Stocked Up on VH07V
At the Rice Fest over the weekend, I stocked up on more VH07V gear. Got the navy with neon orange (though the shirt looks black) and a new gray fade design with the shaka.
Oh, and a discount from the VIP mailing list!
Cool Tea Names and an Oat Cake
Starbucks latest line of teas has some cool names. We’re talking Royal English Breakfast, Passion Tango, Youthberry, and Pineapple Kona Pop.
Then there’s this Hawaii-themed oat cake. Yeah, I’ll pass on that lava rock of an oat cake, and what makes it “Hawaii” anyways?
Unlimited No Longer
And I feel the same. After getting the original AT&T unlimited data plan with my iPhone 3G and carrying it over for years, I finally gave it up, switching to an AT&T mobile data sharing plan. Truthfully, I never approached “unlimited” data in my usage, averaging less than 2 GB per month. So instead of keeping the cool sounding unlimited data plan, I opted for other useful services (hello text plan).
I also said goodbye to my iPhone 4. This phone really cranked up the camera quality, making the iPhone my preferred camera.
ShedRain Umbrellas (and More) at Costco
If you’re looking for a good old umbrella, Costco is carrying the ShedRain brand, specifically the Ultimate Umbrella. This model looks similar to the WindJammer model that was previously recognized in The Wirecuter’s Best Umbrella category. But at around $17, I’m guessing the Ultimate Umbrella is different than the $35 WindJammer. Three colors are available – all black, black with polka dots, and red with polka dots.
What else did I spy at Costco Hawaii Kai edition? Lactaid milk is available, but not at the Waipio location (I checked). More good news, this Lactaid lactose-free milk doesn’t taste like a cow. Can you stock up and freeze milk??
Check out these fun puzzles. Watch the piece count though since there are 100, 500, and 1000-piece puzzles available. The Hawaii-themed ones are pretty cool.
Lastly, for you mayo lovers, this is for you. A whole “vat” of mayo, Just Mayo. I feel so greasy all of a sudden.
Bonus! For big kids, there’s this toy horse just in time for Christmas.
Lanikai Juice Is Now Open Open
In the beginning of September, Lanikai Juice in Kailua underwent renovations. Fortunately, while the store was closed, the location was still open thanks to their mobile juice truck parked out front. The renovations are done and the storefront is now open open (and still crowded).
One Week with the iPhone 6
It’s been barely one week using my new iPhone 6, but here are a few more observations.
Does it bend? Seriously, what? Why is #bendgate even a thing? Um, how about not sitting on your phone to begin with. And if you had a plastic encased phone, I’m guessing the phone would crack. At least the bent iPhone 6 is still operational and it seems like Apple is replacing bent exteriors. But still, my suggestion is to not sit on your expensive smartphone.
Touch ID. I love it. Forget that the physical home button on the iPhone takes up precious real estate. The integration of Touch ID makes it all worth it. Just as fast and more convenient than taping in a password. This is the enabler of online purchasing. Yes, I am buying more with my iPhone just because it’s just easier.
Passwords and Authentication. Currently, there are limitations for Touch ID so traditional passwords, and newer authentication means are still in play. Moving to a new phone means redoing many, many passwords. This gets compounded for accounts with two-factor authentication enabled. Sadly, Google Authenticator does not retain its setup when moving to a new device so you have to access your accounts, generate new codes, and scan them in. At least, LastPass has gained functionality under iOS8 and is more easily accessed to help with passwords.
Slow-Mo. A fun option to have for fun effects like when I saw the new BMW i3 EV in the neighborhood. I swear it felt like this slow-mo video when I first spotted this progressive car.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OHYcZ9jIzE]
Battery Life. Better than my iPhone 5 but not better than my Android-based LG G3. I’d say the battery lasts a day and a half whereas my iPhone 5’s battery lasted about a day. The LG G3 lasts 2-3 days easily. Leaving the house with a 40% charge would cause anxiety with an iPhone 5, not so with the 6. I’d return home hours later with 20+% remaining. Only problem is that a 1.5 day charging routine isn’t so easy to maintain.
