iTunes - Authorize Or Deauthorize That Computer

Apple will allow you to place your iTunes account on 5 computers .

That means you can duplicate your music and account on these computers.

However you will need to "authorize" these computers with your Apple ID 

If you have stopped using a computer , don't forget to "deauthorize" that computer

Once a year you can "deauthorize" all computers ( whether you have them or not) and then " authorize" the computers you are using.

Remember if you cannot find your Apple ID , here is a link to help you.

What Is My Apple ID

Windows XP Lifespan Is Running Out

For all the people that are still on Windows XP , the lifespan of this operating system is starting to run out.

After the April 8th 2014 there will be no more updates or service packs  which effectively means it would be unsafe for you to go on the internet.

So now is the time to start planning your migration to either Windows 8 or Apple

Lets remember Windows XP was released in Aug 2001.

Issues are now starting to arise

• If you want to use iTunes with iOS5  ,Windows XP users will not be able to access this feature.

"Using iCloud with a PC requires Windows Vista or Windows 7; Outlook 2010 or 2007 is recommended for accessing contacts and calendars."

• Internet Explorer 9 will not work with Windows XP 
• HTML5 issues with Windows XP

But expect to see more incompatible software and applications that will not work with Windows XP appearing in the future.

Protect The Information On Your iPad / iPhone

The information that you carry on your iPhone and or iPad can be protected by turning on the Passcode Lock.

This can be found by:

• Going to Settings on your device 
• Then go to the General tab
• Then go to Password Lock

Here is where you turn the Passcode on and you can select a simple 4 digit passcode or if you turn that off you can enter a longer passcode.

There is also the Erase Data tab whereby 10 failed attempts at entering a Passcode will wipe and erase all data from the iPhone or iPad

FiveAA Segment For 5th Mar

Recording Television

PVR - personal video recorder

Personal video recorder has 2 HD tuners that record 4 programs at once while playing a recorded show from the hard drive , you can find them on the market for around $350

Here are some links to give you an idea of pricing and range.

Harvey Norman

The Good Guys

JB Hifi

Kogan

A PVR gives you the ability to pause and rewind TV and skip through the ads if you have it paused.

So How Much Can I Record?

500GB means 250 hours of standard definition television - high definition 125 hours

Many PVRs give you the ability to record to usb so you can connect say a 1TB hard drive.

PVRs also come with an electronic program guide so you know what is on tv and what you can record.

Watch And Record TV On A Computer Or Tablet

You can also watch and record tv on an ipad , click here for details 

To record tv on a computer you will need a tv tuner for your computer.

There are many varieties of these , here is a link to some from JBHiFi

The Aerial Question

Hook into aerial on the roof or if you are in the inner metro use the antenna they send you with the equipment.

Digital will either work or not there is no in-between with digital television.

PowerFm Segment For 30th Jan

On This Week In Technology

Steve Jobs announced the iPad in 2010

Just this morning we had the announcement of a 128GB capacity iPad

Apple sold nearly 23 million iPads in the Oct - Dec quarter

The iPad has changed the computer landscape forever with forecasts this year of more tablets being sold than laptops.

Talking Points

Printers

Buying a printer- Work out how much per page it will cost you

Look at the ink and printer and it should tell you how many pages you get per ink refill then do the maths.

Online Storage

Going back to school get your children a Dropbox account or a Skydrive account.

They can then save their homework in the cloud and can log-on from school and access their saved work.

The Dropbox folder and the Skydrive folder appear as a folder in their " My Documents"

Domain Names

If you have a domain name , make sure you own it , not your website designer , check today by going to Who Is ? 

App Of The Week 

The Mr T app , I pity the fool that doesn't download this app 

The iTunes Mr T App

Problem With Apple - Check Out The Status Page

If you think you have a problem with Siri or iCloud and you are wondering if it maybe an Apple issue then checkout their status page .

Apple Status Page

Need Help With Apple Try Apple Support

Looking for help for your Apple products.

Then try the new site 

Apple Support Communities

Apple have redone their support page where you can search by product or issue and get tutorials on your product.

The New iTunes

The new iTunes ( version 11 ) is out now and is a big change and a welcome update to the old version.

It is available for both Windows and Apple computers.

There is a much cleaner look to it as you can see from the image below and there is a lot more cloud integration. 

