iPhone

Photography on the go – Essential iPhone Camera Accessories

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Photography on the go – iPhone accessories for great photos. 6 of the best must haves to get you amazing photos with your smart phone.

Photography with a macro lens

A macro lens works like a strong magnifying glass that can be snapped onto an iPhone to give a variety of amazing photography options.  A macro lens allows users to capture close up photos of small objects. This is the type of accessory that is very difficult to go without once you’ve started using it. You’ll find it easier to take photos of animals and nature.

These lenses can vary in magnification from 6x to 15x zoom, with some more high power lenses also on the market. Top manufacturers for iPhone macro lenses include ExoLens and Olloclip.
Click here for the latest ExoLens prices.
Click here for the latest Olloclip Prices.

Tripod, makes photography so easy

A tripod will save you your hands and improve the quality of your photos on those moments you need to hold your smart phone camera deadly still during photography so you can capture video or a slow shutter image. Tripods come in lots of different varieties but all of them have the same purpose and goal. The tripod means you don’t need rush photography and your footage will come out looking much more professional.

GorillaPod is one of the top brands for tripod and Lollipod’s selling feature is the ability to extend.
Click HERE for the latest price on GorillaPods.
Click HERE for the latest price on Lollipods.

A waterproof iPhone case, gives you more photography options

The ability to photograph underwater is the biggest selling point of waterproof iPhone casing. These type of cases are perfect for those regular adventurers and photography lovers or the accident prone types. There are several good brands for this accessory, the most popular being Watershot Pro.
Click HERE for the latest price on the Watershot Pro.

Hardened iPhone case

iPhone are fragile and many of us have learnt that the hard way. Many people have lost their technology to trips, drops, puddles and the laundry, this case will certainly give people a safety net.

Although not particularly necessary for great photography with your iPhone or smart phone, a  hardened case can lead to other possibilities like taking your phone out in the rain, on hikes or whilst skydiving. These types of cases can come in lots of different price points and colours.

We like the Lifeproof range of Hard cases, you can find the latest price for them HERE.

There are many other options and price points, you can find the latest styles and prices HERE.

Shutter release – for that perfect photo

A remote shutter releases can let iPhone users take up close photos from far away. This is perfect for holiday photography or taking photos where you want to capture images of a faraway location or if you’re looking for a new perspective. The widest available remote shutter release is a user friendly switch that comes on Apple earbuds, this doesn’t work on significant distance but will improve your images.

There are also a wide amount of Bluetooth products that offer a remote shutter option, these come with a range of features and in a variety of prices. Some of these shutters allow you take photos from as far away as 30 meters.

You can find the latest prices on Apple’s earbuds HERE.
You can find the latest prices on Bluetooth Remote Shutter Releases HERE.

Battery charger

One of the most frustrating things about smartphones is the battery. No matter how advanced the model of your phone or your photography accessories, the last thing you want to miss is the perfect photography opportunity, or extra photos if the battery is unlikely to last the day. We all need a battery charger than can recharge the phone throughout the day, no matter where you are.

There are a huge variety of portable battery chargers and power from basic $10 options to $100 models. Some last will charge a phone once, others up to six times.

 

iPhone

Using Apple iPhone – some hidden features you may not know

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Using Apple iPhone – some hidden features you may not know

Time and again there has been too much of a hullabaloo, created around iPhone and its list of exceptional features. The Apple brand smartphones is a prized possession of many, but not many can claim, that they have complete knowledge of all its functions. With the era of using digital cameras declining, the iPhone has become the new memory capturing device. There are many things which can be done to improve the picture quality, without the need to download an app. But, how to do that is a secret formula, which needs a little bit of research. Similarly, have you ever thought of what can be the shortcut of redialing in iPhones? The answer to all these and many more secret functions of the iPhone is listed below:

Switch on the burst mode

Often we encounter situations where the subject is in motion and the pictures being taken are turning out to be blurred. In conditions as such, suppress the shutter button for one second, the smartphone will trigger the burst mode and start off clicking pictures continuously, this will enable to get that one perfect click that you are looking for.

Redial mode

The iPhone app allows the redial option for the last number dialed on the phone. Just press the green call button and the smartphone will display the last dialed number. Here are the steps:

  1. Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
  2. Press the Keypad at the bottom.
  3. Press the green Call button once.
how to use Redial Mode on Iphone
2. Keypad at bottom
how to use Redial mode on Iphone
3. Press the green call button once

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. You will see the number you last dialed at the top of the interface, press the call button again to call the last number that will be shown on the screen.

