Jailbreaking to be extinct on iPhone?

In a future iOS update, Apple is expected to make jailbreaking impossible with the update. I personally am not a fan of jailbreaking. However, there are some benefits to it. You modify the iOS device to your specific needs. Let's see where this may take us.

Need a scientific calculator?

This is a tip LONG overdue. To quickly get a scientific calculator from your iPhone or iPod Touch, go to the "Calculator" app. Rotate the device so that it's landscape. There you go! I hope this helps.

iOS 6.1: Is it worth it?

Before you upgrade your iPhone to iOS 6.1 or above, take note that this update brings a bug that can allow anyone that steals your phone to possibly unlock the passcode. Although they can't do much, they CAN access your contacts, voicemail, and recent calls. They can't do anything else (eg. change the passcode, delete apps, etc.). However, they can call people. The process is risky to do this trick, but I won't actually tell you how to do it for security reasons. Off the top of my head, the best way to protect your phone from being hacked, is by putting it in airplane mode when you lock it. While I haven't tested this, my theory is that it COULD work (UPDATE: It turns out that this doesn't work. Sorry.). I hope this helps.

Need a battery charger?

Today, I got my AmazonBasics battery charger. What a deal! I got it on sale for $9.98 plus tax (usually $39.99). It comes with a battery charger, 4 rechargeable batteries, and a ton of power adapters for the US, UK, European Union, and China. How awesome is that?! I don't know when (or if) the sale will end, so I suggest you buy it ASAP. I hope to do a review soon. Thanks.

Click here to go to this product on Amazon!

The package

The four batteries

The power adapters

The wall charger

Yelp's Hidden Secret

When you want to know how Yelp runs, open Yelp > Settings > Pull Down and there's a hamster!!! Cool! I hope this helps… somehow.

12345 Pageviews!

Recently, Tech Talk 4 Geeks has reached 12345 page views! This is amazing! I always felt the need to pretend that I'm writing to an audience. But it turns out, I don't have to pretend. Thank you so much!

Missing out on the Google Glass hype?

If you're outside of the U.S. and want in on trying Google Glass, you're not alone. Google Glass is receiving a lot of negative feedback from this situation. In addition, it seems that when people tweet about the situation, @ProjectGlass replies with almost the EXACT same format. Take a look.

Try out Google Glass!

Source: Google

If you haven't heard yet, Google is making a augmented reality device known as Glass. Not surprisingly, the technology field seems to be taking an interest into augmented reality as the public seems to want to merge their lives in with technology. Glass is a futuristic piece of technology that looks like it was ripped right from some comic book (or my invention journal from fifth grade). However, instead of making a huge piece of glass covering your eyes, it only covers the top-right region of your eye. Here, it can tell you time, weather, and more. Now, you can test this product out. You must be a resident of the United States and must be 18 years old. Unfortunately for me, I'm not 18 years old yet. Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention that you must fork over $1500 to Google. Like they don't have enough money from advertising. I mean, just look at their headquarters. It's 25 times the size of Yahoo!'s headquarters! Anyways, to get Google's attention, just tweet or Google+ the hash tag #ifihadglass and put in your two cents (TIP: two cents is less than 50 words) about what you would use Google Glass for. As for me, I think it might be worth waiting for. As if I have a choice. Here's what I tweeted:

#ifihadglass I would be over 18 years old. But seriously, I would wear it to school and do an epic review on them.

- Alex Baratti
@alexsmbaratti
+Alex Baratti

The deadline is the 27th.

Stay tuned for more tech news!

For more information, click here.

Battery Boost Magic

When you feel like you want just a bit more battery life, turn to Battery Boost Magic! Just download the full app. All you have to do is plug in your iOS device. I tried it, and it seems to sustain my battery significantly. The app is 99¢ and there is a free version, however, the free version does not do anything to the battery life. I hope this helps!


To learn more about Battery Boost Magic, click here.

Use a 10W!

When charging your iOS device, try using a 10 Watt charger. For iPhones and iPod Touches, they will charge SUPER fast. For iPads, it will charge normally. Chargers that come with iPhones and iPod Touches come with a 5 Watt. This won't even charge an iPad. The chargers that come with an iPad are a 10 Watt. My iPhone charges about 10% for less than 20 minutes. I hope this helps.

Haze

The brand new weather app, Haze, is a brand new way to see your forecast. It's on sale and is currently 99¢. The app is gesture based. It tells you if you should use an umbrella. It even tells you the high and low. I help this helps those who need it.

Cleaning your Apple Products

When your cleaning my products, I always use iKlear. The #1 cleaning solution! Ok. Enough with the sales pitch. But, iKlear is a great product. It is endorsed by Apple. If you have grime on your iPad, DO NOT use soap and water. That will break it. I hope you know that. Use a cleaning solution like iKlear. I hope this helps!

When Buying an app…

Before spending your hard earned money on an app, consider some factors.

- Do you have a similar app?
- Are there unique features?
- Is it universal (for those with iPads)?
- Is it optimized for iPhone 5 (for those with an iPhone 5)?
- Consider the reviews.

