![]() Michael deAgonia, a frequent contributor to Computerworld, is an award-winning writer, computer consultant and technologist who has been working on computers since 1993. ![]() The big changes get the headlines, but it's the incremental improvements and niche features baked into iOS 4.2 that help lay the foundation for the future. Much has changed over the past few years, but the one consistency in iOS updates is the level of polish Apple has delivered with a steady of improvements large and small. That was when BlackBerry devices were still dominant in the business world and Android didn't even commercially exist. "For the first time ever, I was able to get my work done using only my phone." He was talking about the first-generation iPhone and the huge leap in productivity it represented. "Last night was the first time in literally years that I went home and didn't even touch my laptop," he told me. Three years ago, I spoke to a high-level corporate executive about the then-new iPhone. Find My iPhone uses the built-in GPS and 3G/wireless connections to locate your iPhone or iPad. All that's required is a free Apple ID, which you already have if you're an iTunes user. I know quite a few businesses that were purchasing MobileMe account subscriptions just for that feature alone now that Apple has made this a free service, it's something everyone should use, whether it's a business requirement or not. With either one, you can pinpoint the location of your iOS device on a map, as well as lock the screen with password protection and send audio alerts or text notifications to the device. If you don't have a MobileMe account, you can get the free Find my iPhone application from Apple's App Store. ![]() If you have a MobileMe account, you enable Find My iPhone in the MobileMe preferences. Find My iPhone uses the built-in GPS and 3G/wireless connections to locate and report back exactly where your iPhone or iPad is located. With the release of 4.2, Apple has made Find My iPhone a free service for the iPhone 4, iPad and iPod touch. And the built-in ActiveSync includes Exchange Server 2010 and SSL VPN support, so communication between machines is as secure as possible. Also with Exchange, you can finally reply to event invitations directly from within the calendar app. For instance, the new operating system now allows you to set up multiple Exchange accounts, which should at least please IT support staffers who have to troubleshoot Exchange accounts. There are many additions in iOS 4.2 that business users will find useful. Having to rely on third parties is not the same as having shared printing built into the OS, but until Apple offers its own solution it's a workable option. Windows users can download a program that allows AirPrinting to shared printers too, but I haven't tested this system, so use it at your own risk. There's a demo version online that allows you to try before you buy. It offers DropBox integration, and unlike Netputing's solution, it doesn't modify your operating system. Printopia works in Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 and even on older PowerPC Macs. There's a $9.99 application for Macs that's a little more comprehensive and feature-rich: Printopia, which does something similar. All iPhones and household iPads were able to see and print to my Epson Artison 810 without error. Setup was a breeze: After installing the software, I flipped the AirPrint Hacktivator to On, deleted and then added my printer again through the System Preference Print & Fax panel, and then clicked the setting called "Share this printer on the network." That's it. ![]() Printing photos and e-mails was quick and painless my phone even alerted me that I was low on toner. Netputing has a free app that adds printer sharing from your Mac I've tested the software, and it works as advertised. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |