Twitter apps are a dime a dozen – especially for the iPhone.  I’ve been dating a bunch of different Twitter applications: Twinkle, Tweetie, GhettoTweets (actually a REALLY hysterical one), TwitterFon (now stupidly renamed “Echofon”), Twitterific.  But not until recently, have I really been happy to commit to one: TWITTELATOR PRO.
←ah, the Twittelator Egg.
Twittelator PRO is $4.99 and WELL worth it!  By far, it’s the most feature-rich Twitter application for the iPhone.  I vaguely remember downloading an earlier version of this app over 9 months ago, but ended up switching because it was MEH.  But I’m SO happy I re-visited it recently.  It is chock-full of features, and the developers keep making more and more improvements!
Some of my personal fave features:
BASIC LAYOUT

• User-Friendly Layout: Twittelator Pro offers 3 different pre-set layouts (Gray is shown above).  These layouts are simple, displays both the Twitter handle AND the actual name, gives a nice Twitpic preview, and also shows when there’s an audio link attached.  If you don’t like any of the pre-set layouts, you can also customize your own!

READING A TWEET

• Options galore: When you click on a Tweet, it opens to this Menu screen, where you can do everything from the standard Reply, RT or DM…all the way to Copying, Emailing & Favoriting the Tweet.
• Read It Later: A lot of times, people will include links to interesting articles or stories.  I love that Twittelator Pro has a Read It Later option, that seamlessly incorporates into Instapaper or Read It Later services.  You can save the links on-the-go, then read it later on your computer at your leisure.

COMPOSING A TWEET

• @Reply Address Book: Although not depicted above, an “@” reply symbol is usually the first button on the top right-hand side.  When you tap on this, an “Address Book” of all the people you’re Following pops up.  Simply tap on a contact, and it instantly inserts their @screenname into the text field.  Geniusly simple, but genius.
• #hashtag directory: On the lower-right corner of the text entry field, is a grey “#” symbol.  When you tap on it, the above #hashtag directory pops up, with the most recent hashtags you’ve used with your tweets.  A very useful feature – especially if you’re live-tweeting from an event or function.

• Built-in Emoticons: Tap on the little smiley-face design in the text entry screen…and you get access to a HOST of emoticons to choose from.

EASY MEDIA UPLOAD

• Easy Media Upload: I think the picture says it best.  Can’t ask for a simpler interface.

• Landscape Keyboarding: One would think, with the new Landscape Keyboard upgrade with the iPhone OS…ALL apps would follow suit.  Clearly not so obvious for some (ahem, AIM).  But as I mentioned earlier, the developer team at Twittelator have really been keeping up with all the updates.

Other quick things I appreciate about the app:

• Tweet Sent! notification + optional audible “tweet” to signify a Tweet has gone through
• Auto-refresh of Twitter Feed after a tweet has been sent.  Such a simple thing, but such a pleasure to not have to manually refresh.
• TONS of Settings Options: You can do everything from customize how your want your Re-Tweets to post: RT @… or ….via @__, to which Media upload services you prefer (Twitpic, Moby, YFrog), to how large you want your font.

The only things I’ve had to get used to: the fact that the text-input area doesn’t fully go across the entire width of the screen – it’s cut short by all the buttons on the right-side.  But we’re all creatures of adaptation, and you just eventually get used to it – especially when those buttons offer so many incredible features.
Check out Twittelator Pro!  It’s 100% worth the $4.99 pricetag!

Clearly, a Saturday afternoon indoors = Heather geeking out online.
My friends Andrew Andrew are my fellow lovers of all things GEEK.  Whenever I’m excited about a new iApp, program, device or gadget, I can always count on them to know about it so we can compare notes.  They are also movers & shakers.  As DJs and theater critics and Professional JetSetters, they are always on the go.  So naturally, they would know all about the latest Apps.
First there was Loopt.   Then there was FourSquare.  But recently, Andrew Andrew have been  raving about Gowalla.  So I had to investigate for myself.
Overall COMMENTS about these types of GPS-locater/social networking Apps:

• Get over the GPS: At first, the thought of being GPS-locatable made me extremely uncomfortable.  But it’s just something you have to get over.  You must take comfort in the fact that you can approve (or un-approve) who your friends are and who has access to your whereabouts.
• Only as Fun as your Friends: Just like any other social network, it’s really only as fun as however many friends you have on that network.  No friends, no fun.

