Electronic Music, Mitch Murder, and Apple Music Embedding Code

 I'm into "electronic" music.  I've been a Depeche Mode fan forever.  I've loved stuff from Erasure and Pet Shop Boys.  Sometimes, Tears for Fears was confused with Depeche Mode.  So, as a test of Apple Music's embedding code, here's an electronic band remaking the biggest hit of Tears for Fears:

In 2016, I was introduced to Mitch Murder, who wrote the soundtrack for a ridiculous movie called Kung Fury.  It's free on YouTube.  And here's the soundtrack via YouTube:

Mitch Murder is amazing.  He's dynamic and retro, but so talented on sounds and how to make it not sound too redundant, which many electronic bands struggle with (me included).

I haven't recorded any new music in a while, but I have some ideas I want to work on and complete.  Anyway, this was just a quick break at work and a change to see if the Apple Music embedding code works.  Now sure it really does. 

Balboa Cactus

 This one is fun, to me anyway.  I wrote this with GarageBand for iOS using my cell phone.  We were on vacation on Balboa Island in July 2022.  The "cactus" portion of the name came from the shape of the GarageBand instrument sections...kinda looked like a cactus to me.

It’ll Come To Me

 Another GarageBand for iOS creation. Not great but I really like the jazzy organ. I need to either get good software and equipment or realize I’ve settled for mediocrity and stop saying something about it. 

Strings Attached

Another quarantine song. It’s fun to work on these, even though GarageBand of iOS is limited.

New Music Made with GarageBand for iOS

Here's a few songs I've recently done with GarageBand for iOS.  While one of my musical friends keeps telling me I'm limited by what the software/hardware can do/allows, it's a fun pastime.

Derailed

Another GarageBand for iOS creation.

Taboo Suspense Music (extended version)

I love the FX show Taboo and this theme. I couldn't find it anywhere in the internets, so I made this with GarageBand for iOS. 

iPhone 7 Plus vs. Google’s Pixel Phone

With the announcement of Google's Pixel phone, I really debated going back to an Android device. And while this would be my third attempt, this time I think Google has the hardware and software dialed in to truly take on the iPhone.

vs. I

Let me first start with a review of my iPhone 7 Plus (and the fact I can review “my” iPhone 7 Plus tells you which phone I went with). Of course, the decision to go with the iPhone was made easier because I’m stuck in the Apple Upgrade Program, and I can't just get out of that contract without waiting two years or paying a bunch of money at once. Also, Google announced the Pixel would be coming out exclusively on the Verizon network, which is not my carrier and cannot become my carrier due to coverage issues. I have; however, read some reviews that the unlocked version of the Pixel can be ported to any carrier, but I have not been able to confirm that through Google’s Pixel phone website. But here's my review of the iPhone 7 Plus:

I went with the jet black iPhone 7 Plus, which is beautiful. I love the look, I love the color, and I love the feel in my hand without a case. As a pianist, I love that it matches my grand piano and the black keys. I'm actually going caseless, because the Apple Upgrade Program comes with Apple Care Plus. Apple Care Plus now has a screen replacement cost of only $29, which is reasonable and cheaper than most cases you can buy. I've also noticed the longer battery life; although, I'm coming from a 6S, not a Plus (smaller phone, smaller battery). I love the new cameras, with its wide angle lens and a 2x optical zoom lens, although I think it should be more like 4x optical zoom. The phone is fast, responsive, and it is a great device.

But, it has its issues. I don't like the new home button. It's not a button anymore. It just a force touch area that works with the tactile feedback mechanism, vibrating to let you know you've pushed hard enough. The button doesn’t actually move, but the tactile feedback it gives is supposed to make it feel like it moved. In my opinion, it doesn't give enough feedback. Another issue I've found involves pulling on my facial hair when I put the phone up to my ear and on my cheek.  To me, this makes it seem like the phone may struggle to be as water resistant as Apple claims. If my facial hair can get caught between the frame and glass, water will be able to seep in. And, another issue…I'm bored with iOS. The software is good, but it’s the same as always. Often, I actually think of this as a good thing because it means they've done a lot to make the phone functional and feature rich, the way we want. But I'm bored with it. One other flaw I see is on the back of the device. There is a camera bump. Why? Because of The Anorexic iPhone Problem. I wish Apple and other phone manufacturers would stop trying to make their devices thinner and thinner.

