App of the Week: The Impossible Line

This week's app is a game called The Impossible Line by Chillingo. If you play games on your mobile phone, you've probably already heard about this game. It's highly addictive and you may find yourself playing it for hours. It's a total time sucker. Consider this your official warning.

The object of the game is to draw a line from an arrow to a target while avoiding obstacles. Easy enough, right? The catch in this game, however, is that as soon as you tap your finger to begin drawing a line -- the obstacles disappear and you must rely on your memory.

This feels a little like walking through your house in complete darkness except you keep bumping into walls! Naturally, the puzzles get more challenging as you progress.

I love playing this game on the subway during my commute. I have a personal rule about not spending real money on games though, so I can only get so far with the power-ups. (The only time I broke that spending rule was for Can You Escape? and that was an accident... eh-chem). 

The only issue I have with The Impossible Line is their use of advertising. I completely understand the need for monetization in mobile games. I worked in the industry so yeah, I get it. It's essential for most apps. The difference with The Impossible Line's ads is that they are absolutely non-stop and actually become distracting from the chalkboard gameplay. Also, the ads are never about anything I'm even remotely interested in purchasing. In fact, if you watch this gameplay video by lonniedos, you'll see how truly invasive the ads really are:

I would definitely appreciate The Impossible Line more if their ads were less frequent and more organic. That said, I will probably keep playing, at least until I can get beyond some difficult levels.

What's your favorite mobile game right now?

App of the Week: AnyList

Since I've been working in the mobile industry for almost 10 years, I think it's about time that I start blogging about mobile apps. So, welcome to my very first App of the Week post!

Me at the supermarket: 

Wait... What was I supposed to buy?

If this sounds like you, welcome to my world. I think of myself as having a great memory but for whatever reason, I feel like a lost puppy when I'm in a grocery store. Chock it up to my lack of cooking skills and never knowing which ingredients I need for a certain recipe I'm attempting that night, or perhaps it's because my husband barks some last minute requests to me as I'm walking out the door. Whatever the issue is, it suddenly occurred to me that there might be an app for that! Although I've been working in mobile, I never really thought I needed a grocery app... that is, until now.

For months, I've been reading tech news about Remember The Milk, so I tried this app first. This app is actually available for the iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry 10, and the web. It also integrates with your Siri, Outlook, Gmail, Evernote, and more. There are also other services that offer RTM integration through their API, but I digress.

Remember The Milk has a cute little cow icon and that was very appealing to me.  Wow, talk about judging a book by its cover!

Believe it or not, RTM was just way too complicated for me. Here are a couple of screenshots:

I'm pretty darn tech savvy so it wasn't difficult to use per say, but it just wasn't exactly what I was looking for in this particular case. I already create calendar reminders for my personal tasks and I really just needed help at the grocery store!

Dear app developers, please just solve my problems, make my life easier, and stop adding other features that you think I'll love but probably won't ever use, thanks.

So, I did some more research and downloaded Yummly. Cute app name, right? Plus, their website is awesome. It's colorful, organized, fun, and made me feel (for a few moments) that I could be an amazing cook if I just followed these recipes!

Unfortunately, I felt overwhelmed by their iPhone app. :-(

Discovering recipes is fun because the photographs are visually stunning and frankly, make you hungry. I love pinning recipes on Pinterest and this was similar. You just hit that orange "Yum" button and all of the recipes you think are yummy go into a special section which you can access later. The problem is that when you try to access the recipe directions, you're brought to a different website each time (since these recipes are being funneled in from a variety of other sites). I'm still an amateur chef so I need directions to be consistently clear, and hopping from site to site where your cooking abilities are expected to be rather high just frustrated me. And again... I need an app for grocery shopping!!!!

Yummly does offer a grocery list aspect but it's tied to their recipes and I was looking for something quick and easy. For Yummly, I'll probably just keep browsing their pretty website.

Finally, I found AnyList! Cue the violins! The screenshots shown below may look simple but hey, that's what I need! The best part of this app is that I can share my grocery list with my husband. I can just hit "Share" which will prompt a push notification to his phone, or I can simply send it via email or text message. Once I found this feature, I was hooked. I can create an entire full grocery list and poof- he'll get it with one quick tap so he can pick up everything on his way home from work. AnyList also organizes your list into sections that match your grocery store so you won't forget to pick up the eggs in the dairy section when you're already buying that milk.

The app automatically pre-populates items when you begin to type them.

They also offer up a few free recipes which are super easy for beginners like me!

AnyList is free but there is a one year subscription version for $9.99 called AnyList Complete which allows you to attach photos to list items and choose list themes with new fonts, textures, and colors. The paid version also gives you a passcode lock so you can keep gift ideas secret from family members. I'll probably just stick to this free version but it's nice to know that they will be adding new features to enhance the app. Like Yummly, AnyList is only available for iOS devices but let's hope they're building an Android version too.

What app have you been tinkering with lately?

ooVoo Named Honoree by 2014 CES Innovation Awards

I feel incredibly proud to announce that not one but TWO of the awards submissions I helped write and edit were recognized today by the 2014 CES Innovation Awards, produced by the Consumer Electronics Association.

To be specific, ooVoo was named an Honoree in the "Technology for a Better World" category as well as the "Software & Mobile Apps" category. This is a highly competitive awards program that thousands of technology companies from around the world enter each year. Guess those submissions were mighty persuasive! ;-)

Thank you, CES Innovation Awards!

Introducing... Furry Wiggle Butts (yes, seriously)

As many of you know, I am an active volunteer in the dog rescue world. This week, I've started a brand new blog called Furry Wiggle Butts. (Yep, that's a double r, double g, and double t). On that blog, I'll write about all things dog including rescue stories, product reviews, great deals, and some dog news too!

Starting a new blog will enable me to keep this one more focused on my writing career and my love of technology. At some point, I may choose to merge both blogs but for now, it feels great to keep them in two separate spaces. If I review a tech product related to dogs (which is entirely possible), I may just have to include the post on both blogs. Until then, if you're a lover of furry wiggle butts and four-legged friends, please follow me over in my WordPress world. WOOF!

Snapchattery

A few months ago, I discovered Snapchat and although I'm way out of their target demographic, I must admit I'm a little obsessed. Luckily, I found people young enough to be on Snapchat too (hello, office interns) who are willing to converse with me on the app.

Why am I addicted?

Snapchat allows me to take photos and draw on them. This feature alone means I could spend hours having fun with it.

Exhibit A

 

I can even create single image stories with the app!

Exhibit B

Then, there are images that are meant to confuse people.

Exhibit C

 

So... What are you Snapchatting about?

ooVoo Me

Do you like to video chat? I do! More specifically, I like to ooVoo and that's the reason I haven't blogged in such a long time. In July of last year, I began working as ooVoo's Editorial Manager and my days (and nights) have been filled with all things video chat.

One of the projects I've been lucky enough to be involved with was a scary Halloween video that appeared in the ooVoo app and also on YouTube. Lucky for us, the video went viral and earned over 200K views in a matter of days. Check it out:




Yep, ooVoo's the cool place to hang out with your friends and has surprises around every corner. Download the desktop app today at www.oovoo.com, or get the mobile version at Google Play or in the App Store. Then come back and leave a comment here to tell me what you think of it!

And Now For Something Completely Different...

I've redesigned my website! Horray!

That's just a sneak peek. It was time for a big update and I wanted to showcase more of my portfolio, so in about 72 hours it will be LIVE. Please visit www.tammyblythe.com in a few days to see the full site and let me know what you think. Woo-hoo! :-)

Extra, Extra!

This week, my local newspaper published a story I wrote.

-(2012, May 11). Woodside Herald, Vol. 78, No. 19, p. 7.

A New Look!

I'm still experimenting, but already my blog looks better!

The Pinning Dance: One Pinner's Analysis of Pinterest

Like the masses, I'm completely addicted to Pinterest. I was recently asked why I thought Pinterest was so successful and why it seems to be growing so unbelievably fast.

My first answer was simple: It's visual. Let's face it, most of us are visual people. We love eye candy. We're attracted to a product by its appearance, a recipe by the photo of the food,  and yes, a book by its cover. In fact, I would venture to guess that most Pinterest users repin a picture without even clicking on it  to read the text associated with the picture. I'm guilty of that myself.

So, I dug deeper. I came across this great infographic below. I'm admittedly growing tired of most infographics but this one is actually quite interesting and speaks the truth, in my humble opinion.

(Source: Mashable http://tinyurl.com/cb6q3ue)

I would also add the fact that Pinterest is deepy personal, customizable, and dare I say somewhat solitary-- but in a good way. Let me explain. When I linger on Pinterest, I'm not really actively engaging with friends or family. For the most part, I keep to myself. I see something, I repin it. I may be repinning a friend's pin, yes, but the act of repinning is the extent of my interaction with them. They'll see that I repinned it and that's enough.

I continue to build my boards and create my personal collections more for myself than for anybody else. I want to remember a beautiful photograph, so I pin it. I do this so I can return to my board at any later date to find that photograph again and admire it, or be inspired by it to create something else of my own. I pin a recipe so I can either make it myself down the road, or share it with a baker friend of mine. She'll see it on my board and repin it for herself. Again, that's the extent of our dialogue.