After playing with Foursquare for a few months, with a handful of like-minded friends on there…here’s my personal feedback on the experience:

• MEH:  It’s fun to know what folks are up to…but honestly I sometimes feel like it’s just a Lo-Jack for friends.  And I ask myself, do I really need to know where they are at all times?
• TIPS/To Dos: I like the ability to create a “to do” list of places to check out.
• Badges: There seems to be NO rhyme or reason to the awarding of badges.  It seems you get awarded a badge whenever the Arbitrary Badge Gods seem so inclined.  I’d like to know what actions qualify for a certain badge.  Goals, please.
• New location: If you enter in a new location, you must manually enter in the street address – it does not get detected by the GPS locater.  It begs the question: What’s the point of a GPS App, if you have to MANUALLY enter in your location?  DUR.
  
• Limited Cities: Foursquare is only limited to a preset list of major cities.  Unfortunately, if you don’t live in one of these cities – ya can’t really play Foursquare.  Sorry, Middle America.  Only Big City Mice need apply.

OVERALL:  It’s adequate.  Even though it has FB & Twitter connect, and it gives you the option of contacting your Friends on there…it seems very one-dimensional.  To me, it provides an, “OH, so that’s where my friends are…” function and that’s it.
GOWALLA
Disclaimer: I’ve only been playing with this for one afternoon, so this is really only my initial reaction to the App:

• Stamps, not Badges: Loving the fact that each time you Check-In to a Spot, you get a Stamp in your Passport.  It’s a simple, quantifiable concept.  It’s also very “real life travel”-esque.
• GPS Detected New Spots: If you are Checking In to a new Spot, the GPS will detect the address, instead of having to manually update it.  (Thanks for paying attention, Gowalla)
• Adding Friends – LIMITING: You can only add friends via Twitter of Facebook.  Would be great to be able to add Friends from your Address Book or various Email Accounts as well.  Also, there is no “Invite Friends” option, where you can send invitations for people to join.
• Trips: Really fun feature – kinda like a Scavenger Hunt.  Currently, you can only try pre-existing Trips, but eventually, there will be a way where you can create your own Trip & share it.
• Non-City Specific: Perhaps the BEST thing about Gowalla, is that it’s truly GPS-centric, not CITY-centric.  It works wherever you are – even Internationally – not just for specific cities.

I’m sure I’ll learn more nuances about Gowalla the more I play, but for now, I think Gowalla is far more friendly and intuitive.  Definitely a lot of potential to make it a very rich experience!
To learn more about GOWALLA, click here!
For more info on Andrew Andrew (and their Potato Salad Tour across America)…click here!
UPDATE:

• Gowalla seems to have some kinks in their “Add Friends” functionality.  It’s really limiting to only be able to add friends from Twitter & FB.
• I AM liking the “Tips” functionality on Foursquare a lot.  Nice to know what others have to say and recommend about a certain location.
• LOVING Foursquare’s new GPS-based Perks.  If you’re the mayor of a certain location, you could be eligible for a freebie or a discount!
• For the time being: I’m using both programs simultaneously.  We’ll see where we net out.   Over & out.

My love/hate relationship with my iPhone continues.
I think for functionality and performance, the Blackberry tends to win.  It’s a reliable email device, great battery performance, and overall work horse.  But let’s face it: the iPhone is one sexy MoFo with Apps to accessorize your every whim and desire.
One of the things that I sorely miss from my Blackberry is the Blackberry Instant Messenger function, or “BBIM”.  It allows Blackberry-to-Blackberry IM, without incurring any SMS charges.  I’d love to have a similar IM function between iPhones.
Enter the WhatsApp  FREEE iPhone App!  This is the official description:

“WhatsApp is an iPhone-2-iPhone messenger and a smarter Address Book for your Smartphone. Thanks to the status feature, you and your friends will always know what’s up and how to best get in touch. And now, with iPhone Push Notifications, WhatsApp can even let you know when your contact’s status changes and what they are up to.”

