Entertainment in the Land of No Network Connection

It’s a sad place to be, but for many iPad owners who like me opted for the wifi-only version of the tablet there are times you can’t rely on the go-to methods of video entertainment: streaming. Whether it be commuting or being stuck in a place with no wifi, not being able to take advantage of the perks of iPad ownership when you could most use them is an aggravating experience.

With that in mind let  me offer you some simple tips. While the iPad is best when it can communicate with the rest of the world, it’s hardly reduced to the role of an overly large and expensive coaster when it can’t. Many of the things we enjoy on the iPad can be had via local content as well.

For starters, gaming: while the Game Center requires a network connection, a majority of popular iOS games function just fine without it. While those that rely on direct competition with another player (like Words With Friends) will have to wait for network connectivity, so many others from Infinity Blade II to the venerable Angry Birds await to keep you occupied.

For those of you that enjoy using your iPad for reading, you’re (mostly) in luck as well. You’ll need a connection of some kind to browse for an load new content, but any reading material you have on your device will be unaffected. Whether you prefer iBooks, the Kindle App, the Nook App, or any lesser known app a little forethought will keep you entertained for as long as your battery lasts. Since ebooks take up a relatively small amount of memory (even illustrated ones like comic books) you can carry a large library on the entry-level 16 gigabyte models of iPads.

I have to admit I rarely use my iPad for audio outside of Pandora, which would obviously need a network connection to function, but that doesn’t mean you need to follow my lead. Just as with ebooks, a little foresight can keep you in content for as long as you have battery life to enjoy it. Audio files are usually larger than books, but are still relatively small, and even the lowest capacity iPad can hold quite a large library of tunes, be it music, audiobooks, or podcasts. Managing and loading your music on your device of choice was the first use for iTunes, and doing so is a simple task. I have my version of iTunes configured not to sync with my music library (it surpassed the capacity of any of the iOS devices long ago) but if your library is small you may want to opt for this choice, so that when you sync your entire collection is uploaded automatically. If you enjoy podcasts like I do, give the official Podcast App a look; it’s been improved quite a bit and does a good job of storing your subscriptions for later listening. I still prefer Stitcher, but I use it solely on my iPhone due to it only storing a single episode per subscription.

As for video, the media that the iPad excels in can be both dead simple and tricky to deal with. If you don’t mind relying on the iTunes media store for your video needs, you’re all set. Just download what you’d like to watch later from the cloud when you have network access, be it on your device or via your computer and synced to your device. All but the newest iTunes users should know how to import audio into iTunes; by default it will store any content you play on it in the library to make the process even easier. Sadly, many downloaded video formats aren’t iOS compatible, and the DVD collection you have isn’t even an option on the iPad- or is it?

Collecting a video library in iTunes isn’t much more difficult than audio. While iTunes and iOS natively handles MP3 files, most downloaded video files and DVDs will need some work before you’re ready to load them on your iPad for watching on the go. One of the best solutions is Handbrake, the venerable go-to solution for both video translation and DVD ripping. The free software does a fantastic job of changing most files and DVDs into an iOS-friendly format, and is both powerful and easy to use for even neophytes. For the few discs that Handbrake can’t handle (like recent Disney releases) you might want to give MacX DVD Ripper Pro a shot; while it’s not free I’ve used it successfully on many movies that were otherwise unrippable.

Once you’ve converted the file or DVD you’d like to watch to the suitable format, you’ll need to place it in your iTunes library. Just open iTunes and hit command+O to open the library import function, search for your file, and click “open”. For some that’s adequate, but I’m a stickler for metadata and album art. I rely in iDentify; it tags movies and TV shows with the proper metadata like year, stars, synopsis, and artwork then automatically places them in your iTunes library. The version I have isn’t perfect at recognizing the correct matching information, but it’s worked well overall and makes importing video a great deal easier. It’s recently received a major overhaul according to the makers; those that picked it up via the OSX App Store should already have the most recent version.

Just as with music, I wouldn’t recommend users set iTunes to sync their video library to their device. High quality movies can run well over a gigabyte in size, and would quickly eat up any available storage capacity. A simple drag and drop in iTunes has been the best and easiest means of loading my iOS devices with both audio and video, and I don’t see that changing in the future.

