4. iBlogger
If you like blogging with ecto, Mars Edit, or Contribute, you will probably like iBlogger. iBlogger connects your iPhone or iPod Touch with all of your blogs--in one easy-to-use interface. I can now do "mobile blogging" on the go without going through the tiny web interface of each of my blogging systems. The screenshot from my iPod Touch (to the right) shows you what yesterday's post looks like through iBlogger.
A significant number of blog engines are already supported, and more are being added. All of my blogs on MovableType and Blogger work. I can easily publish text, pictures, links, and select categories and tags. If I wish, I can even include my GPS location in any post with a simple click.
iBlogger is a nifty little application that is made by illumineX, inc., who just bought ecto from Adriann with an understanding that he will continue to work very closely with the company as they develop ecto3 and add a richer feature set to iBlogger.
5. Stage Hand
I give lots of presentations through Keynote, Apple's amazing version of PowerPoint. Using Stage Hand, I can control my Keynote presentation from my iPhone (or iPod Touch). Using your device, connected to your computer over a WiFi or a computer-to-computer wireless network, Stage Hand allows the you as the presenter to see on the handheld device the actual slide the audience sees, rotate the device to see the slide notes, the presenter's display, the elapsed time or a countdown timer. On the iPhone (not available on the the iPod Touch), the countdown timer will gently alert you at specified intervals by vibrating the phone in your hand.
From your iPhone or iPod Touch, with a simple touch, you can also move a highlight around on the audience presentation screen and even resize the highlight in real time to focus audience attention. You can control the output volume of your computer's audio. You can fade the screen to black or white. While in the middle of a presentation you can easily navigate to a specific slide without ever letting the audience see that slide selection process.
Because of its potential, I purchased this program when it first came out even though, at that time, it had some serious limitations and significant issues. I thought the developer was on to something that just might turn out to be awesome, and I wanted to support the programs development. I must say that have not been disappointed! This app rocks my presentation world!
6. Pick a song, an album, or an artist you like, and Pandora will search its collection and create a internet radio stream to your iPhone or iPod Touch tailored just for you--for free! No advertisements, no bothersome DJ, just 100% music based on what you like and what others who liked that same music also liked.
Or, you can choose to listen to a station that has already been created by someone else. You may also choose a station based on a genre of music. Stream the music to your iPhone (WiFi or AT&T) or iPod Touch (WiFi required). If you hear a song you really like, bookmark it, bookmark the artist, buy it from iTunes, email that station to a friend: it's all just a touch away!
I became familiar with the Music Genome Project shortly after it started in 2000. I had no idea it would blossom into such an amazing social user experience.
I think of Pandora as radio without everything you hate about radio!
