Pay for your groceries in the future by waving your iPhone or iPad

Could you carry around your iPad or iPhone instead of cash or credit cards?

It seems that the latest rumours circulating around the upcoming iPad 2 is that it may contain an NFC chip.

What’s NFC?

NFC stands for “Near Field Communication” – basically a technology that will allow an electronic device to communicate wirelessly with other electronic devices – yes like RFID, Infrared, Wifi or Bluetooth, but with less range, faster and less complicated setup and compatible with existing RFID.   NFC is a technology primarily for mobile phones, and people are hoping that in the future, you could use NFC devices to pay for stuff, validating tickets for concerts, or interactions with electronic posters.

So, imagine this – if your iPhone 5 or iPad 2 had an NFC chip, and Coles or Woolies supportd it, and your bank supports it – you could just wave your iPhone or iPad in front of some scanning machine and PAY for your groceries!  No cash or card required.

Well, to me, it would seem totally impractical to carry around your iPad in your pocket just to pay for groceries.  Using your mobile phone seems to make a lot of sense though – I carry mine everywhere. 

But like many things – Apple are a little behind the ballgame here.  It seems that Nokia has already rolled out an NFC enabled phone in 2008 (http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/09/visa-rolls-out-its-first-commercial-nfc-payment-system/).  However, with the market share of iPhones and iPads, if Apple picks it up and promotes this, I’m sure most other mobile phone manufacturers will have to follow suit, and this could kickstart new trends.

For me, I’m most worried about the safety and security of the system.

What happens if you lose your phone?  How quickly can you cancel payments from it?

Could someone create another NFC device that could steal money from you electronically and wirelessly by just placing it next to your phone/pocket without knowing?

If it’s secure and safe, it’d be great to replace EFTPOS with this – imagine paying buying movie tickets online then just passing your phone over some sensor at the movies to get in, or paying for petrol or groceries with your phone?

Would you use something like this if it was available and safe and secure?

More here:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/apple-job-posts-point-to-built-in-nfc-capabilities-for-ipad-ip/

http://www.eetasia.com/ARTICLES/2006MAY/PDF/EEOL_2006MAY01_STECH_RFD_TA.pdf?SOURCES=DOWNLOAD

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication

Time spent post processing photos

How much time do you spend post processing your photos?

I just shot a wedding reception on the weekend and I’ve tried to keep track of how much time I spend in front of Lightroom this time.

So far, I’ve clocked up as many hours as the shoot itself!   And I’m nowhere near finished.   With previous dance shoots, I average at least the same amount of time post processing as the shoot itself.

Unfortunately, my time so far doesn’t even include the time spent preparing the proofs and uploading them, etc!

Many people think that the move to digital photography means less processing time and everything is instant.    Sure, it’s “easier” to press the shutter button and get a photo.  But I think many people who might have worked in a darkroom before, now are doing that post processing on a computer.   And it takes TIME!

After attending a session on landscape photography by Christian Fletcher, I suspect that landscape photographers must spend an extremely large amount of time in post production to get the image right.   The ratio of time to the number of final images must be huge!

Do you find you spend a lot of time in post production?

MacWorld Expo 2011 in San Francisco

If you’re a geek, you gotta keep up with the big expos around the world.   That’s where major product announcements are made and the latest gadgets demo’d.

Right now, the MacWorld Expo is being held in San Francisco.   This expo used to be the one where Apple officially participated and announced new products but it pulled its support in 2009.

Still, many companies selling Apple accessories and software have come out in force.    This device called the iFusion caught my eye – converting a mobile phone for use as a deskphone with charging and speakerphone capabilities!

For those of us who can’t get to San Francisco, you can follow the action online:

MacWorld Expo official web site – http://www.macworld.com/

MacWorld coverage from TUAW – http://www.tuaw.com/category/macworld/

MacWorld coverage on Engadget – http://www.engadget.com/tag/macworld/

Cyclone heading for Perth?

