Apple iPhone School » iPad

iOS 7 – Complete Redesign & New Features

Douglas — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:06:37 +0000

Yesterday, Apple announced a new version of iOS firmware, iOS 7. The biggest change is that the look of the whole software has been changed. Not the way it works or where things are but the colors, icons, lock screen, and just the way it moves as you open and close apps. iOS 7 will be available on the iPhone 4, 4S, 5, iPod touch (5th Gen), iPad 2, iPad with Retina & iPad mini.

Some features will not be available to all devices. Here’s what Apple’s website says about what devices will get which features:

Features are subject to change. Not all features are available on all devices.
Panorama format is available on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, and iPod touch (5th generation).
Square and video formats and swipe to capture are available on iPhone 4 or later, iPad (3rd generation or later), iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th generation).
Filters in Camera are available on iPhone 5 and iPod touch (5th generation).
Filters in Photos are available on iPhone 4 or later, iPad (3rd generation or later), iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th generation).
AirDrop is available on iPhone 5, iPad (4th generation), iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th generation) and requires an iCloud account.
Siri is available on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad with Retina display, iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th generation) and requires Internet access.

Here is a photo gallery of some of the new designs and features.

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Broken Mute Switch, Power/Lock Button or Home Button? Fix with AssistiveTouch

Douglas — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:20:07 +0000

Back in July of 2011 we wrote about a new feature coming to iOS 5 called AssistiveTouch. This new feature gives you lots of control over the hardware of the iPhone using just the touch screen. It’s original purpose is to help those with physical handicaps. Now, unfortunately, this feature is being used by many to solve problems with their iPhone’s hardware fails. Personally, my iPhone 5′s Power/Lock button works only about 10% of the time and only if I press really hard on the left side of the button. My wife’s iPhone 4S’s mute switch no longer works. And many of my friends have had the home buttons of their iPhone 4 and 4S stop working. This includes ours also.

To solve these hardware problems, just go to your Settings app > General > Accessibility > AssistiveTouch and turn it on. You will then see a glowing home button that you can drag around your screen. Personally, I think it’s annoying to have it on all the time so, just under the AssistiveTouch setting there is a Triple-Click setting. Set this to AssistiveTouch and now tripple clicking your home button will enable or diable this feature. Obviously, if your home button doesn’t work then that feature is useless.

I hope this helps those of you who are out of warranty and have a broken device. Let us know if you have other tips for those with broken hardware.

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FolderCloser – Automatically Close Folder on App Launch

Douglas — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:27:21 +0000

One thing that has always annoyed me is when I have apps in folders and the folder is still open after I close the app. Most of the time I don’t want to go back to that folder after I’m done using the app. So, this app simply closes the folder automatically as the app opens. This app goes great with an app called HomePage that scrolls your home screen back to the first page as an app opens so when you close the app you see the first page of your apps. Both apps are free and a great way to customize your device!

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FaceDetectionDuringVideo

Douglas — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:42:18 +0000

Face Detection is a feature of the iPhone that adapts the focus & exposure automatically when a face is present in the shot. This feature is only active when taking a picture but this hack allows it to work actively when shooting video. This is really nice as the environment can change quickly during a video and typically you want the video focused on faces if they are part of the shot. This hack is available in Cydia for free.

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Bike Race

Douglas — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:23:02 +0000

I recently installed a new motorcycle game over the Christmas holiday called “Bike Race”. I have to warn you, this game is highly addictive! The game itself is addicting enough because of the nature of the game. But, what’s even more addicting is the ability to play with others online including your Facebook friends. I currently have several games going with both Facebook friends and random people I’ve met through the game.

The game itself is pretty simple. You steer a motorcycle through a race track viewed from a two-dimensional angle on the side. A game I play on the Xbox called “Trials HD” is a lot like it but this version is not as high graphic. Nevertheless, it’s still as addictive!

There are many more features such as ghost mode, chat, ability to upgrade your motorcycle & push notifications letting you know that your friends are ready to race.

It’s always a good idea to check the instructions. These instructions are pretty simple, but for a while I missed that you could touch the left side of the screen to hit the brakes.

When I started writing this article I could not seem to remember the name of the game. That’s because it has a horrible name: Bike Race Free by Top Free Games. Not only is it entirely uncreative, but it has the developer’s name in it. Very spamish… So, that’s why I decided to leave that part out of my title & article.

I highly recommend this app since it’s free and fun! You can also get it for the iPad. If you don’t like it, you can just delete it. You’ve got nothing to lose!

Available In: App Store

Price: Free

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High Cellular Data Usage? Try Updating to 6.0.1 Firmware

Douglas — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:52:25 +0000

Today, I had two friends ask me about recent high cellular data use. They received an overage text and both seemed like it was pretty early in their plan and they didn’t think they were doing anything to cause it. Both are on Verizon and both have the iPhone 5. I didn’t really think much about it until I read this article. It seems on firmware 6.0, programs are downloading audio files or audio streams over and over thinking there is an error. You can check the article for more details if you think you are having this problem. I just thought I’d try and help spread the word and let you know you’re not the only one if you’re having this issue. Again, to solve the problem, try updating to iOS 6.0.1. Read our article about that here.

Robotek

Douglas — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:26:48 +0000

A recent game my son and I found for the iPhone that’s pretty addicting is called Robotek. There is also an iPad version and even a version for your Mac. You start off with only one robot and you play against the computer who also has one robot. The first thing you do is spin three reels to see what kind of help you can get to defeat your opponent. There are also three different categories you can spin the reels in: little robots, defense & offense. Once you pick the category, you tap the green arrow and see what you get. If you spin three different images you get all three. If you spin two or three of the same image, you get that item at two or three times the strength. I like to start out with getting at least three robots. Then prepare a defense; then go on the attack. Between each spin there is a battle and it’s a fight to the death.

