Archive
IK Multimedia announces and ships iRig Nano Amp – the versatile micro amp with a built-in iOS interface
 December 8, 2016 – IK Multimedia once again redefines a product category for guitarists with the newly released iRig Nano Amp – the versatile micro amp with a built-in iOS interface. iRig Nano Amp gives players both a standalone portable guitar amplifier PLUS an interface that lets them plug their guitar into an iPhone or iPad and use AmpliTube for iOS to access an unlimited and inspirational world of guitar tones on the go. iRig Nano Amp is available now from IK Multimedia and music and electronics retailers around the world.  The first micro amp and interface for mobile guitarists Dual Mode Operation – AMP/DEVICE AMP mode DEVICE mode Drive a cab Under the hood An expandable universe of tone Pricing and availability For more information on iRig Nano Amp, please visit: www.irignanoamp.com To see iRig Nano Amp in action, watch the video: www.irignanoamp.com/video |
Zip App sheds light on the mind of the modern jobseeker
Zip, the free Question Answer App for iOS and Android, is raising a lot of questions where employment is concerned, with surprising statistics pouring in from every corner of the United States.32% answered – Yes, more connections
68% answered – No, any degree counts
31% answered – Nah, you’ll be fine
69% answered – Yes, you need experience
Modern technology is also playing a key role in their decision making, with 50% of job seekers seeing the tech industry as the place to be. This, along with high unemployment rates, is motivating them to make a move.51% answered – Silicon Valley for me!
49% answered – I’m no techie
74% answered – I’d risk it
26% answered – No, staying put
62% answered – Yes! PJ’s and all
38% answered – No, I need office space
Their views on the current state of the market aren’t all that optimistic. The political climate, availability of higher paying tech jobs, and the switch to more remote positions, have many hoping for changes in the future.38% answered – I’m going Hillary
62% answered – It’ll take Trump
57% answered – Updates PLEASE
43% answered – They still do the job
44% answered – In most industries
56% answered – Not a chance
Zip, the Question Answer App, created by San Diego based Crazy Raccoons, is a fun app that will settle life’s friendly squabbles, arguments and subjective questions by tallying votes from other users quickly and anonymously. Users share their opinions on other people’s questions with a simple swipe or tap.
Zip is available for FREE at the App Store for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android.
Boinx Hits the 2015 New Media Expo Floor to Show Off BoinxTV 2 Beta
Puchheim, Germany – February 27, 2015 – Making their way to the site of one of the biggest broadcasting shows of the year, Boinx Software will be joining the ranks of innovators at New Media Expo 2015, taking place in conjunction with the NAB Show from April 13th through 16th at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Exhibiting at booth N8012 video experts from Boinx will be showcasing the latest version of its broadcast truck-in-box broadcast solution, BoinxTV 2. A plug-and-play broadcast production package, the Mac-based BoinxTV lets users combine live camera video, clips, photos, 3D graphics, lower thirds and audio to create recordings and stream live presentations, podcasts, concerts, sporting events and more. Boinx will also unveil the new BoinxTV Broadcast Graphics Machine.
To demonstrate its immense power and suitability for podcasters and broadcasters of all levels, attendees to the show can stop by to see BoinxTV 2 Beta in action as experts put on a production live from the NMX show floor. Taking productions to the next level, the much anticipated BoinxTV 2 features native streaming support via RTMP to YouTube, Ustream, Twitch.tv and more; direct manipulation via a newly designed, easy-to-use UI; and 64bit support, which makes running out of memory virtually impossible. Combined with the all-new BoinxTV Broadcast Graphics Machine, a hardware/software solution for broadcast graphics with support for SDI playout with alpha channel, booth visitors will see how BoinxTV 2 is the perfect solution for all of their live production needs.
Attend the Boinx Software Press Briefing or Schedule a Private Meeting
Boinx will be hosting an informal “Press and Friends” event on the morning of Tuesday, April 14th at 8:00am. Members of the media are invited to indulge in coffee and morning treats while discussing the latest broadcasting solutions from Boinx Software. To register for the event or to schedule a private briefing for those who cannot attend, please contact Anya Oskolkova atanya@zazilmediagroup.com.
What’s New With BoinxTV?
