Providence and The Inexorable
But the idea of providence, whether the biblical version or the Enlightenment’s or Marx’s, is at bottom a tragic notion, for it implies that individual human choices count for nothing against the weight of an inexorable, overwhelming force, whether benign or cruel, whether known as God, History, Destiny, Progress or DNA.
-James Carol, “Laughing Our Way to Defeat”, New York Times, February 16, 1986
Apple’s Tablet The iPad Announced - Steve Job’s New Baby
Finally Apple released their tablet, called the iPad. Here are the specs:
- Half an inch thin
- 1.5lbs
- 9.7 inch ips display
- 1ghz apple a4 chip processor
- up to 10 hours of battery life
Pricing on data - Deal with At&t
- $14.99 for up to 250 mb
- $29.99 for unlimited data
- free use of At&t WiFi hotspots
- Activate on iPad
- NO CONTRACT - cancel anytime
Pricing
- 16 GB - WiFi $499, WiFi + 3G $629
- 32 GB - WiFi $599, WiFi + 3G $729
- 64 GB - WiFi $699, WiFi + 3G $829
Accessories
Key Notes
- meant to compete with netbooks (pricing definitely competes at $499)
- will compete with eReaders such as Kindle and Nook - Apple releases the iBookstore where you can purchase all your eBooks
- a bigger version of the iTouch (sync w/ iTunes, games, watch movies, run apps, virtual keyboard), but more advanced + accessories like the keyboard dock helps
- Adobe Flash player not announced
- no built-in webcam (would have been good for Skype)
- iWork & Kino - powerpoint presentations
Final Thoughts
What makes it so innovative is the fact that it provides all the many uses and functionalities you’d want on a tablet. You can watch movies, read ebooks/enewspapers, play games, browse online, listen to music, do presentations, check email, etc. Add that to it’s sleek physical features and you’re good to go. I totally see myself using the iPad at a coffee shop. Steve Job’s dagger as a competitor is the price. I’ve always had a problem purchasing Apple products because it’s so expensive. Now, I actually don’t mind purchasing this product. Two thumbs up Steve!
Humanitarian 2.0 - The Rise of Humanitarian Efforts Through Technology
Just found out that the American Red Cross has already raised over 20 million just through the mobile relief initiative. How it works is that by texting “Haiti” to 90999, $10 will be donate to the American Red Cross, and that amount will be charged on your next phone bill. Simple as that. But what makes this so successful? Texting has been around for years and it seems like this is the first time SMS has been utilized for humanitarian efforts. The rise in technology is no doubt the answer. With the increase in popularity of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, then add that to the advancement of smartphones such as the iphone and Android phones, creating awareness has never been simpler. I was actually made aware of the disaster through Twitter. Then being able to make my donation through text can’t be any more convenient. It’s definitely good to know that technology is being used for the greater good!
A Humanitarian Mention: Efren Peñaflorida, 2009 CNN Hero of the Year
Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry,
This was part of an award speech from Filipino Efren Peñaflorida who was awarded 2009 CNN Hero of the Year. The award was given to a person who has changed this world with their heroic act. It was given to show that “everyday people can change the world”. The top 10 were mentioned and awarded for their heroic acts but only one was awarded Hero of the Year and Efren Penaflorida was the top nominee.
Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry, Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.
Efren Penaflorida created what was called “pushcart education.” With the help of his teen volunteers, he was able to educate children in the poor slums of the Philippines. His goal was by bringing education to the lives of the poor children, he can not only provide them with the education they need and deserve, but also hopefully prevent them from joining gangs that run rampant in the slums.
Hack the Wii, Bring Us Closer to the Future
Definitely one of the best hacks I’ve ever seen. Wii hacker Johny Lee has set the motion for future technology. He basically made the “Minority Report” technology a possiblity.
Streaming Movies with PS3 and Netflix - The Good and The Bad
I’ve been looking forward to this collaboration for a while now! The digital age is slowly developing and streaming movies is definitely a huge stepping stone. It started with Mp3’s and the ipods. Now with broadband internet you can easily watch movies instantly without having to drive to blockbuster or wait for the DVD to come to the mail.
PS3/NETFLIX SETUP
First, you will have to go to netflix.com/PS3 to setup your account. Once your account is setup, Netflix will send you an instant streaming disc. When you receive it, put the disc in your PS3 and then you will be prompted to put an activation code on your online account. Once that’s done, you’re good to go (assuming your internet is connected to your PS3). After about a minute, you will see a selection of movies that you can watch OR on your netflix account online you can add movies to your instant queue.
THE GOOD
Netflix gives you three options to watch your movies: streaming movies through your ps3, watching movies on your PC, or receiving DVD’s through mail. This is beneficial for any movie buff.
THE BAD
The streaming movies are LIMITED!!! I’m not sure if this is a temporary issue since it just started but only certain movies are available to streamline on my PS3. One of the reasons why I wanted to join Netflix is because I wanted to watch True Blood instantly but it turns out I will just have to wait for it on the mail. Watching movies on your PC is also limited so you will still need to rely on the DVD’s.
