Think smartphone reviewing gadgets and electronic toys, including computer peripherals and media dev: November 2013

Friday, November 29, 2013

How to Backup iPhone to iTunes (with Pictures)

If you don't have automatic backup via WiFi for your iPhone set up, it's important to manually backup your phone periodically so that you don't lose important data if your phone is lost or broken. iTunes is the most basic and effective way to backup all of your phone's data.
STEPS

CONNECT YOUR IPHONE TO YOUR COMPUTER THROUGH A USB CONNECTOR. Plug the wider end into the bottom of the iPhone and the shorter end into your computer.

OPEN ITUNES. When your device connects, an "iPhone" button will pop up on the left side or top-right corner (depending on what version of iTunes you have) for you to access your phone's settings. Click on this button.
Your backup may have started automatically when you plugged your phone in, depending on your settings. You should see the following screen if automatic backup has been turned on. In that case, you don't need to take further steps to complete your backup.

CLICK ON THE "SUMMARY" TAB IN THE TOP HORIZONTAL NAVIGATION SUB-MENU. Go to the "Backup" section. You will see a button to manually backup your phone. Click on this to begin the backup process.

BACKUP SPECIFIC CONTENT. If you want to change what you are backing up to iTunes, click on the tabs in the top horizontal navigation sub-menu to explore "Apps", "Music", "Photos", etc. to set what you want to backup.

ARTICLE INFO
Categories: ITunes
Recent edits by: Alex C, Teresa, Chloe
In other languages:
Español: Cómo hacer un respaldo de tu iPhone en iTunes Italiano: Come Eseguire il Backup di un iPhone su iTunes Português: Como Fazer Backup do iPhone para o iTunes
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How to Backup iPhone to iTunes (with Pictures)

CONNECT YOUR IPHONE TO YOUR COMPUTER THROUGH A USB CONNECTOR. Plug the wider end into the bottom of the iPhone and the shorter end into your computer.

CLICK ON THE "SUMMARY" TAB IN THE TOP HORIZONTAL NAVIGATION SUB-MENU. Go to the "Backup" section. You will see a button to manually backup your phone. Click on this to begin the backup process.

4 Ways to Hide Porn on an iPod Touch or iPhone

Are you afraid that someone may come across the stuff that you like to "check out" online? Don't be embarrassed by having your secret discovered. Learn how to hide porn on an iPod Touch or iPhone.
STEPS
METHOD 1 OF 4: USE AN APP

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DOWNLOAD INCOGNITO FROM THE ITUNES STORE. Incognito is a no-frills web browser that allows you to view anything without leaving behind a history. Simply close the browser, and your session will be erased.

USE MY SECRET FOLDER. This passcode-enabled app stores pictures, videos, notes and contacts that you don't want anyone else to find. It also features a porn mode browser, and you can even take your own pictures from within the app to store in your secret stash.

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.whstatic.com/images/5/5e/Spycalc-screenshot.jpeg" border="0" class="mwimage101">

INSTALL SPYCALC. SpyCalc allows you to hide pictures, videos, documents and recordings behind a fully functional calculator. You can group your items, tag them for searching and even create slideshows.

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INSTALL VIDEO SAFE OR PICTURE SAFE. With these apps, you can either download pictures and videos onto your phone or take your own steamy shots from directly within the app.
If someone tries to get into your stash and types the wrong password, then the app sends them to a safe folder that houses generic material.
A quick double-tap hides images from passersby.
METHOD 2 OF 4: BROWSE MOBILE SAFARI IN PRIVATE BROWSING ON IOS 7

OPEN SAFARI.

CLICK ON THE BOOK-SHAPED ICON AT THE BOTTOM. This is the Bookmarks tab.

CLICK ON THE WORD "PRIVATE" AT THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER.

CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT YOU WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE ALL YOUR OPEN TABS; THIS IS UP TO YOU.

CLICK "DONE" AT THE TOP RIGHT CORNER AND CONTINUE BROWSING.
METHOD 3 OF 4: BROWSE MOBILE SAFARI IN PRIVATE BROWSING ON IOS 6 OR EARLIER

TOUCH "SETTINGS" ON YOUR HOME SCREEN.

