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Wednesday Night Open Thread: What About the Nexus One?

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 09:21:34 PM EST
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Google's Nexus One is out. It looks awesome, even better than The Droid. And has some features the iPhone doesn't, like letting you speak instead of tap your text messages. Check it out for yourselves, here.

The drawback: Unless you want to pay $529.00, it's only available on T-Mobile. What's that about? I guess I'll wait until the spring when Verizon is also going to offer it.. unless I decide to upgrade to the iPhone 3GS and stay with AT&T instead. These phone company wars are really tiresome. If you need help deciding if the Nexus is right for you, here's an article with some of the pros and cons. (Hint, if you are a crackberry addict who needs keys to type instead of glass to tap, it might not be for you. Or if you live out in the sticks.)

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Wednesday Night Open Thread: What About the Nexus One? | 116 comments (116 topical)

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    Android (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by Key on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 09:29:46 PM EST
    Still have the g1 and I love it.  The Nexus One has a dedicated headphone jack though, so it puts it much more into iPhone territory.  Of course, AT&T announced today that they are coming out with Android products from 3 different companies (HTC, Motorola, and one other) in the next few months.

    What I think this will mean is that, with an Android available with each phone company, and the iPhone only available on AT&T, Apple is put at a pretty big disadvantage.  Then again, I would expect that the iPhone won't be an AT&T exclusive for much longer, which would also help explain AT&T's decision to carry Android phones.

    I've read that the Nexus One is faster and has a longer battery life, than the iPhone.

    I know I'll keep using my "old" G1 for a few more months till things shake out a bit more.  If your current phone works, then there's no real rush to upgrade, right?

    Good things come to those who wait.....

    The ATT exclusivity contract ends in June (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 10:25:27 AM EST
    for the iPhone. I'm sure the iPhone will be available on different carriers after that. I would wait until then to explore your options Jeralyn!

    Parent
    What is wrong with me? (none / 0) (#2)
    by addy on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 09:41:58 PM EST
    I have a Palm Pre that is perfectly fine. It does everything I want except voice dialing.  But now this phone comes out and I have to have one. Oh well, I guess I can wait for a year and a half.


    Parent
    more info.... (none / 0) (#4)
    by Key on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 09:49:24 PM EST
    here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/technology/personaltech/07phone.html?ref=technology

    Parent
    Removable battery (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by caseyOR on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 10:09:45 PM EST
    I love Apple. I can't imagine ever giving up my Mac for a PC. But, the I-Phone does not have a removable battery. I hate that about it. The Nexus? Removable battery.

    I never understood why Apple sealed the battery in the I-Phone.

    That whole battery thing? It's the main reason I don't have an I-Phone. Well, that and I hate AT&T's wireless service.

    Parent

    You don't need a removable battery (none / 0) (#19)
    by s5 on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:47:43 AM EST
    The sealed body on the iPhone is far more sturdy than anything I've ever used. I've never broken an iPhone in years of owning one, while every other phone I've had over the years cracks or breaks in one way or another. Think about it this way, the iPhone has almost no removable or moving parts.

    And for when I need more battery life, I use the Incase battery pack. It slides on like a regular iPhone case, but it more than doubles the battery life. It's no different than carrying around an extra battery, and is even a bit better, because you don't have to shut your phone down or wait for it to die to take advantage of the extra battery life.

    Parent

    So what exactly has Obama done (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by SOS on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 10:05:10 PM EST
    to help keep grown men like this from crying over the loss of their homes and disposal into poverty?  An invalid being thrown out with all his earthly possessions into the snow.

    http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gen/130594/thumbs/r-HOUSING-CRISIS-huge.jpg

    Simple answer to a simple question (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by addy on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 10:08:59 PM EST
    Not one damn thing.

    Parent
    Thats a haunting picture set... (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 06:37:25 AM EST
    What has anyone done except the very special very few who devote their lives to the downtrodden?

    Aside from some food donations lately and always  tryin' to slip some love into the hands of the homeless I see on the street...I ain't done a god damn thing either. Not a damn thing..and thats on me.  

    Charity begins at home, not in Washington DC. It sure would be nice if the pres and congress paid more attention to whats goin' on out there...but most anyone can do something about it.  

    Parent

    Not in D.C (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by jondee on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:33:28 PM EST
    isnt that the Cato Institute's line?

    Charity, from the Greek word Caritas, begins in the heart whether it's at home or in D.C.

    So, until we find a way to deconstruct all the levers and checks and balances that have been built up over the last 200+ years and turn the whole place into an anarcho-syndicalist commune or whatever, there's no good reason why we cant at least recalibrate our priorities in the direction of common decency and caritas. Which may find it's expression in the redefinition of what should and shouldnt be a "right". Especially when rights are nothing more than the legislation of desires to begin with.

     

    Parent

    Jondee my brother... (none / 0) (#67)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:51:13 PM EST
    I'm with you on recalibrating priorities...I'm always saying we need a national priority reorganization on a grand scale...DC doesn't seem interested....they like the current prioritization of bankers first.

