My long-time friend from college, Jerry Hsu, just released his first iPhone application. Now, I don't use an iPhone (and I philosophically prefer Web apps that are based on open standards and work across devices/browsers), but if you're going to make an iPhone app, it might as well be good, and Jerry's made a great one.
It's called Fair Share, and here's what it does. When you dine out with your friends and it's time to pay the bill, Fair Share...
Calculates the tip amount and bill, split fairly between every member of your party.
Provides an easy interface for entering different price amounts for the various items ordered and assigning them to specific members of your party.
Intelligently handles all kinds of ordering and payment situations.
Although Fair Share is one of many iPhone tip calculators and bill splitters out there, Jerry has worked hard (and done a ton of research) to make his version the best. The thing I love most about Fair Share is that it really embodies a part of Jerry's personality. Back in the day, whenever our group of friends went out for a meal, Jerry (being the treasurer of our college anime club) would take on the task of making sure everyone contributed properly to the bill. Jerry is a fair guy, and Fair Share represents his personal philosophy as much as his technical skill and understanding of what people need in software. To see it in action, view the video below: You can find the app on iTunes: Fair Share - Tip Calculator and Bill Splitter Jerry also writes about Fair Share on his blog: http://yarbars.blogspot.com/search/label/fairshare I'm sure he'd love to hear your feedback!
Today is a really big day for Opera, and I'm proud that I have an opportunity to share it with people via an article I wrote for Opera Labs, the first in a short series to introduce our newest browser innovation--Opera Unite.
Here's the intro:
Taking the Web into our own hands, one computer at a time
My name is Lawrence Eng, and as a Product Analyst for Opera Software, my job is to understand our users and what they need so we can serve them better. Today, I've been asked share my thoughts on Opera Unite, a new Opera technology that I'm extremely excited about. I've been an avid Opera user since 2001 and seen the numerous innovations Opera has introduced to dramatically improve the experience of Web browsing. Of all the new features we've introduced over the years, none of them have filled me with anticipation as much as Opera Unite--a radical first step we've taken to address what I call 'the Internet's unfulfilled promise', which is about our ability to connect with each other and participate meaningfully online.
After (or before) you've read the article, I hope you'll try Opera Unite for yourself by downloading an Opera Unite-enabled build of the browser. Visit http://unite.opera.com/ for more info.
Anime Expo is coming soon (July 2-5). If you'll be attending, please feel free to join my colleagues Mikhail Koulikov, Alex Leavitt, and I for the follow panels we're hosting:
Friday, July 3 10:30 a.m. Live Programming 3 Title: Introduction to Anime/Manga Studies Description: The Anime and Manga Research Circle is an international community of scholars of Japanese popular culture and its reception worldwide. The AMRC has hosted similar panels at Anime Expo several times in the past, and this year, looks to return with a talk that will introduce the concept of serious academic study of anime and manga, provide tips on researching and writing school-level and college-level papers, introduce a guide to sources and resources, and share our members' own experiences as beginning and advanced anime/manga scholars
Saturday, July 4 6 p.m. Live Programming 2 Title: Anime and Manga in Academia Description: Building on the earlier 'Introduction to anime/manga studies' session, this panel is aimed at students at the undergraduate level and above who are already seriously pursuing the study of Japanese popular culture. The panel will provide a brief history of anime/manga studies, introduce the prominent figures in the field, and provide advice on finding programs and courses to pursue, writing thesis papers and dissertations, and even publishing anime/manga research in established academic journals.
Edit (7/3/09): Due to illness, I won't be attending Anime Expo (and the above-listed panels) this year. Sorry about that.
In other news, Hayao Miyazaki will be appearing at a tribute event (in his honor) at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, hosted by John Lasseter. The event will be on Tuesday, July 28th, at 7:30 p.m. Further information, including details on how to get tickets, can be found here: Summer of Anime Heats Up at Academy (press release)
The Academy is also currently hosting the "ANIME! High Art – Pop Culture" exhibit, running until August 23rd. I happen to have a small handful of items on display there (loaned to the exhibit) and got to attend the opening reception in May. I also contributed an article on Gainax and otaku culture to the exhibit's program book--which might be on sale at the gallery (if they're not sold out yet). The exhibit is definitely worth a look if you're in the area. Best of all, it's completely free to visit!
It's always interesting to see how some tastes change over time, while certain other things retain their appeal and have a timeless quality about them. I'm a fan of Japanese rock/pop music; while spending some free time on YouTube, I came across a set of related music videos that I wanted to comment on.
Here's the same song, Raspberry Dream, performed quite differently by different people in three distinct eras. The original (1986) is by the 80's Japanese rock band Rebecca, featuring Nokko (b. 1963). Some of you know that my favorite one-shot anime is To-Y (1987). In that anime, Nokko was the voice of Niya Yamada. Because of that role, I became a fan of Nokko's solo work and her prior work as the frontwoman of Rebecca. Watching the video below, you'll see that Nokko is an honest and exhilarating performer and musician.
The video below features Ayumi Hamasaki, one of Japan's most prominent and prolific female pop artists. The following video, however, is from her "Idol on Stage" TV show performance in 1995 when she was only 16 years old, prior to her debut album. It's not quite fair to compare an amateur performance against a polished music video, but the quality and potential of Ayu's singing is already apparent (and stylistically different from Nokko), and it's entertaining to see Ayu before she became a superstar.
Finally, here's a video from 2003 featuring SpringS, a short-lived girl band. SpringS is mostly known for its member Aya Hirano, a well-known anime voice actress.
At this point, I suppose some weighty topics could be discussed, such as authenticity, postmodern creativity, the value of derivative works, changing aesthetic sensibilities, the nature of the music industry, etc. There are things to ponder, for sure. For now, however, I simply enjoyed watching the three videos and invite you to do the same if you haven't done so already. Personally, I still prefer the original. It's got a sense of purpose and energy that can't be matched by CG, special effects, and a higher BPM.
My long-time friend from college, Jerry Hsu, just released his first iPhone application. Now, I don't use an iPhone (and I philosophically prefer Web apps that are based on open standards and work across devices/browsers), but if you're going to make an iPhone app, it might as well be good, and Jerry's made a great one.