1. iPhoto for Mac

iPhoto is the photo management application that we all know and love. iPhoto comes with all Macs, or $14.99 if you purchase it from the Mac App Store. iPhoto for Mac is more than enough of a photo management and editing application for the average user. You can organize your photos by date, location, individuals, and more. iPhoto for Mac also allows you to do color correction with the “Enhance” tool, add filters like Sepia and Black and White, as well as your run of the mill cropping tools.

For professional photographers, iPhoto for Mac is more useful as a photo management app rather than a photo editing app. Personally, I use it for personal photos and when I need a nice database of all of my imported photos.

iPhoto for Mac ($14.99)

2. Aperture For Mac

If you enjoy the feel of iPhoto, but need to take advantage of more professional features to get any use out of it, then Aperture is for you. You can still organize your photos into folders, providing a great home for them once imported. You can also edit the photos, like found on iPhoto. On top of that, Aperture allows you to make use of brushes for making light touchups and even more for making heavy changes. If you are unfamiliar with the setup at first, Aperture comes with professional preset effects so you can learn while you use it. If you feel like going on the wild side, you can even create some yourself. Once the photos are complete, you can find them available on your iPhone and other iOS devices and Macs through Photostream. With RAW importing support, advanced search tools, and the ability to adjust white balance and more, Aperture is the step up for Apple photographers just growing out of iPhoto, but not experienced enough for Photoshop just yet.

Aperture For Mac ($79.99)

3. Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements

Now we are at the point where you can navigate through iPhoto with your eyes closed and can probably help someone else out with their Aperture for Mac needs. If this is you, then it’s time to upgrade your applications to Adobe Photoshop and/or Photoshop Elements. Let’s look a bit into both of them. First, we have the household name photography software – Adobe Photoshop. Adobe Photoshop is the ultimate photography application that allows you to add 3D effects, process your photo, and even share within Photoshop with a support of a ton of file types. The features that Photoshop has are endless. It is (almost) the industry standard for professional photo-editing and the latest version (CS6) makes it even better.

Along with Photoshop, there is also the Photoshop Elements which is more appealing to the average consumer. If you feel the need to compare, Photoshop is like to Apple Aperture as iPhoto is to Photoshop Elements. They are the elements, the basics, of what Photoshop is. Photoshop Elements allows you to make subtle changes to your photos, share the photos on various social networking websites, and more. Photoshop Elements, unlike iPhoto, will cost all users money because it doesn’t come shipped on any desktop.

Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements

4. DoubleTake

Panorama photos allow you to get the full landscape of the subject you want to shoot to fit all in one photo. These images are perfect because they don’t require any special file types, meaning there can be JPEG, PNG, or even GIF landscape photos, the only difference is that the aspect ratio is usually the length being double the width. DoubleTake allows you to make panorama photos easier to not exactly take, but to match together into one photo. DoubleTake can even be useful outside of photography. If you have a large document you want to make easier to read, DoubleTake makes this possible. If you want to make a book easier to create, DoubleTake makes this a possibility.

DoubleTake ($24.95)

This is definitely not a conclusive list of the photo apps for Mac. Let us know which photo apps is your favorite, in the comments.

Image credit: By raruschel

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1. Refurbish and Recycle

Purchasing refurbished products is one of my favorite ways to be earth friendly year round. It’s like a little secret only us super savers seem to know about. It’s ridiculous that many people dismissed refurbished product as their purchase option. When purchased from a reputable source (for example, your Mac directly from Apple’s refurbished program), you can be sure that it is in a good working condition, comes with warranty, and at a much lower price than a brand new product.

The second way to be an earth friendly techie is to recycle your old devices. You’d be surprised how many devices you have in your home that you have no use for. This spring, when I started spring-cleaning the house, I was able to recycle an old Blackberry and Microsoft Zune I found in my gadget drawer. In some instances, recycling devices can even be a bit lucrative. Many websites allows you to trade your devices in for some cash. Websites like Best Buy and Gazelle specialize in trading used devices. Help save the planet and make some money, isn’t that cool?

2. Observe a Time Off

One thing that many individuals forget about is that excessive use of electricity can heavily affect the planet in the long run. Excessive use of electricity adds to your environmental footprint. Electricity is generated using various fossil fuels, fuels that take years to develop and aren’t as renewable. In a nutshell, limiting your current use will help reduce your footprint and help make the environment a bit better.

It is very easy and rewarding to limit your electrical use. I personally give myself a plug off day, from Friday evening until Saturday evening, I cut off from work I have to do online and shut the computer down for 24 hours. This can be difficult for many individuals, and those who find it difficult can take just an hour or two out of their day to cut the plug. When you do so, you can use the time to go out for a run, take care of some errands, and more.

3. Use Earth-Friendly Apps

In case you are running out of means to be earth-friendly, Apple has a ton of applications available out there that will make being earth friendly year-round a bit easier.

iRecycle

For most individuals, recycling isn’t necessarily a difficult process. They are just lazy at finding out where the nearest recycle center is. iRecycle allows you to know where to throw away everything from paint to hazardous materials and everyday items like glass and plastics. This allows you to make recycling an everyday part of your earth friendly routine.

Good Guide

This application is one that helps out while at the grocery store. GoodGuide is your guide to finding not only healthy foods, but also those that are environmentally friendly and humane. GoodGuide allows you to find foods that are friendly to animals and even foods that are more energy efficient. You can find out this based on a score given to each product, based on their averaged out score from health, environment, and societal factors. You can set your own score, and if they meet your expectations, they get a green “pass” check. If not, then they fail and you should at least rethink purchasing it. If an item does in fact fail, GoodGuide gives you better alternatives.

4. Make Things More Digital

We each use about 700 pounds of paper each year. While we aren’t carrying this with us everywhere we go, we encounter it through our mail, notes to ourselves, cards we purchase and send, and much more. A majority of the paper that gets in out contact is essentially wasted, thrown away and never recycled.

If recycling seems a bit too difficult for you, you can still save the earth by reducing your use of paper. You can reduce your paper consumption by sending e-cards or even cards made from recycled paper. This last holiday season, I sent some environmentally friendly holiday cards. While they cost a couple of cents more than regular paper cards, they were well worth it. This is a perfect option if e-cards are too impersonal in your opinion. Even the cards made from Apple with the Cards app is environmentally friendly, making use of more durable cotton paper than that from wood.

We all know that we don’t send cards every day. For that reason, there are things in our daily life that we should implement to make a larger difference. Do you get the New York Times sent to your home each morning? No need to cancel the newspaper, the New York Times subscription is heavily intertwined with the iOS application, allowing you to still keep up with the same news as the newspaper but in digital form. The costs are less as well.

5. Purchase Earth Friendly Gadgets

Yes, you recycled your devices, even purchased refurbished, but you still aren’t sure if that’s enough. No worries, you can even go a step further by purchasing earth friendly gadgets. No, we don’t mean gadgets that run on water or by sunlight. There are various gadgets and companies out there that are earth conscious by using environmentally friendly packaging or materials.

For Apple, their gadgets are smaller for a reason. Yes, thinner equals more modern, however the thin iPads and Macbook Airs also use less aluminum and other materials. Gadgets require less transportation because Apple makes them with a majority of Apple products. They are sent to Apple stores or approved retailers, not random tech stores on the edges of the earth. Apple runs its own recycling program, and all devices you use are Energy Star approved, everything from iPods to Macs.

Conclusion

Making Earth Day a regular part of your year is seamless, however making it apart of your daily life is where the real benefits can be found. It is important to make sure to be environmentally conscious all year-round. As you can see from today, you don’t have to be a tree hugger to do this. From iPhone applications to purchasing energy efficient gadgets, being environmentally conscious can be hip and easy. What are some ways that you are being earth conscious inside and outside of technology? Let us know in the comments below!

Image credit: Baby And Earth by BigStockPhoto

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Understanding Your Battery

Before you can maximize your battery life, you must first understand its status. There are two ways of finding out this. The first way is by just looking in the menu bar at the top right corner. You can get more detailed information from the battery icon by clicking on it, go to “show” and get it to show percentage. You also have the option to see how long you have until the battery is out. This is the easiest way to check the status of your battery, though the information is not enough to determine the lifespan of your battery.

The most informative way is by clicking the “Apple icon at the extreme far left -> About This Mac -> More Info…“. From there, click on “System Report”, and finally click “Power” under the “Hardware” section. Here, you can find out the number of charges, the battery condition, and more. This is essential in knowing the exact problem that your Mac may be experiencing, or how long you have until your Mac will burn out. Most Macs burn out after a thousand or so charges.

Some Maximizing Tips

First of all, you should never let your battery stays on the charger longer than what’s needed. This will essentially kill your battery faster than it should. Battery is meant to be charged and discharged. When connected to the charger, your battery stays at 100% constantly due to the fact that your battery is taking up more energy from the outlet to keep it constant. This will essentially fry your battery over time and it will give out.

In addition, you should charge your battery in full and let it run its course over the day. When you get the alert that your battery is 10% capacity, then bring out the charger. This is the true time when your Mac is preparing itself to shut down completely. A second tip is to monitor the lifespan of each discharge cycle. Charge your battery to full and run the course of the battery life until it shuts off. Jot down how long it took. Overtime, when you notice that the time it takes to shut down decreases drastically, you know that it is in for a repair.

Recommended Settings

One setting that can affect your battery life more than anything is the screen’s brightness. Whether you are typing a paper in Microsoft Word or playing a battery intensive game, the screen’s brightness can still play a huge factor. For this reason, you should access your “Energy Saver Preferences” and enable the automatic brightness settings so your Mac can go to sleep after a certain amount of time of inactivity.

You must also remember that your Mac’s applications run in the background when not in use. This means that, even though you exited out the window, you must still click “Command+Q” on most applications to successfully end them. To make sure that the applications you want to quit are, in fact, ended, you can look in your dock. The applications that have a light under their icon are still running. You can quit them by also clicking the icon with two fingers and pressing “Quit”. Always quit Bluetooth and WiFi when not in use.

When the Time Comes to Change

A Mac will usually reach the end of its life between two and a half to three and a half years or longer from original purchase, depending on the usage frequency. At this time, you are at the dilemma of having to replace the battery or just purchasing a new Mac all together. In this economic time, it’s cheaper to replace the battery when the external condition of the Mac is still quite usable. If you do choose this route, you should remember to get your battery replaced professionally by Apple and their authorized dealers. This will prevent a lot of headaches if someone not authorized did it incorrectly. You also won’t have the damage officially covered by Apple.The average cost of getting a battery replaced ranges from $120 and up to $300. This means that you are saving close to $600 and $900 by purchasing just the purchasing a new battery rather than purchasing a new laptop outright.

Conclusion

As you can see, while the hard drive may be the memory of the Mac, the battery is the heart. Without the battery working properly, your Mac’s activity may range from a few glitches to a full on system problem. You can make sure that your Mac is in perfect operating condition by doing regular checks in “System Info” in the “About This Mac” section. When your Mac’s battery eventually dies out, the Apple store can be there to repair the battery correctly. While it is a bit costly, it is worth it in the end, preventing you from hundreds of more dollars in repairs.

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The “Resolutionary” iPad

The big announcement out of Wednesday’s event was the Retina Display of the new iPad. The screen size remains the same as iPad 2, but the screen quality is much clearer and better. The only word to describe is “magnificent”. Just this alone is a compelling reason for you to get the iPad.

iPad with LTE

The new iPad also comes with LTE support. In the United States, this is available under AT&T and Verizon networks. The question arises, should you purchase the new iPad simply because of LTE? The answer is NO. Firstly, the LTE service in general is a relatively new cellular system and won’t be advanced before the next model of the iPad is revealed in 2013. Additionally, LTE service does not come cheap. AT&T allows you to utilize 250 MB, 3 GB, and 5GB of bandwidth for $14.99, $30, and $50 a month respectively. Verizon allows you to choose between 1 GB, 2GB, 5GB, and 10GB of data a month for $20, $30, $50, and $80 a month respectively. Verizon also comes with tethering option, something AT&T is not supporting just yet for iPad. While Verizon is the best choice, you may not have a great signal, which would make Verizon’s advantage non-present. If you are interested in purchasing the WIFI + 3G iPad model, you can check the LTE coverage in your area here (AT&T) and here (Verizon).

Information on Pricing

The new iPad will be available at the same launch price as the iPad 2′s. The WiFi only version of the new iPad will be for $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32 GB, and $699 for 64GB. The storage sizes was a disappointment for those looking for a 128 GB model. The WiFi + 3G models run for $629 for 16 GB, $729 for 32 GB, and $829 for 64 GB. For those with a tight purse, you’ll be better off getting the discounted iPad 2 which is now available for $399, no contract and 16GB model only.

The iPad’s Hardware

Aside from the screen, the next improvement is the speed. The new iPad has an A5X processor that is even faster than iPad 2′s and provides a more lag-free experience. When coupled with an amazing screen, the new iPad is becoming an even more game friendly tablet. On paper, the newest iPad had to gain some weight to fit the new additions, however when compared to iPad 2, it’s quite unnoticeable. When you look at the camera upgrades, the new iPad comes with a 5 megapixel iSight camera and 1080p HD video capabilities. For a person who is into video, this is definitely a great addition.

When Can You Get It?

The new iPad is, well technically was, available for pre-order on the day of the announcement. However, with the craze and early popularity, the new iPad was sold out in many locations very soon afterward. Due to an even more popular release come launch day, March 16th, Apple is planning to not replenish the online stock until after launch. If you were lucky enough to pre-order, your question may be, when will it come in the mail. Apple has always been known to be quite nice with shipping, usually coming a few days before the predicted date provided. We can bet on it coming in the mail a few days before the 16th.

iLife Apps Get an Update

When you look away from the hype of the iPad release, Apple also made a couple of updates to the iLife applications for iOS. Firstly, Garage Band received a great update with some added features. One added feature that I enjoyed is Jam. This allows you to have a virtual jam session with three other iPads. iMovie also received a nice update. The king of the event was the release of iPhoto. iPhoto for iOS allows you to do some pretty nice photo editing while on the go. There are very few features missing from the mobile version, and some new features being added, making iPhoto for iOS a great download. A new feature of iPhoto for iOS that is expected to become a hit is Journal. This allows you to take your photos and create a story with it, sort of like a collage. This is useful for special events and trips.

Who is it For?

When we look at the event, we should put everything into perspective and look at if the new iPad is right for you. If you are an original iPad user, this is the time to officially make the leap. You are missing out on a front facing camera, which means many photography applications and the fun with a frontal camera (including FaceTime) is missing for you. Additionally, the speed is something that you’ll notice just as much as the Retina display. However, for the iPad 2 users out there, I don’t really see this as a significant upgrade. We should look at this the same way as the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S situation. New devices, but with very minor changes and very little to no aesthetic changes. In addition, as previously mentioned, LTE alone isn’t a good reason to make the switch. Even if you have support in your area, support outside of even your neighborhood may be quite limited, let alone in your whole city.

What do you think? Will you get the new iPad?

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The Hardware

To begin, you must obviously have an iPad to turn an iPad into a MacBook. At the moment, iPad 2 devices cost $499 for the entry model. This is close to being on-par with the average Windows PC that is available, while still being a little more than the average entry level netbooks on the market nowadays. This will give you a WiFi version. For 3G, you will have to cough up $629 for this model. Now, what if $499 is too much of a cost for you? No worries, you still have some options.

A great option to look into is Apple’s refurbished service. Many consumers cringe at the sight of the word, refurbished, but it is really not as bad as you may think. Refurbished, for those who don’t know, simply is when a gadget is returned to Apple and prepared for resell. This can range on the best side as a consumer wanting a different color iPad, and on the worst side, it being an iPad with a glitch that was fixed like new by Apple.

It’s important to remember that you aren’t really sacrificing anything with such a purchase. For $419 currently for a regular $499 iPad with WiFi and 16GB, you are saving some money. In addition, Apple has the previous model, the iPad, that garners even more deals. In addition, it’s important to remember that the iPad 3 is expected to at least be announced in the coming month. With reports of the possibility that Apple will keep the iPad 2 on the market at a lower price, you can find yourself with a better deal if you wait a bit longer.

