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  • Which Chat App is Best?

    Which Chat App is Best?

    Practically everyone and their mom has a smartphone now. It’s easier than ever to stay connected to all our friends and family through a chat app! However, not everyone wants to be in huge group chats, and some people would prefer not to give their personal number out just to join in the conversation.

    With that in mind, we’ve got a round-up of our favorite chat apps! Read on to find out which apps we love to use to stay connected.

    Facebook Messenger

    Facebook is the undisputed king of the heap when it comes to social media. Almost everyone has a Facebook profile, and as such, almost everyone has access to Facebook’s messenger app. This app is clean, functional and usable, which is all par the course for what we’ve come to expect from the biggest social media platform on the internet.

    The app experience is somewhat bare-bones, however, which is disappointing when comparing it to Discord or Slack. However, Messenger makes the list for its ubiquity. If you need to make a group chat with friends or just message someone to start a conversation, Messenger is a fine choice.

    Kik

    Kik is something of a replacement for normal phone functions of texting and calling. With a unique video chat functionality that allows for small, thumbnail-sized video feeds while still texting, Kik certainly sets itself apart. Kik has a cool feature to check your phone’s contacts to add them to your contacts in the app. It also has a great interface: clean, smooth and easy to use. You should definitely give Kik a shot, especially if you’re looking for a more in-depth one-to-one text app than your phone’s text messenger allows for.

    Slack

    Mostly used by businesses, but also popular for gaming groups, Slack is a great chat suite. Sporting a good desktop app and a solid phone experience, Slack gets right to the point. With a no-frills interface that still allows for all the requisite emojis and gifs, Slack gets out of the way of your conversations.

    If you’re a small business owner looking to pull all your employees into a chat together to coordinate your efforts, Slack is perfect. Similarly, if you’re trying to organize a gaming group and you don’t like Discord’s app, Slack is a great choice.

    Our Favorite Chat App: Discord

    This one is actually no contest. Discord is the best chat app in existence, bar none. There is no overstating how many awesome features are packed into Discord’s stellar desktop and mobile applications. Discord sports a user-friendly server set-up that can be subdivided into channels.

    Functionality for tons of different types of games and news feeds can be integrated into servers at the admin’s discretion. Do you like Dungeons in Dragons? Install a bot that rolls dice and looks up stats in your server. Do you love sports? Install a bot that gives your final scores for your favorite teams. I can’t recommend Discord enough, whether you’re a gamer, professional, or anything in between.

  • The Ten Dumbest Apps Ever

    The Ten Dumbest Apps Ever

    Not every app is a winner. Sometimes developers run out of money, time or patience and simply ship an unfinished product. Other times, devs set out to make a tremendously stupid app. In either event, you came here to see mind-numbingly stupid apps, so here goes: our list of the ten dumbest apps ever.
     
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    The Little Application That Does Nothing

    01-nothing

    Photo Credit: Apple Store

    This app gets bonus points for doing what it says it does. It actually does nothing. Seriously, it doesn’t do anything. Actively. It’s received updates, for some reason, and still does nothing. I’m actually sort of mad that this exists, but it’s also hilarious, so, that’s alright.
     
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  • Expect Big Things from Apple’s WWDC

    Expect Big Things from Apple’s WWDC

    Last year’s WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) saw the announcement of the HomePod as well as the new iPad Pro 12.9 and iPad Pro 10.5. This was also when Apple revealed iOS 11 and watchOS 4. Apple will have to up the anty if it wants to compete with Google’s jaw dropping I/O conference. Lets look at some big things we expect to hear about in Junes WWDC.

    iOS 12

    This is a not a surprise, we have seen twelve iOS update keynotes at these things over the years. This year what we are looking to see is vast stability upgrades. Primary apps getting overhauled or upgrades, apps like  Mail, Camera and Photos ever calendars, calculators, and stocks. Could we make iMovie a little more mainstream and easier?  Security and performance focus would be less exciting but much needed. What not to expect is for apple to blow your hair back with some revolutionary feature or function, they will save that for September.

     

    iPhone SE

    I’ve written about this before, the SE has aged well and served its purpose but now its time for even the entry level iPhone to get a much needed upgrade. Why waste something this meaning less and cram it in with the big release in September when you can pop it out at the end of June and give a pop to the Q2 earnings.  I would expect the SE to unveiled and introduced at the WWDC and pre orders a week after.

     

    Watch OS 5

    They do this every year, while we are starting to hear rumors about the Watch 4, we will for sure see the preview for the new watch OS. Id like to see a quicker control option, new watch faces, and if the crowd gets too bored at this tech conference maybe test out a new sleep tracking feature.

