Oct

30

Leopard is out. Mac fans all around the world are rejoicing as they install what is arguably the best OS X upgrade since, well, OS X. Using Leopard for five days now, I have already started adapting to the new operating system. Past habits are being modified, old applications are being trashed, and new features are being taken advantage of. So, instead of boring you with how great Leopard is (we know that already), I thought I would write about how Leopard has changed my workflow.

Backup

Without a doubt, Time Machine has already altered the way I backup. Last week I picked up a nice Seagate 320GB hard drive for my enclosure. This marks the first time in history I have purchased a dedicated backup drive. While I have backed up in the past using my NAS and Synk, I never devoted an entire drive to backups or even backed up my entire hard drive. Had Time Machine not made this easier, I would still be doing crappy backups.

I am already seeing the benefits of this change. In the process of updating Spanning Sync to the latest Leopard compatible version, Spanning Sync managed to erase months of appointments. Had this happened one week ago I would have been up the creek. Instead, I fired up Time Machine, browsed to my home directory’s Application Support folder, and restored my iCal calendars from a few hours earlier.

Application Launching

Back in Tiger, I used a program called Overflow to speed up my application launching. I loved Overflow because it launched quickly, looked beautiful, and most importantly was functional. Looking over Leopard’s features, I honestly thought Stacks would replace Overflow as my application launcher. Well, that did not happen in Leopard thanks to an unexpected change - Spotlight.

Right after installing Leopard I found the new hotness in Leopard’s Spotlight. Gone are the days of slow searches and irrelevant results. The new Spotlight is faster and functions as an application launcher. Spotlight always lists applications before anything else, so a few letters, enter, and an application launches. While Spotlight has less eye candy than a Stack or Overflow, I am finding it to be more functional.

The Dock

Leading up to the launch of Leopard the Dock was a hot topic. The new 3D interface caused people to debate the Dock’s location, perspective, and even usefulness. The debates resulted in an optional 2D interface, but I couldn’t care less about that. My true debate ended up over magnification.

I have always been a bottom, no auto hide, magnification user. After Leopard I find myself a bottom, no auto hide, no magnification user. Why the change? For some reason the magnification effect lost its glamor with the 3D dock. Sure, this change has absolutely no effect on my workflow, but I just thought I’d point out my change while others fight over more serious Dock issues.

Minor and Undecided Changes

There are many other aspects of my workflow which have changed with Leopard. Since the remaining changes are fairly insignificant or I’m not sure if I can call them a change yet, I will enter rapid fire mode for my remaining changes.

Mail instead of Gmail? Leopard’s Mail is looking pretty sweet and Gmail’s new IMAP support sure make the change easier. However, I’m not sure if I can break away from Gmail’s unique threading yet.

iCal instead of Google Calendar? As I mentioned earlier, Spanning Sync has not been working the greatest. With the my Jailbroken iPod Touch, I’m finding less of a need to use Google Calendar anyway.

iChat instead of Adium? If it would not be for iChat’s separate Contact Lists, I’d make the switch in a heartbeat. This change is going to take some adjusting to and Adium could easily win me back in a second.

MX Revolution button reconfiguration. I reassigned the buttons thanks to Spaces. New configuration: Side Wheel - Scroll through Spaces, Click Side Wheel - Spaces Overview, First Left Button - Dashboard, Second Left Button - Exposé, Search Button - Exposé Hide.

Finder icon view. Thanks to Leopard’s icon previews and Path Bar, I have made the switch from column view back to icon view.

What Did Leopard Change For You?

I’d love to hear your feedback. Has Leopard had an effect on your workflow? Are you finding the new Leopard applications suitable replacements or are you still looking for more?

Oct

19

Last week, Sumo sent me their Omni Beanbag Chair for review and it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Playing Xbox 360 games on my Standard Definition Television had started to become an uncomfortable experience. With text getting smaller in games due to sharper High Definition Televisions, I found myself sitting closer, forcing me off the sofa and into an uncomfortable seating arrangement. I hoped the Sumo Omni to be the solution to my uncomfortable gaming experience.

First off, without a doubt the Omni is the most comfortable beanbag I’ve ever used. Past beanbags would never hold their shape or would feel awkward. Neither of these problems plague the Omni. No matter how I sit, the Omni is always an enjoyable experience.

Which brings up an interesting “feature” of the Omni. In reality, the Omni isn’t a chair; it’s more of a giant pillow. Due to this unique shape, it can be used in a number of interesting positions; all of which I’ve found to be quite comfortable.

Sumo Omni

However, the molding has a downside as well. Finding the exact position you’re looking for can take time. You may have to reshape the Omni a few times (which is really easy, by the way) or settle for something close to what you envisioned. The good news is the Omni is comfortable in whatever position you make and placing it against a wall seems to make shaping it a million times easier.

Other than that minor complaint, I’m quite satisfied with Sumo’s Omni. It’s comfortable in any position, rugged, and works as intended. Just make sure you have plenty of space, as this is one of the larger beanbags I’ve seen.

Oct

18

I’ll be heading to London next week to attend A4Uexpo, so I was wondering if anyone reading my blog will be going as well..?

If you are, and want me to buy you a beer there or something, just post it in the comments.

Oct

17

While iPhone users are rejoicing over Apple’s decision to provide an official application SDK in February, I’m filled with questions. Will the iPod Touch receive the same application treatment? If it will, will we see iPhone applications on the Touch? Sure, Steve Jobs briefly mentioned the Touch in his announcement, but the statement leaves much to be desired.

