Mac OS X Mountain Lion Communication
Author: mety Labels:: Mac OS X Mountain Lion Communication
Contacts
Contacts may be one of the most important apps on your device. Not just because it contains so much important information (including valuable names, phone numbers, and more), but also because it'sheavily integrated with so many other apps.
For example, it's what makes instant messaging so efficient. All you have to do is open the Messages app, and if the person is saved to your contacts list, you can start chatting with them right way. The same goes for Mail. You can email anyone you know in seconds.
In short, even if you don't think you'll use the app itself very much, your device will use the information it containsall the time. That's why it's important to understand what Contacts is—because it has so much potential to improve your experience with apps.
Click the arrows to view Contacts on each device.
If you have Mac with OS X Lion or earlier, the app will be called Address Book instead.
Have More Than One Apple Device?
Use iCloud to sync the Contacts app. To find out if you already have it enabled, visit your device's iCloud settings. Remember, you have to configure each device separately.
Importing Contacts
Importing from another service
For many people, importing contacts from another device or service—technically a form of syncing—happens along the way. However, your options will vary depending on the type of device you have.
If you purchased an iPhone at a retail store, the sales associate probably set up your device as a courtesy to you. If they didn't, you may need to go back and ask them to transfer the contents of your SIM card. You can do this with an iPad too if you have one of the cellular models.
There are also certain mobile apps that allow you to sync or import your contacts from another service. For example, when you sign into Mail for the first time, you should have the option of syncing the contacts that are stored in your email account. This will add them to the Contacts app.
As a last resort, you may need to input some or all of your contacts manually—especially if your only Apple device is a Mac. However, once this step is complete, your contacts will be much easier to sync/import in the future. You'll be able to sync the app to iCloud, so you can access your contacts on any other Apple device. This is especially useful if you upgrade to a newer Apple device in the future.
Getting to Know Contacts
As you already know, the Contacts app is different on each device—but there are many similarities when it comes to basic tools and features. Use the interactive below to learn how to perform several common tasks in the iPadversion.
Insider Tips
Once you know your way around the app, consider these tips for getting the most out of Contacts.
Using Contacts in Other Apps
To select a contact when using another app, tap the 
button. Then select the person's name from the list. Alternatively, you can start typing any information from their contact card (for example, name, email address, or phone number), and your device will pull them up automatically.
button. Then select the person's name from the list. Alternatively, you can start typing any information from their contact card (for example, name, email address, or phone number), and your device will pull them up automatically.
This technique works in Mail, Messages, and any other app that allows you to use your contacts list.
Selecting a contactAdding to Contacts
To add someone to your contacts from inside another app, simply tap their name or contact information. You'll be able to add them as a new contact, or add their information to an existing contact. The latter is useful if the person has more than one email address or phone number.
Adding to contactsContacts for Mac
Need to add several new contacts at once? It might be easier to do it on your computer if you have a Mac. Many people prefer their Mac for tasks that require a lot of typing, simply because you have access to a full-size keyboard.
Contacts for Mac
Mail is probably one of the first apps you'll want to set up on your device. You can use it to catch up on email, reply to messages, and manage your inbox—all the things you're used to doing with your email account, except the app makes it much more convenient.
Mail is compatible with Gmail, Hotmail, and most other popular services. You can even add more than one account to the app; for example, your personal email, as well as your work email. That way, you can check all of your email in one convenient place.
Click the arrows to view Mail on each device.
Have More Than One Apple Device?
Most people will sync their email simply by signing into the same account on each device. This solution isn't as high tech as syncing with iCloud, but it works exactly the same way. You can sync Mailwith iCloud only if you have an @icloud.com email address.
To Set Up Mail:
Setting up Mail is easy; however, your experience will vary depending on the type of email account you have, and the device you're currently using. In the example below, we'll show you how to set up the app on an iPad.
- Open the Mail app.
Opening the Mail app
- Tap your email service to continue. If you don't see yours, tap Other.
Selecting your email service
- Follow the instructions to enter your account information. The steps will be slightly different for each email service, because each one is unique.
Entering your account information
- Optional: Do you have your own contacts, calendar, or reminders tied to your email account? You can sync that information too, and it'll be added to the appropriate app on your device. Your options will vary depending on the type of email account you have. Use the controls next to each item to choose ON or OFF. Then tap Save to continue.
