Got a tip for us?

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

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
Show Full Article

Why I Choose the Smart keyboard Folio for the iPad Pro!

by GeeksModo Staff

in this article, I’ll tell you exactly why I chose the Smart Keyboard Folio instead of the Magic Keyboard And whether I regret it.
I had thought about buying the Smart Keyboard Folio for my 2018 12.9 ” iPad Pro for a while but at $179, I could never make a leap. When the Magic Keyboard was launched, like many other people, was drooling. The design was outstanding and the capabilities it added to the iPad Pro was thrilling. Not only did it finally give the iPad Pro a “real keyboard” it also gave it something brand new, a trackpad. The Magic Keyboard seemed ready to finally answer the question “Can an iPad Replace a Laptop?”
I was certain I would get the Magic Keyboard. Until I didn’t. Instead, I bought the Smart Keyboard Folio. This is why:

Cost

If I were to buy the Magic Keyboard for my 12.9 ” iPad Pro, it would set me back $299. That’s a lot of money. It’s a lot of money by itself but even more when you consider I already paid $999 for the iPad. It’s a huge investment to make my iPad Pro work more like my MacBook Pro.
If I already own a MacBook Pro, do I need to spend $299 to make my iPad Pro function more like MacBook Pro? Although yes, the Magic Keyboard adds a trackpad as well as a keyboard but does what I do on my iPad support the need for both of those?
This was the issue I started pondering the more I considered parting with the considerable amount of money.
Now, compare that $299 price tag to $179 for the Smart Keyboard Folio. Like I pointed out, I already had a difficult time convincing myself the Smart Keyboard Folio was worth buying. Let the internal fight begin.
Yes, the Magic Keyboard is gorgeous.
And yes, it has a “real keyboard” with real keycaps and actual key travel. Gone are the woven-fabric keys of the Smart Keyboard Folio.
And yes, it has an additional USB-C port for charging, so you can free up the one on the iPad for accessories.
And yes, it comes with a trackpad for a whole new way of interacting with the iPad Pro.
But for $299, I had to make sure the things I did on my iPad Pro versus my MacBook Pro justified that price tag.

Uses

The
Magic Keyboard
is an absolute solution for a very specific category of iPad users. If you are someone who is deeply entrenched into the iPad and iPadOS and has long desired to replace your traditional laptop with it, the Magic Keyboard makes that a very real possibility.
If the things you care about are web browsing, word processing, email, and media consumption then the Magic Keyboard now lets you get the best of most worlds.
You get a great typing experience with backlit keys, more viewing angles, and an extra USB-C port. And you get a trackpad that gives you more control of your apps.
However, if you are like me and you want your iPad to be the best device you can get, one that lets you surf the internet, watch movies and TV shows, and play some games from time to time, one that doesn’t replace your laptop but complements it, you should reconsider the
Smart Keyboard Folio
as I did.

Besides wanting the best tablet, I also want to be able to sit down and easily reply to an email, type a new blog post, or take some notes.
When I need something with more power and capabilities, I take my MacBook Pro with me. When I need something more portable and handy, I take my iPad Pro with me.

Weight and Portability

Unfortunately, Due to the pandemic, I didn’t get a chance to try the Magic Keyboard myself. I was, however, watching all the unboxing and review videos I could find. A commone theme came up in every video, the weight.
My 12.9 ” iPad Pro, with no case, weighs 631.00 grams. The Smart Keyboard Folio weighs 297 grams compared to the Magic Keyboard at 601 grams. The Magic Keyboard by itself weighs almost the same as my iPad Pro. I needed something that would offer me a more comfortable typing experience without sacrificing portability.

Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio is the best option if you truly value portability. It’s a slim case that attaches magnetically to the back of the iPad and flips around like a laptop, with two angles that you can snap the screen into. The fabric-covered keys have very shallow travel but actually offers a pretty comfortable typing experience. I prefer them to Apple’s current MacBook keyboards, and they’re certainly less likely to break.

One thing that separates the Smart Keyboard Folio from the park though, is its convenience. It’s the only iPad Pro keyboard to make use of the Smart Connector on the back of the tablet, which handles pairing and power automatically. You never have to charge the keyboard or dive into Bluetooth settings. It’s also really easy to remove whenever you just want to use the iPad as a tablet by itself, and it’s by far the thinnest and lightest keyboard option out there. Actually, it’s arguably the only keyboard that really makes sense as a basic protective case at times when you’re unsure whether you’ll be doing any typing.

