iPhone 2.0: Screenshots
iPO Quick Tip - iPhone 2.0: Screenshots
by , 7:30 AM EDT, July 14th, 2008
Sometimes words alone aren't enough to describe something, and that holds true with the iPhone and iPod touch, too. The iPhone 3G, and iPhone or iPod touch with Software version 2.0, make it easier to speak with images thanks to the new screenshot feature, no extra applications needed.
A screenshot is a digital snapshot of what your display is showing. In the case of the iPhone and iPod touch, that can include what is visible on the Home screen, or in any application on the handheld device.
To take a screenshot on your iPhone or iPod touch, quickly press and release the Home button and power button at the same time. Your handheld's display will flash white briefly to let you know a screenshot image was captured.
![]() Home + Power = Screenshot |
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You can find screenshot images you take safely tucked away in the Photos application. Since you can email images from the Photo application, those pictures aren't trapped on your iPhone or iPod touch. Just email the shots to anyone you want to share them with.
If emailing an image isn't what you want to do, just connect the handheld to your computer and let iPhoto on the Mac, or Camera Wizard on Windows, copy it off.
Screenshots are handy if you want to show someone a picture of how something looks on your screen, and also are a handy way to show friends your high scores in iPhone and iPod touch video games.
Jeff Gamet is TMO's Morning Editor and Reviews Editor. He lectures, teaches and speaks on Mac OS X and design-related topics, and is the author of The Designer's Guide to Mac OS X from Peachpit Press.
if you have tips or tricks to share, or Mac-related questions you want answered.
Observer Comments
Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:32 am Subject: Use this for a great prank!
Borrow someone's iPod or iPhone, with the Home screen showing do a screenshot, jump to Photos and show this new 'photo', then hand it back to the owner telling them you are having problems choosing an app.
UPDATE: Take a screen shot of ALL of the Home / button 'screens', left to right in that order so they are in that same order in Photos when you finger-swipe them (it'll behave just like the regular Home/menu buttons do!), then start on the Home screen in the Photos, handing back the iPhone/Touch to the owner. This will add much more (initial) confusion to the owner!
Now, you can do this in opposite as the owner, too! Take the screen shots and have them ready and in the waiting.
Hand the iPhone/iPod Touch with the actual Home buttons in view to someone to let them try something out (brag about a feature and/or app that they 'just hafta try out'). After a few seconds ask for it back "to do something you forgot" ("Oh, I forgot to send an important email, lemme borrow it for a moment.")
Jump to the Photos and show the screenshot Home screen. Now, hold on to the iPod/iPhone for a bit longer, as this 'extra' time will 'cover your tracks' in that you are actually doing that 'something'.
Then, hand back the iPod/iPhone back, say "Sorry 'bout that. Go ahead" and observe as they then try to relaunch the app they last chose.
Of course, then begin questioning what they 'did' to 'freeze' your iPod/iPhone.
Also, you do this to a Genius at the Bar in an Apple Store. Start by showing that you have a problem (that apps won't launch), yet on the actual home screen they do. Ask for the iPod/iPhone back to 'try again', but this time switching to the screenshots, then say "See, it's doing it again" handing the iPhone/iPod back to the Genius and see how quickly their 'genius' takes to figure things out...
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