Being Enchanted

I'm a fan of technology and good design.  Despite being enchanted closely to Apple products, I do not consider myself as a full fledged Apple fanboy.  It so happened that Apple makes products that also look good.  I love shiny things.  Shiny things attract attention.  The point on where I'm driving at is that I'm easily enchanted with stuff that are attention grabbing.

On the iPad
The iPad was not love at first sight for me, but it never failed to enchant me every time I discover something new through its apps or processes that made my life easier and more enjoyable.  During the launch of the iPad, I even boohooed its name and the fact that it's just a big iPod touch.  However, the more I use it now, the more I sing praises for it.  And so goes with the other stuff in my life, that I'm quick to pass judgement upon.

On kids
Have to admit that I'm not a big fan of kids, not until Aiden came along.  I often find kids to be annoying -- they cry a lot and they have very little patience on everything.  When Aiden was born, my world turned 360 degrees the moment I first saw him.  Not sure if it's the paternal instinct or not, but I was enchanted the moment he came out into this world (I was filming the event when it happened).  He's pure and full of delight that he never failed to enchant me.  Perhaps it's because he is the version 2.0 of myself.  I see myself in him, that I can even say he's several times the enhancement of myself (when I was his age).

On both instances, whether it's with the iPad or with my son, it's the element of surprise that enchants me more than the shiny aspect of it.  Or is the surprise that makes it shiny to begin with?  This is something that I wanted to learn and very much aspire to achieve.   Curiosity has drawn me to read Guy Kawasaki's new book, Enchantment.  I've just finished Chapter 1 and has a long laundry list to read.

Paparazzi! for OS X

Here's something that I didn't even know existed, until I had the need to take a snapshot of our company's webpage.

Paparazzi! is a small utility for Mac OS X that makes screenshots of webpages.  You can find this to be a very handy tool, especially when you need to archive an entire page and not only limited to a portion (that can fit inside your browser's window).

Try the free app by downloading it here.

Snapshot of the blog (March 27, 2011)

Notes (for iOS)

The Notes app is the single most important thing that caught my attention and eventually led me to purchase an iPod touch.  It used to be my go-to scratch pad for jotting things quickly -- it even became the place where I log my personal expense report.  Despite that, not everything was pretty about it.  It's a built-in app that nobody paid any attention -- chances are, you may not have used it on a regular basis.  Not until iOS 4.2, the only way to sync was through USB by iTunes.  Since then, things have changed.  Notes transformed itself from being an ordinary wallflower into one of my indispensable apps (often times even better than several paid ones).

Mediafly Mobile

On an iPod or iPhone (in my case it's my Blackberry Curve), it made sense for me to carry my latest podcast download to listen during commute.  Ever since I bought my iPad, I have yet to load a single podcast episode into it.  I don't see any sense for me to listen podcasts on a bigger device like the iPad.  Music maybe, but not a podcast.

While browsing around the App Store, I stumbled into an app/service called Mediafly.  It streams and manage web media subscription across multiple platforms.  Think of it as the Netflix for podcasts.  Want to change the list of your subscription?  You only need to manage one location and it will sync to multiple web active devices.  The iPad app itself allows you to view live streaming content like TWiT Live.

Google: Beyond Search

The web is Google's main business.  The more people use the web, the more money will find its way to Google's pocket.  That's why Google is everywhere.  Google gives away lots of free stuff just to make it easier for you to use it -- Google Web Apps, Android, Chrome, etc.  What will they do next to keep you inside their ecosystem?


Honeycomb and Everything After
Android 3.0 (a.k.a. Honeycomb) marks the beginning of Google's  reign.  It's not all about Android tablets, even if we're deeply lusting over the Motorola Xoom.  Let's face it, the hiring of Matias Duarte (former Palm webOS designer) was no coincidence -- it was destiny.  The Android that we currently know will be getting a more sensible interface and it's how future Android based devices (smart phones and appliances) are going to look.  This is how important the changes in the Android interface is going to be (and a good move for Google by hiring the guy who designed one of industry's better mobile interface).

Changes (and more to come)

After coming back from blogging hiatus, I thought I've already settled in for "Point + Tap".  Apparently, The Inorganic Widget is more appropriate for the blog moving forward (think the good ol' days of Zen Garden).  Not to mention that it sounds better.

