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Parenting tip: Share your iOS photos without revealing your EXIF location data
Exif data is the partially hidden part of a photo file that most people don't think about when they upload a photo to a service like Dropbox or send a photo to a friend. This EXIF data includes the camera model you are using, basic settings of the camera when the picture was taken, the photo resolution and, if your camera has GPS, the location where the photo was taken. Depending on your perspective, the addition of location data to your photos can be a blessing or a curse. On the one hand, this EXIF data allows you to identify long-lost photos based on the time and location they were taken. You may have forgotten when and where a photo was snapped, but the file remembers for you. On the other hand, there is a downside to tagging a photo with its GPS coordinates as the simple sharing of a photo with a friend on a social network could reveal the location of your kid's favorite playground. We don't need to explore what could happen if this location information fell into the wrong hands. There are a few simple steps you can take to make sure you remove the EXIF data when sharing a photo or even keep it when you need these details for posterity sake. We'll use the rest of this post to explore EXIF data and how to manage it on your iOS and OS X devices. Viewing photo EXIF Data on your Mac using iPhoto The easiest way to view EXIF data is on your Mac. Just transfer your photos to your Mac using iPhoto, tap on the image and select the "i" for info. All the EXIF data, including a map of the GPS coordinates, will appear within the iPhoto window. If you don't see a map, then you may have to hop into iPhoto preferences and turn on this mapping feature. Go to iPhoto > Preferences, and then click Advanced. If you choose "Automatically", then iPhoto will scan your photos for GPS data and map them for you. While you are in the settings, you should check the status of the "Include location information for published photos" option. If it is selected, then the location data will remain intact when you use iPhoto to upload your photos to other services like Flickr. If it is not selected, then the location data will be stripped from the file by iPhoto during the upload process. Unselecting this option is the preferred choice if you don't want people to know the location of your photos. Viewing photo EXIF Data on your Mac using Preview If you are like me and use Image Capture to transfer all your photos to your hard drive, then the mapping feature of iPhoto will not be helpful to you. Instead, you can use Finder along with the Preview app to check out the location information attached to your photos. Start by opening Finder and locating the images that are stored on your drive. Select an image and open it in Preview. Once the image is opened with Preview, select Tools > Show Inspector to view the EXIF data. If location information is attached to a photo, you will see a tab for GPS in the EXIF data. Unlike iPhoto which shows only a map, Preview will show the actual longitude and latitude of the GPS coordinates. Mine are there in the Preview screen capture above, but removed for privacy reasons. Viewing photo EXIF Data on your iPhone If you have photo geotagging turned on, then the new Photos app in iOS 7 will give you a glimpse into the location information stored with each shot. The Photos app uses the GPS data that is recorded when you take a photo. Your images are organized into collections based on their date and their location. One the same day last week, I went hiking in a nearby town and then kayaking in my hometown. When I browse through my images, I see both locations in the photos for that day. If you need more detail than just time and location-based groups, you can also view the EXIF data on your iPhone or iPad using an app like EXIF Wizard. EXIF Wizard will let you thumb through the photos in your photo roll and view each photo's location on a map. You can also browse through the other EXIF data contained in the photos. Turn off Image Geotagging in iOS If the idea of storing your location with each and every photo creeps you out, then you can easily turn off this geotagging feature by going to Location Services in the settings. Tap on Settings > Privacy > Location Services and then scroll down to the Camera app to make sure it is toggled off as shown above. When you turn off geotagging, it only applies to photos taken after you have turned off the location feature. Earlier photos will still keep their location data, so you will have to manually remove the location information before you share those photos. Some tips on sharing photos It's up to you whether you want to turn on location data and attach GPS information to your photos. If you leave geotagging turned on and you share photos with your friends and family, here are a few things you should know. First, most social networks strip your EXIF data so you don't accidentally post sensitive information about your location. You can easily share on sites like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest as they will remove your EXIF data during the upload process. If you share photos via email, then you should be aware that the EXIF data stays intact. It is not stripped by most email clients and can be viewed by any recipient who is savvy enough to know how to browse the EXIF data from a photo. If you want to use email to share photos, your safest method is to strip the EXIF data from the photos before you send them along. On the Mac, you can use the NoIMGData app to remove just the GPS data or all the EXIF data from a photo. This warning also applies to storage services like Dropbox, which do not strip EXIF data when you upload photos from your phone or computer. Last but not least are photo-sharing services like Flickr, which preserve EXIF as most photographers want to preserve this information. Even if you do upload photos with their EXIF data intact, you can choose to hide this information from others.
Parenting tip: Removing permanent marker from your devices
A few years ago, I had the unfortunate experience of leaving my Mac unattended for a few minutes while I got something to eat. Little did I know while I was making some food, my then 4-year-old son had found a Sharpie and was writing all over the screen of my MacBook Pro. When I returned, I wanted to cry. My lovely laptop display was covered from edge to edge with black scribbles. If you find yourself in this circumstance, don't despair as there is an easy solution -- dry erase markers! It defies conventional wisdom, but I have found that dry erase marker is excellent at removing permanent marker from hard surfaces. All I had to do to remove the permanent marker from my screen was re-scribble over the permanent marker ink with a dry erase marker (any color will do as shown above), wait 20 seconds and wipe with a paper towel. A screen cleaner will remove any residue from the dry erase marker. It took 10 minutes and a bit of scrubbing, but the permanent marker was successfully removed. Now before you go drawing on your iMac to make sure it works, I will caution you that this is not foolproof. If the material is porous like leather, the permanent marker will be absorbed into the material, and the dry erase marker will only be able to remove some, but not all of the markings. Also, the longer the markings stay on the device the harder it may be to get them off. I've tested it at home and can confirm this dry erase marker trick works great on the aluminum casing of the iPad (see above), iPhone, Mac mini and MacBook Pro. It also works well on the glossy or matte screen of a MacBook Pro. Accessories also are safe as the dry erase marker removes scribbles from the Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse and Apple Wireless keyboard. You don't have to worry about permanent marker on the screen of your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch as the oleophobic coating doesn't allow the permanent marker to stick. If you don't have a dry erase marker, then a harsher solvent like WD-40 or Goo Gone may work, but they are not as effective as the dry erase marker. Do you have any home remedies that work for removing permanent marker from items around the house? If so, share your horror story and the remedy in the comments.
