Apple's 9-12-2012 iPhone 5 - Glorious, if not Anticlimactic, Keynote

Oddly enough, the new iPod Nano was probably the biggest surprise of Apple's latest Keynote, hype event. Yet, I agree with many of the posted critiques; the Nano's icons do look ridiculous.
Apple says its core biz is software with superior design. Seems an unfortunate miss on the new nano code...

:-(

The loss of the old Nano is a tragedy. That was one of the coolest little things Apples ever made. Of the 1/2 dozen product in their store, I always gravitate to that one. Makes one of the coolest watches around... :-)

All they had to do was add Bluetooth to that little guy, (perhaps integrated caller ID, text and MMS to the iPhone) and they really would have had a winner!

(RIP) Rest In Piece, cute little 2011 iPod Nano

Meanwhile, I'm not sure just copying a two year old, OLED Sony Walkman design & functionality is the best way to keep up an "innovator" charade. Certainly not with a device that lacks any ability to leverage their app store.

At least they further eliminated the usefulness and aesthetics of any existing docking accessories without an adapter. An adapter will look just great on a "nano" version of tech.

Not to mention, they're back to a video capable, small iPod product, but without camera or camcorder capability. Well, I guess we know what the next big, exciting, update for this product line will be.
...What a tiresome marketing cycle!

As for the iPhone 5 itself...

If Apple didn't posture themselves as the Gods of design and "simple solutions", "that just work", it wouldn't be so darn ironic and satisfying at times to point out their shameful contradictions. This was a big, Apple day, so here's a Big D reply.  ;-)  (I live near Dallas)

We knew they were going to once again abandon standards... But why the one that connects you too, and provides power from, the rest of the world!?!?

It would have been a welcomed surprise today if apple had innovated a "transitional" plug that accepted both the 30pin and the new style, "lighting connector". (Great name, I love things that plug into a wall socket, to feature the description of "lighting" on the other end; featuring exposed contacts no less.) A flexible, dual capable plug on this phone, would have offered a transitional opportunity for at least this one product line. (Who are we kidding with this "space constraint" story? They had room left over at the bottom to oddly, I mean "innovatively", relocate the headphone jack.)

There is a reason the new USB 3.0 Standard fits retro, USB 1.0 and 2.0 ports on existing PC's.  This is the way good standards are written and designed.  Apple's desire to so blatantly squander the investments of literally millions of loyal customers by ditching the 30 pin connector, they've insisted on using for every other iPhone and Touch product is rather shameful. They should have ditched it when they got rid of the need to power a hard drive, and worry about various analog standards of connectivity and output! (Everyone isn't made of money, and carriers don't subsidize the handful of a dozens charger and adapters you would need to compensate for this loss.)

Not to mention the 1000's of products still hanging on shelves and within millions of homes and cars which need some ridiculous adapter to further challenge the brilliant "fit and finish"! All the chargers folks struggle to keep handy at the office, night tables and next to their PC. When they've already had to avoid, simple, unified USB solutions.

USB 3 micro B

"USB 3 micro B" (which includes HDMI) would have been more than adequate, and then could have at least, value justified this solution as move towards an industry standard; such as the HDMI inclusion on the new Macs. (Apple could have even acted like they came up with it; as in Apple's CDMA-LTE Qaulcomm designed and manufactured LTE chip or the new cortex A15 CPU ironically designed and manufactured by Samsung.) They could have called their USB knock-off plug the "UB Apple, no flip, no magnet plug"! Taadaa...)  Don't they already utilize mini-USB, on their smallest iPod form factor?? So there is no rhyme of reason to their "innovation"-vs- conformity???

Since existing iPhone owners will be expected to buy and learn to use cumbersome adapters in order to utilize future docks and apple add-ons. I would see more purpose and advantages in simply learning more about adapting the use of Apple iPhone product with the actual industry standards of the world.

Just buy any multitude of adaptations on Amazon: http://goo.gl/InijX

Perhaps most surprising is Apple misplaced, yet repeated tendency these days, to further acquiesce only partially towards the rest of the mobile computing industry.  Simply bizarre timing, allegiances and delivery. To finally introduce a 16:9 screen! Really! When one of your primary goals from the get go was to sell iTunes store related media; and your CEO at the time was chairman of Pixar, but it never dawned on you in the initial iPhone / Touch design to make it a 16:9 product?

4:3 = 1940 NTSC TVs   ::   16:9 = early 2000's HDTV
Apple is the maker of Final Cut Pro HDTV video editing software, for goodness sakes!! Obviously the odd, dated aspect ratio of not only the original iPhone, but also the current iPad, has no real, solid justification. I guess it is just "art"...!  Although, I thought such claims; certainly where related to consumer electronics; should typically hold merit in both form and FUNCTION. Meaning a media playback device that honors the intention and viewing experience of the media it plays.

At least they still avoided the convenience of a removable battery or user expanded memory. Who wants such things after all, in a product that continues to upgrade its camera(s); and subsequently render traveling with additional point-n-shoots less necessary. Heaven forbid you travel Europe or head to a once in a lifetime event and shoot more 1080p video than your phone's built in memory, (combined with all your existing apps, music, and bought movies) can hold.  ...Just give em another two years I guess, to "innovate" that.  They can call it the "mini-micro-nano A6 SD".  ...sweet!

(Every other phone in the world "gets it"!)

And don't even get me started on the nature of all the swelling Li-Ion batteries, naturally bloating after a few 100 recharge cycles. That chemistry has certainly done wonders for the mouse pad, located above MacBook batteries and countless bright spots on ageing (but far from old) iPhone screens. Just allow your loyal customers to plop in a new one; without spending a $50-$80 bucks in service fees! ($30 fee variants are dependent on the model; who knows why? It's like the obscure pricing on added internal RAM. Absolutely, NOTHING to do with current industry pricing.)

Being a self proclaimed "artist" really shouldn't instill in you a pride, which prevents you from learning from your repeated mistakes!  ...but who are we kidding...?  An experience in "standards", consumer loyalty, value and satisfaction only a "fanboy" could truly appreciate.  Thank God for long-term, subsidized, carrier contracts!
(Heaven forbid, you keep your oddly proportioned phone, slap in a NET10 SIM, and get unlimited everything for $45 bucks a month, on the same AT(and)T towers. ...a'la European style, GSM value; as it should be.)

P.S. Still no true multitasking! Really! What is the point in more CPU cores, when you can't seem to author more apropos, multi-threaded OS code?  More on this in the previous blog entry: http://themichaelhulmeproject.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-apple-day-keep-long-term-carrier.html

Apple's 9-12-2012 iPhone 5 - Glorious, if not Anticlimactic, Keynote

An Apple a day... keeps the long term carrier contracts updated

There are those who have little doubt tomorrows announcement of Apple's new iPhone, will result in one of the largest example of sales in relation to upgraded hardware in the history of computing and mobile tech.  And if you look at the data, where related to existing early version of iPhone still being utilized (since it's 2007 release) and the many reasons one would have to wish for an updated device; i.e. bigger screen, fast data speeds, an updated version of iOS; there are reason even more current devices will be traded in.

There is also Techbargains survey, which shows that 22 percent of Android users are willing to dump their current handset for the new iPhone, while 38 percent of BlackBerry owners say they will buy the new iPhone. However, it is far easier to sell to existing customers than it is to convince people to switch platforms. Surveys also indicate the strongest demand for the new iPhone are current iPhone owners.

