the ginkgo blog

 

Shoot with James Martin - August 2010

Here are a few of the pic taken for James Martin, a UK TV chef and - hot news, apparently going to launch an iPad and iPhone app in the very near future. Or as he called it, a 'mini App'. Looking forward to seeing that...

Anyway, here are a few pics that I thought I'd share - And, if you feel so inclined, you can actually purchase prints too by clicking here. 

The AMG SLS Mercedes shots at the end however are not available for purchase... sorry.

 

Free iPhone 4 bumpers to give a quality fix for the iPhone 4 death grip... [UPDATED]

[UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE]

Our good friends at Mobile Fun are very serious about helping their customers and non-customers alike to resolve the so called 'death drip' that has been occurring with the recently launched iPhone 4.  

 
 

Simply put, if you would like a FREE bumper to fix your iPhone 4's reception issues - and we do mean free... Pop along to mobilefun.co.uk and get your name on the list.

Whilst this is obviously great marketing for Mobile Fun - It is an amazing offer and a great gesture and one I am more than happy to spread the word about. Feel free to do the same...

Here's the wording they sent me...

"We've been very aware of people's worries about "death grip" with the iPhone 4 and reading up on various solutions and tips to prevent the problem, especially because quite a few on our team are also suffering from it.

To help people out and set their minds at rest we here at Mobile Fun are offering these free iPhone 4 cases to anyone that's worried about the problem.  They're made from non-conducting silicone type gel which acts as an insulator, preventing your hand from causing signal drop issues. It's an easy and effective fix.

We've got a minimum of a thousand to go out, possibly extending to more if it proves popular." 

The link "free iPhone 4 case" to this blogpost http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/blog/free-iphone-4-case-for-death-grip-sufferers which explains the giveaway

And also the link "iPhone 4 cases" to our category page http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/cat/iPhone-4-Cases.htm

If your concerned about the issue - Go and get yourself one and don't forrget to say a very big thank you to them too!

[UPDATE]

Having 'given away' over 5000 free bumpers to iPhone 4 owners from all over the world, Mobile Fun are now stopping the offer as Apple has followed their lead and is now offering the same to all iPhone 4 owners - a free bumper to fix the 'Death Grip' issue with their antennas. 

Well done Apple for doing this, eventually. But we should also be saying a very big thank you to Mobile Fun for being so generous in their offer - Yes it was great marketing for them, but they didn't have to do it.

So, if you are looking for a place that you know will not only provide you with a large range of iPhone 4, iPod Touch and iPad accessories, but also a place that seems to have an amazing customer service & care ethic. I think Mobile Fun kinda proved that one from the get-go. So why not check em out!

I have already reviewed one of their pre iPad launch iPad cases and no doubt will be providing more reviews on their products in the months to come. So keep an eye out for when they are posted by signing up to our news feed.

Inspiration 'the divine breath"... This is genius!

What more do I need to say?

   

From Observando
 

Simply stunning cinematography from spyfilms... A fusion of fine art photography and the moving image.

The guys at spyfilms are certainly out there when it comes to pushing creative boundaries. A previous favourite of mine has been Niut Blache. Now they have launched another in their, 'purely because, library of short films. The 3rd and the 7th - Grab a coffee, if you have an iPad, snuggle up, pop your ear buds in and enjoy. 11 minutes of visual pleasure... Enjoy!

 
 

iPad Cases & Accessories Reviews UK - iPad Flip Case in Blue from MobileFun.co.uk

OK, this review was supposed to have been published last Monday. Two things stood in the way of that... First was that I forgot Monday was a bank holiday and therefore I would definitely have a to do list from the love of my life. Second, our hot water tank sprung a leak, so all my best laid plans remained just that... Plans.

