Took my iPhone to Georgia (the country not the state.) Good thing was I could use it as a computer and did not have to drag my notebook with me. Was fun to check emails, read the top stories on the New York Times and surf the net when necessary (though the print is rather small as is the screen).
Was furious with ATT as I stayed with them cause heard the iPhone model that goes with ATT would let me use it with a sim card abroad. Turns out by staying with them and signing the 2 year contract (which gave me a discount on the phone) also locked me into 2 years when I can't use another sim card in it for another company. On top of this my iPhone does not work in East Hampton nor very well in my apartment in NYC. I shall transfer to Verizon in 2 years (though it may mean having to buy another phone compatible with Verizon). All these details.
But I have grown fond of my little iPhone and do not use my regular computer as much anymore. And I still love Siri.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Fighting for the Alpha role: photo downloads made easy--Huh!
Thought I was getting the hang of it and was going to stop writing here, but then the photos thing developed. I love to take photos with a cell phone, is so handy. One reason I bought the iPhone was I heard it had a good camera. Didn't know it would be messy to download the photos into my computer. My little Nokia would do so quickly and wirelessly via Bluetooth. Though the iPhone has Bluetooth, it does not have it to download photos...don't ask why not?
When I first tired to download photos, I did so by plugging the cable, one end into the computer, the other into the phone. Automatically the photos went through into iPhoto. I took forever but they went through. At first, as it took so long, I though nothing was happening. Yesterday when I tried with my new cable nothing happened. This cable does have a longer cord so maybe they were still traveling like snails through it, but I gave up. After hours reading on Google, I decided to try Dropbox, which friends and those on the Net seemed to like.
I downloaded the Dropbox onto my computer, but then couldn't figure out what to do. Happened that my phone was plugged into the computer, and during my trying to figure out things (the Help part of Dropbox was useless), the photos just went zip into my computer and into Dropbox. I think that now within my computer Dropbox has taken over from iPhoto and iTunes re my photos. (In fact when I restarted my computer later iTunes came up with a message asking if I wanted to make them the one to receive photos or another program. I pushed the button that said that I wanted to think about this.
Would like to also download the Wifi site I read about that says it is wireless but am afraid it will fight with Dropbox and iTunes for the Alpha position. What I never understand is if I should also download these apps into the phone as well, or just into the computer. Right now Dropbox is just in the computer. At least my photos flowed quickly from the phone to the Dropbox on the computer. I think I may need to put a Dropbox app on my phone too, but not exactly sure how that will help.
Ever onward....
When I first tired to download photos, I did so by plugging the cable, one end into the computer, the other into the phone. Automatically the photos went through into iPhoto. I took forever but they went through. At first, as it took so long, I though nothing was happening. Yesterday when I tried with my new cable nothing happened. This cable does have a longer cord so maybe they were still traveling like snails through it, but I gave up. After hours reading on Google, I decided to try Dropbox, which friends and those on the Net seemed to like.
I downloaded the Dropbox onto my computer, but then couldn't figure out what to do. Happened that my phone was plugged into the computer, and during my trying to figure out things (the Help part of Dropbox was useless), the photos just went zip into my computer and into Dropbox. I think that now within my computer Dropbox has taken over from iPhoto and iTunes re my photos. (In fact when I restarted my computer later iTunes came up with a message asking if I wanted to make them the one to receive photos or another program. I pushed the button that said that I wanted to think about this.
Would like to also download the Wifi site I read about that says it is wireless but am afraid it will fight with Dropbox and iTunes for the Alpha position. What I never understand is if I should also download these apps into the phone as well, or just into the computer. Right now Dropbox is just in the computer. At least my photos flowed quickly from the phone to the Dropbox on the computer. I think I may need to put a Dropbox app on my phone too, but not exactly sure how that will help.
Ever onward....
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Some Answers to my iPhone Questions
On earlier post I posed some questions re my phone, and today went down to the Apple Store at Grand Central where I got some answers.
1. Going back to an earlier page you were working on depends; sometimes there are indicators at top right other times have to hit home button and start again. Oh, well.
