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The YouTube *Broadcast My Life* Phenom

March 22, 2010 in Culture, Fad, Technology, YouTube with 0 Comments

I don’t get it.. it seems like every day a new person/family has decided that they are going to put their families life on YouTube… I love YouTube.. I use it to check stuff out, get reviews, watch trailers, all that fun stuff.. but it seems more and more people are creating daily vlogs of their life.. it shows their family and all the stuff they go through in the run of a day.

Personally I am subscribed to only 1 YouTube users site.. and thats sxephil (please note, its usually NSFW due to language) I subscribe to Phil’s videos because I find them hilarious.. its always a funny way of hearing the interesting news that happened in a day.. I’m not really a news guy, I don’t like to sit down and watch the 10 o’clock news, because I find it very bland, so I watch things like sxephil, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and The Colbert Report.. (obviously sxephil is NOT on the same level as the other 2, but its still one I watch).

Today I was hunting around on YouTube and I stumbled onto a feed called The Shaytards.. which is a family who just broadcast their lives daily.. also a friend of mine has recently started doing a daily family vlog as well.

The thing that confuses me is.. why? I’m sorry, but I just don’t care about your trip to Best Buy, or WalMart, or who you had over last night for dinner.. unless it was like James Bond.. why is it that people think we care? BUT ALSO why is it that there are people who do care so much about an “uncensored” look at someones life that you will spend hours filming, and then even more hours editing a video… For example.. the most recent ShayTards video has nearly 700,000 views.. and its so lame..

Can someone explain this to me? Are YouTube daily vlogs the new Reality TV show? I know that many people ask this same question even of a blog.. but the fact is a blog doesn’t take NEARLY the amount of time a daily vlog takes.. this post for example has taken me 5 minutes to write, and you maybe 2-3 minutes to read.. but a “good” vlog takes HOURS.. are people really making that much money with youtube partnerships and google adsense that they are basically spending a typical working day on a vlog? Am I missing something here? I just know that my life is far to unexciting for me to waste that kind of time.. and the reality is, no one would watch it.. heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if no one was reading this..

Toktumi Update

March 22, 2010 in Technology with 3 Comments

I want to give a little update on Toktumi.. I previously wrote about how I will be testing it.. I’ve been using it now for 2 weeks, and while it seems like a cool thing, it’s not going to become the new phone system for our offices. Here are my reasons…

1. It uses plan MINUTES not data.. yes, for me on my iPhone, it uses data instead of minutes, but for our other staff who don’t have iPhones, it uses their minutes, AND if they got iPhones, we have have to add new lines in order for it to use their data, because it can only be forwarded to 1 softphone/account.. so we would need a 1800 number for each staff, and could then use the softphone forward if we link the accounts.. this would then put us more like $100/month for phone service.

2. It really sucks when using data. I’ve been using the Line 2 application that Toktumi released for iPhone users, which allows you to use the service over data (3g or E) or Wifi.. even on a fast wifi connection there was a big delay, and often times calls would become really frustrating.. Over 3g it was even worse, so I can’t imagine how bad it would be over Edge..

3. No push.. this means that the ONLY way I can receive a call through data is if the application is OPENED on my iPhone.. as soon as I hit the Home button, I’m signed out, and cannot receive calls, so they go directly to voice mail. I’ve talked to the developers about this, and they have informed me that they are in no rush to add push, which I would think would be a very important feature to other iPhone users.

Those are my main reasons for deciding against the service.. they are pretty important features for me, so maybe if they change, I will go back to suggesting it for our office. It is a cool service, I will admit, but its still new, and is missing some key things for me.

Now its on to testing the MagicJack… report to follow

Toktumi Baby!

March 5, 2010 in Technology with 0 Comments

Just a short post to advertise for a really neat new product that I’m testing right now. It’s called Toktumi (Talk To Me) and it is a phone line option for home or business (mostly small businesses).. You pay $14.95/month and are given a toll free number, and you can set up different extensions, as well in the fee you get unlimited US/CAN calling and super cheap international rates. There are other features as well, but I am testing it for the phone extensions.

Allow me to explain a little better what we are doing. We now have a toll free number (18778061991) and when you call that number, you are directed to an automated service which then has a prerecorded message which states “Thank you for calling Quinte Youth Unlimited.. etc… Press 1 for reception, 2 for Colin, 3 for Chris.. ETC.. the neat thing about this is, I’m not actually in the office, so when you “press 3 for chris” it actually is then forwarded to my cellphone, where I can answer the call through the Toktumi iPhone app (called Line 2) which can be used over Edge/3G/Wifi and doesn’t use up my Rogers plan minutes. It’s not just for iPhone users, we can also forward it to a old school cellphone, and even a landline phone. In regards to the prerecorded message, there are 2 ways you can do it, you can record a message using your phone, just like you would record a regular voicemail greeting, OR you can use an MP3, so my plan is to go into my studio and record a high quality voicemail greeting and then upload that to my toktumi account.

