Toy Camera app

So the camera on the iPhone is pretty good, but is not the best. You can tell it is a cell phone camera and the photos can often look a little dead. So I bought app for the iPhone called "Toy Camera" by Japanese developer Takayuki Fukatsu for fun. All it does, which I usually can't stand, is apply some photo filters to the picture you just took to make it look like it was taken on a cheap toy camera of various types and with various films. The thing is, it seems to really make the photos better! There are a few reasons for this I think, primarily because that it adds a film grain which hides some of the typical (and ugly) digital blur caused by tinny cellphone lenses and sensors. I like the more subtle color modifications, like low saturation, which act to warm up the often flat default shots. But the more extreme ones like high contrast black and white are fun too.

All this made me wonder though, in 40 years will there be a "cell phone" filter to make your crisp photos look like they were taken on an early iPhone? Ah nostalgia...

iPhone 3Gs

So I did it, I got the iPhone. I have been waiting for the 3Gs to come out for a few months, and was on a pre-pay plan during that time, which was kind of strange and slightly limited my feeling of connectivity with the rest of the world. I was still unsure about getting the iPhone almost up until the day I got it. It is an extra $30 a month for data after all, and at $200 for the device itself that is getting expensive.

But I have had it for three days now, and I can see that is going to be easily worth it. I was expecting it to be good, so I am surprised that I am as impressed as I am. It is very fast, acting on most requests instantly. I did not expect that the phone would be better than a normal computer in many respects. For example, looking up things on Google maps feels great on the iPhone. By hitting the little target icon on google maps, it zooms into where you are. Tap it again and it shows you what direction the phone is pointing (and you too if you are holding it). Then to get directions, you either drop a pin icon where you want to go or enter in an address and it draws it for either car, public transit, or walking. It does it all of this as fast or faster than my laptop, with multi-touch flicking you around the map, and all over the 3G connection. Throw in search, and all the free apps that augment google maps, I should never be lost again!

I also was not expecting the GPS to be as functional as it is. I tested it on my ride to work today, and got this map, a little obnoxiously branded with their name, "MotionX GPS." Note that I just stick it in my pocket after hitting "start" and didn't let it sync to the satellites well enough at first, so the elevation is all off for the first .2 miles. I also stopped 1/2 way to try another (inferior) GPS app.


View Larger Map

Then you can take the data and plug it into lots of different web pages. I use MapMyRide.com to record bike rides, and it displays there just fine. They have an app that uploads directly to their site, but is doesn't capture or show enough data for me. This is another good one, that graphs everything out very cleanly. But my favorite is this one that does a little animation of you riding, so you can see how fast you were going along the way:

Update, I stuck a better trip in here so you can see how it works better

Home from work July 25th 2009

Or click here to see it full size.

I am happy with the camera, but cameras can always be better. Sometimes the photos are blurry and there is no zoom. Here is a sample photo I took of the camera at its best. Winnie was not impressed.



I am very happy with the video, which is quite nice. Here is a video I took showing the loading doc of the Macalester Art Department and the foundry during its summer re-set. I uploaded it to YouTube right from the phone. (Hit HQ for better quality)



The new iPhone software now "pushes" data to the phone, meaning that you don't have to go check a server for new data, it finds you and sends it to your phone immediately. So far, only AOL instant messenger and a free text message software called "TextFree" use it for no charge (SMS users, ask me for my address so I don't have to pay $.20 pr text). I hope gmail can figure out how to use it soon. Right now it automatically checks for you every 15 min, which is good, but push takes seconds.

Thats all for now. The feeling of being totally connected all the time is a little strange and addictive, but I am enjoying it!

2002 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Review

Well we have had the car for a few weeks now so here is my review! The only thing I can't talk about is a long trip, that will have to wait until summer.

