5 FREE Apps worth a LOOK......

Viggle: (App) This has become one of my favorite Apps. It's premise is simple;

Watch TV. Get Rewards.

 As there web site explains: Viggle is a loyalty program for television that gives people real rewards for checking into the television shows they’re watching. Currently available for Apple iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch®, Viggle automatically identifies what television shows its users are watching and awards them points when they check-in. Viggle users can redeem their points in the app’s rewards catalogue for items such as movie tickets, music, gift cards and much more. 

It is indeed simple to use. Just launch the App, sign in with the e-mail and password you set up head to setting fill in some personal info if desired, add a picture, enter your zip code,choose your TV provider ,add tour Facebook or Twitter account set your App notification's and your ready to VIGGLE!

From the main screen tap the giant V to activate and it will listen to the audio of the program to identify getting you points for doing so. Also there are numerous other ways to garner points all adding up to get gift cards & discounts from Best Buy to iTunes to JC Penny just to name a few.

It works. Got my first reward a $10 iTunes card (gave to my niece) earning 14,000 points. It takes time & dedication and sometimes the audio recognition doesn't work but you can enter show manually. 

WORTH THE GET! Price: FREE  

TWITTER (App) Addictive. Before I got a smart phone I had to tweet from my computer. But this app lest you tweet everywhere. It comes integrated already with the iPhone 4S. Just install & your ready! From the welcome screen just type in your username & password that you already use and that's it! Simple, Easy and as I said very addictive.

 You now can tweet pictures, links, anything from wherever you are fast and easy. Check on your connections Interactions / Mentions with ease.  #Discover top stories, trends and browse categories of who to follow or find friends with a simple touch. You can also import your contacts from your phone to find out who else is on twitter.

Under the "ME" section access your Tweets,who your following and whose following you. See your direct messages,saved drafts, your lists & saved searches. You can add multiple twitter accounts if you have them, ie personal business, and switch with ease. Edit your profile and other settings. 

BUT lately there have been problems. LOTS OF PROBLEMS! Occasionally, getting more frequently, I get the error message, "Error Loading Tweets (400). Tap to..." When that happens nothing works. Not even restarting the phone. It last for 15 - 30 minutes before it returns. It's NOT an iPhone issue or even my issue I have noticed others complaining about it. It is VERY ANNOYING!

Also App crashes, get non-responses and app misbehavior! TWITTER fix these issues and this is a must have

 

WORTH THE GET! Price: FREE  

 HBO Go (App) It's just what the name says. Watch HBO on demand on your phone anytime anywhere. Get unlimited access to all your favorite HBO shows, hit movies, sports, comedy and more, plus bonus features and behind-the-scenes extras.

 It’s all free with your HBO subscription through participating television providers. To watch shows on HBO GO you need an HBO subscription through a participating television provider.( AT&T U-Verse TV, BendBroadband, Blue Ridge Communications, Bright House, Charter, Comcast Xfinity, Cox, DIRECTV, DIRECTV-Puerto Rico, DISH, Grande Communications, Massillon Cable/CPI, Mediacom, Optimum, RCN, Suddenlink, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS and WOW!)

Got that. SO if you are a current subscriber to HBO and your providor is lested above you can downlaond this App & watch on your mobile device.

Sound and picture quality is good, WiFi is better. You sign in using your current user name and password you use with the provider that you have.

Broken down with categories, search, watch list, it's a fairly simple but very useful app. Customize your settings, profile even has a parental controls feature. Have not had any problems with stability or use. In short it's a GREAT App to have ON-THE-GO.

WORTH THE GET! Price: FREE  

MLB Beat the Streak (App) A new game this year by MLB this app supports it and makes it very easy to play, although both my picks were wrong and I'm back to square one.

The object of MLB.com Beat the Streak (the "Contest") is to establish a virtual "hitting streak" and keep it going for as long as possible. You'll do this by selecting one (1) or two (2) Major League Baseball ("MLB") player(s) each game day, from a list displayed by MLB.com. If the player you select gets at least one hit in the game for which you selected him, your streak continues. If the player you select does not get a hit, you can still participate, but your streak automatically ends and will be set to zero. You must select a player each MLB game day; however, you can make your daily player selections for up to ten (10) calendar days in the future. 

The Contest begins at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time ("ET") on April 4, 2012 and ends following the conclusion of the final game of the 2012 MLB regular season (the "Contest Period")

There's a save your streak sponsored by Scotts if you like there facebook page. You can also "double down" pick two players but BOTH must get a hit otherwise its back to square one.

