by Don Rose
This YouTube show impressed me with its humor, down to earthness, and the fact that Peter Mehlman (who I always considered a very funny writer but not really an on-air kinda guy) may have a bright future as a talkshow host if this web program catches on (and let's hope it does).
Everyone complains about ads these days and uses all manner of gizmos and gadgets to avoid them (TiVo, anyone?), but twas an ad that revealed this comedic gem to me. Two words in that ad attracted me enough to click over and watch: "narrow" and "Mehlman". "Narrow" made me laugh inside due to the inside joke (narrow as opposed to ABC's famed Wide World of Sports). And Mehlman will be a familiar name to those who fanatically love "Seinfeld" (and who doesn't); he became well known as one of that sitcom's top writers.
Now, with "Peter Mehlman's Narrow World of Sports", it appears that Peter may be set to follow in the TV footsteps of that other aging, bald(ing), Jewish (I assume) comic genius from "Seinfeld" -- Larry David.
Mehlman's show is sponsored by the Palm Pre. They do work it into the show, but it is mostly subtle and brief in the episodes I've seen. I have only used Palm's ubercool smartphone a few times, but I love its look and feel (yes, it fits well in your Palm - and it's easy to operate with one hand), plus the Pre features a super sharp screen, a mini QWERTY keyboard (big plus over the keyboard-less iPhone) and crystal clear call quality. Palm threw a fabulous party a few weeks ago at Raleigh Studios to launch the Pre, featuring Seinfeld's Jason Alexander as MC, with a standup headliner named... Jerry Seinfeld! So, it appears Palm enjoys utilizing the talents of the folks behind the most successful sitcom of all time. Time will tell if the Pre does as well in the cell world. It faces stiff competition, but so did "Seinfeld" when that show debuted. It started its NBC run well behind its competitors and took several years to find its audience - and high ratings. I hope Palm has similar success, because we need strong competition in the technoverse in order to spur innovation. An Apple-only phone/pod world would be like, well, 1984... right? Or did I mis-doublespeak?
Okay, enough tangents. Check out Mehlman's marvelous mirthmaking interviews for yourself... here is his YouTube channel with archived episodes (new ones arrive each week):
http://www.youtube.com/narrowworld#play/uploads/0/0qKSi4pqD9o
I especially enjoyed Peter's fun dialogue with Danika Patrick... often hilarious:
Peter also induced oodles of humor while talking with Olympic champion Shawn Johnson:
Showing posts with label mobile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mobile. Show all posts
Friday, September 4, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
TOP TWELVE BETTER NAMES FOR THE IPHONE
Commentary by Don Rose
The great irony of the iPhone is that the Phone part is now but one small sliver of what this device does. People seem to spend much more time doing the NONphone activities afforded by the iPhone than the phone part. The sprouting of thousands of applications for this device makes it, as Leo LaPorte says, more of a mini superportable computer than a phone, something worthy of a new category of device.
Perhaps, then, the iPhone needs a new name.
At least that is what iThink. Here are my iNitial iDeas:
iRony - see first sentence above.
iVerything - since it does, just about, everything.
iKnow - with the iPhone, you truly can know it all, you know-it-all -- thanks to the net connection and all the apps.
iApps - again, the apps is the haps; they truly make the iPhone the versatile wonder that it is.
iAll - you can do it all, in the palm of your hand (sorry, Palm, if you think I'm Pre-mature).
iT - since this really is the current "it" device. Plus, iT can also stand for "internet technologies" or "integrated tech".
iThink -- therefore, I app. See, I even wrote a new ad slogan for you, Apple.
iThere - the i(nternet) is, like, there! And it takes me there. There, another new name and slogan. You taking notes, Apple?
iDo - since users truly are married to this device, and it lets you do almost anything.
iLoveit - users do.
iDeal - since the device really is ideal for most people, and it is a great deal for what you get.
iFun - my favorite new moniker of them all. Listen: iFun even sounds like iPhone!
