Steve's Studio

iOS 9: Best Feature

2015-09-20T20:25:00.000-07:00

Apple's latest iteration of the iPhone software, iOS 9, was released it's final edition to the public this past Wednesday (Sept 16/2015). I have been playing around with it since then on my iPhone 5s. As with typical Apple fashion, all the latest-and-greatest features are reserved for the new iPhone; in this case the 6s and 6s plus. Even though many of the innovative features have been stripped from my phone's copy of iOS 9, there is one feature that put a smile on my face when it was stumbled upon.

Now I'd be interested to know what you're all thinking this feature is going to be. Siri is still as dumb as ever (I don't know why I got my hopes up). Power-save mode seems to kill the battery at twice the normal rate. And the creepy "Find Friends" app is now a permanent feature.

Apple's best addition was so simplistic, I may have been able to code it myself (and the last thing I successfully coded was in Q-basic...with a tutorial open beside me). So what is it? This...

There is now a search bar on the top of the Settings app. Gone a the days of tap, tap, tap...tap, tap, tap...tap...tap, tap, tap, tap trying to find that one setting you know exists but is buried in the most unusual menu item. Now simply slide-down and type. Thank you Apple, this is a good feature.

What is your favourite new feature or addition. Leave a comment below.

Cheers.

Get Your Phone in the Game - Superbowl XLIX

2015-01-25T15:31:00.000-08:00

Well the Superbowl is almost upon us, which side of the field are you on? The Seahawks and the Patriots will be coming together this weekend for what many see as the game-of-the-year. (The truth is I only watch for the commercials.)

via idownloadblog.com

Regardless of you stance on the game, you have agree this wallpapers are stunning. Best part is, they are available for free.

The guys over at iDownloadBlog have created a network of user submitted digital wallpaper. They have done an excellent job of posting seasonal-specific wallpaper for you device.

To pick up your team's wallpaper pictured above, follow the links below:

Seahawks Wallpaper

Patriots Wallpaper

If you want to see the entire collection head over to iDownloadBlog's Superbowl Wallpaper blog post.

You can continue to receive fresh wallpapers every week by signing up for a service called IFTTT and using this recipe:

Good Luck to both sides in this weekend's game, and hopefully the balls are all inflated correctly.

Watching American Netflix the Easy Way (No More DNS Codes)

2015-01-18T15:10:00.000-08:00

There have been plenty of times I have wished for a magical button to fix an expired American Netflix DSN. While a magical Netflix-fixing button my seem like a pipe dream, I set out on a quest for an easier way. I apologize for my absence from both the blog and twitter but this was worth the wait.

After setting up the software and (optional) hardware components, this method for obtaining American Netflix (and other regions) is virtually maintenance-free. No more entering obscure sets of numbers in hard to navigate settings menus. And best of all this is the method for getting American Netflix on you laptop/desktop. So grab your computer and unblock some Netflix!!

Things You'll Need

There are a few things required for this method of obtaining other-region Netflix. The first is a computer, laptop or desktop (unfortunately a tablet or smartphone is unable to partake in this method).

Now that your sitting in front of you computer download Chrome Browser (if you don't already have it).

Once that download is complete and the browser is set up and running, go over to the Chrome Extensions page and grab the Hola Unblocker Extension.

After installing Hola! follow the Hola! icon and navigate to Netflix (or other sites) to unlock the regional content. You'll notice you have the opportunity to choose which country to view from; that means that UK Netflix will also be available. Furthermore, if you are in the USA you will also be able to access other regions restricted content.

Don't Want to Watch on Your Computer Screen?

Now that you have unlimited Netflix, it's time to get it on the big screen. If you have the correct cables and/or adapters you can wire your TV to you computer as an additional monitor.

If you are anything like me, wires are annoying. A wireless configuration is quite simple. If you are running a Mac (2012 or newer) and have an Apple TV you can simply AirPlay to your TV. For the rest of us there is AirParrot.

AirParrot is the magical Link for the system. And it is compatible with almost everything. Head on over to their website and see if it is the right software for you.

The short list of compatibility includes Mac, Windows, Chrome, Apple TV, ChromeCast, and more.

Comment below what hardware set up you are using.

Cheers,

Byron

Please note: Netflix has recently announced a crackdown on "geo-piracy" as a violation of their terms and conditions, using this (or others) to circumnavigate the geo-restrictions is done so at your own risk.

PSA: 3rd-Party Keyboards in iOS 8

2014-09-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

Around this time every year, we all scramble to upgrade to the newest iOS. This year iOS has had some great features, many of which we have been waiting for with anticipation; the Keyboard Extensions is no exception. However, there may be an unwanted side affect to this new found typing feature.

In order to enable the extension keyboards functionality you must "Allow Full Access." This is where the problem lies. As seen in the warning below, turning this feature on allows every keystroke to be sent back to the developer.

Just think about that for a second... What do you type into your device? Absolutely everything.

I hope that this warning is just Apple's due-diligence, however it seems that as though this is the next data mining jackpot.

Please take your security seriously, and take a moment to think before enabling the "Full Access" feature.

Here is Apple's full disclaimer about the Third-Party keyboards which can be found on you iOS device under Settings>General>Keyboards>About Third-Party Keyboards & Privacy...:

"Third Party Keyboards provide an alternative way to input keyboard data. These keyboards can access all of the data you type, including bank account and credit card numbers, street addresses, as well as other personal and sensitive information. These keyboards may also access nearby text or data, which is useful for improving autocorrect functionality.

