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Culture of the Apps
9It’s no secret that iPhone applications are a breakout hit for Apple, even beyond their own expectations. Because of this, a culture of app fanatics is popping up online, which include a slew of new podcasts and video shows that cater to people looking for the best and brightest apps out there. Frankly, with all the crap that makes it onto the App Store, I’m glad there are people out there testing these things out for us first.
Revision3 (where we produce Tekzilla) just announced a new show called AppJudgment, which also covers BlackBerry, Android and Palm Pre applications alongside the more familiar iPhone apps. Here’s the most recent episode:
My friends Scott Johnson and Eric Skyhawk have also launched a new podcast called AppSlappy, which is quickly making it’s way up the iTunes charts. They cover what’s new in the App Store, hot deals of the week, and also give us their take on what apps they’ve been using lately.
Last but not least, Sean Bonner (along with a huge cast of well-known names in new media) is hosting a new show called iPhun. It’s honest, quick-paced, and sarcastically funny in the best way. They also have more in-depth written reviews on the blog, so check that out as well.
On a slightly different note, fellow Emerson alum Jared DiDomenico has a music project called Nuclear O’ Reilly with his friend Brad Naprixas, and they created their new album entirely on the iPhone application Beatmaker (iTunes link) by Intua Software. It’s called, very appropriately, Phoning It In. Worth a listen just to hear how much effort went into it, but it’s pretty damn catchy as well. Here’s their “making of” video:
As applications (and the iPhone itself) become more advanced, users will continue to find new ways to be creative with them. Time for me to go download some new ones!
RiffTrax LIVE: Plan 9 from Outer Space
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In case you didn’t hear the news from Comic-Con, I’m going to be hosting the RiffTrax LIVE event on August 20th! Now, this is way bigger than just the typical internet streaming event: it’s going to be broadcast to over 400 movie theaters across the country! The guys will be riffing on the classic Ed Wood film Plan 9 from Outer Space (thought by many people to be one of the worst films ever made). In addition, the wonderful Jonathan Coulton will be performing, along with a special segment by Rich “Lowtax” Kyanka of Something Awful.
We’re going to be recording the show in Nashville, TN, but unfortunately that theater has already sold out. So make sure you get tickets while you can from the website!
In other news, the RiffTrax panel at Comic-Con was a blast. Not only did the guys do a live riff of a video short called “Shake Hands with Danger,” but we also had the crowd plead their case for the next full-length RiffTrax feature! The selection was for one of my favorite bad movies, Dragon Wars.
By the way, here are all my pictures from Comic-Con. I got to meet so many awesome people (like Phil Plait from Bad Astronomy), that was probably the most fun I’ve ever had a convention. Although, Tom and I are heading to Dragon*Con in September, so that might come close… more on that one coming soon.
Foodzie makes it easy to indulge
9
It’s Friday, so I wanted to share a little indulgence with you that I recently came across! Foodzie is an “online marketplace where you can discover and buy food directly from small passionate food producers and growers.” What that means to me is that I can browse the site for all kinds of amazing treats that satisfy the food cravings I didn’t even realize I had until I saw them.
You can search by category (my personal favorites being cheese, sauces and salsas, and chocolates) to see what seasonal and artisanal favorites are listed. It appears that a Gift Guide is also in the works, which I’m assuming will have some deals and packages that will make for great gift ideas.
As a diehard fan of all of the ingredients contained within, the Single Malt Scotch Bars are already a favorite of mine. The fiendish development of Nina over at BonBonBar in LA, the bars come in packs of 3 and 6 — just enough to enjoy and share with a friend (if you’re feeling charitable). But for those savory cravings, I have my eye on the Peppercorn Bacon from Pork on a Fork. Which, by the way, is the best name ever.
In a city like San Francisco, we have a lot of readily available specialty and high-end food products from local producers, but it’s also nice to have a resource like Foodzie that makes browsing and picking food items (especially for gifts) a breeze!