30-Pin to Lightning Adapters

If you were ever to need to use a dock that only works with 30-pin iOS devices with an iPhone 5 (new iPod, iPad 4, or iPad Mini works too), what are you to do? Try an adapter! Starting at $29.99, these adapters can convert 30-pin adapters to Lightning cables. They come in two forms. There's a stub ($29.99) that is about the size of my thumb (keep in mind that as a teen, that I have relatively small thumbs) and is pocket sized. The other is a cord ($39.99). It looks like a charger cable. They have the same name as each other, so make sure you double check what you are buying. Either could work and there's really no disadvantage to either one other than price. I hope this will help you.

Custom Vibrations

For iPhone, you can make custom vibrations for when you get an alert. Go to Settings > Sounds and choose a notification type (ringtone, text tone, etc.) and choose Vibration. Look to the bottom and make or use a custom vibration. There you go! Have fun with your new trick.

* Requires iOS 5 or later

Do Not Disturb

If you're ever in a meeting or don't want to be bothered by a call while sleeping, enable Do Not Disturb. It silences all notifications. This is available in iOS 6. Go to Settings, and switch it on. Tap it again to turn it off. You can also have it scheduled by going to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb. Choose the time that's right for you. You can also customize the terms of Do Not Disturb. I hope this helps you guys.

System Status

Do you ever wonder how Apple's Systems are going? You know, behind the scenes. Then, go to http://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/.

Tech21 Impact Mesh Case for iPhone 5 Review

This case is super light! That's first off. I have the Orange/Clear version and it looks great on my white iPhone 5. Not to mention that this case compliments my new RuggedKey by LaCie. It even keeps the beauty of an iPhone. I'm not sure about durability, but it seems pretty good. I'm not going to throw my new iPhone at the ground. Anyways, I give this product five-out-five Geek Glasses. It's great.

Getting Started: iPhone

Congratulations on buying the iPhone. Let's get started. Turn on the iPhone by pressing and holding the top button until a screen appears. You should see the word "iPhone" appear along with a slider that says the phrase "Slide to set up" in multiple languages. It doesn't matter what language the slider says, just slide it. Then, select the language, country, Wi-Fi, and your phone should activate. Then, enter you Apple ID. If this is your first Apple product, create an Apple ID. After that, configure these last few settings. FaceTime and iMessage numbers/emails, Siri, Find My iPhone, and Diagnostics. You are ready to use an amazing phone that tops all of the others.

Merry Christmas!

Today is Christmas! I hope you have a great day. I got my very first iPhone this morning! It's an iPhone 5! I hope your Christmas is as merry as mine! Merry Christmas!

Follow Santa on Christmas Eve!

Today, follow Santa with this nifty site that Google and Santa's elves put together! It's really cool! The address is:

http://www.google.com/santatracker/

Our next series...

After Christmas is over, I'm going to be posting complete articles on how to start up with whatever tech product you got for the holidays. Products like the iPad (Shocker, right?), iPhone, and other products. I hope you will enjoy this series. It will be called, "Getting Started." Until then, Happy Holidays!

Why there isn't as much tech news...

If you haven't noticed, here is much news during the Holiday season. That's because everyone has announced their ideas for the year and they're waiting for the fourth-quarter results. Anyway, sorry about the short post today. I'm finishing holiday preparations at my house. See you tomorrow!

Happy Winter!

Today is the first day of Winter. And I am personally going to stay away from the whole "End of Mayan Calendar" thing. Winter is great! I hope you guys have good luck with gift giving if you haven't already done it. Sorry that it's a short post today. Thanks! Welcome to the new season.

Coding Talk 4 Geeks

This "Coding Talk 4 Geeks" thing is our temporary replacement for our little, failed Starbucks Chatter idea. What it is is a Google Group. To learn more, go to https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/coding-talk-4-geeks .

Need to find the Perfect Gift?

With less than a week until Christmas, you might still need some help finding a good gift for the geek in your life. Check out the Holiday Gift List 4 Geeks. It has a whole list of gifts. The URL is http://techtalk4geeks.blogspot.com/p/holiday.html . I hope this helps you.

Google Maps 4 iPhone: Released

I probably should've talked about this a long time ago. Last week, Google bright their map system to iOS as a free app from the App Store. I'm sure you've heard about the whole thing that's been going on with Apple's map system. If not, check out my other posts about the map system. Check out the video:

Ejecting a CD/DVD... Like a Geek!

