GeeksModo

How to Use Apple EarPods: The Ultimate Masterclass

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:17 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Apple EarPods have a lot of use. You can use them to talk on the phone, launch Siri, fast-forward music and more. You can easily
Control phone calls, music and podcast playback, Siri, and more using the centre button. If you want to master how to use EarPods, this complete guide is for you.
Here is the step-by-step guide which will show you how to use EarPods controls like a pro.
Apple EarPods with remote control
Apple provides it’s customers with wired AirPods for free in every iPhone, iPad, or iPod they buy.
Apple wired headphones are white in color and they are also referred to as EarPods.
Apple EarPods are not as stylish as travel headphones however, you do not have to worry about charging them and they can pretty much do everything you would need to control audio on your iPhone.
Apple EarPods are of two types:
EarPods with lightning connector
and
EarPods with 3.5 mm Headphone PlugThe
EarPods controls are attached to the wire beneath the right EarPod.
Apple EarPods have 3 buttons on the front of the controls:

Volume up button
Centre button
Volume down button

You can use the volume buttons to increase or lower the audio level of music, podcasts and more. On the other hand,
the centre button can accomplish various tasks depending on the number of times you click it and the app you’re in.
In case you are not aware where the microphone is located on Apple EarPods, it’s positioned on the back of the control section. The microphone is placed around mouth height, where it can detect sounds during phone calls, recording memos, or commanding Siri without reaching for your
iPhone.

How to use apple EarPods

Follow these steps to use apple earbuds on your iPhone, iPad or iPod:

1. Use apple AirPods to control phone calls

When your Apple headphones are connected to your iPhone, you can talk
hands-free without having to hold your iPhone next to your mouth. Thanks to the EarPods in-built Mic.
Here is how to use Apple EarPods to talk on a phone call

While your iPhone is ringing, Click the centre button to answer a call.
While talking on your iPhone, click the centre button to end a call.
While your iPhone is ringing, hold the centre button to decline a call and send it to voicemail. Don’t release the centre button till you hear
two beeps.
In case you get an incoming call while you’re already on the phone, click the centre button to answer the incoming call and place your present one on
hold.
Switch between calls: Should you get multiple active calls, click the centre button to place your present call on hold and switch to the next one.
End multiple calls: Should you find yourself in multiple active calls, end your present call and switch to the next one by holding the centre button.

2. use Apple EarPods to control Music

You can control playback while listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks, or videos on your device through the centre button on your wired earphones.
Here’s how to use Apple EarPods to control audio on your iPhone, iPad or iPod:

To play or pause the music, podcast, audiobook, or video, click the centre button once.
To skip to the next song, jump 15 seconds forward on your podcast or audiobook, or skip to the next chapter
in a movie, click the centre button twice.
To fast forward your song, podcast, audiobook, or video, click the centre button twice and hold.
To skip back to the previous song, jump 15 seconds backward on your podcast or audiobook, or go back to the
previous chapter in a movie, click the centre button 3 times.
To rewind your song, podcast, audiobook, or video, click the centre buttons 3 times and hold.

3. Use apple EarPods to activate Siri

You can launch Siri with the wired headphones that comes with
your device. Moreover, you can issue hands-free commands to Siri through the use of the microphone attached to the controls of the EarPods.
Alternatively,
You can use Voice Control rather than Siri,
depending on the settings you have enabled on your device.
Here is how you can use Apple EarPods to talk to Siri:

Click and hold the centre button till you hear 2 beeps to launch Siri.
Click the centre button to exit Siri.

4. use apple EarPods to control the Camera

You can control the camera on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch through the centre button on your EarPods. It’s now easier to
Capture great photos on your iPhone
Since it is possible to take a photo without touching the device.
Apple got rid of this feature in subsequent iOS updates. Should the company reenable the feature, here is how you can use Apple EarPods to control the camera on your iPhone, iPad or iPod:

Launch the camera app on your device and click the centre button to snap a photo.
Launch the video camera app on your device and click the centre button to begin/end recording.

thats pretty much it on how to use Apple EarPods.

Audio Quality on Apple’s Headphones

Over the years, Apple’s wired EarPods have been extremely criticized for poor sound quality. They are not bad given that they are offered for free when you purchase new iPhone, iPad or iPod.
They come with an in-built Mic and you are able to control audio effectively with them.
In case you are considering purchasing wireless headphones, check this
.tomsguide.
Apple wireless AirPods are a bit pricy and do not offer numerous controls as Apple’s wired EarPods however, they are impressive.

Use Your Headphone Controls With Other Devices

You can connect Apple wired EarPods into any laptop, smartphone, or tablet
and most of the controls will work perfectly. You can increase/lower the volume, play/pause audio, rewind/forward, ETC.
Keep in mind , if your headphones have a Lightning connector you can only connect them into iPhone, iPad or iPod.
Questions?
Let us know in the comments section below.
As always share this article on how to Use EarPods with a friend or social media. We also have plenty of other articles that I suggest you check out right now.

Tag: iPhone Tips

Show Full Article

13 Best X Apps for iPhone and iPad in 2025

Tuesday January 14, 2025 3:31 pm EAT by GeeksModo Staff

In a perfect world, you wouldn’t even need third-party X formally Twitter apps for iPhone or iPad. The default X app would offer an optimal experience, and that would be pretty much it.

However, we don’t live in that world. Actually, there’s a legion of developers somewhere who feel it’ their obligation to not only improve X But also design it to their vision.

The developers of X apps for iPhone and iPad are focused on improving your experience as well as offering a glimpse at the potential of the platform through the eyes of a different creative vision. Not only do These apps improve Twitter, they also redefine it.