Educational bloggers chime in with their favorite back-to-school apps
It's the start of a new school year, which means you've probably got a stack of new books on your desk, a drawer full of new pencils and an iPad that desperately needs some new apps. TUAW is here to help you build a new app list, and we did so with the help of some friends. We consulted with students, teachers and some of the top tech and educational bloggers to generate this list. In this article, we highlight the top picks from educational bloggers whose job it is to evaluate this category of apps. Here are the apps that they prefer: Daniel Donahoo, Core contributor to GeekDad I have come to take a strong interest in apps that deliver great content to students. Teachers have a range of tools now to use on digital devices, but what apps are offering students information and new ideas in a way that speaks to the YouTube generation. Here are three apps, for three different age groups. Rough Science (by Deeper Richer) A terrific app with quality playful video content, a free teachers handbook to download and offers a great step into a flipped classroom model using 1:1 devices. Questimate! (by Motion Math Games) A clever app offering the ability to estimate against any number of things, it also offers collaborative learning options, Motion Math Games never disappoint. Sonnets (by TouchPress) A beautiful Shakespeare app, great for high school students with quality video and excellent extras in text and video. Veronika Walshe, founder of The Appy Ladies The Appy Ladies is a diverse group of ladies with various backgrounds and interests, who have a passion for apps and information. Veronika Walshe is a stay at home mum to 3 children, one with Down Syndrome and one with ASD. TOBY Playpad - a fantastic app, just amazing the content. There is nothing like it. iGetit Apps - featured in the REMLE project for Autism Wonkidos - brilliant series of life skills apps, supporting your child in many areas L'Escapadou - great apps, colourful and engaging Demografix - For those children slightly older Learning Touch - over and over again children with SN love and use all of their apps Tactus Therapy - Amazing all of them and how they work together in the growth of your child Good Karma - Just love their new app FTVS - HD Close 2 Home - So Much 2 Say - fantastic app for SN children at the initial stage of communication StudyPad - all their Splash Maths apps are just wonderful John Wilkerson, founder of The Wired Homeschool John Wilkerson and his wife have 7 children and have been homeschooling for 15 years. John has been a speaker at homeschool conventions and regularly podcasts and blogs about the use of technology in homeschooling at thewiredhomeschool.com. You can follow John on Twitter or like his podcast's Facebook page but please, no stalkers. Math Mathews: Getting your kids to remember their multiplication facts can be a real chore. With Math Mathews kids join Captain Mathews on a piratical adventure while learning multiplication. Your kids will have so much fun that they'll forget they're doing math! Stack the States: Geography can get a bit dull when you're trying to memorize state capitals and other mundane facts but if you add the challenge of building a Jenga-like tower out of states it becomes a fun way to learn things which states border New Hampshire. 5 Dice: Order of Operations: If you're looking for a way to solidify and reinforce math skills this is your game. Players roll dice and must use the numbers provided to get the solution. Using the correct order of operations is essential to be successful at this game. Cargo-bot: The objective of this game is simple: move crates from one stack to another. How you do this isn't always so simple. Cargo-bot is a great way to teach kids how to logically solve a problem and basic programming skills. Don't miss this one. Graphing Calculator+: No need to spend $50-$100 on a graphing calculator. Just buy this app. It probably won't get your son or daughter through advanced Calculus or Differential Equations but should suffice for a typical high school student. Josh, founder of Homeschool Tablet This year I am trying to reduce the apps I use and focus on specific areas I want to focus on this year. One of my sons needs to focus in reading so I am installing mostly phonics apps like Reading Raven and Abby Phonics - first grade. I am trying to stay away from sight word apps. Our new favorite letter app is LetterSchool. For science, we are studying astronomy, so I plan on using Solar Walk and the Q Continuum Planets app (on my iPhone when we are outside). Spelling for my daughter will be mostly with Teach Me:2nd grade and Simplex Spelling Phonics 1. Math will be Khan Academy. History will also be with Khan Academy and maybe some timeline apps. Reading will probably be exclusively on the Kindle. I hope to use iBooks Author to customize some of their learning but I don't know if I will have time. While the program is intuitive it still takes work to make a good book. Also my son started to use the free Mac program Typist for keyboarding. It's pretty basic, but he seems to like it. iGameMom, founder of the iGameMom blog iGameMom is a place for busy parents to discover good educational applications for kids, and to explore ways to stay engaged with kids in the new game world. Here is iGameMom's back-to-school list of recommended apps: Brain Quest (free): curriculum based trivia games for grade1 to 5. Each grade has 80 questions. With In-App purchase ($2.99 for each grade), you can buy the whole pack, which has over 600 questions for each grade. Kids learn while playing games. BrainPop Featured Movie (free): Kids get to see a new animated documentary every day. The range of topics is amazingly broad: science, history, Engineering & technology, Social Studies, English, Arts & Music, and Health subjects. TeachMe ($1.99 for each grade level): An app series covers Toddler, Kindergarten, Grade1, and Grade2. Each grade has spelling and basic math. Khan Academy (free): Free classes on various subjects. The topics include: K-12 math, science (such as biology, chemistry, and physics), finance, history, test prep (GMAT, CAHSEE, SAT math, etc). The level of the courses ranges from elementary school to college. Any student will be able to find somethingStraight A Back To School Apps Stack the States ($0.99): Learn US states via interactive games Stack the Countries ($1.99): Learn world geography while playing games NOVA Elements (free): Learn periodic table with multi-media materials, such as short videos, pictures, 3D models, and games. SplashMath ($9.99): comprehensive math app that is linked to US standard curriculum. Mathemagics – Mental math tricks ($0.99): teaches little tricks on how to do math quickly Mindsnacks Spanish (initial download is free with one level, $4.99 for the whole package with 50 levels): Learn Spanish with fun. Ice is Nice – Cat in the Hat Learning Library ($5.99): Learn animals and geography of North and South Poles. It is for kids aged 5-10. ABCmouse.com: Grand Canyon (free): Kids 4 and up will learn everything about Grand Canyon, following ABCmouse. Horton Hatches the Egg ($4.99): Another Dr.Seuss's book app designed for pre-school and kindergarteners. Biography Comics (free for the first 3 books, $29.99 for all 29 books): 29 biographies in comics, including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Hillary Clinton, Steven Spielberg, Warren Buffett, ... It is for kids 8 and older. Cool to be Clever (free): kids 6 and up who can read chapter-books will learn the story of Edson Hendricks and how he invented "connectionless" network design that is used in today's Internet. Brush of Truth ($1.99): A book app written for children age 8-12. It is a book app that the readers get to decide how the story unfolds... FeelElectric (free): designed for kids 6 and older, this app teaches kids recognize different emotions and express emotions with words Be Confident in Who You Are ($2.99): a graphic novel targeted at kids 8-14 years old. It addresses topics such as self-consciousness, stress, bullying, fitting in, body image, and sticky issues in friendships. All these issues are presented in an age appropriate manner.
Students speak up about their favorite back-to-school apps
It's the start of a new school year, which means you've probably got a stack of new books on your desk, a drawer full of new pencils and an iPad that desperately needs some new apps. TUAW is here to help you build a new app list, and we did so with the help of some friends. We consulted with students, teachers and some of the top tech and educational bloggers to generate this list. In this article, we highlight the students, who trudge to class everyday and soak up the knowledge that'll help them take on the world. These are the apps that they use: Jeffrey Moran Born and raised in New York City in 1993, Jeffrey has always had a passion for technology. Now a student at New York City College of Technology, he strives to use his skills to the best of his ability in an effort to help people. He works as a freelance iOS developer and has his own application in the App Store, Developer Cheat Sheet for iOS. EasyBib - Allows for easy citations WolframAlpha - Tons of answers on various subjects Mint - A finance and budgeting tool Calculate My GPA - GPA calculator, essential for college students AroundMe - Find stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and more around you Dropbox - Cloud storage service Alien Blue - Reddit Client - The best Reddit client there is iHomework - Store your school work, grades, teachers, and more. Syncs over iCloud Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Dictionary app Evernote - Note taking application that syncs with a desktop client Victor Pope A kind, eccentric and nerdy life companion. But only on Tuesdays. Find him here on Twitter. He is Jaggedcow! Tweetbot and Facebook Messenger for communicating. Calca comes in handy for working out equations sometimes. Byword or iA Writer - I use these for editing drafts when I'm killing time or on the go Pages - less useful than above because it's slow and doesn't always keep formatting, but it can come in handy. OmniFocus for keeping track of my work, but my friend also recommends Wunderlist or Things. I use Transit for well, transit directions. It's free now and has a very wide selection of cities Paper for the iPad, which I use as a scratch-pad and occasionally for note-taking For people studying Economics, OmniGraphSketcher is amazing and your professors will love you. (Note: Omnigroup discontinued this app in July 2013, so you can't buy it anymore.) I also use Keynote and Numbers on the iPad, but not on the iPhone because it's too small. Will Smidlein Full-stack developer. Overpunctuator. Former @pocket intern. 16. He's @ws on Twitter if you want to follow him. Pocket : Slightly biased as I interned there this summer, but it's a great time-filler after tests or on the bus ride. Tweetbot : Twitter is a pretty big means of communications between students as well as teachers-to-students. Spotify : I listen to a lot of music, so Spotify is great. Mailbox and Google Drive : Our district uses Google Apps for scheduling, file sharing, etc. Fantastical : Allows me to enter assignments in natural text and have them added to my planner. Wolfram Alpha : Better than a graphing calculator. Sleep Cycle alarm : Makes getting up super early not suck so much. George Tinari George is a witty, but focused college student with a strong interest in tech. He's currently employed as a writer for Neowin, and in his spare time he occasionally writes up some additional content on hispersonal blog. In the rare circumstance that he's not sitting in front of his laptop, you'll probably find him listening to music, being sarcastic, or eating. iStudiez Pro Evernote Waze (to monitor traffic as a commuter) Rise alarm clock Dark Sky Dropbox Karan Varindani Computer Science Major at Boston University (CAS'17). @dkilla_k301 on Twitter. Day One to keep track of major occurrences and more intimate thoughts. Moving from Ghana to Boston this year, it can get a little surreal sometimes. Day One helps me keep track of it all. Tweetbot because I still think it's the best Twitter client out there, and the iCloud sync works perfectly for me. Also, I'm a Lists junkie and Tweetbot makes that super easy. AfterLight is my favorite photography app, which says a lot because I pretty much own them all. I can't tell what it is about this app, but it's one of the few ones where I feel the photos actually come out better. It's also got some pretty great post-editing sharing options. Pages to jot down notes and keep them all in sync. 1Password to generate and remember my passwords, but to be honest I really don't use it that powerfully and I'm a sucker for anything integrated and with iCloud Sync; Safari Keychain might just move me off 1Password this Fall. Touchfit:GSP because I recently lost a lot of weight and university schedules don't accommodate for stringent gym schedules so this helps me keep fit in my dorm room every night with minimal equipment. Reminders because, again - integrated and with iCloud sync. I maintain lists here for Music to buy, Movies to watch, TV Shows to start, and then Personal stuff and School stuff. TeeVee to keep track of when all my TV Shows - and there are a lot - are airing. Reeder to follow all my tech news. I'm a big fan of the Read & Trust network, The Loop, Brooks Review, Daring Fireball, MacStories, and, of course, TUAW. Calendar Integrated into iOS, iCloud sync.
