Showing posts with label iPhone tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iPhone tips. Show all posts

August 12, 2013

AirPlay or Apple Remote App Not Working? Try This

Are you looking for this:

AirPlay (double press on Home button then swipe twice to the right on Multitasking Bar)


Or this:
iOS Remote App
and not seeing one or either of these features on your iOS device?

Try this:


If you know how and are able, try changing the Channel setting on your router. This is what works for me! This is a screen shot of what it looks like on my Linksys router. Yours may or may not be similar but you're looking for this general area.

I posted this in part as a reminder to myself for figuring out how to fix this problem, but I thought you might find it useful as well. Let me know if it works for you.

The question I still have is why I need to keep changing this setting from time to time. I believe it has something to do with the fact that I now have more neighbors with routers and the channels are experiencing some kind of traffic or compromise. I don't yet know how else to explain it. One of these days I'd like to take a networking class because this stuff fascinates me. I wish I could fully understand all the ins and outs of my own router. For now, this is what I am comfortable tinkering with when it comes to my router settings and fixing the problem even if it's only temporary.

August 8, 2013

Back to School App Sale: 1Password

EDIT:
Unfortunately, this sale is now over, but that doesn't mean it won't happen again. Use AppShopper, put 1Password on your Wish List and you'll be notified when the next sale occurs! Until then, read on to learn more about this great app...

One of my most favorite-must-have apps, 1Password, is on sale right now in the App Store!

GET IT WHILE IT'S HOT! (normally it's twice the price)


It's Back to School here in the southwest and pretty soon for the rest of the country. You know what that means? More user names and passwords to store for our little Digital Natives!

I just remembered I need to add money to my son's school lunch account and, since it's not something I've done all summer long, all I have to do is open my 1Password, search for "lunch" and there it is. All I need to do then is tap the hyperlinked text and it will log me right into the website.

Another great thing is that this is a Universal app which means it will work on both your iPhone AND your iPad or iPod touch! If you have a shared family Apple ID like we do, then you could have 1Password installed and synced to all the devices in your family! It really is a small price to pay for keeping everyone organized and secure — and now, that price has been cut in half!

July 31, 2013

Day One App As A Mobile Blogging Tool

How does Day One (Journal / Diary) app stack up as an integrated and mobile blogging tool?

I began this post by tapping out text directly in the Day One app with the hopes that it might serve as good on-the-go blogging tool. I'm always looking for ways to blog more efficiently from a mobile platform, hence I would actually blog more! I came to the conclusion that this app doesn't meet all of my needs yet, but I do believe it has huge potential for becoming a great mobile blogging tool if only to get a draft started so I can go back later and flesh it out more like I'm doing right now. What began as a quick, down and dirty app review is now developing into a more complete post that might benefit my readers a bit more than when it started out.

While the Day One app is a little slow to launch on my iPhone 4S, I love how easily I can type text in portrait and landscape modes. Those are two usability features I look at first when reviewing a mobile app. The ability to tap text in landscape mode can make or break an app for me.

Formatting

I appreciate the need for text formatting. I like that Day One has Markdown baked right into the text editor. It even has a built-in word counter. I am in the process of trying to learn more about Markdown so I believe this app will help me out with that quest.

Images

One place where this app falls short for me is in the ability to place images. I know it's not meant to be used the way I'm wanting to use it for mobile blogging so I don't expect a whole lot when it comes to image placement within the text, but what I do expect is multiple image capability. Currently, you can only attach one image per entry. The Camera+ integration is nice, but in my opinion, you're likely to be a bit of a shutterbug if you know what Camera+ is and vice versa. I've used other apps like Momento that allow for multiple photo insertion so I'm not quite sure why the limitation on this app.

Security

A feature I'm willing to be patient for is encryption. I want it done right. If you're going to spill your guts and journal your most private thoughts into an app, then you should feel secure while doing that. I think this is an area the developers will address soon especially with all the attention lately on NSA, data mining and secure mobile usage. If you're an app developer and your app deals with the storage of private information, security should be a laser focus for you. Currently, Day One gives you the ability to lock down your information using a 4 digit PIN. The ability to lock stuff up anymore is not just a requirement or feature but a necessity — even if it's only to keep Mommy's blog entries from being replaced with "areiu45%^##ergh;ad%&_OKDHWiwkw7&*&&&^a dfg[8a[reuw8245;oi24h5" by my 3.5 year old.

