New start in 2008

I am sitting here right now and thinking how in the world I am to follow through with achieving something in this one lifetime that I've got. For the longest time I have underestimated my potential in being able to succeed at whatever I put my mind to and this is the time that it should come to a complete stop. My younger siblings are already making a difference in their own lives; a brother who has an Associates' Degree and already making the same annual salary as I but with a much more technical job position which offers tuition reimbursement for his schooling, and a sister who is set to graduate high school this year as class president with aspirations of college (she's already been accepted at a school). As the eldest of the family children I feel like I haven't done much of anything other than sit back and complain about not finding success for myself in what I love to do. While hesitating to follow through in achieving my dreams I watch my brother and sister sieze their opportunities and make the most of them. I have to admit that while I am definitely proud of them both I am also angry and frustrated with myself...

Just a rant on how I am currently viewing myself before the start of this new year of 2008. There's nothing else to do but shut the &$*! up and follow my dreams. I shall continue printing out those poems for my manuscript.

TRENT
Sent from my Nokia E90

DAY ONE

This is the first day that I have done any kind of workout with the weights since letting myself go a couple months ago. I have been successful at going through a vegetarian diet for almost two weeks now and am doing pretty good at resisting meat altogether. I have posted pictures of myself in my own iPhoto library to begin archiving my progress as I gradually return to a daily workout routine of cardio and free weights. Hopefully within a few months I will be able to post before and after pictures showing a drastic change for the better.

Nokia E90 return

Just recently I have taken advantage of an opportunity to get a great smartphone at a cheap price and I am glad I did. I have my third Nokia E90 Communicator device from spending money at the bargain price of $720, and I felt that this was a Mobileplanet.com deal that I could not pass up! A part of me could not leave out the 2007 year without having this most intriguing tech-toy that has had such a dominating effect on my life. I can recall back to the time when I shot my first YouTube video for the first E90 unboxing in late June when the iPhone was released, and the pleasure of receiving this gadget was paramount at the time! For a while this red E90 and I were inseparable until I ran into a billing problem in regards to my AT&T data usage. After this overcharging mistake made by my carrier I then decided to adopt the iPhone and eventually went through a number of different devices.

My most recent gadget epiphany came from the HTC TyTN II and I just knew that I was in eternal tech-toy bliss...until tonight. Despite all the advanced benefits of the HTC there was a concern for its mediocre camera quality when taking pictures and videos, and for the amount of money spent one is entitled to have a true convergence device. The E90 in this respect is perfect and I am glad to be back with it.

TRENT
Sent from my Nokia E90

TyTN II still lives on

I am still with my amazing TyTN II device and gaining the most efficiency in my day to day activities. From the accurate scheduling of the calendar to the precise execution of the email client and word processor this has evolved into a multifunctional mobile computer. However, last night I did begin to have self-doubt in the multimedia features of this HTC device.

I discovered a new app called vtap and I find it to be the remedy to YouTube's absence from mobile devices. When I compared both the HTC TyTN II and Nokia N95 video playback I was of course blown away by the amazing quality of the Nokia. Instantly I began to feel an impulse to go online and purchase the Nokia E90 to be reunited with its multimedia features once again, but the reality of my financial situation and absent credit cards abruptly slapped me in the face. At this point there is simply no way possible that I would be able to afford a new and unlocked device no matter how extensive the feature listings are. I guess this is good for me to be caught without a quick solution to purchase anything else on credit, for it will ultimately test my endurance in trying to be thankful for everything that I already have. It isn't always important to have the most advanced gadget that can do any and everything and I am for sure learning this.

There was yet another occurrence that demonstrated my love/hate relationship with this TyTN II. Upon visiting a best friend who had a newborn puppy to show off I saw an opportunity to get pictures and videos with my phone camera. Immediately my mind was reminded of the horrible camera quality of the HTC and I then chose to get my N95 from my backpack. With the new firmware update the N95 performed extremely well as a camera and recorded video flawlessly. Even though this was an ideal situation of having the multi-tasking TyTN II being accompanied by a fully-capable Nseries device, my mind began to yearn for the E90 and its well-roundedness as a business/multimedia smartphone. However, while drivng back home I ended up feeling indebted to the fast and functional GPS of my TyTN II when I got lost on a dark, winding road.

It was at that moment I found a new appreciation for my HTC device, for it truly is the most advanced gadget that I am privileged to have. It may not have all of the features of the advanced Nokia devices, but it is so much more useful in its partnership with my laptop as a 3G capable bluetooth modem. Despite its multimedia prowess, the Nokia E90 could never do that when I owned it and at the time I have to admit that I did feel cheated out of all the money that I had spent on it.

It is going to be a long road to get my debt paid off, and I am happy to have made the wisest decision in choosing the TyTN II as my main device.

TRENT
Sent from my TyTN II

Amazon Kindle arrives!

After almost a three weeks of waiting on a backorder I am happy to announce that my Amazon Kindle has finally been delivered from UPS! After a long night of exploring this gadget I can surely say that I am definitely impressed with it. There is no doubt that the functionality of this Kindle absolutely surpasses that of the second generation Sony Reader...so much so that I have already sold my Sony to a buyer the very next day! For right now I am with only this Amazon creation as my primary reading device and I am not one bit missing that old Sony!!

I will be the first to say that I truly underestimated this Kindle in the aspects of its build quality and design aesthetic. Whenever I saw it online in pictures or on video it would only come across as a promising machine that was down-right FUGLY, and yes I said FUGLY. In comparison to the many slimline device models that currently play a huge role in the portable electronics industry, Amazon's product was a visual sore thumb. I was surprised to think that even the gargantuan HTC Advantage managed to show a more attractive profile next to the odd-shaped Kindle. But now that I've held it in my hands I admit that I couldn't have been more wrong. I am not necessarily saying that this design can stand up to the iPhones and N810s and Tilts and Sonys, but it can hold its own nonetheless. While there is an improvement opportunity in regards to the huge page turn buttons that dominate either side of it, the Kindle is very light and feels solid. The abundance of white plastic is a welcomed element for the sake of long-term durability rather than a nagging eyesore that wreaks of low-grade quality. The angles may not come across as too hideous in person but I am still looking forward to the second generation Kindle.

Turning on this thing only increased my fascination just before I took to navigating the interface. What an impressive first attempt that Amazon has made into the digital book market! From the pre-registering of this device with my Amazon account to the built-in dictionary to the wirelss network access to the built-in speaker to the qwerty to the online Kindle store to the fast operating speed (in comparison to the Sony Reader) and to even the experimental applications, this Kindle is a self-sufficient, standalone marvel that needs nothing from a PC or Mac connection (unlike the Sony Reader). For the first time I actually became excited about reading and took about a half hour before bed to curl up with it and get my fill of HG Wells.

