Hello iPad world!

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Administrator

Welcome to my blog for those entering this post-PC era (or whatever it is!) with their iPads. I’ve included posts that I consider useful for the new and experienced iPad user, including getting started hints, basic and new apps, tips and tricks, accessories, breaking news, essays, and fun stories.  Use the search box to find older posts or specific topics. You can subscribe via email using the button on the right.

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Interactive Data Plan Calculators

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Administrator

If you have an iPad that includes a  3G or 4G data option, you need to decide what data plan to sign up for with your carrier — currently in the US this is AT&T or Verizon. You can change plans and even drop the plan on a month by month basis, so you only pay for it the months you expect to use it.  Still, it’s nice to have some idea how much data it takes to read emails with and without attachments, surf the web, upload photos,  stream movies and so on.

Now each provider includes a web site with an interactive data calculator where you can use sliders to calculate your iPad usage to figure out which plan will best meet your needs.

AT&T

Verizon

This site also gives you some hints on how to minimize your carrier data needs — like load up on movies before you leave home!

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Giving Your Old iPad to A Spouse or Family Member

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Administrator

Are you getting one of the new iPads? Planning on passing your old iPad (still a great device!) on to a family member?  This articlehas some great tips on how to do that. Here are some:

1. Back-up, either to iCloud or iTunes: “Before you reset the iPad, you probably want to back it up and transfer all of your app and media purchases to iTunes.”

2. Do a full reset: “On the device, go to Settings » General » Reset and choose Erase All Content and Settings. You will be asked to enter your passcode lock (if you have one set) and then confirm your choice.”

3.”Even if you are planning to share App Store purchases, each person should have their own iCloud account/Apple ID.”

Be sure and read the other suggestions, including setting up contacts and calendars, in the full article.

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Getting Started with iMovie

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Administrator

 A quilting buddy of mine, Kathie, used her iPad to take some video of her Sunday School class project, and wanted to  spruce it up and present it. There’s an app for that: iMovie ($4.99).

“Simply tap to add video and photos, drag to trim clips, and slide to preview your project – you’ll have a four-star short film to share in no time at all.”

You can quickly splice and combine clips and photos, add titles, audio,  and music, and share on your TV or via email. To help you get started, there are a number of good, quick video tutorials on YouTube. The first is a short 4 minute tutorial if you just want the basics. For more extended help, try the 10 minute tutorial or the 16 minute tutorial. You’ll be surprised at how quickly and easily you can put together your own video!

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Use iCloud to Stream Your New Photos Between you iPad and Your Computer

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Administrator

I am finding this new iCloud feature to be more useful than I had anticipated.  I don’t take a lot of photos, but when I do, it sure is handy to have them immediately available on all my iDevices (iPad, iPhone, iPod touch) and on my computer too.  In my case, the computer is a MacBook, but it also works with a PC.

Note that the computer must be a Mac running the OS X Lion operating system, or a PC running Windows System 7 or Vista SP2. For Windows, you need to download the iCloud Control Panel.  For more details on setting up PhotoStream on your PC, see this article.

On a Mac computer, simply go to iCloud in Systems Preferences to enable PhotoStream.  For more information on setting up PhotoStream on a Mac computer, read this article.

With Photo Stream, when you take a picture with your iOS device, the photo will automatically transfer to iCloud and will be stored there for up to 30 days. It will also appear on your other iOS devices and your PhotoStream enabled computers.

Once you start adding images to the folder for uploads on the PC, you’ll see them on other iCloud devices a few minutes later. When you take pictures or screenshots with the iPhone or iPad, they’ll also appear on other devices in a few minutes (as long as you’re connected to WiFi).

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Reset to Fix Whacky Behavior

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Administrator

The iPad is a very trouble-free, reliable device.  Still, sometimes it seems to go a little whacky, or an app may freeze. 99 times out of 100, this simple Reset trick will fix the problem.

