Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    And I'm stuck with T-Moble (work mandated) and a weak selection of BlackBerrys. They have not yet had one single touch-screen BlackBerry model, though AT&T has had several.

    Now that AT&T is acquiring T-Mo, I wonder if selection will improve?

    They keep hyping the new Bold 9900 model, which will be 4G and have a touchscreen, but it's a measly 2.8". iPhone is 3.7" and some have gone as big as 4.3".

    Even this long-time BBerry guy is ready to jump ship - if only work would allow us to.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Funny - I walked into Sam's on Thursday for some little stuff, and came out with an iPhone 4 as well! I'm at the end of a basic plan with Verizon, and had been thinking about waiting for the 5. But the reduced price on the 16gig 4 was too hard to pass up. It will be years before we move to 4G up here (we just graduated from dixie cups and string), so I doubt I'll be too far behind. In 20 months I catch the iPhone 6!!
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    edited August 2011
    Both my kids have iPhones, with my son also having an iPhone 4. Looking forward to using the Facetime feature (being able to view him while talking). Now to convert my wife...

    Bob
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    The Facetime feature is awesome, I was able to use my iPhone4 on wifi in Canada and see and talk to the kids back home. We also used it yesterday to let my mom (in the hospital for an unplanned partial hip replacement) and her 90 year old mom chat. Their dogs were going nuts, they could hear my mom's voice but couldn't figure out the sound was coming from Facetime, LOL

    -Brian
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    Unfortunately, I think Blackberry is slowly losing its market share. When I finally upgraded to a smartphone, I went for the BB Storm 2 - huge screen and no keyboard. Fun little phone. Music, media, lots of nice little apps. I was so close to a Droid, but they had literally just come out that month - didn't want to take the gamble. On that day, I could have never predicted the unprecedented success.

    Spring forward more than a year and a half. I'm up for an upgrade from Verizon Wireless. Which phone? The Storm 3 is supposedly re-labelled the Torch 2 - same big screen and virtual keyboard. OS 7 and whispers of compatability issues. The big drawback? Nowhere as many apps as Android and IPhone. And, do I really want/need a 4G device? Will I be sorry if I don't do it? Also, Verizon now has the IPhone ... I do like my toys ... decisions, decisions, decisions ...
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    Vacation was awesome! Spent the week basking in the sun (and rain) on the Maine Seacoast. Mikey is doing great. We only had to make one trip into Boston for an all-in one checkup, removal of the drain and ultrasounds, including banging off a 140 mile round-trip in record time. One more surgical procedure and hopefully it is all behind us!

    This summer, I have spent countless hours and thousands of miles behind the wheel of the Outback - the vehicle purchased mostly for running errands around town and the occasional long trip. The Outback has certainly proven itself as a formidable commuter vehicle, especially over some of the positively worst road conditions imaginable. The road construction in and out of Boston seems to be never-ending, with rough pavement, bridge replacements, constant lane reconfigurations, incredible amounts of traffic, driving at high speeds, and totally insane drivers. While I love the pure, raw power of my Legacy GT, the couple trips with the low profile tires and stiff suspension made for a very uncomfortable ride, especially where I am used to cruising the smooth, open highways of NH. And I got very good gas mileage with the Outback - somewhere between 28 to 30, compared to 22 tops on the GT which requires premium gas.

    One incredible experience I had ... tunes cranked and flying out of the Big Dig tunnel and over the Zakim Bridge past the TD Boston Garden just after sunset ... the lights and Boston skyline are breathtaking!
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    Back in May it seemed like we were racking up 2 posts a day. Just got back from a 3 week vacation visiting relatives in the UK and it took hours to catch up on everything!!
    Glad Mikey is okay on the other side of the ordeal.

