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About a year ago I did a job for a movie company called RG Entertainment and their film “Super Capers“, which you can read all about here and here and here. This winter, director Ray Griggs commissioned me to adapt a script he had written into a promotional comic book for the movie’s release, which I worked on with my pal and comic book superstar artist/inker Tom Nguyen (in record time, as usual) and which was given away at WonderCon in San Fransisco. Sadly the film did not do well in limited release and was not picked up for national distribution, but is coming out on DVD later this month.

Ray is quite an idea man, coming up with all sorts of promotional ideas. He and a computer programmer friend of his named Stevo Brock even did an iPhone app for the movie. Ray had told me he and Stevo were working on a second iPhone/iPod Touch app that was an interactive version of the promo comic Tom and I did. Sometimes these sorts of projects actually happen and sometimes they never get past the idea stages.

Well, this particular idea was just announced as being released on the iTunes App Store (See official press release at bottom of post).

After downloading the comic to my iPhone I see they did a fantastic job on it, especially considering they did not have layered files to work from. The “interactivity” seems to mean that you turn the pages like real pages by swiping your fingertip from the lower right corner across to the lower left. The panels themselves have sound effects and some limited animations, which are nice touches and not overdone. This really is pretty cool…

An example of a panel from the digital comic

The page turning feature…

This full comic/page menu is also available

The app costs $1.99 at the iTune App Store. Here is a link to the App Store page (warning, this link needs to open in iTunes). Of course you need an iPhone or an iPod Touch to be able to use the app.

The official press release:

RG Entertainment Releases First Ever iPhone Interactive Motion Comic

Beverly Hills, CA    Jul 02, 2009 in iPhone

[prMac.com] Los Angeles, CA – RG Entertainment, Ltd. today announced the availability of the “Super Capers Comic #1 – Back to the Feature” for the iPhone/iPod Touch. This application is the first of its kind, Interactive Motion Comic, designed exclusively for the iPhone/iPod Touch. The digital comic book is the official prequel/sequel comic to the independent film Super Capers, picking up where the film left off.

RG Entertainment, Ltd. has created a new kind of comic book experience that takes full advantage of the iPhone/iPod Touch. The traditional 2D art style comes alive as you watch and listen as the action pops-in, hovers, bounces, and rockets off, with full sound effects and music from the film! Take control of the interactive experience by physically turning the pages with your finger!

Features:
* Interactive Motion Comic complete with animation and real music and sound effects
* Turn each page controlled by your finger
* Double tap to turn page quickly
* Pages index table of contents
* High Quality film trailer for the film Super Capers
* Quickly return to the last page viewed from the menu
* Complete info on the entire Super Capers Collection and other products from RG Entertainment, Ltd
* No “loading” screens

Credits:
Written and Created by: Ray Griggs (Film Writer/Director)
Pencils and Color: Tom Richmond (Mad Magazine)
Inks: Tom Nguyen (Incredible Comics) and Tom Richmond
Application Design and Development: Stevo Brock

Minimum Requirements:
* iPhone or iPod touch 3.0 or later

Pricing and Availability:
Super Capers Comic #1 – Back to the Feature is only $1.99 (USD) and is available exclusively through Apple’s iTunes App Store.

RG Entertainment
Download and Purchase

RG Entertainment, Ltd. is an entertainment company dedicated to telling compelling and captivating stories to family audiences that they may be swept away from reality and lost in the Silver Screen for a moment in time. RG Entertainment, Ltd. most recently completed the award-winning, independent, feature film Super Capers, coming to DVD on July 21, 2009, and is now pursuing development of the epic, feature film Lucifer, based on the multiple award-winning short created by RG Entertainment, Ltd. Copyright 2009 RG Entertainment, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

###

Ray Griggs
Producer/Director
RGEntertainment, Ltd.
310-246-1442
United States

Okay, this is more than a little geeky, but nonetheless pretty cool. Other than the pic above, I did this entire post directly from my iPhone!

One of the more annoying things about the iPhone’s web capabilities is it’s absence of flash support. Since my blog software, WordPress, uses flash for much of its dashboard functionality, that means I have never been able to post directly from my iPhone… at least until I installed this nifty plugin called WPhone. I think my pal Cedric told me about it a while ago but for some reason I never went and got it.

It works pretty well, but with limitations. I can’t seem to be able to upload a picture (added one above after the fact), or easily add one already uploaded. I can do a hyperlink, but need to manually add the HTML tags. I can choose a category, add tags, turn on or off comments and pings, create a custom “slug” and preview.

I’m told WP is working on a native iPhone app for more full featured accessibility.

You can find more info here: WPhone Plugin Website .

UPDATED: Looks like WordPress is a lot closer to getting a native iPhone app than I thought:

To upgrade or not to upgrade…actually there is no question at all. The easy answer, IMO anyway, is a big NO.

That’s saying a lot coming from me, a guy who is always itching to get the latest and greatest in cool gadgets. I bought the original iPhone on the day it was released. I will not be getting this upgrade, which is being released tomorrow… in case you haven’t heard.

Why not? The cost of the new iPhone is half what they were when it debuted last year in June, and they are offering to cancel the previous contract agreement for first gen iPhone users and give them the subsidized price with a new agreement. The new 3G technology in it boasts much faster web surfing/mail downloads and it now has a built in real GPS for real time navigation and map features. The new software will allow for 3rd party applications to be downloaded and to run on the iPhone… which promises a lot of useful programs and cool stuff that will make the iPhone more productive and fun. So what’s the problem?

In short, not worth it. Not enough new and in the long run it’s much more expensive in terms of your phone plan.

