Apple iWork is an incredibly powerful (yet easy-to-use) suite of productivity applications used to get stuff done. Pages, Numbers and Keynote are the three applications that make up the iWork suite, and together, they allow you to create stunning documents and collaborate with others.
Like most software, you get out of it what you put into it. If you only understand the basics, you will only reap some of the benefits. The more you understand, the more you will find you can do. That's especially true with iWork for iOS (iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch). Because it's a non-traditional User Interface, performing some of the functions can be a little less intuitive. Today's TechTalk post gives you 5 tips on getting the most out of iWork for iOS (or as I like to call it, "iWork on the Go").
The other day, I was asked which app was the one that I used the most on my iPhone. I had a pretty good idea, but never really paid too much attention to it. To validate my hunch, I spent the next 24 hours keeping mental note of which app was open and used the most.
While I set aside 24 hours to do this, it was pretty clear within the first 6 hours. And the winner is... Messages! Apparently, I text a lot! Not just on my iPhone or iPad, but on my MacBook Pro as well. When using Apple's iMessage network (i.e.: when the text bubble is blue), these text conversations automatically flow seamlessly between iOS devices and Macs, and it's worked this way for a while now. Historically, however, this only worked for iMessage messages and didn't include traditional SMS-based text messages between you and non-Apple users (i.e.: when the text bubble is green). Because I sit in front of my computer a lot during the day, it would be nice to be able to text those users from my computer as well. Fortunately, there's an easy fix for this
Last week, Apple held their annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco. I've been to several of these conferences, and Apple puts on a great show. The sessions of packed full of valuable technical information. For developers, it's like Christmas.
Not only is it a great opportunity for developers to learn from each other as well as Apple Engineers, but it's also a great chance for developers to show off their stuff. Participating developers can submit their applications for review. On the second day of the conference, Apple holds a "Design Awards" event to showcase the best of the best. In some cases, the best comes from large, International development houses. In other cases, it's literally a guy in his garage with a good idea.
Today's post comes in response to a recent reader question: "Don't launch but I've been using my AOL email address for many years, and now find it somewhat difficult to use. My family also makes fun of me for using it. What is the best way to change it to something else so that I don't miss email?"
When it comes to changing your email address, there is the right way and the wrong way. I see people doing the wrong way all the time, and it results in confusion and usually lost emails from friends, loved ones and coworkers. Here are some tips to changing your email address the right way.
Security seems to be a hot topic these days, especially since we seem to hear of breaches of security almost on a daily basis. Security isn't just important to business, but it's also important for individuals (maybe even more so, in some cases). Regardless, we should all be a little more security conscious.
Apple happens to be doing a lot of the right things to ensure that our data is secure. One of these initiatives is a system called "two-step verification". It can be a little confusing for some, so I wanted to present the information in a way that makes sense.
When you attend a conference or event for work, you're always required to register for that event using specific personal information... name, address, email address, etc. A lot of times, these conferences will also have some sort of vendor fair where vendors can show off their goods and services. These vendors almost always offer some sort of SWAG (Stuff We All Get) to entice you to stop and listen to what they have to say (pens, stress balls, t-shirts, etc). Seems harmless enough, right? The problem is that in order to get the free stuff, they swipe or scan your attendee badge. In the process of doing this, they are getting the personal information you used to register for the conference.
At first, this may not seem like a big deal. The conference ends, you go home and life is good... until you start to receive all the spam associated with the vendors who scanned your badge at the conference. While I have posted tips to reduce the amount of spam you get (click here), this situation can be completed avoided from the beginning. Here's how.
Apple officially only holds one public event (in the form of a conference) a year, so when WWDC (World-Wide Developer's Conference) rolls around each June, it's usually a big deal with lots of big announcements. Today's event, held at San Francisco's Moscone Center, is no different. There has been a lot of speculation that announcements at today's event will surround products like Apple TV, Apple Watch, various cloud-based services and more.
Although Apple has announced that they will be live-streaming the event from Apple.com as well as on Apple TV, we all know that these events can be lengthy (90 minutes or more). Here is a summary of the event.
