Sometimes the best apps aren’t those that bring you a whole new range of features, but those that take something you already have and make it better.

You’d think that the humble calendar would be immune from tinkering and modification, but if you’re a heavy user of iCal, or other Mac?calendars, then you might just find today’s app interesting.

Fantastical

Format

Mac OS X

Price

?13.99

Where

App Store

We’re sure we don’t need to explain the cunning way that the name Fantastical combines the word “fantastic” with the word “iCal”. But that’s what this app does: it makes iCal fantastic.

iCal isn’t the best calendar app around. Sure, it does the basics, but we’ve never really enjoyed using it. Some might think that sounds a bit weird, but if you use your calendar a lot, you’ll know what we mean. Of course there are other Mac calendars and via various means you can use Fantastical with those too.?

In addition, having to have iCal open as another app when you want to manage your appointments can be a bit of a pain. Resizing windows and shifting things around to get an appointment from your email into iCal is just one step away from being too fiddly.

Fantastical, thankfully, cleans things up a little bit. Rather than having to use iCal as an app, it just picks up the details and gives you an icon on your system bar. From here you can dropdown the calendar over whatever else you’re doing, rather than moving to iCal proper. There is also the option to anchor the app, so it stays open as you switch between other apps, which is really useful.

This dropdown interface gives you a month overview so you can select any date you want, as well as displaying your appointments beneath it. There are two boxes across the top: one for appointment entry, the other for searching.

Appointment entry is one of the smart things about Fantastical and one of the biggest selling points. Rather than having to popular every box to get the right details in the right place, Fantastical can figure it out from what you type, using what the company calls “smart language”.

So you can type in “Sony press conference @ Venetian” and it knows the Venetian is the venue for the Sony press conference. It will also pick out the time and date if you enter that, and is smart enough to pick out days, so if you type Wednesday, it picks the next Wednesday in your calendar.

Of course you can confuse it. If you’re “interviewing the Saturdays” it tries to set up a repeat event for every Saturday, called “interviewing the”; if your appointment is on the 3rd floor, it might pick out the 3rd of the next month.

But these are minor quirks in an otherwise slick system and once you’ve entered a few appointments, you’ll find the best way to plug in information to get the results you want.

Once you’ve got the appointments in your calendar they behave like any other iCal appointment, and if you open iCal you’ll find them in place. Also, if you sync iCal to another calendar, you’ll find your appointments rolling through to those in the normal way and we had no problem getting Fantastical events appearing on our Android phone via Google Calendars.

We also like the quick searching, although this is less useful as you can get search returns from Spotlight, although if you have Spotlight returning a lot of results, you might find that Fantastical is quicker and clearer.

The big downside to this app is the cost. At ?13.99 there is no denying this is an expensive app – especially as it’s a modifier, rather than anything totally new. If you’re a heavy iCal user and never totally happy with the experience then it may be a cost you can justify.?

We’ve found it really useful on a smaller MacBook, because you don’t have to mess around with so many windows.You can at least get a 2-week preview of the app to see if it works for you, before you part with your cash.

We’ve included the video from Flexibits below to give you a quick overview.

Tags: Apps Mac software

APP OF THE DAY: Fantastical review (Mac OS X) originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0000

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The Pocket-lint Podcast this week takes a long hard look at the developer build of OS X Mountain Lion and explains what all the fuss is about. Plus, whether or not you can really expect to see Android 5.0 Jelly Bean released in the summer.

Ford has released a new car, the B-Max with the help of Made in Chelsea star Cheska Hull, so the team also focuses (yes, we know) its attention in that direction, and reveals which of the PS Vita launch titles you simply can not do without.

Editor of news and ex-Gamesmaster telly bloke Rik Henderson is joined by Mr BBC News guest and owner of Pocket-lint Stuart Miles, and BBC Radio Asia regular and editor of features Dan Sung also lends his vast knowledge and sharp wit.