The thing Google did right with the Pixel phones is to offer the two different models, a 5 inch model and a 5.5 inch model, with the same performance specs. Both have the same processors. Both have the same cameras. Google offers two sizes, but equal performance. The only limitation is battery size, based on overall phone real estate. With Google’s Pixel, you don't have to get the bigger phone just to get all a better feature; unlike Apple, who put the better camera system only in the bigger phone. I went with the iPhone 7 Plus because I wanted the better camera, not because I wanted the bigger screen. In fact, I hate the size of the Plus. I don’t want the bigger phone. After using it for a week, I’m not even sure the camera zoom feature is worth it.

So, here's my wrap-up and recap: The iPhone 7 Plus is a great phone, but for me it’s too big. The 2x zoom doesn’t offset the size for me. The Pixel is Google’s strongest move toward a device that will battle the iPhone’s success. I wish I was able to get out of the Apple Upgrade Program or have the patience to wait it out with a device for two years, so I could move over to the new Google flagship.

20 Things Currently Annoying Me

20 things that are currently annoying me:

01.  My iCloud being full (Apple should offer more free space, like 16GB)
02.  Trying to decide Android or iPhone (AGAIN!)
03.  Heartburn
04.  Computer virus (Windows machine)
05.  New computer decisions, Mac or Windows? (pricey or virusy)
06.  People who don't like Law Enforcement
07.  People who keep racism alive (media)
08.  Low pay to love my job vs. good pay to not love my job
09.  Law Enforcement Officers being poorly paid
10.  Trump being the best option
11.  Getting old
12.  Still young, but not really feeling it (everything hurts all the time)
13.  Mid-life crisis without the $$ for my sports car (or truck, if I'm more practical)
14.  Time for blogging, but not the motivation
15.  Time to write music, but not inspired to write good words
16.  Missing workouts because I'm lazy
17.  Loving Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO shows that make me lazy
18.  Loving food, but not wanting to be fat
19.  Being hot (temperature, not looks)
20.  Not being able to think of a clever 20th item for the list, to end it right

Why So Thin? The Anorexic iPhone Problems.

Why do cell phones have to continue to get thinner?  Why do manufacturers think this is still the consumers' desired design element?  These days, my iPhone with its Apple designed leather case, is not so simple to pick up from a flat surface.  Why?  Maybe it's because I have fat fingers.  Or maybe, it's because the iPhone is too thin.  And why did this pique my interest?  Because jimmythegun.com is the catalyst for the work Microsoft is doing to correct itself; maybe Apple will read this and make some corrections.  Also, I'm full of bright ideas.  Just look at my old posts.  You'll see.

I read this article tonight and it made me realize, Apple has now compromised design and function for thinness.  The camera lens is thicker than the rest of the phone, causing the design flaw.  And the battery on the 6S is not good.  It suffers from size and capacity.  Oh yeah, and bear-paw handed people can't pick up the iPhone easily.  I want the feel of the old iPhone 3G back.  It's nice curved back sat nicely in my hand.

Rant over.

Phones Are Becoming Computers

The below "Rabbit Trail" is pulled out of a post from June 13, 2007, in which I talked about the iPhone. I discussed something I saw as a mistake made by Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, in which they seemed to be against making devices like cellphones work as full computers. Now, Microsoft is expanding on something they are calling Continuum for phones.  But before we look at that, here's my thoughts from 2007 (almost 8 years ago):

Here is a Rabbit Trail:I think that Bill Gates and Steve Jobs both are missing the mark on where computers should go in the future. They were both unable to adequately answer the questions of where they saw computers in 5 years, at the D5 conference. The iPhone is a step in the right direction, but it’s just a fancy phone. The next revolutionary product should be the personal computer you take everywhere. It should be the size of the iPhone, have memory in the terabytes range, have the ability to sync with anything (monitors, keyboards, mouse, TV, networks, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, satellite, etc.), and simply be your only computer.

