iPhone Life - Best Apps, Top Tips, Great Gear
3 New Things to Do on FaceTime with SharePlay
By Elisabeth Garry
iOS 15 (currently in beta and available to the public in fall 2021) brings with it many FaceTime updates, including SharePlay, which gives you the ability to FaceTime screen share, watch movies or TV shows, and stream music with family and friends. In this article, we'll go over how to do all three, so you can get more from your FaceTime experience.
Apple's Photos app automatically creates Memory Mixes, which are collections of photos displayed as a musical slideshow. These are customizable and can be a fun way to see and share memories. We'll show you how to find Memory Mixes in the Photos app on iPhone and iPad.
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Master the Notes with This 2022 Guide Update
(Sponsored Post) By Olena Kagui on Wed, 08/10/2022
We've been busy at iPhone Life creating new guides and updating our existing ones. With all the ongoing changes to the latest iPhone operating system, we've been updating our guides with fresh steps, videos, and screenshots! The Notes app is a core app for iPhone users, and the 2022 Guide update is available to help you stay organized and experience a productivity boost. This updated in-depth guide is available exclusively to iPhone Life Subscribers later this month.
VLC for iOS Returns to the App Store
By Werner Ruotsalainen
VLC is probably the best all-in-one multimedia player for both Mac OS X and Windows. It also has ports on mobile platforms (or will have when Windows RT and Windows Phone 8 are concerned).
The iOS port, which was released back in 2010, had a stormy history. Shortly after its release, it had to be removed from the App Store, only to return almost three years later, this week VLC for iOS (free). Before, the only VLC version available on iOS was from Cydia, the jailbroken App Store. The Cydia version of VLC has always been the same as the 2010 (initial) version of VLC.
The removal of the initial version of VLC has understandably caused quite much uproar because people tend to think of VLC as the best of all players no matter what platform it's running on. This, unfortunately, hasn't been the case of the initial (2010) version – actually, it has been one of the absolute worst players in terms of compatibility, features, and efficiency. As I've always recommended in all iOS forums, you simply didn't want to use the then-current (2010) version of iOS VLC, because it was plain inferior to the top App Store players (GoodPlayer, It's Playing, AVPlayerHD, nPlayer, HD Player Pro (currently unavailable), RushPlayer, BUZZ Player HD. etc.), and Cydia ones (XBMC, RushPlayer+).
Apple is preparing to upgrade its mobile operating system to iOS 7, and with that, we can expect to see a host of new features on our iDevices as well as significant improvements to already-existing features and apps. One of the things I'm excited to see is how mobile gaming evolves with iOS 7. On that note, it seems appropriate to feature a serious gamer’s headphone. Hardcore gamers and audiophiles alike will appreciate the quality of sound of the V-Moda Crossfade M-100s ($310) over-the-ear headphones.
While many companies develop great headphones, very few pour as much time, energy, and resources into research and development as has V-Moda. The Crossfade over-the-ear headphones are very much the product of extensive crowdsourcing and feedback from a variety of audio experts and connoisseurs.
I may make this a new category of review: Games so addictive and interesting I can't stop playing them. And this week's winners are LIMBO ($4.99), and BADLAND (Currently free), two fabulous horizontal-scrolling games I could not seem to stay away from. LIMBO is not just a game, but a true work of art, immersing your adolescent character in a realistic, dark and very scary world (I was flinching and jumping in my seat playing this game). BADLAND offers similarly superb backdrop scenes, but with bouncy, full-tilt maze-style action that is just ridiculous fun. The polar opposite of the foreboding LIMBO, you use BADLAND for a spot of cheer! Uh, you'll need it...
DekkoScan iOS App Turns Objects into Minecraft Blocks
By Jordan Joynt
An app from the team at Dekko could potentially scan real-life objects and turn them into functional, in-game Minecraft blocks. DekkoSkan was recently discussed on Reddit.
Earlier this year, the developer at Dekko mentioned building a 3D reconstruction system for its augmented reality car game, TableTop Speed. Dekko then decided to turn its attention to exporting to other games, like Minecraft.
