Macenstein

iPhone not the best choice of instrument for popular people

Behold composer Yann Tiersen (perhaps most famously known as the composer of the French film “Amélie”‘s soundtrack) as he attempts to recreate his masterpiece on a series of 6 iPhones. As you can see, while Yann eventually gets into his groove, he apparently is not used to friends interrupting him by calling his REAL piano. Thanks to faithful Macenstein reader Flo for the tip!  Read More

University of South Florida creates 152 potential new Mac Chicks of the Month

The University of South Florida became our new BFF this week when it announced it would be “lending” a brand new 13-inch MacBook pro to all 460 of its student athletes, 152 of which, according to my count in this picture, are female. Photo Credit: Credit Joseph Gamble/GoUSFBulls.com Apple reportedly gave the university a hefty discount, but with over 450 athletes in total, the deal still went in to the 6-figure range. Now, before you start bulking up and training... Read More

Looks like the end is near… God backs up the Earth using Time Machine

Speaking of Time Machine, faithful Macenstein reader Danny C thinks he’s figured out what those mysterious lights in the sky over Norway were: Above: I always suspected God used a Mac. Hey Doc: Did you hear about the spiral lights over Norway? Do you think that the government of Norway was simply backing up their computers with a giant Time Capsule? The image looks very familiar. Well, Danny, not to bash Norwegian technology in any way, but that looks a little advanced.... Read More

The Time Capsule Jewelry Box: Hide your valuable jewelry inside your valuable electronics

Aside from the whole “engagement/wedding ring” thing, I think I have not bought the Bride of Macenstein any jewelry in the 70 or so years we’ve been married. Yes, she’s a lucky woman. But despite her lack of baubles, I’m sure if she DID have any nice jewelry (or valuables of any kind), she would appreciate this velvet-lined Time Capsule jewelry box. It certainly would look nicer than that burlap-lined one I made out of a G4 tower that’s... Read More

Dictator Defense: The Most Addictive Defense Game since Fieldrunners

As a reviewer, one of the best indications that you should write about a game is that you do not want to stop playing the game long enough to write about it. Dictator Defense ($2.99 iTunes) by Digital Chocolate is just such a game for me, and it basically ate my entire weekend. Meet the dictators Digital Chocolate is one of my favorite, if not consistent, iPhone game developers. When they hit it, they knock it out of the park, and when they miss, they really blow it. But they... Read More

How much you want to bet they release an iTablet-compatible version next year?

[via Alex Blundell]  Read More

How To: Use your iPhone to ditch AM Radio’s “tunnel blackouts”

Around where I live (the NYC area) there is a famous AM news radio station called 1010 WINS. While the station is famous for its “Give us 22 minutes, and we’ll give you the world” slogan, it is ALMOST as famous for its all but unlistenable signal. Despite living just 16 miles outside of NYC, somehow their signal is comprised of 80% static, not to mention 15% “fake news wire ticker from the 1930′s” background noise (yes, I think every big city... Read More

Even the way Macs CRASH is artsy

When James Theophane, creative director for the Lost Boys agency, was asked to contribute a piece of art for a recent reception, he decided to go the “mixed medium” route. Taking a horrible old Flea Market painting, James painted over the lower half and added a motorized foam core “beach ball of death” to simulate a Mac freezing up while loading a jpg. Of course, most people born in the last 20 years or so can’t even remember when a jpg would load... Read More

Attention pushy, over-achieving parents: All Brain Quest iPhone titles on sale now

Whether you are a domineering parent set on your little Doogie Howser congratulating medical school at age 16 or just someone who’s having a hard time justifying buying your 6 year-old their own iPod touch simply to play games (guilty), you really can’t go wrong with the insane price cuts on Modality’s Brain Quest Titles. I actually bought the Brain Quest Grade 2 and Brain Quest Grade 3 versions for my daughter a couple months ago at $9.99 a piece, but this... Read More

Well, it’s cheaper than a waterproof case…

Faithful German Macenstein reader Tim Schiller came across this listing on eBay for what can only be described as “THE must-have iPhone accessory of 2009″. Above: Some good advice. Apparently becoming frustrated after his wife’s SECOND iPhone-in-the-toilet mishap, this resourceful man created this brilliant “Do NOT put iPhone in Toilet” sign which has thus far reportedly been extremely successful. “after my wife drowned her 2nd iphone in... Read More