    Interesting to read all the autism spectrum disorder discussion. As I have mentioned before, our youngest (by 2 minutes ;-) son Trevor has had issues for a while. He clearly has some primary elements of the disorder but there has been a split amongst the people involved as to his diagnosis. The paediatrician says no but the psychologist said yes. I am a supporter of the theories that this isn't a Y/N diagnosis, but rather a spectrum, so it doesn't matter to me as much. Sandra has been a "Don't Label My Child" devotee, but I sometimes wonder if the alternative might make more available to him within the school system. There is no doubt as to the superimposed ADD and everyone agrees with the DCD and processing disorder. He has some supports made available to through the school system including a computer because he still can't write legibly, but we repeatedly encounter teachers who didn't bother to read his teaching plan and recommendations. One day last year, a substitute started to openly castigate him for "playing on a computer" while she was teaching. It was the other kids in the class who spoke up and told her that he used one for school. I remember feeling both crushed and furious at the same time when his brothers told me, but when I spoke to him, it was an immense relief that it simply didn't register emotionally in his world. It was worse 2 years ago early in the year when we were called for a meeting with his full time teacher to discuss issues about his "attitude and work habits". The teacher and TA complained about what are basically the diagnostic criteria for what he has and which are fully discussed in his assessment document which they had been given.
    In the end, it really does rest with us as parents. If you haven't already, get a copy of "Be Different". It is a great book by the author of 'Look me in the eye' who has Asperger's, but much more helpful to parents and individuals. I am definately a supporter of the view that being different doesn't mean defective and that we should find ways for everyone to make their way in the world without holding them to our narrow views of behaviour.
    Nicholas
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I read "Look Me In the Eye", but haven't see "Be Different". I'll look for it!
    Sometimes the students do have more available if they have a "label". As an educator, I hate the labels for all students and wish we could just take kids where they are and move them forward .... oh well ...
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Bob - I've had an iPhone 3GS for 2 years now. I consider myself a devotee and highly recomment iPhone's to anyone who asks.

    The price drop has something to do with the forthcoming iPhone 5 which will probably drop next month.

    Juice - search ebay for an unlocked iPhone and slip your T-Mobile sim card in.

    RIM - IMHO, I think they'll be gone within a couple of years. The real growth in smartphones is on the consumer side. Their expertise is on the commercial side and plenty of other options are starting to encroach onto that business. The conspirisist in me would like to see Apple buy RIM and offer devices/service that would offer the ease and flexibility of Apple with the security and reliability of RIM.

    My wife has a BB Bold IIRC and she has pretty much hated it from day one. Her contract is up and I'm trying to get her over to the iPhone 5. She was amazed this past weekend when we were pairing up our phones with our new Explorer with My Ford Touch. My iPhone was connected in about 30 seconds. Her BB took over 2 minutes. She was a little miffed though when the music streaming over Bluetooth from my phone dropped out when I walked away from the vehicle. :)
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    Oh, these gadgets!

    My brother in North Carolina sent me his "old" second-gen iPod Touch last month because he had picked up an iPhone and didn't use it any longer. It is a cute little toy, and can definitely be addictive, but I am still happy to be cellphone free. I am just afraid that even having this trinket draws me too far in that direction. :blush:
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Juice - search ebay for an unlocked iPhone and slip your T-Mobile sim card in

    I've thought about it, but remember, I'm in tech support, so I have to use what my users have, to support it.

    The conspirisist in me would like to see Apple buy RIM and offer devices/service that would offer the ease and flexibility of Apple with the security and reliability of RIM.

    Oh heck yeah! That would be sweet

    T-Mo is finally getting the Bold 9900, but still just a 2.8" touch screen, and I've been waiting for years! Frustrating. It's like they want to fail.

    Same with tablets.

    Playbook was rumored to come out in 7" and 10" models, yet only 7" is offered. At launch it lacks Video Chat (fixed) and built-in e-mail. It's HD and does flash but the screen is so small, who cares?

    You pull up the keyboard and there is less than 2" of height above it for text. You need reading glasses, basically.

    Now they're trying to get Adroid apps to work on the Playbook tablet, and that will at least address the lack of App selection.

    The 10" model was cancelled, though, and a 12" model is rumored for next year. HUH? 2012? You're kidding, right? By then the iPad 7 will be out and it will offer tele-portation and shoot laser beams to eliminate your dog's poop.

    RIM is 3 years behind and determined to stay there.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    I've thought about it, but remember, I'm in tech support, so I have to use what my users have, to support it.

    Well you could always get a personal iPhone. Oh I forgot, Lincoln, Jefferson and Franklin are allergic to sunlight!! :P

    I heard something about the Playbook lacking e-mail. Didn't they bother to do some research!!
  • colin_lcolin_l Member Posts: 591
    edited August 2011
    Juice - search ebay for an unlocked iPhone and slip your T-Mobile sim card in.

    Problem: US domestic iPhones can only do 1.5G speed on TMo's network. They have AT&T radios in them and don't have the right frequency to do 3G (or 4G/hspa+) on TMo.

    I have read rumors that the iPhone5 will have full TMo frequency support, however. This is probably due to AT&T attempting to buy TMo.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, it lacked native e-mail. You can bridge to your BlackBerry and use your e-mail that way.

    The bridge is actually clever - it uses your existing connection, so you don't pay another monthly fee, yet you have e-mail and the Bridge Browser anywhere. We tested it in a moving car, and it worked. All with an already paid work phone (unlimited plan).

