iPad

The iPad is a tablet computer from Apple that runs the iOS mobile operating system. Similar in functionality to the iPhone, the iPads purpose is often quite different, sometimes even serving as a general desktop computer replacement.

Can an iPad Pro Replace Your Laptop? Here’s the Truth!

Sunday September 13, 2020 11:46 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

The most common question I get from people is “Can an iPad Pro replace a laptop?” Short answer: in most cases it can, and it’s not as scary as you think.

After using the
iPad Pro
for sometimes now, I wanted to share some of the reasons I think it could replace a computer and some of the reasons iPad Pro can’t replace a computer at least for me.

Before we dive into it, it is important to note here that to consider an iPad Pro as a replacement for a computer or laptop, you need to get the Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio or any other iPad Pro keyboard accessory. I bought the
Smart keyboard Folio
for my 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Wi-Fi + Cellular.
See also:
Why I Choose the Smart keyboard Folio for the iPad Pro!
Ever since Apple announced their new line of iPad Pros, I kept wondering if I could get rid of my MacBook and only rely on an iPad and a keyboard cover.

iPad Pro appeared like the perfect device for me: it’s very portable, it has a stunning display, and the touch interface just makes it enjoyable to use.
The iPad Pro also seemed to be higher than macOS in Apple’s priorities. Apple seemed firmly convinced that the iPad could replace a laptop, and a lot of effort was put into software and updates to make this a reality.
That’s exciting, given that macOS lags far much behind in terms of innovations and integrations.

While switching to the iPad Pro was a bold move a couple of years ago, it’s now easier than ever to make the switch considering all the improvements Apple has made to iOS now iPadOS.
Having said that, switching entirely to the iPad from a laptop or even a desktop computer can be a tricky decision to make. So here are a couple of things you may want to know before deciding whether or not the
iPad Pro
would be a appropriate computing device for you.

The iPad Pro is Powerful Enough

I’m not going to quote Apple on this, stating the iPad is more powerful than 90% of the laptops on the market. I not sure if it’s true, and I don’t think it matters.
I have never been able to push my 12.9 inch iPad Pro to its limits. Maybe I don’t have the most intensive workflow of all, but I’m sure I use my iPad pretty thoroughly. I browse the internet, I write a lot, I manage social media, I edit pictures on Lightroom, I edit 4K videos on Lumafusion, I create designs on Canva and Photoshop etc.
Sure, some people push it further, but the question is, will you need to?

My iPad can perform some of these tasks better than my 2019 MacBook Pro. For instance, the video editing experience is much smoother on the iPad than on my MacBook. In addition, I don’t have to deal with the noise the fan of my Mac would make, which worries me since it gives me the impression than I am slowly killing my laptop.

File Management on the iPad Pro

Managing files and storage on the iPad Pro is better than ever. Files has always been a lighter version of Finder, but we now have a more capable interface, and that looks a lot better than it used to be. Moving, copying, and pasting files is very similar to using Finder on Mac. I still find the process a bit more extensive than on a laptop, but the iPad is quite capable of managing files.
The harddrive support works quite well. Again, managing files isn’t as practical as on a Mac, but it’s enough, and with a bit of practice, you won’t feel any difference at all.

The iPad Apps

There is an app for pretty much everything on the iPad, and chances are, most of the tools you use on a daily basis have an iPad version on the AppStore.
For anything web-based, the iPad should work just fine, as it now displays the desktop version of websites by default. So even if the iPad app is limited, you can still take advantage of the web version of the tools you use, and you should be fine this way.
The only task that I absolutely couldn’t get my iPad to do with either the iPad app or the website version of it was Squarespace. I can entirely edit my WordPress websites using Safari, but for some reason, I’m unable to edit some parts of my Squarespace website on either the app or Safari.

The Limitations of the iPad Pro

Although the iPad Pro appears like a perfect device, it has a few downsides.
Besides the limitations I pointed out above, most pro apps don’t have an iPad version. So Logic, Final Cut, Adobe Premiere aren’t compatible with the iPad at all.
There are some alternatives, but they aren’t as great and flexible as the original pro apps.
These alternatives are just enough for most people. But it also means that you have to learn an entirely new program to perform these tasks that you were so used to do before. Learning how to use Lumafusion properly, for instance, took me a few hours and made me scratch my head a bit. It’s a fantastic piece of software, and I’d say that you can get quite striking results with it. But it’s a lot more limited than Final Cut, and you may get discouraged not being able to edit your videos as freely as on a more professional tool.

So can an iPad Pro replace a MacBook?

I belief the iPad Pro can be a laptop replacement for many users, but at the same time, it can’t for some. It really depends on your use cases. The iPad is a perfect choice for people who are looking for a simple machine that they can bring with them wherever. If you are a real pro, and need a device that can handle powerful tasks such as thousands of RAW images and complex file management system, then the iPad Pro might not be the right choice. But if you are a creative that needs something flexible, capable, and enjoyable to use, the iPad is a lot better than a Mac, in my opinion.

If you are on the fence and looking to make a decision on whether you want to buy an iPad Pro as a computer replacement then please don’t hesitate to drop me a line in the comments if you have any questions and I’ll answer them

Tags: iPad Pro, Productivity

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Can You Use an iPad as your Main Computer? Know Here

Thursday February 25, 2021 2:56 pm EAT by GeeksModo Staff

The iPad Pro is more powerful than many of the entry-level laptops lining the shelves at Best Buy. It earns that “Pro” name with a processor that’s on par with a mid-level PC and a screen resolution that exceeds many of those same laptops, and the graphics power of an Xbox 360. And when you combine these specs with an operating system that supports slide-over and split-screen multitasking and a virtual touchpad, it’s about time to reevaluate the iPad as a laptop killer.

You can use an iPad as your main computer if …

The most common tasks people perform on their laptop or desktop PC are the very same tasks in which the iPad excels: exploring the web, checking email, finding out what friends and family are up to on Facebook, playing games, balancing the checkbook, writing a letter or a paper for school, etc.