Imagine if you could take your cell phone to work, in your pocket, sit down at your desk with a full screen and keyboard, and connect to everything digital that is yours. That is what the next gen iPhone should and could be. That’s the one I want.

Below is an article on Mircrosoft's Continuum for phones. 

http://www.theverge.com/2015/4/29/8513519/microsoft-windows-10-continuum-for-phones

Additionally, here is the announcement from Microsoft's Build conference: Microsoft has announced the ability with Windows 10 to use your cellphone as a full computer, something I thought should be designed by either Apple or Microsoft back in 2007.

At this point, I feel the new Microsoft is based on my website.  Enough of my ideas and designs have come true or are part of the company's future product features/announcements.  MS should have called me and offered me a high paying job, designing ideas and seeing their implementation through.  My ideas have all been considered great ones, well after the announcements they are finally going into design or affect in future software releases.

Related Posts:

http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/6/8560195/microsoft-continuum-for-phones-windows-10
http://www.jimmythegun.com/2013/09/if-i-were-ceomicrosoft-updated.html
http://www.jimmythegun.com/2010/07/if-i-was-ceomicrosoft.html
http://www.jimmythegun.com/2007/06/iphone-top-10-lists-reality.html

My Bright Idea #19 - Google Messaging, Calendar, and Other Features

My Bright Idea #19 - November 28, 1014

Google Hangout (Google's messaging and video chatting app) should become more like a super version of iMessage, by managing all SMS, MMS, and Hangout messages, and have the video and audio sharing features added.  Besides a possible rename to something like "Google Messaging" or "GMessage" the app should include the management of regular text messaging to gain more customer usage (if you look at iMessage's implementation, most iPhone users have it set-up).  The Google messaging app should be available on both iOS and Android devices, as well as, in Chrome and desktop software.  Again, this will increase customer usage.

The purpose for better integration on multiple platform is to add additional features for users already using Google's other apps.  One example I imagined is a smart recognition feature that automatically creates suggested calendar events from the content of text messages.  A text like, "Do you want to go see a movie tomorrow?" could create a possible calendar event for the user to review (similar to iMessage's manual ability to create calendar events from keywords like "today" or "tomorrow").  The event could be added to a "Suggested Events" section of the calendar app or be accessible right in the messaging app to confirm as a calendar event.  Additionally, subsequent text that may include other information about the movie, such as which movie, the time and location, could be added to the "suggested calendar event".  Friend(s) involved in the text (such as group texts or mentioned within) could automatically be added as suggested invitees.  Once the event is confirmed, all invitees who choose to accept then have it added to their own calenders.

The messages could also (with permission granted by the user) be reviewed by Google's server to add related content suggestions like where a particular movie is playing or where tickets can be purchased.

Additionally, the Google Calendar App could be updated with other social features, such as, the option to share certain types of events with certain groups (say from your Google+ Circles).  With a feature added to select particular calendar 'event types' in the creation of the event, a particular event could be shared with a select group(s).  A "Social Events" calendar event, for example, could be shared with your "Friends Circle" so they know about upcoming movie nights or dinner parties.  A "Work" calendar event could be shared with your "Coworkers Circle" so your daily schedule could be used for scheduling other work events or meetings.

Additional management of your Circles should also be added to the contacts in your Gmail, for easier access and modification.  Or a Google Contacts/Address Book App and/or website should be created for managing all a user's contacts, groups, circles, etc.  All features should have management capabilities from either the messaging app or the calendar app, with integration with all other Google Apps.

My Bright Idea #17 - GetGot App (UPDATED)

My Bright Idea #17 - November 26, 2013
I had this idea a long time ago, but finally put it into my Notes on November 26, 2013.  There should be an app, I call it "GetGot", that allows you to create a shopping list and share it with others.  The idea is for one person to create a list of needs (like a grocery list) to "GET".  Then, another person, one the list is shared with, can go to the store and purchase the ideas on the list, marking the items as "GOT".  The listed items can be moved back to the "GET" list as needed, helping create your next shopping list as you need the items.

