Apple Has Rocked Consumer Electronics

Winter break feels so weird because I don't do half as much in a day as I used to. I woke up too late and didn't exercise, but I got some new dumb bell clips so that I can somewhat keep in shape at home. I can't believe that 24 Hour Fitness would charge $50 for a one month membership! You'd think their equipment was made of gold. Anyway, maybe I'll get back in my groove tomorrow because I do have tons to do. If you're a regular of my blog then you're up to speed on Apple's announcements from the past year and now we can look back and say, "Wow, they really made a name for themselves." One online magazine considers them to be the new Sony, which is a huge compliment presuming that their previously low key presence in consumer electronics has exploded to the level that Sony was at that time with cameras, the PS2, audio equipment, and other random stuff. You know you're a big deal when you're not even at the Consumer Electronics Expo (CES), and yet there's a ton of buzz surrounding you thanks to the companies you've help build by giving them the opportunity to make accessories for your products. People are even modding their Nanos to play video. Their strategy of integrating so many ideas has really stunned the electronics world this year and we can look forward to more of that next year, I'm sure, with the inevitable release of Intel-based computers at some point.

Another thing that comes with the end of a year is the Google Zeitgeist, which is a listing of popular searches in the year. It's funny how search terms can showcase trends so well. Google is also scaring some authorities with the imagery from Google Earth, but I'm sure they're willing to comply with hiding any sensitive data. I find it very interesting that Microsoft has hired user interface expert Bill Buxton, which could really help them out. I don't see much variation on the UI of their software, and I think it hurts them. Lastly, if you hate viruses then you may change your mind when you see that a worm actually helped catch a pedophile. So you see, viruses like children! Just not in that way.

Is it ever a bad day to put up a picture of Keira Knightley? I think not, but today it's because she's signed on to a movie called Silk where she's the lover of a French silkworm smuggler in the 1800s. We finally have a look at the actual Ghost Rider in the movie at the movie's site (click "The Rider Revealed"), and I think it looks pretty cool. I spoke of a clip for Apocalypto a few days ago, and we now have a teaser for the movie detailing the fall of the Mayan civilization. We still don't have that Mayan dialogue, and the trailer offers very little new footage. Christian Bale has been on a roll this year and gave an interview with IGN on the anticipated film from Terrence Malick, The New World, which gives an artistic spin to the Pocahontas story. Casino Royale is having trouble finding a leading lady for the film with three rejections already, and that can't mean good things for the movie or the franchise if people don't want to be a part of it. Lastly, Newsweek is printing an article on the Da Vinci Code movie featuring a number of pictures if you're interested.

Sorry that I accidentally mixed up my meme yesterday, but I'll just do the Ten on Tuesday today. I was pretty tired yesterday as you could tell.

Ten Best Things About the Holidays
10. Having a little time to do some reading for pleasure.
9. Making holiday treats!
8. Post-Christmas sales.
7. Realizing how good egg nog can be. ;)
6. Eating lots of kick ass food.
5. Dancing until it hurts on New Year's Eve.
4. A break from the otherwise overbearing heat.
3. Ending the stress of finals with time with family.
2. The look on their face when they open your present.
1. A fancy Christmas mass (I love the elaborate music and everyone being so dressy)