Join us over the lunch hour at the Discovery Centre, and enjoy an overview on how to use your iPad or iPhone to take notes. We’ll take you from using the built-in Notes app on your iPad, using SIRI to dictate notes, syncing that with the cloud, to converting MS Office files to PDFs and annotating these with a stylus, to converting your iPad into a notebook with a keyboard folio case.
Agenda
1. Note-taking on the iPad
1.1 The built-in Notes app and Cloud syncing of Notes
1.2 Typing or writing with a stylus
1.3 Audio recording
2. Keyboard recommendations for typing on the iPad
2.1 Zagg Folio
2.2 Logitech Fabricskin Folio
1.1 Notes app and Cloud syncing
– Notes app is included with every iOS device (e.g. iPad and iPhone)
– iPad 3 and newer, iPad mini : speech-to-text (need network connection)
– Speech-to-text: just look for microphone button immediately left of spacebar
Reference: support.apple.com/kb/ht5449, www.siriuserguide.com/siri-dictation-guide, macworld.com/article/2048196/beyond-siri-dictation-tricks-for-the-iphone-and-ipad.html
– To turn on auto-syncing of Notes app with the free Apple iCloud:
• Settings > iCloud
• Enter Account: your iTunes account (i.e. email address you use to buy songs or apps in iTunes)
• Enable these settings: Mail, Notes (We also recommend enabling ‘Find My iPad’ setting, while you’re here)
Reference: support.apple.com/kb/PH12081
– Once auto-syncing of Notes app enabled, any notes you enter on your iPhone, iPad are accessible from any web-browser:
– From a browser on any computer: www.iCloud.com
– Enter your: iTunes account and password
– click on “Notes”
1.2 Typing or writing with a stylus
– iTeam’s current recommendation is Notability app, ~$5, by Gingerlabs.com
– Does text-entry, stylus handwriting capture, and audio-recording
– Also can convert any MS Office document to PDF (using Google’s cloud) and overlay handwriting markup
Other MS Office Apps:
Consider: QuickOffice (formerly QuickOffice Pro HD*), Polaris Office (pre-installed on some Android phones), or Documents To Go (pre-installed on some Blackberrys). See also these reviews: iPhoneJD.com.
2. Keyboard recommendations for typing on the iPad
For virtual and physical keyboards, you can type in English or French
Settings >
2.1 Zagg Keyboard folio: gigaom.com/2013/11/11/video-look-at-the-excellent-zagg-folio-for-ipad-air/
– backlight
– battery meter
– separate function keys
– converts iPad to a pseudo-laptop
Cons:
– can’t fold the keyboard all the way around.
2.2 Logitech Fabricskin Folio: reviews.cnet.com/keyboards/logitech-fabricskin-keyboard-folio/4505-3134_7-35833147.html
– auto on/off with iPad
– spill-proof
– wraps all the way to the back of the iPad, out of the way, and when out of the way, auto-disables the keyboard
– keys are well-speaced
Cons:
– need to use function keys a lot, e.g. tab and “Q” share same key.