Tools of the Trade: iPhone 2.0 [part ii]

Since my phone took a nice swim in the Atlantic, so conveniently before the new iPhone3G release I’ve been really wrestling with diving into the madness [See Tools of the Trade: iPhone 2.0 Part i]. Many of my friends have fallen victim. They eagerly demonstrate every app they’ve downloaded and ridiculously show off the iBeer app every chance they get.

****Sigh****
There’s no doubt that cell phones are critical to our lives now. It was inevitable. I know of a few people who still don’t have one. Good for them but I hate that they’re unreachable especially if they’re on my leadership team;) With all the texting, messaging, emailing, facebooking I do now…an iPhone makes some sense. Plus I’d like to be less attached to my 15″ MacBook Pro as much as I love this baby. I spend more time looking at it’s beautiful screen than my with my wife. Perhaps this post should be filed under Pastoral Confessions.

Here’s a snap that I took at 9:30am last Friday at the Apple Store in the King of Prussia Mall with my new Motorola RiZR off ebay which I will be reselling. I needed to get my MacBook Pro looked at and I stumbled into this madness. I spoke with the Apple Concierge and they said this is the 6th day straight they’ve had these lines and then I entered the den of temptation for my technolust. I’m still holding out.

Apple iPhone Line at KOP at 9:30AM...6 days later

Bruce Reyes-Chow fesses up too.

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Tools of the Trade: iPhone 2.0

iPhone 3G

I’ve been waiting for the arrival of iPhone 2.0. I’m know I’m not the only one.
Well, today is the big day. My technolust has been hard to keep at bay. I want to get my hands on one of these puppies and recently my cell phone took a nice swim in the Atlantic Ocean which means I’ve been pondering what could be. . . When I was at the Q Event in New York City a couple of months ago, everywhere I looked someone had an iPhone. It’s like the must have accessory for a new generation of pastors/leaders or at least the hip and cool ones. Regardless, the iPhone is the “it girl” today.

As some of you know I’m a believer in the church of Apple and Steve Jobs is my pastor. I even have an Apple sticker on the back window of my car. I unashamedly evangelize others into the kingdom and have discipled many in the way. I have several Macs at home and many other Apple accessories but I’m not quite ready to take the plunge yet. I’m especially not that die-hard to wait in line as so many others have today. I can still wait.

I would like to post about some of the technologies and stuff that can make ministry effective and let’s admit, much more interesting. Why not start with the iPhone?
But I’d love to hear first from Todd Hiestand and others that have one as well as Bruce Reyes-Chow on whether or not he’ll take the plunge yet…

If you have any recommendations and ideas for things that have proven to be valuable tools for your ministry hit me up!

Apple Love Is In the Air

OK.
First of all this is not another post about what new cool product Apple released that I can’t wait to get my hands on. As if the blogosphere needs another one. But I will attempt to take another look at all the wonder in Apple technology.

The world seems to stop momentarily for Macworld. Apple just has that magic.
They’ve got mystery and they usually don’t let people down. I admit my heart didn’t flutter as usual from the revelations made today but how can you follow up from the iPhone? The truth is you can’t. As much as we’d like Apple to do it over and over again. There is a time for everything. This is a year where Apple is still innovative and leading change. They are leading a revolution. Macworld’s mantra, “there’s something in the air” is more than just about the new MacBook Air, it’s about a wireless revolution.

So Apple revealed possibly the thinnest notebook on the market, the Macbook Air.
Sexy as usual. That’s what Apple does best. They are without doubt the ultimate purveyors of cool.
I was hoping for a very small and portable alternative to my MacBook Pro. But I don’t know if this is it. It’s definitely not priced right for me as with many of Apple’s products…just starting at 1799.00
But here’s the sexiness anyway. . .
• A 13.3in widescreen display and .76in thin at 3lbs.
• The option for the much desired solid state hard drive.
• A bright and efficient LED display which means longer battery life

What else is new? Movie rentals. Apple TV2. Somewhat exciting updates particularly because the Apple TV wasn’t the typical Apple success story but they are still pushing it. Why? It tells us something about the direction of Apple and the times we now live in. Apple is in pole position and not as a computing company. It’s no mere competitor of Microsoft, formerly known as a software company. And what’s to come of Microsoft with Bill Gates is on his way out? Why is it time to retire? I’m genuinely happy about that and not in that sinister Mac kinda way. I really admire the man because he’s focusing on something more important. Last week’s CES (The Consumer Electronic Show) may give us some clues as to how the times are changing.

“This was the year of “anywhere, any time” fever, when Hollywood‘s output—along with Web information and the personal stuff we generate ourselves—gets distributed and subdivided so we can amuse or inform ourselves at any time or place.

In the new age, users won’t have to worry about where content comes from or where it’s stored. Everything will just work, and now can be supercharged by the interactive and social nature of the Net.” – Steven Levy

The challenge is to get it all working smoothly and of course wirelessly. Who better does that than Apple? There’s something in the air indeed. They were the first to implement the new wireless standard (802.11 N) in its products. Insert the iPhone, Apple TV. Apple TV2. iTunes movie rentals. Apple has a very large bullseye on it like never before because they’re investing in something central to the American soul – Entertainment. They’re putting it wherever you are. Your computer. Your phone. Your iPod. Your TV. Anywhere, any time.

Apple Release, A Family Event

I mentioned last week that the Mac OSX Leopard release was going to be a family event.
So, we ventured out to the Apple store in Ardmore, Pa.
It was pouring rain out and yes there was a line around the store. We waited on line for about 20mins and then the cheers began. There was quite a commotion. Hi-fives all around. We nabbed ourselves some event shirts.

