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This week's tips are all about getting things done on your favorite iOS device. I frequently have people asking me what I am doing with my new toy (i.e. iPad) and when I tell them I'm working, they don't believe me. The truth is that the iPad, or any other iOS device for that matter, can be used for fun, but more importantly you will probably find a use for them at any job. Therefore, after many queries and questions about apps that I use for work, I thought it might be a good time to share some of them with you.
So this week, I'll give you four app recommendations that will show you how to add a second display to your Mac, access computers remotely, store and access your data in the cloud, manage and view files of all kinds, and access Mac|Life content on your iOS devices.
These apps are seriously useful and if you like hearing about apps like these leave me a comment and I'll share some more app gems with you in the future. On the other hand if you have one you'd like to tell us about, leave a comment about that, too.
Are you jealous of those that have two monitors? Do you have an iPhone or iPad laying around? If you answered "yes" to both questions, then this tip is for you. Air Display is an app that will turn your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad into a wireless second monitor for your Mac.
Install Air Display ($9.99, iTunes Link) from the iTunes App Store and then download and install the free custom preference pane on your Mac. Once you are all set up, your iPhone or iPad can be used to extend your desktop. The app will support landscape or portrait mode, so position your iOS device the way you want it.
You can manipulate the content of the extended screen with your finger and you can also use the extended desktop on the second "display" to hold apps that you want to see while working with others on the primary display. We'd suggest that you consider parking iCal or a clock on the second display.
Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
If you provide a lot of technical support for your family, considering using LogMeIn Ignition ($29.99, iTunes Link). LogMeIn allows you to access a collection of computers remotely over 3G or Wi-Fi. You can then use it to provide direct hands on support by remotely connecting to other computers.
You can also use it to check the status of tasks that the computer you're controlling is responsible for, like backups, cloud syncing and more. You can even remotely control your Mac to download software anywhere you have service on your iOS device.
This is a great way to access PCs, too, if you're into that sort of thing.
Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
The "cloud" is all the rage these days as we make the push to become more mobile. Mobility is king these days and the evidence proving this in the sheer number of notebooks, iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads that Apple is selling. As a result, people that are mobile desire instant access to their data. This is where the cloud comes in--you can use a service like DropBox to access your data anywhere you have an internet connection. You use a free iOS app named DropBox (iTunes Link) to access the DropBox service from your iOS devices.
You can share any of these files via email with friends, family, or clients; you can also browse the files and view them as well. I can quickly and easily share items from my iPhone or iPod touch camera roll.
This app is worth a look because the service is free for up to 2GB of storage and the app is free. So why not try it out. If you like it you can purchase additional storage space later.
Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
GoodReader ($1.99 each for iPhone/iPod touch iTunes Link or iPad iTunes Link) is a very efficient file importing and viewing app for iOS. It primarily claims to be a super-robust PDF reader--and it is--but recently, support for advanced reading, annotating, markup and highlighting was added to the app. You can now mark up documents and share your changes with others.
You can use GoodReader to import and view Google Docs file and Mail attachments within the Mail app that is shipped with iOS devices. You can also import files over Wi-Fi, via USB on your Mac, and from the Web. The latter is accomplished using GoodReaders access to file sharing services on the internet (i.e. the Cloud) like DropBox and iDisk (MobileMe).
Extensive file management features also let you mark files as read, create new files or folders, share files via e-mail, rename files, and compress files and folders.
The versatility of GoodReader shouldn't be discounted. It's the best file management utility we've found so far for our iOS devices.
Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
My Mac life would not be complete without access to Mac|Life content on my iOS devices. You can use this app to stream the Mac|Life podcast directly to your ears, share your favorite Mac|Life articles via Twitter or e-mail, and read articles on your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. The iPad Tablet Edition of Mac|Life also has some additional features not found in the iPhone and iPod touch version, like the ability to share Mac|Life content with your friends on Facebook, rate products covered in the magazine, and you can check out some good animations and videos.
Enjoy Mac|Life content on your iPhone and iPod touch [iTunes Link] or your iPad [iTunes Link]; both are free.
Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.