To Text, or Not to Text, That is the Question...

I was just reading an article on CNET on the CTIA show about how cell phone manufacturers are scrambling to create phones with full QWERTY keyboards that are not smart phones.  Why?  Because of the preponderance of people texting these days, despite the rising costs or messaging.  Makes sense, I mean what does a fourteen year old need with a a phone that has Microsoft Office anyway?  What didn't make sense was one of the user comments, which said in part, "And now a word from the age of the dinosaurs (i.e., people born before 1980) - I've never sent a text message in my life and I'm not going to start now. Not interested."  HUH?!?  I was born back in the '60's and I text like a mad man.  Granted, I work in a technocentric  industry (video production) with a lot of people younger than me, but hey if you don't text these days it seems like nothing will get done.  Yes, I still think it's important to talk with people to establish relationships, build trust, etc.  But, if you can't have a conversation (or don't want to have a conversation) a nice quick SMS is the way to get things done. Although, lately I've noticed a lot of people texting at lunch, and I consider this to be a serious breach of etiquette.   Everyone knows it's rude to speak on your phone during lunch, so why is it acceptable to text.  After all, you're still having a conversation with someone else, albeit a silent one.  Nonetheless, not cool.  

So, to recap... texting good.  Texting at lunch, bad.  Not texting at all, stupid.

Palm in my Hand...

Palm has released their newest smart phone, the Treo Pro... very quietly.  The phone itself (in my opinion) kicks ass.  Having owned a Treo 650 (which I still break out every now and then), I can testify to Palm's productivity and reliability.  Which is why I was SO excited when I saw this little beauty, which bears a slight resemblance to that phone from Apple.

Here's the problem ( and you just KNEW there had to be one), the phone is only available unlocked with no carrier support to subsidize the whopping $500+ price tag.  YIKES!  So, with the iphone costing less than $200 and the Samsung Instinct costing just over $100, what's a boy to do?!?  Pray for a miracle friends.  Although, rumor has it that an even newer, better smart phone from Palm is right around the corner anyway, with the Treo Pro being a stop gap more or less.  After all, two years ago palm was the dominant smartphone company in the USA, but with Apple, RIM and HTC grabbing more and more market share, well, they had to do something to stop the bleeding till their future phone hits the shelves... and I hope they do, I really do.

Now That's Service!

I'm a middle aged man.  I have no children.  I own an xbox 360.  It's mine, I play with it and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  Call me Peter Pan, but I love it.   So, when my xbox displayed the infamous Red Ring of Death, I was both saddened and dismayed.  Now, if you don't know what the Red Rings of Death are, it basically the xbox's way of telling you that you're screwed.  You're baby is dead and there is nothing YOU can do to bring it back to life.  The situation is caused by an over-heating of the motherboard and is not something new... it was just new to me.  

So, when I called Microsoft customer service, I already knew that they had extended their warranties for three years to cover this phenomenon.  What I didn't know, was how they were handling the complaints.  The answer surprised me... they are handling them really well.  In one call, I had a case number and return packaging on their way to me.  Within a few days I had sent my xbox back to the mothership and forgot about it.  So, when i recieved a package the following week, I was truly at a loss as to who it was from.  But, low and behold the label read Microsoft.  "No way", I thought, but it was true, the prodigal gaming console was back.  I unwrapped it and was marveling at the speed with which they had repaired it, when I noticed something odd.  Was it possible that they had repaired all of the nicks and scratches too?!?  Nope.  It was a brand NEW unit!  So, rather than inconvenience me with a greater wait, they just shipped me a new one from their stock.  Did they have to do that?  No.  But the fact that they did speaks volumes about their commitment to customer satisfaction.

We've all spent too much time on hold listening to muzak before we speak to someone in a call center on the other side of the globe.  We've all been disappointed by the resolutions we were offered to our complaints.  So, when we come across a company that goes that extra mile to make us feel whole, we shout their praises from the rooftops... although I'm still not a fan of Windows.

Photographing Nemo

Has this ever happened to you?  You're snorkeling (or scuba diving) and you think to yourself, "gee, if only I had a camera built into my mask."  Well, your prayers have been answered!  A company called Liquid Image is offering a diving mask with an integrated camera that shoots both still images and video.  

The mask comes in two models, one with a 3.1 MP camera that retails for about $79 and one with a 5.0 MP camera that retails for $99.  The masks have a maximum depth of 5 meters (16 feet) for the 3.1 MP and 30 meters (98 feet) for the 5.0 MP unit, so regadless of whether you're a snorkeler or a diver, they've got you covered.  Both versions record video and stills onto a Micro SD card and come with photo and video editing software and they have a USB port to get your underwater phone onto your computer easily.

Now, being a diver myself, I know how cumbersome a regular camera can be underwater.  If the mask on this is half-way decent, this could actually be a really neat toy or an indispensable tool depending on the applications.  So, whether you're an avid diver, or just a poolside voyeur, the Liquid Image Camera mask has something for everyone!

Something tells me we're going to be seeing a lot of odd underwater videos on You Tube in no time...

Mac Vs. PC is FUNNY

If you've been reading my blog, you know that I recently took the big leap and transitioned from a PC to  a Mac.  I didn't do it to follow a trend or because of some marketing campaign, I didn't do it to save money or because I like the aesthetics of the Mac better.  I did it because everyone I know with a Mac NEVER complains about having any conflicts, problems or daily crashes.  for me, the switch is working out, and yet the great debate rages on...  Mac or PC?  

Check out this video, you need a good laugh anyway...

Toyota... Moving Forward... Without Walking?!?

Wow, the folks at Toyota have really done it now.  They've finally invented something that will put an end to all of the incidental excercise we get walking around every day.  Their latest invention, the Winglet, is a mini-Segway of sorts. Watch the video for a few moments, and you'll find yourself thinking, "gee, I could really use that."  And you could too, regardless of your athletic prowess or lack there of...

You steer the Winglet by shifting your body weight and Toyota is proposing three different models ranging from sporty to practical with the only difference being the handlebars. 

The "S" model will be controlled by your calves, the "M" model by your thighs and the "L" model will have standard handlebars.  Depending on the price, this might very well be next years "must have" Christmas toy, er, gadget.

I'm Singing (and Talking) in the Rain...

How any times have you been talking on your cell phone and it starts to rain?  You're suddenly torn between continuing the conversation and abruptly ending it and shoving the phone in your pocket.  Well, talk on my rain soaked friends!  A new process called Golden Shellback promises to completely waterproof ALL of our precious electronics.  Developed by the Northeast Maritime Institute, Golden Shellback is a barely discernible clear coating that is applied in a vacuum and covers all of the electronics' components, both inside and out.  So, if you're fond of sipping soda while working on your computer, fear not!  Dribble all you want.  Talk in the rain, type while you wade and use your iPod in the shower.  

The only drawback I can see with the process is that you have to send your electronics to Golden Shellback for the procedure to take place, not a big deal, but you will have to go without your toys for a few days.  Still, that's a small price to pay for being able to dunk your phone in a bucket and not have to worry about it.  In fact, they actually have footage on their website of that very scenario taking place, and considering the premium we pay to have cutting edge electronics, this process just might pay for itself the first time you're caught in a downpour.