    So I'm thinking that leaves 2 choices...keep begging Obama and congress to reprioritize...or get off our arse and do something about it ourselves.  Maybe human barricades around the soon to be evicted or something.

    Parent

    Oh, come on! (none / 0) (#115)
    by ChiTownDenny on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:51:58 PM EST
    We voted for Democratic control of all houses of power.  We've seen what that has wrought (um, corporatist legislation!).  So whom do you want to rely on, the politician or the "Village"/community?  

    Parent
    You're right, kdog. (none / 0) (#40)
    by ChiTownDenny on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 10:25:13 AM EST
    The picture set is heartwrenching.  And the solution is the community, not the politician.  
    Plenty to be upset about re: the politician; HCR tops my list.  But to expect Washington to replace the community (er, someone wiser than me referred to the Village) is misguided.

    Parent
    Yes... (none / 0) (#43)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 10:34:41 AM EST
    I like to call it the outsourcing of alms...people think they pay their taxes and they're done...perhaps if we had the government we want instead of the one we have paying taxes alone would be sufficient...but we don't.  We have a government by, of, and for the haves (and the have mores per G-Dub)...not the have nots.

    Parent
    This will be THE big Human Rights battle ahead (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by Ellie on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 08:52:05 AM EST
    Like I said here at TL just before Xmas, it's a stealth epidemic.

    As a global human rights geek I can confidently say that exploitation and abuse of the elderly and disabled will be THE big issue to surface immediately ahead. I'm sorry to phrase it in PR terms, but do so because it's been so overlooked for shallow reasons (ie, not telegenically friendly, not something people want to think about because it's horrifying and inconceivable, etc.)

    Some of the emerging factors: real estate issues; a culture of short-term, scorched-earth gain; the Cheneyesque "So?" attitude, still cruelly viewed and admired as alpha-macho profit-making.

    It's not like taking candy from a baby. It's worse.

    The ethical considerations of sending abusers, who may be elderly themselves, to prison is another ball of wax. The abuse outside the imprisonment mentioned up top is apparently so widespread, that in itself contributes to the "invisibility" of the practice. (It's like when domestic battery was condoned by law enforcement cause, hey, if some poor guy's getting "nagged", whaddaya gonna do?)

    Adding further: 2009 was the year for human rights activists to take big strides in making having a home a global human right.

    2010 is the year to make Freedom From Corporate Corruption and Predation a global human right.

    It's not like one area of progress can be advanced at any one time. Forget what the fauxgressives (esp party or personality fetishists) are telling you about it not being women's turn this season, or LGBTs' turn, or whatevah's turn and must wait till a better time.

    Progress has many issues to promote and flanks of advancement. True progressives and activists can push hard and not have to apologize to the likes of impediments like, eg, Lord Cheetoh or the awesome Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Joseph I. Lieberman).

    Seriously.

    Liberal and proud to be in the trenches for this one.

    Parent

    What are you doing here (none / 0) (#37)
    by Wile ECoyote on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 09:58:50 AM EST
    other than typing about it?  What are your trenches?

    Parent
    People can actually LIVE LIVES when not posting (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Ellie on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 10:20:15 AM EST
    It's so unfortunate to see how awesome Super Geniusness can crush a mangy thing like you to keyboard-level immobility.

    Otherwise, you'd be better able to wrap that sports-field tarp sized mind of yours around the concept of people having lives even when you're not around to finger wag them for no apparent reason other than ... OMFG SHE POSTED! LOOK, SHE POSTED!!!

    Being unencumbered by Super Geniusness frees me to lend my personal and material support to human rights orgs working on this one -- even down to fighting individual cases of elder and disabled-persons abuse -- in the overall advancement of global human rights for all.

    Just earlier, I rigged a desert piano to play Shave and a Haircut (Two Bits) and blow your @ss to smithereens, but that was just for fun.

    Parent

    So what are you doing in the trenches in the (none / 0) (#46)
    by Wile ECoyote on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 10:48:41 AM EST
    field of making a home a human right?  Or in the exploitation of the elderly?  You said you were in the trenches for this one.  What do you do in the trenches?  

    Parent
    And I typed it as slowly as possible, too ... (none / 0) (#48)
    by Ellie on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 11:04:06 AM EST
    ... so that you'd get it.

    1. Remove one hand from keyboard.
    2. Walk fingers to the post to which you respond
    3. Stop at third paragraph about GHR-NGOs
    4. Reread, this time letting it permeate giant brain
    5. (Optional) Proceed to desert piano and play Shave and a Haircut (Two Bits) according to music sheet, provided for your convenience.
    6. (Contingent on 5.) KABOOOOM!!!!
    7. (Contingent on 6.) Hope that ACME has a decent health care plan that in no way resembles ObamaCare.


    Parent
    I see it now (none / 0) (#88)
    by Wile ECoyote on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:26:17 PM EST
    good job.  Keep it up.  ACME's plan is all about individualism.  

