Eclipse, Kindle and other worthy things
Stephanie and I saw Eclipse last night after she got off of work. We went to Century Theaters in Walnut Creek — I’d forgotten to use my prepaid tickets. Two tickets, $21 plus snacks, $18.50 — it’s probably a good thing that movie-going isn’t a normal outing anymore. It’s not cheap going to the theater; with DVDs and Blu-Ray versions releasing so soon after the theatrical release, I prefer to wait most of the time. Beyond that, I have Netflix, and many movies become available as watch instantly… many new releases through Starz Play.
Seeing the movie again has given me the urge to reread Stephenie Meyer’s Eclipse, if for no other reason than to examine the differences and discrepancies. Each Twilight Saga movie has been better than the last, and I’m sure that Breaking Dawn will be an incredible production — I’m wondering about how they’ll choose to portray the many vampire powers. New Moon and Eclipse have done fairly well to portray the speed and strength of the vampires and wolves.
This brings up several things, and some news.
Immediately following the release of the movie Twilight, I purchased the four books of the Saga on Kindle. Now, Amazon has announced that the new Kindle DX (black, with free worldwide 3G) is only $379. I am as excited about getting one of these as I am about the iPhone 4. One of my associates told me that the new retina display is so remarkable, it looks unreal. I like the idea of mobile video chatting and extended functionality.
Thoughts and review, software and Apple products.
I do hope that Apple hurries up with an IOS4 update for the iPad. Although I had considered getting a 3G model, I might wait for the next-gen version. I wish the device had larger storage capacity (for large photos, Sketchbook created artwork, HD movies, music videos) and more memory — currently, if I scroll through Photos too-quickly, the iPad crashes. I also wish that more developers would release apps (specifically, I’d like a iPad-optimized blogging tool for Squarespace and Typepad, MarsEdit or ecto, ThinkFree, Zoho, or Google Documents app and Mariner Software’s Macjournal). The iPad makes for a surprisingly nice reading platform, especially with Zinio magazine reader, iBooks and GoodReader. Although I still prefer reading on the Kindle’s digital paper (I’m not opposed to trying the Barnes & Noble device, nook), I’m not always in well-lit areas, and the option to get some light reading done is wonderful. I hope that Apple chooses to create a “retina display” for their next iPad, along with removable storage and additional battery capacity (extended battery options).
[I also just signed up for the OnLive Founding Members Program Waiting List. I think the service is going to rock. Join OnLive]
About blogging, here and elsewhere.
The iPad is a pleasure to write on. I’ve read several reviews and comments stating that the iPad is about consuming content, not creating it, however, I’ve found that this isn’t the case — at least not for me. With apps like Taskpaper, Notably, Autodesk Sketchbook Pro, HelvetiNote and Penultimate, I’ve composed quite a bit — sketched, drawn, written — and with an ease I’ve never before experienced. With the keyboard accessory, the iPad docks in portrait-view — perfect for writing emails and blog entries. I’ve written this entry on my iPad using the WordPress app.
Forever, is it never?
Earlier today I skimmed an article in Newsweek about immortality and thought that the timing was interesting. No doubt that it has something to do with that movie about vampires that just released, that I just saw… what’s it called, again? If only it were less obscure…
I’d started gathering my thoughts, but by the time I’d thought about writing them at Bradtastic Defined, it was time to leave the house. This timing wasn’t unfortunate; taking the time to collect more of my opinions, impressions, facts and evidence on this topic is prudent, and I’d even consider that seeing Eclipse has enhanced — if not altered — my views on the subject.
Earlier, I’d replied to a prompt at my Plinky — if I had unlimited resources… After having given it some thought, I replied honestly — though I cannot claim accuracy because I’m not sure that it’s possible to know what one would do in an impossible situation until it occurred. Thinking on this now, I sense similarities between the Plinky question and the topic of immortality — both are so incalculably far from our perspective and understanding that it’s unreasonable to assume semi-accurate speculation. We’re simply too far away from either situation.
Even when we ponder immortality in epic stories — novels, tv, movies, games — the undying and undead still perish… vampires, Highlander, planeswalkers… forever is incomprehensible. However, I will try to write about it anyway, at BradChin.com, because I fundamentally disagree with the Newsweek article.
I’m also working on new projects, including new designs for the Marrakech Magic Theater. Please follow superfloo.us for updates!