The App has My picks section, leader board,history and  settings. You can also set reminders to notify you to make a pick.

57-Game Hitting Streak Prize
The first eligible participant, if any, to achieve at least a fifty-seven (57) game hitting streak, as determined by MLBAM in its sole discretion, will win five million, six hundred thousand U.S. dollars (US$5,600,000. If no participant achieves a 57-game hitting streak or greater during the Contest Period, as determined by MLBAM, the eligible participant with the longest hitting streak during the Contest Period greater than or equal to twenty (20) will win ten thousand dollars (US $10,000) (the "Grand Prize").

There are also 30,35 and 45 game hitting streak prizes as well monthly prizes. Check official rules.
So far it's fun, quick, takes little time and effort and not much space and maybe I can win something. 

WORTH THE GET! Price: FREE 

Camera Awesome  Lets face it. The camera that comes with the iPhone 4S is....Well.... It's JUST OK. Biggest problem with it is the flash, everything is always too bright, and lack of features to do anything.

But this camera is.... well...AWESOME! Ease of use you can tap the screen or the camera icon to take pictures. Zoom, Settings Focus and Exposure, image stabilization, slow/fast burst,timer features,composition. Adjustments for flash. 

You can quickly share it with integrated Twitter, Flicker, Facebook, youtube and others and export it to your phones camera roll.

The edit feature can adjust brightness, crop and filters and other features.

It also takes video and is easily switched between both. For a FREE camera, NOT BAD!

 

WORTH THE GET! Price: FREE

The New iPad, Apple TV, IOS 5.1 & More...

WHAT!?

Yes that is what they are calling it! NOT the iPad 3 or iPad HD. Just "The New iPad"!

Whatever they call it, lets take a closer look at Apple's next generation iPad!

The event starts out with Tim Cook, Apple's new CEO taking over now for the late Steve Jobs. Let's face it, no one could command an audience and dazzle an event like Steve Jobs, but Tim Cook tried his best. He's bland and unemotional and really doesn't command an audience as Jobs.

Lets look at the Event.

Apple Stores 
 including there crown jewel in NYC at Grand Central Station.Over 3,000 people came for the opening as they showed a brief video presentation.

SiRi
Now I have been using Siri since I got my iPhone 4S back in December 2011. It is great BUT has many drawbacks. Interrogation with the Apps is a MAJOR ONE! Not understanding, getting confused etc are more. What would YOU like to change on SiRi?
The new announcement was that Siri is coming to Japan. A brief audio presentation of Siri in other languages, Australian, French, German and Japanese.

IOS 5.1

The latest update promises to fix issues with battery life, Camera shortcut now always visable on Lock Screen for iPhone 4S, 4 & 4GS and iPod touch(4th Generation) Just touch the camera icon and sweep up to open. Among other improvements and changes listed to the right.
Now available for download.












App Store

Almost 600 thousand apps, and Chunli Fu of Qingdau, China downloaded the 25th Billionth App, a free version of Disney's "Where's my Water?'. For that Apple gave him a $10,000 iTunes gift card. NOT BAD!

iCloud
Again totting this, Keeps ALL your devices in sink. Over 100 Million custermers. "It Just Works!" Except NOT on my Windows XP, NOT supported so I am "Lost in the iCloud's!" Itunes in the cloud for your Music, TV shows and NOW.....Your Movies. And now movies and TV shows in iTunes now support 1080P HD.....for.....
Apple TV
A new Apple TV that now supports 1080P available next week for $99. Comes with a new streamlined user interface. News, Sports, Movies, TV Shows, Music that you have purchased and your photos.

"The New iPad" 

They did not call it iPad3 or ipad HD, just the "The New iPad". With Retina Display-9.7" screen. Sharper Graphics,Text,High resolution of 2048 x 1536(a typical 50" or 70" HD TV has a 1920 x 1280) 263 PPI 44% better color then iPad2.
A new A5X chip Quad-Core Graphics.
iSight Camera 5-megapixal sensor,backside illumination,5-Element lens, Hybrid IR Filter, Apple Designed ISP. Has auto focus-exposure,face detection.
Also HD 1080P video recording, Image stabilization video and temporal noise deduction.
Voice Dictation- Just speak into your New iPad and it will type what you say.
Next generation Wireless- Supports now HSPA+, DC-HSDPA, 4G LTE. Faster downloads, video. 3G world play, personnal hotspot,WiFi,Blus Tooth.
10 Hour battery life, on 4G 9 hours.

