Category Archives: Random

Why I Caved on the iPhone.

Posted on by jesskry
2

imagesYes. Yes. Its not a vicious rumor. I, Miss iphone-is-the-devil, will receive my own iPhone today. Here’s the thing:

My contract with Cingular was up in August. I had originally planned on purchasing another BlackBerry, upgrading from my old 8700c. After months of research, I had settled on a Curve 8320, with its Wi-Fi capabilities and sleeker look.

Then I started to waver. Perhaps I really could afford the BlackBerry Bold. Why not make the leap for the 3G, even though, I’m still unsure if I really need it. Will I really watch videos on my phone? I barely watch videos on the computer. Hmmm…

I decided to let it come down to price. As part of extending my contract, the Curve would have been $249 upfront with a mail in rebate for $100. Who actually puts that $100 back on their credit card? Not I. I decided not to chance it.

The Bold was a refurb and $199 with a contract extension. Being unsure about the size (its a bit larger than my current BB and the Curve I was considering) and what I’d be paying for (basically 3G and video) and my uncertainty for my need of such, I didn’t purchase anything for a long time.

Then, I decided to look at phones outside of my Blackberry preference that could still do what I needed. I was very surprised that the iPhone was only $99 (refurb, 8G) and that the data plan would cost the same as my Blackberry service.

Why was I so anti again? Oh yeah, the keyboard and the prevalence. I tried a co-worker’s iPod touch and decided that as more and more technology goes the way of the touch screen, I do myself a disservice by not learning how to use it.

What do I use my BB for anyway? Twitter, Facebook, Email, Texting, Scheduling, Surfing and sometimes, calling. I realized that with the amount of surfing I do on a daily basis the ease of the iPhone coupled with the 3G technology would be a huge benefit to me. The iPhone seemed to fit all of my needs at a lower price point.

I wouldn’t use the iPhone for music as I prefer that to be separate. But for all other purposes it would work just fine and is a fun toy. Did I need a ‘non-toy’ BB? Not really. Did I hold out more so for the lemming factor? Yes. Am I scared of the keyboard slowing down my quick Twitter wit? Definitely. Is all of this worth sacrificing a 3G connection and the chance to learn something new?

No.

iPhone users, were you an immediate ‘go’ on your phone or did you need to be convinced? Hold outs, how long was your lag time in getting into the touch screen?

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When You Exist Primarily Digitally, What Happens IRL?

Posted on by jesskry
3

stk-fgr6 I’ve noticed lately that I’ve become somewhat of a hermit in the eyes of my non-digital friends. My ‘in real life’ (IRL) peeps. I wonder if this is detrimental or if its only made to feel that way by those who just dont get the benefit of virtual friendships.

Dont get me wrong: I’m by no means sitting home all day every weekend chatting or xboxing with people across the globe as my main point of human contact. I still go out on the weekends. I still catch the occasional post work drink with coworkers both past and present. I’m still entertaining in my home and meeting people offline in the dating world.

If you’re like me, you know a large number of people online that you may have never met. Not yet, or maybe, not ever. Does that make these relationships less real? Are they one dimensional? Are they just ‘pretend’ or ‘play’ friends? I’d argue not. But some people may have you thinking of yourself as Sandie Bullock’s character in ‘The Net’. Kinda sad. Too much food delivery and not enough interaction. But that was the 90′s and now these types of relationships proliferate and people need to update their judgements.

Some of my online peeps are more involved in my life than some friends I live close to. Some comment more on my virtual existence which bleeds into my ‘real’ life  (blogs, Twitter, Facebook pics and posts, etc.). Lately, I’ve spent more time Tweeting TV shows, football games and social outings with online peeps that they’ve become my main base of contact. But here’s why: I have the ability to always be connected. Sad as that may sound, with the cold, harsh winter taking its toll on my outings with friends, and my recent lukewarm feelings for phone conversations, Tweeting/Facebooking/Texting have become the norm even with IRL peeps.

My argument is that I’m more connected to people than ever. Just because I’m not face-to-face doesnt mean that my interactions are any less fulfilling. I know more now about more people than ever before because I can be updated in real time. I can comment on things that I may not normally have known or be told because they get caught up in the minutia of every day life. I’d argue that I feel closer to more people with minimal effort. I’d ask my non-connected friends why they arent?

So: what is ‘real life’? How do you feel about your digital existence?

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Secret Millionaire: Aren’t We All?

Posted on by jesskry
4

04_28_36-pile-of-money_web1OK. I’ll admit it. I was excited about the premiere of Fox’s new reality series ‘Secret Millionaire’. For those of you who have a million and one better things to do, I’ll fill you in: a few Millionaires willingly give up their status to go undercover to live in poverty. They meet other people and at the end reveal that they really aren’t who they say they are, and they give a deserving person $100,000 of their own money.

I’m a sucker for reveal shows, and as I sit here watching this, I realize, ‘arent we all capable of doing something similar’?

What do you have, a skill, a talent, a connection, or some other item in your life that you might take for granted? Something that’s a part of who you are, be it a group of friends, good business connections, or a higher than usual knowledge of social media?

What if we all noticed a little more those around us who we could benefit with things that are commonplace in our lives? How much would it mean to someone else to provide them something that we have and can stand to share?

In this economy and holiday season, take a closer look around and consider reaching out and giving back something. You’d be amazed how much it is appreciated, and what it could blossom into.