Category Archives: Geeks
Incredible Video Message: Smart Phones And Dumb People
The video below was was written, directed and produced by Gary Turk. It is absolutely riveting. Riveting.
It is a profound commentary on the powerful draw of social media, resulting in complete detachment from the life around you.
According to Gary Turk’s YouTube Channel, he had this to say:
“‘Look Up’ is a lesson taught to us through a love story, in a world where we continue to find ways to make it easier for us to connect with one another, but always results in us spending more time alone.”
This video is a “must-watch”. It’s message remains with you long after the video is over.
As much as I love to “geek” along with all of you, it is absolutely liberating to get out of the house and interact in a REAL way with those around you.
As Gary Turk says – “Smart phones, dumb people”. Do you want this label? Not me.
Watch. Do you agree with the message? Are you a captive of technology or a willing, but discretionary, participant?
You Are Never Too Old To Develop An App. Just Ask The FamApp Creators.
Okay – finally!! I found some more geeky grandparents.
And yet, these are not your ordinary geeky seniors. Oh no! This visionary couple has developed an intuitive app for the iPad – and soon Android and HTML5 as well – which they can use when connecting with their grandchildren living in other areas of the world.
I know – you are thinking: “Why not Skype and FaceTime”? That was my initial thought as well.
Well, herein lies the answer, via Mashable:
With six children and eight grandchildren spread across the country, Charlie and Maria Girsch were looking for a way to better communicate with their family. Long distance phone calls were pricey, and Skype wasn’t engaging enough. So the crafty grandparents developed their own solution: an iPad app.
Called FamZoom, the app encourages real-time family interaction in kid-friendly online hangout spaces where you can talk, play games, doodle, read, shop or have a video chat — all at the same time, together. Whatever happens on one device displays instantly on the other.
“It’s completely simultaneous,” Maria told Mashable. “When grandma moves a puzzle piece on her iPad, it moves on Johnny’s iPad.”
Oh yes, Charlie and Maria Girsch are my new geeky heroes! They are truly living life to the fullest, embracing and not running scared from all that technology can offer us at any age.
And, by developing the FamZoom App, they have created a beautiful legacy to leave to their grandchildren and their families. I cannot think of anything better. Can you?
This is the way to bridge the generation gap – just hop on the technological bandwagon and never look back.
Currently, FamZoom is awaiting approval from the App Store but Charlie and Maria have no doubt that this will receive hearty accolades from Apple. A mere formality!
And, once it is approved, I will add another topic here on GrannieTheGeek with a review and link to the App.
For the full interview – and it is a very interesting read – visit Mashable.Com and be inspired.
And, enjoy the sweet video of FamZoom’s creators, featured below.
The Apple Store Dancing Machine – Trevor Moran – Appears On The X Factor
Apple Store dancing machine, Trevor Moran, made a surprise albeit dramatic appearance on The X Factor Wednesday evening.
However, just before he was to audition in front of Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and LA Reid, young Trevor collapsed, totally unconscious.
The kid did not look good at all and it worried me. And we were left hanging until Thursday’s show
To Apple Geeks everywhere, this talented and vivacious boy is an icon – a symbol of the fun-loving atmosphere that one enjoys during visits to the Apple Store.
I sang Trevor’s praises back in May. He captured my attention not only because of his connection to the Apple Stores but also for his innate musicality.
But not to worry everyone, Trevor is alive and well and tweeting on Twitter.
Trevor Moran (@TrevorMoran)
2012-09-26 10:08 PM
Okay, I guess I’ll be on tomorrow! Stay tuned 🙂
Tune in to The X Factor tomorrow night to see what happens. That kid is so darn cute. I hope he advances further into the competition. Apple could sponsor him (wink, wink!)
.
It’s A HAppy Kind Of Day for iOS 6 Customers
Oh my goodness. Stop the updates. Seriously. Who can keep up? I barely had time to blow dry my hair.
And yet, all of these new iOS 6 features are making me do the HAppy Dance here. Groan – I know, pretty lame joke but aren’t you sad you didn’t think of it first?
What a day! After successfully downloading iOS 6 to my iPad and iPhone, I was also greeted with the task of updating a ton of my favourite Apps – like iMovie, iPhoto, iPages, iPages, iBank, Keynote and many, many more.
Now, to be honest, I haven’t had time to try all of them but suffice it to say that, at first glance, all appear to be super efficient and silky smooth.
Many of the Apps come with tons of new features to complement the sophistication of iOS 6. And, for Facebook lovers – all bzillion of you – there is Facebook integration everywhere you look. Just hold your finger on a photo or tap a share button in an App and watch the magic begin.
And let’s not forget Siri status updates for Facebook. Very, very nice.
And, when you visit the iOS App Store, check out the beauty of the new layout. It makes you want to shell out more money – everything old looks new again.
And the icing on the cake? Mountain Lion issued a huge update as well. Check it out! Is it long enough for you?
The only downside is that Maps is a bit of a mess. The navigation system works well enough, I suppose, but no 3D is happening at my end. I suspect that the rendering of 3D images is dependant on your location but still, all in all, I was disappointed.
Everything in time and circumstance. Geeks must be patient but sometimes it’s hard.
So, have you downloaded iOS 6 and updated your Apps? Is it all you were expecting? More? Less? Please share.
Bye Bye Apple Genius Ads! I Shall Miss You!
What is going on at Apple? And why is there a lack of humor and child-lack wonder in the tech blogosphere?
The now infamous Apple Genius commercials which were aired during the opening of the Olympics have mysteriously disappeared. Why? Because they weren’t pretentious enough, I guess. The Apple fanboys and girls thought they were childish, immature, unrelatable, misleading – oh, just pick a negative word and add it here.
You know? Whatever!! I thought they captured the fun-like atmosphere of the Apple Store experience. That wonderful, non-intimidating, carefree environment that made everyone of every age and geek level comfortable.
Apple should not have succumbed to the media pressure and pulled these ads off the network. They have a history of never yielding to public demand so why now?
Just because a few, albeit noteworthy, tech journalists went all negative and embarrassed over these ads do not necessarily make them correct in their thinking.
Apple commercials need to be innovative – yes – but also relevant. Apple needs to attract a core audience beyond the “Oh look at me, I have the latest Apple device” mentality.
There are millions upon millions of people out there still walking the fine line between Android and Apple. They have no idea which step to take next.
Well, with these commercials, they were warmly invited to step and move in the direction of the Apple Stores to, you know, browse and hang-out and explore. Potentially to buy!
And, if you have an Apple project that is giving you problems, then the Apple Genius or staff members are more than willing to help.
That’s all these commercials were saying! Nothing more. Nothing less. And the tech world had to smash and bash them.
GrannieTheGeek.Com 