Each year, Apple holds their annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) at which they usually announce new products and updates to existing products and systems. As such, it has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year for Apple fans. This year, as with the past few, Apple didn't disappoint and introduced the next version of iOS.

The new iOS

At 2013's WWDC, Apple introduced a new and completely overhauled version of iOS - iOS 7. Now, one year on, the platform has proven to be a hit with users. This year the company has announced iOS 8, which is being set up as rhwfsfcssxasaqaan improvement over the previous version.

In fact, Apple has taken the success of last year's version of iOS and added a number of new features and updates that aim to improve on the platform while making mobile devices even easier to integrate into your daily routine.

6 Features business users will benefit from

During Apple's announcement on June 2, there were a number of great new features and updates introduced, all of which will be available when iOS 8 is released. Here are six features business users will enjoy:

1. Enterprise features - The iPhone and iPad are devices commonly used by businesses and it can be difficult for IT departments to manage these devices or for users to easily share files using company centric clouds. Apple noted that iOS 8 will come with enhanced management tools to make it easier for IT to manage devices and will also make it easier to share information and files through company clouds.
2. Better Mail app - Many Apple users simply stick with the standard Mail app for all of their email needs - linking various accounts to one platform. Mail will receive new features and updates with iOS 8, with one of the most useful being the introduction of gestures. For example, you will be able to swipe gently to the left on a message to reply, or swipe hard to delete it.
3. Improved Notifications Center - The biggest update to this feature is that you can now reply to a notification right from the screen, even if the device is locked. So instead of merely seeing that you have an email, you can reply. The bigger update is that the Notifications Center will support widgets from third party apps.
4. Continuity - One of Apple's main goals is to have a seamless user experience between their devices. With iOS 8, Apple will introduce Continuity which is a feature that will allow you to start doing something on your phone and then, at the click of a button, pick it up on your laptop and carry on without a disruption. For example, if you are on your laptop and your iPhone rings, you will be able to answer it from your computer. You will also be able to call from your Mac using your iPhone.
5. QuickType - Possibly one of the biggest complaints about the iOS centers around the keyboard. To begin with, you could only use the native keyboard and installing third-party offerings was complicated or just plain impossible. With iOS 8 you will get a new keyboard that is context sensitive, meaning it will suggest the next word based on what is already typed and the person you are texting. You will also be able to install third party keyboards like Swype.
6. Improved messaging with iMessages - In order to make messaging easier iOS 8's version of iMessages will allow you to edit a group chat's information, name, and participants. You will also be able to share audio messages and set messages to self destruct or delete after a certain amount of time.

Will I be able to get it? If so, when?

iOS 8 was officially announced on June 2, and as of the writing of this article is heading into a beta trial period. This means that it is technically available to some iPhone users who sign up to test the new version. However, we would recommend against this, especially if you use your phone for business, as there are likely bugs that could expose information on your phone.

Apple has noted that iOS 8 will be made available in the fall. If the past few years are any indication, this should be in early to mid September. Once iOS 8 is available not every mobile device will be supported. For example, the iPhone 4 will not receive the update. The same goes for the original iPad.

If you are looking to learn more about Apple's products, or iOS, and how the systems can be used in your business contact us for a chat today.

Safari is the default browser on all Apple systems. Many business users who have iPads tend to stick with this browser, largely because it offers all of the same plus points as other browsers and tends to work well on the Apple system. Safari has some great features but some, such as the Favorites Bar can remain hidden unless you activate them. The benefit of this is that this will allow you to do more with your browser.

While loading pages using Safari may happen in a blink of an eye, typing and retyping url addresses can be a hassle. Safari’s bookmarking toolbar, known as Favorites Bar, is one way to save your favorite Web addresses for future browsing. However, this is often hidden with the default setting.

By enabling the Favorites Bar on your device, you can create a handy tool to hold all your saved Web pages for future reference. You can access these files in a single click and make browsing frequently visited sites quicker and easier. Here are some steps and guidelines to assist you in using iPad’s Favorites Bar.