While the combined weight of my iPad Pro and the Magic Keyboard, at 1232 grams or just about 2.8 pounds, would still be less than my 13 inch ” MacBook Pro at 3.02 pounds, it was getting close. To me, the Magic Keyboard would actually add a lot of weight to my iPad and affect one of it’s best features, it’s portability.

Final Thoughts

I was waiting for the Cupertino based company to announce the “next-gen Smart Keyboard Folio” just as much as the next person. I had long wanted to get the Smart Keyboard Folio and was excited to see what Apple would do to eventually get me to buy it. As it turned out, they announced a brand new keyboard instead.

Like I said, the Magic Keyboard is one of the best keyboard for the iPad pro out there. It certainly offers the best typing experience you can have with an iPad and I think the trackpad will surely be a game-changer for the iPad Pro.
But at the moment, for the stuff I do with my iPad on a daily basis, I couldn’t justify spending the cash on it.

I purchased the Smart Keyboard Folio because it lets me get an fantastic typing experience on my iPad Pro without sacrificing weight, comfort, or portability. I can still take notes using my Apple Pencil without having to take off the folio. The Smart Keyboard Folio hasn’t forced me to change the way I use my iPad Pro whatsoever, it has just made one part of what I do with it, typing, a much better experience.

If I needed to replace my laptop with my iPad or didn’t have a laptop and wanted my iPad to be able to do more things a traditional laptop can do, then I would have considered getting myself a Magic Keyboard.

I think the iPad Pro together with the Magic Keyboard is a fantastic set-up for a student or writer but even though, if you purchase the cheapest iPad Pro at $799 and the Magic Keyboard for $299, you’re looking at almost $1,100, which is more than the base MacBook Air. It’s a tough decision to make and one that requires some thoughts about what you plan to use it for.
Definitely, the Magic Keyboard made my decision to purchase the Smart Keyboard Folio easier. It compelled me to consider what I use my iPad for and how each keyboard would fit into that. The Smart Keyboard Folio is a perfect fit for what I use both iPad Pro and MacBook Pro for. I have enjoyed using the Smart Keyboard Folio and it has made me grab my iPad Pro over my MacBook Pro more times than I might have in the past. I don’t regret my purchase and recommend anyone considering the two options to take a closer look at what you do with your iPad Pro and what you want out of it. Keep in mind, there is no single best iPad Pro keyboard for everyone.
See also:
A few reasons the iPad Pro can’t replace the MacBook, even with the Magic Keyboard

Tag: iPad Pro
Show Full Article

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

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
Show Full Article

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

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
Show Full Article

If It Weren’t For This Feature, The iPhone Wouldn’t Exist

by GeeksModo Staff

Steve Jobs first announced the original iPhone at the Macworld convention in January 2007, the rest as they say, is history.
He famously said at the Keynote;
“We wanna reinvent the phone.
So, what’s the killer app?
The killer app is making calls!”
However, there was a very certain irony to the fact that this one feature (calling) that every phone prior to the iPhone had managed quite easily almost lead to the downfall of this revolutionary product. It wasn’t the phones ability to make calls that was the issue, more it was the fact that because of the new and revolutionary ‘all glass’ touchscreen design of the iPhone, this presented an issue that had not previously existed… how to stop a customer’s cheek from inadvertently activating the touchscreen, and potentially even ending a call.
Most phones before the iPhone featured a small (none touch) screen at the top and a plastic keyboard at the bottom (Jobs was known to not be a fan of this design and this inspired him in the design of the iPhone).
Just months before the iPhone was due to go on sale to the general public the iPhone was fraught with problems that ranged from buggy software, faulty antennas and a battery that couldn’t hold charge — these problems could all be addressed, but it was said that the issue of a customer’s cheek ending phone calls that could be the real deal breaker.
The iPhone was well into development stage before the
proximity sensor
was conceptualised but it was nowhere near ready for release, all the other bugs could be (relatively) easy resolved, but there was still no solution to the problem, a problem, if not fixed, would have caused a delay, or even cancellation of the iPhone!

