Minggu, 04 April 2010

Mashable: Latest 13 News Updates - including “Super Monkey Ball for iPad: Is It Worth $10? [Video Review]”

Mashable: Latest 13 News Updates - including “Super Monkey Ball for iPad: Is It Worth $10? [Video Review]”

Link to Mashable!

Super Monkey Ball for iPad: Is It Worth $10? [Video Review]

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 09:12 PM PDT

One of the downsides of the iPad is that the paid applications are significantly more pricey than the apps available for the iPhone. Sure the iPad is designed to take the app experience — especially around gaming — to the next level, but does the supersized screen warrant a supersized price?

I promptly paid for and downloaded Super Monkey Ball 2 for iPad [iTunes link] to find out firsthand. Watch the video below to find out whether or not this app is a hit or miss and worth the expense.




For more technology coverage, follow Mashable Tech on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook


Reviews: Facebook, Twitter

Tags: Apple iPad, super monkey ball, video games

Magic Piano for iPad Is Music to Our Ears [Video Review]

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 06:02 PM PDT

Magic Piano by Smule was one of the iPad apps we couldn’t wait to try; now we’ve tried it and we’re in love. While many view the iPad as a device to consume content, if Magic Piano is any indication it’s also going to be a device to help create music.

I got to speak to Dr. Ge Wang, the co-founder, CTO and CCO at Smule yesterday about the development process for Magic Piano, the differences in developing for the iPad versus the iPhone and what the iPad might mean for the future.

Wang, an Assistant Professor at Stanford University’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, really wanted to build an application specifically for the iPad and one that would show off the devices best features.

Working around the clock for just over two months, the team at Smule built Magic Piano to be both an experiment and working proof of concept, as well as an app that could be fun and creative.

Check out this video demonstration that I made earlier today, showing off Magic Piano for iPad:


Wang told me that the size of the screen was both a big inspiration for the app and also something that was highly important in the development process. Unlike the iPhone, which can have 5 multitouch points hit at one time, the iPad has 10. That means you can literally put all of your fingers on the iPad and play or create different sounds.

As for the circular piano shape – while part of that was out of utility — you can fit more keys on screen if you do something in a circle or a spiral — it was also to add a sense of whimsy and fun to the app.

As for the challenges in developing for the iPad versus the iPhone, Wang told me that because the technologies are similar, the size of the device was what was most important to consider. As a side note, it’s clear the company also spent some time dealing with the physics of the device and how the app works; it is something that you can easily use from multiple angles, whether you have it in one hand or propped up on your knees.

Wang sees the iPad as having tremendous potential for the creation of music. Looking at Magic Piano, I have to agree. If this is what you can create in two months as a proof of concept and experiment, who knows what could be built in the next six!

Magic Piano (which costs $2.99) is in many ways the spiritual successor to Ocarina for the iPhone. By that I mean it’s a concept that is simple but brilliant, and one that can truly capture the power of a new device in a way that you may never have considered.

Disclosure: Mashable’s Ben Parr is working with Smule on an unannounced project.

Tags: apple, Apple Tablet, ipad, ipad apps, magic piano, Smule

How a Facebook Group Helped Reunite a Band for Charity

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 03:01 PM PDT

God Street Wine ImageJosh Sternberg is the founder of Sternberg Strategic Communications and authors The Sternberg Effect. You can follow him on Twitter.

In July 2008, David Katz, an investment firm employee in New York City, searched for one of his favorite bands, God Street Wine, on Facebook to see what he could find. The only results showed people listing the band in their profiles. There was no official band page, no Fan Page — nothing. So, he decided to create a group petitioning one of his favorite bands to come out of retirement.

In an e-mail interview, Katz said "…I missed hearing and seeing their music live, so I figured why not [start a Facebook group] and didn’t think much would come of it or many people would join." He was wrong.

The Band

God Street Wine (or GSW), a NYC-based rock band, formed in 1988, recorded 6 albums, toured nationally with the H.O.R.D.E. festival on four occasions, and developed a strong fan base throughout the country.

GSW opened for rock legends The Black Crowes and The Allman Brothers and served as an influential voice in the burgeoning "jam band" scene of the early 1990s. They played thousands of shows around the country, creating a Phish-like community fan base, and played alongside popular crossover artists like The Spin Doctors and Blues Traveler.

Sadly for their fans, God Street Wine played their last show as a unit at the now defunct Wetlands Preserve in NYC in December 1999 (they did, however, play a reunion gig when they were part of a farewell show for the Wetlands in September 2001).

