Verizon's BlackBerry Storm More Of The Same, Sort Of

I have to start by admitting that I’m biased toward BlackBerry devices.  They call my name in the middle of the night, I’m sure it has something to do with the bright blinking light.  No, but seriously, I like BlackBerry for business purposes and I also like that all my Google uses come with apps for the BlackBerry so I don’t have to load the weak web browser.

Before I get on about how I can’t wait for the next Verizon BlackBerry, let me first say that the Storm is everything anyone could want in a latest and greatest gadgetry device.  It feels solid in the hand, it has a large screen without feeling terribly bulky in the pocket, it sports a semi-super fast network connection, and it’s loaded with a bunch of apps for you to tinker with when it’s new or you’re bored.

Which brings me to what I really want to write about, and that’s the shortcomings of the Storm.  BlackBerry, and who knows why, insists on under powering their handhelds with slower than needed processors.  I consistently feel as though I’m waiting for the phone to catch up to whatever it is I’m trying to do.  (Perhaps we’re just too spoiled with desktops that do more by 6AM than the rest of us do all day.)  I wouldn’t expect it to be quick like a computer if it wasn’t trying so hard to act like my computer, what with its email, web browsing, and video games.  Really, must it do everything?

Lag time is my biggest gripe, but I’m also disappointed with how heavy it is.  Feels like I’ve got a pocket full of flat rocks that I’m walking around town with.  (My Curve 8310 is light as a feather by comparison.)

It’s not that I’m unhappy with the SureType so much as I’m not that interested in touch screens.  While I like that it makes for a larger viewable area, I’m usually bothered with the typing inaccuracies.  Practice has lowered my error count, but still is more time needed to send a message than when using a tactile keyboard like the Curve or the Bold.

Long story short, if you need a new BlackBerry with a 3G connection and are stuck with Verizon then go for the Storm, else, if you can handle the torture of waiting for the next, hold out for the Niagra from BlackBerry which should be out by the 3rd quarter this year.  And if you really have it in you to calm your wants, wait till the 4G networks are unloaded on the market and get your new phone next year.

In the meanwhile, this is Justin saying, “write to me if you must, but please don’t call me.”

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Verizon’s BlackBerry Storm More Of The Same, Sort Of

I have to start by admitting that I’m biased toward BlackBerry devices.  They call my name in the middle of the night, I’m sure it has something to do with the bright blinking light.  No, but seriously, I like BlackBerry for business purposes and I also like that all my Google uses come with apps for the BlackBerry so I don’t have to load the weak web browser.

Before I get on about how I can’t wait for the next Verizon BlackBerry, let me first say that the Storm is everything anyone could want in a latest and greatest gadgetry device.  It feels solid in the hand, it has a large screen without feeling terribly bulky in the pocket, it sports a semi-super fast network connection, and it’s loaded with a bunch of apps for you to tinker with when it’s new or you’re bored.

Which brings me to what I really want to write about, and that’s the shortcomings of the Storm.  BlackBerry, and who knows why, insists on under powering their handhelds with slower than needed processors.  I consistently feel as though I’m waiting for the phone to catch up to whatever it is I’m trying to do.  (Perhaps we’re just too spoiled with desktops that do more by 6AM than the rest of us do all day.)  I wouldn’t expect it to be quick like a computer if it wasn’t trying so hard to act like my computer, what with its email, web browsing, and video games.  Really, must it do everything?

Lag time is my biggest gripe, but I’m also disappointed with how heavy it is.  Feels like I’ve got a pocket full of flat rocks that I’m walking around town with.  (My Curve 8310 is light as a feather by comparison.)

It’s not that I’m unhappy with the SureType so much as I’m not that interested in touch screens.  While I like that it makes for a larger viewable area, I’m usually bothered with the typing inaccuracies.  Practice has lowered my error count, but still is more time needed to send a message than when using a tactile keyboard like the Curve or the Bold.

Long story short, if you need a new BlackBerry with a 3G connection and are stuck with Verizon then go for the Storm, else, if you can handle the torture of waiting for the next, hold out for the Niagra from BlackBerry which should be out by the 3rd quarter this year.  And if you really have it in you to calm your wants, wait till the 4G networks are unloaded on the market and get your new phone next year.

