Some New Stuff

The genius behind Verizon's anti-AT&T ad campaign

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:37:22 -0800

Verizon has released 2 more anti-AT&T commericals - highlighting the differences in 3G coverage between the carriers. Besides the island of misfit toys, they've added a naughty and nice elf assembly line commercial (if your naughty, you get an AT&T phone) and a Blue Christmas commercial (the traveling father who can't keep in touch w/ his poor family)

The genius behind these commercials is that they don't slam the iPhone - just the carrier it's stuck with. Remember the iDon't commercials were from Motorola, not Verizon. Verizon has "clean hands" in the anti-iPhone ad wars. Slam the network, but leave the iPhone alone. Genius.

As an iPhone user, I have to admit that these 3G coverage ads are getting to me. I've always admitted that AT&T coverage wasn't the best - especially in Nebraska - where the ROI on adding towers is much lower than in higher populated areas of the country. Add in the fact that Verizon has absorbed Alltel (which had coverage everywhere in NE) and Verizon is clearly the carrier to beat in terms of coverage.

Despite the better coverage of Verizon, I was always able to justify staying w/ AT&T for two reasons: 1. With the GSM SIM card, I could easily and painlessly swap phones as new ones were released. As a result, I had a constant stream of Win Mobile and Blackberry phones pass through my hands. Expensive? yes - but I could get access to the newest version of any handset - and w/ the swap of a SIM card, I was up and running. 2. Nothing on any other carrier could compete w/ the iPhone.

Well, lately, as my kids inch toward college age and handsets have matured - the swapping of handsets has slowed down considerably. This is due to a combination of factors: the stagnation of WinMobile, the unreasonable expense of a BlackBerry corporate data plan, and the quality of the iPhone.

Also - with the release of some pretty good Android-based phones on the Verizon network and the promise of more, the iPhone seems a little more vulnerable than it was just a couple weeks ago.

I'm not yet convinced that Android is offering real competition to the iPhone yet, but its obviously coming - and add to that the constantly reinforced message that the Verizon network is superior in coverage and quality - and all of a sudden Verizon is on my radar screen more than they have been in a long time.

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Changes to Posterous...keep them coming!

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:39:37 -0700

Just an open post about the changes that have been taking place - both with the iPhone app, and quick update, and the theming that was just implemented for the site.

Wasn't a big fan of the iPhone app when it was in it's 1.0 phase - mainly because it just allowed you to post pictures without comment. That's been "fixed" in the 1.1 version. Nice!

Theming is nice - I've tried a few and have bounced back to the default - only because I like the clean look and layout - part of what brought me to Posterous from Wordpress. BUT...as an option for others who have better CSS skills than I, I'm grateful that its there - and expect that that type of customization is only going to be better.

Overall, I'm excited to be in early on what is clearly a very compelling, and fast growing product. Thanks Posterous!

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Something funny about the Kindle DX demo video...

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:32:43 -0700

So I'm lusting after a Kindle (not impressed w/ the Sony offerings just announced but that's a different post) - and am watching the demo videos that Amazon has on their site. Just thought it was funny that when they get to the part where they mention the text-to-speech features, they are using iPod headphones...

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Always check Amazon first!

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:44:57 -0700

This is more of a "note to self" but I really learned a lesson tonight. I try to make a habit of checking prices on Amazon on almost anything I purchase before I go to any other website. I have an account there, the 1-click ordering is great. They have a solid return policy, a pretty good iPhone application and I have the Prime account - so I can get anything they stock w/ free 2 day shipping. Generally their prices are competitive, and w/ the free shipping from Prime, it pays off.

Well, today I didn't check Amazon - and it's turned into a pricey lesson. I have been waiting for a good discount code to show up on Twitter for ZAGG (they release a daily code) so I could buy an Invisible Shield for my aluminum MacBook. One popped up today for 25% off - so I grabbed it and ordered up. Cut almost $14 off the $54 price of the shield - so I was happy. I log on tonight, and think maybe I should check out and see if Amazon carried Zagg products. I was mostly interested in user reviews - since I had already purchased the shield. Lo and behold - Amazon does carry the Zagg Invisible shield for the MacBook....for $28! And it's available for 2nd day delivery. I still am kicking myself over that. And - Zagg's order policy (which never bothered me until now) is that once you place an order - there is no cancellation. period. Expensive lesson - but a good one.

Check Amazon.com for their best price (and the user reviews) before you order ANYTHING.

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