MarcForrest.com

Category: Apple

  • Mac OS App Store Launches

    Apple today announced the latest addition to their “app family” the Mac App Store. The store allows you to download apps for your Mac or Macbook in the same way you would for the iPhone or iPad. This means, apps are now easier to download & update.

    Personally, I think this is a HUGE game changer in the way we work and use Mac’s. Now, when a new software package is released, it is available instantly. No longer do we have to scout the Apple shop or Incredible Correction for the latest software, and pay hugely inflated prices.

    The app store is linked to your iTunes account, and uses the same billing details. This means, that if you have a US iTunes account, you will have access to most of the apps. From what I can see, the SA store will not have as big a selection. Also you won’t be able to get things like games etc in the SA Store. Be sure to top up your US iTunes account with some iTunes vouchers from the guys at iTunesUSA or EvoPoints with some credit, and go buy some cool new apps :)

    To get the app store on your Mac, you need to do a check for software update. This will install the update and a new icon will appear next to your Finder icon. We will also be profiling some of the apps from the app store here from time to time.

  • Get Runkeeper Pro for FREE

    I came across this app the other day after someone tweeted about it. Runkeeper Pro (iTunes Link) is usually $9.99 and is FREE till the end of Jan. The app allows you to track all your fitness activities, like running, cycling, Hiking etc etc. Once you are done, you can share your run/ride on Facebook/Twitter.

    From the iTunes app description

    RunKeeper uses the GPS technology found in the iPhone to track your fitness activity, giving you comparable results to an expensive GPS watch at a fraction of the cost. Now, you can also enter your activities manually, including your treadmill runs too!

    The intuitive and easy-to-use interface of the app makes it easy to track how far you went, how long it took, what your pace/speed was, how many calories you burned, and the path you traveled on a map.

    Once your activity is completed, the data is synced to the RunKeeper website (www.runkeeper.com) where you can view a history of all of your activities, and cumulative totals of all of your vital stats. You can also share your progress with friends by posting your activities to Facebook and Twitter, and creating a profile page that allows people to view all of your public activities.

  • 2011 iPhone 4 Alarm Clock Bug

    Happy New year !!!

    Although we only have already had around 9 hours of the new year here in South Africa, it seems that Apple have a bit of a bug in their Alarm clock app on the iPhone 4.

    The bug seems to be that if you have an alarm set for today or tommorrow (2nd), the alarm does not go off. This seems to be affecting iPhone4 and iOS 4.1 & 4.2 users.

    There is a work around however, and that is to set the alarm on repeat. So if you set it to repeat for a couple of days, it should fix the problem. You can use that, or just stick to the old alarm clock :)

    More info on Engadget, 9to5Mac & iLounge

  • 5 things to do with your new iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch

    Merry Christmas !! :) :)

    So you may be one of the lucky ones who received a new iPhone, iPad or iPod touch from Santa this year. All very exciting, and I thought I would put together a couple of quick tips & tricks to help you set up your new pretty iDevice :)

    1. Connect to iTunes & setup your device

    This is probably the most important step with your shiny new iDevice. Once you have excitedly ripped off your wrapping paper, run to the nearest computer and download iTunes, if you don’t already have it. iTunes is the crux of all iDevices, and is the software used to transfer your music, movies & apps onto the device. From here you can also sync your Contacts, Calendar & email as well. A must have.
    Once iTunes is installed, you need to plug your shiny new iDevice into your computer, using the cable provided, and set it up. You will be asked to register the device using an email address etc. Once that is completed you will be able to sync your media etc. onto it.

    2. Upgrade to the latest software

    The great thing about Apple is that they offer free software upgrades for their devices, by simply clicking a button in iTunes. Gone of the days of taking your device into a store to upgrade you can simply do it from the comfort of your desk.
    To get the latest software on your device, plug it into your computer and start-up iTunes. You will see a screen with an overview of your iDevice, and on the main screen is a button that says check for updates. Click this button, and it will check with the Apple servers to see if there is an update for your iDevice. If you accept and continue, leave it as is, and the device will automatically be updated. Easy as pie :)
    A small word of warning though. Some of these updates can be quite large in size (~500MB) so make sure you have enough bandwidth allocated to update.

