I just bought Apple’s Magic Trackpad and will be using it starting now. Stay tuned for my review.
{ 0 comments }
I currently drive a three year-old Mercury Mariner Hybrid with a factory-installed GPS navigation system. Just like its smaller and more portable GPS cousins, this built-in unit is a great tool to drive to my intended destinations and locate points of interest along the way, like restaurants and hotels.
Since it’s built-in, it’s always powered up and ready for me to use. Plus, I don’t worry about it getting stolen like I did with my older suction-cup variety.
Although many of the portable Garmin and TomTom units have more advanced features, I’m satisfied with my built-in GPS. The large screen is particularly welcome.
I recently received a letter from Mercury to “Get the most out of your Mercury Navigation System – UPDATE YOUR MAP TODAY!”
This direct mail piece offers a DVD update from NAVTEQ, the GPS unit’s mapping software company, to “optimize performance”, “see new places”, “save fuel”, etc. These are all positive and anyone who is using this navigation system would want the update. Right?
Wrong! Not for the $199 upgrade price!
Oh yeah, don’t forget to add in sales taxes and $9.95 for shipping!
How many roads have changed in the last three years? How many new businesses have sprouted? In my opinion, certainly not $200 worth.
I’m wondering, who is buying this upgrade when you can buy a brand new portable GPS unit with the latest technology, maps, points of interest — for LESS THAN the price of this update?
Come on, NAVTEQ, wake up!
{ 0 comments }
I’ve mentioned before how I love my Yurbuds add-on to my Apple Earphones. The soft rubber makes them comfortable and the smartly-designed shape keeps them from falling out of my ears.
I’ve now found another use: my Apple iPhone Bluetooth Headset! Wow– what a difference!
{ 0 comments }
Google TV was announced yesterday. It’s a way for television viewers to use their big screen TVs to watch their favorite shows and other on-line content directly through the internet rather than with a traditional cable subscription.
This can’t be good news for huge cable companies like Comcast and Time Warner, since it gives their customers an alternative to the cablers near-monopoly on household television access.
Ironically, Google is attempting to replicate what the cable companies have done to landline telephone service providers with Voice Over IP (VOIP): give telephone customers a less expensive choice.
But here’s where it’s different. Cable companies ALSO provide the majority of broadband internet service to these same households. What if Comcast decided to slow down the access for competing on-line viewing content? That might degrade the television-watching experience enough to make it a frustrating and unacceptable alternative.
That’s what network neutrality is for: all on-line content should be treated equally.
I have problems with Google TV related to privacy, and I don’t know if it will be successful. But I’m totally for “choice” in television viewing. Network neutrality is an absolute must to make it possible.
{ 0 comments }
It’s well known that Steve Jobs loves music. If he were a runner, he’d no doubt listen to an iPod as he ran around Palo Alto. And if he wore an iPod, he’d certainly use his own company’s Apple-branded earphones.
But Steve Jobs must not be a runner. Why do I say that? Because the Apple-branded earphones are dreadful — especially for runners.
They sound okay, but they’re extremely uncomfortable to wear and they don’t stay in your (at least my) ears! When you perspire, you are constantly pushing them back into your ears due to their terrible “user interface.”
If Steve went out to run wearing his own company’s earphones, he’d take them off and throw them in the garbage. With great velocity!
I used to wish Apple would design earphones with as much thought and consideration as all their other fantastic products, save (all) their mouse designs.
But now, after trying countless third-party earphones, I’ve finally found the one product that actually works: comfort plus perfect fit — they don’t fall out no matter how much you run and perspire! Period.
They’re called Yurbuds: simple soft rubber add-ons for your Apple (or other) earphones.
Yurbuds are comfortable and they stay in your ears.
Trust me on this one. I’m a runner.
{ 2 comments }
Combining expertise in creative design, technical skills, and information systems architecture, Beato Enterprises is uniquely qualified to create innovative digital solutions for your business.