How does the proximity sensor work on iPhone

The proximity sensor in the original iPhone works in fundamentally the same way that all modern iPhones do; they detect when the phone is lifted to your ear and turns off the display, and the other way around when done with a call. It works via the emission of infrared radiation — if the radiation hits an object (i.e. your cheek) and bounces back, it is detected by a receiver. There is however more to it than that — if the small burst of radiation reflects off an object nearby then it will be more intense than an object much further away. It was therefore necessary that the sensitivity be set just right in order ensure it worked correctly.
It was a tricky issue to fix as there were so many variables: skin colour, hair length and hair colour and it had to work faultlessly for them all. The reflection of radiation is influenced by the colour and appearance of the surface — light, shiny surfaces bounce back far more light than darker colours, which absorb light. Shiny objects on clothing for instance could cause the proximity sensor to inadvertently turn off the display, even when a user wasn’t on a call.
As the iPhone’s release deadline drew nearer, Apple engineers had to work day and night to find a solution, it was even said that an Apple engineer with ‘extremely dark hair’ was asked to donate some of his hair so that it could be put into a device to test and calibrate the sensor to ensure that it worked as expected.
None the less, the Apple engineers and design team worked around the clock and got the iPhone Proximity Sensor to work and function in much the same way that it does now — the display goes off when at your ear and comes back on when you’re done with your call.
The iPhone proximity sensor was such a huge feature at the time, it was listed as a major feature on the product page on Apple’s website.
The technology has stuck ever since, it was of course not without a few issues, most notably the iPhone 4 received numerous reports and criticism that its proximity sensor didn’t function.
None the less the technology has lived on ever since, were it not for the engineers at Apple coming up with a solution to a newly made problem, then the iPhone may never have been.

Tag: iOS
Show Full Article

Top 4 Amazing Piano Apps

by GeeksModo Staff

Learning how to play the piano can be a very difficult task. You’ll need to learn the correct hand placements and figure out what order to play the notes is. While you could pay for piano tutorials, there is a more modern solution to this problem. You could use a smartphone app. This is often one of the most enjoyable and convenient ways to improve your piano skills. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best apps available for you to try.
Piano

Perfect Piano

One of the keys to learning how to play the piano is practicing as often as possible. However, it’s usually not practical to carry around a full-sized piano with you. Because of this, you might want to download the Perfect Piano app. This will allow you to simulate the experience of playing the piano on your iPhone.
This app comes with several features that make it a great piano simulation option. First, you can touch the screen at multiple places
when playing. This will help you replicate the experience of playing multiple keys at once. It will also let you adjust the keyboard to better suit your smart device. This will make it easier for you to judge where the keys will be. Finally, you can also have a lot of fun with this app, with multiple built-in sound effects. For example, you’ll be able to use a grand piano or pipe organ.

Note Rush

Another excellent app to use while learning how to play the piano is note rush. In this case, it will use your iPhone’s microphone to determine which note you’ve just played. When it does this, it’ll match it up with the note shown on the note on the screen. This is one of the best ways for you to improve your note reading ability while having fun. The more often you do this, the easier it will be for you to understand sheet music.
There are a few other features available on this app. First, it will be able to detect which octave you’re using, making sure that you’re using the right one. It’s also been designed to wait for as long as it takes for you to find and play the right note. This will stop you from getting lost when playing. There are also different themes, and you can design your own levels. This will ensure that you are always able to test yourself and improve your skills.

Flowkey

If you’re learning how to play the piano, you can’t overlook the Flowkey app. This is designed to be as user friendly as possible. First, it will help you assess your current level of proficiency. Then, the app will recommend lessons, based on your skill levels. This app is suitable for both complete beginners and those who have a few more hours of experience.
Each of these lessons has been designed to be as easy to follow as possible, stepping you through everything you need to know. Also, when you are learning a new song, you can replay difficult sections, until you’ve mastered them. As you grow your skill level, you’ll also start to learn a little more about the theory behind the music that you’re learning. This will help you develop your overall understanding of the piano.

Musicnotes Sheet Music Player

Finally, you might want to consider downloading the Musicnotes Sheet Music Player. When you are playing the piano, you need to make sure that you have plenty of sheet music. This app gives you access to over 300,000 pieces of sheet music, from your favorite artists. It also has features that let you organize your songs into lists, which can help professional musicians create an exciting set.
There is a range of other useful features that you might want to explore. For example, you might be able to change the tempo of your songs, making it easy to put your spin on the material. It also comes with a pen function, so you can make notes as you’re playing, making it easier for you to create engaging arrangements. Finally, if you’re learning piano, you’ll be able to get a simpler version of the sheet music.

