palmIT

Is blogging still worth the investment of time?

Cale Bruckner — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 01:46:27 +0000

I’ve been finding it hard to carve out the time for writing the longer, more in-depth blog posts, I’ve planned for the palmIT blog. Work is keeping me busy, and if I had time for blogging it would probably be better spent writing for our company blog. The palmIT Facebook Page, Twitter stream, and my Google+ account are good channels for sharing the industry news, tidbits, and things I find interesting; and in many ways are good , if not better, substitutes for traditional blogging platforms. Is personal blogging for technology professionals still worth the investment of time? For me, at the moment, it’s hard to justify it.

I still plan on posting longer, more in-depth posts here someday, but you know what they say about the best laid plans. Honestly, part of me always ends up thinking the really active bloggers (that aren’t blogging for dollars) should probably be working on other things, or they might be forced into seeing just how hard it is to blog for dollars. Back to work.

Apple makes more on an HTC Android smartphone than Google

Cale Bruckner — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:24:35 +0000

That’s right, Google makes a projected $2 per Android powered phone sold, and Apple is closer $6 or $8. Microsoft is making about $5 on LG, Acer, and Samsung Android phones.

This past weekend Apple and HTC signed a patent cross-licensing deal that, according to one analyst, could see Apple collect between $6 and $8 for each and every Android smartphone HTC sells
Read more at http://venturebeat.com/2012/11/13/in-2013-apple-and-microsoft-could-make-600-more-from-android-than-google/#Eg0uPRM6ZD4KxPzS.99

Source: VB / Mobile Apple and Microsoft could make 600% more from Android than Google in 2013

11/21 update: HTC CEO Peter Chou – “I think that these estimates are baseless..” /via ARS Technica

Eddy Cue Joins Ferrari Board

Cale Bruckner — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:38:47 +0000

Eddy Cue commented on his appointment to the Ferrari board:

“I am pleased and proud to become a member of the board. I have personally dreamed of owning a Ferrari since I was 8 years old and have been lucky to be an owner for the past 5 years. I continue to be awed by the world-class design and engineering that only Ferrari can do,” said Eddie Cue, commenting on his nomination to the board.

And Ferrari’s Chairman Luca di Montezemolo was happy to have Cue join the company’s board:

“I am delighted that Eddy Cue, one of the main driving forces behind Apple’s range of revolutionary products, has now joined our board. His huge experience in the dynamic, innovative world of the Internet will be of great assistance to us.”

Ferrari’s Press Release

Are future Ferrari’s going to look more like iPhones? What kind of a discount does a Ferrari board member get? Man, the perks that come with being an Apple Executive ; )

Govern as independents in name and in spirit. – Sergey Brin

Cale Bruckner — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:49:52 +0000

Google co-founder, Brin, calls on politicians to abandon political parties.

So my plea to the victors — whoever they might be: please withdraw from your respective parties and govern as independents in name and in spirit. It is probably the biggest contribution you can make to the country. – Sergey Bring (Source: Google+)

I’ll second that on Election Day. I guess I should start by re-registering as an Independent.

TRIMBUSH04 Bumper Sticker – Americans for a clean shave

Miveu-X POV Case for iPhone

Cale Bruckner — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:09:14 +0000

Don’t buy a GoPro camera – instead, get more value out of your over priced iPhone by transforming it into a HD POV (point-of-view) action camera. Miveu-X is a chest mounted case for your iPhone 4 or 4s. The chest mount includes an adjustable mounting plate that supports iPhone rotation and angle adjustment. The case is also equipped with an optical (and replaceable) wide-angle lens. An integrated shutter button allows you to start and stop recording without removing the iPhone from the clip. At $99 it’s about 1/3 the price of a GoPro camera, and you’re likely carrying the iPhone with you anyway, so why not make use of that HD video camera.

Venture Beat

Cale Bruckner — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 04:45:47 +0000

Keeping current with what’s going on in Mobile is nearly a full-time job. I read Venture Beat Mobile daily and rely on it as a news source.

Instagram 3.0 Available

Cale Bruckner — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:41:19 +0000

Instagram 3.0 was made available for download yesterday. The major release will be welcomed by the 80 million users who are sharing photos with friends via Instagram’s iPhone and Android apps.

Instagram 3.0 includes a variety of improvements and performance enhancements, but the goal of the release was clearly to improve, and re-imagine, the browsing and exploration experience.

