When Guests Check In, Their iPhones Check Out
Firstly, if you are checking email while skiing or horse riding you have bigger issues.
Secondly, what’s wrong with using e-readers? I wouldn’t even clump them with digital devices, because for all intents and purposes they are akin to a paperback book.
Thirdly, what about having an iPod to listen to music? Similarly, what’s wrong with using an iPad to play games with friends. I think the issue should be whether you are spending time with the people around you rather than updating your status.
Finally, I would like to add that two types of holiday that I love are the scuba diving holiday and the “retreat” holiday. The former is of course conducted underwater so a digital device is impossible to use and where you either stay on a boat or at a beach resort. The latter is usually at a remote location without any form of connectivity (or it is limited at best). In any case using digital devices in these locations are basically impossible. I really don’t think you need a “digital detox” you need to assign priorities when you go on holiday. For example, when I go diving I want to dive, not tweet about my dive.
Honestly, it’s all about willpower and priorities. If I am enjoying myself I don’t need to surf the net.
New Kindle :)
Apple’s iCloud: Data in Forefront, Devices in Background
I’ve been on the fence about using Apple products.
What makes me a Google/Android “fanboy” is the seamless integration between GTalk, GMail, Google Contacts, and Google Calendar. These four services are essential and I like that they are baked into my Android phone. I could achieve similar functionality with iOS, but it would not be as seamless. For example, I would have to download a separate GTalk app.
However, Apple’s iCloud service has caused a real disruption in mobile syncing. As I predicted iCloud is completely free. The only paid service will be iTunes Match. All an iOS user has to do is hit the sync button and data is automatically downloaded/uploaded between their devices. This is the Holy Grail of multi-device syncing. There is no need to worry about setting up automatic folder synchronisation or using Dropbox-like tools, which while arguably very powerful requiring some tweaking.
I use a desktop, a laptop, a smartphone and will possibly also purchase a tablet. Keeping my music and videos synced on all these devices will be an annoyance and if iOS can make this less of a headache, I may really consider switching.
