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TUAW's Best of 2012 Personal Picks: Randy Nelson
2012 was the first year I can remember where I didn't make a single new hardware or accessory purchase. Software, though, was another story. If there was a notable iOS app released this year, chances are good that I have it -- and I've made a list of favorites to share with you. I'm also an avid gamer (and a pretty discerning one, at that) so you'll find my absolute top iOS titles among my picks. Google Maps (Free) Seeing as my car's built-in navigation system decided to bite the dust this year, the ability to use my iPhone as a suitable replacement skyrocketed in importance. Apple's Maps in iOS 6 was adequate, but since I still have an iPhone 4, that meant turn-by-turn directions were out of the question. Enter Google Maps, which not only provides turn-by-turn guidance that's better than my now-deceased dedicated navigation system, but one-ups Apple Maps in every respect. I really can't get over how complete it is -- and still totally free. Fantastical (US$3.99) I'm trying to be a more organized individual heading into 2013, and part of that is making sure I keep a good schedule. My iPhone's pre-installed Calendar app is certainly adequate, but I really wanted something that gave me a way to see what's on my plate at a glance, and made it easier to add new items. Fantastical takes care of both these needs with aplomb. Its natural language event entry is a snap and its day ticker view is ingenious. You might even say the app is fantastic. Clear ($0.99 for a limited time) If I need notifications for important to-do items, I stick with Reminders. But if I just want to jot down a quick list of groceries or components I need, Clear really is the perfect app. It's entirely gesture-based and a breeze to use. It's also easy to read at a glance, so I can hopefully keep from running into obstacles and people while using it at the store. Note that I said "hopefully." Tweetbot for Mac ($19.99) There was a lot of fuss around pricing a Twitter client at $20 when the Mac version of Tweetbot launched, but as someone who's used it ever since I can honestly say the premium is more than worth it. Tweetbot is the slickest Twitter app I've ever encountered on any platform, and possesses all the functionality I could need. If you've been on the fence about this one, I really don't think you'll be disappointed if you commit. The Walking Dead: The Game (episode one free for a limited time) Created by the adventure game mavens at Telltale Games, The Walking Dead is a five-part episodic video game treatment of Robert Kirkman's zombie-filled comic book series (which is probably best known as a hit show on AMC). As someone who plays a lot of games, and is a huge fan of the adventure genre, there's not much that surprises me -- but The Walking Dead did. In addition to just offering a great story and compelling characters, the series actually gives the many difficult choices you have to make lasting consequences. There are surprises around every corner, and it tugs at your heartstrings like no other title released this year. Dream of Pixels ($0.99 for a limited time) I'm a big fan of puzzle games, especially those that are easy to pop into while I'm out and about waiting in lines or taking a train. Dream of Pixels fits that bill perfectly, as an inverted take on Tetris where you have to remove shapes from a pre-existing wall moving down the screen. It's a simple title, but one I found myself getting engrossed in time and time again. It was the cause of many a "Sir? Sir? Sir, may I take your order?" moments this year. Rayman Jungle Run ($2.99) Endless running games are a dime a dozen on iOS, but Rayman Jungle Run isn't really like the rest of them. The best way I can describe it is a traditional platformer where you don't have to worry about moving your character. The game does the running for you, but you still need to be pretty adept at leaping across chasms and timing every move just right. The levels are designed to offer a perfect degree of challenge and the visuals look good enough to eat. Just trust me when I say that you don't want to be seen licking your iPhone's screen in public, especially at places you frequent.
TUAW's Best of 2012 Personal Picks: Mike Wehner
I buy a lot of stuff I probably don't need. But while that leaves my bank account bare for long stretches of time, it also means it's easy for me to pick out items that truly stand out from the rest. This is my first personal pick list for TUAW, having joined the team just a couple of months ago, but I have several items that I just can't get through a day without, so let's begin! iPhone 5 (starting at $199 with contract) I have a nasty secret to share with you all: I really, really wanted Apple to reveal an all-new iPhone at the end of 2011. So much so that I started to buy into all the loosely-sourced rumors that the iPhone 5 would debut before 2012, complete with the new, larger screen that I wanted so badly. When the iPhone 4S was announced, I was impressed with its functionality, but still a bit disappointed that my iPhone 4 wouldn't be replaced by a larger device. So I did the unthinkable: I purchased the Galaxy S III as soon as it became available. When the phone of my dreams -- the iPhone 5 -- finally became a reality, I simply couldn't stop myself from returning to the iPhone pool, and I'm glad I did. The iPhone 5 is the finest smartphone I've ever owned, and despite being dwarfed by Samsung's best offering in terms of screen size, the fit and finish of Apple's newest iPhone just can't be topped. Of course, if you're on this site already, you probably don't need me to tell you that the iPhone 5 is the cream of the crop, but when it comes to my own purchases in 2012, it's the last thing I'd be willing to part with. Mid 2012 13" MacBook Air (starting at $1199) I've wanted a MacBook Air for a while now, but in 2012 I finally got the chance to own one myself. If you've never used one, it's difficult to explain just how much faster things move on a notebook without a disc-based storage drive. You click and it happens instantly. There's really no going back. But that's only one of the reasons why I adore the Air so much and the rest of the list includes what you might expect from an Apple product, like the notebook's extremely sturdy construction, remarkably thin design, and impressive battery life. Targus Backup Batter for iPad ($60) There are few things that upset me more than having a gadget die when on a trip or in any other situation where I can't immediately recharge it. The Targus Backup Battery for iPad has pulled its weight for me on many occasions, and during long flights it has become an inseparable part of my carry-on gear. The company has a few different backup battery offerings, including ones marketed specifically at smartphone users, but the iPad version is all you'll really need. You can recharge just about anything with it, and I've gotten several full charges for my iPhone 5 out of a single fully-charged Targus unit. Simply outstanding. Fellowes Designer Suites Laptop Arm ($130) As someone who spends his workdays from the comfort (and endless clutter) of a home office, finding organization and productivity solutions isn't as easy as it was when I worked in an actual office. I can't just call and IT or maintenance guy anymore; I have to find what works through trial and error. With my acquisition of a new 2012 MacBook Air earlier in the year, I started looking at various laptop stands and other options that would allow me to use it as an easily-accessible 3rd (or 