Beautiful Sight...

Picture (image) worths a thousand words!

More to come...

Kiddie Calendar - the 1st FREE app from Londo Bell!

This app is all about kids - more specifically - kids silly questions.  My kids have been asking me about their birthdays (am I 5 1/2 now?  How much longer?) or school (when am I going to 2nd grade?  Now the issue isn't about my kids asking those questions; rather, it's them asking the same questions every 2-3 days!  Then I figure it out - to them (kids), they don't really understand what "5 more months" mean, and they have to check every other day to see if that 5 more months have come. Mind you, my kids aren't stupid; I have heard the same questions from many kids at the school where my kids are going too.

Most, if not all, calendars in the iOS App Store will tell you time, date, and what not.  They will also tell you how much longer you'll have to wait before such and such event will come.  They won't , however, answer a kid's question in sort of a yes/no format.  Here's an example:

"Am I 6 1/2 years old?"

Those calendars available on iOS App Store will tell you when your birthday will be, and how much longer you'll have to wait before such date will arrive.  Only Kiddie Calendar will tell you

"You are younger than 6 1/2 years old, and you will be 7 years old in X months."

or 

"You are exactly 6 1/2 years old this month!"

Kiddie Calendar will also tell your kids how much longer they will have to wait before they go onto the next school grade, or some major holiday events.  It has (almost) full audio support in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin too!

Now, what Kiddie Calendar is NOT - it's not intended for adult use, meaning, using it as an official calendar to keep track of records, to check dates, etc.  No - there are thousands, if not 10 of thousands, of those calendars available on the App Store already.  In fact, you already have one - FOR FREE - from Apple in your iDevice: the Calendar app.  Finally, make sure that you have set the Region Format to US.  For more info about this, please check my explanation in the iOS App Store.  In short, different countries use different calendar format, which is not compatible with the US format used on Kiddie Calendar.

Check out both screen shots and videos (iPhone only).  App will be available for both iPad and iPhone, running iOS 7.1+.

           

 

Check out the teaser and video on Youtube.

Download directly from iOS App Store

2 New iOS Apps in the pipeline

1 Free, another 99¢.  Both are children related.  That's all I will say for now...come back later for updates!

Simply Sweets San Francisco (SimplySweetsSF) Project - Pending *Update*

*Update* This is still a work in progress project.  However, Apple seems to be ok with the latest layout of the app, and if everything goes accordingly, pending agreement with SimplySweetsSF Owner/Pastry Chef, it will be submitted and (most likely) approved as planned.  The current app content is drastically different than the screenshots below.  Will update the images shortly.

This is a project in collaboration with SimplySweetsSF.  One thing I can tell you right now: their deserts are YUMMY!

It is work in progress currently.  Here are some sample screenshots:

                              

                                   

Like New - the MUST HAVE used car buying checklist app!

Like New is the 4th app that is on sales now.  It's available on iOS App Store now for just 99¢.  This is a MUST HAVE when you go used vehicle shopping, either through used vehicle dealerships or through private sellers.  It's an universal app (iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad), runs on 7.1 and later, and 64 bit too!

If you are a daytime (or early evening) court shows junky like me, then you should realize that a lot of civil lawsuits are on used vehicle litigations, almost always something about "s/he sold me this car, and told me that everything is in good condition...but after 10 min of driving, I got a (say) overheated engine!  I want my money back!"  "Well, too bad," judges usually reply.  "It's Caveat Emptor!  Did you bring a mechanic with you?"

Now seriously, how many used vehicle buyers have brought mechanics with them?  Most mechanic won't leave their normal work to go check out a vehicle.  If they do, they often charge a fairly high price (at least $100-$200), and the location must be close to their auto shops.  Evening or weekends?  Good luck!  So, unless you have a mechanic friend or family member...

Think of it another way too - if you have vehicle trouble, guess who will benefit from that?  Wouldn't making sure that the used vehicle is mechanically sound counterproductive to the auto shops business plan?

That's when Like New app can help you.  It is a standalone app, so you can use it without the need of any internet connection, something of a luxury at a private seller location or used vehicle dealership.  The app suggests what to look into on a used vehicle, specifically, any sign of potential mechanical issue, and hint of collision in the past - the same type of checks used car managers, mechanics, and body shop appraisers use when checking vehicles out.  (Note that there are actually a lot more checks to be done, but it may be too detail and advance for most people to understand.)

Like New app is, by no mean, the replacement of a mechanic physically inspecting the vehicle for you.  However, Like New will help equip you with knowledge, before you spend your hard earned money on potentially buying a junk.  Most importantly, it is probably the only app in the iOS App Store that provide such a check list. 

Note: Test Drive section has audio explanation to potential issues observed on the test driven vehicle.

Update: Screen shot below for iPad has slightly changed in the final version - ever so slightly: better quality images, and wider text section for cleaner layout.

                         

                           

Check out the teaser and video on Youtube!

iPhone/iPad App Store link:

Chinese Family app - now hold your head up high in front of your elders!

***Free for the month of May - Celebrate Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month!***

Chinese Family app is the 2nd app submitted and approved by Apple iOS App Store.  Special thanks to my cousin in Los Angeles (US).  He's the one who gave me the idea when he was having trouble figuring out how to "properly" call my kids.  The actual app itself is a bit deviated from what he was suggesting, but the grand scheme of things are identical.  Although it's the 2nd approved app, it's actually the 1st app created by Londo Bell Enterprise!

This app is probably the only app of its type in the iOS App Store (I believe, it's the only one that come up in search), and probably the most comprehensive family "relationship" app/publication/online in the world!  It includes at maximum, 6 generations, with details among relationship from the mother side* - something that you won't find in any Youtube video or online charts (they concentrate on the father side).  It is universal - for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.  It runs on iOS 7.1 and later.  It even has both Mandarin and Cantonese audio pronunciation for the titles!

