Airplay Mirroring

If you have a new iPhone (the 4S) or an iPad 2 with iOS 5 installed, you can use this easy guide to activate AirPlay mirroring on your device. Remember, you need an Apple TV (2nd generation) in order to utilize this feature.

Step 1: Make sure that your Apple TV is on, and that it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iDevice.

Step 2: From your device’s home screen, double tap the home button to bring up the multitasking tray.

Step 3: Swipe to the right two times to bring up the volume slider (you’ll pass the media controls), and tap the AirPlay icon.

Step 4: Switching the source to Apple TV should reveal the Mirroring option. Enable it.

Unlike Apple’s initial AirPlay introduction, almost all apps are compatible with AirPlay mirroring (except video from apps like Hulu that are copyrighted). Even the Camera application can be mirrored on the big screen, turning your TV into a giant viewfinder. FaceTime works great via mirroring on the 4S.

Apps appear on-screen in vertical view, and rotate to landscape mode to mirror the device. Though a majority of the titles in the App Store don’t support full screen just yet, the ones that do look amazing. This feature can only get better over time.

Bob, Why do you use Twitter?

Question:  Bob, Why do you use Twitter?

Answer:  Twitter is not about following just your friends and reading about them walking their dog. It's about following the subject matters you are most interested in. If are into Photography, you may want to follow famous photographers, your Camera's manufacturer, popular photography publications, etc. You can also share and connect with others in your field. Twitter allows you to have instant access to the world.

I use Twitter simply because it is the fastest and easiest way to get the latest news and information. I personally follow 80+ people and businesses. This list includes family, friends, celebrities, sports teams, local businesses, tech gurus and tech companies. At anytime during the day or night, I can tap into their world by opening my Twitter app on my iPhone or iPad.

I also share information with my followers by "retweeting" articles that I found interesting or "tweeting" comments about the Giants game or a cool picture I took. Since iOS 5 has Twitter built right into the operating system, I can instantly tweet links and pictures with the tap of a button.

If there is enough interest, we can continue this conversation in one of our classes. Or we can continue this conversation on the blog or on Twitter. Just add a comment below.

By the way (BTW), you can follow me at twitter.com/bobby_og.

@bobby_og

Toward a Better YouTube...

Looking for a less cluttered YouTube experience (ad-free, comment-free, etc.)? Or perhaps you'd like to string together a series of YouTube videos to introduce a new topic to your class?

Check out these 12 Useful YouTube Accessories for Teachers and Students.