Wednesday, November 14, 2007, 1:31 pm

Another look at the iPod touch...

So, now that I've had the new iPod for a bit... I thought I'd jot down things I'd like to see in future updates.

One big advantage to having something that is much more like a computer, is that Apple can dramatically change the way this device functions... without requiring new hardware. At least, for now...

So, I'm curious to see what they will change.

Anyway, without further ado... the wish list:

  • I'd like to see them exclude music videos from music. They don't belong there, and if they do get sucked into a playlist, it only plays the sound anyway.
  • It would be cool if cover flow reflected the current playlist instead of the entire library... like it does in iTunes. Also annoying is when choosing a song from an album in cover flow, it automatically assumes you only want to listen to songs from that album.
  • I absolutely love being able to walk around with every episode of "The Office" and "Pushing Daisies" in my pocket. Even if I do have to record/encode the "Pushing Daisies" eps myself.
  • I like Safari's "session saver," but I'd like the option to clear the session without resetting the device.
  • I still don't like that it didn't ship with the iPhone apps on it, but that was easy enough to fix. I'm curious to see what happens when an update is released though.
  • Perhaps my biggest gripe is that smart playlists don't update on the device like they do on my iPod and my nano. For instance, if I have a playlist based on play counts designed to keep the playlist fresh, I have to dock it for the changes to take effect. That sucks. It can't be too hard to fix, because it does know when a podcast or TV show is played.
  • I've learned to double-tap the home button to quickly access volume/control features without unlocking... but it still seems like it could be easier. I read today that the iPhone has those features in the earbuds.
  • While browsing albums, the display features a thumbnail image of the album cover to the left... which is quite unintrusive. However, I'd like to see them add this to the song browser. It would be especially useful since song titles aren't terribly unique. For instance, I have the song "Stay" by Emmy Rossum, and another by Madonna... if I forget which one is which... or what versions are on the iPod, since I do have Shakespear's Sister, Lisa Loeb and The Four Seasons at home, I'd like a better way to tell them apart.
  • While for the most part the automatic joining of networks is handy... 'linksys' should not be one of these. Since the plethora of Linksys router owners out there don't rename their access point, it's annoying to have your connection jump to one that you might be "stealing" bandwidth from.
  • I am very, very satisfied with the battery life on this. I can't go weeks like I do with the nano (which granted, it only exists for purposes of my workouts), but I don't run out in five hours like I did with my old iPod. I do have a replacement battery for it though if I can get past the hard drive woes.
  • They should have put the headphone jack a wee bit closer to the dock connector... if only to enable this to work with the nano lanyards.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with my new toy, although there are some conveniences I enjoyed with my 3G iPod that just aren't on the touch. Namely the quick control access and updating smart playlists. It's a fun toy though, and being able to check email or hit the web from any wi-fi hotspot is awesome.

Yep, I think I'll keep it.

What i'm listening to:
Blackout Everybody
Britney Spears
Blackout

Wednesday, November 14, 2007, 10:22 am

Can men and women be friends?

Some weirdness going on.

Today, the ex called. Just to talk... and to apologize for being such a jerk.

Her word... perhaps not the one I would have picked.

So, what do I think about this? Well, it does seem a bit odd. I don't know how long the conversation would have lasted had the snowstorm in her part of the world not zapped her cell phone reception. I would guess not too much longer.

She updated me on her life... I didn't really have a lot to say. She did ask how I've been, and I had to answer honestly. It's been pretty fabulous!

I still believe I'm better without her than I was with her. So, why did I take the call? Curiosity, I suppose.

Yes, I know what they say about curiosity... but I figure if I'm comparing myself to a cat, I've still got a few lives left in me. And maybe each time, I'll be less of a wuss! =^)

So, now this question has popped up in my head. Can we still be friends? I have fair to strong friendships with every other ex... at least the ones who have stayed in the loop. There is one I've lost track of, and I'm not terribly willing to ask the people I'd have to ask to find her.

Besides, I'm not that interested in "finding" anyone. That implies that there is some shortage of women in the world... which is absurd.

What about that lovely barista at Starbucks? The single mom in the checkout line at the grocery store? The bouncy cocktail waitress who grabs my ass?

Then there's my dance partner, my wing-girls at the club, my favorite history major who works at the gym... so many women.

So little time!

So, why work on a friendship with the ex? Good question.

There are really only three things I care about: money, the pleasures that come with money, and women. A friendship with someone who burned me so badly doesn't really fit into the game plan... but on the other hand I do need to take more risks.

Perhaps, I'll look at it like a business deal. I'll go into it with an exit strategy in mind, only after making a list of profits and losses.

Maybe I just won't put that much thought into it... and see what happens.

However, I refuse to speculate on her agenda. I have some hunches, because I have learned a LOT about women since the "before time," so it'll be crucial to keep my shields up.

And I'll have to TiVo "Pushing Daisies" tonight... as I have to meet a couple of ladies tonight. Certainly, the best show on television since "Wonderfalls!"

What i'm listening to:
Touch Here Comes the Rain Again
Eurythmics
Touch
1