It’s an iPhone App, it’s about Long Island and I do the review from the largest hotspot on Long Island. Consider this video #2 to the VLOG. You can find more information here about the “Essential Long Island” App that I used in the VLOG. I plan on using it the entire summer and will put it to the test a few more times.

Oh, and for your techies, I did upload in full HD, 720p. It was pointed out I filmed the precious Vlog in HD but didn’t upload in HD. Thanks for the tip! :)

A few days ago I uploaded a little 30sec video to youtube about the MLB.com At Bat 2010 iPhone App.

When I went back to YouTube to check on the uploaded video YouTube suggested some related videos. I ended up watching a few of the suggestions and enjoyed watching some videos from a channel called AppJudgement. This channel does reviews on apps, many on the iPad but they also do some on the iPhone.

And the videos are pretty professional. They have a very informative take on the MLB.com Apps for the iPhone and Android. Seems that the MLB app is a good deal on the iPhone due to free streaming video which I am also having fun with too. The Android does not have live video capability so the $15 for the MLB Android app is not worth the price.

So I’ve subscribed to AppJudgement’s channel. They do great work and I’ve always enjoyed watching video over reading a blog. Might have to do more of that. :)

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• Video: Android running on the iPhone… 3G! (mobilecrunch.com)
• iPhone 3G gets an Android port to call its own (video) (engadget.com)
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I was playing around with the MLB.com At Bat 2010 iPhone app last night. It’s kind of pricey for an app at $14.99 but after using it for the last week I think it’s a steal. Not only can you listen to any game you want, you also have up to date, real time information on scores from every single game around the majors. You also have access to the standings which is something no other baseball related app I have reviewed can do.

MLB allows you to watch 1 free game per day from a selection of games the app chooses. Of course the free games are usually of teams I don’t follow and I find most of the free games are on the west coast. I figured I’d make a quick video so you could see the live video feed for yourself.

I will end up using this app so I can listen to Mets games when I’m not near a radio. There is also a section of video highlights from games that have already finished. A great way for people to stay on top of what is going on in baseball quickly and easily. I like to catch up on the train myself and find that the person next to you will also appreciate the app. Especially if your fans of the same team. You might even make a new friend.

Baseball fans. I approve. :)

Related articles

• It’s opening day for MLB.com At Bat 2010 (macworld.com)
• 5 Brilliant iPhone Apps for Baseball Fans (mashable.com)
• Even the Mets Might Get One: (brothersjuddblog.com)

I’m finding I’m actively using this app on my iPhone when I can’t get to a TV so here’s my review on the “FanGraphs” App:

This app, simply called “FanGraphs“, gives you a quick update on all games being played throughout the day and in real time. You can also get access to the same information at their website, FanGraphs.com.

I noticed I tend to go to this application rather than the internet  to update me on any Met games I cannot catch on TV, especially the day games I miss while I’m at work but the app can be used to follow every game being played at any time. It’s a really great tool for those of us who get a little busy.

The main screen of the app lists all the games that will be played that day and their start times. If a game is in progress the app will show the current score, what inning the game is in and will even give you Live win probability stats. For example the Mets and Nationals were tied in the bottom of the 3rd and the app showed that the probability of the Mets winning is 57%. Of course the Mets lost.

There is also a search bar along the top of the main page. You can search for any player and their career stats will be pulled up just like on the back of a baseball card. If more than one player is listed with the same name a list of players will come up. For example I searched for Jose Reyes. Besides the shortstop there is also a catcher listed who played in 2006.

Jose Reyes the catcher had 4 at-bats in 2006 for the Chicago Cubs and also states he was in the Mets farm system in 2007.
“There’s some useless information that would make a good trivia question.”

From the main screen you can then tap the game you are interested in and here is where the graphs come up highlighting the highs and lows of the game. The graphs get kinda technical but some of the points on the graphs are plotted and labeled letting you know what happened for the graph to spike or drop.

Looking across the top of the graphs screen you will see tabs. You can then tap on the next tab which is labeled “box score“, from there you will find tabs for the two teams showing the box score for the game. The home team shows up on the original screen and you tap the tab for the visiting team to pull up the visiting teams box score. It’s all layed out very nicely.

The next tab is labeled “Plays” and shows every play in every inning. These are also organized by tabs. There are 9 tabs, one for each inning. Tapping and scrolling thru all the tabs will give you a play by play account of the game for that day.

