My January 27 Apple Predictions / Thoughts
Apple Tablet – iSlate – iPad
Well, I’m not really sure what to think here. From all the rumor sites I’ve been reading I’d like to think that the device isn’t going to be an “iPhone on Steroids” like many say. I can’t see myself running out to buy one if it does exactly what my iPhone does except on a 10″ screen. I also thought I’d never have a use for a smart phone or thought that Facebook would catch on so I guess time will tell maybe an iPhone on steroids would be something I’d use.
As for my wishlist I’d like to see a cost-effective (read: CHEAP) device that bridges functionality between iPhone, eReader, Netbook and a Macbook. I would like it to have the capability of a Smart Phone with 3G data connectivity (but not required), App Store and Mobile Phone usage, Netbook like portability and basic functionality and some basic laptop functions as well.
There are many days where a tablet device would fit my everyday lifestyle and my laptop would sit on my desk and be used for things like graphics design, video editing, photo management and chatting with a physical QWERTY keyboard and large screen. I think that in business we could see the tablet fulfill many roles that we’re attempting to fit laptops and smartphones into. Also, the ability for it to also be an eReader and eliminate me having to carry a Kindle or like device around as well would be nice.
Multi-Carrier in the US for the iPhone
It was only a matter of time before every carrier in the US had the iPhone. If this rumor turns out to be true then I’ll welcome the change. Now, you won’t see me moving from AT&T but at least all the AT&T haters can return to the networks that they’ve sold their souls to in a previous life. Right now the biggest thing I hear from my friends is, “If the iPhone comes to Verizon – I’m getting one” or “I’m switching back”. It will free up congested AT&T networks for people like me who chose to stay.
Let me remind you of one small thing – though the iPhone is an amazing device – Verizon and Sprint still has a CDMA crippling network that doesn’t allow DATA AND VOICE AT THE SAME TIME. Now, you might say, no big deal. Really? As a heavy Verizon BlackBerry user before switching to an AT&T iPhone let me point out some annoyances that a supposed Verizon iPhone would have
- Slower Data
- Sure, if we take your Verizon iPhone out into the middle of nowhere and my AT&T iPhone you’ll have EVDO and I’ll have Edge to use for data. You win the speed advantage there. However, as we drive back to the city you’ll still have EVDO and I’ll have 3G – now I win. Since I spend 99% of my time in 3G enabled areas I’d say for me having faster coverage where I spend most of the time is important – not having somewhat fast speeds in no-mans-land.
- One other thing to think about is how data intensive the iPhone can be. Most of my applications rely on data to function and it is nice to have mobile broadband speeds when using such apps. These same “quick” transactions will be noticeably slower with EVDO.
- No Simultaneous Data and Phone Usage
- When I had a Verizon BlackBerry I didn’t think this was a big deal – until I started using apps and tethering. There was nothing more annoying than me trying to tether so I could use my Laptop and miss 6 phone calls because I was using my BlackBerry as a data device. Then as I would stream data onto the phone and I’d end whatever application and get 3 voice mails. I also hated being on a call and needing something that requires data on the phone and having to either “call back” or do without.
- I’m sure you’re sitting there shaking your head saying, “How much does that really apply?” Well, I can’t count how many times I’ve been on a conference call where someone says, “Let me e-mail you this doc” and I pull it up on my iPhone for viewing… while connected to the call. I am all the time talking to people who need directions and I use the Map app to find out where they’re at and give them directions. I often talk on the phone while playing an online game or multitasking in some fashion with an app that uses data. Bottom line is that once you’re used to doing data and voice at the same time – going without would be difficult.
- Worldwide Coverage?
- Will the Verizon phone have CDMA and GSM capabilities such as the BlackBerry World Phone edition? If not then a CDMA phone would be lacking for international travelers but then again if you’re on Verizon this may not be a huge issue for you.
As for what else will be revealed tomorrow I’m not sure. New software for the Tablet, new iPhone OS, who knows! I’m exicted and plan on doing a “Post-Release Blog” to see how my predictions and thoughts added up. Feel free to comment!
Later,
- JM
2010: The Year Blogging Makes A Comeback
Well, I’ve decided that I’m going to make it my goal to bring back blogging into 2010. I was silent for most of 2009 and it was a crazy year. Retrospectively I wish I would have written about things going on and maybe things that were on my mind and things that mattered to me. I used blogging as a way to “share life” with others who I don’t see all the time (and some who I do see all the time) but really it’s also a great way to take a walk backwards and look down memory lane to see what years past have held.
I’ve been recently encouraging others around me to either revive their blog or maybe return to blogging by starting a new blog. Today I got my friend Scott setup with his new blog/website – www.ramblinscotzman.com. So, you should check it out.
