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!

Thursday edition -- I have moved on, digitally

Teeny forwarded an email to me today -- the remaining nine Borders stores in Australia will close by the end of July. I admit, I can't remember the last time I walked into a retail bookstore like Borders, but I do enjoy the retail experience. Whenever I am there, I always pick up a magazine or a book, grab a coffee and sit there to read it. For Sydnersiders, you may know bookstores such as Berkelouw and Ariel in Paddington, I still enjoy visiting them and I hope they stick around because despite my digital habit, I still go out! Yes, I do!

I am someone who move around a lot and I hate packing, but I hate unpacking more! The last time I moved out of my apartment, I was mortified when I looked at all my CDs from the pre-iTune era (yeah, remember CDs?) I was like WHY ARE YOU OCCUPYING MY SPACE? My books and magazines don't scare me as much, I still like them. Especially my collections of IdN. I love IdN because each issue is unique, from the design to the actual paper stocks. I don't think I'll enjoy it as much if I read it in digital format.

Space is an issue to me. I live in a small apartment, I only have one bookshelf and I have no space for any additional crap. But crap is unavoidable, so I started putting some of my books and DVDs into my retired bar fridge, it's a good little thing for storage.

My habit has certainly changed over the past two years in terms of buying books and DVDs from Amazon, and buying music from iTune. I can't remember the last time I bought a CD. Since I got an iPad last year, I have been reading ebooks on it. When it comes to TV shows and movies, I still prefer the actual disk and watch it on my TV. Beside, my internet speed and limit aren't the best, I can only download two TV shows max on a weekly basis.

I wonder what's on Jensen's iPad..

A few nights ago, I was hoping to get the latest tie-in novel Supernatural: One Year Gone in a digital format. But guess what? It's available as ebook in other regions, but you can't download it if you're in Australia. If I order it from Amazon, even with the express delivery I still have to wait for a few days. It probably has something to do with the distribution rights and costs, but here is the thing, despite the fact that all-things-digital are playing an integral part of our life (more than you know it), the industry is still in the transition/ limbo stage. Take my case as an example, I am a consumer, when I want something, I kinda expect to get it RIGHT NOW. If Supernatural: One Year Gone is released in a digital format, why can't I just download it despite where I am physically or geographically? And if I wait for the book to arrive in a bookstore in Australia, not only I have to wait but the book will be expansive to buy. And if I wait for the discount sale, well.. I'll wait longer. By then, I probably don't remember what I have been waiting for -- perhaps Waiting for My Book: One Year Gone?

I have been doing some research lately on social media, mobile, Square, Google digital wallet and other technology innovations. Consumer technology is moving at an unprecedented pace. My mother would say we are either getting smarter, less patience or lazier. But I see this as an opportunity for everyone. It isn't just about the cool devices and the hype, it's about what you can do with it. More important, it's about fast information, instant help and interacting with people regardless where you are geographically. Whether it be a bank, a TV network or a retail store, businesses have to prepare to respond quickly and to engage us in real-time or they can kiss us goodbye.

I do like the Borders recycle bags, I better grab a few before they become extinct.

Starting a 'Supernatural Wallpaper' Revolution

Have you ever been to a department store or an Apple store where you play with an iPad, iPhone or MacBook etc.. and before you leave you would change the wallpaper to something else? I do that all the time.

I was playing with the iPad 2 today while waiting for my lunch date. Before I left the store, I changed the wallpaper to this:

Let's do it. Let's start a revolution. Next time you go to a department store or something, change the iPad/ iPhone/ Macbook wallpaper to something Supernatural related! Tell the world! Come back with a photo! Follow me on Twitter @tiny_winchester 

I think this is better than Free Hug or SlutWalk.

Do you think Jensen could have waited for the iPad 2?

Do you think Jensen could have waited for the iPad 2? I was thinking about the same too, but you know what, I am really happy with the first generation, and like I said before, I am really not missing out too much.

 "Dang! Should've waited! Hey Jared, do you want this?"

I went to the iPad 2 launch at the Sydney's Apple Store last night. I was there probably 7pm, I didn't queue up. I was just taking photos and videos. I was actually surprised the queue was as long as the queue on the opening night of the store! The opening night was raining, so was last night. The vibe was so much like the opening night. And I really want one of the black umbrella with the white Apple logo on it. The store people were distributing the umbrellas to fans waiting outside, I didn't know they actually collected the umbrellas back! I supposed if you just hide it, they won't know? Anyway, if you want to buy the iPad 2 last night, officially you have to line up. They only allowed you to enter in a group of 6 to 7, led by a concierge to the 3rd floor. The Apple Store was busy as usual, but that's like everyday, right?! At a product launch like this, I usually just go straight to the 2nd floor to play, there are less people there.

