In a response to my post Good Enough to Touch? Apps for the iPod Touch, fellow blogger Kyle Hayes decided to compose his first guest post - a review of the new Texas Hold'em game offered on the recently released App Store for iPhone and iPod Touch owners.
As part of my continuing series reviewing App Store apps on the iPod Touch (see my prior post for details), today I will review Remote by Apple. Remote is a free application designed to allow you to control your iTunes library on any computer or your AppleTV. It does this apparently by sending the commands via your wifi, so the remote works anywhere you have access to your wireless network.
Since I got the obligatory pricing rant out of the way (well, ok, it was more complicated than that), I figured it was time to focus on the features we have already heard about regarding ColdFusion 9 (codenamed Centaur). Most of what we know so far was revealed during this year's CFUnited Adobe Keynote, though a couple items were made public during the extremely brief cf.Objective() Adobe Keynote. Let me start by saying that I think everything we have learned leads me to believe that the ColdFusion team is on the right track. Of course a lot rides on the actual implementation of the features, but all signs are pointing in a very positive direction. Also, keep in mind that, as they say, these are only plans and plans can change (as in, while these features are likely there are no guarantees).
Many times the iPod Touch feels like the secret, illegitimate brother of the iPhone - not the least of which is that we have now been forced to pay a rather high price for two software updates over a short period. For obvious reasons, the iPhone and its new 3G version have garnered most of the attention of the press and, apparently, Apple. The thing is, although the iPhone and iPod Touch look and behave almost identically, they have some significant differences that mean that everything good for the iPhone is not necessarily so for the Touch. For instance, the first major update (which was a pricey $20) included email which, in my opinion, isn't terribly useful on the Touch. Why? Well, the Touch is only connected via WiFi and, generally speaking, when you have WiFi available you generally have a laptop or desktop available to check you email in a quicker and easier manner.
My point here isn't to complain about the Touch or the cost of the updates (though I could go on). My goal is actually that the latest update (at a more reasonable but still unnecessary $10) does bring some exciting new features to the Touch, specifically via the App Store. Nonetheless, most apps in the app store focus on the iPhone and are better suited for that product. Thus, I am starting a series of posts that will review App Store apps specifically with the iPod Touch in mind. My prmary criteria are as follows:
1) Doesn't require an "always on" connection (since the Touch is only WiFi)
2) Can be done without audio (with the exception of music stuff) because the Touch has no external speaker
The latter criteria will be weighted to a lesser extent and will be considered differently for music apps but the former is the primary differentiator. I will favor free apps since I don't want to invest a lot of money into this, but I will review any paid apps I may purchase. My first review, which I hope to post tomorrow, will cover the Remote application by Apple. I am also inviting anyone who would like to either guest post or recommend an application to be reviewed to go ahead and do so by contacting me via the comments.
Five new projects and three updates this week plus no less than nine Transfer related posts...eesh. Sorry this post is a little late but I was sick once again. I wish I could say that it was due to a weekend of heavy partying but alas I haven't partied that hard in many, many years. This week was a busy week, with some very interesting new projects. In particular, Razuna is another in a growing number of POSS projects in ColdFusion and sounds interesting.