    Parent
    I'm never going back to a phone without (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by andgarden on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 10:13:46 PM EST
    a mechanical vibrate mode switch. Never.

    Hey, whatever gets you off! :-) (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Ellie on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 09:00:06 AM EST
    Vibra-mode, ringtone. Me, I got my thrills by dumping my old one so that I CAN'T be found (and forced people who do need to get me to call my landline and leave voicemail, or email me properly, like the Net Gods intended.)

    And no, the Twits can't Tweet me with Twaddle, either.

    Parent

    there's something to be said for that (none / 0) (#32)
    by CST on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 09:08:52 AM EST
    I used to lose or break my phone at the beginning of every summer like clockwork, and I wouldn't get a new one till the fall.  It was kind of nice to be off the grid and hard to reach.

    Alas, now I have no land line, and haven't lost or broken a phone in a while.

    That, and the complete disappearance of all pay phones makes it a little harder not to have a cell.

    I still don't "get" twitter.

    Parent

    Just between you me and the NSA ... (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Ellie on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 09:18:29 AM EST
    I do have an "unlisted" paygo to check my messages and call OUT, so I'm not stranded.

    I highly recommend this approach to people who need to -- and like to -- get things done.

    Anyone who needs me knows how to get me, even the inventors of the Bat Signal who might want to sue my @ss for co-opting their technology to suit my purposes.

    Parent

    Ha! Very true. (none / 0) (#45)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 10:45:13 AM EST
    that feature alone made me the envy of all my friends when I first got my iPhone. Something that simple, but not a common feature at the time - probably is still not. That's why I love Apple. They 'get it'.

    Parent
    Her'es a post from a google (none / 0) (#101)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:57:02 PM EST
    employee who has an iPhone and has been using the Nexus for a month of so.  He points out some of the differences and trade-offs. To your point:

    I miss the iPhone's silence/ring switch, but you can silence the phone by swiping the volume control on the lock screen. If the phone is already on, hold down the Volume Down button to (silently) silence.

    Does not seem like a bad replacement for the mechanical switch.

    Parent

    I would pick T-Mobile over Verizon or AT&T (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by andgarden on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 10:44:42 PM EST
    When you live in a big city you can basically pick on price, and the big guys are often worse in terms of service (their spectrum is overloaded). I'm just waiting for AT&T's exclusivity to end.

    One thing (none / 0) (#30)
    by CST on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 08:57:26 AM EST
    I'll say in defense of Verizon.  When you are outside the city, even in the suburbs, or travelling for the weekend, they almost always have more coverage than the other guys.  Very good for road trips.

    As someone who lives in the city but likes to get out of dodge now and then, that's a big plus.

    Parent

    The Nexus One looks very nice (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by NealB on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 10:56:28 PM EST
    This is the first time I've really wanted a smartphone. The Android OS is based on (open source) Linux. Unlike iPhone, these latest iterations of Android provide free GPS for directions when I'm in an unfamiliar neighborhood trying to find my way. And it's by Google so I automatically get my gMail, contacts, calendar, and everything I've already got set up (for free) with Google.

    But $530 is a lot to pay for this kind of hardware. I remember eight years ago in Seattle with some sort of Nokia I had then with WAP Internet capability. I played with it for a few hours, then lost interest. It didn't provide anything I didn't already know. A couple of years ago, I watched a friend of mine try to find a youtube video of something hse wanted to show me on her iPhone. The interface was so clutzy (or maybe her fingernails were too long) that she kept clicking the wrong things on the little screen that we never did get to see the video. Maybe the Nexus One (like a couple of other recent Android phones) has finally got it all to work. Do I shell out $530 and stick my AT&T sim card in it to find out?

    Much as I wish I could, I can't afford it.

    You'll find Unix on all mac products that contain (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by iceblinkjm on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 10:08:01 AM EST
    some sort of OS from their routers to the ipod. Each runs a specialized version of OS X which is nothing more than UNIX with a fancy front end.

    Parent
    Two questions re Google's phone: (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:41:14 AM EST
    1. how is the actual phone?; and
    2. is the phone hrg. aid compatible?  (iPhone isn't; Blackberry is.)


    Haters here? Really? (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:46:14 AM EST
    Care to provide a link to where that was ever said?

    I think you're making it up.

    Is it possible (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by prittfumes on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 06:46:40 AM EST
    DA ("isle") is referring to the other side of Bimini, or perhaps Hawaii?

    Parent
    OK. (5.00 / 3) (#49)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 11:19:22 AM EST
    "We've been told what haters lefties are in the comments on this site in the past."

    Might want to watch the way you word things because that sentence says "the comments on this site" said "what haters lefties are."

    Parent

    I would love one of these phones (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by lilburro on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 08:00:20 AM EST
    but damn that's a lot of moolah.

    Not including contract (none / 0) (#28)
    by Fabian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 08:37:40 AM EST
    and so on and so forth.

    You can get your land line or cable provider to bundle services for you, but wireless providers usually make you pay for every bell and whistle.  

