Analogy -- $1 DVD and the iPhone 5C/ 5S

Analogy: People like buying $1 DVD from Bali. Why? Because it's cheap. They would complain if they were to spend another dollar. That's gonna hurt the image of Marvel Studios, right?

Apple announced the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C this week. I have read articles and saw interviews of business commentators, market/ share analysts, tech journalists, PR/ communication consultants, and industry professionals who actually implement smartphone and digital strategies for banks, focusing on different angles -- mostly about the pricing and the innovation. I have also read comments on news sites and LinkedIn. After long conversations with my dear friend about Apple, I have come to a conclusion, people are not so much different from fans who bitch about everything and hate everything.

Sure, there are truths in what these so-called experts speak of -- "the state of innovation of Apple"; "the new iPhone sucks"; "the new iPhone is lame"; "seriously Apple, what are you thinking"; "the stock is embarrassing"; "it's not cheap enough"; "it's gonna hurt the Apple brand"; "is Apple going to be like Nokia or Kodak"; "Samsung never fail". Some people (including professional working people) posted comments on news articles or on LinkedIn have the intelligence of a teaspoon. Some are professionally listed as 'business or communications consultants who can help you to do shit', but they fail to provide constructive comments like professionals and adults should. How am I supposed to trust you to implement tech strategies when you don't even believe in learning or digging deep into knowing what you are talking about before you open your month? And then, there are those who I know for a fact have not used any Apple products before (I've seen the devices they use) and they come out and talk about Apple's state of innovation like they know what they are talking about. Last but not least, sales people at phone shops would actually tell you "...from what I can see, the only thing that changes is the colour." WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? 

Aren't we all educated? Aren't we all trained to do research? Aren't we all think of ourselves as 'not stupid' if so why do we say stupid things? If we are indeed arrogant, make sure we are damn great in what we do. Knowing 40% of the stuff you're talking is not knowing, it's stupid. Knowing 66% of the stuff you're talking about is not knowing, it's stupid. If you do indeed know 100% of the stuff you are talking about, you wouldn't even talk about 12% of the stuff you are talking about.

I've always said, if you have used an Apple product and if your own experience tells you that this is not for you, fine, I understand! But if you talk about Apple products without the first hand experience, that's fine too, but keep your opinions to yourselves and don't get paid to voice your so-called professional opinions in the media. 

There are those (ex-employees) who say Apple is not longer an innovative company. In my experience, you only bad-month a company if you leave the company on a bad term. If you have truly achieved something amazing with a company and then leave for another adventure, you will still show respect. To me, I am not seeing respect here. Sure, you may say this is the truth, but I think you are wrong. 

Moving on...

I get the business perspectives -- Apple is a business, it is about the profits, the shares, the competitions, the marketing and the brand, the consumers -- but to me, Apple is all about designing the user-experience before you realise you are going to need it. It's about integration. I can't help but feeling sad sometimes because I think Apple is still the "...crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes..." who get bullied by others who simply don't want to understand them. I think haters are still waiting for the right moment to bring Apple down. When they do, they are going to kick them and laugh.

On the bright side, there are smart articles with substance. There are those who come out and clarify C is for colourful, not cheap. It is cheaper, but not cheap. There are those who focus on the innovation of the TouchID (which I love by the way) and the payment ecosystem; there are those who dig deep and forward-thinking enough to talk about something really innovative about the new iPhone, and look at the bigger picture. These people remind us, "Apple has a track record of adding features to iPhone that are not new, but are better designed, developed and implemented than others..." @rbaguley

To me, what makes the iPhone so awesome is that they have updated features without telling you what they are. When you discover them while doing things, it's like you've found Easter eggs. My mother and some of my friends use Samsung. Half the time is war at the dinner table -- Who has a better phone? Who gives a shit? My own experience tells me my iPhone is the one for me. The more I use it, the more I appreciate the design of it. I have to use my mum's Samsung because she can't work things out sometimes. It is just not the same, things are not logical at all. The Sumsung feels clumsy and the user-experience is not there. If you like it, good for you. 

The world is moving so fast and consumers expect cool game-changing things every time there is a new product in the marketing. But I really don't mind companies like Apple to stick to their own pace and control their design. If they make a mistake, just admit it and keep going. I really appreciate the mini updates every now and then because that reflects our everyday's changing needs. Nokia manufactured phones, sold them, the end. Apple's iPhone is organic and it changes with you. They may not have game-changing wow things everything time, but to me, as an example, what Apple is doing with TouchID is the shape of things to come. This alone is potentially so big, people don't even get it. Please, don't talk crap when you don't even understand the inner beauty of the design.

Moving on again...

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think Apple has ever come out and said iPhone 5C was going to be 'cheap', the media just ran with the rumors, their opinions and expectations. Apple goes to China to build a presence in a very competitive smartphone devices market to hopefully prevent the production of fake stuff and compete with the mid-range priced Samsung phones. You should know that the Chinese are rich. Half the population there will be going for the gold iPhone anyway. Consumers will always bitch about pricing, people even bargain when they go to the market to buy veggies over there. What on earth would you think they were going to like the pricing? I think the analysts, commentators and media just fail themselves -- OMG I was wrong? 

Apple has this new line of products to compete with the mid-range smartphones, but I do not believe the functions and the capabilities are anything less. I do not believe the quality of the 5C has been compromised. I do not believe the 5C was designed to treat people like second-class citizen by giving them 12% of the moment. You get what you pay for. The iOS7 is the Jarvis to Iron Man, no way that would come with a cheap price tag. If you want cheap stuff, buy yourself something else. If buying $1 DVD from Bali makes you happy, go ahead.

I believe Apple is finding its way through this cruel world of competition where everything is about being cheap and quality along with it. If the marketing sells, people will buy it -- the concept and the product. But what they don't see is the actual innovation, the idea, the philosophy, the integration, the design, the user-experience and the Easter eggs. Apple is shaping the future in ways you cannot even begin to process. Apple is not going to give up. They control the design, the experience, and the innovation.

"I've always wanted to own and control the primary technology in everything we do." 
~ Steve Jobs, BusinessWeek (12 October, 2004)

This is still very much alive at Apple.

As for the iPhone 5S, I am going to GOLD.

As for all you Apple haters out there, I don't give a shit about you, but I'll give you a finger. 

Who am I? I have been a heavy Apple product user for over 13 years. Apple products are relible and never let me down when it counts. It saves my life, my face and my career more than I care to admit. I am currently using four Apple devices. I use PC everyday at work, and I feel the pain because it's dumb. I use my mum's Samsung sometimes because she can't work it out. I am an Apple fan and a user, and I am proud of it.

Review: JOBS

As a fan of Steve Jobs, his philosophy, legacy and Apple, I am always going to bias and love everything before I even know what I am buying. This applies to the bio-pic, JOBS. Here are just a few thoughts after the movie yesterday.

This movie wasn't going to be Lincoln, Iron Lady or Forrest Gump. This movie wasn't going to make anyone like or dislike Steve more. The story wasn't going to be well written. This movie wasn't going to give Ashton Kutcher any Oscar nomination. This movie wasn't going to make anyone including Steve Wozniak happy. This movie wasn't going to make Internship looked like the best thing since instant noodles. If I were Steve Jobs, I probably yelled at writer Matt Whiteley, "FIX IT! CRAP AND MY NAME DON'T APPEAR IN THE SAME SENTENCE!"

But you know what... I love the movie. 

I can't really pin point exactly why I love it. But I do. I do think that the movie did pick the right period to focus on. The story only just stretched the surface, it didn't really go in-depth into Steve's personality. I mean, it is a difficult task to write a bio-pic on someone like Steve...where do you start? I wouldn't love to see something like this as a TV/mini series or even a documentary series, that way, you get to focus on different periods and spend more time in writing the character. The story was very rush, and I didn't like how the ending was wrapped up. The story and the script could definitely be treated much better. I do think this is Ashton Kutcher's best performance. I mean, the guy is Ashton Kutcher! He isn't a bad actor, but I think he did a good job and at least he looked like Steve! The soundtrack was actually very good and I like the choices of songs from Cat Stevens and Bob Dylan. The whole time in the cinema, I didn't want the movie to end and I was surprised I was so touched by so many little moments. Yes, I admit, I cried a few times.

The movie isn't going to be even remembered by many people, which is a shame because Steve Jobs will always be one of the most influential innovators of this generation. He will always be my hero. I just think that this movie is so special to a fan like me. After watching the movie, I realised how much I missed Steve Jobs and I do want to read Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson probably. He was the reason we are living the future that he imagined and created. We are part of his revolution. We are inspired by his idea, creativity and innovation. We embrace being geeks. He was the first person who told me it was cool to be different. I miss him and I will always look to him whenever people give me shit. Remember, it is OK to be different. 