All ebook readers and audiobook listeners should keep an eye out for this machine because I think it will make a great impression. As an early adopter I am aware that I run the risk of investing in a ship destined to sink (like the Palm Foleo), but I am hopeful this is not the case. Only time will tell.

TRENT
Sent from my TyTN II

A New Purpose

It has been many hours since I had resigned myself to the fact that I no longer have access to a credit card. All of my accounts are still open (with NO balances) but I have no physical card in my possession to swipe for any new purchases. As of right now I am unable to walk out of a store with any purchased items unless I use cash. Even though this took a while to get used to I am finding a renewed interest in writing again that I hope will prevent me from regressing back to my old spending habits.

TRENT
Sent from my TyTN II

Goodbye to Debt, Hello to Lara.

At this point I can finally say that my credit debt is under control and it feels so liberating! I was approved for a loan with my bank which consolidates all of my debt into one lump sum, and as one can imagine it is quite an amount to be paid off. Aside from the daunting length of time that is needed to pay off this loan I feel relieved that I can put all of this behind me with every passing day.

One thing that is strange is I am not as into tech-toy shopping as I was just a short time ago. Surfing online retailer sites has lost its appeal and I instantly grow bored within minutes. I believe this is a direct result of no longer having a credit card in my possession that can satisfy my need for instant gratification. Suddenly I am realizing that I am in need of something to focus on with the same energy and passion I have for my gadget addiction. Something in my heart says that this is the right moment to get back into my poetry writing and I need to do it fast.

For the past few days of YouTube surfing I rediscovered a Belgian-Italian vocal artist by the name of Lara Fabian. In my opinion she has got to be the most captivating and mesmerizing performer that I have seen in my lifetime. She graces every stage with a delicate humility and warm spirit which is supported by a powerful voice of boundless potential and melodic beauty. Every note that emanates from her lips is shaped with such deep emotion that in turn draws me under her spell. When I see her eyes I cannot help but feel that there is a sense of centeredness within her soul which allows her to be comfortable in her own skin as well as around everyone else. From her self-titled English language album I purchased in 2000 to her performances I am watching on YouTube, I must admit that I am falling in love all over again with her artistry and skill. For me, there are four songs that collectively sum up all that I relish about Lara's talent: Adagio, Broken Vow, A Piece of Sky (live) and Je T'aime. The most memorable footage I have seen of Lara is when she did a live performance of Je T'aime. After the start of the song the ENTIRE arena began singing the lyrics and Lara was immediately moved to tears. The fact that these devoted masses sang each lyric with just as much passion as Lara brought me to tears as I watched. Now that is a fitting example of euphoria if there ever was one!

Forgive my rant on Lara Fabian, but she has something to do with what I would like to accomplish with my poetry in the long term. Not only would I like to be a published poet showcased by Oprah and her book club, but I would also be honored to have Lara Fabian make one of my works into a song. It sounds like a far-fetched idea right now, but so did getting that Jetta just a couple years ago. Just writing about it right now is awakening a desire inside of me to work toward this goal...so if you all would excuse me, I have a poetry portfolio to work on!

TRENT
Sent from my TyTN II

TyTN II - The All-In-One Companion

Last night I experienced a most amazing achievement with my reliable HTC TyTN II smartphone: bluetooth tethering.

Months ago when I first owned the Nokia E90 I discovered that my MacBook Pro could access the web when connected to it via bluetooth. This meant that I was no longer limited to my own personal wifi network to surf the internet, and I was indeed a happy camper! However, after a few weeks this was not possible anymore and I was stumped as to what was going on. After countless attempts of tweaking the connection settings and resetting the bluetooth pairing between the Mac and Nokia I simply gave up and never looked into the tethering again...until now.

Getting the Nokia N810 internet tablet has resurrected my interest in bluetooth tethering and for the past couple weeks I was searching for a solution. Finally this came to me from an online forum in which someone had explained two steps that were so simple and obvious I felt like a complete idiot! On my Windows Mobile phone (with bluetooth on) all I had to do was make the appropriate selections in Internet Sharing and initiate the connection with my nearby MacBook Pro. On the laptop I only had to access the Bluetooth dropdown menu and begin the connection with the HTC TyTN II...and VOILA!
There is no more being stuck looking for free wifi networks when I am travelling and it is such a great feeling!

At this point I feel that I am finally at home with this HTC TyTN II now that it is successfully integrated into my everyday life. Along with being able to tether with my MacBook Pro I can also upload YouTube videos via the TCPMP application and use Google Maps with the built-in GPS. While it would be nice to be able have a small music and video library on the HTC, that isn't my primary need for this phone. Uploading YouTube videos for right now is enough entertainment for me right now. Not exactly as sleek as the iPhone and not as advanced camera-wise like the Nokias, this HTC TyTN II still packs a mighty punch in what it has to offer. I am still amazed at this thing whenever I use one of its reliable applications, for its software stability is truly second to none. The web browsing and mobile office experience with Opera Mobile and MS Office Mobile alone is a far cry from those previous days of using the preceding TyTNs, the questionable Nokias and the HORRENDOUS Sony Ericsson phones. Everything from the familiar Windows interface to the convenient home screen to the built-in dictionary to the touchscreen and tactile qwerty and one-hand operation capability (and lets not forget enabled 3G) makes me completely sure that I have finally found the right stuff in this device! Nokias may still have a place in my heart in regards to capturing videos and pictures, but this HTC TyTN II has definitely won me over in a big way. So versatile in its solid and compact form factor, this is honestly as close to perfect as I will ever get with ANY smartphone.

Sadly I still frequent online retailers in search of the next best smartphone, but even as I do a part of me cannot help that I am only wasting precious time. With its perfect, manageable size and its more than capable features I am for once closer to calling this the winner and saying to hell with everything else! HTC has finally hit the bullseye in my opinion, and I am indeed proud to be one of its smartphone customers.

TRENT
Sent from my TyTN II

Last Great Hurrah

It is now official as of yesterday afternoon. The bank loan that I applied for has been approved and will soon go into effect. Every last bit of my credit debt will be rolled into this loan and I will begin paying down the amount as soon as possible.
I should feel a certain amount of relief, but at this time I don't. Instead I feel a sense of dread at the thought that once and for all I will be losing my credit cards permanently and be without the power of instant gratification. For the past couple years during which I have been spending credit in excess I grew accustomed to getting what I want when I wanted it, and there seemed to be nothing better than that. Rumors of a new gadget would arise and if interested I would patiently wait for the release date to arrive. Before I knew it the plastic in my wallet would grant me my wish of getting my hands on that new toy and I was soon addicted to this euphoria.
Even in the midst of this loan approval I am still burdened by the worry of letting this addiction go. I even took it upon myself to give in to my shopping impulse and purchase three new gadgets: the Nokia N810, Sony Reader and Amazon Kindle. At this point I have to be honest and say that there is potential for me to revert back to spending credit as I am paying down this approved loan, but it is up to me to remain strong and diligent in this matter. What's funny is that I've already been bitten in the butt by purchasing the Sony Reader from a business with a strict return policy on electronic devices, but that hasn't stopped me from getting the Kindle.
I can only hope for the best in my efforts as I begin to get my debt and spending habit under control.

