May 22, 2013

Posts Comments

Home Fruitification: AirPort and AirPlay

March 15, 2012 by 9 Comments

So when I say AirPort, you think AirPlane. Maybe with better spelling.

AirPort ExpressActually, when I say AirPort I’m referring to wireless networking from Apple. These devices make it very easy to add wireless connectivity (along with media sharing and network printing) to your existing home network. Having a home network today almost demands wireless access, because so many devices rely on wireless networking to function – laptop computers, tablets, smartphones and even iPods.

AirPort comes in two flavors:
  1. AirPort Extreme ($179) – This is the full-blown wireless base station, complete with all of the bells and whistles you’d see when buying a new Wireless Access Point+Router. If you don’t have a home network yet, this is a great choice because it will provide everything you’ll need to get going (firewall, guest networking, wireless printing and a few other things).
  2. AirPort Express ($99) – The AirPort Express is a much smaller device, and provides a number of the same features as the Extreme – with a few more interesting (and to me, more useful) tricks. It doesn’t provide firewall or other security services, so if you’ve already got a network in place, this is a great solution. But the real reason I like the AirPort Express is that it offers the ability to leverage your existing wireless network in a very “entertaining” way – as in being able to use your home entertainment system to play your music.

You configure them both from a computer on your network, using the AirPort utility software from a computer. There’s software for both Mac and Windows, so you don’t need a Mac to configure it (although the utility is built into the Mac OS). As is generally the case with Apple, the software is very intuitive and easy to follow – even for the novice. There are a multitude of resources available for setting up wireless networking (if you’ve not done it before), so I won’t go into great depth here. I’ll do a post soon on wireless network security tips and planning, because there are three or four things (all of them pretty simple) that you can and should do to keep your stuff safe.

Now – on to the ”entertainment” portion of the show, or the real reason I’m even writing about this: music.

I have a significant digital music collection – at current count, over 8,000 music entries in iTunes. One of the greatest things about digital music is that you can enjoy it anywhere (thank you, iPod). With an AirPort Express, that “anywhere” includes your home audio system. My AirPort Express is plugged into an outlet right next to a component amplifier/tuner; using an additional cable kit, I can plug the AirPort Express into one of the RCA-plug inputs on the amplifier and treat it as a connected component – in my case, it’s the “CD Player”.

The music is still on your iPod/iPad/iPhone or even on your computer (via iTunes), but through the wonders of something called AirPlay, that music can be output/directed to the AirPort Express device. Here’s the best part – if you’ve set up the AirPort Express correctly (and it’s not hard), all of the “i-things” will just find it as an available AirPlay device and make it available as an output either on the device or in the iTunes software.

Here’s where you find it:

On an iPhone/iPod:

AirPlay is is an option in the Music player app on the device.

Find the AirPlay icon (on the right side of the music player controls); tap on the icon, and the available AirPlay destinations on your network will be displayed. Select a destination, and the music being played on the device will be re-directed to the AirPlay destination.

 

On an iPad:

The AirPlay icon on the iPad music player is at the top of the screen, the rightmost control in the music controls.  Just like the iPhone/iPod, select a destination for the music, and off you go.

In iTunes (Windows and Mac):

If you’re rather just use the library on your computer (because it’s probably bigger and has more stuff), not a problem. The AirPlay option in iTunes is available in the right side of the status bar (the bottom bar of the iTunes software).

Click the AirPlay icon, select your destination of choice, and you’ll be enjoying the sound of music from something other than your computer.

Now, as you might have noticed in each of these screens, there’s an Apple TV in the mix as well. Just like the AirPort Express, Apple TV can be an AirPlay receiver.

Here’s the extra-special bonus: if you’ve got both (like I do), or maybe multiple AirPort Express devices installed, and you’re delivering your music from your computer via iTunes, you can simultaneously send the output to multiple locations by selecting “Multiple Speakers…” from the AirPlay icon and then choosing your endpoints.

Whole house music, all delivered wirelessly and controlled from one location. Ok, I’ll say it: that’s just cool.

In the next installment of “Fruitification”, I’ll talk a little more about Apple TV and AirPlay – because with the latest iPad, the latest Apple TV and the upcoming Mountain Lion updates for the Mac, Apple TV and AirPlay have some great things to offer.

