WWDC Recap: Details about Mac OS X Lion, iOS 5 and iCloud June 6, 2011
Posted by johnthrasher in App Talk, Apple.Tags: Apple, iOS, iPad, iPhone, Lion, Mac, OS X, Steve Jobs, World Wide Developers Conference, WWDC
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Today was the annual WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference) where Steve Jobs gave the Keynote to debut new products from Apple. Below are a few bullet points you’ll want to know about today’s event!
Steve Jobs gave the Keynote – This might not seem like a big deal to some. He’s the CEO of Apple, right? If you’re not an Apple fanboy or fangirl, then you should know that Steve Jobs had taken a medical leave of absence from Apple a few months ago. He has done this before while he battled pancreatic cancer. This time, we don’t know what the cause of his absence is, but he looked his typical skinny self during today’s Keynote. (See photo above) Congratulations to Steve for pulling through, and I hope he gets 100% healthy if he’s not already!
10 new features for Mac OS X Lion - Available exclusively on the Mac App Store for only $29.99 sometime in July.
- Multitouch Gestures – Self explanatory.
- Mission Control - Mission Control brings together full-screen apps, Dashboard, Exposé, and Spaces in one new feature that gives you a bird’s-eye view of everything on your system. With a single swipe on the trackpad, your desktop zooms out to Mission Control. Think of it as the hub of your system: View everything and go anywhere with just a click.
- Full Screen Applications – FaceTime can now track facial features.
- Mac App Store – Built in to Lion. In App purchasing.
- Launchpad – A simple pinch gesture, and you can have all of your apps available instantly.
- Resume – When you close an application in Lion, it takes you right back to where you were. System-wide function.
- Versions - Versions is a new feature that charts the history of your documents, taking snapshots in time, and displaying them side by side with the latest versions in an easily browsable timeline. You can review the past iterations of your compositions, restore a previous version, or copy and paste from old versions to new ones.
- Auto Save – Lion saves every document automatically so that you never lose work.
- AirDrop – The replacement of the thumb drive. Go into AirDrop and you’ll see all the other users who are running AirDrop. To share a file, just drop a file onto the user in question. They then receive a notification and, hey presto, file exchanged. There’s nothing to discover, auto setup.
- New Mail – Looks like it has a new icon. Tons of new search features, and built in conversation lines.
Introducing iOS 5 – Available to developers today, everyone else “this Fall.”
- Notification Center – Brand new notifications interface. See picture below!
- Newsstand – A lot like iBooks, but used with subscription based magazines and newspapers.
- Twitter – Built in to iOS 5. You can tweet articles from Safari, videos from YouTube, locations from Maps.
- Safari – Safari Reader, looks like Instapaper. Faster. Has tabbed browsing. Reading List – Save stories from Safari to read for later. Syncs across multiple devices.
- Reminders – Built in list making app. Allows for storage of multiple lists, with dates to remind you. Can assign location. Reminds you when you cross a “geo-fence.”
- Camera – Now a camera button on the lock screen. You can click the button and go right in to the camera. You can now press volume up and down to take pictures. Photos can now be edited directly on the device. You can crop, rotate, reduce red-eye, and you can do a one click enhance.
- Mail - Rich-text formatting, indentation control, draggable addresses (from To: to Cc: or Bcc:), flagging so you can mark them as unread, and now you can search the entire contents of messages. Built in dictionary.
- PC Free – You can now buy and set up any iOS device out of the box. No need to connect cables to existing PCs. Software updates will now be over the air. You can now create and delete calendars from iOS.
- Game Center – Download games right from Game Center. Find friends of friends.
- iMessages – New messaging service between iOS regardless of device. Lets you send text messages, photos, videos, contacts, and even do group messaging. Can also get delivery receipts, read receipts, and real-time typing notification.
- Wifi Sync to iTunes! – You can set your iOS device to find your iTunes and sync. You can also sync your iTunes library over WiFi! You can now completely cut the cord!
- Documents in the Cloud – Create a project on Pages, Numbers or Keynote, it will upload to iCloud and then sync across devices.
- Photo Stream – Take a picture, uploads to iCloud, downloads to “Photo Stream” album across iDevices and iPhoto.
