New iPod Nano Rocks, iTouch is now on Steroids!

The Apple Event concluded yesterday with new iPods across the line. The biggest changes happened to the new 5th Generation iPod Nanoadding a camera, microphone, FM radio, and Nike+. The new 3rd Generation iPod Touch might not have had as many additions, but let's review it and the other new releases for what they are adding to Apple's line up of music (and now game) players.


Let's begin with the biggest update to iPods, the 5th Generation Nano:

5th Generation iPod Nano - New Features:

- FM Radio (Finally!!! And it has Live Pause)
- Video Camera (640x480 smooth recording with multiple filters)
- New 2.2 inch diagonal screen
- Microphone and Speaker
- Nike+ integrated
- Voice Memos
- Voice Over (The device will speak the name of the file to you)
- Polished Anodized Aluminum casing

3rd Generation iPod Touch - New Features:

- Lower Price (Now starting at $199 for 8GB)
- 50% Faster Processor on 32GB and 64GB models ($299 and $399)
- New Processer Runs Open GL 2.0

iPod Classic - Update:

- 160GB for $249 is now the only model still in production

iPod Shuffle - New Features:

- Larger capacity, now 2GB and 4GB models
- Voice Over
- 3rd Party Headphone support
- Polished Stainless Steel Design and Colors

Overall, The iPod Nano wins the event for best new iPod. The only downside it has is that the camera does not do stills! Only video! I don't know if in the long run this will be a disadvantage or no big deal but at face value it begs the question, "why bother to not allow that feature?"

The iPod Touch on the other hand has no new camera on it as was rumored. It was confusing during the event as they showed a game that allowed you to add your photo to the posters in it. That made lots of people think that a camera was imminent during the event. But it still seems that the iTouch is going to remain 2 steps behind the iPhone (in phone feature and camera). The new processor is a nice boost for those who use the iTouch as they're main game handheld.

The iPod Classic is now solely for those who carry TONS of music along with them. I have a feeling it might not be around 1 year from now at all, as every iPod is shifting over to Solid State Memory and iPhone OS.

The new iPod Shuffle has expanded the number of headphones available to it. Other companies can now release headphones that work with the shuffle. Voiceover will be a nice feature for those who want to change a song just by saying so. And larger capacity will make it less hassle to have all the songs they desire without a trip to iTunes.

No Apple Tablet during this event, but hey, there is always the next event (October?).

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The Best iPhone Apps Recently Released

Over the past month or two I have added quite a few great new apps to my iPhone. They have ranged from games to entertainment to online ordering apps. Here is a review of some of the most noteworthy ones.

Lets start the review off with the Discovery Channel app:

1. Discovery Channel -

An excellent app for Discovery Channel lovers, like me. Stream video extras from your favorite TV shows, keep up on news, and read TV show bios and information, all from your iPhone. Videos stream on 3G too, so you can browse Mythbusters on the subway to work everyday, hehe.

2. Oregon Trail (Free Version) -

Redesigned from the original, this free app will have you coughing up $5 within a week of downloading it for the full version. Tons of new mini games, graphics that are very well done on the iPhone, and the feel of the original we played oh so many years ago. Excellent game!

3. Chipotle Online Ordering -

There is a Chipotle 4 blocks from my apartment and now I can have my burrito waiting for me when I walk in the door. By far the best online ordering app yet created. Hopefully a template for future apps (hopefully by Dominos and Grubhub) ==> Honorable mention to the Pizza Hut app -- iHut <==

4. Offender Locater Free -

Informative and slightly hilarious. View the closest 10 sex offenders to your location, complete with charge and picture. Count the number of pedo-smiles you see.

5. Call of Duty : World At War Companion -

An excellent stat tracker that links to your online Call of Duty stats account. I don't have the game yet but it is very convenient to look up your achievements right from my iPhone. I play Warhawk on PS3 and if they made an app for myhawk.org I would use it all the time!

I will make another update later on more apps that are very useful. There is a possibility a flood of new apps could appear after the Apple iPod event September 9th.

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Why It's A Great Time To Buy A PS3

Now that the PS3 slim is about to be released there is no better time to buy! Sony has made the PS3 comparable in price to the Xbox 360 and excelling in features and content!

A comparison of the PS3 slim to the Xbox 360 shows how good it is to get a PS3 now that they are priced the exact same:

1. The Wi-Fi is built in to the machine (as opposed to a $99 attachment)
2. Bluetooth capability to wirelessly attach controllers, headsets, and devices to the PS3 for use, streaming, etc. (Since the PS3 remote is bluetooth, you dont need line of sight to use it)
3. Tons more amazing exclusive games now in the library (Metal Gear Solid 4, Ratchet and Clank, Heavenly Sword, Killzone 2, Uncharted 1 and 2, MAG, Final Fantasy XIV, Folklore, Infamous, Warhawk, Little Big Planet, Mod Nation Racers, Motorstorm 1 and 2, Resistance 1 and 2)
4. It's A Blu-Ray Player! And it's the best DVD upscaler on the market!!!
   
5. The PS3 slim now has lower power consumption which is great for your power bill
6. Free Online Play
7. Photo Gallery Software Included for Photographers who store their photos on the PS3
8. Playstation Home is constantly expanding
9. You can swap out the Hard Drive for much larger ones easily (I have a 500GB hard drive in mine right now)
10. A system that still has no power brick, which runs cooler, and runs quieter than Xbox
11. Incredibly low failure rate on units

I can add that if you also go for the older generations of PS3's you get the awesome backwards compatibility but I personally only like that so I can play Final Fantasy XII, Shadow of the Colossus, and God of War 2 again.

I don't deny the Xbox 360 has some great features like the Superb Online Play, online games like 1 vs. 100, games like Halo 3, Gears, and Fable, and Project Natal coming out.

To be honest, I am going to buy an Xbox 360 soon. Natal pushed me over the edge. But I have had my 1st Gen PS3 since release and I have never had any complaints. My first gen did have that rare freezing issue with GTA4 when it came out but Sony replaced my PS3 (while it was OUT OF WARRANTY) completely free and gave me the exact same model too (60GB 1st gen).

Overall, if you have been on the fence about the PS3, get over it now because it is time to finally buy!
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PS3 Slim Coming Soon?!

More and more evidence is pointing to the imminent release of the PS3 slim, a Playstation 3 that is smaller, lighter, and very cool looking. When will it be unveiled. The recent events that have come to light suggest sooner than first thought.

In the past weeks we have seen a few hints showing up online:

1. Amazon Germany posted a PS3 "Konsole Slim"
Engadget

2. The 80GB PS3 has been discontinued in Japan
Kotaku

3. The component cost for a PS3 is down 70 percent from when they began, making construction cost roughly $240 (instead of $800)
Gizmodo

4. The approaching August 18th Sony Pre-Press Conference
Engadget


5. Orders on PS3 components up significantly recently (enough to construct 1 million PS3's in 3 months)
Digitimes

6. Spy Shots appearing online here and there
Gizmodo

I sure hope it comes out soon! I would get one but it would mean I'd lose my hardware emulation of PS2 games that my old 60GB release PS3 has.

Gizmodo

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iPhone 3G with OS 3.0 ... 3 weeks in

I have been using OS 3.0 on my iPhone 3G for a little over 3 weeks now and I have seen both the minor issues and the vast improvements that have come from this update. For all of you who couldn't upgrade to the iPhone 3GS right away (like me), I wanted to let you know why we're not missing that much at all!

The improvements to the iPhone OS has at times felt like a phone upgrade in itself. I really enjoy the new features that have been added such as:

1. Landscape Texting/E-mail : I think only my fiance enjoyed texting with the normal keypad on the iPhone. For those of us with normal sized hands though, this feature has increased my texting speed notably. The best thing about it is the decrease in errors I used to make spelling.
2. Cut/Copy/Paste : Oh the ease of this feature. I can copy any phrase on the iPhone and transfer it into a text or e-mail, cutting down lots of wasted time paraphrasing. I can also copy an old text that I forgot to send to a particular person and not spend time retyping the whole message. And whenever a friend e-mails me a web link, I can copy/paste it right into the safari browser!
3. Shake to Shuffle : Yeah, this feature is good if you like to carry your phone while you listen to your music; not so good if your phone is in your pocket while walking. But its nice to easily switch songs without constantly clicking the microphone on the ear buds. At least I don't look like I have a perpetual itch on my neck anymore.
4. Shake to Undo : Now when you throw a tantrum for messing up, the iPhone registers your flailing arms as a sign that a mistake was made and attempts to calm you down by fixing your mistake for you... aww, how thoughtful, iPhone!
5. Searchlight Screen : Not having to flip through 10 pages of apps to find the newest one I downloaded is a nice feature. And being able to search contacts, notes, songs, and everything else as well is very handy.
6. Improved Stocks App : I can watch my investments plummet in extreme detail, sweet!
7. Voice Memos : Perfect for personal notes when writing them down is too tiresome. You can e-mail your voice memos as well !!!
8. Push Notification : A great enhancement as soon as the other apps add its functionality

