January 2012
1 post
December 2011
2 posts
Tweet4me up and running
Quite pleased so far with the performance and reliability of the service and the take up by users.
Great comments and feedback and hundreds of scheduled tweets being loaded per day.
Looking at integrating with Buffer (http://bufferapp.com) and other services. Also looking at white label options for specific twitter clients and services.
Also planning to refactor the code and rewrite it in...
7 tags
Tweet4.me - scheduled and delayed tweets from ANY... →
Procrastinated over it for 2 years, no-one else did it do wrote it myself and been using it for weeks to great effect. Post scheduled tweets from Twitter, Flipboard, Tweetbot, any Twitter client using special, Direct Messages to @Tweet4me!
November 2011
2 posts
GigaOM in what's next for the MacBook Air →
Eric’s Ogg on the next MacBook Air:-
“So it’s going to have to come with advances in software, in interfaces and new forms of input, like voice and touch”
Voice? Really?
Nonsense.
2 tags
October 2011
2 posts
4 tags
August 2011
3 posts
7 tags
An Apple Television would mean the death of the...
The tech sites are rife again with stories about Apple planning to release a branded television set within the next 18 months.
I say If they do, it’ll mean the death of the Cinema Display.
Why?
Any Apple TV set would have to work with external devices to be at all useful. Most likely this would mean multiple HDMI inputs, possibly a DVI, maybe a Component/Scart interface (although the...
Why OSX will be renamed iOS in the near future.
Lets face it OS “Ten” isn’t going to make much sense when the version number goes beyond 10.9.9.
Apple could of course forget the link ( as most of us have) and call it OSX 11 but there’s a very good reason why they will consider rebranding OSX to iOS.
Let’s review some numbers:-
Windows is used by approx 400m users worldwide.
OSX is approaching 60m users....
A conversation with Leo aged 2 1/2 re his sister,...
Me: you need to look after Poppy, she’s only tiny.
Leo: when I get big and strong?
Me: yep but also now, remember you’re her big brother, she’s only little.
Leo: Yes, I am.
Leo: and when I’m big and strong I can throw Poppy in the air?
Me: mmm, let’s go just over that looking after Poppy thing again….
July 2011
4 posts
hydroplaning asked: Hey! Really love your blog, I was having some issues with Hamachi and my main internet network connection, and that fixed it right up. :) I use it to host a minecraft server. Thanks!
4 tags
Kernel panic installing Snow Leopard? Try Lion
I’m not sure when it happened, what firmware or hardware upgrade changed things but inexplicably and without warning I was unable to re-install OSX Snow Leopard on my 2010 Unibody Macbook Pro.
No matter what I tried, a standard retail Snow Leopard disk, the original disks that came with the Macbook Pro, the same result - a kernel error on startup.
I looked on-line, I tweeted and found more...
Using a remote server to sync/transfer data faster
In the process of upgrading my mailbox to an Exchange 2010 I’ve found a neat way to do it without affecting my local network speed.
Using a remote server that’s connected to a very fast Internet connection I’ve installed Outlook 2010 and setup both exchange accounts. All I need to do now is drag emails between both accounts and the changes will be synced up to the new box.
...
4 tags
IDEA: "Responsive content"
I’ve talked about this concept in sales pitches with prospects, with clients and privately and thought It was time to “put it out there”.
This idea was inspired when Heath Ledger died and I’d visited an HMV to see copies of his film, Knights Tale next to the tills.
So here’s how it works (in the example above):-
1. You run a site that sells DVDs, Music etc.
2....
June 2011
3 posts
5 tags
Wireless Airplay mirroring and split screen video...
Back in April I wrote a tongue-in-cheek post in which I said I’d “just played with Apples new games console” after plugging the iPad 2 into an HDTV via HDMI and playing Real Racing 2 in split screen mode.
Following on from that I described in another post how this split screen feature didn’t have to be limited to games and any application could implement the feature such...
6 tags
Fixing Logmein Hamachi after disabling/enabling...
If like me you use Logmein Hamachi for VPN access, you may have come across an issue where sometimes you lose internet access on your main network card even though Hamachi is turned off in the app.
The “fix” is to disable then re-enable the Hamachi virtual network card and this resolves the access issue.
However, once you do that you can’t connect to any Hamachi computers and...
Watchsam2themax:
This was taken about a year ago. When I’m having a bad day at work sometimes I dig it out and watch it again. It never fails to make me laugh.
May 2011
6 posts
3 tags
iPhone 4S or 5 this year in JavaScript
If (iOSRelease == 5 && releaseYear == 2011) {
iPhone = “5”;
}
else {
iPhone = “4S”;
}
4 tags
iPhone 4S or 5 this year? Answer by deduction....
So iPhone 4S or iPhone 5?