Ultimately, no matter what media you prefer there’s no reason you can’t enjoy it wherever you are, network connection or no. I do admit I’ve gravitated more and more to streaming services for music, video, and even podcasts, but sometimes the best solution is the oldest one- keeping your content with you.

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The benefits of perseverance

Not too long ago I had attempted (with a surprising lack of success) to test one of the latest shining stars of the iTunes App Store, Winston. The concept behind the app is a fantastic one: choose the news and social media sources you’re interested in, and Winston reads your updates to you in a refined-sounding synthetic British voice. The enticement of eyes-free information was a strong one; while my morning and evening drive isn’t as long as it once was I still have some downtime that I’d like to fill with something a bit more topical than my favorite podcasts.

Thankfully my perseverance with Winston has been rewarded. I was able to circumvent the issue I was having with the app’s installation routine by limiting the number of default categories chosen. Rather than five I limited my selection to two (headlines and technology), apparently allowing the app to complete its preliminary setup.

Now (like the Death Star) fully operational, Winston has demonstrated that it is well deserving of the praise it has garnered. The app gathers new information quickly over LTE or wifi, and offers a tiled photo image of categories for you to choose from (as well as the logos of Facebook and Twitter). By default Winston only dictates a summary of news stories with an accompanying background musical score. The voice simulation falls short of what I’ve heard via Siri and other apps; the speech can be somewhat clipped at times and mispronounces names (even considering the British accent). That admitted, it does a fluid job of reading your selections for you, and can easily be configured to cover entire articles instead of summaries. Should you prefer complete stories (as I do) but not wish to hear the entire article Winston is on, just swipe the screen to change to the next article. Additional sources of information can be added after the initial setup, so limiting your sources doesn’t impact the long term usefulness of Winston.

The app had a surprisingly broad range of sources to choose from, and adding new feeds was very easy. After my initial issues the app has been rock stable and very easy to use. Coupled with my car’s Bluetooth streaming it’s been enjoyable to have my own Winston-dictated customized news and updates radio station every morning. If you’re a news addict or a social media junkie, if you’d like to stay informed without having to commit your entire attention to  your device Winston offers the perfect way to sate your appetites. Best of all, Winston is completely free via the iTunes App Store.

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Let’s kill some (more) zombies!

I love zombies. I mean I really love them- the concept, the movies (most of them, at least), the TV shows (huzzah for Walking Dead on iTunes- the HD downloads are a godsend for cable cutters!), the implied social commentary, and of course the GAMES. When I want to fire up Steam for some non-casual gaming nothing else is as enjoyable as Valve’s Left 4 Dead franchise. Even iOS plays a role for me, thanks to some App Store heavy hitters like Plants Versus Zombies (still marked down to FREE as of the writing of this post!) and the previously reviewed Into the Dead (also listed as free in the iTunes App Store). While that’s a whole lot of undead goodness, eventually even I need something new to keep my attention.

Thanks to Randy O’Connor I’ve had just that via Dead End HD. The game is a good blend of the familiar and the innovative starring everyone’s animated corpses. The idea is a common one in zombie games- survival of your beleaguered character Harold facing waves of zombies. The controls are both simple and vexing: your character runs in the direction he faces, only stopping when you change his direction via right or left buttons at the bottom corners of the screen. You fire your weapon while turning, allowing you to spray destruction around you but leaving you vulnerable to the ever-denser hordes that creep up . When coupled with the top-down view of the game it creates a Smash TV-like feel (for those of you that can remember that far back). Power ups are picked up from the field of play; the weapons range from simple pistols to heavier fare like machine guns and flame throwers (with additional weapons unlocked by achievement). To make matters more difficult, as you progress the playing field is cluttered by obstacles like lamp posts and benches that your character bounces off of. For those skilled and/or brave enough, you can switch to a single button control.

The game is an excellent casual-style time waster. The gameplay is very engaging, accentuated by some perfectly rendered cartoonish graphics, music, and sound effects reminiscent of another favorite: Zombies Ate My Neighbors. The waves of zombies quickly become challenging, but never so much so that the game loses its charm. While Dead End HD is compatible with any iOS device, I enjoyed the game on the iPad more thanks to the additional screen real estate.

