technology

photography / San Diego / technology — No Comments
30
Aug 08

iPhone Photos Askew

Am I the only one who’s taking pictures where the perspective is warped on my iPhone? Perhaps I’m accustomed to the two-dimensional effect of conventional cameras, but from time to time, buildings seem out of whack. Here are some lovely examples:
IMG_0398
5th and Washington, Hillcrest.

IMG_0432
Ash Street towards the Harbor, Downtown San Diego.

IMG_0440
Columbia District, Downtown San Diego.

This one almost seems to be in classical perspective, but is still a bit off:
IMG_0404
Core District and East Village, Downtown San Diego.

Please tell me I’m not crazy.

fashion / photography / technology — 1 Comment
25
Aug 08

iPhone Couture, Part 2

iPhone Couture, Part 2aI iPhone Couture, Part 2c

Sometime ago, I went Project Runway on an old tie and dress shirt. Last week, I lost the darn thing, which then compelled me to create another one. I still have enough remnants of the tie and dress shirt to make a clone, but it was much more fun to make it out of Okinawan textiles this time.

For the shell, I used a bingata fabric. This isn’t the traditionally hand-stenciled textile, but a more commercial one available in Okinawa. I got it from my mother, who in turn got it from a friend of hers who recently traveled to Okinawa.

For the lining, I used an old pair of jinbei shorts. I’ve had too many of these things growing up and even as an adult. I liked the fabric on one of them, a very soft material that looked like Okinawan plantain fabric without the itch.

This project went more quickly than the last, but I didn’t have issues I had with the tie fabric this time. Plus, sewing went much more smoothly and this one is prettier.

iPhone Couture, Part 2aII

photography / technology / Uncategorized — 2 Comments
18
Aug 08

iHunk or I-Hunk: take your pick

Just a little silliness to get through Monday morning:

Which would you pick: iHunk or I-Hunk?

The iHunk – sighted while I was waiting for my Genius Bar appointment on Friday:
iHunk

or the I-Hunk, an image I found on Flickr:

I’d take the iHunk over the I-Hunk anyday.

communication styles / fashion / technology — No Comments
16
Aug 08

My new boyfriend

As you may know, I have a new relationship in my life and it is with my iPhone. A friend mentioned in an e-mail that I have satisfied my Apple fetish for now. He has also said to a mutual friend of ours that this device is my new boyfriend. Oh god, what a high maintenance one it is.

fashion / technology — No Comments
14
Aug 08

Making It Work: iPhone Couture

Getting the iPhone is one thing. Anyone can get one, provided that they have the right plan and a great deal of patience. The next step is to get a cover, and anyone can buy one. There are so many choices, especially if one has some money to throw away to accessorize. There are gummy protectors, leather holsters, and even eco-friendly, granola-ey sheaths. However, not everyone can make their own covers.

On Tuesday night, I set out to do a Project Runway of my own. My materials were a Geoffrey Beene necktie and a Geoffrey Beene dress shirt. My budget was $0 since I was recycling some fashion that fell into disuse. I could hear Tim Gunn telling me to “Make it Work.”

iPhone Couture

Of course, I had a few ideas. While I had a great time destroying a tie, I then turned my attention to a dress shirt to make a soft lining. I also thought some elements of the shirt could make clever features on the iPhone sheath. However, in the end, I settled on a more minimal design. The tie’s fabric can do the talking without any competing elements.

iPhone cover 3

With the lining, I made it work. It compliments the shell instead of competing with it.

No machines were used; everything was stitched together by hand. A steam iron (along with an ironing board) to smooth out the fabrics, a sharp air of scissors, and some pins to hold the fabric together helped me a great deal. Making sure the lining was integrated and the seams not showing was the most challenging part.

Why did I do it? For several reasons: I’m too cheap to buy a sheath and I like creating things. While I don’t have granola tastes, I like the idea of recycling fashion. Plus, the final result is something I’d use. It looks nice on its own and it doesn’t look out of place in a suit’s breast pocket. Very dandy indeed.

blogging / technology — 2 Comments
13
Aug 08

Finally! Got the iPhone!

Yesterday, I finally got the iPhone after waiting for two Fridays and a few days. I’ve downloaded the wordpress app and I’ve written this entry on it. Tapping ok a glass screen takes a little getting use to. Sometime, a bit later, I’ll have to do a proper blog entry with a picture of my blog on my phone. Plus, I started to go Project Runway on one of my ties. I’m making a cover for it. Fun times.

technology — No Comments
1
Aug 08

Happy One Month Anniversary

This is not about some relationship or anything like that. Well, it could be since I am discussing a law that is designed to break people up with their cell phones.

The idea itself is good. There are too many people, especially in Southern California, who drive around while gabbing on their cell phones. This should be put in past tense, but there’s a wonderful way to get around that. But, that’s coming later.

