MarcForrest.com

Category: iPad

  • iTunesUSA/iEverything gets a little makeover

    The guys over at iTunesUSA/iEverything, which I told you about a while back, recently relaunched their brand new store.

    The site offers instant delivery of iTunes vouchers to your email address, which you can redeem in the US iTunes store. The best thing about the site, for me, is it is offers an Instant EFT option, through PayFast, which allows you to log into your internet banking (no matter what bank), and instantly transfer your cash across to get your voucher delivered to you. You can also buy Ukash vouchers at any Pick ‘n Pay and can use those on the site as well.

    I have been chatting to the guys at iEverything for a while now, and they really love what they do. Often I get queries about their service through my site, and I can forward it to them anytime of the day, and they sort the issue out ASAP. Their service is superb. The biggest gripe I have heard about the site is that they always seemed to be out of stock, but after having a coffee with one of the owners the other day, they seem to have sorted this out with a new supplier & should have stock more often.

    If you looking for iTunes vouchers, give them a try. I can honestly vouch for them.

    P.S. I was NOT asked or payed to write this. The links to the site are however affiliate links, which help contribute to site costs

     

     

  • FNB launches iPhone & Android app

    It’s no secret that I am a huge huge fan of FNB. They have constantly been at the forefront of innovation in South Africa, and even brought PayPal to South Africa last year.

    This morning they launched, what I reckon is HUGE for smartphones in South Africa, the first dedicated iPhone & Android apps. They are the first bank in South Africa to offer such a value-add, for free.

    I downloaded the iPhone app this morning and am well impressed. Security is tight, and you need to confirm your device on the FNB online banking portal before you can access your accounts. Once you have authenticated your device, you need to enter your password everytime you want to use the app. Another thing I found, which makes perfect sense, is that you can’t add new payment recipients, so if anyone steals your phone or forces you, you *can’t* add a new reciepient

    From the app store description:

    FNB is proud to bring you FNB App, South Africa’s first Smartphone and Tablet Banking Application.

    The FNB App is simple to use and provides a convenient, easy and secure way to do your banking anytime and anywhere.

    With the FNB App you can:

    – Access your banking accounts (view account balances; detailed transaction history)
    – Make payments to third parties
    – Transfer funds between your accounts
    – Other value added services, such as:
    – Use Location Based Services to find FNB ATMs or Branches
    – Make and receive calls (powered by FNB Connect), including FREE calls to FNB Call Centre’s
    – View Forex Rates

    Anyone can download the FNB App, but you need to be a FNB customer registered for FNB Online Banking to use the transactional services.

    If you are not registered for FNB Online Banking, visit www.fnb.co.za or call us at 087 575 0362

    You can download the iPhone app here & the Android app here. Do it !

  • 10 tips & tricks for the AppleTV in South Africa

     

    As I mentioned the other day, I am loving the at the moment. The intergration with all my other iDevices is simply amazing, and everything just works. I thought I would put together a few tips & tricks of what I have learnt over the past couple of weeks with the AppleTV. if you haven’t got one yet, I highly recommedn heading over to the guys, and ordering one.

    • Setup Home Sharing in iTunes, which will allow your AppleTV to browse your iTunes library on your PC/Mac. You need to enable this on the AppleTV as well by going to Settings -> Computers -> Home Sharing & entering your Home Sharing username & password (iTunes account)
    • Even though the AppleTV doesn’t play DVD’s, I have backed up a lot of mine (especially the kids) and store them on my iMac. I used Handbrake, which allows you to “rip” your DVD’s into a M4V format, which you can then import into iTunes, and the Apple TV sees using Home Sharing. Handbrake offers a preset specifically for AppleTV2
    • Turn AirPlay ON, on the AppleTV by going to Settings -> Airplay & On. This means that if you have an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, and are listening to music or watching a video on the iDevice, you can automatically start streaming it to your Apple TV, by tapping the Airplay icon. This works awesome with Youtube Videos as well. You can also view your photos on your iDevice, by clicking the AirPlay button.
    • Although I am not a big fan of Jailbreaking, I would recommend Jailbreaking the AppleTV & install Plex. Basically Plex allows you to watch any existing AVI’s or MKV files (over WiFi) you have on a PC/Mac that is running the Plex Server software. The really cool thing about Plex is it goes and gets all the movie or TV show information, and displays it on-screen. To Jailbreak the AppleTV, I recommend using Seas0nPass, and following the steps makes this a really simple process. Once that is done, follow these steps on the Plex Wiki, to get Plex installed. You need a little bit of tech savvy to do this, but it is quite simple once you get the hang of it.
    • Movie Rentals & TV Show Rentals are awesome. 2 things you need to ensure though; Make sure you have credit on your US iTunes account by topping up with iTunes vouchers & ensure you have a decent ADSL line. I would highly recommend a 4MB ADSL line, as your movies start streaming almost immediately once you have rented them. The cost of renting a movie is well priced in comparison to DVD rentals.
    • Hidden away at the bottom of the Internet menu on the AppleTV is a section called “Radio” which gives you access to thousands & thousands of online streaming stations. This is a great feature if you want to play background music, or are interested in a specific topic
    • Also hidden in the Internet menu, is “Podcasts” which allow you to stream the latest episode of your favorite video or Audio podcasts. An awesome little gem !
    • If you really feeling at a loss for content, you can sign up for a Netflix account. Just follow these steps on Jason’s blog for a How-To on how to get Netflix setup in South Africa
    • Download the awesome Apple Remote iPhone & iPad app, which allows you to connect & control the AppleTV. Perfect for when the small included remote goes astray !
    • Download AirFlick. A must have free Mac app, which allows you to play & Airplay ANY content from your Mac to your AppleTV