The Cases: ZaggMate and ZaggFolio

The most important aspect of using your iPad as a Mac is to have the right casing. At the moment, the best company providing the most authentic iPad keyboard casing is Zagg. They have two models, the ZaggMate for the iPad 1 and the ZaggFolio for the iPad 2. Both models use Bluetooth to connect your iPad with the keyboard. The iPad itself is supported on a built-in stand, offering a laptop-feel angle. The case also has iPad specific keys and access to iPad controls like silence and volume rocker. If the $99 price tag is a little much for you, Apple also offers bluetooth keyboards for $49.99. These are the same keyboards used for iMacs, offering the exact feel as a desktop. However, you must purchase a case separately, which in the end will equal out the price.

The Applications

In addition to the hardware, you must also have the software for your iPad to match. The exact software you would need differs. Here is a nice list of almost every application on my Mac right now that has an iPad equivalent. I found a match for just about each application.

Skype for iPad

This is the obvious replacement of my Skype for Mac. All of the key features are still present with the iPad version. All you have to do is sign in with your Skype account and you can get a call started in no time. Individuals with the iPad 2 will be able to have a video conference with the iPad version of this application as well. You can hold calls with both other Skype for iPad users and Skype for Mac users (and Windows). If you want to make it into a mobile phone, a feature your laptop can’t do out of the box, then you can pay a bit more and enable landline calling with Skype. This is a Skype for Mac feature as well.

iMovie for iPad

I’m a bit surprised at how many people don’t know about iMovie for iOS, but it does exist. iMovie for iOS offers many of the same features that is on the Mac. All you have to do is drag and drop media into the timeline, tap and drag to extend or shorten clips. With an addition of photos and music, you can create a great project right on your iPad. Want to narrate a funny event? No problem, just tap to record audio, and then add it into your project. Once done, you can export your high definition project to YouTube and various other social networking websites.

Pages for iPad

Pages for iPad allows you to create beautiful documents for print and sharing on your iPad. Apple offer you with various beautiful templates to create a unique document. You can add text, change color, and even add some photos to brighten up the document. Interrupted while making your creation? No problem, iCloud will save everything you were doing and will allow you to continue when you can. You can also create charts within the application, allowing you to show the data in your paper in a much better way. Once done, you can export you document to various word processing programs, even including Word, or you can make it available online for viewing. At $9.99, this is a much economical option compared to Microsoft Office for Mac.

Keynote for iPad

Keynote is Pages for iPad’s friendly cousin. Where Pages excels in documents, Keynote impresses with slideshows and power points. You can create amazing presentations right from your iPad with Keynote for iPad. Just like with Pages, Keynote allows you to use various templates, add images and text, and even add other types of media into your project. You can have your project on an automatic loop or have it manually change slides. Your presentation can be exported afterwards to Powerpoint, as a PDF, and more. If you want a desktop quality presentation on your iPad, Keynote is for you.

Internet Service

The subject that differs the iPad from a laptop is the subject of Internet. The iPad has the option out of the box to either have a WiFi or 3G option. A majority of modern laptops only have the option of WiFi. Unless you have a data card, this is usually the only option you are presented with when on your laptop.

Some Advantages and Drawbacks

There are many advantages and disadvantages to having an iPad as a Mac alternative. Let’s begin with the drawbacks. One drawback is that if you do get the WiFi only version, which is more affordable in the short term, you don’t have the option to use a data card later on. This hinders use when away from a network. Individuals who do choose to go the 3G route may have the freedom of 3G, however Verizon charges are quite hefty and AT&T doesn’t offer many options for heavy data users like myself. Lastly, you don’t have much growth potential with an iPad. For example, if you want to add more programs, you have to be mindful of your current storage. Also, you can’t just plug in your USB drive and have it working in iPad.

These disadvantages make it ideal for the basic users, not so much for an advanced user. However, the advantages are that you save money in the short term and sometimes in the long term. If you want to forgo spending close to a grand on a laptop, this is a great alternative. In addition, some Internet companies that are out there can be a little more expensive than the 3G options for iPad, allowing you to cut the Internet bill. These advantages lead to this being a great money saving option.

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Tylt for iOS

Tylt is being created as a new name for all of your charging needs. The fairly new company under the direction of Technocel. The Tylt chargers allow you to charge multiple devices, even the non iDevice ones, all at the same time. In addition to chargers, they also have a new concept to the charger cable. Tylt has designed charger cables that are flat and resemble an unwinded fruit roll-up snack. They call it The Ribbon and it’s created to allow for more space and to prevent pesky tangled chargers. Along with chargers, they have nice cases and a cool car USB port that uses your car lighter. They are dual, meaning you can charge your iPhone and iPad while on a road trip. Mass production for these products should begin soon, so be on the look out.

Mophie: Outdoor Edition

Mophie is a favorite for mobile battery iPhone cases. If you aren’t familiar with the company, Mophie battery cases allow you to charge the iPhone with it’s case on, once you unplug the case, the iPhone is continually provided with some juice, stopping a situation of being stranded without cell phone power. The Mophie Juice Pack Outdoor Edition provides you with the same concept, along with protection, all in a lightweight product. One thing that sets this product apart is the ability to use it as a GPS receiver. All you need is the specialty app to get started. The app is available now, but as of January 16th, the cases have been so popular that they’ve been on backorder, so stay tuned to their site to see when it’s available. Click here to download it today.

LaunchPort for iPad

The Launchport allows you to place your iPad on the receiver to charge it. The receiver can be placed anywhere, allowing for convenient charging. The receiver also acts as a stand, making it a great addition to your nightstand. The receiver is known as the Station and the case used to receive the Station is known as a PowerShuttle. There are two Station options, a Base Station and Wall Station. As the name shows, Base Station is more for tabletops and Wall Stations allow you to charge on the wall. Stretching your mind a little, you’ll notice the amazing possibilities of the Wall Station, including the ability to share short messages with family, making it a great message board for the house. The Shuttles are available for $149, The Stations are available for $199.

Xybotyx for iPhone

No, the title above was spelled correctly. The Xybotyx, one of the most… creative company names we’ve seen, is bringing out a concept of iPhone robots. The robot takes advantage of the capabilities already in the iPhone, allowing it to learn new commands as it goes. However, as of now, the public doesn’t know what the robot will do. We feel the possibilities will be endless, and at a price of only $111.11, we are very interested in what this robot actually can do at such a low price. The base model is known as the Xybot (Zie-Bot) 1. Another model, known as the Xybotyx (Zie-bot-ex) is expected to come out soon.

Just Air for iPad

JustAir is a product that protects your iPad with, well just air. The case uses air filled bubbles in the case that surrounds your iPad with protection. The company’s original concept was protection of laptops, a concept they continue to do, but the center of attention at CES was their iPad models. Another appealing feature of this product is it’s extremely low price. For only $29.99 plus shipping, this case offers a new meaning to iPad protection. Want to protect your laptop as well? The company has 10 inch notebook protection for the same price, 13 inch laptop JustAir cases are available for $5 more, and the 15 inch models are available for $39.95. Each of these models are available on the website today.

Cocoon Cases

Cocoon is a company that specializes in bags and cases for your laptops, phones, and cameras. The item front and center at CES for the company was their Grid-it! model. These mega-cases allow you to fit almost your whole life in a case. With their low-end model being $9.99 and their higher end for $49.99, Cocoon offers protection at an affordable cost. The higher end model, the Grid-It! Bundle offer you with a place for everything. Their press photo showed a place for a desktop microphone, tons of cords, cell phones, gaming hardware, and a stores worth of chewing gum. If you want a “grid-system” that can hold everything, Cocoon’s Grid-It is for you.

Lifeproof for iPhone

Take your newly, $200 iPhone 4S, and surf, or take a shower, or maybe even go for a run. You probably wouldn’t even consider doing any of this activities with your iPhone 4s in toe, even with a quality case. But Lifeproof for iPhone allows you to do all of these activities with an ease of mind. Lifeproof for iPhone offers protection from shock, water, sand, and more without it being bulky and compromising design. With Lifeproof’s Swimming Headphone Adapter, you have the ability to have a fun jam session with your waterproof headphones, while swimming or surfing. Lifeproof for iPhone allows you to live life without your iPhone holding you back.

