June 14, 11:52pm
Okay, so it’s 8 minutes until June 15th, the day the iPhone 4 goes on pre-sale. I’m actually sitting here just waiting… wondering… hoping… will it go on pre-sale at midnight? I don’t know. Though it probably won’t until morning, I’ve convinced myself to stay up and wait. I’ve googled “iphone 4″ probably 400 times in the past 2 hours, have moved from my dining room to my living room to the bathroom then back to the dining room. I feel like a child on Christmas Eve.
The phone is clearly going to catapult the telephone industry much like it did in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Aside from the handful of new features to come out on this brand new device, the craziest, most futuristic is the Facetime app. The ability to video chat iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 over wi-fi is just truly amazing.
Well… the clock ticks and I have a full day tomorrow, so bed-time is near. But tomorrow will be the day that I upgrade my AT&T contract for yet another 2 years. Let’s hope they at least show me the courtesy of upgrading their wireless network.
Peas out. (11:59pm)
-Bud
NEW: iPhone 4.WOW
NEW: iPhone 4.WOW
While sitting here waiting for a 64 gigabyte file transfer, I had the opportunity to “watch” the live Apple event coverage through GDGT by Ryan Block – simply amazing. This is exactly the reason why I love Apple so much, they just kill it.
It seems as though there is quite a positive reaction to the iPhone’s new 4.0 OS (which will be officially available this Summer). Just about EVERYTHING we’ve been asking for. I’m sure in days to come, there will be negative press and “things they missed” but for a phone, this is pretty damn revolutionary.
Apple has addressed quite a few issues with their current OS and has made some pretty significant changes to do basically 2 things, 1) gain a 40% chunk of the existing advertising dollars going through apps, and 2) make it more easy to add advertising to the iPhone. Genius if you ask me, it’s all about money – money for apple and money for the developers – a win-win situation.
Now, onto the iPhone upgrades.
- Multi-tasking
- Background GPS
- Folders
- Unified In-box
- iBooks
- iAds
- and more.
Now, not all features will work with the non-3GS phones, however (mine is just a 3G), I’m sure the unified in-box will work, and I’m excited about that. I have multiple emails that I use on a daily basis, including a few work emails, a g-mail and a yahoo. Instead of having different in-boxes, it will be much more convenient to be all-in-one!
I think the most impressive item in today’s announcement is the iAds. Apple has single-handedly revolutionized mobile advertising here. (and all with HTML5, I might add) They will control almost all of the future app advertising, allowing developers to not have to be involved in the advertising ring, but still make 60% of the proceeds. (Keep in mind this will allow more apps to be FREE.) These slick user interfaces allow you to enter an ad without leaving your game or app – it opens like a pop-up window and allows you full interaction! Very slick.
So, all-in-all, I’m very excited for these new features. I think Apple has a remarkable way of keeping on top of their competitors and setting the standards for everyday computing. Let me know what you think…
Where have I been???
Okay, so I’ve been neglecting my blogging duties. I’ve been crazy swamped with web design lately and just haven’t found a minute to sit down and write a new blog.
Since my last blog, the iPad has hit the market… no I haven’t gotten one yet, but as soon as I have the extra $520 I will absolutely be an owner. But that’s not what I’m going to blog about today.
If you’re a geo-tagger, all the rage is FourSquare and GoWalla. But if you’re like me you probably are on both… just like we were on both MySpace and Facebook. We’ll, now that MySpace is dead, it’s a good think I went with Facebook. That same thing could happen here. FourSquare is the preferred app, however out of nowhere GoWalla could take over!
How do you prepare for this? Easy. http://check.in – it’s a mobile browser app (so you don’t have to buy it) that will use your existing accounts to check you in all-in-one! How awesome is that. It’s like Ping.fm for geo-tagging.
Right now it’s only available through invitation only – and via invitations that I have no control over. But I suggest jumping on this one ASAP, it will clearly save you time.
Cancer Fighting Princess
The new Cancer Fighting Princess T-shirt, as created by fashion designer Steve Pirring from Free By Sp. Modeling the shirt is Cancer Fighting Princess’s CEO, Melissa Ward. Visit www.cancerfighitngprincess.org for more information about how to get involved.
Order shirts at www.freebysp.com (under the Women’s apparel). Also available in black and burn-out pink.
Google Voice takes over the iPhone.
Google Voice takes over the iPhone.
