twenty-something

It's sad that I immediately want one, right?

Tiger finally arrived today. Took a loooooong time to install on my work iMac and on my home PowerBook, but it upgraded without problems. So far, so good.

I'm really digging the new features. Somebody called the new OS an "evolution, not a revolution" and I'd have to agree. My computer feels the same as it did yesterday with some minor tweaks.

God, this is a boring post.

I'm sure anybody who really cares about this news already has read about this -- but Motorola's upcoming iTunes Phones, which were supposed to be unveiled today, have been pushed back. Info from Engadget:

...at the last minute they decided to cancel, supposedly in response to a "last-minute message from a wireless carrier or carriers." The official word from Motorola is that they decided to kill the big announcement after consulting with the carriers who would be offering the phone because they wanted "to wait to announce it when everybody is in sync with it." So what really gives? The cold hard reality is that the wireless carriers more or less call the shots these days, and it's the cellphone manufacturers that have to make them happy (pleasing actual customers is somewhat of a lesser priority). Sounds like at least one carrier who was going to offer the phone (we're honestly not sure who) wasn't happy with something and threatened to pull out of the whole deal if Motorola wouldn't wait.

Check out this parody site (thanks, joevelocity!) for the brand-new Apple "iProduct." I got excited for a minute, but then I realized it was fake.

At least we Mac folks can laugh at ourselves...

Yelli, my favorite gal pal, the Will to my Grace, had finally joined the rest of us in the 21st Century and gotten herself a home computer. And not just any computer -- a shiny new iBook.

She's now a Mac person. I am so proud.

In her honor, here's a short list of must-have accessories for the hip Apple girl that she will become. I would buy these for her if I won the lottery -- and, let's face it, I'd probably buy them all for myself, too.

• Timbuk2 Marina Handbag (right) : for your inner Carrie Bradsaw (it fits a computer!)

• iPod mini -- Silver with Incase Handcrafted Leather Sleeve : for the gym and the walk to work

• iBook Fan Book and The Cult of Mac : for true appreciation of your new "lifestyle"

• Motorola iTunes Phone : for shits and giggles

Now get yourself a blog, girl. Or maybe guest-blog for me while I'm in Minnesota?

Never Miss A Beat
Like no other, iPod Ashlee Simpson Karaoke Edition stands out. Virgin white, it features the new Apple Fast-Forward Click Button and, on the flip side, complete how to use instructions. Available for just $349, it comes with enough money to use a pay phone for calling your daddy, your agent or both, when you get caught lip syncing live on national television. We have also included some Kleenex for those special times when your entire fan base realizes you're nothing but a talentless hack.

More at Airbag.

I got a call from the campus computer folks today. After months of struggling with it, my PowerBook back from Apple and it has a brand-new hard drive. So why can't I have it back yet? Apparently, the tech guy is afraid of turning it on today because of the cold. Or something. So tomorrow, it should be back in my hot little hands.

I also read today that the PowerBook line got an upgrade. And I'm very, very jealous. I want to dump my pain-in-the-arse machine (and I will, if this HD replacement didn't do the trick) and get one of these hot new mamas.

I do miss my computer...

There's a nifty story over at Wired that talks about a new "Professor iPod" who calls iPod users "cyborgs" and has coined the term "technotranscendence."

An excerpt:

"IPod and user form a cybernetic unit," said Giesler. "We're always talking about cyborgs in the context of cultural theory and sci-fi literature, but this is an excellent example that they're out there in the marketplace.... I have seen the future, and it is called the cyborg consumer."

The cyborg consumer, Giesler said, is one that uses several different technologies -- from cell phones to Viagra -- and is highly connected, technically and socially.

The iPod, for example, isn't just an MP3 player. It's an extension of the memory: storing the soundtrack of a lifetime, as well as names, addresses, calendars and notes.

Pretty damn interesting stuff.

Not a day goes by that I don't dream about owning a dog. Maybe a Golden Retreiver, maybe a Chocolate Lab. I want to name him Ollie or, maybe if he's one of my family dog Ben's puppies, Jerry. Ah, dreams...

Today I surfed upon something more realistic for my irresponsible self: iDog, Sega Toy's mini robot pet inspired by the iPod.

Seven LEDs on the face express emotion, while an audio jack under the right hind leg let's you plug in your iPod (or other audio player) to broadcast through iDog's speaker. Or, you can choose to play one of the 70 built-in melodies.

More at iPod Lounge.