TEEPLE.tv

It has finally arrived and I have to say that Apple has created another device which is truly going to be a game changer.  I placed my ‘reservation’ about a month ago and with baited breath, drank of all the reports and prophesies of the coming iPad.  Pictures of it in the wild – performance statistics – ‘delay reports’ from manufacturing and finally this week the great Marketing engine of Apple, itself, crank up into high gear.

I watched last night as the news reports highlighted the Apple Fanatics camped outside the retail outlets waiting for their forthcoming chance to obtain the new device.   I was worried.  Why?  Would I get there at 9:30 AM or 10:00 AM to find my reservation was for naught, like the infamous Jerry Seinfeld episode where Seinfeld reserves a car, but they don’t have it and he starts to lecture the counter person on the meaning of a reservation.

I thought to myself – should I go down and sit with these people and commune?  Then I figured – what will be, will be.  Apple said they would have my reservation and I believed them.  I would show up when I could the next morning.

I did make it out at 10:30 and found that there were two lines – a very long one and a very short one – I prayed I was in the short one and as luck would have it, my reservation did pay off!  I was in the short line and after a brief 10 minute wait (unlike some of the people who would have to wait hours to get in), I was face to face with my prize.  I knew exactly what I wanted:

• 32 GB iPad WiFi (3G isn’t out for another 3-4 weeks and I didn’t want another AT&T charge)
• Apple Dock/Keyboard combo unit
• Cover for my iPad

I was greeted by the Apple Representative and he (to be nameless) was very courteous and welcoming and we talked for a bit about the iPad.  He didn’t try to push extra’s or accessories.  I was direct and laid out what I wanted (in terms of the accessories) and he gathered them all up.  While he gathered, Andrew (my son) and I went to go play on the iPad’s – my first touch!  AMAZING.  My first impression was staggering.   The one thing I could not get over was the intense speed of the device – how fast it flipped and did things.  I was eager to see the PHOTOS applet and before I knew it I was pinching and zooming my way to photo nirvana.

Our Apple Rep came back with items in hand and we quickly rang up my purchase.  He saw my e-mail address (bill@macgod.net) and we discussed Apple Computers.  I have been using Apple since 1988 when I obtained a Mac SE for my own personal usage (from my Aunt who worked at Apple).

He offered to register the device right there in the store and handed the device for the unboxing – that is part of the beauty of Apple – they want us, the consumer, to have the best experience possible.  It is in their best interest to keep us coming back for more.

After a short registration period – I was gone and walking with Andrew through the mall back to the car to quickly get the iPad home so I could really take it for a spin.  Once I was at home, I loaded it up with my accounts, my apps, music, some videos and photographs from my iPhoto.

But this isn’t a totally glowing review or write-up of my iPad.  I truly do believe it is an awesome device – but I have a few issues with it:

• Upon connecting to my iTunes 9.1 app on my brand new 21″ iMac, it takes a good 4 minutes before anything is responsive?  I hope this is a minor issue and they fix it – it doesn’t seem like it should take this long
• My other issue is with the iPad developers – If I paid $15.00 for an application 1 month ago – I would hope that if you developed an iPad version that it would be free or become a universal application – this is an EPIC FAILURE by MLB (Major League Baseball) who not only charged $15.00 for the iPhone version, and recently released their iPad version and low and behold – they want another $15.00 for that version… Bugger Off
• The case isn’t as functional as I want it to be – it feels plastic like so I think I will invest in something more worthwhile like a leather carrier or something

Overall – a great device and I look forward to running it through its paces, both personally and professionally.

Have a great Easter everyone!

Today I awoke to what can only be described as another assault upon our choice and ultimately our responsibility as human beings.  Santa Clara Supervisor Ken Yeager has taken it upon himself to spearhead legislation that will ultimately ban the “happy” part of the “Happy Meal” – namely, the toy! 

Here is my open letter to Mr. Yeager in a plea for sanity:

Dear Mr. Yeager,

I do not work for the fast food industry.  I did about 22 years ago when I was in high school, but that has no bearing on my plea to stop the insane legislation you are proposing.

I am a 37 year old male who grew up in Santa Clara Valley and current reside there.  I have three children, ages 10, 7 and 4 and I place a lot of value in their health and happiness.  My wife and I make their lunches every day and provide a balance between fun and healthy items within that lunch. 

As a parent, it is my responsibility to ensure that my kids are taught right from wrong, fact from fiction, and healthy from not.  I abhore the idea that we have to legislate for the parents who do not take that initiative to be watchful for their children’s health.  Does it sound right that kids should be penalized for poor management of their caloric intake by their parent(s)?    To blame the meal because it includes a toy as the culprit is just insane thinking.  The meal is still going to be cheap and affordable for those in need of a quick dinner.  Where will this line of thinking stop?  Maybe a ban on video game sales in Santa Clara because kids sit too much in front of the T.V.?

In today’s health concious society, their are many options for parents wanting to find a better balance within their fast-food options.  Many fast food companies allow you to substitue poor health oriented food like french fries and soda with apple slices and milk. 

You know who is to blame – the parents.  You know who is going to suffer – the independent business owners and the children.

I have a saying I garnered from Armstrong and Getty radio and it goes like this:

‘You cannot legislate stupidity or ignorance’

Please stop wasting money on poor legislation and do something else for the kids to get them fit. After school programs and activities that get the children away from the T.V. and Computer are what they need.  Put your funding and your money into those programs – better our parks, our education and public safety and the kids will go out and play.

Well, there it is in a nutshell – you really cannot fault a politician for attempting to make a name for himself, but there are better ways to find a solution to this problem.  For now, I guess my kids will be penalized for the few irresponsible parents out there.

My blog – my two cents.

B

Got my beef! Thanks to my mother-in-law!

She loves me!