Month: March 2010

Please, let this be true!

I just read this article from The Wall Street Journal about Apple creating a new iPhone for Verizon. I WANT THIS TO BE TRUE!

I know, I know, we have been hearing these rumours forever, but look what happened with the iPad! Maybe geek dreams can come true, and perhaps this summer, the iPh0ne will come to Verizon, hopefully looking like the above mythical model. Now I can stop thinking about the iPad and start dreaming of the Verizon iPhone instead!

Three Years Too Late

With the iPad coming out soon, a lot of people are lining up to get this revolutionary device that they have not touched, seen, or tested in person. Steve Jobs will do that to you. He says what an amazing and advanced product something is and people flock to go out and get it for themselves. I won’t be following you all. See, unlike all the Mac fan boys and girls I just cannot wrap my head around what the big deal is with this iPad. I cannot see myself spending over $500 dollars on a device that only kinda does what my other devices already fully do. Sure it would be easier to have an iPad on my lap while I’m in bed surfing the web… but what’s the point of surfing the web when half the content isn’t available because you don’t have Flash? Yes, it could be an amazing eReader, but if I wanted to read a book I’ll spend the $10 bucks at a store for a real actual book. And yes, the games on it could be amazing, with more surface area to swipe and tap it could lead to a wave of new and exciting games, but there is no way I’m spending $500 for a gaming system when I can get an Xbox or PS3 for under $300.

At this point my ramblings aren’t going to change your mind, because you have most likely already decided if the iPad is something you need in your life. But what fascinates me is to wonder just what would have happened if the keynote at Macworld on Jan 9th, 2007 was about the iPad instead of the iPhone. The newness of all the touch capabilities in a tablet computer would have rocked every tech geek to the core. “Whoa, did you see that thing! He is surfing the web with just his finger tips, and whoa look at that game! I’ve never seen anything like that!!!” The euphoria that would have come with seeing this whole new device would have been mind boggling and changed the way we thought of computing. Then, in January of 2010, instead of the iPad being announced, Steve comes out and gives us what looks like a mini iPad that can fit in your pocket and make phone calls!!??? You’ve got to be kidding me! Steve Jobs is a genius!

But alas, that didn’t happen. Shame too because I honestly feel that if the events had been different Apple would have had two killer procuts instead of one killer and one okay-maybe. But don’t worry Steve, when you invent a time machine (iTime?) you can go back and redo that one… or at least decide to let the iPad support Flash. I mean seriously, come on.

Could I use an iPad?

As a proudly proclaimed Apple Fangirl, I admit that I willingly allow Steve Jobs to convince me that the latest and greatest Apple product is the thing I can’t believe I have been living my life without. You may think it foolish of me, but my blind faith in Apple products is something I like to endulge because I am fortunate enough to do so and I have yet to be disappointed. However, the iPad has been a conundrum to me; I can’t decide whether or not I actually want one. Usually, when Apple releases a new product I rejoice and immediately begin working out the math for financing the purchase, but with the iPad I haven’t had any of those thoughts or feelings.

For a long time, I didn’t believe there would be an iPad. I had gone through the motion of too many false starts at various Apple events where the tablet was said to be announced. Then, when the news was finally true, I was under whelmed. Do I want a device that is larger than a phone but smaller than a laptop? Certainly. Do I want to navigate said device with the swipe of a finger? Sure. So, I sat down and set to work thinking about all the things I could use the iPad for if I were to own one.

Surfing the web (in bed or on the go…)


As much as I love my Macbook Pro, I do end up contorting myself into the oddest positions while attempting to surf the web in bed. The iPad would be a relief to my neck and back in this department, as well as a great travel companion for quick trips, or to bring to work in lieu of my laptop.

Collecting inspiration from the internet


Most of my online time is spent reading websites and looking at pictures for inspiration and ideas that can be incorporated into my life, home, and blog. So, the ability of the iPad to copy and paste pieces of webpages and images for me to collect along the way is a major necessity.