Dead End HD is Game Center compatible for those of you that like to run some high-score smack talk with your friends. It is available now via the iTunes App Store for $1.99.

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Love for Google inside the world of iOS

The big debate/argument/fanboy spat in the world of mobile devices is (and has been almost as long as there have been legitimate smart mobile devices) who has the better platform- Android or iOS. As I’ve opined before, there really is no universal right answer; most of the argument is the result of overzealous brand loyalty and/or dislike of the competing company.  Since Android is one of the many products of Google, logic would dictate that they and Apple should be blood enemies, no? Apple has made it no secret that they have been working to scour Google’s presence from their devices; Google Maps and the built-in YouTube App have been obvious examples of the corporate rivalry.

I’ve been a fan of many Google services longer than I’ve been an Apple covert. Their raison d’être- internet search- has been my go to resource for almost as long as I’ve been aware of the internet. Gmail is easily the best free email available, Picasa is a fantastic cross-platform answer for casual photographers, and the list just goes on and on. So if you’re an iOS devotee is the (real or imagined) conflict between Apple and Google limiting your access to Google’s services? Does Google keep their quality in house, as Microsoft does with Office versus Office for Mac?

The short answer is definitely not. While Google’s products aren’t a part of the default (and undelete-able) apps in iOS, the services you may have come to love and rely on are still there; often in a form that rivals (and in a couple instances surpasses) what Google has built into Android. After a short hiatus Google Maps is available in something other than web app form. Within moments of appearing in the iTunes App Store Google Maps almost immediately became one of the top free downloads and remains extremely popular thanks to the bad press that Apple’s in-house Maps App has received.

What of Google’s other services, though? Well, the flagship of internet search is still the default of iOS (and Google isn’t shy about paying an impressive sum to remain so). Gmail, Google Calendar, and your contacts are easy to sync to your iPhone (even with the recently-resolved issues iOS has had with Exchange). Not a fan of iOS’ default Mail App? No worries- Gmail has it’s own app for iOS that offers functionality that syncing alone lacks. While there’s no Picasa app for iOS (although there are third party apps to access your online library) Google+ does provide photo uploads similar to Photostream. Speaking of Google+, if you’re a user of Google’s answer to Facebook the iOS app is a great interface, offering Flipboard-like functionality that surpasses the dated feel of Facebook’s iOS app.

Almost every Google offering has an iOS app available- YouTube, the Google Play store, Latitude, Local, Translate, even Google Voice. Some have argued that the iOS version of Chrome is superior to the default Safari, even though they share the same webkit origins. Even Google’s DropBox competitor Google Drive is just a few clicks away.

If anything, Google has a strong incentive to duplicate their Android offerings on iOS. Reports have revealed that Google actually makes significantly more revenue from iOS users than their (much larger) Android user base. Google’s unstated market strategy doesn’t tie their efforts to their in-house mobile OS, either- they use Android as a loss leader to funnel users to their actual revenue engine: advertising and data mining.

So buck up, all you Google lovers out there. You can have the best of both worlds should you desire it: all of Google’s fantastic free services neatly wrapped in the warm embrace of iOS.

 

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A discount iPhone?

We are in the dark period between hardware releases for Apple, so rumors abound as to what’s to be released in the near future. The speculation has been fanned by Apple’s recent financial reports- although Apple is awash in cash and has generated an astounding $13.07 billion in revenue in just the first quarter of the fiscal year, the sales figures didn’t match what financial pundits had predicted based on Apple’s meteoric rise in sales and revenue over the past few years. Consequently Apple’s stock price took a tumble (that was soon reversed) thanks to the pessimism. What’s a consumer to think? Has Apple really run out of mojo? Is this just a return to reality for a company that’s feasted off of meteoric sales fueled by practically creating two new product categories?

There are multiple factors in play concerning, and most are not readily evident. While the iPhone still reigns supreme in the US, it isn’t the industry leader around the world- Android has the lion’s portion of market share thanks to its breadth of pricing, handsets, and the slow release of the iPhone around the world. Apple has had some significant success in China, the world’s largest market for handsets, but they currently rank 6th in market share.

