Google Wallet - update

The wallet is beneficial in that it truly enables me to slip a much slimmer wallet in my pocket, and transferring funds from my bank onto the card is simple. The one function I have yet to be able to utilize is the paypass option. Perhaps it is because it is not an available payment method at many of the retailers I frequent. I have found it on the vending machines at my employer and attempted to purchase a soda using it, but kept getting an error; however this could have been the fault of the device on the vending machine as opposed to the wallet application.

Google Wallet: An easier way to pay... and I'm game for it!

Okay, so I'm doing it. I'm going to use Google Wallet for more than just Play store app purchases. I even have the card on the way... so we shall see how I like it.

Will it be as easy as claimed? (Google has yet to really let me down. Sure, some ideas don't take off, but that's just par for the course.)

Will I be able to just "tap and pay" with my phone in many retail locations?

How much more convenient will it make my online shopping?



I'll find out and share my experience here.



How about you? Have you made the switch? Have you decided against it? Why/Why not?

A Priest Saw Two Nuns Doing Push-ups:

When it comes to the networking basics, one of the concepts that is a struggle for many to grasp is the OSI Model.... at least this rang true of me. I've seen charts, read chapters on it, etc., but this is one of the most helpful resources regarding this topic that I've stumbled upon to date.
And yes, a Priest and two Nuns really will help you master this topic.

A Double-Edged Sword

[ I realize this may be a bit of an unorthodox post given the tenor of the blog, but yesterday I observed a table of people all sucked into the black hole caused by the electronic device in their hands and not communicating with each other. This is a common occurrence, to which I am listed as one of the victims of, so it's good to be reminded from time to time.]

Technology is amazing! I’m so thrilled to be living in the time we are in - a time where phones have capabilities that we barely imagined in sci-fi television shows. Where the newest device is practically outdated by the time we walk out of the store after having just purchased it. (Okay, this part can be slightly frustrating.) We’re giving voice command to our handheld devices, no wires, video chatting on the go, GPS in our pockets, download games, stream movies, handle finances, pay for things without getting our wallets out - the technology we have at our beck and call is outrageously wonderful!

However, I’ve noticed something; we have a knack for taking things to the extreme. We, humanity as a whole, tend to take our creativity and passion to unhealthy heights. Of this we must be mindful and careful. We tend to find ways to utilize the technology at our fingertips to snatch information about people that is private and valuable. We get overly creative with how we can manipulate the tools we have for personal gain. Or our passion takes over and we spend every waking hour on Facebook, or we think our entire life needs to be on Instagram. We spend so much time on social networks that we can cause some of our most important relationships suffer.

This technological sword is potent! It can be used to enrich our lives and the lives of others or it can be used to our detriment. This sword cuts both ways.

We have the ability and potential to accomplish more with today’s technology than we have even yet fully realized. I am a technophile. I love technology,as I hope you do, and while we may not be able to control what others do with the amazing technological advances we can control what we do with them. Regardless of our preferred OS, social network, make/model hardware, or who we may be fanboys/fangirls of, let’s use the technology at our disposal to benefit society. We can use it to share enjoyment, knowledge, compassion, life with others or we can use it to construct an imploding digital world with us at it’s center.

How will you utilize technology today to enrich your life and the lives of others?

One Reason why "i-Android" over iOS

Look, I'm an Android guy; and not just because I started out Android. I tried to switch to Apple, gave it an all out shot. I was determined to do it as fast as my finances would allow (no, that's not a dig on the price of Apple devices... plus Android devices can be just as pricey). I began with buying two new iPads, one for my wife and one for me. My phone contract wasn't up for renewal, so I didn't go for the iPhone at that time. I was in with my iDevice sporting friends. Emphasized how I loved the feel of the iPad, how smooth the transitions are, and the cool hand gestures to maneuver from app to app. And all these pros are legit pros! After two months, I couldn't take it any more. I called a friend who wanted an iPad and sold it at a slight loss. The next day I purchased the Nexus 10 and am glad to say, I never plan to even attempt an Android mutiny again.
I say that to give background for this - my wife kept her iPad. She loves it. Yes, I still love her. =) It does what she needs... most of the time. Tonight, I was reminded of why I prefer Android. My wife was trying to share a photo in a Facebook message with a friend and the Facebook app was glitching (not Apples fault, I realize that) so I was just going to upload the photo to Dropbox so she could send her friend the link through Facebook Message and her friend could view/download the photo. My wife has a Dropbox account and has the Dropbox app on her iPad, but did not have the option to share/send the photo to Dropbox from the photo itself. I had to enable Dropbox to have access to her photos, then go into Dropbox and upload the photo from that app.