4th) screen. The Fellowes Laptop Arm is exactly what I needed, and its simple design and sturdy construction are commendable. Add extra touches like a cord organizer and foam grips that don't scratch my new aluminum notebook, and it simply can't be beat. Antec Bias Lighting kit ($13) I get headaches. I get headaches a lot. So, when I get a skull-splitting pain in my brain after sitting at my desk for 10 hours, it's pretty clear that my eyes -- and their torrid relationship with my LCD monitors -- are to blame. To give my peepers a bit of relief, I decided to try out bias lighting. For those of you unacquainted with the concept, bias lighting is the idea that by lighting the wall behind your monitor, your eyes will be less likely to cry foul when staring at them for hours on end. Antec's Bias Lighting kit consists of 6 reasonably bright LEDs on a long adhesive strip. The strip is powered via a USB port, so it's always on when your computer is up and running. I have three of these strips currently in use: One on the back of each of my 24" ASUS monitors, and a third running along the back of my desk, just for good measure. I still get the occasional eye-strain pain after particularly lengthy writing sessions, but I can safely say that my intake of Excedrin has dropped considerably since installing them. If you get computer-related headaches, it's easily worth the price to see if bias lighting works for you. Munitio Nines earphones ($169) Munitio makes high-quality earbuds that you probably won't find at your local discount electronics outlet. The company's "Nines" line is its top-tier offering, and they're totally worth it. I had my Nines for about six months now, and they've gone everywhere with me. In fact, they've even gone some places where other earbuds would have met their demise, including my washing machine, a glass of Sprite, and my cat's jaws. I won't explain how each of those events occurred, but the important part is that they are just as loud and clear as the day I got them. They might be the last pair of earbuds you ever buy. iPhone and iPad apps I use every single one of these almost every day: Angry Birds Star Wars, Amazing Breaker, Bad Piggies, Flick Home Run, TwitchTV, Puffin Web Browser, Starbucks, Letterpress, and TurboScan.
The Daily Grind: What's your MMO of the year?
You've all heard Massively's (somewhat contradictory) opinions on the best MMOs of 2012, and some of you wanted a chance to chime in on the top awards, even though the results of polls can be... somewhat dubious (see image above from a few years back -- and also raise your hand if you've never even heard of like half of those). So let's test the theory that community polling is worthless and do some informal best-of polls anyway! Remember, the games and expansions you're voting on had to have been released in 2012 (that means Star Wars: The Old Republic is more or less out for having launched at the tail end of 2011, but if you want to write it in anyway, that's OK too -- we did for our awards too, after all). We don't really have room for every game in the poll, so feel free to do write-ins at the end and then tell us why you voted the way you did.
TUAW's Best of 2012 Personal Picks: Michael Grothaus, and the year that wasn't
In my opinion, 2012 was a lackluster year for the Apple ecosystem and the tech sector as a whole. Smartphones are now ubiquitous and this is the year the tablet hit mainstream adoption. While those are both good things, the whole touch computing world is now five years old and innovation and excitement seems to be taking a back seat to more of the same old-same old. 2012 brought us more Instagram clones, more Angry Birds knock-offs, and an endless array of people asking me to review their Kickstarter projects. I remember a world pre-2012 when developers and accessory makers would ask me to review real, finished products. Even the self-righteous outrage in the tech media about Twitter's third-party client TOS changes that brought about the (horribly named) App.net attracted only the geekiest of the tech world. After all, how is a Twitter knockoff that charges annual subscription fees going to gain mass adoption among users in the non-techie world? Before I depress people more about the state of tech in 2012, let's talk about a few bright spots. Yes, most of these were because I need to pick something that says "this was good" -- that's why my category choices are a bit generic. Hopefully 2013 will be a more exciting year for tech. Best iOS device: iPhone 5 This year we saw the iPad 3, the iPad 4, the iPad mini, and the new iPod touch in addition to the iPhone 5. That's a lot of new iOS devices in one year. And while the iPad mini deserves praise for its design and lightness, the best iOS device of the year is the iPhone 5. Its thin profile, look and feel, and that extra bit of screen space turned an aging design into something sleek and sexy again. I never thought adding just a half-inch (diagonally) of space to the screen would change the user experience that much, but it did. Matter of fact, that half-inch is just enough that I do most of my web browsing on my iPhone now instead of my iPad. Best Mac: MacBook Pro with Retina display Apple had two major Mac product launches this year: MacBook Pros with Retina displays and the new optical drive-less iMacs. While the new iMacs are sleek and beautiful, the best Mac award goes to the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display. Why the 15-inch and not the 13-inch? Because the 15-inch is actually a little thinner than the 13-inch. Also, as my office is mobile, I prefer to carry the largest screen around with me that I can. For me, working in Word or Pages on a 15-inch screen is leaps and bounds better than working on a 13-inch screen. And, as with the iPhone and iPad before it, once you use a Retina display, it's hard to work on anything non-Retina. Best iOS game: The Walking Dead This is the one thing on my list that is truly a bright and shining example of a standout product in 2012. Yeah, there were tens of thousands of new iOS games this year, so why pick The Walking Dead? Because it brought back my faith that video games could be used to convey emotional, gripping stories. And that's where this game succeeds wildly. The entire team at Telltale Games deserves props for game play, art direction, and everything else that goes into making a game. However, it's the writers that deserve a standing ovation. The best video games on any platform (almost like a good book) are the ones that can get the reader emotionally attached to the characters. More than that, the best games (again, like the best books) are the ones that let us peek into the human condition and tell us something about the world around us -- and ourselves. And yes, the game is set in a world where zombies walk the earth, but that in no way implies that the story is not compelling or relevant. The world of iOS gaming is primarily dominated by "casual" games. They're games like Doodle Jump and Angry Birds (both fun games, mind you) that we play when we have five minutes to kill while on the train or waiting for an appointment. Games with complex, gripping stories are a rarity outside of the console world. That's why The Walking Dead is such an outstanding game. If you haven't played it, grab it this week while the first episode is free. The game is normally $4.99 for the first episode and $4.99 for each additional episode (or $14.99 if you buy the remaining episodes at once). There are five episodes in total and, once completed, they form a compelling story. Also keep in mind that The Walking