    Parent

    Mashable (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by lilburro on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 09:13:54 AM EST
    has a neat little comparison chart.  To me paying that much for a phone plan is unthinkable.  But I am lucky, since I live near my parents we put together a family plan...so I think my cell phone bill is $22 a month.  :P  I know that's not the norm.

    Parent
    Suh-weet! (none / 0) (#82)
    by Fabian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:19:10 PM EST
    At $22 per month, it would take you...years to even reach the purchase price of one of the fancy e-comms.

    I'm always amazed at how much you can conceivably pay for all your communications and entertainment options - internet, cable, e-comm, land line comm.  I doubt anyone has all four, but it's easy to have two or three of them.  What's the base price for each one?  The monthly total price tag?  

    That's a nice racket they have going.

    Parent

    Ain't it though? Plus $10/month on (none / 0) (#85)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:24:13 PM EST
    AT&T to use GPS--to which I am devoted.

    Parent
    No contract needed (none / 0) (#122)
    by ricosuave on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 01:10:05 AM EST
    if you buy the phone at full price.  T-Mobile has a pretty good deal for the month-to-month plan (i.e. no contract and therefore no termination fee), which is cheaper than the contract price.  My phone was a just a fraction cheaper, and buying the phone and getting a cheaper monthly price works out about the same over 2 years--there is a bigger up-front layout, but your long-term liability is lower since you can cancel the deal at any time.

    Parent
    Here's a company which (none / 0) (#95)
    by ding7777 on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:43:23 PM EST
    offers 3 pay-as-you-go plans for for smartphones

    boost mobile

    and beginning Jan 13, 2010,  3 new smartphones will be availble

    Parent

    How is it (5.00 / 3) (#53)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 11:50:43 AM EST
    that I own a business that has associates across the US, Canada, England and Japan, I run a household with my wife and two kids, coach several different youth sports, am president of a youth sport team with over 200 athletes, run a cub scout pack, am on the board of directors of two large organizations (soon to add a third), etc., etc., and I can do all that with a 5+ y/o LG plain-jane cell phone?

    You have a lot more time because you (5.00 / 3) (#55)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:02:17 PM EST
    are not constantly checking your e mail and texting. Not to mention no way to check Talk Left.

    Parent
    Ha! I have never texted, not even once. (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:09:50 PM EST
    Not opposed to it, it's just that in everything I do an actual conversation is much less time consuming and much more productive...

    Parent
    I'm the opposite... (5.00 / 2) (#76)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:13:22 PM EST
    when it comes to work...I've gotten burned too many times by the old "thats not what you said" over the phone...if i can email info I email info...love the C.Y.A. paper-trail.

    Parent
    Opposing counsel once transcribed (5.00 / 3) (#87)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:25:51 PM EST
    my voice mail message and attached it as an exhibit to a pleading.  Awwk.

    Parent
    Oh I'm big on email. (none / 0) (#81)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:18:48 PM EST
    That's what my computer is for. Being consumed by a handheld during dinner, or during my kids' football game, or during a business meeting or something just ain't my bag...

    Parent
    With you there... (none / 0) (#92)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:34:09 PM EST
    I've jokingly thrown friends out of my crib for sitting there texting and staring at their do-hickey when we're supposed to be shootin' the sh*t hangin' out.

    Parent
    I've been using Vox/Speech to Text for 10+ yrs (none / 0) (#93)
    by Ellie on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:34:48 PM EST
    I get to vocally boss my computer around, yap my correspondence AND have a text record (should I want or need one) of phonecalls and meetings.

    You could always just DAT-record biz calls, with or without consent, for whatever reason.

    And think about it. If Telcoms are doing it with full immunity from prosecution for their flagrant eavesdropping and sure violation of TOS agreements with customers, any complaints about recording violating your caller/ee's privacy is a lovely opportunity to f*ck those Telcom weasels over.

    Parent

    I don't know how you do all that (none / 0) (#57)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:05:48 PM EST
    at all!!

    I agree, a smartphone would just slow you down. They are for people like me with more time to kill than you have!


    Parent

    Your comment made me wonder about something... (none / 0) (#59)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:17:56 PM EST
    In business, is such "constant contact" inhibiting users from becoming empowered enough to make decisions? Creating a dependency on micro-management? If so, I'm not convinced that's such a good thing...

    Parent
    I think, like most things, it just depends (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:41:09 PM EST
    on the circumstances.

    My bosses are husband-wife small business owners - we are engineering consultants, and they do engineering work as well as run the busisness. They have smartphones of some type - Samsung I believe. In their situation, it enables them to run the business end of things in spare moments, breaks, etc, while they are are also working on site. They can check their emails, read spreadsheets, etc. from wherever they might be. They don't really even have an 'office' per se. Their office is wherever they are.

    Before they had the phones they were always having to run home from our consulting site to their home computer if they were expecting something. It was a big waste of time for them. And time is money, since they get paid by the hour.

    They don't use it for leisure things very often. Not wed to their phones in that sense at all, the way I am.


    Parent

    That sure makes sense, (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:47:32 PM EST
    big productivity gains for them.