Organizing the E-mail Clutter

Starting a new life?  You've probably been procrastinating all your life.  If you decided to get into the program, read up.  The thing I hate to see the most is a cluttered desk.  Call me OC (if you will), but everything works smoothly when things are organized.  From folders to iTunes library, I have everything arranged for finding stuff easily to maintain a neat and livable desktop.  You may argue about the availability of universal search tools (like Spotlight for the Mac), but nothing beats a clean and tidy workspace.

Tale of Two Tablets

There are a slew of tablet devices that are available in the market today (not to mention there are more to come next year).  Are you in a dilemma on which tablet to get?  To begin with, there are only two major tablet devices (so far) that are worthy for your attention - namely the Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab.  Both of them have almost the same feature set, but they are running different operating systems thus giving you two different approach in user experience.  Fortunately, I was able to try both devices in order to determine the strong and weak points depending on your intended usage.  The content of this article may change as early as January of next year, but this is my impression for both devices by far.

Scosche Carbon Fiber Folio Case for iPad

As vocal as I have ever been on my declaration of love for the Marware Eco-Vue, the search for the perfect iPad case is long from over.  This time meet Scosche's Folio Case for iPad.  If Marware's Eco-Vue is all about classiness with a more familiar design, the Scosche case is all about being sleek, bold and sexy.  No wonder it's JARVIS' current suit (dubbed as JARVIS' superhero suit).

Look at how thin an iPad (with a case) can get.

Scosche Folio Case highlights all the iPad's curves and lines as if there is no case installed.  It's mainly made of injection molded hard shell to cover only parts of the iPad that needed covering (when it needs to be covered).  Comparing to cars, the Eco-Vue fits more of a classic sedan while this Scosche Folio case was designed to be the convertible coupe - the top disappears whenever it is not needed.  Scosche should have named this as the Folio Convertible Case instead.  To complete the coupe analogy, did I mention that it comes with carbon fiber trimmings?

What iOS 4.2 really means?

It's been several weeks since the most awaited update for iOS devices was released.  After playing with it for awhile, I can say that it certainly is a breakthrough even though it's not as polished as I would imagine it to be.  iOS 4.2 brings over 100 new features to the iPhone, iPod touch and especially the iPad.  Many would say that the most important 4.2 features are having Multitasking and Folders finally available to the iPad, but for me they are only superficial enhancements to the platform.  Don't mind having Folders, but the Multitasking feature is more of app switching than anything else.  The more important (yet underrated) features for this update are AirPlay and AirPrint.  These features will change what mobile devices would be able to do from here on out.

Across the world and back.

After a month long hiatus, I can say I'm back.  Had a two-week mid-October vacation in the Philippines to relax and unwind.  During my vacation, I bought a bluetooth device that I've been constantly using day in and out.  Finally, I've felt more liberated by going wireless all-the-way (sounds kinda dirty, but it's not).  In case you're curious on what it is, it's the Hisense HB440H bluetooth headset.  This headset supports A2DP, AVRCP, and Hands-free for your phone.  Being tangled up during the morning commute is no longer the case.  Looks good, sounds decent.  Since then, it's been paired with my BlackBerry Curve, MacBook and JARVIS.  Think of it as an ordinary looking headphone that also controls your devices when permitted (making you less of a bluetool than ever before).  The HB440H is known as the Subjekt Pulse here in North America (if you're interested).  If you're in the Vancouver area (Canada), there are several units available at Simply Computing.  (FULL DISCLOSURE: I work there).

Hisense HB440H

Onto the other big news that happened during the past week, Apple just released iOS 4.2.1 for all current iOS devices.  This update brings the iPad up to par with both the iPhone and iPod touch.  So far, enjoyed playing around with the new features and will write about what it means for technology moving forward.  Hint: This brings the desktop computer to the truck era.

Rescue Dogs: The Future of Mobile Ads

Marware Eco-Vue for iPad

As of this writing, my iPad sports a folio case by Marware called the Eco-Vue.  It's as versatile and as good looking as a case can get. Although at times, I felt envious with people who carry their iPad with the Apple iPad case (which looks more like what Batman would use).  If the Apple iPad case looks so sexy, why did I end up getting a more expensive (yet conservative) case like the Marware Eco-Vue?