Dead game is based on the comic book universe and not the TV series; however, players can enjoy the game without familiarity with either series. Best iOS app: Google Maps Enough has been said about Apple Maps this year. It was a huge mess that led to the firing of at least two senior executives at Apple and was a rare major failing on the company's part. Sure, Apple will keep building on its maps, and sometime in the future the company's back-end database may be adequate for most users. In the meantime, users are flocking to Google Maps via the new dedicated iOS app. In less than 48 hours there were over 10 million downloads of the app; while it wasn't out in time to be included in Apple's "Most downloaded apps" lists this year, something tells me that in its three short weeks of 2012 downloads, it may end up as the most downloaded app of the year. Besides being a wonderfully designed app with vector maps and turn-by-turn directions -- and an incredible POI database and search features -- I love the Google Maps app so much because it let me come back to the iPhone. I was finally able to buy that iPhone 5 I wanted so much, rather than bailing out to a Samsung phone. Best reader: The paperback I read a lot. My pace is about one book a week. This year I gave iBooks a real shot, having bought ten books through the iBookstore. And while the iPad's Retina display made ebooks much more pleasurable to read, the iPad is still too heavy and distracting to use as a dedicated e-reader. I also gave the new Kindle a shot. Again, nice, but for me it doesn't compare to a printed book. The only e-reader I found that I liked (primarily due to its size) was the Txtr Beagle, which I reviewed for The Guardian. However, that e-reader won't be out anywhere until next year, and in the US even later than in Europe, so I can't recommend it yet (not to mention I played with a prototype). 2012 saw e-readers move in the right direction, but for now the old-fashioned paperback book still rules. I wish picking the winners of tech in 2012 had been more work, with a larger pool of contenders to sort through. There just weren't. While I feel my choices (particularly The Walking Dead) are all bright spots, here's hoping 2013 brings much more than 2012 did.
TUAW's Best of 2012 Personal Picks: Megan Lavey-Heaton
Now that Christmas rush is over, you might find that you have some extra cash or gift cards to spend. Or, you might have a new Apple device, and find yourself looking for good recommendations on software or accessories. These are some of my favorites in 2012, in no particular order. mophie juice pack (starting at $79.95) I picked up a mophie juice pack on Amazon in January to use as a battery backup while at Macworld | iWorld, but it's become my full-time case. The amount of battery life I've gotten out of my iPhone has been amazing with the mophie. I was able to use my 4S for a full 12 hours of shooting video, photos and sending over 3G in New York City in April thanks to the juice pack. It's helped my 4S survive being dropped a number of times. It's not just a good battery case, it's just a fantastic overall case. A big reason I haven't upgraded to the iPhone 5 is that there isn't a mophie case for it yet. [The demand for iPhone 5 power cases isn't lost on the company; there's an ongoing giveaway of five portable powerstation external batteries every day until the new juice pack models ship. –Ed.] iPad mini (starting at US $329) Like Kelly H., I love the portability and ease of this iPad, especially while doing other tasks. As I admitted in my review, I wasn't sure how I would get along with the mini at first. But the size quickly won me over, and I use it constantly as a second screen or instead of my laptop. While the price is still a little high, expect to see some refurbished iPad minis pop up on the Apple Store within the next few months. Belkin Classic Tab Cover with Stand ($29.99) I'm not a fan of the Smart Cover for the iPad mini. It's too expensive for what it delivers. After trying out several cases, the first one I settled with was the Belkin Classic Tab. It's readily available in most places you can buy the mini and is a pretty good stand. While the BookBook for iPad mini is replacing the Belkin in my affections, it's still a great cover to start out with. I just wish it came in other colors besides black, pink and purple. Jot Pro ($29.99) and Remarks ($4.99) I tested the Jot Pro stylus at Macworld | iWorld 2012 and loved it. It has the feel of a regular pen, and I use it if I'm taking notes on my iPad. Paired with Readdle's Remarks app, it's turned my iPad into the portable notebook I've always wanted it to be. I've done everything from mark up PDFs at work to writing comic scripts. Surprisingly, I have yet to lose the tip on the Jot Pro. It popped off a couple weeks ago, but I was able to easily put it back on. Rdio (free with ads, plans start at $4.99 a month) I used Spotify through the latter part of 2011, but after my husband moved here from the United Kingdom, Rdio's family plan became a big draw. I also like Rdio's Mac and iOS apps much better than Spotify, and the music selection is just as good. Rdio also can be used through a web browser, which makes it easy to listen to at work if I don't want to pull out my iPad or iPhone. Flickr (free), Snapseed (free), Camera+ ($.99) These are all my go-to apps for image processing and editing on the iPhone, plus sharing afterward. Even though iPhoto for iOS does have its own strengths, I vastly prefer the ease of Snapseed and the features of Camera+, though the I also love the new panorama feature in the built-in Camera app in iOS 6. If you're looking for a good guide on how to tone photos using Snapseed, check out this one by Peachpit's Jeff Carlson. Flickr is a late addition the line-up, but it's replaced Instagram for photo sharing among several networks at once. The one thing about it that bugs me is that the captions don't go along with it, so I have to go to Facebook and Tumblr to fill those out after. Nikon D3100 ($476.95 on Amazon) and Aperture ($79.99) I finally made the leap to a DSLR earlier this year, going with the now sub-$500 Nikon. The included kit lens is decent, and the battery life is excellent on the camera. I decided to upgrade from iPhoto to a professional photo processing tool that could easily handle the increased number of images I was taking thanks to the new camera. After trying Lightroom and enjoying ACDSee Pro 2, I found myself going back to Aperture. It's the best software you can get for the price, and the more that I use Aperture, the more I love it. I wish Apple would bring back the 30-day free trial for the app. Plex Media Server, Plex for iOS ($4.99) and Apple TV ($99) Plex has been amazing. The media server is installed on every computer (Mac and Linux) in this household, and the mobile app is on both our tablets and smartphones. Our Internet-capable TV can even connect to Plex through the network. It's been essential as we've dropped cable, and used streaming media to catch up on current TV shows, season passes in iTunes, and ripping our DVD collection to store digitally. With Plex for iOS, we can access our media libraries from outside of the apartment. Sadly, thanks to Apple's FairPlay DRM, we can't watch the TV shows purchased in iTunes or play music that hadn't been upgraded to DRM-free tracks through Plex. But, we can quickly see what we do or do not have if we're out and considering a purchase. Likewise, we can bring up our photos no matter where we're at, even ones in Aperture. Apple TV allows the streaming of iTunes content that Plex can't play.
