Search for the name on the app store.

I have been using a pair of Nike Aero headphones for the last few days. I really like these. My initial interest was aesthetic; I liked the look of the headphones in the packaging. I also saw that Philips had made these exclusively for Nike.

In use they fit comfortably over the ear and deliver good sound. One feature I like is that they stay in place when my head moves whereas the in-ear ones supplied with my iPod nano tend to pop out (especially my right ear). A soft gel-like coated band connects the two ear speakers and the cable is routed to the back of the head to minimise interference.

The cable manager is useful depending on where you store your iPod when in use. This is also designed along the lines of the ear covers which are white shiny plastic discs with the Nike swoosh logo set dead centre.

Whilst these headphones are designed for sports use I think they work equally well whilst walking around the metropolis.

Technical Details

• Nike-branded headphones by Philips for use in active sports
• A 1.2 m long cable that is ideal for outdoor use
• 30 mm speaker driver delivers big sound performance
• Nike AirPad cushions ensure excellent sporting comfort
• Nike cable manager brings you easy cable management
• Headphone weight is only 300g

This blog text was written using the a new piece of software called Ommwriter.

With this editor the user is allowed to focus on writing as the tool fills the whole screen. A minimal amount of configuration is provided. The background image can be altered along with the ambient soundtrack (this can also be turned off). Font and edit  region can also be adjusted.

I love this software. Using it is a beautiful experience. A simple white background with black text and a relaxing ambient soundtrack. If only all life was as good as this.

Check it out at;

http://www.ommwriter.com

I have been reading a lot about minimalism lately. Not the art – more the lifestyle. I considered a reduction in my on-line presence. I had multiple email addresses and multiple web-sites.

My Google account was linked to email, Adsense, the RSS reader, YouTube, Calendar, and Docs.

As I did not use the email account and had had enough of Adsense I took the decision that I would delete all of my Google services. It was then I discovered how much of a grip on me Google had.

This ‘blog had Adsense links that had to be removed. My other websites had the same issue.

A regular habit of checking RSS feeds through Google Reader no longer worked because I could not login any more.

The Google App on my iPhone was removed as I could not use many of the features without an account. I had used the RSS reader that sync’d with the cloud.

I still use Google Search but I am also trying keyboardr.

At the moment I still feel a little bit lost. I am having to find alternatives for the tools and features I used. This proves to me how reliant I was becoming on Google.

Time will tell if I can cope without it permanantely.

iPod Dock

I have just received an email from my local Bang and Olufsen dealer. They have introduced a new iPod dock. In the UK the dock will retail for £375. That is a heafty price for a simple dock that is just a connection device. You need additional speakers or a B&O music system to connect to.

The dealer information was as follows;

We’ve got it docked

We’ve just launched an I-Pod docking station which you can attach directly to your BeoSound Audio System or even just to a pair of our BeoLab active loudspeakers.

It is fully compatible with our Beo 4 remote control so you can surf your tracks or adjust volume from your armchair

Priced at £375.00 our dock fits all I-pods. We have one set up in the showroom so please feel free to bring in your I-pod and see what a difference Bang & Olufsen can make.

I think another £100 spent on a Vita R4 would be a better deal.

Along with their refined design reduced to the essential I feel that by offering a limited product range I can clearly focus on what’s essential for me. Less choice = greater clarity.

So, at the WWDC ‘09 next week I hope that they mainly update existing products and not introduce too many new things.

LAMY noto pen in grey

As a long standing fan of the Lamy pen company I regularly take a look at their web-site to see what new products are available.

I was recently taken with the new noto pen designed by Naoto Fukasawa. This pen is an exercise in restraint from the uniform colour, in this case matt grey, the discrete branding, through to the simple triangular body for easier grip.

I quickly looked into where I could get one and found a very reasonably priced version on eBay.

From the Lamy web-site;

LAMY noto

The LAMY noto is a design product from the Japanese star designer Naoto Fukasawa. The name Fukasawa stands for the reduction of form to the absolutely essential. The LAMY noto is a ballpoint pen whose design is restricted to the absolutely essential functions and good writing…
…Ballpoint pen in the new, functional design. With triangularbody and impressive clip solution.

Spend a few hours with Apple Inc. products and you will really start to appreciate the thought that goes into the design.

Recently I purchased a white iPhone 3G and have been impressed with the quality and design of the hardware and the software.

I like the colour white so quite often I place my iPhone face down on the table in order to look at the back (BTW the back of this phone is “better than the front of other phones”).

As I looked at the phone’s back I considered the design and the shiny Apple logo. It then occurred to me that I could use this logo area to take a self portrait.

I could see my face in the logo and took a picture. When I checked the results my face was framed perfectly.

I reckon that Apple deliberately chose this design in order to support self-portraits.

What do you think?

This post is a bit tenuous I know but here goes.

Based on the information relating to availability in the States from the web site…
http://www.topmuffin.com/3g-iphone-availability
… a quick analysis shows that, of the three models, the 16Gb Black iPhone is the most popular followed by the 8Gb Black model. In last place is the 16Gb White model.

The figures work out as follows;

• 8 GB Black – Available in 85 Apple stores.
• 16 GB White – Available in 97 stores.
• 16 GB Black – Available in 76 stores.

What conclusions can we draw from this?

• White is more exclusive (Less people own one).
• People have not realised that black iPhones show finger prints and scratches more than white.
• People do not appreciate the colour white.

The snob in me might say that when I see someone with a black iPhone to their ear I might think it’s an 8Gb version. However when I see a white one I know it’s a 16 Gig.

Of course it could also be because I own a White iPhone and that I am biased.

I have written about Lamy pens before.

Whilst shopping the other day I came across a limited edition version of the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen in White. Of course I had to get one (well it’s white isn’t it?). The writing action is a given for Lamy writing instruments. It uses a cartridge system to deliver the ink although an upgrade can be purchased to allow it to be filled manually. Personally I find the cartridge system to be the cleanest and most elegant way of filling an ink pen.

The detail via Lamy are;

The 2007 limited edition of the legendary LAMY safari fountain pen.

Barrel and cap made of shiny white ABS plastic. With chromium plated metal clip.

Also available in shiny black.

Fountain pen with cartridge filling system with ink cartridge T 10 blue (can be modified for use with converter Z 24). Steel nib.

Available nib grades: fine (F) and medium (M).

The pen also comes with a shiny white plastic case.