iPad

By: Julian Ross

After existing exclusively in the rumor mill, Apple Inc. announced its heavily anticipated tablet device this afternoon. The internet had been on fire about this secret device for the past few weeks, as enthusiasts tried to guess everything from the size of the device to its name. iTablet, Apple Tablet and iSlate were all given as possible names of the new gadget, based on trademarks and domains Apple had registered. Today the veil was lifted from the iPad.

Yeah, I know.... iPad.

You'd think with the ludicrous amounts of money Apple makes each quarter ($3.38 Billion in profits in Q1) that they could pay someone to come up with a better name than iPad. Almost instantly, twitter filled with jokes at the devices expense, many saying the name reminded them of a "feminine hygiene product". LOL! Did they really not have ANYTHING better? Geez....

Anyways, on to the iPad itself.

Apple describes the iPad as "Our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device." Apple Inc. CEO and founder , Steve Jobs, describes it's target market as between a smart phone (iPhones) and full fledged laptops. Basically, the thing is a giant souped-up iPod Touch. It boasts a 9.7" screen (compared to the iPod Touch's 3.5" screen) and weighs in at about 1.5lbs. It is capable of running all of the apps that iPhone and iPod Touch users have come to love, and makes use of a newly designed processor to drive the more intensive applications that will become available. The iPad also features versions of iPhoto and iTunes and a powerful E-reader application that will really give the Amazon Kindle a run for its overpriced money.It has built-in speakers as well as a microphone, however; is curiously missing a camera of any kind. As far as connectivity, the iPad has the latest and greatest wireless technology, Bluetooth, and an optional 3G antenna (with service through AT&T)

Now to the fun part, price. Apple is really proud that they will be able to set the iPad starting price at $499. I'll let you decide if that is a deal, but many analyst predicted the tablet to sell for $1000+. Opting for a 3G enabled iPad will costan additional $130 on top of the base price for the respective model.Personally, I was a little underwhelmed by the iPad, which could be a product of believing too many internet rumors, but by the end, Jobs had again convinced me that I wanted this thing. Even if I couldn't think of a situation where I would really use it. The iPad is too big to slip into a pocket, meaning I would have to carry it in a bag of sorts. At the point where I have to carry a bag, why not just bring my more powerful laptop? Not to mention, I don't find $500 for a big 16gb iPod Touch affordable by any means,and paying a $130 premium to tick a 3G radio in is retarded. However, being the gadget geek I am, I want one...bad! But I will not be purchasing one. Sorry Mr. Jobs. I'm sure there are enough fanboys who will "buy anything that's shiny and made by Apple."

Apple will ship all the iPads in 60 days—the end of March—to America.

Gizmodo Full Review

Lets Get Serious Here

As you know, I am a student at Hampton University, and any HU student cant tell you, there is a laundry list of things wrong with the policies and administration. Everyone knows about, and usually has first has first hand experience with, the "Hampton Runaround", I've had classes wholly canceled due to deteriorating buildings, and there is a broken window in the Freshman Honors dorm that has been there since my Senior RA freshman year was a freshman. It is not an issue of cost, as it is well known that Hampton is wealthy by contributions from Alumni who value their time spent and the opportunities afford by Hampton University. Well our good ole' "Home By the Sea" is going down the road of removing another one of those check marks from its depreciating list of redeeming qualities.

Before I go in too deep, I just want to preface some of my thoughts. Firstly, these are my thoughts and opinions and I am sure that not everyone is going to agree with me. In fact, one of the reasons i put my opinions on this proverbial soapbox is to see and hear other opinions so that we can discuss them and maybe do something productive about it. Second, its in my personality to question authority and status quo, especially when there is faulty or (better yet) no logic behind it. With that said, here goes.

