Tuesday, August 12, 2008

8 More iPhone Tricks You Might Not Have Known

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We recently showed you "12 iPhone Tricks You Might Not Know", and we're back to give you more. Due to all the great feedback our readers gave us, and some further iPhone experimentation (a.k.a. iPerimentation) on our part, we've found some other tips and tricks that can enhance your iPhone experience.


While you might find some of these iPhone tips and tricks elementary, I'm sure there's atleast something on this list that you didn't know of. And if you did, congrats iPhoner - now see how you stand up against the ultimate iPhone glossary.



1.   Double tap space bar for a period -

When typing on your iPhone, double tapping the space bar at the end of a sentence automatically enters a period followed by a space. No need to press "123" to get to the numbers and symbols page where the period typically resides. I use this trick daily and it heavily increases my typing speed (especially when texting).

Spacebar1

Spacebar2


2.  Tap the bottom corner to navigate home screens

When on your home screen, try tapping the bottom right/left corner to switch between pages instead of swiping your finger accross the screen.

Home_navigation_tip


3.   Take out your SIM card during backup and sync -

We've all experienced it. You're backing up and syncing your iPhone, and the hour long back up is nearly complete. Then all of a sudden you get a phone call, and the whole back up/sync is null and void.

To avoid this happening, simply start the backup/sync, then pull out your SIM card. Do not worry, this does not damage your phone at all. Put it back in once everything is complete. This way, your backup won't get interrupted.

This tip is also useful if you need to make a phone call while your iPhone is backing up/syncing. Since unlocking your phone cancels the process, just take out your SIM card, pop it in your old cell phone, and call away.


4.   Move "dock" icons

You'd be surprised how often this tip is overlooked. The 4 icons located on the grey bar at the bottom of your iPhone - Phone, Mail, iPod, Safari - are movable, just like the rest of the icons. Just press and hold the icons, then drag them while they are shaking. Press the home button when you're done. You can put any 4 icons on your dock.

In the screenshots, note the difference between pic 1 and 2.

Dock1

Dock2


5.   Automatically capitalize and add apostrophes

The iPhone automatically capitalizes certain words ("I" when you type "i"). It also automatically adds apostrophes ("I'm" when you type "Im").

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Type_tip_2


6.   Double tap a column on Safari to fit-to-page

When browsing the Internet on your iPhone's Safari browser, double tap any column, word, or picture to fit it's width to your iPhone's screen. This is extremely useful for reading blogs.

The first screenshot is the page when it firsts load. The second screenshot is the page once the main text was double tapped.

Width_tip1

Width_tip2


7.   Manually select the icon image for a bookmarked webpage

This one's a little more confusing. When you are browsing a website on your iPhone's Safari browser and want to add its icon to your home screen, press the plus sign and select "Add to Home Screen".

The image in the icon, however, is a screenshot of the page you were on. So if you want the icon to look a specific way, zoom in on a particular item on the page. Whether you want the website's logo, or some picture on the page, simply zoom in on that part of the page before you press "Add to Home Screen".

Note: This doesn't work with all websites. Popular sites like Google have special icons for the iPhone's home screen. 

Bookmark1

Go to your website of choice.

Bookmark2

Zoom in on your favorite part.

Bookmark3

Press the + sign and choose Add to Home Screen.

Bookmark4

Name the bookmark appropriately (Digg - Apple).

Bookmark5

Now that exact part of the webpage is displayed in your icon.


8.   Your iPhone's headphones have a multi-function button!

You'd be surprised how many people don't know that the iPhone's native headphones have a button on the microphone.

Just squeeze the microphone together, and the button gets pressed.

The buttons functions:

In call...

    • Press once to answer a call
    • Press twice to send the call to voicemail
    • Press once to hang up a call

Out of call...

  • Press once to activate iPod and play song
  • Press once to pause song
  • Press twice to skip to next song

 


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Using these 8 tips will not only increase your iPhone IQ, but improve your overall iPhone experience. For more iPhone tips and tricks, check out our older article "12 iPhone Tricks You May Not Know".

Be sure to share your new found knowledge (or atleast inform people that their iPhone's headphones have a button).

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Whether you're an iPhone rookie or a weathered pro, take a look at these quick-and-easy iPhone tips, hacks and tricks which not only save you time, but ease your overall iPhone experience.

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