HDR Expose 2
Price: $149.00 US
Company: Unified Color
32 Float V2
Price: $99.00 US
Company: Unified Colour
HDR photography has made its mark in recent years among many photographers and enthusiasts. The technique has become very popular and many software producers offer solutions to create HDR images. I had the opportunity to review two products from Unified Color: HDR Expose 2 and 32 Float V2.
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Gaz is REALLY cheesed off at O2 and Guy finally, maybe, just perhaps has Audio Hijack Pro, Skype, GarageBand, and SoundBoard set up so that it will all work correctly without a single problem! Sheyeah right. Big discussion about Google’s Pixel laptop…err..net device…wait…touch screen…oh whatever it is, the GMen talk about it. Also Mrs. Nemo OBVIOUSLY rules the tech roost in their household. Apparently also Microsoft can’t even get people to steal their products. Good thing I guess since that means no one will drive a car through their storefront windows.
Links:
Co-Pilot Live Premium HD from ALK Technologies $19.99
Dia diagram editor by Dia software
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So here’s where we are. The press going crazy for an Apple product that doesn’t officially exist and tons of articles already saying it’s either the best thing they’ve ever done or a huge mistake with not too much in between. Well no surprise there as you could take the flotsam of Apple articles on any given day over the last ten years and see exactly the same thing. Will there be an iWatch or whatever? I have no idea and honestly (wait for it) iDon’tcare. There may be and it could be brilliant or this year’s version of the iPod HiFi. What it WON’T be is the next big thing for Apple anymore than the oft-rumored big screen AppleTV or whatever they refer to it as in the rumor sites. Being the prognosticator that I am I’ll even tell you why. It’s because Apple has ALREADY released what will carry the company over the next ten years.
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Tim Robertson and David Cohen talk about the changes to Microsoft Office licensing, battery life of the iPad with constant use, and the Sony Playstation 4 announcement.
FotoMagico 4.2
Developer: Boinx Software
Price: $99.95 (Mac app store or downloadable from Boinx)
http://boinx.com.fotomagico/
In rapid succession, Boinx released two new versions of their award-winning FotoMagico slide presentation software. In December, version 4.1 was introduced, followed two months later by the newest version, 4.2. FotoMagico allows you to create slideshows with smooth transitions, accurately timed audio tracks, and the freedom to show your masterpieces in many ways.
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Platforma - Free Your Hands!
Company: Strotter
Version: 1.0
Compatible with: iPad 2, 3, 4, other tablets work too
Price: $169
The Platforma bag caught my eye straightaway on my first walk through of the Macworld/iWorld expo floor. Okay, it was really the display with the guy standing next to a motorcycle, but he was wearing this bag, and I just had to check out. Continue reading »
Fantastical for Mac
Company: Flexibits
Mac requirements: 10.6.6 or later
Version: 1.3.6
Price: $19.99
Mac App Store link
Fantastical for iPhone
Company: Flexibits
Works with: iPhone 3GS and above, iPod touch 3rd generation and above, and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later.
Version: 1.0.4
Price: $4.99
iTunes link
I don’t use the built-in calendar apps on my MacBook or iDevices very much. I still love my paper calendar hanging in the kitchen. There was nothing compelling about the calendar apps that made me want to use them. Since I started using Fantastical I’ve had a change of heart.
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Guy and Gaz are finally back together to record a podcast after a few weeks and shake some of the rust off. Guy HATES the way he sounds and this caused a delay since his fix actually made it worse (surprise). Then the GMen talk (and disagree) on where Apple’s future is going and whether or not the Mac will still be there to see it.
Links:
LineIn by Rogue Amobea FREE!
iMovie by Apple kinda free
XtraFinder by Tran Ky Nam Software FREE!
Staff Bag
Company: Levenger
Price: $79.00
Macworld|iWorld Expo was fast approaching and I needed a bag for the six hour plane ride and to carry in San Francisco. I didn’t want a backpack because they tend to be too bulky, and I knew I would be constantly banging into displays and innocent people on the show floor. I wanted something I could wear across the front of my body, with easy access to my iPhone and mic.
