My contract is up on my Verizon cell phone in about one month. I'm currently rolling with the original LG Dare. It's a decent phone but doesn't compare at all with the touch screen phones that are currently on the market. I'm looking to make the leap to a smart phone when I'm eligible to upgrade phones for the discounted price. I have two particular phones in mind when it comes to upgrading - the Apple iPhone and the Google Nexus One. Sounds like a simple decision considering I'm sticking with Verizon and the iPhone is currently not available. In fact, the decision is not simple at all and gets me thinking about Apple and Google business decisions.
My thoughts on Apple's stubborness are well documented. I believe they have made a poor business decision by not manufacturing an iPhone for the Verizon network. However, I must admit that at this point, the window for an iPhone to hit Verizon in the near future has closed. Verizon is currently testing its next generation network (LTE), which is the future of cell phone networks. Apple will likely wait until this new network is fully functionable before investing in a new iPhone for Verizon. The Verizon LTE network is in testing now and is due to hit the ground running sometime in the middle of 2011. That said, the best case scenario for an iPhone to hit Verizon is summer of next year. In other words, that sucks for me. Do I ride out my Dare for another year with the hope that Apple releases an iPhone on Verizon in 2011, or do I get the next best touch screen smartphone next month?
The next best phone, in my opinion, would be the Google Nexus One. However, that presents an entirely different issue that has me scratching my head over Google's rationale. It's documented that the Nexus One is coming to Verizon in the next few weeks. Well that's great news! I can go to the Verizon store and play around with the phone and decide then and there if I'll take the Nexus One or wait for an iPhone. Not so fast. It's very possible that Google will not allow the Nexus One to be sold in Verizon stores. That means that the Nexus One will be available only via Google's online store. Say what? To me, this move is even more dimwitted than Apple's decision to stick with AT&T. Google has already put up the investment to release a Verizon compatible Nexus One. Why in the world wouldn't you make it available for purchase everywhere, which would extend it's reach and increase sales. In fact, this possibility has caused Goldman Sachs to severely cut down the forecast of Nexus One sales. I thought Google was a top notch company with some intelligence. I haven't tapped into their logic on this one.
So I'm confused. Logic tells me that I should be patient and wait for the iPhone because that is the phone I really want. The "high maintenace" side of me doesn't want to wait and tells me that the Nexus One is a viable alternative. However, I'm not dishing out the cash for the Nexus One without a chance to thoroughly play with it. Maybe Google will decided to wise up because if they don't, sounds like I'm going to ride the Dare into 2011.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The NFL Combine
One would certainly think that the majority of NFL pro scouts and multi-millionaire (and sometimes billionaire) NFL club owners would be smart individuals. One would think that properly evaluating talent is the way to succeed in the NFL. Then again, maybe this is where common sense breaks down.
Exhibit A: Taylor Mays. He is a freakish athelete from the University of Southern California. He plays free safety and is known for his punishing hits in the secondary. Coming in to the 2009 football season, Mays was projected to be a top 5 pick in the NFL draft after a solid 2008 campaign. Well, the 2008 USC defense was stacked with talent and that covered up Mays' weaknesses. As the 2009 football season unfolded, Mays' draft stock fell seemingly every single week. The problem? Mays' decision making and slow reaction time. He was often found to be out of position. By the end of the season, Mays was projected to be selected in the late 20's of the first round. Still solid. He went into the Senior Bowl with something to prove. He failed and after that game, "experts" expected him to be a fringe first rounder. These "experts" I speak of are draft gurus and pro scouts.
That brings us to the ridiculous NFL pro scouting combine. The whole concept of the combine does not make sense. It's a chance for NFL scouts, coaches and owners to watch NFL prospects essentially run a series of drills. Apparently, hours upon hours of game film are not good enough. Mr. Taylor Mays goes into the combine with lots of flaws in his game. From day 1, all scouts know that Mays has freakish physical tools, but lacks a strong football IQ as evidenced by the mountain of film they have watched on him. Now to the combine, where May's proceeds to run a 4.41 second 40-yard dash, the fastest among all defensive backs. Certainly, that's an achievement, but this is where the system breaks down. I've read several instances that Mays improved is draft stock by as many as 10 picks because of his combine workout. Really? Surely, you're smarter than that (you listening Al Davis?). Does his 40 time erase the questions about his football abilities? And that's only part of the issue I have with the emphasis placed on 40 times. The second part is even more ridiculous. Do you realize that there were offensive and defensive lineman ran the 40 in the high 4 second range. That's a half second slower than Mays. That's one half of one second. Think about that. The combine fires me up because not a year goes by where someone shows "amazing" speed at the combine and gets drafted way too high as a result. Exhibit B: Darius Heyward-Bey and the infamously stupid Al Davis at the 2009 NFL draft. How did that return on investment wind up for you, Al?
Stupidity such as this makes me think that I can make millions of dollars as a scouting director for one of these teams.
Exhibit A: Taylor Mays. He is a freakish athelete from the University of Southern California. He plays free safety and is known for his punishing hits in the secondary. Coming in to the 2009 football season, Mays was projected to be a top 5 pick in the NFL draft after a solid 2008 campaign. Well, the 2008 USC defense was stacked with talent and that covered up Mays' weaknesses. As the 2009 football season unfolded, Mays' draft stock fell seemingly every single week. The problem? Mays' decision making and slow reaction time. He was often found to be out of position. By the end of the season, Mays was projected to be selected in the late 20's of the first round. Still solid. He went into the Senior Bowl with something to prove. He failed and after that game, "experts" expected him to be a fringe first rounder. These "experts" I speak of are draft gurus and pro scouts.
That brings us to the ridiculous NFL pro scouting combine. The whole concept of the combine does not make sense. It's a chance for NFL scouts, coaches and owners to watch NFL prospects essentially run a series of drills. Apparently, hours upon hours of game film are not good enough. Mr. Taylor Mays goes into the combine with lots of flaws in his game. From day 1, all scouts know that Mays has freakish physical tools, but lacks a strong football IQ as evidenced by the mountain of film they have watched on him. Now to the combine, where May's proceeds to run a 4.41 second 40-yard dash, the fastest among all defensive backs. Certainly, that's an achievement, but this is where the system breaks down. I've read several instances that Mays improved is draft stock by as many as 10 picks because of his combine workout. Really? Surely, you're smarter than that (you listening Al Davis?). Does his 40 time erase the questions about his football abilities? And that's only part of the issue I have with the emphasis placed on 40 times. The second part is even more ridiculous. Do you realize that there were offensive and defensive lineman ran the 40 in the high 4 second range. That's a half second slower than Mays. That's one half of one second. Think about that. The combine fires me up because not a year goes by where someone shows "amazing" speed at the combine and gets drafted way too high as a result. Exhibit B: Darius Heyward-Bey and the infamously stupid Al Davis at the 2009 NFL draft. How did that return on investment wind up for you, Al?
Stupidity such as this makes me think that I can make millions of dollars as a scouting director for one of these teams.
Friday, November 20, 2009
AT&T is weak ... Apple a Tech God?
This article I found when skimming the news today makes me laugh. AT&T is falling apart at the seams. The iPhone's handcuff with AT&T is likely limited, but that is all that AT&T has when trying to attack Verizon.
On a separate rant, while the iPhone has some bad-ass features, I'm still not convinced that Apple is capable of making a reliable phone (Keyword: Phone). While AT&T's network certainly deserves part of the blame for iPhone customer complaints, Apple's inability to deliver a quality phone device should receive more attention (poor voice and sound quality). Oh, I forgot, Apple is looked at as the tech God. No matter what they come up with, the world loves it and marks it as the best thing ever. Does anyone truly review Apple products or just assume they are the benchmark? Got to hand it to Steve Jobs, though. His company does a great job marketing their products and the success of the iPod has made his company the benchmark in every device that they produce (whether or not they deserve that distinction). Does the world forget that their products are severely overpriced? Of course not.
On a separate rant, while the iPhone has some bad-ass features, I'm still not convinced that Apple is capable of making a reliable phone (Keyword: Phone). While AT&T's network certainly deserves part of the blame for iPhone customer complaints, Apple's inability to deliver a quality phone device should receive more attention (poor voice and sound quality). Oh, I forgot, Apple is looked at as the tech God. No matter what they come up with, the world loves it and marks it as the best thing ever. Does anyone truly review Apple products or just assume they are the benchmark? Got to hand it to Steve Jobs, though. His company does a great job marketing their products and the success of the iPod has made his company the benchmark in every device that they produce (whether or not they deserve that distinction). Does the world forget that their products are severely overpriced? Of course not.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Is AT&T Dumb?
AT&T just filed a lawsuit against Verizon regarding Verizon's new "There's a map for that" commercials. The commercials aim directly at AT&T's 3G coverage (or lack thereof). AT&T claims that the ads misrepresent the company's cell phone coverage. AT&T claims that some consumers view the ads and falsely believe that the featured AT&T maps are that of total wireless coverage, not 3G coverage. Are you kidding AT&T? You must be desperate. Look at this Youtube video of the commercial. It clearly says below every map displayed that the map is representative of 3G coverage. Expect this lawsuit to be dismissed.
Follow-up: A judge ruled that Verizon can continue to produce and air these AT&T attack ads. Is that a surprise to anyone? AT&T, you are dumb.
Follow-up: A judge ruled that Verizon can continue to produce and air these AT&T attack ads. Is that a surprise to anyone? AT&T, you are dumb.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Weekend of Revenge
To Those in Possession of PSU/Iowa Tickets,
This is our weekend of revenge. This is the game where we pay Iowa back for destroying our undefeated season a year ago. College Gameday will be just outside the BJC. It will be a Whiteout night game in Beaver Stadium, the best venue in college football. I am writing to you with the hope that you are the 12th and 13th man for our team on Saturday night. I expect an environment no less than that faithful October night in 2005 against the Buckeyes. I want Beaver Stadium to be rocking. I want to get chills down my spine when I hear the Nittany Lion faithful screaming through my television set. I want to feel your energy. I want you to remind the college football world that PSU has the best fans, the best student section and the loudest stadium in college football. As a PSU alumnus and current resident of Iowa, make me proud.