The Reach of Facebook

GSW Facebook Image

But now, due in large part to Katz's Facebook group, GSW is returning to the stage for four nights — two sold-out shows at The Gramercy Theater and two shows with some tickets remaining at Irving Plaza — in New York City. Even God Street Wine's drummer, Tom Osander, was surprised by the results from Facebook.

"I recall the day that pre-sale tickets went up for the Gramercy shows," Osander told me in an e-mail interview. "I was getting reports within the first fifteen minutes that people were not able to make a purchase and I figured that Ticketmaster was having one of its infamous logjams. It turned out that because so many people were in the loop on the pre-sale announcement, tickets had actually already sold out."

The band offered up pre-sale tickets to members of the Facebook group. As of this writing, there over 1,400 fans in the group. I asked Tom about his thoughts of Facebook's role in reuniting the band.

"I won’t say that we couldn’t have done it without Facebook, but it certainly wouldn’t have been as easy. Facebook and the other networking sites we utilized to promote these shows are still very new in the history of popular music, but they’ve already taken the lead and even replaced much of the traditional devices such as postal mailing lists, print media or radio, and posters used when the band was in its heyday back in the 90s. There is no way we could have reached as many people as quickly, and without spending a fortune on promo were it not for the Internet and Facebook."

Social Media Changed the Game for Bands

Online marketers agree. According to Alan Saltz, owner of Guaranteed Marketing, Inc, "[Social networks] offer virtually everything a band needs to build a thriving online community — the traffic, the targeting, the viral capability, the music, functions like list building and user-generated content … it’s all there. And unlike traditional websites, the fans themselves really drive the experience, which is exactly what you want."

Prior to the web and social media, bands used to rely on keeping a mailing list. Osander walked me through how much times have changed.

"I remember how I used to look after the GSW mailing list back in the early days. Even when there were only a few hundred names, it could take a day or two to design the gig list cards, get them printed, hand stamp each card, print the address labels, re-print the address labels after they jammed in the printer … and so on. Hell, there was a time when each name and address were hand-written each month. You couldn’t have paid me enough to do all that today.

"With these shows we were able to get the word out to thousands of people across the web (and world), announce on sale dates and sell the shows out all in a very short period of time. Truly night and day compared to our old method."

Music for a Cause

While GSW's reunion is exciting for fans, there's a bigger goal. According to the band’s web site, they are no longer a for-profit band. The proceeds from all four shows are going directly to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Osander told me, "Our former lighting director/stage manager and friend Mike Weiss was diagnosed with MS a few years ago and has spent a good deal of his time since then fundraising for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. When he came to us back in October asking if we’d consider raising some money for MS and also commemorating the anniversary of the passing of our old friend Paul Ducharme, we didn’t hesitate. So these shows, while first and foremost are benefit concerts, they also are important to the band and friends of Paul as a kind of tribute. His passing, after all, was the reason the five of us got back together last year, after eight years, and has again played a part in our decision to reform for these dates in July."

Conclusion

Social networks have created innovative and fun ways of spreading information for bands, and it appears, at least in this case, a way of resurrecting them.

As Osander concluded, "Was I surprised by all of this? A bit. I knew the power, scope and capabilities of the Internet. Was I delighted with the way things went? Absolutely. And I received not a single paper cut.”


For more social media coverage, follow Mashable Social Media on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook


More social media resources from Mashable:

- How Musicians Are Using Social Media to Connect with Fans
- How The Roxy Became the #1 Venue on Twitter [INTERVIEW]
- 5 Free Ways to Identify that Song Stuck in Your Head
- 8 Great Spotify Hints, Tips and Tricks

Reviews: Facebook, Twitter

Tags: bands, charity, facebook, Facebook groups, fans, music, non-profit, social good, social media, social networks

HOW TO: Get Started with the iPad

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 02:21 PM PDT

The iPad has landed and although you’ve likely been reading about it for weeks — if not months — now we can finally explore what Apple’s new device is capable of doing.

Given that the device is new to all of us, we thought it appropriate to walk you through the steps to set up your iPad. We’ve also included some basic tips for getting the most out of your device.

iPhone and iPod Touch owners will find the setup process and device mechanics familiar. If you’re new to Apple mobile devices, don’t fret. As long as your iPad anticipation doesn’t get the best of you, you can be up and running in no time.

Walkthrough: Get Your iPad Set Up

Once you unbox your iPad, you’ll immediately want to connect the iPad’s USB cable to your default home machine and open iTunes. When iTunes launches you’ll be asked to activate the iPad, agree to its Terms and Conditions, and register your device.

iTunes will serve as your iPad’s backup system and will suggest that you restore your iPad from a previous iPhone or iPod Touch backup if you have one of those devices or start with a clean content slate on your iPad. Given that there are now thousands of iPad-specific apps and a restore could take awhile, we recommend starting fresh.

Next, you can choose to automatically sync applications, photos, music and videos. Choose wisely — depending on your media inventory, the initial sync process could take awhile. We recommend deselecting the automatic sync options and customizing your iPad preferences via iTunes after this step (read the section below for further instructions).

You can also skip the iTunes process temporarily if your iPad was activated at the Apple Store. Simply fire up the App Store on the iPad to immediately immerse yourself in the app experience (here are a few we like). If you opt to download an app, you will need to enter your iTunes account information.

As for setting up your email, the process on an iPad is similar to the email setup process for the iPhone and iPod touch. Select your email program, enter your login credentials and you’re good to go.

Now you’re pretty much ready for action, but before you go app crazy in the App Store, take a few moments to manage your iPad via iTunes.

Manage Your iPad via iTunes

iTunes on your laptop or desktop will serve as your iPad’s home base. After the initial setup process, you will want to customize your iPad’s media content and configure your settings. Start by selecting your iPad in iTunes; it’s located under the Devices label in the left-hand menu bar.

This will initially pull up the Summary page. Tab through the top navigation menu items (each listed below) to tweak your settings for individual media types. Keep in mind that for each pre-selected option you tick or untick, iTunes will display an “Apply” button in the bottom right-hand corner. Clicking that will start the sync process, so hold off on that action until you’re ready.

Summary: Here you can view a basic overview of your iPad settings, review your capacity, check for updates, restore the default settings, opt to automatically open iTunes when you connect your iPad and select sync options.

Control freaks will want to tick the “Manually manage music and videos” checkbox to handpick music and videos to sync to the iPad. Otherwise, iTunes will autofill the iPad library with as much content as it can manage.

This is also where you will go when you need to reference your iPad’s Identifier (UDID). Click on “Serial Number” and iTunes show you your UDID. Should app developers provide you with a preview version of their app, they’ll need your UDID number to get you set up.

Info: From the Info tab you can choose to sync your address box contacts, iCal calendars, mail accounts, and Safari notes and bookmarks. In the advanced section you can elect to have iTunes sync your iPad’s contacts, calendars and mail accounts with your computer.

Apps: This is where you’ll go to manage your iPad apps. If you own an iPhone or iPod Touch, you’ll notice that all of the apps you already own are pre-populated here. Select the apps that you want to appear on your iPad from the left-hand menu, which can by sorted by name, category or date. You can then drag-and-drop the ticked apps to switch them from one iPad page to another. You can also drag-and-drop individual pages to rearrange them.

Music: The music tab will let you sync your entire music library or individually-selected playlists, artists and genres. Should you select the latter, you can manage those songs from the Music option below your iPad in the Devices section of the left-hand menu.

Movies: In this section you can manage the movies that will be synced with your iPad. Use the drop down menu to specify whether you want to automatically sync all movies or just some of them. You can also scroll down to select to sync individual movie playlists.

TV Shows: The TV Shows tab is very similar to the Movies section though, by default, all unwatched episodes of your shows will be loaded onto your iPad. To keep your iPad from reaching capacity too quickly, we recommend only syncing shows that you plan to watch in the immediate future. If you’re a frequent traveler, you should revisit this section prior to any trip and load the shows you want to watch before takeoff.

Podcasts, iTunes U and Books: Each of these tabs offers similar syncing options as the Movies and TV Shows tab. You can “sync all” or select specific content to load on to your iPad.

Photos: Photos will consume space on your iPad, so keep that in mind as you select between syncing all photos and individual albums and videos.

Master the Basics

Here are a few tips to keep in mind once you start playing with your new toy.

Location Services: If you don’t want your iPad to register your physical location you can turn off Location Services in the General section of the native Settings app. Default is set to “on,” meaning that apps that show location data will ask you to share your location on launch.

Email Signatures: To create an email signature, select the Mail option within the Settings app. Scroll down, select “Signature” and type away. Just be forewarned that the default “Sent from iPad” signature might piss off your iPad-less friends.

Taking Screenshots: You can snap a shot of your iPad display by holding down the home button and the black power button at the same time. Screenshots are saved as photos in your iPad photo library.

Push Notifications: The iPad supports push notifications that you can manage via the native Settings app. You can universally turn notifications on or off, or customize notifications on a per-app basis in the “Notifications” section.

Display Lock: Slide the black button (right above the volume buttons) up or down to lock the display into landscape or portrait mode.

