I Think I Finally Figured Out Why Everyone Loves The Rick Ross Album [Rant]

I would like to preface this rant by saying I DO like the Rick Ross album.  It's not a terrible album.  It's well put together, has some great beat selection, and Ross is a decent enough rapper.  If you read my other write up you'll even see I gave it a pretty glowing review despite my disdain for those two songs that sound exactly fucking alike.  "Teflon Don" is solid but a far cry from the "album of the year" praise people felt inclined to heap upon it.  And I think I figured out why.

MLB Umps Need A Reality Check

We all know about the umpire who missed an obvious call at first base that ruined a historic perfect game.  But in the grand scheme of things, the team that was supposed to win the game still won the game.  However, this afternoon as I'm watching The Yankees take on The Royals, I see an umpire blow an equally obvious call at second base that led to a home run.  The home run gave The Royals the lead and should the Yankees lose this game by two runs, the outcome could be traced back to that blown call.  I understand the need to protect the authority of the umpires but something absolutely has to be done about this.

Classic Albums

I'm not sure why but fans seem to be overly eager to crown the next classic album. So eager, in fact, that Rick Ross' Teflon Don has been heralded as a classic by fans and even some critics.  Unless the criteria for classic material has changed since I last checked, I don't see how this is possible.  Let's look at some albums that were universally accepted as classics.

Rick Ross - "Teflon Don" [Review]

I'm going to begin this review by getting something out of the way.  I do not like "B.M.F." or "MC Hammer".  At all.  It's bad enough the two beats (both produced by Lex Luger) sound almost identical.  "MC Hammer" has one key change that "B.M.F." doesn't have.  But aside from that, they're practically the same exact beat.  To make matters worse, Ross uses almost the same cadence on the hook for both songs.  So they REALLY wind up sounding like the same track.  It's such an annoyance to me that Ross fucks up this album by including two songs that are not only subpar when compared to the rest of the album, but two songs that sound EXACTLY-FUCKING-ALIKE.

Inception Review [Spoiler Alert]

If you haven't seen "Inception" yet, it would probably be in your best interest to not read this review because I will be touching on the ending.  But more importantly, if you haven't' seen "Inception" yet, please stop reading this and do so now because it is an awesome movie.

Apple's Full-Of-Shit Assed Press Conference

Anyone that's been paying any kind of attention to any media outlet should be familiar with the complaints surrounding the iPhone 4.  The stories picked up steam with users posting YouTube videos detailing the issues and it wasn't long before tech blogs and even CNN began chiming in.  For the first time in the history of the product, people were unhappy with the iPhone on a pretty wide scale.  But the actual problem wasn't the worst of it.  The REAL problem came with Apple's sloppy handling of the aforementioned problem.  Here's a quick outline of the events leading up to yesterday's press conference.

RIM Needs To STFU And Sit Down

This is the new BlackBerry Curve.  It's scheduled to release soon with T-Mobile.  The problem with this phone?  Aside from looking almost exactly like the Curve that's currently offered?  It has NO new features or capabilities.  NONE.  Oh, wait.  Yes it does.  Now it comes with 3G data connection (something that no phone past the year of 2008 should be without in the first place, but whatever).  So they're practically RE-RELEASING the same exact phone, only with a slightly shinier coat.  At least when Apple re-releases the iPhone, there's something new to entice buyers.  I can't see a single reason for anyone to buy this Curve if they have either of the previous two.  Aside from the fact that maybe their old one is beat up.

iPhone Review (From The Perspective Of An Android User Who Hates Apple)

I think I'm one of those guys that can admit when I was wrong about something.  My sense of pride isn't that big.  It definitely depends on the situation, though.  For anyone who's been reading long enough, I've had my fair share of disparaging remakes towards Apple's iPhone.  But to be fair, a lot of the remarks were directed more towards Apple as a business, and iPhone users in general.  Despite this, the techie in me had an itching desire to test out the iPhone and see what the fuss was about. So alas, here I am; an official member of Team iPhone.  On to the review.

