A few observations from my trip to California
by Volker Weber
- Flat-bed business class is much better than old-skool, especially on the 747 upper deck.
- The TomTom Go just works. I would have been lost without it. Nice touch to have two maps on it. One for Europe and one for North America.
- The Prius is a nice ride for US roads. Very smooth. I don't think it fits German driving habits, but for the much more relaxed American way of driving it is wonderful. I got 44 mpg for almost 300 mls in three days. I think I paid just $17 for the gas. If you think that is expensive, you should come visit us.
- Some people tell me the BlackBerry Bold is buggy. Well, mine isn't. It just works wonderfully. But I have to admit, that I have a very recent software revision.
- 3G coverage in Silicon Valley is a joke. Sometimes I was able to get to EDGE, and I briefly was on 3G at SFO. But there was no reception in many parts of San Francisco, and anywhere south of it, it just got worse. It's not the Bold, because that works absolutely flawlessly here on 3G and 3.5G.
- TSA is useless. Well, not entirely. They take care of people who would otherwise have no job.
- RIM knows a lot less about what reporters need than for instance Lotus. And if they know it, they don't act on it. Otherwise, great conference. Very generous package with free device. Best mobile guide I have ever seen. (Hey, this Viigo software would work very easily for Lotusphere). And finally a cool backpack that is not yellow. :-)
- California 1 is still my favorite road. Ever.
- If you are in the area, you have to go to San Francisco. There is nothing like it. Go there, make it happen. Even if only for a few hours.
- I really like to listen to "How to save a life". But nothing beats DJ Jondal for an 11 hour flight. And do get in-ear-headphones. Much better than those Bose NC headsets everybody seems to be toting.
- Yesterday I learned some great news, but I can only tell you next Tuesday. Yes, such a tease. But I do keep my secrets.
Comments
California 1: Absolutely true. I remember the best seafood (great american cookout, anyone?) in San Luis Obispo.
UA (or any american airline, for that matter) for long-haul? Not if I can avoid it, even if the lie-flat looks way better than LH (LH C-Class seat).
Couldn´t agree more on TSA. Remember to remove body art before screening :-) :-) look at my navel
Hi
What device did you get free?
Paul
So far I did not get one. They were out of the interesting ones when I showed up. I hold a voucher for a Bold.
Did you use a German SIM card (i.e. were you on roaming) when you didn't really get better than an EDGE connection? I've spent the last two weeks in Houston and Michigan. I could hardly get any better than EDGE either with the Nokia E71, even though U.S. folks (with local SIM cards) right next to me were on 3G or 3.5G (and yes, on GSM carriers).
I have the suspicion that maybe roaming customers only get better service if the carrier has enough capacity after serving his own customers.
Ah... California 1... In younger days my girlfriend and I took a trip from my then native Montreal to LA then took several days to drive down to San Francisco. Favorite memory is breaking out a picnic dinner at a hillside rest stop, then watching locals surf as the sun went down.
Hi Volker,
- SF is really great. Was there on VMWorld 2007. Fabulous city.
- Got no problem with my Bold ( Vodafone Germany ) as well. I am also on the latest firmware and it was bad with the one that was shipped with the device.
- Did they give Storms away as well ??
Oliver, yes. But only to be shipped by Verizon within 4 weeks after commercial availability. By that time it can be considered old news. And I do not expect the Storm to be as good as a Bold.
Been there a week ago and will be there again in two weeks. This city is soo "like" up and down.
Greetings from Bryce Canyon atm ;-)