 

Let's talk about the stuff that are totally unimportant. TOTALLY! I got my hands on the iPad 2. It was thinner (it's Mac Air thin!), lighter (but not much lighter than iPad 1), faster and sharper (not that it was previously blurry). I was a little underwhelmed by the white iPad. It isn't the classic Apple white, if you know what I mean. It's not like the whole iPad is white, it still has the aluminum back. The white is a little too 'glassy' to me. If it's white, I want it to be the classic Apple white. Not that the look is important or anything.

There are some very interesting stats here. Check out this article, it has the profile of the people at the Apple Store on London’s Regent Street. Were they single, did they own an iPhone, did they have a beard etc.. LOL. Go read it! It's fun! 

The SmartCover is also a fridge magnet, this makes Teeny very excited. She can now stick the iPad on the fridge when she cooks. That brings me to the next topic.. two of my friends including Teeny have decided to buy the iPad 2. I got all these texts yesterday and feel the Apple love! I love a good Apple lover!

If you're thinking of getting something more than a phone but less clumsy than a laptop, you should consider the iPad. It delivers. I hate papers. I don't want to print anything anymore, I love taking my iPad to meetings etc and make notes and show clients stuff. It's better than taking a laptop. When I get back to the office I sync it via iTune. It's great! It's fun and it's cool. It's not about the image, but I really don't see the value and the awesomeness of carrying a $600 laptop from Officeworks.

The iPad is smarter than I thought and it's almost like a cultural revolution, our habits are changing and we are demanding real time news and service more than ever. The iPad pushes the industry to do better. It's good competition. Businesses should take advantage of this revolution. Do it or die!

Again, what makes the iPad (or iPhone) awesome, is the App Store. I randomly discovered 3 new apps last night: pUniverse (so I know what I am looking at when I look up to the sky), Fish Fingers (coz I suck at taking care of real fishes) and The Photo Cookbook -- Baking (I am inspired to bake again!)

 Part 1: The Apple Store looks amazing at night.

I want the black umbrella with the white Apple logo!!

 Part 2: The Apple Store looks amazing at night.

Part 3: The Apple Store looks amazing at night.

Apple talk - iPad 2; Jensening my iDean 5

A few days ago, I sent an email to a dear friend, you may know her the illusive Teeny. Below is the highlight of our conversation:

"So, rumor has it about the white iPad. Good thing for me, I have already purchased a white sleeve with wings for my iCas. But you may want to check this one out anyway.

I have never really like the colour white before, I used to have a lot of black stuff. But I see my life and taste is really changing. From the colour of my new bag to my choice of an iPad sleeve, everything seems brighter and better.

Apple invited the press to attend some sort of announcement thing on March 2nd. Rumor is that Apple will announce iPad 2. Seriously, this press thing screams iPad 2.

But just so you know, I am happily committed to my iPad.

Onto my new baby, iDean 5: if the rumor photo is recurring, I’d like to think it’s pretty true or close to being true. Check this out. It looks very similar to the one we saw a few months ago. But I don’t think it'll a transparent phone. However, I know it will be super cool. It'd better be awesome! I've waited over 12 months for this, this is the upgrade long overdue. When I demand coffee, it must provide."

A few days later, aka today, Apple announced the iPad 2. Surprise! Check out the MacWorld review here. It's thinner, lighter and faster. It's MacAir thin! It has 2 cameras, one of them is for FaceTime. It has a Smart Cover, which is actually pretty smart and there are so many colours to choose from (just like the iPod Nano). And it is available in white as well as black.

I'd like to say I care about other upgrades but I really don't. I still have the practice of using my home Mac as the main machine, if I need stuff on my iDean (iPhone) or iCas (iPad), I'll transfer the relevant files. So I don't feel I am missing out on things like Garage Band and iMovie on my iPad.

iPad is a very smart machine. I am really happy with my purchase. I could've waited, but the iPad was a win during my recent trip to the States.

My current iDean is about to retire. The next generation is what I have been waiting for. And it should have a Christening (I call it Jensening), which involves Jensen touching it and signing it. Seriously, I think the iPhone 5 is worth the wait. Totally!

Oh Jensen touched and signed my iPhone that was named after his character. Touch it again when I get the next one! Excuse to go to next year's LACon!

Tuesday Edition: Planet Cake; iPad; paperless; episode title for 6.13

A few things happened this week.

