Why I Bought The New iPod Touch

For starters, the 5th Gen. iPod Touch is beautiful, slim, light, colorful?, and with the new 4" display it has added functionality. For those of us that didn't drop everything and buy an iPhone 5 the iPod might be a nice alternative. I thought so at least....

Now, everyone is going to go, why didn't you wait for the iPad Mini? Cause that product does not interest me. Everyone uses their devices differently, and I have very specific needs. Some people will find that the iPad Mini chances the way they live their life, and that's great. It won't be changing mine.

I still have my iPhone 4 for a month or two more before my contract is up, so yes it is getting a little dated. I notice its much slower, isn't as light in my hands, and I'm honestly just getting bored of it. I also have my 'New' (now old) iPad 3rd Gen. This I use mostly for around the house. I chose the wifi version at purchase, because I really get wifi everywhere I go, so I have no need for built in cellular. This is a large unit, and being a guy, unless I'm taking a backpack, my iPad isn't coming with me.

Why An iPod Touch

Portability is king. As long as getting wifi is not an issue, I would much rather spend $30 less than the iPad Mini and get something more portable, while getting more storage on top of it. Being 2,1 I guess I am even more in-tune with technology than those that write most Apple blogs right now, but the idea of screen size, screen size, screen size, doesn't matter to me. I can get everything I need done on the go from a 4" screen. So why not take a lighter unit than I will even notice I have in my pocket. Lets be real, I'm not shoving the iPad Mini down my pants.....

Impressions

This unit is fun. It just feels so good in your hand with the aluminum backing, and it is so damn light. I already carry it around with me daily in my pocket, and use it for almost all functions. I now only pull out my iPhone for making calls or texting someone without an iPhone, who doesn't have an iPhone? Its perfect for multitasking, and playing the occasional game here or there. Haven't tried watching a movie on it yet though. On my to do list. 

Negatives

The only downside I have found yet, other than its wifi only, although that's not an issue, is that the ambient light sensor is missing. The only time this is a problem is in low lit rooms, the screen can get a little hard to look at, and you may have to manually change the brightness. 

Verdict

For those looking to get a wifi iPad Mini, the Touch may be a better option given the circumstances. I know for me, this unit will suit me better. 

Stay tuned for audio stores, the Supercube III is quite a laugh, and if you haven't already you can follow me on Twitter: @TheRyanPatrick. I am currently playing through Forza:Horizon as well, which I can post about if anyone is interested.

Projects In The Works

So..... I haven't forgotten about those that read this forsaken blog. I am actually undertaking many projects right now all of which I cannot wait to post about.

I have successfully put a Definitive Technology Supercube III in my friends car, I am putting car subs in my home theatre, and building a hackintosh.

With that being said, stay tuned!

Smart Tech Choices: Cables Matter

If you think you can just get away with that 5 dollar Dynex HDMI or the unmarked 5 cent audio cable think again. Why bother buying a nice TV or an amazing sound system if you are going to hook it up with crap cables. 

For those of you that may be going "why does it matter?" this is for you. There is such a thing called the limiting factor: the slowest, therefore rate-limiting, step in a process or reaction involving several steps. Put simply, don't let cheep cables be the reason you aren't using your media to its fullest. 

I'm not saying go spend $1000 on AudioQuest's Diamond HDMI if you have a 32" LCD and a pair of bookshelves. 

Where you see the difference:

The big payout is in audio, and not in your video picture quality as many people think, although it will improve as you go up in quality, the audio is going to get a major makeover. 

If you are a true audiophile like me, then before you think of upgrading your receiver and/or speakers, think about what cables you are using to feed your system. 

What To Look For:

Don't be fooled by transfer speeds first off. Lower end cables love to boast transfer speeds as king. They aren't. Cables certified as high speed will get the job done. Cables with quality components will insure no alteration in signal, aka source distortion. Where most cables create distortion in quality:

Solid Conductors: Electrical and magnetic interaction between strands is one of the greatest sources of distortion in normal cables. Separate solid conductors prevent interaction between strands.