Double-Size Apps: All apps that are not iPad-specific can be double-sized by selecting “2x” after launching the app.

Have you found additional iPad tips or tricks? Share them in the comments and we will include them here and credit you for the find.


For more Apple coverage, follow Mashable Apple on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook


Reviews: App Store, Apple Store, Facebook, Safari, Twitter, iPhone, iTunes

Tags: Apple iPad, ipad

Can You Blog From an iPad? I Just Did

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 01:45 PM PDT

Disclaimer: I wrote and published this post, in its entirety, from my iPad.

Apple’s “magical and revolutionary device” is supposed to be the ultimate content consumption tool. You can play music, watch movies, and surf the web, all from a device that is meant to be smaller, more focused, and more elegant than a netbook or even a laptop.

For content creators though, there has been a strong amount of skepticism. Without the mouse and keyboard interface, how fast can you really type emails, photoshop pictures, and build code with just a touchscreen?

These are questions that will be answered over the next few weeks as content creators push the iPad to its limits. In the meantime though, I’ve decided to run an initial test by writing an entire blog post from scratch, using the WordPress iPad app to fill the webpage you are reading now with elegant text.

Here are some of my raw observations:

  • The act of typing itself is not too bad at all, especially if you do it in landscape mode. I was able to type pretty quickly with most of my fingers. Most mistakes were autocorrected. I am pleasantly surprised by the results.
  • With that said, girls with longer fingernails will get annoyed with keys that don’t press when they want them to.
  • I will just come out and say it: typing with HTML is a pain in the ass. I got better with it over the course of this post, but I hope I don’t build many lists on the iPad.
  • Copy and Paste didn’t function properly for me. I don’t know if that is me being an idiot or the interface, but I wanted to bring it up.
  • I can see images being a pain. If you have photos or screenshots on the iPad, it’s real easy to add them via WordPress. If you want a specific image size (like the ones you see on the top of most Mashable posts), then it’s more difficult. I bet there will be great image editing apps very soon to fix this issue, though.
  • I am far less inclined to add links in posts because it’s such a pain to retrieve them and copy them into WordPress. A feature to easily link to other pages on your blog would make sense, along with a way to quickly browse the web from the WordPress app.

Overall, you can type rather fast on Apple’s tablet, although I will use the iPad to edit rather than write posts. It is no replacement for my laptop, but if you want to get up a quick post on-the-go, the iPad does a decent job.

Reviews: Mashable, WordPress

Tags: apple, blogging, ipad, iphone, mashable, Wordpress

Twitter Creator’s Credit Card Scanner Comes to iPad

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 01:22 PM PDT

The iPad already has an app for credit card transactions thanks to Twitter creator Jack Dorsey’s Square project.

Originally planned for the iPhone, the app works with a peripheral credit card scanner that attaches to the headphone jack. Once the scanner is in place, you can use your iPad as a mobile cash register.

Customers will be impressed by the multi-touch interface, and they will be able to sign for their purchases on the screen. The app then verifies the credit card transactions through Square’s servers for a flat fee plus a small percentage of the sale.

In some cases, this application will be easier than using a regular credit card machine. An art dealer, for instance, could approach a potential buyer at a gallery opening with the iPad in hand to make a sale.

After the sale is completed, you can send receipts to customers via e-mail or SMS. Here are some pics.


For more business coverage, follow Mashable Business on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook


Reviews: Facebook, Twitter, iPhone

Tags: App, apple app store, Apple iPad, business, credit cards, ipad, jack dorsey, Square, transactions, twitter

iPad’s File System Suggests New Apple Devices on the Way

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 12:38 PM PDT

Although Apple rivals the Fortress of Solitude when it comes to unreleased products — remember all of the speculation around the iPad? — the Cupertino-based company does leave clues about what is to come. A look into the iPad OS’s file system suggests that we can expect not one, but two iPhones in the near future, along with the next-generation iPod touch and the next-generation iPad.

In the configuration, you can see a list of devices based on the iPhone OS model. However, there have been some new additions to this list following the iPad’s launch: iPhone3,2; iPhone3,3; iPod4,1 and iProd2,1.

For reference, the current model of the iPhone is 3,1, the current iPod Touch is 3,1 and the current iPad is iPad 1,1. You may recall that Apple used the iProd 0,1 tag as a placeholder for the iPad before it was released. Our guess is that iProd 2,1 refers to the second generation iPad.


Again, this is merely speculation, but these property lists have been a solid indicator of new products on the horizon before. The simple fact that two iPhones are listed in the property list adds momentum to rumors that Apple will release a Verizon iPhone soon.