Another thing Hampton is very (read: overly) protective of is its image. It often portrays that looking the part is more important than the substance inside the suit. I realize that this mindset comes from a time not that long ago (possibly yesterday) when blacks and minorities are discriminated against. It wouldn't shock me to find a business that looks for whatever reason they can to not hire a black employee outside of the required "diversity" standards they may have. I also understand the importance of appearance and dressing properly for certain situations, but the problem comes in on that "certain" part. Last week Hampton had its annual Fall Career Fair. Roughly 150 companies come set up booths and try their darnedest to convince graduating seniors on down that (insert name of company here) is the absolute best place to work and they should apply. The career fair is advertised all over campus with large banners and flyers, teachers give extra credit, and there is virtually NO way one could not know the date time and place of the fair. What is less publicized is that there is a strict and unrelenting dress code in place. By nature, I don't like dressing up all that often. I'd prefer to dress comfortably, however always appropriate. I put on some nice dress pants, a pretty fly (if i must say so myself) shirt, and the most ballin' tie I had in my closet, along with some freshly polished black dress shoes and a modest spray of Lacoste cologne. It was raining cats & dogs yet I get to the fair complete with 15 copies of my resume in a leather bound portfolio, Goldman Sachs branded ink pen, and gallons of swag. I get to the door all ready to go get a job / internship / whatever, only to be turned away. "You will not be allowed in the fair without a full suit with jacket!" With a dejected look on my face, and a scowl on hers, I called up a friend and borrowed a jacket from him. I was allowed in with this newly acquired jacket, and spent the rest of the afternoon talking to people in khakis and company polo shirts.

Last time I checked one of the major benefits or attending an HBCU (besides the "experience") is that the faculty and university as a whole are primarily interested in the success of black students. How is turning away a well dressed highly capable student away from a career fair in anyway beneficial? It would be one thing if I had shown up with a tee, Baus, and Rees (for those unlucky enough to be born outside of New Orleans: A tee shirt with Girbaud jeans and Reeboks), but to be a jacket away from a full suit? Apparently it was only the jacket that was important too. I could have worn a polo with a jacket, or a no tie, as long as I had a jacket. If ANYONE sees the reasoning behind this decision, please leave a comment or something. Its beyond me how turning black students away from companies that have come specifically to see black students is anything other than irresponsible and counterproductive. Don't we have enough going against us as it is? Would not having a jacket had ruined my chances to such an extent where its better for me to just not attend? I'm sure deep down there is a helpful idea behind the rule, but on the surface they are sending the wrong message. Some will argue that the University does want me to attend , they just want me to wear a jacket, and the system worked on me. True, but what about the students who aren't motivated or committed enough to walk home in the rain to get a jacket then walk back? Not to mention those who for one reason or another don't even have that option. Silly rule with good intentions and is completely counter productive in practice.

Discuss

Re-Active

Sorry I been away for so long, but I'm whoopin myself back into blogging shape so be on the look out.

New Orleans Has To Change To Grow

Edit- Added link to a counter-point---
(WARNING------This is not a short quick post)

Everyday, the city of New Orleans and its residents struggle to rebuild. Rebuild their city, their lives, and their homes, but lets be honest. New Orleans wasn't a shining beacon of prosperity and productivity even in pre-Katrina times. One of the poorest metropolitan areas, leading the nation in violent crimes (in 1994 there were 425 homicides. That rate of 86 homicides per 100,000 has yet to be matched by any other US city), trailing the nation in education. I love the city just as much as any body else, but the good ole' days weren't necessarily all that good. In a city with so much misfortune with everything from politicians on down to football teams (GEAUX SAINTS!), we have learned first hand how to be optimistic and turn obstacles into opportunity. But when it comes to one of the most heated topics in reconstruction New Orleans, public housing, it seems residents have lost some of this vision.

In order to understand the situation some background is needed. Since about 1940, various public housing "projects" have been all around the city. Low income families are able to live in these government assisted developments. Any one who knows much about urban planning know that placing high numbers of low income people in a concentrated area tends to equal bad things. Well these areas have become the slums and ghettos of the city. The many violent crimes that undoubtedly occur all around the metro area, are highly centralized around theses areas. The housing projects don't just harbor a significant portion of the city's crime, but they also showcase some of the worst living conditions in the city. Most of these complexes have had little or no modernization or refurbishing since their original construction. Doors and windows are cracked and broken, frames are plagued by termites, many conditions are just barely humane.

Now fast forward to 2004. After demolishing one of the aforementioned projects, the River Garden development opens in its place. The development itself is built with historic New Orleans style architecture and as opposed to cramming all the poor people together, is a mixed income area where many of the low-income families that lived in the projects on that site before, were able to get government assistance to live in the new area. Despite the projects positive intentions backed with data from city planning case studies, many residents protested the demolishing of the projects, claiming it was a way to "kick the poor residents out of New Orleans." (Keep in mind this is still in pre-Katrina times.) At this time, roughly 5,100 families live in public housing projects.

Needless to say, Katrina did a number on many homes, both new and old alike. When faced with the task of rebuilding public housing in New Orleans, the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) decided it would be best to demolish the 4 largest housing projects, that were all but emptied in the aftermath of Katrina, in favor of these new River Garden style developments. To put the situation nicely, plans haven't progressed so smoothly. The protesters have even gone so far as to file a lawsuit against HANO. Protesters, which included public housing residents, attorneys, college students said that HUD is tearing down 4,500 apartments at a time when New Orleans is failing to provide rentals for the working poor. As "Demolition Day" (Dec 15) draws near, the former residents and preservationists have increased their protesting efforts, fighting te plan every step of the way. On Dec 10, the protesters struck a blow to HANO. The six member Housing Conservation District Review Committee that had supported (with votes of 4 - 2) the demolition of two of the projects, split 3 - 3 on another development. As anti-demo supporters celebrated their victory, HANO released some specifics of its plan.

The cost of restoring these developments just to pre-Katrina conditions would cost the city and its residents $130 million. Modernizing the buildings and bringing them up to code would cost $745 million, while demolition and redevelopment would cost $597 million. Not only would the project save the city nearly $150 million, the project would result in 5,108 units, a 608 unit gain. More and better, all for less. Also currently 300 livable units sit empty (before Katrina it was almost 2,000) as an answer to the argument that low income families have no options as far as housing. Around that same time, a poster began to circle the city. The posters depict a flaming condominium and declare “For every public housing unit destroyed, a condo will be destroyed. If there will be no homes for us and relief from high rents, there will be no homes for the rich either.”It’s signed “Sincerely, the angry and the powerless.”

I think my heart shed a tear. This is not what my city...... our city needs right now.

Despite the horror that was (and still is in many parts of the city) Hurricane Katrina, we are being presented an opportunity not only restore the city, but to improve it. It was no secret that these areas were scars on the beautiful face of the Big Easy and symbols of urban decay. I can understand the plight of conservationist that argues none of New Orleans should end up ultimately lost to Katrina. I personally have gotten into painful arguments about whether or not the city should be saved and rebuilt at all, but everything wasn't golden and some things are not worth saving. Preserving some of our historic neighborhoods such as the Treme area, yes. But not the pitiful excuse for acceptable housing that was the New Orleans projects. I don't want to get into the sociology and psychology of slums and ghettos, but long story short, it equals bad. So let's stop fighting progress in the name of restoration. (I think its significant to note that had it not been for said protesters, the entire redevelopment project would have been completed by now, whereas now the project is set to be completed by 2010)

These times are hard for everyone that for some reason loves New Orleans despite her many flaws and imperfections. We leave good jobs and good schools all over the nation to come back to New Orleans for no other reason than, its home. No one was treated fairly by FEMA and alot of people , are still felling the long lasting effects of that. We have seen first hand the effects of waiting for someone else to fix our problems instead of fixing them ourselves. But one thing the storm did do is give everyone a chance to take a step back and reexamine the city and its problems. "Even our poorest citizens deserve better conditions than these. Lets do something about that." Yet the same citizens that would directly benefit from such upgrades are the main ones fighting it. Rent is high for everyone. Insurance is high for every one. Living in 2007 New Orleans takes alot of hard work and sweat from everybody involved. This seemingly small step has potential to greatly affect the future of the city. Less slums, more desirable image, more business in the area, better wages, better teachers and thusly better education for our children. I don't think River Garden is the start of a New Orleanian utopia, but it sure as hell beats the projects.

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Counter point

Don't Miss The Real Message

I had been kinda debating for a while as to how exactly to say this without sounding like a kangaroo jack, and initially just wrote it off. But the topic keeps jumping back in my brain.