Apps for the New iPad

Updated iWork, Keynote, Pages and Numbers. Stunning new 3d charts and annimations $9.99 each

 
GarageBand - New features,Smart Strings,Note Editor,iCloud and sharing. Also Jam Session where up to 4 people can sync and perform together. $4.99

iMovie - New update now can create your own movie trailer. $4.99


iPhoto - Smart browsing, multi-touch editing, professional quality effects, new brushes, photo beaming, photo Journals using iCloud $4.99


All in all what most experts were expecting. No real surprises. Some nice new features but nothing that really blows you away.

So are you going to run out and get one?????

Jesus Christ Super Star on Broadway Opening Pre-View Night Review

"A True Spectacle!"  "A Visually Breathtaking Performance"

JESUS CHRIST SUPER STAR

My overall rating out of 5 stars is "4"                  ★★★★

Just saw the opening Pre-View night March 1, 2012, of the rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber "Jesus Christ Super Star at the Neil Simon theater on Broadway, NYC.

It was my first Broadway play ever, an amazing fact since I have lived in NYC my entire life. I went with my brother In-law who played Jesus in a local theater play some 40 years ago, with my sister and my niece who has been in numerous plays herself and has "Gotten the Bug" and wants to be an actress.

The Neil Simon theater is a cozy two tier theater seating around 1,400 people which I find amazing since It didn't seem overly congested moving around. We sat in the Orchestra Row V seats 6-8-10-12. There were a few empty seats in front of us, but as far as I could tell from my view point it was, while NOT a sell-Out, pretty close to one.

 As you know the musical is based very loosely on the Gospels' account of the last week of Jesus' life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem, and ending with the crucifixion. It highlights political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot and Jesus, struggles that are not in the Bible. The resurrection is not included. It therefore largely follows the form of a traditional passion play.


MY REVIEW BELOW!

The Main cast includes:

Paul Nolan as Jesus Christ

Josh Young   as Judas Iscariot

                                           

                              

  Tom Hewitt  as Pontius Pilate

Chilina Kennedy as Mary Magdalene

                       Bruce Dow as King Herod                      

                                 

Marcus Nance as  Caiaphas

Aaron Walpole as Annas

Directed by Tony award winner Des McAnuff who is the American-Canadian artistic director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and director of musical theater of such Broadway productions as Big River, The Who's Tommy and Jersey Boys.(more about him latter.

Starting off Act one Overture into Judas, Josh Young "Heaven on their Minds",into "Whats the Buzz". A solid beginning. The theater was a cross between old and modern with the use of a "New York Style Zipper" telling the audience what time in the week we were now. Kinda cool, as was the many special effects especially in the "Hosanna" "Palm Sunday" scene as Jesus ends up atop of the walkway in front of a giant electronic scene with a PALM in back of Him.

They used technology of the 21st century a lot, but as you will read latter, it bit them in the end.

I for one enjoyed the use of "The Times Square Look" with the screens and scrolling words. The entire stage design and scenery was one of simplicity but incredibly complex ballet of stars, tables, caldrons etc. The cast climbed ladders and the stars also using the cat work upper level with ease while the dancers flipped and tumbled with grace. It was clear the Pre Pre-Views at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival production had clearly honed there skills and the pace was incredible as I was amazed at the end of the first act at 8:52pm.

For me the high lite of the first act was "I Don't Know How To Love Him" sung by Chilina Kennedy playing Mary Magdalene. Her voice was angelic her acting exquisite only matched by her beauty and grace.  A seasoned Canadian actress she has also starred in at Stratford The Grapes of Wrath, Evita, West Side Story, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum and Kiss Me, Kate.

After an about 15-20 minute intermission we were ready for Act II.

It began with "The Last Supper" into "Genthsemane" to "The Arrest" and so on. Each act continued to flow and had you riveted to your seat, despite the annoying woman sitting next to me. There's always one "IDIOT" sitting in the theater and she was next to ME! She had to have complete silence, impossible with 1,400 people. No movement, don't clap, don't yell out just sit still like a robot and watch. In fact I rally saw her clap.

My high lite of Act II was King Herod, "Herod's Song" played by Bruce Dow. His flamboyant,Zany over the top comic relief portrayal of King Herod had the audience rolling with laughter, excitement and amazement. A well done job and a true show stealing moment! 

But  the second Act, in fact the entire play was stolen by "JUDAS" played by Josh Young! An amazing talent, singer and dancer, to me and my family agreed, "A HOME RUN PERFORMANCE!"  

