Apple and App News

iPhone-based iDrive With BMW Apps Demoed On Video  - Remote HMI is finally coming to life!
Apple Is Ready To Launch Cloud-Based Music Service
Ten One Design licensing Autograph signature capture to developers
iRig Recorder turns your iOS device into a professional mic - TNW Apps

I HEART THIS!!!

iCade Already Sold Out
ThinkGeek's April Fool's Day prank, an iPad gaming console known as the iCade, is now a reality, but fans might have to wait awhile: it's already backordered.
On April Fool's Day, ThinkGeek introduced an mini, old-school, arcade cabinet into which you could slide your iPad, combining the new and old. Stories about the iCade quickly spread all over the Internet, and after all that hype, ThinkGeek decided to make this product real.
ThinkGeek partnered with ION to bring the gaming console to life with retro arcade gaming on the Apple tablet. The desktop-sized console uses Bluetooth to connect the iPad to the gaming controls—a joystick and eight buttons—so you can just slip either the iPad or iPad 2 into the cabinet, "insert coin," and play.
ThinkGeek also worked with Atari, the first big name in arcade games, to bring a collection of classic arcade games with iCade support to market, including "Asteroid" and "Pong." The Atari Greatest Hits app, with over 100 classic arcade games, is also iCade compatible and is available in the App Store for $14.99. The API will be released later, allowing any iOS developer to create iCADE-compatible games.
The PCMag staff got a chance to see the real iCade at CES this year.
Priced at $100, the iCade quickly sold out after its release. ThinkGeek is now accepting preorders, slated to ship by May 27, but it can't ship outside the U.S. at this time.
To see what other pranks have come to fruition, check out 6 April Fool's Pranks So Brilliant They Became Real.

iPhone Home Screen on Permanent Zoom & I Can't Get It To Zoom Out

Last evening, I unlocked my iPhone only to find that the Home screen had zoomed in and I couldn't figure out how to correct this.  I found that I could navigate by touching the corners of the navigation bar, which would move me right to left and up and down.  I tried to capture screenshots and shut down a zillion times. I finally went on Google and found out that all I needed to do was Double Tap on the screen with 3 fingers.  Voila...screen was back to normal!

All the little things you can learn :)!  I thought I would post this in the case that anyone else experiences this issue!

On Sale Today - Some Free Apps for iPhone & iPad

To Download, click on the link:

Weathersnitch - Normally $.99
ZombieHunter - Normally $3.99
SyncSpace - Normally $1.99

Apple Related News

comScore always provides great information!

A Look at iPad Users: Apple Still Trouncing Android

Apple iOS Platform Outreaches Android by 59 Percent in U.S.

Apple iOS Platform Outreaches Android by 59 Percent in U.S. When Accounting for Mobile Phones, Tablets and Other Connected Media Devices

comScore Releases First Public Data on Apple iPad Users from MobiLens Service

RESTON, VA, April 19, 2011 – comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released the results of a U.S. study of Apple iPad owners, based on data from the comScore MobiLens service. The report includes comScore’s first publicly available data showing demographics and other characteristics of users of connected media devices, such as the iPad and iPod Touch. Initial research indicates that Apple’s iOS platform, which resides on iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches, has a combined platform reach of 37.9 million among all mobile phones, tablets and other such connected media devices, outreaching the Android platform by 59 percent.

“comScore is excited to announce the availability of connected device data as part of the comScore MobiLens service,” said Mark Donovan, comScore senior vice president of mobile. “This new data set enables us to not only understand the comprehensive ecosystem of mobile and connected media device users, but it also allows us insight into their detailed demographic and behavioral attributes.”

iPad and other connected media device data are also currently available in Europe. comScore will publicly release European data in the coming days.

Apple iOS Has Twice the Reach of Android

comScore’s analysis of the unduplicated audience reach of the Apple iOS platform across iPads, iPhones and iPod Touches revealed a combined iOS installed base of 37.9 million users. The installed base of iPhones slightly exceeded that of iPod Touches, both of which were approximately twice as high as the number of iPads. Interestingly, among the 37.9 million consumers with access to the Apple iOS, only 4 million (10.5 percent) accessed the platform via more than one device. The combined 37.9 million iOS users is 59 percent greater than the 23.8 million combined Android OS installed base, which includes users of both Android phones and connected media devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Apple iOS vs. Android OS Across Media Devices 3 Mo. Avg. Ending February 2011 Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers, Age 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	Total Installed Base (000)	Share (%) of Mobile Subscribers
Total Subscribers	234,000	100.0%
Apple iOS	37,868	16.2%
Android OS	23,763	10.2%

“These data clearly illustrate the Apple ecosystem extends far beyond the iPhone,” added Donovan. “Though it’s frequently assumed that the Apple user base is composed of dedicated Apple ‘fanboys’, there’s not a tremendous amount of overlapping mobile device access among these users. This of course has significant implications for the developer community as they consider the market potential in developing applications for different mobile platforms.”

