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Apple TV gets a thumbs up

Netflix in 1080p using Apple TV is stellar compared to watching Netflix using the wii.

The photo stream and access to my iTunes library of music and video on my tv is awesome. This little $99 device ties it all together. iPhones with iPads with flat screen plasma.  It's just way too easy.

The little controller takes some getting used to.  Once you start inputting your username and password the first time, and make some errors, you will understand what I mean.

Everyone in the family digs the picture quality.  There is a big difference.

Get one if you use an iPad or iPhone. It just makes sense.

Atomic web browser app for iPad review

In my quest for a better web browser for the iPad, I came across atomic web app.

The pros are as follows:

The rendering of the webpages can look just like a browser on a desktop

Username and passwords to websites can be auto filled, which can be a real timesaver.

Saving images and files from webpages are super easy and can be saved into your drop box.

The cons are as follows:

The voice to text on the new iPad to complete text fields sometimes causes the browser to close.

The webpage that I originally wanted to use this browser for that utilizes frames did not load properly.

Video files that are embedded on webpages don't seem to play.

The cost for the full version is only $.99 and is worth it. I will use this web browser app and update this review as I find more pros and cons.

SketchBookX app for iPad gets a thumbs up

My daughter is writing a children's book and had already sketched out her drawings on a sketch pad along with her story line. Today she decided to take it to the next level and get her book going for real, so the hunt was on for the right app to help her to what she needs to do.

With SketchBookX, her drawings and her book came to life. The sketches popped and she learned how to use the app right away.

I wanted to see how easy it really is, so I installed SketchBookX on my new iPad and within minutes I was having fun sketching away just using my fingers. Note that my daughter was using a bamboo brand stylus.

If you need a good, easy to use, robust sketching app, install SketchBookX. It's free so you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Have fun. Get your art on.

Life360 app gets a thumbs up - can be hilarious

When your family is scattered around town or across the country, and you happen to be the one furthest away from the family unit, at times it can feel lonely.

I installed the life360 app and added my wife and kids into the list of family on the app. I clicked the green check box which then sent a mass message to my widened and kids that stated "I'm safe".

This then opened up a family wide chat room as everyone was confused by the message and started messaging back via SMS or email. That's when the fun started and it was like we were all connected virtually through this chat room that only our family had access to.

The feeling was good. We were "together".

When one checks in with the green check mark and let's everyone know they are safe, you can see where they are via a map.

When one checks in with a red check mark alert, the family is notified that there is trouble for that family member and everyone gets a SMS, email, and APP alert.

It's all good vibes stuff. I don't think this is something I would use with friends. There is Facebook for that. This is just for my family where only we need to know what's up within the family unit and that our peeps are safe and sound wherever they may be.

Good going life360. This app makes sense once we started using it. For that period of time we were all "together", that was the best. Lots of laughter and back and forth banter family style. Love it.

The new iPad is way awesome - my review

When I bought this new iPad I thought that all I was getting was a unit that had better graphic capabilities. Then I realized that there is a voice to text built-in kind of like the iPhone 4S with Siri. In fact this blog post has been totally written using the voice to text ability of this new iPad.

This one feature, totally makes this new iPad worth it.

The ability to use voice to text where ever there is an option to type, is simply awesome.

When I was looking at the comparison chart on the Apple website, it did not mention this feature.

This is a game changer.

Bamboo stylus works well on new iPad

I got a bamboo brand stylus today and this thing works well on an iPad screen that doesn't have a screen protector on it.

Why do I mention the no screen protector covered screen? I took off the screen protector, and my original no name stylus that I was using, gripped the glass screen and made writing difficult.

I will update you on the condition of this bamboo brand stylus after using it for a while.

My vision is that it lasts a long time.

Belkin Snap Shield - Back Cover for Apple iPad 2

Snap Shield - Back Cover for Apple iPad 2 (CLEAR) (Personal Computers)

Make sure that you get the version with the trapezoid shape cut out at the top for the microphone, and you will be good to go. Apparently this is how to tell if you have the latest version of this snap shield.

I bought the smart cover when I first got my iPad 2 and stopped using it when I realized the back of my iPad was not protected from scratches. I have four different cases and used a folio style case the most. My managers that work for me use otter box, and while theirs may be super protected, the additional weight gain and the added bulk makes their iPads look like something other than an iPad.

