March 18, 2010

Say Goodbye to your Productivity

Say goodbye to your productivity; some developers have just released a menu bar notification app for Facebook. What does this mean? Now you can find out all of that meaningless banter that is FB just by clicking  in your menu bar.

So what’s good about it? Well, checking Notifications is a breeze. Just by clicking you can see all your FB notifications updated in real-time. Another thing this app does really well is satisfy your need to update and be updated. Clicking , and then clicking ‘Update Status’ brings up a nice-looking HUD where you can update, well, whatever’s on your mind.

But is isn’t all Status Updates and Notifications. This app lacks in the way it allows you access and distirbute your FB information. Once you open it and decide you want to use one of the app’s other features, like composing a new message or checking your profile, it opens a web browser and you have to log into FB. Like really, doesnt that defeat the whole need for a menubar app?

I dunno. You decide if this works for you. To get this Mac-only app, click here.

Facebook NOT Banned from Apple Stores… We Think.

Remember the post here (and everywhere else in the Apple blogosphere) about Apple supposedly blocking Facebook from their retail store systems? Apparently, the rumor that started on tinyComb is bunk.

An Apple spokesman recently commented:

“Apple does not block Facebook…”

iLife heavily integrates with Facebook, which Apple staffers regularly demo at retail locations. Guess it would be rather silly to block the service. That said, the spokesman went on to say that Apple staffers could have been forcing people to buy before they could use Facebook:

“I guess with the economy being what it is, some Apple stores are forcing people to buy the computers before they are able to do what people increasingly want to do with their computer – use Facebook.”

That seems a little odd as well. I don’t know what to believe anymore. I’m cold and I’m scared. LOL. Whatever the case, I think we can all agree, anyone that is on Facebook needs to spend less time on Facebook… The ultimate time and productivity killer!

[ Source ]

iPhone Apps — My Top 5

I’ve had my iPhone for a while now and I’d be lost without it. I’ve decided to do a run-down of my top five applications that I have found to be most useful or enjoyable. Although the best applications for the iPhone, for me, are Mail and Safari, this list only consists of apps not already built-in to the iPhone.

1 – Remote

Apple’s Remote application is fantastic. It allows you to connect to iTunes on your PC or Mac through your wifi network and use your iPhone as a remote. You can view your iTunes library and playlists, and even search for your favorite track. Because you’re connected via wifi, you can use your remote anywhere throughout your house, which is great if you stream your music wirelessly to different rooms. You can have your computer running iTunes up in the bedroom and change the track you’re listening to downstairs in the lounge, or even change which speakers in the house you want your music to be played through. Remote is definitely my number one iPhone app.

2 – Facebook

It seems today the world and their Gran has Facebook — everybody has it! What better way to keep on top of your news feed than on your iPhone? I’m not a Facebook fanatic like some, I just check it every so often, and the iPhone app is a great way to do that. With just one click, you can load up Facebook on your iPhone and see instantly if you have any messages or notifications. You can also browse photos in portrait or landscape, chat with friends and even upload pictures instantly using the iPhone’s camera. My favorite bit however has to be the shake-to-refresh function! Little things please little minds…

3 – Real Football 2009

Gameloft’s Real Football is a really impressive game! The 3D graphics are fantastic when you think you’re playing on your phone. You can play in exhibition mode, play for the Cup, the League or even just practice your penalty taking. The controls on the screen are incredibly easy to get used to and this game brings as much joy on the train as playing FIFA or Pro Evolution on your console at home does. Choose from over 198 teams all with real players. You can also join a friend in multiplayer mode over wifi. If you’re a football/soccer game fan, you must purchase Real Football. You won’t be disappointed.

4 – eBay

If you’re addicted to eBay like me, the eBay application is great. It features a nice, clean interface that makes everything so simple. This is a great way to keep on top of the auctions you don’t want to miss! When you search for an item, you can see the full item description plus any pictures. You can then bid on it or add it to your ‘watching’ list. You can view the auctions you’ve won, the ones you’ve been outbid on and the items you’re selling.

5 – Google Earth

The main reason I keep this application on my iPhone is just because it’s so impressive. Not many other phones allow you to see your house from above or zoom in on your favorite football stadium. This application is quick and it looks great and you can even use the location services built-in to the iPhone to allow Google Earth to zoom in on your current location. You can also search for things like ‘pizza in New York’ or ‘Starbucks in London’ and Google Earth will find these locations for you and display information like addresses and telephone numbers. For me, this application serves no real purpose — I really only use it when I’m bored to play around with, but it’s just too good to uninstall.

So that’s my top five iPhone applications. There are many other fantastic iPhone applications out there, a lot of which I am yet to stumble across. If you’ve found an application too good to miss, let us know, or even better, why not let us know your top 5?

Software Preview: View Social Networking Sites with EventBox

Many people use more than one social networking site. So what if you could have all of them in one spot? That’s what EventBox, from The Cosmic Machine, is for. Recently released as a beta, EventBox lets you view updates from many different sites. All in one clean window.

EventBox has a very simple interface. On the left you can select the site, or just click recent, and on the right you can view the content. In the recent section everything shows up differently. Status updates show up as chat bubbles and images show up as film reels. It looks great. When you click on some items, like RSS feeds and Twitter updates, a new section slides in from the bottom. This will let you view the RSS feed, reply to the tweet, and even comment on Flickr photos!