There are a lot of options in this game. You can add or increase strength to your robots; you can build a shield; you can hack and steal your opponents robots; you can drain your opponents robots powers; you can get extra weapons like lasers; microwave & electric shock; you can use the “special abilities” across the bottom of the screen like rapid fire, emergency repair, summon hero & nuke; and you can play with real people online or over your network.

Overall, a very addicting game that I would recommend for all your iOS devices!

Available In: App Store

Price: Free

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App Store Description

The humanity had fallen. In the great robot uprising machines took the planet over. Empire of Machine is the new world order. It’s time to take it back! One node at a time.

Rip through your enemies with lasers, electrocute them or fry them with microwaves. Deploy your own robots to fight for you or steal them from your enemy. Protect and upgrade your forces or throw them away in a ruthless wave of destruction.

Get experience from every battle, level up, gain power and crush the Empire of Machine!

Check out the Strategy Guide for additional tips and tricks:
http://blog.hexage.net/2011/05/27/strategy-guide-to-robotek/

IN-APP PURCHASES

Robotek is free to play supported only by optional in-app purchases. You can finish the entire game without re-charging your energy. Play it safe: Learn all of the symbols in tutorial. Do not challenge nodes tougher than you. Master the gameplay, level up and go against weaker nodes first! You can always reset the campaign in Options and start from scratch.

However with any in-app purchase you get:
• Power & Coins
• gain access to RECHARGE NODE
• better Power gains for every victory
• unlock the DUEL mode to play with friends

FEATURES

• Unique blend of strategy, action and RPG.
• More than 200 levels spread all around the world.
• Rewarding skill system with more than 30 levels.
• 9 upgradable slot symbols to fit your own style of play.
• 4 special abilities including the devastating Nuke.
• Play thrilling hotseat duels with your friends!
• Online hall of fame – Your scores can only grow.
• Facebook leaderboards – compete with your friends!
• Signature soundtrack by kubatko (www.kubatko.info)

SOCIAL FEATURES

• Compete on your Facebook leaderboard
• Invite or challenge your Facebook friends
• Share your achievements on your Facebook wall

Recent Updates

• 4-inch Retina display support
• You no longer have to play against the AI when the connection to the other player has been lost.

Apps for Election Day 2012

Douglas — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:41:49 +0000

I know many readers are from all over the world, but since this website is based in the United States, I’d like to share some apps for election day. First, both Barack Obama & Mitt Romney have apps.

Obama for America	Romney-Ryan

Next, there are many apps covering the election. So far, the best thing I’ve found to see live election results is a link from within CNN’s iPhone app. And I’ve found the page they are linking to on their web page. The link is http://www.cnn.com/election/2012/results/main

If you visit this site on your iPhone and then add it to your home screen by tapping the arrow at the bottom of your screen you will get an icon that looks like this:

I renamed mine “Election”. This takes me right to this page and is formatted for the iPhone. It will look much better once it starts to fill up with red and blue :) This is also a great website for the iPad although it takes you to a desktop formatted site. It seems to work well on the iPad and will most likely also be my top choice. If you have a better app or webpage, let us know in the comments.

Facebook Update 5.1

Douglas — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:17:06 +0000

Facebook has made some nice improvements to their app recently. Finally, it’s exciting to get an update for the Facebook app. In the past, Facebook has been a horrible app but since more recent versions of the app, it has been a far better experience. First, simply swiping to the left reveals your chat list and swiping right reveals the main menu. Very simple & clean; I like it! While in your chat list, you can keep your favorites at the top and easily rearrange them by tapping “edit” in the top right. Just tap the green + sign to bring them to the top and use the 3 little bars at the right of the name to rearrange. Another feature added to chat is the ability to see who’s online right now.

Another great new feature is the ability to share multiple photos at one time. Just tap the check mark on a photo to add it to the group and tap the compose button in the bottom right to create your post with multiple photos. It seems they have moved some of these features over from their Camera app. I’m glad to see them consolidate their apps instead of having 4.

Finally, they’ve added gifts to the app. I never use this feature but maybe someone does… Do you? Now you can send “real gifts to your friends using Facebook Gifts”. And honestly, I can’t even find it within the app. Anyone else?

iTunes Link

Changelog

Now it’s easier to chat with your friends and share multiple photos.
• Swipe left anywhere in the app to quickly see who’s available and send a message
• Add friends you message most to the top of your Favorites
• Share multiple photos fast
• Give real gifts to your friends using Facebook Gifts (US-only)
• When sending messages, see who’s active so you and your friends know how soon to expect a reply

Available In: App Store

Price: Free

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Angry Birds Space HD 1.3.1 Update

Douglas — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:32:31 +0000

The recent update to Angry Birds Space adds yet another angle to the Angry Birds matrix. The theme adds fiery volcanoes that push you away from the planet’s surface. The developers went to great detail as usual. For example, when I hit a pig out of the atmosphere and he froze, when he floated past the hot pressure from a volcano he thawed out. There were only about 2-3 levels that really took me a while to pass. Most others I beat within 1-3 tries.

Along with new levels comes a new bird! This yellowish-orange bird expands like a ballon when tapped. I’m guessing it’s similar to the ballons used to pad the rover as it landed and bounced on the surface of Mars. There are a few levels that have small space craft, that if you hit, will warp you to a different level. In the final level, pigs ride the Mars Rover around a planet as you try to defeat them. Overall, a great update to an already great game. This update is for both the iPhone & iPad version.

iPhone Link | iPad Link

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Available In: App Store

Price: $0.99 (iPhone) or $4.99 (iPad)