Tech Tips for Catholics

In this YouTube Video, Eric Giler demos MIT’s breakthrough version of WiTricity.  This was recorded back in July, at TED Global 2009, in Oxford, England.

Below are some related links to this topic:

• WiTricity Technology: The Basics
• TED Global 2010 (July 13-16, 2010)

Skype launches its iPhone application today!  The app itself is free and lets you make calls and chat with other Skypers over WiFi networks.  You’ll notice that the current reviews left by users talk about how the app crashes constantly.  What I think is funny is their disclaimer, “Skype is not responsible for errors or crashes which result from changes to the underlying iPhone OS.”  You can download the Skype iPhone App here.

Here are some screenshots for what it’s worth:

If you’ve installed this app, we’d love to hear your comments.

Not to be confused with “iMissle”, the portable thermonuclear warhead launcher for the iPhone, iMissal, from Cantcha Inc. (www.cantcha.com) is the iPhone’s first digital Sunday Missal.

Cheese and crackers! What’s a Missal?!? That’s what I often heard as a youth minister working with Catholic teens. A Missal is, according to Wikipedia, a liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year. Plain and simple, it lets you follow the Mass from beginning to end including the Mass readings and all the text of the prayers said in the Order of the Mass. It’s a tradition that goes way back to at least 1570. So how does iMissal work as a Missal in the digital age? Read on to find out.

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On March 31st, 2009, Mevio plans to discontinue the sale & support of the recording software known as CastBlaster (which was created by Mike Versteeg, creator of other popular programs like VidBlaster, WinPodder, and Mscan Meteo).  But not to worry, Mike and his company, CombiTech, have been working on a new program called StudioRack.  StudioRack has recently been made available to the public as a free trial download.

If you are using a hardware mixer, StudioRack does everything CastBlaster does and more!

There are currently three editions:  StudioRack Trial (everything enabled but the Load Profile command), StudioRack Audio (does not include the AV Client), and StudioRack Pro (all features enabled).

Note: StudioRack is currently only compatible with Windows.

So PodCasters, give it a try and see what you think.  Post any comments here.  And since StudioRack is in the first stages of public beta, feel free to post any suggestions to the Think Tank on the StudioRack Forums.

Also, make sure you check out Mike’s podcast.

Below are some related links to this topic:

• Editing and Creating Shortcuts in Audacity
• Is your RSS feed valid?
• Shrink the Volume Control Panel in XP

According to the BlueInstinct website, “iConfess was created in order to make it easier for [Catholic Christians] to have a good Confession.”

iConfess Features Include:

• About Confession
• Examination of Conscience
• Prayers for Confession
• Click here to view more

One of the neat features, is the ability to tag specific content so that you can easily come back to it when needed.  Plus it has a search function so that you can search for key words or phrases.

You can purchase the iConfess app on iTunes.

Below are some related links to this topic:

• Advent App for the iPod Touch & Apple iPhone
• Mobile Catholic Prayerbook
• Scripture, Reflections & Prayer

Amazon recently announced the availability of the new Kindle 2 App for the ubiquitous iPhone. As an iPhone owner and someone who’s been coveting the Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation) since its release, I hustled over to the iTunes app store to download the free application.

I’ve had Stanza on my iPhone for a few months and have been slowly working my way through my free download of Emma. The truth is, I don’t have a lot of time these days to cuddle up with fiction, so I’ve wondered how much I would truly use the Kindle 2. I’m attracted by the thought of discontinuing my periodical subscriptions and going paperless via the Kindle. As of now, the Kindle iPhone app will not allow access to periodicals.

Having downloaded the app, I’ve used it to get a few sample chapters of books that have caught my eye. At this point, however, I likely wouldn’t actually purchase a full Kindle book and read it on my iPhone. For the brief amount of time I spend reading on the iPhone, I will likely stick with sample chapters or free downloads of classics via Stanza.

It’s not surprising that a free app won’t replace a $359 tech toy. For a complete and extremely thorough look at this new iPhone app compliment to the Kindle 2, check out this awesome article by CNET’s Nicole Lee, who owns the real thing!

This post is courtesy of the Productivity @ Home Blog.

Every Friday I normally post the top 5 favorite blogposts that I’ve come across throughout the week, however this week I have decided to post my top 5 links about Twitter API (and creating Twitter Apps)  So, What is an API you ask?  It stands for application programming interface and it controls the behavior of various functions of an operating system, library or web service.  An API protocol or language can support the building of third-party applications.

The following five links can help those whom are interested in building a Twitter App (hopefully one that will help build up God’s kingdom).

1.  Twitter API wiki.
2.  “Twitter API: Up and Running” by Kevin Makice (Book)
3.  50 Twitter Tools and Tutorials For Designers and Developers
4.  Twitter API for Dummies
5.  Send message from a PHP page using Twitter API

You can see what others are doing with the Twitter API for some inspiration.  Perhaps you have some ideas of your own!  If you build a Christian App, let us know about it and we’ll feature it on our blog.

Have a great weekend!

Joshua

Mobile Prayerbook is an app created by Antonia.  It features various Catholic prayers and is compatible with most mobile phones.  Not only that, but the prayers are available in English, Español (Spanish), Latin, and Bahasa Indonesia (Coming Soon: Francais, Italiano and Deutsch).

What prayers are available inside?

• The basics: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, ect.
• Devotions to Our Lady: Memorare, Angelus, Hail Holy Queen, The Rosary, The Litany
• Daily Prayers: Morning Offering, Spiritual Communion, Apostles’ Creed, Prayers before & after meal, Thanksgiving
• Special Prayers: Act of Contrition, Adoro te Devote, Prayers for the pope, Te Deum, Prayer to St Michael the Archangel

I personally would like to thank Antonia for creating such an application.  I am looking forward to using it.

Below are some related links to this topic:

• Advent App for the iPod Touch & Apple iPhone
• iConfess iPhone App – Assisting Catholics in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
• Scripture, Reflections & Prayer

Thanks to Kelly for the heads up on a great post entitled 20 iPhone Apps to Increase Your Productivity.  The selected apps include choices for organization, money & business, travel, and home/personal tools.

Having tried a few of the suggestions on this list, I can vouch for Jott and the Mobile News Network, but am looking forward to trying several of the other suggestions.

20 iPhone Apps to Increase Your Productivity – Web Design Schools Guide

This post is courtesy of the Productivity @ Home Blog.

View our other Mobile Posts!

Catholic Reflections is a daily scripture passage, followed by a saintly reflection and a prayer in the form of a Mobile Widget.  This is a great way to be inspired while waiting at the bus-stop, sitting around on your lunch break, or anywhere else you may find yourself with some free time.

. . .

Please Note: This service is free, but charges from your carrier for usage may apply.

Below are some related links to the iPhone & BlackBerry:

• Catholicize your Apple iPhone or iPod Touch!
• Advent App for the iPod Touch & Apple iPhone
• Other Apps for the BlackBerry® (and iPhone)