In essence, the act of pinning and repinning has literally become our entire conversation. I pin, you pin, a friend pins, I repin, somebody else pins, a stranger repins, a friend of the stranger repins, and so forth.  Pins are repeated for days, sometimes weeks to come. I've nicknamed this act of pinning and repinning: "The Pinning Dance."

(Pretend that pushpin above is spinning like a ballerina).

I still thoroughly enjoy The Pinning Dance and as such, I'd like to invite you to follow me on Pinterest here. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on Pinterest too! Please feel free to leave a comment on this post.

In other news (no pun intended), I'm busy this weekend writing an article for a local newspaper!

Stay tuned to hear more about that story next week!

9mm Earns 4 our of 5 Clicks from One Click Mac

9mm just got a fantastic review from One Click Mac and they mention story! WOO-HOO! Here's an excerpt:

"I have commented many times in the past about Gameloft's inability to tell a good story. Take a glance at Eternal Legacy, Fast Five The Movie: Official Game or Dungeon Hunter Alliance and you'll see what I mean. In 9mm, everything changes. Your action-packed tale of torment and anger is well written and, most importantly, well voice acted."



"In all, 9mm is worth it for the asking price if you are looking for a creative and diverse campaign. The multiplayer is a great addition, but too new to be of any value in its current state. It's moody, it's brash and it's Gameloft's most impressive Mac narrative yet."


Click here to read the full review, and buy your copy of 9mm from the App Store!

Also, 9mm was just nominated for Pocketgamer's Readers' Choice Awards!

Midnight Pool 3 Wins Silver Award from Pocketgamer!

My latest project, Midnight Pool 3, just won a Silver Award and a score of 8.0 out of 10 from Pocketgamer.


Game Reviewer James Nouch writes, "I mean, how much narrative justification does anyone really need to play a bit of 8-ball?

But while their presence might not be necessary, that isn't to say these additions aren't welcome. Midnight Pool 3's story is an endearingly ludicrous one, in which every dispute is decided with billiard balls, and every narrative beat takes place next to a felted table."

Here's a trailer that shows you some gameplay:



You can purchase Midnight Pool 3 now on your mobile phone. Yay!

Pinterest a.k.a. My Latest Obsession

Do you know about Pinterest? If not, you should. Pinterest is a virtual (and visual) pinboard website and app that allows you to share photos, products, articles, and more with all of your friends. I could literally sit on the site for hours and once you get the hang of things, you'll probably feel the same way. The recipes alone look so delicious that you'll repin tons, even if you plan on never cooking them.

Here's the latest product that I pinned:


This limited-edition T-shirt from Hendrick Boards is available only until February 15th and reads: "BE THE PERSON YOUR DOG THINKS YOU ARE." With every purchase, a percentage is donated back to animal shelters, including Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue (the local dog rescue I work for). So, click that link and buy a tee!

Click here to follow me on Pinterest and find other cool things I obsess over.

Brushing Up

I haven't created a spec ad in quite some time, so when I came across this print ad in a magazine-- I thought this was a great opportunity to brush up on my copywriting skills.

Exhibit A

By looking at that ad above, do you know what it's about? The headline is too long and wonky... not to mention the fact that it doesn't match the visual at all.

The bottom copy reads:
"Start today by finding out if you have Chronic Migraine. Knowing that what you've been living with has a name, means knowing you can find treatments that are right for you. After all, saying 'yes, I'll be there' ...and really being there... shouldn't be a luxury."

Then, it says "Don't live a Maybe life" because, you know, this ad is supposed to make me feel compelled to do something right this second.

Exhibit B

The above ad is my "after" version which includes a clean headline that speaks to the reader and ties in to the visual.

The bottom copy reads:
"If you experience 15 or more headaches a month, you may suffer from Chronic Migraine, a headache disorder that affects 3.2 million Americans, mostly women. Identifying the cause of your pain is the first step towards finding helpful treatments that are right for you."

I chose to include more information about how many people are affected by Chronic Migraine because it jumped out at me on their website. 3.2 million Americans is a lot of people, after all! Mainly women? Great, more info I would want as a reader. If I did suffer from migraines, these facts would make me want to visit the website to learn more.

I also took the bit about the "maybe life" out because maybe it didn't belong. (No, seriously, it didn't). It was cheesy and unnecessary.

So, what do my dear readers think? Thoughts? Observations? Criticisms about my basic Photoshop skills? :-) Don't hold back!

All About Dino

This is Dino, my foster dog.

On the left is what he looked like when I first met him at the shelter and the right side is Dino today. He was a stray brought into the Brooklyn shelter system and was later rescued by Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue, the organization for which I manage social media.

