whitenoise.mp3

pinknoise.mp3

Let me start by saying, “I am no Apple Fanboy.” That aside, I am strongly thinking about buying the new version of the iPhone. Can this mean that Steve Jobs has finally learned something about marketing? I am not easily swayed to buy every electronic device that happens to have a shiny plastic case. I only purchase products I can use for many different purposes. Here are my thoughts about the new iPhone:

1. GPS – I currently have a Google Maps app I downloaded for free to find my way around. Since my current phone has no location functions, I have to know where I am and manually move the map to follow my location. Though it seems that “turn by turn” directions will not be available at first with iPhone, location tracking will be a feature I look for in my next phone anyway.
2. GREED – Steve Jobs is worth 5.7 Billion (at posting date). I myself would like to keep some of my own money in my pocket. The price drop offered on this generation of iPhone makes it very attractive. Even though some say the end cost of the iPhone is higher than its earlier release.
3. GOOEY – When it comes to Graphic User Interface, Apple gets it. People want to feel all warm and fuzzy about how the interact with a device. Aside from volume, “on / off” and silent, the phone essentially has one button. Apple is all about the “One Button World” in the never-ending quest to dumb down every human-being on the earth.

With little research about whether or not all these electronic items are giving us brain cancer or making us sterile, I myself do not want to carry 6 more things on my body. Then the question becomes: Do we really want one device for every function? What do we do when (and I do mean “when”) it fails us? What happens when that end-all-be-all product falls to the sidewalk and is smashed or is more likely stolen from us at gun point while waiting for the bus?

And what to do with your iPhone if you were duped the first time into buying this magical little candy bar of Phoney delight? Here’s a suggestion from our friends at Blendtec:

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Attribution:

“Game We Play” by 3rd Day Syndrome

“Believe In Goodbye” by Uncrowned

“Blur” by Covergurl

Download Link

What the (expletive deleted) is wrong with Blockbuster Video ? That question alone should start an hour-long laundry list of complaints from just about anyone in America. Can’t they see the other video rental companies taking over the market they created, and leaving them in the dust like the dinosaur they are. Companies like Netflix and Redbox are making “The Block” look more like “The Brick”. A sinking brick.

Netflix revolutionized the video rental industry by getting rid of the annoying trip to the store. As well as, the late fees incurred by not getting the movie back to the store on the right day. Let’s face it, Buster banked on late fees. They designed their whole business plan around human nature, knowing all to well that people are forgetful and lazy. Buster was very slow to recognize the extremely profitable, and simple change to the distribution model. In fact, after fighting the inevitable for far too long, they got a huge slap on the hand for blatantly stealing Netflix’s delivery system. And yet again refused to follow suit when Netflix started to offer online downloads of movies. Large in part to being in bed with the MPAA and their myth of “Online Piracy”. The MPAA is still convinced that the “pirates” can’t figure out how to digitize a rented movie on their own. Rumors are that Buster may be trying to buy Movielink. This may be too little too late for this slow to move, movie renter.

Redbox has yet again changed the face of video rentals. By not building brick and mortar stores, or hiring extensive and highly annoying employees, they have somehow found a way to offer a movie at $1 per day. And guess what? You are only charged on that day, for that day, instead of demanding the money up front like some seedy loan shark. It has been shown time and time again that people will fritter away hundreds of dollars, one dollar at a time. It’s human nature again.

Wake up Buster, if you don’t learn to adapt at a quicker pace, you may find yourself going the way of Gateway Stores. Or you can continue to operate under the false idea that you own the only avenue to the consumer, much like the Record companies and RIAA.