If you enable Full Access, developers are permitted to access, collect and transmit the data you type. In addition, if the third party application containing the keyboard has your permission to access location, photos, or other personal data, the keyboard can also collect and transmit that information to the keyboard developer’s servers. If you disable Full Access for a third party keyboard, and then re-enable it, the keyboard’s developer may be able to access, collect and transmit what was typed while the network access was disabled.

If you do not enable Full Access, developers are not permitted to collect and transmit the data you type. Any unauthorized collection or transmission of this data without your permission would be a violation of their developer agreement. Furthermore, there are also technical limitations in effect to prevent unauthorized access. Any attempt to defeat these limitations would also be a violation of their developer agreement.

You may choose to disable a third party keyboard at any time. To do so, open Settings, tap Keyboards, and remove the keyboard from the Keyboard list.

If you use a third party keyboard, you are subject to the keyboard developer’s terms, privacy policy and practices. You should review the terms, privacy policies and practices of such keyboard apps and services to understand how they use your data and other information prior to use."

Pornography and the iPhone / iPod / iPad - Every Parent Must Read

2014-02-20T16:33:00.000-08:00

Back in 2010, along side the iPad, Steve Jobs took a revolutionary stance on a taboo topic. "Freedom from porn" was his statement in a heated correspondence with Gawker writer Ryan Tate. (The entire back and forth can be read here and TechChruch's take can be read here.)

In another email conversation, this time between Jobs and an Apple customer, Jobs said, “Folks who want porn can buy [an] Android phone.”

During the time of Apple taking a morally responsible stance on the issue of pornography 5,000 apps were removed from the AppStore.

One year previous to these events XXXChurch.com posted an article entitled "Did you get your kids Porn for Christmas?". The thesis of the article is, if you have given your child a mobile device with internet access you have given them opportunity to look a pornography. So what are you going to do about it?

Now you are probably asking yourself, "Why is this guy writing about a 4 year old topic?" Allow me to answer.

Apple's stance has not changed in regard to the moral responsibility that they feel they have to filter adult content on their mobile platform. The "Restrictions" settings options have been greatly expanded in the current version of iOS (7.0.4). They have expanded so much, I am surprised they have not been better publicized by the media.

In previous versions of iOS, the "Restrictions" were limited to "Safari On/Off," "Internet Access On/Off," or AppStore content filters by age rating. The first two options made the device difficult to use especially if you were already accustomed to having internet access. Also, if internet access was still enabled but Safari was disabled a quick trip to the AppStore and a new browser could be downloaded.

How iOS 7 is Different

Opening the "Restrictions" (Settings>General>Restrictions) you will find a new sub-menu, "Websites." By default, this is set to All.

To enable this new feature, at the top select "Enable Restrictions." You will be promoted to enter a 4-digit code and asked to confirm it. Note: if you are enabling this on your own device to keep yourself accountable, have a close friend or family member set the code.

After setting the restriction code, all the menu items will be active. Scroll down to "Websites." You will be presented with 3 options as seen below.

"Limit Adult Content" will deny access to any site that has questionable material, graphic or written. You are also given the option to "allow" sites that you deem appropriate and a "block" list of sites of your choosing.

"Specific Websites Only" is an extreme web content filter. By default, the allowed sites will be your quick-list and favourites from Safari on your Mac. If you do not have your iPhone Safari synced with your Mac, no websites will be available.

How it Works

To my surprise, this content filtering goes beyond the stock apps preloaded on the iPhone/iPod/iPad. This is a system-wide filter system. It monitors the web content that you have access to within any app that you have downloaded to you device.

If you attempt to follow a questionable link in the "Paper" or "Facebook" app you will be presented with the following:

The filter is very strong, many sites receive the blocked warning. This is where the "Allow Website" feature is handy. Selecting this option brings up the a passcode restriction prompt. Upon entering the correct passcode that website will be cached as "allowed" and you will not be blocked any further.

Lastly, it is important to remember your passcode as the only recovery method is a factory reset of the device.

While Apple's decision to take a moral stance against adult content may be controversial to the masses, I am glad to see a large corporate company sticking to their convictions.

Cheers,

Byron

Listen to iTunes Radio outside the USA

2014-02-10T14:49:00.000-08:00

iTunes Radio was announced along side iOS 7 back at WWDC. The service did role out in the United States along side the mobile operation system but other regions (like Canada) have not yet been given access to the radio feature.

I quite enjoy the concept of the iTunes Radio and have been frustrated with the lack of availability of the service in Canada. To my surprise, it is very easy to unlock the radio. So I present you the instructions so that you may enjoy it as well.

First off you will need a US iTunes account. Not to worry, this instructional will provide the information needed to create it.

Once your US iTunes Account is set up, simply use it as your log in on your Apple device. Below are quick instructions for specific devices.

iPhone/iPad/iPod

Navigate: Settings>iTunes & App Store. Here log out of the current account and use your US Apple ID. Open the Music app, there will now be a Radio icon at the bottom. Enjoy your new listening experience.

Apple TV

Navigate: Settings>Apple IDs>Add account. Use you newly created US Apple ID. Returning to the home screen you will notice a few new icons including the iTunes Radio icon on the top row. Enjoy.

Mac

Open iTunes and navigate to the iTunes Store with the button in the upper-right. Log out of the current account and log in with your US Apple ID. Navigating to "Music" with the drop-down menu in the upper-left will provide a "Radio" option in the picker menu at the top of the screen next to "Songs".

All Devices

Because you are logging into a different Apple ID you will not have access to your cloud based media content. Also, if you want to purchase any content from the various Apple media Stores you will need to log back into your usual Apple ID.