To eject a CD or DVD from your Mac, open Terminal. This is where some coding comes in. It's weird to type text into it at first. Ignore all of the prewritten code and just type:

drutil eject

The Mac interprets this as a command to eject the disc from your Mac. Have fun!

Google Lights a Candle for Tragedy in Newtown

In Newtown, Connecticut, there was a shooting that killed 26 people, the majority being children. No one should have to go through something like this. To honor those lost, Google has lit a candle on their website to remember them. When you hover your cursor over the candle, it will say, "Our hearts are with the families and community of Newtown, Connecticut." If you haven't heard about this event, click here. I wish those who lost loved ones in this awful event, hope and a lasting legacy for those who were lost.

What we've learned from our event

Today, Tech Talk 4 Geeks hosted an event. For those who attended, I would like to apologize for the slow and bad connections. Next time, events will be hosted at home, where there should be faster wireless. No programming took place. I are sorry and will begin revising the next event. Thank you.

- Alex Baratti

Programming Chatter at Starbucks

Do you like programming? Do you like Java programming? Do you like Starbucks? If so, then this is 4 you! This Saturday, Tech Talk 4 Geeks is hosting the very first, "Programming Chatter at Starbucks"! I'll work on the name. The point is that this is the chance for us geeks to unite! Short notice? Maybe. But, all you have to do is go to a Starbucks this Saturday at 11 AM PST. Here's how it works:

1. Be sure to have a Google+ account.
2. Pack your computer, power cord, and have your programming software prepared.
3. Go to any Starbucks with an Internet connection.
4. Grab a drink.
5. Set up and join the Hangout (online video chat).
6. Have fun!

I hope you guys come!

Click here to view the event details. 

Apple and Foursquare

"Find Maps for your [iOS Device]
App Collection
Picture Source: Mashable

Yesterday, Denis Crowley (@dens), C.E.O. of Foursquare, and Eddie Cue (@cue), Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services of Apple, now have some interesting rumors building. As you know, Apple's flawed map system is being attempted to be repaired to Apple Standards. However, no further action has taken place other than the "Find Maps for your [iOS Device]" app collection on the App Store. If you look a Eddie Cue's profile on Twitter, you will find a tweet. If you look at his tweets, the one about Foursquare is the last tweet since June. It appears that he is testing it out as this is his first check-in. By the way, he checked in through his iPhone. #Reference2EpicFail Also, Denis Crowley has tweeted that he will be going down to San Francisco. Here are the tweets:

"En route to SF for the week. (@ John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) w/ @andrewparker) http://4sq.com/YWBTEE "

- Denis Crowley

"I'm at Apple - Valley Green 2 (Cupertino, CA) http://4sq.com/SdfrUE "

- Eddie Cue 

This could save Apple Maps with a partnership with Foursquare.

Find My iPhone Update 2.0.1

Apple released a new update for the Find My iPhone app. This allows you to get directions to your device within the app. This requires iOS 6. The app also has details and options of the device to be hidden until tapped. This is probably used to prevent accidental deletion or locking of iOS devices.

To get the Find My iPhone app for your iOS device, click here.

iOS 6 Compatibility

iOS 6 is the most-advanced operating system for mobile devices. However, this only works on select devices. It works on iPhones including the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPhone 5. iPad compatibility includes the iPad 2, iPad 3 (Discontinued), iPad 4 (iPad with Retina Display), and the iPad Mini. iPod Touch fourth-generation and fifth-generation work with iOS 6. I hope this helps out the people still upgrading to iOS 6.

Protect Your Password

No matter how cliché it is, always protect your iTunes password. If someone were to change it or even find out what it is, they would have total control of your iOS devices. This means they could wipe your items. If one of your iOS devices is wiped, quickly turn on Airplane Mode and take them away from any connection IMMEDIATELY. A device can be wiped or locked within seconds. Be sure to pick a good password in the first place. Apple Certified Support Professionals (including myself) must change their passwords every 90 days if they do not log in to their master account. You cannot change your password over the phone either. To reset a password, you may need a birthday, so be sure you didn't make a fake one. I hope this helps protect vital information for those who need it.

