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Author Archive for Chris Ryan

Chris is a graphic designer and new media enthusiast from the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. He is also a professional blogger and web designer.

Dropbox: Now Native on Your iPhone

Written on September 30, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 14 people have commented

Of all the file syncing solutions available, one of the most popular is Dropbox. As one of the solutions that is also cross-platform compatible, many Mac users have embraced Dropbox as a more reliable and robust solution than other alternatives, like MobileMe’s iDisk. Diehard Dropbox users can now rejoice as the Dropbox team is at [...]

App Review: Ramp Champ

Written on September 18, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 8 people have commented

Arcade bowling style games are very popular. In the real world, skee-ball is probably the most recognized of these. In the iPhone world there have been several who have risen to the challenge, but Ramp Champ, the newest game from The Iconfactory and DSMediaLabs, brings a very interesting and addictive twist to this genre.
Boasting an [...]

iTunes U: Learning Wherever You Are

Written on September 18, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 2 people have commented

iTunes U (iTunes Link), part of the iTunes Store, is an amazing venue for top-notch educational content from the world’s greatest universities, institutions, museums and other public educational foundations. From language lessons to audiobooks to lectures and more, iTunes U is a great place for those who love to learn. With the release of iTunes [...]

iTunes 9: Keeping In Sync

Written on September 17, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 10 people have commented

iTunes 9 brings about a much more flexible setup for syncing. It’s definitely an improvement, in some senses, but still far from perfect. In fact, many might be quick to term some of the options as “feature creep.” Check out some of our thoughts on the new options and look at the side by side [...]

iTunes UI: Deconstructing 8 to 9

Written on September 16, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 45 people have commented

The one thing many people did not expect with a new version of iTunes was that Apple would use the opportunity to cause dissent among its fanbase by introducing another new user interface. Some classify the new styling as “needed” and “elegant and refined” while others have resorted to a variety of hacks to return [...]

Nano Ad Screen Goofs?

Written on September 15, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 32 people have commented

With the new iPod nano featuring a built in video camera, Apple’s latest commercial really highlights how easy it is to use. Entitled “Nano Shoots Video,” the spot makes it look super easy and trendy to shoot video, but does the commercial really tell the truth?
Looking at the structure of the iPod nano, the camera [...]

iTunes 9: Deconstructing LPs & Extras

Written on September 14, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 12 people have commented

Leading up to Apple’s music event last week, rumor sites had been circling about a new format from Apple that would provide additional content, like lyrics, liner notes, video interviews and more. The rumors came true as Apple announced yet one more way to spend more money inside iTunes: iTunes LPs for music and iTunes [...]

iTunes 9 Wishlist: 10 Ways Apple Can Improve Its Media Organizer

Written on September 07, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 51 people have commented

With Apple’s music oriented media event right around the corner, everyone is abuzz with thoughts about new iPods, Apple TV updates, tablet rumors and more. The one thing we can all but guarantee besides new iPods is an update to iTunes. But what will this version bring? Social aspects have been rumored, but there is [...]

App Review: Keymote Makes Shortcuts Even Easier

Written on August 28, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 6 people have commented

There are no shortage of iPhone apps that function as remotes for your Mac, Apple TV, or just about anything else. Keymote (iTunes link), by Iced Cocoa, takes the concept to a new level by allowing custom “keysets” for all of your favorite applications.
So why would anybody need an app to do this when most [...]

Snow Leopard: The Installation Process

Written on August 27, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 21 people have commented

In addition to the numerous refinements that Snow Leopard brings, among the first you’ll notice is an easier installation experience. Some options that experienced Apple users have come to know and love have been changed or relocated, resulting in an experience that is far less intimidating than installing Microsoft Windows.
Traditional OS X users may be [...]

Discovery Channel: Now Showing on the iPhone

Written on August 24, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 3 people have commented

While not necessarily late to the game of providing their own native iPhone app, the Discovery Channel (iTunes link) is behind networks like Bravo and HGTV, and like the rest, its definitely still trying to find its footing in a market where traditional media often struggles.

How-To: Create Custom CSS Email Signatures on the iPhone

Written on August 21, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 13 people have commented

Previously, I discussed how to create custom CSS email signatures for Mail in Mac OS X. This week, we’re going to look at what it takes to replicate the same signature on your iPhone.
What You Will Need

Your Mac
Your iPhone (it needs to be jailbroken)
PlistEdit Pro (or another application capable of editing plists)
Coda (or another [...]

Apple Retail Deconstructed: Reports & Figures

Written on August 21, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 5 people have commented

It seems like Apple’s retail initiatives are always shrouded in a dark veil of secrecy. Though we often hear how well they’re doing financially, what do those numbers look like on the inside? What figures does a typical Apple store track? Straight from the horse’s mouth, here’s a breakdown of a typical financial report that [...]

What AT&T Has to Fear From Google Voice

Written on August 20, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 30 people have commented

Lately, Google Voice is perhaps one of the most widely discussed products in the Apple blogosphere besides Apple’s own native devices. With its rejection from the App Store and people pointing fingers at Apple, AT&T, Steve Jobs and just about everyone and everything else in between, new evidence put forth by Andy Kessler and The [...]

Apple Releases iPhoto 8.1

Written on August 18, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 3 people have commented

Apple today released iPhoto 8.1, a free update to its consumer photo application. The update brings several new features for print products, including new themes and a larger book size. Consumers can now order “extra large” photo books, that start at $49.99 USD for a 13×10 hardcover.
This update for iPhoto also includes three new travel-related [...]

Five More Apple Retail Flops

Written on August 13, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 10 people have commented

As we discussed yesterday, there have been quite a few instances where Apple’s retail plans have been re-evaluated or changed to meet the needs of the business or traffic in the store. Without further ado, here’s the final installment of my Top 10 Apple Retail Flops. If you missed the first half, you can read [...]

Five Apple Retail Flops

Written on August 12, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 30 people have commented

As Microsoft proudly ventures into the retail world that has already seen quick entrances and exits by other vendors like Gateway and Dell, many Apple fans are looking towards the new Microsoft stores with mixed feelings.
Some of the more dedicated fanboys are quick to call Microsoft a copycat (and perhaps rightly so), but one thing [...]

How-To: Getting More From Mail With HTML Signatures

Written on August 07, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 23 people have commented

As any person who frequently uses email will tell you, email signatures are very important as they usually provide more information than just a standard name and email address from the sender. You can spice up an email signature since Mail offers support for HTML signatures. If you are fairly comfortable with getting your feet [...]

Elgato Video Capture

Written on August 05, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 10 people have commented

Like many of you, most recorded footage of my youth was on those archaic black plastic things called VHS tapes. As the rest of society moves into the digital age, I’m facing a battle of preserving my childhood memories on something a little more robust and modern than 800 feet of mylar tape. With many [...]

Where’s The Love? Apple’s Neglected Products

Written on August 05, 2009 by Chris Ryan and 22 people have commented

With 2009 half way over, we’ve seen a lot of updates from Apple, from new portables to new iPhones and some hot new Pro Apps, but several sections of Apple’s product lineup have not been updated in quite a while.
Products such as the Apple TV, some software titles, and others are getting a bit long [...]