The cloud has been an instrumental driver of the success of modern tablets. When it comes to tablets using the iOS (iPad and iPad mini), the cloud is often used to integrate files across devices, as often more than one service is utilized. This means that if you use the cloud, you likely have more than one app and likely struggle to manage or share files across different services. A new app makes managing all your different cloud storage services far easier.

Readdle Documents is an app for iPad users that acts as a central platform that connects with cloud storage providers like Dropbox, Box, iCloud, Drive, etc. and allows users to keep their multiple services organized.

What exactly is Documents? Documents is an app that enables users to manage their various cloud services. This robust app also allows users to view Word documents, PDFs, listen to music and watch video stored on various services directly in the app.

The functionality doesn't stop there however, as you can also copy files from one service and move them to another directly in the app. No more having to download files from one and upload to another. You can also use this app to save web pages for reading at a later date, which could be useful if you are going to be away from data or Wi-Fi for an extended period of time.

There is one downside to the app: You can't edit documents. If you need to edit a document you have to do so in the app the document is stored in.

Will businesses benefit? If you use multiple cloud storage apps in your business, the Documents app will be beneficial in helping you access and manage files on the go. At best, this is an organizational tool to help make accessing files easier. One really positive element of this app that many businesses owners will like is that it's free. Another benefit is that you also have the option to password protect files.

While this app might be free, if you don't use cloud storage services this probably isn't the best app for you. However, there are enough features to benefit users of cloud services, making this app potentially valuable.

How do I get the app? Documents is available on the Apple App Store. Once you have downloaded the app onto your iPad, start it up and you'll be able to add your cloud services by clicking on Network (located on the left-hand menu) and selecting the service you use. Input your account information and you should be ready to go.

If you would like to learn more about Documents, or how the iPad can fit into your business, get in touch with us. We are happy to sit down with you and tell you more!

Tablets are gaining traction in businesses, many are starting to integrate them in some function. One of the more popular tablets is Apple's iPad. One of the reasons people love it so much is largely because of the sheer amount of apps. Some of these help users increase their productivity, something that many businesses can benefit from.

Here's some useful apps for the iPad that can help boost your productivity.

Document compatibility It's highly likely that your office uses a document production program that isn't made by Apple - Microsoft Office. Using another program to create documents and then spending time formatting on your work computer isn't a great productivity booster, but there are options.

If you do use Microsoft Office the iPad kind of supports Office documents through Apple's iWork. iWork does support Office files, however formatting and other things like fonts normally won't transfer over. This can be counter-productive.

While there will be a version of Microsoft Office heading to the iPad sometime in early 2013 (no set date yet), you're likely better off purchasing an app like Documents to Go which allows users to open, edit and create Office documents.

If you aren't doing serious work on the iPad and just need it for mobile document production, you can skip paying for an app and instead sign up for an outlook.com or Office 365 account. Doing so will give you access to cloud based versions of Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and Excel.

Not a Microsoft fan? There's also Google Drive. It's not 100% compatible with Microsoft Office  though as many functions and formatting won't transfer over properly. However, with solid word, spreadsheet and presentation programs it's a great option for Google users.

Notes Because of the iPad's size, it's a perfect tool to take notes on. There are literally hundreds of different note apps available for the iPad, some are great, others lack functionality. One of the most consistent is Evernote. Evernote is available for nearly every system, so a note made on your iPad can be accessed on your computer, iPhone, Android Device or even BlackBerry.

Evernote really excels when you need to take simple notes. There's also a number of excellent  add-on apps like Penultimate - which allows you to take handwritten notes - which make it a nearly all-in-one solution. The best part is: The basic app is free.

Sharing files When you are mobile with the iPad, you will no doubt need to share files with users. There are many different ways you can do this. The easiest way is to use an app like Dropbox or SugarSync which allows you to upload files and share them when needed. While you can upload most programs or files, you won't be able to edit some of these.

How most of these work is that you put a copy of the app on your hard drive which is essentially a folder. When you put files/folders into this folder, they will be uploaded to the cloud and allow you to access the files/folders from any device you have installed the app on.

There are many other apps available that can help boost your productivity. Have you found some that you can't live without? Let us know.

As mobile devices like the iPad continue to make inroads in companies, more business functions will be assigned to it and companies will be tempted to adopt more of these devices for use in day-to-day operations. While the iPad is a sturdy machine, it’s just that, a machine, and machines need to be taken care of properly if they’re to last.