It's worth noting that I purchased the 3GS and not the iPhone 4.  There has been entirely too many problems and too much bad press surrounding that device. As sexy and enticing as it is, I decided to hold off for now.  Besides, a 3GS running iOS 4 bares a lot of similarities.  The phone moves very smoothly, does multitasking and runs the same apps.  So while I'm missing the "Retina Display" and the front facing camera, neither is a huge deal for me right now.

Since I LOVED my Droid, I'll make this review very simple.  The aspects I liked the most about the Droid, I'll compare to the iPhone and see how they stack up against one another.

Apps - If your phone doesn't have the ability to download apps, you might as well give it to your grandmother.  This is the world we live in; a phone is only as good as it's apps.  Android Market has some really good apps, but since Apple had the store first it's only natural Android would have to play catch up.  I immediately browsed the store for iPhone versions (or closest equivalents) of apps I had on my Droid and noticed quite a few to run better on the iPhone.  A good example is ESPN ScoreCenter, which was designed to run on the iPhone then lazily ported over to Android.  I (halfway) understand Apple's insistence on keeping their hands in the cookie jar when it comes to the apps; it allows things to be uniform and up to a certain quality.  There's a lot of trash in the App Store but the things I care about all work great.  Notch goes to the iPhone.

Touchscreen - Both have capacitive screens and both have great displays.  iPhone's keyboard is leaps and bounds better though.  I noticed a few instances of hiccups in the software that would cause weird scrolling/input issues with my Droid, and I've yet to see that with the iPhone, so they get the notch here as well.

System Wide UI - Apple's interface is heaps cleaner.  Androids interface is more customizable, and in some ways, more powerful.  I think Apple's cleaner, less is more approach helps them more than Androids open, you-can-rig-this-however-you-like approach helps them.  Aesthetics go a long way and Android is only just now learning how to dress up their OS the way Apple has.  Point to iPhone.

Multimedia - Really?  iPhone.

Usability - This is where it gets tricky.  Both phones will essentially do the same thing.  There are apps I can download on my Droid that iPhone doesn't have and vice versa.  As of version 2.2, Android is a LEGITIMATE threat to Apple rather than the startup rookie it was in 2008.  Despite Apple's insistence on limiting their customers with silly app policies and crippling it's capabilities, it's still a great phone.  And like it our not, Android is the one trying to catch up, not Apple.  At the end of the day, that will always translate into which device has the edge.  Even being tied to a weak network and having a company tell it's customers to hold the phone different and STFU, iPhone STILL leads the pack.  In some ways, it's disappointing (and it says a lot about the questionable loyalty of some fans) but in other ways, it's admirable.  A phone can't possibly sell this well for this long unless it does enough things right.  And after my time with the phone I can see why people like it.  While I'm not willing to let apple off the hook for their crap (hence me not falling for the hype and buying that faulty iPhone 4), I can acknowledge a good phone when I see it.  Android has made strides but it's still in second place.  iPhone wins.  For now.

Apple Be Lyin', B

For those at home keeping score, Apple went on record numerous times saying the iPhone 4 did not have any reception issues and that it's users were simply holding the phone wrong.  They even downplayed the entire thing by proclaiming that all cell phones are subject to reception issues when the antenna is blocked.  However, they seem to be changing their tune these days because they've not only admitted that there IS indeed a reception issue, but that whole software update BS they spewed at customers to smooth things over won't even fix the issue!  Peep the block quote.

• There is an antenna interference problem when you hold the iPhone 4 in a certain way (the tests by Anandtech and many demonstration videos in the internet show that the signal drop will happen every time when you touch the phone's dead spot, on the left bottom corner).

• One solution is to hold the phone differently, avoiding to touch the left bottom corner of the phone (coincidentally, this is how models hold the iPhone 4 in most of Apple's promotional material).

• The other other solution is to buy a case or one of Apple's $30 bumpers (we are hosting a petition to ask Apple for free cases. You can sign it here).

• The incoming software update will not fix this antenna problem, only change the way the phone displays the available signal, make it more accurate.