---

You can now follow me on Facebook as well as Twitter and Instagram

Cheers,

Byron

Creating a US iTunes Account from Canada (Works for Other Countries Too!)

2014-02-08T15:32:00.000-08:00

I present to you a much requested topic!

Up until recently, I had been content with the selection within my own (Canadian) Regional iTunes Store. However after reading about "Paper," the new Flipboard/Facebook mash-up App, I decided it was time to gain access to the US iTunes Store.

And now I will share it with you.

As you can derive from above, I am living in Canada and created a US iTunes account. Typically when creating an account a credit card from within the same country is required. There is a simple work around to "skip" providing this information.

What you need

a computer running iTunes
a valid address for the country you are creating an account
an email address that does not have an Apple ID associated with it

The process is fairly simple but I will still walk through it step-by-step.

Open iTunes and navigate to the Store using the button in the upper-right corner. Once there (and if necessary), Log Out by clicking the Apple ID in the upper-left.
Scroll to the button of the page and click on the flag icon (or the change country) to select your new iTunes Store region.
Now you must find some thing "Free" to download. As stated above, I chose the new "Paper" app by Facebook. Apps are the easiest "Free" item to find within the iTunes Store (and I have confirmed it works), in theory the Single of the week should work as well.
After selecting something to download you will be prompted to sign in. Select the "Create Apple ID"
This will bring you to the first page in creating you new Apple ID. Here enter your email address (Remember, there must not be an existing Apple ID associated with the email).
Pressing "Continue" you will find the payment information page. Be sure to ignore the "If your billing address..." at the top and ensure that "None" is selected in the "Payment Type" field. Lastly, enter a valid address from the country that matched the iTunes Store.
After clicking through a verification email you will be good to go!

Notes

I have verified that this works from Canada obtaining a US account. In theory it should work from/to any country. Comment below where you are and what regions account you created.

With your account configured with "Payment Type" as "None" you will be able to download any free content. If you do want to purchase something, a credit card or iTunes gift card from that country is required.

As always, following me on Twitter @Steves_Studio to stay up to date or for support. And most recently, I am now on Instagram Steves_Studio

Additional American Netflix DNS Codes - UPDATED FEB 1, 2015

2014-01-19T14:23:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of current working DNS codes to be able to enjoy the American Netflix content no matter where you are in the world. If you are unsure what to do with these numbers check out these posts for instructions.

Some systems require a primary and secondary number. If that is the case, enter the numbers in pairs as seen below (top Primary, bottom Secondary). If your system is only asking for a single DNS (as is the case with Apple TV) you may choose any from below.

If none of the codes are working you can use a browser extension to access the American Netflix from your computer without using any DNS codes.

Please note that I am unable to verify these codes will work in every region.

New Codes as of FEBRUARY 1, 2015

185.051.194.194
185.051.195.195

192.95.16.109
88.80.186.67

214.5.182.127
213.5.182.117

107.191.39.197 (Courtesy of FreeNetflixDNSCodes.com)
162.243.65.31 (Courtesy of FreeNetflixDNSCodes.com)

Here is a full list of codes that may be working:

088.080.186.067
162.243.065.031

214.005.182.127
213.005.182.117

088.080.186.067
088.080.186.066

190.014.036.090
067.023.007.056

192.095.016.036
109.123.111.024

190.014.036.090
109.123.111.024

149.154.158.186
199.167.030.144

184.106.242.193
067.023.007.056

176.058.107.053
054.247.108.009

192.095.016.109

067.023.007.056

069.197.169.009
192.095.016.109

And here are user submitted codes:

162.243.065.031
088.080.186.067

108.174.147.177

069.042.058.018

214.005.182.127
213.005.182.117

If you have success with a one of the codes listed, please take the time to fill in the poll below. This way other users will be able to see the codes that have the greatest success. The poll can also be voted on every week. Please come back and up vote your working DNS number each week.

Below you can see the codes that I have previously some of them may still be working. Feel free to give them a try if the above do not work for you.

109.014.036.090
109.123.111.024

149.154.158.186
199.167.030.144

184.106.242.193
067.023.007.056

176.058.107.053
054.247.108.009

192.095.016.109
067.023.007.109

109.123.111.024
192.095.016.109

192.095.016.109
067.023.007.056

190.014.036.090
109.123.111.024

023.021.182.024
050.022.147.234

184.169.139.227
177.071.180.081

Note: If you are using these for your iOS Netflix App be sure to drop the "0"s from the beginning of the numbers. i.e. if using the bold number above, enter 88.80.186.67

As always, I am available on Twitter @Steves_Studio. Be sure to follow me there or subscribe to the blog above.

Cheers,
Byron

10 Tips for the iPhone

2013-12-21T14:52:00.000-08:00

Did you get an iPhone for Christmas? Depending on when you are reading this, you might not know yet. Regardless, here are 10 tips to get you better acquainted with your new device.

1. Using your Head Phones

The EarPods that are shipped with the newest iPhones are great for listening to music, making hands free calls, and navigating your phone. There are the obvious features as shown on the headphone remote: (+) volume up / (-) Volume down, and the centre unlabelled button is Play/Pause. But there is more than that packed into the centre button. A double-click will jump to the next track. A triple-click will go to the previous track. And a press and hold will start a conversation with Siri.

2. Take better Selfies

Does the length of your arms interfere with the quality of selfie you are able to take? Not to worry Apple has an accessibility option for that... well kind of. Your EarPods can give you a wired remote shutter button. Simply open your Camera app and with EarPods plugged in use the (+) button to activate the shutter. This can be especially useful to get the group shot selfie without having any faces cut off.

