I loved the show Quantum Leap. I loved the American version of Top Gear. I love cars and driving skills on display. I think Tanner Foust is talented and funny.
In case you don't know what Quantum Leap was, here's the intro I found:
Showing posts with label Crazy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crazy. Show all posts
December 23, 2016
July 11, 2015
General Chaos at General Motors' Chevrolet Cadillac Branded Kuni Owned Dealership in Sacramento, CA
The Intro:
Buying a new car is stressful for anyone, especially when many people believe sales people and dealerships are often times working towards confusing the buyer into believing a deal is great, all the while, disguising an excessively profitable deal for themselves. And, while I do not think a dealerships should be stuck with an unprofitable deal, an honest upfront, "it can't be done for that low of a price," would go so much further with me than being caught in a manipulative lie. Well, I believe I caught the lie just in time.
The Back Story:
Saturday 06/13/15, my wife and I, with our two boys, spent over 4 hours at Kuni Chevrolet in Sacramento, CA, working out the details on a lease we believed was for a Chevy Tahoe LTZ. And, while the vehicle we were negotiating the deal around was not at Kuni on that Saturday, it was a short distance away, said to be coming from a dealership in Milpitas, CA. An agreement was reached on a Silver 2WD LTZ with a rear seat Blue-Ray/DVD system, second row bucket sheets, and a whole bunch of other features, including our favorite color. We completed some paperwork, which included a VIN number (ending 639176) for, what we believed, was our future LTZ model Tahoe, with delivery planned for Monday, 06/15/15.
On Monday, my wife and I each made calls to Kuni late in the afternoon, looking for information on the vehicle's arrival, as we needed to arrange getting to the dealership to take delivery and provide our down payment. Eventually, we were called back and told "the bad news," by our salesman, that "the Milpitas dealership sold the vehicle right out from under us". He went on to say he and his manager yelled at the other dealership about professionalism and fulfilling commitments, and he assured me he was looking to locate another LTZ with all the same specifications we'd agreed to originally. It was at this point my wife decided to use Google and look-up the VIN to locate this dealership in Milpitas. We'd hoped to contact them and find out more information on how they could have sold our Tahoe to someone else. But, the Google search resulted in a hit at Kuni Chevrolet in Sacramento. I thought it was odd, but believed perhaps it had something to do with the transfer happening over the weekend to Kuni. Perhaps, Milpitas sold it early Monday morning.
On to Tuesday and Wednesday, which went about the same as Monday, with different salesmen getting involved with the vehicle search for us. One salesman even sent specs with another VIN for a vehicle located in Fresno. But, that one too was sold before we could get it up to Kuni, and other Tahoes were also "sold right out from under us".
Then, Thursday evening came and I received a call from our original salesman. He'd located "the perfect LTZ Tahoe in Southern California, with the cocoa dune (light tan) interior, just as we'd always wanted." Although we'd always planned on gray or black in an LT model, we'd discovered gray wasn't offered in the LTZ models Kuni had been working to make the deal on. My wife felt she'd be satisfied with the tan, as it was a lighter, cooler color for the hot sunny days, but we wanted to see it in person first. The salesman told us they were going to put someone on a plane to Los Angeles and have the truck delivered to the dealership on Friday. Skeptical at this point, I told him to call me when it arrived.
And Friday night, 06/19/15, at about 4:45pm, I received a phone call from the salesman. He said the vehicle had arrived. He told me he was sending it to be detailed and he wanted to know what time we could be down. I told him we'd come look at it after I got off work, at approximately 6:00pm.
As we pulled into the dealership later that evening, we saw the Silver Tahoe and we initially got excited. We looked it over, reviewing the interior color and other required features. We then went inside to sign corrected paperwork, with the new vehicles VIN number. For our troubles, I expected they may have even sweetened the deal.