64 percent of iPhone 4S owners say they will buy the new iPhone, along with 71 percent of iPhone 3G owners. However, the crowd most eager for the iPhone 5 is iPhone 4 owners, with a massive 74 percent saying that they will buy the new iPhone. Keeping in mind, less than 20% of U.S. based iPhone owners would ever pay full price, at a time of sale, for such a device. 80+% depend on deep carrier subsidies in order to consider their purchases or upgrades. Nonetheless, there is little doubt the carriers are ready to entices with typically incentives for upgrades, involving additional 2 year extension to existing contracts, or renewals for those who completed their last sentencing.

Little can be said for any "innovations", or new tech being the real impetus for the iPhone update this week. The aging iPhone platform is at least 18 month to two years behind other hardware offerings.  Apple should have upgraded it' data speed 12 months ago. And only the cheapest handhelds, still feature 3.5" screens. And none of those the odd squarish aspect ratio Apple originally choose.  Regardless, there are many who have waited for their fair shares of years to see a refresh and many will be excited to dump there old equipment.

I obviously have no cell phone carrier, nor Apple loyalty left in me...
And perhaps excitement for a new, improved, belated update to iPhone's hardware, is better left for aesthetic assertions; as in, .04" thinner-esq ogling; as well as other less-technical anticipations and critiques.  If so, sorry for focusing on some of the more techy restraints and lacking, missed opportunities of the highly anticipated iPhone 5 update.  But I do think it is worth noting why, even this update, will be lacking in so many, typical Apple fashions.

I'm afraid, once again, it will be more about Apple marketing and gifted hype, than anything having to do with a true innovation or significant advances in technology for the industry. (An explanation from a former Apple CEO, as to the real magic of Apple: http://www.bgr.com/2012/09/11/apple-criticism-ipad-iphone-gassee/ )

Avoiding the obvious criticisms of still preventing it's HD, multiple mega pixel shooting public from being able to insert or remove a 64GB micro SDs whenever they choose. And staying away from any goals one would ever have of replacing their battery (either once it's li-Ion naturally bloats, after continued cycles, or) while on a long trip or away from a recharging venue. Let's just talk Connectivity, OS limitations and form factor. (Not in that order.) :-)

NEWish SCREEN:
Obviously no reason to further "innovate" here. Just huge reasons to "catch up." Resolutions need not be improved, since by Apple's own claim, their ppi (326 pixel per inch, to be exact,) is already at a "retina limitation".  Of course trusting such magical claims and definitions of perceptions or end user limitations, evidently has more to do with marketing BS, than any individual measure an optometrist would offer; pertaining to the varied nature of each individuals visual acuity.  Unfortunately, less the less inspired, but more prudent, judicious nature of conserving the use of excess pixels when their redundancy is useless (such as when watching a 1280x720 HD offering from the iTunes library,) and instead focusing on CPU, GPU and LCD conservations providing for much better battery life.

It is nice to think Apple will finally be abandoning the obscure aspect ratio & dismal size of it's current ridiculous screen design.  I think when Apple copied the LG Prada's capacitive touch screen phone & design, (despite the many Sony consultations, advising otherwise,) they should have avoided the temptation to duplicate LG's anemic size and aspect ratio; since it was never befitting to any offerings within the vast Media library Apple enjoys it's users to purchase from. 

(Of course when they introduced the iPhone it had no direct app store connectivity, and it was still sold as a "companion device", to systems still offering less support of HDTV than to DV, despite 2007 being late into HDTV production demands. Who knows what take Apples eye so far off the ball?)

ABANDONED STANDARDS:
However, it is rather shameful to think of all the 10's of 1000's of extremely costly accessories and automotive interfaces, the new "Dock Connector" will render useless without some ridiculous adaptation. Typical of dumping Firewire 800 for Intel's Fiber Channel, or finally ditching Display Port for HDMI. However, you would think by learning that their "innovations" are either very limiting or not worth the publics support, they might have at least chosen to standardized this products main dock connector and the public's opportunity towards an already comprehensive and widely adopted solutions, such as the USB 3.0 Micro B / HDMI capable, hybrid connector.

(Apple does such a great job at repackaging commodity hardware, while insisting on trying to venture out on a limb where related to methods of connectivity to third party peripherals; but such practices are a HUGE disservice to its customers. I know the goal is control and "pigeon hole" folks towards "Apple Only" options, in order to up sale and licencing requirements; but it sure seems like a dated concept!)

NEW, MULTI-CARRIER, "INT'L" RADIO:
I doubt there will be much mention of Apple being no less than a year and a half late, offering any headset based 4G support. Instead I'm sure Apple will spin their desired focus towards issues like finally, officially, functioning (without crippled, stunted data bandwidth,)  on the T-Mobile network as much more than it is. (A new carrier is certainly the best way to increase sales, with a now dated platform,)  This more broadly capable radio can be touted as more than it is given the fact T-mobile opted for the more "international standard" of LTE frequencies; whereas AT&T unfortunately bought into a crippling partnership with Qualcom, thereby limiting it's opportunity to a rather North American standard of LTE "bandwaves", I'll call them. ;-)
(However, it will be interesting to see how apple avoids the inevitable law suits promised from Samsung over this upgrade; given the recent billion Apple garnered from Samsung over the physical shape of their phones. More here on Samsung LTE patents and Apple potential infringement: http://www.zdnet.com/samsung-to-sue-apple-over-4g-lte-in-iphone-5-7000004015/ )

This was an ironic choice between the two major U.S., GSM carriers; given the fact, such compatibilities where related to Voice and HSPA frequencies experienced an opposite favoritism in the past.  AT&T equipment is much more globally compatible (200+ countries) than is T-mobiles, once you leave North America.

But what Apple won't share with you, if they choose to tout "Global or GSM Carrier compatibility", is the fact that their U.S. sold, incredibly subsidized equipment, is NEVER able to reap the typical benefits of international, i.e. GSM freedom or compatibility, when traveling. Due to Apple's unparalleled arrangements with carriers, preventing unlock codes from providing anything more than a placebo effect, when attempting to use overseas SIM chips.  (Hence the reason, NO ONE, can fault Apple's innovations, when it comes to contracts and patent buyouts and the incessant "trolling" that follows!)

SAME OLD OS AND CPU ISSUES:
I imagine there will be little to no talk about "Mulititasking", since there is little change in opportunities to Apple's redefined version of crippled-tasking, worth mentioning. Will be interesting what they imply any additional cores will do for the sake of new "revolutionary" apps (other than perhaps more Nvidia GPU's, for the sake of better gaming.)

Android running as a VM on top of Linux is hardly a "limitation", given any modern CPUs ability to handle multiple threads of simultaneous instructions. In fact it lends itself incredibly to exploiting modern, multi-core CPU and GPUs.  While maintaining a less current version of the Google OS; which either shipped with your phone, or the version your provider chose to OTA upgrade; is much less of a hassle or disappointment than completely disabling the bizarre imitation of "multitasking" Apple devised; when using one of their 1st or 2nd gen devices.

As far as choosing between "crippled" or limited, mobile OS experience, Apple has gone above and beyond in their contrived implementation of iOS.  It is VERY ironic, given the impressive UNIXesq background, the infusion of BeOS offered OSX when that transition was made after reinstating Steve Jobs. Apparently his "vision" of the future of mobile CPU's just wasn't as astute. Perhaps understandable since, as he put it, "they are not a hardware company."

An Apple a day... keeps the long term carrier contracts updated

Even Canon Folks Might Start Embracing The Future of Digital Photography Now! :-)

Good news for aspiring amateur photographers!! There is one more reason to avoid buying another, bulky, dated, piece of DSLR camera hardware. Avoid it like the plague!! Even Canon fans can finally revel in the fact, Canon has finally announced its official Mirrorless, Interchangeable lens, consumer entry, the "EOS M": http://goo.gl/fsdlt Which features a sensor and specs nearly identical to their Rebel T4i, pro-sumer line.

The bad news, it won't be out until October, 2012. The good news, while Canon is indeed way behind the pack, there are several other, EXCEPTIONAL options, worthy of your immediate investment; as nearby to you as your nearest Best Buy. So again, avoid the bulk of the aging DSLR designed camera equipment like the plague! It is so 1990's! :-S

Cannon certainly has a GREAT DEAL of catch up to do with the Mirrorless, Interchangeable lens category of photography hardware at this point, but few doubt they are up for the task. Of course for those who would rather just experience all the many benefits of the Mirrorless world now, such as, faster focusing, better high-ISO performance, more accurate white balance, and better image quality overall, not to mention an ability to quickly learn how to use more than the 1/10th of the features most amateur photographers manage to embrace; just go grab a Sony NEX-C3 or NEX-5N. (For the "Pros", look into the NEX-7) http://goo.gl/fQK0l

(Full sized sensor, "mirrorless", Sony NEX-5N, next to an iPhone)

Even better, this is the state of the art, because it is both affordable, compact and easy. Such pieces of inspiring hardware are now supported by; 16 to 24+ mega pixels at up to 10 fps (frame per second) shooting; 1080p Highdef (HDTV) movies and 60fps (frames per second); APS-C size HD image sensor; Sweep Panorama mode; Auto HDR (High Dynamic Range); Live View and Tiltable 3.0" LCD Touch Screens; and of course E-mount 18-55mm full size lens and adapters for any old lens you may still wish to use.

Put simply, the current state of the art in photography hardware, means you can have all the performance of those old, full size, DSLR designs, in about half the size and half the weight. It's now about capturing your memories in any quality and style format you wish and with complete ease. The best camera is not only the one you know how to fully utilize, it is also the one you have with you. And lugging around a full size DSLR through the formative years of your new baby's growth, visits to the parks, or just a stroll with grandma around the mall, is hardly practical. Not to mention the detriment it is packing for those fun overseas trips when your scared such bulky equipment will either stick out like a sore thumb for thieves, or be crushed while being slung between numerous trains and plane connections.

Don't sell yourself short. And whatever you do; just don't let another person (or yourself,) be talked into grabbing yet another, dated, mirrored BULKY, DSLR, designed with countless, conventional film holdovers, in a day and age of fully digital sensors. Mirrored, bulky, DSLRs are built the way they are because they are a bi-product or a bygone era!

The large, "mirrored", DSLR style cameras are large, slow, mechanical, and complicated, due to the decades of research and development which no one wished to quickly abandon. Much of the current and past designs were simply associated with film, and certainly the need for a backplate area of the camera that use to sit between the two dispensing and receiving rolls of film. And managing the challenge presented to not only expose that momentary glimpse of light onto the film or retrofitted digital sensor; while also providing a method by which a preview of the framed shot was first and during each photo offered to the photographer behind the lens.

(Above image, is an ingenious "Digital Camera Back" adaptation, for analog film cameras)

 The relentless and vested interest in bulky, DSLR, camera designs and all the dated, traditional nuances of approaching the more mechanical natures of handheld photography are fascinating. It must be assumed that many are rather emotional, but perhaps even more are financially encouraged; due to a personal collection of lens, batteries, etc.. But the financially vested interest in continuing to market and sales such swollen versions of technology to average consumers and amature photographers must be the predominant motivation for the few reluctant manufactures.

Whether you take into considerations the manufacture's massive investments in patents or the millions in assembly lines and production tooling dedicated to the 1000's of specialized mechanism, optics, fittings and the multitudes of all the varied, numerous, supporting accessories and devices.  It is obvious abandoning such dated methods of processing and previewing live photography has not been an easy risk for many of our major brands to swallow.

Nevertheless, unless you are a press pass carrying, side line shooting, jungle crawling, professional portrait producing, wedding photography shooting guru! Stop the madness! No normal, occasional or daily shooter, with a travel bug, a new child, or a hankering for bird watching, air shows and nature hikes; should try to imagine that they will enjoy lugging, firing up, learning and using, with any amount of skill and efficiency, the girth and learning curve now associated with the dated designs of full size, pro-summer and/or professional DSLR style cameras. I can't believe I'm still seeing average consumers still making this mistake? I know the guys at Best Buys floor are of little to no help; but the internet is there 24/7.

Cutaway diagram of "traditional", digital DSLR camera

I'll put it to you this way. You bought a "Smartphone" so you can launch apps and text with ease; you no longer drive a stick, so you can sip your latte in peace; you enjoy having air conditioning because no one like to constantly sweat. There are certainly technology and conveniences, that you just shouldn't argue too much about, once you see the benefits and enjoyment they provide.

Therefore, if capturing photos of superior quality, (meaning far better quality than a simple "one click" or that of your cell phone's provision,) are a passion and a priority for you; then combine that exciting goal with the same sensibility which has lead you to other streamlined, clever, affordable, useful advances in modern technology.

FYI: A DSLR (digital single-lens refl ex) camera employs a mechanical mirror system that directs the light travelling through the attached lens upwards at a 90 degree angle allowing the photographer to compose the shot through the viewfinder. As the shutter button is pressed the exposure takes place: the mirror swings out of the way and the shutter opens allowing the lens to project the light onto the image sensor.

NOTE: I last blogged about the advantages of the new Mirroless camera's in Feburary of 2012: http://goo.gl/fP32e.  Prior to these "full size" sensored mirrorless offerings, I also offered some blog entries pertaining to the Micro 4/3rds formats being produced by Panasonic and others.  Such as the G1, now updated to the DMC-G5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro_Four_Thirds_system

(Incidentally, Sony's next generation of offerings, (http://goo.gl/WYG2w) will indeed be even smaller, and will virtually overlap the world of "one click", pocket camera offerings; leaving the lower end of that market to be cannibalized by the advancing quality of Smartphone handset based tech, not to mention completely innovative solutions from company's like Lytro. http://www.lytro.com/)

Even Canon Folks Might Start Embracing The Future of Digital Photography Now! :-)

Apple Would Have To Sell 50% More iPhones To Equal Google's Current Android Platform Install Base

Hard to believe there are now 50% less Apple iPhones, than there are Google Android phones!  Given the fact the Android platform (Sept '08) was released a year after the first iOS device (Sept '07).

http://goo.gl/Yt0Qw

I knew the average consumer would soon catch on the the many advantages of Google's Android platform, but I had no idea it would happen so dramatically and quickly.

The historical data for the last year, paints even more of the "Smartphone" story:
Poor BlackBerry went from 20% of the Smartphone market just a year ago, to 8.1% this week! Whereas Android, went from 39% to 51.8%, & iOS from 28% to 34%.

http://goo.gl/F1zBd

So Android increased by another 13% of the total market share, while iOS took an additional 6%.

