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Numbers - The Bigger, The Better?
Jun 29th
So, there are all these charts trying to blast the iPhone 4 away because “its megapixels aren’t good enough” or “512 MB of RAM is nothing!” My feeling is that these specifications shouldn’t mean anything. It’s not even uncommon for people to have 512 MB of RAM (or less…) in their home computers, so why is it a big deal that the iPhone 4 doesn’t have 1 GB? I feel like these numbers are a hold out from the PC era, where everything was about specifications plus a general ignorance about the market.
I mean, people still think more megapixels = better pictures. This has been proven over and over to be not true. These numbers (processor clock, memory, storage, etc), are put on charts to try and judge a device. The intention is, that someone could look at this chart and decide that something is better. The bigger the number, the better the phone, right? It matters to people because their ignorance is high, and so are “the numbers.” These days, since every mobile phone environment is more controlled, it’s more a matter of “How well does my phone run?” rather than “What’s in my phone?”
If my phone streams to bluetooth speakers, scrolls through lists smoothly, runs all my apps and games, and never gets in my way,.. then why do numbers matter? It’s about the experience those numbers provide, and more numbers, doesn’t mean it’s a better device. So all those folks with “irrelevant” G1s, Droids, iPhone 3Gs, Palm Pixis, and Blackberry Pearl Flips - do you like your phone? Does it run well? Does it get in your way?
Ignore the number folk, they just don’t get it.
Idea via Engadget
Review: iMovie-like Editing on a 3GS, Believe It!
Jun 28th
I’m not sure how I found ReelDirector or how much I paid for it at the time. With the release of iMovie for iPhone, which is only usable on iPhone 4, my memory was fired and I dropped ReelDirector on my phone (it had never been used prior). I immediately hit the application to see what it was capable of. My findings were surprising. While it lacks Apple polish, it’s certainly capable and the final versions of edited videos have more bang than anything that could be put together on other phones available (OK OK!, that was a cheap shot! I don’t mean it!). I even compiled a test video and compared it to the desktop iMovie.
Read the full review and see my comparison video…
Apple’s iMovie for iPhone
This application is a bit specialized. I have no frame of reference if mobile is kept in mind, except iMovie for iPhone 4, which I have not used. So, my comparisons will be drawn to desktop editing conventions and practices. ReelDirector’s draws a lot of inspiration from the desktop version of iMovie. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The latest version of desktop iMovie bases everything around clips, rather than a timeline. Individual functions on that clip are processed individually (go figure). These kinds of concepts work well on mobile, where screen size is limited.
iMovie and ReelDirector - cut from the same cloth
The application is not inherently simple to use. It does come with a sample video edit, preloaded with lots of useful information - take the time to watch it. I found myself getting the hang of it fairly quickly after messing around with it. Basically, the process works as follows:
- Create project - Here, predefined settings can be set for font, style, transitions, etc. If you’re doing a simple video, make changes here and they won’t have to be individually applied to each clip.
- Import photos or video - There’s a rapid fire mode for photos. Video must be compressed first.
- Hold on a clip and drag it around to re-order - à la iMovie.
- Apply text, transitions, or trim clips - Selecting a clip will bring up a pane that will give you individual control over clip behavior. Want to cross dissolve to start and fade to black at the end? Change clip volume? Want white text at the top? Make those changes now.
- Add music or recorded sounds - More on adding music in a bit.
- Finish everything by tapping “Render ” - This compiles your creation.
- Save to camera roll - For publishing and sharing.
The application doesn’t necessarily force you to do it this way, but jumping around, especially with a lot of clips, would be time consuming.
You’ve got options
I made a sample video with various plants in my Minneapolis neighborhood. I tried to specifically use combinations of photos, video and audio to really see how flexible the application was. The 1:20 video took me about 10-20 minutes (as a novice to the application) to put everything together and an additional 10 minutes to render. Rendering will pause if the application is closed, I expect background rendering to be added soon. I also made virtually the same compilation in iMovie (with no advanced effects like, stabilization). This took me about 6 minutes import and combine and an additional 3 minutes to render.
Sideloading music
I’d feel guilty if I didn’t disclose that I kinda cheated. Music, it can’t be loaded from the iPod application, it must be sideloaded. This can be accomplished by using the iTunes file sync (which is fabulous!) or using a companion application over wifi. The question is: if one is not aware that they will be putting a video together, then must wait to get home to add music, then why not edit it on the computer? I guess it’s possible that one could preload a bunch of movie ready songs with the anticipation that they might be used someday, but that’s pretty impractical. Still, music may not be necessary for every movie, but it’s worth mentioning.
