Rich Alot - Blogging Web design, CSS, XHTML, Web development, technology, action figures, toys, video games, politics, sports and other pop culture randomness

Oh, Dear!

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:34:00 -0400

I have a small area in my garage that I converted into a gym. My normal routine is to work out in the evening or on a rare occasion, in the morning. This week I've been working out in the afternoon, mostly because the Florida summer is winding down and it's not as hot in the middle of the day as it was a month or so ago. Don't get me wrong, it's still hot, just not as hot. Anyways, for the last two days when I've opened the garage door to start my workout, I've run into this pretty lady. She's a welcome sight, when compared to the moths, mosquitoes and deer flies I've become accustomed to. The click of my camera snapping photos prompted a few stares and occasional ear twitch, but besides that she was content in chomping away on the vegetation behind my house, as I photographed her.

This Time, Glen Davis Isn't the Big Baby

Tue, 12 May 2009 16:30:00 -0400

There's a bit of controversy in Orlando after Glen “Big Baby” Davis hit a game-winning, buzzer-beater to help the Boston Celtics even up their best-of-seven NBA playoff series with the Orlando Magic. The controversy isn't related to anything that happened on the court—at least not within the playing confines—but instead focuses on Davis' reaction after the shot.

After hitting his jumper as time expired, an ecstatic “Big Baby” ran down the sideline toward his teammates in celebration. Making his way toward his bench, Davis came into contact with 12-year old Magic fan Nicholas Provetti, spinning Provetti around and knocking the ball cap off his head. Nicholas, who was visibly surprised by the contact didn't appear to be injured, but his father, Ernest Provetti didn't care. Ernest called Big Baby a "raging animal" with no regard for fans' safety and demanded an apology from Davis, the Celtics organization or the NBA, for the contact to his son.

I'm sure the disappointment of watching his home team lose a heartbreaking game played a part in Ernest Provetti's complaint, but his argument makes him—not Glen Davis—appear to be the big baby. The elder Provetti argued that Davis “shouldn't have went on the sideline,” but if you watch the replay, you'll see his (Provetti's) outstretched arm reach across the plane of the sideline, inbound, during the game. Who's not following the rules now, Ernest? And if you really want to get technical, Provetti's tickets—like almost all NBA tickets—were for seats. Had dad and son had their back-ends parked in their seats like they're supposed to, Nicholas would have watched Davis run by without incident.

I'm no Glen Davis fan. I'm still angry that Glen Davis ruined my trip to Atlanta, 3 years ago, when LSU beat Duke in the NCAA tournament, so this isn't a defense of Glen Davis; it's an acknowledgment that the Provetti's don't have anything to complain about. Mr. Provetti makes enough money to splurge on court-side tickets to an NBA playoff game, he's got enough pull to get a ludicrous apology demand reported by the media, and his kid has his mug all over the news and Internet all because a basketball player brushed by him. Most 12-year olds would soil their tighty-whiteys at the opportunity to see an NBA game from 50 rows up, much less court side, so the Provettis should consider themselves lucky and quit their whining!

Sideshow's G.I. Joe Snake Eyes Review

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:07:00 -0400

I have to admit, I was shocked when Sideshow Collectibles announced they had acquired the rights to produce 1/6-scale G.I. Joe figures. G.I. Joe has been a staple of Hasbro's portfolio for going on 5 decades and along with Mr. Potato Head helped transform a small-town, textile remnant company into one of the world's largest toy makers. So what would cause Hasbro to lease the rights to one of their most successful brands?

Hasbro's business plan relies on mass-production and volume sales. High-end collectible figures, such as the ones produced by Sideshow, don't fit that plan because they pose too great a risk when you factor in research and development, production time, price-point and mass appeal. By giving Sideshow a shot at the G.I. Joe license, Hasbro satisfies the demand for collector-quality merchandise without taking that risk; and they make some money while they're at it.