There you have it. New names for the iPhone that better fit its awesome, broad capabilities.
And as for Apple itself, well, maybe they need a new name too. A subtle change. Like... APPle.
The great irony of the iPhone is that the Phone part is now but one small sliver of what this device does. People seem to spend much more time doing the NONphone activities afforded by the iPhone than the phone part. The sprouting of thousands of applications for this device makes it, as Leo LaPorte says, more of a mini superportable computer than a phone, something worthy of a new category of device.
Perhaps, then, the iPhone needs a new name.
At least that is what iThink. Here are my iNitial iDeas:
iRony - see first sentence above.
iVerything - since it does, just about, everything.
iKnow - with the iPhone, you truly can know it all, you know-it-all -- thanks to the net connection and all the apps.
iApps - again, the apps is the haps; they truly make the iPhone the versatile wonder that it is.
iAll - you can do it all, in the palm of your hand (sorry, Palm, if you think I'm Pre-mature).
iT - since this really is the current "it" device. Plus, iT can also stand for "internet technologies" or "integrated tech".
iThink -- therefore, I app. See, I even wrote a new ad slogan for you, Apple.
iThere - the i(nternet) is, like, there! And it takes me there. There, another new name and slogan. You taking notes, Apple?
iDo - since users truly are married to this device, and it lets you do almost anything.
iLoveit - users do.
iDeal - since the device really is ideal for most people, and it is a great deal for what you get.
iFun - my favorite new moniker of them all. Listen: iFun even sounds like iPhone!
There you have it. New names for the iPhone that better fit its awesome, broad capabilities.
And as for Apple itself, well, maybe they need a new name too. A subtle change. Like... APPle.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
NOKIA 6263 CELLPHONE HITS SWEETSPOT OF FEATURES: 3G, 1.3MP CAMERA, VIDEO, MUSIC PLAYER, XHTML WEB, STEREO BLUETOOTH & MORE; T-MOBILE'S 2ND 3G PHONE
Tech Review by Don Rose
I just renewed my T-Mobile contract for another 2 years, since I have been extremely happy with their combination of customer service, call quality and overall coverage in the LA area (very few dead spots or dropped calls, especially in the past year). And thanks to an extremely friendly/helpful Joel in T-mobile's Customer Loyalty department, I got a lot of perks for reupping my contract, including: a free NOKIA 6263 cell phone (more on that baby below), free shipping and handling, waived $18 upgrade fee, and even a free month credit on service (worth $39.99 on my plan, which continues to be 1000 anytime minutes per month plus unlimited nights and weekends, an unbeatable deal if you shop around).
The Nokia 6263 lists at $199 and is normally $49 or so when you upgrade, but since I told Joel that many companies offer similar or better phones gratis, he was able to get me the 6263 for free. (One example of the plethora of free deals out there: you can currently get money back - yes, beyond free - when you order a T-mobile Shadow smartphone via Amazon.com -- once you sign up for T-mobile service through Amazon, of course; I didn't do this since I would have had to end one contract and start another (a hassle), which also means an activation fee, and a plan that cannot match the one I have now.)
I'm telling you all this to help you in your decision process, should you be near the end of your contract. Let me know your experiences. Now on to the phone...
How is the Nokia 6263? Excellent. It packs a lot into a reasonably small size that passes The LA Report's Pocket Test (fits easily, and jacks are located on top to avoid cord hassles). I like the fact that, for a clamshell phone, it has just about every feature you would want in a phone. Not always the best at each feature, but decent-to-excellent on most dimensions, especially when it comes to what cell phones are really about, after all: call quality. (One feature where the 6263 IS the best is its display: over 16 million colors, TFT, a big bright and sharp 2.2 inches of visual va-va-voom; no other phone in this price range came close.)
