We Keep It Real

I Will Bleed for Google

First, let me get this out of the way: I love my Droid; my Droid loves me. It’s the best phone Verizon has to offer right now. After experiencing the limitless potential of the Android operating system, I no longer have any desire to own an iPhone. Strong words from a man who would have killed for an iPhone four months ago.

Second, I love Google. You knew this already. When the Nexus One was unveiled at a legitimate Google press conference, I got a little weak in the knees. The sleek design, unbelievable processor, and Android 2.1 had me sold on the device instantly. I was relieved when I learned that it wouldn’t be coming to Verizon until ‘Spring 2010’, because I would have plenty of time to scrounge up some money to purchase it, and it meant I would have the best phone on the network for a few more months.

When it comes to money, I’m a mess. I don’t have much, and when I want something shiny and new, and have to sell a few things that are dull and old. Due to the fact that I’m running out of video games to sell, and that I hold a job that pays me in such a way where I don’t see any of the money in dollar bill form, I’m faced with an interesting predicament. How can I make money without working for the man? Er, another man.

I was instantly reminded of my freshman year at Mizzou. Grand Theft Auto 4 was coming out in less than a month, and I didn’t have a single dollar in my wallet. So, I asked around Wolpers, seeing how people my age got money. Balancing engineering and a part-time job didn’t seem like something I would like, so I settled for a more unorthodox method: selling my plasma. I made some dollar bills, bought the game, and kept donating. I made around $400.00 after donating for a month and a half, and I felt fine.

So, I’m back at it. I am bleeding for a product that Google worked on.

It hurts sometimes, but I’m saving lives (maybe) and making some dough.

It will all be worth it when I can get this custom engraving on the back of it.

Engraving is a hip, new way to personalize your gadgets. Thanks, Google!

-Zach

Me too.

Why review Mass Effect 2 when I could play it some more?

-Zach

Quickie

Just a quick list.

-I beat Massive Fect 2

-In a very related note, I am a little behind on school-work

-I’m kind of sick, and feel like this baby

-I need to edit this video more

-Zach

High-Foreheadz

I’m a Gorillaz fan, you’re a Gorillaz fan: We’re all Gorillaz fans.

So meta, it’s cRaZy!

By that previous deduction, I can safely say that the announcement of their new album, “Plastic Beach” (on store shelves the eighth of March), made us all crap our pants.

If you go to Gorillaz.com, you can catch up on all of the announcements, but why strain your precious fingers? Use this conveniently placed flash-widget instead of typing in your address bar! I highly recommend listening to Murdoc’s Pirate Radio.

-Zach

iPado Reactions

So, Apple released a shiny new toy today: The iPad SDK. Oh, and they announced the hardware. But it doesn’t come out for 60 days. Yawn.

But in all seriousness, Apple’s new tablet is pretty neat. Is it cool enough to justify the sheer amounts of hype that it garnered before being announced? No. But I’m pretty sure Steve would have had to invite Jesus Christ himself on stage to announce Half-Life 3 for the hype to be justified. That doesn’t mean the iPad isn’t a great piece of hardware. Essentially a large iPhone with… well, not much else, the iPad is meant to bridge the gap between your phone and your computer.

“But it’s just a bigger iPhone! How is that useful? It doesn’t do anything new or special!” That’s where you have Missed The Point™, my friend. It is just a bigger iPhone, yes, but that extra screen space allows so much more. As an iPhone developer, I know that there’s only so many features you can embed before your user interface starts getting unwieldy. There’s only so much room for buttons.

I was underwhelmed by the keynote up until the point that Phil Schiller came out to demonstrate three new applications — the iWork suite for iPad. Those apps finally demonstrated to me what the true purpose of the iPad is; it’s hardware large enough for desktop-quality applications. The big draw of the iPad isn’t going to be the applications Apple includes. The big draw is that you’ll be able to have full featured apps that rival their Mac or PC apps. Throw in external keyboard support, and you have a netbook killer — a simple computer for people who don’t need more than a few small apps.

It doesn’t multitask. It doesn’t take pictures. It doesn’t have HDMI out.

It doesn’t need to.

-Geoff