Conclusion

Apps can play a big role in helping you learn how to play the piano. Thanks to technology, you’ll now be able to practice your skills anywhere in the world. However, nothing compares to sitting down at a real set of keys. When you do this, you’ll really be able to start putting your skills to test, making music for real.
So, find a keyboard and put the skills you’ve learned from piano playing apps into practice.

Show Full Article

I Ditched the Mac for the iPad – Here’s how it Went

by GeeksModo Staff

I bought the 2020 iPad pro and sold it in one week.
Try to not repeat my mistake.
The thought of having a new iPad has been toying with my mind for a while since I gave my old iPad to my mom in 2016. I used to have the old iPad and the oldie classic MacBook air. Each one of them had a separate function back in the day; I used the iPad for listening to music and watch movies while the Macbook air mainly for my job. It was easy to switch between them given that each of them was made for a specific purpose.

Fast forward, Apple released the 2020 iPad pro and I knew I would find a way to convince myself to fork a $1000 to buy one.
A little about me, I am a full-time doctor. What I can consider as productivity in my field is mainly writing and reviewing medical articles, finishing presentations for different meetings and working on multiple excel spreadsheets. And aside from the casual internet browsing, that is basically it. I currently own a 2019
MacBook pro
which has been serving me well. I opted for the 12.9-inch
iPad Pro
and once I opened it — like a 13 year old kid looking at his new toy — the first thing that enthralled me as you can probably guess was the display. The colour reproduction on the iPad was nowhere near my MacBook pro. Don’t get me wrong the MacBook display is great, but something about the iPad screen just made the colours pop.

After setting it up in the first day, I woke up the next morning, got ready for work and decided to take the iPad with me. On my first afternoon staff meeting I took the iPad out and started taking notes, and thats when I felt I was missing something, yup! A keyboard. Don’t get me wrong, I am not new to touch screens but typing on the 12.9 screen made the experience a bit… awkward — If that is the term, but I decided to ignore that feeling for now.
Things started to take a different direction at that point.
With the iPad learning curve, it did not take me a lot really to master the task switching and multitasking interface — something which I acclaim Apple on. I mainly use Spark for my emails instead of the built-in Mail app and that went on just fine. The new support for the file system made attaching documents and working through my OneDrive cloud space super doable — again with a bit of learning curve. I was quite astounded that the new Office app is not supported on the iPad, but the separate Microsoft Excel and Word apps worked pretty well.

The following day, I went on thinking, should I purchase the new Magic Keyboard? I think It will improve my iPad experience and will solve the one problem I have with it, I told myself. Well, thats another $300 to fork out!

Around the middle of the week, I got into that point where I was subconsciously making comparison between the MacBook and the iPad Pro.

From a portability viewpoint: both of them are relatively very similar, even If I decided to purchase the Magic Keyboard. I do not think anyone would say that one is more portable than the other one.

From a battery viewpoint: I would say the iPad has almost the same battery life as my MacBook Pro. Basically, both of them can get me through the day without me thinking I would lose power at any point.

I figured out that I don’t need both devices really, one of them can do everything an average person — like me — would want from a Computing device.
Then What’s really the difference between these two powerful devices? Why is Apple selling both?
Well, I drew a conclusion that both of these devices will enable you to do everything you want,
BUT…
…in a different way.
With the MacBook pro, I feel more comfortable, It is a screen and a keyboard. You open the lid and you start typing your notes, browsing or watching. My hands know where to rest and my viewing angle is not something I need to think about.
With the iPad Pro, I felt I am using a pumped-up version of my iPhone. Do I want to look cool and use a pen on the screen? I can. A keyboard? I can buy one and attach it. Maybe mouse instead of touching the interface? That is supported too. I have to admit that it is a very versatile device and I can understand why anyone would be intrigued to buy it.
I think at the time of writing this, Apple has made two equally powerful breed of machines, MacBooks and iPads, both will get you anything you throw at them done equally effective yet, in a different way. And it all depends on which interface you like better.
Apple is really smart in a way that It looks like it is eating Its own market share rather than waiting for someone else to eat it.

I did not keep the iPad Pro, despite its great features, I figured out that I don’t need both devices really, one of them can do everything an average person — like me — would want from a Computing device.

My conclusion is, Try both; I personally feel that If you are coming from a MacBook, you’ll stick with a MacBook. while If you are holding an iPhone and you are looking for a replacement for your Windows PC, You will love the iPad Pro. So, with whatever you choose you will not be disappointed…
but just buy one of them!