Parenting Tip: Recommended iPad and Mac accessories for your back-to-schoolers
Those school days, dear old golden rule days are upon us. As you head back to the classroom this week, check out these accessory recommendations that'll help you start off on the right foot. Similar to the earlier posts in our Back to School parenting tips, these recommendations are grouped by academic level. If you want even more accessories, Engadget has a comprehensive back to school guide that you can peruse for additional ideas. If you have any must-have accessories that you want to contribute, please add them in the comments. Pre-schoolers -- Pre-schoolers are tough on devices. They'll drop your iPad, throw your iPod and pick the keys off your Mac's keyboard. For these tots, you'll want to find accessories that protect your devices from mishaps and mayhem. For iOS devices, I recommend a rugged case like the Otterbox Defender series (US$99) or the Griffin Survivor series ($79). I've used both and they have protected my iPad and iPhone from many falls. If you want something more colorful, then check out the iGuy iPad Cover from Speck ($39). This foam case will hold your iPad securely and let you stand it up for hands-free use. If you use a MacBook Pro or an Apple wireless keyboard with kids, I highly recommend a Moshi ClearGuard keyboard cover ($25). The clear cover protects the keys from spills and makes it a little bit harder for your kids to pick off the keys. It's not foolproof as your kids can lift off the cover and get access to the keys. In my experience though, having the cover there is enough of a deterrent. I also recommend a trackpad over a mouse. I find the young ones intuitively pick up the gestures, especially if they are familiar with the iPad. Elementary Children -- Elementary school kids are in-betweeners. They are easier on devices than the Pre-K group, but they are not as mature as the middle and high-schoolers. Consequently, they don't need as many accessories to complete the experience. As a result, my picks for these 6- to 11-year-olds will be on the conservative side. iPad Case: For starters, I would grab a decent case for your iPad, maybe opting for the lighter Speck HandyShell case ($55) instead of the beefier Defender. There's also the colorful Seesaw from Griffin ($35) which is part case, part stand. Headphones: I would also grab a decent pair of headphones, focusing on quality construction. Don't go cheap as I find that most the cheap headphones that I buy will break where the wire goes into the headphone ear piece. I recommend the Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional ($24) headphones. At $24, they are not too pricey and their big ear cups fit comfortably on kids in the 6- to 12-year-old range. I cringe sometimes at giving my kids a pair of Sennheiser cans, but the headphones handle the abuse quite well and last a long time. Charging Station: Another must have for kids is a good charging station. If your kids use the iPad for educational games, reading and research, they will need to charge the device on a daily basis. Rather than have them plug the iOS device into a random outlet in their and balance it on the edge of their bed to charge, spend some money and get a charging station like the Griffin PowerDock ($99), which we recently reviewed. Their iPads will sit safely next to yours, and you always will be able to find the charging cables. Other iOS Accessories: There are also some fun accessories for kids in this age range. My favorite is the Crayola ColorStudio HD ($30), a combo app and digital marker that allows your kids to color on their iPad. We reviewed a version this product when it first became available in 2011. There's also the Lego Life of George ($20) Lego set that lets your child play with Legos on their iPad. For the older elementary group, you should consider the Lego Mindstorms EV3 ($349) kit. This latest Mindstorm introduces your child to robotics and includes three different iOS Apps to help your control your creation. Mac Accessories: If your kids use a Mac, you need little more than a decent keyboard and mouse or trackpad. I use the Apple wireless keyboard ($69) and the Magic Trackpad ($69) with great success. As noted above with the pre-schoolers, I do slap on a Moshi ClearGuard keyboard cover to protect the keyboard from spills, food and what not. Junior and High School Students -- Junior and high school students kick it up a notch when it comes to technology. No longer content playing educational games, this group is ready to use the iPad and Mac to create content, not just consume it. iPad Case: For the iPad, these older students would do well with a basic folio case like the FitFolio from Speck ($40), the Incase Maki Jacket ($40) or the more expensive Joy Factory SmartSuit3 ($59). If you are looking for a keyboard case, you can't go wrong with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad ($99) or the Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad, which includes a built-in solar charger for the keyboard. Headphones: Whether they are listening to music or editing the audio track of their latest video, every kid needs a good set of headphones. My favorite for this group is the Sennheiser PX 100-II ($50), which is a decent set of cans that won't break the bank. This model doesn't include in-line controls for your iOS device, but you can pay $12 more for the Sennheiser PX 100-IIi ($70), which does have a control module built into the headphone's cable. Stylus: This group would also benefit from a good stylus for writing or drawing purposes. I recommend the Wacom Bamboo Stylus Feel ($39) for your basic needs. It looks and feels like a pen and features interchangeable pen tips. If you have any artistic inclinations, then you should consider paying a bit more for a stylus and grab the Adonit Jot Touch 4 ($89), which we reviewed. It is pressure sensitive and includes replaceable tips, not rubber nibs. These tips improve the accuracy of your strokes. If you are worried about losing your stylus and want a budget model, then check out the JukeStyle, which costs $10 and held up well in our review. Other Accessories: Other cool accessories for this group include the robot-building Lego Mindstorms EV3 ($349) or this RedPark TTL iOS Cable Breakout Pack ($75). This Maker Shed kit allows you to connect your iOS device to to microcontrollers such as the Arduino and other external sensors. Musicians, podcasters or budding karaokers would do well with the iRig Mic ($60) for recording audio on your iPad or the Spark Digital ($199) from Blue Microphone, which we recently reviewed. Mac Accessories: If your high schooler is using a desktop Mac, then a good set of speakers is a must have add-on. I recommend Logitech's UE Mobile Boombox ($99) for smaller spaces or the Creative Inspire S2 ($129) if you want some bass. You can also add on a nice drawing tablet like the Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch ($99) for your budding artist. This model supports both pen input and touch gestures, so you can use it to draw and adjust your canvas. If your young adult is using a MacBook Pro, then slap on a Speck SmartShell ($50) to protect the lovely aluminum chassis. If they are toting their laptop to school, consider grabbing a protective case like the Poseidon Messenger Bag from ECBC ($99) or this laptop backpack from Timbuk2 ($99). College Students -- College students are the top dog when it comes to back-to-school gear. This group needs the most gear and has the potential to fully use it in their school work and personal life. Space and available cash may be limited for most college students, so they need to get the best bang for their buck. They are also the group most likely to use their devices while mobile, and their chosen accessories should be designed for on-the-go use. Headphones: Sennheiser HD-280 PRO ($99) if you are looking for comfortable cans to block out noise at home. Sennheiser PX 200-IIi ($99) if you are looking for something portable. If you want a wireless headphone, then look at the Plantronics BackBeat Go 2 ($80) or the GOGroove Airband ($45). iPad case: Careful college students could get away with a lightweight iPad Smart Cover ($39) or the more protective Smart Case ($50). There's also the BookBook leather case ($79) from TwelveSouth or the DODOcase ($59) if you are looking for something different. Oh, and I can't forget the Pad & Quill Graduate Artist Series for iPad ($69), which fantastically made and super stylish. iPad Keyboard case:If you are looking for a keyboard case, you can't go wrong with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad ($99) or the Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad , which includes a built-in solar charger for the keyboard. Powered iPad case:There are also a few cases that include a power source, ensuring that your iPad never runs out of juice. We recently reviewed and were pleased with the Props Power Case ($90) and the Justin Case Ultra-Slim Power Case for iPad.) ($69). iPad stand: The market is flooded with stands to hold your iPad in every configuration. Figure out how you are going to use your iPad, pick your price point and then go shopping. Check your case first, too, as many include an integrated stand. If you decide you want a stand, I've used the Griffin A-Frame stand, which is inexpensive ($10), but has limited tilt angles. Steve Sande recently looked at the Xvidia Boomerang ($80) and was impressed with its design and support for add-on mounting accessories Stylus: I recommend the Wacom Bamboo Stylus Feel ($39) for your basic needs. It looks and feels like a pen and features interchangeable pen tips. If you have any artistic inclinations, then you should consider paying a bit more for a stylus and grab the Adonit Jot Touch 4 ($89), which we reviewed. It is pressure sensitive and includes replaceable tips, not rubber nibs. These tips improve the accuracy of your strokes. If you are worried about losing your stylus and want a budget model, then check out the JukeStyle, which costs $10 and held up well in our review. Portable charger: Mophie, known for its iPhone battery cases, also sells a line of Powerstation chargers that'll charge your iPad and iPhone on the go. The Satechi Portable Energy Station ($60) is another good choice. I have the 10,000 mAh model and it's still going strong after a year of regular use. HyperJuice ($199) is still your best portable charging option for the Mac. Mac Stand: Sometimes you just need a stand for your Mac to get it at the correct angle for easy viewing. If you need a stand, we recently tested the Jas Pro from Cooler Master ($60). This adjustable aluminum stand works with your MacBook as well as your iPad. Though, we haven't tested it yet, the GhostStand from TwelveSouth ($35) is affordable and attractive. MacBook Pro/Air Case: The Speck SmartShell ($50) is my first choice to protect the lovely aluminum chassis of any MacBook Pro/Air. If you want something more refined, then check out the offerings from Waterfield Designs. We reviewed and enjoyed the company's the Smart Case ($79) and City Slicker ($129). If you own a MacBook Air, you can't go wrong with the Pad & Quill Cartella Linen case ($80). Laptop Messenger bag: The Poseidon Messenger Bag from ECBC ($99) is a solid offering as is the Booq Viper Courier ($99). If you have a 13-inch MacBook Pro/Air, you may want to look at the OGIO Covert Shoulder bag ($69), which we found to be reasonably priced and durable in our review. Speakers: I recommend Logitech's UE Mobile Boombox ($99) for smaller spaces or the Creative Inspire S2 ($129) if you want some bass. If you always your music with you, there's the Minx Go ($149) from Cambridge Audio, a portable Bluetooth speaker that we reviewed a few months ago. And if you are the outdoorsy type, the waterproof ECOXGEAR ECOROX ($129) is another portable option that you can take anywhere. Other: Some other useful accessories include the Cocoon GRID-IT! ($15) for organizing your stuff, the Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch ($99) for the budding Mac artist, the iOS-compatible Vaavud Wind Meter ($49) for the scientist in all of us, and the Spark Digital ($199) from Blue Microphone, which we recently reviewed. You may also want to grab the Satechi 12-port USB Hub ($28), which is perfect for the person with way too many peripherals.