On Social Culture ...Asian Style.

Quoting from Tony Hsieh's book Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose (discussing on the social values of Asian culture in general, while talking about his own parents):

"The accomplishments of the children were the trophies that many parents defined their own success and status by.  We were the ultimate scorecard."

Funny how things never changed, only the venue becomes sophisticated.  It used to be that family guests would come to our house and we (among children) would entertain them by song and dance.  Fast forward to the Facebook age, our bragging rights (as parents) are the achievements of our kids through photos and videos posted on the social website (and I myself am guilty of it as well).  Promise to not talk about socials and Facebook again on the next post. :-P

The Power of Social

Disclaimer:  This is not a movie review of The Social Network.  Although I've just watched it, its more entertaining and insightful to read Jeff Jarvis' take on the film (after listening to this week's episode of This Week In Google).

We had our weekly family lunch last Saturday on a restaurant where we always order that same 'ol fried chicken dish (it's Taiwanese fried chicken, not KFC).  I checked in with Foursquare (as I always do) and read what people were talking about the place.  Care for suggestions?  Yes, I've found an entry talking about this spicy beef noodle soup (紅燒牛肉麵).  Turned out my wife had ordered it before I've even asked.  As a foodie herself, she regularly visits this famous local food blog.  After trying the noodle soup, I should say it's good and was glad that she ended up having me finish it.  If I haven't checked the Foursquare recommendation, I wouldn't even dare try it (no, not to that effect though -- I like food and all but emotions would not be amplified to this level).  If it wasn't for the blog post, my wife would not even have ordered it.

Moshi iVisor AG Matte Protector for iPad

At first, I was skeptic on what can a $30 screen protector offer that a sub-$10 can't.  Besides the nice packaging, the quality of the Moshi iVisor AG is evident that this is no ordinary screen protector that you can pickup from any local mall kiosk.  Most better quality protectors utilize static to cling onto the surface of the display.  Problem is it's very hard to install especially on a display as big as the iPad (with the challenges of pursuing a speckle and bubble free right-through-the edge installation).  If you haven't done any previous screen protector installation, you may end up spending the same cost but with a mediocre finish.

Meet JARVIS

It's been a month since I decided to jump into the tablet scene by getting myself an iPad.  The story behind this is even boring than the founding of Facebook, but for the sake of logging the event on my journal, I decided to share it instead.

Where to begin?  January 27, 2010 - Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced iPad - a magical and revolutionary product at an unbelievable price.  After the announcement, I thought do I really need one? An iPad? What a name!  Since the device was unappealing to me at first, I concentrated on getting myself an iPhone instead.  At that time, I was still using my iPod touch (named Potts -- short for Pepper Potts).  Why an iPhone?  I wanted a decent camera phone that could post photos online (while doing some socials on the side).  The thing that kept me from owning one was the dreaded data plan.

Ubiquity of The Network

Was reading about an iPod touch 2010 review article, where the writer was complaining about the lack of 3G option, and this idea struck me: What could be the next big evolution in mobile computing?  Think about having cellular service available on every electronic device that you own. It's going to be as ubiquitous as a network Ethernet port or better yet a WiFi adapter by which most devices nowadays have them already built in.

Hello World 3.0

First was Zen Garden, then came TouchMe Notes. This is now my third attempt at blogging and it is a mashup of both sites. Zen is more what I do now with Twitter and TouchMe is more of my journal when I switched over to the iOS platform.  When you combine both and filter out only my thoughts in more than 140 characters, the result is Point + Tap.  Hope you will find this useful.

Fast forwarding to September 2010, I ended up getting a BlackBerry Curve and an iPad.  My iPod touch became a dedicated Bejewelled machine that my wife has sole custody of.  Last year, I got myself a Kindle for reading (promised myself not to contribute more carbon footprint by avoiding to purchase any form of dead tree literature).

As a last note, TouchMe Notes now ceased to exist and has been burned and buried to the depths of the interwebs (although it was not as bad as the last album of Aldous Snow).