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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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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Gumdrop’s rugged iPad case

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Administrator

Do you tend to drop things, including your iPad? Or maybe your grandchildren are a bit hard on your electronic devices.  These cases are just for you!

“These cases are designed to serve in more severe conditions than the usual “pretty” cases that we see all the time, and with their “truck tread” silicone skin on the back, the Drop Tech Series cases look like they’re made to survive.”

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New Multi-touch Gestures

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Administrator

iOS 5 has added some multi-touch gestures that I’ve become quite addicted to.  They feel natural, and cut down on the use of the Home button. They allow you to return to the home screen, reveal the mutlitasking bar, and switch between apps.

First, you need to be sure these new gestures are enabled.  In the Settings app, tap on General in the left-hand column, and look towards the bottom of the right-hand column. Turn Multitasking Gestures “On“. Below this switch is a review of what the gestures are, so you can always come here to remind yourself of them until they come naturally.

Turn on Multasking Gestures in the Settings app.

The new gestures include:

1. Pinch four or five fingers together to return to the home screen.  This is the new gesture that I use most often. When I’m finished with an app, I just pinch it closed.

2. Swipe up with four or five fingers to reveal the multitasking bar at the bottom of the screen. This is the list of your currently running apps, ordered by the ones you have used most recently. Tap on one to return to it.

Swipe up with 4 or 5 fingers to view multitasking bar.

3. Swipe left or right with four or five fingers to switch between apps.  This allows you to quickly bounce back and forth between 2 apps.  I use this a lot for checking out links in an email alert, using them to get to the browser, then easily swiping left or right to return to the email message to explore the next link.

Try it, you’ll like it!  Which is your favorite?

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iOS 5.0.1: First Over-the-Air Update

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Administrator

If you have already updated your iPad to iOS5, then the first update for it is now available. Not only does it give original iPad owners (like me)  the multitasking gestures (more on that in the next post), but it gives us a chance to try out the new updating feature — no more resorting to the old method of syncing using a Mac or PC! And it’s super simple.  But for those of you (like me) who like to see lots of screenshots of what to expect, here goes.

Go to the Settings app and tap on General in the left-hand column. The second entry on the right is Software Update — tap on it.

Choose "Software Update under "General" in "Settings" app.

After checking for updates, the iOS 5.0.1 update and its features will be shown. Tap on Download and Install.

iOS 5.0.1 Update

 Read about the update, then agree to the terms and conditions.

 

 

 

 

You will be asked to plug your iPad into your source (ie, wall outlet) to be sure it has enough juice for the update.

Plug power outlet into wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The download and installation will now start. The download itself may only take a couple minutes.  However, allow at least 15 or 20 minutes for the installation to complete.  Your iPad will restart itself a couple times, showing a slowly advancing progress bar.  Do NOT get impatient and interrupt it. Go have a cup of coffee or play with the cat. If you aren’t looking when the reguler “Slide to Unlock” screen comes up, your iPad will go to sleep, as usual.  When you come back and wake it up, it’s all updated and ready to go.

And you have completed your first over-the-air update!  Not hard, was it?  Next post, I’ll go over those new Multitasking Gestures that are now available for both the original iPad and the iPad2! I love ‘em!

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