Multiple project support + project options
We’re having some issues on our end getting embedded videos to display correctly. To see the completed project, you’ll have to click below:
—>ReelDirector vs iMovie<—
It’s pretty obvious that the ReelDirector version butchers the sound (use headphones!). It’s crunchier than tap dancers on Chex Mix. Further, transitions and Ken Burns effects on still images are marred by grainy pixelation. These two factors on quality instantly kill any real application and demote it to “make quick videos to share with friends” status. I personally can’t tell if the actual video quality is any worse, but I wouldn’t be too surprised. Who would expect a wimpy iPhone app to beat a desktop video editor, though? Me. The quality should at least be similar. My iPhone already does everything, this shouldn’t be excused.
It’s poignant to note that making movies with ReelDirector is FUN. I had a blast creating something special on my phone, ready to share. There’s an sense of accomplishment when the project is finished. That being said, I would definitely not want to edit anything over 5 minutes. The tedium would be overwhelming, not to mention the rendering time. I actually have no recommendation, 3GS owners will have to take what I said and make their own decisions. For those that want their phones to literally do everything without upgrading to the latest version, check out ReelDirector. I believe the price was reduced to $3.99 from $6.99 to compete with iMovie for iPhone. That’s not a bad price at all for iPhone 3GS holdouts.
ReelDirector
This application was paid for by GuruClark using ReelDirector version 3.0.1.
The iPad and Real Estate
Jun 28th
Benjamin Bach is not only a good friend of the site, but also a renowned real estate agent in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. He recently compiled an in-depth list of what the iPad can do for budding real estate agents and it’s very informative.
He discusses daily use. what apps to use, and what issues you can possibly expect to encounter. A definite must read for the enterprising agent looking to expand past PC
Click here to read the full article
Follow me on twitterWhat Does Your Phone Skin Say About You?
Jun 27th
A cellular phone skin (cover/protector) can come in many different colours, and materials which can say a lot about one’s personality. Here is my short list on what your phone skin could say about you. Please take this seriously as the following has been researched based on psychological science.
The Naked Phone (no skin)
You are a highly responsible and organized individual. Your phone does not dictate your identity as its primary use is for business purposes. You don’t feel your phone requires any protection as it usually sits in a holster on your hip, or at the side of your leather office bag. Furthermore, you know where your phone is located at all times and would never carelessly drop it due to any scatterbrain activity as this is completely against your nature.
Black Dark Coloured Rubber or Plastic Skin
You are a highly practical and a down to earth person. Your phone means quite a lot to you, yet you don’t want to draw attention to yourself or your phone as you relish those under the table tweets and quickie pillow talk texts. Furthermore, you didn’t think beyond having a suitable non-coloured protector to your phone which occasional dropping would protect.
Solid Colour Skin – White
You are a bold individual that is highly neat with a unique style. You own special cleaners for your phone and skin that you use on a daily basis. Your phone is always in perfect condition. You shudder at the thought of it being placed on a cement floor or wet bar; this would never happen.
Solid Colour Skin – Bright (Yellow, Pink, Green, Orange etc..)
Depending on your colour, you are a range of extroversion that may include the need to have people notice your phone and comment on its brilliant colour. You are loud and noticeable in your demeanour and feel that your phone should match that similar personality. You drop your phone a few times a week due to multi-tasking and frequent scatterbrained activity. Furthermore, you feel the need to switch up your bright colours as your tastes of colour and style change like the weather.
Intricately Designed Skin
You are a creative and unique person that believes your phone could be an actual living spirit. You have decorated your phone with jewels, caricatures, or purchased uniquely designed skins of graphics with a mixture of colours. You are most likely an iPhone user who enjoys music, application use and taking pictures – you may aspire or take part in design or creation of ideas as your profession.
