Wednesday: May 12, 2010
- HTC asks for ban on Apple products after filing patent complaint.
Engadget is taking a deeper look at just what patents are involved here between the two companies and the implications of the federal lawsuit (which HTC has filed along with their patent suit). Should be an interesting battle - or about as interesting as Nokia versus Apple.
- Apple seems to have lost yet another iPhone prototype.
Here we go again - not sure how Apple would've been able to make the same mistake twice given the publicity of the last prototype that was lost. A teardown of the device has revealed an Apple branded microchip, just like the iPad.
Tuesday: May 11, 2010
- Have a peek at some near-final screenshots of the Windows Phone 7 interface.
I find parts of this user interface to be very depressing (granted it's not final but near-final sounds like their pretty close). The data entry screens are bland, colorless, and lifeless. Almost as if you're signing a death warrant on someone when you want to add them as a contact. Not very inviting.
Monday: May 10, 2010
- An interesting writeup on iPad usability from Jakob Nielsen.
This post contains most of my reasoning as to why I haven't purchased an iPad just yet. I can't seem to rationalize how the device fits into my overall usage scheme. The iPhone seems to do everything I would use an iPad for - and it does a heck of a good job at everything it already does.
- Android manages to outsell the iPhone in smartphone sales for the first time.
Verizon (30%), T-Mobile (17%) and Sprint (15%) make up the bulk of the rest of the market. The numbers may also reflect the late lifecycle of the iPhone 3GS compared to the newer android devices. Apple is also widely expected to revise the iPhone in the next month.
- Verizon customers would really like to have an iPhone to call their own.
Of those polled who are currently Verizon subscribers, 19% said they were 'very likely' to buy an iPhone if it became available to the carrier, with another 34% answering that they were 'somewhat likely' to buy. Both numbers were higher than those for either Sprint or T-Mobile subscribers.
- Ten free iPhone apps to learn a new skill in ten minutes or less.
Yes folks, if you have a desire to learn a brand new skill chances are there truly is an app for that somewhere on the app store. Enjoy these quick gems and be sure to use your newfound skills wisely and for the greater good (looking at you, origami app).
Tuesday: April 20, 2010
- Apple would like their device back from Gizmodo, sends official letter.
Well, this whole story just keeps getting more interesting every minute. Apple has acknowledged the existence of said missing device and sent notice asking for return. Gizmodo has decided to post the letter along with a casual smart-alecky response as well. Not a good way to win brownie points or future media event invitations.
- Everything you need to know about that recently leaked iPhone and the story thus far.
If you haven't heard by now (which you probably have but we'll continue anyway) Gizmodo mysteriously got their hands on a prototype of the next generation iPhone which was supposedly left in a bar by an Apple employee. This breach of Apple security and the entire story itself is raising all kinds of questions about media ethics.
Thursday: April 15, 2010
- Adobe to sue Apple sometime in the near future regarding recent SDK changes.
This really shouldn't be a surprise given Apple's recent barring of none-native code on the iPhone and features that Adobe had ready for CS5 in those regards for development. Apparently this was the final straw and not the relentless bashing they've endured for lack of Flash on Apple's various mobile devices.
- Photoblog: Sunrise Over Ontario
Slightly grainy shot captured recently whilst engaged in a weekend quick trip over the border. Should also be noted that this photo was taken with my trusty and newly updated iPhone 3GS which takes pretty good photos now that they've added that handy autofocus feature.
Location:Lake Ontario, Canada
- Opera Mini for iPhone shoots past one million downloads in the App Store.
Turns out that people really do like an alternative to mobile Safari on their beloved iPhones. The application is also currently in the number one position in all twenty-two flavors of the app store.
Tuesday: April 13, 2010
- Opera Mini browser app now available for your beloved iPhone.
Users of the iPhone now have an alternative to Safari when browsing the web thanks to Opera's latest and recently approved app offering. The Register has a thorough review of the app on the other side of the click. I'll admit it feels pretty snappy on my 3GS although sometimes page rendering is a bit wonky.
Monday: April 12, 2010
- Eleven recordings of terrible hold music for your listening pleasure.
Ever been stuck on the phone waiting customer service of some kind? Chances are that you've probably heard some of these musical disasters. There are some exceptions to the hold call rule. Some of the trendier companies here in NYC play classic Nintendo (8-bit and all) music whilst holding. Instant win.
- Adobe Creative Suite 5 now available for all you serious design folk out there.
The cost for getting yourself the latest and greatest set of Adobe design tools will set you back $1,699. If you happen to be thinking of going full-blown Master edition, you'll be plunking down $2,599. The iPhone Packager Tool may or may not be included with your purchase.
Friday: April 9, 2010
- Multitasking and several other features coming to an iPhone near you.