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." ~Steve Jobs~

Here's one of my favorite Steve Jobs speeches. 

"If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle for the sake of settling. As with all matters of the heart, you will know when you find it..." - Steve Jobs 

And now.. when is the Gold iPhone coming out?

The Year That Was 2011

As the files are being backed up to the Time Machine, I would like to take this opportunity to look back on a year of memorable moments that were blog-worthy for The Impala's Trunk, as well as to set sights on the horizon.

January 2011

The best New Years gift for Supernatural fans in Australia was announcement of the return of series (Smallville along with it) on the new digital channel, Eleven. Every man and his dog knew about the lack of support and promotion from the local TV network in Australia, and both shows were off air for awhile. You can't blame us for watching the shows we love so much via other channels. TV networks should distribute shows where fans choose watch it and when to watch it, right? Since the return of both shows, Eleven had been very supportive and committed, and fans are never shy in letting them know we appreciate them via Twitter.

PS: As I was composing this blog post, I saw an ad on Eleven promoting the return of Supernatural for January 9, 2012. Woot! Woot!

In January, I was also getting extremely excited about Creation Entertainment's Salute to Supernatural Convention in LA (also known as LACon) in February. Tinny and I were organising the final details for our trip. We were getting so close, I could smell Misha's cologne and I couldn't get the 'OMG-I-am-going-to-hug-Jensen-Ackles' smile off my face.

February 2011

This was the BEST month of my tiny little life. I was off to LA and New York. I was off to see Jensen & co, in LA! I haven't been able to shut up about it -- I touched Jensen Ackles!!

February 12-14 was the BEST weekend of my life. The experience was unbelievable, not only the cast was awesome, the organisers and the fans were a fantastic group of people. I also had the opportunity to meet new friends, who are some of the nicest people I've known in my life. Thank you once again for making my life brighter. I felt like my life was not the same ever since I came back, it was liberating! I embraced a new perspective and I intent to live a life that is fun and productive. Easy say than done.. I'm working on it!

My iPhone was Jensenated -- it was signed by Jensen, he laughed when I gave him my iPhone. My iPhone 3G has been officially inducted to the Tiny Hall of Fame. Thanks to Tinny for being so supportive and resourceful in finding the right box for it. By the way, it was also her idea to get the iPhone signed by Jensen.

The stage banner was the biggest pain in the ass, but in a good way. (Oh wait...that didn't come out right!) The banner was signed by all guests. That's 100 kinds of awesomes. I just need to find a place to hang it.

February 1 also marked the 2nd anniversary of The Impala's Trunk. As the 3rd anniversary approaching, perhaps I can bake a cake to celebrate.

March 2011

'Jensen Ackles' was the number one trending topic on Twitter on March 1 for a few good hours. It was his birthday in case you didn't realise. I remember I was about to go to bed and then it just happened. Supernatural fans are the best, if you don't know that already.

On the technology front, the iPad 2 was launched. I swear I couldn't wait to buy an iPad back in November 2010, I needed it for work and I needed it for the US trip. It was definitely one of the best purchases. Looks like my next iPad will be iPad 3 or 4. I still love my iPad 1 though.. It must be Jensenated before it retires.

April 2011

April is usually one of the most stressful months in my life, but no matter.. good things do happen. Supernatural season seven was given the green light in April. Not that we weren't expecting it to happen. In April, Supernatural, Jensen and Misha were named TV Guide Fan Favourites in the Sci-Fi Show, Actor, Non-Human categories respectively. Sorry Jared, you shall win Fan Favourite Hair next time.

In April, Smallville's Tom Welling and Erica Durance were on the cover of TV Guide. It was a perfect send-off for the show… I was totally ready to see the finale, in a good way of course. Who wouldn't want to see Clark finally take flight in man-in-tights...right?

As for the theatre, Thor took me by surprise in every sense of the word. It was probably one of the most enjoyable films in 2011. I hope Thor II will be as good!

May 2011

May 23 marked one year of anniversary of the Lost series finale and May 24 for the 24 series finale. Since both shows ended, I have been hoping to find some new shows to follow. With Smallville on its way out, I seriously need to find more shows to watch and to blog about.

