My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on September 12, 2012

I followed the Engadget liveblog and listen to the Leo Laporte’s TWIT gang during Apple’s launch of the iPhone 5, and it only seems appropriate that I chime in (I tweeted too much already). I’m sure there will be a few other blogs commenting today (chuckle, chuckle) and some will offer far more intelligent insight than me, but my first thought was that the iPhone 5 was “as expected.” Most rumors appeared to be true and the reality is that this Apple phone is indeed a “catch-up phone” … not that $AAPL is suffering from weak sales or profit! BUT … other Android phones made by a variety of manufacturers have had many of the features, the larger screen and already access 4G LTE data networks.

For the Apple faithful, and those of us “looking” and still using older phones, the iPhone 5 ($199 w/contract) or a discounted 4s ($99 w/contract) or free iPhone 4 ($0 w/contract), are attractively priced. Personally after falling in love with my second-hand iPad 2, I’m very tempted to buy the new iPhone 5 soon… unless an Android phone shows up to knock my socks off.

The most striking difference from their previous phones is that the new iPhone 5 is taller with a 16:9 screen (again as expected). Most reports point out that the new iOS 6 offers an additional row of icons. My thought is that this new size will offer more screen space above the virtual keyboard when it is being used in the portrait mode. Big screen Android users will point out that their wide phones (ie. Samsung Galaxy S3) also offers more screen real estate when in landscape mode too.

The rundown of attractive specs has to do with overall size (4.87in x 2.31in x .30in), weight (3.95oz), speed (A6 processor) and efficiency (225 hours standby, 8 hours of talk, 3G, LTE and 10 hours on Wi-Fi). Apple as reduced the weight and thickness by about 20% while give it a bigger screen which measures 4-inches diagonally. From the presentation discussion of quality control, this new phone will also retain the quality many come to appreciate in Apple products … even if when buyers pay more and can’t change batteries, add memory cards or uses industry standard plugs (gripes).

Speaking of plugs, the new iPhone will use a new 8-pin plug called “Lightning” connector and will retire the larger 10 year old standard Apple connector. This new plug has a benefit that it will fit whichever side you have up; that’s a nice feature, almost as nice as wireless charging which they did not use. The newly design white flat style iPod earbuds have given way to a new ball shaped “earpod” as well.

The yet to be seen improvements will have to do with speedier apps and improved Siri voice controls. I suspect that all “mobile” computer devices will need to improve in the area since many users want to use their devices while mobile. Voice recognition and improving Bluetooth 4.0 should help with this.

For me, I was really interested to hear what they were going to do with the already excellent camera … and for the most part its specs are unchanged. The same 8- megapixel iSight camera with single LED flash. It shoots HD video (1080p) at up to 30 frames per second and has new 3 microphone audio. The camera is “tap to focus” and has face detection as well as what they claim as improved low-light imaging and stabilization. I’m anxious to compare it to the very good Samsung smartphone camera.

At this point I’m ready to make the switch from my reliable, but aging Palm Pre to the new iPhone 5, but might not rush to buy when it is available for pre-order.

Pre-order September 14th for shipping on 9/21 or stand in line at the Apple store on September 21st.

* * *

Category: Apple, Cellphone, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: apple, engadget, iphone, iphone 5, smartphone, twit

Posted By RichC on September 12, 2012

Who doesn’t need a little toe covering as the snow begins to fly?

Ok, so I’m kidding about getting a new pair of Keen Waimea H2 flip flops for the winter … but I did buy them now because they were finally on clearance.

I had been planning on buying a new “leave them on the boat” pair of Keen sandals this year as a way to protect my toes from the regular stubbing on blocks and such … particularly when I’m visiting other sailboats, but almost forgot about them.  Besides wanting them,  I’ve nearly worn out my current “non-toe-protection” flip flops. Another advantage for working on the boat is that the rubber toe will also help when kneeing on the non-skid sandpaper-like deck surface — it rubs the tips of my toes raw, not to mention what it does to my knees.

About the only think I don’t like so far is the clickity-click when walking; no sneaking around the deck and dock at night for me!