Another issue is that streaming movies may have lags every now and then. I first watched “Bedtime Stories” which played without any lags, but when watching “10 Questions for the Dalai Lama,” I’ve already had a few lags. The movie will pause and say, “retrieving,” which doesn’t take that long but it is still annoying nonetheless.
Overall, I believe it’s still worth subscribing to Netflix especially when you’re into renting movies. I’m on the $8.99 plan (1 DVD out at-a-time) which is good enough for me. Streaming movies with the use of the PS3 is not 100% perfect but it’s a good addition to what Netflix already provides.
P90x: Motivational Videos to Help You Start Strong and Finish Strong
I started week 2 of P90x by completing chest and back. For those who just started like me, don’t get discouraged. It’s always tough in the beginning but things will get better especially when you start seeing results. Luckily, I’m surrounded by friends who are doing P90X, so they keep me motivated (thanks @shannasgr8!!). For those, who need more motivation, I embedded some videos that I think will get you back on your feet. Break to Build!!! How much do you want it!? If you want something, go get it!!
Motivated? Now get back in there soldier!!!!
Review for the Top Three Android Phones (rated 4 out of 5)
Google’s Android phones have been taking over the cell-phone market (as I predicted when G1 came out) and now that pretty much all the major carriers are coming out with their own Android phone there is no stopping Google from taking over. The iPhone still reigns supreme but the Android is slowly perfecting itself. It’s just a matter of time:
Tmobile’s MyTouch 3G
Sprint’s HTC Hero Android Phone
Verizon’s Motorola Droid
Close but no cigar. Google! Do you want to create the perfect Android phone? Keep these features in mind:
- multi-touch. All Androids from here on out should have it
- HTC Sense - by far has the best user interface I’ve seen on an android phone. This interface alone already includes the multi-touch features, Flash 10 compatibility, as well as being able to run multiple apps at the same time.
- A sleek and sturdy phone. If you want the Android phone to compete with the iPhone, you can’t be creating phones that feels like plastic. I would take the sleekness of the HTC hero and combine it with Motorola Droid’s 3.7″ screen
- NO qwerty keyboard. The future is touchscreen. Lose the qwerty.
- 3.5mm headphone jack. The mini-usb is a good addition but all headphones and headsets still use 3.5.
- 5mp camera WITH flash. If Blackberry can do it, so can the Android
- mini-SD slot. I should be able to upgrade to a 16gb if I want to.
- Android 2.0. Google Maps Navigation. Nuff said.
All these features are now available. It’s just a matter of putting them together.
P90x: Plyometrics - Day 2 completed [with the help my new heart rate monitor]
Plyometrics is definitely the mother of all P90X workouts!!! Plyo consists of a variety of jumping exercises so if you don’t have the leg strength, get ready to feel the burn. I just started P90X after a month of not exercising so day 2 for me was just as difficult. However, having a heart rate monitor definitely helped. With the heart rate monitor you’re motivated to maintain your heart rate throughout the workout (which for me was an average of 160).
This was my first time using it so I wasn’t really sure how it would work. But once I started working out, the heart rate monitor worked as expected. The Pro-Form Heart Rate Monitor (Precision Trainer XT) has two pieces, one is the watch and the other is the chest belt. My first question was, “how do I know if this is calculating my heart rate correctly?” Well, on the watch there is a heart icon that blinks the same beat as your heart. From that I at least know that the chest belt is transmitting correctly with the watch. Now all I need to figure out my Targeted Heart Rate.
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M1: protein bar
M2: teriyaki chicken bowl
M3: 2 cups for almonds
M4: chicken w/ rice
M5: protein drink
M6: cheerios w/ soy milk & pastries
P90x Day 2 completed.
P90X: Third time is a charm
I’ve decided to join the P90x challenge..actually for the third time! I started P90x twice these past two years but can never seem to finish (stopped at phase 2). However, finishing P90x is on my goal list so I’m determined to complete it this time around. Also P90x is more than just 90 days of intense workouts. It also involves a good, consistent diet and at the same time tracking progress. I want to make sure that at the end of this challenge, not only do I look fit, but know that I got stronger as well. I will be tracking my reps as well as the food I eat (except for today, my diet was so bad it’s not even worth noting). 
so here are my day 1 stats (I used 20lbs for the dumbbells..10lbs for backflys):
ROUND 1 ROUND 2
push-ups 15 8
pull-ups 10 8 assist.
military push-ups 15 8
chin-ups 10 8 assist.
wide push-ups 15 6
close-grip pull-ups 5 8 assist.
decline push-ups 10 6
heavypants 15 10
diamond push-ups 10 6
lawnmower 15 10
dive bombers 5 5
backflys 15 15
ABRIPPERX: total 70 crunches
Oh, and I took day 1 pics but I will post it with my phase 2 pics.
This is definitely a disappointing day 1. I’m not happy with the reps that I pulled but I know I’ll improve. The worse one is ABRIPPERX. I was only able to do 70 crunches because I felt nauseous at the end. All and all, I was happy to have done it. Day 1 complete.