iPhone, want one but knew I should wait

...knew I should wait, but not for the same reasons that a bunch iPhone naysayers will bandy about. I definitely don't doubt the functionality of the device or what Jobs says it's capable of delivering.

But, Wow! Consumers can be really harsh. Of course, the tech industry as a whole has somewhat let themselves in for this by training us to expect "plug and play", instant services, etc.

I'm an existing AT&T customer. I've been an avid Mac user since 1985 and evangelize the benefits of Mac to people nearly daily. Even if I did have the budget to have gotten a couple iPhones last night I wouldn't have done it (except maybe for the atmosphere that is only avaialable at an Apple "event" like this. The people make the event as much as the opening, gadget, etc.).

With the convoluted mess that is a cell phone plan (pick your company, it isn't exclusive to Cingular/AT&T), did existing customers really think it would be instantaneous activation? That's a bit naive! When I do have enough saved to get a couple iPhones I intend to go to an Apple Store or AT&T store near my home, laptop in hand. I hope to work out all the sordid details of what I have to do with my family plan to make the iPhone usable before I buy the phone and try to activate it.

I have no faith whatsoever that I'll be able to get myself an iPhone to replace my existing phone and just be able to tack $20 per month onto my family plan. The online explanation was too simple, devoid of details for the myriad plans that exist among millions of current Cingular/AT&T customers to give me any confidence that it would be an easy move.

On the flip side, I'm not surprised at all that folks transfering a phone number from another service or setting up a new number were activated within minutes. There were no issues of traversing an existing contract, potentially incompatible existing service plan etc. They were coming to a fresh contract. Of course they were activated and up and running on the iPhone within minutes. This is still a milestone in phone activation processes. For a new number or transfer the iTunes activation is streamlined and utterly consumer friendly - pure Apple!

I feel for acquaintences who are still waiting for AT&T activation as an existing AT&T customer. I'm glad, as much as I'd like to have one of these cool phones in my hands at this moment, that I'm waiting until it makes sense to replace my existing phone. Maybe it'll be just a little smoother transition then if they're able to learn and apply anything from the intial AT&T buyer experience. (-:

Rethinking Machine Distribution. The Drobo ripple effect...

I've been slowly moving video content onto the Drobo. I'm finding that it's playback over wireless is quite good throughout our house. Of course, I can't quite do with a Drobo what can be done with an AppleTV, so I'm still considering one of those at some point in the future. Specifially for the iTunes movie playback that would be so convenient now that we're buying now and then.

So now I'm thinking of putting flat panels in locations I hadn't considered before. See, we live in a 210 year old stone house with a 204 year old frame addition. Shiny aluminum (or titanium...) isn't the most historically accurate thing to put into most of these rooms. But, I think I can get away with a carefully placed flat panel here and there.

This would enable a really great way to do slide shows, watch movies, etc. with family and friends.

Bravo Drobo... PCMag Editors' Choice as well!

It slipped by my attention until today but, the Drobo had also garnered a PCMag Editors' Choice back on June 13!

Drobo wins CNET Editors' Choice

Those of us evangelizing know the cool things our Drobo's are doing for us. Others are noticing as well.

CNET gave the Drobo an Editors' Choice award. Check out their review

Don't forget you can still get a $25 discount direct from the Drobostore using the code REFJENL!

App Reviews... check out iAppblog.com

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm keeping busy between postings for app comparisons (I know, I know... I need to get another one posted, and soon ;-).

If you head on over to iAppblog you'll see a great bunch of reviews by a group of dedicated Mac users.

Be sure to check out my latest postings. You'll find a really nifty app for Intel Mac owners who are "feeling the heat"!

Drobo Evangelist Discount available here...

Well, they've decided we've done such a good job for them in the beta test period that they'll trust us to offer you a discount through July 31st!

You got it. All you have to do is go to drobostore and use the discount code REFJENL and you'll still be able to get $25.00 off the $499 price. This discount code is good through July 31st courtesy Data Robotics and yours truly. (-:

I've been steadily filling up my Drobo and they've put out a really nice icon to replace the generic desktop icon. I've actually managed to stay ahead of the accumulation of videos and photos that have been proliferating over the last 12 months around here.

Take a look at gadgetell, MacNN or PCWorld for some recent reviews.

Also, check out the lastest TWIT podcast 100th Episode with Leo Laporte. In the midst of all the celebration of posting their 100th episode they fit in a discussion of the Drobo.

The Drobo is available from other retailers but you can only get the Evangelist Discount by ordering directly from the drobostore.com with the discount code listed above.

Btw, I know a bunch of folks are clamoring for interfaces other than USB 2.0. I get it, I do. But this is one convenient combination with an Airport Extreme! It was the simplest way to add networked storage to our set up and make it available for use while providing truly easily expandable storage.

Before the Drobo I'd accumulated 3 USB/Firewire cases with drives and then a set up with 3 swappable trays. None of those even comes close to the ease of using the Drobo and none has the ability to safeguard my data they way the Drobo does. It's worth giving it a look!