- iTunes in the Cloud – Download media from iTunes on one device, go to iTunes on other iOS devices and sync same media for no additional charge.
- Sync new devices via WiFi (or cable)
- Buy songs you’re missing on iTunes
- iTunes Match service – Finds the songs you’ve ripped from CDs and replaces them with iTunes high quality version. $24.99 p/year.
- New iPad music app
- Smart Playlist sync from iTunes
- Option to speak text selection
- iTunes Tone Store
- Built-in dictionary
- Emoji emoticons
- Personal dictionary
- Alternate routes in Maps
- Improved FaceTime video quality
New Apple TVs Have 8GB Flash Memory September 29, 2010
Posted by johnthrasher in App Talk, Apple, Geek Talk, iPhone, technology, Television, ThrasherTechnoTrash.Tags: Apple, Apple TV, iPhone, iPod, John Thrasher, Steve Jobs
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Remember when Apple announced that the new Apple TV didn’t have a hard drive, and that you could only stream content to it? Well they were kind of lying.
New Apple TVs have started arriving in the hands of their loyal customers, and a brief teardown over on MacRumors shows an 8GB NAND Flash chip – the same that you would find across the 8GB iPods and iPhones.
Why does this matter you may be asking?
It’s a pretty clear indication that Apple is going to be opening up an App store for Apple TVs in the near future. And instead of filling that sucker up with videos, pictures, and other online media, they want you to fill it with apps!
I’m not sure how this will go over when an App store is announced for Apple TV…
Steve Jobs: “Oh by the way, you have 8GB of internal storage on your ‘streaming-only’ AppleTV! Sorry we lied, but at least you can have neat AppleTV apps!”
Though I knew that TV would be the next big push in technology/media hybrid experimentation, the whole device + apps = revenue motif that Apple has been churning out is starting to be a bit overkill. I don’t need 43209438 devices all running the same app.
Apple should go back to that pesky old clunker known as …the Mac, and get Mac OS 10.7 out before people start forgetting that they’re in the computer business.
Back To School Must Have App: Free Books August 24, 2010
Posted by johnthrasher in App Talk, Apple, technology, ThrasherTechnoTrash.Tags: Apple, apps, iPad, iPhone, iPod
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So it’s that time of the year again. You’re going back to school. For some, it’s your first semester in college and you’re SHOCKED at how expensive books can be. Luckily for you, you have access to a lot of technology that I didn’t when I was a freshman in college (in the dark ages). What I would give to start my college career off with an iPad!
Well if you have an iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad, and don’t want to pay for some of the classics you may be reading in your literature class, check out the Free Books app. The app is $1.99 (so…not free) but it gives you access to 23,469 classics at the touch of your finger!
I could have really used this app when I was an English major in college, so consider this advice from your elders!
Angry Birds iPhone App Sells 6.5 Million Units Without Advertising August 17, 2010
Posted by johnthrasher in App Talk, iPhone, technology, ThrasherTechnoTrash.Tags: Angry Birds, apps, iOS, iPhone
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Talk about an industry to get in to!
The two Finnish creators of the Angry Birds iPhone app have sold 6.5 million copies of the app — all without spending a cent on advertising. The creators used word-of-mouth (which is how I heard about it) and Apple’s own promotional tools to gain the huge following.
They also say that they will be coming to even more mobile platforms in the future and hope to reach a goal of 100 million apps sold – which actually seems doable. The iOS platform is only getting bigger!
I hope they come up with some more great stuff because I’m still addicted to Angry Birds.
New Application in iLife ’11 Will Be FaceTime July 26, 2010
Posted by johnthrasher in App Talk, Geek Talk, iPhone, Personally John, technology.Tags: Apple, FaceTime, iLife, iPhone, iTunes, technology
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Today the website Mac 4 Ever has claimed that iLife ’11 will be released August 7th (a Saturday…?). The website highlights the following tidbits:
- ILife ’11 would be sold $ 79
- The release date should be 08/07/2010
- All applications will be 64-bit
- Improvements in iPhoto faces & places
- Improving the integration of social networks
- iWeb will be totally renewed
- New application (mystery!)