     

    New Mac Pro

    We know a redesigned Mac Pro is coming, and Apple even recently made a point of reminding everyone when it said the following in a press release:

    “In addition to the new iMac Pro, Apple is working on a completely redesigned, next-generation Mac Pro architect-ed for pro customers who need the highest performance, high-throughput system in a modular, upgrade-able design, as well as a new high-end pro display.”

    Im thinking we will see a big keynote on this. I would expect it to be the highlight of WWDC, kinda mad I spent that $8000 on a new mac pro in Feb.

     

    What Else

    Those are the thing we know for sure they will hit upon at the WWDC but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a new Apple TV, with a boost to TV content. The Macbook and Mac Mini will be getting some attention as well, and don’t forget about a possible hint at a revamped iPad Pro for a fall release. Not to mention we will have to sit through hours of financial report and sales bragging from Tim Cook to look forward to..

  • Apple Issues Ultimatum to App Designers

    Apple Issues Ultimatum to App Designers

    New guidelines are now in the hands of Apple developers. By July 2018, all new apps will need to support the unique dimensions and top-of-screen notch on the iPhone X. This new guideline applies not just to new apps, but to all apps that already exist on the Apple App Store.

    Apple’s Statement

    “iOS 11 delivers innovative features and the redesigned App Store to hundreds of millions of customers around the world. Your apps can deliver more intelligent, unified, and immersive experiences with Core ML, ARKit, new camera APIs, new SiriKit domains, Apple Music integration, drag and drop for iPad, and more. Starting July 2018, all iOS app updates submitted to the App Store must be built with the iOS 11 SDK and must support the Super Retina display of iPhone X.”

    iOS 11 SDK

    The SDK in question is the new iOS 11 SDK, or software development kit. This will mean that all apps will support the features and unique screen characteristics of the iPhone X by the end of the summer. Most developers have found the top notch to not be the hardest thing to design their apps around. Instead that the always-on home indicator (the thin bar that indicates access to multitasking, etc.) has been the largest design challenge.

    This approach is nothing new and is similar to Apple’s support of previous iPhone releases. Most popular apps have already updated to reflect these design changes. Those that haven’t were already expected to follow suit shortly, even without the ultimatum from Apple. Given that the iPhone X has been fantastically popular this comes as no surprise.

    And the iPhone X’s popularity is no mistake! The iPhone X is also our favorite premium smart phone! To find out why, go check out our roundup of our favorite smart phones.

  • Apple Watch 4?

    Apple Watch 4?

    IF the rumors I’m hearing are true, which they look to be, we could be seeing an apple watch 4 this September. Apple announced the watch 3 last year with the release of the new iterations of iPhone. My insiders are telling me that this is looking likely this year.

     

    In a brief release from an anonymous source…. A newly published Apple patent details a circular smartwatch screen. This probably won’t be used by the Apple Watch 4, but you never know. Plus, a new report suggests Apple may be willing to let third-party developers start work on watch faces for the Apple Watch. If this is the case, expect far more watch faces to debut in watchOS 5 and on the Apple Watch 4.

    While this hold no real substance, it is a good indication of what is coming. You are probably asking so what, let me fill in the gaps and lead your expecations.

    The Apple Watch 3 is the most excellent Apple has built. Its a tech masterpiece that I will surely be glowing over in 20 years as I write the tech throw back article for it. It most certainly  tops our best smartwatch list, it’s  the best smartwatch, and arguably watch from any manufacturer that you can buy right now. however, its a smart device, and as you know their is only one certainty in the tech world, stand still and you will die. Like playing Halo.  There is room for growth and improvements, the battery for instance, can I get a week?

    What Do You Need To Know

    Below I have  all of the leaks, rumors and speculation about the Apple Watch 4 I have gathered so far, plus a list of things I’d like to see Apple implement in its next generation wearable. A trusted analyst that has previous history of predicting Apple products suggests the Apple Watch 4 is set to undergo a big design overhaul. So far every generation of the Apple Watch has come in either 38mm or 42mm screen sizes, but KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says he believes the Apple Watch 4 will have a 15% larger display. I need a bigger face, number one request. The Watch 3 has a lot of bezel space around the outside of the display, so it may be the company has slimmed this down to fit in the extra screen real estate and not necessarly a bigger watch..

    Like I said before I want a weeks worth of battery. Also lets talk speed, I have the need for speed, its inherent, its important, there is nothing I can do about it. Make my watch respond faster. We also have a report  from 9To5Mac found a suggestion in some watchOS 4.3.1 beta code that the company may be ready to allow for third-party watch faces in the next version of the Watch software.