Much more to come. Stay tuned.

 
9 Comments

Home Fruitification: iTunes Home Sharing

March 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Let me start by saying: I know, I’m becoming a bit of an Apple snob. Allow me to explain.

For a long time, I was very anti-Apple, sticking to my Windows machines, BlackBerry phones and a slew of Creative MP3 players. Strictly a cost decision, as in every case the price tag was less than Apple. But the longer I used them, and the more I’ve used my Apple gear, I’ve realized a few things:
  • There are thousands of products that integrate iPod/iPhone into their operation. From docking stations to external speakers to car stereos, there’s a way to incorporate these devices.
  • Apple makes really good products, and they’ve proven to me that they’re worth the price a person pays.
  • Apple puts a lot of thought into how to make all things Apple play nice together.

There are lots of ways to “Apple-ize” one’s world (as I’m learning), so I’ll be posting from time to time on the various products Apple offers and how to make them fit into your own world.

Today, I’m starting with something that anyone with more than one computer running iTunes can use: Apple Home Sharing.

Beginning with iTunes 9.0 (and includes iTunes for Windows), the Home Sharing option allows you to share your iTunes library with other computers on your home network. The good news, it’s really easy to set up.

In iTunes, select Advanced > Turn On Home Sharing. Yes, it’s that easy. Once enabled, there’s only one screen of information required:

Home Sharing
The only requirement is that you need an Apple ID to enable it. If you don’t have an Apple ID (if you shop in the App Store, you already have one), you can easily register one. Fill in the Apple ID and password, click Create Home Share and you’re done.

Home Sharing Complete

I set this up on my Windows workstation. So when I open up iTunes on my MacBook, I now see the library on my workstation in the left panel:

I can play anything in the library, as long as my workstation is on, is connected to the network and iTunes is running. I’ve had a few instances where I’ve needed to restart iTunes on my workstation in order to get it to appear on my MacBook, but not the other way around.

Another thing to note is that when I’m in my shared library, I have the Import button available to me – which means I can then copy the selected shared library item(s) to the library on the MacBook so that they’ll be available to me when I’m not connected to my home network. This is particularly handy when traveling or when I’m working outside of my office, but it also makes transferring media and iThings (iPod, iPad and iPhone) to new machines (because a lot of us do end up replacing machines at one time or another) a lot easier.

Speaking of networks – this only works inside your personal network. If you need access to music (and other media) outside of your network via the Internet, iCloud is what makes that happen (a good topic for a future post, because iCloud is a lot more than music).

One thing that is inconvenient, though, is that you can’t use the normal display options that you would in iTunes (the options just to the left of the Search field). The more attractive looking tiling/grouping of things you see in the local library isn’t an option, so you’re left with having to manage things from a great big list. The good news is that the columns are sortable in a few ways; I’d click on the Album column header a few times, most of the more useful setups can be found there.

That’s all there is to it.

So as you go forward and set up your own Home Sharing, here are some helpful pointers (should you need them):
  • To check what version of iTunes you’re running, choose Help > About iTunes (for Windows) or iTunes > About iTunes (OS X); this will display the installed version number (and a variety of other things). Just in case you go looking for things and they’re not there.
  • If you need to update your iTunes software, go to http://www.apple.com/iTunes .
  • If you run into trouble and need some help, start with the Troubleshooting Home Sharing document on Apple’s support site.

This is only one small part of what Home Sharing offers; the really cool stuff comes into play when we introduce AirPort Express and Apple TV. In the next installment, I’ll cover Apple’s AirPort Express – the simple and easy way to take your tunes and pipe them through your home audio system. Not only from your computer, but also from an iPod Touch/iPhone.

So until then, happy sharing.

 
0 Comments

In-Flight Entertainment

January 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Sam and I spent last week at Lotusphere in Orlando, FL.  I took my iPad with me and I got some writing done in Evernote during the flight to Orlando and it was a productive two hour flight.  On the way home, I had no intentions of being productive.  I wanted two hours of mindless entertainment.