During an interview with TechCrunch, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom described the new update:

“With every data release we’ve tried to shift our focus dramatically. Instagram 2.0, with its new filters, etc, was all about the user’s production experience. Instagram 3.0 is about a new kind of browser experience, Photo Maps. Photo Maps is such a fun way of re-descovering yourself, but not just yourself, all Instagram users”

Photo Maps, a feature of the member profile, provides an alternative map-based way to browse photo collections. The experience provides a new and fun way to browse other’s photos, but it’s also a fun way to rediscover some of your own photos.

Instagram’s Photo Maps

Improvements like support for continuous browsing, and slightly larger grid photos will also be welcomed by the army of people that use Instagram on a daily basis.

The video below provides a walkthrough of the new Photo Map feature if you’re interested in learning more. Or, just download Instagram for iOS, or Android, it’s FREE!

Instagram 3.0 – Photo Maps Walkthrough from Instagram on Vimeo.

Waterproof Case and Bicycle Handlebar Mount for iPhone

Cale Bruckner — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 05:48:32 +0000

London Cyclist reviewed the Tough Waterproof Case and Bicycle Handlebar Mount for Apple iPhone 4. The review doesn’t compare the mount against others London Cyclist has reviewed, but based on the review, I’d say the Tiagra mount (also reviewed on London Cyclist) is the better choice. Oops, just realized this is a review from last year. Oh… well, this is a good read if you’re interested in mounting your iPhone to your bike’s handlebar. London Cyclist on other iPhone bike mounts.

Nexus 7 Teardown

Cale Bruckner — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:26:04 +0000

The iFixit team gave the Googles Nexus 7 a 7 out of 10 repairability score. The iPad scored a 2 and the Fire scored an 8. The only real problem they have with the Nexus 7 is that the LCD doesn’t separate from the display glass – making repair more expensive. Another step in the right direction for the Nexus 7.

Polaroid Instant Digital Camera Z2300

Cale Bruckner — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:53:53 +0000

The Polaroid Z2300 would be way more interesting if Polaroid had partnered with Instagram. Imagine the Z2300 with Instragram’s filters and easy wi-fi sharing. That would have been an amazing product, something to get excited about. On the other hand, the Indiegogo funding campaign for the Socialmatic Camera fizzled out, so maybe I’m wrong about the interest in an Instagram camera that can instantly print your photos.

Google I/O 2012

Cale Bruckner — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 07:44:44 +0000

Google announced a lot of great stuff at the Google I/O conference this week. Highlights for me included the release of Chrome for iOS, the Nexus 7 announcement, and the earlier than expected availability of Google Glass. I’ve got a Nexus 7 on pre-order and Chrome for iOS running on my iPhone. Way to go Google, glad to see you’ve still got it. I’d say Google had a very successful Google I/O conference this year.

Is Microsoft the most exciting company in tech today?

Cale Bruckner — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 03:56:41 +0000

Microsoft Is the Most Exciting Company in Tech, Hands Down – says Adrian Covert (Adrian’s LinkedIn). I think that’s going a bit too far Adrian. Microsoft announced some cool new products and initiatives this week, but they’re so far behind the pack that it’s hard to get excited about anything they announce. I think part of my lack of enthusiasm can be attributed to Microsoft’s history of bailing on products and initiatives at the first sign of trouble. I think Windows 8, Windows Mobile 8, and the Windows RT kernel they share is a move in the right direction, but Microsoft needs the development community and a vibrant ecosystem to have a shot at getting back in the game. Will Windows 8, and the Surface tablet, be enough to re-engage the development community? We’ll see.

Amazon Cloud Player for iOS Released

Cale Bruckner — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:38:51 +0000

Amazon’s Cloud Player for iOS is now available in the iTunes App Store. Amazon Cloud Player provides Amazon’s customers with the ability to stream or download music stored in their Amazon Cloud Drive. You can also manage your music library and create playlists using the App. Because Apple prohibits it, you won’t be able to purchase new music through the App – the Kindle App for iPhone is limited in the same way.

Now your music can come with you everywhere! Listen to your music from the cloud on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch anywhere you are. You can download or stream your library from the cloud – or play the music you already have on your device. – iTunes App Description

Amazon Cloud Player is long overdue – it should have launched along with the Cloud Drive service a year ago. Still, I’m glad to see that Amazon is willing to commit resources to supporting their customers that are also Apple customers.

Phone Review: Samsung Galaxy S III

Cale Bruckner — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:30:36 +0000

Pelicans are going to be dropping Samsung Galaxy S III phones on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless stores near you this month. $200, and a 2-year contract, will put this 4.8-inch screen (720p resolution) and an 8-megapixel camera in your pocket.

