What's On My Homepage! (iOS Edition) EP1

There a Millions of apps out there on multiple platforms, there are apps that can be useful and others that can be a waste of Space on your Device. Its become insane with Developers even designing apps for your Cats! So how do you know what to download and what not to? In this post i'm going to explore the vast iOS App Store to find the best Apps for you to download....

HEADS UP 

Heads up is my favorite party game on the App Store. Its amazing to play with friends with guaranteed roll on the floor laughing! This game is inspired by Ellen Degeneres's Game "Celebrity" which features on her talk show. You can choose between many categories including "Accents" (A personal favorite) ; "Act it out" ; "Animal Sounds" and "Icons,legends & Stars. The Game displays a word or name on the screen and gives you an allocated time to get another person to guess the word. Front-Facing camera support means you can capture the funniest reactions and share them with the world! (Which is very funny.) Watch Ellen as she does a Tutorial... Available for iPhone and iPad

STAMPSY

Social Media Apps are booming, with hundreds of Facebook want-to-be's im really exited to see something totally unique and original. Stampsy is a platform to share your media content be it a photo , artwork or writing, this app showcases you work in a form called "Stamps."Stamps really bring your content to life. Stampsy is easier to use, with palettes of colours and a grid to help plan out your stamps. After you publish it your stamp gets its own unique URL code which you can share with people. Publish yourself with Stampsy.                                                                           

MUSYC

Don't read music note, but love music? This is the app for you! No knowledge of music needed. All you do is drag your finger across the screen to make music. Different in-app purchases means you can spend hours not to mention many dollars on this app. Musyc is a original and unique app that is perfect for any music lover. Creating music has never been this easy. Its seems almost 'magical' the way the songs come together. When you are done recording it there are multiple sharing options including iTunes, Drop-box or Sound Cloud. 

MINECRAFT - POCKET EDITION 

Build your own virtual world by day , fight the monsters by night. Minecraft is the ultimate way to show off your creative side. Place Blocks and create your virtual kingdom. Minecraft offers 3 settings, Survival, Creative and Hardcore mode. In Survival mode, you can need to eat and keep yourself safe from monsters. Collect blocks and save them in your inventory. In Creative mode you get unlimited blocks and you can fly. Available for iPhone and iPad

ASPHALT 7 : HEAT

Asphalt by Game loft comes back with "Asphalt 7: Heat" a more graphically intensive game with circuits that look very true to reality. The game is my favorite Street-Racing game available on the app store with over 60 different cars. However, I do warn you that the game is VERY heavy on RAM so I advise you to close all background applications before hitting the circuit. The improved multiplayer feature makes it easier to race with your friends and family. Asphalt 7 is the best Asphalt yet!
Available for iPhone and iPad

IMOVIE

Tired of movie editors that are complicated and hard to use? Aren't we all! Make your home movies worthy of the red carpet with Apple's Mac software now available on the App Store, so you can edit your movie on the plane ride home and show it to your family immediately. It is simple and easy to use. With easy theme settings and controls that are adapted to touch screens. iMovie is perfect to use, whether you are an aspiring Videographer, an actor or even a avid traveller wanting to share your video diaries or snapshots. Available for iPhone and iPad

Thanks for Reading
Keep It connected

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Whats the Next South African Youth Phone ?

Photo Credit - Adhik Jaichun

For the past few years Blackberrys have dominated the cellular youth market. They were bulky, slow and very ugly but people still chose to buy them as:

• Blackberrys were fairly cheap with the entry-level model (The Curve 8520.) selling at R1800.
• BBM (Blackberry Messaging) was a convenient and affordable way of messaging others. 
• BIS (Blackberry Internet Service.) provided cheap internet connections for R59/ month. 

As a result of the above , Blackberrys prospered. While technology became more advanced leaving Blackberry and its users in the dust. With the decline of Blackberry and BIS, many South African Teens scramble to find a replacement for their old blackberries.' Fear not, thats what im here for!'

The key here is not only to find a replacement for your old blackberry but something that is much better  yet has the convenience and affordability that Blackberry was crowned for.  When choosing you next phone you should take note of your distinct interests and features that you depend on or want in your everyday life . 

