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iOS App Review: WifiPad

October 11, 2011 in Gaming, Gaming, Gaming, Gaming, iPad, iPhone, Mac, PC, Utilities, Utilities, Utilities, Utilities

Name: WifiPad
Category: Utilities / Gaming
By: Sound Tang, Victor Chow
Price: Free
Compatible devices: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 2.2.1 or later. Works with Windows, Mac OS X and Linux
Plomonet rating: 7/10
Application link
Application website

WifiPad Game Pad

There are many games that were traditionally played with a joystick, or a gamepad that have been emulated on to the computer, such as Pokémon Fire Red, which was originally released for the Gameboy Advance. Whilst it is possible to play with only the keyboard, the experience may not be the same. WifiPad allows you to use your iPhone, iPod touch or even iPad as a wireless gamepad that connects over Wi-Fi to your computer.

WifiPad Server

The requirements for WifiPad to run is: the WifiPad app on the device from the App Store, and the WifiPad server for the computer from the WifiPad website. Both the computer and the device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

WifiPad Server Connect

Using the WifiPad Server, you can name your server (default is your computer username), and change the gamekey map to fit your game. It is also possible to create multiple gamepads, so that you can choose the gamepad for the game you are about to play.

WifiPad GamePad Selector

It is possible to find or create gamepads for any type of games on the computer. On the WifiPad website, there are many gamepads designed by other users for specific games or consoles (http://www.wifipad.com/getgamepads.php). Below is an example of a user playing halo with a WifiPad gamepad:

Although the idea of WifiPad is sound, there are some problems that have not been smoothed out yet since it is not yet a mature product. Some of the problems, as acknowledged on the WifiPad website are: the stability of the game play is limited by the strength of the Wi-Fi network, the gamepad might disconnect or have sporadically connection; not all games work well with the WifiPad; and the experience is not 100% the same as physical gamepads.

Users have commented that having an alternative connection (such as Bluetooth), and implementing tactile feedback when the keys are pressed might improve their WifiPad experience.

Overall, WifiPad is a viable free controller for computer games. However, do not expect a perfect experience as it is still in its early stage of development (Ver. 1.1), and WifiPad are aware of limitations in its gameplay. But, do try WifiPad and play old school games such as Donkey Kong with a gamepad instead of the keyboard.

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Mac OS X App Review: GeekTool

October 4, 2011 in Mac, Main Blog, Utilities

Name: GeekTool
Category: Utilities
By: Tynsoe.org
Price: Free
Compatible devices: Mac OS X 10.6+ and 64-bit only
Plomonet rating: 8/10
Application link: http://projects.tynsoe.org/en/geektool/   Or available from the Mac App Store.
Rating on Mac App Store: 4+

For the majority of users, the desktop of your computer is probably a place where you would like to put a nice picture, but do not have much other use besides placing a random file or two temporarily. However, asides from being able to look at a nice picture, it is mostly wasted space. Geektool enhances the picture by adding useful information such as the date, time, or even system information such as a battery indicator.

There are three main methods of inputting a geeklet (The name for each individual widget): File, Image or Shell. File allows users to link to a file on the users system that they would like to monitor. For example, if you would like to monitor the system log, you would link to the system log file: /var/log/system.log. Image allows users to link to an image that they would like to place on top of their desktop image. Shell allows users to create widgets that update themselves every set interval. This allows geeklets to display the time, date, weather, system information, iTunes song information, and many many more…

The main target audience for GeekTool is users who like to customize their machine. Generally, they aim for technical computer users with a basic knowledge in simple Shell commands and Unix. However, even non-technical users can set up their own Geeklets through the Geeklet database (http://www.macosxtips.co.uk/geeklets/ ), which provide users with a pre-written shell script. Users will only need to change the font and other small details to fit their desktop. GeekTool also has a very well explained tutorial on the different shell commands for first-timers.

To see further examples demonstrating the power of GeekTool look here: http://projects.tynsoe.org/en/geektool/ecrans.php

Overall, GeekTool is an amazing free piece of software allowing users to organize and customize their desktop for better use. However, due to the technical knowledge needed to make the most of the GeekTool, it would not be an app that Plomonet can recommend to everyone. Although with the many tutorial and geeklet databases online, casual users are more than capable of tweaking their desktop with GeekTool too. Plomonet greatly recommends this app for users who like to tweak the machine for better use.

