iOS 5 Tips and Tricks

I thought that owning multiple Apple iDevices, I might share some cool new features of the newest operating system, iOS 5. If you have anything to add, feel free to to comment.

1. A computer is no longer necessary! Any device can be set up, backed up, synced with other devices, and updated right on the device. Backups and syncs is done using iCloud. But if you do want to sync and backup with a computer, it can be done wirelessly through local Wi-Fi.
2. iCloud can sync everything over everything. This means if you add an event on your Mac at home, it will appear on your iPad, iPhone, etc. If you add a contact at work, it will appear on your Mac and your iPhone, and your iPad, etc.
3. The new notification centre keeps all your notifications in one place. Simply swipe  down and you’ll be able to see your notifications, weather, and a stock ticker. Notifications now simply pop up on the top of your screen causing little disturbance. In the lock screen, swiping the little icon beside the notification will launch whatever the notification is. For example, you can listen to a voice message in the lock screen.
4. With Newsstand, subscribing to electronic magazines have never been easier, in the App Store, visit the “Newsstand” category to purchase new subscriptions. Also, several newspapers including the New York Times are incorporated into Newsstand.
5. If you have an iPhone, you can take a photo with a tap of a button on the lock screen. The capture button now can also be activated with the volume up button (iPad 2 too!). Also, under the “option” tab, you can enable grids.
6. Safari now have a “Reader” button in the URL box, this is for reading articles without the distractions (ads, related posts, sidebars, etc.). Also, with Reading List, you can save a page to read later. Safari has a private browsing feature located in the Safari section of settings too.
7. The iPad 2 now have multitasking gestures. Swipe up with four/five fingers to open the multitasking bar, swipe sideways to switch applications, and pinch to go back to the home screen.
8. AirPlay can now mirror your device through Apple TV so you see what your audience see.
9. Mail now supports rich text (bold, italics, etc.) and have other new features including swiping to hide the list of mail items (iPad).
10. The new built in app Reminders allow you to create lists on any date.
11. iPads and iPod Touches join in with iMessage, they can text using their Apple ID.
12. Twitter is now integrated into iOS 5. You can even tweet using Siri!
13. Hotmail is now an option when you create a new mail account. This means it is possible to sync with your Hotmail account on your iDevice.
14. On the iPad, the keyboard can be split by using two fingers and making a splitting gesture. This make it more convenient to type with two thumbs (if that is you). This can be disabled in settings (if you’re not the thumb typer).
15. You can create text shortcuts in the keyboard setting.
16. You can see how much space your apps are taking in settings>general>usage.
17. On the iPhone, you can create custom vibrations for different contacts. Simply turn them on in the accessibility setting and add vibrations in the sounds setting.
18. The weather app now has an hour by hour forecast.
19. Maps are now compatible with AirPrint. Roll up the edge to find a new print button.
20. iOS 5 can now identify different headphones and save different volume settings for each.

All in all, these are 20 tips and tricks that I can think of. But again, if you have more, add them into the comment section. Thank-you 🙂

How I Lived a 6 Day Week

This may sound weird, but I truly lived a six day week. In other words, I spent more than 15 hours doing nothing. How? Well, let me explain.

Last Friday I started a stopwatch in our car’s computer that times every second as long as the car is moving. This Friday, I ended up with 15 hours, 25 minutes, and 33 seconds.

To me, this is crazy. I get on the car, I go. I get to my destination, I stop. It is something I don’t think about, it is an inevitable part of life these days. I don’t use the car for no reason, I use it to get to  place and back. Last week, I simply followed my normal routine, nothing special happened, I didn’t pick anyone up at the airport or whatnot; in fact, I didn’t even use the car on the weekend. And then, I look at the time, one whole day (well, excluding sleep) just went away.

Imagine, having 3 hours each day devoted just to getting from one place to another (15/5=3 I didn’t use the car on the weekend). imagine what you can do if you have an extra day.

So don’t waste time! Today, lots of time is already taken away from you. The car is only one of them. There’s your computer starting up, or the internet blah blah blah blu-ray player updating the blah blah blah :-). Use your time wisely, you don’t have much of it.