So I received this iPad case just over a week ago from the chaps at Mobile Fun to see what I thought of it. The short version is I really like it. Good quality, functional and does look nice with your pride and joy slipped inside... For the modest price tag of £14.95 and in a selection of different colours, you really can’t go far one with this as a choice. I’m not so sure it would be to most blokes taste though as it does has a bit of a feminine feel in it’s design and colour choices. There are a few minor niggles, but nothing major. Frankly it’s a bargain and well worth more than it’s price tag suggests.

Longer and more detailed review after you click the jump below...

British Journal of Photography - Phase One acquires Microsoft's digital management platform

 
Microsoft bought the pre-incarnation of Expression Media (which was not the most pleasant piece of software on the Mac), re-badged it and.... Err, just re-badged it actually I think and are now selling it off (or did they just give it away)... 

What would that suggest to you about the software, their opinion of it and does it make you want to rush out and buy it? 

Well, here's the British Journal of Photography's take on it...

The deal between Microsoft and Phase One will see the Microsoft Expression Media product change hands, with the digital asset management application becoming part of Phase One's product lineup.Currently Phase One produces and distributes the Capture One raw-conversion and image-editing software, which supports more than 170 different file formats. 

The acquisition of Expression Media could complement Capture One, however, Phase One has yet to detail whether both products will be integrated with each other. "We’re excited about taking ownership of Expression Media," says Henrik O. Håkonsson, president and CEO of Phase One. 'We have worked with Microsoft for several years, during which many of our customers have chosen Expression Media for their digital asset management needs. We are now planning product developments to help meet the growing needs of current and future customers. 

As an immediate benefit to existing Expression Media customers who may not yet have tried it, we are offering a free copy of Capture One to help enhance their photographic workflow.'Under the terms of the agreement, Phase One takes full ownership of the Expression Media product, a statement reads. "To ensure a smooth transition for Expression Media customers, Microsoft will continue to provide support to retail customers for 90 days. 

Phase One will begin offering support for the Expression Media product after the 90-day transition period."Read our review of Expression Media 2 here.

via www.bjp-online.com

Opinions or thoughts?

UK iTunes iPad App Store open for business - UK iPad early adopters quietly cheer!

Looks like the UK iTunes store has opened its doors for business in readiness for the Friday launch of the iPad here in the UK. 

 
 

So, those of you who have hooked up a fake address and bought some US iTunes gift certificates on eBay can now relax and get you purchases legit.

Just note that if you are using the US iTunes store at the moment and expect to see the iPad/iPhone buttons at the top of the App store, you won't. But search results will show you the iPad and iPhone apps segregated. No doubt we shall be seeing those buttons over night for Friday morning.

It seems that this may actually be a global things as many of the other iTunes stores are reportedly showing the same availability. 

MobileMe web interface can't be used on the iPad - Sorry Apple, that's a serious FAIL!

 

I really don't know where to start here... As a lover of pretty much all of the offerings that Apple makes available to us mere mortals, MobileMe has pretty much sucked at most of the things it does for pretty much most of the time.

Extremely slow file transfer and file navigation; Back to my Mac almost never working (it's the 'almost' that enrages me as it CAN work with my setup, just mainly chooses NOT to) and to be honest, for the price, the online storage space is rather limited.

But, to be told when going to www.me.com (as in the image above) on my nice shiny new iPad, that I have to use some crappy low resolution iPhone apps to interact with it instead of the nicely polished web interface they have developed I am afraid is nothing other than a huge FAIL in my books.

I can fully understand Apples refusal to allow Flash on their babies, but to refuse you to be able to use the one thing it touts as its major strength - the web and it's own part of the web - defies belief.

Do the MobileMe people actually work for Apple or Adobe? 

To not be able to use Apples flagship online application suite on their flagship piece of hardware is without a doubt one of the biggest own goals I have ever seen.

Is this some kind of compromise to Adobe to try to placate them? 

"OK, if we won't allow your web services on the iPad, then we won't allow ours either"?

The web interface to MobileMe is crying out - no, begging to be used on the iPad. You'd almost think the MobileMe web environment was purpose designed for the iPad.

