Google - Oh Google - Let me count the ways

Okay people - If you were at all confused about the most awesome company on earth before, let me help you figure this out...Google is sorta taking over everything.  They're not out to cheat or hurt anyone though, which makes them by far the coolest place out there.  So...as if they weren't good enough with the email, docs, apps in general, sites, and also the mobile Android OS, (oh and the CRAZY self driving cars http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/12/eric-schmidt-google-self-driving-cars-should-become-the-predominant-mode-of-transport-in-our-lifetime/) Now they released Google Fiber.  I wish wish wish, I could tell you how exciting this is.  I wish you'd understand.. Okay - Oh also, how cool is it that Google has Drive and now they even have the Nexus 7, and by the way - I LOVE my Nexus 7.  I love Jelly Beans I love Google.
Google is offering an amazing deal with fiber - seriously https://fiber.google.com/about/ check it out..

There are so many Googley things now, that I can't even cover all of them in one blog.  Let's talk for a few minutes about my Nexus, just cuz I'm bored, and well He's FANTASTIC.  Yes, he's a HE too..like my car and everything else that I own..heehee  https://play.google.com/store/devices?utm_source=ha-gdn&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=sem
Okay - So, I have owned quite a few devices in my time.  Android and Apple both.  I have to say that Google has outdone themselves again with the release of the Nexus 7.  First of all, it cost me $200.  And they gave me $25 to spend at the Store (Play) on anything I wanted.  Seriously - it's as good as any other tablet out there...well better actually and it was cheap.  Anyone can get one, it's not like an apple product where they're targeting the higher end consumer.  Google wants to make it available to all.  It reminds me a bit of the Kindle Fire - but it's a Google device preloaded with all my google apps, and easily puts your store stuff on there for you (whatever's in the cloud)...Seriously - NO comparison.  Okay - I choose the Nexus 7 over the iPad any day.  Now...I must say, that from a work (business) prospective, for all my nerdy techy friends, I realize that there are things that 10 inches do, that a 7 inch device would make more difficult (keep your minds out of the gutter)..I do love toys..

I love Google products. . . .Nexus 7 anyone?

https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_8gb - Yeah so I just pre-ordered.  I am excited.
I know I have blogged about this before, but I seriously have an obsession with Google.  It's not just Chrome, and it's not just all of the apps, it's not just the operating system, It's everything.  I can almost RUN my life using all Google at the moment.  I LOVE GOOGLE.  I know that it's weird to be obsessed with anything. I love Samsung, too.  I love gadgets and geeky stuff.  I have been doing a lot of soul searching lately.  Trying to figure out what makes me the most happy.  Honestly, I like toys and being in charge.  I like technology and how it has transformed everything.  Everything is so fun and easy these days.
I use Google to make Forms, my Business Website, Docs for sharing documents, Calendars for sharing, and my operating system of choice for my mobile device is Android, of course.

There are three kinds of technology geeks to me these days.  The ones that are stuffy (Apple) and think they're better than everyone else.  The ones that just do (Microsoft) and don't really know much about technology, or middle of the road techno geeks.  Then there are hippy geeks (google) that want to have everything relaxed and cool (also the more democratic geeks).  I am definitely a Google.  I'll bet so is Jon Stewart - and Colbert would probably act like he is an Apple geek, but really would secretly love Google.

I also though think these technologies are all necessary. Google is not really all that user friendly for non-technical people and Apple is.  Microsoft is again more for business folks and middle of the liners.  All three are necessary, but I just choose to live my life with Google by my side.

I'm an addict . . .

Okay..I have to confess a few things.
Android (Google) is so cool, but I am a little obsessed.
Seriously, my heart pitter patters with each new release, and even the news of something new.  You know that feeling you get when you just start dating someone, or the feeling you have when there is electricity in your touch.  I really really do have sort of the same feelings with Google.  I am going to look at the new Galaxy Note by Samsung.  Yes, I know that it's a 5.3" screen, and yes I know that is huge, but I also know that I did not buy an Android tablet.  I also am in love with the stylus idea, and why..I know it's crazy..It's new and I want one..and yeah, I'm obsessed and crazy, but I might hold it in my hand and think, "no this doesn't work for me," so we'll see.  The note releases in two days.  I'll update on my thoughts about it once I've held it in my hand.

I am a geek, and I can't help it.  Don't judge me.  So Nate sent me something cool again.  http://pocketnow.com/android/android-50-jelly-bean-coming-second-quarter-of-2012-report . . . . .I'm so so so excited for this. "Another strange bit reported is that Android 5.0 will support dual-operating system designs, meaning that a tablet or slate will be capable of running both Windows 8 and Android 5.0"  How awesome is that?  It means I can get my Slate and run Android or Windows...AWESOME..  How can that place keep making me so happy?
Also, Atrix users, there is an OTA update available.  (4.5.141)  I am not too excited about this one though.  Looks like mostly security fixes and memory functions.  Who knows? I'll check it out tonight and let you know if I find
anything awesome with it.

