iPhone Basics Introduction - Day 1

Agenda - basics today; physical differences in models; communications

Download the FREE Apple User Guide for iPhone iOS 14 in Books - to get the User Guide as a free book you might need to approve the free GET "purchase" using your Fingerprint on the Home button sensor or your Face ID. You can also or view the guide online using a web browser - no approval step needed.

V 6 7 8 iPhone has physical Home button with Fingerprint sensor
iPhone 10, 11, 12 have Face ID and no physical home button
Lithium batteries - have a limited life-expectancy

Home Button model - press to return to Home Screen
Double press to see multi-tasking view - now brush right across glass to open recent app
Hold down on button to invoke Siri
Old iPhone can become iPod Touch for wifi and music
Top right side is the Power Button - press to sleep screen (save battery life)
Hold power button to see the Slide to Power Off option (no calls or messages)  

Top Left side - buttons - Slider button to Silent phone ring tones and Sound UP and DOWN
Take a Screenshot - simultaneous hold Power button and Home button
RESET iPhone (reboot) - HOLD Power and Home button to occasionally restart.  

Face ID model - Go Home - Swipe Up from bottom of the screen
Multitasking view - slowly Swipe Up to see recent apps
Invoke Siri - Hold Power button
Quick press Power button to put into sleep or wake
Left top buttons - slider to mute; audio volumes
Power Down iPhone - Volume Up/Down and Power buttons simultaneous (also Medical ID & SOS)

At night - can just put iPhone to sleep instead

Gestures - Swipe left to right (& vice versa)  between Home screens
Safari - if you’ve scrolled down a page, double tap to jump to top of the page; scroll bar on right appears as you scroll up

Control Center - 6-7-8 swipe up from the bottom of the screen - 10-11-12 swipe from top right corner to open

Multitasking view of paused apps - are they using power? It depends! Some apps work great in the background, like Music. But Maps is an app that uses GPS and in the background will be using battery to keep track of current location.

Setting app - the gray gear - Tap to open Settings screen - Search box, Your Name Apple ID  … more
Group 1 - Airplane Mode is a TOGGLE for on/off - turns off the radios (cellular, wifi*, bluetooth, NFC - near-field-communications (Apple Pay), GPS for satellite location.

*WiFi - might have a paddle lock icon to indicate it is password protected. Range could be 100 yards if clear line of site but walls can interfere with connection.
Bluetooth is a technology that connects devices - speakers, car audio system for hands-free phone calls, smart watches, AirPods, blood pressure monitor, scale, printer, Tesla car …  operates within 30 feet.

One Car’s bluetooth speakers can include multiple iPhone devices, but only one is active for map navigation and hands-free calling at a time.

Why do you want a personal hot spot - feature that adds costs to your Cellular service - iPhone can be an intermediary to allow a wifi iPad or computer to use your Hot Spot to connect to the Internet. Limited data for cellular service - do not use for watching movies or streaming content.  

Are you getting a new iPhone? Are you planning to travel abroad? Get an unlocked iPhone - that is not tied to a cellular plan. The you can purchase a SIM card for phone calls and data in a foreign country.

WiFi Calling - might add an extender in your home for those rooms with poor coverage (no bars).

Settings > General > About > Software version 14.4 … Capacity, Available space
Change the name of your iPhone - make it personal. Then go back to your car and delete previous phones and add your newly named iPhone. 

Settings > General > Software Update - update in the evening/night while on wifi.

Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Memory and Storage - How much memory is included when purchasing your iPhone  from 64GB, 256GB, 500GB.

Settings > General > Background App Refresh - can turn off or on then select apps to allow working in the background.

Settings > Battery > to see apps using battery …
10 hours of operation but over time they degrade and will not recharge to full as when new.
Battery Health > Maximum Capacity …  
At some point, replacing a battery is expensive and in an old iPhone that will no longer update the iOS for security

Settings > Notifications > pop up … Messages > check all options. Apps appearing on this list depend on the installed apps

Settings > Sounds & Haptics > explore on your own or by reading the User Guide
Settings > Do Not Disturb > on/off/ or set schedule …  

Lengthen the time before entering your passcode Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock > 5 minutes or less on the phone. Must use Fingerprint ID or Face ID to unlock and use device.

Next week - Control Center to follow up on other Settings controls.

If my iPhone is OFF - and new emails or messages have been sent to you when you power the phone back on will the messages and emails come in? Yes, if you have a cellular connection or are on wifi.

Demonstrate how to set Zoom link in each Calendar link for my RS classes?

Buying a new phone and installing my data and connecting a to apple watch is scary to do by myself instead of going into a store.

New Semester ... same steps

In preparing for the Spring 2021 semester, it is comforting to see that some of the information we shared in the past is still current and useful. For example, Zoom Classes - Save to Notes is a detailed page from September 8, 2020, back when iOS 13.7 was up-to-date. Now we are at iOS 14.4 and on the cusp of another update. 