3. Shutter Button

In keeping with the camera, you do not need to use the on-screen button to snap photos. Just as the EarPods can be used as a shutter button, the iPhone's (+) volume hardware button will also activate the camera's shutter while that app is open. It's function does not stop there either, the same works with the stop/start recording of video. I particularly like this feature as it promotes proper orientation for capturing video. Together we can stop VVS, the key is awareness!

4. Take Picture or Video While "Doing" Other Things

With iOS 7 there are a few glitches in programming that have made certain things possible. Using the Shutter Button Tips above, you can discreetly capture picture and video while appearing to be busy with other things. Simply open the camera app and do either any of the following: open Notification Center, open Multi-tasking, open Control Center. The camera app will stay active in the background and you can use the shutter button to activate the camera. If you are wanting to utilize video mode, be sure to slide over to the "Video" or "Slo-mo" option before masking the camera view.

5. Pinch Back to Photo Albums

Now that we have well covered how to take Photos, here's a quick tip for viewing. In your Camera Roll if you are in a single image, you can use a pinch gesture to go back to the groups view.

6. Slide Type with Numerical Keyboard

Every so often while texting or tweeting you do need to use punctuation (I would actually strongly encourage it). It can be a hassle tapping in and out of the numeric keyboard (123). My biggest frustration is the need to tap back to the standard keyboard (ABC). Next time you decide to use punctuation try this: tap the (123) keyboard option and slide your finger to the desired punctuation or number and release your touch there. Like magic, the character will be inserted and the alphabet keyboard will re-appear.

7. Calendar Intervals

Unless you are a work-a-holic it is unlikely that you schedule your day down to the individual minute. When creating a calendar event double-tap the minutes option to toggle between 1 and 5 minute intervals.

8. Get Back to the Top

Occasionally there are really long lists that we scroll through. Facebook and Twitter feeds along with over crowded email inboxes are some of the worst. It does not help that they are updated from the top. Not to worry if you need to get back to the top of anything quickly simply tap the time in the centre of the stays bar. Presto, you're back at the top.

9. Get Better Weather

With iOS 7's redesign of Notification Center the weather feature really got the short end of the stick. I bet you didn't know that the weather phrase was clickable. A quick tap will open the full weather detail in the built in app.

10. Charge Faster

There are many articles out there about how to get the most of your iPhone's battery (heck, I even wrote one). The downside to these battery saving tips is they typically turn off the features that make your phone fun and useful. so instead of turning off all those features just use this technique to get more charge in less time. All you need to do is turn "Airplane mode" ON while your phone is plugged in. It also helps if you keep your phone locked. Please do take note that you should not do this if you are expecting a call as airplane mode disables signal communication. With this method I have gain 30% charge in about 15 minutes.

Troubleshooting American Netflix Errors From Other Regions

2013-12-08T15:32:00.000-08:00

Netflix provides region specific content based on what that area is interested in seeing. They explain it further in this video. Apparently their research methods are not very accurate as myself, and many of you, have decided to apply a DNS mask to gain access to the better (American) content.

If you have stumbled upon this page looking for the "How To Get American Netflix" instructions, click the linked text for your device: Apple TV or iPhone/iPad.

If you have been using the DNS mask for any length of time, more than likely you have had some type of error or loading issue. Below are the most popular problems that I come across or have been asked about on twitter (I do make an effort to respond to each cry for help).

Here are a few things you should know right off the top. Changing your DNS setting to gain access to the American content is a loophole in the system. Netflix has not authorized this to be a working function and therefore it will be prone to errors, glitches, and slow loading. That being the case, here are a few things you can do to keep your content alive.

Slow Loading

Unfortunately this is the price you pay for being "out of region." Because your device's physical location is being masked, there is additional signal routing that can affect loading times. In my experience, a very slow load time only happens occasionally and with continuous watching the loading improves. Patience.

There are times where the load will take forever. This should result in an error message of some kind. If you receive a "Please try again later" message, simply try again, and then again if need be. It may be that the episode is being temperamental. If after several attempts the same message continues to appear, move on to the next episode or a different series to get a successful load. If successful, go back to what you originally were wanting to watch.

If you are receiving a connection error, keep reading.

Apple TV

If you are able to see the content cover photos in the Netflix app but unable to stream, try restarting your Apple TV. You can find this under Settings>General>Restart (be sure you do not select reset).

If the app refuses to load, you will need to re-establish the DNS mask. This is as simple as the original set up. In the Wi-Fi settings set the DNS configuration back to "automatic" and restart the Apple TV. Open the Netflix app to ensure proper function (with your region's content). Now simply follow the original instructions again. Presto!

iPhone / iPad

Typically with mobile devices the connection needs to be re-established. For this go to Settings>Wi-Fi>YourNetworkName>Forget Network. You will then need to re-log on to your Wi-Fi. This will set the DNS back to it's standard configuration. Be sure that Netflix is closed in multi-tasking and follow the original instructions again.

All Devices

I have noticed a pattern that connections and load times become patchy during the beginning of the each month. If you are having trouble during this time try the steps above or switch back to your region's content for a week or so, there might be something new you actually want to watch, lol. If you are still having trouble getting connected, this post has additional codes.

If you do have further questions, I am on Twitter and as stated above respond as best I can.

Cheers,

Byron

iWork / iLife Apps Free with Device Activation

2013-10-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

During Apples iPhone keynote event last month Tim Cook announced that Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, and iPhoto would be given away for free with a new device activation after September 1, 2013. That's $40 worth of apps for free! This offer is restricted to the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPod Touch 5, and iPad.