Some other exciting great news.  There is one person in the world that I feel most comfortable with.  She is like a carbon me a lot only much more beautiful, and she knows me more than any other person on earth.  Not the me that you all see all the time, but the me inside....I get to hug her tomorrow.  My Jenn is staying the weekend.    We talk every day, but that's not the same as being with someone.  Love you babes.

Android Apps that I can't live without. . .

Today, like many days before today, I decided to clean up my phone of apps that I really don't use.  I download lots of apps weekly (usually free app of the day from Amazon), but anyway, every now and then I find one that is just GREAT.  Most of the time, I just use or play with them a few days and then get rid of them.

This blog, I'm going to tell you about some apps that you could never get on iPhone and why I think they're so awesome.  Actually, I accidently uninstalled one of them today and had to install it again when it disappeared off of my home screen.  

"Application Folder Pro" is that app..OH my gosh I love this app.  It allows you create quick links basically on your home screen to any app or contact.  For instance, I have a group for Work Contacts.  You click it and it brings up all their smiling faces, and it lets me have the choice once I click on them to call, text or email.  I highly recommend this app. I bought it while it was free, but Amazon has it for $1.30.

Next can't live without SwiftKey X.  What an GREAT keyboard.  I love that it learns me and knows what I'm going to type.  Seriously, I've never seen any as good as this, so don't try to tell me that there is a better keyboard out there.

Handcent is my favorite for a texting app by far.  I love the skins, and it's such a nice app with tons of preferences. This is again something Android allows you to be flexible with and iPhone's pail by comparison.

Circle Launcher is another one that I would never want to give up.  It's another app that is really a widget and allows you to add any app you want to a circle button.  You press the button and whaaalaaa..you see all 10 of you favorite games or whatever, and they don't have to have extra space.

As far as games go, I'm a tower defense junkie.  Right now, I have about 5 tower defense games.  GRave is probably the favorite.  I like Jelly Defense and Fieldrunners a lot, too though.  I have the Living Dead Defense right now also, and it is very similar to GRave.

Flixster is yet another app I would never want to live without.  (And it's FREE) This app you can find on iTunes, too for all you Applers.  It tells you current and upcoming movies at theaters close to you.  You can set up favorite theaters, and also it tells you current DVD/BluRay releases.  Good stuff.  I would say that I use that app at least once a week just to see what's out there.  

My weather channel widget is really cool, too.  It keeps me up to date on the current weather, just with the icon.  Also though, by clicking on it, you can get details. 

Shazam will be a keeper for me also.  I love being out somewhere, hearing a song, Shazaming it and it telling me what I'm listening to.  It will even take me to the song in Amazon to purchase straight away.  How great is that?  Oh and guess what - - - It's free too..and Applers can have it, too.  And yes sometimes while it's thinking after it's done listening, I do say "SHAZAM"..

Lately I've been using Audible a lot, which is cutting out the need for my iPod.  I like the iPod for working out, since it's smaller and can clip on to me, but in the car, I've been sticking to the phone.  

Personally, I like Amazon MP3 and Google Music Apps about the same.  I have different music now on either cloud, and sometimes I combine them, but . . . I care for each very much.  Some of my other favs are: Google Talk, Plants vs. Zombies, Pixlr-o-matic (I could do a whole camera app blog), Paper camera, Huntington Bank, Chase (if someone gives you a check, you can deposit it by taking a picture), Fruit Ninja, Facebook, Google +, circle batter widget, car locator (don't get to use that very often), and of course angry birds.

Maybe you could let me know, if there are some that are GREAT that I'm missing.

Lovin' my Android - Lovin' my Google!

I love my phone.  I am pretty sure I could not live without these things:

My Android
My kids
My Neo
My Car
My Google Everything
These are a few of my favorite things...in no specific order.

Recently I got offered a FREE iPhone 4S...yeah, NO WAY!  I had an iPhone for about 10 minutes (okay so like a few years), but I have went Android and I will NEVER go back.

Here's a few reason's why:
Choices - On the Android devices you are allowed to customize everything..Keyboard, ringtones, text tones, backgrounds, and also each app has it's own settings too.  I have control issues just like Apple, and I want to be in control of my phone.
My phone fully integrates with all of my Google applications.  I update a contact on my phone and BOOM my address book shows it.  Nothing special needed.  My calendar is just there along with all other calendars in Google.  This includes my Google Music account.
I can download apps from anywhere by checking "unknown sources".  This means I have the Market and the Amazon Market.
My GPS talks to me for FREE...
I get true 4G signal on my phone.
Google listens to it's users to make the best operating system available and to all users using open source.