App Store Links

When I review apps it helps to give the reader a direct link to where they can purchase (free or otherwise) the app in my review. I'm still on the hunt for a better way to do this! So far, it's cumbersome at best but I have hope it will improve over time. Adding code while tapping this out on my iPhone in Day One didn't work out so well, so I had to edit it directly on my blog. That may be a user issue since I can see that there is an ability to enter code using the Markdown feature but maybe I just didn't do it correctly.
Day One is a universal app for iOS so get it here for your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad!


Day One syncs between all devices including the Mac version.


Export

One of my rules of thumb for data entry is: If you can get the data in, you must also be able to get the data out. PDF creation is another useful feature available in this app. I'm not sure how often it will come in handy for my own use case since I keep most everything digital, but I imagine it could become invaluable later if I ever decide to create some type of printed book or just want to store archives in PDF format. I don't yet know how much hard drive space this app will consume over time, so PDF export is something I'll need to investigate and report back on once I've amassed enough data to experience it first-hand. It will need to have selective export using tags and I haven't yet read the complete user guide available on the developer's support page.

The Verdict

Many times I feel like The Queen of Hearts when I'm reviewing an app. Something as simple as whether an app does not have landscape text mode can mean it's "Off with their heads!" and the app is deleted. When reviewing the use case scenario of a mobile blogging tool, Day One is good for getting a blog post started if only to go back and tweak the post later. This is all contingent on the ability of your blog platform to accept posts via email and whether or not that configuration automatically publishes the post or just queues it up for draft. Day One is a benchmark for journaling and diary apps with its ability to synchronize and port to other platforms.

I'm willing to allow Day One to keep residence on my iPhone's small hard drive while waiting for its developers to beef up security and features like adding multiple photos because it syncs up with other devices like iPad and MacBook Pro. You can pick right up where you left off no matter which device you're using and that is paramount to blogging while mobile. It's a well-designed app with a sleek interface. It feels good in the hand. Tapping out text in this app is very smooth and responsive. Day One will be sticking around for a while in my court.

I'd like to know what your favorite mobile blogging app is. Let me know in the comments!

Other Apps Mentioned In This Review

Momento is a rival for Day One, in my opinion — review to come


Camera+ is great for getting decent shots of busy toddlers


December 23, 2012

Make A List and Tap It Twice

  ...gonna find out who's naughty or nice...

Need a last minute gift for a friend or relative who is also a parent to small children?

Here's an idea just in time for the holiday to help show children the importance of being good for goodness sake (and also for a cookie or extended game time with their new toys after Christmas Day!)

You can gift an app from the iOS App Store!
(I've been known to 'speak for the treeeees!')

Go to this link in the App Store or type "ireward chart" into the search box.
,
Then, after you've logged some good deeds, you can have your child email their iReportCard to Santa directly from within the Share feature of the app. Even Grandma on Facebook can see when they have earned a reward.

My kids love the sounds the stars make. Keagan calls them "good stars" (since he doesn't yet say 'gold' quite right)
When they hear a "red star" sound, it really gets their attention!

Ah Pavlov would be so proud!



September 20, 2012

iBank Puts the 'I' in Banking

If you're not already using iBank, I encourage you to check out this great financial management tool! I've looked at several different solutions, including the highly acclaimed Quicken for Windows on a Mac. It goes without saying, I enjoy using my Mac without Windows and I don't feel I should have to compromise on that just because I want financial management software with a slick user interface and elegant reporting features. If you're a Mac user, you simply don't need to compromise with iBank.

Feature set is important if not the most important consideration when reviewing software. iBank has it covered. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the attention to detail they put into every pixel of their apps. Ever since the developer gave me a review license, I still have yet to explore all it has to offer!

You had me at color.

Here is just one of my favorite features: customized and color-coded transaction categories! Money may be green, but maybe I feel just a little bit better when my mortgage payment transactions are a pleasing shade of cantaloup!

It's the little things like adding color to your categories that can really add to the already incredible reporting features the Mac application offers. A CPA would be happy to have you for a client using this software. (So I've been told.)

