iOS 5 Tip: Custom Vibrations
October 8, 2011
IOS 5 is coming! iOS 5 is coming! And with it, a lot of people will have questions on how to enable this or that new feature.
[UPDATE: at this point, custom vibrations as set within each contact seems to only be for calls from that contact. Not for text messages or other notifications. This is very unfortunate ...]
It may be confusing to turn on, create, and assign custom vibration patterns to different contacts. Here goes …
First, you need to turn the custom vibration patterns feature on. Go to Settings / General / Accessibility and scroll down to the Hearing portion. Flick on the option for “Custom Vibrations.”
Next, go to Settings / Sounds. Flick on both Vibrate options, then scroll to the bottom till you see “Vibration Patterns.” (NOTE: you won’t see this “Vibration Patterns” option if you haven’t turned on Custom Vibrations inside the Accessibility settings.)
Tap “Vibration Patterns” and you’ll then see a list of different vibration patterns. You can pick one of these or create your own.
What you select here will then become your default vibration pattern for the various alerts, unless you pick a different vibration pattern for a specific person.
Here, too, you can easily create your own patterns – i.e., three bursts of vibrations lasting 1/4 second each, or one long burst of vibrations lasting two seconds, or however you want it. Just tap on “Create New Vibration” and then you’ll see this screen with two greyed buttons, “Play” and “Stop.”
Press anywhere in the empty space where it says “Tap to create a vibration pattern” and you’ll feel vibrations lasting as long as you press down. Lift up, then press down and the vibrations will stop then resume. Then press “Stop,” and lo and behold, you’ve created your first custom vibration pattern! Press “Play” to play it back, “Record” to try again, “Save” to save this pattern (you’ll be asked to name this pattern), or “Cancel” to return to the previous screen.
You’re now ready to assign vibrations to specific persons! Here goes …
Head over to the Contacts app and tap the name of someone to which you’d like to award a custom vibration pattern. When viewing that person’s contacts details, tap “Edit” and scroll down to “Vibration.” (NOTE: your contact might not show this field unless you tap “Edit.”) Tap “Vibration” and then you can pick the vibration pattern you want to assign or even create a new pattern.
There you go! Have fun. Knock yourself out.
Deafening your iPhone: Configuring Notified Pro
July 7, 2011
Yesterday, I posted about several iPhone jailbreak apps that help “deafen” your iPhone with better notifications. I mentioned Notified Pro (and one of its add-ins, Notifications GriP) and how both have so many configuration options. Let’s see if I can do a fair job listing how I’ve configured them. Here goes (gulp) …
First, are you using the latest beta version of Notified Pro (released just a couple days ago)? Go to the Cydia app then to the Manage tab, select “Sources,” tap “Edit” then “Add,” type “http://beta.notifiedapp.com/” (without the quotes), and tap “Add Source.” After refreshing, go to “Updates” and you might see that Notified Pro Beta needs to be updated to 1.99.5-5. Do that!
Part of the huge changes made to Notified Pro Beta is the fact that it no longer has its own app. All settings are now done via the Settings app.
Open Settings then tap Notified. Now, the settings.
Default Alerts Blocker : both options should be On.
Select Gestures: this uses a separate and terrific jailbreak app, Activator; pick your preferred method of viewing recent notifications in a window pane that sweeps down. I personally like the Status Bar – Swipe Down method.
Notifications to Keep: up to you. I prefer 50.
Group By: select “Date” to view past notifications in reverse chronological order.
Custom Icons: off
Show New Only: this shows only new notifications in the sweep-down past notifications pane. I prefer this to be set to On.
Under Auto Delete, set App Launch to On and Notification Tapped to “None.”
Click the “Notified” arrow to return to the main pane of its settings.
Ignored Applications: you can select which apps you want Notified to ignore. Alerts for these ignored apps will appear the “old way” as an intrusive blue window in the middle of the screen. I use this for apps I really MUST know about immediately like Tango or VRS video calls, and also for apps that crashes Notified (like, ahem, Smurfs altho this now seems to be fixed).
Manage Redirections: this is very useful once you understand it. I use PushMail (via the regular App Store) to alert me to new mail – but I don’t want to go to the PushMail app to read / respond to new mail when I tap on a notification. Instead, I set this option to redirect me to my preferred mail app (iMailG, again via the regular app store). Similarly, I use Boxcar to alert me to specific Twitter alerts; I have this redirected to my ultimate favorite Twitter app, Tweetlist.