It's definitely just a two horse race at this point, with Google managing to deliver twice the results.  And this gap between Google and Apple will grow even more drastically if Nokia indeed decides to jump ship from the Windows Phone platform and also adopt Google's Android. http://goo.gl/X3r3f

SIDE BAR:
Now if U.S. consumers would just stop signing up for those OUTRAGEOUS, subsidized, post-paid, cell phone, voice and wireless data plans! Given the fact alternative "pay-as-you-go" plans will typically offer unlimited EVERYTHING (Voice, Text & data,) for somewhere between, $45-$60 per months!!

So even cell phone users living in the State, can now experience the values their European counterparts have always demanded; if they just shop a bit better, and avoid walking into those brick and mortar major carriers retail outlets.
...i.e. By saving money through providers and plans such as:
STRAIGHT TALK (GSM on ATandT): http://straighttalksim.com/shop.php -or-
NET10 (GSM on ATandT): http://www.net10sim.com/shop.php -or-
TING (CDMA on Sprint): https://ting.com/why-ting/ -or-
PAGEPLUS (CDMA on Verizon) http://www.pagepluscellular.com/ -or-
RED POCKET (GSM on ATandT): http://goredpocket.com/plans/ -or-
(Each of the above offerings are MVNO's; meaning they resale other carrier's cellular bandwidth, follow the equipment advice in the "fine print" below accordingly.)
T-MOBILE PrePaid (GSM): http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans
Perhaps the best unlimited data ONLY deals are, T-Mobile $30/month Monthly 4G and Virgin Mobile's $35/month Beyond Talk plan with an Android phone or BlackBerry Phone.

Many more details on these types of offerings are available in articles such as the following:
http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2011/02/best-prepaid-data-carriers-and-plans.html
(Combine such services with free offerings like Google Voice to experience the ultimate convenience and value for mobile communication and wireless mobile data/computing.)

Fine print when choosing your desired handheld, Smartphone equipment:
I can't really recommend a phone for you as everyone's needs and tastes are different. But here are some things to keep in mind.
* To use the phone in Europe it must support the 900 and 1800 mHz GSM bands. To get 3G in Europe the phone must support the 2100 mHz UMTS band I.
* To use a phone on T-Mobile USA it must support the 1900 mHz GSM band. To get 3G on T-Mobile it must support UMTS band IV (1700 downlink, 2100 uplink) (aka AWS)
* To use a phone on AT&T it must support the 850 and 1900 mHz GSM bands. To get 3G it must support UNTS band II (1900 Mhz) and UTMS band band V (850 Mhz).
(AT&T phones are all compatible with Europe's 3G GSM freguencies. Most recent T-Mobile branded phones support the required frequencies for Europe including 3G but check the specs before you buy as a few don't.)

Apple Would Have To Sell 50% More iPhones To Equal Google's Current Android Platform Install Base

Sometimes YOU Bite The Apple, Sometimes IT Bites You!

Yet another friend suffered a loss of all contact information on their iPhone again today! Their posted frustration included, "I hate iTunes!"; given the fact it was actually a recent sync attempt which caused the data/contact information blunder.

I can understand the frustration being directed towards iTunes. Most decidedly when you are managing multiple Apple device and a mixed set of users on a single home PC! Then it gets extremely confusing! When a person finds themselves in this painful, data loss dilemma, the primary disappointment and focus has to be on the odd role Apple originally and mistakenly designed iTunes to have in the ownership of all phones marketed by Apple!

Apple originally designed the iPhone (like the iPod) as a "Companion devices", meaning they expected you to own an additional computer (say, a Mac) in order to use the phone effectively. Apple didn't even launch an "App Store" for the iPhone for another year after the phone was released.

Apple had benefited handsomely over the years with the success of the iPod, when it managed to draw 100's of thousands of rather unwitting, home based, computer users into their stores; who desired to do little more than surf the web and write occasional e-mails.  These visitors became excellent converts to Apple's line of Mac and Macbooks.

It's no wonder Apple expected the iPhone to help establish even more future Mac ownership. As a result, they never saw an issue with creating a device dependant (or companioned) to yet another Apple purchase.  In their eyes, this dependency just made good business sense.  But like a lot of Apple policy's and marketing, it doesn't make good, ultimate, consumer sense.

The only changes we have luckily seen thus far to this "locked down", limited approach; which Apple notoriously controls it's "loyal" consumers through; occurred in large part due to the (ensuing) introduction of the Google Android phone.

Google introduced a device which depended solely on the internet and exploiting Google's own, free cloud from day one.  Unfortunately, Apple has repeatedly been beaten over the decades at its own game, due to its (Steve Jobs) stubborn addiction to control and exclusivity.  Consumers just don't ultimately want such uninvited, and unneeded restriction.

The Android line of products doesn't use (or expect) ANY additional computer. EVERYTHING is automatically backed up "in the cloud".  And automatically restored or transferred to any new device or recovered device the moment you type in your Google cloud credentials. (A simple user name and password.)

Apple has now attempted two failed solutions at solving this initial and typical, flawed, "companion device", philosophy.  To get beyond the companion requirement they first introduced, a $99 per year options called Mobile Me, They failed miserably, and the project is known as one that Steve Jobs directly met with the head developers over, scolding it's usage methods and lack luster popularity. Now iCloud is proving to be Apple's latest misunderstand as to how to utilize the internet seamlessly and offer its customers flexibility and power as well as peace of mind.

iCloud would be much more accurately named iSync, since it offers no real Cloud based features, power or applications to speak of.  Alternatively, it attempts to serve as the go between resources for "syncing" all your devices via the internet.  Luckily, since most iPhone users are newcomers to the Smartphone world, most just don't know what they are missing when it comes to good, powerful, transparent uses of things like connectivity and cloud based storage and applications.

Even old Windows Phone users have seen such advantages executed exceptionally, over 7 years ago; with things like MS Server Enterprise integration.  Here Apple is flush with cash, but they still can't even come close to hitting this nail on the head.  And historically speaking Apple has never been able to maintain ANY services or product lines which utilize and depend on enterprise (much less cloud) level solutions.

A seamless syncing and backup solution which require no thought, additional software, annual subscriptions, activation or learning curve has been a base feature on any and all Android based, Google devices since their introduction to the market. This type of data backup is simply automatically initiated to the Google Cloud, where it can then be accessed, downloaded or edited at will, via any internet browser.

This is one of the many reasons Android phone far out sale iPhones. This and the value comparison of the handset cost (including, required, long-term, contracts) versus hardware offerings. (Not to mention the higher cost of Apps; with much lower percentages paid to the developers; and highly restricted outlets for media, books, music, movie, etc..) However, since Apple iPhones are typically their consumers first smart phone, (most folks owning them previously used a Motorola Razors, at best.) iPhone typically has a very loyal following with these folks new to such convergence. So once such leaps and first steps are taken towards a Smartphone platform, few folks would consider braving or learning yet a 2nd "smart phone", after making their way to their first.

