Showing posts with label gnome tech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gnome tech. Show all posts

Saturday, March 31, 2012

How to Get Free iOS Apps

First of all, I must say this is an informative guide only.  I do not recommend doing this.

Also you must have a Jailbroken Device.

1. Open Cydia

2. Go to Sources, Edit, Add

3. Enter http://hackulo.us/


4.  Search "AppSync"

5. Select and Install Correct Version matching Your iOS
          -  To find your iOS version, go to settings > general > about > look for version

For device only skip to step 12. For Device and computer continue to step 6.

6. On Your Computer Go to http://apptrackr.org/

7. Search For the App You Want

8. Scroll Down and Click a Download Link.

9. When download has finished, move file into your iTunes Library
          - This location may vary for some but mine is Music > iTunes > iTunes Media > Mobile Apps

10. Double Click the Downloaded File to Add it to Your iTunes Library

11. Sync for Device

If you want to know how to do this without your computer keep reading

12.  Back on Cydia Searc Intallous and Download That

13.  Go to Your Home Screen and Open Installous

14. Search the App You Want and Touch Download

15. Touch a Download Link

16.  When it is Finished It Should then Install

WARNING: The apps that you download on your device only will be erased when syncing your device.
To avoid this, either use steps 6 - 11 first or before syncing follow steps 6 - 11 to keep the apps from being erased.

Just remember I do not recommend doing this and this is only for information.

iPhone and iPad Game of the Week: Fibble

Fibble - $1.99 iPhone, 4.99 iPad

Fibble is very fun game by Crytek GmbH.  It is kind of a strategic mini-golf type game.  The object is to get the Orange blob thing into the hole.  You do this by putting your finger on the blob and pulling it back and releasing.  The blob runs into other characters throughout the course which help you to get closer to the goal.  You can collect coins and stars to increase your score.  Each level has a different goal, for example, complete the level in one flick and get at least 68,000 points.  The graphics are very nice but not perfect.  It is a very creative game and makes you want to keep you playing.  If you are willing to pay a little bit of money then pic up this app for lots of fun!






Friday, March 30, 2012

Why I Will Never Go Back to Android

        Android is awesome but iOS is awesomer, if that's even a word! When I first got my iPhone I was a little reluctant to purchase it due to the fact that I had been using an Android device and had grown extremely fond of the huge display on my Droid X and the huge customizability that Android had to offer. But after about a week of using my iPhone 4s I had become fond of the smaller screen size and the less customizable iOS platform. But there are a few major reasons why I made the switch. First is that iOS is extremely stable and I have not seen any major problems while using the device. Secondly is that I really liked the amazing camera which has since put my point and shoot into an early retirement. But the third and most important reason that made me switch is the app store, I love how there are so many apps that are so well designed and optimized for iPhones which has made me never get bored while using my phone. But Android is still an amazing platform that has much to offer.

Especially with the launch of Ice Cream Sandwich Android has become a more enticing choice for the average user. The Google Play Store formerly known as the android market has seen huge growth over the year and even though it doesn't have as many apps as the app store it is gaining ground very quickly. But really the OS your going to use comes down to your personal preference. Android is a little more appealing for users that understand phones a little better and have the knowledge to know how to work it. iOS on the other hand is really more for people who want a reliable and easy to use experience.

What OS do you prefer, Android, iOS , WP7, or maybe you are still tied to the ever aging blackberry OS? Share you opinions in the comments below.

iPhone App of the Week: Snapguide

Snapguide - Free 

Snapguide is a free application made by Heavy Bits.  It is a huge database of how to guides made by people just like you and me.  When you open the app you are presented with a couple slides about the app.  The app allows you to sign in with your Facebook or Twitter which is always a nice feature.  The how to guides range from origami to making beeswax and honey lip balm.  You can even create your own guides right one the app!  You guides can be liked or shared through social networks.  You can also be followed, or follow other guide makers.  It has a search feature in order to find exactly what you want.  The amount of guides is not huge but it is growing everyday.  This is a very useful app to learn news things and to teach other people.




iPad App of the Week: Paper By FiftyThree

Paper By FiftyThree - Free

Paper is a drawing application made by a company called FiftyThree.  When you first open the app you get some simple directions on how to use it.  After that you are presented with three books.  One it called Making Paper, the next is called Ideas, and the last is called Sketches.  Ideas and Sketches are empty and are ready for you use.  You have to ability to create new books or erase preexisting books.  When a book is touched it opens to show a very nice presentation.  The first book contains somewhat of a tutorial.  This app flows and feels very nice.  You can use five different brushes to create your drawings or sketches.  Here is the only bad thing about the app, it only comes with one brush.  The other tools for sale for $1.99 each.  The five brushes are called draw, sketch, outline, write, and color.  This is a very nice application that artists will love and for the price of free it wont being burning a hole in your pocket unless you some extra brushes.  Tell us what you think about this app in the comments below and dont forget to follow us!