TRENT
Sent from my TyTN II

Credit card issue

It is no secret that I have been going overboard in buying gagets for myself with credit cards, and eventually I was faced with the severity of my resulting debt. While I may not disclose the exact amount of what the amount is I can say that it wil take a number of years to pay it off. With this understanding I had cut up all of but one of my cards which was to be used only for emergencies. For a good while I began to rely solely on cash for all my expenses and adapted my spending habits accordingly. Despite the financial limitations of my checking account, I made an effort to press on diligently.

However, after a period of time I became tempted by more things to buy and inevitably gave in with no hesitation. I even went so far as to justify the means by way of any applicable return policy: as long as I could return the procuct before the given amount of return time then it would be as if I spent no credit at all. Being in this warped frame of mind only allowed my spending habit to come back at full force and I got myself into more debt. Originally the plan was to buy an item, test it out, return it for the refund and then buy another gadget with the refunded credit; basically a complex consumer exchange program a.k.a. CCEP. The CCEP was supposed to be full-proof but there was one problem: my impatience.

Upon the increase of my debt I have recently decided to cut the final card in my possession. I don't even have a card for emergencies anymore and it's all due to my lack of self-control. Since cutting the card and flushing it this past Friday I found out one more piece of information: my credit card information was saved to the Amazon.com site as a default payment account. Before deleting the information, however, I made one more purchase of another gadget. I saw it as my last hurrah before biting the bullet of my credit consolidation and my cash reliance on future purchases. This just goes to show how serious my problem is and I need to get control of it quickly.

Looking ahead into the future I hope to consolidate all of my own credit card debt into one bank loan at a low interest rate.

I honestly have been going through withdrawal from the instant gratification on buying tech toys on credit, but it's all for the best.



TRENT
Sent from my TyTN II

Nokia N95 vs AT&T Tilt: Still Picture Quality

These are pictures taken from the AT&T Tilt and Nokia N95 and this is a comparison of their quality.

N95:



Tilt:



N95:


Tilt:



N95:



Tilt:



N95:



Tilt:



N95:



Tilt:



N95:



Tilt:



N95:



Tilt:



N95:



Tilt:



N95:



Tilt:



N95:


Tilt:

Oldie but Goodie: iBook Graphite G3

As a tech geek there are many life experiences that simply boggle my mind and cause me to shake my head in astonishment, and I am happy to say that I have recently come across such an experience. Just this past Monday I was at a friend's house to watch the latest episode of Heroes on NBC as I have always done, and I was given a free Mac. After years of keeping an old iBook in his possession he finally wanted to get rid of it, so he gave it away to me. HOLY FUDGE ON A POPSICLE STICK!!! A FREE MAC COMPUTER!!!

What I now have in addition to my MacBook Pro is a color edition iBook in blue, or a blueberry iBook!

After so many years of wear it is expected to not be in pristine condition, but it's a great laptop nonetheless for its age. One major quirk is that it SOLELY relies on the AC adapter for power, for the battery can only hold a full charge for a little less than a half hour at the most. Compared to the MacBook Pro this iBook is a dinosaur, but I am so starstruck over having an original model that I don't even mind at all! This computer's processor is a Power PC G3 running at 466 MHz with 128 MB of RAM and a 20 gigabyte harddrive while my other is a MacIntel Core 2 Duo running at 2.33 GHz with 2GB of RAM and 160 gigabytes of harddrive space. The fact that I am writing on this computer right now in TextEdit is simply blowing my mind and I currently plan to use this as a dedicated word processor.

There is a sense of relief as I type on this computer, for the simplicity of its humble features in comparison to my other portable reminds me of how things in my life weren't so complicated. I love working with my Macbook Pro, but every now and then I sometimes get the feeling that it's overkill and I am only allowing myself to become consumed by the progression of the digital age. This blue laptop brings me back to basics and reminds me of how crucial it is to keep my priorities in check. Wow...such a life lesson learned from an old Mac! Let's see the iPhone do that. =)

Hitting a Brick Wall

Just to show just how strong this tech toy addiction is I am going to
be honest about what happened today. I took a day trip with a couple
of great friends to tour some newly constructed houses for the
Homearama 2007 event and had a fun time. In the midst of all this
excitement I still could not shake the notion of having that AT&T Tilt
in my hand, so I called a local store to see if any were in stock.
There were two in stock, but no demo units were set up on display yet.
Immediately I conjured up thoughts of speeding to the store and using
a credit card swipe to walk out with the new device in hand and I
could hardly contain myself.

I took a moment to see which cards were in my wallet and planned to
come up with a strategy in paying for this phone with different cards.
But I ran into a problem: there is only one credit card left in my
wallet after I cut up the rest of the other cards some time ago and
the available credit is not enough to cover the cost of the phone. For
the first time I am at a point where I really cannot do anything in my
power to get what I want, and it is extremely humbling. Of course in
this instance I have the choice to spend an entire check to get the
Tilt, but it would be at a huge cost to some parties that I already
owe money to.

Alas, I am hereby stuck with the iPhone and I do not mind at all. In
the long run this will be the best decision as I continue to regain
control of my finances.

First Post From iPhone

This is the first post I am making from my iPhone via my own personal wifi network and it feels absolutely great! It is times like this that I amazed at the quality of this device and feel just about shameful that I still end up having an itch for a new phone. But that's the power if this addictive problem that I am faced with.

Anyway, posting via wifi appears to be very clean and effortless and there is certainly no slowing up of performance as I quickly input this text via the QWERTY on the multi-touch screen. Once again this iPhone of mine proves itself as a reliable and innovative machine in every possible way and I am speechless. It appears that I am making the right move by keeping this gadget after all, but it's not as if I have a choice due to my finances. More on that later...

Temptation Stirkes Again

Apologies for the rambling, but one coping mechanism with my phone
addiction is to write about it and essentially talk myself out of it.

I am sitting here on Saturday morning and the new phone itch hits me
again as I am surfing the web. Just when I thought that my addiction
had subsided from the onslaught of my horrible credit debt, I am once
again finding myself going through withdrawal. I do not like this
feeling at all and I am desperately trying hard not to think of
purchasing anything else that I cannot afford via cash. Despite the
benefits of having such a flexible device in this iPhone I am still
getting that urge to have a new product in my hands right this minute!
I am typing these words on the multi-touch screen in the iPhone's
Notes application and I am still amazed, but my mind wanders and I
begin to get restless of this phone.

