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Apple – Tales from the bits http://talesfromthebits.com This is a blog about technology, computer science, software engineering and personal notes from these fields Fri, 17 Jun 2016 16:53:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.1.16 Learn to code for iOS 7 in 5 steps http://talesfromthebits.com/2013/12/learn-to-code-for-ios-7-in-5-steps.html http://talesfromthebits.com/2013/12/learn-to-code-for-ios-7-in-5-steps.html#respond Sat, 14 Dec 2013 11:50:32 +0000 http://talesfromthebits.com/?p=651 Are you new to coding or want to learn to code for iOS7?  I am coding for more that 30 years in various platforms. I decided now to start with iOS and Objective-C. To learn iOS7 programming I suggest to perform the following steps:

  1. Get access to a Mac computer. If you have a Mac then it is great, if not you can use Macincloud. They give you access to an actual machine and not a VM. The speed it OK. I am using Macincloud and I am very happy with their service.
  2. Connect to Apple’s developer program . The resources are great and free. You will find all the references which provide a wealth of information.
  3. Watch a Free online course from Stanford University available in iTunes.
  4. Study other programs written for iOS7
  5. Write small programs to understand further the concepts.

Have lots of fun!  Happy coding!

 

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Apple – iOS 7 http://talesfromthebits.com/2013/09/apple-ios-7.html http://talesfromthebits.com/2013/09/apple-ios-7.html#respond Sat, 14 Sep 2013 12:27:48 +0000 http://talesfromthebits.com/?p=533 The iOS 7 core philosophy, according to Apple is around simplicity. Apple rediesigned the interface in order to create an experience that was simpler, more useful, and more enjoyable.  The interface is purposely unobtrusive. Conspicuous ornamentation has been stripped away. Unnecessary bars and buttons have been removed. This allows more focus to the content. Apple has added many new feature to iOS7.

Imporved Multitasking, iOS schedules updates during power-efficient times.

AirDrop for iOS lets you quickly and easily share photos, videos, contacts — and anything else from any app with a Share button. The transfer of information is encrypted.

Control Center gives you quick access to the controls and apps you always seem to need right this second. Just swipe up from any screen — including the Lock screen — to do things like switch to Airplane mode, turn Wi-Fi on or off, or adjust the brightness of your display.

A well designed UI can greatly improve productivity. We all depend more and more to our devices to get information. The new intelligent multitasking promises to update the app information before the user uses them. The iOS 7 can learn your app usage habits.

On September 18th the new iOS will be available.

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iOS 6: The battle begins? http://talesfromthebits.com/2012/06/ios-6-the-battle-begins.html http://talesfromthebits.com/2012/06/ios-6-the-battle-begins.html#comments Mon, 18 Jun 2012 12:23:00 +0000 http://talesfromthebits.com/?p=430 Apple posted the new iOs 6 preview. Among the new features is the new Maps application. This is a new Apple application designed from the bottom up. The new Maps will offer turn-by-turn spoken directions, interactive 3D views, and the stunning Flyover feature where available. By creating a new Maps application it means that Apple will stop using Google maps.  As The New York Times reports Apple decision to enter the digital mapping world is not a surprise. If Apple fails then a lot of customers will run to Android or other mobile operating systems but if Apple succeeds then Google will be under pressure. At the end of its last fiscal quarter Apple had $110 billion in cash and securities, so it can afford the battle.

Other exciting features are:

Siri. You can ask Siri about sports scores and stats, where to eat, what movies to see — even ask to make Facebook posts. Siri understands more languages and works in more countries. Siri will also work with the new iPad.

facebook. Is now integrated thought iOS. A totally new user experience.

FaceTime. FaceTime now works over cellular networks as well as Wi-Fi, so you can make and receive FaceTime calls wherever you happen to be.

There are also other new and exciting features such as an improved Safari, Mail, Passbook, new capabilities for the iPhone and many more.

I am looking forward to start using the new iOS.

 

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Google Bypassing User Privacy Settings http://talesfromthebits.com/2012/02/google-bypassing-user-privacy-settings.html http://talesfromthebits.com/2012/02/google-bypassing-user-privacy-settings.html#respond Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:02 +0000 http://talesfromthebits.com/?p=409 According to Julia Angwin and Jennifer Valentino-Devries, reporters of The Wall Street Journal, Google bypassed user privacy settings for the Safari web browser. In simple words, Google was able to drop tracking cookies even when the user has set Safari to block cookies. Microsoft confirmed that Google was using similar techniques to bypass privacy settings  for IE. Google has released a statement for this issue stating that the cookies were not collecting private information. Google also stated that has stopped using the bypass.

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Best Office Suite for iPad 2 http://talesfromthebits.com/2012/01/best-office-suite-for-ipad-2.html http://talesfromthebits.com/2012/01/best-office-suite-for-ipad-2.html#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 10:50:07 +0000 http://talesfromthebits.com/?p=301 Last updated (January 1st, 2014)

When you are on the move you need to make the most of your time. I prefer to carry around my iPad 2 and not my notebook. Making that decision I needed to select an Office suite to be able to edit and share documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Of course I have to option to create a VPN and work directly with my desktop computer but there is a risk that the connection may not be available all the time. To mitigate this risk I decided to install an office suite in my iPad.  I reviewed several applications before I choose the application I am currently using.

