A Google A Day...Why I'm Thinking of Switching From Apple

I'm thinking about switching to Google products...again.  Why "again"?  Because I seem to go back and forth between whether to buy Apple or Google products.  Why Google?  I already use all their cloud services to take care of my digital life.  It seems like the logical plan would be to switch to the Google devices too.  The Nexus 7 is the main cause for my recent desire to switch.  It is a pure Google device, which promises to always be up-to-date with the latest version of Android and to be the best 7" tablet out, with a quad-core processor and more.  Here's their intro video:


That, combined with the Galaxy Nexus, which would be the best Android phone available because it too runs a pure version of Android, would allow me to seamlessly switch from phone to tablet without losing information or access to my files.

The only problem I have in making the switch is the commitment I've already made to Apple.  App purchases are the biggest, and as I write this I'm realizing I don't really use many apps that cost me money, but I know they work the way i want them to work.  Really, I use the free apps like Twitter and Instagram to update my least favorite of apps, Facebook, so all my life is available to the waiting 50 people max that follow me.  I just know all my wit can not be wasted or missed.  Beyond apps, Apple's market share makes it hard to leave the devices most people are using.  From my parents to most of my coworkers, the iPhone is still the majority device.  Most of the Android people are diehards and praise their phones, but sometimes I can't tell if that's denial talking or true praise for their phones.  iPhone is everywhere and works well with other iPhones.  Android, although popular as well, does not have the market share the iPhone has.  But, maybe that's a good thing too.  Just as Apple once was the underdog, pushed to make better products, so too are Google's devices and they've continued to get better and better.  In fact, I would say from the first version to current, Android has increased in abilities and features much passed that of Apple's iOS software.

Anyway, I thought I'd post something about it.  Maybe Google will want me as a tester....ha...a guy can dream.  I actually watch a documentary last night on Google called "Inside the Mind of Google".  It made me want to work for them.  Produced by CNBC, and available to watch on Netflix or in a browser here, it was a balanced view of the company's business, weighing pros and cons on the type of business Google conducts.  With access to so much private information about so many people, Google is easily demonized.  But, I felt like from the top down, people at Google want to follow their own policies (not required by law) to protect its users privacy.  If anything, I believe I gained a deeper respect for Google and their commitment to operate within its policies and attempt to be fair, private, and reliable to its users.  If you want more on my opinion of Google, check out my old post "If I Were CEO...Google" from 2010.

BMW 1 Series M Driven With Skill On The US Bank Tower In Los Angeles

According to Wikipedia, The U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles, CA, named after "The Most Admired Bank" (see this for more info) is "the tallest building in California, the tenth-tallest in the United States, the tallest west of the Mississippi River, and as of November 2010, the 47th tallest building in the world".  Now, with all that awesome information about that awesome building and the bank that it's currently named after, would you do this?


Well, this is the BMW 1 Series M.  It is being driven by someone with more skill and more insanity than me.  Here is a little more of this driver's and the car's abilities.


Yes, I know I posted these in reverse order from their "parts", but I find the first one more crazy and; therefore, more cool.  Also, the first one lets me talk about U.S. Bank.

Head to Starbucks for a Half-Price Frappuccino

I just received a Gold Card member email from Starbucks about a deal on Frappuccinos, and I thought I'd do a little advertising for them. I may or may not be a huge fan.

According to the email, you can enjoy half-priced Frappuccino blended beverages - May 6-15, from 3-5 p.m.  Not going to lie, working where I do, in such close proximity to a Starbucks everyday, I'll probably partake at least twice during this special.

Tweet

Top Gear USA On The History Channel...and A Rant About Internet Video Availability

First, let me tell the History Channel people that they need to free up some of the video on their site.  I wanted to embed a video of an awesome, hilarious, and super entertaining scene from an episode, but they didn't allow the video to be embedded.  Why not have some of the scenes or episodes available for embedding?  I'd be free advertisement.  Check out a small portion of the episode here.

Anyway, the episode (#3) I just watched using my DVR so I could skip commercials, earning The History Channel $0.00, had a bootlegger challenge with the hosts.  The 3 hosts each had to buy a car for $1,000 (I think) and run moonshine through a set of challenges that were designed to mimic the challenges the original moonshiners faced.  This episode was really funny and amazing to watch.

