I'm just quickly informing you guys that this is not our finished site. We will most likely be moving to a wordpress blog next week and hopefully it'll look more professional. This week has been a testing week so we know what we're doing before launch. We'll keep you updated at http://twitter.com/thetechtroop
Cheers,
-Wesley V.
P.S. If you are interested in helping out we'd really love to have you! Thanks!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
UberGeek's opinion on the iPad
The iPad isn't utter junk, but it isn't as revolutionary as the iPhone and iPod touch were.
On the surface, it's just a giant iPod touch. Same architecture, bigger screen, refreshed UI.
However, jut think of the possibilities! The iPod touch can do nearly anything a computer can, from reading to word processing to even gaming! With the iPad, those lines between the iDevice and a computer are blurred further, as the larger screen and external keyboard attachment enable a desktop-like user experience, with first-rate Interweb surfing, word processing, gaming, and reading*.
Why the asterisk? Well, reading on the iPad causes just as much eyestrain as reading on a computer or iPhone, since all the aforementioned devices use a regular LCD screen, unlike the Amazon Kindle and other e-book readers, which use paper-esque E-Ink screens, which cause no eyestrain. This nullifies a huge selling point of the iPad!
Devices like the iPad will probably end up replacing the computer for the masses too. Netbooks/tablet computers like the iPad have the power of computers, but none of the complexity and customizability that geeks like me relish but most people dislike.
So after all that bloviating about technology, let's consider pricing. The iPad's base 16GB WiFi-only model costs a rather steep US $499, more than a less appealing but more functional netbook, and the most expensive models cost as much as mainstream desktop computers!
Overall, I declare the iPad to be a waste of money if you already have a recent PC and an iDevice. If you are missing one or the other and are willing to give up extra cash in service of Steve Jobs' Reality Distortion Field (design average products well and upmark them 20%), then I recommend the iPad. Otherwise, stick with or buy a regular iPhone or iPod touch and be happy!
Note:
I am not an Apple fanboy.
Abhi S.
http://www.iUberGeek.mp
Twitter: @iUberGeek
Xbox Live: HDElite
Posted from my iPod touch!
On the surface, it's just a giant iPod touch. Same architecture, bigger screen, refreshed UI.
However, jut think of the possibilities! The iPod touch can do nearly anything a computer can, from reading to word processing to even gaming! With the iPad, those lines between the iDevice and a computer are blurred further, as the larger screen and external keyboard attachment enable a desktop-like user experience, with first-rate Interweb surfing, word processing, gaming, and reading*.
Why the asterisk? Well, reading on the iPad causes just as much eyestrain as reading on a computer or iPhone, since all the aforementioned devices use a regular LCD screen, unlike the Amazon Kindle and other e-book readers, which use paper-esque E-Ink screens, which cause no eyestrain. This nullifies a huge selling point of the iPad!
Devices like the iPad will probably end up replacing the computer for the masses too. Netbooks/tablet computers like the iPad have the power of computers, but none of the complexity and customizability that geeks like me relish but most people dislike.
So after all that bloviating about technology, let's consider pricing. The iPad's base 16GB WiFi-only model costs a rather steep US $499, more than a less appealing but more functional netbook, and the most expensive models cost as much as mainstream desktop computers!
Overall, I declare the iPad to be a waste of money if you already have a recent PC and an iDevice. If you are missing one or the other and are willing to give up extra cash in service of Steve Jobs' Reality Distortion Field (design average products well and upmark them 20%), then I recommend the iPad. Otherwise, stick with or buy a regular iPhone or iPod touch and be happy!
Note:
I am not an Apple fanboy.
Abhi S.
http://www.iUberGeek.mp
Twitter: @iUberGeek
Xbox Live: HDElite
Posted from my iPod touch!
Is this really going to work?
Hey guys, I've been thinking...
You know, this whole collaborative blog thing was a good idea. Actually it was a great idea. But it just doesn't seem to be going anywhere. I mean we've been trying to get started for so long and I don't think we have what it takes to actually do it. Do you? If we can't even decide upon what site to use how are we going to make this work? We don't even have enough people to make a post everyday. And thats the whole point of this daily blog! So I don't know... I just don't think we are going to be able to get many viewers. Whats the point?
So I think I'm out. If you want to try to keep it going with out me, fine, thats your waste of time. Thats all, goodbye.
Thanks for nothing,
-Wesapriley Van der Fools.
P.S. Sorry I'm being so down. My father just shot my favorite pony and I'm a little sad about that.
P.P.S Wait... I think my dad was joking about shooting my favorite pony. I don't even have a pony. I guess its April Fools day!
...Well in that case I think we can do the blog! And I think it will be successful and awesome! Giddy up!
You know, this whole collaborative blog thing was a good idea. Actually it was a great idea. But it just doesn't seem to be going anywhere. I mean we've been trying to get started for so long and I don't think we have what it takes to actually do it. Do you? If we can't even decide upon what site to use how are we going to make this work? We don't even have enough people to make a post everyday. And thats the whole point of this daily blog! So I don't know... I just don't think we are going to be able to get many viewers. Whats the point?
So I think I'm out. If you want to try to keep it going with out me, fine, thats your waste of time. Thats all, goodbye.
Thanks for nothing,
-Wesapriley Van der Fools.
P.S. Sorry I'm being so down. My father just shot my favorite pony and I'm a little sad about that.
P.P.S Wait... I think my dad was joking about shooting my favorite pony. I don't even have a pony. I guess its April Fools day!
...Well in that case I think we can do the blog! And I think it will be successful and awesome! Giddy up!
Wesley's opinion of the iPad (3/31/2010)
Wesley(Wo0t/TheBigWo0p) here to tell you what I think of the iPad.
First and foremost; will I buy one?
Yes, I will. My plan is to go back to a lame flip phone and keep an iPad in my backpack. I don't really use my iPhone when I'm out of the house anyway. And there's always someone in the group with an iPhone if I really need to get online right away. So I'll prolly be getting an iPad this summer.
But this is only because I don't have the will power to hold off until next year. Say what you will about the iPad but you have to admit that Apple could have easily made it better.
Wheres our camera and background apps? The device is fully equipt to handle both. Heck, the actual hardware has an empty space on the inside for a camera. (See below)
So my opinion is this: They could have made is much more awesome but its still pretty darn awesome anyway.
You can suggest a subject for next week in the comments below. And don't forget to come back tomorrow!
Cheers,
-Wesley V.
First and foremost; will I buy one?
Yes, I will. My plan is to go back to a lame flip phone and keep an iPad in my backpack. I don't really use my iPhone when I'm out of the house anyway. And there's always someone in the group with an iPhone if I really need to get online right away. So I'll prolly be getting an iPad this summer.
But this is only because I don't have the will power to hold off until next year. Say what you will about the iPad but you have to admit that Apple could have easily made it better.
Wheres our camera and background apps? The device is fully equipt to handle both. Heck, the actual hardware has an empty space on the inside for a camera. (See below)
So my opinion is this: They could have made is much more awesome but its still pretty darn awesome anyway.
You can suggest a subject for next week in the comments below. And don't forget to come back tomorrow!
Cheers,
-Wesley V.
The iPad - Tech Troop pre-chat
This group-blog hasn't officially started yet, but I thought that it'd be a good idea to get things warmed up a bit.
Since the Apple iPad is coming out in a week, this is the perfect opportunity to have some dialogue going about our thoughts, hopes, expectations, etc... because once it's out, it's out.
So, the iPad hasn't come out yet, and nobody has really been able to even use an actual device yet.
With that in mind,
What do you think about the iPad?
Are you planning on getting an iPad? At launch? Soon after launch? Eventually? Next generation? Not at all?
Do you think that there's some aspects of the iPad that we have no knowledge of until the device is actually released? (Camera, widgets, etc)
What would do you expect from the iPad, present or future?
If you're not getting an iPad, what would Apple have to do to make you want one?
And any other comments, thoughts, concerns, etc about the iPad?
Alright Troop, let's hear your side! (I'll share my thoughts after others post)
--Stephen
Since the Apple iPad is coming out in a week, this is the perfect opportunity to have some dialogue going about our thoughts, hopes, expectations, etc... because once it's out, it's out.
So, the iPad hasn't come out yet, and nobody has really been able to even use an actual device yet.
With that in mind,
What do you think about the iPad?
Are you planning on getting an iPad? At launch? Soon after launch? Eventually? Next generation? Not at all?
Do you think that there's some aspects of the iPad that we have no knowledge of until the device is actually released? (Camera, widgets, etc)
What would do you expect from the iPad, present or future?
If you're not getting an iPad, what would Apple have to do to make you want one?
And any other comments, thoughts, concerns, etc about the iPad?
Alright Troop, let's hear your side! (I'll share my thoughts after others post)
--Stephen
Collaborative Blog, with you!
Hey, peoples. I had an idea the other day about having a Blog where all of your favorite friends from twitter(and you) get together and post about a different subject every week or so.
How it could work is we can have the viewers(once we have them) pick a subject or the week. Then we all take turns writing our post about the subject every day of that week.
All it would take from you would be a quick one or two paragraph post(or even less) per week and just keeping up with what everyone else it posting about.
For example say the subject for the week is the iPad. We would have a schedule where everybody would have a day that its their turn. And during that day you just say what you think about the iPad. Then once the weeks over, we(or the viewers) will pick a new subject. Simple enough, right?
Right now its just a quick idea I had. But I think it could be a rather fun way to build up the community we already have on twitter.
