How to Upgrade Your Computer from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1

If you're already a Windows 8 user, upgrading to Windows 8.1 is a piece of cake. Why? Because you'll immediately find it when you go to the Windows Store app of your computer. This newer version of Windows offers a handful of added features and enhancements such as improved desktop experience, the new Bing Smart Search has been added, improved Snap multi-tasking, better PC Settings options, a Help+Tips app, and many more. Take a look at TechRadar's pros and cons on Windows 8.1:

PROS:

• Start button is back
• Performance improved
• Better SkyDrive integration
• More ways to personalise your PC

CONS

• May take a while to get used to
• Touch apps for Office yet to come
• Not all sites support IE 11 yet
• Hard to see progress of background updates for Windows Store apps and SkyDrive

The process of upgrading to Windows 8.1 is also straight-forward. If you would like to experience the added benefits and features this new version brings, follow these steps. But before doing anything else, make sure your computer has all recent Windows updates. For those who are frequently using their Windows 8 computers, most likely that it is already up to date. If in case you haven't used yours these past few days, launch the Charms bar menu on your computer, then click Settings. Now, click the Change PC settings option, then click Windows Update. Click the Check for updates now button, and then force any updates to install now by clicking the We'll install... updates automatically link, and then hit the Install button. When that's done, open the Windows Store app, then click the Update to Windows 8.1 button. If in case you're not seeing this option on your Windows Store, try checking for updates again, close and re-open your Windows Store app, or restart your computer then try again. After clicking the button, click the Download button for Windows 8.1 Pro to confirm.

The download time may take about 30 minutes or more, but you can still use your computer normally while waiting for it to finish. When you get the pop-up dialog screen asking you to restart your computer, click the Restart Now button to continue. It may take several minutes for Windows 8.1 to install on your computer, and your computer will perform another reboot during this process. You can leave your computer for at least 5-10 minutes since the installation will not require any input. When the License terms page appears, click the I accept button of course. Now, choose Use express settings at the bottom of the next screen. You can also go with custom settings; however, the express settings will do for most standard users.

Now, the next step is for you to sign in to Windows as you normally do. On the next screen, we suggest you to allow Windows to send a security code to your phone by selecting the Text option from the drop-down menu. It's your option if you want to skip this step, but you may not be able to sync your account across computers should you choose to perform this step later. Now, enter the security code indicated in the text message you have received on your mobile phone on the next screen.

Hit the Next button on the SkyDrive information screen. Now, all you need to do is wait for a few minutes for Windows to complete the installation process. Your installation progress is indicated by messages saying that Windows is setting up and installing apps on your computer.

When the Windows 8.1 Start Screen appears after a few more minutes, the installation is successful and your computer is now off to a new start with Windows 8.1.

Hidden iOS 7 Features You Should Know About

iOS 7 is packed with a whole lot of hidden features and new tricks that enables you to make the most out of your iOS 7 devices, and in some cases bring back a taste of some of your favorite iOS 6 features. Belo are some hidden features you can try:

Use FaceTime Audio Calls to Save Money

iOS 7 now allows you to make audio-only FaceTime calls by simply tapping the phone icon instead of the video icon in the FaceTime app. You can make FaceTime Audio calls from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, essentially turning the iPad and iPod touch into a phone. Furthermore, FaceTime Audio calls use Wi-Fi or Cellular Data (LTE or 3G), which allows you to save money especially when you use it for international calls.

Close Multiple Apps at the Same Time Through Multitasking

With the new iOS 7, you can see all the apps that you have recently used and it allows you to see what is happening inside an app. In addition, you can quit running apps by tapping the Home button twice and swiping the app you want to quit upwards. Not only that, you can also quit multiple apps using multiple fingers all at the same time.

Block Calls and Messages

In some instances, there will be a need for you to block certain individuals from contacting you. Blocking a contact is now possible with your iOS 7. All you need to do is go to Contacts, then scroll down to the contact you want to block, and then tap Block This Caller to refuse incoming calls, messages (SMS and MMS), and FaceTime calls.

Zoom While Shooting Video

Another hidden iOS 7 camera feature is for video recording, which iPhone 5 users can benefit from. You can now zoom in on your subject while recording a video with a pinch to zoom gesture. To do this, pinch on the video while recording or while setting up your shot.

NOTE: This hidden feature is not available to iPhone 4s and later, as well as on iPad.

Actual Clock on the Clock Icon

The Clock app on the new iOS 7 is now an actual clock with a working second hand and not just a static icon.

Message TimeStamp

With the new iOS 7, you can now see the exact time a message has been sent and received by swiping the screen from right to left.

Delete Messages in Thread

Deleting the entire message thread is straight forward. All you have to do is go to the Messages app, tap Edit and select the thread you want to delete. However, deleting individual messages within the thread is not possible until iOS 7 came about.

To delete individual messages within a thread, go to the Messages app, then open the message thread, and then tap and hold a message until you see the option More. Mark the messages you want to delete, and then tap the small Trash Can icon at the bottom left of your screen.