After ten epic seasons of a show about the boy who was destined to be Superman, Smallville finally drew its curtains. The series finale was one of the best I've seen on TV. It was the perfect way to end the series. Fans should be happy to see such epic ending, I certainly was.

A few years ago, when I first started watching Smallville, I didn't think I'd like it at all, I didn't think I'd become a fan, I certainly didn't think I'd be so emotionally attached to it. It was such a great show. Tom Welling and Erica Durance are the Superman and Lois Lane of this generation.

My thoughts on the series finale and in general can be found here.

June 2011

June was relatively quiet. My sister and I went to Supernova, the pop culture convention in Sydney, it was not a total waste of time. My sister hasn't been to one of these before, so to help her avoiding a 'pop-cultural shock', I told her not to stare at people and freak or laugh. This event gives fans the opportunity to come out once a year to go nuts and be their own version of Spiderman, Superman, Batman, IronMan and Sailor Moon! Let them!

After Supernova, I realised I've seen seven Joss Whedon cast members in real life (including Joss himself) without even try. I am a nerd…without knowing it.

In June, fans welcome Jared (@jarpad) to Twitter. Finally! I think it's a good think and we know this was legit because he did during Nashcon. There are SO many fakers and haters out there. It's good to see Jared put his own stamp on his tweeting. He is awesome!

PS, Jensen is NOT on Twitter nor Facebook. Don't be fooled by those who claim they are Jensen.

JK Rowling also announced Pottermore, an online permanent home for all the Harry Potter contents including ebooks, audiobooks, and a lot of interactive goodies for fans.

July 2011

A lot happened in July, but noticeably the cast and producers of Supernatural were given an epic welcome to Hall H of ComicCon. Hall H was the biggest room at the San Diego Convention Centre, it has the capacity of up to 6,500 seats.

Jensen and Jared are now very confident on a live stage in front of thousands of screaming fans, they were a bit shy and not too lively in their first appearance on a stage like this a few years ago. If you've been to a Supernatural con, you'd experience the chemistry and energy, it's priceless. I got the same vibe from watching the clips from ComicCon. Like other panels could get a bit awkward, simply because the actors weren't expecting the scale and the madness from fans, but Supernatural and SG1 were probably one of the best and most fun.

2011 was also the year I declare my love for Ben Edlund and Jeremy Carver -- two of my favourite TV writers. Just throwing it out there again. They are my heroes. They inspire me to think and write creatively. Jeremy Carver was also the reason I got into Being Human (US). Being one of those who haven't seen the original UK version, I am really enjoying the show. I think he and Anna Fricke are doing a great job as the show runners and writers.

Speaking of my favourite writers, Eric Kripke was reported to be working on a movie Haunted. I haven't had much luck in finding out more information on this. I hope this is a go! I am dying to see more stuff from him!

Three movies that left me a great impression were Thor, Captain America and Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallow II. Captain America premiered in July, this also was one of the best films in 2011. You know you can't shut me up, I still think Jensen Ackles should have been the Capt, Chris Evans was good, but Jensen was still the fan's choice. When I was watching the movie, I couldn't help thinking what would Jensen look like in those tights?

Fans also said good bye to Harry Potter in July. I haven't watched a movie where I cried from the beginning to the end. It was exhausting! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow Part II was no doubt the best Harry Potter film since The Goblet of Fire in my opinion. JK Rowling is certainly one of the best writers, and the Harry Potter series will remind as one of the best, if not the best, book series I've read.

August 2011

Let the ducks swamp the Supernatural productive office… I too contributed to the DuckNation initiative. It was probably one of the craziest things I've done -- hunting for rubber ducks and Legos! Seriously! But I had so much fun… and I still have plenty of leftover Legos.

There wasn't a year went by without a couple of epic Supernatural rewatches. In August, we had the longest Supernatural rewatch ever on Twitter. We watched a total of six episodes, they were hand-picked by Jensen as some of his favourites according to the Official Supernatural Magazine.

I've previously watched Wicked the Musical three times in Sydney and Melbourne, but this was the one time I was dying to watch the show. In August, I flew to Perth to watch Wicked for the 4th time. I was so looking forward to it, I knew all the lyrics of my favourite songs. Defying Gravity and For Good were the most anticipated songs. The show and cast did not disappoint. I swear when I go to New York in 2012, I'll watch it again on Broadway! Still wishing to see Idina Menzel on stage though.

