EDU Blaster for iPhone Review

Combining elements of math class and asteroids, EDU Blaster sets out to help kids learn math, or even serve as an adult refresher. The amount of math covered though, is somewhat limiting.

DizzyBeeFree iPhone Game Review

To paraphrase the Goo Goo Dolls, it's time to Dizzy Up The Bees. DizzyBee uses some unique interface novelties, and fun sound effects to create a unique gaming experience:

The One Application I Can't Live Without

I'm not sure why Apple never built a multiple item clipboard for Mac OSX, but thank God PTH Consulting did. I've been using PTH Pasteboard for years now, and I could not be as productive without it. A great little app that sits in your menu bar and simply stores whatever item or line of text you have last copied. It's one of the first applications I install when setting myself up a new Mac. There may be other applications out there like this, but this one is so simple and it just works. Check it out.

Hanoi iPhone Game Review

Hanoi, a classic stacking strategy game comes to the iTunes App Store for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Comet Cowboy for iPhone Review

Yessiree Bob, it's your chance to lasso Comets (we say they're asteroids) just like they used to in the Cyber West.Here's a look at Comet Cowboy.

How To Enter a MobileMe or .Mac Activation Code

Here's a little tip for you MobileMe users out there trying to figure out where to enter an activation code (particularly if you have a .Mac activation code OR if you've discarded the packaging . . . We still don't understand why a whole box is necessary just for a little code...).

I had an old .Mac activation code for my MobileMe renewal. I went to my account at me.com only to see that I can check the box to have my subscription renewed automatically for $99 on my renewal date BUT I didn't see any place to enter an activation code. Seeing that I already spent my $99 I became worried that my next year would end up costing me $198.

After searching online I was able to find the URL to enter your activation code: www.me.com/activate

I hope this direction saves you some time and headache. From what I understand this URL is located inside of the new MobileMe packaging. If you have a .Mac retail box, chances are good you're tearing your hair out trying to locate this URL.

iRetrophone for the iPhone Video Review

You know how sometimes older folks go on and on about the "good ol days"? And how in reality they had it much harder? It took days to do the laundry... You had to get water from a pump! Well, we're about to let you in on a little secret: sure all of that may have been true, but they also got a little break each time they made a phone call. Rotary dialing could eat up minutes a day for the gabbiest amongst us. Now you can see just how much of your productivity would go out the window if you had to use a rotary dial thanks to iRetrophone for the iPhone:

Apple and MS: Poor Quality Control

This weekend my plans to play a little Xbox 360 were halted by another visit from the Red Ring of Death fairy. It seems as though poorly designed hardware is the norm these days. A day doesn't go by where there isn't a story about class action lawsuits and online petitions over faulty hardware. I am going on my third 360 as well as my second Nintendo Wii. Other TDL staffers have gone through multiple iPhone, iPods and iMacs. Yes we still support and love these products, but that lack of quality control is starting to get ridiculous. During my time as a Mac Genius we could easily replace 100 defective iPods a day, and 1,000 in a weeks time. The fact that the Genius Bars are routinely swamped points to a lack of Q and A. Both Microsoft and Apple outsource the productions of their hardware to companies such as Foxconn. Perhaps it's time Apple and MS kicked Foxconn in the butt or found another manufacturer.

Got the 3G Blues? Don't blame Apple

Reports are starting to surface after the 2.0.2 software update to indicate the sluggish and spotty reception is not Apple's fault. But we must point a finger at someone, why not AT&T? Sounds good . . . yes, lets go with that. My iPhone hasn't been fixed by the software update, and Apple surely did everything to address the issue so the carrier must be at fault.

All joking aside, chances are good that the blame falls on the carrier as it's their network that enables the connection. Surely we don't blame Apple when we get a slow internet connection on our Macs. How is this then any different?

I've read some other reports that claim the 3G network is over taxed with all the new iPhones pining for bandwidth. If this were the case wouldn't all 3G users be experiencing this problem across all devices? Allow me to answer myself . . . no! iPhone users experience the network problems because it's the only handset with fully integrated internet features . . . remember, Steve said it's the internet in your pocket. Blackberry users get the mobile internet (basically the internet without any pictures or other media - it sucks) along with Palm users (cricket, cricket). That being said, Apple would benefit by putting the screws to AT&T to encourage them to get more towers in more places so I can get 'more service in more places - the new AT&T'. Where's James Earl Jones when you need him?

I say we blame AT&T, who's with me??

