Monthly Archives: March 2010

March 23, 2010

iPhone App Store Annoyance

Apple changed the terms and conditions (EULA, if you will) of the iTunes App Store. They’ve added the ability to send apps as a gift, which I think is a nice feature.

However, this is not about that.

For a company that focuses on user experience as much as Apple, you would think making such a change wouldn’t be a hindrance to their users. But, every time Apple changes the App Store terms and conditions, the iPhone doesn’t handle the user acceptance end of things very well.

I went to download a new app today (Fare City, if you must know), and this was the procedure to purchase it:

Open App Store and search for app.
Find app and press “Buy”.
Sign into iTunes account.
Get prompted about change in terms.
Press button to agree to change in terms (which opens up the new terms).
Read through new terms and conditions, then press “Agree” button at the bottom.
Get prompted with a pop-up, have to press “Agree” again.
Get told I have to try app purchase again.
Return to App Store, press “Buy” again.

This is so backwards and annoying. It should prompt you about the changes when you first open the App Store, and take you through the process before searching for and purchasing your app, not after you’ve purchased it, forcing you to go back in and purchase it again. Or, at the very least, just continue where you left off downloading your intended purchase.

Also, why do I have to “Agree” twice? I press “Agree”, then get prompted with a pop-up where I have to agree again (Apple’s EULAs for their applications on OS X do this too, it’s very annoying). It just adds to an already convoluted process.

Here’s what the whole thing should look like:

Open App Store, get prompted about the changes.
Sign into iTunes account.
Read through changes, press “Agree”.
Get taken back to the App Store, search for app.
Find app, press “Buy”.

Done.

Why am I making a big deal about this? Because Apple is usually good about these types of details, and about making software that doesn’t get in the user’s way. The process of agreeing to new App Store terms could not be more in the user’s way if they tried. That makes this scenario stick out, and it makes it that much more frustrating to deal with.

Comments Off | posted in Apple, iPhone

March 5, 2010

Gomez and One Eskimo @ The Vic

By chitowngeorge

Last night I went to see Gomez, with opening act One Eskimo, at The Vic. I thought I’d write up a little review.

(Pre-review: Lin Brehmer was pretty funny introducing Gomez. I know he’s a huge fan, and was probably the perfect person to have do the intro.)

First, the opening act, One Eskimo. I’m not at all familiar with their music, apart from the one song XRT has been playing. (In fact, I didn’t really know the song was them until they played it.) I have to say, they were really good. Their set was a little “arty”, as they had an animated film (which I guess you can download with the album on iTunes) displayed behind them as they played. It certainly added something to the music, but I think they would have been just as good to see without it. I’ll definitely be checking their album out.

Now, as far as Gomez goes, I’ll admit up front that I’m not a “fan”, in the sense that I really only know the music that’s been played on the radio (which I like). I’d heard that they were supposed to be really good live, so when I was invited to go (thanks, Paul) I didn’t hesitate.

Having said that, I didn’t know what to expect from their live show. I was surprised. I knew it would be at least enjoyable, but they completely surpassed any expectations I might have had. It took a while for them to get into their groove, and it seems their playing got better and more intense as the night progressed. This added a natural upward curve, building the set as it went.

Many of their songs seemed to follow that pattern, starting out a bit unassuming, then building into all out “rockers”, with even a little bit of jamming thrown in. If you were unfamiliar with their music going in (as I was), the songs seemed to go to places you wouldn’t naturally expect them to. That’s a good thing.

All in all, it was a great night, and I was highly impressed with both bands. I’ll definitely go see Gomez again the next time they come through town. I highly recommend checking them out if you get the chance.

On a side note: The crowd at this show was older than I expected. I thought it would be a twenty-something crowd, but the majority of the audience seemed to be in their 30′s and 40′s.

Comments Off | posted in Gomez, Music

March 3, 2010

Batch 9000 Shutout

By chitowngeorge

Bell’s recently released their “Batch 9000″ commemorative beer. So far, I’ve been shut out on getting my hands on any.

I was at a little independent organic grocer last week and they had it. I didn’t get it at the time since I had to go back to work, and I couldn’t very well bring it with me. I figured that I would just pick some up later.

Well, over the weekend I stopped by Binny’s (which used to be Sam’s, which I’m still pissed it was bought out – Binny’s sucks compared to what Sam’s used to be, but that’s a whole different post), but they were already sold out and said they wouldn’t be getting any more.

I went back to the independent grocer, in hopes that they were small enough to be under the radar of the craft beer aficionados, but they were sold out of it already as well.

I’m sure, at this point, it will be the same story anywhere I go. My only hope is to find somewhere that has it on tap.

So, if anyone happens to know of anyplace in Chicago that has it on tap, or any stores that happen to still have six packs, please, please, please let me know.

2 comments | posted in Beer, Food and Drink