I Give It To The End Of The Week

Google has just launched a version of YouTube which executes within the Safari browser on the iPhone.  Regardless of whether you think this is an unnecessary move considering the iPhone comes with a YouTube app, this moves= show how interesting Google’s current position is compared to Apple.  Google has developed the Android platform to compete directly with iOS and in recent months has been making serious inroads. At the same time, by not exclusively tying themselves to Android, they are free to developer great web apps for the iOS web browsers and any other mobile device.  In contrast, Apple, as with their approach in the traditional computer space, is fully committed to there own iOS and had essentially written off the remainder of the mobile app market. 

Here is a link to the YouTube demo.   

http://nyti.ms/bVeKg5 

Looking over Pitchfork’s top 100 tracks of 2009 and the list includes plenty of stuff that I have not heard of or have just not heard.  One album that I listened to a bunch, and really enjoy, is Phoenix’s Wolfgang Amadeus.  The songs are catchy and fun, perfect for those Great Recession blues.  That being said, does that album really have 2 of the top 10 songs of the year? 

Regardless, great list and linking to Lala for all the tracks it a great touch. 

http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7742-the-top-100-tracks-of-2009/10/

The Cool, Cool River (Remaster…

I listened to Rhythm of the Saint this morning for the first time in a while and was blown away, as always, by Cool, Cool River.  I have been listening to that song for almost 20 years and it never ceases to amaze me. 

I am still very much on the fence about eReaders.  That’s not exactly true, right now I’m actually firmly on the side of anti-eReaders.  I don’t like the restrictive nature of the eBook licenses and just plain like buying and reading physical books.  But today I read about Kobo and it sparked my interested in an eReader for my iPhone.  I like the idea of always having a book on me so figured I’d give it a try.

As I was looking through the selection of free eBooks I found War and Peace.  I have always wanted to read War and Peace (i know everyone says that) and what better way to experience Tolstoy’s epic masterpiece than on my 4.5 in by 2.4 in iPhone.  

So today I begin the my quest to finish War and Peace as well as jump head first into the world of eReaders.  I will consider this experiment a success if I finish War and Peace before I upgrade to my next iPhone.

Updates to follow. 

Its hard to believe that it was even in question, but now NYC bike commuters have a right to bring their bikes into office buildings.  The new law requires building to allow freight elevator access to all bikers.  Employers are not required to provide any of their scarce NYC real estate for bike parking but that’s why god invented folding bikes. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/realestate/commercial/09bike.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=bike&st=cse

It may just be the corporate lawyer in me speaking but this piece is dead on. 

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2009/12/9coster.html

and just downloaded the McSweeneys iPhone app.  Its about $6, but so far totally worth it. 

I’m always a sucker for Best of the Year lists.  But this year takes it up a notch because not only do we have the Best of 2009, we are also graced with a few Best of the Decade lists.   

The Onion AV Club has published a few great Best of the Decade lists.  The Best Films of the Decade includes many films that I have seen, not heard of, and have been meaning to watch.  I was happy to see 25th Hour and Children of Men in their top 10, both great films that seem to have been overlooked when originally released.  My biggest gripe with the AV Best Films of the Decade is their omission of I’m Not There.  One of my all time favorites and clearly one of the Best Films of the ’00s. 

http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-films-of-the-00s,35931/