Mobile Operating Systems & Musical Instruments

The third and fourth parts of my series on musical instruments as mobile apps have been published at their respective blogs, so get ready to jam.

Up first, drums:

The inclusion of a drum kit in GarageBand hasn’t stunted the development of drum apps for the iPad. In addition to several called simply “Drums,” there’s “Drums!,” “Drums!!,” “Drums!!!,” and innumerable other variations. I’ll focus on the free ones, for both iOS and Android.

Read the entire article at PrePayAsYouGo.

Next, how about sequencers to really get some electronica going in your band?

You might not think of a sequencer as a musical instrument that can be played live. Their whole point is to sequence notes or clips together so they play automatically, right? Sure – but using a sequencer as a backing track can fill out or enhance your song, and these simple sequencer apps let you modify your patterns on the fly. These free apps from a diverse set of mobile app developers are great for beginners and virtuosos alike.

Read the entire article at Tech-Ticks.

Finally, changing tack a bit – a look at how desktop operating systems are becoming more and more influenced by their mobile counterparts:

The first time Microsoft put Windows on a phone, it looked pretty much like Windows 95 on a tiny screen, complete with Start button. Now the trend is reversing – both Apple and Microsoft are incorporating mobile user interface elements into their latest desktop operating systems, and independent developers are customizing Android for inexpensive PCs.

Read the entire article at the Zco blog.

Mobile Apps for Musical Instruments, Moving, & Moriarty

A bunch of articles I wrote got published pretty much simultaneously this week. Hope you like apps, because they’re coming at you fast and furious.

I mean it.

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Zco blog – Avengers and Men in Black Take Full Advantage of 3D Animation

No one can deny that computer animation in movies has come a long way since 1995’s Toy Story. Aside from looking more realistic by itself, today’s 3D animation is often tough to distinguish from the live actors, props, and sets with which it shares the silver screen.

Marvel’s The Avengers has already earned a huge $185.1 million internationally, and it opens in the United States tomorrow, May 4.

Read the full post at the Zco blog.

Does Your Phone Need Antivirus Software?

Android’s app market, Google Play, doesn’t have the stringent guidelines Apple does, so it’s generally regarded as more vulnerable to attack. In truth, both operating systems have built-in safeguards, but malware has a way of learning and spreading its tentacles. Even if your phone itself isn’t brought down, it can be a carrier for desktop infections.

Fortunately there are a number of apps specifically made to combat this kind of nastiness.

Read more at the Zco blog.

Comparison Shopping Apps Give Consumers the Edge

Getting the best price used to be a laborious task – checking flyers, driving around to local stores. Even with Internet access in every home, you could only check prices at, well, home. Great for online shopping, not so much for brick & mortar excursions.

A few mobile apps aim to change that. When something catches your eye at the store, just scan it with your phone’s camera and see what you could be paying elsewhere. All the apps listed below are free and work on iPhone, Android and Windows Phone.

Read the full article at the Zco blog.