San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge

If you live in the San Francisco-Oakland area, the news isn't without daily coverage of the Bay Bridge!  Of course that's before this morning's Apple iPhone 5S/C event so stay tuned here for the final post event update.  But I digress.  I have yet to see the new Bay Bridge or drive through it but if you want to check out the amazing feat, watch the beautiful time-lapse below compressing 42,000 hours into just 4 minutes! http://youtu.be/GDUIYZKlknk

Of course the biggest news is the fact that for the first time in history, pedestrians and cyclists will have access to the SFO-OAK Bay Bridge's new East Span.  Once the entire bridge is completed, it will provide a 2.2 mile stretch between Oakland and Yerba Buena Island.  For safety sake, all you cycling speed demons will be limited to 15 mph and will be heavily patrolled by the police.

Here's are some beautiful shots by San Jose Mercury News Gaming Editor Gieson Cacho.

Olympus' New Flagship

I love the Micro 4/3 platform but more importantly, the fact that my wife can easily handle the camera makes for a HUGE plus.  I've also thoroughly enjoyed using my Olympus OM-D E-M5 for the past year.  With that in mind, Olympus just unleashed their second OM-D body raising the bar yet again.

Continuing with the confusing naming scheme, the OM-D E-M1 is debuting along two amazing M.ZUIKO Digital ED "Pro" lenses both with constant f2.8 maximum aperture.  Upgrades include the newly redesigned 16.3-megapixel micro four thirds sensor utilizing the latest TruPic VII image processing engine which allows for FAST (Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology) Autofocusing.  (sorry for that long sentence)

The technology is getting good enough that inexpensive DSLRs no longer really make sense. Once upon a time, "real" photographers would have cringed at the thought of using an electronic viewfinder, but that's just not the case any more.

via Gizmodo

update: Steve Huff just posted his first impressions.  Definitely a great read!

University of California San Diego at the Top

If you didn't know this by now, I recommend that you take a look at the rankings for Colleges / National Universities specifically Washington Monthly's ranking system. It takes into consideration various attributes that include social mobility, research and service instead of the exclusivity, campus amenities and waiting lists.  Coincidently, the Obama Administration is proposing a new ranking system on just that.

...he says schools should be scored on things like the cost of tuition, loan debt and how much graduates end up earning.

For more in-depth, you should read or listen to NPR's Michel Martin insightful interview with editor-in-chief Paul Glastris.  As some of you who are reading this, take this list into consideration as you or your child begins the application process or looking this fall.

My wife and I are proud alums of the number one school. Chalk one up for yet another top ten San Diego! Maybe it time for that tatoo of Geisel Library? Stay classy!

Here's an excerpt:

MARTIN: But the University of California at San Diego ranks number one. Now why is that?

GLASTRIS: That's the fourth year in a row for that school. They do an outstanding job on all three of our metrics. A large portion of their student body is on Pell Grants. They graduate those students at higher-than-expected rates. They do great on service and they're a research powerhouse. In fact, there's a - about half the top 15 schools are University of California schools.

via Washington Monthly

Save Money, Save the Environment, Pour Your Own Coffee

I was at Sur La Table Fashion Valley the other day, taking advantage of the free knife sharpening, when I got the chance to speak to a very awesome sales lady. The biggest hype are not only the amazing Jura and De'Longhi espresso makers but the Nespresso Machines. "They are all the rage!" I have friends that swear by their K-Cup machines and pods proclaiming the value of "only $0.61" a cup and the necessity for speed. But we have to come and realize the bigger picture. There's not that much coffee in them!

When it comes down to it, I thoroughly enjoy sampling freshly roasted beans from places like Bird Rock Coffee, Intelligentsia, Dark Horse, Philz, Tonx, grinding them fresh using my Baratza Virtuoso and executing a fine Hario v60 pour over which yes does require a goose neck kettle (Hario Buono).  It's calming and an art I strive to perfect every morning I'm home. I also only end up producing one paper filter of waste compared to the non-bidegrable k-cups / pods that have been filling up our landfills at an estimated one billion per year. 

Whether it's delicious or not, single-cup coffee is expensive. In fact, pound-for-pound, it costs consumers far more than the finest artisanal coffee available in the Bay Area. A 24-pack of Folgers Gourmet Selections K-Cup, for example, typically retails for $16.49. The capsules each hold roughly 8 grams of coffee, which means that the 24-pack works out to about $39 a pound. A 24-pack of Starbucks House Blend typically costs $22.49, or about $53 a pound. By contrast, the same Starbucks roast costs just $12 a pound when sold in a single bag. An artisanal bean, like Four Barrel Coffee's Kenya Gatomboya, a shade-grown coffee from a 700-member cooperative, costs $18 for a 12-ounce bag, or about $24 a pound.

