Creating Compelling App Descriptions for iTunes and the iOS App Stores

When you submit an iOS application for review, you’ve got to make sure your ad copy is tight.  The app description may be the last thing holding back a tap to buy your app. Apple doesn’t give much guidance on this important chunk of text. “Write your Application Description with a focus on what makes… Continue reading Creating Compelling App Descriptions for iTunes and the iOS App Stores

iTunes Accounts Hacked, App Rankings in Books Category Gamed

I was tipped off that a widespread effort is underway to game the Books category of iOS apps in the iTunes App store.  It appears that a coordinated effort is underway to use iTunes accounts to purchase specific apps to drive them up in rankings. This of course affects those who have unauthorized charges to… Continue reading iTunes Accounts Hacked, App Rankings in Books Category Gamed

Protecting the Cash Cow: Why the iPad Does Not Have Multitasking Ability

The internet is abuzz with what the iPad is missing, but for each statement there is a very specific and reasoned answer.  I’ve been happy to see Daring Fireball give background on the reason Flash is not and should never be built into Apple’s Touch platform.  With that properly explained, let’s look at why the… Continue reading Protecting the Cash Cow: Why the iPad Does Not Have Multitasking Ability

Killer Application for Apple Tablet is Board Games

There’s a lot more speculation about the tablet since a New York Times blog entry that included a quote that people will be “surprised how you interact with the new tablet.”  A lot of the conjecture is based on applications for patents that Apple has filed in the past few years.  I have an angle… Continue reading Killer Application for Apple Tablet is Board Games

The Concept of Self and Use of RFID on the iPhone in Entertainment and Social Space

My friend Elissa turned me on to an article by William Deresiewicz titled The End of Solitude that addresses the culture of celebrity and connectivity as symptoms of an impulse for becoming known.  Much of the article offers an overview of the historical concept of Self and what we get out of it. Something I… Continue reading The Concept of Self and Use of RFID on the iPhone in Entertainment and Social Space

January Song of the Month: Blue Lining, White Trenchcoat

I was going to skip January, but then remembered this Mando Diao tune Blue Lining, White Trenchcoat. This track begins at what sounds like a rail station and rips right into a piano driven frenzy.  Later on the song breaks down and then comes back together. The lyrics are a lock often ending with the… Continue reading January Song of the Month: Blue Lining, White Trenchcoat

Add Global Hotkeys to iTunes

Winamp has been my media player of choice for years because it is fairly lightweight, and has a long history off plugins.  Winamp also has the ability to use global hot keys which are keyboard shortcuts to play, pause and skip through tracks even if you’re using another application. Since I got the iPhone, I’ve… Continue reading Add Global Hotkeys to iTunes