Show the Favorites Bar in your browser

To show your favorite pages on your Web browser, go to your device’s Settings menu and look for Safari. You’ll then see a number of options at the right side of your display. In the General Options, tap the Show Favorites Bar so that the switch turns green, indicating its activation.

Once this is enabled, you can then head back to Safari and browse as you save and edit the most important pages on your browser. These pages will be lined up below your address bar for easy access.

Add a bookmark

Add a page to your list of favorites by clicking the Share button at the left side of the address bar for that page. The dialog box will show several options, so tap Bookmark and input specific details before you hit Save.

Edit and delete saved pages

Your saved sites might be good for a long time to come or just in the short-term. When a site becomes redundant or you want to demote it, you can delete this from your bookmarks folder or place it at the bottom of your list, below more important and more frequently used sites.

To be able to do this, go to the Bookmarks button at the right of your address bar and tap on Favorites from the dropdown list. The sites you have saved will be shown. Tap Edit at the bottom right of the dialog box. You will then see a circular red button at the left side of your list while on the right side will be an arrow and a set of multiple horizontal lines at the far right.

You can delete the pages by tapping the red minus button at the left side or rearrange them by pressing the horizontal lines and dragging the pages where you prefer them to be. Tap the arrow to edit site information such as title, link, and location.

The Safari Favorites Bar can help you navigate and get to your most visited sites more easily and efficiently and being so easy to set up there really is no reason not to utilize this feature. For businesses, getting quickly to sites that are used all the time increases productivity and efficiency.

If you are looking to learn more about the iPad and how you can use it in your business, contact us today.

With the release of newer IOS versions, more features are also being made available to users. One of them is multitasking. The first versions of IOS did not have this. On these early versions, only one app could be used at a time. It was only with the release of IOS 4, that the feature was first introduced. It lets users open a new app without closing the other one. When an app is actively in use, the other opened apps run in the background and are readily available for quick access.

The benefits of multitasking

Users of supported iOS devices will benefit greatly from the new multitasking feature. If you’re using one of these devices, here are some of the advantages.

• Quick switching to other apps – when you open another application, the previous applications do not close unless you do it manually. Instead, they stay in the background ready for a quick launch. There’s no need to keep opening and closing various apps as multiple apps can be opened at once.
• Continue from where you left off – the current application that you’re using is the active app. Applications running in the background on the other hand stay how you left them, so you can continue with what you’re doing when you access them again. Some apps would still be active even while running in the background like the music player that lets you use another app while songs are being played.
• Keep all apps updated – the multitasking feature is smarter in the latest iOS release. It determines which apps you often use and make them automatically available in the background with all the latest updates, when you need to use them.

How to use the multitasking feature

Multitasking is a feature that’s automatically enabled on all supported iOS devices. Open the apps that you need to use and the inactive apps will run in the background. If you wish to switch from one app to another, here’s how you do it.

1. Double tap the physical home button on your iOS device.
2. A preview of the running apps in the background and their icons will be shown. You can see three apps at a time. If you have several apps running, swipe left or right to view more.
3. Tap on the preview of the app you wish to access. You may also tap on its icon, which will also bring up the application you selected.

The preview feature was only introduced in iOS 7. If you’re running an older OS, you would only see the icons at the bottom of the screen and not the preview.

How to kill apps that are running in the background

You may want to kill running apps running in the background for various reasons like saving battery life or due to app crash. There are two ways on how to kill apps. The old method is to press an app’s icon until the screen wiggles. A red icon on top of the app will then appear. Tapping on the icon will close the app. But if you are using iOS 7 and you have the preview, swiping it up will kill the application.

Since these apps are taking up some of your battery life, there’s no point in keeping them running unless you are flicking back to them and using them.

To many business owners and managers the iPad has become an indispensable tool. It is a really useful mobile device that allows users to stay connected with the office, and maintain productivity while they are away from their desks. One problem though is that there has never been an easy way to work on Office documents. That has recently changed though with the release of iPad optimized versions of popular Office programs.

Wait isn't that Microsoft Office Mobile?

Earlier last year Microsoft introduced Office Mobile for Office 365 subscribers. With this app users could access, create, and edit Office documents on a mobile device. The only issue with this app is that it is optimized for smaller screens e.g., the iPhone. While it is possible to use it on your iPad, optimized apps specifically for the iPad have until now been lacking.

