Apple Update 8.3

The newest version of Apple OS for iPad and iPhones was recently released.  The new version provides choices of skin color and hair for male and female emoji icons.  It also allows user to change Siri's voice.  From what I read on a CNN article, Opps Apple's Diverse Emoji Turn into Aliens, if you do not upgrade, the male and female icons turn into aliens. I prefer not having to make an extra step and select the type of female icon each time - wish it would "remember" my preference.  Who knows what the future will bring with new updates. 

Outlook App Finally Available

I read in the New York Times today that the Outlook app was released last week.  It is available for iPhones, Android phones, and the iPad.  The app is free.  I was using OWA as an Outlook app, but it did not have the robust features of Outlook.  If you use Outlook, try out the app. 

To learn more, go to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/outlook/to-go

Draw MD App

I discovered an amazing app in MERLOT today called Draw MD.  The app is free and includes anatomical drawings that the user can annotate with drawing and text tools.  The drawings can be saved, printed, or emailed for further use.  You can learn more about the app at http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=906206 

The YouTube video below provides information about the urology drawing and associated tools.  

Giving a Presentation with an iPad

TCGeeks has a very good article on how to give a presentation with the iPad at http://www.tcgeeks.com/how-give-presentation-your-ipad/

I should have taken my iPad or other computer to the most recent conference where I was giving a presentation.  The problem was that I brought the Microsoft Surface tablet instead.  The problem was not the tablet - rather the fact that I have not received the 9-pin adapter necessary to connect the tablet with an overhead projector.  I had all of my slides in the cloud and on flash drives, but at this particular conference, presenters had to use their own computer.

Bottom line is to plan and test the ability to give a slide presentation before you leave on a 2-hour flight to another city.  Lesson learned. 

iPad Woes and Fixes

Over the holidays, I must have let the battery drain on the iPad.  When I attempted to turn it on, it wouldn't! :-( 

I did everything I knew except to stand on my head (not sure that I could do that anymore anyway). I could not restore it because I had Find My iPad on.  I read that at times the buttons might not respond.  Anyway, to make a long story short - I took it to Joel.  He plugged it into a power sources and clicked the on/off and start buttons at the same time.  The iPad woke up!!

I knew that it had a full charge because I could see then when it was connected to the Mac.  I had attempted to do exactly what Joel did, but not when it was plugged into the outlet - only the Mac.  Perhaps this fix will help someone else.

iPad App Tips

If you use and iPad, did you notice any changes in the look of certain apps after upgrading to iOS 7?  Perhaps you were able to read the news site before the upgrade, but after the upgrade the text runs off the side of the page.  You have checked zoom in settings, but it is turned off.  The problem is probably due to the fact that you are using an old version of the app. The NPR app is an example of an app that changed. 

To correct the problem, search the Apple App store for the app designed for the iPad.  Download the new app and delete the old legacy one. 

New Apple iOS 7.0 Update

This morning I was greeted with the new iOS update for the iPhone and iPad.  The new iOS is a striking different look and feel.  The security feature is built-in when Find My iPhone is activated.  I was prompted to enter a 4 digit security code every time I unlock the phone.  The search menu is available from every screen by swiping down.  The changes are all very nice!

Augmented Reality with Aurusma App

Our ePublishing group met yesterday.  We always have an exhilarating time learning new technology tricks that have application to education and/or innovative use of technology.  Walt demonstrated an amazing augmented reality app, Aurasma.  The web URL for the app is http://www.aurasma.com/

The distinctive feature of the app is that you can create your own augmented reality items.  The app is available for the iPhone, iPad, and Android mobile devices.  The tutorial for use of the app is simple and clear.

To visualize use of the app, to to http://www.aurasma.com/campaigns/

I have embedded a 4-minute YouTube video which provides insight on how this app can be used in education. Enjoy!

