Notes, Lists and Sharing


It’s the start of a new year and time to get organized. How about use the built in Notes app with iCloud to create lists of things you need or need to accomplish and share them with others who can update them?

Let’s use a simple example…A grocery list. Let’s say you have family or a significant other who needs items from a grocery store. Instead of keeping a paper list or sticky notes in different places, consider using the Share This Note with Others Feature built into Notes.

How does it work? It’s simple.

After opening the Notes app, click on the pencil icon to create a new note. Then, type in the top line something like Grocery List and hit return.

Now, start making your list…Apples, Carrots, Milk 2%, Oatmeal, Bread, Toothpaste, etc. Hit return after each item, then select all of the items and tap the circle with the check mark in it at the top. This will create an empty circle next to each item that allow you to tap in the circle to make a check mark.

If you tap or click in a circle, a check mark will appear. That way, while you are shopping, you can check off the items as you get them.

Next, let’s share the note to allow others to edit, add or delete items to the list. To do that, tap on the person with + icon. When you hover over it, it may say share this note with others.

Now, you can select the method to share your notes to be edited by those you invite. If you do not want them to make changes, then select the permissions Only people you invite can view by clicking next to Permission: Whether you choose Mail, Messages or something else, those you invite can then see, edit and delete information in the note.

After you share your list, assuming the recipient has an iCloud account, they will then be able to see, edit and modify the shared list. When they do so, your list will be updated and if you make changes, so will what they see.

From your iOS device, you easily can tap next to the item, tap on the smiley face and then type the item and look for an emoji to enter.

Other examples of share list can include items needed for a project, to do items for a task, things to order from a restaurant, etc.

Start using Notes with the shared feature to make your new year more productive. Tap to learn more about the Notes app.

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Zoom Update – Share Multiple Programs


The latest update to Zoom Desktop (5.4.3) adds several new and enhanced features. The ability to share multiple open programs at once has been added. The new feature is described as follows:

  • Share multiple programs at once 
    Users can select multiple desktop programs at once for sharing, instead of sharing their entire desktop. Other programs and unoccupied areas in the desktop will not be visible to the viewer. The sharer will always know which applications they are sharing by an extensible green border. Only the user employing this feature will need to be on version 5.4.3, viewers can be connected with older versions.

To do this, tap on the share button and select a window to share while holding down the shift button.

Now, you will be sharing several open apps at once, each with a green border around them. This new feature is helpful when you need to show several apps simultaneously.

Try it out.

iWork Updates – Scribble Tool


Not only was iOS updated to version 14 but iWork apps were updated as well. If you use Keynote, Pages or Numbers, there are some interesting and helpful changes and improvements. To learn more about the new features in these apps, click here.

In Keynote, there are 3 main new functions. Those include Scribble, Outline View and Web videos. With Scribble, you can write with your Apple Pencil and your words will turn to text. Scribble is on by default.

To use the Scribble feature, in Keynote using your Apple Pencil, tap in a text box, shape or table cell where you want to write. Tap the Scribble Tool and then start writing.

As you enter text with Apple Pencil, you can do any of the following:

  • Delete a word: Scratch it out.
  • Insert text: Tap and hold in a text area, then start writing when a space opens.
  • Join or separate characters: Draw a vertical line between them.
  • Select text: Circle text or draw a line through it. Drag the selection handles with your finger to change the selection.
  • Start a new paragraph: Tap the Next Line button in the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
  • Show a keyboard: Tap the Show Keyboard button in the toolbar, then tap keyboard keys to correct text, delete characters, add spaces, and more.
  • Undo the last action: Tap the Undo button in the toolbar. Tap multiple times to undo all your recent actions.
  • Add a new text box: Start writing away from other text areas (such as another text box or a selected table or table cell). A new text box is created for your text.

To learn more about the new Scribble Feature, click here.

Keynote, Pages, Numbers Updated


Apple has released updates to the work suite of apps for both the Mac and iOS devices.