If it's collector quality you're after, Sideshow's first offering in the G.I. Joe line, Snake-Eyes, delivers. Fans of the G.I. Joe animated series will immediately recognize Snake-Eyes' signature black wears, balaclava with visor, bandolier and Mk-23 pistol. Those unfamiliar with the animated series should have no problem appreciating the layers of military-accurate, holsters, harnesses, arms and accessories that accentuate the stealthily silent character. The figure's level of meticulous detail, coupled with the vast number of accessories is unprecedented in any of Sideshow's previous offerings. Snake-Eyes is Sideshow's best figure to date; by far.

It's worth noting that Sideshow's G.I. Joe line focuses on the 1980s A Real American Hero series and not the 1960s-era kung-fu grip, Chia Pet hair-styled Joes. Sorry old-timers. Anyways...

Snake-Eyes' comes armed with a number of detailed knives, ninja swords and firearms, and his countless magazine rounds and grenades never lack a storage pouch or pocket. His equipment and arms arsenals are complimented by several pairs of interchangeable hands and boots that, when geared-up on Sideshow's newly-engineered Prometheus body, can achieve a broad array of life-like action poses. The Prometheus body is much improved since its debut on Sideshow's Indiana Jones figure, earlier this year. The loose limbs and frequently disconnecting joints have been corrected, though the body silhouette looks a tad on the thin side for Snake-Eyes, who is usually portrayed as being a bit more muscular.

Snake-Eyes' clothing and accessories are well made. The hooks, clips, belts and harnesses are to scale and function just as you'd expect them to, if not better. The stitching on and around the pockets and Velcro did have some exposed threads and the Velcro's stick is a little weak on some pouches. This tends to result in pouches that won't fully close or flop open when you move the figure, which isn't so much a detriment as it is a nuisance. My only real gripe—besides the omission of Snake-Eye's pet wolf Timber, which Sideshow addressed in their upcoming Recon at Waypoint 12 Environment—was fitting the ammo clips into the pockets of the light assault vest. The clips just didn't want to fit and I found the canvas-constructed material would tear if I tried to force the clips in without wiggling them around. I eventually got them in, but it was frustrating.

I give Sideshow Collectibles' 1/6-scale G.I. Joe Snake-Eyes figure a 9.5 out of 10. Yo Sideshow!

Sideshow's Idol Chamber Environment Review

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:56:00 -0400

Continuing my review of Sideshow Collectibles’ Dr. Rene Belloq, today I take a look at the Idol Chamber Environment, which is the unique piece included with the exclusive version of the figure.

During the priority pre-order for this set, I couldn’t help but think the version of Belloq packaged with the Idol Chamber Environment was an odd choice. I also couldn’t help but think “Holy shit! I can’t believe they're including an idol chamber as the exclusive,” but that’s beside the point. If you recall, at the beginning of Raiders, Belloq swipes the fertility idol from Indy wearing a safari-esque outfit with khaki shirt and pith helmet. Though that version of Belloq would have been a more obvious choice to include with the chamber, the good news is we get a Belloq figure, and khaki shits and pith helmets are a dime a dozen in the 1/6-scale world. In other words, it’ll be easy to make your own jungle Belloq, should you choose to.

Before I start my review, let me get this out of the way; the Idol Chamber Environment alone is worth the $140 you’re paying for the set. The chamber is made from polystone and comparatively shopping Sideshow’s site for other polystone pieces with similar dimensions, you’ll find this set sells for considerably less. And you get a Belloq in the deal. Anyone complaining about the price of this package has no justification in my book.

The idol pedestal is hollow, but still has some good weight to it. Both it and the additional floor piece have soft foam along the bottom to prevent them from moving or sliding, which is a nice touch. The carvings on the chamber aren’t completely screen-accurate, but they’re close enough. What really surprised me is the level of detail Sideshow was able to achieve with the vegetation on the pedestal. The moss and growth on the rock looks very realistic and has depth and dimension. It’s well done.

Now what’s an Idol Chamber Environment without an idol? Despite including a fertility idol with their Indy figure--who you’ll most likely be displaying in the chamber--Sideshow included a solid metal idol with the environment. The idol has a gold-metallic finish and is quite heavy for its small size. The metal idol holds detail better than its plastic counterpart, so you’ll most likely bag the idol included with Indy in favor of this one.