What I am going through right now is simply an addiction problem, and
my body is experiencing withdrawal. The primary source of my urge this
time around is the HTC TyTN II aka AT&T Tilt Windows Mobile
smartphone. I know that the user experience won't be any different
than the unimpressive TyTN I had used a while back, but I still crave
to have it in my hands. Already I am consciously calculating how I can
get access to this device through my AT&T carrier since I can't afford
it as an unlocked device (I can't even afford it through AT&T either).

What's even more sad is that I am fully aware just how much more
useful this iPhone is for me in my daily routine. From a QWERTY phone
to a calendar to a Rolodex to an alarm clock to an iPod to an Internet/
email tablet to a REAL YouTube viewer to a point-and-shoot camera to a
notepad to a calculator, this compact machine is truly the most
versatile and impressive device I have seen in my life and I am proud
to be its owner. To downgrade to any other device would be completely
mindless and without common sense, especially considering the
financial shape that I'm in right now. I need to just get through this
temptation and keep in mind that it is only temporary. I have already
invested time, energy and money into this iPhone, so it is only
fitting that I remain devoted to it from here on out.

What's funny is that this writing session on my iPhone has worked in
subsiding my urges, and once again I am amazed at the quality of what
I have in front of me. Since the last software update I have been
taken aback with just how far this device can go in regards to
communication and entertainment, and I look forward to more updates
coming up in the future.

12 Oreos and Milk

It all started with 12 Oreos and a glass if milk yesterday evening. I
sat back in the sofa and began to sink into the twilight stupor with
Judge Judy blasting on the widescreen TV before me. Instantly my brain
woke up and found the motivation to get my body moving outside in my
running shoes before it became too dark. After a bit over a half hour
I was sweaty and energetic and feeling good to be alive. I had
returned safely to my home after running successfully without
collapsing in the middle if some major intersection, and I was on
cloud nine!! With this new sensation flowing through my body as I
listened to my Nike Sport Kit nano playlist, I just knew that nothing
could be better than this!

Much later after a great weightlifting workout I had a light dinner of
spinach leaves, spicy tuna, a protein shake and a jello cup.

I plan to stick to this routine for a good long time into the fall and
winter season.

Stagnant...

I sit here in the darkness of my living room with only the light of my
iPhone to hold my eyes as I type these words. Slipping into a
suspended sense of reality I am once again caught in my own self-doubt
and I do nothing but write about it. So many things I can achieve
await me outside of my own front door yet I am too frightened of
failure to pursue them. Is this paralytic stance on my part really
from fear or just complete laziness? Only the latter could be true,
for I have been more than well-equipped to adapt in nearly every life
experience brought my way. So if laziness is the prime factor of my
stagnant destiny, then there must be a method of motivation out there
to get me inspired to do SOMETHING for once in my life!

I am my own worst enemy and this is so apparent after once again
resisting the urge to use my credit card for another random online
purchase. Not only am I unwilling to go after my dreams, but I am
allowing temptation to lure my own idle mind into potential trouble.

I have already made up my mind that tomorrow will be the new start to
a dedicated workout routine of weightlifting and running throughout
the week. I just have to maintain the drive to stay committed to this
new way of life for myself so that in turn everything else will fall
into place. I can either be my own best hero or worst enemy, and it is
time that I chose the proper side if I am to be prosperous at all in
this lifetime.

iPhone is enough.

I am right now in the middle of trying to stay awake while typing this
note on my iPhone to talk about the recent updates. All I can say at
this point is that I am truly impressed with the iTunes wifi music
store and how smoothly it interfaces with my MacBook Pro. From the
music store to the simple addition of tones for text messages alerts I
am becoming more comfortable being without my Nokia E90. I can now
confidently say that I am officially over the Nokia E90 now that I
have sold it to a good friend of mine.

It is so funny that when I had all of the features if the E90 I did
not take advantage of them all on a regular basis. As a result the E90
became smartphone overkill with too much bulk and I grew tired of it.
Another issue is the button-riddled form factor of the device that
does not give any impression of design innovation like the iPhone.
This multitude of keys all over the phone combined with Symbian OS can
make navigation through UI menus slower and even more cumbersome. A
great example of this can be found in the use of Google Maps; whereas
on the iPhone it's a breeze, it is a snooze on the E90. On a vacation
when I had owned the Nokia a friend and I had a Google Maps challenge
to see who could find information on a local restaurant faster. There
was no contest since the iPhone has a convenient one click feature
from its home screen versus the E90 and its system of menu folders.

This iPhone is surely a breath of fresh air in comparison with
previous devices I've owned from the perspective of Mac syncing alone.
Being able to make calendar entries and update contact information on-
the-fly and have NO WORRIES upon hooking up with my computer is a huge
benefit that I could never obtain with Nokias, Blackberrys or Palms.
It is true that Palms and Blackberrys have third party methods for Mac
syncing, but they aren't always foolproof.

Financial instability from credit debt has been a big factor in my
need to cease and desist my addiction to buying smartphone after
smartphone. Now that I am currently settled on keeping the iPhone as
my only phone I feel a sense if relief that I don't have to worry
about being tempted at all anymore. With a new focus on getting out of
my money troubles I am whole-heartedly attempting to make a change in
my spending habits. It has honestly been a humbling experience to not
be able to grab anything I see and take it home with the swipe if a
card, but this is all for the best.


TRENT
Sent from my iPhone

Reunited with iPhone

Yes, it is true that once again I have fallen for this thing in the
most tech addicted way I ever could. But what else can I say?

After owning the E90 for a few weeks I grew to love the functionality
that I could muster from it on a daily basis. Loaded with just about
everything a smartphone owner could dream of this communicator machine
is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the phone industry. As
much as I felt in my heart that the E90 would be the most permanent of
all the gadgets in my life, there was always something tempting and
alluring about the iPhone.

I would be lying if I said that I don't believe the iPhone is
definitely the wave of the smartphone future. This device continues to
impress me in the most amazing way as I now type on its multi-touch
screen with sufficient speed. Vivid resolution that puts even Nokias
to shame, breathtaking interface graphics and a well-built, compact
form factor places this machine in the highest regard. Sure, there are
some mobile features that I must sacrifice to be an iPhone owner, but
for the sake of unsurpassed ease-of-use and functionality it's very
much worth it.

