Bradtastica, the collection of coolness

Well, where should I begin…

I kind of totally forgot about Bradtastica.

I guess that that’s what happens with a disability, chronic pain, and very little time using the internet and writing. This website is really a WordPress testing ground for me, because I’ve been writing about apps and stuff elsewhere—my main blog. That reminds me… I’ve changed the name, and I’m consolidating! Superfloo.us is now SaysBrad, and soon, BradChin.com will be different as well.

I have started a few reviews (stored in Writing Kit) for iOS apps, so hopefully soon I can post new reviews.

Hopefully I can edit this site and make it more attractive as well.

Sorry for the sideways image. GI Joyride is a blast, though, and something that I downloaded for free, so I thought I’d share it.

The game is really simple, go fast and run people over, without landing upside-down. The farther and faster you travel, the more experience you receive. EXP is used to unlock new vehicles and paint jobs.

This iPhone/iPod touch game is played by tilting the device left and right, and touching the bottom of the screen for accelerating and braking.

Just get this game — it’s a stress-free, fun stunt ride with some dark humor and light comedy.

For the moment, Facebook integration seems to be down, but I’m sure that whatever is wrong, it’s only a temporary problem.

Just thought I’d post a friendly reminder here since I’m not sure when I will be able to make time to really analyze games and such…

iOS users: many great apps are available at discounted prices (or free) for Father’s Day. Take advantage of this; I’ve seen some ten dollar apps for $0.99 USD, and you’ll find plenty of freebies.

Unfortunately, searching the App Store from the iPhone or iPad is a little tricky and very time-consuming. This can create a problem and a dilemma; are you going to find what you’re looking for, do you know what’s even available now, and is the discount really worth the time that it’ll take to scour the store page after page?

Fortunately, I have a solution for you. check out AppShopper, a free app that makes sifting through the plethora manageable — even fun! I’m so confident that the app will help you, it’s presently beyond “Bradtastic Approved,” and you’ll thank me later. (If you find some smoking hot deal, please share it with others. You could even list your favorite apps here… particularly games. If you save money you would’ve surely spent, please donate some time or money to wildlife conservation — or better still: gift an app, or send me something cool!) It would be VERY NICE if the App Store came with a shareable wish list feature; that doesn’t (yet) exist, but AppShopper can help. Make a free AppShopper account, and you can store items to a wish list that’ll keep track of favorites or potential future-purchases, and display (seemingly) realtime price fluctuations.

For more iOS info and other things, check out “(not) superfluous.” If you have an iOS device, definitely follow my upcoming posts — I’m going to try and reveal some strategies, usability tips, and other ways to save (or maximize) your money.

If you have an iOS device, check out 9 Colonies ($1.99 USD). At present, it’s not universal, and it has some bugs and typos, but overall, it’s an interesting game for two dollars and it’d be nice to encourage more developers to try similar things. With all of the copycat apps out there, it’s nice to have something different — but now I want more… and better.

Though I gave the current state of the game a three-star review on iTunes, I do think that the game has potential, and I do like it. My biggest issue with the game is that it lacks polish; the basic gameplay is solid (though it could have more depth), the interface is usable and the mechanics work well on the iPhone.

The interface could be more colorful and less generic, and the colony themes and colors could be more vibrant as well. There’s a distinct contrast between the opening sequence and the game. The lack of modes is a negative; as is, the game only plays one way, with one main objective, and has only two difficulty options.

After fixing the (very annoying) typos and a few tweaks, 9 Colonies is a clear winner of a strategy game. With the goal of “uniting the solar system,” you set off to conquer each planet (colony). Gameplay feels like a mix between pen and paper, text-based RPG, tactics and turn-based strategy games. Another developer could’ve easily taken this game’s premise and butchered it by creating a crap real-time strategy game; “XOR Gaming LLC,” however, took the right approach, and I hope that they continue development of 9 Colonies. The addition of multiplayer would be fantastic.

Despite its flaws, 9 Colonies is a unique strategy game with tons of potential, well suited for portable play with a strong core concept. It’d be a solid, no-brainer at $0.99, but even at $1.99, tactics lovers won’t feel buyer’s remorse.

I’ve been writing a lot more. Mostly on my iPad, but I’ve posted some of it at (not) superfluous. I’ve decided to use this blog to continue talking about cool things, but more specifically. Now it’s apps, video games, and the things behind ‘em… meaning some talk about developers, tools, technology, hardware, consoles, etc.

