Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

app, app and away!

Posted: September 30, 2009 in iPhone, Mac, Technology
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I know I’m late to the iPhone party (it’s a long story but I now finally have a 3G and am LOVIN’ IT!) but thought I’d share my favourite apps anyway as a few other new users – many of them, interestingly, not native Mac users – have been asking me for some recommendations. Macworld’s new App Guide, which reviews and rates almost 78,000 apps, is well worth checking out. In the meantime, here are my top dozen favourites so far:

  1. Skype – an absolute killer app if you have a SkypeOut account and wi-fi. Clarity is superb and way easier to use than headphones on the desktop. Free
  2. Facebook – everything you need to keep up with your social circle. Free.
  3. News Addict – instant, constantly updated access to top stories from the world’s leading newspapers and wire services through one easy to use app. 99 cents.
  4. Last.fm – until Spotify comes to the iPhone here, Last.fm is the next best thing. Choose a non-stop stream of free music from thousands of artists and tracks. Free.
  5. AppBox Pro – a translator, unit convertor, clinometer and even a period calendar all in one app. 99 cents
  6. LogMeIn – at $29.99, it’s the most expensive app I’ve bought yet but being able to access and control your desktop remotely is not only cool but for a home business like mine, a potential lifesaver on the road.
  7. Remote – invaluable tool for couch potatoes who can’t be bothered to get up and find the remote control for their Apple TV. It can also control your computer. Free.
  8. Tweetdeck – best find so far for keeping up with the Twitterati. Free
  9. ESPN ScoreCenter – customise it for easy access to only the teams, sports and leagues you follow. Free
  10. Flick Fishing – great game to impress iPhone sceptics: choose your location, “cast” your line and reel in your catch.  $1.99
  11. Brothers In Arms: Hour of Heroes – terrific graphics on this war game based on the Band of Brothers TV series. $4.99
  12. RealSoccer 2010 – best soccer game I’ve seen outside the FIFA series. The 2010 version has even better graphics and controls. $6.99

apple out to “redefine print”

Posted: September 30, 2009 in Mac, media, Technology
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Apple is in talks with several media companies negotiating content for a new device, according to Gizmodo. Could it be something as sweet as the much rumoured tablet-iPad-MacWotsit?  Rumour hotting that something’s afoot come February 2010.

deal or no deal?

Posted: September 30, 2009 in Bermuda, internet, Technology
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At last I can now get 6mbps downloads through my ISP, Cable & Wireless (well, theoretically – I have yet to see the speedometer go above 3.5). Better still, I am paying the same – $179.95 – that I was for 3mbps. Not that Cable & Wireless were in a hurry to tell me this. I only found out about the new deal by accident last week when I figured I’d look at upgrading, what with our increasing use of Apple TV, BBC iPlayer and the like. Imagine my surprise when I found out via their website that C&W had changed their pricing structure. This apparently happened more than a month ago but C&W didn’t bother to tell its customers and instead kept charging me the top whack for 3mbps when I could have cut my monthly rate to $109.95 for 3mbps or continued paying the same rate but for 6mbps.

I upgraded anyway but having been a loyal C&W customer for some years, I figured a month or twos credit wouldn’t have been amiss. C&W told me they did advertise (must have missed that) and had contacted major businesses about the changes but hadn’t gotten around to contacting small businesses like ours.  Gee thanks, C&W – you mean a major ISP doesn’t have the wherewithal to send out a mass e-mail? And no, I couldn’t have a credit.

But then there’s the whole debate about whether this is such a good deal anyway. Don’t forget there’s the $135/month BTC DSL access charge on top of the $179.95. As the Computer Society  noted the other day:

We noticed with the introduction of 4/4.5 Mbps, prices moved up to $129.95; and now with the introduction of 6 Mbps for $179.95, prices are going further upward as more bandwidth is made available into Bermuda.  With 6 Mbps being introduced we are seeing a price increase of 38% for the new top speeds.

With higher volume consumption, shouldn’t prices be drastically improving per Mbps?  The international trend has been to increase the speed to the line, not drastically increase the prices; matter of fact, prices for internet is going down elsewhere as capacities increase – you can see this with Virgin UK,  Verizon US, Rogers CAN.  Bermuda seems to be going in the opposite direction.

If the trend is any indication, should we [see] speeds above 6 Mbps, prices may climb well above the $318 (ISP and Access) for a 6 Mbps connection.

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