An all-in-one device, whether you use it as an organizer, email, internet browsing, and cell phone of course, the technology advancement in this tool comes a long way to helping with everyday tasks. Growth in demand for mobile devices have increased over the years with millions of smartphone owners to come.

This blog post will analyze the top 5 (originally 10, but got lazy) best performing smartphones that are being used today to help anyone that is confused as to which phone they should purchase…

5. Sony Ericsson Xperia X10

Developer : Sony Ericsson
Operating System : Android 1.6 (2.1 upgrade in Q4 2010)
Storage Capacity : 1 GB NAND Flash in phone, up to 16 GB on microSDHC memory card
Networks : Rogers
Release Date : April 15 2010
Price : $99 on a new 3-year plan

Features: 8.1 MP Camera with Auto focus, 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, 4.0 inch  screen, Touchscreen QWERTY keyboard, 480 x 854 color display

Yet another smartphone using the Android OS, the Xperia X10 has some impressive features from a fast processor to delicate screen display, I guess ‘quirky’ Europeans can in fact make good hardware…

If you rely on your phone as an alarm, you should think about keeping your old fashion desk clock as this phone does not come with a loud ringtone. Other limitations include no multi-touch support, older Android version, no video calling and low battery life. Therefore the price is acceptable which is one of the cheaper smartphones on the market.

4. Samsung Epic 4G

Developer : Samsung Electronics
Operating System : Android 2.1 (Upgradable to 2.2)
Storage Capacity : 8/16 GB microSD memory card
Networks : Rogers, Bell
Release Date : June/July 2010
Price : $199 on a new 2-year plan

Features: 5 MP camera, 720p HD Video recording, 4.0” WVGA 480×800 color display, Multi-touch capacitive touchscreen, 512MB RAM, 2GB ROM

I have yet to test out this phone myself, but given its description I can see why this phone is alluded as the ‘new leader of the Android pack’. What really amazed me is the list of video and audio formats this phone supports, virtually any media file is compatible.

Though if your a person that is likely to be confused without a GPS, this Samsung Epic is not for you. There has been many GPS/compass issues reported due to satellite connectivity and dropped signals. Unless your a frequent traveler abroad, this might work to your benefit to avoid roaming charges

3. RIM Blackberry Torch 9800

Developer : RIM
Operating System : Blackberry OS 6.0
Storage Capacity : 8 GB microSD memory card
Networks : Rogers (September 21)
Release Date : August 12, 2010
Price : $199 on a new 2-year plan

Features: 5 MP camera, Video recording, 480×360 pixel color display, Touch screen with on-screen keyboard, Trackpad, 624 MHz CPU processor

Although RIM hasn’t been keeping up with its competitors as of late, its still a worthy smartphone particularly through a business perspective. Coming from Waterloo (headquarters of RIM), I hear constant news on its upcoming releases so the buzz that goes around definitely solidifies the reputation of blackberries.

The Torch 9800, RIM’s newest edition to the Blackberry line of smartphones is a great phone for users with keyboard preferences as it offers both a physical QWERTY kerboard with a sliding multi-touch screen display. Marketed as ‘the best Blackberry ever’, this has yet to be proven as critics complained about the absence of features that can be found on iPhone4 and Droid X devices.

2. HTC Droid Incredible

Developer : HTC
Operating System : Android 2.2
Storage Capacity : 8 GB microSD memory card
Networks : Verizon (not available in Canada)
Release Date : April 29, 2010
Price : $199 on a new 2-year plan

Features: 8.0 MP camera, LED flash, 720p HD Video Recorder, 748 MB of ROM, 480 x 800 AMOLED capacitive touchscreen

Unfortunately, this phone is not offered by any networks in Canada but its still worth a look at. With a styling of a race car, this phone gives you something to hold on to while gripping the devices slate touchscreen contemporaries. It also has impressive feedback on its 8.0 MP camera and the GPS receiver as it quickly locks to satellites.

If you have a strong desire to purchase this phone, I would suggest buying it in the U.S. and unlocking, which would then be compatible with any carrier. Disadvantages? If your into music players, don’t go for this one, I heard it has a boring interface..

