My Writings. My Thoughts.
GetGlue goes iPad
// September 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Apps, Mac OS // Apps, Mac OS
GetGlue users who have iPads have a reason to get happy today — there’s an official GetGlue iPad app available in the App Store. We talked about the Glue social network and iPhone app when it debuted a few months ago, and Glue is now quite popular. It’s great to see the GetGlue app on the big screen now, and you can even get a special “iPader” sticker (one of the common bonuses for achievements in GetGlue) for using your iPad to check in.
The free app does an outstanding job of utilizing the extra real estate on the iPad display, and makes it much easier to follow what your friends are watching, reading, or thinking about. As noted in a phone call about GetGlue that I participated in yesterday, the new app allows for a more immersive conversation with friends.
In other GetGlue news, the company has reward partnerships in place with FOX, HBO, Showtime, PBS and Universal Pictures. The FOX deal is brand new, and there will be special rewards for fans of the popular Glee and Bones series. Later in the month, GetGlue and FOX will be providing incentives for fans to watch two new series premieres for Raising Hope and Lone Star.
HBO has placed a lot of special GetGlue posts on their website, and fans can get exclusive stickers for influencing friends or dropping comments. The network is planning on special incentives for the new Boardwalk Empire and Eastbound and Down series, encouraging users to get stickers for watching the trailers and checking in during each episode. PBS is planning on joining in on the fun when they provide special rewards to viewers of new mini-series this year who check in while watching the shows live.
It should be a fun fall TV season, and GetGlue is there to add to your enjoyment.
TUAWGetGlue goes iPad originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
TUAW review: EpicWin for iPhone
// September 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Apps, Mac OS // Apps, Mac OS
As a gamer and productivity fetishist, I’ve been anticipating EpicWin for iPhone since we first saw the app’s trailer. It aims to enhance the drudgery of a to-do list with elements of a fantasy role-playing game like World of Warcraft, thereby adding a bit of fun to your daily tasks. I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now and, while it’s fun in a I’m-gaming-while-I-should-be-working way, EpicWin feels unfinished. The developers have promised (and delivered) new features via updates, but EpicWin still feels like an internal beta. Here’s what I found.
Choose your character
Like many fantasy role-playing games, the first thing you’ve got to do when launching EpicWin is create your character. There are five to choose from, all familiar to the genre: a dwarf, a warrior priestess, an “undead” skeleton warrior, a male warrior and, oddly enough, a living tree. Think of a happy-go-lucky Ent and you’ll get the idea. The first three are free; the others can be purchased in-game.
TUAWTUAW review: EpicWin for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apple HDR head to head with two top competitors
// September 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Apps, Mac OS // Apps, Mac OS
I recently expressed surprise that Apple has dipped into the world of HDR (high dynamic range) photography. It’s a great upgrade for the camera, and will help users get better pictures if they use the feature wisely and at the right time.
To test them all I took some pictures in challenging sunset lighting giving me bright skies and deep shadows. It’s the kind of mix of light and dark that HDR is designed to help with. I also captured some images in bright morning sunlight with moderate shadows.
TUAWApple HDR head to head with two top competitors originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.