High Quality DVD Copies with HandBrake
My thanks to Chris Pratt for the near-perfect Handbrake preset.
One of the developers of HandBrake suggested that the AppleTV preset in HandBrake with the quality slider bumped up to 62% gives a near perfect encode. What the thread didn’t mention is that you’ll need to uncheck “Large file size”, as well, since this is only for encodings where the produced mp4 will be greater than 4GB and breaks compatibility with most software and devices when enabled.
September 1st, Apple’s Special Event
Time to speculate. Sure there may be an updated iPod line-up, maybe a new Apple TV, and possibly a status update on iOS 4 for iPad. I’m not interested in any of that; the Apple-styled Guitar is speaking to me, and it says, “iLife for iOS.”
Simplenote Gets Updated, Stays Simple
I am having some syncing issues, but a little birdie (aka Twitter) has assured me all will be sorted soon.
A rant we can all appreciate.
iMac Touch Shown in Patent Filings
This puts a whole new spin on, “Can I wait one more year?”
August 24th, 2010 | Send to Instapaper
iPhone 4 is one of my most prized possessions, and everything you see on my homescreen, has not been added without much thought and deliberation. You see, I am a stickler for the defaults. If I replace something, it is because the default has – for the most part – not met my needs. You will notice, I have not replaced a default app with a random application. The replacement is, in fact, a more robust version of said application. For example, take a look at the Camera.app; you can’t, because it is not there. However, I have replaced it with Camera+, a more robust version of said application. Rearranging icons on my homescreen destroys the “positive chi” I have fought to create.
Messages: This is an app I cannot live without, and I am sure most of you agree. The iPhone has become less of a phone, and more of a messaging device in more ways than one.
Calendar: I keep eying Calvetica, but the default Calender.app has been serving its purpose since the launch of the original iPhone. It has some trouble keeping the calendar colors in sync across my iDevices, but as I said before, it gets the job done.
Photos: Contains my priceless Camera Roll. I have been putting off syncing it to iPhoto, until I finally get a new Mac.
Camera+: It’s a shame that the developers found it necessary to sneak-in a previously rejected feature, but you cannot deny Camera+ its spot as the best camera app in the App Store.
YouTube: Sometimes I wish Apple had not included YouTube as a default application in iOS, and instead released it as a downloadable application. I have nothing suitable to replace it, and so it remains.
Utilities Folder: Thanks to this little gem, I was able to cut down the amount of pages I had from eight, to four. I won’t describe the apps themselves, but I will appease you with a list. Clock (irreplaceable), Calcbot (replaced Calculator.app), Dropbox (irreplaceable), Deliveries, Tipulator (irreplaceable), Banking, iFiles (in desperate need of a replacement), Stocks, Convert, Voice Memos, Find My iPhone (irreplaceable), and finally iStudies Pro.
Maps: Since its debut on the original iPhone in 2007, Maps.app has replaced the Yellow Pages as my go-to-source for directions and phone numbers.
Weather: I am currently on the hunt for an improved weather app, but nothing seems to improve on what I already have. My main complaint is the lack of support for the Retina Display. Outside.app used to be my favorite, but the app is screaming for attention from its developer, and My-Cast.app (based on many recommendations) has failed to live-up to its hype.
Simplenote: Replaced Notes.app. It was a necessary replacement, to keep the notes, on my Mac, iPhone and iPad in sync. I am still praying for more advanced functions: RTF Bold, *Bold*, or <strong>Bold</strong> – I am looking at you.
Instapaper: I do not use this app as much as I should. I mainly use the service as more of a filing cabinet that I tend to never file. As of this little post, I have 49 unread items. The app is great on both the iPhone and iPad, but I find I have to force myself to open it once-and-a-while.
iTunes Store: I have a problem keeping everything between iPhone, iPad and my Mac in sync. The NC data center could come in handy right about now.
App Store: Both the worst, and best part of the iPhone. I do not want to know how much money has been lost to this deceitfully friendly blue icon.
Settings: No matter how hard I try, Settings.app will remain on my homescreen. It could fit in my Utilities Folder, but I do not know of a suitable replacement.
Reeder: Simply amazing. The iPad app needs some refinements, but an irreplaceable app nonetheless.
Things: Cultured Code’s app is another irreplaceable gem. However – and I know many of you have heard this before – it is crying-out for an interned based syncing solution. I would be happy, though not thrilled, to sync with iDisk through my MobileMe account. The status page says it (Over-the-air Sync) is coming, but the real question is, “When?”
Twitter: The icon is a little fugly, but the app is again, irreplaceable.
I really have not had time to look at many Homescreen.me accounts, so I am not sure whether people are sharing their thoughts on the applications in their dock. For me it is really simple: the defaults stay, and nothing gets replaced.
Phone: I have tried switching the Phone.app with Messages.app, but as the iPhone is a phone, I feel the Phone.app must remain.
Mail: iOS 4 has enabled some pretty amazing features to the Mail.app (primarily, the unified inbox), but it is still in need of some work. Multiple custom signatures and better folder management are among my top complaints/requests.
Safari: I tend to use the in-app browser more than the actual Safari.app. In fact, I tend to forget it is there. I have been introduced to many web browsers in the App Store, but the default will always remain a favorite. I also use Safari exclusively on my Mac – aside from the occasional launch of Firefox to test some code. Tabs in iOS would be nice (esp. on the iPad).
iPod: Both iPod.app and Pandora.app receive an equal amount of abuse. If I am driving anywhere, you can assume I have one of these apps connected via an aux cable.