We were introduced to a new (new to the dealership and new to us) finance guy. Since the deal was already established, I expected it to be a quick signing process. But, when the finance guy pulled out the new paperwork, I immediately looked to the overall cost and saw an increase of approximately $900.00 in price. "Not to worry," said the salesman, "your payment is still the same". I reviewed the paperwork again for where this increase was going to appear, and it had been placed into the residual value (the amount the truck will cost if we buy it out at the end of the lease, or the value it needs to be worth if we decide to sell it private party). I explained I wasn't happy with this. After all the issues, the deal should have been, at minimum, the same deal we'd agreed to on Saturday, a week earlier.
AND THEN ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. My ever racing mind put together the following facts and connected, what I believe, was a complete manipulation of the truth to lock us in with the Kuni dealership. Based on my experience in sales, pricing, finance, and with my training in reading people's body language, interviewing and interrogation skills, I quickly put together what I believe happened back on that first Saturday.
The Facts That Quickly Took Shape in My Head:
1. Kuni Chevrolet did not have any Chevy Tahoes on the lot besides a blue LS (base) model, unless they were incompetent in finding others when asked about the specific LT model showing on the Kuni website. We were eventually told, the one on the website "must be in transit."
2. While working on pricing and payment for leasing an LT model Tahoe, the salesman presented specifications for several different Tahoes that closely matched what we'd laid out, but were never exactly right, as they all were either missing a feature or two, were the wrong color, or were found to be unavailable at the other dealerships.
3. Upon stating I needed to go, but would return once one was found matching our desires, the salesman asked for another minute. He left and came back with an LTZ model (a model above the LT we'd initially designed) and he managed to make it work with a relatively attractive lease deal.
4. After reviewing the documents and the designed down payment, monthly payments, and residue value, we agreed to sign for this LTZ model vehicle.
5. The finance guy created paperwork for the deal and included a VIN number we later Googled and found as an LS at Kuni.
6. We were told our LTZ was "sold out from under us," by a dealership that was supposedly in Milpitas, CA.
The Realization of The Facts and What I Believe Happened:
While sitting there on Friday, realizing they were trying to make an additional $900.00+ out of the deal, hiding it in the residue to keep the payments the same, I connected the original VIN's Google Search results, to the blue LS model still sitting out on the Kuni lot. I then surmised there was never an LTZ from Milpitas on it's way with the original VIN used on the GM Financial Leasing form and the CA DMV 262 form we signed. Instead, I believe the original deal was made without an actual LTZ model located, but rather Kuni fabricated this deal and unmatched VIN for the purpose of running our credit, locking us into a deal with them, and giving them time to find a vehicle they could actually make a relatively similar deal on.
Why I Believe There Was an Ethical Issue Here and The Aftermath of My Rage:
I sent the new finance guy out and called for the original finance guy and our salesman to confront them both. With prior conversations and all the facts, I put together my mental interview notes and decided to go straight into interrogation mode. When the original finance guy and our original salesman arrived, I told them I knew what they'd done and I could not believe they would try to manipulate me like that. The finance guy's immediate reaction, one of self preservation was to pull the file in toward himself as a way of protection. He then got indignant and frustrated and said, "oh you think you've got us figured out, do you?" I explained, I did and his reactions was my proof.
I explained, my belief was the original LTZ model from Milpitas didn't exsist and because Kuni couldn't find a vehicle that matched our desired specifications, they manufactured one for the purpose of running our credit. I explained, I believed the VIN used was to the LS model on the lot because they needed a VIN for the paperwork, which I told him I wanted back. I explained I needed the originally signed DMV 262 form and the originally signed lease contract. He refused and said they were his file copies and I couldn't have them. I told him, I wasn't going to allow an ink signed contact and DMV form to be left intact on a vehicle I never agreed to purchase. He then said, "it was a simple typos," pulled the forms out, and ripped them in half. He then angrily threw them on the desk and left.
The salesman pleaded with me to give them a second chance. I told him to go get the original features list and VIN for the Milpitas LTZ Tahoe. He couldn't produce it. Even after searching for several minutes, a saleswoman involved in the original negotiations came with a piece of paper and showed me a list of VIN numbers, one without a sales date and said, "see, it's right here." I explained to her and the salesman that she was showing me the same VIN for the blue LS...AGAIN! The salesman told her, "you are doing the same thing the others did."