Obviously it’s different for everyone, so I would recommend heading over to an Apple store and try them out. Don’t worry, they sanitise them after each person
is done with them.

Alternatively, you can buy them, and try them for fourteen days, as long as you return them within this period, Apple’s return policy allows you to give them back.

I hope this article has helped and answered your questions, if not, leave a comment below and I’ll surely respond.

Please do share your experience as well. I would be very interested to hear them.

Show Full Article

Apple Watch Series 5 Review: Imperfectly Perfect!

by GeeksModo Staff

Was the wait for an always-on display worth it?

Early last year, I got a pretty awesome promotion at work, and as a gift to myself, I purchased an Apple Watch Series 4 in Stainless Steel with a Milanese Loop band.

I have been wearing an Apple Watch on and off since day one, but after purchasing the Series 3, I got bored of the same old design that it shared with the first two versions. So I sold the watch and used a Seiko 5 dumb-watch for almost a year before I decided to get myself the Series 4.

Since march last year this watch has been on my wrist every single day, besides while sleeping — not into sleep tracking yet.
It is the best Apple Watch since the original, and I have enjoyed using it for everything like time (of course), weather, workouts, notifications, podcast playback, adding to my to-do list, and, above all, timers!

So when the Cupertino based brand announced
Apple Watch Series 5,
and it was the same old Apple Watch I adored, but with a new and better screen that allowed an “Always-On” display, my initial reaction was excitement until I started thinking about it deeply.
Don’t get me wrong, the fact that Apple was able to get the display not only to be always-on but to also, almost¹, keep the overall style of the watch face by keeping all of the colors and complications always available for view is a brilliant idea.
One biggest thing you lose, which isn’t at all that big of a deal, is the screen goes from 60Hz to 1Hz when in dim mode, meaning the refresh rate drops to help with power consumption.
The next thing that you may lose, though, which is still coming in from early users, is the battery life not being great on these watches. It is hard to know if it is the watch itself, the always-on screen, or something else like a bug in iOS.
Nonetheless, if you want the Apple Watch Series 5, the major upgrade is this new Always-On display feature. So I bought a Series 5 and put it to the test for a few days to see if it is worth the hype.

Is it worth upgrading from a Series 4, like some are suggesting, or even an early model?
Apple describes the new screen in the Apple Watch Series 5 as an Ultra-low-power LTPO display.
If you switched off the always-on display on the Series 5, it would be indistinguishable from the Series 4. The new screen technology is only there to assist in the always-on feature. So my aim of testing this out was to see if the always-on was that useful and if it is worth upgrading from any other previous Apple Watch model.

So I wore the watch for a couple of workdays and tested to see how much I would benefit from having the time and complications always available to me on my wrist.
Usually, at work, I sit a desk with a keyboard and mouse. Of late, I have been using a MacBook more with a monitor so I can jump around to meetings and other buildings more efficiently. As I sit at my
MacBook Pro
using the keyboard, it was nice to be able to look down at my wrist and see the time without having to lift my arm.
But honestly, how useful is this really?
When I am on my computer, I usually look at the time on the screen. I touch type, so I am never looking down at my keyboard when I am typing. So looking down at my Apple Watch, is not typical for me. So to me, this isn’t that useful, it’s nice that it is there, but generally I don’t see a massive benefit.

When walking back and forth to meetings, I sometimes have to travel outside to other buildings. I wanted to see how useful the always-on display was when walking in the sun, especially when holding something, like a cup of coffee or laptop, that wouldn’t allow me to raise my wrist.
I could see the time, but not that great. If I was in direct sunlight, I doubt I would see much at all and honestly at this angle do we really need to see the time? If I really wanted to look at my watch, I would have lifted my arm, which would exit dim-mode, or set my coffee down.

The next test I wanted to conduct was going to the gym. I wanted to see how beneficial it would be to use the Series 5 while running on the treadmill inside. When you are sweating, breathing heavy and in motion, lifting your arm sometimes can be a problem. I may be exaggerating a little, but it would be a good idea to glance down at your wrist while jogging instead of having to lift your arm to check your progress.
This, I will say, was the biggest sell for me to move to the Series 5 from my Series 4. The always-on display when in dim-mode shows everything I need to know when wanting to glance down to see my progress. My heart rate, miles run, the time elapsed, calories, and I can see the actual time in the top right corner effortlessly.
I’m certain outside the display would be a little less visible, but overall I think this is a superb use of the always-on display. Using it at the gym would be a huge benefit whether you are running, lifting, or even stretching to be able to glance at your wrist without having to pause the activity you are doing.