Siri can also help you to dial the last number, just ask her to “Redial the last number”

Activate your camera mode without unlocking

There are times when you want to capture a picture instantly, but keying in the password and getting the iPhone activated will make you lose the moment. In order to directly get on camera mode, go to your lock screen and press the camera icon by your finger , the camera mode will be activated instantly and allow you to shoot photos.

Get your numbers correct with a swipe

The easy mode to rectify an error in the calculator is by swiping left or right on the display screen (just over the section where the displayed number is). The swiping allows deletion of single digit numbers when you type a wrong digit on the calculator.

Swift reply to iMessage or SMS

While you are working on any other app and you get a notification of an SMS, simply pull down the notification to answer back. This feature doesn’t require you to leave your present screen you were working on.

Free your iPhone space

The phone is often subjected to unnecessary data that affects the speed of your iPhone. To regain back the speed and clear the RAM, just press the power button , till the time power off mode gets displayed, then long press the home button till the time screen appears blank and the home screen gets displayed. The RAM will be cleaned.

Silent Selfie

The iPhone allows clicking pictures through the volume buttons. This feature is particularly helpful when one wants to click a selfie at a particular position. Moreover, at public places, one can even plug in the headphones and click selfies through the volume button without anybody knowing about it.  So simple – While in camera mode just click either volume button to take the photo.

Get the latest Price on the latest iPhones and Accessories here

Watch

Apple Smart Watch series 3 with cellular – A Review

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Apple Watch series 3 with cellular – A Review

Apple has launched its third series of smart watch. It is simply called Apple watch series 3. It comes in two versions – cellular and non-cellular. The cellular smart watch helps you stay connected without having to carry your phone with you, you can still receive calls and get notifications from all your favorite apps.  This is especially useful for people who go out for runs or biking or swimming. They do not need to pause in their activity to receive a call. Apple’s newest version runs on the latest WatchOS i.e. WatchOS 4.

More Smart Watch options and features?

This OS has more than 50 fitness and non-fitness features. Some of its features are Passcode animation, Toy Story character faces, Maps app, Workout app etc. These OS features add to the functionality of the series 3 watches. The watch is available in various colors and bands.  It comes in silver, gold and grey aluminum case as well as in stainless steel case.

Technical features

Series 3 watch comes in 2 sizes – 38 mm and 42 mm. One of the advancements is water resistance. The display has an OLED screen covered by glass. The brightness of the watch makes it easy to read even under glaring sunlight. The best feature is the front display that doubles up as an antenna for the watch. It has a faster dual core processor and a new wireless chip called as W2. It has a heart rate sensor, barometric altimeter, accelerometer and gyroscope that all combined together show valuable data related to your body. The watch has a capacity of 16 GB. The only downside to all this is low battery life (only 18 hours).

Who Doesn’t love Apple’s Siri?

And then there is the convenience of Siri, you can always ask her to set a reminder, send a calendar invitation or give you directions, all without your phone.

Cellular features

This watch has an e-SIM i.e. electronic SIM. The phone number would be same as the mobile phone number. With this functionality a person would be able to make calls or receive calls without requiring a mobile phone nearby. The watch has a microphone and speaker. Apart from call features the cellular features allow third party apps to be used on the watch. You can download songs from Apple music and store in the watch. You can then play them through the music app. There are many more apps like gym app, news app and so on.  GPS and Altimeter.  The cellular capabilities are limited to certain carriers only in other countries but in USA it supports all the 4 carriers – T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.


How about battery life?

Though the cellular capability of the watch is an exciting new feature, it is hampered by low battery life. The cellular feature also doesn’t seem to work in all places and situations. Like in cars or while one person is using the watch and another is using the mobile phone at the same time. The watch features seem to interfere with the smooth functioning of the mobile in such cases. The device is also on the expensive side. It is a good buy for fitness enthusiasts who find using mobiles while working out to be quite cumbersome.The watch fulfills the dual need of connectivity and a smart watch.

Get the latest price on the Apple Series 3 Watch here

iPad

What is the best Apple iPad or Tablet for kids

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What is the best iPad or Tablet for kids?

Apple iPads and other tablets are a great learning as well as entertainment tool for kids. A good iPad or tablet for kids should have a safe browser, kid friendly apps, and long battery life. It should be sturdy enough to weather some rough handling. Some good tablets are offered by, Amazon, Leapfrogs and Apple.

