Posts tagged music
RIP Michael Jackson, King of Pop
Jun 26th
Michael Jackson | 1958-2009
So the life of Michael Jackson ends with a whimper, not a bang. Unless you count the fact that 30% of Twitter content in the last 12 hours has been Jackson tributes. And rightly so.
For my own part, Michael Jackson was my introduction to accessible music that I could call my own. Before him I was enjoying other people’s music – my older friends Specials, The Jam and the like. My father’s Dire Straits, Beatles and Rolling Stones.
Michael Jackson was mine. From Thriller through Dirty Diana and Man in the Mirror to Bad and Earth Song. Alongside Madonna, when I was a child this was my music.
The term ‘musical genius’ is tossed around a lot but in Jackson’s case it is not just fitting, it is who it should have been invented for. He was also the most amazing performer. I never saw a Jackson gig live. Video was my only connection with his live performances and I can only imagine what being there must have been like.
Disney World in Florida once had an ‘experience’ in Epcot Centre called Captain EO in which Jackson starred. I was 8 years old when I went. I have a vague feeling it may have been based around somtheing environmental. All I remember is this larger than life character being played by my hero of the time on the biggest screen I had ever seen. It blew my mind – and he was NO actor, trust me!
The man is a legend.
The controversy that has dogged his recent years I have tried to ignore. You don’t want your childhood memories tarnished. He led a unique life, forced upon him from his own childhood. This is no excuse, just an explanation.
I’ll remember the music, it’s all I ever really wanted from him (apart from that rumoured dance off with Prince that never happened – did that go round your school too?).
This seems like the most fitting tribute to end on. Rest in peace, Michael, I get the idea you had precious little of it in life.
Top 7 FREE iPhone Apps: Digging through the App Store
Jun 16th
50,000+ Apps available!
Apple iPhone 3G
That’s what gets screamed at you when you consider an iPhone or even after you’ve bought one and you are wondering what to do with it. It’s a genuine claim – but how many of them are of any use at all?
Let’s take games out of the equation. If you like games, you can spend your own time digging through them for the ones you like. Instead we’ll focus on the social networking, entertainment and news apps to start with. Which are the good ones, the ones that will actually help you? It can be hard to tell and when you’re asked to spend as much as £5.99 in some cases then you need to know.
I have avoided paying for too many apps just yet, so here’s my top 7 FREE iPhone apps for helping you be more productive and informed.
1) Evernote
This is a brilliant app that keeps you in touch with all the notes you’ll ever make. Install the app on your iPhone and the software on your various laptops and PCs and they stay in sync, permanently. So no matter what you use or where you are, you’re up to date. So what is it really?
Evernote allows you to keep ‘notes’ – whether written in, full web pages, snippets of web pages, PDF files, images..as much as you can think of, you can store them through Evernote. The clever thing is that it is fully searchable. Evernote will search within any file – INCLUDING images.
Give it a try. It’ll really keep you organised on the move.
2) ESPN ScoreCenter
For the sports fans this is an absolute must. ESPN ScoreCenter does what it says on the tin. Gives you sports scores for a wide range of sports. There are many like it, of course, but here’s why I prefer this one over the rest. Firstly, it’s ESPN – you can’t go wrong. Secondly you can save your favourite sports, tournaments and even teams so you never have to look around. And finally, the interface is just beautiful. Nothing wasted, it just works.
I love it.
3) Urbanspoon
There are mixed reviews for this but I don’t know why. The app itself is excellent. It’s content is only as good as its users though – in other words, don’t be lazy, if you know a good restaurant, add it to Urbanspoon!
Yes, it’ll find places to eat based on where you are, providing address, phone number, email, website, map and reviews. What more do you need? You can also use it to find by the type of food you like. Mexican restaurant in Camden? Urbanspoon will tell you where, how much and how to get there – assuming someone has entered it into the database of course…
Ok, it’s not infallible – but it’s the best one I can find and it works all over the world. Best results in the UK and US from what I can work out so far in testing.
4) IM+ Lite
For a free app this is pretty powerful. Combine your MSN/Windows Live, AIM, MySpaceIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber, Twitter and GoogleTalk accounts into one and take it with you wherever you go. IM+ Lite is immense.
It’s simple to use, you can see who is signed in on what chat client and it even includes smileys. Happy days for chat addicts!
Oh, you can also get the paid for version (£5.99) which also includes Skype and Facebook.
5) Shazam
You’re in a pub or club. A tune comes on and you love it. But the name of it escapes you. None of your mates can think of it either and it’s SO good you want to download it. How? Shazam.
Shazam will listen, search and report back with the song title, artist and iTunes download link. It’s never been wrong in my experience either. Nuff said? I think so.
6) TV Guide
One for the UK based (or those with Sky access) only I’m afraid. TV Guide.co.uk is just that. A super comprehensive TV guide for all UK digital terrestrial, satellite and cable channels. What I like about this one is that it is accurate and in depth.
It is based on a Now & Next interface, but tap a channel and you get the full day, with a brief synopsis of each programme on. You couldn’t ask for more. From BBC One through Sky Sports to The Adult Channel. Get it!
And finally…because you have to have SOME fun (and it’s topical)…
7) Terminator Salvation (Lite)
I love the Terminator franchise and to get to play this for free is just fun. Download it yourself and blast some cyborgs away. It is only the Lite version, yes, but it might give you a taste for the full paid for version – £2.99 at your nearest iTunes Store.
What are your favourite free (or paid for if you like) apps that make your life easier? I’m dying to build up a decent set on my iPhone.