With that in mind, the following are the best X apps for iPhone and iPad in 2025:

Best Twitter apps for iPhone and iPad

Our best picks:

#1. Twitter

It’s a fact that most people browse social platform using the default Twitter app. As you may understand, it’s not the best options on the market. There are a bunch of other Twitter apps that offer so much more in terms of features, options, and customizability.

Having said that, the app excels In terms of reliability, performance, and overall design. It’s not the absolute best Twitter app, but that’s kind of its appeal. The app offers an easy and reliable way to browse one of the most popular social media platforms on the world.

#2. Circleboom Twitter

Tweeting is just one side of using Twitter. You need to manage and control your Twitter account and Circleboom Twitter has the most comprehensive Twitter management tool serves users with amazing features to manage their Twitter followers and connections in a variety of ways. You can track the growth of your followers and followings at the same time thanks to its user analytics tool. You can also get demographic information about your audience as well as detailed statistics. Your Twitter circle can be filtered by language and gender. Circleboom also allows you to see the optimal time to tweet and the interest areas of your Twitter followers with nice, cloud-like graphs.

Circleboom Twitter allows you to see detailed insights about your followers. In a few seconds, you can find followers who aren’t following you back on its simple interface. One of the other benefits of this multi-purpose application is the ability to filter inactive, bot, spam, and verified Twitter followers. If you want, you can look at the unfollowers, visit their profiles, and unfollow them.

Circleboom can also be used to search on Twitter. It allows you to locate and follow your target audience. Twitter’s user-friendly, intelligent search tool enables you to search for Twitter accounts that utilize keywords and hashtags related to your interests in their tweets, bios, profiles, and names. Then, if you want, you can go to their profile and follow them.

Moreover, you can delete all your tweets, retweets, likes, replies, and your Twitter archive in just one click on Circleboom Twitter. You can do everything mentioned above on your mobile devices.

#3. Twitterrific

If you want a well-designed Twitter app that is not mean with options, then Twitterific
might be what you are looking for.

Twitterific presents your Twitter feed free or promoted tweets and customized to ignore certain words, trends, and other qualifiers. Even better, the app allows you to customize your feed’s timeline to help focus on tweets that fall into a particular chronological criteria.

Again, however, the thing that really separates this from the other Twitter apps is its clean design. This is one of the oldest independent Twitter apps, and you can see how its design and functionality have been polished over the years.

#4. Tweetbot

Most Twitter apps are focused on achieving two things: expand Twitter’s features and make existing Twitter features a breeze to use. Few achieve those things better than Tweetbot.

For those not looking for too much, Tweetbot can prove to be a better way to use Twitter. The app makes it easy to schedule tweets, offers better filters, and it also allows you to sync your feed between multiple devices.

One great thing about this app, though, is its ability to allow you to create multiple, personalized timelines. Advanced features such as that make it easy to recommend this exceptional app despite a range of free alternatives.

#5. TweetLogix

If you want a Twitter app that better capitalizes on the capabilities of the mobile format, then TweetLogix might just be exactly what you are looking for.

In its simplest form, TweetLogix makes it easier to perform almost every Twitter task. Tasks such as muting, following, and composing can easily Be executed on TweetLogix than via the standard mobile app.

If you really want to explore the features this app has to offer, though, you’ll find so much to love. We’re particularly impressed with this app’s custom theme options, and its search functionality is one of the best among the apps of its nature. Experts and newbies will be impressed with everything this app can do.

#6. Crowdfire

As a matter of fact, Crowdfire isn’t the best Twitter app available today. However, that’s only because it’s not just a Twitter app.

Crowdfire is compatible with multiple social media apps and lets you carry out a range of tasks across them. Besides performing simple tasks such as scheduling posts, the app also recommends articles and content for your various social media feeds.

Only a small number of apps focus on curating content for various platforms, and that alone makes Crowdfire one of the best Twitter apps on the market.

#7. Echofon for Twitter

One thing you should know about Echofon for Twitter is that it features more ads than some of the other free Twitter apps on this list. However, that’s totally understood because it rocks a range of otherwise premium features.

As outlined on the app’s homepage, Echofon is one of the only free apps that offers in-line photo previews and push notifications. Those features alone make it a striking alternative however, one thing we love about this app is its uniformly smooth user interface.

Echofon might be one of the better options on the market for anyone who need premium features without the premium price tag.

#8 . UberSocial

Do you feel like Twitter could be a more “social” social media platform that presents you with expanded interaction options? Well, that’s one of the many functionalities that UberSocial offers.

UberSocial is popular for its social features such as an “inner circle” friends list that makes it easy to see what certain users are up to. Even better, it grants you access to an advanced tweet composer that lets you compose longer, more targeted tweets.

Put it all together and you have a Twitter app that offers more control over how you interact with people and various ways to see what others are up to. It’s definitely a unique style that will be valuable to some.

#9. Hootsuite

At times, you need a Twitter app that’s more than just a companion. Quite candidly, there are times when you need a Twitter app that is essentially a social media manager Hootsuite has a solution for the latter times. Frankly, it’s not the richest of the mobile Twitter apps when it comes to features. The app allows you to schedule Tweets, manage multiple accounts, and accomplish other premium tasks, but that’s all there is to it.

One area where Hootsuite really excels is through a series of advanced analytics that lets you better understand who is reading your tweets and why. For the people who manage a more professional Twitter account, that’s certainly useful information you don’t want to miss out on.

#10. Fenix

There’s certainly no shortage of relatively similar Twitter apps on the planet. As such, the difference between good and great ones is the matter of details.

What makes Fenix app to stand out from the rest is the details. It offers support for multiple accounts, media previews, as well as multiple social media and media clients.