YOU USE MICROSOFT OFFICE

Productivity has also become increasingly easy on the iPad. The virtual touchpad makes manipulating text easier; the iPad supports Microsoft Office and includes a free version of Apple’s iWork; and if you need to do a lot of typing you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard.

YOU FILM AND EDIT VIDEOS

Perhaps just as importantly, the iPad can do some tasks even better than a laptop. It has a back-facing camera, so you can film your own home movie. And with the 9.7-inch iPad Pro’s 12 MP camera, the movie will look fantastic. You can also edit the video right on your iPad. Need to get online while on the go? You don’t need to look for a coffee shop with Wi-Fi. If you buy the 4G LTE version of the iPad, you can connect anywhere you can connect with your smartphone.

YOU PLAY PORTABLE GAMES

The iPad has increasingly become a portable gaming machine as well. It won’t compete with a high-end PC, a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox One in terms of hardcore gaming, but it’s more than enough for most of us. The graphics are nearly on par with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and with its touch controls and motion sensors, the iPad can deliver unique ways to play some very good games.

You can’t use an iPad as your main computer if …

The number one reason why you can’t use an iPad as a primary computer is if you’re tied to a proprietary piece of software that’s not available for the iPad. While businesses are increasingly leaning toward cloud-based solutions—which is a fancy way of saying they’re building software on the web—many of them still use software that requires Microsoft Windows.

YOU USE PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE

And proprietary software isn’t found just in the workplace. Any application you run on your Windows PC or Mac would need a replacement for your iPad. This substitution is easy for email and web browsing, but can be more difficult for other types of software. The iPad has become increasingly competent for photo and video editing, and you certainly won’t miss iMovie on your Mac when you have a very capable iMovie on the iPad. But if you need professional video-editing software like Final Cut Pro, the iPad isn’t quite there yet. The iPad Pro may have the power to do it, but Apple still needs to make a version for its newest heavyweight tablet.

YOU NEED A LOT OF STORAGE SPACE

Another challenge with the iPad is storage space. While the internal storage of an iPad can range up to 256 GB with the latest models, this space still doesn’t compete with the storage offered by many laptops. The offset of this is that the iPad doesn’t require as much storage. For example, simply running Windows 10 will cost you around 16 GB of space. The iPad’s operating system takes up less than 2 GB of space. The same is true for software, with Microsoft Office taking around 3 GB of space to install on a PC and less than half that on an iPad.

The portability of an iPad makes it great for videos, photos, and music—all of which consume storage space.

The best solution for the iPad is cloud storage, like iCloud, which also provides a great backup for this data in case anything happens to your iPad, but it may cost a monthly subscription fee to get enough storage to support your photo collection.

YOU’RE A HARDCORE GAMER

Hardcore gaming is another area where the iPad won’t be able to compete with a PC. For Xbox and PlayStation gamers, this limitation might not be a big issue, but if your idea of fun involves cutting back the demonic hordes in World of Warcraft, farming for the best loot in Star Wars: The Old Republic, or throwing some beat-down in League of Legends, you simply won’t find the same experience on the iPad. There are some really good games there, but nothing that will rival a game like Skyrim.

Tags: iPad Pro, Productivity

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Why is the iPad So Successful? Here’s the Truth

Sunday February 7, 2021 5:14 pm EAT by GeeksModo Staff

As you may already know, the Apple iPad is that one tablet people look stupid taking mirror selfies with. Well, it’s way more than that. Surprisingly.
The Cupertino based brand released the
first generation iPad
in April of 2010. Initially, people treated it as a gimmick and it was seen as more of a cash grab on Apple’s side. People generally used it to consume media and maybe, just maybe, do some light web browsing.
Since then, Apple has made a variety of iPads that ranges from 7.9 inches to 12.9 inches display.
So, why is the iPad so successful?
Now that iPads have become more reliable and attractive in terms of design, people seem to have gotten the memo and bought into Apple’s strategy of making this a widely used piece of technology. Not only has the iPad transitioned from being perceived as just a bigger iPod but it’s become a staple in a lot of people’s lives, ranging from students in a university to veterans using it to connect with their loved ones.
The biggest game-changer in the evolution of Apple’s iPad was the introduction of the Apple Pencil back in 2015.

– [ ] This introduction was revolutionary since people finally had the chance to use this tablet in a manner that is familiar to everyone. People finally used it to write their to-do lists, take notes, sign documents, highlight important text, etc. It was the first time a product allowed people to go completely paperless.
Not only did it become a common device among the working population, it became something young adolescents saved up money for months, sometimes years for. As someone who interacts with students every now and then, I can confirm that a lot of today’s college youth is perceiving this Apple device to be an essential in College, and even in High School.
Note-taking apps such as “Goodnotes” and “Notability” have become very popular among note-takers. “Procreate” is an app all new age artists have heard about, and the list continues.
In addition to the young adolescent’s perceived essentials, people have started and maintained entire businesses on this tablet. Doctors use it to reinforce anatomy information. Even kids are a huge fan of this tablet.
So should you invest in one?
Today, you can get the premium iPad experience not paying any more than 329$.
– [ ] The Apple iPad is designed to be fast, slick, and usable. It even offers multitasking if you need to have multiple apps open at a time. It’s the ultimate personal data consuming device. If you read, watch or listen to stuff, the iPad gives you the best experience due to its larger screen size and improved battery life compared to a smartphone.
– [ ] Second, tablets are getting better at creating content. With an attachable external keyboard you can have the same experience as a laptop, sometimes even better. The apps are optimized for touch, which makes interfaces more user-friendly. Many people find that the iOS versions of these apps work more efficiently than the Mac OS or Microsoft versions.
– [ ] You can also choose an iPad screen size that best suits your routine, and it’s still lighter to carry around than the average laptop (a decent laptop is twice as expensive).

