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Apple short-changes the icon bar's real capacity.
Starting our fourth decade: Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously online for 31 years
More tips and tricks for the iPhone and iPad
May 25, 2014
By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2014, Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2014, The Post-Standard
Apple intentionally hides some of the best little tricks for the iPhone and iPad. Founder Steve Jobs felt Apple's customers would enjoy things more if they discovered this kind of stuff on their own.
Yeah, right. I don't know about you, but my priorities put this kind of effort low on the pole -- after eating, sleeping and working. But now that I know this stuff, I'm here to help you.
(If some of these don't work on your device, you might need to do an update from Apple.)
1. Fast charge. Charge your iPhone or iPad in half the time by turning off Wi-Fi. Once your device is charged up, turn Wi-Fi back on. (It's in the Settings app.)
2. Stop the music. Drifting off to sleep? Let your phone or tablet lull you into dreamland with some peaceful melodies. Start playing the music, then open the Clock app and set the timer. Choose "Stop Playing" as the action when the timer goes off.
3. Quick videos. While taking photos, switch instantly to taking videos by swiping down the screen. Do the opposite to switch back to still-camera mode.
4. Move icons off the screen. When you're trying to move an icon to another screen, press and hold, then slowly slide toward the left or right edge. Go slow. When you're near the edge, the previous or next screen will slide open.
5. Scroll up instantly. Get to the top of a web page or, usually, any document in an app by touching the very top of the screen.
6. Search lite. Get an instant search form by swiping down from the top of the home screen or any subsequent icon screen. Start your swipe at least an inch down; otherwise you'll get a notification screen.
7. Likewise, get a control panel to appear by swiping up from the bottom.
8. With the home screen showing a detailed photo, tilt up or down to see the background move, as if you were peering higher or lower out a window.
9. Drag icons down to the icon bar until you have a maximum of six. Apple short-changes the bar's real capacity.
10. Hold down the power button and the home button at the same time to make a screen shot. You'll find it in Photos.