Notably, this app truly sets itself apart via a fantastic interface that is rich and user-friendly. If you love your standard Twitter app but just Want something that offers a little more features, then this may certainly be one of the best Twitter apps for you.

#11. Janetter

Janetter is another free Twitter app that’s worth a mention. Its primary focus seems to be offering a more smooth mobile Twitter experience. It achieves that goal quite excellently.

Just like other free and premium Twitter apps, Janetter allows users to schedule tweets, manage multiple accounts, and enjoy expanded timelines. However, this app goes a little further by offering features such as customized touch controls that take advantage of the mobile medium.

Janetter is just one of those fantastic free Twitter apps that offers a modest upgrade without a lot of commitment.

#12. Listomatic

Has your Twitter account grown wild and unwieldy? Is it time to clean things up a bit and get things back in order? If that’s the case, then Listomatic has a solution for you.

Listomatic browse through your Twitter feed with the purpose of finding similarities. This could be your IRL friends, people who focus on music, or even just GIF posters. It then groups those similar accounts into categorized lists that gives you a better understanding of where your content is originating from.

Should you want to re-examine your Twitter feed or just want to better understand it, Listomatic will help you do so perfectly.

#13. Nighthawk

As you may already know, one of the most requested features for premium Twitter apps is advanced filters. In any case, even the most well-managed Twitter feeds can turn out to be a total mess over the course of just one busy day. Nighthawk is a relatively new Twitter app whose main aim is to simplify your Twitter experience. It lets you filter everything from spoilers to politics and even make a custom timeline that only features tweets from your friends.

This app offers one of the smartest suite of filters that we’ve seen in the apps of this nature. It’s definitely worth downloading if that’s what you need.

#14. Tweetings

Tweetings is a powerful Twitter client for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. The app offers an extensive feature list which includes lists, push, geolocation and syncs your timeline with your Mac or iPad!

The app allows you to follow your friends tweets, share your photos & videos, view conversations, who’s nearby and find out what’s trending at the moment.

Designed with users in mind, Tweetings is a worthwhile buy if you’re looking to try out another Twitter client for iPhone or iPad with some decent design.

And that covers pretty much everything about Best Twitter Apps for iPhone and iPad in 2023
We also have plenty of other articles below that I suggest you check right now.

Tags: iPad Apps, iPhone Apps

Show Full Article

Redundant MacBook Air Rant

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:17 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

In this article, I’ll tell you exactly why the Macbook Air is becoming the most unnecessary piece of hardware in Apple’s lineup.
Apple first released the Macbook Air in 2008 and claimed by Steve Jobs as the world’s thinnest notebook. It replaced the ‘Macbook’ range of laptops and was a Machine targeting the users who we’re vying for the more powerful MacBook Pro and simply wanted a laptop that could do Basic tasks such as run office apps and do some web browsing. Haters labeled the MacBook Air as “the most expensive Machine to browse twitter on” whilst MacBook Pro users disregarded their little siblings as casual users.
After remaining relevant for many years, the changes in the Apple product line up and hardware progression began to blur the lines of the MacBook Air’s place.

It Lost its Spot in the Lineup

The MacBook line up was very straight forward at the beginning. It was part of Job’s plan to simplify the lineup with Consumer and Pro users as his segregation. As per his famous grid, he was going to make a product which meets the needs of each user type.
If you were a simple “consumer” user that needed a portable Computer that ran Mac OS you would simply purchase the
MacBook Air.
If you were a “power” user that needed a portable laptop that could run heavier software such as Adobe’s Creative Suite you would go for the more powerful
MacBook Pro.
Over time the Macbook Air received the upgrades that all MacBooks did in the lineup like Retina displays, Solid State Drives and faster connectivity ports making it a good contender against the MacBook Pro. Later versions of the Macbook Air could run resource-heavy software, the hardware itself wasn’t designed for it with less cooling facilities and weaker chipsets but you could still make do.

Today’s price difference between MacBooks.
The pricing of both items also played a significant role. Initially, there was a much larger difference in the price between the Air and the Pro. Now for just USD300 more, you can get the MacBook Pro which is faster, more powerful and will have an increased longevity compared to a MacBook Air. So when you are purchasing a Macbook the option of choosing a Pro over an Air is much easier. To counteract this, Apple is doing what Apple rarely does and is offering a discount on the Air to encourage people to buy it.

Apple is Apple’s Biggest Competitor

The iPod was the most revolutionary piece of technology created by Apple and it changed the world. In 2001 I still remember seeing Steve Jobs on stage exhibiting a box that could store thousands of songs, that fit in his hand. It single-handedly killed the cd industry and changed music distribution and later pushed forth streaming.

Fast forward a few years later and all the features of the iPod are being slowly assimilated into the iPhone. Soon the iPod is considered redundant with the amount of hard drive space that phones come in. A basic level iPhone has more hard drive space than an iPod.
Later Apple changes the game again with the launch of it’s streaming service. Apple Music. This was the final nail to the coffin to the iPod. Why walk around with a device that can store downloaded songs when you’re phone with the help of omnipotent data can stream any song of your choice? In fact, they have replaced iPod from the menu of Apple.com for “Music”

The Rise of the iPad Pro

Apple announced the first generation of the iPad Pro in 2015. It was meant to be a more powerful iPad targeting the professional market (like they did with the Mac Pro). Apple saw a world of illustrators and designers using iPad Pros in their day to day work, but the first generation didn’t catch on. Its hardware wasn’t too powerful and people were still used to computers and drawing tablets. It, however, caught the attention of students who purchased it as an alternative to carrying a laptop around campus and was much easier to read notes in.