An iPad is said to be more of a consumption device – video, music, email, web, etc., but those are the the very things we spent most of the time on a PC anyway. However, if one wants, an iPad can double as a creation device as well – word processing, spreadsheets, slide shows, email composition, etc. Of course, processor rich tasks like design, programming, etc. would still need a powerful Computer, although since most of us don’t do that stuff. So computers, like trucks – in Steve Jobs’ parlance, are becoming a niche product.

See also:
If It Weren’t For This Feature, The iPhone Wouldn’t Exist
All in all, it depends on your preference, if you find all of the aforementioned things attractive and think a smaller tablet might improve your efficiency, I say go for it!

Tag: iPad Pro

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A few reasons the iPad Pro can’t replace the MacBook, even with the Magic Keyboard

Sunday September 13, 2020 11:48 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

When it comes to the iPad, Apple loves to make a controversial statement or two. Remember when CEO Tim Cook said, “Why would you buy a PC anymore? No really, why would you buy one?” Or the commercial with the iPad-toting kid that sparked rage in the PC world with the question “What’s a computer?”

Thanks to the iPad Pro’snew Magic Keyboard, you may find yourself agreeing with Mr. Cook and friends. It has all sorts of advantages over a MacBook, and its floating magnetic design is downright cool.

But when it comes to being a great computer for getting work done, there are still numerous reasons why the iPad Pro is not yet ready to replace your MacBook. It’s a fantastic 2-in-1 tablet, but here are the prime reasons why the humble laptop is still a better option for some people.

Typing and extended working

The Magic Keyboard is a big leap forward for the iPad. The improved keyboard and the inclusion of a trackpad bring it closer than ever to replicating a real laptop experience. The physical feeling of the keypresses is better than any other keyboard cover out there, and matches what you get on a MacBook. And yet, when it comes to the pure typing experience, MacBooks still have the upper hand for a couple reasons.

First off, everything on a MacBook is spacious and more comfortable. The keyboard layout is wider, the trackpad is broad, and the wrist rests are taller. The Magic Keyboard is good enough in these areas, but if you had to pick a better typing experience, you’d choose the MacBook every time. The Magic Keyboard also doesn’t have a function row, which is pretty useful when it comes to quickly adjusting settings or accessingShortcuts.

The bigger issue at this moment in time is software. Cursor support for the iPad Pro was a big improvement, however, not all applications are up to speed. Apple’s own apps fluidly switch between contextual cursor types and vastly improve text selection. But useful apps such as Google Docs and OneNote still use the old iOS-style text selection, which is clumsy. That’ll hopefully get ironed out over time, but currently the experience is hit-or-miss.

Multitasking apps and workflows

Apple has put a lot of effort to enhance the multitasking experience on the iPad Pro. It now includes Split View and mouse support, and Apple has forkediPadOS away from iOS to deal with iPad-centric workflows. And still, it cannot compete with MacOS.

Let’s look at Split View. It is fantastic however, it allows you to use just two apps side-by-side. On a MacBook (with a little help from third-party apps like the excellent BetterSnapTool), you can snap windows to the corners of your screen and have four apps on the go simultaneously. simply drag the windows to your screen corners — or even better, use some keyboard shortcuts — and you have an endless more flexible workspace than you get on the iPad Pro.

Even without third-party apps, the Mac has got an upper hand here. for example, there is no way to have multiple virtual desktops on the iPad, but there is on the Mac. While the iPad Pro does some multitasking things well, it’s got nothing on the Mac.

Connectivity

Take a look at your MacBook. How many devices do you usually connect to it? perhaps you raise it up on a stand and hook up a keyboard and mouse. maybe you also use an external monitor with your laptop for a better viewing experience. There are many instances we need to connect more than one peripheral at a time, but the iPad Pro’s single USB-C port puts paid to that.

Worse, the iPad Pro’s Single port means that even if you only want to pair your device with a single peripheral, you cannot do that as you charge your iPad at the same time. although both the iPad Pro and MacBook includes USB-C ports, those on modern MacBook models are much faster thanks to being Thunderbolt 3 compatibility, — the MacBook’s ports can rock speeds of up to 40Gbps, while the iPad Pro can only reach a quarter of that. all that combined means the iPad Pro is far less flexible as far as connectivity is concerned.

The Magic Keyboard does include an extra USB-C port in its base, however you can only use it for charging.

File management

not so long ago, Apple has belatedly added some sort of file management and external hard drive support to the iPad Pro. That’s awesome for travel photographers who want to manage files on the go, however, in case you have a huge library of documents that you need to get under control, it still falls short of what you can do on the Mac.

for instance, when we tried substituting a MacBook for an iPad Pro: “Selecting a thousand photos to add to an album is hectic, as there is no equivalent to a Command-A shortcut to select all. Instead, you have to slide a finger over every image.”

The Mac has a wealth of third-party file-management apps, including those that modify or even completely replace the Finder. But even a fraction of that level of customization is not available on the iPad Pro. You can sort your documents in the Files app by date, for example, but on the Mac you can sort by date modified, date created, date last opened, and date added. If you handle dozens of files every day, Mac has got an edge over iPad Pro.

Content creation

If you engage inserious, pro-level tasks in the Apple ecosystem, there is still only one option, The Mac. Sure, you can use some professional apps like Photoshop on the iPad Pro, but if you were thinking that means it can replace the MacBook, there are some serious shortcomings, both in terms of hardware and software.

Let’s look at apps first. While Adobe promised “real Photoshop” on the iPad, the mobile version still does not have feature parity with the equivalent Mac app despite the fact that Adobe is releasing new features each month). But Photoshop is an outlier. Looking for apps like Logic Pro X, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro X on the iPad Pro? Tough luck.