BoinxTV 2 (Beta version scheduled for end of April)
- Native streaming support via RTMP to YouTube, Ustream, Twitch.tv and more
- New UI that makes using BoinxTV 2 even easier than before, with a modern look
- Direct manipulation instead of fiddling with settings
- More options for automation
- 64bit support makes running out of memory virtually impossible
- BoinxTV with integrated BoinxTV ATEM Controller, which supports full integration with production switchers from Blackmagic Design, including the ATEM Television Studio and ATEM Production Studio 4K
BoinxTV Broadcast Graphics Machine
- Hardware/software solution for broadcast graphics based on a Mac mini with a Blackmagic Design DeckLink 4K Extreme card in a 19” rack mount enclosure
- Playout via HD-SDI with Alpha channel support
- Visualize real time data including sport scores, weather, stock chart, news feeds and more
- 2D and 3D graphics
- Integrate interactive elements such as a Twitter feed
- Play any video format, scale, crop and convert to fit your needs
About Boinx Software
Located in Puchheim, near Munich, Germany, Boinx Software Ltd. develops award-winning animation, video production and photography software for the Mac® platform and iOS devices including the iPhone®, iPad® and iPod®. Honored with numerous Apple Design Awards and coveted spots on the Mac App Store’s Best Apps of the Year list, the extensive family of Boinx apps includes iStopMotion for Mac, iStopMotion for iPad, FotoMagico, BoinxTV, Mouseposé, You Gotta See This!, PhotoPresenter for iOS, and PartySnapper, Boinx’s newest social photo wall for sharing and saving event photos. Boinx Software has also been instrumental in the developmental processes of popular apps including Heads Up!, Ellen DeGeneres’s charades party game, and the Leica T iPhone and iPad app, the elegant remote companion to the Leica T digital camera.
Follow @boinxsoftware on Twitter and Facebook. For more information, please visit the Boinx Software website.
Try Shuttr by Muku Labs for redefined selfies and sneakies (Review)
Shuttr, Remote Shutter Release
Muku Labs
$39.99
Compatible with iOS5+, Samsung Galaxy S3/S4/Note 2/3/10.1/ and Nexus 4/7
Dimensions: 2.2 x 0.2 x 1 inches
Weight: 2 ounces
Attention avid Phoneographers! I’m not going to make you wait for the punch line on this one. The Muku Labs’ Shuttr, remote shutter release, is exactly what I’ve been looking for–for a very long time. I love it! I love my iPhone 5 too. It takes great photos. But, it has one limitation–the same limitation as all phone cameras, and cameras in general–it’s awkward to take remote pictures with.
Sure, you can prop it up or use a phone tripod and set the timer but are you really getting the picture you want with a timer? It’s a rare occurrence, if you do.
With the Shuttr, you can use the handy included phone stand or use some other method of planting your phone far enough away from yourself that you don’t look distorted like you’re looking through some psycho’s eyes in a horror movie.
Or, my favorite thing to do with the Shuttr–place my phone around and take candid shots on demand. And as many as I want to take. No silly app and no timer. Just press, press, press as much as you want to grab those stills or to start and pause video.
The Shuttr works great with the standard iPhone‘s native camera app in still or video mode. But what about other apps?
Here’s the list I’ve tested with and my results (iPhone 5, iOS 7.3):
(In no particular order)
| Camera | Yes |
| Camera+ | Yes |
| Old Camera | No |
| Sepia Camera | No |
| Old Movie | No |
| Cameo | No |
| Cartoonmatic | No |
| Retro Camera | No |
| 360 | No |
| Hipstamatic | Yes |
| Fisheye Cam | Yes |
| Cam Studio+ | No |
| Super Pop Cam | No |
| Pixlromatic | Yes |
| Popstamatic | Yes |
| iDarkroom | Yes |
| Camera360 | Yes |
| Paper Camera/td> | No |
| Duomatic | Yes |
| More Lomo | No |
| SlowShutter | Yes |
| Leme Cam | No |
| TtV Camera | Yes |
| Top Camera Lite | No |
| CrossProcess | Yes |
| Otaku Camera | No |
| Big Lens | Yes |
| Diptic | Yes |
| Orange Cam | No |
| ShakeItPhoto | Yes |
| Momentage | No |
| Momentsia | No |
| Fixel | No |
| Vintagio | Yes |
| Rawporter | Yes |
| Ustream | No |
Your mileage, of course, may vary. I think some of my problems were due to iOS 7 and not Shuttr. Although, I did notice that the apps that work use the basic Camera app and simply apply filters or effects after the fact. So, chances are that if your camera app uses the built-in, generic Camera app, then Shuttr will likely work.