TUAW's Best of 2012 Personal Picks: Mike Schramm
2012 was one heck of a year for me -- I released my first iPhone app, went to Europe for the first time, spoke at the 360iDev convention in Denver, and spent most of the latter half of the year traveling around the country talking to iOS developers about the App Store, the company that runs it, and where both are headed. I've played with hundreds (if not thousands) of apps this year, and covered almost one every day for our daily app feature. So I've used plenty of great Apple and Apple-related products this year, and here are my picks of the best. Puzzle Craft (Free for iPhone and iPad) I've played (and loved) a whole lot of games from the App Store this year, but Puzzle Craft stands above them all as my favorite of the bunch. It's extremely well-designed, beautifully polished, and it has both a very simple and accessible game mechanic (similar to, if not borrowed from, iOS' great Dungeon Raid) and a very complex and deeply addictive progression system behind it. The story is mostly nonexistent, and I am a little disappointed the developers haven't followed up the app's success with any more content just yet. But especially for what is now a free game, there isn't a title that I loved more or played as much of on the App Store this year. I don't beat iOS games often, just because there are so many of them to play, but I leveled up to the max in Puzzle Craft, and then kept on playing. Puzzlejuice ($1.99 for iPhone and iPad) All right, so I've got a type -- you can tell by the word "puzzle" in two of my favorite games this year. But it's true: There's nothing I love more than an endlessly intriguing puzzle game, and Puzzlejuice gets this nod because in a year of less-than-special word games, it's the only one that really brought me back to keep spelling, over and over again. I do love the game's bro-ish voice (you don't just quit a session, you "rage quit"), and seeing behind the scenes of development in the Puzzlejuice emails was fascinating for me. But this is just a great, wonderful game, from design to gameplay to the various powerups and everything in between. Among word games (a genre which I'm tiring of, at this point), it's the B-E-S-T. Fairway Solitaire ($.99 for iPhone, $2.99 for iPad) I didn't think that Fairway Solitaire rolled onto the App Store this year, but I'm told that it did, and 2012 was definitely the year in which I played the most of it. Developer Big Fish Games made its name by cranking out casual titles on PC, and this has been its first big hit on the App Store (which it's followed up with a solid set of updates and content releases since around May). Like the other games on my list, Fairway Solitaire takes a fairly mindless mechanic (card solitaire), and makes it much more interesting with various other power-ups and game tricks. And a huge amount of unlocked content (not to mention the hilariously absurd golf commentary jokes) has kept this one popping up on my iPad's screen again and again. Kingdom Rush (free for iPhone and iPad) Like word games, tower defense is a genre that's overdone on the App Store at this point -- there are a billion tower defense games out there, and there are only a few that do anything really interesting with the genre. The just-released Anomaly Korea is a great example of really switching tower defense up, but Kingdom Rush is the best traditional example that I've come across this year. The combination of colorful graphics and deep strategy (complete with a fully unlockable talent tree) hit the target perfectly, and elevate a much-traveled genre to reveal the reason why it's so popular in the first place. I'm not a big tower defense fan, but I love Kingdom Rush (especially on the iPad), and that right there is enough reason to recommend it. Runmeter 5k ($4.99 on the iPhone) It's hard to describe just how helpful this app has been for me -- I used it every day for about three months earlier this year, training up to my very first half marathon. Runmeter was already a great app, but the 5k variant (which included actual 5k, half marathon, and full marathon training plans in the app itself) served as the perfect coach for me, providing direction, feedback, and even some motivation as I worked my way through a running plan. The GPS is so well implemented, the app tracks so many things effortlessly, and little fun bits like changing the app's alert voice or tweeting from the app (and reading you back replies as you run) make it clear that if you exercise with an iPhone or iPod touch, you should really have this app with you. The amount of features Abvio has crammed into this app is really staggering when you start to explore them, and for my money, there's no better running app or fitness system out there. Slacker Radio (free with ads, extra charge for subscription) There are obviously a number of cloud music services out there at this point, but Slacker Radio has muscled its way past the others in my view, to the point where I listen to it almost more than any podcasts or even my own music collection. Especially with a subscription, Slacker can seem like magic all too often: Just type in a song or artist, hit play, and you get to listen to exactly what you want. The curated stations are well-designed by professional music pickers, and there are even non-music stations that talk sports, news, or comedy when you're in the mood for that. There are a few holes in the library (mostly obscure songs that I really want to hear but aren't available due to royalty issues), and of course you need to be connected to the Internet to listen (which made this a no-go during most of my trip to Europe, unfortunately). But in the car, out running, or just sitting at my desk, Slacker's been an almost constant companion this year, and I've been glad to have it. iCade Mobile gamepad ($80, available now) Steve Jobs famously told us that we didn't need more than one button on his iOS devices, but we gamers know that sometimes, buttons come in handy. The flat glass of the touchscreen just doesn't fly in terms of precision or responsiveness in some games. And while there are a lot of bad Bluetooth-based game controllers out there, my favorite this year was the iCade mobile, a huge contraption modeled after the Sony PSP, which you can clip your iPhone into and then button away to your heart's content. It's not stylish or tiny by any account, and it probably won't fit into your pocket along with your iPhone (the ThinkGeek 8-bitty is probably more your style, if that's what you're looking for, though get ready for muscle cramps after just a few minutes). But it is durable and dependable, and it feels more like a controller than anything else I tried this year. Yes, $80 is expensive, but if you're going to bypass Steve's wishes for your own gaming enjoyment, you'll have to pay the price. iPad (from $499) I bought my iPad back at the end of 2011, but 2012 was the year of the tablet for me for sure. Before I bought my iPad, I was one of those who believed I just didn't need it -- my iPhone 5 is awesome, and I have a MacBook for all of my portable computing needs. Why would I need another computer in between those two? But over the course of this year, my iPad has become more and more helpful, and not necessarily in the places I've expected it. In truth, it's not a portable computer for me. I can move it around, but it's been much more of a homebody than I ever expected: I still probably take my laptop out of the house more often than I take my iPad. But it has definitely become my device of choice for more than a few of my favorite pastimes, including browsing the Internet, gaming, and reading. I've never been more productive while in bed: Every night I read a few chapters of my book of choice (I've read so many books this year!), and every morning, I grab it off the nightstand to check email and preload the day's news. And it's a second screen for me while watching TV or movies on the couch for sure -- I look up game hints while playing Xbox, browse IMDb when I want to know who that actor is that I recognize from that movie, and play great games on it, brilliantly made for a bigger touchscreen. In short, my iPad has carved a way bigger place than I expected into both my workflow and my free time this past year. I don't know that I couldn't live without it (although I wouldn't want to go back to reading without it), so it's still a supplementary device, aside from the great iPad-only game experiences. But 2012 was definitely the year of the iPad for me, the turning point at which I realized just how important and useful the tablet form factor could be.
