This week in iPad Episode 33

Cold Open
Today on This Week in iPad, we're taking a look at Rage from iD software, a free app Planet of the Apps and, Andrea shows off Google Docs for the iPad.

This week we're trying a different format, distilling our program down to 30 minutes.

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One of the reasons you're watching This Week in iPad is because of the support of Storm on Demand. For all your cloud computing needs, please visit them at StormOnDemand.com.

iPad Game of the Week!
This week, Andrea looks at Rage HD from iD, the makers of such classic titles as DOOM, and QUAKE. The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is fun, although you can't choose where the character is. That said, at $1.99 the game is well worth it.

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You have a lot of options when you want to buy or transfer your domain. Some of them are confusing, and try to trick you into making additional purchases of features you don't need. Hover wants to change all that. It's simple, neat, clean, and it's trying to make purchasing a domain EASIER. The prices are clearly labeled and don't change, and there are even helpful video tutorials on the front page to help you make decisions that are best for you. They don't have a "hold" system at Hover HQ. If you call them, the phone rings until someone picks it up and talks to you! Also, private registration is included in the price, they're the only registrar offering that. And you can create your own nameservers and A records. For a 10% discount, use promo code TWIIP. To check it out, and buy your first domain, go to http://twi.hover.com Also, thank them on twitter @hover.


News
Google Docs editing on Mobile devices.
You can now edit Google files on mobile devices. Here's a quick video to demonstrate how:



Turn your iPad into a TV
This week cnet reviewed a new docking station from Altec. The Octiv Stage effectively turns your iPad into a TV with it's surround sound. The list price is around $149.95

BlackBerry Playbook
Research in Motion, makers of the upcoming BlackBerry Playbook released a video this week demonstrating the tablet's web rendering capabilities.



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Use promo code TWI5 and get a 5% added bonus on the trade-in value of your items. The code applies to all products but media (Movies and Games) and may be used once per customer. The average customer makes more than $100 every time they Gazelle their gadgets. Nearly 100,000 people have used Gazelle to safely rid themselves of unwanted gadgets; and earn some cash while doing it. Also you can thank them on Twitter @gazelle_com.


Planet of the Apps

Aweditorium
First up, Andrea reviews Aweditorium a free app that allows users to discover new music.
Creationary
Next, Jacob reviews LEGO Creationary an app where you guess what's being built with the LEGO's. Jacob isn't thrilled with it.
Target for iPad
Andre's second app this week is Target For iPad. The app lets you create shopping lists, and browse the inventory at Target.
Paper Toss
Jacob's final app this week is Paper Toss HD the classic iPhone game gets the HD treatment for iPad. It's exactly what you think. Toss paper in a garbage can. That said, it's quite fun for a few minutes at a time, and it's free!
Twitter!
We're re-launching our twitter stream so please follow us @twiipad.

Thank you
Storm on Demand
Hover
Gazelle
Finally, there's no show next week because of the Thanksgiving holiday so we'll be back on December 2. See you then!