The Galaxy S III is obviously the next evolutionary step in the popular Galaxy S line. More than 50 million Galaxy S phones have been sold, and there isn’t any reason to think the the Galaxy S III won’t continue the trend.

The Galaxy S III includes a great hardware package, and a few new innovative features. Smart Stay uses the front facing camera to monitor your eyes and reduce the chances of the phone going to sleep when you need it to be awake. S Voice, a Siri like feature that doesn’t promise to be your new best friend. And an impressive camera that includes image stabilization and a shutter speed that apparently does’ t have any lag. There’s more, but the phone has been well covered, so you can read about it elsewhere if you’re interested.

You can pre-order the Galaxy S III from Verizon Wireless and AT&T starting today. T-mobile and Sprint will launch the phone on June 21st. Available in multiple colors, but only from AT&T to start.

App Review: Nuance Dragon ID

Cale Bruckner — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 02:30:35 +0000

Soon you’ll be unlocking your iPhone or Android powered smartphone using your voice and Nuance’s Dragon ID. You won’t find the App in the iTunes App store or Google Play, but hardware vendors will be integrating it into their devices at the factory level soon. For example, you might be able to unlock you iPhone by speaking your password into your Bluetooth connected headset. Personally, I’m looking forward to this, my iPhone screen has four dimples.

[Source] Nuance’s Dragon ID lets you unlock your phone by voice

App Review: Loving Snapseed Photo Editor

Cale Bruckner — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 06:06:16 +0000

A Day In The Life of Talented and Inspirational Mobile Photographer Andrew Proudlove by Joanne Carter (@theappwhisperer) is a good read for any aspiring mobile photographer. The article features some of Andrew’s work, and the Apps he uses to manipulate the images he captures – amazing stuff. I’ve only had time to play with a few of the Apps mentioned in the article, but Snapseed (@snapseed) is quickly becoming a new favorite. Snapseed’s UI is intuitive, and it includes a really well thought out feature set. If you’re ready to add another photo App to your collection, Snapseed won’t disappoint.

Google Maps for Android Adds Indoor Walking Directions

Cale Bruckner — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:05:49 +0000

Google Maps for Android 6.7 dropped today and the additions include: indoor walking directions, 360° panoramas inside restaurants and stores, and a new Google Offers feature. Read more about the update on the company blog.

“Since we launched indoor maps in the U.S. and Japan in Google Maps for Android last November, business owners have been adding their floor plans to our maps with Google Maps Floor Plans. Today, we are launching indoor walking directions for participating venues in these countries. This will help you get directions not only to a building’s front door, but also through those doors to the places where you want to go inside.”

ioShutter Camera Remote

Cale Bruckner — Wed, 09 May 2012 05:03:48 +0000

Control your DSLR from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch using the ioShutter Camera Remote and ioShutter App. The ioShutter App (free and paid) supports six different modes: standard trigger, motion trigger, sound trigger, time-lapse, timer, bulb, and modes can be combined. Most of Canon’s cameras are supported, and it sounds like a version for Nikon cameras is in the works.

The ioShutter Camera Remote competes with the successful Kickstarter project - Trigger Happy camera remote. Remotes like these are going to replaces the standard remote switches most manufacturers offer – the added functionality you get in the supporting Apps makes it an easy choice, and you don’t have to pay a whole lot more for the added functionality.

The ioShutter Camera Remote is available from Photojojo now for $69.99. The Trigger Happy remotes can be pre-ordered now, but won’t ship until July.

Update 05.08.12: Camera’s from the following manufacturers are supported by ioShutter Camera Remote: Canon, Hasselblad, Pentax, and Samsung. Nikon coming this summer. Compatibility details available on the ioShutter website.

Incase Box Case

Cale Bruckner — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:36:56 +0000

I think I dig the new Incase Box Case. It’s rubberized, which makes it easy to get on and off. I’ve veen looking for something like this. I don’t like the huge Incase logo, but I can live with it. Still amazed that Incase, and others, can sell an iPhone case like this for $29.99 – it probably costs less than a dollar to make.

iPhone Laser Pointer

Cale Bruckner — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:12:53 +0000

The Smart Dot from Tangram Design Lab (@tangram_design) is a laser pointer you can control with your iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, iPod Touch or iPad - and a bit more. The laser connects to the 3.5mm jack on your iOS device, and it’s powered by the same. The free Smart Dot App activates and deactivates the laser, but it can also connect with the machine hosting your presentation via wi-fi and act as a controller for your presentation as well. The App also includes a trackpad feature you can use to control the mouse pointer on the machine hosting your presentation. Smart Dot will do all of this for a mere $79.90. A pretty cool little gadget for the road warriors out there.