Additionally, Apple sets up their ecosystem in such a way that a user must feel vested towards their branded hardware or risk losing many of the costly purchases they made over the years in order to populate their phone with useful media and software. Such exclusivity and "closed architectures" are often referred to as "walled gardens". Apple is the king of such consumer manipulation. (This is also the contributing reason smart group like MIT and other's are now abandoning their iPhone and iPad app development efforts, in favor of platform agnostic solutions such as HTML5. Read more: http://goo.gl/edhoi )

Attempting to control and restrict consumers is the biggest culprit for Apple's lack of overall PC success in the 90's. Such restricted practices have typically limited Apples ultimate market share to less than 15%, often closer to 8% of an overall sector.

For the folks who have spent over a decade depending on countless generations of "smart phones" and portable, touch screen devices for many years, prior to Apple's re-emergence in the market; we expected a device to work well, be able to multitask, be able to surf the entire web; and from the experience of past smart phone app purchases; avoid any "wall garden" methods of restricting users where related to media purchases, app purchases, available stores, etc...

Most of us long time Smartphone users have seen the competitive advantages of 3rd party app stores like Handago (a.k.a.) Pockectgear (which had over 200,000 apps by 2008, long before Apple store had any presences.) as well as Handspring, Mobihand, etc.. In addition, folks have had many more years of utilizing repositories and resources such as Palm Software Connection, Win NT "Channels", Firefox "Add-Ins", etc., the list goes one.

There are vast legions of folks with broader experiences using portable consumer electronic devices and mobile computing, which create a much more discerning audience than is typical for average retail consumers. Admittedly, their knowledge was typically subsidized by generous company budgets or other business related demands. However, those same average consumers whom have flocked for the moment to Apple, are very fickle; and eventually jump to whichever ship they feel offers them the most choices and the best value. Keeping in mind, a huge percentage of recent Smartphone converts were using simple Motorola and Nokia feature phones just a few years earlier.

The real key to attracting these folks is simply to get the initial price point below any sticker shock the average buyer just won't stomach. This price point for years has been near or below $200-$250. Typically if you ventured beyond this point, many consumers would simply look at a cheaper solution.

In addition, since many devices utilized over the year by veteran smart phone users were not subsidized by large phone carriers; most veteran users understand how to look past the cost of the phones when signing long term contracts, and make a better / real hardware value comparison. When a carrier in turn tacks a HUGE premium, long term service commitment and data charge, (or other steep minimums were related to text and voice,) you know right away, they are trying to position a phone or device for the more naive buyers, in order to gain their acceptance and perceive it as a cheaper and a better value than it is.

This relationship between a company, selling an expensive device, and a carrier willing to subsidize far more than the industry norm, is the primary and brilliant initiation which has lead to Apple most recent success. And in this case ATandT even paid Apple a fraction of its monthly service revenue for every iPhone subscriber (until the iPhone 3G) which had NEVER been offered. Consumers' getting more than they paid for, is the best perception (directly understood or not,) you can create for new and peer pressured customers. ...consumer demand and perceived value of the device eventually went viral.

An odd but predictable opportunity for an innovative device costing, at time of purchase, nothing more than the magical number of $249.00; despite its initial limitations. After all when the 1st phone was introduced, it had no App store, no video recording (only stills), no multitasking, (like an ability to run Pandora while you read a book; or listen to music, in the car while it GPS navigates, etc.), no ability to populate your device with anything, Music, Movies, additional applications, etc., without the use of a full blown computer.  You had literally bought at App Launcher with no convenient way to get new apps, and no real selection of Apps to speak of.  But Apple Fan Boys rarely ask such questions, ...initially.

These handicaps and additional long term cost; as well as large upfront investments, were never even considered by the average consumers and initial fans; all of whom were anxious to use what was being touted as the latest and greatest innovation. Unfortunately, it was also a platform riddled with typical, technical, industry newcomer, launch and platform issues; beyond that of the value shortcomings.

Apple would soon learn how tough the competition in this crowded marketplace was, and how hard it was to make a device which primarily needed to function as that of a phone and a 3rd party app launcher; supporting software written almost entirely by third parties (and Apple is never good at relinquishing control or fairly inviting others to participate and/or profit on their platforms.)

Just the basics of utilizing cellular radio technologies for data transfers and reliable voice communication not to mention well maintained reception have all proven to be hurdles very difficult for a software company, turned consumer electronics firm with no in house experience testing or proving anything more than a few PC models and a music playing device.

Thank goodness for Apple, loyalty, cult following.  Luckily there is a subset of about 8% of the consumer electronics buyers who simply feel Apple can do know wrong with their money.  Many others end up learning the hard way, this is simply not the case. :-(

Sometimes YOU Bite The Apple, Sometimes IT Bites You!

Controlling Privacy Within Your Googleverse

If news of Google privacy policy changes has made you even more paranoid about the internet and privacy (I would first argue, you probably never should have joined Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter, etc., but that's a whole other topic.) ...simply go to the "Google Dashboard" -https://www.google.com/dashboard/ and login to your Google account to review and alter any aspect of Google's roll in your life on the internet.

(If you do not have any form of a personal Google account, a.k.a. YouTube, Picassa, Blogger, Gmail, Docs, Android, Voice, Google+, Latitudes, etc., then the recent News and policy changes, as to how Google is utilizing your info in a different or cumulative manner, is completely moot.)

For those who utilize Google's expansive ecosystems, (even in the cases where you forget a service is a part of Google's always expanding domain,) you will not only see an entire lineage of each and every Google asset you utilize, but you are offered full control over the mannor in which your information is utilized and/or search results and related add content (* the reason everything is FREE!!) are displayed and/or customized for you or NOT.

You will also see sections on:

• "Set up search alerts for your data"
• "How to manage your online identity"
• "How to remove unwanted content"

You can of course reject and/or control access to you data from any 3rd party group Google might have offered access. In sections such as, "Websites authorized to access the account".

Any of these 3rd party sites were only provided initial access to your data, due to some "accept" or "yes" you granted them upon registering to a service or site. But again, you can reject those original permission any time you wish.

The "Search Alerts" section, mentioned above, is particularly cool, since you can ask Google to alert you if your name or private info, (or any custom request) is ever placed on another site to email you immediately. Google is after all scouring every website in the world with an arsenal of more computer systems than any other company in the world possesses.

The "Social Connections and Content" section, does a rather unique job of showing you a few connections on the internet you have through Google you may not have otherwise considered.

I would say the Dashboard is also a great reminder of the exceptional "ecosystem" of tools and service Google offers all of it's users. The tools are in many cases, second to none. And productivity and efficiency is often the name of the game. (Refer to an education focused, blog entry I submitted last year, for more details on just how powerful and useful many of these FREE assets are: "Continued Education Via The Internet" - http://goo.gl/vmAfL )

Keep in mind "paranoia will destroy ya!", so try to worry a bit less about how your potentially being exploited, versus how you are challenging yourself and growing towards more productively exploiting the tools and services available to those willing to explore, learn and take control of technology.

Fear of the unknown is never a good catalyst for feeling the victim. In 99% of the cases involving today's web based services, the control is yours to take. And the opportunities for those who learn to exploit these revolutionary technologies and services is truly endless.

So try to refrain from a mind set of boycotting an exceptional set of tools and services, simply because you can't be trifled with things like knowledge or learning curves. When laziness and/or bad info, equal (=) fear, we all loose.

  Google Accounts
Google Dashboard offers a simple view into the data associated with your Google Account. Designed to offer you transparency and control; Summarizes the data associated with each product you use when s...

