Ephemeris is an Adobe AIR application for photographers, primarily those who take landscape vista’s and need to calculate accurately the times of sunrise and sunset to achieve that perfect shot.

Landscape photographers typically wish to plan their shoots around the times of sunrise/sunset or twilight, or alternatively when the moon is in a particular place in a particular phase.

This is what Ephemeris is designed for. It combines a Google map with lot’s of geo data and shows you visually the directions of Ephemeris times as well as detailed data at your chosen location. Enter a place on the map and then add it to your locations for Ephemeris to remember. By setting the date you can calculate exact times for moon and sun rise and set.

I love my photography but I’m not at the level to fully appreciate how the useful this kind of tool can be.

The app includes configurations setting to tune how the information is displayed and a glossary so you can get up to speed on the lingo of things like moon phase time. A full set of keyboard shortcuts is also employed for speed users and a full detailed list together with a tutorial can be found on the developers site here.

While times of sunrise etc. are readily available on various sites on the internet (direction of sunrise etc. less so, but still readily found), there are fewer programs available which combine such information with a topographical map allowing the photographer to match the astronomical to the location.

Design eye

I love the look and feel of this application as it is different and conveys the message of the AIR applications intentions well. This could have been really plain and uninteresting but the designer and developer have done a really nice job. The background finished off the app while the Ephemeris items containing the sunrise and sunset times make the data interesting drawing you in.

That said there are a few buttons not styles that retain the Flex Halo standard focus color and within the glossary when you highlight some text with the cursor the blue Halo highlight appears.

Technical eye

Built using Adobe Flex and the AIR framework.

A number of webservices were utilised in the construction of the Ephemeris including Geonames and Chronos Date Time library, plus other astronomical sources refer to the About tab for details.

In summary

A perfect application for all landscape photographers out there, it’s free so load it up onto your lappy and get out there to take some stunning vista’s using this AIR app to guide you at sunrise or set.

If your not that keen a photographer it’s worthy of the download to play with adding places into the map and seeing the directions! Great work.

Tagged with: fun, productivity, photography, flickr

Advertise here on the RefreshingApps feed and get noticed. Find out more.

LoomTV is hoping to be the new social media player from Germany. Already available via the browser LoomTV desktop takes that experience to your desktop with Adobe AIR.

It combines media from the likes of YouTube, GoogleVideo, BlipTV, Dailymotion and more with extensive social features built it. You can share you playlists and favourites with friends.

Watch what you want! Search and collect videos for free!

The UI features a Heads Up Display (HUD) type of approach that reappears upon mouse movement. The interface alows for may features to be available at one time including searching, radio stations news and games. LIve chat is also incorporated and is localised into six languages.

Design eye

The dark theme is good at concentrating the eye, however I’m note sure about forcing me into a fullscreen situation upon launch of the app especially on a Mac. Also I experienced quite a bit of flickering while the HUD UI elements toggled their visibility.

That said the icons are nice and clear and it’s themed well. When the app goes fullscreen may YouTube videos are shown really small on the screen due to the resolution.

Technical eye

Built using Adobe Flex and the AIR framework.

In summary

To be a real contender the user experience of LoomTV still needs a little work although you can’t deny that it is jam packed with functionality and brimming with social prowess.

Tagged with: video, social, fun

Advertise here on the RefreshingApps feed and get noticed. Find out more.

This is one for the Flex developers in the house. Lupo is a fantastic AIR application focused on providing an easy mechanism for translating and localising Flex applications. Built by David Deraedt (http://www.dehats.com) who has a lot of experience in technical translations especially with Adobe technologies.

With lupo manager, an Adobe® AIR® application, easily extract strings from your source code, manage resource bundles and implement i18n logic in your Adobe Flex® / Adobe AIR applications, in a very productive way.

This is not a free application and costs a very reasonable 99€ for a single seat license. Lupo is really smart, it will parse you MXML and ActionScript and intelligently identify what it thinks is textual content that needs translating. This is usually text labels, form buttons items etc. You can also instruct Lupo to translate a specific item of text. Extracted text is held as a key value pair that is then held within a bundle. This bundle can then be exported or imported with a set of translations.