After a visit to the apple store and seeing how all the employees there use the smart cover on their iPads and how nice the iPad looks naked, I decided that I wanted my iPad to be as close to naked as possible. One of my friends suggested that I try the belkin snap shield in conjunction with my smart cover, as that's how he rolls with his iPad 2.

I purchased the clear snap shield and it installed quickly and easily. My smart cover was called back up into service, and my iPad 2 looks great. This is the first time since I've had my iPad 2 that I've been completely satisfied with the look and the feel of it while having protection in place.

When I made the purchase of the belkin snap shield, my intention was to protect the back from scratches. I wanted to be able to use my smart cover AND set down my iPad 2 on its back without it being scratched. Drop protection wasn't my priority.

A few days ago I was at the muffler shop having a new muffler installed on my car. I set down my iPad 2 on a steel rocking chair next to where I was sitting, and before I knew it, my iPad was sliding backwards on the angled rocking chair, and it crashed to the floor, hitting back first and sliding on the hard tile floor. The whole thing seemed to happen in slow motion as I watched helplessly as my iPad 2 was sliding away from me and landing on the floor, back side first.

I retrieved my iPad 2 from the floor, and the belkin snap shield was securely in place, with zero damage to the belkin snap shield, and zero damage to my ipad2.

I looked at my wife after turning on the iPad 2 and inspecting it for any damage and finding that it was still perfect, I said, "Wow! I am so glad that I got this shield for the back!"

Am I satisfied with this belkin snap shield? Absolutely.

It protects the back of my iPad 2 from getting scratched and allows me to set it down wherever I choose, and the fact that it protected my iPad 2 from that drop to the floor, makes me a huge fan of this snap shield.

The bottom line is this. I get to keep the look and the form factor that I like about the iPad, with a level of some protection.

My belief is that you want something similar to what I want in regards to form factor and as close to naked iPad look as possible while having protection from scratches. This is it. Use this snap shield (version with the trapezoid cut out at the top for the microphone) along with a smart cover and blammo! That's all she wrote. Or in my case, since I'm a He, that's all he wrote.

Maxthon mobile web browser for kindle fire gets a thumbs up

So here's one for ya. I bought a kindle fire for the family because I took the ipad2 and started using it for work and my projects. The native browser on he kindle fire is not so good. It is slow, it is frustrating, and some pages just don't work well at all on it.

I was so upset with that browser, I considered returning that kindle fire and getting another iPad. I felt like I failed the family making that purchase.

Get the maxthon mobile browser for the kindle fire. It's a game changer.

Good going maxthon.

Apple smart cover review

During my visit to the Southlake Texas apple store today, I noticed that all the apple peeps were using the smart cover on the iPads they were walking around with. Well, that type of passive marketing worked. I decided to find the smart cover that I stashed with all of the other covers and sleeves I have for my iPad 2 and use the smart cover. When I originally purchased the smart cover, I changed my mind about using it because it doesn't protect the back of the iPad 2. Now that I use my iPad 2 every day.... Ah forget about it. Back shmack. I'm going the apple employee route and using the smart cover. Yeah. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I want to use the iPad 2 in the form factor it was meant to be in. Naked. Kinda. It's cool how the magnetic smart cover snaps onto the iPad. It's cool how when I close the cover, the iPad turns off and when I open the cover, the iPad turns on. It's cool that it doesn't add to the size really and the iPad keeps its slim form factor. (side note. A few of my managers that work with me have their iPads in the otter box and yeah it's protected big time. Ugly as sin, but protected big time.) Bada bing. That's really all there is to it. I'm really considering taking the clear screen protector off my iPad 2 and just going for it. Just sayin. That's all I got. Carry on. 8-)

Sending good vibes to Sheldon Yellen CEO of Belfor Restoration, that disaster recovery company I never knew existed til tonight

Disaster recovery company Belfor Restoration CEO Sheldon Yellen was featured on an episode of Undercover Boss. Yeah, this is an old episode, but it was new to me.

When I watched this episode, at first I thought to myself, "Really? Wow, this CEO sure is emotional."

I watched it through til the end and I have to give a thumbs up to this dude, Sheldon Yellen. Talking about sending good vibes. Well done.

You've earned a place on SendingGoodVibes.com Mr. Yellen. I'm sending good vibes your way.

Be well.