So, ensure that you listen below or subscribe via iTunes in order to get your all new and improved Pocket-lint Podcast hit from every Friday morning at 8.30am.

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Tags: Pocket-lint Podcast Podcasts Online podcast PS Vita Mac OS X Android Jelly Bean Jelly Bean Sony PlayStation Vita Ford B-Max Wipeout 2048 Uncharted Golden Abyss

Pocket-lint Podcast #72 – OS X Mountain Lion, Android 5.0 Jelly Bean and PS Vita launch games originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:30:00 +0000

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During a press tour of Japan with Sony to see its 2012 AV product ranges, Pocket-lint has learnt that the UK is the last hold-out in the LCD versus plasma TV skirmish that has raged since both technologies were introduced to our shores.

According to the firm, the UK is the only significant market left in which plasma TVs sell well. We were quite surprised by that news, but even America, the home of the giant TV, doesn’t care as much about the tech as it once did. Perhaps that is because, over time, LCDs have gradually matched the sizes of plasma televisions and, since LED backlighting arrived, improved in quality too.

The theory offered to us was that plasmas are popular in the UK because they offer such enormous value for money. And us Brits love a good bargain. When it comes to value and performance, plasma TVs can offer good picture quality for less cash than a big-screen, LED-backlit LCD.

However this may not be true for long. In some demos this week, Sony’s new LCD range holds up incredibly well against plasmas from Panasonic, and even in a side-by-side comparison with a Pioneer Kuro. Still one of the best TVs ever made.

But, with Sony pledging to be a company that will have zero environmental impact on the planet by 2050, it makes sense for the firm to start cutting the amount of power TVs produce. While great strides have been made with plasma, it’s still a less efficient technology on the whole.

Indeed, Sony this week demonstrated an LCD TV that, at its lowest, can run on less that 40 Watts. The goal, Sony told us, is to get TVs down to less than 1 Watt of consumption. But that’s a long way off.

Tags: Televisions Sony Plasma televisions LCD televisions

Sony: UK is last big market for plasma TV technology originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:08:00 +0000

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Sky?has released an Android version of its Sky Go?app allowing some Android smartphone owners to turn their phone in to TV. We’ve grabbed a Samsung Galaxy S II downloaded the app, and plugged in our details to check it out.

Sky Go Android?is free, the download weighs in at about 2.8MB, and should take you just seconds to download and install. On start up all you’ve got to do is add your Sky Go details and you’re in and ready to watch.

Sky allow Sky users to sign up two devices to the Sky Go service so if you’ve already got your Xbox 360 and your iPad signed in you’ll have to decide which one gets the boot so you can watch it on your phone. There isn’t a timed delay or lock involved so theoretically you could manage them daily, but you will need to go to the Sky Go website to do this – you can’t do it on the phone.

Like Sky Go for iOS, the first page you are presented with is a the channel categories (All, Entertainment, Sports, Movies, News, and Lifestlye) and these break down the relevant Sky channels into different pots.

New to the Sky Go eco system is Sky 1, Sky Living, and Sky Arts 1, and these sit alongside the Sky Sports channels, Sky movie channels, Sky News, and ESPN. You also have access to Sky Atlantic.

The app does of course allow you to see the channel listings, and more information about the show you want to watch. Once you’ve decided, simply press the play button to begin. As with the iOS version of the app for iPad and iPhone, the stream starts instantly with the quality improving or decreasing depending on your bandwidth. In our play on our standard Wi-Fi connection (there is no 3G streaming support) the picture quality is perfect within a matter of seconds.

However disappointingly here you can’t pause or skip back in the stream like your Apple touting Sky Go using friends can. For the time being, it is live streaming on, and that’s unlikely to change according to Sky who have told Pocket-lint that:

“We’ve been able to develop a pause and scrollback feature?on Sky Go?thanks to iOS platform functionality, which unfortunately?does not exist on the Android platform. We are looking into adding?it for?future releases but cannot?currently?confirm a date for this.”

