Addiction

Who would ever thought, me spending money on music. But yes, I am hooked. So, so badly, that even Kate is talking about my new girlfriend. I am talking about the iPod Touch I purchased some weeks ago. Luckily I had some money for X-mas and second lucky stroke me when a guy wanted to sell his second hand, two months old iPod. The reason was that he won the Classic with 160 GB. He offered me the thing for half price and, after thinking it over (5 seconds), I agreed to myself that I was in for a treat. And oh boy, what was I excited to buy my first Apple product ever. When it comes to spending money on these things and my opinion about gadgets and computers I am a true critic. For example I've been a loyal PC user and therefore also Windows user.

My first experience started with Windows 3.1 back in 1993. I was so excited back then that I was able to scan in a 265 tones of grey picture with my handheld scanner into my PC. In 1994 I started my first steps in the WWW, and boy I've seen it all. All the developments all the changes. And despite my age I am a little boy when it comes to technology. Curiosity is my biggest drive. After all these years also dissapointmet took it's place. I have a hate relationship with my PC. It's actually not the PC that is bugging me it's the damn Windows. I don't even bother to ever purchase Vista. I have enough trouble to keep my XP clean and running. And I am not the all-time IT guru. But from my practical knowledge and use over the years I predict that Microsoft reached it's ceiling. There is only one way to change it, and that is to totally take a new direction. But that would mean no downgrading to older software anymore, that would mean they have to abandon their clients. That would be disaster.

Take Apple for instance, I am not always fond of their arrogancy, but boy, they make hot products. But it's not only the product it's also the way they think. They think so smart that it's even complicated for me as a windows user to get used to their simplicity. I've been setting up a Mac for a friend. I felt like in heaven to be able to do this. And guess what? I got so damn confused because it was so simple. I am so used to adjust, configure, install and do all things necessary to get it running. And now? Nothing at all. I only had to install Leopard. That's it. Of course a few things like name and address stuff. But that was basically it. I can go very deep into details but I think everybody get's the point. I have to admit I like to fool around in a system to tweak it. But I don't like to do that because I HAVE to, so that the damn thing works. Making a fresh install takes me mostly 2 nights with XP. Conclusion: you don't need to be caught and sitting in Guantánamo Bay to feel the torture of the U.S. Just bombard the terrorists with Vista and you are making the suffering so badly. They won't even find time to attack anybody anymore. Just burning a CD with an alledged movie of some attack would keep them pretty much busy.

Anyway, back to my iPod Touch. It is true magic. I dare to say it's the first product ever that gives me 100% statisfaction. And it's even more then that. It's almost magic to use it. The smoothnes of the grahpics on the small screen are truly not comparable with any other handheld device. For my job I use a Nokia e62. That thing looks like a dinosaur in speed and possibilities compared to the iPod, and then I only compare the other features then calling. I was very fond of it in the beginning, but for now it's enough that it can call. And yes, I bought even a giftcard to purchase the latest software and some music from the iTunes store. And it gave me even more statisfaction. I am walking around in my house, doing cooking and some cleaning. When I lay down on the couch, I won't open the TV but I open the youtube on my iPod. I can take it anywhere around in my house and enjoy music and video.

Bottomline is that I think this is a true revolution in how phones and other devices should work. I can only imagine taking this kind of interface into a car. I own the new Ford Mondeo with touch screen for GPS, radio, CD etc. And it is sometimes really lacking in speed. In the morning my GPS can't even start without a proper warming up of the car. When I just take a look at Google Maps on my iPod then I am impressed. What to think about those small GPS devices? Anyway, most important what is also not to forget, it's the big fun factor that I see. Shouldn't using phones and other serious stuff not be more intuïtive in using and finally also be fun?