Scott Spiro Blog

Just came across a great post on the Evernote blog in regards to the new ipad. For those of you who know me, you are fully aware of my support for Evernote. Not only do I use the premium version personally (on the Mac, iPhone, and Windows) but I am now evaluating its use for Computer Solutions Group. While I am still not sure how the iPad will stack up in version 1, it’s great to know that some top notch developers are re-writing their apps to take advantage of the iPad’s capabilities. This means that their iPhone apps can be built into more full fledged desktop sized applications with the additional screen space and power.

Here’s the a short excerpt from the Evernote blog:

“Evernote is going to support the Apple iPad. Oh Yeah. We’re gonna support the hell out of it. We’re glad to see that the current Evernote iPhone app will run on the iPad without modification, but we’ll be modifying it anyway to optimize the experience on the larger device. Oh how we’ll be modifying it! Expect rapid improvements to our iPhone app which will benefit all of our iPhone, iPod Touch and, now, iPad users in the near future.”

Great to hear guys!

To read the entire post, check out the Evernote blog.

Well, for those of you who know me you already, you know how much I enjoy my Scottevests!  In this video (shot in freezing temperatures while in England), I take a closer look at the new Soft Shell jacket, the Fleece 5.0, a Microfleece Pullover, and a Q-zip. What’s nice about the Scottevests is that they are modular; they work great together to give you more protection against the elements, as well as more pockets as you need them. I must admit however, there were times when I lost items simply because I couldn’t remember what pocket I had put things in! Aside from this however, the soft shell did a great job protecting me against wind and rain while visiting the UK. Additionally, the Fleece 5.0 is not only comfortable, but also very warm and a perfect companion for the Soft Shell.

Customer Service

I also have to speak highly about Scottevest customer service. When my Soft Shell arrived in the mail, one of the magnets in the pockets seemed to be non-functional. I sent an e-mail to the Scottevest support team explaining that I was leaving for England and would not have time to get a new Soft Shell before my departure. I received a quick response telling me it was no problem, that a new one would be shipped to me and to simply return my Soft Shell when I got home. Great support.

Also, Scott Jordan the CEO of Scottevest knows how to use social media to engage with his customers. What other company can you contact the CEO so easily in regards to positive or negative feedback about the products? There are many companies out there that can take a lesson from Scott and his team on how to run a customer service department from the top down.

Travel

With some of the recent travel developments, security is tight. My flight back from Heathrow was delayed by over 2 hours while each passenger was searched along with their individual carry on bags. While this is certainly welcomed, be sure to empty everything out of your Scottevest as they will be searched thoroughly.

Suggestions

These are well made products and highly recommended. I do have a few suggestions for the Scottevest team that I outline in the video (though these are minor and far between). For example, It would be great if the headphone cable could be routed within the lining of the Microfleece Pullover as is done with the Soft Shell or Fleece 5.0. (currently the cables just run inside the jacket which can result in some tangles). There are also no headphone baskets in the Microfleece which it definitely needs.

What say you? Let me know how you’ve enjoyed your Scottevests and if you have any comments post them here.

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Ah yes, this will be a labor of love. To name my iphone app picks in a blog post! Truthfully folks, I have had quite a few iphone enthusiasts ask me “what are your top iphone app picks?” I’m dedicating this post to James Kernan of www.kernanconsulting.com who actually asked me this question and then listened while I described my entire iphone app library to him while we shared some beers at CompTIA Breakaway. Indeed, most folks are interested in my top business app recommendations, while others want to know the game pics, etc. So here they are, my top iphone app picks:

Business Apps:

1. Omnifocus: This is a great app for keeping track of things, and it’s geared specifically for users of David Allen’s “GTD”. But it works just as well on its own too. The app syncs with the mac desktop version of Omnifocus via a webDAV enabled drive like Apple’s Mobile Me. I use it to keep track of client information, meeting information, etc. and then utilize the “contexts” feature to know exactly what I need to be doing when I’m in front of my computer, or in the car, or running errands, etc. Actually, I recommend all of David Allen’s books.

2. Logmein Ignition: If you utilize Logmein this is a great app that allows you to access servers, desktops, etc. from anywhere. Works great over a 3G connection.

