Cocktail Confessions

Between cocktails and lucidity, even I like to keep up with a few techno gadgets that I’d like to get my grubby little fingers on.

First up was a complete surprise to me, the “Zoom Q3 Handy Video” recorder.  I recently purchased the Zoom H2 audio recorder and am pretty impressed with it.  I actually recently recorded my very first podcast with it in interviewing my grandfather (I haven’t posted as of yet) and have plans to use it more often.  Well ‘lo and behold, now this little gem appears to be a first in the genre and records records 24-bit/48 kHz audio via a pair of condenser microphones, gets powered by two AA cells and captures video at 640 x 480 (30fps). There’s also a 2.4-inch 320 x 240 LCD and an SDHC card slot, though you’ll have to shell out $249 in order to get this kind of technology into your own pocket. 

From the pictures I’ve seen, it look as if it has very similar functionality and interface to the H2 audio recorder and may work out really word for video podcasting.  Of course, the list price of $249 is a bit much for me right now (you can probably find it cheaper online eventually) and it is a first gen (I tend to wait for second gen stuff unless they get real good reviews), so overall, this is a pretty cool little device.  And if you’re into recording your drunk friends or perhaps a little ‘bedroom olympics’ with out having to break out the big camera or cellphone, this may be the answer you’re looking for.

Next up is the long awaited Blackberry Storm 2.  I’ve been waiting for this since it was announced, or at least rumored, after the disappointing performance of the original Storm.  Rumor has it that the Storm 1 was released a little prematurely in-order to capture holiday sales last year and a lot of people complained about it’s tactile touchscreen keyboard and some other functionality.  Anyway, long story short, the Storm 2 is being hailed as what the original Storm ‘should’ have been and a vast improvement from the original.  Although I did recently read one review earlier today as a matter of fact that was more or less a complaint against the aging RIM OS, not the device itself.  Well, the OS can always be updated as MS does all the time anyway.

I’m with Verizon as my service carrier, and I truly do believe they have the best domestic coverage and customer service amongst all the other carriers despite a some criticism in their lack of phone variety, especially in the smart phone or PDA category.

Personally, although I suppose I’d like an iPhone just as much as everyone else does, in the end, I just want a good phone.  I’m not a huge believer of changing my phone every six months and as a matter of fact I have had the same LG VX800 for almost three years, and prior to that, I had another LG for just as long.  LG makes good workhorse phones…heck, LG makes good shit in general and I’m really impressed by all their stuff.  Can you believe I still have the same, original battery for my phone (3 years and counting) without ever having to be replaced?

That being said, Verizon does annoy me with all their stupid ass text messages, automated phones calls, and mailings stating I am eligible for a free phone upgrade.  Yeah, I know that…I don’t need you reminding me of that ever week Verizon.

So why do I want a Smartphone?  To be honest, I’m not exactly sure.  Yeah, it may be kinda cool to get an email here and there, to do some minor Facebook updates, but I’m not buying a phone to watch videos on a 2″ x 2″ screen or take professional pictures.  A lot of the ‘apps’ that are available are pure fluff, and I figure, I’ve gone on this long without having them and I don’t feel I’m missing out on too much….I’m actually saving money by not activating a data plan.  But my tech does feel a tad bit dated, and there have been a few ‘rare’ occasions I wish I could look something up, look at a map, or send/receive an email when there is no computer in sight.  But the data plans just kill me, and something I’d really not like to spend extra money on.