Sleep++ promo image.

The Apple Watch can tap you with notifications and other important information, show your messages, you can take a call on the watch, you can track your daily fitness and measure your heart rate, and so much more... But it wasn't really designed to track sleeping. This is mainly for a couple of reasons; 1, you'd have to wear your Apple Watch while you sleep, which might be uncomfortable. And 2, the main reason, at night is when you'll need to charge your Apple Watch so it's ready for the next day.

However, the Apple Watch, with the help of a third party app, is more than capable of tracking you sleep. And since it only takes the Apple Watch two and a half hours to fully charge to 100%, you might be able to charge it at night while you get ready for bed and in the morning while you get ready for work or etc... And since for many users, the Apple Watch's battery is still left with at least a quarter or even third by the end of the night, it won't take the Watch a long time to charge, so you could theoretically wear your Apple Watch while you sleep.  

Sleep++ by Cross Forward Consulting, LLC, is an Apple Watch app designed to track and measure your sleep. Sleep++ uses the motion tracking capabilities of the Apple Watch to measure the duration and quality of your sleep.

To track your sleeping with Sleep++ all you have to do is: wear your Apple Watch as you sleep, tell the app that you are going to sleep, and then when you wake up. Sleep++ will measure your movement during the night and then analyze your sleeping data and give you a graph and detailed breakdown, including the duration, how long you were restful, restless, awake, and between what times you got your best sleep.

I went ahead and tried out Sleep++. The app recommends that you put your Apple Watch into Airplane mode to preserve battery. As for effects on battery, out of the couple of times that I used that app, I saw a battery drop on average around 4-6% (with the Apple Watch in Airplane mode). Which is not too bad at all.

I will note a couple of things, first, make sure you give permission on your iPhone for Sleep++ to access your Movement and Fitness data - this is required for the app to work. Second, press 'Start Sleeping' on the Apple Watch app before you activate Airplane mode and then 'Stop Sleeping' after you've switched off Airplane mode, because I found that if I put the Watch into Airplane mode first, the data would never copy over to the app on the iPhone.

Sleep++ promo image.

As for the data Sleep++ collected for me during the night, it was interesting but I'm not sure how useful the data would really be for a continuos use. Sleep++ shows you the duration you were 'asleep' (because you told the app), The total time that your were restful, restless, and between what time you had your 'best sleep'. The graph that accompanies the data, shows you on a timescale, the points where in the night you had 'light sleep', or were restless.

An issue I had with Sleep++ was, while the app supports saving data to HealthKit, even with the setting on, there was no data added to the Health app. So there may be a bug there.

Sleep++ did seem to measure my moment well during the night, however I can't be certain - as I was asleep. And it was interesting data to see - even if I only use the app a few times. If you don't think you're getting a good nights sleep - try the app! You may find that you're quite restless during the night and might need to change things up a little to get a better nights sleep.

Sleep++ is FREE to download for iPhone (and Apple Watch) from the App Store.

> View Sleep++ in the App Store. 

Good news everyone! Futurama is back ...as a game on Android and iOS!

Now available in the App Store and Google Play store, Futurama Game of Drones sees the Planet Express crew back in action,  this time delivering drones in a match-4 style game.

Much like other match type games like Candy Crush, Bejeweled, etc... In Futurama: Game of Drones, you have different colored drones to match in a minimum of 4, matching a required number of certain colors to move onto the next stage.

As added extras, there is also power ups, and special items added in the grid for bigger matching effects.

As the story progresses, you can also play with your favorite characters from the TV Show, including; Fry, Bender, Leela, Amy, Zapp, and the Professor.

But the most fun and best parts, to me, of this game are the story cut scene animated comics and 3D world menus.

To get a better idea of the game play, check out the game trailer below.

> Download 'Futurama: Game Of Drones'.  

Google has been updating all their products to their new Material Design look for awhile now, and recently, the Material Design has been worked on for the Google Chrome web browser for Chrome OS, Windows, Linux and now Mac!  

To get a live look at the new Material Design makeover in progress, you'll need to install Google's test build version of Chrome, designed for developers and early adopters - Chrome Canary. Note: This program is NOT recommend for your everyday use - it is an experimental build and can completely break down. 

To switch on the new Material Design look, type into the address bar:  chrome://flags

Then find the title "Material design in the browser's top chrome". Then from the drop down menu, select "Material".   

At the moment on Mac, the main differences implemented are to the Navigation Bar with lighter and flatter colors and a new sharper edged shape on the tabs. There is also a new darker theme added to Incognito mode.  

