Mac OS X Lion Auto Save and Versions

September 8, 2011

This will be a small article, but I thought I would share my findings about Auto Save and Versions in Mac OS X Lion.

I recently updated my 2011 model MacBook Pro to Lion. I have not had any problems, but I did discover one thing that caught me way off guard. The Mac apps that have been updated to support Auto Save and Versions no longer have a Save As option in the File menu when working with existing files.

I opened a photo in preview the other day to re-size it and save a smaller copy to email it. I am sure there are a ton of ways to do this, but I use a method I am familiar with. I noticed after I re-sized the photo that there was no Save As option in the file menu. And, after I closed the photo, I then realized my original had been re-sized. So, I then had to teach myself how to use the Revert to Save feature to undo the re-size. After a little experimentation, I discovered the Export option, which appears to be what they are calling Save As now.

I have to say, once I get used to this new feature, I am sure I will like it. I have never used Time Machine on a Mac before, but this Versions feature is pretty cool. But, there will be a learning curve to get used to it.

For more information on these features, check out Apple page on it.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/whats-new/auto-save.html


Web Apps vs Native Apps

August 11, 2011

So, I thought I would write a little post on my views of a few apps I use a good bit. For starters, I feel I should say I use an iPhone 4 and DO NOT plan to switch to an Android device, even though I use several Google services. If I ever get an Android device, it will be a Nexus device and also a 2nd phone.

Google Reader – This is my main web surfing and article aggregating tool. I follow more than 50 blogs and this app is great for that. After trying several native apps, I have found that the easiest way to keep your read flags in sync with your Google Reader account, is to use the Google Reader webpage in a browser. I find the mobile version of the webpage very easy to use on a mobile device browser, and the site is even easy to use on a desktop browser. My main issue with the native apps is the polling they would have to do each time you synced the app. It would have to upload your read flags and started articles and then download any new articles. After several uses throughout the day, I would have my read flags reset, which was a huge pain.

Google+ – I have only been using the Google+ service for 2 weeks or so, and the few times I have used the new iPhone native app was frustrating. It takes longer to refresh than the Google+ webpage. Enough so, it is very noticeable. I think the update from the last few days, but the webpage does from what I can tell everything the native app does.

GMail – Well, the iPhone mail client is really good. I have recently figured out how to do GMail labels in it, as the app just treats GMail labels like IMAP folders. Once I get this down, I will likely be a lot happier. But, I have to say, managing your inbox, archiving and labeling are much easier to handle in the GMail mobile webpage than on the iPhone mail client.

Those are a few takes on a few apps I use on my mobile device.


New Editions of 2 of my Favorite iOS Dev Books

August 10, 2011

Likely my favorite iPhone Dev book has been updated and a 2nd Edition has been released. The Big Nerd Ranch books name was appropriately updated from iPhone Programming to iOS Programming.

Big Nerd Ranch – iOS Programming 2nd Edition – Amazon Link

Not really a iOS specific programming book, but Stephen Kochan’s book has been updated and a 3rd Edition has been released.

Stephen Kochan – Programming in Objective C 3rd Edition – Amazon Link


Transfer iOS Games Between Devices

April 19, 2011

If you play a game like Infinity Blade and have been playing for a long time and built up a great character on your iPad. There is a way to transfer this character to another device, like an iPad 2. You can also use these instructions to make a backup of your character files.

You basically need to use an application like the free app iPhone Browser, and copy the settings file to the new device.
1. Install game on the new device.
2. Install iPhone Browser on your Mac/PC.
3. Copy the settings file from the old device to your desktop (see link below).
4. Replace the settings file on the new device with the file you copied.

Transfer Article:
http://www.redsn0w.us/2011/03/how-to-transfer-game-saves-between-ios.html

iPhone Browser:
http://www.macroplant.com/iphoneexplorer/

Good luck and enjoy.


