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Previously: Day 21 : Most Handsome/Beautiful person to you
So, I’m going to be shameless today and plug a personal project that I and a team of 6 other NU people are working on.
We’re making a web platform that allows businesses to create audio tours for the iPhone. Businesses can mark points of interest on a Google Map and upload relevant content using a simple (and might I say, attractive) web interface.
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We’ve got everything set up so that the tours are automatically generated for the iPhone. The app uses GPS to tell the user where they are, which helps users to select which audio clip they’d like to listen to.
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It’s definitely still in progress. But I think we’re moving along pretty well, and things are really looking nice. We’ll be launching soon, so keep an eye out so you can download the app and try it out for yourself! It will be available for the iPhone and iPod Touch, though you won’t get GPS with the Touch. Also, check out the website at http://enthusiastapps.com and try out the web platform. Leave some feedback, and your comments may directly affect the changes we make to the app!
For more info: 30 Things in 30 Days
Day 02 : Your phone
Previously: Day 01 : Your favorite song right now
This is probably the worst day that i could have to write about “my phone”, as many people know that I can talk about it forever. However, I’ll attempt to make this somewhat readable.
I use a Sony Ericsson z520a, from the Cingular era – circa 6/2005. I’ve therefore been using the phone for nearly five years. Amazingly, it is only now starting to die on me. It’s got lots of features that are standard on phones now, like Bluetooth, a VGA Camera, MP3 playback, and a personal organizer.
I’ve managed to squeeze far more functionality out of the phone than I should be able to. Over the years, I’ve used it as a Bluetooth media remote for my Laptop, a personal organizer (calendar and contacts and notes!) syncing over Bluetooth, as well as my ever handy laundry timer. Plus, the battery still lasts me multiple days.
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It’s in pretty good condition, with no significant scratches, but obvious wear from the finish rubbing off the plastic. I’ve gone through several snap covers, where there were periods when my phone was red, then green, and now back to the stock blue. Lights also glow through the plastic when I get calls.
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The one problem now is that the screen is inverted, likely due to some hardware failure. It’s ok though – the phone’s been with me for a long time, so I’ve definitely gotten lots of functionality out of it. Although it will soon be replaced by the Sprint EVO 4g, HTC DROID Incredible, or the newest Apple iPhone, I’ll definitely be keeping it around.
For more info: 30 Things in 30 Days
An exciting week
For my NUvention project, we’re developing an Android application. To assist with the development, we were given a Google Nexus One, which I got to take home this past week for personal use.
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Basically, the Nexus One is probably the best phone I have ever used (though the HTC HD2 comes in close second – I only played with the hardware). Apps marketplace is pretty robust, though it might not be as big as the App Store. Managed to kill the battery once by forgetting to turn off a GPS app (phone was dead by dinner) and also managed to get hit by a $200 data fee (luckily diverted by a last minute $15 unlimited data addition). But really, that just highlights how Google Apps connectivity is just baked into the phone so you’re always connected. Love it!
I went to the Chicago Auto Show the first night i got the phone, and took some pics of new cars! Since I am pretty car illiterate, i just call them “shiny” and “faster than my van”. Photos were taken on the Nexus One’s 5MP camera. Apologies for pieces being cut off.
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Cars are fun, and it was a good night out with Chenfei, John, Matt, and David. We went to Lao Sichuan in New Chinatown afterward. It was spicy and good.
Following was a week of class, and lots of busy work.
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Programming in Tech for 10+ hour shifts is always fun! But is OK because the night it was due, I was able to go to a David Choi concert! He is an amazing singer and a funny guy. For the NU-ites out there, look for him at KASA show this Spring!
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What a good singer. Apologies for the fuzziness in any pics – I am still getting the hang of taking dark photos (as in, I have no idea). I also notice that this was the first “this is what I did” blogs in a while. Enjoyable?