For the Glory,
Swiggs
This is our weekend of revenge. This is the game where we pay Iowa back for destroying our undefeated season a year ago. College Gameday will be just outside the BJC. It will be a Whiteout night game in Beaver Stadium, the best venue in college football. I am writing to you with the hope that you are the 12th and 13th man for our team on Saturday night. I expect an environment no less than that faithful October night in 2005 against the Buckeyes. I want Beaver Stadium to be rocking. I want to get chills down my spine when I hear the Nittany Lion faithful screaming through my television set. I want to feel your energy. I want you to remind the college football world that PSU has the best fans, the best student section and the loudest stadium in college football. As a PSU alumnus and current resident of Iowa, make me proud.
For the Glory,
Swiggs
Friday, September 11, 2009
Remember 9/11
Today is the 8th anniversary of the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks that brought down the iconic Twin Towers, took thousands of American lives and damaged God knows how many families. I'll never, ever forget where I was that morning. I was a sophomore in high school sitting in my second period class when my teacher flipped on the TV. The first plane had struck the first tower. As we continued to watch the news coverage, I saw the second plane hit live. Needless to say, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I'll never forget the sight of seeing the towers collapse. It'll stay with me forever.
Today I pray for the thousands that lost their lives and the families they left behind. Today I remember the heros of Flight 93. They stood up to the hyjackers and likely saved hundreds, if not thousands of lives. Today I salute the members of the New York City Fire Department and the brave firefighters who lost their lives. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Today I pray for the thousands that lost their lives and the families they left behind. Today I remember the heros of Flight 93. They stood up to the hyjackers and likely saved hundreds, if not thousands of lives. Today I salute the members of the New York City Fire Department and the brave firefighters who lost their lives. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Halftime Update -- Titans at Steelers
The bad first....Ugly defensive struggle. Well, the Titans defense is holding their own. The Steeler defense looks porous. The Steeler offense has been completely anemic in the first half. The running game continues to be absent and the passing game can't seem to gain any momentum. Meanwhile, the Steeler defense is playing marginal. Kerry Collins throws short, underneath passes 80% of the time against the Steelers, but the defense can't adjust. James Harrison and Lamar Woodley have been neutralized by the solid line play of the Titans. Despite 3 big first half penalties on Troy Polamalu, he has been all over the field. He's made some great tackles in addition to making a nice one-handed interception off Collins. By the way, I can't believe the zebras have missed all the holding by the Titans offensive line. James Harrison has literally been dragged to the ground on multiple occasions. Makes me sick. Anyway...
Ben looked rusty for the majority of the half. His timing was off and he took a couple of bad sacks. Midway through the first quarter, Ben took an 18 yard sack that knocked the Steelers out of field goal range. I understand that Ben likes to hold the ball in order to make a play, but sometimes you have to realize that when the play is dead, you have to throw the ball away and take the chance at points. Willie Parker has been completely ineffective. The offensive line isn't opening up any holes. Rashard Mendenhall has been used sparingly and has not been a factor. The only bright spot for the Steeler offense has been Santonio Holmes and Heath Miller. Both have made a couple of nice catches in traffic.
In the 2 minutes drill at the end of the half, the Steeler offense finally came alive. Ben's passes and pump fakes were sharp hitting a long reception over the middle to Hines Ward. Two plays later, Ben connected with a 34 yard touchdown pass to Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes. Maybe the rhythm of that drive can carry over to the second half.
Coming right back at the end of the half was the Titans. The Steeler defense again looked miserable. They're getting torn apart by Kerry Collins, who seems to own the Steelers. The Steeler rush can't get to Collins and he's making us pay. I don't know what it is about the Titans offense. They always give us problems and Dick LeBeau has got to find an answer or it's game over, especially with the struggles of the Steeler offense.
Ben looked rusty for the majority of the half. His timing was off and he took a couple of bad sacks. Midway through the first quarter, Ben took an 18 yard sack that knocked the Steelers out of field goal range. I understand that Ben likes to hold the ball in order to make a play, but sometimes you have to realize that when the play is dead, you have to throw the ball away and take the chance at points. Willie Parker has been completely ineffective. The offensive line isn't opening up any holes. Rashard Mendenhall has been used sparingly and has not been a factor. The only bright spot for the Steeler offense has been Santonio Holmes and Heath Miller. Both have made a couple of nice catches in traffic.
In the 2 minutes drill at the end of the half, the Steeler offense finally came alive. Ben's passes and pump fakes were sharp hitting a long reception over the middle to Hines Ward. Two plays later, Ben connected with a 34 yard touchdown pass to Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes. Maybe the rhythm of that drive can carry over to the second half.
Coming right back at the end of the half was the Titans. The Steeler defense again looked miserable. They're getting torn apart by Kerry Collins, who seems to own the Steelers. The Steeler rush can't get to Collins and he's making us pay. I don't know what it is about the Titans offense. They always give us problems and Dick LeBeau has got to find an answer or it's game over, especially with the struggles of the Steeler offense.
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