Apple Device(s) Tips

Position cursor easily using Spacebar
https://www.howtogeek.com/708842/the-easiest-way-to-move-the-text-cursor-on-ipad-and-iphone/

Use Dictation (versus typing) on the Ipad
https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/dictate-text-ipad997d9642/ipados

Apple Watch Serial Number
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-find-apple-watch-serial-number

Can You Share/Collaborate Notes on iPhone - Yes

Can you share notes on iPhone? Absolutely! With your iPad or iPhone Notes app you can share notes with friends, family, and coworkers, giving them access to edit and add their own thoughts. Read on to learn how to create a shared note in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.

Instructions: How To Share Notes

Prevent iPhone Web & App Tracking

Apps that you install on your phone can sometimes track your web and app activity outside of those particular apps—even when you’re not using them. This activity data is often sold to third parties to help them make advertising decisions. With iOS 15, they can’t track your data on the iPhone without your permission, but sometimes it’s easier to just stop apps from asking in the first place. We'll show you how.

Read: Prevent Web & App Data Tracking on Your iPhone

Security tip: The right way to clean out your phone apps

The process is simple. Go through each of your apps and ask yourself “Do I really need this?” But it’s not as simple as just uninstalling the apps you don’t use anymore. 

You need to take a few vital steps to delete apps the right way and protect your privacy.Here are some tips, however open the link to get the non-tech details. iPhone shown but detials are provided in the link for Android.

1. Check which you use the most, how much data and which are battery hogs
2. Log into each account and deactivate or delete (check out JustDelete.me)
3. Check and remove app permissions

Source: Kim Komando https://bit.ly/3l5QLhw

Low Power Mode saves battery power. Some users keep it on the vast majority of the time. I do. However, whenever they go to charge their phone, eventually it’s charged enough for Low Power Mode to turn itself off. You can easily re-enable Low Power Mode from your Lock screen. 

• Manually Enable Low Power Mode
• Keep Low Power Mode On All the Time
• Turn Permanent Low Power Mode Off

 * This post is part of iPhone Life's Tip of the Day newsletter. Sign Up. *

30 Tips to Save iPhone Battery

Here they are ...

01 Stop background app refresh
02 Buy an Extended Life Battery
03 Don't Auto Update Apps
04 Don't Take App Suggestions
... continue 26 more tips here
... but the big win was Turn On Low Power Mode in Control Center

 

Improving Battery Life Issues in iOS

In General and specifically after the 14.6 iOS upgrade.

Here are some helpful tips to help improve battery life on iPhone or iPad experiencing battery issues:

1. Leave the iPhone (or iPad) plugged in/online overnight for background system tasks to complete
2. Disable Background App Refresh via Settings > General > Background App Refresh > OFF
3. Review the Battery overview on your iPhone for leads on what the issue is by going to Settings > Battery
4. If the Podcasts app seems to be the problem, consider deleting the Podcasts app (long press on the Podcasts icon, then choose “Remove App”) and using an alternate podcast app for the time being, like Overcast
5. Use Low Power Mode to prolong battery life (Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode > ON)
6. Update apps via App Store
7. Install iOS / iPadOS updates when they become available
8. Review additional tips about improving battery life of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 for iPhone and iPad

How to Type Faster on Your Phone

 Four ways to be more efficient whan typing on your phone (any phone)

1. Use two thumbs - research shows shorter movements allow you to type faster
2. Keep your gaze mainly on the keyboard - note how often you change attention
3. Fix errors as fast and as you can - backspace one letter is faster than many
4. Pay attention to finger movements
4a. Be aware of letters or word errors and paractice them

Maximizing Battery Life and Lifespan (Apple Devices)

Here is a 'long-lost' article that Apple has buried in their archives.

“Battery life” is the amount of time your device runs before it needs to be recharged. “Battery lifespan” is the amount of time your battery lasts until it needs to be replaced. Maximize both and you’ll get the most out of your Apple devices, no matter which ones you own.

