iPhone Life - Best Apps, Top Tips, Great Gear

It's Summer and kids all over are out of school for the long break and, if they've got nothing else better to do, probably are transfixed by their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. New and ongoing studies from the National Institutes of Health have shown that more than two hours of screen time per day can have a negative effect on children's thinking and language test results. So, what is a parent to do in order to stave off this addictive and unhealthy habit during the summer months? And how can parents get more involved with their kids' screen time? Here are four tips for keeping your kids off their iPhones this summer.

Did you know you can create your own custom ringtones for incoming texts and calls? Here's how to make ringtones with GarageBand on your iPhone. You'll need to have your device running on iOS 11 or later, have recorded a voice memo that is thirty seconds or shorter on the Voice Memos app, and saved that recording to the Files app. You'll also need to have GarageBand downloaded to your iPhone if you don't already. With this tip, you'll be able to make the ringtone on your iPhone without using iTunes or a Mac!

In the 116th episode, iPhone Life’s founder Hal Goldstein shares the unlikely story of how a Hewlett Packard software engineer moved to the cornfields of Iowa to start a tech publishing company.

Want to know the quickest way to transfer photos and scan documents from your iPhone to your Mac? Here's how to use the Continuity Camera feature on the Mac, which enables you to scan documents or take photos on your iPhone and instantly have them uploaded on your Mac. Your Mac needs to be updated to macOS 10.14 or later and your iPhone to iOS 12 or later. You won't have to use AirDrop or have your device physically connected to the Mac with a cable for this tip. However, both your iPhone and Mac do need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network with Bluetooth enabled and be near each other (like in the same room). Both Mac and the iPhone will also need to be signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication.

If you’ve just bought your first Apple product, whether you’re switching from Android or finally cracking and purchasing your first smartphone, you’ll need to set up an Apple ID. Your Apple ID is the account that you use to access all things Apple; iTunes, the App Store, iCloud, Apple Music, iMessage, FaceTime, and more. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know to create an Apple ID and make sure your account is secure, as well as where and how you can use your Apple ID. We’ll also troubleshoot some common problems and issues with your Apple ID including changing the ID, changing the password, what to do if you forgot your Apple ID, and more. Let’s dig in.

Recently I picked up a set of ThinOptics readers at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and I wrote about them. One concern I had is that they were so small and light that they didn't have a full frame to rest on your ears. The company reached out and sent me its Frontpage Computer Glasses and Milano Case ($49.95). These ThinOptics readers do include a frame and more!

I have reviewed a number of game controllers for the iPhone and they often fall short in one area or another. GameSir may have found the right mix with its interestingly named G6 Mobile Gaming Touchroller ($42.99). The company sent me this controller and right away I could see it was different. Most controllers are designed to mimic PlayStation and Xbox controllers with joystick or diamond pad buttons on each side. The "touchroller" leaves the right-hand side clear of such buttons. This asymmetric design makes it easier to use your right thumb or other finger to access the touchscreen. Plus it leaves the Lightning port completely open for charging or connecting a headset.