This past Friday has indeed been very exciting with the release of the Skyfire web browser for the Windows Mobile platform and I was eager to install it on my TyTN 2 device. I surfed the web for 45 minutes and still have much to learn about navigating the new interface, but my opinion of it isn't entirely positive. The interface appears to be an average mobile browser with only menu symbols at the top of the page with no address bar in sight whereas Opera Mobile closely resembles a full-fledged computer browser. Using the touchscreen of the TyTN 2 is convenient in finding my way around web pages which are uploaded very quickly whenever I summon them via the address bar text field. While page uploading is fast, sliding the stylus tip from one area to another is sometimes hampered by temporary freezing for about 5 seconds. Although traversing a page is not as fluid as the iPhone or even the Nokia S60, I am definitely impressed by Skyfire's ability to playback internet videos. YouTube videos start up just fine with loud and clear audio, but the video feed itself seldom becomes choppy as it is loading. Double tapping an area on the page allows me to zoom into it, but there is no method to frame the magnified text or image within the screen view to prevent scrolling. Another issue is that multi-line text editing at this time is not supported yet, so typing paragraphs onto YouTube message responses and online forums is not possible. As time goes on and I become more familiar with Skyfire's foreign layout I hope that future updates will make this app more interactive and fluid. One more thing is that I have a concern about Skyfire privacy rules in regards to recording all of my browsing data and keeping it for records purposes. Although my identity will not be associated with the obtained information I have a fear of going to any secure website such as online banking. After reading a few opinions from other people on howardforums.com on this matter I think the best solution will be to use Skyfire only for general browsing and nothing more. YouTube and howardforums are the only sites where I have provided my username and password and I believe that is enough for now. Despite their inability to playback online videos, Opera Mobile and Nokia S60 are still great browsing alternatives for me whereas Skyfire beta is a little bit green. We'll see how this new competitor makes a name for itself in the coming future.
I visited the Apple store and finally took a close look at the MacBook Air. I can honestly say there is absolutely nothing special about this other than its amazingly thin profile which is only possible through a number of sacrificed features normally expected from other laptops. I am not moved by the pricing at all, especially since the footprint is still the same size of a MacBook and the processing power is considerably lesser. If the MacBook Air were much more compact I could begin to understand the price, but to spend $1800 on a portable that's the same size as a full-fledged MacBook laptop with less features for the sake of thinness sounds unreasonable. Needless to say, my MacBook Pro isn't going anywhere anytime soon. :)
I also visited the Apple store to shop for headphones since my beloved pair of V-Moda Vibes had played its last tune not too long ago. Originally at the time my V-Modas had died I had no choice but to settle for a cheaper set of headphones: Sony MDR-EX71s. At $43 this model had been my first time in using in-ear headphones a few years ago and I really liked the sound it produced. But as time passed I discovered better alternatives from JBL and eventually V-Moda which were more expensive at $100. After getting paid recently from the Opera I had a chance to get these pricey in-ears for myself, but after over an hour of self-debating I decided to keep my Sonys. I instead spent $30 for a belt-clip case needed for my iPod Classic 80GB and I felt much better about my decision. That additional $100 I would've spent on the V-Modas later went toward paying off debt via my online bank account.
It seems like living on only my checking account and struggling to stretch my money and pay down debt has truly changed my outlook on spending. As I pondered over getting the headphones I began to think how silly it was of me to waste time on the issue when I already have a capable pair that work perfectly. With that revelation I made my decision and never looked back. I guess I am growing up...finally. :)
TRENT
Sent from my Nokia E90
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