For the past couple of years, we all* knew that July 1, 2008 was when the new law went into effect. Having a cell phone conversation while you hold the device to your ear has been illegal in Calfornia for a month. Fines start from $20.

Hands-free devices, such as Bluetooth earsets, are the only legally acceptable way to have a mobile chat behind the wheel. A major loophole is texting. Not for long, perhaps.

In San Diego, there was a 30 day grace period after the state law was enacted. The honeymoon is now over.

I bought a Bluetooth earset to go with my phone. I’ve made a few calls while using it during the latter half of this month. I’m not very fond of wearing it, especially while driving. Somehow, I find having the thing in my ear distracting, even more so than using a hand-held phone to my ear.

A local friend of mine has decided not to bother with getting a hands-free device. For him, driving too and and fro somewhere has become the one time he’s unreachable.** He can’t use the cell phone while driving and that’s his official excuse. Everyone here would be better off to follow his example. Southern California streets would be safer. However, there are other issues that need to be addressed, but that’s another post.

* Those of us in California, that is.

**Chris has lamented losing the airplane as the last place of unreachability. That is, if one chooses to pay for the WIFI. Hopefully, Texas will join several other states in banning cell phones on the road. He can then have that excuse like my friend.

technology — No Comments
31
Jul 08

Toyota Robot plays trumpet

Perhaps this is where Data got his musical ability – distant ancestral memory.

My friend Andrew sent this to me, though I’m not sure if this is necessarily proof that Japan is better than the US.

Note: Toyota seems to lack imagination when it comes to naming their robots. Honda named theirs Asimo, which is a clever acronym, but also evokes Isaac Asimov.

blogging / technology — 5 Comments
5
Sep 07

Alas! My iPod’s Obsolete!

Some time ago, I did a post on Apple Technology as part of my back to school series, and Chris ribbingly asked me how much Apple was paying me. This afternoon, I find that Brian‘s on fire as far as the blogging goes, and his latest post is about the latest in iPod technology. The Apple Website confirms much of what he says, especially about the iPod Touch, which has all the features of the iPhone without the phone.

So, how much are they paying you, Brian? :razz:

technology — 4 Comments
9
Aug 07

Back To School: (Apple) Technology

As you embark on your college journey or are returning to school, you can’t get caught without technology in the 21st century educational environment. Of course, you can go anywhere and buy a PC with the new Vista operating system, but get a Mac. They’re more attractive, better made, and have significantly less headaches than the machines on that Microsoft operating system. Okay, I’m biased, but you get the point.

Apple brings sexy back into computing with the iMac
That’s not completely true, but largely so. Apple has made computers sexy for the 21st century with the G5’s, Macbooks, PowerBooks, and its piece de resistance, the iPod. In time for new college freshmen in need of computers or those returning to school in the fall, the slender incarnation of the iMac enables you to do your homework, research, and e-mailing in style. These new models have plenty of hard drive space (250-500 GB) for those projects and presentations you’ll do for that A. Plan for desk space as the screen and CPU combo comes in 20” and 24” sizes. Good for work and for fun, and the support for any Apple product is excellent.

MS Office For Mac (A Wonderful Oxymoron)
While Mac has its own set of office utilities, Microsoft makes smooth working versions of Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for its rival platform. MS Office saves your work in the same file formats as its Windows counterpart, so you can easily send your files to a PC user (who may very well be one of your professors. Not me – definite Mac user). Best of all, MS office is priced at an academic discount, available at the Apple Store or your local college bookstore.

Dot Mac is where it’s at
.Mac has upgraded to 10 GB of online memory space, which you can use the space for e-mail (and have a super cool e-mail address), back up for all those files you create as homework, or for hosting a website and/or blog.

iPod – Definite Space Saver
Do you really want to lug all your CD’s with you to college? And, aren’t they so 20th century? Save some dorm space, get an dock, and hook your iPod to your stereo. Plus, you can take your tunes wherever you go. You can also download new tunes and your favorite TV shows (and even movies and games) from iTunes. The standard model (30-80 GB) comes in black or white, but you can dress it up with protective sheaths, covers, and socks. If you need something that can take a beating, get a Nano or a wearable Shuffle (in your choice of several fashion colors). They hold fewer tunes, but enough for music on the go, and they’re good for workouts or jogs around campus. Buy a Mac and get a Nano free. Just don’t let me catch you with it during test time.

Can’t endorse the iPhone…
I’m not sure if a phone is worth the hefty price tag, even with some fabulous features. Price aside, the iPhone offers some useful applications for students: e-mail, iCalendar to manage schedules, web browser for research, and a much more sensuous version of the iPod built-in. All that’s missing is a word processing program to write papers on the go. The keyboard function does take some getting use to. Buy at your own discretion or risk, but don’t let me catch you using it during test time.

Update, 9/5/07
Apple has a new fall line of iPods, including the iPod Touch, a phoneless version of the iPhone. Thanks to Brian for the update.

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