When the Levenger Staff Bag arrived in the mail for me to review shortly before Macworld I realized I had a win-win situation. The Staff Bag was exactly what I was looking for, and Macworld|iWorld would be the perfect place to put the bag through its paces.
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Rhapsody
Music subscription service
Price: $9.95 per month
www.rhapsody.com
When Steve Jobs introduced the original iPod, he told us that people wanted to own their music, not rent it. Now that there is sufficient bandwidth to support streaming, subscription services such as Rhapsody have become compelling alternatives to downloading and storing music on your computer. If you spend around $10 per month on music, Rhapsody makes sense.
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Tim Robertson and David Cohen finally both return to discuss new family discoveries, the video game industry, and more.
beamr iPhone app
Developer: ICVT Ltd
Price: Free (iTunes App Store)
beamr
With beamr you can easily make what appears to be a virtual magazine by choosing photos from your iPhone’s Camera Roll. Click the Create button and you’ll have a link to share with friends by email or by posting on social media sites. Your photos appear full size and can be downloaded by your recipients.
PlugBug World Global MacBook Adapter and USB Charger
Company: Twelve South
Price: $44.99
USB chargers for your technology devices are ten a penny – many of us have plenty of them knocking around, as many devices come with one in the box. So how does Twelve South expect to deliver value (and drive sales) with yet another USB socket for the wall?
Snapheal App (v2.2)
New version: 2.2
Developer: MacPhun
Price: $29.99 (For a limited introductory period: $9.99)
Snapheal app
Snapheal does what Photoshop’s Content Aware Fill tool does and much more. With it, you can erase unwanted items and flaws from your photos. Snapheal creates a matching fill area by analyzing the surrounding pixels. The results can be stunning: Remove extraneous people from a landscape, erase facial flaws, remove flotsam from a beach scene, even clean up scratches and dust from scans.
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Macworld is over and Guy is finally home from all his weary travels. Gaz couldn’t make it due to family obligations so original host Tim Robertson now on TechFan jumps in to keep Guy from sounding weird…or is that even possible? Tim’s views on the future of the Macworld Expo, and just plain craziness fill out the rest of the show.
Vendor Links:
ArtStudio by Lucky Clan software $2.99
Redline by Jared Bailey FREE!
Rocksteady XS portable Bluetooth 3.0 speaker
Company: Killer Concepts
Price: $100 US
Killer Concepts’ Rocksteady XS has two side-firing speakers and one top speaker port that are heavy on the midrange and treble and are light on the bass. Bluetooth 3.0 wireless setup and transmission from iPhone or other portable player is instantaneous, the best we’ve experienced. Typical 20 to 30 foot broadcast range is achieved, depending upon walls and other obstructions between player and speaker.
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary,8th edition (app edition)
Price: $29.99 US
Company: Paragon Software Group
You want to learn or perfect your skills in English? The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition (app edition) is something that may help you at this task.
With the barrage of products Apple released at the end of 2012, we have to wonder what Tim Cook and company have in store for us for 2013. Let’s start with the most obvious.
iPhone
We are sure to see at least one new iPhone sometime in 2013, but based on Apple’s recent history, we have to wonder when. Will it come in the fall as in the last two years? Or will it happen sooner, like maybe June or July like the early iPhones? Will this be the year Apple finally diversifies the iPhone lineup and release two or three iPhone variants?
Here are my thoughts.
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Due to weather and sick kids, Tim and David record separate segments for this episode of TechFan
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So the Macworld Expo ends for another year. Guy couldn’t find Julie Kuehl to podcast with so he did a short solo show in the press room. While we wish the fun times could go on forever, we’re all too tired to go another day.
Vendor Links:
ScanSnap
1Password
iStopMotion for the iPad
EasyWeb – Search on FaceBook
CrashPlan
DollyDrive
Wiley Publishing
Comments. Be heard!