Syncing other services
The Mail appGetting to Know Mail
As you already know, the Mail app is different on each device—but there are many similarities when it comes to basic tools and features. Use the interactive below to learn how to perform several common tasks in the iPadversion.
Insider Tips
Once you know your way around the app, consider these tips for getting the most out of Mail.
Receiving Messages
If you receive a new message, and you don't currently have the app open, your device can notify you several different ways depending on your settings. By default, you should see at least the badge app icon whenever you have a new message waiting.
Visit the app's settings to customize your notifications, or set up even more alerts.
New messagesAdding Another Email Account
If you have more than one email account—for example, one for personal use, and one for work—you can add them both to the Mail app. This will make it possible for you to access all of your email in one convenient place, even if they're from completely different services.
To get started, navigate to Mail, Contacts, and Calendars in your device's settings, then choose Add Account. Follow the instructions to enter your information, and your second email account will be synced. You can add as many additional accounts as you want.
Adding another accountSiri and Voice Dictation
Why type your emails when your device can do it for you? If you have an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch with Sirienabled, you can use voice dictation to compose emails instead of relying on the keyboard. This can be especially useful if you need to type a long email in a hurry.
To use voice dictation in the Mail app, tap the microphone icon on your keyboard. Then say your message out loud, and Siri will try to transcribe it for you.
Voice dictation in Mail
Alternatively, you can ask Siri to perform the whole task for you, from start to finish. For example, you could say, "Email Frank. Let me know if you want to get together next week." Siri will not only transcribe your message; it will also use the Mail app to send it—all without any extra effort from you.
Using Siri to send an emailMessages
The Messages app does a bit more than your average instant messaging service. With its built-iniMessage feature, you can use it to send unlimited texts, photos, videos, and more to other Apple users—all for free. It's even free for mobile devices, as long as you stick to Wi-Fi instead of data.
If you have more than one Apple device, Messages is great for texting and chatting no matter where you are. For example, the mobile version is perfect for sending quick messages, while the desktop version is ideal for having longer conversations (when you have access to a full-size keyboard).
Click the arrows to view Messages on each device.
Messages for Mac was introduced with OS X Mountain Lion. If you have OS X Lion or earlier, the app is not available for your computer.
Have More Than One Apple Device?
Use your Apple ID to sync the Messages app. Just sign into the app using the same Apple ID on each device, and you'll be able to send and receive messages anywhere. If you have an iPhone, your Apple ID should be connected to your device already.
Messages for iPhone
It's important to note that the iPhone version of the app is a little different from the others. That's because it does double-duty—both as your iMessage client, and as your regular text messaging client. In other words, it's the same app you'll use anytime you want to text someone, whether they have an Apple device, or different type of phone (for example, Android, Windows, or a basic cell phone).
The app will default to iMessage—and the conversation will be blue—if the person on the other end has an Apple device. If they don't, the conversation will be green, and the message will be sent as a regular text.
iMessage
Text message
Check your cell phone plan to find out if text and data charges apply. Texts sent via iMessage won't count towards your limit, but regular texts will.
To Set Up Messages:
Setting up the Messages app is fairly straightforward (in fact, on the iPhone, it should be set up already). In this example, we'll demonstrate the process using the Mac version.
- Open the Messages app.
Opening the Messages app
- Follow the instructions to sign in with your Apple ID. Remember, your Apple ID is what's going to allow your messages to sync across devices if you have more than one.
Entering your Apple ID
- The app will confirm the email address that's connected your Apple ID. Click Finish to continue.
Continuing to the app
The Messages appGetting to Know Messages
As you already know, the Messages app is different on each device—but there are many similarities when it comes to basic tools and features. Use the interactive below to learn how to perform several common tasks in theiPhone version.
To Send a Message:
- Tap the
button to create a new message.
Creating a new message
- To select a contact, start typing their first or last name in the To field, and the app will pull them up automatically. If the person has an Apple device with iMessage enabled, they'll have a special blue icon next to their name. (Alternatively, you can use the
Selecting a contact
- Type your message in the message box.
- Optional: Tap the camera icon to send a photo or video. You can choose from the files on your device, or capture something on the spot using your built-in camera. (This option is only available in the mobile versionof the app.)
Composing a message
- When you're ready, tap Send.
- Your message and/or photo or video will be sent.