Shuttr is small enough to fit on your keychain and lightweight enough to take anywhere. I love the Muku Labs Shuttr. It’s one of the best smart phone and tablet accessories that I’ve seen. It feels durable and well made. You can also replace the battery when it gets weak or dies. This is not a throw away device.
Apparently I’m not alone in my praise of the Shuttr. There’s a lot of love for it out there. Every major blog and gadget site has sung its praises and it has all five star reviews on Amazon. You can add mine to that.
The Shuttr comes in either black or white and includes a soft carrying pouch and stand. If the $40 price tag seems high to you, then try to find something else that does the same thing. I hadn’t found anything like it and I receive daily emails from Photojojo.
You connect it via Bluetooth by turning on the Shuttr, opening your Settings, opening Bluetooth settings, and then discovering the Shuttr. Tap the Shuttr listing to pair it. You’re done and the Shuttr is ready to use.
Why it’s frugal: The Shuttr is an essential device if you’re a real Phoneographer–seriously. You should have one. I haven’t found anything that comes close to it at any price, so for me, it’s the most valuable photographic accessory that I have. Its value as a must-have accessory makes it frugal.
Of all the iPhone accessories I’ve played with and used, the Shuttr is one that I’ll always have with me. I might forget my tripod, a USB disk, an EyeFi card, or even my car keys, but you can be sure that I’ll never forget this little gem.
Review: 10/10
Recommendation: Definitely buy it.
The Jackery Bar – portable power source (Review)
The Jackery Bar – Black version
Jackery
$29.99 Amazon (Prime)
There are some products that you just have to see to believe and the Jackery Bar is one of those products. It’s very hard to explain but easy to see, once you’ve held one in your hands. The Jackery Bar, in a nutshell, is a small, about the size of 4 AA batteries, case with rechargeable batteries inside that provides you with a source of portable power. I, for one, didn’t understand how powerful or handy this little gadget is until I needed it–or rather until my wife needed it.
My wife and I were at an Oklahoma State University home football game a few weeks ago against Kansas State University. We both usually carry our iPhones with us so that we can text friends and family when OSU scores or pictures of interesting people at the games. On this auspicious day, I didn’t have mine, which annoyed her greatly. She had hers but it was only at 18% power. Someone forgot to plug in her phone.
We needed to communicate with our son after the game to coordinate a dinner meeting with him and his girlfriend. She was afraid that we wouldn’t be able to do that because of my incompetence. I know, right–my incompetence alone.
While messing around with the pockets of my jacket, I noticed extra weight in one. I thought that I had my cell phone in it and as I was about to say that I have it, I pulled out the Jackery Bar.
At first, it took me aback because I had to remember why it was in my jacket. It was there because I went on a so-called photographic expedition a few days before and took it with me in case my digital camera’s battery died on me. It didn’t and I forgot to take the Jackery Bar out of my pocket and put it away. Hey, I’m a guy, I don’t always put my things away as soon as I’m finished with them.
Well, after missing one of the exciting OSU interceptions of the game during my deep thought, I explained to her what had happened. She looked at me unimpressed. Fortunately, she also had her charger with her. I took her phone, her charger, and the fully charged Jackery Bar and connected them all together in one of my pockets.
A couple of hours later, at the end of the game (OSU won!), she skeptically snatched the cell phone from my pocket to see how much power she had left on her iPhone. To her surprise, it was at 100 percent.
She said, “Hey, it worked. What is that thing?”
I had to explain it on our way to my son’s dorm across campus. She said, “Thank you, honey” and grabbed my hand. We chatted happily the rest of the way.
That scenario, as unusual as it sounds, could have gone much differently and normally would have. But the Jackery Bar saved me and possibly my marriage. I guess that might have been a better title to this piece: How the Jackery Bar Saved My Marriage.
Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.
The black Jackery Bar was officially announced on September 12, 2013. I’m a little late in getting this review out but it’s totally worth the wait just for the story alone. Below is the official press release about the new product:
Santa Clara, CA (Thursday, September 12th) — Jackery, a provider of premium rechargeable battery products for mobile devices, announced today the launch of a new black version of its popular Jackery Bar portable battery. Jackery’s loyal customer base submitted many requests for a black Jackery Bar to join the silver version and the company’s original distinctive orange.