FINALLY! That’s all I have to say. As an iPhone AND Google enthusiast, I have to say it’s about time I can have them together. Ever since I heard about Google Voice, I jumped onto the bandwagon. In fact I have 2 phone lines – one for my business, Adams Innovative, and one for my non-profit, Cancer Fighting Princess.
If you haven’t explored Google Voice, it’s a free service by Google that gives you a phone number that kind of acts like a “hub” for all your other phone numbers. When someone calls your Google number, it can ring all your phones or a pre-programmed selection. It’s great if you want to separate business and personal life, but still use the cell phone you have in your pocket. As an added bonus, it allows you to screen your calls, use visual voicemail, access your voicemails online, through dial in, or via email and it transcribes your messages to text messages.
For me, it works well with my AT&T A-List too, all my incoming calls use my Google Voice number for caller id. Having put my Google Voice number on my A-List, all my incoming calls are free. I’m pretty sure I have more roll-over minutes than anyone else.
Now, there was a problem. AT&T and Apple (I blame AT&T, the whiny self-centered communists) blacklisted any Google Voice apps. This forced some true innovation and the use of a brand new authoring system: HTML5, the latest installment of the backbone of the internet, the HyperText Markup Language. Google has it’s own direct app using HTML5, you simply navigate to a website and the entire Google Voice App is run directly through the Safari browser. But the newest thing, at least it’s new to me, is the Voice Central Black Swan app from Riverturn. This app actually installs to your iPhone directly through the browser, it’s clean and slick.
The Black Swan app is exactly what any Google Voice user could have ever imagined. It’s interface not only looks just like the iPhone’s but it also interacts directly with the iPhone’s contact list. You can make all of your phone calls directly from within the app and never miss a beat. Save money and take control of your contacts today with Google Voice.
If you have more information about how the Black Swan app installs on your iPhone, please share.
Remember, if you’re business is looking to boost your online presence, visit www.adamsinnovative.com and schedule a free review of what we can do for you. We also offer custom graphic design and video production at the most affordable professional rates in Pittsburgh (maybe even the entire US).
Foursquare rolling out a new look in the iPhone.
This week I had to reach out to the good people at Foursquare, looking to get access to a larger version of their logo (you might notice it next time you walk into Carson City Saloon). They were very easy to get a long with and I was able to pass them on an idea that perhaps in the future they might consider.
Anyhow, one of their graphic designers mentioned that “as soon as things slow down here I would love to look into that”. “Slow down” what ever was he talking about??? As I flip through today’s updates on Mashable, I find myself not so surprised to see an article about their new look that is coming to the iPhone. It all makes sense now.
The new look is pretty exciting as this company is growing and growing. I’m very much interested to see how things continue – especially now that they seemed to really be interested in what I’m doing with them here in Pittsburgh. 
You can check out that article with many pictures here:
http://mashable.com/2010/03/05/foursquare-1-6-iphone/
Kevin Smith’s Cop Out… a disappointment?
Kevin Smith’s Cop Out… a disappointment?
This weekend I went and saw Kevin Smith’s new movie, Cop Out, starring Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan and Seann William Scott. One word: HILARIOUS. I laughed out loud the entire time… even at the scenes I watched 45 times prior in trailers. Tracy Morgan was absolutely hilarious, Bruce Willis was untouchable and as always, Seann William Scott stole the show. I highly recommend this movie, it’s absolutely hilarious.
But what happened? Box Office Mojo reports an $18.5 mil opening weekend, and NOT the #1 movie. I must say I am surprised. Still on top is Shutter Island starring weeny-boy Leonardo DiCaprio. Are the Hollywood blockbuster action films not bringing in the fans or did Kevin Smith’s recent Southwest Airlines incident turn people off?
The Crazies also opened this weekend, with one of the coolest actors IMHO, Timothy Olyphant. Perhaps with the zombie/horror craze that has swept the world, they stole the weekend at $16.5 mil (a close 3rd). I may go see this one next weekend… we’ll see.
But back to Cop Out, while watching this film I really thought (as an avid Kevin Smith fan) this is a REAL movie. I mean, I love Jay and Silent Bob, but Cop Out is a REAL movie, perhaps now, Kevin Smith is a REAL director. Ironically, Kevin Smith said the same thing… we’ll not exactly, but you know what I mean. He talked about how his other movies didn’t look like mainstream movies… and how he got blasted on the internet for it. Now, with Cop Out, it feels like a normal movie. And quite honestly, I didn’t have any idea Kevin directed it, until after a heated discussion about fat people on airplanes, I looked up the film times and saw his name. LOL. I hope you go see it and I hope you like it. Let me know your thoughts.
