Google Plus

I've been wanting for an alternative to Facebook for a long time.

Something that's fun but has a real social component to it.  Would I send one status message to my friends, coworkers and family? Nope.  I'd have one for all different kinds of people that I know.

Plus, I like new things that aren't what everyone else is using.

I'm in love with customizing it. You can see public updates from people near you. I think that's awesome. You can share updates with people you put in certain certain circles. So I could send a coworker a message that my friends wouldn't see. It's awesome. Compartmentalization! I love it.

Google you did good. You grabbed great elements from Twitter and Facebook and created an alternative to your existing social network. I'm not cancelling my account, but I know I will spend most of my time on Google Plus.

Brakes are on

I've decided to not get any tablet at the moment.   When the time is right, I'll get one.

I think I just want a new toy.

Gaming for Fall

The dust has settled from E3 and the following are on my radar

• Skyrim
• Bioshock Infinite
• Uncharted 3
• Starhawk
• Battlefied 3

  

That’s over $300 worth of games!!! Ouch!!  

Listening to Music

I feel like I’ve transitioned to listening exclusively to podcasts.  I have Jill Scott, Beyonce and The Book of Mormon and I don’t think I’ve listened to the albums more than once (albeit they just came out).  That happens when I have tons of podcasts loaded that I love to listen to.  Here’s a sample of what I listen to:

• Android Central
• Buzz Out Loud  (daily) – don’t listen to much after Tom Merit left.
• Dialed In (weekly)
• IGN – Game Scoop (weekly)
• IGN – Podcast Beyond (weekly)
• Loaded (daily)
• Mac OS Ken (daily)
• Oh My Pod (daily & weekly)
• Savage Love
• Tech New Today (video) (daily)
• Tekzilla (video) (daily)
• This Week in Tech (weekly)
• Wall Street Journal (daily)
• Weekend Confirmed (weekly)
• The 404 (daily)

Is it me getting older or am I less interested in hunting for good music?  I was just observing that given the choice I will listen to my podcasts.  That could all change later.

Closer to the Touch

The date fast approaches for the HP (Palm) Touchpad and I’d like to drop my predictions.  

• There will be acclaim for the design, packaging and build quality.
• WebOs will be smooth, but people will miss all the gestures.
• Light to medium demand.
• Lots of promotional pricing.
• Low stock will lead to false demand.

Deep down I want the Touchpad to be a success.  Competition is the only way products get better.  I own a Pre and HP is offering $50 off for having a Pre.  I think that’s a nice gesture, but for a $499 device it doesn’t make much difference.  Apps make the difference.  I’ll say it again... there needs to be a Nook app. 

Most people I talk to have no need for a tablet.  They just want one.  Since I have a Nook, I’ve got my reading situation covered.  It serves its function of carrying around books (no frayed edges or extra weight on my shoulders).  My EVO is a great for browsing the web, checking my RSS feeds, Twitter, Facebook, etc. 

A tablet doesn’t fit in my tech world yet, but I want one to play with too.

Light of the Sun

Blessed is the first track...

I’m so pleased by what I hear and I'm not even finished with the album yet.  That’s a good sign.  Spoken word, thoughtful and passionate lyrics and soulful delivery already put it on par with Adele’s “21”.  I think it’s a notch above because of its concert feel.  "Hear my call" sounds like one of my own journal entries. 

“God, please hear my call. I am afraid for me.

Love has burned me raw I need your healing

I need Your healing.”

I'm glad you're back Jill!

Honeycomb

I want a tablet today not because I need it but because I want it.  I would have loved to have an Android tablet but the interface is unfinished.  The fact that Samsung had to put 2.2 (Froyo) on a tablet was a big fail.  I understand coming to market quickly is important, but when it's at the expense of the product, it hurts you.  Consumers need just one reason NOT to get your product over the HOT product.  When you're competing with a company that consistently makes slick, polished products, you've got to come out of the gate running!  PERIOD.

Honeycomb should have shipped with all Android tablets automatically.  You can't compete with the market leader if you don't have a unified interface. You have got to wow people. Give them a real interface, not a piecemeal one.  If "regular" people have to "figure it out"...they aren't going to.  They'll just go for the "easy" one that everyone has.

**I know criticized HP for not releasing the HP sooner, but it seems like they're making sure their product interface, accessories are ready to go.  Good for them.

I applaud the Android team for realizing this with Ice Cream Sandwich.  Being a consumer, I'd wait for this update before I'd buy an Android tablet.

Tanking and Healing Weekend

Another great weekend with great people. This weekend turned out to be fuller than I expected. I meant to do laundry, but sleep and recharging won in the end.

Who would have thought a birthday gift could keep on giving? Thank you to my best friend for one of best games I’ve ever played. It is such a fun past time that I’m watching less and less TV and playing more and more DC Universe Online. My PS3 is doing what I wanted it to do. Keep me from spending tons of money on the weekend.

I’m part of a league now and I’m ranking and building up their armor up for fighting with other players and with game challenges. The more I play the better I become with using my powers. I’m a strategist and like it when the “right” players in the right roles are playing.

• Tank
• Healer
• Controller
• DPS

Having good people in those roles makes your group unstoppable. A powerful Tank takes all the “heat/attention” in the game. So, the controller can stun enemies, give power to the group. The DPS can kill people and the healer can keep the group alive.

The first person you want to attack is the healer. The DPS and Tank can concentrate their attacks on him and the group while the Controller stuns enemies trying to get to their own healer. This is where mics come in. There is no way you can strategize without having a mic. If someone doesn’t have one, I wonder how do they play the game well? I think it’s essential. There was one moment where no one knew who the healer was to kill and someone found out said the same and we focused our attack on him. I don’t know if it sounds fun, but with the epic music playing in the background and the intense combat, I love it.

So, this week is all about building armor for challenges. We’ll see how far I get.

On top of that, I also went to a party Saturday night, brunch Sunday and Tony watching with a friend Sunday night. Umm, Ummm...good.

Galena

I have to say I'm addicted to DCUO. Go Fabulous Gentleman!

Happens in Threes

Shot while walking during lunch.