Here’s what you can do to ensure you get the most out of your device, and will be able to use it for years to come.

Take care of your Retina The screen and display on the iPad and other devices are things of beauty, however they are slightly fragile. Drop it or scratch it and your flashy device could be rendered useless. You should know that the iPad, and all mobile devices’ screens are made of glass, so it is obviously likely to break if dropped from a height. It goes without saying: be careful not to drop it.

The screen also has an oleophobic coating on it, this means it doesn’t like oil and should, in theory, repel fingerprints. Anyone that’s used the iPad knows this isn’t truly the case, fingerprints will still be left on the screen. They do wipe off easily though and you can clean the screen with a lint-free cloth. If you wear eyeglasses, the cloth you use to clean them will work well.

If you’re worried about scratches, or small nicks you could buy a screen protector - a thin, transparent film that goes on top of screens to protect them. Some films also have oleophobic coating, and are matte or completely transparent. Be sure to follow the instructions on how to apply them, as poorly applied protectors can detract from user experience.

Long lasting batteries The batteries in most mobile devices, the iPad included, are lithium based, which makes them rechargable. While they are rechargeable, you will notice that over time the charge doesn’t last as long. To extend the life of your batteries you should ensure to keep your apps up-to-date as developers will often tweak power consumption of their apps. Beyond that, you should complete a full cycle of the battery at least once a month. This means charging the battery to 100% and using the device until the battery dies, then charging to 100% again.

Environmental care Electronics can be extremely sensitive to the surrounding environment. Prolonged use in extreme temperatures (higher than 95 degrees fahrenheit/35 celsius; lower than 32 fahrenheit/0 celsius) could damage internal circuits along with the display and battery. Similarly, humid environments or water can cause problems, so best to keep your device away from damp or wet conditions. If your device does get wet, don’t use heating elements like the microwave or hair dryers to dry it (common sense, we know, but it has been heard of before!).

Beyond that, it’s a good idea to be careful with peripherals. That cheap power cord/charger you bought off ebay may actually have pieces that can break the connectors/ports of your device. If it’s not a popular name brand, better steer clear of it.

Use a “crash helmet” for your device When riding a bike, it’s important to wear a helmet to protect your head in case you fall. The same can be said for your iPad, and you should have a protective case, cover or folio to protect the device from bumps, drops and daily use.

Smooth operator A brand new iPad is a smooth machine, where navigation is snappy, and loading apps is super speedy. Over time however, your iPad will slow down as you install more apps or put more information and data on it. To ensure the experience stays smooth, it’s a good idea to periodically review your apps and delete ones you don’t use anymore. You can also transfer pictures and media to your computer or the cloud to free up even more space. If you’re iPad is still really slow, a factory reset could also help. Be warned, you will loose all your data, so backup first.

Extended warranty? We don’t need no extended warranty It may seem like the extended warranty that you can purchase for your mobile devices is an unnecessary and costly addition to add on to the purchase of the device. While it does undoubtedly add to the cost of the device,it does mean that if your iPad stops working you can get Apple to replace it, or at least cover the repairs. It’s a good idea for businesses to pursue this option as it can extend the life of a device while minimizing upkeep costs.

These are just a few ways you can ensure your iPad or other mobile device will last longer. Do you have any other things you do to extend the life of your device? Let us know. If you’d like to learn more about how to ensure you’re getting the most out of your device, please contact us.

When Apple released the original iPad a little over two years ago, they revolutionized the tablet and set a high benchmark that no other manufacturer has been able to meet since. Two years on, and a new tablet has been released by Google that according to many reviews, challenges iPad superiority. This has many small business managers wondering which tablet is better for their business.

Here is a comparison between the new iPad (iPad 3) and the Google Nexus 7 (N7).

On the outside The iPad is 9.5 inches long and 7.31 inches wide, with a viewable area of 9.7 inches from the top-left to the bottom-right of the screen. The Nexus 7 is smaller at 7.81 inches long by 4.72 inches wide, with a viewable area of 7 inches. The iPad weighs around 1.4 pounds while the Nexus 7 weighs .75 pounds. Due to its size, the Nexus 7 is more portable and due to a rubber backing it’s easier to hold.

