Pro Pod Power Tips

Apr 27 2009

iPod phone Part 1– Speed Dial with your iPod

The iPod phone may be calling, but until Apple answers we’d best make due with what we have. You’d be surprised how phone savvy your iPod is already. In this two part series, we’ll explore the iPod’s phone skills.

Part 1: Speed Dial with your iPod

Compatability check: All version of iPod will work with this technique. Most standard analog phones will work, but some cordless phones and PBX dial-outs will not work.

What you’ll need:

Import Tones and Build Numbers

I trust if you’re smart enough to be reading this you don’t need to be told how to import mp3 files into iTunes. Once in, build a few playlists with the name of people you’d like to speed-dial. Then drag in your numbers in the correct order (in my case 1 3 6 0 2 2 7 5 2 9 3). Don’t worry about repeating numbers,iTunes will treat them like separate songs.

speeddial1 iPod phone Part 1 Speed Dial with your iPod

Before going any further, lets test your tone sequence to make sure it dials the number. To do this, look around and make sure no one that you’re trying to impress is watching. Then hold up your phone to your Mac’s speaker(s) and play theplaylist. If it dials, we’re set. If not, check the sequence of your numbers. You may need more volume or a different phone.

speeddial2 iPod phone Part 1 Speed Dial with your iPod

Creating the Dial File

Now, rather than move these playlists onto your Pod, we are going to join them into one file. If you haven’t already, drag the “Join Together Æ’” folder into username/Library/iTunes/Scripts and restart iTunes. Highlight the songs in your dial playlist and select Join Together. The script will launch, run through a few options and create a consolidated file with your speed dial tones.

speeddial3 iPod phone Part 1 Speed Dial with your iPod

You’ll want to specify a name for your file and select “Just Join MP3 Tracks”. The resulting file is all you need to transfer to your Pod. Plug your Pod into your portable speakers, hold them up to a phone and play the file. Repeat for all your Dialplaylists.

Why does this work?

Analog phone networks dial using tones. By playing your speed dial file you are simply bypassing the phone’s internal tone generator and speaking directly to the switchboard.

Feel free to test this out using the number above (its just an answering service. Leave me a message if you feel like it). While we’re on the topic of phone messages, check out Part Two of the iPod phone series. We’ll learn how to transfer phone messages to your iPod.

Thanks for joining me for episode one of Pro Pod Power Tips. Keep an eye on the series while we explore the hidden, powerful capabilities of your iPod.

Brian

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Apr 27 2009

iPod phone Part 2– Get Phone Messages on your iPod

The iPod phone may be calling, but until Apple answers we’d best make due with what we have. You’d be surprised how phone savvy your iPod is already. In this two part series, we’ll explore the iPod’s phone skills.

Part 2: Pocket your Phone Messages

Compatability check: All version of iPod will work with this technique.

What you’ll need:

The above services are going to route messages to email. If the phone number you want to use isn’t from one of the above services, you can either set up calls to be forwarded to an account on one of these, or check out the deluxe version of this solution below.

Build an Scripted Message Folder

Now that we have our phone messages coming to our inbox (as attachments), we want to send them non-stop to iTunes and our iPod. To do this, we are going to write a simple AppleScript and attach it to a folder where we are going to save our messages.

addtoitunes iPod phone Part 2 Get Phone Messages on your iPod

Fire up Script Editor and enter the following:

on adding folder items to this_folder after receiving these_items
try
tell application “iTunes”
launch
add these_items to playlist “Messages”
end tell
end try
end adding folder items to

Hit compile and save this as a script in your /Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts/ folder. Create a Messages playlist in iTunes (be sure this playlist is set to sync with your iPod) and a folder just for messages anywhere on your drive. The above script will try to add anything that falls into that folder to iTunes, so make a folder you won’t be tempted to use for anything else.

Now, right-click the folder and select Enable Folder Actions, then Configure Folder Actions. Hit the plus on the left side and browse to your folder. Then hit the plus on the right side and select your script. Now we’re ready to test.

Download your Message Straight to your Pod

downloadmessage iPod phone Part 2 Get Phone Messages on your iPod

Call yourself and leave a message (no profanity, please). Once the message comes in, right lick and save the file to your scripted folder. If all went well, iTunes will fire up and you will find your message on your playlist (and iPod after the next sync).

messageinplaylist iPod phone Part 2 Get Phone Messages on your iPod

Now, instead of pacing your living room listening to your messages, you can breeze through them jogging or driving to work. Leave your hands-free (and maybe even your phone) at home. If they really want to get in touch with you, you’ll catch them on the next sync.

Deluxe iPod Messaging

Using software like Ovo Lab’s Phlink or Parliant’s PhoneValet you can have your Mac handle your calls and record your messages. These solutions will set you back about $150, but have a lot of functionality beyond what we use here (like multiple mailboxes and dial-in control of your Mac). Both support sending messages to your iPod. Check back at MacMerc for an upcoming review of PhoneValet 4.

Take it from the Luddites, man was not meant to be strapped to his phone. Not having an iPod phone may be a good thing. Handle your calls when you want to, and enjoy the freedom while it lasts.

Thanks for joining me for episode two of Pro Pod Power Tips. If you missed it, check out Part 1: Speed Dial with your iPod and stay tuned. There are more powerful iPod tutorials on the way.

Brian

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Apr 27 2009

Packing your Travel Pod

Your iPod is a vital travel companion. I know you grimace for the brief moments the luggage scanner parts you from your digital companion. The thought of surviving a flight without an iPod is scary.

But are you making the most of your iPod while traveling? Must-have accessories open possibilities, and a properly loaded iPod can be your guide as well as entertainer.

Keeping Connected on the Road

There are millions of accessories out there to hook your iPod up to your car’s stereo – which you are welcome to use on the road. But who says the music has to end when you get to the hotel (or grandma’s house)? Take along your AV cables to plug in to your hotel TV, or use a pod-powered FM adapter like this one from Griffin Technology to listen through your clock radio.

Power is a priority when you are away from your charging dock. Check out this inexpensive universal charger set or even this ultra-long-lasting external battery that will get you through 4 days without a charge.

And finally, hitting the road means taking pictures. Don’t wait till you get home to preview and back-up your snaps. Send them right to your iPod with Apple’s Camera Connector.

Travel Pod Reloaded

Before you leave you’ll want to update your contacts and calendar. If you don’t already sync your calendar, take advantage of this feature to track travel plans. Include confirmation numbers in your calendar details.

Of course I wouldn’t waste your time on things this obvious if I didn’t have something better for you. Since iPod Directions seems to be on the blink, you’ll be happy to know there are more ways to quickly get web info – like flight itinerary, driving directions and hotel info – onto your iPod.

If you have a video iPod and the latest firmware, your iPod can now display images in your notes folder. This means you can add jpg’s directly to your pod with no conversion and no messing with your existing synced photos. Add in a little Automator magic and with two actions you can take a web page’s text and images right to your iPod.

web to note Packing your Travel Pod

Check out Automator’s Safari actions to grab the text and download the images. There’s also an iTunes action that will turn the text into an iPod note. Video iPods with firmware 1.2 will display the jpg’s alongside notes. If found that smaller images tend to work better.

Don’t forget that Disk Mode turns your iPod into a huge portable drive. Pack it up with anything you might need on the road – presentations or your Black Friday shopping list. Avoid putting sensitive data on your iPod in case it gets stolen.

Properly prepared, there’s no reason to slow up the security line with your MacBook. Give your Mac a break and make your iPod your new travel companion.

Brian

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