Okay, maybe "almighty" is something of an overstatement, but I sure am digging this little piece of technology. I'll be the first to admit that the iPhone was purely an impulse purchase for me, a toy. Joyce's daughter, Shannon, got one and was showing it off to me at a Sens game a couple of weeks ago. I already had a 2004 model Samsung camera phone that I rarely used as I simply have little need for a mobile phone. Being self-employed now, I rationalized the purchase based on being more accessible at work, pretty weak justification at best.
Anyway, one week to the day after buying the thing, I feel like I could hardly live without it. It's never far from my side, and I've only made/received a couple of phone calls so far. And therein lies the beauty. The iPhone is a prime example of how technology is converging. It's a phone, a camera, a video recorder, an internet access and email tool, a GPS, a music and video player, and much more. Does it replace the need for dedicated devices for those purposes? Of course not. But it does put a whole lot of functionality in your shirt pocket.
As might be expected from Apple, the interface is very intuitive, so you're up and running in no time. And if you have trouble figuring something out on your own, help is only a couple of taps away. The only thing I haven't quite sorted out yet is responding to forwarded emails, but I suspect that has something to do with SMTP settings. I also should have been a little more aware when synching, as I inadvertently sucked down over six years worth of email contacts. Yikes! Battery life is a concern for some (Dave), but so far so good for me. Mine is set to enter sleep mode after 1 min. of inactivity, and I think that probably helps. I suspect the display probably drains a fair bit of juice while active.
I wouldn't have expected going in that I'd be interested in many apps, but I've been very pleasantly surprised by what's available. Many of them are free, and most others are very inexpensive. Not only that but they're tiny so they don't take up much memory space, and download lickety-split. I debated about springing the extra $100 for the 32GB model but, for now, I'm glad I stuck with the 16GB. My music collection is larger than 32GB anyway, and that's what the iPod is for (though I have no love for iTunes, but that's another blog).
And speaking of music, a shout-out to Slacker Radio. Jim's sister, Beth, recommended this dynamite little app that allows you to create personalized radio stations. I know there are similar PC based programs, but this is my first experience with one. Just pick an artist, and Slacker Radio creates a very intelligent playlist around it. I had the iPhone running through the stereo for several hours yesterday, flipping from one custom station to the next. Joyce loved it (she was bouncing around the kitchen!), and I discovered a few cool bands in the process. Apparently, the free subscription to Slacker Radio is only good for 30 days in Canada (no such limitation in the U.S.). Unfortunate as that is, the app is so good that I'll glady pony up the $4 per month to continue it when the time comes.
I'm still undecided over whether the iPhone is a productivity enhancer or a productivity waster. The truth probably falls somewhere in between. Either way, it freakin' rocks!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
IGN loves The Secret Armory of General Knoxx
IGN scores the latest Borderlands DLC an 8.8:
"If you enjoyed Borderlands and still wanted more, then definitely download The Secret Armory of General Knoxx. The main story line is still a blast even if you go it alone and some of the side quests will challenge the most hardened team of Boarderlands veterans. This is by far the best of the three add-ons for the core game, and the most fun I had since I completed the main game last year."
It's gonna be a while before I dive into this with God Of War II on my plate right now, but it sounds terrific.
"If you enjoyed Borderlands and still wanted more, then definitely download The Secret Armory of General Knoxx. The main story line is still a blast even if you go it alone and some of the side quests will challenge the most hardened team of Boarderlands veterans. This is by far the best of the three add-ons for the core game, and the most fun I had since I completed the main game last year."
It's gonna be a while before I dive into this with God Of War II on my plate right now, but it sounds terrific.
It's a new car!!!
The time has finally come for me to bid adieu to my faithful and much loved 1999 Subaru Legacy GT. Jim may remember the day I got that car. It was Sept. 10th 1999, the day we first met face to face. I picked it up on the way to meet him at the airport. We’ve been through a lot together these last 10 ½ years and it’s going to be tough to let her go. But there should be plenty of life left in her yet, and at least she’s going to a good home…Joyce’s younger daughter Heather and her family, who are VERY excited about finally having wheels.
