Close encounters of the third kind

According to the Hynek’s scale, first encounter is an event about sighting one or more unidentified flying objects (UFOs). And in my case, I encountered an unidentified computing objects (UCOs, i.e. computers) 30 years ago and it’s unidentified because those computers are housed in a large room, behind a thick wall and we could use it only through an “operator window” and with a deck of punch-cards.

Then for the second encounter – it’s an observation of UFOs, associated with physical effects like heat, interference with TV / radio reception and lost time. So obviously, my second encounter of computers were the desktop (in mid 1980s) and laptop computers (early 1990s). I could feel the heats, noises generated from the computers and of course I lost thousands of hours with these devices.

Fast forward to year 2011, third encounter is about some “intelligent communication” with “extraterrestrials” and “aliens”. I guess it is pretty clear, the smartphones, eBook readers and tablet computers are aliens to many and those all require intelligent communications if one wants to master one of these.

So, what’s the latest aliens ? It’s the iPad 2 … thinner, lighter, faster, last longer than the original iPad, and it even come in white color. But how is it compare to Kindle as a reading device ? In my view, iPad 2 is the best all-purpose tablet device in the market. It is so good that you will spend all the time (i.e. lost more hours) with the wonderful apps from the iTunes store, and therefore … you won’t spend quality time at all to READ.

So … for book reading, go for Kindle, no matter you like to read it under bright sun or not.

Kindle vs iPad 2

Kindle 3, iPad 2, I want 1

Actually I want both, as “I think” I need both.

The new iPad 2 certainly is great as a mobile device to consume contents – it’s now faster, thinner, lighter, with two cameras and looks even better. While other companies think tablets are only an extension to their computers and TVs, Apple has turned it around to make computers and TVs extensions to the iPad 2. The new Video Mirroring feature (with the Digital AV Adapter) is a good proof.

Now with this new gadget, everyone sees whatโ€™s on your iPad 2 โ€” even when you rotate iPad from portrait to landscape or zoom in and out on photos.

The obvious new thing, however, is not the hardware but the Smart Cover. It makes iPad do things no other cover can. Close it, and iPad automatically goes to sleep. Open it, and iPad instantly wakes up โ€” no need to press any buttons. Wow !!

So, why I still want both mobile devices ? It is because Kindle 3 is still lighter – 247 grams vs. 613 grams. And Kindle 3 is still easier to read under bright sunlight. And with one single charge, Kindle 3 can run up to 4 weeks, while iPad 2 can last 10 hours.

Would you buy both of these gadgets ? Let me know …

iPad vs. Kindle Part 2

Yes I was asked many times why I use Kindle to read eBooks but not iPad (even though I have both). I guess each of us has different reasons on why we pick one over the other, but apparently Amazon particularly likes to emphasize one point – One can read easily in bright sunlight.

Granted, it is one important selling point for many, but as an IT bug I actually don’t have the luxury to see many daylights … but again your mileages may vary and that’s why I am not that surprised when Amazon release another video on this great feature with a new tagline – “The book lives on”.

Yes right, “the book lives on”, but please release a better ebook reader than Kindle 3 with touch screen, and Unicode support.

The original video of Kindle about that “one-can-read-easily-in-bright-sunlight” feature.

How easy is easy ?

You know what ?

  • It’s easy to think you’re the best in the world
  • It’s easy to believe you have a better idea than Facebook, Google, Amazon, or Apple
  • It’s easy to demand everything to be free
  • It’s easy to claim the use of everything is human right
  • It’s easy to ignore all other people’s comments, suggestions and criticisms
  • It’s easy to criticize other people
  • It’s easy to delay a project delivery
  • It’s easy to quit your job
  • It’s easy to say you will do better next time
  • It’s easy to keep on dreaming

But … How easy is easy ?

  • Have you tried to prove to other people you are really the best ?
  • Have you started to write your first line of code, that’s supposed to be better than Facebook, Google, Amazon or Apple ?
  • Have you developed something for others, for free ?
  • Have you studied what is really human right ?
  • Have you thought about, just for once, understanding other people’s comments, suggestions and criticisms ?
  • Have you provided any constructive comments to others ?
  • Have you exhausted all the ways to stick to a deadline ?
  • Have you considered to stay to solve all the work problems ?
  • Have you delivered your best the very first time ?
  • Have you ever stopped day-dreaming and started working on it ?

It is about time … convince yourself life is not easy, but life is also full of possibilities … as long as you start working on it and don’t quit.

Real page number for Kindle (Latest Generation) … only ?

Amazon just announced the details of their latest Kindle software update, but I have to say I am very disappointed about that release as all the promised great features are made available to Kindle (Latest Generation) only, in other words, Kindle 3 only.

According to the web page, the new software update will be made available soon thru Whispernet. However, if you want to manaually download and install it, you can do it now. The new features are:

  • Public Notes – now you can share your notes to public and even view the public notes of people you “follow”. (Previously, you can share some lines in the book you’re reading to Twitter and Facebook).
  • Real Page Numbers – Now there are real page numbers to match the page numbers in printed books. This feature is very important if you want to reference and cite passages.
  • Before you go – now you can rate a book, share a message etc. when you reach the end of the book.
  • New Newspaper and Magazine Layout – There will be an improved layout … but I doubt how it can match iPad based newspapers and magazines.

Anyway, for those Kindle 3 users … enjoy.