1. Apple iPhone 4

Developer : Apple
Operating System : iOS 4.0.2
Storage Capacity : 16 GB or 32 GB flash memory
Networks : Rogers, Telus, Fido, Bell
Release Date : June 24, 2010
Price : 16GB/32GB for $159/$269 on a new 3-year voice and data plan

Features: LED backlit IPS LCD Retina display, 5 MP Rear camera, 0.3 MP  Front Camera, LED flash, recording HD video in 720p, FaceTime video calling

I’m a iPhone 3G user, so how can I possibly deny Apple from being number 1? Not surprisingly, the iPhone 4 is Apple’s most successful launch yet, despite the antenna and camera issues it still packs a lot of key features.

Unlike most smartphones, the iPhone uses flash memory for storage which is not expandable. If you ask me, I don’t carry too much audio/video files so I’d say 16 GB is good enough. Still need more storage? get an iPod Touch (64 GB), good for a secondary media player and you can FaceTime with yourself (not in public of course).

The design of the iPhone 4 is the most notable change from the previous generation, as the external industrial design completely changes the look and feel of the phone. Overall, the iPhone 4 can overshadow virtually any smartphone on the market from its improved retina display to FaceTime video calling, all essentials and more can be found on this phone.

That concludes my mobile technology review. I hope you can choose the smartphone that suits your needs. But realistically, all smartphones can offer the benefits of mobile devices, you can’t go wrong

M.N.

The Interface Builder is a visual design tool used to create interface layouts for Mac OS X and iOS applications. Utilizing a graphical environment, the Interface Builder uses configurable objects from a library to help assemble windows, views, controls, menus, and other elements.

All items and their attributes are stored in a special type of resource file called a nib file. This file stores your objects and interface layout used to build the actual objects at runtime.

This post will cover the features of Interface Builder 3.2 as well as the various properties of a nib file. Interface designers will find this document useful to create the required interface for their application.

Interface Builder Quick Start

This section will provide a quick tutorial on using the Interface Builder application.

Opening Interface Builder
To open the Interface Builder, the following options can be used:

• Double click the Interface Builder application icon in the Finder. Its location should be under Developer/Applications.
• Double click the Interface Builder document with file extension .nib or .xib.
• In the Xcode project window, select the Interface Builder document.

Creating an Interface Builder Document
While developing a new application, typically you would start by creating an Xcode project using a specified project template. As you progress in your project it is likely that you will have the need to create new Interface Builder documents. This can be done by opening the Xcode New File dialog by choosing File > New. The window below should appear:

Interface Builder Basic Concepts

This section will provide an overview of the concepts used in the Interface Builder application including an introduction to nib files. While reading this document you may find it useful to have the Interface Builder open to understand the fundamentals of the application.

Interface Builder Documents
The Interface Builder documents can store one or multiple objects and its information for your application to build at runtime. Common objects include windows, views, controls, and menus.

The figure below shows the Interface Builder document window and a sample of some objects it may contain:

The key controls of the Interface Builder document window include:

• View mode selector: switch between modes of viewing to Icon, Outline or Browser.
• Information button: information about the document’s configuration.
• Library button: Interface Builder library window
• Inspector button: Interface Builder inspector window
• Search field: a search for objects in the document

Workflow Tools

The Interface builder provides the user with the necessary tools to help create your nib file. The following is an overview of the tools and how they are used.

The Library Window

The library window consists of objects and resources that can be added to nib files. The window contains three different modes between the types of items to be selected:

• The object mode: objects to build the interface including windows, views, controls, and other types.
• The classes mode: classes to build the interface in your project.
• The media mode: images and sound resources to add to your interface.

The Inspector Window

The inspector window displays the attributes for the object that is currently selected in the Interface Builder document.

The window includes the following panes in the order as they appear in the inspector:

• Attributes: object-specific configuration attributes.
• Effects: Core animation and graphics based attributes.
• Size: size and position of the object.
• Bindings: bindings of the object to one or more controllers.
• Connections: outlets and actions of the object.
• Identity: information about the object.

Recommended Readings

The following readings from the iPhone Dev Center are recommended to have a more in depth understanding of using the Interface Builder. If any of the links are broken, please proceed to the dev center to obtain the latest version.