In late March this year, Microsoft finally released iPad specific versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote. Anyone with an iPad Mini, iPad 2,4, and Air can download the apps for free from the App Store and view any related Office documents on their device.

How Office for iPad works

The best way to think of these apps is that they are simply touch versions of the popular Office programs that have been developed specifically for the iPad. Here's four things you should know about the apps:

• They're free - Currently the Word, Excel PowerPoint, and OneNote apps are available to download for free from iTunes. It is highly likely that more apps will be coming soon.
• The program links closely with your OneDrive account - OneDrive was SkyDrive until Mid February when Microsoft renamed their cloud storage service, thus allowing you to create documents on the desktop version of Office and then save them to your OneDrive and work on them on your iPad.
• Document formatting is supported - The iPad versions of the apps have the same formatting features as the desktop versions. Any formatting changes you make to documents on the desktop version can also be made on the iPad.
• Excel has a unique number pad - Many iPad users don't have a keyboard, and the numbers on the stock iPad keyboard require a number of button hits to reach. To increase usability, Excel on iPad has a special numerical keyboard.

Two caveats

We noted above that the apps are available for free. While this is correct, you will only be able to open and view documents. If you want to edit you will need an Office 365 subscription. The following Office 365 plans will allow you to open, edit, and save documents:

• Office 365 Home
• Office 365 Small Business Premium
• Office 365 Midsize Business
• Office 365 Enterprise E3 and E4
• Office Education A3 and A4
• Office 365 ProPlus
• Office 365 University
• Office 365 trial subscriptions

While the vast majority of features found on desktop apps can also be found on the iPad versions, there is one missing - for now: Printing. At this time, printing documents directly from the app is not supported. Microsoft notes that they are working on this and that this function will be introduced in a future update. For now however, your best option is to save files to OneDrive and then open these on your desktop and print from there.

Getting the apps set up on your iPad

If you have an Office 365 subscription getting the apps setup may be a little confusing. Here's how you can do it:

1. Download the apps from the App Store. (Make sure you have enough free space on your device). You can find the apps by opening iTunes and searching for: Office for iPad. Note: You will need to download each app separately.
2. Open the app and you should be asked to log in using your Microsoft account. If your business uses Office 365, or if you have an Office 365 account, enter your username and password as you usually do to access the Web and your email.

If you choose to log in using a free account to begin with, you can upgrade to an Office 365 account from the app. This can be achieved by opening the app, and clicking Activate which should be located at the bottom left of the main menu. You can then follow the app's steps to purchase an Office 365 subscription through iTunes. Alternatively, you can go to the Office 365 website and subscribe through here. Once you open the app, after your account has been updated, you should be able to access, edit, save, and share documents.

Should I get this app?

Office 365 is one of the most popular versions of Office for small to medium businesses, and many users are wondering if they should download the app to their iPad. The answer to that is that it depends on whether you want to use your iPad for work or not.

Generally speaking, business owners who have an iPad and Office 365 subscription will benefit from downloading this app. The main reason is because it offers another way to connect with the office and potentially increase productivity, especially when you are away from your desk, through greater flexibility.

If you don't have an Office 365 subscription but use Office in your business, the iPad versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint could be useful, especially if you only need to view documents. That being said, you might want to consider updating to Office 365 in order to gain full access.

Contact us today to learn more about the different plans available for your business.

One of the biggest hardware trends has to be interacting with touch, whether it's with your tablet or computer, fridge or car navigation system. Touch screens are everywhere and becoming more popular with a multitude of different devices which require certain gestures to communicate. If you're an iPad user then there are some important gestures that you should know about.

Every new iPad, and many of the older ones, run the latest version of iOS - Apple's mobile operating system. For those running iOS 7, gestures are the main way you interact with your device. While it may look weird to people who don't use them, waving your hands around, spreading your fingers, and even pinching are normal to you!

