Daily Archives: May 10, 2012
How to Use Keychain to Manage Online Passwords
How can I use Keychain Access in Mac OS X to save my online passwords, and how does it compare to other password managers?
Keychain Access, Apple’s built-in password manager, works with many OS X applications, including Safari. You can enable Saved Passwords in Safari by navigating to Safari Preferences AutoFill, and checking the box labeled “User names and passwords.”
Safari works well with Keychain Access.
When you navigate to a website that requires a sign in, type in your username and password as normal, but when the “Would you like to save this password?” dialog appears, click the “Yes” button to have the password saved; click “Never for this Website” if you never want Safari to ask you to save your password when visiting that particular website; or click the “Not Now” button if you don’t wish to save the password you just typed.
Saving passwords in Safari is a snap.
If you use Safari, then Keychain Access is fine, and Chrome and Firefox can remember your passwords for you too—set that up in preferences. But if you’re looking for more features, then 1Password ($49.99, www.agilebits.com) is a great alternative for securely managing your passwords in any browser on the Mac, and it’s available for Windows and iOS devices too. 1Password also creates secure passwords for you, fills out online forms, lets you easily store your software license keys, and does a bunch of other cool tricks.
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Proview lowered asking price of iPad trademark from $2 billion to $63 million after Apple offered $16 million
Apple and Proview are apparently in talks to settle the case of who has rights to the iPad trademark in China, and rumor has it Apple’s initial offer was $16 million. This is after Proview’s initial ask of a whooping $2 billion in February, which they’ve since lowered to $63 million according to anonymous sources. Although it might seem like an obscene amount to ask, it’s worth noting that Proview is a company on the verge of economic collapse with creditors knocking on their door.
Proview has claimed that the UK-based middle-man that had originally sold the rights to Apple a few years ago actually didn’t have the authority to do so, thus nullifying any earlier agreement, while Apple is contending that the original agreement was legitimate.
This trademark hurdle is slowing down the new iPad’s arrival in China, but by the sounds of it, Apple’s patience will outlast Proview’s needs to pay off debts. Anyone want to take bets on how long it will take for this trademark battle to conclude?
Editor-at-very-large at Mobile Nations, gamer, giant.
Free CoPilot GPS App Offers Offline Route Planning, Local Exploration
There are plenty of GPS apps in the App Store for turn-by-turn navigation, but few are dedicated to route planning or exploration. If the built-in Maps app isn’t getting the job done for you, the folks at CoPilot may have just the thing — and it’s free and universal.
CoPilot has announced the release of CoPilot GPS, a free, universal app now available on the App Store as well as the Google Play Store for Android devices. Unlike the company’s other apps focused on turn-by-turn navigation with 3D maps, CoPilot GPS is more about planning and discovery — but users have the option to upgrade to the full monty as an in-app purchase, should they so desire.
“CoPilot GPS is our all-new offline route planning and local exploring app that gets you everywhere you need to go without relying on your mobile data connection,” the company explains on its blog. “Detailed maps of an entire country or region are stored on your smartphone or tablet, so you’ll be able to calculate routes and get driving or walking instructions even when there’s no mobile coverage.
“Millions of Points of Interest (POIs) are built into the app, making it easy to locate nearby restaurants, shops, hotels and more,” the blog post continues. “You can also search for local businesses and attractions using Bing™ and Wikipedia. And did we mention the best part: Mapping and planning is FREE!!!”
For users who require a more comprehensive navigation app, CoPilot GPS offers a number of additional features via in-app purchase, including unlimited use of full turn-by-turn navigation for only $19.99, with access to dynamic 3D maps, speed limit warnings, clear spoken directions with street names and realistic ClearTurn display with lane indicator arrows and exit sign information.
Other in-app upgrade options include 12 months of ActiveTraffic for $9.99 as well as unlimited use maps for international destinations including Australia and New Zealand ($37.99), Brazil ($39.99) and all of Europe ($37.99).
CoPilot GPS is now available from the App Store; the free 30.4MB app requires downloading map data for offline use and is compatible with all devices running iOS 3.0 (?!) or later — that should excite those of you still rocking an original iPhone!
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
Portable fuel cell charger can keep your iPhone fully charged for up to two weeks
A new, portable fuel cell charger will be available to buy this year and it claims to be able to recharge your iPhone between 10 and 14 times. The small charging device does not need to be recharged by plugging it in; it works with replaceable fuel cell cartridges which can even be carried on planes.