So, we left the dealership. We eventually went to a different dealership and bought an LT model for about $9,000.00 less than the LTZ. We filed a case with GM, but "GM doesn't get involved with sales disagreements," even though this is an ethical issue, from my point of view, not just a sales disagreement. The operator told me, she had "checked with her resources and this wasn't something they'd get involved in". She did tell me if I gave her my new VIN, she could offer On-Star for a couple years, but that service is crap. Kuni was supposed to reach out but never did.
One more point: There is no dealership in Milpitas, CA. This may be where the train stops to drop off the inventory of new Chevy Tahoes for Northern California, but there's no dealership. The fact that ethics in car sales is always a question in people's minds, makes me so angry. I've been a car nut for years, but the industry is so corrupt. I hate that I bought a GM product after all the bailout BS, but it's a superior SUV to the rest. And the fact company wasn't willing to look at this issue for what it was, an ethics issue not a sales dispute, makes me more disgusted with my purchase. There was no dispute with the original sales deal. I actually think it was an amazing deal...too amazing perhaps, and Kuni couldn't live up to that deal.
Buying a new car is stressful for anyone, especially when many people believe sales people and dealerships are often times working towards confusing the buyer into believing a deal is great, all the while, disguising an excessively profitable deal for themselves. And, while I do not think a dealerships should be stuck with an unprofitable deal, an honest upfront, "it can't be done for that low of a price," would go so much further with me than being caught in a manipulative lie. Well, I believe I caught the lie just in time.
The Back Story:
Saturday 06/13/15, my wife and I, with our two boys, spent over 4 hours at Kuni Chevrolet in Sacramento, CA, working out the details on a lease we believed was for a Chevy Tahoe LTZ. And, while the vehicle we were negotiating the deal around was not at Kuni on that Saturday, it was a short distance away, said to be coming from a dealership in Milpitas, CA. An agreement was reached on a Silver 2WD LTZ with a rear seat Blue-Ray/DVD system, second row bucket sheets, and a whole bunch of other features, including our favorite color. We completed some paperwork, which included a VIN number (ending 639176) for, what we believed, was our future LTZ model Tahoe, with delivery planned for Monday, 06/15/15.
On Monday, my wife and I each made calls to Kuni late in the afternoon, looking for information on the vehicle's arrival, as we needed to arrange getting to the dealership to take delivery and provide our down payment. Eventually, we were called back and told "the bad news," by our salesman, that "the Milpitas dealership sold the vehicle right out from under us". He went on to say he and his manager yelled at the other dealership about professionalism and fulfilling commitments, and he assured me he was looking to locate another LTZ with all the same specifications we'd agreed to originally. It was at this point my wife decided to use Google and look-up the VIN to locate this dealership in Milpitas. We'd hoped to contact them and find out more information on how they could have sold our Tahoe to someone else. But, the Google search resulted in a hit at Kuni Chevrolet in Sacramento. I thought it was odd, but believed perhaps it had something to do with the transfer happening over the weekend to Kuni. Perhaps, Milpitas sold it early Monday morning.
On to Tuesday and Wednesday, which went about the same as Monday, with different salesmen getting involved with the vehicle search for us. One salesman even sent specs with another VIN for a vehicle located in Fresno. But, that one too was sold before we could get it up to Kuni, and other Tahoes were also "sold right out from under us".
Then, Thursday evening came and I received a call from our original salesman. He'd located "the perfect LTZ Tahoe in Southern California, with the cocoa dune (light tan) interior, just as we'd always wanted." Although we'd always planned on gray or black in an LT model, we'd discovered gray wasn't offered in the LTZ models Kuni had been working to make the deal on. My wife felt she'd be satisfied with the tan, as it was a lighter, cooler color for the hot sunny days, but we wanted to see it in person first. The salesman told us they were going to put someone on a plane to Los Angeles and have the truck delivered to the dealership on Friday. Skeptical at this point, I told him to call me when it arrived.
