Tag Archives: iphone

Maybe I need an intervention

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Anybody who knows me even a bit knows I’ve got a Starbucks addiction, but I’m trying to kick it.

In Downtown Vancouver, there is a Starbucks location within a few (read 2) blocks of just about everywhere. In the last 3 places I/We have lived, there’s been one within a block. And there is one within a block of my office.

Seriously, I didn’t plan it, but I think Starbucks did.

A few years ago I went to Yuma, Arizona for Christmas to visit my dad and step-mother and was tired most of the time I was there. I came up with my Starbucks Conspiracy Theory. Basically, the reason I was tired wasn’t that I wasn’t drinking coffee but rather, in Vancouver the air is so saturated with caffeine from one coffee shop or another (Starbucks, Blendz, Cafe D’Artigiano, etc) that you live in an artificially caffeinated state whether you like it or not.

So, this past weekend Starbucks finally released a store locator app for the iPhone into the Canadian iTunes store!

For me, it’s not about locating a store in Vancouver, it’s about remembering which stores are good (clean bathrooms, friendly staff) among the 100s there seem to be downtown.

And of course it will come in handy when we’re out of our comfort zone and I need a fix.

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I wanna be Apple’s lawyer

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Over the past few weeks, there’ve been several lawsuits filed again Apple Corp which are no doubt keeping their lawyer’s busy.

I’m sure the boys over at Dewey, Cheatham and Howe keep busy every day finding new and more intriguing ways of writing evil things into EULA’s, Privacy Policies and going after copyright infringement, but fighting off a variety of incoming suits must keep them busy.

Everyone wants a bite of the Apple. They’re one of the biggest, most prominent companies still making money in today’s economy. They seem to be able to do no wrong that way. Everything with the Apple logo on it has turned to gold lately, which makes them a target.

The lawsuit that was disclosed today makes no sense, and is just one of the dozens of frivolous ones they (and many others) contend with every year.

AppleInsider.com is reporting that Apple is being sued by a guy who’s clearly after nothing more than money.

Apple is the defendant in two recent, offbeat lawsuits, including one filed by an artist who alleges he invented and named the iPod and iPhone in the 1980s, only to have Apple and actress Sarah Jessica Parker steal his trade secrets.

In meeting these people, Wakefield alleges he was asked by the congressman to disclose his “trade secrets” to the FBI, including the concept of the iPod, iTunes, and the iPhone, the last of which he allegedly specifically named nearly 20 years prior to its debut.

Yep. Wakefield claims to have invented the iPod and iTunes nearly before the internet came into existence, prior to the MP3 being developed and other insanity.

The next suit mentioned in the AppleInsider report talks about someone suing Apple because Lil’ Wayne (stupidest name ever) may have used a concept in one of his songs.

They then go on to mention how Apple was also sued for being connected to the Mafia.

I figure if Apple IS connected to the Mafia (and I have no specific knowledge for or against this), then these lawsuits should quietly disappear.

Blame it on the Girls

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I have to admit that I’m becoming one of those old guys who loves the music of his generation, and when he hears any new music either goes off on a rant about “the state of music these days” or quietly mutters something about the Doobie Brothers.

I pretty much fully blame the internet and MP3 players for this. Ever since I got an MP3 player and the internet, I don’t recall ever listening to radio. The ultimate downside of this is the lack of exposure to “emerging talent.” You know, like Britney or Lady Gag-me. I mean Lady Gaga, of course. Generally speaking that’s not really a problem, but it does mean I’m out of touch with the advances and what the kids are listening to. I also don’t go to clubs or any other place where modern music gets played.

Yep, I’m becoming a curmudgeon at 40. 41, sorry. Sigh.

That said, I have apparently missed Mika. He’s been profiled in a few months of the Gay Newsletter they send us all (that’s a joke), but I tended to ignore it. Last night, for some reason, I clicked on the play button for his latest video and found myself rather enjoying it. It’s light and poppy, modern and yet accessible. Find out more at http://www.mikasounds.com

Maybe I should explore some more of this modern music. Apparently there’s a set of musical triplet boys people are talking about.

On the flight to Toronto

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Right now it’s 11:18 pacific time but I am 42565 feet above Saskatchewan or Manitoba right now, about to make a stop in Winterpeg (Winnipeg really) on my way to Toronto.

My dad is hopefully undergoing surgery to remove his esophagus due to cancer. I say hopefully because apparently there was a slim chance a pre-op check could put the kibosh (kybosh?) on it. My brother and I decided at just about the last minute that we want to be there for him and Claudia (our step-mother). We won’t make it in time for when he first wakes up but we will be there for him first thing on Thursday morning when he may be more lucid, if only slightly.

I haven’t seen my brother in something like six years. In that time we’ve both married people the other has never met and developed families. Unfortunately neither of us was able to bring our spouses along for the trip. I haven’t seen my dad in about three and half years or so. With any luck, and by very convenient coincidence, my mom and her husband are also in Ontario on Vacation right now!

Loving the leg roomView from the airplane.Our descent into hell, aka Winnipeg, is just beginning so I’m going to save this and finish it on the ground so I can attach a few pictures and get it posted. I tried posting them via the iPhone WordPress app, but they didn’t arrive for some reason, so I’ll insert them manually. TTYL.

Ok, so it’s now about 35 minutes later and I’m sitting in what passes for the concourse of the WestJet area of the Winnipeg airport. It’s everything you would expect and less.

I can’t even find a power outlet to plug into. I’m running on batteries, the airport WiFi connection requires a credit card (wtf?) so it’s lucky I’ve got enough power for a while, and can tether my laptop to my iPhone so I can post this.

About 5 minutes after I landed, my step-mother called to let me know that my dad was out of surgery and it had gone very well. There is a suspicious lymph node that they’re checking out. It’ll be 2 to 3 weeks before they know the status of said lymph, but we have our fingers crossed. I’m glad Claudia called. Since I can’t see dad until morning, it’s good to know he’s doing alright.

And on the downside, my brother just sent me a text. He may run into trouble coming into Canada due to his Canadian passport being expired. DOH. And he’s my ride!

It’s ok, I have a backup plan. I always do.

Simple iPhone stand

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This cool little device came up through a Twitter user I follow (Sorry, I lost the user). There’s tons of people out there who watch movies on their iPhone, iPod Touch or iPod Nano, and we all struggle with the need to hold the darn thing just so in order to be able to watch the movie comfortably.

And as many people who need something, there are equally as many different solutions. From iPhone holders made with Binder clips, to elaborate pencil easels. Or you can spend $100 on a purpose built stand with adjustable rubber grips and iMac matching base.

For $10, this little pyramidal bean-bag sure looks like it’ll do the trick. I’m sure an enterprising person could make their own and save $10 (plus S&H) but why?