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6 Evident Reasons for Budget Overruns
In recent times, it is extremely rare that a project is completed within its set budget. Proper planning is the key to a successful project, but there are few problems that are usually beyond the realm of planning. One of them is the budget overrun. It’s true that we can avoid certain problems through planning and proper execution but you can never predict exactly what would happen once you start a project.
Here are few of the some very common reasons that lead to budget overrun and how they could be avoided.
Underfinancing
One of the main reasons that cause budget overrun is underfinancing. Not allocating an adequate amount of budget to a project at the start will obviously lead to either budget overrun or failure. Assuming that a project will be a success, not allotting enough budget is downright wishful thinking.
- How to avoid it: Explain to the sponsors beforehand about project overruns, and how it could be handled i.e. either through additional funding or scope reduction.
Unfeasible Cost Estimates
Cost estimation is an important process in a project and one common reason for budget overrun. If the cost is calculated on the basis of a hunch, or by inexperienced or unqualified personnel, then the project is unexpectedly going to face budget overruns. This might look fine at the earlier stages of a project, but often look unrealistic at latter stages.
- How to avoid it: Seek help of expert staff members and subject matter professionals while making estimates of the cost of a project. Break down work into smaller portions and then make estimates. You can make comprehensive estimates by using cost estimation techniques like Parametric Modeling, 3 Point Estimate, Reserve Analysis, Bottom Up Analysis, Simulation etc.
Underestimating the Project Complexity
Large projects are usually at risk of overrunning its budget because the larger the project, the bigger the complications that may arise during its execution.
- How to avoid it: Divide the phases of the project into smaller parts. Avoid planning extensively from the very beginning and leave room for changes or delays that may or may not occur during the project.
Prolonged Project Schedule
If the project is on schedule, that does not necessarily mean that the project budget is also being met. On the other hand, if project schedule is extended, that automatically translates into more time and money that needs to be put into the project. Project extension means staff and resources would be required for more time.
- How to avoid it: Planning of critical phases of a project are extremely important as any deviation in any part of the project affects all that follows that phase; the time and cost that was initially allotted to it. If you are asked to extend the time of the project, clarify it to your sponsors that it will probably cost more than it was initially planned, since more time means more resources would be used.
Lack of Backup Plan
If you do not have a backup plan for any problem that might arise, then even the smallest delay in the schedule will cause an overrun.
- How to avoid it: Always have a plan in case any problems arise. Your budget should estimate the cost of the project, but along with that there should always be room for some unexpected changes that can happen in the schedule or scope of the project. Leave room for changes in your budget plan.
Lack of Resource Planning
If you fail to effectively plan the resources that are available to you, then this would obviously lead to a budget overrun. One of the most common mistakes that cause overrun is the failure to estimate the resources that would be utilized during the project. They could be underestimated, seeing that contracting conditions change accordingly and may have increased from the time when the project was planned. On the other hand, they could be overestimated and would lead to blockage of resources that could have been effectively utilized elsewhere.
- How to avoid it: This could be avoided by proper planning. Plan the scope, then estimate the cost, and time it would require. Then accordingly, allocate the budget to all the departments. Planning everything ahead ensures that you have a better understanding of all the resources and equipment you will need.
How about looking for a tool to avoid Budget Overruns?
The points made above all demonstrate different aspects that lead to budget overruns. There exist many tools/apps that can help in many of these and should be considered. Here are a few below that might set your projects on a successful path.
The post 6 Evident Reasons for Budget Overruns appeared first on Project-Management.com.
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What to do if your Project Runs Late?
Despite your best laid plans and well thought out project timeline your project is forecast to run late.
Scenario: The project is forecast to run late.
In a good project timeline you will have key milestones, which should be used to track the project’s progress. By having interim deliverables due, a project manager can determine how a project is progressing and therefore be able to forecast if the final deliverable will be later than expected. As the project manager, you will be able to see from your project timeline which tasks should have been completed and which have been. Once assessing your situation, one or a combination of the following solutions may be suitable.
Solution 1: Consult with your stakeholders to agree on a suitable extension of time
Strong stakeholder communication is critical for successful delivery of projects on an ongoing basis. It is important to maintain strong communication with your project sponsor and project client, as potential and actual issues arise so they are not surprised when a project runs late. By being well informed of issues that come up, a client may actually feel that you have provided a better outcome by taking longer on the project. Although the project may be delivered after the initial due date strong communication will reduce negative impacts of delayed delivery. Never break the golden rule of telling a client the job will be late, AFTER it is due. Managing client expectation is an important part of project management.
Solution 2: Prioritise project elements, reduce project scope or agree on staged delivery
If a project needs to come in on a particular date you may need to re-examine the project scope with the view to refining some elements. This can be challenging, however generally projects have “nice to have” components that are not critical. These could potentially be delivered after the key project due date. If a report is due, you could elect to provide an extended executive summary with key results found to date, with an updated final report provided at a later stage, or you may elect to not deliver some components of the project.
Solution 3: Bring on additional resources and/or extend working hours (spend more money)
Spending more budget is often suggested as a way to bring projects in on-time. This solution generally works on bigger projects and is particularly suited to projects where the deliverables are clear, eg. Build this house to this plan or tasks can be separated and given to another company or additional staff. For example, repainting 20 depots can be split into 2 sub tasks given to two companies to paint 10 each. For smaller projects this approach may not be suitable as the project knowledge may be with one or two individuals and disseminating this knowledge may slow the project further.
