What Did I Just Say?

My buddy JQ posted his analysis of why you shouldn’t get an iPhone 4 from Verizon on his home page here.

I think he did a good analysis but there are a few technical points he missed.

1- Other 3G Android phones on Verizon have the same limitation of not being able to do simultaneous voice and data, so this isn’t an issue for existing Verizon smartphone customers looking to go to iPhone 4.

2- While all the new iPhones hitting Verizon’s network *might* impact voice calls (doubtful since probably the majority of sales will be upgrades to existing customers and not new incremental users,) the point will be rendered moot once Verizon rolls out CDMA 1X Advanced which will quadruple voice capacity on the network and allow for simultaneous voice and data calls on the network (assuming the device is capable of it more on this below.)

3- Speaking of, there are a few major technical differences between the Verizon and AT&T iPhones. First, the former does not have a micro-SIM card slot. Second, the antennas are different. Third, and most importantly, Verizon’s  uses the Qualcomm MDM6600 baseband chip which supports both GSM and CDMA networks as well as GPS. Obviously without the SIM slot and different antennas this means you can’t use Verizon’s iPhone on the AT&T network, But it does prompt the speculation – will iPhone 5 be “world” compatible? I’m sure it will be as Verizon Wireless (partly owned by Vodafone) will want it to do both CDMA and GSM for its international traveling customers.  

4 – According to this presentation – http://www.qualcomm.com/common/documents/presentations/four_fold_increase_in_voice_capacity.pdf – the MDM6600 supports 1X Advanced (which is being rolled out as part of Verizon’s LTE service) which means once Verizon completes the rollout, iPhone 4 users on Verizon will probably get an upgrade to allow simultaneous voice and data (and any other smartphones on Verizon’s network that use the same baseband chip like the Droid 2 Global, Droid Pro, etc. will also get the same capability.) I suspect all new devices on Verizon’s network will have 1X Advanced capability as well.

5 – Lastly, the most important thing he failed to mention is that there will be virtually no resale market for the Verizon iPhone. Since the ESN is in Verizon’s database and not a carrier like Sprint, Sprint will not activate a Verizon iPhone on their network unless you cloned the ESN from an existing phone on the Sprint network (which technically is a federal crime.) This means you could only resell your Verizon iPhone 4 to existing Verizon customers without an iPhone – and how many of those people would want yesterday’s smartphone technology?

Of course none of these comments have stopped massive pre-orders of the Verizon iPhone or people lining up at Verizon stores to buy them. Time will tell how it all plays out.

Wow – WTF does Apple think it is? First the whole Gizmodo lawsuit over the lost iPhone and now Apple gets Ellen to recant her lame commercial mocking the usability of the iPhone. My buddy JQ talks more about it in his blog here.

Part of the problem here is that today’s media has no teeth. In this instant Twitter/Facebook/blog this world, anyone can make a comment at any time and right away recant it. Apple’s media whores are obviously watching everything and cracking down as soon as they see something they don’t like probably with advertising threats or worse. Because they know when bad news gets out, it can catch on like wildfire if they they don’t stomp on it in a hurry.

In the “old days” when you made critical comment in a magazine it was carefully considered and researched because when you buy ink by the train car full, you had to be. And companies didn’t mess with you in the same way as they do now.

I own lots of Apple products including a Mac Mini and several iPods. But you won’t see any iPhonies or iPads in this house – EVER!

Thanks JQ for continuing to point out how annoying Apple is.

I hate driving in Connecticut. People are rude, don’t obey the rules and are discourteous. There’s a McDonald’s commerical for Newman’s Own Coffee that is specific to the area. In the commercial one guy tests another to see how “New England” he is to see if he’s worthy of a cup of coffee. He asks him to provide his immediate reaction to a bunch of one liners. One of them goes like this:

Guy 1: “Turn signals?”
Guy 2: “Sign of weakness.”

Turn signals are a sign of weakness?!? Last I checked not using turn signals is a violation of the vehicle code. Thanks McDonalds for supporting the idea of breaking the law.

I suspect that the real reason people drive the way they do here is a result of the poor road conditions. The CT DOT recently put up a sign near my house explaining the problem:

Enough said.

