My Tech Ascension is Imminent!

Not to heaven (which I tend to believe is just a nice fairytale carrot) but into the realm of smartphones, convergence devices and reclaiming my Mr. Cool status.

You see, I added the final $20 to my secret savings yesterday and now have enough money squirreled away to afford an iPhone.

Yeah, baby. i-to-the-mutha-fookin'-phone!

I've been debating for the last several weeks about whether the Touch would work for me and I've concluded that it just doesn't. Its beautiful, skinny and sexy and all but lacks two important functions. One, the phone and two, the camera.

I am trying to cut down on the numerous devices I carry with me and the Touch wouldn't really allow me to leave anything at home. I'd still need my phone and my delicious new SD1100 IS (which is coming with me anywhere I go anyway so maybe this is a moot point).

And man do I need to replace my Razr, it is beat up, beat down and ready for the recycler.

So, after much internal debate, I'm going to stop by an Apple Store either this weekend or on my way back from the city on Monday and pick me up a new delicious gadget so I can stop drooling over everyone else's iPhone and drool all over my own!

The Future is Modularization

I read about Bug Labs in one of my Popular Sciences and finally got around to taking the URL in the story and going to it.

Bug Labs has created a modular device called the BUG, a Linux-based computer with modular attachments to allow users to create any type of device they want. From standard digital cameras to motion sensing weather trackers to GPS-enabled remote controls. The possibilities are more or less limitless, as long as they keep producing additional modules to build with.

Since its an early stage evolution of the concept, the gadgets are chunky but not overly so.

Its kind of neat to try and come up with different gadgets that could be created with this kind of a modular approach. Like it could be possible to make a video camera that only took video above a certain speed by combining the camera with an accelerometer or a motion activated picture taking security device. Or it could hacked into working with Lego Mindstorms and you could make your own robot butler.

There really isn't any limit to what the device can do. And if there is, the developers will build an add-on or new module that'll solve the limitation.

The future is modular.

Wired's Gift Guide for Multi-Colored Geeks

Gifts for Every Geek: Shutterbugs, Empty Nesters, Foodies and Urban Commandos

Which include some pretty darned awesome goodies depending on what makes you salivate. I'm a foodie, motorhead, urban commando, modernist, shutterbug and mediaphile. I tend to think that I'm the easiest person in the world to shop for and not just because I have an Amazon wishlist.

If its new, has flashing lights, flies, makes sweet noises or takes pictures or all of the above then I'm pretty sure to want it and have a great time playing with it.

Which reminds me, I should go and update my wishlist. With some new cool schwag like the new Leatherman Skeletool or the remarkably practical and very coolly named Cube Jigger (though I'd have to say that Unica's web site ranks among the worst I've ever been to, too much information-itis) and, of course, I'd love me an iPhone.

But I think this Christmas will be pretty low key given I was off work for 8 months this last year. It will be better than a Christmas with me still looking for work though, that's for sure.

I'm off to update my Amazon Wish List! Woot!