But as expensive as single-cup coffee is for consumers, the costs to the environment are even higher.

via Vanessa Rancaño for Eastbay Express

San Diego and Attractive People

San Diego in another top ten. This time its for "Most Attractive" and I'll take the number two ranking. Miami is number one but I won't start an argument here. If you know me, you already know how I feel about the city. Of course, there's always the beach which just adds to the awesomeness!

http://instagram.com/p/cphVGeu4bg/

iOS 7

A complete refresh. That's probably putting it lightly. Rebuilt and rethought from the ground up. A first in a long while, I'm really excited about iOS 7. When it comes to my job, I'll about Control Center providing easy access to Airplane Mode. =)

Coffee!

If you haven't started drinking coffee, it's not too late! New York Times Well Blog lays out some benefits that recent studies have found. I'll also admit that this is just a healthy reaffirmation of my latest hobby. http://instagram.com/p/KDNMo_u4fI/

Other recent studies have linked moderate coffee drinking — the equivalent of three or four 5-ounce cups of coffee a day or a single venti-size Starbucks — with more specific advantages: a reduction in the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, basal cell carcinoma (the most common skin cancer), prostate cancer, oral cancer and breast cancer recurrence.

But a cup or three of coffee “has been popular for a long, long time,” Dr. Freund says, “and there’s probably good reasons for that.”

via NYT: Well Blog "This Is Your Brain on Coffee"

Rewriting Facebook's iOS App

When optimizing the iOS Facebook app, the best way is to start over from the ground up with a complete rewrite.

"When it comes to speed, this is like putting the engine of a Smart Car in the body of a Ferrari." - Nick Bilton

via Bits by NY Times

If you didn't know...

I GOT MARRIED 2 WEEKS AGO!!! YAY!!! ...and I have to admit that I'm now really scared that my "slacking off" in rudimentary fitness training and triathlon "getting-ready-ness" has all but succumbed to a horrid tantrum of binge drinking, food gorging and a desire to imitate and be the best human wasteland I could be. Here's a quick clip of the Mr. and Mrs. Nicolas!

Pulling up the map of the TriRock San Diego yesterday actually made me feel a little comfortable. I say that only because it doesn't look as daunting as I originally made it out to be. Granted, I know that it's only a sprint, but once again I'll admit that I am not where I'm suppose to be. Well, I could have prepared like a champ but at least this baseline will be an accurate sample of what I'm capable of. Like I said before, I'm just hoping for a finish. I'll be updating the work out calendar when I get back to San Diego on Friday night and as I'm typing this out, I just realized I forgot my Garmin.

The Future of Gizmodo and Responsible Journalism / Blogging

During the last week, the tech world has been all a buzz on the next generation iPhone (iPhone 4th Generation).  With blogs posting pictures of a phone that was left in a bar to actual video and tear down followed by the final outcome of a letter from Apple's Executive Counsel demanding the return of stolen property, there have been positive and negative views in terms of how this whole thing was handle.  Jason Chen went on video showing the actual iPhone 4th Gen, then hours later Gizmodo posted a story on the actual individual that left the iPhone at the German Beer Serving Pub.  Granted because of this, Lufthansa is offering an all expense paid flight in business class to Germany for the poor Apple Engineer, but I feel it's still a little harsh that Gizmodo publicly harassed the guy. Who knows, Mr. Powell will be forever infamous just like the little kid who cost a team the championship. I don't know. To date, Gizmodo has been accused and admitted to purchasing the device for a purported $5,000. It has been pointed out by others (prominently John Gruber of Daring Fireball) that these acts were a clear violation of law. Codes in California were even outlined and discussed concerning the transaction and sequence of events that transpired during the resulting loss of the 4th generation iPhone.

It has come to my attention that this entire mess, now comically dubbed iPhonegate, while it did generate an absurd amount of page views on Gizmodo, was mishandled. I have to admit that I am, what some might call, a geek, a tech fan boy, a lover of Apple and such but there is a line to be drawn.  I believe that media outlets, have a responsibility; a civic duty to the companies we all love.

The secrecy that Apple goes through to product their product launches and hide their work from competition is second to none in the industry.  This is also a reason why we get so excited and that excitement was taken away by the greedy.  What kind of "umph" does Steve Jobs and the rest of the crew have?   I'm sure they are scrambling around to get together some new slides (probably some depicting Gizmodo in a bad light.)  sidenote: are they still going to be invited to the conference?

Admittedly, I can't wait to fall in line all over again, buy two iPhones, one for me and the other for my fiance, and start video chatting.  I want to know more about the new iPhone but that's what the pent up demand and interest lead to... anticipation and excitement.  Leaks are completely different and are approached as rumors which make it fun. With the devolution of almost all the surprises, June/July 2010 is going to be less exciting.

It would have been a smart move to keep it amongst themselves and "do the right thing" for this slip up crossed the line.  If you want to read all about the next iPhone...check out Gizmodo's iPhone page!