TUAW Best of 2012 Nominations: Mac
It's time for the TUAW Best of 2012 awards, and we need your nominations for the best Mac products of the year. The nominations will be open for one week, after which time we'll compile the results and have readers vote for the winners. To make your nomination, please use the following form. Only one entry per reader, please! Developers or manufacturers who appear to be "astroturfing" the nominations will have their products disqualified from the TUAW Best of 2012 awards. Have fun thinking about your favorite Mac experiences of 2012! We'll start the voting for the TUAW Best of 2012 Awards soon. UPDATE: NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. Loading...
TUAW's Best of 2012 Personal Picks: Steve Sande
While I'm busy running the TUAW Best of 2012 nominations and voting process (voting starts soon!), I have a few favorites that I wanted to pass along as my personal Best of 2012. These picks don't follow any particular order and they're definitely not following the categories that we've set up for the TUAW Best of 2012. Best Desktop Mac: The new 27" iMac. With a 1 TB Fusion Drive, 16 GB of RAM (so far) and a blazing 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU plus a less reflective display, this was my favorite purchase of the year. Best iPhone: The iPhone 5. Sure, I really didn't need one this year, and I probably should have saved the money. But what an amazing phone! It's light, amazingly thin, fast, and the 4" screen is outstanding. On top of that, Siri seems to work quite a bit faster. Best iPhone and iPad Game: Without a doubt, it's Letterpress. Don't laugh, but while I'm writing this I'm also playing a game against "Harumph" of TUAW TV Live. Best iPhone, iPad and Mac Writing App: Day One. I love this app, since it lets me keep a daily journal wherever I happen to be. I've used all three versions to enter my "Dear Diary" entries, and they're always in sync. Universal iOS app is here, Mac app is here. One of the first things I plan to do in 2013 is to sit down and read my entries for the past year. Best iPhone Navigation App: Sorry, Google Maps, but I find Apple's much-maligned iOS 6 Maps app to be perfectly fine. I like the Siri integration, being able to say things like "Take me home" to get directions back to my house from somewhere else, or "When will I arrive at home?" to get an estimated time of arrival. Best iOS 6 Surprise: Hands-down, it's Passbook. I use it for airline boarding passes, Starbucks purchases, and movie tickets. I can't wait to see where Apple and third parties take Passbook in 2013. Best iPhone, iPad and Mac Browser: Google Chrome. It's fast, it syncs settings between platforms, and it just seems to work on everything for me. iPhone version's here, iPad is here, and Mac can be downloaded here. Best iPad stylus: It's a tie! I don't usually use a stylus unless I am attempting art, but when I do, I love both the Pogo Connect and the Sensu Brush. Best iPad Accessory: Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. Best Apple-related Books: Hey, I'd be remiss if I didn't put in a personal plug for two books written by me and my buddy Erica Sadun. Talking To Siri will soon be out in a second edition and enhanced edition, while Pitch Perfect is about to come out in an expanded version. Best Mac Utility: Reflector. I use this app to broadcast iPhone and iPad screens on TUAW TV Live, and it's also useful for capturing video for training purposes. It was excellent when it first came out and has been getting steadily better with each new release. That's just a random sampling of some of my favorite things from 2012. It was really a great year for both applications and accessories, with some real maturity coming to the iOS market. I can't wait to see what's in store for 2013. We'll start voting on the TUAW Best of 2012 soon, so keep your eyes open.
Daily iPad App: Green Kitchen offers healthy recipes in a great-looking app
Green Kitchen was just featured on Apple's best of 2012 list -- it's a really well-designed cooking app with a focus on healthy recipes. It's all based on the Green Kitchen Stories blog, so looking through the content over there will show you what the app is all about: Healthy, interesting food. It's not necessarily the more traditional staples, so if you just want a heads up on how to cook some simple items, you should probably look elsewhere (I personally really like the How to Cook Everything app if you want a more straightforward cooking experience). But the Green Kitchen app does have some good and interesting ideas, and everything is organized well. Once you choose a recipe (which you can find either in a list or by browsing through big pictures in the app itself), you get an interactive list of instructions that clearly guides you through each step of the recipe. And throughout the whole process, everything is very clean and smartly put together. The app's big drawback is that while it is fun to browse through big pictures of the recipes, if you're looking for something specific (like a certain dietary restriction or a central ingredient), you just have to drill down through the recipes in there. There aren't a lot of recipes, either, especially compared to bigger and older apps. But more are being added all the time, and again, this isn't a traditional cookbook: It's more a nice list of options when you want to try cooking something different. Green Kitchen is available in the App Store now for US$3.99.
TUAW's Best of 2012 Personal Picks: Victor Agreda, Jr.