Coming through life, we have all heard more than our fair share of motivational (or otherwise) phrases and sayings. Most have good intentions and good messages, but every know and again, I run across someone doing something quite foolish, and quoting a saying as their defense. For example, one thing we tell our ladies is that they only deserve the best . Now don't take this as me going against that notion, because I plan on telling my daughter the same thing. The difference is, as opposed to just giving her that, and letting her find meaning in it through the material based world we live in, I will teach her what it means to deserve and demand the best. I have seen people end up in situations they weren't happy with because they were trying too hard to stick to a saying or phrase, when in actuality, they were missing the entire purpose of the message by taking it out of context. Maybe I am just too much of a realist to cosign to blind followings of sayings, but I really see it as a problem that can and has affected some people negatively. Knowing how to extract the meaning and appropriately apply it is a skill that is often times overlooked. I dont want to be long winded so in closing, don't use these uplifting and powerful words to paint a masterpiece so grand, that you cant see whats really going on behind it.

Black History Month is Racist

In response to Adrianne Curry's boycott of BET and Black History Month:

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She makes a valid point, but unfortunately America is not yet at that stage in collective thinking. It is very difficult to truly teach and preach equality when we find so many different categories by which to segregate ourselves. I'm not gonna get into naming these things but people are historically elitist to a certain extent, but now we have gotten clever and masked these actions by making them formal rules or policies that apply to everyone in theory, but only a certain few in practice. I feel black history month is necessary and relevant in today's world because it "forces" at least some parts of the story that are often times left out, to be told. Hell, alot places only talk about MLK and Malcolm X or Langston Hughes anyway. I am all for exposing the country to more Native American or Jewish history, however ( I may have a slight bias here) considering the number of "blacks" in America, the blatant injustice that has extended well beyond slavery into 2007, and the numerous contributions made by that same group to America, it is nothing short of pathetic how little those people are recognized or celebrated. Black history month is a necessary evil if you will. It sucks that we have to explicitly set aside time in the year to ensure that the people that have been labeled as "Black" can have their story told, but I also know that somewhere, that story wouldn't be told in the absence of such an event. Eventually maybe people in general, not just Americans, will grow to be fully accepting of all people as people and honor their stories and achievements and compile them into the great human diaspora, but until that day comes, alot of people have to be force fed.

I Think I Think 2 Much: Relationships

I'm tired and its late. For those that have been on the receiving end of some of lunar rants, you should already know that the night brings out my analytical side. Well on this evening / morning I've turned my all seeing eye towards Chris Rock's latest film effort, I Think I Love My Wife. For those who haven't seen the movie, Rock stars as a middle-aged investment banker Richard Cooper, that is happily married to the mother of his two kids. Unfortunately he is (as only he can exclaim) "Bored out of his fucking mind!!" That is until Kerry Washington (from The Last King of Scotland and to the guys reading, she was in She Hate Me) shows up as super sexy ex-girlfriend, and predictable madness ensues.

Now while this movie isn't the pinnacle of greatness in movie making, storytelling, or anything at all for that matter., it does raise some interesting things about relationships in general. (Hell, Chris Rock is known for his blunt honesty.) The entire movie plays out with Rock basically deciding between his wife and his ex. A friend of mine is famous for his adage of ,"A man is only as faithful as his options. As long as you you remain his best choice, he isn't going anywhere."
Well long story short, Cooper is looking at his options. On one hand he has his wife. Great mother, independent woman, loving wife, but routine and in his eyes boring. On the other he has Nikki, Washington's character, who is young, fresh, wears sexy panties, and needs Cooper. Nikki is the brand new Porsche while his wife is a minivan. Nikki is everything he feels he is missing in his relationship.

So the Porsche is the better option right? Not necessarily. When you want to be flashy at the club, yes. You just want to look good, sure. Live fast, you only live once, and all that other stuff. But when you have weight you need to carry, you need a minivan. When there is baggage, when or when someone else is depending on you for a ride, you need a minivan. A Porsche is flashy, a minivan is functional. The minivan isn't gonna roll 24s, nor will King Kong reside in its cargo bay, but down the line its the best choice for you. (Of course this whole analogy is relative to what you need in your life, but your smart and get the idea, right?)

Everyone who has been in a relationship before knows there will be hard times. And any guy or girl for that matter would be lying if they said they never for one second entertained the idea of being either single or with someone else in their head when those tough times were their toughest. Relationship difficulties are a universal occurance and are probably one of the most relatable experiences. Everyone is differnet, yet they are all the same. Im not discouraging anyone from looking at their options. I just ask that when you are looking at your options, make sure the bling from the chromed out Porsche doesn't blind you, when you know damn well yo kids cant ride in that.