Get the app here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paper-by-fiftythree/id506003812?mt=8



Wednesday, March 28, 2012

PlayStation 4, No Used Games

Possible, But Doubtful, Design for the PS4
        Unfortunately I have to report some really bad news.  Reportedly the PlayStation 4 will not allow the use of used games.  This will happen by linking something, like a unique code for example, from the game to your PSN account.  There will be no way around this because players must be connected to PSN when starting up their games.  I see this as a very greedy move by Sony to generate more revenue.  As a PlayStation user for life this is very disappointing.  I do not like the direction Sony is moving.  It is also rumored to not be backwards compatible to PS3 titles.  Let us know what you think about this in comment section below.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Spotify - The Best Way to Listen to Free Music!

Do you like listen to music? Do you hate paying $1.29 for each song you buy? Would you rather listen free? If you answered yes, yes, or yes, then Spotify is for you!  Spotify streams music to your computer for absolutely no cost.  It is like combining Pandora with iTunes except it takes away the most annoying features of both.  No more wasting money on songs and you get to pick every song you listen to!  I personally use this everyday.  I just type in a song and seconds later I am listening to it.  Spotify also automatically syncs the music that is already on your computer so it is easily accessed right along with your streaming music.  Here is the catch, an ad is played every one and a while.  Also you are limited to only ten hours of streaming per month after six months of use.  But you are getting FREE music! There is an option to pay $4.99 per month for no ads and unlimited streaming.  Also another option is $9.99 per month for premium use.  This includes mobile use, no ads, unlimited streaming, and offline mode.  Offline mode is one of the coolest features ever.  Spotify allows you to store 3,333 songs on each of your devices.  Then you can listen to them anytime you want with out having internet.  This is perfect for iPods and wifi-only iPads.  So your options are paying $1.29 per song or paying a very lost cost per month for unlimited streaming and great features. I would hope everyone picks the second option.

Get Spotify: http://www.spotify.com/us/get-spotify/overview/
(Click get free in the bottom right)



Sunday, March 25, 2012

New 2012 Tablets (iPad, Nexus, Xoom 2, and more)

Apple iPad (2012)

       I will start off with the most obvious tablet for this list, but there is a very good reason for that.  Which is, everyone compares tablets to the iPad.  Generally people say the iPad is the best tablet device on the market because it most likely is.  Whether you agreed with that statement or not, this is one incredible device.  The biggest improvement to the new iPad is the new retina display, which has four times the amount of pixels then the iPad 2. That is 3.1 million pixels. Yep, you read that right, 3.1 million! There are no words to describe how amazing the display.  Another new feature of the iPad is the A5X chip.  This bad boy is what gives the tablet quad-core graphics and the smooth feeling that makes apple products so magical.


        But before you start complaining about battery life, let me tell you this.  It still has 10 full of available usage. Incredible.  Apple also upgraded the iPad with their iSight camera.  You can record some amazing video with the tablet because it shoots in full 1080p.  The camera only takes 5-megapixel pictures, but that doesn't seem to affect the quality because of the other technology packed in this device.  If you are willing to throw in some extra cash, your new iPad will be blazing fast through the newly available 4G LTE.  It will also be able to turn into a personal wifi hot spot.  This tablet is packed with fantastic new features and perhaps that is why it is the best on the market.  So if you have the cash, hurry to your local Best Buy, Apple Store, or other tablet selling stores, and pick up this beast of a tablet!


Google Nexus Tablet

        This tablet is mainly in the prerelease rumor phase so most information about this device is not confirmed.  But it has an enormous amount of potential because of the nexus phones that have been released previously.  In my opinion the best feature about this tablet is its extremely low price point of $150-$200.  This is about the same price as the Kindle Fire, if not lower.  This device will have a seven inch screen which is expected of a low cost tablet.  Makers have decided to not the Tegra 3 dual-core process which cuts the cost.  Google seems to be getting into almost every technology market, so it makes sense for them to release a great device like the Nexus Tablet.  When more information about the Google Nexus Tablet is known, the people here at Gnome Tech will be all over it, so stay tuned!

Motorola XYBoard 

        Even though some may say the first Xoom tablet was a failure, that doesn't stop Motorola from trying again with the XYBoard.  According to Motorola, this tablet has gotta thinner, brighter, and lighter.  It has a nice dual-core 1.2 GHz processor which will help you run multiple apps without slowing down.  Another pretty cool feature about the XYBoard is the nano-coating.  This makes the tablet almost water proof and will repel spills and rain if they are wiped off before too long.  This device also features MotoCast, which is a wireless streaming service for your computer and tablet.  You can access music, videos, and other documents, that are stored on your computer, right on your tablet.  The battery life on this tablet is around 10 hours, which should be enough time before it can be charged again.  The XYBoard contains a five mega pixel camera with an LED flash.  Motorola is selling this device in 10.1 inch and 8.2 inch versions with 16GB or 32GB of storage. Finally, this tablet is running android 3.2 (Honeycomb) but can be upgraded to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It looks like Motorola is taking the right steps to selling a quality tablet.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2

        Samsung decided to build on its success from the first Galaxy Tab and make a second version.  They are selling it with a screen size of 10.1 inches or 7 inches.  It has storage of 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB, but it can be expanded up to 32GB more through the microSD card slot.  This tablet is rolling out of the production line with android version 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich).  The camera is only three mega pixels which is less then most of the other 2012 tablets.  The Galaxy Tab only contains a dual core 1 GHz processor.  About a year ago a dual core processor would be a big deal but now it is almost standerd.  This tablet seems to be for the less extensive user because its specs are not as impressive compared to other devices.  This seems like a lot of money for a tablet that has lower specs then most other devices.  But it is still a high quality tablet that should fit the average tablet user's needs.