Powerbag

Lastly, we’ll take a look at a product I can’t wait to try out myself. At first glance, it seemed like a regular bag that offers compartments for all of your gadgets. But once you take a look at the name, you know it’s full value. The Powerbag allows you to charge your gadgets with your backpack while on the go. From backpacks, to messenger bags, to briefcases, the backpacks take advantage of a rechargeable battery pack in the bag that allows you to just hook up and go. The bag is also water resistant, allowing you to use the bag to its fullest without worry. I must say, I am definitely going to look into one. For a base price of $139  to higher models asking for $179, they are a bit expensive but well worth it.

Image credit: Big Stock Photo

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Save a Tree

One of the largest advantages to any use of technology in education is the effect on the environment. The ability to reduce the book load and having a nice technological alternative to note taking can make education cheaper and more retroactive. On the subject of note taking, there are a multitude of applications available for easy and digital note taking (look in “iTunes for Education” for apps). When compared to standard notes, digital ones allow you to add more annotations, audio notes, and more. Missed a class? Getting the right notes for that day is much easier and productive. When focusing on notebooks, the iTunes store and iBooks offer tons of textbooks and supplements for various subjects.

Sparking Creativity

If or when you were a student, what was the first thing that came to mind for you to do? For most students, making a podcast or iMovie aren’t the first things that come to mind. However, Mac users and Apple users in general have readily available programs allowing them to go above and beyond what is required.  These programs are so easy to use that everyone from your four-year-old child to your 18-year-old college student will get the programs in no time. In addition, software like Microsoft Office for Mac can allow you to create beautiful posters, flyers, and programs.

Learning on the Go

Any student knows that learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. The average student is more vulnerable in their learning outside of school than in. In school, there are teachers and professors available to monitor and assess the student’s learning. However, at home, it’s up to the student how much or little they learn. This gives the student the opportunity to shape how they learn into more creative ways. The iPhone and iPod Touch offers you the ability to use a ton of educational and brain stimulating applications while at home and on the road. In addition, the iPad allows you to have a great mobile computing alterative and note-taking partner.

iTunes for Education

The main aspect that makes Apple a leader in modern education is the iTunes store. ITunes and the App Store reveal a whole new world of tools that can help in education. The iTunes store is more than just a place to purchase the latest hits; the store is abundant with very useful podcasts and college level lectures. You can watch lectures from the best of the best, including MIT, Yale, and more. The lessons and lectures available are all apart of the section of iTunes known as iTunes U. iTunes U podcasts update regularly on your iDevice, allowing you to easily follow the lesson. Who says you have to be in school to take advantage of this resource? For example, iTunes U can be the perfect language tutor before going on your next trip overseas. Below, we have listed some of the best education friendly programs for Mac/iDevices.

Oxford American Dictionary for iOS

The same famous dictionary is now available everywhere you go. The Oxford American Dictionary includes over a quarter of a million definitions that are continually updated when new words appear. The dictionary doesn’t require Internet, which means you can get definitions while on the go. Each word comes with audio and pronunciation.

Bamboo Paper for iPad

When creating digital notes, you are handed two options. The notes will either be scanned or typed. There are very few opportunities for creativity, until now. Bamboo Paper for iPad allows individuals to create their own digitally drawn notes, using various “ink” and “pen” variations. Notes can be shared by email and printed with AirPrint.

iStudiez Pro for iOS

iStudiez Pro offers individuals with the ability to have their school and home life coexist. The application allows you to view upcoming assignments and events on the calendar, with iCal support. You can also keep track of your classes and schedules with the GPA integration. iStudiez Pro makes school manageable.

Graphing Calculator for iPhone

Most individuals don’t walk around with their graphing calculators in toe, we won’t judge if you do. When you have that situation when you are in need of a graphing calculator that isn’t near, your iPhone is here to help. The Graphing Calculator allows you to get more substance in your calculating needs that the iPhone’s native scientific calculator doesn’t offer.

No Fear: Sparknotes for iOS

Sparknotes is a household name for many teenagers needing a modern interpretation to plays and stories including Macbeth and Scarlet Letter. No Fear Shakespeare is the iPhone’s only Sparknotes application. The application offers you with the best Shakespeare play available on Sparknotes. It is important to note that each one of the Shakespeare plays are $0.99 each; all 18 plays are available for $4.99. This isn’t mentioned directly on iTunes, but they are charged as in-app purchases.

Conclusion

As you can see, Apple devices offer a refreshing break from the normal routine of being a student or educator. The programs and opportunities offered to students with Apple products are endless. The creativity bone of any individual is strengthened with Macs, with programs like iMovie, Garage Band, and iPhoto. The iPod Touch, iPad, and iPhone allow students to want to study more, with programs in iTunes and the App Store that make studying fun. You can also look at note taking in a new light with various applications that add more substance to class notes. The opportunities don’t stop here; comment below on how Apple has helped you with learning.

Image credit: BigStockPhoto

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Also at that website, the Apple ID can be managed. Clicking on “Manage Your Account” allows you to edit your name, edit your email, or add an email. Your password can also be changed here, as well as the security question used if you ever forget your password. If you do try the wrong password too many times, it will become locked, and the correct password can be retrieved by contacting Apple. Physical Address, Phone Numbers, Languages, and Contact Preferences can be changed here as well.

Using your Apple ID to Access your account information through iTunes on a mobile device allows you to turn on or turn off iCloud on that one device, yet if you access it through iTunes on your computer, you can remove any of the devices from your account. Apple allows you to have up to ten different devices associated with one account.

However, once a device is associated with one Apple ID, you are not allowed to switch back and forth to other Apple IDs frequently. Apple locks it up for 90 days. My daughter used to have her own iTunes account, but once iCloud was released, she and I wanted to share an account to share the songs we download. She has to wait out the ninety days, though, before the system will allow her to make that change. Additionally, Apple does not allow you to merge your older accounts, including MobileMe accounts. This means if you were downloading iTunes content under different IDs, you won’t ever be able to get it all under “one cloud,” for lack of a better term.

Despite not being able to merge your accounts, you’ll still have all that content available, you’ll just need to sign on under different IDs, just as you always have. However, you won’t be able to do it within the same 90 day period. It would also be a good practice to decide which ID will be your primary one since it will now be the primary way that Apple defines you.

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What’s iCloud and Why Should I Care?

One reason some have called iCloud a separate entity from iOS 5 is because it’s not just one service or feature. iCloud is the name for Apple’s group of wireless features. iCloud isn’t just about storage, the main focus of this article, it also allows you to wirelessly sync and update your iOS device. Along with wireless sync, you can have your multimedia and documents backed up as well as all of your iTunes purchases (apps and songs alike). May I also mention, Find my Friends is a part of iCloud too. So iCloud also deals with location as well. If you own an iOS device, you will be affected in some way by iCloud.

I’m hooked, how do I sign up?

New users can sign up on their iOS device. MobileMe users will have to transfer to iCloud manually from the website. During sign up, you’ll be asked to enter your Apple ID. It’s important to make sure you use your own ID, this will be the login that will hold the key to your digital life. If you want to do away with your MobileMe account all together, you can sign up this way as well. You’ll be given a @me.com email as well. If you don’t have an iOS device just yet, no worries, just go to iCloud.com (a website I came to by accident a couple of days before launch) and sign up from there. Make sure you see the Apple Inc security certificate of authenticity in the address bar. This is a security precaution just in case others create a similar website to try to get your info. But don’t worry, Apple has reserved several domains to prevent this, so if you mistype a letter, you’ll be safe and redirected to iCloud.com.

Can iCloud Really Hold Everything?

iCloud can backup your mail, contacts, and calendar data. The reminders app, iPhone notes, and Safari bookmarks also are stored in iCloud. When you configure for iCloud to hold this data or not, it will automatically push the new data to iCloud each time you make a change. Photos are shared automatically with iCloud with Photostream. The feature allows you to retrieve either the first 1000 or the recent 30 days of photos, which for many users, it’s not a lot. Documents are also held in iCloud, but sadly it only works with the iWork suite. Microsoft Office for Mac users, like myself, is out of luck… for now at least.

What if I Previously Had Mobile Me?