    Parent
    Cannot even imagine trying to read (none / 0) (#68)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:59:24 PM EST
    a spreadsheet on my Blackberry.

    Parent
    Never tried it on the BB (none / 0) (#80)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:16:10 PM EST
    On the iPhone I can zoom way in easily enough if I need to type something. But I would not want to be doing it very much!

    Parent
    do you think (none / 0) (#61)
    by lilburro on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:27:08 PM EST
    blackberries and iphones are all that common among small businesses?  I am actually curious about this and have been for a while, in my smartphone-less state of woe.  Nobody where I work has one, boss included.  It would seem in this economy an unaffordable investment for many types of business.  

    Parent
    I don't really know. (5.00 / 2) (#65)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:45:51 PM EST
    I see a lot of them around, but they may be little more than cool toys that have some useful applications.

    What I don't get is the $10/hr employees with these devices. Aren't the monthly usage  bills for them pretty expensive?

    Parent

    My monthly bill is (none / 0) (#84)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:20:33 PM EST
    $39.99 for the lowest # of minutes cell service, $5 for 200 text messages, $30 for data + taxes.

    If I were on $10 an hour, yeah, I would probably be cutting back on something else. Come to think of it, maybe that is a big drag on other forms of consumer spending. Not helping the recession at all, these smart phones.

    Parent

    My monthly bill (5.00 / 1) (#120)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 04:08:09 PM EST
    with T-Mobile is 39.99 for 500 minutes, free nights and weekends, and unlimited text. According to my daughter I have an ice age phone but they gave it to me for free so no complaints. There's no qwerty, no email, no web, no music, no GPS. It's only purpose is so she can reach me anytime she wants and it's been doing that quite well for the last 5 years. Seems like a smart phone to me.

    Parent
    I call bullsh*t... (none / 0) (#74)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:10:46 PM EST
    If we asked Mrs. Sarc I'd bet she'd say she ran the household!...:)

    Parent
    ha - yeah, somewhere in there someone (none / 0) (#78)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:14:33 PM EST
    has a whole control room full of gadgets to keep track of all that activity!

    Parent
    Ha! She throws me a bone on occasion (none / 0) (#83)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:20:25 PM EST
    and lets me think I'm the big cheese...

    Parent
    So, apparently law enforcement (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:01:27 PM EST
    realized while the plane was en route to Detroit that the soon-to-be suspect was on the plane.  Planned to give him special scrutiny upon landing in Detroit.  Also--people like this suspect provide useful info re mvt. of people like this suspect.  So--let them move already!

    LAT

    No football report??? (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by jbindc on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:09:00 PM EST
    No props for my Central Michigan Chippewas who came from 12 points down to win the GMAC Bowl last night and finish in the top 25 for the first time in school history?  And where our QB, the all-time leader in touchdowns scored in college football history (Tim Tebow / Colt McCoy who?) ended his college career with a bang?

    It was... (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by michitucky on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:40:11 PM EST
    An amazing comeback...A proud Chip am I!!!

    Parent
    "Crazy Heart," with Jeff Bridges, (none / 0) (#15)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:38:28 AM EST
    is a really good movie.  Don't miss.

    Whatever Works, Woody Allen's (none / 0) (#56)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:03:25 PM EST
    movie got away from me earlier, but picked it up through Netflix...very good, Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood were just fine.

    Parent
    Which Woody Allen movie? (none / 0) (#63)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:33:45 PM EST


    Parent
    "Whatever Works" is the name (none / 0) (#71)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:06:39 PM EST
    I honestly can't remember if I have seen it or not. I know I was going to, but can't remember if I did. Probably not then.

    Parent
    I missed it. Did enjoy Vicky Christina (none / 0) (#73)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:09:41 PM EST
    Barcelona.

    Parent
    see? (none / 0) (#86)
    by lilburro on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:24:50 PM EST
    you obviously fell asleep, which is a privilege we will lose when we are given 3D TVs and TV goggles.

    Parent
    To help jar the memory, think of (none / 0) (#103)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:58:12 PM EST
    Henry Cavill, the British actor who played Charles Brandon, lst Duke of Suffolk in "The Tudors":) His character in "Whatever Works", Randy James, moves in on Larry's prize.

    Parent
    some people Jailbreak it (none / 0) (#20)
    by mexboy on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:25:05 AM EST
    There is software on the internet that allows owners of the iphone to "jailbreak" it. They can then switch to T-mobil or any other company. They do have to pay the penalty for ending the contract early, though. I'm okay with AT&T and Iphone for now.

    Why can't the new smart phones be as cool looking than iphone?


    No, not any provider (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by robrecht on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 07:35:17 AM EST
    A jail-broken iPhone cannot work on CDMA networks like Verizon and Sprint, only GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile.

    Parent
    3G Frequencies (none / 0) (#123)
    by ricosuave on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 01:16:21 AM EST
    are different between AT&T and T-Mobile as well, though the lower-speed EDGE service is compatible.