3. Amazon Kindle for iPhone: I’m not sure if this qualifies as a business app, but I use it. A lot. I’m always learning more about business and it’s extremely handy to pick up new books while on the go and be able to read them anywhere. Plus, the books sync with my Kindle. So I’m always up to-do-date. My notes and book marks from the Kindle also carry over too.

4. WinAdmin: Great app that allows you to connect to servers using RDP. ‘Nuff said.

5. Evernote: Evernote is a web based service that also has a Windows, Mac, and iPhone app. The service allows you to take notes including pictures and send them up to evernote where OCR is utilized to organize your info. I use the app to take pictures of presentations so I can go back and watch them again later (among other things).

6. NetNewsWire – Syncs RSS feeds with Google Reader. Handy.

7. Flight Track: I use this to track flights all the time. I’m writing this while stranded at McCarren Airport in Vegas (thanks a lot Southwest!). Very handy.

8. LiveATC: Although apps like “flightrack” are great for finding out the status of flights they can sometimes be delayed. That’s why I use LiveATC. When I am tracking someone’s flight I can listen into the tower communications at the selected airport and as long as I know their flight number, I know EXACTLY when they take off or land.

9. Apple Remote: If you use iTunes and have a single or even multiple sound systems in your home or office you must try this app. Even better if you have one or more Apple TV’s. Apple Remote is like a remote on steroids or  even what Logitech’s Harmony would like to do if it could. You can control playlists, songs, artists, genious lists, and even a DJ list that can be “voted on” and play this stuff through one or more audio systems utilizing apple tv or an airport Express. For example, I can play music in my living room via an Apple TV and also in my kitchen through an airport express plugged into a small mixer and a 600 watt Craftsman DJ amp. Either way, it will work. For apple TV’s the surface of the iphone becomes a black control surface that you can “gesture” to navigate the Apple TV menus. Check it out.

Games:

1. Monster Pinball: This game is freaking AWESOME. There’s even a lite version so go try it out. If you like pinball, this game just takes it to the next level. Aside from the game play itself, it has what could be the best sound design on any iphone app. Essentially the game has multiple game boards. There’s not much as far as help is concerned so you pretty much have to figure things out on your own. Go have fun.

2. The Deep: Another cool pinball game from the makers of Wild West Pinball. Great effects and game play. Plus a bit of a story line. Go check it out. Do it. Now.

3. Pocket God: If you are an iphone gamer and haven’t played pocket god then shame on you. Pocket God isn’t so much as a game but an experience. Yes, as you may have guessed you are the “pocket god” and you can yield your supreme powers on these helpless pigmies. The creativity in this game cannot be measured and it keeps getting better.

4. Sally’s Spa: My sister is an esthetician so I know just a little about spas. This is probably my favorite of the time management games (i.e. Cooking Dash, Dining Dash, Ranch Rush) and it literally robbed me of an entire weekend of my life. If you decide to play this game (or any of the others I listed above) prepare for lack of sleep.

5. Space Invaders Infinity Gene: A remake of Space Invaders by Taito Corp. Awesome.

6. Tap Tap Revenge: Any of the versions including the original, Tap Tap Dance, Tap Tap Revenge Lady Gaga, and the newest version. Great games for music lovers.

7. Blackbeard’s Assault: This is my favorite of the “shoot the colored balls” games (Bonsai Blast, StoneLoops of Jurassica, and Luxor also are runners up).

8. Trism and Galcon: Must haves.

9. Lightsaber: Turns your iphone into a lightsaber. Limitless Fun. Also, you can create your own lightsaber.

There are many more, but those are a few you should check out.

Social Media

1. TweetDeck: The iphone version of the top rated desktop twitter app.

2. Facebook: This is a new version of the original app. Greatly improved. And free.

3. Skype: Yes, does everything the desktop version does. Almost.

4. WordPress: Blog on the go, you know?

Travel and Entertainment

1. DLP Walkee: This is for Disneyland lovers. This app gives you the park map and allows you and the rest of the Walkee community to update the ride line wait times for everyone else to see. Tons of additional info and trivia right on your iphone.

