Apple bans Jesus from the app store! According to Christopher Stolee, Apple and the App Store have rejected an iPhone app called "Me So Holy" for objectionable content and not meeting the requirements of the iPhone SDK guidelines.
The Me So Holy app basically just has a coffee mug with an image of Jesus, and users can upload their own photos to replace the face of Jesus with their own "mugs". Somehow the brownshirts that work for Apple's app review team found this to be "objectionable or possibly objectionable" - by what criteria nobody but Apple knows.
Christopher Stolee says that Apple has gone way overboard with its "objectionable content" censoring - this is the company that approved the Baby Shaker app but can't have a Jesus image on a mug? To paraphrase the Burger King commercial, are we in Russia?
Monday, May 11, 2009
Spring has Sprung for Christopher Stolee
Christopher Stolee is welcoming the spring season. Christopher Stolee finds winter to have very few benefits - snow is OK for a couple of days but beyond that it's just a real nuisance. For those who love snow and cold weather, more power to you but Christopher Stolee needs to live in warm weather 99% of the time.
The ideal seasonal calendar for Christopher Stolee would be 4 months of hot summer, 4 months of moderate fall weather, 1 month of winter and 3 months of warm spring.
The ideal seasonal calendar for Christopher Stolee would be 4 months of hot summer, 4 months of moderate fall weather, 1 month of winter and 3 months of warm spring.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Christopher Stolee says Happy Mothers Day!
Christopher Stolee would like to say Happy Mothers Day to his own mom and his mother in law as well as all the other moms out there.
According to Christopher Stolee, Mothers Day should be the actual International Workers Holiday, since it is mothers who do the most important work in the world. Take that, communists.
According to Christopher Stolee, Mothers Day should be the actual International Workers Holiday, since it is mothers who do the most important work in the world. Take that, communists.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Christopher Stolee is watching the World Series of Poker on ESPN
Christopher Stolee is viewing the World Series of Poker on ESPN. One thing Christopher Stolee can't do is play poker - the math skills just aren't there. But Christopher Stolee does enjoy watching professional poker on TV where you can see what cards everyone has.
A great TV poker show is the World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel, Christopher Stolee remembers host Vince Van Patten back when he was a pro tennis player. Vince is also the son of Dick Van Patten of TV's Eight is Enough. Did you know that Vince Van Patten was cast as the lead in The Bionic Boy, a short-lived spinoff of Six Million Dollar Man.
The bottom line is that Chris Stolee will have to be satisfied playing the free video poker game that came with his computer. No winnings are possible, but all the dollars stay in the pocket.
A great TV poker show is the World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel, Christopher Stolee remembers host Vince Van Patten back when he was a pro tennis player. Vince is also the son of Dick Van Patten of TV's Eight is Enough. Did you know that Vince Van Patten was cast as the lead in The Bionic Boy, a short-lived spinoff of Six Million Dollar Man.
The bottom line is that Chris Stolee will have to be satisfied playing the free video poker game that came with his computer. No winnings are possible, but all the dollars stay in the pocket.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Christopher Stolee reports that Favre has sent X-rays to Vikings
According to the Christopher Stolee blog, ESPN reports that Brett Favre (or his agent) has sent X-rays of his injured shoulder so the Vikings' medical staff can review them. If major shoulder surgery is called for, Favre will stay on the retired list. If only minor surgery or no surgery at all is necessary, Favre may or may not sign with Minnesota.
Christopher Stolee says that the Vikings should put the Favre X-rays on their website and let the Vikings season ticket holders decide if Favre should have the surgery or not. Let's try something different - the current method of Vikings operations seems like it could use some fan input.
Christopher Stolee says that the Vikings should put the Favre X-rays on their website and let the Vikings season ticket holders decide if Favre should have the surgery or not. Let's try something different - the current method of Vikings operations seems like it could use some fan input.
How to Make Money Publishing eBooks with iPhone Apps - Article by Christopher Stolee
The success of eBooks has been an on and off thing for the last decade. Different readers and formats come and go, with Amazon's Kindle system looking like it might have some staying power with over 225 thousand titles listed as of May 2009.
Now you can add the iPhone and its buddy the iPod Touch as viable competitors to the Kindle for publishing eBooks. The iPhone has many eBooks available free and for purchase from the iTunes App Store but in addition there is the new Kindle app for the iPhone and iPod Touch which gives readers access to the whole Kindle library without needing to have the Kindle reader.