UPDATED to Idea - July 19,2014
This seems like a pretty basic part of the app these days, but the app should use the GPS in your device and allow the device to direct you to the store and ultimately the aisle in  the store where you can purchase the item.  Additionally, the app should be smart enough to offer suggestions of where to buy the item and where it may be the cheapest.

My Bright Idea #18 - Predictive Punctuation

My Bright Idea #18 - March 4, 2014
I originally came up with this idea in March, but only recently (after the latest iOS 8 release) thought I'd document it here on the site.  Also, the original idea was specifically for the double space bar tap at the end of a sentence.  I thought it should be smart enough to add a question mark when the sentence is structured as a question, rather than always defaulting to a period.  Words like when, what, which, where, how, who, why, are could be add to the predictive punctuation algorithm.  Now I think, with a little nerdy grammar knowledge and some sentence structure know how, coding and algorithms could be written to incorporate better comma usage.  Maybe we can even fix some of the incredibly awful uses the Internet and its minions have of the run-on sentence.  Perhaps Predictive Punctuation can evaluate a paragraph of text and add all the missing commas, periods, and other missing punctuation to make reading more intelligible.

My Bright Idea #16 - Bluetooth Wearables and the Assistant (Updated)

My Bright Idea #16 - November 20, 2013
Apple should come out with a Bluetooth device that connects to Siri and works with notification center.  The wearable devices, like a watch, would be perfect.  The addition of Siri as part of the device would make the device a step above Samsung's Galaxy Gear.  Star Trek's communicator or Michael Knights' watch used to call KITT were devices where information could be accessed from their computers' resources.  In the same way, as Siri get's smarter, a wearable device like the iWatch or a magnetic lapel pen could work as a Bluetooth device that allowed for voice commands and notifications.

Admittedly, this bright idea is sort of happening with some of the wearable devices that are out.  Pebble and other watch devices do some of the notifications visibly.  My idea is to take it to the next level with the assistant features of Siri (or for Android, Google Now).

UPDATED PHOTO:

Samsung is really starting to make nice looking wearables. Apple needs to get on it. 

My Bright Idea #17 - GetGot App

My Bright Idea #17 - November 26, 2013
I had this idea a long time ago, but finally put it into my Notes on November 26, 2013.  There should be an app, I call it "GetGot", that allows you to create a shopping list and share it with others.  The idea is for one person to create a list of needs (like a grocery list) to "GET".  Then, another person, one the list is shared with, can go to the store and purchase the ideas on the list, marking the items as "GOT".  The listed items can be moved back to the "GET" list as needed, helping create your next shopping list as you need the items.

My Bright Idea #16 - Bluetooth Wearables and the Assistant

My Bright Idea #16 - November 20, 2013
Apple should come out with a Bluetooth device that connects to Siri and works with notification center.  The wearable devices, like a watch, would be perfect.  The addition of Siri as part of the device would make the device a step above Samsung's Galaxy Gear.  Star Trek's communicator or Michael Knights' watch used to call KITT were devices where information could be accessed from their computers' resources.  In the same way, as Siri get's smarter, a wearable device like the iWatch or a magnetic lapel pen could work as a Bluetooth device that allowed for voice commands and notifications.

Admittedly, this bright idea is sort of happening with some of the wearable devices that are out.  Pebble and other watch devices do some of the notifications visibly.  My idea is to take it to the next level with the assistant features of Siri (or for Android, Google Now).

My Bright Idea #15 - iCloud Storage Size

My Bright Idea #15 - July 31, 2012
This is another old idea, but one that is still not resolved.  I think the iCloud storage size should match your device's storage size.  If you have a 16GB device, Apple should offer you 16GB of iCloud storage for free.  The 5GB that comes free is not enough storage anymore, especially now that iCloud and the way iOS works no longer requires connecting the device to iTunes.  The smallest devices have more than the free offering, limiting the usage of iCloud's free storage.  Yes, it's a way to make more money for Apple, but this can not be one of their major profit lines.

My Bright Idea #14 - Silence Notifications

My Bright Idea #14 - July 30, 2012
This bright idea is very old and has been revealed, so I lose create for it being mine.  On July 30, 2012, I wrote the note: "Notification Center needs a time for notifications to be silenced."  This was fixed in September 2012 with iOS 6's "Do Not Disturb" feature.  The Android version does not work as well, but it's there too.