[via Boy Genius Report]


For more Apple coverage, follow Mashable Apple on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook


Reviews: Facebook, Twitter

Tags: apple, ipad, iphone, iphone 3g, iphone 3Gs, iphone os, iProd

10 Great Sites for Watching Video on Your iPad

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 11:56 AM PDT

By now you’re probably well aware that the shiny new iPad is missing something: support for Adobe Flash content. Even Adobe called out Jobs and co. for its omission on the device that will herald the renaissance of the tablet computing form factor (maybe).

Still, despite the prevalence of Flash use in popular video sites and casual games, you won’t be left completely out in the cold when it comes to watching video on your iPad, thanks in large part to the advent of the next-generation web standard, HTML5.

Though still in essentially early days, HTML5 is getting enough buzz and support to at least give it a localized victory over Flash in our recent Mashable poll. Adobe itself sees the two technologies co-existing for some time yet to come, but what about Apple iPad owners who simply want to watch some video content right now? Check out our list of video sites below that support viewing content without requiring Flash support, whether via adopting HTML5 or via some other means.

1. YouTube


Luckily, the reigning champion in monthly video views announced support for HTML5 a couple of months ago. Using the HTML5 version of the YouTube player, no browser plugins (i.e., Flash) are required to watch videos.

Unfortunately there are some caveats, prime among them that not all videos are supported in the HTML5 player. Specifically, videos with advertising, captions, or annotations won’t render properly. In general, the HTML5 version of the player is also not as robust and polished as the default Flash YouTube player, but iPad owners will certainly be grateful the option is there once they’re iconically sitting on the couch browsing video.

2. Netflix


Yes, it’s one of the few paid services on this list, but of course if you’re already a Netflix subscriber you’re going to love that it’s coming to the iPad. If you’re not a subscriber, you can check out a free two-week trial and instantly stream TV shows and movies to your shiny new iPad, plus manage your queue.

3. Vimeo


Almost immediately after YouTube announced its HTML5 player, popular video site Vimeo followed suit. You should be able to follow the “Switch to HTML5 player” link below compatible videos to check out Vimeo vids on your iPad; the company says about 90% of the videos uploaded within the past year should be supported in the HTML5 player, although a smaller percentage of older videos are likely to have HTML5-compatible counterparts. Vimeo also cautions that the HTML5 player is still in beta testing, so don’t be too surprised by the occasional bit of bugginess here and there as well.

4. TED Talks


If you’re not already familiar with the huge collection of TED Talks, walk don’t run and check out these up-to-18-minute inspirational videos from thought leaders, experts, and world changers from the annual conference held in Long Beach, CA (plus a number of satellite conferences held every year worldwide). In anticipation of the iPad launch, TED has added HTML5 support to its player, making it viewable on Apple’s tablet as well as on the iPhone or iPod touch.

5. Flickr


Perennially popular photo and video sharing site Flickr has also prepped HTML5 video player support in anticipation of the iPad launch. They may be limited to 90 seconds, but they’re likely to be some of the most eye-catching and artistic short-form videos around.

6. The New York Times


Thanks to underlying support from video provider Brightcove’s HTML5 technology, the New York Times’ video section will be viewable on the iPad from day one. For newsy content organized by topic, this is likely to be a popular video hub for newshounds.

7. Time. Inc.


Also due to its choice of Brightcove as a video provider, Time Inc.’s video section features HTML5 support and will be playable on the iPad from launch day, as well.

8. ABC, CBS, NBC


Though all three networks will be handling it slightly differently, ABC, CBS, and NBC will all have support for video playback on the iPad at launch. ABC will release an actual app, while CBS will stream content through the Safari browser and NBC will rely on its iPhone-friendly mobile site to stream content. This can help you get your TV fix until the highly rumoured Hulu iPad app is finally unveiled.

9. Ustream


Looking for a live video fix? Ustream will have you covered on launch day with its iPad app. Users can browse streams and take advantage of all of Ustream’s social and chat features.

10. MySpace


Thanks to their addition of HTML5 support, MySpace will be offering video content to iPad owners as well. Visitors to Myspace.com will get a customized experience specifically for the iPad, along with the opportunity to browse and play the site’s collection of full HD trailers at 1080p resolution.

… And More

Sites are announcing either HTML5 support or iPad apps faster than we can even keep up with them. Apple itself maintains a list of sites that will be iPad ready to serve up video content. Are there others you know of not on either of these lists yet? Let us know in the comments!