Any device set up from new will provide a prompt to download all five of these app at no cost. If you are restoring your new device from a back up, as I did with my iPhone 5S, you may not receive the prompt to take advantage of this offer. Not to worry, you can still get he apps for free!

The steps are very simple.

The first step is a simple search of the apps store. Type in the name of any of the above listed apps; if the price tag reads "free," download it. If the price is still listed move on to the next steps.

If you're still reading, not to worry, the apps will be free soon with very little difficulty. Navigate to your settings app and scroll down to AppStore. Go ahead and sign out of your account. Now sign right back in with the same account. Now simply go back to the apps store and download the $40 worth of free apps.

Regardless if you received the prompt at set up or you needed to resign in, I would strongly suggest downloading all of the apps. This offer will not last forever, however, if you downloaded the apps and then remove them from your device they will remain available for free through iCloud.

Hide Any App Icon While Keeping Full Functionality (iOS 7) - No Jailbreak

2013-09-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

Do you have one of those apps that you don't want people looking at? Perhaps you don't like having Game Center or Compass on your home screen. There is a simple way to solve both these problems.
Allow me to explain, any app that is on your iOS device can be hidden from the home screen but will remain on your device with full functionality.
The method in which this is accomplished takes some practice to get right but once you figure it out you will be greatful.

Here's how

You will need to have certain parameters in place to ensure the tweak works as it is supposed to. First, your home screen's first page must have every app space filled. Second, you must have at least one folder on your home screen. And lastly, the app you want to hide must be in the dock. You can also make a folder of all the apps you want to hide and place that in the dock.

With all the parameters filled you're ready to hide all the apps you want. If you are following along in the photos, I will be hiding the Netflix app.

1. Double tap your home button and before your device animates to multitasking press the app (or folder) that you wish to hide. For this step, I prefer to have the app/folder that I want to hide in the right most spot. If you have done the sequence correctly you should be able to see the greyed out app/folder while in multitasking as seen below.

2. Tap the home screen image to exit multitasking. Do not use the home button at this point.

3. Your apps should now be in wiggle mode and your desired app will be grey and slightly expanded. Select the folder that is on your home screen. The grey app will just remain in its current location rather than animate up as is typical.

4. Tap anywhere outside the open folder to go back to the home screen. Again, do not use the home button.

5. Upon return to the home screen your dock will shuffle as if an app is missing from it. At this point press your home button to make the app magically disappear.

Now that you have hidden all your apps, how do you still use them? That's the easiest part of the whole process! Just give your screen a swipe down to enter "Spotlight Search" and type in the name of the app. Presto! There it is.

If you ever desire to have the icons back on your home screen, simply reboot your device.

Which apps will you be hiding? Leave a comment below and be sure to follow me on twitter @Steves_Studio to stay up to date with the latest.

Enjoy,
Byron

Untitled Folders - No Jailbreak (iOS 7)

2013-09-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

Every iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch owner has that one folder which contains those never used apps. You know what I am talking about, the folder that contain Stocks, Voice Memos, Game Center, Compass, Newsstand (That's right, iOS 7 allows Newsstand to be placed in a folder!!). What do you call that folder? "Junk," "Hardly Used," "CrApple?" Why not call it nothing at all.

The other problematic folder is the one that contains the apps that you use the most. This folder does not need a name because you know exactly what is in it.

If you have ever tried to make a label-less folder you will know that it will always autocorrect back to the default name. But that all ends now.

How to

This is probably the easiest tweak available; it is as simple as creating a folder.
Here's what you need to do:

If you do not have it already, download the Starbucks app.
Place your apps in "wiggle mode" (by pressing and holding any app).
Using the Starbucks app, drag overtop of any other app to generate a folder.
Notice the lack of folder name!
Drag any apps you want in or out of the folder.
Repeat and make as many as you want.

The folks at iDownloadBlog have put together a great video showing how this is done. A big shout out to that crew for bringing this to my attention.

Be sure to subscribe below to stay up to date with the latest iOS 7 tweaks. And follow me on twitter @Steves_Studio for more fun!

Cheers,
Byron

How to: Watch American Netflix on Your iPhone or iPad

2013-08-23T15:36:00.001-07:00

With the content difference between American Netflix and other regions (such as Canada where I live) it is no surprise that people are looking to "unlock" that content. With the popularity of my How to: Watch American Netflix in Canada using AppleTV post, I thought it was time to take this Netflix content unlock to the iOS platform.

Please note: For this unlock to work you are required to be connected to a Wi-Fi signal.

This may be the deepest you have ever dove into you Wi-Fi settings on your iOS device, but the new Netflix content is well worth the effort.

How to:

Make sure your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad is connected to a Wi-Fi signal that has internet access.
Navigate to Settings>Wi-Fi and click the blue disclosure arrow on your Wi-Fi network
Scroll down to "DNS" and remove the numbers that are there.
Enter "190.14.36.90, 109.123.111.24"

*UPDATE Feb,10/13, stability of American Netflix is greatly improved with using a primary and secondary DNS as shown in step 4.
If the Netflix App is open in your iOS Multitasking, close it from the multitasking tray and re-launch the app from your home screen.

These steps will need to be followed for each Wi-Fi network that you watch Netflix on.

These DNS codes do expire at times, please subscribe to the blog or follow me on twitter (@Steves_Studio) to stay up to date. More codes can also be found here.

If you are having problems, check this post for troubleshooting ideas.

Also, check out the other no jailbreak iOS modifications that are available or the iPhone and iPad.