If you previously used MobileMe, then the change is sort of bittersweet. iCloud is a free service, but you are using three features that some users may find useful. iWeb, iDisk, and Gallery will be replaced once your MobileMe account expires or until 30^th June, 2012. If you have a family account, forget about that notion from now on. The free, untied service means that you don’t have to worry about having your family in one account. If you want to leave the whole MobileMe confusion behind you, just create an iCloud account as if you were a new user. This is also the solution to many complicating situations, including those never exposed to an Apple ID.

Points to Ponder

The push for a free storage service comes with its costs. If 5GB is not enough for you, you can add 10GB of storage for $20/year, an extra 20GB for $40/year, and spend $100/year for 50 extra gigabytes of storage. All you have to do is go to Storage and Backup in the iCloud settings of your iOS device, and “Buy more Storage”. It’s as simple as purchasing more data on an iPad, just need your login credentials.

Is it a service you’d feel the need to check out? 5GB is a great start for getting your feet in the water of a more digital life. In addition, being able to have your data available anywhere seems to be liberating in a sense. We’ll have to see if users take hold of iCloud as the storage of the future, some individuals feel security issues might deter them. While others find Apple to put safety first and will never compromise the privacy of its users. We won’t know until we try it.

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In very sad news, Apple has reported that Steve Jobs passed away yesterday following his battle with cancer. In his all too brief life, Steve had a huge impact on each of his chosen fields and the entire technology world will be much poorer without his presence.

Early Life, Creating Apple

Steve Jobs was brought up as an adopted child in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Though a college dropout, he was a very intelligent and driven young man and following a stint working at Atari, where he co-created the classic game Breakout with Steve Wozniak, Jobs went on to co-found Apple Computers with Wozniak and fellow Atari employee Ronald Wayne (they were soon joined by Mike Markkula).

As the success of the Apple I and especially the Apple II computers gave Apple the chance to expand its workforce, the company took in more employees and Jobs famously enticed John Sculley to leave his post at Pepsi-Cola in order to serve as Apple’s CEO with the line “Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life, or do you want to come with me and change the world?”. Sculley, of course, joined and it was to be a fateful decision as the new CEO soon fired Jobs from the company he helped create.

Eleven Years Away

Far from spending these years away from Apple in the wilderness, Jobs went on to prove that his success was not a fluke and bought the Graphics Group, renamed it Pixar Animation Studios and steered it to great success, producing many animated cinema classics such as the hugely successful Toy Story. Pixar was eventually sold to Disney, making Jobs a major shareholder in that company too.

In addition to Pixar, Jobs also created NeXT Computer and though the company saw limited commercial success, it contained some really great ideas – many of which went on to be integrated into Mac OS X. It was a NeXT computer which served as the World Wide Web’s first server, created by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN.

Dominant Force

Eleven years after his sacking from Apple, Jobs returned to a company in stagnation, written off by many of its rivals. However, following a period of readjustment (and with a couple of missteps on the way), Apple returned to profitability, capitalising on a brilliant ‘Think Different’ marketing campaign and producing one hit after another with the help of design wizard Jonathan Ive. Apple now began to release real modern technology masterpieces like the iMac and iBook. It was with the launch of the iPod however, that Apple became a truly huge global name.

In typical Apple fashion, the original iPod drew upon ideas and trends which existed in other products, but made them easy to use, elegant and ergonomic. The iPod introduced Apple to many new consumers, eventually grabbing an incredible market share so that over 70% of digital music players sold was an iPod. The iPod was combined with a switch to Intel processors and another huge leap in sales. By the time the iPhone was announced, Apple had proven themselves a very special company at the top of their game.

Legacy

Jobs had such an active professional life that it would be difficult to list all his incredible achievements in one article, however, it is fitting that we take a moment to pause on the man’s real greatness. One need not own an Apple product to understand the impact that Steve Jobs has had on the world of technology and animation. Jobs’ stubborn refusal to settle for anything less than perfection also pushed other companies to do the same and the end result is a win for the customer, whichever platform you use.

Perhaps Steve is best remembered here on this famous speech he gave at Stanford University, outlining his life, his thoughts and the driving force behind Apple.

Goodbye Steve and thanks.

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Fixing the duplicate applications problem

Fixing the duplicate Pages application was easily solved. I simply did a search for “Pages” and looked in the applications section of the results to find the two separate versions of the software. I used Get Info under the File Menu to find which version was the most recent.

It turns out that one of them was in the Applications folder, and the other was in a separate folder I had made to keep my writing apps together. With Lion, of course, it’s no longer necessary to make folders like that, as they can be organized together under Launchpad. Once I deleted the older app, I was able to determine that the version I had was indeed the most recent.

Fixing the situation with iPhoto proved to be more difficult. When I searched for the app by name, it was only finding one application. Yet, when I went to the App Store, it didn’t say “Installed,” and looked like it was available for a download to me. I assumed I didn’t have a new enough version, and that I would have to buy it. When I tried to purchase it, I was told I would have to update through the Software Update function, yet when I tried that, I was told all my apps were up to date.

I looked again for a separate application. It didn’t show up in Launchpad. However, when I looked through my application folder “the old-fashioned” way, I found an additional iPhoto application, one that was non-functional when I tried to open it. It seemed to be a partial download. I figured this was an easy enough fix and deleted the extra application.

This didn’t fix the problem, though. When I tried to update the application through the App Store and Software Update, I got the same messages as before. When I tried to open the application, I received a new message telling me there was something wrong and that I should contact support. It should be noted that in all this time of using the application, even though there was a non-functioning duplicate in the system as well, I never had any error messages.

I knew that this version of iPhoto had become corrupted as well. It had to be deleted, but I was afraid of losing the two years worth of pictures of and videos I had stored within iPhoto. I checked around on my hard drive and found the iPhoto Library stored separately, and I knew then it would be okay to delete the app, as my photo library would remain.

Once I deleted the corrupted app, I visited the App Store and tried to buy it again. This time I was told I already previously bought iPhoto, so I would be able to update it through Software Update. Sure enough, once I opened Software Update, iPhoto now showed up as available for updating.

The changes Apple makes to its system and applications are fascinating and indeed make things easier, but sometimes it adds up to additional snafus that create more trouble. Hopefully, as Apple continues to make changes to their updating system through Software Update, the App Store and iCloud, it will eliminate these the problems once and for all.

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1. Evernote

Evernote is the ultimate multitasking application that allows you to create notes, saved web pages, and more. You can also share the notes that you created with others. Once shared, the recipients can edit the note if you enabled that feature. This makes Evernote a perfect application for collaboration on school projects and assignments. Evernote has a fantastic cloud feature that sends all of your notes to your iPhone and iPad. Evernote is available on the Mac App Store for free.

2. Smartr

Flashcards are a popular way to study for tests and exams, but they can be horrible for the environment. After a semester, these flashcards usually get thrown away. Smartr is a fine flashcard alternative that allows you to create virtual text and photo flashcards.  Smartr even allows you to separate each group of flashcards into categories, resulting in easier discovery. Need a study partner? Smartr gives you tests based on your flashcards, as well as tips for improvement. Smartr is available for $2.99, with a free option also available.

3. Things

Things is a quite expensive application, however it’s worth every penny to purchase. The application is simple while still getting the job done. Along with school notes, Things allows you to create detailed to-dos, lists, and more. You’ll be able to see which tasks need attention in an instant. Things allows you to add ideas on a whim with the Quick Entry feature.. The attractive design, amazing organization, and the ability to create tasks on the go makes Things ithe all in one productivity application for everyone.

4. iStudiezPro

During the school year, the stress of the work load can result in missed assignments and appointments. For $9.99 at the App Store, iStudiez Pro is there to help you remember the important things in your week. The application allows you to keep track of your classes, assignments, grades, and more. iStudiez Pro allows you to also know how to get in contact with your instructors the ability to add contact information for each course. With notifications and iCloud sync, iStudiez Pro makes it no excuse to miss your next test or assignment.

5. Keynote

Some students find slideshows to be an arduous task to create. You must keep them beautiful and interesting, while still being informative. Keynote makes producing eye-attractive slideshows a breeze, allowing you to focus more on the. Keynote allows you to use amazing themes, have quick access to other iLife applications, and generate amazing animations. The capacity to record narrations and control your slideshow with the remote app makes Keynote the ultimate slideshow companion, all for $20!

