very best device for your work and lifestyle.

If you are not sure which device you might want, we are more than happy to offer guidance and support in getting to the right one for you. We can also set it up, transferring all your data from old device to new along with advice on updating your security software and Office 365 licences. And we can advise on recycling old devices and IT equipment to save it going to landfill.

These top tips are bought to you by the Cool Breeze team. If you have any questions about how to organise your digital space, please do get in touch with us.

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