The second generation of the iPad Pro was more powerful and introduced the world to a magnetic connectivity port at the back allowing you to strap on a multi-purpose keyboard cover. When I got my hands on one at the Apple store it dawned on me; they’re going to cannibalise their own MacBook Air.
The next generation of the iPad and thereafter keeps drawing closer and closer to defeating the MacBook Air. It has a better display which is a touch screen, the same hard disk space, support for a pen and runs iPad OS which with every update gets very close to operating as a computer OS.

All its apps are optimised to run in harmony with the hardware with a lot of preference to design and illustration apps that pair well with the Apple Pencil, that magnetically attaches (and charges) itself to the top.
The iPad Pro is also the first iPad to support the full Adobe Photoshop software instead of the watered-down version. Note-taking apps such as Microsoft Words, Evernote and Apple Notes has been updated to attract the journalist and student market. The other apps are present too if you still want to watch a video or play a game.
The accessories that come with the iPad Pro also mean that it is a more versatile product for different needs. The Apple Pencil for graphic designers and illustrator and Magic Keyboard for anyone from journalists to students who want the keyboard experience.
Where do we see the MacBook Air in the future? Since professional users are becoming Apple’s primary target they will be catered to with MacBook Pros and Mac Pros and optimised software and hardware. Consumer users won’t be left in the dust, they will be rewarded with an even more portable, yet powerful iPad Pro that will give them the ability to do everything that they want plus more with accessories to fit their needs.
Whether category you fall into the iPad Pro brings better software optimisation, cooler accessories and a computing experience like no other at the same cost as the Macbook Air.
Apple is right: Your next computer isn’t a computer.

Show Full Article

Identify Banknotes Quickly and Accessibly with Cash Reader: Bill Identifier for iOS

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:17 am EAT by Tyler Stephen

Notice

For this review, I received a subscription to use Cash Reader: bill identifier, worth US $17.99 from the developer. The opinions expressed in the review however are my own. I received no other compensation related to this content.

Intro

Of the numerous ways the iPhone can improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, one of the most intriguing to me is currency identification. In the case of the US dollar, for example, all banknotes are the same size and feel exactly alike with no way to independently identify the denomination without seeing the print. However, with apps like Cash Reader and Microsoft Seeing AI, a user like myself can simply place a banknote under a smartphone camera and hear its denomination spoken.

For several years, I had used NantMobile Money Reader, formerly Looktel Money Reader for this purpose, but it has since been removed from the AppStore and is no-longer maintained. Due to the stagnation of this once promising product, I’ve Since transitioned to using Microsoft Seeing AI, and recently, Cash Reader: Bill Identifier. In this review, I will give an overview of this money reader app, as well as an objective comparison to Seeing AI.
Cash Reader app: bill identifier

Comparison between Cash Reader and Seeing AI

While both Cash Reader and Seeing AI are apps that aim to make the visual world more accessible to blind and low-vision users, there are several notable differences between the two.

To start, Cash Reader is a standalone currency identifier, meaning the only function it serves is to identify the denominations of banknotes. By contrast, Seeing AI is what many refer to as a, “Swiss Army knife,” of assistive apps, combining short text, document, product, and face recognition with light and color detection, as well as currency identification. Also, where all of the processing for Seeing AI is done remotely, Cash Reader downloads data for your currency of choice, meaning all processing is done on the device. If you are somewhere where your Internet connection is poor, currency identification with Cash Reader might come in handy, as no Internet connection is required to use it.

Another difference between the two money reader apps is that Seeing AI is completely free, whereas Cash Reader is subscription based. My theory for why one app is free and another requires a paid subscription is that Seeing AI is a research project by Microsoft, a very large corporation who most likely can comfortably afford the cost of developing and maintaining an app as well as the cloud servers that do the heavy lifting. By contrast, Cash Reader is developed by a team with a comparatively smaller budget to develop and maintain an app.

A potential advantage to Cash Reader is that as data is processed on device, readouts are significantly faster than with Seeing AI. Whether that is worth paying for a subscription to you is of course your call, but I’d definitely recommend checking out the 14-day free trial to get a sense of the benefit in speed and performance.

Before I conclude this section, I’d also like to give a brief mention to another free currency identifier app called EyeNote, which is intended exclusively for identifying US dollars. While this app is free and has the added advantage of determining whether a particular banknote is front or back side up, I have found its recognition speed to be lacking when compared to other money reader apps for iPhone.

Using Cash Reader

Once you download the app and select a subscription, you will be asked to select a default currency, in my case US dollars. From there, it will download the data for that currency and present the obligatory user agreement.

Once agreed to, the app’s main interface will be displayed, which is nothing but the name of the selected currency and a settings button. Don’t let that fool you, however, as this money reader app is very fast and powerful. In my experience, I could place a banknote under my
iPhone SE (2020)
camera, and hear the denomination spoken by
VoiceOver
in approximately one-second or less. This is much faster than Seeing AI, and even faster than the now discontinued NantMobile Money Reader.
Photo of hands with mobile and banknote

Using Cash Reader made me realize how much I missed the quick identification and simple interface of standalone currency identifiers like NantMobile Money Reader. While Seeing AI’s money reading abilities are quite capable, the speed of Cash Reader simply blows my mind.

When you select the settings button, a list of options, organized by heading, is displayed. In this review, I will cover a few notable customizations that, in my opinion, set Cash Reader apart from the competition. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of settings, as many of them are presumably intended for low-vision users. As I am totally blind, I am unable to test or comment on visual features.

Silent mode

In addition to identifying money by spoken feedback, Cash Reader can also convey denominations with a pattern of vibrations or haptics, depending on your preference.