    3. Sign up for a US iTunes account

    The iTunes software also includes access to the iTunes store. From here you can buy music, movies and apps amongst a whole bunch of other things. The South African version of this store does not allow you to purchase music or movies, and has a very limited number of apps. To get around this, you can sign up for a US iTunes account, which allows you access to the full version of the store.
    To do this, you need to follow this I set up, which shows you how to get an iTunes account.You MUST ensure that you choose a FREE app when setting up the account. Otherwise it will ask you for your credit card details, which will not work as it checks to see if it is an US credit card. NB. FREE app :)

    4. Top up your new US iTunes account with some credit

    Once you have set it up, you simply top up your account by buying vouchers, using your credit card or EFT from either Evopoints or iTunesUSA.co.za, which are 2 local sites who offer the vouchers. You can also try Maximus Cards who are based overseas. From these sites, you can either buy $10, $15, $25 or $50 vouchers, which allow you  top up your account and buy music, movies or apps. Remember to check your balance every so often to ensure you have enough credit to buy the apps you want.

    5. Download some awesome apps for your new iDevice.

    So now you done all the “dirty” work, and it’s time to get to business. Download some cool apps for your iDevice, and get it rocking. Here are 6 cool of apps I would recommend putting on your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch once you have it all setup, to get you started.

    Angry Birds – The biggest selling iPhone game of all time is a must have game that will keep you entertained for HOURS & HOURS. Warning though: It becomes completely addictive & you may get a bit frustrated from time to time :)
    – $0.99
    – $4.99

    Instagram – An awesome FREE photo sharing app, which allows you to take a photo, edit it with some really funky filters, and then post to Facebook, Twitter Flickr etc etc. This is a relatively new app on the app store, but has some really cool filters.
    – FREE

    WhatsApp – A messaging tool, that allows you to chat to other iPhone, BlackBerry, Android or Nokia phone users,provided the also have WhatsApp installed. This app will save you loads on SMS’s and calls, as it is instant. You can also share photos, locations & contacts. A must have !!
    – $0.99

    News24 – Another must have to keep up with all the local South African news, sport & weather. And it’s free :)
    – FREE
    iPad version – FREE

    Camera+ – The standard iPhone camera is good, but not great. This is where Camera+ comes in. It allows you change a whole bunch of things, including exposure, focus, zoom etc etc. really and at only $0.99 it’s a steal ;)
    – $0.99

    FlipBoard – By far THE best iPad app on offer, it allows you to view your Facebook, Twitter, Flickr feed as well as allows you to add a whole host of other news sites like Techcrunch, CNN etc. Once you have all your feeds setup, you simply “flip” through the stories as if it were a magazine. Very very cool :)
    – FREE

    And that’s it. Hope you enjoy your shiny new iDevice, and be sure to check back regularly for loads of tips and tricks, to make your iDevice that extra special ;)

  • 2010 – What a year !!

    Wow, I really can’t believe how 2010 has literally whizzed past. I feel like I’m in some sort of a time warp, and it’s never going to stop. Luckily I’m going to be taking a couple of days off from later this week, and return next year refreshed, and some new cool ideas to boot. I have a feeling 2011 is going to be a C.R.A.C.K.E.R

    From my blogs perspective, 2010 was by far the most rewarding, and possibly one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. I have seen it grow in huge leaps and bounds, and built up a decent following, whom I really want to carry on and entertain & inform.

    Not too many people know, but earlier this year I was approached by an angel investor to take my blog to the next level & do it full-time. It was possibly one of the toughest decisions I had to make when I had to turn down the offer, for a variety of reasons. Way too many factors to list here, and a couple of personal reasons as well. But that didn’t stop me and motivated me to grow the site, and I honestly believe I have done that. That’s what I say, next year watch out …. :)

    I got a very very exciting project I am working on for 2011. It’s actually more of a personal project, and will see a small shift away from tech, tech, tech…and bring a bit of lifestyle & tech to the site. Exciting stuff…

    I thought I would do a quick recap of some of the highlights of both mine & the blogs for the last year. While I was putting the list together I quickly realised how lucky I was to be given the various opportunities I was given this year. A big thanks to everyone who was a part of these opportunities.

    The site has seen over 200,000 page views this year, and just over 150,000 unique visitors. Unbelievable. My Afrigator ranking peaked at about 16/17 this year, and has stayed pretty much in the top 25 blogs in South Africa throughout the year. My Twitter followers nudged over the 2,000 mark with almost 12,000 tweets already been sent.