CLICK "SAFARI", AND SLIDE "PRIVATE BROWSING" TO "ON".
METHOD 4 OF 4: JAILBREAK YOUR DEVICE

BACK UP YOUR IPOD TOUCH OR IPHONE. Consider resetting it to Factory Settings on iOS 5.

firmware. The reset will help to prevent jailbreaking errors, but it's not necessary.

DOWNLOAD ABSINTHE

.0 for Mac OS X onto a Mac.

CLICK THE ABSINTHE ICON. When the computer asks whether or not you want to open an application downloaded from the Internet, click "Open."

CONNECT YOUR IPOD TOUCH OR IPHONE TO THE MAC USING THE USB CORD. Absinthe will then recognize the device.

CLICK "JAILBREAK" ON THE WELCOME SCREEN. Wait for the jailbreaking process to finish, and wait for your device to reboot.
5

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TAP THE NEW CYDIA APP STORE ICON ON YOUR HOME SCREEN.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP COVERT.
Covert opens a Private Browsing tab in Safari so you won't have to download a special browser for looking at porn.
If you're paranoid about whether Safari is in Private Browsing mode or not, just look at the user interface. If the UI is gray, then you're in Private Browsing mode.
TIPS
You can open it up in a new page or if your worried about someone looking in history clear your cookies history and cache.
Covert isn't the only porn option in the Cydia App Store. If you decide on a paid app, then you can purchase it through PayPal or through Amazon Mobile Payments.
You may have to take some extra steps to jailbreak your iPod Touch or iPhone if you have Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8) on your Mac.
Avoid illegal activity.
WARNINGS
The App Store records all of your past purchases. The good news is that you can re-download them. The bad news is that anyone who knows the password to your iTunes account can see them. If you want to make a habit of browsing porn, then make sure no one else knows your iTunes password.
Visits to a mobile porn site are detectable in your browser's history. However, by going to your Home Page -> Clicking Settings -> Clicking Safari -> and then Clicking 'Clear History', you can prevent Safari from auto-suggesting pages that you have visited in the past.
THINGS YOU\'LL NEED
An iPod Touch or iPhone
Incognito, My Secret Folder, Spy Calc or Video Safe
Mobile Safari
A Mac running OS X 10.5 or later
A USB cord for connecting your device to the Mac
Absinthe 2.0

How to Vote on Users Reviews on the Yelp for iPhone App: 11 Steps

Ever seen a really good review on each of the business's pages you've written a review for or looked around at? As long as the review is not your own, you may vote for how useful, funny or cool they are from your iPhone's Yelp app too. Read this article to find out how to do such a thing.

This article would benefit from screenshots.
You can help wikiHow by reading Take Screenshots for wikiHow for instructions. Notice added on {{{date}}}.
STEPS

POWER ON AND UNLOCK YOUR IPHONE. Type in your 4-digit pin (if you have one installed).

DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL YELP FOR IPHONE APP FROM THE APPLE APPSTORE (IF YOU HAVEN\'T DONE SO ALREADY).

OPEN THE YELP FOR IPHONE APP.

SEARCH FOR THE BUSINESS YOU\'D LIKE TO VOTE ON, VIA THE SEARCH BAR AT THE TOP PORTION OF THE APP.

TAP THE BUSINESS YOU\'D LIKE TO VOTE ON/WITH.

SCROLL DOWN UNTIL YOU GET TO THE SECTION ENTITLED "REVIEWS"

TAP A REVIEW, OR IF THERE ARE MORE REVIEWS THAN JUST THE TOP 4, CLICK THE BUTTON SLIGHTLY UNDER THE TOP 4 LABELLED "(X) MORE REVIEWS" (WHERE X DESIGNATES HOW MANY ADDITIONAL REVIEWS ARE PRESENT).

READ THE REVIEW FROM THE VERY TOP TO THE VERY LAST WORD.

SCROLL DOWN UNTIL 3 BUTTONS APPEAR. The three buttons are called "Useful", "Funny" and "Cool".

TAP EACH SELECTION THAT BEST DEFINES THE REVIEW.
TIPS
Tap the voting button again to remove the vote for the review.
Unlike when voting on a PC, you must be logged in to your account to vote.
Voting helps others determine whether or not people should try the business and says "Yeah, the review is true to its word" or "it may be okay, but its got some funny things said within it" or "its got things I didn't even know about the location."
WARNINGS
You can't vote on your own reviews that you yourself wrote.
THINGS YOU\'LL NEED
iOS device
Yelp app
Yelp account
reviews of a business on a Yelp profile page on iPhone device
Yelp friends (optional)

How to Get the Android Browser to Block Popups (with Pictures)

If you're getting popup advertisements in the standard Android browser, then it's a good idea to check that browser's settings. There's an easy way to block that from happening.
STEPS

SELECT THE "APPS" BUTTON FROM THE HOME SCREEN ON ANDROID. Click on "Browser" to open the standard Android browser.