Parenting Tip: Back to School guide for buying an iPad
Summer is waning, and the days of sitting in a classroom are drawing near. If you are looking for an iPad to help you take notes, organize your workflow or teach your children their ABCs, then read on as we have a handy rundown of the latest iPad models and some tips on buying the right one for your student. iPad 101 Apple currently sells two iPad models, the 7.9-inch iPad mini and the 9.7-inch iPad with Retina display (fourth generation). Apple still sells the older third generation iPad and the iPad 2, but only as refurbished units. Because they are still useful for some schoolwork and will run iOS 7, I will include these older models as well as the new ones in this guide. Each iPad model is available in a less expensive WiFi-only configuration or as a WiFi + Cellular version that includes a cellular radio for convenient on-the-go usage. For a quick cheat sheet, you can check out this handy chart from Apple that compares the features of the iPad mini, iPad 2 and the iPad with Retina display (fourth generation). Please note that the cellular iPads require a data plan from your wireless carrier in order to use them on the carrier's network. For example, I have a shared data plan on Verizon that gives me 6 GB of data each month. I pay an extra US$10 a month for my iPad to connect to Verizon's network and use this data allotment. iPad mini -- The iPad mini was introduced in October 2012 and is the first iPad to break from the 9.7-inch form factor. It has a smaller 7.9-inch display with a very comfortable, but non-Retina 1024 x 768 resolution (163ppi) display. It's powered by the Apple A5 processor (1 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor and dual-core PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU) with 512 MB of RAM. The iPad mini is available in 16, 32 or 64 GB capacities. Prices start at $329 for the 16 GB, WiFi-only model and $459 for the 16 GB WiFi + Cellular unit. iPad with Retina Display (fourth generation) The iPad fourth generation was introduced alongside the iPad mini in October of 2012. It's the big daddy of the iPad line with a 9.7-inch Retina display (2048x1536 pixels at 264 ppi). It's powered by the Apple A6X processor, which has a 1.4 GHz dual-core Apple Swift processor and a quad-core PowerVR SGX554MP4 GPU. It has 1024 MB of RAM. The iPad 4 is available in 16, 32, 64 or 128 GB capacities. Prices start at $499 for the 16 GB, WiFi-only model and $629 for the 16 GB WiFi + Cellular unit. iPad with Retina display (third generation) -- The third generation iPad had a very short life span. It was introduced in early 2012 and was replaced by the iPad 4 in October of the same year. It was the first iPad to feature a high-resolution Retina display (2,048 × 1,536 pixels at 264 ppi). The iPad 3 is powered by the Apple A5X processor, which has a 1 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor and a quad-core PowerVR SGX543MP4 GPU. It has 1024 MB of RAM. The iPad 3 is available in 16, 32 or 64 GB capacities. This model is discontinued by Apple and available only as a refurbished unit. Prices typically start at $379 for the 16 GB, WiFi-only model and $409 for the 16 GB, WiFi + Cellular unit. iPad 2 -- The iPad 2 hit the market in early 2011 and is the oldest model iPad to still support iOS 7. Though it will be updated, some features like Siri are not available on the device. The iPad 2 is powered by the Apple A5 processor, which has a 1 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor and a dual-core PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU. It has 512 MB of RAM. The iPad 2 is available in 16, 32 or 64 GB capacities. This model is discontinued by Apple and available only as a refurbished unit. Prices typically start at $319 for the 16 GB, WiFi-only model and $349 for the 16 GB WiFi + Cellular unit. Which iPad Should I Buy? Buying an iPad is very similar to buying a Mac, so I am going to break down the specific buying advice into groups based on schooling level. In general, you should consider first how you primarily are going to use the iPad as this will determine whether you need a WiFi-only model or a cellular model. Once you've determined the connectivity options, you can decide whether you need a newer model or an older, but still capable iPad 2 or 3. Price comes into play when deciding which capacity to buy, but I will offer this advice -- don't want to skimp on storage space. I bought a 16 GB WiFi+Cellular iPad mini and regret it immensely. I am always running out of space for my apps and music. Going forward, I will always buy at least a 32 GB device. Pre-schoolers -- Pre-schoolers may be the most demanding about using the iPad (if you've ever taken away an iPad from an engaged three-year-old, you'll know what I mean), but they are the least demanding when it comes to hardware specs. This group is also the one most likely to break an iPad, which is why I recommend buying an iPad 3 or an iPad 2 for the tikes. The iPad 2/3 will run almost all the educational games in the App Store, and you won't have to lay down a lot of cash to get your child started with independent, tablet-based learning. Make sure you buy the WiFi-only model as these little ones won't need cellular access to play most of the learning games appropriate for their age. I wouldn't worry about these older models becoming obsolete -- just find and install a core set of apps that teach letters, numbers, or colors and don't worry about the latest and greatest apps or features. Kids at this age enjoy using the same games over again, so you can get a few year's worth of usage out of an older device and 10-15 quality apps. Many parents may be tempted to buy the less expensive iPad mini for this group, but I would recommend you stay away from the smaller iPad. The full-sized iPad is ideal for kid's games, which feature big on-screen elements that are suitable for the limited dexterity of these tots. Buttons, sprites and other on-screen elements are smaller on the iPad mini, which can make it more difficult for pre-schoolers to use. Elementary Children -- The elementary group is better at taking care of an iPad, and they may want to use the tablet for entertainment as much as schoolwork. Consequently, I would buy an iPad 3 if you are concerned about cash and an iPad 4 if you can afford it. The iPad 4 will have the longest life span and give you the biggest bang for your buck. Similar to the pre-schoolers, I would avoid the iPad mini because this age group really benefits from the larger screen of the 9.7-inch iPad. Once again, stick with the WiFi-only models and get as much storage space as you can afford. Junior and High School Students -- Deciding what iPad model to buy for this group really depends on the child. Older, more responsible kids would do well with an iPad 4, while the younger ones can get by with the iPad 3. The iPad mini is also a possibility if you are looking to save some cash. Besides being easier on your wallet, the iPad mini will be easier for students to carry in their backpack. Once again, stick with the WiFi-only models as most apps don't need an always-on Internet connection. If they do, there is likely a WiFi connection on the school campus or a hotspot nearby. College Students -- Of all the students, college students will get the most out of an iPad. They can use it to take lecture notes, keep track of their schedule, contact classmates, play games and more. As a result, I would recommend the iPad 4 for this group. It is the latest and greatest iPad and will do everything they need. The iPad mini is another excellent option for students who want portability over a big screen. I've use the iPad mini extensively over the past year and it has been great for 90% of my tasks. It handles everything except drawing and long-form writing, which benefit from increased screen real estate. If you can afford it, I would purchase the cellular model for the college-aged group. You don't have to activate the iPad on a cellular plan and can use it as a WiFi-only device that is connected to the college's WiFi network. The cellular capability could prove to be useful in the future as you never know when your student may need it. They could pick up an internship or participate in a school activity that requires them to travel off campus. In these cases, you could activate the cellular feature when needed and allow them to do their work when they are away from school. Where to buy an iPad? Apple retail stores offer the iPad mini and the iPad fourth generation in every configuration available. Prices are usually full retail, but Apple does offer back to school promotions. Right now, you can get a $50 App Store gift card when you buy a new iPad with Retina display or iPad mini. Best of all, you can walk out of the Apple store with all the accessories and support you need. Customers looking for a cellular model can visit their carrier's retail store or online storefront. Pricing will be full retail, but you will be able to activate the device on the cellular network and sign up for a data plan at the same time you buy your device. Other retailers like Target, Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Staples, Radio Shack and more carry select iPad models. Pricing is usually similar to Apple stores, but these retailers can discount the iPad during sales. Sales are few and far between, but they do happen -- you just have to watch for them and be ready to buy when prices fall. Dealnews is a great place to watch for savings as they have a dedicated category for the iPad. If you are looking for a used iPad, you can visit Apple's refurbished and clearance store. Apple sells refurbished iPad 4, iPad 3, iPad 2 and iPad mini units. If the refurbished units at Apple are too pricey, you can also check out eBay. Prices on the auction site are less expensive than retailers and they fluctuate more. The best time to buy is right around an Apple product launch as customers are eager to sell their older device to get money to buy the new model. Apple hasn't formally announced any new iPad hardware for this year, so you may have to wait a while to catch one of these fire sales. Craigslist is another place to shop for iPads, but be cautious when you buy from someone you don't know. Be on guard for robbery attempts and fraudulent sellers. There are reports of people getting mugged during a sale, and people receiving books and other items instead of an iPad. Meet in a public place during the day, go with a friend and always check the box before you hand over the cash. Accessories, AppleCare+ and more An iPad is an investment and needs to be properly protected. For the younger group, the biggest danger is breaking the device, while the older students face the threat of theft. Parents of younger kids should take this into consideration and purchase a durable case for the iPad. I recommend the OtterBox cases or the Griffin Survivor cases for the best protection. High School and college students can get away with a lighter case or bag matches their style. This latter group should make sure they connect to iCloud and turn on Find My iPad as this will make it easier to track the device in the unfortunate event it is stolen. I would also recommend spending the extra $99 to purchase AppleCare+ for the device. Most importantly, this two-year extended warranty plan provides accidental damage protection. If you break your iPad, you can get a replacement device for just $50. Limit of two replacements.
