I'm Baaaaaaack!!

Hello all. Finally getting back around to the old blog site. As we can all see, I haven't been out here too much.

Much, much has happened in the last year. Hard to list it all. But as this blog is really more for me to blather on about my new electronics and collaboration services that I run across daily, I thought I'd start with an update on the technology.

From the PC perspective - no change really. Still utilizing my Gateway Tablet PC running XP (SP3). It's been a VERY good laptop for the last 2.8 years. But it's seen better days. The cover is cracking and chipping off, and the hinge is getting rather loose. The HD is filled, so there are those issues as well. But for the most part, especially considering how I abuse it and travel with it, it's done OK.

I did finally move over to Windows 7 at home, and my new laptop will be Win7 as well.

Speaking of which, I was just informed that my lease is up and it's laptop renewal time. I am leaning toward a Dell E6410. The reviews are good, and a number of other folks have the i7 version of the unit and are happy with it. It's no tablet, and I'll miss that aspect, but...

...most of that I can do with the new Droid X smartphone that I am now carrying for the company. Received this little puppy about two months ago, and I have to say, I am very pleased.

The device is amazing and it runs circles around my old Samsung Windows Mobile smartphone. Android Froyo 2.2 is stable, fast and more than functional. The out-of-the-box connectivity with Exchange was great. I was up and using within 10 mins. I am not a huge "apps" person, but some of the things this phone will do are absolutely amazing.

Mostly I love the big screen. Now, I was a very big and vocal proponent of full keyboards. Going with the DX meant foregoing that option. I thought I'd hate the on-screen keyboard. Nothing could have been further from the truth. I have this loaded with Swype and I may never use anything else again. I like it that much. Best keyboard/text input tool I've ever used. Period.

My one big gripe is battery life. This puppy just sucks down the juicy-juice. I am slowly learning ways to optimize it, but it's pretty bad. I just received an extended battery yesterday, but honestly didn't see any improvement today. I am going to do the whole "turn the device off and fully charge" trick tonight and see if that helps.

Ok, gotta fly. Write more soon.