GymPact lets you set the financial stakes of not getting to the gym, plus earn real cash for every workout you committed - paid for by those who didn't get to the gym!
I saw this on Ski Mag.com this morning and thought it was a great idea! For those folks who joined a gym as part of their new year's resolutions but find that other choices keep 'getting in the way' of your intentions to work out... you can now install this app on your iPhone and then put your money where your mouth is!
Basically you indicate how much money you're wagering that you will make it to the gym this next week. If you don't, then your credit card will be debited the amount you agreed to -- and those folks who did make it that week will share in the pot of money from those who did not make it.
It's no surprise if you have been anywhere during the holidays where folks were capturing stills or video - that smart phones are becoming the go-to device for many. This is particularly true for folks who are casually capturing special moments.
According to a report from the market research company The NPD Group’s new 'Imaging Confluence Study' the percentage of U.S. consumers taking photos and videos on their smartphones has grown, while the camera and traditional camcorders share has declined.
The percent of photos taken with a smartphone (Apple iPhone or any other smartphone) went from 17 last year to 27 this year while the share of photos taken on any camera dropped from 52 percent to 44 percent.
“There is no doubt that the smartphone is becoming ‘good enough’ much of the time; but thanks to mobile phones, more pictures are being taken than ever before,” said Liz Cutting, executive director and senior imaging analyst at NPD.
“Consumers who use their mobile phones to take pictures and video were more likely to do so instead of their camera when capturing spontaneous moments, but for important events, single purpose cameras or camcorders are still largely the device of choice.”
An interesting side note is that Detachable lens cameras (cameras like the HDSLR Canon, Nikon and Sony models) increased by 12 percent in the same period last year. These are the more sophisticated digital cameras with an average price of $863. You can read more on the NPD Report here
With the onset of colder weather - those of you who live in colder climes who try to use your Smart Phone with gloves on may find a frustrating experience! Here's a neat solution - you can add a small bit of conductive thread to your gloves or mittens which apparently do the trick!
Becky Stern of New York provides us with the following step by step video to help you with this project. Honestly - I haven't tried this as our winters here in Northern California are fairly mild (and I cannot say I am that crafty with a needle and thread).
If you'd like Becky's print-able instructions (with photos of the steps) visit the Make Projects blog here: iPhone Gloves
Most anyone who was near a newspaper or connected to a news service on their computer this past week is aware that Apple computers made several announcements... on Tuesday (October 4) they announced the next model of the iPhone - Apple's Smart Phone, as well as new features and 'more affordable pricing' for the iPod Touch and iPod Nano.
Though there are many Apple fans who expressed displeasure that the company did not unveil the long awaited iPhone 5 - I agree with others who assert that there are a good deal of enhancements with the iPhone 4S to make it a worthy consideration.
In addition to a processor that makes the new device roughly twice as fast as the iPhone 4 there is 1080P video recording and the ability to seamlessly operate under the forthcoming iOS5 - with all it's promised enhancements.
Siri - for example - is an app that will be integrated inside the iPhone 4S and I can tell you this is a really cool tool! I was using Siri as a stand-alone app more than a year ago and love it -- with it's integration to the new iPhone and access to other applications and functions, that will be a very useful addition!
The Apple iPhone 4S will be available in the U.S. on Friday, October 14th - and on the AT&T, Verizon (and for the first time, Sprint) Networks. For complete details about the iPhone 4S from the 'horses mouth' visit the Apple iPhone website: http://www.apple.com/iphone/
The United State's Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has it's very own (first) iPhone APP -- called 'FBI Child ID' it is designed to allow parents to have a place to store information on their child/ren including photos, physical identifiers, nicknames, etc. This free App is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad - but does require iOS 4.2 or later
Interesting on-line article from PCMag.com today which kicks off with a pretty definitive statement that puts a lot of rumors about when to expect the next iPhone -- "Apple won't be launching a fifth-generation iPhone or the "baby" iPhone it's supposedly developing for emerging markets until 2012, according to the latest buzz on Wall Street."
You are likely aware that Apple Computer made some new software announcements Monday at the WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference) in San Francisco, California.
Some critics are quick to point out that some of the features announced today already exist in other technologies or software (Blackberry, Android, and Windows). While those facts are noted it should also be observed what some technology analysts are saying, that Apple sometimes implements technology a little later than others -- but has been implementing them more wisely and more successfully than their previous incarnation.
Given these newly announced software enhancements & upgrades, I don't think it would really make someone who is totally in love with their Windows computer, their Android or Blackberry phone 'jump-ship' to the Apple product line. But these will certainly make Apple customers even more satisfied with their chosen platform, and may just continue to slowly pull new customers into the Apple universe.