Source: https://www.apple.com/batteries/maximizing-performance/

iPhone 12 Pro

I am moving on up! Well it was time to move to the current century and replace my iPhone 6s+ to the iPhone 12 Pro. Why? The '6' will lose support near term, improved security (Face ID), much improved camera with 3 lens, low-light sensor, digital measurement capability LiDAR and ready for 5G (when available). Most importantly, this will allow me to replace my LX-5 'pocket' camera for on the go captures - now replaced with the iPhone 12 Pro.

Prep, Setup and first time findings:

• best way to 'transfer' settings and data from old to new phone - use iCloud
  
• vet all existing apps and remove those minimally used
• confirm 'apps using iCloud' (so their data can be restored to new phone
• 'Backup Now' the old phone 
• in new phone Setup process use Restore from iCloud to move settings and data
• same lightning cable as older phones
  
• no 'Home' button - thought to be an issue - no problemo
  
• tapping screen launches Home page
• Face ID is effective and very fast - two ID's allowed
• swipe slide bar on Home screen to open Home
• slide bar on Home screen bottom allows switch between active screen and last 
• slow swipe-up slide bar to achieve old way to view all open apps
• do not fast swipe up on open apps to remove or close apps - not needed
  
• access Control Center via swipe top right to bottom left of screen
• cases - several sites recommend Spigen - my choice Liquid: thin/non-slip
• Siri - press right-side button for Siri
  
• Siri - turned off 'Listen for Siri' to avoid continuous listening by Apple
  
• open Privacy and confirm what apps need Location Services 'On' 
• open iCloud and confirm which apps you want to access/sync with servers
• more findings as I find them to be posted below ... 
• First Things First for new iPhone 12 https://bit.ly/32K7r5K
  
• How to Use iPhone 12 Pro Camera https://bit.ly/3px3HOu
  

How to Use the iPhone Camera

Great How-To Guide for optimizing your photo captures using the iPhone. Included instruction ...

• Launching the Camera App - use the Control Center
• The Basics - a quick summary of the features
• Control Focus and Exposure - yes, with your fingers
• Switching lenses - for those that have multiple lenses
• Optical and Digital Zoom - digital zoom bring 'noise' and loss of quality
• Shooting Video - position yourself and move/pan slowly and steadily
• Portrait Mode - works, but has issues
• Shooting Low Light - for newer phones but most often best with flash off
• Live View - 1.5 secs before and after Camera Captures Subject
• Setting you may want to Change

Full Article - How to Use the iPhone Camera

iOS 13 Features I Found (and like)

iOS 13.1 is available for updating. It includes patches for bugs found in the first release - 13.0. I am currently exploring it's features and summarizing the most useful features (IMO). If you like something, search using keywords.

• Dark Mode is now universal and can be time set
• Notes app: much improved (ordering, headings, checklists and more)
• Notes app: contains 'swipe type' just like the SwiftKey app (like a mouse)
• Notes app: now allows drag & drop organizing of folders (and sub-folders)
• Notes app: checklist also has drag & drop organizing
• Privacy: Location Services can be disabled until you 'Allow' once
• Privacy: Bluetooth Request allows the user to decide to allow or not
• Photos App: with Dark Mode - cool; Days selects 'best' pics 
• Maps: Use 'Collections' in Maps to create a list of places you want to go

Moving iPhone Photos to a Computer

Here are ways to copy your iPhone photos from your iPhone to your Mac and also to your computer (PC).
 

#1 Self Share - Simply select the desired photos in the phone’s photo app and ‘share’ via email to yourself. Open the computer and your email service and save photos to the computer (folder).

#2 Using iPhone and Mac - use AirDrop. Select the desired photos and click the share button. In ‘share’ tap AirDrop icon. In a second or two nearby devices will be visible, then select your Mac. Note: AirDrop must be enabled on both devices. Typically the image files are placed in your download folder. See http://bit.ly/2KC1Xjp

#3 Enable Google Photos - not only a means to move photos from an iPhone to a computer, but my recommended method to backup all mobile phone photos and computer photos to the cloud for free. Use (or create a Google account) and on the computer, open Google photos and simply upload any an all photos to the Cloud. Once opened, look for link ‘Upload’. For the mobile phone, install Google Photos from the App store. Essentially the same process for the iPhone. Read How To http://bit.ly/2KGlwqK

Is Your TV and Phone Spying On You?