Did you miss a game? The app can go back to 1974 for historical data which is great if you want to review the last few games you missed or your at a party with that know it all sports nut who is always right. Nice to have a tool that can confirm your not having one pulled over on you.

I have been using both “Fangraphs” and the “FanMisery” iPhone apps and FanGraphs is the app I use more often where as the FanMisery app is more interactive and I can get a feel for what other fans are thinking through their votes.  The FanGraphs app is listed in the app store under baseball for $2.99 or you can find it here on iTunes…

Simply put I’m finding this might be the simplest way to track the entire baseball season from my Phone.

Related articles

• 5 Brilliant iPhone Apps for Baseball Fans (mashable.com)
• Comparison of Hitters and Pitchers on the DL (ballhype.com)
• PRO Rumors iPhone and iPod Touch App Exceed First Quarter Sales Goals (prweb.com)

Starbucks!! iPhone Apps!!! Caffiene!!!

Is this site turning into a Starbucks commercial or what!?! I should charge this company for the many write-ups but they continue to impress me.

Starbucks has “TWO” iPhone apps. Yes, TWO! Why?

Starbucks standard iPhone app is a handy app if you want to find the closest Starbucks to you. The App will show you their menu’s, you can put together your favorite drink, get store hours, amenities and , in some stores, the app doubles as a small itunes program. That song thats playing over your head? Check your app for the name of the song and purchase it if you like. This option not available in all stores but it is in most.

You can even connect your iphone to your facebook and twitter accounts. Why would you want to do that?!? Well, you can make a drink on the app and share it with your friends on facebook or on twitter. You can invite a friend to join you at your local Starbucks via email or text. This app does it all but there is another app that I use even more…

It’s the Starbucks “Mobile Card” iPhone App!

This is the most useful app on the planet! Maybe even more important than healthcare reform! Almost… With this little app you can check the balance of your Starbucks card, reload your card, setup the card for auto reload with your favorite maxxed out credit card, and soon the payment trial option will allow you to use your iPhone to pay for your Starbucks addiction with just your phone. Leave the wallet home!

Yes, I have thoroughly tested this app and I have to say it works great! I have actually reloaded the card while waiting on line and the reload is immediate. I once had a $.76 balance on my card and, while waiting on a line, reloaded my card and by the time I got to the register the card was reloaded. The funds were available even before I got my confirmation email.

So… for my fellow Starbucks addicts, get these two iPhone apps. Just two more tools Starbucks has developed to get you spending more money in their stores. I need more caffeine…..

Related articles

• Starbucks Fans Can Become ‘Baristas’ on Foursquare (bits.blogs.nytimes.com)
• If It Doesn’t Happen On Twitter It Probably Doesn’t Matter (newcommbiz.com)
• Starbucks Entices Coffee-Enthusiasts on Clear Channel Radio (eon.businesswire.com)

~ I wrote this review for the MetsReport.com where I moonlight as a Mets Blogger. Most of my work done for MetsReport.com is usually not posted here but since this is a review of an iPhone app I will share it here too. My work for MetsReport.com can be found here….

If you’re a Met’s fan who carries an iPhone then this app was made just for you. This little app, called FMI or “FanMisery.com Index”, should come in handy as the season progresses. The app costs $2.99 and as a bonus, you can follow the Metsreport.com feed right from the app. I highly recommend. Checkout the slideshow. Its 25 screenshots that explains what statistics are available and since it is a dynamic content application the statistics are updated in real time.

The pics to the slideshow are on Flicker and can be found here…

“Fanmisery.com has created a mathematical method that calculates the FanMisery.com Index (FMI) based on relative strengths of a set of statistics and opinions. The FMI is conceptually similar to the S&P 500 Index or the Dow Jones Industrial Average – it’s a calculated value between 0 and 10 where 0 indicates bliss and 10 represents the ultimate misery that you could ever envision.”

Last year, as the Yankees were playing the Phillies in the World Series the Mets FMI probably would have been pinned at 10!

Statistics featured in the FMI calculation uses the relative strengths of a set of statistics – the team on the field is responsible for this component.

The FMI calculation also uses votes on opinions as cast by users from within the App.  If user’s don’t vote the “Opinions FMI” doesn’t change – so you are encouraged to vote or the opinions FMI doesn’t change!  It should be really interesting to see the FMI change around big events – like Yankees/Mets or Mets/Phillies.

The Stats are broken down into categories starting with an overall “Summary” followed by:

Hitting/Offensive Categories

• OBP of leadoff hitter
• OPS of 3-4-5 hitters (avg)
• RC/27 with RISP

Fielding/Defensive Categories

• Team Errors/Game
• Shortstop Zone Rating
• Centerfielder Range factor

Starting Pitching

• ERA
• Whip
• Strikeouts/9 Innings

Relief Pitching

• ERA
• Save Percentage
• Innings Pitched/Game

Team Statistics

• ESPN Power Ranking
• % Chance of Making the Playoffs
• Average Ticket Price
• Beer Price at the Park

All of the statistics outlined are explained in detail by just touching the statistic you are interested in. A second screen then pops up explaining how that stat is calculated.

I will be monitoring and posting the FMI index weekly to see if there are real changes. If you’d like to follow along on the iPhone, it’s in the app store on your iPhone under “Baseball” or you can click the link here which will take you to the app in iTunes.

And if you already have the app I would love to know what you think of it?

*In the spirit of full disclosure, I did purchase the app on my own to use this year and was not offered any incentive by the app developer to write this piece on the FMI app. The developer included the MetsReport.com feed in the app at my request.

Related articles

• 5 Brilliant iPhone Apps for Baseball Fans (mashable.com)
• Future Of Baseball Knowledge: The Success of New Statistics In MLB Teams (bleacherreport.com)
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White House iPhone App

It’s been a while since an iPhone app has surprised me.  As I was browsing thru the White Houses iPhone app I noticed a tab labeled “live“. It’s actually a list of live events that the White House will be broadcasting in the future and you can catch it all on your iPhone.

If you check out the screenshot on the left you can see that the President will be speaking today at 2pm EST. I didn’t know this but I can now follow and watch whatever is being posted to the WhiteHouse.gov right on my iPhone.

You can also check out the White House blog, view videos, photos and check out the latest White House news. It’s a great application that makes it easy for me to review all the information being posted to the WhiteHouse.gov site without me having to be in front of a computer and my Google Reader.

It’s a free application that all iPhone users should have in their collection of apps.

Related articles

• Official White House iPhone App: Download Free (crenk.com)
• The White House goes mobile with iPhone App and Obama Live Stream. (thenextweb.com)
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This is the iPhone app I’m playing with this Sunday morning. ;)

Visible Vote is the first and only application that allows you to cast a virtual vote on the same measures that your representatives vote on and then informs them of your position. Visible Vote is an unbiased and non-partisan service that aims to bring transparency to our representative form of government. Discover the most technologically effective way to advise, communicate and track your legislators.

via Get Visible Vote for Facebook, Blackberry, iPhone, Google Android or Windows!.

Once you fill out the very brief application, the app now knows where you live and pulls up a snapshot of your senators and congressperson. I can now tell each one of my senators and congressperson where I stand on issues such as Health Care, the Jobs Bill, the Stimulus Package, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act and so many more….

The app gives you a summary, in real time, of each person’s job approval rating. Obama’s is at 29%. Hmmm… got some work to do.

This just might be the app that puts government back in the hands of the people and it’s not just for the iPhone. You’ll find it for the Blackberry and the Droid as well as somewhere on facebook, although I don’t know where. It’s been out for a good 9 months but with so many important issues it’s time to give the app another little push! Get yours and be like me, get tough with your elected officials!

So this morning I’m starting my letter to Senator Schumer like this:

Dear Senator Schumer,

Are you still banned from USAirways? Could you send me some frequent flier miles that you can no longer use, and, Oh Yeah, I almost forgot, vote for the F@#$ING PUBLIC OPTION! And stay off twitter! ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Sincerely,
David Daniels

This little presentation was made completely on my iPhone. It’s a combination of using the iPhone camera, using the Photoshop app to do some touch-ups and then uploading everything into the animoto app. I’ve got thousands of pictures in my phone and this is a great way to get them out. The song is pretty decent too for something that is licensed free.

I have to walk by Battery Park everyday. These are some of the pictures I captured this week. This is the main branch of the NY Public Library at Battery Park, the Pond and Celcius Restaurant all sponsored with TARP funds donated by Citibank.

Just tried the Christmasfy iPhone app. The app is listed as free and has a lot of options for “Christmasfying” a picture. Unfortunately it’s a tease. I went to add additional graphics to my picture and was told I needed to purchase an upgrade.

What!?! The Halloween app was completely free! Pay for this? No way! Here is my Christmasfy’d picture anyway with the free graphics. Yes, I know. What is Santa doing in a cemetery? I’ll have to Photoshop that out. Merry Christmas!