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.

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.

Hide Any App Icon While Keeping Full Functionality (iOS 7) - No Jailbreak

Do you have one of those apps that you don't want people looking at? Perhaps you don't like having Game Center or Compass on your home screen. There is a simple way to solve both these problems.
Allow me to explain, any app that is on your iOS device can be hidden from the home screen but will remain on your device with full functionality.
The method in which this is accomplished takes some practice to get right but once you figure it out you will be greatful.

Here's how

Untitled Folders - No Jailbreak (iOS 7)

Every iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch owner has that one folder which contains those never used apps. You know what I am talking about, the folder that contain Stocks, Voice Memos, Game Center, Compass, Newsstand (That's right, iOS 7 allows Newsstand to be placed in a folder!!). What do you call that folder? "Junk," "Hardly Used," "CrApple?" Why not call it nothing at all.

The other problematic folder is the one that contains the apps that you use the most. This folder does not need a name because you know exactly what is in it.

If you have ever tried to make a label-less folder you will know that it will always autocorrect back to the default name. But that all ends now.

How to

How to: Watch American Netflix on Your iPhone or iPad

With the content difference between American Netflix and other regions (such as Canada where I live) it is no surprise that people are looking to "unlock" that content. With the popularity of my How to: Watch American Netflix in Canada using AppleTV post, I thought it was time to take this Netflix content unlock to the iOS platform.

Please note: For this unlock to work you are required to be connected to a Wi-Fi signal.

This may be the deepest you have ever dove into you Wi-Fi settings on your iOS device, but the new Netflix content is well worth the effort.

iOS 7 Screenshot Tour

It should not be long now before Apple releases the "Gold Master" iOS 7 to the public. At the (still rumored) September 10th presentation, I can hear the words "iOS 7: the biggest thing to happen to the iPhone since the iPhone." The difference between this and the last time those words were said, this time it is true.
Scroll through the gallery below to see the side-by-side comparison of iOS 6 and iOS 7.

Lock Screen

Create Custom Vibration Notifications for iPhone - No Jailbreak

Custom ring and text tones are great for knowing who's attempting to contact you without having to actually look at your iPhone. However, this feature is useless when your device is in silent/vibrate-only mode.

With a simple change in settings, you can unlock custom vibrations for anyone in your contact list. This way you will always know who is on the other side of communication and if it is important enough to pick up.

iPhone Carrier Editor - No Jailbreak (iOS 6)

A common misunderstanding among iPhone owners is that Jailbreaking is required to achieve any type of customization. While this was mostly true in earlier versions of iOS, the 6th release (iOS 6) has a nice handful of tweaks. CarrierEditor is one of my favorites; it allows the ability to stop advertising for you carrier, and chose your own logo as a replacement. As you can see pictured below, my phone is on BatSignal.

Hidden Apple TV Features

Apple TV is a wonderful little set top box with some powerful features. Here are four of my favorite hidden features. 

Install iOS 7 BETA for Free - EXPIRED

iOS 7 has Officially been released to the public. On you compatible device navigate Setting>General>Software Update to download and install the new operating system.

Compatible Devices

• iPhone 5
• iPhone 4S
• iPhone 4
• iPad 2,
• iPad Mini
• iPad w/ Retina display
• iPod Touch 5th gen.

Enjoy!

How to: Watch American Netflix in Canada using AppleTV (Updated Jan 19, 2014)

It is no secret that Netflix streams different content to you based on your location. Myself, I live in Canada and thus have watched through the Canadian content. Crossing the US boarder will automatically switch the content that is available for me to watch (to a much better catalogue I might add); though I much prefer to watch from the comfort of my own home. This is possible with a simple change in network settings. 

For the AppleTV, which is my preferred Netflix hub, the steps are surprisingly simple. You would have gone through a similar process on the initial set up of your AppleTV.