In Real Girl terms: a smarter, more intuitive form of a BBIM.

• Push Notifications for new IMs:  Simple. Stupid. Done.
  • 
• Status updates: Similar to AOL IM, you can assign a “status” to your name.  It seems these days, everyone wants to get in on the Twitter phenomenon, so I’m noticing this “status” action across several different types of applications.
  • 
• Integration with Address Book:
  • 

Of course, the one catch is: other iPhone users must download the App in order to use it – unlike the BBIM, which comes standard on every device.
One WISH:  We’ll be able to use this application as an iPhone-to-iPhone-OR-Blackberry Messenger.    According to the WhatsApp people, it’s something they’re working on!
In the meantime, iPhone users rejoice!
Download WhatsApp here!
For more information about WhatsApp, click here.

I have an iPhone for my personal cell phone – I have a love/hate relationship with it.  But for my job, I still carry around a Blackberry.
To me, the Blackberry is like the smart, over-qualified, un-cool kid, trying to catch up to the popularity of the iPhone.  The Screech to the Zach Morris.  But for reliability, durability and for business – the Blackberry wins in my book.
In an effort to get ready for NYFW, I recently upgraded my device with T-Mobile to the Curve 8520 Frost.
(I’m a sucker for anything white.)
When I unboxed it, I was AMAZED to see all the new “upgrades”:

• All the sidekeys are completely covered, resulting in a sleeker, aerodynamic design.  Also, no more dirt getting stuck in the nooks.  Even the battery cover was streamlined.

• Screen is smooth, the menu keys are FLUSH, but give a satisfying “click” feeling when you press them.

• Keyboard is easy to use – keys are firm, plastic – but elevated & angled so they are easy to press.

• TRACKPAD: Where the clickety old trackball once was, NOW is a TRACKPAD.  Any old Blackberry Users will tell you that the old Trackball had a very LIMITED LIFE before it got stuck or stopped working altogether.

• This new Trackpad is MAGICAL.  It’s basically works like a motion sensor – you just glide your finger across the surface and the “cursor” moves.  Then you can click down on it to “enter”.

• It instantly reminded me of a sleeker, stealthier version of the ole Koala Pad (remember those?):

Overall: very impressed with these upgrades!  Looking forward to using my new BB device backstage during NYFW!!

I’ve been wondering why the Facebook iPhone app hadn’t had an udpate in a while.
This morning, @armano wised me up to the new Facebook iPhone App 3.0 Update.  VERY impressed with the new layout and functionalities!
←menu layout
First off, the menu layout is very iPhone icon-esque. You also have Notifications on the bottom of the page, just like regular FB.
You also notice the “+” button on the top left. It allows you to “favorite” any FB Friend or Fan Page, and creates an icon on the second screen, for easy access:
←genial!!
One FB function yet missing from the iPhone version was the “Like” function. No more!  They have seamlessy incorporated the “Like” across various platforms:
←on the News Feed
←When you click on an update, you can now opt to “Like” it, as well as leave a comment!
←Photos as well!
Another très cool function is under your Friend List: it now displays a phone icon next to those Friends who have a listed phone number. When you tap on it, it give you a “Mobile” or “SMS” option to directly contact that Friend!

Other great updates:

• Events > Birthdays: shows list of birthdays in chronological order

• Inbox: now has option to see Inbox, Sent AND Updates

• Photos: ability to snap a picture an add to a photo to an existing album, or create a new album.

• Notes: ability to write new notes from iPhone

• Friends > Pages: has a “Pages” tab under Friends for Fan & Group Page easy access

• URLs open up within the iApp.

Overall, extremely impressed with this update.  Very much worth the wait – kudos to Facebook.
One thing I’d love to see added: the Post a Link/Video function.  I usually post a link to my blog posts on my personal FB Page, and I’d love to be able to do that from my iPhone.
But all-in-all: VERY impressed with the new update!  All you iPhone users, go ‘head and download the new Facebook 3.0 Update!

