I’m asked to test quite a bit of software and give feedback to the developers. Sometimes that goes well, others times, not so well.
To me, making an app simple to use — whether on the iPhone, iPad or Mac — doesn’t mean stripping out all of the features. All that does is make the app less useful for the user.
2011 marks the 30th anniversary of Blizzard Of Ozz (U.S. release) and Diary Of A Madman. Both landmark albums took metal in a new direction in the early 1980’s, inspiring new generations of rock bands and fans. Both of these Hard Rock Masterpieces showcase Ozzy’s musical collaborations with late guitar hero Randy Rhoads. These Limited Edition Picture Disc LPs have been restored and remastered from the original source tapes and feature the original cover artwork printed on the LP itself.
Two classic albums with Randy Rhoads on guitar.
The MobileMount is a universal mount/kickstand for virtually any hand held device with a flat surface, like smartphones and tablets. Comprised of two twist-to-lock suction cups and one ball joint, this device’s unique design allows for superior suction and durability. The “Patent Pending” Twist-to-Lock suction cups can hold devices for weeks at a time rather than simply a few hours like other competing mounts. Additionally, the universal design allows for users to mount their phone without removing the case.
This is the best looking idea for a mount I’ve seen. Support the project if you can.
I got nothing.
It takes 15 steps to sync this device with iTunes on Windows. Compare that to the steps it takes for the iPhone:
Usability and user experience testing is vital to creating a successful website, and only more so if it’s an e-commerce website, a complex app or another website for which there’s a definite ROI. And running your own user tests to find out how users are interacting with your website and where problems might arise is completely possible.
Great list of tools. I didn’t know about most of the services and tools on the list.
In just the three episodes that have aired thus far, it has become clear that Bloomberg had a character in mind for each of us – and edited footage according to the story they choose. I happened to get it the worst in Episode 3, but I’m sure another victim will emerge in future episodes.
And that’s reality TV.
iZotope has greatly expanded Ozone 5’s modules with a focus on pristine sound, enhanced DSP, optimized workflow, and an updated interface. Ozone 5 Advanced builds on the product line’s reputation for superior sound quality with extended features and controls, including new innovations in visual feedback.
I know a lot of people that use Ozone and like it a lot.
Many of you will remember Michael Winslow from movies like Police Academy. Amazing voice and sounds.
AT&T said it is “the most successful iPhone launch in the company’s history.”
Good technology on Thursday released a report comparing activations of Apple products to Android-based devices. Among its customers, Apple is still in the lead. The report, which focuses on the third quarter of 2011, counts thousands of enterprise and public … Continued
Masayoshi Son, CEO of Softbank:
Son said, “I visited Apple for the announcement of the iPhone 4S [at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California]. When I was having a meeting with Tim Cook, he said, ‘Oh Masa, sorry I have to quit our meeting.’ I said, ‘Where are you going?’ He said, ‘My boss is calling me.’ That was the day of the announcement of the iPhone 4S. He said that Steve is calling me because he wants to talk about their next product. And the next day, he died.”
Steve was involved until the end.
Face Unlock seems pretty cool, but it seems to take an inordinate amount of time to actually unlock. It’s one of those features that’s cool, but you probably wouldn’t use much. Google outlined some of the new features on its Website.
freebieber.org:
A new bill in Congress makes posting a video containing any copyrighted work a felony — with up to 5 years in prison.But wait… didn’t Justin Bieber get famous by posting YouTube videos of himself singing copyrighted R&B songs? Yep. If this bill passes, he could get 5 years in jail.
Um…
Shadoe Huard: I thought it would be interesting to compare Android and iOS not by a checklist of features, but rather by a checklist of the words their developers choose to use on their presentation slides. From that alone so … Continued
I’ve been using iOS 5 for a few months and I never noticed a change to Apple’s built-in Weather app. A friend sent me an iMessage this morning and asked if the hourly was new. Sure enough, there it is. … Continued
Dana Wollman comparing the Motoactv to the iPod nano at Engadget: With its square shape, 1.6-inch touchscreen and raft of fitness features, it’s impossible not to draw that parallel as soon as you even read about the thing. Without the … Continued
Matthew Panzarino: In the months leading up to the release of the iPhone 4S, rumors of a redesigned, teardrop-shaped iPhone were hot and heavy. This led some to be ‘disappointed’ when the iPhone 4S was introduced. Although the 4S features … Continued
Included in this update are two of the most requested features by users: editing and deleting events and notes support. Also included in this update is support for iCloud calendars along with various other improvements and enhancements. Great update from … Continued
If numbers aren’t your thing, these charts may help you with Apple’s earnings. Really well done visuals by MacStories’ Federico Viticci.
Apple on Tuesday reported a profit of $6.62 billion for its fiscal fourth quarter. These results compare to revenue of $20.34 billion and profit of $4.31 billion in the year-ago quarter. Apple said it sold 17.07 million iPhones in the … Continued
Reuters: Apple Inc plans to shutter U.S. retail stores for several hours on Wednesday so employees can take part in a company-wide celebration of co-founder Steve Jobs’ life. Classy move.
Leanna Lofte at TiPb: However, many of us have names that Siri does not how to pronounce correctly. Or perhaps you don’t even want to be called by your real name. Great tip to get Siri to either pronounce your … Continued
Stephen Shankland for CNET: Here’s what I don’t like about iMessage, though: it’s yet another proprietary service. But when it comes to sending tidbits of text here and there, I don’t want lock-in. I want a standard. I’ve been spoiled … Continued
RIM Co-CEO Mike Lazaridis announced BBX at the Devcon 2011 keynote. He states that it brings together the best of BlackBerry and the best of QNX into one amazing OS. He goes on to explain that the QNX architecture is … Continued
Victoria Barret for Forbes: What Houston does is Dropbox, the digital storage service that has surged to 50 million users, with another joining every second. Jobs presciently saw this sapling as a strategic asset for Apple. Houston cut Jobs’ pitch … Continued
Yesterday I pointed out a readers comment to me about how The Loop made him jump through hoops to read the content. I took offense to his comments and posted my thoughts. Today, Davy Buntinx posted his own article pointing … Continued
A duet with Siri. [Via Daring Fireball]
I’m always looking for interesting, sometimes funny, things to read and pass along to you. I never know where I’ll find it, but today I found something in the comments right here on The Loop. In my story yesterday “RIM … Continued