April 22, 2010
by Chris
Comments Off on List of essential social networking apps for the iPhone & iPad

List of essential social networking apps for the iPhone & iPad

Here’s my unofficial list of essential social networking apps for the iPhone & iPad:

Twitterific: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/twitterrific/id284540316?mt=8
Twitterific Premium: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/twitterrific-premium/id284542696?mt=8
Twitterific for Ipad: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/twitterrific-for-ipad/id359914600?mt=8
Tweetdeck (iPad app): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tweetdeck-for-ipad/id364153769?mt=8
AIM (iPad app): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aim-for-ipad/id364193698?mt=8
Facebook: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/facebook/id284882215?mt=8
LinkedIn: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/linkedin/id288429040?mt=8
Digg: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/digg/id362872995?mt=8
iReddit Free: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/digg/id362872995?mt=8
Tumblr: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tumblr/id305343404?mt=8
StumbleUpon (iPad app): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stumbleupon/id364194133?mt=8

Feel free to post any others that have been left out in the comments section.

April 21, 2010
by Chris
Comments Off on Case Review – Belkin Grip Vue for iPad

Case Review – Belkin Grip Vue for iPad

When I bought my iPad, I was looking for a good case that protected it and yet didn’t add a lot of bulk. The Apple branded case is alright, but it’s not what I wanted. Quite a few companies have iPad cases out now, but the Apple Store employee helping me recommended one particular case. The Belkin Grip Vue.

He was nice enough to take it out of the package for me so I could check out the cases design and feel. They make numerous colors however I picked up the clear version as it helps keep the original look of the iPad intact. The material feels more plastic-like than rubber or silicon, but is flexible. Yep, this case will work.

Here’s what the case looks like on the iPad:

Belkin Grip Vue - Front Belkin Grip Vue - Back

The “installation” of the case isn’t exactly easy as the case is somewhat stiff so getting the corners of the iPad to go in was a chore. The best method for installing it is to insert the top of the iPad in first and get the corners in, then the sides and finally the bottom corners. The bottom corners are really hard as you have almost no wiggle room. Once the case is on the iPad, it feels GREAT. It almost gives you a sense that there’s no case on it at all. The grip on it is what sold me. I liken the grip to being Spider-man clinging to a building. It’s really tacky. The material the case is made out of doesn’t scratch either, after a couple weeks of average use, the case looks as good as the day I bought it.

The front side of the case covers the edges and overlaps the bezel just enough for protection. It’s also very tight so I don’t think debris will get under the edges (too easily that is). The case material is thick enough to add protection to the iPad without creating excess weight or dimensions to device.

Another nice thing about the Grip Vue is that the iPad will fit into an Incase Neoprene Sleeve Plus for added protection when traveling.

Bottom line: the case is pricey at $50 however it offers great protection with minimal impact to the iPads size.

Cost: 3
Design: 5
Installation: 3
Protection: 4

Overall: 3.75/5

You can buy this case at the Apple store here.

April 20, 2010
by Chris
Comments Off on Does the wine glass make a difference?

Does the wine glass make a difference?

I’ve talked to many people about this and the answer is always interesting. Basically as with everything else in life, it depends on the person. I personally own traditional glasses as well as the stemless Riedels. When I’m sitting at my desk working and enjoying a glass, I prefer the Riedels because they’re less likely to tip over than a traditional glass. However the argument can be made that stemless glasses are bad because your hand grips the glass itself which in turn heats up the wine to an unsavory temperature.

In my opinion? go with what works for you. If you like the stemless, use it. If I know I’ll be holding a glass for a while, I’d prefer the stemmed for the reason mentioned above.

Here’s an article about this very subject.

If you want to make a BIG entrance to a part, show up with a box of wine and a stemless glass. You’ll be all the rage. 🙂

April 19, 2010
by Chris
Comments Off on Canon in the Parks photography contest coming May 17th

Canon in the Parks photography contest coming May 17th

It’s almost that time of the year. Time for the annual Canon Photography in the Parks contest. This contest is open to anyone young and old and offers some really AWESOME prizes. Typically, the grand prize winner wins a nice camera body, len(s), a printer and a trip for 2 to any national park in the United States.

The contest begins on May 17th and can be found here

Get out your cameras, get to your local national park and capture that winning shot!

April 18, 2010
by Chris
Comments Off on Apple Store visit

Apple Store visit

Had to pick up something from the Apple store today for the iPad. I currently use a 24″ iMac at home and was hesitant on going to the Apple store to avoid seeing the 27″ version. Well damn it if I didn’t see it today and just as I thought, I want one. This thing is amazing. A full 1080p video is tiny on this monitor. The native res is well beyond HD.

Must… fight… the… urge. Ok, I’ll wait till the next refresh on it. Maybe they’ll add Blu-ray to it. (lol yeah right)

April 18, 2010
by Chris
Comments Off on New iPad

New iPad

Well… I did it. I broke down and bought a 64gb wifi iPad. My plan was to hold out for the 3G version but I just couldn’t wait. This thing is great. If you’re contemplating on getting one, do it. It’s worth the money when you consider everything it can do (and well I might add).

I also got a Belkin cover for it which is clear.. so you don’t lose the visual of the iPad behind a black silicone case. Me being anal about my Apple wares, I also got an Incase neoprene sleeve to store it in.

March 30, 2010
by Chris
Comments Off on Pleurion Zenfolio Gallery and Sample Frames

Pleurion Zenfolio Gallery and Sample Frames

Please be sure to visit my galleries I host with Zenfolio.com. Below is a couple examples of some of the custom frames that can be ordered when purchasing prints. This is only a small sampling as you can select from a variety of about 20 frames, black or white matting and regular or non-glare glass. These are archival prints that will last a lifetime. I can attest to how nice they come out.

Gallery Frames

Click here to visit the gallery

March 30, 2010
by Chris
Comments Off on Canon 70-200mm shortages

Canon 70-200mm shortages

Damn it. Canon is reporting shortages on the very lens that I want. I also noticed the price of the regular 70-200mm F2.8 L IS lens went up $100. Oh well, the price needs to come down anyways. $2500 for a lens is too insane right now.

Dpreview posted the article