Alex Reads Me My PDFs

While on my treadmill, I try to do something productive to keep my mind occupied and less on the exercise.  Lately I've been trying to read some pdfs of books or manuals while walking or cycling in the fitness center.  I really like audio books as they are easier to manipulate, especially on the treadmill.

I have been pursuing the means to have my pdfs or books read to me. I have found that there are a couple of ways to accomplish this feat if you don't mind a robot reading to you.

First Attempt - Using Voice Over with iBooks

First, I tried using the built in "voice over" option on my iPad. This entails enabling "voice over" in the Settings of your iPad. Under General, you will find "accessibility" option> triple click home button> which I set to "voice over."  When you want something read to you on your ipad, you enable the voice over by hitting the home button rapidly in succession three times.  When you do this, the other home gestures get really confusing. Selecting something then requires two clicks of home button instead of one.  This can be frustrating at first.  Usually I only turn this feature on after I have started iBooks.

Once I have iBooks running and have selected a pdf file to have read, I then triple click the home button turning on the voice over (which is a woman's voice).  Then you have to select the first word or sentence (which can be tricky) and using two fingers swipe downward.  The voice will start reading and continue through the article.  It is pretty frustrating at times, but once it is engaged, works for the duration of my workout.

Second Attempt - Audio Created Using Cntl Clicking Selected Text

Today, I decided to try a different method.  The Mac system allows you to select text in a pdf file that you load into Preview, and then to control click the selected text.  You will see an option to send text to iTunes.

You have a choice of voices (I select Alex).  You choose where to put the audio files in iTunes.  I usually just put them in the Music section.  

Generally, I select one chapter or a section of the pdf or book.  I send each to iTunes.  Using command I in iTunes you can enter the author's name, edit the chapter title, add a track number and any other information you wish like Genre: Books to each audio clip.  

When I finish saving each track or chapter to iTunes, I then create a playlist, sorted by track to get them in order.   

 Moving Audio Files to My iPad without Syncing

Next step is to move these files to a folder on your desktop.  Using command-shift N, create a folder on your desktop. Now select all the files in the playlist and drag them to the new folder.

Note: I have set my iTunes preferences> devices> to NOT auto-synch my devices (ipods, ipads, and iphones).  

Run iTunes.  Connect your iPad to your Mac. Your iPad should show up under devices in the left-hand side of the iTunes window. Select Apps tab.  YOU WILL NOT BE SYNCING.
To move the files to your iPad without having to sync your iPad is accomplished by using the File Sharing option available under the Apps tab.  SCROLL DOWN to see this section.

I use the GoodReader app to read pdfs and also to access documents from Google Drive (Google Docs) and to also listen to audio files.  When I scroll down in my Apps Tab, I see a list of apps that allow transfer of files from my Mac to my iPad/iPhone without having to sync my devices.  It is especially nice to use this method to add files to your devices that are on your Mac laptops or other computer than the one you originally used to sync your device.

I select GoodReader from the left hand column and then see the files that are currently stored on my ipad in the right-hand section of the window.  I then select all the files on my desktop in the newly created folder and drag them to this right-hand section.  They are now quickly moved to my iPad. DO NOT click the SYNC button - it is not used to transfer these files!

I then eject my iPad using the small up arrow next to my iPad device name in the far left-hand column (under Devices) and disconnect my iPad.  Whoala!  I now have the audio files in GoodReader My Documents section and I merely click on the audio to listen to the book.  Alex reads to me.




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I Can Sing with Songify iPhone App - It's Easy

This morning I kept receiving singing messages from my children who were out and about exploring and having a good time.  They have been keeping me up to date on their daily adventures from having breakfast to traveling on a ferry to go to the beach.  Something very cool about hearing an audio message instead of just reading an email, especially when that message is set to the beat of music. 