Why "iPhone 5" Is The Wrong Choice

On March 3, 2012 I predicted, based on a very reasonable explanation made by my friend Jason, that the sixth generation iPhone would be called "iPhone LTE" or "iPhone 6". I took that prediction one step further and bet another friend, techyted, a Starbucks coffee it would be so; he bet it would be called "iPhone 5".  I lost that bet when Apple named its sixth generation incorrectly (based on my logic) as "iPhone 5".  Really the bet was that it would be called "iPhone LTE", based on the fact that Apple had to include the LTE antenna technology to stay competitive, and would name it such to highlight this much needed speed boost in antenna speed.  With the second generation iPhone taking the name "iPhone 3G" to highlight the inclusion of the 3G antenna, which was really the only complaint first generation iPhone users had, "iPhone LTE" seemed a smart name for this sixth generation iPhone.  It would also allow Apple to skip 5, since the "iPhone 4S" was the name of the fifth generation iPhone.  Let me break down the naming vs generations from the beginning.

The first iPhone was called "iPhone", which made perfect sense since it was the first phone to be called that (well technically that's not true either, but that's a whole other story). The second iPhone was not called "iPhone 2" however, because Apple wanted to clarify it had added a faster cellular antenna system; they called it "iPhone 3G", helping market the fix of the first generation's biggest flaw. When the third generation iPhone arrived, Apple simply added an "s" to the second generation's name to exclaim its speedier innards. This also allowed for the number 3 to be in the third generation's name of "iPhone 3Gs".

Then came the fourth generation of the popular phone and it was simply called "iPhone 4". That seemed to make perfect sense because by that point we all got the point. It was the next iPhone, and this was the fourth one. But, when Apple introduced the fifth iPhone, they went back to adding an "s" because it was a faster 4. Although this followed some of the previous naming processes Apple had used, it wasn't where I would have gone because now it's like saying, "Hey everybody, you are all right in thinking Apple doesn't do everything it can to advance to the next level with each release of its products. We slow play our ideas so we can extend just enough each year to make you think about upgrading. We don't do everything our billions of dollars in reserves could to bring you exciting and new ideas. We go just far enough to make you think it's better. The 's' stands for 'slightly' better."

That brings us to the announcement of the sixth iPhone generation. This phone was predicted to have LTE cellular antenna technology; and it does. To market that addition, it seemed logical to me to continue naming the generations with the latest and greatest improvements to the device. The speed increase is one we've been waiting for. "iPhone LTE" made the most sense to me, in sticking with the Apple naming method which touts the phone's most recent improvements. Apple could call it the "iPhone 4 inch" to tout the screen size, but it might be confusing with previous name choices. If not "LTE" then a return to the simple generational name "6" seemed to make some sense because this wasn't the fifth generation. "5" didn't seem to make any common sense, with this being the sixth generation. Really, I can see how "6" would have be confusing, since the number 4 is in the fifth generation's name already. Im sure people would ask, "Where did 5 go?" But to clarify two more things to avoid the pending arguments I'm sure to create: If the first iPhone was a "beta" phone, making the 3G "1", iPhone 4 would have been "iPhone 3". And, if the pattern is to add an "s" to every other year, as the body doesn't change, 5 still doesn't make since because there have only been four body styles (or three if you consider the first iPhone just a beta phone).

So, why not call it 6? Besides the obvious confusion that would be caused by skipping the number 5, this IS the sixth generation of the phone. It would also be simple to match it up with sixth major update to the OS, which Apple announcement will ship with iPhone 5. And while they were at it, Apple announced their newest processor too. The "A6" chip was announced, which brings faster processing and graphics to this sixth generation iPhone. It almost seems too perfect.  Oh, but there it is.  iPhone 6 running iOS 6 on an A6 chip. Too many 6's in a row for big, evil Apple to reveal its true self.  You win fanboys. You win.

One more thing: if they continue to increase by one number every two year, adding an 's' to every other, the iPhone 10 pictured above will be the sixteenth generation. 10 is 16. 10-16. That's the radio code for "pick up prisoner". Do you see what that means people? Do you?