Ever had your MacBook die on you? I know Apple has been so gracious to give us 20 minute warnings but I tend to respond with, “20 minutes? I’ve got time”. Low Battery Saver aims to help us out by giving us better notifications on the time our battery has left. It’s a pretty neat little app.

I’ve got a few copies of Low Battery Saver to give away. If you are interested, just Join My Mailing List and you’ll be set. (don’t worry, I don’t spam people. This list is just for giveaways)

The drawing will be held on Wednesday, Feb 8th, 2012

*Update: The drawing is over and the licenses have been given away. Join my mailing list for future giveaways

Over the Christmas break I got a chance to play with the Azend Zippy BT-500 bluetooth keyboard. I went through a series of emotions about this little thing. Initially, I was not too impressed with how cheap it felt in my hands (like a dollar store toy for my daughter). Mainly, that was just because the bottom looked very toy-like to me. Then after flipping it over, I was a bit overwhelmed with all the stuff on the keys. I know it can do a lot of things but I dunno, it doesn’t really ALL need to be printed on the keys, does it? It connected extremely easily to both my iPhone & iPad and also only took a second to connect to my Mac so that was pretty cool. The bluetooth switching is what I thought was super impressive. You can connect the keyboard up to six different devices and with a quick key combo (seen in the picture above), switch back and forth between them. That’s pretty sweet!

Additionally, I know this is suppose to be an ultra lightweight, compact keyboard and that it surely is. I guess maybe my fingers are a little fat for it though as I kept hitting 2 keys at a time and missing. Other people I had try it didn’t have as many issues as I did so I’ll just chalk that one up to me. All in all, I like the keyboard but just wish it was SLIGHTLY bigger and not so plastic. It fits in my back pocket and I feel like I’m going to break it. But that’s probably just me.

The Akitio SK-3501 Super-S3 hard drive enclosure is a one stop shop for your extra storage needs. This 4-port enclosure is speedy, stackable, capable of handling drives up to 3TB and works with Mac OS 10.2 and up.

I am a huge consumer of hard drive space. Between graphic design, web projects, print, branding, UX and video editing, hard drives fill up as fast as I can buy them. I have found it a bit easier to buy JUST the HD and swap it out of an enclosure as I fill it up. The Super-S3 is perfect for just that plus it offers 4 different connection ports (2 Firewire 800, 1 eSATA & 1 USB 3.0). It’s speedy, keeps the drive cool without needing a fan and stacks with other Super-S3′s really nicely. It retails for about $100 from Amazon.com. (Just remember that you need to buy the drive too)

I don’t have a USB 3.0 or eSATA port on my MBP but the FW800 and USB 2.0 worked great (and fast). I definitely recommend this drive as an addition to your storage needs however I can’t really speak on the subject of it’s longevity as I’ve only had it for a month but it’s worked like a charm 100% of that time for me.

iOS has been around for a while now. I have been using an iPhone since the first one was released. The iPhone was a revolution to the cell phone industry. Not only did it revolutionize the cell phone market, it also revolutionized what “Smart phones” could do. Then once Apple showed everyone how to use a phone, they changed the face of tablet computing. But the key to the adaptation was iOS.

Many years ago when Apple created the iMac. It was said that the “i” stood for internet. Now all these years later, I think the “i” is for incredible. It took a few years, but the current iteration of iOS (5.0.1) is one of the best I have ever used. While many people are infatuated with the Android operating system saying that they use the Google operating system, because it is open. While in theory it is great to think that open is better, having read Steve Jobs book, you understand why he wanted the “walled garden”. When you manage the user experience end to end, you can ensure that experience is a good one. Android being open allows the user to do whatever they want. The downside to this is that people with bad intentions can influence the experience. For example, a few months ago, someone downloaded all of the top apps in the Android Market, injected them with malicious code and uploaded these virus ridden applications. Using the Apple model, this is impossible. For example every application downloaded from the App store MUST be signed with an Apple certificate. If the certificate does not match, the application will not run.

I am not a smart phone snob (even though the only smart phone I have ever owned is an iPhone) I have used a Blackberry as well as an Android. In my opinion the iPhone has the best user experience I can imagine. Many Android users claim that the iPhone has stolen functions that Android utilizes, it is the Apple implementation that makes it stellar. Apple has always understood what people want. (sometimes even BEFORE the people knew they wanted it.)

iOS is an extremely user friendly, intuitive operating system. Without iOS the iPhone and the iPad would not bet the pleasurable experience we see today. This is one of the issues that I have seen with some of the Windows tablets. Microsoft refuses to separate the the mobile (tablet) OS from the desktop OS. This is the primary reason Apple has the lead in the tablet market. Once again Microsoft doesn’t get it. They continue to insist on usage a stylus. The problem with a stylus is it is something else to lose, and navigation is clunky at best.

