Submitted by Frank Macey on
Now that tvOS has been updated to version 9.2, fourth-generation Apple TV owners may be wondering what's included in the free update and whether they should install it or not. While there's nothing in the new firmware that dramatically changes the capabilities of Apple's set top box, tvOS 9.2 is certainly worthwhile. Apple TV fans should not hesitate to update as the features listed below are welcome improvements.
Submitted by Fred Straker on
Photos has arrived with the 10.10.3 update to OS X. This means iPhoto users with multiple photo libraries will have to migrate over to the new app. If there is only one library present, Yosemite will automatically migrate this system library the first time Photos is opened. Just keep in mind that using iCloud Photo Library will result in all content automatically uploading to your iCloud account. So what if you have multiple iPhoto libraries to migrate? Follow these steps to migrate additional iPhoto libraries to the Photos app:
Submitted by Jon Reed on
The ability to add extensions to apps such as Photos and Safari is one of the new features of iOS 8 that everyone should take advantage of. In a nutshell, they let you add third party app features to your native apps so you don't have to waste time switching between apps. For example, you can add an extension from a photo editing app to your Photos app on your iPhone or iPad, and then access those editing tools directly from Photos. Below are a few free extendable apps for your Photos app. (If you aren't sure how to enable extensions you can find instructions here.)
1. Paper Camera
Paper Camera is a free app that lets you add a variety of filters to your photos and, with its extension, you can edit photos from within your Photos app with just a few taps. There are 14 filters to choose from including cartoon, sketch, neon, noir, comic book and halftone among others, and you can fine tune the contrast, brightness and lines on each. If you are so inclined, a $0.99 per month subscription will get you a new filter every month and half price print orders.
Submitted by Fred Straker on
There are several ways to view content from the iOS Photos app on a larger screen. Many iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users are familiar with Apple TV, which uses the built-in AirPlay feature of iOS. Chromecast owners can get in on the action, too. All that's needed is a free, third-party iOS app named Photo Cast.
With Photo Cast installed, video from Albums or the iOS Camera Roll can be streamed to the Chromecast device on your TV at up to HD 720p resolution. 1080p resolution is possible with a $2.99 upgrade to Photo Cast PLUS. Custom photo slideshows with a soundtrack can also be cast, or just swipe through some Camera Roll photos on the TV.
Submitted by Jon Reed on
Apple's overhauled Photos application that debuted with iOS 7 earlier this year introduced automatic photo sorting by date and location. A new patent application that surfaced at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday suggests that Apple wants to improve upon this idea by allowing users to tag photos and search for them using Siri.
The patent, entitled "Voice-Based Image Tagging and Searching," describes how the idea works in its abstract: "The electronic device provides a natural language text string corresponding to a speech input associated with the digital photograph. The electronic device performs natural language processing on the text string to identify one or more terms associated with an entity, an activity, or a location. The electronic device tags the digital photograph with the one or more terms and their associated entity, activity, or location." That is basically a long-winded way of saying that you
