From the category archives:
iPod
Download and install apps from the App Store
Download and install apps from the App Store
Mac Tip #352, 20 August 2008
Recent software updates for the iPod touch and iPhone have made it possible to add software that isn’t installed by default. Do this through the App Store — a name that suggests apps cost money, although many are in fact free.
Call up the App Store from within iTunes
Connect to the Internet, open iTunes, and click on iTunes Store in the left-hand column of the window. When the iTunes Store appears click the link for the App Store.
Browse the App Store
The App Store page appears in iTunes. Notice the quick link for a list of all free applications, under Categories on the left of the App Store page.
See more information about an app
Browse around the App Store until you find an app you like. Click the name of the app to find out more, or click the Get App button to initiate a download. The screenshot shows more information about Evernote, a free application I thoroughly recommend. If you decide you want the application click the Get App button.
You may find you need to log in to the iTunes Store.
Confirm the purchase for apps that have a cost
If the app has a cost attached you may see an alert, asking you to confirm this purchase. Click Buy or Cancel, as appropriate. Free apps don’t spark an alert.
The app downloads — probably very quickly, as most are small.
See all downloaded apps
Click on Applications in the list of sources on the left of the iTunes window. A page displays all applications you have downloaded. In my screenshot, the free Sudoku game is now available under Applications, along with some others I’d previously downloaded. Next time I sync my iPod the game will be transferred.
All iPod apps automatically show up on the Home Screens of the iPod.
Sync your iPod to transfer apps
Sudoku is being installed on my iPod, during a sync.
The app is available on my iPod
Sudoku is displayed along with some other applications on Page 2 of my iPod’s Home Screen.
Notes
Other iPods don’t have all the features of an iPod touch and cannot run apps, but otherwise synchronise in the same way. The iPhone should be very similar to the iPod touch, but unfortunately I don’t have one and can’t check exactly how it works.
If you can add useful information for other readers about synchronising or using apps on an iPod touch or iPhone, please leave comments below.
New feature: download this Tip as a PDF, with full size images (2.4Mb).
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Sync the versatile iPod touch
Sync the versatile iPod touch
Mac Tip #351, 13 August 2008
The iPod touch is a miniature computer you can use for web surfing, email, watching videos, listening to music, checking maps and all kinds of other activities.
It’s tiny:
- Height: 4.3 inches (110 mm)
- Width: 2.4 inches (61.8 mm)
- Depth: 0.31 inch (8 mm)
- Weight: 4.2 ounces (120 grams)
You interact with it by touching the screen directly — there’s no keyboard or mouse. If you need to enter text, such as a web address or to type an email an onscreen keyboard is displayed where you can tap out the letters and numbers you need.
See a gallery of photos of my iPod touch in use.
Like any other iPod you plug it into your computer and iTunes transfers across any music, videos, podcasts, audiobooks, photos, contacts and even bookmarks that you tell it to.
Plug in your iPod and wait a moment or two for iTunes to recognise it.
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Select the iPod in the list of Devices on the left hand side of the iTunes window. A summary of information about your iPod is displayed, including its capacity in Gigabytes, the software version and its serial number. Click the Serial Number label once to see instead the iPod touch’s Identifier number.
Click the tabs across the top of the window to access specific settings for Music, Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, Photos, Info and Applications. The Info tab allows you to choose settings for synchronising Contacts and Calendars, Mail Accounts, Safari Bookmarks and MobileMe.
The iPod should Sync automatically, but to force it to sync, especially if you’ve changed any settings, click the Sync button in the bottom right corner of the window.
Recent software updates have made it possible for iPod touch and iPhone owners to add applications through Apple’s App Store — some free, some not. A Tip coming soon will explain how that works.
Notes: other iPods don’t have all the features of an iPod touch, but otherwise synchronise in the same way. The iPhone should be very similar to the iPod touch, but unfortunately I don’t have one and can’t check exactly how it works.
If you can add useful information for other readers about synchronising an iPod or iPhone, please leave comments below.
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Summer roundup
Summer roundup
Mac Tip #273/13-Dec-2006
MacTips is taking a few weeks off for the New Zealand summer. We’ll be back in late January. Meanwhile, here’s a brief roundup of interesting items.
New Zealand finally has an iTunes Store. Open up iTunes and click on iTunes Store in the Source list on the left side of the window. Sign up and browse around. You can listen to the first 30 seconds of any track for free, or buy tracks for NZ$1.79 or albums for NZ$17.90.
There’s plenty to explore in the iTunes Store, including audio books and a lot of free audio or video podcasts. Take a look at the NASAcast Video podcast, for example, for videos of the space shuttle launch, images of probable water ice on Mars, and other space-related events.
We also now have a proper online Apple Store where you can buy Macs, iPods and other stuff. Today only (Wednesday 13 December 2006) there’s a sale on. Take a look if you’re thinking of buying hardware, software or accessories.
Remember that coming up sometime in the new year will be the next version of Apple’s operating system: 10.5, codenamed Leopard. Start saving for the upgrade. Spaces and the Time Machine both look particularly interesting and useful.
Remember, this is a good time to clean up your Mac — toss out or archive old files; set up some new folders for 2007, check your backups.
Till the Tips return, enjoy any festivities you may celebrate this season, and keep your self and your Mac safe.
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is jointly authored by Miraz Jordan and Maria Langer.