It's the holiday shopping season and many of you are trying to find that perfect gift for the Apple owner in your life. Rather than a plain gift guide to help you navigate the sea of hardware, software and accessories, we decided to bring things down to a personal level and provide individual lists of TUAW's favorite gear. Each writer will share a list of the top items that we bought or used this year. Although I didn't review as many items as most of the TUAW crew, I managed to hit upon a few gems this year. Software 1Password (on sale for $7.99, more than 50% off) I simply wouldn't consider using a mobile device without 1Password. The best solution for keeping your passwords, account info and serial numbers in one place just got better this year with an update that means I no longer have to sit next to my Mac and use local WiFi to sync. After Dropbox, 1Password is the app I install on any new machine. PhotoSync ($1.99) I take an inordinate amount of screenshots, whether I'm complaining on Twitter or complaining here on TUAW. I used to email myself the photos, and Pastebot works well, but for moving pictures around in batches, PhotoSync has always impressed me with a good UI and rock-solid performance. If you need to send images from iDevice to Mac quickly and often (using WiFi iStopMotion (on sale now, $7.99-19.99) This year I decided to keep one of my old iPhones instead of selling it, just so I could set up iStopMotion on the iPhone as a remote, connecting wirelessly to my iPad or Mac. My son has already created a handful of stop motion animated short films, and he's hooked. This is the kind of thing I wish I'd had as a kid! iStopMotion is a magical sort of thing that makes stop motion easy and fun. Puppet Pals 2 (on sale, $4.99) I used to make animation using Director, and the "record" function was a lot of fun to get animation roughed out quickly. Puppet Pals 2 allows you to record the movement and audio using a set of puppets (you can add your own face to them) and settings. It's a lot of fun for kids, and I'm not afraid to say, too much fun for adults like myself. Slothcam (free-$.99) I've been using Slothcam for ages to peep webcams from around the world. For some reason seeing Times Square or Tokyo with an invocation of Dashboard made the world seem smaller. Slothcam is now available on Mac and iOS, and it's one of the better webcam apps out there. The browser app is a good bet if you like to add your own URLs. Naturespace (free, in-app purchase for more audio) Naturespace is a collection of soothing nature recordings set to loop for relaxtion and focus purposes. A recent update added support for the iPhone 5, but more importantly, added folders so you can easily organize your audio library. While Rondo is a cool 3D simulation for your iTunes songs, Naturespace recordings are actually recorded in 3D, with pristine quality, then carefully and seamlessly looped. There are dozens of the aural landscapes available via in-app purchases, and the quality is the best there is. Naturespace is one of my favorite apps ever, and I use it to meditate, go to sleep or just tune out distractions. Fantastical (currently on sale, $2.99-14.19) I've long needed the natural language input Google offers via its web calendar, and Fantastical adds this to all of my Apple products. Sure, Siri will add events to my calendar, but Fantastical's design and ubiquity across devices (even those not supported by Siri) makes it a winner for me. Get it on Mac for the menu bar, and iOS for your iPhone. Clear (currently 50% off, $.99) For long term planning and some LaunchPad-based quick actions, I use OmniFocus regularly. Its sync has always worked flawlessly, and it is a powerhouse of planning tools. But when I need a quick punchlist, I don't need to build an atom bomb. Clear makes creating quick lists kinda fun, and using it to scratch things off the list is just as fun. Good design always wins in my book (not that OmniFocus is ugly, just burdened by an enormous feature set), and of all the basic "to do" apps out there, Clear wins handily. Passbook (free in iOS 6) I was as skeptical as anyone about Passbook, but as I wrote after launch, Passbook won me over. It's still got some flaws, like the ridiculous waste of time animation when shredding cards, and how every time I drive by Walgreen's I'm reminded that I can use my value card there, but I like this far better than the half-measures needed to get NFC working properly. Hardware Plugable 12-port USB 2.0 hub ($25.95) I gave up on desktop computers with my first generation Mac mini (which came with a whopping 256 MB of RAM, thanks Apple!), so when I use my MacBook Air for daily use I require a lot more than 2 measly USB ports. The Plugable hub is powered, easy to access, has a nifty blue glow (whoopdeedoo, why do they all do this?) and offers pretty speedy transfer rates, all things considered. It's small enough to pack if I ever need to carry it, too. Ballistic iPad case ($69.99) I reviewed this case and gave it two thumbs up. After trying a bunch of other cases, this is my favorite. For one thing, you can simply use the rubber part as a sort of cheap case, or for around the house protection. But when you want full protection the full case is really stout. I managed to break off the kickstand, but was able to snap it back in with some effort. If you use your iPad in public or it gets handled frequently, the Ballistic case is a great protection policy. Verizon iPad ($459-$659) In two years I've been with three Internet providers. Whenever Knology, AT&T or (now) Comcast fail me, trusty Verizon is there with a data plan that allows me to use the iPad as a hotspot. All this and I still have unlimited data with AT&T, so I can actually make FaceTime calls by using the iPad... Honestly the Verizon iPad is such a great piece of tech I hope, aside from battery and CPU updates, it never changes. The Verizon iPad mini also does in a pinch. Renew SleepClock ($129.95) My review on this is coming soon, but if you are interested in getting a better night's rest, the Renew SleepClock is for you. It monitors your sleep, tracking the time you spend in "deep" sleep (the good, restorative time). Over time it will recommend the optimal times to go to bed in order to wake up at the time you need. It's quite brilliant, and is another great example of consumer tech that improves our health and lives. Joule II ($109.99) While there are plenty of iPad stands out there, if you are serious about design you'll love the Joule II from Element Case. This sort of stand is expensive, but if you're adorning a boardroom, executive desk or just a trade show display, the Joule is precision engineered to be awesome. Other Simple While not technically an accessory, Simple's app is designed to be a functional component of your banking experience. Instead of designing the app as an afterthought, Simple aimed to build the app as a direct line to your account. I have been thoroughly impressed with Simple's service, not to mention the app. I even use the free "wallet" I was sent after starting an account. Sadly, Simple accounts are still invite-only, but when the service opens for everyone I think new customers will be pleasantly surprised by what an Apple-like banking experience can be. The venerable 1/8" audio port Yep, sometimes the analog ways are the best ways. I still love my analog ports, and I won't lie -- there are sometimes nefarious reasons for using them. Reasons like, I need a cable to be 20 feet long and not cost over $100 and not be a complete piece of garbage unless you order from just the right place on just the right day... Well, look, I'm talking about how much I hate HDMI as well, obviously. I appreciate the need for copy protection controls, but I will forever cherish the venerable "mini jack" audio port, which is one tech I actually grew up with still in use today. Think about that! If you're looking for an easy gift, get one of those cheap bullet speakers (also called pop-up speakers in some cases). No, they are not for the audiophile. Yes, they will be louder than the built-ins, so that's all they are for. Pop-up speakers are great for travelers, kids, or anyone who might need a slight bit of amplification around the house.