    I just bought a new Nokia N900, but had to use AT&T for a week while my contract ran out.  All I had to do was pop in the AT&T sim chip and I was in business.  When I switched to T-Mobile, I just popped in the new chip and I was off as well.

    Of course, I didn't have to violate my terms of service and hack my device to do it.  Imagine if you bought a Ford and they restricted which highways you could drive it on...that's what we settle for with our cell phones.

    Parent

    Think of it as privatized highways (none / 0) (#124)
    by robrecht on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 05:21:08 PM EST
    All the cell towers and equipment and network engineers and support services are paid for by private companies, not by taxes, which pay for our highways.

    Yes, high speed data is not shared between AT&T and T-Mobile, but phone calls and slower data is compatible.  I think the high speed CDMA services (EVDO Rev A) are compatible between Sprint and Verizon.  That won't matter for too much longer as Verizon switches to the next generation GSM 4G LTE standards.

    Parent

    HTC HD2 is best exclusive phone on T-Mobile (none / 0) (#24)
    by robrecht on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 07:34:04 AM EST
    I wish T-Mobile had good coverage in my area, but not for this Android OS phone.  The OS is still too new to have lots of apps.  AT&T also has lousy 3G coverage in this area so I didn't keep my iPhone long, despite their great progress in developing some, but not all apps, that I want.

    If I were on T-Mobile, their exclusive phone that I would love to have is the HTC HD2 with the gorgeous 4.3"-inch WVGA capacitative screen.  This is the state of the art Windows Mobile Professional phone.  Windows Mobile is still the most powerful and customizable operating system out there.  Apple may catch up, and when it's eventually available on Verizon, I will once again consider an iPhone, and eventually I expect Android to be well supported by software developers, but for now Windows Mobile is still king.

    Best wishes... (none / 0) (#27)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 08:21:18 AM EST
    to comedian Artie Lange, recovering from a gruesome suicide attempt.

    Get well and get some help Artie...you got way too much to live for with your talent and the joy of laughter you bring to so many.

    iPhone (none / 0) (#35)
    by Carolyn in Baltimore on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 09:33:01 AM EST
    I love my iPhone 3G way too much. While it doesn't replace my computer, I can use it for pretty much anything. The G(s) was worth drooling over but my contract window didn't work. Now I think I can wait for the 4G, which will once again have new features that beat the competition.
    The new Droid etc all look interesting but I'm a Mac and I guess I'm an iPhone too. I loved my Palms over the years but the iPhone is so intuitive and easy to use.

    Can't wait to see what the next one (none / 0) (#44)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 10:41:10 AM EST
    will be like! I'm on the alternate year in my contract from you - got the original iPhone, then the 3GS - so I will skip this next upgrade, but it will be interesting to see. I'm sure I will be envious for a year, like I was when the 3G came out.

    Looking forward to seeing the rumored new tablet soon also.

    Parent

    No thanks to the little (none / 0) (#42)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 10:32:09 AM EST
    joystick button. I love my multitouch! Not even tempted to switch from my iPhone.

    Can't imagine what it would take to tempt me, actually.

    The Surging Popularity (none / 0) (#47)
    by bob h on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 11:01:16 AM EST
    of these devices just astounds me.  Who wants to surf the net and read his e-mail on one of these tiny, little screens?  If you gave me a free iPhone and service plan, I would not bother taking it out of the house.  They do represent astounding technology, but who really needs it?

    I guess it's a matter of taste (none / 0) (#51)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 11:40:38 AM EST
    What is it about most email that needs a big screen? the iphone screen is just fine for the vast majority of my email. I barely bother to read it on my computer anymore.  And being able to get to it anytime, anywhere is a big convenience to me, since my workplace blocks personal email addresses on their computers. Sure, I don't need it. I don't need a cell phone at all!

    As far as web surfing goes, traditional web pages are not built for the small screen, and yes, that is not as good as reading them on the computer. But more and more sites also offer mobile customized pages and apps that let you  have all the info without the real page that needs the big screen.  And again, the anytime/anywhere convenience opens up your options in ways you did not even think about before you had it.

    Anyway, just my 2 cents on why the devices are popular.

    Parent

    And--how else could we provide Talk Left (5.00 / 3) (#52)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 11:49:15 AM EST
    with our input 24/7 on the burning issues of the day?  Think about it peeps!!!

    Parent
    Think about it?!! Why isn't there an app for that? (none / 0) (#70)
    by Ellie on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:05:30 PM EST
    I'm a PC and a lot of the braggy Mac bells and whistles are warmed-over dino-tech I've had kicking around for ages.

    Please, MacPeeps, don't take this as a sign not to enjoy your particular toys; I'm all for choice, enablement and engagement whatever way you like. (My mileage on my custom ride just happens to differ.) I simply don't like corporate overseers and nannies, no matter how "friendly", touching my stuff and being all up in my biz.

    I'm down-teching even further this year and ignoring all new toy marketing until my old ones break and/or fail to plug into and enable each other.