The iPhone won’t likely retain its market dominance in the US forever as competitors flood the market; Android has evolved at a blistering pace, and Microsoft is pushing their new mobile version of Windows 8 just as new names like Ubuntu and Firefox have been linked to mobile devices. What some don’t realize is that Apple has never been focused on market share- they place far more value on margin. Organizations like Amazon and Google sell their devices with almost no profit (and sometimes at a loss) to steer customers to their real profit centers- advertising and data mining for Google, the various Amazon stores for that entity. While Apple does generate a tidy profit from their media and app stores, they have never embraced the strategy of employing a loss leader (something that generates no or negative profit that brings more customers to the things that do).

The breadth of Android devices has been recognized as one if the reasons the platform has such a commanding portion of the handset market; devices range from iPhone equivalents like the Samsung Galaxy line to bargain models from makers like Huawei. While Apple does keep older models of iPhone in production to offer a broader range of prices, they have never sold a handset that was designed to appeal to bargain hunters (or a device that deviated from the established form factor). Some (including former Apple CEO John Sculley) have called for Apple to deviate from their business model to compete in the inexpensive handset demographic, even going so far as to insist that a cheaper version of the iPhone must be pending (with no actual evidence to support the claim). Others report on a rumored handset dubbed the iPhone Math that sports a 4.8 inch screen similar to some of Samsung’s phone/tablet (“phablet”?) hybrids.

Not only is such action not likely to happen, it would border on foolishness for Apple to do so. They have managed to generate more profit than all of their competitors combined by not focusing on market share and ceding certain segments of the market. While the sales figures from this past fiscal year weren’t explosive, they were still greater than the GDP of many countries- and this was in a quarter that was one week shorter than usual. Apple has only developed products to that offer significant value in each category, not devices solely to compete for money in that category. The Mac Mini is more than a cheaper version of the iMac; it has a different form factor and possible uses. The iPad Mini is less expensive than the full sized iPad, but the primary focus hasn’t been the price, it has been the utility offered by the smaller size of the device. The same can be said for the Shuffle, Apple’s cheapest iPod; it has a significantly different form (diminutive and lacking a screen) but is tailored for specific uses, not just to generate sales in those that can’t afford an iPod Nano or Touch. Creating an underpowered or under spec-ed device just to compete in a market segment they have never pursued for little more than market share is nonsense unless there were some way they could keep the profit margins they count on, and to date none of their competitors have been able to do so with far more time and emphasis on that demographic.

As for the super sized iPhone Math, the waters are less clear but still doubtful. I have no doubt there is a larger sized iPhone in product research (just perusing the research models revealed during the Apple v Samsung trials recently shows how broad the scope can be) but Apple tends to control every aspect of their consumer product line. The screen resolution of a larger device would pose problems for apps; it would either have to sport a non-retina display (unlikely considering the flack generated over the lack of retina in the iPad Mini) or would have to have a custom resolution- very unlikely given Apple’s insistence on uniformity in App Store apps. Another facet is Apple’s own in-house research; they have reported more than once that the screen of the iPhone and iPod Touch was specifically designed to allow one handed operation. The iPhone 5 allegedly is the largest factor that can still adhere to this purpose according to their engineers, any larger and Apple would have to ignore their own stated strategy. Then there’s the question of product identity; a massive iPhone becomes a potential competitor to the iPad Mini (which has allegedly already cannibalized sales from its full sized sibling).

While I’m far too low on the technosphere’s food chain to have precise insight on Apple’s product development, I’d still wager a week’s pay that a majority of the hand wringing and speculation on what they will (or should) do is just so much noise. The next big thing won’t be a big iPhone, it will likely be an entirely new category of device.

 

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They aren’t sports teams

As I’ve stated before I used to revel in the role of electronic tinkerer. Building new PC towers was an easy and inexpensive way to gain a better, more powerful system while satisfying my craving for learning something new. I picked up a good deal of tricks from a high school friend and augmented it by devouring all the PC magazines and online articles I could get my hands on. My deep integration into all things PC naturally evolved into a sentimental attachment to my creations and the core of their electronic life- Windows. That’s right, I used to be an Apple hater. In hindsight I think it was just a subconscious way to justify the effort I put into each system (beyond the satisfaction of bringing a new PC to life by myself)- I was able to build something more powerful, with a faster processor, heftier graphics card; just pick your benchmark or component. Competitors by their very nature had to be inferior!

