Big sis recently made the transition from the Android phone
following to the Apple phone club.
Although she’s owned an iPad amongst her several top of the
range gadgets for a while, here are 20 tips I’ve collated for her.
Basic shortcuts
1.
When reading a page in
Safari/checking emails/messaging, tap anywhere along the status bar at the top
to quickly scroll to the head of that
page.
2.
Switching
between apps without closing your current one can be achieved
by double clicking the home button. This brings up a bar indicating all the
‘open’ apps, in the order that they were last used. Swipe along to find the one
you want.
3.
Changing the song playing/volume of your music can also be done in the way
above. This option’s located at the very end of the ‘open’ apps bar.
4.
The Notifications Centre is much the same as that of Android. Just pull
down the page.
5.
If you added your Facebook/Twitter account to your iPhone
you can update your status directly from the notifications screen. Siri too
does the job if you don’t want to type out your status.
Calls
6.
Use the On/Off button at the top to
quickly send a call to voicemail if
you’re unable to take a call and the ringing/vibrating’s getting embarrassing.
7.
Alternatively when receiving a call
pull up the handset icon on the
bottom right hand corner of the call to choose from the various options. I have
a “Sorry I’m driving” message I use. This can be created under
Settings->Phone->Reply with message.
8.
Redial
your last number
called by just pressing “Call” on the keypad. It rings the last number called.
9.
Favourites: Add
your most dialled/messaged contacts to this list. This will allow for quicker
access to them on your phonebook as well allowing their calls when you use the
“Do not disturb” option. Add me to this list!
10.
Do
not disturb: This turns off all phone calls/messages (except
your listed Favourites), notifications. You can set a time for this e.g.
bedtime.
Miscellaneous
11.
Spotlight
search: I use this a lot.
It’s pretty much a search tool for the phone. If you swipe to the left, you end
up with a search bar and pretty much searches everything for the word typed.
12.
Save
battery: Turn off your Bluetooth, location services, 3G internet
when not required, they use up lots of battery otherwise. The same goes for
Push notifications under Settings->Mail. Keeping it manual means your emails
are refreshed only when you refresh them yourself rather than automatically. I
do keep my Push notifications on as I prefer it automatically updated. Turn off
apps that are used for calls or music after use e.g. Skype as they drain the
battery faster. The most obvious battery saver would be the screen brightness
found under Settings->Brightness.
13.
Weather and time: Add the cities
you’re interested in for both options. To save battery you can choose to turn
your hourly weather off.
14.
Screenshot: To
take picture of your current screen, press the Home and On/Off button together.
The screen should flash and if not on silent you’ll hear the camera click.
15.
Rotation
lock: To stop the screen orientation changing especially when
lying down, double click the home button and to the left of the Music controls
press the rotation icon.
16.
Download Google Maps and YouTube.
iOS 6 removed these from their defaults you know you got to have them!
17.
Wallpaper:
Settings-> Brightness & Wallpaper. Here you can customise your wallpaper
and lock screen to a photo you like.
Privacy
18.
Passcode:
Maybe not on your iPad but definitely recommend for your iPhone. No fancy swipe
patterns just 4 numbers like a pin. For a complex password got to
Settings->General->Simple Passcode to change it.
19.
Siri: Now
if e.g. you’d rather not have your Facebook status updated without you knowing,
go to Settings and disable Siri when in locked mode.
20.
To prevent certain apps accessing your information
location, contacts, calendar, reminders and pictures, go to Settings->
Privacy.
Sending Big Sis an iMessage now J
Lil Sis x