I actually want to support the show.  I want the morons at the History Channel to realize they hurt themselves by not having web content of their shows.  Embedding and allowing a site like Hulu to stream episodes is a great way to continue to make money off of the show.  AND, web content makes me watch at least one commercial every break.  You can also set up embedded codes that first play a commercial before playing the clip.  This seems like a no brainer to me.

This is actually about to start a rant on how all the major networks keep pulling away from the Internet, streaming, embedding codes, and even the Google TV idea.  Why?  This doesn't seem like its a good business idea.  A site like Hulu forces the viewers to watch commercials.  Currently, I use a DVR to watch TV.  I never watch live TV because I refuse to watch commercials.  The Internet figured out a way to make me watch them again.  But, it's done in a bearable way.  The streaming sites make you watch one commercial at the beginning, which matches the other ads on the site.  Then for longer shows or videos, they add just one commercial per break.  It's short and sweet, and I do watch them.  Currently, the sites Funny or Die and Fail Blog are playing commercials for the Duramax Diesel engine and the Allison transmission that are in the Chevy Silverado.  SEE History Channel?  That's from embedded videos and streaming content.  See that major networks?  That sponsor got their money's worth.  If the Internet was utilized, advertisers would see the rewards from views.  This would drive the cost of Internet advertising up and the networks could charge more for this type of ad, MAKING THEM MORE MONEY.  Instead, every network thinks they can do it better than the next.  No one is seeing the benefit of using a site like Hulu to be the go to Internet place for video.  And don't get me started on Netflix.

Well, there's my spontaneous rant.  I really just wanted to tell my readers to watch Top Gear USA.  It's actually pretty good, even if the hosts are all really cheesy.  Night!

Tweet

My Test Drive Of The 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI

There was a point in my blogging when I thought I'd do more reporting on cars and my own opinions and impressions; including test drives, looking at statistics and specs, and being more honest about a vehicle then the sponsored car magazines and blogs.  Then I realized, I don't have time, money, or that much talent.  I have to hold down a real job, love on my family, and live a real life away from the computer.  Plus, if the manufacturers are giving you a vehicle to test drive, it's not a quick loop around the AutoMall.  When you have the vehicle for a few days, as part of your daily routine and job functions, you can really get into the handling and drive of the vehicle and write a really great (although sometimes wordy) review.

Well yesterday, after a Costco visit that went horribly wrong, where our Christmas Eve tri-tip was paid for but never made it home, I went to the AutoMall after retrieving a new set of tri-tips (I say "set" because it's Costco and you can't just buy one of anything).  I was originally going to check out the new 2011 Ford Explorer, as we are in the market for a bigger, more practical, family vehicle, but on my way around the AutoMall loop, I thought about the Gilt.com 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sale (a genius marketing idea by VW) and decided to stop at the VW dealer.  And, while my intention was to check out the Jetta, the salesman asked enough questions to realize if I was actually in the market to buy a VW, it'd be a fuel efficient commuter for myself.  He asked if I'd heard about TDI, Volkswagen's clean diesel engines. Of course I had, but I had never driven one.

The 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI

This was the Golf TDI on the lot for me.  This was the only 4-door TDI on the lot, in white, with a manual transmission, and well equipped.  It had a sunroof (I don't need), fog lamps (cool), and a rear spoiler (sweet).  It had the European style turn signals on the side mirrors and a cool feature where it gives the driver 3 blinks of the signal if a tap to the signal switch is made, rather than a full push into the on position.  It had Bluetooth that worked with my iPhone for calling, and more importantly it integrated with the iPod features.  That was great, an they still make a really great sounding stereo.  I could play music right through the car stereo, without wires or any additional configuration beyond syncing with Bluetooth.