As I left a comment on his first post on this new site it occurred to me that my own blog still had a post from 2009. I think that this year blogging should make a comeback. When blogging was “popular” among my friends it served as a great way for us to share opinions, ideas, thoughts and just life. It make this giant world feel a little smaller when I could read about what my friends are thinking or doing. Some people would argue with me that this is what Facebook status updates or Twitter is for but I’d personally like to know what is on my friend’s minds beyond a sentence or two.
So if you have a blog that you’ve been neglecting why don’t you make it a point to update it this year and return to writing. I will be “rebuilding” a blog roll so if you have a blog (that you update) and would like it added, send it my way. I’m formally going to make a point to blog now so lets hope I can keep it up. Who knows if I can keep this up I might even do that redesign I’ve been talking about for years… LOL. We’ll see…
Night,
- John
Losing Big Time
So, I just finished watching The Biggest Loser. I will admit that this was somewhat of a sad episode – as in emotionally not as in the weigh in results. You see I got in late on watching The Biggest Loser – I don’t think I started watching until episode 2 or 3. I have been learning about the contestants each week as they talk about their lives and what (emotional) baggage they carry from home. As always I like to root for the underdogs and I was cheering for the Black Team. It brought a smile to my face when I saw them win a challenge.
Then they begin to show the gym scenes where everyone is working out. As always, there is Jillian Michaels beating the crap out of everyone. I watched as she pushed these people beyond the limits they had in their minds. I also watched her push people to deal with emotional problems that they had been carrying with them. I thought it was pretty profound of her in the way she got these people to break and talk about the deep issues they have in their life. As the show progressed and several contestants shared about their past – deal with drug addicted mothers and constantly searching for their love, being “the fat girl” all their life and learning to break past that feeling, and losing your entire family at the hands of a wreck-less driver…
I felt slightly put in my place after that. Sure, I complain about things and I think I’ve had some honest adversity in life but these people have experienced life much harder than I know. It gave me some perspective.
As my friend Cheryl put it on her blog, “I need to change my perspective and focus on what really matters in life.”
I think this is a valuable lesson we should all think about. How much stuff do we complain about in life and act as if the world is going to end when in all reality there are people living each day of their life with so much tragedy and so many obstacles to overcome that we’re bless enough to not have to deal with.
Just my $0.02,
- John
Clearing Out The Dust
Discovering blogging is like going into that part of the crawspace that you forgot existed and finding something that you used to play with as a child. I really have missed my blog and sharing my life through words and pictures. Let me see if I can sum up the last few months:
Gained a roommate / lost a roommate. Sold the house. Worked way too many hours. Went to Chicago – TWICE. Went to Wisconsin. Discovered I love waterparks. Returned to working out. Got rid of both cars. Moved back home until I decide where to live. Finally purchased furniture from IKEA. Had my first yard sale and actually made money. Lost 15 pounds. Upgraded to an iPhone 3Gs. Became addicted to Facebook and Twitter… again. Made a lot of new friends. Lost some old friends. Reconnected with other old friends. Watched my mom find a job that she loves. Road a SEGWAY. Took a 90 minute boat-tour in the pouring down rain in Chicago. Helped a friend move into her dorm in Indiana. Rented several cars. Stayed enough nights in Marriott hotels to achieve Silver Level for another year (LOL). Finally got contacts again. Road a bicycle more than I ever have in my life.
I’m sure there is more but that would be the somewhat incomplete cliff notes version of my summer.
There were so many times I wanted to blog and just never decided to. Not sure why. I pay for the hosting and domain name… I might as well make use of it. So now that it’s back on my radar, I’ll be working over the next few months to get everything back up and running. I also need to finally customize a theme and get some widgets on here. Just thought I’d drop in and let everyone know that I’m alive and well. I hope that you are too and feel free to drop a comment.
Night,
- John
You Never Let Go
It has been one of those weeks.
In the last week I’ve:
- Got locked out of my house
- Broke down in the middle of no where
- Had a mishap with my bank
- Been sick
- Found out a person from my childhood passed away
- Lost power
- Much more that I’m sure I’ve just blocked out of my mind – LOL
It seemed that each day as I thought the week would turn around, something would happen and it would just continue to go downhill. Every day I found myself going to God and giving over my frustration and praying that the next day would be better. It just seemed that no matter what or how optimistic I tried to look at the situation – things never improved.
I must say that through it all God provided people along the way to share in my experiences. I guess it is true that misery loves company. So I can’t say it was all bad at least I was with people that I enjoy being around.
All week, I would occasionaly have a song run through my head. Just thought I should share it and hope it brings others encouragement as it did me.
You Never Let Go
Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know you are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
(Chorus:)
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
(Chorus)
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
(Chorus 2x’s)
Have a great weekend everyone. Hopefully mine will turn around.
Later,
- John
The A B C’s
So, here at JohnMassie.com we typically are serious but every now and then we like to have some fun. So… here you can watch a quick video of me dancing like an idiot with JustKaty. So watch the video and ENJOY!