Numbers is an innovative spreadsheet app designed by Apple for a mobile device by Apple. Built from the ground up for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, it lets you make spreadsheets in short time— with tables, charts, photos, and graphics. It comes with over 250 easy-to-use functions.  Numbers works with iCloud.

Pages is a word processor designed by Apple for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. You can choose from 16 Apple-designed templates and styles to instantly create letters, reports, flyers, cards, and posters. You can easily morph your document with the colors, fonts, and textures you like. It is compatible with Microsoft Word. You can import files from Mail, the web, a WebDAV service, or your Mac or PC using iTunes File Sharing.
Keynote is a powerful presentation app designed by Apple for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. You can create a world-class presentation — complete with animated charts and transitions — by simply touching and tapping. Use full-screen view to present right on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. Keynote works with iCloud. Keynote comes with 12 Apple-designed themes including Gradient, Showroom, and Portfolio. Compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint.
Microsoft PowerPoint for iPad needs no introduction.

Documents To Go® Standard is an all-in-one application with support for Microsoft® Word, Excel, PDF, Apple iWork and other files. It includes a desktop application (Win and Mac) to provide 2-way file synchronization. It supports 2007/2010 Office format.

Documents To Go® Premium . allows you to EDIT, CREATE & VIEW Word, Excel & PowerPoint files (Office 2007/2008/2010). You can VIEW/EDIT/SYNC your cloud files. It includes support for Google Docs, Dropbox, Box.net, iDisk & SugarSync. Send & receive attached supported documents using the built-in Mail app. It is a great enhancement over the simple version of this app.

Quickoffice  allows you to create, edit, & share Microsoft® Office documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, as well as view PDF files.  Using the File Manager enables you to access, transfer, and manage files on your iPad and through Evernote, Dropbox, Google Docs, Box, Huddle, SugarSync, Egnyte, and Catch.  Sharing features allow you to publish your content using e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Yammer, Slideshare, Scribd, and Docstoc. It has a very easy and intuitive interface. Supports also Office 2010 documents. The latest version of Quickoffice Pro HD allow you to Open, View, and Edit 2007-2010 PPTX files, View, Create, and Edit numbered lists. You can also email files using the native iPad email client.

The application I choose to use is Quickoffice Pro HD mainly because it offers a very easy to use interface. (Edit Jan 1, 2014) Quickoffice Pro HD is no longer available. There is a new free version offered by Google  here. Quickoffice Pro HD has problems with iOS 7.

What applications are you using on your iPad? Please feel free to share your experience and comments on the apps that you are using.

 

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Why did I choose iPad 2 over other tablets? http://talesfromthebits.com/2011/11/why-did-i-choose-ipad-2-over-other-tablets.html http://talesfromthebits.com/2011/11/why-did-i-choose-ipad-2-over-other-tablets.html#respond Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:04:14 +0000 http://talesfromthebits.com/?p=214 For long time I was resisting the temptation of owning a tablet. Recently I quite resisting and I bought an ipad 2. It took me sometime to make that choice because I wanted to be 100% sure that I am purchasing the correct tablet according to my needs.

Before making my final choice I wrote down my needs along with devices that allowed me to do so:

  • To be able to read books and articles

For this functionality I considered the Kindle Fire. It has a 7″ display 1024 x 600 pixel resolution at 169 ppi, 16 million colors. It also has 8GB enough to store movies and books.

  • To connect to the Internet and receive/send emails

Both Kindle Fire and Samsung Galaxy offer this

  • To be able to connect remotely to work

VPN is a common feature for all tablets.

  • To replace the need to carry all the times my notebook(laptop)
  • To have big screen so I can watch videos

This feature puzzled me a lot. Ipad 2 is not supporting flash. I decided to follow down the HTML 5 path.

  • To be able to connect with other devices – computers, projectors etc
  • To have both 3G and wifi.

I want to be connected all time.

  • To be able to take pictures or video.

This option erased Kindle Fire from my list.

Although almost all tablets meet my requirements, I choose iPad 2, mainly for its stability and ease of use.

I found  only one annoying thing. It has a strange limit on 3G, you cannot download files greater than 20MB. I have no download limit from my carrier, so it is strange that the iPad has this limit. I hope Apple to remove this barrier in the near future.

 

 

 

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Apple – iPad http://talesfromthebits.com/2010/01/apple-ipad.html http://talesfromthebits.com/2010/01/apple-ipad.html#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:39:12 +0000 http://talesfromthebits.com/?p=174 The newiPad from Apple is simply fantastic. It has a multi-touch high resolution screen which makes surfing on the Internet, reading emails, browsing photos, watching videos a new experience.

Some technical specifications:

Height: 9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
Width:  7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
Depth: 0.5 inch (13.4 mm) — extremely slim!!
Weight: 1.5 pounds (.68 kg) Wi-Fi model;
1.6 pounds (.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model

The display is a 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-back-lit glossy wide-screen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology. The resolution is 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi).

The storage capacity:16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive.

The sensors: Accelerometer and Ambient light sensor.

More technical details can be found on the Apple’s web site.

After viewing the presentation videos I just wanted to have an iPad.

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