Like I said, these are updates available to everyone. iPhone 3G users may miss out on a few odds and ends that the iPhone 3GS has :

1. Compass : Camping in the 21st century
2. Voice Commands : Want to play P. Diddy... nah, I will call your daddy instead
3. Upgraded hardware : twice the RAM and a faster processor is a nice addition, but there has yet to be a 3GS exclusive game yet...
4. 3G band upgrade : 2x speed 3G (7.2 Mbps)... only available in select cities so far
5. Upgraded Camera : Best update feature I've seen, video is good and camera's focus feature is nice

But for you iPhone users out there, don't fret at what your missing out on. Most of the extras listed above really are marginal. So much of what the iPhone 3G has compares with the new phone. Be proud of your iPhone 3G! We aren't left in the dust right now.

Gizmodo gives a good review of the iPhone 3GS and how it compares to the 3G HERE.

Personally, I am holding out for next year... come on iPhone 4G!!!!

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iMafia: New York now on the iPhone

For those of you iMafia enthusiasts there is a new game set up, iMafia: New York. This is a fresh version of the game that allows us all to make new characters and start at the same level. There are no level 50's with $1,000,000,000,000 in this game, it's all new.

Same game, fresh start!

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iMafia iPhone Game: More Tips and Tricks

I keep playing iMafia and it becomes clear that there is a lot of option in this cash, guns, chaos game. And with the recent removal of the "Reset" ability, I thought it a good idea to write some about some more tips when it comes to iMafia.

Refer to my old page for tips and tricks for levels 1-10: ==> CLICK HERE <==

Now, here are some more helpful tips for iMafia:

1. Invest in Property whenever possible (in stacks of 10), NO BANKS - at least until you are unable to buy anymore property. Property generates revenue that will always add to your total, even when you're not playing. Remember to buy in stacks of 10 so you dont lose any cash when you may sell it.

2. Invest in Property before you start increasing your mafia size too much - You have a choice, buy a mafia member for $1,000,000 or buy 10 vacant lot for $50,000 and 10 gas stations for $850,000. The revenue will be $20,000 an hour by getting the property, allowing you to pull in an extra $480,000 per day.

3. Patience may suck, but the Revenue is worth it - It may suck to wait another day to get the Mafia member, but in the long run you are rolling in the cash.

4. Investing in energy does way more than investing in stamina and health - By the time you can do the "smuggling by sea" quest, you can only fight and take $100,000 max from an opponent. But for every 20 energy you can get $450,000 - $800,000.

5. Buy the Body vests and Kevlar for each of your members - The enemy can't see your body armor when they inspect you, but that doesn't always stop them from attacking just by seeing that you have 1 of each type of weapon. the defense of those combined vests helps out a lot in protecting your cash.

6. Hold onto the vehicles you collect starting with the 3 Mercedes quest - It shows (or can even bluff) the firepower you have when an enemy inspects you. they cant tell how many you have, just that you have it.

7. The Strip Mall gives the best return on investment of all properties - Putting $10,000,000 into 10 strip malls is the wisest move you can make while trying to increase your cash. For what you invest you get $250,000 an hour, that's $6,000,000 back into your pocket per day!!! You will pay off what you invested in no time.

8. Collect the 2 free playmesh points by downloading the Race Wars - It may not seem like much, but that will help you in the very early levels when you do have to fight other players to raise cash. A full health regeneration at the right time is invaluable.

9. ONLY INVEST YOUR LVL POINTS INTO ENERGY - This is a repeat from the previous article, but it remains the same. The cash you get for later level quests will be way more than what you can get fighting.

10. Take a break from playing every once in awhile - This may sound dumb but on the gaming side of it, if you are invested in a lot of property, you'll be surprised coming back, like from the weekend, and finding a load of extra cash to play with upon your return.

Well, that's all I have for now. If anyone else has comments, hints, strategies, leave a comment and I'll add them to the list. Thanks

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