Displays The display is one of the most important features to take into account when buying any device. The iPad uses Apple’s Retina display, a super high resolution display that produces by far the best images. The resolution of the iPad is 2048 X 1536 while the Nexus 7’s display is 1280 X 800 - the higher the number generally means the better the display. With a higher resolution, the iPad’s display is the best, however, the Nexus 7’s display is a close second in terms of image quality and viewability.

Build Quality Small business owners or managers that spend a lot of time on the road need devices that can keep up with the rigorous demands of travel. Apple is well-known for high quality devices, the main weakness of the iPad is a slightly fragile screen which is prone to cracking with even the slightest impact. The Nexus 7 is untested, but from drop and dunk tests, it looks like the Nexus 7 is the more durable device without a case. Add a protective case and the iPad is just as durable.

OS and Apps Any Apple device will run an Apple OS, in this case, the iPad runs the iOS which is an extremely user friendly environment. Turn on your iPad for the first time, enter your information and away you go. As the iPad has been out for a couple of years, a number of developers have made iPad specific apps, which means the iPad has a ton of useful business oriented apps.

The Nexus 7 runs on the Android OS and is the first device to have Google’s new version, Jelly Bean. The new OS goes a long ways in making devices easier to use, but it still can’t compete with the iPad in terms of ease of use. There are a large number of apps on Google Play - Google’s app store - but the number of tablet optimized apps is lacking.

Security Android devices like the Nexus 7 are built on an open-source OS - Anyone can download the OS and make changes - which means that it is less secure, as has been proven by an increase in the number of malware and viruses that target Android devices. The iPad, while not immune to viruses and malware, is a more secure environment.

Price There is a stark difference in the price of the two tablets. A basic iPad starts at US$499 and can run up to US$829. At the same time, the Nexus 7 starts at US$199 and costs up to US$250 if you chose to go with more storage.

Which one should small businesses buy? When businesses owners ask which tablet should they buy, we strongly recommend that they look at their needs and current environment. If you’re buying a tablet to take the office with you, or mobilize your office, you need to ensure that there are apps available for your device that will allow you to do this and that your current system is compatible. In general, companies will release apps for the iOS environment first, with Android apps coming later, sometimes up to a year later.

Which tablet do you use, or would you consider using in your business? Let us know below. If you’ve made your mind up and would like to know more about integrating the tablet into your operations, please contact us.

The Apple iPad is one of the most important technological devices of the decade, with many small businesses adopting it for daily use. As the platform matures, app developers are starting to introduce apps specifically for small businesses. One such app turns the standard iPad into a point of sale (POS) system, allowing you to replace your clunky old register while being able to accept mobile payments.

The system is called Square and is a series of apps that turn your iPad into a point of sale system, similar to standard touch screen point of sale systems already in use by many small businesses.

How Square works There are essentially three different aspects to the Square system. The central aspect is the iPad app called Square Register. You, the shop owner, install the app and begin by adding your inventory. You set the price, sales tax and the category the item belongs in. When a customer wants to buy something, your employee selects the item and starts the transaction. As you can connect both a printer and cash drawer to the system, it works just like any other point of sale system.

The second aspect of the Square system is the card reader. The vast majority of customers prefer to use debit, credit or ATM cards instead of cash. For these situations, Square provides a card reader that plugs into the iPad’s headphone jack. Simply swipe the card through the reader, as you would with normal systems. What’s cool about this is the card reader also works on Android and iPhones, which makes the system portable.

The third aspect is rewards. Using Square Register you can set up a rewards program for return customers, while providing them with yet another way to pay. The client downloads the Pay with Square app, links their credit card to the app and is able to open a tab with you. When they buy something, you can bill their account directly. When they use the app to pay for something, the reward program is updated and they receive a receipt by email or SMS.

What’s the catch? While Square sounds like a viable system, and is a theoretically great idea, there are some things you should be aware of. First, merchants pay a flat transaction fee of 2.75% each time a card is swiped. If you manually enter a payment, or if a customer uses cash, the fee is slightly higher. While this may seem a bit steep, the upside to it is there’s no monthly fee or commitment. you just pay the flat fee.

The other thing to be aware of is Square does put holds on transactions of over USD $1,000 if the credit card information is keyed in, this is a weekly limit. In other words, if an employee manually enters a credit card number for a purchase of $1,500, $500 will be held by Square for 30 days. This isn’t ideal for businesses that manually enter credit card numbers.

