Justin's Cyberhome

My iPhone 4 Thoughts

jsbeam — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:11:30 +0000

iPhone 4 is out and I thought I would go over what I think of it so far. I previously had a 3G iPhone so I’ll also be pointing out the differences.

Design – No more curves as the newest version of the phone has slimmed down and now features a more angular design. Front and back are made of glass while the middle band is metal. Supposedly this makes the phone stronger and more resistant to damage. I find myself holding it hesitantly sometimes though since growing up I’ve always felt that something glass was fragile. It does catch fingerprint smudges but they’re easily wiped away.
Display – Touted as one of the main features of the phone, the Retina display does not disappoint. Text is crystal clear and everything is just generally prettier.
iOS4 – This major upgrade to the operating system offers a variety of features that make for an enjoyable experience. Folders, fast app switching, background processes, etc.
Speed – Whether just typing or opening an app, the new iphone is fast. It’s noticeably faster than my old 3G.
Cameras – The 5 Megapixel camera now has a LED flash to help with low-light pictures. It can record 720p video (imovie is available for $4.99 for editing on the go too). It has a front facing camera for either pictures of yourself or for use with Facetime. Watch out Flip cameras.
Facetime- neat but need more people with iphone 4s to better test it. I tried it with my brother but we were just in different rooms.
Miscellaneous – Voice Control, Compass, and Gyroscope are all things my 3G didn’t have but I now get to play with. It has a better microphone and speaker. It also seems to have better battery life so far too.

So overall it was worth upgrading for me. I’ve invested in apps and Itunes media already so keeping in the Apple ecosystem is beneficial. I use the app, media, email, and internet functions way more than calling so this kind of device is what I need.

Allstar Weekend Blazing Up iTunes Chart

jsbeam — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:26:33 +0000

At the time of this post, Allstar Weekend’s video Dance Forever is at #2 on iTunes music video chart passing up the likes of superstars Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber (only Miley Cyrus is currently holding #1). This is a surprising turn of events for the pop band. Signed in 2009 by Hollywood Records, the band have been promoting themselves on Disney Channel, tours, and their various social media portals as they attain their musical dreams. Whether putting out youtube videos that range from documentary to hilarious spoofs or ustreaming while taking questions from fans, Allstar Weekend has shown a remarkable devotion to communicating with fans however they can.

Dance Forever is currently their second video on iTunes following the catchy A Different Side of Me which saw a lot of exposure thanks to Disney Channel (where I first saw them). I was hooked when I saw their youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/outerspaceallstar. They will begin their first headlining tour this June coinciding with the release of their album Suddenly. So go ahead and give these guys a listen. If you like what you hear, buy the Dance Forever video from iTunes and help dethrone Miley Cyrus as a display of support for an up and coming band that also happen to be very focused on their fans.

Band members include (left to right):

Michael Martinez – drummer
Zachary Porter – lead vocals
Nathan Darmody – lead guitar, vocals
Cameron Quiseng – bassist

Links:

Official Web Site – http://www.allstarweekendrocks.com/

Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/user/outerspaceallstar

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/allstarweekend

Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/allstarweekendmusic

Twitter Acounts:

Series Finales – Part 1

jsbeam — Mon, 31 May 2010 05:17:16 +0000

The LOST series finale a week ago got me started thinking on other shows that I enjoyed and followed to the end. I don’t think there have been that many considering all the years I’ve been watching TV.

The X-Files – I liked the partnership of Mulder and Scully. I enjoyed the rhythm the show had with different kind of episodes ranging from horror to comedy to something in-between. Lasted 9 seasons. Ended with a sort of open question on the fate of the characters that was later explained through a movie.
Monk – I loved Monk. The defective detective was funny and I couldn’t wait to see who was the killer and how Monk would solve it. I’ve got all 8 seasons. Ends with Monk solving the most important case of his life.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Buffy was probably the first show I became an actual fan of. I remember downloading episodes to catch up when I had to miss them for class. 7 Seasons. Ended with the destruction of Sunnydale. Continued in comic books that I need to get around to.
Angel – The Buffy spin-off. 5 seasons which ended on a cliffhanger. Again continued in comics that I need to get.
The 4400 – Great show but didn’t really end definitely. 4 seasons.
Dark Angel – Jessica Alba as a genetically enhanced soldier turned. Yes Please. 2 seasons.
LOST – Had to wait till I got the DVDs so I could watch it straight through to appreciate the wonderful series. 6 seasons

More will come in part 2 as I realize just how many shows I’ve enjoyed throughout the years. Turned out to be more than I though

It’s Here! iPad ahoy!

jsbeam — Sun, 02 May 2010 01:44:54 +0000

My iPad came yesterday and here are some thoughts on it so far:

1) looks gorgeous – the screen is pretty, icons and graphics are sharp. iPhone scaled up look a little grainy which makes you want to only use iPad specific apps when available

2) vs. laptop – I haven’t felt the need to use my laptop as much since the large screen is excellent for browsing and apps make up for other things I would be looking up. The laptop still has it’s place since it’s faster to use IMO plus i still use it to convert my DVDs to digital

3) games – there have been a couple of games that are totally like digital crack. We Rule & Godfinger are 2 that I’m playing right now (username: jsbeam). I’m planning to try plants vs zombies next since I’ve heard a lot of good things about it.

4) news – I might actually start keeping up with the news more often b/c of the quality of the news apps available. They have color, easily readable, and videos that make you want to look at stories

And that’s just from day 1. I’ll probably enter more after some more time with it.

iPad on the way

jsbeam — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 21:38:41 +0000

Ordered an iPad and am anxious to get it. Hopefully the April 30th date is correct and it’ll be here Friday. I’ve already gotten some of the accessories that I ordered at the same time and the case is on the way. They’ll be sitting here useless taunting me till the the main attraction comes. I’ve been looking through the platform specific apps already getting the free ones downloaded and ready.

