iPad Archives - Jonathan Wylie

Why Live Text in iOS 15 is Great for Schools

hand holding a space gray iPhone — Photo by Bagus Hernawan on Unsplash

In its annual update for its mobile devices, Apple has prepared a buffet of new features for iOS 15. There are lots of innovative ideas here, but the one that stood out the most for me is the new Live Text feature. I think it could be a great option for schools and anyone else that is looking to extract text from an image. In this post, I will show you how it works and why it could be a bigger deal than some people have given it credit for.

How to Play Xbox Game Pass on iPhone and iPad

Did you know that you can now use your iPhone or iPad to play Xbox Game Pass games? Microsoft has been talking to Apple about this for years. They wanted to release an app, similar to what they have on Android, where iOS users could browse through the Game Pass catalog and then stream the games they want to play. However, Apple has steadfastly refused to allow that format on the App Store. They said it was a store within a store and that all games had to be listed separately. So, Microsoft found a workaround. Here’s how it works.

Continue Reading ->

How to Use AirPlay Without an Apple TV

When iPads and MacBooks started to work their way into classrooms, so did the Apple TV. Why? It was an easy way for teachers to project their devices wirelessly to a projector using AirPlay. The Apple TV could sit, unnoticed, on top of an LCD projector and remain idle until it was needed. The only problem was the cost. At $149 for an Apple TV HD, it was not an insignificant outlay, particularly if you were buying 50 or more for all the classrooms in your school. However, an Apple TV isn’t the only way to use AirPlay in your classroom. You can use a Roku instead.

How to Edit Live Photos to Make Videos, GIFs & More!

Live Photos are a great way to add life to moments of joy that you capture with your iPhone or iPad camera. When a photo isn’t enough, but a video is overkill, the Live Photo is exactly what you need. They are enabled by default on all iOS devices, but they are easy to turn off by mistake. In this guide we will look at how to enable, edit and convert live photos so that you can take full advantage of this fun file format!

Continue Reading ->

How to Translate Websites on iPhone or iPad with Safari

Image of mountains. Text reads, translating websites on mobile devices.

The release of iOS 14 brought hardly any changes to the Safari web browser, but it did include one notable feature that Apple is sure to build on in future releases. Website translation is now possible when you visit sites that were written in one of seven different languages. This is useful if you are trying to see how news is reported in different countries, or if you are traveling and want to keep up with the latest information in that region. In this post, I am going to show you how that works, and give you some options on what else you can do if you are looking for a language outside of the seven that Apple currently supports.

Loom for Education: Free for Schools

Loom for Education is a free premium tool for teachers and students at K-12 schools, universities, or educational institutions. It can be used for screencasting or video messaging and is an increasingly popular alternative to Screencastify or Screencast-o-matic. Loom is available as a desktop app, Chrome extension, and a mobile app for iPhone and iPad. Here’s why you might want to take a look at this great free screencasting tool.

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

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.

Continue Reading ->

New: The 8th Generation iPad and 2020 iPad Air

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.

How to Use a Mouse With an iPad & Customize Controls

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.

Thoughts on MacOS 11: Big Sur, Big Changes

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.