And there’ll be some hot tips and stories along the way as well.

For more on bradtastica…

visit about.

If you want, you can chat with me through Twitter.

Stephanie and I saw Eclipse last night after she got off of work. We went to Century Theaters in Walnut Creek — I’d forgotten to use my prepaid tickets. Two tickets, $21 plus snacks, $18.50 — it’s probably a good thing that movie-going isn’t a normal outing anymore. It’s not cheap going to the theater; with DVDs and Blu-Ray versions releasing so soon after the theatrical release, I prefer to wait most of the time. Beyond that, I have Netflix, and many movies become available as watch instantly… many new releases through Starz Play.

Seeing the movie again has given me the urge to reread Stephenie Meyer’s Eclipse, if for no other reason than to examine the differences and discrepancies. Each Twilight Saga movie has been better than the last, and I’m sure that Breaking Dawn will be an incredible production — I’m wondering about how they’ll choose to portray the many vampire powers. New Moon and Eclipse have done fairly well to portray the speed and strength of the vampires and wolves.

This brings up several things, and some news.

Immediately following the release of the movie Twilight, I purchased the four books of the Saga on Kindle. Now, Amazon has announced that the new Kindle DX (black, with free worldwide 3G) is only $379. I am as excited about getting one of these as I am about the iPhone 4. One of my associates told me that the new retina display is so remarkable, it looks unreal. I like the idea of mobile video chatting and extended functionality.

Thoughts and review, software and Apple products.

I do hope that Apple hurries up with an IOS4 update for the iPad. Although I had considered getting a 3G model, I might wait for the next-gen version. I wish the device had larger storage capacity (for large photos, Sketchbook created artwork, HD movies, music videos) and more memory — currently, if I scroll through Photos too-quickly, the iPad crashes. I also wish that more developers would release apps (specifically, I’d like a iPad-optimized blogging tool for Squarespace and Typepad, MarsEdit or ecto, ThinkFree, Zoho, or Google Documents app and Mariner Software’s Macjournal). The iPad makes for a surprisingly nice reading platform, especially with Zinio magazine reader, iBooks and GoodReader. Although I still prefer reading on the Kindle’s digital paper (I’m not opposed to trying the Barnes & Noble device, nook), I’m not always in well-lit areas, and the option to get some light reading done is wonderful. I hope that Apple chooses to create a “retina display” for their next iPad, along with removable storage and additional battery capacity (extended battery options).

[I also just signed up for the OnLive Founding Members Program Waiting List. I think the service is going to rock. Join OnLive]

About blogging, here and elsewhere.

The iPad is a pleasure to write on. I’ve read several reviews and comments stating that the iPad is about consuming content, not creating it, however, I’ve found that this isn’t the case — at least not for me. With apps like Taskpaper, Notably, Autodesk Sketchbook Pro, HelvetiNote and Penultimate, I’ve composed quite a bit — sketched, drawn, written — and with an ease I’ve never before experienced. With the keyboard accessory, the iPad docks in portrait-view — perfect for writing emails and blog entries. I’ve written this entry on my iPad using the WordPress app.

Forever, is it never?

Earlier today I skimmed an article in Newsweek about immortality and thought that the timing was interesting. No doubt that it has something to do with that movie about vampires that just released, that I just saw… what’s it called, again? If only it were less obscure…

I’d started gathering my thoughts, but by the time I’d thought about writing them at Bradtastic Defined, it was time to leave the house. This timing wasn’t unfortunate; taking the time to collect more of my opinions, impressions, facts and evidence on this topic is prudent, and I’d even consider that seeing Eclipse has enhanced — if not altered — my views on the subject.

Earlier, I’d replied to a prompt at my Plinky — if I had unlimited resources… After having given it some thought, I replied honestly — though I cannot claim accuracy because I’m not sure that it’s possible to know what one would do in an impossible situation until it occurred. Thinking on this now, I sense similarities between the Plinky question and the topic of immortality — both are so incalculably far from our perspective and understanding that it’s unreasonable to assume semi-accurate speculation. We’re simply too far away from either situation.

Even when we ponder immortality in epic stories — novels, tv, movies, games — the undying and undead still perish… vampires, Highlander, planeswalkers… forever is incomprehensible. However, I will try to write about it anyway, at BradChin.com, because I fundamentally disagree with the Newsweek article.

I’m also working on new projects, including new designs for the Marrakech Magic Theater. Please follow superfloo.us for updates!