2007.07.06
I've come up with a few justifications for it.
- First and foremost: my phone and Palm died at once. And then a schedule phone conference gets canceled, freeing my schedule for the evening. And then the Apple store at the Galleria had it in stock. That might be a compound message from the cosmos.
- Sprint ticked me the hell off. I go to the store seeing if I could get a cheap replacement phone to tied me over. The cheapest they carry runs almost $200. Then I decide to revive this old phone I had at home (the PocketPC I need to ebay, I decide to risk my pants calling people again...) The first guy says that I need another available phone for activation, OR I have to dig out the battery and get some numbers. So I hang up, do that, call again, and the lady I then talk to says, no, I still another phone around, can't help me.
- I haven't found a satisfactory replacement from the great but ancient Palm UI... I tried the Rexx back in the day, and most recently the PocketPC, but nobody gets it right. To be fair, the iPhone isn't an acceptable PDA either, but I have hopes that it's so connected, web-wise, that I can put together my own online apps to do what I need.
- I'm not happy with my living room laptop, this monstrously slow frankenMac I got on ebay. The iPhone might do yeoman's service in that role. Also, it has google maps built-in, and it might be a good supplement to the GPS aging in my car, even if it doesn't know where I am. It could also replace my iPod Nano... jury is still out on that.
I was thinking about my various gadgets. The iPod Nano is just amazing, it gives me a small tangible thrill, it's so compact and elegant. And that humble Palm Z22 was doing a similar thing, with its lovely curved feel, and super-familiar interface. That Fujitsu lifebook, about as small as a laptop can be and still have a usable traditional keyboard gives me a good buzz.
My other gadgets, not so much. My Canon Elph is compact and takes great pictures, but it's not a delight. Similarly, my waterlogged Katana was never better than decent for me... plus it seemed to need its battery recharged way too frequently. I'm not so thrilled with the iPhone form factor, but it's still pretty slick.
Design wise... well, it's ok. I think glossy black and metal is a bit over-80s, but at least it's not the toilet white that was the old iPod hallmark. Looks a bit like a cigarette case from the back, actually.
Exchange of the Moment
"So are you going to play some Pac-Man CE?"
"Well I thought if I came over here, I should at least treat you to some two players gaming..."
"No, it's fine, I know how much that Pac Man game resonates for you."
"You're like my dealer! I better watch out or you're going to start charging."
"Yeah, that was my plan with the video games, 'first 9 years are free'."
Article of the Moment
I talked to a pretty wealthy lawyer in Cambridge, and he won’t go to Starbucks," says Simon. "For him, it’s an expression of his relationship to New England, but also to working people. Like he’s more populist through that.I know dunkies is definitely not as good karma as any mom-n-pop place (And I do go to Gail's on Medford St whenever I get the chance) but still.