I have a little obsession I should share with you. I love all my iProducts, I am certain I have just about all available and can honestly tell you it would be very hard for me to go back to a windows computer. All my devices talk to each other and they are all user-friendly. I own:
iPod
First it started with an iPod so I could listen to music at the gym. Now I have my iPhone (which has music on it) I rarely use my iPod outside the house these days as most of my music is on my phone. I do use the iPod to listen to music on the stereo at home.
iPad
I have an attachment to my iPad, it goes everywhere with me. It’s like a mini computer. Why I love it so much is that I work all day in front of the computer and I switch it off from 3pm and rarely have it on over weekends. When I am at the computer I can’t help myself to check emails and do work stuff. However using the iPad I can’t get ‘work’ distracted. I use it mostly to surf the net, check instagram and facebook, sell items on Gumtree and lose myself in Pinterest.
iMac
When I needed a new computer I knew I had to get an iMac. At first I was worried as I had heard it’s hard to convert from the windows ways, but I found it very easy to convert over, the main troubles was working the mouse and the shortcut keys for copy and paste, but after a week I had it down pat!. I love the huge screen and the absolute bonus is that all my iDevices talk to each other. I use a to-do list app (see below) on the iMac which syncs with my iPhone and iPad. So if I am out and about and think of something I add it onto my to-do list to remember when I’m home.
MacBook Pro
Then there’s the MacBook Pro Laptop, I purchased this so I can move away from the office and do work, sometimes I may answer emails while watching TV in the evenings. I’m able to take it away from the house and do work in a different environment and I need it for when I travel away to keep the blog updated.
iPhone
Then there’s my phone. I have an iPhone 5s, I purchased the s version for the camera quality. I take many photos for the blog and instagram using my phone, the picture are top quality, which I am more than happy to publish the images on my blog. We also use it to listen to music in the car. The kids have a routine set they take turns who get’s mums phone and then they are the DJ for the car ride.
Tips for taking photos with iPhone
Burst Mode
I am known for taking far to many photos of the one shot than I should, but I just need to know I get a perfect one. Burst mode is an excellent way of making sure you capture a great shot without taking up too much space on your phone. Simply press and hold the shutter button for a few seconds and it takes a multiple number of shots. Then click choose favourites, pick the best one, then press done and confirm if you want to keep them all or just the favourite/s you chose.
Hand Placement
I find holding the phone between my 2nd and pinky finger with the middle and ring finger behind supporting it makes it really stable, then allows my thumb to press the image to adjust the focus and press the shutter button when ready.
Taking selfies
My hand is really not long enough for me to take good selfies, but when I do I find it so much easier to use the volume buttons on the side of the phone, rather than the shutter button.
Other iDevice tips
Charge Battery Faster
If you need your iPhone or iPad to charge in a hurry, switch it to Airplane Mode while charging, this switches off wireless and cellular access allowing it to charge faster. You can get to this shortcut screen below by swiping up from the bottom on your iPhone or iPad.
More detailed calendar
Turn your phone from portrait to landscape (sideways) and your calendar gives you a completely different display of information.
Easy typing letters and numbers in message
I find it annoying to switch between the ABC keyboard and the numbers keyboard, did you know you can hold down the 123 with your left thumb then with your other thumb add the numbers, lift up left thumb and your instantly back to the ABC keyboard.
My favourite Apps at the moment
Little Moments™ by Fat Mum Slim – The Lens Lab Pty Ltd
This app was created by fellow blogger and friend Chantelle from Fat Mum Slim, it’s adorable app that puts beautiful filters over photos, adds text and images. View more details of app here.
Facetune – Lightricks Ltd.
So I have noticed I am getting a few more wrinkles on my face. Facetune helps to improve those fine lines by smoothing them out, getting rid of any blemishes, brightening eyes and whitening teeth. See the before and after pics below, you would never know I had so many wrinkles. View more details of app here.

2Do: Tasks Done in Style – Guided Ways Technologies Ltd
You can purchase this app for the iMac/laptop and for your iPhone/iPad, they both sync together beautifully. I use it to co-ordinate all my blog tasks and ideas. Such as tasks that I do routinely such as setting a reminder at 2pm each day to check and reply to emails, write weekly newsletter etc. I alternate regularly between a digital to-do list and a paper one. At the moment I have so much I need to do I find having a paper version next to me which I can physically tick works well. But I wouldn’t get by without this app, I highly recommend it. View more details of iPhone app here and iMac app here.
37 comments
I love this, I need all the help I can get to use my devices to their fullest. Any more?