Even for those pro-level apps you can get on the iPad Pro, you’ll encounter a limitation. Sure, the Apple A-series processor in the iPad Pro is surprisingly powerful, but you will find yourself Limited in other ways. For tasks like video rendering and machine learning, a dedicated graphics card is compulsory, yet the iPad Pro is devoid of options in this area. If you want to engage in high-end, serious tasks, you are best off sticking with a MacBook Pro,specifically the 16-inch model

Tags: iPad Pro, MacBook Pro

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How to Use Zoom App on iPhone and iPad )Help Guide)

Tuesday April 21, 2020 10:34 pm EAT by GeeksModo Staff

In the backdrop of the COVID-19 outbreak, remote working has become order of the day. And in this testing time,Zoom a video conferencing app – has proved to be a very helpful tool for professionals tohold online meetings. through video calling, seamless screen sharing, and instant meeting right from the comfort of the couch. If this Video Conferencing App has caught your attention as well, follow me as I teach you how to use Zoom app on your iPhone and iPad like a pro.

How to Set up Zoom App on iPhone and iPad

While there are a number of notable alternatives, very few of them are as easy-to-use as Zoom. This video conferencing app has a easy to navigate -interface and can be set up in a few easy taps. And even better, it allows you to join a meeting even without having to sign in (simply tap the gear icon to access all the basic settings).

What kind of Permissions Are Requested By Zoom app?

Before you can use Zoom app on iPhone, you may be asked to authorize access to several essential features like camera, microphone, calendar, photos, and more. It’s up to your discretion to allow or disallow the app to use these features.

Zoom Will Request for the Following Permissions:

Contacts: Grant the app permission to access your Contacts app to allow you to conduct a video/audio call.
Location: The app will request access to your location so that it can generate an Emergency Response Location. It will help you when dialing emergency services from the Zoom phone.
Calendars: It helps Zoom to add a meeting as an event in the stock calendar app.
Microphone: Grant the app permission to use the microphone of your iPhone so that you can join a meeting or webinar.
Camera: Grant the app permission to use the camera of your iPhone so that you can share your video in a meeting or webinar.
Photos: Grant the app access to the Photos app so that it can add images to chat messages, or for screen sharing during a meeting or webinar.
Background App Refresh: Offers the app the ability to send notifications for Meeting invites when the app is closed or not running actively.
Notifications: It allows the app to display notifications for chat messages, upcoming meetings, and much more.
Siri & Search: Allows the app to add Siri Shortcuts such as Join the Next Meeting, View Today’s Meetings, Start My Personal Meeting.

How to Start an Instant Meeting Using PMI or Meeting ID in Zoom App

You can start a meeting as the host using your host key. So, whenever you want to get started with a conference call, it will only take a few easy taps.

To get started, tap on the Meet & Chat tab located at the bottom of the screen.
Next, tap on the New Meeting tab located at the top of the screen.
Next on, if you want to use a personal meeting ID (PMI), turn on the switch next to it.
Lastly, tap the Start a Meeting button and you are all set!
You will see a pop-up asking you to join audio so that you can hear others. Tap on Call Using Internet Audio.

You can switch between selfie and rear camera using the camera switch button located at the top left corner.

During the conference call, you can view the participants, mute/unmute them, send messages to everyone, and even invite others to join you.

If you want to share content, tap on the Share Content tab. You will see a pop-up from the bottom with multiple options such as Photos, iCloud Drive, Box, Google Drive, Screen (more on this later), Microsoft OneDrive, Website URL, and Bookmark. In case you want to share files saved in particular cloud storage, tap on it and then go to the folders. Select the file and share it.

By the same token, you can share a website URL as well as saved bookmarks.

If you’d like to stop video but wish to continue with the audio call, tap on the Stop Video button located at the bottom.

If you wish to leave the meeting, tap on the End button located at the top right hand corner, and choose Leave Meeting. To close the meeting, hit the End meeting button.

Note:

Zoom includes a phone feature that you can use to call a number or contact using your direct phone number or company number.
If you want to view your call log, simply head over to the Phone tab > history section. Answered, missed, and recorded calls will be available on this screen.
Also, there is a Voicemail tab where you can play and delete voicemail messages.

How to Join a Meeting Using the Meeting ID in Zoom App

Joining a meeting on iPhone or iPad is quick and easy. Apart from using an iPhone or iPad to join a meeting, you can also use an Android Smartphone, a web browser, Zoom desktop app for Mac/PC, a landline, an H.323 or SIP device.

Keep in mind, every meeting has a unique nine, ten, or eleven-digit number referred to as meeting ID which you can use to join a Zoom meeting.

Note:

If you want to join a meeting through telephone; you’ll be required to use the teleconferencing number provided in the invite.
Zoom app also offers you an option to invite others to your PMI using text messages or emails. Alternatively, you can simply copy the meeting details and paste them into a calendar invite.

How to Change Backgrounds in Zoom App on iOS

One cool reason why people prefer to use the Zoom app on iPhone or iPad is the ability to use a virtual background. The app set a beautiful ocean background for me, which I really liked. In addition, you can select your own background, if you are not comfortable with the predefined option.

During the meeting, simply tap the More button located at the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
Next, tap “Virtual Background” in the menu.
Next on, choose the virtual background option given by the app.

If you prefer to choose your own background, tap on the “+” button and then browse you’re your favorite background from the camera roll. Next, tap Done. Next on, tap Close to go back to the main screen.

If you wish to remove the virtual background, hit the More button, hit virtual backgrounds and tap on Remove located at the bottom left hand corner of the display. Then, hit Close.

Note: Inside the More menu, there are a number of useful options such as Chat, Meeting Settings, Minimize Meeting, as well as disconnect audio.

How to Schedule a One-Time or Recurring Meeting with Zoom App

You can use the Zoom app to host either a one-time or recurring meeting. Again, you can host it from an iPhone, iPad, Android phones, Zoom desktop client, or web portal.

It’s worth noting that a non-recurring meeting ID will expire after 30 days. However, you have the option to restart the same meeting ID within the 30-day period.

As far as the recurring meeting ID is concern, it will expire after 365 days. The app allows you to re-use the meeting ID for future events.

In addition, the app gives you an option to start a scheduled meeting at any time before the scheduled time.

The links remain valid for 30/365 days. It’s worth noting that an instant meeting link will automatically expire once the meeting is over.

To start off, launch the Zoom app on your iPhone or iPad > Meet & Chat tab located at the bottom of the screen.
Next, hit the Schedule button tab located at the top of the screen.
Next on, go ahead and schedule the meeting according to your needs.

Note:

Use personal meeting ID: Switch it on, if you wish to use your Personal Meeting ID. If it’s not selected, a random meeting ID will be created.
Host Video On when starting: Select this option if you want the host video to turn on by default when joining the meeting.
Attendee Video On when joining: Choose this option if you want the attendee video to get enabled by default when joining the meeting.
Audio Option: Choose this option to allow users to call in via Device audio, Telephone, or Both.
Meeting Password: If you want participants to enter a password before joining a scheduled meeting, set a password.

Tap Advanced Options in case you want to use the advanced meeting options.

Allow join before host: Choose this option if you want to allow the participants to join your meeting before you. It’s worthing noting that the meeting will automatically end after 40-minutes for Basic (free) users if three or more people join the meeting.

Record the meeting automatically: Select this option if you want to automatically record the meeting.

Schedule for: In the event you have the scheduling privilege for another Zoom user, you can choose whom you want to schedule the meeting for.

Alternative Hosts: It lets you choose users in the same group to let them start the meeting in your absence.

After you have scheduled the meeting, hit Done to confirm.

Note:

A popup to add the meeting to your iOS calendar will appear, where you can invite others to join the scheduled meeting.
In the event you are not able to add the meeting to the stock calendar app, go to Settings > Privacy > Calendars. Here, make sure to enable Zoom.
Inside the Meeting tab, all the scheduled meetings will show up. You can start any meeting right from there. And even better, you will be presented with an option to send an invitation as well as edit your personal meeting ID.

How to Share Screen in Zoom App on iOS

Zoom makes use of ultrasonic sound proximity detection to generate an ultrasonic signal for a seamless screen sharing. If the app senses the signal in a Zoom Room, it automatically connects to the Zoom Room when the attendee tap on the Share Screen button.

In the event the proximity detection is not available, participants can enable direct sharing by typing in a Sharing Key that is made up of a string of letters.

Launch the Zoom app on your iPhone or iPad.
Next, tap on the Meet & Chat tab located at the bottom left hand corner of the screen.
Next on, Hit Share Screen.
Next up, type in the sharing key and tap on OK.
After doing so, you can choose to turn ON or OFF the microphone. Then, tap on start recording.

Boom! Zoom Rooms will start displaying the shared screen on the Zoom Rooms display. Everything that appears on the screen including notifications will be recorded. You can turn on Do Not Disturb (Settings app > Do Not Disturb) to stop receiving notifications during screen sharing.

It’s also easy to share the screen during the meeting. Just tap on the Share Content tab at the bottom > Screen and then proceed with the screen sharing.

When you want to stop sharing the screen, hit the red button and then tap on Stop in the pop-up that appears. Now, the recorded video will be saved to your photo library.

How to Use Your Personal Chat Space in Zoom App

Another Zoom feature worth noting is the “Personal Chat Space” where you can store private notes and files.

Open the Zoom app on your iPhone or iPad > Meet & Chat tab at the bottom.
Next, hit the star icon located at the top left hand corner of the screen.
Next on , choose your name in the Shared list.
Next up, input your notes and tap on Enter to save them by sending the notes to yourself.

Hit the “+” button located at the bottom left hand corner and then select the option to send photos, files or even snap a photo. Since the video-conferencing app is incorporated with many cloud services, you can easily access files saved in those cloud services and send them.

Note:

To access all the images, content, and starred messages, hit the “i” (info button) located at the top right hand corner. Then, go to a particular section.
If you want to clear all the Zoom chat history, hit the info button located at the top right hand corner of the screen and then tap on Clear Chat History and confirm the action.
To edit or delete any sent/received message, touch and hold it down. a menu will pop-up with a number of options such as: reply, share, star message, edit and delete. Select your preferred option.
Alternatively, you can hit the star button located at the top right hand corner of the display and then tap on All Files to dive into all the personal or entire files. Check out the filter option located at the top right hand corner of the screen and then select the None or Images option to filter files.

How to Create Channels in Zoom App on iOS

Channels can play an important role by allowing you to stay connected with your colleagues. Thankfully, it’s really easy to create a channel or join an already existing one on this Video-Conferencing app.

On your iPhone or iPad, Open the Zoom app > Contacts tab at the bottom.
Next, hit the “+” button located at the top right hand corner of the screen.
Select “Create a New Channel” or “Join a Public Channel” and then set it up normally.

You can access all of your channels through the Channels tab at the top center.

How to Add an App to Zoom Using App Marketplace

One good thing about Zoom is the incorporation of a super handy app marketplace from where you can install your favorite apps to improve your productivity. From Trello to GitHub to Twitter, the app marketplace has got a range of apps to suit your various needs.

Launch the Zoom app on your iPhone or iPad > Contacts tab.
Next, hit the “+” button located at the top right hand corner of the screen.
Next on, hit Add an app in the menu.
The app will take you to the App Marketplace. Here, go through all the available options and install the ones that suits your needs.

How to Customize Zoom Settings on iOS

When you use Zoom app on your iPhone or iPad, you can customize its settings according to your needs. The app includes multiple features that you can personalize to improve your experience.

On your iOS device, Open the Zoom app.
Next, hit the Settings tap located at the bottom right hand corner of the display.
Next on, you will be presented with a range of options to personalize.

