The Computer Next Door

Who Needs the iPad (redux)

I guess I am not alone about wondering if I (or we) really need the iPad:

Dylan Tweney of Wired Magazine recently did a succinct roundup of alternatives to the iPad, in case you are also not convinced you need this new toy:

The iPad won't be out for a few weeks, but that doesn't have to stop you from getting on the e-book train today. In fact, there are a ton of e-book readers and proto-tablets that you can buy now, and some of them are pretty good. Come to think of it, who even needs an iPad?

I rarely feel like I'm on the same track as the Tech Press, but there you go.

Do We Really Need the iPad?

I have been trying to figure out if I need an iPad.  I mean, it looks nice (from afar).  I haven't seen the actual model yet but I'm sure I will once April rolls around.

What I haven't wrapped my head around yet is the price.  Do I really need another $500 gadget?  I mean, sure, it may be a fine alternative to the other expensive gadgets I also haven't bought yet that are competing for my wallet share, namely: the Kindle and the Nook.  Butl, as I have mentioned before, I am reasonably happy reading books on my multi-purpose iPhone.

So really, Apple - is this techno push, or what? Let's design a cool product and then bet the farm that developers and consumers will flock to it because it is cool?  I do wish I could be sold on this concept, but I prefer (for now) to protect my hard-earned dollars.

Losing Weight (or Not) with my iPhone

It's relatively painless to track calories with LoseIt! on the iPhone

After coming back from a tropical vacation recently, I realized it was time to get back on the wagon about tracking calories.  It's really easy to let it get away from you.  So I took up again with mobile phone application I had picked up for my iPhone - LoseIt!.

This free application helps you set goals and track calories and exercise, and then shows you a little graph of your progress. Or, in my case, lack thereof.  It really doesn't let you off the hook.  I had started my tracking before the vacation and when I took it up again discovered (uh, oh) a slight weight gain after vacation return. 

But that's why I like it - it's hard to cheat.  This combined with a private Who's the Biggest Loser competition I'm having now with a friend in a similar boat may turn this into a pretty useful tool.