    In January we say Steve announced the Apple iPad, which has gone and changed the way we work & live. People are now fully portable, and if the stats are anything to go by, sales of 3 million in 3 months is something not to be sneezed at.

    Round the beginning of February I was a passenger in the car going to Joburg to watch the Top Gear live show. I had a sudden brain wave, and did a quick post on the lyrics of the highly entertaining song, “Enter the Ninja” by Die Antwoord. The post has gone on to be the most viewed post on my site this year with over 30,000 hits. Bizzare. Thanks Google :)
    I also got interviewed on ClassicFM about a project called Izimvo I started working on last year(But am no longer part of). We also saw the much-anticipated Visual Voicemail icon come alive on the iPhone, thanks to Vodacom

    During March the South African internet landscape was changed thanks to 2 very important announcements. Firstly Mweb dropped their broadband prices, which drove home competition, and saw a huge shift in the market. Secondly THE best South African bank, FNB, collaborated with PayPal, and launched PayPal in South Africa. This was a huge move, and opened so many new doors. I also got to see one of the biggest ocean liners in the world, the Queen Mary 2, when it docked in Durban

    April saw the actual launch of the iPad in the US, and I got hands on with one 2 days after it was launched, thanks to the guys at immedia. I also got to write a weekly column for a local newspaper in Ballito, and published my first article on Memeburn (Note to self…need to do more of those)

    With the World Cup a couple of weeks away we say the King Shaka Airport in Durban open in May, as well as Google (finally) launching Google street view in South Africa. Youtube also launched their South African version. During the month, myself and good friend Brad launched Themergency.com, a WordPress focused site, which has done really well (Much thanks to Brad)

    June saw the biggest sporting event kick off in South Africa, but before they kicked off, the Super 14 rugby final was captured in a Hi-Res Pano thanks to the guys at Fancam. I also launched a little add-on to this site called iPhone Help, where people can help and share iPhone questions & answers. One of THE highlights of my year was that I was given an iPad by a great friend & mentor. Best gift ever :) Apple also launched the game-changing iPhone4 in the US and a couple of other countries around the world.

    During July, working alongside Juliaan Evenwel in Cape Town, we launched our very own iPhone app called SA Lotto iPhone app. The app went to number 2 on the SA iTunes chart, which was awesome. We have some really cool ideas lined up for the app in early 2011 :)
    The family also got some time out at the beautiful Honeywood lodge down the KZN south coast. Bliss. I also got to give the Vodafone MiFi a go, thanks to the chaps over at Vodacom, and is now one of my “must-carry-with-me” gadgets.

    During August I attended the fantastic Tech4Africa conference held up in Joburg. I managed to get a sponsored ticket by writing a couple of blog posts for the organisers. By far one of the best and most informative conferences I have been to. When I arrived home in Ballito after the conference, there was a rather large stinky whale which had washed up on the beach. Yum !

    September for me was probably the most memorable month for me. I was invited up to Jozi for the MTN iPhone4 launch event, and received an iPhone4 & sim from MTN. To say I was unbelievably stoked was an understatement. This was by far my highlight of my year, both personally & for my site. We also released the 2Oceansvibe iPhone app, which has seen almost 2,000 downloads already.

    During October, I got to race the swanky new Opel Astra around the track at Kyalami, great day out ! Another landmark broadband announcement was made by CellC when they launched their Whoosh speedstick and I got to try it out. Needless to say I am very happy with the speeds. Another one of those must carry round gadgets.
    October also saw the launch of our local Ballito based news site called BallitoNews. The site has so far proven it’s worth, and is gorwing in leaps and bounds. Another project to keep your eye on in 2011 :)

    November & December have whizzed past and I can’t belive there are only 10 days left in the year. What !!
    I got to play around with a Nokia N8 for 2 weeks, and was left feeling suitably impressed. One of our Themergency plugins cracked the nod and got mentioned on both Mashable & Techcrunch.I also cracked the nod on a TV programme called Media Matters where the covered the iPhone 4 launch.

    Geez, what a year !!! I now understand why I am so moeg. But it’s all good, and I can honestly say I am stoked with what I have achieved this year :) Thanks for being part of my site, and taking the time out with your comments & ideas. Every single one is highly appreciated.
    Hope you have a fantastic Christmas, and see you in 2-0-1-1 :)