Back to the main Notified settings pane, one more setting:
Statusbar Icon: On. This shows a “!” when you have new alerts that you may have missed (see Notifications GriP settings later) – you can then sweep down the recent notifications pane to check – and that will dismiss the “!” as well.
You’re now done with the Notified settings. Tap the “Settings” arrow to return to the overall Settings pane. Then tap “NotificationGriP.” If you thought Notified had a lot of settings, wait till you see this …
Let’s hold NGrip Bar Setup till last.
Auto Close (sec): I like my notifications to dismiss themselves after 20 seconds, only because I can then see the “!” if I missed any. Follow your preference for this.
General Setup options: I have the following settings – again, follow your preferences. Max Visible on Screen: five. Collapse Notifications: On (makes them thinner / sleeker, shows less of the body of the message or email). Multiple Notifications: On (display more than 1 notification at a time). Stack Notifications: Off (if on, notifications are stacked on top of each other, hiding the last one; if off, they are listed beneath the last one covering more of the screen). Cover Statusbar: On (conserve screen real estate by covering the top screenbar). Rotate: off (if on, notifications – when NOT in lockscreen – rotate to landscape view depending on iPhone’s orientation; personally, I found this to be a bit annoying so I turned it off).
Now, to the Lockscreen Setup options. I set all three (Rotate, Show, and Wake) to On. Works well with another jailbreak app, LockInfo – especially if you have LockInfo dim delay set to a few minutes or more. I wish there is a Notification GriP option to not auto-dismiss notifications when in the lockscreen, tho.
Set Show Toolbar to On. This shows a toolbar at the bottom when there are 2 or more notifications.
Now, to the NGrip bar Setup options. This is where you customize the appearance of the notification bar. There’s an almost infinite number of ways you can set this up.
(The last screenshot shows what my notification bar actually looks like.)
Vertical / Horizontal Orientation: no, this isn’t something risqué – cut that out. Rather, it’s whether the notification should appear at the top or bottom, and toward the left, center, or right.
Notification Width (pixels): customize the width of the notification. I like having it be a bit shorter than the screen width so that I can still press buttons below it toward the right.
Rounded Ends: up to you.
Show Preview: show the first sentence or two of the message body in the notification.
Icon Opens Notified: if on and you press the icon in the notification, it sweeps down the Notified pane with recent notifications. If off, pressing the icon takes you to the app itself (or redirects you to another app, depending on Notified’s Redirections settings.
Background Setup: set up the background image or color and opacity. I prefer a black, slightly transparent background.
Font Setup: customize the font type, color, and size. Me? White, a bit small so that the notification itself doesn’t take up much real estate. Also set up the shadow here – I have it on but also white and slightly offset to make the letters appear thicker.
Notification Border: set the border color and thickness. Mine is slightly grey and very thin. I think.
Choose Delete Icon: customize the “x” delete icon’s appearance.
Try Me Out: preview your customizations (even as you make them).
Phew. Lots of customizations. Just wait till we talk about LockInfo … Soon!
Deafening your iPhone: Jailbreak apps
July 6, 2011
Ok, folks. As of right now, it’s easy to jailbreak your phone. Just update to iOS 4.3.3 via iTunes then go to jailbreakme.com. Done? Good.
(Jailbreaking is reversible and basically legal. And what jailbreaking basically does is install an ‘alternate’ app store named Cydia that’s full of thousands of apps, tweaks, and themes that Apple would not have approved.)
Here’s a list of apps I bought and/or downloaded from the Cydia app that makes my iPhone 4 MUCH more deaf-friendly:
Vibrafications – set up custom vibrations for different actions (SMS versus mail versus Twitter / Facebook notifications). Vibrations can be of different patterns and lengths. You can even set up custom vibrations for different people!
3G Unrestrictor – make it possible to use FaceTime and several VRS apps over 3G, not just wifi. Came in handy when I needed to call AAA for service.
Notified Pro and Notification GriP – set up “quiet” notifications on the top or bottom of the screen and which does not interrupt your work or play. No more intrusive iPhone notifications in a box in the middle of your screen. So many freaking options to customize these whichever way you want!! A definite MUST-have for me. More on this on a later blog post. (EDIT: I use the PushMail app – from the regular app store – to send me push notifications whenever I get new email. Similarly, I use the free Boxcar app to send me Twitter notifications.)
LockInfo – extensively customize the lock screen to show a variety of information. I have this set to dim after 5 minutes and to display emails, SMS messages, and notifications. So that means I can just glance at my iPhone at least once every 5 minutes to see if I have new messages instead of having to frigging turn it on and checking different apps. LockInfo comes with numerous plug-ins as well to display even more info – calendar, Twitter, to-dos, etc.