And Friday night, 06/19/15, at about 4:45pm, I received a phone call from the salesman. He said the vehicle had arrived. He told me he was sending it to be detailed and he wanted to know what time we could be down. I told him we'd come look at it after I got off work, at approximately 6:00pm.
As we pulled into the dealership later that evening, we saw the Silver Tahoe and we initially got excited. We looked it over, reviewing the interior color and other required features. We then went inside to sign corrected paperwork, with the new vehicles VIN number. For our troubles, I expected they may have even sweetened the deal.
We were introduced to a new (new to the dealership and new to us) finance guy. Since the deal was already established, I expected it to be a quick signing process. But, when the finance guy pulled out the new paperwork, I immediately looked to the overall cost and saw an increase of approximately $900.00 in price. "Not to worry," said the salesman, "your payment is still the same". I reviewed the paperwork again for where this increase was going to appear, and it had been placed into the residual value (the amount the truck will cost if we buy it out at the end of the lease, or the value it needs to be worth if we decide to sell it private party). I explained I wasn't happy with this. After all the issues, the deal should have been, at minimum, the same deal we'd agreed to on Saturday, a week earlier.
The Facts That Quickly Took Shape in My Head:
1. Kuni Chevrolet did not have any Chevy Tahoes on the lot besides a blue LS (base) model, unless they were incompetent in finding others when asked about the specific LT model showing on the Kuni website. We were eventually told, the one on the website "must be in transit."
2. While working on pricing and payment for leasing an LT model Tahoe, the salesman presented specifications for several different Tahoes that closely matched what we'd laid out, but were never exactly right, as they all were either missing a feature or two, were the wrong color, or were found to be unavailable at the other dealerships.
3. Upon stating I needed to go, but would return once one was found matching our desires, the salesman asked for another minute. He left and came back with an LTZ model (a model above the LT we'd initially designed) and he managed to make it work with a relatively attractive lease deal.
4. After reviewing the documents and the designed down payment, monthly payments, and residue value, we agreed to sign for this LTZ model vehicle.
5. The finance guy created paperwork for the deal and included a VIN number we later Googled and found as an LS at Kuni.
6. We were told our LTZ was "sold out from under us," by a dealership that was supposedly in Milpitas, CA.
The Realization of The Facts and What I Believe Happened:
While sitting there on Friday, realizing they were trying to make an additional $900.00+ out of the deal, hiding it in the residue to keep the payments the same, I connected the original VIN's Google Search results, to the blue LS model still sitting out on the Kuni lot. I then surmised there was never an LTZ from Milpitas on it's way with the original VIN used on the GM Financial Leasing form and the CA DMV 262 form we signed. Instead, I believe the original deal was made without an actual LTZ model located, but rather Kuni fabricated this deal and unmatched VIN for the purpose of running our credit, locking us into a deal with them, and giving them time to find a vehicle they could actually make a relatively similar deal on.
Why I Believe There Was an Ethical Issue Here and The Aftermath of My Rage:
I sent the new finance guy out and called for the original finance guy and our salesman to confront them both. With prior conversations and all the facts, I put together my mental interview notes and decided to go straight into interrogation mode. When the original finance guy and our original salesman arrived, I told them I knew what they'd done and I could not believe they would try to manipulate me like that. The finance guy's immediate reaction, one of self preservation was to pull the file in toward himself as a way of protection. He then got indignant and frustrated and said, "oh you think you've got us figured out, do you?" I explained, I did and his reactions was my proof.
I explained, my belief was the original LTZ model from Milpitas didn't exsist and because Kuni couldn't find a vehicle that matched our desired specifications, they manufactured one for the purpose of running our credit. I explained, I believed the VIN used was to the LS model on the lot because they needed a VIN for the paperwork, which I told him I wanted back. I explained I needed the originally signed DMV 262 form and the originally signed lease contract. He refused and said they were his file copies and I couldn't have them. I told him, I wasn't going to allow an ink signed contact and DMV form to be left intact on a vehicle I never agreed to purchase. He then said, "it was a simple typos," pulled the forms out, and ripped them in half. He then angrily threw them on the desk and left.