Metal Quality: Conductor material quality has a pronounced effect

on the signal passing through. By using Copper and Silver with less impurities, grain boundaries and surface irregularities, signal distortion is greatly reduced.

Insulation: Insulation is necessary to prevent positive and negative conductors from touching. But, signal flow is slowed down and distorted by all insulation materials, some more than others. Improvements in materials, and AQ’s Dielectric-Bias System reduce this distortion.

Geometry: The positive and negative conductors in a cable interact electrically and create distortion and attract RF noise. By paying attention to how conductors are arranged in relation to each other within the cable, this interaction is reduced.

Best way to combat distortion is to get a solid core cable. Most cables are either have a stranded or semi-solid core. Any time you pass electricity through a piece of wire, it creates a magnetic field. Stranded wire has hundreds of thin strands, which means hundreds of magnetic fields are interacting creating distortion. As well, most of the signal travels on the outside of the core, and with stranded cables that signal has to constantly skip from strand to strand to stay on the outside of the core, creating a lot of distortion. Solid core cables take away the single largest source of distortion allowing you to get the most out of your audio/video experience.

Personally I have tested this, taking a Dynex HDMI ($10) and testing it against a Monster 1000 series HDMI ($100). The differences at high volume were honestly astounding. At -10 volume on my Denon Receiver with the Dynex Cable, I had to abort the test about 30 seconds in because my recover began clipping, and I was worried for my speakers. With the Monster Cable the highs were Crystal clear, with thick rich mids that I am accustomed to on my system.

My Cables:

Lowest recommended quality: Monster 700 Series Cables

My go to cable: Monster 1000 Cable

Favorite Brand: AudioQuest

Planning on doing a review for AudioQuest's Carbon HDMI and Apple-USB cables within the week. As well as a full overview of my sound system and how I built it piece by piece!

If you have any recommendations or questions please feel free to contact me!

iPod Touch Begins Shipping

Word on the street is that the new iPod Touch 5th Gen. have begun shipping. This means it is only a matter of time before I get one at work. I will keep you all updated, look out for a review and pictures here at My iLife. 

My iOS Home Screen

The home screen of your phone is sacred space, giving you access to the apps you need right there front and center. Now with the iPhone 5 giving you that extra row, you can now cram 4 more essential apps into your iOS temple. 

Now I haven't upgraded to the iPhone 5 yet, but I'm honestly in no rush to do so. The reason? I get lost in the apps I use on a day to day basis, making the hardware they are on almost completely irrelevant. Some people like to cram loads of apps into folders, or leave ones they don't use spewed all about. But, I true fanatic knows that the home screen setup is almost art. I have no folders on my homepage, just my daily use apps. Now this isn't to say I don't have tons of folders, which I do. I just keep them on a not so important page.

Let me walk you through the apps I use, and please take some time to share some of your favorites.

This app is my main music app. I have ditched my whole iTunes library with great success, subscribing to Pandora|One which grants no ads, and HD Audio, it is an awesome option for leaving your iTunes library behind. (Free)

I still use a lot of the iOS native apps for most of my day to day functions. Although there are most likely better options out there, I rely on this one to work for me. I use it as my morning alarm mostly, and possibly for timing a thing here or there. (Native)

I have tried numerous different calendar apps, only to come back to the stock iOS app. Being able to put my class, work, and social schedule into one app, and being able to access it from all of my devices, as well as from iCloud.com is a huge bonus. (Native)

I am a huge fan of Camera+. If you haven't given it a try you definitely should. It is a more full featured camera app than the stock one. Shoot pictures as you would normally, and then when going into the apps own editing section you can add filters and effects before exporting them to your camera role. ($0.99)

Now GroupMe may not be for everyone. However, it is useful for trying to coordinate things at work, which is why I mostly use it, or for planing social events. It is essentially a group messaging client, which functions much like messages except for groups. Great explanation right? (Free)

Everyone loves to hate on the stock Twitter app, but honestly I like it. With the recent facelift for iOS, I enjoy the app just fine. Granted I do little more than read friends tweets and rattle off my own stupid comments on life, nonetheless. (Free)