We were fortunate enough to have some of the worst weather of the winter hit after we bought the car, and without it I don't think I would have as complete an opinion as I do now. Basically, this car will get you anywhere you want to go. It is built for adversity. It loves adversity! The big fog lamps, the rear window wiper with fluid, big windshield, ABS, and of course the all wheel drive have pushed through all the muck we have gotten this spring without question or complaint. It already saved me from one accident the day we bought it, and that was on slick wet roads. On the Volvo and other rear wheel drive cars, if you turn on a icy road the rear end keeps going in what is called over-steer (top). This can be quite fun in my experience, if you can control it. The Saturn and other front wheel drive cars lose traction on the steering wheels and so can't complete the turn in what is called under-steer (below). This is never fun. My time on ice in the Subaru was that green line on both examples. Just round the curve. The all-wheel drive always has power down on the road somewhere so you always have control of the car. The flat four engine produces a nice range of power on demand and gets you where you want to be when you want to be there. It doesn't have the WRX's turbo boost that throws you back in your seat however. Oh well, I don't need premium gas either.

That all said, it is not a luxury car. The cup holders are poorly thought out. One pops out directly above the center console and the other is quite small in the center arm rest. Stuff sometimes rattles inside and everything is plastic. The shocks are stiff and tall so you can feel every ta-tak ta-tak ta-tak of the road. The sound system was upgraded which is great, but they did not opt for keyless entry or alarm so to open all the doors you have to do it from inside the driver or passenger door. The layout for some of the controls is confusing. Why they made the cruse control and fog lights buttons in a place where you can not see them, right next to each other, and the same shape I will never know (see arrow).

But, none of that matters because the car is just so incredibly solid you really don't care about cosmetics. Everything is about the driving. Those hard shocks might get annoying but they keep you firmly on the road at all times and tell you exactly what is going on under the car. The throaty engine roars to life when asked, and settles down quietly for cruising. The visibility is fantastic thanks to the flat engine that allows for a very low hood making you feel like you are right on top of the road. The back end can haul tons of stuff, and the seats fold down to give you even more room. In short, it is exactly the car I wanted! Look for us in it for a long time to come.

A Night Out With Kevin Kling

Megan and I just got back from the Fitzgerald theatre where we saw Kevin Kling preform some of his works from his new and first book, "The Dog Says How." Both Megan and I have intersected with Kevin a few times, first at a wonderful performance three years ago this Christmas at St. Olaf. Megan and I got rush tickets for a show because we thought we just should because it was free! We ended up sitting 4 rows back and in the middle - directly in front of Kevin Kling. The show was amazing, I think it is the best bit of theatre I ever saw at St. Olaf. He took you up so you were laughing until you were crying, and then moments later crash you down so you were crying for real. Or for joy - it was amazing.

The second connection is his partner, Mary Ludington. At the State Fair juried art show, I saw this print of a horse from down the room and I loved it. Best piece in the show. I took this photo of it assuming that I would never see it again, but then for Christmas I got completely surprised when it showed up under the tree thanks to Megan and lots of helpers :)

Well it turns out that they are partners and live together with their dogs! So at the event tonight we bought not only Kevin's book (as pictured above) but also Mary's book "The Nature of Dogs." We got Kevin to sign his book, but we will have to wait for Mary's.

So anyway, thats the background to the show tonight - and the show was great! Kevin is a natural story teller who moves you around in time and space in ways that connect seemingly random events into a clear picture that is much bigger than any one story. We both thought that it was a little more geared towards the humorous side of his work compared to what we saw at St. Olaf, but that's fine. Some of the stories we had heard before and a few were new but like any good story teller, it is great to hear them re-told in a new light. Its like I said, each time he brings in new details from some other part of his life that makes each old story new again.

The night was highlighted with preformances by The Brass Messengers - a rocking horn band with a kind of Romanian/Gypsy/Brass sound. I liked them a lot!

Direct TV is the worst company in the world

I just want to give mention to the fact that Direct TV has to be the single worst company I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with. I have spent hours and hours of time on the phone with them in a sad attempt to cancel our account. It all started when we got a 60 day free trial through multiband, our building Internet/phone/cable provider who uses direct TV as there cable provider. They have been very good through this entire process, even if they can't seem to get things done either.