The salesman pleaded with me to give them a second chance. I told him to go get the original features list and VIN for the Milpitas LTZ Tahoe. He couldn't produce it. Even after searching for several minutes, a saleswoman involved in the original negotiations came with a piece of paper and showed me a list of VIN numbers, one without a sales date and said, "see, it's right here." I explained to her and the salesman that she was showing me the same VIN for the blue LS...AGAIN! The salesman told her, "you are doing the same thing the others did."
So, we left the dealership. We eventually went to a different dealership and bought an LT model for about $9,000.00 less than the LTZ. We filed a case with GM, but "GM doesn't get involved with sales disagreements," even though this is an ethical issue, from my point of view, not just a sales disagreement. The operator told me, she had "checked with her resources and this wasn't something they'd get involved in". She did tell me if I gave her my new VIN, she could offer On-Star for a couple years, but that service is crap. Kuni was supposed to reach out but never did.
One more point: There is no dealership in Milpitas, CA. This may be where the train stops to drop off the inventory of new Chevy Tahoes for Northern California, but there's no dealership. The fact that ethics in car sales is always a question in people's minds, makes me so angry. I've been a car nut for years, but the industry is so corrupt. I hate that I bought a GM product after all the bailout BS, but it's a superior SUV to the rest. And the fact company wasn't willing to look at this issue for what it was, an ethics issue not a sales dispute, makes me more disgusted with my purchase. There was no dispute with the original sales deal. I actually think it was an amazing deal...too amazing perhaps, and Kuni couldn't live up to that deal.
November 17, 2014
Gymkhana Seven and the 2015 Shelby GT350 Mustang by Ford
Although Ken Block heads DC Shoes, and I'm not a fan of the company anymore after their poor handling of our shoe issues (times three, as seen in the tweet below), he is an amazing driver.
@dcshoes 3rd pair of kids shoes where the elastic laces broke. Wife got NOTHING from you. What gives? pic.twitter.com/jRf1nh0RVv
— Jimmy the Gun (@jimmythegun) October 9, 2013
I've posted other Gymkhana videos, but this might be my favorite. It features a super modified 1965 Ford Mustang, with all wheel drive. Some of the highlights of the video include a reference to the OJ Simpson chase, the Los Angeles low-rider scene, the concrete river, and the Hollywood sign. Check it out.
This is also a cool day to post this video, because the 2015 Shelby GT350 Mustang by Ford was announced. See the picture above or watch the video in Ford's tweet below.
— Ford Mustang (@FordMustang) November 17, 2014
Thanks Ben, for the alert to the Gymkhana video.
October 19, 2014
Drum Battle, USA vs Korea
This is great on a few levels. I love the respect for each other and the amazing performances of each drum line. I also love the USA Marines taking it to a whole different level.
July 19, 2014
My YouTube History...Because I Don't Have Time To Blog 3 (Vacation Tweets Edition)
I was on vacation this last week and I got through a log of reading from the blogs I follow. I also saw a lot of funny videos, I thought I'd share. Here we go with another installment of "My YouTube History".
Didn't know about this side of Brian. "Brian Williams interview on David Letterman" http://t.co/wlTQNNNEFC via @youtube
— Jimmy the Gun (@jimmythegun) July 17, 2014
Exclusive "Weird Al" Yankovic Music Video: FOIL (Parody of "Royals" by Lorde) http://t.co/vgIFClEjsN via @youtube
— Jimmy the Gun (@jimmythegun) July 16, 2014
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Word Crimes http://t.co/0xb7l3fkHU via @youtube
— Jimmy the Gun (@jimmythegun) July 15, 2014
"Heaven" by @depechemode using Garage Band for iOS. http://t.co/2YzATxJqxs
— Jimmy the Gun (@jimmythegun) July 14, 2014
No, not really. "Leaked Star Wars Episode VII Filmset Footage! http://t.co/jZc0rYNtBe via @youtube"
— Jimmy the Gun (@jimmythegun) July 11, 2014
Toy Wars http://t.co/NQzJnnuRwM via @youtube
— Jimmy the Gun (@jimmythegun) July 8, 2014
Amazing. Haha. "How To Make A Hit Pop Song http://t.co/vaKPD88KZV via @youtube"
— Jimmy the Gun (@jimmythegun) June 28, 2014
May 29, 2014
My YouTube History...Because I Don't Have Time To Blog 2
I had to start with this one, I tweeted on May 18th.