- Disappearance of iDVD that will be downloaded (like iMovie HD)
- MobileMe gallery in beta (with faces & places)
To me, this is a no brainer. The new application is obviously going to be FaceTime.
The number 1 question I get from people who aren’t familiar with iPhone 4/iChat is “Can you FaceTime with a computer?” Well considering it’s WiFi only, you’d think so. But as of now you can not. But the logical next step would be to release a FaceTime application for Mac and PC.
I have a hunch that FaceTime might be Mac only or something first, since it would be released with iLife ’11 which is Mac only. But iTunes is a free download so I don’t see why FaceTime couldn’t be.
The only thing I wouldn’t get is how they would separate FaceTime with iChat. I mean essentially they are the same thing, and would make more sense to combine them. Either way the rumor mills are going to be kicked in to full drive here in the coming weeks, and I’m sure people will start to deduce FaceTime as being the logical new application.
Though there’s also a possibility that the mystery application won’t be FaceTime. What do you think it will be?
Google App Inventor: Make Your Own Android App July 12, 2010
Posted by johnthrasher in App Talk, Geek Talk, iPhone, Personally John, technology.Tags: Android, app, Apple, Google, Google App Inventor, iPhone
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Hey this is neat!
Google has released Google App Inventor, a drag and drop editor that allows you to make your very own Google Android app! Unlike Apple’s app store, there is no approval process, which means that there will be a huge influx in apps available for the Android, but most will probably be annoying ones like the Cat App that was made in this video.
Either way this opens up some really cool opportunities for developers and regular old people like myself! Check out the video of how it works below:
Get To Know Me: Using AudioBoo! July 10, 2010
Posted by johnthrasher in App Talk, Geek Talk, iPhone, MTV TJ, Music, Personally John, technology.Tags: Android, Audioboo, iPad, iPhone, iPod, iTunes, John Thrasher, MTV, MTV TJ
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The internet never ceases to amaze me. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something else comes along that makes interacting in the social media world a whole lot more fun and exciting!
I’m excited to announce a really fantastic new way to keep in touch with who I am and what I have to say! Audioboo!
Audioboo is a podcasting host site where you can record and upload audio, listen to it from nearly any internet device, and even subscribe to the podcasts so they download straight in to your iTunes as each one is available!
You can even follow my podcasts on the FREE (that’s right FREE!) Audioboo iPhone/Android app! The app makes it so simple to both create and listen to really awesome podcasts! Let me know if you make one and I’ll post it here on my site!
You don’t HAVE to have iTunes to listen! You can listen straight from your computer!
I don’t want to write too much, because I really want you to check out my first ever Audioboo podcast post.
So click here, subscribe to my iTunes feed, and have fun having me on your iPods/iPhones/iPads/ and Android devices!!
My Top 5 Pop Culture Moments I’ll Never Forget June 30, 2010
Posted by johnthrasher in Geek Talk, iPhone, Movies/Film, MTV TJ, Music, Personally John, Political, technology, Television, Travel.Tags: Apple, Barack Obama, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, iPhone, Michael Jackson, New York, New York City, Steve Jobs, This Is it, Washington D.C.
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5. Original Apple iPhone Release – Though I didn’t end up buying the original iPhone for about 2 months after it came out, it was still EXTREMELY exclusive to have one at the time. Back then, when I showed people the pinch to zoom feature, it always ended in “oohs” and “ahhs.” 
The iPhone really changed more than just the way people use the internet, it changed entire industries. Music, internet, email, in your pocket really ended up paving the way for the app store and many third party companies to become filthy rich overnight. The iPhone set the new standard for what a smart phone was and currently is.
4. Christina Aguilera’s “Back to Basics” Album and Tour – I still owe Johnny $50 for the extra ticket he had for this show, but frankly, I should pay him $5,000 because this show was far and beyond the best pop music experience I have ever seen. 
I haven’t been to a ton of concerts in my life, but this one has still held its spot as “Most Mind Blowing Talent in a Concert Ever.” I think Christina lip-synched a few songs, but definitely not all. The overall feel of the 20s throwback, the soul in the music on this album, and the experience of seeing it all with my best friend really changed my perception of what pop music could be. This album wasn’t her most radio friendly, but in my opinion it’s one of the best of the last decade.
