@tech

Now for a long overdue word or two on apps.  I do like the apps.  Some are just silly and fun and some are quite useful little tools to have.  However, before going on an apps safari, let’s take a look at the built-in apps and get learn how to get them organized.

Built-in or Native Apps

The iPhone comes with several apps included from Apple.  Some are okay but I find not all are useful for my purposes.  Several I will never use, and so far Apple won’t allow you to remove any, so I have created a folder (more on this in a bit) called ‘OOTW’ (out of the way) and stuffed them in there.  These apps are Stocks, Passbook, Apple’s Weather, Maps and Calendar.  Newsstand I also have no use for but it won’t allow you to place into a folder.  The ‘OOTW’ folder and Newsstand are on the last ‘page’ of my iPhone where they are rarely seen.  The native Apple apps I do use are Contacts, Camera, Safari, Clock, Music, Messaging, and of course Phone.

Finding and Managing Apps

Another built-in app is Apple’s iTunes.  You can of course use this to manage your music collection on your iPhone and sync it to your computer of choice, but you can also find, download, and manage your apps within iTunes.  In fact that’s how Apple has designed it to work.  But not only can you do this in your phone, you can use iTunes on your computer to find and manage all of your apps on your iPhone.  You will also be able to select which apps are actually installed on your phone, backup your phone, sync your calendars and contacts, and more.  This is how I’ve opted to manage apps especially because I can have hundreds of apps downloaded on my computer, but due to memory limitations on my phone, only have a select few installed at any one time.  This is handy for testing apps that are similar.  I can download several and test one at a time on my phone until I find one that I prefer.  Saving the space on my phone for things more important, such as MUSIC or pictures.  This method also has the advantage of allowing me to use a mouse to manage my phone, which I find much easier than a finger on a tiny screen.

App Overload

One thing I discovered quickly is you can get too many apps really fast and have a real confusing mess on your hands.  So it’s best to have some method of organizing apps as soon as possible before it gets out of control.  Thankfully Apple gave us the ability to create folders which is a great way to keep apps organized and tidy so you can quickly find the one you want.  I highly recommend this.

Creating Folders

First, it’s helpful to have at least 2 apps you want in a folder together on the same page in your iPhone.  Press with your finger on one of those app icons and hold until all app icons on your screen jiggle.  Yes, jiggle.  There’s no better way to describe this.  Now slide one of your apps on to the other app and suddenly a folder is created and when you remove your finger from the screen both apps will be in this new folder together.  You’ll also be prompted to name the new folder.  Something to describe that category of apps is helpful, such as “Music” or “Games”, etc.  To add more apps to this folder, while the icons are jiggling, use your finger to move the app icon in to the folder.  Use the same process in reverse to remove an app from a folder.

It’s good to note you can also manage your folders in iTunes as well, making life much easier for those of us with fat fingers.

A good article with some ideas on organizing your apps can be found on MakeUseOf.

With my next post I will begin to review some apps I’ve found to be very useful, or just simply amusing.