One vibration or haptic will be given for the lowest denomination, two for the second lowest, and so on. You can configure this mode to always be enabled, always be disabled, or determined by the position of the hardware silent switch on the device; if the switch is toggled to silent mode, denominations will not be spoken, and if it isn’t, they will be spoken. This mode can be especially useful in public or loud environments, where you may not want to broadcast how much money you’re carrying around at the given time.

Siri Shortcuts

In addition to simply opening the app and placing a banknote of your default currency under the camera, you can also configure Siri shortcuts to open the app or identify alternative currencies using your voice. From this section of the settings, you can record a phrase that Siri will recognize to open the app or select an alternative currency for identification. For me, I recorded a shortcut to open the app and identify US dollars by engaging Siri and saying, “What’s the value of this bill?”

Of course, I can also tell Siri to open Cash Reader, so this feature holds little practical utility for me. However, I can see it being useful for people who, for example, need to identify multiple currencies and don’t want to dive into the app settings each time. Not having access to additional currency samples, however, I was not able to test how this works in practice.

Banknote announcement style

If you’re working with only one currency, it may not be necessary for VoiceOver to announce it for each bill. This area is where you can choose whether or not the name of the currency is spoken, or just the denomination, E.G., 20 American dollars versus simply 20.

Send photo for inspection

If you know Cash Reader is misidentifying money, you can send a photo of that particular banknote as well as the surrounding environment so that the developers can investigate the issue and improve recognition accuracy in the future. However, I have not yet, to my knowledge, encountered inaccurate bill identification, and thus haven’t used this feature.

Availability and Price

Cash Reader: Bill Identifier, is available on both iOS and Android. In US, however, the application costs US$17.99 for iPhone users and $16 for Android for lifetime usage. Users can alternatively subscribe to monthly or yearly packages, or use a 14-day free trial.
Download Cash Reader for iOS
Download Cash Reader for Android

Conclusion

The first time I remember using a currency identification app was in 2011, using the app then known as Looktel Money Reader on my new iPhone. Smartphone technology and accessibility has evolved by leaps and bounds since then, but the central principle of holding a banknote under a camera and hearing the denomination spoken by VoiceOver remains the same today.

However, this money reader app appears to be noticeably faster and more customizable than other apps I’ve tried. I’d also be interested to know the utility of the visual features, as that seems to be one unique differentiating factor of this money reader app for the blind. If you have any experience with this app or any currency identification apps, be they positive, negative or neutral, I’d like to know. Sound off in the comments.

Tag: Assistive Technology

Show Full Article

iPadOS 14 Supported Devices List

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:17 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

iPadOS 14 is here, and it looks gorgeous. Not only does it revamp the user interface in desktop-like ways that take advantage of its mammoth display, but it makes the Apple Pencil far more valuable as an accessory.

Revealed at WWDC 2020 on June 22, we’ve just gotten our first look at the how the iPad stands out from the iPhone — though the iPad has also received some of
the best new iOS 14 features
as well. The iPad also feels more productive than ever, thanks to the ability to choose third party apps for certain features.

These features add up to a mighty healthy iPad update.
iPadOS 14
also receives a lot of macOS interface changes, for search and more — where iPadOS 14 is making the iPad look a lot like a MacBook.

In previous years, iPads would get big updates every other year, with those off-years providing merely minor tweaks, which may be over as a rule. That era appears to be over. Here’s everything we know about iPadOS 14 so far.

iPadOS 14 release date

According to Apple, iPadOS 14 will come out in fall 2020. That’s like likely around September, as Apple tends to release major updates alongside its new hardware. This will likely follow a long string of beta releases (more on that next).

We are got our first official look at iPadOS 14 at the WWDC 2020 keynote. There’s a seasonal gap between the reveal and release because Apple gives developers advance time to get their apps ready for any changes.

iPadOS 14 beta

You can now download the iPadOS 14 beta, but it’s the developer version. That means it’s going to be a little more risky of a download than normal. It also costs $100 to gain admission into the Apple Developer Program. This version is the least stable of them all, and should only be installed by people willing to take a risk — and who have already backed up their device.

Starting from this month (July 2020) a public beta testing process will begin, delivering the preview version of iPadOS 14 to more adventurous types. Throughout the summer, Apple will release updates for each beta version, and bloggers will try and read between the lines of code in the updates to see what’s going to be announced in the fall.

iPadOS 14 supported devices

iPadOS 14 is compatible with all the iPads that supported iPadOS 13. This seemed like a sure thing, but the iPad mini 4 (from 2015) and iPad Air 2 (2014) were so old that it would not have been surprising to see them lose support.

Below is the list of iPadOS 14 supported devices:

iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2020)
iPad Pro (11-inch, 2020)
iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2019)
iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2019)
iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2018)
iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2017)
iPad Pro (10.5-inch, 2017)
iPad Pro (9.7-inch)
iPad (7th generation)
iPad (6th generation)
iPad (5th generation)
iPad mini (5th generation)
iPad mini 4
iPad Air (3rd generation)
iPad Air 2

iPadOS 14 features

iPadOS 14 gives you the ability to scribble to type, as Apple’s new Scribble feature turns hand writing into text. This allows you to markup your to do’s on the fly.

Moreover, you’ll be able to move your handwriting around in notes, like groups of objects. It’s also possible to copy and paste handwritten notes between apps.

Want to erase text? Simply “scratch” your Pencil tip over the text to erase it. You can even select and alter a large group of items you’ve written, with your pencil, like a more powerful cursor.

iPadOS looks a lot like macOS now, starting with redesigned search has been redesigned. The new search field looks and acts a lot like Spotlight on the Mac, and you can use it to find content in documents, find apps and facts.

Moreover, many apps, such as Photos and Notes, will get a left-side menu, that makes them look a lot like their Mac app versions. Items can be dragged and drop through this menu. Calendar is also getting more powerful menus connected to toolbar buttons.

