AuntieTuaw
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Dear Aunt TUAW: RSS in the clouds
Dear Auntie TUAW, I'll admit it... I'm a news junkie. Podcasts, RSS feeds, the works! RSS feeds are what I am wondering about today. You see, I like to skim my RSS headlines, read the feed items that catch my eye, and not have any items automatically delete or disappear. My current setup is using Mail's RSS functionality and then manually deleting the articles I don't want. I'm fine with that, heck, ... I prefer it that way. But ever since I got my shiny, new iPad, I've been wondering if there is a better way. See, I like to read RSS feeds on my morning and evening commutes. (Don't worry, Auntie, ... I take the train.) Hence, my problem. I read and delete or read and save an article on my iPad, but then I have to manually reconcile my feeds with those on my home computer. Ideally, what I'd like to do is have an RSS client "in the cloud" and then be able to access it from my iPad, my Mac, and maybe even my work computer and my BlackBerry. Basically have it function like an IMAP-push mail server, if you get my drift. I checked out Google Reader, but it seems lacking. Any suggestions? Hugs and snuggles! Erik
Dear Aunt TUAW: Burn baby burn
Dear Aunt TUAW, Is iTunes slowly encouraging the death of CDs? The burn icon at the bottom of the interface has disappeared as you can see in this screen shot. Concerned, Your nephew Sean
Dear Aunt TUAW: location voodoo
Dear Aunt TUAW, I've recently become the proud owner of a 3rd generation iPod touch. I found the Nike+ app that uses some strange GPS/wifi-triangulation scheme to locate me and how far I run/walk. How does the iPod touch do this? Is it magnets? Smoke? Mirrors? Is this a reliable location-reckoning system? There are a lot of rumors abounding on the Interwebs, and I know you'll get to the bottom of it, Auntie. Love & tickles, Your nephew Marc H.
Dear Aunt TUAW: dock my iPhone to my iPad
Dear Aunt TUAW, I wish I could dock my iPhone right into the side or back of a large iPad screen. And then have the iPad run off my phone. That way I could have a large screen when I need it. But when I leave the house for a walk, I could take the smaller device (the iPhone) out and carry it in my pocket. Love and snuggles, Your nephew Gary
Dear Aunt TUAW: From Earth to Romania
Dear Aunt TUAW, I have a late 2008 MacBook Pro and a 4 year old MacBook Pro that I will be taking to Romania next month to give to my in-laws so we can video conference with them. Seeing as they are not very computer literate, I want to be able to perform remote control / screen sharing in case the need should arise. I know that OSX has built-in screen sharing capabilities on a local network, but over the Internet is something else altogether. I know that there are several services, such as LogMeIn, that provide this service for a fee, but I was wondering if I could do this without paying for a service. Can you direct me to some documentation as to how to set this up? ssh configuration, port forwarding on the firewall, etc.... that might be able to get me started? Or make a recommendation that would be how you would do this. Love, Your Nephew Chris M.
Dear Aunt TUAW: What's in Apple's guitar hole?
Dear Aunt TUAW, Maybe I'm completely wrong, but I eventually demystified the Apple 9/1/2010 Press Invitation. I had a look at the press release image I found on www.fscklog.com (it's a little bigger than yours) in Photoshop. Instinctively the soundhole was very interesting to me, especially the "barely lit" part underneath the strings, where you can see the inside of the guitar back. Classic guitars typically have a label of the guitar maker there and in the image you can barely see something that could be a label. I found it very interesting that the Apple creative crew was so picky in such a detail, so this again pulled my attraction. Of course, it would simply look odd, if you couldn't see anything of the guitar's inside from a front shot like this, so maybe there's nothing special about it. I then inverted the image in Photoshop and there was a "label" clearly visible.
Dear Aunt TUAW: $1.39 iPad holder
Dear Aunt TUAW: Behold the $1.39 iPad holder. It holds the iPad perfectly in both orientations. All of the iPad users in my office have one, and it's the best. It's very very stable, too. Love and kissies, Your nephew Joel
Dear Aunt TUAW: Will my MacBook Air Ethernet adapter work with my iPad?
