Mac OS X Mountain Lion Everyday Tasks
Author: mety Labels:: Mac OS X Mountain Lion Everyday Tasks
Mac OS X Mountain Lion
Everyday Tasks
Safari
Safari is a web browser that comes built into the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Mac. It's what you'll use to access the internet on your device, using familiar features like the address bar, search bar, and navigation buttons.
Safari lets you do all the things you're used to doing with your web browser, but when you sync with iCloud, you can do even more. For example, you can access your bookmarks on any device. You can even sync your open tabs, so you can seamlessly switch back and forth between all the devices you own.
Click the arrows to view Safari on each device.
If you have a Mac with OS X Lion or earlier, certain syncing features will not be available.
Have More Than One Apple Device?
Use iCloud to sync the Safari app. To find out if you already have it enabled, visit your device's iCloud settings. Remember, you have to configure each device separately.
Getting to Know Safari
As you already know, the Safari 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 Macversion.
Insider Tips
Once you know your way around the app, consider these tips for getting the most out of Safari.
Multi-Touch Zoom
Sometimes it can be difficult to read webpages in the mobile version of Safari. Luckily, there are two ways to zoom in and out—which technique you like best will depend on your personal preferences.
Some like to double-tap to zoom in, which enlarges the page to about 150% every time (perfect for reading small text). Others like to use the pinch gesture, which gives you more control over how large (or small) the page appears.
Offline Reading List
If you find an article or website that you'd like to read later, you can save it to your reading list. Safari will actually download a copy of the site, so you can read it anytime, anywhere—even if you don't have access to the internet.
This feature works great if you have Safari synced via iCloud. For example, you could add a website to your reading list on your Mac, then read it on your iPad while you're out running errands. You won't even have to use your device's cellular signal or Wi-Fi, because the feature makes the webpage available offline.
Accessing your reading listCalendar
You can use the Calendar app to manage your schedule by adding meetings, appointments, and other events—all in an environment that's flexible and easy-to-use. The app comes with several useful features, including alerts for important events.
You can even sync the app with other calendars; for example, your calendar in Google, Yahoo!, Outlook, and more. That way, you can add, edit, and delete events all in one place, without having to keep track of more than one calendar.
Click the arrows to view Calendar on each device.
If you have Mac OS X Lion or earlier, the app will be called iCal instead.
Have More Than One Apple Device?
Use iCloud to sync the Calendar app. To find out if you already have it enabled, visit your device's iCloud settings. Remember, you have to configure each device separately.
Getting to Know Calendar
As you already know, the Calendar 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.
To Create a New Calendar Event:
- Tap the
button, or press and hold a time slot on your calendar.
Creating a new calendar event
- The event details will appear.
- Add as much or as little information as you want. Remember to tap Done when you're finished.
Use the interactive below to learn more about event details.
Insider Tips
Once you know your way around the app, consider these tips for getting the most out of Calendar.
Calendar Alerts
If you've set up an alert for one of your calendar events, your device can notify you several different ways depending on your settings. By default, you should receive at least a pop-up alert. Visit the app's settings to customize your notifications, or set up even more alerts.
Calendar notificationsAdding New Calendars
If you're an especially busy person, you may want to create separate calendars for the different things that occupy your time. For example, you could create a calendar for work, or a calendar for keeping track of your personal schedule. Each calendar will be color-coded in the app, so you can easily tell them apart.
To create a new calendar, tap Edit under Calendars. Then choose Add Calendar, and follow the app's instructions.
Managing your calendarsSyncing Other Calendars
If you already have a calendar with another service—for example, Google, Yahoo!, Hotmail, or Outlook—you can sync it with the Calendar app. This will allow you to add, edit, and delete events all in one place, so you don't have to visit each calendar separately.
You may have even synced your calendar already, if you've already set up the Mail app. To find out if this is the case, navigate to Mail, Contacts, and Calendars in your device's settings, then review your list of accounts. If your account is synced (including your calendar), it will be indicated here. To add a new account, tap Add Account.
Managing synced calendars
How well syncing works for you will depend on your particular calendar. For example, if you have multiple calendars tied to one Google account (for work, school, or other activities), they may not all sync properly. We recommend that you give this feature a try, and, with that in mind, pay special attention to whether or not your information is syncing.
Siri
If you have Siri on your device, it works well with the Calendar app. Try asking it to create events for you, instead of performing the task yourself. For example, you could say, "Add book club meeting next Saturday on the 24th at 2:00." Siri will transcribe the event (including the date and time), and also add it to the app.
