Review from the gut, the HTC Droid Incredible
I’ve had some bad luck with cell phones over the years, including briefly owning the Moto F3 which was perhaps the worst excuse of a cell phone that ever graced this earth. I also, within a week of buying what turned out to be a broken Blackberry on eBay, dropped it on my rocky driveway and shattered the screen. But now, finally, I am pleased to announce that I have felled those cell phone demons and proudly own an absolutely splendid phone on the Verizon network: the HTC Droid Incredible.
You can find any number of technical reviews elsewhere, so this one will be Putin-Bush style — from the gut. Google’s Android operating system isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty freaking awesome. A giant leap from my Blackberry Curve.
Here’s the features I most enjoy:
- when I add something into my calendar app, it instantly syncs wirelessly with Google Calendar and iCal on my Mac. The google voice app gives me visual voice mail for free.
- The web browser is fast. I use the BeyondPod app to get podcasts that I can download or listen to on demand. I can then play these through our car’s speaker system.
- With the NPR News app I can listen to MPR live at any time, or read or listen to popular news stories. It rocks Foursquare (I’m up to 6 mayorships, by the way).
- I can tether it to my laptop if I’m away from a wireless hub.
- The contacts automatically syncs pictures with Facebook accounts.
- I can track my runs with a free app, getting GPS reports of my speed, route, and then upload them to Twitter (which I don’t usually do, but I could).
- The camera and video recorder are smooth as silk, and the Navigation app is much better than our stand alone GPS. You can tell: I’m a fan.
That said, here’s the downsides I’ve experienced:
- I’m still getting used to the keyboard. It’s fine, but I get slowed down by dashes, exclamation points, etc.
- The battery life could be better. It was horrible last week in Decatur, but this week it’s better so I think it really gets drained if your Verizon signal is low. A higher capacity battery is on order, so we’ll see.
- I thought for a while, the Zagg screen protector I added was annoyingly plastic-feeling to the touch, but that’s changed after a week or two. Geez, I think that’s it for negatives, and I’m a pretty critical guy.
If you’re considering the HTC Incredible, but aren’t up for a Verizon update yet, check around the Verizon stores in your area. Strangely, the booth at the mall was able to upgrade me now, six months before the Verizon store near our apartment. I think the book was a “super seller” or something like that. And, yes, it’s difficult to make cell phone decisions not knowing what AT&T and Apple, Apple and Verizon are up to. Living in an area with non-existent AT&T coverage made that decision and easier one for me, and I’ve just figured you can’t know when/if Verizon will get the iPhone, so you have to live your like. Also, now that I’m on Android I can support their openness and real support of developers in action as well as words (as opposed to Apple’s policies). Surely, in a few weeks, there will be something faster and better, but for now I’m finally pleased as punch with my phone.
image from Engadget
A Few Product Recommendations
Ok, so the writing-on-the-side thing is going well so far, but it does deplete my blogging somewhat. I hope to start putting up short posts more often, but we’ll see. In any case, here’s a few products that I’ve really enjoyed recently that I thought I’d recommend for you all.
I received a pair of these great kicks for my birthday (thanks Terry & LouAnn) and I love them. Very comfortable. Styling with khakis or jeans. Good summer shoes that are way comfortable — I imagine they put chucks to shame. To top it off, $60 for a well-constructed good-looking shoe ain’t bad. I recommend.
Two Good Books: Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving & The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
I bought these books together at a bookstore going-out-of-business sale, and it turns out they are similar in several ways. Both tell the rather long story of an author finding his way in the strange world of the US, with signifiant time in another country. Both plots are very well-construed and as tight as 500+ page books can get. Neither are quite beach reads, as they deal with death, love, sexuality, violence, and other not-so-simple issues. But they are well-written and well worth the non-beach time.
Target Field, the new home of the Minnesota Twins
For as long as I’ve off-and-on lived in Minnesota (since 2001) folks have been fighting over whether to build and now to fund a new baseball stadium. Well, it’s here. It’s called Target field. It’s funded in large part by Hennepin County tax payers. And it’s pretty nice. I may post more later after I take in my first game this week (Thursday — can’t wait!), but by most accounts it is an impressive success. There’s no dome, which is both risky and right in my book. But it’s a field to befit Minnesota: reasonably sized, shows attention to detail, energy conscious, innovative without being ostentatious. Go Twins!
That was fast…
After dropping my other part-time job and deciding to write more, my first wee piece has been published online. Check out my review of Tom Long’s new book on the Christian funeral at WorkingPreacher.org
iPhone or Android, a Letter to Steve Jobs
Dear Steve Jobs,
Hi there. I’m a big fan — of your products, your business, and, well, you too — love the mock turtle necks. I have a conundrum, and I hope you can help me.
I understand that you generally keep product information tip-top secret. I understand this probably helps you make money and the like. But I’d like you to make an exception, just this once. I’m in the market for a new cell phone on the Verizon network, and well, the beloved iPhone is still hog-tied to AT&T.
Here’s the thing, the HTC Incredible is coming out in just a few days. According to all the reviews, it lives up to its name. It’s fast, sleek, and oh-so-ever-smart. As an avid Apple fan, I’m reticent to switch teams, but by all accounts Android is the real deal — not quite an iPhone killer, but a powerful match operating system for operating system.
If I had my druthers, I’d go with the iPhone over Android. An iPhone would probably sync better with my MacBook, and keeping my life together on iCal would be a breeze. I’d rather not fool with syncing Mail on my MacBack and a GMail app on Android. I know “good things come to those who wait,” but the thing is you’re so darn secretive you don’t even let us know if that’s true in this case.