So what’s wrong with the Idol Chamber Environment? Not much. My only complaint is the use of an additional floor piece to extend the floor, instead of widening the floor on the base. I think it would have looked better as a complete, single piece. Besides that, I think it’s a great piece and a must have if you’re an Indy collector. I give Sideshow Collectible's 1/6 scale Idol Chamber Environment a 9 out of 10.

Sideshow's Dr. Rene Belloq Review

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:32:00 -0400

My Sideshow Collectibles' exclusive Dr. Rene Belloq 12-inch figure (with Idol Chamber Environment) arrived via UPS, yesterday. Like one of my previous UPS shipments, the box had a gratuitous gaping hole at the bottom, so my excitement was mixed with the concern that something had been damaged. Luckily, I avoided disaster yet again, but still contest that brown is an appropriate metaphor to describe UPS' service.

Out of the box, Belloq's suit is a little wrinkled so you may want to press his coat and pants. The material and tailoring are well done and the stitching is clean. His pants are...well they're hiked up high enough to raise anyone's voice a few octaves, so you'll most likely want to display him with the coat closed. The problem with that is the clasp used to button the coat shut was applied slightly higher than it should have been (curse the factory!), so it gives the coat the appearance of being tight. Moving the clasp should help alleviate the fat guy in a small jacket appearance.

I was a little disappointed by the quality of Belloq's tie. The tie is pinned into a knot with a piece of thread, instead of being tied or glued to achieve a realistic look. This looks cheap, but thankfully can be remedied with a bit of innovation as seen on the Sideshow Collectors forum. There's also some debate amongst diehards on the Sideshow Collectors forum regarding the color accuracy of Belloq's shirt. I'm going to let this one slide since there are film stills that depict both white and blue shirts, so it can go either way (though blue looks to be the correct version).

The Belloq figure is built on Sideshow's new Prometheus body, which debuted on their Raiders of the Lost Ark version of Indiana Jones, late last year. The body has since been improved with tighter joints and limbs that aren't as loose as they were on the majority of the Indy figures. In fact, the figure holds poses well and I haven't had an incident of 1/6 leprosy, where a joint on the figure falls out of the socket. Belloq's shoes connect directly to the legs with a socket so there are no feet included. This is no big, but there aren't any socks included. This means Sideshow either missed this detail or Dr. Belloq was not only scholarly, but had an incredibly forward-thinking fashion sense in wearing a linen suit with no socks (think Miami Vice).

Belloq's likeness to Paul Freeman isn't bad; at profile it looks like Freeman, but the resemblance isn't completely there from the front. The figure's brown hair should have been highlighted with a touch of gray, especially on the sides. The proper highlights would have helped improve the likeness. Thankfully, the hat covers enough of the hair to hide the fact that Sideshow wasn't accurate with their paint applications. The hat itself is made of a soft plastic and fits snugly over the sculpted hair. I wish Sideshow would have used the same approach with the hat on their Indy figure because it looks great and works well.

You have several options in accessorizing Belloq including a pocket watch, a bottle of liquor with his family label and a MP-40 machine gun. I was hoping the pocket watch would have a “glass” face, but it didn't achieve that level of detail. The watch chain is a vast improvement over the chain Sideshow used for the necklace on their Lord of the Rings Frodo because it doesn't clump and knot. The detail on the MP-40 is also an improvement on what has come to be expected from Sideshow. The gun is molded in several pieces that fit together, has a removable clip, a spring-loaded chamber, a strap, and a working, retractable stock. In addition to the open/gripping hands, Belloq includes a pair of interchangeable clinched fists.

I obviously have a few gripes with this figure, but I consider them to be more lapses in detail than serious flaws. The problem is that Sideshow isn't demonstrating the same level of detail that Hot Toys is putting in their 1/6-scale figures and collectors are starting to recognize it. I personally like this figure and believe a few corrections to the lack in detail I mentioned above would vastly improve it. As a result, I give Sideshow Collectible's 1/6 scale Dr. Rene Belloq a 6 out of 10, which is a shame because it really should have been an 8 or higher. The Exclusive Belloq is limited to 1000 pieces and retails for $139.99 and as I'm writing this, is still available for order on Sideshow's Web site.