I brought Planet Cake, I am so inspired to bake and design beautiful cakes! Wish me luck! I swear to Chuck, I am so going to make an Impala cake!!

I also purchased an iPad, the first thing I did was to download Pages, iRead PDF and Amazon Kindle for iPad. I love Amazon and I love having Kindle on my iPad! I have Stephen King's The Stand and some reference books. I also downloaded Larousse, which is a recipe App for French pastries, jams and cakes.

In the near future, I want to go paperless and hopefully cashless too. I want everything on my Mac, iPad and iPhone, I can't remember the last time I brought a CD. Going digital is going to save so much space. As someone who is very mobile, believe me, it's a bitch when I move!

But that's not what I really wanted to blog tonight. I just wanted to say, episode 6.13 will be called Unforgiven. Oh.. and my Supernatural season 5 companion just arrived.

Oh hey, clap your hands if you believe in Dean Winchester!

Jensen Ackles: I always knew you're a Mac

I am not finding an excuse for another blog post about how much I dislike PC, but hey, fact and personal experience say it all. Again, what took me an hour to do at work, I could get it done in 2 minutes with my MacBook. It's just dumb! Don't give me the 'the machine is new, it's the Rolls-Royce of all laptops' crap. From a user point of view, I ask "This is what I need to do... tell me this can be done on your machine, and tell me I can do this now." The Mac always come through as the winner.

By the way, did you know I was once told not to use Firefox and have to stick to Explorer in the office? It's just dumb!

Anyway, I always knew Jensen is a fan of Mac.

Also, what is the black thing on his head? Is that a hair clip?

Source: SpoilerTV

Apple, have you done it again with iPad?

Behold! The Moses Tablet is here.

OK so... here is the deal.. I am not going to write a report about the iPad. Here are a few websites I visit often, you can go to Apple, MacWorld, Apple Insider, Wired or Mashable for the details, photos and videos.

I watched the Steve Jobs presentation this morning. Usually I need a coffee in the morning to wake up, but not this morning. I was quite pumped. I went straight to my MacBook and watch the iPad presentation. I didn't have a coffee until about 2pm.

iPad it is! Not iTablet or MacTablet or whatever the rumors were. Ok.. not a bad name for a product. You can't please everyone. If you don't like it, what are you gonna do? Sue them? Get over it!

Steve Jobs is up there with Eric Kripke in my book of
geniuses. When I saw Jobs delivered the presentation,
I was looking at him as if he was Moses. Perhaps it is because of a drawing I saw yesterday. He said during his presentation, he chuckled when he saw this (pictured left). But is the iPad invention of biblical proportions?

I think this is the shape of things to come, and they will come fast.. real fast. To me, the product is like the first generation of iPhone. But you can bet that Apple will work fast to modify iPad and make it a better device, faster than the iPhone 3Gs upgrade from the iPhone 3G.

Based on my own habit, ultimately, I would like the iPad to replace my MacBook or the physical folders I have carry around when I am on the road, meetings or conferences. The iPhone is good for quick access to emails, Twitter and Facebook or whatever you do with the iPhone (Making phone calls you say?). But there is a need for something in between the iPhone and MacBook. I HATE papers and I mean HATE! I dislike printing stuff from the printer and for what I do for a living, sometimes I have to be forced to print out a pile of shit. I will be saying to my boss, can we not share or bring a laptop with us? The boss would say we can recycle papers. Jesus woman!

Surely, iPad is like a giant iPhone with amazing graphic quality. It's given that you can do the usual stuff like web browsing, check emails, download Apps from iTune, play games, watch Supernatural, movies and read iBooks. It's the standard package for any Apple computer / mobile products. What I like the most and it's gonna sound incredible boring, is that I like the ability of using iWork on the iPad. The above 'standard package' will attract the usual crowd, however with iWork, iPad will attract new consumers, i.e. people from the corporate world, business in general, schools, just to name a few. iWork is what's missing on the iPhone that I thought would be useful. If the iPhone can accommodate iWork, I don't need iPad. But it doesn't.

The only question I have is that, am I able to use the existing wireless internet modem I have with the iPad? I don't want to pay an extra $XXX for data. Anyone?

The iPad is certainly a great invention. There is room for improvement. I think I will buy one, perhaps the second generation of iPad. I don't need it, but it will be a great tool for work related reasons.

Oh yeah, have I mentioned the iPad is the hottest looking device since the iPhone? And speaking of the iPhone, Apple didn't announce any iPhone upgrades, what's up with that?