Edit Zoom Profile

If you wish to edit your zoom profile, tap on the profile photo. Here, you can change your profile photo, display name, job title, location, default call-in country or region. In addition, the app offers you an option to add a personal note and get a custom meeting ID (for pro version).

Customize Zoom Meeting Settings

One thing that separates the Zoom app from the pack is the ability to offer a more personalized meeting experience. With a dozens of useful features to choose from, you can easily adjust everything to take full control of the meeting.

To do this, hit Meetings and then set up all the features as per your liking. For example, you can auto-copy the meeting link, always show meetings controls, sync Zoom meetings from Calendars app, and touch your appearance.

In addition, you can keep the virtual background for all meetings or current meetings only and even choose a fantastic reaction skin tone.

Personalize Zoom Chat Settings

It’s easy to fine-tune the Zoom chat settings. And depending on your liking, you can set it up to stay tuned in with your friends and colleagues at your own pace.

Hit Chats and then you can include or exclude link preview, configure the app to receive only given notifications, select where unread messages should appear, and when to alert you. Moreover, the app allows you to choose whether to receive push notifications when Do Not Disturb is enabled.

Blur Snapshot on Task Switcher

Zoom also allows you to hide sensitive information from the snapshot of the Zoom’s main window. The snapshot shows up as the preview screen in the iOS task switcher when many apps are running. To do so, hit General. Then, enable the switch next to Blur snapshot on the task switcher.

In addition, there is an option to enable incorporated calling to receive incoming calls on your lock screen. The app will allow you to show your zoom calls in the system’s call history. Other recording apps will not function when a Zoom’s call is enabled.

Use Zoom Siri Shortcuts

Another great feature on Zoom is the ability to work with Siri. So, in case you like using nifty Siri Shortcuts, there is a high possibility that you will find Zoom Siri Shortcuts quite useful. In addition, you can use Siri Shortcuts to join a meeting, view today’s meeting, and even kickstart your personal meeting effortlessly.

Signing off…

And that covers everything about how to use Zoom app on iPhone to remain in touch with your friends and colleagues. As the video-conferencing app is quite easy to use, I trust you have got a good hang of it.

What are some of the things you’ve found striking about the Zoom app? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.

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How To Spot A Fake iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad Mini

Monday June 17, 2024 2:28 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

In this article, i’ll give you tips on how to spot a fake iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad Mini.

With such a huge market share, the “fake iPad” business has become extremely lucrative for devious tablet manufacturers. Some of the previous iPad knock-offs are so poorly done that it is very easy to differentiate a fake iPad from a real one. But, over time, some fake iPads are cloned very well that they are physically very identical to a real iPad. From the size of the device, the buttons placement, the Apple logo, and other physical features of a genuine iPad, some fake iPads are indeed good replicas.

So in case you are concerned that you may have a Fake iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad Mini, read on.

Spotting a Fake iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad Mini

Before we explore various ways of how to check whether an iPad is original or not, be advised that there are many fake iPads out there. While clones or fakes are increasingly becoming widespread, you can still tell the difference between a fake and a real iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad Mini.

A little knowledge goes a long way with these devices and you always have to keep in mind that there is no one single give away when looking at a fake iPad, as they are created by different manufacturers that don’t subscribe to a single design philosophy. There aim is usually to make a convincing replica for as cheap as possible that are identical to a genuine iPad.
Fakes are occasionally manufactured before a official Launch based on rumors or after the official launch.

What to look out for when looking for a Fake iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad Mini?

Below are various ways on how to check if iPad is original or fake.
You should look out for the following signs to make sure that your iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad Mini is a genuine one:

Sign 1: Packaging

Always look for irregularities in packaging to the official retail packaging from Apple. In case you see a unofficial color of box art, Then it’s a fake iPad box, and, in all probability, there is a fake iPad inside.

Remember to inspect accessories, and any incorrect information that may be on the box. For example, fake iPad charger is usually weak when compared to the original one. Also, you may get wrong accessories for the fake iPad. In addition, manual document inside the box may be poorly put together or even poorly written.

Sign 2: Button Placement

One physical characteristic to watch out for is the button placement. On a genuine iPad , the sleep/wake button is located on the top right corner of the device, while the volume buttons are located on the side. In case either of the buttons are not placed where they should, then you have a fake iPad.

Some fake iPads have the buttons in the correct locations, but, feel the buttons by running your fingers on them. Press the buttons repeatedly, if they are loose Or improperly fitted, then, in all properbility, it’s a fake iPad.

Sign 3: Check the logo

Fake iPads have logos that are often off in placement, i.e., . being too high or lower than they should be. Moreover, On the back of the iPad, you should see an Apple logo. In case there is no Apple logo, then it’s a fake iPad.

Sign 4: Check the welcome screen

Usually, the OS on the clones is Android designed to look like Apples iPadOS. If at boot up for example you see unusual welcome screen that’s typically on android instead of an Apple logo, its certainly a clone.

Despite of the best efforts , clones try to hide Android features , however,they still appear and as you may already know, there are no Android OS features on Apple devices.

Sign 5: Font type

Inspect the font type being used. Usually, the font is off on the fakes compared to the Font used on an original iPad. For example , if you check the font on your emails, you sometimes see Chinese character, making you to first configure your iPad to English

Sign 6: Missing iPadOS Features

Look out for missing features such as Dark Mode and other unique iPadOS features. Usually, gesture controls do not work on fake iPads.

Sign 7: Fake Settings

Look out for Fake settings that don’t open or work as they should. Some settings wont respond when you tap them therefore, take note of that.

Sign 8: Face ID

On a fake iPad, face ID does not function or its Fake. Typically, it may pretend to scan your face weather or not you move it. In addition, it might not function when you try to unlock your device.

