DROID

Yes people you are reading the headline correctly, I have switched over to the new Motorola Droid on Verizon! I have left my blackberry in the dust. Now, I do not believe this phone is better than the upcoming Nexus One but for a loyal Verizon customer...I am happy. I originally wanted to go with the Eris, but based on a friends account of the poor battery life, I felt that the upgrade to 2.0.1 was worth the dive. For me the droid make more sense since it is linked to google (I am a google services guy) and everything pretty much just WORKED!

Anyway, to help some of you out there with the droid are the following 2 links:

Yahoo Mail on Motorola Droid for FREE
Other Dorid Instructions

I told you 2010 was going to be HOTTTT!


Quick Tips
Reset = shift+alt+del
Voice Search = HOLD the spyglass face button until option launches
Last 6 Apps = HOLD Home button
Copy Text From Email = Open keyboard, hold shift and slide finger across text you want copied
Wallpaper Size = 960 (W) x 854 (H)

settings->application settings->quick launch
search + e: email
search + y: youtube
search + b: browser
search + c: contacts
search + g: gmail
search + l: calendar
search + p: music
search + s: messaging

Fifa 10 Going Against The World

As the title of the blog mentions, this is Random Lives coming at you 24x7! My post today is of a personal nature. One of my favorite teams in the world is Chelsea (I got hooked on them for two reasons: Didier Yves Drogba Tébily & José Mourinho). Moreno (loved how he was always in a long black coat and his team could be up 20 nil and is expressionless -classic) is no longer there, but I have loved the team ever since.

Anyway, I recently got the game Fifa 10 and even though my friends don’t seem to love it (I play online all alone now, since they all have kept their Fifa 09 games for PS3) as much as I do, I have to say I enjoy the game much more this year. A feature, not new, I am beginning to explore more is the online integration. Up to the game release I was watching fifa earth and EVERYONE around the globe was talking about it. Now that it is out, people are still talking about it. What is even cooler is Fifa Earth -- no words, just check it out!

Below are two of the goals I uploaded from my gameplay, one in Fifa 10 (Chelsea game My Live Season –redemption for the game they lost to Aston Villa recently) and one from Fifa 09 (Brasil – enough said). If you love football (I know which one I am talking about), have a PS3 and purchased Fifa 10 – I am ready anytime…to WIN!

EA Sports: Aston Villa 2 - 3 Chelsea

EA Sports: BRAZIL - BARNSLEY 4 - 1

1 Itunes & Multiple Ipods - Solution

I thought this would be a good video for those who are looking to have multiple ipods hooked to 1 Itunes, but you didn't want share all the music. Now you can manage your ipod and then you put on there what you want, but if you just want to set and forget take a peek at the VID!

The Day After...

I am not turning this into a political site, but what happened last night was historic. We are going through a transition that is desperately needed. America has shown to the world to be that leader we once were...looking beyond the color of one's skin to elect the best man for the job. Again I want to iterate I am not delusional of the racial issues that exist WORLD WIDE, but I am talking about being that leader to elicit that change. It will not happen over night, but I would like to see as giant a step in terms of progress as I saw last night. Obama needed our help, well this is that foot in the door! Obama has placed his Blueprint of Change (PDF) up and I must say if he get accomplished what he has put forth, we will be undoubtedly a leader/force for good on this planet. I especially love his plans for technology (link).

The following videos are one's I would like to point your direction towards. The 1st is Bush's thoughts on Obama's Victory, no applause...this man has left Obama with nothing but the people to work with.



This 2nd one is of Mccain's concession speech which I must say showed me who Mccain really was. He, in my mind, is not Bush and truly believed all his actions would be best for the nation he wanted to form, it just wasn't a nation we as the American people wanted. I tip my hat to this man, especially when he calmed his own crowd when they booed Obama. McCain if nothing else is devoted to America, respects the chain of command and knows when he has lost. No loss is shameful when being honorable.



This 3rd one is of an alarming situation development where Russia Warns of New Missile Deployment. Obama hasn't taken office officially, but he needs to start today, which he has (link)!



But Obama has more than just the military might of America behind him...he has the American people and the world's support (evidence via the world watching who the leader of America was going to be last night). Take your moment, well deserved...