Improving for next time
Most clients will forgive a late project once, twice is pushing the relationship and after the third time you won’t be invited back. The best way to ensure future improvement is to conduct a post implementation review and ensure project improvements are incorporated into your project management delivery framework. Your project management delivery framework sets out steps to follow to develop your project plan, scope and budget and effectively deliver the project. For smaller projects the project management delivery framework may be a checklist of key items to complete and key issues to consider before the project commences and during implementation. Having this process documented means that you can get it right each and every time and incorporate improvements from lessons learnt.
How about looking for a tool to stop being late in your projects?
The points made above all demonstrate different aspects to how stop being late in your projects. There exist many tools/apps that can help in many of these and should be considered. Here are a few below that might set your projects on a successful path.
The post What to do if your Project Runs Late? appeared first on Project-Management.com.
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Five Factors That Lead to Successful Projects
Having a talented project manager is the first step to actual project success, but there are other important factors that contribute largely to a project’s outcome. It takes careful planning, attention to detail and effective communication to make a project succeed. With vigilant management and a strong project closing, a company can consistently reach project success.
1. Smart People
Without the right team in place, any strategy and plan has the potential of completely falling apart. Because of this, the core project staff, expert resources, suppliers and all stakeholders should be part of the team dynamic. All of those involved must have commitment to the group, share similar visions for the projects and strive for overall success.
Project managers can face serious trouble if inadequacy is present within the team. Inept leadership or an out-of-sync team can send a project towards failure. It is important to assign the right people to each aspect of the project and make sure that they are working well together. Additionally, the entire team should be completely informed and involved in order to have the most successful outcome, which means that communication has to be on par.
Use a software tool to get everyone online and using a central repository of information. Tools like Copper Project not only allow you to manage the To-Dos and Project plans, but will also allow you to set the availability of your resources, and then book their time on specific tasks/projects. Once they’ve logged their time, you have a powerful system that not only automates time-sheets/invoicing, but stops your project processes falling apart when your staff move on.
2. Smart Planning
Comprehensive planning sets up a project for success from the start. All stakeholders should be on board during the planning process and always know in which direction the project is going to go. Planning can help the team to meet deadlines and stay organized. Good planning not only keeps the project team focused and on track, but also keeps stakeholders aware of project progress.
There are many benefits to smart planning. This first step in the project process allows for a reliable and realistic time-scale to be created. Assuring accurate time for cost estimates to be produced and for clear documentation of milestones and deliverables will make things much easier as the project progresses. A proficient plan details all resource requirements and doubles as a warning system. If task slippage is at risk, then a warning system will provide clear visibility of what to expect.
Use a tool that offers a full drag and drop timeline so that you can quickly and effectively build a project plan and establish an accurate end date. Use previously completed projects as templates for your future projects. In this way not only can you avoid redundancies associated with creating a new project from scratch each time, but the more often you reuse a template project the closer you’ll be to accurate timelines and budget estimates
3. Open Communication
Looking closely at details and listening to outside sources of information is vital to the success of a project. Keeping open communication within the team is absolutely essential. When working under a specific timetable, it is important that the team remains well-informed. If a problem arises on one part of a project, it can negatively impact other parts as well. Communication is the best way to prevent problems from occurring.
Communication should also be focused internally within the organization. Keeping an organizational history of major projects will give convenient access to improved policies and business processes. If this isn’t done, then a team may repeat mistakes that have already occurred. Listening to stakeholders and paying attention is a very important ingredient for success.
Good communication also includes knowing when to say no. A project team should never promise anything they know they can’t deliver. Saying no in the beginning could save an overabundance of unnecessary problems later. Always be honest about what your team can do and when it can be done by.
Aside from using a tool that allows draggable timelines, also find one that allows you to use previous projects as templates for establishing your new timeline. Not only will you improve your processes over time (becoming more accurate with your estimates and setting client expectations accordingly), but you also improve communications between all your project participants.
4. Careful Risk Management
Project managers know that things rarely go off exactly as planned. During the planning process, it is vital to produce a risk log with an action plan for the risks that the project could face. Make sure all key stakeholders are aware of your risk log and know where they can find it. If something happens, then the team can quickly resolve the issue with the management plan that has already been set in place. This will give the team confidence when facing project risks and help the clients feel comfortable with the project’s progression.
Having a central online database of project information is vital to ensure you don’t lose crucial project momentum during the project, but also in the event of losing key participants you can quickly get your new team members up to speed.
5. Strong Project Closure
If a project does not have strong closure, then it has the potential to continue to consume resources. The project team must be firm and agree with the customer that all critical success factors have been met. Confirmation of the project delivery, testing, and release must be agreed upon and signed off. Satisfaction surveys are good forms of documentation to log and file for future reference and valuable information for use in the future.
It is the project manager’s job to ensure that everything runs smoothly on a project, but having a great project manager doesn’t guarantee a successful project outcome. The entire team paying attention to key factors is what will help lead the project to true success. This success will then lead to proactive, organized project plans and an increase in quality of all future projects.
How about looking for a tool that lead to successful projects?
The points made above all demonstrate different aspects that lead to successful projects. There exist many tools/apps that can help in many of these and should be considered. Here are a few below that might set your projects on a successful path.
The post Five Factors That Lead to Successful Projects appeared first on Project-Management.com.
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Break the Email Habit – Encouraging Adoption of Collaboration Tools
Encouraging Adoption – Pay Attention to the “People Part”
Here are some suggestions for getting your users to break the email habit and collaborate online to share files, manage tasks, and communicate better. It obviously starts with using a really intuitive and easy-to-use technology platform, but it is important to pay attention to the “people part” and actively encourage adoption and use.