This is great Kat thank you, I had no idea how to get that shortcut screen, I’ve seen people use it, but never asked, great time savers. Also love that picture of you, your smile says a thousand wonderful words, beautiful facetuned or not.
Ooh thanks Jaimee for the beautiful comment!.:)
I too have a love affair the apple products, I love how they all sync together just makes my life so much easier, great tips thank you.
Yes they do make our lives easier, Me Too!
Ooh I have been looking for a todo list that can sync to all my devices, this one looks great, you are wonderful for sharing this post, I’ve certainly learnt a thing or two.
Ooh thanks Linda.:) It is fantastic!
Ooh so that’s how you photoshop on the iPhone, getting this app!
Ooh Kim yes i do love Photoshop too! It’s a great app!
Did you know that you can also use the volume control on your phone headset to set up longer reach selfies!
It’s amazing (and probably scary) how much I rely on my phone. I’ve been looking for a good “ToDo” app so going to try out your recomendation today.
That’s great Amber! I’m sure you will love the apps like i do!
I ?? them too.
My friends call my The apple guru.
I luv short cuts & every tip around.
The Apple Guru!! I love it, Ev!.:)
So funny that you should write this blog post Kat. I have just hit publish on my blog about my trip to Brisbane last week…I purchased the MacBook Air and wanted hints and tips. Decided to streamline my apples….I do love my apples. I too love that they talk to each other, so user friendly and may help me to get a little better at this blogging business. Thanks for the post Kat!
Ooh perfect timing Miss Chardy.:)
Thanks for the tips. I really like the one about turning the phone to landscape for a different view of my calendar, will definitely be doing this from now on. xT
it’s little things like that that should be shared in a manual to make life so much easier, I like that little feature too!
Wow thanks, i didn’t know i could use the volume buttons to take photos. I’ve also just purchased both the apps. FMS will be my teacher soon hehe (Clever Cookie)
LOL she is a clever cookie, I’m looking forward to chatting to you about social media in a few weeks then!! Ooh yes makes taking selfies so much easier, wish it helped me with my funny one eye closed thingy when I take selfies though 🙂
I cannot find the option to choose from the burst photos. How do you find it?
Hi Megan, unfortunately i think it is only on the 5s. I have added a link for you to have a look at. http://www.cnet.com/au/how-to/how-to-use-burst-mode-on-the-iphone-5s/
Wow I never knew about the photo one that you can pick a favourite and I’m TOTALLY getting the Facetune app, you still look the same but with just less beauty lines (nicer than wrinkles right) You look great in dark blue BTW. I also had no idea about the calender OR the keyboard. Thanks for sharing Kat. x
Ooh yay Emily I’m glad I could help you, I like the facetune app for smoothing the skin, also makes my freckles disappear, gotta love that!
Why has nobody ever told me you can use the volume keys to take pic’s, I am only on my third iPhone, you really think I would have known that. Many thanks! xx N
LOL Nikki, it’s amazing the different features we find.
I loved this post – BUT I am a samsung user – so need to search for just as informative post for non-apple fiends like me!
I love your demonstration of how you hold the phone with your right hand to take a picture and the calendar landscape mode tip! These will help me immensely! I don’t know if this is a real tip or not, but I love being able to save any image from a website onto my camera roll just by holding my finger on it and clicking Save Image. I used to screen shot so many things, but now I just do this if it’s an image. Thanks Kat!
I meant to also mention a couple of my favourite apps.
* For photo editing: PicTapGo (free),
* For listening to music you didn’t know you wanted to listen to (hahaha) according to your mood or what you’re doing: Songza (free, uses data),
* To save and share the kiddoes’ artwork: Artkive (paid); and
* For the smarty-pants kids in the family: Codeacademy!
Awesome, thanks for the tips Leanne. They are great.
This was fantastic! I have always had an iphone but you showed me things I didn’t know! The holding of the phone blew me away, I just took a mountain of photos as I sat here holding my phone comfortably and I am embarrassed to say I didn’t know about volume controls for selfies OMG!!!
my partner asked me to buy one of the fancy faster iPhone charges and I refused but I’m glad now that I know all he needs to do is turn on airplane mode. thanks 🙂
great post Kat
There is a book that I borrowed from the local library, called “iPhone Made Easy” by Chris Smith and Kieran Alger – full of really useful stuff, including backing up your iPhone.
I’m really loving an app called TIcketyBoo Milestones. I can finally log all my babies cute moments, as they happen on my phone. I always forget to write that stuff down and now I don’t have to anymore. It’s so handy!
Great tips!
I am envious. I have all these devices too but can’t make the calendars sync. Any tips?
Thanks so much.
Amy try connecting with iCloud to get your calendars to sync!