Category Archives: iOS Basics

Quick Tip: Pinch to zoom when using Camera App on iPhone, iPad (Mini), and iPod Touch

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If you find yourself in a place where you need to zoom in when taking a photo, you can simply place your thumb and a finger on your iPhone or iPad screen when in the Camera app. Then, with your thumb and finger still on the screen slowly spread them apart. The subject of the photo will get bigger as you zoom in. Keep in mind, this is a digital zoom meaning that the more you zoom in, the less you will get in photo resolution (your photo will become slightly pixelated). To zoom out, simply reverse the process. Alternatively, Continue Reading →

Quick Tip: Access full screen mode in Safari with iPhone running iOS 6

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The Safari app in iOS 6 has a special feature that allows you enter full-screen mode. This will make both the top bar (with the web address) and the bottom bar (with the navigation controls) disappear. It is an immersive web experience (if there is such a thing on a 3.5″ or 4″ screen :). To activate this feature, simply turn your iPhone on its side so that it is in landscape mode. Once you do this, you will notice that there is a little button in the bottom right corner with 2 arrows pointing outward. Just tap this button Continue Reading →

Turn on Kid’s Mode (Guided Access) on your iPhone, iPad (Mini) and iPod Touch in iOS 6

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Have you ever wanted to let your kids, grandkids, or someone else’s kids play with your iPhone or iPad? Have you ever come back later to find that this wonderful little person ended up sending random texts to people in your contacts list, deleting photos, and other things you didn’t want to happen? Well, there is a solution to that. It is called “Guided Access.” I have renamed this Kid’s Mode or Child Mode because that’s what I use it for. Kid’s Mode locks your device into one app and disables the Home Button, On/Off Button, and Volume Buttons. This Continue Reading →

Silence an incoming call on the iPhone in iOS 6

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This button on the iPhone can be pressed to silence the ring/vibration on an incoming call

There are 2 ways to silence the ringer on an incoming call on an iPhone. The first way is to push either the volume up/down on the side of the phone or the On/Off button on the top of the phone. This will also stop the vibration of the phone if the ringer has been turned off. This is especially helpful if you have forgotten to silence your phone when in a meeting. You can also send an incoming call straight to voicemail if you push the On/Off button twice. For other ways to respond to an incoming call, see Continue Reading →

Multi-finger gestures increase ease of use of iPad

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In the last two renditions of Apple’s operating systems for the iPad (iOS 5 and iOS 6), there has been the inclusion of multi-finger gestures. Multi-finger gestures are by definition actions that you can perform on the screen using more than one finger. Most people are familiar with using two fingers to pinch and zoom on a photo which has been a core since the iPhone was first introduced. But the gestures I am talking about are 4 and five finger gestures. These are called, Multitasking Gestures. Here they are: 1. 4 Finger swipe up on screen to reveal multitasking Continue Reading →

How to insert a photo or video directly into an email message

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There is a simple way to add a photo right into the text you are typing in an email. Here is how: 1. Tap and hold where you want to insert the photo. The magnifying glass will appear so you can precisely insert the cursor where you want it. 2. Release your hold and a menu will appear with options to “Select” “Select All” or “Paste”. There will also be a little arrow pointing to the right. Tap on this arrow to reveal “Insert Photo or Video”. 3. Tap on that button to automatically pull up your photos and videos Continue Reading →

Set a reminder or send a quick message in response to an incoming call you can’t take

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In iOS 6, Apple introduced a helpful set of options to respond to an incoming call when your phone is locked. This comes in handy when you are in a meeting or can’t take a call for some other reason. Here is how to activate this feature: 1. Whenever you have an incoming call, you will see the little shape of a phone handset next to the “slide to answer” box. Simply swipe up on this phone handset icon to reveal response options. 2. After you swipe up on the handset icon, you have two options – “Reply with Message” Continue Reading →

Enable “Do Not Disturb” on iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to give yourself a peaceful break

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Apple introduced a helpful feature in iOS 6 called “Do Not Disturb”. When enabled, your device silences all incoming notifications, phone calls, and vibrating alerts. For once, you can enjoy a break from all those Facebook notifications :). Here is how to get the most out of this feature: Locate the “Do Not Disturb” toggle in the settings app. If you switch it on, you will notice a little moon appears to the right side of the time at the top of your screen. Further customization of the “Do Not Disturb” feature can be found by tapping on the “Notifications” Continue Reading →

Display Hourly Weather in Weather App

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  The built in weather app on the iPhone can easily display hourly weather. Here’s how: 1. Launch the weather app 2. Tap on the second day listed and drag down. The first day listed will expand to show hourly weather. 3. Tap and drag back up to return it to normal. 4. Alternatively, you can tap on the text in the weather app titled “hourly” under the city name.

How to Create location based reminders with Siri on iPhone, iPad (Mini), iPod Touch

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The built in Reminders app on your iOS device has powerful location based reminder capabilities.  This means that you can set a reminder to automatically appear when you arrive or leave a location. This comes in real handy when you need to remember to “Get Milk” when you leave work or arrive at the grocery store.  Here is how to set this up. 1. Add locations to your personal contact in your address book. I have set up my most commonly visited stores along with my home and work address.             Give each location a Continue Reading →