• Interface Builder User Guide
• Interface Builder Quick Start – quick tour of the Interface Builder.
• Interface Builder Basic Concepts – overview of Interface Builder and nib files.
• Nib File Management – how to create and save files.
• Interface Layout – techniques for organizing windows and views.
• Object Attributes – techniques to configure objects in nib files.
  

Hope this help with designing your interface!

M.N.

As for me, I had a great time attending the Friday evening’s portion of the convention. Although I was able to purchase my favorable comics and enjoy demos of upcoming games, it was disappointing to miss out on the weekends featured appearances, yes, that includes you Stan Lee and William Shatner. But overall I was very pleased with what I saw and there was more than enough to keep my evening busy.

Before I move on, I want to apologize for the low resolution photos as I only had my iPhone 3G (3.2 MP) handy at the time. I know, it needs an upgrade.

Like many attendees would agree, the overwhelming line-up was very difficult to stand through especially with the heat as it stretched along Front St. and down Lower Simcoe:

Without having dinner I was very hungry while standing in line, but thanks to the hot dog cart I didn’t have to wait until I got in. Fortunately for me it wasn’t the cart in the WIND mobile commercial, surcharges did not apply . Two-hours later I was finally in.

What surprised me the most when I first got in was the rate of attendance that approached the convention’s capacity:

I had no idea Canada was populated with this many comic, anime, and sci-fi fans, perhaps there’s more to this culture than meets the eye. But luckily there was still enough room to maneuver around the exhibition, as long as you weren’t behind the 6’8 man disguised as Thor.

Indeed, I made a visit to the celerity/artists panels that bordered the convention. As I mentioned above I failed to attend the weekends endeavors, therefore missing out on many notable guests. Nevertheless I was still able to meet Friday’s lineup of actors/actresses and professional artists:

The only celebrities I can recall catching a glimpse of were Felicia Day (above) and Peter Mayhew (Chubaka). Other names you see up there were only name plates for them to appear later, very misleading.

With hundreds of artists from different studios including DC and Marvel in attendance, they were very considerate to discuss their work, sign autographs, and even draw sketches (not for free) of your favorite characters! Only problem for me was a $11.00 budget thanks to the hot dog purchase I immediately regretted.

Representatives from the upcoming film Tron: Legacy also came out to show clips of the movie in 3D and to demo their game releasing in November as well, though I didn’t get a chance to do either . I for one did not know it was a squeal to the 1980′s Tron, kind of embarrassing to admit actually.

On to gaming. Xbox 360 had a solid display of games set to release later this year including Halo: Reach, Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, and the “controller-free gaming” Kinect. And much to everyone’s disappointment, Nintendo on the other hand decided not to give a demonstration of the 3DS, but at least their making graphics a priority this time, unlike the Wii (take that!).

And who can forget, the comic panel. Personally I think they could of done a bit more, maybe some trailers of upcoming films or character artifact exhibits but it was enough to draw attention. Special thanks to DC for giving away free comics and pins with some fantastic artwork. Marvel wasn’t exactly featured on Friday, but Captain America’s shield was!

In brightest day, in darkest night, no evil shall escape my sight! Get used to that phrase Ryan Reynolds, you’ll be saying it a lot.

The current artist for Red Robin, Marcus To, was there to represent DC’s signature panel. Very nice guy, in the picture below he drew a sketch of Red Robin as an autograph for someone, for free!

There’s still some Sci-Fi and Anime photos that I left out, but I think this should do it.

So that wraps up my coverage of the 2010 fan expo. After attending only a single evening at the weekend long event, I knew that wasn’t enough. 2011, I’ll think about a weekend pass…

M.N.

It wasn’t until earlier this year when on my friends introduced me to a show that would later turn out to be one of my all time favorites: The Big Bang Theory.

A brief introduction on the American sitcom: created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, The Big Bang Theory is a show about two physicist, Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper that share an apartment together in Pasadena, California. Penny, a waitress/actress and the main love interest of Leonard lives across the hall from their apartment. Colleagues and friends Howard Wolowitz, an aerospace engineer and Rajesh Koothrappali, a particle astrophysicist are also main characters, both equally geeky and socially awkward.