The major bonus of this product for me, and for our staff is that it adds a second phone line to your cellphone.  For our staff, our cellphones are our personal phones, that we pay for, and we just give the number out to our students, parents, etc.. with Toktumi we now have a second line, and instead of giving out my personal cellphone number, I can give out our toll free number and then I can be called using that number.

Anyway, I have set up for a 30 day trial and in all honesty, I’ve had it for 4 hours, and I’m amazed at it, so I’m really excited about the next 30 days. Right now I don’t have it set up for our office (yet) I just have it set up as a personal thing (press 1 for chris, 2 for Jennifer.. my wife, or 3 for our home line) but once I show it to my boss, I’m sure we will set it up for the office.

The thing that I am mostly excited to give it a test with is when I go to New Orleans.  Every year I return from New Orleans with a very high cellphone bill because the leadership needs to call me during the day, so now I can give them my toll free number, and not get charged for using my cellphone minutes while I’m in USA.

At the end of my 30 day trial, I will post a more detailed review of the service to let you all know my thoughts, where it can improve and where it is really strong. This could be a great product for you if you are in a small business, small church or have a home business.

If you are interested in testing it out for yourself, check it out at http://www.toktumi.com/ you will need a valid credit card to set up the trial.

The Search for the Worlds Best iPhone Case

November 19, 2009 in iPhone, Mac, Review, Technology with 2 Comments

I, like many other iPhone users, have been on a journey.  It’s a journey that has gone on since the first day I bought my iPhone.  It’s a journey that has cost me money, wasted money.  Its a journey that has frustrated me to no end, but its also a journey that I will not quit, until I have found what I’m looking for. Of course, that journey I am talking about, is, the search for the worlds best iPhone case.

I’m not entirely sure how many iPhone cases I have, some ended up in the garbage, some, I just cannot find, but, I want to share first off, what I am looking for in an iPhone case.

1. Slim.  I know I’m not the only one with this as a requirement. The iPhone is already big enough as it is, I don’t want to add much more bulk to it, because, I want to be able to put the thing in my pocket, and it not look like I’m happy to see you.

2. Durable. Whats the point of covering your beautiful phone, if its not going to be protected? I want something that is actually going to save my phone, in the event that it takes a spill, or my son gets a hold of it, and throws it across the room (yes.. its happened)

3. Style.  It’s got to look good.  I don’t want any fruity designs, or other company logos all over it. I just want something nice, clean and simple.. much like the iPhone itself. NOTE: I’m ok with other company logos, just as long as they aren’t BIG like some people have done.

So, what iPhone cases have I had?

1. Griffin iClear.  This was a decent case, it kept the phone well protected, AND it was stylish. Well the truth is, it was just clear, but it wasn’t ugly, no big logos, clean!  However, it added a lot of bulk to the phone, which I didn’t like at all. That was $30 wasted.

2. Belkin Silicone Sleeve.  This case fell under my “whats the point” category. I bought it on impulse, it looked sharpe, so, I got it, but, in the end, it wasn’t really a protective case, it merely was a “pretty case” it didn’t really offer any protection for the phone.. other than the back.. you know, the part that doesn’t matter if it gets scratched. So, it was another $30 wasted

3. I can’t remember the name or company of #3, thats how much it was a waste.  I bought it at wireless wave, and it was a neat little case. It had a plastic shell for the phone, which gave it lots of protection, and it came with a little belt clip.  For whatever reason, that day, I thought I wanted to look like an idiot, and wear my phone on my belt, so, I spent $30 and got it. Turns out, I didn’t want to look like a moron, with my phone on my belt, so, I ditched it.  The other negative thing was, it added to much bulk to the phone.

4. The Mophie Juice Pack air. Now, its a little unfair to add this one to the pile, becuase, I don’t actually consider it a case.  The Juice Pack air is a back up battery, that fits your iPhone like a case.  I do keep my juice pack air in my bag all the time, in the event that my phone dies, but, I do NOT use this as a case, for a couple reasons. First off, its huge, its adds a LOT of bulk to your phone (it has to be big, it has a battery in it) second, its UGLY, and it has ugly big logos on it. This is a great product, but NOT a good case.

5. Rocket Fish Generic iPhone Case. This is just a generic, hardshell iPhone case, that is sold at Best Buy.. and I think maybe Future Shop also. Theres nothing fancy about it, but, it does protect the phone. The reason I’m not a huge fan of it, is the bulk. It adds a little to much for my liking. It only cost me $10, so, I’m glad I didn’t waste to much money on that one.

6. Case-Mate Barely There. I was walking through the mall, approaching all the cellphone kiosks saying “I’m on the hunt for the best iPhone case in the world” then, I walked by the Fido booth, and 2 words caught my eye, “barely there” it sounded as though it was what I was looking for. So I had the guy pull it out, and I put it on my phone.. wow, its so thin, yet, very strong. This is the current case I’m using. However, it does  have its problems. The main one for me is, it falls under my “whats the point” category.  It just protects the back of the phone, and truth be told, I don’t care if the back gets a few scratches. The Barely There gives NO protection to the front of the iPhone (other than the screen protector.. BUT, I hate screen protectors, because, they never go on right, and they always bubble.) however, the “sharp” factor is big time with this “case” they are really good looking.. not covered in logos, AND theres even a hole in it, so you can still see my little apple logo… lets  be honest, iPhone users are snobs, and they don’t want that logo covered.. they want the world around them to know “I paid a crap load of money for this phone” and they do that by displaying that beautiful apple logo.

