In search of a cool backpack..
...and I came across this one. Hot or not?
Think of them as a tiny, portable computer solution with the bare necessities you need for tasks such as surfing the web, emailing, document creating and chatting. For those of us who live and die by the iPhone, Blackberry, or any other mobile phone which offers internet capabilities, the netbook might not be that essential in our on-the-go computer diet. Why carry an additional mini PC when you already have your handy-dandy-all-in-one super-mega-ultra phone? But for those of us who never seem to stick around in the same place for long and desire a bit of a bigger screen and don't want to lug around a full-sized laptop, a netbook might offer that instant internet access and minimal computer gratification.
The PC industry also seems to be targeting more women with mini notebooks, netbooks, lifestyle PCs, whatever their parent companies have labeled them. HP has partnered with Vivienne Tam, fashion design extraordinaire, to bring out a swanky fashionable version of the netbook that may entice us girlie girls with its pink and red mix. The Sony P is not as blatantly catered towards women, but hints at women with its multiple color options, and clutch-sized feel perfect for a purse.
Each tiny PC varies in specs so it was hard to decide which one ranks best. Pricewise, the Samsung is clearly a winner, just because I cannot justify dropping $899 on the Sony one, when I can get a regular sized full-featured notebook for the same price if not less. But overall, the Sony P Series is probably the best bet in terms of features – with a 60GB HDD, 1600 x 768 res screen and it looks as slim as a tin mint-box weighing in at only 1.4lbs. Not pictured, the Dell Mini 9 and the Asus EEE PC are other popular comparable mini PCs.
Oh, by the way, if you ever want to customize your notebook with a unique design, there are also companies that offer stickable skins, such as http://www.skinit.com or a little more permanent pro color jobs like http://www.colorware.com
As for me, I'll stick to my iPhone for now.
On a lighter post, what do you think about these mugs? These have been floating around the blog world. I've always been a sucker for happy faces.
OK so this week is notorious for tech-lovers because the hype is centered around all the newest releases and products announced at MacWorld and the Consumer Electronics Show.
While it's definitely a plus to be able to check out these massive shows in person, just because you can get a better feel for things when you're up close and personal, thank goodness for blogs, internet, and real-time coverage for those who can't make it.
So many innovative products have been introduced for 2009, I love the path of technological advancements. It's amazing what we can come up with. It doesn't take much to impress me though, I'm a sucker for gadgets and knickknacks.
Here are a few that have caught my eye so far, we'll see what else comes up as my eyeballs surf the net.
1. Swiss Army Knife
It's not just a Swiss Army Knife. This is like the Yeti of Swiss Armi Knives. Forget the traditional scissors, blade, and nailfile, this baby's got a removable 32GB USB flashdrive. Yeah, seriously up to 32GB! I didn't even realize they had that capacity for flashdrives yet.
2. Palm Pre
This bad boy's getting a lot of hype, and well-deserved. Maybe iPhone will meet its match? The Palm Pre is their snazzy new phone with a WebOS platform (heaven for web developers), kick-ass UI, and comes with a wireless charger. So, can we think of it as a mini-mini-laptop with phone capabilities (maybe?) One of our dear friends works at Palm so this is even better news! This is definitely worth keeping on your radar. A lot of people are disappointed to learn they are tied with Sprint, maybe the only drawback.
3. LG Watchphone
When I learned they were coming out with this I immediately had the urge to drive out to the corner of 11th and Hope (wherever really, the intersection doesn't matter), and whisper into my watchphone about my coordinates, and pretend I am some important super-hero. Someone mentioned to me, like Dick Tracy? Oh, yeah, sort of like that. Anyway, it's probably not the most ideal phone for people, but it's pretty wicked. I think the face looks really clean, and doesn't look as bulky as I thought it would be.
OK, so Samsung had to come out with something to outdo the Blu Ray player I just bought. Although, I'm not sure if I feel the new design, it may be slimmer, but it looks really wide. Maybe it's the angle of the camera? (via engadget.com)
These are called Sanuk Sidewalk Surfers and I first saw them on a film director's feet. Those who don't hail from LA, assume we Los Angelenos run into celebrities and directors everyday. This is NOT true. But sure we may drive by an occasional film shoot and stare intensely at the directors' wardrobe, that's how I first spied these. He had on the most casual cargo shorts (it seems most people in TV or movies have this freedom), and the softest looking shoes I've ever seen. I tried on a pair at a local surf shop and they fit the bill. Too bad the only pair they had left were visibly dirty samples they kept on the salesfloor.
Curbing my shoe addiction is not an easy task. My
friend Elle sifted through my closet and exclaimed, you have so many
shoes! But they're all sneakers! She couldn't understand it. No Jimmy
Choo's, no Manolo Blahnik's (not that I could afford any of those
anyway), no espradilles nor gladiators. Hey, these don't qualify as sneakers though, they're more like slippers.
Low top Kobes! Hooray!
Truth be told, I have always worn mid-tops to play ball, never a fan of high-tops because I have this issue with that constricted feeling around my ankles. So the kicks I use to actually play in, have always been mids. Now that they're coming out with these low's in February, I'm stoked!
but these Shticks are for flagging your fellow drivers.
Available at Urban Outfitters
http://search.urbanoutfitters.com/?q=shticks
OK, maybe it's because I'm aging.. or maybe it's because I really look forward to coming home and laying on my couch while watching TV... but I've recently thought about investing in a recliner. Mind you, I have no such true intentions of doing so. I don't really have a place for it (unless I sell my current couch), and I probably shouldn't be spending my hard-earned money on something that will make me a lazy bum indoors.
But have you ever tried sitting in one of these? Once you sit down, it's so hard to get back up. I could enjoy many basketball games from the comfort of one of these bad boys.
I do realize none of them that I've seen look remotely cool. They've all got an old school vibe to them, like something grandpa would have around the house. I guess sometimes you sacrifice hip and modern for good old fashioned comfort.
If not a recliner, I predict my future couch will have a sectional piece so I can lay down and be somewhat perpendicular to the TV, face-forward, rather than laying on my side. I could get one for my dad for Christmas, but not sure how he'd react to one. You see, my dad falls asleep on the couch far more often than I do so he'd be the perfect candidate for one...but he's also a penny-pincher and more often elicits a "why'd you spend money on that for?" before a simple "thank you". But maybe if I were to find one for a bargain deal... then he'd be like super-proud of me. Hmm.... gonna keep an eye out...
My heart skips a beat to:
That really good song that you can put on repeat without getting tired of it, the perfect swish from nothing but net, bright colors that scream attention which I don't like to bask in, cars that remind me of cartoons, Nippon culture, the right sneakers for every occasion, the honest "I've-missed-you" look my dog gives me when I come home, a quick run in the dark imagining someone is chasing me, frozen desserts of many fulfilling kinds, heroes or arch-nemeses, life ambitions and carpe diem actions, exercising brain power, exploring So Cal, and eating food that is yummy-yummy, in my tummy. Did I mention I'm a web-junkie? Long live internet!