For aspiring writers and authors who are already published, getting your eBooks listed for sale with Amazon and Kindle is a great way to start. Your eBook can be uploaded and listed without much time and cost, and Amazon will pay you a royalty of 35% on each eBook sold for Kindle. The drawback? There are only about 500 thousand Kindle units on the market so far.
Let's contrast that with publishing your eBook for the iPhone and iPod Touch using your own iPhone app. You will first have to find a qualified iPhone developer to create your eBook app. There will be an upfront cost to develop your application and the time to get your eBook listed in the iTunes App Store can be several weeks. On the plus side, Apple takes only 30% of the sale price, leaving you with 70% vs. the 35% you get with Amazon/Kindle. And, remember that the iPhone and iPod Touch have a combined 40 million users vs. just 500 thousand for the Kindle.
Let's say it costs $2000 to develop an iPhone app for your eBook and get it uploaded to the iTunes app store. You list your eBook app at $2.99 which means you'll net $2.09 per sale after Apple's cut. You'll need to sell 957 eBook apps to break even. Now compare that cost/break even point to self publishing a printed book and trotting it around to a bunch of bookstores or selling them on the internet.
There are also strong rumors of an upcoming super-iPod Touch, tentatively called the iPod MediaPad, that will be just under the size of the Kindle yet will have a larger screen with HD Video capability and full touchscreen keyboard - perfect for reading eBooks in addition to everything else the iPod Touch already does.
There are definite advantages for publishing your eBook with Amazon for the Kindle and there are also advantages for publishing your eBook for the iPhone and iPod Touch using a custom iPhone app. Authors who are looking to monetize their publications should seriously consider making use of both the Kindle and iPhone publishing platforms. Christopher Stolee says do it now!
Now you can add the iPhone and its buddy the iPod Touch as viable competitors to the Kindle for publishing eBooks. The iPhone has many eBooks available free and for purchase from the iTunes App Store but in addition there is the new Kindle app for the iPhone and iPod Touch which gives readers access to the whole Kindle library without needing to have the Kindle reader.
For aspiring writers and authors who are already published, getting your eBooks listed for sale with Amazon and Kindle is a great way to start. Your eBook can be uploaded and listed without much time and cost, and Amazon will pay you a royalty of 35% on each eBook sold for Kindle. The drawback? There are only about 500 thousand Kindle units on the market so far.
Let's contrast that with publishing your eBook for the iPhone and iPod Touch using your own iPhone app. You will first have to find a qualified iPhone developer to create your eBook app. There will be an upfront cost to develop your application and the time to get your eBook listed in the iTunes App Store can be several weeks. On the plus side, Apple takes only 30% of the sale price, leaving you with 70% vs. the 35% you get with Amazon/Kindle. And, remember that the iPhone and iPod Touch have a combined 40 million users vs. just 500 thousand for the Kindle.
Let's say it costs $2000 to develop an iPhone app for your eBook and get it uploaded to the iTunes app store. You list your eBook app at $2.99 which means you'll net $2.09 per sale after Apple's cut. You'll need to sell 957 eBook apps to break even. Now compare that cost/break even point to self publishing a printed book and trotting it around to a bunch of bookstores or selling them on the internet.
There are also strong rumors of an upcoming super-iPod Touch, tentatively called the iPod MediaPad, that will be just under the size of the Kindle yet will have a larger screen with HD Video capability and full touchscreen keyboard - perfect for reading eBooks in addition to everything else the iPod Touch already does.
There are definite advantages for publishing your eBook with Amazon for the Kindle and there are also advantages for publishing your eBook for the iPhone and iPod Touch using a custom iPhone app. Authors who are looking to monetize their publications should seriously consider making use of both the Kindle and iPhone publishing platforms. Christopher Stolee says do it now!
New Blog from Christopher Stolee
New Blog from Christopher Stolee - Christopher Stolee Reviews. This is the blog where Christopher Stolee will publish his latest reviews of iPhone apps and also some other product reviews like mobile devices, airlines, hotels, movies, TV, and more.
You can see the blog at http://www.christopherstoleereviews.blogspot.com
Thanks for taking a look at Christopher Stolee Reviews.
You can see the blog at http://www.christopherstoleereviews.blogspot.com
Thanks for taking a look at Christopher Stolee Reviews.
Christopher P. Stolee is debating lunch choices
Christopher P. Stolee has some choices for lunch on casual Friday. There is a jug of healthy pomegranate juice with acai berry, some deli smoked turkey slices with a honey flavor that Christopher P. Stolee doesn't really care for, and some leftover key lime pie.
Christopher P. Stolee thinks that he will go for his version of the healthy combo, which has the juice for a first course followed by a slice of key lime pie.