2. How to make the battery last longer?
--Turned off my Bluetooth setting. (Wish they had a Bluetooth connection to iPhoto for downloads.) -------Teacher at class I took also suggested setting phone on Airplane Mode when you are in an area that you can't use your phone anyway, like a long subway ride.
--Where WiFi is not readily available like walking in Manhattan, you can just turn off the WiFi Setting.
--Genius guy also suggested I look at Apple.com/batteries (which I have not done yet.)
3. I forgot to asked about what settings I should have at night and if I should turn off the phone or not.
Remains to be answered....
4. Re the downloading of photos, Sarai had said there was a way of selecting the ones you want to download. Genius said that on the Mac in iPhoto, I should hold down the Command Key. When unloading he said to click the button that says Import Selected (not Import). I think I am missing some steps here but will see how plays out when I try it.
5. Re security, if I lose my phone can go to a computer, type in www.iCloud.com and there should be selections I can make there to lock phone or find where it is. Will have to try this someday when I am close to an Apple Store in case I mess up.
6. Alarm Clock: Clock Icon on Home: Tap alarm button, set time, save. Forgot to ask if this rings when phone off or on any of the silent settings.
Plus: Apple does not use the letters i or o in its serial numbers etc. If you see something like that and not sure if it is a number or letter, it is a number: 1 or 0.
1. Going back to an earlier page you were working on depends; sometimes there are indicators at top right other times have to hit home button and start again. Oh, well.
2. How to make the battery last longer?
--Turned off my Bluetooth setting. (Wish they had a Bluetooth connection to iPhoto for downloads.) -------Teacher at class I took also suggested setting phone on Airplane Mode when you are in an area that you can't use your phone anyway, like a long subway ride.
--Where WiFi is not readily available like walking in Manhattan, you can just turn off the WiFi Setting.
--Genius guy also suggested I look at Apple.com/batteries (which I have not done yet.)
3. I forgot to asked about what settings I should have at night and if I should turn off the phone or not.
Remains to be answered....
4. Re the downloading of photos, Sarai had said there was a way of selecting the ones you want to download. Genius said that on the Mac in iPhoto, I should hold down the Command Key. When unloading he said to click the button that says Import Selected (not Import). I think I am missing some steps here but will see how plays out when I try it.
5. Re security, if I lose my phone can go to a computer, type in www.iCloud.com and there should be selections I can make there to lock phone or find where it is. Will have to try this someday when I am close to an Apple Store in case I mess up.
6. Alarm Clock: Clock Icon on Home: Tap alarm button, set time, save. Forgot to ask if this rings when phone off or on any of the silent settings.
Plus: Apple does not use the letters i or o in its serial numbers etc. If you see something like that and not sure if it is a number or letter, it is a number: 1 or 0.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Protectors, or are they?
Also at Verizon bought a screen protector packet and a phone protector.
I also messed up the screen protector and now it has little air bubbles on the inside. I'm not good at these things. Could try to put a new one on, but they cost about $5 a piece. I also think that somehow in the process I have managed to put a permanent mark on the screen. None show when I turn it on, so at least that is OK. But my phone is already looking not so new.
Struggle struggle.
Note April 26: I went to Verizon and they promptly fixed my protector problem. Apparently there was a film over the protector that I was to peel off after I placed the protector on the phone. She cleaned my phone surface with a rag and then peeled off the over film and there it was, nice and shiny. Solved easily.
I also messed up the screen protector and now it has little air bubbles on the inside. I'm not good at these things. Could try to put a new one on, but they cost about $5 a piece. I also think that somehow in the process I have managed to put a permanent mark on the screen. None show when I turn it on, so at least that is OK. But my phone is already looking not so new.
Struggle struggle.
Note April 26: I went to Verizon and they promptly fixed my protector problem. Apparently there was a film over the protector that I was to peel off after I placed the protector on the phone. She cleaned my phone surface with a rag and then peeled off the over film and there it was, nice and shiny. Solved easily.
Battery charging problem again?
