Creating, coding games and simulations on the iPad with Codify

Codify
Two Lives Left, 10.5 mb, $7.99



Codify is now on the iPad, an amazing easy to use interface allowing users to make,code games and simulations (using Lua programming code). For those still learning, there are also handy examples and sprites available for use and study. Very interesting, as I feel suddenly inspired.

The Official Facebook app for the iPad is now active.

Finally..

No more ridiculous permissions through past 3rd party Facebook iPad clients. No more silly enlarged iPhone app version. The Official Facebook app for the iPad is here, at last. Though, it's just the iPhone version with an update for the iPad with a ton of new features.

The iPad version is incredible simple and fast. Some great new features are including a handy location map for those "checking in." There is now the easy management of Pages, something I had much trouble doing before. There is also the easy loading, navigation and clarity of photos. I also appreciate the ability to check your account and privacy settings.

Though at first try, it seems I needed to delete the original iPhone app and re-install (kept crashing otherwise).  Just download and sign in as normal. Then, go about your normal, addictive routine.

Adobe Touch Apps coming to your iPad!

Just announced, Adobe Systems Systems Inc. is bringing out the Adobe Touch Apps this November. Launching this brand, are six new apps available to the iPad (and Android tablets). All of which are aimed at people looking to create and display their designs, ideas, art (see below) at the reasonable introductory price of $9.95 each. Adobe Ideas is already available via the App Store so there will hopefully be an update to the new version. I assume Photoshop Touch will replace the already excellent Photoshop Express app. All of which will have integration its new sharing service, the Adobe Creative Cloud. I look very forward to these new products, as Adobe finally steps up its game to us tablet users on a lesser budget..

Here described:

• Adobe Photoshop Touch lets users transform images with core Photoshop features in an app custom-built for tablets. With simple finger gestures, users can combine multiple photos into layered images, make popular edits and apply professional effects. The tablet-exclusive Scribble Selection Tool allows users to easily extract objects in an image by simply scribbling on what to keep and then what to remove. With Refine Edge technology from Adobe Photoshop, even hard-to-select areas with soft edges, such as hair, are easily captured when making selections. Additionally, the app helps users quickly find images, share creations, and view comments through integration with Facebook and Google Search. Using the syncing capabilities that are a component of Adobe Creative Cloud, files can be opened in Adobe Photoshop. 
• Adobe Collage  helps creatives capture and refine ideas and concepts by allowing them to combine inspirational images, drawings, text and Creative Suite files into modern, conceptual mood boards. Features include importing of images, four customizable pen types for drawing, adding text, and applying color themes. A virtually unconstrained canvas grows as needed to accommodate more assets. Files can be shared or transferred for access in Adobe Photoshop.

• Adobe Debut allows users to present designs to clients and stakeholders virtually anywhere. Adobe Debut quickly opens tablet-compatible versions of Creative Suite files for convenient and beautiful viewing on the tablet, including Photoshop layers andIllustrator® art boards. Feedback is gathered using a markup pen tool to add notes and drawings on top of the work.

• Adobe Ideas  is an easy-to-master, vector-based tool for drawing. By using a stylus or finger, strokes appear smooth at any zoom level. Starting with a blank canvas, users can choose color themes, and pull in tablet-compatible image files that can be controlled as separate layers. Finished results are easily accessed in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.

• Adobe Kuler  makes it easy to generate color themes that can inspire any design project. Color can be explored and discovered, with hundreds of thousands of Kuler themes already available via the creative community. Social engagement in the community is enhanced by rating and commenting on themes, which can be exported as color swatches for Adobe Creative Suite projects.
• Adobe Proto enables the development of interactive wireframes and prototypes for websites and mobile apps on a tablet. Ideas are communicated and shared with teams and clients using a touch-based interface. Gestures quickly express a design concept, explain website structure or demonstrate interactivity. The wireframe or prototype then can be exported as industry standard HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and shared in popular browsers for immediate review and approval.

IN DEFENSE OF THE DIGITAL COMICS REVOLUTION

As a guest contributor, I wrote this amusing op-ed for All Day Comics on the sale and rise of digital comics downloading. Click here to read!

$0.99 App Sale - Let's Create! Pottery HD

Let's create! Pottery HD 
Infinite Dreams Inc., 74.9 mb, $4.99 $0.99

Strangely addictive and now on the cheap! Mold clay into amazing shapes using your iPad fingers. Use and unlock brushes, patterns, colors and ornaments to make your masterpiece. Then, you may sell on a virtual market for pretend cash and unlock more. In the real world, you may share your finished work via email or Facebook.

$0.99 App Sale on World of Goo HD!

World of Goo HD
2D Boy, 80.6 mb, $4.99 $0.99



Fantastic sale on this critically acclaimed indie hit.  Get this right now!

The new Kindle Fire, an "iPad Killer?" HA!

So Amazon's latest kitten is out of the bag, this Kindle Fire...

Already, the news media big and small are comparing it to the iPad. Sure, the Kindle Fire is cheaper and that could be nice for those economically out of reach on the pricy iPad. But with less storage space and battery life, smaller size, lack of camera and bluetooth, is this a healthy comparison? It's like comparing a Honda Civic to a Mercedes. Both are useful, but we as consumers may have different factors in mind when matching our values.

Disney AppMates, driving over an iPad near you?

Innovation and outside box thinking with the iPad? Disney, you are doing it right with these highly interactive toys on the iPad. Check out this video below.

 
I am not sure if such use will catch on, being that the iPad screen is already a fantastic toy for small children (under supervision). But this simple idea stands well, as the AppMates is just the latest example of how the iPad's functions continue to go beyond the screen. Let's see what else is out there..

Commentary: iPads on the Battlefield?

Imagine a future, where combat is decided by the soldiers with the most iPads. They can perhaps organize better, have access to a library of information and use its geographic location to better understand the unfamiliar surroundings. A push notification may notify each user the enemy is close. Taking down insurgents by remote? Maybe there will be an app for that too.

That time may be closer than previously thought, according to a recent Los Angeles Times article, Taking iPads into battle. This interesting read details how the US military is  now allowing, testing, and using iPads and smart phones for soldiers. Such use can reduce their load, quicken operations, and integrate with equipment. Also discussed are the shortfalls including possible hack attacks, coverage issues and overall costs. Whatever happens, such use is a powerful reminder on how new technology will continue to shape our world in we ways never imagined.

New iPad App - The Disney Store

Disney Store
Disney, 5.0 mb, FREE

Just released yesterday, your answer to the latest and best Disney merchandising obsessions. Plenty of toys, clothes, collectibles to gawk and swipe, direct from the house of the Mouse. The available products displays the full detail, a color picture of two, and the options to buy and ship. The app also helps to amuse small children as they can navigate endlessly at pics of Disney Princesses stuff or whatever (good Marvel Comics stuff too!). 

Seriously, this is how store catalogs on the iPad should be; not just copies of matching store web sites. The entire app is quick and easy. Go through simple categories, nice colorful pics, scrollable details and all that you need to check out after the same touch. The "Find-a-Store" feature is a nice touch for those looking to do more physical browsing. My personal favorite is the "Sale" section..lots of products there for more than 50% off retail. 

Overall, the Disney Store app serves it's purpose and for me brings back the excitement of toy catalogs. Worth a look, especially for the child in all of us.

1-Day Sale: Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP

Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
Capybara Games Inc, 135 MB, $4.99 $1.99

Now on sale, this critically acclaimed game is on the cheap. I have yet to play, but looking forward to finally checking this out. I will post my thoughts after some excessive playthrough

Incoming iPad News

Calling all crew, here is your interesting iPad news links (with my two cents) of the day!

iPad 3 in '11? No. Two new iPhones? - CNN
Again with this? Every year, the bait and switch with headlines saying iPad or IOS device updating the same year as the previous. Why are we in such a hurry to make our gadgets outdated? Anyway, not going to happen, not even the so called "iPad Plus." iPad 3 is going to happen in 2012, hopefully not late and with something a bit more practical than some silly promise of a "retina display."

OnShift Unveils OnShift on the iPad - Marketwatch
The advanced scheduling manager of the future is now. I'm surprised tablet propelled business isn't happening faster. With this Onshift service, it seems workers can keep better tabs on their progress. With the iPad and its many innovations, we can perhaps have a workplace that has no need of desktops, pencils, or even traditional offices.

Mobile App Developers Now Have Easy Access to Cloud Services - Mashable
Appcelerator's Open Mobile Marketplace looks to be a useful resource for indie app developers. Lots of free and for pay modules and templates will hopefully inspire fresh minds towards new innovations and ideas.

Will Apple's Mac sales survive the PC price war? - Computerworld
Yes. But in my personal opinion, it will be due to the inadequacies of the hardware developers. The poor customer service over the phone towards those out of warranty, poorly designed internal hardware, boring advertising, and lack of individuality for each product beyond their company name.

Stevie Wonder sings Steve Jobs’ praises for iOS accessibility - The Next Web
Watch the video within the link, as legendary singer Stevie Wonder shares positive words about IOS devices in today's world. "We've only just begun..."

Interesting iPad News

The latest news with my two cents thrown below each link.

Goodreads Introduces Netflix-Style Book Recommendations
A fantastic way to downplay the expensive cost of digital books and the storage space as well. With other companies sure to follow and others considering, this could change the rules of text distribution yet again. Like Netflix, hoping the distributors will feature and push the small, lesser known indie authors as well as the big names to their subscribers.

PlayBook being outshipped 19 to 1 by iPad as Apple shipments hit 9.3 million Q2 2011
and Apple iPad 2 beats Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and all other Android tabs
Can nothing stop Apple's juggernaut? Though, I blame the media for over-comparing each new digital tablet to the iPad. Not to say that the iPad should be standard, we need healthy competition out there to keep up innovation and alternatives.

Wilco Crowdsources Fan Footage for Tour 
This is a much better way for a band to promote their music and reach to out to their fans. Not the opposite.

Epson Launches New iPad Compatible Projectors
Nice, and about time. Imagine what can be done if we could somehow apply body motion controls (a la XBox Connect or Nintendo Wii) to iPad's interface.

Reading Rainbow to be Reinvented for iPad
The next generation of children's reading interaction. Over 500 books will be ready at launch to enlighten privileged children everywhere. Best of all the original host, Levar Burton will promote and head this fantastic comeback.