Friday, October 22, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
iTunes Ping - Review
Apple recently released a new music-centric social networking service called "Ping". At the moment, it looks half-baked at best, useless at worst.
Here's some of the things I think are wrong or missing as of now:
1. Another "walled garden" that's separate from other social networks, especially facebook. I think this is the biggest failing - searching for friends who participate in the service by their names or email addresses one-by-one SUCKS. Period.
2. The artists that are participating are relatively sparse at this point, and I suspect Apple recruited those who are there. Also, independent artists can't setup an "Artist" profile on their own - currently they've got to setup a personal account profile.
3. The "following" of specific artists isn't integrated properly with their iTunes store listing. If a particular artist is for sale on the iTunes, you should be able to follow them from there, regardless of whether they have setup an artist profile in Ping.
When Steve Jobs demoed the new iTunes "Ping" social networking service, it had Facebook friend finding. Apparently the feature was pulled last minute because Apple used a Facebook API without approval. Even if that feature was still there, it's not enough. The status updates, etc. should be fully integrated into Facebook. If iTunes Ping remains a separate social network, it will fail.
Here's some of the things I think are wrong or missing as of now:
1. Another "walled garden" that's separate from other social networks, especially facebook. I think this is the biggest failing - searching for friends who participate in the service by their names or email addresses one-by-one SUCKS. Period.
2. The artists that are participating are relatively sparse at this point, and I suspect Apple recruited those who are there. Also, independent artists can't setup an "Artist" profile on their own - currently they've got to setup a personal account profile.
3. The "following" of specific artists isn't integrated properly with their iTunes store listing. If a particular artist is for sale on the iTunes, you should be able to follow them from there, regardless of whether they have setup an artist profile in Ping.
When Steve Jobs demoed the new iTunes "Ping" social networking service, it had Facebook friend finding. Apparently the feature was pulled last minute because Apple used a Facebook API without approval. Even if that feature was still there, it's not enough. The status updates, etc. should be fully integrated into Facebook. If iTunes Ping remains a separate social network, it will fail.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Pedophilia in Afghanistan...
Why have I heard nothing about this before?
Apparently pedophilia is a common practice in Pashtun culture in Afghanistan.
And of all the outlets to cover it - The San Francisco Chronicle???
Full article here:
Afghanistan's dirty little secret
Apparently pedophilia is a common practice in Pashtun culture in Afghanistan.
And of all the outlets to cover it - The San Francisco Chronicle???
Full article here:
Afghanistan's dirty little secret
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally
Glenn Beck was the organizer of a rally on the National Mall. The stated purpose of the rally was to show support for a return to more traditional values, called "Restoring Honor". The media in general are critical of this rally on the National Mall today, with many (including Rev. Al Sharpton) suggesting that by holding the event on the National Mall on the same day MLK gave his famous "I have a dream" speech, Beck's "stepping on toes" and such. Is it because Beck is white? Perhaps. Let's see if they acknowledge the magnitude and diversity of the crowd that was there:
Yes, that's the National Mall - filled with people of all types - all there supporting traditional values.
The good Reverend held a "Reclaiming The Dream" rally nearby, but the turnout was less significant. The only picture I could find was this:
It looks like a smaller crowd, and I didn't choose to compare the old photograph with the new one. But it shows something about the size of the crowd. In the black & white MLK photo, you can see people in the crowd way back. In the Sharpton photo at right, not so much.
Also, Sharpton's event was missing someone. Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. was at Beck's event, and spoke to the crowd.
The good Reverend held a "Reclaiming The Dream" rally nearby, but the turnout was less significant. The only picture I could find was this:
Also, Sharpton's event was missing someone. Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. was at Beck's event, and spoke to the crowd.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Pandigital Novel - Quick Review
Just picked up a Pandigital Novel last night, partly to use as a cheap ($170) e-reader. Honestly, it was a cheap iPad alternative that I knew other people (smarter than me) had figured out how to install Android applications on. The stock "reader" app (which still works after the hack) can buy books from Barnes & Noble, just like the Nook. After hacking, I was also able to install Kindle for Android, which effectively makes this a "multi-platform" e-reader. Again, for this price it's hard to resist.
Here's what it looks like "stock". Not bad.
