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- The phone is lighter. This is great! My iPhone 4 in its Otter case is heavy. Sounds like a first world problem, but if it can be improved, why not?
- It has a larger screen. Awesome! There are now 5 rows of apps, not 4. Love that! Also, watching videos and taking pictures (with it's improved camera--should that be its own bullet point? Nah...) will be so much nicer with the larger screen.
- EarPods > earbuds? I don't listen to crazy bass-heavy music, so I don't really care a whole bunch. I guess it's nice that they are more sweat resistant for working out, but beyond that, I barely use them. I know my fiancé is going to love this, though--he listens to music all the time!
- 4G LTE instead of 3G. Of course. You can't come out with a new phone with only 3G these days.
- No more Google Maps! Apparently Apple made its own navigation system. Thank god. :) I despise getting lost and that is definitely what happens more than not with the current map app.
- Passbook. Now, I don't completely know everything about this, so I don't know how I really feel about it. From what it sounds like, if you walk into an airport and you have your e-ticket on your phone, your phone automatically knows you're in the airport and pulls it up. Um...yikes? I know that Google has a lot more on anyone than we even really know at this point, but enabling it further? I'm not sure...maybe I'm just old fashioned.
Verdict: Keeping my perfectly fine iPhone 4, but looking forward to getting the iPhone 5 someday. Also looking forward to getting iOS 6! :)
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McDonald's is posting the calorie counts of all their food now! *Side Note: I don't eat McDonald's. It has literally been years since I've set foot in one. I don't like fast food at all. I hope you aren't thinking I'm a pollyanna or anything; I just don't like it. Apparently posting calorie counts is common in NYC. How interesting. Some people are saying it's not going to make a difference, and people are going to just eat whatever they want while they promise themselves more time at the gym "tomorrow." In my opinion, just from how I react to food and calories and all that, I would quit eating all together if I started seeing that. I quit eating at Panera for years after I worked there because now I know how many calories and grams of fat are in everything there.
Overall, I think it's great that McDonald's is doing this because there have been allegations in the past of them not being honest and forthcoming about what they're feeding their customers. This really gives their customers the facts before they order. It's honest and it seems like the right thing to do (although, in all reality, most people have smart phones so people can just look it up if they really want to).
Such an interesting world we live in, that technology and fast food are headlines.
P.S. I included the sites of where I got the photos of the copy written images because I don't want to be sued for stealing them or anything. Just making that very clear. :)
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." --Gandhi
You might find this interesting Kinsey.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/13/new-york-approves-soda-ban-big-sugary-drinks_n_1880868.html
In NYC it is required that you do post the calories in fast food joints. I don't "count calories" but I do find myself checking out the calorie counters when I'm at fast food places and try to make a better choice based on the information provided. I can't speak for most of America, but people that are somewhat educated, I assume, look at this kind of information. I do agree overall that we should spend our resources improving education on healthy eating, but it's a step in the right direction. (See libertarian paternalism)
I am not an Apple/iPhone fan so I will not comment on the new iPhone.
Interesting link! Thanks so much! That's really amazing that in NYC they have to post the calories--thank you for your perspective!
ReplyDeleteMayor Bloomberg is all about changing the lifestyle of New Yorkers and the tourists that visit our city.
ReplyDeleteSince when in a "free society" does Mayor Bloomberg have the right to change the lifestyle of New Yourkers and tourists that visit his city?! I love the idea that calories are shown on the menu, that people may be encouraged not to eat too much salt or to drink large surgary drinks. But, this should be done based on private citizens encouraging and working with business to educate the public. Once the government starts legislating what we can eat, where, how, etc...that's it! Our liberties are being eroded gradually everyday and no one seems to notice. Our society is so plugged in to the surface issues, never bothering to THINK things through. WOW! And this is just what is being done to our food choices--I could go on and on about our healthcare(Obamacare takes away many of the choices that we have now--read it; freedom of speech, freedom to practice our religion, etc...OPEN YOUR EYES!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think the health of the citizens of this country is a surface issue that hasn't been thought through. We are the fattest country in the world; if our citizens aren't going to take control of their health, then why shouldn't the government?