Owning a smart TV is one of the most convenient perks of our modern digital world. This is, of course, when your TV directly connects to the internet and lets you access your streaming services and apps without the need for another external gadget. However, is it spying on you? 
Read: TV and iPhone Spying and what you can do.

Stop Your Phone from Tracking You

Phones keep track of where you are and how long you stay there. It even knows where you live and work based on how long you're there and the number of times you go. Here is how to turn that off.

iPhone: Click "Settings" > Go to "Privacy" > Select "Location Services" > Scroll down to "System  Services" > Choose "Significant Locations" to see the logged record of where you've been; de-select this to turn it off. You can also clear your history here by clicking "Clear History."

Android: Open the App Drawer and go to "Settings" > Scroll down and tap "Location" > Scroll down and tap "Google Location Settings" > Tap "Location Reporting" and "Location History" and switch the slider to off for each one. 
To delete your device's location cache, tap "Delete Location History" at the bottom of the screen under "Location History". Repeat this process for each Google Account you have on your Android device

iPhone Intermittent Charging with Lightning Connection

Over time, debris, fuzz, dust and unknowns can find their way into the small charging port of your iPhone causing some minor charging problems. You notice this when your phone doesn't charge and when you grab and apply additional force to reset connector - it works. 

.. Solution: Remove the lint, fuzz and dust from the Port
.. My approach: Use a wooden or plastic toothpick and remove the debris
.. Result: So-so
.. Next: Visit the Apple Store and have them check the port
.. Genius Tech Solution: 1) blow out port, 2) using a thin metal 'paper clip' she carefully removes the stuck debris, 3) place a moist (not wet) toilette over the port and swab the port interior again using the metal paper clip being careful NOT to damage the small connectors
.. Result: Perfect!

Some options to consider:
1) place a 1" piece of electrical tape over the base of the phone 
2) purchase lightning port plugs for $7.00 https://amzn.to/2R6whnz
3) monthly (or periodically) check the port and blow out the debris
4) buy a new phone monthly and give the used phone to Bob

iPhone /iPad Secret - a Mouse (more like a touchpad)

How would you like to place your iPhone or iPad cursor just where you need it (between words, within a word to make a correction or add a space) as if you had a mouse? Simple. With the content open, just long press on your keyboard's space bar or any keyboard letter. Then while holding, place your cursor anywhere you want ... and release. Cool!

How to Stop iPhone Apps from Tracking You

Recent stories in the news and on the web show how easy Google and Facebook can track your everywhere being. Did you know that similarly apps you have installed on your phone can also identify and locate people through anonymized data that’s almost constantly being collected by those apps on our phones?

Here's how to easily to stop some or all of them from doing so. https://cnb.cx/2UIYfZx

How to Clean an iPad Screen

The critical point to remember is 
.. Never use a cleaner or solvents
.. Only use water and a micro-fiber cloth

For all those that prefer a step by step procedure:
1. Unplug your iPad.
2. If you keep your iPad in a protective case, carefully remove the case.
3. Lightly dampen the cloth with water. Do not use cleaners or solvents. Make sure the cloth is free of lint.
4. Use the cloth to wipe the screen. Start at the top and use gentle, side-to-side movements to clean the entire screen. Do not get moisture in any openings, including the camera or the headphone jack.
5. Allow the iPad to air dry.
6. Replace the protective case.

Also, see 'Clean Your iPhone'

What Does Apple Have on You - Go Here

Apple has launched a privacy website that allows you to download all the information Apple has on you that is stored on their servers. 

Go to privacy.apple.com. This is where you'll choose exactly what you want to download. You can select certain things that might be important, like your App Store activity or all the notes you've stored in iCloud. If there are items you don't use, then you don't have to check them.

At the bottom of the page you'll see a list of files that might be large, like your entire iCloud photo library.