Parenting Tip: Back to School guide for buying a Mac
Summer is waning, and the days of sitting in a classroom are drawing near. If you are looking for a new computer to support your future classroom activities, then read on as we have a handy rundown of the latest Mac models and some tips on getting the best deal. Mac Models 101 Apple sells six basic Mac computers -- the iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro with Retina Display, MacBook Air and Mac Pro. iMac -- The iMac is Apple's all-in-one computer and includes either a 21.5 or 27-inch display, a wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse. Prices start at $1299 and up to $1999 for the current models, with additional memory and storage adding to those prices. Mac mini -- The Mac mini is Apple's budget desktop with prices starting at $599. It's a full Mac computer stuffed inside a small, flat cube. It does not include a monitor, keyboard or mouse. It's a great option for folks who have these accessories kicking around their house. MacBook Pro -- The MacBook Pro is Apple's premier notebook line. It's portable and packs the power of the iMac and Mac mini. Compared to the slim and trim MacBook Air, the beefier MacBook Pro is more suited for at home use than traveling. It's available in 13-inch and 15-inch models with prices that start at $1499. Standard models ship with a hard disk drive, though you can upgrade to an SSD. MacBook Pro with Retina Display -- The MacBook Pro with Retina Display is Apple's newest MacBook Pro model. It includes a high-resolution Retina display, two Thunderbolt ports, and flash storage. Just like its MacBook Pro cousin, the Retina MacBook Pro is portable and packs some powerful performance under the hood. The MacBook Pro with Retina Display starts at $1499 for the base 13-inch model. MacBook Air -- The MacBook Air is Apple's hardware solution for the person always on the go. The latest MacBook Air now rocks Intel's Haswell architecture, delivering solid performance and extended battery life. Even the top of the line MacBook Air weighs in at a svelte 2.96 pounds. The MacBook Air is available in 11- and 13-inch configurations with prices starting at $999. Mac Pro -- The Mac Pro is Apple's most powerful computer. It currently ships in quad-core, 12-core and server configurations, with prices starting at $2499. Apple announced at WWDC 2013 that the Mac Pro is getting a design and hardware overhaul that promises to revolutionize the line. The Mac Pro is designed for high-performance graphics, video-editing, 3D rendering and more. In almost all cases, it's not suitable for students. Which Mac Should I Buy? We've covered buying a Mac in our previous holiday gift guides and will point you there for some sound buying advice. One outstanding primer comes from Steve Sande, who lists his recommended Macs for kids, seniors and everyone in between. I've adapted that list and updated it for 2013. In general, there are two questions you should ask yourself when buying a Mac -- how are you going to use the Mac and how long do you want it to last? The first question will determine whether you should look at the big screen of a desktop or the portability of a laptop. The second query will help set the price point as faster processors and more RAM extend the lifetime of a device, but also raise its price. Pre-schoolers -- Pre-schoolers are hard on anything they touch. They pick the keys off keyboards and steal the balls from trackball mice. Your best bet for this age group is not a Mac, but an iPad. The iOS app store is filled with educational titles that'll teach youngsters their alphabet, numbers, colors and more. Elementary Children -- Elementary children are prime candidates for a used Mac. They don't need the horsepower of the latest Core i7 and are highly likely to damage the device they are using. A bored 6-year-old could be very tempted to draw over your screen with a sharpie, while a curious 11-year-old may start to disassemble your device. Stick with a desktop, unless portability is a must. Take it from someone who knows -- if you hand a laptop to a child, he or she will walk around with it and drop it at some point. You can buy a used or refurbished Mac at any number of outlets, both locally (in most major cities) and online. Your best online options include Small Dog Electronics, OWC, PowerMax, and Apple's Refurbished store. One piece of advice -- try not to buy anything that's too old, too complicated or too easy to drop. The minimum hardware specs for OS X Mountain Lion (the latest shipping version of OS X) are an excellent guideline for parents to consult before buying a used Mac. Check to make sure you are purchasing at least the following: iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) You can expect to pay between $500 and $1800 for your average used Mac, depending on the model and specs. It goes without saying that older models will be less expensive, than newer models, which command a higher price tag. Junior and High School Students -- Junior and High School students are a lot more responsible than younger students so you may want to consider buying new instead of used. New Macs come with a one-year warranty, and you can add on AppleCare to extend that out. They also ship with the latest hardware and software, which means they will not become obsolete anytime soon. You will get several years of usage out of a new machine. It's up to a parent to decide if the child is responsible with their personal belongings and deserves a new machine. If not, you can use our tips for the Elementary group to find a suitable refurbished model. The non-retina MacBook Pro is the first choice for teens, who seek privacy and will appreciate the portability of a notebook so that they can take it away from the prying eyes of siblings and their dreaded parents. It has a middle of the road price tag and is durable. The MacBook Air is another excellent option, but I would recommend ponying up the cash for the 13-inch model, which starts at $1099. Why a MacBook Pro and not a more expensive MacBook Pro with Retina Display? That gets back to the idea of taking care of possessions and the associated replacement cost. The Retina MacBook Pro is a gorgeous machine, but it is more expensive than a similarly configured MacBook Pro. Does your teen really need that high-res display? Kids Sharing A Mac -- The best option for a multi-use device that's available to everyone is the 21.5-inch iMac. The base model starts at $1299, and comes with a 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM. It'll last for a while and is perfect for a lot of different use cases: using iTunes or any of the iLife apps, doing homework and running games. Don't forget to check Apple's refurbished store for savings on last year's iMac models. These refurbished units will save you a few hundred bucks and will serve you well for years. College Students -- It depends on what the student is studying in college, and whether or not they'll have a need to run Windows apps in a virtual machine on occasion. For most of the liberal arts students out there, a MacBook Air should fit the bill. For engineering or scientific students, look at a loaded MacBook Pro to give them the power to run CPU-intensive virtual machines or number-crunching apps. Regardless of the type of studies the student will be engaged in, portability is a necessity. How to get the best price on a new Mac Apple is known for the tight price control on its products. Apple sets a price on a unit and their resellers like Best Buy and Amazon sell it at the same or slightly lower price. Shopping around may be helpful, but you won't find a huge savings as most retailers only cut a few hundred dollars off the price of a Mac. You can buy your Mac directly from Apple's online store or by visiting an Apple Store. You will pay top dollar, but you can configure the device to meet your needs. If you are handy, you should choose the base model in most cases and add in your own RAM and SSD. Apple charges you a premium for these options and you will save $$$ by buying an SSD from OWC and memory from a company like Crucial. Before you decide to go the DIY route, check to make sure your computer is upgradeable. The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with Retina Display have limited upgrade options. Keep your eyes peeled for sales as Apple, Best Buy, MacMall, Newegg and other retailers will have Back To School sales this time of the year. The discounts won't be huge, but a hundred dollars here and another fifty dollars there will add up. DealMac.com also has a running list of sales and will send you alerts when a new deal is posted. Apple also has its own clearance store, but the inventory fluctuates. You have to buy what is being offered or keep checking back until the model you want becomes available. Unless otherwise noted, computers bought from the clearance store will include Apple's standard one-year warranty. Last but not least, if you are a student, homeschooler or a teacher, you may be eligible for an educational discount. Check out Apple's Educational store for the details.
