Apple Store Visit

So I took Rob's advice and compared the MacBook Pro 13" vs 15" at my local Apple Store yesterday. It appears Apple really improved the screen to match the 15" model. If there was a difference, I sure couldn't tell. Gizmodo (who did a good screenshot review of the last generation) seems to agree with me as well.

For some reason I can't explain, the 15" looks absolutely huge compared to it's smaller sibling. I almost questioned why would someone want something so big when it's supposed to be a portable device. That was until I opened up Final Cut Express on both systems and I instantly saw how cramped the 13" display was. If you are going to work with any sort of video editing package in a remote location, you absolutely have to get the larger model (even the 17" wouldn't be out of the question). For myself I only plan to edit at home connected to my 20" Cinema Display so I'm still going with the 13", once I get final work approval.


I noticed an employee putting new price tags on the 1GB Time Capsules. There were no 500GB boxes on the shelf, but I suspect they removed them earlier that day to make room for the 2GB model (which I saw no stock of).


I also saw one copy of the recently discontinued Shake 4.1. I checked the box out and it had some cool pics of what it could do. I have to admit I'm not very knowledgeable about this product but I would be interested to know why it was dropped from Apple's Pro software lineup, especially after they took the time and money to aquire the company that created it. From what I understand Apple even gave it big price drop during it's last update. If anybody knows the real story please give a shout out.


One of my favorite things to do in the "Store" is to secretly listen to all the side conversations going on. One lady was getting a Personal Training Session on what appeared to be Microsoft Word 2008 (it could have been Pages but I didn't stare long enough). I chuckled as one the Apple staff was asked by another customer what QuickTime was. The employee didn't give a great answer as he said it had something to do with Apple movies, but the customer finally nodded her head with understanding when he explained it was the big blue "Q" icon. Stuff like that is pure gold!

Alternative Twilight Ending

Another pic I found funny. Now this would be a Blade movie I would enjoy watching!

Comic Con

Well, I'll be heading to comiccon in a little while and will post on YouTube when o get the chance. Stay tuned!

Total Solar Eclipse of 2009

Later this morning, many parts of Asia will experience a total solar eclipse lasting as long as six and a half minutes. I'm fortunate to be currently living in the southern part of Japan where totality should reach around 97 percent (Wednesday, 10:57 JST).

I've read reports of earthquakes and other doomsday scenarios but I'm quite sure everything will be fine over here. I'll try to take a photo and post it to Flickr whenever I get the chance.

Xbox Live

I recently signed up for the Xbox Live Gold membership. I actually was considering getting the 13-month deal Amazon had but kept debating the $45 dollar price. Microsoft must have heard my complaints and offered a special $1 rate for 1 month. I was eager to try the relatively new Netflix streaming service and therefore jumped at the chance.

After less than one month of usage, I watched a few Netflix movies and the quality wasn't all that great (worse than DVD and with only 2 channels of audio). To be fair, the quality is dependent on how fast your internet connection is and although I have FIOS, I'm getting internet access to my Xbox via Powerline connections, which isn't the greatest. So the the streaming service is convenient yes, but it would never replace the Blu-ray/DVD's I rent from NetFlix so I ended up canceling the service today.

I expected a big fight but it really wasn't that bad as some people have posted on the internet (although it stinks you can't cancel online but have to call Microsoft). I was put on hold but only for a few minutes and the operator tried to counter some of my arguments for canceling but I held firm and she gave me a verification code and stated the cancellation was complete. Still it seemed to be easier than canceling an AOL account!

If I upgrade to Gold again, it will definitely be with the prepaid card that doesn't require me to call Microsoft if I don't want to autorenew. Most likely when Valve releases Left 4 Dead 2 so I can multiplay with the Kruddster.

iVideo

No, not some application but the iPhone video on the new 3GS.

I love it! I'm not sure I'll be wanting to post vlogs, but I most definitely like posting on YouTube for sheer ease and convenience! BTW, while in YouTube, just type in kruddster in the search bar and you'll see what I've posted.

Though I agree with some reviews about the editing needing more sophistication, I am happy that I can trim something out. Yes, too bad it's good for trimming the beginning or end and nothing in between, but it's better than nothing imho.

The most surprising thing is that it actually looks very good. Sure in some lighting areas it has somewhat of a hard time, but all in all they did a great job with the quality finished vids you shoot. The 3mp camera is so much better than the old camera. I didn't think it would make that much of a difference, but as usual, Apple delivers! Why am I surprised after all this time?

Oh the apps!

So many apps I want and maybe too many I've wasted time on!

So, greatest thing to come about in the age of the cell? App Store! Who made it great? Apple! I curse you, you wonderful creative thinking corporation that makes me spend money I don't have!

I recently downloaded Tweetdeck (free!) and now I'm addicted to twitter! Stupid free apps! Curse you also! I'm having a blast on twitter and I don't know why. I say that because most of my posting and followings have been political and politics don't make me happy! Ironic, eh? Sadness.

On another note, Gary (yes, my bro!) turned me onto a niffty little app called pUniverse, aka pocket universe. GPS astronomical app that points which direction you are facing showing you the sky and what's out there in front of you, day or night. Obviously very helpful when you can actually see the stars... but in any case, very cool astronomy app! Love it!

Another app I downloaded is Emergency Radio for all those who like scanners and listening to police and fire dept calls! I saw it, thought why not and lo and behold, it can also be addicting! Not only does it scan the local area, but places all over the U.S.! How cool is that?! Too cool!

And one other app I'll mention is My Gov, which fills you in on government happenings in the House and Senate plus, now get this, a listing of all, yes all, your congressmen and senators and how to contact them! But wait, there's more! You can also see state by state spending! And the best part is you can voice your concern/opinions directly from the app in the community tab! Now we can get mad at our politicians in a very easy manner! I don't know why I'm so excited about this app, I keep using exclamations! See?

And of course, for another blog some other time, I have a few games. But that will take it's own space and time!

MacBreak Weekly

After many months of not listening to any podcasts during my daily commute due to a broken audio cable, I finally got back in the swing of things. I used to be an avid TWiT listener but Rob got me into MacBreak Weekly and I've been trying hard to catch up on the most recent shows. I noticed that Leo is still buying Mac hardware right before Apple releases a new version. Doesn't this guy ever read MacRumors before he purchases?

In one of the recent episodes, Andy Ihnatko recommended an application called Flexibits as his Pick of the Week. It allows you to choose what application (if any) to open when you connect a digital camera or iPod Touch/iPhone which acts like a digital camera. Now I don't have to close iPhoto everytime I sync my iPod Touch. Thanks Andy!

R.I.P.

One of our greatest entertainers has recently passed at the tender age of 50. No I'm not talking about MJ, but rather Pennsylvania native Billy Mays. Love him or hate him, he's probably most famous for those Oxy-Clean commercials and his booming voice. Him and fellow pitchman Anthony Sullivan had recently starred in a Discovery Channel show called "Pitchmen", that coincidentally is airing it's season finale tonight.

Why do I bring this up? Well It's no secret that I'm a big fan of late night infomercials and Billy was among the elite. I don't exactly know why I'm drawn to these ads, it's a toss up between the horrible acting or the pure cheese of it all. Perhaps it was the fights between him and his arch rival Vince Offer selling the ShamWow but no matter what I enjoyed it.

At the local county fair I look forward to listening to the traveling salesmen hawking anything from a Salsa maker to a 15 piece Japanese knife set. Annel gets mad cause I sit down for most of the presentation, then promptly leave without buying anything when its time for the close. My response is that my presence there helps draw crowds as it creates interest for bystanders, whether artificial or not.