    Yes, I am cheap. When people ask what I want to pay, the answer is always zero, nothing. :D

    Still, the bridge browser is slow with a 3G Bold 9780. I will try again when I get the Bold 9900 because that is 4G and should offer a faster connection.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Well, it lacked native e-mail. You can bridge to your BlackBerry and use your e-mail that way.

    So basically they targeted Blackberry users. Hey guys, not every iPad buyer is an iPhone owner...
  • tsytsy Member Posts: 1,551
    I think what's great about the iPhone is it's so simple, but there's so much you can do with it.

    I bought my wife an iPhone last year even though she didn't want it- now you can't take it from her! And she's a technophobe!

    If only the iPhone worked well as a phone. . . it would be perfect! ;)

    tom
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    edited August 2011
    So far no problems with the phone aspect. I do have a rubber cover for it though, to protect the antenna.

    Bob
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Ah, boys and their toys :shades: I guess I am a dinosaur when it comes to phones. I hate talking on them, having severe hearing loss and having to wear hearing aids makes talking on the phone an excruciating experience.
    I have a basic Motorola flip phone on a pay as you go plan strictly for emergencies.
    To give you an idea of how much I use it, I pay ten bucks a month and I have over a hundred dollars in credits.
    On the other hand I am a car nut and I love toys in the car, just not phones. ;)

    Cheers Pat.
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    I picked up the Playbook for Dra for her birthday. We are still playing with it to see how we feel. We are both on Blackberry phones so the e-mail issue is non-existant and other concerns are somewhat reduced. Both of us hate tiny touchscreens ala iPhone which is why we went with the tactile buttons on the BB phones we have. We spent 2 hours in the store playing with the various offerings at the time and I still am not a tiny keyboard fan. The tablets OTOH are big enough to address that issue and I don't find the text too small when the keyboard is active. The BB's smaller size is actually one of the pluses in our world. The BB fits easily into her purse and runs flash and offers two high resolution cameras. Then again, it lacks Skype connectivity which was one of the needs we saw it addressing. There are other video connection modalities available, but not as universal. The bigger iPad isn't great for just slipping in a purse and still has some drawbacks. I don't really know what 12" tablets are supposed to be other than cool. I'd rather have a full function laptop at that size.
    Personally, I'd rather have a small phone and a big-enough tablet like the Playbook for trudging around all the time, but as I have said many times before, marketing for my preferences is usually a path to business failure.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    not every iPad buyer is an iPhone owner...

    Good point, and Playbook will only really appeal to BlackBerry users, though there is a large installed base of those.

    They did some things well but you can tell it's a v1.0. Hopefully the 12" model coming next year nails it.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ah, boys and their toys

    You'd be proud of me, Pat.

    Hooked up a Magellan backup camera last night. I tapped in to the backup light wiring, mounted it to the license plate. It has a wireless sender, just had to make a hole in the sheet metal (behind some trim) to pass the wires through, and home-make a grommet to seal it up.

    Worked like a charm, on the first try!

    Magellan provides a wireless receiver. I mounted it to the back of my RoadMate 9050 GPS, so you barely see any wires. The power I tucked behind some dash trim, so it basically stands alone at the top of the dash, no wires protruding.

    7" GPS screen, backup camera and all, for ~$400 or so. OEM Navi/backup cam would have been $2200.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    it lacks Skype connectivity

    They added Video Chat shortly after launch, but yeah, you pretty much can only talk to other PlayBook users. Both of them.

    I hate that Apple and RIM are segmenting this market, rather than adapting to Skype, since everyone already has a Skype ID. Do we really need a Skype ID, and a Face Time account, and a Video Chat account? 3 passwords for the same thing?
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    Nicholas,
    If he has an IEP, make sure he gets all the accommodations due him; it is Federal law, but mostly because you don't want him shortchanged in the educational environment.
    Serge
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    My letter to Drive Performance got in and published...they will be adding my name to it also
    http://driveperformance.subaru.com/dp82_reverse.aspx?page=3#lil
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Schweet! :shades:
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    Nice! You're going to be famous, Serge! :P
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    Way to go juice, see now that is the kind of toys that would interest me. I have looked at the Magellin 7" GPS, but we just got a new TOM-TOM VIA 5'' screen a couple of months ago so a new GPS will have to wait a couple of years.

    Cheers Pat.
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Sounds like you are in for an interesting ride. From the perspective of having a now fifteen year old with Asperger's Syndrome, we now understand how important it is to get a name for a kid's condition. Lots of documentation also helps (I think we have about 2" of various specialists reports for Angus). The reason for that is not just for today but planning for the sort of support the kid will need in late secondary school where things like ability to write quickly in exams are a problem.

