I Want My Photos Please
As bandwidth and download limits sky rocket, rich media is taking over the world. Media and entertainment companies are (mostly) embracing this trend, but there are ever increasing opportunities for users to contribute. Flickr is arguably the most ideal way to host and share photos and videos, with the site’s tour making this claim:
Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world.
As I followed the “Magical Feature Tour”, I continuously asked myself, “Why on Earth are all my photos in Facebook?!”
Ok, so that really is a rhetorical question. The power of social networking is huge, and to get anyone to check out another site it would have to be a pretty amazing photo of me exposing Hannah Montana’s real identity. (Sorry folks, I’m not that lucky!) So we have to live with Facebook’s flaws, including the lack of automatic tagging and low resolution images. The real problem though isn’t the photos I upload, but other people’s photos of me.
Back in the olden days, when someone took a photo of me on their Sony Mavica camera, they’d just whip out the floppy and I’d take a copy. As technology advanced and you could take more than 10 photos a night, we progressed to sharing the weekend’s snaps on a compact disk. It worked great, and means I still have those photos of me dressed up as Elvis from when I was 16. (Yes, this is full resolution!)
So what are my options today? I could email all of my friends and ask them to email the photos back to me one by one. That’d take waaaayyy too long, and I don’t necessarily want to have that level of contact with some of my Facebook friends. I could go through every photo, right click, Save Image As…, etc, but that doesn’t sound like my idea of a fun evening!
Well I’ve discovered FacePAD, a Firefox Add-on which is a Facebook album downloader. Once you install it (making sure you have default download location configured for Firefox), you just right click on a link to an album and choose “Download Album with FacePAD”.
The extension will whiz into action, and download each of the photos in the album. UPDATE: So it turns out it only downloads the photos on the first page of the album, and you have to repeat the right click action for each subsequent page. The files will be in your preconfigured download directory, helpfully named with random numbers, and placed in the middle of the rest of your files.
Mmm yeah, it’s pretty rough. Instead of asking for donations, perhaps the developer could spend some of his time cleaning things up a bit. However it does what I need, and I now have a simpler way of getting a copy of my embarrassing memories. I’m not sure that it’s going to be enough to motivate me to do it regularly, but is there anything else I can do?
Quick Tip: Secure Firefox with a Master Password
When I first found this out, I was shocked. By default, Firefox gives users the ability to view a list of all your saved usernames and passwords, as well as the sites they’re associated with. Check it out for yourself by going to Tools > Options… > Security > Saved Passwords.
Not a good thing. What if someone jumped onto my computer when I forget to lock it? They’ll find out that my passwords are cooldude, password, and ilikepink, which will be really embarrassing. Luckily, there’s an easy fix. Go to Tools > Options… > Security, check the “Use a master password” box and set a (strong) password. Periodically, and whenever you startup the browser, you’ll be asked for this password. Without it, prying eyes won’t be able to see your password list or automatically login to Facebook and pretend to be you.
Synchronize Your Life With Google
The word “cloud” is thrown about a lot these days, with services such as Amazon’s EC2 bringing the cloud within the reach of your humble developer. For the uninitiated, Wikipedia describes cloud computing as the following:
Cloud computing is Internet- (“cloud-”) based development and use of computer technology (“computing”). In concept, it is a paradigm shift whereby details are abstracted from the users who no longer have need of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure “in the cloud” that supports them.
Understand?.. No?.. Neither did I. I see the cloud as a magical room up in the sky, filled with an infinite number of computers that can store as much data as you like, and do a zillion calculations a second. The best part is you can access it from almost anywhere because it’s always up above you. It’s considered the future of computing, with Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, all competing in the race to become the cloud king.
So now that I’ve written an intro around the fluffy photo above, I’ll get onto the real post. What I love most about keeping my data in the cloud, is that it allows me to keep my data backed up in once place, and synchronized with all of my devices including my iPhone. Google have a number of services that help you do this, which I use to sync all of my email, contacts, and calendar entries “over the air” (another fancy term). If you’re nice, I’ll show you how to do it.
Doesn’t iTunes already do this for me?
Well kinda, but you have to plug your phone in for it to update your contacts, and it will only synchronize your calendar with Outlook (or the Mac equivalent)! If you follow these instructions, you’ll be constantly up to date without having to think about it.
1. You must have a Google account
If you haven’t already, head over to mail.google.com and sign up for a new account. Please please please use a sensible username, and save fluffy_bunny_69 or imdahottest for your Hotmail account. Have a play around and get a feel of your new home, then check out calendar.google.com to activate the calendar. You use the same username and password for every Google application, but you have to log in at least once to activate them.
2. Turn off iTunes sync
Next, we want to completely disable iTunes controlling the synchronization of your data. If we leave this enabled, it will mess with the data you store in the cloud.
- Open iTunes
- Connect your iPhone
- Go to the “Info” tab
- Ensure that synching of contacts, calendar and mail are all disabled.
3. Connect to Gmail via IMAP
The IMAP protocol allows you to keep your email messages synchronized between all of your clients and the server. You can use the standard Gmail option in your iPhone settings, but Google recommend that you use the custom account configuration:
What if I tap ‘Gmail’ instead?
Archiving and deleting messages will work differently. Our instructions ensure Gmail works as designed.
In particular this deals with the way Gmail archives emails instead of deleting them directly. Although not completely necessary, it’s probably best to follow their instructions.
4. Setup Google as an Exchange account
The Microsoft Exchange system is the market leader in the enterprise communication market, and for good reason. The wise folks at Google realised this and have emulated an Exchange server, which your iPhone can connect to. Now Google suggests that you enable synchronization of all of your data this way, but I recommend that you do not enable Mail synchronization via Exchange. I find the iPhone has trouble receiving notifications of incoming mail, especially when you have a large number of emails.
With the above caveat, follow these instructions on configuring an Exchange account.
5. Choose which calendars to sync
Whenever I add a new Google calendar, I always forget this step and wonder why it’s not working. It’s such a simple step that I bet you’ll do the same. Just head on over to m.google.com/sync, log in with your Google account, and pick which calendars you want configured. Bookmark the page so you can update your options in the future.
6. Play in the clouds
Now you’re set up with your data in the cloud! When you put new people in your phone book they’ll instantly be transferred to your Google contacts, and events you add to your calendar will always stay in sync between devices. Fiddle with the options, and suss out how to make it best work for you. Just remember if you’re going to play in the clouds, don’t forget to bring your umbrella!
Bonus!
For those of you who’ve made it past the corny images, here’s a bonus Facebook tip. With the latest version of the Facebook iPhone app, you can enable automatic synchronization of your contact’s profile pictures. Enable this using the “sync” button at the top right of the “Friends” page (choose both options). If you followed the above instructions, the pictures will also float up into the cloud and be added to your Google contacts!
In the future I’ll show you how to add Facebook events to your calendar, and how to share calendars with family and friends, but are there any other ways that you synchronize your data and live in the cloud?
Top 10 Apps for 2010
I’m an iPhone kinda guy. Not quite a fan-boy but I must be getting close. I bought my first 3GS in July, and it’s quite literally changed my life. It synchronizes my contacts, emails, calendar, tasks, music, podcasts and news feeds with negligible effort on my end. All of this using the built-in software out of the box and the infinite possibilities of the world wide web!
Now if you’ve never heard of an iPhone, or that you think that you buy apples in the fruit and veg section, then this post probably isn’t for you. Just imagine that there’s a magical shop where you spend electronic money to buy what we in the biz call “Apps”. Here’s my pick of the top iPhone Apps for 2010!
1. Facebook
In this day and age, everybody uses Facebook. My mum, my auntie and my friend’s inflatable sheep join the 350 million active users world-wide. The latest update from the internet giant brings push notifications to the app, notifying you instantly when someone comments on your wall or tags that photo of you from Saturday night. Instantly killing off a number of competing apps, version 3.1 automatically syncs your friends’ photos with your contacts every time you run the app. Facebook gets the number 1 spot for the number of hours I’ve spent falking instead of sleeping. Facebook on iTunes.
2. Google Mobile App
For all those times when you’re in the supermarket and need to find out the difference between cornstarch and cornflour, without the hand free to type your search. Just pull out the app, hold it up to your ear, and (instead of asking the guy stacking the shelves next to you) ask your phone. Google uses a previously disallowed API to determine when your phone presses against your face and begins the voice recognition. While also providing links to the most common Google sites, what I like most is the ability to change the voice recognition beeps to monkey noises. That’s why the Google Mobile App gets my number 2! Google Mobile App on iTunes.
3. Shazam
“Got my bands up, do doo do doo song” isn’t the best search phrase when you’re trying to find that song you heard on the radio. You knew that it had something to do with butterflies and taxi cabs, but the search results are questionable at best. If only you’d reached into your pocket and used the amazing power of Shazam! Is the exclamation mark part of the name? I’m not sure. You hold up your iPhone next to the speaker, and “tag” the song. Shazam will listen for 30 seconds, send it away for analysis, and come back with the name and artist of the song. I’m not sure how it works (Josh does), but if you really care how Miley parties in the USA then you should get Shazam! Shazam on iTunes.
4. Pocket Weather AU
Brrr it’s cold in here, and I can hear thunder outside, but can I go and fly my kite this afternoon? The iPhone comes with a built-in weather app, which people love so much that they wish they could lose it. Developed by a couple of Adelaide guys, Pocket Weather is the next best thing to having Jane Reilly in your pocket. The app provides a comprehensive 7 day forecast with rainfall, humidity and wind readings. For the really keen you can check out the live radar direct from the Bureau of Meteorology. Best of all, this app could save your life. Using the new push technology you’ll instantly receive the latest weather alerts, notifying you of road weather warnings and sheep grazier advice. Not free at $2.49, but easily the best in its class. Pocket Weather AU on iTunes.
5. Photoshop.com Mobile
When I pulled my iPhone out of the box, the first thing I tried was the camera. Yeah it’s not the greatest in the world, but with some cropping and rotating you can really tidy up the images. It’s a pity that the default photo viewer has absolutely no support for doing this at all! “What, no rotating?!” I hear you say. That’s right, because Mr. Jobs decided that we can just turn our phones on their sides (if you don’t mind continuously chasing the rotating image). Thankfully the power that couldn’t bring Flash to the iPhone, brought this other major offering instead. Photoshop brings cropping, rotation and lots of other things, and is offered for the low price of $0.00 (Australian Dollars). Photoshop.com Mobile on iTunes.
6. MultiConvert
Here’s one for the inner geek. MultiConvert allows you to convert kilometres to miles, fahrenheit to centigrade, and pints to cups. They are just 3 of the hundreds of different units available using the simple user interface. Some of the less common conversions include imperial pecks to dashes, quires to reams, and pascal-seconds to poises. I don’t know about you, but I’m always confused by my quires! The application will also download the latest conversion rates for currency and a number of other variable quantities. This one certainly doesn’t impress the ladies, but you can quiz yourself on cup sizes for hours. MultiConvert on iTunes.
7. Now Playing
If you do happen to have a lucky lady in your life, it’ll get you into the good books if you take her to see a movie. Pull out your phone (making sure you close MultiConvert without her seeing!) and open Now Playing. Using data downloaded from community critic site Rotten Tomatoes, you’ll get the latest reviews on current and future flicks. Using the built-in GPS, Now Playing will list the cinemas closest to you with the available session times. With links to trailers and online ticket sales, you can skip the lines and head straight to the seats. Don’t forget to buy your date a large popcorn though, otherwise you’ll undo all your good work. A note for the newbies: popcorn is the only food that you can buy the largest possible size for a girl without her being insulted. In fact buying her a small translates directly to “I think you’re fat”. Now Playing on iTunes.
8. Remote
If you took my popcorn advice, and saw a good rom-com (none of this Avatar or Zombieland business), then you might be in the need for this next app. Remote by Apple Inc. allows you to take control of iTunes running remotely (hence the name) on a networked computer. It gives you access to your entire iTunes library, letting you choose which songs/artists/playlists to set the mood with. The album art is transmitted directly to your phone and updates whenever the track changes. You can adjust the volume whenever you like, with just a slide of your finger. I recommend some Robbie Williams or Pete Murray, because remember it’s not all about you! Also useful for pretending to be a ghost/computer virus, Remote for your iPhone is a must. Remote on iTunes.
9. Domino’s
This new release application is a dream come true. Now you can use your phone to order pizza! There’s not a lot to say here. The interface is very similar to Domino’s online offering, but with the added advantage of… umm… being on your phone..? Although it doesn’t offer much more than dialing your local store, it does become handy sometimes. If you want pizza from Domino’s, and you want to show off your geeky abilities, then that’s the time to use this app. Otherwise, maybe pick up the phone and call a better store? (Legalese: There is nothing wrong with Domino’s pizza, and Matthew Blackford of Serialize This highly recommends their delicious round circles.) Domino’s on iTunes.
10. Footy Lite
Like all good Australians (awsies for the internationally inclined), I support my football team. That’s Australian Rules Football (AFL) where two teams compete by kicking an oval-shaped Sherrin, with players being allowed to catch the ball but not throw it. I love to watch the games live when I can, but with my busy lifestyle it’s not always possible. Footy Lite (the free version of Footy) keeps me up to date with the current scores and top goal scorers. Covering all 22 rounds of the home and away season, as well as the final series with that big day in September, Footy Lite is part of being Australian. (Sadly to get a screenshot where my team won, I had to scroll back six weeks and even then it was against one of the worst teams in the league… 
) Footy Lite on iTunes.
11. Scramble 2
“Top 11 Apps for 2010″ wouldn’t have been anywhere near as catchy, and now that I’ve sucked you in here’s my number 11. I’m breaking the rules for this word puzzle sensation that’s so good it’s 2. What seems to be an electronic take-off of the popular game with the letters called b*****, Scramble 2 is the only game to make it into my top 10 11. The aim of the game is to find words in a random selection of letters, within a short time frame. The larger the words the more points you get, and the better your bragging rights. You can even configure the app to annoy your friends on Facebook with every game you play. “Not” is not the best word I’ve ever found, but you have no idea how hard it is trying to screenshot mid animation! Plus I would not have been able to make all these cool “not” puns otherwise. Get Scramble 2. It’s fun, competitive, and stops you from losing your mind. Scramble 2 on iTunes.
11 is never enough, especially when it comes to iPhone apps. I ran out of room for some of my favourites such as Flight Control and Cricket Lite, and left out others because they are so 2009. With Apple’s New Years Resolution being to approve apps faster, there’s sure to be a bunch of amazing apps I’ve never heard about. What apps would top your list for 2010?
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