Asus Transformer Prime

The Asus Transformer Prime is one of the highest powered tablets on the market. If you are constantly multitasking and using your tablet nonstop then this tablet is for you. This device, while docked to the keyboard, has up to 18 hours of battery life. That should be enough for any user. This tablet is so cool because it easily transforms into a laptop like device by connecting it to its keyboard dock (pictured left). You are not going to have to worry about running out of storage on this device because a 32GB and 64GB are available.  It also has a usb and micro SD card slots.  Of course all of these features need to be run with a fast processor so that is just what Asus did.  It is powered by the quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3. Yeah, QUAD-CORE! This thing is without a doubt, a beast.  This tablet is even protected with strong gorilla glass.  It also has two cameras, an 8 megapixel on the back and a 1.2 megapixel camera on the front.  You can record 1080p HD video and take gorgeous pictures.  Of course the Transformer Prime is loaded with android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich).  This tablet is without a doubt a competitor for the iPad.  It even has the same price as the iPad! Except the keyboard dock costs a little more it is definitely worth it.

Thanks for reading and dont forget to subscribe to great people here at Gnome Tech! If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to comment.  I hope you enjoyed the article!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

The Best Undiscovered iOS Games

Here are some of the best undiscovered apps for iPads, iPhones, and iPod.  These are in no order but they are all high quality apps, so don't hesitate to get them!

1. Fingle - 1.99 - Gameoven 

      Fingle is an app that is always good for a laugh.  This game is basically twister for your fingers.  The object of the game is to move yellow and white squares into the correct place and hold them their for a couple seconds.  But the reason that Fingle is so much fun is because it is meant for two players.  Each player uses one hand and places their fingers on the squares with one player on yellow and the other on white.  Then they slide the squares into the dotted area with lifting their fingers.  This game is a perfect ice breaker and will cause many laughs from the start.  Even the name can be the punch line of very funny jokes.  Sadly, this app is only for the iPad because ten fingers would be hard to fit on one iPhone.


Get this app: http://itunes.apple.com/app/fingle/id490109661?ls=1&mt=8




2. Triple Town - Free - Spry Fox




      Triple Town is very addicting strategy game.  Users place items to match grass which make bushes, which match to make trees, which match to make huts, which match to make...  It all sounds very confusing but after playing for a short time it will become second nature.  Points are rewarded for matches being made.  Mansions are worth the most points.  The more points scored then the better the community is and a better name is awarded.  Examples of the names given are an outpost, or a city.  The only problem is that the app only comes with 2000 moves.  Because the game is so addicting those moves will vanish very fast.  Moves slowly regenerate but the catch it that they can only replenish to up to 150.  Impatience may kick in so there is an option to buy more moves or items in the store.  Hurry and get this app to start matching!

Get this app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/triple-town/id490532168?mt=8




3. MotoHeroz - 0.99 - Ubisoft

      MotoHeroz is a very fun racing game.  There are six different vehicles with five different tracks per vehicle.  Racers speed to the finish trying to beat the one star, two star, or three star time.  Upgrades can be bought with money earned in the races.  These upgrades include top speed, acceleration, and item boost.  There is an option to use cash to buy in game money or a coin multiplier.  The controls on this game are very simple but work perfectly.  Items like boosts, jets, and springs, can be collected during races and used to gain an advantage over your opponents.  This is one of the best racing apps on iTunes and is available for iPod, iPhone, and iPad.


4. Fairway Solitaire HD - Free - Big Fish Game, Inc.

      Fairway Solitaire HD is a relaxing, strategic card game. Players are presented with piles of cards and a deck with one card showing at a time. Then users click cards from the piles that are either one less or more then the card from the deck. If that is not possible then a new card is show while the old one is discarded. The level ends when all of the piles are gone or the whole deck of cards is discarded. This is where the golf part comes into play. A score of -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, ect is given after the level ends based on the amount of cards remaining. Golf themed power ups can be used when they uncovered in the deck. It is extremely hard to put this app down after you start playing one level.



5. Clever Clear Click - 0.99 - FORMAT TECH

      Clever Clear Click is a very simple but very fun application.  The whole point of the game is the try to clear all of the dots off the board.  This is done by clicking a space between two of the same colored dots.  Then the dots are removed and a point is rewarded for each dot taken out.  After the time limit is reached the game ends and the score is show.  The concept of this game is not complicated but it can provide hours of fun.  Users will find themselves not able to stop starting new games to attempt to achieve the high score.  So do not wait to buy this app right now because it is load of fun!



Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this article and will subscribe to us at Gnome Tech! 

PS3 DIY Media Setup

In this video Monty goes over how to use the tech you have to create a PS3 media center.