Christopher P. Stolee thinks that he will go for his version of the healthy combo, which has the juice for a first course followed by a slice of key lime pie.
Christopher Stolee reports - Apple announces all new apps and app updates must be 3.0 compliant
That's correct! According to Christopher Stolee, Apple announced late Thursday that the line has been drawn in the virtual sand. All following app submissions and updates to existing apps must be compliant with iPhone 3.0 yada yada yada. Too bad for the developers who had apps 99.9% ready to go.
Follow Christopher Stolee on the custom iPhone apps blog
You can follow Christopher Stolee and iPhone apps on the custom iPhone apps blog - you can find the custom iPhone apps blog at http://customiphoneapps.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Christopher Stolee asks - what's the deal with the new Coke bottle caps?
Christopher Stolee wants to know why Coke has changed the bottle caps for its small bottles of Coke, Coke Zero, Fresca, etc. The new bottle caps are a little bit shorter and the net effect is that it's harder to put the cap back on the bottle because now there's only about 2/3 as much threading inside the plastic cap.
Christopher Stolee knows that Coke is saving countless dollars in reduced cost for plastic, but come on! Save your money somewhere else, like not paying for those stupid Coke Zero lawyer commercials.
Christopher Stolee knows that Coke is saving countless dollars in reduced cost for plastic, but come on! Save your money somewhere else, like not paying for those stupid Coke Zero lawyer commercials.
Christopher Stolee thinks about upgrading the iPhone
Christopher Stolee is speculating about possible upgraded features on the next version of the iPhone. Here are a couple of things Christopher Stolee would like to see on his next iPhone.
Video camera
Higher resolution digital camera. The iPhone won't handle much more in megapixels because it is so thin, but it could take a wider lens
User changeable battery
Longer battery life
Portal to time travel
How's that for a starter list? There's no reason Apple can't incorporate every one of these simple features in the next iPhone if they really want to.
Video camera
Higher resolution digital camera. The iPhone won't handle much more in megapixels because it is so thin, but it could take a wider lens
User changeable battery
Longer battery life
Portal to time travel
How's that for a starter list? There's no reason Apple can't incorporate every one of these simple features in the next iPhone if they really want to.
Making Money with eBook Publishing for the iPhone - by Christopher Stolee
Making Money with eBook Publishing for the iPhone - Article by Christopher Stolee
The success of eBooks has been an on and off thing for the last decade. Different readers and formats come and go, with Amazon's Kindle system looking like it might have some staying power with over 225 thousand titles listed as of May 2009.
Now you can add the iPhone and its buddy the iPod Touch as viable competitors to the Kindle for publishing eBooks. The iPhone has many eBooks available free and for purchase from the iTunes App Store but in addition there is the new Kindle app for the iPhone and iPod Touch which gives readers access to the whole Kindle library without needing to have the Kindle reader.
For aspiring writers and authors who are already published, getting your eBooks listed for sale with Amazon and Kindle is a great way to start. Your eBook can be uploaded and listed without much time and cost, and Amazon will pay you a royalty of 35% on each eBook sold for Kindle. The drawback? There are only about 500 thousand Kindle units on the market so far.
Let's contrast that with publishing your eBook for the iPhone and iPod Touch using your own iPhone app. You will first have to find a qualified iPhone developer to create your eBook app. There will be an upfront cost to develop your application and the time to get your eBook listed in the iTunes App Store can be several weeks. On the plus side, Apple takes only 30% of the sale price, leaving you with 70% vs. the 35% you get with Amazon/Kindle. And, remember that the iPhone and iPod Touch have a combined 40 million users vs. just 500 thousand for the Kindle.
There are also strong rumors of an upcoming super-iPod Touch, tentatively called the iPod MediaPad, that will be just under the size of the Kindle yet will have a larger screen with HD Video capability and full touchscreen keyboard - perfect for reading eBooks in addition to everything else the iPod Touch already does.
There are definite advantages for publishing your eBook with Amazon for the Kindle and there are also advantages for publishing your eBook for the iPhone and iPod Touch using a custom iPhone app. Authors who are looking to monetize their publications should seriously consider making use of both the Kindle and iPhone publishing platforms. Run some numbers, you can do the math!
Christopher Stolee sees the economy bottoming out in 2009
According to semi-trained economist Christopher Stolee, the US economy should bottom out in the second quarter of 2009. If you are looking to buy a home, refinance a mortgage, or borrow money for your business this is the time to do it. Christopher Stolee says you may never see interest rates this low again in your lifetime.
