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Holiday Tip: Make Room for New Gear by Donating the Old
You might be lucky enough to find a new iPod, iPad or even MacBook under the tree this holiday. Even if you’re just going to get some accessories, the fact remains that you’ll likely be replacing some old things with the new. So what to do with all perfectly good stuff you won’t really be using anymore?

Why not pass your good fortune forward and donate it to people who could really use it? In many cases, you can probably sell your old gear for a decent sum, but if you can’t or if you’d just rather make someone’s day, donating used electronics is a good way to accomplish that.

Goodwill and Dell have a partnership set up called Reconnect by which you can drop off any brand of used computer equipment at a participating Goodwill location and they’ll recycle it for you, and even provide a tax receipt for your troubles. The equipment will either be put back into service, or it’ll be recycled and its value put towards helping Goodwill’s efforts to put find work for people.

Another option is to send your unneeded items to iResQ. The company isn’t a charitable organization like Goodwill, but it will help you put your old and even broken gear to good use, since it helps the company supply its repair efforts. You’ll keep more electronics out of landfills, and help people get their gear fixed before they have to resort to replacing it, which should save some folks some money. iResQ will also pay for your old Apple Macs and iDevices, so you get a little something back with this method.

Another charitable option is the National Cristina Foundation. It’s a not-for-profit designed to help educators and training programs for at-risk students and people with financial and learning disabilities get access to the tools they need to succeed. They act as a go-between between donors and organizations in need, and operate in the U.S., Canada and internationally.

At the very least, don’t just throw your old gear out. Check out the recycling options for used electronic devices near you, something that can usually be accessed from your local municipal or state-level government website. And of course, relatives never seem to mind hand-me-downs when it’s an Apple computer or media player. Socks, on the other hand, not so much.

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Hands-On With Apple's New iAd Producer
Apple wants everyone to get in on the iAd game, so today it launched iAd Producer. The Mac app is available as a free download for iOS developers through Apple’s website. iAd Producer allows you to design and prepare interactive iAd advertisements for use in iPhone and iPad apps using a visual editor, and manages the HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript backend for you. It also offers advanced tools for more knowledgeable users, and allows developers to create templates and custom components for re-use and potential distribution.

Sounds like iAds for dummies, but is it really? I consulted a dummy with little-to-no programming experience to find out: me. The app definitely starts off simple. Upon opening, it asks you whether you want to develop for iPhone or iPad, then you get a flowchart of your project with all elements clearly labelled. Everything you need is contained in a single window, so you won’t get lost the way a novice might with Xcode and all its floating tool panes, for instance. I couldn’t help but notice a resemblance to Apple’s iPad apps in iAd Producer’s overall design, interface and navigation. Could it be a sign of things to come for OS X desktop software in general?

Back to how it works. You click on individual elements (Splash, Menu, Pages, etc.) to bring up a template menu. I’m telling you this, but I don’t really have to since just mousing over the elements informs you exactly what to do next. Once you’ve chosen a template, you can double-click on any element to drill down to an editor for that component. Here, you can drag and drop multimedia resources to the Asset Library on the right from the Finder, and then add those elements to your template layouts. You can also add additional elements to any template from the Objects navigator at the bottom of your editing window.
From the Asset Library, you can locate the original files in Finder, replace all of one with another asset, and even open files in external editors (whichever editor is set as default for the file type selected will open). You can also specify from the overview screen how each page transitions to the next, in the same way you might in iMovie.

Bottom line: I built a working iAd in about 10 minutes, start to finish. Even if I took my time and created original assets, this would be an incredibly quick and painless process. You get instant feedback throughout thanks to the Simulate button in the bottom left-hand corner of iAd Producer, which allows you to see how your iAd will work in the iPhone simulator that ships with Apple’s iOS developer tools. I didn’t see a single line of programming code during the entire process.

iAd Producer is nice, but it raises one burning question: How come I don’t have this without the advertising focus as, say, “App Producer,” a part of the iLife suite that lets users create their own apps? Even if I could only use the apps I made with it on my own iOS devices, that would be amazing. All my awkward fumbling with Xcode, and I’ve never been able to do much beyond crash my iPhone. The “ad” I created amounts to little more than an advanced personal slideshow and gallery app, but that’s about all I’d really need one to be.

