Images of Wii Controller Prototypes

Ever wondered what Wii controller prototypes looked like?

Source: http://2tentime.com/archives/50304035.html

GTD Report: 2-3 months later

After adopting GTD for a few weeks now.  Here are some thoughts and impressions:

• Tasks pile up!    With tasks piling up, even with all filters and tagging, it's still overwhelming.  I found myself using the project list to help me focus on the tasks I need to do.   
  
• Since under GTD I organize stuff on a weekly basis into the reference system, I am more exposed to my organizational structure, and am often reminded of how I organize my stuff.  For some reason, it gives me a little peace of mind.
  
• A lot of time is often spent on processing.   The bottleneck is naturally the "collect" phrase.  So the idea is collect less - really think if something is worth collecting before you collect.  Also, bypass the collect pool and process certain items immediately so that the collect pool doesn't grow.  
  

Some better tools I would have:

• Notes and todos live in separate places.  Todos live in Things and notes (i.e. Word files) live in the file system.  Really wish there was a way have a way to view them all in one location.
  

That's all for now and thanks for reading!

The Challenge of Apple

Apple is a great company, but can Apple be a great company without Steve Jobs?  Will we still get great products if Steve Jobs is no longer with Apple?

Using the terminology from the famous business book - "Built to Last", time telling is "having a great idea or being a charismatic visionary leader" and clock building is "building a company that can prosper far beyond the presence of any single leader and through multiple product life cycles."  It is certain that Jobs have proved that he can time tell; he can lead Apple into the right direction.  But can he build a clock so that others on the Apple ship could tell time when he leaves?  

Only time will tell.  But with Jobs on medical leave for these few months, Apple is still Apple-like.  Although Jobs is rumored to be still involved, I'm hopeful that Apple will preserve the values it has, and in the future when Steve Jobs is no longer there, Apple employees would ask, "What would Steve do?" when making decisions.  

MacHEADS - documentary on Mac

MacHEADS has been available for rent for sometime on iTunes for $3.99.  

It's about an hour long, and most people complained it being short.  The film is not so much about the history of Apple and what exactly is so great about their products, but rather about the various kinds of users and their relationships and passion with Apple products.  

It's $14.99 to purchase, which feels a bit expensive for a 1 hour documentary.  It's definitely an interesting watch though.  

 

GTD Tip: Using a calendar as a file index to find files

I saw this productivity tip on TV by Koyama-san, a productivity guru and author of a Japanese book called Idea Hacks. His tip helps us find files faster. Here it is:

• First, when you save and name files, always put the date in front. For example, “2009-05-12 Presentation”. Regarding the date format, use a format you prefer, but remember to be consistent. Having the year in front gives you the benefit of sorting by file name chronologically by year.
  
  
• Second, let’s say you are looking for a presentation file for a client meeting. You’d go to your calendar (i.e., iCal, Google Calendar), and search for that previous meeting. Once you find the meeting or event, you will also know the date. In turn, you can use the date to look up your file or search for it. 
  

Usually, I would just use Spotlight to search for the files, but if I can’t find it, this tip is always a good backup solution to find a particular file for an event or meeting.

This would also work with physical files as well. Just make sure you put a date on your folders and arrange them by date. Once you find the meeting date in your calendar, you can easily locate the physical folder.

Where's the iCamera?

I've never been a fan of photography.  I found small digital cameras and cellphone cameras adequate.  That was the case until a few years ago when I got to try shooting with a digital SLR (single-lens reflex) at an electronics store.  That was the first time I experienced the camera shuttering and that was one of those moments that you remember.  There is something about the sound of the shutters, the force feedback, and how the camera's instant reaction when you press the button to shoot something.  

After that I did some research, and eventually I settled on the E-410, which was light, small and portable.  In order to take the pictures I want, there is a lot of things to learn about.  For example, lens, shutter speed, and aperture.  

Like most hobbies, photography is deep.  There's a lot to learn, and most cameras todays have buttons and dials, along with digital menus that is required.  Sometimes, I think, wouldn't it be great if there was a camera that was the equivalent of an iPhone.  A camera that is intuitive and easy to use for everyday people.  Maybe SLR cameras that just have one button, and exchangeable lens that have names regular people could understand (instead of something like  70-300mm F4.0-5.6, how about Zoom, or Blur, or Close...)

Anyways, so where is this iCamera - the camera for the rest of us?

Finally a business book about Nintendo! - "The Philosophy of Nintendo"

There aren't a lot of business books about Nintendo despite their success recently. One of the few books I recall about Nintendo was from  Game Over.  

So I was looking forward to a Japanese book released two days ago that takes a look at Nintendo's business philosophies and strategies that brought them the success of where they are now.  The book is written by a journalist of Nikkei, a big news group in Japan.  The journalist actually had the chance to interview the key members of Nintendo on strategies and perspectives.  

The book contains episodes and stories of how the DS and Wii came to be.  As I read the book, I will try to blog some of the interesting things I learned from the book.  Stay tuned!

Why think twice about buying the Kindle DX?

Now that I can read Kindle books on my iPhone, I tend to leave my Kindle (first generation) at home these days.  Since the portability of the Kindle itself no longer is a factor, the Kindle DX with it big screen looks very attractive.  

However, the large display also means a heftier price - $489.00.  Hmm... it doesn't look like I'll be getting one soon.  (As a side reference, pay another $510 more, you can get a refurbished first generation MacBook Air.)

If you're looking to buy the Kindle, you might want to consider the DX.  Although I have never actually used a second generation Kindle, from my usage with my Kindle, I'd say if you are intending to use the Kindle for reading newspapers, textbooks, computer books, or cookbooks, you may want to think twice.  

The critical factor it the refresh rate.  If you are planning to buy it, definitely try to find someone that has it and see if the refresh rate is good for you.  I have been reading some computer books on the Kindle, and I'd prefer to computer books in print.  It's because with computer books, you find yourself flipping back and forth, and Kindle is cumbersome in that.  If you want to go back three pages, you have to press back three times, and there's a small waiting time for things to refresh and load that page.  

In my opinion, the Kindle, however, is great for "one way" books - books you read from one page to the next without having to flip back and forth.  Just last month, I finished Angels and Demons on my Kindle, and it's great.  It remembers where you leave off (no need for bookmarks) and, at the end, no extra book to take up space.  (Well, it also means I can't resell the book.)

 

To conclude this, if you are looking to buy the Kindle to read textbooks, computer books, or any other kinds of books that require you to flip back and forth, reference other chapters, or simply browse, please definitely check out the refresh rate of the Kindles to see if they're right for you.

Print without ink: Polaroid PoGo

I came across the Polaroid PoGo the other day while shopping.   It's basically a mini mobile printer that you can attach your cameras or cellphones to, and it'll print 2X3 inch photos using special "ZINK" photo paper.  The coolest thing though is that it prints without ink.  

It also supports Bluetooth so you can print wirelessly.  According to the pamphlet I got, it claims to print one photo per minute, and can print up to 15 photos per charge.  You can find it on Amazon for $95 dollars.  

Personally, I don't know what I'd use it for, but the inkless part is just cool =)



Link: Polaroid Pogo website