iPhone scan Live Text from keyboard

December 14, 2022 by

Today I learned …. In addition to scanning text from photos and using the copy/paste text from photos features, on my iPhone 14 (with iOS 16) I can scan “live text” right from within the keyboard.

Mistakenly, I was looking for an activation icon in the keyboard area.

This feature isn’t very discoverable (at least it wasn’t to me) because this is not activated from the keyboard, it’s activated from the text entry area. Touch the input area or text box you want to type. You may be used to using this area to touch to enable the copy/paste menu or text selection. On the menu now, you’ll also see the scan text icon.

This will swap out the keyboard area with a camera, where you can point at text in your camera lens, then touch to select the text you want to enter and insert.

From here, the feature works the same as when scanning text from a photo and then using copy/paste. The benefit of the keyboard is … you don’t have to pop out to take a picture first. Just scan right into the data entry text field.

I hope this helps!

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: ,

Microsoft OneDrive vs. DropBox

June 8, 2014 by

OneDrive from Microsoft wins over Drop Box, just because of it’s “Make Available Online Only” feature. Drop box has this (sort of) with what they call Selective Sync. The problem with Selective Sync is … it’s folder based, and it’s all or nothing. OneDrive let’s you right click any file, and select online only. You can choose to do this by directory as well. Then All child directories and files are marked online only.

So much better than drop box, because the file APPEARS to still be on your machine. Even images, have their tiny thumbnails. if anything needs that file, it’s downloaded on demand, as if it was there the whole time.

My laptop has a nice little 256GB SSD. and today I rec’d a warning of < 10% available. I had a bunch of Videos, that of course I want to keep, but needed the space. They’ve already been synced to OneDrive, so they are currently on all my machines and phones. Right Click, Online Only, and BOOM the Vid Directory is online only, and I have 35 more GB of available space.

Really nice. Heck for all I know, there is a way to do this with DropBox now, and I just don’t know it. BUT … if they don’t have that … they really need it.

If you’re new to OneDrive, use my referral link and we’ll each get some extra free storage space.

Filed Under: Technology

Request ATT to Unlock your Phone

June 8, 2014 by

If your mobile provider is ATT, head on over to http://att.com/deviceunlock and request to unlock your phone. This process takes 3-5 days, so do it before you leave if you’re heading international. If successful, you’ll be able to buy any local (compatible) sim card, and have a much cheaper talk/text/data plan that paying the Int’l roaming rates.

You’ll need you phone IMEI number, which you can grab without powering off your device by dialing #*06# (UPDATE: *#06# is correct) and pressing SEND on your phone. TIP : TRICK: Do this for all your devices, even your old unused devices. They are great hand-me-downs, give-a-ways, and backup phones, when you break your screen 🙂 Why not do this now, even if you don’t have a trip coming up. Best to have it unlocked so if/when you need it, it’ll be available for you.

Filed Under: Technology

QRCode scanner in Windows Phone 8.1

April 19, 2014 by

Did you know there is a native QRCode scanner inside your Windows Phone? It’s been moved around from Windows Phone (7,75,8) and in 8.1, it’s now part of your camera, as a lens named Bing Vision.

This quick screen cast shows you how / where to find and use the QRCode scanner.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: , , ,

Windows Phone: Lost Screen App

April 19, 2014 by

You just realized you don’t have your phone in your pocket or purse! #Panic! #Panic! You’re also safety conscience, and you have a lock on your phone. Now all the good people of the world, have been limited on how they can return your phone. You’re only hope is you remember where it is, and go back and get it. Sure there is Login to WindowsPhone.com and use the FindMyPhone feature. OK, I’ll give you that. Remote Ring, Remote Secure Wipe …. those are nice features. This nice little app, by Scott Hanselman ( @shanselman on twitter ) will also help get your phone back the next time you leave it behind!

This quick video/screen cast shows you how to setup the app, and add your private information to the lock screen on your phone.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: , ,
Next Page »