DeleteYou made my point--you're focused on the health of Americans and not thinking about the RAMIFICATIONS of how we are dealing with the problem. You're not seeing that when the US Gov't decides it has the right to tell us what we can/cannot eat or what kind of healthcare we can/cannot have, all in the name of WE CARE,that we are losing our liberties. Of course we care about the health of Americans(it is not a surface issue-- HOW it is handled is being completely ignored because we all want to say "we care"), but I'm just saying that we, through public pressure and education by private orgs. churches etc., NOT gov't mandate, can change the things we desire to change. I guess what I'm saying is that when we blindly praise something that we think is good, because we're caring people, we should look below the surface and think of the long term effects on our liberties. WOW, I took a lot of words to say that...Sorry!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you say that through education of private organizations we can change what we want to change. That's a really great point! Please see my other comment below; you and another writer had similar comments with like concerns, so I'm going to reply to them as one. I just wanted to say to you personally that I liked that point!
DeleteWhen government is the solution to our most intimate problems, we invite government into our private lives giving up our liberties one by one. Contrary to what has been happening during the last couple of years, America is governed under the Constitution. That is why the government should NOT be coming between me and my healthcare, what/when/how/where I eat, what kind of car I drive, etc.. THINK about what else the government can mandate that we do because it deams to know better than we do. Look under the surface and see the long-term effects as the other writer pointed out. If Bush was mayor of New York, I bet you wouldn't want the government butting in to our food choices; if Bush were president and he and the Republicans had passed the very same healthcare law, I'd be willing to bet you wouldn't be in favor of it. That's why we have a Constitution--so we're not governed by the whims of our leaders. Unfortunately, the Constitution is only upheld when we have strong leaders who insist that it be--leaders with integrity.
ReplyDeleteBefore I reply to the first part of your comment, I just would like to say two things to you that are unique to your comment. First, I appreciate the strong sense of commitment to the Constitution! I think that level of deep tradition is lost a lot of the time, and I really like that. Secondly, I feel like you think I only believe in certain things because of the people behind them. I approved of Romney's healthcare plan in Massachusetts. It's extremely similar to Obama's. If Bush said we needed to watch our calories, I'd be the first in line. I don't condemn people just because of the 90% of things we don't agree on; I work to talk together about the 10% we can agree on! Please read the rest of my response to both you and the other writer below; you had similar concerns, so I am going to respond to you together.
DeleteSorry--that was a cheap shot I made about you agreeing with things based on who proposed them. I'm just so frustrated that people seem to feel that they need or we (the masses) need a nanny-state to look after them. I watch my own calories, thank you, I don't want the government telling me how to shop, what to buy and that they know what's better for me. What ever happened to self responsibility? Thanks for letting me spout off. I just feel that I'm living in the wrong alternate universe sometimes! :)
DeleteYou're totally fine! :) That's what this blog is for! I like that this is a place for people to come spout off, even if it's something I personally don't agree with!
DeleteAs both of the anonymous writers have commented above, the more we allow the government to be the solution to our problems, the more freedoms we give up. While I can appreciate this acute sense of our inalienable rights, I would just like to ask a few questions along those lines.
ReplyDeleteIs the government coming between you and your healthcare right now? How? I feel like they are just making sure everyone can get the medical care they need. Now, if Romney gets into office and they decide to take birth control off of the list of medications that are covered by insurance, I feel like that would "come between me and my healthcare."
The EPA is implementing stricter emissions standards that will take place somewhere between 2015 and 2025, so cars will be required to be more efficient and produce less poisonous emissions. Why don't you want a more efficient car? It will save you money and help keep our earth from being polluted at the obscene rate it has been for the last 100 years. The government is telling you what kind of car you can drive, yes, but it is going to help you, so why are you upset?
While I believe I can understand your ideas on keeping your freedoms, I just wonder: Why do you think that having all of your freedoms is the best possible course of action? Now, before you jump all over that question, please hear me out.
Do you make the best decisions about what kind of car you drive just because you see the private organizations (car companies) having ads on TV telling you that hybrids are good for the environment? If not, then why shouldn't the government take control of something that affects the whole planet?
Do you have access to the healthcare you need so that you can stay healthy and be the best citizen you can for our country? If not, then why shouldn't the government give you healthcare?
My point here is that I really don't think that just allowing Americans who are used to having the most, biggest, best, etc. of everything really works. The top portion of the country takes the most while the bottom part can't get enough. Isn't it the government's job to keep its citizens safe? Why does that just have to be safe from foreign attacks? There are plenty of domestic "attacks" in terms of class warfare here at home that aren't even being touched.
So you're told that you have to drive a certain car. While I get that it can be seen as a "personal liberty that is taken away," instead of fighting to keep your "freedom" to drive a 12mpg SUV, wouldn't you rather save yourself money and help the planet?