All of a sudden last eve my phone wouldn't charge again. I tried it all over the apartment. Then remembered that I had just purchased an additional charger at Verizon (to keep in East Hampton, as I am a forgetful person). I tried that, and here is where my experiment broke down. I don't think it worked right away, so I also reset the phone, like I read about on google. Then it charged. Now both are charging. So why is it that I had to reset my phone???
Am a little disappointed in the new charger. Didn't pay attention when buying and it is black and my phone white...not that it matters but you know this is an IPHONE. It also has like a transformer or something that takes up a lot of room at the electrical outlet...not sure if this is better than the plain plug I got from Apple.
Note. April 26. I noticed that I had not peel off a transparent plastic covering the little wall adapter on the charger. Perhaps that was interfering with the plug going all the way into the wall socket. Took it off; we shall see.
Verizon doesn't sell the white chargers, so I will have to be tacky and have that black one in East Hampton. Learned it does not work in Europe, when there will have to use my transformer or whatever it is.
Am a little disappointed in the new charger. Didn't pay attention when buying and it is black and my phone white...not that it matters but you know this is an IPHONE. It also has like a transformer or something that takes up a lot of room at the electrical outlet...not sure if this is better than the plain plug I got from Apple.
Note. April 26. I noticed that I had not peel off a transparent plastic covering the little wall adapter on the charger. Perhaps that was interfering with the plug going all the way into the wall socket. Took it off; we shall see.
Verizon doesn't sell the white chargers, so I will have to be tacky and have that black one in East Hampton. Learned it does not work in Europe, when there will have to use my transformer or whatever it is.
Monday, April 23, 2012
An aside...new yard guy
Since my yard worker of many years went back to his country, I had to find someone else to weed those horrible plants that are encroaching on the house. I called a new guy, but we had some communication problems re the address. Then he asked if I had a cell phone and suggested that I text him my address. I of course had a panic feeling given the new phone, which he picked up on and laughed. I'm used to the workers out here having cell phones, but somehow it struck me funny re the texting. I must say things have really changed: texting your yard worker when you need to communicate. We are indeed in a new era.
Questions for Apple Support
I saw somewhere that in addition to the Applecare that I took out, I am also entitled to 90 free days of questions (by phone I think/hope).
Here are some of my unresolved questions so far:
1. When you are on a page, how do you go back easily to the page you were just on (other than hitting the Home button)?
2. How to make the battery last longer? What settings can I click off (and on when needed)?
The teacher at the Apple workshop said to put the phone on Airplane setting when on the subway: says it stops the phone from searching and searching for towers. Then of course you have to remember to turn it back on at some point.
3. Wonder if I should turn off the phone completely at night or just put it on Sleep?
Or turn on airplane at night?
4. Any way to speed up the downloading of photos? Much slower than the wireless Bluetooth I had with my Nokia...oh how I miss that little nothing phone....(think Smiley)
5. How do I set up security so if phone is stolen, thief can't read my email?
6. Is there an alarm click on the iPhone?
Would the alarm clock ring if I turn off the phone at night?
Above is some of my homework....
Here are some of my unresolved questions so far:
1. When you are on a page, how do you go back easily to the page you were just on (other than hitting the Home button)?
2. How to make the battery last longer? What settings can I click off (and on when needed)?
The teacher at the Apple workshop said to put the phone on Airplane setting when on the subway: says it stops the phone from searching and searching for towers. Then of course you have to remember to turn it back on at some point.
3. Wonder if I should turn off the phone completely at night or just put it on Sleep?
Or turn on airplane at night?
4. Any way to speed up the downloading of photos? Much slower than the wireless Bluetooth I had with my Nokia...oh how I miss that little nothing phone....(think Smiley)
5. How do I set up security so if phone is stolen, thief can't read my email?
6. Is there an alarm click on the iPhone?
Would the alarm clock ring if I turn off the phone at night?
Above is some of my homework....
Bouncing Along Again....
