Irrational iPhone lust?

In the weekend edition of the Independent I have a column that serves as both a public expression of my interest in the iPhone and an explanation of what the phone is (and isn’t) so the average person can understand where the fun is with this device.

On Friday, the day the phone finally came out, I spent the day thinking about the iPhone every now and then. It wasn’t an obsession, it was just ‘hey, I wonder what people will think of the iPhone.’

Living in rural Minnesota means the iPhone is pretty much out of our reach thanks to the AT&T agreement. Baby bell wireless doesn’t cover this area so I’m pretty much out of luck when it comes to using the iPhone myself. That doesn’t mean I don’t still want one and vocally hope that AT&T will make their way into this region.

So far the reactions towards the iPhone have been positive. Even those who expressed their exhaustion with the iPhone discussion have had glowing things to say about the thing. I think that says a lot.

After having my column in print and my mug shot smirking at the reader, I’ve finally come to a conclusion about WHY I really want to the iPhone.

It does complex things - simply. It makes actions, including interfacing with the phone, easy to do compared to the competitors which can make for some laborious activities. I didn’t express that in the column, but it’s the reality.

And to my co-workers in the newsroom - I will try not to talk about the iPhone much more. Unless prompted. That’s a warning and a disclaimer.

At any rate, I look forward to a future trip to the Twin Cities where I will visit an Apple Store and will leave my finger prints all over a display phone. Because they pick up finger prints like no tomorrow. But hey, it does come with a wipe cloth.

David Pogue reviews iPhone

A great video review, with humor, from the New York Times on the iPhone.

Ringing loud and clear

I’m an Apple fan boy. There is no denying it at this point, I love my MacBook and my iPod and every other Apple toy I’ve owned throughout the years. It was a safe bet that I would want the Apple cell phone offering - the iPhone - after it was announced this past January.

It’s just so darn cool. That said, after months of listening to and reading about iPhone news and speculation, it quickly became more of an annoying subject than a product I wanted to have in my hand. Don’t get me wrong, the interest was still there.

Apple, the geniuses that they are finally came out with stuff that turned me back to the side of drolling over the thing. A video on their Web site demonstrates many of the features that make the phone an interesting product.

While staring at my iPod, cellphone and PDA I realized, I really want this thing. A lot. From it’s fluid interface to simplicity in phone features. It works with my Mac far better than my Palm Z does. Not saying a lot of course but there that is.

There is a problem, At&T doesn’t cover my area - at least not to my knowledge - so I can’t even really use it out here. That could, and hopefully will, change in the next year and a half, when my Razr plan ends. Here’s hoping.

Listen to a netcast all about the iPhone over at ApplePhoneShow.com.

TiVo this summer

Some shows TiVo will be recording for me this summer. . .

• The Dead Zone (USA)
• Eureka (Sci-Fi)
• Monk (USA)
• Psych (USA)
• Doctor Who (Sci-Fi)
• Jericho - Reruns (CBS)

Should be a pretty good summer for television based on this list I think.

John Krasinski on Conan

Jim from the Office is in a new Movie - License to Wed with Mandy Moore and Robin Williams. Looks real funny.

Via Give Me My Remote

Lets all swivel

I’m a big fan of my TiVo. It records my shows, even finds me things it thinks I might enjoy (hit or miss). It does this all with limited complaints.

The people that make TiVo happen have been nice enough to roll out some new features, including one called “Universal Swivel Search,” a new way to find programs to watch based on what you already enjoy. Find other stuff from the actors in the shows, that sort of thing.

It’s still a little buggy, I don’t have HBO and it seems to want me to record stuff on there even with that in mind. I’m sure that will be fixed in the near future. It’s just nice that they keep rolling stuff out.

Now if they would just make the window button do a zoom feature and fix series 2 to accept widescreen as a valid option. Oh well, dreams I suppose. And no Rae and Deb, TiVo is not a real person. At least not yet.

Mandy Moore - Wild Hope

I’ve declared my affection for Mandy Moore a few times over the years. From her last album “Coverage” to movies like “A Walk to Remember” she just picks the right projects at the right moment.

Generally speaking I’m not one for sugary pop music, I haven’t been since I was 10. However since she released her self titled third album, Mrs. Moore has really found a good balance between good music and pop radio friend jives.

Speaking of her last album, “Coverage,” a rather underrated pop gem, took a challenge of finding songs that Moore grew up enjoying or had only recently discovered and putting her own twist on it. It was a fun experiment and prime example of how pop music today doesn’t have to be produced by the Neptunes or have a crazy beat.

This week Moore returns to the music world after a four year absence. Her album “Wild Hope” saw her working with such indie music luminaries as Rachael Yamagata, Chantal Kreviazuk, Michelle Branch, Lori McKenna and The Weepies.

The result isn’t as massive departure from the textures you would expect following “Coverage,” but you do get a more thought out, less lush experience that strips the sound down to something a little more personal. It’s a nice ballance of pop, folk, indie and country.

Moore co-wrote all the songs on the album and with stories of break ups and heart break, it demonstrates that she is willing to put a little more of her self into her music than she ever has before.

“Wild Hope,” is an interesting album and an easy listen even for jaded music fans. It’s not going to win over the critics, but it will win her over some fans. Look at who she worked with if you’re looking for confirmation into the quality of the work. And in the end, just listen and enjoy.

Excitement on the road

I don’t often talk about my job on here, mostly because there could be a conflict of interest in what I write one place and another. Keep that in mind when you’re reading this blog. However today I got a chance to see something I don’t always get to.

At around 3 p.m. the police scanner in the news room chimed in with a call for help at a fire along Highway 23. A truck hauling hay going north towards Granite Falls had caught fire. With camera in hand I rushed to the scene (obeying all laws of speed and respect for emergency vehicles).

As I approached the scene I could see smoke bellowing from miles away. I knew I was getting close. I got to the point where police were redirecting traffic along another road to avoid the scene. Knowing where I should or should not go, I decided to park along side the road and just hike the rest of the way, it didn’t seem far.

As I started me trek, I noticed it was a lot farther than I had originally estimated. After walking for a little over a mile in the 90 degree heat wearing jeans and a polo, I finally reached the scene of the fire. I’ve been to a number of similar scenes, so that isn’t the interesting part. This is however the first time I’ve seen a truck melt.

I won’t get into any more details, you can see the pictures in tomorrow’s edition of the Independent. I’ll also try to post photos I took at the scene some time tomorrow or later this week.

If only my office was like this. . .

Via kevinrose.com

Send Away the Tigers

I’ve been a fan of the Manic Street Preachers ever since I saw them open for Oasis back in 96. I would take the time to explain who this band is, I’m sure most people are scratching their heads, but their history is one of the most tragic in recent rock history and the band has come out the other side.

I lost track of them after their “This is My Truth …” album, mostly because they got dropped in the states. That was a shame because the epic nature of that album really appealed to some of my friends who wouldn’t have otherwise known about them.

While browsing iTunes the other day, I for some reason decided to search for the Manics, I’d done it in the past to find nothing more than albums I already had. Well to my surprise they’ve added some new stuff - including the latest album “Send Away the Tigers.”

After hitting the buy button without sampling (something I usually avoid) I started listening to the album. At first I was a little disappointed. It sounded a little main stream, and for the Manics that was saying a lot. This is a band that really goes against the grain normally.

After doing a few double takes, the singer from The Cardigans makes an appearance on one track, it all started to fall into place. It really is a Manics album. Filled with Clash inspired riffs and GnR fueled solos.

I would recommend starting out with “Everything Must Go,” if you’re looking to get into the Manics, but this would be a good follow up listen.