Massively's Best of 2012 Awards
When game obituaries and studio layoffs start to pile up in the news, Massively can seem like a herald of doom, but the reality is that the MMO industry is stronger and richer than ever. We've got more features to try, more business models to play with, more studios (and indie Kickstarters) to vie for our favor, and more titles to play than most of us could possibly sample in our lifetimes. Today, Massively's staff honors the best of the best for the year 2012. We asked each writer and streamer to vote in each category with an anything-goes nomination process. No MMO, company, or headline was off the table. Enjoy our picks for the best MMOs, expansions, studios, stories, and innovations of 2012... and our most-anticipated for 2013.
TUAW Best of 2012 Nominations: iPhone
It's time for the TUAW Best of 2012 awards, and we need your nominations for the best iPhone products of the year. Nominations are still open for iPad products, so if you haven't yet told us about your favorite products in a number of categories, you can still do so. The nominations will be open for one week, after which time we'll compile the results and have readers vote for the winners. To make your nomination, please use the following form. Only one entry per reader, please! Developers or manufacturers who appear to be "astroturfing" the nominations will have their products disqualified from the TUAW Best of 2012 awards. Things are a bit different from last year -- we have categories for both iPhone cases and iPhone accessories other than cases. Video and photo apps have their own categories, as well. Have fun thinking about your favorite iPhone experiences of 2012! Update: Nominations have been closed Loading...
Apple announces the App Store's Best of 2012
Apple has posted its top picks for the entire year of 2012 in the App Store, and you can browse through all of the choices right now. On the iPhone, Action Movie FX has picked up the App of the Year award, and Ubisoft's Rayman Jungle Run has earned game of the year, with music app Figure and social word game Letterpress picking up the runner up slots. Over on the iPad, FiftyThree's Paper has won app of the year, and the spooky The Room has earned game of the year, with Action Movie FX's iPad version and Tiger Style's great Waking Mars as runner-ups there. There are also a ton of great apps listed in other various categories, and Apple has also listed the top downloaded (Angry Birds Space has nailed both top spots in paid) and top grossing apps in each category. Obviously, with any list like this, there are some favorites missing (and if you want to see TUAW's choices, follow along with our own Best of 2012 coverage). But it's definitely been a great and busy year on the App Store, and Apple's collection is chock full of very well-done apps and games for sure.
TUAW TV Live: Steve's Top Picks of 2012
Today on TUAW TV Live, I'll be going through my favorite new items for 2012 and asking the chat room participants to jump in and add their opinions. Whether it's your favorite iPhone 5 case of the year or the best new Mac photo app you've had a chance to buy, it's time to talk about it on the show today. Below, you'll find a Ustream livestream viewer and a chat tool. The chat tool allows you to participate by asking questions or making comments. You'll be watching the show in glorious HD! If you're driving somewhere and would like to watch TUAW TV Live while you're stuck in traffic, please don't -- keep your eyes on the road! However, if someone else is doing the driving, you can watch the show on your iPhone and join the chat by downloading the free Ustream App. It's a universal app and is wonderful on an iPad, both for viewing and participating in the chat. You can join the chat in IRC if you'd like: server chat1.ustream.tv, chat room #tuaw-tv. In addition, the live stream and chat will be available through our Facebook page. Just point your browser here to watch the show and chat with other viewers while you're on Facebook. We'll start at about 5 PM ET, so if you're seeing a prerecorded show, be sure to refresh your browser until you see the live stream. For those of you who are not able to join us for the live edition, you'll be able to view it later this evening on our TUAW Video YouTube channel and as part of the TUAW TV Live podcast viewable in iTunes or on any of your Apple devices.
TUAW TV Live at 5 PM ET: Steve's Best of 2012 picks
Since we're almost halfway through December, it's time to start thinking about the past year and what new software and accessories really captured our attention. The TUAW Best of 2012 award nominations have begun and some of our bloggers have published their personal picks. Today on TUAW TV Live, I'll cover my favorites for the year in many of the categories in the Best of 2012 awards. As usual, I'll be starting the show at 5 PM EST (2 PM PST / 10 PM GMT) sharp, and we'll take a few minutes to chat before the demos start. To join in on the chat and watch the live streaming video, drop by TUAW about five minutes before the start time to get your instructions on how to participate. If you're unable to join us for the show, remember that you can always subscribe to the video podcast and watch the show at your leisure in iTunes or any other favorite podcatching app. The past shows are also available on the TUAW YouTube channel. The chat is on IRC: join us on server chat1.ustream.tv, chat room #tuaw-tv.
TUAW Best of 2012 Nominations: iPad
It's time for the TUAW Best of 2012 awards, and we need your nominations for the best iPad products of the year. The nominations will be open for one week, after which time we'll compile the results and have readers vote for the winners. To make your nomination, please use the following form. Only one entry per reader, please! Developers or manufacturers who appear to be "astroturfing" the nominations will have their products disqualified from the TUAW Best of 2012 awards. Things are a bit different from last year -- we have categories for both iPad cases and iPad accessories other than cases. Video and photo apps have their own categories, as well. Have fun thinking about your favorite iPad experiences of 2012! Update: Nominations have been closed Loading...