Controlling Privacy Within Your Googleverse

The Best In Off-Site / Cloud Based Backup

"CrashPlan" is incredible!
The very best way to backup your memories and data!

Keep in mind, all photos and family videos, as well as letters to friends and family, school work, medical records, important spreadsheet, financials, etc... have all gone digital these days. The years of scrap booking, big file cabinets, family slide show carousels or closet full of 8mm family movies have all evolved and gone digital!

We must therefor find effective, EASY, cost effective methods of backing up these all these irreplaceable memories and resources, or risk loosing them forever. Simply placing a copy in your own home, is not a great "backup" policy. Burned CD's and DVDs do not last the years and years which store bought DVD's provide, so cloud storage is a GREAT choice!

After testing for month the 1/2 a dozen leading, cloud based backup services; "CrashPlan" wins! ...hands down!
https://www.crashplan.com/consumer/crashplan-plus.html
For less than $5 a month you can back up an unlimited amount from one system (even a home server, including attached drives or mobile devices.) Mac or PC. Family plans for < $12 a month provide unlimited for 2-10 systems!

In addition you can use the same SIMPLE software for multi-destination backups! Across town, to and from another friends and family, or to addition mirrored local storage. There is no better value or technology offered by any another competitor at the moment!

Students can backup from school to home. Or the whole family can backup to the CrashPlan cloud! (All 448-bit encryption is done on your own machine, BEFORE it leaves your possession; so NO "unlocked" files are EVER stored or even visible on other 3rd party systems, without your password and authorization.)

The performance is also beyond comparison within the Dallas / Ft. Worth area. Maintaining 5+ Mbps uploads to their servers 24/7. (I'm sure this performance varies depending on which data center your are assigned and how close you reside.) This consistant high upload performance, allows my (HUGE) 1.6 Terra Byte, initial, seed backup to complete in just over 4 weeks time. (Most initial "seed" backups will only take days, with all subsequent incremental backups happening seamlessly and instantly.)

In addition, I love taking advantage of their "Backup Sets" prioritization options; in order to fully control which areas of my 1.6 Terra Byte, seed backup, are tackled first. This is particularly useful since I'm relocating my home server in less than 20 days, and wanted to assure certain irreplaceable family video and photo archives are the first to make it to "CrashPlan Central's" off-site data servers. :-)
(Many more impressive specifics on CrashPlan's backup priorities & efficiencies are discussed below in the "Detailed" info.)

• CrashPlan Video Explanation: http://youtu.be/vG_e2dyJ570 
• 3rd Party review: http://youtu.be/Ja1O04rV1pI
• And in-depth tour (7mins): http://youtu.be/O6qSJIkcWss
• Getting Started: http://youtu.be/fy62DxQGarM

More Details on CrashPlan's Unique Backup Methods:
"Like other online backup programs, CrashPlan compresses and encrypts your data before sending it over the Internet. And, like the others, it's constrained by the laws of physics; compression notwithstanding, online backups can in some cases take days or even weeks to complete. But CrashPlan does three unique and interesting things.

First, it gives precedence to files that have changed recently. So, if you're running your first full backup and it takes three days to finish, but in the meantime you make major changes to a document you're writing, CrashPlan almost immediately backs up the new document rather than waiting until the rest of the queue has been processed.

Second, it can store multiple versions of files that have changed, and can optionally do so right after a change takes place, rather than having to scan every file on your disk before each run; you can set the number of minutes that elapse between when the file is saved and when CrashPlan backs it up. This means that, from the moment you begin using CrashPlan, it can archive multiple versions of your most important and actively used files - somewhat like a version-control system - without waiting to run on a fixed schedule.

And third, if a file changes, CrashPlan doesn't make a new copy of the entire file, but copies only the bytes that have actually changed. This means that incremental backups run very quickly and that storage space is minimized - two attributes that are always welcome, but especially so with online backups. As a consequence, if you were to back up, say, the 10 GB disk image you use for Windows XP in Parallels Desktop, you could update it every day without worrying that you'll overwhelm your backup media. In fact, CrashPlan goes a big step further: if more than one computer in your home or office contains a file identical to one you've backed up already, CrashPlan stores just a pointer to the original backup file, not another copy. So you can effectively store much more data in a much smaller space than with other backup solutions."

(The "More Detailed" info above came from a, now out of date, blog article, at Tib Bits: http://tidbits.com/article/8882; However, the info I included above was still correct and relevant as of March, 2012. Crashplan has added several feature since the Feb., 2007 blog article; such as, "restore to folder" options and other features allowing for even more flexibility the original article was suggesting / requesting.)

  Flexible Remote Backup & Online Storage
CrashPlan+ gives you all the protection of CrashPlan, plus the added benefit of secure cloud storage to CrashPlan Central for your personal files.

The Best In Off-Site / Cloud Based Backup

The NEX is the Next Best Thing In Photography

The new craze of mirrorless cameras, blow my mind!! 

(The iPhones of profesional cameras if you will !!  Assuming you're an iPhone fanboy?!)
All brand systems will eventually abandon the bulky, aging, DSLR style; since a large portion of the mass it is a dated, "hold over" form the days of 35mm film. Just a silly premiss, given the digital age.

The mirrorless solutions are already, lighter, cheeper, faster, more compact, easier to use and produce extremely advanced (in most cases, superior) results; with much MUCH less learning curve and expertise; plus, exceptional low light and HD video!

The only reason to go another, more "traditional" / mirrored route at this point, in the DSLR arena, is if you have an existing, extensive, past investment in old lenses and accessories. (Or you are shooting in a controlled environment, such as a studio or some other rare profesional demands.)

If not, the mirrorless, current tech (which avoids the old, film based, internal designs methods,) is the most exciting, exceptional option.  Less is more in the case of camera technology and eliminating the middle man, a mirror which use to be needed in order to reflect an intermediary version of what the lens is seeing while the light is on the way to the sensor or the film is simply no longer a required step.

Less parts, or NO MIRROR as it were, makes your camera faster, leaner, meaner! Makes the preview image you review, during each shoot more advanced, more accurate, more true to the settings and goals of the intended shot.  There is less chance for light leakage, additional cleaning and dust issues, and more chances for superior picture taking.

GREAT for an active folks! Folks that travel! Folks that love photography and videography. Much easier to pack and have handy. Much more shot reliable. And the BEST camera is the one you have with you! The one ready to take the shot.
(plus they really are the best, latest technology!)

Reviews, specs and Videos:
NEX7 - (Shot w/ the camera) http://goo.gl/MpMuh
NEX7 - Artsy Foreign Comercial: http://youtu.be/lbKrd2nchgU
Sony Site - http://goo.gl/sp13o

Sample Movie, shot with NEX5 (all lighting types):
http://youtu.be/FCpen_hjOFg

Very cool leather "half case": http://goo.gl/VJQWV

The NEX is the Next Best Thing In Photography

3 fighter programs like this = $1 Trillion Dollars!

I'm glad they have been able to work out some of the most recent hiccups in the F-35 program. ( http://goo.gl/ya5tv )

My granddad still loves sharing with us, each time we vist, tales of all his aviation stories from his days as a young man in the Army Air Corp (prior to the inception of the Air Force) so it is easy to take pride in these program when you are in a country steeped with such history and presence.

Of course his stories were also fostered at a time of World War!  How is it exactly that we still find it thrilling to spend money this way?

