Category Archives: gear - Page 3

Annoyed

So, my phone bricked today. I’ve already hard-reset it and reinstalled Windows Mobile and a couple of my must-have applications. I figured it would be a good idea to call T-Mobile and see if they have a way for me to download Windows Mobile 6 to upgrade my phone. They, of course, do not. They don’t even carry the MDA anymore, so my phone is basically outdated and will be getting no support.

I want to switch to AT&T so that I can pick up an iPhone. I was going to wait until January or so, to allow any kinks in the new device to be worked out before I bought one. My early-adopter mentality already burned me once, with the Sidekick and Sidekick II. With the problems I’m having on my current phone, I’d like to just switch now, since the iPhone comes out on the 29th of this month, and AT&T can just give me a free phone in the mean time… But I’ll probably have to pay ANOTHER security deposit for AT&T, even though my account has been in good standing with T-Mobile for something like 6 years, and I’ve already paid a security deposit there (and kept my account in good standing, and got my security deposit BACK from T-Mobile)

The whole idea of a security deposit for a mobile phone plan makes zero sense to me at all. I mean, I’m paying you for the device ($599 in the case of the iPhone), I’m paying you every month for the service… And what happens if I don’t pay? You simply cut off the service! I don’t see the point in a 2-year contract, or security deposits or any of it. Just take my money and give me my service. It is ridiculously simple.

I don’t think I’ll ever understand why so much in life depends on my fucking credit score.

Grumble

Apple put out a new MacBook Pro today. Faster hard disk, Faster CPU, higher maximum RAM, LED backlit displays, better graphics card.

Oh, and for college students – you get a free iPod nano.

Oh well. I guess having bought mine 6 months ago makes it feel a little better than if I bought it 6 weeks ago.

Neat stuff

In India, students are learning ancient Vedic “tricks” for mathematics: Modern Students Devour Old Math

Microsoft’s new technology, Surface, looks really cool. I remember watching this video a while ago. Microsoft likely bought that technology, or possibly ripped it entirely. One wonders how they will screw it up. Apple already has at least one multi-touch device on the way, with the iPhone. I’m hoping a convertible touch-screen tablet MacBook pro is in the future. That would be awesome for tons of applications.

And lastly, to add to the pile of projects I haven’t yet started, I want to make one of these.

Edit: Regarding Vedic Math, commenter Sneha Mantri mentions vedicmathsindia.org, which seems to be a commercial website, but offers free material as well. I’ve also been checking out the related blog, which has some great stuff.

Buy me this

Litter Robot

WANT

Religious Nonsense in the News

From the oh-give-me-a-break department:

Woman expresses indignation at quote on Starbucks cup

Soccer game for priests, imams cancelled

Investigator finds reasonable grounds for claim of atheism firing