To learn more about the new iTunes check out the links below

Lifehacker - How To Use iTunes 11

CNet iTunes 11 Tips And Tricks

Macworld - Hands On With iTunes 11

Looking For A Discount On Apple Products

Today is Apple's One Day Sale where you can get discounts on Apple products

One Day Shopping Apple Event

You should also make sure you check out their Special Deals Page where you can get great discounts on Apple products 

Apple Special Deals Page

Invert Your Phones Colors For iPhones & Android Phones

Would you like to make black test white and white background black on your phones ?

Well you can quiet easily and this is especially good if you use your phone in the dark.

On the iPhone go to

Settings - General - Accessibility 

Then turn on " Invert Colors "

On the Android phones go to  

Settings - Accessibility 

Then turn on "Inverted Rendering "

Power FM Spot For 24th Oct

On This Week In Technology

Windows XP was released in 2001 

Discussion Points

Apple Announcements

Apple made announcements overnight which may take a bit of the gloss from the Microsoft announcement on Friday with Windows 8

• The iPad mini - ideal for games , books , it will be available from the 2nd Nov , designed to compete with the smaller tablets on the market from Google and Amazon
• It's 7.2mm thin and weighs 308grams
• The iPad has been updated with the new A6x processor , the one from the new iPhone 5 , dont buy an iPad without this or make sure you are saving some money by getting a discount on the old / new iPad 
• Apple announced that they have just sold their 100millionth iPad , Tim Cook said "We sold more iPads in the June quarter than any PC manufacturer sold of their entire PC line-up!”

Apple have also updated their computer line up with new iMacs and mac minis

Windows 8

Windows 8 is coming on Friday along with Microsoft Surface , the Microsoft iPad competitor

Windows RT will also be on mobile devices , looks the same as Windows 8 but it is different , confused , so is everyone 

With Windows 8 you can install all your traditional applications ( Outlook , Photoshop etc ) and apps from the Windows Store

Windows RT can only run Apps which are preinstalled on the device or that you buy from the Windows Store

App Of The Week 

Blower Real Air

This app when installed will blow air out of the iPhone , iPad and iPod

Download Blower Real App Here 

5AA Segment For 25th Sept

I think a new iPhone was released .

The iPhone 5 is now available but the speed , screen and changes make it a worthwhile upgrade if your phone is 2 years old.I always have a 2 year rule with phones as you will notice the difference over the 2 year time frame when you upgrade and as most telco's contracts are 2 years.

The Good Points

Its quick , the processor in this phone allows you to go from one task to another with minimal lag time and in testing that I have read it is more than twice as fast as the iPhone 4S and while using the phone it appears to match these tests.

The screen is a step up from the last iPhone and the phone is now taller so you can fit another row of icons on the screen and looks remarkably better than the screens on the iPhone 4 and 4S

The camera has been improved and produces great results for a phone.There is also now a panoramic function and the camera on the front has been noticeably improved.

Its thinner and noticeably lighter, while it is longer and is 20% lighter than the iPhone 4s

The 4g in the device on the Telstra network works exceptionally well and I recorded 23MBps  down and 10 mbps up

I like the new lightning connector as the old connector was nearly 10 years old now and it works no matter which way you plug it in.” Nothing lasts forever “ and you can buy an adaptor.

The Issues

The issues that have arisen currently are all software or human issues

The Map issue

Its not as good as Google maps was “currently”

The WIFI Issue

There are reports of iPhones  having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi networks or staying on Wi-Fi networks and indeed I experienced this with my iPhone4.

If you’re still having Wi-Fi problems, you can try the following:

Toggle your Wi-Fi off and on – Settings app > Wi-Fi OR

Set your device’s HTTP Proxy to Auto – Settings app > Wi-Fi > Blue icon next to the network you’re connecting to > Scroll to the bottom

One of these methods should cure your Wi-Fi troubles.

The Facebook Issue - Human Issue

Your iPhone has imported your Facebook friends @facebook.com email addresses not their correct ones.

That’s actually your fault as most people have not adjusted their Facebook contact settings to their proper email address not their @facebook address which is in your “ about “ section of your Facebook profile.

