iPad By Davis: “MacBreak Weekly 336: Taking Andy Private” plus 10 more

MacBreak Weekly 336: Taking Andy Private
Flexibits talks Fantastical at Macworld|iWorld 2013
Instagram introduces photo feeds for the web
How to mark items as complete in Reminders on iPhone and iPad
iPhone DIY repair: Ultimate guide to replacing broken dock connectors
P90X for iPhone: The best bootcamp you can fit in your pocket
Cool Things: Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard for iPad mini
Givit shows off ultra-fast iOS video editing at Macworld|iWorld
New 128GB iPad Available Today
Deal of the Day: 51% off Qmadix Crave for iPhone 5
Logitech announces Ultrathin Keyboard for the iPad Mini

MacBreak Weekly 336: Taking Andy Private

Posted: 05 Feb 2013 09:04 PM PST

Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, Jean MacDonald of Smile Software, and I recap of Macworld, talk about the Mac Pro getting shuttered in Europe, as well as the next iPhone, and more.

Download and subscribe: TWiT

Flexibits talks Fantastical at Macworld|iWorld 2013

Posted: 05 Feb 2013 02:29 PM PST

Flexibits didn't have a booth at this year's Macworld|iWorld, but what they lacked in structured location they made up for in the big personality of designer Michael Simmons, the ninjary of coder Kent Sutherland, and pure event-based awesomeness that is Fantastical.

We've spoken to Michael before on an episode of the Iterate podcast, but that was before Fantastical for iPhone launched. Now that it has, it's easy to see why Michael was so excited about it. It's fast, it's fluid, and it's natural language text entry (think Siri for typing) makes entering events a breeze. The bi-directional scrolling makes finding them again just as simple.

During the interview, Michael and Kent talk about implementing it, why they had to make it, and the power behind their approach. They also hint at what they're making next.

Give it a watch, and if you haven't tried Fantastical again, give it a shot. It just might win you over.

$4.99 - iPhone - Download now
$19.99 - Mac - Download Now

Instagram introduces photo feeds for the web

Posted: 05 Feb 2013 11:55 AM PST

Instagram introduces photo feeds for the web

Instagram has launched feeds on the web. Profile pages, which were rolled out in November, allowed users to browse their own Instagram histories on the web, but now users are able to view their feed just as they would through the mobile application. In a post on the company's blog, co-founder Kevin Systrom explains how the web feeds emulate the mobile experience:

Your Instagram Feed on the web functions much like it does on your mobile phone. You can browse through the latest photos of people whom you follow with updates as people post new photos. Like photos by double clicking on them or pressing the like button. Or, engage in a conversation around a photo with inline commenting. Browse through pages of the most recent images to keep up on what's happening with the people you follow in realtime. And shrink your browser down to a single column for your feed to look more like your mobile feed. Simply put, we've brought a simple, powerful, and beautiful Instagram browsing experience to the web.

The design for Instagram's web feeds is responsive, changing with the size of your browser window. If you view your web feed on an iPad in portrait orientation for instance, photos will take up most of the screen, while a small sidebar can be found on the left with user information. If, however, you view your feed in landscape, photos will be centered.

The introduction of web feeds means that iPad users no long have to use third-party apps to view their Instagram feed, and you needs to pull out their phone if you're already on your desktop. Instagram doesn't allow photo uploads from desktops, insisting that Instagram is meant to be used on the go and in realtime, but bringing feeds to the web makes it easier than ever to enjoy snapshots of food, pets, and sunsets wherever you are.

Source: Instagram

How to mark items as complete in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

Posted: 05 Feb 2013 12:21 PM PST

How to mark items as complete in Reminders on iPhone and iPad

The built-in Reminders app makes for a great way to keep you on task and organized. Once you've learned how to create reminders, you can view them at any time on your iPhone and iPad. Then, when you complete them, you can just as easily mark them as complete so they disappear from your Reminders app.

Not sure how? Follow along.