Apple iPad Ownership Extends Beyond Just “Fanboys”

The research also suggests that iPad ownership extends well beyond Apple’s most fervent consumers. Although a perception may exist that iPad owners tend to be those with a very strong affinity for Apple products, an analysis of the mobile devices of iPad owners indicates that may not be the case. While Apple is indeed the most heavily represented OEM among iPad owners, its OEM share (27.3 percent) is only slightly higher than its share among all smartphone subscribers (25.2 percent). RIM accounts for the second highest percentage of iPad owners at 17.5 percent, but this number is well below its overall smartphone market share of 28.9 percent. Meanwhile, Samsung, LG and Nokia are all significantly overrepresented among iPad owners as compared to their respective shares of the smartphone market. In addition, 14.2 percent of iPad users had Android phones.

Mobile Phone OEM Breakdown for Apple iPad Owners 3 Mo. Avg. Ending February 2011 Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers, Age 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	% of Smartphone Users	% of iPad Users	Index of iPad to Smartphone Owners*
Total Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	100
Apple	25.2%	27.3%	108
RIM	28.9%	17.5%	61
Samsung	8.6%	14.3%	167
LG	3.6%	12.1%	340
Motorola	10.7%	9.0%	84
Nokia	2.3%	3.4%	149

Index = % of iPad Owners/% of Smartphone Owners x 100; 
Index of 100 indicates average representation

Apple iPad Ownership Skews to 25-34 Year Olds

The age profile of iPad users indicated the heaviest skew toward 25-34 year olds (27.0 percent) in relation to the total mobile audience (17.6 percent). iPads also exhibited significantly above average skews in the 18-24 year old and 35-44 year old segments. However, this demographic profile was similar to that of the overall smartphone user base, indicating that the advanced mobile capabilities rather than the device itself might be primary driver behind this age profile.

Age Demographic Profile for Apple iPad Owners 3 Mo. Avg. Ending February 2011 Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers, Age 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	% of Users
	Total Mobile	Smartphone	iPad
Total Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%
Age 13-17	7.1%	6.3%	7.6%
Age 18-24	12.5%	16.9%	15.2%
Age 25-34	17.6%	27.4%	27.0%
Age 35-44	16.8%	22.1%	20.3%
Age 45-54	17.8%	15.3%	16.4%
Age 55-64	14.1%	7.4%	7.3%
Age 65+	14.0%	4.6%	6.2%

About comScore
comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) is a global leader in measuring the digital world and preferred source of digital business analytics. For more information, please visit www.comscore.com/companyinfo.

FX Photo Studio App Review

Download FX Studio App Here

This App is FANTASTIC!!!  It is on sale today for $.99.  This is 60% off.  Even at a higher price, it would be worth it!!!  This is one of the best photography Apps I have found.  Couple this App with Instagram and it is a great combo!!

Pros

• Reasonably priced for the features available.
• Ability to Take a Photo or Import a Photo.
• So many different affects to choose from.  The App allows you to use more than one affect on a picture.  This exponentially increases the opportunities to really enhance an image.  
• The App allows you to share on social media.
• It adds a fun feature of giving an 'Amazing Fact' or two while your images are being uploaded.  Something that is just an added bonus to pass the time.  The first 'Amazing Fact' I read was that 'A baseball has exactly 108 stitches'.  
• The App is very intuitive and easy to use.  There are also helpful hints along the way.
• The UI colors and icons are brilliant in color and really pleasing on the eye.

Cons

• I haven't really found a flaw yet.  The only thing I would love to see is some type of integration into Instagram.  While it is easy to import photos from each and get the best of both worlds from the Apps, it would be awesome if you could include your photos on the Instagram feed.

Here are just a few of the pictures I created with the App:

Smurf's Village App Review

Nostalgia At Its Best!!