I’ve been thinking about a replacement vehicle for about a year now, and it was an extremely tough decision. The obvious choice was another Subaru, in this case the Impreza 5 door, but I also really liked the Mazda 3 Sport (I owned a Mazda prior to the Subaru, and loved it). I deliberated between those two models right up until the end. The big attraction of the Subaru was sticking with AWD and a brand that had proven extremely reliable for me. OTOH, I preferred the styling of the Mazda (though the Impreza is no slouch in that dept. either), and found the bells and whistles a little more alluring. In the end, sex appeal won out over utilitarianism, and I opted for a Mazda 3 Sport GT-E. I’m a little apprehensive in moving from a manual to automatic transmission (so Joyce can drive it), but curious about the 5 speed sport mode automatic.
While I’m pretty excited about taking delivery of the Mazda, it’s tempered somewhat by having to say goodbye to the Subaru. At least the old gal is staying in the family.
I’ve been thinking about a replacement vehicle for about a year now, and it was an extremely tough decision. The obvious choice was another Subaru, in this case the Impreza 5 door, but I also really liked the Mazda 3 Sport (I owned a Mazda prior to the Subaru, and loved it). I deliberated between those two models right up until the end. The big attraction of the Subaru was sticking with AWD and a brand that had proven extremely reliable for me. OTOH, I preferred the styling of the Mazda (though the Impreza is no slouch in that dept. either), and found the bells and whistles a little more alluring. In the end, sex appeal won out over utilitarianism, and I opted for a Mazda 3 Sport GT-E. I’m a little apprehensive in moving from a manual to automatic transmission (so Joyce can drive it), but curious about the 5 speed sport mode automatic.
While I’m pretty excited about taking delivery of the Mazda, it’s tempered somewhat by having to say goodbye to the Subaru. At least the old gal is staying in the family.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
God Of War Collection = masterpiece
The original God Of War games (GOW and GOW2) were available exclusively on the Playstation 2. They were quickly hailed as some of the finest action games ever created on any console. I finished the original GOW and made it about halfway through GOW2 (loving every minute of it) when some other big releases came out and got me sidetracked. Sadly I never returned to it. But with Sony releasing both games as the God Of War Collection on the PS3, I have the chance to play both games again and to complete GOW2, this time in HD. The game still has a bit of that old PS2 look; the graphics have simply been updated a bit to HD but they are certainly not an eyesore in the least. The only time the graphics really look sub-par is during the cut scenes. The audio is terrific and most importantly, the spot-on gameplay remains.I am about a quarter way through GOW2 and it is every bit as wonderful as I remembered. The scope of the game is amazing. Some of the sets are bigger and better than anything Hollywood has dreamed up. The story is epic, with Greek mythology coursing through it's veins. I have the strategy guide and it's terrific as well. Not only does it tell you all the little secrets of the game, it gives you full details on all of the Gods and creatures you encounter throughout. It is really well made and adds a lot to the game.
If you have never experienced the God Of War games, I urge you to do so. The GOW collection is a great value, 2 excellent complete games, and long ones at that, at one reduced price. And with God Of War III on the way in March, you may want to find out what the fuss is all about before that game owns your soul.
(Please be advised that these games are purely intended for mature audiences.)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
New Borderlands DLC out today!
Shacknews.com was the first to report (that I saw, anyway) that the new DLC for Borderlands, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx, would be available today for download for the Xbox 360 (Playstation Network will get the DLC on the 25th). Awesome news! Priced at a reasonable $10, the new DLC is by far the biggest yet. From the press release:
- Almost twice the size of The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned
- A brand new class of ultra-rare/kick-ass weapons
- New vehicles including one that allows for four players to drive and inflict damage and deal out death
- An exciting story line that picks-up where the original game left off
- Almost 30 new villain types
- A level cap increase to 61
- More difficult villains and smarter AI
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Potpourri for $200, Alex!
