Gaming, Technology, Social Media, and Fun
In: video gaming
24 Oct 2010Real time strategy (RTS) games are something else.
These games tend to turn most off since they require quick thinking and analysis. They also require lots and lots of practice and patience. Many people are intimidated by these type of games since they seem so complicated. This is unavoidable, since most RTS communities are condescending and unforgiving to the newcomers, forcing them to completely avoid online play. Personally, I don’t blame new users, since I felt the same way for a great deal of time.
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In: apple
15 Jul 2010As an iPhone 4 user who doesn’t have reception issues with or without a case in areas with or without a signal, I have a certain perspective on this whole “iPhone 4 death grip” issue. What I see here is a corner case (no pun intended) of a risk that I discussed in my “cons” section of my iPhone 4 review. Sure it’s a problem, but I definitely don’t think it’s a recall type problem. The phone isn’t blowing up in people’s hands, nor is it melting our ear drums. The internet has turned this minor issue into a show stopping, stock killing, PR nightmare, and the tech blogs all over the web smell blood and are on the attack.

Apple has called a press conference tomorrow to talk about the iPhone 4. People who want Apple to fail are begging for an embarrassing, tear filled, bumbling apology from Steve Jobs. They also want a multi-billion dollar recall. People who own the phone (that I know of) generally want a clear cut explanation and a plan of action. Me? I don’t want anything.
Yeah I said it.
The antenna issue is a minor inconvenience on a great smartphone that just about every review claims is the best phone to date, yet can’t recommend it. It boggles the mind how you can say this is the best smartphone out, but this minor defect (yes it is minor) will prevent you from recommending it? If that’s the case, then it’s not the best smartphone. You can’t have it both ways. Just about every review I’ve read claims of increased reception and better call quality, except for this corner case. (no pun intended again)
In my mind, either the phone sucks because of the antenna issue, or it’s a great phone with minor antenna concerns.
In: apple
30 Jun 2010A few days ago I expressed my thoughts on the whole iPhone 4 antenna issue:
Some people got upset because I stated it wasn’t an Apple issue, but a cellular design/technology issue with attenuation. I even stated in the video that it is a legitimate problem with iPhone 4, but not as big as people are making it out to be.
Let me repeat that: I acknowledge this is a legitimate issue with the iPhone 4 (or maybe even iOS4). Is it worth national attention? Maybe. Is it worth a lawsuit? Heck no. People seem to think attenuation doesn’t happen anywhere else and I even gathered a few videos demonstrating just that, but as most of us know, the iPhone 4 has increased attenuation due to its design. Is it as extreme as people make it out to be? i.e. “OMG! I hold my iPhone and it goes from 5 bars to 0 and I can’t make a call! ZOMG!” Let’s see.
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I recommend you watch the WWDC 2010 keynote before reading.
If you watch the video above, you’ll note that I was generally impressed with the announcements made by Apple. I’ll attempt to go into more detail on this post as to some of the other features and what I think about them.
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In: about us
25 May 2010If you follow me on various outlets, you probably have seen this:

I’ve decided to go with a new brand for “All Things Bwana”. A lot of you are probably familiar with my cartoonme avatar as my personal brand, but I decided to change that up. I wanted something simple and easy to recognize, so I opened Pixelmator and typed a giant “B” and worked around that. I’m no graphics expert but I think it’s a good brand to move forward with. It represents all the various things I do.
There was a lot of confusion since I had a Bwana.org brand, a Bwana.TV brand and a Bwana.org Radio brand. This new brand will be everywhere and will represent it all. If you see the giant B, know that it’s me
As some of you know, I’ve been producing an audio podcast, Bwana.org Radio, since 2005. I’ve had a lot of fun doing it and what started as a hobby, turned into something that people really enjoy. This is why it saddens me to inform my listeners that I will no longer be producing Bwana.org Radio as of episode #250.
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In: web2.0
20 May 2010Wow.
We expected a lot of announcements related to Android (more coming today), but yesterday’s barrage of Google news was downright overwhelming. Google IO is a developer’s conference hosted by Google in California to … well this:
Google I/O features 80 sessions, more than 5,000 developers, and over 100 demonstrations from developers showcasing their technologies. Talk shop with engineers building the next generation of web, mobile, and enterprise applications.
It’s no secret that I stream video games live at http://justin.tv/bwana. I give my live input and receive live feedback from viewers. As a result, it has influenced a great many on their decision to purchase the game or not. Whether it be visuals, gameplay, interface, etc, a live stream of a game is a great way to get a glimpse of what the game is about.

This is why it saddens me to hear the news today from Justin.TV staff that Take 2 has issued DMCA takedowns for ALL live streams of Red Dead Redemption. Michael Siebel, JTV CEO, has been on the phone with Take 2 attempting to make a case for live streamers, but as of now, all live streams will be taken down using copyright holder tools provided by JTV to Take 2. Several live streams have already been banned. This is not JTV banning users, this is Take 2.
A company this stupid doesn’t deserve my business.
I regret buying the game. I highly encourage you to express your concern to take two by visiting this link if you disagree with their latest actions.
Dummehs.
UPDATE: Your comments mattered. Take 2 apparently listened. I’ve just got confirmation that the ban has been lifted. GREAT WORK!