How Old Are You...

"Fairy tales do not tell children that dragons exist. Children already know that. Fairy tales tell children that dragons can be killed." - G.K. Chesterton

November 4th, 2008 is going down in history! Yes, mark today down as the last day you knew of a world where anyone who wasn’t white could be leader of the free world via the Presidency of the United States of America…that dragon has been slayed. I for 1 have already seen a chance in this country, by the mere fact that an African-American has officially been place on “the” ballot for becoming the President of the USA.

But, I hear people talking about throwing up their hands as though this is it…this is just the beginning. To make an analogy, a friend of mine is in the process of applying for his MBA (scored awesome on his GMAT: CONGRATS!!) and is thinking of only the top 5-7 schools in the country. Now most would believe once he gets into Harvard, he is set. FAR FROM THE TRUTH! Granted getting into Harvard or any other equally recognized university, is an accomplishment only few have been able to achieve. But once you are in, you still have to perform…you still have to get that job.

Obama will be a great leader and I choose to look at what some may say is inexperience as opportunity. He has not been in Washington long enough to get caught up in red tape, lies and dead ends. Talking to that young child who still believes in Santa sometimes makes you WANT to believe there is a Santa. After tonight’s election, we will set yet another example to the world community, that there is great pride that comes with being an American, through leading by example (something we have not been doing such a good job of lately).

Now, do not get me wrong, I in no way believe we are perfect. When I went to vote this morning, the 1st thing I was told was that my machine was not able to cast votes for Obama. I couldn’t believe it. I was given the option of coming back later or filling out a paper ballot (which I was prepared to do). But another woman called from the top of the stairs at PS 155, informing the person who just told me the machine was broken that they fixed the machine and I could vote for Obama if I wanted. When I walked inside, my machine only had about 5 people in front of me, while the other 6 (representing other districts) had easily 50 people per machine. Those people who came and heard that they couldn’t vote for Obama might have just left, which is unfortunate. And when you look at the current process in place, it makes you wonder why we are using machines that date back to when voting first began.



One idea I have is to set up a more stream lined process for voting. Have a set up where people have to give their thumb print to identify who they are (this will be no different than when you have to give your thumb print for exams like GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, etc.). Have a website where people can precast their vote, accessed via their social security number and password. The website will stop taking submissions 2 months prior to the day of elections (to allow time to confirm there was no tampering). Send emails out to people confirming who they have selected. This will give people a chance to know who they are voting for and do subsequent research on their candidate’s views (as well as make them aware before hand of any amendments they may need to vote upon). On the day of elections, the machines (not hooked up to the internet, creating a closed system similar to exams taken in your state, for state exams) will have all ready been prepared with your pre-casted vote (if you made one) and once you confirm who you are via your thumb print, you will get a chance to see who you previously chose to vote for. It is at this time you can change your precasted vote, but then once confirmed, cast your vote. After, you are emailed confirmation that your vote has been counted and details of who you voted for. Since these machines can be prepared beforehand you don’t have to be locked to a location near your house. The machines can be placed strategically around the city to accommodate most workers, so that they can do this near work. Obviously, the lever system can still be available to people who do not want to use this machine, but at least it gives them the option of something more efficient.

You may be able to come up with a better system than mine, but I think this should be something discussed. Only when we discuss things (politics, race, economics, etc.) can there even be a chance of change. If you don’t agree, take a listen to my friend below, who had a dream on August 28th, 1963 that has not yet been completely realized to its core principle, but has taken a giant leap from subconscious to ballot!

Alternative Energy - Post Debate

Anonymous

It is not as though those of you who are coming to blog need to probably do, but it is something that people may think about. Anonymous surfing, so it’s even hard for you to know where you have been. Check out the video below for some tips on how to start surfing anonymously. I’m watching you!

Blackberry Tips & LIRR

If you have not realized by now, I have a blackberry and I am in love with it. Yes, I said it, I am in LOVE! IPhone users just walk away now, because you will not convert me…I will convert you! Now don’t get me wrong, apple has done the mobile industry a much needed boost. I have my own theories that mobile is the way of the future. Mobile isn’t where it needs to be just yet, but it will be there soon enough.