Parenting Tip: Using the iPhone to record videos of your children
In a recent Parenting tip, I discussed photographing your children using your iPhone. Today, I am going to expand on that article and give you some tips on taking videos of your children. The iPhone is always in my pocket, which makes it perfect for capturing a quick video of my children doing something memorable. Over the years, the quality of the videos recorded by the iPhone has steadily improved. The iPhone 4 is capable of recording 720p HD video at up to 30 frames per second with audio, while both the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5 bump up the video quality to 1080p HD. You don't have the dedicated microphone jack and 50x zoom you would find in consumer-grade video cameras, but for most purposes, the iPhone is just fine for taking fantastic home videos. As I mentioned in my photo tips, I am not a pro photographer by any means, just a mom who has picked up some tips and tricks from using the iPhone as her primary camera. If you have your own suggestions, please share them in the comments. Get the best light possible Photographing kids in dim light is hard and shooting video of them is almost impossible. So many times, a wonderful clip of my child dancing like a fool has been ruined because I forget to turn on the overhead light. The iPhone just doesn't do well in low light -- videos are shadowy and the subjects are too dark. You can use the flash, but I find that the always-on flash overbrightens the area and causes your subject to squint if they look at your phone. For the best videos, turn on the lights or take your children outside in the sun. Give your video camera a few minutes to start up Unlike photos which can be captured within a few seconds, the video camera takes some time to fire up. You have to open the camera app, tap on the video camera and wait for the software to switch modes before you can press the record button. Depending on your iPhone model, it can take up to 30 seconds for all these steps. Plan accordingly or you will always be capturing your child's back as they run past you, instead of their smiling face as they run towards you. Alternatively, you can use the Camera app's ability to remember its last state to your advantage. Turn on the video camera before you want to shoot a clip and it will be ready to record the next time you open the Camera app. Take more footage than you need Always record more footage then you think you will need. Inevitably, you will stop a video early and your child will flash a smile that melts your heart and you will kick yourself for not leaving the camera on. If you capture more video than you need, you can always trim the video using the Photos app in iOS. For more advanced editing, you can download iMovie. Don't shoot in portrait Always, always, always remember to rotate your phone and shoot video in landscape mode, unless, of course, you are shooting portrait on purpose as a creative effect. A few years ago, my daughter participated in a pig scramble and captured a pig. My husband captured the event with his iPhone. He was in a rush and recorded the whole clip in portrait. We've tried watching the video a few times, but the action is so fast and the field of view so narrow that you really can't watch much more than 30 seconds of the clip without getting frustrated. Don't forget to take photos, too iOS 6 allows you to take photos at the same time you are recording a video. Just tap the camera icon when a video is recording to capture a photo. Experiment Play around with the video camera, get comfortable using it in different conditions and experiment. Most of all, have fun while you are capturing memories of your children that will last a lifetime.
Parenting Tip: Photographing your children with your iPhone
As a parent, I think the iPhone is a fantastic camera. Although it doesn't have the optics of a DSLR, it's always in my pocket, ready to snap a photo at a moment's notice. My children are my favorite subject, but I must admit -- they are a challenge to photograph. Kids don't sit still, and the iPhone just isn't good enough to freeze motion like a DSLR, especially when I'm trying to snag a photo inside my dimly lit house. Because of this camera limitation and my very active kids, a lot of my iPhone photos come out blurred. Over time, this Mom photographer (not professional by any means) has learned a few tips and tricks to increase the odds I will capture a photo that lasts a lifetime. I've listed a few of these hints below. If you have any other suggestions for photographing children, please share them in the comments. Get them to pose I will start with the most unrealistic tip as it is hard to get children to sit for a photo without moving or goofing around. Posing, however, is the easiest way to get a focused, non-blurry shot. When posing my children, I try to keep it simple and short, so I can maximize the odds that they will stay still. I try to frame the shot so they can sit or lean on something, which will help keep them from fidgeting. Giving them something to hold will work sometimes, too. I arrange my children so they have some wiggle room as well. This minimizes the chance they will poke or push each other, either on purpose or inadvertently. Turn off the flash I leave the camera flash off by default for two reasons. First, the flash slows things down. I can't tell you how many times I've missed a shot because I accidentally left the flash on. Instead of a quick snap, I have to wait for the flash to fire before the camera snaps the photo. It might only be a one second delay, but that's long enough for a smile to turn to a frown. Second, I find the flash tends to overexpose a subject, especially when you are taking a close-up photo. Turning off the flash increases the chances of getting blur in your photos, but it preserves the lighting and color balance of a shot. When possible, I'd rather turn on a few lights or take things outside, instead of using the flash. That being said, there is an exception to my "No Flash" rule. I find that the flash is great for inside or low light shots in which the subject is more than four to five feet away. In these photos, the flash does a good job of lighting the area. As a bonus, it also helps to minimize motion blur. So feel free to turn on the flash when needed for a far away shot, just remember to turn if off when you are done. Remember, the iPhone camera remembers its last state and will fire up the flash again if you used the flash in your last photo. Of course, you could set the flash to Auto and let the iPhone decide when to use it, but, in my experience, that option is not without its problems. Sometimes the flash will fire when I don't want that extra light, and other times it won't flash when I think I need it. Personally, I would rather take control over the flash by turning it off and on as needed. Take things outside Shooting photos, especially shots of kids moving, is much easier outside. The lighting outside is better, and the iPhone is able to capture motion with minimal blur. Turn Off HDR I turn off HDR as I don't want the few second lag while the iPhone saves the three photos that it uses for the effect. This lag slows down my shot-to-shot speed, which is critical when you capturing something spontaneous. For most of my kid's photos, I'd rather capture the moment than the correct shadow and highlight details. Use tap to focus Tap to focus was added in iOS 4, and it is a great feature for photographing kids. Point your iPhone at your child and tap them on the screen. The camera will focus in on them and not their background. Use the lock screen camera Don't forget that iOS 5 added the very handy lock screen access to the camera. In the bottom right corner of the lock screen is a camera icon. Tap it and swipe upwards to open the camera without typing in your password or hunting for the camera app. In this mode you only have access to the camera app and not the rest of the phone. If you can't find the camera icon on your lock screen, you may have disabled it in the Restrictions. Follow this tutorial at OS X Daily to restore the camera to your lock screen. Consider alternative apps like Fast Camera or Camera+ The iOS App Store is filled with apps that'll help you with your photo-taking. I use Fast Camera from i4Software because its rapid shutter feature lets you take a hundred photos in less than a minute. When you take this many photos in succession, you will have at least a handful of keepers. The toughest part, though, is wading through all those photos to find the gems. Another alternative is Camera+ from tap tap tap. Camera+ lets you add stabilization to your photos and take burst shots, both of which will help you snap some great images. It also has a Live Exposure setting that'll show you the ISO, f-stop and shutter speed of a shot. You can't manually change these values like you can on a DSLR, but you can add lighting to your environment to improve these parameters. When you have taken a photo, you can use Camera+ to edit the image and apply effects like a clarity filter, flash filter or backlit filter to improve the quality of the shot. When in doubt, take it out Some of the best photos I've taken have been on a whim. The one I used in this post is a great example. I was running a 2K with my kids, and I saw that they were all going to line up in front of me with their feet flying. I pulled my iPhone from my pocket, swiped up on the lock screen to quick launch the camera and grabbed a few shots. They were some of the best photos I took that day. Practice Patience Be patient and don't expect perfection as you likely won't get that one shot that has everyone smiling or even looking at you. Be in tune with your children and read their cues. Try to call it quits before they get frustrated. Keep picture taking light-hearted and fun, so your kids will be willing to pose again in the future without grumbling and you will enjoy recording their lives as they unfold.