Call anyone from a passcode locked iPhone

December 16, 2010

A friend of mine asked me about this issue they found with their iPhone. They told me that they could make a phone call to any phone number from their iPhone even though it was locked and the screen was off. Just do a long press on the Home button and the Voice Dial pops up. And, low and behold, after a few tries we were making phone calls. I even noticed that it would show names of people that were in the contacts on the phone.

We found the setting to turn this on and off, and we seem to think this is enabled by default.
Go to – Settings > General > Passcode
There is a Voice Dial option on this screen, which turns this feature ON and OFF.

Thanks for checking out my article, and feel free to stop by and check out my mobile device applications http://www.pruetsoftware.com/


How to Renew iChat and Back to My Mac Certs for MobileMe

October 31, 2010

If your iChat and Back to My Mac certificates have expired, the following steps will help you renew them.

Back to My Mac:
1. Open System Preferences and select the Mobile Me section.
2. Click the Sign Out button.
3. Once you are signed out, click the button again to sign back in.
4. Then select the Back to My Mac tab.
5. Click the Stop button to disable.
6. Once the Stop is done, click the button again to enable it.

iChat:
1. Open iChat and log in using your Mobile Me account.
2. From the iChat menu, choose Log Out of … .
3. Once you are logged out, log back in.
4. Go to the Preferences section and select Accounts.
5. Under Accounts, select the Mobile Me account and then select the Security tab.
6. If iChat Encryption is enabled, disable it and then enable it again.
7. If iChat Encryption is disable, enable it.

The basis behind this is that the easiest way to renew the certificates if they are expired is to disable the service and then enable them again. This sends the Mobile Me servers a request for the certificates, and if they are expired, new ones are created.

Now, if you wait about 5 minutes and sign into you Mobile Me account on the www.me.com website and go to your Account Settings section and look under the Security Certificates area, you should see new certificates.

Also, if you open the Keychain Access app on your Mac, you should see updated certificates that are no longer expired.

Thanks for checking out my article, and feel free to stop by and check out my mobile device applications http://www.pruetsoftware.com/.


Increased interest in iPad from the Enterprise

October 31, 2010

Here are some more examples of Enterprise interest in the iPad.

http://gigaom.com/apple/is-the-ipad-apples-key-to-the-enterprise/

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/10/25/apple_partners_with_unisys_to_reach_enterprise_government_clients.html

http://gigaom.com/apple/more-proof-businesses-like-ipad/

http://gigaom.com/apple/report-ipad-is-an-enterprise-it-triple-threat/

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/10/28/report-ipad-infiltrating-enterprise-it/

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/10/28/apple_distributor_sees_increased_interest_in_ipad_among_businesses.html

http://iphone.sys-con.com/node/1543301

Thanks for checking out my article, and feel free to stop by and check out my mobile device applications http://www.pruetsoftware.com/.


MacMini Server Colocation by MacMiniColo

October 31, 2010

If you are looking to get a hosted Mac OS X Server or have your MacMini Server colocated, MacMiniColo offers a monthly service. They are also offering a discount on the service today.

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/10/31/macminicolo-will-host-your-mac-mini-server-for-just-10-month-fo/

Thanks for checking out my article, and feel free to stop by and check out my mobile device applications http://www.pruetsoftware.com/.


Enterprise In-House App Distribution Outsourcing

October 31, 2010

If you are looking to do Enterprise In-House app distribution in your company, Ondeego has a solution in beta that can make it easier for your business. Check out the link below for more info.

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/10/31/enterprise-ios-app-distribution-made-easier-by-ondeego/

Thanks for checking out my article, and feel free to stop by and check out my mobile device applications http://www.pruetsoftware.com/.


iPad Web Pages Not Scrolling

September 28, 2010

I have noticed several times in the last week with my new iPad, that web pages at times do not scroll. Some would scroll in portrait orientation, but not in landscape. Then, some web pages did not scroll in either orientation. After some researching on the Apple support forums, I found a few post that mentioned to scroll with 2 fingers. I tried this and it is working so far.

Thanks for checking out my article, and feel free to stop by and check out my mobile device applications http://www.pruetsoftware.com/.


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