Since that time I was lured into the Apple fold bit by bit, gateway iPod to iPhone to Mac without a moment of regret. While I’ll admit to being an apologist on occasion (although to be honest the iPhone 4′s antenna and Apple Map’s oft discussed problems never impacted me) I’ve reflected often on the natural tendency for people to form cliques. What used to be a Mac versus PC argument (which still exists, albeit a bit more subdued than it used to be) has now become more of an iOS versus Android tussle.

Again, a caveat- I’ve teased a coworker or two about their Android handsets. It wasn’t maliciously done, but I can debate/argue with the best of them when I put my mind to it. That being said, it seems almost bizarre to me how we naturally form mental groups based on such personal choices as what kind of gadgets we prefer. I was an early adopter of the iPhone, and was already comfortably in the Apple fold by the time Android was a viable smartphone choice. Both handset operating systems had their growing pains, but both have matured into impressively powerful platforms with unique values to offer. Had I not opted for an iPhone I would have been just as enthusiastic about my first Nexus (and this blog may have had a different name).

Android truly does offer value that iOS never will. It’s open architecture provides flexibility and configurability so far unmatched (although new platforms from Ubuntu and Firefox may challenge that). Android offers unparalleled user control over its structure; users can change just about every aspect of the operating system’s interface. Google’s market strategy of seeking profit by supporting their core business of advertising and data mining allow them to give the OS away to handset manufacturers who can configure it to a massive range of different devices. iOS only recently became available on more than one type of device, but Android phones vary so much they could be broken down into subcategories, each providing unique value like low price, removable batteries, a physical keyboard, or pseudo-tablet size screen. Android owners have multiple app sources as well; legitimate (Google Play and Amazon’s app store) as well as not-so-legitimate. Then there’s one of the hidden facets of Android that some customers flock to- it simply isn’t Apple.

With all those selling points, why would anyone buy an iOS device? Glad you asked. iOS benefits from some of the very things it’s been criticized for, such as its “closed” architecture. Apple controls the product line from start to finish, and this affords them far greater influence over the quality of their operating system, components, and end user experience (just do a quick search for Android fragmentation if you’d like to see why unity is important). The physical construction has always been high quality, with more research on ergonomics and optimal functionality than the average consumer will ever be aware of. Rather than build a wide range of devices for all budgets, Apple keeps previous models of iPhone in production, selling the older model at a discount (yet still making a respectable profit margin thanks to existing production lines) allowing them to insure that no matter what your budget, you’ll get a quality device.

Thanks in part to the curated nature of the app store and part to the customer base Apple has cultivated the iOS App Store reigns supreme. iOS users are far more likely to purchase apps (dirty secret- Google makes more revenue from iOS users than it does out of the more numerous Android users!), and this cash flow influences development, feeding the store’s massive number of apps. Then there’s the rest of the iTunes Store, both free content and paid. Music, audiobooks, podcasts (both video and audio), movies, television shows, even education- nothing matches iTunes’ scope of media. Both operating systems can tie into third party providers like Netflix and Spotify, but iOS users have a much broader selection at their fingertips- you can even access Google Play (or any of Google’s products) if you really want to.

Then there is the staggering array of third party accessories. Literally any category you can think of, from the beautiful to the absurd, is out there for iOS devices. Third party developers have created new ways of using your device and better ways of doing what you were already using it for, spurred on by the unity of the platform. It’s far more profitable (not to mention easier) to develop for a product line that changes in slow increments rather than one that has almost countless forms simultaneously.

The unity of hardware and software have allowed Apple to develop a wide ranging product line, from iPod Touch to full sized iPad, offering stability  and interoperability that no competitor can match. iOS also acts as a valuable part of their product ecosystem; users can get far more utility from their devices if they use Apple products solely. As time passes iOS and OSX will cross pollinate and the defining line between them will blur (unlike Window’s clumsy attempt to force immediate integration of mobile and desktop operating systems via Windows 8). Google has no ecosystem to leverage; they began as system agnostic and even though they ventured into hardware with Android and the overlooked Chromebook they largely remain that way.