Though all four display themselves as brilliant scientist, non of that intelligence contributes to their interaction with other people, especially women. But this seems to take a turn when Penny moves in next door from Sheldon and Leonard. While Sheldon is more interested in spending his nights collaborating with his socially dysfunctional friends Howard and Rajesh, Leonard’s attention is more towards Penny and his possibilities of finding love.

Now, getting into the main topic of discussion, I have produced a list of reasons why the Big Bang Theory is currently on of the best shows being aired and why it should be watched. To keep the list short, I will minimize it to 5 reasons to watch the show, though keep in mind a lot more can be said.

Without further due, below are the 5 reasons to watch the Big Bang Theory:

1. It’s Possible, Science can be Humorous

Many people that watch this show including scientist can agree that it is well written and can deliver dozens of one-liners and jokes through science and nerd culture. Every episode promises several moments of laughter that uses a background reference to scientific principles. With the common stereotype that scientist are incapable of social behavior and have difficulty with emotional relationships, the show presents how brilliant minds can also have a measurable sense of humor.

2. Get your Geek on!
Despite your efforts to incorporate a social aspect in your life, sooner or later the Big Bang Theory will awaken the geek in you, the same way it did to Penny:

Penny: “So, what are we got going on tonight, huh? Playing Halo, watching Battlestar, dropping mentos in diet coke?”
Leonard: “You want to watch Battlestar?”
Penny: “What can I say? I got my geek on, boys.”
- The Dead Hooker Juxtaposition

You know deep down inside you lies the urge to stay home to play video games and watch science fiction TV series. Need some encouragement? Watch the Big Bang Theory!

3. Are you a Nerd and Looking for Dating Advice?

It’s demanding, but it can be done. Being a nerd has its disadvantages but in terms of having the ability to mate, it is probable. Bill Prady’s way of presenting the audience with the standards of dating for a scientist is through Howard Wolowitz, believing himself to be a ladies man but others see him as rather creepy. What exactly is Howard’s type? The following is how his friends helped him get over a depressing breakup:

Raj: “It’s too bad he wasn’t here for that hooker. She’s exactly his type. A hooker. You know, I bet if we hired her, that would cheer him up.”
- The Vegas Renormalization

That easy. So what should we take from this? Set your standards low, don’t grieve a relationship, and take what you can get. I know, its not good advice, but hey, what do you expect for being a nerd?

4. The Cast: Chemistry, Skilled, Hilarious!

Jim Parsons, Hilarious. On and off the set, this man can entertain any crowd with his comedic personality. Best known for playing Sheldon Cooper, he is a significant reason for the programs success.

Overall the cast is a group of very talented actors/actresses that can record each scene to perfection. Other shows can have a well written scripts but will not be successful unless the cast has strong chemistry and imagination, exactly what is found on the Big Bang Theory.

5. Celebrity/Cameo Appearances
Every TV sitcom will have the occasional quest star appearance, the Big Bang Theory is no exception. One of my favorites, Stan Lee. Starring in the Excelsior Acquisition, Lee sarcastically invites Sheldon in his house to watch the Lakers game, and to Sheldon’s delight, results to a restraining order and a second court date.

Other notable celebrity appearances include Will Wheaton, Summer Glau, and Charlie Sheen, all playing themselves respectively. With more to come next season, this show will only grow in popularity.

After another successful season in Television ratings (a whopping 150% form the previous season), the Big Bang Theory will returning for a 4th season this September with new episodes premiering every Thursday. Set your calenders, next season starts September 16th!

M.N.

As many software developers are aware, the use of documentation is very important for others to understand, use and adapt the function they are using without reviewing all necessary source code. My documentation was one of the last assignments I was given to ensure all my work was comprehensive and transferable to the next person that will continue the project in my absence.Therefore, I’ve prepared a tutorial that will help improve the performance of an application.

Below is an introductory tutorial for finding memory leaks in iPhone applications using Instruments. This is a powerful tool to prevent your application from reaching its memory limitations:

Finding Leaks Using Instruments:

Introduction:
Bugs that should always be fixed are memory leaks, which are blocks of allocated memory that is of no use for the program. While debugging in an iPhone application, the Instruments application can be used to identify memory leaks. More specifically, Instruments is a powerful tool that allows the user to monitor the process of data collection as well as understanding both user program and operating system behavior.

