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More Better iPhotos: QuadCamera & ToyCamera

Review by mr stuff on 15 February 2009

This week's Terifik Apps highlights two powerfully simple photo apps for you iPhone. QuadCamera and ToyCamera, developed by Takayuki Fukatsu, combine limited options and simplistic controls to create a duo of apps that not only turn your mediochre IPhotos into save-worthy pics, but do it in such a delightfully simple way that you may actually use them.

QuadCamera
available from the iTunes App store, for $1.99
by: Takayuki Fukatsu

QuadCamera simulates a multi-lens camera cum time-lapse video camera. It renders a single image from multiple exposures delayed by a iser-adjustable timer. The final image can be a grid or strip of up to 8 images. You can also choose to tweak the colors from standard to b/w, vivid, or high contrast. It's a blast, and well employed for action sequences and/or moving subjects.

ToyCamera
available from the iTunes App store for $1.99
by: Takayuki Fukatsu

Toy Camera is an equally fun image app surpassing QuadCamera in its simplicity. ToyCamera creates ethereal, funky, romantic images from your everyday photos by emulating the look of toy cameras. With point and shoot control, the app transforms your iPhone's digital snap into a light-leaking, bad film, low-grade construction, art school masterpiece. The effects are random, and controls art limited, giving a very realistic rendition of the toy camera experience. Here is a sequence of images taken moments apart:

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Netflix Pix: Planet B-Boy

Review by Forever Student on 12 February 2009

What is art? One could define the term any number of ways. Is it merely self-expression? The insight of the human mind into the natural world in which we live? The very human spirit that compels us to progress; to be more than who we are? All of these things, and so much more, can be and are represented through art. And breakdancing, or b-boying, I believe falls into the category no matter what your definition.

The b-boy culture has at this point evolved to such a point that to refer to it as anything less than a vastly progressive, emotionally profound artistic endeavor on the cutting edge of human/body understanding would be a lie. The limits to which human imagination, creativity, and physicality are stretched through breakdancing are at once mind-boggling and infinitely beautiful. In so many ways, b-boying represents the struggle of the world at present, perhaps even throughout its history, and is a way of storytelling and human interaction like no other.

Planet B-Boy strives to represent this underground culture with respect, by showcasing the best b-boy teams in the world and helping you understand their personal struggles to continue the art form they love. Starting you off at a frenetic pace, with graffiti-like graphics scrawled across the screen, Planet B-Boy trickles down into the truly remarkable stories of 5 b-boy crews from different parts of the world. The documentary recounts the amazing history of b-boying, poignantly illustrating the struggle of its adherents to make it the art form it is today. It strives not only to show us the crew's journeys to become the best, but how 'the best' is not a singular notion, but a space reserved only for those crews who truly understand cooperation, self-sacrifice, and love.

Perhaps the most touching understanding of the film springs from the realization that the b-boys don't even seem to realize the groundbreaking (pun intended) progression of what they are doing, the masterful monument to humanity's artistic potential... they just do it because they love it. And in many ways, that's the most artistic expression of all. Planet B-Boy. Our Netflix Pick.

[Why should you try Netflix free for 2 weeks? Find out after the jump]

Continue reading Netflix Pix: Planet B-Boy

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Sakura SumoGrip Mechanical Pencil

Review by Diego-Alonso on 11 February 2009

I have an attraction to mechanical pencils. At first, it was the consistent quality of line they produce. Then suddenly, I had lost the need to track down pencil sharpeners - and gone were the lead streaks in the pockets of my bags. I appreciate their clean construction: replaceable leads, erasers, the consistent amount of lead released per click. I'd often find myself comparing one brand to the other, noting how closely they all followed the design of click pens. Then I found the SumoGrip, and the competition faded into the background.

This is one serious mechanical pencil. The ergonomic fat diameter fits comfortably in my hand; while the soft textured rubber on the grip ensures slip-free drawing sessions. When I miss the mark, the SumoGrip has the largest eraser I've ever seen on a mechanical. If you've ever worn down your eraser with plenty of leads left rattling inside the chamber, then you may understand the special love I have for this design.

These days I keep a few in my bag loaded with different lead colors and weights for making edits on notes or thumbnail sketches that need work.