For more technology coverage, follow Mashable Tech on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook


Reviews: Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, Safari, Twitter, Vimeo, YouTube, ustream

Tags: abc, adobe, apple, brightcove, cbs, Flash, flickr, HTML5, hulu, ipad, myspace, nbc, netflix, new york times, TED, time, ustream, video, Vimeo, youtube

iPad App Hands-on Reviews: Twitterific, Netflix, and ABC [VIDEO]

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 11:07 AM PDT

Thousands of iPad apps have already hit the App Store. Now that we have a few of the devices in-hand, we're going to start taking a look at some of them hands-on. Below, Christina Warren demonstrates the features of a few highly anticipated apps: Twitterific, Netflix, and ABC:

Having heard the feedback on the first video loud and clear, I reshot my demo of these apps. — Christina


For more Apple coverage, follow Mashable Apple on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook


Reviews: Facebook, Twitter

Tags: abc, apple, ipad, ipad apps, ipad reviews, netflix, twitterific

Netflix Streaming Coming to iPhone and iPod Touch, Too

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 10:27 AM PDT

Netflix released an app for Apple’s new iPad, allowing subscribers who bought the device on launch day to access the service’s vast library of streaming films and television. The iPad won’t be stealing all of the thunder from the already-popular iPhone and iPod touch, however; a Netflix Watch Instantly app is in the works for those devices, too.

Netflix made that clear in a very brief blog post today:

Steve Swasey, VP of Corporate Communications, here. Terrific response to our news today about Netflix on the iPad. For those of you asking whether Netflix will be on the iPhone and iPod Touch: We wouldn’t invite you to dinner without planning to serve dessert. In other words, we’re working on it so stay tuned.

We already knew that a Netflix app for the iPhone and iPod touch was a possibility because Netflix has been asking users for their opinions on a hypothetical iPhone/iPod touch app in online surveys. Given that an iPad app has already been released and that the iPad and the iPhone are very similar platforms, you can understand why we’re not surprised.

This is just another step in a long march for Netflix. The service started out mailing DVDs to customers, but it has signed numerous film and TV studios to provide content for its Watch Instantly streaming service, which is now the main draw for many tech-savvy folks. More recently, video game consoles like the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have been updated with Netflix streaming capability.

Plans start at $8.99 per month. Available films and shows include 30 Rock, Weeds, King of the Hill, 24, Julie and Julia, The Proposal, Angels & Demons, The Sixth Sense and numerous others.


For more mobile coverage, follow Mashable Mobile on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook


Reviews: Facebook, Twitter

Tags: App, apple app store, Film, ipad, iphone, iPod Touch, Movies, netflix, netflix watch instantly, News, streaming video, television, tv, video, web video

20 Essential Social Media Resources You May Have Missed

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 09:07 AM PDT

Logos ImageIt’s that time again — time to tap into all the tips, tricks, apps, and expert advice that may have flown under your radar this past week. We’ve corralled these must-reads into one handy list for your browsing convenience.

This edition is ripe with valuable info, including the biggest trends to watch on Twitter, some creative advice on keeping your business strategy social, a list of the best new web apps built for Google Buzz, and plenty more. And if you’re in the mood for a bit of web-based entertainment, see below for some fun YouTube compilations and amazing iPad video demos.

Social Media

Buzz Can Tweet Image

  • Facebook vs. Google: The Billion Dollar Battle to Be Your Default Social Profile

    Both of these Internet giants are vying to become your main destination for social, search, and shopping. This posts discusses the seeds they are sowing now in the hopes of future web dominance.

  • 5 Simple Social Design Tips From the Masters

    Good design is a critical component of the social web. We asked the experts for some simple advice that can make or break your next social design.

  • 5 Big Twitter Trends to Follow Right Now

    Day-to-day Twitter trends are interesting to follow, but it’s important to step back and take a look at where the social network is headed, and the challenges it will face in the future. This post takes a meta look at the state of the Twitterverse.

  • 10 Amazing Magic Trick Videos on YouTube

    YouTube is home to some amazing content, and the prestidigitation department is no exception. Check out these ten close-up and street magic tricks, each of which packs a solid wow-factor, and will leave you wondering, “How’d they do that?”

  • Top 10 Funny Dog Videos on YouTube

    If there’s one thing the Internet is good for, it’s funny pet content. This post rounds up some premium canine hilarity from YouTube that you simply cannot miss.

  • 5 Free Ways to Identify that Song Stuck in Your Head

    The days of agonizing over those relentless and unidentified melodies are over. The Internet, in all its musical genius, offers up a handful of ways to pinpoint the tune that simply won’t let you go.

  • Why Chatroulette Is More Than Just Penises

    The stunning viral runaway success of Chatroulette is often overshadowed by the “naughty bits” that are so prevalent on the service. This post delves deeper into the trend to discuss what the phenomenon of random, anonymous video chat means for the greater web culture.