Reading eBooks


Although I once shuttered at the idea of dedicated ebook readers like the Kindle or Nook for their limited abilities and large price tags, I think that I could enjoy ebooks on the iPad. Although an electronic device is probably the furthest experience to paper and ink in your hands imaginable, I think the pure fact that I could read one handed in bed without losing the tactile motion of page turning could be appealing.

Playing games


One of my greatest secret desires it to own a handheld gaming device such as the Nintendo DS or other similar handset. I haven’t done so thus far because I try to avoid dedicated devices as much as possible and because I am not a fan of carrying game cartridges around on my person. I do use my iPod Touch to play a few games, but eventually give up on them because the touch is too small to act as a screen and the control panel, in my opinion. The larger size of the iPad remedies this issue however, as there is more space for seeing and swiping simultaneously.

Administrative tasks


Despite the fact that I have owned an iPod Touch for a few years now, it has been a much longer time since I have used a PDA device on a regular basis. In high school I used various models of Palm or Handspring PDA’s to handle my finances, to-do’s and calendar appointments, but I have since lost the habit. If I could get myself back into the habit, I think the iPad would be a wonderful aid in organizing my personal and work life with its good size and array of applications.

{Well, I guess now I should do the math and work out my finances to see if an iPad purchase is even feasible for me this quarter. The answer to that could be a make it or break it for my internal thought process!}

I like my life in 2D

3D, the wave of the future and the next generation of how we view television. Now I like so many have gone to a few 3D movies, watched those Superbowl commercials in 3D, and even gone to a few amusement park shows that had a 3D portion. So obviously it was only a matter of time before it was time for 3D to come to your living room. But the big question I have to ask myself is “Why?”

With many television companies trying to develop and market the new 3D TV’S, will they be the wave of the future? Will it revolutionize the way we watch CSI or American Idol? My guess is no. I don’t see everyone going out and replacing their flat screens for TV’s that support 3D shows. And wait, there is a bigger problem… what shows will broadcast in 3D? We have standard channels, HD channels, DVD’s, and Blu-Ray disks and now we will have to have new 3D channels and 3D movie DVD’s?? The cost of re-broadcasting a show or producing a movie for this new format seems too high and with too few of a return of customers buying them.

But beyond the novelty of seeing a tomato fly right out at your face, what else is the point? Every time I have seen a 3D show the constant thought of “is this in 3D? Oh I guess that flew out at me… What does it look like without the glasses?” and so on. 3D is a fun thing to watch as a spectacle, but not for everyday life. Sorry TV companies, I’ll pass on your new product.

Not to mention that since I wear glasses, having to put on another pair of glasses is a little hard to do.

My Favorite 5 Free Sites!

Want to simplify your finances? What about get in shape with your own trainer? This video covers my 5 favorite free websites that have really changed my life for the better. They include…

BlackBerry Purse Update.

Remember a few months back when I was practically obsessed with this Violet May BlackBerry Purse? Well, you may also remember that I was searching for a similar and cheaper alternative, and I actually did! Below is my houndstooth Merona clutch wallet from Target ($15) that is not only a similar tri-fold style but also fits my BlackBerry, cards, money, change and checkbook! It might not be the hyper stylish silver python, but it is pretty cute for nearly $250 less!

By the way…

You have probably noticed over the past few weeks that instead of reading posts by me, you have been graced by a few of my boyfriend’s tech posts. As I assumed, things became a little busy for me with the move and promotion and life in general, so Cousy stepped in to make sure I didn’t loose my loyal readership (plus, lets be honest, he loves discussing tech as much as I do!) I never formally introduced him as a new contributor or anything, but he will be posting from now on to take some pressure off of me. So, let’s welcome him now with a nice round of applause and a big thank you for keeping the pink mac alive, and for adding a little blue (aka male perspective) to the mix!

Thanks honey and welcome!
{Yes, that is his 15″ Unibody Macbook Pro in the picture above. Save the whales!}