Another sexy selling point: the 6263 is one of only two T-mobile phones (as of this writing) that is 3G capable. With higher speed 3G cell service rolling out across the country, this phone's 3G capability makes it future-focused (T-mobile already has 3G in New York, and I was told Los Angeles should have it by the end of 2008). What does 3G mean? Better call reception/coverage (because the frequency used is higher, hence the signal penetrates more areas, even if dense with buildings)... faster web downloading... and, according to phone specs on cnet.com , "3G Services / Included Services: Video Call". Wait -- did I actually see the words "Video Call"? Can it finally be here? Wow. We can't wait to try it. (I assume other callers must have 3G too to do Video Calls, but since 3G is coming fast, expect most folks to have it by year's end or sooner.)
Even without 3G, the Nokia 6263 has a winning combination of features. We especially like the dedicated music controls on the front of the closed clamshell (play/pause, back, frwd), which lets you play tunes when the phone is closed (e.g., in your pocket) and is suitable for airplane playing (they even call it Airplane Mode). These outer controls are located just under the large color external display, which is also pleasing and good for self-shots using the 1.3 megapixel (MP) camera, which takes good photos (despite the so-so MP rating). There is also an FM radio built-in (the included wired headset acts as the antenna), with many presets possible. The phone box also includes a 512MB microSD card, for storing and transporting tons of data (songs, video clips, photos, and other digifiles), and the phone's microSD slot (smartly located on the left rather than inside under the battery, like some phones) can accommodate SD cards up to 4GB. You can also sync with your PC (and Microsoft Outlook), by using the included mini-USB cable to hook the 6263 up to your PC and running the free PC Suite software that Nokia makes available on their website.
Final note: since July 1st officially launched California's Hands Free Only While Driving cellphone law, and since stats show less accidents overall when drivers keep both hands on the wheel during cell calls, the 6263's Stereo Bluetooth capability can literally be a lifesaver.
Nokia really covered all the bases with their 6263 cell phone. It simply has the best sweetspot of features I have seen in any phone of this size and price. For more info on the Nokia 6263, including an informative video overview of the phone and its features, click on this PhoneScoop.com link: http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=172.
I just renewed my T-Mobile contract for another 2 years, since I have been extremely happy with their combination of customer service, call quality and overall coverage in the LA area (very few dead spots or dropped calls, especially in the past year). And thanks to an extremely friendly/helpful Joel in T-mobile's Customer Loyalty department, I got a lot of perks for reupping my contract, including: a free NOKIA 6263 cell phone (more on that baby below), free shipping and handling, waived $18 upgrade fee, and even a free month credit on service (worth $39.99 on my plan, which continues to be 1000 anytime minutes per month plus unlimited nights and weekends, an unbeatable deal if you shop around).
The Nokia 6263 lists at $199 and is normally $49 or so when you upgrade, but since I told Joel that many companies offer similar or better phones gratis, he was able to get me the 6263 for free. (One example of the plethora of free deals out there: you can currently get money back - yes, beyond free - when you order a T-mobile Shadow smartphone via Amazon.com -- once you sign up for T-mobile service through Amazon, of course; I didn't do this since I would have had to end one contract and start another (a hassle), which also means an activation fee, and a plan that cannot match the one I have now.)
I'm telling you all this to help you in your decision process, should you be near the end of your contract. Let me know your experiences. Now on to the phone...
How is the Nokia 6263? Excellent. It packs a lot into a reasonably small size that passes The LA Report's Pocket Test (fits easily, and jacks are located on top to avoid cord hassles). I like the fact that, for a clamshell phone, it has just about every feature you would want in a phone. Not always the best at each feature, but decent-to-excellent on most dimensions, especially when it comes to what cell phones are really about, after all: call quality. (One feature where the 6263 IS the best is its display: over 16 million colors, TFT, a big bright and sharp 2.2 inches of visual va-va-voom; no other phone in this price range came close.)