6. Dropbox

Dropbox is the ultimate USB alternative. All you have to do is download the file onto your online Dropbox account, the file then becomes available with a few clicks and an upload. Don’t have the ability to download a file each time? No worries, Dropbox is also available as an application on Mac. This allows you to drag files into a dedicated folder, the file automatically updates your online account each time a new file is dragged in. Dropbox offers you two and a half gigabytes of memory for free, more memory is available at an extra cost.

7. Schoolhouse

Schoolhouse is a free assignment manager for Mac. The developer, being a student, knows what students want out of a school application. Schoolhouse allows you to organize your classes with its extensive category feature. In addition, you can know which classes need extra attention with the ability to know your GPA. Schoolhouse is great, however unless it is regularly updated, you’ll find no use in it. All in all, Schoolhouse is the ultimate $5 school organizer.

8. iHomework

Homework, assignments, and exams seem to have tighter deadlines as the year goes by. However, iHomework is there to make these deadlines easier to digest. You have the ability to quickly enter homework, and other assignments, along with their respective due dates. Features, including the ability to add your partner’s information, make it an amazing assignment and project manager as well. iHomework is available for $2.99, along with a free iPhone companion.

9. AudioNote

Listening to your previous lecture becomes an easy task with AudioNote. However, it is easy to forget that not all lessons can be easy to follow by voice alone, deviations and interruptions do happen. But, there is no reason to worry about having a forty minute recording with only ten minutes of important information. AudioNote allows you to have typed, written or drawn notes along with your recorded audio. AudioNote is available for $5, with a free option also avaliable.

10. Swackett

Swackett may not seem like a school application at first, but it’s more important than you think. Snow and ice advisories increase during winter months, resulting in dangerous conditions and cancelled classes. Additionally, you can prevent an uncomfortable wait for the bus or your parents with being able to know when you need a coat or umbrella. Swackett is a free useful application, even outside of school. Swackett X is the $3 Swackett cousin, offering the ability to get historical weather information, notifications and more.

With all of these amazing back to school applications, you’ll be on top of your classes for this year. If there is a special application that you find useful for the school year, let us know in the comments.

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Maintenance from the Inside

Correctly Clear Useless Files

I am sorry to tell you, but cleaning your trash bin on your Mac doesn’t do the job when clearing files. This clears the files that you have already deleted, like documents and other files, however you must go deep into your Mac to delete the heavy files. This is how you should do it.

First, you should go to the finder application on your Mac.

From there, go to “All My Files”. This will show every file in your Mac.

To make the job easier, sort your files in order of size. This is done by clicking the settings wheel, “Arrange By”, then click “Size”.

As you can see, the files are not only sorted in order, but also grouped by file size. Files are grouped in categories of 100MB to 10GB, 1MB to 100MB and so on. Preferably, you should take a look at each group, not just the larger ones. The larger files are what is bearing down on your system, however the smaller files are mostly cache and saved versions. These may seem harmless at first, but ignoring these files can snowball into a large system stress.

After clearing large files in the Finder application, it is also recommended to check out iMovie files and iPhoto files. Depending on the camera the photos were taken on, these files can be quite large due to resolution. It is important to go to the iPhoto application, clicking “iPhoto” at the top bar and going to “Empty iPhoto Trash“.

The same thing can be done in iMovie as well. All you have to do is go to “File”, “Space Saver”, then choose which rejected clips should be deleted. The clips not used in a movie will be sent to the trash along with its respective cache.

After each deletion, don’t forget to clear your trash. This may surprise you, but all of these deleted files will stay in the trash bin until you clear it. Sorry, but you have to do your chores!

Choosing Useful Applications

Before I took my own advice, I had three Twitter applications, four emailing clients, and a ton of other applications and games. It can be hard remembering to delete unused applications when they aren’t of use for me anymore. There is a good bet that you won’t find a use for multiple Twitter applications and emailing clients either. Instead of having a group of “okay” applications, try to have only quality and useful applications in your dock.

Expanding Your Memory

If you find that your memory still isn’t up to your required levels, then maybe it’s not you, but your Mac. This is where you should consider expanding your memory internally or externally. Apple allows you to upgrade your internal memory for $200, this gives you 4GB of extra memory. If you want 8GB, you can expect to pay upwards of $400. For many individuals, this is well over their price range.

A great alternative is an external hard drive. These usually run between $60 and $200, the size options can range from 500GB to 2TB. So, the question remains, why do people spend so much for little memory? When you upgrade the memory internally, you’ll find that the processing speeds also are faster, this creates an overall enjoyable Mac experience. External memory main moves the files and documents to another venue, not increasing the processor quality directly.

Maintenance from the Outside

Cleaning Your Screen

Whether you’re pointing out a specific fact in a document or trying to swipe off a smudge with your finger, you’ll find marks all over your screen if it isn’t regularly cleaned. If the marks stay on long enough, they can become a permanent part of your screen. Taking the time to have a monthly (or even a biweekly) cleaning will keep your screen fresh and new. Here’s how to do it.

Power Down Your Computer

Find a soft cloth, similar to an eyeglasses cloth, and lightly swipe every corner and inch of your screen. Your goal isn’t to have a complete clean from this alone, it will remove any loose or fresh dirt.

The messes left behind are the heavy marks. This will require a little more work. It is best to stay away from chemicals, they will decrease the LCD’s quality. Instead, get about a half a cup of water and a half a cup of vinegar. Then, mix this solution together to create a natural, computer safe, concoction.

Wipe in soft, circular motions until the marks are completely gone.

How to Clean the Crevices – Correctly

The computer is the center of many individual’s lives. Some people work from a computer all day, others may do assignment, play games online, or perform other activities. This means that we may find ourselves eating near our computer from time to time. The crumbs from the food can get caught in the crevices of your computer. A couple of tools can be used to combat the crumbs left behind. Here’s how to clean you keyboard effectively.

Grab a clean, soft cloth and do a quick wipe through on the keyboard. This removes loose and fresh dirt on it.

If available, grab compressed air to clean within the keyboard. If you don’t have compressed air, a vacuum is a great alternative.

You should then focus on the track pad. The track pad usually isn’t as dirty as the keyboard, however, you should use the clean, soft cloth we mentioned in step one to perform a quick wipe through of the track pad.

The fan should also receive some attention. The fan directly under the screen can collect food, dust and even bugs when used outside. A quick blow through with compressed air or a vacuum will do the trick.

Finally, the ports and CD drive can be blown with compressed air to prevent and remove built up dust. When you’re done, your Mac will be officially clean. Expect your Mac to improve in performance immediately!

Invest in a Case

Now that your Mac is fully cleaned, treat your computer with a protective case, if you don’t have one already. This won’t prevent dust, but it will lessen dirt and keep the outside protected from drops and scuffs.

Your best bet in terms of cases are hard surfaced ones. The rubber cases are dust and lint magnets and can actually increase the amount of dust that lands on your Mac. Hard surfaces, like plastics and metals, provide a clean slate that doesn’t require as much maintenance. A quick wipe through is all that’s needed. Most cases range from $20 – $50, Apple has a wonderful selection, however other retailers may be more willing to give you a deal or discount.

That’s all that is to it. Regular maintenance will show the appreciation that your Mac deserves.

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Step One: Get Thee to the Apple ID Site

You can manage your Apple ID from the My Apple ID site, which is found at https://appleid.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MyAppleId.woa/. Open a new tab in your browser and paste that URL. This is the site you will see.

Click on the “Manage your account” text in blue on this page.

Step Two: Sign In

Now, you will be asked to sign in with your current Apple ID information. If you have forgotten your username or password, you can use the “Forgot your Apple ID?” or “Forgot your password?” links below the fields to get them back. Just be aware that they may email you the information so if you don’t have access to the old box, you may just want to take an educated guess or two.

Step Three: Edit

You will see your email address listed on this page. Across from it will be the word “Edit”. Click on that word.

You will now see a box with your current Apple ID email address inside of it. This box is typeable. Go ahead and put in the new email address that you want in this box. Then click on the blue “Save” button at the bottom of the page.

There you have it, your ID is changed. If this is all you wanted to do, then you can stop here. If a change to a more memorable (or more secure) password is also in order, then let’s move on.

