After +3 months the photos I took at U2's massive 360° stadium tour are now live. The photos where shot at the Friday 3rd December 2010 show at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium. Visit the photos page to check them out!

My recent web design project International Pat Your Head on Valentine's Day is now live. The idea is about bringing singles back into a couple dominated day. The original concept comes from Hamish and Andy, Australia's favourite radio duo. I designed and part-coded the single page site featuring HTML5 and a fair amount of Javascript.

You can check out the website at: ipyhd.com

After some delay the best of my photos from Powderfinger's 2010 Sunsets Farewell Tour are now live for your viewing. Visit the photos page to view them. Enjoy!

I would like to take the time to wish all the viewers, readers and clients of Meh626.com a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I've also styled the site in a Christmas theme which I hope you enjoy. All the best for the festive season and I'll post/talk/see you next year.

Regards,

Steve

A couple of days ago I started designing a small website for a small local business creating outdoor fireplaces, the result is firebowl.com.au, a simple, functional website. The website was designed, coded and live in under 4 days (part-time), Firebowl features jQuery animations and a PHP contact form.

Check out firebowl.com.au if you're looking for an outdoor fireplace!

Apple's newest phone, the iPhone 4 has just been released in Australia. Being the Apple fanboy I am, I couldn't resist getting my hands on one. I've currently owned the new iPhone for 4 days (excluding today) and in this article I'll share my experiences of the new phone as well as giving you my opinion on it's reported problems.

The WOW

The first thing that amazes you when you turn the iPhone on is its gorgeous screen. At over 300 ppi (pixels per inch) individual pixels are impossible to see. The IPS display shocks you with vibrant colours and darker blacks than another iPhone. Apple has updated its proprietary iOS applications with sharper graphics to take advantage of the new screen. These applications as well as 3rd party updated applications look fabulous on the screen with sharper text and graphics.

Image: iPhone 4 iPod app (left) vs iPhone 3GS iPod app (right)

The New Hardware

The iPhone 4 includes a lot of new hardware as well as a new and more pleasing design. The physical shape of the phone is now squarer than the rounded back of the 3G and 3GS. The new shape feels odd at first but eventually I became to like it over the previous models. The new shape gives the phone a much more solid and stronger feel. The new design features a stainless steel band all the way around the phone which acts as the antennas. The new antenna design has been at the centre of a lot of controversy and we'll cover this later. The stainless steel band looks and feels fabulous and also features new buttons for sleep/wake, silent switch and volume controllers which all feel much sturdier.

Other hardware changes include a 5MP camera with LED flash and front facing camera for video calling.

On the inside the phone has been fitted with Apple's own A4 chip which provides faster speeds over the 3GS along with a total of 512MB RAM, doubling the 3GS's 256MB. Another cool feature is Apple have added a gyroscope to the iPhone 4 for higher precision movement and you can rotate in 3D! N.O.V.A is just one of the games on the App Store that uses the new gyroscope for control.

Software

The iPhone 4 comes pre-installed with the latest iOS version (4.0.1 on mine.) iOS 4 brings many new features such as multitasking, folders, new mail app and user selectable backgrounds. As I said earlier in the article, the updated graphics work wonders on the high resolution screen. I am sure if you own a iPhone or iPod Touch you have installed iOS 4 or at least played with it on another device.

FaceTime

Finally it's here, video calling has arrived on the iPhone and in classic Apple style, they've done it their way. FaceTime (weird name, huh?) is Apple's way of saying "video call". I've had a couple of FaceTime chats with friends and I must say it's a lot better than a standard voice call. While FaceTime is currently restricted to only WiFi, I believe in the future it will be available over 3G as it would offer greater flexibility to the service. The video and audio quality over WiFi is excellent and FaceTime is a great experience, just remember to hold the phone out straight; don't want any nostril shots.

The Antenna…

Detuning, call drop outs, no service, etc. All supposedly plague the iPhone 4 due to dodgy antenna design. Yes, I can lose 2 bars by doing the "death grip" but not yet have I dropped a call or lost service due to the dodgy antenna design. While in the USA the iPhone 4 antenna issue is a crisis, down under it's a non-event.