Pages has new features like:

  • Play YouTube and Vimeo videos right in your documents.*
  • Easily add captions and titles to images, videos, shapes, and other objects.
  • Create more flexible formulas using new functions
  • Import an iBooks Author book to work on it in Pages

Numbers has new features like:

  • New functions, including XLOOKUP, XMATCH, and REGEX, let you match patterns, manipulate text, and create flexible formulas.
  • Easily add captions and titles to images, videos, shapes, and other objects.
  • Play YouTube and Vimeo videos right in your spreadsheets.*
  • Scroll and zoom your spreadsheets without unintentional edits.

Keynote has new features for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch like:

  • Movies can now play through slide transitions. Add the same movie to multiple slides to play from one slide to the next.
  • Use the Align to Path option to have objects stay pointed in the correct direction while following a motion path.
  • Easily add captions and titles to images, videos, shapes, and other objects.

To get the latest updates, on your iOS device, go to App Store. Then, tap on your account and update. Make sure you have wi-fi.

iOS 13.5 Update


Apple has released iOS 13.5. There are a few updates related to COVID-19 including Face ID enhancements.

The update is supposed to speed up access to the passcode field on devices with Face ID when wearing a face mask. There is also an option to control automatic prominence of video tiles on Group FaceTime calls.

There are other bug fixes and improvements.

You can read about them here.

As usual, before you update, make a backup.

Ulysses Turns 19


Ulysses 19 icon

Ulysses, a writing app and markdown editor, turns 19. It adds material sheets, mouse and track support on iPad and keywords in Markdown Files and provides various fixes.

Ulysses Sheet Layout

This writing app offers a different approach to turning your ideas into text. The basic unit is not so much a document but rather a “sheet.” A sheet is where the nugget of your idea, sentences or paragraphs are entered. Once you have created several sheets, you can order and nest them into groups for export in various ways.

Ulysses Cloud and Folder Support

By storing your Ulysses file in the cloud, you can work from your Mac or iOS device anytime the urge or impulse to write strikes you. The developer states “On iPad and iPhone, you’re now able to embed external folders from locations in the Files app, such as cloud storage providers or Git clients, and edit the contained files with Ulysses.” The ability to sync requires a subscription.

A main idea behind this writing app is to help the writer spend more time getting the thoughts down and less time worrying about formatting. The goal is to take the stress off of what the finished document will look like and help the attention be focused on the ease of entering the text and idea.

Ulysses Mouse Support Apple recently introduced mouse and trackpad support for iOS and Ulysses takes advantage of this.

You can try Ulysses for free. Download it from the App Store. All subscription plans contain a free trial. It is fully functional and syncs to all your Macs, iPads and iPhones.

So, if you are interested in trying out a new way to think about document creation, check out Ulysses.

Magic Keyboard PreOrder Available


Magic Keyboard © Apple Inc.Today, Apple is allowing pre-orders for the new Magic Keyboard for the 4th generation iPad Pro 12.9″ and 2nd generation 11″ iPad Pro models.

The prices start at $349 for the 12.9 and $299 for 11″ model.

Make sure you order the correct keyboard for your device and in the correct language/layout. Right now, expected delivery times are between April 24 and May 1, 2020.

 

iWork for iOS Updates


Apple has release updates for iWork for Mac and iOS versions. The updates include trackpad support with iPad OS 13.4, new themes and iCloud Drive folder sharing.

Keynote has new features like:

  • Edit shared presentations while offline and your changes will upload when you’re back online. Requires iPadOS or iOS 13. Learn more
  • Touch and hold, then drag across multiple objects to select them. Learn more
  • Easily access your recently used themes in a redesigned theme chooser.
  • Print or export a PDF of your presentation with comments included. Learn more
  • Add a drop cap to make text stand out with a large, decorative first letter. Learn more
  • Enhance your presentations with a variety of new, editable shapes.

You can learn more about the updates for iOS here:

Pages

Keynote

Numbers

iPad Pro 2020 Arrives


Thanks to UPS, the Apple iPad Pro 2020 arrives with Smart Folio and Smart Keyboard Folio. The magic keyboard is not available until May.

You can read more about the product from the Apple Press Release.

I will try to post unboxing video later.

 

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