This App really brings back childhood!  The UI is spot on!!  The colors, movements and everything about it illustrates the original.  There are great interactions from the characters that just brought a smile to my face.  I am not much of a 'gamer', but I am trying to expand my variety of Apps.  I am quickly learning that the games not only provide a way to waste time ;)...but do provoke a lot of thought on the possibilities of the technology.  There are so many things around features, functionality and UI that gaming Apps can teach and be repurposed in Productivity and Utility Apps.

Pros

• Nostalgia, Nostalgia, Nostalgia!  If you grew up and looked forward to Saturday morning cartoons, which included the Smurfs...just download the App for that purpose.  Spot On.
• UI Design.  Colors are rich and vibrant but not too much to take it out of the time period.
• Makes you feel like a kid again.  The Potion Mixing game is fun.  
• If you have kids that use your iPhone, this would definitely be a fun game for them.
• It's Free (However, read on about the In App purchases)

Cons

• As you will read the reviews in iTunes, this App charges significantly for the purchase of additional Smurfberries.  In some reviews, the user was charged upwards of $200 because their child learned how to buy them.  While unfortunate, this can be avoided by changing the settings...or monitoring your kids activities while using Apps.  I will post instructions below.  With that said, in the description of the App in iTunes, it clearly states there are in App purchases and the App does give you a message.  
• The cost of Smurfberries is ridiculous.  For nothing but additional game time, there is no value.  I certainly won't purchase any.

Instructions for How to Change the Settings to Avoid In App Purchases

• Go to 'Settings'
• Go to 'General'
• Go to 'Restrictions'
• You will need to type in the Passcode for your phone twice
• Touch 'Enable Restrictions'
• Scroll down to 'In-App Purchases'
• Set to 'Off'

Latest News on iPhone & iPad

Apple: White iPhone 4 is Real (and Late)
Apple Predicted to Sell 45 Million iPads in 2011

Waterballoon Toss HD Lite

Pros

• Free

Cons

• This game is honestly lame!  
• The UI is lacking big time!
• All the screen does is pop up the guys and you tap them.
• I'm not sure why they offer the difference between a waterballoon or a snowball...you don't even see it hit the person.

Honestly...not worth the download.  This will immediately be deleted!

BabbleOn™ App Review

BabbleOn™is an App that allows you press a button and record a message.  Once you have recorded the message, you have the option to send that message up to Facebook.  You can Post the Message to your Facebook Wall, which saves as a status or you can send this as a message to your friends.

Pros

• The App is Free.  For a free App, it is worth it.  It is not an App that would be worth even 99 cents.
• It allows you to record up to a 2 minute message and post.
• The User Interface is fun...it is bubbly, or to spin the name, babbly

Cons

• There is a lag time for posting.  For a two minute message, it took over 3 minutes to appear on my Facebook wall.  I guess for a two minute recording, that isn't that bad...but in the world of wanting everything RIGHT now...that seems like an eternity.
• The post on FaceBook is a shortened URL with a button if you do not type text.  While you can type a title, it looks like just a random URL without explanation

Uses for the App...

All and all, not disappointed as it didn't cost anything and I didn't have many expectations, so it wasn't too bad.  However, I can see this going downhill quickly once I decide to use this as a fun drinking App!  There are many a nights where you just want to capture drunken debauchery or the things that are madly hysterical at the time (and only at that time), which then you wonder why others that weren't there can't appreciate.  And who am I kidding...I have lived in Boston for almost two years now and still swoon at the accent...and this App will allow the capturing of 'Pahk My Cah in Havahd Yahd' and sharing it with all of my Facebook friends ;)! 

As a day - to - day App, I doubt I will use it to replace my written status updates or messages to friends.  But I do see worth as an entertainment App that has the potential to mortify me the morning after when I realize the obnoxious and embarrassing moments that are recorded in time ;)!   

Some Apple Related News

http://isource.com/2011/04/12/apple-announces-final-cut-x/
http://isource.com/2011/04/12/report-claims-ipad-3-not-coming-in-2011/
http://isource.com/2011/04/12/microsoft-pushes-out-service-pack-1-for-office-for-mac-2011/

MoMoBoston Event @ The Liberty Hotel

Tonight I attended the Mobile Monday Boston Event at the Liberty Hotel. Props to finally navigating there...at with no thanks to my boyfriend TomTom! Turns out the Hot Jogger I stopped at a light to get directions proved to be, not only jaw dropping but spot on for directions! I digress and send a shout out to you, whoever you are!

