Though this iPhone app has many potential uses, as a poker player, the first thought that popped in my head was listening to music while still keeping up with the game at a live poker table - without removing my earbuds. In essence, this app allows you to hear music from your iPhone playlist (or a radio app), while still keeping up with sounds/voices occurring around you by utilizing the phones external mic.

For an example that doesn't involve poker, imagine being on a train and wanting to listen to your music, but not wanting to chance missing the announcement of your upcoming stop. This app would facilitate this by focusing on the sudden noises occurring around you, like a persons voice over a speaker, while blocking out other ongoing variables like the sound of an engine or air conditioner. That's pretty much the gist of it.

For full disclosure, I have not purchased this app yet; thus, I have not used this app. I do plan to grab it soon and the first chance I play live poker again - probably the year 2012 at the rate I'm going - I'll let you know how it goes. If you test it out before I post my experience, especially at the poker table, please let me know how it goes.

Below is a video with further details on how to use the app.

Until next time, may the felt be with you.

Back in June I wrote about my brother's quest to become a member of Team Victory Poker.  Here are the specifics direct from the Victory Poker Contest website:

One lucky male or female out there will win $100,000 in tournament buy-ins, a fully furnished condo on the Las Vegas strip, a new car, a watch, and more!  To enter, you need to create a 1 minute video convincing us why YOU should be the next Victory Poker Pro. Create a profile on the page and get your friends to vote for your video (they can vote once a day). 25 people will be chosen and flown out to Vegas to meet the team. After testing your abilities and going through some fun challenges in poker, it finalizes down to one person whose life will be changed. Will it be you?

When he first posted his video, I wasn't sure how much traction it would receive.  For starters, most of the videos were trying to be funny.  I say trying because none of them are really too funny, save for a couple that made me chuckle briefly.  On the other hand, my brother's video is poignant and, quite frankly, to the point.  Often contest voters go for funny over serious, so I had concerns right off the bat.  Also, he posted his video rather late in the contest.  Quite a few people had already listed their video and were receiving tons of votes.  I felt these road blocks would make it an up hill climb for sure.