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News: Learn the ABCs of iPhoneograpy at BSC

Published on August 14, 2012 by in The Mobile Lens

I’m excited to announce I will be teaching North Dakota’s first class on iPhoneography this fall at Bismarck State College. The class is conducted through the college’s Continuing Education, Training, and Innovation Program. The class will be from 6 pm to 9 pm on Tuesdays starting October 2 and running through October 23. If you’re from the Bismarck-Mandan area and have an iPhone, head on over to the BSC Community Enrichment site to register and enter “iphone” in the search box. Be sure to check out some of the other photography classes being offered. Space is limited, so act now.

I want to give a special thanks to Richard Gray of iphoggy.com for being a trailblazer in creating his iPhoneography class at Kensington and Chelsea College in London this year. That class was hugely popular, and I hope that Bismarck will live up to the expectation.

iPhoneography: Taking pictures with your iPhone

The best camera is the one you always have with you is a cliché that has been repeated so often no one remembers who originally coined the phrase. Geared toward amateur and professional photographers alike, in this class you’ll learn how to take better pictures with your iPhone. Examine apps, accessories, and traditional photographic techniques scaled to the mobile phone platform. Discuss the limitations of iPhone photography compared to traditional cameras, and how to turn those limitations into advantages. Take photos every week in and out of class, and participate in critiques. By the end of the class you’ll start to view your iPhone as more than a phone that also takes pictures; you’ll also see it as a camera that also makes phone calls. You must bring your iPhone (any model) or even your iPad (as long as it has a camera) and make sure it’s fully charged. Students will also need to sign up for a free Instagram account in order to share and comment on photos taken by the class. The class also requires an Apple App Store account and the purchase of approximately $25 worth of photography apps. A list of apps will be provided on the first night of class along with an iTunes gift card to cover the purchases.

 
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Review: Go back in time with Pitfall! for iOS

Published on August 13, 2012 by in BisManApps, Uncategorized
Screenshot of Pitfall! intro

Activision just released the 1982 video game Pitfall! for iOS, in recognition of the game's 30th Anniversary. Pitfall Was the second biggest selling game for the Atari 2600 when it was released, and was one of the first games I bought. I've played it more times than I can remember. In fact, I still have the original game and console. So when I saw this in the App Store I grabbed it immediately, and set about reliving my childhood.

When I launched the app, the first things to greet me were the classic 8-bit graphics and the original games soundtrack. I'm not ashamed to admit that I peed my pants a little. Then the game suddenly shifted, and Pitfall Harry transformed into a 3D adventurer being taunted by a tiny monkey while running away from a volcano. My next reaction was just like that many of you probably had. This game looks an awful lot like Temple Run.

I've played Temple Run, and I like it. Some bloggers are saying Pitfall isn't original due to the similarities between the two games. But this is nothing like the numerous clones trading off Temple Run's popularity. It's trading off Temple Run's popularity and 1980s' nostalgia. Completely different. Ultimately, similarities aside, the big question is whether the app is any good.

In my assessment, the answer is yes. There's enough variety and subtle differences from similar games to make it interesting. The app has multi-perspective viewing, which constantly shifts, and the a ability to earn checkpoints like the original, so you don't have to start over from the beginning every time. The vines, pits, snakes, and scorpions are also back. I could play it for hours, and I probably will. The app is 99 cents in the App Store and is compatible with the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. The Verge questions the apps reliance on in app purchases to speed up game play, so that is something to be aware of. For example, those checkpoints you earn require in-game currency to use them. You can collect “treasure” in the game to buy them, or skip that step and pay real money. In this respect it's like real money to get them, or just collect “treasure” use them. You can play without them, but the game does nag you after a while. In my opinion, Pitfall is a pretty cheap time machine. Now if you'll excuse me, Benson is on.

I've posted some screen shots of Harry in action below. The guys over at Touch Arcade also have a great review showing off some of the game play.

TA Plays: 'Pitfall!' – A New Endless Runner Based on The 1982 Classic 'Temple Run' …Wait

 

 
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You’re Still The Best: Dcmacnut’s Top 10 Essential Apps for the iPad Revisited

Published on August 11, 2012 by in BisManApps

This post originally appeared on my Random Facts of Life blog as You're the Best Around, January 11, 2012.