    Apple may also add additional sensors for health-tracking, complementing the optical heart rate sensor built into the watch since launch. Apple has applied for a patent on a smartwatch band with built-in sensors, specifically ones that can measure motion when the wearer is gripping a “sports instrument” such as a dumbbell or golf club. That would make the watch a better fitness tracker.

    Face ID

    According to Patently Apple, which obtained and published the patents, Apple is also considering adding Face ID to the Apple Watch. The device would first need a front-facing camera, which Apple may include in the Series 4. But just because Apple has patented a feature doesn’t mean it will actually come to fruition.

    Could It Be Round?

    We have seen patents from Apple for a while that says this next iteration could have a round face. This opens alot of doors, more battery space, bigger screen. However Apple seems happy with the design of the Watch and hasn’t substantially changed it in the various versions it’s launched so far, so we don’t expect a redesign any time soon, let alone a completely different screen shape and the only real reason to change it is to intice other watch users more accusomed to that round design… Not Apples style, don’t bet on this.

     

    The Final Thought

    What ever they do with the watch it will be scrutinized, hated, celebrated and purchased in the millions. It will work flawlessly and be a substantial upgrade over the the three. Will they keep the red dot? who knows its all just speculation at this point. All I know for sure is that I just bought the 3…

  • Tech Throwback: iMac 20th anniversary

    Tech Throwback: iMac 20th anniversary

    I like to take a look at where I’ve been to evaluate where Im going. Technology is cyclical after all… wait no its not. That said I still like all the feels that come rushing back like a flood of nostalgia every time I get my hand on the tech I grew up with. Im going to go back periodically and take a looking at the stuff that used to blow our hair back and get our minds rolling. Some of these device blew up and changed the world, some where ahead of their time and some just fell flat and became colossal failures. Today we are going to talk about the original iMac on its 20th anniversary

     

     

     

    Its been twenty whole years since  Steve Jobs introduced iMac on May 6th, 1998. It was a truly ambitious new Mac, with a very specific Internet  access ease-ability. It not only redefined the design and styling of tech products but charted a strategic course that would take Apple from being a that one PC maker from the 80s to the world’s most valuable  company. This computer set the path for apple to become more valuable then all but 17 countries in the world. Most importantly, iMac had an impact because it courageously made bold decisions that conventional thinking assumed to be wrong. The iMac, take aim at a broader market of individuals who wanted a practical, easy way to get on the Internet. What can you say about Steve Jobs that hasn’t already been said, the man just got us.

     

    Before unveiling the new iMac, Jobs outlined how it would be different. For starters, Apple was using a modern 233MHz G3 processor, the same chip it had used in its entry-level Pro Power Mac G3 just six months prior at a price $300 higher. That new generation Power PC chip boasted a performance edge “up to twice as fast” as Intel’s Pentium II processors at similar clock speeds. I had forgotten about the G3 processors, but this gives me a lot of anticipatory feelings for the next line of iMacs that apple is set to make there own chips again for starting next year.

     

    At a time when PCs generally needed an external modem to connect to the Internet over phone lines, the new iMac built in both its relatively fast modem (making it easy to connect by only plugging in a phone cord) and 100Mb Ethernet.USB ports had already appeared on PCs, but it generally sat unused because device makers kept building slightly cheaper products using RS-232 serial ports, PS/2 cables for keyboards and mice and Centronics Parallel ports on printers and disks. The new iMac also included IrDA, a way to beam (like a TV remote) data using invisible light. It wasn’t nearly as fast as the wireless technology Apple would roll out in the future, including Bluetooth and WiFi, but it offered an early way to transmit photos and other basic data without requiring cables at all.

    Quick Spec Look

    • Screen Size 15 inches
    • Processor 0.35 GHz PowerPC G3
    • RAM 32 MB
    • Hard Drive 20 GB
    • Graphics Coprocessor ATI Rage 128 Ultra

    The Final Thought

    It’s hard to overstate the importance of the iMac G3. The iMac G3 ushered Apple in to the future, and on its translucent back, Steve Jobs rebuilt the company. It was the end of the beige computer and everything we thought computers had to be. The i in iMac stood for 5 things, internet, individual, instruct, inform, and inspire, it most certainly did all off those things for the last 20 years.

     

     

     

  • New iPhone Mode May Lock Out Law Enforcement

    New iPhone Mode May Lock Out Law Enforcement

    ZDNet has found a “USB Restricted Mode” in the files for iOS 11.4, a feature that could have potentially massive implications. This feature disallows USB devices from accessing the phone if it hasn’t been unlocked in the last seven days. This could potentially work to stop intrusion devices, such as the Gray Key device, from functioning with iPhones in this mode.

