Can I have your fanciest most expensive car please?

Today I saw a man and his wife return two smartphones because they were "too much" for them.  Now, please do not immediately assume I am going to judge people to try another step beyond their comfort zone for technology.  I applaud that.  I encourage people to step a little outside of their comfort zone and try something new.  However, I think one should utilize the resources they have available to them to learn the new technology.  It drives me nuts when someone assumes that by touching their new toy telekinetically they'll know how it works - the user manual just uploading to their brain through touch.

Today's witnessed return and my personal resulting frustration with people's lack of desire to learn - the American need for instant gratification - made me wonder...what if we bought everything the way we buy technology?

Can you imagine someone walking onto a car lot and telling the salesperson they want whatever is the latest and greatest?  How many sports cars would be stalled before leaving the car lot?  How many would get on the interstate unable to handle the power of the engine?

Can you imagine someone wanting to learn how to shoot a gun?  They walk into the store telling the salesperson they want the one that does the most.  How many high powered semi-automatic guns with laser scopes and more be sold to people firing a gun for the first time?  Can you imagine the emergency rooms?  "The, uh, gun had a bit too much kick back for me."

Even sporting equipment could be an example.  High priced top of the line skis, snowboards, bicycles, golf clubs and more could all be bought for their name, their features, their price point and more simply being "too much" for the customer.

Here's my thing.  Don't buy anything you're not interested in learning how to use.  Don't waste a salesperson's time if you're not going to ask questions.  Don't buy something based on anything but your needs.  People, it is a waste of resources - all resources - to buy something just to return it a week later.  Ask questions, utilize resources provided to you, seek out additional resources and take the time to learn how to use what you bought.  Nobody buys cars, guns, sporting equipment or anything else simply because it's the newest one with the most features unless they have an idea of what they're doing with it.  Use the same common sense when buying consumer electronics.

Mobile Web Server

Previously I mentioned a mobile web server/website. It's not gonna happen. I'm not sure I understand the benefits and point to it. If I want to blog from my phone, I can simply message into Blogger. If I want to post photos, I have a number of ways of doing that. If I want people to know where I am, I use Google Latitude. And, if you want a photo of where I'm at, text me. If you don't know my number, it's not hard to find...or, I don't know you so you shouldn't be able to request a photo.

All and all, it seems like a waste of memory on my phone and energy for management. I will continue to try new services and technologies crossing mobile, computer and internet...a mobile web server will just not be one of them.

I'll try to remove the sidebar link soon...just not right now.

Integration

I'm trying now to better integrate my presence online. I am on Facebook and Twitter, but I'm trying to incorporate all of my different things on here, my personal website. So, while I haven't been posting like I said I would, I have been on here doing stuff. You'll notice I've added my Twitter postings to the top. That way even when I'm not making a full blog posting, you'll still see my "micro-posts."

I'm also working on a mobile website. I tried this years ago to no avail but have decided to try it once again. Technology has improved as has my mobile device. I've added a badge on the left side of the page linking you to my mobile site. I'm not making any promises, but we'll find out together how it'll all work out.

Apple iPhone vs Nokia N95

Now I know I love my N95. And, I'll readily go head-to-head with any Apple enthusiast (although I don't think many listen to what is being said back) about why it's better than the iPhone. And, while many non-Apple enthusiasts are just hating on the iPhone I recognize a few things it brings to the mobile industry. First, their touch screen out-does any plasic stylus touchscreen on the market. Also, the user-interface is slick. Finally, Apple successfully introduced to the US market what the mobile industry does all around the world. They sell phones at full price but as feature-packed convergence devices. They didn't do anything new; they just got the US public to get it for once.

The point of this post is to say that someone summed it up just right. Thanks to Darla Mack's post reference, I read the almost perfect quote...

"The iPhone is for consuming content, while the N95 is for creating it."

This is why sometimes talking to an iPhone owner just doesn't make for a constructive conversation. We're arguing the same points from different sides of the table, and I don't mean Nokia vs Apple. I say, "but your phone only has a 2mp camera!" And I usually get back, "so what!" All this time I thought it was ignorant banter when in reality it really didn't matter to them. So, I'd like to say to Jonathan Greene of Atmaspheric Endeavors...thank you. I get it now. I only hope everyone else takes a moment to digest your thoughts as well.