This is cool.
Acapella done acapella.
A little "pick me up" sent from @techyted
I may be getting a little tired of Nataly's voice, because there is a little too much of the same muted sound, but I feel like this sound she sounds really good.
Because it's funny that these guys did this.
These guys are just such talented musicians. They make me want my piano back so bad.
"With the growing trend..."
Lucky or Unlucky?
Engrish is hard.
Are you kidding me?
This is stupid and crazy.
This is cool.
Acapella done acapella.
A little "pick me up" sent from @techyted
I may be getting a little tired of Nataly's voice, because there is a little too much of the same muted sound, but I feel like this sound she sounds really good.
Because it's funny that these guys did this.
These guys are just such talented musicians. They make me want my piano back so bad.
"With the growing trend..."
Lucky or Unlucky?
Engrish is hard.
Are you kidding me?
This is stupid and crazy.
September 24, 2013
Remember When I Used to Blog?
This is cool.
"Box" explores the synthesis of real and digital space through projection-mapping on moving surfaces. The short film documents a live performance, captured entirely in camera. Bot & Dolly produced this work to serve as both an artistic statement and technical demonstration. It is the culmination of multiple technologies, including large scale robotics, projection mapping, and software engineering. We believe this methodology has tremendous potential to radically transform theatrical presentations, and define new genres of expression.
June 21, 2013
This Guy Can Ride A Bike (VIDEO)
It's been a while since I found time to update the ol' blog. I found this video and had to share. Once it gets going it's amazing. Enjoy.
February 2, 2013
My YouTube History...Because I Don't Have Time To Blog
I've wanted to post so many things to my blog, but I don't ever have time anymore. And, because I make absolutely no money sitting at a computer writing my opinion, the blogging takes a backseat to the rest of my life. But, in the interest of sharing some finds with my few followers, here are some videos from my YouTube History.
Depeche Mode has a new album coming the end of March. Here is their first released video.
Here is Joe Getty from the "Armstrong and Getty Show" (on AM Talk 650) confirming that he can easily make a 37 yard field goal, unlike David Akers of the 49ers, who missed one in the NFC championship game. Sure, Akers kicked a 63-yarder and tied the NFL record or something, but he missed the easy one.
Don't run from the police in Slavic countries.
The Trombone was never cooler, except when Commander Riker played his on Star Trek.
My next Ford? I would love to drive an F150 again, and this concept is sweet.
What cold is in Los Angeles looks silly to the rest of the USA.
Now this is a video. It's Fresh from Bel-Air.
Do not try this. Double BMW Donuts.
Cool, crazy things people do.
Audi is about to make Google Maps, Earth, and Search part of its cars. This video was made by my favorite car company using Google Maps/Street View.
The science of Guiness beer can really be hyped, to the point of making it seem like it's one of the wonders of the world. Of course, it makes it look like it tastes amazing.
Science is fun. Should you run or walk in the rain?
Depeche Mode has a new album coming the end of March. Here is their first released video.
Here is Joe Getty from the "Armstrong and Getty Show" (on AM Talk 650) confirming that he can easily make a 37 yard field goal, unlike David Akers of the 49ers, who missed one in the NFC championship game. Sure, Akers kicked a 63-yarder and tied the NFL record or something, but he missed the easy one.
Don't run from the police in Slavic countries.