The real fun began when I followed a series of (relatively simple) steps I found online, and hacked it to run "regular" Android, complete with access to the "Android Market". I can even justify this as a business expense, since it's the first Android device I've spent more than 2 minutes using, and knowing my way around Android will help when a client asks me to help them setup an Android phone.
The screen is RESISTIVE, which means it requires pressure, such as the tip of your finger or a stylus. This is not a deal breaker, especially on a cheap device like this. It's actually pretty sensitive and responsive - I wish my GPS had a screen this responsive.
The iPad (and iPhone) uses a CAPACITIVE screen, which requires that a conductive "pointer" (such as your bare finger) be used. While a capacitive screen "feels" better, this screen feels good for what it is.
It has 1GB of on-board storage, but will accept SD/SDHC cards up to 32GB.
Anyway, I'm pretty pleased with it. If you don't already have an iPad, and don't want to spend $500, go to Bed Bath & Beyond right away and buy one of these.
Here's what it looks like "stock". Not bad.
The real fun began when I followed a series of (relatively simple) steps I found online, and hacked it to run "regular" Android, complete with access to the "Android Market". I can even justify this as a business expense, since it's the first Android device I've spent more than 2 minutes using, and knowing my way around Android will help when a client asks me to help them setup an Android phone.
The screen is RESISTIVE, which means it requires pressure, such as the tip of your finger or a stylus. This is not a deal breaker, especially on a cheap device like this. It's actually pretty sensitive and responsive - I wish my GPS had a screen this responsive.
The iPad (and iPhone) uses a CAPACITIVE screen, which requires that a conductive "pointer" (such as your bare finger) be used. While a capacitive screen "feels" better, this screen feels good for what it is.
It has 1GB of on-board storage, but will accept SD/SDHC cards up to 32GB.
Anyway, I'm pretty pleased with it. If you don't already have an iPad, and don't want to spend $500, go to Bed Bath & Beyond right away and buy one of these.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
OtterBox "Defender" case for iPhone 4 - Review
Just got my OtterBox Defender case for the iPhone 4.
The Good:
- The clear screen guard is 100x better than the prior one. No "oil slick", and it appears to have a slightly matte finish inside, which just seems to improve visibility.
- The inner shell snaps together as before, except now the actual latches that make it work are integrated into how the holster works. And because of this, the holster is more secure.
- The opening for the dock connector isn't as small as before, so chargers seem to fit more easily. The prior model for the 3G/3GS had an oval opening that required modification of my car charger in order to fit.
The Not-So-Good:
- The silione outer layer isn't as "meaty" as the prior version. I know some people may consider this a benefit, but I personally like the thicker outer layer.
- The holster's release for the phone is now side-mounted. So if you're wearing the holster vertically, you've got to rotate the phone to unclip it.
Overall - this is a very well-designed, high-quality rugged case for the iPhone 4. The previous complaint about the fragility of Ballistic's offering make the OtterBox the clear winner for me.
The Good:
- The clear screen guard is 100x better than the prior one. No "oil slick", and it appears to have a slightly matte finish inside, which just seems to improve visibility.
- The inner shell snaps together as before, except now the actual latches that make it work are integrated into how the holster works. And because of this, the holster is more secure.
- The opening for the dock connector isn't as small as before, so chargers seem to fit more easily. The prior model for the 3G/3GS had an oval opening that required modification of my car charger in order to fit.
The Not-So-Good:
- The silione outer layer isn't as "meaty" as the prior version. I know some people may consider this a benefit, but I personally like the thicker outer layer.
- The holster's release for the phone is now side-mounted. So if you're wearing the holster vertically, you've got to rotate the phone to unclip it.
Overall - this is a very well-designed, high-quality rugged case for the iPhone 4. The previous complaint about the fragility of Ballistic's offering make the OtterBox the clear winner for me.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Ballistic HC Case for iPhone 4 - Review
Just hot the Ballistic HC Case for the iPhone 4. The case is okay, but the rubber outer layer already broke:
-- Post From My iPhone
UPDATE: I sent the company an email, and apparently they're sending me a free replacement. Cool!
-- Post From My iPhone
UPDATE: I sent the company an email, and apparently they're sending me a free replacement. Cool!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Couldn't have said it better myself...
And yes, that is bird poop all over it...
-- Post From My iPhone
-- Post From My iPhone
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