Leapfrogs tablets are age specific. Amazon tablets though are not categorized by age, have some good safety and security features. Apple has not made any kid specific tablets but its mini iPad would suffice the requirements of children for a tablet.  Apple’s iPad has the added advantage of having some very good apps for kids. Here are some tablets that would not only be great value for money but would also prove excellent educational device for kids.

1. Apple iPad mini

iPad mini is the most expensive in the list here, but we think it’s worth the extra cost. Since apple products are known for their durability, this tablet should last a long time. The iPad mini has good camera and a high resolution screen. Known as a high performing tablet. The parental controls are not as detailed as on Amazon tablet. They restrict a kid’s internet usage, apps download and online purchases. This tablet will suit kids of all ages. Some great children’s apps can be downloaded from apple store.
iPad Mini

2. Amazon Fire Kids Edition

Two top most features of this tab are its cost and parental controls. The parental controls not only include what content the kids can browse but also the usage limits. There are educational targets and restricted internet access. The tab comes with 2year guarantee. It has a 7inch display suitable enough for your kid’s small hands. It has 16GB of internal storage and 256 GB of expandable storage. It comes in various colors in a kid proof case. Though the apps in the tablet are limited than those found on regular android devices, the kids can avail a year’s subscription to thousands of apps from nickelodeon, Disney, PBS kids.
Amazon Fire Kids Edition


3. Leapfrog Epic Tablet

It is the first android tablet from leapfrog. It has a range of apps from Leapfrog as well as popular android apps for kids. It has unique customization home screen feature that allows kids to customize their home screen the way they want. This tablet is designed for kids in the age range of 3 and 9 years. It also boasts of an auto-leveling feature in games that adjusts the level of the game as per the kid’s age. It has safe web browser and kids appropriate apps. The parental controls are satisfactory. It is a good buy for younger kids.
Leapfrog Epic

4. Vtech Innotab Max

This 7 inch tablet is again for kids in the age range 3-9 years. The tablet is based on android but has kid friendly interface. Though it comes with a stylus, it has touch screen feature too. It has 8 GB of space, with 32 GB expandable memory. It has its own messaging tool that helps to connect kids to parent’s mobiles through apps. The tablet has its own apps plus kids can download many android apps too. It is a good choice for a kid’s first tablet.
Vtech Innotab Max

For parents on a budget, Amazon’s tablet is the most cost effective tablet for kids of all ages.

Check out our article about the Best iPod for Kids Here

Apple HomePod, News

HomePod delay. Apple to miss out on smart speakers sales this Christmas?

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HomePod delay.  Apple to miss out on smart speakers sales this Christmas?

We’ve been pretty keen to see the full force of Apple’s new HomePod smart speakers since the reveal mid-year, but it looks like we are going to be waiting until the new year to experience them.

An Apple spokewoman said “We need a little more time before it’s ready for our customers”.

HomePod delay, are Google & Amazon to benefit?

This of course means that Apple will miss out on a huge amount of Christmas sales that would have come from the availability of the HomePod in their stated release date of December.

It looks like Google and Amazon get to reap the rewards in this category financially for this year.

 

 

We have seen mixed emotions about Apple’s new smart speakers. Here’s our first glimpse.  Sure, the 360-degree sound, Siri integration and clean aesthetics make it “sound” and look good, but the price of the HomePod has been a huge talking point when compared to Amazon Alexa and Google Home.



We found that the price could possibly be justified because of the sound quality, and that the HomePod was designed as a new music centre for your home. The price we’re talking about, is of course $350USD (500AUD, 250GBP) – Which is clearly not cheap, but then again, have we ever considered any Apple product cheap? We’re already too deep in love with Apple to even care about the price!

The fact that Apple have pushed back their release date for the HomePod means that Google and Amazon are free to indulge in the huge amount of sales they will experience over this holiday season. As voice, as a technology is becoming more and more popular, and will surely be the go-to search method (and many other things) in the years to come.   Apple might be hurt quite bad from missing out on these Christmas sales.  Although we will not know any figures until we’ve all indulged in so much food, drank plenty of bubbles and celebrated time with family and move into the new year.

HomePod delay, will Apple recoup?

One thing that may help Apple recoup some possible losses in missing out on Christmas sales would be the HomePod’s functions with additional HomePod’s in the home.  We all know there are many of Apple fanatics who will buy multiple HomePod’s.

At the end of the day, if an Apple enthusiasts, or even just a smart speaker enthusiasts really has their heart set out on an Apple.