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 email