Whichever skin your cell phone wears, whether it is unconsciously or deliberately, be mindful that it generally doesn’t go unnoticed. It is directly related to your personality and mobile lifestyle.
iPhone vs. Blackberry – Clashing of Mobile Personalities
Jun 19th
Today we are introducing a series of articles on the Mobile Lifestyle. Jas Banwait is a fashion and technology entrepreneur, and, having her foot in both doors, wants to explore the ways we interact with our devices, and why we choose the ones we do. In this first in a series of articles, Jas looks at the not-so-friendly rivalry between the iPhone and Blackberry. Let the battle begin!
iPhone vs. Blackberry – Clashing of Mobile Personalities
Have you ever thought of your phone as being an extension of yourself and a dictator of your relationships? Is it not the first thing that you look at before you go to bed and when you wake up? It sits dutifully beside you at work and forgetfully calls those lost loves as it jiggles in your pocket/purse while at play. Your life literally revolves around the small device that carries personal messages, business contacts, and incriminating photos.
Some of us are fiercely loyal towards our brand of phone – namely iPhone or Blackberry. But we still befriend one another. Yet, much of our conversations will ensue through these clashing mobile personalities – how can we stand it!?
What, with the ability of an iPhone to send text messages in the wrong order to Blackberries is enough to make someone question their mobile sanity. (Okay fine, older versions of Blackberry do this too).
Every day, we see more and more iPhone applications with no matching Blackberry one. I am left having to find an iPhone user to download said app for me to explore. How sad and pathetic. But alas, I am still loyal to my Blackberry (with a bit of wavering after the hype of iPhone 4).
Here are some helpful tips on how to defend yourself when faced with a clashing mobile personality:
- Being friends is okay, but dating someone with a phone of the opposite kind is a ticket into miscommunication hood. Be careful.
- Your strongest argument for the Blackberry is its amazing email/messaging capabilities – milk this for all its worth when confronted with an arrogant iPhone user.
- Your lifeline is your charger – do not leave home without it, otherwise you will be left with actually making conversation face to face; there is no app for that.
- Create an amazingly cool application for the Blackberry just to spite iPhone users. (Ed. I’ll believe it when I see it).
- Ensure your phone has a skin, you don’t want to be caught naked – who knows your iPhone may be mistaken for a Blackberry or visa versa. This will help avoid discriminatory conversations.
The mobile lifestyle is all about choices in mobile fashion. It’s sometimes hard to decide what camp you want to commit to; it’s hard enough with all the choice out there. But when it comes down to Blackberry or iPhone, it’s about priorities: messaging or apps. Practicality or hotness.
In the long term, it doesn’t really matter. It’s just a phone. Right?
Facebook for BlackBerry - 2 of 5 Stars?
Jun 12th
A few days ago, Facebook 1.8.0.4 for BlackBerry became available for select Beta Zone subscribers. In my opinion, this really doesn’t make much sense. Several months ago when Beta Zone opened, I was happy to see that RIM was giving BlackBerry subscribers the opportunity to beta test native BlackBerry apps, while taking their feedback to create a better user experience in the future.
I have been a Beta Zone member from day one, and for the first time I feel like RIM has made a mistake. Beta Zone members are not your average BlackBerry subscribers. Even though anyone can become a Beta Zone member, its only BlackBerry addicts that have signed up for the most part. They are the people who follow BlackBerry news very closely, BlackBerry based forum members, Bloggers etc. That’s really how we’ve come to learn about Beta Zone in the first place. It really aggravates me that RIM would leave a good portion of their most loyal subscribers out of the mix. I’m not the only one that feels this way, as I have seen many forum posts and tweets from other Beta Zone members which express similar aggravation.
Furthermore, RIM has been completely slacking on their Facebook development in general. For the past two years, Facebook for BlackBerry has seen very little improvement. There are more than 4 million active Facebook users in the world today, yet RIM doesn’t seem to see the importance of rapidly improving their native app. There is a huge demand for Facebook for BlackBerry, but yet the app stinks. The #6 most used free app in BlackBerry App World simply should not have a 2 of 5 star rating. RIM should have seen that as a red flag. It would have been an intelligent move to open up the Facebook program to all Beta Zone members so RIM could get as much feedback as possible.
I am by no means a Facebook fanatic or addict. I consider myself an average user, but when I use an official app, I expect it to work properly and include obvious features, options, etc. RIM, maybe you should have Ubiquitous Systems write the app for you. They seem to be doing a great job with the facebook functionality on SocialScope… Just my 2 cents.
I am aware that Facebook for BlackBerry v1.8 supposedly loads much faster and supports video uploading. I also read that 2.0 will have a fresh UI and include people search, but this is all long overdue in my opinion. Don’t you think RIM needs to invest much more time and money into Facebook for BlackBerry?
Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
BlackBerry App Review: crunchSMS
Jun 11th
While many claim that the BlackBerry is the best messaging device on the market there is still something to be desired, especially on older, non OS 5.0 devices. SMS is decent on the BlackBerry and has been vastly improved in OS 5.0 with the inclusion of threaded messaging and conversation view which better matches the format that is commonly adopted by current devices. Still, those users without OS 5.0 have room to complain with their dated native SMS client. This is where the application crunchSMS steps in, bringing threaded messaging to OS 4.5 devices and up.
Setting up crunchSMS is really simple and completely replaces the native SMS application without causing duplicate notifications between the two applications. Just install crunchSMS on your BlackBerry and then go to options > security options > firewall > then check the SMS box and save your settings. This will block SMS messages from going into the SMS & MMS application but crunchSMS will still pick them up and handle them. From there just move crunchSMS’s icon to your home screen or a convenience key (if that’s what you fancy) and treat it like you would your normal SMS inbox.
Even though I currently have OS 5.0 on my Tour I am now using crunchSMS because it alleviates the problem with CDMA devices being limited to 160 characters per SMS message. I can type forever and crunchSMS will split it up so it can still send over the CDMA network eliminating the need for me to break them up manually.
There are some nice customization options built into crunchSMS too, like tweaking incoming/outgoing chat bubbles, chat background color, and font color. Users also have the option to add a signature just like the default SMS client. The most uplifting thing about crunchSMS for me is how often they update the application and the nice features and fixes they bring in each update. To see what I mean you check out the crunchSMS change log page here.
CrunchSMS is free, but after seven days of using the application a small banner ad will appear at the bottom of application. If you want to eliminate this banner you can fork up $4. The people at crunchSMS have some great features lined up for future builds including things like contact pictures, templates, groups, quick reply, MMS, and more so it was easy for me to pay the four dollars to help support future development.
You can get crunchSMS from App World or directly from their website. Give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed.
Where The Heck Is Google Voice?
Jun 11th
Apple’s policies on the App Store have gotten very lax over the past few months. Restrictions on 3G VoIP calls and streaming have been lifted, for example. Apple says that 95% of apps get approved, ones that don’t are because they crash or use private APIs. So this makes me wonder why there is still no Google Voice. Yes, there is a web app, but that’s not good enough. This is part of the mystery of the App Store, and frankly, the only reason I’m unhappy. Everything else I agree with cause Google Voice seems to be the only thing that doesn’t make sense. So again. Assuming Google Voice doesn’t use private APIs, why has it still not been approved? I await an answer.
Where do you think it is? Is it merely a strengthening of their vendetta against Google?
App Review: WhatsApp for iPhone!
Jun 11th
I love BlackBerry Messenger. I use it all day to talk to family and friends. But not all my friends have a BlackBerry. Just not talking to those people seems simple (and logical) enough, but I can’t do that, so what do I do?
Enter WhatsApp, the most potentially useful, cross-platform, communication app I’ve seen yet (not counting native messaging apps). WhatsApp looks like an early BBM build (see picture at bottom) and is flat-out QUICK.
The app sends SMS messages via your data plan. Setting up the app involves linking the app to your phone number and then using the app to communicate with your buddies. You can set your “Status” with one of the preset options, or create your own. It also imports/opens/makes available your native Contacts app, so there’s no strange-Google-Voice method to getting to them.
There is one downside, however: both people have to have the app in order to use it. Although the app is $2.99 in App World and $0.99 in iTunes (no Android love yet) I only know two other people who have this app, and I really only talk to one of them (also the person who helped me test this app). Luckily, he carries his BB every day, so this app still isn’t that useful to me. If more people had it, I’m sure I’d use it. It’s not that hard on battery (really saying something on a 9550) and doesn’t leak memory either.
All in all, it’s a great idea, just not popular enough to make it an everyday app.
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App Review: Forward Reply & Edit for BlackBerry
Jun 10th
For some reason the BlackBerry OS still does not give you the freedom to edit original information when forwarding or replying from the native email application. Forward Reply & Edit makes these options available to you. Once installed and activated, you can just simply click the menu key when highlighting an email or from within the message, and select ‘Forward & Edit’ or ‘Reply & Edit’. It’s that simple. The app is free, but in order to activate it you will need to select a friend to recommend it to. Just another handy little app I use from day-to-day.
You can download Forward Reply & Edit OTA here or in App World
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