Got cheered up from my dumps yesterday by a phone call from Sarai. Guess my depressing posts motivated her to come to the rescue. She talked me through syncing with my computer and downloading some photos....though I discovered later that instead of having taken photos I took some videos as well. Had inadvertently clicked the wrong button on the phone, but later figured out how to change that setting back to camera. See how clever I am getting. Sarai's advice: just go for it, try things out, and stop taking those courses at Apple.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Sunday and a Bad Mood day
'Tis Sunday morning. I was awake last eve for hours. One of the things going through my head was: Did I make a mistake buying this thing? It is so fragile you have to buy a cover and a screen protector. I have not done either yet; must get to it. I have to worry about dropping it, someone stealing it... Then you need to take lessons. The amount to learn is enormous. I have downloaded stuff to study. Why?
I do like being able to read my email once in a while on it. I may like the camera once I figure out how to get the photos into the computer. I don't like the fact that it depends upon a cable to do so. My little old Nokia had wireless Bluetooth, so convenient and fun to do. What's with Apple?
They said I could bring it back within 30 days...will I? Probably not, but I am keeping that option open for now. After all, others (except my brother and a few strangers I have talked to) like it a lot.
Redjeb said to keep these posts short, so enough for now. Today is learn the photos day.
I do like being able to read my email once in a while on it. I may like the camera once I figure out how to get the photos into the computer. I don't like the fact that it depends upon a cable to do so. My little old Nokia had wireless Bluetooth, so convenient and fun to do. What's with Apple?
They said I could bring it back within 30 days...will I? Probably not, but I am keeping that option open for now. After all, others (except my brother and a few strangers I have talked to) like it a lot.
Redjeb said to keep these posts short, so enough for now. Today is learn the photos day.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Day Three: Little by little
Sim card in Nokia phone. Got up in the middle of the night to make a note to myself: Check to see if they put my sim card back in my old Nokia phone. Reason being that I no longer could see my contacts on my old phone, and I like to use them for looking up phone numbers--so much easier than on the iPhone. I was able to remedy this situation very quickly by changing the settings. Proud of myself.
Turning off phone. Went to a concert today. Still not sure if I really turned off my phone. I’m haunted by the memory of the guy who went to hear the NY Philharmonic and just at a crucial moment as the orchestra was playing his cell phone alarm clock went off. He didn’t even know he had an alarm, let alone how to turn it off. Stopped the concert. I buried my new iPhone deep in my bag. Will work on that issue today.
Did a test run just now at the apartment and indeed my phone is NOT turned off. Hum…..How do you silence the dumb thing???
Hooray! Thank you, Google. I found some very clear info on About.com
About.com
http://ipod.about.com/od/introductiontotheiphone/ss/Anatomy-Of-Iphone-4S.htm
Not sure I’ll be able to read it all but is good at explaining features so far. Of course with all this I have to read and do I now have no life…or at least no other life for a while.
Battery. Still not sure about the battery, charging and life, but I did learn yesterday that the computer has to be turned on for it to charge via the computer. May sound like and “of course” to some of you, but for novices…well….
Sync with computer. Need to figure out how to sync to my computer, but will leave that for another time. Lots more to learn for sure.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Friday...the real second day
I went to the Apple Store for the workshop to help me get started, unfortunately arriving a bit late as I couldn't find the store on the West Side.
A bunch of people were seated on folding chairs in front of a big screen that showed the home page. The teacher, Josh, was going over some of the apps. He apparently had a lot to cover as he was talking very fast and had little time for questions. If you daydreamed one second or got distracted there was no way of knowing how he got where he was.
When he mentioned the battery: "...and of course everyone knows about the battery", he said, I raised my hand to say not I--trying to get him to tell me how long one needed to leave it plugged in to make it work. I did finally get to tell him that mine didn't charge last nigh, so he said to see him afterwards.
When he showed the last line of the apps, saying there would be 4 permanent ones there, another woman and myself noted that we only had 3. He said he see us afterwards.
When he talked about the camera that appears at the side of the slide for the lock, I raised my hand to say that I did not have such a camera button. He looked surprised and then said that I needed to upgrade my phone. I just bought it less than 24 hrs before and they didn't give me the latest. I was a bit put off. Then turns out I can't upgrade it till I get the battery to be charged.....as it uses a lot of power when upgrading.