Oh, I still like my N95 more! :)

Gotta Love My N95

This is why I love my phone, or as Nokia calls it and I do most days, my multimedia computer. It is so true. This is why people are loving the Apple iPhone. I'm not going to get into an argument about the iPhone as I have plenty of thoughts on it. The truth is: Nokia has been doing convergence (multiple devices all in one - i.e. phone, camera, mp3 player, pda, etc) for years. In fact they're taking it further and further.

Okay, long story short...I was reading one of my favorite blogs, IntoMobile by Stefan (previously RingNokia). He referenced a Nokia video. It spoke to me.

The world is changing. Mobile phones are so much more than the American public realizes. They're not scary; they are everything in your pocket. I love it. If you can imagine it, it can be done even with a phone.

Watch. Let me know what you think!

Just Stop Talking...Gone

As you may or may not know about me, I'm not good at keeping in touch with people. I tend to get caught up in my day-to-day life. More often than not, people call me not I calling them. I think in addition to being wrapped up in myself - which I know is not a good quality - I hesitate at calling people out of fear of interrupting their life. Maybe fear is too strong of a word, but the people I reach out to most often are those whom I know their schedule or I can text confirmation that now is a good time to talk first.

That being said; there is a disconnect in this world - possibly but hopefully not just with me - where people just stop calling/writing/dropping by. I can think of three people instantaneously that have drifted away without notice or reason. Of those three people I know one made the last call to me. I didn't return it for whatever reason. He never called back. Now I don't think I even know his number. He was a colleague from a job who shared an office with me. It wasn't like we dated or were best friends, but he was a friend.

The other two that I'm referencing today puzzle me a bit more. One was a best friend and the other I did date. One week we're talking and/or hanging out and the next week nothing. This nothingness has continued for months. It's to a point that I'm assuming unless we cordially cross paths on a random street later in life the relationship is over. (Please note: I am not denying my role in any relationship, but confused in general on this concept.) Why would you end any relationship with just not talking again?

Has this process been used on anyone else? Have you called once, twice or so many times it's awkward just to give up assuming they'll call when they have a chance only to never hear from them again?

In today's day and age, how can you lose track of anyone? How can it be impossible to keep in touch, especially if that individual is reaching out initially to you?!? What with telephones at home, work and your pocket and computers also at home, work and everywhere else; I'm sure everyone has at least one number to be reached at and/or an email address. And heaven help us if those don't work; last time I checked we still had a US Postal Service which delivers HAND-WRITTEN mail to peoples' homes.

I again admit that I am the epitome of awful at keeping in touch, but I'm saddened by the relationships that have washed away with time and lack of communication and nothing more. It's hard enough to lose people to fights, death, change and every other reason that severs relationships, but to lose more simply because you never talk again leaves a person a little empty and questioning what happened.

Am I the only one to lose friends, colleagues, associates and such to nothingness, or have you to? Any thoughts to this phenomenon?

Feedburner & Jaiku

Well, as you may or may not have noticed, I added Jaiku to my left sidebar. I recently joined Jaiku for a few reasons. First, I'm always trying out the different things available to Nokia users, especially the N95, so I'm prepared for questions at work. Oh, and I want to have those cool things on my phone too. Second, the idea of Jaiku intrigues me. The idea behind "micro-blogging" fits my lifestyle very well. Maybe I don't have time or ideas to blog about more than once or twice a week. With Jaiku I can give mini updates all the time with only the time of a text message. Finally, Jaiku is another community that I can network, socialize, and drive more traffic back here to my blog.

So, interestingly enough I added Jaiku to my sidebar and within 48 hours my blog subscriptions shot through the roof from 1 to 12. What a high! I thought it was great. Sadly enough this afternoon I checked my stats again and the subscriptions have dropped to 6 already. What did I do or not do to lose them so quickly?

Oh well, life and blogging and now micro-blogging must go on. If you have ideas as to what happened with those crazy stats jumping up and then dropping down right away again, let me know.

What communities other than Blogger are you a part of to cross-drive traffic? Do you add widgets to your blog? How has that affected your traffic? I'm interested in what your opinions are and your experiences. Thanks for sharing!