Dear Aunt TUAW, Whoa, it's sure been hot here in Texas lately, so it's a good thing you're staying in air-conditioned comfort at the resort there in Florida. That reminds me of something I meant to ask you... Since I'm basically hanging out in my dorm room with its gigabit Ethernet connection to beat the heat, I'd love to figure out a way to hook that big pipe to my iPad. Remember the old MacBook Air that I got rid of? Well, I still have the USB Ethernet Adapter for it, and I was wondering if plugging that into the USB port on the iPad Camera Connection Kit would give me a way to use Ethernet on the iPad. I don't have a Camera Connection Kit, but if this works, I'll run out and buy one as soon as I get money from Mom & Dad. Stay cool, Your loving nephew, Chris
Dear Aunt TUAW: Why is iTunes deleting my apps?
Dear Auntie TUAW, Thought I'd send this up to see if y'all can reproduce it too. I'd seen reports on the Apple discussions that when folks were plugging into iTunes, any app they had installed directly on the iPhone was being deleted instead of transferred back. Mine does this as well, which is quite annoying! Can y'all reproduce it or are only some of us suffering this one? I've checked all the settings, de-authorized and authorized my computer, just did a restore and setup as new a few days back. Updates transfer back just fine, but good luck keeping a new app on there!!!! Love & huggies, Your niece Lauren
Dear Aunt TUAW: Why is my iPhone sales tax so high?
Dear Aunt TUAW, I tried over 40 times throughout the day to order from the Apple Store. Then in the evening here in California, I succeeded. The screen said shipping by June 24th. In the confirmation email the next morning, the delivery is now July 6-8! Also, here in California the sales tax is on the unbundled [unsubsidized] price, even though I qualified for the $299 upgrade. The tax is $57.67, which is based on the $599 price. So, I am paying almost 20 percent in taxes. Does that mean that for everything I buy here in California I will pay taxes on the highest price the manufacturer can charge?!? Then why buy something on sale if the state government eats up the savings in taxes. I am really steamed about this! Your disgruntled nephew, Z.
Dear Aunt TUAW: Do I need my cable caps?
Dear Aunt TUAW, Wow, it's a new record! I opened my iPad Camera Connection Kit about 20 minutes ago and have already misplaced one of the caps ... Help me, Aunt TUAW. How do I keep my caps under control? Love and hugs, Your loving nephew Stevie
Dear Aunt TUAW: How do I print from my iPad?
Dear Aunt TUAW, I'm trying to figure out how to print from my iPad. I use mine, which is an awesome 64GB WiFi+3G system, for school and work. A 16GB Wi-Fi iPad is the only computer my mother has. My mom does have a wireless printer at home connected to my Dad's computer. We both use Windows (XP and 7 respectively) and HP printers. I've been round and round in the App Store and can't make sense out of all of the so-called printer apps in it. Help! Kisses and cuddles, Your Dear Nephew Jeremy Read on for Auntie's response...
Dear Aunt TUAW: Transferring iWork files from iPad without iTunes
Dearest Aunt TUAW, Is there a way to transfer files from apps like Keynote and Pages to a computer that does not have iTunes installed? Yours truly, Nephew Jack Read on for Auntie's answer.
Dear Aunt TUAW: Which 3G plan should I opt for?
Dear Aunt TUAW, I'm getting a new iPad 3G. I understand the bit about no contract and $15 a month for 250mb but wonder about how does 250mb relate to web usage. I have heard some say the web surfing can consume a lot of "bandwidth" but have no idea what that means relative to 250mb of data plan use. I am not an AT&T fan (still waiting for Verizon or Sprint to get the iPhone) and am always reluctant to sign up for a 2 year contract for anything. My wife has an iPad wireless model and she has had no trouble web surfing, e-mail etc, at the house or our apartment in the city.
Dear Aunt TUAW: Apple borked my box. Now what?
