10 iPad 2 Tips and Tricks
Passcode Lock - iPad 2
1. Switch on the Passcode Lock in your iPad 2
Apple iPad 2 has a nice safety feature called passcode lock. The simple passcode security feature requires users to type in 4-digit passcode every time one tries to use iPad. The iPad 2 also offers a more secure option of choosing a complex passcode instead of a 4-digit numeric to improve the security. This allows users to create a strong passcode with numbers, letters, and special characters.
The passcode feature on iPad 2 automatically turns on data protection feature in iPad. When the passcode is on iPad uses the passcode as the key to encrypt messages and attachments stored on your iPad.
By default the passcode lock security feature is turned off and it does not require users to type the passcode to use the iPad. Here is how to switch on the passcode lock feature to enhance the security.
Go to Settings and Choose General > Passcode lock > Switch ON.
2. Common Keyboard Shortcuts
Here is another great iPad 2 tip. If you connect your iPad to the Apple Bluetooth keyboard or the Apple iPad Keyboard Dock you can actually use some of the same keyboard shortcuts that you are used to using on your Mac. Here are some great keyboard shortcuts you can use:
- Command-C, X, and V for Copy, Cut and Paste
- Command-Z and Shift-Command-Z for Undo and Redo
- Command-Shift-Arrow key-based text selection
- Control-A, Control-E, and Control-K
- Option-key shortcuts for typing diacritical characters
3. The Comma Key
Well, we all know that the iPad’s virtual keyboard is not as convenient as a real one but here is something you may not have even known about the keyboard. Swipe up quickly on the “comma” key and it will insert an apostrophe. Swiping up on the period key inserts a quotation mark. It’s not a tap…just a quick swipe.
4. Closing Background Apps
This is a great iPad 2 tip you definitely want to know about. There may be times when you want to close apps that are still running in the background. Even after you close an app, it may still be running in the background (multitasking) and this really isn’t an issue but sometimes apps get weird and you might want to close it out completely. In fact, some chew up data and resources while running so that’s another reason you may want to completely close them out.
To force an app to close completely, double-tap the Home button to bring up the multitasking bar, then press and hold on any one of the apps you see until them start dancing around. Now tap the red circle on the running apps in your multitasking bar that you ‘d like to quit.
5. Download the free iPad User’s Guide:
You may have noticed that your iPad didn’t come with a big printed manual–that’s not Apple’s style. However, you can download the PDF version of the iPad User’s Guide from Apple’s Web site, or you can read it in iBooks if you have that installed (iBooks is available as a free download in the App Store).
6. Take an iPad screenshot
You can take a screenshot on your iPad by pressing Home and then the Sleep/Wake button. The screen will flash and you’ll hear a click, indicating that a photo has been taken. Your screen shots are saved automatically in your Photos gallery. Here, you can view or email them as you see fit.
7. Find My iPad – is now free
Apple’s Find My iPad works for MobileMe subscribers, but you can set it up for free on your iPad. In Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars tap the Add Account button and select MobileMe.
If you have an iTunes or MobileMe account then enter it here. Alternatively, tap on Create Free Apple ID. You may need to check your inbox and verify your account now. Return to the MobileMe screen and switch on Find My iPad. Now sign into me.com to see your iPad on a map, or install the Find My iPhone app from the App Store.
8. Add a Google Calendar
Want to add your Google Calendar to the iPad’s Calendar app? No problem. In Settings open Mail, Contacts, Calendars. Add an account and tap on Other. Tap on Add CalDAV Account and enter your Google Account credentials (the Server is www.google.com). Exit the Settings app and tap on the Calendar app and all your events should appear. By default all calendars are displayed, but you can tap on the Calendars button to choose which ones are shown.
9. Forget Wi-Fi networks
So you accidentally connected to a network once, and your iPad remembers it for life–whether you like it or not. On your iPad, go to Settings, Wi-Fi, and find the network under the ‘Choose a Network‘ heading. Tap the blue arrow next to the network you want to remove, and tap the button on the top that says Forget this Network.
10. Hidden apostrophe key on the keyboard
This is a great tip for any app, such as Notes, Pages or Mail, that you type into using the iPad’s virtual keyboard. Rather than having to go to the second screen of the keyboard every time you want to type an apostrophe (which is a real pain) just tap and hold on the ! key and a hidden apostrophe option will appear – then just slide your finger up to access it.