In the music app, you’ve got a new redesigned way to listen to your music. After you start playing, you can get a full-screen player mode, making lyrics a lot larger than before.

Phone calls now appear as notifications at the top of the screen, so your entire screen isn’t taken over. Siri appears in the corner of the screen as well, adding to what you see, and not obfuscating your screen.

The old way phone call notifications worked, where they took over your whole screen, felt like iPadOS was holding onto the iPhone’s interface. Now, all three devices are unified, as the Mac has always had its call notifications in the top right corner.

We noticed that in the background of the iPadOS 14 features slide, the company revealed that you’ll be able to set new default email and web browser apps.

This is a long overdue option for both iOS and iPadOS, and the iPhone gets it too. We’re still waiting for options for a default calendar app and a default maps app.

The iPad also inherits new features from iOS 14.
Those include widgets, which stay inside the smart stack, and don’t get to go into the apps section of the home screen like they do on iOS 14. There’s also device dictation, group photos in Messages and pinned conversations in Messages (for your favorite people you don’t message all the time).

Tag: iPadOS

Show Full Article

How to Lock Apps on Your Apple Phone

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:17 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

There are plenty of reasons you might want to restrict access to your iPhone apps. Maybe you let your child use your phone and want to keep them out of messaging and productivity apps. Or perhaps you’d just like a little more privacy in general. There’s nothing wrong with that!

Unlike Android phones, which generally required a third party locking app to do this, Apple has a few built-in security solutions. Learn about them below.

As you do so, take this time to do a comprehensive security review of your phone. Check and refresh account passwords, and other security tools, and make sure your phone is up to date. It’s a good idea to do this at least once per month.

And don’t forget the easiest way to keep people out of your apps—don’t let them use your phone in the first place—unless you trust them.

Method 1: Use Screen Time

You might not realize this, but Screen Time does more than record your device usage patterns. It also has a handy app lock tool that you can use to prevent you from spending too much time on social media as well as restrict app access.

To turn Screen Time on:

Open Settings
Tap Screen Time
Enable Screen Time and Screen Time passcode
Tap App Limits
Turn on App Limits
Add Limit
Choose which app you want to limit. You can also select multiple
Tap Next
Set Limit

Then set the limit to whatever you like. Do note that the lowest limit you can set is one minute, so someone could still access it if you haven’t used it that day.

This option is helpful when you still have easy access to the app because you can hit the ignore limit and put in your passcode to re-access the app.

Method 2: Guided Access

Guided Access is a super secure option. It restricts access on your phone to whatever app is currently accessed. This is helpful if you want to let somebody use one app without allowing them to venture elsewhere.

To enable Guided Access:

Open Settings
Tap Accessibility > Guided Access
Turn On
Set Guided Access Passcode
You can also enable FaceID or TouchID to enable/disable it.

After turning on Guided Access, you can use the feature by opening any app on your iPhone and pressing the Side button three times (for iPhone X or newer) or the Home button three times (all older models).

To turn off Guided Access, press either the Side or Home buttons again and enter your passcode.

Method 3: Third-Party Apps

Apple has a very closed hardware ecosystem. That means you won’t find as many app locking apps as you do on Android in the App Store.

There are a few options in the App Store, but they’re not practical. Think of them more as ways to conceal some of your apps and data. But anybody who wants to will still be able to search Settings and Siri to bypass what these apps do.

If you want to use a true third-party solution that will lock your apps, you’ll have to jailbreak your phone. Do note, this voids your AppleCare warranty and may cause security or performance issues, so only do so at your own risk.

Once you jailbreak your phone, you can look into apps like AppLocker or BioProtect. However, not all locking apps are compatible with the latest iOS. Pay attention to this before you decide to jailbreak your phone or not.

How to Lock Apps On Your Apple Phone

Locking apps on your iPhone is easier than you realize. You can either use Screen Time or Guided Access if you want a built-in option. These are the best options for most Apple users.

But if you have some tech skills and don’t mind taking a little risk, you can also jailbreak your phone and try out one of the third-party options.

Whatever you do, just be sure to keep security in mind with your iPhone. Never leave your phone unattended, always lock the screen, and use security tools like Find My iPhone to erase your phone remotely if it’s ever lost or stolen.

Likewise, use other security tools like VPNs, password managers, and encryption to keep your data safe while you’re at it.

There’s no perfect way to lock your iPhone apps. But there are plenty of ways to improve your privacy and security. Use these strategies and tools to keep your phone as private as it can be.

Tag: iPhone Tips

Show Full Article

How to Get into the Apple Ecosystem for Less than $1500

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:17 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

I can not overstate the benefits of the Apple ecosystem. When you enter a contact on your phone it is automatically synced to your iPad. When you enter a new calendar event on your iPad, it is automatically synced to your iPhone and the event reminder comes up on your Apple Watch. It is seamless and it just works. If you get a Windows laptop and an Android phone you can get some synchronization with Google Calendar, but it won’t be anything close to seamless.
It’s not just contacts and events, either. All your To Do items, your web site bookmarks, passwords, messages, Notes, and there are loads of third party apps that take advantage of iCloud to sync between your different apps. The Apple ecosystem is a great thing, and there simply is nothing that even comes close to doing as much so easily.
With that in mind, here’s how to get into the Apple Ecosystem without breaking the bank.

iPhone SE - $399

The
iPhone SE
is Apple’s most affordable phone, but it packs The best features out there including the latest A13 Bionic processor, a camera capable of Portrait Mode, and wireless charging.

