Halloween in Chicago!

Nyan Dog - Dog Parade

Shot with iPhone4S and compiled with Strip Designer - one of my favorite apps!  We look forward to this event every year in Tompkins Square Park.  It brings out creativity and weirdos--- including us who don't own a dog but still show up. 

Uses For the BlackBerry Beyond the Keyboard...

#lolcatz. #whippyjunior

To Text Or Not To Text?

Communication overall has shifted to texting.  Phone calls are passé and quite honestly so is voicemail.

But the focus of this post is my interest in the shift of ‘business texting’.  In the early stages, we saw flight status updates from airlines notifying you if the plane was on-time or delayed (these updates actually still come faster than the boards at the airports).   But now, I receive texts from all different contacts, ie: my dentist or sometimes producers as a follow up or initial reach out.  At first I found it intrusive and odd – that’s a spot reserved for friends and family.  But then I realized, wait a second I love this!   The less communication I have to have with someone – cut me some slack I have a little IT in me – the better.

Between wall posts, twitter and texting, we are communicating with less.  And in some cases, I almost think it makes us communicate more. 

What are your thoughts?

iPhone 4S-- early in hands review.

As discussed on CBS Early Show this morning (link to come), here are a few of my thoughts on all things iPhone 4S.  I have had the opportunity for quite a few days to get hands on early and give it a spin.  I have an iPhone4 and a Blackberry so I am giving you the perspective from a previous user.

Was this iPhone 4S met with disappointment?
Most were expecting a full design overhaul and were disappointed because we kind of guessed all the updates heading in to the event.

But there are some notable features on the 4S:
·      Faster processor - A5 chip (same as iPad) its noticeably fater
·      Dual mode - GSM and CDMA 'World Phone'
·      Available on Sprint with unlimited data plans
·      Camera updates: 8MP camera, 1080p video recording

Siri - Reminder

·      Voice Recognition Feature: Siri  (hold down home button to access voice recognition feature) This feature is kind of fun – it will definitely save you a few seconds creating reminders using your voice “remind me to send that document at 1pm” or texts “Text mom and let her know I am running five minutes late.”  You can even tell Siri you love it and it changes it's response, “I hope you don’t tell other mobile phones that.”

Apple also announced record sales on pre-orders with 1 million sold the first 24 hours.

And some of the best features come merely on an operating system update iOS5 (available now) for current iOS users with an iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad or iPod Touch 3rd and 4th generation.  


Most notably this will give you :

iCloud – wirelessly store and send photos, documents and music to all your devices -- It is to be able to sync my photos and stead of iTunes music wirelessly - no cables! I know it sounds lazy but I get so annoyed finding the cables plugging it in – hitting sync, meh! I like to just turn on my iPad and the pics I took or the new songs I downloaded are there.

iMessage – The BBM killer - it lets you know when someone is writing you a text back, lets you know when you're message is read and sent.  I love this feature with Blackberrys - it can be dangerous though when you see someone has read your message and has not written back.  Note - this feature has to be enabled.

Find My Friends - take advantage of instantly pinpointing friends and family on a map.   This is a new app now available that allows you to locate anyone else on an iPhone (3GS to 4S) or iPod Touch (3rd and 4th generation) or iPad.  Sure there are apps that can track location but this is the smoothest option.

Cards - Also, another new Apple app option announced that I really like (especially for the holidays) is Cards.  While there have been others in the market for years, I always welcome a clean Apple approach.  In short - create a card and send anywhere domestically for $2.99 or globally for $4.99 on high quality stock.  When the post office scans the card, it will send you a push notification that it has arrived.  21 different designs in 6 categories.  Cool!

Twitter - Integrates nicely with iOS5.  Most notably when I want to quickly send a photo the Twitter button is there as an option for a quick push. (see pic)

Twitter as push option

Should I upgrade?
The million dollar question.  If you have an iPhone 3GS its time for an upgrade.  If you want a better camera and you have the iPhone 4 - it's worth the upgrade if your contract is up.  If you are looking to obtain your first smartphone - in my subjective opinion there is no better option.  I just put my two sisters and mom on the iPhone 4S.

For me it's all about the camera.  Our go-to camera should be the device that is on us 24/7 and for me that's where I turn to the iPhone.

Don't Invade My Personal Bubble!

File this under, I just bought eight.  I am obsessed with my personal bubble and daily it is violated. Whether using a restroom with 9 bathrooms and someone goes in the stall right next to me or in a
parking lot where there is 100 empty spaces and someone pulls in right next to me--it drives me nuts! I just want to ask them, 'Seriously, what the heck were you thinking... if at all?"

Meet the Bubble Tree. Created by a French design and manufacturing company, and comes in two different models.  According to SpotCoolStuff:

Bubble Tree has two basic types of bubbles to choose from. The BubbleRoom has a translucent bottom half that provides bubble dwellers with a modicum of privacy. The CristalBubble is entirely see through. The floor of the CristalBubble is transparent too (if you don’t install the optional wood floor), so you can place one at a beach edge and watch waves lap beneath you.

It also has special air filters keepin the bad stuff out and runs of asilent electric turbine (ie a blower). Albeit a price tag of nearly $11,000, but hey, it clearly says stay out of my bizness.


Here for the full read from SpotCoolStuff.

iwantherjob.com

So cool to be a part of this site!   This site is very interesting and features a lot of companies and individuals with interesting goals and day-to-days.  If you have a second you should have a read!

iPhone 4S - Everything you need to know

After much awaited anticipation here is the news straight from Apple HQs.  This is a rough, fast write up but wanted to get it out as soon as possible!