The Scratch Issue - Human Issue

People are reporting the new iPhone 5 shows scratches - answer be more careful

The Biggest Issue Of All

People can't put it down

iOS6 SOFTWARE HIGHLIGHTS

DO NOT DISTURB

Where you can turn your phone off to all but anyone that you select ( say your kids )

You can also set the times that you can take calls

SIRI

Is now on the iPad if you have the latest iPad

REPLY WITH MESSAGE TO PHONE CALLS

If you can’t answer a call you can reply back with a pre-designated text message

I’ll call you later

I’m on my way

Or make your own up

You can also set up a reminder to call the person back. When the call comes in, swipe up on the phone icon, tap the “Remind Me Later” button. You’ll have a few different choices, including setting up reminders for, “in 1 hour”, “When I leave”, “When I get home” and “When I get to work”. When one of those events happens you’ll get a notification through the Reminders app to call the person back.

IMESSAGE

You can send messages between iphone , ipad , ipod touch and a mac if you have one – you can even do group messages

FIND MY IPHONE

Immediately lock your missing iPhone with a four-digit passcode and send it a message displaying a contact number so if someone found your phone or ipad they can ring and tell you. While in Lost Mode, your device will keep track of where it’s been and report back to you any time you check in with the Find My iPhone app.

PASSBOOK

You will be able to check into airline flights , cinemas etc with this app as they get companies on board.

TURN OFF AD TRACKING

You can turn off how companies can follow you through advertising

Settings > General > About > Advertising and flip the switch to On.

FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

Much easier to share everything on Facebook and Twitter now

DECLINE INCOMING CALLS

Decline Incoming Calls and Reply with a Text Message

Decline Incoming Calls and Set Up a Reminder to Call Back

Are There Any iPhone 5 Issues ?

Are there issues with the iPhone 5 ?

A few have been reported  , however lets separate out actual iPhone issues to software issues to human issues.

The Map issue – Software Issue

its not as good as Google maps “currently” – Google are resubmitting Google maps as an app to the app store but along with the removal of You Tube is a sign of the divorce between Google and Apple , the Apple Maps will improve.

The WIFI Issue - Software Issue

iPhones are having trouble connecting to wifi networks or staying on wifi networks.

If you’re still having Wi-Fi problems, you can try the following:

Toggle your Wi-Fi off and on – Settings app > Wi-Fi OR

Set your device’s HTTP Proxy to Auto – Settings app > Wi-Fi > Blue icon next to the network you’re connecting to > Scroll to the bottom

One of these methods should cure your Wi-Fi troubles.

The Facebook Issue - Human Issue

Your iPhone has imported your Facebook friends @facebook.com email addresses not their correct ones.

That’s actually your fault as most people have not adjusted their Facebook contact settings to their proper email address not their @facebook address which is in your “ about “ section of your Facebook profile.

The Scratch Issue - Human Issue

People are reporting the new iPhone 5 shows scratches - answer be more careful

The Biggest Issue Of All

People can't put it down

iPad - iPhone Issues - What To Do

So you are having issues with your iPhone or iPad or both.

• Apps not working or updating 
• Syncing issues 
• Feeling slow

Here are a few basic steps to go through.

1. Make sure iTunes is updated
2. Make sure your device (iPad or iPhone) is running the latest ios - you will see this when you sync with your computer or check in Settings - software update
3. Conduct a hard reset on the device - keep fingers on power button and home button and leave them there till you see the Apple logo appear then let go - do not release them when you see the turn off symbol
4. Reinstall the ios - this will wipe your device , reload your settings and apps , then reinstall your operating system (ios) on your device - this is done when you sync with your computer

Power FM Spot For 4th July

On This Week In Technology

In 1996 Hotmail was introduced 

Discussion Points

In Michigan they have "motion activated" urinal cakes which broadcast a message urging you "not to drink and drive , call a friend or a taxi to take you home."

If you are using Outlook Express for your email , let it go and move to something better

Go to Gmail or Windows Live Mail or Hotmail

App Of The Week

iSpeech Obama

Type a phrase into your phone and have Barack Obama repeat the phrase

Power FM Spot For 19th June

On This Week In Technology

iTunes in 2008 sold its 5 billionth download

in 2011 they passed 16 billion

Discussion Point

Microsoft are about to release their own tablet the "Surface"

This is a tablet computer that has a 10.6" screen , USB port.

It will come in 2 versions , a regular and a professional version 

The pro version can run Windows applications such as Photoshop and office and will also come with a stylus for writing on the screen.

The regular version ( the RT) will run " mobile apps " 

It has a built in stand and a keyboard ( the Type Cover ) that is " built into " the cover

Availability for the regular version will be around the same time as Windows 8 is released and the professional version will be available 3 months later.