That certainly was a whopper of an Apple presentation yesterday bringing tons of interesting features to iPhones, iPads, and iPods. I'm very curious to see how their iAds platform does once it is fully available. You can watch the entire presentation over on Apple's website.
- Honest products through the truthful eye of Photoshop.
You can always count on a Photoshop contest to reveal the true nature of popular products and services. You'll also get a quick education about the popular consensus of said product and/or service. Handy and redundant.
Tuesday: April 6, 2010
- Apple sends out invites for iPhone 4.0 preview event.
The month of Apple continues to roll on as the media will surely continue coverage of the iPad, iPhone, iPod now that this little event has been announced. The new software update is rumored to have some interface refreshes and some possible multi-tasking in there as well.
- Turns out that most iPad owners already own an iPhone or another Mac. Who knew?
About 66 percent of those surveyed said that they currently own an iPhone. A whopping 99 percent of those iPhone owners say they will use their handset in conjunction with the iPad.
Monday: April 5, 2010
- Mr. Plinkett's review of Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones now online.
It's finally here! If you enjoyed the first seventy minute review of Episode 1 than you'll definetly have many a laugh with the ninety minute review of Episode 2. At least... that's what he said.
Thursday: April 1, 2010
- Nokia's N97 phone interface turns out to be a little different from the promo video.
The iPhone really has changed the landscape of smartphones and it's plain to see after you see the video from the source link. You'll see some attractive looking transitions and animations that somehow skipped the actual device. You'll want to give your trusty iPhone a hug after watching this.
Tuesday: March 30, 2010
- Rumors swirling that there may be an iPhone for Verizon on the horizon.
The Taiwan firm, Pegatron, will begin shipping the phones from next year, said the source close to Pegatron, who declined to be named as the plans were not yet public. The source could not confirm if the products would be for Verizon's network.
Thursday: March 25, 2010
- Hacking contest reveals brand new security flaw in your beloved iPhone.
The contest in question netted two lucky individuals a cool $15,000 as well as a brand new iPhone for their discovery. The hack in question involved a vulnerability located in the mobile Safari app which opened the door to other mischief.
Wednesday: March 24, 2010
- Daily Grind: Picky
Name: Vin (aka mr. critical)
Occupation: Webmaster / Procrastinator / Dad
How Vin feels today: Picky @ 3:08:46 PM
What Vin really wants today: Continue nit-picking at certain designs and also learning all about the wonders of objective-c coupled with Cocoa Touch as I attempt to publish some kind of iPhone app... hopefully this year.Music Stuck in Head: Imogene / God Street Wine
The trend continues yet again. Also doesn't help that I'm building an archival site centered around the very same musical group at the very same time.Stuff to do today:
- See if that Tron DVD has finally arrived from Netflix
- Proceed to introduce said Tron movie to other half who has never actually seen it
- Brace self for nerdy onslaughts
- Find more time to play Final Fantasy XIII
- My take so far? Quite boring
- ...and this review sums it up quite perfectly
- Find more time to continue plugging away at iPhone app
- Find more time to continue that other archive-based project
- Find more time in general
Tuesday: March 23, 2010
- A handy tutorial on how to fix a stripped wire on your beloved set of headphones.
This has happened to me more times than I can remember specifically with a certain line of Sony headphones. Next time this happens I'll be giving this tutorial a whirl before running out to the local Best Buy.
Monday: March 22, 2010
- Brand new Apple patent may pave the way for their very own social network.
Yes, you may be getting your iSocial on in the near future thanks to this little patent that Apple has put forth specifically for the iPhone. Behind the scenes your iPhone passes tokens around to correspond with users in your immediate vicinity and let's you connect with them (either digitally or realistically).
Friday: March 19, 2010
- A collection of tutorials on how to make a variety of different money origami.
Yes, you really can make anything from a dollar bill heart to a dollar bill t-shirt. My personal favorite is the dollar bill wallet. The sheer logic of putting money in something that is already made of money makes me dizzy.
Wednesday: March 17, 2010
- Google's Nexus One phone considered a flop due to lagging sales.
Turns out that the Google has only moved about 135,000 of these units. This is staggering when you take into account that Apple had already sold a million iPhones by the same time in that product's life cycle.
Wednesday: March 10, 2010
- Three reasons as to why the iPad won't see a quick price drop after it's release.
This should be pretty easy to figure out especially if you happened to be an early iPhone adopter (such as myself) from way back in 2007. One would conclude that Apple y wouldn't repeat the same mistake although it was nice quite nice to get some free Apple money.
Tuesday: March 9, 2010
- When statues come to life via the non-stationary of Photoshop.
This particular Worth1000 contest reminds me of that Simpsons (Treehouse of Horror) episode where all of the advertising figures came to life. 'He came to life! Good for him.'