The process works by using the iPad or iPhone camera to showcase the entire object with video. Dekkoscan creates a render of the object in Minecraft, which is then added to the save game folder or to MCEedit, an editor for Minecraft.
How Young is Too Young for a Smartphone?
By Arthur Thares
We live in an increasingly tech-driven world. Computers have replaced many functions we used to use our brains and hands for. Since the tech boom in the '90s, kids often absorb technology the quickest and know more than their parents at a very young age. With that in mind, it can get a little dicey to determine the right time for children to earn their first smartphone. On one hand, smartphones can add a level of safety. On the other hand, it can cause more than a few problems at home or in school. Ultimately, it is up to a parent to decide when their child is ready, but here are a few factors to consider that may help you make an informed choice.
Record iPad Video with Elgato Game Capture HD
By Mike Riley
Although marketed primarily as a device for recording and broadcasting Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 gaming exploits, Elgato's Game Capture HD ($179.95) also can capture iPad games and productivity software. By pairing it with a laptop and an Apple Digital AV adapter, the Game Capture HD records and broadcasts iPad content in glorious high-resolution video. With the press of a button within the Game Capture's software interface, you can also stream the video to YouTube or gamer-centric Twitch.tv. Read on to learn more.
Elgato's support of the iPad has been surprisingly strong, producing both the eyeTV and eyeTV Mobile for iPad users.
iOS 7 Beta 3: A Developer's Impressions
By Kevin McNeish
I installed iOS 7 beta 3 on my iPhone 4S a few days ago and have had some time to check it out and the results are in—my iPhone works again!
For those of you who installed beta 2 on your iOS devices, you know what I'm talking about. With beta 2, I couldn't take a picture without shutting down and restarting my iPhone. I often had to tap the surface several times before my tap was recognized, and a few times each day, my iPhone would simply reboot itself.
This is par for the course for an early beta of any software, especially an operating system. However, I wanted to install the early betas of iOS 7 on the devices I use on a daily basis because it's the best way to become intimately acquainted with this revamped version of iOS.
iOS 7 to Support 60fps Video Recording
By Werner Ruotsalainen
This article is intended for iPhone 4S and 5 users who want to shoot video at 60fps (double the framerate) using iOS 7 as well as programmers wanting to support the new 60fps mode in their apps. No iPad or iPhone 4 users should read further since, to my knowledge, their hardware doesn't support 60fps.
Executive Summary
iOS 7 will support 60fps video recording at 720p (as opposed to iOS 6). While it does have image quality problems on current, compatible iPhones (4S and 5), at least it works.
I've just recently returned from a 10-day vacation in Tübingen, Germany, a university town with a remarkable and picturesque old city and castle. Many of the buildings in the old city date back to the 15th and 16th century. In preparation for the trip, I spent more than $50 on Tom Tom's navigation app for Europe, wanting to make sure I could get where I wanted to go in the city. Its offline feature was the most important for my needs, mapping info on my iPad without requiring an Internet connection. I have a Verizon LTE iPad and could have paid for data service, but it would have entailed some extra charges, and it seemed like Tom Tom, while expensive, would ultimately save me money. (Long story short: I'm currently grandfathered into a $20/month data plan with Verizon, but would have had to forego that plan if I signed up for service in Germany, and would have been forced into the $30/month data plan forever after.)
iOS 7 Lossless Video Zooming Report from Imaging & Video Guru
By Werner Ruotsalainen
This article is highly recommended for programmers and people interested in shooting video.
As of iOS 7 beta 2, the built-in Camera application can't make use of the extra pixels of the sensor when zooming. Only custom-written, third-party apps currently can do that. Hopefully Apple fixes Camera in the final version of iOS 7; before that, should you want to use zooming while shooting video, avoid using the Camera app and make sure you write or install an iOS 7-specific video recorder application for best results.