In case you are a worrier (like I am), this Reset does not affect any of your data.  If your iPad is frozen in some app, you may lose any information you were entering, but that is all.  This reset merely does a little more thorough power down.  (Note that there is another reset, accessed from the settings app, that does erase data — use it with caution!)

1. This Reset is actually very easy.  Just push and hold down the Sleep/Wake button (located along the upper right edge of the iPad). While you are holding this button down, also push and hold down the Home button (located on the center front of the iPad, just below the screen).

Hold down Sleep/Wake and Home buttons.

2. Continue to hold down both buttons until you see the apple logo. (This may take up to 10 seconds.) Until then ignore any messages that appear on the screen. Once the apple logo appears, release both buttons and wait for the iPad to reboot.  This may take up to 30 seconds. Your normal startup page will appear, and if you don’t do anything, the iPad will go to sleep as usual.  You’re all set!

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Touchscreen Gloves

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Administrator

We’re having our coldest day so far this season, and after our recent warm weather, it feels particularly cold.  If you live in a cold climate, these Mujju Touchscreen gloves may be just what you need. Although there are many capacitive touchscreen gloves, these purportedly never miss a touch. Shipped from Germany, they are about US$32.40.

“Mujjo’s gloves can be used with touchscreens because high-quality silver-coated nylon fibers are knitted right into the fabric of the glove. Those nylon fibers carry the conductive properties of your skin through the glove and onto your touchscreen.”

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Save Your Wet iPad

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Administrator

Heaven forbid you should get your iPad (or other mobile device) wet!  But accidents happen.  So what should you do?  First do not turn it on — electricity and all that water will only cause more problems. But read further details here, including how to use a bag of uncooked brown rice and a hair dryer. So far, I haven’t needed this tip but many others have used it with good success. And now I’m ready!

“Don’t be devastated. Your beloved iPhone, or iPod Touch, is not dead or completely damaged. You can definitely save your iPhone and iPod Touch, or any other cell phone for that matter…”

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IPEVO Cushi Pillow Stand for Your iPad

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Administrator

If you don’t happen to have a cat to sit on your lap and prop up your iPad, this might serve the purpose! This IPEVO Cushi pillow stand is soft like a pillow, but can also fold out so there is a place for a keyboard too, if you are so inclined. If you’re handy, you may be able to make one for yourself! Check out this denim covered pillow.

“The pillow is comprised of two triangular sections connected with a soft hinge. Fold the sections out to the extended position, which is perfect for the floor, a lounge-style chair, or lying in bed.”

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INRIX Traffic app

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Administrator

INRIX Traffic app

If you travel on busy roads, I recommend that you get the new INRIX Traffic app.  I used it on our Thanksgiving holiday trip along the Northeast coast — a difficult drive in the best of times, and no fun with holiday traffic.  Luckily, we didn’t run into major problems going our direction, but I had a chance to test out the accuracy and timeliness of this traffic app.

It’s free (and no ads) and it provides real-time traffic maps, traffic forecasts, accident and incident reports for every interstate, highway and major arterial and city streets. This review gives more details.

“Reviews of INRIX traffic products are generally positive, because the data they collect is sourced from long-haul trucks, taxis, delivery vans and commercial fleets, along with the usual consumer input and traffic sensors. The app also has predictive technology that analyzes the hard data, and takes factors like day of the week, weather, accidents and road work, and holiday traffic to figure out what is coming, not just what the current situation is.”

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Buying an iPad

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Administrator

The holiday shopping season is upon us again.  If you’re planning on buying an iPad for yourself or someone else, there are more factors than ever to consider: which network type (WI-Fi only or Wi-Fi + 3G); if 3G, which carrier; how much storage; new or used? This article does a nice job of explaining the alternatives and helping you decide.

“In this Holiday Gift Guide, I’ll give you some advice on how to pick the best iPad model for the lucky recipient on your gift list.”

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