With the introduction of iOS 5.0 we get a new form of communication called iMessage. This uses the same messages app that you are use to using with previous versions for SMS or MMS, except now if the recipient has iOS 5.0 or higher the message will be sent using Apple’s server instead of your cell carrier. This means finally you can start breaking away from excessive carrier fees on what really costs the carrier nothing to provide, and you can now send text messages to non-cellular devices such as WiFi only iPads and iPods.
Archive for the ‘iPad’ Category
iOS Tips: Emojis (emoticons)
19
Dec
Using emojis isn’t exactly new to iOS, it has been around for several years now. What is new to iOS is that it is now freely available to all users. For those who don’t know what emojis are, these are just simple emoticons for mobile devices. They are often used in place of text in Asian countries for easier SMS messages. There is a set of emojis available on iOS devices although you generally need to be on an iOS device to view them, although with os x Lion you should be able to view them.
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iOS Tips: How to cheat at iOS games
17
Dec
I really don’t see any moral issue when it comes to cheating on iOS games. Now beware, this could spoil your fun at playing the game. But in a lot of cases, the best parts of the game only come once you advance so far. So this tip can assist you in getting to the higher levels of the game if done correctly. If you mess up, no worries, worst case scenario you can delete the game and reinstall. This technique will also allow you to backup your game status (in case of deletion) and even share it across devices as long as the multiple devices all use the same binary. This trick does *NOT* work with every iOS app/game. But it never hurts to try and see if it does work. Some save data using binary files or even core data which will make it harder for you to get to. But the games that store the data in flat files will work with this method.
iOS Tips: Multiple Signatures
16
Dec
Since the iPhone was first released featuring iPhone OS 1.0, power mail users have wanted to have the ability to have multiple signatures on their device given that we can have multiple email accounts. For example when responding to work emails I may want to display a completely different signature than a casual email to a friend or family member. Unfortunately as iPhone OS has transitioned in iOS and now on 5.0 we still have yet to see this option available. Fortunately with the updates that 5.0 brings to iOS there is a work around to do this:
Netflix updates iOS Apps
15
Dec
Netflix has released an update to their iOS apps, as a Universal App this update applies to both the iPhone and iPad apps although it primarily affect the iPad app. Besides making the iOS apps now availalbe in Latin American countries which represents an expansion for Netflix’s streaing service, this update also provides us with a completely re-designed iPad app.
I have heard many complaints in the past regarding the iPad app which closely resembled the iPhone app in a larger form. I too have not been a huge fan of the format they used. Now with this update they have fixed a lot of the usability issues that users have had as well as giving us a nice new design. You can view recently watched shows up top as well as recommended shows by category. Or navigation through the browser or your Instant Queue. They have done a great job with this update providing us with a better user experience.
I have seen a few complaints online that they left out the ability to use AirPlay with this version of the app, while this is true I do not see it as a valid complaint given that AirPlay only works (currently) with an TV which already has a Netflix app on it. I fail therefore to see the need to have an AirPlay option available.
Here are the notes from Netflix regarding this update:
New in Netflix v 2.0
1. Netflix now available in Latin America for iPhone and iPad
2. New iPad UI for all regions – US, Canada, Latin America – requires upgrade to iOS 5
3. Addressed stability issues
4. For support questions please contact us at mobilesupport@netflix.com
A lot of goodies coming out today!
12
Oct
With the release of iOS 5, there are a lot of goodies that Apple is planning (or already has) to release today. I will keep this list updated as more becomes available:
Be sure to upgrade to iOS 5.0 prior to installing these as most (if not all) require iOS 5.
- iOS 5 *Now Available! Update via iTunes 10.5
- iTunes 10.5
- iCloud
- Find My Friends (iPad and iPhone)
- iOS Airport Utility (iPad and iPhone)
- Cards
- TV Update for iOS 5 *Now Available Update via your TV
Review: iOS5 for iDevices
12
Oct
iOS5
This update, a free update for most iPhones, iPods and iPads, (the exception is iPhones older than 3GS which do not support this update) is slated to be released later today and is by far the most incredible, feature rich update to the iOS devices thus far. Of course I say this every year with every new major update but the truth of the matter is they just keep getting better and better. The impending release of the iPhone 4S this coming Friday is relatively small news in my opinion compared to this release as virtually every new feature it sports is because of iOS5. Per usual has worked long and hard to provide us with great new features and show us clearly why they are the best of the best when it comes to smart phones. This OS was in beta a lot longer than they normally do for iOS, perhaps because of all the great new features that really needed to be tested. Per usual I have been with it since the beginning. For those of you wondering what happened to all the app reviews this summer, that is a major contributor. Given that I had the beta I felt it unfair for the most part to give negative app reviews for issues which were likely the fault (or at least possibly the fault) of the beta os. Now that it is finally here, go on over to iTunes and install iOS5, you won’t regret it!
iOS 5 compatible apps begin to trickle into App Store
07
Oct
As the release of iOS 5 gets closer (October 12, 2011) we are now beginning to see iOS 5 compatible updates trickle into the app store. After the announcement last week of the release of iOS 5 as well as the new iPhone 4S Apple sent an email to developers asking them to submit their iOS 5 compatible apps now. These apps are now beginning to be approved and are already showing up ready for download. Some of these actually take advantage of new iOS 5 features as Enigmo 2 indicates below adding in the new “true” HD quality mirroring that is offered in 1080p with iOS 5. While other apps are merely offering fixes to their existing app due to changes in either the APIs or the way iOS works with this update. In the case of Audible below, they are moving the audio files out of the apps root document directory which is now going to be backed up to iCloud. Having the files in the documents directory would result in a lot of your precious 5 GB of free space being taken up with backups of files that don’t need to be. I am certainly welcoming this update as others are as well I am sure. Over the next few days and leading up to October 12, I suspect there will be a lot of apps released fixing minor issues currently outstanding in iOS 5.
Is It Enough For You? The All-New iPhone 4S
05
Oct
The long awaited 2011 edition of the iPhone, aka the iPhone 4S has finally been announced and will be released in 9 days and counting (10 days from the announcement). The October 14 release date is quite a bit after their usual early summer release date which has lead to a lot of speculation about what would be coming, what would be so great as to delay it for so long. Part of me thought that would really hit it out of the ballpark with this phone, another part also thought that was doing whatever it takes to get it right this time around. Whatever the reason, the new iPhone is here and later than most people expected. So the next question is: did they do enough in this iPhone to get you to put down the $200+ to upgrade?
Today is the Big Day
04
Oct
Today is the big day, at 10:00 am PDT will announce the future of the iPhone, iPods and iOS. There are many questions looming about what is coming today, not the least of which that has been on everyone’s mind is WHEN. Never fear, in just 6 short hours we will all be kicking back, watching some live blog of the event while the media elite enjoy the presentation in person. There are many things on my mind about what might be coming today. I have speculated about wireless charging or even a voice to text system and many many more things. Any one of which could be what we see. With the announcement finally here, is sure to not disappoint, and you won’t have to wait much longer. So stay tuned, I’ll be posting updates here as they come. Today will be an exciting day!