Tips

Top 10 tips and tricks for new iPhone and iPad users

Submitted by Rene Ritchie on Sun, 10/30/2011 - 09:53

New to iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad and wondering what tips and tricks you really need to know to get started? Have friends and family that are new to iPhone and would love to have a handy link to send them? Look no further. Carefully curated below are TiPb's top 10 tips and tricks for new users -- everything you need to know to get going now.

Note: If you're really brand new, check out our New User Guide first, the fastest way to get up and running and enjoying your new device.

How to get Siri to correctly pronounce your name or call you something else

Submitted by Leanna Lofte on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 17:06

Trying to figure out how to get the iPhone 4S's Siri virtual personal assistant to say your name properly? One of Siri's abilities is to learn who you are and refer to you by your first name. However, many of us have names that Siri does not how to pronounce correctly. Or perhaps you don't even want to be called by your real name. For example, Ally likes to go by "Jailbreak Ninja". To get Siri to pronounce your name correctly or call you something else, all you need to do ask. Or you can change the phonetic spellings fields of your contact info.

Daily Tip: How to disable keyboard clicks when inputting text

Submitted by chrisoldroyd on Fri, 09/16/2011 - 01:15

If the clicking sound you hear when entering text on your iPhone iPad or iPod touch annoys you or in my case others around you, then there is an easy solution. Instead of turning the sound down or muting it completely, you can just disable the keyboard clicks.

Start off by selecting Settings
Then open up Sounds
Scroll down to the bottom of the page
Flick the toggle switch for Keyboard Clicks to Off

That is all there is to it. You can now type away to your hearts content without annoying yourself or those around you!

Daily Tip: How to use the compass in Google Maps to improve navigation

Submitted by chrisoldroyd on Mon, 09/05/2011 - 22:12

Using Google Maps to get directions but confused and frustrated because the map doesn't turn when you do? The good news is, there's a very easy way fix this and get north really pointing north when you need it.

Starting with iPhone 3GS, Apple began including compasses (technically magnometers) in their iOS devices. To activate the compass and get directions that actually have a sense of direction:

App for That: How to use your iPhone as an external keyboard for your iPad

Submitted by Leanna Lofte on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 14:47

There are hundreds of thousands of iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps for just about everything -- so how come the one you need, the one you know just has to be there, is so hard to find? Enter TiPb's new weekly feature where staff and readers alike sort through the App Store and help you find just the right App for That. This week, @Sethran asks:

Do you know of any apps which will let me use my iPhone as an external keyboard for the iPad?

Unfortunately, due to the restrictions on the iOS SDK, there is no app that will let you use your iPhone as a keyboard for your iPad systemwide. However, we think we've found the next best thing. To find out, follow along after the break!

Daily Tip: How to subscribe to Apple iCal calendars [Mac only]

Submitted by Allyson Kazmucha on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 00:53

Trying to figure out how to easily add holidays and sports schedules into the iPhone or iPad Calendar app? Lucky for us Apple actually solved this problem quite a while ago for Mac iCal users. Simply subscribe to Apple's already built calendars and you'll be all set. Read on to find out how!

Daily Tip: How to shorten links on the fly with Droplr

Submitted by Allyson Kazmucha on Tue, 07/19/2011 - 21:48

Trying to figure out how to shorten URLs quickly and easily? Doplr is Out of all the apps on my iPhone, I find Droplr to be one of my favorites. Not only do they have an iOS version, they have a Mac version as well. It's one of my favorite task management apps since it helps me share and organize files.

I find it incredibly useful for uploading images, long URLS, and videos. It also allows you to create shortened links quickly and easily. Long links are annoying and look bad in statuses and posts. If you find yourself needing shortened links quite often, Droplr will help you do just that.

Daily Tip: How to automatically send your music, book, and app purchases to your iPhone, iPad, and computers

Submitted by Leanna Lofte on Fri, 07/08/2011 - 23:57

Curious how to use the new iCloud feature that enables Automatic Downloads? Luckily for us, this feature has rolled out before iOS 5, and anyone using iOS 4.3.3 or later has the ability to use it. But what exactly is Automatic Downloads? To find out, follow along after the break!

App for That: How to set up reminders to take medication

Submitted by Leanna Lofte on Sat, 06/25/2011 - 14:26

I have need of an app that will alert me to take my medication. More specifically, I need to an app that will remind me of a medication that I need to take every 72 hours.

Sure, the built in alarm in the iPhone's clock app will work for many medication reminders, but it does not have an option to set a repeating alarm for every 3 days. To see our solution for Colin, follow along after the break!

Daily Tip: How to hide the “Photo Slideshow” option on your iPad lock screen

Submitted by George Lim on Thu, 06/23/2011 - 21:43

Passcoded your iPad but still worried someone could access your personal pictures via the Photo Slideshow button on the lock screen? Luckily, if you don’t want to use the slideshow button, there is a very simple way to remove it. We'll show you how... after the break!

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