I’m not generally someone who reposts youtube videos all over my facebook page or wherever else but I thought these were worthy enough to make the blog:

Yes, it’s Budweiser but I thought it was a pretty cool video though the city of Chicago. The “look at me” part is my favorite.

Yes, someone else shares my opinion that Snuggies are stupid.

I tried the new Google Maps Navigation on my Droid today on my way home for work… pretty sweet.  The directions were clear and gave ample time before I needed to make any turns.  It also seemed to adjust really quickly to whenever I would deviate from the original route.  The only negative was that it did seem to suck a bit of the battery during my half hour commute because the screen obviously has to be kept on the whole time.  But it does turn by turn directions with street names.  Makes me pretty glad I didn’t buy a standalone GPS that I was looking for a couple months ago.  Looks like I’m going to need to buy the car dock and possibly a car adapter for longer road trips.

For more information on some of the features, watch this video:

Yep, I finally got a new phone after more than 2 years since I got my T-Mobile Dash, which is surprising for someone who works in technology and always seems to be purchasing some new gadget.  I was never sold on the iPhone despite it’s hype by everyone and my company was moving to no longer support Blackberry’s so I’ve been patiently waiting for something to peak my interest.  The basic features I needed a phone to have were 1) Exchange support and 2) a full QWERTY keyboard.  As much as I wanted to like the iPhone just like everyone else, I just couldn’t get used to the non-tactile keyboard after having one with my original blackberry from 4 years ago and again with my dash.   I tried it out at the apple store and was quickly frustrated at the inaccuracy of the text as I typed (and I do not have fat fingers!)  Everyone said it’s something that you get used to and you just have to trust the system but yeah, that annoyed me.  While I had a few friends at work who got the G1 and then the myTouch and seemed to enjoy them, I wanted to wait for at least a 2nd version before I jumped on the Android bandwagon.

So when I started reading more about the Motorola Droid on Engadget and Boy Genius Report, yeah I finally got excited.  I’ve had T-Mobile for 7 years because when I was in college, it was either them or Sprint and after hearing my best friend gripe about Sprint basically everyday, I was like nope.  As far as service, I was pretty satisfied with T-Mobile.   However, when I traveled to the Carolina’s or up in New England, that’s when I was definitely experiencing the limitations.  I could get cell phone service but internet was non-existent.   I was definitely open to switching providers.  This was the break down I got from most people:

• T- Mobile: Good service in major cities and cheap
• Sprint: Pretty good service but poor customer service
• Verizon: Best service but not a good selection of phones
• AT&T: Shoddy service but they have the iPhone

So, Verizon plus Android Phone that had Exchange support, QWERTY keyboard and wasn’t a huge brick… I was all about sold.  To add to it, I’ve also been debating buying a GPS and then I heard there was going to be turn by turn navigation through Google Maps.  Awesome.  Yes, Verizon is more expensive and I had to do some research into how not to spend $120 a month on service.  After hunting around and actually looking back into the number of minutes used and the number of text messages I sent in a typical month, I put together a plan that was maybe $5 more than what I was paying with T-Mobile.  (Yes, I barely used half of my 1500 anytime minutes)  It also helps the person who I used most of my minutes on (other than my parents) was on Verizon so that would no longer matter as Verizon has unlimited calling and texting to anyone on their network.  450 minutes (w/ unlimited nights and weekends), 250 text messages and the $29.99 internet plan for PDA/smartphone internet seemed all that I would need.

You bet I went to Verizon when it opened at 7 am the day the Droid was released.  There weren’t any huge lines.  Everything was very organized and the people were very nice there.  They didn’t try to upsell me to the $45 internet plan or 900 minutes.  The rep simply asked me if I had taken a look at their plans and I told him exactly what I wanted and that was that.   I did ask about if I ever wanted to expand the amount of minutes on my plan and he said just to give him a call if I ever thought I was going to go over my plan in a month and he would adjust it in advance so that I wouldn’t go over.  Cool.  Also, the porting of my phone number was quick and had no issues.

So far after 4 days of use, I’m pretty satisfied with my purchase.  My only gripes, other than apparently Sears was offering the phone for $50 less ($149.99) and did an instant rebate so you didn’t have to send one in and wait unlike what I have to do since I went directly to Verizon (Best Buy I hear was also doing the same sort of deal), Android 2.0 doesn’t allow me to search my company directory through my exchange account and there isn’t a current slingbox app.

Some upgrades from my previous phone that haven’t been mentioned yet:

• Copy/paste
• Multiple select to delete emails
• 5 MP camera with flash
• Threaded text messaging
• Different ringtones for all my different email accounts and text messages

Yes, the battery life is quite good (which you can interchange) and it is awesome that it already came with a 16 GB microSD card that you can expand.  The battery does seem to get a little hot when you are charging it.  I am still getting used to the keyboard not being as compact and some keyboard shortcuts aren’t the same such as if you hold down a letter, that it capitalizes it (or with my blackberry, it was the alternate character), but minor things that I will get used to with time.  I only have a few apps downloaded so if you have any recommendations, let me know.

I haven’t tried the navigation piece yet but planning to in the next couple days.  I will try to update after I use that feature.

Alright, I’ve got another site to add for you to check out that’s sure to give you a laugh.  I’m sure everyone has gotten the forwarded emails with the classic Olan Mills photos.   Well Awkward Family Photos takes those and adds even more humorous ones to the pile.