The Password Pane

On the left, you will see a set of menu options. Click on “Password and Security” to bring yourself to the password pane.

From here, we will be able to make changes to the password associated with your Apple ID. Find the blue writing labeled “Change Password” and click on it.

Now, you can go ahead and enter your old password once, and your new password of choice twice. This form will also ask you if you want to change your security question, which you may want to do if the question is out of date or you simply no longer remember the answer you selected. When you’re done, click on the big blue “Save” button at the bottom of the screen.

There you have it, one newly changed Apple ID and password ready for your use.

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The answer is that there are still a few things the iPad can’t do, but not many, and once Apple updates the iOS in the fall, that will be even less. Steve Jobs recently promised a PC-free experience, and it seems to be getting closer to that, but still isn’t quite there yet. Here’s a rundown of a few of the limitations I have found.

Mail

The mail experience is very close to being the same as I have on my Macs. I can have multiple accounts, and send and receive in much the same way. The major difference is in attachments. I can attach photos as well as documents, but I can’t always see everyone else’s. If they send a photo or document, I can view it, but if it ends up being a zipped file, I can’t open it. It might be something that is available with an app, but as it stands with the regular Mail app, I can’t.

Browser

Browsing the web is very close to what you have on a PC. Most sites are viewed just the same. There are some sites that give you a mobile view instead of a regular desktop view, but usually at some place on a site, it offers the choice of a desktop or mobile view. Pop-up windows open in an additional window. What isn’t good is that Safari doesn’t have tabbed viewing, but that’s supposedly changing in the next update.

There are also other browser apps that offer a sometimes better experience. However, sites that have fields for you to fill in do not work the same. If you type a long sentence that extends beyond the input field width, you can’t scroll through it. For instance, I can’t upload an article in WordPress, because I’m writing more text than fits in the box, and while it puts it in there, I can’t scroll through it to edit. I have found apps that handle blogging, but some other websites I submit articles to that don’t work off a blogging platform don’t work, and I need to still submit using my Mac. Some sites work still and some don’t.

YouTube

There’s an app just for YouTube which works great for browsing and viewing YouTube videos. However, if you want to do something other than browsing or viewing, it’s not available there. For example, to embed a video, the coding isn’t there. I have found a workaround, though. If i go to YouTube in the browser,  there’s an option there to view it on desktop, and then it has all the regular options like you would have on a normal desktop browser.

Photo Editing

For most normal photo editing, such as things you do for personal photos, optional photo editing apps work great. However, for photo editing I need to do for websites, it doesn’t offer a good workaround. I have to do my photo-editing on the Mac. I haven’t found an editor that keeps a good resolution.

Music

There isn’t anything I can’t do with music that I can do on my Mac, whether it’s buying or playing music. However, I can only buy music via iTunes to have it automatically upload to the iPad. Music that I downloaded from Wal-Mart, that was only available there and not on iTunes, had to be downloaded on the Mac, uploaded to iTunes, then dragged into the iPad.

Writing

I do most of my writing in Evernote, or at least I save all my articles in Evernote. But one reason I use Evernote is because I can sync it between my Mac, my iPad, and my iPhone. Even though I’m writing now on my iPad, I know I have to upload via my Mac, so I’ll save it in Evernote, and when I go back to the Mac, it will be there as well. For this experience, there is no difference between the iPad and the Mac.

Conclusion

The answer to the question is NO, at least for me from a writer’s perspective. The iPad does not do “everything” my Mac does, although it does come pretty close. If I was a casual Internet user, it probably would be more than sufficient. Being that I conduct most of my life on the Internet, it doesn’t do everything; however, I still prefer this experience, as it’s a faster and easier experience. Additionally, I know that as they continue to make strides in the mobile experience, my experience will improve as well.

What about you? Has your iPad replaced your computer?

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1. Tabbed Browsing. For Safari to not have tabbed browsing on the iPad is really just inexcusable. It’s understandable on the iPhone, as you don’t have that type of space anyway, but for the iPad, you need it. iChrome’s tabbed browsing works just the same as you would expect it to and want it to. You can add tabs by clicking the “+” and delete them by clicking the “X.”

2. Bookmarks. All web browsers have bookmarks, even Safari, but iChrome makes them easy to use. There are no extra menus to add them. You simply click the star to the right of the URL field. To recall your bookmarks, click the bookmarks menu that looks like an opened book. To delete them, click edit, then the minus that appears next to the one(s) you want to delete. Click the icon in the far right to move them up or down in the list, and click the arrow next to that to edit the URL or name of the bookmark.

3. Reading Offline. There are a lot of apps and websites you can use to save web pages for offline reading. iChrome puts that option right there in the browser for you. If you click the eyeglasses in the URL bar, it adds the website to the Read Later list. If you click the icon that looks like a list, it recalls all the sites you saved to read later. Clicking edit allows you to delete them by clicking on the minus.

4. Sharing. It’s extremely easy to share your web pages with social networking sites. Clicking the icon that looks like a box with an arrow gives you a menu that allows you to share the site with Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Diigo, or Email. If you choose more, you get even more social networking sites. There’s no need to add other apps to aid in sharing. It’s all right there.

5. Tools. iChrome used to end with the above options, but they have now added even more that allow it to act even more like a desktop browser. It allows you to print, which depends more on the type of printer you have than the browser itself. It also allows “find in page,” something lacking in Safari and other mobile browsers.  Additional options are controlling passwords, and clearing history, cookies, and caché, things you can only do with Safari if you go to the general iPad settings. It also offers you a choice of search engines to work within iChrome and a list of browsers you want it to “behave” as.

Using iChrome is still very much using a mobile web browser, but with all of these options, it makes it so that you don’t miss using a desktop browser at all.

iChromy (iTunes link)

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Towards the bottom of the Support page, there’s a section with three smiling faces that says “Contact Us.” This is where to head to get help from Apple’s team of “Geniuses”. Click on the link that says “Start Here“. The next page tries to find out what help you need. If you are unsure if your hardware is still under warranty or not, you can input your serial number, and it will tell you whether you still quality for tech support or whether you’re still covered under the warranty. Once you have that settled, find your product in the table to see if Genius Bar support is available, if it is, click on the link for the Genius Bar. For those needing help with an iPhone or iPad, there is separate help available. They will offer you one-on-one phone help, but often that help is limited, and you’ll be directed to the Genius Bar anyway.

Once at the page for the Genius Bar, it will help you find the nearest location. Scroll to your state, and you’ll be presented with a list of all the Apple Store locations within that state. After clicking on the nearest one, you’ll be taken to to another page where it again asks you what product you are wanting help with. Click on the appropriate one to be taken to a page of available appointments. There are several to choose from, but depending on the type of day you set up the appointment, you might not be able to get in as soon as you would like. After choosing an appointment time, you’ll also need to put in the appropriate information such as your name, phone number, email, etc., and it will generate an email confirmation of your appointment time. 

Make sure you arrive inside the Apple Store at least fifteen minutes before your appointment, just in case they are running ahead of schedule. Once you arrive, check in with one of the staff that are walking around. If you watch the board right above the Genius Bar, you’ll see not only a list of handy tips for Apple products, as well as a scrolling of names who have appointments coming up. That way you know how close you are to being called.

Realizing that if your Mac is broken, you might not be able to use it to make reservations at the Genius Bar, there are also other options for making that appointment. There is also an Apple Store app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Appointments can also be set up on the app, or confirmed as well. If you have one of the products that can get phone help, they can help you set up a Genius Bar appointment, but if you have another product, you may just have to physically visit the store, where the staff will direct you to one of their display computers to set up the appointment. They might not have something soon, so if your computer is down and you have no other means, it might be best to borrow a friend’s computer to make the appointment.

While having to borrow someone else’s computer or using an in-store display computer aren’t the best or easiest of options, the process does seem to be as refined as it can be. And once your appointment time arrives and you get the chance to talk to a “genius,” they are always very knowledgeable. I have personally used them on a number of occasions for my old iBook, two separate MacBooks, and a few iPhones as well. I have always left with my situation solved. It might not be solve the way I expected or wanted, but it’s always solved one way or another. 