Lupo also guides the developer through the process of creating extra language locales from the Flex framework, Flex compiler build path alteration and offers the automatic insertion of MXML and AS for handling switching of translations.

Our beta testers, using early builds of the software, noted a productive boost which was about 40% to 75% percent. From my experience, the release version of Lupo should be closer to a productivity gain of 100%.

The process if relatively simple and if you are unsure there is some help docs on line and inline help bubbles on mouse over to guide you. Steps are divided between three main tabs in the work area, Source Extraction, Resource Bundles and Code Generation.

One thing I did get slightly stuck with was creating the Flex framework resource copy for the new translations. Following the help for Lupo I managed to create a new locale file in the Flex framework for my de_DE German translation.

Video review

Design eye

Clean look the green is not really to my taste in a UI although it’s on brand and has a nice logo icon that appears in my dock.

The UI is technical and does require an understanding of the task you are attempting to complete. David has helpfully done a video showing the workthrough of translating an example app that is worthy of a watch to get to grips with the product.

Technical eye

Built using Adobe Flex and the AIR framework.

In summary

If you are producing Flex content for multiple locales and need an agile friendly tool to assist with your translations Lupo is well worth a look.

Tagged with: productivity, developer, flex

Advertise here on the RefreshingApps feed and get noticed. Find out more.

Joost, the Internet TV service created by ex Skype founders started out using peer to peer application based off the Mozilla platform. Come 2008 and Joost relaunched using the Flash Platform as media delivery and you could access it through your web browser.

AIR developer Paul Yanez working closely with Joost has created a most needed desktop version of the player. Thus completing a lifecycle of desktop to browser to desktop again!

The player includes Twitter integration where you can tweet out your playing habits without exiting the Joost desktop AIR application.

When I first tried the application I couldn’t get it to work properly I could not watch any programmes. This proved to be a massive no in my book so I promptly ignored it. After trying it again I reinstalled the app and this time it asked me for a password that was sent via email. This password then enables you to watch the programmes. This process is a once only action and something I must have totally missed the first time rendering the app useless.

There are some nice features like a picture in picture feature that was not possible on the web, together with media program guide that gets better the larger you monitor. Full screen viewing is also available from the desktop player navigating between programmes in a playlist via the keyboard.

Design eye

So all working now and it mimics the browser version quite well. That said I feel that the user experience in standard view is lacking somewhat, it feels flat and none engaging. The best view is the Apple Front row UI which is visually more appealing and eye catching, navigation again via the keyboard.

Technical eye

Using the Joost API with a specially adapted data feed for the desktop AIR app. Built using Adobe Flex and the Adobe AIR framework.

Summary

A good option for your TV viewing experience on AIR the front row style UI when in fullscreen is enjoyable. They are adding new content all the time so get past the iffy password entry screen on first install and happy viewing.

Tagged with: video, fun, music, twitter, social

Advertise here on the RefreshingApps feed and get noticed. Find out more.

NihongoUp is a Japanese learning tool built in Adobe AIR by Philip Seyfi. Improve you kana IME typing speed and learn Japanese particles in context.

I must admit I know absolutely nothing about Japanese and I’m not going to pretent I do. That said it’s a great looking application with some subtle interactions.

All this comes packaged in this Japanese learning game which will keep you motivated during you study of this beautiful, but demanding language

So if you know any Japanese then please comment on how you find this AIR application and your experiences.

Design eye

Nice colours used here very in keeping with Japanese feeling and presence. There is a nice subtle background animation and the navigation uses simple flipping tiles with clear iconography and minimal text.

The game involves items floating down from the top of the screen and you have to type the phrases before they hit the bottom. I could not get one to work but hey, it still looks nice!

Technical eye

It’s an ActionScript 3 project using Flash Develop and the Adobe AIR runtime of course.

In Summary

Go and check out the blog for this app that has more information on it and links to the developers other language projects.

This is a paid for app that is available as a trial version for you to try it out. The full price is only $4.99 so not going to break the bank if you like it.

Tagged with: learning

Advertise here on the RefreshingApps feed and get noticed. Find out more.

PixelWindow is a great lightweight AIR application for measuring elements onscreen in pixels created by Christian Cantrell

It creates a transparent window that acts like a pixel ruler with its width and height reported in the center. Just drag it around and resize it to measure whatever you want.