Cheers,

Byron

iOS 7 Screenshot Tour

2013-08-20T15:56:00.000-07:00

It should not be long now before Apple releases the "Gold Master" iOS 7 to the public. At the (still rumored) September 10th presentation, I can hear the words "iOS 7: the biggest thing to happen to the iPhone since the iPhone." The difference between this and the last time those words were said, this time it is true.
Scroll through the gallery below to see the side-by-side comparison of iOS 6 and iOS 7.

Lock Screen

Home Screen

Newsstand

Calendar

Clock

Compass

Notification Center

Game Center

Weather

Reminders

Notes

Camera

Safari

Phone

Voice Control (iPhone 4 only)

If you want a more complete look at the OS, download it onto your device using these instructions.

What are your thoughts about the new iOS? Share in the comments below or find me on Twitter @Steves_Studio.

Cheers,

Byron

Create Custom Vibration Notifications for iPhone - No Jailbreak

2013-08-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Custom ring and text tones are great for knowing who's attempting to contact you without having to actually look at your iPhone. However, this feature is useless when your device is in silent/vibrate-only mode.

With a simple change in settings, you can unlock custom vibrations for anyone in your contact list. This way you will always know who is on the other side of communication and if it is important enough to pick up.

Step 1: Enable Accessibility

In order to have the custom vibration creation screen available, you must first enable the "Custom Vibrations" option from the "Accessibility" menu. To locate this option, navigate Settings > General > Accessibility > Custom Vibrations. The photo below will give a visual guide.

Step 2: Vibration

Navigating back to the main "Settings" page and select the "Sounds" menu item. At the bottom you will find a new menu item "Vibration".

Upon entering the new menu item you will be given a list of standard vibration patterns. You may just want to use these. Otherwise you can create your own.

Step 3: Creating Custom Vibrations

Select "Create New Vibration" from the bottom of the page. You will be taken to a mostly grey screen. Touching the screen will record a vibration; releasing your touch will stop the vibration. By touching, holding, and releasing, you will be able to build your vibration tones.

Once satisfied, press "save" and name your vibration pattern.

iPhone Carrier Editor - No Jailbreak (iOS 6)

2013-08-05T14:17:00.000-07:00

A common misunderstanding among iPhone owners is that Jailbreaking is required to achieve any type of customization. While this was mostly true in earlier versions of iOS, the 6th release (iOS 6) has a nice handful of tweaks. CarrierEditor is one of my favorites; it allows the ability to stop advertising for you carrier, and chose your own logo as a replacement. As you can see pictured below, my phone is on BatSignal.

There are a few software and hardware limitation to be able to produce this tweak. They include:

If you are running a Mac, you must be running OS X 10.7 or later
Wi-Fi only devices are not compatible (i.e. iPod Touch, Wi-Fi only iPad)
Not all carriers are supported (support list provided within the program)

Grab you iPhone, iPad, Mac, and charging cable and let's get started.

Download the CarrierEditor .dmg and install on you Mac.
Read the Disclaimers to understand any potential risk involved.

After selecting the Let's Get Started button you will need to navigate on you device to Setting>General>About and scroll to "Carrier". Enter the carrier numbers into the text field to continue.
At this point you will discover if your carrier is supported for this tweak. It is quite likely as the list is quite exhaustive. Select your device and carrier from the drop down menus.
Now it is time to chose your logo. Open the ZeppelinLogos file that came with the CarrierEditor .dmg. Inside you will find folders containing pairs of matching logos (one for the white status bar and the other for the dark bar). Open the folder that contains your desired logo and drag it over to the appropriate box.
After your chosen logos are in place, click the Compile Carrier Update (.ipcc) button. This will generate 2 .ipcc files. The one with "original" or "restore" in the title is a back up of the original carrier logo setting; be sure to keep this file in a safe place for when you want to revert back.

It is now time to put this on your device. Open iTunes and select your device. Hold the Option key and press the Restore button. Now select the file that was generated by CarrierEditor. And you're done. (Depending on your carrier a device reboot may be required.)

Here are a few examples of carrier symbols that are available:

On top of the preloaded images, you also have the ability to add your own custom logo. If you chose to go the custom route, post a comment with a link to your custom carrier logo.

If you like this iPhone tweak check out these others:

Hide Stock Applications - No Jailbreak

Install iOS 7 Beta For Free

Cheers,

Byron

Hidden Apple TV Features

2013-07-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

Apple TV is a wonderful little set top box with some powerful features. Here are four of my favorite hidden features.

Move the Apps

The most basic of customization within the Apple TV environment. If you are familiar with iOS the process is much the same just without the touch aspect. Using your Apple Remote, hold the select (center) button on the app you desire to relocate. Once it starts to wiggle, use the directional arrows to move it to the desired location. Then, press the select button again to confirm the move.

Note: The top row of apps are fixed and cannot be moved (I know, I'm disappointed too).

Hold Menu to Escape

Due to the Apple TV environment, navigation can leave you deep in content, or even lost. But do not panic, the home screen is never far away. Holding the menu button on your remote for three seconds will return you to the home screen.

Set Up Other Remotes

The Apple Remote is sleek, functional, and small. Mine gets lost on a regular basis. For that reason I downloaded the Remote app for the iPhone; no more searching endlessly just to enjoy some content. The other benefit is a full keyboard when entry is needed.

But that's not all! You can also set up any other IR remote to control your Apple TV. Navigate to Setting>General>Remote>Learn Remote. Follow the on screen instruction to make your favorite remote now control your Apple TV.