HIT THE MENU BUTTON AFTER THE BROWSER OPENS. Then, select "Settings" when the menu appears.

SELECT "ADVANCED" FROM THE SETTINGS MENU. It's located about halfway down the options list.

CHECK THE BOX LABELLED "BLOCK POP-UPS." This will prevent popups from happening in the browser, even when you travel to a site that normally has them.
TIPS
Popups can build up and slow down your Android's functioning.
WARNINGS
If popups are happening even with them disabled in the browser, then you should check to see which app might be causing the popups.
ARTICLE INFO
Categories: Android | Internet Browsers
Recent edits by: Jason Romero, Lutherus, Emma
In other languages:
Español: Cómo bloquear las ventanas emergentes en tu navegador Android
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How to Back Up iPhone Contacts: 11 Steps (with Pictures)

Apple iPhones store gigabytes (GB) of data, including music, photos, contacts, mail, notes and calendars. However, you need to set up a backup procedure to ensure you don’t lose important contacts if your iPhone is damaged or lost. Read the instructions below to learn how to backup iPhone contacts using two different methods. Most IT experts suggest that you use both methods to improve your chances of securing important data.
STEPS
METHOD 1 OF 2: ITUNES BACKUP

CONNECT YOUR IPHONE TO YOUR COMPUTER. Plug in the cable that came with your iPhone into your phone and your personal computer.
Ensure that your Windows/Mac Computer contains the iTunes application before you connect your phone.
Use your Apple 30-Pin to USB cable or the Apple Lightning to USB cable that arrived with your iPhone. The Lightning to USB cable contains a smaller charger port and is only available on newer iPhones.

OPEN THE ITUNES APPLICATION ON YOUR COMPUTER.

FIND AND SELECT YOUR IPHONE DEVICE FROM THE LEFT COLUMN IN ITUNES.
For example, it may read “Jim Sharp’s iPhone,” if you have previously set up your Apple ID.

CHOOSE THE “INFO” TAB AT THE TOP OF THE IPHONE PAGE. This is the tab located between “Summary” and “Apps.”
Find the section entitled “Sync Contacts.” Select the option to sync contacts, if it is not already selected.

If the Sync Contacts section says “Your contacts are being synced with your iPhone over the air,” this means you are currently set up for iCloud backup. You can either change the setting on your iPhone for manual backup or move on to the next method.

RETURN TO THE SUMMARY PAGE. Click the “Back Up Now” button under the “Backups” section.
You can also right click on the iPhone device in the left hand column. #Select “Back Up” from the list of options.
Repeat this method every few days, if you do not use iCloud, or repeat it every week to month if you do use iCloud backup.
METHOD 2 OF 2: ICLOUD BACKUP

SET UP YOUR APPLE ID, IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY. iCloud should be installed on all iPhones when you set up your new device.
You receive 5GB of iCloud storage free with your Apple ID account.
Make sure your iPhone is running the latest operating system. You can check for updates in the “App Store” application.

GO TO THE “SETTINGS” APPLICATION ON YOUR IPHONE. Look for “iCloud” and select it.

ENTER YOUR APPLE ID. Once you sign in, you will be able to control the iCloud settings on your phone.

SELECT THE OPTION TO “USE ICLOUD.”
If you opt not to use iCloud, you will need to backup your contacts using the first method.

CLICK ON THE ICLOUD OPTION IN YOUR SETTINGS APPLICATION. Look for “Contacts.” Slide the button to “On,” if it is indicated as “Off.”
Peruse the list of other data that iCloud can backup. Slide the button to “On” for anything you would like to backup regularly and automatically.

WAIT FOR THE ICLOUD TO BACKUP AUTOMATICALLY. It should backup regularly without needing to prompt it.
Select the “Storage and backup” option from the bottom of the iCloud settings. Scroll to the bottom of the page. At the very bottom, you will see the last date and time of backup. If it only shows a time, it has already backed up the contacts and other iPhone data today.