In the meanwhile, this is Justin saying, “write to me if you must, but please don’t call me.”

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Luigi's Pizza By The Slice

Get there before it closes and check out the fungarden, if you’re into that sort of thing.  Otherwise, just enjoy the pizza.

Update: When I wrote this, I meant get to convey that people should get to Luigi’s before it closed for the night, not before it closed indefinitely. As far as I know, they are doing quite well and are in no danger of shutting their doors for good.  A slice and a soda is still the way to go.

Luigi’s Pizza By The Slice

Get there before it closes and check out the fungarden, if you’re into that sort of thing.  Otherwise, just enjoy the pizza.

Update: When I wrote this, I meant get to convey that people should get to Luigi’s before it closed for the night, not before it closed indefinitely. As far as I know, they are doing quite well and are in no danger of shutting their doors for good.  A slice and a soda is still the way to go.

Adam Carolla Podcast Stealing Babies

I only found out last Tuesday that Adam Carolla would no longer be on FM radio with his radio show, which is a bummer for anyone who enjoyed listening (regularly or irregularly.)

Turns out it may not be the end of the world for those of us who have been following Carolla for years through his various shows.  The Ace Man has decided to get with it and go Podcast style.  The upside being there are no program directors screwing with the content so Adam and his guests are free to talk about and say whatever they like.  Which, based on the second show, really gives the feeling of being right there hanging out with the fellas over a couple beers and a pool table.  It’s a good time.

It’s brand new, being that he only went off FM on Friday, but the show has a lot of potential.  The initial response was strong and positive — a very good sign — so Carolla sounded much more enthusiastic in the second show.  (Helped also by the fact that he had Dr. Drew to chat with, as opposed to the first show where Adam was going it alone.)

While I’m not a fan of pre-recorded shows, it’s only a matter of time before the show takes full advantage of all the Internet has to offer, including: Skype, Twitter, and some sort of instant messaging, all making the show more interactive and giving its host more to talk/rant about.  The exact reason we all tune in.

So stop in, check it out, and load The Adam Carolla Podcast into your favorite feedreader (if you’re like me) or use a trusty mobile MP3 listening device (if you’re less like me).  However you choose to consume it, get your daily dose of the Ace Man and company!  You won’t be disappointed.

College Humor On MTV

It’d be so sad except college humor has never been that funny, so it’s rightfully gone to die on MTV.  Jake and Amir on the other hand, is a pretty funny Internet short.  It’s hard to say if it’s the rest of the cast bringing them down, or the fact that they are creating content longer than 3 mintues.  Perhaps a mix of the two.  Either way, College Humor has no place on television.

Facebook Face Tags

I do this thing where when someone tags my face in a photo on facebook I remove the tag as soon as I am reasonably able to.  Which is weird if you consider that I tag everyone I can in my picasa albums.  Except picasa is a tad geekier since it does that facial recognition thing.  I find that makes it worthwhile to play along.  So it goes.

The downside to this behavior is that sometimes people take offense to having their work undone.  (Hey, it’s my face, I’ll have it tagged as I see fit.)  But just maybe someday, or one day, I’ll go back and re-tag those photos.  We’ll see.  In the meantime, keep up with my picasa albums.

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Is It Still February?

I’ve been playing this game for almost a month now, thankfully the shortest, and I’m ready for it to be over.  NaBloPoMo runs this idea where to participate you have to post every day for a whole month or you’re out.  I like the idea in concept but there are times when I’m behind and then the writing/posting feels more like work than sharing.  Which is to say, "Either I’m not making enough time, or this isn’t worth my time."  But don’t quote me on that.  I will say that having been forced to write every day, I have definitely said some things I didn’t think I would have otherwise said.  For sure.

On the other hand, what NaBloPoMo forgets is that while I may not be blogging everyday I’m still writing every day.  Whether it’s to my email list, my pen pals, or my notebook — one way or another the words are coming out.  Of course, public writing is much different.  Indeed.

A few more days, then it’s back to a somewhat irregular posting pattern.  As was the Interweb meant to be.

P.S. I should add that this month’s theme is "want".  Right now I want this month to be over, because March is one of my favorite months and I’m anxious to celebrate it.

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