Sakura offers these pencils in 0.5, 0.7, and monster 0.9 mm thicknesses (my favorite). If you've never sketched up with a mechanical, it's worth a try. You might be surprised by just how expressive you can get with one in your hand.

You can pick up a SumoGrip online through Amazon for under three bucks.

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MOO.com: Personalized Business Cards

Review by Matt B. Simon on 9 February 2009

Nothing impresses your peers and colleagues more than business cards (I think Bill Gates said this, but I could be wrong). It's like a mini résumé, and it's even cooler when you do the move where you squeeze it between two fingers to offer it to people. You can pretend to be pretty much anyone with a convincing business card. I personally have successfully impersonated many high-ranking politicians and business types.

So if you want to seem as important as possible, and don't we all, visit MOO.com and print yourself up some personalized business cards. You can upload any image you like (within reason) to the front, and write anything you like (within reason) on the back. MOO even links up to sites like Facebook, Flickr and LiveJournal to transfer your photos.

You can choose between two sizes, the dimensions you normally see for business cards, and the MiniCard, which is smaller, yet somehow more dramatic. Either way, the printing looks fantastic, and the finish is nice and glossy, so you'll be well on your way to climbing the company ladder or making someone you hate jealous.

Available on MOO from ~$20

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Vocal Champion: Sennheiser e845s Microphone

Review by Forever Student on 9 February 2009

I've been in several bands in my life. Currently I sing in a cover band, mainly for a good time and a little extra cash on the side. When I originally started on stage, I didn't know a good microphone from a hole in the ground. But now that I've used a bunch, and tried a bunch more, I know exactly where my vocal bread is buttered, and the Sennheiser e845s Pro Performance microphone is it.

Some people might want to kill me for not mentioning the Shure Beta 58a microphone, and with good reason. The Shure is right there at the top as well. Both mics offer fabulous, clean, true sound, and the Shure Beta is actually just a little hotter in my opinion. But the Sennheiser has a few perks that push it over the top for me.

One such perk is the on/off switch. When I first got the microphone, I was worried that this might be a problem in live situations. Not so, and it's a boon if you don't have a mic stand and need to set the mic down, as you can turn it off to kill potential feedback.

Speaking of feedback, this brings me to the second perk: this thing almost never feeds back. The Shure does a fine job of cutting feedback as well, but the Sennheiser e845s does better. Finally, if you think the Shure Beta is clean (and it is), give the e845s a whirl. The clarity on this mic is nothing short of amazing.

What else is great about it? It's about as tough as they come. This mic is super road-worthy, and with Sennheiser's 10 year warranty, you know this mic's gonna last you a while. I've personally dropped this thing loads of times, and it just keeps on trucking, no drop in sound quality at all.

Some stats to consider:

Pickup pattern: supercardioid
Transducer: pressure gradient dynamic
Frequency response: 40Hz-16kHz
Sensitivity (free field, no load): 1.8mV/Pa =/-55dB (odB=1V/Pa) =/-75dB (odB=1V/?bar) (USA)
Nominal impedance at 1 kHz: 350 ohms
Min terminating impedance: 1000 ohms
Dimensions: 1-7/8" dia. x 7-1/3"L
Weight: 11-2/3 oz.

You can grab yourself a Sennheiser e845s Pro Performance microphone on Musician's Friend for $149.99 which, coincidentally, is $10 cheaper than the Shure Beta.

If you're a singer who wants to be heard clean and clear and high above the rest, do yourself a favor and pick up a Sennheiser e845s Pro Performance vocal microphone.

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Better iPhone Photos with CameraBag

Review by mr stuff on 6 February 2009

This week's installment of Terifik Apps shares a few tools that will turn your iPhone's underwhelming digital camera into a creative masterpiece machine.

CameraBag
from NeverCenter
available from the iTunes App Store for 2.99

CameraBag is an amazing application that greatly extends the utility and fun factor of your iPhone's camera. It uses a slick and simple interface to replicate the look of 9 classic camera styles. In seconds you can post-process pics off the camera or from your camera-roll. It's so easy: no computer, no Photoshop, just fast on-phone processing and impressive looking results. When you're done, save or send them to friends. For more pics and examples of a few effects, hit the jump.

Continue reading Better iPhone Photos with CameraBag

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