Apple Watch Series 3 – $199

Although this isn’t the newest Apple Watch, it’s supports the latest watchOS operating system, and will last for years. The Apple Watch complements your iPhone, offering notifications and quick actions on the go, while also offering lifesaving health features.

iPad & Logitech Combo Touch – $499

The 7th-generation iPad is Apple’s most affordable iPad, but it’s more than enough for the average user. With keyboard compatibility, an A10X Fusion chip, and iPadOS, this device is powerful enough for virtually everything you want to do.
With iPadOS and the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case, you can even use a keyboard and trackpad, and access desktop versions of websites in Safari just like on a Mac.

AirPods – $159

AirPods are a seamless, automatic way to listen to Music, podcasts, Audiobooks and other audio on your Apple devices. They connect automatically and have a battery life of over 24 hrs when used with the charging case, in addition to Hey Siri support.
And the total is $1,256
There you go! For less than $1500, you can get all the benefits of the
Apple ecosystem.
With an iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and AirPods, you have a full set of Apple devices that can help you with everything you want to do.
See also:
Apple Watch Series 5 Review: Imperfectly Perfect!
And that covers everything about how to get into the Apple Ecosystem.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comments section below.

Show Full Article

The Cheapest iPad Pro keyboard that Doesn’t Suck

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:17 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

No, it’s not the Magic Keyboard for iPad
The virtual keyboard on the iPad Pro is excellent. Having the possibility to make it smaller and drag it anywhere on the screen is a great feature that allows you to type only with one hand.

Even if the virtual keyboard is a lot better than it used to be, it’s not a perfect solution if you want to use your iPad Pro as your primary working device.

My first keyboard was the
Apple Smart keyboard Folio case
Unlike most people, I didn’t hate the feeling of the keys. I did find the keys a little small and hard to be precise on.

Don’t get me wrong, it was super great for small typing tasks, like replying to a few texts and typing a few emails, but it got very annoying to use for longer texts. I was consistently hitting the wrong key, sometimes I wasn’t pressing hard enough, and the noise it was making was somehow irritating to me.

It did indeed enjoy the portability of it, though. It was keeping my iPad secure, pretty thin, and rather light — especially since the 12.9 inch iPad Pro is already quite heavy.

The form factor was a crucial feature for me, and that’s why I wasn’t attracted to any other keyboards. Most of them were turning the iPad Pro into such a thick device or making it extremely heavy. If I need a thick and heavy device, I might as well just use a MacBook.

The New Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro Could Have Been Great…

The new Magic Keyboard for iPad looks great. It turns the iPad into some sort of iMac, and having this (small) touchpad is probably going to have a significant impact on people’s productivity, as it’s going to make the iPad way much better to use. Overall, the product looks premium, the typing experience seems fantastic according to what all these geek bloggers are saying, and the trackpad works like a breeze. When I saw this product being released, I was certain that it was what I needed until some people got it and started doing reviews.

People are complaining about the weight of the device, particularly with the 12.9-inch model. The combined weight of the iPad and the keyboard makes it heavier than a 13 inch MacBook Pro. If I need to carry something this heavy, why would I bother with the iPad? My MacBook would seem like a better option.

I don’t understand this Magic Keyboard. It seems great to have on your desk so that you don’t have to carry it around all day. But then what’s the point of having an iPad if you just use it at your desk? And if you are only using it at your desk, why don’t you use a MacBook or even an iMac or something? These devices are a lot easier to work on. I guess some folks will love it. I’m just not in that group of people. Some would argue that I need to try it out before I express my opinion on it. I’d say that I’m not willing to give it a try since the price has been set this high!

The Canopy

For sometimes now, I’ve been using a regular Apple Magic Keyboard with my iPad, and it’s been great. I like the feeling of typing on this keyboard, it’s quite compact, and it has incredible battery life. I know that it’s not the best keyboard on the market, but for what I do, I think it’s my best bet.

Alongside this keyboard, I’m using the Canopy from Studio Neat (not affiliate). It’s both a sleeve for the Magic keyboard and an iPad stand. The sleeve makes transporting the keyboard pretty easy. The sleeve opens in an iPad stand. The final result appears very sleek. The complete setup is the most practical one I’ve found yet. It’s highly portable, it doesn’t make the iPad insanely thick or heavy, and the typing experience is outstanding since you’re typing on an actual keyboard, and not some sort of compact compromise.

I’m astounded this solution is not more popular. No one came up with the perfect product yet, but I feel like this solution is the best available today. Unlike the iPad Magic Keyboard, it doesn’t make your iPad untransportable.

I am now trying to figure out the best way to have a mouse or trackpad with this setup because that’s the only thing that I’m interested in trying. Currently, I’m using a Logitech MX Anywhere 2S. It’s highly portable, and the battery life is super great. But I’m not super sold on the ergonomics of the mouse. Again, since I’m need something portable, it’s quite difficult to find a product that doesn’t compromise on the comfort and ease of use. Finding the right mouse or trackpad is the last step for building my ideal iPad setup. I trust I’ll find the right fit.

Tag: iPad Pro

Show Full Article

Activity App Keeps Crashing or Freezing? Fix it Here

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:20 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Activity app not working on iPhone? No problem. In this article, I’ll explain exactly why activity app keeps crashing and possible solutions to fix the issue.

There can be several potential causes for the Activity App on the iPhone crashing or feezing frequently. Below are some possible fixes. Some users have stated that they can launch the app, but it crashes (meaning it quits unexpectedly) or freezes when they try to view the workout details. When you tap the Workouts tab, you can view more details about your workouts. You can also tap each workout to see more details about your activities.

If you are experiencing problems with the Activity App, this troubleshooting guide will show you exactly what to do if the Activity App is not working as expected.