Dino has been living with my husband and I since about June and I have fallen madly in love with him. Our dog, Frenchy, isn't too fond of him though and so we're still looking for the perfect permanent home for Dino.

Here are 10 things about Dino that you won't find in his bio:

1. You can probably see this in his "after" pic; his right ear hangs back as if he's opening it up to hear you. (It's uber cute).
2. He destroys chew toys, but will be your best friend if you give him a bone or better yet- a cow's ear.
3. He gives endless kisses and loves belly rubs.
4. He actually lets you clean his ears without a problem (my Cocker fights this like you would not believe).
5. He enjoys running (and prancing), and would probably make a great running partner.
6. He wakes us in the morning with a big lick on the face. Warning: His tongue is cold!
7. He sits and gives paw and will even give you his other paw too, if you ask nicely.
8. He sleeps with his eyes half way open, snores a lot, and is startled when you wake him.
9. He is enamored by the squirrels, birds, and cats that he sees outside our bedroom window.
10. He actually hugs like a human with his paws around the neck and everything!


If you have a fenced in backyard and no cats or kids (a prerequisite determined by the rescue) and would like to give Dino a permanent loving home, please email rescue@nyabandonedangels.com to request an application. My husband and I will be extremely sad to see him leave our family, but we know he deserves a suburban backyard. We are secretly hoping that his new owners will send us updates and photographs. :-)

If you're looking to adopt a dog, please visit www.nyabandonedangels.com to view their selection of rescued dogs. They have Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Springer Spaniels, Jack Russell Terriers, and more. They are always looking for foster homes too and can arrange to transport a dog anywhere in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Please also give them a like on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to stay up to date with rescue news, etc. (Yes, I'm their Twitter gal). Please pass the info to anybody you know who is looking for a new pooch! Words cannot express how much Frenchy (adopted from Abandoned Angels in 2007) and Dino have both changed our lives. The love you will feel for a precious, homeless animal is bigger than you can ever imagine.

Tidbits from the Typewriter (er...keyboard)

I read such a great screenplay this week! I wish I could tell you what it was called, but it's confidential. :-) Here's a hint:

That's about all I can say until the film is released. Sorry, Charlie. Just trust me, it was totally entertaining and will be a huge hit in the box office.

On another note, I've been dealing with a little bit of writer's block this week. I thought I'd take a moment to share some of my tricks:

Love to flick that thing right off my desk...

Who doesn't adore a squeezable martian?


Water! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!


Let me BUILD something! Mmm... the smell is intoxicating!


Frustration no more! BANG!

Dum... dee... dum. Cute potato... Mustache!

Who knew toys from childhood would come in so handy? I'm also a huge fan of The Storymatic. It's just completely fun and useful all at the same time.


So let's hear it. What do you do about your writer's block?

Crafty? Who, me?

The following post is admittedly not about my writing career; however, reading it will give you uber secret insights into my creative thinking as well as my OCD-like nature when it comes to attention to detail.

As some of my loyal readers know, I got married in 2009. While planning the event, I discovered that I had a crafty side. Who knew? It started with the Save the Date cards which I decided I had to make myself...


...and then the invitations which I was determined to screen-print myself, using a nifty Gocco I spontaneously bought on eBay...

Photo taken by Ryan Brenizer

...and then the ceremony programs, and oh yeah- those escort cards that I hand stamped in the middle of the night...

Photo taken by Ryan Brenizer

I also decided to design the dinner menus...

Photo taken by Ryan Brenizer

...and hellooo? I had to make the favors and the favor tags!

Photo taken by Ryan Brenizer

That said, I quite honestly never thought of myself as an "arts & crafts" person before. I mean, you should see me try to draw a fish. (I've been told that it looks like a worm with feathers). ...and my storyboards in film school were stick figures, ok? So, the sudden urge to craft and create things was a big surprise to everybody who knew me. And it was fun! Soon after my wedding, I began making wire wrapped button rings and Scrabble tile pendants! I started my own Etsy shop (which needs to be updated badly at the moment) and voila- a crafty woman I became!

A few months ago, I started making these flower pins:

They're hand sewn and made from recycled wool sweaters! I started sewing them into hair clips too.

...until one day, I had a brilliant idea to make them into accessories for dogs! Finally, I can put my love for dogs to good use. So, I created more and more...

...and I started selling them at rescue events as donations to Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue!


Here are a couple of rescued dogs modeling different kinds:

Yes, that pic above is my Cocker Spaniel. She doesn't know this yet, but she'll be my official model for new designs currently in the works. Don't worry, she'll get some tasty biscuits as payment for her time.

So, feel free to visit my Etsy shop called Goo City soon because I'll be adding these "Doggie Daisies" to my inventory. Plus, I started making bow ties for male dogs! WOOT! Stay tuned...