Whether you are a fan of Apple or not, they just get it. Everyone else is trying to get their queue from Cupertino, but still can’t match Apple’s style or insight into the user experience.

What do you think?

I was poking around the internet today and added a few interesting things to my wish list. I thought you might find them interesting too. Here’s what I found:

GRID-IT! Organizer Case

MiLi Pico Projector

Wacom Inkling

Perpetual Calendar

The Magic Charger

Resonant Decor

Solar Window Charger

That’s just a few

Magic Carpet Vortex, Digital Painting by Michael LaPenna (Michael is heavily inspired by Jobs' vision)

“Think different.”
- Apple tagline/slogan

Hello again citizens of Apple-onia. I originally posted these seven gems elsewhere and they likely have been rehashed and “refurbished” a million gigs over since the news of Steve Jobs’ passing. But nonetheless, they hold true today, if not truer than they did in the days of our friend Steve’s garage genius in the early 80s. They are as I said in another blog,  a “conglomeration of Apple-lonious wisdom from the iKing” taken taken from various interviews, speeches and book quotations and amongst other things a blog that I found at ActiveRain.com. Special thanks go to William and Teri once again.

1. Do what you love-don’t settle, passion is everything. Do it because you love it.

2. Put a dent in the universe. Develop a clear and concise vision. Have the courage to follow your heart.

3. Say no to a thousand things. Focus. Reduce the clutter, make it simple. Get the spark back. Simplicity =
having only a half dozen people you consult with.

4. Kick start your brain by doing something new. Develop an inquiring mind. Unexpected connections. The apple stores are based on the four seasons.

5. Sell dreams, not products. Re-think something as an entirely new experience. (Example: the iPhone revolutionized the telephone experience.)

6. Create insanely great experiences. Innovate by creating an extraordinary consumer experience. (Note how shopper friendly any Apple Store is.)

7. Master the message. Steve re-invented the phone. It ‘s all about how well you communicate.

Steve Jobs was a genius, a perfectionist — the ultimate visionary. Steal his secrets, he expects it!.

Steve once said, “Good artists copy, great artists steal.”

Last night I noticed that my MacBook Pro was acting a little strange so I decided to take it in to the Apple store for a check up. I started to go about the traditional method of booking a genius bar appointment.

> Go to Apple.com… <wait> <wait> <wait>

> Go to APPLE.COM!!

At that point I realized that my Internet was completely down, how convenient! Then I remembered that there was an Apple Store app for the iPhone. After a few seconds, I downloaded the app and was browsing for my store. In a few more seconds, I had booked my appointment and was packing up the MBP for it’s ride in the car. As I was pulling in to the parking lot of the Apple store, I got a notification asking me if I wanted to check in for my appointment. Cool! I checked in and was notified that there was 1 person in front of me (all before I even walked in the door). Once inside, I walked up to the genius bar and was promptly greeted by one of the geniuses asking “Are you Brent?” again… COOL!

We worked through several things on the MBP which turned out to be small minor issues and I was off with a much healthier Mac. Needless to say, I was incredibly impressed by the Apple Store App. It does a lot more than just what I used it for but that was just a great user experience. Here’s what Apple is saying about it:

It’s the easiest way to get an iPhone 4S – right from your current iPhone.* Wherever you are, you can research and buy products, read reviews, make Genius Bar and One to One appointments, view in-store events, and more. And when you’re in an Apple Retail Store, you can request help, meet up with a Specialist, and more.??Here’s what you can do with the Apple Store app:

• Research and buy the latest Apple products, accessories, and software and get them shipped to your door.
• When at an Apple Retail Store, request help, check in for reservations, meet up with a Specialist or Trainer.
• Make Genius Bar and One to One reservations and sign up for workshops and events.
• Get free iPad and iPod engraving and signature gift wrapping for select Apple products.
• Custom-configure a new Mac with the options you want, including larger drives and more memory.
• Reserve iPhone and other select products for pickup at an Apple Retail Store.

*Rate plans for AT&T and Verizon Wireless are available through the Apple Store app. To purchase iPhone with a Sprint plan, visit the Apple Online Store or an Apple Retail Store.

Today, we loose an icon. Steve, you will be greatly missed. The above picture is on Apple’s home page right now. Apple has also put up a special announcement page for your thoughts, memories, and condolences. If you wish to send something, you can email: rememberingsteve@apple.com

Here’s some links to the articles about his death:

• LA Times
• The Washington Post
• CNN
• Huffington Post
• The Wall Street Journal
• Reuters
• PC World
• Gizmodo
• Tech Crunch

Steve, you will be GREATLY missed! Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

Thank you!