Yes a simple but very useful idea for designers everywhere. Just click and drag the window around to position and use the arrow keys to finely move into position. Multiple rulers are available making simultaneous measuring a sinch.

Rulers are settable to be always on top of other windows and presets for common sizes are available plus copy the sizes to your keyboard. Just right click over a pixelWindow to see all of the options.

Developer screencast

Design eye

As simple as they get here but it works. The right click menu takes away the need for intrusive icons and the ruler is clear even though you can’t adjust the opacity or change the colour.

Technical eye

Not sure but my guess would be an ActionScript project using Flex Builder and the Adobe AIR runtime of course.

In Summary

Install it you never know when you need something like this. Christian has done some great AIR apps so is a winner again.

Tagged with: designer, fun, productivity

Advertise here on the RefreshingApps feed and get noticed. Find out more.

iplotz is entering the wireframing and concepting market going head to head with an AIR application that has been around for quite a while now Balsamiq Mockups. The iplotz offering comprises of both a desktop AIR application and an online version. You can use the AIR app for free in a trial mode locally but for a fee you get a range of options for online storage of your projects.

Project and task management is built right in so no need for a separate tool. Collaboration is actively encouraged by inviting others to comment on pages and sharing editing rights.

iplotz is built specifically as a website and application wireframing tool. It includes many ready to go library items for web and iPhone. You can just start the app and get going it’s really easy to use. With the AIR application you get one project and a reminder to upgrade every five minutes. There is a great array of components and the ability to use you own graphic and imagery for your designs is welcomed. I did feel that some components could have been expanded better like form inputs and labels together.

Export is great and offers many options including PDF with multipage.

Video review

Design and usability eye

The design is very intuitive and if you have used any other wireframing tool you will be comfortably at home here. It starts on the project management screen where you being adding screens to work on. A quick intro tool tip or step by step wizard on creating your first project could be useful here.

The application is well skinned and feels sharp when used. I would have liked the option to resize the main canvas for a project or on a per page basis. The ability to add notes and number items on the page is nice, however why could they not have auto numbered them instead of having to manually edit?

I did have a few issues with the object handles not aligning correctly on first drag but deselecting then trying again soon seemed to resolve the issue.

I think a nice addition for a future release would be to create your own custom components out of other components. An example would be to reuse the same navigation across pages.

The HUD floating panel was nice although the option to dock it would work for some. Just like Flash Catalyst I still struggle to see how much more beneficial a HUD panel actually is.

Technical eye

Built using Adobe Flex 3 together with the AIR framework.

In summary

A great tool that is worthy of a try out to see if it fits your way of working. It’s a strong contender to Balsamiq Mockups and that is an AIR tool that people love. I think to get the most out of this you will have to purchase a license.

Tagged with: productivity, designer

Advertise here on the RefreshingApps feed and get noticed. Find out more.

I though I would share this AIR app as I found it quite amusing. It’s called SpreadTweet and is a simple Twitter client disguised as an Excel spreadsheet! Ideal for those of you who should be working on accounts or other boring stuff who are instead Tweeting like there is no tomorrow.

It’s built by a UK guy called Elliot Kember who has done some recent work for Carsonified the people who run FOWA and FOWD.

So there it is really. You get simple functionality like viewing direct messages, replies and send tweets. Don’t expect any fancy bells and whistles here it’s just good fun.

Design and usability eye

Err comedy value it’s great right down to the dock / taskbar icon. It does look quite convincing although I don’t spend any time of using Excel.

Technical eye

Built using HTML, JavaScript and CSS together with the AIR framework.

Tagged with: Twitter, productivity

Advertise here on the RefreshingApps feed and get noticed. Find out more.

Mixero is a new still is invite only beta AIr Application for managing your social news and updates. According to their website there is also an iPhone version in the works. It’s clear that Mixero is going head to head with the likes of Tweetdeck and Seesmic’s latest desktop offering with the tagline of reducing the noise.

The people over at Mixero have given lot’s f thought into what you would need from a desktop client for managing your daily overflow of social updates. The UI features many different configurations and modes so that you can adjust it to your liking. Currently for Twitter only I can see that the developers would be adding more networks onboard soon.