Oh, one more thing...do you like the Jaiku widget on the side? Thoughts?

New Phones for the Boys - Updated

Mike, Jay and Bruce got their new phones at work. All of them got the N80i, which is a pretty sweet device. I didn't get one due to a shipping mistake; I already have an N73 from a while ago that I gave to Suz. She loves it; I just wish I could get her to trust the camera more. But, she is a camera addict. You can't blame her for having high expectations and favorite devices. How about you? Are you into cameras and photography? Do you have a favorite device, if so, what is it?

Update: I reposted this so the photo was the right direction. Sorry about the mix-up.

Adding to Blogroll

I'm adding a little to my blogroll. I have to admit I don't have people beating down my door to be added. But, that doesn't mean I can't list some of my favorite blogs. Now yes, the two I've added today are work related. Besides writing about mobile technology, they are great writers and have intriguing personalities.

Stefan just joined IntoMobile after successfully launching blog for 6 months in his free time. Now the lucky sucker gets paid to do it. You should check out his latest posting; he hopped a plane to Finland for personal and professional reasons. I wish him the best.

Darla has been writing about Nokia, phones, S60 and everything else mobile for going on 3 years. She has her own pizzazz that she adds to the mix. One of my favorite things about her is the fact that she's a woman. In fact she posts links to a blog about women in mobile. I won't rant now, but it drives me nuts that people assume technology needs a man. I can't even count how many times people have disregarded me at work to talk to one of the guys just because I'm female.

Okay, this was supposed to be about Stefan and Darla not me. :) Now, you may notice that I'm writing about them like I know them. I wish I could say I do, but I don't. What is important though is that they're honest and intriguing in their writing, so you're able to get to know a bit of them right away.

Well, enjoy! Let me know if you read either blog and what you think. Also, the invite still stands...if you'd like to be linked, let me know your site. I'll check it out, add it, and talk about the addition in my next post.

Did you know?

Did you know it's Christmas? Yes, I know it's May. And, yes, I know it's only for me. And finally, yes, I know it's not nice to rub it in other people's faces (i.e. you). But, I'm so excited!

Sometime this week I'll be getting the Nokia N800 AND the Nokia N95. Also in the near future a new Nokia BH-801 bluetooth headset should be showing up. Okay, I think a few of you had your eyes glaze over. This all may mean nothing to you, but if you only knew, you could appreciate this.

First, the headset isn't that exciting except it's a perk for work. I already have a bluetooth headset I love and two more backups. I'm thinking of posting pics in the near future.

The N800 is an internet tablet. It's WiFi based and will simply serve as a toy for at home and work and anywhere else I could be bored with WiFi. I'm also hoping to compress some videos and use it as a media device for Bella when we fly to Colorado for vacation. There will have to be about a million things there to entertain an 18 month old on a airplane; ideally Blue and Dora will be a couple. PS-this is free too. I took a perk from work and traded it for something I wanted more. Shh...don't tell. :)

Finally (cue Alleluia Choir), the Nokia N95. For some of you more technically inclined (yes, geeks), you are probably shaking your head at the obviousness of this. But, for those of you not, let me spell this out. This is a mobile phone convergence device, or as Nokia calls them, it's a multimedia computer. I'll spell it out: phone, GPS, 5mp camera, mp3 player, podcast player, video recorder (DVD quality), internet (WiFi), bluetooth, PDA capabilities (calendar, contacts, sync to computer, etc), email...do I need to keep going? Oh, it has a $750 price tag. Yeah, I'm getting it for $0. Let's just say compensation for some empty or slow moving promises at work.

Okay, so it looks like I get a lot of toys for free. Yes, it works out that way, but it's not usually all at once. Things usually happen once or twice a year, if the company or client decides to toss a perk at us. It just happens that everything built up from delays, and they're all coming in at once, hence, Christmas.

I'm done clicking my heels and screaming, "yippee!" Alright, I may do it once they show up, but I'm done on here. Thanks for dealing with my uncontrollable urge to share.

Test of Mobile Blogging

This is Mike. He works with me. He doesn't know it, but he was my test subject for mobile blogging.