Friday, July 27, 2007
Web Notes
From telephones to Web site comments
From telephones to comments on the Website.
The iPhone has arrived. Our impartial reader poll think it will not change the face of the cell phone industry — at least 60 percent of you feel that way.
The elegant phone/media player arrived right on time at 6 p.m. Friday, June 29. Why 6 p.m.? Many feel that way the first day sales would not have an impact on stock prices until after the weekend. If the initial reports had gone badly, Apple stocks could have taken a nose-dive.
Apple didn’t need to worry. Estimates are that half a million sold the first weekend and now — again dealing with estimates — more than a million have been purchased. The device has been analyzed, dropped, taken apart with great interest by the tech industry.
So far, it appears to be living up to the hype. The word elegant is most often used by new adopters when referring to their $600 phones. They love the touch, the video, the sound.
They are willing to overlook some of its shortcomings partly because it is such a jewel in their hands, and partly because they know that Apple will improve upon the device in subsequent releases.
I must say I am apart of the minority that believe the Apple phone will change our perceptions of the cell phone. We will no longer be satisfied with a simple communications device. It will have to be an all-purpose communications and entertainment tool. The average cell phone user is becoming increasingly sophisticated in their use of communications devices. There is no going back.
It is like the evolution of the automobile. There once was a time when the typical car was simply a transportation device. Now, it provides all the amenities of home from onboard DVD players, air conditioning, power steering, push-button windows and a million cup holders. There are even now cup holders that can either heat or cool your beverage. Why? People demand these features in their automobiles. So many people do so, that most of these features are now standard.
We’ve received several heart-warming comments from soldiers in Iraq in recent days regarding an article that ran on the Website on April 15. It was a story by Trisha McGee of our sister paper The Kent News about a family in Worton who are providing care packages for soldiers in Iraq. Lorris and Buddy Bramble know first-hand what the soldiers go through when they are deployed. Their own son Lance Cpl. Jeff Bramble is a part of an elite Marine team that can be sent anywhere without notice to perform security missions.
You can read the whole story on the Website. I’ve refilled it in the news area. It will remain active and free for anyone to read until the end of the month.
The efforts of the Brambles and their care packages have been much appreciated by the soldiers.
“I am a U.S. Army soldier, who is currently deployed in Iraq,” one writes. “I can speak first hand of the Bramble family’s actions, because I recently received a care package from them. I think what they are doing is so outstanding and that goes for everyone involved in helping out deployed servicemen and women. It really does mean a lot when you receive a package from someone who doesn’t know you on a personal level, but still insist on helping you out. I know that getting those packages keeps our morale high, and is a constant reminder that we are loved and supported.”
This was soon followed by another soldier’s comment: “I am one of those Soldiers who receives boxes from the Brambles regularly. I can’t begin to express the appreciation I have for this family. Lorri found my unit through anysoldier.com. I was the only one from my section from Maryland so I wrote her back. This was about three months ago. Since then we have exchanged many emails and I have received many wonderful gifts, including some Old Bay that only us Marylanders could fully appreciate. We have become friends.”
I’m glad we can provide a way for the soldiers to express their gratitude.
Until next week, you can reach me — from anywhere in the world — at rpolke@chespub.com.
The iPhone has arrived. Our impartial reader poll think it will not change the face of the cell phone industry — at least 60 percent of you feel that way.
The elegant phone/media player arrived right on time at 6 p.m. Friday, June 29. Why 6 p.m.? Many feel that way the first day sales would not have an impact on stock prices until after the weekend. If the initial reports had gone badly, Apple stocks could have taken a nose-dive.
Apple didn’t need to worry. Estimates are that half a million sold the first weekend and now — again dealing with estimates — more than a million have been purchased. The device has been analyzed, dropped, taken apart with great interest by the tech industry.
So far, it appears to be living up to the hype. The word elegant is most often used by new adopters when referring to their $600 phones. They love the touch, the video, the sound.
They are willing to overlook some of its shortcomings partly because it is such a jewel in their hands, and partly because they know that Apple will improve upon the device in subsequent releases.
I must say I am apart of the minority that believe the Apple phone will change our perceptions of the cell phone. We will no longer be satisfied with a simple communications device. It will have to be an all-purpose communications and entertainment tool. The average cell phone user is becoming increasingly sophisticated in their use of communications devices. There is no going back.
It is like the evolution of the automobile. There once was a time when the typical car was simply a transportation device. Now, it provides all the amenities of home from onboard DVD players, air conditioning, power steering, push-button windows and a million cup holders. There are even now cup holders that can either heat or cool your beverage. Why? People demand these features in their automobiles. So many people do so, that most of these features are now standard.
We’ve received several heart-warming comments from soldiers in Iraq in recent days regarding an article that ran on the Website on April 15. It was a story by Trisha McGee of our sister paper The Kent News about a family in Worton who are providing care packages for soldiers in Iraq. Lorris and Buddy Bramble know first-hand what the soldiers go through when they are deployed. Their own son Lance Cpl. Jeff Bramble is a part of an elite Marine team that can be sent anywhere without notice to perform security missions.
You can read the whole story on the Website. I’ve refilled it in the news area. It will remain active and free for anyone to read until the end of the month.
The efforts of the Brambles and their care packages have been much appreciated by the soldiers.
“I am a U.S. Army soldier, who is currently deployed in Iraq,” one writes. “I can speak first hand of the Bramble family’s actions, because I recently received a care package from them. I think what they are doing is so outstanding and that goes for everyone involved in helping out deployed servicemen and women. It really does mean a lot when you receive a package from someone who doesn’t know you on a personal level, but still insist on helping you out. I know that getting those packages keeps our morale high, and is a constant reminder that we are loved and supported.”
This was soon followed by another soldier’s comment: “I am one of those Soldiers who receives boxes from the Brambles regularly. I can’t begin to express the appreciation I have for this family. Lorri found my unit through anysoldier.com. I was the only one from my section from Maryland so I wrote her back. This was about three months ago. Since then we have exchanged many emails and I have received many wonderful gifts, including some Old Bay that only us Marylanders could fully appreciate. We have become friends.”
I’m glad we can provide a way for the soldiers to express their gratitude.
Until next week, you can reach me — from anywhere in the world — at rpolke@chespub.com.
# posted by Richard Polk @ 9:27 AM 
