I haven't had my iPhone 4 forever, but I've definitely found some apps I consider to be amazing. Here's my top five favorite apps I've found so far:
1. Netflix
This is pretty much hands-down the best feature of my phone. I love being able to watch all of my instant play movies right from my phone no matter where I am. Load times are minimal, the quality is great and the library is getting bigger as we speak. Cost: FREE
2. Shopkick
I'm totally addicted to this simple yet rewarding app. Shopkick is the first mobile app that gives you rewards for walking into stores, for scanning products, or for just sitting on your ass. You can collect "kickbucks" and bonuses at millions of stores and restaurants, including Target, Best Buy and even gas stations.
My addition revolves around using the barcode scanner and scanning the UPC of featured products and collecting points (kickbucks) which can be redeemed for instant gift cards. It's almost like getting paid to do a scavenger hunt while you're out shopping around. As of right now, I'm sitting at 1573 kick bucks (which is more than enough to cash in for a $5 gift card) but I'm going to keep collecting awhile longer.
If you have the means, download the app and give it a try. If you remember to use my code "crane6116" after installing the app, we both get 50 kickbucks as a bonus! Cost: FREE
3. Flixster
Flixster is all about movies, all in one place. It lets you see what's in theaters (now, coming soon, etc.) what's coming to dvd, and what's playing at your favorite theaters. What's more, it's integrated with both Rotten Tomatoes and Netlfix, which allows you to see review scores and instantly add movies to your Netflix queue. Cost: FREE
4. Vlingo
Vlingo for iPhone is speech recognition technology with decent accuracy. It even connects you to your third parties – like Facebook and Twitter. Let's say I want to Tweet a live broadcast or otherwise update my Twitter/Facebook page without typing... all I have to do is say "Facebook Update: I can't believe her boob just fell out, did anyone else see that?!" and then hit send. Cost: Using the social media update function is completely free, however to use text/email voice support the cost is $6.99.
5. IntoNow
IntoNow makes sharing your favorite television shows easy and fun. Just tap the green button when you’re watching, and IntoNow will identify the show, right down to the episode. Once identified it’s easy to share with your friends on Twitter or Facebook. Cost: FREE
Anyone care to suggest some great apps that I may have missed? Leave a comment below.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Watered Down Elephants
After much anticipation, I finally got my ticket to the big show. So the question is, was it truly the greatest show on earth or just another mud show?
Let me start by briefly giving my thoughts on the book by Sara Gruen. Insanely popular, easy to read and with an absolutely perfect setting for a circus fan, I found the book held my attention with an interesting cast of characters and decent pacing. Her knowledge of circus history is questionable, and at times I felt like she threw around "circus-speak" with a reckless abandon; if only to make a point that she tried to study and bring a touch of authenticity. Highlights for me were the shady circus elements--the booze, the grift, the cooch tent etc. Some found the side story of the old man in the twilight of his life touching, while I found it a bit distracting and became anxious to be back in the sawdust. Minor quibbles aside, it was fun circus book that already felt like a movie.
The big screen version took all of the R-rated (read: interesting) aspects of the book and either glossed them over or left them out entirely. Instead of grit you get glamor. While the circus set pieces are beautiful, the same cannot be said the on screen chemistry of Jacob and Marlena. While not awful, it definitely seems flat at times and I found their moments to coincide with the times I felt the most bored. What also bothered me (besides the fucking annoying girl next to me who keep talking to the screen and making "awwww" remarks every two seconds) was the way the movie felt slower than the book. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Needless to say, I didn't feel completely duped like a rube being pushed into the sideshow tent, however, I felt like it was more respectable than spectacle. A little more sex and booze and a little less pink lemonade and cotton candy and this could have been a center ring attraction.
Let me start by briefly giving my thoughts on the book by Sara Gruen. Insanely popular, easy to read and with an absolutely perfect setting for a circus fan, I found the book held my attention with an interesting cast of characters and decent pacing. Her knowledge of circus history is questionable, and at times I felt like she threw around "circus-speak" with a reckless abandon; if only to make a point that she tried to study and bring a touch of authenticity. Highlights for me were the shady circus elements--the booze, the grift, the cooch tent etc. Some found the side story of the old man in the twilight of his life touching, while I found it a bit distracting and became anxious to be back in the sawdust. Minor quibbles aside, it was fun circus book that already felt like a movie.