September 2011

Supernatural season seven premiered in September with Meet the New Boss. Cas's fans were concerned about the fate of the character. No worries, SPOILER ALERT, he is due to return in 2012.

It was reported that JJ Abrams and Eric Kripke were working on a new TV pilot together for NBC -- Revolution. Man! I really want to see this already!

In September, I also encountered some technology set backs -- Virgin Mobile sucks. They couldn't accommodate the Lion upgrade and their call centre was impotent. It was an epic fail that they didn't act quickly to respond to change. So backward! I eventually decided to leave Virgin Mobile after four years as a customer.

October 2011

Steve Jobs passed away on October 6th 2011. I was at work, and someone popped up from his workstation and told us the news. We spent the next hour or so online reading about the life and death of the greatest innovator of our generation. The world was never the same because of his vision. Let's hope Apple will continue to drive innovation.

My new iPhone 4S arrived and I was as happy as the one who invented trousers. It was like the best thing ever! Since I skipped 2.5 generations, I find the 4S was so much faster! Tinny also got her first iPhone. I have now converted 80% of my friends and family to switch to iPhone. I am not an Apple Snob I swear!

In October, Jared and Gen announced that they were expecting their first baby. Gen is due in 2012. So, that means, no piggybacking Gen, Jarpad!

October was also my birthday month…

November 2011

After months of searching for new TV shows to watch, I finally found A Game of Thrones. Thank goodness for that! I was so into it, I downloaded and watched the whole thing in probably in 3 days. By the time I hit the season finale, I have already downloaded the books (all of them) to my iPad. Epic! I am currently reading A Clash of Kings.

November also brought us one of the best Supernatural episodes this season. It was very sad, and I haven't talked about it for awhile because it was that sad. Death's Door was a brilliant episode focusing on the life and death of Bobby Singer. I still hope that he is not dead, but I don't know.. the more I think about it, the more I don't know what to think about it. But I guess time will tell.

December 2011

It's Xmas month!! I waited the whole year for it! I have been busy researching and baking with new recipes for cakes and cookies, getting my hair done, shopping for Xmas presses. I was so ready to go home to spend Xmas with family.

I've been baking like crazy; eating and drinking like there is no tomorrow; reading until my eyes popped out; rewatching some of my favourite TV series as planned; catching up with family and friends… I love December!

To end a year of awesomeness, my mum is now an iPhone user.

Looking ahead to the next 12 months

I am really looking forward to the Year of the Dragon. This is the year to shine.

I am really looking forward to all new episodes of Supernatural, Dean and Sam's story aside, I really want to know what will happen to Bobby; how will Castiel come back; and how the Leviathans will be destroyed? I am praying that the show will get its eighth season. That way I know I can make it to another convention. I am selfish I know! Wait for me Jensen!!

Gen and Jared will be new a Mum and Dad. Who knows if Jensen and Danneel will give us some baby news? Personal stuff aside, what I really want to see if for the boys to get a movie deal within the next 12-24 months.

I am already planning to go to New York again. While Nashcon is not happening for me, because they changed dates (and the new dates do not fit into my diary, which is kind of depressing!) I really need another trip in the US. I would love this to be a writing trip.

The Avengers is the most anticipated movie in 2012 on my list. Joss Whedon is one of the most worshipped directors of our generations. He is a fan, he knows his fan and he is an awesome creator and writer. I have no doubt Joss Whedon's The Avengers will be awesome!

One of the things I wanted to do is to expand The Impala's Trunk to a new realm, while I am keeping all the existing awesomes, I am going to canvass new experiential ideas. Hopefully I can align some of these ideas to my life as a writer.

So that's pretty much the last post for 2011 from The Impala's Trunk. Thank you very much once again for visiting and sharing your thoughts. I look forward to more blogging and sharing. Don't forget, you can also follow me on Twitter.

To wrap up, I quote the Overload Misha Collins: "Here's to redefining normal and possible in 2012." Cheers Cheers!

Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

Why must great people die so young?

Steve Jobs is one of a very few people I look up to. His invention changed my life and the way I see things... differently. No one can innovate like Steve Jobs. His achievement was more than just his signature products, his vision defined what 'Think Different' truly mean. Steve Jobs was a thinker, an true innovator and a great leader. His vision will continue to inspire the modern culture.

Steve Jobs: 1955-2011

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple." -- Apple

Our generation has lost one of the greatest men. I am at a loss for words. I miss you already. Hope the iPhone works in Heaven.