  • 12 Fresh Web Tools for Getting the Most Out of Google Buzz

    Though still in its infancy, Google Buzz is quickly gaining traction with the help of eager developers who have pounced on the network’s open API. If you’re looking to integrate, connect, and spread your Buzz around the web, check out these 12 useful tools.

  • 5 Ways to Go Green for Earth Day with Social Media

    The social web is the perfect medium for spreading the word about an important cause. This post offers up five ways to get involved with the environmental movement, just in time for Earth Day.

  • 15+ Great Ways to Find Web Design and Development Work

    For web designers and developers looking to take on new projects, the Internet offers a great number of online resources that can help them find work. Here are more than 15 places for web creatives to land gigs.

For more social media news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s social media channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Mobile

Marc Jacobs Foursquare Image

  • 10 Essential Money-Saving iPhone Apps

    Though the iPhone is a pricey piece of hardware, it could pay for itself in the long run if you use it to find deals and live more frugally. This post examines 10 essential iPhone applications for living the frugal life.

  • How 5 Brands Are Mastering the Game of Foursquare

    Foursquare could easily be mistaken for a frivolous mobile application with little to no value for businesses, but here are five businesses that are proving the value of location-based social media apps.

For more mobile news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s mobile channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Tech

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  • 10 Amazing iPad App Video Demonstrations

    If you haven’t gotten your iPad yet, but you’re jonesing for your Apple app fix, check out these truly awesome video demos that showcase the power and versatility of the new tablet device.

  • 10 Insanely Great iPad Apps We Can't Wait to Use

    For those of you that have gotten an iPad, has it lived up the hype? Which apps are you enjoying the most? Here is a list of the 10 iPad applications were most looking forward to checking out.

  • 10 Must-See Google Street View Sightings

    You can’t drive around photographing the entire world without running across at least a few oddities. Check out this list for some strange and hilarious images captured by the Google Street View car on its quest to virtualize the globe.

For more tech news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s tech channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Business

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For more business news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s business channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Reviews: Facebook, Foursquare, Google Buzz, Mashable, Twitter, WordPress, YouTube

Tags: business, Features Week In Review, List, Lists, small business, social media, tech

Waiting in Line for the iPad [VIDEO]

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 08:24 AM PDT

Today, the mythical iPad finally saw the light of day (for common folk — dudes like Stephen Colbert and Letterman have had one for a while now), and being the dutiful journos that we are, we were there, camera in hand.

We talked to folks who had been on line since Thursday, iPad revelers and people who were there to pick up ‘Pad for family and friends overseas. (We also caught up with pro line-sitter Greg Packer, the first in line for the product.)

Check out the video below for our coverage from New York’s Fifth Avenue Apple Store. It was like a full-on rock concert, my friends — without all the music.


For more Apple coverage, follow Mashable Apple on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook


Reviews: Facebook, Twitter

Coke Zero to Stream Final Four Concert Live on Facebook Walls

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 07:56 AM PDT

Hey, the iPad isn’t the only big event on April 3 — the two semifinal games in the NCAA Final Four tournament are also taking place! Before the games begin, Coke Zero will kick off a huge concert at 1:45pm ET that will stream live on Facebook. This is the first time that a live event has been streamed on Facebook from a sporting event.

To get the word out about the Coke Zero Countdown — hosted by Ryan Seacrest and featuring Darius Rucker and the band Daughtry — Coke Zero, Papa Johns, Best Buy and several other companies are spreading the word on their Facebook pages using a new promotional tool called Wall Apps.

Wall Apps is a new product available from the social media management company Vitrue. Vitrue is the same company that powers Apple’s App Store Facebook Page. Wall Apps is exactly what it sounds like — a range of applications that can be activated and accessed from Facebook wall posts. So instead of clicking on a link and redirecting from your stream to another page, you can play video, look at a slideshow, get a coupon and create user polls.

Vitrue says that brands are able to get 110 times the reach using the Wall compared to other areas of a Facebook Page, like tabs. Users are more likely to interact with an app or a feature if it can exist inside the Wall than if they have to go to another screen.

Coke Zero, Best Buy, Papa Johns and the band Daughtry are all using Wall App polls to promote the main Coke Zero Countdown event. Because the polls can be customized by the page owner, each brand can ask their own questions and then fans can respond and add comments directly to the wall posting.

We think Wall Apps has some amazing potential. As an end user, I prefer to interact with brands in my newsfeed. For brands, it keeps fans engaged — a crucial part of using Facebook as a marketing platform.