The iphone app Songify is available in the apps store for free and has several installed musical genres and songs that you can use with your recorded message.  The software analyzes your voice and composes music to match.  I've never been able to rap, but now I might.  The software also allows you to buy various other tunes for options.  Even if you can't sing it still works great.  You also have options to allow duets and sharing with Facebook and Twitter, as well as emailing to your friends.

Check it out. Click here for iTunes link.  It is marvelous and fun and a very clever app - I know you will love it!

Here is a sample:  http://khu.sh/usersong_4e18cf5070a30 Tweet

Testing iPad 2 Audio and Camera Photo Post to Cinchcast.com

I was given the option to take a photo with the rear or the front facing cameras. This was a photo using the rear camera that was posted on cinchcast.com

If you haven't tried cinchcast.com it is a site that allows audio posting, via your computer or phone or iphone/ipad or android apps. Tweet

Restoring the Clicking Sound for Volume Keys on My Mac

Oddly, sometime in the past I set a preference somewhere on my Mac,  that effected the normal clicking sound that occurs when you use the two volume control buttons on the top row of the Mac keyboard.  Last night I noticed the missing clicks and decided to put the click sound back. 

Alas, trying to find the place to restore the click sounds led me to exploring the Systems Preferences.  I explored various settings in the keyboard settings and could not find a solution.  This morning I checked the Sound Preferences, specifically the Sound Effects Tab and found my solution:

I had to check the box that indicates: Play feedback when volume is changed. 

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Using Google VoiceMail for Audio on Website

Google Voice is a bit confusing and I am still learning how to use it fully.  Basically you are assigned what I call a 'Universal" phone number to give out to friends, family and clients.  Thus you don't have to give out your real phone numbers to others.  The thing about Google Voice is that it provides a central place to get your voicemail and also allows you to forward this Universal phone number to your home phone, your celll phone, your business phone and also to your Google Chat (Google Chat is also known as Google Talk which is basically a way to chat or talk via your computer to other people's phones using your microphone).   

Google Voicemail is available on your Google Voice profile where you can listen to your messages via your headset or speakers on your computer.  Google even provides a free service that can transcribe any audio voice message and email you the text of this voicemail.  These transcriptions aren't always entirely right and at times can be quite funny to read.  

A few weeks ago, I noticed that there were options available for these voicemails, that I found intriguing.    You can get the EMBED code for this voicemail message and put it on other sites.  YES, you guessed it - another way to get audio to your blog. 

The voicemail is restricted to 3 minutes as far as I can tell, but you could do continual sections or parts to EMBED if you really have to go on and on.


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Which Headset for My iPad?

Many people complain about the headsets that Apple supplies with their iPods and iPhones, those that  are so uncomfortable to wear.  So I decided to give a brief description of the headset that I use not only for my iPad and iPhone while traveling, but also use with my Mac during the day.

I use the least expensive Grado SR60 headset that sells for about $79.   I consider this headset an excellent buy for anyone who wants the sound quality of headphones costing $250 or more.  I have found they are comfortable for wearing hours at a time.  They  sound great playing music on an iPad with the IPod app and sound much better than the inexpensive earbuds that Apple supplies with their iPods and iPhones.

The headset has an adjustable headband, comfortable large foam cushions, sturdy cable and a 3.5mm plug with 1/4" adapter.  They are the "open" type so you can hear what is going on in the room as opposed to the "closed" type which blocks out the room sound.  So, you can hear the telephone or door bell ring while wearing these headphones. With these  headphones you will get excellent sound and still be able to hear what is going on in the room.

They can be purchased at www.bhphotovideo.com which is an excellent online store with a user friendly interface for buying audio, video, camera, or computer gear.  They can also be found on Amazon.com online.

I also carry a pair of Earbuds from Griffin which cost about $20.   These earbuds have the microphone and switch just like the earbuds that came with the iPhone.  These earbuds are more comfortable than the earbuds that came with the iPhone and our handy to carry in my handbag when needed while out and about.