Parenting Tip: Limit computer access with Parental Controls in OS X Mountain Lion
Earlier this year, we talked about limiting your child's access to iOS devices using Restrictions (Parental Controls). Did you know a similar set of controls exist on OS X, too? Available since OS X 10.4 Tiger, Parental Controls now allow you to limit the time your children have access to your Mac, control which websites they can view and what apps they can open. There's even an alternative, scaled-down Finder that hides most of the files on the computer. We looked at Parental Controls back in Leopard and they have changed only slightly since then. Just like earlier versions of OS X, Parental Controls in OS X Mountain Lion are available in the System Preferences panel. You will need an administrator's account to change the Parental Controls settings and an account for your children that has the Parental Controls applied to it. Click on the unlock icon on the bottom of the Parental Controls panel and then select your children's account to get started. If you don't have a children's account yet, you can create one by clicking the "+" button and then filling in the fields for the account name, password and so on. Parental Controls includes five different categories of settings that you can change. These categories are Apps, Web, People, Time Limits and Other. Clicking on a category tab will reveal the settings for each category. Below is a summary of what each tab controls: Apps: The Apps tab lets you select a simplified Finder for younger users as well as limit what applications your child can open. You can allow all App Store apps or limit your children to just a few chosen apps. Web: Web allows you to limit access to adult websites. You can also lock down all websites and use a white list to allow your children to browse only approved sites. People: People allows you to block Game Center multiplayer games and Game Center friend requests. You can also limit email and messaging to a list of allowed contacts. Time Limits: Time Limits allows you to set a schedule of computer usage for your kids. You can set both weekday and weekend hours and the duration of use. There's also a bedtime setting that'll keep the computer off limits from night owls trying to sneak a game of Minecraft while you sleep. Other: Other handles the smaller parts of the computer like disabling the camera, hiding profanity in the dictionary, disabling dictation and more. One handy feature of Parental Controls is the ability to change them remotely. I can easily change the settings on the kid's Mac mini using my MacBook Pro. If you want additional information on Parental Controls, head over to Apple's Support website and check out their "Find out how" video.
Parenting Tip: You've got a broken iOS device, now what?
Last week, our parenting tip provided you with advice about protecting your iPhone or iPad from a damaging fall. Though helpful, these tips are not foolproof, and there may be a time when you find yourself staring at a broken iOS device. My iPad 2, which was housed in a rugged case, suffered this fate recently when the screen cracked after my five-year-old stepped on it. A week later my iPad 1 screen cracked when it landed corner first on the floor. Once you have come to terms with the harsh reality that your iOS device is broken, you then need to decide what you are going to do with it. Read on for some suggestions that'll help you decide whether you should fix your device or replace it. We'll also include some tips on how to repair, replace or sell a broken device. The First Question: Repair or Replace? The first question you must ask yourself is whether you want to repair your device or replace it. You'll have to weigh factors like the cost of the repair, the cost of a replacement and the age of the device. It is hard to justify spending $200 to fix an iPad 1 when you can grab a new iPad mini for a little over $300. I've crunched these numbers and concluded that, in general, it's cost effective to fix a newer, more expensive device and dump an older device that is slower and may not run the latest version of iOS. This isn't a hard and fast rule as there are times you may want to keep the older device because it has data on it that you don't want to lose. This happened to me earlier this year when my original iPad stopped charging. It cost me $50 in parts and my own labor to fix the three-year-old tablet, but I didn't want to lose the photos stored on it. Another factor to consider is the warranty status of the device. You can't add an accidental damage warranty to a used device that you buy off of Craigslist, but you can add a plan to a new device within the first 30 days. If you think your children are prone to breaking devices, you may want to cut your loss on the the old device and replace it with a new one that has an AppleCare+ or SquareTrade warranty. What Are Your Options for Repair? If you decide to fix your iPhone or iPad, the least expensive option to get your device operational again is to fix it yourself. Many replacement parts are inexpensive and can be purchased online from places like iFixit. iFixit also has a great set of tutorials for the iPhone and iPad that'll walk you through the repair process. YouTube is another good source for repair videos, especially if you like to watch the repair before you actually start doing it. Depending on what is wrong with your device and your skill level, self repair can be a daunting task, though. I'm pretty handy when it comes to devices and tried to fix the charging port on my iPad -- it didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. I was able to replace the charging cable, but getting the display off the iPad was much more difficult than I expected. I ended up damaging the soft aluminum shell of the iPad when I pried off the screen and likely ruined any reasonable chance to resell the device. If you prefer not to crack open your iPhone or iPad, then you can travel down to your local Apple Store and get a repair quote. Depending on the problem, Apple may have to send out the device for repair. There is also a chance Apple may not be able to fix the device, as was the case with my broken charging port. It is worth noting that Apple Stores are supposedly adding tools and supplemental training so Geniuses can repair a broken iPhone screen and other common ailments right in the store. Besides Apple, there are also third-party companies like IFixYourI and eBay sellers that'll repair your iOS device for a fee. Prices vary, but most places charge just under a $100 to repair a broken screen, around $70 to replace a headphone jack and about $60 to replace a power button. Most of these services require you to send in your device for repair, and they will send it back to you when it is fixed. If you have local computer repair shops, check with them, too, as many offer repair services for the iPad and iPhone. Repairing broken hardware like a screen or a button is pretty straightforward -- buy the broken part and replace it. Water damage, though, is handled a bit differently as it can affect multiple parts of your device and critical components like the motherboard. Most repair companies will try to fix a water damaged device, but they won't charge you when you send in your device. The technicians will examine the device and determine if they can fix it before talking to you about repair costs. Be prepared as water damage can be expensive to fix. What if You Want to Replace Your Device? If you want to replace your device instead of repair it, you have several options to buy new or used gear. The easiest and cheapest way to get a replacement device is to exercise the replacement clause on your warranty. If you purchased an AppleCare+ warranty for your iPhone or iPad, then you can go to an Apple Store and get a replacement for $50. You are allowed two replacements while the plan is in effect. SquareTrade offers a similar replacement plan that includes a $50 deductible for each replacement. With SquareTrade, you can get up to four replacements over the life of the plan. Apple also offers an Out-of-Warranty Service option that lets you trade-in your broken device and purchase a replacement device at a reduced cost. Accidental damage is covered by this service, with the exception of catastrophic damage like your iPad being cut in half. Apple will replace your iPad with a similar, new or like new iPad model for a fee. The cost varies by device with an iPad mini costing $219, an iPad 3/4 costing $299 and an iPad 1/2 costing $249 to replace. Similar terms exist for the iPhone with a replacement cost of $229 for an iPhone 5, $199 for an iPhone 4S and $149 for an iPhone 4 or older model device. If you have a newer model iPad or iPhone without an accidental damage warranty, this replacement option is less expensive than buying a brand new device. You can also choose to buy a replacement device on eBay or Craigslist. You will save some cash by purchasing from a third-party seller, but you run the risk of buying a stolen device or one that has a hidden problem. If you want to buy a replacement and don't mind spending the money, I would recommend buying new from Apple or another authorized reseller. With a new device, you can purchase a warranty with accidental damage coverage and not have to worry about losing your $500 investment the next time your device hits the pavement. Where to Sell Your Broken iOS Device? If you decided to buy a new iOS device, you likely still have the broken one sitting on your shelf, collecting dust. Don't let it just sit there and decay, do something with it. You can either recycle it through Apple's recycle program or sell it to someone who can fix it. Resellers like Gazelle and uSell are two of the few services that'll pay you money for your broken devices. Prices are good but not great. Gazelle will pay you $125 for a broken 16GB iPhone 5, while uSell located a buyer who would pay $160. Apple also will take your broken device, but it won't pay you for it. Amazon doesn't even have an option for a broken device. Last but not least, you can always sell your broken iOS device on eBay or Craigslist. You may get more money going this route, but you will have to take the time to accurately describe the damage to your device so you won't disappoint your buyers.
