Arthur C. Clarke's Three Laws
While reading Arthur C. Clarke's obit in the times today I came across his three laws:
- "When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong."
- "The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible."
- "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
These resoundingly ring true.
- 3.18.2008
Decisions, Decisions
Ok, I went to Allhell and I got to play with a Pearl. I like it. The track ball is cool. It's about the same size as my Razr folded up. The issue is that I was told I couldn't get the discount for the phone, even though I'm willing to re-up for another two years on my contract, because I'm not within three months of the end my contract. Catch 22. So I feel like I'm back at square one. Do I break my contract with AllHell, if so , should I wait for the next version of the iPhone? Do I call them up and see what they can do for me -- the staff in the AllHell retail store wasn't too helpful. We shall see.
- 1.4.2008
Crackberry Pearl 8130
Ok. My Allhell contract isn't up until later next year. So, I have started to look into other smart phones and I think the Blackberry Pearl 8130 might be the phone for me. I'm actually pleased with Alltel's service in new mexico, I rarely find a dead spot or get dropped. It works especially well in the Sandias, which is important for Mountain rescue.
So an iPhone will have to wait--seriously can't drop the $600.00 + it'll cost me to switch providers and buy the phone. Hopefully the product progresses and in two years it'll be even better. Until then, I'll have to see how the other half lives without a touch screen, but I am excited about the Pearl's gps capabilities and the opera mini browser looks interesting.
- 1.4.2008
Touch Screen Envy
I gave my wife a Magellan Maestro 3225 GPS unit for Christmas. It was a serendipitous gift, in that I bumped into it at COSTCO not expecting to get her a GPS. The price was right and it the appropriate features. I have used it on one short trip around town and it really works well. The thing I luv is the touchscreen! To begin with entering an address is easy. The unit disables characters on the touchscreen to eliminate any character choices that are not available in the database for let's say a street name. Also, once the choices become limited it automatically displays them. For instnace when typing in my own street name, I essentially had to type in only three characters "Oso".
I also like the size and shape of the unit. It isn't distracting when attached to the windshield. One comment I do have is that the menu buttons and zoom buttons on the touch screen, while viewing the map could be a bit more transparent or located elsewhere on the interface. They are a bit disruptive. I wonder if they could have a roll-over state of sorts or be hidden.
So playing with the touch screen has led me to realize that my life is incomplete without an iPhone. My jealousy was confirmed when my friend Dan was showing his of at our tree trimming party last week. Actually my jealousy has turned into an obsessive I need to have it rage. Or at the very least some sort of smart phone. I need to see when my Allhell contract is up before proceeding.
I'm looking forward to see how the GPS works on a longer trip. I get to take when I head up to Telluride for a few days of skiing with my friends from the old country (long island)!
- 12.28.2007