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First iPhone App Written!

Scott Mahan — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:45:24 +0000

It’s nothing fancy, just the “Hello World!” app that Apple so kindly put in their developer documentation. I even went above and beyond with a custom icon and some fancier text in the app. Now my only problem is that it’s taking forever (over an hour now) to get a Development Provisioning Profile from Apple.

Update: I finally got a DPP and I’ve installed the app on my iPhone. Now to learn some more about developing for the iPhone in Xcode!

I should be programming

Scott Mahan — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:43:42 +0000

An old friend of mine, Ron, responded to one of my Facebook updates by saying “Are you writing some iPhone apps during this time?”. That’s a damn good question. I’ve been doing a lot of reading on Program/Project Management in hopes of landing a PM job with Microsoft, but so far that hasn’t panned out. I’ve been considering expanding my knowledge base beyond that, but didn’t know what to concentrate on. As an avid iPhone user, I can’t believe that Ron had to point out the obvious to me. Well, after this post, I am going to signup for the iPhone SDK and hopefully have my “Hello World” app written in no time.

Thanks Ron! You seem to be the angel of reason on my shoulder.

Experienced Program Manager seeking employment in US, UK or Canada

Scott Mahan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:08:57 +0000

Energetic, results-oriented professional with experience in program management, engineering, and sales. Expertise in Internet Technologies, Data Center Engineering, Mobile Data & Media, Employee Management, Product and Channel Development, Problem Resolution, and Sales Process Flow. Management experience includes programming, technical and sales staff. Reputation for improving processes, achieving goals, increasing company value, and exceeding revenue objectives. Consistently recognized by senior management with excellence awards.

Resume available upon request via email.

I should be blogging

Scott Mahan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:05:05 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged and normally that would mean that I am extremely busy. But for some reason, I’ve been unemployed since last November and I haven’t made a single post. Well, that’s going to change. Starting tomorrow, I’m going to commit to posting at least 2 blog posts per weekday. Weekend posts may occur, but I am not committing to them.

Mini-Review: Plantronics Voyager 855 Stereo Bluetooth

Scott Mahan — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:26:27 +0000

After much coveting of this unique bluetooth stereo headset, Amazon’s recent price drop has allowed me to purchase it. And I am way impressed.

This is a unique headset. It starts as a standard bluetooth earpiece. And for phone calls it does a great job. It has adaptive noise reduction and multipoint technology to connect to multiple phones. 7 hours of talk time and 160 hours of standby.

Where this product shines is its ability to stream audio via the A2DP protocol. When connected to my iPhone 3GS, I can listen to podcasts and music through the single earpiece. This is extremely convenient when you want to keep an open ear to hear your environment.

But it gets better. Attach the secondary earbud, drape the light, cloth cable around the back of your neck and you’ve converted this earpiece into a full stereo headset. There is a fit kit with 3 sizes of earpieces. For me, the medium gels fit great and provide good sound isolation. Since the secondary earbud and cable are so light, you can pop it out temporarily to hear your environment.

While this isn’t a full review, it covers the highlights. Here comes the pros and cons.

Pros:

Ultralight
Versatile – A2DP in either mono or stereo
Audio Quality – On par with my current favorite, the Motorola S9HD
Inexpensive – I was able to purchase this headset for under $35 ($120 retail)

Cons:

No hard case – Only a soft pouch (which doesn’t fit the charger)
Micro USB Charger – Everything else I have uses Mini USB
Doesn’t include a travel charger – Since it is Micro USB, I need to purchase one separately

That’s it for now. If you have any questions, leave a comment.

Letter to Fox regarding the cancellation of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Scott Mahan — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:10:45 +0000

After reading Fox’s explanation for canceling TSCC over at SciFiWire, I wrote a letter to the executive quoted in the piece (kevin.reilly@fox.com) expressing my opinions. I urge anybody that would like to see TSCC brought back from the ashes do the same. Here is the email that I sent:

Mr. Reilly,

I read your statements about why Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (TSCC) was canceled and Dollhouse brought back for another season. I watched both shows religiously (unfortunately on DVR due to my responsibilities as a parent) and I am very disappointed with the studio’s decision to cancel TSCC. Rather than go on about why I feel it was a bad decision, I would like to direct you and your peers to the comments over at Scifiwire.com regarding your studio’s choices:

http://scifiwire.com/2009/05/fox-execs-explain-why-the.php

Many science fictions fans are still feeling the pain from the Firefly debacle and this isn’t giving them any more security in the future of any show that Fox decides to run in the future. After reading the viewer’s opinions, I feel that the studio should at least consider a wrap-up 2 hour event for TSCC similar to what CBS did for Jericho, so that the story line can be wrapped up. As the number of comments grow over at SciFiWire, you may also see that you had a lot more viewers than you originally anticipated.

Thank you for your time.

-Scott
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AceKard 2i Review Coming Soon

Scott Mahan — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:40:47 +0000

In a moment of weakness (and Team Cyclops being offline for over 2 weeks) I ordered an AceKard 2i for my recent Nintendo DSi purchase. I’m 4 days into using the AK2i and I’m very close to writing a formal review.

Preview: Compatible with the Nintendo DSi, has nice advanced menu features, decent/timely open-source firmware/loaders, but lacking in game compatibility.

Come back soon for the full review.

Amazon releases Kindle for iPhone 1.0

Scott Mahan — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:56:24 +0000

Last night, Amazon released the much rumored Kindle for iPhone application. Kindle for iPhone is a free application and is available now via the iTunes store. The app utilizes Whispersync to keep your library, bookmarks, and current location in sync between your Kindle and iPhone. Without digging too deep into the app, here is my quick take:

Pros:

Large library of eBooks available from Amazon
Whispersync – Stay in sync with your Kindle device
Read first chapters of any book for free before you buy
Adjust the text size, add bookmarks, and view the annotations you created on your Kindle device

Cons:

Currently does not support newspapers or magazine subscriptions
Cannot purchase books directly from the app, but must purchase on Amazon.com (from PC, Mac or iPhone) or a Kindle
Does not support non-Amazon eBooks

Apple updates their desktop line and WiFi routers

Scott Mahan — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:44:16 +0000

This morning Apple Inc. updated the Mac Mini, iMac, Airport Extreme, and Time Capsule. We’ve all seen the Photoshopped Mac Mini pictures with a billion USB ports but now we know that it has five. The biggest updates for the desktop line are faster graphics cards, faster CPU’s and lower power consumption.

What interests me the most is the enhancements to the Airport Extreme and Time Capsule. Apple has seperated the 802.11g and 802.11n into seperate channels. This will allow each device on the network get the optimal speed without slowing up the network (iPhone at 802.11g and Apple TV at 802.11n). They’ve also added a “guest” network that will provide a password protected, seperate WiFi network that doesn’t see your local network. Very nice touches. At $499, Im seriously considering the 1TB Time Capsule.

Source: Apple

New Music: Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die by Four Year Strong

Scott Mahan — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:26:06 +0000

Four Year Strong
“Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die” (mp3)
from “Rise or Die Trying”
(I Surrender Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album

And now for some music. If you like Alternative/Hard Rock, then you’ve got to check this out. I’m hearing a touch of Green Day and a hint of Jet. I’m buying the album straight from my iPhone right now.