Looking for some Peace & Quiet @ work?

Some call me cheap.

I prefer “utilitarian”.

As an example - these are my Open-Office noise canceling headphones.

If you, too, work in an open-office - get a pair (or, 200).

… way cheaper than the Bose equivalent.

What Happened to Google?

Google just keeps getting better! This is one company that has definitely been busy simplifying my digital life.  If you don't know what I'm talking about - read on.  The products released by Google over the past couple of months are nothing short of amazing.

For most - Apple has garnered the majority of press.  As you're probably aware, Apple released the iPad and the iPhone-4.  Both made news (for vastly different reasons).  Google on the other hand has been relatively low-key, or so it seems.

Anyone who is really serious about discovering the edge that improved personal technology can provide didn't miss the advances Google has made.  I've listed some my favorite new Google applications below.

• Google Voice (make/receive free phone calls through Gmail)
• Gmail - Priority Inbox
• Android's Remote Notifier
• Google Instant

The application for these services should be pretty straight forward.  Nonetheless, I'll spend some time over the next couple of posts describing how I use them.  In the meantime, try some of them.  I'll be surprised if they don't impress you.

On a side note - if you don't have a Gmail account, then you're really missing out.  I highly recommend signing up for one. You won't be disappointed.

Time to talk about the iPad (Kinda)

Over the past couple of weeks, there's been plenty of coverage in the media about Apple's iPad.  So much - that I felt no need to mention anything on my blog about it.  Until now.

First, let me say that I'm happy Apple is bringing some much needed attention to the tablet product space.  In my mind, an inexpensive tablet makes for a perfect coffee-table computer.  You know - something you grab while watching TV to check something on the 'net.  Maybe you use it to play a quick game during commercials or to jot down a quick note to yourself as a reminder....

Or, you could use it to get caught up with Ironman, Spiderman, or X-Men.  Panelfly has been making comics available in your back-pocket for some time now with their iPhone/iPod-Touch App.  Now - wth the introduction of the iPad, they finally have a form factor which makes perfect sense for their product.  Panelfly will introduce an optimized version of the popular comic book reader for the iPad in March 2010.

I still think the iPad is over-priced but I could get with a color eReader if content like this is going to be available.

DELIBERATELY QUOTED

Technology... the knack of so arranging the world that we don't have to experience it.  
~Max Frisch