Because Vitrue also has an analytics system built into its suite of tools, brands can trace and see which campaigns work best — so if one type of poll or graphic has a really positive effect on traffic, but another poll doesn’t, marketers can make better decisions in the future.

As Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms take a larger role in branded campaigns, we expect to see a multitude of tools built on top of these platforms.

What do you think of the Wall Apps concept? Let us know in the comments.


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Reviews: Facebook, Twitter

Tags: facebook, facebook apps, MARKETING, ncaa tournament, vitrue, wall apps

iPad Accessories: A Quick Guide to Apple’s Official Add-Ons

Posted: 03 Apr 2010 07:01 AM PDT

The minimum you’ve forked out (or are planning to fork out) for the Apple iPad is $499, so paying out for accessories on top of that might sting a little.

To try and help you decide what’s actually worth spending extra money on, we’ve taken a look at the official accessories available from Apple. It’s up to you whether or not you really need them.

Whether you’re hoping to watch iPad movies on your big screen TV, type with a full-size keyboard, or transfer your pics to your ‘Pad on the go, read on for the accessories you may want to invest in.

The iPad Keyboard Dock

Overview

How Much? $69

When’s It Due? Late April

Apple pitches the Keyboard Dock as a “useful home base” for your iPad. The aluminum keyboard is attached to a dock for syncing and charging your new device via USB hook-up with your computer.

Verdict

Although the iPad’s lack of multi-tasking makes it unlikely to replace the laptop altogether, Apple is offering a special version of iWork for the device. So if you do hope to get all productive on your iPad, the software’s there for you, and you may want a physical keyboard for extended periods of typing. As well as a full-size, familiar Apple keyboard, this offers shortcut keys keys to the home screen, search, display settings, picture frame mode and screen lock. However, be aware that due to where the dock connector is on the iPad, it can only be used in portrait mode.

If you plan to do any kind of typing on your iPad that’s longer than a tweet or search term, then $70 for this keyboard is going to seem like money well spent in the long run, even though it may hurt a little as you swipe the plastic at the point of purchase.

The iPad Dock

Overview

How Much? $29

When’s It Due? April 3

With the iPad Dock, you get easy access to a dock connector port for syncing or charging, and an audio line out for connecting to powered speakers.

Verdict

If you like to securely dock-and-charge rather than balance your iPad on your desk and hope no one trips over the wire, this might be a good option for you. The dock doubles as a stand, so you can use the iPad as a digital photo frame while charging, for example.

In addition to a line out for audio (cable not included) the dock boasts another standard connector that will work with the iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter and the iPad Camera Connection Kit. As the iPad works with Bluetooth keyboards, this accessory (along with your existing keyboard) offers a cheaper way of re-creating the Keyboard Dock above.

The iPad Camera Connection Kit

Overview

How Much? $29

When’s It Due? Late April

The iPad Camera Connection Kit lets you hook up a camera to your iPad via USB or transfer photo and video content onto it directly from an SD card.

Verdict

The iPad has no USB ports. If you want to use that lovely 9.7-inch display to show off your fantastic photos and home movie footage, this $29 accessory is going to be a must-have.

The kit offers two elements — the first is a USB interface for cameras and camcorders that will allow you to send content to your iPad (note that a USB cable is not included). The second is an SD card reader. Either interface will automatically open up the Photos app on the iPad, and unless someone comes up with a (hacked) workaround, they can only be used to get photo and video files onto your Apple device. Support for RAW files might well make this a pro-snapper’s favorite way to quickly view images on a larger screen while out and about.

The iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter

Overview

How Much? $29

When’s It Due? April 3

This will get your iPad content onto any big screen that uses a VGA connector, such as a TV, monitor or projector.

Verdict

If you’re planning on wowing the board with an iPad-based presentation (iWork for iPad offers a special version of Keynote) then this little gadget is going to be a must. Just be sure your presentation, slideshow, or video is formatted for landscape, as this is the only option for big screen display.

Incidentally, initial reports suggest Keynote works really well on the iPad. That’s where the goodness stops though, as you can’t project or display Safari on the big screen, so there’s no way to turn your giant plasma into an Internet display, for example. In addition, the old-fashioned VGA connection won’t stream modern HDCP-protected content (such as iTunes HD movies, for example) which is a bit of a problem if you were hoping to pay good money for films in iTunes, stick them on your iPad, and hook it up to the big screen.


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Reviews: Bluetooth, Facebook, Safari, Twitter, iWork ‘09

Tags: apple, Apple iPad, gadgets, ipad, ipad accessories, tech
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