RenSoc has worked to make tracking your Zoom seminars, forums and pop-ups even easier by collecting them all in an email sent to you from the registration system. You might save the entire list from the email message to a Notes page, and even better, take the next step of creating Calendar events for each one with the Zoom URL included. Voila! Just a tap away from joining any of your seminars. 

Meet & Greet Report

 2/3/21 

Please update your Zoom to the current version. Karen offered this link with both text instructions and a video available from headquarters. After you have made the update happen, checkout this website for questions about using Zoom in all your RS seminars.   

In this Google Doc, find a brief example of the Zoom Transcript feature ... is a demonstration of how this blog tries to show you a hyperlink. There is a color, bold text compared to other words on the page. (On many websites a hyperlink is also underlined.) Tap on a hyperlink to open the website. Touch and Hold on a hyperlink to see a preview and menu of choices about the website. 

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Tom Holt opened the meeting today emphasizing we will be using iOS 14 - the current operating system version for iPhones. He also noted that in late 2021, iOS 15 will be available and older iPhones will not be able to update. That means no additional protection from updated security features. Read this 9 to 5 Mac article about compatible devices for iOS 15.  

Goal: Learn things to help you take advantage of your iPhone. (Share what you learn with friends and family to reinforce your learning.) 

Rough Agenda for this semester:

• Week 1 - iPhone Basics, knowing your iPhone
• Week 2 - Beyond Basics - the new IOS 14 home screen, Widgets, App Library
• Week 3 - Productivity Apps - Contacts, Phone, Messaging, Maps
• Week 4 - More Productivity Apps, Notes, Reminders, Email
• Week 5 - Using the Camera - beyond photography (QR) +
• Week 6 - Fun Stuff, plus Circle Back to requested Topics 

Format for class will be ... 

• 09:30 - 09:55 - Questions - suggestions for answers posted later on website
• 10:00 - 11:30 - Class with practice breaks
• 11:35 - 12:00 - More questions
  

Our website is where you can find notes from each session. Also past sessions over the last five years. Melissa suggested taking shorthand notes - terminology or brief activity reference - then use the website to read the details and follow the steps. This is a new language, we are building brain power by attending this seminar and working with technology. So relax, observe and jot a word down. If you try to transcribe the actions on screen you will get left behind. Come early to ask questions or stay late to ask questions. Actually, even if you don't have a question, come early/stay late because the topics others ask will fill-in gaps for you or your friends. 

Because we use our personal devices for this seminar, no recordings of presentations are made. But there are recordings... check our Video Tutorials page. 

Tom's presentation ended with a QR Code - a quick response barcode - to open iOS Basics website on your iOS device. When you see a QR Code, wake up your iPhone, open the Apple Camera app and point it at the boxy graphic, get close (not too close) and watch for a notification to appear at the top of your screen with the option to TAP your finger so Safari will open the webpage (or take another QR action). You are not taking a picture! You are just pointing the camera at the boxy graphic so your hand-held computer can translate the graphic into something real. 

Tell us about your iPhone

Tom has sent email to all enrolled participants asking for the details on your device. 

Unlock your iPhone, tap the gear icon to open the Settings app, tap the word General (it's a button actually), tap the word About (another button) and note the information displayed beside

• Software Version 
• Model Name 

In other articles you will see these instruction written in this shorthand: 

Settings > General > About ...

Spring 2021

After the feedback of what worked and where we could improve after our first Zoom semester of iOS Basics, two changes were made. First, iPhone Basics will be the first 6 weeks and iPad Basics will be the second 6 weeks. Second, we will go slower in our online demonstrations. 

Both seminars will have a pre-meeting the week before classes begin to review the Zoom features we will use. 

We recommend you attend the seminar using your computer so you can watch the demonstration and follow along on your mobile device during the walk-through steps. 

Video Tutorials

 We encourage you to explore your specific questions by Googling topics related to your iOS device and to also search the channels of YouTube to see how others use their devices. 

And, we are making a few video tutorials related to the questions from our audience. There is now a page in this blog dedicated to Video Tutorials. Check it out and come back often to see new tutorials posted to our YouTube Channel. 

The beauty of a video is that you can stop/pause and then try the techniques demonstrated. You might also watch videos again after attending this seminar to see if you can even learn new tricks that you missed during the first viewing. 

Pat's Tips

To really take advantage of your investment consider joining ... 

iPhone Life has free daily email tips and offers subscription to tutorials, videos, one-on-one help. They also offer a podcast. Check for the Senior discount! 

MacNexus - local Sacramento group. Saturday classes and a Wednesday evening meeting with a presentation. 

The Tips app will appear when you update to iOS14. 

Barbara suggested to regularly visit The Lincoln Hills Apple User Group. 

