Google Maps

Twice in the past month Google Maps has failed me to point that I have stopped using the service.  I was travelling for work (once in Detroit and once in New York) and had printed maps to get to and from my destinations (I don’t have a GPS so this is my best option).  In Detroit, I followed the directions to end destination and was baffled when the school I was looking for was nowhere in sight.  I ended up stopping at a gas station and asking for directions.  I ended up being about five miles from my destination and about ten minutes late for my training, getting the day off on the wrong foot.  New York wasn’t quite as disastrous but it still led me astray telling me to follow roads that didn’t exist.  It was very frustrating.  I have since started using Mapquest for all my map needs.  Whether or not it would have made the same mistakes, I don’t know.   I’m sure I will give it another shot in the future but it will have to earn my loyalty next time!

L/Studio

So Lexus has started a new Web TV station called L/Studio with a variety of Internet only shows and clips. It is headlined by a Lisa Kudrow produced/starred series called Web Therapy. Kudrow plays a therapist that uses the web to conduct 3 minute therapy sessions with her clients. The episodes are short and though the content is limited it is worth a look. Check it out!

A place for Mini Computers

I must say, I stand corrected that there is a viable place in the market for mini computer like the Dell Netbook. I still stand by my opinion that hand held devices will handle most web browsing and basic text type editing in the near future. However, I think this trend is only viable in the consumer market. Mini computers will have a place in the education market. As schools (K12 and high ed) continue to implement 1:1 computer initiatives where every student has their own computers, these mini computers will have a place. Their low price point and ultra portability make them perfect for kiddos to carry around with them from class to class. In addition, most manufacturers try to make the mini pcs more durable to withstand the beating they are sure to get from students in the K12 market (this will only improve as solid state harddrives continue to increase in size and drop in price). I look forward to seeing how this progresses and am happy to be in an industry where I can watch it first hand!

Dell Mini 9 Netbook

I took a look at the new Dell Mini 9 Netbook today in an unboxing posted here. Looks like an interesting product by Dell that will prove to compete in this Mini computer/UMPC market. It seems like it is a solid machine with all the basic functionality of any notebook (Windows XP, basic collaboration software, basic office software, etc.). However, I still hold to the fact that these UMPCs do little more than handheld devices (iPhone/Touch, Blackberry, etc.). These are Internet devices that need to use network or cloud computing to bypass any storage on the solid state drives. The biggest advantage is screensize, which will be important to many users. I don't see the point in carrying a device of this size (as small as it may compare to a standard laptop) when I can get the same functionality in a handheld. Sure, at this point, applications must be specially built for most handheld devices while UMPCs will run standard software but this will be little use one as cloud computing continues to grow. Like I mentioned in my last post, noone is going to replace their standard laptop with a UMPC or a handheld computer. Each will simply have their own functions and I don't see a point in carting around a 2.5 pound device to surf the net. Maybe using one will change my mind but I say the device is worthless in 2 years.

iPod Touch

After much debate I have decided to concede the fact the the iPhone won't be coming to Verizon anytime soon. I would consider switched to AT&T but my wife talks to her family so much that I would have to quadruple our minutes just to cover her talktime. That being the case, I have now switched my focus to the iPod Touch. While it will be a pain to carry around two different mobile devices, it will provide most of the functionality I want (wifi internet, push email and calendar, music, and movies). The Touch/iPhone family (and other like devices) are really the future of computing. Sure, personal computers (desktops and laptops) will never go away but they will be specialty devices; editing videos, editing digital photos, and some word processing. Most standard computing (web browsing and email) the is typically done on your home or work computer will migrate to handheld devices as these pieces of technology continue to get more affordable and more powerful. It is really exciting to see this shift taking place. The Touch/iPhone have really brought this to the forefront of media attention even though the shift started years ago. I can't wait to join the millions of people who have already jumped on the bandwagon!