I don’t have much money. If I go with the Android OS, I can’t switch over to the iPhone later. If you gave me the info — say the iPhone would be out on Verizon by June, or even by September I might wait. I probably would wait. But without the information, I can’t make an informed decision. You’re tying my hands behind my back, and I don’t appreciate it. And the flip side, I’m sorry to admhit, might be the opposite. I buy an Android product soon, and love it. Then, even when the next generation iPhone comes available, I might not bother switching back. I don’t like the sound of that — for me, or for you.
So can you level with me, Steve? What would you do — buy an Android product now, or wait for a Verizon iPhone?
Peace,
Adam
Travel Mug Marvel
Some people have life goals of curing cancer or climbing Everest; I search for the perfect coffee mug. My most beloved non-travel mugs are all handmade pottery, most from North Carolina. Such beautiful and functional mugs are not easy to find, but they are out there at least, awaiting my discovery if I invest enough time, energy, blood, sweat, and tears. The perfect travel mug is more elusive.
While not quite perfect, I have found a pretty darn good travel mug that I commend to your drinking pleasure.
The Contigo AUTOSEAL Stainless Steel Travel Mug is leakproof, extremely insulating, and looks good too. It
uses a patented sealing technique that completely closes the lid (that screws on well) until a button is released when you grab it to drink. So it functions as an adult sippy cup. It holds 16 oz, perfect for your grande extra hot non-fat vanilla latte. Some reviews said it’s difficult to wash, but the lid is dishwasher safe and all taller mugs take a little work at the sink. “Wait, is this the perfect mug?” you say. Well, it comes very close, but there’s a few downsides. First, and this sounds petty but it’s true: the mug keeps coffee almost too hot. I like hot coffee, but sometimes I need it to cool a bit before I drink it so my tongue can still taste later. If the lid is on the Contigo mug it takes several hours for coffee to cool. No joke. That’s usually great — I now just keep the lid off for a few minutes when I get a really hot cup of joe — but it’s worth noting, I guess. The only other downside is that the amount of liquid you get from each sip is a little smaller than I’d prefer. The flow isn’t as bad as some mugs, but if you’re a big gulper you might notice.
All is all, I really recommend the Contigo mug (I found mine at Target, after hours of internet research) and will take a respite from further life goal pursuing. By the way, if you’re in the market for a travel mug, do not be tempted by the Starbucks Recycled Tumbler which is a worthless excuse of a travel mug. It’s fancy lid makes a mess and lets out a really small amount of coffee. The whole thing smells plasticy and it doesn’t insulate for anything. Nice try Starbucks, but you need to learn a thing or two from Contigo. Now I’m off to reassess my life goals. Next up: best pair of socks 
Word of Praise, Part Two: The Wire
The Wire is the best television show ever made. After nine months of Netflix, iTunes, and other methods, I have finally watched all five seasons. Every single episode was well done — like it’s own mini movie — but they tied together from episode one straight through to the end.
I don’t watch much TV, so my calling The Wire the best show ever is judging from a very small sample size, but it’s got every element you’d every want in a show — character development out the wazoo, gripping adventure, socio-political themes left and right, perfect script, and tackles deep moral questions left and right. I’m also not alone, of course, as many a critic has labeled it the best ever as well as President Obama calling The Wire his favorite. The show is tied to its setting of Baltimore as much as any show can, and it takes Baltimore head on — in its glory and nastiness. The Wire was criticized in its day as demanding too much from its viewers, but that’s what makes it so good. A twenty second scene from one episode can drive a scene in an episode even a season down the road.
Now The Wire is not for everyone. There’s promiscuity, profanity, bad cops, alcoholism, thieving and lying — and that’s just one character. The Wire is not your usual rosy TV pick-me-up. It’s not Hollywood, it’s real life. And true of most good art, The Wire did not receive much popular success when it aired regularly on HBO.
The Wire was never a show I watched to wind down after a long down. It always revved me up. I’d finish episodes sweating and with my pulse racing, at the same time itching to analyze the themes of that episode while agonizing over when to start the next. I’m not one who knows these things, but if good TV takes on life at both its riches and most base, drawing out a thread so that viewers might see the world in a new way, then The Wire is the best TV I know. I will miss it deeply.
Words of Praise, Part 1: J Crew
For a few days, I’ll be putting up posts to give some much deserved shout-outs. The first is a big shout out to J Crew. Yes, J Crew.
I don’t think of myself as much of a corporate guy — with the notable exceptions of REI and Patagonia and sort of Starbucks — but J Crew really really impressed me recently and I wanted to thank them publicly.
About two years ago now, I bought some Red Wing boots through a J Crew catalog (it was birthday money, if I remember right). I loved the boots — perfect blend of style and utility. I wore them hiking, outside at various times, and around town as well. Well, a few months ago I noticed pain in my foot after wearing them. I tried several more times, but I developed a bruise on the bottom of my foot whenever I wore them. A little bump had sprung up in the footbed. So I called Red Wing and they said to talk to J Crew. I called J Crew and they sent me a postage-free label. I sent the boots back and waited for word.
Then, low and behold, I received a gift card to J Crew for $198! The boots were almost two years old and they refunded the full price. For various reasons, I rarely shop at J Crew nowadays, but I totally want to give them credit for some awesome customer service. Their products are way expensive, but if they are well made and backed with a guarantee, many well may be worth it. Thanks, J Crew. You rock.
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