We all know the frustration behind the continually flipping hour glass on your computer screen: “I don’t understand why it’s taking so long to load! Maybe if I press the ‘esc’ key 100 times it will work!” Unfortunately, crazy-key-pressing is usually not the answer.
What we find interesting is while yes, we know how frustrating electronics can be (I am going to scream if my iPhone crashes again), we didn’t realize was how much it truly does affect our lives! Almost 50% of people have had over an entire day where they were unable to use their computer. 1 day without a computer is like 10 days in normal, non-computer days. How are we supposed to know what Susie is having for lunch and subsequently “like” her post of the low-cal turkey sandwich she chose at Panera? Impossible.
Long story short is that we rely on technology intensely, and when we are without it, we start to get stressed out (start to go crazy even). There are some awesome companies out there who are able to help (ummm, hello Support Squad). But this is more for us to let you know some pretty interesting numbers to let you know you aren’t alone with “Tech Stress.”
So, I just got my iPhone 4S and although the new iOS5 operating system took a few hours to download and program, it has some great features. I’m really excited about the phone itself and can’t wait to show it off to friends and family while chanting “nanny-nanny-boo-boo”.
The resolution on the 4S is noticeably better than its predecessor. The screen is crisp, clear and absolutely amazing to look at. I took some impressive pictures with the upgraded 8 megapixel camera. Moreover, the camera has been fitted with face detection technology and video recording has improved HD resolution.The new iCloud service integrates the media I have on my phone, with my iPad and Mac. Not having to constantly sync my devices to transfer music, apps, contacts, pictures, and videos from one to the other is pretty awesome. Even the Green Lantern movie I downloaded a few hours ago on my iPad, is now on my phone and Mac.
The new iOS5 software also has a notification center that displays the notification of texts, emails, missed calls, the weather and stock quotes when I swipe down from the top of the screen. I can program the part of the screen I want my notifications to appear on. While Twitter is now fully integrated into the phone, the new iMessage app lets me send messages, pictures and videos to others with an iOS5 device. The good news is the messages are free and do not count against my text plan.
The most popular new feature has to be Siri, the virtual personal assistant. If you are an Android user, you have the option to download the Speaktoit Assistant app. The technology is reminiscent to the the movie I Robot and Bicentennial Man. Siri actually understands me, like no other woman ever has! I am able to send a text by dictating my message to Siri and I can HEAR their responses without touching the screen. I told Siri to remind me to call my mother when I left work and she did. This required that I program specific locations in my phone first. I also asked her to marry me but she said “Let’s just be friends”… Bummer.
My 32GB iPhone 4S cost me $299 with a two-year contract. A decent investment, since my iPhone is always by my side. You can compare the new iPhone to the last two models here and for all the help you need configuring, syncing, and simply using an iPhone, check out smartphone setup and trouble shooting from Support Squad. So, whenever you are ready, I do recommend that you make the switch or upgrade. Unless of course you are one of the hopefuls waiting for the iPhone5 in which case I suggest you make like a bear and hibernate. It will be at least a couple of months before that model debuts.
With Google+ going public, everyone jumping on the Tumblr train, and Facebook about to debut Timeline (although they might be changing the name due to a lawsuit) the social media world is getting complicated really fast.
Look how cute he is, how can he not be the solution to all your social media problems
Seesmic is really simple, and covers Facebook, Twitter, MySpace (totally unironically), Tumblr, WordPress, LinkedIn, Blogger, Flikr, and on and on and on.
Enter every piece of information you've ever learned here.
There’s a lot to setup at first, but after that you can post to any of the accounts, or post to multiple accounts at once. It’s a pretty powerful little app, check it out.