Before you dive in, please update your iPhone’s and Watch’s software as this may fix the problem if activity app keeps crashing. Here is how you can do this:

iPhone: head over to Settings > General > Software Update.
Apple Watch: If you are running watchOS 6 or higher, then on your watch, tap Settings > General > Software Update. If you are running an older version, then on your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, and head over to My Watch > General > Software Update.

Solution #1. Disable full Keyboard Access

A couple of users have stated that disabling Full Keyboard Access fixes the problem when activity app keeps crashing. Full Keyboard Access is an accessibility feature for people who have difficulty using touchscreen keyboards. Please try the following steps to disable this to see if this fixes your problem.

Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
Head over to Accessibility > Keyboards, tap Full Keyboard Access.
And disable Full Keyboard Access, if it’s enabled.
Now navigate from the Settings app and try to launch the Activity App.

Solution #2. Restart your iPhone

If activity app keeps crashing, consider restarting your iPhone. Simply follow these steps to restart your iPhone:

To restart iPhone X or newer: Press and hold the volume up (or down) and the side buttons together until the power off slider appears. Then drag the slider. To power on your iPhone, press and hold down the side button until the Apple logo appears.
To restart other iPhone models: Press and hold the power (side or top) button until you see the power off slider. Then drag the slider. Then press and hold down the side button to power on your iPhone.

Solution #3. Reinstall the Activity App

Reinstall the Activity App. But do not worry, we will use the “offload app” approach. This method does not delete your data. Simply follow these steps:

Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
Navigate to General, then tap iPhone Storage.
Locate and tap the Activity App.
Tap “Offload App”.
You’ll see a popup saying “Offloading “Activity” will delete the app but keep its documents and data.”
Wait as your iPhone offload the app. This may take a few minutes.
Now reinstall the app. simply tap the Reinstall App button or navigate to your iPhone’s Home screen, and tap the Activity App icon. This will reinstall.

Solution #4. Quick Actions

If activity app keeps crashing, it means that the above fixes did not resolve your problem. Moreover, it means that you are still unable to view the Workouts menu in the Activity App. What you can do is try the “quick actions menu” right from the Home screen. Simply follow these steps:

On your iPhone, navigate to your Home screen and locate the Activity App.
Now, tap and hold the Activity App.
The app’ contextual menu will appear.
From this menu, choose the Workouts option.

In case the Activity App is crashing or freezing when you want to see the workout details, you can try “the preview” option. Simply follow these steps:

Launch the Activity App.
Tap on the Workouts tab.
Tap and hold a workout from the list.
This will reveal a preview popup so that you can see your workout details.

Last resort

If you are still experiencing problems with the Activity App, try
Apple Support.

Show Full Article

Apple TV Wi-Fi Connection Not Working? Fix it Here

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:20 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Are you experiencing Apple TV Wi-Fi connection issues? Well. In this article, I’ll explain exactly how you can fix your Apple TV Wi-Fi connection problems. If you cannot play movies and other content on your Apple TV, this may mean that your Internet connection is weak. You need a strong Wi-FI connection to be able to stream entertainment to your Apple TV.

Here are some signs of Apple TV Wi-Fi connection problems:

Downloads do not start.
Unable to join a Wi-Fi network.
Contents do not play.
Various error messages show up, for instance:

”An error occurred loading this content”
“There is a problem loading this content”

Are you having the above Apple TV Wi-Fi connection issues? If your Apple TV is unable to connect to the internet through the router, then this troubleshooting guide is for you.

Please try the fixes below. Be sure to test after each step to see if your Apple TV starts working again:

Check the basics

Before you dive in, try the following:

Make sure that your Apple TV is connected to the correct wireless network. Head over to Settings > Network).
Ensure that you type in the correct password.
Ensure that your Apple TV is not too far from your Wi-Fi router.
Make sure that your router is working. Verify the router is working by connecting a different device, such as your iPhone. If the Internet works on your other device, your router is working. If not, try the following fixes:

Ensure that your router is 802.11a/g/n/ac compatible. Most routers that were built after 2015 are compatible.
Consider restarting your router. Disconnect the power cable. Wait for about one minute. Then reconnect it.
Ensure that your router is running the latest firmware version. Check the manufacturer’s manual for instructions on how to update your router. You may also contact the manufacturer for more help.
There could be a service outage in your location. Contact your Internet service provider for support.

See also:
Apple TV Remote Not Working? Fix

Troubleshooting tips:

Now, follow these steps to fix Apple TV wireless connection problems:

Restart your Apple TV. You can do this in various ways:

You can head over to Settings > System > Restart to restart your Apple TV.
You can use your remote to restart your Apple TV:

To restart Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD: Simply hold down the TV and Menu buttons.

To restart 3rd-generation Apple TV and older: Simply press and hold the Menu and Down buttons.

And finally, you can simply disconnect it from the power outlet, wait for a few seconds, then reconnect it.

Update your Apple TV. Simply follow these steps:

Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD: head over to Settings > System > Software Updates and Select Update Software. And if an update is available, follow the onscreen prompts. You can also turn on Automatic Updates by heading to Settings > System > Software Updates.

Apple TV (3rd generation): head over to Settings > General > Software Updates and Select Update Software. Follow the onscreen prompts if an update is available. To turn on Automatic Updates, head over to Settings > General > Software Updates.

If you are still having Apple TV Wi-Fi connection problems, consider resetting your Apple TV to its factory settings. Keep in mind, this will remove all your data and settings from your Apple TV. Here is how:

To reset Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD: head over to Settings > System > Reset. Click Reset and Update. This will reset your Apple TV and also update your Apple TV to the newest version of tvOS.
To reset Apple TV (3rd generation) or earlier: head over to Settings > General > Reset. And Select Restore.

Tags: Apple TV, Wi-Fi

Show Full Article