Getting Started:

Recommended Readings:
The following readings from the iPhone Dev Center are recommended to have a more in depth understanding of using Instruments. If any of the links are broken, please proceed to the dev center to obtain the latest version.

• “Introduction to Instruments User Guide”
• “Instruments Quick Start” a brief introduction to using Instruments and its main window.
• “Adding and Configuring Instruments” how to add and configure Instruments to run.
• “Viewing and Analyzing Trace Data” tools used to view the returned data from Instruments

Recommended Sites:
In addition to the iPhone Dev Center, the following sites are recommended as useful resources for tutorials and further investigation.

• Cocoa is my Girlfriend
• iPhone Dev SDK
• Stack Overflow

Recommended Background:
The following skills are recommended for using this tool:

• Debugging to reduce number of bugs, defects
• Apple software development tools (Xcode, Interface Builder, iPhone Simulator)
• Previous Obj-C experience
• Knowledge of garbage collection and memory leaks
• Previous experience with application performance analyzers

Basic Fundamentals of Instruments:

Launching the Application:
To launch the application, open the Finder and locate its Developer Folder. The Instruments application should be located in Developer/Applications.

An alternative method is to open the application within Xcode. In Xcode, select Run > Run with Performance Tool > Leaks. Instruments will then launch with the necessary templates to identify leaks for the current executed program in Xcode.

Trace Document Layout:
A trace document is a window to display the collection of data. The document is used to view data from both high and low frequencies.

The Trace Document:
The trace document features the following components to organize and configure the instruments needed to collect data:

• Instruments pane: holds the instruments required to run. You can configure the instruments in this pane from adding or deleting them.
• Track pane: displays the summary of data collected by the instruments in use. Information is read-only.
• Detail pane: displays the details of data collected by the instruments in use. Shows the ‘events’ used for the graphical view.
• Extended Detail pane: shows information on the currently selected item in the details pane.

The figure below represents some of the key features of the Instruments window while tracing:

The Instruments Toolbar:
The toolbar for the trace document is used to add and control instruments, open views, and configure the track pane. The figure below represents the different controls on the toolbar:

The trace document toolbar controls consist of the following functions:

• Pause/Resume button: pause and resume data collection during recording.
• Record/Stop button: record and stop the data collection process.
• Loop button: sets a loop to repeat the recorded steps continuously.
• Default Target menu: selects the trace target for the document.
• Time/Run control: displays the completed time of the current trace.
• Inspection Range control: selects a time range for the data collection.
• Mini button: replaces the trace document with a smaller window.
• View button: controls to either show or hide the details and extended pane.
• Library button: hides or shows the library.

Saving and Importing Trace Data:
Using Instruments allows the user to save and import trace data. After recording the trace data you can save the document as well as the instrument configuration for future references. The following instructions will explain how save and export data for other applications to read.

Saving a Trace Document:
To save a set of instruments along with the data collected after a trace, select File > Save. Instruments should save the trace file with a .trace extension.

Exporting Track Data:
To save the track data to a CSV file, select the Instrument with the data you want to be exported and choose Instrument > Export Data for <Instrument Name>. The data of the most recent run of that instrument will be exported.

Importing Data from the Sample Tool:
To import data from another application, select File > Import Data. Instruments will demand a text file that contains the sample data to create a new trace document based on your selection.

Hope this tutorial contributes to a successful application! Feel free to ask any questions.

M.N.

There has been much speculation on the World’s number one golfer Tiger woods and his performance as of late. It is obvious he is not playing to his potential and his 2010 campaign has been nothing short of failure. But as statistics would indicate, on multiple occasions Tiger proved he is able to return to his dominate form following a string of unsuccessful years without meeting his expectations. So we ask the question, will Tiger Woods find a way to turn back the clock and have history repeat itself?

Many could come to reason that his personal life with widely publicized marital issues are in relation to his underachieving results. Other explanations such as altering golf instructors, endorsement cancellations, and illegal drugs were all put into consideration. It wasn’t until recent that Tiger admitted to emotional distress:

“At times it was difficult [to focus],” Woods said. “Certainly you try and block it out as best you can and focus on a shot. But at times it certainly was, yes.”