Stay tuned, tomorrow, for my review of the accompanying Idol Chamber Environment.

Sideshow's Obi Wan Kenobi in Clone Armor Preview

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:13:00 -0400

I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post. I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to look over the handful of Sideshow Collectible's 1/6-scale figures that have made it my way, including their latest Star Wars offering Obi-Wan Kenobi: Clone Wars - General. The Obi Wan figure is based on events in the Clone Wars animated series where Obi Wan battles the separatist armies dressed in a combination of Jedi robes and Clone armor. The gear makes for an interesting, visually pleasing pairing and though I'm not a fan of the prequel trilogy, I do like this version of the Obi Wan character. I managed to take a few quick photos of the figure, which is also the first to sport Sideshow's new armor body type. The new body type is a vast improvement over the previous Art S. Buck model body because it lends itself to a wider range of more natural looking poses. Once I get a chance to put a dent in his armor I'll whip up a full review with additional photos, but in the time being the teaser photos will have to do.

Top 5 Android Applications

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:15:00 -0400

The Android Market has been growing steadily since the T-Mobile G1 launched this October. Thanks to the five-star rating system and user comments, in the market, it's been relatively easy to identify the applications worth downloading and those that should be avoided altogether. Here's a list of the top 5 Android applications that every G1 shouldn't be without.

Locale (and Locations): Locale dynamically manages your phone settings based on conditions such as location and time. Locale works in conjunction with Locations—an application that pinpoints your GPS coordinates—and requires Locations if you're using geographic rules in your settings. You'll never have to worry about your ringer going off in the wrong place or at the wrong time. I personally use Locale to set my G1 to use my wireless Internet connection whenever I'm at home.
ShopSavvy and CompareEverywhere: I've found that both ShopSavvy and CompareEverywhere have their unique upsides and are most effective when used in tandem. Use the camera in your phone to scan the barcode of any product to find the best prices on the Internet and at nearby, local stores. You can then read product reviews to find what others think as well as keep track of your items in a shopping list.
Twidroid: If you tweet, Twidroid is for you. Twidroid a full-featured, mobile Twitter client that includes direct messaging, photo posting and background notifications. Twidroid is still in beta so not all of the features work flawlessly, but it boasts a clean, easy-to-use interface and has a lot of promise.
WeatherBug: WeatherBug uses your GPS location information to provide live, local weather information featuring location-based forecasts, severe weather alerts, radar and satellite maps, camera views and more. WeatherBug is the most comprehensive weather tool in the Android Market.
Dial Zero: Dial Zero allows you to quickly dial the customer service number of over 600 companies and skip the prompts to speak directly with a person. No more menu trees or annoying voice recognition software to stand in your way!

Happy Howl-o-ween

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:26:00 -0400

Tomorrow is Halloween and to get into the spirit of things I decided to carve a pumpkin. Up until now, the extent of my pumpkin carving experience has been under the supervision of a parent. Yep, it's been that long. Being a pumpkin carving novice, I decided to pick up one of those pumpkin carving kits that comes with everything you need to get started, including the carving and gutting tools as well as a booklet of templates. I figured that with the templates I could create something intricate and forgo the usual boring, old triangles.

Apparently, during the time I left to buy the kit, my neighbors complained that my dogs had been barking the entire day. Considering I had only been out of the house for the two hours it took me to run out to get the carving kit, I thought this was a bit odd. So it should be no surprise that I found it amusingly appropriate to use the template with the pack of howling wolves. I quickly learned that cutting a tough-skinned gourd with a saw that looks like it came out of a munchkin carpenter's tool shed isn't as easy as I thought it would be, even with a pattern to follow. The end result isn't precisely what the template looked like, but it's close enough. Besides I'm sure my neighbors will appreciate it every time they glance at doorstep. I took a photo of my disasterpiece in all its glory with my T-Mobile G1, which considering the circumstances, i.e. lighting conditions, produced a surprisingly good quality photo.