This system is a good option for the small business owner looking to replace their current point of sale system, while at the same time integrating the iPad into their business environment. This is also a good option for a company looking to mobilize their business. If you have any more questions about Square or other similar options for the iPad please contact us.

When Apple released the first iPad, the business community knew, almost straight away, that it was the next step in the evolution of computing. Three versions later and the number of managers and business owners using their iPad for business purposes has done nothing but increase. While it’s great, it’s not perfect, and one thing the iPad could improve upon is its integration with printers.

Here’s how you can print from your iPad.

AirPrint AirPrint was introduced by Apple with the iOS 4.2 update. It allows apps on the iPad to wirelessly connect to a compatible printer. There are a large number of apps that support AirPrint, although there’s no official list. To find out if an app can print using AirPrint look at the app’s description in iTunes. There will be a note saying something along the lines of, “Wireless Printing supported” or “AirPrint supported.”

The only downside to AirPrint is that it will only work with a select few printers. A list of these can be found on the Apple website. For AirPrint to work, both your iPad and printer need to be connected to the same wireless network. If you meet the requirements, printing is quick and easy. Simply press the Action button (white square with an arrow) and select Print. The first time you do this, you’ll need to select the printer from the pop-up menu.

AirPrint enabler for Mac If you have a wireless printer that isn’t compatible with AirPrint, don’t rush out and buy a new one as there are apps like Printopia that can allow you to wirelessly print. To do so, you need to download an app onto your Mac which then allows it to share its connected printers with your iPad. When the app is installed, you should be able to find your wireless printer. The only downside to this app is it only works on Mac computers with OS X version 10.6 and later.

Print using a PC Don’t have a Mac? Don’t worry, you can still print using apps like PrintCentral. With this app you’ll be able to print directly to the vast majority of wireless printers, as long as they’re connected to the same network that your iPad is.

You can also print using a printer that’s connected to a computer. To do this, you’ll need to download and install the WePrint software onto your PC. Once this is done the software acts as a relay between the printer and your iPad, enabling you to print even if you’re not connected to the same network.

Being able to wirelessly print from your iPad helps make you and your business more efficient. If you’re working on the iPad during the commute, you can send it to the office printer and have it printed and ready for review for when you get to the office. This also makes you more efficient as you don’t need to log in to your computer, connect the iPad and transfer the information every time you want to print. You can just print it directly; saving you time.

If you’re looking to integrate the iPad into your business and would like to know more about how to do it, please contact us.

The iPad has become one of Apple’s most successful devices with each version improving on the last. The latest version, the new iPad, has some pretty nifty features that include popular elements from the iPhone. Did you know that if you have a new iPad with a data connection you can share it with up to five other devices?

Here’s how you can share your data connection.

Personal Hotspot Apple calls this feature a Personal Hotspot, the community calls it a hotspot or tethering. In technical terms, a hotspot is any area you can connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi. In other words, Personal Hotspot turns your iPad into a router that can broadcast a Wi-Fi signal using your data plan.

This is beneficial to businesses with employees who spend time on the road, as they may not be able to connect to a traditional Wi-Fi network when they need to. As many wireless carriers provide near nationwide data coverage, it makes sense to use your cellular data plan to connect to the Internet.

How to turn your iPad into a hotspot You can set up a hotspot on your iPad by:

1. Going to Settings and selecting General followed by Network.
2. Tapping Set Up Personal Hotspot at the top of your screen. Your iPad will check with your cellular carrier to see if they allow this feature. You’ll receive an error message if they don’t.
3. Selecting Personal Hotspot from the Settings screen.

To establish a hotspot, press Personal Hotspot and select Off/On. You have three different types of hotspots you can establish: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB. If you choose to use Wi-Fi, you’ll be given the option to set a password that users will need to enter to connect to the hotspot. To connect via Bluetooth or USB, follow the instructions on the Personal Hotspot screen. To turn off the hotspot, navigate back to the Personal Hotspot page and select Off/On.

It’s important to note that your cellular provider tracks how much data you use, this includes any devices connected via the hotspot. If you don’t have a plan with unlimited data you should monitor your data usage.

Personal Hotspot is an useful feature that provides you with another way to connect with the office while on the go. If you’re interested in ways you can leverage other features of the iPad to make your job easier, please contact us.