Time names Guild Wars 2 the top video game of 2012
What's the best video game of 2012? If you're Time magazine or are looking at the headline of this article, chances are you probably know the answer. Time's website counted down the year's top 10 video games, putting Guild Wars 2 at the top of the list. The author seems taken with the game's dynamic event system: "All those events and hundreds more play out in real-time -- with, as Bono would say, or without you -- lending Guild Wars 2 the feel of a living world, and the sort of compulsive anywhere-you-go playability other MMOs only dream of." Torchlight II also made it into the list at the number 10 spot, with the author saying that it delivered the same action-RPG rush of Diablo III at a third of the price.
TUAW's Best of 2012 Personal Picks: Kelly Hodgkins
It's the holiday shopping season and many of you are trying to find that perfect gift for the Apple owner in your life. Rather than a plain gift guide to help you navigate the sea of hardware, software and accessories, we decided to bring things down to a personal level and provide individual lists of TUAW's favorite gear. Each writer will share a list of the top items that we bought or used this year. I get to go first, so here is my list: iPad mini (starting at US$329) The iPad mini was criticized in early reviews because it has a non-Retina screen. Yes, I notice a small difference when I switch from the Retina iPad to the mini, but once I start using the mini, it's like any other iPad. I love the portability and the 4G LTE connectivity of the device. And for parents, the size and weight is just perfect for using while you are feeding a baby or holding a sleeping child. Belkin Dot Cover with Stand for the iPad Mini ($39) The iPad mini needs a case and after trying a few from Griffin and Logitech, I decided on the Belkin Dot folio case. It covers the edges of the iPad and gives it some protection in a fall. It also has a solid stand that lets you prop up your iPad mini on your desk. The outer material has a grippy feel, while the inner part is soft to the touch. Fourth-Generation iPad (starting at $499) Though it's not an upgrade that I would recommend for everyone, I did sell my iPad 3 on eBay and used that money to buy an iPad 4. I did this primarily for the Lightning port, so I would only have to travel with one charging cable. The improved performance of the fourth-generation model was an added benefit. ZAGGkeys PROfolio+ Keyboard Case Cover for iPad 2/3/4 I wanted a good keyboard case for my iPad 4 and my latest choice is Zagg's PROfolio + case. The keys on the keyboard are solid and the case has a nice rubber coating that makes it less slippery than leather and a bit more protective in a fall. I also like the backlit keys, which are nice when I am working in a darkened room. The only complaint against this case is that the keyboard part won't fold back flat, so using the iPad on the couch as a tablet requires you to remove the device from the case. iPhone 5 (starting at $199 with contract) I bought the iPhone 5 for its bigger screen and LTE connectivity. I had an available upgrade and am on a shared data plan with free tethering, so buying it to use a stand-alone phone and a WiFi hotspot for my MacBook Pro was a no-brainer. Otterbox Defender Series case for the iPhone 5 ($49) Though the iPhone 5 has shed the glass backing of the iPhone 4/4S, I still need a rugged case as my children are always grabbing my phone. The 1-year-old chews on it, the 3-year-old throws it and the 5-year-old runs into the corner to play Minecraft on it. The Otterbox case provides ample protection for the phone and I'm impressed with the improvements the company has made with its cases over the past few years. They are still bulky, but Otterbox has trimmed them down a bit over the years and has use a more rugged rubber that doesn't stretch or tear as easily. Satechi 10000 mAh Portable Energy Station ($59) I tear through the iPhone 5 battery when I am out and about running errands or traveling. I'm always using the phone to check my to-do list, my grocery list, my email, incoming tweets and so on. When traveling any distance, I use Glympse and Apple Maps for navigation. I need an external power supply like the Satechi to give me those extra hours of usage. As an added bonus, the battery pack will charge the iPhone and iPad at the same time. Wacom Bamboo Stylus Solo ($20) Sometimes I like to use a stylus to write and draw on my iPad. I chose the Bamboo stylus because it has replaceable nibs, which is much needed in a household with children. It only takes a few seconds for a 1-year-old to chew off the end of the stylus, drop it and run. Nikon D5100 DSLR Camera ($549) I needed a DSLR for work and selected the D5100 due to its price and feature set. It's an entry-level DSLR with a price tag of just under $600 with a kit lens. It's RAW-compatible with OS X Mountain Lion and takes video in Mac-friendly MOV format. One of my favorite features is its side-swiveling LCD display which is perfect for those tough angle shots. It's a great all-around camera. A close competitor to the D5100 is the Canon T3i. Panasonic HC-V700M video camera ($449) The V700M from Panasonic is not the most Mac-friendly video camera on the market as it shoots HD video in AVCHD format, which can cause some Macs to go into a panic. I deal with this format by converting the clip to MOV before importing it into iMovie. Despite this drawback, I love the V700M as it has the best zoom feature and image stabilization I have seen on a consumer-level camera. It also has an SD card slot and 16 GB of onboard storage. Kinivo BTH220 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones ($29) For $30, the Kinivos are great for listening to podcasts and videos on your Mac or iOS devices. They are not for audiophiles, but they are perfect for someone who wants an inexpensive set of wireless headphones to have around the house. The Kinivos also support the headset profile so you can use them to send and receive phone calls. iPod nano seventh generation ($149) Last, but not least is the latest iPod nano. I bought this mainly to replace my dying Cowon D2, which I have had for years. I like the small size and the larger screen of the latest nano. The Bluetooth was the clincher. I just had to have the hands-free for exercising on the treadmill. Software that I am digging Here's a list of iOS software that I use on an almost daily basis: WeatherBug Elite, Grocery Gadget, PocketMoney, Scanner Pro, Glympse, LastPass, Total Control Multicam 8 for my baby webcam, Minecraft, in:play for music, Tweetbot, Woot On!, cPRO+ for Craigslist, Camera +, Over, Rdio, CalenGoo, Netflix, Say Anything, Evernote, 2DO, Penultimate, Maxjournal, Amazon Cloud Player, Google Drive, Chronicle Touch Bill Reminders and Dropbox. And now my OS X choices: Fantastical, Alfred, Chronicle Bill Management, Reeder, Dropbox, Image Bucket, Chrome, Fluid, Evernote, Handbrake, iClip, Markdown Pro, Pixelmator, Howler Pro, Snapheal, Textual IRC, TaskNotes, Tweetdeck, Postbox and VLC.