Afterwards a few of us went to the guy. For me, he checked and my battery seemed to work on his charger. So I had to play around with it when I got home. Redjeb helped me and we got it charging. I did not know that I was to see a picture of a big battery when it was charging cause it wasn't there yesterday. I also think I may have put the end of the cord that goes into the phone upside down, but not sure, or maybe something was not in tight enough last night; who knows.
Before getting this to work I called AppleCare since it cost me $99. The woman there said there should be a lighting bolt flashing through the battery when it was charging. I never had the bolt, but I did get the picture of the battery to turn green, so figure in the end I got it charged. I also installed the upgrade or whatever that was called and got the little camera icon to appear so I can quickly take photos of famous people I see without have to unlock the phone first. The fourth app also appeared on the last line. Would have been nice if the Apple Store last eve had given me an up to date phone.
This eve we went to the movies and once there I realized I had not learned how to silence the phone. My phone rings and vibrates. Not sure how to make the ring go away when I want it to. The movie was empty except for one woman. She told me she knew about iPhones but she couldn't figure out how to silence it either, but she said if it rang she wouldn't be annoyed. Phew.
I think that's enough right now. Ever onward.
A bunch of people were seated on folding chairs in front of a big screen that showed the home page. The teacher, Josh, was going over some of the apps. He apparently had a lot to cover as he was talking very fast and had little time for questions. If you daydreamed one second or got distracted there was no way of knowing how he got where he was.
When he mentioned the battery: "...and of course everyone knows about the battery", he said, I raised my hand to say not I--trying to get him to tell me how long one needed to leave it plugged in to make it work. I did finally get to tell him that mine didn't charge last nigh, so he said to see him afterwards.
When he showed the last line of the apps, saying there would be 4 permanent ones there, another woman and myself noted that we only had 3. He said he see us afterwards.
When he talked about the camera that appears at the side of the slide for the lock, I raised my hand to say that I did not have such a camera button. He looked surprised and then said that I needed to upgrade my phone. I just bought it less than 24 hrs before and they didn't give me the latest. I was a bit put off. Then turns out I can't upgrade it till I get the battery to be charged.....as it uses a lot of power when upgrading.
Afterwards a few of us went to the guy. For me, he checked and my battery seemed to work on his charger. So I had to play around with it when I got home. Redjeb helped me and we got it charging. I did not know that I was to see a picture of a big battery when it was charging cause it wasn't there yesterday. I also think I may have put the end of the cord that goes into the phone upside down, but not sure, or maybe something was not in tight enough last night; who knows.
Before getting this to work I called AppleCare since it cost me $99. The woman there said there should be a lighting bolt flashing through the battery when it was charging. I never had the bolt, but I did get the picture of the battery to turn green, so figure in the end I got it charged. I also installed the upgrade or whatever that was called and got the little camera icon to appear so I can quickly take photos of famous people I see without have to unlock the phone first. The fourth app also appeared on the last line. Would have been nice if the Apple Store last eve had given me an up to date phone.
This eve we went to the movies and once there I realized I had not learned how to silence the phone. My phone rings and vibrates. Not sure how to make the ring go away when I want it to. The movie was empty except for one woman. She told me she knew about iPhones but she couldn't figure out how to silence it either, but she said if it rang she wouldn't be annoyed. Phew.
I think that's enough right now. Ever onward.
The Second Day
I am starting this blog on the second day, as I was so wiped out the first day that I could barely move when I got home. I had heard you had to learn how to use these things but this is like stepping into a new universe. Will (my nephew in Maine) called as soon as he learned I'd purchased it, and was amused or amazed that I was home, exhausted and afraid to open the box.