Tablet computers are arguably some of the most useful devices that have been developed in the past ten years. While there are a ton of tablets on the market, there’s one that’s king: the iPad. The iPad has many different features that appeal to nearly every user, including companies who have taken to using the iPad for presentations.

If you’re on the road and give lots of presentations, the iPad can be the perfect tool as it allows you to leave the laptop at home, or in the hotel room. Here are three programs that are great for creating and giving presentations on the iPad, and what you need to give presentations on big-screens such as projectors and TVs.

Keynote Keynote is Apple’s presentation software. With this app, users can create some really professional looking presentations with ease. The one downside to Keynote is that it has trouble interacting with presentations created using Microsoft PowerPoint. Some fonts, clipart and animations used by PowerPoint and not Apple, will simply not copy over.

SlideShark SlideShark is perfect for users who aren’t comfortable with Keynote or are more comfortable with Microsoft PowerPoint. It works by uploading your presentations using SlideShark, converting them into a format the iPad can read and syncing them with the iPad. This is a great app for users of PCs.

Power Presenter This app is for presenters who want to give presentations on a projector, as its main purpose is to make it easier for the iPad and projectors to sync with one another. After you’ve finished your presentation, save it as a PDF and hook up your iPad to the projector you’ll be using. The app will simultaneously show the presentation on the screen and your iPad. This app is good if you don’t have the time to set up the projector whenever you give a presentation.

What You Need to Give Presentations When you switch over to using the iPad for presentations, you’ll need two adapters that allow you to hook the iPad up to the various different visual outputs e.g., TV screens and projector units.

The first adapter is a VGA adapter which will allow you to connect your iPad to the majority of projectors. When you give a presentation using a projector, plug the VGA cable into your iPad and the projector, and you should be ready to give your presentation.

The second adapter is for TVs and projectors that use HDMI outputs. Apple calls this adapter a “Digital AV Adapter” and it can be found on the Apple Store. When you plug in the adapter, your display should show up on both the screen and your iPad.

If you have any questions about using your iPad to give presentations or other uses for your Apple products, please contact us. We’re more than happy to sit down and discuss solutions with you.

Apple is a company that in recent years has released a number of excellent products and has gained a following of incredibly devoted fans. One of the most popular products Apple produces is the Apple iPad, and in early March they announced the next version of the iPad, the New iPad. Does it live up to the hype? Will it be useful for your business?

The answer: yes, and no. The New iPad (that’s the actual name) takes the good parts of the iPad 2, and adds a few improvements including a new 5 mega pixel camera. The biggest change is the New iPad has the Retina Display, with a screen resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, making it one of the best Tablet displays on the market. Other changes include a new, slightly faster processor, and a slightly heavier (by 10 grams) body. Changes aside, the New iPad looks exactly the same as the iPad 2.

Apple has stated that the price of the New iPad will start at USD 499 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi version. There will be a version that connects to 4G mobile data networks, and the price for that version will start at USD 629 for the 16 GB version.

What Does this Mean for My Business? In truth, the New iPad means whatever you want it to for your business. Apple has said on many occasions that they want to bridge the gap between interaction and creation with the iPad. The New iPad is a step toward this goal, but it won’t be very useful for users who work with spreadsheets or other data-heavy programs. If you or your business gives lots of presentations, and doesn’t need to use the advanced functions of programs, then the New iPad could be a useful tool. It really comes down to how you, as a manager and company, operate. You can pretty much guarantee you will find some use for the iPad, it just may not be a Key Success Factor.

The one downside is the price. As a small business it can be hard to justify spending over USD 600 per iPad with data connectivity, when the iPhone costs far less with a plan and can do pretty much the same stuff, if not more.

Scam Warning As with most other Apple products, there is sure to be a number of scams surfacing over the next few weeks saying that you’ve won a free iPad, can get a free iPad, or any number of similar come-ons. It is a good idea to let your employees know that Apple doesn’t normally give away its products, and will definitely not post on people’s Facebook pages or put banners on websites advertising such a thing.

Apple has taken steps toward giving businesses a new way to operate, and the New iPad offers some great functions for businesses. If you’re thinking of adopting the iPad into your business, or would like to know more about the New iPad or Apple’s products, please contact us.

There are times when you may want to capture what is currently being shown on your iPad's screen. That’s easy to do on an iPad.

Simply press the Home button and then the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously. When you hear a click, the screenshot has been taken. You can then go to the photos gallery to see all of your captured screenshots.