I love sharing information.  Thus the blog, Twitter, Facebook and all the other various means of personal transparency that I subscribe to.  But in the past few years, I’ve been afflicted by a phenomenon that I like to call: “Friend Back Home”.
FBH Syndrome is when you have a friend or acquaintance who embarks on a wild, fantastic adventure abroad, and you are left behind in your regular life.  But perhaps in an effort to share their adentures with those less fortunate, they somehow find time to get to a computer to chronicle every minute of their life-changing, exotic experiences.
Here’s my thing:  I didn’t receive a subscription request to your Vacation Diary.  

It doesn’t mean we’re not friendly, or I’m not interested in sitting through a photo album or listening to some funny stories over drinks.  But I didn’t ASK to be on the distribution list for details of your every waking moment and musing.
If you want to share, set up a Tumblr page or a blog.  It’s free.  And if I feel so inclined, I will peruse your life abroad at my leisure.
QUESTION: Is there a TACTFUL way of asking someone to take you OFF the distribution list?  Here’s an added dimension of dilemna: this is happening on Facebook!  So I can’t just “Reply to Sender”.  When it’s a mass e-mail, it’s “Reply All” or nothing!!
My current bout of FBH Syndrome involves a mutual friend’s ex girlfriend.  I’ve met her MAYBE 5 times.  But suddenly, I’ve been inducted into her distribution list.
On one hand, I don’t want to show public disdain for her updates.  But on the other hand, I don’t really know you, and so I don’t really care.  
QUESTION: is it even worth the energy to message her directly and ask her NOT to send me any more messages?  Or is that too rude?  Or should I just eat it and accept that I’ll be deleting an average of 5 e-mails each week?

Thanks to everyone who weighed in on my Canon vs. Nikon debate a few weeks ago.  After much deliberation, I opted to go with the Canon Powershot 12.1 Megapixel Digital Elph Camera:
(ain’t she PURDY?!)
Many things weighed in on my decision:

• Size: this baby is about 2.1″ tall, 3.4″ wide, and only 0.7″ deep.  It’s TINY and optimal for purse storage.

• 12 megapixels!!!  A small but mighty device.

• HD Video capability:  I’ve been wanting to shoot more “at-home” videos for my music.  I’m honestly not sure that I’ll use this HD feature TOO much, but a part of me likes knowing it’s there, should I want it.

• Beautiful matte black finish.

• 2.5″ LCD screen in the back.

I’m hoping to take this sucka for a test run soon.  I have to hit up Best Buy to get an 8MB memory card and a case first!
Thanks again for all the feedback and advice.  Also thanks to @williamyan for helping me make this final choice!
xx,
hp

This is a timeless debate that I can NEVER decide on.
NIKON or CANON Digital Camera?
Here’s my deliberation: I’m a purist – with music, food, books, authenticity, etc. I love photography in the old school way: FILM (gasp!). I was recently at a friend’s wedding and brought my old manuals out and their photographer came up to me and was like, “Gee, haven’t heard the sound of film advance in years.” So sad.
Being a purist, naturally I’m inclined to want to go with a Nikon.  But clearly, Canon has been the digital staple.
Anyhow, I am in desperate need of a digital camera. I’m debating between a Nikon and a Canon. Specifically:
Nikon Coolpix P5100 12.1MP Digital Camera with 3.5x Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom
OR
Canon Powershot SX110IS 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.
OR:

NIKON Points:

• PRO: It’s an iconic photography brand.  They have been the industry standard for years.
• PRO:  Quality lense
• CON:  I had an earlier iteration of a  Nikon Coolpix and it was TERRIBLE.  Main issue – the reaction speed in-between shots moved at a glacial pace.  I’m hesitant to trust that this has changed…though it’s been a few years.

CANON Points:

• PRO:  Canon has seemingly proved itself to be the iconic brand in digital photography
• PRO:  comes recommended by many
• PRO/CON:  I also owned a Canon in a previous life and it was a great camera, though it broke down after only a few months use.

Can anyone help me decide?  Although I’m an able-minded adult, peer pressure still bears considerable weight in my decision-making!!!