Another important factor for me in selecting a personal financial management tool — or most any other software tool for that matter — is how well its supported. IGG Software is constantly updating iBank and making improvements. They don't leave you feeling abandoned like other product developers who take years in between to release half-baked updates. They pay attention to their customers and offer a community of support.

Case in point, they've released yet another update to their already great iBank application for the Mac. (I like to think of it as "polish.") Here is one of their many press releases for your immediate review:
September 19, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 IBANK 4.6 DELIVERS NEW AND IMPROVED FEATURES FOR BETTER BUDGETINGMajor Update Offers Superior Tools For Tracking Expenses And Saving Money  
(PUTNEY, VT) — IGG Software today announced the release iBank 4.6, the market-leading personal finance application for Mac. This new version of iBank delivers a brand new set of tools for managing budgets, support for Retina Display Macs, and many other fixes and enhancements.  

“This is the update many of iBank’s users were asking for,” says IGG president Ian Gillespie. “With so much economic uncertainty, families especially want to see where their money is going, and these new tools provide better insight into spending habits, ways to save, and day-to-day financial management. For a lot of people, this is the value proposition in iBank.”
iBank 4.6’s budgeting enhancements include the following: 

  • Budget vs. Actual report view. Among the most popular feature requests for iBank 4, this new report view gives users a fast, easy way to visualize and compare their budgets with actual spending totals. The report view can be customized for specific time periods, and users can drill down by category to see transactions that make up their expenditures. 
  • Improved budget view. Now users have the ability to view and compare different periods (from the past, or future projections) in the main budget view window, to better see at a glance how spending has changed over time or how closely they are following their own budget goals.
  • Faster performance and more. Besides significant speed improvements within budget functions, users can now edit the accounts used for a given budget, among other changes. Related fixes include correct updating to Actual Income and Actual Expense totals after changes to period or category.
iBank 4.6 also adds support for Apple’s new Retina Display. Rounding out the update are additional fixes and improvements to performance, exports, bank downloads, reports, Smart Accounts and more. iBank 4.6 is free to current users of iBank 4, and is available immediately via the IGG website. It has been submitted to the Mac App Store for approval. 
IGG offers unlimited 30-day free trial downloads of iBank, free support (including Live Chat) and a 90-day unconditional guarantee on direct purchases from the IGG web store. The regular retail price of iBank 4 is $59.99; licensed users of iBank 3 can upgrade for $29.99. iBank 4.6 requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. The latest version can be downloaded at http://www.iggsoftware.com/ibank, where there is also access to a library of iBank 4 video tutorials. 
IGG Software, Inc., was founded in 2003 by developer Ian Gillespie to offer intuitive, elegant and powerful applications for individuals and small businesses. Based in Putney, Vermont, its flagship products are iBank, for personal finance management, and iBiz, for time-tracking and billing. For further information, review licenses, or to schedule interviews with Ian Gillespie or CTO James Gillespie, please contact IGG Marketing Director Scott Marc Becker: scott@iggsoftware.com.

Does Your Mac Have Companions?

Mine does. So does my Husband's Mac. (as does our children's Mac!) We have a whole family of gadgets that like to play together and guess what, they have apps for them too!
"iBank Mobile is an essential app for iOS devices that lets you keep track of your day-to-day spending and account balances on the go. The best iPhone finance app now includes search, multi-tasking, Retina Display support, data export and more new features! iBank for Mac users can sync transactions, accounts and categories automatically and seamlessly - via Wi-Fi (Bonjour) or any WebDAV server - for perfect personal finance management." — [source http://www.iggsoftware.com/ibankmobile/index.php]
Managing family finances can be a daunting task and cause stress. Install and synchronize your iBank data on multiple devices with iBank Mobile and iBank for iPad and now each able and willing family member can contribute some order to the chaos of mounding transactions. (Ok, but it sounds good, right?)
"Honey, what was the name of that restaurant we went to last month? Want to have dinner there again?" 
"I can't remember, let me check my iBank Mobile app and look at last month's dining out transactions. Oh, here it is, yes, the price of that meal was fairly reasonable and we have a coupon in our Passbook." (coming soon to an iPhone near you!)
There are times when you don't want to be tethered to your desktop or really want a smaller form factor than a laptop but more features than an iPhone app. That's where iBank for iPad comes in. Just take a look at the gorgeous interface it offers. They even provide an interactive tutorial. That's a class act.

