If you’ve ever wondered wanted to know how PayPal returns data to you from a transaction (and we have) then look no further than this blog courtesy of the PayPal X Developer Network.
This explains the POST, PDT and IPN return types. Ok, so not the most interesting night time reading but someone needs to know this kind of stuff.
In other news Google has bought BumpTop; the software that turns your flat desktop into a 3D interactive space. I’ve tried the software and whilst it did impress visually it did not make sense, to me at least, on a desktop machine where you have a keyboard and mouse. However I can completely see the benefits on a touch based piece of hardware, like the iPad. Are Google about to impress with some new mobile device that makes use of this technology? or maybe their own large iPad style device? Only time will tell.
I was emailed a link this morning to view an online mountain biking magazine. I’m sure it would have been great, however, I couldn’t view it. All I was presented with was a blank screen. The magazine was built entirely in Adobe Flash (formerly Macromedia Flash). And I was trying to view it on my iPad (see previous blog!). Now, Adobe and Apple are in a dispute as to the security of Flash Apps and running on the Apple mobile platform (iPhone, iPad, iPod - this list goes on). Surely, with the proliferation of mobile Apple devices and the resent huge uptake of the iPad in the US, Flash must be on the downward side of the curve?
This aside, if any of our clients approached us to create an online magazine, the first thing we would take a look at would be accessibility - as we would see this as intrinsic to the establishing and growing readership. So, the last thing we would look at would be Flash - especially for the whole magazine.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m a fan of Flash. It’s changed and increase the way we view video online (YouTube) and when used effectively, there is no substitute - until HTML 5 arrives that is.
So, if there were only 14hrs to save the Earth, then I’d go with good old reliable and accessible HTML.
PS. Even more frustrating is that as it currently stands, I can’t use BBC iPlayer on my iPad either!
We took delivery last week of our very own Apple iPad. Freshly imported from the US along with a US iTunes account and a $100 gift voucher for lots of sparkly new iPad Apps.
And the verdict is…
…what a fabulous bit of kit. It’s important to understand that the iPad will disappoint if you don’t understand what it’s for. If you want a quick, small and fairly light device for browsing the web, sending and receiving email and most other thing you do when at home, then the iPad may be for you. If you want a business machine, it certainly won’t replace your laptop - unless you only use it for resting your pen and note pad on.
The actual iPad itself is a lovely looking piece of kit. Typically Apple, the materials and construction are second to none. The screen is vibrant and the resolution on HD movie stunning. And, personally, I don’t have any issues with the touch keyboard and size.
The Apps selection is limited at the moment and running iPhone apps on it simply doubles the size of the App - which is a bit rubbish from what I’ve seen so far.
The Safari browser is currently detected as a mobile browser, which is a little frustrating. I have a big screen and don’t want to be served iPhone site versions. No doubt, developers will catch on - this one has
Main Benefits/positive points so far:
Immediate on button - no boot up time
Long battery time
Lovely screen/display
Very quick
Keynote on the go is effective - but importantly not the full version
Works great with Bluetooth headphones (Sennheiser mm450)
Excellent video/movies
oh - and looks cool in Starbucks (but you may get mugged for it)
Main faults/frustrations so far:
Massive finger print issue
Easy to drop (like a big bar of soap)
No Flash - but maybe that’s not such a bad thing!
Sites recognise the iPad Safari as a mobile browser
Limited Apps at the moment - but increasing daily
Won’t charge from your USB as not powerful enough. Needs mains.
It seems the new Apple iPad has completely polarised opinion, as always, on what people think a new product like this should do and what it actually does do. The general consensus from those that do not like it seems to be that it is nothing more than an enlarged iPod Touch; basically the same but with a bigger screen so what is the point. Why not just buy a NetBook or a laptop if it is a question of size and ease of use? Read the rest of this entry »
It is now possible to have the entire world in the palm of your hand and at the (iPod) touch of a button as Google have today launched Google Earth for iPhone and iPod Touch. The app is free and downloadable from the iTunes App Store. It contains all of the same functionality you would expect from Google Earth including, geo-located wiki articles, photos, 3D terrain modelling and so on.
All good things come in 7s don’t they? The seven wonders of the world, seven pillars of wisdom, the film Se7en, the Caterham 7. But of course like so many things in life where there is light there is also dark… the seven deadly sins.
So, with that in mind here are 7 tips for optimising your CSS. I think that it’s like a lot of things that seem pretty obvious once you’ve read them but until someone points it out and says “why don’t you do that like this”, you don’t think to do it. On a seperate, note this made me laugh. Yes people actually bought an Apple iPhone App priced at $999.99 (max price allowed on the app store) and the developer is now $5600 richer! just a bit annoyed that I didn’t think of it.
At the risk of appearing Apple blog heavy I’ve stumbled across an new app from Wordpress that allows you to write blog entries from you iPod Touch or iPhone.
Experiences using Safari on the iPod were not too satisfying with Wordpress’ causing Safari to crash. This app however makes the whole thing much easier and quicker.
It has a handy preview feature allowing the blog to be seen as it would when published. As yet no rich text editting, so no adding links or fancy font colours. There’s the option to add pictures straight from your photo library or take a new one with built in camera.
So far it all works very well, the only draw back being the strain it puts on your typing finger!
In the wake of the problems that plagued Apple’s launch of it’s MobileMe technology, the company has issued an apology to it’s MobileMe subscribers. As MacWorld states there is to be a free 30 days subscription to all those that signed up, which one has to say is generous and thoughtful, it’s not often a company of Apple’s size and power admits to a failure like this and tries to make amends.
Despite these issues the 2.0 update and the launch of the Apps Store have proved a hit with users, with a reported 10 million downloads in the first weekend alone.
