Adam Curry's Big App Show

The Big App ShowAdam Curry, former MTV VJ, who many consider the inventor of podcasting, has released an iPhone app for showcasing...iPhone apps. The Big App Show is an application that streams iPhone app demos hosted by Curry himself.  I've discovered some neat stuff by watching his well-produced demonstrations.  The iTunes App Store's biggest shortcoming is the absence of any means of "try before you buy".  The screenshots and user reviews provide little information about apps in the store, so I tend to rely on third party reviews, word of mouth and the good ol' "what the hell, it's only two bucks" methods of choosing iPhone apps.  In a world of hundreds of thousands of apps to choose from, I'm sure those methods leave a great deal to be desired.  I'm not recommending you hitch your only app wagon to the Big App Show, but it is a great way to discover some cool stuff.  If Adam showcases something you like, the Big App Show provides a button at the end of each demo that takes you right to the app in the iTunes store.  It couldn't be easier.

The story here is the creative aspect of this project.  Mr. Curry delivers valuable content in a succinct, friendly and entertaining manner.  I don't know of any better way to discover iPhone apps (certainly no easier way).  I regularly listen to Adam and Mr. John C. Dvorak on their No Agenda podcast and wish App Store were deserving of the same "Explicit" tag.  Now that would be funny.

Is the Big App Show a "one stop shop" for all your iPhone application needs?  Don't be silly.  It is a very relaxing way to "push PLAY" and discover some really good ones, though.  Many of the apps showcased so far have been free.  I didn't count, but I'm guessing around 20%.  Call me lazy, but endlessly perusing the iTunes app store isn't something I need to do more of.  Let Adam do the work.

MacTexan Podcast #5 is Up!

Podcast #5 "Woz is 60!" is up.  We wish Woz a happy birthday, review this weeks news and discuss extensions in Safari 5.  You can get it here.  You can also download it, or better yet, subscribe to our feed in iTunes (link opens iTunes).  You can also search the iTunes store for "mactexan".

MacTexan Freebie of the Week: DEFCON Screensaver

DEFCON Screensaver FreebieEvery now and then I stumble onto something cool and feel compelled to share it with MacTexans (both actual and honorary) everywhere.  I'm a big fan of Ambrosia Software, more particularly Wiretap Anywhere.  It's an app that allows you to "wire up" a virtual sound device from the sound output of any program or combination of programs on your Mac.  This virtual sound device can then be used as an input to Logic, Final Cut, Garage Band or any other sound recording application.

While perusing Ambrosia's website the other day I ran across a whole page of freebie software they give away out of the goodness of their hearts.  I downloaded DEFCON, a screensaver that displays a slowly rotating wire-framed globe that looks like the one from the "War Games" movie.  It's now active on all my Macs.

If you want to get your "Joshua" on, give it a try here.

Check out some of the other Ambrosia titles while you're there.  Everything they build is top-shelf in both look and quality!

The MacTexan Podcast #4 is UP!

Podcast #4 "Our Favorite Apps" is up.  We discuss the iOS4 jailbreak and several Mac apps we just can't live without.  You can get it here.  You can also download it, or better yet, subscribe to our feed in iTunes (link opens iTunes).  You can also search the iTunes store for "mactexan".

AT&T Finally Does Something Right

A few days ago I received a letter from AT&T Wireless.  It looked like just another piece of junk mail.  I knew it wasn't a bill because I've used paperless billing for over a year, so it sat on the kitchen counter with the rest of the bulk mail.  Yesterday, I decided the pile had gotten big enough so I started going through it.  I went through my usual routine of open; confirm junk status then circular file.  When I opened the one from my beloved wireless provider I was pleased to learn they'd chosen me for a free MicroCell because of my status as a real sucker...ahem...“preferred customer”.  Months ago I tried to buy one of these devices to boost my terrible cell signal inside my home.  At that time, AT&T didn't offer the service in my area so I checked the obligatory “inform me when MicroCell service is available” checkbox, expecting to never hear from them (after two years, I'm still waiting on FIOS also).  I don't know if that checkbox had anything to do with them selecting me, but I really couldn't care less.  It probably has more to do with me forking over more than $200 every month for my family plan.  AT&T probably wants to keep us idiots “loyal customers” happy.

This morning I took the letter to my local AT&T Wireless store and five minutes later, walked out with my FREE MicroCell.  The dizzy bimbo courteous sales associate at the store couldn't tell me why I was selected but did say the devices were selling like nickel beer at $150 a throw and I was getting the last one they had in stock.  My luck is rarely that good.

Back at the ranch, setting up the oddly shaped device was a snap.  AT&T provides a friendly web site for registering the MicroCell's serial number and in a couple of minutes I was ready to plug in and hook up.  On the site, I logged in with my wireless credentials and it automatically listed the three wireless numbers in my family plan that would be allowed to connect to my MicroCell.  I added the numbers of my daughter and a couple of friends not on my plan and AT&T didn't seem to object.  The only stipulation I could find: only AT&T wireless customers allowed.  Makes sense.

Hooking up was a snap.  I plugged one end of the provided Cat5 patch cable into the MicroCell's ethernet port and the other into my office switch, hooked up the power and lights started blinking just like the “Getting Started” manual said they would.  The manual also said the device could take as much as 90 minutes to configure itself, but after about 10, I was up and running.  Now I have five bars of signal strength all throughout my three-story home and the signal is still good (3 or 4) at my next-door neighbors'.  I've only been up and running for a few hours, but the call quality is excellent and none have dropped so far.

My cable company provides a fairly good broadband connection, (6 Mb down, 700 Kb up) and my house is wired with Cat5e with two wireless access points.  I turned off wi-fi on my iPhone 4 and ran a few speed tests through the MicroCell.  Several test results with three different iPhone apps yielded a consistent 1.5 – 2 Mb down, but the upstream was a pathetic 50-70 Kb.  Latency was also a bit high at around 200 – 300 ms., but with my good wi-fi coverage, data through the MicroCell is a bit redundant.  I was just curious.

What I wanted from AT&T was a good cell signal for making calls and sending text messages.   As far as I can tell, the MicroCell delivers.