The following are iPad models that support Face ID:

iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations)

Sign 9: Camera Quality

Genuine iPads have high camera quality while the fake ones take low quality photos and videos. Try recording a video and see how bad does a fake iPad shoot videos.

Sign 10: Slow

Fakes are usually slow and lagging in overall performance and in booting up compared to the genuine iPads. The iPad Pro models are very quick devices and should not be slow at all especially when they are new.

Sign 11: Look for the serial number

To check the serial number of your iPad, head over to Setting > general > about. This will show you the serial number. Now, you can go to the Apple website, where you can type in your iPad’s serial number to check if it’s a genuine iPad. Your Serial Number Will Be Verified,And Will Display Your iPad’s Warranty Information If It Is Genuine. If the site says that the code is invalid, you have a fake iPad.

Sign 12: Check the storage capacity

Genuine iPad has a fixed storage capacity and cannot be expanded. Fake iPad require a memory card to expand its storage capacity. If you see a memory card slot either on the back or the side of the iPad, then start backing out because it a fake iPad.

Sign 13: Check for Siri

Siri feature is only available on an original iPad. Siri doesn’t work at all on a fake iPad.

Sign 14: Try to check the operating system.

If you see any application other than iPadOS, it is certainly fake. Apple uses proprietary iPadOS as its official operating system.

Sign 15. Try to connect to computer

Connect your iPad to a Mac or windows PC via a USB cable then try to run it with iTunes or Finder. In case you get an error, then it means iTunes or Finder does not recognize your device; so it is undetectable and fake.

Sign 16: Check the built-in applications.

Original iPad comes with the built-in Apple apps such as: Podcast, App Store, Settings, Calendar, Mail, Safari, Photos and more. If you miss any of those, the iPad might be jailbroken. To be sure you have an original iPad, try to restore the original firmware. Should you miss some built-in Apple apps after restoring the original firmware, then you know what it is — a fake iPad.

Sign 17: Pricing

If the price is too good to be real then its certainly or in all probability a fake iPad. For example , a fake iPad Pro costs as low as $120, which is almost ten times cheaper than the original one.

Always check the specifications of the device or the features and remember to reference apples official specifications for the iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad Mini. Also, check out for spelling errors as well as naming references as some fake iPads are usually manufactured even before the official device launch

Sign 18: Open it Up

If you can manage to Open it up, the internals are off and this is usually a sure bet way to 100% differentiate a Fake iPad from the genuine one. The internals are all erroneous.

Bonus

Here are a number of other ways on how we can differentiate between the real and the fake iPad.

Ask about the warranty: Fake iPad sellers will not give you a warranty to a certified Apple service center.
Take it to an Apple store: If your iPad passes all the tests stated above, but you still have some doubts, visit the nearest Apple store.
Ask for the
AppleGenius bar
to inspect your iPad. They can run a diagnostic test to check for the legitimacy of your iPad.

How To Check If Your iPad is original or fake? Now you know

And that covers everything about fake Vs real iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad Mini. We hope we are able to help you one way or another. We also have plenty of other articles that I suggest you check right now.

Tag: iPad Pro

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Continuity for iPhone, iPad, and Mac: Explained

Sunday September 13, 2020 11:39 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

One of the things I have always admired about Apple products because of the Continuity and Syncing features, they become usable in combinations when you have more then one device. Having an iPhone, an iPad and an Mac all logged into the same Apple ID account creates a collaboration of sorts, with many features able to work together in ways that provide more functionality. Features like making or answering phone calls from any device. Using AirDrop for moving files or folders to other Apple devices. Sending a text message or placing a phone call right from my Mac. Even syncing Contacts and Reminders, in addition to using iCloud Drive to collaborate across devices, there are many ways to make use of the environment that is created when you have more than one Apple device.

How does Apple continuity work

Apples continuity feature allows users to Sync Contacts, Messages, Calendar, Reminders and more, throughiCloud. While you’re working on your iPhone or Mac, your data remains in real time sync across your Apple devices through iCloud. This can help you to stay on the same page with all your Apple devices. It is very cool being able to add or change a Contact, then have it automatically updated to your other devices through iCloud. Using SIRI to send messages or place phone calls works consistently from any device, because all of Contacts are auto-synced. Syncing Reminders is also very handy, because it will alert you from any nearby device.
Another great thing with Apple Continuity feature is that you can leave one document available for editing on the fly, no matter where you are, as long as it is being synced. When you open it on your Mac, all the typed text will be there.

Apple Continuity requirements

For Apple Continuity features to work, you need two things:

Make sure that Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Handoff are all turned on your device’s settings.
Make sure that all of your devices are signed in with the same Apple ID.

Handoff

Apple Handoffis a feature that mainly works between iPhone/iPad and a Mac, but there is a use case with the HomePod smart speaker. If you are using a Handoff compatible app such as Safari, Messages and many of the other Apple native apps, then an app icon will show up to the left of the app ‘Dock’ on the Mac. Alternatively, if you’re using an app on Mac and you want to launch it on iPhone, a shortcut to switch into the iPhone version of the app will be available at the bottom of the screen in the multitasking menu. To launch the app on iPad you’ll see it appear on the right side of the iPad’s app Dock.
You can also handoff audio from Apple Music and Podcasts to the HomePod by tapping it to the top of the device. You can tap it again and get the sound to begin playing back on your phone.

How to enable HandOff on your iPhone and Mac:

On your Mac: Head over to System Preferences>General, check the item, “Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.”

On your iPhone or iPad, head over to Settings>General>HandOff, to enable this feature.

Universal Clipboard

Universal Clipboard is by far the most useful Apple Continuity feature, and the vast majority of people don’t know how to use it. Universal Clipboard let’s you copy and paste text from one device to another. For this to work, the two devices must be close to each other. It’s as easy as that. You simply turn on the Settings and you can copy text, images and other content and paste it on your other device.

iPhone Cellular Calls

iPhone Cellular Calls allows users to answer or make phone calls on your Mac or iPad. For this feature to work, the two devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network and have all of the Handoff settings turned on. Then when you get a call, it will appear as a notification on your Mac or iPad so you can answer it without reaching for your iPhone. If you want to make a call from a Mac or iPad, you need to make sure your iPhone is near. Then you can simply click on a phone number on the web or in the Contacts app to place a call.

