Tag: Apple

Mobile Blogging – SO Close!

Since the beginning of this blog I’ve been looking for ways to use technology to write more. I don’t always have the laptop with me but my Blackberry never leaves my site.  What else do you need, right?  well, it’s not that easy…

The folks at WordPress have released the latest version of their mobile application and it seems to resolve some of the issues I was encountering when attempting to update the Blog when on the move.  While the Blackberry app is functional I’m finding the iPhone (iPod touch in my case) is a little more streamlined for quick blogging on the go.  I just can’t quite get used to the virtual keyboard on the IOS devices…

With either mobile platform the addition of graphics to the post is more difficult and, unless you remember all of the HTML tags, formatting can be a little tricky.  There are ways to publish via email, and that might be worth pursuing more.

In the end, nothing really beats sitting down with the laptop and being able to visualize the blogging process.  I find myself using the mobile devices to capture blog post ideas and subjects and finishing/publishing the post from the laptop.  Perhaps that’s where I need to concentrate my efforts…

Hey Bloggers, what tools are you using?  I’m especially interested in hearing from the local food bloggers.  Are you writing your reviews while mobile or using the computer when you return from your visit?

 

Airport Express

The Airport Express is a $99 device from Apple that has become an indispensable tool when I’m at home or on the road.

When I’m at home, I plug it in to the wall and insert an audio cable leading to my home theater.  This allows me to stream iTunes music (from ANY computer in the house running iTunes on the wireless network) to my main stereo system.  Now that I have an iPod Touch I can even control the music remotely with a free application from Apple.  If you have multiple Airport Express units you can even stream to multiple locations (or Zones) in your house.

The Airport Express is more than just a music toy.  It can be used as a Wi-Fi access point as well.  The latest version even supports 802.11n!  You can even use the airport express to extend a current network!

Lastly, the Airport Express can be used as a wireless print server for any printer with a USB connection.  All of these features are setup with the included software.

This is my second Airport Express.  My first one stopped working after about 3 years.  The old version allowed you to create profiles for the device.  I had a “Home” profile for streaming music & a “Travel” profile that allowed me to create a secure (WPA) Wi-Fi access point from any Ethernet connection.  The new software seems to have removed the profile option in favor of steering you towards the use of multiple units…

All in all, I find the airport Express to be another well thought out product from Apple.  It’s well built, well priced and works as advertised.

The 5th iPod

I like technology…  I like gadgets & toys…  I LOVE my iPod Touch!

I’m usually an early adopter of technology but I thought I would wait this one out for a while.  As an owner of 4 iPods already (used in varying degrees by the family), I really could not immediately justify the addition of a 5th when the Touch came out.

After several business trips with nothing to watch on TV, and slow hotel Internet connections that made Hulu & NetFlix all but impossible to watch, I took a trip to the local Big Box store to check out the new iPod Touch.

WOW, this thing felt completely different than any of my other devices (super thin & light).  I’ve used touch screen devices before (mostly smart phones) that worked OK, but Apple got this one right.  Who needs hard keys when you can easily do everything you need right there on the screen?

I’ve tried movies on my 5th generation (60GB model) but they were just to hard to watch for more than about 30 minutes.  Watching entire movies on the Touch is enjoyable due to the wide screen and larger screen size.

When Apple released their software update (v2.0) it made the Touch even more versatile.  The ability to hook to your Exchange server at the office, and the addition of free/pay applications from the Apple Store actually make this “toy” a versatile pseudo business tool!  The Touch has one of the best email clients I have used on a portable device.  I’m still getting used to the onscreen keyboard though. It offers no tactile feedback & I still have problems with hitting the right keys near the edge of the screen.

My top 10 application (all free) on the Touch are:

  1. Remote – Control iTunes remotely
  2. NY Times – Instant access to the News
  3. Pandora – Customized playlists of your favorite music
  4. SportsTap – Awesome app to keep up on your favorite teams
  5. Twitterrific – Mobile Twitter
  6. WeatherBug – Current weather conditions & RADAR
  7. VNC – Remote control the MAC from anywhere in the house
  8. RDP – Remote control the PC’s from anywhere in the house
  9. LinkedIn – Keep up to date on all of your connections
  10. Google maps – Find any place & easily get there

I purchased the 16GB model knowing that I would pretty much just use it for applications and movies.  All of my music will remain on the 5th generation iPod.  The $100 I saved by not buying the 32GB model went towards the replacement of my recently deceased AirPort Express (blog post in the works about this awesome device).

Overall I’m really happy with the iPod Touch.  It offers features well beyond a normal MP3 player.  It can be used around the house as a media remote and an Internet appliance.  Battery life is adequate and the glass screen seems to be pretty resistant to scratches.  The smooth exterior of the Touch does lead to a lot of smudges, but they are easily wiped off.

If you have any questions/comments about this post, please leave a comment & we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.