18 Thursday Jan 2018
12 Friday Jan 2018
Posted in casa azahar, cats, computers, iphone
So HEIC is the name Apple chose for its new HEIF standard for photos. HEIF stands for High Efficiency Image Format, a more streamlined way to store image files. Using advanced, modern compression methods it allows digital photographs to be created in smaller files sizes, while retaining higher image quality than its JPEG alternative. Which sounds great EXCEPT that nobody else is using this format other than Apple, so it won’t download on my computer, blah blah…
After locating an app that would convert HEIC to JPEG, a friend told me that it was actually possible to turn off the HEIC option on the phone, so I have now done that. I mean, I now have 256 GBs and am sure I’ll never get up to using even half of that, so I’m not really interested in saving space. Anyhow, Morcilla looks just as pretty in JPEG, wouldn’t you agree?
11 Thursday Jan 2018
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So this is my fifth iPhone, and it’s quite exciting. You may recall when I got it for my birthday the other day (thanks Peter!) that I wasn’t sure if I should upgrade to the 256 GB model. Well, I decided to do that, but then came the issue of finding a case for it that would protect the phone without completely hiding the beautiful design. I tend to go with bumpers, but couldn’t find any, so ended up buying a “good enough for now” cheapy case at one of the many phone shops around. It’s cute, ruby red, whatever. It’s good enough for now.
But then I wondered if I should also get a screen protector. So I asked at one shop and they said it was highly recommended as replacing the screen on an iPhone X costs 600€ (wtf?). And when I asked how the protector actually protects, the guy took out a sample phone, and a heavy pair of scissors, and proceeded to theatrically bash the shit out of the screen with the scissor handles, with no visible damage. I explained to the guy that I was not about to bash my phone and that I was more interested in how a screen protector would actually protect the original screen if it was dropped. And instead of throwing the demo phone across the shop to prove his point he simply assured me that the protector would also protect the screen from breaking if dropped. But… how? It’s just a thin film of “protection” stuff. Surely the force of hitting the ground, screen protector or not, would cause the original screen to shatter. No?
I ask because I have never used a screen protector, even back when they cost 2 euros and only protected from surface scratches. But now they cost 15-25 euros, so I’m a bit sceptical. Do these things really work? Are they worth it?
25 Tuesday Oct 2016
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Frustrated with the latest iOS update, which has taken away the “swipe screen to open” option, so now I have to click on the home button. Conspiracy theories abound on Twitter, mostly about how wearing out the home button will make us all have to buy new iPhones. Then a Twitter pal posted this seemingly easy solution…
Settings>General>Accessibility>Home Button>Rest Finger to Open
However that only appears to work if you are using the Touch ID option, which I can’t do because I have no fingerprints. So now what?
28 Thursday Jul 2016
Posted in food & drink, iphone, sevilla, tapas, teaching
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A few shots from last week’s food photography workshop hosted by Pando Restaurantes and led by the amazing Manolo Manosalbas (in the black shirt). You can read more about it over on Azahar Sevilla, and also see the photos I took. We also got to eat our subjects. 🙂
20 Friday Nov 2015
When I got my first iPhone in January 2009 ol’ camera shy me thought that a good way of showing my mug as an avatar (instead of using a cat or an orange) would be to take a selfie with my cute new phone covering most of my face. And of course the best day to do this would be just after a haircut (and professional blow-dry) so that my usual frizzy “pelo frito” look would be more or less subdued. Thus began a tradition of creating a new avatar with each new iphone. And today was no exception. So here are all my bathroom selfies with iphones 3, 4, 5S and 6S, taken roughly two years apart. You’ll notice that more of my face shows each time, and that I was less free with the obvious touch ups on my most recent pic (though I did allow myself a couple of clicks on the “halo” filter). Vanity, eh?
13 Friday Nov 2015
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This has been on my mind for some time. Actually for quite a long while, ever since they released the iPhone 6 last year. But by the time I started seriously thinking about upgrading (this past spring) a client told me to wait until they released the iPhone 6S in September. Which actually ended up being in October, but whatever.
It was released. I looked. I wanted. I bought it today. Hello Pippin IV! My lovely Pippin III now looks rather chubby and clumsy in comparison. And there really wasn’t anything wrong with III, but I was keen to get a larger screen and also that sexy camera everyone has been talking about. Plus I’m sure there are other options that I will discover I can’t live without. So yeah. My brand new iPhone. I’m already in love…
27 Saturday Sep 2014
14 Thursday Nov 2013
So when I bought my new iPhone last week I bought these plasticky-rubbery clear covers for both the new one and the old one (pictured on the right). The woman at the shop said not to mind what looks like condensation under the case because it would eventually disappear.
But a week later it’s still there (and I assume on my new one too but I can’t see it as it’s pale grey at the back).
My question is… is this bad for the phone? Being damp all the time? I’ve wiped both surfaces several times until they feel totally dry but as soon as I put the cover on I get this again. Or maybe this happens with all covers but I’ve never noticed before because they aren’t see through?
Help?
06 Wednesday Nov 2013
Posted in gadgets, internet, iphone, retail therapy, work
Meet Pippin III … my third iPhone.
After much hemming and hawing and traipsing back and forth between the two main mobile phone/internet stores here, I finally picked up my new iPhone 5S last night. Also named Pippin. And with the most beautiful screen lock photo ever…
Things didn’t go so smoothly with the set-up as the guy helping me with this in the store ran out of time and patience (apparently I had too much stuff for him to transfer) and I was told I could just log into iTunes and transfer all the info from there. Except it turns out I mustn’t have saved things there like I thought I had. So today I’ve been restoring apps one by one and lamenting that I’ve lost ALL my messages. But whatever. The new phone looks and feels great. Very sleek and chic. I’m very interested to find out what I can do with the new improved camera (though the one on my old iPhone 4 was fabulous). Still not sure what to do with my old iPhone. I didn’t turn it in because what with this and that I would’ve only got 39 euros for it, and I could easily sell it for more than that if I wanted to. But I’m not even sure I want to do that. Might just keep it as a back-up. But I should probably lay off the retail therapy for awhile…
What was the last electronic gadget you bought?
My tapas tour guest Ron had a brand new iPhone 6 AND HE LET ME HOLD IT IN MY HAND.