My First Week with the T-Mobile G1

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:04:00 -0400

I’ve been at it for one week with my Android-based, T-Mobile G1. I admit that every time I get a new cell phone I either get a tinge of buyer’s remorse or end up comparing it to my previous phone more than I should. The G1 is no exception. When I pulled the G1 out of the box, my initial impression was that it was a bit clunky, bulky and even heavy. I know comparing the G1’s size to a Motorola RAZR (which it’s replacing) isn’t exactly fair considering what the G1 is capable of, but a precedence had been set.

What the G1 lacks in aesthetics, it more than makes up for in functionality. Sure I would love the G1 to be the same size as the RAZR, but my concerns that the G1 would be a brick in my pocket subsided as I familiarized myself with the Android interface and started making use of the features that I cursed my RAZR for not having. I also felt better when I had a chance to compare the G1’s vitals to a friend’s iPhone. The weight of the two devices is very similar and though the G1 is thicker, the QWERTY keyboard that adds to the extra thickness is totally worth it.

Once I got over the dimension shock, the only real issue I had with the G1 is battery life. If you’ll be using your G1 heavily throughout the day, you’ll need to keep a charger handy. Even with recommended settings to extend the battery life (GPS, brightness, WiFi and auto sync settings turned down or off) the phone eats up the charge quickly. I would imagine that if you took the phone on a trip to use as a reference guide and were out of the hotel all day sightseeing, you wouldn’t make it into the evening without needing a charge. I’m not sure how this compares to the battery life on an iPhone, but I could definitely see it being an issue at some point.

What I don’t see being an issue is the Android Market. There have been dozens of new applications added since theG1 launched on the 22nd and every time I check the Android Market, the application and game libraries seems to be growing. Obviously some of the applications are more useful than others, but it’s nice to know there’s no shortage of developers working on the Android platform. I’ll blog a more detailed account of some of my favorite applications later in the week, but want to include a quick real world example of how the G1 is making a difference in my life.

I downloaded one of the first applications available in the Android Market, named QuickList, to create a running grocery list throughout the week. If you’re wondering why I don’t just write a list out, I’ve tried and since my list isn’t at my hip at all times—like my phone—I always seem to forget something. As I navigated the aisles of my local Publix this weekend, checking off the list items as I add them to my cart, I didn’t have that usual “I’m forgetting something” feeling that comes over me right before I check out. When I cleared those automatic doors I not only felt confident that I got everything I needed, I also realized that for once, I didn’t forget the garbage bags!

In the end, my week with the G1 was as much of a learning experience as a realization that the device has the ability to change the way people live their lives. It’s not that the G1 can make you a better shopper, a healthier eater, an accurate tipper or even more productive, but it gives you the tools that put you on the right track.

Macro Photos of a Micro Card

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:28:00 -0400

If you follow me on Twitter, about a month ago I tweeted about a 16GB microSDHC card by SanDisk. The card just hit the market in the UK and at the time was available for around $80 shipped to the U.S. I decided to buy one of these cards since I pre-ordered the T-Mobile G1 and it only comes with a measly 1GB microSD card, but supports microSDHC. My order was shipped (dispatched if you're in the U.K.) quickly and arrived with plenty of time to spare for the G1, so I snapped a few photos.

For those of you unfamiliar with SDHC, it's a flash memory card format that supports capacities of 4GB and beyond. Chances are you're most likely using an SD (under 4GB) or SDHC (over 4GB) card in your digital camera. microSD—used mostly for cell phones—is a teeny-tiny version of SD memory. So a microSDHC card is basically a mini SDHC card that supports high capacity memory. Not to make matters any more confusing, but you can use an adapter and plug a microSDHC card into an SDHC fitting to create an SDHC card and there are USB adapters that allow you to plug an SDHC card into them, creating what equates to a flash memory stick. The last photo in the set will help differentiate between the types and gives you a size comparison so you have a better idea of what's what. Now that I've got my memory, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that UPS gets my G1 to me in one piece.

