Monday, May 30, 2011

8 More iPhone Tricks You Might Not Have Known (iPod Touch Tricks Included)


While you might find some of these iPhone tips and tricks elementary, I'm sure there's atleast something on this list that you didn't know of. And if you did, congrats iPhoner - now see how you stand up against the ultimate iPhone Glossary.

1.   Double tap space bar for a period -
When typing on your iPhone, double tapping the space bar at the end of a sentence automatically enters a period followed by a space. No need to press "123" to get to the numbers and symbols page where the period typically resides. I use this trick daily and it heavily increases my typing speed (especially when texting).
Spacebar1
Spacebar2

2.  Tap the bottom corner to navigate home screens
When on your home screen, try tapping the bottom right/left corner to switch between pages instead of swiping your finger accross the screen.
Home_navigation_tip

3.   Take out your SIM card during backup and sync -
We've all experienced it. You're backing up and syncing your iPhone, and the hour long back up is nearly complete. Then all of a sudden you get a phone call, and the whole back up/sync is null and void.
To avoid this happening, simply start the backup/sync, then pull out your SIM card. Do not worry, this does not damage your phone at all. Put it back in once everything is complete. This way, your backup won't get interrupted.
This tip is also useful if you need to make a phone call while your iPhone is backing up/syncing. Since unlocking your phone cancels the process, just take out your SIM card, pop it in your old cell phone, and call away.

4.   Move "dock" icons
You'd be surprised how often this tip is overlooked. The 4 icons located on the grey bar at the bottom of your iPhone - Phone, Mail, iPod, Safari - are movable, just like the rest of the icons. Just press and hold the icons, then drag them while they are shaking. Press the home button when you're done. You can put any 4 icons on your dock.
In the screenshots, note the difference between pic 1 and 2.
Dock1
Dock2

5.   Automatically capitalize and add apostrophes
The iPhone automatically capitalizes certain words ("I" when you type "i"). It also automatically adds apostrophes ("I'm" when you type "Im").
Type_tip_1
Type_tip_2

6.   Double tap a column on Safari to fit-to-page
When browsing the Internet on your iPhone's Safari browser, double tap any column, word, or picture to fit it's width to your iPhone's screen. This is extremely useful for reading blogs.
The first screenshot is the page when it firsts load. The second screenshot is the page once the main text was double tapped.
Width_tip1
Width_tip2

7.   Manually select the icon image for a bookmarked webpage
This one's a little more confusing. When you are browsing a website on your iPhone's Safari browser and want to add its icon to your home screen, press the plus sign and select "Add to Home Screen".
The image in the icon, however, is a screenshot of the page you were on. So if you want the icon to look a specific way, zoom in on a particular item on the page. Whether you want the website's logo, or some picture on the page, simply zoom in on that part of the page before you press "Add to Home Screen".
Note: This doesn't work with all websites. Popular sites like Google have special icons for the iPhone's home screen. 
Bookmark1
Go to your website of choice.
Bookmark2
Zoom in on your favorite part.
Bookmark3
Press the + sign and choose Add to Home Screen.
Bookmark4
Name the bookmark appropriately (Digg - Apple).
Bookmark5
Now that exact part of the webpage is displayed in your icon.

8.   Your iPhone's headphones have a multi-function button!
You'd be surprised how many people don't know that the iPhone's native headphones have a button on the microphone.
Just squeeze the microphone together, and the button gets pressed.
The buttons functions:
In call...
    • Press once to answer a call
    • Press twice to send the call to voicemail
    • Press once to hang up a call
In call while second call coming in... [thank you silver0fox]
    • click once to hold current call and switch to new call
    • hold for 2 secs and release to ignore new call
Out of call...
  • Press once to activate iPod and play song
  • Press once to pause song
  • Press twice to skip to next song


Iphone_3g_lineup

Using these 8 tips will not only increase your iPhone IQ, but improve your overall iPhone experience
This post is sponsored by:
Dr Mobiles Limited
1 Huron Street, Takapuna, North Shore 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344 and Mob: (021) 264-0000
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