Apple can't be serious right now.  Every week they are handing out a different spin on the same story.  First there was no issue.  Second there's still no issue, but they're sending a fix anyway.  Third there IS an issue, and the aforementioned fix WON'T even actually fix it.  Is this how you repay the (ridiculously) loyal people who stand in line for weeks and spend hundreds of dollars at your whim?

It's Hot [It's Hot]

It's Hot.

Amar'e Stoudemire Signs to New York, Knicks Still Ain't Shit

While the Knick fan in me wants to be happy about the Stoudemire deal, I have to be real about the situation.  The Knicks are beyond the point where one explosive scorer can salvage the franchise.  Nate Robinson already went on stretches where he put up 30+ points a game and David Lee is already a consistent 20/10 guy (and that's IF he stays).  This team needs a lot more, but this may be the first positive move in years.  If this can persuade Bosh to join as well (give up on LeBron or Wade, seriously), they might can win more than 30 games this year. MIGHT.

Happy Independence Day And Shit

You know what irritates me more than anything?  People who do dumb/annoying/stupid things and when you ask them why they did it, they reply smugly with "it's a free country".  Theoretically (due to this very holiday), they're right.  But it still pisses me off.  In any event, have a safe and happy Fourth of July.  Unless you're reading from a country other than America, in which case...whatevs.

This 3D TV Thing Is So Fucking Stupid

The fine people of Japan have proven to be smarter than us yet again, as a new survey shows that over 70% of them have zero interest in 3D Television.  This is in contrast to American marketing, which seems determined to place a 3D television into our homes as soon as possible.  It's bad enough that you can't go to theaters without being smacked in the face with a new 3D movie.  Now we're seeing television shows, Blu-Ray releases, even sporting programs being offered in 3D.  Taking a modest novelty and spinning into a full blown (and expensive) product line is a huge mistake.  While the "look-it's-a-shiny-new-product-so-I-must-buy" mentality will produce sales for a short bit, eventually it'll occur to everyone that we're JUST collectively transitioning from analog to high definition.  3D is not a desirable enough amenity to justify the thousands of dollars you'll need to pony up in order to enjoy.  Plus, sitting around the house wearing 3D glasses watching your TV makes you look like a fucking douche anyway.

Toy Story 3 [Review]

I feel like everyone already knew Toy Story 3 was gonna be an excellent movie.  So I'm not really gonna waste space going on and on about that.  Instead I'll write about the moment I realized this movie was a modern classic.

Like any other Disney/Pixar film, Toy Story 3 had plenty of cute jokes, awesome animation, and subtle adult humor.  And like the previous Toy Story films, there's a certain sense of nostalgia when you see the toys come to life.  So that were to be expected.  What I DIDN'T expect was the emotional roller coaster that came with around 20 minutes or so left in the film.  (Spoilers coming.)

There's a scene where the toys are on a conveyor belt about to be dumped into a huge ball of flames en route to the city dump.  Scenes like these usually bother me because it presents a false sense of danger.  Most movies (I'd wager and say 95% or more) choose not to kill their main characters at the end, so there's no real reason to be afraid for them.  Toy Story took a different approach, however.  Rather than try and throw the impending doom in our face, that used the characters and their emotions to get us to believe in the danger.  For about 4-5 minutes, you really believed the Toys wouldn't make it out alive (so to speak).  You were actually kind of scared for them.  Of course, they were saved with seconds to spare, and in the back of my mind I expected that anyway.  But those few minutes of fear and danger are rarely captured in movies these days.

Then there's the closing scene where Andy gives his toys to Bonnie.  I'm no punk or anything, but I'm not above (almost) crying in a movie; and Toy Story 3 did a better job at tugging on my emotions than any of those overblown, pseudo dramas out there today.  It was extremely well written and I couldn't imagine the franchise closing any other way.

Disney/Pixar had years to perfect the animation and the comedic timing, which they did with ease.  (Spanish Buzz Lightyear was hilarious).  But the fact that they were able to inject so much true emotion into what most will perceive as a "children's movie" is the most impressive aspect of all.  For that reason alone I'd recommend this movie to anyone, young and old.