UPDATE May 5

Yesterday the sign was corrected and it now reads “Lane Shift Ahead”. I guess they finally cleaned the s*** off the road.

Earlier today, a former colleague from the UK, Guy Kewney, passed away from colon cancer at the age of 63. I worked with Guy when I was Editor-in-Chief of PC Magazine from 1996 to 2000. It has been 10 years since I’ve seen or spoken to Guy. After receiving the news on this side of the pond this morning, I pulled out the last issues of PC Magazine that I worked on and reread his columns. Two thoughts immediately came to mind.

First, Guy’s words are as relevant today as they were ten years ago. For example, this excerpt from his August 2000 PC Magazine column:

“When (the stock market) finally does collapse it will take my pension fund, your savings, and everybody else’s living into a stasis from which it may take a decade to recover.” At the time he was writing about the dot-com bust but his words are even truer now.

The second thought I had was that as I read his words and looked at his picture with him wearing his sailing shirt, it didn’t feel like he was gone. That all I had to do was look for his next piece somewhere out there. That he has more to say and that I shall be hearing from Guy again in the not too distant future.

Guy helped our generation learn how to integrate technology into our lives. As computers, software and communications became accessible to everyone, someone had to show us where and how it all fit together. His keen intelligence and curiosity blazed a trail which the rest of us were willing to follow. He had a unique role in that regard and given how pervasive technology is today and how our children grow up with it from an early age, I don’t think we’ll ever see anyone else like Guy again. He was there when we needed him.

Guy showed us that technology was a reflection of the thinking of its creators and that questioning the creators was the key to understanding the technology. No matter how much lab testing we did at PC Magazine that inquisitiveness was the unique element that Guy brought to the readers. And it was a role he truly relished.

More recently, he became an Internet sensation because the BBC mistook a job applicant for Guy Kewney when doing a story about Apple Computer vs The Beatles. Check out the video below:

For the four years I worked with Guy I learned he cared about the reader, technology, sailing, a pint at the pub and most importantly his family. He had his priorities straight. He missed a lot of deadlines along the way (which frustrated me to no end) but that doesn’t matter now. Unfortunately he got caught by the one deadline none of us will ever miss.

God speed to you Guy – you will be missed here in the colonies as well.

Please read these other great comments about Guy from Manek Dubash and Iain Thompson.

Conversation with my buddy Chris today about the iPad and why it won’t succeed like the iPod or iPhone (never mind the name!)

Here’s the conversation:

chris 2:50 pm
thoughts on iPad?
Viperrwk 2:50 pm
funny you ask…
one sec
Viperrwk 2:53 pm
was literally writing this when you pinged – http://blog.bkane.com/?p=125
chris 2:58 pm
I couldn’t watch the sketch – work
you don’t think the product is going to fly eh?
Viperrwk 2:58 pm
that’s ok – you can catch it later – its funny
the sketch
no I don’t
not like the ipod or iphone
chris 3:00 pm
well, as for “against” – here are my thoughts:
1) $30 a month? unfavorable to other ereaders
chris 3:00 pm
2) ATT? come on, the network sags under the current load….they need to infrastructure up
chris 3:00 pm
3) duplicates MOST of iPhone….so, not sure why people would switch to something bulkier
as for the positives:

if you don’t already have a laptop or an iPhone…it’s attractive
so…for those 6 people – it looks good

Viperrwk 3:01 pm
lol
well – part of it will cannibalize iPod Touch sales
for those that don’t want the data plan
but want the media functionality
Viperrwk 3:02 pm
the data access plan – you’re right on both counts
plus
if you want an ebook and you’re not connected to WiFi you have to pay for both the book and the data network to deliver it to you
and
Apple doesn’t have the deals with publishers in place like Amazon does
chris 3:04 pm
yet
Viperrwk 3:04 pm
doesn’t matter – being first is what gets you to change the game
Viperrwk 3:05 pm
look at all the second rate digital music sellers out there
combined they don’t sell as much as apple and itunes
and the iPad, being sold as an all-around media device will not overtake kindle as an ereader
Viperrwk 3:07 pm
the iPad can run 10 hours on a charge for reading books
the Kindle runs 2 weeks
chris 3:08 pm
well, it would be a tough call to buy an e-reader with this out there
especially depending on price
Viperrwk 3:08 pm
well
twice as much as Kindle
chris 3:08 pm
yeah, they’re going to have to do something about that
Viperrwk 3:09 pm
Kindle delivers books for free
chris 3:09 pm
or as part of the original sales price
Viperrwk 3:09 pm
assuming you only go WiFi
chris 3:09 pm
?
can you hook kindle to a computer?
Viperrwk 3:09 pm
yes
chris 3:10 pm
ah
Viperrwk 3:10 pm
and it has built-in CDMA
free access to the Kindle store
chris 3:10 pm
The bottom line is this: it’s not that much smaller than a laptop and doesn’t really do anything a laptop doesn’t – so…..
personally, I’d rather have the laptop – it’s hard for me to work touch screens
I HATE the iPhone
Viperrwk 3:11 pm