Thank you both so much for your comments; I really enjoy this dialogue.
Then why shouldn't the government "give" me healthcare!? Who do you think pays for that? The government isn't giving me anything--I'm paying for it BIG TIME!The government is becoming the middle man and causing the cost of healthcare to skyrocket, just like Medicare and Medicaid caused our healthcare costs to be way more than they need to be. Everyone needs skin in the game; to pay whatever they can for their care. We have a safety net for those who can't pay.To completely screw up our whole, although imperfect, system to put us all under the same mediocre care is just not worth it. I've looked at the UK (they are broke as we are) and Canada healthcare and they don't hold a candle to ours. I'm hoping through lively debate such as these, that our country can find a solution--it's definately not Obamacare in my opinion! Thanks
DeleteWell, I think that the government deciding where your taxes are going is pretty much giving you healthcare. You're getting back taxes that would otherwise be sent to another part of the country's budget that you would never see.
DeleteOMG--where do I start! I want it to be my choice to save money and help the planet. What if I need an SUV for my ranch/farm/or business. I am not stupid--I can do research and watch car commercials and make up my own mind. Again, education not government mandate.
ReplyDeleteMajor philosophical difference--I don't believe that if someone is wealthy, it means that someone else is poor--that the pie is limited. Our creator made the pie infinite. WE are our brother's keeper not what ever government we live under.
Yes it is the government's job to protect it's citizens, but where does it stop. Small cars are much more dangerous to drive than an SUV if you are in an accident--would you want the gov't telling you that have to drive an SUV to keep safer?
Yes, the government is coming between me and my healthcare now==my premiums went up $6000 this year for my family because of Obamacare. We all pay for those who can't or won't buy insurance now and it will be more so when the law is in full effect. No one is turned away for healthcare; health insurance, yes. I don't think that the government needs to come in and take over the whole industry. The free clinic in my town is excellent--so is the Catholic Hospital;they turn away no one--I know because I volunteer there. I have a choice to support them, but I don't like government mandating that I support others just because I am able(though hard work) to take responsibility for my family.
If Romney is in office and they repeal the healthcare law, then he won't have the power to take birth control off your insurance. You, hopefully, would be able to pick and choose which insurance policy you buy based on your need at the particular time in your life. Why should I pay for your birth control?(I would say, just don't have sex, because I don't want to pay! :)) Why should you pay for my breast augmentation?
I've really enjoyed the dicussion, as well. Thanks!
Really good points--our government is creating an entitlement class of people in order to keep themselves in power. In the meantime, we're losing our Constitutional rights, inch by inch--seemingly without a thought. How sad
DeleteWe definitely see different sides in this. I appreciate hearing your views! It sounds like you have great healthcare and a really good system in place for your family. I'm sorry your premiums went up--that really sucks and I can empathize with that.
DeleteAs for the birth control vs. breast augmentation debate...I don't really think that's relevant. Birth control is used as a medical treatment for many things other than not having babies. Breast augmentation is not. Breast reduction is, and I would be happy to pay for that!
No offense, but the US Constitution is much more than a "tradition"--it's the law of our land. Our president is sworn to uphold and defend it--it that what he's been doing?
ReplyDeleteYes, I do think that he is upholding it. For example, check out Article II, Section 8 where it says that Congress has the power to raise taxes, go to war, borrow money from other countries...I think a lot of people pick and choose what to pay attention to from the constitution and ignore the rest of it.
DeleteYes; you're right he's certainly been doing all those things. On the health insurance arguement-you missed my point. I would like the freedom to choose my own insurance, covering what I want and need covered for myself and my family; why should I be paying for your coverage or why should you pay for mine. Of course, people who are mentally ill, destitute, or disabled should have our help; but I thought that's what Medicaid was for. Now it's broke and they're taking money from it to pay for Obamacare. I'm just asking for a little common sense here :)
ReplyDeleteFair point. I don't really mind paying higher taxes to help people who can't afford healthcare. I guess that's a fundamental difference between people, but that's okay. I mean, if you think about it, you're helping them now, and they'll help you once you're retired and don't have a regular income. It all goes in cycles and I'm okay with doing my part. Is it easy? Not always; my fiancé and I are living on one income right now and we don't have a lot of extra cash. I know a lot of people don't have extra money. But I think it's important to realize that other people will help you when you need it, so it's probably appropriate that we help them now. That's common sense to me, but I can understand why there would be other views on that.
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