In general, I think the Apple Watch Series 5 is the same exceptional Series 4 with a feature I don’t feel is necessarily worth the upgrade.
If you own a Series 3 or earlier, sure, the new Series 5 will be a significant upgrade. Not only for the always-on display but the display itself with it being larger and rounded in the corners like the Series 4. It is far much better than the boxy earlier models.
But if your primary objective in purchasing Series 5 is to use it as an ordinary dumb-watch, I don’t think it is worth it. A non-smartwatch is in a whole different category from smartwatches in the sense that a smartwatch does more than tell you the time. I would reason time is the lowest priority when buying a smartwatch.
It is the same when purchasing a smartphone over a dump-phone. You don’t purchase a smartphone to make calls and send text messages; you use it for all of the other superb features that are bundled in a smartphone.

I do understand that you are getting more than just the time with an always-on display. You can see other complications like weather and your activity rings. But for me, if I want to check a timer or the weather or check my activity progress on my watch, I will raise it to my face.
The intention of wanting to check something will drive me to want to lift my arm. Causally looking down at our watch is something we do when we are at a meeting or something people do casually while doing something else. If I intend to get information off of my watch, I’ll raise it to my face. Even while admitting that at the gym it is really beneficial, I don’t think that is enough to get it.
So if you’re in the market for a smartwatch and you want one from Apple, get the Series 5.
It is an excellent watch.
However, if you already have one that is still working perfectly and you are like me and don’t see the real need of an always-on display, I would say your better off not upgrading.
When I do upgrade my Series 4 in a couple of years I am sure the always-on display will be on that new watch, I am sure it will be even better² than it is on the Series 5, and I will probably love it.
But for the time being, I love my stainless steel Series 4 and the black screen that is there when I look down as I type this doesn’t bother me whatsoever.

Obviously it’s different for everyone, so I would recommend visiting an Apple store to try them out. Don’t worry, they sanitise them after each person
is done with them, and they will also allow you to pair them to your personal phone.

Alternatively, you can purchase them, and try them for 14 days, as long as you return them within this period, Apple’s return policy allows you to give them back.

I hope this review has helped and answered your questions, if not, leave a comment below and I will answer them.

Please do share your experience as well. I would be very interested to hear them.

Show Full Article

MobiMover Review: Easily Transfer Files From iPhone to Computer

by GeeksModo Staff

One of the most common questions regarding using iPhone is how to transfer files from iPhone to PC or iPhone to Mac. This is a deceptively simple question, and we’re going to push aside any of the complexities of transferring files from iPhone to computer, and instead we’ll show you the single most direct method of transferring files from iPhone to PC or Mac computer, since that is usually what people are looking to do.

You have photos, music, or videos on your iPhone, and you want to transfer those files to your Mac or PC – simple right? Yes, the process is easier than you may expect, as we’ll show in the walkthrough here.

Copy files from iPhone to computer without iTunes

Even though Apple allows users to transfer data between iPhone and computer via iTunes, it isn’t really up to the mark. It has a lot of limitations when it comes to supporting file types during the transfer. That’s what people at EaseUS are trying to solve with their tool called MobiMover
EaseUS Logo

“MobiMover” has a lot more features to help you easily transfer data from iPhone to computer, computer to iPhone, or iPhone to iPhone. Let’s explore all its features in details.

MobiMover from EaseUS – Easily Transfer Data Between iPhone and Computer

Transfer files from iPhone to computer

This is one of the best features of this tool as most of the users find it extremely hard when they want to transfer files from iPhone to computer. With MobiMover from EaseUS, you can:

  • Transfer files from iPhone to PC
  • Transfer files from iPhone to Mac

MobiMover allows you to transfer various file types that includes: Photos, movies, books, ringtones, TV shows, messages, voice memos, notes, contacts, music ETC.

Transfer files from computer to iPhone

If you are searching for something that can seamlessly transfer files between iPhone and Mac, then MobiMover is the perfect solution. The app allows you to:

  • Transfer files from PC to iPhone
  • transfer files from Mac to iPhone.

It supports all the file types mentioned in the above list.

Transfer files from iPhone to iPhone

Similar to transferring files from iPhone to computer, iPhone to iPhone transfer also supports all the above-mentioned file types. As it is the same ecosystem, there isn’t anything special when transferring data from iPhone to iPhone.

Let’s see how it works.

