Hurry Up And Wait!

Like most things in life, the more you wait, the longer it feels. It’s been only a couple months since the Android 2.1 update was announced for DROID. The worst part was when they said it would be out that week…and then there was a change. It’s one thing to tell people about an update, especially a highly anticipated one, and then pull the rug out from under those people (most would call those people customers).

So here we are, a couple moths later and on the eve of the big rollout of 2.1 for DROID. Then, come the reports that there was a bug and the rollout is stopped. I guess if I really wanted all the coolness of Android 2.1, I could root my phone and install one of the ROMs (as they are called) that have all the functionality of 2.1 and then some.

Since DROID is my only phone since our move (yes, no home phone now), I have decided to play it safe and not mess too much with my little glossy-black baby.

I’ve become attached to a great DROID Website, DROID-Life.com, where the moderator (not sure what else to call him) blogs about his experiences and posts tips, tricks and videos on how to install different software, root the phone and host discussions about all of the above.

Since I bought DROID the day it came out (November 6, 2009) I’ve only purchased two software items: Documents-To-Go and Beautiful Widgets.

I bought Documents-To-Go (about $10) because it’s the only thing I found that would create, edit and save Microsoft Office documents and The Wife has had DTG on her Palm phones for many years and loves it. The stupid part is…I haven’t really used it yet!!!! Maybe that’s what I’ll do over the next few weeks and post a review or something.

Now Beautiful Widgets was a bit of an impulse buy. It cost $3 and is nothing more than a nice looking clock and weather widget that sits on the home screen. It is beautiful and the bevy of skins is amazing! The choices are somewhat limited to the widget area but it’s cool to see the creativity of the skin designers and what they’ve come up with!

So, hopefully, by this time next week I’ll be the proud papa of a DROID running 2.1 with all the bells and whistles running right.

The wait just gets longer…

What’s Up With Toyota?

So earlier today there was a story about a Prius in California that accelerated out of control. (watch here)

Toyota is having what you might call a public relations nightmare, with recalls, testimony in front of the US Congress and actual deaths from what seems to be unsafe products.

Is it actual defects or human error? Are Toyotas safe or should we stay away? The questions keep mounting and the company stays quiet.

The scene today seems to point towards mechanical or electronic failure. The gentleman called the California Highway Patrol, in a panic, because as he was attempting to pass another vehicle, the Prius kept accelerating, to its top speed (?) of approximately 90 miles per hour.

According to the story, he tried to pull up on the accelerator pedal, with no luck. He “stood” on the brakes, with no luck. Thankfully, the CHP officer had a great idea; Stand on the brakes and pull up the emergency brake. That combination caused the vehicle to slow to about 50 and the officer told the driver to cut the engine, which he did and was able to glide to a stop, safely.

It seems Toyota has a lot of explaining to do and has probably hired the Dream Team to represent them in court…you know there will be many lawsuits.

So what’s left? Basically, what’s left at this point is a lot of questions and a dark cloud hanging over Toyota. The company will most likely stay strong since most people out there were burned worse by the American carmakers and, for now, it’s happening to “other” people.

Now, if more and more people have problems like the guy out in Cali, then we have a whole other pot of worms.