To own an IPhone or Blackberry, you have to have a data plan and I am sure that there is quite a considerable amount of people that have IPhones that do not have the internet in their own homes. This gives you a much wider and immediate audience. Now this blog post is not about the IPhone, this blog post is about Blackberry tips, but I just had to add my 2 cents about the way things are going.

Anyway, let’s get right to it. All across the internet you can find tips for blackberry (I will place the links below, so I cannot take credit for discovering them on my own) but I will list some I think are cool.

Reboot without Removing Blackberry: ALT+Right Shift+BACKSPACE for a full second. This will reboot your blackberry without having to remove the batter.

Lock Keyboard: ALT+ENTER

All Status Page: ALT+Left Shift+Letter H. This page has every detail of your blackberry. From PIN, ESN # to File Space

Dial Letters: Alt+Letter. Sometimes you may need to dial 1800GOFEDEX, but instead of trying to figure what letters represent what numbers you now can just type in 1800GOFEDEX and get the call. Example: Dial 1800 Alt+G, Alt+O, Alt+F, Alt+E, Alt+D, Alt+E, Alt+X + SEND

Smart Codes: The following codes can be entered in any location that you can type text (that would be emails, sms, memos, etc.) and you will get the corresponding information.
Local Time: LT+Spacebar
Local Date: LD+Spacebar
Owner Information: Mysig+Spacebar
PIN Information: Mypin+Spacebar

For more Tips, click the #’s below:
#1, #2, #3, #4

This next great tip is for those who live in New York City. This link I use every weekday from my blackberry to get the LIRR schedule. I use to use Google Stripper. Yes I said Google Stripper, which is a great link that can be used for website heavily image intensive and hard to see on a Blackberry of cell phone. Try it out with different links and leave a comment to some useful alternatives.

People are developing like crazy for the IPhone, but nothing for the blackberry. Blackberry, open up…just open up! That’s ok because it is still an awesome device.

Jawbone

Been a while my friends and I know that you have missed me…don’t fret! In my return, I am going to take a moment to recommend a piece of technology I have found to be extremely useful and live up to its hype. Lets paint the picture, you are walking down 5^th Ave in midtown…you have just finished a strenuous hour of shopping and you want to talk with your friend on the phone about all the great things you just purchased. You hop on your Bluetooth headset because you have a caramel frappuccino in one hand and your bags in the other. But as you begin to tell her about your new Hermès bag, she says “What was that, I cannot hear you…too much background noise, I’ll talk to you later!” And you begin to think to yourself, how rude! Here you are, trying to take time out of your busy day to share and she has the nerve to excuse herself based on ambient noise. Well, let me tell you…take away all excuses with the Aliph Jawbone.

My girlfriend recently purchased the Blackberry 8830 (best phone ever for Verizon…the new 8820 with wifi and out-of-the-box built in GPS will be the sicker one to own) for me, for my birthday, and it is such a good phone that it picks up “EVERYTHING” in the background. It loves ambient noise…great speaker phone, but the ambient noise is a problem. A friend of mine has spoken to me with it when he is on the train and I consistently hear the conversations of the people around him more than him. I needed to find a solution because I was not about to give up the best phone I have had in my life, just because of rudeness from friends. After research through reviews, the Jawbone is as advertised. Yes, I knew about it before the iPhone (great marketing, because wireless companies sell Bluetooth headsets in packages with the phone, but why not sell the best Bluetooth to confuse the buyer they are getting the best phone too).

I have had strangers in the street ask me about the headset and I always tell them, of all the Bluetooth headsets, it is the best one I have owned. Now, let me not mislead you into believing that this removes all the noise around you…we have not gotten there yet! But it does do noise cancellation (something I think no other headset company claimed their product could do and actually did). I have been in noisy cars, walking in the street and people still say they can hear me. I must say that they sound low, not as loud as I would like, but I think that is the 8830 not the headset. Either way if you are looking for a headset that lends no excuses to others hanging-up, other than pure disgust out of jealously…now you can add to their envy with your new noise cancelling Aliph Jawbone!