    Gray Key

    Gray Key devices attempt to break into iPhones by guessing every permutation of the possible password. However, these devices require a connection through the Lightning port, and as such could be disabled by USB Restricted Mode. This could serve as an excellent security feature for iPhone users, ensuring that only individuals with the correct password access their phone.

    Law Enforcement

    Apple has notoriously clashed with law enforcement agencies in the past over encryption. Agencies have repeatedly requested that Apple provide or create a skeleton key of sorts capable of opening any iPhone. The use of such a key would allow law enforcement to access suspected criminals’ phones in an attempt to obtain incriminating evidence. Apple has had (understandable) reservations about the ethics of such a key.

    Where USB Restricted Mode Fits In

    While it is possible that USB Restricted Mode is something more experimental and less directed specifically at law enforcement, it would make sense if it was specifically a response to this ongoing struggle. In any event, any features that protect user privacy are good features: there is no guarantee that Gray Key devices don’t fall into the wrong hands. Having features that protect users from such malicious access to their devices is clearly a high priority to Apple, and it will likely continue to pursue similar initiatives in the future.

  • The Best Phones Money Can Buy

    The Best Phones Money Can Buy

    When it comes to premium smartphones, there’s certainly no shortage of choices out there for the discerning customer. If you’re on the lookout for the very best, look no further: here’s a round-up of the best of the best in the crowded smart phone field! Read on to find out what our favorite phones are.

    iPhone X

    The company that invented the smartphone retains their spot at the top of the heap. The iPhone X is an exemplary piece of modern tech, well worth its (admittedly hefty) price tag. This phone is sexy, for lack of a better term, with its edge-to-edge AMOLED display and sleek front face. This proves to be the phone’s drawback, as well: it’s very fragile, even compared to its younger siblings.

    However, the X is sporting the mighty A11 Bionic processor under the hood, making it the strongest iPhone ever from a technical standpoint. The star of the show on the software side is the new Face ID technology, which is consistently impressive and works in all kinds of environments and through all manner of obscuring features.

    Sunglasses, hats, facial hair: none of them managed to flummox the new face-reading tech. In summary, the phone is a stunner and will absolutely look great in your hand or handbag. As a luxury item from an instantly recognizable brand, the iPhone X is the future of more than just iPhone, it’s the future of smartphones.

    Samsung Galaxy S9

    Samsung, the challenger to Apple’s throne, certainly didn’t phone in their iPhone X competitor. The S9 isn’t quite as impressive as the iPhone X, but it comes very close. From a hardware perspective, the S9 is the absolute cream of the crop for Android phones, and even the most complicated of apps and multitasking are handled with aplomb by Samsung’s little powerhouse.

    The Infinity Edge display is almost as striking as Apple’s AMOLED screen on the iPhone X, but it lacks some of the same appeal at a glance. That all being said, the S9 is a very, very good phone. If you’re a die-hard believer in Android and would never be caught dead with an iPhone, then you will not be disappointed in this phone. However, the S8 is significantly less expensive and the S9 does not represent a massive leap forward in technology when compared to its predecessors in the way the iPhone X does for its own family. In summary: it’s great, but it’s not an iPhone X.

    GOOGLE PIXEL 2

    Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 2 presents itself as a very different device from what Samsung and Apple are pushing. The Pixel is a distinct and striking device, but it has a somewhat plastic-like finish and just isn’t quite as sleek as the iPhone X or S9. The Pixel does, however, have the best camera of the bunch, taking incredibly high-resolution photos. It also sports silky-smooth software and a fantastic user interface, with personal assistant technology that gives Siri a run for her money.

    If you prefer a slightly larger screen, the Pixel 2 XL is also a fantastic choice and comparable to its smaller counterpart. Google’s device is playing in a slightly different space than Samsung and Apple’s, and that’s okay! However, the Pixel lacks a lot of that same “wow” factor and desirability when it comes to its competitors.

    In summary, however, all three of these phones represent the very best of what the market has to offer, and each will make an excellent addition to your lifestyle, whether you’re concerned primarily with turning heads, taking stunning pictures, or just having a top-notch user experience!

  • Tech Throwback: The Original iPhone

    Tech Throwback: The Original iPhone

    I like to take a look at where I’ve been to evaluate where Im going. Technology is cyclical after all… wait no its not. That said I still like all the feels that come rushing back like a flood of nostalgia every time I get my hand on the tech I grew up with. Im going to go back periodically and take a looking at the stuff that used to blow our hair back and get our minds rolling. Some of these device blew up and changed the world, some where ahead of their time and some just fell flat and became colossal failures. Today’s throwback is at the very center of our every day life, The iPhone.

