ultimate guide

FaceTime: The ultimate guide

By Rene Ritchie, Monday, Mar 4, 2013 a 10:12 am

FaceTime is Apple's video chat service. It allows anyone with a recent iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Mac to make free calls to any other Apple user over Wi-Fi or cellular connection. On the iPhone, FaceTime is bundled into the Phone app. On the iPod touch, iPad, and Mac, FaceTime is a separate app. On all devices, FaceTime can connect to any Apple-registered iPhone phone number or email address. That makes it perfect for keeping in touch with family who lives far away, with the kids while traveling, with business partners at distant offices, or even with that special someone while shopping for the perfect gift.

Bookmark this page and check back often, because we'll be updating it regularly. And f you already know everything there is to know about FaceTime, then forward it on to friends and family who need it. We'll do the heavy support lifting for you!

Calendar: The ultimate guide

By Rene Ritchie, Saturday, Feb 16, 2013 a 1:03 am

Everything you need to know about settings up and using calendars on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad

Calendars help you keep track of what you're doing and when, which is why it's always been one of the core apps on mobile devices from the earliest PDA (personal digital assistants), to the latest iPhones and iPads. That why, when iOS launched in 2007, it included a Calendar app. Whether you simply use Calendar by itself, or whether you sync it via iCloud, Google Calendar, Microsoft, or something else, it's the default way to add and find appointments and events.

Bookmark this page and check back often, because we'll be updating it regularly. And f you already know everything there is to know about calendar on iOS, then forward it on to friends and family who need it. We'll do the heavy support lifting for you!

iPhone DIY repair: Ultimate guide to replacing broken dock connectors

By Allyson Kazmucha, Tuesday, Feb 5, 2013 a 2:16 pm

There are lots of things that can go wrong with the dock connector in your iPhone. Bad chargers can cause pins to break off, water or moisture can leave your iPhone unable to charge, and more. There are lots of symptoms and problems that can arise that would warrant a DIY repair.

The dock connector in certain models can also affect other functions such as producing sound issues in the iPhone 4 and 4S. Regardless what model iPhone you have, we can walk you through how to replace the dock connector step by step. We'll also give you links to parts and tools from the suppliers we trust.

So if you're experiencing dock connector or charging issues, follow along to find the guides that'll get you back in working order in no time.

Mail: The ultimate guide

By Rene Ritchie, Tuesday, Jan 22, 2013 a 1:25 pm

Mail is one of the core apps of the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Rich, HTML email was shown off by Steve Jobs in 2007 when he first introduced the iPhone, and again in 2010 when he introduced the iPad. It was and is so important, he put it in the iPhone and iPad Dock, and by default there it still remains. Whether you use the free iCloud account that comes with your Apple device, or Yahoo!, Google's Gmail, Microsoft's Hotmail, Live, or Outlook.com, your local ISP email or something else entirely, whether you have an IMAP, ActiveSync, or POP account, your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad can keep you connected to it wherever you go, and whatever you're doing.

Siri: The ultimate guide

By Rene Ritchie, Friday, Dec 28, 2012 a 12:05 pm

Siri is the name of Apple's personal digital assistant. It's basically voice control that talks back to you, that understands relationships and context, and with a personality straight out of Pixar. Ask Siri questions, or ask Siri to do things for you, just like you would ask a real assistant, and Siri will help keep you connected, informed, in the right place, and on time. You can even use Siri's built in Dictation feature to enter text almost everywhere by simply using your voice.

Siri and Dictation are online services, which mean they need a network connection (Wi-Fi or 3G/4G) to work. Siri is also still in beta, so not all features are available in all places or all languages yet. However, with iOS 6, Apple has added even more functionality to Siri, including support for the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPod touch 5, iPad 4, iPad 3, and iPad mini.

Bookmark this guide, share the link with family and friends, and check back for updates!