Ta-Da!

Okay – here’s what I’ve been so excited about:

So…. I have this site that I look at every day that just posts ‘deals’. It’s magically called dealmac.com.
I am not so impulsive of a shopper, but every now and then they truly have something that I want or need. I’ve picked up digital cameras, SD cards, headphones, etc. over the past year. Nothing over $100 – ever.
So, end of December I’m looking through and they have a link for BestBuy for a 56″ Panasonic LCD, rear projection TV – NEW (not refurb) for $900. It came with a three year warranty on the lamp and a one year warranty on the TV. This is about $700 less than anything comparable and it had good review across the net. I looked online for about 90 minutes and finally decided that I would be stupid not to purchase it. I did everything online and was done. Within 30 minutes of purchasing my whole household was arguing downstairs over something trivial – the tv. I went through instant buyer’s remorse as what had I done? Luckily I got over it in about a week.
I purposely didn’t have it delivered until after we got back from Nashville as I didn’t want to have it come and then leave town with nobody knowing what to do. I did tell Sunnee, but not the kids. It was all I could do NOT to use it as a weapon to get them to do good things and an even better test of my resolve to not let it slip out in conversations.
They were supposed to be here between 9 and 11 – they showed up at 8:30! They were in and out within ten minutes! Just delivery – no set up as that would be an extra $200…
They warned us not to turn it on for 30 minutes to let the set warm up to room temperature as it had been in the truck all night. That was a most painful 30 minutes for Jaeden and I. In the mean time, I set up:

With all the new rental stuff with iTunes I figured it was a good deal. They have been throwing the refurb 40GB versions at the Apple Store for $30 less than the new ones. Oh the things I do.
So – we get the TV up and running – hooked up to everything. The satellite is coming through ok, can’t get broadcast to work but that’s because there’s no separate input on the tv for that. The AppleTV LOOKS incredible but will not sync to my computer. I have been working on that most of the day. Dirk and Kat can laugh all they want as IF there is ANY chance for an Apple product to not work – I will get that product. It’s just Steve Jobs’ way of testing me…

iPhone Summary

I haven’t written about the iPhone in a while – mostly I have just been frustrated running in circles. Apple’s Customer Support is more helpful than AT&T’s but still stinks in the end run.
Overall I have to say that the iPhone is one of the most remarkable devices that I have seen. As a PDA, it tops everything I have ever used. Palm was good – but the Palm Organizer was always lacking and didn’t play well with the other standard programs such as Outlook. You had to purchase third party applications to make everything work better. To work with the Mac, another program was needed. Outlook on a PC is an amazing program. Their version on a Mac – Entourage – is a piece of work (not in the good way). Apple’s calendar, email, and address book are amazing products – they just work. They don’t require a manual to use, don’t hog all your memory (or disk space) and again – just work. Having the iPhone sync easily with the other products is priceless in that I don’t have to do anything, it syncs when I want it to – no third party applications and no lost or mismatched data.
Google Maps is the best app on the iPhone – you simply enter whatever you want and it maps it. It adds markers for anything that matches your search and you can select any marker and see websites or phone numbers. Select the website to visit it and select the phone number to dial. Select ‘Map’ and you can get directions. It’s not quite easy to navigate unless you have a co-pilot but it works fast – even on the AT&T Edge network.
The contact manager (address book) is flawless. All of the fields populate correctlly (which Palm could never accommodate) and the ability to assign a photo to the contact is hilariously funny.
The web browsing is wonderful as well. Being able to look at a real website – at full size compared to the little “corner” that the Palm would show – is wonderful. Some java and flash items don’t work – but to be honest I’m okay without having to worry about automatic downloading or other safety issues. If you want to amaze people – show the websites – double click on sections to see them magnified. If there is a wireless network around, web browsing is speedy and impressive. On the AT&T network – it is sluggish at best. If you are not mobile, it’s tolerable. If you are moving – it’s painfully slow.
SMS Messaging is quick and easy. You adapt to the touchscreen keypad in about 30 days. At first you miss the tactile keypads – having those little bumps on the “f” and “j” are touchstones that really help. I am at the point now where I can use multiple fingers, not just my pointy fingers and I rarely mis-type anymore. Sprint had unlimited texting, AT&T comes with 200 per month and you can get unlimited for an extra $20 a month. I’m not that into it to fork over another $20. All of your contacts that have instant messaging are available via your contacts.
Email is an easy product as well. Being one that keeps all of his messaging ON the server creates an issue because it always wants to load the oldest messages first. That pretty much kills it’s usefulness for me. So, I created a new email address just for the iPhone. If I’m on the road I instruct people to send those messages to the iPhone directlly or I forward messages that I want – using rules – directly to the iPhone. Being able to see attachments from Word, Excel, PDF’s or JPG’s is wonderful and the magnification and moving the image allows me to see detail even on large catalog PDFs. Emailing is easy and integrated to your address book.
There are small apps like stocks and weather that are widgets that pull the information over. On wireless, they update quickly – on AT&T network – it’s slow, but tolerable since it’s small data packets. The weather is nice because I can see whatever cities I wish – well almost all cities, Zihuatanejo is not included – and get the seven day forecast. Stocks are quick and at least I can act like I still have stocks to watch. The funny part is that you can notice how other people’s attitudes vary with how the stock market is doing.
The ability on the voicemails to select whichever message you wish to listen to – not in order that they were left is a feature. You wouldn’t think it would be as helpful as it is but you really get used to it quickly.
The iPod part of it is nice – it works. Movies and TV Shows from iTunes are incredible, perhaps even better quality than my home TV – and no commercials! Music is as I expected. The speakers are located at the bottom of the phone which I do not care for because when holding it, you tend to hold it around the bottom so it blocks the speakers. The YouTube videos are okay, but they only serve the most popular. I cannot search for my own videos for example.
So – in summary – the iPhone is an incredible device that I really do not think I could live without. It is worth every penny that I paid for it and I am happy with the device.
What doesn’t work? The phone. As a phone, it is the most disappointing thing I have ever used. As long as you are stationary – not in a car – it works okay. In a car – it’s worthless. I won’t even use it anymore. It drops calls consistantly and just pushes you over the edge every time that it is too frustrating to deal with. Sunnee’s phone is a Motorola Razr and she has no problems.
Here is the Apple tech’s official explanation:
The iPhone is such a “powerful” device that it draws more power than other devices do. When traveling in between cell sites, the iPhone uses resources to connect that probably degrade the service ability. So, it is best to turn off the wireless ability when moving as it will cause my battery to drain much more quickly if I leave it on. On the dropping calls, there is nothing that can be done to remedy that. When I point out that the Motorola phone does not drop calls in the same areas it is because the iPhone is much more powerful than those other phones.
So, the “phone” in the iPhone name is a misnomer. I will only use the phone when I am in one place. I will turn it on while driving to answer calls, but usually get off quickly so that I don’t have to worry about it. AT&T has officially lost any confidence in service that I once had with them. I will not step foot in their store any longer. They do not have a clue about the iPhone and actually hide when I come into their stores.
If you are a Mac-person, you probably already have an iPhone or are at least saving your pennies until you can afford one. PC users probably are envious of the iPhone because Apple made another device that is user friendly and unusually attractive – but probably will enjoy the new Treo or Blackberry more because it will be more similar to what they are used to.
I am happy with my purchase although I hate the phone. AT&T sucks. Apple still rocks.

iPhone Update – AT&T still spotty

Okay, even though they “say” they didn’t do anything to my phone but I didn’t notice any “No Service” areas where I had seen them previously. The service still would make reception spotty and not necessarily in any specific area. Since I drive mainly on I-40 and I-25 you would think that I would have awesome service on the interstates. I’m going to give it this week and will call AT&T to let them “download” some updates to my phone.

iPhone Update – Original iPhone back online

I switched the SIM card back into the original phone and cleared all the data on the loaner. That actually takes longer than resetting the phone did! I figured I shouldn’t leave all of your phone numbers and emails for the next recipient!
Synced up and ready to go – it was time for a test! Hmmmm. NO Wi-Fi. It won’t connect. Actually, even the desktop won’t connect via Airport. More crap to sort through, but not right now.
I coerced – nah, I just made him – Jaeden into riding with me to Home Depot armed with the video camera so he could record my worst fears. I have progressed to THAT person who will never be satisfied and will be angry at AT&T forever. God help them.
We put him into position and make the trip…..
No problems. No service issues. It worked fine. Albeit, WiFi is not turned on though… hm.
The rest of the weekend, although very slow phone call wise, no issues.
Apple had updated the iPhone with the new update and graphically, the display is different. The name/phone number/personal picture are all different. Either that or my lack of drinking is causing illusions….
I took a bike ride today and didn’t notice any issues but I was more interested in riding and trying to stay hydrated to pay close attention.
Tomorrow, Monday, will be the real test. Wish me luck!!!!

iPhone Update – Phone Returned

The phone was back on Friday morning!? I honestly figured that it would make more sense if they just replace the damn thing and worry about actually fixing things later. If I sent it on Wednesday, even if they got it on Thursday, how could they have done anything to it?
My fears were realized with the letter inclosed in the box:
“The reported symptom(s) that is not reproductible:
740/Connectivity – Wi-Fi”
BASTARDS!
On the way home, the loaner phone pretty much sucked ass the whole way home. I was talking to Dirk and just gave up as it was making my blood pressure rise.
I hate AT&T.

iPhone Update – Loaner Phone

The guy at Apple said that I would have to send in the phone. Normally, there’s a $39 charge for a loaner phone – but, before my head could explode – he said that they would waive that charge. They have to take my credit card number as a precaution that I don’t run away with their $500 loaner phone! 🙂
They said it would be shipped and gave me instructions that I did not pay attention to.
In true Apple form – even the loaner packaging is a work of art! You have to take the SIM card out and they actually send you a paperclip in the box! Easy packaging, simple instructions – if Apple could loan out their design team to the rest of the world we would all benefit!
Whats’ this? They sent me an 8 GB version! SWEET! It’s exactly the same size and weight at the 4GB version but has a much more efficient “vibrate” button on the side. That was the only difference.
The trading/syncing was easy and the new phone was shipped fully charged. The only thing you have to do is manually enter in your Voicemail password and any WiFi passwords. Very nice indeed.
The new phone did not drop service along Coors but does just about anywhere else. I’ll just be talking and then it goes away – no rhyme or reason. It is truly a pain in the butt. I’ve spoken to others and everyone loves their service – even from AT&T. I am apparently the only person in America to be cheap and only get the 4 GB version – maybe I’m paying for my frugality?
When it works – it works incredibly. When it starts to falter, the best thing is just to hang up (if the system does not do it first for you) and redial. It’s like it doesn’t like moving between cells. It kind of kills the idea behind a “mobile” phone!
I finally sent my original phone back, with travel – etc – I wasn’t exactly prompt. I sent it on Wednesday.

iPhone Update – Dropped/Failed Calls (still)

The resetting the phone worked for about three days, then service started getting spotty at the house. Of course, not just all over – just in certain rooms.
I did an experiment and it seems to be tied into the Wi-Fi – if I am having service issues I turn off Wi-Fi and magically get more service bars….
I’ve tried this around the house and around the city and it seems to help.
I have called AT&T and they are now trying my patience with their levels of attempted help. Once I get to level two – they seem much more knowledgeable. The secret is to keep the “secret” phone number that they give you as I’m sure that would speed up the whole process. The number always seems to be the one place I am not at.
The sad fact of the matter is that the “last” day to return the iPhone is quickly approaching. Sadly, I am not happy with the phone part of the iPhone – everything else simply ROCKS!
Google Maps is the most amazing thing I have ever seen! It just works. The sync-ability with Safari, Address Book, and iCalendar is just great – again – it just works. No third-party software that likes to crash every now and then and seemed to “forget” certain fields. The voicemail feature is great – just click on the one you want to hear. Email and Web are wonderful compared to Sprint’s on the Treo 650. It’s just that I really expect the phone part to actually function! (I’m soooo picky!)
A nice lady at AT&T had me swap out the SIM card with my wife’s Motorola to see if I get the same issues – no. That “allowed” me to be connected directly with Apple folks. They had not heard of this issue with the WiFi and agreed that it didn’t make sense. A new service record was made and they are going to have me send it in.

iPhone Update – Dropped/Failed Calls

Okay. So, I get the iPhone on Friday, June 29th. Painless, quick, easy. I get the phone up and running in about 3 minutes – others had issues that took until late Saturday, early Sunday. Although it may seem like I am an early adopter and an overall computer/gadget geek – I tend to be relatively thorough and I do test things first. I purposely did NOT transfer or “port” my existing Sprint telephone number.
Sprint and I, over the past… 10 years or so, have had one of those relationships that you don’t always enjoy. I have had service issues and we both came to the conclusion that my phone won’t work in the following places: parts of my house, the front yard, on the same street where I live, at the corner of Coors & Delleyne, on Coors in the dip south of Delleyne, on I-40 eastbound at the river, I-25 northbound around Lomas and a few other minor blips. We have been round and round, through updates, firmware, software, them calling me a liar – normal service issues.
I laughed when AT&T went crazy on the airwaves the day before the iPhones went on sale stating how much money they had spent in the Albuquerque and New Mexico markets upgrading their service. It was a little too “timely” for me. So, I drove around with the AT&T iPhone and the Sprint Treo650. Everywhere where I was having Sprint issues, the iPhone always managed to squeeze out at least four bars of service (out of 5). I do have to say I was impressed. The call clarity is also something that I cannot explain – you seem to hear a lot more of what is going on where you are calling. You just seem to hear more ambient noise, it’s better but somewhat eerie.
After what I felt was a good time to compare, I cancelled the Sprint service and ported my number to the iPhone on Friday, July 6th . I have had that number since 1994? I still have old concert people call just because they were betting that IT WOULDN’T work. I hate change – by the way.
Magically, I received a phone call from my dad on Sunday the 8th. He normally calls from his cell phone and if he just sits wrong, his service would drop. On this one, my phone dropped the call – four times.
Then, while driving south on Coors – the service just stops at Western Trails. It simply says “No Service”. Only southbound, northbound (just thirty feet away) works fine. Just driving around, the phone will just drop a call or fail to place a call.
AT&T Customer Service has been nice. After two levels of service techs over three days – they come up with the solution that I need to reset the phone. Thanks folks.
I sad reality is that the person over the other phone pinpointed my exact location within 100 feet! Let that be a lesson to those who are involved with illegal activity and have cell phones in your pockets!
Anyways, resetting the phone worked – my only question was if it was a recurring issue that I’d just have to reset the phone every week and a half…

iPhone Update

I feel like I built everyone up with all my iPhone hype – then nothing. I’m sorry about that.
The buildup, the getting one and being home by 6:20 pm, the videos – then nothing.
Not to make excuses, but the morning after iPhone night, I was floored with the potentially crappy news of a best friend’s newly found tumor that pretty much took the wind out of my sails. I am very, VERY happy to report that it has been removed, proven to be benign and we all have seemed to breathe freely for the first time since June 29th. Click here for their blog. Right after this, another friend was found to have a brain anuerysm (successful surgery on Friday) and had spent the four weeks or so unable to do anything and knowing that anything she did could be the last – like breathe, eat, get up, or other things that we take for granted. Pretty much I have felt that any issues that I may have/have had were pretty petty in comparison.
Well, now that you both are better – I’m going to start ranting! 🙂

My iPhone/AT&T issues started on day nine and have not let up. I will start telling the story which will culminate with my ultimate realization that I may be returning it this week.
I’ll start posting this weekend, maybe even with some videos!
Check back and you can follow along!

IKEA (again)

Yes, I have said it before – IKEA is my favorite store in the world.
There was one in Sacramento, not far from the house and this would be one of those rare ocassions that all four of us would be in one place that had a store so I made everyone go with me!
I won’t say that everyone was willing, but they knew it would make me happy so they went along. I hooked the kids on the store in the first five minutes! Sunne was excited as well. I think we spent about 2-1/2 hours IN the store. The kids started complaining around 90 minutes but were little troopers until the end. We saw lots of stuff, got lots of ideas, wrote down and took lots of pictures. If we are successful getting our finances together – I plan on refinancing the house and putting money into some redoing things. IKEA will be a large part of that for the kids’ rooms and maybe some flooring.
We have a lot of work do to before making all of this work.
Needless to say – I had a great day today 🙂