Understanding Incentives
There are two ways to motivate users to collaborate online. Users will either 1) log in and access or share information because it provides a valuable service to them personally, or 2) they will log in and use it because they are expected to by someone in a position of authority.
To encourage “voluntary” use, the tool must provide valuable services to its users. If the content and functionality helps busy users access information they need or to accomplish a task – they will log in and use the tool voluntarily. In addition, recognizing users who make valuable contributions can boost their incentives to proactively participate.
In other cases where volunteerism and peer recognition is not enough, organizations must set clear expectations and guidelines for members and reinforce them often. The incentive, then, is simply the desire to do what is asked. This may be another obvious-sounding recommendation, but it also tends to be lost in the rush to do other, higher-profile activities. In some cases, responsibilities requiring a significant contribution of time should be incorporated into individuals’ job descriptions.
User types
Experience shows that there are stark differences in online behavior in participation within different user groups, and therefore it is useful to plan around these different types of users. These are outlined below.
- Super Users – Super Users are highly active community participants that not only contribute content but also take ownership and work to promote it and make it successful. They will, for instance, help police content for appropriateness and, properly guided, informally train users on expectations and norms. They will also welcome new users and help them understand the community and its role in their work. There will likely be few Super Users, but they have enormous importance for the initiative.
- Regulars – Regulars are more typical “good” users. They login regularly and contribute content of various kinds with some frequency. While not as active as Super Users, there are somewhat more of them and thus in aggregate they form an important active layer of the community.
- Contributors – Many users will come to the site with some frequency, but will contribute to it only once in a while. While they do not give much to the community, they are still demonstrating a level of interest that suggests they are learning from it. Additional support and incentives may convert some to Regulars.
- Browsers – Another large segment will visit the site periodically but never – or Rarely – contribute to it. These users represent possible Contributors but are in need of further promotion, additional incentives, and, perhaps, more training.
- No-shows – There will be a group of potential users who never catch on to the community. Periodic efforts to convert these users would be valuable, but you should not expend great effort on them. It would, however, be valuable to discuss why these users are not active and understand if there are systematic dissatisfiers or disincentives within the community.
When an organization is ready to roll out a collaboration tool, they should prepare and send an announcement to all potential users. The announcement should be brief but should clearly articulate:
- The goals for the organization
- The “selling points” – the value it will provide and the incentives that will be in place
- An overview of the services it will contain – both content and functionality
- A summary of guidelines and expectations for use
- A timetable for when they can expect to be able to use it
- A schedule for training
Lead by Example
Lastly, employees are never going to adopt an online collaboration tool unless they see management using it. Let team leaders be the guinea pigs that ensure the application works as advertised and let them inspire other team members to start using it.
Don’t convert the entire organization to the new system overnight. Start out small with individual project teams to pilot test the tool. This allows the application to be tested and any problems solved. It also allows team members to dip a toe in and see that the water is fine.
Finally, offer training and technical support. Structured training eases the learning curve and the frustration of implementing a new product. Knowledgeable super users and technical support personnel can fix user problems quickly, again reducing the aggravation of adopting a new system.A well-designed implementation plan can have your new online collaboration tool, whether it is an online task management system or a knowledge management tool, operating smoothly within weeks, backed by the full support of the entire team.
How about looking for a tool to eliminate email habit?
The points made above all demonstrate different aspects to how encouraging adoption of collaboration tools is important. There exist many tools/apps that can help in many of these and should be considered. Here are a few below that might set your projects on a successful path.
The post Break the Email Habit – Encouraging Adoption of Collaboration Tools appeared first on Project-Management.com.
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Rose Gold coming to iPhone 5se like iPhone 6s, not ‘bright pink’, plus next iPads & MacBooks
In January, we reported that the upcoming 4-inch iPhone 5se would be released in the same colors as the iPhone 6s: Silver, Space Gray, Gold, and Rose Gold. That is still the case, according to sources. This weekend, reports have emerged with claims that the new device will be offered in a new “bright” or “hot” pink color option, but source’s say that the iPhone 5se’s coloring is identical to the iPhone 6s’s in appearance.
Apple is said to be aiming to keep its hardware colors consistent across iOS devices. In fact, there are Rose Gold variations of the upcoming iPad Air 3 floating around Apple’s campus. Apple is also considering bringing that gold hue over to the next versions of the 12-inch MacBook and the iPad mini, according to sources, but those will not arrive at next month’s event.
Apple will unveil the new iPhone model alongside the next-generation iPad Air and a series of new Apple Watch options at an event on Tuesday, March 15th, we previously reported. The iPhone 5se is essentially an upgraded iPhone 5s with faster A9 and M9 chips, the iPhone 6’s camera system, more storage, Apple Pay, always-on Siri activation support in a design that is “nearly identical” to that of the 5s.
The upcoming iPad Air 3 will come in around the size of the iPad Air 2, lack 3D Touch, and include a Smart Connector for a new line of iPad Air-optimized accessories, according to sources. Leaked design schematics have indicated that the device could also include a rear-facing LED flash for improved photography. This spring’s Apple Watch updates will include a Space Black Watch with a Milanese Loop, new Sport Band colors, and line of NATO-style nylon straps.