Facebook Home

Photo Credit - Techno Buffalo

This is a fairly new software from Facebook designed specifically for Android Phones. Android Phones are phones that run Android OS (A Google Designed operating System) they include the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC one etc. The good thing about Facebook Home is that you can run it on any Android phone running OS 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and higher, this means that people can chose to spend less on a phone and buy a entry-level device or buy a high-end flagship device (like the S4.) Facebook home incorporates Facebook into your phone to show your updates and messages once you unlock your phone - A feature that allows instant social access that is a swipe away. Facebook Home allows the Social aspect that your blackberry offered allowing you to social quickly and easily. Facebook Home runs all of the Android Apps including apps like Angry Birds, Subway Surfers and BBM (available by the end of July.) An amazing thing is that you can switch back to the traditional Android software set on your phone from Facebook Home. PLEASE NOTE : Facebook Home is an additional software overlay or Launcher and is available on the Play store. It doesn't come pre-loaded on the phones mentioned below (Accept on the HTC First.) 

Good Examples of These are : 

HTC First 

Samsung Galaxy S4

HTC One

Nexus 4

iPhone 

photo Credit - BGR

Although this option may not be as affordable as the Blackberry its simple and fantastic. I think the iPhone is the best phone for South African Youth. its easy to use , there are millions of apps to suite your needs and most importantly stylish. Teens can make use of the iPhones vast accessory line to personalize their phone. Socialize using iMessages. Apple's exclusive messaging network , BBM (available on the App Store by the end of July.) and Whatsapp and Viber ( a free messaging and call app.) Right now would be a good time to buy the iPhone especially after the launch of Apples new Mobile Software iOS7!  The iPhone 5

I hope this entry helped decide which phone to look out for. Make sure to read the Reviews and subscribe for more amazing and in-depth entries! 

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iPhone 5 : Colour Comparison

The iPhone 5 is a crowd pleaser and as a result many people head off and buy iPhone 5's and rightly so because its an amazing phone. ( Read the full review here!) With the recent launch of the stunning iOS 7 (Apple's redesigned Software) many more people are going to choose to buy the iPhone 5 to enjoy the newest realease. So I thought I'd help you out with the decision of choosing which colour to go for as I know how annoying it can be when the person in-front of you in a queue spends 40 minutes choosing which colour to buy! Lets get to it ...

BLACK

WHITE

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A Multi-platform BBM (Blackberry Messaging) : The Full Story

Have you ever dreamt of BBM, Blackberry's exclusive messaging service, on your iPhone or Android Phone?  - Well the reality is , you probably haven't. Slow messages, annoying Broadcast messages and a shorter battery life as a result are all problems that i've experienced when using BBM. The fact is the majority of tech-users are and will use Whatsapp (or other messaging platforms) on their iPhones or android phones and even if they moved to a blackberry, I'm sure they'd still use Whatsapp over BBM. 

(Photo Credit : Elie Chahine's Blog.)

Why I don't like BBM!

Below are the reason why I seriously don't like BBM and why id much rather use Whatsapp. 

• BBM is slow and often doesn't work at random times ( when you need it the most.)
• The Broadcast Message - Yes, if you've had BBM you'd definitely know what im saying. Those irritating messages from people who have nothing to do. For people who don't know what they are - They are Messages that are sent from one of your friends to all of their contacts and often        sound like this ... "Happy Mother's Day - if you don't Broadcast this message in 20 seconds, something bad is going to happen to your mother." or the all common , "Blackberry is shutting down users profiles at 12:00 AM , if you don't broadcast this code, your phone will fail to work. This is a serious note from the CEO of Blackberry, John Blackberry." I don't know why people Broadcast these stupid messages, but then again, they did buy blackberries! 
• The overall performance of your Blackberry. When you have ± 300 contacts on BBM, your blackberry becomes really slow overall and often it freezes and restarts while you using the phone however this shouldn't be a problem with the Q10 or Z10. The slower processor on the Q5 may be affected. 
• The horrible Battery life, this is as a result of your contacts updating their profile pictures and statuses as well as sending and receiving messages. Your battery can go from lasting a day with medium use but with BBM disabled to a matter of hours with the same use and BBM running in the background.   

