iPhone Life - Best Apps, Top Tips, Great Gear
Best Practices for Keeping Your Business Devices Secure
(Sponsored Post) By Tamlin Day on Wed, 11/27/2019
How secure is your small business? Are any of your passwords "Password?" Are you at risk of malware being accidentally installed in the office? Unfortunately, these are all real risks that any business can face, regardless of the size of your company. Fortunately, there are best practices that you can follow to keep your small business secure.
Review: Standing Desk Makes Using the iPad Touchscreen Easier
By Todd Bernhard
Steve Jobs was often asked about the concept of a touchscreen Mac. He believed that a desktop computer should not have a touchscreen because it put too much strain on the user to reach forward and up to touch or drag a finger across a touchscreen throughout the work day. It's hard to keep your hand elevated for long periods and he felt the iPad was better suited on your lap or balanced on another arm, etc. But something happened since he left us. The iPad got bigger and gained USB-C so you can plug in peripherals. The new iPadOS adds multitasking and Apple is openly asking us to ask "what is a computer", so now it's not unreasonable to see a fully loaded iPad Pro on a desk with a keyboard, companion monitor, and even a mouse.
Review: These Wireless Earbuds Have a Charging Case That Doubles as a Speaker
By Todd Bernhard
I am not usually a fan of earbuds as it's hard to get a good, comfortable fit, but the Portable 2-in-1 Music Pill ($69) that Vissles sent me to review are lightweight and comfortable, and stay put. Most importantly, they sound good, with nice stereo separation, touch control, and an integrated voice assistant. They are made of plastic, which does help keep them light. The real distinction is that when the earbuds are placed in their charging case, the case itself becomes a speaker!
How to Use the Improved Search Bar in Messages on the iPhone & iPad
By Tamlin Day
In the past, searching for a specific text in Messages was a headache. Now, Messages in-app search is not only optimized for text but also lets you browse images, screenshots, and links in a gallery view. You can access the search function by opening the Messages app and dragging down from the top of the screen. Here’s how to use search in Messages to find the information you need.
Buyer's Guide 2019: iPhone Photography Gear & Accessories
By Rheanne Taylor
Do you have a photographer on your holiday gift list that you'd love to surprise with a unique and useful iPhone photography accessory? We've included a smartphone lens kit, a tripod, a photo gear bag, and more in our holiday buyer's guide. Peruse these gifts for photographers to find the best present for your favorite shutterbug.
Review: Turn Your iPad Pro into a Multiport Computer
By Todd Bernhard
Apple is blurring the lines between computers and iPads and that's a good thing. The newer iPad Pros use USB-C, just like the latest MacBooks. But there are so many times I need to plug in USB-A devices like keyboards, headphones, an HDMI monitor, memory cards, and more, so it puts USB-C only devices at a disadvantage. Numerous vendors have offered a variety of adapters to address this, but often they are molded to fit the form factor of a specific iPad or MacBook and that limits what you can use the adapter with, now and in the future.
Turn Your iPad into a Second Monitor with iPadOS Sidecar
By Cullen Thomas
Want to use your iPad as a monitor for your Mac? No problem, Sidecar has you covered! With macOS Catalina and iPadOS 13, you can use a feature called Sidecar to turn your handy iPad into a second screen. Want to see your iPad mirroring your Mac's display? Not a problem either. Sidecar is easy to set up, and works like a charm. The ability to use an iPad as a second monitor for an iPad dual-screen setup has been possible with the third-party Duet Display app for a while. Now an even better way to do it is available to everyone, built right into the operating systems. Read on to find out how to set up this feature, and what requirements to check for if it doesn’t seem to be working.
Buyer's Guide 2019: Rugged, Smart & Fun Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Speakers
By Sarah Kingsbury
If you've been on the hunt for the perfect Wi-Fi or Bluetooth speaker for your next party, event, or outdoor adventure, our 2019 Buyer's Guide has you covered. Whether you're looking for a smart speaker, something rugged, waterproof, and portable, or a large speaker for an event, complete with mic and guitar ports, we have the best speakers of the year right here!