Yes, the 16GB 3G iPhone is only $299.00, but the data plan for the new phone rises from $20 a month for unlimited internet to $30 a month. That’s an extra $120 a year for the same service, albeit faster IF you are in a 3G area. However, AT&T also quietly eliminated the included 200 SMS text messages a month that was previously included in all the different iPhone plans. Getting that back will cost another $5 per month, for a whopping $180 a year increase in service costs, $360 more over the two year term. You will pay more than 100% of what the iPhone itself costs in extra charges over the two years of your commitment (if you use text messaging).

Couple that with the fact that there is very little in the way of functionality changes specific to the 3G, and that extra $$ is way too much to upgrade. Most of the new software, at least that which doesn’t need the true GPS to function, will also be available and usable on the first gen iPhone which receives the same updated OS and third party compatibility. The new 3G has the same awful 2 mega-pixel camera, the same sized screen, the same basic form and function. No addition of MMS image text messaging, cut and paste,  instant messaging or voice dialing… all glaring shortcomings of the iPhone. There is not a lot of new and shiny here. I just read one review of the 3G that claims the GPS antennae in the new iPhone is too small to give you true real time turn-by-turn map directions. That’s a key selling point gone for me.

In fact, the only other really substantial change outside of the 3G connection and the GPS? A non-recessed headphone jack so any headphones can be used without an adapter. BTW, I hope the moron at Apple who’s idea it was to recess that jack so non-apple headphones would need an adapter is bagging groceries for a living somewhere in out-state Nebraska right now.

Nope, this is one to skip. If Apple is smart they are already hard at work on iPhone 3.0, and it will be a more substantial advance in technology. Better camera, easier to access contact list, voice dialing, more memory capacity and horizontal-capable text and e-mail keyboards would be welcome. I’ll wait for that one. My iPhone 1.0 is still doing the job admirably.

I admit it. I am a techno-gadget junkie. I love all that crap. Shiny new technology is cool and sometimes irresistible for me. The Lovely Anna calls it my only vice (okay, my most troublesome vice… however when she starts making fun of me about it I mention shoes and handbags and she shuts right up). I got the original iPhone the day it was released, although quite by accident and with only about a 2 hour wait in line.

So, it was with great interest I read about the new iPhone 3G that was announced on Monday at WWDC. I really like my iPhone, and have found it to be incredibly useful as a combination phone, portable e-mail and communications device and PDA… not to mention being able to watch the occasional movie on it. It has really been invaluable for keeping in touch with my clients when on the road, and for running the business.

On July 11th comes the new version of the iPhone. Originally I was skeptical about upgrading, and still am to some degree. I paid $499 for my iPhone (after the $100 credit early adopters got from Apple) and it’s still working great. Why upgrade? Here are the pros and cons for me on the dillema:

Reasons to Upgrade-

• Faster Speeds- The 3G network should bring twice the download speeds for internet and e-mail use. E-mail seems to me to load pretty fast, unless there is an attachment with it. Still, no doubt I would notice and relish the new speeds. Minneapolis/St. Paul has the 3G network so I would be able to take advantage of that speed increase (not every market has the 3G network in place).
• Real GPS- The Maps feature on the iPhone I have actually used a lot, but it is limited. You need to know exactly where you are in order to plot directions to a destination, and then if you screw up the route you need to stop and redo it from your new starting point, which you again must know the address of. Real GPS in the iPhone 3G will pinpoint your exact location and map your route to a destination, plus it will follow you in real time so if you go off track you can easily reroute. 3rd party apps like TomTom are going to further enhance your GPS navigation capabilities as well. This is something I would really use.
• More Memory- I have the 8 GB iPhone and while there has been a 16 GB for a while now I wouldn’t mind the extra room. Then on a trip I could load up several more movies and/or TV shows for watching.
• Better Battery Life- Supposedly the 3G will have a longer battery charge life, although using the 3G network will eat it faster and probably result in the same real time use between charges. It will last longer on a charge when in “airplane mode” though, and that is cool if you are on a long flight and still want some juice on your phone at the end of the trip after two full length movies.
• Lower cost, can upgrade even if current iPhone user- The 16 GB 3G is only $299, which is half what the original 8 GB cost. AT&T is allowing current iPhone users to upgrade at that price regardless of their current plan’s commitment length.

Reasons Not to Upgrade-

• Software upgraded for free on Original iPhone- Two of the biggest new features are going to be the ability to run 3rd part applications and use “push” technology for Microsoft Exchange software. I don’t care about the latter and the former, while cool and full of promises, makes me a little nervous. Running 3rd party apps are likely going to cause some headaches with compatibility and make make the iPhone’s tech support busy. Still there is no denying that the iPhone could be greatly enhanced by some cool new applications, and it will be fun to see what becomes available. Here’s the rub… I get that for free when my current iPhone get’s the ne 2.0 software. Only apps designed to use the GPS or new hardware will not work on my iPhone.
• Higher Cost for Plan- The new data plan for the 3G is $10 a month more than the current plan. That’ $120 more a year. Suddenly the cheaper price for the phone doesn’t look much cheaper.
• Form Factor the Same- Even though they now sport plastic backs, non-recessed headphone jacks and some slightly different button, this phone is basically the same as the one I have physically. I’d have liked to see something new and cool in that regard. Significantly lighter would have been enticing.

The reasons to upgrade are actually a little thin. Basically it’s all about the faster speed and GPS… most of the rest you get for free with the software update. I can live with the slower speeds, as I really do very little websurfing, finding that aspect frustrating on the small screen. E-mail, as I said, works pretty quickly and is certainly not so slow that it is a problem. The true GPS is the one really covetous new feature.

I’ll have to think about it. My iPhone is working great and I really use it a lot, and it has no glaring deficiencies that really scream for updating… still if you are the betting type I’d put my money on “Tom upgrades on Day One” with 2 to 1 odds.