You can force a backup by clicking the “Back Up Now” button just above the latest backup time.

THINGS YOU\'LL NEED
Apple 30-pin to USB cable
Apple Lightning to USB cable
iTunes application
Latest version of iOS
Apple ID
TIPS
Apple suggests that the best way to backup your iPhone contacts is through the iCloud application. It is designed to work with your applications to automate the process.
SOURCES AND CITATIONS
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1296
http://www.everythingicafe.com/how-to-backup-iphone-contacts/2012/03/19/
http://osxdaily.com/2012/06/14/how-to-back-up-your-iphone-contacts/
ARTICLE INFO
Categories: IPhone
Recent edits by: CJ_Blardony, Maluniu, Kmparks
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How to Update iOS Software on an iPhone

Apple regularly releases updates to its mobile operating system, and it’s always a good idea to make sure you’re using the latest version to make sure your device remains compatible with apps and is free of bugs.

An editor has suggested that this article be merged with:
"How to Update the iPhone Operating System"
Per the merge policy, if these topics are determined to be similar but distinct, then the articles will remain separate. Please comment on the discussion page. Notice added on 2013-07-11.
STEPS

WHEN A RED BADGE WITH A NUMBER IN IT APPEARS ABOVE THE SETTINGS APP’S ICON, AN UPDATE IS AVAILABLE. Tap the Settings icon on your iPhone’s Home Screen to launch the Settings app.

TAP GENERAL.

TAP SOFTWARE UPDATE.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE UPDATE IS NOW SHOWN. Scroll down and tap the Download and Install button. The new software will now be installed on your device.
TIPS
When you choose to update your software you may be asked to agree to new Terms and Conditions. Read the agreement carefully and tap the Agree button if you’re happy to accept the conditions.
By tapping Learn More, you can find out what new features or fixes the software update provides.
To update your iPhone software via iTunes, plug your iPhone into your computer using the USB Dock Connector cable and launch iTunes. If a software update is available, iTunes will alert you and provide the option to download and install it.
WARNINGS
If you update your software over Wi-Fi make sure that your iPhone is well charged or plugged in to a power source to avoid running out of battery during the update.

How to Sort Your Bookmarks Differently on the Yelp for iPhone App

Are you sick and tired of looking at your Yelp bookmarks in order of distance from your phone to the business and would rather view them in order of Date added (like the website shows)? This article will teach you how to re-sort the bookmarks from the Yelp app on an iPhone smartphone.

This article would benefit from screenshots.
You can help wikiHow by reading Take Screenshots for wikiHow for instructions. Notice added on {{{date}}}.
STEPS

POWER ON AND UNLOCK YOUR IPHONE.

INSTALL, IF YOU HAVEN\'T ALREADY, THE YELP APP FOR YOUR IPHONE APP STORE APP.

OPEN THE YELP APP.

TAP THE BOOKMARKS ICON FROM THE CENTER PORTION OF THE SCREEN, OR TAP THE BOOKMARKS ICON FROM THE BLACK BUTTON ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN (NEAR THE RIGHT-HAND CORNER)

TAP THE SORT BUTTON FROM NEAR THE TOP. option. You'll then be prompted with the only 3 options from which you can choose your bookmarks from.

UNDERSTAND WHAT EACH OF THE CHOICES DOES.
Distance from Me will sort them (using the GPS sensor) into imaginary circles of distance from the phone to the address written on the business' page.
Alphabetically will sort them in A to Z order. There is currently no option to sort them in Z to A order (as Yelp finds this useless, and feels A to Z order is more important to it's users).
Date Added will sort them in order of the date and time the item was added to your Yelp account.

TAP THE SORTING OPTION OF YOUR CHOICE.

ALLOW YOUR BOOKMARKS TO SYNCHRONIZE, TO ENSURE ALL BUSINESS\'S HAVE BEEN ADDED CORRECTLY. To be sure, synchronize the app's bookmarks yourself, by pulling down on the area from the top item with a downwards motion.
Know another method for How to SORT YOUR BOOKMARKS DIFFERENTLY ON THE YELP FOR IPHONE APP? Add it here... 1. Add Method
TIPS
At first, the Bookmarks will sorted by default in the order of "Date Added" (same style as the website version). You can change this to either of the other 2 choices explained above.
THINGS YOU\'LL NEED
iOS device
Yelp app
Yelp account
Yelp bookmarks

How to Control Your iPhone from Your Computer: 11 Steps

Controlling your iPhone from your computer can be useful in performing long, in-depth tasks that could be sped up with the use of a full-sized keyboard and mouse.
STEPS

JAILBREAK YOUR IPHONE. In order to use Veency, you'll need a jailbroken iPhone.

OPEN CYDIA ON YOUR IPHONE.

TYPE “VEENCY” IN THE SEARCH BAR LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE SCREEN.

TAP ON “VEENCY”.

TAP “INSTALL” AT THE TOP RIGHT.

TAP “CONFIRM.” This will agree to the changes that will be made to your iPhone in order for Veency to be downloaded and installed.

ENABLE WIFI ON YOUR IPHONE. To do so, tap “Settings”. Then, tap “WiFi." Finally, slide the switch to “On.”

DOWNLOAD TIGHTVNC [ LINK:http://www.tightvnc.com/ ] on your computer.

LAUNCH TIGHTVNC.

ENTER YOUR IPHONE\'S IP ADDRESS INTO THE “VNC SERVER:” bar.

CLICK “CONNECT” AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CONTROL YOUR IPHONE FROM YOUR COMPUTER!
ARTICLE INFO
Categories: IPhone
Recent edits by: Emma
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How to Make an Apple Pinata: 15 Steps

Its a party and you want to smash a piñata and shower yourself with lots of candies. Anyone can buy a piñata in a store, but the homemade ones are much more fun - both to make and to break! Try these steps to make one at home:
STEPS

TEAR SEVERAL STACKS OF NEWSPAPER INTO

/2 INCH WIDE STRIPS. Newspaper tears most easily from top to bottom (with the grain). Set aside.

MIX ABOUT A HALF CUP OF FLOUR AND A CUP OF WATER IN A SMALL BOWL UNTIL LUMPS DISSOLVE.

PLACE A LARGE MIXING BOWL UPSIDE-DOWN ON YOUR WORK SURFACE.

DAMPEN THE NEWSPAPER STRIPS IN THE FLOUR MIXTURE, ONE AT A TIME, AND PLACE IN A CRISS-CROSS PATTERN OVER ENTIRE OUTSIDE OF LARGE MIXING BOWL.

ALLOW TO DRY OVERNIGHT.

WHEN DRY, REMOVE AND SET ASIDE.

REPEAT STEPS 1-6. If additional shaping of your piñata is required, do so while the second half is still a bit damp.

YOU SHOULD NOW HAVE TWO HEMISPHERES OF EQUAL SIZE. Choose which will be the top, and cut a 4-inch "C" in the top center. This will be the hole for filling your piñata, and the end from which you hang it.

FASTEN THE TWO EMPTY HALVES OF YOUR PIñATA WITH ADDITIONAL STRIPS OF NEWSPAPER DIPPED IN A FRESH FLOUR MIXTURE.

WHILE YOUR PIñATA IS DRYING, CUT OR TEAR 3" PIECES OF YOUR RED STREAMER MATERIAL. You will need enough to cover the entire piñata.

TURN YOUR EMPTY PIñATA UPSIDE-DOWN, AND WORK WITH THE MASKING TAPE AND RED STREAMER PIECES TO COVER THE ENTIRE BOTTOM.

ONCE BOTTOM IS COVERED, SET PIñATA RIGHT-SIDE-UP ON YOUR WORK SURFACE. Work your way around the piñata in rows, starting at the bottom and finishing with the top, by taping the 3" pieces of streamer material to the piñata with your masking tape.

ONCE YOUR PIñATA IS COMPLETELY COVERED, USE A LARGE NEEDLE OR A HOLE PUNCH TO CREATE TWO HOLES IN THE TOP AND RUN A PIECE OF TWINE THROUGH IT FOR HANGING.

FILL WITH CANDY.

TAKE A WHACK AT IT.
TIPS
You can save a day by having TWO large mixing bowls of exactly the same dimensions.
WARNINGS
When it is time to break the piñata, stand clear of the person holding the stick.
THINGS YOU\'LL NEED
newspaper.
Flour and water.
Two mixing bowls: one for the flour mixture and one to use as a form.
Red crepe paper (check the party section of the store and buy a roll of the red paper streamers).
Masking tape.
Large needle or hole punch.
Twine.