He has appeared in The Grapes of Wrath, Evita and Kiss Me, Kate at Stratford, as well as a national tour of Les Miserables and an international tour of West Side Story. His death scene was incredible again with the help of 21st century technology.

Now "Jesus Christ" portrayed by Paul Nolan.  To me, and my family agrees, an average job at best. His passion was not there. More robotic and lacking energy. His signing was great, as was everyone's, but there was something missing in his performance. One can truly see his talent and only hope he will improve over time.

Other worthy mentions goes to Tom Hewitt portraying Pontius Pilate. A well done job of singing and acting. A Tony and Drama Desk nominations for his role Frank’n’Furter in The Rocky Horror Show on Broadway, this seasoned Broadway Star shinned once again!

Fine performances also by Marcus Nance, portraying Caiaphas and Aaron Walpole Portraying Annus.

The ensemble cast were terrific despite the fact that some didn't seem to be actually singing, especially in the finale. 

The overall production was 100% Broadway at it's best. The lighting, sound, special effects and set complemented the production.

Except for the "Super Star" into the "Crucifixion" giant moving platform malfunction! As Jesus is being lead to the cross a moving robotic platform comes out and Paul Nolan gets on as the lights spreed out over the first 5-6 rows of the theater as this "Robotic" Star Wars type mechanical wonder begins to turn around trying, as we latter find out, to stretch Paul out over the audience. But, alas, MALFUNCTION, Johnny 5! A man sitting just about 15 or so down the aisle on my left gets up, I was amazed thinking "You can't hold it just a little longer, It's almost over." Goes to the back comes then down to entire aisle to the stage and grabs the mike. "We have a problem." It as I latter find out, was the Director Des McAnuff. He has "STOPPED" the show and is explaining to us the malfunction of this "Prop". The audience was THRILLED! This was a "Broadway Moment" He said he wanted us to have the "Full experience" of the play so they are going to "reboot" this contraption and try again. "We will take it from the top of the scene".

Take two. "An even worse "Malfunction!

So take three they did without this silly contraption altogether. Every time though "Judas" Josh Young, performed the scene flawless with great energy! He had the audience in the palm of his hand!

 It was like watching the movie "Groundhog Day". But I, my family and the audience LOVED EVER MINUTE OF IT! But the "Jesus" death scene as we saw it if that how it will go even with this contraption, re-think and try again!


A little work before opening night March 22 and the sky's the limit!

TONY AWARD!

Here are some Highlights From "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada.

Whitney Houston Death - Autopsy Details Released - Photo

UPDATE: 3/22/12 The L.A. County coroner ruling was drowning and the "effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use," the Los Angeles County coroner's office said Thursday.
In essence she had a heart attack while bathing from prolonged use of cocaine where she slipped under the water of the bath tub and drowned.
The manner of death was listed as an "accident."
Cocaine and metabolites were identified and contributory to her death, the report said.
Other drugs identified in Houston's body were marijuana, alprazolam (Xanax), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl), but they "did not contribute to the death," the report said. Flexeril is a muscle relaxant, and Benadryl is an allergy medicine.
No trauma or foul play is suspected, the report said. The final coroner's report will be available within two weeks, the coroner's office said.


UPDATE: 3/1/12 Sources say that the death of Pop star Whitney Houston is reportedly about to be ruled an ACCIDENT!  The 48-year-old singer's body was found submerged in a bathtub in her Beverly Hilton Hotel suite on February 11—and according to a source, "nothing suspicious" has been found to suggest any foul play or deliberate actions.
The "insider" told E! News that the "I Will Always Love You" star's family do not believe she died as a result of deliberate action by herself or someone else and "She had no marks on her body whatsoever to indicate a struggle, and she was the furthest thing from trying to kill herself."
STAY TUNED! 

UPDATE: 2/18/12 A star studded funeral service was held on Saturday February 18, 2012 for Whitney Houston at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. Nearly 1,500 people including Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keyes, R Kelly and gospel singer Bebe Winans performed during the service. Others in attendance included Mariah Carey, Spike Lee, Forrest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson, Cicely Tyson, pop singer Darlene Love, filmmaker Tyler Perry, Roberta Flack, Mary J. Blige and actor Kevin Costner, Houston’s co-star in the 1992 film "The Bodyguard."
Emotionally Kevin Costner spoke of his "Friend" Whitney insercurities about herself, performing and how she never thought she was "Good Enough". He ended his remarks saying,"So off you go, Whitney, off you go, escorted by an army of angels, to your heavenly father,and when you sing before him, don’t you worry. You’ll be good enough."
 She was laid to rest on Sunday, February 19, 2012  in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, south of Newark. Whitney was laid to rest next to her father, John Russell Houston, who died in 2003.
 UPDATE:2/14/12-  A private funeral for pop superstar Whitney Houston will be held Saturday Feb. 18, 2012, at her childhood church in New Jersey, noon at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, said Carolyn Whigham of Whigham Funeral Home.