I live in Perth, the most remote capital city in the world.

We’re quite far from the equator and cyclonic type events, but it seems that our Bureau of Metereology is predicing that cyclone Bianca (http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDW60281.shtml) will be making its way towards Perth.   It might just fizzle out by the time it gets here, resulting in a storm with strong gusts of wind, but who knows?

First thing I thought was – I’ve never experienced a cyclone – what do I have to do get ready?

Here’s a few tips I’ve scraped off the net that might help:

Reduce damage to property

• Remove all loose stuff from around the outside of the house that can go flying around
• Pack away outdoor furniture
• Pack pot plants together and against a wall of the house

Food and water

• Bottled water
• Tinned food

Light

• Candles and matches
• Torch and batteries

Communication

• Charged mobile phone (know the SES number and other emergency numbers)
• Radio with batteries so you can listen to emergency updates

Other

• Get a first aid kit
• Get a copy of important documents just in case
• Keep pets inside

Stay safe everyone!

—

[UPDATE 10:38AM 29-Jan-2011]

Found this NASA satellite photo of cyclone Bianca:

NASA also have supplied a kml file that you can load into Google Earth to see this:

Cyclone Bianca compared to WA

Even though it’s blue skies now, it looks like a lot of cloud and rain coming!

I’ve tidied up the front and back of the house even though Wifey says “I don’t see any cyclone!”

—

More useful information here:

BOM’s cyclone preparation checklist:  http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/about/checklist.shtml
FESA’s cyclone information page:  http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au/internet/default.aspx?MenuID=410
BOM’s page on Current Tropical Cyclones: http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/index.shtml

Changing the Subaru Forester brake light bulb

Seems like I’ve been driving around with a blown rear brake light for a while in my Subaru Forester.  Of course, I didn’t know – but it was one kind stranger who let me know when I was filling up petrol at a petrol station.

Now, yes, I’m a guy, the “man of the house”..  but I’m probably more of a metro Dad than a real hands on bloke   I’m good with computers, small electronics and I’d like to think I’m getting better with home maintenance, but with cars – definitely not my forte.

But I had to fix this brake light – how hard can it be?

Not hard at all really!   And I’m sure much cheaper than getting a mechanic to do it.

At first I did look like a fool spending about 10 minutes standing in front of all the light bulbs at the local car auto shop trying to figure out which one to get.  Seems like the model numbers didn’t exactly match the bulb model numbers in the owner’s manual.

It was a great opportunity to get out my socket set – something that really sparks and appeals to the “man” in me!

Is it just me or do all guys feel more of a man when they get out their socket set?   (Tip for wives – buy your man a set of expensive spanners or screwdrivers I know it looks like a box of metal, but we love toys like this!  And there’ll be no excuse to not fix something that breaks in the future!)

In the end, Little Miss 10 came out wondering what I was doing and so it was a good opportunity to get her to help!

In my Googling around, I found a whole Subaru Forester Owner’s Forum here - http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/.    Wow, I’ve been driving this model car around for 8 years and didn’t even know this existed

Happy Australia Day!

Today is Australia Day!  A public holiday in Australia for us to remember and celebrate when Captain Arthur Phillip arrived in Sydney Cove.  When I was in Sydney last year, I visited the Museum of Sydney which has an amazing array of artifacts and information about the landing.

For our family, it’s even more special because Little Miss 9 becomes Little Miss 10!  I believe there is a 26ers club in Victoria for Victorians who have a Birthday’s on 26 January!

So what do Aussies do on Australia Day?  Whatever!  Go to the beach, chill out at home, have a BBQ with friends and family, etc.

Each Australian capital city usually has a large fireworks display in the evening where thousands of people congregate, have a picnic and chill out.   In Perth, our fireworks display is called the Skyworks and it looks fantastic over our beautiful Swan River.

If you’re going into the city, check out the Skyworks website for information on road closures.

