Apple « David's tech blog

Apple

Apple / iOS / iPhone — No Comments
11
Jul 10

Tip for iOS 4 and Twitter: Enable SMS Character Count

Most Twitter users today post using the Twitter website, or a program or browser extension on their desktop, or an application on their phone. But lest we forget, Twitter was originally conceived with text (SMS) in mind. Consequently “tweets” are limited to 140 characters in length so that they fit in a single text message.

All good iPhone Twitter apps tell you how many characters you’ve used, but until recently the iPhone’s “Messages” app did not. If you wrote a message that was longer than the limit it would simply be split into pieces and transparently delivered as multiple separate messages. That’s fine when texting your fiends, but can be a real pain if you like to be old school and tweet via SMS.

With the new iOS 4 for iPhone, you can enable character count. Just open your Settings app, then Messages, and switch “Character Count” to “On.” Just remember that the iPhone shows how many characters you’ve used out of 160, not Twitter’s 140. Still, its better than manually counting to make sure you haven’t exceeded the limit.

Apple / iOS / iPhone — No Comments
29
Jun 10

Maximizing iPhone 4 video quality

Download to your computer for full-quality recordings: After creating a couple fun iMovie projects I shared them via email. When viewing them in my Sent box I thought the quality was rather lackluster, even though I had exported them to the Camera Roll at 720p. It turns out that when you send a video via email or upload it to an online service, it creates a copy with reduced resolution and quality so you get a reasonable file size. If you want to save, email, or upload one at full-quality, you should connect your iPhone to your computer and download the movie using iPhoto, Aperture or Image Capture. This will give you the full 720p version, which looks far superior to the copies I emailed.
It doesn't take much contrast to get a blown out image.
Avoid backlighting: In most situations the camera quality is quite good for a phone, but if you shoot something with much backlight the result is not pretty. The dynamic range (ability to sense extreme light and dark without making them come out pure white or black) is not great. Since there are no controls for exposure/brightness, do whatever you can do avoid backlighting or extreme front lighting on a dark backdrop.
Don’t move from light to dark in the same continuous recording: If you quickly transition from a very dark scene to a very light one, the automatic brightness adjustment is pretty jarring.
Avoid refocusing while recording: The iPhone 4 will focus wherever you tap on the screen. This gives you greater creative control, but the focus occurs rather suddenly. It’s also very easy for the tap to cause a noticeable bump in your footage. Consequently it’s best to focus ahead of time and avoid focusing in the middle of a shot.
Use an alternative tripod: Sure, there’s no tripod mount, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a steady shot. Set your iPhone on a table leaning against a steady object. Lay down with your elbows on the floor. Lean your body against a wall. Or use come up with your own strategy – whatever you have to do to keep the camera steady for a long continuous shot.

Apple / iOS / iPhone / iPod — 5 Comments
26
Jun 10

How To: Lock screen orientation in iOS 4

While the new iPhone doesn’t have a screen orientation lock button (like iPad), iOS 4 does allow you to prevent auto-rotation of the screen using a software switch. This is handy in case you want to read a web page or iBook publication while laying sideways on your couch.

Double-click the home button beneath your iPhone or iPod’s screen.
In the task manager strip at the bottom of the screen, swipe your finger to the right until you see audio controls and circular arrow pointing clockwise.
Touch the circular arrow to lock the screen. A lock icon will appear in the middle.

Repeat steps 1-3 to disable orientation locking.

iOS / iPhone — No Comments
26
Jun 10

iOS 4 integrates with third-party music apps

I discovered a nice surprise by playing with multitasking when Pandora was running. Not only does it keep streaming music in the background, it actually hooks into some of the same system services that control the iPod app.

For example, double-click the home button while Pandora is running in the background. (If the device is unlocked, it will bring up the task manager which includes audio controls. If it’s locked, it will bring up the audio HUD on top of the lock screen.) In both cases the audio controls connect to Pandora rather than the built-in iPod app. Similarly play/pause and other buttons on external keyboards will now control Pandora if it’s running.

Out of curiosity I hooked the iPhone up to my car stereo’s iPod integration cable. In this case the steering wheel buttons did not control Pandora.

iOS / iPhone — No Comments
24
Jun 10

iPhone 4 display

The double-resolution display on my iPhone 4 is beautiful! You can really see the difference between apps that have updated their icons and graphics and those that haven’t. For example, Twitterriffic (yes) vs. Facebook, Reeder and Beejive (no.)

Apple / iOS / iPad / iPhone / iPod — No Comments
21
Jun 10

iPad dock works with iPhone, iPod under iOS 4

Others report it works with their 3GS. Also works fine with my older 3G and an iPod touch running iOS 4.0.

Apple / iPad — No Comments
10
Apr 10

iPad Tip: Multiple undos and redos

In a past iPhone OS update, Apple added the ability to shake the device to get an undo prompt while editing text. This still works on the iPad, but you can also access multiple undos and redos via the onscreen keyboard.

While typing text in any application, click the “.?123″ button to activate the number and punctuation keyboard. Note the new “undo” button. You can click this as many times as you want to step through multiple undos.

What if you go too far? Click the “#+=” key to activate the third level keyboard with additional symbols. The “undo” key will be replaced with “redo” when you switch to this keyboard.

Don’t forget that you can also use Command Z and Command Shift Z to undo and redo if you have an external keyboard connected.

Apple / iPad / iPhone / iPod — No Comments
7
Apr 10

iPhone OS 4.0 wishes and predictions

Apple’s special event is coming tomorrow, where we’ll learn some details of the iPhone OS 4.0 update.

Recent rumors:
• Printing – probably, at least on iPad
• Multitasking for all apps – possible; maybe only on iPad and newer iPhones/iPods

Personal wishes:
• Home Sharing for wireless sync to computers
• Ability to stream music to AirPort Express
• iTunes sharing (DAAP support)
• Improved keyboard access – more key combos in apps; arrows scroll web pages; etc.
• Save/sync to file servers and MobileMe in iWork apps
• iChat
• Multiple signatures assigned to different email accounts
• Rich text editing in Safari form fields, Mail messages, etc.

Hey, I can dream:
• Screen Sharing / Apple Remote Desktop support in iPad
• Imaging solution for easy deployment of class sets of iPads and iPod touch
• Administration tools for Mac OS X Server
• Support for screen mirroring in all apps via VGA connector

Apple / iPad / iPhone / iPod — No Comments
5
Apr 10

“iPod” vs. “Videos” vs. “Music” apps

The iPhone has one media player app: “iPod.” This makes sense because it plays music and videos – which is what all modern iPods do, excepting the screenless iPod shuffle.

The iPod touch has two media player apps: “Music” and “Videos.” This also makes sense because the two primary functions of a traditional iPod are to play music and videos.

The iPad has two media player apps: “iPod” and “Videos.” This makes sense because?…

Apple / iPad — No Comments
5
Apr 10

Etch A Sketch Mode

Want to undo a mistake while typing on your iPad? A good shake works, just like on the iPhone and iPod. Just be careful not to toss it across the room.

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