Using Siri to create a calendar eventReminders
Reminders is a simple but effective app for managing your to-do list. One of its most useful features is the fact that it can notify you exactly when certain items are due, using a small, unobtrusive pop-up window. That makes it easy to address the reminder, or dismiss it if you don't have time.
You can also use the app to create other types of checklists; for example, a shopping list, packing list, or a list of family chores. Sync the app with your other devices, and you'll be able to check things off anytime.
Click the arrows to view Reminders on each device.
Reminders for Mac was introduced with OS X Mountain Lion. If you have OS X Lion or earlier, the app is part of iCal instead.
Have More Than One Apple Device?
Use iCloud to sync the Reminders app. To find out if you already have it enabled, visit your device's iCloud settings. Remember, you have to configure each device separately.
Getting to Know Reminders
As you already know, the Reminders 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 Create a New Reminder:
- Tap the
button, or tap an empty line on your reminder list.
Creating a new reminder
- Enter your reminder.
- Tap Done when you're finished.
Saving the reminder
- Optional: Tap the reminder again to view the reminder details.
Editing a reminder
- Edit any details you like. Remember to tap Done when you're finished.
Use the interactive below to learn more about reminder details.
Insider Tips
Once you know your way around the app, consider these tips for getting the most out of Reminders.
Reminder Alerts
If you've set up an alert for one of your reminders, your device can notify you several different ways depending on your settings. By default, you should receive a pop-up alert, as well as the badge app icon. Visit the app'ssettings to customize your notifications, or set up even more alerts.
Reminders notificationsSiri and Voice Recognition
Reminders is such a simple app, there's only one thing that can make it even simpler—Siri. If you have Siri on your device, try asking it to set reminders for you, instead of performing the task yourself. For example, you could say, "Remind me about the dance recital at 7:00 PM next Wednesday." Siri will transcribe the reminder (including the date and time), and also add it to the app.
Using Siri to create a reminder
You can also use voice dictation to compose reminders instead of relying on the keyboard. This can be useful if you need to add something lengthy, and you don't feel like typing. Just 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 RemindersMore Apps for Everyday Tasks
Notes
Notes is a great app for taking quick notes, or jotting down something you want to remember later. All you have to do is open the app, and type whatever you want. If you have more than one Apple device, you can also sync the app via iCloud. This will give you access to all of your notes anytime, no matter which device you're using.
The Notes appMaps
Feeling lost? Maps can help you find your way with simple turn-by-turn directions, and live trafficupdates. You can also search for local restaurants and businesses, view buildings in 3D mode, and explore whole new countries, all without ever leaving home.
The Maps app
Maps is available for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch only.
Passbook
Passbook can be used to store items that you'd normally have to carry with you. This includes boarding passes, concert tickets, gift cards, and other items that have a barcode. The app will actually make the barcode scannable, so you don't have to carry a hard copy—you can ask the ticketing agent or sales associate to scan your device instead.
To use Passbook, you'll need to download special apps from the App Store. For example, if you have an American Airlines boarding pass, you'll need to download the American Airlines app for Passbook. Don't worry—the app will guide you through the process.
The Passbook app
Passbook is available for the iPhone and iPod Touch only.
Weather
Use the Weather app to check the weather in your city. Alternatively, it can be set to your current location instead (this can be useful if you do a lot of traveling). You can even add more than one city, so you can keep track of the weather in different parts of the world.
The Weather app
Weather is available for the iPhone and iPod Touch only.
Clock
Much like the Weather app, Clock can be customized to show you the time in different parts of the world. It also comes with other useful features, including an alarm, stopwatch, and timer. If you have Sirion your device, try asking Siri to set an alarm or a timer for you, instead of opening the app.
The Clock app
Clock is available for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch only.
Other Useful Tools
There are several other tools that you may encounter on your device. They're less robust than the apps above, but they can be just as useful when it comes to simple everyday tasks.
- Stocks for keeping up with the stock exchange
- Voice Memos for recording audio notes
- Compass for directional navigation
- Calculator for calculating math problems
In the App Store
Other mobile apps can be downloaded in the App Store, including apps from third-party developers. There, you'll find a wide variety of tools that can help you with the things you do every day. For example:
- Dropbox for transferring files
- Google Search for searching the web
- Evernote and Springpad for organizing notes, media, and other odds & ends
- iWork (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) for working with documents
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.
