Posts tagged apple

When bad things happen to good iPhones

Tuesday while I was walking to my car, precariously balancing a travel mug, my bag and trying to read Twitter all at the same time, my hand slipped and my precious communication device ended up flat on its back on the concrete parking lot floor. As it hit, I heard a distinctly crunchy sound. When I leaned to pick it up, I felt the results. Shattered. Crap.

So, I got in my car and drove directly to the Apple store. I did not pass go. I did not collect $200. When I got there, I was informed it would be a 30 minute wait before a “genius” could see me.

I looked at the bright-eyed young clerk and said, “Can you just give it to me straight? Can this be fixed and will it cost me $600?” She said, “Oh, yeah. it can be fixed while you wait and if everything is still working properly, replacing the back costs about $30.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll wait.”

About 15 minutes later, a young genius came over and asked me what I needed. I flipped my phone over. He said, “Okay. No problem.” He noodled with a couple settings and then disappered with my phone for 10 minutes. When he returned, I had a shiny new back and he even wiped all the dirt of the edge of my bumper. $28 plus tax and all was well in the world.

I was informed that, had I broken the front of the phone, the price would have been $150 to repair as all the delicate electronics are soldered to the touchscreen and the fonr glass. So, once again, dear readers, learn from my mistakes. If you don’t have a cover or some sort of protection on your phone, get some. Handle it gently or make sure you applied for the insurance policy. I managed to escape with the equivalent of the cost of dinner. I’d hate for you to suffer the same fate.

Original Article

The newest issue of Wired (June 2012, AKA 20.06) arrived in the mail this weekend and I immediately scoured the “Our Guide to Photography in the Instagram Age” article (this content is so fresh, its not even up on the Wired web site yet but I’ll link to the article as soon as it does). What I can do though is provide a list of the favorite camera/photography apps featured in the special section that also included some short reviews of various mobile phones based on the quality of their cameras as well as recommendations for higher-end cameras too. So, here goes: Recommended by Cole Rise who created several of the most frequently used Instagram filters: PhotoForge2 ($0.99) Average Camera Pro ($0.99) Photosynth (Free) LensFlare ($0.99) Recommended by Doctor Popular of Objective Scenes: Camera+ ($0.99) AntiCrop ($0.99) Decim8 ($0.99) Filterstorm ($3.99) And just to throw in my two cents, here are a few of my favorites: PicFrame ($0.99) Postale ($0.99) Also mentioned in the article was a company called Taplayer that has created several apps that utilize a Kodak Brownie-like look as well as TtV (through the viewfinder)-style filters. Go forth and phone-agraph! Original Article

The newest issue of Wired (June 2012, AKA 20.06) arrived in the mail this weekend and I immediately scoured the “Our Guide to Photography in the Instagram Age” article (this content is so fresh, its not even up on the Wired web site yet but I’ll link to the article as soon as it does).

What I can do though is provide a list of the favorite camera/photography apps featured in the special section that also included some short reviews of various mobile phones based on the quality of their cameras as well as recommendations for higher-end cameras too. So, here goes:

Recommended by Cole Rise who created several of the most frequently used Instagram filters:

Recommended by Doctor Popular of Objective Scenes:

And just to throw in my two cents, here are a few of my favorites:

Also mentioned in the article was a company called Taplayer that has created several apps that utilize a Kodak Brownie-like look as well as TtV (through the viewfinder)-style filters.

Go forth and phone-agraph!

Original Article

I’ve used and abused, ignored and overlooked dozens of note-taking and sticky note-saving apps over the years. I was a loyal user of StickyBrain (which later became SohoNotes which retails for $39.99 and is compatible with an iPhone and iPad app, $4.99 and $9.99 respectively ) and have even tried a few of the online organizational tools like Evernote and Remember The Milk but in the end, simpler always seems better. There are some notes I want with me, and for those I resort to paper and pen but for things like serial numbers, web links, bits of code for a blog or other random bit of digital detritus, I keep going back to Notational Velocity (free). Foremost, Notational Velocity is the epitome of simple. You type a title or keyword in the search bar. If you’ve already created a note with the text, it will show in the box below. If not, it will just create a new note with that text as the title. Then in the bottom field, you add the content. Easy-peasy. As the epitome of simple, Notational Velocity does not store photos, include tags or folders. Its just a searchable list of bits of text, thoughts, notes, code, etc. Notational Velocity syncs with Simple Note, an iPhone and iPad app which is also free so you combine both online and offline note-saving as well as have a smooth, free back-up system for your notes. Do you have any apps that help keep your desktop clear of clutter and your notes and thoughts organized? Leave a note in the comments! Original Article


I’ve used and abused, ignored and overlooked dozens of note-taking and sticky note-saving apps over the years. I was a loyal user of StickyBrain (which later became SohoNotes which retails for $39.99 and is compatible with an iPhone and iPad app, $4.99 and $9.99 respectively ) and have even tried a few of the online organizational tools like Evernote and Remember The Milk but in the end, simpler always seems better. There are some notes I want with me, and for those I resort to paper and pen but for things like serial numbers, web links, bits of code for a blog or other random bit of digital detritus, I keep going back to Notational Velocity (free).