Another sexy selling point: the 6263 is one of only two T-mobile phones (as of this writing) that is 3G capable. With higher speed 3G cell service rolling out across the country, this phone's 3G capability makes it future-focused (T-mobile already has 3G in New York, and I was told Los Angeles should have it by the end of 2008). What does 3G mean? Better call reception/coverage (because the frequency used is higher, hence the signal penetrates more areas, even if dense with buildings)... faster web downloading... and, according to phone specs on cnet.com , "3G Services / Included Services: Video Call". Wait -- did I actually see the words "Video Call"? Can it finally be here? Wow. We can't wait to try it. (I assume other callers must have 3G too to do Video Calls, but since 3G is coming fast, expect most folks to have it by year's end or sooner.)
Even without 3G, the Nokia 6263 has a winning combination of features. We especially like the dedicated music controls on the front of the closed clamshell (play/pause, back, frwd), which lets you play tunes when the phone is closed (e.g., in your pocket) and is suitable for airplane playing (they even call it Airplane Mode). These outer controls are located just under the large color external display, which is also pleasing and good for self-shots using the 1.3 megapixel (MP) camera, which takes good photos (despite the so-so MP rating). There is also an FM radio built-in (the included wired headset acts as the antenna), with many presets possible. The phone box also includes a 512MB microSD card, for storing and transporting tons of data (songs, video clips, photos, and other digifiles), and the phone's microSD slot (smartly located on the left rather than inside under the battery, like some phones) can accommodate SD cards up to 4GB. You can also sync with your PC (and Microsoft Outlook), by using the included mini-USB cable to hook the 6263 up to your PC and running the free PC Suite software that Nokia makes available on their website.
Final note: since July 1st officially launched California's Hands Free Only While Driving cellphone law, and since stats show less accidents overall when drivers keep both hands on the wheel during cell calls, the 6263's Stereo Bluetooth capability can literally be a lifesaver.
Nokia really covered all the bases with their 6263 cell phone. It simply has the best sweetspot of features I have seen in any phone of this size and price. For more info on the Nokia 6263, including an informative video overview of the phone and its features, click on this PhoneScoop.com link: http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=172.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
2008 OSCARS & STEVE JOBS MACWORLD KEYNOTE IN 60 SECONDS (THANKS, MAHALO DAILY!)
Mahalo Daily with Veronica Belmont presents Steve Jobs' Apple Keynote in 60 Seconds. Also recommended: Mahalo's "OSCARS in Sixty Seconds".
Some things (especially Internet inventions) have a habit of becoming instant essentials. Such is the case with Mahalo's "X in Sixty Seconds" feature (for various X's), my new fave video thingamabob! What a timesaver. And, another benefit: easier to remember the key points, since those are all you see! Think of it as a highlighter pen for video. Of course, editing is crucial for this to work, and Mahalo's editing is nearly perfect. Even humor gets injected in the mix with the Apple keynote video. First we see Apple CEO Steve Jobs hitting the main points of his 90 minute keynote (key new stuff: 1 terabyte AirPort+harddrive combo, $499, can backup all your Macs wirelessly; software upgrades for iPhone and iPod Touch; new Apple TV with no computer required to use and can rent movies in HD; iTunes movie rentals: 3 to 4 bucks each, you get 30 days to start, then 24 hours to watch; new ultrathin MacBook Air laptop, fits in manila envelope). Then we're treated to 2 seconds of Randy Newman (sings "You've Got a Friend In Me" - yes, just those words). Finally, the icing on the cake: a few seconds appending adoring Apple adjectives adjacently. Oh, if only life could be condensed like this sometimes.
