iOS

The average iOS app increased in size by 16 percent, to 23 megabytes, between March and September of 2012, according to a report released Tuesday by technology research firm ABI Research. The release of the third generation iPad with its Retina display, which allows for far more detailed graphical elements in applications, and Apple’s decision…

With iOS 6, we can now add custom signatures for each email account we own, as opposed to being forced to use just one. This is awesome for me and probably for anyone who uses many accounts for different purposes, and it's really easy to set up. I always say that, don't I? Well, in…

Every now and then an app will be released that is so simple, that many of us wonder why the feature is not already included in Apple’s default camera app? Snap Clap makes that distinction whilst ensuring group photographs are easily captured. Simply clap your hands when ready to capture the photograph and after a…

Along with its Music app, Apple made some radical changes to iTune Match in iOS 6. While several useful features have been added to the service, several notable ones have also been removed or modified.  A Unique “Thing”. Apple's iTunes Match is a unique service. Not necessarily unique in concept—both Amazon Cloud Player and Google…

Street View is now available in most areas via the Google Maps Web app. The return of the popular feature, which was sacrificed for iOS users as Apple made the transition from Google’s mapping service to its own, will allay the fears of some iOS users who have struggled to find a suitable replacement since…

We've had the ability to locate, lock, and send messages on lost Apple devices for some time now. But with iOS 6 and iCloud, there's a new feature called Lost Mode, which'll let whoever is keeping your precious iPhone make a call to a specified number. You can also use this to remotely track an…

“The best way to make a silk purse from a sow’s ear is to start with a silk sow.” — Norman Augustine On the Mac, finding the location of an app and running it has always been trivial. However, in iOS, finding the exact location of an app isn’t so easy. And it’s getting worse…

Data security and privacy concerns are first and foremost in the minds of many iOS device users. Some are overly preoccupied about this, others don't pay much attention to it. I, on the other hand, take a middle-of-the-road approach. I tell my clients and students that security awareness is indeed very important, but paranoia isn't…

The iPhone has a bunch of features that most folks never make use of. For instance, many never make use of the built in iOS emoticons. This is mainly because you have to jump through a few hoops to activate the little pictures, but once you do you'll have them for as long as you…

In iOS 6, we can now brush people off—I mean, respond to our phone calls more effectively. You may have noticed that when someone calls you, there's now a new little phone icon right next to Slide to Answer. HELLO? YES, THIS IS CAT. Slide that phone button upward, and you'll see new choices. You can…

I now know how to use Passbook. Perhaps, by now, you do as well. I don't expect to use this new iOS 6 app often quite yet, due to the limited number of companies that support it. However, I look forward to accessing Passbook more and more in the months ahead. Having a single location…

As I mentioned in a previous tip, there's a very simple way to access drafts you've started on your iOS device—just press and hold on the Compose button in the Mail app. But in iOS 6, this feature has become much, much better. Before, you could only bring back your last saved draft like that,…

On September 19, 2012, Apple released iOS6 with a customary wealth of new features. It’s a good upgrade, and worth installing. In fact, it's mandatory thanks to a myriad of security updates. But iOS is also showing some signs of strain. _____________________ The first thing you need to know about iOS 6 is that it…

It's been interesting watching the Google vs. Apple Maps in iOS 6 débâcle unfold. Apple is a very calculating company that rarely makes any rash moves without fully thinking them through first, which makes this all the more curious. What's interesting here is something I haven't seen noted before: With iOS 6 Apple simply took…

The Mac Observer is pleased to introduce the new Mac Geek Gab iOS App! Available now from the App Store, the MGG App is the best way to listen to, and interact with, your two favorite geeks. All new and recent episodes, including Premium episodes for Premium subscribers, are available in a beautiful streamlined interface.…

Along with news that over 5 million iPhone 5 units made it into customer's hands over the weekend, Apple also announced that iOS 6 has already been installed on over 100 million iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. The update for iOS was released on September 19 and has been available for less than a…

In case you haven't noticed, this is a big election year here in the good ole' U.S. of A. The Presidency and various House and Senate seats are up for grabs. We run this political gauntlet every 4 years. Commercials born in lies, rumors, half-truths, and speculations glorify the endorser and damn the opponent. Hidden…

For a long time, the Contacts app in iOS and OS X has been an Apple mainstay. However, Apple made a key change to the way the Contacts app works in iOS 6, and that means some customers may be looking for a new Contacts app. Savi Contacts from MobileLife Studio is a praiseworthy substitute.…

So you want to share a public Web gallery of your images with other people, hmm? Lucky you—there's a simple way to do it again in iOS 6. It's like we're dancing on MobileMe's grave a little bit. Anyway, to use this feature, you'll need to have an iCloud account, so if you don't have…

Garmin announced the immediate availability of updated version of its Navigon and Garmin Street Pilot Onboard apps for the iPhone with public transportation data, iOS 6 Maps integration, and support for the iPhone 5 4-inch display. Navigon for iPhone Adds iPhone 5 support, Public Transportation info The public transportation information comes via Garmin's new Urban…

In iOS Contacts prior to version 6, one could define Groups and then drill down to them individually. iOS 6.0 changes the UI and allows one to view merged Groups. Here’s how it works in iOS 6. Prior to iOS 6.0, the list of Groups had an arrow on the right side suggesting that if…

Alongside the addition of Notes and Reminders, iCloud’s Web interface now includes a notification bar and application-specific badge icons nearly identical to their counterparts on iOS. The notifications appear in real time and let users know when a new email message, reminder, or calendar event arrives. The first hint of iCloud Web notifications occurred in…

Apple’s iCloud email is a great free service that is configured automatically on Macs and iDevices. If you work on multiple platforms or with non-Apple email programs, however, you’ll have to manually configure access. Instructions vary based on the specific software, but the following information should allow users to configure iCloud IMAP access in almost…

Most iPhone users would have a plethora of photographs ready to show family, friends, and associates. The problem that currently exists, and one that needed to be solved, was how to only show a select few. Safe Slide is an ingenious app that handles this very task, albeit it simply. ____________________ Features On-demand private photo…