There is also no Anytime+ support at the moment although Sky has confirmed to Pocket-lint that it does plan to add that for Android users later in the year.

In use and the app is really simple to use and really enjoyable to use as well if you are planning on watching that Sky movie away from your TV.

We are surprised that there is no pause functionality and by the lack of Anytime+ support even though the iPad and iPhone version already has them. Still beggars can’t be choosers and an Android app is better than no Android app right?

The good news is, is that Sky are aware of the limitations and have told us they are already working to fix them.

In the meantime you get an app that will be great for those moments where you really just fancy curling up in bed to finish watching the movie you’ve got stuck into. Just don’t expect the app to do much more beyond that for the time being.?

Tags: Home Cinema Sky Android apps Apps Sky Go Video on demand Video

Sky Go for Android video, pictures and hands-on originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:31:00 +0000

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The Sony PlayStation Vita has arrived – in fact, if you want to know all about it you can read our Sony PlayStation Vita review – but you’ve probably already bought one. In that case, what you’ll need to do now to maximise your enjoyment of the latest and greatest in handheld gaming is to accessorise it.?Yes, you might have invested ?240 but why go so far without going all the way?

Below you’ll find our suggestions for the very best PlayStation Vita accessories with a nice mix of those that Sony suggest and those where we reckon you can do some improvements of your own.

PS Vita Cradle

With the Vita as impressive a video device as it is one for gaming, having something to prop it up while you tuck into your latest feature-length download is going to save you a set of dead arms and a lot of shifting around in your seat.

The PS Vita Cradle has a USB and line-out sockets on the rear for you to charge and exchange media – should you be plugged into a computer – as well as make a real mini-theatre of it if you’ve got some decent external speakers to plug in too. There’s no official UK figures at the moment but, with it retailing at $20 in the US, expect to be paying about the same in sterling over here.

?

PS Vita memory cards

You can grind your teeth all you like but the fact is that Sony has gone back to using its own version of over-priced removable media instead of letting you use the microSD cards that you’ve been careful not to inhale or drop down the cracks of your keyboard. The machine comes with a mildly poxy one out of the box but, given that the memory card is where you’ll be storing the bulk of your videos, music and such forth, you should really treat yourself to something a little more capacious.

The dream purchase here is the 32GB bad boy which can handle something like 16 full games, 24 movies, 9,000 songs and 6000 photos all at the same time but it will set you back a frosty ?80 or so to get shipped in from overseas. Luckily it only weighs the same as a six helium atoms which brings the cost of postage down a touch. Otherwise there are 16- and 8GB versions at ?27 and ?38 respectively.

?

Uncharted shock proof Vita case

With such a lovely, sensitive screen and all those delicate controls, you’ll need to carry around your PlayStation Vita with quite some care – that is, unless you encase that thing in shock-resistant foam and then that foam in some double-hard material. That’s what Thrustmaster is offering with this limited edition PlayStation Vita case that’s all safari style and done up to look like the kind of thing that Uncharted’s Nathan Drake might carry his Vita around in.

Quite reasonable at ?17.99, it includes slots for six games as well as compartments to protect your Vita mini-sticks. It has the Vita game’s Golden Abyss title on the top cover as well as an aluminium dog tag of the man himself. If you’re not into Uncharted or beige or both, then you can pick up basically the same thing in black with straight Vita branding on the top instead.

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PlayStation Vita portable charger

The Vita battery isn’t too shabby but you can bet you’ll have days when you wish there was more. Enter the official PlayStation Vita portable charger which is the next best thing to having a spare battery, given that you can’t actually remove or replace the power pack inside Sony’s latest gaming handheld.

It works pretty much as you’d expect. You charge the thing up from the mains and then plug it into your Vita when needed and it’ll bring you 1.5 times the charge that your internal battery can manage. That works out as an extra seven hours video and at least four more hours of gaming. The portable charger will also hold its charge for up to one year which is also seriously impressive. Not too bad at all. Only available overseas at the time of writing but expect it to land on British shores soon.

