• SketchBook Pro.  The only thing I don’t like about this app is the lag when you write something.  If it’s done by design it should be configurable.  It’s kind of annoying.
• Evernote.  Because other cloud-based note-taking app just pales in comparison.  It’s available on every platform available, even BlackBerry (my head just asplodedz!).
• Instapaper.   I don’t think I need to explain this.
• GoodReader.  Opens a lot of formats from virtually any location…including DropBox.   The only thing missing…which I think is kind of strange…is the support for AFP and discovery of local servers in my network via Bonjour; I have a workaround by enabling FTP on my local machine but I find it inelegant.
• Air Video.   Probably the best iPad application right now.  It’s the best application for video streaming in any platform.  Easy setup.  No stuttering.  No problems.  If they release a client for PS3, I would pay $50 for it.  Seriously, it’s THAT good.
• 1Password Pro.  This would a LOT more useful if the iPod/iPad SDK allows plugins for Pocket Safari so it work exactly like the 1Password desktop version.  Also, add support to connect to get the keys from my DropBox accoung gaddammit!  No more of that stupid sync-to-desktop thing.
• Desktop.  Supports both VNC and RDP.  Sure, there may be better alternatives out there, but IMO, this has the best price-to-feature ratio.

Apps that I thought should be useful but not really:

• Google.  It’s about as useful as having Opera on the iPhone.  I don’t care if it’s 100 times faster than using Google on Safari, if it’s not integrated, it’s useless.

What’s Missing?

• Reeder on iPad.  I love this on the iPhone…where’s the iPad version?
• DropBox.  Maybe not so much now with GoodReader, I still would want one, though.
• Mint.com.  I would pay $$$ to have this on the iPad.

Popularity: 2% [?]

If you think you need this huge chunk of ugly to use your Magic Mouse, you are using it the wrong way.

BTW, regarding sleep, bluetooth, Magic Mouse and Hackint0sh…I think I got it, but it’s not an elegant solution yet.

Popularity: 4% [?]

I took delivery of a brand new Herman Miller Caper XR.  So, what do I think of it so far?  Well, one thing’s certain: it forces me sit properly; no slouching or it hurts my back because unlike the seat which is made of mesh material, the back is hard plastic that contours to the sitter’s back.  It will take a bit of getting used to.

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New Facebook virus…YAY!  This, my dear 3 readers, is one of the many reasons why I’m NEVER going to have a Facebook account.  EVER.

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My new iPad is still awesome.  iPhone OS 4 out this summer!  It’s a bit a of letdown not to support multitasking in 3G…the rest of the new features are good enough to want a new iPhone…(yeah, right)

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Still struggling with Hackint0sh, Bluetooth, and the new Magic Mouse.  The Targus BT + MM wakes from forced sleep but NOT from idle sleep.  In fact, sometimes you lose BT unless you remove then reattach the dongle; sometimes the machine won’t wake up at all, forcing you to reboot.  ANNOYING…but not enough to give up Magic Mouse where I got accustomed to already.  I’ve been following this thread and one poster (deviantosx) suggests to DISABLE wake from Bluetooth and just wake up by pressing the Power button if you’re using the Bluetooth keyboard…or if you’re still using a USB keyboard, you can still wake up by pressing a key.  Kind of half-baked for now…but at least Bluetooth doesn’t die…yet.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I thought it was just me, but it turns out that there are a number of users who are having wifi issues with the Jesus tablet. Mine isn’t that bad; my signal strength fluctuates rather than being always weak.

Popularity: 1% [?]

I was able to update to 10.6.3 without KPs, but I lost audio.  Apparently I need to mess with some kexts to get it working again…I will update this post once I restore audio.

To update to 10.6.3:

• Delete 10.6.2 SleepEnabler.kext
• Update to 10.6.3
• Reboot
• Delete AppleHPET.kext from /System/Library/Extensions to re-enable Firewire
• Copy the new SleepEnabler.kext
• Reboot with -f option
• Restore AppleHDA 10.6.2 version
• Install VoodooHDA
• Copy ALC883.kext to /Extra/Extensions folder then remove LegacyHDAPlatformDriver.kext and LegacyAppleHDAHardwareConfigDriver.kext files
• Rebuild extensions.kext using Kext Utility
• Repair Disk Permissions using Disk Utility
• Reboot normally (i.e., without -f option)
• Start saving money for a real MacPro

Again, at this point…audio is still borked.

Update: Audio restored.  I learned from this thread that the new AppleHDA kext doesn’t work very well with the ALC 883 sound hardware.  You will need to restore the 10.6.2 version and install the VoodooHDA from MultiBeast.  You may also need the ALC883 kext (put it under /Extra folder) However, I read somewhere that this is a temporary fix…eh…well…whatever.

Update 2 (April 4): I got KP twice since the first update yesterday afternoon.  I’m not sure what’s causing it…yet.  It’s kind of annoying because I never had these KP problems prior to the 10.6.3 update…so it’s either the Sleepenabler or that VoodoHDA kext…or the ALC883 kext… (Upgrade steps updated)

Update 3 (April 6): I started to isolate the cause of the KPs in my Hackint0sh.  I removed LegacyHDAPlatformDriver.kext and LegacyAppleHDAHardwareConfigDriver.kext from my /Extra/Extensions folder and rebuilt my Extensions.kext (using Kext Utility) and rebuilt Permissions using the Disk Utility.  I also removed my BT dongle thinking it’s causing the KPs.  So far, so good.   I’m re-plugging the Targus Bluetooth and use my Magic Mouse again and monitor the stability of the system.  Can somebody please send me money so I can buy a MacPro?   (Upgrade steps updated)

Popularity: 7% [?]

As you may already know, pre-orders of the much-anticipated iPad started yesterday, and as always with every Apple fanboy raving about the iPad, there is an equivalent cynical, anti-Apple naysayer.

Most of the naysayers would argue that the iPad is a POS because of one glaring fact: lack of Flash support.

I hate to sound like a Jobs worshipper, but I think that Jobs is right when he said that the world is moving on to HTML5.

I hate the fact that Flash is a plugin…and it’s owned by Adobe. Sorry, but Adobe writes the most bloated software around. Case in fact: PDF readers…Adobe’s plugin takes almost forever to load a PDF file compared to competition like Foxit.

Why would anyone really need Flash when h.264 is better and royalty-free? CSS + JavaScript is SO much faster for any HTML animation.

The only reason why Flash is around is because of one major reason: YouTube…but YouTube already has a beta site that is pure HTML5…so do we really need it?

I am not sad to see Flash go. I’ll be happy to give eulogy for its funeral.

And its days are numbered: sites like Virgin America has moved away from Flash to be compatible with HTML5…and the iPad. With the iPad popularity getting stronger, expect other companies to follow suit.

Don’t get me started with Silverlight…

Popularity: 2% [?]

The BlackBerry novelty has definitely worn off…I could not stand using the thing anymore…so I’m back to my iPhone as my main mobile phone for the time being and have the BB as my phone of choice if I anticipate to use tethering.

I started to use the iPhone without any protective case (i.e., the way Jonathan Ive wants the iPhone to be used)…I forgot how thin this thing is.

Popularity: 2% [?]

With just over a week with the BlackBerry, I think I am *this* close to going back to the iPhone. BB’s individual features/functions are either brilliant or just plain abysmal; there is no middle ground.

Here is a list of of BB annoyances that I can’t stand

- automatic spellcheck is retarded.
- there is no synergy among applications, even the RIM-created ones; each application acts as if they are the only running app in the BB. Ironically, the only app that works nicely with RIM apps is Beejive.
- browsing experience is not bad–it’s horrible. BB needs its new Webkit browser NOW!
- BB standard fonts are UGLY.
- Why can’t I force-quit applications?
- Where is my Mint.com app?

If you’re using a phone to check email and very minimal browsing, BB is OK. Otherwise, getting a BB is just a way to punish yourself.

Popularity: 1% [?]

I’m beginning to like this new BlackBerry. I’m still amazed by its loooooong battery life, and Bluetooth tethering that just works great with the Mac. Now, if RIM just release that Webkit-based browser, I’m all set.

(I wrote this post on the BB WordPress app)

Popularity: 1% [?]

I received a BlackBerry Bold 9700 as my new electronic dog leash company mobile phone.  My Apple fanboy in me lamented for a few days on why my company hasn’t made the iPhone its standard mobile phone.

However, as I put the thing through its paces…I just learned that it’s not so bad.  Sure, it’s FUGLY and the lack of touchscreen makes it antiquated in comparison with the newer smartphones…but it gets the job done.  I installed GMail, Google Sync (for Contacts) and a few apps that I use a lot on my iPhone.

Now I have become that gadget freak that I never want to be: a gadget freak with TWO mobile phones.  Why is this so?  Two things: BlackBerry’s amazing battery life…and the ability to tether without having to root (a.k.a. “jailbreak”) the phone!

Popularity: 1% [?]