Sometimes my phone and this technology makes me giddy and I can't help it.
I've been reading a lot about Google lately, so that I can write my final paper for this class I'm in about organizational behaviors.  Man...what a place to work.  Sergey and Larry really get it.  I am so terribly glad for Google.  So last weekend I was locked out of my account for a while, and I really had trouble breathing.  I'm pretty sure, a person could have a heart attack from such a thing.  With the help of my Neo we figured it out and I got it all reset.  That was a huge relief.  I'm not sure I could go a whole day without my account.  Panic definitely set in.

I love Google.  I love Android.
BTW..I got the Lotus Launcher - so I have Lotus Notes on my Android now, thanks Josh.  Also got to take a look at a new Razr Max..thanks again Josh..nice phone (need it on ATT)...

REALLY good stuff. . . Circle ME!

I think everyone is going to love this.
Today, no joke, sitting in my office and someone comes in to chat about a problem, go figure...Anyway, I think it's awesome how egotistical some people are.  He and a few of my employees and I are discussing movies (horror movies) and he out of no where says, and I quote...." Hey I don't usually plug this, but search for ...." (I'm going to change this part, so you can't Google it and know exactly who I'm talking about let's say he said, "best person on earth")  so I Google it and really, it's a page he's made about himself.  REALLY...REALLY??...
I have a very high opinion of myself.  This is why I blog and believe that everyone would LOVE to hear what I say.  Also though, I do this because I like to write and I've thought about writing a book, and dabbled a little, but that takes a lot of commitment and I lack that.  This also takes commitment and I'm hoping that after a while, I'll be able to transition and come up with a lot of great book ideas.  Another writing problem I face is that I want to be original and not come up with anything like any other book I have read.  We'll see how that works out for me.  I'm sure I'll fall in line somewhere.
Anyway, even with all of my ego, I have never thought of creating a website that's title is anything remotely close to "I'm the greatest most perfect. . . " anything, and .... Also to say "I don't usually plug this. . ." to me..REALLY..he doesn't even know me. So obviously if I can have a 2 minute conversation with you and you already told me this, then well. . . I think you probably do "plug" it.
I do really think it's great when I meet someone who has a high opinion of themselves. Like my buddy Josh for instance, He's GREAT and he KNOWS it, and I do too...and my Gary - - He loves himself and that's cool I love him too...and Zack - He also thinks he's all that and a bag of chips and I agree with that mostly...But they're all kinda funny about how they admit to it.  Even they would not make a website telling the world how great they are.  There would be no need to, cuz they just know it and those around them know how they feel, it's kinda like everyone knows that I'm confident and happy most of the time.  And also I'm just cool, but I can tell you all that in here...I changed my G+ picture and my profile picture on Facebook..check it out..Lovein' it...

In case you need help - We're circling a tree (huge tree in CA)and I say "I'd circle me"..funny stuff.. .

Google Doc's...

You know what..I just realized how cool today that the templates are in Google Docs.  Seriously there are all kinds of templates out there for the taking.  I'm currently writing a paper about Google's Organizational Behaviors, so if anyone would like to add anything, please do.  I was trying to find evidence of Google being an Agile environment, but all I can find is where they practice a lot of the same methodology as Agile development.  If anyone can help, let me know.

I LOVE GOOGLE!

Droid vs. Android

Today's complaints. . .

Android is an operating system, and I have a phone that has Android on it.  I do NOT have a Droid, though.  A Droid is a type of phone made by the manufacturer Motorola.  They also do have the Android operating system on them.

Apple's iOS is on all of their devices, but they don't sell their OS or give it away to anyone.  Google is COOL.  They give their OS out to many manufacturer's, so my phone is an Atrix (much better than a Droid) and it runs an Android operating system and it's made by Motorola.

Back when I was a simpleton and had an iPhone I was confused by this, too.  I would think though, that since Android's are becoming so popular - Apple's phones are only outselling Android devices by 9%....(check this article http://mashable.com/2010/11/02/iphone-android-nielsen/) - this would become more common knowledge.  I am not kidding though that at least twice a week, someone says to me, "oh you have a Droid".

No, I do not have a Droid.  I have a much superior phone to any of the Droid phones.
I read this back and wonder why this bothers me so much, but it does.  My phone is more than just a phone or a smart device; it's an extension of me, I guess and it's awesome.

Companies I love and why...

First and foremost, I love Google.