?

Car Adapter

Of course, portable power is only going to get you so far. Sometimes, you’re just going to run out of juice. What might come in handy in that instance is a car adapter and PS Vita cable kit which might wind up your partner/parent while they’re trying to have a conversation with you/use the gear stick but if it’s a long journey and there’s gaming to be done, then, well, there’s gaming to be done.

There is an official PS Vita adapter available in the States but in the mean time you can pick up a third party version for ?11.95 instead.

?

Screen protectors and wipe

Screen protectors aren’t many people’s idea of a good time. OK, screen protectors are nobody’s idea of that but you’ll see who’s laughing last when you accidentally run your keys against the Vita’s OLED display in your pocket. Well, OK, again, screen protectors don’t laugh, we’ll give you that, but you know what we mean. You’ll be sorry.

So, instead, invest in a pack of two Subsconic screen protectors, specially cut for the Vita, which also come with the bonus gift of a micro-fibre, anti-dust, anti-your finger grease screen wipe. At ?4.99, there’s not much to lose. Apart from your ?4.99, of course.

?

PlayStation Network Card

Digital downloads are still very much a part of the PlayStation handheld experience even though you can buy Vita games on dedicated Vita cards. Whether its movies, music, apps or PSP games, you’re going to need a fair old stack of that virtual cash which comes in the form of PlayStation Network Cards loaded and ready to go.

They can be bought in all sorts of denominations online or from just about any consumer electronics retailer out there but, if you fancy getting a better exchange rate, you can head over to the likes of eBay where you’ll get about a fiver knocked off face value.

?

Decent headset

Sure, you can go for the official PlayStation Vita in-ear headset if you fancy but there’s going to be something better out there on the audio front given that they only cost somewhere in the region of ?20. Instead, a set of Klipsch ProMedia in-ear gaming headphones will do the trick. Once priced at just under a tonne, you can pick them up for a cut price ?40 on Amazon.

They’re noise isolating to make sure that you’re not disturbed by non-gamers around you and the soft oval tips mean that they’re comfortable to wear for long periods of time. With these in you lug holes, you’ll be able to hear a virtual pin drop.

?

Portable speakers

Of course, sometimes those people around you might want to hear what your Vita is playing and sometimes you might want them to too. Most often that’s going to be when your device is doubling as a make shift boom box with its job to pump the tunes to all around. As always, there’s plenty of options on the portable audio front but a good choice right now that marries quality with convenience is the Jawbone Jambox.

Cheap, it isn’t, at ?159 but this wireless speaker works over Bluetooth with your Vita banging out 85 decibels through a pair of sophisticated tweeters and woofers and a simple bass system of sorts. It comes in all sorts of funky colours but, best of all, weighs just 347g and will last up to 10 hours on a single charge.

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PS Vita wrist strap

Like screen protectors, the official PS Vita wrist strap is probably the last thing on your list of most wanted accessories but it’s going to save your console from getting robbed from your hands or dashed on the pavement when it accidentally slips from your grip.

Gaming is an involving pastime – at least, it should be or you’re doing it wrong – and it’s easy enough to become oblivious to your environment while you stand at the bus stop trying to beat your record on Wipeout 2048. Add in the Klipsch ProMedia and it’s total absorption. The only trouble is that you seem to have to buy the official PS Vita travel pouch in order to get the strap.

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Insurance

Your other option, if you’d rather not deal with the wrist strap, is some nice, tight gadget insurance. Check with your bank account or home contents policy just in case you’ve actually got that kind of facility already. You’ll need to call up your provider and register the fact that you own a Vita and hang on to your receipt for the moment when it hits the fan.

Otherwise, there’s plenty of good gadget specialist insurance companies that you can can find out there on the web, most of whom will hook you up for around a fiver a month. A wrist strap is cheaper but it’s your choice.

?

PlayStation Vita Starter Pack

Finally, if you’re on a limited budget but still want to pimp your PlayStation as much as possible, then a good option is the PlayStation Vita Starter Pack which will set you back just ?19.99. Inside, you get the cleaning cloth, wrist strap, screen protector, official carry case, a simple pouch and a game cartrige case for carrying around your top titles.

They’re not as premium as some we’ve mentioned here but it’s a lot of functionality without too much cost. After already shelling out a whole ?240, it might just be what the doctor ordered.

Tags: Gaming Gaming accessories Features Sony PlayStation Vita Sony Sony PlayStation Vita accessories

Best PlayStation Vita accessories originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:53:00 +0000

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Many Formula One fans were shocked when they heard that Sky was to become the major broadcaster for the motorsport’s forthcoming season and beyond, bemoaning that the broadcaster and paid TV platform was nigh-on stealing the rights from terrestrial television. However, Pocket-lint has learnt that it was the BBC itself that approached Sky to form a broadcast partnership, or face losing its own right to show F1 completely.

The deal struck means that 10 of the 20 races in the forthcoming season will be shown exclusively on Sky’s new F1 HD channel and, therefore, will be available only through a paid subscription to Sky or Virgin Media (which will carry the SD version of the channel). The others will be simulcast by the BBC.

Because of budgetry constraints, however, the Beeb may have ended up losing the right to show any races at all, if a deal with Sky hadn’t been struck:

“The BBC came to us. We didn’t go to the BBC and we didn’t go to Formula One,” Pocket-lint was told by Martin Turner, executive producer of F1 HD, in a briefing at the Sky Studios complex in Isleworth.

“The BBC was under a lot of pressure with budgets, and they felt that this was a way they could keep Formula One on the BBC in some form or another. The contract could have gone a different way. They could have asked to be relieved of the contract and they [Formula One] could’ve put it out to terrestrial bidders and not involved us.”

It certainly wasn’t something Sky was expecting, but as the saying goes “never look a gift horse in the mouth”:?”When we got the rights it was a surprise to a lot of us,” said Turner.

“It was something we wanted to be part of for quite some time because there had been this feeling that Formula One would never get on paid television. But, the broadcasting landscape has changed so much.

“Formula One has always been – certainly in the last 35 years – exclusive broadcasting for one or the other [major terrestrial channels], mostly the BBC. That’s unlike every other sport virtually, which has had competing broadcasts at the same time.

“That’s what made it surprising, that all of a sudden there’ll be two people in the market. But that as a principal isn’t surprising at all. It’s just surprising in this particular environment.”

Turner also pointed to recent history to suggest that sceptical fans will be won over by the satellite broadcaster and its plans for the sport. Many were outraged when ITV took the rights from the BBC for several years, but the commercial channel introduced many new, now established, pleasant features.

“When ITV got Formula One in ’97, that was a massive surprise and a massive shock. But actually, they did a brilliant job,” he told us.

“They were criticised for commercial breaks –?which we won’t have on either qualifying or race day – but they moved the coverage on a lot. They were the people who introduced presentation in the pits. They were the people who introduced a far more educating line to their programming. And they committed a lot more resources. They went on site to every Grand Prix.”

Of course, the ITV and BBC heritage in F1 broadcasting does have one drawback that could prove a major challenge.

“The benchmark has been set very, very high for Formula One broadcasting. Everyone accepts that the BBC has done such a fantastic job. It’s probably their highest quality product,” said Turner.

“So, to come in where it’s been done brilliantly already, to share broadcasting rights with another broadcaster, to establish Sky Sports reputation [in Formula One] straight away, yeah, I’m starting to worry myself…”

Sky F1 HD launches on 9 March. It will also be available in standard definition on Virgin Media and through the Sky Go family of applications.

Tags: Sky Television Home Cinema Sky F1 HD F1 HD Formula One BBC

Sky F1 HD: The BBC came to us to save its Formula One rights originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:35:00 +0000

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