P.S.: The SDK will also allow developers to create applications for iPod touch.

As you may know, the iPod Touch is currently a second class citizen to the iPhone. It lacks calendar editing, a VPN client, Mail, Notes, Weather, and Stocks. As I and many others have proved by Jailbreaking the Touch, there is no reason why these applications won’t run. Therefore, it would not make sense to allow third party applications (which could replicate the iPhone apps), but not provide existing iPhone applications to iPod Touch users.


Are iPhone Applications on the Way?

Hints have been given that things may change on the Touch. People who have emailed Steve Jobs regarding calendar editing have received responses claiming the lack of editing is a bug and will be enabled in a future update. If this is the case, are the missing iPhone applications a bug as well?

Further investigation leads myself and others to believe a major update is coming out for the iPhone and iPod Touch after Leopard. With the addition of Notes and Tasks to Leopard’s Mail, Note syncing and a Task application could be on the way. Apple briefly mentions this on their 300 features page:

Your notes folder acts like an email mailbox, so you can retrieve notes from any Mac or PC or access them from your iPhone.

Could it be that Apple is waiting for better syncing before brining the iPhone apps to the Touch? If not, is Apple just going to stand by and let other’s recreate their applications, or is something else in store?

A Locked Down Platform

Apple mentioned in today’s announcement that third party applications will use a signing method. This prevents viruses and other nasty applications from being installed on an iPhone, but it also gives Apple complete control over their platform. In theory, they could prevent applications like instant messaging from being installed on the iPhone, as well as keep iPhone application clones off the iPod Touch.

Which brings up another point, what if the iPod Touch SDK only means Apple is allowing third party games, similar to what is offered on the iPod Nano and iPod Classic? I see that as a very viable option, considering the limitations they’ve already imposed on the Touch.

As you can see, the announcement of third party applications brings more questions than answers. While third party applications seem like bliss on the iPhone, the iPod Touch may be a different story. Since AT&T lacks influence over the iPod Touch, Apple has no reason to cripple the Touch, but who knows what’s going on in Cupertino.

Oct

8

9rulesEveryone’s favorite blog community, 9rules, is launching their sixth iteration today. I’ve been spying on the development over the past months, and I can say without a doubt the new version, dubbed Ali2, is better than ever. Greatly enhanced Notes, more prominent Member content, and of course a standard Web 2.0 LOLcat error message. If I say any more Scrivs or Tyme may have to kill me. Just check it out later today and you won’t regret it.

With the controversy stirring around some Members leaving 9rules, I just want to take a quick second and mention I’m sticking around. The Apple Community is looking a little weak though, so feel free to drop by and help keep the community going. With a little participation, you just may find yourself a 9rules Member.

Oct

4

Traditionally, when it comes to iPods and cases, I always stick with iSkin. However, I decided to make a change with the iPod Touch. I planned to skip a case this round since the iPod Touch’s screen is scratch resistant and the memory is flash based. That idea didn’t last, because when I heard about WaterField’s iPod Touch Smart Case, I knew a case was in my future.

Why a Smart Case

I’m no stranger to the WaterField brand; I’ve owned a SleeveCase for both my MacBook and MacBook Pro. In my mind, owning a SleeveCase has associated the WaterField brand with high quality, protective cases. Knowing this, I made no hesitation in placing another order with WaterField, but there were other reasons as well.

As I mentioned earlier, I feel the iPod Touch is scratch resistant enough to be enjoyed without a case. However, I still may drop my iPod Touch, crush it while it’s in my backpack, or even inflict a fatal blow. Therefore, I felt a case that provided protection while not in use, and allowed me to enjoy the Touch without dock constraints was the case for me.

Top of the Smart Case

As you can guess by now, the Smart Case meets all the above requirements. Being a slip case, the Smart Case allows easy storage and removal whenever necessary. The open top keeps the music playing even when stored, and the thick padding provides shock protection should the Touch ever be dropped.

The Design

The design of the Smart Case is superb. The outside of the case is made of an easy to hold material, with the sides providing extra rubber grips. The inside of the Smart Case is made of suede, which not only prevents scratches, but polishes the iPod Touch with every storage and removal.

Side of the Smart Case

Not only is the design excellent, but the case fits the iPod Touch like a glove. Despite having an open top, I feel confident my iPod Touch will not fall out of the Smart Case. To prove my hunch, I tried holding the Smart Case upside down and even jogged with the Smart Case. Both actions resulted in no significant movement of the Touch. In fact, the hold of the Smart Case is so tight, the first couple of uses can be difficult getting the iPod Touch to fit (WaterField mentions this). However, after those first few stores, the iPod Touch slides in and out easily.

The Appearance

Finally, while protection is important, style is just as important in my book. I can thankfully say the Smart Case passes this test as well. Providing six different colors to choose from, WaterField has a color for everyone. The case also has a professional feel to it, and while that may seem out of place for an iPod case, I think it fits the Touch well.

The Smart Case

In addition, the Smart Case is the first case I’ve ever owned that received a compliment. My friend David noticed me holding the Smart Case a few days ago and wondered what slick device it carried. After letting him inspect the case himself, he complimented its design. That’s a change from the usual “what the heck is that” response my past iSkins received.

Conclusion

Overall, I feel the iPod Touch Smart Case is an excellent case. The Smart Case combines superb protection, a glove-like fit, and a great design in one slick package. While the Smart Case is one of the first Touch cases out of the gate, I feel the combination of protection and design will keep this case in the running throughout the Touch’s lifetime.

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