It wouldn't be hard to set up using posterous. You wouldn't even need to make an account. All you would have to do it write your post in an email addressed to post@posterous.com and attach any pic/files you want.
So if you are up for writing a short post about once a week and following a blog, just tell me your email in the comments or DM me on twitter. You can back out any time, of course. Its going to be pretty relaxed and everything. Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
-Wesley V(Wo0t/TheBigWo0p)
Ps, I already have talked to sstaver(http://twitter.com/sstaver) about it and he's in on it too. We prolly could make do with only one or two more people but the more the merrier!
How it could work is we can have the viewers(once we have them) pick a subject or the week. Then we all take turns writing our post about the subject every day of that week.
All it would take from you would be a quick one or two paragraph post(or even less) per week and just keeping up with what everyone else it posting about.
For example say the subject for the week is the iPad. We would have a schedule where everybody would have a day that its their turn. And during that day you just say what you think about the iPad. Then once the weeks over, we(or the viewers) will pick a new subject. Simple enough, right?
Right now its just a quick idea I had. But I think it could be a rather fun way to build up the community we already have on twitter.
It wouldn't be hard to set up using posterous. You wouldn't even need to make an account. All you would have to do it write your post in an email addressed to post@posterous.com and attach any pic/files you want.
So if you are up for writing a short post about once a week and following a blog, just tell me your email in the comments or DM me on twitter. You can back out any time, of course. Its going to be pretty relaxed and everything. Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
-Wesley V(Wo0t/TheBigWo0p)
Ps, I already have talked to sstaver(http://twitter.com/sstaver) about it and he's in on it too. We prolly could make do with only one or two more people but the more the merrier!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Stephen's response to the iPad - pre-release (3/29/2010)
I guess I'll go first...
I think the iPad seems pretty cool, and being the computer nerd I am, I want one as soon as possible.
Definitely not right-away, but I am not sure when exactly I'll get one. As soon as I can afford the $500, I guess.
Perhaps I may wait for the next-gen iPad, which will probably have a camera in it, since I doubt Apple will say "Surprise! iPads right now have a camera!"
That would definitely be totally awesome for Ustream or Skype for the iPad. A front-facing camera, and you can type at the same time.
I've heard people unfairly pass over the iPad as merely a "giant iPod Touch".
The iPad may run an iPhone OS based operating system, but it takes it a huge step closer to a full Mac OSX experience.
Movies will look better on it, email will be easier to read, (as well as sort through, with the side bar and stuff), bigger keyboard, Photos will work more like iPhoto in OSX, book-reading will be easier, etc.
The larger screen really does completely change what is possible compared to an iPhone.
I probably wouldn't do much book-reading on it (although who knows? Perhaps it would chance that), although there are plenty of books from Project Gutenberg I could read, as well as the countless books my mom has bought on her Kindle (which can be read using the iPad Kindle app.)
I recently got my first iMac, and have been very happy with it. I didn't want to get a Macbook, since I pretty much already had what I'd want that for in my pocket with my iPhone.
But I still think it'd be nice to have a Macbook without the bulk and expense.
So an iPad would fit perfectly in that middle road.
And if all else fails, I could end up giving it to my mom to replace her Kindle. :P
- Stephen Staver
Twitter: @sstaver
I think the iPad seems pretty cool, and being the computer nerd I am, I want one as soon as possible.
Definitely not right-away, but I am not sure when exactly I'll get one. As soon as I can afford the $500, I guess.
Perhaps I may wait for the next-gen iPad, which will probably have a camera in it, since I doubt Apple will say "Surprise! iPads right now have a camera!"
That would definitely be totally awesome for Ustream or Skype for the iPad. A front-facing camera, and you can type at the same time.
I've heard people unfairly pass over the iPad as merely a "giant iPod Touch".
The iPad may run an iPhone OS based operating system, but it takes it a huge step closer to a full Mac OSX experience.
Movies will look better on it, email will be easier to read, (as well as sort through, with the side bar and stuff), bigger keyboard, Photos will work more like iPhoto in OSX, book-reading will be easier, etc.
The larger screen really does completely change what is possible compared to an iPhone.
I probably wouldn't do much book-reading on it (although who knows? Perhaps it would chance that), although there are plenty of books from Project Gutenberg I could read, as well as the countless books my mom has bought on her Kindle (which can be read using the iPad Kindle app.)
I recently got my first iMac, and have been very happy with it. I didn't want to get a Macbook, since I pretty much already had what I'd want that for in my pocket with my iPhone.
But I still think it'd be nice to have a Macbook without the bulk and expense.
So an iPad would fit perfectly in that middle road.
And if all else fails, I could end up giving it to my mom to replace her Kindle. :P
- Stephen Staver
Twitter: @sstaver
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