Conclusion

Trying to sum up this phone in one word is hard, so many words can be used to describe it. The design is solid, beautiful and stunning. The hardware is vibrant, new and advanced. The software is intelligent and pretty. FaceTime is excellent, fresh and exciting. The antenna is fine. One word to describe the iPhone 4 would have to be, beautifulawesomevibrantstunningexciting (it's in the Dictionary, now…)

Thanks for reading.

Photos from my recent trip to Central Australia are now live. Head over to the photo page to check out the best 25+ photos from my trip. Enjoy.

I am now back from Central Australia and it's in time for a wallpaper change. July's wallpaper is a great photo from a.ekna of Montana, big sky country.

Also Central Australia photos will be up within the next week or so. Stay tuned.

Wallpaper from InterfaceLIFT.

Yes, I am off to central Australia tomorrow for an 11 day trip. I won't be updating the blog and contact via email will be unreliable. I will return on July 3rd.

In the mean time, have fun!

After many months my portfolio is now live, featuring my latest work with more on the way. Head over to the portfolio page to check it out.

Regards,

Steve.

Watch out for the pigs! Create your own awesome Auto Tumblr Meme's.

Above: my Apple collection, which includes:

• MacBook Pro 2010 Box
• iPhone 3GS Box
• iWork (09)
• iPhone 3G Dock Box
• Apple Aluminium Wired Keyboard
• iLife 08
• Apple Wired Mighty Mouse
• AirPort Express 802.11n
• Large Hardcover Photo Book box
• Small Softcover Photo Book box
• Apple Store Doncaster, Chadstone, Chermside and Robina Grand Opening Visitor Guides
• Apple Store Grand Opening T-shirt boxes (x2)
• iTunes Gift Cards (x2)
• Many Apple Store Bags
• Random Apple Store Brochures

Above: my desktop for April, the wallpaper is a lovely image of Cherry Flowers taken in a French Garden with a Canon 450D.

Wallpaper from InterfaceLIFT (of-course.)

Welcome to the second installment of "Games I'm Playing" where I post monthly mini reviews of games I am currently playing, be it on the PC, iPhone/iPod Touch or the monopoly game that's still sitting on the floor unfinished. This month I will be looking at three different types of games across two platforms. The games are Portal (Steam), Fruit Ninja (iPhone/iPod Touch) and Plant's vs Zombies (Mac and PC.)

1. Portal (Steam)
With the release of Steam for Mac this month Portal the popular first person puzzle/action game is currently free until 24th May. Portal is located inside the Enrichment Centre for Aperture Laboratories (a modern research centre), you play as the main character 'Chell' as you try to solve different puzzles by using teleports. Portal is a great game for puzzle enthusiasts and general gamers and it's free now for a limited time, so go get it!

A basic Portal puzzle

Website: Valve
Price: Free (until 24th May, Mac + PC only)
Size: ~3GB
Platforms: Steam (PC + Mac), PS3, Xbox 360

2. Fruit Ninja
You're a ninja, an awesome ninja who can take out four birds with half a stone. But being a ninja has it's downfalls, you very much dislike fruit! Fruit Ninja is an amazing iPhone/iPod Touch game that will have you slicing fruit all day long. With breath-taking 3D graphics and beautiful realistic fruit splatter and sound effects Fruit Ninja will keep you entertained while you keep reaching for that high-score. Fruit Ninja also features OpenFeint social gaming network so you can challenge your friends and become the number one Fruit Ninja. Don't forget to pay close attention to ninja Sensei's fruit facts.

iTunes
Halfbrick (Developer)
Price: AU $1.19
Version: 1.01.1
Size: 7.3 MB

3. Plants vs. Zombies (Computer)
Yes, before you start typing that angry email saying "But Steve you already did Plants vs. Zombies last month!!!!" I would like to say that Plants vs. Zombies is a completely different experience on the computer. Not only do you have a bigger, more vibrant screen you can also play without your fingers getting in the way. PvZ on the computer is far more exciting and engaging than the iPhone/iPod Touch version. If you loved the iPhone version the computer edition will knock you over with enjoyment.