Hardware:
Apple iPhone 4S announced - Id like to say every single prediction I had was right :-D

• Faster processor - A5 chip (faster, 7x faster graphic)
• 8 hours of talk time
• Dual mode - GSM and CDMA 'World Phone'
• Camera updates: 8MP camera, 1080p video recording
• Airplay 
• Voice Recognition Feature: Siri (hold down home button to access voice recognition feature) You can get the forecast, play songs, text someone, get to any webpage, write emails.  Sounds just ok right?  The on-stage demos were insane. (Available in English, German and French)

New App Announced: Cards...FREE
Free Cards app announced - 21 designs in 6 categories you can send a card for $2.99 domestic and $4.99 worldwide - it will send you a push notification when the card arrives.  In short, Hallmark got served.

iPods:
Nano - improved navigation and improved fitness .. walk and run tracking right out of the box.
A bunch of new clock faces including Mickey and Minnie!

iPod Touch - now in white starting at 8GB for $199

Carriers and Availability:
iPhone 3GS - 8GB - FREE
iPhone 4 - 8GB - $99
iPhone 4S - 16 GB - $199

iPhone 4S - black and white... 16GB starting at $199, 32GB - $299, 64GB - $399
iPhone 4S - available October 14th...  Pre-orders on the 7th.... Oct 14th avails in US, Can, AUS, France, UK, Germany, Japan
Dec 2011 available in over 70 countries.

Will also be available in Sprint.


Apple Business Updates: (worth noting taken from beginning of presentaiton)

• Apple now has 357 stores in 11 countries
• Since last 5 years Apple has outpaced the PC
• 1 of 4 PCs sold is a MAC --- 23% of the market-share
• iPod 78% of the market-share -- 300 million + iPods sold cumulative
• 16 billion songs downloaded in iTunes to date.
• iPhone4 is the #1 smartphone in the world
• 93% of Fortune 500 companies are deploying iPhone
• iPhone owns only 5% worldwide mobile phone market (collective yet there are over 1.5 billion units annually.  This shows HUGE room for potential.
• Over 80% of top hospitals in US are now testing or piloting iPad.
• 92% of Fortune 500 companies are testing or deploying iPad.
• Customers have downloaded more than 18 billion apps - more than 1 billion per month.
• Apple has already paid more than 3 billion dollars to app developers.

 Is it too early to start spreading rumors about iPhone5?

So Much Random to Start Your Week

Per the usual special thanks to @teluric for great finds!

Gigantic Pen, $20
Perfect for serious contracts. Because nothing says, "I'm kind of a big deal around here" quite like a giant, ridiculous, pen.

Crayola iPad Color Studio, $29.99
I actually had a chance to test this out at CES and loved it.  It is a digital coloring book for your iPad.  File under win with kids.

Lightning Sandal, $117
This is pretty amaze and will even draw more attention to those girls that can't walk in heels. According to GizmoDiva "The Lightning-701UV, 71/2” Platform Slide Sandal hosts UV White Strobe Lights Lighting under the toe area in a circular current."

Split Decision Pie Pan, $20

This is as genius as the no edges brownie pan.  

Angry Birds Speaker Docks, $79.99-$99.99

Salt and Magic Shakers, $10

Now if they could only make everything I cook automagically taste delicious.

Caffeinated Chocolate Milk Straws, $8

200mg of Caffeine just waiting to be poured in your milk.  

  

Balloon Animal Gelatin Mold, $10

And for funz..

Here's to Geeky Girls!

All Things iPhone - What You Need To Know

This week I am looking forward to heading to Cupertino (Apple HQs) for the iPhone 5 announcement and to see an end to these endless rumors. Until then, we continue with the speculation and hype only a brand like Apple can conjure up.

iPhone 5 Mock up as seen on Mashable.com

As I discussed this weekend on CBS and CNN, following are some brief rundowns of the most popular questions prelaunch.

Here is the online segment from CBS.

And please, for the love of all things, after the iPhone, iPhone4S iPhoneiPhone or whatever it is that is announced - PLEASE do not start immediately starting new rumors on the iPhone 6. Let’s let it breathe a hot second shall we?

So what can we expect on Tuesday?

First, hardware. Whether it’s an iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 here are the guesses in features:

-- Bigger Screen (4” from 3.5”)
-- Faster Processor (Likely A5 used in iPad)
-- 8MP camera 1080p Video Recording (currently boasts 5MP)
-- Advanced Voice Recognition Feature ‘Assistant’ – send emails, texts all using voice
-- Sprint - unlimited data version – expect the carrier to finally have it at retail
-- Dual-mode GSM and CDMA
-- Speculation over multiple versions - iPhone5, 4S – one or two announced??

Second, more hardware. iPods. Every September we see a refresh of the iPod lines – we haven’t heard or seen anything of that yet and I think that has the potential of happening especially in the iPod Touch realm.

Last but not least…Presentation. This is Tim Cooks first time hosting the event not Steve Jobs. All eyes will be on him. No pressure.

Does it look like Tim Cook will essentially "pull off" his first product reveal as CEO of Apple?

First, a lot of people are wondering if we will see Steve Jobs. While we can assume he is still involved, I think if we see him at all it is very brief – perhaps even a quick video message. The reason for this is Apple has to make it clear that they are confident in Cook and he is the one steering the ship. He is the one in charge now.

Is there demand for this upgraded model?

Yes. Demand for this model is higher than ever as indicated in a recent survey by ChangeWave. RBC Capital Markets showed 31 percent of respondents very or somewhat likely to buy the iPhone 5 — and 66 percent of existing iPhone users say they are very or somewhat likely to buy the iPhone 5.

When can we expect this will be available to the public?

No official word, but according to some media reports, Apple employees have been blocked from taking vacation from Oct. 9-12 and from Oct. 14-15, indicating the phone might hit the stores at the time.