Fuel cell maker Lilliputian Systems today announced that Brookstone will be the first retailer to carry its portable USB power source, which will be sold under Brookstone’s brand. The fuel cell device is about the size of a thick smartphone, and the lighter fluid-filled cartridges are about the same size as a cigarette lighter. It’s a big step forward both for Lilliputian Systems, a 10-year-old spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and for portable fuel cell technology in general. Several fuel cell companies have developed portable power systems, but a number have failed. The new fuel cell will charge any device that has a USB cable.
The charging unit and replacement cartridges will be available to buy online from Brookstone and the cartridges can be fully recycled once depleted. There is no pricing information available at this time however the replacement cartridges are thought to cost no more than a few dollars. The system is being tested with users this year and an announcement on retail availability should follow that.
We’ve used all sorts of batteries for years, from household brands like Duracell and Energizer to the lithum-ion and lithium-polymer types found in many gadgets. How does the idea of a fuel cell grab you?
Source: Cnet
UK editor at iMore, mobile technology lover and air conditioning design engineer.
Apple Releases OS X Lion 10.7.4, Safari 5.1.7
It’s that time again, kiddies — Apple has fired up the Software Update factory once again and the assembly line is busy pushing OS X Lion 10.7.4 onto Macs everywhere, with a little Safari 5.1.7 thrown in for good measure.
Apple has released OS X Lion 10.7.4 and Safari 5.1.7 on Wednesday, right on the heels of iOS 5.1.1 earlier in the week. The new updates are available now via Software Update, or can be downloaded manually and installed.
OS X Lion 10.7.4 includes a number of fixes, so let’s cut straight to the chase:
• Resolve an issue in which the “Reopen windows when logging back in” setting is always enabled.
• Improve compatibility with certain British third-party USB keyboards.
• Addresses permission issues that may be caused if you use the Get Info inspector function “Apply to enclosed items…” on your home directory. For more information, see this article.
• Improve Internet sharing of PPPoE connections.
• Improve using a proxy auto-configuration (PAC) file.
• Address an issue that may prevent files from being saved to an SMB server.
• Improve printing to an SMB print queue.
• Improve performance when connecting to a WebDAV server.
• Enable automatic login for NIS accounts.
• Include RAW image compatibility for additional digital cameras.
• Improve the reliability of binding and logging into Active Directory accounts.
Oddly, the OS X Lion v10.7.4 update also includes Safari 5.1.6, even though Apple is currently pushing out Safari 5.1.7, which disables outdated versions of Adobe Flash Player “to help keep your Mac secure.” A support document explains how to re-enable an out-of-date version, should you prefer to play fast and loose with your Mac’s security.
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
Miami zoo using iPads to communicate with orangutans
Miami zoo is using iPads to communicate with its orangutans. In a rather innovative approach, the zoo lets the Orangutans draw, play games and increase their vocabulary. The iPad is hugely popular with the younger orangutan residents but the older generation do not show much interest.
“Our young ones pick up on it. They understand it. It’s like, Oh I get this,’” Jacobs said. “Our two older ones, they just are not interested. I think they just figure, I’ve gotten along just fine in this world without this communication-skill here and the iPad, and I don’t need a computer.” Jacobs said she began letting the orangutans use iPads last summer, based on the suggestion of someone who had used the devices with dolphins. The software was originally designed for humans with autism and the screen displays pictures of various objects. A trainer then names one of the objects, and the ape presses the corresponding button.
There are a couple of drawbacks to using the iPad with the orangutans, firstly the screen is a little small for their large hands, causing incorrect button presses. More importantly the iPads screen is very fragile (Gorilla glass must not strong enough for orangutans!) and that means that the trainers must hold onto the device. The future could see a larger screened device in the orangutans enclosure along with a screen outside for zoo guests to communicate with the orangutans. Training the orangutans is not done for any other reason than keeping their minds active and stopping them getting bored and depressed.
Source: Associated Press
UK editor at iMore, mobile technology lover and air conditioning design engineer.
Wednesday Recap: Simple, 1 Billion Angry Birds, iPod Class Action, Google+ 2.0
Seems like this is the kind of Wednesday that the term “hump day” was designed for. Apple kept us on our toes by releasing updates to OS X Lion and Safari today, and the rest of the tech world has been hard at work doing the same on what’s generally a ho-hum day of the week. In case you happen to be downloading those aforementioned updates and need some reading material, here’s the latest for Wednesday, May 9, 2012.
Video: Simple Aims to Be the Only Bank You’ll Ever Need
If you’re frustrated with your current bank, a new service called Simple aims to alleviate your pain and suffering — assuming you have the patience to get through the company’s long waiting list, that is. However, if you’ve already managed to successfully acquire an invitation, Simple today released their iPhone app to the App Store. “Today, everyone expects their bank to have a mobile app,” the company notes. “However, too many banking apps feel like an afterthought. We took a different approach and put the mobile app first. With the Simple mobile app you can view your Safe-to-Spend balance, search and browse your entire transaction history, pay bills, deposit checks, and get help from our customer relations team. No matter where you are, you’ll have all the same tools that are available on the Simple website.” Judging from the demo video embedded below, Simple looks to be a pretty slick way to go — though we’re not entirely sure we’d trust them with the amount of money the hipster in the video has on hand, at least not yet…
Simple iPhone App Video from Simple on Vimeo.
Rovio Racks Up 1 B-B-Billion Downloads for Angry Birds
Your momma may have taught you that there’s no reward for being angry, but apparently the same does not apply for virtual fowl. Rovio announced today that its Angry Birds games have now collectively been downloaded more than a billion times. An impressive landmark, to be sure, but the mobile gaming giant claims “this is only the beginning of our story” and asks that we keep our eyes peeled for what’s coming up next from Rovio. Um… even more Angry Birds? Seems logical…
Google+ Gets “Sense and Soul” Update on iOS Before Android
Seems as if Google is going to continue to ignore the iPad with many of its iOS apps, but at least it’s trying to pretty up the ones it already has. The Google Official Blog announced a new update to the Google+ iOS app today, which brings “sense and soul” along with a more attractive UI and full-bleed photos and videos. “But you know what’s really cool?” the blog asks. “Content so immersive it remakes your mobile device into a rich carousel of beloved memories and breaking news. That’s the Google+ experience we aspire to, and today’s release helps us get closer.” The version 2.0.0.5888 update is rolling out now, and it’s kind of significant, considering that the search giant won’t be offering the same look and feel with its Android app for a few more weeks — although it does tease “a few extra surprises” to come, when it finally does arrive.
iPod Antitrust Lawsuit Gains Class Action Status
Ars Technica is reporting that an iPod-related lawsuit dating back to 2004 has finally been blessed with class action status. The antitrust lawsuit covers customers who purchased an iPod between September 12, 2006 and March 31, 2009, with owners just starting to be notified about the updated status. The suit came about as a result of RealNetworks’ efforts to free music purchases made through iTunes from being played exclusively on iPods — a problem that is no longer an issue now that Apple offers DRM-free music for its entire catalog. But that isn’t about to stop the attorneys from seeking out due compensation for those afflicted by the problem over the aforementioned 2.5 years — if you’re one of them, keep your eyes peeled for a notification about the class action, which you can choose to opt out of entirely, should you so desire.
Pocket God Comics 2.0 Brings UI Improvements, Issue No. 16
Bolt Creative has released Pocket God Comics 2.0 today, featuring issue number 16 with “Gem Cell Research: Part 2 of 4,” a “sharktastic, laserific” edition. The app also gets itself a sweet new design with Featured, Just Added and Top Titles buttons now on the menu. But what about part two of “Gem Cell Research”? Turns out the only way to fix it is with a laser, and the only laser around is the one on the Laser-Shark — which, as you can imagine, will lead to all kinds of hilarity as the girls try to catch it. The app also includes free extras such as No. 16 of The Pygmy Peril Newsletter, an exclusive remastered version of the first Pocket God animated short and much more! The 16.2MB update is now available for existing users, and can be purchased for a mere 99 cents for new users in the App Store.
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
Google+ for iPhone gets a facelift
Recently, Google gave their social network, Google+, a complete makeover on its website, but the iOS app was still left in the cold. However, today, Google+ for iPhone received an well needed facelift.
The new user interface is entirely different to its predecessor, opting for a sleek black theme across the app. The stream now displays larger images with larger profile images so you can easily who is posting, or sharing. They’ve removed the old side-by-side navigation of ‘circles’ and replaced it with a simple single drop down menu which makes it much easier to change which circle you are viewing, so you can view the posts from the people who are important to you.
One massive update is that you can now finally start ‘Hangouts’ on the go through the messenger. Just start a conversation with a single friend or circle; and then tap on the ‘camera’ icon.
Unfortunately, there is still no sign of an iPad app.
Will this iPhone app update get you interested in Google+ again?
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Writer for iMore, YouTube Vlogger, and Host for [TEChBrits]