Multi-Platform

Blackberry is to release BBM as an App available for : 

• iPhones (iPhone 4 , 4S and 5.) running iOS 6
• Android Phones (Running 4.2) 

Once launched you will be able to download it off the App Store / Play Store and use it just like on a Blackberry 10 device however features will be updated on Blackberry 10 devices before it is updated on the application. The App will be Free of charge! 

Why does Blackberry want to release it as a Multi- platform Messaging Service? 

I should actually rephrase that heading and rather ask - Why does Blackberry NEED to release it as Multi-platform Messaging Service? Well with Blackberry (formerly known as RIM, which I called RIP.)  under piles of debts and Blackberry 10 showing to be less successful than blackberry anticipated,   A Multi-platform BBM will not only Boost sales of Blackberrys but will give Blackberry the opportunity to sell Ads on the iPhone and Android version of the Messaging service. A Multi-platform BBM could also give Blackberry much needed recognition and exposure, which I think is all Blackberry needs right now.  (Photo Credit - Business insider.)

PROs

• Better exposure for Blackberry 
• Advertising. Which could in essence Keep BBM alive even after Blackberry itself is dead. 
• A boost is sales of Blackberrys as more people have BBM and BBM therefore is more efficient and useful to the consumer.  
• cheaper than Whatsapp. Free compared to $0.99 / year. 

CONs

• BBM will no longer be exclusive to Blackberry Owners hence people who bought Blackberry's in the past solely for BBM, might not buy Blackberry's now. 
• There are bound to be more users and more users means slower messages. 
• Blackberry Software programmers and designers have to spend time writing the Android and iPhone Apps when they could be spending that time bettering Blackberry 10, and it needs ALOT of bettering to gain market share!

Tell me what you think Tweet using #iBBM for a chance to be followed and re-tweeted by us!  

Conclusion 

Although bold, I think this move of releasing BBM as a Multi-platform messaging service will definitely pay off in the long-run with more exposure for Blackberry. The idea has potential but the execution is what im waiting to see. Will Blackberry successfully recreate itself or will 10 be Blackberry's unlucky number... 

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iBlog Awards : TOP10 TABLETS

1.) Microsoft Surface Pro

2.) iPad with Retina Display

3.) Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

4.) Apple iPad Mini

5.) Sony Xperia Tablet Z 

6.) Nexus 10.1

7.) Samsung ATIV 

8.) Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9'

9.) Nexus 7

10.) Samsung Galaxy 2 Tab 7'

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iBlog Awards : TOP10 SMARTPHONE

1.) Samsung Galaxy S4
2.) HTC One
3.) Xperia Z
4.) Blackberry Q10
5.) iPhone 5
6.) HTC First
7.) Nokia Lumia 925
8.) Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
9.) Nexus 4
10.) Blackberry Z10

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iPhone 5 Review

 The iPhone is very unique in the sense  that it doesn't need a introduction, everybody knows the iPhone. Its famous , for obvious reasons -


 1.) Its an Apple iOS Device
2.) Its has an amazing build quality
3.) its resale value is very good
4.) its popularity
5.) its just amazingly simple ( for the young and old).

The New addition to the family has gotten a huge amount of upgrades - a bigger screen with a higher resolution , LTE capabilities and off course a new design of unexplainable beauty.  So lets see how this iPhone compares to its predecessors and off course its hungry competitors!

HARDWARE

The factor that I love about Apple products is what i call the  i Factor ( i as in iDevices are truly a blessing to the eye)- And they are like i said 'unexplainably beautiful'! With the iPhone 5 many people said when it came out that the design was just enhanced from the iPhone 4S to accommodate the new bigger 4' screen (including myself) but you cant say that before you have held the device in your hand and had a good look at the iPhone. It has a Apple's signature home button on the front and a Black/ White bezel wrapped around the Screen. The Side and back of the iPhone comes in either Slate / silver (depending on the color you chose). Around the side you have the Sleep/ Wake  button on the top, the Nano SIM card tray on the right side and the volume rocker on the left hand side. The 8-Pin lightning connector and the 3.5 mm headphone jack is located on the bottom along with the speakers. The iPhone 5's Multi- tone back is actually inspired by the iPhone (1st Generation) which also had a multi-tone back, The design at the back is 2 strips polished black/White strips on the top and bottom and then either slate/Silver in the middle. The Design overall is very spectacular and premium and I think its amazing compared to most phones on the market at the moment.