The Church of Me
As I stood facing the crowd I had a feeling that I can’t say I really experienced before – deep compassion for lost people and a desire to reach out to our community. I care about people who don’t know this wonderful gift that I have received from God but then again it seemed like my compassion stopped when it became inconvenient for me.
You see I figured out I wanted to attend the Church of Me with Lead Pastor ‘I’.
- I want to come to church when it’s convenient for me
- I want to sit near the back where I am comfortable
- I want to park near the door so I don’t have to walk far
- I want to to worship to music I like
- I want to not have to sit for more than a certain amount of time
- I want the message to be something that I enjoy
- I want to be able to do my thing without being inconvenienced for others
It was a shocking revelation when I realized that this was my attitude towards church. Maybe it’s a product of a society that says “It’s all about you” or you should “Have it your way”. Well, what I think that most Christians need to realize is that the Church isn’t Burger King. You can’t special order up your Sunday morning service and get it just the way you want it.
This was something that since coming to my current church I figured out. Now I’ve changed my attitude and I no longer desire to attend the Church of Me. I try to do everything in my power to help others feel welcome and comfortable. I serve on our outreach team, I sit in the front of the church, I park in the back of the parking lot, I don’t care how long the sermon is and I don’t care what music we worship to. When I adopted this attitude I found that I suddenly could “hear” what I’ve been missing. When I stopped becoming so self consumed I was able to see the true need to reach others and I wanted to do my part. I realized it wasn’t all about me.
As I pleaded on Sunday to get volunteers to help me start a car pool to free up spaces in our extremely overcrowded parking lot and I (as well as our pastor) shared about the true need and the fact that most people when they can’t find a parking place will never return to a church. I assumed that we’d have a great turnout after the service to discuss the details with me. Then I stood in the foyer and watched everyone walk out the door – having no interest in helping resolve the parking situation.
I then watched out the window and saw how many single people/people without children and how many cars they accounted for and it was a sad number. When we went to plead on a more personal level with people we always received the excuse, “I just can’t get here 30 minutes earlier for the carpool”. I then realized that not everyone had decided to stop treating Church like they’re attending the Church of Me.
My question to everyone is, “What do you think about the Church of Me? Do you agree that it’s not all about the found but about the broken and lost?”
In Christ,
- John
Twinkle of my Eye
So, I’ve recently found myself glued to my iPhone using a popular application by a company called Tapulous to update my Twitter account called “Twinkle”. Unlike many other Twitter applications for the iPhone; Twinkle adds a new layer of social networking by letting you see other Twinkle user updates that are “nearby”. Essentially it allows you to meet people in your area that Twitter or “Twinkle” on a regular basis.
So far in the few months that I’ve used this application I’ve had the following happen:
1. I met a fellow Twinkle user while out of town on vacation when we both posted that we were in the same mall. We ended up meeting face to face and realized that we were from the same town back in Ohio and both were visiting family in Tennessee.
2. I’ve met other IT people to network with and discuss the IT market and business strategies for owning your own business.
3. I’ve even managed to arrange to meet people selling items such as laptops and can go see the product in person and saving myself shipping and eBay fees should I decided to buy it.
With all this it brings an interesting question… could social networking applications like Twinkle change the very way we do business and meet like minded individuals in our community?
- John
Simple Titled – “Christmas”
There was a time during my younger years when my Grandmother was extremely into writing poetry. She wrote a lot of Biblical based poetry and we even typed up her a book years ago. Among the poems she wrote, one was titled “Christmas”. My Grandmother (or better known to me as Grandma) asked if I would publish this on my blog for Christmas this year. Yes, my 83 Year Old grandma completely understands the concept of blogging and is currently toying with the idea of starting her own blog (with my nudging). So instead of some lengthy post from me, I present to you, a guest writer: Rose (Grandma) Massie:
Christmas
On Christmas eve, Jesus said “Goodbye.”
To his father in the sky.
God said to his son, “I love you”.
But this is a job, only you can do.
That evening Jesus came to earth,
To be born, a lowly birth,
In a manger, there he lay,
Midst the animals and the hay.
A bright star was shining from above,
To tell the world of God’s great love,
He gave the only son he had.
To save a world that had gone bad.
Now on his birthday, we trim a tree,
Beautifully decorated for all to see.
Beneath it there are lots of toys,
For little girls and boys.
On this day, we are full of glee,
And rejoice with the family.
This, the greatest day of the year,
When all the world is full of cheer.
But do we think how Jesus died,
How on the cross he was crucified?
On the third day he rose again,
To save a lost world from its sin.
So help us Lord on Christmas day,
To stop and take the time to pray.
And thank the father up above,
For giving the world, such great love.