Android has more options

The frustrating thing is that I am limited on my choices of how I can share things. I can only share something from the limited options Apple thinks I should have. If I want upload it to Dropbox, or some other app, I must exit the app I'm in, go to that app, and access the object I was just on though the new app in order to upload it. A bit cumbersome, and extremely frustrating to me. On my Nexus 10, I can share the file from right where I am with ANY app I have on my device that has sharing/uploading capabilities. (You'll notice the list on the Nexus 10 actually can be scrolled down to reveal more options that aren't depicted.)
I guess my one reason is really two: 1. Convenience 2. Options. The primary reason of the two being that I like options.
PS. There are more reasons, but this is just the one I wanted to highlight here.
So, which do you prefer? And why?

Android Invasion?

For years, the desktop/laptop market has been an ongoing battle between two kings - Apple and Microsoft. Linux, which I love, has been there but just not as one of the major competitors in the eyes of the average consumer. But things are changing, and I'm not talking about just for Linux. The OS world is beginning to resemble a chapter from Game of Thrones as technology kings are struggling to stay on top. What's bringing the battle to their doorstep? Android.

What started as a smartphone OS and naturally morphed into a tablet OS is beginning to find its way onto the desktop. Samsung has the ATIV Q, a laptop/tablet that runs both Windows and Android operating systems, allowing the user to switch between the two. ASUS also has their dual OS desktop, sporting the same two operating systems, the Transforer AiO, permitting the user to use both in an attempt to maximize user experience. But today HP is brandishing an altogether bold unit - the Slate 21 AIO. This is an exclusively Android unit that is vying for the desktop throne. I'm excited about this move and anticipate seeing how it affects the other players battle plans from here out.

Google+ Nothing

Okay, Okay, I still use Twitter... but you know what I mean.

Less than a month ago, I deactivated my Facebook page. I haven't yet filled out the forms to have it deleted, not because I think I might return, but because I've just never taken the time to log back in to do it. (I will... eventually.) Before I go further, let me clarify that this is NOT a bash Facebook rant. While I have my own personal reasons for leaving Facebook, others have their own reasons for staying. Nor does one have to choose between social networking venues (I already confessed to using Twitter). 

Whether you choose to abandoned Facebook altogether, or just amend your social networking world with the realm of Google+, there are a few things I've learned in my transition that I'd like to share:

1. Don't treat it like Facebook. It's not. Facebook is a place where you find people you already know and connect/reconnect with them. It's a place where not much is sacred, and telling all to all is encouraged. G+, while definitely a place to connect/reconnect with those you know, it is a chance where making new connections is encouraged; while telling all to all is completely up to the user. Find people you don't know, yet share common interests with. Circle or follow them, and go from there. 
2. You get out what you put in. I hear people complain that G+ is a ghost town. When I first started my Facebook page, it was too, until I "friended" about 100 people and made regular posts/comments. There is a world of interesting people out there who are excited to share their thoughts and dialogue with opposing views. As you read posts and articles, give meaningful responses and comments. As people read your thoughts they are more likely to "circle" you, thus growing your network. Oh, and there is a +1 button (feel free to use it), and share the content you find helpful. 
3. Join a community(s). There are communities out there for every flavor. Sure, you're probably not going to agree with everyone in the community. You may join a tech community comprised of PC enthusiasts, Mac lovers, and Linux power users. As an Android lover, you may find an Apple fanatic in the group (or vice versa). Wonderful! Learn from each other. You will find that ideas are shared and things are made better in community. Recipes are swapped, book discussions are had, news is speculated on; and life is shared.  
4. Circle Smart. Google+ circles is one of my favorite ideas. It took me a bit of getting use to, because when I would connect with someone on Facebook they just went in my big pile of friends. G+ forced me to think about my relationship with each person and what it was that we have in common. This is great as it specifies my sharing. I have some friends who could care less about Doctor Who (much to my chagrin), but I do have some who have discovered the awesomeness of The Doctor, so I have them in that circle  (I've also joined a Whovian community... see, I practice what I preach). I share things with that circle that only they would understand/care about while the rest of my non-Whovian friends aren't bothered by it. Oh, don't forget you can put the same person in multiple circles. 

There's much more in the Google+ world to discover, but these 4 simple steps will guide you along the way. Hope to see you there!