In January, I offered my suggestions for the essential apps for any iPad user. Many were focused on features that the iPhone had, but the iPad did not. Since then, Apple has released its 3rd generation iPad and annouced iOS 6, both which provide much needed upgrades in some of these areas. But not all iPads will benefit from these additions, with the first generation iPad not being able to run iOS 6 at all. So here, again, is my list of essential apps – version 2.0.

  1. When the iPad was released in 2010 it was missing a feature: a clock app. Developers stepped up to fill the void. One of my favorites is Nightstand Central. It comes in paid and free versions, and is worth a look. Even though iOS 6 will finally add a clock app to the iPad, these third-party apps will continue to deliver. Get it from the Nightstand Central for iPad - Music Alarm Clock with Weather and Photos - Thomas Huntington.
  2. The iPad's bigger screen is perfect for a calculator, but the iPad doesn't come with one. The third-party app I use on a daily basis is Calculator HD for iPad. It gives you four calculators, including a scientific calculator, in a stylish interface. Get it from the Calculator HD for iPad - CrowdCafé.
  3. The new iPad has built in speech to text capabilities, and will support Siri as part of iOS 6. But Nuance, the company behind the popular Dragon Natural Speaking also makes Dragon Dictation for iOS, and has announced a new virtual assistant called Nina that other developers can incorporate into their mobile apps. Get it from the Dragon Dictation - Nuance Communications.
  4. Are you sensing a theme? The iPad is also missing a stand-alone weather app, meaning you need to turn to the App Store. The Weather Channel® app is great for casual users. If you need more robust apps, read my intereview with Erin Huntimer of Hannoverskies.com to find out what she recommends. Get it from the The Weather Channel® for iPad - The Weather Channel Interactive.
  5. The iOS calendar app is great, but it's not for everyone. Agenda Calendar by App Savy is a powerful calendar manager with a minimalist design. The interface gets out of your way so you never have to worry about your meetings. Until you're late for one. Get it from the Agenda Calendar - App Savvy.
  6. New York Times tech columnist David Pogue recently had his iPhone stolen, and this free app helped him track it down. It works great on the iPad, especially when your toddler hides it behind the couch cushions. Get it from the Find My iPhone - Apple.
  7. The iPad is designed for reading, and GoodReader is one of the most popular document managers out there. It will store and let you view PDF and Word documents, as well as PowerPoint presentations, photos, and video. It syncs with iCloud and many popular could services, like Dropbox, Box, and SugarSync. Get it from the GoodReader for iPad - Good.iWare Ltd..
  8. Evernote is more than just an app. It's an entire ecosystem that could fill it's own review. This free service connects with multiple other apps, letting you store photos, business cards, photos, audio, and more. With apps available for every major deskop and mobile platform, you're information will never be out of sync. Get it from the Evernote - Evernote.
  9. Flipboard is a social magazine that took the iPad by storm. There are many other apps that will aggregate the news for you, but Flipboard has the best viewing experience of them all. The company is constantly improving and expanding the apps capabilities, and it deserves a spot on your iPhone home screen. Get it from the Flipboard: Your Social News Magazine - Flipboard Inc..
  10. Snapseed by Nik Software is a simple yet powerful editor that was named Apple's iPad App of the Year in 2011. The new iPad has a camera on par with the iPhone, but where it really shines is in viewing and editing photos. The bigger screen is better suited to this task, whether your editing photos taken with the iPad, iPhone, or transferred to the iPad from your point and shoot camera. Get it from the Snapseed - Nik Software, Inc..

 

 
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Blogger Spotlight: It’s Raining Erin – Chatting about the weather and apps with a ND weather geek

Published on August 7, 2012 by in BlogBits

Today on BisManApps.com, we are launching a new semi-regular feature highlighting notable bloggers, their hobbies, passions, and most of all, their favorite apps. In this premier post, we are talking to my co-worker and fellow Apple geek, Erin Huntimer, who blogs at hannoverskies.com. She’s a certified weather spotter in North Dakota.

Screenshot of HannoverSkies.com

Read more…

 
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BisManApps - Serious #iPhoneographers can never have too many tripods. Check out the Flex Shot on @kickstarter http://t.co/wf6Qah6pyv 2 days ago