No place does it like Google.  They're interesting and they don't waiver in that.  The company puts my needs (yes MINE) first.  I use almost every app they have.  Google Docs, Gmail, G+, Google Calendar, Picasa, Latitude - keep it coming Google, I love you.

Second - I love Amazon.

Amazon is AMAZING. They have really been working hard on the one stop shopping idea.  Music, Apps, Clothing, Food, Electronics.  I can't wait to buy the new Kindle Fire from them.  They have definitely lit my fire (not lame at all).

Third - Trader Joe's

I think I would marry Joe.  He has so many original healthy items in his store.  Me loves me some tasty healthy.


Fourth - I love Wabash National.

It's where I get my paycheck from, but it's more than that.  It truly is a good company to work for.


Fifth - I love Plato's Closet.

I can always find nice jeans for Zach there, and they're typically really in style and cheap.  Plus they stamp my card and every so often I get 20% off the whole purchase.  Woot!

Sixth - I love Woot.  I said Woot and thought of Woot.com.

I do check woot every single day.  I love kids woot and the t-shirts.  Nothing like Woot-off's to get me excited.  Really good deals sometimes.

Next - Kohls - yeah I still love Kohls and Macy's but Kohls is cheaper.

Macy's is great - but way expensive sometimes and Kohls is well more my style.  I love their sales, which they seem to always have.

Oh and there is Lovesac.com

I hope to outfit my living room with those babies someday.  Lovesac are bean bags that are HUGE.  I love them so much, but again a bit pricey.

I occasionally buy from overstock.com and zappos.com too

Great stores, both of them.  Zappos gets a lot of attention, but Overstock is nice, too.  Websites are really easy to maneuver.

Okay - last but not least - that I can think of right now - I love Apple.

I know - I'm an Android person totally, but Apple is pretty good for Simpletons, and I really would prefer to give Simpletons and simple phone.  My mom can even work that phone, so there ya have it.

People still use Yahoo for mail? Or for anything?

I'm really confused by this.  I figure it has something to do with comfort and maybe a bit of ignorance.  Okay - ignorance means " lack of knowledge, education, or awareness." I'm not being mean.  
I also think it has to be a stubbornness to change.  *Thought Bubble* "I've always known this, so why should I change to something way more superior?" 


I rarely say much to anyone about it, but every one that knows me knows that I'm a HUGE Google fan.  I've had my Gmail account for a long time now (when it was still beta) thanks to my Gary.  I just don't think people understand that a Google account means a free online account to basically everything needed to do anything.  So, daily I can save my excel documents to my Google Docs, I can check my mail, I share calendars with people in my life, I can upload pictures for sharing to Picasa, I can create a quick and easy website, and most recently I can post to G+.  And guess what, it's all in one place and it's so easy to use, even my mom can navigate it.  I encourage you; I implore you, to change your computing experience forever.  


Also you can include me in your circles on Google Plus, I'd love to have you.  I'm probably more entertaining on here, but who knows.

Why Android. . .

My first smart phone was a gift from my wonderful man on Valentine’s Day probably about 4 years ago.  It was an iPhone 3G.  I loved that phone and named it “My Precious”.  When the iPhone 4 came out, I jumped quickly on it.  I was most definitely a Mac Head (reference to Apple fanatics).  One day a while ago, I saw the advertisement for the Atrix 4G(“is it a computer or a phone”).  All of the sudden, I decided I would try the Android world and see for myself which was truly the better operating system.  Honestly, I like them both.  They are just a completely different world from each other.

Apple is about keeping it simple, and the look and feel of things.  They made it sleek and beautiful and aesthetically clean.  It’s appealing and they advertise well.  Grandparents and children alike can use the iPhone, yet I still think sales people are trying to figure them out.

Android devices are more complex.  They integrate with all of the Google products, which is very nice.  There are tons of more free apps than the iTunes store has.  The Atrix had a dual-core processor from the start, was on the H+ (true 4G) network, and my laptop dock is pretty neat.  All in all, the device is sweet, but that’s not what sells me on Android.  Amazon and Google sell me on Android.  See, Amazon is amazing and they really know what’s going on and what consumers want; Google has always known what I need and they give it to me in fresh new small beta’s all the time.  The Amazon Apps Store and the Android App store has always stored my App library for me online.  Now both companies store my music, too.  Guess what they charge me for doing this?  That’s right, NOTHING.  Google has any document I need or want in their cloud, along with all my contacts, music, mail, pictures.  Seriously, I know that there is a lot of fear out there, and that some people will be all like …”you do what?”  “don’t you want to protect yourself from identity theft?”  Amazon even guesses at what I want to buy, because I’m there so often.  I love this technology thing, and I love Amazon and Google.  

That is all.

Yes - me and my Android buddy in Mountain View, CA

Thinking that the 4S has nothing on us.