The big screen version took all of the R-rated (read: interesting) aspects of the book and either glossed them over or left them out entirely. Instead of grit you get glamor. While the circus set pieces are beautiful, the same cannot be said the on screen chemistry of Jacob and Marlena. While not awful, it definitely seems flat at times and I found their moments to coincide with the times I felt the most bored. What also bothered me (besides the fucking annoying girl next to me who keep talking to the screen and making "awwww" remarks every two seconds) was the way the movie felt slower than the book. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Needless to say, I didn't feel completely duped like a rube being pushed into the sideshow tent, however, I felt like it was more respectable than spectacle. A little more sex and booze and a little less pink lemonade and cotton candy and this could have been a center ring attraction.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Hollywood Sucks: Part 6 (3D)
I returned last night from another underwhelming movie-going experience, this time seeing the highly regarded "Source Code." While the movie wasn't terrible, it didn't do much for me in the way of creativity or even a cheap thrill. I'm finding that most of the movies I watch are just as lack luster as the one before, with only a few exceptions. The machine in Hollywood keeps pumping out garbage and continuing to charge us more to see it, thanks to the wonder that is 3D. Speaking of that, I was rather glad to see that Pirates 4 is NOT going to be in 3D. However, it comes as little consolation if the movie ends up sucking ass and making me wish they hadn't even made it.
It seems apparent to me that the time for 2 hour "epic" movies has past. I find that Premium channel original series' and television sitcoms deliver more consistently and more originally than anything on the big screen. Who doesn't appreciate the bite-sized story arcs, the evolution of the characters, and the cliff-hanger moments. Not to mention, the obvious time/financial savings. And while not shown in 3D, at the Zoo Omnitheater, whilst eating $8 popcorn, overall I feel like they are a more personal, enjoyable experience.
The only thing keeping me away from the theater is time. It's the same reason I have to pre-order video games, the anticipation and the excitement makes it just too hard to resist. Alas, I'm giving in again this Friday and going to see Water For Elephants. As a well-documented circus history buff, and having read the book, I'm cautiously optimistic. Obviously, I haven't learned a thing from my experience.
It seems apparent to me that the time for 2 hour "epic" movies has past. I find that Premium channel original series' and television sitcoms deliver more consistently and more originally than anything on the big screen. Who doesn't appreciate the bite-sized story arcs, the evolution of the characters, and the cliff-hanger moments. Not to mention, the obvious time/financial savings. And while not shown in 3D, at the Zoo Omnitheater, whilst eating $8 popcorn, overall I feel like they are a more personal, enjoyable experience.
The only thing keeping me away from the theater is time. It's the same reason I have to pre-order video games, the anticipation and the excitement makes it just too hard to resist. Alas, I'm giving in again this Friday and going to see Water For Elephants. As a well-documented circus history buff, and having read the book, I'm cautiously optimistic. Obviously, I haven't learned a thing from my experience.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Ignorance Is Your New Best Friend
One of my favorite songs, by one of my favorite bands is titled "Ignorance." Since it's release, it's taken on a whole new level of meaning, now that the lyrics have become a self-fulfilling prophecy to the band that wrote them. This band is Paramore, and they have since parted ways with their drummer and guitarist, one of many facts that a casual listener wouldn't even know about. But exactly when did I start calling myself more than a casual listener? I don't know, but it definitely happened. This sort of thing happens all the time in fact, and I really wish it didn't.
Whether it be a band, a sports team, a television show or what have you, slowly I become more and more invested into it, until, at length, I've taken my casual interest and turned it into something else. Less than obsession, but more than just interested. I blame the update-a-second society we live in, I blame Facebook, smart phones and every other social media outlet for making me info obsessed. And, I blame myself. However, everywhere you turn there is a rss feed to subscribe to, a page to bookmark, a link to click, a video to watch and a "like" button to click.
Sometimes I feel like the more read, subscribe, watch and "like" all these things, the worse off I become. Instead of just listening to a band because I enjoy their music, suddenly I find myself reading their Tweets about how much they love their new tattoo and how they could eat cereal for every meal. Do I really care about these things? No. It's then that I realize, I've lost my ability to just enjoy, because now I know too much, and there's no going back.