BiteSMS – send and receive SMS messages in a small window on your screen from inside any app or the lockscreen. No need to switch to the Messaging app. Wish there was something like this for mail messages!
These are just a handful of handy jailbreak apps I use to make the iPhone a vastly better experience for me as a deaf person. I know – iOS 5, announced for release this fall – does nearly all these (except for BiteSMS). Where do you think Apple got its ideas?
In addition to these, I use quite a few more jailbreak apps to improve the overall experience, like SBsettings (quick access to common Settings), Snappy (quick photo-taking), MyWiFi (ahem, using my iPhone as a wifi router for laptops or iPads when on the road), InfiniDock (having more than just 4 apps on my dock bar), FolderCloser (close a folder upon launching an app), and many more.
Go forth and jailbreak!
Spam text / SMS message from IWRelay
June 30, 2011
Earlier today, I got this text message on my iPhone from 801-701-8103:
IWRelay VRS has Top Interpreters, Fast Service, and HD video quality guaranteed. Use YOUR iPhone contacts. Try it now! http://bit.ly/kdKGcA
IWRelay is one of several video relay services (VRS) connecting deaf callers with hearing callers using sign language interpreters. Being deaf myself, this “spam” text message was obviously targeted at me. Several of my deaf friends – all using iPhones too – got the same message too.
This is unacceptable on several grounds:
1. A spam text message is ALWAYS unwelcome and much more intrusive than spam email.
2. It seems IWRelay got our mobile numbers by harvesting them from its VRS app on our iPhones. And then IWRelay texted us an advertisement. I hear that this may be in violation of Federal regulations prohibiting such marketing text messages. Like Anthony said on Twitter, “just because they have our number doesnt mean its ok to text us.”
I’ll research these Federal regulations. I had never used IWRelay’s video relay services. Based on its irresponsible decision to send a marketing text message to our iPhones, I will never use its services.
Edit: A Public Notice published by FCC on January 26, 2005 explains that using customer info to contact prior users to make more VRS calls may be fraud:
[W]e understand that some providers use their customer database to contact prior users of their service and suggest, urge, or tell them to make more VRS calls. This marketing practice constitutes an improper use of information obtained from consumers using the service, [footnote omitted] is inconsistent with the notion of functional equivalency, and may constitute a fraud on the Interstate TRS Fund because the Fund, and not the customer, pays for the cost of the VRS call.
In addition, and as noted in the comments, one can file a complaint with FCC using this form.
Delivery or Pick-up? There’s An App For That
April 25, 2011
(Last edited 4/25/11 at 8pm)
Want dinner, but don’t want to get in line? Don’t even want to leave home?
There’s an app for that. Nay, more than one app!
A growing number of iPhone / iPad apps allows you to order your next meal for delivery or pick-up. I’m gonna try to list the better-known ones here. Let me know in the comments if I miss any, and I’ll add to this list (and ok, I’ll give you credit).
Here goes!
Pickup only (altho they’d deliver to your car)
Yummy BBQ pizza. Customize your toppings. Tap-tap convenience. Pickup (or even delivery to your car). Nuff said?
Pickup only (including carside delivery)
With this app, you can order and customize a heaping dish of pasta / salad goodness. Yummo!
Pickup Only (but pay via app)
You can completely customize your next Chipotle burrito and pay for it via this app. See that long line of hungry customers? Laugh at them as you make a bee-line to the front of the line and pick up your order!
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches
Delivery / Pickup
This chain of sub shops is fast-growing and prides itself on using fresh food in its yummy subs. And you can have these subs delivered to your home or office. #winning!
Pickup only
With this app, you can order your favorite heaping goodness and then have them deliver – well, only as far as your car while you’re in their parking lot. Still, yum.
Delivery only
This handy app lets you tweak and top off your pizza to your heart’s desire. And you get to pay via this app too. Unlike Pizza Hut, no account is needed beforehand. Nifty.
Delivery only
With the Pizza Hut app, you can completely customize your pizza – from the crust to the toppings. You can even do half-pizza toppings. I’m hungry already!
Honorable Mentions:
Although these apps aren’t of specific restaurants that do delivery or pick-up, they nonetheless deserve a special place on this list.
This fantastic Grubhub app will tell you all restaurants that deliver in your area, and will even order delivery for you online if available for that restaurant. Grubhub only serves select cities – dang.
Get grocery delivery straight to your door from the Giant food store in your area. Schedule regular deliveries of grocery items, and easily add or subtract items from your list. But that means you gotta cook.
