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‘Tips’ Category

Thanksgiving Tips and Tricks on Your iPad

October 28, 2013

November is about one thing, and one thing only: Thanksgiving. Whether you celebrate with family across the country, throw a potluck with your friends, practice gratitude, or just want to make a silly paper turkey with construction paper, everyone loves Thanksgiving. I dare you to find one person who can’t find a little joy in a big plate of creamy mashed potatoes and turkey (or Tofurkey, for all our vegetarian and vegan readers).

There are so many tools out there that can help you plan your best Thanksgiving ever, especially your iPad! Welcome the holiday season with some of our favorite seasonal apps.

Thanksgiving Menu Maker from Fine Cooking • iOS App (Free)

Sweet potatoes or yams? Canned cranberry sauce or homemade? Everyone does Thanksgiving differently and there’s never one sure way to do it. Take the stress out of planning your Thanksgiving menu with this free app for your iPad. First, pick your recipes. Recipes are divided by course, including Starters, Main Dishes, Sides, and Desserts. Experiment with different turkey variations, try a new side dish recipe, and fill your entire table with delectable Thanksgiving fare. Once you’ve assembled the perfect menu, the Thanksgiving Menu Maker will create a shopping list for you so know exactly what you’ll need to purchase. Bring your iPad with you and check off items as you go. After you’ve assembled your ingredients, check out your menu’s schedule to see what dishes you can make ahead of time. From start to finish, this free iOS app will help you create the best Thanksgiving menu your family has ever seen.

Bonus features include wine pairings, turkey tips, how-to videos, Thanksgiving 911, and more!

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by Rachel Heine in Culture, Tips

Pimp My Office!

October 24, 2013

Bob Dorman of The Register has reviewed the MonkeyTail iPad stand in an article called “Pimp My Office: 10 Cubicle Comforts”. Bob was charmed by the design and the neat approach to positioning a tablet. He also notes that stand could allow for a tablet to be set in the same line of site as a desktop screen.

Read the full review of the MonkeyTail and the other featured products in the article below.

Pimp My Office

by Alison Reynolds in Tips, Media Mentions

Spook-tacular Apps for the iPad

October 16, 2013

The leaves are changing, kids are back in school, and people are carving pumpkins left and right. That’s right, it’s finally fall! Autumn marks the return of everyone’s favorite holiday, Halloween. You’re never to old to celebrate, whether you’re dressing up with your little ones, throwing a spooky Halloween bash, or simply playing games with ghosts and ghouls. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite tricks and treats you can use on your iPhone or iPad. Read on… if you dare…

DIY Costume Ideas • LilLuna.com

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Lil Luna has gathered some of her favorite DIY costume tutorials on the net. Searching for a cute couples’ costume? Try Mary Poppins and Bert on for size. Want to put your family’s nerd cred on display? Put your tot in an Ewok costume. Whether you’ve got babies and toddlers, teenagers, or just want to make something for yourself, there’s something for everyone. Lil Luna’s blog is a great resource – get inspired and get crafting!

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by Alison Reynolds in Culture, Tips

Wherefore art thou iPad?: Studying Shakespeare with Apps

October 7, 2013

If there’s any storyteller whose works are recreated again and again, it’s William Shakespeare. Each year there are films born out of his plays. While some are retold in another time period or loosely based on a particular Shakespearean arc, many, like this month’s upcoming Romeo and Juliet adaptation, use his famous rhymes. Though the tragic teen lovebirds’ tale is arguably the most popular of the Bard’s works, each has something magnificent to offer. In honor of the latest interpretation, here are some of the best apps for enjoying and understanding Shakespeare’s masterpieces from a variety of angles using your iPad.

SwipeSpeare from BookCaps – iPad App (Free)

Sometimes it’s difficult for a Shakespeare novice to fully grasp his meaning… you have to learn the lingo first. Luckily, there’s SwipeSpeare, the app that does it exactly what its name implies. Take a look at a passage of Shakespeare, then simply swipe to see a modernized translation. Swipe again and it will change back! That’s not all, though. SwipeSpeare also includes a free, searchable Shakespeare dictionary, biography, a Swipeable copy of Romeo and Juliet, original and modernized versions of the major Shakespeare plays, as well as accompanying study guides and lesson plans.