To be honest I am back with the iPhone because of my need for
simplicity. I need to find some balance in my own finances and get
myself focused on that which is most important in my life goals. I do
believe that I have been spending too much time obsessing over tech
toys and not enough pursuing my dreams. So many months have been
wasted by irresponsible spending and wreckless tendencies, and I must
take this time out to put a stop to it. This problem of mine has been
so overwhelming to the point where I seriously lost track of my sense
of meaning. It was as if my purpose in life was to live and work for
smartphone technology instead of vice versa, so I then became a slave
to every new toy that would arrive on the market. While it is alright
to be amazed by all these new gadgets debuting to the public, I found
that I have been obsessed. This driving force is what I allowed to
feed my urge to have the latest and greatest in whatever I desired. As
a result I dug myself into a deep hole of materialism and still had
the audacity to wonder why I felt empty inside.

Any other smartphone still in my possession shall be given away to
good friends who will make the most use out of them, and I shall
continue on with what matters most according to my evolving destiny.
Day by day I would question why I did not have a clear vision of my
own aspirations or the movtivation to bring them to fruition. I can
now say that I know the answer, and I am taking this moment to act on
it.

iPod Classic: Worthy Upgrade

Tonight is the last night as the owner of my 5th generation video iPod, and I am not unhappy in the least bit. I can hardly contain myself as I anticipate the arrival of these new Apple products due to be unveiled by no one other than Steve Jobs. The announcement is scheduled to begin at 10am Pacific Standard Time in California, so at 1pm sharp at my cubicle I plan to be fixated on any kind of live feed from any of the tech websites.
--------
I am now the proud owner of a brand new 80GB iPod Classic in silver and I am so far loving it. This current model is much slimmer than my old 60GB fifth generation model and the new aluminum face is striking at first glance. I am glad that Apple has rid this iPod of the one sheet of plastic that covered the entire screen and body surrounding the click-wheel of the 5th generation lineup.

I am so far very impressed with the new interface that features split-screen navigation with album art and icons for menu items. I really believe that this is a much needed overhaul on that predictable white screen interface that graced the screens of all the iPod photos and iPods with video. Those white screened menus got the searching jobs done, but there was no finesse to it and hardly any aesthetic quality. If the iPhone can get by with a great interface, then the iPod is due for a makeover and it's about time. It is also very exciting to see CoverFlow on this new iPod as well.

There is one problem that I have run into that involves video playback on the iPod itself. Any video clip that had been shot by a Nokia smartphone will not play in its entirety. There is only a brief moment that passes before the video starts to fast forward and then immediately freeze. In this situation the iPod controls still work, but they have no effect on the frozen video image on-screen. Playing the video again only repeats this problem and there seems to be no solution. I will convert a couple of these videos shot by a Nokia smartphone to the iPod format again and see what happens. The fact that these same videos played just fine on my fifth generation iPod makes this even more puzzling.

Overall the iPod Classic is surely a worthy upgrade to my previous 5th generation model with its slimmer profile, increased capacity and remodeled interface.

The Secret: Everyone should read it, see it or listen to it

Over the past few days I have been listening to "The Secret" in audiobook format and am becoming increasingly impressed with every passing chapter. I even purchased the DVD and plan to watch it when I have completed the audiobook. A number of things have been reawakened within my awareness that have always been there through previous teachings from my parents and other people that I had crossed paths with in my history. These things basically place emphasis on accentuating the positive, being thankful for what exists in the present and visualizing what is in the future. As of now I feel so alive and in tune to everything that is around me and within me that it is both liberating and terrifying. To know that I currently have what is here in my life via my own thoughts and actions is certainly nothing new, but knowing of the intricate connection they have with the universe definitely is. I am learning that I am truly a creator of my own fate and not a mere mortal at the mercy of it. I am eager to learn more as I continue to listen to this audiobook, for I have already talked to a couple of coworkers about it and even applied the teachings to some advice I gave to a good friend.

HTC Kaiser reservations

For a little while I had been tempted by the HTC Kaiser smartphone. Running Windows Mobile 6 this is to be the one device to take over where the HTC TyTN left off and it is even called TyTN II. Due to its extensive list of inculded features my attention was taken away from the E90 for the first time since the iPhone, and I began to feel conflicted. Spending so much money on getting the E90 was bad enough, but was it worth it to spend more on a tech toy that just was not needed? Well, at this point I have decided that it is not worth it.
My conclusion came from going to CompUSA and taking a look at a demo model for the TMobile Wing, which is a HTC phone which closely resembles if not mirrors the upcoming Kaiser. As I held it in my hand its dimensions were a bit wider than the E90 but not too big for me, but the quality did feel cheap with the plastic compared to the E90's metallic exterior. Looking at the form factor of the dominating touch screen did not conjure any good impressions, but I am sure this was due to the phone being a non-working demo.
What solidifies my choice in not going for the Kaiser is a number of factors with the most prevalent one being the qwerty layout. I have been spoiled with the E90 qwerty and have never come across a more extensive mobile layout. If I want to be nit-picky I could mention that the spongy feedback could be improved to more of a "click", but other than that it's absolutely perfect. Having a row of numbers and dedicated keys for punctuation marks makes writing more efficient and eliminates the need to rely solely on that ALT key. The qwerty of the TMobile Wing also resembled that of the HTC TyTN I used to own, and even though the feedback was better than the E90 it did not feel good to type on at all. Aside from having to use the ALT key, there were also shortcut keys at the top that reduced the size of the keys they happened to be neighboring. After a few minutes of typing and remembering my experience with the TyTN I knew then that I would not want to go back to that again over my E90. Next concern about the Kaiser is over the camera. At 3 megapixel it may be an improvement over the TyTN, but my E90's camera with its additional flash and GREAT video capture at 30 fps at FULL resolution is an obvious choice to stay with. The lack of a numerical keypad is not a huge issue, but I do use this a lot more often on my closed-mode E90 than I thought I would; not to mention that it retains a phone-like appearance that makes it easy for non-techies to dial a number when borrowing my phone. Next is the interface of the WM 6 software...I just cannot recall my short stint with the TyTN as being as easy using the S60 OS on my E90; navigating menus seemed like an endless chore and the Windows Media Player seemed clunky compared to the Eseries Music Player. The Kaiser's build quality with its glossy plastic doesn't seem like it will be on par to the metallic finish of my E90 and the sliding tilt mechanism does not seem as secure as the hinge of the E90. Last but not least the touchscreen, while I am a fan of them, just adds a sense of fragility to the device.

I think that my money would be well-spent on a new device other than a smartphone since the E90 appears to be the perfect phone for me...for right now.

New Home Office

I have returned from my weekend vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and am currently taking one more day of rest before heading back into work. In just a few moments I will have to get ready to go to evening rehearsal at the Harrison Opera House and I am currently typing this on the new Apple keyboard I just bought at the Apple store with a laptop stand. With these two items teamed with my wireless Bluetooth Mighty Mouse I now have a desktop workstation that is pretty neat to work with. This setup must be ergonomically sound, for I feel much better now that I am not too cramped within the confines of the MacBook Pro space.