Hide Unused Apps

While the Apple TV content offerings are expanding (especially with the 5.3 update), I do not use all of the apps. While reorganizing them, as outlined above, can make this a little better, hiding the unused apps is the best way to go. Navigate to Settings>General>Parental Controls. Scrolling down provides a list of all the apps. Simply selecting an item will toggle the show/hide option. The best part is the parental controls do not need to be activated to allow this feature.

Install iOS 7 BETA for Free - EXPIRED

2013-06-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

iOS 7 has Officially been released to the public. On you compatible device navigate Setting>General>Software Update to download and install the new operating system.

Compatible Devices

iPhone 5
iPhone 4S
iPhone 4
iPad 2,
iPad Mini
iPad w/ Retina display
iPod Touch 5th gen.

Enjoy!

How to: Watch American Netflix in Canada using AppleTV (Updated Jan 19, 2014)

2013-04-28T13:46:00.001-07:00

It is no secret that Netflix streams different content to you based on your location. Myself, I live in Canada and thus have watched through the Canadian content. Crossing the US boarder will automatically switch the content that is available for me to watch (to a much better catalogue I might add); though I much prefer to watch from the comfort of my own home. This is possible with a simple change in network settings.

For the AppleTV, which is my preferred Netflix hub, the steps are surprisingly simple. You would have gone through a similar process on the initial set up of your AppleTV.

How to

Go into Setting>General on your Apple TV.

Scroll down and select Network, select your network to expand into the more advanced options. It is here that you will want to change the DNS setting. This number is what tells the Netflix server where you are located, by changing it the server will provide content based on where it thinks you are.

Select Manual Configure and enter the following number.

109.123.111.024

This DNS has been working for me since August of last year and is conformed working through other sources. If, however, it is not working for you check this post for additional codes (they are also posted in Primary / Secondary pairs if you are applying this mask to a different system).

After manually entering the DNS, navigate back to the General settings menu and select Restart. Once your AppleTV restarts you will be able to enjoy the catalogue of American Netflix.
And since you're in the settings moving things around, check out this post (Hidden Apple TV Features) for ways to get more out of your Apple TV.
Please note, these DNS numbers do expire from time to time. I will do my best to update them here so that you can keep your system up to date.

Updated Jan 19, 2014

You can also watch the American content on-the-go with the iOS app. Check out this post for the instructions.

If you are having problems, check this post for troubleshooting ideas.

If you have questions or want to stay informed about the blog follow me on twitter @Steves_Studio

Cheers,
Byron

Removing Stock iOS Apps - No Jailbreak (iOS 6)

2012-11-11T19:26:00.000-08:00

If you have upgraded to iOS 7, please use this updated post. If you are still using iOS 6, please continue reading.

At first glance, the iOS home screen looks nearly identical to the original release back in 2007. Though those experienced with the evolving iterations of iOS will tell you that the features have changed. Furthermore, with the App Store continuing to explode with (lets face it) better options than the stock software, these included applications are only causing clutter across the springboard.

The last two releases of iOS have included new applications. One of which, "Newsstand" is of particular annoyance as it cannot even be placed in a folder. There was a former fix for this, however Apple quickly patched that "bug". There is now however a new method for hiding Newsstand and most of the other stock iOS apps. The following will provide instruction and links to complete this on your own iOS device.

Hiding Apps

This iOS modification comes thanks to RAG3HACK. This method of hiding the stock apps is designed for non-jailbroken devices. Also, the effects are not permanent; if you would like a removed app to return, simply restart you device.

To hide the application use Safari to navigate to the RAG3HACK website (click the link or see URL list below). This site is set up as a mobile web app and is very user friendly on an iOS device. Navigate to the "Hide Apps No Jailbreak" listing. Scroll down to find the app you would like to hide. Selecting the menu item will prompt for an install, do this. The next message banner will explain that the install failed, this is normal. Press cancel on this dialogue box. Now it is as simple as deleting any other application. Place your apps in "Wiggle mode"by pressing and holding the application, then tap the "x" to delete the app. Then repeat for any other apps slated for deletion.

As mentioned above, the deleted stock apps will return upon the reboot of your device. This includes if you battery dies and then you recharge. Simply repeat the process to remove the apps once again. However, there is an easier way.

Passbook Quick Links

Also available on RAG3HACK's site is a feature called PASSHACK. This "pass" built for Passbook has quick-links in its info tab to all the apps to hide. Once this pass is added to Passbook, hiding your least favorite apps after a reboot becomes very simple.

Links:

RAG3HACK - http://rag3hack.no-ip.org/index.html

Hide Apps - http://rag3hack.no-ip.org/hide.html

PassHack - http://www.cydiahacks.com/passhack

Shout out to iDownloadBlog for featuring this hack and bringing it to my attention.

Also check out how to edit your carrier logo without jailbreaking.

Quick Fix: iOS 6 Passbook (Eliminating App Store Error)

2012-09-21T11:45:00.002-07:00

The recently released iOS 6 included a built-in app called Passbook. This feature for many has been a sore spot because of the lack of functionality. Upon opening the new application an introductory screen is shown with a button guiding the user to the App Store. However, the common reaction to the tap of the App Store button is a cannot connect error.

While this feature is new and few app developers are supporting it currently, the "cannot connect" error limits the consumer market to even see what options are available. If you have encountered this error, there is a very easy fix to allow you access to the App Store through Passbook so that you may look at you option to take advantage of this new iOS feature.

This simple fix

The steps:

Open Settings>General>Date & Time.
Turn off the "Set Automatically" feature.
Manually set you device's date to 2013.
Close the Settings app and navigate to the Passbook app.
Follow the link in the app to the App Store (A loading wheel should appear rather than the error).
Navigate back to setting and re-engage the "Set Automatically" feature for the Date & Time.
Hard reboot your device. This is accomplished by holding down the sleep/wake and home buttons at the same time until the screen goes black (ignoring the "Slide to power off").
Restart the device and open the multitasking tray.
Close from multitasking both the App Store and Passbook.
Done!