I bought it at the Apple Store in Grand Central Station. A nice "specialist" named Jason was very helpful in telling me some of the ins and outs of the purchase, but once I got to the woman who was to help me set it up I was lost. She was helping a cute energetic Australian guy who was learning to use his new iPad, so I had to interrupt once in a while to find out what was what. When she tried to transfer my contacts from my wonderful old Nokia, she took out a box with all kinds of connectors but none seemed to fit; she inserted my sim card into a strange box and that didn't work either. My request that she get someone else to help was met by a shrug. So I decided just to stay put and consciously made faces, like frowns and such. Finally my nonverbal communication worked and some guy came by to see what was going on. The both marvelled at how old my phone was, that they had never seen anything like it...hum. Anyway he got the deed done. All told I was there about 2 hours! I know she told me all kinds of things I could do with it, but by the time I got home I remembered nothing.
Greeting me on my Mac that eve were seven or more emails from Apple and ATT welcoming me and giving me links to so many things that would teach me the ins and outs, that I just moved them all to my AOL to Do Folder and figured one day I would study the tutorials and all. But I did quickly sign myself up for a workshop for the next day (today): Getting Started...was the title. I had hope it would shed some light.
Will's call was good, as it got me to open the box and he showed me how to make calls and receive them. Step one for sure on a cell phone. He also suggested that I start this blog so he could see how those starting with a completely blank slate would gradually learn the phone. I must admit that learning this danged thing has taken so much time and energy that I have not much time for the blog.
Before going to bed I noticed that my battery was running low, so I tried to charge it with the cord plugged into my computer as told, but it didn't seem to do anything. I then plugged it into the wall and left it there overnight, but in the morning the battery was still low. Decided to ask at the workshop what to do.
I played around with the phone always going back to the home page, but just couldn't figure most of it out. I tried to make a call but inadvertently bumped the contact for Redjeb's daughter in Georgia...not good. Pushed the home button again and then the off button at the top right. Actually I must confess that I don't really know how to turn the phone off. That button seems to just make it sleep. Must look into that. A little booklet came with the phone. Maybe it will tell me how to turn it off and on. Went to bed anxious and exhausted. Am I so dependent upon my cell phone that my lack of control over it has put me in a state of angst?
I bought it at the Apple Store in Grand Central Station. A nice "specialist" named Jason was very helpful in telling me some of the ins and outs of the purchase, but once I got to the woman who was to help me set it up I was lost. She was helping a cute energetic Australian guy who was learning to use his new iPad, so I had to interrupt once in a while to find out what was what. When she tried to transfer my contacts from my wonderful old Nokia, she took out a box with all kinds of connectors but none seemed to fit; she inserted my sim card into a strange box and that didn't work either. My request that she get someone else to help was met by a shrug. So I decided just to stay put and consciously made faces, like frowns and such. Finally my nonverbal communication worked and some guy came by to see what was going on. The both marvelled at how old my phone was, that they had never seen anything like it...hum. Anyway he got the deed done. All told I was there about 2 hours! I know she told me all kinds of things I could do with it, but by the time I got home I remembered nothing.
Greeting me on my Mac that eve were seven or more emails from Apple and ATT welcoming me and giving me links to so many things that would teach me the ins and outs, that I just moved them all to my AOL to Do Folder and figured one day I would study the tutorials and all. But I did quickly sign myself up for a workshop for the next day (today): Getting Started...was the title. I had hope it would shed some light.
Will's call was good, as it got me to open the box and he showed me how to make calls and receive them. Step one for sure on a cell phone. He also suggested that I start this blog so he could see how those starting with a completely blank slate would gradually learn the phone. I must admit that learning this danged thing has taken so much time and energy that I have not much time for the blog.
Before going to bed I noticed that my battery was running low, so I tried to charge it with the cord plugged into my computer as told, but it didn't seem to do anything. I then plugged it into the wall and left it there overnight, but in the morning the battery was still low. Decided to ask at the workshop what to do.
I played around with the phone always going back to the home page, but just couldn't figure most of it out. I tried to make a call but inadvertently bumped the contact for Redjeb's daughter in Georgia...not good. Pushed the home button again and then the off button at the top right. Actually I must confess that I don't really know how to turn the phone off. That button seems to just make it sleep. Must look into that. A little booklet came with the phone. Maybe it will tell me how to turn it off and on. Went to bed anxious and exhausted. Am I so dependent upon my cell phone that my lack of control over it has put me in a state of angst?
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