Purchasing this new Apple keyboard is a compromise from a mental debate I had put myself through regarding the purchase of a new MacBook for the sake of its new keyboard layout. Yes, it is madness to buy a laptop only for its keyboard but I couldn’t help but be drawn to the form of the new tactile buttons. There is such a difference in typing the keys of this keyboard over the built-in keyboard of my MacBook Pro that I believe I shall keep this laptop desktop setup for quite some time whenever I use my computer at home. This is a very convenient and impressive arrangement for my mobile home office and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

Inner Void

At 26 and in the year 2007 I have this superstition that time will soon run out and any chance I have to better my life will be thrown away and wasted due to no else's fault but my own. Though this subconscious belief is utterly crazy and without tangible proof of ever occurring, my mind cannot help but keep this stored away in some oblivious file and wait for the most random moment to taunt me with it. From years of watching television specials on Nostradamus prophecies and ancient Mayan calendars and attending church sermons on the book of Revelation I have manifested this underlying fear of the world's end. No matter how much I may desire to achieve certain long-term goals I somehow end up with a sense of hopelessness; that all things conjured by my willing effort will only be wiped clean away from the onslaught of a destined armageddon.
It is worrisome enough to have these feelings locked deep within the recesses of my brain and my spirit, but even more so when I feel like my life really has no greater purpose to fulfill. Day by day I find that I am ruled by a hunger for material things, and as a result I become addicted to obtaining new objects and will stop at nothing to have them. This hunger has resulted in mounting credit card debt and irresistible temptation from every new thing that happens to catch my buyer's eye. After years of being in a relationship, under long-term employment and exposed to social experiences I have learned some of the complexities of human interaction and just how fragile they can be. In the middle of all this I somehow feel an emptiness from within that just cannot be filled and I do not know where it comes from. A part of me thinks that finding a way to fill this void is good start to alleviate the fear of my life coming to an absolute end if not the world.
Ways to fill this void stand out in forms of religion when I wonder if feeling connected to a higher power of enlightenment would be a plausible solution. However, rampant hypocrisy and corruption that can and has run free in today's religious societies rids me of any security I could ever feel if I were to become a part of any of them. In respect to religious societies I at one point was interested in becoming a monk and devoting my entire life to worshipping God (I sometimes have that same interest to this day). A dream (or nightmare depending on how one may look at it) that occurred to me a long time ago involved me going to Jerusalem and witnessing the Second Coming first hand. There are times in the midst of my daily life when I feel the impulse to drop EVERYTHING and run for the hills in search of some solitude and tranquility. I think that ultimately that is all I long for in my life, a peaceful stillness that keeps me centered and enlightened and fulfilled to the point where I would long for nothing more than that. Until I achieve this inner peace in totality I must be content with however I can manage to obtain it in this life whether it be through writing poetry, onstage performing, listening to music or meditating.

Tech update

It has been a good while since I had boxed away the second iPhone for good and I have absolutely no regrets at this point. In the meantime Nokia's E90 is terrific and continues to provide the utmost reliability and versatility that I have ever seen in a mobile device. My red E90 has officially become a main staple in my daily life as much as my iPod and it truly amazing just how much I can really depend on this machine. It is basically what the Palm Treo longs to be and what the Windows Mobile smartphone hates to see...those of you looking for an iPhone jab can settle down, for even though it may not fit my needs it is still in a class by itself. At this time there appears to be a hiatus of smartphones being released into the market and I sometimes worry that I may end up tempted once again by a new tech toy.
The only possible temptation for me is a new iPod, for I have a feeling that the current fifth generation models are long overdue for a major aesthetic and technical upgrade. I was first swept into the video capable version upon the first release and immediately boxed away my 30GB iPod color into the bedroom closet. Since then I have been using my current 60GB white model for a long time (in my case anything kept past a year fits this criteria), and it has the wear and tear to show for it. I even still have my original Incase white belt clip holder I used with my previous 30GB model and that has also been through some wear over the many months. With the release of a new Apple office suite in iWork '08 that is definitely a MS Office alternative, one can only hope that the iPods will follow suit.
Speaking of the new release of the iWork 08 software package, I am so impressed with this after having used it for a few days that I am totally speechless. Not that the Microsoft Office app was bad at all, but it just isn't the same as using a bona-fide Apple office suite. To finally be able to completely delete the MS alternative from my Mac is truly an achievement in itself, for I had been dependent on AppleWorks since my first Mac introduction with the 12 inch iBook.

New Apple iWork '08

This is my first time writing with the new iWork ’08 application Pages, and I have to say that it feels quite exhilarating. Never before did I ever think that it would be this soon that I would be sitting in front of my MacBook Pro with an Apple word processor! Since my time with Appleworks on my 12 and 14 inch iBooks I have been yearning for a native word application to be able to write on my computer without the need for Microsoft software, and it is finally here.

At this time I can finally exhale a sigh of relief in owning an office suite that is rightfully under my own name and created by Apple, Inc. This is truly an exciting moment for me and I cannot wait to get started in writing more poems and blog entries and even short stories!!

Sony Ericsson P1i: P-Series Redeemer

It is hard to believe that I am finally with the Sony Ericsson after my not-so-good experience with the frozen firmware of the P990. This has definitely been a different kind of journey over acquiring many different models of smartphones, especially with the last one being the iPhone. Initially this is the second phase of my smartphone search to find a lightweight device that can be my running mate on my 4-mile jogs. I tried and failed to make the E90 come along for my runs when I dropped it, so this search is about half necessity and half techno lust.

I am typing this on the P1i QWERTY and must say that I am attracted to the new design over the old P990. The interface remains the same while the keypad comes from the M600 model, and there is MUCH more stability in the firmware...MUCH more! I was busy saving photos I had transferred to the phone from my Mac via Bluetooth, and upon checking the Task Manager I saw that there were 20 applications OPEN! With these apps still running in the background I was still able to perform this function with no trouble at all. Even though the P1i's performance speed wasn't lightning fast it was still very adequate and impressive compared to the P990, for that would freeze with only 8 apps running. It looks like the huge increase in RAM has definitely salvaged the reputation of the Sony Ericsson P-series devices.

Having touchscreen navigation again is truly a privilege that I have missed since saying good-bye to the Palm Treo, so it is great to have it back again.
The small QWERTY took a while to get used to since I have been working with the full version of the Nokia E90, but more practice should improve one's typing performance. Multimedia apps are sufficient with a great still camera, music player and radio w/ RDS that looks great onscreen, but OS speed is not stellar compared to the E90. In fact I did notice that the OS overall speed is not as zippy as the Nokia, but it is adequate nonetheless. Still pictures with the 3.2 megapixel camera are absolutely impressive with a strong 2-LED flash, but the poor-resolution video at 15fps is dumpy compared to the E90 and N95 and I have no plans to use it. A welcomed addition to the phone is a default Today screen that appears on the phone's desktop that resembles the activity screen of the Nokia S60 devices, so a quick summary of the day is no longer a few menu clicks away (there are also more quick access shortcuts to favorite apps/tasks available on the desktop). The Quickoffice application is still just as reliable as the P990 version as a word processor on the go. Google Maps, thanks to my use of the iPhone, is a favorite app of mine that I have downloaded it to the phone. It works well, but permission pop-ups tend to get irritating during usage.