Hating the new Material Look to Google Chrome? Don't worry, remember, this is a work-in-progress and far from the final look and version that will ship out at a later date in the stable Chrome release.

----

UPDATE (March 10th 2016): A progress report - here is what Material Design on Chrome Canary for Mac currently looks like:

Ever wanted to preview a link without actually opening a new tab? Well there is actually this very feature built into Apple's Safari web browser on OS X El Capitan, that you probably didn't know existed!  

To load a weblink in a preview window, all Mac users need to do in Safari is simply use a Three Finger Tap on the hyperlink (without actually clicking down on the trackpad).

To get this feature to work, you may first need to switch on a feature in System Preferences. 

Open System Preferences, then click Trackpad and then on the Point & Click tab, switch on the feature "Look up & data detectors". 

Having some issues loading YouTube videos in HD? Why not check what your connection speed on YouTube is downloading at! 

It's simple to do on a desktop or laptop computer. Play a video, then right click on the video. Select "Stats for Nerds". Then see, "Connection Speed".  

The speed is listed in Kbps (kilobits per second) not Kb/s (kilobytes per second) which is what you are probably more familiar with (the speed shown when downloading a file, for example). If you want to know the the Kb/s speed is, you can search Google for "Kbps to Kb/s" and use their conversion tool.

Another great way to test your internet's download and upload speed is by using the website and app Speedtest.net

TPG, a internet and home phone service provider in Australia. They currently offer a $59.99 monthly plan which contains 'Unlimited Internet Data and a Home Phone Line Rental.' Compared to their competitors prices, TPG would seems like a winner, right? Maybe not.

So here are some things that you should know about before signing up to TPG. First, they offer, in the mentioned plan, ADSL2+ internet. What is ADSL2+? It's internet that runs through your house's phone line. Now, TPG states that they offer speeds of up to 20Mbps, so that sounds good, right? Yes, but unless you live right next to their service tower, don't expect those speeds.

First, lets understand what those speeds mean. ISP's talk in Megabit per second, where your probably more familiar with download speeds in Kilobyte per second. Have you ever downloaded a file and watched the download speed? You've probably seen numbers like 70kb/s up to something like 2,000+ kb/s or somewhere around that, right? Well 20Mbps does not mean 20MB per second (or 20,000kb/s). It's actually very far from that! When a internet service provider says up to 20Mbps, what they actually mean is speeds up to 2,500kb/s. Now, 2,500kb/s is okay, IF you can actually get close to that speed.

Your download speed will vary based on many factors including your location from their towers and ISP's will not want to tell you if their service will be poor in your area while trying to sign you up. If you are not a tech enthusiast between the ages of 15 to 35, you may get lost in all their tech talk and won't understand the numbers or thought to check if you'll get a decent service. ISP's will make you figure that out on your own. So, before signing up to any contracts, ask your neighbors what internet service provider they have and what their speeds are like. A great way of testing your speeds is to use the website speedtest.net



I recently heard from one reader who had a issue with TPG. They saw the deal, they contacted TPG and signed up. TPG did not tell this person what speeds they would be receiving at their location. They just like to use vague terms like up to 20Mbps. Well "up to" means between 0 and a max of 20. And if you're at 1, you are not going to be happy. So, this reader had TPG installed at their home for their family. But, within minutes after activating the service, they realized the mistake they had made by signing up with TPG.

The speeds were extremely slow! Barley reaching between 2-4Mbps, that's 200-400kb/s. They could barley load a webpage, let alone a video. Noway you could use two devices at the same time, many things were timing out just trying to load on one device.

They wanted unlimited internet data so they could stream movies on their Apple TV, especially since a 'video store' is now a nonexistent term in many places these days. But there was no chance of a movie being able to load on this connection. So what good is unlimited internet data when you can't use it?

So the reader contacted TPG and told them about the issues they were having with TPG's service. But TPG did not seem to care at all about the users complaints. Their tech support guy even went as far as saying to the customer that, if you wanted a good internet service, why did you chose us? You should of gone with a better company, one that offers Cable internet, like Optus. So when your company's tech support guy tells you that you've chosen the wrong company, you know that company must be shit!

But after agreeing to that initial contract, it's too late! There's no trial or "cooling-off" period clause in the contract. TPG does't seem to care if you can load a simple YouTube video (even at low quality). Or if your kids can do their homework without waiting forever for a webpage to load. No, TPG would probably say something like, 'Hey, you chose us, that's YOUR mistake!' Yes TPG, you are right, I agree, choosing your company would be a mistake.

So, after one day of barely any internet service, what would be the cost to get out of this loveless relationship? A $350.00 early termination fee. One that TPG won't back down on. The customer didn't want out of the contract early because they didn't want the service anymore, but because the service was unusable for them! You see, TPG doesn't seem care if they can provide a customer with a connection that is actually usable, or if their service is so shit in an area that they make customer want to leave after 5 minutes of their internet being connected. Or about warning a customer who would be in this zone about the realistic speeds they would be receiving. All TPG seems to care about is getting your money, not providing a decent service to their customers. TPG would not admit to being at any fault. They'll blame you for choosing them.

If you were reading this because you were thinking of signing up to TPG and you searched for reviews first, great! You made the right choice to search before you buy! I'll just say, maybe you live next to a TPG tower and you're speeds would be fine. But, maybe you don't. I personally would NOT recommend TPG as a internet provider. They don't seem to care about making a customer happy and satisfied with their service or admitting when they can't provide a decent enough service in your area. They just seem to want your money.

Secondly, if you can get the NBN or Cable internet at your home from a ISP, that is a MUCH better choice over ADSL - just don't go with ADSL internet unless you have no other option. I'd recommend Optus. They are a great company, in my opinion. Some flaws, but they work on it, even if it takes them a while to fix. (More on that maybe another day). Optus are a bit more expensive than TPG, but, hey, I guess you get what you pay for! The reader who mistakenly chose TPG for a day, even got at their location speeds from Optus of 2,500kb/s - that's 5 times more than the best that TPG could provide for them. I believe at the moment you can get Unlimited Broadband and a Home Phone for $75 per month from Optus. They offer speeds of up to 30Mbps on their basic speed pack. Once again, it could vary, so ask around, and ask the sales people what speeds you actually would be receiving on average in your area, not what it would be "up to."
 
You can view Optus Broadband plans, here.

If you've had a similar experience with a Internet Service Provider, I'd love to hear about it in the comments. (Note: Comments only work from Google's Chrome Browser, sorry). And, please share this article to warn others of the dangers of not for surely knowing what service you'd actually get before signing up to a contract.


Edit (add image): 

This apparently is an email address - dumbasses:

Instagram is finally adding the option to easily switch between and manage multiple accounts from within the app. This is handy for those who have a private and public profile, or for people who also manage an account for their business.

The multiple account feature is slowly rolling out to users, so if you don't have it yet, don't worry, you'll get access to its soon! In the meantime, make sure you have updated to the latest version of the app, from the App Store.

To see if you have the multiple account feature, and to add new accounts:

1. Open the Instagram app.

2. Tap on your profile (the last tab button on the bottom right).

3. Then tap the settings gear in the top right hand corner.

4. Scroll right down to the bottom and between clear history and log out will be a new option that says "Add Account".

5. Tap "Add Account" then login with the new Instagram account. You can add multiple accounts.

6. To switch between accounts, on your profile, at the top next to your username will be a downwards facing arrow. Tap the arrow to show your added accounts. Tap on the account you want to change too.

Touchdown Hero by cherrypick games is a light, fun, and yet challenging, American Football game for iPhone and iPad.

Touchdown Hero is a endless runner style game  where you are a one-man team dodging the opposition team as you run the field scoring touchdowns every few meters. The goal, last as long as you can and score as many touchdowns as you can.

Touchdown Hero features an old school pixeled graphic birds-eye-view camera angle, different colored uniforms to unlock and collect, different playing fields and weather conditions, a slow-motion feature where you can think of strategy while pretending that you can slow down time, and a new 'King of the Rings' game mode where your aim is to collect rings on the field while dodging your opponents.

Touchdown Hero is FREE to download (features in-app purchases and advertisements) for iOS devices (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad) from the App Store.

You can easily turn any song on your computer into a ringtone for your iPhone! You can use any song you have and turn it into a ringtone.

All you need to do is: 

1. Find the song you want to make the ringtone out of. 

2. Then you'll need to create a 30 second clip. You can use music editing programs like Garage Band.

3. Save your edited file as a .AAC file. 

4. Then you'll need to rename the file extension of your edited song from .AAC to .M4R. 

5. Now drag and drop the file into iTunes. 

6. Plug your iPhone in, then from the ringtones section in iTunes, drag the new ringtone to your iPhone. The new file should then sync. You can find and change ringtones on your iPhone from Settings > Sounds > Ringtone. 

Pok�mon is celebrating 20 years! And to celebrate, they even have their own Pok�mon Super Bowl spot! Check out the ad 'Train On' above.

Pok�mon is also expected to release a new game for mobile on iOS and Android, later this year, titled, Pok�mon GO - which will be a virtual reality game, that'll place Pok�mon in 'the wild', for everyone to battle, catch, and trade. More details about Pok�mon GO is expected to be released this March at GDC 2016.

Check out the official Pokemon20.com site for more.

Mac App Store icon

When trying to install a application on a Mac that you downloaded from the internet, you may run into a pop up message that says; "[App Name] can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer." This is a security feature of OS X to prevent unwanted and possible malware software from installing onto your computer. 

It is always best to just download software from the Mac App Store or from identified developers. However, there is some occasions where you may want to install an application that isn't from the Mac App Store. But remember, by switching off this security measure, you are installing the app at your own risk. So, only install apps from sources and developers that you trust!

To install an application that isn't from a identified developer or from the Mac App Store, you'll need to:

1. Open System Preferences.

2. Then click Security & Privacy.

3. Press the lock in the bottom left corner and enter your password so you can make changes.

4. Then under the heading "Allow apps downloaded from", choose the option "Anywhere".

You can now install the application. After installing the app, it'd be best to head back into Security & Privacy and changing the option back to either only Mac App Store or Mac App Store and identified developers.  

A new The Angry Birds Movie trailer has been released today! The movie is scheduled for release this MAY. 
Enjoy!

The Australian Television Channel 9 app has gotten an upgrade and a new name today. 9Jumpin is now 9Now.

9Now is a online live streaming and on-demand app. You can watch Channel 9 live, or catch up on shows after they are aired.  You can access 9Now from your phone, tablet, computer, or TV.

So you can watch a range of shows on-demand, and Channel 9 live, with other Channel 9 networks like 9Go and 9Life coming soon.

The video quality seems good and adjusts with your internets connection speed. Note, you may want to make sure you switch on the option "Play on WiFi Only" in the settings, unless you have an awesome mobile data plan.

Now the downsides of the app. To watch anything, you'll need to create an account with 9Now. Also, there is no AirPlay option. And there are advertisements, of course, but that's to be expected, however unlike a recording on a DVR, you can't skip these ads. Other than that, the app seems okay so far.

The 9Now app is FREE to download for iOS (iPhone & iPad) and Android. You can also access 9Now from the web at https://www.9now.com.au

Image credit: Apple, Inc.

The one time (in a long time) that I actually used the Digital Touch feature on the Apple Watch to send a few taps and a drawing and the other person didn't receive any of them. Thanks Apple. It can be so frustrating when a feature of a device doesn't work how it should. There does seem to be a simple fix that should work for many - however - what good is that really?! Because you won't know that your device is failing until someone tells you. Anyway, if you have noticed that your Apple Watch Digital taps and drawing haven't seemed to be sending, try this quick fix:

Open the 'Settings' app on your iPhone > then scroll down to and tap 'Messages' > then toggle off 'iMessage' > then switch 'iMessage' back on (after a few seconds). The re-activation of iMessage seems to fix the problem and then may even send all your recent failed digital touch messages through.

It's 2016 and can you believe that Instagram still doesn't have an app for the iPad?! They seem to be focused on mobile only � but the iPad does make for a great viewing platform. But it doesn't matter, because if all you want to do is view photos and videos from Instagram on your iPad, there is a great third-party-app available.

'Flow for Instagram' by Codegent Bangkok, is what the iPad app of Instagram should be. Works in both landscape and portrait, Flow features Instagram pictures nicely laid out in a scrollable grid.

Tap a picture to enlarge and show other details that you'd expect like likes and comments. You can even zoom in on pictures by pinching and share, send, or even save to your camera roll* (requires paid version of app).



The main layout of Flow features buttons for:

- Home: the photos and videos from who you follow.
- Your Likes: the pics/videos you've liked.
- Favorites: your bookmarked users, tags, and places.
- Suggested/top pics: like the explore posts on Instagram.
- And Search: where you can search for users, tags, and places.

You also have easy access to other Instagram features like viewing complete pages of who you are following, your followers, requests, search, etc...

In the upgraded paid version (Flow+) you can choose between a light or dark theme for the app. *comes with dark theme - must upgrade for light theme. Also add multiple accounts, hide users posts, get a extended home feed, save pictures and videos and more.

Because this is a third-party-app, you cannot upload images from to Instagram from Flow. But, this app does makes for a great way to view your Instagram feed on your iPad.

Flow for Instagram is available to download for free (with a paid "Plus+" version available through in-app purchase) for iPhone and iPad - from the App Store.