Website: PopCap
Price: AU $20.95
Size: 28.1 MB

Above: my desktop of late april/early may is the image Rockefeller's View. A lovely photo from the top of Rockefeller Centre's terrace in New York City on a cold November morning.

gfxCardStatus is a little menulet for Arrandale MBP's with the intergraded Intel HD and discrete nVidia GT 330M graphics cards. gfxCardStatus sits in the menu bar and displays which graphics card is in use by displaying an 'i' or a 'n'. This app is great and very handy and it also supports growl notifications.

gfxCardStatus is free and can be downloaded from: cody krieger

Meh.

Welcome to the new blog segment "Games I'm Playing" where I hope to post monthly mini reviews of games I am currently playing, be it on the PC, iPhone/iPod Touch or the monopoly game that's still sitting on the floor unfinished. For the inaugural post I'll take a look at five iPhone games I am currently playing: Angry Birds, Charadium, DigiDrummer, Parachute Ninja and Plants vs Zombies.

1. Angry Birds
The angry birds are out to reclaim their eggs from the big bad green pigs who stole them. Angry birds is a classic castle attack game but with a fresh new approach. The game is wonderful to play, design is of very high quality and the physics engine is not too bad. With over 150 levels to play the angry birds with have you hurling them into castles for hours upon hours.

iTunes
Rovio (Developer)
Price: AU $1.19
Version: 1.2.1
Size: 12.0 MB

2. Charadium
Remember Pictionary? Well Charadium is for you, it's an online pictionary game for iPhone and iPod Touch. Play against the world or your friends as you battle it out to win. With 15 rounds per game, 9 different colours to draw with and hints if your stuck Charadium will have you drawing and guessing all day long.

iTunes
On5 (Developer)
Price: AU $1.19
Version: 1.2
Size: 6.2 MB

3. DigiDrummer
DigiDrummer is the ultimate drum pad for iPhone and iPod Touch. Sound quality is brilliant, you can choose from three different app skins to suit your liking, you can play along with your favourite iPod music and with over 29 different drum kits you'll be rocking out a beat forever.

iTunes
Magnick Software (Developer)
Price: AU $2.49
Version: 3.9
Size: 22.0 MB

4. Parachute Ninja
Can you master the art of parachute ninja? Play over 30 addicting levels as you work your way to defeat an mysterious enemy. The design of the game is truly spectacular and the story line is great but lacks a voice over. With fun rubber-band, sling-shot style game play you will be glued to this game.

iTunes
Freeverse (Developer)
Price: AU $1.19
Version: 1.1.1
Size: 8.4 MB

5. Plants vs. Zombies
PopCap's popular Mac and PC game, Plants vs. Zombies has arrived on the App Store. Maintaining the same beautiful game play and design the iPhone and iPod version is truly amazing. Play over 50 challenging levels to defeat those annoying zombies. Ready when you are and on the go the iPhone and iPod Touch version of Plants vs. Zombies will still thrill.

iTunes
PopCap (Developer)
Price: AU $3.99
Version: 1.0
Size: 34.7 MB

A great classic, "I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!"

I have been extremely busy this month, I have a big animation project due in one week and a large lighting gig on this Friday. I have been working very hard on both of those projects and as of this the blog has ground to a complete halt. I apologise for this and the blog should be picking up again in two weeks.

I have managed to do a few tweaks to the site, the background (blue gradient) has had some texture added and the photo page has a rollover makeover (see what I did there?)

Regards,

Meh.

Clients from Hell is a humorous collection of anonymously contributed client horror stories from designers. Designers anonymously share horror stories of their clients ranging from the crazy to the out-right stupid. Clients from Hell has become one of my favourite sites, CFH always has great stories, for example:

Hi could you please fix my website so that people in Canada can’t see it? It makes fun of hockey and I don’t want to get hurt.

Client: That font right there! It’s clean yet edgy. There’s no WAY I’ve seen that font before, I would’ve remembered! What font is that?

Me: Arial.

We don’t like the look of our phone number. Can you put a different phone number on the business cards, one that looks better but still have calls come through to the old one?

Happy reading,

Meh.

Apple's popular mobile laptop computer range, the MacBook Pro's are due for an update shortly. The update is rumoured to use Intel's latest mobile chip, codenamed Arrandale which is a dual-core, 4 thread processor and also features Intel's Turbo boost technology found on the desktop Lynnfield processors and various others. Arrandale chips are named Core i3, i5 and i7 and range from 1.06 GHz to 2.66 GHz. Arrandale benchmarks show a 20% improvement in performance over Penryn systems with no loss of battery life.