How to transfer files from iPhone to computer using EaseUS MobiMover App

Step #1. Connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac using USB cable and launch EaseUS MobiMover.
How to transfer data from iPhone to PC without iTunes

Step #2. On the MobiMover app screen, choose the data transfer mode for example phone to PC and click next.

Step #3. MobiMover will automatically read and load all the supported files on your iPhone and list them all unchecked, use the checkbox beside different file types to make the selection. After everything’s checked, all you need to do is to click the “Transfer” button.
How to transfer data from iPhone to PC without iTunes

Step #4. MobiMover will start the process of transferring files from iPhone to computer without iTunes. Once the process is complete, you can click view to check the transferred files.
How to transfer data from iPhone to PC without iTunes

Whether you want to copy files from iphone to PC or the other way round, the data transfer speed is incredibly fast using the MobiMover tool.

Do you have videos you want to download? Well, MobiMover can help you download video via urls for free. Let’s face it! It’s easy to download YouTube videos for people who have little technical knowledge. But it isn’t straightforward for a newbie. With just one click on the MobiMover tool, you can download video via urls from sites such as YouTube, Facebook or Vimeo to your computer, iPhone or iPad free of charge.

Pricing

If you are looking for a free iPhone transfer software for Mac or PC, MobiMover is available for free to download but with few limitations. If you want to transfer unlimited data to multiple computers, please consider buying EaseUS MobiMover Pro version.

Should I Buy EaseUS MobiMover Pro version?

Importing files from iPhone to computer can be very difficult for people who aren’t “tech-savvy” and things can go wrong. MobiMover also runs independently of iTunes, so it can be a perfect workaround for people who have had problems with iTunes in the past.

And this brings me to my favorite feature of EaseUS MobiMover — it’s hands-free. You plug your iPhone, iPad, or iPod into your computer, click a few buttons in the application window, and you’ll be transferring your files in no time at all!

EaseUS MobiMover is intuitive, user-friendly, and accomplishes its intended goal in a very short amount of time.

How Do I Download EaseUS MobiMover?

You can download EaseUS MobiMover for Windows or Mac by visiting EaseUS’s website and clicking Buy Now. A free version is also available, but you won’t be able to transfer unlimited files between multiple computers without purchasing the full version.

Highlights of EaseUS MobiMover

  • Backup your iPhone data to a computer
  • Copy iPhone/iPad data to computer
  • Transfer files from computer to iPhone
  • Download video via urls
  • Allows you to bypass your iPhone or iPad Screen Passwords even if you’ve forgotten it or if your device is disabled
  • Compatible with all iOS devices including iPhone 6, 6s, 7, 8, X, 11 and SE
  • Can remove numeric passcodes, Touch ID and Face ID. Please note: this feature will erase data on your iPhone. And you need to remember your Apple ID
  • Available to download on Windows and Mac
  • A free version is available
  • Does not require professional skills

Our two sense…

EaseUS MobiMover is one of the well-known names when it comes to managing iPhone content via computer. They have a range of products and most of their products are easy to use; above all, they do the job very well. EaseUS MobiMover is a brilliant software . Actually, it might just be the best in its class in that respect. Give the free version of MobiMover a try and if you find it useful, you can decide to buy MobiMover Pro.

Show Full Article

How to Setup your iPhone for a Better, Less Stressful Life

by GeeksModo Staff

Over the years, I’ve come to realise that the way I interact with my technology correlates to my stress level of the moment. This is the reason I decided to create this post on simplifying your technological environment.

Social Media

The first category I will tackle is Social Media. I know, it is kind of mean to ask you to look at how much time you spend on there each week, my number is 2h 08 minutes, what’s yours? In all seriousness though, I explain a bit more further down.

Social Media Usage:

I consider 2h of weekly usage to be reasonable. Seeing this laid out still makes me reflect, and I will be more conscious of the amount of time I allow myself to look at apple leaks, and scrolling through Snapchat.
TIP: I invite you to take a look at your weekly phone usage, you can also see the total time you spent on your phone for the week. You might have a shock when you see a 20 hours a week on TikTok or more! It did it to me a few months ago, I deleted the app straight! To access your report go to Settings → Screen Time → See all Activity, and if you want to see a full week like me: → swipe left on the graph.

See also: How to break iPhone addiction and check your phone less

Where is my social media buried in my iPhone?