With these steps complete opening Passbook and navigating to the App Store through the provided button should be successful. At the time that I enabled this functionality there were only 6 apps supporting Passbook integration.

Let me know if this worked for you in the comments below.

iSO 6 Live for Download

2012-09-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

The much anticipated iOS 6 is now available for public download. Available either through iTunes with a connected device or over the "air" on you iDevice (Setting>General>Software Update).

Enjoy.

Thinking about the "Surface"

2012-06-22T13:43:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week Microsoft held a super-secret-event in which they unveiled the new Surface. This is no longer the tabletop touch screen that was revealed earlier but a highly portable Ultra-book / Tablet computer. The event's presentation explained, in limited detail, two iterations of the product: Surface for Windows RT & Surface for Windows 8 Pro. This is a break though product for Microsoft, though not for the reason you might expect.

Courtesy Microsoft.com

Hardware and Software Hand-in-Hand

Microsoft's flagship product is software, both the Office Suite and the Windows operating system. They also have an abundant hardware business model as well, producing peripherals such as keyboards and mice, and the very popular line of Xbox products. The Surface is where the merge of these to focuses come together. This is the strongest point in the Surface; the fact that the hardware is built for the software and vice-versa.

This hardware/software relationship has been modeled by Apple for years. Commonly referred to as a "walled-garden" or "closed-ecosystem" it ensures consistent stability and optimization. Microsoft historically has used the OEMs for hardware production; with Surface, they are now in direct competition with they main software licensees. It will be interesting to watch how this new business approach plays out once the Surface comes to market.

Surface Without Depth

While it is high time that Microsoft brings something of value to market, the presentation was disappointingly low on details. While all the dimensions and set-aparts were touched on, the important details were ignored.

The display, while described as HD and Full-HD with mention of eyes not distinguishing pixels (sound familiar) was never clarified with a pixel density.

The product pricing was almost forgotten and only stated as "competitive."

The product release was mentioned often enough but only on a surface level (pun intended); "... will all be available on launch day." Thanks Tips, it is only fair to assume we can buy you product on launch day but is that next week or next year!?

The Surface for...

The naming of technology products is a difficult place to be (remember the feminine product joke with the release of the iPad?). Simple is the best way to go; it becomes memorable and creates ease of conversation. Case in point, try comparing all your favorite Android devices without stumbling and stammering over names.

Microsoft failed at the names for the new Surface product line. Since it is Microsoft hardware, there is no need in the name to specify that it is "....For Window...". The name approach should have been Surface RT & Surface Pro. Easy and clean. Instead we get "Surface for Windows RT" and "Surface for Windows 8 Pro"

(Courtesy @isaach)

Design

Microsoft designs an upside-down laptop and calls it "New". This graphic explains it all:

What are your thoughts on the Surface? Is it a worthy opponent for the competition? Leave your thoughts below.

Update 06/26/12: Upon further reading about the Surface product launch, this product might not be as polished as presented. According to Mashable.com, the post-presentation "hands-on" was very limited in what could actually be handled. Included on the "no-touch" list was the TouchCover keyboard. Being as this is a key feature and new tech, the fact that these were display only raises large red flags; makes one wonder how much product development remains for the "within the year" launch.

WWDC Reflections: Hardware

2012-06-21T13:21:00.001-07:00

Over the last week and a half I have both drooled over and chewed on the Next Generation MacBook Pro announcement. This notebook is nothing short of remarkable and I would be lying if I said I did not desire one myself. However, the justification of the purchase price coupled with the how the hardware was designed, the satisfaction quickly wears off.

(Courtesy Apple.com)

The Retina Display

This is the reason to purchase this machine. With an incredible resolution, images and video will have never before seen clarity. The downside to this however is the applications that do not support the pixel density, they not going to look too hot until the developer gets around to an update.

(Courtesy ifixit.com)

All Flash Architecture

This flash storage setup coupled with the new Ivy Bridge processors is going to make this machine screaming fast. According to this independent YouTube Video boot time is under 15 seconds!

Dropping the Legacy

(Courtesy of Apple.com)

The other main feature of the next generation MacBook Pro is the removal of all legacy I/O ports. What have come to be standard features on most notebooks have been removed in entirety from this hardware. The list of "missing features" includes: Ethernet port, FireWire, and (thought this would happen a while ago) Optical Drive. There are two other features that although not "legacy" will be missed from this device. First is a dedicated Audio-in port. Second is the simple battery charge indicator.

Putting it All Together is Where it Falls Apart

This computer's physical size is impressive enough; slap on the specs that Apple has built in and it is jaw-dropping. This computer was built to take on the most demanding of computing tasks in whatever location you want to perform them (I always prefer to work out of the office). There is no doubt that "Pro" is the name that suits this computer...But not for the reason in which Apple started the Pro line.

The Apple Pro line of computers (Mac Pro and MacBook Pro) where, and still are, designed for the professionals. The original feature that set these machines apart from the rest of the Mac line-up was the easy upgrade-ability. Though the easiness of this upgrading has taken a downward turn over the past few years it was still possible, until this next generation MacBook Pro. With the RAM soldered to the logic board and a proprietary cut SSD, what you buy is what you get. My advice, buy the fully upgraded version if this is the machine you want. Otherwise, you may regret it in as little as a year from now.

What are your thoughts on this new generation of hardware? Comment below.