In conclusion, IGG Software, Inc. has created a suite of products for the consumer and small business that puts you in charge of managing your finances with helpful tools that are secure, easy to use and even easier on the eyes. The apps run on all of your devices while the most personal of information is not shared with advertisers like some of the web-based apps on the market. You control how your own information is used and there are incredibly flexible reporting features built in. The developers support and promote their product with great enthusiasm and attention to detail.

If you don't believe me, just ask this kitten.


August 30, 2012

Mamma Likes Kickstarter: Mobi-Lens

I can not wait to get my hands on one of these adorable little gadgets! (I really want one in purple. #hint #hint)

Picture This

You know how hard it is to get little kids to look into the camera on your smartphone? Well, take a look at this prototype and imagine how much more fun it would be to snap those precious moments using a Mobi-Lens clipped to your mobile device whether it's an iPhone, iPad or even your laptop.

Photo Booth just got that much more fun with a Mobi-Lens clipped to your MacBook Pro!

Pledge to Make It Happen


They plan on making these in different colors. Imagine them with some kind of bling, logo, school mascot or favorite Sesame Street character! Getting your little ones to look at your smartphone just might be a little bit less frustrating if you give them a fun focal point while you snapshot that precious memory.

Capture adorable little details up close with the macro lens. Dimples, drool or a wiggly first tooth. Kids will undoubtedly have fun with the fisheye lens. Remember Grover? Near! Far! Near! Far! Go long and go wide at soccer games and get that goal with the wide angle lens.



Source: kickstarter.com via Melissa on Pinterest

https://www.facebook.com/MobiLens

July 5, 2012

What's On YOUR Home Screen?

Podcasts

There is a new app claiming a spot on the first page of my iPad's home screen and it's the Podcasts app. Don't have it? Get it here:

Cover Art

Podcasts

Apple

Category: Entertainment

Updated: Jun 26, 2012

3090 Ratings

This app makes it super easy to discover and subscribe to podcasts - both audio and video.
It's even purple!

I might just have to take up podcasting again over at http://momsgonegeek.net/podcasts

iTunes for Mac and Windows

June 28, 2012

No Voice? Use Big Words!

Big Words
I recently had laryngitis for two weeks. Not only was it painful, but an even bigger challenge during our summer vacation while traveling with my two young sons to visit family and friends with even more children!
This app became invaluable for me during that time. I was able to communicate with people using this on my iPhone and iPad. I had to carefully choose my words when trying to talk to my six year old who is just learning to read, but this was a great exercise.
Big Words is a must-have tool on all your devices!
Cover Art

Big Words

DollarApp
Category: Social Networking
Updated: Oct 4, 2011

16 Ratings

May 15, 2012

5th Annual TUAW Mother's Day Edition

The Unofficial Apple Weblog hosts a TalkCast every Sunday night. For the past five consecutive years, it's been my privilege to be a guest of honor on the Mother's Day Edition of this podcast.


Click this link to listen to the audio in iTunes.
TUAW Talkcast 2012-05-13: Mother's Day Edition

Podcast Description:
Calling all Mac Mommies out there -- it's our annual Mother's Day show, where we celebrate the Mac, Mom and iOS too. Join Kelly and the crew for the fun!

March 26, 2012

Did you know that you can compose a blog post on your phone using an SMS text?
This is pretty cool the way it's working for me. Of course, it has its limitations like lack of formatting or the ability to add an image (it's not MMS).

Probably the best part is that it's free. Right now I'm composing this post on my iPhone 4S. If Hubby weren't sleeping right now, I could even use Siri to dictate this text.

November 2, 2009

Labor Data & Update

This is what the data looks like from the iPhone app called "Baby's Coming" which is a contraction timer app. I'm also using an app called "Total Baby" which is aimed at logging info on the baby like feedings, wet diapers, dr appts, etc. I'm actually using it now to log info about ME that I know the hospital staff will likely ask me later. It sounds awful, and truth be told, it's not pretty but when you have a c-section, you end up being monitored just like the baby and they even measure your pee and poop to make sure your organs are working once they put you back together after they extract the baby. Meds will be dosed on a tight schedule and also meals. So, I figured why not add myself as one of the "children" that needs to be logged. I just entered my last meal, meds I've taken and noted my contraction info, among other details so I'll hopefully know what answers to give nurses when they ask after I've been admitted.   