Tonight's Event featured speakers from Cisco, Thompson Reuters, Pyxis Mobile, Apperian and Nuance. The event focus was on Enterprise Mobile Apps. A lot of innovation presented. It's amazing the definition of 'Big Brother' in what the future will hold. While I might date myself here, growing up, the movie, The Terminator, seemed like such a farce and only 'in the movies'...wow, if I would have only known the possibilities.

Tonight there were concepts demonstrated that will be able to use WiFi to track airport activity to being able to do facial recognition and give a profile. For example, if you normally work with a Senator and his aid is in a library, you could get her profile information based on facial recognition and different information available...that will load her picture and profile information so you can recognize her. While AMAZING...too much 'Stalker' technology for me. Which leads me to digress again...one of my new obsessions is foursquare. However, I limit foursquare to my friends only, as I do t want randoms knowing my frequent locations of debauchery. Within 20 minutes at the event, I received double digit friend requests...ummmmm, awkward and creepy.

Back to the topic at hand. There were some amazing concepts that resonated with me. One of the most impressive presented by Cisco. Scenario: You walk to someone's office and they aren't there. You want to let them know you stopped by and leave a message. As opposed to the 'caveman' Post It Note on their computer screen, you can now leave a digital message that will pop up on their phone (similar to a text) once they cross the doorway of their office. AMAZING! And very useful.
There were very impressive speakers tonight! Top of the list was Nuance (of course!) and Pyxis Mobile did well also.
Apperian speaker was entertaining.

All and All it was a great event. If it hits your city, well worth it. Really cultivates the mind and all the endless possibilities with technology and mobile...even in Enterprise!

Infiniti Roadside Assistance App Available in iTunes!!!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/infiniti/id429773609?mt=8

Infiniti’s collaboration with Cross Country Automotive Services (Cross Country) has materialized into a free roadside assistance application for the iPhone, now downloadable from the App Store, providing Infiniti car owners with expanded access to summon help for roadside support.According to its makers, the Infiniti roadside assistance app is primarily tasked with connecting Infiniti owners to a roadside assistance agent.

This person will immediately dispatch assistance to the vehicle's location, while the app continues to provide assistance, including an estimated time of arrival for the dispatched service, contact information for the service provider, and a reference number for the event.
“Should you run out of gas, have a flat tire or require a tow to the nearest Infiniti retailer, the Infiniti Roadside Assistance app will put you directly in touch with a roadside assistance agent who can quickly dispatch assistance to your exact location via GPS-enabled technology,” the people at Infinity explain.

“Infiniti’s Roadside Assistance app provides you, the Infiniti owner, with expanded access to summon help in an emergency,” reads the app’s official description.

Infiniti owners also get a priority emergency button for urgent situations within the app, and the whole set of services is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Infiniti said.

"Infiniti's commitment to provide a premium experience to its customers requires unparalleled service in all aspects of vehicle ownership," said Dave Ferrick, Cross Country senior vice president and general manager of Insurance Services and Automotive Markets.

"The Infiniti roadside app helps deliver on that promise, using the latest in technology to provide Infiniti owners with more information at a moment when they are often under stress."

Simply dubbed Infiniti, the application works exclusively with iPhones and requires a 3G capable model, whether it’s the original iPhone 3G launched in 2008, the 3GS model released in 2009, or the current-generation iPhone 4.

“Let Infiniti continue to inspire you at every turn– download the free Infiniti Roadside Assistance app today,” the makers conclude.

Download Infiniti for iOS (Free)

Toon Paint - Free For Today

ToonPAINT Free For Today - iPhone App that is normally $1.99.

Whenever I download an App, my first impression happens within seconds.  The first thing about an App is it's ease of use and the intuitiveness of the features and design.

For free, ToonPAINT is worth it.  For $1.99, I would have been disappointed.
For this App, it will turn a picture into Black and White.  You have the ability to paint the picture with very limited colors, but it certainly is not an easy task.  For $.99 you can buy the Automatic Color Feature or an additional $.99 to purchase an Alpha Brush that will pain the picture from the source.

You have the ability to upload the picture to Facebook, Twitter or Email the picture.  You can also save into your iPhone's Photo Gallery.

The App is not that intuitive.  The UI design is basic with little effort.

My recommendation is get the App while it is free.  If you have to pay for it, download Instagram for free! Better features for images and social networking behind it is much more advanced.

Current List of iPhone Apps I Love

I have an iPhone 4.  I will do more detailed reviews on Apps in the future.  In this post, I will be doing a high level overview.  I have a ton on my iPhone.  The ones I list below are the ones that I consider to be the ones I use religiously.