Pulling the Plug on Cable

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 10:43:00 -0400

I've pulled the plug on cable television. I called to cancel my television service on Thursday and dropped off my HD-DVR this morning to make it official. I decided to stop paying for cable for because it was costing me about a $100 a month and I only watched a few stations that weren't the major networks. Now that most television content and shows are available online—be it on the networks' Web sites, Hulu.com or marketplaces like Xbox Live, Zune and iTunes—I shouldn't miss much of anything, if anything at all. As a trade off, I decided to pay an extra $10 a month to increase the speed of my Internet connection, since I'll be doing a lot of downloading. I think the hardest part will be the ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel withdraws, but I figure I can always drop into a bar and catch a game. This reminds me of when I dumped my land-line phone several years back and used my cell phone as my primary phone. It took a bit of adjustment getting used to monitoring my minutes, just as I imagine downloading shows will takes some getting used to, but in the end it was a good decision that felt quite liberating.

Making Sense of the Bailout

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:36:00 -0400

After a 777 point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, businesses, citizens and politicians alike begged the U.S. Congress to pass a $700 billion bailout package bill, late last week. Congress responded by tossing Wall Street the $700 billion life preserver because a lack of liquidity in the credit markets would suffocate consumer and business lending, bringing the economy to a grinding halt.

What does the bailout mean for someone on Main Street? If you as a consumer can't borrow money because the banks have no money to lend, you can't buy the services or products a business has to offer. As a result, businesses can't cover their operating expenses—which include payroll—since there is a lack of commerce (no consumer spending) and no available credit (no bank loans). Businesses are then forced to cut costs, which in many instances result in employee layoffs, and the entire episode comes full circle.

Why are we in this mess? Credit. We as a country have stopped dealing in liquidities (cash) and are subscribed to the I.O.U. honor system we call credit. Statistics show that more Americans are in debt than ever before and it's a direct result of credit. Credit has made it easy for people to live beyond their means and financial institutions are taking advantage of this. By extending credit cards, auto loans and home loans to individuals who wouldn't normally qualify for them, financial institutions are looking to turn a quick profit through enticing introductory rates, no-interest grace periods and other tactics with back-loaded, high-interest. When these high-interest rates eventually set in, like the ARMs (adjustable rate mortgages) in the housing market, people can't afford the payments and the loans go sour.

History has shown that government intervention in financial issues in not the solution in a free market society. Take Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal for example. The New Deal was created to help America get out of the Great Depression and though some credit it with doing so, the truth of the matter is that the industrial revolution spurred by WWII was the true catalyst for the rise from depression. Even those who believe it was solely the New Deal that helped America out of depression can't deny that over 70 years later government still can't get a grip on some of the New Deal's "bailout" programs such as social security and welfare. Government intervention is a temporary solution that has unforeseen repercussions that can last generations as with the New Deal.

So how does giving $700 billion in cash to the financial institutions, who will put the cash right back into the credit system that caused this mess in the first place, solve the financial crisis? It doesn't; it only continues the viscous cycle, which will inevitably require additional bailouts in other sectors of the economy. Congress has set a dangerous precedent in bailing out Wall Street and it's only a matter of time before the government is forced to buy off sour mortgages and other bad debt. The truth of the matter is that American society has been living beyond its means and a correction in the form of a recession, depression, whatever the terminology is inevitable even with a government bailout.

Beaglemania Arrives in the U.S.

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:38:00 -0400

If you watched the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show you'll recognize Uno, the 15-inch Beagle, who won best in show. Being a Beagle owner myself (Brodie, whom I sometimes refer to as Ono for reasons I'll explain), I was amused to see Uno strut his stuff around the show floor and demand attention with his obsessing bays. Uno's victory has not only raised awareness of the Beagle breed, it increased the number homes choosing a Beagle as their family pet. If the baying didn't deter them, chances are most of these new Beagle owners are just learning about the kind of trouble an unsupervised Beagle can get into. The YouTube video above is evidence of Beagle mischief (and ingenuity). Don't get me wrong, Beagles have the friendliest temperament and I highly recommend them to anyone considering a dog, but don't let their cuteness fool you because they'll have you shouting "Oh, no" in no time!

