KB | Beats Wireless Headphones and Earphones

Apple picking might be in store this weekend but we are also heading over to the annual British Invasion, the British car show…

One of the neatest features of iOS 8 is the ability to install third-party keyboards which can be used system-wide in all apps. There have been sort of clumsy app by app methods of doing this before but now these keyboards can be your default keyboard.

Installation is simple and it is easy to change once you have installed. The first step is to go over to the App store and find the keyboard(s) you like and download those apps. I have installed “*Fleksy*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id520337246?mt=8 ($0.99) but others include “*TouchPal*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/touchpal-keyboard-emoji-gesture/id909654683?mt=8 (free), “*Swype*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/swype-keyboard/id916365675?mt=8 ($0.99), “*TextExpander*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/textexpander-3-+-custom-keyboard/id917416298?mt=8 ($4.99), and “*Swiftkey*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/swiftkey-keyboard/id911813648 (free). I know there will be dozens of others and Apple has improved their keyboard with iOS 8 but these keyboards may serve your needs.

To install a keyboard you go to *Settings >General >Keyboard >Add New Keyboard*. You will see any third-party keyboards you have downloaded in the list. Simply select the one that you want to use and Apple will warn you of the dangers of granting developers access to the data that you are typing (i.e. credit card numbers, passwords, etc.) This is basically a warning that Apple is no longer responsible for that information should you choose to use the keyboard. You might want to investigate the specific developer’s privacy policies.

Once you select the keyboard you are presented a box to check with says “Allow Full Access”. This is the box that allows the keyboard to be used with any app. Once you click that, Apple warns you again, saying: “Full access allows the developer of this keyboard to transmit anything you type, including things you have previously typed with this keyboard. This could include sensitive information such as your credit card number or street address.”

Scared? Well, definitely check out the privacy policies of the makers of the keyboard app. Fleksy, as an example, states that Fleksy is designed NOT to receive or log such sensitive data and goes into some detail as to what they can collect and how that data is always separate from a link to your personal data. I do encourage you to read the privacy policies of the keyboard developers.

Once you have given the keyboard permission to have full access you can access the keyboard by simply pressing and holding the “globe” icon on the Apple keyboard and choosing the keyboard. Then you can use those apps to customize your new keyboard. You can switch back to the Apple keyboard either from the keyboards settings panel or by pressing and holding the globe or in the case of Fleksy the “123” button.

It is time for you to upgrade your mobile operating system. I am sure that Apple will come out with some mind-blowing statistic about just how many of us upgraded to iOS 8 since its release but since you are going to upgrade soon, let’s talk about just what you need to do before you upgrade. The upgrade is easiest by an “over-the-air” upgrade so the one thing you MUST do before you send the signal to Apple’s servers to send it over is to BACKUP! Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer and do a complete back-up. An iCloud backup will save some of your data but if you want it ALL saved you must do this on your computer. Once you have a current backup, let ‘er rip and upgrade to iOS 8 by going to *Settings > Software Update*. Make sure your device has a full battery or is plugged in before you start. Please note that this update requires around 6GB of free space on your phone, so if you do not have this much room available, you can still upgrade via iTunes on a computer that does have 6GB of free space.

Once you have iOS 8 and begin to explore all the new features you will be able to activate one of the greatest new features of this new OS: Family Sharing. Once you and your family are running iOS 8 on their iPad, iPhone and Apple TV you will be able to share all iTunes account purchases including apps, movies and music between up to six people in your family.

bq. ??editor’s note: Apple recognizes and supports all of the different kinds of families out there (and Small Dog does too, of course!), so this can be any group of people that you choose but please note that you can only change to a different Family Sharing family once per year.??

You can become the “Family Organizer” by going to *Settings > iCloud >Set Up Family Sharing*. If you set it up first you become the organizer and your credit card will control family purchasing on the iTunes, App and iBook stores. As a parent or guardian you can designate yourself as such and control your kids purchases by activating the “Ask to Buy” feature. All of your current purchases, whether they were made with your account or another family member’s account, will be available to share. New purchases will need to be made with your credit card to be shared. All you need to do is click on “Add Family Member” and an email will be sent to that person to be added.

Another interesting new feature that I am not so sure I like is that Find My iPhone data is also shared with family members. If you want to be incognito, you will have to disable this through the “Share my Location” setting in the iCloud settings.

Family sharing also includes a special Family iCloud Photo Stream for your group. Once you post a photo it is available on all family member’s devices and notifications will be sent. There is also a Family section of the Apple Reminders App which shares reminders and to-dos.

Multi-tasking at its best. This iPhone 5 case accomplishes max protection and style, all while keeping your hands free to go about your busy life. With the included Adhesive Car Mount, you can mount your iPhone 5/5s to just about any flat surface (try our favorite, the car dashboard!). The removable rubber bumper gives you added protection when you need it and a slimmer profile when you don’t, making this one of the best protective iPhone 5/5s case available.

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A few months back when the legislation banning handheld electronics devices while driving went through I started to begin writing about products we either carried or brought in to help with this transition. Below is a list of our top products for adapting to this new legislation.

Mounting your iPhone in the car: We have three great options for this. The first two use a 3M sticky to attach the mount where ever you see fit. The “*Rokform*”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900001583/at_kb is both a case and a mount, allowing for either landscape or portrait view. “*Nite Ize Steelie*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/85723/nite-ize-steelie-car-mount-kit works on a magnet system and is a personal favorite of mine. It allows for a variety of angles and the magnet is handy when not in the car. Lastly are the “*Belkin FM/AUX power stands.*”:http://www.smalldog.com/search?search=belkin+tunebase These plug into the power port (AKA the cigarette lighter port for those of you old enough to remember when cars came with these!) in your car and hold the device, while also connecting to your stereo with either FM or AUX.

Bluetooth adapters have become popular as well. These adapt the AUX input in your car to Bluetooth so you can keep your phone in your pocket as it connects wirelessly to your car stereo. “*Belkin*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/85667/belkin-caraudio-connect-aux-with-bluetooth and “*Outdoor Tech*”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900001584/at_kb both make great adapters which both include a mic. Their center buttons will also activate Siri to allow for hands free messaging or voice dial.

Headphones and earpieces will also work. We carry a variety of Bluetooth headphones that include a microphone allowing for hands-free talking. “*Beats*”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900001582/at_kb and “*Outdoor Tech*”:http://www.smalldog.com/search?search=outdoor+tech+wireless make both in-ear and over ear Bluetooth headphones. Many of our wired headphones include microphones allowing for a hands free conversation. Earpieces from “*Jabra,*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/84770/jabra-wave-bluetooth-headset-w-microphone “*Jawbone,*”:http://www.smalldog.com/search?search=jawbone+era+bluetooth and “*Plantronics*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/86014/plantronics-m25-earset are also great choices. Like headphones they allow you too keep the conversation going hands-free after you get out of the car.

Lastly we added some great visor Bluetooth options. These add a physical speaker to your visor for hands free communication. Both the “*Jabra*”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900001581/at_kb and “*Plantronics*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/86036/plantronics-k100-bluetooth-speakerphone-visor attach to your visor, then to your cell phone via Bluetooth. With answer and hang up buttons it’s a great way to go hands free. This is an especially great choice for those who don’t have any AUX or Bluetooth built-in and prefer to not wear headphones or an earpiece.

Wired? Go wireless!

The Outdoor Tech Adapt adds Bluetooth and microphone functionality to any device with the standard 3.5mm audio jack.

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