Banter Superfluous

Here’s a funny comic that was in my Twitter.  Obviously, this is copyright them, not me.  Click the image for the official post:

So, as the release date (July 11 if you’re sleeping under a rock and don’t know it exists) approaches, I’ve been reading up on the iPhone like CRAZY.  Here are things that I’ve found out:

• Price: $69.99 + text messaging packages.  It appears that the voice+data will be subject to corporate discounts.
• The AppStore might change my mind on getting the iPhone. Launch date: tomorrow.  Specifically iCall.
• David Pogue did a hilarious video on the iPhone 3G.
• Other reviews: Mossberg, Pogue & Baig (TUAW)

Chances are I’ll be getting an iPhone.  Chances are also good that I’ll be keeping my Verizon line for a week during my upcoming trip to Albany.

So, the last week of my life has been interesting.  My fourth was good.  I hung out with Jeff in Buffalo and then went to he fireworks in downtown Rochester.  We sat right near the Freddy-Sue bridge (no, I don’t live in a Southern State, the name is short for Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony) and I was able to take some great pictures.  I’ll post them later.

Saturday was a nice relaxing day.  I didn’t do much, but spent some time at a particular coffee shop in the Park Ave area.  After coming home for dinner, I decided to watch “The Bucket List” and call it a night.

Sunday was the family get together at a park near Lake Ontario.  We played the family game, boccie (no, we’re not Italian, but we play it every time we get together).  And hung around outside most of the day.  It felt great to be outside.  I should spend more time outside and less on this 13″ notebook.

Work started again today which means web page coding and hoping that our server admin doesn’t decide to completely change all the div names when he redoes the template.

Also, I’ve started reading most of the blogs on the right-hand column via Google Reader.  It’s quite a handy tool.  I think I’m back on the Google Bandwagon, even though I’m debating Mobile Me.  I guess it’ll all depend on work’s new calendaring system.

As for the iPhone I’m still debating on getting it.  I’m 90% sure corporate discounts will apply, and it would be great to have for my trip to Albany, but is $82/month REALLY worth it?

The only thing I change more than email addresses is cell phones.

This post is going to rationalize whether or not I get an iPhone (and then you’re going to comment and tell me why you think I should or shouldn’t).

Reasons to get an iPhone

1. I’m a mac user. The phone would sync everything for me.
2. One device. One thing to carry.
3. Boredom solver.
4. Awesome web browser.
5. I’m out of contract and other phones are not as appealing.
6. The Apps Store promises some free downloads. Pay once for some cool extra.
7. Roll over minutes on AT&T network.
8. More stuff is being developed for it.

Reasons against getting an iPhone:

1. AT&T network (90% of friends and my entire family is on Verizon)
2. Contract price (~$82/month).
3. Expensive to replace if broken.

Verizon is releasing the LG Dare, which will use VCAST instead of a separate data plan. Link to Dare on PhoneArena.

Reasons to get the Dare:

1. Verizon Network (in Calling to most of my friends and all my family)
2. Price for data ($15 more than current a month, unlimited data and texting; total cost ~$60)

Reasons against getting the Dare:

1. Web Browser isn’t the best, I probably wouldn’t use it.
2. Doesn’t sync calendar & contacts.

Ultimately it comes down to: Is the iPhone worth $40 [error: I can't do math. 60 from 82 is 22 not 40] $22 a month? (at currently projected plans).  I think the answer is yes, especially since I’m getting a raise at work next week.

Help me decide.  Is it worth it?  Are you getting one? Do you have one and love it? Why?

I have email identity issues, yes I do.  I tend to change my email addresses as often as some people change bedsheets.  I would say underwear, but I do that daily. I don’t change email addresses that often, and I always forward the old one to the new one. Should I have a different email for each part of me? Currently I keep three accounts.  They are:

1. Personal (gmx)
2. Work (work domain)
3. Internet junk (AIM)

I used to keep a fourth when I had the iPhone because yahoo had free push email and let’s face it: only what needed to go there went there.  I had Gmail before GMX for personal stuff, and I think I’m going back.  More people use Gmail, it’s quick loading and really quite something.  It’s just a matter of time before push Gmail comes along.

Ask the readers (if any of you still read this): What do you use for email?

Hi All,

It’s been quite a week.  I was at a conference for work this past Wednesday - Friday.  It was awesome.  Reconnected with a lot of people from across the state.  Saw a few hot people, and just generally had a great time.  Saturday brought a trip to Buffalo to see my school girlfriend, Bee, her new house, some other great grad school friends, and a bunch of other generally attractive people.  Good weekend.

So, apple unveiled the iPhone 3G during the keynote today.  Here are my personal thoughts:

• Awesome phone for $199? Woot!
• I’m going to switch.
• Then I remembered the price plan:
  • $39.99/month for voice (450/5000)
  • $20.00/month for data (total: $59.99)
  • $10.00/month for unlimited texting (total: $69.99, with taxes: $82+)
• Then I read that the data plan is going up $10, bringing the total to just under $100/month.
• My last cell phone bill (family style, split up, 19% discount)  was $36 including unlimited data.
• I’m not switching after all. Sad face.
• Wait a minute… the iPod touch costs more than the iPhone? Let’s see if that price drops…….
• I’m going to carry around two devices.
• No, I won’t.
• MobileMe would let me sync my work and personal lives.
• It’s $99/year and would mean YET another email address. I think people would kill me.
• Maybe I can get work to buy me an iPod touch for a PDA…. I do still have some faculty start up funds left.

Last night I bought a Wii. Thusfar I like it. I got it from Blockbuster so I could get the pass and rent as many games as I want in the next 30 days. After that I’ll probably do an online rental service. If anyone wants to get me a present, I’ll take a Wii points card.

… is from the town in which my mom now lives. Nope - still not proud to be from there. Derek, if you stumble upon this, I do hope you work on your dancing and achieve your goals. My advice (from someone who doesn’t know crap about dancing): The dance has to tell a story — try Sister Scissors next time: