Take a look at this $.99 Tetris game in the iPhone App Store. It’s #1 in the paid category but it’s a sham. Tetris is an age-old game and this is exploiting it. The images below show a whacked out version of Tetris that is not even a complete game. You have to pay for coins or memberships to get deeper access. Boo.

This is bad. I come from a generation where games are complete and full of user experience. Now, with this new app store process, developers can release an intriguing video game classic then try to gouge your wallet to fully experience the game.

Without a trial refund process we are held to fall for these shams on the Apple iPhone App Store. Just a note, the Google Android Market (app store) give you 15 minutes to try an app and get a refund. Not bad.

I know that creating apps are expensive and developer (and Apple) needs to make turn a profit, but don’t dupe us. Give us a good game like we remembered it.

This will get out of hand.

Below is a slide show of the event.

If you have an iPad or iOS device, Click This Link to the Gallery.

Our team just left Joplin, MO on a 3-day tornado hunting trip with RadioShack and the Weather Channel.  The damage that we witnessed from Joplin is indescribably awful. Imagine a 1-mile wide tornado that scraped the ground clean for about 7-miles.  Surprisingly, the people that we talked with were very upbeat and friendly.  Happy to be alive.  Here are some pictures from the city.

Thanks to all the coverage from Rob White at http://originalweatherblog.blogspot.com/

Please Donate to the Red Cross.

Wow, what a week.  Osama bin Laden is dead. Big news. Big credit to George W. Bush and Barrack Obama’s administrations. Obama has shown the world who is boss.

What also I am amazed with, is the fact that Obama kept his cool during the week before and after. Think about it.  First, he demoralized Donald Trump with proving his birth certificate, it was ridiculous in the first place. Then, he goes on Oprah with Michelle, does the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and then gives the kill order on Osama.

Here he is the night before the Osama killing at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner roasting Donald Trump and others. Stay cool.

Last night our local Dallas NBC Channel 5 covered local Dallas-based airlines on how they use twitter for listening online. American Airlines, describes in the video below, on how they helped a passenger through a traveling issue. Southwest Airlines use Twitter for many reasons, but feedback is very important, helps their brand as they interact as described in the video.

Twitter has increasingly become a go to source for all companies that care about their brands online. Brands that engage the most with customers will have a better overall customer perception. People and brands that have interact with together using twitter are very public conversations. It’s not only the one-to-one messages, but how brands react and respond are always up for public viewing. Brands can earn and burn respect with a flawed Twitter strategy.  There is a fine balance of over and under-doing messages in this space. Clearly @AmericanAir and @SouthwestAir are leveraging new technologies as customers embrace it.

Take a look at the video below!

View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com.

How to avoid and fix facebook scams

Last night I talked to Steve Eager on Fox News DFW 4 about the subject of Poisoned Links or How to avoid Facebook Scams. Here is the clip from the nightly news broadcast.

FACEBOOK SECURITY

If you feel that your account on Facebook has been compromised, please go to http://www.facebook.com/security. There you will find what is currently attacking accounts and how to avoid common scams. Facebook is still really secure and safe. If you follow these steps on that page that Facebook provides, you and your family can avoid these issues.

SOFTWARE THAT PROTECTS SOCIAL SCAMS

There is software that you can install that allegedly keeps you safe from Social Media scams. Head to http://www.sophos.com/lp/threatbeaters/ to learn more.

Sophos has a great site that also teaches you how to avoid these issues too. They have a donwloadable toolkit that you can read more on safety online.

FACEBOOK SECURE BROWSING

Finally, if you want ultimate security, turn on the Secure Browsing feature inside the Facebook settings on your account. Look for this below and enable the secure browsing feature. Facebook will make sure that you are the right person for the account and ask you some security questions. The quiz they gave me was identifying my friends via Facebook pictures. Give it a try… It’s like playing a game while ensuring your saftey/security on Facebook.

Let me know how it goes for you!

Fun chart about the differences on the two platforms.

In the recent press conference at Apple to release the new iPad2, Steve Jobs mentioned that 2011 will be the year of the iPad2. What do you think?  I have been watching this space pretty intensely and I disagree.  With Motorola Xoom’s recent buzz success, the Apple iPad2 definitely has some competition. They both are great devices and they both do well internet and media.  The big difference to me is the price and the applications.  I think the iPad2 will get a ton of attention and purchases in 2011 just for that reason.

Here is a quick chart on the tech specs:

CNET recently did a video on the load times of some internet sites on the Xoom and iPad. Here are the results:

To make a informed decision, play with each device. If you are a Macintosh/iPhone person you may want to lean for the iPad2. All of your apps from your iPhone will open on the iPad2 and the most popular apps today are built to support either iPad or iPhone at the same time. If you are in love with Gmail and Google… then the obvious route is the Motorola Xoom tablet. Google and all their apps like Gmail, docs, voice are on the Xoom. Everything that I hear from Android users, including myself, is that the integration of the Google apps on these Android devices make the phone/tablet worth while.

Let me know what you think!  Leave a comment.

A panel discussion from the conference

I am speaking at 7:15 CST time on Saturday, February 26 on behalf of American Airlines.  I will be chatting today about how to work with companies as a blogger.  What things should you consider when you want to represent a brand or topic for your blog.

Here is the link to the live stream to watch live:

Live streaming video by Ustream

Introducing the Terrafugia Transition Car/Plane. It’s part plane and part car. This baby can fit comfortably into a one-car garage with its retractable wings. I am not sure when something like this can be put into production… people can barely drive next to each other let alone fly.

I cannot wait to see cops in the air too! If you have $10k U.S., you can reserve one today.

They have a website and Facebook page. Take a look or flight!

Just the facts….

The Transition^®

Every pilot faces uncertain weather, rising costs, and ground transportation hassles on each end of the flight. The Transition® combines the unique convenience of being able to fold its wings with the ability to drive on any surface road in a modern personal airplane platform. Stowing the wings for road use and deploying them for flight at the airport is activated from inside the cockpit. This unique functionality addresses head-on the issues faced by today’s Private and Sport Pilots.

Terrafugia’s award-winning MIT-trained engineers have been advancing the state-of-the-art in personal aircraft since 2006. Now you can streamline your flying experience with the revolutionary integration of personal land and air travel made possible by the Transition® Roadable Aircraft.

Performance

Convenience
Front wheel drive on the ground
Automotive-style entry and exit
Two place, side by side
Automated electromechanical folding wing
No trailer or hangar needed
Cargo area holds skis, fishing poles or golf clubs

Safety
Drive in case of inclement weather
Proven 100 hp Rotax 912S engine
Full vehicle parachute available
Modern glass avionics
Automotive crash safety features

Dimensions

Training
Become a Sport Pilot in as little as 20 hours of flight time in a Transition®-specific course. For existing pilots, get comfortable quickly with the familiarization training included with every Transition® delivery.

Order Today
Place your fully refundable $10,000 airframe reservation deposit here. Anticipated purchase price: $194,000.