App Battery Usage. Tied to battery life is knowing what’s consuming battery power. iOS8 has a new feature that shows the battery usage of all your apps. I don’t know how to really use these stats. Because I use Facebook quite often on my iPhone, it makes sense that battery usage is correspondingly high.
Running. I’ve been running with my iPhone 5 after my fitted case for my old school iPod Nano broke. I got used to running while holding the iPhone in my hand, able to change volume and songs easily. Running with the iPhone 6 feels the same though I doubt I could comfortably handhold the 6+ while running. The presence of the M8 motion coprocessor sure helps save on battery life. Typically, I’m streaming music from iCloud, and battery goes down nearly 10% after a 30-45 minute run. Battery drain is single digits with the iPhone 6.
Two-handed use. Get over it. One handed operation is possible, but two handed is the new reality, even with a 4.7-in iPhone 6.
No “Breastaurant” Planned for Hawaii
Nope, Twin Peaks is not looking to open a location in Hawaii. Although it’s the fastest growing restaurant chain in America, the breastaurant restaurant’s mountain lodge motif simply won’t work here, right? I mean who in Hawaii really gets the mountain lodge vibe and needs the “attentive service sector?” Can’t you get a Dirty Blonde and Knotty Brunette at other local places like Club 939?
Boo Foot Locker Boo
Aw boo to you Foot Locker. Free shipping** doesn’t really mean free shipping when the ** is concerned since the ** means free shipping only applies to the 48 contiguous states.
Offer is limited to standard ground delivery within the 48 contiguous United States and APO/FPO addresses.
Guess I’ll just have to wait to get these hyper-ed out Zoom Structure 18 in Hyper Cobalt/Black/Hyper Jade/Hyper Punch. Or find another vendor that will ship to Hawaii. Zappos???
Intrigued by the BMW i3
There’s a new electric BMW i3 in the Kailua area, and it’s got me intrigued. Looks kinda funky but yet progressive.
Gotta do more research – read reviews, read road tests, and look into possible leasing options.
Two Voice Tuesday: President Obama and Tweetie Bird
Did you catch Danielle Tucker wondering what a mashup of Tweetie Bird and President Obama would sound like? After her traffic report, Gregg Hammer made it happen.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/169229319″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Haunted by the AT&T Ringtone
Imaging hearing this audio sound again and again but very faintly. Eventually, it’ll drive you crazy.
[audio:https://www.pulpconnection.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Attringtone.mp3]That’s what haunted me as my LG G3 Android phone was stuck playing this tune. The screen wasn’t responsive, the phone was getting hot, but I would hear that AT&T ringtone every few minutes indicating some function. Not knowing what was going on, I now understand why I had to initially install the battery – so I knew how to remove the battery for situations like this.
I removed the massive battery and let the phone sit for a few seconds. After reinstalling the battery and powering up, the phone behaved as normal though the full charge was now at 76%. I think there are few things I need to learn about the LG G3.
Kickstarted the iPhone 6 Felt Case
Oh my fickleness for iPhone cases. Here I was set on getting a Spigen Neo Hybrid Metal case for my new iPhone 6. But then I heard that while the fit was fine, there was a minor discrepancy with the clickiness of the volume buttons. Nothing major, but I guess a last minute adjustment for these early round of iPhone 6 cases.
So fine, I’ll wait for the next batch and instead bought an inexpensive Modal case from Best Buy. Not the best, but it fits and was cheap. It’s grippy and smooth enough at the same time.
Now I have a soft spot for Kickstarter projects and so does Eri who I happened to notice backed a project called the Felt Case. Simply, this is a felt covered case for the iPhone 6 or 6+. Its look is somewhat subdued but kinda interesting since, well, it’s felt. And the felt is supposed to be tough, grippy, and smooth all at the same time. For $29, I’m willing to go off the beaten path and give the Felt Case a shot. How about you? Watch the video then make your pledge.