2010 January | The Real Mac Genius

Jailbreaking…Good or Bad?

Posted by Andrew on Jan 20, 2010 |

As you may have heard, people who have purchased an iPhone or an iPod Touch of any generation are able to “Jailbreak” the system. But what exactly is “Jailbreaking?” iPhones and iPod Touches are capable of lots of customization, but Apple put a restriction on them to make them uniform. “Jailbreaking” is simply breaking that restriction with the help of certain software.
Pros
-Customization
a. themes
b. more room for apps

-Applications Apple rejects: Google Voice
-System wide configurations

Cons
-Viruses can be easily caught by downloading cracked apps
-Can’t turn off iTouch/iPhone without having to restore it when you turn it on again (Tether Jailbreaks).
a. leads to always having on which leads to battery problems.

So, is it worth risking your $199-$399 Apple hand-held glory just for customization and app access?

What do you think? Leave a comment!

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Review: Things for iPhone: Be productive. Get Things.

Posted by Nick on Jan 19, 2010 |

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Over the past two years, the App Store has grown unbelievably fast, now with over 100,000 applications, which is more than all the other mobile phone application stores in the world have combined! However, such an extensive selection of apps suggests that many are useless “garbage-apps”.

True, many of these applications are useless, but the applications Things for iPhone ($9.99) and Things for Mac (Read our Review) made by Cultured Code, a German based company, prove themselves unworthy of the lowly “useless-app” category. Different from other “to-do” apps in the App Store, Things, in my opinion, is the best: If you have used the Things for Mac application, you know that Things includes impeccable code-writing and user-adjustability. When you launch Things, you are greeted with a chic, polished, powerful interface. Things is powerful not only in its extensive features ‘under the hood,’ but also in its simplicity of use: Simple on the outside, powerful and complex on the inside. There are several different lists on which you can put your to-do items, you can add tags, notes, and of course, due dates – after all, it is a “to-due” app! In addition, there is a helpful list called Projects where you can put to-dos that you need to complete for a specific project. Things also logs your completed to-dos after they are completed, so you can look at all your accomplishments anytime the application is launched. Talk about power!

The folks at Cultured Code did a great job of integrating the Things for iPhone into the Things for Mac application. Syncing the two versions could not be easier. In the preference pane of Things for Mac, you simply add your iPhone or iPod Touch to the device list. (The two versions must be on the same wifi network). Cultured Code knows their users well; for example, when an iPhone or iPod Touch is on the same wifi network as a Mac and Things is open in both, the two devices automatically sync. Simple. Yes, Things certainly makes my life much easier, which really is the whole idea of a useful app. The only feature that I feel Things is lacking is a search by tags, or a universal search. But in the end, my overall experience with the Things for iPhone app was quite smooth and delightful, Things may look appear to have a high price tag, but Things is more than worth it! It never crashed, and best of all, it is simple to use and works great with the Mac version. With Things, you can be more productive at home and now on the go with Things for iPhone. Over the past few days, I find that I am getting more done and living a more productive lifestyle. Things is truly a vital app for any owner of an iPhone or iPod Touch, and I look forward to being productive with future versions of Things as well.

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Follow us on Twitter

Posted by Nick on Jan 19, 2010 |

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iPhone OS 4.0, iLife ’10, iTablet/iSlate

Posted by Nick on Jan 19, 2010 |

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It’s offical, Apple sent out letters to specific media companies asking them to join Apple while they reveal their “latest creations.” The event will be based on three aspects: iPhone OS 4.0, a new version of iLife – likely ’10, and the so called tablet.

iPhone OS 4.0 is due to have more amazing features added. There are rumors that support Apple allowing some iPhone apps to run in the background, and multi-gestures to e added. Unfortunately, there is not a new iPhone to debut at the January event, but one may be announced later this year. Because of some of the hardware limitations iPhone OS can only have so many new features, since the iPhones battery is terrible.

At the January event, Apple is supposed to relase a new version of iLife. Probably iLife ’10. There is not too much talk about the new version of iLife, but I would expect something cool to be announced, such as new features in iMovie and iPhoto.

The long awaited iTablet is due to come. The rumors keep coming and I believe that it’s coming true. There are a multitude of mock ups and what people think it will look like.

What are your thoughts, opinions, or comments?

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Apple App Store Dominates!

Posted by Nick on Jan 14, 2010 |

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Everyone has heard of the App Store – even if you despise Apple products (Though this is an Apple Blog). Over the past few days, Palm’s “App Store” has reached 1% of Apple’s App Store. In case you’re wondering, they have 1005 apps. The Apple App Store has over 100,000 apps – WOW impressive! All I have to say is that Apps have truly changed the way people feel about their mobile devices. A few years ago, applications on a phone would only been thought of as a small game application. However, now it is something like Call of Duty on the iPhone. Amazing if you think about it!

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