5 reasons to try Mint.com

jsbeam — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 05:17:16 +0000

Organization – If your like me, keeping track of all your expenditures in a month is a pain. I mostly use debit/credit cards to pay for stuff. Mint keeps track of all those purchases and can put them in easily understood graphs.
Alerts – Mint can be set up to send alerts when something that needs your attention happens in your finances. This can range from time to pay a bill to going over a budget (see #3)
Budgets- You can set up budgets to help keep you from overspending. You set the amount and the area. You may want to give yourself some leeway on the gas budget but keep a strict watch on food. If you go over your limit, you’ll be able to get an alert to let you know its time to rethink some of those purchases.
Mobile App- Theres an app for the iPhone that lets you keep an eye on stuff without having to remember to log onto the web site consistently.
Savings – Mint is a free service but they make money by offering you savings. Sounds weird but here’s how it works: They analyze your habits and give you a range of alternatives to things like credit cards or CDs or really anything financial. If you switch to a new service, they get like a finder’s fee from the company you switch to. Its win-win. You save and they get paid to help you save more.

So there’s just a couple reasons I like Mint. I’ve been using it for about a month but already found out some stuffabout the way my finances were set up. I know some people will be worried about such a service but they are safe and secure. Here’s a link for some peace of mind.

Finally

jsbeam — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:20:15 +0000

Finally bought a book on my nook, The Lightning Thief. Took B&N awhile to get the series. Plus they also claimed they would release a new app for the ipad that would allow me to read the book on that platform if I decide to get one. I can already read it on my iphone if I wanted. Cross-platform technology is a good thing.

Spring Break tomorrow woot!

Digital Copies – Almost There

jsbeam — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:28:04 +0000

A couple of years ago, one of my brothers went ahead and transferred almost his entire DVD collection into digital copies. It is something I wish I had the patience to do. All it requires is the initial investment of time, a wireless network, and an adequate storage solution. He can access all of those copies via his Apple TV which is very convenient. He also has one in the guest room so they can watch something totally different if they want. He gets most of what he wants to watch from a combination of Netflix and iTunes. Its a model that I would like to do too however the limiting factor for me is my internet connection. Without a connection with a generous download limit, the whole process is a little more limited but still doable. I think less clutter with physical discs is a good thing although a part of me still likes having stuff. Now that DVDs and Blurays are coming with digital copies, I think the writing on the wall is saying the time of digital copies is almost ready.

Which would you rather?

Hey nook get a book

jsbeam — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:11:36 +0000

So I got the Barnes and Noble nook for Christmas an it’s kinda cool. But there are 2 things preventing me from singing it’s graces.

1) no backlight is a frakking pain. I’d like to be able to read after getting in bed with the lights out since I don’t have a lamp and the light switch is a couple steps away (yea I’m this lazy)

2) where is the book The Lightning Thief?! I went to see the movie and then wanted to read the book but it’s nowhere to be found on the store. The whole point of the device is to be able to download whatever book tickles my fancy at any given moment.

Been a While

jsbeam — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:46:19 +0000

Yeah…Whew been a while since I’ve logged on here and posted. That’s mainly because its been so much easier to just update twitter and Facebook. SO here’s a top 10 list(ed. note – ran out of stuff at 7) of the things that cover what has happened (in no particular order since that would require too much thought and editing).

Glee – the little show that could from Fox has grabbed hold of my attention. Starting with the pilot that aired the season previous than when the show started (thanks iTunes!), I have been hooked. I’ve bought the songs and the dvd so far and will probably continue once the show comes back in April.
World of Warcraft – addicted for at least 6 months before I was able to kick the habit, WoW was the first MMO that really drew me in and had me interacting with people online. It also was the start of me losing interest in practically everything else I was doing before including this blog. I leveled 3 80′s and numerous other characters until I finally couldn’t sustain interest in it because I couldn’t partake in the end content raids because of my internet limitations (Still Hate You Hughes but your all I got). I have tried other MMOs since but none really have grabbed me as hard as WoW did.
10 year reunion - Wow has it really been that long that I had my 10 year high school reunion (Riverfield Academy). Saw some people who I hadn’t seen in years. Nice time I guess. Shame it takes that kind of event to run into to some people though.
School – Finally got myself out of school. Ended up with a major in physics, passable scores on the PCAT and MCAT, and a master degree in teaching. Nerd Alert! Ups and downs throughout.
Life Happens - 4 letter expletive substituted. More accurately the prevailing reason for some of the most traumatic monkey wrenches thrown into the gears of my life has been me. You’d think I’d learn. Must be some part of me that’s a masochist.
Monk – While I’ve found Glee to watch now, one of my favorite shows ended after a good run. Loved Monk and I’ll miss it.
Work – Well I’ve managed to hold on to a steady job for going on three years. Go Me! I had doubts for a long time whether I could ever manage it. Of course I haven’t ruled out the possibility that its going to end sooner rather than later. Need to be thinking of backup plans.
Macbook Pro – After I got to try out a Macbook from ULM, I kinda liked the experience and so got myself a Macbook Pro. It’s nice and fun to use (except for the delete/backspace fiasco that macs seem to have)
iPhone – My iPhone is still kicking and doesn’t stray to far from my hand when I’m outside the house. If you see my hand in a pocket it’s usually holding on to it just for comfort. I’ll look into an iPad and see if its worth getting too.
Global Warming – it’s snowed at least 3 times this year and had a white christmas out at my brother’s in Texas. Unusual

Well that’s probably enough for now. See Ya Later.