Use Night Mode in Apple Maps

The iPhone screen glow can be nearly blinding especially when you are driving late at night as you try to use the Maps app. With the new iOS 7, it displays a darker interface at certain times, which is much more pleasing to the eyes when navigating at night.

Access .com Key

One of the things most people miss after upgrading to iOS 7 is the absence of the .com key inside Safari. But do not fret, you can still access the .com key by simply pressing and holding the . (period) key, which will display .com,.net, .org, .us, and .edu keys.

Peek at the Message and Mail List

You can take a peek at the message list by slightly swiping to the right whether you are checking your email on the Mail app or viewing a conversation in iMessage.

Swipe to Go Back to Almost Anywhere

In previous iOS versions, you will need to tap on the back icon or tap in the upper left to go back in Settings and Apple apps. Now with the new iOS 7, all you have to do is swipe in from the left edge of the screen.

This swipe gesture works in iMessages, Settings, Notes and many other apps. When used in Safari, it will go back a page and will go forward a page when swiped in the opposite direction.

Swipe Up to Hide Notifications

When you receive a new notification, you can swipe to the right to open the appropriate app, or swipe up to hide the notification.

Use Compass as a Level

The Compass app can be used as a level tool. Just launch the app to display the familiar dots at the bottom of the screen that indicates a second screen. Swipe from right to left to display the spirit level.

Make Text Size Easier to Read

The new skinnier font in iOS 7 can be very difficult to read for some people. Because of this, Apple has added the Dynamic Type mode that will make the text larger and easier to read on supported apps.

To adjust the setting, go to Settings>General>Text Size. Adjust the text size by moving the slider to your preference. You may also go to Settings>General>Accessibility, then toggle Bold Text to turn it on to make the font bold.

NOTE: Not all apps support the Dynamic Type mode.

Shake to Undo Deleting Email

If you are using the default Mail app to check your emails, it is now easy to restore accidentally deleted emails by simply shaking the iPhone right after deleting the message. This gesture will bring back the email to your Inbox. This hidden feature is similar to the Shake to Undo typing option to clear out what you have typed in the text box.

Create Custom Vibrations for Contacts

With the new iOS 7, you can now create a custom vibration for your contacts that can be used for phone calls and messages. This is a handy feature to help you identify the caller or sender of the message without having to take out your phone, especially if it is in Silent mode.

To create custom vibrations, go to Settings>Sounds>Ringtone>Vibration>Custom>Create New Vibration then follow the on-screen instructions.

Teach Siri a Lesson

The new iOS 7 allows you to correct Siri's pronunciation by simply saying "Siri that's not how you pronounce that." Siri will then ask you to say it again to better pronounce the word.

Control Your iOS Device Through Head Gestures

iOS 7 can use the front-facing camera to detect head movements to control your device.

To control your iOS device through head gestures, go to Settings>General>Accessibility. Toggle Switch Control to on, then tap Switches to add physical gestures to control your iOS device.

Create Calendar Events Within the Messages App

With iOS 7, you can now create a calendar event while in Messages app. Just tap on the underlined text within the message and select Create Event.

How to Prevent Your Kids From Running Huge App Store Bills on Your iOS Device

Are you one of those people who always get a shock upon receiving their credit card bill that happens to reflect a huge bill from iTunes Store without their knowledge? There have been an increasing number of stories in the news where a child has accumulated a large bill on the App Store without their parents’ knowledge. Most parents are baffled. They apparently don't know how they can prevent this from happening again. Fret no more. Parental controls can be used to disable in-app purchases so you won't receive any more surprises from your billing statements. Checkout the steps below on how to prevent your kids from making purchases without your knowledge.

Prevent Kids From Running Huge App Store Bills on Your iOS Device

First thing to do is to go to your iOS device's Home screen and tap Settings.

Tap General, then tap Restrictions.

From here, tap Enable Restrictions.

You will then be prompted to enter a 4-digit passcode. This passcode will be required to make changes to the Restrictions settings so make sure it is different from the passcode you use to unlock your iOS device. Please note that in case you lose or forgot the Restrictions Passcode, you will need to perform a factory restore to remove it. For instructions on how to perform a factory restore, follow the steps posted here.

Re-enter the Restrictions Passcode to confirm it.

Now go to In-App Purchases and turn it off by sliding the slider from right to left. The slider should now turn gray.

Next, move to Require Password and tap on it. By default, this is set to 15 minutes, which means that once you have entered your Apple ID to make purchases in iTunes, your iOS device will remember the password for 15 minutes and will not prompt you to re-enter the password when you make another purchase within the time limit. In this case, if you purchased an app and handed your iOS device immediately to your child for him/her to play with, he/she has a time window to make purchases in the App Store without having to supply a password. To prevent this, change Require Password to Immediately as shown below.

That is it. Changing those two settings will relieve you from running the risk of having your kids make unexpected purchases in the App Store. In addition, they will not be able to disable the restriction without entering the Restriction Password you set up. Another tip I can give is to refrain from giving your Apple ID and password to your kids. That will save you a whole lot of headache.