iPad 2 Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts (1)

While some might argue that it can almost replace a full-fledged computer, the iPad was designed to be simple. Even if you have very little tech savvy, you can probably pick up Apple's latest tablet and master most of the basic features in a matter of minutes. And the longer you spend swiping your way around the touch-based iOS operating system, the more you'll learn. Like it is with any OS, though, there are just some things that aren't obvious. You could (gasp!) pore through the 22-chapter iPad 2 User Guide (it's got three appendices too), to make sure you're not missing out on anything, but where's the fun in that?
After a couple of months of testing and using the iPad 2, we've learned some cool tricks and we want to share them with you. In the slideshow, you'll find general tips that apply to multiple applications, along with those specific to Safari, Maps, iPod, and Photos. Whether you're a seasoned Mac or iOS user, or even an Apple newbie, there's something here to help you get the most out of your iPad 2. (Actually, come to think of it, a lot of these tips also apply to the original iPad.) Have a tip, trick, or shortcut of your own to share? Let us know in the comments below.

Reveal Hidden Keyboard Characters

There's more than meets the eye with the iPad's on-screen keyboard. Holding down certain keys provides additional character options. A long tap on the Comma key, for example, brings an apostrophe. Right next door, the Period key offers up a quote mark too. On the numeric keyboard, shown here, the Quote Mark key hides smart quotes and other symbols if you hold it down for a second. Oh, and if you didn't know, hitting the spacebar twice inserts a period.

Launch Your Apps in a Flash

If you just got your iPad, you probably don't have too many apps to handle yet, but believe us, you will. (Right now, the app store offers more than 65,000 tablet-specific apps, and more are added every day!) Once you start stocking up, you'll have folder upon folder and page upon page of apps, and it'll get harder to find what you're looking for quickly. There's an easy fix for that. From the Home screen, swipe left and you'll get the Search screen, where you can quickly type the name of the app you want to launch—and predictive typing makes things even faster. Search will not only surface your apps (first), but your media, e-mail messages, calendar events, and more. Customize your searches at Settings>General>Spotlight Search.

Grab that Screen!

To capture whatever is on your iPad's screen as a photo, hold the Power button, and hit the Home button. You'll see the display flash and hear a shutter click, and the image will appear in the Camera Roll in Photos. From there, press the Arrow icon in the top right corner to e-mail, print, or copy the image, use it as wallpaper, or assign it to one of your contacts.

An Easy Save for E-Mail Photo Attachments

If you get a picture with an e-mail message, tap on it, and you'll get a pop-up menu that gives you the option to Copy or Save Image. Select the latter, and the image will be saved to your Camera Roll. The former lets you paste the image into another application.

Don't Blow Money on Data Roaming

Everyone has heard a horror story of some poor guy racking up thousands of dollars in data charges after forgetting to turn off his cell phone on an overseas trip. If you have a 3G-enabled iPad, there are two ways to disable your cell radio so you don't get charged for data use. Go to Settings>Cellular Data, and disable it, along with Data Roaming. Or simply put your iPad in Airplane Mode, and turn on Wi-Fi (both options are at the top level of the Settings Menu) when you're in your hotel or you find a hotspot. For the duration of your trip you can keep your iPad powered up and ready to use for tunes or videos, play games, or anything else that doesn't require a data connection.

Keep a Low Location Profile

The good thing about an iPad with integrated GPS and Wi-Fi is that there are tons of apps that can serve up location-based information. But it requires that the apps to know where you are, and let's be honest, for some, it can be a little too 1984. In Settings>Location Services, you can select the apps that you want to allow access to your location. Or if you're looking to go full-on incognito, turn location services off altogether here.

Maximize Your Maps Experience

On the flip side of the argument, the best thing about GPS on your iPad is the native Google-powered Maps app which can help you find your way, a nearby coffee shop, or, well, just about anything around you. What's not completely obvious when you're viewing the map, though, is that there's a turned-up bottom right corner. If you pull it back, you'll find options for Map views (Classic, Satellite, Hybrid, or Terrain) and traffic overlays. (Yes, Google can show you if you're headed toward a traffic jam.)

View and Kill Running Apps

Multitasking is a welcome addition to iOS, but once you open an app, it stays open, unless you manually close it. Two quick hits of the Home button can show you the apps you have running, and depending on how many there are, you might need to swipe to the right a couple of times to see them all. Press and hold on one icon, and they'll all start shaking (like when you move icons around on your Home screen). Tap on the small red minus sign in the top left corner of its icon to kill that app.

Finally, Find Your iPad for Free!

Possibly the most valuable app you can download, Find my iPhone (it works for iPads too) once required a paid MobileMe subscription, but now all you need is an Apple ID. Download it for free in the App Store, follow the set-up instructions, and you can view your iPad on a map from your computer or cell phone.

There's a better chance of locating a 3G-enabled iPad since it integrates always-on Assisted GPS, but Wi-Fi-only iPads can also be viewed when they're connected to a registered Wi-Fi network. Still, you can also use the app to remotely display a message, play a tone, set a passcode, lock the device, or wipe its data—all things that can help you figure out where your missing iPad is hiding out.

           

Source By : Wendy Sheehan Donnell,PCmag.com