To get a copy of Mixero while it’s in invite only beta just follow @Mixero on Twitter as they give away invites quite frequently. Your data is synchronized between any PC, mobile or browser which is quite unique for AIR based Twitter clients so far.

Design and usability eye

They are selling the concept of Mixero on it’s configurable UI. They use terms like groups, channels, context and filters form managing your Tweets. Personally coming from AIR applications like Tweetdeck and destroy Twitter I found the UI initially confusing I just had a list of my own tweets, where was my incoming timeline?

After playing around by pressing some icons it appears that you can change the left and right columns to show panels like direct messages and replies. You can create groups of people then also channel a stream of content using people, keywords, hashtags etc. Basically I found it to be unnecessarily complicated and confusing for the way in which I personally use Twitter but then each to there own and I’m sure there will be many people including corporates that require this level of tuning.

The UI has a nice skin and the colours are very Twhirl like, not too bad if your staring at it all day. There are a few UI interaction elements that I do love though. When typing a Tweet after you go over a certain amount of characters the text area will automatically expand. Inserting hyperlinks allows for direct inline shortening and the contacts lookup is great.

Technical eye

Built using Adobe Flex 3 and the AIR framework. Currently only Twitter API is utilised but more to come.

In summary

A cool looking AIR application with some UI strangeness that is not all that intuitive, you will be referring to the website. If you are a Twitter social addict and feel like you need more control give Mixero a try and see how you get one.

Tagged with: twitter, productivity

Advertise here on the RefreshingApps feed and get noticed. Find out more.

Demonstrated at last years Adobe Max Conference the New York Times reader application captured my attention for a couple of reasons. Firstly when shown at Max the displayed the AIR application running on both the desktop and a Linux based mobile device. Secondly it was being developed in conjunction with the Adobe XD team and was a testbed application for the new Text Layout engine in the Flash player.

Anyway enough of the tech for a moment let’s look at the features. Obviously powered by Adobe AIR means that you can take your daily new content with you and view it without a permanent Internet connection. You also have the ability to load up to a weeks worth of back content by simply selecting the day in the drop down menu.

Some of the daily content from the paper is available for free, while you can access more pages including International for a small subscription. This is clearly indicated by the padlock on the main menu. You are shown the first page then any subsequent pages require a subscription.

Oh and you even get the famous NY Times crossword to complete.

Video Review

Design eye

The clean design on show here has not happened by accident. I’m very impressed with the amount of experience design that has gone into producing this AIR application. They wanted to take the feeling and interaction of a real paper and convert it into the digital world. This is not simply a web page containing the same information.

The browse view is especially captivating. The pages are thrown back and you get a birds eye view of the article pages within the New Your Times. Navigation can be completed with the keyboard to flick forwards and back, upwards and down just like you would browse a paper for real to find an article that catches your eye.

This interaction model they have employed here is very similar to that of a microfiche reader. If you can remember these they were very popular in libraries for viewing archived data.

Keyboard usage has been well thought out like pressing space will scroll the page down and the effect timing is just about right. The reflowing of text between columns and across different resolutions adds to a great experience.

For those who are interested there is a great behind the scenes video with the Adobe XD team (how I would love to work there!), check it out here.

Technical eye

The Text Layout Framework in the new Flash player 10 enables this AIR application to render text in incredible detail. This has come on a long way since we had to use pixel fonts in Flash movies to stop them blurring. The fonts used are the same fonts as used by the NY Times and offer great readability ideal for this type of application.

The layout framework also enables the New Your Times Reader application to adjust to differing sizes by reflowing text over variable columns, reducing images even removing them if necessary. Try it for yourself load up the app then at the front page grab the gripper and resize the application, see what I mean cool hey.

Summary

This is what I call a proper RIDA (Rich Internet Desktop Application). Some are saying that the performance is not as snappy as they would like. Personally I found the performance to be more than acceptable and CPU usage was averaging 2.2 at rest on my Mac.

If you have not taken this for a test drive then do it today. This is a great application for demonstrating what a great user experience an AIR application can achieve.

Tagged with: fun

Advertise here on the RefreshingApps feed and get noticed. Find out more.