The musings of a twenty something Technician from Dublin, Ireland. Covering everything from Apple Macs to Music to Politics
Howdy all,
Bit of housekeeping. Was in the middle of a long overdue post and started getting a load of Database errors. Until I get it nailed down, I won’t be posting. Let’s say by the 19th of October I’ll be back?
Thanks!
Colm
As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been thinking of getting an iPod Touch.
It officially hits the shelves this weekend, but I was in Dundrum picking up my copy of Halo 3 yesterday and I stopped into the O2 store to see if they had gotten them in yet.
They had, but only the 16GB model. So I figured, if I’m forking out €299 for an iPod, why not future-proof myself size wise. A weak excuse I know, but it helps me sleep etc.
Clearly, I snapped like a dry twig. And it’s everything I expected. My singular criticism is the lack of an external speaker. I honestly think that would have made all the difference. As for further, more detailed thoughts, I’ll report back when I’ve had a week to play with it..
Let me get something straight from the outset. Robert Mugabe is an evil dictator who deserves to be ousted. A literal headcase who managed to get his grubby little hands on a country. Literally.
But, given his lunacy, he is in a mildly unique position. His country, being outside “the gang”, is totally independent of the USA. Not like us. The Taoiseach is so far up GW Bush’s arse that he could massage his tonsils and probably would if Georgie asked nicely.
In a way you can’t blame Ahern, as a nation we’re pretty reliant on US business interests and if that means letting a pile of Marines and Navy SEALs through Shannon, then so be it. I don’t agree, but I can at least see the thinking behind it.
But as I said, Mugabe is under no such restriction, so it was nice to see him use this unique position by essentially telling George Bush to shut the fuck up.
In case you don’t know the background, the other day a few of the world’s leaders gave speeches to the UN General Assembly. I honestly don’t know what the reason was, but it happened all the same. When it came time for Georgie boy to give his, he neatly skirted the two failed wars he has started in the last 8 years (one without UN approval). He did however harp on about how Mugabe is a nutjob who should be stopped, citing his Human Rights record as one reason for what a shit he is.
Now, as I said, Bush is not wrong in this regard, but seriously, it’s like a 40 a day smoker giving out to someone who only smokes when they drink.
So, no iPhone for Ireland. At least for now anyway. But it occurs to me, when you look beyond the hype, it’s not really that good a phone. Technically anyway.
Look at it -
No 3G
Might not be an issue for the average user, but I’m pretty data heavy. Having to rely on EDGE is just not an option.
2 Megapixel Camera
OK, this is slightly nitpicker, but for €399, you could get phones with a much better camera. The N95 is €250 odd and it has a 5MP camera with a Carl Zeiss lens.
No MMS
Picture messaging has been a standard of phones in Ireland for ages now. To simply drop it boggles the mind. I don’t understand why this insanely basic function has been left out.
The ringtones thing
Seriously. It’s a freaking iPod and you can’t just use any old song as the ringtone? Not only that, but in order to use one of the “special” songs on iTunes, you have to buy it (fair enough), but then you’ve to pay another 99c to use it as a ringtone. And even if you don’t want to use an iTunes ringtone, you can’t just record a noise (I dunno, a baby laughing or a dog barking) and use that. It’s a joke.
So, why?
Now, credit where credit is due. The UI is revolutionary. The touchscreen is genius. The handset itself is another gem of Apple design. But this leads me onto my main point. I can get the 3 best features and save myself €100 if I get an iPod Touch.
So, why wait for an iPhone? Answers on a postcard. Or in the comments box, whatever floats your boat.
On a side note, this guy has a lot of faith in Apple Design -
At the risk of angering the ever wise Manuel, I feel I must inform the world of a new policy of mine.
First of all, let me get one thing clear. When I eat in a nice restaurant and I receive service above and beyond the norm, I am more than willing to tip appropriately.
However, and here’s where my policy kicks in, if I choose to pay with Laser/Mastercard it is not out of some perverse pleasure of mine to use technology, it is because I have insufficient cash on my person to fully meet my financial obligations to the establishment and it’s staff. Therefore, if you skip the prompt on the Chip & Pin machine which allows me to show my personal appreciation in a financial way, then you my friend don’t get a freaking cent of tip. Not an iota.
I have stuck to this a lot recently despite a sincere desire to reward the personnel in question and I hope it can start a mini-revolution in the service industry. It won’t, but a boy can hope.
So, it looks like Apple are going to announce the arrival of the iPhone to the UK (and maybe all of Europe).
Wait and see folks, wait and see.
With work in England for the week, so posts may be thin on the ground.
Normal Service resumes next week!
So, Apple geeks do have the power to revolt against the gods of Cupertino!
That’s right. Just two months after the release of the iPhone, Jobs realised that it was well overpriced and lacking in certain key areas. And cut the price.
So, if you were a Loyal Apple-head, you just got skanked for $200. Ha ha. But as the article above says, if it’s only store credit, why stop at $100?
Has the Master of Cupertino lost his Midas touch?
Just for you Steve, wherever it is you are!
Right, so felt like a change. And of course, I do have fancy techno-ways of tracking these things, it’s just easier if you tell me what you think of it?
So, someone reply or I look like a plonker…
