Apple Thoughts

Ars Technica Reviews Some Mac AntiVirus Apps

Jeff Campbell — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/0...ps-for-the-mac/

"So Mac invulnerability to malware is a myth, at least according to security researchers from Kaspersky Lab. And although such a blunt statement may be a blow to the ego of some Mac users, it remains true."

You can be as careful as you possibly can and it still might get you. Ars looks at five virus protection apps for Mac that you may or may not want installed. I currently don't have an anti-virus program installed on my Mac, do you? What are your thoughts on virus protection for your Mac?

Get The Most Out of Your iPad Keyboard

Jeff Campbell — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

http://www.macworld.com/article/116...l#lsrc.rss_main

"As more and more of us use the iPad for regular business chores, we're spending more and more time with its virtual, onscreen keyboard."

So it doesn't hurt to learn some new tricks to make yourself more efficient with the iPad does it?

Google + App

Jeff Campbell — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:00:00 GMT

http://techcrunch.com/2012/05/13/wi...-gets-it-right/

"Some people just love Google+ and others just hate the company's efforts to create a social network and a social layer across all of its services. Google itself seems to be pretty happy with the results it is getting from Google+ so far - or at least that's what the company is saying publicly."

And now they have an updated app. It's all new and works pretty well for the article. Seems strange they updated the iPhone one and left the Android version alone doesn't it? What are your thoughts on Google +?

Miss Your Alarm Clock? Use This Dock to Get it Back

Jeff Campbell — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:00:00 GMT

http://gizmodo.com/5908538/right-an...ravel-accessory

"Yet another device that smartphones, like the iPhone, have made obsolete are alarm clocks."

Well get your alarm clock groove back with this snazzy dock for your iPhone. I usually just put my iPhone on the table and leave it at that, but if you need to have a dock for yours, or just want to spruce it up a bit, this is a pretty good way to do it I think. Clean design and you can use it portrait or landscape. But you can't get it until June. If you want to check out some other interesting designs, head over to the Bracketron site where you can also monitor the availability of this $34.95 USD dock.

Expand Your Apple TV's Output Potential

Jeff Campbell — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:00:00 GMT

http://www.cultofmac.com/165716/59-...display-system/

"AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring add a lot of value to the second and third generation Apple TVs. Paired with a recent iPad or the iPhone 4S, an Apple TV can instantly become a gaming solution and a theater for home movies - and will be amazing when combined with Mountain Lion when it ships this summer."

The limit is the HDMI port for output, but with this handy adapter from Kanex called the ATV Pro Adapter, that limit is now gone. The port is standard VGA port along with the 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack so now you can connect your Apple TV to a number of different older displays.

DragonDrop, A Must Have Utility

Jeff Campbell — Wed, 09 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

https://shinyplasticbag.com/dragondrop/

"Dragging and dropping is a great way to get stuff done on your Mac, but DragonDrop makes it even better. DragonDrop lets you set down what you're dragging, leaving you free to find your destination without worrying about keeping the mouse button held down."

This, is awesome. And only $4.99 in the Mac App Store.

iPad Goes On Sale This Weekend in 30 More Countries

Jeff Campbell — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-5...subj=News-Apple

"Cheerleaders for Apple's iPad can get out their pom-poms (and perhaps their passports)."

The new countries are, in no particular order: Argentina, Aruba, Bahrain, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Curacao, Ecuador, Egypt, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Madagascar, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Morocco, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Tunisia, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. This brings the total number of countries to 90. Impressive.

HomeSnap for Home Shoppers

Jeff Campbell — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:00:00 GMT

http://allthingsd.com/20120508/a-re...g-or-just-nosy/

"Let's say you're walking around your neighborhood, or a neighborhood you'd like to make yours, and you spy a house you find interesting."

Now you can use an app called HomeSnap to take a picture and just like magic all the details about it will be revealed to you. You can watch the video over at the All Things D site to see just how slick HomeSnap is, or just download the free app yourself in iTunes and try it.

Kate Brooks on the iPad

Jeff Campbell — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

http://www.technologytell.com/apple...t=Google+Reader

"There's never been a shortage of hidden objects to find on the iPad, but now you'll at least have the help of Kate Brooks."

Looks like a fun game, and initially it is free to begin, you will have to deal with an in-app cost of $4.99 USD to continue the game. Sounds reasonable if you can play it enough at the beginning to tell if you really like it.

AT&T Announces Home Security Service Called Digital Life

Jeff Campbell — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

http://www.imore.com/2012/05/07/att...te-control-app/

"AT&T has announced a new home security and automation service called Digital Life that comes with an iPad and iPhone app with a bunch of security and remote control options."

I like these home automation set ups, makes it easy to monitor things in case you aren't home. And with this one you actually get them to install and monitor. If you are in Dallas or Atlanta, you might want to go to the AT&T site for this since those areas are the first to go live this summer.