Buyer's Guide 2019: iPad Pro Cases, Accessories & Gear
By David Averbach
If you've purchased a new iPad Pro, it's important to protect your investment with a case. You may also want to check out accessories like an Apple Pencil 2, an iPad keyboard, a screen protector, or a USB hub. In this 2019 Buyer's Guide article, we'll cover five of the best iPad Pro accessories for your new tablet, from the new Apple Pencil to offerings from brands like Zagg and Speck.
The Scoop on Portrait Mode, Macro Photography & Apple Arcade
By Donna Cleveland
In the 123rd episode, David and Donna share all the ways to take advantage of the new-and-improved Portrait Mode with iOS 13. Other topics include best gear for macro photography and early impressions of Apple's new gaming platform, Apple Arcade.
Buyer's Guide 2019: Smart Gear & Toys for Kids & Teenagers
By Leanne Hays
If you've been looking for the best gifts for kids or teenagers in your life, look no further. Our 2019 Buyer's Guide has four options for all sorts of interests, from science and programming to stories, music, and of course, the ever-popular LEGO franchise. You'll find a smart toy or tool for every budget and every age; even adults will want to get in on the fun! Let's jump into the kid's section of our annual buyer's guide now.
How to Use Memoji & Animoji Stickers on Your iPhone & iPad
By Leanne Hays
One of the new features of Apple's latest operating systems, iOS 13 and iPadOS, are Memoji sticker packs for older iPhones right in the Messages app. It's been possible to send Animoji and Memoji stickers in texts before, but now it's easier than ever for a larger number of iPhones and iPads to send Memoji stickers, even if they can't create and send the animated emoji videos. Let's get started learning about Memoji and Animoji stickers, how to create them, and which devices can send and receive them.
Review: iHome Zenergy Bluetooth Speaker Offers Light & Sound Therapy
By Todd Bernhard
The folks at iHome have a wide variety of speakers that offer a variety of features like Qi-based wireless charging, Alexa integration, radio, alarm clock, etc. but they sent me one, the Zenergy Bluetooth Speaker ($35.08) that has none of those features. Still, for many people, the features it does have will be greatly appreciated. It is a Bluetooth speaker that charges via microUSB but that's not what makes it stand out. The Zenergy is designed to help you sleep better. This is accomplished by an impressive 15 distinct sleep sounds. Unlike traditional mechanical sound machines, this plays recorded and engineered sounds and even incorporates a gentle voice guiding you to sleep or a meditative state with yoga-inspired guided breathing.
How To Schedule Dark Mode on Your iPhone & iPad
By Leanne Hays
Dark Mode is Apple's new feature that offers a muted, eye-strain reducing color scheme; it's especially helpful for low-light environments. If you'd like to schedule Dark Mode so that it turns on and off automatically at sunset and sunrise or at customized times, it's possible on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Let's get started learning how to schedule Dark Mode on your device.
How to Back Up Your iPhone to a Mac without iTunes
By iPhone Life Team
It’s official. Apple has killed off iTunes, marking the end of its oldest and most iconic piece of software. Beginning with the new update, macOS 10.15 (Catalina), iTunes is no more, prompting many to ask: How do I back up my iPhone without iTunes? The answer is simple: You can back up your iPhone in Catalina by using Finder on your Mac and, of course, you can back up your iPhone to iCloud. This article covers both options.
How to Connect to a Wi-Fi Network Directly from the Control Center on an iPhone or iPad
By Leanne Hays
Do you know how to connect to Wi-Fi, or change the network you're using, directly from your iPhone or iPad's Control Center? This method is much quicker than sorting through the Settings app to find available networks. Let's get started learning how to connect to a specific Wi-Fi network, or change the network you're connected to, via the Control Center.
Review: onTracks GuideWatch GPS Fitness Band
By Todd Bernhard
I have reviewed hundreds if not thousands of gadgets over the past ten years, writing for iPhone Life magazine, so it's rare that I run into something dramatically different. But it took a French firm, onTracks, to surprise me. The company sent me a review unit of its onTracks GuideWatch (starting at €179) and I'll never look at smart watches the same way again.