Launch the Reminders app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
Find the item that you'd like to mark as complete.
You'll notice a little check box to the left of it. Tap on it.
You'll now notice that the item is marked as complete and it will disappear from that list.
If you ever need to view it again or you tap on the wrong reminder to mark as complete, you can restore it or view it again from the completed list within the Reminders app.

iPhone DIY repair: Ultimate guide to replacing broken dock connectors

Posted: 05 Feb 2013 11:16 AM PST

iPhone DIY repair: Ultimate guide to replacing broken dock connectors

Everything you need to know to DIY (do-it-yourself) repair a malfunctioning or broken dock connector in your iPhone.

There are lots of things that can go wrong with the dock connector in your iPhone. Bad chargers can cause pins to break off, water or moisture can leave your iPhone unable to charge, and more. There are lots of symptoms and problems that can arise that would warrant a DIY repair.

The dock connector in certain models can also affect other functions such as producing sound issues in the iPhone 4 and 4S. Regardless what model iPhone you have, we can walk you through how to replace the dock connector step by step. We'll also give you links to parts and tools from the suppliers we trust.

So if you're experiencing dock connector or charging issues, follow along to find the guides that'll get you back in working order in no time.

Not comfortable with DIY repair? Leave it to the pros

If you aren't comfortable performing a DIY repair on your own, don't. It is possible to cause more damage or run into issues you aren't ready for. In this case, it's probably better to either pay the money for a replacement device from Apple or use a local or mail-in service that will handle the repair and any issues that may arise for you.

The Pod Drop has many locations in the midwest and is a rapidly growing company. You can check for a Pod Drop location near you, mail it in, or use another third party repair service. For more information on mail-in repairs or possible Pod Drop locations near you, you can visit their website.

Pod Drop locations and mail-in options

How to replace the dock connector in an iPhone 4S

The dock connector in the iPhone 4S is actually not that hard to replace. While we haven't seen many defects with the iPhone 4S dock connector related to actual charging functionality, we have seen sound issues arise that can range from system sounds not working but music will actually play when in the music app. There can also be several variants of sound issues involved. The issue isn't actually the loud speaker in our experience, but the dock connector unit itself.

Whether you've got sound issues related to the dock connector or something else such as charging issues or broken pins, a new dock connector replacement will solve all of the above.

How to replace the dock connector in an iPhone 4S

How to replace the dock connector in an AT&T/GSM iPhone 4

How to replace the dock connector in a GSM/AT&T iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 dock connector replacement part is very similar to it's iPhone 4S sibling. The repair is actually performed very similarly. Issues with the iPhone 4 dock connector can range from not being able to charge to moisture and liquid damage, to not registering to your computer, and more. Many users have also reported that after so much time has passed, the dock connector becomes loose and when plugging in a cable, you'll have to wiggle it around in order for it to register a charge. A replacement will take care of all of this.

While the iPhone 4S may have more of a reputation for sound issues caused by a faulty or defective dock connector assembly, the iPhone 4 isn't completely immune either so before you assume it's the loud speaker, make sure it isn't the dock connector either.

How to replace the dock connector in an AT&T/GSM iPhone 4

How to replace the dock connector in a Verizon or Sprint iPhone 4

Much like the GSM/AT&T iPhone 4, the same issues can arise with the Verizon or Sprint variant. Even though you're experiencing the same issues, the CDMA and GSM iPhone 4's do have internal differences. Not only that, the part is completely different when it comes to the dock connector assembly.

Issues can range from the inability to charge to your computer or other external device not recognizing your iPhone 4. We don't see nearly as many sound issues related to the dock connector in the CDMA model, but it can happen.

How to replace the dock connector in a Verizon or Sprint iPhone 4

How to replace the dock connector in an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS

The iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS have been around for several years now but it doesn't mean they aren't still perfectly good devices. Symptoms of a bad dock connector in the iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS can range from the inability to take the charge to pins being broken off causing issues with sound output or device recognition on a computer.

It's also good to make sure that the battery isn't the issue. Considering the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS have been around for so long, a battery replacement at this point probably isn't a bad idea as well. Even if you replace both the battery and the dock connector at the same time, it'll still cost you far less than a new iPhone.

