3 (+7) Reasons I Heart Christmas!

I don’t care what anyone says about the meaning of Christmas being diluted by the advent of Santa Claus, mass spending, and giant feasts.  I still love Christmas for its non-religious reasons.  Why?  Here are a few reasons (in no specific order):

1. Santa Claus.
2. Gifts.  Lots of them.
3. Forces little kids to behave at least once a year.  (Come on.  It’s a blessing for parents.)
4. Corporations make up any promotional f— ups and losses during this holiday due to massive spending from consumers.  (You buy even when you don’t have to.)
5. Dancing elves.
6. Beautiful decorations and bright lights (plus a giant tree).
7. Ridiculously delicious foods.
8. Reindeer.
9. Family time.
10. Romantic rendezvous (e.g. ice-skating, hot chocolate runs, fancy dinners, crazy partying, drunken debauchery, etc.)

Regardless whether people have any idea behind the religious holiday that is Christmas, the non-religious but globally celebrated Santa-Claus-is-coming-to-town holiday is pretty AWESOME.

So, Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

(Oh by the way, I got my parents an iPad.  I know.  I succumbed.)

iPad: Rev-i-talizing The Economy?

Photo courtesy of DigitalTrends.com

A while back, I wrote about the iPad in “iPad, What Is It Good For, Absolutely… Nothing?” and how I really didn’t see it serving a greater purpose.  Well, yesterday, I was proven wrong.  According to the WSJ article, “iPad Fans Face New Dilemma With Tough-to-Tote Gadget,” the iPad has created a new medium for entrepreneurs to play with… not just in terms of technology but accessory.  Just look at how Kate Clark, the creator of iMaxi—the feminine hygiene looking bag that plays with the running joke on the Apple gadget’s name.  She’s selling tons of these bags ($30 a pop) and has a backlog of orders!  And even Louis Vuitton has gotten into the iPad accessories market!   For ~$350, almost the same cost as a non-3G iPad, you can get a traditional monogrammed case or a croc-skinned one in 2011.  So, instead of dissing the iPad for its un-originality, I should herald it for helping the economy recover!

•iPad, What Is It Good For, Absolutely… Nothing?

Apple iPad

Last Friday, Apple began accepting pre-orders for the iPad, due to launch April 3, for $499 a pop (or $629 with 3G).

Since its announcement, I have tracked the reactions of my friends, colleagues and family for the device.  The result?  A mish-mash of eagerness and disappointment.  My colleagues with kids are excited to get their sons and daughters this device for interactive play.  They claim that this device will help them deal with the annoying “Are we there yet?” questions during long family trips.  (Good point.) My tech friends are ready and pumped to test out this “non-Kindle” touchscreen device. (Fine.)  My dad, being a tech geek at heart, wants to see it compare to other devices of its kind but would never pay money for it.  My mom wants to get it to watch movies and dramas wherever she goes.  And, I, of course, am just confused about why people are so gung-ho about this product.

I could be very biased because I recently bought an iPhone and I have to admit that paired with AT&T service… I’m not too thrilled about the device anymore. (Yes, I’ve got some cool apps, but I can live without all that.)  The iPad just reminds me of a giant iPhone but with no cell service.  Shuddddder.  And, if you want to have 3G service, you’re going to have to stick with AT&T.  Shudddddddddddddddddddddder.

Leaving my bias aside, I started to wonder about the iPad.  When the iPad first came to the public eye, everyone started comparing it to Kindle, the hand-held electronic e-book device.  However, Apple spokespeople continually reminded the public that the iPad is more than just another Kindle.  The iPad, they claim, is an all-purpose device for everything, including accessing the internet, playing apps, movies, music, etc…  So, it’s basically just a giant iTouch?  Hold on a minute…

No offense to all the people falling head-over-heels for the iPad… but why pay half a grand for a device that is probably no different from the devices you already own?  Okay, maybe, it’s worth it to have a flat, light, touch screen iPad for a monitor… or a portable laptop (without an actual keyboard)… yet, is it worth it?  Do you want carry that thing everywhere with you just so you can play on the internet or read a book or watch a movie?  I don’t know man…

Lenovo IdeaPad U1

Lenovo created a hybrid laptop with a detachable screen called the IdeaPad U1.  Although completely different from the iPad, this Lenovo device is an actual laptop!  That’s pretty cool to click out your monitor, which turns into a touchscreen device, take it with you on the subway, etc. and then click it back in at home and be able to use it as a laptop for work or leisure…

So, if the iPad isn’t a laptop… then what the hell is it good for?

Maybe I am being unfair to the iPad because of my non-techie background, so please let me know how you feel about this device.