I've been through many weather apps over the past few years, because unlike some of the other native iOS apps, the weather app just didnt do it for me. My most recent one is Weather 2x and honestly its worth a try. It combines the nice minimalistic approach to weather apps that I have learned to love, with good detail. It is defiantly worth a look. ($0.99)

Now this is an app people love to hate on. iOS stock reminders app is definitely lacking in features, but I simply use it to supplement my lacking brain capacity. With the addition of location based reminders, its nice to have the app alert me of things to do when I arrive home from work. (Native)

This is the app that gets all of my attention. Reeder (intentionally spelled wrong) is an awesome Google Reader client that I use nonstop to keep up to date on all the news, blogs, and other things I specifically follow. Great pickup if you are an RSS user. ($2.99)


Now although Reeder has a built in starring system to set articles aside for future reading, I like to use Pocket because of all the features it has. Pocket is a simplistic reader, focusing on the text and pictures to make the blog post, or news story easy to focus on. Easy to pull up those saved stories on the web, iPhone, or iPad. Plus its free! (Free)

When I have run out of media to check out in Reeder, I found my home in Flipboard. An interesting take on news consumption it is definitely something to take a look at. I became an instant fan the first time I opened the app. Flipboard also integrates Facebook and Twitter making for a truly unique way to keep up to date. Only way you will find me on Facebook is using this app. (Free)

Lift is an awesome app for pushing yourself to get things done. It differs from reminders in that it tracks the times you do the chosen actions. Anything from eating breakfast to exercising, or even talking to strangers. Lift is a way to track the times you do positive things you want to do. (Free)

Gotta keep track of the money, and PNC allows me to do that easily. (Free)

iStudiez Pro is an awesome app for keeping your academic life separate. I don't like adding my class schedule to my iCal because it makes everything messy and honestly it really isn't that easy. With iStudiez Pro I can easily keep track of my classes. The calendar part of the app allows me to see my classes superimposed over my iCal within the app, along with easily keeping track of my assignments and grades. There is also a nice mac app to go with it. ($0.99)

I am a huge sucker for the app store. I surf when I'm bored and always check to make sure all of my apps are up to date. (Native)

Who doesn't love settings. (Native)

Please share your own home screens, and favorite apps. I will feature the good ones right here! Until next time!

Welcome

Well, I have finally done it. I have caved in, listened to my friends and will finally begin to blog about my crazed addiction, Apple. Will people read this? Probably not, but honestly if I get at least one person willing to tune into the garbage I have to say, then I'm completely fine with that. There is plenty of time for people to learn who I am and what I am about so why not just dive right into it.

I am open to criticism, input, story leads, you name it. Disclamer: I am by no means a writer, journalist, shit I didn't even really get good grades in english class.

Ok so the contents of Steve Wozniak's tech filled bag have been circulating the internet lately, and this got me thinking.... How do I stand up to one of the infamous Apple Inc. Co-Founder.

So lets compare:

Photo Cred: Gizmodo      

Now I may not even come remotely close to what Steve sports, but many of us can't. This is, however a detailed list of what I take with me when I am out at class, or work for the day.

Accessories:

85w Magsafe Charger

2 Apple USB-30pin chargers

Apple 5W USB Power Adapter

Monster CleanTouch Pen

Morphie Juicepack Power-station

Dre Beats iBeats

Cyborg R.A.T. 7 Mouse

8g + 16g SanDisk Cruzer Fit USB Flash Drives

Devices:

Black Verizon iPhone 4 

+Clear glass back from eBay

+(PRODUCT) Red Bumper

Black New iPad 16g Wifi

+Icipio NGP Semi-Rigid Soft Shell Case

Late 2008 Macbook Pro (2.66 Intel CoreTwo Duo)

+180g 520 Series Intel SSD

+Optical Bay HD Inclosure 

+120g 520 Series Intel SSD

So there you have it. Now if you find me out on the street with my backpack, you will know exactly what you will receive when you decide to mug me.

Let me know what you carry around daily, or if I need to add anything to my list!

Until next time, cheers.