How to Use a Mouse With an iPad & Customize Controls

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An overhead view of a bluetooth keyboard and mouse on a desk surface

When Apple released iOS 13.4, it included the ability to use a Bluetooth mouse or trackpad with your iPad. At first, it seems strange to use a mouse with an iPad, but you will be surprised at how quickly you get used to using one, especially if your main device is a laptop or desktop computer. It’s easy to get started, but the nuances of customizing it to meet your needs are hidden a little deeper than you might expect. In this post I will show you how to connect a mouse to your iPad and give you some options to customize it to work the way you want. Here’s what you need to know.

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Thoughts on MacOS 11: Big Sur, Big Changes

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A Bluetooth Apple Keyboard. Text reads, iPad Apps on a Mac: Coming Soon.

At WWDC this year, Apple unveiled its annual slew of software updates for iOS, iPadOS, WatchOS and tvOS. However, the update for the Mac may well be one of the biggest changes in recent memory. MacOS 11, or Big Sur as it was dubbed, could very well change how future Macs are defined. It has big implications for schools, families and everyone else who is using Apple devices as part of their daily routine. Here’s why.

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A Guide to Using Shortcuts on iPhone & iPad

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The Shortcuts app for iOS is one of those apps that I didn’t spend enough time with when it first came out. It was packed full of potential, but it looked complex and difficult to learn. I was wrong. You don’t need to be a programmer or even know very much about shortcuts at all, so long as you have a few basics under your belt. That’s what this guide is all about. It introduces the iOS Shortcuts app from the ground up and gives you the tools and resources you need to be successful.

A Great Free Video Editor for Schools

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A boy in bed, illuminated by the screen of a laptop. Text reads, Animotica: Free for schools

For the last couple of weeks I have been playing with a free video editor for Windows 10 called Animotica. It’s available from the Windows Store. As you might expect, the free version does come with an optional in-app purchase and that means if you want to take full advantage of all the available features, you need to upgrade to the Full Pro account. However, the Full Pro plan is just $16 for a lifetime license and there are no monthly subscription fees. Better still, schools can get a Full Pro license for free.

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How to Look (and Sound) Good on Video Calls

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A laptop sitting on a table. Text reads, 5 Ways to Improve Your Video Calls.

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably doing a lot more video calls than you used to. The current pandemic has got us all well-versed in communicating via Skype, Zoom and Google Meet. However, as comfortable as we might be with our new found communication skills, there are still a few easy things you can do to take your video conferencing skills to the next level. In this post, I look at five ways that are guaranteed to make you look (and sound) great at your next virtual meeting.

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How to Share Your iPhone or iPad Screen in a Zoom Meeting

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Two dogs in a Zoom video call. Title reads, how to share an iOS screen on Zoom.

Zoom is becoming the video conferencing tool of choice in many homes, schools and workplaces. However, many people are only scratching the surface for what you can do with this powerful communication tool. For instance, most people know how to share their screen on a Mac or PC, but what about sharing the screen from an iPhone or iPad? As it happens, there are three different ways to share the screen of an iOS device in Zoom, so here’s what you need to know.

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Casio G-Shock GWM5610: Watch Review

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My first watch was a Casio. I don’t remember how old I was when I got it, or even what model it was, but my first watch was definitely a Casio. I’ve worn Casios on and off for most of my life, but none have connected with me more than the one I am wearing right now, the G-Shock GWM5610. It might not look like anything special, but this little thing is packed with history, (and technology), and that checks a lot of boxes for me. Here’s why.

5 New Updates for Google Meet

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Google Meet Updates: 5 new features

There is something reassuring about using a product where all the company resources are dedicated to making that one thing better. Take, for instance, Zoom. You can get video conferencing options from Google, Microsoft, Apple, and others, but as big as these companies are, video calls are not their sole purpose, so they only dedicate a limited number of resources towards maintaining and improving that service. Recently, Google was able to offer a number of updates for Meet to help make it more competitive with the likes of Zoom. Here are five new features for Google Meet that you can expect to see soon.

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Should You Buy the New iPhone SE?

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Four iPhone SE phones. Text reads, the 2020 iPhone SE: the value king?

On April 15, 2020, Apple introduced the second generation iPhone SE. This long-rumored iPhone was unveiled without much ceremony via a press release, and it’s now the cheapest iPhone that you can buy. On paper, it has some compelling features that demand a second look from anyone who is looking to upgrade their device, but it this the iPhone you have been waiting for? Is this the new value king in the smartphone market? Let’s find out.

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Introducing: Today at Apple at Home

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Macbook lid. Text reads Free Apple Tutorials: Today at Apple at Home.

The Today at Apple program is a collection of free workshops that are held at Apple retail stores all over the world. Anyone can sign up to attend and learn more about how to use their Apple device for coding, art, music, photography, and more. However, the Covid-19 outbreak that has engulfed our world has prompted Apple to close all of their retail stores, and that means you can’t sign up for these free, face-to-face workshops. This led to the creation of the Today at Apple at Home program.

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