Scribble for iPhone and iPod Touch Video Review

Let's say there's a six year-old you need to entertain for a few minutes, and you trust this child with a $200-$500 phone.. Then Scribble is for you:

iPhone worse after 2.0.2

I don't know about you, but after doing the 2.0.2 update, my first generation iPhone has been receiving less signal and the OS has been slower. I now find myself unable to even make a call more often than the 1.o software or even the 2.0.1 software. Up until now software updates have been uneventful, as they should be. I think a good sign of a software update is not knowing that you did it, or in the case of major bug fixes, greater performance.

When I connected my phone after TDL Live two weeks ago (when the new software became available) iTunes didn't even recognize new software was available until I clicked to have it check. Ever since the update, tapping on the keyboard has resulted in delayed text input, Apple native applications "unexpectedly quit", and the phone more often downgrades connectivity to the slower GPRS network (indicated by the circle inside a square icon). Prior to the upgrade, my phone connected to the GPRS network only once.

This brings us back to a topic from TDL Live . . . Is Apple just too thinned out? We saw the hack job MobileMe release which by my accounts still isn't resolved. Apple has been expected to debut game changing products, and the street is continuing this expectation each quarter. If Apple hadn't released the 3G iPhone when they did, the stock would have taken a substantial tumble. I hope a corrective update is released to fix the 2.0.2 fix or I'll be reverting back to 2.0.1.

Interview with Marcelo Lewin, Pixel Heads Network

For our TDL Profiles series, I recently did a short iChat video interview with Marcelo Lewin, the creator of Pixel Heads Network, producer of video and audio podcasts aimed at New Media creators.

TDL: In our video interview, you mentioned you started editiing with Windows Movie Maker. Tell us about the process of "converting" to Mac.

Marcelo Lewin: I never understood why people were passionate about the Mac, of course, until I made the switch and "saw the light". Seriously, the experience is so much more conducive to being creative. I just loved the switch and I never looked back. In fact, my main concern was with finding all the apps on my Windows machine on the Mac. I thought I would have to "settle". Nope. They are all there (e.g. MS office, development tools, etc.).


TDL: Where do you see the growth in new media?
ML: Podcasts have been around for a few years.. any buzz on the next big thing?
The next big thing is standardization of new media analytics. To grow, we must have standards. I think in the next couple of years you will see the market starting to consolidate, standards implemented and the industry will then really take off (revenue wise).


TDL: Do you think most content creators will ever make money?
ML: Yes! Of course. It's a new market and many people are doing this for free now, but as the audience grows, as standards are in place and as more companies want to advertise in shows, you will see creators starting to make money.

TDL: Who are some of the podcasters/new media people you look up to, or who you think have a good model?
ML: I really think all of us, are people we can look to and learn from. It's a new business and it's hard to get an industry going and all of us have a say in how it will turn out. Of course, I like some of them out there more then others. I love to listen to Leo Laporte, Chris Marquard from Tips From The Top Floor, Alex Lindsay from Mac Break, etc....but there are lots of people out there doing great things!

TDL: Take us briefly through your video podcast workflow... and audio...

ML:
Meet The Experts (audio podcast):
I use Skype for the interview and record to Audio Hijack Pro (left channel host, right channel guest). From there I put the file through The Levelator. After that, I edit that file in SoundTrack Pro. Once I cleaned up all the ums, uhs and just made the interview tighter, I then create a multi-track project and create the enhanced podast. I then export as an enhanced podcast and also as an MP3 using Telestream's Episode. I publish that with an XML file using PodcastMaker and upload and publish to my site using Wordpress.

Digital Media Quick Tips.
I start with iShowU as my screen capture software. I then edit in Final Cut Pro, color correct. I clean up sound in SoundtrackPro, and then output as a QuickTime. I convert that file in Telestream Episode as FLV, AppleTV and iPod Touch formats. I publish that with an XML file using PodcastMaker and upload and publish to my site using Wordpress.

EXPOzed:
I videotape with Canon XH-A1 and Senheiser Lavs. I then edit in Final Cut Pro, color correct. I clean up sound in SoundtrackPro, and then output as a QuickTime. I convert that file in Telestream Episode as FLV, AppleTV and iPod Touch formats. I publish that with an XML file using PodcastMaker and upload and publish to my site using Wordpress.

TDL: What do you think has been the most important hardware/software in democratizing media creation?
ML: The cell phone cameras from a hardware perspective and iMovie or Adobe Premiere Elements from a vide editing perspective.

TDL: You cover a lot of Expos for your show Expozed.. any trends, new media or otherwise, you're seeing from those shows?
ML: Podcasting and web videos are accepted as the new way to distribute and influence customers. Also, in general, you will see more people in their homes doing video editing, shooting green screen, and after attending Siggraph this year, I'd say, in 2 to 3 years, you will screen Motion Capture technology available for under $2000.