Sent message
You can also send group messages using the Messages app. Just type additional names in the To field, or use to manually select more than one contact. Keep in mind: if you have an iPhone, and you include anyone who doesn't have an Apple device, this will change the message to a regular text.
to manually select more than one contact. Keep in mind: if you have an iPhone, and you include anyone who doesn't have an Apple device, this will change the message to a regular text.
Group messageInsider Tips
Once you know your way around the app, consider these tips for getting the most out of Messages.
Message Notifications
If you receive a new message, and you don't currently have the app open, your device can notify you several different ways depending on your settings. By default, you should receive an alert, the badge app icon, and an item in the Notification Center. Visit the app's settings to change your notifications, or customize the way they behave.
Message notificationsRead Receipts
If you want, you can enable read receipts on your device, so your contacts can tell when you've read their messages. Read receipts may be difficult to understand at first, because they don't appear on your device at all (in fact, it can be hard to tell if they're enabled). They appear on your friend's device instead, so they can tell exactly when you've read their texts. See below for a comparison.
Message on your device
Read receipt on your friend's device
Read receipts can be convenient, but some people aren't comfortable with this level of transparency. To enable ordisable read receipts on your device, go to the app's settings. Read receipts should be disabled by default, unless you chose to enable them when prompted by a pop-up (this sometimes happens during setup, or after you've used the Messages app a few times).
Messages settingsSiri and Voice Dictation
If you have an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch with Siri enabled, you can use voice dictation to compose texts instead of relying on the keyboard. This can be especially useful if you're in a hurry and you need to send a quick message to a friend.
To use voice dictation in the Messages app, tap the microphone icon on your keyboard. Then say your message out loud, and Siri will try to transcribe it for you. You can repeat this technique over and over, throughout the conversation.
Voice dictation in Messages
Alternatively, you can ask Siri to perform the whole task for you, from start to finish. For example, you could say, "Text Julia. Sorry I'm running late, I'll be right there." Siri will not only transcribe your text; it will also use the Messages app to send it—all without any extra effort from you.
Using Siri to send a textMore Communication Apps
FaceTime
FaceTime allows you to make free video calls to other Apple devices. All the other person needs is a device of their own. (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and most Mac computers are compatible.) If you have an iPad or iPhone, you can even take advantage of your device's front and back camera. For example, you could use the front camera to talk face-to-face, then switch to the back camera to show what's going on around you.
If you haven't already added your friends and family to your contacts, now's a good time to do that. You can't call people in FaceTime just by dialing their number or entering their email address. They have to be part of your contacts list first.
The FaceTime app
If you have the newest version of the iPad or iPhone, it's helpful to know that you can make FaceTime calls over your cellular network if Wi-Fi isn't available. However, to avoid exceeding your data allowance, we recommend using FaceTime over Wi-Fi whenever possible.
Find My Friends
Find My Friends can be downloaded for free in the App Store. Developed by Apple, this app is designed to work closely with Contacts, Maps, and all the information synced in your iCloud account. It can help you keep track of friends and family, pinpoint their current location, and more. You can even receive alerts about their whereabouts; for example, when they leave or arrive at a specific location.
Find My Friends only works if your friends use the app too. If you don't want your location to be visible, you can always hide it temporarily, or turn it off permanently.
Find My Friends is available for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch only.
Twitter and Facebook
Twitter and Facebook have their own mobile apps for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. You don't even have to go looking for them in the App Store—instead, you'll find everything you need under your device's Settings. Just navigate to each app, then click Install to get started. Once the installation is finished, the app will walk you through the process of setting it up.
Installing Twitter and Facebook
Both Twitter and Facebook are designed to integrate with Contacts, so you can keep in touch with the people you know even more easily. That means your device may download additional data from your social networking accounts, including more contact information for your friends, or their profile pictures. The results will vary depending on your settings.
In the App Store
Other mobile apps from third-party developers (i.e., apps that are supported by Apple, but not developed by Apple) can be downloaded in the App Store. There, you'll find a wide variety of tools that can help you communicate with friends and family, and keep up with your social networks. For example:
- Skype for making Skype calls on the go
- LinkedIn for keeping up with business contacts
- Google+ for Google social networking
- Meetup for finding and organizing social events
- Pinterest for bookmarking and social networking
- IMO for instant messaging
Remember, the App Store is filled with thousands of choices. If you have something particular in mind (maybe an app for your favorite service), just search for it. There's a good chance you'll find what you're looking for.
