I’m a newb…again

screenshot-1So I decided to try something new…iPhone application development.  I’ve had an iPhone since the week after it was launched and I have an unnatural relationship with it.  It is an amazing device and I would marry it if I were legalized in the state of Minnesota.

So, my first step was to find out if I could handle this.  I am not a traditional software developer.  I have built a pant-load of web sites and some pretty robust web-based applications, but traditional software development isn’t my bag.  I started with signing up for the iPhone developer program, got some book recommendations and read tons of blogs.  I picked up Beginning iPhone Development: Exploring the iPhone SDK and Learn Objective–C on the Mac (Learn Series) from Amazon.  I am only on Chapter 4 after needing to let Chapter 3 sink in…twice, but now I think I am “getting it”.

Another GREAT resource I have found is Dan Girgsby’s site Mobile Orchard.  Dan and the crew over there have put together a fantastic site and amazing podcast.  They interviewed the authors of the iPhone book mentioned above and I found it valuable to listen to multiple times.  Next week, Dan is holding a 2 day workshop on beginning iPhone development.  I was lucky enough to get a spot along with an old friend who is also learning along side me.  From what I have picked up on Dan’s site and podcasts, this should be a great learning experience.  I hope I have multiple “ah-ha” moments because I will need them.

Most people ask me if I have any ideas for a killer app.  I do have an idea for some apps that aren’t so outrageously out of control that I would never be able to finish.  I will start with those and most likely give them away for free.  I didn’t start this with an app in mind.  I started because I love to learn new things.   If you have known me for any length of time, you know that I like to have multiple hobbies.  Here are a few still active hobbies…

  • Fly Fishing
  • Photography
  • Building Arcade Cabinets
  • Web Development
  • Video Editing
  • Graphic Design
  • Playing Music (guitar mostly)
  • Geocaching
  • Remote Control Aircraft (Planes and Helicopters)
  • Golfing

So wish me luck and you never know, this hobby just may be what I stick with for years to come….or it may not, but it will be fun making mistakes and learning from them.  I know..cheesy…but true!

Hippy iPhone Commune

I downloaded a new iPhone app called Ocarina.  An Ocarina is an ancient flute-like instrument.  Basically, you blow into the microphone “hole” in the bottom of the phone and press graphical buttons on the screen.  That’s not all!  It is a social application as well.  If I name my Ocarina, my score is uploaded to their servers available for anyone to hear my warbly tones.  You can also spin a virtual planet and listen to other user’s music.

I love this video of a chorus of iPhone hippies performing some “Stairway”.

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New iPhone Car Integration

When I bought the new iPhone I FULLY expected to be able to plug it into my existing iPhone cradle and have it magically work.  Silly Clay…that would be too easy.  I detailed out my original iPhone car integration here.

The new iPhone is about an 1/8 of an inch wider that the first one which means the cradle from ProClip is useless.  I was able to get in touch with someone at ProClip who told me they would have a new cradle, but not for a couple of months.  If you know me, you know that I don’t have that kind of patience.  Enter the Dremel tool!  I was able to carve out some plastic and spead it out with some plastic spacers.  Worked excellent, but I will still buy the right one when it comes out.  This works for now. [Read more...]

Sitting In Line For My New iPhone

Ok, let’s get this striaght…I love my new iPhone (16gb White One), but like any product, it has its downfalls. I wanted to experience the launch day frenzy so I planned to head to the Apple store at the Mall of America for the 8am store opening on July 11. I got there about 6:30am and got in line with about 60 people in front of me. I was quickly bored after checking out my line-mates. [Read more...]