Apple iPad an Apple iDud

Yawwwwn!

After the much anticipated hype and build up to the big announcement this past week, Apple's big press conference revealed little more than old technology wrapped inside a slightly bigger package.

The Apple iPad was announced leaving many people thinking to themselves, "Huh, so what!"

The new and improved product from Apple is neither new or improved...just slightly larger. I describe it as an iPod Touch on growth hormones. It's like Barry Bonds after he went on steroids. It might be a bit bigger, but it's still Barry Bonds inside.

When company chief Steve Jobs made the announcement on Wednesday, he described the iPad as a device that would plug the gap between laptops and mobiles. I beg to differ. It's not even close to being a real computer and it doesn't come with a phone so it's neither a laptop nor a true mobile.

Quite simply...the iPad has failed to live up to the hype. Everything you can do on it, I can already do on my iPod Touch. The big difference being that I can actually put my Touch in my pocket. It won't support multitasking, will only run one application at a time and won't run Flash files...just like the Touch.

The name is also taking a beating with many making the link between "iPad" and the common feminine hygiene products. That's right...the "iTampon." And for an extra $100 you can get your "iTampon" with "wings". Some people have even gone so far as to suggest that at certain times of the month, the "iTampon" will become irritable and not work as efficiently.

If you're someone who is going to make the switch to reading books using technology similar to this, you would be better off to use the Kindle.

The biggest issue for me that truly shows how this is anything but a gap filler for a laptop is the fact you can only add applications using iTunes. This means that unlike other laptops and netbooks which allow any type of external software to be downloaded, with an iPad users will only be able to get hold of software after it has been approved by Apple and added to the App store.

As well as lacking any card slots, the iPad comes without a USB port – making it extremely difficult to transfer documents and information from an external drive on to the device.

Instead of a USB port, the iPad has an iPod connector, meaning that users will have to purchase one of the many adapters on sale in order to use a non-Apple product with the iPad.

A spoof video on YouTube shows a scene from the film "Downfall", which shows Hitler's last days in a Berlin bunker, with new subtitles.

The video shows Hitler shouting at his subordinates after he discovers the iPad won't support multitasking or have Flash support. There have been many different videos made using this tirade but it never fails to entertain. You can see the video below.

In conclusion, the Apple iPad is a complete waste of money to anyone who already owns an iPhone or an iPod Touch. It was hoped Apple would release a true tablet computer (which may eventually happen) that would be used for many creative uses such as photo editing. The iPad does not meet these needs at all.

Another Torts Soundbite

Hockey is the greatest game in the world and the fast, hard-hitting action on the ice is always entertaining. But sometimes, every so often, the coaches can provide some off-ice entertainment as well.

There have been plenty of tirades under the bleachers over the years and some are more engaging than others. But it doesn't always have to be yelling and screaming that captivates us. Sometimes it can be a quiet conversation between a coach and a reporter with a bit of a history that can be an embarrassment to the two head-butters and the league, while the fans sit back and take it all in while grinning from ear to ear.

The latest was just the other night when John Tortorella, Head Coach of the New York Rangers, shared his opinion about fighting with reporter Larry Brooks. These two have a bit of history going back to when Torts was coaching Tampa Bay and didn't like a question Brooks asked then. Here's what was caught by the live Hockey Night in Canada Cameras at that time. Be warned...this does contain some foul language.



Flash forward to the other night when the two came together for the first time since Brooks made a tongue in cheek reference to Wade Redden in an earlier newspaper article that Tortorella obviously didn't think was funny.



Tortorella obviously let his emotions and feelings get the best of him and I'm sure would love to take it back but from the fans standpoint, I love to see emotion like this. He's a coach standing up for his players and believing in his hockey club and isn't afraid to show it. Nothing wrong with that in my books.

One With Nature

I would describe myself as being like a "bull in a china shop" in most cases and this usually means quietly trekking through nature would be out of the question. The creatures can usually hear me from miles away as I approach.

That's why I was so surprised during an outing last weekend to come across a Barred Owl perched in a tree and not flying away as quickly as he could.

With my camera in hand I visited Presqu'ile Provincial Park, near Brighton, Ontario in search of one of these birds of prey. I had heard they were being spotted in a particular area and had seen photos taken by other people. I didn't expect to see anything on my first attempt to photograph one of these owls except lots of trees and perhaps a few chickadees.

But much to my surprise I lucked out and found this big guy somewhat camouflaged while resting in a tree and he didn't seem overly bothered by my presence. I guess it was a good thing I didn't shower before I left the house.

Any way, here are just a couple of the nearly 100 photos that I took that day.

© 2010 Mark Kennedy

© 2010 Mark Kennedy

Kimmel Crushes Leno

Lately I've been working early in the morning so I don't have a chance to stay up late to watch the talk shows and lately, everyone is talking about the controversy surrounding Jay Leno moving back to the 11:35pm slot and bumping The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien to 12:05am. This of course has upset Conan to the point where he most likely will leave the show if it's contractually possible.

Any way, Jay sees no problem with it of course and even enjoys poking fun at it. I don't think however that he realized how much of a severe thrashing he was going to take at the hands of ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel when Jay had him on his show. I almost felt sorry for Jay...almost.