One HUGE benefit of this model is its ability to sync with my Mac via iSync!!! Yes it is finally here!!! I found a download to an SE plug-in via Google searching and it works just fine, although it did take a few attempts to get the Bluetooth sync to fully complete a session without giving a failure error message. All contact and calendar information accurately synced over to the phone once everything worked properly with iSync.

One test call did reveal that there is much earpiece clarity that even surpasses the Nokia E90, and the volume is very good if not better than my Nokias. To my surprise I was even able to carry a clear conversation even near the dead zones within my own house where the Nokias would begin to get static and fade out. I believe this may be a testament to the sound reputation Sony has when it comes to manufacturing great audio products.

At this point the P1i appears to be a bona-fide and much needed savior to the previous P990, which is more bulky and unstable. Whether this is worthy of the extra money to upgrade is of course up to the owner, but my answer is a definite yes. This slim QWERTY device has redeemed my experience with the SE P-series, and although it has its quirks I believe I have found a worthwhile secondary phone to my E90.

Tammy Faye

I cannot help but reach out my heart to that woman whenever I see that
recent Larry King interview. Her physical condition was so
heartbreaking to watch, for it was so obvious that the end was
approaching closely for her. To find out on this night that she had
passed away on Friday is no surprise, but at the same time is no easy
pill to swallow.

I never knew Tammy on a personal level, but there was something
genuine about her spirit that made one feel as if they did know her.
So approachable and so open minded and so loving and so
understanding...my God it is such a shame that people like her have to
go away while so many ill-hearted folks go on sucking up oxygen, a
damn shame. Everytime I see that Larry King interview and catch a
glimpse of her frailty I fall to pieces from the bottom of my heart.

It is moments like these that cause me to sit back and think about the
imperfections of my life. So many days go by that I get swayed and
tempted by this tech toy and that gadget, and it happens so much so
that I tend to lose count. I realize that I do not always have my
priorities in line and I need to focus more on fixing that and less on
talking about it.

My God she was such a brilliant star of Bethlehem compared to most of
these gigantic balls of hot air that rule this world and lay waste to
it by war and violence. She will definitely be missed even though she
is in a better place.


TRENT
Sent from my iPhone

Crossroads

I am at a crossroads and I find myself in the midst of confusion. For a while I had thought that my life was on track with a definite plan of action, but recently I have begun to feel differently. Well not necessarily feeling differently, but just frustrated at my loss of focus and drive. I easily get into a mode that is extremely lazy and I end up sitting around my ass and doing nothing productive. I sat up all practically all night playing with my computer and iPhone due to the free weekend morning and not having to go to work, and I accomplished absolutely nothing. What I need to do is head to bed right now and get some much-needed sleep and wake up with a plan of action. This past week I received an email from a former coworker who gave me heads up on some opening positions at her company, so polishing my resume is one thing I plan to do for sure.

No one can hold me back but me, and I need to stop that from happening and fast. I am 26 and the years are rolling by sooo fast that it's not even funny, so I need to get my priorities straight and do it quickly.

Final Decision

I have had this iPhone for two days so far and I am quite impressed by
its technical abilities. On the other hand I do find myself hesitating
to give up on the Nokia E90 and N95, so I have decided to keep all
three phones for now.

One feature I am thoroughly enjoying is the Notes application.
Compared to the full qwerty of the E90 there is some time for
adjustment to the loss of tactile feeling, but security is possible
with the built-in dictionary. At times I find myself speeding happily
through the letters and other times I end up pecking and picking and
tapping with caution. Overall in a nutshell the typing experience is
definitely eye-opening.

Last night I played around with my Nokia N95 and was reminded of just
how versatile it is compared to the iPhone. I hooked up the handset to
my widescreen TV as a monitor and used a wireless keyboard to type an
email and watch movies and play video games. I even accepted a call
from a friend and spoke to him via the television speakers as I
continued typing! Even though this was the greatest form of
versatility there is still a charm about the iPhone that draws me.

There is a slight sense of boredom that sets in after playing with the
few applications and their neat functions. The truth remains that this
device is a simple feature phone compared to the Nokias, but it stands
out with a gorgeous interface and unforgettable user experience. With
any other handset I was always excited about the features and not the
usual system functions, for it would always perform like any other
model out on the market. But the iPhone has shattered every
preconceived notion concerning mobile gadgets...so much so that I
actually get excited to check emails or send text messages or check
visual voicemail (I know I sound silly at this point if I didn't
already). For what the iPhone lacks in features it compensates in its
artistic delivery of the usual mobile functions in a small, slim
design. To the rationale of a normal human being this may not be
reason enough to keep the iPhone, but it's a different story when
you're holding it in your hand.


TRENT
Sent from my iPhone

iPhone impressions

I wrote this entire piece in the Notes app of my iPhone. Not too bad
for a notepad, huh?
---------------------

It is Thursday morning and I am up playing with this delicious piece
of hardware known all over the world as the Apple iPhone and I feel no
shame. This may sound strange to all the Nokia fans out there but it
is the honest truth, and I am sorry if my actions reflect the worst of
blatant hypocrisy. At the end of the day last night I realized what so
many others have already found out on June 29th: cool tech is cool
tech no matter how you slice it.
True, this iPhone may not champion all of the bells and whistles of
the Nokia E90 and N95 (which are sitting off to the side right now),
but it doesn't need them at all. The glitz and glam of the interface
that I complained about before is exactly what is drawing me to this
phone. This attraction is not entirely about the look of this machine,
but also about its inner workings...I mean let's be honest, this
iPhone isn't being run by any mediocre operating system. In other
words I've got egg on my face and both feet in my mouth.

Let me start off by mentioning where I stand with Nokia so that I may
clear the air. It's a wonderful company that has released some
worthwhile gadgets in the past and present and most likely in future,
and I truly believe this. There was just a point when my loyalty to
Nokia began to wear thin along with my patience, and having this
device in my hand is a result of that. No matter how amazing the
features would be on paper and in person there was no getting around
the fact that Nokia is natively all about PC support.

