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DESPITE THE SHAKY arrival of iOS8, once you get past the initial hype and news surrounding it, you will find that there are quite a number of handy features to avail of.
While there were a number of improvements made to it, with some like third-party keyboards being the most obvious example, there are many others you should be aware of.
Restrictions
Where do you find it: Settings > General > Restrictions
Probably the most comprehensive example out there, the restrictions section has been expanded considerably in this new update. Alongside the traditional options involving iTunes and content, you can control every permission an app has access to.
The Privacy section is the one you need to look at, showing you every app that has permission to access location, photos, reminders, Twitter, Facebook among others. Just remember that apps need certain permissions to run properly so if you disable one and need it, you will have to go into settings again to turn it on.
Prioritise spotlight search
Where can you find it: Settings > General > Restrictions
Originally you were able to choose what results you would see on spotlight search, but now, you can choose which results appear first if you don’t trust the original suggestions. Move around the categories you’re most likely to look for and next time you search, they’ll be the first ones to appear.
Change search engine
Where can you will find it: Settings > Safari
You could already change the search engine for any browser, but what makes this update different is the inclusion of DuckDuckGo, the private search engine. If you prefer your search results to not be tracked, you may want to change this.
Do Not Track
Where can you find it: Settings > General > Safari
Another privacy measure added to iOS 8, Do Not Track ensures that no site monitors your browsing activities when you’re on the web. If you switch it on, it also means that advertisers can’t track you either.
Find Recently deleted photos
Where can you find it: Photos
Not so much a secret per se, but another addition to the photos section is a folder for all your deleted photos and videos. The folder keeps them for 30 days before deleting them entirely so remember that if you (a) accidentally delete a photo and need to recover it or (b) need to free up more space on your phone.
Remove notifications from lock screen
Where can you find it: Lock screen
If you end up receiving a number of notifications, but only want to keep a few of them for reminding later, you can get rid of the unnecessary ones.
On the lock screen, just swipe right to left and you will be presented with a remove option. This is handy if you have reminders, but don’t want to waste battery life by unlocking the phone.
Find out battery-draining apps
Where can you find it: Settings > General > Usage > Battery Usage
One handy addition to iOS 8 is a breakdown of what apps are using up most of your battery power. Alongside being able to see what was used in the past 24 hours, you can view the usage over the week, helping you identify the more troublesome apps over a longer period.
Arrange Widgets
Where can you find it: Notifications Centre
If you swipe down from the top of your screen to view notifications, you can add to the traditional calendar and journey time snapshots you usually see. By scrolling down to the bottom, you can select edit and include or move around any widgets onto the screen.
Only a handful of apps support it now, but it’s likely more apps will add the functionality over time.
Set photo timer
Where can you find it: Camera
If you’re taking a photo of yourself and you want to give yourself time to get into position, you can hit the timer mark at the top of the screen to set a three or ten second delay.
Activate Greyscale
Where can you find it: Settings > Accessibility
A handy feature for those who may be colourblind, activating greyscale will make it easier to make out what’s on screen (or if you just want a different look).
Activate Siri by voice
Where can you find it: Settings > General > Siri
If you’re a regular Siri user, you can activate it by voice now, but you have to switch on the function first before you can actually use it. The caveat is you need to be connected to your charger to have it activated (otherwise the battery would drain faster if it was constantly listening out for your voice)
Rearrange sharing feature
Where can you find it: Photos > Select any photo > Share > Next
When you want to share or email a photo or two, you normally get the usual sharing features like email, Facebook and Twitter, but you can also
You can also rearrange sharing icons like ‘Slideshow’ and ‘Use as Wallpaper’ underneath the social sharing features.
Set a time-frame for deleting messages
Where can you find it: Settings > Messages
Instead of keeping messages indefinitely, you can set it so any messages sent or received will be deleted within 30 days or a year. This is handy if you happen to send a lot of photos and videos through iMessage and regularly need to free up space.
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It’s also because of disgusting corporations like Meta and TikToxic that openly allow malicious content on its platforms, and refuse to regulate it.
@Dan Skelton: 100%
@Dan Skelton: Zuckerberg at the recent senate hearing was shown when searching for child pornography on one of his platforms users were given two choices . ‘Resources’ ( as in resources to seek help ) or ‘ see content anyway’ ..SEE CONTENT ANYWAY ! These are the people in charge of the social media platforms that children are using .. its beyond fckd up ..
@Brian: Absolutely. But if you say “hello” to someone and upset a snowflake, an instant 30 day ban with no remorse.
@Dan Skelton: You can’t control the offencetaken by the snowflakes nowadays, Look at the state they are in over Taylor Swift..
@Rob Cahill:
Haha nice one Rob
@Brian: and as much as I’m a strong defender of free speech in most spaces especially with the division politics and SM have sown of late – you barely have to go online a few mins these days and you can see harassment, humiliation and violent remarks being made at the drop of a hat. many adult people have lost it
@Dan Skelton: yeh but you can regulate it by not buying kids smartphones with internet connections. It’s in your hands.
Buy a phone with only keypad and basic numbers. That’s all they need. Restrict calls and text numbers to your own.
It’s not hard.
Smartphones not a big issue its the apps are a problem though
@bruce banner: I’ll assume your talking about specific apps .. because a smartphone without apps is just a.. phone.