Battery Saving Tips for the iPhone and iPad

MacWorld at has some interesting information on battery saving tips for the iPhone and iPad at http://www.macworld.com/article/2046209/fact-or-fiction-nine-iphone-and-ipad-battery-saving-techniques-tested.html

It is no secret that I have both devices.  I learned a couple new tips about saving the battery.  Not mentioned in the article is Facetime.  Facetime will drain my battery quickly.  I know that locations finder will affect battery life, but it is an important feature to keep.  Overall, my Apple devices all do a great job on battery life.

Turnitin Plagiarism App for iPad

At Georgia College we are fortunate to have a site license to Turnitin.  The plagiarism detecting software is also built into the Desire to Learn learning management system.  Students in classes I teach voice their appreciation for having access to the software.  I encourage students to "self-check" their papers with Turnitin website before they submit their papers for grading.

Users need to understand that the only thing that it does it to compare wording with other documents.  It does not  find instances where citations are omitted.  Turnitin is now available for instructors to use on the iPad.  When you open the app, you have an opportunity to experience an interactive tutorial on how to insert comments, both text and voice, as well as using the grading function.

The app can be downloaded at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/turnitin/id657602524?mt=8

Taking Screenshots

Screenshots are great ways to create tutorials and provide a picture with an explanation.  There are several ways to create them.

Download Jing (http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html ), a free app

With Windows operating system (OS)

• The Snipping Tool is an app with some of the Window OSs.  
• In Microsoft Word 2010, click the Insert menu > Screenshot from the Illustrations section
• If you have OneNote, you can click the Windows + S key 

On the Mac

• Click Cmd + Shift + 4 keys
• Click Cmd + Shift + 3 keys (full screen)
• Click Cmd + Shift + 4 + space bar (open window)
• Go the Dock > Utilities > Grab

On the iPad or iPhone

• Click the on/off and Home button (takes full screen)

Evernote 5.0- A Free Remember Everything App for Desktop and Mobile Devices

I read an article, Evernote 5.0 for Mac Improves an Already Indispensable Service, at http://www.macworld.com/article/2019709/review-evernote-5-0-for-mac-improves-an-already-indispensable-service.html this morning.  Afterwards, I opened Evernote on the Mac and iPad.  The focus for the app experience is "Remember Everything."  The look is different (I don't use it as often as I should/could). I did not know that there were software, hardware, and other services that using Evernote as their hub (Trunk in Evernote).  I also did not realize that Evernote had acquired some of the apps.  Examples include:

• Skitch - for screen capturing and annotation
• Hello - an app that helps you remember people (I REALLY need to use this app!)
• Penultimate - a $0.99 handwriting app that allows you to take notes and sketch with the iPad

Evernote Screenshot

•  Web Clipper is a screenshot program that works with different web browsers.  What makes it unique is the way it in integrated with Evernote
• Evernote Food is a free app for your food experiences (recipes, photos, notes, etc.)
• Evernote Clearly an app for the web browser that facilitates reading web pages, blogs, etc.Similar to Reader where the "distractions" are removed, but it allows you to save clips to Evernote
• Evernote Peek an app that allows you to create study materials by opening and closing the iPad cover.  It is similar to creating flash cards with right and wrong answers.

If you need a free app to store notes, pictures, and more, Evernote is an app to explore.  It works with the Windows PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. There is a Premium version of Evernote available, but the free version is amazing!

iBooks Author - First Test Run with the eBook and the iPad

I have a working draft of the manuscript for spreadsheet software done, so I did a test run using iBooks Author.  It is one thing to read about using software and another to actually use it.  I learned so much!

I had most of the terms relating to spreadsheets identified and defined.  So the first thing I did was to create a glossary by adding the term to the glossary and then copying/pasting the associated definition.  The glossary supports the addition of graphics and hyperlinks.  I have a few hyperlinks in the glossary now.  The graphics should be really helpful to readers for select terms.

Next, I copied and pasted in the text file for different sections of the eBook.  Since the file was plain text (.txt), I lost the tables and bullets.  The bullets were easy enough to recreate using the text Inspector.  I added a table and copied and pasted the contents.