Life has gotten in the way of blogging over the last few weeks, so it's time for a long overdue update...
We've been trying to catch as much of the Olympics as possible since they started last wekend. It's a real thrill that the're being held in Canada (despite the non winter-like Vancouver weather), and very cool that the entire country is abuzz with pride and excitement over the Games and the performance of our athletes. In the end, and rather unfortunately, it will all come down to the success or failure of the men's hockey team. After an opening game 8-0 romp over Norway, they struggled mightly against a fiesty and determined Swiss team, backstopped by an amazing performance by Jonas Hiller in goal. It will all come down to whether Team Canada's star-studded lineup can develop the chemistry required over the course of a short tournament. They face a very tough test against the U.S. later this afternoon.
In gaming news, Hustle Kings and Borderlands have occupied virtually all of my limited gaming time. I'm over halfway through Borderlands at this point and still enjoying the heck out of it. I'd probably be finished had Hustle Kings not snuck up and stolen so much of my time. I'd like to make a concerted push to complete Borderlands, hopefully after the Olympics.
I also took a sneak peek at Mass Effect 2 last weekend. The visuals are stunning (especially the cut scenes), but the gameplay didn't immediately hook me. Granted, this is only based on about 1.5 hours of play, and I'm not about to render any sort of judgement until I've delved into it much deeper.
We've checked out a bunch of blu-rays over the last few weeks as well. Here's a round-up...
Braveheart
I've always felt that Braveheart is vastly overrated by a certain demographic of film fans. However, it is an exceptionally well crafted piece of work, and hugely entertaining. The DVD video transfer of Braveheart left a lasting impression on me after seeing it several years ago. As good as it was, the blu-ray transfer is simply off the charts in comparison, easily among the most impressive I've seen. The level of detail so apparent in the DVD release is taken to new heights here, and the audio track is no slouch either. If Braveheart sits as part of your permananent film collection, the new Sapphire Series blu-ray is an absolute must-own.
Kung Fu Hustle
A hidden gem of a film. Part traditional Kung Fu, part 30's gangster flick, and part Looney Tunes, Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle must be seen to be believed. The blu-ray improves on the already great DVD release on all counts, but not to the degree that some other titles do. While the picture looks terrific, it falls just short of reference quality. The audio, OTOH, is reference quality. The DTS track on the original DVD was fantastic, but I've never heard side surround imaging as strong and precise as on this very active blu-ray mix. This is surround sound as it's meant to be, folks. I'll be anxiously awaiting the blu-ray release of Shaolin Soccer (which I've yet to see). In the meantime, do yourself a favor and see this film!
Fight Club
Another film whose reputation exceeds itself to some degree. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Fight Club and will always own the latest and greatest version (hence the upgrade to blu-ray). I was expecting to be truly wowed by this BD, and simply wasn't. I can't point to any particular reason why, as both video and sound are solid. Perhaps it's more a case of the special edition DVD being so good in the first place, though I haven't bothered to take the time to compare them directly. Either way, it's tough to to give this one a hearty recommendation as an upgrade.
Leon: The Professional
Luc Besson's Leon, while not a great film, has established itself as a personal favorite. How can you not not love Jean Reno's turn in the title role and the interplay between he and Natalie Portman's Mathilda? I wasn't sure what to expect from this blu-ray going in, but came away very pleasantly surprised. This is a great looking transfer and the audio kicks into high gear when called upon, most notably during the action-packed finale. As a bonus, the disc includes both the theatrical and extended cuts of the film. Highly recommended if you love the film. And if you've never seen it, what are you waiting for?
Kingdom of Heaven
See Braveheart, above. Most of the same comments apply here. KoH certainly has it's detractors, but I'm not one of them. Love it or hate it, there's no denying that blu-ray and Ridley Scott were made for each other. The format is the perfect match for his visual trickery, and this transfer is just about as good as it gets, save for the fact that darker scenes tend to be a little compressed. No complaints about the audio either, it's every bit as powerful as you'd hope. If you're a fan of the film, this one's a no-brainer purchase.