Given time I could probably provide countless more reasons why iOS was the perfect choice for me. The stability, clean and simple interface, quality of devices, interoperability, and breadth of support both software and hardware made my choice a simple one. My requirements won’t make everyone happy; those that haven’t lost their love of tinkering with the internals of their devices in particular (most of my Android-loving friends mention the modifications they’ve made to their handsets as one of the primary reasons they love them). Just bear in mind if someone wants to influence your choice of device, it’s not like choosing a sports team to follow; pick what best suits your needs.

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A new year with Bandello

While looking over my backlogged App information, I came across some welcome news from one of my favorite sources Bandello. The indie game focused organization has a new game and some very promising news of broader horizons.

First, there’s EpiX (developed by Blinzy Studios). This little gem is a happy mix of retro gaming, clever use of your iOS device’s touchscreen, and the joys of indulging in (what is for some of us) obsessive behavior. Like most indie games EpiX is a simple one- your Viking helmeted hero stands alone against waves of marauding orcs, with only your sword and special powers between you and certain doom.

The gameplay has only one control: tapping the screen. Touch the orcs (represented in retro 8-bit glory as a pixellated head) to “kill” them as they approach you from all angles. What sounds ridiculously easy becomes rather difficult to manage as the waves become thicker and thicker, populated by tougher and faster orcs that can blend in with the terrain (making them difficult to pick out). When the orcs get too close they do damage, shrinking your life meter. Augmenting your trusty sword are a variety of power ups such as Heal, Shield, and Fireball (with self explanatory effects).

The pixellated sprites and primitive electronic soundtrack invoke more than a little old school gaming nostalgia, and the uncomplicated gameplay is surprisingly engaging. While the game is billed as an epic orc-slaying venture, I found it to be more akin to an old school gaming version of popping bubble wrap (and if you’ve never indulged in this obsessive past time, it offers far more satisfying enjoyment than words can convey).

Like many solid indie games, one of the best facets of EpiX is the price- FREE. It is advertising supported but the splash screen pitches for other games aren’t intrusive and are something I’ll gladly endure for a quality time waster.

Secondly, Bandello has announced the much-praised game Nihilumbra (from Beautifun Games) could be making the jump from iOS to PC and Mac thanks to Steam Greenlight, Steam’s community-based sounding board for possible new additions to the Steam Store. Games with sufficient support are greenlit for the store, and the page provides the game developers feedback from interested game players they may not normally have access to. If you haven’t played Nihilumbra give the page a look; they need support from gamers like you!

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Not another ‘best of’ list

A new year always sparks pundits to look back on what has been. While I’m no pundit, I’m not immune from the urge to evaluate all the tech and apps that I’ve had the privilege to use/evaluate. Unlike those pundits, I don’t want to rehash the tired “Best of the year” category- best is far too subjective; what’s best for me more than likely won’t be best for you, and I lack the clout or resources to be able to sample more than a fraction of what Apple and its ecosystem of app and accessory developers have to offer. Instead, I’d like to share with you the things that have made a lasting impact; the games that I just can’t put down, the apps that have proven far more useful than I had originally thought they could be, the accessories that I couldn’t live without.

Games: While I haven’t had them long, the games that I gravitate towards epitomize what I love about iOS gaming: a unique concept, innovative controls and gameplay, and an eye-catchingly well made display.

First, there’s Groove Coaster. I love the spartan Tempest-like vector graphics, the simple yet engaging interface, and the use of music as an integral part of the gameplay. It’s been consistently enjoyable.

Second, another relative newcomer- Into the Dead. It does a better job of creating a tense, gripping environment than just about any game I’ve played. This latecomer to the booming zombie game genre may not be as well known as other apps but it holds its own against the best of the category.

Honorable mention- Carmageddon. While not a great game (especially the dodgy controls) its an extremely faithful port of the DOS-based classic

Accessories: The Brydge iPad keyboard. There are plenty of Bluetooth iPad keyboards out there, and most are less expensive than the Brydge, but none offer the combination of durability and functionality that the Brydge does. It’s aluminum chassis pairs perfectly with the iPad (although I’d love to see a future model with softer, rounded edges like the iPad has), and it’s patented hinge allows it to be forward compatible with future iPad models.

iOS feature: iMessage. The ability to use the same messaging platform across all my devices has been very welcome. While the app isn’t perfected yet, it’s been far more useful than I had thought it would be when I installed the initial OSX beta app. I’d love to see Apple make the iOS app as functional as the OSX version, specifically compatibility with other chat platforms.

Honorable mention: Airplay. The Apple TV is a great device in its own right (more on that later) and Airplay provides a great way to expand its usefulness.

Device: The Apple TV. I’ve been able to move beyond a media center PC and TiVo thanks to Apple’s diminutive streaming device. It almost instantly became the integral part of my living room’s media center; it does a better job with streaming content than any other device I’ve used, syncs perfectly with my iMac‘s iTunes library, and offers a decent selection of integrated apps. I’m hoping that Apple fulfills the rumor of opening it to the App Store; it is just another iOS device after all.

News/Reading- Mr Reader. I still rely on RSS feeds for my daily news and entertainment, and Mr Reader has been the best RSS client for iOS that I’ve found so far. Some prefer the eye candy of Flipboard, but I get a great deal more out of Mr Reader’s classic interface and sharing features.

Audio- Stitcher. I’m a huge fan of podcasts, but the recently introduced iOS Podcast app isn’t quite ready for prime time. Stitcher does a great job of bringing me the content I want, without the need for iTunes syncing.

Honorable mention- Pandora. Spotify may be the rage lately, but Pandora is still my go-to source for personalized internet radio. I purchased a subscription over a year ago and have gotten more than my $36 worth out of it.

That’s my list of additions from the past year I can’t do without. Feel free to share yours with me in the comments section!

 

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It keeps me coming back

One of the unfortunate facets of owning gadgets is their nature to break. Regardless of how well something is manufactured, eventually even a brand new just out of the box item will have a manufacturing error or damage caused by shipping. In my past life as an electronic DIY-er the solution usually involved pulling my home constructed PC tower out of its nest of coiling black wires, cracking it open, and replacing the offending part (or salvaging what I could for my next cobbled together tower). Other devices were simply discarded when they went awry; support and customer service for the various non-Apple players I’ve owned was virtually nonexistent and the construction of the devices made tinkering with their innards a task beyond my skills at the time.

Since my conversion to all things Apple the story has been considerably different. On the whole my devices have been remarkably reliable, to date I’ve only had two instances where a device had to be returned (and I’ve owned a lot of Apple products). The consistent level of support and ease of obtaining it has become a main factor in my adoption of Apple products.

Case in point: my new iPhone 5 had a minor light leakage in its display; in the top right corner black backgrounds revealed a touch of light seeming to bleed in from just beyond the edge of the screen. The issue was minor enough that I didn’t deem it worthy of pursuing, but it devolved to other color bleeding (blue over white backgrounds as well) and then streaking pixel loss. Since my iPhone is my only home phone and my primary means of communication at work, I was more than a bit concerned. Unlike my experience with other handsets the solution was simple, quick, and easy. A trip to my local Apple retail store and a demonstration of the issue to an associate resulted in them taking my damaged phone and handing me a new replacement. The associate even backed my iPhone’s data to iCloud for me to insure that everything would transfer. Service was friendly, even though my iPhone had chosen the worst possible time for me to need to visit a retail outlet- the last few days before Christmas. Even though the store was teeming with customers picking up last minute gifts, the store associates were able to accommodate me with a smile.

Contrast this with the DMV-like line at the customer service desk of Best Buy, and the myriad different ways other PC and device manufacturers offer service. Many retailers offer refunds or replacements for defective merchandise, but the experience of dealing with the merchant usually leaves a great deal to be desired. If you purchase directly from the manufacturer your options for service are even more limited and almost certainly require you to ship your item back to them. When I had a possible issue with the Time Capsule router I had purchased online (and the issue was just as likely due to Comcast than a defect in the router) Apple happily replaced it with a new one off the shelf at my local store rather than requiring me to ship it back.

Apple’s support for their devices goes beyond just replacing devices. I was notified of a recall of the Seagate hard drive in my iMac, and was provided links to schedule an appointment to drop the desktop off at the Genius Bar. Even the ecosystem makes for a better overall experience, as my Time Capsule backups restored my iMac and the OSX App Store had all of my software purchases available for immediate download. The same can be said for all of the iOS devices I’ve had- each upgrade was immediately restored with the same apps and data saved automatically to iCloud when I sync the device. Any app that wasn’t part of the last backup is available via the App Store’s Purchased tab; every App you’ve ever bought/downloaded is listed. While there are several computer-agnostic backup services out there, you’ll have to purchase their coverage separately. The service may not offer the same seamless user experience that I had because of that openness; broad compatibility is typically inversely related to detailed compatibility.

I’ve made big financial choices in the past based on similar thinking and have been very happy with the results. Mini Cooper offers some outstanding customer service thanks to their affiliation with BMW; this friendly all-encompassing service (along with a superior product) resulted in my purchase of two consecutive Minis.

Not everyone is in the market for high-end products that Apple produces. Those that aren’t deride the perceived “Apple Tax”, those that do understand that quality and service come at a premium. When I chose Apple devices over competitors it was for more than the device, it was the support and ecosystem built around those devices that form the user experience. Provided they maintain their commitment to the customer experience, both using the device and supporting their products, Apple will have my business.

 

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Old genres never die

From the first time I saw the original black and white Night of the Living Dead I’ve been a huge fan of zombie movies. The color remake made them my favorite horror genre; each new zombie flick (both good and bad) used the concept differently.

So imagine my delight when my favorite movie monster made its way to the iOS store. The first title I was aware of was the extremely popular port of Plants Versus Zombies; while it’s a humorous title it still embraces the fundamentals of the genre. More inventive apps followed, like Zombies, Run! and Zombie Smash; each with a new take on interaction, mechanics, and in the case of Zombies, Run! even purpose. From there the popularity of zombies has exploded, fueled by television hits like Walking Dead, novels like World War Z, and an ever-increasing number of films. With all the new arrivals the iTunes App Store has even given Zombie Games a turn at being listed in their sub genre selections. With all the popularity the genre was bound to get a bit stale, but thanks to app makers PikPok my favorite monsters have been given new (un) life.

Into the Dead is a bit of a conundrum. It can alternately take paragraphs to adequately describe, or just be summed up as AWESOME. Like most outstanding games, the concept is simple and concise- you’ve survived a helicopter crash while escaping a city, only to land in a field of the undead. Your only option for survival is to run, and run now.

The game presents in a first person view as you collect yourself and become aware of your surroundings. You run from the wreckage through fields, rows of crops, and forest towards a radio tower in the distance that seems to offer salvation. The further you go the denser the hordes of the undead become, and other obstacles that will make you stumble and momentarily lose control litter your path. Running into one of the shambling corpses allows them to bring your flight to a halt as they gruesomely feast on your flesh.

The game is scored primarily on how far you make it from your wrecked copter. Power ups come in the form of crates that provide various weapons that allow you to kill zombies in your path. Other accomplishments are given for clearing obstacles, killing (or not killing) the undead, and collecting and using various power ups. The game provides several methods of control for your endless flight; my preferred method was tapping the edges of the screen to steer my path as I ran, but other reviewers have preferred tilt controls.

This was the first ‘endless runner’ type game I’ve played; so called because your character never reaches an ending point. The concept meshes perfectly with the idea of a city that has succumbed to a zombie plague; the gameplay needs no explanation and immediately draws you in. The true crowning jewel of the app is how perfectly the graphics and sound have been crafted. The game is portrayed in black and white, and your view is hampered by mist and the lack of light. Some zombies shamble towards you from the murk, others rise from the ground as you approach. Come close enough and they will strike out at you, causing you to momentarily stumble as you hear their dead voices.

The game is a true first person POV perspective; the display sways in time with your steps and stumbles. The sound of your gasping breath as you try to escape certain death adds a sense of urgency to the app just as a good soundtrack accentuates the emotional impact of a film. The app was immersive from the start, and while the gameplay is straightforward and simple it took several flights through the countryside before I could put it down.

Not only can I recommend the game for the sheer enjoyment of playing and the artistry of the visuals and sound, it falls into a favorite category of just about every iOS device owner- free. Into the Dead is compatible with iPhone 3GS and later, iPod Touch 3G and later, and the iPad (but is optimized for the iPhone 5). If you enjoy this genre at all (or are just looking for something new and different) do yourself a favor and download Into the Dead now.

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