I went to iTunes and I had two options, I could rent or buy a movie.  Since it was just for me, I chose to rent a movie because there isn’t anything I would want to watch again.  Depending on the movie, I would probably buy one for my stepson as he can watch movies several times without getting bored with it.  I made my selection, entered my iTunes password, and began the download process.

I have 30 days to watch the movie and 24 hours (in the USA) and 48 hours (elsewhere) to finish it once you start watching it.  I could have watched the movie as many times as I wanted once the 24 hour clock started.  Once my 24 hours were up, the movie automatically removed itself from my iPad and iTunes.  I highly recommend you check out this FAQ page on iTunes to answer any other questions you have about iTunes movie rentals.

Here’s the problem with IT conferences, nerds and geeks like to use a lot of bandwidth which can make downloading a movie a little difficult.  So give yourself plenty of time to download the movie to your computer or iPad and make sure you aren’t sharing a wireless network with 4,000 other geeks and nerds.

Make sure you have a good case, preferably one that will prop up to a comfortable height, and good pair of comfortable headphones.  I used a cheap pair and they worked, but they weren’t very comfortable.  I would rather have had a pair that would have cancelled out the plane noise and been more comfortable to wear for two hours.  Sam has the Klippsch Noise Isolating in-ear style and really likes them.

Watching a movie on the flight home was a perfect way to end a long week.  It was worth the $4 to rent it and considering my husband has vetoed my last few chick flick movie suggestions, there may be more iTunes movie rentals in my future.

Image Source: Source: Australian Business Traveler

 
0 Comments

The Story of the Free App That Cost Me $105.25

November 30, 2011 by 1 Comment

I have an iPod Touch that my step-son has claimed as his own.  Usually this isn’t an issue as we both love Angry Birds and he loves watching shows while we are on long car trips.  We were content in sharing the iPod Touch… until he charged $105.25 on my iTunes account.

Take a moment to let that sink it… $105.25.

It started on a lazy Sunday, he wanted to download new games on the iPod and me, being the cheapskate I am, would only let him look at the free games.  I downloaded a few free games he picked out and passed him the iPod Touch to go back to whatever it was I was doing.

My first mistake was getting into iTunes to download games when I was in a hurry.  Never get into iTunes with a 7 year old looking over your shoulder when you are not willing to pay attention to what you are doing.

My second mistake was not turning off In-App Purchases in my iPod settings.  It was this mistake that cost me $105.25.

My third mistake was not realizing that my iTunes password was cached for 15 minutes after I entered it.  I downloaded the free app for my step-son, handed him the iPod Touch and minutes later there was a $105.25 charge on my credit card because my iTunes password was still stored on the device.  I am still unsure how the actual charge happened, but my theory is he was prompted to purchase extra credits, didn’t actually read the prompt or ask me to read it, clicked Ok and then he had one ticked off step-mom on his hands.

Lucky for him, I was able to get the charges refunded by iTunes.  During my correspondence with iTunes they sent me instructions on how to turn off In-App Purchases and if you have not done this on your Apple devices, run, do not walk to the device and follow these steps.

If you would like to prevent app purchases from being made in the future, you can block them on your iOS device.

Follow these steps to setup restrictions on your iOS device:

1.  Tap Settings on your device’s home screen.

2.  Tap General.

3.  Tap Restrictions.

4.  If necessary, tap Enable Restrictions and enter a passcode. This passcode will prevent restrictions from being disabled without your permission.  Only share this passcode with people those who you want to be able to make purchases.  Do not tell your  7 year old the password!

5.  Scroll down to the Allowed Content section. Switch the In-App Purchases option to OFF. Enter your Restrictions passcode if prompted.

I got lucky that iTunes refunded this charge as their policy clearly states that “all sales are final”.  I was also lucky in that the iTunes representative I communicated with via email was very helpful and attentive.  To say my initial emails had a heated tone is an understatement.  Angel, the iTunes representative who helped me, was pleasant and her quick responses quickly diffused the situation.

It was a painful lesson for me to learn.  I should not have left my stepson alone with the iPod Touch and I should have explained to him that if he has questions, he should ask an adult for help.  I also should have changed the In-App Purchases settings which would have avoided this entire situation.  But I didn’t, so I had to learn the hard way and I got lucky that it worked out for me.

 
1 Comment