Macworld and CES Hangover

So as some of you may or may not know I'm a big Apple nerd and Apple recently held their last keynote at Macworld (a trade show that happens every January).  To everybody's surprise Apple's iconic CEO, Steve Jobs, backed out for personal reasons and gave the reigns to Phil Schiller.  Phil strutted around the stage and introduced some very neat things.

Not only did Apple present new and upcoming products, but so did other big names like Microsoft and Palm at the CES trade show.

Here are some of the highlights of the show (courtesy of Lifehacker.com)

The Only iPhone/iPod Apps You'll Ever Need*

Let's talk here:

The holiday season is over, the Christmas tree is down and packed back into the attic (unless you live in my house), stockings boxed back up (see the previous theoretical statement), the champagne is dry and you have already broken your New Year's Resolution.

But you still have that iPod Touch/iPhone you got this holiday season! (Hooray!)

You've tinkered around with it, checked out Youtube, Facebook, listened to music and all that neat stuff but you want more, but you don't know what exactly

Don't worry, I'll show you what you've been missing.

Alright let me break this down into Steve's Official List of Necessary iPod/iPhone apps!

Numero Uno!

Shazam:  The app is so awesome that Apple put it into one of their ads.  Shazam listens to the music currently playing and not only tells you the name, artist, and album it belongs to, but also links you to a biography of the artist, links you to buy it from iTunes, and sometimes links you to a the music video on Youtube.  It works, and it's amazing (Thus, it made my list)

Numero Dos!

Pandora:  Pandora is an online radio that plays customized stations of your favorite artist and similar musicians.  Pandora recently updated their app by bringing over the Cover Flow view (ala iTunes).  Pandora allows you to stream CD quality music over the 3G, WiFi, or Edge network for free.  Not only that but it helps you discover new music (which is always a plus).

Numero Tres!

Weightbot:  With every new year brings a resolution (which coincidently is broken or forgotten around February or March), and one (I) would assume that most people's resolutions are to lose weight (Cue Weightbot).  Weightbot is a weight tracker that tracks your weight (assuming you put it in) and graphs it to show how great/poorly you're doing.  There are several health/weight loss themed apps in the app store but several critics agree (including myself, obviously) that Weightbot delivers with not only functionality but also with one of the smoothest and nicest interfaces of any app on the market.  Plus the icon looks like Wall-E, which is fun.

Numero Cuatro!

Fieldrunners:  This is a strategy based game where you basically set up towers to kill these guys from getting to your base.  The graphics are sharp considering the platform and the gameplay is smooth and intuitive.  It's currently $4.99 but trust me, I wouldn't plug it if I didn't think it was worth it/freaking awesome.  

Numero Cinco!

Remote:  Apple introduced the app store with one of their own apps packed inside.  Remote isn't just a clever name, it turns your iPod/iPhone (okay that's getting redundant, I'm going to call the combo an iPhone Touch from now on) into an iTunes / AppleTV remote control.  Now this may not be convenient to those who don't have an AppleTV but to those who use their computers to watch movies (aka me with my iMac) I find the Apple Remote app to be extremely useful when deciding on what movie to watch or song to listen to.

Numero Seis!

Trace:  If you were to ask my 8 year old cousin (which would be sort of creepy and grounds for a restraining order if you did) she would tell you that her favorite thing about my iPhone is Trace.  Trace is a simple yet amazing(ly free) game that puts you in control of this guy and you use your finger to "trace" a bridge to get the man to the goal.  Some levels are easy while some levels are frustratingly difficult (I'm looking at you Space World).

Numero Siete!

Facebook:  Chances are you (yes, I really am talking to you sideburns) have a Facebook account and chances are you are addicted to it.  Don't worry, you can bring that addiction wherever you go with the Facebook app for the iPhone Touch.  The Facebook app, although has some quirks, is a good app that allows you to utilize the Facebook Chat feature, check your messages, check your profile, friends profile...basically the majority of what you can do on the regular site you can do on the app.  Check it out, it's free.

Numero Ocho!

Twitterific:  So Twitter is this crazy internet startup that some call a fad and others call an addiction.  Either way you look at it, the service is pretty popular right now and the Twitterific app allows you to post updates (or "tweets" as they cleverly put it) to your profile from your iPhone.  Like Weightbot, there are several Twitter apps in the app store but I have found that the Twitterific app has the nicest interface

Well that's it for now, I decided to stop at 8 since it's my favorite number -- whenever I come across a worthwhile app I will be sure to post about it but these 8 are (currently) my favorite apps offered in the App Store

Holla Holla

So here we are again.  I'm yet again trying my hand at blogging, partially due to a certain room-mate of mine

I feel like a dieting fat kid who lives across the street from an ice cream shop (which coincidently I live close to an ice cream shop), I just can't withstand the temptation for long.

Well this all well and good but I'm sure you're asking (yes, you), "Sure Steve, I'll follow this blog for a few posts and then you'll give it up like you always do."  In which I have to reply, you're probably right.

This time I'm going to use a different approach.  This blog won't necessarily be focused on my personal thoughts or rants, rather it will be about techy/nerdy/awesome stuff........and my personal thoughts or rants

Happy Birthday Jesus

So I'm currently 2 hours and 12 minutes into celebrating Christmas for the 21st time and it saddens me to report that December 25th seems like just another day compared to Christmas's of old.

So how/why can something like this happen?  I think you all can relate to me because chances are you feel the same way (and if not, you really have to pass on your secrets).

Okay I'll stop whining and get back to A Christmas Story.

Merry Christmas everybody!

The guy who beat Kimbo Slice

As a firm believer in Kimbo Slice's potential and dominence, I was dissapointed to see him basically get it handed to him last week – I figured he would lose to Ken Shamerock but when Shamerock opted out due to an injury, I thought Kimbo had the fight in the bag.

Apparently I was wrong

Let me link you to some interesting pictures of the man who took down Kimbo "Tommy Gunn" Slice

Dead Spin Article

Courtesy of Deadspin.com

Studying? What's That About

Rather than study for my Consumer Behavior exam tomorrow I'm going to post about quite possibly the most influential and charismatic musicians in history

I'm sure you're thinking – "Whoa, shit's deep"

You may also be thinking of musicians in your head right now that you think I would say such as:

• Little Richard
• Elvis Presley
• The Beatles
• Jimi Hendrix

Although all of these answers are honorable mentions, none of them are whom I have in mind

So who could it be – who could possibly be better than them or at least in the same league?!?!?

Answer's simple folks, John "Mother F*ckin" Coltrane

John Coltrane is a freak on the Saxophone and an integral part of the evolution of jazz and music in general! John "MF" Coltrane introduced the world to one of the best jazz songs ever performed – Giant Steps

Coltrane actually makes jazz tolerable and dare I say it, bad ass

So here's to you John "Mother F*ckin" Coltrane -- you're the Bret "The Hitman" Hart of Jazz

If you dug "Giant Steps" or if you want to simply get more Coltrane, I would definitely recommend My Favorite Things

Love Lockdown

Yeah so Blogger decided that I was spamming everybody with my older blog -- I didn't think I was?

Thanks Blogger -- you saved the world again