Dear Aunt TUAW, I ordered a 32GB iPad WiFi+3G model back in March, shortly after they were announced. I ordered a few accessories too, each of which has shipped separately ahead of the iPad. I received the first accessory today via FedEx--the iPad Dock. I've always been a fan of Apple's packaging and the dock is no exception. As so, I'm always especially carefully when opening Apple stuff as not to damage the packaging. What I did find a little odd, though, is that they put one of those plastic tabs (as if it was hanging in a retail store) right over the only opening to the box. Despite my best efforts, I wasn't able to remove the plastic tab that was VERY well affixed to the box without damaging it and leaving glue-like residue behind. I guess I won't be saving this well-designed box for the future -- unless you can help! Thanks in advance for any advice. Love, your nephew, Andrew B.
Dear Aunt TUAW: Did Steve Jobs gift me an iPad?
Dear Auntie T, Hi! First time writer. I was just curious if anyone else was receiving an email like I received. My first instinct is to say it is fake and/or an April Fools' joke. However I want to be sure. The entire message is below. From: Steve Jobs Subject: Congratulations! You've won an iPad! Date: April 1, 2010 4:05:24 PM CDT To: [Redacted] Reply-To: steve.jobs@apple.com Dear Kris [Redacted], You are the winner of a brand new Apple iPad! Please show up at your nearest Apple Store on saturday April 3rd from 9am to 3pm. Bring an official ID an give Authorization Code # [Removed just in case it is real.] I personally hope you enjoy our new product! Steve Jobs Apple Corp. Please give me your take on this. Thanks! Love the site. Love and Kissies, Kris McG.
Dear Aunt TUAW: Why GPS?
Normally readers write directly to Aunt TUAW using our tips line or feedback form. But today, we're switching things up a bit. Instead, Auntie is responding to a comment left on her last post about whether you should buy the Wi-Fi only iPad or wait for the 3G version. That's because Aunt TUAW has a bug up her sleeve about GPS and its role on the iPhone, the iPad, and its tie to social media. Without further ado, here's today's "letter" and Auntie's response. Dear Aunt TUAW, I'm on Facebook, but why do people need to read Facebook updates when they're traveling? Whatever happened to looking out the window at new places? And geez, how about a simple paper map?!? If I have to go somewhere new, I print out a Google map before the trip or bring the old Rand-McNally. I may be weird, but look at all the dough I saved. :-) I live in northern New Mexico with wilderness available just a few miles outside of town. We hike and walk everywhere, assuming the MUD isn't so bad. I've never used an iPhone or a GPS device of any kind. What I'm wondering is, just why do people have those things? Seriously. Is it just a game? I take hikes in the backcountry with a compass and a topo map, just like in the old days with the Boy Scouts. :-) I can look at a hillside and point to where it is on the map. I almost always know where I am. So what is it about living in a city, forgodssakes, that makes one addicted to GPS??? Aren't there street signs? If you didn't have GPS, would you just sit down on the curb and have a nervous breakdown?!? Sincerely, John Hamilton Farr
Dear Auntie TUAW: I've got a great idea, now what?
Dear Auntie T., I have the best idea for an iPhone app, well, modestly speaking, ever! So how do I sell this great idea? Is there a forum for discussing how to get an idea sold? Any help you can offer will be appreciated. Love and kissies and hugs, Your nephew, Mike (who isn't Max) Read Auntie's answer below!
Dear Aunt TUAW: What's the low down on battery packs?
Dear Aunt TUAW, Boxcar is killing my battery life (at least, that's what I'm guessing -- I love Boxcar, but since I began getting 20+ notifications a day, I'm seeing the battery drain quite a bit faster). What kind of battery pack can you recommend to help my poor iPhone stay online and available? I need to stay connected. Thanks in advance from your favorite nephew, Mikey Read on for Auntie's reply
Dear Aunt TUAW: Recovering iPhone data and media
Dear Aunt TUAW, I'm from the Philippines and I would just like to ask for your help. I don't know if the news had reached you guys but there had been some massive flood lately in our country brought about by super typhoons storming over our land. Anyway, I own an iPhone and thank God I brought it with me when the flash flood came which sadly destroyed my PC and laptop. Now I have a new desktop which leads me to my problem. I'm afraid to install iTunes in it because if ever I'd sync my phone with the new desktop, I'm pretty sure all my iPod files will be gone. Are there any work around for it (so that I can still save my files on my phone)? Will jailbreaking help (as a last resort)? Thanks and more power! =) Best regards, Rand B. Read on for Auntie's answer...