The Untidied Folder where all my (non-daily) apps reside
Well, as the saying states: “out of sight out of mind”, so my social media apps are untidied in a folder with all the other apps I do not use on a daily basis. In this way, it is quite painful for me to find them. I ultimately use Spotlight to launch apps, which gives me the time to think twice before clicking mindlessly the button. (to access spotlight: simply swipe down from the home screen on your iPhone).

Advices on reducing Social Media / Netflix, Apple TV+ … / YouTube consumption

If you are not interested in reducing your iPhone screen time, skip this part, the following one continues on the subject of creating very useful shortcuts with the Control Centre.
Well, sometimes it’s challenging to stop a bad habit and we need some help. I needed help! A few years back, Apple added a feature that allows you to limit the time you spend on certain apps. It’s called app limits (Works for your mac and iPad too if you need to block apps). The way it works is: You decide how much you want to use a certain app/category of apps each day, and the apps will become unavailable on their own after the allocated time. You can allow yourself 15 minutes more / unblock for the day if you want to, but that is not the goal. I used it to use YouTube less 1 or 2 years ago, and it worked well! If you have a social media addiction I recommend it. How to set it uphead over to Settings → Screen Time → App Limits → Add Limit.It will then ask you for a specific app or category how much you want to allow yourself each day and more.

Useful Shortcuts and Tips to improve your experience

Now that you are breaking your iPhone addiction, let’s learn some handy shortcuts and automation for your iPhone.

Control Center

Control Centre is a relatively unused feature of the iPhone for most people and it doesn’t make any sense to me. I have customized my control center to only have what I need. While most are up to personal preference, there are two icons that I think you could benefit from greatly:

  1. The low battery icon: while when you have left your iphone asks whether want to activate mode sometimes go out and know that be short on battery. you: swipe up tap the power button now in clear welcome.
  2. The dark Mode Icon: While this one is not obligatory, I found my eyes straining when looking at iPhone screen in the dark. I find dark modes to help a bit (not a 100% change) but still better. If you sometimes forget like I do, you can set dark mode to turn on automatically by following these steps: Head over to Settings → Display & Brightness → Automatic (make it green) → Options → Light until sunset.

A word on Night Shift

It has been a trend and a belief that blue light negatively affects your sleep. The good news is that, there is a cool little known feature that allows you to reduce the blue light of your iPhone at night. I do use it and have it set up in the following way.
To activate it, simply follow these steps: Head over to Settings → Display & Brightness → Night Shift → Sunset to Sunrise.

Re-gain Power over your mornings and nights: Use Down Time

I naturally don’t tend to reach to social media or my iPhone in general in the morning or at night. Although, it would be a lie to say I have never done so. There are unfortunately quite a lot of consequences in depending so much on your iPhone. What you see, read, hear first thing in the morning, or the last thing at night does affect your night’s quality, but also the quality of your day and your general mood. Do you want to give that much power to your iPhone? I don’t! Fortunately, your iPhone can help you use it less, YES, you understand correctly, the Cupertino based brand helps you use the very product they make most of their money from, less. So why not use it to our advantage? Downtime is a set time from which most of your apps (but the one defined as always available) are greyed out and require you to click a button to say you want to use an app.
If you’re interested in trying it out, simply follow these steps: Head over to Settings → Screen Time → DownTime → Choose the time for each day.
I have it set up from 9 pm to 8:00 am every weekday, which represents an hour before my bedtime and an hour after my wake up time. The weekends, from 9 pm to 9:30 am. While I tend to go to bed later, it allows me to spend a bit more time, reading or doing something else like writing these articles.

Night Mode:

The last handy feature that I will talk about in this article: Night Mode. It allows you to mute all notifications at night, preventing anybody from disturbing your sleep. It also prevents calls (while still allowing repeated calls in case of emergency!).
To activate Night Mode on your iPhone, simply follow these steps: Head over to Settings → Do Not Disturb → Schedules → I add the same times as for my Down Time.

Tip: if you find reaching for your iPhone first thing in the morning, try and charge it at the opposite end of your room. It will also help you with waking up in the morning!!

As you might have discovered, I love technology. Although, I find it important to keep control over how we use it, and not let our technology decide the way our days go. Because at the end of the day, your favorite app makes a profit out of the time you give it. But for most people, the opposite is not true.
I hope you enjoyed this article and learned on how to use your iPhone for more productivity and less stress.
See also:
Amazing Trick to Unlock Real Productivity on your iPhone

Tag: Productivity
Show Full Article