Anyone else a little jealous that Apple is treating advertising developers so well while leaving us would-be amateur app creators hanging?

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Mophie Juice Pack Plus Review: All About the Power
Mophie, makers of the Juice Pack line of iPhone and iPod cases and external batteries, recently introduced a higher capacity version of its Juice Pack Air case for the iPhone 4 dubbed the Juice Pack Plus ($99.99). I’ve been using it for couple weeks, putting on a lot of mileage considering how often I exhaust my iPhone’s battery. Here’s what I found.

Design and Build

The Juice Pack Air (descendant of the Juice Pack Air for iPhone 3G and 3GS) Mophie released for the iPhone 4 is a looker. It has a metallic edge running around the case reminiscent of the iPhone 4′s naked design. The Juice Pack Plus, on the other hand, does away with such frills. It’s matte black all over, except for where silver buttons for volume, device lock and checking the built-in battery’s charge are located. Additional colors are available for the outside band, though these aren’t yet shipping.

Surprisingly, the Juice Pack Plus isn’t larger than the Air, despite offering more extra battery capacity. Its dimensions and weight are listed as the same on Mophie’s official pages for each product, but the Plus packs one-third more juice, with a 2000 mAh battery, compared to just 1500 mAh on the Air.

The Plus feels really solid, which should reassure iPhone 4 owners who worry about dropping their device. The rubber band that surrounds it is supposed to be shock-absorbing, and the dual-injected hardcase should be tough enough to withstand some hits. Both the band and the back both feel very good on the fingers, too, with a slightly rubberized texture that feels less prone to slipping out of your grip than the iPhone’s glass or aluminum surfaces.

Mophie’s placement of the microUSB port, battery activation switch and charge indicator are all unobtrusive, and don’t get in the way when you’re gripping the phone normally. Access to the silent mode switch seems a little impeded because of the case’s thickness, but not critically so.

A few things might bother iPhone 4 owners about the Juice Pack Plus’ design. First, it’s bulky. It feels a bit like I’m carrying my iPhone 3GS with a standard case again, instead of a sleek current-generation device. Also, you won’t have dock connector access, although the included microUSB cable allows for iPhone charging and syncing when the phone is in the Juice Pack. Finally, it is a slide-on case. I use a couple different slide-on cases with my iPhone and haven’t noticed any serious damage, cosmetic or otherwise, but if this is a concern for you, then the Air might not be the best solution.

Function

The main selling point of the Juice Pack Plus is its built-in rechargeable battery. The Plus, as mentioned, packs a 2000 mAh battery, which should more than double the life of your iPhone 4. In real world testing, I found that a full charge does indeed charge my iPhone 4 completely, and even leaves a little bit of emergency juice in the tank. It won’t add much, but it should be sufficient to get you an extra call or two from a completely dead phone.

For me, a battery case isn’t an all-the-time accessory, but I always love having one on hand for when I think I might need it, like when I’ll be away from home for a few days. Since my use is sporadic, I appreciate a spare battery or battery case that can hold its charge for a decent length of time. The Juice Pack Plus seems to live up to my needs in this regard. It didn’t lose much of its charge after lying neglected for even five days, the longest period it remained unused during my testing.

Unlike the iPhone 3GS Juice Pack Air, the Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 4 comes on and off the device smoothly and easily. The two parts of the Plus manage to separate with very little effort, and yet it feels snug and secure when on the phone. It’s the biggest design improvement in my opinion, which is a good thing because that used to be its only major deficiency.

Finally, the Juice Pack Plus actually operates as a speaker enhancement for the iPhone 4, and it works very well in that capacity. Simple cutouts at the bottom of the case redirect sound from the iPhone’s speakers toward the user. It’s much harder to block sound with your thumb while operating the device thanks to this unique design.

Verdict

Battery cases are not for everyone. They add considerable heft to your device, even when they’re made well and designed to be as slim as possible, like the Juice Pack Plus. But if you consistently need extra power for your iPhone, then there’s nothing in the world quite as well suited to the task. And the Mophie Juice Pack Plus is a very good example of how to do a battery case right.

Highs: Actually doubles battery life; solid, ergonomic, comfortable design; pass-through sync and charge.

