Archive for the 'Gadgets' Category

Jott.com – My New Favorite Web App

Monday, September 24th, 2007

Jott.comStep 1: Go to Jott.com and create an account.
Step 2: Program the Jott phone number (1-866-JOTT-123) into your mobile phone.
Step 3: Whenever you need to write a note, send yourself a reminder, or add snake oil to the grocery list; you simply call the number and leave yourself a Jott. The note is then transcribed and sent to your email (and/or sent as a text message to your phone, if you choose). You can also send the Jott to other people in your address book.

What makes this the best little web app ever ever ever?

First of all it’s simple and effective, which is always a good thing.

Second, it transcribes your voice note and emails it to you. “Are you kidding me?” No, I’m serial [sic]. In fact, I am blown away at the accuracy of the transcription. You can even spell out a word and it knows not to transcribe “…that’s spelled S-H-I-H space T-Z-U”, but instead it appears properly in the transcribed sentence, “the quick brown shih tzu jumped over the fence.” Foxy.

No longer do I need to tell someone, “send me an email and remind me” when I am not in a position to make a note. I can just Jott it in about twenty seconds. Heck, if you want, you can even use Jott to send a message directly to your Twitter blog. If you haven’t already, you owe it to yourself to start using this wonderful new tool.

iPhone is ringing a lot of bells

Thursday, January 11th, 2007

If you have not yet watched the video of Steve Jobs introducing the iPhone, do yourself a favor and go watch it here (just click the “Watch iPhone Introduction” button, as I am not able to link directly).

I found another good article today about the impact that the Apple iPhone on the entire consumer device market, which is remarkable considering that it will not even be in the hands of the public until June 1st, 2007. This is the true spirit of capitalism, and I am excited to see it. It will also be interesting to see what happens with the lawsuit over the name iPhone, that evidently Cisco has owned the rights to since 2000. This could end up being a marketing headache for Apple. If they do end up renaming the device, I will venture to guess it will be “iFone” or something akin. “iPod” is a rather meaningless name, yet oddly descriptive, so I was surprised when Apple chose to use such an uninspired descriptor as “phone” in the name.

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Apple iPhone: The gauntlet hath been thrown

Wednesday, January 10th, 2007

iPhoneAfter yesterday’s unveiling of the Apple iPhone, I have been seeing lots of information, photos, more photos, and videos of what looks to be the proverbial gauntlet throw for the mobile hardware industry. I have but three words to express my joy: it’s about time. I keep looking down at my Motorola Q, currently resting on my desk, and smirking about how antiquated it suddenly seems for a device that launched only a few months ago… not to mention its endless problems, from tactile design flaws to crippling software bugs; like the one where it decides randomly about once a week that it does not want to charge when I plug it in before bed, making for a four-letter-word ridden situation the following morning when I am greeted with a critical battery warning. I will trade this Q in a heartbeat for what looks to be a beautifully thought out savior in a mobile world of rushed development cycles, sub-par product designs, and frustrations that extend far beyond the occasional dropped call. I have not traditionally been an Apple fan, but this product has the potential to make me into one. The thoughtful use of sensors on the iPhone is just one of a thousand examples showing that Steve and the gang have a clue, and that the iPod was not a one hit wonder for Apple’s success in the mass market. One final thought: the US has notoriously been behind Europe and parts of Asia by about three to five years in the mobile world tech curve. Could this be a turning point?