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The obvious question at this point is, then why call it a laptop? The name alone is why everyone wants one. It just sounds so mobile. Yet for Apple laptops, specifically MacBooks, they’re not meant to be on your lap, and shouldn’t even be left on while sitting on a desk. No one tells you that until after you experience problems, however, as MacBooks are sold under the guise that they’re so much better because they’re mobile.

Ideally, they are better. Laptops are great for taking with you on vacation, on an airplane, in the car, to a friend’s house, etc. Yet, the MacBooks have one problem. Because they aren’t really meant to sit on your lap or even on a desk for very long, leaving them on your lap can cause harm to both you and the MacBook itself.

I’m on my laptop all day long, and I work from my home. Because of that, my laptop is always on, and I almost always have it on my lap for the convenience of it. Sure, it gets a little warm sometimes, but I never really thought too much about it until I was on vacation and wearing shorts a lot. I started getting a strange marking on my left right where the left side of my MacBook sat. It made my leg very tan, but in a very scattered pattern.

I started researching online and found that MacBooks had a history of doing this. At the time, there were plenty of people experiencing the same thing. Doing a little research I found that the MacBooks had a tendency to overheat. Some even complained of of the whole F-key row heating up to the point it couldn’t even be touched.

Much later, I ended up replacing that earlier MacBook with a new MacBook, and relegated the older one to the usage of the kids in the house. It now sits unopened and attached to a monitor with a wireless keyboard and mouse. The overheating problem still hasn’t gone away, as now the battery has bubbled out of the unit to where it doesn’t lie flat. Nevertheless, it still works.

With the current genereation MacBook, it seems Apple still hasn’t solved the overheating problem. Instead of having that removable battery on the bottom, they completely covered up the bottom of the MacBook with a rubber backing. Apple explains it’s nonslip so that it “always stays right where you put it — whether it’s on a desk, table, or airplane tray.” Yet, the experts will also tell you not to leave it directly on a des, table, or airplane tray.

There is still too much heat being produced by the MacBook, although not in the same way. It would still get very hot on my legs, but now the rubber backing was coming off. It started by bubbling up, and after a month or so of that, it completely came off on one side. After more research, I found that this also isn’t an isolated problem. I took it in to the Genius Bar, and of course my warranty had expired literally days earlier. They gave me the benefit of the doubt and replaced the whole bottom for free, but warned me they wouldn’t be able to do that again, and that it would run around $100 or so.

I knew I needed to get some type of cooling solution for the MacBook. I researched cooling pads at both Apple and Amazon. I found they have some mats made of crystals that work well to draw the heat away. As the laptop heats up, it melts the crystals and pulls the heat out. The problem with this solution is that after it’s completely melted, the liquid doesn’t work as well. For this reason, it’s not good for people who are on their laptops for hours at a time.

The other solution is to do the cooling with fans instead of the crystals. Instead of being a soft mat, they’re platforms of sort, usually made of plastic. They’re electric, but run off the power of the laptop’s USB. The negative is that it means one of your valuable USB ports is used up. Because of that, some of the pads have additional USB ports, while others have other extras, such as speakers. I chose a moderately priced one with no extras, the Targus Chill Mat.

I haven’t ever regretted buying the Chill Mat. Does my laptop still heat up? Yes, somewhat, but nothing like before. I don’t think it will get hot enough to do any more damage. It’s a little cumbersome to carry around with the laptop, whether walking it from here to there, or packing it in a backpack to travel with it, yet I’d rather have a little bit cumbersome than have it burning me or coming apart. Most importantly, it means I can still use it on my lap.

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I purchased an app from App Store which I think I can use with my iPad; I was wrong. So, I decided to return it to Apple and claim for a refund. Fortunately, the amount I paid for the app was credited back to my account. I wasn’t even expecting it to happen as Apple sales policy says that all transactions made or purchases are final and cannot be refunded. Maybe I was just so lucky…

Read before you ask for refunds

Anyway, there are certain situations that Apple might consider when someone asks for a refund, and they are as follow;

1. You are an iPhone user but you purchased an iPad version of the app or vice versa. Obviously, the app you purchased will be of no use.

2. You have the intention of purchasing a game but there are a dozen of similar names and the one you finally purchased is not what you are looking for. You can return it to Apple and request for a refund.

3. You bought a music track from iTunes but has different format and is not playable with your iPhone or iPod.

4. You have ordered a movie from the iTunes store but you found out that it would take so much time to download because of its size. When you cancel the download, you will still be charged for the movie. You can create a dispute about such transaction.

Recently, I came across with this problem and here’s what I did;

How to ask for a refund from Apple

Look for the email receipt from iTunes when you purchased the app. From there, you will be able to find a link which says “Report a Problem” and that’s exactly what you are going to do.

Now you need to reason out clearly why you are claiming for a refund from the app you purchased. First, you have to choose the problem which is closely applicable to your situation. Then, in the comments field, fill in the reason why.

If your reason is acceptable enough, then the amount you paid for the app will be credited back to your account within 24-45 hours and you will receive an email similar to this.

There is another way of claiming for a refund, try to check below;

Launch the iTunes Store and look for a drop down menu at the upper right corner in your browser; click on ‘Account‘. You will, then, be brought to your account information page. Look for ‘Purchase History‘ button and click on it.

In the purchase history page, a list of all your purchases will be presented. Look for the app you are having problems with and click on the ‘Report a Problem‘ link in line with it.

The next window will ask you to choose the kind of problem you are experiencing with the app. Also, you need to fill in the reason why you are claiming for a refund. As long as your reason is valid and logical, there is no need to worry about.

As I mentioned earlier, I should have been lucky to have received a refund because Apple is so strict when it comes to refunds. For those who have accidentally purchased an app and want to return it, you may try these steps and see for yourself how it goes with Apple. What I can advice you if Apple won’t issue a refund is, move on!

Image credit: Ben Husmann

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The beauty of the automatic backups is you do not need to change your saving habits. The reason most people do not back up their devices regularly is because they forget or they will “do it later”. SafeCopy helps by continuously backing up your documents folder so you do not need to worry about forgetting to backup or sync your files.

What can you backup?

After you download the application and install it, the setup is pretty standard. You will need to go through a few steps to configure SafeCopy. You are given 3Gb of free space which won’t expire. If you need more space, paid plans are offered.

If you have less than 3Gb in your documents folder, you can select to back up the entire thing. However if you have lots of pictures, music, documents or whatever else in there, you may need to be selective. For myself, I keep pictures and music on a separate hard drive and DVD backups. Most of what is on my computer is documents and spreadsheets.

Configuring SafeCopy

The way SafeCopy saves you time is because it is pretty hands off. This dream comes through by setting SafeCopy up in a way that works for you. Configuring SafeCopy is a breeze.

When you start it up for the first time, you will be asked to either sign in or create an account.

Next you need to select the folder(s) you’d like to backup. As you can see in the screen grab, it recommends the My Documents folder. If you would like to save only files in a specific folder, you have an option as well.

The Custom option lets you drill down a more specific grouping of folders. This is great is you have a more complex organizational system than dumping everything into one folder.

Advanced settings

The advanced settings are where some of the magic happens. You set things like a hotkey combination, proxy info and the size of the files to ignore. Also on this page, you need to select how often to backup your info. I have it set to hourly, but the default is to continuously backup your the folders you selected.

After the backup

Once you have the initial backup under your belt, there isn’t a lot you need to do. Like many other backup applications, you can access your files from SafeCopy’s website. You simply login with your info.

The super cool part is, not only can you browse through the folders by clicking through folders, but you have a search option. Type in the name of the item or folder you’d like to find and voila, there it is. You can also access the search and the browse option from the desktop application.

Sharing files

Another good use for SafeCopy is for sharing larger files. Once backed up, you can choose to share a file by sending a link via email. You can select how long the link will work, choosing from 1 day, 1 week or unlimited. It’s like your own Mission Impossible message that self destructs.

Conclusion

The ease of use (or lack there of) and layout are great. It is similar to Mozy, but offers 1Gb more space and a little more in the way of advanced settings and searching options. It didn’t seem to be a resource hog either. The search and sharing features coupled with the 3Gb of space are a step up over many other backup options.

Another perk is the iPhone app and mobile access to your files. This anywhere access is pretty important to the on-the-go users.

What do you use to safeguard your files automatically?

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