Like GrubHub, this service tells you which local businesses can do delivery — and orders for you when available. Also like GrubHub, this is only available in select cities. Double darn dang. (Added 4/25/11)
With the Starbucks Mobile Card app, you can link your Starbucks gift card account to your iPhone and then pay for your order at the cash register using only your iPhone. Very nice feature! Just make sure you still have a dollar bill or some change for the tip jar …
In Heaven
April 25, 2011
If this doesn’t say “I’m in heaven” then I don’t know what does.
(Photo taken with my iPhone 4 using Camera+)
Strange Maps: You CAN See Russia From Alaska
March 21, 2011
In 2008, Sarah Palin famously said, “I can see Russia from my house.” This quote has provided fodder for countless comedians and perhaps helped propel her opponent into the White House.
But what many people do not realize is … Yes, Sarah, you can see Russia from your house!
That is, if you own a home on Little Diomede Island, Alaska.
As these maps of Alaska and Russia show, this tiny island is in the middle of the Bering Sea between Alaska (obviously part of the USA) and Russia, and is just 2.4 miles from its larger sibling, Big Diomede Island. However, the gulf between the two islands is actually much larger; the USA / Russia border runs between the two islands, and Big Diomede Island is owned by Russia.
Little Diomede Island, Alaska is home to less than 200 hardy residents, practically all in a small village on the west side in full view of the larger island 2.4 miles away. So, these American residents can literally see Russia from their house. Sarah was right after all!
Big Diomede Island as seen from Little Diomede Island (taken by Anant Kamath via Wikipedia)
The two islands are also separated by the International Date Line. Does that mean Sarah Palin would be seeing her future each time she gazes at Big Diomede Island, and Putin his past when he looks at Little Diomede Island? Hmm.
Legend has it that the same families settled both islands and then were torn asunder when the United States claimed one island and Russia claimed the other. And, again according to legend, births and deaths were announced by shouting across the water to the other island.
However, according to reliable (?) Wikipedia, all native residents were removed from Big Diomede Island by the Soviet government. Nowadays, only a small weather base and its staff remain on Big Diomede Island.
For My Favorite Toy Store
March 20, 2011
My favorite toy store, the Dancing Bear Toy Store in downtown Frederick wondered if I could use the iPhone Sorenson BuzzCards app (see my last post) to order a whole sh… Uh.. Lots of stuff from the toy store.
Sure, Ms. Bear! Here you go:
* My lawyer made me add this: purely in jest. Not to be construed as a legally binding offer.
Deafening Your iPhone: BuzzCards
March 20, 2011
Perhaps you’re trying to keep track of those complicated coffee orders. Or you’re trying to remember your kids’ different Happy Meal preferences (seemingly depending on the time of the day or even the moon’s stage). Or sometimes, like me, you just need to write down your order.
This is where the iPhone Sorenson BuzzCards app becomes really, really handy.
With this app, you can easily type and save your order. The words are easy for the cashier to read (even from the car in a drive-thru!), and the font size automatically increases or decreases to take up all available screen real estate.
You can give titles and even categories to your orders for later reuse. Easy to use the same orders over and over again (or even do minor tweaks each time):
You can even flirt from across the room using the BuzzCards app!
Oh yeah, it’s hard to beat the price: free.
My only beef: Comic Sans font. C’mon, how can anyone take you seriously!?
UPDATE: Here’s one for my favorite toy store.
To Dash or To Splash?
August 18, 2010
For the heck of it, I took this photo:
Nothing special, right? Well, I decoded to use the free Dash of Color app from the iPhone app store to touch it up and make it a bit more special:
Nice dash of color, eh? Unfortunately, I had a difficult time staying within the lines – I felt like my four-year-old daughter! I couldn’t pan or zoom for more fine editing. And when I saved the finished picture, the quality noticeably depreciated – the previous, ah, masterpiece was now an unappealing blur. Plus, it’s a lot smaller. I couldn’t tell if the female pedestrian on the right was coming or going.
So I shelled out two smackeroos for the ColorSplash app. After viewing the several built-in introductionary (is that a word?) videos via the app, I was able to quickly zoom in and color (easily within the lines!) to get this:
ColorSplash’s picture is obviously a LOT better in quality. Details aren’t blurred like in Dash of Color’s picture. And I was able to do the coloring a lot quicker in ColorSplash – well, once I viewed the videos from within the app.
My advice? Shell out the two dollars and get ColorSplash.
Side note: there’s a beautiful finger in ColorSplash’s tutorial videos. My nail-bitten, cuticle-mauled finger could never be in a tutorial video.