How to replace the dock connector in an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS

More DIY help and resources

Whether you just aren't sure if your dock connector is the issue or you run into issus during a DIY repair, we've got lots of resources that can help answer your questions. Our jailbreak, unlock, DIY, and mod forums are a great place to start.

If you still can't find the answers you're looking for or would like to make a suggestion on another DIY repair we don't currently have a guide for, you can always email us as well.

Additional resources:

P90X for iPhone: The best bootcamp you can fit in your pocket

Posted: 05 Feb 2013 10:13 AM PST

Last year, for the inaugural Mobile Nations Fitness Month, I took a look at P90X for iPhone, what was then the absolute best bootcamp-style fitness app available for iOS. A year and several updates later, and it's Fitness Month, and I'm curious to see how well P90X has stood the test of time. Is P90X still the best way to kick your backside that you can carry in your back pocket? Let's find out!

Fitness in general is a weird industry. Whether it's a gym membership, piece of exercise equipment, or training program, their profit margins count on us being willing to hand over money up front so we can feel better about getting in shape, regardless if we ever follow through and actually get into shape. There's no magic button, but dropping large amounts of money makes us feel like we pressed one.

So, when I stopped using the P90X app after a week or so, I wasn't surprised. I got busy. I had work to do. My excuses were solid! I didn't stop exercising, mind you, but my lack of self disciple meant I kept doing my grappling classes, and stopped doing things that didn't have set schedules and other people to help motivate me while I was doing it. I have used it a few times since, however, when I couldn't get out and really needed to burn off some excess energy or stress.

And that's where it hit for me. If you're the kind of person who is self-motivated, who travels a lot and can't attend regular, local classes, or who otherwise wants to exercise at home or in hotels, but needs the structure of a program to keep things fresh and progressive, then P90X is a good solution that's gotten incrementally better.

So what has P90X accomplished over the last year?

They've added social sharing via Twitter and Facebook, which can be a good way to add a peer element to your exercise, and the pressure that comes with it. Ego can play a huge roll in incentive and if you're trying to beat your friends, it can easily give you that extra push.
You can now export P90X data to email, so if you already have a tracking system in place, you can keep all your activity together and get a better, bigger overall picture.
P90X now allows you to change your auto-scheduled workouts to another workout of your choice. This is awesome because, if there happens to be a workout that you don't like, or just doesn't mesh with your mood, switching is a way better alternative to skipping.
You can now edit program and workout times. Not to cheat or falsely impress your friends, of course, but if any errors legitimately show up.
P90X now lets you sync X2 workouts to SuperGym.
You can keep your iPhone display lit during workouts, which will cost you batter time, but save you on frustration if, like me, you find yourself constantly checking the screen anyway.

They've fixed bugs and enhanced performance along the way as well. The interface now fills the iPhone 5 and iPod touch 5 screen, and remains clean, if a little cumbersome at times -- upselling is the lifesblood of the fitness industry -- and the videos remain clear, if a little Spartan.

Thanks mainly to the overall quality of content available in the original app, and in small part to the steady stream of updates, P90X has remained the best of the bootcamp-style fitness apps for iPhone.

I'm going to try and get a couple days of P90X in each week throughout Fitness Month -- hopefully AirPlay Mirrored to my Apple TV! -- and report back. If you're using it, or if you try it, let me know how it works for you.

Also, don't forget to enter all our Fitness Month contests while you're at it! Lots of great prizes up for grabs!

Cool Things: Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard for iPad mini

Posted: 05 Feb 2013 08:02 AM PST

The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard mini is the company's shiny new ultrathin keyboard cover for the iPad mini. Logitech's Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the iPad 2,3, and 4 has been a hugely popular accessory – so extending the line to accommodate the iPad mini makes perfect sense.

I did a review of the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard for iPad last year and was not impressed, because the magnets just didn't hold my iPad securely. I've since seen a number of stellar reviews for the Logitech Ultrathin, including several from writers I know and trust – so I imagine I was just unlucky in receiving one of the early units that somehow slipped through with faulty magnets.

In any case, I'm quite keen to give this keyboard cover a try on the iPad mini. I was going to take a look at pre-ordering one today, but so far I can only find the pre-order available for Canada.

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