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Airplay and Pandora

Like most people I enjoy the Pandora radio app, which gives me access to my favorite music channels while surfing the web.

Today, I was wondering if the Pandora app could utilize the new Airplay feature in iOS 4.2 and stream this music from my iPhone or iPad to my house speakers. Well, it can.

Log into your Pandora app on your mobile device. Select your favorite music channel and then start playing the channel.


After selecting the music channel to play, the player will be displayed on your mobile device. Notice the small blue up arrow icon in the lower right hand corner of the player. This is the access to your remote speakers that you can utilize via Airplay. Click on this arrow to display the speaker choices.


As you can see, in the illustration below: I have the option to listen to Pandora music through my iPhone speakers or headset, my house speakers hooked to an airport express base station or the speakers hooked to my Piano via airport express base. Select the speakers and viola you have music streaming remotely throughout your house.


Many of the musical or audio apps on your mobile devices can be played via this method. Just hook up some speakers to Airport Express base stations and setup on your Mac using Airport Utility application, then select your apps and Mac applications (iTunes for one) and try them out.

Music soothes the soul.

NOTE: The iPad version of Pandora doesn't seem to have the up arrow icon on its player. However, you can start playing a channel in Pandora on the iPad and then using multitasking capabilities of iOS 4.2, switch to your iPod player app and set the speakers through that app and then go back to your Pandora app and the music will stream through the external speakers. This little trick using iPod player app to set the speaker choice works with other apps like Netflix where you wish to stream a movie to your iPad, but have the sound come out some external airplay speakers. Tweet

musicalTouch - Airplay Connection from my iPad to Speakers in Disklavier

I've been exploring the Airplay feature in the iOS 4.2 update for Apple mobile devices. Yesterday I streamed music I played on the virtual keyboard in an app called musicalTouch.

musicalTouch provides 5 instrumental voices for the user to play on the virtual keyboard: piano, guitar, organ, syntheszer and electronic Bass. I must say the quality of the audio samples used for these 5 voices are amazing. There are also 10 unique drum loops of varying types: Pop, R&B, R&B2, Rap, Rap2, Dance, House, Techno, Rock, and Jazz, that allowed me to have a drum accompaniment as I played.

Some of the other features that are implemented in this app include the ability to overlay the key notes on the keys to facilitate learning and teaching tunes. But the best feature, was the newly implemented ability to be able to multitask and utilize Airplay. I was amazed at the ability to record and play my newly created tune remotely through the speakers on my Disklavier piano in the living room upstairs. The quality of the piano audio sample voice was so good, that it sounded like the piano was actually being played rather than just coming through the speakers.

Check this app out at: http://www.chriskhoury.com/home/applications/applications.html

Chris Khoury has an interesting app that might be of interest to some of you budding musicians out there. Now if only this app could somehow implement the midi functions and send those to my Disklavier and really play those keys. Tweet

Making Ringtones in iTunes Works!

There has been a lot of posts about iTunes 10 not allowing custom ringtone creation.  I found that I was still able to create a ringtone from my favorite iTunes selections by using the following method:

(1)  Select the song in your iTunes library and then using cmd I to bring up the information box about that song.  Click on the Options tab and then check the 'Start Time' and enter '0:40' for the 'End Time' for that song or some interval of the song clip that is equal to or less than 40 seconds.



(2)  Select that same tune in your iTunes library and right click (using a Mac) to bring up the contextual menu and select 'Create AAC Version'.  You should then notice the addition of the same song in the iTunes list with the shorter time length.

(3)  Select the short version of the ringtone from the iTunes list and then hit the delete key.  The option to 'Remove' the file will then be selected and the option to 'Keep File' should be selected at this time.