Whitney final resting place(top)
and Arriving at NJ Airport(bottom)

The body was flown from California to Newark on a private plane belonging to filmmaker Tyler Perry.  Cissy Houston, the late singer's mother, was waiting inside Monday evening and stayed till 2am Tuesday with her daughter.
The funeral will be invitation-only at the church were Whitney began as a choir girl at New Hope. 

Whitney arriving at NJ Funeral Home

Cissy Houston and cousin Dionne Warwick wanted to bury Whitney in Atlanta, where they believe she was happiest,but other family members wanted Houston buried in Newark, where she was born.

Below is a small audio clip of her most successful song, written by Dolly Parton, "I Will Always Love You"

Whitney Houston - "I Will Always Love You"

  Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) When my sister came over to me on Saturday night showing me on her iPhone about the breaking news that Whitney Houston had died my first reaction was one of shock and sadness. But, unfortunatly, after reflecting on her recent past, especially her relationship and marriage with Bobby Brown, my feelings turned to one of not really surprised it had ended this way and of anger towards Bobby Brown. 

Now it's true we make our own choices, but sometimes the people we choose to be around, thinking that they care,love and will help us, are the ones who will destroy us in the end.

A singer who participated in an impromptu duet with Whitney Houston (see video) at a party two days before Houston's death said Monday February 13, 2012, she noticed nothing amiss and the superstar was "upbeat and joyful."
"She did not seem disheveled. She was dancing, she was laughing. ... We were having a good time," said Kelly Price.
"What I saw on Thursday night was not erratic behavior. I didn't see someone who was high." Houston took the stage unexpectedly and sang a hoarse rendition of "Jesus Loves Me" with Price.

But, as you know, just less two days latter Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. Saturday afternoon , February 11, 2012, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. A phone call was  received 3:43 p.m. from hotel security and Beverly Hills Fire, and police responded minutes later after a member of  her entourage found her unresponsive in the bathtub of  her hotel room. CPR was performed but efforts to save her were futile.

Her body remained in the hotel room for eight hours will police investigated her death.

Multiple medicine bottles were found in the Beverly Hills hotel room where Whitney Houston died ... but we're told there were NOT a lot of pills at the scene. No illegal drugs were in her hotel room only prescription drugs were found. Sources add that she may have drowned in the bathtub, where her body was reportedly discovered.
  
Whitney Houston apparently drowned in bath after ingesting cocktail of prescription sedatives. Officials won't have definitive answers for several weeks. An autopsy was performed Sunday, but officials said they wouldn't have any definitive answers until drug tests are completed in several weeks. 

Her hairdresser, Tiffanie Dixon, reportedly opened the door after becoming worried at Houston's long silence and screamed when she saw the body in the tub. A bodyguard pulled her out and tried in vain to give the singer CPR, Winter said.

Cops found a pharmacy's worth of sedatives and anti-anxiety medications in the room, including Valium, Xanax, Lorazepam and another sleeping pill, according to an unnamed law enforcement official quoted by Radaronline.com.

 "At this time, her cause of death is deferred pending toxicology and further testing," said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter. "I know there are reports that she drowned or overdosed. We won't make the final determination until all the tests are in," he said.

Bobbi Kristina, Houston's daughter with ex-husband Bobby Brown, was reportedly on the hotel premises when Houston died. Bobbi got into an argument with police when she was denied access to see her mother's body. Houston's cousin, Dionne Warwick, also showed up, according to reports, and was also not allowed to see the superstar's body.

Latter on Sunday February 12, 2012 Whitney Houston's 18-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles suffering from mental breakdown, exhaustion. She was latter released and is now with her father Bobby Brown heading back to the east coast.

Tributes at the Grammys on Sunday February 12, 2012 where Whitney was scheduled to attend came from all as the devastating news sunk in to her fellow musicians. 

Once again we have another fallen star who met a tragic end. A life unfulfilled. A talent thrown away and wasted.

  
RIP Whitney!