iOS 9: Best Feature

Apple's latest iteration of the iPhone software, iOS 9, was released it's final edition to the public this past Wednesday (Sept 16/2015). I have been playing around with it since then on my iPhone 5s. As with typical Apple fashion, all the latest-and-greatest features are reserved for the new iPhone; in this case the 6s and 6s plus. Even though many of the innovative features have been stripped from my phone's copy of iOS 9, there is one feature that put a smile on my face when it was stumbled upon.

Get Your Phone in the Game - Superbowl XLIX

Well the Superbowl is almost upon us, which side of the field are you on? The Seahawks and the Patriots will be coming together this weekend for what many see as the game-of-the-year. (The truth is I only watch for the commercials.)

via idownloadblog.com

Regardless of you stance on the game, you have agree this wallpapers are stunning. Best part is, they are available for free.

Watching American Netflix the Easy Way (No More DNS Codes)

There have been plenty of times I have wished for a magical button to fix an expired American Netflix DSN. While a magical Netflix-fixing button my seem like a pipe dream, I set out on a quest for an easier way. I apologize for my absence from both the blog and twitter but this was worth the wait.

After setting up the software and (optional) hardware components, this method for obtaining American Netflix (and other regions) is virtually maintenance-free. No more entering obscure sets of numbers in hard to navigate settings menus. And best of all this is the method for getting American Netflix on you laptop/desktop. So grab your computer and unblock some Netflix!!

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.