Tech

I started off this post thinking I would compare all the new E-Reader devices out there….Sony Daily Edition, Amazon Kindle, Apple iPad (as an E-Reader), and then I realized that I’ve never really used any of these readers.  ( So if any of the above would like to send me a FREE one, I’m available!)  My second realization was that when it comes down to it, I’m really not going to spend the $500 on a device that hasn’t quite been perfected yet.  I learned that lesson with my first generation iPod.  But I will spend a few dollars to add a reader app to my iPhone.  So here are the top apps to consider:

B&N eReader by Barnes and Noble for iPhone (FREE)

While this app gives you the opportunity to purchase books within the Barnes and Noble library and share these books with friends, the reviews come in that book prices are a bit high.

Kindle by Amazon.com for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch (FREE)

This is one of the most popular apps because of the ability to play with font size and color, access to the Amazon bookstore, turn pages, and add notes/highlights. Reviews come in saying there are problems in syncing to other reader devices and you only have book options, no magazines or newspapers.  Also it does not allow you to share books with friends.

eBooks by Kobo HD for iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, or Palm Pre (FREE)

It seems like our non-iPhone friends have been neglected in the eReader app world and that’s where Kobo steps in.   Not only is the app available for multiple platforms, after you download your book you are able to read it in other platforms as well, not just the device you downloaded it on.

There are parts of me that are very techie and can find myself browsing through the book selection on my iPhone while standing in line for a latte.  But the other side of me is championing for the survival of the good ole book.  Turning the pages, dog-earing memorable selections, and writing notes in a favorite book will never be forgotten on me.  Here is what I’m currently thumbing through:

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert

I can’t precisely say that I’m reading through this book.  The truth is I keep this book in constant contact, often looking up pages, quotes, stories that I find truth in.  How many times have I read this book? About 592?  I always find the answer in Elizabeth Gilbert’s approach of having none of the answers.  I’ve found that this book is extremely dividing amongst people.  They either love it, or hate it.  If you don’t love it, you’re not ready for it.  When you’re ready, you will love it.

My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands by Chelsea Handler

Chelsea Handler.  One night stands. Midgets. Vodka. Distasteful humor.  All I can say is that you will laugh your ass off and I warned you.

Food Matters by Mark Bittman

Mark Bittman is and has been the acclaimed writer of “The Minimalist” in The New York Times for the past 11 years.  In this book he focuses on how food plays a major role in our body’s health as well as the earth’s health.  As Mark states on his website,” Food Matters presents a series of easily adaptable strategies—along with meal plans and recipes—for eating sanely, judiciously, and consciously.”

xoxo, Vanesa

While flipping through an old edition of Glamour I came across a great article on Marissa Mayer of Google.  Interesting to think that probably the most beloved and powerful companies in the world has a lot to do with a blonde bombshell.  Marissa was one of the first 20 employees at Google and now takes post as Vice President of Search Product and User Experience.  What I love about Marissa is that it has been highly publicized of her love for wearing Oscar De La Renta and Armani to the office.  Her clean, simple aesthetic translates largely into everything Google puts out.  Marissa is unapologetically female and in an industry dominated by men she is leading the pack…in Oscar frickin De La Renta!!!  As I started combing the web in complete, jaw-dropping admiration (using Google, of course) I found out the following:

• Her full-time residence is a penthouse in the San Francisco Four Seasons (she likes the amenities of grilled cheese via room service and that Barneys is her neighbor).
• When she graduated with her masters from Stanford she had 12 job offers.
• One of her goals is to bring more women into technology and teach them to take chances.
• Naeem Khan designed her dresses for her bridal festivities including a going away dress based on a dress Jackie Kennedy wore while touring India.
• On the Jackie Kennedy tip, her childhood bedroom still has the Jackie Kennedy doll collection she created as a child.
• I love the fact that Jackie Kennedy is clearly one of this woman’s idols.
• According to Google’s corporate page, “Her efforts have included designing and developing Google’s search interface, internationalizing the site to more than 100 languages, defining Google News, Gmail, and Orkut, and launching more than 100 features and products on Google.com. Several patents have been filed on her work in artificial intelligence and interface design. In her spare time, Marissa also organizes Google Movies – outings a few times a year to see the latest blockbusters – for 6,000+ people (employees plus family and friends).”……I’m exhausted just copy pasting all of that.

For more information on this Kick Ass Career Chick, click on the below links:

http://www.google.com/corporate/execs.html

http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/adventures-marissa

http://www.glamour.com/women-of-the-year/2009/marissa-mayer

http://www.vogue.com/voguedaily/2009/12/the-bride-wore-snowflakes/

xoxo,

Vanesa

Google is Godzilla.  It is roaming through our lives like a big giant lizard conquering all that comes in its path.  But imagine the big giant lizard making everything easier and more efficient.  It’s time to surrender.  The days of attaching a document to an email are going to fade fast.  I’ve been using Google Docs for a few years now and am constantly surprised by the confusion I receive from friends when I send them any of the following:

• A calendar invitation from my Gmail Calendar
• A form to fill out that automatically populates to a Google Spreadsheet
• An email with a “private key” link for us to both view and edit a document in Google Docs

We are living in 2010 right?!?!  Well the revolution is growing and its time you get on the band wagon.  I know, I know…learning new things is difficult and it hurts your brain.  It’s so much easier to watch re-runs of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. But trust that one day you will be in an office that no longer uses email attachments.  The entire team of a project will work online sharing, viewing, and editing off of one document, spreadsheet, presentation, etc.  You’ll want to be a part of this.  And picture how much easier this will make that grueling group presentation for your Comm 151 class.

So where do you begin in this journey?  Start by watching this:

Now join the rest of civilization, get a Google account, and start down the road to making life more efficient.

xoxo,

Vanesa