SCREEN 

The phone has a bigger 4' Retina Display which is the same width just longer. The Screen is 326 pixels/inch. The Resolution on this phone is stunning and it separates this phone from the rest. However  I don't think it was necessary for Apple to upgrade the screen size to 4' , I think the previous 3.5' Display was perfect (size-wise) and I think Apple just lost money and customers by making the phone bigger ( because after all people who use iPhones everyday don't want something that big) 

CAMERA

The iPhone 5 has an amazing 8MP iSight Camera. The new camera app has a feature to take panorama shots (which are 180 degree pictures). However compared to other phones the iPhone 5 has very few options and settings when taking pictures and the zoom is so bad, its not useful at all. (which is a huge downside.) 

                                                 A picture taken with the camera

THE BATTERY

Theres not much to say about the battery , it does its job and carries me through the day without fail.

THE NEW 8-PIN LIGHTNING CONECTOR 

For anyone who doesn't know, Apple has updated its charging port from the big 30pin dock connector to the new smaller 8pin lightning connector. Theres no big reason why Apple changed the charging port other than its smaller, it saves space and its faster but the new lightning connector may make consumers who have many docking stations and other exesories using the old 30-pin dock connector however you can buy a 30pin to 8pin convertor from Apple and that may work on some of your docking connectors. 

iOS

There is truly nothing like iOS! thats why it suites the phone itself. The iPhone 5 runs iOS 6. Now don't get me wrong iOS 6 is spectacular but there is a very small gap between iOS 5 and iOS 6 and thats a very important thing to note because if you get bored of a phone very easily the iPhone 5 or infact any iPhone isn't the phone for you. iOS doesn't really get updated with brand new features quickly unlike Android OS all in all I think iOS might be too simple not allowing users to customize and personalize as much as Android , Blackberry and Windows Phone OS allows you to. The Good part about iOS is the Apps! Comparatively the iOS App Store has much more quantity and quality, the Apps available for the iPhone 5 work in complete harmony with the device especially high graphic games which play beautifully on the 4' Retina Display.

Siri

Theres many virtual assistant systems like S'Voice , Google Now) but Siri is the original one and I think its the by far the best. In iOS 6 Siri is able to answer your question about almost anything, she can book movie tickets, tell you the weather, send messages , remind you and tell you scores. Siri now has full Facebook and Twitter integration so that you can update your status just by saying it to siri.

iMESSAGING 
Send messages to any other Apple iOS device for free using Wifi or 3G. You can talk to someone on your iPhone and your message will automatically sync to your iPad , your iPod and your Mac.

iMAPS
Apple's battle to eliminate Google from their system continues in iOS 6 as Apple makes a leap to replace Google Maps ( the previous default mapping system on iOS 5 and older) for their own mapping system - iMaps, which is a collaboration between Apple and other navigation specialist like TomTom. The New software brings new detailed maps that I really believe look better than the previous version. The biggest leap forward is the Voice guided navigation, it works pretty well but uses a lot of data and still isn't as good as systems like Nokia Drive. iMaps ,in my opinion, isn't perfect and often can't even complete simple actions like finding my correct current location but nevertheless I think iMaps is a step in the right direction for Apple and with some improvements I think it could be an excellent feature.

PHOTOSTREAM

Apple introduced photostream with iOS 5 as a way to get easy access to your photos from your iOS device or your Mac. iOS 6's Photo stream allows you to now share your photos with other iOS devices and Macs allowing others to like and comment on the photos you share, this feature is spectacular. 

OTHER PICTURES

CONCLUSION

Overall I thought the iPhone 5 is amazing and is definitely one of the best Smartphone on the market at the moment. However I think the iPhone 5 is a lot like the iPhone 4S which is a lot like the iPhone 4, What i'm trying to say is that Apple hasn't really made many significant changes with their devices over the past few years they just 'enhanced' it and I think if Apple doesn't make a significant improvement in their devices soon competition like Samsung will soon pass them. Apple used to be the leaders in the smartphone game but now they are falling behind - its taking them way to long to bring new features into iOS and often Apple users only get to use those features last. In conclusion I think this phone is spectacular it beats it predecessors (by half an inch) and it beats most its competitors (for now) ...


SCORECARD

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