Viperrwk 3:11 pm
AT&T has said they don’t want the iPhone exclusive any more
makes their pathetic network look worse than it is
for me its priced and targeted at a very small audience
I think it will be as successful as Apple TV…

UPDATE: Just heard it also doesn’t support Flash – what a loser!

Wow – I can’t believe that Apple decided to call its new device the “iPad”. As soon as I heard the name, I was reminded of this sketch from MadTV about the new Apple “iPad.”
The sketch is great. The product itself is going to be a loser…

UPDATE: The original YouTube Video I linked to here – http://www.youtube.com/v/A1BUH9eXy18&hl=en_US&fs=1&border=1 – has been removed

Here is another one on YouTube that hasn’t been removed – yet.

I wrote this as a product review for the Sears website. I don’t know if it will get published because it talks about Sears’ poor performance in addition to problems with our new washer/dryer pair, so in the event it doesn’t – here it is for Google to pick up in search.

I should add I might not have experienced any problems if the installers were competent, but its hard to say where the problem happened here.

{{begin review which hopefully will appear on this page as well}}

The concept of this washer/dryer was very appealing to me since in theory it simplifies the laundry process so that a seven year old (of which I have two) could do laundry. Load the machine, close the door, press the pre-programmed cycle button, when the load is done, move the clothes to the dryer, press the blinking button, take clothes out, fold, done. Nothing like getting kids started early on chores and it would also be fun. Unfortunately I don’t know if my kids will ever be able to enjoy doing laundry this way. After waiting three weeks for delivery because the dryer was on back order and then another week going back and forth with Sears store/Sears home delivery/Sears service (different units within Sears that don’t communicate with each other very well), I still don’t have a working washer/dryer pair. 

The delivery crew had a hard time assembling the washer and pedestal and even though I was assured the two were connected properly, first time I went to use the Smart Dispense it said “Smart Dispense option not available”. Nothing I could do would make it work. So I did one small load in the machine loading cleaning product through the dispenser drawer and discovered the washer shakes horribly on the pedestal in the spin cycle. I suspect the delivery crew/installers did not assemble the two correctly since they admitted to me during delivery “this is a complicated unit” to which I replied “I didn’t buy this to make it easy for you, I bought it to make laundry easy for me”. As for the matching electric dryer, I had them install it with a periscope vent. When I looked behind to see how it was installed they had pushed the dryer/periscope all the way against the wall. Figuring that having a hot periscope vent right against the wall was a bad thing, I pulled the dryer out an inch and the periscope vent promptly fell off. 

After jerry-rigging the vent back onto the dryer, I ran a load only to discover the dryer was noisier than the washer. I don’t know if this is the design of the dryer or the delivery people didn’t install it correctly or a combination of the two. The dryer does have a nice feature of tumbling the clothes in both directions but that may be contributing to its noisiness.  Now I am stuck waiting for a service technician to come out to see if these issues can be corrected nearly two weeks after delivery. Chances are if any parts are required he won’t have them on his truck since these units are so new. And I’m not waiting for a replacement unit since there’s a three week wait for this washer with the Smart Dispense if you tried to buy it today. If he can’t solve the problems on the spot these units are going back and I’m getting something completely different.   Maybe GE has a great washer here – hard to say. But without properly training the delivery and setup crew to install it correctly the company isn’t doing itself any favors. My experience shows that new technology and poorly trained installers don’t mix. If you really want this W/D combination, buy it from an experienced GE dealer. Otherwise, go buy the Whirlpool Duet.