Text Message Forwarding

Text message forwarding let’s users view their text messages on messages app on Mac or iPad provided that your iPhone is nearby. This is one Handoff feature that I’ve had problems with, thankfully, i was able to fix this issue by signing out of my Apple ID, restarting my devices, and re-signing in. This feature has to be enabled from the Messages section in your iPhone’s Settings app too.

Auto Unlock

If you have anApple Watch, you can use it to keep you Mac unlocked when you’re close to it. To turn on this setting, simply go to the ‘Security & Privacy’ section of your Mac’s Settings. Then head over to the General section and if you own an Apple Watch, an option to enable using your Apple Watch as the key to unlock your Mac will be available.

AirDrop

Another popular continuity feature isAirDrop. This let’s users quickly send photos, videos and other files to the nearby apple devices. One great thing about Apple AirDrop is the ability to send files to other peoples Apple device as well as your own.

What else

Other Continuity features are:

Continuity Camera,
Continuity Markup

and

Continuity Sketch.

These features let’s you use your iPhones to add items to documents. The camera allows users to trigger your iPhone camera to capture a photo to insert in your note or Pages document. Markup allows users to draw in the document and Sketch allows users to insert a drawing from an iPhone into a document or note.
There’s also SideCar, which is a new feature that was introduced with the launch of MacOS Catalina and iPadOS. It allows users to have their iPad act as a secondary display.
The last selection is an extension of Apple Pay. This feature let’s users shop online on their Mac and then use Apple Pay to check out. For added security, users can make their computer trigger their iPhone to require FaceID or TouchID to complete their purchase.

Troubleshooting for the Continuity features

Apple continuity not working? no problem. You can fix this problem in a few simple steps. First of all, ensure that all of your devices are on the same wifi network, have BlueTooth turned on, have HandOff enabled and are signed into the same iCloud account.

The following are some of the troubleshooting steps:

Log out of iCloud on all devices, then back in again with the same Apple ID and password
Disable Bluetooth, Wifi, and HandOff on all devices, then reenable them back again.
Lastly, after everything else, power off your devices completely, not just putting them to sleep. Then power them back on again.

Getting the Final Word

Well, there are definitely multiple ways you can use apple Continuity features through various devices. You can make and answer phone calls from any Apple device. You can text or call phone numbers on your screen by right-clicking on them. You can even work on the same document from two different Apple devices at the same time.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this Apple Continuity guide. Let us know if you have any problems with setting up Continuity features by leaving a comment below and we’ll be happy to help you out! We also have plenty of other articles that I suggest you check right now.

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How to Enable Low Data Mode for Wi-Fi Networks on iPhone or iPad

Sunday February 16, 2020 5:40 pm EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Wondering how you can reduce data usage on a wi-fi network while using your iPhone or iPad? You have come to the right place.

Depending on where you live, Internet may or may not be costly. If you live in US, there’s a possibility you’re paying a higher bill for your broadband connection and cellular data compared to one of your friends living in Europe or Asia. If internet bills are hurting your pocket, you might want to reduce your data usage. With the launch of iOS 13, Apple included a nifty feature called “Low Data Mode” that claims to reduce Wi-Fi data use when enabled, and a similar feature exist for cellular data users. Most people have limited data when they’re using their home internet use (or a cellular network) to browse the internet, so this feature is very useful when you’re about to hit your data limit, or you just want to reduce the bandwidth used by iPhone or iPad on a wi-fi network.

If you want to enable low data mode for Wi-Fi networks on iPhone or iPad to conserve your monthly data usage while on a wireless network, there are a few simple steps which you need to follow.
Here is the step-by-step guide which will show you how you can turn the low data mode feature on for Wi-Fi networks.

Part of how this feature works is that it aims to limit your data use by preventing automatic updates as well as other background tasks, hence reducing the amount of data used on the iPhone or iPad. Simply follow these steps.

How to Enable Low Data Mode for Wi-Fi Networks on iPhone & iPad

If your problem isn’t cellular data usage but rather skyrocketing broadband bills, you may need to use as less data as possible over Wi-Fi. Don’t worry, simply follow these simple steps to turn on low-data mode for a wireless network:

Start the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad and tap on “Wi-Fi”.
Next, tap on the “i” icon next to the Wi-Fi network name that you’re incurring high charges on, as you can see in the screenshot below.
you’ll see the option to enable Low Data Mode. Just tap once on the switch to turn it on.

There you have it. You have configured your iPhone or iPad to use less data.

As you can see, it takes just a few taps to enable or disable the feature.

This mode is very useful if you have a low data cap on your broadband connection, in addition to lowering your bills. By restricting background activities on your iPhone or iPad from consuming your internet data while you’re not using your device, you could use the spare data to do more important stuff at the full bandwidth.

Keep in mind, this method applies to using Low Data Mode on wi-fi, whereas you have a separate setting for using low data mode on iPhone with cellular data, which is what you’d want to use when you’re out roaming around.

While the benefits are numerous, Low Data mode has a couple of drawbacks. Since it prevents automatic updates and background activities as mentioned earlier, your iPhone and iPad data wouldn’t be automatically backed up to the cloud. If you aren’t aware, when your iPhone or iPad is powered on and plugged to a power source, iOS automatically backs up documents, photos, contacts and other files to iCloud. So, you may need to perform a manual backup to iCloud or you may risk losing data permanently.

Well, what’s your take on the new Low Data Mode features on iOS 13? Did it help you save a lot of valuable data and consequently save some cash? We’d love to know your thoughts and experiences in The comment section below.

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