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[Review] F.lux

September 20, 2011 in Mac, Main Blog, PC, Uncategorized, Utilities, Utilities

Name: f.lux
Category: Utilities
Price: Free
Requirements: Windows XP/Vista/7, Mac OS X, Linux
Plomonet rating: 9/10

Our eyes are probably one of our most important senses, which makes it a real shame if you are a avid computer user, as you will be subjecting your eyes to millions of photons everyday.

Most of the computer screens we have today are designed to be really bright, and I am sure anyone who uses a iMac can testify to that.The high brightness of the screen isn’t a problem in the morning, as our eyes and brains are used to that degree of exposure. But when you are working into the late hours, staring at such bright screens isn’t a very healthy thing to do, and can be very damaging on the eyes.

f.lux is a application that makes using the computer during both day and night much more comfortable. After entering your location as well as time, f.lux will adapt your screen to the time of the day at your location. When using f.lux at night, the screen will have a warmer and more natural color, while it will be much brighter during the day. No longer will there be an eerie bright glow when you are using your computer during after hours.

One thing to note is that f.lux is a automated program, and no user input is required after the initial installation.

The only obvious issue is that when f.lux changes the brightness of your screen during noon (when the daylight outside varies the most), the computer may stutter a little during the transition, though this happens for at most 10 seconds.

f.lux is a program that after using, will be hard to do without, as it becomes one of the programs that you will be used to having. It makes working on the computer much more comfortable. The problem of eye comfort while using a computer at night is effectively solved, and that is why f.lux gets a 9/10.

f.lux is developed by Husband and Wife team Lorna and Michael Herf. They have previously collaborated in creating Google photo software – Picasa. The current version of f.lux can be downloaded here.

The effects of f.lux cannot be captured by screen capture software so it is best to try and see the effects for yourself.

Note: Mac users may draw similarities of f.lux with the Macbook’s ambient light sensor. The difference here is that the Macbook sensor changes the brightness of your screen, while f.lux changes the brightness based on time. They are reported to work really well together, so it is recommended to still give it a try.

 

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Mac App Review: Spacie

August 31, 2011 in Mac, Main Blog, Uncategorized, Utilities

Name: Spacie
Category: Utilities
Price: $1.99
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5 or later
Plomonet rating 7/10

Have you ever gone through the trouble of trying to free up your hard disk space, but not being able to find which file is taking up the most space? If so, then Spacie is for you.

Spacie is an app for the Mac that allows you to scan your entire hard disk and present the file size, as well as the last modified date, in an interface that is similar to the Mac’s Finder window. In fact, you can just use Spacie as your Finder because what Spacie does is it has a sidebar on the left, just like in Finder, that shows you your hard disk, as well as the main folders such as Applications, Documents etc. So you can navigate through your entire computer within Spacie, and add files by dragging and dropping, and add folders just by clicking on the “Add Place” button.

The main difference between the normal Finder and Spacie is the fact that you can list ALL your files whether in the order of files size. This comes in handy when you are wanting to free up some space on your Mac. You can list them from your entire Macintosh HD, Desktop, Applications, Documents, external hard drives and more, even including your Dropbox folder. You can then mark files or folders, which you want to delete, with labels.

Another cool feature of Spacie is that there are notifications. The app will show a pop-up menu to notify if your hard disk is running out of storage. The other cool thing is that this notification will also work when the app realizes that your external hard drive is also running out of storage.

So far, I think that this app is great, since it does everything as advertised. I also haven’t found any problems using this app. However, the only thing I’ve noticed whilst using this app is that every time you re-open the app, it rescans everything all over again from the beginning. This might take up some time especially if you have a large hard drive. However, this is logical as you will always be downloading new files to your computer. In addition, this won’t be much of a problem at all since you will not be using this app on a daily basis. This app only comes in handy when you really are tight in storage capacity.

At the time of review, the Spacie app will cost you $1.99 from the Mac App Store. However, the developers are claiming that this price is a 50% off limited sale, meaning that the cost will double in the near future. So be sure to check this app out before the price rises!

Below is a full video review of Spacie for the Mac:

About the Author: Kenta Arai is a tech enthusiast who was born in Japan, and grew up in Hong Kong. He is very passionate towards technology and he became one of the most enthusiastic technophile student in his high-school, and was also well-known for consulting many of his school-mates when purchasing new computers.

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