The software products announced today are the Mac OS X Lion, the Apple iOS 5 and the iCloud service. I have provided a short summary of each below along with a short video that highlights the new and most notable improvements.
Mac OS X Lion Among the '250 new features' the most captivating are: Gestures, Mission Control, LaunchPad, Auto-Save with Versions, Air-Drop, ReVamped Mail (Mac Mail software) and Full-Screen Apps. You can view the Apple promotional video fro Mac OS X Lion below for a highlight of these.
This new Apple desktop & laptop OS named Lion will only be available in the Mac App Store and will be 4GB in size. It installs from the App Store and once you purchase it, you can use it on all your authorized Macs. Mac OS X Lion will be available in July 2011 with a retail price of $29.99 Details here: Apple OS X Lion 9
Apple iOS5 iOS5 is the forthcoming new Operating System for Apple Mobile Devices includes more than 200 new features for the iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.
Among the major new features & functions in iOS5 are the Notification Center, iMessage, Newsstand, Reminders, Twitter, Camera enhancements, Photo & Safari improvements, PC Free (you will no longer need to connect to a PC to start your iPhone). You can view the Apple promotional video below for highlights.
This new OS for Apple mobile devices is scheduled for a Fall 2011 release and the current indications are that it is a free software upgrade. Apple indicates the iOS5 will be compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod (both 3rd and 4th generation), iPad, and iPad2. Details here: Apple iOS5
Apple iCloud iCloud is the new service Apple is touting to sync the important content and information on your desktop, laptop, notepad and other mobile devices. iCloud is integrated into the apps on your computer and mobile devices, so you can access your content on all your devices. And iCloud is free with iOS5 - further details here: Apple iCloud
Here is a video from the Apple WWDC 2011 of Apple CEO Steve Jobs sharing how the iCloud service works (compliments of CNET News)
Came across an interesting on-line article on the 'Monsters and Critics' blog and wanted to share it with you. Article author Jay Dougherty presents some specific mobile phone apps that can save you money!
Jay starts the article with this "No one has to tell you that the smart-phone you're carrying doesn't come cheap. But what you might not know is that the little device can save you plenty of money, too. You just need to know which apps to use to make it start giving back"
If you use one of the Apple portable media devices (iPad, iPhone or iPod) you may be interested that Apple today released the latest iOS, iOS4.3. Read more about it (and download the version if it suits you) here: http://www.apple.com/ios/
This new OS version sports the following major enhancements: AirPlay Enhancements Get even more play out of AirPlay — the wireless technology that lets you stream content from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your HDTV via Apple TV.
Safari Performance As you surf the web, your fingers will love the responsiveness of the new Nitro JavaScript engine powering Safari. It runs JavaScript up to twice as fast as in iOS 4.2.2
iTunes Home Sharing Now you can play your entire iTunes library from anywhere in the house. If it’s on your Mac or PC, you can play it on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch over a shared Wi-Fi network
Personal Hotspot for iPhone 4 On the road, in an airport, at the park — now you can bring Wi-Fi with you wherever you go. Download iOS 4.3 on your iPhone 4, and the next time you find yourself without access to Wi-Fi but in 3G territory, enable Personal Hotspot and share your cellular data connection with your Mac, PC, iPad, or other Wi-Fi-capable device.
iPad Side Switch Customize the switch on the side of your iPad to lock the screen rotation or mute the volume
In an interesting case of age-old tradition & practice meeting contemporary technology, there is word this week of a new App(lication) for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad called 'Confession: A Roman Catholic App'.
In the word of the developers (Little i Apps, LLC) this new Application - which lists of $1.99 - is designed "to be used in the confessional, this app is the perfect aid for every penitent. With a personalized examination of conscience for each user, password protected profiles, and a step-by-step guide to the sacrament, this app invites Catholics to prayerfully prepare for and participate in the Rite of Penance. Individuals who have been away from the sacrament for some time will find Confession: A Roman Catholic App to be a useful and inviting tool."
It should be noted that the developers do not see this as a replacement for the traditional Sacrament of Confession with a Priest.
This App for mobile Apple devices provides:
- Custom examination of Conscience based upon age, sex, and vocation (single, married, priest, or religious) - Multiple user support with password protected accounts - Ability to add sins not listed in standard examination of conscience - Confession walk through including time of last confession in days, weeks, months, and years - Choose from 7 different acts of contrition
I reported back last year about Apps to honor and celebrate holidays for different faith communities (Christmas/Advent, Hannukah). It is intriguing to see what will continue to develop as people move to intertwine their traditions and practices with the capabilities and conveniences of modern technology tools.