This economic "recovery" is being financed by printing more money. If the USA wants China and other foreign investors to keep buying US Government bonds, interest rates will have to go up. Get your necessary borrowing done now and pay off those high interest credit cards if you can.
This economic "recovery" is being financed by printing more money. If the USA wants China and other foreign investors to keep buying US Government bonds, interest rates will have to go up. Get your necessary borrowing done now and pay off those high interest credit cards if you can.
Christopher Stolee is waiting for the new Twins Stadium to open
Christopher Stolee is anxiously waiting for 2010 when the new Minnesota Twins downtown stadium will open for business. Target Field as it is known will be open air - no hump dome. Christopher Stolee has enjoyed many games in the cheap outfield seats at the Metrodome, but the fresh air of the outdoor stadium will be excellent - except when the garbage incinerator facility next door to the stadium is burning mercury or asbestos that day. And will the hotdogs cool off too fast in the spring weather?
Christopher Stolee is wondering where the flying cars are?
Christopher Stolee says that we were promised flying cars by the year 2000. So where are they? Or do the car companies already have these flying cars but are keeping them under wraps, just like the government is doing in Area 51?
Is there an Area 51 just for flying car technology? If there is, Christopher Stolee speculates that the name of this top secret area be known as Area 54 after the old "Car 54 Where Are You?" TV series.
Stay tuned for more investigation into this flying car controversy.
Is there an Area 51 just for flying car technology? If there is, Christopher Stolee speculates that the name of this top secret area be known as Area 54 after the old "Car 54 Where Are You?" TV series.
Stay tuned for more investigation into this flying car controversy.
Christopher Stolee says new iPhone 3.0 to have parental control function
According to Christopher Stolee and his Custom iPhone Apps blog, the new iPhone 3.0 upgrade will feature parental controls. This will allow Apple and the iTunes App Store to loosen the controversial prohibition against "any content that may be seen as objectionable" by anyone. Apple is encouraging app developers who have recently had new apps or updated apps rejected for "objectionable" or "possibly objectionable" to resubmit the apps after the release of teh 3.0 upgrade.
Christopher Stolee lists his least favorite foods
Christopher Stolee does not like to eat the following under any circumstances:
Eggplant
Zucchini
Mushrooms
Bamboo Shoots
Squid
Octopus
Beets
Thistles - on their own or in salad
Duck
Goose
Wild Game
This can be a list in progress, the more different things Christopher Stolee tries, the higher the liklihood that the list will be expanded.
Eggplant
Zucchini
Mushrooms
Bamboo Shoots
Squid
Octopus
Beets
Thistles - on their own or in salad
Duck
Goose
Wild Game
This can be a list in progress, the more different things Christopher Stolee tries, the higher the liklihood that the list will be expanded.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Christopher Stolee Doesn't Drink Coffee
Christopher Stolee doesn't drink coffee but he does go to Starbucks and Caribou once in a while, sometimes even Dunn Brothers. Regular Coca Cola is the favorite drink of Christopher Stolee, although he has been drinking Coke Zero lately. Coffee is best used to dunk cookies and doughnuts, preferably someone else's coffee.
On a recent trip to Hawaii, someone gave Christopher Stolee a Kona Coffe Cigar, which wasn't that bad. Christopher Stolee has pledged that if someone gives him a Kona Coffee plantation on the Big Island of Hawaii, he will indeed start drinking coffee and liking it.
On a recent trip to Hawaii, someone gave Christopher Stolee a Kona Coffe Cigar, which wasn't that bad. Christopher Stolee has pledged that if someone gives him a Kona Coffee plantation on the Big Island of Hawaii, he will indeed start drinking coffee and liking it.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
iPhone Apps for eBooks - Publishing Your eBooks with iPhone Applications
iPhone Apps for eBook Publishing
Publish your book or eBook as an iPhone app and get paid for your work! It's a great new way of publishing whether you're an author and your book is already published or if you are an aspiring author looking for a publisher.
For publishers - consider making an iPhone app for your existing books. iPhone apps allow your eBook to be read both on the iPhone and the iPod Touch. A paid iPhone app adds another revenue stream to your publishing line, helping both your list of authors and your own bottom line. Not big enough to partner with Stanza? We can create your own eBook reader for you and incorporate it into your line of eBook iPhone applications.
For authors - iPhone apps for your eBooks can get your work published and on the paid marketplace without waiting for an established publisher to select your book. You as the author control the publication, the price, and the royalties. You get 70% of your book app's sales price from the iTunes App Store, after Apple's 30% cut. This means after Apple, you get ALL of the royalties. And with the new iPhone 3.0 upgrade coming out later this year, you will even be able to offer your eBook apps on a subscription basis so you can charge more for adding content periodically!
iPhone apps for eBooks FAQ:
Q: Why should I invest in an iPhone app for my book instead of publishing an eBook for Kindle?