One of the greatest plus points about gestures is that when used properly, they make it simpler to interact with your device; speeding up your overall productivity. So, if you are looking to increase productivity while using your device, you should know and practice different gestures. Here are six of the most important:

1. Swipe one finger from the top

If you place your finger on the top bezel (above the viewable area of the screen) and swipe down onto the screen you will open, or slide down, the notifications center. From here you can action notifications. When you are finished slide up from the bottom of the screen to close the notifications.

2. Swipe one finger from the bottom

If you place your finger on the bezel (below the viewable area of the screen) and swipe up onto the screen you should bring up the Control Center where you can control the important settings on your iPad. To close simply swipe down.

3. Swipe one finger down

Place your finger anywhere on the viewable area of the screen and swipe down. This will open up the Search bar where you can search for almost anything on your iPad, including apps, emails, music, and more. To close this bar, simply tap the home button, or tap anywhere on the screen other than where the keyboard or search bar are.

4. Swipe four fingers up

If you place four fingers anywhere on the screen you will bring up thumbnails that represent the apps that you have open. If you swipe up on a thumbnail, you will close the app.

5. Swipe four fingers left or right

With apps open, you can place four fingers on the screen and swipe to the left or right. This will switch to other open apps. You can swipe the opposite direction with your fingers to go back to another app, if you sweep to the left again, you should bring up a list of recently used apps.

6. Grab with five fingers

If you are in an app and want to quickly get to the homescreen place all five fingers on the screen and pinch them together. This will shrink the app into your home screen. You can open it again by swiping four fingers up and selecting it.

If you are looking to learn more about using your iPad in your business, contact us today to see how we can help.

The iPad is often touted as being one of the most easy to use devices. Watch someone who has never held or used a tablet before pick one up and they will instinctively know what to do with it. With the release of the iPad Air, many users who have previously been holding back from purchasing a tablet have taken the plunge. If you have recently purchased an iPad Air there are many nifty features you may not know about.

About the iPad Air

The iPad Air is a thinner, lighter and more powerful iPad which comes with a 64-bit A7 chip, the latest processor Apple offers. But with the overhaul of its hardware and design, what new tricks does Apple have in store for its users?

Here are seven of the most incredible iPad Air features:

There is more to triple-click

With every iPad Air, you can still use a single click that will lead you back to the homescreen, and a double-click that will let you view the apps running on your device. Unlike its predecessors though, the new iPad Air comes with a triple-click feature.

But, what does this new triple-clicking feature offer?

When you triple-click the device’s home button, you get to choose any of these six functional options:

1. Off
2. Toggle Voiceover
3. Toggle White on Black
4. Toggle Zoom
5. Toggle Assistive Touch
6. Ask

Self-destruct your iPad Air

This doesn’t mean blowing up your expensive Apple device. What we're trying to say is that if your iPad gets lost, you can protect all the files and data stored on its system.

To enjoy this new feature, you will need to sign up with iCloud. As soon as you have done so, all of your data will be far more secure. If your iPad somehow gets lost you can remotely wipe-out all the data stored on your iPad Air using your iCloud account. This can be done by going to the iCloud website and logging in. You can then manage your device from there, and remotely wipe it if needs be.

Two keyboards are better than one

While most iPad users are already familiar with this feature, we still think it is worth mentioning. The iPad Air is basically a 9-inch tablet display. As such, typing on this device using your two thumbs with a single keyboard can become rather difficult for even the most dexterous.

When you split the keyboards you get a slightly different keyboard style that allows you to type on your iPad device in a more comfortable fashion. You can split your keyboard by opening any app that brings up the keyboard e.g., an email message, and pressing the keyboard button at the bottom of the keyboard. Selecting Split will break apart your keyboard.

Furthermore, you have the option to shrink down or move the keyboard slightly upwards. With iPad Air, typing using both thumbs has been made much more possible.

Isn't that great?

Yes, but it does not end there. Some iOS tweakers have discovered that when you split the keyboards you can actually type the letter that comes to either the left or right of where it is split. For example, the keyboard is split with the letters T, G, V being on the left and Y, H, B on the right. When you tap the empty space beside T, for instance, the letter Y will appear automatically.

Instant dictionary

Have you ever found yourself opening the Dictionary app because you don’t know the meaning of some words? We've all done this at least once and it definitely is time-consuming.