With his marriage finally coming to its undeniable conclusion, will we see a difference in Tiger’s performance? That has yet to be answered.

Returning to the golf course, under what circumstances should Tiger be selected as a Captain’s Pick for the Ryder Cup? Two weeks ago Tiger failed to earn a spot for himself on the team after the another poor effort at the PGA Championship. Personally, my intentions for Tiger are still positive as I would approve the decision to select him despite of everything he has been through. Here is a list of reasons to support my claim:

• Its Tiger Woods
• Regardless of his 2010 results, Tiger Woods is still Tiger Woods, and as he mentioned he still thinks he can help the U.S. Ryder Cup team. The man is very determined, there’s no limitations on how well (or bad) he can play.
• Now with two consecutive years without winning a major, Tiger Woods is in need of salvation. A Ryder Cup appearance could be the start of a probable year of success in 2011 depending on his performance.
• Tiger Woods is still number one for a reason, because of his years of consistency. If Tiger can do what he did in the past then surely he can reward the U.S. team with a couple points.
• Television Ratings, some people will deny it but with Tiger woods there will be more coverage with a larger audience. No other player can create the same impact on the media as Woods.

Despite my efforts to support my favorite athlete, I am certain the majority will disagree with respect to the golfers that are more deserving then Tiger. Rest assure, the matter will be settled by Corey Pavin on September 7th, and I am confident he will make the right decision.

M.N

My name is Michael Nguyen, as you can tell from my last name, I’m a Vietnamese-Canadian. At 21 (as of August 2010), I’m a student entering my last year at the University of Waterloo majoring in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. Those familiar with UW should be aware of its reputation for having the largest co-operative education program in the world, as well as a solid foundation of mathematics and computer science while being North America’s first institution to encompass a faculty of Mathematics. Some of the many reasons I selected UW for my studies.

In correspondence to my education, I also enrolled in a co-op program in order to acquire work experience while completing my studies. With an economy that has high demand for information technology support, it was not difficult to search for job opportunities with such a prestigious university. Over the years I was fortunate to have arranged job placements that situated in captivating locations which included New York, NY, Vancouver, BC, and Toronto (GTA), ON. While working primarily in IT/software development firms both large corporations and start up companies, I was able to develop my technical skills and knowledge to contribute to my career prospects. I currently work in an IT position for an education division of University Health Network in Toronto until the first week of September 2010, where I will then return to Waterloo, ON to complete my last year of studies.

Assuming I’ve discussed more than enough on myself professionally such that the reader is settling into fatigue, I will shift to my personal interests that will likely come up in future posts. Leaving aside work and education, most of my interests are used to pursue intellectual activities as well as technical/scientific endeavors. Going with a more in depth analogy, this would include a gaming background, Comics (Marvel, DC), anime, and anything genre specific in Sci-Fi.

I also try to incorporate a healthy and active lifestyle while consistently working out and playing sports (golf, tennis). Despite my unbalanced eating habits preventing my fitness goals, I do enjoy the occasional fast food dining as well as exotic cuisine that unfortunately do not feature nutritious benefits.

Returning to my gaming history, I’ve been a gamer dating back to my childhood years when the then popular Sega Genesis, and Super Nintendo were the leading entertainment consoles available. Currently with a PC and Xbox 360, I don’t play categorically but rather games that are heavily advertised (my way of identifying game quality). Just some of my games that are actively being played are:

• Halo (franchise)
• Final Fantasy 13
• Call of duty: Modern Warfare 2
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2
• Splinter Cell: Conviction
• Fallout (franchise)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11
• NHL 2010
• Starcraft 2
• World of Warcraft.

Most of which are played simultaneously to prevent the loss of curiosity.

Briefly going into mobile technology, I am presently an iPhone 3G user while refusing to upgrade to an iPhone 4 due to its lack of advancements from the previous generation. As an iPhone Developer through both business and personal purposes, I consider my iPhone as a very important tool that serves multiple capabilities. For an extra curricular project, I am working on creating iPhone applications that are as of now in progress and will be published shortly.

This concludes my pilot blog. Hopefully everyone enjoyed reading it as much as I did while writing. Check back for future blogs!

M.N.