To not even create descent versions of the iPhone apps specifically for the iPad at the very least is equally amazing. To date, Mobile Me has always been the one 'little' thing that has let the side down for Apple. But this, quite frankly is worthy of a Microsoft planning decision.

Apple... Please sort this embarrassing FAIL out as soon as you can. It makes this part of your business look like amateurs and takes the shine off all you are working for...

Rant over... Feel better ;-)

I have heard that Safari on the iPad can't handle Rich Text Editors... Please tell me this isn't so!
 

UK iPad Cases & Accessories reviews - Flip Case (Blue) from the guys at www.mobilefun.co.uk

 
So, iPad Cases...This week I have been sent and asked to review one of the flip cases that the guys at Mobile Fun (who seem to stock just about everything there is in terms of mobile accessories) have in stock ready for the launch of the iPad here in the UK at the end of May... Seems it is now sometime in June.

So, the plan is to use this flip case for the iPad as my defacto protection for our little baby day in and day out for a whole week and then share what our conclusions are on this £14.95 product.  

Here are the specs and the official description for now... Ours will follow a week today - so the 31st of May.

DESCRIPTION

This classic leather style folio is custom designed to protect the iPad. Made from quality materials, the iPad slides inside for all round protection against bumps and scratches - ideal for 'on the go' professionals and students.

The case flips open to reveal the iPad touch screen display, then closes like a book for privacy and protection. The case is held shut with a magnetic button and the inner cover includes pockets for business cards, bank cards and more. The microsuede lining protects your iPad from scratches and smudges.

KEY FEATURES

- Slim, one-piece folio 

- Inner cover includes card pockets 

- Soft microsuede interior 

- Pebble grain leather style exterior 

- Hard wearing and durable 

- Protects iPad screen when closed 

- Fully opens for unrestricted use of iPad 

- Secure magnetic closure 

- Easy access to all controls and connections 

- Shock resistant 

- Scratch resistant 

- Soft inner lining prevents scratches 

- Perfect fit for all models of the Apple iPad 

UK iPad case & Accessory reviews - Saddleback Leather iPad Pouch from Texas in the US.

The iPad is without a doubt a simply stunning bit of kit. Many criticise because it's not a so called fully fledged OS with multitasking and all of the other things that help to make your netbook or notebook slow, frustrating and ultimately battery sapping.

Personally, I think that it is an amazing bit of technology whose journey is only just beginning. Having had a play with the new OS4 for the iphone, I can see many of the points that critics love to hate about the iPad removed from their firing line altogether. Given the improvements that OS4 will be bringing to the platform and the fact that all the iPad specific apps are so new (and no doubt rushed to get them out the door ready for launch based on simulator testing only), we haven't seen anything yet!

So, while we are waiting for the paradigm shift to seriously get under way, we here at Ginkgo Studios thought we would have a look at the emerging cases and accessories that are starting to appear on the market place.

 
 

The first of which is a case I actually purchased to snugly look after my iPad. The Saddleback Leather Companies iPad Gadget Pouch...

It comes in many flavours. Aesthetically and functionally. I opted for the Tobacco Leather pouch. Simple clean and very attractive indeed

It's a nice thick saddle leather pouch (or boot leather to be accurate) to look after your new investment. That's it... And, that's all I wanted. Together with the iPad, it is a beautiful fusion of the traditional and the cutting edge that perfectly complement each other.

There is the option for other shades of leather and for the addition of two pockets on one side of the case to hold your power supply (not a practical solution for the   UK plug format) and your iPhone, MiFi or whatever else you fancy putting in there.

My personal view however, is that on reflection, these pockets do detract from the overall aesthetic of the product. And, given that there are no pocket securing devices, it's not likely to be your primary carrying case, more an attractive cover for it while in your primary carrying case.

In summary, I love it. It's simple, good looking, has a very positive cool factor and does the job it was designed for very well. It doesn't have lots of additional functionality like other cases but, what it does do, it does perfectly. And at a price tag in the mid $50, it's not cheap, but definitely worth the price.