    For a long time, we were wary of putting a name to Angus's condition (Don't label my child) but realised that in order to get funding for various things and explain the differences, you need to be able to attach an easy description to it.

    Nicholas, drop me an email off forum and I will offer some hints

    Cheers

    Graham
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I saw that photo in the magazine, but didn't check the credit. That's cool Serge!

    Bob
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    lots of smiles, lots of hugs, new beginnings, renewed relationships ...

    lots of stairs, lots of steps, lots of paper, beyond tired ...

    Can you tell it was the 1st day of school?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I can't believe school is starting this early. When I was a kid, we didn't start until the day after Labor Day.

    Bob
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Me too, and even then, we'd see the poor kids picking cotton in the fields behind the elementary school around mid-September.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    Well, when I was a kid.... :P

    Seriously, though, it does seem early to me, too. School starts tomorrow here, but I thought it was so early here simply because we're in the Great White North. School is over in the middle of May, which is just about the time the weather starts to get nice again! :D
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    See if the Tom-Tom has an input for a video signal. If so you can use the same backup cam I did.
  • lilbluewgn02lilbluewgn02 Member Posts: 1,089
    It's just pre-planning for us here in Broward County Florida...the kids start on Monday.
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    Sept. 7th for school start here, although Patrick has marching band rookie camp this week, and regular practice next week.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Here's the full video demo. I'm quite happy with the results:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4EWHtFe50Y

    2007 Toyota Sienna LE
    Magellan RoadMate 9055-LM
    Magellan Wireless Backup Cam

    7" nav screen with backup cam function installed myself, total cost about $400. OEM Nav cost was $2200 on this model! And I got lifetime map updates included, plus the GPS has integrated traffic, bluetooth, text-to-speech, etc. It's the flagship GPS for Magellan right now.

    Follow-up video demo of the custom bracket mount I made myself:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcLtA5S3QeU
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    Mikey's last surgical procedure is 8/23 and he starts school on 9/1. This one is expected to be outpatient - in and out on the same day. He is wondering where the summer went ...
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    Hahahahahah! I love the "security system" you devised for video #2!

    For the record, I could have done that same backup routine without the camera and been closer to the second cup. But, the point is well made that you can see *everything* immediately behind your van while doing it. ;)
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    He is wondering where the summer went ...

    That would be no different even without the medical emergency having taken up so much time!
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I could have done that same backup routine without the camera and been closer to the second cup

    You have superhero see-through vision? :D

    Watch the 2nd video, you basically back up completely blind in that van. I showed that you can't even see the trash can - at all. It's nearly 4' tall!

    Now imagine a toddler - no chance to see them unless you get out of the minivan. And I had the 3rd row folded. The 3rd row seat block the view even more. I think you see the ground, oh, about 3 miles behind you.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    We'll keep him in our thoughts that day, here's to a speedy recovery.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Very cool. Love the security system. :)

    Bob
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Sept. 7th for school start here, although Patrick has marching band rookie camp this week, and regular practice next week.

    Pretty much the same here. School starts Sept 7 - we usually start before Labor Day. My son who will be a freshman is at band camp all this week and half of next week. Cross country starts Thursday next week. Freshman orientation is Tuesday and he has to pick up his school issued iPad sometime next week.

    My daugher who is going into middle school is just lying around.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    band camp

    Uh-oh, we all know what happens there...

    American Pie reference.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    If only it were like that!!

    In reality it's lots of marching around a pseudo football field trying not to trip over their feet!!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I just watched Drumline on HBO the other night with the kids, though that made it seem more like boot camp!
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    Haha, no, I don't need to see it - I feel it.

    But hey, I did concede that your point was made in that the camera does an excellent job at letting you see what is back there! And, with having the bumper in the view, it allows you to easily reference the distance of the object from the back of the vehicle. That isn't important for someone who is familiar with the vehicle (assuming they have any memory imprint at all of the vehicle), but with that set up anyone could hop in and easily, accurately back it up to within fractions of an inch of an object.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Parking by braille? That's what I used to do, I knew I was at the trash can when I'd feel the bump. LOL

    I have it aimed all the way down, you could really line up a trailer nicely, if I had a tow hitch that is. Still thinking about that, but I don't like that I'd have to cut the bumper even for the OE hitch.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,735
    edited August 2011
    The real question is whether you would use it enough to justify the effort (or appearance, if that is an issue). If you don't need the extra space when you're vacationing and would primarily use it for the occasional borrowing of Bob's trailer, I think I would opt for putting the hitch on the Forester instead.

    Oh, wait... that's the wife's car. Would she let you borrow it? ;)
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
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