Whether you’re in the business of giving presentations, or you only do so on occasion, the following is information that will definitely benefit your ability to create stunning slides. I sit through enough presentations to know what works, and what doesn’t. What do I use as a gauge? My attention. If a presentation can hold my attention for the duration, then I know the presenter has done a great job.
The one thing that most people overlook when presenting is that you are always selling something. You may not be selling a physical, salable product or service, but at the very least, you are selling your ideals and your principals to those in attendance. Having said that, it's important to do your best when preparing to give your presentation. Below are 6 techniques that I use when creating my presentation slide decks.
It's no secret that Apple makes some incredible products. Whether you're buying a MacBook Pro, iMac, iPhone or even the new Apple Watch, you're making a wise investment. Apple's products come with a limited warranty to cover issues with manufacturing defects, but there's also an option to purchase an extended warranty. Apple calls this AppleCare.
The question that I am often asked is this... "Do you recommend that I buy AppleCare with my new product?" While the answer to that question will vary depending on personal preference and circumstances, I do have some very definitive thoughts on the concept of AppleCare and extended warranties in general.
We LOVE to be social in our neighborhood. About 10 years ago, we thought it would be fun to kick off the first day of Summer (on the last day of school) by showing a movie on our garage door for our family and a few of their friends. We had so much fun with it, that we did it again... and again... and again! By the end of that Summer, we had shown about 5 or 6 movies on our garage for our family, friends and neighbors. We loved it, and they loved it. We loved it so much, in fact, that we decided to make it an annual Summer-time Allgaier tradition.
Fast forward 10 years, and while the technicalities and treats have changed (drastically), the concept is still the same. Each year, on the last day of school, we kick off the Summer by showing a movie on the garage. We show other movies about every 2 - 3 weeks throughout the Summer, until school starts again. We have officially called it "Movie on the Garage" (super creative name, right?). I've had so many people ask me what gear I use now. Interest has been so high, that I thought it would be fun to write a post about it.
Let's face it, an iPhone and/or iPad is a pretty hefty investment. Sure, it may only cost $200 -$400 (depending on the model) to purchase a subsidized iPhone from your cell carrier, but have you ever had to replace that phone before your contract is up? You can tack on another $300 or so (depending on your carrier). All of a sudden, a lost device becomes very expensive to replace.
It may not happen every time you lose a device, but in some cases, the finder actually does want to learn who the owner is so that they can return it. We've been taught (and it's good practice) to always use a passcode to protect the data on your device in case it does end up lost. But if the finder can't get into your device, how will they know who it belongs to and how to return it? Simple.
Apple's suite of online services (a.k.a.: iCloud) helps you to manage your digital life. From email to calendaring to photo-sharing, your iCloud account has the potential to be the center of your digital life. This is not only true for you, but it will likely be true for your children as well.
Even though they may not be ready to use iCloud right now, here's some advice that will help you (and them) when they are ready to use it.
If you haven't learned something new today, then you must be dead or on vacation, but even on vacation, you should be learning something new. That's exactly why this "Tech Talk" blog exists... to help you learn something new every day.
When it comes to developing your skills and talents, there are plenty of ways to do this. The most common way that most people think of right away is a formal college or university education. This is obviously still a very valid option, but wouldn't it be nice to attend a college course here or there without the time and expense commitment that goes along with it? Good news... you can!
When Apple introduced FaceTime alongside the iPhone 4 introduction in June 2010, it was used very little. I believe this was the case for two reasons: 1) people had a hard time finding an application for its use and 2) at the time, it only worked over WiFi. Since then, AT&T and other carriers have relaxed their restrictions to the point that yu can now use FaceTime over 4G and LTE on the go. Now, it seems like FaceTime is used more frequently (I use it just about every day, and it's becoming more frequent).
The ability to take a screenshot of your computer is invaluable for troubleshooting a problem or showing off the latest new app. Taking a screenshot on a Mac is easy (you can get instructions here).
Taking a screenshot on your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch may not be as intuitive, but it's just as easy... once you know how to do it. This tip will make it easy for you.