TDL: What does the phrase "New Media" mean to you?
ML: Democratization of communication. Even playing field. We all now have the same possibilities to express ourselves. It's just up to you to take advantage of it.

TDL: What led to your switch from Windows to Mac?
ML: Final Cut Pro.

TDL: Is there an application not available for Mac that you wish was available?
ML: Quicken. It's available on the Mac, but it sucks. Intuit promises that the next version will be a very nice Mac version. We'll see.

Restuarant Nutrition guide for iPhone and iPod Touch

Ok, so maybe Monday morning, after a gluttonous weekend isn't the best time to add this particular app review to the blog, but we've got to do it. Find out just how many calories you consumed on those fast food runs this weekend with Restaurant Nutrition:

Crazy Lighter for iPhone and iPod Touch Video Review

Ahh yes... Your favorite rock band is slowin' i down... As you look at the sea of 40,000 people at the sold out, overpriced show (thanks Ticketmaster) you see the lighters starting to come out. But, what are you to do; you didn't bring a lighter. You don't even smoke! But you don't want to stand there in the dark. Well thankfully, Crazy Lighter has got you covered:

Ruby Repeat for the iPhone and iPod Touch Video Review

Quick tip: You should have better plans this weekend than playing Ruby Repeat. Still not sure? Here's a video review to convince you:

Apple at a China Crossroad

No, we're not stirring the pot again on our proposed Jobs' trip to China. We're referring to the impending collision between business decisions and political appeasements. Apple will have some serious decisions to make over the next few months regarding this lucrative market. Just this week reports surfaced that iTunes in China has been blocked due to Pro-Tibetan content, specifically, the "Songs for Tibet" album, added this week.

Apple, like many global companies faces serious questions in China. How should this situation be resolved? Give in to pressure from China and remove the album, at the risk of a backlash from around the world, or stand firm and risk losing what could easily be one of their most lucrative iPhone markets? And yes, there is the tiny detail that many Apple products are manufactured in China, as well.

What will Apple do? Well, there is one small incident that might give us a hint. Last year, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez decided to unilaterally change the time zone of Venezuela by half an hour. As you probably have noticed, most time zones are segmented by hours. The move placed Venezuela in its own time zone. As of July, Apple hadn't added the half hour offset for Venezuela in its time settings, causing problems like these. Microsoft on the other hand, had an update out within a few weeks acknowledging the time zone change. Was this lack of change an intentional political statement on Apple's part? If so, would they be as willing to take that sort of stand with China?

Dealing with China will be a far more high-profile, and high stakes process. Apple was wise to bring Andrea Jung from Avon onto the board early this year. At the time, the move was seen as a smart way to learn to market more effectively to women in China. In reality though, Jung could prove even more important as Apple navigates the Chinese political landscape.

While Apple has been a global brand for decades, China may be the first significant time in which a decision they make - to pull the Pro-Tibet album or not - will displease at least one major group of potential customers. Our bet: the album will disappear from the Chinese iTunes store, iTunes access in China will be restored, and except for a few protests (perhaps a letter from Richard Gere?) we'll all forget this happened. On the other hand, if it's a slow news cycle, or the issue is painted against the bigger backdrop of doing business with China, then this might not go away as quickly as Apple would like.


So put on your CEO hat. What would you do if you ran Apple?

Writing Pad for iPhone and iPod Touch Video Review

Is there a better way to input text to the iPhone beyond Apple's default keyboard? Well, Writing Pad gives a glimpse at one alternate method. Not stylus input, and not quite keyboard input, you'll just have to see it to understand it. And here you go:

Why did Microsoft Pick Seinfeld? Because 1998 was when MSFT was last Relevant

Look out Apple! You're uncontested ribbing of Vista in all those "Mac and PC" ads is about to be challenged. Yes the sleeping Redmond dragon is waiting. And if you thought "The Mojave Experiment" made marketshare dip (it didn't), wait til you see what Jerry Seinfeld will do!

Yes, last relevant in the 90's, like Microsoft itself, Seinfeld is the new pitch man as part of a $300 million ad campaign. Ya know, Microsoft, for that much money you could probably hire away a few app engineeers, and actually fix Vista. But I digress. So look for Jerry Seinfeld (you may recall his character had a Mac in the show) to be hawking for MSFT soon, and their theme: "Windows not Walls." See, Microsoft is apparently about everything being open. Who knew?

More Cowbell for iPhone and iPod Touch

Show of hands, who's gotta have more cowbell!? Well, here ya go:

TDL Live This week: (8/18-8/25)

It's that time again... Time for our recap of the news and rumors this week.