So I’ve been playing with the new OS and I really like it but I’m probably not going to install it on my Macbook Pro just yet.
I’ve got too many applications to update and no time…sigh.

Awaiting Leopard

I’ve been waiting along with scores of Mac users worldwide for the new Mac OS code named Leopard. This is the big one.
It goes on sale today at 6pm and I’m going to make this a family event.
Jayden will get his first taste of Apple worship. Well, the phenomenon that is, Apple.

Here are a few things I’m looking forward to in the new OS.

1) Time Machine
Never ever lose a file again. Things happen but now you can literally go back in time to when you may have deleted that file accidentally and rescue it. A better back up solution.

2) Spaces
Create different desktops for different uses. A communication space. A work space. Or an altar space with all the pictures and sites of someone you’ve been stalking? You can switch easily from one space to another.

3) iChat Screen Sharing
I’ve been using iChat exclusively lately over my other favorite app, Adium, because I’ve been videoconferencing more espcially with my mom. With screen sharing I’ll be able to show other users what’s on my desktop and maybe do a real demo or something.

Apple Love

I love my MacBook Pro. But this is real love.

All 24kt Gold. For an extra $1200-$1500, “depending on current gold price” for the gold-plating alone, you can own this puppy.

Zune v2.0

Microsoft unveiled version 2 of their iPod killer today and it’s interesting to note their marketing strategy.


Imitation is the best form of flattery. no?
I guess if you’re going to compete. . .

Here’s a quick critique and comparison not on the product although the Zune does have some things going for it but on the marketing strategy.
1) Large product images.
Check. But Apple does display them like a falling stack of dominoes showing you different views of the product. Very smart. There’s also video now on the iPod Nano. Win goes to Apple.
2) Variation of product colors.
Check. Pink and red Zunes. Well it’s not that much of a stretch in variety. Black, white, and brown…I guess it’s appealing but it’s normal and safe but it’s not a bad marketing strategy. At first I didn’t like the Nano colors but Apple wins on being boldly different and giving us some variety.
3) Clarity of Ad.
OK. We’re starting to see a clear winner.
The background of the Zune ad is annoyingly muddy. The products get lost. The glare on the product is even more annoying and I’m supposed to read text off that thing?
Apple is always clean and clear. Principle: Keep It Simple Stoopid.
4) User-experience.
The Zune just stands there waiting to be experienced. Well it tells you on it’s screen all the fun you can have. The Nano already is an experience in itself. There’s movie clips playing on the screen. Recognizable or not the viewer is drawn in to figure it out and perhaps ask, what can I play on this if I had one? There’s just more playfulness on Apple’s part. You’re also invited to take one more step with the “watch the ad” link on the bottom. With the Zune, you’re invited to simply learn more.
It’s time to go back to school with Microsoft.

Fast Company makes a comparison. Link.

apple love and gen-y

amongst Gen-Yers (21-27) Apple is their favorite comany in a recent survey by trendsetters. trader joes is no2.
i’m not gen-y but this list does resonate with me. clean, simple goodness. that apparently is what gen-y loves. it’s about being straight-forward, plain packaging and avoiding excess. there’s definitely a green consciousness in this group. coincidentally shareholders are expected to vote on removing hazardous materials from its product line pushing the green agenda . [i’m admit that i’m surprised that apple is lagging in this area.]

The sample mostly targeted the first wave of Gen Y consumers, aged 21-27. The goal was to compile a “Trust Index” of brands that evoke “deeply positively feelings” among the trendsetters.

Here’s a list of The Most Trusted 15 brands
1. Apple
2. Trader Joe’s
3. Jet Blue
4. In-N-Out Burger
5. Ben & Jerry’s
6. Whole Foods
7. Adidas
8. American Apparel
9. Target
10. H & M clothing stores
11. Levi’s
12. Volkswagen
13. Converse
14. Vitamin Water
15. Red Stripe Jamaican beer

well most things on this list resonates but the last word is….vitamin water? huh?

apple juice

i must profess my love for apple once again.
there are many lessons we can learn from apple.
i have two great articles for your viewing pleasure.
1) apple is named america’s best retailer in fortune magazine. not just that but for the first time apple in on the top 10 of fortune’s list of america’s most admired companies.
2) a brief discourse in apple’s marketing prowess from usatoday – nobody does it like apple. nobody.

for fun, check out this interesting picture of the windows vista wow campaign. what computer is that in the background? yes. it’s a mac.

just another day at apple?

it was not just another day at apple. my first customer was someone pretty special. i was inspired for the rest of the day. i need to add some background. a couple of weeks ago i watched the world trade center movie with huangnator and i must say that it was rather well done. heavy to say the least. if you don’t know, the movie revolves around the two surviving port authority officers (william jimeno and john mcloughlin) that were 2 of perhaps a handful of individuals pulled out from the massive wreckage. the real life officer william jimeno happened to walk into the apple store this morning to buy some ipod accessories. he had a port authority police shirt on but i thought nothing of it until i saw “william jimeno” on the credit card. i thought for a second, could it really be? i looked down to the ground and saw that he wore prosthetics with the port authority police emblem. i put two and two together and…well let’s just say i was very honored. especially as that day where it all went down draws closer. salute

katrina: one year later
remember. act. it’s still not too late to do something.
this one’s for you bubbles. read this story.