Some people ask, "Does the iPhone have a QR scanner?" Yes! It's so easy to use your iPhone as a QR reader. In fact, you can add a QR code reader to the Control Center on your iPhone for the fastest possible access. Learning how to use your iPhone's QR reader will make it easier to install new gear or register products online. If you frequently use QR codes and would like to add this feature to your iPhone or iPad's Control Center and learn how to use your device as a QR scanner once you've installed the QR reader feature, read on.
Is your iTunes library getting a little unwieldy and taking up too much space on your hard drive? If you've been wondering how to transfer or move your iTunes library to an external hard drive, then this is the article for you. We've already covered how to know if you need an external hard drive. Read on to learn how to export your iTunes library to an external hard drive, so you always have it with you regardless of internet or iCloud connection.
I love getting Notifications from News in my iPhone's Notification Center, but I get new ones so quickly that a story I don't have time to read right away can get buried. That's why I was excited to find out that I can save these stories for later, so I don't miss out on the news I really want to read. Let's get started learning how this feature works so you can do the same!
How to Customize Your iPhone Notification Center
By Leanne Hays
iPhone notifications and alerts can be really helpful, or they can be disruptive; luckily there's a way to change the way you receive Lock screen notifications on the iPhone, so you're not overwhelmed. A Lock screen notification is easy to customize without entering Settings. You have more options than ever before, so let's learn how to make your push notifications on your iPhone work exactly as you want.
App Saturday: WeatherBug
By Leanne Hays
We live in an age of extreme weather, according to Science Daily, "Globally... the number of floods and other hydrological events have quadrupled since 1980 and have doubled since 2004, highlighting the urgency of adaptation to climate change. Climatological events, such as extreme temperatures, droughts, and forest fires, have more than doubled since 1980. Meteorological events, such as storms, have doubled since 1980." As weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, we need an accurate weather app to report on today's forecast, both current and hourly, as well as an extended weather outlook that includes the severe weather forecast and alerts. Since so many of us travel, we need not only local radar, but also national and global weather data so we can receive updates no matter where we are. WeatherBug is a free weather app that offers all these features; let's get started learning about my favorite weather app now, so you can decide whether or not to give it a home on your Apple device.
At the 2018 CES show, I spent some time chatting with the fine folks at Energrid. I'm interested in accessibility because I've designed apps for and used by blind and low-vision users. Energrid also develops products that help the visually impaired; and in fact, everybody can benefit from the VS150X Power Bank ($75).
How to Photo Search by Location on Your iPhone
By Leanne Hays
Apple's Photos app lets you photo search based on location, as well as with multiple search terms. Now, instead of scrolling through vacation pictures looking for the photos you took in a specific place, you can just search for that area, and all the pictures from that location will pop right up! Let's get started learning how to use this iPhone Photos search feature right now.
Review: Otto Qi Wireless Charging Pad from Moshi
By Todd Bernhard
The folks at Moshi sent me their new Otto Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($39.95) to review. I've used products from them in the past and they are always beautiful and make use of nice fabrics. This latest item is just as nice, but it also has added functionality I haven't seen in many competing offerings.
How to Use a Filter on a FaceTime Call
By Leanne Hays
The FaceTime app is the free Apple video chat app, and it's a fun way to connect with friends and family when hearing their voices just isn't enough. You can use filters on FaceTime just like you can with Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and more. There are a bunch of FaceTime filters for iPhone, including a FaceTime beauty filter, a few black and white choices, and much more. Let's get started learning how to put filters on FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad.
Will My iPhone X Case Fit My New iPhone XS?
By Leanne Hays
So you've decided to purchase one of Apple's new iPhones, the iPhone XS, but the price tag is a bit high (starting at $999.) This may lead you to wonder if you can save a bit of money by using cases you purchased for your old iPhone X on your new iPhone XS; after all, they're the same size, right? Unfortunately, only some iPhone X cases will fit your new iPhone XS. Read on to find out when you can and can't use your iPhone X case for your new iPhone XS.
Do You Read on Your iPhone?
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 94th episode of the iPhone Life Podcast, members of the team discuss the pros and cons of reading books on their iPhones, using a Kindle, listening to audiobooks, or buying old-fashioned paperbacks. Other topics include how to take advantage of iOS 12's location-based Do Not Disturb settings, tuning apps for musicians, and an iPhone game that has recently become Sarah’s guilty pleasure.
Review: Decorate for the Holidays with Smart String Lights
By Todd Bernhard
It's time to start thinking about the holidays! This year, instead of boring tree lights or holiday lights that just turn on or off, check out the Smart LED String Lights (starting at $103.96) from Twinkly. They work on your tree, or anywhere, and can display colorful lights and moving patterns thanks to an easy to use smartphone app.
Parental Controls: How to Block Websites & Apps, Limit Screen Time on the iPhone & iPad
By Leanne Hays
If you're worried that your child is spending too much time on their iPhone or iPad, and may even have a screen addiction, Apple's new operating system, iOS 12, is here to help. With iOS 12, parental restrictions are easy to put in place, and you can limit not only the total amount of time spent on a device but also set restrictions for individual apps, as well as content and privacy. Let's get started learning how to set up Screen Time restrictions for a child or teenager on iPhone or iPad.
How to See What’s Draining Your iPhone or iPad Battery
By Leanne Hays
Want to see what apps are draining the battery on your iPhone? Your iPhone's battery usage is broken down app by app in the Battery Health section of your Settings app. The data lets you see the percentage of battery life used by each app, and also how long you spent on individual apps. You'll be able to save your battery life and save your phone by picking out the apps that use more battery than they should be.
App Saturday: Yelp
By Leanne Hays
I absolutely love going on road trips, or travel of any kind, really. One of the most fun aspects of any trip for me is finding places to eat, as well as museums and shops that are off the beaten path, local favorites that become part of my mental "must visit" list for future adventures. One of the best tools I've found for trip research to destinations near and far is the Yelp app. Yelp is a free app that collects professional and business reviews from all over the world including restaurants, movers, home cleaning services, shopping, and even doctors and clinics! Yelp has collected over 135 million reviews so far, and the number keeps growing as more and more smartphone users discover this handy app. If you're the type of person that likes to plan ahead and get the most for your money and time, you'll want to learn more about Yelp, including how to set up your own free account and use it to read and write reviews.