There you have it – a pretty thorough description of the applications that reside in my digital home. If you are wondering where to download my wallpaper, I will share the link, with a proper description, very soon.
Why Traditional Ads Work, and Digital Ads Don’t
I think they need to take a look at their own website.
The First Thing You Should Do With Facebook Places
Gawker has it right, don’t let people tag you.
Kindle and iPad Displays: Up Close and Personal
I hope someone is kind enough to lend Keith an iPhone 4, so he can complete his experiment.
Twelve South’s Compass iPad Stand
Another great review of Twelve South’s Compass Stand for the iPad. My next trip to the Apple store is going to be an expensive one.
I will always admire Apple’s ability to say nothing in an ad, and still get the message across.
Sharpie Liquid Pencil Doesn’t Dry Like a Sharpie
Say it ain’t so!
Vimeo Releases Embeddable HTML5 Video Player
Why are we still using YouTube?
I agree with Brett. The iPad is a great companion to a computer – be it a Mac or PC. However, I do believe the argument is a bit one-sided. The iPad is not the best tool for every task, but I would argue the iPad has not been given a chance to become the best tool.
Computers have had time to evolve, and become the best tool for a job, because we are accustomed to them. We know what to expect from them; the iPad is a completely new experience. In about four months, the iPad has changed many of my computing habits. If I intend on reading for any extended period of time on my MacBook, I am forced to hunch over my desk, launch Reader, and read. I now have a choice. If I so desire, I can grab my iPad, walk to the closest (and most comfortable) chair, sit, and read.
Give the iPad the same amount of time both Macs and PCs have had to evolve, and I am sure the iPad will replace many – and I am not saying all – of tasks you have become accustomed to doing on your computer.
I have never really had any problems with AT&T, and this “commercial” has a few thing to say about that.
If Apple weren’t into the whole BYODKM (Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard and Mouse) revolution, I am sure this would be the next Mac Mini.
Barnes and Noble: Book + eBook
Reading is a very intimate – if not, personal – experience, and the only way to convince a person to switch, is by showing them the benefits of the new platform. When a child does something wrong, do you take them to the candy store? No – You show them the candy store, and hope they do the right thing. Instead of making deals, Barns and Noble should focus on the Nook as a product, as opposed to a marketing campaign. Amazon has the right idea.
You Can Have My G4 Cube When You Pry it From My Cold, Dead Hands.
I still have my first Mac, a 17″ PowerBook G4, and you can have it when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.
Apple’s New iAds Platform is Slow to Take Off
Once HTML 5 becomes a solid developing platform, all of these ‘issues’ will be ironed out. Throughout normal usage, I haven’t come across an iAD yet. Although, to be honest, I did download an app. Still a sad thing to read on a Monday morning.
Understanding the Value of FaceTime
I also saw FaceTime as another bullet on the list – I never dreamt I would use it as much as I do today. Some argue iChat and Skype have been capable of video conferencing for years, which is true. However, it is the implementation of FaceTime which is spot-on. There is no signing-in, no accounts to set-up – just one button. If I answer, great. If not, try again later.
Fun article to read on a Saturday.
QuakeCon 2010: iPhone Rage Demo
John Carmack shows off demo footage of Rage running on iPhone, live from his QuakeCon 2010 keynote.
Thanks to Junecloud, I can finally use Twitter on my Mac.
The iPad achieved these results in four months. Impressive.
According to a poll by Cooper Murphy Webb, the copywriters, Apple’s iPad is the preferred method of reading newspapers and magazines among consumers already owning the device. The poll also found that a plurality of iPad owners prefer the device for reading books and gaming.
iAd Partners Happy with Early Results
David Sarno:
Nissan, which created a multilayer interactive ad for its electric LEAF car, said customers spent an average of 90 seconds with the ad — 10 times longer than interaction times for comparable online ads. Moreover, people chose to “tap” on the Leaf iAd five times more frequently than they clicked on regular online display ads for the Leaf.
“We feel pretty strongly that this is the way to capitalize on where the mobile Web is heading,” said Chad Jacoby, a senior manager of Nissan’s media operations. “What iAd promises is the most progressive thing I’ve seen to date” in digital advertising.
The Best Songs Used in iPod Commercials
I enjoyed the walk down memory lane.
Jeff Simmermon:
We’re always interested in the ways that new technologies can enhance a customer’s experience with our products. Naturally, we’re developing an iPad app.
via Youtube
We’re taking a look at the prototype for our iPad app (not yet available in public) and talking about what this means for the future of our company’s products and service — how we are working to make customer’s lives simple and easy.
Here is a link to the original video. And no, the iPad is not a production device.
iOS 4.0.2 has just been released, fixing the vulnerability in iOS that allowed the installation of malicious code.
Apple Support:
FreeType: A stack buffer overflow exists in FreeType’s handling of CFF opcodes. Viewing a PDF document with maliciously crafted embedded fonts may allow arbitrary code execution. This issue is addressed through improved bounds checking.
IOSurface: An integer overflow exists in the handling of IOSurface properties, which may allow malicious code running as the user to gain system privileges. This issue is addressed through improved bounds checking.
Some insight on what to expect from a Windows 7 Tablet. Good luck…