Many of my readers have asked for a complete elaboration on the brand new zooming features of iOS 7, both in the stock Camera application and the programmatic API support (AVCaptureDevice.videoZoomFactor and the related, highly useful properties AVCaptureDevice.activeFormat.videoZoomFactorUpscaleThreshold and AVCaptureDevice.activeFormat.videoMaxZoomFactor).
Ever since the social app Snapchat debuted on the App Store two years ago, parents everywhere have been hyper aware of the downsides of their teens downloading and using the popular app.
Parents are concerned about enabling their children to receive (or send) sexually inappropriate photos or videos, photos that bully, or images taken in bad taste. If parents think they can routinely check their teen's phone to look for signs of these behaviors, Snapchat puts an end to that. When you take a photo in the app, it's not saved to the camera roll, and when you view a photo in Snapchat, it's available to the viewer for less than 10 seconds, and then it's gone forever.
TabletStage Doubles as Stand and Stereo for iPad
By Todd Bernhard
The TabletStage from Mighty Dwarf has a split personality... and that's a good thing! Aside from splitting apart to form an easel for iPad, iPad mini, or other tablets, it also includes stereo speakers and can accept audio via Bluetooth, NFC (with supported tablets), or 3.5mm audio jack (cable included.) It charges via Micro USB (cable included) and, at least for my review unit, ships pre-charged and ready to use!
The TabletStage folds into a compact form for easy stowage in your gadget bag. When you unfold it, the device forms a full-size "stage" for your tablet. The audio quality is surprisingly strong, thanks to a pair of clever slits in the base that act as a subwoofer. If you cover them up, you'll hear the difference.
Welcome to my iPhoneography workflow. Here, I'll share the images I create with my iPhone and the hand-picked, trial-and-error methods I use to capture and edit them with.
This image I took recently, titled "Sunday Serenity," is a very easy-to-approach iPhoneography photo. I want to share a few quick tips first off. Using your iPhone to take professional-looking photos involves a little manipulation. Trying to get those far-away landscape shots with your iDevice can be difficult compared to using a DSLR camera.
In this photo, the sun was about to come up, which is THE BEST time to catch sunrises (for sunsets, the best time is right after the sun goes down). It all relates to lighting, and colors are more intense before or after the sun makes an appearance.
The rugged, waterproof case market has exploded this year, and now that summer is in full effect, people keep asking me, “Which waterproof iPhone case should I get?”
This time last year, Lifeproof had excellent offerings, and... well, that was really about it in terms of quality waterproof iPhone cases. This year, however, there is no shortage of top-quality waterproof cases for your iPhone. Read on for a quick roundup of the best of the best available. And while I can't tell you which one is best suited to you, I can turn you on to some great options (some of which you may not have known about), and let you decide.
Why You May Want to Disable Image Stabilization During Video Recording
By Werner Ruotsalainen
This article is intended for readers suffering from the narrow field-of-view of iPhones starting with the iPhone 4 and for programmers offering any kind of video recording in their apps.
As you may know already, recent iDevices use image stabilization during video recording. Unfortunately, not even the latest-and-greatest iPhone 5 has optical stabilization, only electronic, unlike the Nokia Lumia 92x. This, unfortunately, means part of the sensor is used for the stabilization itself, further narrowing the already limited field-of-view (FOV). I recommend you watch engadget's iPhone 5 vs. Nokia Lumia 920 videos so you can see how immensely better optical stabilization is.
Valenta's Booklet Croco Case Wins with the Ladies
By Donna Schill
My iPhone 5 has been sporting Valenta’s Booklet Croco White ($38.99) for barely a week, and it’s already made quite the impression.
I'll give the guys a disclaimer here— this particular case from Valenta is pretty feminine. It is satiny white and kind of blingy (which is probably why I love it!), and I've gotten more compliments on it than on any other accessory in recent memory.
Its booklet design and croco print covering its genuine leather surface give it the appearance of a fashionable women's wallet. Like many clutches, it's made of 100 percent genuine leather and has an inner pocket for storing cash, ID, or credit cards. A small magnetic clasp secures the cover to the back.