the xanax diary

love, loss, healing and humor (in no particular order)

Archive for the category “Technology Gadget Whore”

21 Mar 2011

iRescind


In a previous blog I lamented my iPad purchase, declaring it overhyped and underwhelming. So I happily returned it, thinking I was free from its touch-screen grip. However, it wasnt that simple. It never is with me. I am a lover of anything that “organizes.” I had a Trapper Keeper in 1980. A DayRunner in 1990. A Handspring Visor Deluxe (Palm OS) in 2000. A Dell Axim (Windows Mobile OS) in 2003. A BlackBerry in 2006. An iPhone in 2008. My need for centralized organization is overwhelming. Something within me was determined to find a use for an iPad.

So after breaking up with it and realizing my feelings weren’t fully reconciled, I wondered how we could give our relationship another chance. In the meantime iPad 2 had been introduced with no great “must have” features (in my opinion). Even better, I got an email from Apple letting me know the first gen devices were in “clearance”. Ok. Reason número uno for a reconciliation.

I did a lot of research to find companion apps to desktop Mac programs I had. Syncing is very sexy, you know. And I found several. Reason number two! Let’s see, I guess I should round out with a third. Did I mention it was discounted?

No doubt I wanted to want one more than I wanted one, but after spending a few days with her (yes, she’s a girl…like a ship. A wonderful mini computer ship with a glossy touch screen) I began to understand how I’d use her. Reading newspapers, keeping myself organized and synced with my Mac, and even writing. Part of the deal was I told myself I’d have to use it for writing. That alone would make it worth it’s weight in platinum. And it payed off. Like the know-it-all Genius at the Mac store said when I returned the first one, “You get used to typing on it. Just like you did your iPhone.” Yeah. Yeah. It’s actually not that bad, but does take some getting used to. This blog entry was typed wholly on my iPad.

Oh! Reason number three: paying less for the same thing you paid more for two weeks ago is also sexy. Very sexy.

Posted in Humor, Technology Gadget Whore, Writing and tagged , , | Leave a Comment
21 Mar 2011
1 Comment

iRescind


In a previous blog I lamented my iPad purchase, declaring it overhyped and underwhelming. So I happily returned it, thinking I was free from its touch-screen grip. However, it wasnt that simple. It never is with me. I am a lover of anything that “organizes.” I had a Trapper Keeper in 1980. A DayRunner in 1990. A Handspring Visor Deluxe (Palm OS) in 2000. A Dell Axim (Windows Mobile OS) in 2003. A BlackBerry in 2006. An iPhone in 2008. My need for centralized organization is overwhelming. Something within me was determined to find a use for an iPad.

So after breaking up with it and realizing my feelings weren’t fully reconciled, I wondered how we could give our relationship another chance. In the meantime iPad 2 had been introduced with no great “must have” features (in my opinion). Even better, I got an email from Apple letting me know the first gen devices were in “clearance”. Ok. Reason número uno for a reconciliation.

I did a lot of research to find companion apps to desktop Mac programs I had. Syncing is very sexy, you know. And I found several. Reason number two! Let’s see, I guess I should round out with a third. Did I mention it was discounted?

No doubt I wanted to want one more than I wanted one, but after spending a few days with her (yes, she’s a girl…like a ship. A wonderful mini computer ship with a glossy touch screen) I began to understand how I’d use her. Reading newspapers, keeping myself organized and synced with my Mac, and even writing. Part of the deal was I told myself I’d have to use it for writing. That alone would make it worth it’s weight in platinum. And it payed off. Like the know-it-all Genius at the Mac store said when I returned the first one, “You get used to typing on it. Just like you did your iPhone.” Yeah. Yeah. It’s actually not that bad, but does take some getting used to. This blog entry was typed wholly on my iPad.

Oh! Reason number three: paying less for the same thing you paid more for two weeks ago is also sexy. Very sexy.

Posted in Humor, Technology Gadget Whore, Writing
26 Feb 2011
1 Comment

i[wanted-to-love]Pad


After saving the money, and waiting a year, I finally bought an iPad on Tuesday. And I returned it two days later. Although my Apple Store return experience was as easy–though less joyful–as purchasing something, I thought owning an iPad would be a transformative experience, but I just “didn’t get it.” Steve Jobs told me I needed an one! And no one wanted to believe him more than I did. I believed it when I converted to Mac. I believed it when I got my iPhone. But the iPad…I’m befuddled. There wasn’t anything I could do on my phone or laptop that I could do any easier/better/faster/more magically on the iPad.

Maybe today’s purchasing market is more mobile than I am. And for that reason I can understand having one. But my iPhone fits in my pocket, and in spite of the rumors it does make/receive calls. My MacBook Pro is brilliant for receiving all my writing projects–like this blog.

I’m glad I tried it. But unless the iPad vacuums or tells my fortune accurately (aside for losing ~$1k on hype) then I’m out.

Of course there is always iPad 2.0. I mean, you never know.

Posted in Humor, Life, Technology Gadget Whore, Writing
31 Jan 2011

I've Always Been a Jetson Wannabe


I start the day when my iPhone 4′s harp plays angelically in more of a “reassure” tone than an “alarm” tone. And unlike my dusty clock/radio, it doesn’t hold it against me when I hit “snooze”. Maybe it’s because I cuddle with it until it’s “really” time to get up. After padding to the kitchen and waiting 30 seconds for my perfectly brewed cup of coffee from the Keurig, I sit down in my office in front of my trusty and beloved MacBook Pro to check email, weather, pay bills online and the like.

As I fire up the television to see what TiVo has to offer from the night before I make some notes in MacJournal or work on a project in StoryMill before hopping on the train. While on my train commute, I pull out my Kindle for thirty minutes of light reading (as I do on the way home.) If I drive to the office, I employ the GPS just for reassurance. Once there I’m reminded about my meetings thanks to Outlook and renew a prescription via an app on my phone.

I might have to order lunch for a meeting, giving preferential treatment to any restaurant that has a web portal or an app, allowing me to not to have to talk to anyone which frees me up to better multi-task (and not get annoyed repeating the spelling of my name…S…not F), yet guarantee delivery in a timely manner. I begin to think of what I’ll make for dinner, and then remember, I already selected a menu using MacGourmet and purchased all the necessary grub for it thanks to Grocery Gadget.

The internet and cable went out the other day, and my phone was getting zero reception. It almost became a “situation”. I may or may not need professional help for my consumer technology addiction.

Posted in Technology Gadget Whore and tagged | Leave a Comment

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