We've been trying to catch as much of the Olympics as possible since they started last wekend. It's a real thrill that the're being held in Canada (despite the non winter-like Vancouver weather), and very cool that the entire country is abuzz with pride and excitement over the Games and the performance of our athletes. In the end, and rather unfortunately, it will all come down to the success or failure of the men's hockey team. After an opening game 8-0 romp over Norway, they struggled mightly against a fiesty and determined Swiss team, backstopped by an amazing performance by Jonas Hiller in goal. It will all come down to whether Team Canada's star-studded lineup can develop the chemistry required over the course of a short tournament. They face a very tough test against the U.S. later this afternoon.
In gaming news, Hustle Kings and Borderlands have occupied virtually all of my limited gaming time. I'm over halfway through Borderlands at this point and still enjoying the heck out of it. I'd probably be finished had Hustle Kings not snuck up and stolen so much of my time. I'd like to make a concerted push to complete Borderlands, hopefully after the Olympics.
I also took a sneak peek at Mass Effect 2 last weekend. The visuals are stunning (especially the cut scenes), but the gameplay didn't immediately hook me. Granted, this is only based on about 1.5 hours of play, and I'm not about to render any sort of judgement until I've delved into it much deeper.
We've checked out a bunch of blu-rays over the last few weeks as well. Here's a round-up...
Braveheart
I've always felt that Braveheart is vastly overrated by a certain demographic of film fans. However, it is an exceptionally well crafted piece of work, and hugely entertaining. The DVD video transfer of Braveheart left a lasting impression on me after seeing it several years ago. As good as it was, the blu-ray transfer is simply off the charts in comparison, easily among the most impressive I've seen. The level of detail so apparent in the DVD release is taken to new heights here, and the audio track is no slouch either. If Braveheart sits as part of your permananent film collection, the new Sapphire Series blu-ray is an absolute must-own.
Kung Fu Hustle
A hidden gem of a film. Part traditional Kung Fu, part 30's gangster flick, and part Looney Tunes, Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle must be seen to be believed. The blu-ray improves on the already great DVD release on all counts, but not to the degree that some other titles do. While the picture looks terrific, it falls just short of reference quality. The audio, OTOH, is reference quality. The DTS track on the original DVD was fantastic, but I've never heard side surround imaging as strong and precise as on this very active blu-ray mix. This is surround sound as it's meant to be, folks. I'll be anxiously awaiting the blu-ray release of Shaolin Soccer (which I've yet to see). In the meantime, do yourself a favor and see this film!
Fight Club
Another film whose reputation exceeds itself to some degree. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Fight Club and will always own the latest and greatest version (hence the upgrade to blu-ray). I was expecting to be truly wowed by this BD, and simply wasn't. I can't point to any particular reason why, as both video and sound are solid. Perhaps it's more a case of the special edition DVD being so good in the first place, though I haven't bothered to take the time to compare them directly. Either way, it's tough to to give this one a hearty recommendation as an upgrade.
Leon: The Professional
Luc Besson's Leon, while not a great film, has established itself as a personal favorite. How can you not not love Jean Reno's turn in the title role and the interplay between he and Natalie Portman's Mathilda? I wasn't sure what to expect from this blu-ray going in, but came away very pleasantly surprised. This is a great looking transfer and the audio kicks into high gear when called upon, most notably during the action-packed finale. As a bonus, the disc includes both the theatrical and extended cuts of the film. Highly recommended if you love the film. And if you've never seen it, what are you waiting for?
Kingdom of Heaven
See Braveheart, above. Most of the same comments apply here. KoH certainly has it's detractors, but I'm not one of them. Love it or hate it, there's no denying that blu-ray and Ridley Scott were made for each other. The format is the perfect match for his visual trickery, and this transfer is just about as good as it gets, save for the fact that darker scenes tend to be a little compressed. No complaints about the audio either, it's every bit as powerful as you'd hope. If you're a fan of the film, this one's a no-brainer purchase.
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