     

    Eleven years ago  Steve Jobs announced a wide-screen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone, and a breakthrough internet device. But it wasn’t three products. It was one product. And we got it, Steve. We got iPhone. Its mind boggling today to consider life with out this device. As a very early adopter, Yes I had my first of many iPhones the night before the release. One of the perks of working for Cingular at the time, I was instantly dependent on it. Since that day I have never spent another day in which I haven’t touched an iPhone.

    Steve said at the legendary iPhone reveal” iPhone is a revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone. We are all born with the ultimate pointing device—our fingers—and iPhone uses them to create the most revolutionary user interface since the mouse.”

    The Stats

    The original iPhone, based on the P2 device of the Project Experience Purple (PEP) team, code-named M68 and device number iPhone1,1, had a 3.5-inch LCD screen at 320×480 and 163ppi, a quad-band 2G EDGE data radio, 802.11b.g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, and a 2-megapixel camera.

    It was powered by an ARM-based 1176JZ(F)-S processor and PowerVR MBX Lite 3D graphics chip, manufactured by Samsung, with a 1400 mAh battery, and had 128MB of onboard RAM. Two NAND Flash-based storage tiers were available at launch: 4GB or 8GB.

    More importantly, iPhone also included several sensors to enhance the experience, like an accelerometer that could automatically rotate the screen to match device orientation, a proximity sensor that could automatically turn off the screen when close to the face, and an ambient light sensor that could automatically adjust brightness.

    Getting Back in Touch With My Roots

    First grip on this old original iPhone, its so small, I feel like i could crush it with just a squeeze of my palm. I always like the look of it a lot more then the 3g or iPhone 4 models, something about the brushed aluminum. The power cord is huge, the 30 pin adapter is so ancient looking. As I power it on, I see the absence of so many crucial apps. No app store, no tv app no iMovie or podcast. Its like an iPhone with out the bloatware? where is Garage band or iTunes U? no emojis, or Facebook, or text tones or background pictures, newsfeed, drop down or drag up options,  As the white girls would say.. This is so basic. but it dose have a native YouTube app, so that is neat.

    The iPhone is still 2g, not 3g so the internet is dreadfully slow and I can not send a multimedia message.. yeah, no picture messages. I did find a work around for this by emailing them to there sms number in an email format. I checked my Myspace which was still logged in on after 10 years. The cool thing about this particular iPhone, aside it being a day one model is I upgraded immoderately to the 3g the following summer, and I never updated the software after the December 2007 update, so this remains a pretty original iPhone.

    All the pictures are fuzzy old mobile phone pictures, I used to think they where amazing. It did make for some crazy action shots though. What has really astounded me is the battery still functions, It was only used for a year then a second year as an ipod but still 11 years is a long time for a battery to hold.

     

     

    The Final Thought

    This was the spark that set us up for this bizarre world we have evolved to. We all know it and love it, When school kids 100 years from now look back at this time in the world, they will study about the iPhone on a device that was inspired by the iPhone.

     

  • Aloe Bud Is the Self-Care App You Need Now

    Aloe Bud Is the Self-Care App You Need Now

    Do you ever feel stressed out? Well, there’s an app for that.

    Aloe Bud offers push notifications to remind you to be kind to yourself. You can configure notifications for everything from drinking more water, taking deep breaths, to getting up from your desk to move, and many other options.

    Millennial Mindfulness

    With its quirky design and cheerful retro graphics, the Aloe Bud app is clearly designed with Millennials in mind. The oft-maligned generation is more open to incorporating practices like yoga and meditation into their daily routines. Not only that, but they’re willing to shell out a few bucks at a time to get the latest mindfulness app.

    Self-care is a thriving business, and with an increased focus on wellness pervading almost every industry, it’s easy to get cynical about the whole thing. However, there is real value in being reminded to take a moment out of your day to look after your wellbeing. Aloe Bud makes it easier to do just that.

    Easy-to-Use App

    Aloe Bud is unusual in that it doesn’t require a ton of personal information to create an account—no sign-up process that gathers your name and address, and no Facebook link to turn self-care into a competitive sport.

    The interface is straightforward, with a grid of boxes containing a cute graphic and intuitive label for each type of self-care activity. You can choose to get alerts for any of these activities throughout your day. The app is also useful for tracking your good habits!

    Deceptively Simple

    Developer Amber Discko created the app based on her own need to de-stress and take better care of her wellbeing. Working with a mental health professional, her team carefully chose language that was positive, encouraging, and respectful of common triggers for anxiety.

    The app is free from the Apple store, although there is a $4.99 expansion pack of new texts to keep things fresh.