    Parent

    Not taking it personally (none / 0) (#75)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:12:35 PM EST
    To each his own.

    In many cases it is the 'bells and whistles' that actually make the thing a pleasure to use rather than a drudge.  I'm of the frame of mind that I would rather not have something at all than have something I don't like. If Apple stuff weren't around I'd be the most low-tech person I know! I don't feel that particular corporate overlord to be that much of a burden.

    Parent

    I second that (none / 0) (#91)
    by hollyfromca on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:32:15 PM EST
    The work issue is real.  You can surf the web and have your own private email on your own device.

    I love my iPhone and wouldn't trade it for the Nexus One.  I have one device that does GPS, plays from iTunes, surfs the web, and downloads email.  It also syncs up all contact/calendar/bookmark info from my home office computer and vice versa.    Some of the apps are actually easier to use than viewing web sites on a big screen.  I have a movie app that finds local movies with two taps.  I can pick a section of the New York Times to read with two taps and the font is large enough to be easily read.  It is such an elegant design that it is such a joy to use.

    We don't need any of this stuff.  Life was just fine when I passed my college chem exams using a slide rule and life was just fine when we had mimeographs instead of xeroxes.  And I don't mean that with any sarcasm intended.  But here we are!

    Parent

    Digby re Obama then and Obama (none / 0) (#50)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 11:28:29 AM EST
    now re Tauzin.  link

    Infuriating.

    It would be one thing (5.00 / 2) (#60)
    by lilburro on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 12:21:14 PM EST
    if Obama hadn't run on the concept of change.  It would be another if he tried to change things and those efforts failed.  But he won big on the concept he sold and just refuses to do anything in keeping with that victory.  It's like if I convinced you to buy a new car without telling you what it was.  Well damn, if I did that, I would try to sell you a Maserati!  But Obama goes look, a used Corolla, don't worry, it's pretty much exactly like the one you wanted to sell.

    Parent
    Another problem on Detroit-bound flight (none / 0) (#69)
    by jbindc on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:04:14 PM EST
    It keeps piling on for my hometown.

    Airline passenger forced off plane after threatening Jews.

     An airline passenger in Miami proclaimed "I want to kill all the Jews" before police forced him off a Detroit-bound plane, authorities said Thursday.

    Mansor Mohammad Asad, 43, of Ohio, was arrested Wednesday night, according to a police department statement. Asad was charged with threats against a public servant, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence.

    FBI spokeswoman Judy Orihuela said there were no indications the disturbance was related to terrorism. The bureau was initially brought in to look into the incident but is no longer involved in the investigation. She said the FBI is treating the disruption as a matter for local authorities.

    The disturbance forced a taxiing Northwest Airlines flight to turn around at Miami International Airport, according to a news release. Witnesses told investigators who boarded the plane that Asad was loud, disruptive and claimed to be Palestinian.

    Officers didn't find any weapons or explosives on Asad, who was reportedly agitated and aggressive at times, according to an arrest affidavit. Authorities used a stun gun to subdue Asad on the jet bridge after he charged at an officer with fists clenched. He also chanted in a foreign language and threatened officers during a search.

    "I'm not afraid of you cops, I've gotten in fights with cops in Ohio and broke their arms in three places," he said, according to the affidavit. "I've broken skulls too!"

    The affidavit noted that alcohol didn't appear to be a factor during the incident.
    LE used stun guns?! (none / 0) (#77)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:13:41 PM EST


    Parent
    OK by me. (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:29:14 PM EST


    Parent
    Yeah, me too. I was just living up to my moniker.. (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:03:48 PM EST


    Parent
    Although this guy wasn't a pre-teen (none / 0) (#108)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:12:48 PM EST
    step son.

    Parent
    Will local law enforcement request (none / 0) (#89)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:28:21 PM EST
    this man be placed on the no-fly list?  Hope so.

    Parent
    C'mon... (none / 0) (#97)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:45:22 PM EST
    the guy didn't even really do anything except be a major-league arse-hole and cause a big scene on a plane...no weapons, and even John Law's charges say he resisted without violence. Now even I gotta admit that its probably worthy of arrest..but no fly list?

    If thats a no fly listing the no fly list will be useless...this guy just sounds crazy, not a threat to civilization or anything.  

    I fear if you had your way Oc every ex-con would be on the no fly list...everyone whose elevator doesn't go to the top floor would be on there...everybody who tried to smoke a butt in the bathroom would be on there...your no fly list would be longer than the ok to fly list.

    Parent

    What if YOU were on that plane, (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:03:11 PM EST
    and experienced the delay, and that delay meant you missed your connecting flight to Mexico to visit tu amor, and while she waited in the airport for your delayed arrival she caught the eye of another man, and that, as they say, was the end of that?

    Multiply that by the 250, or whatever, people on the plane who got effed-over by Mr Asad.

    Being an airline passenger is a privilege, not a right.

    ...and I think the "no violence" view is a bit too charitable:

    Authorities used a stun gun to subdue Asad on the jet bridge after he charged at an officer with fists clenched. He also chanted in a foreign language and threatened officers during a search.