I have to give a plug for the iPhone Apps I have been a Product Manager for (always have to give a plug ;)!!)

• Mazda Assist, Volvo On Call, Infiniti Roadside and iRoute - All released by Cross Country Automotive Services/ATX Group, Inc
• Facebook - On it nonstop!  LOVE and LIVE Facebook
• Twitter - Enough said
• Dropbox - This is essential if you travel for business or need to access files
• Pandora - The best music App around
• foursquare - Have become a junkie!
• MealSnap - Relatively new but is very cool and seems to be pretty accurate so far
• Fast Food - Great for calorie counting while eating on the road
• Hilton - Great if you are a Hilton Honors member
• ESPN ScoreCenter - MUST HAVE to keep up on the latest games and schedules
• GrubHub - Very similar experience as online.  Great to have if you want to order food without talking to anyone ;)!
• Fandango - Great for Movies
• Color - Verdict is still out on this one, but think it could be good

Current List of iPad Apps I Love

I have an iPad 2.  I will do more detailed reviews on Apps in the future.  In this post, I will be doing a high level overview.


Media Apps

• Flipboard - Hands down THE MOST AMAZING APP available out there today.  This App has proven to be a game changer and one that has changed my information consumption in an unbelievable way.  This App alone would make an iPad worth it! My feeds:
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Tech
• The Economist
• Business
• Green
• All Things Digital
• ReadWriteWeb
• MacStories
• Harvard Business
• World Economic Forum
• Sports
• Eats 
• Foodily
• Friended - This has one of the best UI Designs I have seen for Facebook.  While there are some improvements that can be made, it provides a good customer experience.
• Twitter - Enough Said :).  Feel free to follow me @ckhendry1
• Foursquare - I have become a recent junkie to foursquare.  I use it mostly on my iPhone but it's nice to have if I don't have my iPhone with me (which never happens ;)!)
• CNN - Another news source that I use
• News360 - This App had a lot of potential and a pretty good UI.  However, I have found more and more that it is just Flipboard I am accessing information.

Business Apps

• Dropbox - Hands down, if you travel for business and want to get to the point of being able to only travel with your iPad or you only want to transport this home or use in meetings, this App is a must have!  This allows you to easily access your documents if you have Internet access.
• Quickoffice - While a bit on the pricey side, this App really is worth it.  It allows for a lot of editing of documents and easy access.
• Keynote - Great for PowerPoint presentations.  My MAJOR complaint is that this app does not allow you to work in Profile.  I use the docking station keyboard often but the App only allows Landscape mode which is extremely inconvenient.
• Evernote -  This is another decent app for PDFs.  If you don't have QuickOffice, this is a good substitute.
• CaptureNotes - This is great for recording notes in meetings!
• GoToMyPC - This App is excellent!  You can do a trial for 30 days to see if it is for you.  It is 9.95 a month after that.  This allows you to remotely access your computer.  This is awesome if you have VPN through work.  As long as you leave your computer on, you can access everything!

Entertainment

• MyNetDiary - This is an EXCELLENT App.  Allows me to track my daily calories and exercise.  Easy to use.
• Pandora - Enough said.
• Kindle - I still LOVE my Kindle.  However, there are some books and publications that are better on the iPad.  I do like the sync between devices so I can pick up where I left off no matter what device I am using.
• iBooks - There are some books that you can only get in this app, so it makes it worth it!
• PegLight - Light Bright of the 2000's!!!  This is a fun and nostalgic App!
• Angry Birds - Yes, I am one involved in the time wasting hype!  Love it!

Photography

• PhotoPad - AWESOME APP!!  Very easy, intuitive and lets me get pictures updated quickly.
• iMovie - Addicting, Amazing and one of my new favorite hobbies!  So easy to make a movie of memories!
• Instagram - Really cool way to socially share your pictures!
• PhotoStack - Fun App for pics

iPhone and iPad App Reviews

I am an Apple junkie!  This blog will be dedicated to sharing my thoughts on apps and doing reviews on apps that grab my attention...good or bad.  I am often asked by friends what my favorite apps are or what I am currently using.  I have spent the last couple of years as a Product Marketing Manager for mobile apps. It has been an amazing run and encompasses a lot of what I love to do in my personal and professional life.  Please feel free to comment and ask for suggestions!  If there is an app you love or you are releasing one and would like to have me review it on my blog, send me an email at: iphone.ipadappreviews@gmail.com