365 days

At 8:15 pm mountain standard time one year ago today, I left Colorado to return to Las Vegas. I'd like to recap the events thus far that have taken place since then. First, the temperature when I left Colorado was around 10°-15°F, so cold my transmission wouldn't shift correctly for nearly two full hours. I make the long(±16 hours) and I make it to fabulous Las Vegas. I make contact with my friend out here and I start my new job. It's calling people again but that's ok. I can't pick and choose at this point so I'll take what I can get. That night, I sleep like I haven't slept in a long while. Over the next few weeks, I get used to my new routine. I get up each day, I drive the 17 miles to work, I call people, I go "home." I repeat the same the next day. Thanksgiving and Christmas pass without much fanfare. Then comes the new year. 2010. Wow. The "oughts" are over. I begin with being forced rather abruptly to move. My friends neighbors had been keeping tabs on my comings and goings and they noticed that I seemed to stay the night a lot. And since I wasn't on the lease, that was a problem. But it was ok. My job had worked fairly well, so I had enough(barely) to move in to a 400ft^2 apartment. Where I still am. Then the drama started. Shortly after I moved, my friend decided he didn't like where he worked (we worked together) so he quit. And went to a new office selling grant writing services. After several weeks of persuasion, I went as well. And what a glorious mistake that was. It was contractor work so if I didn't make sales, I didn't make money. At all. I made a sale my second week and then never again. It didn't take long to realize this was unsustainable. So I left. And went back to my old job. Meanwhile, I'd completely drained my savings and defaulted on my credit card so I needed money bad. I went, hat in hand to my old job. And amazingly, they took me back. But my heart simply wasn't in it. So I went through the motions. And I didn't make many sales. Then it happened. I was placed on the bubble--meaning that if I didn't make a sale, I was done. And sure enough, no sales. On July 3, for the first time in 10 years I was fired. It was ok though. I'd find something. Not in sales, but something. I never wanted to make another sales call as long as I lived. Unfortunately I still had bills so I started receiving money from my parents each month. Not a lot, but my bills were more or less covered. All summer I looked. For anything that wasn't a sales job, but paid well enough to be worth my time. Nothing. Turns out, I'd been fired in the worst employment market in history in Nevada. I'd held out hope for one job above all others. A specialist at the Apple Store. I'd applied the week I was placed on the bubble and I'd been checking in fairly often since. On September 21, a full 3 months later, I received an email. I was invited to a "Hiring Seminar" held by Apple. And I NAILED it! I knew more about the products, I guided to more computer than the customer would need, and I went for the upsell. Every chance I got, I went for the upsell. Because I knew that's what they were looking for. Know the products and present them well, help the customer find a product that fits their needs, and maximize the profit opportunity from them. Less than 3 hours later, I got the follow up call. I'd been wanting this for a long time. And here it was. The nice young lady scheduled me to come in for a panel interview. I think I did well, but it was much harder to stand out this time. They asked me to fill out the paperwork for a background check and as soon as it came back, they'd contact me. Well, they contacted me. "We've decided to go with more 'qualified' candidates." This taught me a very important lesson. For whatever reason, I don't qualify for a job that requires a background check. (My dreams of a good paying job with Comcast were dashed at the same point.) So I needed a job that wouldn't require one. Like a sales job. So I went back. And here I am. Physically the only difference between me today, and when I left, is about 6" more hair, and about 10 pounds more. But I'm a completely different person. In January, I saw the iPad and my life was changed forever. When Phil Schiller demonstrated the iWork suite of apps on the iPad I had an epiphany. This was a completely new way to interact with computers. And I wanted to develop apps for the users of this new platform. I had no experience at all, but I didn't care. I want to develop software. For iOS. The only thing that has thus far prevented me is the same as always. I don't have money. But for the first time ever, I have a crystal clear vision of what I want to do. When I quit my old job, I had no idea what I was going to do. Something online but beyond that, I had no vision. I was using a sniper rifle with a coke bottle for a sight. Now I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm currently learning Python to tie together several open source programs to generate income 24/7. It's going to be amazing. And more importantly, it'll allow me to focus full time on my app ideas. It's going to be a fun few months. My friend received a text yesterday. The people who ran the old office want him to run a new floor. What an amazing year gone by. There have been a few ups, and a lot of crushing downs, but overall I'm better off now than when I arrived. And I'm still goin' up! :) $$ G'nite.

This week in iPad Episode 32

Cold Open
Today on This Week in iPad, we have Tim Angel from ZooGue, plus Andrea reviews "Smurfs' Village" and another iPad video of the week.

iPad Game of the Week!
This week's featured game is Smurfs' Village based on the classic cartoon. Despite having too many cut scenes the gamplay is good. Andrea likes it and it's free, so why not?


Ad

You have a lot of options when you want to buy or transfer your domain. Some of them are confusing, and try to trick you into making additional purchases of features you don't need. Hover wants to change all that. It's simple, neat, clean, and it's trying to make purchasing a domain EASIER. The prices are clearly labeled and don't change, and there are even helpful video tutorials on the front page to help you make decisions that are best for you. They don't have a "hold" system at Hover HQ. If you call them, the phone rings until someone picks it up and talks to you! Also, private registration is included in the price, they're the only registrar offering that. And you can create your own nameservers and A records. Also, they've extended their .me sale. Get a .me domain for only $5! For a 10% discount, use promo code TWIIP. To check it out, and buy your first domain, go to http://twi.hover.com
Also, thank them on twitter @hover.

News

Xbox Kinect and iPad top black Friday shopping lists
According to a survey by Black Friday, the iPad and the new Xbox Kinect will be the hot items to have this holiday season. Read the full story here

Slingbox Coming to iPad
Slingbox, a technology that allows users to watch TV anywhere is coming to iPad. According to macgasm the app will be released very soon.

Bang and Olufsen release luxury iPad speakers
Luxury audio company Bang & Olufsen have released the BeoSound8. A luxury speaker dock for the iPad. See more pictures here

iPad opens world to a disabled boy
The New York Times recently ran a story about how a boy born with a debilitating motor neuron disease is now able to use the iPad to communicate with the outside world.

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Use promo code TWI5 and get a 5% added bonus on the trade-in value of your items. The code applies to all products but media (Movies and Games) and may be used once per customer. The average customer makes more than $100 every time they Gazelle their gadgets. Nearly 100,000 people have used Gazelle to safely rid themselves of unwanted gadgets; and earn some cash while doing it. Also you can thank them on Twitter @gazelle_com.

iPad Video of the Week



This app showcases the new Washington Post app for the iPad.