The black version of the Jackery Bar offers users an additional 120 hours of operational time and is the world’s smallest portable battery with a 2.1A output. Weighing only 5.4 ounces, the Jackery Bar is designed for maximum convenience, giving smartphone and tablet users a reliable and portable power source. Ideal for users that need power and device security, the Jackery Bar is a secured batter with four layers of smart safety protection.
“We introduced a sleek and stylish black color for Jackery Bar in addition to the classic orange and silver colors due to a lot of demand from our customers for the classic black look,” said York Wu, CEO of Jackery. “Jackery Bar offers great looks and power, with a powerful charge that can be on standby for up to six months. Our products embrace both form and function, with a great design aesthetic that is complemented by our extraordinarily powerful portable batteries.”
In addition to iOS and Android devices, Jackery’s products are also compatible with Windows phones, various smartphone and tablet platforms, multiple gaming devices, and MP3 players.
Jackery also features the Air, Giant, and Mini products, each designed to offer portability and power for electronics users.
One of its very cool features is the built-in flashlight. It has a very bright single LED light at one end that you activate with a double press of the power button.
Why it’s frugal: After my personal saga, I shouldn’t have to tell you that its value and frugality are far beyond its price tag. However, for the more practical among you, the Jackery Bar can save you time in that you can charge your device or power it while on the move. You can’t do that any other way. Ordinarily, you have to stop, plug-in, and wait for hours. Charging on the go is worth a lot. Think about the possibilities.
Review: 10/10
Recommendation: For married folks and singles alike, the Jacker Bar is the ultimate in portable power. I won’t guarantee that one will save your marriage but it will save you time and time is money.
Jackery is a Santa Clara, California-based technology company focused on developing premium battery products for smartphones and tablets. The company offers a lineup of two products, the Jackery Bar and Jackery Mini, which both offer considerable charging time and small form factors for owners of the most popular smartphones, tablet devices, MP3 players and gaming devices.
For more information, visit http://www.jackeryusa.com.
The iHome type pro Bluetooth keyboard case for iPad (Review)
iHome type pro Bluetooth keyboard case for iPad
iHome, a division of SDI Technologies, LLC.
Office Depot $99.99
You never know just how your day will turn out or change your whole attitude until you wake up and face what may come head on. I follow a simple routine: I wake up, head to the gym, work out, shower, come home, fix breakfast for my daughter, take a deep breath or two, and then head into my office (a five second commute) to start my work day. And I do all that by 7:30 a.m. Some days I ask myself, “What’s my motivation.” Well, on Monday, I received, via UPS delivery, a new motivation: The iHome type pro Bluetooth keyboard case for iPad. Specifically, my iPad 4.
If you think that I’m being dramatic, you’re probably right. After all, why should I be so excited about an iPad keyboard case thingy? That’s what your formerly cynical self tells you about products like this. But having experienced the iHome keyboard case firsthand, I can tell you honestly that it’s one of the most exciting accessories I’ve ever used.
First, the case opens clamshell style to reveal a standard Apple keyboard–better still, an enhanced Apple-style keyboard–that’s right, it’s an Apple-style keyboard, but enhanced–enhanced with the Command key, the Option key, the Control key, and the fn key. It has the standard function keys along the top (F1 through F12), which perform double duty as special iPad device keys.
Now here’s the enhanced part. Those special iPad keys do stuff that you normally have to tap and swipe for–right there on your keyboard. You can close apps by using the Home key. If you press the Home key twice, it has the same effect as double pressing your Home button twice.
You can change the brightness of your screen with F1/F2, lock/unlock your screen with the F6 key, navigate through your music selections with the F7, F8, and F9 keys, and adjust your sound settings with the F10, F11, and F12 keys. When you need to use your function keys as function keys, press and hold the fn key while pressing the function key that you want to use.
Your iPad fits snuggly into the “screen” area with a couple of simple snaps. You can charge your keyboard case with the included mini USB charger and use it wire free or you can plug it in and use it wired and allow it to charge while you’re using it.
When you close the case, you have a sturdy metal shield on the bottom and a hard plastic cover on the top that creates a protective shell for your keyboard and your iPad. And the whole thing is roughly twice the thickness and just a little larger than your iPad without the keyboard case. The keyboard case feels sturdy too. It feels more like a netbook rather than a tablet plus a keyboard. You can easily carry the combo or slip it into a purse or backpack for easy transport.
