Archive for the 'Apple' Category

15
Oct
08

iPhone Anti-Glare Film

With the iPhone being out in Canada for close to 3 months, there has been a flood of accessories on the market. There are at least a hundred cases out there. But, one of the most useful accessories that I’ve come across and purchased is the Anti-Glare Film made by Power Support.

The phone comes with this beautiful scratch resistant glass display that is Super glossy–which is part of it’s beauty. However, it does leave a lot of streaks when you touch it with your fingers. And, when you are outside there is major glare, even with contrast levels turned up.

This is where the film comes in handy. It sells on the Canadian Apple Store (online and retail) for about $15. There are 3 items in the package: 2 Anti-glare films and 1 applicator–since there are 2 films share it and the cost with a friend. The applicator is basically a slightly adhesive piece of plastic you use to pull the dust of the screen. Then you apply the actual film which, contrary to the name, is more like a sheet of plastic than a saran wrap type film. The whole process takes you less than five minutes.

The colours on the screen does lose a little vibrancy, but being able to see the screen, without glare, in the brightest situations make it worth every penny. On top of that, it also does an excellent job hiding any greasy finger marks.

If any of you are iPod Touch users, they have one for you as well.

17
Aug
08

iPhone use on BC Ferries

The iPhone is an awesome way to kill time on the ferry!! This was the first weekend that I headed to Victoria with my new phone, and it made the time absolutely fly.

I was very sceptical of Rogers/Fido coverage for Data between Tsawwassen and Swartz bay. I expected that my internet use would drop out frequently and be super frustrating. But, to my surprise EDGE coverage is wide spread and strong. 3G isn’t too bad either.

I noticed that, with 3G, I dropped my connection a few times which caused it to switch to EDGE, dropping the entire connection momentarily. If you just turn off 3G, the connection is very solid–a strong and steady signal.

(As I am typing this, the captain announced that a pod of Orcas can be seen up ahead. I’ve never seen so many people moving so fast on the ferry.)

I’m looking forward to future ferry trips.

25
May
08

New Apple Store – Vancouver

I went to the Apple Store opening in Vancouver yesterday, and to my surprise (not really), there were 2 bajillion people lined up there — there goes my free T-shirt. It was amazing.

The line went from the front of the store, out the nearest exit onto Granville, around the corner onto Georgia and down the street reaching Howe. Crazy. You could hear and feel the buzz of anticipation of the crowd. It was funny watching regular shoppers come in to the mall and ask what was happening and not understand why anyone would line up for this purpose. Obviously they don’t use Apple products.

The gates finally open and an massive cheering erupts, not from the crowd as you might suspect, but the employees of the store. The first bunch of people get to walk into the store lined with employees clapping and cheering as the are handed their T-shirt. It must have been nice to get that star treatment.

Compared to the Chicago store, which is the only one I’ve been to, it looked quite tiny. But, of course, finished in that Apple elegance. I waited to see how quickly the line would subside since I didn’t want to wait 1 or 2 hours to get in. It didn’t look like it was moving so couldn’t stick around to get in. I guess I’ll try on Monday.

Edit: Pictures added. Click to see larger pictures on flickr.
Apple Store Opening VancouverApple Store Opening VancouverApple Store Opening Vancouver

06
Mar
08

Classic Games

Recently, over lunch, Raf and I were having a flash back to yesteryear. We chatted about how we used to play this game or that game on the PC (I know, I didn’t always use a Mac). Reminiscing about such times, inevitably brings me back to my favourite game of that era: Day of the Tentacle. It’s a point-and-click adventure game, which is a genre that doesn’t really exist anymore.

To my surprise, I’ve found out that there are many emulators that allow you to play the game on multiple platforms. I can even use the PC CD on the Mac and play it.

I’ve now downloaded the emulator and now I have to find the CD-ROM.

Check out the video of the intro:

Update: I found the game shortly after I posted this, and wow does it ever work great.  I also found Sam & Max and that so far works flawlessly.   I predict that I’ll be spending countless hours playing these in the near future.

19
Dec
07

Mac vs PC Christmas

I love the “Get-a-Mac” ads that Apple puts out. This is a new one made in classic claymation and looks to be an homage to the 1964 TV classic “Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer.”

To see more adds click here.

21
Nov
07

iLost my iPod

Lost: iPod Nano 2Gb 2nd Gen Nano.

So this Sunday I was shopping Metrotown with Lina and her nephew Tyson when I lost my iPod.   I don’t know exactly how or when, but what I do know is that went AWOL at Metro.  As usual, we were listening to Maroon 5 in the car–Tyson’s favourite band–in the car, so I know that it was still in my possession.  We did our round of shopping, headed back to the car and took off to get my car washed.  I thought it might be a fun experience going through the car wash with Tyson.  Again, he wanted to listen to Maroon 5 but the iPod was nowhere to be found.  Looked in my bag, Lina’s bag, in all the compartments and under the seats.  Nothing.

After the car wash, which took a while because it was busy, we headed back to Metrotown to see if maybe it was dropped by the parking stall we were in.  Nothing.  At this point I had given up on the iPod and decided to go back to Lina’s Mum’s so we could grab her stuff and drop her off at the ferry.  Well on the drive home Tyson said that he was very sad.  I asked him why and he said “because uncle Ryoh lost  his  iPod.”  His one comment cheered me up for the rest of the day.  This guy sure knows how to make me smile.  Too cute.

Anyway, I’m still a little saddened by the loss of my iPod as it was just shy of 6 months old.  Oh well.  I guess it’s my fault for not paying enough attention.

28
Oct
07

Comics

1 page comic

It’s been a few months since my Mac switch and I haven’t really found out all it can do yet. So, I decided to browse through my application folder to see what’s there. And found this. I was immediately attracted by the fun icon and with a name like Comic life, how can you resist clicking. Well, it seems like Apple likes to put some fun-to-use programs on its systems and here I am creating my 1st comic: a single page layout. I made this up in less than five minutes and was able to upload it to flickr then my blog. All in less than 20 minutes. Too cool




Flickr Photos