Currently, EventBox supports the following sites, but more are coming soon:

  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Pownce
  • Reddit
  • RSS
  • Twitter

EventBox is a great all in one application to easily view many social websites in one place. The developers at The Cosmic Machine plan to add many features in upcoming releases. Including del.icio.us, last.fm, and Orkut support, RSS syncing, a HUD window, and much more. This is still just a beta, but this first release is very impressive. EventBox is currently available for $20 and you can download a 14 day trial here.

Facebook Surprise

I was looking through the settings on my iPod Touch today and noticed a new feature in the Facebook application, Shake to Reload.  What is that you ask?  Well if you need to update your feed because you need the latest status update all you have to do is shake the iPod and the feed will update!  If you remember, the new iPod Nano included this feature when listening to audio.  When you want to shuffle a song all you have to do is shake the iPod and it will shuffle to a new song.

I find it kind of odd that Apple didn’t add this feature to the existing iPod lines.  I have the new Nano and I think it is a great feature!  It does seem weird that you have to go through a third party app to get this feature to work, it is obviously not a hard feature to add to an app.

What do you think?  Have you tried it out?  Do you even know what Facebook is?  Post your thoughts in the forums!

Facebook Junkies Rejoice: Facebook 2.0 Hits the App Store

The New Facebook 2.0 for iPhone is Here!

The New Facebook 2.0 for iPhone is Here!

Facebook has finally gone ahead and updated their Facebook application for the iPhone and iPod Touch. And boy, they’ve managed to crank a lot of new features into it.  The first version was certainly lacking quite a few features, especially if you’re used to using the full-featured Facebook website. Facebook 2.0 brings you closer to that same experience… And yes, it’s still FREE!

So what’s in the Facebook 2.0 update? Here’s a list of key features:

  • Notifications
  • Full news feed
  • News feed story comments
  • People search
  • Friend requests
  • Photo tagging
  • Photo captioning
  • Photo posts to friends’ walls
  • Full mini-feed combined with the wall
  • Entire inbox, including sent and updates
  • Inbox search
  • Message attachments
  • Speed and stability improvements

You can download Facebook 2.0 here.

What do you think? Would love to hear your thoughts on this new version.

Adium 1.3 Includes Facebook Chat

The very popular IM client, Adium has been updated to version 1.3. A number of new features have been added, including the ability to login to Facebook Chat if you wish. As if Facebook’s reach wasn’t enough, now they had to go and get included in one of the most popular IM’s for the Mac :) (and yes, I do use Adium, it’s a very handy app).

The only downside to using Adium for Facebook Chat, is that once you login to Facebook Chat via Adium, you will be logged out of Facebook if you were logged in elsewhere. I can’t see this being a huge bother, unless you’re absolutely addicted to the site.

Other changes in the new version include an updated Contact Inspector, along with the usual bunch of tweaks and bug fixes.

[via MacWorld UK]

iPhone App of the Day: AirMe

AirMe for iPhoneDo you travel a lot? And when you’re on the road, do you take a lot of pictures? If so, AirMe will be perfect for you!

AirMe is a FREE app that lets you instantly share new photos with friends and family. Send your shots immediately from your iPhone to Flickr or Facebook and AirMe will smart tag the location! AirMe can even include the current weather conditions if you like. How cool is that!?

There’s also a new auto Twitter client that allows you to let your Twitter network know about your new photos. I’m not into Twitter (yet), but if I was I’d be happy about this for sure!

AirMe is worth a shot. Yet another solid free app for you to explore from the App Store :)

Screenshots:

AirMe for iPhone

AirMe for iPhone

Get for FREE at the App Store: AirMe
More Info: AirMe Inc.

iPhone App of the Day: Facebook

Facebook for iPhone and iPod TouchFacebook fans have another reason to smile… The new FREE Facebook app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

With Facebook for iPhone, you can stay connected to your friends and family while on the go… no matter where you are. You can use the app to start a Facebook Chat, check your friends’ activity and status updates, or even upload new photos to your profile.

The latest update of this app allows you to write on your friends’ walls, view photo albums, and view full profiles. Uploading of photos is now much faster as well.

No doubt this app is going to be used and abused by a lot of folks… and further developed to the next level by the good folks at Facebook. If you’re into Facebook, this is a must have.

Download for FREE at the App Store: Facebook
More Info: Facebook

Facebook to Compete Tooth-and-Nail with iTunes?

Facebook to Compete Tooth-and-Nail with iTunes?Insiders at Facebook have leaked that they are investigating the possibility of their very own music store… Which would, in effect, be direct competition for iTunes.

It is interesting that they have recently launched their Facebook Music service, which allows you to follow artists and buy the music via iTunes. This might have been the ’seed’ that has got Facebook execs thinking.. ‘Hey, lets cut out iTunes and put up our own store! More money for us!’. I’m sure the discussion was more in-depth than that, but you get the picture.

Any way you slice it, Facebook is reportedly in talks with major labels to offer unique content of their own. The deal is rumored to include free ad-backed streaming audio similar to what you see on MySpace profile pages. Also, paid MP3 downloads would be available and usable on any OS.

What do you think? Facebook is certainly used by millions and millions and millions… They have the audience and leverage to give something like this a shot in my opinion. They key will be, what can they do to make it better, easier and more unique than iTunes? Or do they even care… Put up a good store backed by many labels, and start taking chunks out of the market Apple has dominated for the past while!?

[via electronista]