Need a Translation App That Works? Try SayHi

Jeff Campbell — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:00:00 GMT

http://www.businessinsider.com/than...+Alley+Insider)

"Talking to someone who doesn't speak English? (Or a language that's other than your native language.)Well, finally, there's an app for that."

It works pretty well if you talk slow per the review. But it is highly rated in the app store and it's on sale now in iTunes for $0.99 USD [affiliate link].

Welcome to Apple

Jeff Campbell — Tue, 08 May 2012 02:00:00 GMT

http://bigweek.co/post/22584408839/...-welcome-letter

Nice.

eBay iPad App Actually is Awesome

Jeff Campbell — Tue, 08 May 2012 01:00:00 GMT

http://beautifulpixels.com/ipad/eba...nds-of-awesome/

"eBay pushed out version 2.0 of its iPad app a few days ago."

Not exactly known for apps but eBay has really come out with a great one with their latest update. And I have to agree with the reviewer when he asks Facebook if they are listening. I hate the Facebook iPad app. They need to hire the same guys that did the eBay app.

iOS Update 5.1.1 Released

Jeff Campbell — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:00:00 GMT

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/...t+Hardware+2.0)

"Apple has just released iOS 5.1.1 update for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This update fixes a number of bugs, including a particular annoying one affecting the iPad 3 which resulted users losing access to their cellular data connection until they rebooted their tablet."

The biggest fix is for the bug that causes problems on the new iPad when switching between 2G and 3G networks. But the annoying bug that is supposedly fixed is the one I've experienced, namely the one that displayed the "unable to purchase" message when you actually have purchased the item. You can find out more at Apple about this "first ever" iPad 3 update.

Amtrak Using iPhones to Scan Tickets

Jeff Campbell — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

http://www.tuaw.com/2012/05/07/amtr...-using-iphones/

"Here's a modern twist on a time-honored tradition for train travelers. Since last fall, Amtrak has been training conductors to use an iOS device to scan passenger tickets on some selected routes, including Boston to Portland, Maine, and San Jose to Sacramento, California."

You can either print out your ticket before hand, or just show the ticket barcode on your iPhone screen so they can scan it. Going paperless, I love it.

Get a Deal on Refurbished iPads From Apple

Jeff Campbell — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:29:00 GMT

http://9to5mac.com/2012/05/07/you-c...e+Intelligence)

"Apple today lowered the prices of its refurbed iPads across the board."

Pretty good deals if you haven't upgraded already. And refurbished from Apple is like getting a new one, same warranty and packaging as new. You can find a complete list of the deals over at MacRumors.

The Daily Arrives on the iPhone

Jeff Campbell — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

http://www.imore.com/2012/05/03/dai...-iphone-review/

"The Daily was the very first custom daily news app created for the iPad back in 2011, and now you can get all that great content on your iPhone. The Daily for iPhone is beautiful and extremely easy to use app for Newsstand - no fluff or complicated UI's to distract from reading your news!"

I love The Daily and read it, well, daily. Now it's even better that it's on the iPhone. I can't count the number of times this could have come in handy for me. Well wishes do come true I guess. How about you? Are you a "Daily" reader?

NBC Politics Launches iPad App

Jeff Campbell — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

http://mashable.com/2012/05/03/nbc-...able+(Mashable)

"NBC Politics launched a new iPad and iPhone app Thursday that lets users keep tabs on the latest news coming out of the 2012 race to the White House."

Like any of these political apps, I tend to be cautious about believing everything in them but I'll add this one to the group I have on my iPad. The coolest thing about this app is the simulator that will come in handy this fall. Besides being universal and free and available now that is.

Spotify on the iPad

Jeff Campbell — Fri, 04 May 2012 03:00:00 GMT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/mus...reo-system.html

"The race for digital music supremacy got a little more interesting this morning when Spotify, the online music streaming service that has quickly become both an industry standard and a key online innovator, released its long-awaited iPad application, replacing the dinky half-size iPhone app that preceded it."

48 hours to try it before you buy it isn't a bad deal at all. After that, you either have to pony up the $9.99 USD monthly fee to continue to use the iPad version or give them some info about yourself to continue it for another 30 days free. I think that is plenty of time to decide if this fits your needs, and from the sounds of the review they certainly did it right with the iPad version. What are your thoughts on Spotify and their move, according to on exec, to become the "OS of music."

Griffin and Crayola Kid Friendly Headphones

Jeff Campbell — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/re...phones-earbuds/

"First revealed in January at CES, Griffin and Crayola are now shipping their volume-limiting, kid-friendly MyPhones ($25) and MyPhones Earbuds ($15)."

Very cute and definitely kid friendly. Check out the article for pictures of the earbuds, very clever. Available now on the Griffin site.