So, the next time you need to look up a word, take advantage of iPad Air’s Define option. In order to do this, tap and hold a word to select it, and then tap on Define Options. A speech balloon will appear containing the definition of the highlighted word.

In-app purchase solution

If you are sharing an iPad Air with the office, you probably don't want people to be able to purchase something while using an app. You can avoid this problem by following these simple steps:

1. Open the Settings icon.
2. Click General.
3. Disable the option for automatic downloads and updates.

Ending a sentence with a bang

The new iPad Air allows users to be more efficient than ever. To those who frequently type using the iPad, you can easily end sentences by double tapping the spacebar. A double tap will add a period to finish a sentence, before you carry on typing the next sentence.

Keyboard coding

The term is actually keyboard shortcuts. It is now possible to use keyboard shortcuts for phrases that you always use. This trick can definitely save you a great deal of time, and here's how:

1. Open the Settings icon.
2. Go to General.
3. Click Keyboard.
4. Select Add New Shortcut and start defining your own shortcuts.

If you’re hoping to know more about iPad Air do give us a call. We’d love to help you with it.

Apple's iPad is arguably the most popular tablet, favored by both business and individual users alike. Apps like Messenger allow users to send free text messages to other iOS users, thus making communication easier. Because most people who own an iPad have more than one email account - e.g., work and personal - you need to ensure that you are sending emails from the correct address, and receiving them to the right address too.

If you have a business email account and a personal account on your device you need to change which email address or account is used by Apple's Messages app.

Changing the email address used by Messages

1. Open your iPad's Settings app.
2. Tap on Messages which is located in the bar on the left.
3. Select Send & Receive which is located to the right in the window that opens.

This will open your iMessages account list with your main Apple ID at the top of the window. There will also be two sections below You can be reached by iMessage at: and Start new conversations from:.

Under You can be reached by iMessage at: you will see your existing email addresses. By pressing on the blue arrow you can edit or remove the account which means instant messages and texts won't be sent to that account. If you would like to add an email account, tap on Add Another Email…

Under the Start new conversations from: section you can select which account to send new conversations from.

If you have questions about configuring your iPad, please contact us today.

The Apple iPad is among the most popular tech devices for business and personal users alike. Many users prefer the iPad because of the fact that it is rugged and easy to use, while also having apps for virtually everything. Like all tech however, there will come a time when you may run into problems and your device doesn't work properly. One of the more common issues is when your iPad is not able to connect to a Wi-Fi network.

Here are six troubleshooting tips that you can try if your iPad isn't connecting to Wi-Fi networks. Before testing these out it is a good idea to test if your Internet is or isn't working. What most people do is open a Web browser and try to load a website, like google.com or apple.com/store. If you get an error message, or the page doesn't load, then try the different tips below.

First: Check if your iPad can see Wi-Fi networks

Try moving next to where the router is and then tap on the Settings app. From here tap on Wi-Fi (it is located in the leftmost list, near the top). Look to see if the network you want to connect to is listed under Choose a network… If it shows up, try tapping on it and entering the password if required.

If your iPad doesn't 'see' the network, try turning Wi-Fi off and on again by sliding the button beside Wi-Fi at the top from On (green) to Off (grey). Wait a few seconds then turn it on again. If you still can't connect, try restarting your iPad.

Second: Try restarting the router

If your iPad is picking up the network but not connecting to it, there may be a problem with the router. The first thing you should do is to turn the router off for at least 30 seconds, then turn it on again. Believe it or not, this solves the vast majority of Internet problems.

Once the router has restarted, try connecting to the network again, or if you have connected to this before, the iPad should try to connect automatically.

Third: Check if your password is correct

Another common problem users run into is that they have entered the password for the Wi-Fi network incorrectly. Oftentimes the password is missing a letter or number, or someone has changed the password and not let other users know.

Go back into the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi. Try tapping the 'i' icon and selecting Forget this Network. Restart your iPad then go back into the Wi-Fi settings. You should see the network pop back up under Choose a network… within a few seconds. Tap on the network name and enter the password again. If you are sure the password is correct, try asking other people who connect to the network, or the administrator, if the password has been changed.