3. Britney Spears “Circus” Tour – To the same degree Christina blew my mind out of the water with Back to Basics, Britney actually made a perfect example of what drugs can really do to someone’s entertainment career. I went to this concert with my friend C’Anna, both excited to see some classic Britney before we die.
Britney freaking out at a show when a fan ran up on stage to dance with her.
We both left Pittsburgh that night lethargic and unimpressed. This was a train wreck from the moment she stepped on to the stage until the moment she left…and even after that. Besides not singing an entire song, her choreography seemed lethargic and dizzy – not exactly something you would expect from a Britney Spears concert. I wasn’t heading in to the concert expecting a HUGE spectacle (I read reviews before I went), but I was expecting to be entertained, and I wasn’t. I learned to just jam to Britney on the radio, and enjoy all the work the producers must put in to making her music sound worthwhile.
2. The Inauguration of Barack Obama – I am lucky enough to live 2 hours from Washington, D.C. Because of this I am able to experience historic things like the Inauguration of Barack Obama. I actually went on the eve of his inauguration for the concert that was held on the National Mall. I stood in a sea of people from literally all over the world. The people to my right were from Ireland, and the people to my life were from Africa. There was a feeling of camaraderie and joy that I’ve only read about in history books. I knew when I was there that I was really experiencing something life-changing.
1. Michael Jackson’s Death – Michael Jackson’s name is synonymous with success. He was the example of pure talent. Though his death was very tragic, it actually wasn’t his death that affected me – it was being in New York City when it happened, and experiencing so many people lifting him up and celebrating his life. I’ve written about this before on my site, just the other day, on the one year anniversary of his death. Being in the city he was discovered the day he passed away was surreal. Everyone was remembering him, some people mourned, others celebrated his music. However, it was very clear on the streets of Manhattan that Michael’s legacy was going to live on. To be a part of the soul of New York City and this pop culture phenomenon was something I’ll never forget.
iPhone Coming to Verizon in January June 29, 2010
Posted by johnthrasher in Geek Talk, iPhone, Movies/Film, technology.Tags: Apple, AT&T, iPhone, Steve Jobs, Verizon
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I can’t say I am overjoyed about this decision because I was hoping Apple would be on their way to creating their own cellular network by now, but news broke today from Bloomberg that the iPhone will be available on the Verizon network in January 2011.
Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile-phone company, will start selling Apple Inc.’s iPhone next year, ending AT&T Inc.’s exclusive hold on the smartphone in the U.S., two people familiar with the plans said.
The device will be available to customers in January, according to the people, who declined to be named because the information isn’t public.
I wonder if they will offer different models on different carriers. I can see this becoming a huge problem for Apple in the future if they do.
First iPhone 4 HD Video Surfaces June 23, 2010
Posted by johnthrasher in App Talk, Geek Talk, iPhone, Movies/Film, Personally John, technology.Tags: Apple, iMac, iPhone, iPhone 4, MacRumors
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It’s that time of the year again already! The time of the year when a new iPhone is birthed upon the hands (placenta and all) of millions of people across…well the U.S. for now.
Starting yesterday, people have started receiving their preordered iPhone 4s in the mail! Though the iPhone isn’t officially released until June 24 (tomorrow), I’m guessing that Apple went ahead and shipped some early orders in hopes of relieving the inevitable back log of activation congestion, which happens EVERY single year when a new iPhone comes out.
As for me, I preordered mine at Best Buy and am No.44 in the queue. I really doubt the Best Buy here in Morgantown, WV is going to get more than 40 on launch, but I have my fingers crossed. Odds are even if I get one, I won’t be able to activate it the same day anyway!
Anywhoozles, one of the most exciting new features on the iPhone 4 is the true HD (720p) video! And, MacRumors.com, one of my favorite websites, has just posted a link to the raw video someone posted using the new iPhone HD!
Click here to check out the raw video of the iPhone HD.
What do you think, does it compare to HD cams like Flip? I think it looks great! Can’t wait to get my hands on one of these!