The Drive
We took it for a spin.  Because I understand diesel is more about compression than lighting the fuel on fire, I expected it to be a little slower to respond.  Well...it was and wasn't.  The initial provision of fuel at take-off seemed to be an issue for me.  I stalled it twice in a row.  It seemed like I had to really stomp on the gas pedal to get enough diesel into the engine for take-off.  BUT, once I figured out the take-off (and I do drive a manual transmission every day so I know what I'm doing) the car got up and moved.  I loved the quickness of this car.  We were able to take it onto the freeway and I got up to speed with ease.  I did miss the instant "push you back into your seat" feeling my 1999 VW Golf 2.0 gasoline engine still provides, but I believe that's the diesel way.  I'm not saying it wasn't quick, there just wasn't the instant push.  I think it would still beat my '99 in any type of race.

The Numbers
I'm averaging between 25 and 28 MPG in my '99, which according to it's sticker is supposed to get 24 and 31 MPG.  This car boasts of 30 city and 42 highway.  That's great, but with an MSRP of $23,435 this car is over-priced. With the basic 4-door starting at $19,685 and an MPG of 23 city and 33 highway, the TDI 4-door bumps the vehicle up $3,750.  That's huge.  It would take over 9.5 years to make back that difference.  Not such a money saver when you figure that out.  Not to mention, my wife's Nissan Altima is a bigger car, handles great, has some added features over the base Golf, with similar MPG (23 and 32), and priced almost the same as the base 4-door.  If you are looking for a car that will fit the kids too, go Altima for the price.

The Verdict
Would I buy one if I had the money?  I think not.  For the price of $23,435, I'd look at a GTI or wait for the Type R that is coming.  Although the Diesel has been an interesting idea to me, the fuel savings does not afford the sticker increase.  It was a nice drive, but the instant push of a gasoline out weighs the fuel savings in the end.  Sure, my '99 is 11.5 years old, meaning I'd be into the money savings period now with the TDI, but the 9.5 years of less "get up and go" a TDI would provide would make me regret the decision.

One last thing about Volkswagen: I love them and their vehicles.  They look great, drive amazingly, get great mileage, and have some nice extras.  But they are all over-priced. I mean, they are consistently several thousand dollars over their class equals.  The 2011 Jetta is a trend towards fixing that pricing gap, but Volkswagen started as the people's car, affordable and simple.  I think they need to work harder towards returning to those roots.  Like I said, the 2011 Jetta is a start towards the pricing correction, but the rest of the brand needs to make similar moves.


Tweet

"I Am Hampton"

This is my shout out to Joe and Heather at my Hampton Hotel.  My job takes me out of town every couple of weeks, and I stay in a Hampton Hotel.  Tonight, Joe and Heather let me play the piano in the lobby for a while, and we talked about our common customer service experiences, both providing service and receiving it.  I noticed on their name badges the the phrase "I am Hampton."  I challenged them to use this phrase with their next customer.  Heather accepted the challenge and worked it into a conversation with the very next customer, telling him, "If there is anything else I can help you with, I am Hampton", (or something like that).  It was so awesome.  It was seamless, as though she says it every time.  The customer even thanked her.  Joe and I were so impressed and we both think Heather deserves a big fat raise for it.

It's a little bit of fun while I'm far away from my family.  Thanks you two.

VW Polo. I Need a Good MPG Car.

I love Volkswagen.  I started learning how to drive on my parents 1976 Diesel Rabbit.  And now I've had my 1999 Golf for 11 years and over 185,000 miles.  I love Volkswagen.

I wish there was a way to get my blog sponsored by them.  I'd sell myself for a Volkswagen.  Haha.

DEWmocracy 2 Winner

I really didn't keep up with the DEWmocracy info, after seeing the name, label design, and overall poor job my team did with the lime flavored Dew. Distortion was not as good a name as Lime Light or Sublime that I wanted. And the label design was too dark and boring to draw people to it. Also, the colors were way to similar to Original Mountain Dew, making it hard to recognize which one was Distortion. Anyway, the winner is:

Click image to enlarge

White Out actually became my favorite. It reminds me of Squirt. When I did my taste test, in seemed like a watered down version of Mountain Dew. But, when it came out in stores, it really had a good flavor that, coupled with the benefits of caffeine Mountain Dew is known for, made this a great choice of beverage. While the lime flavored Distortion was my original choice, Techy Ted and I agreed that White Out was the best. And I'm glad that it is the winner. I voted for it (sorry team).

