How to Set Chrome and Gmail as Default Apps in iOS 14

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iPhone on a table. The iPhone is unlocked and a variety of apps can be seen on the home screen.

If you have an iPhone or an iPad then the chances are high that at some point in time, you have wished for the ability to set default apps. It’s easy to do on an Android device, but it always seemed like a glaring omission on iOS, and it never seemed to be much of a priority for Apple. The release of iOS 14 changed that because you can now set your default email client and web browser. This means Chrome, Firefox, or DuckDuckGo could be your default browser, while Gmail, Outlook, or Spark Mail could be your default email client. If you don’t want to use Safari or Mail, you don’t have to.

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New: The 8th Generation iPad and 2020 iPad Air

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An iPad Air and a Magic Keyboard. Text reads, Is the 2020 iPad Air the New iPad Pro?

On Tuesday, Apple unveiled two new iPads. The eighth-generation iPad, and the fourth-generation iPad Air, replace existing models in the lineup and are undoubtedly important models for Apple. The $329 base model, is Apple’s best-selling iPad and a popular choice for schools, while the iPad Air is a tempting stepping stone for those who want more for their money without splurging on an iPad Pro. The only question that remains then, is whether or not these new models are a big enough upgrade to warrant any real attention. Let’s find out.

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Using Guides in Google Slides to Align Content Like a Pro!

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A cactus and a tape measure next to it. Text reads, how to use guides for perfect alignment in google slide decks.

Personally, I find it hard to work on the content for a slide deck if I don’t start with an idea for what the design of my slides will look like, and I can’t settle on a good design for my slide deck until the OCD part of my brain accepts that everything is neatly arranged and lined up exactly the way it should be. This is where guides come in. This handy tool lets you align text, shapes, images and more so that you never need to worry about whether your picture to be ten pixels further to the left. Now, I know what you’re thinking. I have a problem. You’re absolutely right, I freely admit it, but here’s how I solved it. I use guides in Google Slides.

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New Updates for Google Classroom and Meet!

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A laptop, phone and mouse sitting on a desk. A pair of glasses are on the laptop. Text reads, Big updates from Google for Classroom and Meet.

Updates for Google products are not an uncommon experience. In fact, people like myself are often having to update presentations and handouts to reflect the changes that Google have made to their various apps. However, the pandemic that we are all living in right now has adjusted everyone’s priorities, and edtech providers are no different. In this post, I have rounded up the best new features that Google has in the pipelines for Classroom and Meet.

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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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