I also added a graphic.  First, when I pulled it over from a Word file, iBooks Author would not allow me to caption it with the Inspector Layout Wizard.  I suspected the problem was because I had not saved the file as a .png (even though it was a .png screenshot).  I saved the file into Pictures and then dragged it into the eBook.  What was amazing is the saved graphic was much clearer.  The Inspector Layout Wizard worked with the saved graphic.  I created a caption for the graphic.

Finally, I did a test run viewing the eBooks on the iPad.  I connected the iPad using the USB cable and clicked Preview in iBooks Author.  I can see the value of doing small builds and previewing the file each time.

Print from Your iPad or iPhone

Thinking back to what computing was like 20 or 30 years ago and compare it with today is mind-boggling!  When I read Rick Broida's MacWorld blog today about printing from the iPhone and iPad at http://www.macworld.com/article/2020470/print-to-dropbox-evernote-or-an-actual-printer-from-your-iphone-or-ipad.html  it reminded me of how printing options have changed since the release of the iPad and the recent iPhones.  Because I can create, edit, and print from the iPhone and iPad, I often do not need to carry a laptop.  There are a couple of printing options:

• ePrint printer that provides printing using WiFi or email
• Print apps

As Broida's blog noted above, a print app that costs $19.95 is much less than replacing a printer with an ePrint printer.  I believe that HP (Hewlett Packard) is still the only printer that provides ePrint services.  When you purchase an ePrint printer you can print using WiFi on a local network system.  You click on the Send To icon on the mobile device, select the available printer, and print.  

ePrint printers allow you to print using email.  Each printer has a unique email address.  Enter the email address, message, and click the send button.  This feature will print most any kind of documents that is attached to the email. 

Broida's blog discussed the FingerPrint app.  One of the commenters for his blog mentioned Printopia.  Both apps cost $19.95.  We can expect new options for printing from mobile devices in the future.  It is an amazing difference from the dot matrix printers of the past.

New Gmail App for iPhone and iPad

A Google blog posted yesterday discussed a new Gmail app for the iPhone and iPad. Yes, an app! I had not even considered using an app for mail as gmail is one of my email accounts set up using Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars.  The screen shots of the Gmail app looked very nice, so I downloaded the app to the iPad.  The Gmail app provides a very nice simple and colorful view of email, which is very different from the regular email app.  You may find it worth exploring, too.To read more and see some of the screenshots, go to
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-gmail-app-for-iphone-and-ipad.html

Setting Notifications for the Mac Mountain Lion OS, iPhone, and iPod

If you have a Mac computer running Mountain Lion operating system (OS), an Apple mobile device, you probably are familiar with receiving notifications.  However, did you know that you can customize them?

On the Mac, go to the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen > system preferences > Personal > Notifications.  On a mobile device, click the Settings icon > Notifications.  You can chose a calendar style alert, select which apps you want for notification, whether to show a badge icon (shows number of alerts), and whether to play a sound.  You can also specify the number of notifications that you prefer (1-20).

Kirk McElearn has a very nice article detailing the notification system for Mountain Lion OS at http://www.macworld.com/article/2015473/qanda-mountain-lion-s-notifications.html. 

Zotero Software and the Mobile Devices - Updated

Martha sent me a link from the Chronicle that discussed a way to use Zotero on the iPad.  Good information but the save process in the original article was flawed. Adam's comment for this blog post provided the updated article URL at http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/the-zotero-bookmarklet-for-the-ipad-and-iphone/44490

The corrected process worked!  I dragged the "Save to Zotero" button to Safari bookmarklets. When I clicked the bookmarklet, the webpage was saved to Zotero.  It even picked up the fact that the webpage was a blog!  See the screenshot below:

Note:  Zotero is now a standalone app for Mac and Microsoft Windows computers.