Lows: Adds bulk; somewhat plain looking.

If you’re looking for an iPhone 4 battery case, this is the one to get. It’s pricier and less flashy than the Juice Pack Air, but it packs much more power and doesn’t take up any more room in your pocket. Even if you’re not sure whether or not you actually need a backup battery case, the solid, smart design of the Juice Pack Plus might just convince you that you do.

Disclosure: The ZAGGmate tested was provided by the manufacturer for review purposes.
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Take the Setup Out of iOS Device Holiday Gifting
When I was a kid, and even as an adult, the phrase "some assembly required" turned the excitement of ripping the wrapping paper off a gift into an unappreciated lesson in delayed gratification. If you’re giving an iPad, an iPod touch or an iPhone as a gift this year, a bit of prep work in advance can make sure your giftee avoids a similar experience. Here's an ordered checklist to make sure the “out-of-the-box” experience is the best it can be. Note that many of these steps require that you share a home with the person you’ve bought the iOS device for, and some require a high degree of trust and familiarity.

1. Update iTunes

iTunes is the gatekeeper for all the iOS devices. Without the latest version, not all device features may work. Whether you’re on a Mac or a PC, use the Apple Software Update to make sure you have the latest version of all Apple-related software. This might require additional updates and restarts. You may need the password of an administrator on the computer and have the ability to install software. If you have multiple computers in your home, it's best to update them all to the same version to take advantage of Home Sharing and other features.

2. Find your wireless network name and password

Once a wireless network is set up, you usually never need to enter the password again. Not everyone knows the name of their wireless network (referred to as SSID or network identifier) or the wireless password. For Mac users, go to the Airport icon in the Menu bar and note the name of the network checked — that's your network name. If you don't know your password, go to Keychain Access in the Utilities folder. Search for that network name and click "Show Password." Now you have the network name and password in order to later join your iOS device to your home network. Sorry, no equally magic way of figuring this out. If you can't find your network password, you may have to reset your modem or wireless router to factory settings and start fresh.

3. Find the Apple ID and password

Your Apple ID is what you use to purchase content on iTunes. If the git recipient already has an Apple ID, knowing that ID and password will go a long way towards getting them set up. The ID should appear in the upper right hand corner of the iTunes screen when you click on the iTunes Store. Many families share an ID, so you should be fine if you already know it. If the recipient doesn't already have an Apple ID and you don't want to share yours with them, you need to come up with an excuse to create one for them. Apple will send them confirmation, so if you set one up a new one in advance, they may be tipped off that they’re getting something from Apple. More than one surprise has been ruined this way. You can tell them you’re gifting them an album from the iTunes store as a way of hiding the real present.

4. Find email account credentials

This is another one that will require a high level of trust between gifter and giftee. To setup email on the device, obtaining this password in advance will solve some hassles. If you have the info and your gift recipient stores a lot of their info on the cloud, you can even get the device ready to go with contacts, calendars and more right upon opening. If the device you’re purchasing is for someone who doesn’t use a computer that much to begin with, like maybe grandpa or grandma for instance, you might want to set them up with a brand new email and build out the contacts list yourself to make things extra easy for them.

5. Connect your device to the owner's computer

iPhones are difficult to set up in advance, so at this point, you've done about all you can do. Activating the phone in advance could cause problems for the recipient. Continue reading on, though so you have an exact game plan after the box is opened. However, for the iPod touch and the iPad, you'll want to begin the activation and registration process before wrapping. You'll need the recipient’s Apple ID, which I mentioned in step 3. Activation servers may be slow Christmas morning, so this is a great thing to do ahead of time.

6. Perform your first sync

Many computer owners have impressive photo collections they want to carry with them on their iDevices. iTunes needs to optimize these photos for the device and that can take over an hour for a large collection. One of the first things I notice new iOS owners do is figure out their wallpaper and they need their photo collection to do it. Earn a few bonus points by custom configuring the wallpaper and lock screen in advance. You can also stock the device with some music and movies you know your gift recipient will like.

7. Update the firmware

Most likely, your device will need an update. Check by plugging it in to iTunes and clicking the “Check for Update” button if you aren’t notified immediately In particular the iPad 4.2 update is a major enhancement that brings it to parity with the iPhone OS. This update can take up to 45 minutes, so again this is a great candidate for setup in advance. The update shouldn't be interrupted and the device will be offline during this time.