If I could just appreciate casually, if I could just stay a safe distance and form my own opinions free of social media influence, if I could just remember that ignorance is bliss.
Whether it be a band, a sports team, a television show or what have you, slowly I become more and more invested into it, until, at length, I've taken my casual interest and turned it into something else. Less than obsession, but more than just interested. I blame the update-a-second society we live in, I blame Facebook, smart phones and every other social media outlet for making me info obsessed. And, I blame myself. However, everywhere you turn there is a rss feed to subscribe to, a page to bookmark, a link to click, a video to watch and a "like" button to click.
Sometimes I feel like the more read, subscribe, watch and "like" all these things, the worse off I become. Instead of just listening to a band because I enjoy their music, suddenly I find myself reading their Tweets about how much they love their new tattoo and how they could eat cereal for every meal. Do I really care about these things? No. It's then that I realize, I've lost my ability to just enjoy, because now I know too much, and there's no going back.
If I could just appreciate casually, if I could just stay a safe distance and form my own opinions free of social media influence, if I could just remember that ignorance is bliss.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Grillin' Like a Villian
Ahh, yes. April is here and the snow is not. I've taken full advantage of the improved weather and cooked on the new grill 3-4 times already. The old grill found a new home in the back of some dude's truck, thanks to craigslist. Along with cooking dead animals over flames on-demand, I was able to get out and play my first round of disc golf at Blue Ribbon this past Sunday. It was still super wet and soggy, but still lots of fun and definitely worth the wet feet on the drive home.
I watched a couple of crappy movies the other day, Sucker Punch and Due Date. I highly recommend avoiding both, as they suck so badly I can't justify blogging about them any further. However, I did really enjoy watching Little Miss Sunshine, which I realize isn't exactly a "new" movie. Either way, it was both a great movie and a great way to listen to some Devotchka before the concert last Friday night.
The Devotchka show at First Ave. was even better than last year. They were the main act and played a solid 2 hours (including encore). They're such an awesome live band, you really get a sense for the complexity of the songs and the talent they possess. I really can't say enough good things about them and continue to devour their discography whenever I get the chance.
My gaming has been put on hold for a bit while I continue to wait for my new glasses to arrive at Target optical. In the meantime, I've been slowly (but surely) completing the pro drum trainer lessons on Rock Band 3. It never ceases to amaze me how some beats that once seemed impossible one day become do-able.
I also recently finished reading "Big Top Boss, John Ringling North and The Circus." Another solid read in a long line of circus history books I continue to delve into, with no end in sight. Next up? "Spangles, Elephants, Violet's and Me."
Oh, and I discovered uTorrent today. OMG. Coincidentally, I'm now listening to piles of new music by Devotchka, The Kills, Avril Lavigne, Metric, Prince, The White Stripes and The Sounds.
Finally, the Wild can suck it.
I watched a couple of crappy movies the other day, Sucker Punch and Due Date. I highly recommend avoiding both, as they suck so badly I can't justify blogging about them any further. However, I did really enjoy watching Little Miss Sunshine, which I realize isn't exactly a "new" movie. Either way, it was both a great movie and a great way to listen to some Devotchka before the concert last Friday night.
The Devotchka show at First Ave. was even better than last year. They were the main act and played a solid 2 hours (including encore). They're such an awesome live band, you really get a sense for the complexity of the songs and the talent they possess. I really can't say enough good things about them and continue to devour their discography whenever I get the chance.
My gaming has been put on hold for a bit while I continue to wait for my new glasses to arrive at Target optical. In the meantime, I've been slowly (but surely) completing the pro drum trainer lessons on Rock Band 3. It never ceases to amaze me how some beats that once seemed impossible one day become do-able.
I also recently finished reading "Big Top Boss, John Ringling North and The Circus." Another solid read in a long line of circus history books I continue to delve into, with no end in sight. Next up? "Spangles, Elephants, Violet's and Me."
Oh, and I discovered uTorrent today. OMG. Coincidentally, I'm now listening to piles of new music by Devotchka, The Kills, Avril Lavigne, Metric, Prince, The White Stripes and The Sounds.
Finally, the Wild can suck it.