(Image via Macworld)
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: iPhone 5se, Rose Gold
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Apple quietly launches Mac Pro (Late 2013) Repair Program for graphics card/video issues
Apple is launching a new Mac Pro Repair Extension Program to address complaints of video related issues with select models of its latest high-end desktop offering, 9to5Mac has learned. We obtained the notice (pictured below) that Apple this week sent out to its authorized service providers detailing the new program and those eligible for repairs or replacements.
In the notice, Apple notes that Mac Pros were manufactured between February 8, 2015 and April 11, 2015 are eligible for repairs due to issues with the machine’s graphics cards that “may cause distorted video, no video, system instability, freezing, restarts, shut downs, or may prevent system start up.”
Apple goes into a bit more detail about the symptoms eligible for repair:
- Distorted or scrambled video on the external display
- No video on the external display even though the computer is on
- Computer freezes or restarts unexpectedly
- Computer will not start up
Apple has instructed Apple employees and authorized service providers to fix eligible Mac showing signs of graphics issues at no charge to the customer. The repair will consist of Apple swapping out the graphics card and on average will take 3-5 days.
And here’s a look at Apple’s internal notice to employees and service providers:
Apple hasn’t publicly announced the program, and it’s unclear if it might do so at a later point or leave it to retail staff and authorized service providers to inform customers on a case by case basis. A search on Apple’s support forums does show length threads with a number of users complaining of similar problems with the Mac Pro including both machines that fall within Apple’s guidelines for eligibility and some that don’t.
While this is the first repair program launched for the Mac Pro, Apple in February of last year launched a repair extension program for MacBook Pros manufactured between 2011 and 2013 due to similar graphics related issues.
Filed under: AAPL Company, Mac Tagged: Apple, freezing, Graphics, Mac Pro, repair program, restarts, shut downs, video
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Jeremy’s 5: HoverDock for Apple Watch / iPhone, Error 53, Apple in Small Business + Apple Pay
Welcome to the latest edition of Jeremy’s 5, my latest roundup of 5 interesting little things that aren’t big enough for full articles, but are still worth sharing with you.
This week, I’m sharing some thoughts on Just Mobile’s latest iPhone and Apple Watch docks, iOS’s mysterious Error 53, experiences integrating Apple products into a small business, and Apple Pay…
1. Just Mobile’s HoverDock for Apple Watch. My guide to the Best Apple Watch Stands and Docks has been updated quite a few times over the past year, as pretty much every major accessory maker has weighed in with an option for the daily-recharged wearable. Just Mobile is now on its third such accessory, following up the $40 TimeStand and Lounge Dock with the $35 HoverDock for Apple Watch.
HoverDock scores some points for elegance, as the aluminum and plastic puck is sexier and more compact than Apple’s official Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock, using better materials at a lower price. It also achieves the same goals, mounting your Watch in a Nightstand Mode-friendly orientation modestly above any flat surface. Finally, it makes charging cable management as easy as spinning the plastic core inside the aluminum frame. I personally prefer the heavier weight and look of TimeStand, but if you want to save a few bucks and have a dedicated base for Nightstand Mode, HoverDock’s a nice alternative. People with long charging cables and/or plans to travel may well find it to be Just Mobile’s best solution.
2. Just Mobile’s HoverDock for iPhone. Virtually identical to the Apple Watch version, the $35 HoverDock for iPhone also works with the iPod touch and iPad mini. You still have to self-supply an official Apple cable — here, Lightning — but unlike Apple’s official iPhone docks, HoverDock includes an adjustable plug insert to tailor the Lightning connector’s height to your bare or encased iPhone. It feels a bit light in weight, but the minimalist design and cable management will certainly appeal to some iPhone users.
3. Error 53 and Me. Remember when I mentioned the mysterious iOS Error 53 in a December edition of this column? Just over one month later, Apple has started to acknowledge that Touch ID-related issues can, as I said, completely brick your device when you attempt to upgrade iOS to a new version. In short, if your Touch ID sensor fails for any reason and you try to use iTunes to update iOS, your device will — without warning — fail mid-way through the update process and be rendered unusable.
Following a report in The Guardian, an Apple spokesperson said that affected users should “contact Apple support.” I did so for my wife’s iPhone 6 back in December, and was required to spend out-of-pocket cash to replace the device. It appears that The Guardian is agitating for a class-action lawsuit to be filed on behalf of affected iPhone users; to avoid that mess, Apple should really make repairs free and refund those of us who paid to replace Error 53-crippled iPhones.
4. Apple In The Small Business. If you haven’t seen my Twitter account, you mightn’t know that I’ve spent the last month deeply immersed in opening a restaurant, including (amongst many other things) the ground-up building of its digital infrastructure. Not surprisingly, we’re using as much Apple hardware as possible: our office is filled with MacBook Pros and iPhones, all tied together using AirPort Extreme wireless hardware and common apps. My goal has also been to use as much Apple software as possible, eschewing Microsoft Office for Apple’s iWork suite, completing (numerous) forms with OS X Preview, and powering our audio system with iTunes (and, believe it or not, AirPlay speakers).
By and large, I’ve been thrilled with how all of the pieces work individually and together — despite a growing chorus that Apple’s days of “just works” hardware and software may have passed, all of our Apple gear does in fact work 95% of the time. The problems we’ve had are largely on the fringes: one of us has a recently AT&T-refurbished iPhone 5s that never worked quite right, another (me) has an iPad Pro that rarely gets used due to a lack of compelling software, and none of us has yet found good uses for several spare iPads, iPad minis, and an Apple Watch we’d expected to use in the business.
