All posts by ewong

Ed, Reviews

My iPad 2 review and more

Leave a comment

So I caved. I was going to wait for the iPad 3, and get that for the wife. But I caved. The perfect opportunity to get one on the day it came out [thanks @bennymoto] I took the leap and joined the tablet craze. I’m a die hard BB fan, but only because it meets my needs. I don’t truly hate on the iOS or any apple products, they just don’t meet all my needs of IM’ing, emailing and being always connected.

So it’s been exactly 2 weeks [The Friday that I got the iPad I didn’t really exactly use it] since I have had the iPad and I must say that it truly fits the void of the tablet needs. As usual, the iOS interface is simple and anyone can easily learn it. The amount of free apps out there makes the device enjoyable at all times [paper toss is a great time waster]. However, it fills the void of what a tablet needs to be, but it doesn’t fully replace the desktop/laptop. As I write this blog post I am across the table of wifey “swiping” away. I don’t see myself typing as furiously or putting my full thoughts down using the iPad. I think I’d still also prefer to send an email with my Torch instead of the iPad. I have had talks at work in the “corporate”/”enterprise” level of bringing in iPads or Playbooks to replace the laptops for remote use and I still scoff at the idea. It is ridiculous to think that as any type of technical user, from an IT Administrator to a Software Developer can perform their day to day jobs on a tablet. I agree for certain jobs the tablets are resourceful and productive complimentary devices to the workplace, but will people actually get “more” done with having a tablet? No. Will it be easier to consume information on the go? Yes. The device is a great consumer of information from reading an RSS feed on Flipboard or browsing through tweets on Tweetdeck. This is where the niche will explode because there are a ton more people that are consumers rather than actual techie/nerd type people that need the full functionality of a laptop.

The gaming industry will change too. I had the fun opportunity of playing with a 3DS briefly and I think the concept has a huge “cool” factor. But come on Nintendo, will people actually want to spend $39.99 on games anymore when I can buy a game for my iPad for $3.99? Once again, I am the minority of people that will probably still play computer games [Diablo 3 will be the next game on my list] and the majority of people out there are the “casual” gamers. The ones that will play angry birds and be satisfied with catapulting birds at unsuspecting pigs.

The iPad was a game changer, I don’t know if the Playbook will survive as the BB is a dying breed of smart phones. I don’t foresee android taking over the world in 2012 as the intertubes proclaims, but I do see it giving Apple a run for its money.

Ed

I’m not a fanboy

Leave a comment

I don’t proclaim myself as a fanboy. I don’t own an iPhone (I am an avid blackberry fan). I have owned almost every line of iPod (not every generation). I want an iPad (ok my wife does, but I wouldn’t mind playing with it). And let’s not get started on the laptops and desktops.

What irk’d me yesterday was some fanboys (or that’s why I would call them) at work were not aware of the iPad 3 possible (rumor) release date. I don’t think I am at the cutting edge of tech news (so far 2 days behind on my rss feed), but I thought that would be pretty wide spread news. I thought rumors of nfc, retina display and 4g WWAN access were also known. Does make this me a fanboy?

I was relieved to talk to @troysimpson who was not aware of the release but agreed of all the points of requiring an iPad 3.

Am I now a fanboy?

Ed

Ideas for the everyday person

Leave a comment

So lately I’ve been thinking apps that can be useful to everyone. And on my daily tech browsing, I’ve noticed that sometimes they can come true (re:). I swear I thought of this idea way before this was done. Now, I am going to record these ideas so that I have a record of when I came up with these ideas.

My friend (@troysimpson) and myself were at Ikea (not for ther 99c meatball special, although we did partake in that gourmet dinner) were wondering why is there no mobile app that creates lists from the ikea catalog and store them on your mobile. You can also add to the list as you walk through ikea using your phone and scanning qr codes? Even the next step you can place orders for furniture pick-ups from your mobile as well? Pushed content like coupons, specials and “liked” items can be also sent directly to the phone. Going one step further, during pickup in the warehouse, from the list you know the exact aisles you need to go to and possibly an optimized path to follow. Also a crowdsourced portion for all the ikea followers to know whether your packaged furniture will fit in your vehicle (re: 99 civic can do wonders…if you have no passengers).