Foremost, Notational Velocity is the epitome of simple. You type a title or keyword in the search bar. If you’ve already created a note with the text, it will show in the box below. If not, it will just create a new note with that text as the title. Then in the bottom field, you add the content. Easy-peasy. As the epitome of simple, Notational Velocity does not store photos, include tags or folders. Its just a searchable list of bits of text, thoughts, notes, code, etc.

Notational Velocity syncs with Simple Note, an iPhone and iPad app which is also free so you combine both online and offline note-saving as well as have a smooth, free back-up system for your notes.

Do you have any apps that help keep your desktop clear of clutter and your notes and thoughts organized? Leave a note in the comments!

Original Article

While the iPhone, in general, is relatively idiot-proof, there are some nifty features that do require some explanation or reminders that they exist. Appstorm collected 40 such tips that can help you be more efficient and just generally do more with your iPhone. I feel so much smarter! (via iPhone.AppStorm) Original Article

While the iPhone, in general, is relatively idiot-proof, there are some nifty features that do require some explanation or reminders that they exist. Appstorm collected 40 such tips that can help you be more efficient and just generally do more with your iPhone. I feel so much smarter!

(via iPhone.AppStorm)

Original Article

A new iPad and the hunt for accessories

So, in preparation for a big trip, I fell off the bandwagon (again) and bought a new iPad. Yeah, one of those newfangled iPads with the Retina display. This purchase was not made without some trepidation; I had owned one previously and found it too devoted to games and content-consumption and not enough about making, editing, and reviewing content, not to mention iPads are not inexpensive. That said, when I compared the other options available at the moment that would let me watch movies and tv, read books and magazines, and on occasion check my email, twitter or web, there weren’t many options: the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet/Color were about the only other candidates in the running. I KNOW there are other options but as a fairly devoted Apple-user I was not quite ready to go down a fully-Android path.

So, now we come to the crux of my issues. I need a good cover/case for my new gadget as well as a good bag to trek across the globe with.

So far, I’ve been debating upon just getting one of Apple’s stock magnetic Smart Covers as I’ve not seen much in the way of small, reasonably-priced protective covers for the new iPad.

As for other goodies, I did stumble upon the Moop Messenger No.4 for iPad. While slightly out of my price range at $185, it looks lovely. I’m intrigued by the names of their other models as well, including The Letter Bag and The Letter Clutch.

Any suggestions for accessories, apps, cases or bags for our fine readers? Leave them in the comments! Thanks!

Original Article

The Wall Street Journal collects a list of apps that turn your tablet into a sketchpad as well as offering some options for styli to use with your tablet. (via WSJ.com) Original Article

The Wall Street Journal collects a list of apps that turn your tablet into a sketchpad as well as offering some options for styli to use with your tablet.

(via WSJ.com)

Original Article

I read about Ghostwriter Notes on Patrick Ng’s Scription blog. It’s an iPad app that allows users to create handwritten notes on an iPad screen using a finger or stylus. “Pages” may be exported to photo album, Dropbox or Evernote. It allows for PDFs to be imported and annotated. It appears to get decent reviews and sells for $3.99. Any iPad users out there using this app? Opinions?? (via Ghostwriter Notes on the iTunes App Store)

I read about Ghostwriter Notes on Patrick Ng’s Scription blog. It’s an iPad app that allows users to create handwritten notes on an iPad screen using a finger or stylus. “Pages” may be exported to photo album, Dropbox or Evernote. It allows for PDFs to be imported and annotated. It appears to get decent reviews and sells for $3.99. Any iPad users out there using this app? Opinions??

(via Ghostwriter Notes on the iTunes App Store)

itunes.apple.com

Katie Daisy’s bright flowery iPhone cases help spring bloom a little early… at least for your phone. (via Uncommon Blog)

Katie Daisy’s bright flowery iPhone cases help spring bloom a little early… at least for your phone.

(via Uncommon Blog)

getuncommon.com

Safety Week: 1Password

Once you’ve password protected your computer, locked all the doors and windows and backed up all your data, what could possibly be left to do? Protecting your passwords and making them as secure as possible. Thanks to 1Password, you can store all your passwords within one application under a master password. Also, 1Password can generate new and even more secure passwords for you behind your master password providing protection from online hacking. It will also store serial numbers, credit card data and notes under lock-and-key. Software can be backed up to Dropbox or your harddrive. The software is pricey but the peace of mind is free. $49 for desktop app. $14.99 for iOS.

Update: 1Password is available for Android and Windows as well as the full array of Apple products.

(via 1Password)

Original Article

Safety Week: Require a password

Step number one in Safety Week. If you have a portable computer (or really any computer for that matter) go into your preferences right now and set your computer to require a user name and password upon restart, waking from sleep or waking from screen saver. It is your first line of defense for identity theft. It makes it harder for someone to get your data (be it your email address, credit card number or baby photos) and they will be more likely to just wipe the drive than try to hack it. It sucks either way but it’ll suck a whole lot less knowing thieves cannot access your data.

Original Article