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6 Easy Steps to Creating iPhone and iPad Shortcut Buttons

All the book reading apps from Kobo, Kindle, Nook (Barnes & Noble) and Google were updated.

The result is that the “buy” buttons that linked to their web stores have been removed. This has been an ongoing controversy ever since Apple changed their policy about in-app purchases.

It turns out that all e-booksellers would rather delete the in-app purchase button rather than pay Apple 30% for each purchase.

An Easy Solution

There’s an easy and pain-free way to set up your own bookstore app button that’s at least as good as, if not better than, the button in each app.

Go to Safari and find the website for Kindle Books, Nook Books, Kobo Books, and Google Books. Of course you’re doing these one at a time.
When you get to the page you desire, click the “bookmark” button at the top of your iPad browser or the bottom of your iPhone browser. It is a little box with a curved arrow.
Select “Add to Home Screen”.
Edit what you want the icon to say and press “Add”.
An icon for the website will show up in your browser. Amazon’s icon looks the best.
Just place this icon next to the original reader app and you’re done.

You can read your books in the Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Google app as before. And when you want to buy a book, click on the new icon bookmark you created and you will instantly get to the same place the original in-app button sent you.

Update 8/10/11: Today Kindle released a “Cloud Reader”. It is an html5 version of their Kindle reader. You can go to Safari on your iPad and visit www.amazon.com/cloudreader. It works just like the Kindle app with the addition of a link to the Kindle eBookstore. Plus you can create an icon for your home screen. I assume an iPhone version will be coming soon. Also Nook is working on a similar “web app”.

23 May

What do you do with Apps that die?

Lighten your day with daily comics

Why aren’t there any newspaper comic strip apps that last on the iPhone or iPad?

Apps that die

I bought an app called “Comics” quite a while ago. It was a universal app for the iPhone and iPad, and although a bit clunky, it had most of the comics I wanted. Not all of them updated regularly. And you had to go back and forth between screens to advance to the next comic strip.

But “Comics” was rarely updated and soon disappeared from the app store. I still have it and it still sort of works. Unfortunately, one by one the comic strip links are breaking down.

Then came “The Funnies” by AFK Studios. This app was also universal and cost $4.99. I read the website info as well as the reviews and it seemed like a good app. It too was a bit clunky. The interface seemed odd and the background ugly. But it worked, was updated regularly and new strips added every once in a while.

But, alas, this app too disappeared from the app store as did their website. And now the app is pretty much non-functioning.

My question is, why is this happening? Is there an issue with copyright infringement? It’s frustrating paying $5 for an app that soon disappears and ceases to work. Just saying.

Buyer beware

Guess it’s just like anything else you buy. Stores go out of business and so do app developers. Even apps with great reviews can disappear. It takes a lot of time and money to design and develop applications. Then there’s promotion and updates. Sometimes the return may not be worth the effort.

So what do you do? Unfortunately you can’t take it back to the store to get your money back.

But you can delete the app and be more careful when buying a new one.

You can still find daily comic strips online

For online comics, check out the following sites:

comics.com Quite a big selection of comics here.

gocomics.com A large selection of comics, including 2 Cows and a Chicken!

ArcaMax Comics Daily comics from your newspaper.

If you’re using an iOS device you can bookmark these links and add it to your screen for easy access. Just click the curved arrow in Safari and “Add to Home Screen”.

Or you can buy a printed newspaper made out of paper with ink and stuff. They’re still available daily. And they deliver.

Apple Apps iPad iPhone

08 May

Apple’s Amazing Magic Trackpad

Being an Apple geek I purchased Apple’s Amazing Magic Trackpad the day it came out. After a little practice I’ve learned to love this gadget.

It’s sleek and looks great next to my wireless keyboard. The glass surface is smooth and easy to use. You just have to make sure your fingers are clean and dry. Like using your iPhone or iPad, if your fingers are damp there’s too much friction to move them over the surface.

Double tapping is the same as clicking. It takes a little getting used to. Use two fingers to scroll. On the “Mighty Mouse” you only need one finger to scroll, so if you use both you may get a little confused.

The batteries last quite a while. I use the cheap Costco batteries and still get at least 2-3 months usage from them. And it’s easy to change the batteries. All you need is a coin to open the side slot and simply change the batteries. Don’t forget to press the side button to turn it back on. Hold for a few seconds until you see the miniscule light blink on. This sets the bluetooth connection.

With the new Lion operating system coming out this Summer I believe the Magic Trackpad will have many new, convenient uses. For the price, I’d say this is a great product, especially if you use an iMac.

Disclaimer: I am an Amazon affiliate. Even still, I love the Magic Trackpad and highly recommend it.

Apple Technology