HeySage

In this episode I show you how to create and utilize smart playlists. You may be asking yourself, what exactly is a “smart” playlist? A smart playlist is a playlist that is constructed based on parameters that you set via drop down menus in iTunes’ smart playlist dialogue box. Here we go.

1. Launch iTunes
2. Press ⌘ ⌥ N (or go to file new smart playlist)
3. Configure the Parameters as would like
4. Click OK
5. Name the playlist by typing the name of your liking

You are set. You can always edit your list by right clicking (⌃ clicking) the playlist name in the left hand column.

It is certainly worth mentioning that most  applications have a smart folder feature. Thus, you can create smart albums in iPhoto, smart folders in finder etc. etc.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge that I know that the notes for this episode are short. I also did not do any audio enhancement in post as I usually do. The summer has been quite busy for me. Not only have I gotten married and gone on an amazing honeymoon, but I am in the middle of purchasing an orthodontic practice. Expect the standard notes and production quality to return in the near future.

Technorati Tags: Smart Playlist, iTunes

If you are anything like me, one of the most annoying features, or lack of features, in the iPhone is the fact that there is no copy and paste. This is a great little mockup of how copy and paste might work on the iPhone. Knowing Apple they will come up with something else, lets just hope it is sooner than later.

Technorati Tags: Copy and Paste iPhone

In this episode I review the features of OS X’s application switcher. I recently had an email question regarding the application switcher. I responded to the question via email but I thought that I would do a whole show on the application switcher. As usual you can watch the episode here if you would like. So, here we go!

The first question, what is the application switcher? The application switcher is a very simple way to navigate between open applications. To launch the application switcher simply hold the ⌘ key and press ⇥ (the tab key). Once you have done this, the application switcher will launch in the middle of the screen with the last application that you used highlighted (as opposed to the current application). Continue to hold the tab key to keep the application switcher visible. Once you let go of the command key the application that is highlighted will be selected.

Once the application switcher is visible you may select an open application several different ways.

1. While holding the ⌘ key, you can cycle forward through the open applications by repeatedly pressing, or holding down, the ⇥ key (tab).
2. You may cycle through applications in the opposite direction by adding ⇧ (shift) to the previous equation. So, holding down ⇧ ⌘ tab will cycle through open applications in the opposite direction.
3. Once the application switcher is open you may use your mouse to select any application. Press ⌘ ⇥ and then click on any application.

Another wonderful use of the application switcher is to hide and quite applications. For example, you may have a slew of applications open and you may want to quite out of several of them. To do so quickly and efficiently, launch the application switcher and select the application that you would like to quit (either tab until it is highlighted or place the mouse cursor over the application without clicking). Once the application is selected use the keyboard shortcut ⌘ Q to close down the application of your choice. Holding the ⌘ key and pressing ⇥ and then Q multiple times will quite all of your applications. You may use the same technique with the keyboard shortcut ⌘ H to hide any application that you choose.

A variant of this trick is ⌘ ~ (tild) to cycle through windows in an application. As with most things in OS X, you can cycle backwards through windows within an application by adding ⇧ to the equation.

It is worth noting that in most instances where the ⇥ will move through fields, whether it be in Safari, AddressBook, or any other application, holding down the ⇧ key will allow you to move through fields in the opposite direction.

My last tip about the application switcher is geared towards the mouse lovers out there. If you have an apple mighty mouse you can program any button to launch the application switcher. I personally prefer the trackpad button but the side buttons work fairly well too. With mouse in hand this is extremely convenient. Once you press the trackpad button you can scroll through the applications with the scroll wheel. rthdfg

As always, send your feedback to info@heysage.com

Technorati Tags: Application Switcher, ⌘ ⇥