    If you have any cool AppleTV tips & tricks, please leave a comment below.

  • Enter the iPhoneography Exhibition – 1 Sept, iStore, Sandton

    I am busy putting the final touches to getting the logistics in order for the 1st ever South African iPhoneography Exhibition, which is taking place on the 1st of September at the iStore in Sandton Drive. I met with the team from Core earlier this week, and it really is shaping up to be an exciting evening.

    Anyone can enter the exhibition, and after a quick selection process to ensure we give everyone a fair chance, we will then get in touch with you, and organise to collect your photography from you ready to exhibit on the night. You will be responsible for the printing & framing, but we will collect & return & display the photography for you on the night. You will also have an opportunity to sell your photography should you wish to do so.

    We will also be giving away an iPad2 (16GB WiFi) on the evening with a a lucky draw to everyone who has entered into the exhibition. So, if you enter, and are successfully exhibited  on the night,  you stand a chance to win an iPad2 !!

    Below are some of the exhibition guidelines for the evening. You can get more info & enter on the iPhoneography subsite here – http://marcforrest.com/iPhoneography/

    • All works must be the original uncopied work of the artist; any exhibitor has the sole responsibility for ensuring that their artwork does not infringe another creator’s copyright.
    • All images need to be taken & edited on an iDevice. Entries that have been taken on a DSLR & edited on an iDevice/Computer will not be considered for entry
    • There is no entry fee for the artist to submit their works, but the artist will be responsible for all print, mounting & mounting costs.
    • The artwork remains the property of the entrant (artist) and will be returned to the entrant on completion on the exhibition.
    • If you wish to enter your work into the iPhoneogrpahy exhibition, you need to use the entry form page to submit your details & images for the judges perusal.
    • Entries need to be submitted by Friday 5 August 2011 after which A panel of judges will judge the entries & select a specified number of images for the exhibition.
    • If your entry is successfully chosen for the exhibition you will be notified by the organisers, and further correspondence regarding the collection of the artwork will be sent.
    • Successful entrants will be required to submit Artworks (ready for hanging)  to the Sandton iStore by Thursday 25 August. Courier costs will be paid for by the organisers for both collection & delivery after the exhibition. If you live in Johannesburg, you can deliver your entry to the iStore directly
    • iPhoneography works must be suitably framed ready for hanging by the curator. This cost is for the exhibitor’s account, and will remain the full property of the exhibitor should the artwork not be sold during the exhibition
    • Artists should make their own arrangements for insuring their work in transit, in storage and while on display. While due care is taken, the organisers accept no responsibility for loss or damage of any exhibit.
    • Artists will need to specify: Full Name, Exhibit Title, App used to take/edit the image, and price (should you wish to sell) of each successful entry
    • If artists wish to sell their artwork, they can specify a reasonable price to the artwork. Individual works sold through the iPhoneography Exhibition and Sale will attract 20% commission payable to the organisers
    • The winner of an iPad2 (16GB WiFi) will be determined by a lucky draw of all sucessful exhibitors. The draw will take place on the evening of the exhibition, and the winner does not need to be present on the evening.
    • The artworks will remain on display at the iStore for a month after the exhibition has taken place, and will returned to the artwork to the artist, via courier, if it has not been sold.

    Obviously because of it’s popularity, we will be getting a couple of Instagram photos, so we will be limiting the instagram photos. Here is a really cool phtoshop action which you can use to get your instagram photos ready for printing.

    We would really like some more of the Hi-Res images, as this gives people a much better idea of how powerful iPhoneography really is.

    If you have any questions, please please feel free to drop me an email. I am really looking forward to this, and the evening can only be a success with all the great iPhoneography we have seen in South Africa.

  • How to get Angry Birds in South Africa

    One of the most common questions I get asked when people see my iPhone is “Do you have Angry Birds on your iPhone ?” No lies.

    The person asking me the question more than likely will have an iPhone and they have heard about Angry Birds, but can’t find it on the South African iTunes store. Or any of the games for that matter.

    Here are a couple steps on how to get Angry Birds on your iPhone or iPad in South Africa

    The game is awesome and will keep you entertained for hours & hours. A must have if you have an iPhone or iPad