aroona

……………………no we dont have one, havent ordered one, but do we want one?  Probably, not sure yet.  It seems to be a device totally geared to consuming information. Movies, emails, friend information.  Apple’s hype and marketing department are doing a better job than Bill Gates ever did with tablet computing, seeming to focus more on how great this device will make what we do so much more of a beautiful experience.  Once the media, developers and early adopters orders are filled iPad sales will show if there is much uptake on this device for the rest of us, but I can definitely see how we as a family would use one:

Coffee table computing….

• kids jumping online to update Facebook on TV ad breaks
• quick email checks
• phone book – maps enables us to look up addresses and instantly add to contact address book
  

  Apple iPad

• LCD photo frame – scrolls through a bunch of fave photos when not in someone hands
• games – there will be some awesome games for the iPad, more space, more going on – imagine Flight Control……
• Family notepad – using Evernote family notepads sync – the iPad sits around just waiting for the next input
• Family photo album
• TV guide
• Newspaper
• Internet Radio – connect through speakers
• reading web pages
• movie player
• reading ebooks
• making Keynote presentations
• checking out the weather

Its going to make so many things we do so conveniently accessible in a great format.

But we dont have one yet………

We’re a normal family – when it comes to leaving notes for each other it’s always a mission to find a pen that works and then a piece of paper to write that message down or shopping trolley filler.  Thats why the Boogie Board got my attention.

Boogie Board LCD note pad

With a writing space about the size of a sheet of A5 paper, the Boogie Board is nice and thin and light. Made of durable plastic the board looks like it could handle being tossed around by a busy family.

What would be cool is if it could somehow be linked to my Evernote application and share the notes online to multiple devices……

Its only around $30, available from Amazon or here.

Somalia (MNN) ― Somalia is almost exclusively Sunni Muslim, with less than one percent of the population Christian.

Gospel gets through on Radio in Somalia

Lee DeYoung with Words of Hope says they beam hope in. “The wonderful message of Jesus Christ is unknown to most Somalis. The Gospel radio programs are a lifeline in very troubled times.”
Somalia ranks fourth on the Open Doors World Watch list, a compilation of the 50 countries where persecution is the worst.
Last April,  Parliament voted unanimously to institute Islamic law. It was a disastrous move made with the hope that it would undergird support for the government.Instead, Christians find themselves closely monitored by both the government and the Islamic militias.

More than 20 Somali believers were martyred publicly in 2009. Most recently, on January 1 members of the militant group al-Shabaab shot and killed Mohammed Ahmed Ali, a 41-year-old underground church leader. The group also threatened to kill his family, but they fled to Nairobi, Kenya January 20.

Christians know they run a risk when following Christ. DeYoung says, “Somalis who believe in Christ are relatively few and lonely, meeting quietly in homes as they can. Somali Bibles are a rare treasure.” Even with the isolation, DeYoung goes on to say, “Believers are sharing their faith. People are coming to the Lord, and there are responses to the broadcasts.”

Keep praying. “Praise God for the faithful witness of  martyred believers, for their hope in Christ. Pray for the physical and spiritual protection of Somali believers and their families.”

Pray too, that in the midst of challenges, Somali Christians will remain unshaken from the work the Lord has given them, trusting Him to bring eternal results

Novothink is selling an iPhone case called the “Surge” which has a built in solar panel able to

Surge - Solar Battery charging iPhone Case

recharge your device using solar energy.  If your phone is fully charged then the energy is stored into the Surge’s internal battery. The Surge internal battery can also be charged from a USB computer connection.

The Surge sells for about AUD$85, weighs 79grams and while I havent physically seen or touched one this doesnt seem like it would add too much bulk to the iPhone if requiring an additional power supply if in the bush.

This is the first solar charging cover I’ve seen for a mobile device, only problem is Im not sure how many people living in remote areas would be using an iPhone……

If you haven’t heard of the solar powered phone available in Africa check this link out.