As I randomly went through links posted by contacts on Facebook, I came across some good stuff to read. And then I realized that I wasn’t using RSS anymore. There was a time I used to open up my RSS reader (NetNewsWire) along with Outlook/Entourage/Mail when I booted up the laptop. That was when I was a Mac. Since I’ve moved to Windows, I’ve realized that I don’t do this anymore. I had migrated to Google Reader a while back and still have all my subscriptions up there, but hardly ever visit them leave alone adding new ones. Wonder why…

And that got me thinking if devices had anything to do with this. Just last night I held and played around a bit with an iPad. I can’t help but think that it can’t be the best tool for productivity. It could just be me with the need of a keyboard and a screen that doesn’t require me constantly looking down, but I can’t imagine using the iPad for actual work. As an e-book reader or music player or movie player or an internet browser or some such casual activity enabler, maybe. But I may be proved wrong later (notice how I kept a way out of that for myself? Heh!).

Some other things that I’ve stopped using a lot lately include a Twitter desktop tool. I was hooked to TweetDeck for the longest time, but I now (occasionally) use Digsby’s built in tool. It’s lighter, faster and less distracting. As I write this, I was inspired to download an RSS reader and resume the reading. Dangerous since it is a huge distraction… But worth it.

Rather slow in the head, I’m feeling. Must be all that food I ate for lunch. I forgot to mention the state of negligence this blog is in. No tools to blame for this. Except my fingers. Hopefully I’m back. But then, I’ve said that before.

Hm.

So I am using it.

And I have to say the 15” screen is quite a positive change. Not to say I’m not missing my Mac already, but I am kicked about the 4GB RAM and 500GB HDD…

Unboxing pics to follow (yes, I know that’s seriously geeky, but so it is!)

One of biggest problems with Windows was that BSOD. And so far, I’ve seen only one instance of it come up since the Beta was announced about a couple of weeks ago. Not bad!

One of the main reasons my Apple solidarity is beginning to waver is because of the lack of support for a range of things. My BlackBerry, for instance. It doesn’t always entirely sync with the Mac. There’s some selective work going on there. And then there’s some other stuff I’d like to use for daily work (like Windows Live Writer), but I can’t.

Now, about 90% of my work is on the web and Mac does pose some problems on this front for me too. Changing folder permissions on a server is one of these.

One of the biggest things about having a Mac is the reaction it gets from people (yes, still!). It’s odd how many people will look at you as if you’re from Mars or you have too much money if you own a Mac (neither of which is true, let me add). And I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss the snobbery owning a Mac allows me. (One of the common reasons I give when my iPhone doesn’t pair over Bluetooth with others is that “Apple doesn’t talk to inferior products!). I know there will be a lot crow to be eaten… live by it, die by it!

All said and done, the biggest reason is the lack of games for a Mac. I love the odd indulgence and with a Mac, I’m kind of stuck to Tetris (or Quinn, which I have). I wouldn’t mind the odd Saturday spent on Cricket or Formula 1 and I’m not too keen in investing in a console for that.

Over the coming weekend, I’ll be installing W7B using Boot Camp on my Mac to give it a test run. If it goes well, who knows? Maybe this year, I shall return to the Windows camp. Not without some kicking and screaming before, though!

Of course, the transition wouldn’t be painless. For one, finding a Windows machine with somewhat attractive looks and a good keyboard has long been a struggle. Only the Sony Vaio (and select Dell models) comes close. But the FW series of the Vaio is somewhat expensive to be honest. For the same amount of money, I could get a Mac! And that’s where I keep going in circles. A recent Lenovo acquisition by someone in office did make me take notice, but didn’t stay on in my mind for over 5 mintues. It looks rather large and ‘unlaptop-ish’ after a while. More so since I’m used to a 13″ MacBook. Not that I’m looking to change computers tomorrow. No sir-ee! It’s a long way back to move to Win.

So while I ponder and investigate options, I would like some help from those in the know. Should I? Shouldn’t I? Or am I on this side forever? You know… once you’ve gone Mac, you can’t go back?

“I don’t think anyone will buy the iPhone at this price. But there is hope for Airtel and Vodafone if they have a store near a mental hospital–provided the patient has enough money with him.”

Indiatimes via ContentSutra
Also: Suckers!

Technorati Tags: Apple, iphone, airtel, vodafone, iphone 3g, iphone india pricing, iphone price

Vodafone has sent this out today:

The above, if you ask me, the one with the discerning eye, points to the fact that the iPhone will cost Rs 30,000-plus. D-uh! I can’t understand why Apple would position this as a super premium product. Sure the subsidies offered in the US are not available to the Indian consumer but at 31k+, they have driven away the largest potential market of 18-24 for whom this is an uber cool gadget to have.

Which also means that the unlock market is safe and will flourish further. Especially for handsets that are brought into India from outside. I mean, who will spend 30k+ when they can get the same for about 15-20k?

The fact also remains that those who badly wanted an iPhone already have one. They aren’t going to wait till even this weekend for the official stuff. Don’t matter to them. So who is left? Those who can’t get one from the US and those who can’t afford the illegal one. Well both parties won’t be too keen on this offering either.

Incidentally, I am selling my first generation iPhone. 8 Gig. Current cost in India is Rs 31,000! Mine’s about seven months old. In mint condition as they say. Upgraded to 1.1.4. Make an offer, if you wish.

I defend Apple at every opportunity. I run down Microsoft as if they owe me money. I try and buy only Apple products and genuine software. I have an unlocked iPhone and would have wanted the 3G official one. But alas and alak, this leaves me no option. Apple has disappointed me. They are a bad apple. Bad Apple.

I must turn to Symbian for my next fix. The Nokia E66 continues to look tempting. What say?

P.S.: I didn’t pre-register. A friend who did shared the above mailer. Hence “Hello Atul”!

Technorati Tags: apple, iphone, 3g, vodafone, iphone india, gadgets, iphone 3g, iphone price india, india iphone cost

As my favourite humor writer (and now tech as it seems!) points out:

The 8 GB version of the iPhone 3G will cost Rs. 31,000, while the 16 GB version will cost between Rs. 36,000 and Rs. 37,000.

These prices are not inclusive of the plan these phones will come bundled with.

So there. Go cry. If you don’t want to cry, I am selling mine (seems silly, but it still costs about 25% less than the price of the new one) and you can make an offer!

Of course, the above is subject to the prices not being rumors (is the Apple PR machinery at work here?).

Anyways, there isn’t any point in buying the 3G phone at this price when you can’t even use the 3G.

While on the subject, I had recently listed a few things to write on and this is one of them. So may as well!

The reasons I am bored of my iPhone:

1. It has lost the novelty value. Anyone has it!
2. My concentration span for a phone is six months max. In that sense, the iPhone has been the longest I’ve had a phone in a while (at 8 months, it beats the previous ones: E61i lasted 4 months, M600i for 6, P990i for four, MotoRAZR for four, O2 Atom for three prior to the Jesus phone)
3. I have my eyes on something else (no peeking!)
4. I want a keypad phone
5. I discovered BlackBerry. So I want my ‘regular’ phone to be basic… don’t need it for mailing or browsing since I have an unlimited plan on the BB.
6. Sliders have caught my fancy
7. Touchscreen is now passe (for me)

So there. I said it. Any offers? Leave a comment.

Now if only I could remember where I read that… tech2.com or ibnlive.com?

At 3.15pm today, the spell was still on! The original screenshot was taken on June 10… over a week ago!