@William Slevin: no escaping being bullied. At least pre smart phones bullying was somewhat left at the school gate.
Who are the gombeens that said 6 or 7?
Jesus wept.
@Andrew Kenny: pedophiles maybe?
They get bullied if they don’t have one, it’s a lose lose situation…
@Anon.: that’s why some legal restrictions would make sense to have an equal playing field, cause as parents we have a very hard choice between trying to protect the children from the technology vs not making them feel out the group which is extremely important for them in those years
All phones should have cameras, I couldn’t picture myself without one
My 12 year old has a Nokia phone. Just for phone calls. Any parent that give children under 16 a smartphone are just bad parents.
@DavyDoDa: I think you’re wise, that’s less stressful for a child.
They do get addicted to checking their phones and then they expect instant replies, which isn’t realistic.
They could all easily have smart phones but let them have no Internet connection .
@Thom Thumb: A reasonable remark, refreshing to read.
@Thom Thumb: so, a phone then?
I think some adults would come under the same category..
I’m far from the ban everything mindset. Also been around long enough to have witnessed many a moral panic. But smartphones are a different beast. Previously u
@SerotoninWars: argh…hit post by mistake.
Anyway….previously you had one thing causing the supposed ‘problem’ whether that was a heavy metal album or video game. It was usually hysterical and people were well able to tell the difference between entertainment and reality. With smartphones it’s so all encompassing that the effects are numerous. It’s changing behaviours on a scale never seen before. From sexuality to physical issues with RSI, the psychological effects of being inundated continuously with information and the anxiety that comes with 24/7 peer pressure and the feeling of never being switched off with the normal day over. Add to this the exploitative actors pumping young brains with misogyny and other regressive beliefs and it’s clearly a huge problem. The change is seismic.
@SerotoninWars: Well said.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Cheers Sean. To an extent I understand people being reflexive when there’s a bit of a pile on with regards to new technology. Especially if you’ve lived through many of them already. It’s just such a different beast. As said before if adults are barely coping how will kids manage to? You are so incredibly impressionable at that age. Hardcore porn, exploitative cult leader types, context free information that appears so persuasive and a never ending stream of unrealistic imagery to make you feel even worse at such a fragile time of your life. I’m not sure if banning is the answer but it’s an issue of care and protection at this stage, whatever form that takes.
@SerotoninWars: banning is probably not the best solution, but a bit more oversight would go a long way
@Larissa Caroline Nikolaus: I hear you. I’m not sure if banning really solves anything although it would seem like such an expensive product would be a bit easier to monitor? Of course where there’s a will there’s a way and there’s probably a tonne of possibilities I haven’t thought of. Black market etc. It’s just such a fundamental change to human development and behaviour and you have to wonder how much of the ‘kindness’ of providing smartphones to kids will be viewed in a completely different light when they grow up. Definitely agree about more oversight though. Too much poison for adult brains never mind kids.
Up to their parents to decide
@David Jackman: Should we allow parents to decide if a kid could smoke?
That’s a serious question.
When are parental rights trumped by societal good?
@David Jackman: Not all parents are responsible or sensible.
There’s nobody else with any business deciding for them, but good advice is useful.
In my kids’ school the parents of the 9 -10 year old kids with the phones are the ones to blame, puts the pressure on everybody else. Weak parenting.
Only when someone is smarter than the smartphone should they be allowed to own one…
@Tom Brennan: Ah, if only there was a way to enforce that.
It would remove a certain element from The Journal comment section.
@William Slevin: You could perhaps try to back yours up with a grasp of basic grammar and literacy. It demeans your ghoulish pontificating.
It’s up to the parents. Responsible parents.
@Keth Tgi: Who decides which parents are the responsible ones?
And don’t you know that wealthier parents will be deemed as responsible by default.
When they understand that social media are toxic and addictive by design.
Failing that put it off as long as possible, just accept that you will have to cave in sooner than you want to.
At birth…keep em busy!
Secondary school is time enough for them to have a phone, I have grand kids that have just turned 15 last month and they just got there first mobile phones, they don’t need them in primary school, parents still need to be aware of some of the apps out there and make sure the kids are not on them
I’d say 6th class is fine, handy to text their friends
They don’t need a smartphone to text their friends.
As young as possible, get them used to life’s trials and tribulations
@Cuthbert Richardson:… and here is why some people,regardless of age,should never have a smart phone.
@Brian: Or children
And yet most parents who should know better will bow to pressure from an 8 year old. Imagine being that weak.
Get them on The Journal comments section ASAP :)
Smartphones help make children anti social. They may show risky content. Time spent on smartphones is time away from people, books, real world experience. Children lack the discipline, sense and maturity of adults, adults who also have problems putting down their smartphone. World literacy is down, mental health issues have never been so prevalent. But hey, give smartphones to kids for hours on end to lobotomise them because that’s great parenting.
8
People are annoying. Get a phone.
1
Smartphone s are not good for young kids. I think in my opinion, world be far better without the internet , but can’t turn back time. Makes kids and adults very anti social.
Whenever they’re taught responsible and safe usage of a smartphone and have the maturity to respect boundaries online. The appropriate age will differ wildly from child to child, it’s like asking what age is it safe to leave a child at home alone or to walk home from school.
The obsession around banning before a designated age is completely the wrong approach
have your say