MORTAL KOMBAT!!! Rebirth

Thanks to a tweet by @joelmchale, I saw this video for the new Mortal Kombat Movie...or at least I think it's a new movie. IMDb knows nothing. The Internet seems confused. I did see Jeri Ryan in this video so, "7 of 9" makes it seem legit. This is a Rated R preview, for "Really Creepy". Viewer's discretion is advised.

Snoop Dogg and David Beckham do Star Wars

Snoop Dogg and David Beckham do Star Wars.

Hawaii Five-O Coming This Fall to CBS

Hawaii Five-O is coming to CBS, and it looks promising. Originally, I thought this was a movie trailer, which makes me think they might do a decent job with the special effects and filming quality.

Red Dead Redemption: A Short Video Made From a Video Game...Tonight on Fox

Tonight on Fox at midnight, watch the video made from the video game Red Dead Redemption. I'm hoping Techy Ted is available for gaming on Monday. I want to check out this game. Here is the original game trailer: Here is some multi-player actual game play video: Find many more videos and more about the game here.

A1...The Next Big Thing Episode 2

Trailer Episode 1 Episode 2

A1...The Next Big Thing

www.audi.com/a1

Don't Buy What GM's Selling Now **UPDATED**

In GM's newest ad, they want you to believe they paid back all the money they owe. While they may have paid back the federal loans, they are still about $45,300,000,000.00 short of paying back the American people. On top of that is the $20,000,000,000.00 that was wiped in the bankruptcy process. If you can't tell with all those zeros, both numbers are BILLIONS of dollars. According to David Kiley with AOL: Prior to today's (4/21/2010) announcement, GM owed the U.S. government $4.7 billion and the Canadian government $1.1 billion. The U.S. government invested a total of $50 billion in GM to get the company through bankruptcy. Besides the debt, the U.S. holds $2.1 billion in preferred stock and stock warrants for a total 61% stake. The U.S. also aided GM with more than $20 billion more before the Chapter 11 bankruptcy to keep it afloat, but that money is not expected to be paid back. See the rest of his article here. The Truth About Cars says this. Don't buy what GM is trying to sell you in this commercial. They still took close to $100,000,000,000.00 from the American people. BUY FORD! **UPDATED** Autoblog added this today.

WTF Ad From Google

Quick question, what is wrong with my blog that Google sends this ad to me? (click on the image to enlarge)

Apple is Greedy. Must Be Run by Liberals.

