As excited as I was about Warner Archive Instant arriving on iPad yesterday, I'm infinitely more ebullient about Steven Soderbergh literally and comprehensively changing the fundamental tools of filmmaking with his brand-new filmmaking app, SSHH 1.0 (aka Steven Soderbergh Hand Held 1.0). Using this multi-universal and omni-functional app, you need none of the craft inherent in aping his signature handheld style. Finally, one app to make us all shoot the exact same way.
Electric Shadow
Warner Archive Instant Now on iPad
At long last, you can get Warner Archive's streaming channel on iPad. Sign up here for a free two-week trial, then go get the app. It's been available on Roku, and having the account allows access on either device. The library is continually growing, and includes loads of things in HD that aren't yet on Blu-ray. The app is Airplay-capable for AppleTV users.
Apple Bans a Secondary Storefront from iOS
The AppGratis story is three days old, but bears re-examination in light of the "Saga Saga":
Over this past weekend, Apple pulled AppGratis from the App Store, explaining on Monday that the app discovery software violated two App Store regulations in particular: one banning apps that promote other apps in a manner similar to the App Store, and another forbidding apps using push notifications to send advertising, promotions, or direct marketing of any kind.
As the piece goes on to say, that the app was approved mutliple times and then suddenly got yanked is interesting, to say the least.
The behavior they're objecting to is technically the sort of thing that apps like ComiXology and other content storefronts could engage in as part of their core business. Some do. Many games actively engage in push notification behaviors like those described. If you want to read it a certain way, many in-app purchases could make that inventory considered a secondary storefront, whether in games or other apps.
This case makes you wonder whether Apple even gives content providers the level of attention or responsiveness they need to keep publishing, and instead pay more attention to what needs to be shut down (for their needs) like this.
THX Tune-up for iOS is free until next week
THX's new app costs $2 starting next week, and is made to turn your iPhone/iPad/iPod touch into a home theater calibration device.
What's the upside to this over the THX calibrator on various DVDs and Blu-rays? You can use the phone/tablet's camera to do color and tint calibration instead of shelling out for blue filter glasses (which aren't cheap or easy to come by).
You can calibrate video via AirPlay and an AppleTV, but to do sound you'll need Apple's iPhone/iPad to HDMI adapter: Lightning connector version, 30-pin version.