Some things (especially Internet inventions) have a habit of becoming instant essentials. Such is the case with Mahalo's "X in Sixty Seconds" feature (for various X's), my new fave video thingamabob! What a timesaver. And, another benefit: easier to remember the key points, since those are all you see! Think of it as a highlighter pen for video. Of course, editing is crucial for this to work, and Mahalo's editing is nearly perfect. Even humor gets injected in the mix with the Apple keynote video. First we see Apple CEO Steve Jobs hitting the main points of his 90 minute keynote (key new stuff: 1 terabyte AirPort+harddrive combo, $499, can backup all your Macs wirelessly; software upgrades for iPhone and iPod Touch; new Apple TV with no computer required to use and can rent movies in HD; iTunes movie rentals: 3 to 4 bucks each, you get 30 days to start, then 24 hours to watch; new ultrathin MacBook Air laptop, fits in manila envelope). Then we're treated to 2 seconds of Randy Newman (sings "You've Got a Friend In Me" - yes, just those words). Finally, the icing on the cake: a few seconds appending adoring Apple adjectives adjacently. Oh, if only life could be condensed like this sometimes.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
(Jott from Don Rose) This is a test message to see if the Jott service will transcribe this message a...
"This is a test message to see if the Jott service will transcribe this message and post it on my blog called the LA report blog. If hopefully will work if you are reading this now." | Interested in joining Jott?Jott is a free service that turns your voice into tasks, e-mail and text messages. Go to www.jott.com or just call (866) JOTT 123 |
Saturday, September 29, 2007
MOBILE: METROPCS - $35/MO, UNLIMITED CALLS
Yes, the ad on the back of CityBeat said unlimited calls, even long distance, $35 per month. Not sure if there is a catch, but you can learn more at www.metropcs.com, which said:
MetroPCS's cell phone coverage allows more than 3 million subscribers great, flat rate plans with unlimited minutes, no signed contracts, no activation fees and your first month of service FREE! MetroPCS is among the first cellular service providers to deploy an all-digital network based on third generation infrastructure and handsets. Cell phone coverage includes many top markets like Atlanta, Florida, Dallas, Detroit and California.
Note that the ad listed contact phone numbers for cities that all had one thing in common: being on the outskirts of Los Angeles -- fringe adjacent cities -- so perhaps coverage is one issue to check on if you live in the main areas of LA. Their coverage map actually looks okay, but will be much improved once their "planned expansion" is completed. We also noticed that this map mentions what may be a roaming fee - a cost in certain areas for "travel talk" - so perhaps that is a potential catch to what otherwise sounds like a great deal. We hope that MetroPCS will at least spur more competition and lower prices on other cell services.
MetroPCS's cell phone coverage allows more than 3 million subscribers great, flat rate plans with unlimited minutes, no signed contracts, no activation fees and your first month of service FREE! MetroPCS is among the first cellular service providers to deploy an all-digital network based on third generation infrastructure and handsets. Cell phone coverage includes many top markets like Atlanta, Florida, Dallas, Detroit and California.
Note that the ad listed contact phone numbers for cities that all had one thing in common: being on the outskirts of Los Angeles -- fringe adjacent cities -- so perhaps coverage is one issue to check on if you live in the main areas of LA. Their coverage map actually looks okay, but will be much improved once their "planned expansion" is completed. We also noticed that this map mentions what may be a roaming fee - a cost in certain areas for "travel talk" - so perhaps that is a potential catch to what otherwise sounds like a great deal. We hope that MetroPCS will at least spur more competition and lower prices on other cell services.
Friday, September 28, 2007
TECH: NEW ARMANI/SAMSUNG CELLPHONE with ALARM: sends text msg to friends/family in case of rape/emergency
The Giorgio Armani Samsung handset, unveiled at Milan Fashion Week before the designer's spring-summer fashion show, uses cutting edge technology to ensure the world's most safety-conscious mobile. The credit card size designer mobile phone comes with an in-built 'rape alarm' function which can be activated from a pocket or even handbag. The phone automatically sends an SOS text message to five pre-programmed family or friend phone numbers, alerting them to danger. By pressing an easy-to-locate volume control button four times in quick succession - which can be done through jeans or any heavy material including leather - an automated emergency text is sent. Received within seconds, the recipient can then call the phone, allowing them to gauge the situation and respond accordingly by calling the police. From here, the mobile's GPS tracker system can be activated to locate the owner's exact position.
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