(4)  Bring up a finder search window and type in the name of the song, until you locate the file that you kept which is located in your iTunes library and has the extension .m4a

Using 'cmd I' bring up the Get Info window for this m4a file and change the .m4a extension in this information window to .m4r

(5)  The file that is located in the directory should now have .m4r as an extension and by double clicking on this file, it should automatically be loaded into the Ringtone Section of iTunes as illustrated below:

You can rename the ringtone by clicking on the name in the iTunes directory if you wish. 

(6)  Connect your iPhone to iTunes via cable and then sync your new ringtone.  Remember to select that ringtone in the Sync Ringtone tab when your  iPhone is connected and then click on Apply or Sync.

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Airport Express or Airport Extreme?

        Cons to getting an Airport Express:

           1.  Airport Express will only handle 10 wireless connections at a time instead of 50 for the Extreme. However, 10 is more than enough for the typical household. So, the limit of 10 is not really a disadvantage. 

           2.  The USB port on the Airport Express can be connected to only a printer, whereas the USB port on the "Extreme" can also handle a hard drive for a central backup drive for several household computers. But, if network backup capability is not needed this is not really a disadvantage.

        Pros for getting an Airport Express:

          1. The Airport Express is less expensive (i.e. $99 compared to $179).

          2. The Airport Express has an additional feature called "AirTunes" which is not included with the Airport Extreme. This "Air Tunes" feature allows you to play iTunes music from any Mac thru your home stereo system (or whatever).  There is also an App for the iPhone which makes the iPhone a remote control for song selection, volume, etc.  However, you need a single audio cable connection running from the Airport Express (audio output jack) to the home stereo system (any audio input). This would be an easy connection if the Airport Express were in the living room. But the ethernet internet cable (and USB printer cable) also needs to connect to the Airport Express. So, to use this "Air Tunes" feature you would need to route an audio cable thru the wall (or floor) into the living room (or buy a 2nd AirPort Express).

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Exploring iTunes 10 with Ping

Just finished installing the latest update to iTunes 10, which now connects users to Music artists and new friends who share like music interests in Ping, a new social media group.

To join the Ping group, select start up and fill in your profile information with musical likes and get connected to others who have similar interest and to suggested artists from Ping.  Follow them in a   Facebook type layout where you can leave comments and discussions about your favorite songs, music, genre or artists.  You can opt in or out of the Ping world, by selections made in your iTunes account settings.

Also included in iTunes 10 is a new column view with pictures as illustrated below:

The 'Help' menu offers 'iTunes Tutorials' which will quickly help any new iTunes user via short and illustrative videos that explain the main features of iTunes including: following Music and People with Ping, Exploring your iTunes Library, Importing CD's, ...   The 'Help' menu also has helps for Apple TV, iPod Help, iPhone Help, iPad Help, and others.

You are now able to rent TV programs some in HD for 99 cents from the iTunes store.  You can view these on your iPod Touch, iPhone, computer or Apple TV (2nd generation).  You have 30 days to watch and episode and 48 hours from the time you push 'play'.  You can view the episode as many times as you wish during that 48 hour period.

HD rentals are available for iPhone 4 or iPod Touch (generation 4) or computer.  However, if you download a rented TV show on your iPhone 4, or iPod touch (4th generation): It is not transferable to any other device or computer.  You can download it to your computer, but once it is transferred to another device it will disappear from your computer's iTunes library.


iOS4.1 is required to run on iPhone 4 or iPod Touch and iTunes 10 is required for renting on your computer.  Currently these TV rentals are only available in US.


The option to share iPhotos, via iTunes is accessed under the Advanced Menu option.  Click on Choose Photos to Share and then select the photos from another window that is displayed.  These photos can be shared with a second generation Apple TV using Home Sharing.

Another feature that I wanted to point out to users of iTunes (even for previous iTunes 9), if you wish to sync a pdf file from iTunes to your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.  Click on the 'Books' tab on the left hand side of iTunes Window.  You can drag the pdf from your desktop into the 'Books' section displayed on the right hand side.  These will be viewable with iBooks app.  



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