The possibilities go on, and I think everyone would benefit from an app that was more than just a catalogue.

Ed

A social media site just about.me

During my internet surfing, I came across a site that is so simple that it is magnificient. It is your social media resume, it is your one stop for profile pages. It connects to all the major sites [Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin etc.] and puts it in a clean cut presentation.

Check it out http://about.me/edmondwong

Uncategorized

Moooovember!

Leave a comment

So as we come to the end of Movember, I would like to share my experience. As most Asian’s may think that it is unpossible to grow any type of facial hair, I would hope that we all try our best to help to encourage awareness for this great cause! As the month passes by I notice so many awesome ‘staches that makes me think that everyone should try. Even us Asian’s that only are able to grow only a small patch of hair should help with the cause. Prostate cancer affect’s all of us guys so do your duty and grow that facial hair!

JED

St Patty’s Day 2009

Leave a comment

So what has become a tradition amongst JED, is the usual drinking of beer on this special day. This year we decided to try and plan out a lot of destinations downtown since everything is very close to eachother. I had mapped out about 10 different bars/pubs that we could go to, however we only ended up going to about 4 [that’s the nature of the pub crawl, you can only go as far as you can drink].

The [late] afternoon started off at the Duke of Westminister. We met up with people there and Jenn was getting a bit angry because the beer that was given to us wasn’t “green”.  Also, the first pitcher took a while to arrive at our table since there were technical difficulties with the keg. We ended up sitting in the dining area which is very different/upscale compared to the bar area. After 2 pitchers, we decided to head out onto the next destination.  We arrived at Fionn Mcool’s thinking that we could possibly get a patio table since it was fairly warm out, but too cold for some people to stay outside. Alas, it was full and there was already a line up that ended up at the sidewalk. So we continued onto destination #3, Elephant and Castle. As we figured, the place was rammed, but we managed to get a couple seats at the bar and just hovered around there. By now, Jenn was having a “good time” [i.e. Asian glow was upon her] and we met up with some more people.  We finally had our 4 or so pitchers of green beer which basically made the night.  After this we were determined to get food, however some newcomers to the party needed a pint since they arrived late to the Elephant & Castle. We made an unexpected stop at Lone Star and grabbed 2 pitchers there. For dinner we headed to the wonderful golden arches to fill our bellies with nice greasy food. We ended up heading east on Front to C’est What, where we were turned down quickly saying they were at capacity. Although I do think that they turned us down rather quickly, I do suspect something was fishy. We ended up waiting in line next door at the Jersey Giant and finishing our last pint there. Feeling pretty much done for the night, this was the last stop.  Our drinking went from a pint in about 10 minutes to a pint in about an hour. You know its the end of the night when things come to a halt like that.

Also to finish a great night, Jenn was able to scam some free swag from the Jersey Giant!

Clubs, Reviews

Easy, Easy, Easy

Leave a comment

So here I begin my reviews. Ok, so I’m no professional reviewer or food connoisseur, but this is for to remember, review, and reflect. [ha! That was lame]

Easy [a.k.a The Fifth]

So this wasn’t my first time going to Easy on last Friday, but I do think that each time has been a jolly good ol time and this time was no different. One thing about winter clubbing is that you can virtually get into any club because no one wants to club in the winter. Anyhow, the usual Friday $10 cover applies, but drinks are $3.50 until 12pm. This applies to all of your normal brand liquors [vodka, rum, gin etc]. Without the cover I would add this place to my top cheap-o drink places,  but you still can’t beat $3.50 drinks in TO. I am always quite surprised and impressed with the DJ at Easy. With mixes of hip-hop [yes, I did go nuts when they played the Lil Wayne song, but that’s because I’m on a Lil Wayne craze…stupid Troy], rock, stupid Britney songs [Jenise and Jenn made it a point to have more “fun” during these songs], 80’s and dance music. Each song was not overplayed so you didn’t feel like a set was going for too long and the DJ did a good job [yes, this is his/her job so they should be good at it] at blending each song/beat quite nicely.  The overall feeling of the night [crowd, music, drinks] was a night to be remembered and probably another night to be had.

And also not to forget that nothing quite beats a good night out but finishing it off with a big bowl of Pho..mmmm