By Graham K. Rogers

AN article by Benjamin Mayo of 9to5 Mac tells us that built-in to the next version of OS X 10.10, Yosemite, is the ability to "capture the screen of an iPad or iPhone". The device shows up as camera and video can be recorded.

The article adds

Up to now, developers have relied on hacky solutions to capture video of their apps. This generally involves recording an AirPlay Mirroring stream or using the Apple HDMI cable in combination with a dedicated capture device.

A couple of months ago, I reviewed X-Mirage ($16) from Plum Amazing, the same people who make iWatermark. This uses a wifi link to display the screen of iOS devices (more than one can be shown at the same time) and there is a facility in that application that allows for video recording of actions on the device.

I have already found the display aspects useful in teaching, and the additional video aspect clearly has much potential. Now. No need to wait for Yosemite. No need for iOS 8. This is working today.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand where he is also Assistant Dean. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. He is now continuing that in the Bangkok Post supplement, Life.