8. Add the device to your wireless network

Now that you've got everything synced up, updated, and optimized, now's the time to add it to your wireless network. Sure, this is an easy step, so long as you followed my advice above and found out your network name and password in advance. For the iPad 3G, I recommend against setting up a data plan at this point since you'll be paying for time spent in the box. If you’re wrapping it up Christmas Eve, though, then paying for one month of service might be a nice additional touch.

9. Add email accounts for web-based email

If the recipient uses an application-based email program (Apple Mail, Outlook, Entourage, etc) and you chose to keep email sync enabled, iTunes should have copied those settings over without a problem. However, if the recipient is using web-based email such as Gmail, AOL or Yahoo, you'll need to configure that on the device manually. Go to Settings, then to Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and then add the account using the password you obtained in advance.

10. Add the apps

Let's face it, it's all about the apps. If they already have another iOS device, you can sync their existing library. If moving from an iPod touch or an iPhone to an iPad, you might consider buying a few iPad-specific version of their favorites. If you’re completely new to the iPad, check out some of our guides and roundups for some great software. Remember that if you buy paid or even free apps with an Apple ID, Apple emails a confirmation, so make sure the recipient doesn't see those confirmations lest your surprise is ruined.

Now you are ready to power down the device, put it back in the box, and wrap it for placement under the tree. Don't make the mistake of throwing the little bits of overwrap and apple stickers in the trash — I know of more than one surprise ruined that way.

You might not be able to follow all these steps, but the more you can, the better. Opening a device that requires hours of setup until it can be properly used is a lot less exciting than opening one that powers on ready to go.

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Many iPhone Apps Share Your Private Data
Many of your iPhone apps may be sharing much more of your data with other companies than you might suspect, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. Among the info being passed along is a user’s name, location, age, gender and your phone’s unique device identifier (UDID).

The WSJ tested 101 popular apps for iPhone and Android, and found that 56 transmitted the device’s unique identifier to companies that weren’t the app’s developer or publisher without asking consent first; 47 apps transmitted location data without permission; and five sent age, gender and other personal info without notification or request for consent.

The iPhone apps in the test overall transmitted more information than the Android apps transmitted. The Android market might not be a curated software selling platform like the App Store, but apparently that doesn’t mean that iOS apps can still leak data while not technically violating any of Apple’s rules.

Some big names were among the apps tested. For example, Pandora sent age, gender, location and UDID data to various ad networks. TextPlus 4 (free text messaging app) sent the UDID to eight ad companies, and zip code, user age and gender to two more. In one of the worst cases, an iPhone game called Pumpkin Maker transmits live location data to an ad network without even asking a user permission to use locations services, in clear violation of Apple’s rules, yet it remains available for sale.

In fact, according to Apple’s stated policy, iPhone apps are not allowed to “transmit data about a user without obtaining the user’s prior permission and providing the user with access to information about how and where the data will be used.” Yet many of the apps tested by the WSJ appear to violate this rule, and Apple declined to discuss its understanding of what the rule means in practice.

The info passed along by these apps is used by advertisers to build a user profile for the purposes of targeted advertising and marketing campaigns. For many of the services involved in the apps mentioned, you actually agree to provide your info to third-party companies when you initially sign up (in that lengthy user agreement you scrolled right through without reading). Chances are, if an app requests use of your location, or wants you to provide your age, gender, etc., it isn’t just out of curiosity, especially if it’s a free app, in which case data farming may be the only way the app gathers revenue.

I know why companies don’t make this practice clear to users. If you foreground the fact that you’re gathering info just to it share with many others, then people will be far less likely to use your app, even if you explain that info won’t be used to identify or target you personally, but will instead help paint a picture of a general category of customer. That’s hard to explain in an alert dialog box.

Still, in this case, Apple seems to be selectively fulfilling its role of stewardship with regard to iPhone software. If the company feels it has a responsibility to monitor the apps it provides through its storefront for questionable and inappropriate content, then it should also provide fair warning that some of these apps want to collect and distribute more of your data than you feel comfortable sharing.

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