Photography of a Different Lens

After a recent trip to South Africa, I've been noticing the varying degrees of photography that my classmates have posted. Some are pretty pathetic (those would be mine!) compared to some other folks that have simply breathtaking shots of wildlife, landscapes and people. Photography has come a long way since traditional Kodachrome shots including the photo app. A recent article in TechCrunch explores the popularity of Instagram and the fact that it's not just a social media play but also an artform.

Instagram is successful for three main reasons: 1) The photos are actually a pretty decent quality, especially considering they were taken on a phone. 2) There's a wide audience of people that are highly engaged with the app given the ability to see some far out images as well as share on multiple social media platforms all at once. 3) The single photo viewing experience means you are a more captive audience. And in this day and age, that's pretty rare.

Check out the full article: http://techcrunch.com/2011/11/27/why-instagram-is-so-popular/

Now presenting...the Apple iOS4!

As expected, Steve Jobs presented the new iOS4 (the new iPhone operating system) today at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California. To be rolled out with the iPhone 4 next month, the new OS has several exciting new features. The added benefit for existing customers? Current iPad, iPhone (3G, 3GS) and iTouch (with 32GB or 64GB storage) users can upload a free software package to take advantage of the new features. I know that I'm excited. Here's a snapshot of a few new features:

-Multitasking: That's right; have apps (such as Pandora) playing in the background while you use other programs in the foreground. The multi-tasking feature is designed to be used "in a way that doesn't hinder performance or battery life," said Steve Jobs.

-Email Facelift: Users will now have the ability to access all accounts from a single integrated inbox. Messages will contain threads, and users will have the ability to open-third party attachments.

-App Organization: Coming from a girl who is organized, this is exciting. Bucket your apps (up to 2160 of them!) into different categories.

Check out some of the other new features here: http://mashable.com/2010/06/07/iphone-4g-announced/ You're sure to be impressed!

Video Footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb-ggC8Z5i0

Crowdsourcing for Social Good

I recently came across a really interesting use of crowdsourcing by way of an iPhone app. Through "The Extraordinaires" app you can perform tasks that have been parsed into small elements for not-for-profits. These small individual efforts then accumulate to produce a larger result.

An example of the work that is being done on The Extraordinaires is shown at left where iPhone users can help scan pictures of individuals that are missing in Haiti. You can check out this and other similar apps on mashable and read up on other uses that The Extraordinaires are finding for crowdsourcing on their blog.

Live Video Streaming via the iPhone

Since we were given an article regarding live video streaming in class last night, I thought this post on TechCrunch today was particularly relevant..

Looking Forward to Streaming Live Video from Your iPhone 3G S? Not So Fast.
TechCrunch: MG Siegler - June 10, 2009

According to MG Siegler, live streaming via the iPhone already secretly exists amongst tech-savvy users. And now that the 3G S, which supports video, is available, this activity could be even more widespread.

Currently, Apple doesn't allow live streaming apps into the App Store. Most likely this is because of its relationship with AT&T; "undoubtedly AT&T does not want live streaming video clogging up its network." When TechCrunch spoke with Ustream and Qik, two of the leading live video streaming corporations, they both seemed to be unaware of the iPhone's capabilities. Siegler suspects this is because AT&T and Apple aren't quick to discuss live video streaming, due to the traffic implications. "It has been widely reported that AT&T is prohibiting iPhone apps like the Sling Player from streaming video over its 3G networks due to bandwidth concerns."

According to the post, this reluctance presents a disparity in reasoning, to the detriment of video startups wanting to reach customers through the development of iPhone apps. “Currently, viewing YouTube videos on the iPhone presents a load that is likely larger than the aggregate amount of bandwidth used by many individual broadcasts [on Ustream] at any given moment,” says Ustream founder John Ham.

Although Apple announced it has opened its video APIs to third parties, solving the iPhone video capture problem, it does not mean either Apple or AT&T are ready/willing to discuss live video streaming.

Qik enables live video casting from a cell phone (about 40 supported handsets - including Nokia S60 series, some Windows Mobile devices, or a jailbroken 2G iPhone) via any 3G/GPRS/Wi-fi Internet connection. Click here for the company profile on TechCrunch.

Ustream.tv is a live video community where anyone with a computer, Internet connection and a web cam can set up his/her own channel and broadcast live. Click here for the company profile on TechCrunch.

Friend Exchange and FriendSync on iPhone

Any of you want to have your friend's facebook photos synced to your iPhone contacts? If you do, you might want to check out these two apps. They both cost 99 cents each and they can sync your iPhone contacts with their respective facebook photos as well as their birthdays. If you have any questions about iPhone and apps, feel free to contact me. 

Facebook Exchange

FriendSync