Category: Misc, Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: shoes

Posted By RichC on September 11, 2012

Today is Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance; it is a day to remember the 2,977 killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. After congress unanimously passed Joint Resolution 71 on October 25, 2001 and President George W. Bush signed it into law on December 18, 2001, we now remember and fly our flags at half staff to remember the victims of 9/11. Initially its was termed “Prayer and Remembrance” … now a more politically correct “just” remembrance, but “pray” is what I will do. In 2010, I posted the victims’ names on this blog … click on the link … and suggest you pick one from the list and pray for their family today.

Let’s keep our intelligence, military and homeland security forces strong and remain focused and ever vigilant, never giving our enemies such an opportunity again.

Below is President Obama’s 2012 statement to our nation:

On September 11, 2001, a bright autumn day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. Thousands of innocent men, women, and children perished when mighty towers collapsed in the heart of New York City and wreckage burned in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. They were family and friends, service members and first responders — and the tragedy of their loss left pain that will never fade and scars our country will never forget.

More than a decade later, the world we live in is forever changed. But as we mark the anniversary of September 11, we remember what remains the same: our character as a Nation, our faith in one another, and our legacy as a country strengthened by service and selflessness. In the spirit that moved rescue workers and firefighters to charge into darkness and danger that September morning, we see the same sense of moral responsibility that drove countless Americans to give of themselves in the months that followed. We offered our neighbors a hand and lined up to give blood. Many helped our Nation rebuild and recover long after the dust had settled, donating and volunteering and helping survivors who had borne so much. We were united, and the outpouring of generosity reminded us that, through challenges that have spanned from acts of terrorism to natural disasters, we go forward together as one people.

Today, as we remember the victims, their families, and the heroes who stood up during one of our country’s darkest moments, I invite all Americans to reclaim that abiding spirit of compassion by serving their communities in the days and weeks ahead. From volunteering with a faith-based organization, to collecting food and clothing for those in need, to preparing care packages for our men and women in uniform, there are many ways to bring service into our everyday lives — and each of us can do something. To get involved and find a local service opportunity, visit www.Serve.gov, or www.Servir.gov for Spanish speakers.

Even the simplest act of kindness can be a way to honor those we have lost, and to help build stronger communities and a more resilient Nation. By joining together on this solemn anniversary, let us show that America’s sense of common purpose need not be a fleeting moment, but a lasting virtue — not just on one day, but every day.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day," and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the Congress has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized "National Day of Service and Remembrance."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2012, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

Category: History, Holiday | No Comments »
Tags: 9/11, patriot, remembrance, terrorist, world trade center

Posted By RichC on September 10, 2012

Awww … even a Mr. Manatee baby can be cute. After being too busy to post something for today, I lazily pulled a couple photos from the weekend and figured at least one of the photos was cute enough to put on the blog (ok, both of them). The second photo (below) is of Katelyn and her fiancé Drew as their trip to visit his parents in Florida wraps up. So glad they had a few days off together to recharge their batteries (love those shades)!

Drew and Katelyn on Vero Beach, FL – 9/7/2012

Category: Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: drew, family, katelyn, manatee

Posted By RichC on September 9, 2012

After Samsung’s recent lost to Apple in federal court, Android users will start to see a few changes to the look and feel of their phones and tablets and those being designed by Apple. One would assume that the individual manufacturer’s tweaks to Google’s Android — skins –will be modified from the current attempt to emulate Apple’s iOS and the Google’s out of the box Android OS (deeper pockets). The question is, will the changes being made be acceptable to users … or will they switch? Besides the changes to the skins by each hardware manufacturer, I would think Google’s developers are distancing themselves in areas where Apple lawyers already have the taste of billion dollar blood.

InformationWeek highlighted a change to Samsung’s rubber-banding effect in its Galaxy line of phones – the bounce-back of content that occurs when a user reaches the edge of an electronic document. In its new Galaxy S3, “Samsung has substituted a blue glow for the bounce-back feature to warn a user that he’s approaching an edge.”

"Competitors will start to make more deliberate differences in their models from Apple’s. That could be quite disruptive" to their production schedules in the near term, said Ovum telecommunications analyst Jan Dawson, in an interview.

