Web Technology for the Business User
Just days after the launch of Google+ it has become clear who is the king of social networking: none other than Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, the most popular Google plus user. He bested Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin by a long shot. As noted on TechCrunch, Zuckerberg already has the “most friends in the world” and they did make a movie about him. Never-the-less, I doubt the Googlers never anticipated his rise to the top of their soon-to-be social networking empire.
Adobe released a new discount today for users of the Final Cut Studio and Avid. We suppose it could have come a few days ago, but this is still very good timing for the recent release of the disappointing Final Cut Pro X. Take a look:
Click here to go to Adobe’s software discount page.
Today, Google announced that in a few weeks, they will be rolling out a new button on your ads allowing users to recommend your ads. It seems like it is going to be something like Facebook’s “like” button, except for ads. Here is basically how it works according to Google:
If you want to add your own +1 button today, go here. If you would like to see all the details about the +1 button, Google has provided a help area here.
AdeptPlus uses many apps from the app store on iTunes. Recently, I was on the app store and noticed that some businesses are selling apps for a few dollars when you can actually get them for free. There are also many other apps that serve as powerful tools. Here are a few of our favorites…
We use Dropbox all the time to deliver files to our customers that are too large for email. Accounts are free, and you can get 2gb of free space when you sign up. They also have affordable packages if you want more space.
Skype for iPhone
Communication is a very important part of our business (and every business). Since we are constantly working with our customers, we need tools to help us communicate details about the project with our customers. Skype helps us use video chat anywhere we are. One thing that we like about Skype over Facetime is that you don’t need a wifi connection to chat. It currently is not available for the iPad, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Skype rolled out an iPad application sometime this year.
Harvest for iPhone
We’ve used Harvest in the past many times to keep track of our project financial details, such as the number of hours we’ve spent on a project. With Harvest, you can also create and track invoices and create financial reports. Harvest used to be free, but now they do have a monthly fee if you don’t already have an account.
Flashlight for iPhone and iPad
Flashlight is a handy app that allows you to, well, turn your device into a flash light. It can be very helpful since you usually have your phone on you more than a flash light. On the app store, there are a few other similar apps, but they sell for $0.99. Save your money and just buy this app.
What are your favorite free apps?
Being in the website business, we at AdeptPlus do a lot of SEO for our customers. Perhaps the website that is opened most commonly on our computers is the Google homepage. Today, I opened up Google Chrome which took me to my homepage, which is google.com. If you are logged in, this new button shows up.
If you click on the speak button, a small box appears.
I’m not really sure how much I will use this feature, considering that simply typing is much faster. It is another neat (nearly) hands-free feature that Google released.
Today, Apple (finally) released their new update for Final Cut Pro. Here at AdeptPlus, we’ve been using the Final Cut Studio for as long as we have been editing media. However, with Apple’s new update which is showing what they want to target in the future when it comes to post, we are having thoughts of switching. Here’s why:
1) Goodbye, useful features – In the new FCP X, there are a list of features that we had in FCP7, but are gone now. Features like multicam viewing/editing, exporting videos in specific formats and sizes (now, you must do that in compressor), and FCP X only exports low-resolution JPG files.
2) RED Native Support - A huge chunk of the media we edit comes from RED cameras. Most of those files are .r3d files. Now, the new FCP X does not have redcode native support. So basically, forget about editing anything shot on your RED camera if you get FCP X.
3) Where’d you go, Color and Soundtrack Pro? From what it looks like, Apple just threw in some of the features of Color and Soundtrack Pro right into the new Final Cut. We have heard rumors that Apple is redoing Color right now, however. We do know that the new Final Cut does not have all the features that Color and Soundtrack Pro had. Imagine combining three different software programs into one.
Not to say that FCP X doesn’t have some awesome features, but it seems like these would give us enough reasons to drive us away. I suppose we will wait a couple of weeks to see if Apple can sort this out (and if Steve Jobs will reply to our email). If not, we will definitely keep Adobe’s Premiere Pro in mind.
What are your thoughts?
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Update (June 21st, 10:47pm CST):
According to MacRumors.com, Phillip Hodgetts posted on his blog about some of these common questions. Here are a few of them:
• “Multicam will come in a future release, when Apple decide[s] how best to implement it within the new application and architecture.”
• “As of Version 1 and today’s release there is no direct import capability for [Final Cut Pro 6/7] projects. My understanding is that there will be an Apple-provided utility for importing XML from older projects to Final Cut Pro X.”
• “the Apple folk made it abundantly clear that the ecosystem was very important to them, and that there will be a new, and much improved, replacement for the current XML workflow.”
Yesterday the American workforce was greeted with a special treat when they opened up their browser to Google's main search interface – a working version of Pac Man. Replacing the "I feel lucky" button was "Insert Coin".
On the 30 anniversary of the game, world productivity came to a brief halt as the young generation discovered Pac-Man for the first time and those with some history greeted an old friend.
Check it out.
IPhone 5 Live Blog Press Conference
Just in case you want to hear the news about Apple’s latest products, Gizmodo is live blogging the event.
Right now they’re on to iPads.