Finally...a Digital Camera That I Like

It's about time Canon took the lid off their newest additions to their digital camera offerings.  Set to be available at your local retailed by October, Canon is updating their Amateur, better than just the normal point and shoot, G10 and both point and shoot SD990 IS and SD890.  Both cameras offer Canon's new DIGIC 4 image processor and shoot a high 14.7 megapixel. 

The G10 is more focused towards the guy who doesn't want to lug around a Digital SLR but wants a little more features than the P&S cameras.  The 990 varies from the 890 with the inclusion of a view finder but thus sacrificing the given space for a smaller LCD, which we all know doesn't matter.  The view finder is definitely more important than and extra half inch of screenage. 

 

I'm still tinkering with the idea of replacing my 4.0MP Sony P9 that I bought in 2002 for $600 or so dollars, which by the way still performs and captures what I need it to do, but I have to admit that after borrowing a few of my friends newer cameras, it just puts mine to shame.  My flash takes forever to recharge, the LCD is tiny the battery life is shot and the storage capacity of the older Sony Memory Sticks require me to dump my photos very often.  

I just can't quite decide which camera I want though.  I'm all for having a digital SLR, but again, I don't want to lug it around with me to a club, where as the SD 990 would be a perfect substitute for that.  Having an DSLR and a P&S would be ideal, but currently, I'm all for just having one piece of good hardware for now.  So, which will it be --  A P&S or a mid range sub-compact?  Straight from SizeEasy, here is a cut out of the dimensions side by side in 3D.  Obviously, the yellow image is the larger Canon G10 while the purple displays the SD990 IS. 

With the downturn in the economy, the rumor of a new Macbook Pro from Apple and the salary that I get, looks like I'll be working extra hard in the next few months to finance the new toys.  :-)  Oh yeah, Christmas is coming too...

Below are Gizmodo's two blogs on the cameras. 

Gizmodo: Canon PowerShot G10 14.7MP Flagship Sub-DSLR Goes Wide-Angle

Gizmodo: Canon PowerShots SD990 and SD880 Offer Image Stablization, Shininess

Power Support anti-glare film + Contour Design iSee (product review)

Due to the tremendous demand for both Power Support's "anti-glare / matte film" and Contour Design's iSee 3G Clear Hardcase, it took two weeks until I was finally able to pick up a set.  So, I headed down to the Apple Store tonight at one of San Diego's finest shopping malls, Fashion Valley: A Simon Mall and with luck, I quickly snatched up both products. It was going to be a quick return of the Agent 18, and after much consideration and one letter to Contour asking when the next iteration of their Showcase for the iPhone 3G would come out, I knew that I needed to settle with something that could offer me protection right away.  The glossy screen protector that came packaged with other case solutions offered a clear plastic static cling piece but it's major flaw was that it attracted too many fingerprints and my oily face didn't help the problem.  I was plagued, since day one, with a screen that I had to perpetually wipe off every time I put the phone to my ear or played games further oil smudges with my fingerprints.

Both screen protectors offer the benefit of covering the entire face of the iPhone 3G with the exception of the Home button, that are made of a static cling plastic that adheres with ease, stays put and offers an easy, no sticky residue allowing you to remove, cleanr and reapplt at your leisure.  The biggest difference between the two can be easily compared to having a glossy LCD screen vs. a matte LCD screen. (e.g. shipped on the original Apple Powerbook LCD)

You can clearly see that the screen on the left with the protector that came prepackaged with a previous case wasn't doing so much in the department of cleanliness.  This is not a direct comparison with Power Support's Crystal film set but it still is indicative of what you will get in terms of overall result.  Over the to the right, you have the Power Support anti-glare film that was newly applied and fondled with finger streaks and face rubs.  Without a doubt, I truly believe that the anti-glare / matte screen protector is the way to go.  It helps the screen in every way possible deflecting scratches, fingerprints, and glare.  I was using the previous protector for 2 weeks now, and I'm more than happy with what I got with Power Support's product.  It is ridiculous though that 2 pieces of film cost $14.95.  It seems as if everything for these Apple products are being priced way too high!  rating: 9/10

The iSee is self explanatory.  The installation is easy and the clear plastic is beautiful.  I applied the iSee case with no problem but the biggest gripe that I have are that the two soft keys (not pictured) that come packaged and are used to protect the hold key and volume buttons.  Simple put, they are just too hard to press and are frustrating!  I rather almost not have them on at all.  I still love the fit and like the fact that it protects the metal edge of the iPhone 3G well.  Coupled with the anti-glare screen from Power Support, you have one heck of a solution for protection.

For another $10, a holster and clip are made available for the iSee, but if you wait for Contour Design's Showcase, it comes all prepackaged including a shock absorbing rubber that borders the inside of the clear protective case.  Looks like I'll be doing a more extensive review of that case at a later date, but for now, I recommend the iSee.  rating: 8/10

update - of course, when I finally settle for a solution, Contour Design's website shows that the Showcase for the iPhone 3G is set to ship out on the 15th of August.  You can send one over to my address any time and I'll do a review.  Thanks guys!