The latter point is surprising for a couple of reasons. First, we had fully anticipated using an iPad-powered point-of-sale (POS) system, but after exploring our options, we concluded that First Data’s hugely impressive, Android-based Clover system was a much better (and more reasonably priced) option than any of the iPad POS software and hardware solutions we examined. Clover looks and feels like an Apple product in every way, is easy to set up, has its own app store, and supports Apple Pay.
Second, although iPads have numerous applications within a restaurant, we will barely use them for their highest purpose (as little computers); instead, most will wind up as limited-use wine menus or something of the sort. Similarly, though I can think of ways a fleet of Apple Watches would be handy, such as coordinating staff using discreet taps on the wrist, sluggish watchOS apps and the inability of iOS/OS X devices to easily trigger Digital Touch features such as Taptic feedback limit the platform’s potential. I’m ready to use more Apple gear in our business, but without the right apps, the added investment is hard to justify.
5. Apple Pay. Apple’s Maps Connect system lets businesses manage their listings on Apple Maps — and now it’s also helping to build support and awareness for Apple Pay. When I went to update our listing on Apple Maps this week, I was offered the opportunity to tag our business within the Maps app as accepting Apple Pay, and if so, to get free decals from Apple to promote Apple Pay on our windows and payment terminals.
I was personally very enthusiastic to accept Apple Pay — we ironically chose those Android-based Clover terminals over iPad payment solutions because Clover includes Apple Pay and EMV support; other POS systems are seriously lagging behind. It seems like a no-brainer that Apple will introduce its own payment terminals, if not a complete point of sale solution, to support Apple Pay at some point in the not-too-distant future. Jony Ive’s mid-2015 shift to Chief Design Officer was said to free him to focus on redesigning Apple’s retail stores, and it would make a lot of sense that he’d be involved in crafting an elegant payment platform to replace the clunky terminals currently carried around by sales associates. I’d expect that such a platform would appear in Apple Stores and a handful of Fortune 500 retailers before trickling down to “the rest of us,” assuming it was designed to be affordable enough to compete with Clover, which it might or mightn’t be.
More From This Author
Check out more of my reviews, How-To guides and editorials for 9to5Mac here! I’ve published a lot of different topics of interest to Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, and Apple Watch users, as well as a personal gift guide for Apple fans, a great gift guide for iPhone users, a detailed gift guide for Mac users, and a separate gift guide for Apple photographers.
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Apple pay, Apple watch, Clover, Error 53, HoverDock, iPad, iPhone, Just Mobile
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The Rebel’s Guide to Design: 16 Rules You Can (And Should) Break [SlideShare]
This post originally appeared on HubSpot’s Agency Post. To read more content like this, subscribe to Agency Post.
Don’t use more than three typefaces. Follow a grid. Keep it simple.
You’ve heard these common design rules repeated over and over again — by your teacher, your art director, and even that friend who uses Microsoft paint to design his band posters.
But adhering to the rules doesn’t always leave room for creative inspiration. As David Ogilvy said, “Talent, I believe, is most likely to be found among nonconformists, dissenters, and rebels.”
In marketing and advertising, we value those who are willing to challenge the norm and question the how — the creatives who discover a novel solution by ignoring the brief and looking at the problem in a completely new way.
But you can only break the rules if you know the rules.
DesignMantic created the below SlideShare outlining the typical rules followed in design and why you should consider breaking them this year. Check it out to learn how exactly you can become a more rebellious designer.
Facebook Pages Can Reply to Comments Privately: This Week in Social Media
Welcome to our weekly edition of what’s hot in social media news. To help you stay up to date with social media, here are some of the news items that caught our attention. What’s New This Week Facebook Rolls Out Private Message Page Replies: Facebook released “an update to [the] Pages/Graph API which will allow a […]
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Apple now selling a classic take on the virtual reality headset with the new View-Master
Apple today has started selling the View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack on its online store. With all the news about the company building out and prototyping virtual reality tech, it’s interesting to see it offering a glimpse at what that future tech may be by selling the device on the online store. Harkening back to the classic ideals of the View-Masters from the past, the new View-Master allows users to go on exciting new adventures. Utilizing a mix of augmented reality and virtual reality, these adventures are now taken to a whole new level. Taking advantage of Experience Packs, users can navigate space, various destinations, and wildlife through a mix of AR and VR.
Even though Apple has received a patent for a VR headset, doubt remains as to what the final product will look like. With Apple hiring hardware engineers to work on display and projection systems, it’s very well likely that their VR implementation has nothing to do with a headset. The View-Master is not the first iPhone-based headset out there, but it is the first and only VR headset that Apple is offering in their online-store.
Offering an approachable system like the View-Master can expose consumers to the new possibilities that virtual reality entails. Chance Miller recently wrote a piece discussing that although now is the time for Apple and VR, it shouldn’t necessarily do so all at once. It’s quite possible that the View-Master is a solid testing platform to understand consumer expectations and desires.
Be sure to explore the official View-Master site to see what’s possible.
The View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack is now available from the Apple online store for $29.95, or from Amazon for $17.74. Each Experience Pack (Space, National Geographic: Wildlife, and Destinations) is available for $14.99 in the Apple online store. Amazon is offering a View-Master Virtual Reality Bundle with all 3 Experience Packs for $84.99.
Filed under: Apps, iOS, iOS Devices Tagged: AR, Augmented reality, iOS, iPhone, mattel, View Master, Virtual reality, vr, VR/AR
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Apple adds server API to CloudKit, unlocking new developer possibilities for the iCloud service
Apple has quietly added a server-side API to CloudKit, following an announcement on the developer news blog. This will enable developers to add a lot of functionality to apps powered by CloudKit, enabling developers to interact with the iCloud CloudKit database outside of user interaction with iOS, Mac or web apps. The web service API enables developers to run independent code on servers that can add, delete and modify records in the CloudKit stack.
