Apple and Google update their operating systems every year and allow users to test new features long before the official release. In today’s Mobile Monday, we’ll tell you how to become an iOS or Android beta tester, reveal how you can access your Business Card Reader from web browser, and show you how to create stunning presentations on your phone or tablet.
iOS Tip: Beta-Testing iOS
Any user can become a beta-tester and help Apple to test an upcoming version of its OS. Or you may just want to be among the first users to try out the new features.
Be warned, however, that when you install a beta version, you do this entirely at your own risk. Your device may become unstable and some of your installed apps may crash. We recommend avoiding very early betas, as they are more likely to be unstable and give you lots of headache. Also a good idea is not to install beta versions on devices that you use for work. But if you are willing to take a risk, read on!
The first thing you should always do is create a full backup of your iPhone. In the worst case scenario, you can brick your phone. But even if everything goes to plan, your is likely to become slower and unstable.
To be able to go back to the previous stable version of the OS, you need to create a backup.
- Use the latest version of iTunes.
- Hook up your device to your computer and open iTunes.
- Important note: in order to back up your Health and Activity data, you must encrypt your backup. To do this, select the Encrypt iPhone backup
- Wait for the backup process to complete. Next, on your computer select iTunes → Settings → Devices.
- Now, depending on which platform you are using, you need to archive or copy your backup. If you’re using a Mac, hold down the Control button, click your backup, and select Archive. If you’re using a Windows PC, simply locate your backup file and copy it to a safe location.
In the future, if you decide to revert to the previous version of the iOS, use this archive or copied backup.
Now you you’re all prepped up to install the beta.
- Register with the Apple Beta Software Programme. You will need your valid Apple ID.
- Register your device.
- Download the beta-tester profile and install it on your device.
- If no beta is currently available, you will just have to wait. Apple will send you a notification you as soon as a beta is available. If a public beta has already been released, you can download it by clicking Settings → General → Software Update on your iPhone.
Once the beta OS is installed, a Feedback Assistant app will appear on your phone. You can use this app to report bugs to Apple so that they can fix them before the official release.
You can always opt out from the Apple Beta Software Programme by removing the beta-tester profile. To do this, open Settings → General → Profiles & Device Management and tap iOS Beta Software Profile.
Then tap Remove Profile and enter your device passcode. From now on, no beta versions will be downloaded onto this device. When the new iOS is officially release, you will be able to install it as usual.
Android Tip: Beta-Testing Android
Google also allows users to beta-test upcoming versions of its Android OS.
One snag may be the model of your device. When the very first betas become available, Google favours Pixel users over users of all other devices. Gradually, users of other Android gadgets are allowed to join in, but you can never be certain that your device will be eligible.
As with the iPhone, the first thing you should do is back up everything and stash it somewhere safe. To do this, tap System → Backup → Начать копирование → Продолжить. Android offers several different backup methods. Please refer to this article to find out more.
To join the Android Beta Programme, visit this site. Members of this programme will typically receive 3 to 6 updates to their beta.
If you leave Android Beta Programme mid-way in the process, all of your user data will be erased from your phone. We’re not quite sure why Google does this, but please be careful not to lose any of your useful data.
There are two ways to send feedback to Google.
- Directly from your gadget. Open Settings → System → About phone → Send feedback about this device.
- Via the Android Beta Program blog, which can be found here.
ABBYY Tip: Accessing BCR from Your PC
Did you know that could view business cards stored in Business Card Reader in any browser on your laptop or desktop computer? All you need is an ABBYY Cloud account. In Business Card Reader, tap the gear icon → ABBYY Cloud → Register. Your business cards will uploaded into the cloud and become available iOS, Android and… laptop and desktop computers!
Just visit the BCR website and log in to your account. All of your business cards will be loaded into the browser window. Voila!
Here’s what you can do with the web version of Business Card Reader:
- Export your business cards to CSV format.
- Send business cards by e-mail.
- Add notes to your business cards.
- Move business cards between groups or create new groups.
- Edit existing field or add new fields to your business cards.
- View the front and reverse sides of your business cards.
- Click Email to send an e-mail message.
- Tap an address to locate it on the map.
- Tap a URL to open the corresponding website.
The browser version of Business Card Reader is available free of charge to all users on both platforms.
Download Business Card Reader and access your business cards anywhere, any time!
App of the Week: Explain Everything Collaborate
First, you will see a blank page. The beginning is a very good place to start! Explain Everything is a nifty app for creating presentations. But it’s not a Power Point clone. The app allows you to make handwritten notes, insert photos, videos, graphs, and formulas, load web pages, and create your own original artwork.
Excitingly, all this can be done in an online session in front of an audience! You can also record the whole process for those who couldn’t make it to your presentation Imagine having all this functionality on or phone or tablet!
That’s all from us for today. See you next Monday!
P.S. You can find the previous issue of this newsletter here.
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