The Trombone was never cooler, except when Commander Riker played his on Star Trek.
My next Ford? I would love to drive an F150 again, and this concept is sweet.
What cold is in Los Angeles looks silly to the rest of the USA.
Now this is a video. It's Fresh from Bel-Air.
Do not try this. Double BMW Donuts.
Cool, crazy things people do.
Audi is about to make Google Maps, Earth, and Search part of its cars. This video was made by my favorite car company using Google Maps/Street View.
The science of Guiness beer can really be hyped, to the point of making it seem like it's one of the wonders of the world. Of course, it makes it look like it tastes amazing.
Science is fun. Should you run or walk in the rain?
December 26, 2012
More Than Amazing, More Than Words, A Joy Of This Man's Desiring
If you haven't seen videos from or heard of The Piano Guys, you may not be a true "lover of music". These guys are super talented. I first discovered them from their cheesy and hilarious master piece of Star Wars music mashed into one amazing piece of music (see here).
Today I discovered this Mash-up of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", by Bach and "More Than Words" by Extreme. Seems like an odd paring, but this is really good. And the guy they have singing it has an amazing voice.
The cool thing about "More Than Words" is remembering the first time I heard this song and how much I liked it. I was in high school, and I can remember being in a photography class that I never actually had to attend because we were all out "taking pictures". The teacher's name was "Kim" so you know she was cool, you know, because you didn't have to call her by her title and last name (which I can't even remember anyway).
Today I discovered this Mash-up of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", by Bach and "More Than Words" by Extreme. Seems like an odd paring, but this is really good. And the guy they have singing it has an amazing voice.
September 16, 2012
Why "iPhone 5" Is The Wrong Choice
On March 3, 2012 I predicted, based on a very reasonable explanation made by my friend Jason, that the sixth generation iPhone would be called "iPhone LTE" or "iPhone 6". I took that prediction one step further and bet another friend, techyted, a Starbucks coffee it would be so; he bet it would be called "iPhone 5". I lost that bet when Apple named its sixth generation incorrectly (based on my logic) as "iPhone 5". Really the bet was that it would be called "iPhone LTE", based on the fact that Apple had to include the LTE antenna technology to stay competitive, and would name it such to highlight this much needed speed boost in antenna speed. With the second generation iPhone taking the name "iPhone 3G" to highlight the inclusion of the 3G antenna, which was really the only complaint first generation iPhone users had, "iPhone LTE" seemed a smart name for this sixth generation iPhone. It would also allow Apple to skip 5, since the "iPhone 4S" was the name of the fifth generation iPhone. Let me break down the naming vs generations from the beginning.
The first iPhone was called "iPhone", which made perfect sense since it was the first phone to be called that (well technically that's not true either, but that's a whole other story). The second iPhone was not called "iPhone 2" however, because Apple wanted to clarify it had added a faster cellular antenna system; they called it "iPhone 3G", helping market the fix of the first generation's biggest flaw. When the third generation iPhone arrived, Apple simply added an "s" to the second generation's name to exclaim its speedier innards. This also allowed for the number 3 to be in the third generation's name of "iPhone 3Gs".
Then came the fourth generation of the popular phone and it was simply called "iPhone 4". That seemed to make perfect sense because by that point we all got the point. It was the next iPhone, and this was the fourth one. But, when Apple introduced the fifth iPhone, they went back to adding an "s" because it was a faster 4. Although this followed some of the previous naming processes Apple had used, it wasn't where I would have gone because now it's like saying, "Hey everybody, you are all right in thinking Apple doesn't do everything it can to advance to the next level with each release of its products. We slow play our ideas so we can extend just enough each year to make you think about upgrading. We don't do everything our billions of dollars in reserves could to bring you exciting and new ideas. We go just far enough to make you think it's better. The 's' stands for 'slightly' better."