Parenting Tip: Protecting your iOS device from bumps, bruises and bashes
Having a naked iPhone or iPad around kids means living in constant fear of one of them snagging the device and dropping smashing it on the floor. Though the iPhone and iPad are lovely devices when they are undressed, parents who want to keep their devices in pristine condition would be wise to adorn them in a case that protects them from the bumps and bruises of living in a child-filled household. Below you will find our recommended cases as well as other accessories to help you child-proof your iOS device. Cases for the iPhone and iPad The case is your first line of defense in protecting your iPhone or iPad. You'll want to choose one that provides corner protection during a fall and is sturdy enough to prevent your child from denting the device when they bump into a corner. If it has a cover, use it! A coverless case won't protect the device if the screen is impacted. I recently lost an iPad 2 because my child dropped the device and then stepped on the screen. LifeProof LifeProof isn't a super durable case, but it'll protect your device from most minor falls. It'll also protect it from a drop in the toilet or the sink. You can read our review of the LifeProof case for the iPhone 4. As an aside, OtterBox just acquired LifeProof, so I would expect to see the products continue to be sold under the OtterBox umbrella. OtterBox OtterBox makes some of the best rugged cases for the iPad and iPhone. There's the new Armor series that are rugged and waterproof as well as the trustworthy Defender series, which offers robust protection from a fall. You can read our review of the Armor case for the iPhone 5 and our review of the early Defender case for the iPad and the iPhone. Griffin Survivor Series Griffin produces the Survivor series of cases for the iPad and the iPhone, which we reviewed a few years back. The Survivor is a rugged case for the iPhone and iPad that is right up there with OtterBox in terms of quality and price. I've used one on my iPad 2 for years, and it protected the device from many near catastrophic falls. The version I had also included a nice little stand that was great for watching videos. Screen Protector An often overlooked accessory that I always buy is a screen protector. It seems whenever my kids spend any amount of time with the iPad, it comes back gooey and sticky. A screen protector wont do much to protect your device in the event of a fall, but it will make it easy to clean. I have successfully used Zagg InvisibleShield, BodyGuardz and Best Skins Ever screen protectors. Depending on what case you buy, it may come with screen protector as part of the case. You'll want to check out the case you plan on buying before you spend an extra $20 on a screen protector that you don't need. AppleCare Spend the extra money to add AppleCare to your device. The version of AppleCare for the iPhone and iPad, called AppleCare+, will provide you with a replacement device at minimal cost when (not if) the device gets damaged. You are limited to two replacements for the life of the plan.
Parenting Tip: How to control what your child watches on YouTube
My kids are growing up as part of the internet generation and, as a result, they love watching videos online. Being good internet citizens, it's not surprising their favorite videos involve cats doing silly tricks. I would love to let them loose on YouTube to watch their cat videos, but there is an unsavory side to the video website that pops up in searches or YouTube's suggested videos list. Here are a few tips to help parents control the content that their child views on YouTube, and on the web, in general. Filtering on OS X The quickest and easiest way to make YouTube kid-friendly is to enable Safety Mode. Safety Mode will screen out potentially objectionable content, so children can view YouTube in a web browser without unsavory videos and vulgar comments floating to the top. You can turn on Safety Mode by scrolling to the bottom of any YouTube page and clicking the drop-down menu in the "Safety" section. If you are logged into your YouTube account, you can lock this feature so it is always enabled. If you have multiple browsers, you have to open each browser and repeat this process to make sure Safety Mode is turned on in each one. YouTube warns parents that this feature is not 100 percent foolproof, and some objectionable content could seep through its filters. If you want an extra layer of security, you can install third-party filtering tools like Safe Eyes from McAfee or Net Nanny. These services cost money, but they filter all the websites that your children visit, not just YouTube. There are browser-based extensions like FoxFilter for FireFox or Blocksi for Chrome that also filter website content. If you use Safari, parents can use the built-in filtering feature that is enabled when you turn on parental controls in OS X. Parents looking for a house-wide filtering solution that works with all devices should look at OpenDNS and its parental control service. OpenDNS routes all your internet traffic through its server and filters that traffic for adult content, social networking sites, video sharing sites and more. You have control over the categories of content that they want to block. Filtering on iOS A growing number of kids are watching videos using an iPad, an iPhone or an iPod touch, and as expected, most of the parental controls you use on the desktop don't extend to mobile. You can turn on YouTube Safe Search in mobile Safari or in the YouTube app to prevent access to provocative content, but I would rather have precise control over the videos that my kids watch on iOS. Unlike a desktop or laptop, which is easy to see even from across the room, a mobile device can be propped up in a lap and easily hidden from your view. I prefer to impose stricter restrictions than follow my children around the house peering over their shoulder to see what they are watching on the iPad. There are several options to limit YouTube content on an iOS device. You can choose to install an app like iTubeList (iOS Universal, free with in-app purchase to disable ads), which plays only YouTube playlists. You can setup a playlist with child-friendly videos and then turn your child loose with the iTubeList app. A similar app is KidSafe Tube (iOS Universal, $2.99), which filters YouTube content and allows you to add single videos, playlists, YouTube channels or search results to a blocked content list. An alternative to a dedicated YouTube app is a kid-safe browser like Ranger Browser or Maxthon browser. These apps monitor all web traffic, not just YouTube and have additional features that allow parents to monitor their children's web usage. Besides limiting access to websites using blacklists and whitelists, Ranger Browser also saves a browser history and lets you set the time that you child can use the web. Maxthon browser has a kid-friendly UI and uses a safe list that allows you to setup a list of accessible sites. Any content, including advertisements and links, not on your list will be blocked.
Parenting Tip: Using Find My iPhone to locate a misplaced iOS device
We've read countless stories about Find My iPhone and how it has helped police recover a stolen iOS device. The service is great for this type of field work, but did you know that Find My iPhone can help you find an iOS device that's been misplaced around your house? If you are a parent of little ones, you undoubtedly have experienced that frustrating moment when you need to leave for an appointment and can't find your iPhone. You remember placing your phone on your desk, but it's now missing because your tot has snatched it and casually tossed it aside. You try to interrogate your little one to find out where he or she left your iPhone, but all they do is point to their cup or the potty. One easy way to locate an iPhone that's been stashed in a toy box or dropped behind the couch is to use the "Play Sound" feature of Find My iPhone. It's a no-frills locator beacon for your iOS device. To find your phone, you need to login to iCloud on your computer by going to icloud.com and entering your Apple ID credentials. After you login, you can click on the Find My iPhone icon to view all your iCloud devices, including your missing iPhone, on a map. You can also follow the same procedure described below using the Find My iPhone app on an iPad or another iPhone. Once you have found your iPhone on the map, select it to open a small box with the name of the device and details about when it was last located. You can then click on the "i" in the corner of this box. This "i" stands for information and clicking on it opens a small window with several options to let you locate or lock down a missing device. In this article, I am focusing on the "Play Sound" option that'll let you play a sound on your missing device. When you click or tap on "Play Sound," your iPhone immediately starts beeping with a loud, resounding beep. It continues to beep until you find your device and turn off this beacon. This beeping sound is loud enough that it won't be muffled by a couch cushion or anything else that may be hiding your iPhone. It's not the traditional usage of the Find My iPhone service, but it works well for iPhones and even iPads that have gone missing in your house or car. I've used it successfully dozens of times since this feature debuted a few years ago.
Parenting Tip: Limit screen time using Kaboom App Timer
Limiting screen time is a challenge for any parent. It's easy to hand an iPad to your kids and even easier to get distracted and forget to take it away. One way to move that responsibility away from your forgetful self and onto the device is using the Kaboom App Timer. As its name implies, Kaboom is a timer that runs in the background while your child plays with your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. Kaboom has two timers -- one called Play and one called Rest. Play is the amount of time you want your child to use the device, and rest is the amount of time the device is not accessible to play. Each timer is based in minutes / hours and can be set for as little as five minutes or as long as 24 hours. Unfortunately, there is no clock option so you can't set the device for play time from say 8:00 - 10:00 AM and rest for the remainder of the day. Before you can use Kaboom, you have to set up the alerts in settings > notifications and change the alert type from banners to screen alerts. Once that is done, you can open Kaboom, set the play and rest timers and let your child enjoy some time with your iOS device. When their play time is up, a screen and sound alert will let your child know it is time to take a rest. During rest time, the app disables your device by sending a screen alert every time your child moves away from the Kaboom app. These alerts have a Close and OK button. Pressing Close will send a continuous stream of alerts to the device, while pressing OK will bring your child back to the Kaboom app and put a stop to the alerts. These constant, nagging alerts make it difficult, if not impossible, for your child to use the device during rest time. Of course, savvy children will learn very quickly that they can just turn off the timer in the Kaboom app to stop the nagging alerts. Thankfully, a parental lock feature prevents kids from making any changes without typing in a passcode. If they are determined, a child can fight their way through the stream of alerts and turn off notifications in the settings. Hopefully, an attentive parent will notice this flurry of alerts and intervene to take the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch away. Kaboom - App timer is available in the iOS App store for US$0.99. It's well worth the dollar to help you control your children's time in front of the screen.