Merry Christmas from everyone here at JohnMassie.com and my family I hope that your holiday is filled with family and friends and most importantly with God’s love.
God Bless,
- John C. Massie
Sweetly Broken
What. A. Week.
So this week has been hard for me some reason. I’m not sure if it is all the running I’ve been doing or the fact I’m still recovering from the public speaking or I’m just “in a funk”. Let me put on my “spiritual” hat and dust off my little soap box and allow me to entertain you with some feelings I’ve been having this week.
I struggle with the things that God calls me to do that I don’t enjoy or that I feel I’m not good at. It never fails that the enemy seems to always know this as well. Approaching Sunday of this week I had a lot of strange things go through my mind and a lot of strange feelings. I had never met so much internal opposition when thinking about Sunday and what Brad was going to have me talk about.
First I went through this thing where I didn’t know what I would say. Then I began to second guess my answer I gave in the creative meeting. After that I had a brief moment where I thought about never coming back to church (yeah… that came out of nowhere). It seemed as the days went by these negative thoughts piled on top of me. Finally during some, what I like to call, “downtime with God” I realized that clearly I was meeting opposition because this was something God wanted me to do.
You see, it was no accident I was standing in that office when the topic came up, it was no accident that the entire time Brad was sharing his feelings about the subject the thoughts of, “no, I don’t have those feelings” were going through my head. It was God’s plan for me to do all that. So finally last Saturday evening I decided that it was time to face that decision and face it with all I had inside.
First service I felt it didn’t go so well. I had no clue what I was saying and I think our timing was just off. I survived… Brad recovered it well and we got through the service. After a short conversation after the service I think Brad knew what to change and I had built up some confidence because I made it through without tripping, stalling or throwing up… so I figured I could go another round and be ok.
Second service my family was there, a lot of my friends from church was there and it was a full house. This time Brad threw me for a complete curve and put me somewhere near the end of his message. I walked up and sat there and looked out upon a lot of smiling faces. Then suddenly I had all the words I needed. Even when Brad asked me two or three questions I wasn’t ready for… the words just seemed to be there.
Third service I felt comfortable and shared with the small crowd there and was ok with it. After it was over, all I could think was, “THANK YOU GOD. I MADE IT.”
Monday morning I wake up and everything is crazy in my world. I’m going into the office at one of my clients, my home computer has fallen apart and my life is just crazy. Well… to make a long post, shorter, it just went downhill from there.
Thursday and after 12 hours of sleep I woke up to not feeling great. It was that feeling of being emotionally drained and maybe even spiritually drained. I was to film tonight for our Christmas eve video and Brad caught me on Facebook to chat for a minute. He asked if I would stay for youth and I made up a lame excuse that I had to work to give me an out. Well, I do have to work but it wasn’t like an hour was going to make a world of difference.
I got there tonight, late. I did my filming and our always energetic and funny Children’s Pastor, Pete, was setting up chairs for youth. As always Pete never asks for help and I told him I would help him without him asking. As we did this and Pete, in only the way Pete can, made me laugh – I decided I would stick around for youth.
Even though I stayed in the back and ran sound I found myself enjoying being there. Then I was reminded how much I loved working with Teens and Kids. After youth I talked to Pete and asked him if he needed help with our new Wednesday nights starting in January. He was excited to see I was interested. Looks like I’ll be helping out there too.
As I came home tonight and sat down to process my thoughts about the week and how I still feel defeated I was quickly reminded of the following three things:
- I’m doing what God wants me to do. Even if it isn’t easy or “comes naturally” to me.
- I need to work with God and realize that I’m being broken in the process to change my life.
- When I’m down, I need to turn to my faith and remember that the road isn’t always easy.
Right now, here are the top 6 songs that I’m into right now. I thought I’d change it up and quote from each some things that have jumped out to me.
- “In my darkest night, you brighten up the skies. A song will rise.”
Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down) by Robbie Seay Band - “Every eye proclaim. The mercy of your name. On earth as it is in Heaven.”
As It Is In Heaven by Matt Maher - “At the cross you beckon me. You draw me gently to my knees. I am lost for words, so lost in love, I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered.”
Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle - “I try to be so tough. I just not strong enough. I can’t do this alone, God I need you to hold onto me.”
Savior, Please by Josh Wilson - “When I feel like caving in, My heart my soul is wearing thin. I just want to give up. Nothing at all seems at all to add up. Can you hear me Lord? My face is down upon the floor. It’s then when you whisper in my ear. Be still and know I’m here.”
Be Still by Story Side B - “Look at these hands and my side. It swallowed the grave on that night. When I drank the world’s sin so I could carry you in. And give you life. I’m gonna give you life.”
By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North
I’m not sure that I’m ready for Friday to begin. Then again I am ready for this week to be done. I guess I just need some prayer. God and I have a lot to talk about tonight…
Night,
- JM
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