Posts Tagged ‘iPod’

iTunes 8

Monday, July 27th, 2009

iTunes 8Along with the new iPods, Apple recently launched a new version of iTunes, iTunes 8. The new version looks very similar to the old version, but has a few new features that we’ve all been waiting for.

The biggest addition to the program is HD (High Definition) viewing. You can now download and watch HD T.V. shows using iTunes. When you buy the show you will also get an iPod ready version with the best settings for your iPod.

Another important background addition is in the accessibility department. It is now screen reader friendly on both Mac and PC. A screen reader basically helps disabled people to use the computer. It uses audio and/or Braille outputs to help the user to understand what is on the screen. It also works for iTunes content so that anybody can now purchase and download from iTunes.

Genius is Apple’s new playlist creator. You choose a song and click on the genius button and iTunes will create a playlist of other songs in your library that, ‘go great together.’ The sidebar will find music on the iTunes Store that goes with the song, helping you to find new music that you may like. It’s a nice addition but nothing groundbreaking.

On the visual side Apple has added two new elements. They have a new Visualiser with 3D spheres, ribbons and lights that move to the beat and they have Grid View. Grid View is just another way to look through your music. Your library will be displayed using the cover art of the albums. It looks great if you have all your album artwork, but if you don’t, this new feature will be of no use to you.

Although iTunes has not changed much at first glance it has taken a huge step forward, a step into the next generation of entertainment. And along with it they’ve given us a few extra features that can be used or ignored at your discretion.

Idols South Africa: Season 5 Kicks off

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

Idols SAIdols South Africa: Season 5 kicked off this Sunday with a spring in its step. I have always been extremely critical of the South African Idols as it’s way too hard not to compare the show to its American counter part. Although the show has enjoyed success over the years it hasn’t produced a star that not only blows viewers away but stays in the lime light. This year may be different.

Although we’re only in its first week I have to say the editing is on a whole new level. No more irritatingly long bits that are totally unnecessary the show flies by with a professional edge that has been lacking in previous seasons. The judges are all back and although Randal Abrahams still seems intent on using lame descriptions to try to be funny, the editors seem to have cut it down to a minimum. Gareth Cliff and Mara Louw continue to be the judging entertainment, and Dave Thomson says very little.

The best part of the new season has to have happened in the opening in Cape Town. Former annoyance with the title of presenter, Colin Moss, was sent off in the best possible way. He was hit by a mini buss. What makes for one of the greatest moments of South African television Moss was killed off and replaced with a better, far less irritating, Liezel van der Westhuizen.

The talent is sharp and the funnies keep coming. Cell phone’s are instruments and singing with an iPod in your ears seems to be O.K. in one auditioner’s head. Of all the seasons of South African Idols this is one I will definitely be watching. If MNET keeps this up I will be extremely impressed.

Disciple

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

Disciple“Wake up friend, it’s just one life, it’s not too late, your ride is far from over!” is just one of many inspiring lines by the Christian heavy rock band, Disciple. Based in the USA, Disciple works hard to bring meaningful music to hundreds of thousands of fans across the world.

The band was founded by guitarist Brad Noah in 1992, and released their first album three years later, entitled ‘What was I Thinking’. They were then signed by Warner Resound, and released a further two albums over the next four years. In these years, they moved on to record under the label Rugged Records.

Their popularity only boomed, however, with the release of their fourth album, By God, which went on to win the Inspirational Life Award in 2001. By God earned them two Christian Rock chart toppers, and two Dove Awards nominations. After this, they established their own record label called Slain Records, and acquired a new bassist, while working on a new project entitled Back Again. Back Again was released in 2003, and sported a further two number one Christian rock hits.

After two years of recording, touring, and performing, Disciple released a new, self-titled album. The album was their most successful at the time, and was nominated for two Dove Awards, with three songs making the number one spot on the Christian rock charts. If this seemed like a hard act to follow, Disciple were up to the challenge, producing an all-new album called Scars Remain, with its best performing song being After the World, which finished as the 8th most-played Christian rock song of 2007.

Early in 2008, the band saw a makeover with two members leaving, including the founding lead guitarist, and three new members were added to the bands’ setup.
Although the vocalist remained, the change brought a new, reformed instrumental sound to the band, which, if anything, seemed to enhance their sound. This certainly shows in their latest release entitled Southern Hospitality, which is spreading into fans’ CD players and iPods like wildfire.

On the bands website, www.disciplerocks.com, the lyricist describes the bands’ lyrics as following their own circumstances and stories in life. It is most certainly for this reason that so many people relate to the songs they sing, and be as passionate as they are about Disciple’s music. And why shouldn’t they? The lyrics are musically good, biblically accurate, inspirational, and relate to the situations most people find themselves in. Their music repertoire consists of songs ranging from soft to hardcore rock, showing off their versatility as artists, and meaning that there is something in their music for everyone.

Information: www.Disciplerocks.com

Top 5 signs you need to clean your pool

Thursday, October 16th, 2008

Dirty PoolIt’s the middle of winter, you probably haven’t looked at your pool in months and you’re probably afraid to. You’ve got no pool cover, nor have you even thought about installing one. Ignorance is bliss, and so is denial for that matter. Here are the top 5 signs that you need to really clean your pool.

  1. You know that green tarp covering your swimming pool? It’s NOT a pool cover.
  2. The kids in the neighbourhood ask if they can jump on your trampoline.
  3. Skipping rocks across the water causes sparks.
  4. A new algae species attract a Discovery Channel film crew to your backyard.
  5. The Grim Reaper shows up in his Speedo.

How to copy DVDs to your iPod

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

iTunes StoreFor many iPod owners the idea of watching your favourite movies on the go is really appealing. You happily buy your iPod and some DVD’s and then realise it’s not so easy to just move them onto your iPod. You aren’t doing anything illegal; you have a right to watch the movie you bought on your iPod.

Apple has finally realised this and is now very slowly adding iPod versions of movies onto DVDs. This means you just have to pop in the DVD, put in a code, and your movie will be added to your iPod perfectly. But while we wait for that to get into full swing we still want to watch movies on the go. You can buy all these weird and wonderful pieces of software or you can do it all free!

Here is the step by step guide to getting your DVD to your iPod.

1)     Download Handbrake here.

2)     Download DVD43 here.

3)     Put your DVD into the disk drive of your computer. The DVD43 face should be happy once you have done this.

4)     Open Handbrake

5)     Under source, click browse and locate your DVD. Look for the VIDEO_TS folder and click on it. Then click OK. Handbrake will read your disk.

6)     Under the Source Title select the longest time, this is usually the movie.

7)     Under destination put the location you want your iPod ready file to be saved and give the file a name.

8)     Select your iPod from the white box on the right.

9)     Click the video tab and select 2-Pass Encoding

10) Click the start button in the top left hand corner

11) Your movie will now be made. This may take a few hours depending on your computer speed.

12) When your movie is done open it in iTunes. You can do this by right clicking the movie and selecting open with, and then iTunes.

13) Then simply drag your movie into your iPod.

It’s that simple. There are many other options you can play with to adjust the video quality, size and more. You could also use this program to create files that will support other devices like a PSP. Now you can watch your DVDs on the go.