Personally I think Jay should just pack it in or switch networks if he really wants that time slot. He'd fit in well with the other slimeballs at FOX.

Any way, if you missed Jimmy crushing Jay on his own show, here it is.

I'm So 2010

For a 41 year old man I'm feeling like a young techie right now.

Why you may ask?

Well, I recently received an iPod Touch for Christmas and I've been playing with it and learning how to use it as best I can.

I've added games and apps and all kinds of cool stuff to it...even videos and music. I love how easy it is to check hockey scores and surf the web.

Tonight I found an app that even allows me to update my blog when all I have is my Touch and a wifi connection. In fact I'm using it to post this update.

I wouldn't want to have to rely on it all the time, but it works in a pinch.

Now if I could only make my fingers smaller to make using this tiny keyboard easier.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

Come On...Post Something Bundy!

I genuinely feel regret and am upset with myself for not updating my blog as much as I normally would. I appreciate those of you who make it a point to drop by and read my thoughts from time to time.

The truth is I have lots to say, and not enough time to say it. I've been very busy with work lately and that has forced me to curtail some of my more enjoyable activities, including my blog.

I had hoped to write a good update tonight but instead I got all wrapped up in CNN and their coverage of the Earthquake in Haiti. Just terrible news from that region.

Hopefully you won't give up on me and for those on my mailing list, I will send you a update notice once I actually write something worth reading.

Until then, be safe and thanks for your continued support. For now, it's back to watching Anderson Cooper.

News Oddities for January

I am a news junkie. I have to know what's happening in the news so I can be up to date with current events. But sometimes, being up to date can be awfully depressing. I get tired of reading about murders in Toronto, deaths in Afghanistan and losses in the Gold Medal game by Team Canada. That last one really sucks.

So from time to time I like to read the stories that are a bit more bizarre or offbeat. Here are a few I came across today that you might get a kick out of.


A man who decided to help clear the street with his own push snowblower ended up with a public intoxication ticket. Police in Barrie, Ontario say it was for the man's own protection as he was too intoxicated to operate the machine and was almost struck twice by passing vehicles. Police arrested the 41-year-old man and held him until he was sober. A public intoxication ticket runs $55.
**Wow, that really blows for that guy. He was only going to get a warning until he used the snowblower to send yellow snow flying towards the cops.**


Police are looking for a woman who went on a rampage at a McDonald's in Kansas City because she didn't like her hamburger. Police say the woman caused thousands of dollars in damage when she became upset that the restaurant wouldn't refund her money. Employees had offered to replace her hamburger, but the woman refused and demanded her money back. Police released a video showing the woman throwing a bucket of water over the counter and pushing off a glass display case and three cash registers. She then cursed and fled.
**Did she not realize where she was? Since when was McDonald's food ever considered to be good. I'm usually just happy if it's warm and it wasn't cooked 3 hours before I ordered it.**


More than a dozen Chihuahuas from San Francisco flew in style in the main cabin of a Virgin America flight to new homes in New York. Officials from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals met the 15 animals at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and will help find them homes. Chihuahuas are in abundance at California animal shelters and experts say pop culture is to blame for the overpopulation of the dogs in California, with fans imitating Chihuahua-toting celebrities like Paris Hilton.
**Two of the dogs went missing for a short time on the flight but they were found in the washroom joining the "Mile High Club". One witness said they were doing it People Style.**

2010 - Here We Go

The holiday season has officially come to an end and we can now settle into 2010 and the typical winter routines we've grown accustomed to. Unless of course you live in the Southern Hemisphere where the heat of summer is scorching the earth. That's right...I'm thinking of you Tom.

For the rest of us it's time to make the most of the often nasty weather associated with this time of year. I can't complain yet as the winter hasn't been too bad. Sure its been cold but I've only had to use the snow blower once so far. I stress..."so far". Lord knows it won't last.

As far as the holiday season went, it was very laid back. I stuck close to home and was working every day except for a few days off over Christmas. I worked both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day so my celebrating was limited to either being on the job or sleeping.

Of course when time permits, I spend a fair bit of time watching hockey with the annual World Junior Championships taking place and there's always time to support my Habs.

Unfortunately I haven't had much time to devote to my blog. I hate when life gets in the way of having fun. But I will try to add more updates soon. I appreciate those who drop by and keep checking in.

Tomorrow will be a sad day around here as four more Canadian soldiers and a female reporter killed in Afghanistan earlier in the week will be returned to Canada. They'll arrive at the air base here in town around 2pm before traveling along the Highway of Heroes for about 90 minutes to Toronto. I expect large crowds of fellow Canadians to show up along the route despite the cold weather in the forecast to show their respect and to support the families.

I don't normally make any resolutions to start the year because honestly...I never keep them or I just forget about them. One thing I would like to do more of in 2010 is exercise a bit more often. I'm not looking to make huge changes but a bit more activity would be nice to try and shed a few pounds.

And just to prove I really mean it, here's a photo taken of me earlier today doing some push-ups. I believe this photo was taken somewhere around number 93. Honest.



Happy New Year everyone!