    Parent
    All politics is personal. (none / 0) (#109)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:13:41 PM EST


    Parent
    I'd be pissed... (none / 0) (#110)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:17:03 PM EST
    sh*t I mighta lost it and clocked the guy if he was keepin' me from the special lady!  I got ya bro...I said the arrest sounds legit, and you know how hard is for my prejudiced arse to admit that:)

    But lets not make him into Mohammed Atta or anything just yet...banning him from flying forever is excessive imo. Maybe all he needs is a shrink and he'll be good to go.

    Parent

    I hear you (none / 0) (#113)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:47:25 PM EST
    although I also don't think anyone's making him out to be Atta, just someone who might have proven he's not able to handle the privilege of commercial flight...

    Parent
    Ha. I await further info. What is (none / 0) (#99)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:51:37 PM EST
    his mental health history?  What is his criminal conviction history--or did he just make that up?  Does he have any ties to Taliban, aQ?  Hs he visited Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen?  Or does he simply hate all Jews to the extent he can't shut up when boarding a plane?

    Parent
    Smoking on an airplane (none / 0) (#102)
    by jbindc on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:57:04 PM EST
    is a federal offense on all domestic flights.

    This little blurb I found puts it betst:

    Some try to sneak a smoke in the airplane bathroom. Folks, this is one of the MOST DANGEROUS things you can do. The airplane bathroom is full of paper. The waste bin is full of used paper towels. The airplane is pressurized with oxygen. Throwing a smoldering cigarette into the waste paper bin turns the airplane into a flying bomb. The airlines have installed smoke detectors in the airplane bathrooms, and the flight attendants are authorized to break down the door with a fire extinguisher in their hands if the lavatory smoke detector goes off.


    Parent
    Airplane privies are WMD's. (none / 0) (#106)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:05:17 PM EST


    Parent
    Oh boy... (none / 0) (#111)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:41:06 PM EST
    I wonder where this ends...the no subway list?  the no greyhoud list?  

    And at the end of the day we'd still be as vunerable to the lone loony-bird intent on destruction....only with Joan Rivers stuck in Costa Rica.

    Parent

    CR can keep her. (none / 0) (#114)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:49:07 PM EST


    Parent
    Be nice... (none / 0) (#116)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:53:46 PM EST
    if for no other reason than she was a friend of Johnny C:)

    Parent
    She was buds with The Man in Black? ;-) (none / 0) (#118)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 03:24:58 PM EST
    She used to be a funny comedian, now she's just an embarrassing and obnoxious celebrity interview beggar at the Oscars. Or am I missing something?

    Parent
    Nah... (none / 0) (#119)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 03:34:13 PM EST
    sounds about right...but you know me, I'd even stick up for Rove if his name ends up on the no fly:)

    Parent
    No worries jb... (none / 0) (#107)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:08:58 PM EST
    on the rare occasion I fly I know trying to light up on a plane would be a bigger hassle then dealing with my jones in my sardine can coach seat...thats one rule I will obey.  

    Now the bathrooms in the terminal once past security in airports without smoking lounges...well, thats another matter.  You don't really expect us to go outside and back through the rig-a-ma-roll of illusionary securtity if our flight is delayed do you?...:)

    Parent

    Salazar not running for CO gov (none / 0) (#79)
    by jbindc on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:15:15 PM EST
    Will back Hickenlooper

    Not surprised (none / 0) (#96)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:45:07 PM EST
    I saw some speculation about that earlier, and then that Schwarzenegger should be made Sec of Interior. I doubted it would happen, cuz I don't think Salazar has much of an appetite for elected office anymore. To me he always seemed to be a reluctant candidate. His brother John seemed to like it more - is he a possibility for Gov?

    Parent
    Oh noes! (none / 0) (#98)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:51:01 PM EST
    Hick is behind in the polls.  He going to lose!!!!1111

    LOL

    Parent

    Hickenlooper (none / 0) (#100)
    by jbindc on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 01:52:24 PM EST
    Is a funny name to put on a bumper sticker

    Parent
    "Hick is MY Pick" (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 07:01:34 PM EST
    or for a big bumper, "Hickenlooper is Sooper!"

    Parent
    If there's one thing to the rumor about Rahm, (none / 0) (#112)
    by ChiTownDenny on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 02:41:21 PM EST
    and, subsequently Mayor Daley, it's the "cars on the road" issue.  What has distinguished Chicago from New York is that Chicago, the smaller city was livable.   Hiked up parking rates and redlite pictures, while boosting sorely needed revenues, gives Rahm the advantage if he reverses this Daley practice.  
    Mayor Daley, you have been put on notice.

    I really wish (none / 0) (#117)
    by CST on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 03:11:14 PM EST
    Lieberman was up for re-election this year.

    I like the headline of this article:

    "Poll: Lieberman Hated By Everyone In Connecticut After Health Care Debates"

    Wednesday Night Open Thread: What About the Nexus One? | 116 comments (116 topical)

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