Nintendo Land: Multiplayer Review

The multiplayer mode in Nintendo Land is awesome! It gets a party started. However, you might want more than one Wii U for a larger party though. There was very intuitive use of the game pad. Unfortunately, one team or the other team has a HUGE advantage. In Mario Chase, the Toads have such an advantage. They seem faster and can easily find Mario. Mario only has the map. And they have a whole five minutes to find him. In Luigi's Mansion, the ghost has the advantage. He can seek up without notice except for the rumbling of Wii Remotes. However, my favorite game is Metroid Blast. It's so much fun to be the ship. It's the ultimate machine. Anyways, I give this game four-out-of-five Geek Glasses.

Nintendo Land: Coming Soon

Sorry about the late post. I was out all day today. However, I was able to get some hands-on with the Wii U and will put up a post of the review tomorrow. Until then, good night.

P.S. I'm sorry about how short this post is.

Evernote Peek

If you need a better way to study, Evernote Peek is the app for you. It makes studying much more fun. It takes full advantage of the iPad Smart Cover (Sorry! No iPhone compatibility) and makes a new sort of interface. It lets you "peek" to see the question and answer. I suggest you try it out for yourself to understand but, you'll need the Evernote app (or at least an Evernote account with notebooks) as well with any Evernote app (Evernote Peek, Evernote Hello, etc.). This is a great app. And it's FREE! So, what's stopping you? Go get it today!

YouTube Update

As of iOS 6, Apple removed the YouTube app. However, Google released the app on the App Store. There was only one little glitch. It wasn't iPad native. This was bad for Google and there wasn't the right feel for the iPad. Now, the new update brings iPad support. Be sure to update the app if you have it on your iPad.

Let's get Productive: Google Drive

Welcome to the first edition of "Let's get Productive", a series of posts to make you work more efficiently. This is obviously about Google Drive so let's get started. One of my most helpful tools in Google Drive is the reference bar on the right when editing a document. It's a small window that lets you Google anything. You can get quick and easy citations (which is perfect for those school reports) and quick facts. Be sure to set the preference of your citation prior to your search (MLA, APA, etc.). I hope this helps.

iTunes Store Launches in Russia and Turkey

It's hard to imagine life without iTunes. And that's what it was like before. Now, Russia and Turkey have access to cheap and good music. Apple may have an event tomorrow for these countries to celebrate. And that's pretty much it. Thanks!

Google Top Contributors

I think we all can agree that I'm not the biggest Android fan. However, I think Google makes some great products. Their search engine makes up a lot of my life. YouTube helps me with programming an iPhone app. Google+ helps me connect with you guys (+Alex Baratti). But of all these products may require a little online face-to-face help. That's where Google Top Contributors come in. Top Contributors are the tech experts at Google. I hope to earn this status soon as I recently started to answer questions about Blogger. Just so you know, Blogger is the service that actually hosts this site. The route of becoming a top contributor tends to take at least four months. First, participate in the community. At least on most days. Second, learn. It doesn't matter if you're the ultimate Google fan that knows everything. There are knowledgeable people out there. And it doesn't hurt to expand your knowledge. Third, submit a small form to Google (Scroll down to step three and click on the link to find the form). Next, you may become a "Rising Star". This is a status that means you're pretty advanced. You also get your own Google resource if you need help. After that, sharpen your skills and practice clean, concise grammar. Brush up on your knowledge and keep posting. Practice connecting to your reader(s) and hope that they can use you for help again. Always be sure to use appropriate language and give accurate information. In the following months, you might just be a Top Contributor. Here's a video by Google to give an overview of this whole thing. Thanks!

The new iMacs are out!

Currently, both of the new, ultra-slim iMacs are out. 21" and 27" are both out. I hope to review one soon at an Apple Store. If you haven't seen these iMacs in pictures, you need to.

To learn more about the new iMac, go to http://www.apple.com/imac/ .

Sorry for the short post today. This is what's current. Longer post soon.

iTunes 11: Review

iTunes 11 gave me an interesting experience. First of all, this is so simple a newcomer to Apple can use it with the fundamentals or so simple that a veteran may not be able to live without the sidebar. Lucky for you guys I can fix all of that.

You can still get the classic iTunes experience
with a modern feel.

I found a quick way to easily get the old sidebar back. Simply go to the menu, hit View > Show Sidebar. And there it is.

Back to the review, the new iTunes is great. It does what it has said. The only thing it has removed is iTunes DJ. It lets people vote on the next song from their iPhone and iPod Touches. Not on iPad. Other than that, I give the new iTunes five-out-of-five Geek Glasses.

Here's some screenshots I've captured: