Where is the awesomeness?

September 12, 2012 2 Comments

Later today we will see the newest iPhone. We may see a new iPad Mini (although TechCrunch thinks we won’t). So why am I not more fired up? Following along with the liveblogs on Engadget or Gizmodo used to be one of my favorite ways to procrastinate at work. I used to tweet about everything they would say as it came out.

Maybe it’s because I know I won’t be getting the new phone (not up for an upgrade this round). Or maybe it’s because I know that no matter what they reveal tomorrow, it won’t be that much better than what I have right now. A slightly bigger screen? Cool, but not a game changer. LTE? faster would be nice, but not blowing my hair back. A better camera? A sharper screen? New dock connector? Please.

These are evolutions not revolutions.

A few years ago it felt like everything was getting awesomer every day. New apps were literally changing the way we live, new devices were radically blowing away their predecessor, and new websites were creating new forms of entertainment.

But now? Now everything feels very blah. Read TechCrunch and you see headline after headline about some new mobile CRM platform or yet another app to modify your photos. You see newer, sometimes better, versions of things we already have. Facebook is boring (although maybe that’s a reflection of my and my friends’ life stage).

Where is the awesomeness?

The digital toys and tech that used to get me so fired up has become a part of my everyday life and now I need more. It’s like a drug. I need another Uber. I need another Hulu. I need another first generation iPhone.

And yet, I don’t need “another” anything. I need a NEW. I need something I can’t even imagine.

Has the pace of innovation slowed? Have we mastered everything there is to master? Every so often someone comes out with a stupid prediction like that and quickly proved wrong. In the past, the technology itself was rapidly changing as we moved from analog to digital. But as digital technology evolved the revolutionary-ness of it slowed. Today’s computers aren’t that different from the first Macintosh. They’re faster, more powerful, have WAY more features. But if you brought someone from 1984 to 2012 and showed them a computer they could probably identify it. I doubt the same would hold true from the average person from 1964.

So what do we have to look forward to? What are you looking forward to most?

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CES: Day 3

January 13, 2012 5 Comments

My third (and final) day at CES was definitely not as inspiring as the first two, as I had already been through most of the booths. But I still managed to get find a few new and exciting things.

The most interesting thing I saw yesterday was Microsoft Windows 8. I saw a little of it on day 2 but didn’t really linger too long. A colleague suggested that I go watch a demo and I was really impressed. The demo began with on a tablet, with their “metro” interface. It’s gorgeous, seamless, and seems to have a great UI. The demonstrator then moved to a laptop with keyboard and mouse and the experience continued just as seamlessly. Combined with the new Windows Mobile phones I saw here this week, I have to say that I’m very impressed. Very impressed.

If you know me, you know that I am a pretty diehard Apple loyalist. Until today I wouldn’t have even considered a non-Apple computer for my next laptop. But now, I’m open to the idea. I’m still not sold, the good people up in Redmond still have ways to go to sell me, but they’ve gotten through my initial defenses and I’d consider switching, even to their phone.

But the big issue I have with switching is how entrenched I am with Apple. All the apps I bought would be money down the drain if I leave. And that’s a big deal. Plus the “cost” of learning a new OS. It’s a lot to think about, but like I said, I’m open to the idea. I can’t wait until these devices and Windows 8 are out in the wild so I can play with them.

And as always, here are some pics from today:

Freddie Laker

SapientNitro's own Freddie Laker testing out a tricked out Smart Car

Nokia Lumia 900

The Nokia Lumia 900 won "best phone" from CNET and runs new Windows Mobile OS. Really nice looking.

Nest

I was so excited to meet the team from Nest, unfortunately they weren't in their suite when I stopped by.

Mercedes Benz

An awesome concept car from Mercedes.

Pedometer

Day 3. Brings the total to around 25K, or 12 miles. Not bad for three days of work (especially since I didn't count all the steps I took when I was out at night).

And once again, I shot some video. Bringing the total number of clips to over 300. My editor should have fun with that (Sorry Brittany!). As soon as the video’s done, you can be sure I’ll post it here.

Also, today was another banner day Hot Tub Crime Machine. At 1,566 views, today was my new best day ever! Thanks everyone!

Update: Here are my highlights from CES Day 1 and Day 2 (and if you prefer video format, click here)

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All Great Things Must Come to an End.

February 28, 2011 Leave a comment

Right now you are looking at a dinosaur. Not your computer, your optical drive. It’s probably right in front of your eyes (or just off to the side if you are on a MacBook like me). For the non-nerds reading this (not that I am saying a non-nerd would be interested in a blog called “Hot Tub Crime Machine” but humor me), I’m talking about your computer’s DVD player.

Think about it. When was the last time you even used yours?

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