Apple Hi-Fi doesn't play nice with iPhone?

Picked up a few Universal Dock adaptors this morning for my iPhone this morning.

Much to my surprise - docking the iPhone into my Apple Hi Fi - gave me an interesting message.



the iPhone works fine in the hi-fi dock. it charges the phone too actually.

Chalk the Hi-Fi up as a 1st party product that sorta works with the iPhone.

New complaint about the iPhone

If you've grown accustomed to listening to your iPod in your car through an Auxiliary/Headphone cable - you may want to look for an accessory while out and about this weekend.

The iPhone has a very unique headphone jack. The iPhone will not allow a umber of headphone jacks unless they're shaped a certain way.


Below is a picture of a Belkin device (adapter) that I picked up today and it's getting the job done nicely.

iPhone

Like thousands of other fanboys, yours truly set out and purchased a brand new iPhone.

My story is nearly identical to most... with the exception that I didn't wait in line all that long. I drove up to a local AT&T store at 5:45 PM - stood behind 60 or so people and walked out of the store with my purchase at 6:23PM.

Setting up of the phone was easy.

I've read a number of complaints regarding issues with activation. I downloaded the latest version of iTunes - opened my newest gadget and began the initial set up.

It took me 8 minutes or so to complete the iTunes-activation. I received word that my phone number was in the process of being transfered from T-Mobile and it would take anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours.

Took the dogs for a brisk walk. Upon my return the iPhone was completely ready for use.

I could go into chapter and verse about how stunning the UI is on the device. The experience, simply put - amazing.

It's an engineering benchmark.


That said - I conducted a number of quick tests. I set up the iPhone to work on my home WiFi network. That took 5 seconds or so... working in an all Mac environment doesn't hurt.

After running through all the Apps - I called my father at his home and asked about the phone quality on his end.

One of the biggest complaints I received from friends and families was that I couldn't be heard all that well while on T-Mobile.

My father confirmed what I had hoped.... he said that I sounded crystal clear.

I called 5 or so other friends all of which confirmed the same thing.

As cellphones go... I'd give it an 8.8 out of 10 in regards to call goodness.


Dislikes

One of my biggest dislikes of the phone is the inability to drop songs onto it like any iPod I have ever owned.

The device insists on syncing entire libraries or playlists.

I'm hoping that a firmware update address this in the near future.

Another complaint is that the phone doesn't mount onto the desktop to utilize free space on the device - as a portable HD.

I'm only going to assume this was done so that the device couldn't be compromised.

Anyhoo - the iPhone is well worth the price of admission. If you're thinking about getting one - I highly recommend that you swing by an Apple store or an AT&T local to see what all the fuss is about.

.alamo city rollie.

Happy Brithday : Lauren

Want to extend birthday wishes to my dearest Lauren in Motown this morning.

Truth be known... we've had our fair share of ups and downs. This is the first birthday (in 8 years) that she's celebrating where we're both on good speaking terms with each other.

She's been insanely supportive and patient with me over the years.

I sincerely wish you the Happiest of Birthdays.

.alamo city rollie.

Terrible Wednesday

Where do I start...

• I'm fighting off allergies or I have a head cold... I got little sleep last night.
• I opted to work a half day today... I came home after lunch in hopes of getting some much needed rest. After falling asleep for about 35 minutes - a person knocks on the door. After 10 months of consistent complaints - our leasing co. has decided to send someone over to remove 3 dead trees on my property.

The sounds of CHAINSAWS and crashing trees disrupts any chance of rest.

My sister strolled back home at 2:00 in the afternoon. I ask her to look after the pets so that I can could get some sleep.

To her credit... she assisted on that front and I got three hours of sleep, but that was soured this afternoon when I discovered that my brand new lawnmower and weedwhacker have been stolen.

The garage door was left open this afternoon so that "it could be aired out" (read: my sister couldn't be bothered by having a musty smelling garage" - so they were taken out.


CRIME sucks.

Big birthday ups

Want to extend some belated birthday wishes to my dear friend Heather.

I'm not really allowed to make any mention of her on my blog... she loves her anonymity so I won't give any further details about her.

If you read this post - make it a point to carve out some time to catch up this week. I need to talk to you about your recent trip and I wan to hear all about the birthday.

.aCr.

September29th | Summer Movie Guide

With summer now in full swing, the boys and I got together and recorded a Summer Movie pop culture podcast.

I know I say this all the time, but we're going to really try and deliver shows with more frequency.

Click on the word PODCAST above to check out the podcast section of the site.

When your horoscope scares you...

Dear friend (and life long crush of mine)  Emo V.  sent me my horoscope this morning....   I usually roll my eyes when I read these things but todays entry was a little spot on.   I'm genuinely spooked.

The next few months will involve getting your act together. The part of you that likes to go with the flow may need to get up off its butt and work a little harder, or at least be more organized. There are opportunities all around you. When they come knocking, you can't answer the door wearing your bathrobe! The part of you that still believes you were never meant to get anywhere loves to disguise itself as a hipster with a laid back attitude. Self-sabotage is the ego's favorite trick. Don't be fooled by it again. 

Recent DVD rentals

Watched a number of movies over the weekend... below are some thoughts.

Smokin' Aces : despite having an embarrassing ammount of accomplished actors... Smokin' Aces isn't worthy of a recommended movie rental. The picture desperately tries to find a voice while never feeling the bit original. Sucks Wang

The Grifters : Rented this movie after it got a heartfelt plug on the Tony Kornhiser show... The film stars John Cusack, Anjelica Houston and a rail thin Annette Bening. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this film to friends... If you're in to Pulp - then you need to see this. If you're at all interested in seeing Annette Bening naked - then I would also recommend that you drop everything and see this.

The Queen: I can't believe how much I enjoyed this movie. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't know very much about Queen Elizabeth II before seeing this movie... I imagined her to be a quiet, symbolic figure - who showed up around the globe for good cheer and good will.

The movie centers itself at the time of Princess Diana's death.... so the film focuses on the turmoil surrounding the Royal Family.

My favorite part of the film was seeing the Queen and a recently elected Tony Blair work together at a very difficult time for the Royal Family.

Again... the things portrayed in the film could be far fetched, but it was a fascinating picture.

Rocks Royal Wang

Soprano's Series Finale

The Sopranos season finale aired this evening and I wanted to quickly weigh in on the ending.

For those who watched it (spoiler alert), the final scene was rather interesting. Tony agreed to meet his family (wife & children) for dinner at a greasy spoon.

Tony arrives early - selects a Journey song on the diner jukebox and awaits his family to join him.
The closing minutes of the show are incredibly tense with Tony looking up every time the diner door opens only to find that its not his wife or children arriving, but suspicious people whom could fit the profile of a "hired hit".

A feeling that Tony would have to endure for the remainder of his life.

The show closes with Medow opening the diner door and the show cutting to black.

I'm of the opinion that nothing happens to Tony. There's moments on screen where a director can make any audience member feel what a character is experiencing.

Example : When you see Psycho for the first time... the shower scene is incredible because we can all relate to being vulnerable while bathing.

The tense feeling at the end of the Sopranos was no different. David Chase went to great lengths to comment on our current state of "fear".

Not knowing whom or what will be next - is what we were able to experience.

What Art Houses aren't showing in San Antonio

Got word from my friend Jaime that the film ONCE is one of the most rewarding movies he's seen in a long time.

Said film however isn't playing at our local art house, the Bijou.

Yet another reason why I find this city so frustrating to live in...

Go Spurs Go?

I've neglected to weigh in on a little something called the NBA Finals...

On my way into work this morning - I walked by the AT&T center and took these photos...

While many around me are happy to see the Spurs in the NBA Finals - I wish that the city wouldn't succumb to temporary-gaudy-structures.

Voxtrot : S/T

A few years ago... I posted a little blurb about a Austin band that released a promising EP that went by the name Voxtrot.

Since that little post, Voxtrot has released 3 promising EP's and they've performed tirelessly throughout the states.

Just last week, the band put out its eagerly awaited full-length and I made it a point to pick it up over the weekend.

I've given the album a number of listens and find myself feeling a little underwhelmed by the "safe" effort. I don't really know what I was expecting to hear... I really wish I could describe the promise I felt when their first EP came out.

The album isn't bad by any stretch... its just came up a little short after all the wait.

BBQ at 6110

My sister and had a little BBQ at our house last night... below are some photos I took while grillin' up some eats.

The Crocs: I purchased these in Austin 6 months ago... I use them for yard duties, dog walks and quick errands in the neighborhood. As you can guess... I catch an outrageous amount of shit for it.
The Set UP: I'm a little bummed out about having the BBQ in the back yard last night... I had hoped to grill out of the garage so that I could spin records and blare CLASH 7" singles into the evening air.


Elliot and I: When I wasn't grillin' goodies, I spent some time with my little pet - Elliot.

Do's and Don'ts of Logos

The London 2012 games launched their logo today and its quite possibly the worst event-branding-logo that I have ever seen.



Update:

In in a matter of minutes... i just ran across a fabulous spoof.

180Grams

While having brunch @ Twin Sisters over the weekend, I ran across an article in a local rag about a local indie record store called 180Grams.

Independent record stores are really rare around these parts and I was even more shocked to hear that its been in existence for over 2 years.

Dropped the few things I had to do on Saturday morning and traveled over to introduce myself and seek out the new Voxtrot album.


Am I ever glad that I did so.... Not only is the record store top notch, the owner happens to hail from a small town I attended High School at.

We conversed about Valley and the city's taste for "metal".

If you're in town and have a indie itch to scratch - look no further than 180Grams. The place caters to vinyl, but they have a select choice of new and used CD's.

San Seattle is a little more like it...

Someone needs to seriously do a re-analysis of year-long-waterfall in San Antonio... If it stormed here any more it would be regarded as San Seattle.

@ the Cinema

Met up with some friends last night to watch two movies at a local cineplex.

The first one was Pirates of the Caribbean (At World's End)... the third of the Pirat had a very hard time finding anyone willing to see it with me. The film pulled an obscenee trilogy. I amount of money last weekend... I won't bother with a detailed review. I think it was the best of the three Pirate movies. I sincerely hope that the series is put to bed.


The second film was a true treat. I was asked to attend a private (advanced) screening of Knocked Up and agreed to watch it at midnight.

I honestly can't say enough good things to say about the movie. It's an unapologetic comedy that explores relationships & unexpected pregnancies.

The trailer (in my opinion) lends itself to being a fun "date" movie... A "chick" flick - if you will.

The film however is a fabulous commentary on contemporary relationships.

A true film that is really rewarding for those in their 20's and 30's.

If urge you to drop everything and catch this movie.

.alamo city rollie.