Fourth: Try other devices

If you have other devices like a phone or laptop, try connecting these to the network and seeing if it is possible to connect to the Internet. By doing this, you will be able to see whether the problem lies with the network, router or the iPad itself. Should the other devices be able to connect and access the Internet, it's highly likely that the problem lies with the iPad.

However, before you jump to conclusions, check to see if other people are connected. Some routers can be configured to only allow a set number of devices to connect at the same time. Another common connection problem is when someone is using a high amount of bandwidth - e.g., downloading torrents. This can cause other devices connected to experience incredibly slow Internet speeds - slow enough that loading websites may time out, causing the browser to display an error message.

Try asking someone to disconnect from the network for a few minutes to see if your iPad can get online.

Fifth: Reset your Network Settings

Are the previous options not working? Try resetting your network settings to the default settings, as if the iPad was brand new. Don't worry, your whole iPad won't be reset, just the settings related to network connections i.e., Wi-Fi and LTE/3G.

You can reset your Network Settings by:

1. Tapping on the Settings app from the main screen of your iPad.
2. Selecting General followed by Reset.
3. Tapping on Reset Network Settings.
4. Hitting Wi-Fi and selecting the network you want to enter.
5. Entering the password again.

Once you have followed these steps try opening your Web browser again and loading a website.

Sixth: Contact us, or Apple Support

Finally, if the other options don't work, try contacting Apple Support to see if they can help. Of course, you can also get in touch with us so we can help get you connected.

When Apple released their new operating system iOS 7, many people anticipated the arrival of a new range of products. In just a little over a month, we are not disappointed to hear the news that Apple has produced new iPads. Apple’s latest press release revealed the new iPad mini with Retina display and its bigger, thinner and lighter sibling, the iPad Air. As always, the new iPad range are easy on the eyes, but do they really have what it takes to beat off the competition?

Apple iPad Mini with Retina The new iPad mini with retina display is available in a range of options. Clearly an improvement on its predecessor, Apple have pulled out all the stops to increase its efficiency and functionality, with powerful architecture, remarkable responsiveness and an updated operating system all in the palm of your hand!

• Operating system - iOS 7 appears to have been specifically designed with the new iPad range in mind. A comparable change to previous models illustrates a crystal clear and smooth operating platform.
• Processor - The operating system benefits from the new iPad mini’s 64-bit A7 processor, making light and fast work of heavy apps and giving you greater performance on the go with everything you do.
• Screen size - At 7.9- Inches, the display is no different in size to its predecessor. What makes the difference is the full 2048 x 1536 screen resolution that enables the new iPad mini to produce razor sharp text and richer graphics.
• Memory and storage - At 1GB Ram there is more than enough memory for you to run all your apps without any concern. The new iPad mini starts from 16GB of storage space with options available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB.
• Battery life - Remaining at an impressive ten hours of battery life, the new iPad mini with retina display can still hold it’s own amongst competition.
• Price and availability - The new iPad mini with retina display is expected to be available around mid-late November, just in time for the Christmas period, so you can be sure that with a starting price from USD $399, demand will be high.

Apple iPad Air Never failing to deliver, Apple updated the new iPad Air with its powerful A7 chip. In human language this means, the iPad Air can handle more and bigger programs at the same time without any compromise in speed, functionality and battery life. Weighing in at just one pound it still packs a punch as the bigger brother to the new iPad mini with retina display.

• Operating system - The new iPad Air truly breaks the boundaries of accessibility. Enhanced speed and performance are the products of iOS 7 and this is apparent in the everyday use of the iPad Air.
• Processor - The remarkably responsive nature of the A7 chip with 64-bit architecture produces unparalleled speed and precision. Work, play and creation has never been more accessible.
• Screen size - Apple’s philosophy of keeping things simple is certainly apparent in the 9.7 inch retina display screen size. It displays a visual feast by delivering a million more pixels than HDTV.
• Memory and storage - The memory will definitely be able to handle the most gruesome of tasks and hardcore gamers need not to be worried. In line with the iPad Mini, the iPad Air is available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB.
• Battery life - With a thinner, lighter feel, and powerful processor, users will be pleased to know that there has been no compromise to its ten hours of battery life.
• Price and availability - Prices start from $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model or $629 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular 16GB Model. The new iPad Air is in stock now.