The good news is that the process provided the opportunity to explore citation software and iPad integration. The not so good news is that development is not a one-click solution as of yet.   The resources I found are:

• ZotPad ($9.99) - allows access to Zotero libraries from a mobile device.  It is available from the Apple app store at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zotpad/id497260579?mt=8 
• BibUp (free) - has a barcode reader to scan in the name and author(s) of books.  Afterwards, you have to use other steps to get the rest of the citation data. It is available from the Apple app store at https://itunes.apple.com/app/bibup-universite-de-fribourg/id418304170?mt=8  Interesting - that I could not find it using the app store search tool, but had to search on the Internet and follow the cookie trail into the back door of the app store.

For additional information about Zotero and mobile devices, go to http://www.zotero.org/support/mobile

Creating a touchscreen glove to the iPad, iPod, or iPhone

I read a DIY column today about how to sew a few stitches of conductive thread into the finger tip of a glove so that you do not have to remove the glove to use the mobile device.  Actually there are several blog tutorials and YouTube videos on the topic.  One blog is at http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/diy-make-any-pair-of-gloves-touchscreen-capable-with-just-a-couple-stitches-of-thread-20091130/ 

From what I read the conductive thread is "hairy" as it is made metal fiber - so the recommendation is to wax the thread before threading a needle and sewing a few stitches in the tip of the glove.  You can purchase small amounts of thread for less than $3.00 (excluding any shipping charges).  One example is  http://www.karlssonrobotics.com/shop/conductive-thread-bobbin-30ft/?gclid=CO7MlJDD8rMCFQu0nQodTxwAtw 

Of course you can search the Internet yourself using the search word "conductive thread."  

Learning from Mistakes - iTunes Match

When I got my new iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro - I was not thinking ahead!  I turned in the old MacBook Pro without saving all of the MANY copies of music CD's (like 500 songs).  OMG - not a good thing.  I attempted to make a backup of my music library, but ran into problems because the file would not synch.  Am working on correcting the problem without having to copy all of my music CD's by using iMatch.  Yes, it costs money, but in the short term, it should be worth it if it works. 

iOS 6 Updates

I realize that only a small proportion of my readers use Apple products; however, it is important to talk about the changes in the Apple iOS 6.  I downloaded iOS 6 to the iPad on Thursday and am downloading it the iPhone now.  Heather Kelly at CNN has a great article on the changes at http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/20/tech/mobile/ios-6-changes/index.html

In summary the changes are:

1. Email Mailboxes - there are two new features
1. VIP filter where you can identify emails from those that you consider to be very important
2. Flagged - a way to view all of the emails that you have flagged
2. Photos - now when you click the send-to icon in the upper right corner, you get a series of 9 apps: Mail, Message, Photo Stream, Twitter, Facebook, Assign to Contact, Print, Copy, and Use as Wallpaper.
3. Apple Maps (Google Maps is no longer available as an app).  Read the reviews to find out about the huge number of flaws in the mapping app.  I found it interesting that Apple was able to import the recent Google map searches into its mapping tool.  I did not see any problems with the map from my home to the University.  We have to give Apple some forgiveness.  Many of us have used flawed GPS software including Google maps!
4. Siri - Siri is finally available for the iPad and can do more than dial a phone number with voice commands.  Welcome to my life, Siri!
5. Passbook for the iPhone (not the iPad) - There is a screen shot of Passbook below.  I have to figure out how to use it.  Will wait until some others test it. From what I read, it should work like newstand after developer create resources. There is a good article that explains the nuances about Passbook at http://www.tuaw.com/2012/09/20/passbook-is-failing-to-live-up-to-expectations/
6. World Clock - has changed its look.  It recognizes major cities like Atlanta and Chicago (not small towns).  I added Rome, since we plan to go there on vacation in a few months. When you open the app there is a map with the names of the cities you have identified along with the times and temperatures.  At the very bottom of the window there is an alarm, stopwatch, and timer.
7. Shared photos - still need to explore this feature.

As I find additional changes, I will add them.