Until now, interaction with CloudKit has been limited to the APIs Apple provided in apps. Although this was useful, it lacked the options for more advanced use — most modern apps rely on servers to perform tasks whilst users are away. With the addition of the web API, developers can create many more types of applications using CloudKit as the backend. For instance, an RSS reader app can now add new feed items to the CloudKit stack from the server. Before, this action could only occur when a user opened a CloudKit-powered app, which was essentially impractical and meant developers had to use other tools.
Expect CloudKit adoption to rise with this announcement. The server capabilities dramatically increase the chance that a developer can use CloudKit for their new app where they wouldn’t have been able to before, as so many modern apps rely on some kind of persistent server component. The lack of native SDKs for non-Apple platforms may continue to limit uptake, however.
Parse, a similar cloud framework, has recently announced it will shut down next year. With the inclusion of a server side request endpoint, CloudKit is now positioned to fully replace Parse as a cloud database engine. The timing of the CloudKit announcement is probably coincidental, but it serves to attract ex-Parse users who are now actively looking for a new platform to build on. Developers can find more information on adopting the new CloudKit features here. For users, expect to see more capable iOS and Mac apps built on top of CloudKit in the future.
Filed under: Developers, iOS, iOS Devices Tagged: Apple, CloudKit, developers, icloud, Parse
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XCOM 2 launches today worldwide with day-one Mac release
XCOM 2, a sequel to the popular XCOM game franchise’s original release, is launching today worldwide for both Mac and PC users, 2K and developer Firaxis announced.
The franchise has received a few releases and spin-offs for Mac and iOS in recent memory — and a refreshed version of the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown game in 2013 — but XCOM 2 is the first official sequel to the original 1994 XCOM: Enemy Unknown release. The game seems to be going over well with players with mostly 9 out of 10 and up scores from the reviewers.
And here’s a break down on the story in XCOM 2 from 2K’s press release:
In XCOM 2, humanity lost the war against the alien threat that has established a new world order on Earth. XCOM, formerly a secret paramilitary organization, is largely forgotten and must strike back from the shadows to reclaim Earth from the aliens’ rule and free mankind from their evil plans.
The developers noted some new additions in XCOM 2 for those familiar with past XCOM titles, including: a unique new narrative, more varied and powerful aliens, procedurally-generated levels and modding support.
It’s available today for $59 on Amazon, GameAgent, Steam and elsewhere with the Mac version available as a digital code for Steam.
Watch the new official launch trailer below:
Filed under: Apps Tagged: 2K, Amazon, buy, ferral, Firaxis, Mac, preorder, release date, Steam, XCOM 2
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Opinion: Apple should lead iOS feature adoption, encourage major players to follow
There’s been a lot of conversation this week around the quality of Apple’s software and services, and yesterday’s brief App Store outage certainly didn’t help. It’s true that new services like Apple Music and iCloud Photo Library are improving but aren’t rock solid yet, but there are two things that currently sour the app experience for me.
First, Apple only does a so-so job of implementing new software features from operating system updates into their own apps. It’s too easy to rattle off a dozen examples. Second, major players like Facebook and YouTube don’t have first class apps that showcase new software features either, and this is where customers spend the most amount of time.
I’ll make the case starting with Apple’s iPhone apps.
The larger iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models introduced in September 2014 made landscape apps more useful than ever — you can see more on bigger, wide screens — and the Plus model even has a landscape Home screen mode where the dock shifts to the right and apps dynamically relocate.
Apple has special modes for many of its apps like Weather and Clock in landscape mode, but several major apps on iOS still only work in portrait mode which makes the landscape Home screen rather frustrating. For example, launch Music from the landscape Home screen and your pushed back into portrait mode.
Similarly, the lock screen doesn’t rotate and other major apps like Phone, Wallet, Health, Activity, and Podcasts are locked in a portrait world.
So it’s no surprise that major third-party apps like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube only support landscape mode in certain instances if at all and not at launch.
Take a look at 3D Touch on the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus as another example. iOS 9.3, which is still in beta and not widely available yet, makes progress here, but not all of Apple’s own apps take advantage of the new pressure sensitive display technology.
And maybe not every iPhone app should use 3D Touch, but I can see uses for Activity, iCloud Drive, the new Music Memos app, and Apple’s other apps that don’t have quick actions yet.
Plenty of third-party apps including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter do a good job of making use of 3D Touch on Apple’s flagship iPhones, but Facebook is only testing it inside its app for some users and it’s nowhere inside of Twitter’s app.
This takes me to my next point, which is that I believe Apple should be strongly encouraging major apps to use new software features like landscape modes and 3D Touch gestures. I don’t know what degree to which this already happens (aside from App Store collections to showcase good players), but it has to be hard for Apple to encourage developers to play ball when they’re participation is only mixed.
Look no further than the iPad to see examples of major third-party apps not ready for prime time, especially on the iPad Pro. Since the iPad Pro was introduced in September and launched in November, you may be surprised to learn that Facebook, Netflix, and YouTube are still blown up, rather fuzzy apps on the 12.9-inch tablet.
The bigger iPad has a different screen resolution than either the iPad mini or iPad Air versions, but there was a two month lead and two months since then to get everything in order.