Remember, if you’re business is looking to boost your online presence, visit www.adamsinnovative.com and schedule a free review of what we can do for you. We also offer custom graphic design and video production at the most affordable professional rates in Pittsburgh (maybe even the entire US).
Facebook Export Calendar
So, I spent about 2 hours today working on an efficient Facebook Calendar export to work with my Google Calendar. No luck. It seems with the recent upgrade of Facebook, the export feature no longer exists (except on individual events – not the entire calendar). Maybe they’ll fix this… I do hope so. This will help with many of my clients’ Facebook integrations.
If you are familiar with a way to make this work, please let me know!
Oh, while I’m here, the reason that I was curious about this was because of all the Palm Pre commercials talking about syncing your phone with Google Calendar, Facebook, and other calendars all into one. Oh well. Perhaps I’ll be able to do this soon… only time will tell.
Bloombox + $3000 = Energy Efficiency
Bloombox + $3000 = Energy Efficiency
Is this true? That’s what they said on 60 Minutes. Bloombox is a brand new (well, it’s been in development for several years now) energy source that should be able to power your entire house for much less than what you currently pay for electricity… get this… using natural gas and oxygen. After watching the entire video interview here on 60 Minutes they said that the cost of this would ideally be set at $3000 for installation, however the cost savings over time (by not needing Duquesne Light or any other electricity provided) would add up and make it far worth the investment — besides the fact that the government has incentives for green investments.
What Bloombox does is it uses it’s patented technology to cause a reaction between the fuel and the oxygen to create electricity. Each fuel cell should power a light bulb, while a bank of fuel cells could power your whole house (it’s actually 2 banks, according to the inventor – apparently we use 2x the amount of electricity than households in Europe). It’s really that simple.
So, let’s think about this? Who becomes the reseller here — Duquesne Light, GE, or other electricity providers? or does it come from our fossil fuel providers like Dominion or Equitable? Personally, I foresee companies like Equitable jumping on this before GE, kind of like how satellite television companies jumped on DSL and Fios to provide internet, allowing them to compete more strongly with cable. All-in-one bills are all the rage, install a new Equitable Gas Bloombox and NOW get your electricity from your gas… if only they could figure out a way to get internet, cable and cellular service too, Gas companies could take over the world!
So, tell me your thoughts? Could the future of energy that is currently powering the Google servers we search everyday be for you too? Comment back and tell me what you think…
Remember, if you’re business is looking to boost your online presence, visit www.adamsinnovative.com and schedule a free review of what we can do for you. We also offer custom graphic design and video production at the most affordable professional rates in Pittsburgh (maybe even the entire US).
iPad and Tablets – are they saving media?
Today, I read an interesting article that got me thinking about how the iPad and the new market of tablet computers will change the way we receive newspapers and magazines. Currently, every magazine has an online presence, but they reflect the way they are viewed via a laptop or desktop computer… not an interactive touch screen display that can be held in one hand like a real magazine. Fortunately, the pre-existing market is full of iPhones, Androids and Blackberries that utilize the envisioned interactivity of the new tablets, so developing this new media will not be an entirely foreign venture. However, taking it from a 3″ screen to a 10″ – that’s going to be a challenge.
So here are some of my thoughts… I think advertising needs to be a lot more interactive and slick. HTML5 should be able to allow a lot more interactive advertising without the immediate redirection of your page. When you touch an ad, it should be able to grow on top of what you’re looking at, and not take over the full screen or redirect you to a separate Safari page, allowing you the ability to interact with it, print it, or close it. Another thing that would be nice is to have advertising throughout, as opposed to side banners and such. We have learned to ignore certain existing advertising methods – and if ads were more effective, that would increase their value and require less of them. The thing I think I like most about HTML5 is that it’s single handedly going to kill Flash – Flash ads are incredibly annoying and abusive (see MySpace), they need to go. Lastly, with books, I think it would be great to see more “product placement” in books, hyper links to real products and embedded adds – thus keeping the eBook prices low.
What do you think would be a good idea to incorporate into the eBooks, eMags, and eNews?
Remember, if you’re business is looking to boost your online presence, visit www.adamsinnovative.com and schedule a free review of what we can do for you. We also offer custom graphic design and video production at the most affordable professional rates in Pittsburgh (maybe even the entire US).