I've had to stop several times now while writing this to note my contractions and; re-copy and paste the new data!


Baby is still active and moving a lot. I really think he wants out soon.


The surgery is scheduled for 12 noon today, so hopefully we can hold out for it, but 11 hours feels like a long time to be like this so unless these contractions start spreading out like they did an hour ago, we may have to leave earlier for the hospital than planned.


The OB on call told me to try and rest up (yeah, right!) and to just report to the hospital once we have a consistant pattern of contractions lasting 1 min and 5-10 mins apart for at least an hour. Well, I can check the 1 minute duration off the list and I can also check off the 5-10 min. intervals, but the consistant for 1 hour is what I'm working on now. Also, they can not cut me open until I've not had any food for more than 6 hours. Looking at my food log in the Total Baby app, it tells me it's only been closer to 5 hrs. since I last ate. So, we couldn't even leave for the hospital for another 1 hr. anyway.


I took some Tylenol PM and I'm starting to feel sleepy but I just don't see how I'll sleep through these contractions!


Well, that's the update for now. Nate is sleeping and I'm trying to lay down and rest in between contractions and going potty which is extremely hard to do when it feels like there is an ice pick in my bladder!!


I'm taking it minute by minute. Thanks so much for all of your prayers, thoughts, tweets, posts, and phone calls. It really means so much to Nate and I.


I'm going to keep resting while pressing the start/stop button on the iPhone app. It does really make it so much easier to rest because of the minimal effort to use the app. I can keep the lights off, Nate can sleep (which is what I need him to do!), I can lie on my side and just reach out a finger to the iPhone I have setting right here by my bedside and touch the screen.


Bags are packed and ready. Gadgets are charging. Computers are backed up. Lucian is sleeping over at Oma and Opa's house. Oma French braided my hair and alarms are set.


Rock n Roll!

EventDetails
Contraction  1:09:04 AM (duration: 1 min 30s, interval: 7 min 1s)
Contraction  12:59:59 AM (duration: 2 min 2s, interval: 6 min 19s)
Contraction  12:52:01 AM (duration: 1 min 39s, interval: 5 min 21s)
Contraction  12:45:34 AM (duration: 1 min 5s, interval: 9 min 37s)
Contraction  12:35:05 AM (duration: 50s, interval: 6 min 35s)
Contraction  12:26:48 AM (duration: 1 min 41s, interval: 6 min 1s)
Contraction  12:18:38 AM (duration: 2 min 8s, interval: 4 min 34s)
Contraction  12:12:36 AM (duration: 1 min 27s, interval: 2 min 6s)
Contraction  12:09:45 AM (duration: 44s, interval: 8 min 54s)
Contraction  11:58:58 PM (duration: 1 min 52s, interval: 2s)
Contraction  11:58:55 PM (duration: 1s, interval: 8 min 14s)
Contraction  11:48:54 PM (duration: 1 min 45s, interval: 8 min 14s)
Contraction  11:39:44 PM (duration: 55s, interval: 23 min 14s)
Contraction  11:14:44 PM (duration: 1 min 45s, interval: 28 min 45s)
Contraction  10:44:40 PM (duration: 1 min 17s, interval: 12 min 44s)
Contraction  10:31:09 PM (duration: 47s, interval: 12 min 35s)
Contraction  10:17:29 PM (duration: 1 min 4s, interval: 14 min 21s)
Contraction  10:01:55 PM (duration: 1 min 12s, interval: 31 min 20s)
Contraction  9:28:48 PM (duration: 1 min 46s, interval: 13 min 43s)
Contraction  9:13:52 PM (duration: 1 min 11s, interval: 9 min 19s)
Contraction  9:03:21 PM (duration: 1 min 11s, interval: 9 min 57s)
Contraction  8:51:53 PM (duration: 1 min 31s, interval: 7 min 38s)
Contraction  8:42:25 PM (duration: 1 min 48s, interval: 7 min 22s)
Contraction  8:33:28 PM (duration: 1 min 34s, interval: 5 min 31s)
Contraction  8:25:27 PM (duration: 2 min 30s, interval: 16 min 24s)
Contraction  8:07:05 PM (duration: 1 min 57s, interval: N/A)