I hope this helps.

Square

Are you a small business? Then, check out Square! It's an app that let's you sell items. You can even accept credit cards! Or, if people have the Square Wallet app, they can pay by just saying their name. Check it out at squareup.com

Siri knows your relationships

To have Siri know your relationships, tell Siri the following.

"(Name) is my (relationship)."

Then you can try something like this:

"Call (relationship)."

I hope this helps.

iHM61 Review

iHome is one of my favorite speaker brands. They go above and beyond of what a speaker is made to be. They integrate it with apps that calculate sleep and charge my iOS devices during this! Heck, the alarm feature is the only reason I get to school on time. But, sometimes you want to get back to basics while having the modern design. That's exactly what the iHM61 delivers. The iHM61 is a rather simple device that I now use to listen to my music while I do homework. The device delivers deep bass. Otherwise, it just sounds like a radio. But, I'm no music critic. In addition, it is a "Glowtunes" model. This means it has colors are shown while playing music. Kinda like a lava lamp. While the colors, nor the rhythm of the colors, aren't associated at all with the music you're playing, it does deliver serene experience. A device plugs in via headphone jack. No need for any discrimination between any devices. The price? $25. In my perspective, I feel that is a great deal. Cheaper than headphones. But, it all comes down to the final verdict.

4 out of 5! Not bad!

Name:

iHM61

Price: 

about $25

Pros:

- Color changing LED (Glowtunes)

- Expandable

- Portable

- Works with ALL devices

Cons:

- Rhythm of colors has nothing to do with song

- Sound could be a bit better

50% for an update

Yesterday, I noticed that when updating an iOS device without a computer, that you MUST have 50% battery (unless the iOS device is plugged in) for an update. This is critical information for an update! I hope this helps.

Yelp Monocle

Yelp Monocle is a great feature in the Yelp app that is great for finding a good restaurant. Open the Yelp app on an iOS device and tap "Nearby". At the top of the screen should be a button that says "Monocle". The camera will be activated and will show you restaurants around you. It's hard to describe, so I'll let the picture show you.

Apple is looking into a Smart Watch

In wake of Google Glass, the nerd glasses that are also a phone (LOL! Google stole my idea!), Apple may be following in creating a device that you wear. In this case, a watch. One of my favorite watches out there are the Pebble, which just went on sale. Let's see if Apple can top it. This story is just developing. Hopefully, there'll be more updates coming soon!

Cheap Products: Lightning to 30-Pin Adapter

Well, it's the same deal with the Micro-USB adapter. Different product than advertised. But, does it work? Yes. So, I'm fine with that. Unfortunately, I need some more time reviewing the product and I should get back to you about that soon. Until then. #LikeAGeek

Tap and Hold 4 More Music

In the Music app on iPhones and iPod Touches, you can get more information about a song by following these steps.

1. Open the Music app.
2. Tap and hold on a song.

Simple, right? A bubble will pop up and give you album information as well. I hope this helps.

Optimized for iPhone 5

To find out if an app is optimized for an iPhone 5 (made to work with the tall screen) without having to buy it, go to the App Store and find an app. Scroll all the way to the bottom and look at the section that says "Requires". If it is optimized for iPhone 5, it will say, "Optimized for iPhone 5". Otherwise, it won't mention it. I hope this helps.

The optimization is mentioned

No optimization is mentioned, thus meaning that
this app is NOT optimized for iPhone 5

An app NOT optimized for iPhone 5

An app optimized for iPhone 5

Open in a new tab

To open something in a new tab in iOS, tap and hold on a link in Safari and tap "Open in new Page". This can be helpful for opening a lot of pages from Google or just handy for future reference. I hope this helps!

Kindle Fire HD: Display

Is the Kindle Fire HD as good as the iPad with Retina Display? Well, I say…

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!"

- Alex Baratti

The Kindle Fire HD is nothing compared to the iPad with Retina Display. I tried it in a store demo. Apple users have nothing to worry about. And for those who don't worry about a display, take a look at a device without a Retina Display, look at an iOS device with a Retina Display, and look back at the device without it. That device will INSTANTLY become old. I hope this helps those who are wondering about the Kindle Fire HD. Personally, I like Kindles for what they were originally made for. Just reading. Check out my review for the Kindle.

This looks familiar

Take a look at these screenshots between iPad's Siri and Blackberry's Voice Control. Notice how the buttons look very similar. I hope this spreads some attention on how many people copy Apple.

Super Bowl!

Well, the Super Bowl is on. To celebrate, I'm tweeting throughout the game. Check me out with @alexsmbaratti

Happy Super Bowl!!!

Send as Text Message

To send an iMessage as a text message manually because the iMessage isn't sending is very simple. On an iPhone, find a blue message that is taking a while to send. This kind of thing tends to happen when you're not expecting it and can't really happen on command. Just remember this tip. Tap and hold the message that won't send and tap "Send as Text Message". I hope this helps!

Report a Maps problem

In iOS 6.1, you can report problems in Apple Maps now! Just tap the little flap in the bottom right corner of the Maps app and tap "Report a Problem". I hope this helps!