I don’t know how long the keyboard’s battery life is because I’ve never had to charge it yet and my iPad has been in the case for several days, switched to the ON position, and not plugged in. I’ve used it quite a bit too. I’ve carried it from room to room, to an outside table, and to the bedroom as a laptop unit used on my ePad pillow desk. I’ve no trouble with it preventing any connectivity to WiFi and have had no issues with the keyboard.
The one exception to its otherwise perfect performance is that it seems that on my iPad, which has iOS 7, three of the keys don’t work–or maybe I should say that I haven’t figured out how to make them work yet. The Internet browser key (F3), the Search key (F4), and the Photos key (F5) have no effect when pressed. I believe it to be an iOS 7 problem because the icons on the keys look like the old symbols for those apps on iOS 6 and previous.
Why it’s frugal: The iHome type pro Bluetooth keyboard case for iPad is frugal because it protects your investment. Spending so much on your iPad means that you need to protect it plus it’s not just a case, you get a top notch keyboard to boot. The Apple Bluetooth keyboard will cost you $69.99 and it can’t be put into a case with your iPad. A great combo at a great price.
I know there are other iPad keyboard/case combos out there but this is the one that I like the best–that’s why you’re seeing it here. The iHome type pro Bluetooth keyboard case for iPad is sturdy, handy, appropriately proportioned for the iPad, attractive, and includes all of the features of an Apple keyboard plus a very nice case rolled into one package. All of your iPad ports remain available while in the case (open or closed) and your mini USB charger port on the keyboard is also exposed for easy connectivity.
Review: 10/10
Recommendation: If you want a sturdy case and a Bluetooth keyboard for your iPad, this is the one to buy.
IK Multimedia announces iRig PRO: Universal MIDI Interface
iRig Pro Universal MIDI Interface
IK Multimedia
$149.99/€119.99 (exc. taxes).
IK Multimedia, the global leader in mobile music-creation apps and accessories, is proud to announce iRig® PRO, the universal digital mobile audio/MIDI interface for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac.
Universal Compatibility
iRig PRO comes with three detachable cables, compatible with Lightning, 30-pin and USB connectors, respectively, allowing for digital connection to every model of iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Mac, out of the box, with no need for adapters. A MIDI cable with a standard MIDI jack is also provided to connect the widest variety of MIDI-compatible keyboards and controllers.
iRig PRO is class compliant and compatible with Core Audio and Core MIDI, so it can be used with any audio and MIDI processing apps for iOS and Mac OS, for true plug-and-play performance without additional hardware/software.
Universal Apps and Software Included
For iPhone and iPad users, iRig PRO comes with a suite of IK Multimedia’s most popular apps for mobile music creation on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, including AmpliTube FREE (the #1 app for guitar players) for guitarists and bass players, VocaLive FREE for singers, SampleTank FREE and iGrand Piano FREE for keyboard players and iRig Recorder FREE for recording engineers.
For Mac users, iRig PRO includes AmpliTube Custom Shop, the industry standard guitar-and-bass processing software; a free version of AmpliTube Metal; T-RackS Custom Shop, the mixing-and-mastering effect suite with a free version of T-RackS Classic; and SampleTank XT, a sound workstation that includes over 1GB of sounds. All these software titles are available both as plug-ins for the most popular digital audio workstations (including GarageBand), or as standalone applications for immediate plug and play.
While this post is not a review, I have used other IKMultimedia products (Reviews coming soon) and they are very high quality, durable, and they deliver the performance and features that you’d expect from equipment priced many times higher. If you’re a singer/songwriter, bandmate, or a hobbyist with a flare for producing your own sound, you need to check out IKMultimedia’s line. I’m excited every time IKMultimedia announces a new product. I haven’t seen the iRig Pro yet but it’s only a matter of time.
It’s not yet available at all online retailers but I’m looking forward to plugging one in and testing it for myself. You can purchase one directly through the IKMultimedia Store or use the Dealer Locator to find a store near you.
Why it’s frugal: The iRig Pro, for $149.99 is an all-in-one device. The iRig Pro comes with apps, cables, and MIDI peripherals. All you need are instruments, a microphone, and inspiration.
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