App Review and Efficiency: Breakthrough?

Yesterday afternoon, I had a positive meeting; one filled with revitalizing ideas and confirmations, and I’ve decided to post some things here instead of keeping it private.

iPhone screenshot: Momento [Software — iTunes Apps]

I’ve been testing and reviewing iPhone apps since the App Store’s launch with the intent of sharing my findings. I even thought about adding a new category here — then and again, today. However, for now, I’d like to keep it simple and concise — after all, this post was composed on my iPhone 3GS using the Squarespace application (finishing touches applied at my desktop — as the screenshot shows… I was running toward low-battery). 

My first pick, and a bit about the post.

I downloaded Momento just-barely over one-week ago, and it’s already one of my most-used — and frequented apps. It’s a referral tool, a tracker, and a calendar… or rather, a journal — in condensed form.

I’m rather pleased with this app as my first-pick — Bradtastic Superfluous isn’t going to turn into a “review blog,” much-less one restricted-to, or focused-on, iPhone apps. It’s far-too restricting, limiting my outlet and output, but beyond that and significantly — there are tons of review sites out there. Some of them are even okay!

If you’re looking for iPhone apps on a regular basis…

I recommend following the Twitter trends and iPhone blogs. Better yet, follow the recommendations of people that you trust, or blogs about your industry or interests. Check back here — I will write about what works for me.

Back to Momento.

Momento is a great tool for busy people. Writers, thinkers, researchers, readers… just about anyone can benefit from this app. Additionally, the more time one spends away from the computer — primarily desktops — the more useful this app becomes. As a writer choosing to devote time and energy to pen-and-paper over keyboard and screen, much of my output isn’t searchable — at least not in the functional, tech-way — databased, tagged, indexed and hyperlinked.

Momento brilliantly indexes and displays what I’ve decided to call my “dynamic quickies;” despite what the perverse might think. (I don’t actually use that term… I just made it up) Basically, I can display my Twitter feed; my personal posts, separate from everyone else’s crap and clutter. Twitter users should have a separate app for their favorites anyway — why double-up and duplicate — there’s no reason to have two apps for one category. Beyond the feeds, Momento has a simplistic, clean interface designed for adding short entries. For those so-inclined, photos can be added as well. (I use Evernote for that, but I’ll get into that separately… Evernote certainly deserves its own review. Many exist out there already; if you aren’t using Evernote during your daily ritual, you should look into it.)

Momento’s “something special,” usable… about tagging.

If Momento just displayed external feeds (from Facebook, Last.fm, Twitter, etc) and allowed for additional entries, it wouldn’t be that special. I’m sure I’d still like it; it’s attractive, well-designed with clever artwork and graphics, but it’d lack a key element: usability. The added special ingredient: tags. And not just Plain Jane, one-dimensional, single-facet tagging; Momento offers sub-categories: tagging people, places, events, and whatever else you can think of as “extras.”

This app could’ve just been something cute and somewhat-clever; a place to dump thoughts and record daily on-goings, but tags makes the information usable. I can refer back to my entries… mostly, because I can find them. Not everything that I write is going to be relevant all of the time — some of it won’t ever be critically valuable — but I don’t want to be presented with every thought I’ve ever had when I’m trying to find just one. It doesn’t even matter how much time I have to search — it’s not pleasant. If I happen to be pressed… I’ll develop a headache. Apps should not add stress.

Bottom Line: 9 of 10.

If you don’t use your computer regularly — for whatever reasons — you should seriously consider this app. If you don’t have an iPhone… as Gordon Ramsay might say, “you’re mad.” However, seriously think about what your daily processes are before committing to a new system of any kind. Don’t use this app (or any) just because I use it — or because someone special uses it. Don’t waste your time; as a 21st-century human, time is valuable and finite — you probably won’t have forever.

Youth is fleeting and important; with so much to get done in twenty-four hour days and 168 hour weeks, maximizing your peek-efficiency and minimizing lulls is crucial. Simplifying your tools eliminates waste and makes for a life with fewer moving-parts — fewer points of failure. Consider each addition critically; positive or negative, every extra thing that you do is a complication.

While success certainly requires some intricacy, finesse is often more about what isn’t done, isn’t needed.

Coherence is order.

I hope this helped — more to come. If you do start using this app, please comment… let me know what you think.

Topical leads to seriousness

I’ve been chatting with Daniel — a “student” of mine — while playing some Borderlands (2K Games’ masterwork RPS — role-playing shooter); he’s figured-out, over this year, that his serious interests involve writing. His love of videogames is a natural outlet, and hopefully, writing about games (or for them?) can become a career for him.

As some readers of mine might remember, I’ve wanted to write about games for some time. I dabble in it, from time-to-time, usually at Gamespot. I tried making a dedicated gaming blog, but never could make enough free-time to pick up the necessary momentum to carry the project along.

I might have another chance now… and an opportunity to do things differently.

In discussing videogame reviews, one facet stood apart — particularly interesting to me — the nature of trust. People generally read reviews to accumulate more information, to make a better decision. However, if the reader doesn’t trust the reviewer, the review won’t mean much — that’s if it’s even read!

Why should anyone trust a review? How can we assess whether or not the author shares similar views, has similar tastes?

At the time, I didn’t think of this thought-trajectory as being particularly-profound, but it lead me to new findings, new ideas and concepts. Free-association, mixed with a bit of luck, I suppose. 

I’ve decided on a few fixes; I thought about what makes me trust a review — and the reviewer, what I think when we don’t share the same tastes, and what makes me come back for more. I also thought about Bradloves and Bradtastic.com, and the future. Indeed, 2010 looks like a turn-around year.

Before I get back to work, I thought I’d mention quickly: I’ve been told that I’m hard to shop for, get gifts for. That’s not at all true. At my Links page, I have two wish lists (so far) — each with gifts ranging the gamut. If you don’t have lists of your own, you should think about making one (or five)!

The Blog, Bradtastic

I’m trying to find some balance in life — not always an easy thing to do. In many ways, things are so much better than they were just one-year ago, but there are complications. I’d like to write more, and I’d like to try and make this blog more exciting, and perhaps, more personal.

I often try to avoid writing directly about my thoughts and feelings; when I write about my life, it tends to be about circumstances and happenings. I’d like to post more images and artwork — even if it’s just a doodle or something. I’d also like to start inkblogging again.

The problem is, when I stumble upon free time, I chose to read and relax. My shoulder hurts so much — so much of the time — when I have free moments… I just think, lie down. Not conducive to blogging.

It certainly doesn’t help that I like video games, either… even though I do consider that type of entertainment important.

Well, at least there’s technology.

There’s a lot of new technology — and we’re on the brink of revolutionary changes in computing and entertainment. Glass-less and goggle-free 3D movies, games and TV is right’round the corner — in space time, mere moments away! There are too many mobile phones (this, I don’t understand… iPhone, anyone? Enough said, moving on), tons of portable gaming options… hundreds of notebook computers, desktops and ultra-super-tiny tech toys.

Some of these devices and products are useful — important… the rest are clutter. I’ve been asked about several things in-particular, so I’ll start organizing my thoughts, opinions and ideas into something bloggable to soon share with y’all.

I’m also organizing a few interviews and guest articles about supernatural phenomena, science and magic. At the forefront of my list: hypnosis. Interesting, right?

The “Bradtastic Approved” stamp is about to land on a few more deserving items. I’m still looking into moving Bradtastic Premier and redesigning this site. I’m even considering looking at TypePad again. Last, if you have something interesting to share, let me know. I’m always curious.