My Favourite Apps #1

Sorry for the lack of action on the blog and before you say it, I honestly did not have writers block! The real reason is my home internet connection completely stopped working, my poor router finally packed in after 4 years of near constant use. As BT are in the process of setting up their most wonderful Infinity connection in the area, I decided against purchasing a new router. No instead I’m being strong, surviving on my iPhones rather pathetic 3G connection, and living in the desperate hope I can finally guess my neighbours Wi-Fi Password!  

When I first decided to write this blog I thought it would be easy as I regularly rant to myself about subjects that really don’t matter to, or effect, me in the slightest. My thoughts proceeded onto believing it would be a good idea to write down the garbage that regularly circulates my head. I’ve not yet convinced myself otherwise, so will continue to pollute your web pages with my nonsense.

After being in possession of an iPhone for just over 2 years now I thought a good piece would be on some of the best and worst apps I’ve encountered in my time. Apps are something that have become a huge selling point for phone manufactures’ and Apple are currently battling with other software platforms such as Google’s Android and Samsung’s ‘Bada’. Each platform has its advantages and disadvantages, but as I’m loyal to my iPhone, I’ll be focusing on apps you can get on iTunes. I’m going to split this up into different articles and in this one I’ll begin with 2 of the best apps I’ve encountered during my time as an Apple devotee.

Angry Birds:

What better place to start than Angry Birds? In its original form it has been downloaded over 12 million times from iTunes since its release in December 2009. Like most popular apps it has a very simple concept (launch birds using a slingshot at pigs stationed on or within various structures) and is very easy to get the hang of. As you progress through the levels you are rewarded with new types of birds to assist you in your quest to rid the world of the nasty green pigs. Each class of bird has its strengths and weaknesses and the challenge is to find the best way of dealing with the scenario put infront of you.

One of my favourite aspects of the gameplay is that there really is no right way of doing things. Yes, if you want to achieve the highest scores and get all of the pigs on each level then you do have to be very precise. But if like me, you like to breeze through the levels doing the minimum amount and finding your own unique way of finishing the level then you’ll be very pleased with Angry Birds.

In my job I have to work night shifts and Angry Birds has kept me company on many a long night. It’s very addictive and certainly makes the time go quickly which is an absolute godsend at times. The developers of the game, Rovio Mobile, have clearly spent a lot of time ensuring the player doesn't get bogged down by repetitive, mind numbing challenges. To this end they have produced a game that continues to feel fresh, even after hours and hours of gameplay. I would highly recommend Angry Birds to every single user of an iPhone or iPod Touch. I’m still playing it 2 years after first downloading it and the regular updates always add new dimensions to an already impressive game.

10/10 

IMDB:

The Internet Movie Database App is a great portable version of the number one source for everything and anything film. If you've never been on IMDB and have even the slightest interest in films I suggest you check it out. The App itself doesn't have many extra features from the main website but it's really easy to use and also doesn't require a very fast connection at all.

I fancy myself as a bit of a film buff and IMDB is a great source of useless information. Simply look up the film of your choice and go onto the trivia section to feed your brain with facts that will enable you to give Mark Kermode a run for his money! There are some real classics such as 'Judy Garland received $35 a week for her role in the Wizard of Oz. Toto, the famous dog, received $125.' and 'In Brian De Palma's 1984 movie, "Scarface," the word is spoken 206 times - an average of once every 29 seconds'. Whoever counted the latter there probably needs to get out more...

A screenshot of the App itself.

As I said above the App itself is very simple to use. When it was first released it contained quite a few bugs and a lot of features from the main website were missing, thankfully like all good Apps, it has been regularly updated. I use IMDB a hell of a lot and often find myself going on there after watching a TV show or film and thinking where do I know ***** from? I love this App and like I said above, if you even have the smallest interest in TV and Film then you'll get something out of it.

9/10

The Tragic Tale of PC 190 David Rathband

Two days ago, on the 29th of March, it was sadly confirmed by Northumbria Police that PC David Rathband had been found dead at his home in Blyth, Northumbria, on Wednesday. Although at this point it has not been officially confirmed he took his own life, Northumbria Police have released a statement stating they were not seeking anyone else in connection with his death. When I heard the news I have to admit I wasn't surprised but it was still awfully shocking all the same. I had read recent news reports about his private life and could only imagine how low he must have been feeling.

Working in the job I do, the Raoul Moat story was something I followed intently from start to finish. PC Rathband was shot twice in the head on the 4th of July 2010, as he sat stationary in his patrol car. He miraculously survived, but a few weeks later it was announced that his sight could not be saved. In recent months he had been working hard with the charity he set up, to provide the help people like himself did not receive at the time of his injuries. This charity is the Blue Lamp Foundation and their goal is: 'To relieve the financial hardship that some personnel of the Emergency Services may face after being criminally injured whilst on duty.' The charity have confirmed that will be continuing to operate in his memory.

I was watching Sky News earlier today and they interviewed the politician David Blunkett. He made a very good point when he said that he, himself had been very lucky in a strange kind of way, because he had been blind all his life and had grown up with it. He said he had experienced the obvious frustrations you would go through whilst still being a teenager and had learnt to accept his disability as a way of life.

Mr Blunkett then moved on and said that he believed that PC Rathband's circumstances would have been made worse as everything his life stood for before he was shot, fell apart around him. His marriage broke down and he could no longer work in the job he loved. PC Rathband had also made public comments stating he found it very frustrating that he couldn't do even the most basic things that he took for granted.

I personally believe that the last paragraph highlights the real tragedy behind the story. Here was an innocent police officer, doing his job who was violently attacked by a ruthless murderer. On that day in July PC Rathband lost more than just his sight. He lost the very reasons he lived for. Unfortunately there was no light at the end of the tunnel for him and now Raoul Moat has claimed another victim.

Where do I Begin?

Where do I begin with this blogging lark then? I've never written a blog before but have always been interested in doing so. I like to voice my opinion and have strong views on many subjects. After seeing the exploits of Aimee Nash and Grace Hutchinson (both worth a read if you've ever eaten a hot meal in your life!) I've decided to take the plunge and see where the world of blogging my thoughts gets me. I'm probably on a road to nowhere but it should be an eventual journey!

Apart from those 2 I've been a keen follower of http://beatsandrhymesfc.com/ which is a blog combining football and music created by Chris Brookes. Looking at each of these blogs got me thinking about the path I would like to go down in my own blog exploits. I'm still undecided but I think the best thing to do as a writer is write about things that interest you. If writing becomes a chore then you're making a mistake somewhere. To this end I expect my blog will probably be about everyday subjects ranging from items in the news, to personal situations and of course regularly delving into the world of sport.

I'll get writing properly over the next few days but thought this little introduction post would be a good starter to lose my bloginity and then I crack on with some proper writing. Thanks for reading.