I purchased mine from here in silver: click! They come in black and red as well…any questions, you know where to reach me. Try my web bottom “Call Me” to the right and speak with me directly. They way of the future…I will speak on this web button in a later post but for now enjoy the video from Aliph below that explains exactly what happens!

*This video was not edited by me. The video above is to be treated as a link within my blog.

Uncensored & Alarm'd

I know I was not going to put up a post everyday, but it is my blog and I will do what I want!

Today I wanted to alert people to these two new websites I read off of the WebWare RSS (Again, read my last post about this great location for new web services). The first one can turn a couple heads. One issue we all run into when posting on the internet is copyright infringement. I know most might not consider it, but we all have to rethink our ideas on copyright…I’ll leave that conversation to the law makers! But, BAYIMG is taking the issue right out of the equation. Their angle is free uncensored image hosting (of any resolution). You read that correctly, free – uncensored - image – hosting! Can you believe this, a location on the web where you can put whatever you want up? The implications are far reaching…but don’t fear, there is a removal process. When you put the image up you need to remember the removal code, you set up at upload, because that is the only way the image is coming down.

“Bayimg.com is a place where you can host all your images. We do not censor them. We believe in freedom of speech, it's of utter importance to us…We will not remove any pictures that are just immoral or in any way legal to host under Swedish law.” ~ Bayimg.com

Right on… I may need to rethink my vacation plans and see what they are doing over there in Stockholm. I had friend when I was younger (Robin) from Sweden and I remember him telling me about how liberal they are over there. I wonder what he is up to these days…Robin if you read this blog, email me or comment below!

This image is hosted by BAYIMG, from my trip to Rio. I know the removal code now, but I will conveniently forget and see how long it stays up. Ah how beautiful this can be…A world where you express yourself freely, post images you can trust will be up FOREVER. You think china has blocked this website already?

The 2^nd one is for those who sleep with their computers on. How about making it into one giant alarm clock. Now you may already have a program that alarms for you…possibly wakes you to smooth sounds, a cd or some other noise of your choice. This website allows you to set an alarm (no installation required, just leave the page up) to sounds you prefer (I like the standard noise, will definitely wake me up), but now you can wake yourself up to a youtube video! Or Pandora (another great free music source) or last.fm! Basically, it gives you alternate option other than your standard clock. Then again with the invention of the computer you already had that figured out. Enjoy ALARMD!

Web 2.0

It had to come at one point…with my love of technology I have to highlight this interesting event. For those of you who have been living in a cave (or un-connected), the world is changing faster than you can get the information in. In this vein, Webware (by Cnet) is a website I frequent that tells me about all the cool apps on the internet that may not be that mainstream as yet. Recently they conducted a poll of over 450K votes for the top 100 Web 2.0 products (10 in each of the 10 categories) over a 20 day period. I remember when this was first begun, because they asked users to nominate websites then they held the poll on each category.

The categories range from Browsing (Firefox, Opera, Netvibes, etc.) and Communication (AIM, GTalk, GrandCentral, etc.) to Productive/Commerce (Blinksale, Paypal, Google Docs & Spreadsheets, etc.) and Reference (WebMD, Wikipedia, Geni, etc.). I could easily just list all these links on this page, but it is easier to list the host! If you notice, some of these sites now list this achievement on their front page. See how web 2.0 is changing our lives. Before someone might have had to hold a conference, take the poll, and then have an awards ceremony. Now, you go online, cast your vote and they publish the winner. Doesn’t take much away from the award because you still won! Just saves money on plane tickets I think…click the link below and learn a new product. Come out of the cave and join the population! As a side note, I picked at least one winner in every category…I’m so plugged in!

WebWare Best 100 Web 2.0

Now I do not want to leave anyone behind. Below you will find 2 embedded videos explaining Web 2.0. The first video is more informational. For those of you who are technical and like just knowing about things, you will probably enjoy both videos. Those of you who are just on the web to surf and not interested in all the delineation, just go to the 2^nd video. The 2^nd video runs more along the lines of a music video explaining web 2.0. Very cool, it has over 2.5 Million views…worth the 4:31!

*Neither video was edited by me. The 2 videos above are to be treated as links within my blog.