A: You should do both! An author should monetize his or her book in as many ways as possible (unless you're independently wealthy).
Q: What advantages does an iPhone app have over Kindle? Kindle publishing is free, and iPhone apps cost money!
A: Your eBook as an iPhone app nets you 70% of the sale price vs. 35% from Kindle. Also, your eBook iPhone app can be upgraded or have added content at any time. You can even sell your publication by subscription with your iPhone app. Also, Apple has sold almost 40 million iPhone and iPod Touch units vs about 500,000 Amazon Kindles. Publishing your eBook with an iPhone app is a market you can't ignore.
Q: Does an eBook published with an iPhone app also need a reader?
A: Yes, your iPhone eBook application will need an eBook reader incorporated into the app. The Toy Lounge has its own proprietary eBook reader that we can build into your eBook application.
Q: Can't I use the Kindle reader or Stanza reader for my own eBook iPhone application?
A: No - Kindle and Stanza are not licensing their readers for use in individual iPhone apps. You or your publisher would need to have the publishing volume to make a special partnership to list your books with Amazon/Kindle/Stanza like the bigger publishing houses are doing.
Q: How much does it cost to turn my eBook into an iPhone app?
A: The cost for your eBook iPhone app will depend on the number of pages in your eBook, any illustrations or pictures included in your eBook, and any added features you may need included. A basic cost for starters would be $2500.00 - but keep in mind that this is just a rough estimate and a starting point until we can review your actual material and necessary requirements. We offer volume disounts - the more eBook iPhone apps we create for you, the lower the cost for each will be.
Please contact us at the Toy Lounge for a free price quote on your eBook project.
Publish your book or eBook as an iPhone app and get paid for your work! It's a great new way of publishing whether you're an author and your book is already published or if you are an aspiring author looking for a publisher.
For publishers - consider making an iPhone app for your existing books. iPhone apps allow your eBook to be read both on the iPhone and the iPod Touch. A paid iPhone app adds another revenue stream to your publishing line, helping both your list of authors and your own bottom line. Not big enough to partner with Stanza? We can create your own eBook reader for you and incorporate it into your line of eBook iPhone applications.
For authors - iPhone apps for your eBooks can get your work published and on the paid marketplace without waiting for an established publisher to select your book. You as the author control the publication, the price, and the royalties. You get 70% of your book app's sales price from the iTunes App Store, after Apple's 30% cut. This means after Apple, you get ALL of the royalties. And with the new iPhone 3.0 upgrade coming out later this year, you will even be able to offer your eBook apps on a subscription basis so you can charge more for adding content periodically!
iPhone apps for eBooks FAQ:
Q: Why should I invest in an iPhone app for my book instead of publishing an eBook for Kindle?
A: You should do both! An author should monetize his or her book in as many ways as possible (unless you're independently wealthy).
Q: What advantages does an iPhone app have over Kindle? Kindle publishing is free, and iPhone apps cost money!
A: Your eBook as an iPhone app nets you 70% of the sale price vs. 35% from Kindle. Also, your eBook iPhone app can be upgraded or have added content at any time. You can even sell your publication by subscription with your iPhone app. Also, Apple has sold almost 40 million iPhone and iPod Touch units vs about 500,000 Amazon Kindles. Publishing your eBook with an iPhone app is a market you can't ignore.
Q: Does an eBook published with an iPhone app also need a reader?
A: Yes, your iPhone eBook application will need an eBook reader incorporated into the app. The Toy Lounge has its own proprietary eBook reader that we can build into your eBook application.
Q: Can't I use the Kindle reader or Stanza reader for my own eBook iPhone application?
A: No - Kindle and Stanza are not licensing their readers for use in individual iPhone apps. You or your publisher would need to have the publishing volume to make a special partnership to list your books with Amazon/Kindle/Stanza like the bigger publishing houses are doing.
Q: How much does it cost to turn my eBook into an iPhone app?
A: The cost for your eBook iPhone app will depend on the number of pages in your eBook, any illustrations or pictures included in your eBook, and any added features you may need included. A basic cost for starters would be $2500.00 - but keep in mind that this is just a rough estimate and a starting point until we can review your actual material and necessary requirements. We offer volume disounts - the more eBook iPhone apps we create for you, the lower the cost for each will be.
Please contact us at the Toy Lounge for a free price quote on your eBook project.
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