LeBron James And This NBA Free Agency Shit

A few years ago when the list of 2010 free agents became clear, I thought to myself "this is going to be the most fun shit ever".  Boy, was I young and dumb. This free agency period (spearheaded by LeBron) has been the most annoying, over hyped sporting event in the entire history of sports.  It has brought to light one reason I think the NFL will always overshadow the NBA when it comes to being the most beloved sport in the country.

Let me start this rant by saying yes, I am a Knicks fan.  Yes, I'm aware the Knicks have been terrible for at least 10 years.  And yes, I know this smorgasbord of free agents is the only chance we have at becoming a contender.  And THAT my friends is precisely the problem!  The Knicks have such a terrible front office and such a terrible draft history that they can only rely on landing high profile players who've developed their stardom elsewhere.  We're basically praying for another franchises sloppy seconds.  I know that's an extremely "glass is half empty" frame of mind, but it's true.  The Lakers (aside from Artest and Gasol) never needed to go crazy in the free agency market to win their last few titles.  They did it though developing young talent, smart decisions on keeping veterans around, and building around the superstar they got on draft day roughly 14 years ago.  The Knicks, however, have made terrible front office decisions ranging from questionable draft picks to foolish trades and contract signings.  Their only hope is for a megastar to come to the team and save them.

Remember when the New York Giants won the Super Bowl a few years ago?  What made that season so magical for Giants fans was the fact that they weren't necessarily supposed to win.  They were underdogs.  They faced a powerhouse team that, on paper, shoulda ran over them on their way to the title.  That's what makes sports fun and exciting and emotional for a fan.  If the Giants had stacked their team with superstar free agents from other teams, and were EXPECTED to win, their Super Bowl victory would have held a lot less weight.  It's a criticism the Yankees came close to facing after throwing half a billion dollars at free agents 2 years ago.  What saved them was the fact that their long time veterans wound up being the ones who REALLY came through in the playoffs and led them to the World Series.

I have no interest in seeing LeBron James "rescue" the Knicks.  I thought I did, but I don't.  That is todays equivalent of Michael Jordan leaving the Bulls to save the Clippers in the mid-90's when he was in his prime.  I would take far more pride in the Knicks putting together a team that could take out the Cavs or the Lakers.  Sports shouldn't be "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em".  Or in the NBA's case, "if you can't beat 'em, pay 'em $100 million to join your franchise".

Microsoft KIN Dead Only Weeks After Being Released

You may remember a piece I wrote not too long ago ripping a new asshole into featurephones.  Obviously, Microsoft never read that piece; otherwise they never would have released the KIN.  For those who don't know (apparently a lot, because the phone sold terribly), KIN phones were aimed at younger customers and were designed to offer a smartphone like interface without the smartphone like cost or complexity.  There are TWO huge problems with this line of thinking and I'm going to explain them one by one.

• First failure of this phone was the phone itself.  It's 2010, no one wants locked down, proprietary phones anymore. ESPECIALLY not kids.  Kids want the cool shit.  And the cool shit right now is being able to download whatever app you want.  Android, iOS and (to a lesser, less cool degree) BlackBerry can all do that.  KIN could not.  The KIN was designed to be a new take on the Sidekick, another locked down, proprietary OS that has fizzled into nothingness.  Let's not forget the fact that this phone required the same data plan as the iPhone, BlackBerry, etc.  I'm sorry, but there was never a market for this.
• Speaking of market, have you seen the commercials for these things?  The commercials all featured 20 something college students.  People old enough and (presumably) smart enough to know that these phones ain't shit.  I thought this was supposed to be for the teenie boppers?  Microsoft themselves apparently didn't even know how to market this abomination.  If I ever seen a college student with a Kin, I'd smack them.  

Newflash, people.  Phones aren't that expensive anymore.  You can nab a powerful smartphone for less than $100 if you hunt hard enough. And $200 for an iPhone, Droid X or whatever the fuck else isn't that big of a deal.  Trying to hit the bargain market with underpowered phones isn't that smart of a move anymore.  Microsoft learned this the hard way.  I know there will always be a need for regular flip phones, but stop trying to cater to a grey area that doesn't exist.  If it's not a full on smart phone, it doesn't need to be sold!