As one of the oldest civilization on planet Earth, Chinese families have actually created proper title for all family members, of 6 to 7 generations.  Yes, that's 6, or even 7 generations.  Reason being a woman would get marry at the age of 11 or 12, and would start having babies at around that age.  They would continue to have babies until they couldn't, due to 2 main reasons - fatalities were extremely high due to zero medical care, and there was no - well, it was actually illegal - to use any sort of contraceptive (which really was herbal type that "might" work).  Thus, they had to know how to address each and every member, and called the other that way during family gatherings like prior to meals, morning assembly, etc.

In short, there was nothing like, second cousin from marriage, which is typical in today's western culture.

Chinese family app is extremely easy to use.  You just need to tab buttons!  You always start from your own self, and trace your family tree to the person you want to know (the proper relationship title).

Using my cousin's case as an example, he's my mom sister's son (hence my cousin, mother side - yes, it makes a difference in proper Chinese title).  My cousin would like to know how to properly address my kids' title.  Here's how:

Me > Mother > Older Sister > Son > Son/Daughter

Me, that's my cousin.

Me > Mother, that's my cousin's mom.

Me > Mother > Older Sister, that's my cousin's aunt, or, my mom!

Me > Mother > Older Sister > Son, that's me (or my cousin's cousin!).

and finally,

Me > Mother > Older Sister > Son > Son/Daughter, that's my cousin's nephew and niece (my kids).

Each relationship is a tab button.  Simple enough?  I think so...I hope so.

In case you wonder, why can't I (that's me) have an option of just "Cousin's kids" or something similar?  Now that's the western way of thinking.  Remember, "cousin" in Chinese system is labeled differently between father and mother side, so you actually need to know which side you are under.  By then, it will be simpler just to trace the way I design it.  More importantly, we are just dealing with "cousin" here; the same principle applies to brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts...

Truth be told, I almost went crazy...maybe I have already...when going through the routes of different family trees.  Thanks to my mom for assistance here too, other than driving me insane in other family matters!  She has helped me in locating publications in China which deal specifically with this sort of issue, and the good news is - THERE'S NONE!  She got something regarding ancient Chinese marriage ceremony, and helped me in translating (it was written in ancient dialog, thank goodness she's a Chinese History major in college!).

So, download Chinese Family app for only 99¢, and you won't have to go through insanity, like me!

*In ancient Chinese culture, when a woman got married, she's no longer considered as part of the family, per se.  As a result, the branching created was not clear until much later (closer to modern days).

                  

Also check out Chinese Family's Teaser and Full videos on Youtube!

iPad Download:


iPhone Download:

Nissan LEAF Pocket Guide - Now available on the iOS App Store!

LEAF Pocket Guide is the 1st app offered by Londo Bell Enterprise.  Built specifically for the Nissan LEAF 100% electric vehicle, it provides info which Nissan should have done in this digital age - what to do during an emergency situation, where is the location of <something> and whether is it ok to do <something>, as an app.  It is a quick guide, so that you don't have to browse and search through the 6 booklets included in the manual package.

As an owner of a 2011 and a 2014 Nissan LEAF, I simply used the vehicle like an appliance - something that most of "us" actually treat our daily commute nowadays.  There are a lot of features that I have never used in the 2011 (and 2014), and I just really don't care about those (hence no interest in exploring them through thousands of pages in the manuals).  My wife is now the main driver on the 2014 LEAF, and she has started asking me many questions.  In fact, she didn't even know what to do in case if she has a flat tyre (she knows now that I've explained to her)!  THAT, is the reason I decided to work on the Pocket Guide LEAF app.  Not only does the app has instruction on what to do (and what NOT to do) during a minor emergency, it also has info on maintenance, interesting tidbits, some technical info that you DO care (e.g. iDevices compatibility - and you are going to be disappointed!), and Carwings info.

Speaking of DIY maintenance, LEAF Pocket Guide is color coded (for the DIY section) so that you know what you CAN do, and what you should bring your LEAF to the professionals (i.e. dealership).  Again, this app is target for those who don't want to get dirty, so for those who change the micro filter by yourselves, our response will be, "wow, how can you do that?”

Another feature* of LEAF Pocket Guide is the ability to call Nissan 24 hours Road Side Assistance directly from the app.  Your LEAF is actually covered for this for 36 months, for pretty much all purpose (even in a collision situation), so use it, instead of, say, fixing a flat tire by yourself.  Oh, and don't do that, because…(purchase the app to find out why you shouldn't “repair”the tires by yourself!).

If you ever have to read through the Nissan Quick Reference Guide (booklet from Nissan), you will see that it doesn't provide much info that is relevant to drivers of today.  Almost all of the useful info is from the thick Owner's manual, which I've included as part of the app itself (require internet connection).

Finally, LEAF Pocket Guide is good for MY2011, 2012 and 2013 LEAFs too, as changes are minimal among the 4 model years.  It is an universal app for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, requires iOS 7.1, and is built in 64 bit.  The app is optimized for iPhone 5/5S.

Now you've the ABCs for the LEAF.  Enjoy the ride :)

                        

Check out the teaser and video on Youtube!

*iPhone only

iPad Link:

iPhone Link:

Amuro Ray's iOS Apps 1st Post!

Welcome to Londo Bell Enterprise, a division of Anaheim Electronics (Lunar Base).  There are 4 apps for iOS 7.1 in the pipeline, and with more to come shortly.  I build apps that help people with their daily lives, and at a very low price too.

Thanks for purchasing my app.

Regards,

Amuro Ray