Continuing the Grindr Experiment

I continued with the Grindr experiment to understand what attracts the male population who use it.  If you can recall, I’ve had three changes of profile pictures previously.  Each one of these pictures yielded different results.  So far, the most popular picture is that of Char Siew and myself.

Since Char Siew seemed to be popular with the boys, I decided to just post Char Siew’s picture.  If it’s a popular as our joint picture then – I can conclude that it was his cuteness which drew the boys in.  I chose this very cute puppy picture:

This picture got very little attention.  I think I got a couple of messages.   So at least I have established that the interest was not all about the puppy.  So I decided  to bring back the popular picture.

Again – it got the attention that it originally attracted.  I thought to myself – what if I keep myself in the picture and change the animal?   There’s this picture I really liked taken in Calauit. 

Stay Tuned for the results on this picture and the conclusion of my Grindr experiment.

Discovering Filterstorm

Filterstorm is one of the highly recommended applications for the iPad.  It’s a Photo Editing software that the creators claim was built with the iPad in mind.  I can’t contest that claim since the TOUCH screen interface of the iPad along with the iPad’s bigger screen really allows a user to apply editing techniques on Photos.

I bought the application ( 2.99 USD ) and tried using it on one of my existing photos.  The picture on the left is the original.  The picture on the right is the edited version.

The edits that I applied:

- Straightened the Horizon.

- Flipped the picture Horizontally,   From my perspective flipping it somehow shows that the Balloons are Landing instead of taking off.

- Adjusted the Hue to Highlight the Blue Skies

- Intensified a Poster Effect for the Photo

I do not  make money out of Photography.  It’s a hobby.  I like taking pictures and FilterStorm is a great ( and cheap ) tool for doing the minor adjustments for sharing the photos just the way I want it.

Choosing The iPad That Fit my Needs

 

The iPad 32 GB Wi-Fi, The HTC Hero and the HuaWei E585

It’s been almost a week since I bought my iPad in Hong Kong.  It’s a wonderful device and unlike other gadgets that I previously bought, I did not experience buyer’s remorse whatsoever with the device.   For those who read my blog – I think you will know by now that the biggest disappointment I experienced with gadgets is with the Nokia N97.  The latter had a lot of promise but apart from taking good pictures and being able to make phone calls,  it fell short of my expectations.

The iPad on the other hand was a device I have been lusting over since it was introduced.  Why I wanted the device:

- Battery Life – 10 Hours of usage and more on Stand By. I have an iPod Touch and after using it to surf the net for one hour, I have to plug it into a power outlet.

- Portability – I have a Ferrari One 200 – a very powerful and Handy PC.  However – it is still heavy and bulky.  The iPad can fit into the sleeve of my Brief Case.

- Applications from Apple – I discovered that I can install the Applications I bought for my iPod into the iPad.  They are wonderful iPod applications and the experience was just made “bigger” with the size of the iPad.

All of these needs/wants for the iPad are met wonderfully by the device.  I know that there are a lot of features that the gadget does not have.   Let’s start with the features that I opted out from:

- 64GB of Storage – I opted for the 32 GB of storage.  I have an iPod Touch.  Up to now, I have not filled up that gadget with Music, Videos and Photos.  I recognize that with a bigger device – the same content will fill up more space.  That’s alright,  the iPad is too big to be an MP3 player – so I don’t foresee storing my Music on that device.

- 3G Connection – I did not choose to get the 3G model.  I got the WiFi model.  This lack of 3G connection is addressed by my purchase of the Mobile WiFi router – HuaWei E585.  With the Mobile WiFi – I can connect – not just the iPad – but also my other devices.

- Apart from the Mobile connection – the only other feature that 3G has is GPS.   From my experience of the other devices I have – GPS does not work well in Manila.   For some reason – the GPS Satellites can not pinpoint well where I am.  The “triangulated” location from the Wi-Fi network is accurate enough for my needs.

My Other Gadgets – The ACER Ferrari One 200, The HTC Hero, The Nokia BH503, and the Nokia N97

 

Now on the missing features on iPad and why it is not a deal breaker for me.

- Camera – I don’t do Video Chat.  I have a WebCam on my laptop and have never used it.

- Good display under the Sun – I stay indoors most of the time.  I cannot stand staying outdoors – unless I’m on vacation.

- Flash Support – I never missed it in on my iPod Touch – and it is actually refreshing when I don’t see the FLASH based advertisements on Websites.

- Open Environment for Applications – I can Jailbreak my iPad if I want to.  I don’t see the need for it.  I have Jailbroken my iPod Touch and it seems to be running slower.  As for downloading applications for free – Come On – I work for the IT industry.  I support paying for applications for our enterprising brethren.

I guess it’s clear – I love my new iPad 32 GB Wi-Fi.  It is exactly what I wanted – so for now, I’m in gadget heaven.