Archive for October, 2009

These may be the Droids you’re looking for…

Oct 19, 2009 tech stuff

I came across news today that seriously had me drooling on my laptop.

TechCrunch posted that Verizon, Motorola and Google are collaborating on a new phone that supposedly will give the iPhone a run for its money. It’s called the Droid, and from what I’ve read about it, I might have to break down and get one when it comes out (unless someone generously wants to buy me one for Christmas, if it’s out in time).

First of all, here’s the commercial that they’ve been running for it:

And here’s the actual photo via TechCrunch:

101909-droidphone

Here’s what I’m liking about the Droid:

  • A slide-out qwerty keyboard for texting. I like the actual feel of keys for typing.
  • A 5mp camera (vs a 3mp camera on the iPhone) with flash – if they can add zoom to that, it would really be sweet
  • An interchangeable battery (so if the phone battery dies, you can just pop it open and replace it)
  • Touch-interface screen like an iPhone (yes, on top of the qwerty board!)
  • It shoots video.
  • It runs on the Verizon network, so I don’t have to change over to AT&T
  • Will run apps like the iPhone does – the official website says “10,000+ apps” – hopefully current iPhone devs will jump on board and create, create, create
  • It may be shallow, but the geek in me loves that they named it “Droid”

Things I’m not so liking:

  • It runs on a CDMA network, not a GSM network like the rest of the world. This means the Droid can’t be used outside of the US like the iPhone can. That’s seriously bad for a travel writer, like myself.
  • I’ve heard the apps will cost more than comparable iPhone apps do.
  • It won’t have access to iTunes thousands of free downloads like the iPhone does.
  • Being new tech, it’ll probably cost more than an iPhone.

Verizon is supposed to formerly unveil the Droid in November, so there may be changes (hopefully for the good), but so far, I think it may be good enough to keep me from jumping ship to get an iPhone when my contract is up in January. At least I’ll have some time between Nov and Jan to hear all the official reviews and check one out at the nearby Verizon store before I make up my mind.

While I’m thinking about it, let me throw this question out there:  iPhone users, what are your fave and least fave things about your iPhone?

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My Own Cabo Wabo Devil

Oct 19, 2009 contests/freebies, food and drink, life

I got a cute little surprise in the mail…my own mini Cabo Diablos from Cabo Wabo tequila.

101309-cabodiabloI had signed up for their email club about a month ago, but wasn’t really expecting anything other than the standard marketing newsletters and the like. So this was a fun little pick-me-up to see it in the mail.

It’s about 2 inches tall, made of hard rubber and is dressed like a Mexican luchadore (wrestler) in a red suit with devil horns and a pointed tail. It also has its right hand raised up in the traditional metal music “horns” pose of the index and pinky fingers forming horns.

Printed on the inside of the box are the following “proper care” instructions:

1] Water your Diablo frequently with Cabo Wabo tequila.
2] Always bring your Diablo along when partying.
3] Do not accidentally leave your Diablo behind in a bar. That’s no way to treat your wingman.

Then in smaller print it says:

You’ve received this because you’ve been a little devil. This Diablo, like our tequila, is a work of fine art and not a toy. Please enjoy your Diablo responsibly.

What a cute little tchotcke! Not to mention a great marketing tool. A+ to Cabo Wabo tequila for this Diablo gift. Now if only it came with an actual sample. LOL

PS: For those unaware, Cabo Wabo tequila is owned by rock musician Sammy Hagar, who has not only had a lengthy solo career, but was lead singer for Van Halen for many years following the departure of David Lee Roth.

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Anyone watching the new Nip/Tuck Season?

Oct 17, 2009 movies and tv

I used to be a huge fan of the show Nip/Tuck, but ever since the Carver story arc, I really haven’t paid much attention to the show. I tried to watch the season with the “show within a show” story arc, but thought it was stupid and lost interest in the show completely.

101509-niptuckI did watch a few episodes towards the end of the last season, but it was more out of general curiosity and a case of nothing else on. Nothing in the storylines really drew me back in as a fan. Well, tonight I saw there was a new episode on – I didn’t even realize it was back for another season. LOL I would’ve watched but there was only 15 minutes left.

But if there are any fans of the show who read this blog, I’m wondering if the show is still worth watching. What have I missed and what makes the new season worth investing my time in it.

Thanks!

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brakes don’t fail me now

Oct 13, 2009 life

Last Friday, I took my car in to get the rear breaks fixed. In the last week, they had started making a grinding noise whenever the car came to a stop, and I didn’t want to wait until the damage got worse.

101309-chevyimperialI normally use Tuffy’s in Metrowest, but I’m getting tired of getting gouged by chain garage pricing for repairs, not to mention the inevitable, “…we found other problems…” I always seem to hear from them. So I asked around and my co-worker friend Janet recommended her friend Victor. He works out of a tiny backyard-style garage at an small owner-run auto body shop in Kissimmee, so the setting isn’t fancy, but she said he was very reliable and fair-priced.

I gave him a try and I have to say I’m happy with the result. There was a small bump in the original price quote, but that was because once he started taking the damaged back brake parts off, he noticed the calipers were incredibly rusty. Not surprising since they were the originals and have spent most of the last 20 years of the car in the cold Wisconsin winters. As a result, the repair work ended up taking a few days, since he and the rest of the shop crew tried to find the additional parts at the lowest price for me. In the meantime, he loaned me a van to drive so I wouldn’t be inconvenienced. I also liked that he took me over to the car and actual showed me the parts he was talking about on my car so there was complete clarity in what he was saying and I could see for myself what the issues were.

In the end, the repair took longer and the final bill was more than expected. But even so, the final price of the repair only came to a little bit more than the original quote and the car does run a lot smoother. More importantly, the brakes actually stop the car and without the bonus noise of metal on metal.

Yeah, that’s a nice change.

So if anyone in the Orlando area needs a reliable mechanic, I’d be happy to pass on his information. Just send me a contact email and I’ll shoot over his details.

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