And the difference can be seen on smaller iPads that have been around for ages, too, as iOS 9 features that were introduced to developers in June 2015 still aren’t being used in these apps. No side-by-side usage with Split View or Slide Over, and certainly no picture-in-picture video playback from Netflix or YouTube (without using alternative apps).
I’d recommend that someone from Apple HQ in Cupertino drive over to Facebook’s and YouTube’s offices and offer to help make these apps look and work like first class apps on iPads, especially the Pro, but Apple hasn’t completed the job on their own apps yet either.
(To be fair to Facebook, the Messenger app is native resolution on iPad Pro and supports iOS 9’s Split View feature, but the messaging app being updated and the main app not is all the more curious, especially when Facebook is still technically baked into the operating system’s share sheet and settings.)
Just this week, Apple updated its Trailers app to appear natively at iPad Pro resolution, for instance, but it lacks Split View and picture-in-picture which is hard to understand for a video playing app.
In December, Apple updated its Remote app to highlight that it works with the new Apple TV after two months without support, but the app actually worked the day before with a tvOS update alone and didn’t require an app update. While Apple pushed out a new version number, it didn’t actually update the Remote app to use the iPad Pro’s native resolution. That’s not a huge deal for this app since it’s mostly a big swipe pad, but the search keyboard still uses the big fat iPad Air keyboard scaled up … in one of Apple’s own apps.
Remote isn’t alone. Other Apple apps that are still blown up and fuzzy on the iPad Pro include AirPort Utility (which makes Apple’s pricey routers worth it), the Apple Store app (where you can shop using Touch ID and Apple Pay), and Music Memos (a brand new app released last month when GarageBand was updated) which only work in portrait on all iPads — including the Pro which encourages a landscape-mode Smart Keyboard accessory.
And it’s not just iPad apps from Apple that haven’t been updated to support the higher screen resolution that make this case.
Plenty of Apple’s apps either don’t support Split View or only partially support it. The problem here is that it both breaks the experience for customers and doesn’t push developers to prioritize adding iOS 9 features in their own apps.
When using Split View on the iPad, opening any number of Apple apps including Music, App Store, iTunes, and Settings will hijack the experience and take you back to full-screen again. Imagine having several apps on the Mac only work in full-screen mode. No good.
Other examples include more complicated, creative apps like GarageBand and iMovie, which are updated for the iPad Pro’s screen size but don’t work with any iPad’s multitasking. You could argue that this class of app doesn’t scale easily, but both apps have iPhone versions and similar apps like Algoriddim’s djay impressively support Split View perfectly on iOS 9.
And curiously, certain Apple apps that do support Split View only partially work for now. Podcasts and iBooks are two examples: you can view content you already have, but Apple serves up a warning when you try to browse sections that rely on the web.
I can appreciate that there are different teams working on different projects within Apple, but the company has a heads up on when new features are in the works, and if not there may be an opportunity for some better organization to ensure Apple leads the effort for adopting new software features.
You never know, big players just might follow (although I’d love to know that there was pressure and collaboration going on behind-the-scenes to make Facebook’s, Netflix’s, and Google’s apps all iPad-worthy) and iPad sales just might climb out of the downward slope they’re on.
Filed under: Apps, iOS, Opinion Tagged: Apple, Apps, iOS 9, iPad, iPhone
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This action-packed ski video was shot entirely on an iPhone … and it’s incredible
With the advancement of compact camera technology, products like the GoPro have really taken off in terms of use in sports and other action-based activities. While the iPhone has almost always had one of the best mobile cameras, its adoption in those fields has been somewhat behind. Today, however, 25-year-old Nicolas Vuignier has shared an incredible video on YouTube showcasing himself skiing down a mountain in Sweden, with all of the footage being shot on an iPhone.
As you can see, this isn’t your normal shaky-cam ski video. This looks like it was shot with something a lot more professional than the iPhone. Throughout the video, Vuignier swings his iPhone around him while skiing, giving a 360 degree view of the adventure. Slow motion footage is also integrated into the final product.
It’s unclear exactly how the video was shot, but Vuignier says a “making of” video is coming soon. In the video, you can vaguely see the outline of at least one wire that Vuignier is using to swing the iPhone around him, but it’s unclear how the phone is mounted. TNW says that the setup, which Vuignier calls Centriphone, was created with a 3D printer and the video was filmed at 240fps. Vuignier hopes to release the template he used to make his phone mount available to the public so anyone can create a video like his.
It’s definitely an amazing video, especially considering that it was shot entirely on an iPhone. Earlier this week, it was revealed that Apple is brining back its award-winning Shot on iPhone ad campaign to highlight the camera capabilities of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The iPhone 7 is rumored to adopt a twin-camera setup that could potentially allow features like optical zoom to make their way to the iPhone, at least in the Plus model, so these should only get better.