UPDATE: October 20, 2008

The Sears service technician came out this morning to look at the unit. After checking all the connections he said that he believed the cable from the washer to the SmartDispense system is bad. He couldn’t tell me if it was bad from the factory or the installers put it on incorrectly which blew something. Of course he didn’t have a new cable on the truck so these units are going back and we’ll be buying Whirlpool instead.

He also had some other interesting comments about GE washers.

1 – he never has spare parts for GE washers on his truck – he always has to go out, diagnose the problem, order the part, then return when the part arrives to complete the repair. In this instance he said he MIGHT be able to get the part in two weeks but since this washer is so new he had to call in for a part number. Oh, and the price for the replacement cable alone is $135. If you own this washer you better have an extended warranty on it. He also said by comparison he carries parts for all the Whirlpool washers on his truck.

2 – he said that oftentimes with the GE washers his experience is that he goes out, fixes something then a few weeks later something else blows. He said that too many times he’s seen this happen on the GE washers.

3 – he also said mine was the first of this GE Profile washer he’s seen – he thinks they’re too expensive and people aren’t buying them.

So there you have it. If you have one of these setups and its working for you – congratulations. If you don’t have the extended warranty call the store where you bought it and buy it right away.

If you don’t have one of these units but are thinking about buying it, DON’T! While in theory these are great, in practice, the technology and installers pose too much of a risk to you having a great laundry experience. Sorry GE – you can do better.

Oh, one final note – after five days, the above review which I posted to the Sears website still does not appear, which I suspected it wouldn’t. If you got here through Google, I hope I saved you a little grief.

UPDATE: October 22, 2008

Yesterday, Sears came and took away the washer/dryer and gave me a receipt for taking them. I went back to the store today to buy a different pair and discovered that I could not use my Sears card since they have yet to credit my account for the return of the washer/dryer and buying another set puts me over my Sears credit limit. I have to wait 7-10 days before getting the credit back and then I can buy another set. Annoying.  

Also, I’ve noticed on the Sears product page for this washer that they have just published another glowing review of it which means they have decided not to publish the review above. What a great way to treat your customers.

Cynthia was recognized by Yale Vice President of Finance and Administration Shauna King in her most recent blog post as one of the members of the engagement team responsible for pushing Yale’s F&A transformation forward. Congrats Cynthia!

OK it may not sound like much but for someone like me who hates to run, this is a pretty big achievement.

Last year for Father’s Day, I got a new iPod and the Nike+ system which allows you to track your runs. Since receiving it a year ago I’ve run 100 miles averaging three miles per run.

Once we move hopefully I’ll get to the next 100 miles in less time.

There’s been little to differentiate the two major browsers (Internet Explorer and Firefox) up to now. There’s been leapfrogging of features and functionality. There are those that decry IE because of security issues (mitigated if you keep it updated). Magazine and website reviews have to pick a winner and most of them pick Firefox (because of the anti-Microsoft press bias). But the bottom line is that there really hasn’t been that much to differentiate the two browsers – up to now.

I just installed the new version of Firefox – 3.0 – and WOW! The performance difference between it and the previous version and IE is phenomenal!

The reasons for the speed improvement are listed on the Firefox page but I’ve put them here for review:

• Speed: improvements to our JavaScript engine as well as profile guided optimizations have resulted in continued improvements in performance. Compared to Firefox 2, web applications like Google Mail and Zoho Office run twice as fast in Firefox 3, and the popular SunSpider test from Apple shows improvements over previous releases.
• Memory usage: Several new technologies work together to reduce the amount of memory used by Firefox 3 over a web browsing session. Memory cycles are broken and collected by an automated cycle collector, a new memory allocator reduces fragmentation, hundreds of leaks have been fixed, and caching strategies have been tuned.
• Reliability: A user’s bookmarks, history, cookies, and preferences are now stored in a transactionally secure database format which will prevent data loss even if their system crashes.

From a practical perspective, all I can say is that it has breathed new life into my old Dell laptop – it now loads pages like it did when it was new. I think IE will stay closed for the forseeable future…