T-Mobile G1: The 7 Haves

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:16:00 -0400

Yesterday I touched on some of the disappointing aspects of the T-Mobile G1. Though the G1 isn't flawless, it does have several key features that will make it a viable competitor in the mobile market. And so I give you the 7 haves of the T-Mobile G1.

Android: The reason for all the buzz. Because Android is open source, it gives developers unlimited possibilities. This means that, hardware permitting, there really isn't anything the software can't conceivably do.
Android Market: Yes, the iPhone has its own App Store, but the Cupertino-clan clamps down on the content. T-Mobile and Google have pledged a no-policing policy for the Android Market, so if you want to flash your status by blowing a grand on a real gem of an application, go for it!
micoSDHC: Equipped with only 1 GB out of the box, the G1's memory is easily upgraded by swapping in a higher capacity microSDHC card. Currently, most 8 GB microSDHC cards run for under $30, 16 GB cards are starting to hit the market at around $70, and higher capacity cards are in the works.
QWERTY Keyboard: The inclusion of a slide-out QWERTY keyboard frees up on-screen real estate and maximizes the application viewing area. It's also a nice addition for those who prefer the feel of buttons when keying in text.
Service: When the G1's 1GB, monthly, data-transfer limit raised customer concerns, T-Mobile quickly lifted the cap. When asked about tethering capabilities, T-Mobile CTO Cole Brodman didn't encourage the practice, but acknowledged the possibility existed through potential third-party applications. T-Mobile has a track record of great customer service, but they actually seem to understand and embrace the Pandora's Box they're opening with Andriod.
Accelerometer: The G1's built-in accelerometer gives you more control of your device, literally. In addition to powering the Compass tool in Google Maps' Street View mode by panning the on-screen view of a city street with your physical movements (up, down, right and left), the accelerometer helped Google co-founder Sergey Brin develop an application clocking the time it took him to catch his G1 after tossing it in the air. Laughingly, Brin didn't think throwing the application up on Android Marketplace was a good idea.
Wi-Fi Connectivity: Having to rely on Wi-Fi for your broadband connectivity negates the mobility of the G1, but T-Mobile's fledgling 3G network isn't available in all areas. In those instances, Wi-Fi broadband connectivity is better than no connectivity. The real benefit of Wi-Fi on the G1 is that it opens the possibility of cross-network communication between itself and other devices, third-party software permitting.

T-Mobile G1: The 7 Have Nots

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:29:00 -0400

Now that everyone has had time to digest the full specs for the T-mobile G1, here is a list of 7 missing or incomplete features. My biggest gripes are the omission of GPS and the exclusion of a built-in headphone jack, but there are a few more that will undoubtedly prove to be nuisances.

GPS: Sure there's Google Maps, but how are you supposed to take full advantage of ShopSavvy's results for best prices and inventories of nearby stores?
Desktop Sync Software: So you can play music on the device, but you can't sync the music (or anything else for that matter such as photos, contacts, etc.) with a computer?
3.5mm Headphone Jack: So you can play music on the device, but you can't listen to it without an adapter? I dislike proprietary cables on gaming consoles and I dislike them even more on cell phones. Proprietary cables and adapters need to go!
1 GB Memory: So you can load applications, music and photos on the G1 but you only get 1 GB of memory? I like the idea of the microSD card slot for expansion, but 1 GB included memory is not enough considering the G1 is being marketed as what equates to a phoputer (coined!).
Flash: It's surprising that Flash wasn't included out of the gate considering one of the biggest complaints about the iPhone (besides the inability to copy and paste) is the lack of Flash support.
Multi-Touch Screen: We double-click with our mice, why not let us double tap with our fingers? This isn't a huge omission, but one that didn't consider usability.
Video Recording: The marketing team for the G1 was sure to tout the 3 megapixel camera's auto-focus feature—a veiled reference to the blurry picture problems with the iPhone—but until someone develops video recording software, you'll have to settle for those crisp, in-focus stills.