Watch Vuignier’s video below:
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Apple, Camera, iPhone, video
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9to5Toys Lunch Break: Apple iPhone 6 Plus leather case $16, 128GB Flash Drive $25, VLC Remote app free, more
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TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:
Apple genuine iPhone 6 Plus Leather Cases in multiples colors as low as $16 + in-store pickup (Orig. $50)
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VLC’s Remote app for iOS/Apple Watch goes free for the first time (Reg. $5)
App Store Free App of the Week: Over graphic design & photo editing app ($4 value)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for iOS hits its lowest price in years: $2 (Reg. $5)
Final Fantasy II on iOS available free inside the FF Portal app ($8 value)
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Review: $13 GRDE Explorer Rugged 10,000mAh Solar dual USB Battery w/ 2 USB lamps: worth every penny
Be a hero this Valentine’s Day w/ these best-selling Adult Coloring Books from $6
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Here’s our first look at the new Uncharted 4 Limited Edition PS4 bundle, pre-order now
- Sony and Canon introduce new 4K digital cameras with two very different price tags
- Amazon Echo speaker can order your Super Bowl Dominoes Pizza, FireTVs get updates
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Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 9to5Toys, Amazon, app deals, Best Buy, Daily Deals, Free App of the Week, free apps, Gold Box, video games
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iTunes Movie Trailers app gets iPad Pro display support, but no iOS 9 enhancements
Apple today has updated its iTunes Movie Trailers application with support for the higher-resolution display of the iPad Pro. The general interface, movie posters, and video playback now appear properly on the larger display. Unfortunately, this video-oriented Apple app did not gain iOS 9’s split-screen or picture-in-picture support this time around. Apple says that the update however includes the usual performance and bug fixes. The app and update are free on the App Store.
Filed under: iOS Devices
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Amazon to Open Physical Stores?
Every news outlet in the world is telling Amazon that they’re doing this ecommerce thing all wrong. What started as an online bookseller ballooned into the largest e-tailer in the world, with every so much more available than books. Such prodigious growth both inspired and disgusted everyone who watched. And now they want to take it all back to where they began: books.
What’s the Story?
If you haven’t yet heard, Amazon “plans” to open three hundred brick-and-mortar bookstores throughout the United States and, ostensibly, several other countries. They already did a little test drive, with one store opened in November of 2015. The promise is that they’ll offer the books for the same price in-store as they do online. The current store also provides that valuable social proof in the form of reviews, with printed cards sharing some of the best and worst to help buyers decide.
Really, it’s as close to an online experience as any brick-and-mortar store could give. And since Amazon is the king of online sales, why shouldn’t they try their hands at in-person sales and service?
Who’s Laughing?
Of course, the media reporting the story are also laughing, because didn’t Amazon put all those brick-and-mortar stores out of business? Everything from the giant Borders to the neighborhood bookshop suffered as more and more shoppers turned to ecommerce. And now Amazon wants to open their own stores? Well, it’s definitely amusing, though probably not to Barnes and Noble, the lone super-bookstore holdout.
So, yes, the idea of this ecommerce giant—which, by the way, thanks books for only 7% of their yearly revenue—leaving the online realm and opening hundreds of brick-and-mortar stores is a bit surreal. Like Alice through the looking glass. Why invest so much for something that only brings in $5.25 billion of their $75 billion yearly revenue?
Maybe Amazon’s Laughing
As this blogger was quick to point out, Amazon has essentially denied the claims that 300 stores are on the way. The official word was that reports are “misleading.” And still the press churns out all this wonderful publicity, much like they did when Amazon announced they’d be using drones for delivery.
Actually, maybe that’s the whole point. Whether Amazon opens one store or three hundred, we’re all talking about them again. Whatever the outcome, whatever the actual plan, Amazon sure did get a lot of people talking. And in the world of sales—both online and in stores—that’s pure gold.
What do you think? If those three hundred stores come to pass, will you be there with bells on to buy your books? Or is it all just an elaborate plan for more publicity?
Apple Pay adds over 30 more banks across the U.S.
With Apple Pay continuing its ongoing rollout across U.S. banks and credit unions, Apple’s mobile payment service has added over 30 new partners. Here is the full list of new Apple Pay banks:
Anderson Brothers Bank, Bank & Trust Company, Bank of Labor, Bank of Yazoo, BankWest, Brown County State Bank, Busey Bank, Campbell & Fetter Bank, Central Bank of Oklahoma, Collinsville Savings Society, Core Bank, Covantage Credit Union, Diversified Members Credit Union, Farmington Bank, Florida Parishes Bank, Fort Worth Community Credit Union, Great Midwest Bank, Horizon Bank (not Horizon Bank, N.A.), Litchfield Bancorp, Luther Burbank Savings, Mississippi National Guard Federal Credit Union, Oregon Community Credit Union, Pathfinder Bank, Platinum Federal Credit Union, Qualstar Credit Union, Red River Bank, Seven Seventeen Credit Union, T Bank, The Citizens Bank, Titonka Savings Bank, US Employees O.C. Federal Credit Union and Wallis State Bank.
In addition to the latest banks that now let card holders add debit and credit cards to Apple Pay, we learned earlier this week that Apple Pay is now accepted at over 2 million locations. And last month Apple CEO Tim Cook said that in countries where the service is available (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia) there are over 5 million contactless payment-ready terminals.
We also learned that food chain Chick-Fil-A plans to rollout Apple Pay at all of its stores. Crate & Barrel and Au Bon Pain are also new Apple Pay locations, and Zappos is adding the payment method to its app for iPhone and iPad.
Local cafes, bakeries, and festivals can also accept Apple Pay much easier now with Square bringing its $49 Apple Pay reader to Apple Stores. The device lets anyone accept payments from Apple Pay-ready iPhones and Apple Watches.
We’re also looking forward to the possibility of Apple Pay cash withdrawals at ATMs this year, and Apple is rumored to be working on a peer-to-peer payment feature for Apple Pay users as well. And just yesterday, I detailed my experience with Apple Pay from year one as well as highlighting some progress I’d like to see in year two.
Are you still waiting for your bank to add Apple Pay? You can find the whole list here. Which locations should still accept Apple Pay? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Filed under: Apple Pay Tagged: Apple pay, Apple Pay banks
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