An Open Letter To Palm

Dear Palm:

It's a big week for you guys; I wish you nothing but great things. My firm helped you guys launch the Treo several years ago (note: that's my first effort to hopefully soften you up) and though the business relationship ended a long while ago, we've remained fans from afar (kiss ass effort # 2).

I'm sure you are waiting with bated breathe this week for the reviews from the Big Boys: Walt, Pogue, Wildstrom et al. While all eyes will be on them -- and of course, I expect nothing but glowing reviews (Kiss ass #3), I'm hoping that you can .... well, there's no dignified way of saying it. I am hoping you can hook a blogger up.

While I don't have the biggest audience in the world, they are tech savvy, and pretty loyal to these pages. And if you do a quick search, you'll see that mobile devices probably ranks as item number four on these here pages, behind cancer, running, and music, and ahead of my Wife, Kids and work. I've reviewed multiple devices, including iPhone (repeatedly), HTC 8525, Motorola Q and soon, the Nokia e71. Beyond that, I've owned several other mobile devices, including pretty much every Blackberry ever made.

With the exception of perhaps the iPhone, I've never pined for a device quite as much as the Pre. To be honest, I'd probably bite the bullet and sign up with Sprint, except for the small little fact that I'd be risking divorce. Even so, I'm giving it consideration. There's also the not so small fact that the $70/month Sprint data package is a tad expensive for what would be a third account.

So here's what I'd like to kindly propose: hook me up with a test unit for 30 days, and I'll write about it at least once a week, if not more. At the end of said 30 day period, if I love it, I'll cancel my ATT subscriptions and buy my own (and of course, sign up for Sprint in the process).

Thanks for the consideration and I have y fingers crossed that you fid it in your heart to show some love to a pitifully pathetic, piddly and at times pedantic little blogger such as myself. I recognize this is a spectacular longshot, but still, a guy can (shamelessly) try, can't he?

Pogoplug

I received a new product today, and boy is it ever cool. I might go so far as to say that it's my product of the year. Important disclaimer before I go on: the folks who make the chip that drives this product are a new client of my firm. But that's not why I am recommending it: I am recommending it because it's incredibly easy to use and cool as hell.

The product is called Pogoplug and you can link to it it here. It's beyond simple: you take a zip drive, any old zip drive and connect it to the Pogoplug, which in turns connects to your router. What this then does is transform your zipdrive into a networked zipdrive that is accessible anywhere via Internet access. So, I no longer have to carry around my zip drive whenever I travel; I can access my music collection (which is fairly voluminous) from virtually anywhere. Same goes for movies, photos, documents, etc. Not only that, but I can enable access so that select individuals can also access my drive. In my wonky little tech world, that is pretty powerful stuff. And if you happen to own a MacBook Air, like I do, this is game changing in that it frees up your one USB port for other things.

The best part about all this? It's available for less than $100. I'm convinced this is going to be a game changer.

Let me know if any of you are interested in test driving it and I will open up access. At minimum, it will provide you access to some cool new music.

My Backyard

Holy cow, the June issue of Runners World covers some of the trails in my very own backyard. Many of these runs are literally in my back (ok, front) yard and a few I run several times a week. I read articles such as this and am reminded that I am lucky to live where I do. Anyway, check it out here and let me know what you think.

Born To Run

I know I'm a great big running geek, so what I say on this topic has to be taken with a grain of salt, but I could not recommend a book more than this one. It's not just a great running book, it's a great book period. The author spins a terrific TALE and this one is highly enjoyable, regardless of whether you are an ultra runner or a coach potato.

My man Payro and I actually went to see the author speak last Thursday night in Marin County. It was extremely interesting but Payro was so dorked that he kept talking and talking to the author, while a line of about ten people waited behind him, somewhat impatiently. Finally, the author said something to the effect of "hey man, I'd love to talk to you after the event, but I really need to sign these other autographs." The ultimate brush off. I think I goofed on Payro for an hour straight after that one.

Anyway, pick up "Born to Run" via Kindle or hard copy; I promise you'll be stoked. Perhaps not quite as much as Payro, but stoked all the same.

Taken

Lots to report -- I have my brother and his family in town and had my boy Payro in the days preceding -- and of course my parents before him --and we have been keeping quite active (hence, the lack of posting) -- but the short report tonight: rent Taken, starring Liam Neeson, immediately. How that movie did not do better in the theaters is beyond me. It's just as good -- if not better -- than the recent Bond and Bourne films and quite possibly might be my film of the year thus far. Liam Neeson makes for an unlikely, but ultimately, very believeable action hero. I think he has a franchise on his hands if he wants it.

Anyway, it's a very fast and entertaining movie, albeit somewhat mindless (which is generally my favorite form of entertainment). My br and I both give it two very big thumbs up.

American Idol Redux

Ok y'all; who do you think is going to take the title of American Idol? Logic says Adam; I don't care what anyone says, he's flat out the best singer the show has ever seen. That being said, the final three comes down to a popularity contest and the other kid could have broader appeal. Speaking of that other kid, Kris Allen, his Kanye West song last week was the best performance of the year. That's the rare American Idol song that I'd possibly even buy. In fact, I think the kids are going to insist on it.

In other, more testosterone related news, a very interesting Giro is shaping up. Lance is starting to show his form and I think he's looking good for the Tour de France (and listen up, America: he's treating the Giro like a hard block of training. That's all. He wasn't bluffing on this one). DiLuca had a terrific ride today and has been awesome but I think Levi is in the catbird seat given his time trial abilities. Should be a very interesting next ten days, to say the least.

Lastly, Ma and Pa Solomon are headed home in the am. We had a terrific time together and we will miss them a lot.

The Parental Units

The PU's are in town for the first time since I started this blog. Thus far, I do believe we are all having a most excellent tome. Activities thus far have included; swim meet for the Girl (she's a little fish), baseball game for the Little Boy, trail run in late afternoon (just me) dinner last night, visit to Muir Beach this am, short hike up Mount Tam this afternoon, swim this afternoon (just me) and Giants game this evening. And on top of all that, I think the average temperature was around 85.

Didn't see that busy at the time but I'm kind of tired just typing that all out. Anyway, always good to hang with the folks and I think the kids are enjoying it too.