For a good stretch of time I overlooked this issue and forced certain
devices to play nice with my Mac and never saw one problem with it.
All of a sudden this harmonic utopia was disturbed by an occurrence of
sync glitches in the iCal application, and I was ticked. At the time
of downloading iSync plug-ins from Nokia Europe I knew that I was
taking a big risk in accepting possible complications with my MacBook
Pro, but I still chose to keep the faith. So when these glitches of
ignored appointments and duplicated events started happening I was for
sure pissed off at the inconvenience and tried in vain to find a
solution. It got to the point where I threw my hands into the air and
resigned myself to uploading Windows XP to work with the Nokia PC
Suite. I am sorry but for the amount of money I pay for these phones I
believe that seamless Mac integration is not asking too much. Although
syncing my Nokias via XP worked out, there was an underlying sense of
irritation at having to "bend" to the will of these Nokias. Customers
with Macs should be considered as top priority right along with the PC
customers, but I feel that often that is not the case at all. Going
from one incompatible device to the next really began to get old
despite the many beneficial features that came with them. For the
longest time it seemed that Palm Treos were the main game in town when
it came to Mac synchronization, and I grew tired of this notion. But
even though I took the time to do work arounds to get these great
machines to function with my Mac as a team, I ended up hitting the
brick wall of failure once again. This feeling is what I felt when
that E90 no longer wanted to work with the iSync app on my Mac. To add
insult to injury after dropping my E90 on a 4 mile run, I ordered the
small N95 as a secondary phone only to be under whelmed by its quality.
As I held the N95 I got this sickening feeling that I was about to
settle for mediocrity with yet another handset that is not fully
compatible with my computer, and I didn't like it one bit. I
configured the settings of the N95 to the fullest extent and completed
a sync with the E90, but something did not feel right. Even as I took
snapshots with the 5 megapixel camera and surfed through the neat
menus with animated icons I still could not settle with the phone. At
that point I could have gone back to my E90, but I was so fed up with
the whole Nokia situation that I needed to have a drastic change. It
was at that moment when my memory of the iPhone had come back to me.
Immediately I threw caution to the wind and drove to the Apple store
with a most humble heart, and here I am with the same machine that I
had previously given so much grief. With utmost admittance of my
hypocritical ways I hereby declare that this iPhone is indeed a jewel of
innovative technology.

Aside from the obvious draw of the interface and design I am also
taken by the functionality of what is included in this sleek package.
For example I shall mention a phone call I had to make to my
dealership: I had no idea when the first appointment for my VW Jetta
was scheduled and was not certain if I would get a reminder. I needed
to contact the local VW dealer but did not have a number handy, so in
the past I would have called 411 on the phone or checked the yellow
pages. Not with the iPhone! I instinctively knew to access the Maps
app and then do a search on Greenbrier VW. A red tack landed on the
exact location of the dealership and displayed its name. Upon tapping
the name I was brought to an information screen providing the number,
address and website URL. Tapping the number instantly connected me to
the receptionist and I was helped right away!! Now could I have done
this with the Nokia E90 or N95? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Another discovery made about this phone involves my need to write
blogs and poetry on the phone. With Nokia I have been accustomed to
working with the Quickoffice word application and assumed the iPhone
could not meet my needs...I was wrong. With the help of a friend I
learned that the Notes application can be used as a basic text edit
feature in which I can write to my heart's content! Right now I am
writing this entire piece in Notes on my iPhone and there doesn't seem
to be any word limit. Once I complete an entry I can then email it to
myself and then copy and paste the text into my blogs or a word
document!! I shall test this out after finishing this piece tonight.

So far this iPhone is an impressive example of innovative technology
never seen before on any gadget. At first I had dismissed the multi-
touch feature as just a throwback to the days of Palm and Sony
Ericsson, but it is LIGHT YEARS away from that! Bluetooth features I
had relied on with my Nokia to transfer pics, movies and docs are no
longer needed since media syncing now occurs in iTunes. As of now I
cannot say that I miss any of the extra features of the Nokias to the
point where I'd want to return this iPhone. As I type this and listen
to the crisp audio of the built-in iPod in the background with my
earbuds, I finally have a sense on contentment and peace. Unlike the
Nokias this has demonstrated seamless compatibility with my MacBook
Pro with every item of personal data ranging from contacts to Internet
bookmarks to calendar entries. No need for any kind of extra software
or plug-in to make devices play nice with one another...everything
just works as it should without question! Not only does this iPhone
shatter my own expectations and performs flawlessly, but it does so
with an immense "cool" factor that dominates every Apple product.
Though I may have been devoted to Nokia and Sony Ericsson and other
brands at one point in my past, I am happy to be back with Apple once
again as a satisfied customer, former employee and indebted fanboy.

This shall be the end of my rant for now.


TRENT
Sent from my iPhone

iBroke, iCaved, iSurrendered, iBought an iPhone

More on this later.

Celebrity iPhone

Last night was pretty interesting at the local bar where I enjoyed my time with some friends and some drinks, for it had turned into a tech toy event. One of my friends is now the proud owner of an iPhone that instantly became the star of the show with everybody who caught sight of it. He and I spent a few moments here and there comparing our devices and his was clearly a winner in regards to popularity amongst the public masses. I could stand on my soapbox all night long and speak of the missing features of the iPhone compared to my Nokia E90, but nobody would have cared to listen for fear of missing a single second to ogle my friend's new toy. Even in the midst of him showing me its magic with Google maps there was another owner who popped up holding his iPhone out in full display.
"Is this the iPhone corner?” he asked.
After an interesting Mac conversation he went ahead to rejoin his buddies.

All in all it was a great night had by all and I am still in love with my Nokia E90. I am just amazed at the marketing power that Apple put behind this device. Even in the darkness of the bar everyone recognized this thing and flocked toward it with wonder. Anyway, I am looking forward to the release of a rumored next gen iPod that runs Mac OS X and has multi-touch interfacing.

E90 Mac Sync Dead

After a long night I am sorry to say that the accurate Mac sync has gone away from my E90 completely and I am not happy about it! But that wasn't the one factor that put me over the edge and nearly caused me to throw this unit against the wall. The fact that I had spent $200 on Windows XP without realizing that it did not come bundled with MS Office added salt to the wound, and I could be pissed at no one but myself. To think that I had run out from CompUSA having the last laugh only to end up with egg on my face and a jeering iPhone friend on the phone. Being a techie is not easy.

Despite the red tape and nearly considering the iPhone (those Mac friends can be a bad influence :) I still love this E90 and what it does for me, and if that means operating it as a separate device from my MacBook Pro then so be it. The overall potential of this smartphone wonder greatly overrides the inability to sync with Mac, for I am still a fan of good technology and true functionality.

UPDATE: I now have a dual-boot MacBook Pro running Mac OS X Tiger and Windows XP and I sync my E90 with Outlook 2007 via the Nokia PC Suite with no troubles. As ironic as this situation is I am actually impressed with the flexibility of my portable Mac and the capabilities of the 2007 Outlook application.