Tip for Perthies – you don’t actually have to get in early to get a good spot.  For the last 5 or so years, we’ve parked in the city just 10 minutes before and walked down to the Esplanade with no problems!

This year, we’ll try and watch it from our back verandah for the first time

More info on Australia Day here:  http://www.australiaday.org.au/

Trip to the State Library of Western Australia

On the weekend, I dragged the kids to the State Library.   Initially the kids were complaining “Do we HAVE to go with you? Do we HAVE to go to the library?”.

Tough luck – I’ve got the keys to the car

I had to look up some music and when I got there to the second floor, I forgot just how much sheet music they do have there.   There’s literally STACKS! 

Seriously, before you go to Zenith’s or Theo’s or Clef or Musgrove’s, visit the State Library first.  There’s shelves and shelves of music scores for all sorts of instruments and ensembles.  And not just classical sheet music, but a whole lot of pop and rock and musical theatre stuff too. 

I took one look at the violin section and thought that it would take years to go through and play all the repertoire they have there.  I’m flipped through some of the fiddling and jazz books – stuff I’ve wanted to try out but just haven’t wanted to fork out real money yet.  They also have a practice room there to hire if you want to try out books before going home.

And the cost?  FREE!  Yep, just sign up on the ground floor, show some ID and you can borrow any of these books to play in the comfort of your own home!

On the way out, we found a free display on the ground floor called “The Library of Nearly Lost Moments” – an exhibition dedicated to all the “stuff” in your lives. 

Little Miss 9 liked the snow globe collection and I was excited to see some old Apple computers there.

There was an activity there where you can add some bit of stuff to the wall and describe what it is, where you got it, why you don’t want it.  

This was my favourite!

Eventually, I had to pull Little Miss 9 away from the old typewriter they had there.  To think that I learnt typing on a typewriter, but now it’s such a novelty   I think I’ll have to dig up my parents’ old one for the kids to play with again.

 

 The exhibition continues onto the 6th February but the Music section of the library is there all the time

More info here:   http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/whats_on/exhibitions

And they’ve even got a blog here!  http://slwa.wordpress.com/ and posted about their Music section here:  http://slwa.wordpress.com/2011/01/21/attention-music-students/

And tip for the day – you can search their entire catalogue from the comfort of your home here:  http://henrietta.slwa.wa.gov.au/search~S2

MyTown iPhone Game Review

The multitude of functions of the iPhone have introduced a whole new range of games.  MyTown, made by Booyah,  is one that combines location (GPS), map information (where buildings and businesses are) and social networking together to be a location-based game.  Some think of it like Foursquare, or an expanded version of Facebook’s checkin facility.

But I like to think of it as real world Monopoly that you play on your phone!  Sounds geeky right?

Booyah claim that it’s the most popular location based social game ever.   Big call!

I think the original idea was when you’re at some place (cafe/restaurant/business/anything), that you fire up MyTown and check in to say that you’re there.   You get a bonus for checking in to properties when you’re actually physically closer to it.  You can also receive items for checking in at places.

Radio City Music Hall - one of my properties

The next aspect to the game is purchasing properties.  At first I didn’t get this at all.   I mean why would you want to buy your local deli, cafe, bar, etc?  It’s definitely one way of saying “I like this place!”, but buying virtual properties lets you earn rent and create items.  Rent gives you money which lets you upgrade and decorate your properties.  Items lets you earn more money or items.   There’s only a fixed number of properties you can buy and you’re also constrained by how much money you have (well, the initial parts of the game) – but you unlock “slots” more as you play the game more.

Since MyTown must host a massive database of every property in the world (HA!), they can keep track of how many people check in at each one and calculates a popularity rating which can affect the current “price” of the property.

Besides upgrading, buying and selling properties, you can also create “items” at your properties – depending on what type of business it is.  I don’t see the point of this side of the game unless you’re into levelling up.  I’ve persisted for a while – for exmaple, getting my Gas and Convenience to 16 skill points.  But so what?  So I can unlock more items?  Little Miss 11 plays this game too but hasn’t even touched this side of the game.

