Apple.com – Access Denied! (Updated)

Posted by on October 4, 2011 1 comment | 408 views

Just minutes after the iPhone 4S announcement, the Apple.com web site is reporting “Access Denied.” However, you can go directly to the store, store.apple.com, however, that has a message to come back soon while they’re updating for the new iPhone.

Meanwhile, the new iPhone 4S has some great new enhancements. A largely expected 8 megapixel camera, with more sophisticated features for low light handling and detail. Video shooting up to 1080p. And, the amazing Siri, voice control. Previously, iPhones could take voice commands for playing music and dialing contacts. With Siri, however, it looks like the sky’s the limit. From asking the time, the weather, directions to a nearby fast food establishment, to dictating emails. Siri, looks like a great new technology.

UPDATE! Since we posted this, Apple has restored the home page of their site. Yay.

 

HP Touchpad for $99!

Posted by on August 21, 2011 No comments | 232 views

As recently as last night (Saturday night) I have actually seen those ‘Glee’ commercials for the HP Touchpad. You’d think they could pull these since the product has been discontinued. Then, we see a $99 blowout of the price, but the only confirmed reports I could find for these prices were in Canada. The US, UK and EU hadn’t had these clearance prices yet. (If you have a confirmed $99 purchase in the US please post in the comments!)

After doing some of my own “Googling” in my area, it showed all of the Office Depot locations having this product for $130. So we made an effort to get up early this Sunday morning (9am is early for us on a Sunday) and try to get our own blowout HP Touchpad. Unfortunately, they were sold out. A drive by the nearby Staples confirmed the same thing.

Oh well. Regardless of the phantom $99 Touchpads, we were able to use a demo unit at Office Depot (which they said they weren’t selling because they weren’t “full, normal Touchpads.”) After tapping around, holding it, etc, I can confirm, this thing is slow, bulky and heavier than our iPad 2.

The reason we wanted one is that I am a developer and there’s rumor that Android will be ported to the Touchpad. I figured, for $99, it was worth it.

I guess we have to wait until the next ‘iPad killer’ arrives, or buy one of the many HP Touchpads on eBay for under $250.

 

The Grand Dillusion

Posted by on August 8, 2011 No comments | 113 views

Another huge “down day” on Wall Street. Today’s excuse? The S&P credit rating drop. Everyone keeps saying S&P made a huge miscalculation and that America’s credit rating is still AAA. How can this be? We have a deadlocked government, two wars, a faltering global economy, and a hopeless unemployment situation.

But there is one thing that everyone, besides S&P, seems to agree on; that America is still a AAA credit bet. I believe in staying positive and moving forward and holding strong and all that, but at some point, when will we face reality?

The reality is things are not good. And nobody is able to do anything about it. Now, why should a credit rating agency ‘pretend’ along with the rest of us, that everything is fine. I think it’s time to stop pretending, hoping, and praying, and start doing something about it.
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Right off a cliff

Posted by on August 3, 2011 No comments | 116 views

Being Poor is Getting Expensive…and it’s Your Fault

Posted by on July 25, 2011 1 comment | 196 views

Unfortunately, the American people are only just now realizing the mess their short-sightedness has made. Losing patience last year with President Obama then electing the loud-mouth, broken record, pseudo-Tea Party Republican Congress we have in place now, in hindsight, seems to have been a huge mistake.

Now what do we do?

The Republican majority Congress has dug their heels in pretty deep on keeping the ultra rich and multi-billion dollar corporations their Bush-era tax breaks and loopholes.

Where’s my “tax loophole” for being poor? As a small business owner why do I pay tax just for being self-employed? (that’s compounded with regular income tax?) Shouldn’t large corporations pay more taxes instead of breaking the backs of the self-employed, small business owner? We goofed. We voted as if we were rich, because we wanted to be. Protect the rich because I might be one someday…right?

So, what to do? Contact your Congressman. Pressure your Congressman. Here’s a link to get you started…and yes…it matters.  Click this link to Contact your Congressman.