If we look at what we know about Apple and how they release products and iOS updates, *and* the dates/time-scales involved I believe it’s possible to accurately predict what we’ll see happen this year.
Before I start, here are the constants:-
1. We know that Apple have an (approx) annual release cycle - iPhone 1 - 4 have been released around the same time...
5 tags
ICO Cookie banner script for your site
I’ve written a JavaScript function to implement the ICO (www.ico.gov.uk) cookie regulation warning. Basically it displays a banner that is hidden when accepted.
You can implement it by adding the following to the top of your web page
<script src=’http://ico-cookie-warning.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ico_cookies.js’></script>
For more info check out the Google...
8 tags
Possible solution to Lodsys patent issue for iOS...
Mobile developers who offer in-app upgrades are current facing a potential patent dispute (and licensing issue) with Lodsys, a group that is claiming patent infringement.
The specifics of the patent deal with in-app upgrades and applications that are downloaded with limited features and offer the ability to “upgrade” to the full version *within* the application.
This usually consists...
6 tags
"Sneeze Alarm" now available →
“Sneeze Alarm” is the first of it’s kind in the world and connects to the MET office for Pollen data, integrating it into an alarm system.
Users can set multiple one-off/repeating alarms and select from 9 pre-loaded Sneeze sound effects.
Developed using Titanium as a native app for the iPhone.
3 tags
Andy Ihnatko nails why Chromebook will fail
Via Twitter:-
Excellent 2nd-day keynote. Makes me want to fire up my Cr-48 for the 1st time in 4 months. :) 2012 could be a big yr for Chrome.
4 months? Wow that tells us everything we need to know about Chrome OS.
April 2011
4 posts
1 tag
Michael Dell on Android / iPad →
Michael Dell on Android tablets overtaking iPad:-
If you look at 18 months ago, Android phones were like, ‘What is that?’
Whereas now if you look at them you’re like, ‘what is that?’
Why split output on iPad 2 is not just for gaming
My last post was on Apples “new console”, a tounge-in-cheek post about how Apple have already entered the console market with their latest iPad.
The new generation iPad 2 allows games like Real Racing 2 HD to show full 1080p output to an HDMI display whilst turning the iPad 2 into a controller and secondary display.
This is amazing stuff but hold on, what was that?
“output...
8 tags
I just played on Apples new game console
Rumors of Apple working on a game console have been around for a while - today I played on it and it’s amazing.
And what’s more you can own it today.
Apples game console consists of an iPad 2, HDMI adapter and a copy of Real Racing 2 HD, the first game to support the “console” configuration.
(More games are sure to follow)
The result when plugged into an HD TV is an experience that I can only...
IDEA: Self notifying iOS apps
OK simple concept. You deveop an iOS application and want to let people who have installed it that there’s an update. Sure you can sit there waiting for the Appstore to approve your update then somehow let people know or…..
1. Include push notifications in your app
2. Release a new version
3. A user downloads the new version
4. App checks with a web service on launch to see if this...
March 2011
3 posts
iOS 4.3.1 update and battery changes
My iPhone was docked and updated itself in the early hours and then was unplugged next to my bed.
2 alarms later in the morning and a few read news items and still 100%.
I rebooted, not trusting it and still 100%.
Just now (after several minutes use) it dropped 1%.
This is unusual…..
2 tags
Twitter and the monetization issue
At 5 years old and I’m still wondering how Twitter is going to make (real) money.
Promoted tweets and trends, analytics, adverts, corporate accounts are all either done, in progress or being talked about.
Oh and Ads? Well the biggest issue thereis making sure they get seen.
You see it’s possible through plug-ins, apps and other sites to post to Twitter from the web, from apps, from...
8 tags
iPad 2 3G ships "locked" or "configured" ?
Lots of confusion about this right not with some Apple representatives saynig the iPad 2 is shipped unlocked but Apple info saying it’s
“specially configured to work with a single specific carrier”
Now, configured doesn’t just mean a locked SIM. Remember the 3G iPad allows you to subscribe *on the device* to a data plan and the software allows you to select what package...
February 2011
13 posts
Macbook Pro 13" pimping plans
Since the new MBPs that have come out aren’t quite what I was expecting (thinner and more powerful) and the Air doesn’t support 2.4ghz and 8gb I’ve decided to do some upgrades to my 2010 13” Macbook Pro.
With 8gb RAM and a 256gb SSD there’s little I can do in terms of performance upgrades however…
…given I use the Superdrive about once a month...
3 tags
Apple subscription policy panic, how it went down
Apple introduce new content subscription policy for apps.
Tech news report that devs will have to give 30% to Apple for all in-app purchases
Devs have a “shit fit” and start dumping their in-dev apps saying they’ll go web app instead and Apple are money grabbing bastards.
Tech news reports dev discontent, publish open letters to Apple reaffirming they are bastards
More...
3 tags
Forget iPad 3, what about iPad 2 with Hi-res...
We’ve had rumors of a retina iPad 3, and an iPad 2 with a new hi-speed lightpeak interface taking up the space of a “mystery port” spotted on early case designs.
But what if there’s no retina iPad 3 and that port IS a light peak interface and could drive an external display at 2048 x 1536 (or a higher retina display resolution)?
Interesting and no more wacky than other...
IDEA:"open in.." bookmarklet for mobile Safari
This came up from a Quora question which I answered here:-
http://b.qr.ae/exTiNf
Basically each iOS app has a unique ID that can be called via a URL eg:-
myapp://www.jasonified.com
When you call this in mobile Safari or via a URL call within an app/JavaScript the app in question is launched an the URL/querystring passed to it.
So I was thinking a JavaScript bookmarklet in Mobile Safari...
2 tags
Macrumors on the mythical iPhone Nano
Refering to an item in The Wall Street Journal that Apple is working on a smaller, cheaper version of the iPhone due this summer:
“One of the people, who saw a prototype of a new iPhone several months ago, said the new device is intended to be sold alongside the current line of iPhones and would be about half the size of the iPhone 4.”
Hold on, a person saw the prototype said it “would be about...
3 tags
An iPad isn't necessarily easy for a non-computer...
I’ve recently helped someone with a new iPad get setup so they can download from the AppStore and Amazon for Kindle books.
Some people think that the iPad is the answer for people who don’t use / can’t use a computer.
Here’s the sequence:-
Activate iPad. This requires a computer with iTunes installed.
Connect to Wifi
Set-up free email account and you can’t do...
4 tags
Why people pirate...
Ok it’s not the only reason but it’s one nonetheless.
Availability.
I found myself yesterday actively looking for the latest Tim Ferriss book via less than reputable channels.
Why?
Because I couldn’t get it on Kindle/iBooks. I had cash ready, Kindle software installed and was ready to part with my money and line me Ferriss’ pockets.
But I couldn’t.
The UK...
4 tags
Android's on top – will Nokia and RIM let it in? →
The Register on news that Nokia will more likely go with WP7 despite Androids dominance over Symbian and iOS:-
“Android has overtaken Symbian to become the number one mobile operating system – a feat never achieved by Apple iOS”
and it never will. Androids predicted fragmentation will make it overall the winner - iOS will never top that with less than a handful of devices.
It goes...
Sandra Parsons on sexism and silent husbands
From the Daily Mail Wed 2nd Feb, Sandra Parsons writes a piece on Internet Porn and how it’s causing some men to objectify women leading to incidents like the recent Sky Sports sexism debacle.
I’m in no way supporting what Andy Gray and Richard Keys did and agree that Internet porn does have a negative and desensitizing effect.
No what’s interesting is the “Silent...
4 tags
How to sell on Twitter by its creator
Simple, forget soft-sell, forget giving away tips/info for free, forget EVERYTHING you think you know.
This is the formula for using Twitter straight from it’s creator.
It’s [INSERT DAY]. Start your own business. [INSERT LINK]
Check @jack ‘s timeline and tell me I’m wrong.
thecheckedshirt.com
Just bought this domain after a Think Vitamin chat and looking for some colab to come up with something - thinking outload - client stories, designer/developer tips & advice, code sharing - something.
Thoughts welcome.
January 2011
11 posts
6 tags
IDEA: Adaptive surround sound using proximity...
There’s been some great stories of people hacking X-Box Kinect to create really cool apps and services around recognising and positioning people in 3D space.
Here’s one for someone. A system which can automatically adapt the sound coming from speakers on a laptop, desktop, TV sound system based on a persons position in a room.
In other words, I’m sitting in a space where my...
8 tags
IDEA: "Proximity" and single, intelligent device...
In a recent tweet I mentioned how I believed that location based services are going to be very “last year” and the new next big thing will be proxmity/vicinity services. In other words location puts you in a place and proximity puts you in a room, on a floor, outside a shop, next to a device etc.
(btw I’m not saying location itself is dead it’s just the first part of a...
Jason Calacanis Starts Promoting Mahalo 4.0... →
In a statement he says:-
We don’t talk about our revenue, but we have 105 folks and we are hiring another 100 in 2011 and we just doubled our space in LA from 10k to almost 20k square feet.
that should tell you something.
Yep it tells us you’re not making any money and injecting more cash!
7 tags
Facetime over 3G via an iOS 4.3 Personal Hotspot?
The beta of the iOS 4.3 turns renames “Tethering” to a “Personal hotspot” and enables up to 5 devices to use an iPhones data connection via WiFi, Bluetooth, or USB.
This raises an interesting question relating to Facetime devices (including the soon to be announced and released iPad 2G).
“Can you connect a FaceTime device to an iOS personal hotspot via Wi-Fi and...