I haven’t done a lot of research on case-mate, but, I’m going to soon, and see if they make a case that protects the WHOLE phone.. if they do, and it is as thin as the Barely There, I will order one right away.

If someone made a case like the Otter Box (which is a TANK for your iPhone) BUT as thin as the Barely There, I think they would have the worlds greatest iPhone case.  I was looking at an otter box case today, that retailed for 89.99.. it was insane.. the whole phone was protected, AND it wasnt just a cheesy film screen protector, BUT the thing was HUGE and added a LOT of bulk, so, that, plus the price, led me out the door.

I also have a Marware Sports Shell, which is an arm band style iPhone case.  I use this when I’m working out or running.  Its not pretty at all, in fact, its down right ugly. But, I don’t need to look pretty when I work out, I’m big enough that people wouldn’t say anything about my ugly iPhone arm band!

If you have a suggestion for the GREATEST iPHONE CASE IN THE WORLD, please let me know, as, I am looking for that PERFECT case, its possible that one that meets my criteria, is not out there, but, I know I’m not the only one who wants a case that looks good, protects, and is thin, so, surely someone has one!  If you are a iPhone case company, and you want to send me a case, to review and write about, drop me an email (contact in the side bar) and we’ll work something out.

Best Camera… My First Thoughts

September 24, 2009 in iPhone, Photography, Technology with 2 Comments

If you’re into iPhone Photography at all, then you likely heard about the release of a new iPhone app called “Best Camera”

Best Camera was created by world renown advertising photographer “Chase Jarvis” whose goal was to create an iPhone app that allowed you to take your photo, do some great edits, and upload it to multiple services, without having to bounce between 4 or 5 different apps.  I think he did a great job with this app.  It has some of the more popular filters (that you can stack) but also allows you to upload them directly to facebook/twitter/thebestcamera.com all in the same app.

Now, while I think most of the functions of this app are great, there are a few things I would change, if it were my app.

First thing I would do, is add a few more filters… there are some great filters in the app, BUT, it’s missing some of the great ones out there that apps like CameraBag use.  Filters aside, my biggest qualm is with the service uploading.  Over the past year and a half of using Twitter, I have built up a large photo library on TwitPic, but, when you post photos to twitter from Best Camera, the photos don’t go to TwitPic, they go to thebestcamera.com which then means, if people want to see the photo, they go to that site, instead of TwitPic, which means all my twitpic photos are now out of the picture.  Much like the twitpic delima, I don’t like how they upload to facebook.  Just like I’ve built a library of photos to twitpic, I’ve also built a large library of photos to my “Mobile Photos” album on facebook.  When Best Camera uploads your photos to facebook, it makes its own folder called “Best Cam Photos” the other thing about the facebook upload that I really don’t like, is, it puts a little ad for Chase Jarvis.. yes, he created the app, and thats great, BUT, the app costs money, thus, it should not have advertising along with it.. if it was free, I would totally understand.. but, its not free.

One upload feature that isn’t included that I would have liked, is the ability to upload directly to Mobile Me galleries.  I use my mobile me galleries a lot for my iPhone Photos, and, I think a lot of iPhone users have Mobile Me.. maybe I’m wrong..

Anyways, those are my initial thoughts on the app.. all in all, I think it’s a great one, there are just a few things I would do differently, if I knew how to create apps!

Twitter and Me.. Whats the Point?

August 8, 2009 in Culture, iPhone, Technology, Twitter with 3 Comments

twitter_follow_me_xWorking in Christian ministry, I hear the following question on almost a daily basis, from students, parents of students, and other people in ministry; “what the heck is twitter, and why do you use it so much?” In fact, theres been a few times when our pastor has even made jokes, from the pulpit about twitter, while looking at me smiling, because he knows I use it, and he thinks everything tech is pointless.. its great!

In the past few months, twitter has really made a growth spurt, news channels are using it, talk show hosts, bands, marketing companies, cities use it to advertise jobs and tourist information.. however, I didn’t start using it when Oprah announced she was using it, nor did I use it so I could get the latest scoop on John Mayer.. infact, its only until recently that I actually started following a couple celebs on twitter..

I started using twitter before it really became popular.. I thought it was a neat way to meet some people who do the same thing I do.. because I was able to search for tweets based on certain words.. so I would search for words like Youth for Christ, Worship and things of that nature, and still to this day, I’m one of 2 people in my town who use twitter, but the only one who uses it on a regular basis.. the other person is a student, who posts a few times a month..

So why do I use Twitter.. the simple answer is, I use it to meet people.  One of the first people I followed on twitter was @chrisfromcanada he’s a worship leader here in Ontario, and he and I have chatted quite a bit since then, talking about worship and things of that nature… I use twitter to “meet” people who are interested in similar things to me.. Continue Reading…

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