Technology

Jump

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As soon as I am able to jump from my Samsung S6 this summer, I will probably go back to an iPhone. Why? The tech specs for Android phones are superior for sure but if I’m honest, I’m switching for the apps. Google Play apps or so limited, buggy and poorly designed. Why so many cartoon-ish logos? Their app store doesn’t change often and suggests the same crap but a different week. The screenshot could have been taken two weeks ago because it hasn’t changed. BORING. Compare with the iTunes store. New apps every week. New apps I would purchase. Very well designed apps. I still don’t like the fact I cannot customize the iOS interface. I have to admit that after a couple weeks, I didn’t even notice. So unless Google completely wows us with their new stuff at the I/O conference next week, I will drop my long time Android support and go back to iPhone.

My iOS App List

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This time last year I was still a die-hard Android fandroid and submitted my favorite and most-used apps for my devices.

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Now that I have converted to Apple devices it is time to update this list.

No, I won’t state which operating system I prefer at this time or answer why I switched or will I switch back. Okay, I will but not in this post.

I’ll be breaking down the top apps from the categories as shown on my home screens. This is not an exhaustive list. 

It should also be mentioned that a lot of these apps are on both platforms but the user experience, design and even features are more developed for the iOS user. I hate this. But I am enjoying the extra features that are not provided for Androids.

InfoDenbow

Mailbox: Now a part of the Dropbox cloud storage provider, this minamally designed tool allows me to combine email addresses into one location.

Any.Do or Wunderlist: Gorgeous apps that help me stay on track of my my to-do’s. They both offer web browser tools. Tough choice here but I lean to Wunderlist because it allows me to use folders.

Feedly: This is where I get my daily news feed.

Instapaper: This is where I can save my news feed articles to read later.

Evernote: If you don’t know what Evernote is by now…

TechnoDenbow

Ok, so they are just the usual social media suspects. Google Plus, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.

GeoDenbow

Waze: I drive around the city for most of the day and just LOVE to play in traffic. 10 miles in one hour? Why not. Waze is a social creature. Other drivers ahead of you alerts you to traffic conditions, accidents, police whereabouts and other road issues. Bought by Google and integrated into their Maps.

Google Maps: Duh.

Geocaching: Treasure hunting and all the world has a cache for you to discover. Get out there!

Ingress: A virtual reality game but played in the real world. Get out there!

Dark Sky: The best and the best looking weather app out there. Scary how accurate it is. 

GoDenbow

Again, the usual suspects here like Runkeeper, MyFitnessPal, Fitbit but with one exception, Carrot. I just discovered it. Carrot will insult and playfully shame you into working out and tracking your progress. She is artificial intelligence and she looks down on us poor meatbags. 

PhotoDenbow

What’s in my digital camera bag? Procam takes advantage of the iPhone’s excellent sensor and then throws in the tools that control it. It has a DSLR interface with DSLR controls. Brilliant.

Also used are Hipstamatic for the retro cameras, Reflex and Instant that replicates the Polaroid cameras.

Snapseed: In the darkroom to process and edit the images I use Snapseed as my go-to. Nothing else beats the processing controls. 

Facetune: Sometimes we all need help with those pesky face or teeth issues. Wrinkles, warts, zits, stained teeth be gone. 

VSCOcam: Forget Instagram, EyeEm and the rest. This company has taken over with their first class camera, editing, filters and web displays.

AudioDenbow

Overcast: Podcasting client with the same features as the basic podcasting app but looks so much better.

VideoDenbow

Hyperlapse from Instagram. Yeah, it is a fad, but I like silent vids that have been fast forwarded  like the old Benny Hill chase scenes.

The End

Okay, now what should I add to my devices? Go.

Back! Yes, I Was Gone

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Due to a denial of service (DoS) attack and suspected breach of my personal website security, I was contemplating just wiping the slate clean and start fresh with my entire web presence. 

No more chrisdenbow.website, new social media accounts, new accounts on the iTunes and Google Play which would force me to lose my digital media purchases, setup new accounts, passwords and all the rest of the inconvenient hassles.

But I’ve worked too hard these past few years building my web server, email server, content, web accounts and more to just walk away from it. With the support of my web server host support and enterprise software providers, etc, I think I’ve rooted out the issues and am staying put.

So what has changed? Nothing on the surface. All my systems have been secured as best as I could. 

The content here still stinks but I’ll still crank it out. So yeah, I’m back. 

Android To Apple

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I’ve decided to go all in on Apple mobile products. I purchased a mini iPad back in May for my daughter and ended up keeping it when it was discovered she already had one purchased for her.

Then, I pulled the trigger and got the new iPhone 6.

I’m still formulating my thoughts on the conversion process from Android and will post later on it. 

Bad Apple

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So the great iPhone experiment failed. Two days later I upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy S5. I tried, I really did. I wasted money on apps to help with the experience. 

Overall, the lack of customization and tweaking did it for me. It is such a closed system. I prefer open source software and systems. So I’m back to Android.

iCan’t Believe This

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Memorial Day weekend. I have decided to go all in to the Apple ecosystem. This is a departure from six years of Android. I have acquired the iPad mini with retina display. As soon as I am eligible, in July, I will convert to the iPhone 5s.

Will I enjoy this transition? Yes. I love trying new technology.

Will I regret it and go back to Android? Time will tell.

Google Camera App

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Google updated their stock camera app. Basically they took the best parts of my Nexus 5 camera app and enhanced it. 

Added a smart blur for greater depth of field, horizontal panoramas, 50MB photospheres, manual adjustments (like a DSLR) and more. Neat!

Reboot

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The term “reboot” means to discard much or even all previous continuity and start over with fresh ideas. It could also imply that I just wanted to scratch the whole thing and start over again. Previous posts (2005-2011) have been backed-up and shelved until I create an archive.