Intel announced Arrandale at CES 2010 in Las Vegas on January 7th, less than a week later Intel ran a competition for members of their Retail Edge program to go in the running for one of two MacBook Pro laptops with an Intel i5 processor. Intel later changed the prize to a HP Envy.

February 4th saw the leak of a MacBook Pro 6,1 Geekbench score with an Intel Core i7 M 620 Arrandale processor which scored an amazing 5260 (32 bit mode), current MacBook Pro's usually have a Geekbench score of 3000 to 4000.

Best Buy have been on the forefront of the MacBook Pro rumours with photographs of their inventory system showing the current laptops status' as deleted. Another Best Buy store later informed MacRumors that the laptops where deleted because that store does not carry Apple computers.

Yesterday Best Buy was at it again with the above photography of their inventory system with three placeholder SKU's for Apple computers. The SKU's have no mention of MacBook Pro's but could represent each base model (13", 15" and 17".)

Finally the picture above best sums up when the update will most likely occur but only Steve Jobs know exactly when. Until then, we will have to wait.

Best of luck,

Meh.

Australian application developer Syncode has released their latest creation, Synotes. Synotes is a notes and task management system that syncs your information across Apple devices and into the cloud.

Synotes comes in two parts, firstly an iPhone application and secondly a web app. All your notes are stored in the cloud and then synced between the two. When you first launch Synotes on the iPhone or iPod Touch you are either prompted to create a Syncode ID (an account for the Syncode cloud) or login. These two steps are not required but without an account it's just like the standard notes app.

The iPhone application interface is beautiful and very easy to use, with one tap you have a new note (or Synote) and it's automatically saved in the cloud. Synotes features a brand new technology called "Smart Sync" (developed by Syncode) which only syncs what you need it to, when you need it to which saves bandwidth and time.

Each Synote can be assigned their own icon for easy identification and notes can be organised in a multitude of ways. The web application is just as solid as the iPhone app, notes sync seamlessly and quickly between the two and the web app contains all the features of the iPhone app.

I have experienced some slight issues with the iPhone and web apps. On some occasions the icons for a note won't apply and stay as the default icon. Secondly sometimes when syncing between the iPhone and the web app random characters are added into the note's title. Syncode are aware of these issues and they're working on a fix.

Synotes is the perfect app for people who want their notes in sync across multiple platforms without the need for cables. Synotes does this easily and beautifully, another top quality app from Syncode!

Rating: 4/5
Version reviewed: 1.1
Price: $2.49 AUD
Size: 1.2MB

App Store

Web App

Happy mobile browsing.

Hello and welcome to Meh626.com V3; the latest instalment of Meh626.com. Along with new the new site Meh626.com has moved hosting providers to Jumba who also provides my domain name. I hope you all enjoy the new site, the mobile site will be completed shortly.

Meh.

Note: The home page RSS feed is now gone and all site related news and information goes into this blog.

The Apple iPad was unveiled today at Apple's media event in San Francisco. As soon as Steve dropped the revolutionary device the internet went overboard with comments like "The iPad is crap" "It will never take off" "The iPad is doomed." The iPad is not doomed, it's quite the opposite, the iPad is the future it will take off and be a huge success. The iPad fits a market need, Apple have seen this market need and have addressed in their best and innovative way. In the next few years the iPad will evolve to fit new needs of the market.

As the internet evolves with social media, companies like Apple have to keep looking/designing new ways to keep their customers and the market happy with new innovation. The iPad is this new innovation, it's what Apple sees and deems most appropriate for the now. As things change in a few years the products will change to fit until one day when you can no longer make a product fit and you then have to innovate again.

So why all this cry over the iPad? People over expected of this mystical device and the rumours didn't help. The rumours hyped people up and got them to think and dream about this awesome product. They thought it would be the best and it would have XRAY vision, 3D screens, ect. But when Steve Jobs dropped it at the keynote it was nothing compared to what they thought and believed it would be like. People then begin to dislike it because it doesn't have a camera and/or XRAY vision and start naming it a "failure." People need to step back and look at it from another perspective instead of their dream world where everything comes true and only after that they can begin to see the light.

The iPad is the future!

I hope you are all enjoying your Christmas - New Year holidays.

Meh.