PSA: 3rd-Party Keyboards in iOS 8

Around this time every year, we all scramble to upgrade to the newest iOS. This year iOS has had some great features, many of which we have been waiting for with anticipation; the Keyboard Extensions is no exception. However, there may be an unwanted side affect to this new found typing feature.

Pornography and the iPhone / iPod / iPad - Every Parent Must Read

Back in 2010, along side the iPad, Steve Jobs took a revolutionary stance on a taboo topic. "Freedom from porn" was his statement in a heated correspondence with Gawker writer Ryan Tate. (The entire back and forth can be read here and TechChruch's take can be read here.)

In another email conversation, this time between Jobs and an Apple customer, Jobs said, “Folks who want porn can buy [an] Android phone.”

During the time of Apple taking a morally responsible stance on the issue of pornography 5,000 apps were removed from the AppStore.

One year previous to these events XXXChurch.com posted an article entitled "Did you get your kids Porn for Christmas?". The thesis of the article is, if you have given your child a mobile device with internet access you have given them opportunity to look a pornography. So what are you going to do about it?


Now you are probably asking yourself, "Why is this guy writing about a 4 year old topic?" Allow me to answer.

Apple's stance has not changed in regard to the moral responsibility that they feel they have to filter adult content on their mobile platform. The "Restrictions" settings options have been greatly expanded in the current version of iOS (7.0.4). They have expanded so much, I am surprised they have not been better publicized by the media.

In previous versions of iOS, the "Restrictions" were limited to "Safari On/Off," "Internet Access On/Off," or AppStore content filters by age rating. The first two options made the device difficult to use especially if you were already accustomed to having internet access. Also, if internet access was still enabled but Safari was disabled a quick trip to the AppStore and a new browser could be downloaded.

Listen to iTunes Radio outside the USA

iTunes Radio was announced along side iOS 7 back at WWDC. The service did role out in the United States along side the mobile operation system but other regions (like Canada) have not yet been given access to the radio feature. 

I quite enjoy the concept of the iTunes Radio and have been frustrated with the lack of availability of the service in Canada. To my surprise, it is very easy to unlock the radio. So I present you the instructions so that you may enjoy it as well. 

Creating a US iTunes Account from Canada (Works for Other Countries Too!)

I present to you a much requested topic!

Up until recently, I had been content with the selection within my own (Canadian) Regional iTunes Store. However after reading about "Paper," the new Flipboard/Facebook mash-up App, I decided it was time to gain access to the US iTunes Store.

And now I will share it with you.

As you can derive from above, I am living in Canada and created a US iTunes account. Typically when creating an account a credit card from within the same country is required. There is a simple work around to "skip" providing this information.

What you need

• a computer running iTunes
• a valid address for the country you are creating an account
• an email address that does not have an Apple ID associated with it

Additional American Netflix DNS Codes - UPDATED FEB 1, 2015

Here is a list of current working DNS codes to be able to enjoy the American Netflix content no matter where you are in the world. If you are unsure what to do with these numbers check out these posts for instructions.

10 Tips for the iPhone

Did you get an iPhone for Christmas? Depending on when you are reading this, you might not know yet. Regardless, here are 10 tips to get you better acquainted with your new device.

1. Using your Head Phones

The EarPods that are shipped with the newest iPhones are great for listening to music, making hands free calls, and navigating your phone. There are the obvious features as shown on the headphone remote: (+) volume up / (-) Volume down, and the centre unlabelled button is Play/Pause. But there is more than that packed into the centre button. A double-click will jump to the next track. A triple-click will go to the previous track. And a press and hold will start a conversation with Siri.

2. Take better Selfies

Does the length of your arms interfere with the quality of selfie you are able to take? Not to worry Apple has an accessibility option for that... well kind of. Your EarPods can give you a wired remote shutter button. Simply open your Camera app and with EarPods plugged in use the (+) button to activate the shutter. This can be especially useful to get the group shot selfie without having any faces cut off.

3. Shutter Button

In keeping with the camera, you do not need to use the on-screen button to snap photos. Just as the EarPods can be used as a shutter button, the iPhone's (+) volume hardware button will also activate the camera's shutter while that app is open. It's function does not stop there either, the same works with the stop/start recording of video. I particularly like this feature as it promotes proper orientation for capturing video. Together we can stop VVS, the key is awareness!

Troubleshooting American Netflix Errors From Other Regions

Netflix provides region specific content based on what that area is interested in seeing. They explain it further in this video. Apparently their research methods are not very accurate as myself, and many of you, have decided to apply a DNS mask to gain access to the better (American) content.

If you have stumbled upon this page looking for the "How To Get American Netflix" instructions, click the linked text for your device: Apple TV or iPhone/iPad.

 If you have been using the DNS mask for any length of time, more than likely you have had some type of error or loading issue. Below are the most popular problems that I come across or have been asked about on twitter (I do make an effort to respond to each cry for help).

Here are a few things you should know right off the top. Changing your DNS setting to gain access to the American content is a loophole in the system. Netflix has not authorized this to be a working function and therefore it will be prone to errors, glitches, and slow loading. That being the case, here are a few things you can do to keep your content alive.

iWork / iLife Apps Free with Device Activation

During Apples iPhone keynote event last month Tim Cook announced that Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, and iPhoto would be given away for free with a new device activation after September 1, 2013. That's $40 worth of apps for free! This offer is restricted to the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPod Touch 5, and iPad.

Any device set up from new will provide a prompt to download all five of these app at no cost. If you are restoring your new device from a back up, as I did with my iPhone 5S, you may not receive the prompt to take advantage of this offer. Not to worry, you can still get he apps for free!

The steps are very simple.