Alright, so yesterday I talked a little bit about Apple’s big announcement prior to the actual press event.  As predicted, Apple’s new “big thing” was a tablet.  They named it the “iPad” which has created quite a few jokes already, but this will wear off as the device becomes a reality.  So what are my initial thoughts?  I’m glad you asked.

Firstly, let me say that the device looks “sexy,” but you would not expect anything else from Apple.  However, I do not think this device is a game-changer by any means.  There really was not any new technology introduced with it.  It really is just any enlarged iPod Touch.  I like the fact that they allow you to natively use iPhone apps on it in one of two sizes.  Also, I am sure the multi-touch is really nice, but that is just an extension from the iPhone/iPod Touch.  As you can tell, I was very underwhelmed by the device from the details I have read and the pictures and video I have seen.

Does it have a market?  Sure.  But I do not think it captures some brand new market.  There is now just an Apple option in the Tablet space, which seems to be reemerging.  I do not think it competes with the Kindle.  The Kindle is a reading device.  Period.  The Kindle has e-ink, so it is just like reading a book.  Plus the Kindle is only $259 including 3G.  This iPad is a minimum of $499 with only Wi-Fi.  If you want 3G, you are looking at a minimum of $629 plus at least $15/mo (for 250 MB; $30 for unlimited).  Plus the books look to be more expensive that the Kindle or Nook.  Ted Kennedy’s book, which Steve Jobs bought during the demo was $14.99.  For the Kindle, that book is $9.99.  The battery life on the iPad is impressive, but it certainly cannot go for days of use like the Kindle can.  It is a device you will need to plug in every night, just like your phone.  The iPad seems to have a very nice reader, but it is still a backlit screen, so if you want an e-reader, go with a Kindle.  If you want a Tablet that can also function as an e-reader, then the iPad can do this (as can the iPhone or any device running Windows, by the way).

I am amazed that they kept the price on all models below $1000.  That’s impressive.  However, is a maximum of 64 GB going to be enough for this device?  We will have to wait and see.

So, my initial thoughts are this device will sell and will do fairly well, but people aren’t going to suddenly realize they need a Tablet.  The iPhone brought a whole new group of people to smartphones; I just do not see that happening in this case.  I have been wrong before, though.

Well, I at least waited overnight to give my thoughts on President Obama’s first State of the Union speech.  I thought at times he was good-natured, but the overall impression I got was that he was smug.  He seemed to be insinuating that the people of this country are too dumb to get the fact that we NEED this healthcare reform.  I also think the spending freezes are a joke.  In fact, when he said they would not go into effect until NEXT year that drew a laugh from the chamber.  How about cuts?  There is so much waste that can be scaled back.

I also thought it was interested that he took the opportunity several times to take a slash at the previous administration.  We have been starting to see this over the last couple weeks.  It worked well on the campaign trail, so he has brought it back out after suffering embarrassing electoral defeats over the last couple months, particularly last week in Massachusetts.

I was glad to hear him mention the need for America to be second to no one, but it felt hollow.  However, at least he said it rather than apologizing for America as he has in the past.  He continues to call Iran the “Islamic Republic of Iran,” which I do not believe any other President has ever done.  This bothers me but does not surprise me.

I do think it was interesting that Mr. Obama took a direct swipe at the Supreme Court and their decision to side with the Constitution (you know, that pesky document that this country is founded on) in their ruling on campaign finance last week.  Many are surprise Justice Alito apparently mouthed the words “Not true,” but I am more surprised by this lack of decorum by the President.  I do not ever remember this being done before, but I could be wrong.

I simply was not impressed with the speech.  I do not think it will really help or hurt the President, but he desperately is looking for something to help him, as his poll numbers and the Democrat majority are both dwindling.  However, I do like his message that the people have lost all trust in Washington.  That is very true.  However, in my opinion you do not fix that by making more programs and having more control over the people.  Take control of the few things that government does well (defense, infrastructure, etc.) and remove barriers for people wanting to help themselves.  If you do that, it will restore the trust in Washington from the American people.

The United States, and the world, eagerly await the big speech today.  Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address?  Nah.  Steve Jobs’s announcement about Apple’s “latest creation.”  Widely rumored to be a Tablet (didn’t we have those 5+ years ago and they never caught on?), we will find out in a few hours.  While we cannot be sure of a whole lot, here is what I am sure of:

• I’m sure there will be the Apple cult following that buy anything Apple puts out.
• I’m sure it will look good.  All of Apple’s stuff looks good.
• I’m sure it will do something NEW.  I don’t know what it will be, but something will be different about it.
• I’m sure it will not be the most advanced tablet or have the greatest array of features.  Look at the iPhone.  Blackberries, WinMo phones, etc. have a lot more features, but Apple was able to capture a significant part of the market.
• I’m sure there will be some limitation.  Apple always holds themselves back.  With their OS, they limit it to their hardware.  With the iPhone, the limit it to AT&T.  What will the limitation on this device be that sets a ceiling on how many they sell?

We will have to wait and see.  Politicians can take a lesson from Jobs.  He has completely controlled the media on this one.  Only desired leaks have gotten out.  There are thousands of articles about this thing.  The media is drooling over themselves waiting for it.  Jobs has figured out how to do what politicians have been trying to do for centuries.

Heh.  Alabama will display BCS Trophy at Wal-Mart

Having recently purchase an e-reader (a Kindle), I just thought I would throw some tips out there to those folks interested in one of these great devices.  Also, there have been a lot of new e-readers released at this year’s CES, so there will be more to choose from.

1. Book Selection.  Even the best reader is useless if it doesn’t have the books you want on it.  I suggest looking at the device’s “store” (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Sony, etc) and seeing which one has the books you would want.  I chose about 20 books I already have and 15-20 I want to buy and saw which store had them and compared price.
2. Price.  While the Nook and Kindle are the same price, several other e-readers are not.  Keep this in mind when you want to purchase.
3. Connectivity.  How are you going to get your books?  Does the device have a 3G/cellular connection?  Or are you tied to Wi-Fi?  Or will you have to load your books solely with a USB cable.  The ability to get a book anywhere via 3G/cellular is nice.  Also, will you be traveling worldwide with the device?  If so, you may want to check out if the device has worldwide roaming or what your limitations are.
4. Battery Life.  E-ink is very good for battery life because it requires no power unless the page changes.  However, some of the newer devices have color LCD screens, second full screens, etc.  This may be a benefit and worthwhile, but it will certainly cut down your battery life.
5. Book Formats.  What book formats will the device support?  Can it natively read the format you want?  Can it be converted?  (By the way, Calibre is a must for book conversion).  Can you easily check out books and put them on the device?  All things to think about.
6. Lending.  This may or may not be important to you.  Can you loan your books to other people not on your current account.  Currently Kindle does not support it and Nook barely does by allowing you to loan a book one time to one person for 14 days.
7. Hardware Limitations.  Keep this particularly in mind.  Some things (formats, lending, etc.) can be fixed with a software update if the vendor feels it is a necessity (competition is a good thing here, and we have already seen Amazon respond to the Nook by adding a native PDF reader).  However, hardware limitations cannot be fixed without buying a new device.  So if a hardware feature is important to you, weight it a little more.

Feel free to e-mail me or post questions in the comments.  Also, if I missed anything, let me know.  I struggled with my decision, but I am happy with my choice.  Weigh those things which are important to you, and then GO FOR IT!  Enjoy!

Does this remind anyone of 2007-2008?  Only this time it is Democrats instead of Republicans resigning/retiring.

• Dodd Won’t Seek Re-Election
• Dorgan to Leave Senate
• Colorado Governor Will Not Run Again
• Republican Scott Brown Only Trails by 9 Points for Ted Kennedy’s Senate Seat

Things are starting to look somewhat dicey for the Democrats in 2010.  It is not unprecedented to see a turnover during midterm elections.  However, it certainly does not help the cause when these guys are resigning on their own.

Just a quick FYI… Contrary to what the whole media world seems to be telling us, 2010 is not the start of a new decade; it is actually the 10th year in the current decade. In our Gregorian Calendar, there was no Year Zero. Thus the first year, A.D., was 1. From that point one, decades run years 1-10 (11-20, and so on). Also, the current century and millennium started January 1, 2001; not 2000.

The third millennium of the Gregorian calendar began on 1 January 2001, rather than the popularly-celebrated 1 January 2000. This is a direct consequence of the absence of a year zero in the anno Domini era. Had there been a year zero, which might be considered part of the first millennium, then 1 January 2000 would indeed mark 2000 years since the year numbering datum and be the start of the third millennium.

This also applies to centuries and decades. Thus, the 20th century began on 1 January 1901; and the 21st century began on 1 January 2001.

So if you had hoped to have one more year to accomplish something before the decade ended, you are in luck!  Have a great final year in this decade.

Long time no see, eh?  Well, the time has come where everyone is making resolutions for the New Year.  I certainly hope that 2010 is much better for blogging for me.  I still enjoy it, but I have hit a wall when it comes to ideas, and I am somewhat sick of constantly doing politics.  I hope to pick out a myriad of subjects for blogging this year.  For all my sports-related posts, head on over to Redshirt Football, where Phil T. and I try to keep you abreast on our thoughts of all things sports.

I also have a new toy to write about.  For some time now, I have been interested in the Kindle.  However, Barnes and Noble came out with their own e-reader, the Nook, which piqued my interest.  I had a decision to make.  After doing lots of research, reading reviews, and checking out the Nook at my local B&N, I decided the Nook just wasn’t quite ready for primetime.  It was slow and the touchscreen navigation for a lot of things was kooky and cumbersome.  So, I decided to order a Kindle.  What a delight!

The packaging was simply to open; just one strip to pull on the cardboard shipping box and I was in.  The device was already registered, so the moment I took it out of the box it was ready to use.  It even had half a charge, so I could play with it.  Kudos to Amazon; they have it figured out.  But they should.  They have been doing this for a couple years now.  I had already chosen several free books, and they made their way wirelessly to my Kindle.  The e-ink is awesome and really is easy on the eyes and nice to read, even in direct sunlight (in fact it is better the more light you have; just like a real book).  I have several books I am ready to buy, but the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (for free from Amazon) has kept me busy thus far.  I love the fact that I can quickly and easily buy a book or a sample of a book from either my Kindle or computer and it is on the Kindle in about a minute.  I have enjoyed getting a few samples of books I am interested in.  It lets me read the introduction and generally the first chapter for free.

The text-to-speech works pretty well.  It is certainly not an audiobook, but if you want to rest your eyes for a few minutes or have it read to you in the car or something, it is a good option to have.  Everything is very responsive and quick on the device.  Much more so than the Nook I tried out.  The MP3 player is also nice to have, so you can listen to some music while reading a book, rather than having to get out your iPod/MP3 player as well.  I see this as a great advantage on an airplane.  Just one device.

If you are thinking about getting an e-reader, go for it.  I certainly give the Kindle two thumbs up.  If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave me a comment.  Happy New Year!  And I look forward to blogging more in the next year!

Random Sports Mumblings was a series I started a couple weeks ago here. However, I thought it was more appropriate at RedshirtFootball. These are just random sports thoughts by Craig T. Feel free to chime in with your comments any time.

So often today, we want to help folks out.  We want to help them “get out of poverty.”  I certainly agree with this in the sense that if we can reduce the number of folks in poverty and on government programs, our country will flourish.  However, what it ultimately comes down to is the individual making a choice that he or she WANTS to get out of poverty.  The Washington Post had a good piece Sunday on how we can do just that.  Many in our county make the decision to make themselves better.  About 80% of millionaires are first generation millionaires (according to Thomas Stanley in The Millionaire Next Door).

First the article talks about how those in poverty are very likely to stay there:

If you are born into a middle-class family in the United States, you have a roughly even chance of moving up or down the ladder by the time you are an adult. But the story for low-income Americans is quite different; going from rags to riches in a generation is rare. Instead, if you are born poor, you are likely to stay that way. Only 35 percent of children in a family in the bottom fifth of the income scale will achieve middle-class status or better by the time they are adults; in contrast, 76 percent of children from the top fifth will be middle-class or higher as adults.

However, it goes on to point out how to get out of that situation:

Of course money is a factor in upward mobility, but it isn’t the only one; it may not even be the most important. Our research shows that if you want to avoid poverty and join the middle class in the United States, you need to complete high school (at a minimum), work full time and marry before you have children. If you do all three, your chances of being poor fall from 12 percent to 2 percent, and your chances of joining the middle class or above rise from 56 to 74 percent. (We define middle class as having an income of at least $50,000 a year for a family of three.) [emphasis mine]

These are amazing statistics for seemingly small steps.  However, those that are in poverty generally do not do these things, and so they dramatically increase their chances of remaining in poverty.  As we reach out to these folks, we need to encourage them to make the choices which will help them prosper rather than causing an increased likelihood of failure.