Why Did I Buy This Thing?

I ordered 2 of these as part of my new Home Automation initiative.  I  also ordered 2 similar Z-Wave receptacles just so that I could see if there was any functional difference that warranted the price difference.

I waited last year when the G1 came out. I was anxious for Android to come out and shake things up but I didn't want to be an early adopter. I looked forward to participating in an open source mobile platform because as an applications developer and, honestly, because it wasn't an iPhone.  The promise of a better platform was what it meant to me.  A system whose excellence is agnostic of its host.

I'm writing this articel after-the-fact.  Truth is the LG Envy (VX9900) wasn't a horrible phone, but I think I had to long to remain satisfied.  The 'P' button broke almost immediately.  The well intentioned 'ENV' orange button in the top right could only be configured to launch one of a small handful of tasks.  Would've been nice if you could set it to launch the Verizon Song ID app, but I guess that was too much to ask.

Amazon Product Link: 

LG Official OEM Travel Wall Charger for Envy Phone! Original Equipment and Manufacturer (AC 110-220 volt)

Black with Blue Hawaiian Flower Snap on Hard Skin Cover Case for Lg Envy 3 Vx9200 + Belt Clip

Back in 2006, my employers purchased me an HP 6180 All-in-one printer/fax/copier/scanner/money pit. It printed incredible 4x6 photos on HP glossy photo paper, but other brand papers didn't fair so well. This machine rocks Bluetooth, Photobridge, an 802.11g wifi card, and USB capabilities. On the downside ink is expensive and its always requesting new ink.

A little while back, I invested in a few webcams as a small home security project.  I just wanted to test a few different cameras out along with some open source software to try and put together an affordable solution.  That's why I bought the HP VGA Webcams, for like $24.99, at Best Buy.

Its a second generation 8Gb iPod touch.  There isn't much point in me raving about what it can't do or can do, thats been discussed ad nauseam.  What I will say is that I purchased this device because I was going to use it as another controller for the Mi Casa Verde Vera home controller for controlling my Z-Wave devices.

I picked up a Chicken Sandwich from Arby's off the new "5.01" menu.  I didn't have extrememly high hopes for it, but the sandwich was definitely much worse than expected.  The 2oz of prepped chicken was tightly rolled in the center of two oversized sourdough slices of bread.  The toasted bread was a bit rubbery, could've been because I waited 5 minutes to eat it, could've been because the sandwich was microwaved.  The taste wasn't horrible, but the sandwich itself was lousy.  Thumbs down.

If you live in the Mid-West, Jacks Wholesale Windows may be an option for you.  You may want to read about my experience working with them before you sign anything.

I finally bought an iPod touch because the opportunity to pick up a brand new 2nd Generation iPod dropped in my lap.  $100 seemed like a steal at the time.  What helped fuel my decision to purchase the iPod was that the forums for my Vera by Mi Casa Verde was sprinkled with praise about the sleek interface.  This was to be my Home Automation controller extender.  

Well it took a few weeks to resolve but I am completely happy with the way Cooper Wiring Devices resolved the issue.