If you're looking to learn more about the latest of Apple’s treats, please contact us today to see how we can help.

In September Apple launched their new version of the popular mobile operating system iOS. Some big changes were introduced with iOS 7 that not only changed the OS looks but the way we interact with it. Now that it has been out for a few weeks, there are reports from some users that their iPad or iPhone has seen a decrease in battery life.

If you have noticed that the recent update to iOS 7 has caused a drop in how long your iPad's battery lasts, here are five things you can try to improve the time between charges.

Turn off AirDrop AirDrop for mobile devices was introduced with the iOS 7 update and allows users to share files with others without using an Internet connection. Like other file sharing systems, when AirDrop is activated it is actively searching for other devices and therefore draining your battery.

If you don't use this feature, or only use it occasionally turn it off to increase battery life. You can do this by swiping up from the bottom of the screen to open the Control Center and tapping on AirDrop. The text will be white to indicate AirDrop is on, and should turn to black when it is off.

Bonus tip: Tapping the Bluetooth button (middle button in the top row of Control Center) will automatically turn off AirDrop and all Bluetooth connections which will further increase battery life.

Check your Wi-Fi settings Many users connect to trusted Wi-Fi connections at work or at home in order to save data or simply go online. When they are out of range of these devices however, they leave their iPad's Wi-Fi radio on. When you do this, the device constantly searches for open connections to connect to.

This constant searching is actually a huge drain on the battery, so it is best to turn it off when you are not near a trusted network. This can be done by swiping up from the bottom of the screen to open the Control Center and tapping on the Wi-Fi button (second button from the left on the top row). The Wi-Fi symbol should turn black to indicate it is off.

Bonus tip: To really conserve battery life, try turning Airplane Mode on. This will turn all communication - Wi-Fi, Data, Bluetooth, notifications, etc. off and will drastically increase battery life. On the downside, you won't be able to connect to the Internet or receive notifications.

Change your Location Services settings Many apps request that your device provide them with location information on a regular basis. Some, like Maps actually require your location, but many more don't. If you have multiple apps open that constantly require location updates, you will likely see an increased drain on your battery.

The solution is to change what apps are allowed to receive location information. This can be done by tapping on the Settings app, selecting Privacy, followed by Location Services. From there you can select which apps can use your device's GPS, Wi-Fi or mobile connection to detect location. Chances are high, you can turn off at least half of the apps.

Bonus tip: Turning off Location Services completely (slide the tab beside Location Services to Off) will also conserve battery life.

Check what's running in the background Multitasking received a big overhaul in iOS 7. Sure, it can still be accessed by double tapping the home button, but now the open apps are presented in cards with a screenshot of their last state. Tapping on the screenshot opens the app. The thing is, it takes battery power to keep all of these apps open and updated.

What's more, some of these apps will actually refresh in the background which could further increase battery drain. If you aren't too worried about having constantly open apps, why not close those you aren't using. Simply open the multitasking menu and swipe up to close apps.

Bonus tip: You can completely turn off background app refreshing (the service which keeps the information shown in the multitasking screenshots current) by opening the Settings app and selecting General, followed by Background App Refresh and sliding the button from On to Off.

Turn off parallax Parallax is a new effect introduced in iOS 7 where the apps on your homescreen appear to float above the wallpaper and look almost 3-D. They will also move a bit when you tilt the tablet. While this is a cool effect, it isn't overly useful for many business owners. Powering this movement and near 3-D rendering does put more strain on the battery, causing a drop in how long it will last.

You can turn this effect off by going to Settings, tapping on General, followed by Accessibility and Parallax. Slide the button from On to Off.

Bonus tip: Almost all modern mobile devices, the iPad included, use lithium-ion batteries. These batteries work their best when they are constantly topped off, or charged. In order to get the most out of your iPad's battery, you should be charging it on a regular basis and not letting it get below 50%.

If you are looking to get more out of your iPad, or to learn about iOS 7, please contact us today to see how we can help.