2. Zagat to go: You know what this does right? Access all of Zagat’s reviews right on your iPhone.

3. OpenTable: This really works. You can really make reservations on your iphone!

4. Lonely Planet: The best city guides around.

5. Tripit: Yes, Yes, Yes! Access your Tripit Account!

Shopping

1. Grocery Gadget: This app is the bomb. I can be at the store and my wife can be adding items to the list. I actually took pictures of most of the items I buy a Costco, and insert them in the app.Yes, this might surprise you but for those who really know me it probably doesn’t.

2. Amazon.com: Let me tell you how cool this is- you take a picture of an item you want and a few minutes later the app gets back to you with the item at the amazon store. Freakin’ awesome right?

Music

1. iDrum: Bitchin pattern drum machine.

2. BeatMaker

3. Melodica: Kinda a Tenori-On device..

4. Guitarist: great guitar tools

5. Ocinara: A virtualized 12,000 year old flute that not only allows you to play for yourself but also lets you plan and listen to thousands of other users world-wide.

Apps I’d like to see:

1. Autotask for iPhone: If you are an MSP or Outsourced IT Service Provider you might use Autotask. It’s a great SaaS app. Where is the iPhone App? This would be EXTREMELY useful.

2. iChat A/V for iphone: Ok, so it’s far fetched. But c’mon Apple! We want to video chat from our iphones!

Are there some apps that YOU like? Let me know by writing your comments below.

In this video, I describe two brand spanking new features in iPhone 3.0. These are Microsoft Exchange features that Apple is not putting on their front page or really talking about at all. And yes, I do recognize that for many people MS Exchange integration with their iphone is probably not that big of a deal.

For many companies however, (including CSG) Microsoft Exchange is the central hub of their unified messaging system. It has always been agreed that if Apple is to move into the corporate space, Exchange would need to be fully supported. More and more of our customers have moved to iPhones to connect to our Harmony hosted Exchange Service, which provides unlimited data storage on an Exchange 2007 platform without the necessity to spend thousands on an in-house system.

The features I speak of on this video mean a lot to me because I didn’t even expect to be in OS 3.0, and they make my life measurably easier! There are a couple of honorable mentions however; like the ability to finally search e-mail messages by subject, from, or all. You can even search the server if you can’t find what you are looking for on your device. You can also utilize contact cards that are sent to you by others (adding them instantly to your contacts) and you can “share” contacts directly from the contact view.

Enjoy the video! Let me know what your thoughts are on these new iphone 3.0 features.

Any of us who spend a good deal of time on the California freeway system ultimately feel the crunch of hours wasted on the road. In an effort to combat this increasingly unproductive part of our day, we resort to strange methodologies for staying in touch and getting things done. Whether that means texting with three fingers on a mobile phone while driving in and out of rush hour traffic via stick shift or talking on our cell while writing a manifesto e-mail it all becomes increasingly more dangerous.

In addition to this, the state of California has mandated that it is now illegal to talk on a cell without a handsfree unit. It is also illegal to send text messages.

Driving into CSG Corporate in downtown Los Angeles as well as visiting our customers can keep me in my Prius 2-3 hours per day. Crazy? You bet. Part of everyday life in LA? Yes. Have I found a helping hand? I think so!

Enter Jott- a virtual assistant of sorts that lets you record notes and ideas with your voice. It also lets you send e-mail too which can be very handy while in the car and much safer than typing on your Blackberry while driving.

Jott makes software for the iPhone and the Blackberry. You can record to-do’s, appointments and notes while on the go. Jott’s amazing voice recognition technology converts your voice notes to text which is then synced with their system. From here, you can even sync with Microsoft Outlook and CSG’s Harmony Hosted Exchange Service. Jott also provides you with a toll-free number. Depending on your service level you can record jotts or retrieve RSS feeds while on the go using your cell phone. To learn more about Jott click here.

As you can see, I’ve had good experience with this product. Being able to send e-mails and record ideas and notes while on the road or anywhere else has resulted in a much better use of my time. I’ve used both the Blackberry and iPhone versions of the software and while there’s some definite improvements to be made Jott is on the right track and I encourage you to give it a try. 

Do you use Jott? If so, let me know what you think of it.