Creating items and increasing your skill level

–

So when I started playing, I just had a few local popular businesses.  Then I started checking in more often when I was out and about around Perth.  And adding places like Burswood Casino, Subi Oval, Greens & Co, etc to my property portfolio.  But I wasn’t earning much cash at all.

Burswood Casino

Then I found out how you can “game” the system. 

Seems like you can turn off Location Services on your iPhone/iDevice for MyTown (or just play it on a non-GPS iDevice), and then when you start up, it asks you which city you are in.  You can put it any city in the world! 

Turning off Location Services for MyTownChoose any town you want!

It seems to make sense to buy the most popular properties in the game, and they seem to be the ones that are closest to the default location of each city.  Actually, if you look at the list that comes up, many people end up choosing Abilene, Texas and then checking in and/or buying the first properties on this screen or anything closer than 100m to where you are in Abilene, Texas.

Choose properties less than 100m away

Take a look at Abilene Educational Supplies!   The problem with this now is that the property rankings in MyTown have nothing to do with how popular the property is in real life at all.  In my eagerness to get more money, I ended up buying properties like this in the U.S. (Bitsy’s Flowers, Quiznos, Hoofbeats), and famous tourist destinations like the Apple Store in New York, Statue of Liberty, etc.

Hoofbeats - one of the most popular and valuable properties

And now I don’t really play the game much anymore.

I think they need to do a few things:

• Stop people checking in and buying places that they aren’t actually at.  It means the whole property popularity thing has no meaning.   But then again, it’s a game right?  Not some official data collection service.
• Change the UI.  The styling, colour and graphics need to be slicked up.  Maybe it’s meant to be targeted towards kids – in which case it’s fine.  
• Perhaps see who just checked in at a location like Facebook or Foursquare?  But maybe this is not the intent of the game.
• Increase the social aspect of the game.  At the moment I can “visit” someone else’s set of properties and send them a message, but that’s about it.  Would be nice to see common properties, or set up tasks/challenges like We Rule Quests or FarmVille.

For older players (like me!), I think I’ll be content in just checking in in Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare.

More info here:  http://www.booyah.com/products/mytown

Arranging Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are for Violin and Cello

An old friend of ours is getting married this week and asked if we could provide music.   She specifically requested for a few modern pop tunes.

I’m always a bit apprehensive about playing pop repertoire with classical instruments.  Is it going to sound really corny and crap?  Will it still convey the same emotion without singing or lyrics?

A bit of Googling and I found U2′s Beautiful Day [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ZkVYXguhQ] as well as Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpqJjasrD7I] arranged and recorded by the Vitamin String Quartet.  Seems like this US based quartet has done a heap of pop and rock covers, and they don’t sound too bad either!

Unfortunately, our instrumentation for the wedding is going to be keyboard/piano, violin and cello.   Still, I used a combination of the  recording by the original artists together with listening to the Vitamin String Quartet arrangement to come up with my own arrangement – for piano trio!

I hope it will be OK for the wedding!

But the whole exercise on this Sunday morning has made me appreciate how much effort goes into arranging music.  Just these 2 pieces took nearly 4 hours – and that’s just for a pretty rough draft version.   I’d estimate I’d need another 4 hours to polish it up.   And then do an actual run through to see whether it sounds OK and is playable!

First WordPress post from my iPhone

Where do you write your blog posts? I always have written
my posts on a computer – my laptop at home and sometimes proofing
and finishing my posts off during my lunch break at work. But one
of the first apps I downloaded on my iPhone was the WordPress app
but I’ve never taken the time to blog from it. Having the ability
to blog on the go is great. However, for me, the slowness of text
entry on a mobile device is too painful for me. Ok for short
updates like Facebook or Twitter, but not a multi-paragraph post!
As for capturing ideas on the go? May come in handy but I’d rather
take a photo…