Pricing is unknown and you will be able to buy it online only currently

App Of The Week

Alarm System security for iPhone

Stop people playing with your phone 

Alarm security will sound a siren like sound when someone plays with your phone

Listen to the segment here

Power FM Spot For 30th May

On This Week In Technology

in 1999 the 5 millionth domain name was registered , this year we passed 215,000,000

Tip Segment

Broadband , whats quick and whats not

1. NBN
2. Telstra 4G if in the CBD , Mt Barker and some hills towns
3. ADSL 2+
4. ADSL
5. Telstra 4G if not in the CBD
6. 3G Wireless 
7. Dial Up

App Of The Week

Bump allows you to share contacts and photos when you " bump " your 2 phones togther.

Bump also allows you to send the photos you have taken to your computer by establishing a connection with your computer 

Bump for iPhone

Bump For Android 

Mac Virus Or Windows Virus - What Would I Prefer

Let me start by saying that I run all the operating systems on my computers.

On my Apple computers I have Lion & Snow Leopard.

On my Windows computers I have:

• Windows 7
• Windows Vista
• Windows XP

I do run anti- virus software on my Windows machines.

Some run Microsoft Security Essentials and Nod32 runs on my Windows 7 machine.

I keep all my machines updated as that is your first line of defence against getting malware / virus infection.

I manually check updates in Windows at least once a week as Automatic Updates can and do miss optional updates. This is especially true of Windows XP where the installation of optional updates triggers off critical updates.

I also install updates to software ( Adobe , Java ) from the correct sources and read the installation dialogue that comes with them ( Adobe Reader for example) so that I do not install some of the rubbish that can come with these ( such as the Ask toolbar).

I do not click links in emails or read rubbishy emails which have links designed to get an unpatched machine infected.

So last week the Flashback trojan for macs arose which resulted from a vulnerablity in java software and a fake java update being installed by unsuspecting computer users that should have known that you get updates for your Apple computer from the Software Update only , not from a pop up that appeared.

Was it easy to remove , compared to a Windows virus , yes.

Did it do much damage to the operating system after removal , no.

One of the reasons is the operating system on Apple computers keeps everything " compartmentalised" while Windows spreads parts of programs all over the operating system.

Hence Windows infections will always be harder to remove and the recommended fix for a badly infected Windows computer will always be to reformat and reinstall.There are plenty that will tell you differently but that should always be your first fix of choice. I currently do a 7 step virus removal for those that do not want the format and reinstall option.

You can expect to hear doom and gloom from all the antivirus vendors as Windows 8 will have built in ( Microsoft Security Essentials) protection , you will not need to buy or download software so this will obviously affect their bottom line and they will be looking for new sources of revenue such as smartphones and Apple computers.

Antivirus software for Apple computers rarely gets updated so at the moment is a bit of a waste.

Remember antivirus software will not save you from infection , it is only there to tell you that you have a virus and it will have a go at removing it and the damage it has caused.

After all this i would take the Mac Virus over a Windows Virus , but would prefer no virus at all.

Power FM Spot For 11 April

On This Week In Tech

This week in 2007 Apple sold its 100 milionth iPod , sales to date are around 321 million

Flashback Malware 

Apple computers have been caught out by the Flashback Malware infection woith about 500,000 computers worldwide being infected.

More details and how to check if you have the virus and how to remove it can be found here

Adelaide Techguy On The Flashback Infection

Internet Browsers

Try Google Chrome

Google Chrome does a pre-scan of webpages  for virus infection which makes it safer to surf the internet.

Google Chrome comes with built in adobe flash for watching you tube etc 

Web pages currently load faster than Internet Explorer

App Of The Week - Draw Free

Draw Free for iPad is an app to draw sketch and doodle drawings. 

Share your drawings on Facebook / Twitter or play against other people 

Have them guess what you have drawn or you receive subjects to try and draw

One iTunes Account For Every User

As more and more of us get multiple iOS devices , ( the iPhone, iPad , iPods) the days of sharing our iTunes accounts have come to an end. 

You should have a separate iTunes account for every family member so that only your music , apps , calendar etc are on your device not on everyone else's.

I am constantly talking to parents who have their childrens iTunes music on their iOS device.

When setting up the other iTunes accounts do it with a iTunes Gift Card , this works well with teenagers and children.