Here is the time line:

• Cancel in mid June, order a "recovery kit" for the set top unit.
• No recovery kit arrived, get a bill for another months service.
• Call to ask what is up, am told that the account is still active! Told I can't get a recovery kit. Told I have to pay $130 for early termination (despite the contract that says I don't) and threatened with a debt collector if I do not pay for the month + fee.
• Call multiband, and do a 3 way, 45 min, conference call with one of their reps and Direct TV. They cave and order me a recovery kit to waive the fee.
• As of today, still no kit. I call Direct TV and they have not ordered the kit yet (!!!!!!) and their computer won't work. I get sent to another dept where a rep orders me a third kit.
• I called multiband and they are pissed. They called their Direct TV rep and now I am getting a kit in 1-2 days not 3-5.

I have spent FAR more time on the phone stressing over this than I watched TV while I had it. I think if I have to pay that extra month I might just do it because I am feeling so defeated by Direct TV's inept bureaucracy.

So what else to do about it? Google bomb!

... My review of Direct TV Review. A review Direct TV DirectTV Review bad awful evil don't warning bad bad bad Direct TV sucks sucks sucks Direct TV sucks review. :D

Pipkins revenge

So I think pipkin destroyed my Powerbook's AC adapter. But I am not sure. See there have been reports of adapters like mine craping out by having the wire break and short out near the brick, as mine did, but that break looks disturbingly rabbit like. I found a way to fix the problem, so I tried it and it didn't help at all. So here it is, strung up on the apprentice board all naked.




Now I have this! Its a MacAlly Powerbook AC adapter and it cost me $30 (no shipping, thank you Amazon) vs. a new apple one at $70 + shipping! Its not quite as good though. It doesn't have the cool indicator light that shows green when charged and orange when charging, and it looks like I have to haul the whole mess along with me now instead of switching the extension cord to the mini plug, but whatever - thirty bucks is thirty bucks!

"Infrawave Speed Oven"

This is funny. So I bought a toaster oven for our apartment because it took the place of the toaster and a microwave and I have really grown to love it. It warms up food slower than a microwave but it cooks it again eliminating that sloppy and uneven feeling that microwaving gives food. It is less convent however.

It works by having two electric heating elements turn on and off keeping it at your desired temperature.

So I am reading today Wired Magazine's "Test" feature and under household items the Black & Decker Infrawave Speed Oven took first prize. Here is the description:

Smaller than a microwave and more versatile than a toaster, B&D’s unconventional hottie uses infrared light to cook meals on the countertop. Its two heating elements cycle on and off, employing varying wavelengths to bake, broil, or roast your chow in up to half the time it would take in a full-size gas or electic oven.

Yay! My $4 toaster oven is household gizmo of the year. Sure I don't have an LCD panel, and this cooks with light bulbs (hmmmmm)but it costs $150. What is old is new.

Happy Feet

So tonight Megan got the idea to go see "Happy Feet." The reviews were good and it was directed by the guy who did "Babe" but the premise? Dancing/singing penguins?

Like march of the penguins.
On drugs.
For Kids.

The poor marketers must have had a fit at this movie because what looks like another sappy penguin movie with a cute twist turns dark quickly with humans as the villains who are fishing away their food. It even tackles religious motives.'God (aka the great penguin) made everything! Have faith and follow tradition and we will be saved!" "No, God may have made everything, but its up to us to fix it!" One reviewer said it best, "I wasn't expecting "subversive" to be one of the adjectives I'd use to describe a family-targed animated film." The rest of the story arches through exile, followed by new cultures,an epic journey, discovery, more epic journey, communication and heroic resolution and justification.

Some how, and I really don't know how, they managed to make this somewhat disjointed musical about dacing singing penguins saving the environment not dumb. In fact, they managed to make it really quite good. All I know is I was smiling through most of it and laughing through the rest.

UPDATE:
I also found out after that this was a "G" movie according to who ever does those. But in the first 5 minutes they were singing "Kiss" by prince (U don't have 2 be beautiful 2 turn me on / I just need your body, baby, from dusk till dawn/ U don't need experience 2 turn me up there / U just leave/ it all up 2 me, I'm gonna show U what it's all about). And sex is a pervasive theme throughout the entire movie and some of the action sequences must be terrifying for young kids. I guess there is rating deflation going on.