None the less, not only is the technology surrounding this program amazing, it comes with the most amazing statistics by already being the most expensive defense acquisition program in U.S. history!

Each plane is now estimated to cost tax payers between $80 and $95 million dollars EACH, just to build!  This does not include, pilot training, fuel, weaponry, nor maintenance and upkeep.  When you start combining those figures you get closer to $154,000,000 (million) per plane.

The GAO estimates U.S. taxpayers will invest a total of $385 billion (1/3 of a TRILLION) to develop and maintain 2,457 planes through 2035.

While the joint fighter program features some of the most secret and state-of-the-art tech we can muster; surprisingly enough 730 of the aircraft are also committed to Eight US allies.

Refer to the following articles for more amazing recent details on the programs expenses and schedule:

• F-35 Fighter: Price Goes Up $771 Million on Most Expensive Defense Program
• http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/lockheed-martin-35-fighters-cost-771/story?id=14071402#.Tx-CLmNSRC4
• Another $450 Million For Fighter Engine The Military Doesn't Want?
• http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/federal-boondoggle-450-million-unwanted-joint-strike-fighter/story?id=11259491#.Tx-CU2NSRC4
• F-35 Fighters Now Double the Cost
• http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2010/03/f35-fighters-now-double-the-cost-/

3 fighter programs like this = $1 Trillion Dollars!

The Googleverse Is Constantly Expanding!

A Summary of Recent Updates in the Googleverse
Google is on a fantastic update-spree, and as Vic said a couple days ago, there will be updates to look forward to every single day over the next week or so (after all, it's the "Season for Shipping"http://goo.gl/v7SeP ). How awesome is that?!

Hangouts
https://plus.google.com/107117483540235115863/posts/enxUkspe5Dn
Updates include:

• Hangouts on Air (live streaming of Hangouts via YouTube)
• Hanging out on any post ("hangout" link located between "comment" and "share")
• Start Hangouts from your mobile phone
• Conference call any phone number in the world
• Reindeer special effects :)

     Good tutorial Blog on how to use Hangouts newest features: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/google-hangouts-going-beyond-status.html

Comment Spam

• A better comment moderation system:https://plus.google.com/104595698623653863070/posts/Rtj8g3PHYS3

Blogger

• Share posts directly from Blogger to Google+:https://plus.google.com/110587955497525318489/posts/cvvRmYuUq81

Photos

• Picasa client now with Google+ sharing & tagging:https://plus.google.com/104605946488794124557/posts/CBwj9ie9b4x
• Tag photos in G+ with Find My Face:https://plus.google.com/110260043240685719403/posts/jKQ35ajJ4EU
• Share albums via link in G+:https://plus.google.com/105354532715798223299/posts/3wSLjc3b7Eo

Gmail

• Filter Gmail contacts by Google+ circles & share photos from Gmail directly to G+:https://plus.google.com/103345707817934461425/posts/UA6rpCZgqwq
• Scribbles and other updates to the Gmail iOS app:https://plus.google.com/103345707817934461425/posts/fddFv88qU7H
• Free Google Voice calls in U.S. & Canada extended through 2012https://plus.google.com/103345707817934461425/posts/3xd9AVgFB2Z

Mobile Phone

• Android updates (search, +1 comments, +1 photos, and more):https://plus.google.com/107968525907303243288/posts/gcGY9uu5zVf
• iOS updates:https://plus.google.com/108094760132961329912/posts/D51cNnX83Sh
• Start Hangouts from your mobile phone:https://plus.google.com/111499908439497508351/posts/RSRaBcRUxmc

Games

• Backyard Monsters:https://plus.google.com/102725109790365996602/posts/gL3jVEc7S6X
  The Godfather: Five Familieshttps://plus.google.com/102725109790365996602/posts/LndBwk4tmJ5

Maps

• New version of Google Map Maker:https://plus.google.com/111401917971052287374/posts/bh74QD5QusB

Chrome

• Sign into Chrome to access your bookmarks, extensions, history, & settings:https://plus.google.com/100585555255542998765/posts/7pzcz5nCxfX
• Print any webpage to Google Cloud Print:https://plus.google.com/100585555255542998765/posts/gJmpzQStdvS

Translate

• Google Translate now with handwriting recognition:https://plus.google.com/114892703028341590446/posts/1kLbgGEcCS4

Can't wait to see what's next!

The Googleverse Is Constantly Expanding!

Lack of Choices Are Often Unacceptable

A very good Facebook friend, recently posted the following status update:
"Count your blessings. We have a family friend diagnosed with jaw cancer. To prolong her life, they will need to remove her jaw, teeth and lymph glands. She will no longer be able to eat, drink or speak. She's choosing not to remove any of it. She's choosing quality over time. Life is better for all of us more than we think sometimes. Maybe take a moment and say a prayer for her."
...This is such sad news to me, and she will definitely be in my prayers.

Hate to get into any sort of stereotype of gender issue here, but it is only to admit a personal flaw:  Men so often have such a "bad habit" of wanting to "fix" a problem and/or quickly find a solution; versus, just listen to, and sympathize with, those who are simply explaining a situation. And I am one of the worst it seems at interjecting, "creative" thinking, and extensive research or personal insights into the mix.

More recently, but perhaps still not often enough, I have chosen to refrain from as many direct interjections as possible; and instead, continue to use my own personal blog (of often unpublished entries,) as a constructive outlet for my own points, counter points or typical insights.

In relation to my friends, "family friend's" condition; it immediately reminded me of a TV interview I just recently saw with Roger Ebert; whom had been battling with jaw cancer since 2002, until it's eventual removal. Personally, it made me so sad and frustrated to think how far our technology & science must progress for adequate treatment of those of us faced with such afflictions. It could so easily happen to any one of us; yet it seems it often takes the attention of a high-profile celebrity to help garner better research, support and funding.

Despite the fact, high-tech, Prosthetic Jaw Replacement procedures have been attempted since the 1960's (http://goo.gl/ky0UY), most are still considered extremely "experimental". You would think there would be numerous viable options by now. :-( I often think to myself, "we could send a man to the moon in the 1960's, but we can't ...(place frustration here)!" Half a century sure does seems like an awfully long time for medical science to take to advance something so prevalent and crucial to those patients faced with these challenges.

Some of the most hightech methods for prosthesis development and replacement, utilize "Rapid Prototyping"; which is also an advancing product design technology I have followed since it's more significant advancements in the late 80's. (http://goo.gl/LMYee) More specifically, such technology is often referred to as "STL, laser sintering"; and have become very common techniques for general product design and testing. But again, applications for advanced medical techniques involving STL are still very rare procedures (http://goo.gl/08Gkn); and would therefor require very proactive patient research or somewhat unconventional, forward thinking, advanced medical staffs in order to be administered or performed. And Despite many theories and techniques for prosthesis Jaw replacement being as old as 1938, it is still challenging to uncover the leading techniques and research centers offering solutions based on these most progressive techniques.  But I'll discuss more about why individual research of such topics is often a challenge toward the last half of this entry.

To see some of the most progressive applications of new, state-of-the-art, brilliant techniques now being applied to today's medicine you must look towards the field of "Regenerative Medicine" and how it is being applied towards organ replacement, suing "printing" technologies: http://www.ted.com/talks/anthony_atala_printing_a_human_kidney.html

I will certainly be praying for my friend's friend; in addition to her Doctors continued research and referral to the most knowledgeable U.S. specialist and technology available in this crucial area of medical science. There is little doubt, given the choices she has likely been offered thus far, that her current decision is the same most of us would choose as well.  And in so many cases of so much of the research and results which surface pertaining to U.S. based treatments, you will often see footnotes and disclaimers explaining "this is only in the early stages or development, actual testing and treatments are at least 5 years off."  Such disclaimers not only often feel like a restaurants hostess standard, I should have a table in 20 minutes (or on the busy weekend, 45 minutes) but it also cause for searching for what stages countries outside of the U.S. bureaucracy are up to. (http://translate.google.com/)

The biggest challenge in our information age is getting to the right information at the right time!  In fact this has become such an issue that folks are working daily to solve our "information overload" challenges with what has become a whole new ares of computational science and algorithmic theory and study in and of itself. PhD thesis are sighted regularly now through their published papers, eluding to a day when we might be able to actually makes since of all the information we now luxuriously have at out finger tips. http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/large-data-sets-algorithm-1216.html

There's certainly no shame in the fact that matching a persons need or a Doctors past education with the knowledge and expertise needed for our own, current and personal challenges or circumstances is an on going struggle for all of us.  The hope the Internet and our ever growing connectivity does offer, is that with a little bit of work, connecting these dots can sometimes happen in a very timely manor.  However, I would also argue, for most people, few internet searches prove to be as powerful as those serendipitous referrals and encouragements made perhaps in passing between two individuals in the midst of what might have started out as simple small talk.  Or perhaps even a hybrid of technology and chit chat available to us these days, via an unsuspecting Facebook status update. :-)

=== Skip ahead

I have however experienced my own testimony of how crucial patient research has become; following my own recent medical scare (in March of 2009) and being immediately admitted by my general physician to Baylor hospitals "state-of-the-art" cardiovascular unit in Dallas Texas for multiple blood clots in my right leg following my return from high-altitude snow shoeing and skiing. The only option made available to me following the centers extensive and state-of-the-art visualization of the veins and arteries within my right leg, was to go on blood thinners and lay on my back for 7-9 days as they helped control and perhaps dissolve the culprits.


The irony to this encouragement to me was the fact it was also explained that thee clots likely formed during my stagnant position I maintained on my return flight to Dallas in the days following my high-altitude adventure. So it sure seemed odd that a part of today's current methodology also involved asking a patient to just remain additionally stagnant for up to a weeks time. When I asked if it was more likely to development additional complications if I moved around, the answer was "no".


When I asked my attending physician, almost immediately after being admitted to a private room, if the reason I needed to remain here under supervision was due to the fact I was still in danger of the blood clot in my leg migrating, or perhaps my body forming new ones?  The answer was also "no, and no". She went on to explain, the regiment of Lovanox injections, now scheduled for daily administration, were therapeutically preventing any solid particles from potentially impacting my lungs or heart.

When asked if there was any reason, (given my own ability to administer the required injections,) that I should remain in the hospital?  I was told "no, not really."  Therefor, I said, "well then I wish to be checked out and allowed to go home immediately."

Given the fact I had only moments earlier been placed in a gown and taken up to my own private room, the doctor on duty within that floor of the hospital who was answering my questions, said, "we will see about letting you go in the morning." So after one night stay rather than 7-8, I was released. 

What really became crucial about this decision to leave and not even stay through the weekend, was my ability to return to work the following Monday. It was a brief visit with a co-worker that would forever change my perspective on medical science, research and treatment within our current system of U.S. medicine.


You see my coworker, felt my symptoms and my story sounded very much like what a neighbor of her's son had recently endured.  So much so, that the next day she brought over to my desk the name of a Doctor who practiced no more than 4 miles away form the very hospital I was admitted to days earlier.  However this doctor worked within a completely different medical network.  I had visited Baylor medical, this Doctor was on staff within the U.T. / Southwestern medical center.  A completed unrelated and apparently unconnected system, despite the fact they were only blocks from one another within my home town.


Within days I under went a very new medical procedure to proactively dissolved the blood clots present within my right leg.  You see clots won't go away quickly, if at all.  the body just often learns to adapt and work around the now useless veins.  And even when clots are effectively eliminated through long term use of drugs or by just waiting for the body to heal, they leave behind irreplaceable scar tissue and typically permanently damaged valves, which hinder circulation and cause swelling in extremities.


The point is the sooner the clot is removed the less damage is caused.  So much so is this timing, that the procedure I under went is only available to a patient of the clot is less than 4 weeks old.

=== End of personal testimony

None of this is to say that a cure for any of our ailments is always right around the corner, or is being kept from us unless we proactively ask.  It is however simply offering one testimony of how asking about alternative procedures, and taking a portion of my own care into my own hands, can at times improve your treatment, challenges, and possibly quality of life during your recovery or healing.

I do think that as I bring this entry to a close, I will circle it back around to the effort, opportunity and technology of pro-active, web based (re)searching.  You must keep in mind that current methods of searching for the information, contacts and research your situation might be improved by, is definitely a bit of an art.  And in many cases as you use your own "typical" or currently understood methods of searching for results, you are primarily serving to create a "predictability" which may limit your success.  Many current debates are under way as to the effect the current search giants of our world are having on eliminating or reducing our chances of oh so important serendipitous discovery, referral or passed on piece of valuable info.  You can read about these challenges in articles such as the following:
http://janderson99.hubpages.com/hub/Does-Google-have-the-Right-to-Tell-us-What-we-Want-How-to-get-Unpersonalised 

Or videos such as the TED speech help explain current the Filter Bubble of current "News Feed" and "Search Engine" curating each of our results, based on our own personal typical preferences. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzZzf6PoyC4

My advice when searching for something imperatives to your well being, but perhaps foreign to your won expertise and knowledge base, is to change your typical method of operation.  In other words, switch Search engines!  If you normally use Google, go use Yahoo; if your normally use Bing go use Google.  You probably wont fair as well if you switch from Yahoo to Bing, since Yahoo now uses Bings algorithm to generate its results.  The goal here to avoid being isolated into, as the speech above puts it, "a web of one."

The real power in attempting these searches, is when the human mind connects the dots which no computer algorithm has yet master.  this may come in the obvious effort of translation (http://translate.google.com/) No search engines are positioned yet to search across multiple cultures or languages.  No search result no to deviate from an initial topic while for the moment creating a new search branch based on member of a research lab, or new funding, or a visit you made to the library, or a conversation you had with a coworker, friend or relative which taught you a new related term of science.  Reading an article with such hidden information will send a human down multiple path of research; however, a search engine has no such luxury of creativity and deductive reasoning.

When information can be life changing or perhaps life saving it must not only be taken seriously, but the search for such information must be approached creatively and with a new, as yet undefined, set of resourcefulness and determination.  One mustn't garner or create false hope, but one must also understand the limits of any one persons or one medical offices limited amount of current expertise and information on any one topic.  This is a world which offers new possibilities, the whole of the 7 Billion minds on this planet are now connected in an ever more productive manor. I don't want to instill false hope, I simple want to encourage others to attempt to exploit the planets minds and expertise a little more effectively, before accepting the limitation of one person, one organization or one city, state or countries worth of knowledge.

Lack of Choices Are Often Unacceptable