Brian Minor » iPad

QR Codes – Do people really use them?

Brian Minor — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:03:26 +0000

Recently I was asked to give a quote for adding a QR code reader to an app. I’ve seen them around here and there, but I haven’t messed with them myself, personally I don’t see what the hype is about. However, I went ahead and did some digging and quickly found there was an open source framework available called ZXing

I downloaded the source code and tested it out. It works pretty well, definitely needs some fine tuning and polish, but it is a good place to start if your interested in QR Code reader apps. The AppStore is already full of them and even some good free one, so don’t expect to make any money on one, but if you interested in learning how to develop for the iOS family an app like this could be a decent place to start once you do a few of the simple “Hello World” and what not apps.

Also if your interested in making your own QR Codes I saw an article last week titled “HOW TO: Make Your QR Codes More Beautiful“. If you ask me you have to make these things stick out if you’re really wanting people to use them.

Replacing Time Warner Cable with Hulu and Netflix

Brian Minor — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:51:58 +0000

So over the past couple years I have been paying around 110-125 a month for my cable services (TV and Internet). But today that has all changed. I called them up and was looking at dropping just the digital and DVR feature to try and see how much that would save me and that was a whopping 5 dollars even though my bill shows me paying 10 for the hardware rental alone…. Gotta love their bundling rip offs to get you to pay more.

So… that info didn’t make me happy to hear, so instead I decided to down grade both my TV and Internet.I changed back to the standard RoadRunner and Basic TV (total of 24 channels woot woot).

This new package has brought my bill down to 50 dollars a month saving me 75 bucks a month! 75 bucks a month!!! So with that 75 extra in my cash each month I am going to be adding Hulu Plus to my month bill it’s only 7.99/mo and that with my already Netflix access I’m almost good to go.

I already have the Apple TV (2nd gen), which gives me a great Netflix experience along with access to my already decent size media library and worst case iTunes Rental access. Now, I just have to find the best method to access Hulu Plus. My first thoughts are a Roku box, but I am also very tempted to get a PS3 so I’d have a blue-ray player too, but after a few months of the $75 dollars savings. I will be able to justify either of these options and until then I have my laptop with a display port to HDMI output for the TV.

So today I say goodbye to my crazily overpriced TWC bill and it feels really really good.

My life without an iPhone: 1 week down

Brian Minor — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:51:44 +0000

One week down and one to go!

For the last 2.5 years I have had my iPhone by my side, that is until this last week. I was lucky enough to have Apple replace my iPhone 3Gs so I decided to sell it on eBay so I could get the most $$ out of it. In doing so meant that I am iPhoneless until the new one comes out on June 24th. And if you don’t know me not having my iPhone with me is a big deal.

So here is a few things I have noticed so far:

I leave my phone everywhere and anywhere and forget where it is. I never really had this problem with the iPhone cause I always had it one me.
I hate sending text messages. The are just annoying now and my hand cramps up from it in no time.
It took me what seemed like forever to get used the my currently replacement phone, the Blackberry Pearl (Thanks Jon & Michelle for letting me borrow it)
I never use my phone for more then just Calls and Testing
I am using the iPad even more, but it is still not good enough as a replacement for the iPhone
I really miss having an iPhone when I see someone else with one.
I have little to no clue what’s going on at work when I am not in the office. (kinda like this one)

So, I have one more week to go and now I have a website I can check every day to know that my new iPhone will be coming, even though I am pretty positive that the details on the website wont change till next Tuesday or even Wednesday, I still can’t help, but check it a couple times a day, just incase.

iPad: Why the slow Movie downloads?

Brian Minor — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:00:04 +0000

Download movies via the iPhone was always a long and annoying wait. Well, it looks as if the iPad isn’t any different. Even though the image says 193mins it really probably took a little over 2 hours total, where my desktop on the same network could have done it in less than one.

I am not really sure why it take the iPhone and iPad so long to download movies via the iTunes store, but I must say it is kinda annoying and I would definitely recommend downloading via a computer and syncing the files if you have the option.

If anyone has any knowledge to why this is I would love to know.

AT&T says No More Unlimited Data For You!

Brian Minor — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:00:04 +0000

After starting out strong with a $30 dollar truly unlimited data plan for the iPad, AT&T has to go a ruin it by only offering 2GB plans for 25 dollars from now on. I don’t know about you, but I can pretty easily use 1.5GBs on my iPhone a month, So I am sure I would kill this plan with a 3G iPad.

I know the average user isn’t me so maybe it is not that big of a deal, but this device could really become a desktop(laptop) replacement for some of the everyday computer users.

Guess only time will tell on what will happen next hopefully it is a sign to come hat Apple will finally drop the AT&T exclusivity and open up to more carriers, even if it is just T-Mobile to start with.

Apple Vs Flash now in T-Shirt Form

Brian Minor — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:20:40 +0000

If you haven’t seen it yet woot.com has a pretty cool Apple VS. Flash shirt for sale for only 10 dollars, But sadly as I am writing this it is now sold out. But even though you can have it on a T-Shirt now, doesn’t mean that you cant have it. When I saw this I couldn’t help, but laugh and want one at the same time, but sadly I am not much of a T-shirt guy, so instead I decided to create it for something that I always have one me and of course is one of the reasons why this image was created.

So I hope you enjoy the wallpaper and I am sure it will work decently well on an iphone screen as well with little to no modification.

Blogging from the iPad

Brian Minor — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:08:39 +0000

This is my first official post from my iPad via the WordPress app. It nicer then the iPhone version, but could still use some work. It may make me post more, but in the long run I truly doubt it will. Sorry I let the blog basically die, I have been keeping very busy with working on iPhone apps.