Hmm, “disruptive?”

Too many “disruptive” changes will irritate users, especially if the changes, or in Android speak, improvements, complicate the lives of smartphone users and the look and feel they are already use to. I see it as especially frustrating for those who uses several similar content consuming devices and are switching between iPhone and Android phone, an iPad and Android tablet, or perhaps a Blackberry, Kindle or Windows 8 device?

I’m already frustrated with different operating systems. Ever since I started using the iPad, I find myself finger pinching and jabbing at the computer. I’m not sure I can handle more differences … and suspect that is Apple’s plan!

Category: Cellphone, Computer, Tablet, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: android, apple, Computer, ios, ipad, iphone, smarphone, tablet

Posted By RichC on September 8, 2012

I’d love to visit and sail in New Zealand someday and I occasionally exchange emails back and forth with a couple friends living in that southern hemisphere country. One friend sent me a link on Friday after a strong storm hit Wellington with 140kmh (87mph) winds. They saw some damage throughout the city and it was no doubt a challenging time for those with boats moor in the area (photo above). As the weather forecaster comments, “it’s a mucky weekend however you want to slice it.”

http://is.gd/NZgales

Category: Misc, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: new zealand, wind

Posted By RichC on September 7, 2012

I read a simple article reviewing where Apple ($AAPL) makes their money … product mix, not geographic location. Anyway, I thought it was interesting that they make over 70% of their total sales (trailing 12 months) on the iPhone and iPad … that in comparison to Macintosh computers, software and services and even their Music store!

LINK

Category: Business, Computer, Financial, Technology | 2 Comments »
Tags: aapl, apple, finacials, ipad, iphone

Posted By RichC on September 7, 2012

A first for Volkswagen in the U.S. is coming this year as they bring in the remodel new diesel Beetle TDI convertible for 2013.

EDIT: I’m not sure what happened to the balance of this post, but will have to go back to my home PC later and see if it is still there … for now just ogle the photos.
🙂

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Volkswagen | 2 Comments »
Tags: 2013, beetle, convertible, diesel, tdi, volkswagen, vw

Posted By RichC on September 6, 2012

This year at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the liberal wing of the party hit a little resistance from within their own party as they continued to push “change” in a direction that was a bit “too far, too fast.”  They have made gains in uniting around gay marriage and government healthcare with moderate Dems, but encountered resistant by excluding God and where Democrats stand on the capital of Israel.

The platform, in keeping with a “progressive” push, decided to exclude references to “God” as well as their written support that Jerusalem be recognized as the capital of the Jewish State of Israel.

Initial questioning as to why the Democrats excluded these words was brought to light by the media and in particular a heated exchange between Sen. Dick Durbin and Bret Baier of Fox News.  Shortly after the hubbub the Democratic  leaders (prompted by President Obama), decided to bring the issue to the floor and amend the platform –  it did not go as planned (video below).

The entire fiasco spotlights how liberal Democrats are “changing” America and moving in a direction different from those who want to keep the traditional and biblical values as part of our culture. This most recent exclusion of words highlight the liberal agenda as well as many of those that have already been achieved. Most “change” is 180-degrees from ones many of Americans embrace and see as part of our heritage. Liberal Democrats are treading on values that are core for many Americans and it makes me wonder just “how far and how fast” they can push their version of “change?”

Category: Politics, Video-TV | 2 Comments »
Tags: change, convention, democrat, platform

Posted By RichC on September 5, 2012

I’m on the road today day and adding this as a filler post for Wednesday … but I wanted to archive a few recent photos (maybe the last few with my Palm Pre?).

First, the drought across the country has had a serious impact on corn as well as other crops. Here in Ohio the yield is going to be low and most fields look like this one below — just west of Ashland, Ohio today.

Also this past Labor Day weekend we felt the remnants of Hurricane Isaac as the bands of clouds and rain fanned counter-clockwise overhead (below, looking west over the pool)

And finally the leave have already started to fall in our front yard making it the earliest I’ve ever seen this many leaves on the ground.

Category: Misc, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: corn, drought, home, house, ohio, yard