Ok, I admit it, I love technology! Especially technology that makes my life easier or is fun to use… and if it is both? Then I’m really on top of the world!
So to feed this addiction, I recently made a *few* additions to my technology collection, starting with a Virgin Mobile MiFi. The MiFi (around the size of a credit card) is a mobile hotspot that uses Sprint’s 3G network to provide a wireless signal for up to 5 devices.
MiFi compared to my Sams Club card
So what does this mean? As long as there is a Sprint signal (coverage map of US) we have a wireless Internet signal. This will be great for when we’re on one of our crazy road trips of the US or even just out for the day. In addition, and this is the best part, there is no contract required, we can pay as we need/want it, and it’s only $40/month for an UNLIMITED data plan (and no fine print!).
In addition, after going back and forth for a while, I broke down and ordered the new Kindle 3. I already have the Kindle 2, but there were some aspects of the new one that really appealed to me and to seal the deal, a coworker offered to buy my Kindle 2! And what you might wonder is the big deal about the Kindle 3?
Well, compared to the Kindle 2, the Kindle 3 is:
- smaller and lighter
- has a longer battery life
- allows for quicker page turns
- uses wifi and 3G (including global wireless coverage)
- has double the book storage
- better screen contrast
- more efficient web browsing (yes, you can browse the web on your Kindle!)
- it doesn’t click as loudly when you turn the page (and no, you can’t turn that off because it is a real button that you have to press, and yes it was a big deal because James was constantly complaining about my *clicking* in bed keeping him awake at night!)
I ordered the new Kindle at the beginning of September, it arrived on Wednesday, and I love it! It is small and cute and does everything my Kindle 2 did plus all the extra’s.
Kindle 2 vs. Kindle 3 (isn't it cute?)
But, my only complaint is that the cover I really wanted (which is the same one I had for my Kindle 2, the Cole Hahn) is apparently not as good of quality for the Kindle 3. Luckily I checked the reviews before buying it (and they were all awful), so I ended up going with the cover from Amazon. Now don’t get me wrong, the Amazon cover is nice and even has a built in light, but it’s just not the cover that I wanted. Regardless, I love my new Kindle, my coworker loves my old Kindle, and my mom went crazy and also bought the new Kindle (which she loves, she sent me the pictures to prove it!) and gave my brother her old Kindle (which he better love!).
Yet was this it on my technology loving rampage? Nope, I saved the best for last!
On Thursday morning I realized my phone (which is an outdated Motorola Q) had stopped syncing with my work e-mail and calendar. This might not sound like much to some of you, but I rely on my phone to keep me updated on any potential problems with Angel (our learning management system) and to make sure that I’m providing the best service as possible to the instructors and students.
I tried fixing it on my own, but nothing I did would fix the problem. When I got to work I called someone to see if they could help me figure out the problem and they said they’d come down and take a look at it later that morning. Yet, the longer I waited, the more frustrated I got… and then in walks Michelle (remember her from the BbWorld Conference?) with her iPhone. And what does she do? She starts selling me on how amazing her iPhone is and how it can do everything I need and so much more. In all honesty, I had *considered* getting an iPhone before, but just never had the nerve to take the plunge, but now with my phone not doing the one thing I really needed it to do, I decided it might be the right time.
Michelle told me the AT & T store she goes to was pretty good, so I looked up the number and made the call. Amazingly enough they had just got in an order of iPhone 4’s the day before and could port my current cell phone number to a new phone in about an hour. My response, I’ll be there over my lunch hour! So, as of Thursday, September 16th, I made the leap and drank the iPhone Kool-Aid (and wow was it good!)!
Motorola Q vs. iPhone4
And how do I like my new iPhone? More than words can describe! It has been life changing… and while yes that sounds sappy and ridiculous, it is completely accurate! My new phone and all it’s amazing options and apps have made it even easier to work while I’m out of the office (e-mail, opening attachments, responding to trouble-tickets, etc…), made looking up travel information a cinch (i.e., gas prices, restaurant reviews, movie times, etc…), and in general is just plain fun to use!
So, between the MiFi, Kindle 3, and iPhone I have officially tech geeked myself out for at least another couple of months or so…
My technology trifecta!
At least until something new and amazing comes out and I have to have it… 😉