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by Rachel Heine in Culture, Tips

Useful iPad Apps For Managing and Understanding Breast Cancer

September 23, 2013

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As many of you may already know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). NBCAM is an annual health campaign that was founded in 1985 by the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries to promote breast cancer awareness. NBCAM is now an international campaign that includes hundreds of breast cancer charities and awareness groups. NBCAM promotes mammography and other methods of breast cancer detection, provides support for those affected by the disease, and raises funds for research into breast cancer’s cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

Breast cancer affects millions of people every single day. Luckily there are many new sources of information, support, and treatment available. Between iOs and Android, there are many podcasts on the subject on iTunes, apps to help patients and family members understand diagnoses, health reminders, and of course, organizations for the cause.

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by Rachel Heine in Tips

iOS Connectivity Apps for the Elderly

September 9, 2013

Helping the Elderly Stay in Touch

In our bustling age of modern technology, we often forget that there are users out there who are not as familiar with the ins and outs of iPads, iPhones, apps, accessories, and other fun gadgets. Some grandparents are well-versed in Apple speak, but many still need a little bit of help. Despite the generation gap, more and more senior citizens are finding ways to keep in touch with their family and friends with their smart devices. If your grandparents have an iPad or tablet, here’s how to help them stay connected with the best apps for the elderly. (more…)

by Rachel Heine in Tech, Octa, Culture, Tips

iPad Stand on Steroids: The Strongest Monkey

May 10, 2013

The MonkeyTail is a powerful iPad stand. When used correctly, it can hold almost any tablet in any position. The following tips from Octa will help you position your MonkeyTail in places that were previous impossible.

iPad Stand That Works Around the Clock

When using the MonkeyTail as an iPad stand, make sure to coil the tail in a clockwise direction. The end of the tail should start at the “noon” hour. Feel free to save the attached graphic on your tablet for reference! This position also helps when using the MonkeyTail as an iPad stand on your stomach or on a soft surface, like a couch.

iPad Stand With a Center of Gravity

For the most part, your tablet’s weight should be centered over the circular base of your MonkeyTail. It will serve as the sturdiest iPad stand this way.

iPad Stand With a Spine

The MonkeyTail is sturdy yet flexible. Inside the MonkeyTail’s spine is a sophisticated, coiled metal spiral. That spiral provides both strength and rigidity. By spiraling your stand in the same direction as its internal coil, you’ll get increased strength out of your MonkeyTail.

by Nikki Braziel in Tips

iPad Ergonomics Part One: Best Practices for using your iPad

September 19, 2012

With the boom in sales of the iPad and similar handheld mobile computers, many users are discovering the convenience of the tablet form factor for the first time. But while this new style of computer is extremely popular, it presents a host of new ergonomic challenges that could have lasting implications on the health of our bodies. As we spend more and more time holding, typing, and swiping on our iPads, we’re putting new stresses on our bodies that can have serious physical implications down the line. Because we spend as much time on our iPads as anbody, we set out to examine the best practices of iPad ergonomics that will keep tablet usage efficient, comfortable, and–most of all–healthy. (more…)

by Guest Contributor in Tips

Mobile Register: iPhone & iPad Point Of Sale Apps & Accessories

August 8, 2012

If you’ve recently set foot in a craft fair, farmers market, or convention center and done some shopping, you’ve probably seen an iPad cleverly acting as a mobile point of sale register. With the help of a wireless connection, your tablet can be used to process and accept credit card transactions wherever you are, just like an established brick and mortar shop. We decided to check out the most popular solutions for making an iPad into a register for ourselves, so read on to see what we found. (more…)

by Guest Contributor in Tips

Take a Hike! iPhone and iPad Apps and Accessories for the Great Outdoors

August 6, 2012

Now that your iPhone and iPad are packed with all of your favorite apps, nobody really expects you to travel without them, even if you’re planning on “roughing it” through a hiking or camping trip into the woods. So we’ve rounded up some great hiking-related apps and accessories for taking with you on your next outdoor excursion. (more…)

by Guest Contributor in Tips