Skip to main content

Just One More Thing

iOS 7
“The iPhone is revolutionary,” for those who virtually attended any of the late Steve Jobs (1955-2011) Apple Event products launch via the web there was always an air of exhilaration and anticipation speculating what new gadget could possibly be next! I never missed one; I would eagerly jump out of bed early the next morning to discover what innovative products Apple was to release. What better ways to stay abreast of technology innovations than watching Steve Jobs perform, the Edison of our time.

I’ll admit, I was a skeptical late adopter of the iPhone. The iPod Touch did everything and more that a gadget could provide (I thought). It was during my visit to South Africa in February 2011 that I pre-ordered my iPhone 4 via Apples Online Store with the anticipation of the Verizon release. Everyone had said, “Wait until the iPhone 5, it will do so much more.” I couldn’t wait to get home and open the box, it was like Christmas all over again at six years old – so exciting! Wow, that was over two-years ago. We were so smitten with all the features, Christmas 2012 we upgraded to iPhone 5.

Indeed, version six will be better, but the iPhone for me is much more than a phone. It is my personal assistant, GPS navigator, music player, my on demand movie viewer, my portable university, my text messaging tool, my digital library, my e-mail correspondence tool, my portable internet radio, any major league baseball game on demand. In full, it’s my entertainment, learning, and communication center. And it fits in the palm of your hand, amazing.

The launch of the iPhone 5 did not disappoint me, why because what everyone seems to forget is when a new version is launched Apple provides a free software upgrade to the operating system (IOS 7 fall 2013) for your current phone. So, it’s like getting a new phone! Maybe I’ll purchase a new cover in a different color to remind me of that very fact.

. . . And what can I say about Siri, except thank you! Common, admit it, messages always arrive at the most inconvenient time. In my experience, It happens daily - ding - I'm getting one now. "Do I have a new message?" I ask Siri. "You have a message from Lori Ball," Siri replies. No need to read or type a text message Siri will do it for you. Want to convert kilometers to miles, how about the current humidity level, or time, or your current location. I’ve asked Siri, what seems rather vague, “Are the Cubs playing today?” With the response, “The Cubs - Cardinals game starts at 5:05 pm.” It’s rather frightening really, what this device can do. Siri uses information from the computational knowledge engine, WolframAlpha, along with your contacts, music library, calendars, and reminders to better understand what you say. So it responds more accurately when you ask to make a phone call, play music, or create an appointment or reminder.  If you have Siri and haven't taken the time to use it simply ask, “What can you do?” Remember to talk in your normal tone of voice. An extensive list of options will appear with suggested ways to ask. Siri learns your natural speech, and it asks you questions if it needs more information to complete a task. Yes, I’m a fan, can you tell?

“Oh, just one more thing,” as Steve Jobs would have said had he presented the latest release of Apple’s product innovations. “Now your iPhone comes with a smarter personal digital assistant – it is the most amazing iPhone yet!” 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular of All Time

The Art of the Annoying Question

In this episode, why "Cool" is the Enemy of Growth Last night, Lori and I joined our friends (team #1) in a professional kitchen at Sur La Table in Carlsbad, CA., for a "Date Night in Southern Italy." On the menu: Steak Tagliata, Sautéed Shrimp with Fried Capers, and handmade Garganelli. The experience was amazing, delectable food and an exceptional highlight: the Amalfi Lemon Gelato, complemented by the barrage of questions. When I’m with someone like Chef Gaetano, who’s incredibly patient, I tend to ask a lot of questions quickly. “Why use a fork to whisk the eggs and not a whisker?” “What exactly is the chemical transformation of a fried caper?” “If I roll this Garganelli a half-inch wider, does the sauce-to-pasta ratio collapse?” I could see the look on a few other students' faces: Is this guy for real? Just eat the shrimp, Patrick. But here’s the wisdom I’ve gathered after nearly six decades of being the annoying guy in the front row: The quality of your l...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Miller Effect

In this episode - The Miller Effect . . . The sun hung high in the sky, casting shadows across the desolate landscape of Huron, California. Dr. Vo, a brilliant yet witty electrical engineer, stood before the main breaker box of a massive 1.4 MW-DC solar array that had confounded everyone who had dared to diagnose its persistent issue. It had been six long months of head-scratching and ten failed attempts by others before the desperate call came into Dr. Vo's office. As the sun's rays bathed the vast array in an orange glow, Dr. Vo stepped up to the Main breaker box, his sharp eyes shaded by his green Cenergy cap. He wore his North Face jacket that billowed in the light breeze, and his presence exuded an air of mystery and intrigue that was as pervasive as the problem at hand. The solar array was a colossal assemblage of panels, wires, and inverters, but the main breaker kept tripping, sending the entire operation into chaos. The workers at the site were on edge, muttering, “We’...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Solar Time

In this episode - In Solar Time . . . We are thrilled to present a unique surprise for this week's podcast. We have composed a special tribute to Cenergy's V-Team in the form of original lyrics to the iconic Beatles song "When I'm 64".   One of Cenergy’s engineering team members is Vietnam’s Doan Vo (Dr. Vo). Dr. Vo - as we call him - is the team lead for Cenergy’s Electrical Engineering Operations. We want to thank the V-Team for their unwavering commitment and assistance to the US team. Your diligent efforts are truly appreciated. In Solar Time When I get older, losing my mind many years from now. Will you still be estimating power lines? Calculating modules in Solar time. If I'd been shocked at quarter to four would you close the door (circuit)?   Will you still teach me? Will you still reach me? When I'm eighty-four. You'll be older too. And if you say the word I could just phone you. I could be handy, changing the fuse. When your power’s gone. Cal...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sierra Reflections 2011

Wrapped in the cozy warmth of a down bag I’m jolted awake from a deep slumber - nature calls. The silence is shattered by the rustle of my sleeping bag. The sweet aroma of the mountain fills the air, and that ever-present biting crisp air on your cheeks!  The zipper moans as you free yourself, then the struggle to find your wool sweater, pants, and shoes to stumble into the brisk morning air. Another zipper whines as you crawl to escape the protection of your mountain shelter. Quietly . . .  do not disturb  is the invisible sign worn by your fellow campers. Photo: Robert Weldon Darkness surrounds you, it's early morning, late summer. It’s tranquil, except for the soft gurgle of the trout stream that lulled you to sleep the night before.  Finally - clear weather, the rains have stopped; millions of stars twinkle like tiny sparkling diamonds against a pitch-black sky. Orion, the hunter is clearly visible in the eastern sky; careful inspection you can see ...
Post a Comment
Read more