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!”

Comments

Tapestry of Truth

In this episode, The Tapestry of Truth . . . Imagine a tapestry woven with the threads of countless experiences. These threads are the stories we encounter, the lessons we learn, the relationships we cultivate, and the environments we inhabit. Each thread contributes to the intricate pattern of our beliefs, values, and interactions with truth. Philosophers have long debated the definition of truth. Bertrand Russell defined truth as "the correspondence between belief and fact." Essentially, a statement is true if it accurately reflects reality. Consider Galileo Galilei's observation of Jupiter. Through his telescope, he observed celestial bodies orbiting the planet. Initially met with resistance, this observation revolutionized our understanding of the solar system. Statement: Jupiter has moons orbiting it. Reality: Galileo's observations accurately reflected the reality of Jupiter's moons. This demonstrates how truth corresponds to reality. Despite initial oppos...

Golf Evolving

In this episode, TGL–Golf Evolving . . . Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, I want to share what Lori discovered on ESPN about professional golf: the NEW TGL league. You see, golf has evolved over the centuries. The game has always adapted from Scotland's windswept links to Augusta's manicured courses. But what if I told you that the most significant change in golf history isn't happening on a sprawling 18-hole masterpiece but inside a building? Inspired by Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story," we’re about to tee off! Good morning, Americans! Today, we're talking about golf—a sport as old as time yet as new as tomorrow. Who hasn’t heard of Tiger Woods, the golfing phenom? Also, if you’re a golf fan, you've probably heard of Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish star. But have you heard of their brainchild? It's called TGL–turning the golf world on its ear. TGL stands for TMRW Golf League. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy founded TMRW Sports in partne...

Quantum Computing

In this episode, Introduction to Quantum Computing . . . Welcome back to On the Fly, the podcast where we delve into fascinating and occasionally complex topics that pique curious minds. Today, we’re exploring something that sounds like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie: Quantum Computing. Don’t worry if you’re not a tech expert—I promise to keep it simple, fun, and full of real-world analogies. So, let’s start with this question: Have you ever been stuck in traffic and wondered, “What’s the fastest way to get to my destination?” You open your favorite map app, which calculates the best route in seconds. But imagine if it could consider every possible route, even ones you never thought of, all at once. That’s similar to what quantum computing can do—but on a much larger scale. Classical vs. Quantum Computing : To understand quantum computing, let’s first discuss the computers we use every day. These classical computers process information in binary—ones and zeros. Think of it like a...

Starry, Starry Night

In this episode, Starry, Starry Night . . . Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, we're exploring the basics of astrophotography. Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what's really out there? I’ve discovered a way to explore distant galaxies–without a telescope–or leaving my backyard. Consider this: each night, when the skies are clear, a breathtaking display unfolds above us—a cosmic dance of light and color. When you step outside, you notice the moon and perhaps a few stars. However, you can open a gateway to the universe with a camera, some adjustments, and a tripod. Suddenly, faint whispers of light transform into vibrant galaxies, swirling nebulae, and star clusters that shimmer like diamonds scattered across black velvet. That fuzzy patch you thought was just a smudge becomes the Andromeda Galaxy, our closest galactic neighbor, an astonishing 2.5 million light-years away. You're capturing light that has traveled millions of years to reach your came...

On The Fly

Search This Blog