Interview
Andrea and Jacob interview Tim Angel from ZooGue.

Planet of the Apps!

Thanksgiving Theme

Turkey Hunt
Andrea's first app this week is Turkey Hunt, an app where users can hunt turkeys that fly across the screen.

Celebrate the Holidays with Better Home and Gardens
Jacob reviews Celebrate. It's worth the price for the content, but could've been better.

BF Deals
Next, Andrea reviews BF deals an app that helps you find deals for Black Friday.

Cookie Doodle
Next, Jacob reviews Cookie Doodle and doesn't exactly like it. He thinks the developer wanted to use every option in the user interface API. This one's better left alone.

Thanksgiving Day
Finally, Andrea reviews Thanksgiving Day.

Winner: There really isn't a winner here. At least Turkey Hunt is fun though.

Thank you
Storm on Demand
Hover
Gazelle
See you next week!

This Week in iPad Episode 31

Cold Open
Today on This Week in iPad, we'll be talking about the latest iOS update 4.2, and we've got another game of the week review, and Andrea will show you how to call a taxi with your iPad. Stay tuned for all that and more on This Week in iPad.

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One of the reasons you're watching This Week in iPad is because of the support of Storm on Demand. For all your cloud computing needs, please visit them at StormOnDemand.com.

Game of the Week!
This week Andrea reviews Cut The Rope from the makers of Angry Birds. Andrea thinks the game is great, Jacob, not so much.


Ad

You have a lot of options when you want to buy or transfer your domain. Some of them are confusing, and try to trick you into making additional purchases of features you don't need. Hover wants to change all that. It's simple, neat, clean, and it's trying to make purchasing a domain EASIER. The prices are clearly labeled and don't change, and there are even helpful video tutorials on the front page to help you make decisions that are best for you. They don't have a "hold" system at Hover HQ. If you call them, the phone rings until someone picks it up and talks to you! Also, private registration is included in the price, they're the only registrar offering that. And you can create your own nameservers and A records. For a 10% discount, use promo code TWIIP. To check it out, and buy your first domain, go to http://twi.hover.com
Also, thank them on twitter @hover.

News

iOS 4.2 goes Gold
This week Apple released the Gold Master of iOS 4.2. This is the first time that the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad will all use the same firmware. Read more here.

Skyfire, we hardly knew ye
Skyfire, an app that converted flash content into HTML5 via remote servers was pulled 5 hours after it was launched. The company said the reason wasn't due to any malice on Apple's part, but because their servers couldn't handle the traffic from the massive number of users who purchased the app.

Zuckerberg: "iPad is not mobile"
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-creator and CEO of FaceBook said that the iPad is not a mobile device. Speaking during the Q&A of this week's FaceBook mobile event, Zuckerberg thinks the iPad is a computer.

Creative enters the tablet market
Creative technologies announced their entry into the tablet market with the 7 and 20 inch ZiiO tablets. Both will run Android 2.1, feature a front facing camera, wifi and HDMI ports. For the moment, the tablet doesn't feature the Android market, though users can download apps through the companies app store.

Epic Games announces Infinity Blade
Epic Games, makers of the "Gears of War" franchise announced the game first demoed at the apple iOS event.

Ad

Use promo code TWI5 and get a 5% added bonus on the trade-in value of your items. The code applies to all products but media (Movies and Games) and may be used once per customer. The average customer makes more than $100 every time they Gazelle their gadgets. Nearly 100,000 people have used Gazelle to safely rid themselves of unwanted gadgets; and earn some cash while doing it. Also you can thank them on Twitter @gazelle_com.

iPad Video of the Week!
What if you could use your iPad to hail an automated taxi? Welcome to the future.



Planet of the Apps

Cooking apps

Epicurious
First up this week, Andrea reviews Epicurious. [FULL DISCLOSURE] Jacob has reviewed this app before, but only focused on the cocktail's available.[/FULL DISCLOSURE] Andrea likes it.

Martha Stewart
Jacob's first app is Martha Stewart Makes Cookies The app lauches with the worlds worst loadscreen but redeems itself by the recipes it features. If you like cookies well enough to but this app you'll like it. Otherwise, there's always Google.

Big Fork Little Fork
Andrea's next app is Big Fork Little Fork. This app comes from Kraft foods. It helps parents choose what foods are good, and what foods aren't.

Grocery iQ
Jacob's next app is Grocery iQ, a grocery list on steroids. Jacob thinks it might have a touch of feature creep, but that may be the Scotch talking.

Thank you:
StormOnDemand
Hover
And Gazelle

See you next Thursday!