That brings us to the announcement of the sixth iPhone generation. This phone was predicted to have LTE cellular antenna technology; and it does. To market that addition, it seemed logical to me to continue naming the generations with the latest and greatest improvements to the device. The speed increase is one we've been waiting for. "iPhone LTE" made the most sense to me, in sticking with the Apple naming method which touts the phone's most recent improvements. Apple could call it the "iPhone 4 inch" to tout the screen size, but it might be confusing with previous name choices. If not "LTE" then a return to the simple generational name "6" seemed to make some sense because this wasn't the fifth generation. "5" didn't seem to make any common sense, with this being the sixth generation. Really, I can see how "6" would have be confusing, since the number 4 is in the fifth generation's name already. Im sure people would ask, "Where did 5 go?" But to clarify two more things to avoid the pending arguments I'm sure to create: If the first iPhone was a "beta" phone, making the 3G "1", iPhone 4 would have been "iPhone 3". And, if the pattern is to add an "s" to every other year, as the body doesn't change, 5 still doesn't make since because there have only been four body styles (or three if you consider the first iPhone just a beta phone).
So, why not call it 6? Besides the obvious confusion that would be caused by skipping the number 5, this IS the sixth generation of the phone. It would also be simple to match it up with sixth major update to the OS, which Apple announcement will ship with iPhone 5. And while they were at it, Apple announced their newest processor too. The "A6" chip was announced, which brings faster processing and graphics to this sixth generation iPhone. It almost seems too perfect. Oh, but there it is. iPhone 6 running iOS 6 on an A6 chip. Too many 6's in a row for big, evil Apple to reveal its true self. You win fanboys. You win.
One more thing: if they continue to increase by one number every two year, adding an 's' to every other, the iPhone 10 pictured above will be the sixteenth generation. 10 is 16. 10-16. That's the radio code for "pick up prisoner". Do you see what that means people? Do you?
September 15, 2012
August 29, 2012
2011 Kia Sorento...Might Be Time To Return Ours
Besides this video, which is enough to make me want to return my 2011 Kia Sorento, mine is currently going on the third day at the dealership for some issue with the transmission that we've taken it in on 2 times previous.
What should I do? Lemon Law? Also, there isn't a lower level of professionalism than that of the employees at the Kia dealer here. I can't believe the poor attitude and total disregard for customers. I'm really considering moving Kia back to the NEVER BUY list they were on before my 2011 purchase. This is what $10,000 cheaper than Honda's Pilot will get you.
What should I do? Lemon Law? Also, there isn't a lower level of professionalism than that of the employees at the Kia dealer here. I can't believe the poor attitude and total disregard for customers. I'm really considering moving Kia back to the NEVER BUY list they were on before my 2011 purchase. This is what $10,000 cheaper than Honda's Pilot will get you.
August 18, 2012
Gotye Created A Mash-up of Parodies of His Song
Goyte took a bunch of YouTube videos of people recreating his song "Somebody I Used to Know" and mashed them together in this great video.
March 20, 2012
What Is Love by 8 Floppy Drives
Do you remember the floppy drive? I do. Do you remember the annoying sounds they made? I do. Do you remember the song "What Is Love" by Haddaway, made famous by the SNL skit and movie "Night at the Roxbury"? I do. Did your floppy drive ever play that song? Neither did mine.
The Vortex Cannon, Nerding Out
Don't worry about the bad acting at the beginning, this is a cool science project to try at home.
March 8, 2012
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.
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.
March 4, 2012
The iPad That Should Be
This is a really cool, but unfortunitely fake, iPad 3 video. I want this technology. I want it now.
Here's one they made for the iPhone.
Here's one they made for the iPhone.
February 4, 2012
The Future Could Be "A Day Made of Glass" (Video)
I saw "A Day Made of Glass 2" on Mashable's Twitter feed today and was amazed by it. This is a futuristic look at what Corning could do with glass and electronics. I want this. Take a look.
Here is the original "A Day Made of Glass"
Here is the original "A Day Made of Glass"
January 25, 2012
Silence Your Cell Phone Or Else
This is great because the violinist is able to mock the rude cell phone owner, give dirty looks, and show off his amazing talent to improvise.
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