Spring 2021 Plans

Well this Zoom experience taught us many lessons. We have learned from you and hopefully you have learned from our presentations as well as the notes and links provided on this website. 

Next time we will provide seminars that focus on each device - the iPhone Basics will be the first six weeks and the iPad Basics will be the second six weeks. Both seminars will feature iOS 14 on iPhone and iPadOS14 on the iPad. 

Apple's October 13th Announcement

iPhone 12 is the newest thing in two sizes with 5G cellular speed and the Camera does night mode! The OLED Display technology is high resolution, meaning that text is easier to read. 

If you think photography or video recording is in your future, don't buy the phone model with the minimal storage, take time to Compare iPhone Models.

Many ways to upgrade your device

1. Trade-In your current device (or older devices) for store credit to a newer iPhone or iPad
2. Buy on a monthly plan with 0.00% loan, charged to a credit card 
3. Buy a refurbished device as new ones are announced (see #1)
4. Apply for Apple Credit Card and get 3% cash back on all purchases at Apple

Preview iOS 14 - iPad OS14

Tom will give us some hints on how iOS and iPad OS have changed with v14. 

For a preview read New features available with iOS 14 or New features available with iPadOS. 

For a kick and a laugh - watch The Whole Working From Home Thing - a YouTube video by Apple. I'm glad to be retired. But we all can relate to the circumstances of this team. See the in-office prequel Apple at Work - The Underdogs. 

Go ahead and update to iOS 14, 

Compatible iPhones: 

• iPhone 12 and 12 Pro
• iPhone 11 
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone X
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone SE (1st generation)
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPod touch (7th generation) 

Camera and Photos

Don't get rid of your shoebox full of photos but be prepared to enjoy the features tech brings to your fingertips! '

Camera 

Barbara will introduce you to the features of the Camera app - the best camera is the one you have with you. It is called "iPhone" but most of us use other apps more often than making phone calls. 

Review the online User Guide chapters for Take Photos, learn about different modes and camera settings. Reviewing these articles ahead of class will help you absorb the new information.

Zoom with your feet. Avoid using the digital zoom.

The Shutter button is a big round circle. But you can also use the Volume buttons to take a picture, your earbuds or an Apple Watch; also set the Timer to take a photo.  

Burst mode to take may photos 

QR Codes (quick response codes) scan from the Control Center.

View the 35 short videos in the Apple Playlist How to shoot on iPhone. 

Photos

Ok, this is the smallest shoebox ever! But it is well organized with options for you to edit (improve) photos, to share photos and to organize to tell your best stories. 

Review the iOS13 online User Guide chapters for View photos and videos, Edit photos and videos, Organize photos in albums, Search for photos (yes, use Siri to search!), Share photos and videos, Browse photos by location, and other articles.

Melissa will introduce a few of the critical features in Photos today and encourage you to explore your own interests with Google  and YouTube searches. 

• How much available space is on your iPhone/iPad? Open Settings > General > About > Capacity and Available. You can add "available space" by using iCloud Photos and increasing your iCloud Storage Subscription. If photography is important to you, next time you purchase a new iPhone consider the storage size and choose 128GB over 64GB. 
• How much available space is on your iCloud account? Open Settings > tap on your name > iCloud > under the Storage graph is available and subscription level. Tap Manage Storage to see what app data is taking up the most of your storage. Pay attention to apps with XX.GB size. 
• There is lots more to read and learn about your device. You made a wise investment of cash, now begins the investment in your time.

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The Photos app has many views: Years, Months, Days, All Photos; People, Places. How do you know where you are after opening Photos? Look at the bottom of your screen for a blue highlight. The icons here are like tabs in a file drawer.

A very handy tool to use is Markup. Rea Draw in apps with Markup for more information. This app is available on iPhone and iPad. For art therapy, consider How to Use Markup in Photos from Apple's YouTube Channel.

(Melissa can update her iPhone and iPad to iOS 14 because she is finished with demos for this class.)

Watch this YouTube video from AppleInsider Everything New with Camera and Photos in iOS 14! 30+ Changes & Features and be ready to pause often because Andrew O'Hara talks fast!

Tips - Scan a Document in the Notes app

Sometimes reading the User Guide or attending class is just way too much information. But if you pause and listen, then re-read your notes, new possibilities come into focus. 

Not long ago workplaces or home offices had to purchase new equipment to scan documents. Not anymore. Find a sample document or article clipped from the newspaper. Place it on a table with good side light. For best results, a contrasting tabletop works best with white pages. Open the Notes app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the icon to open a new note page. Tap the Camera icon to bring up the camera features > tap Scan Documents. Adjust the camera up or down to fit the page to your screen. 

This feature takes practice. View the online User Guide Add Attachments to Notes on iPhone article or better yet, view the Teacher's Tech YouTube Use Notes on Your iPhone to Quickly Scan Documents to see the process in action.