I think that Gizmodo made some bad choices, but Apple, Inc. is just a big jerk about the whole leaked 4th Generation iPhone thing. Apparently, some sort of police investigation is under way. Whether that means Apple filed a crime report or not, I think Apple should use this as a marketing opportunity, instead of another attack on the people. See the story at TUAW. And because I think this is a well written article, take a look at the TUAW's post about the potential crimes and suits that could be filed against Gizmodo from Apple, Inc. and The State of California as a result of the leaked 4th generation iPhone. I have a real love/hate relationship with Apple, Inc. I love their products, their designs, their way of moving beyond what the other guys are doing to make some of the best technology products in the world. I hate their business model, their weak customer connection once a product is launched, the fact that they slow play everything from updates in hardware and software to establishing alliances with other companies, and the way it seems they believe they have everything figured out already and are just not letting us have it yet. The iPhone came out and amazed the world. It was the most user friendly, feature rich, powerful and fast, cell phone in the world. Of course, instantly people started to notice missing features. Hackers quickly plugged these holes with a hacked phone called jailbroken. But Apple, Inc. did nothing to answer these request from consumers for over a year. They had a small software upgrades or two, and then the iPhone 3G came out. This model fixed the cell network speed issues, but did little for the phones feature set. Meanwhile, hacked or jailbroken phones had many of the desired features (namely the cut and paste feature). Only then, after over a year and 2 models, did Apple start to update the software with features people wanted. The iPhone 3GS came out a year after that and Apple added more requested features to this new model. But some of the features weren't supported on the older models of the iPhone. Apple claimed the older phones couldn't handle the new features, even though jailbroken iPhone users were able to use many of these features. Now OS 4.0 has been announced and Apple is again bringing features that people have wanted for years now. They also announced that some of the features won't work on the earlier models. And, Apple will no longer support the first generation iPhone. So what I'm trying to get to is that Apple is all about the money; which I'm sure makes some people happy, but I think their business model could be tweeked a bit and they'd make as much or more money. Here is what I think: 1. Introduce the product the way you always have. Do the big surprise reveal like always, talking about this most "revolutionary" product, and show the slide show with most of the great features of the device. 2. Bring the product to the market. After the big reveal, continue to bring the product to market at the scheduled release date, sell the crap out of the product, talk about how wonderful sales are and about the fact that you are doing so great. Tell us all about how you have the most amazing whatever, blah, blah, etc. etc. 3. Now it's time to LISTEN TO THE CONSUMERS. After the product is out for a while, start listening to the feedback. But don't just stick to the average Joe users. Start listening to the nerds, the experienced ones, the modifiers, the hackers, the bloggers who write all about your products and provide you with free advertising. Listen to the people! 4. DO WHAT THE PEOPLE ASK! Add the features. ALL THE FEATURES! Add these features the consumers and bloggers and nerds and experts are asking for. Don't introduce a few at a time. Jailbreak an Apple owned iPhone, look at some of the great features that are available, recreate them only better, and make it the next model or the next OS release. Make your phone the best by miles. 5. STOP THINKING ABOUT HOW YOU CAN MAKE MORE MONEY IF YOU DRAG OUT THE UPDATES OVER SEVERAL YEARS AND MODELS. Do everything the best you can now, and the people and your staff and the world will help you realize the next step. That's step #3. Make the next model the perfect phone, with everything you could think of and users talked asked told you about wanting. I know the consumers, bloggers, experts, and nerds are going to find more "stuff" they want the device to do for the next revision. PLAN THOSE FOR THE FOLLOWING MODEL or SOFTWARE UPDATE. 6. Stick to your set refresh/revise schedule. This is very helpful for consumers. If they know you are working on the next model and it will be out on a specific date, they will continue to buy from you. Right now, I'm waiting for that next generation iPhone. If the leaked 4th generation model is truly coming out in July, I may not make the switch to Android that I've been debating. 7. Market to, hear from, and love on, the buyers. When someone becomes an Apple customer, don't look at them as a person who you made money from, but think of them as someone you can continue to make money from. 8. Fix your arrogant image. Take a situation like the leaked 4th generation, and run with it. I believe this is a huge opportunity for Apple to look like the greatest company in the world. Many people who have been put off by the company's apparent arrogance would easily be won over if say, Steve and Gray showed up and revealed the phone together. Steve can make jokes at Gray's expense, making it clear that this was not what the company wanted, even clarifying that in the future this sort of thing could have bigger consequences for the involved parties but Apple is understanding of the mistake this time. By taking the "oops, I can't believe this happened but oh well" approach, Apple would seem sympathetic to Gray, caring about its customers, less worried about the almighty dollar, and become a company with a people focus as well as amazing products. Apple has an opportunity to make this a huge PR campaign. Final thought...I do believe the first generation iPhone did revolutionize the cell phone industry. Every mature cell phone company is still scrambling to find a form factor that can compete with the iPhone. But as the get closer and closer to the iPhone's first model, Apple could be designing the next revolution by building out the very best and most complete iPhone now. Inspiration will come from the perfect phone, leading to the next revolutionary device.

FOOD IS BAD FOR YOU!

I just saw the movie "Food, Inc." and now I don't ever want to eat food from the grocery store or a fast food restaurant ever again. The first thing I looked up after the movie was locally grown food. I found Placer Grown's website. I now want to boycott so many things. We are all going to die! Go see this movie. Go buy organic. Find local farmers who grow and/or raise their crops and animals, instead of eating "food" from companies that produce, manufacture, or create it in a lab.

R-Division Scirocco

It's time to move to Europe. They get the Scirocco R. We don't. This is the 261-horsepower 2010 Volkswagen Scirocco R. We may get the Golf R and the Jetta R, but I'm sure they will be super limited and super expensive.

Japanese "Star Wars" Tuna?

Ahh, what?