The new iPad

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Yesterday, on the way to visit family out in Essex, Reva and I stopped by the Apple store at the Westfield mall in Stratford. But I think a more accurate description of events would be that I dragged Reva to the Apple store at the Westfield mall in Stratford. It was the day after the release of the new iPad aka the third generation iPad and I wanted to get a glimpse of the screen that had been described as “resolutionary” by Apple’s marketing but had also been talked up greatly by all the blogs and podcasts I’m subscribed to.

Overall, yes the screen is a lot brighter and sharper, but to see the difference I really had to compare it to the iPad 2. I do see the difference between the iPhone 3G and iPhone 4S, but only on close inspection. I don’t know if the difference would be noticeable to me in daily use. In fact, I’d say it isn’t because I regularly use both an iPhone 4S and a Nexus One. And it’s not the screen on the Nexus One that annoys me (but that’s a story for another day).

The 3rd generation iPad is similar – only when compared to an iPad 2 up close can I really notice the difference, but ohh boy – what a difference it is. The size, shape and weight is almost identical to the iPad 2. The rear camera is apparently better, but personally that’s not a big selling point. Faster processor (quad core graphics?) and increased RAM are two big factors for me because original iPad I have is almost unusably slow with iOS 5 on it. LTE? Well, not until there’s some serious LTE push outside North America will I take notice of it.

Bottom line? If it’s the first tablet one is buying, then this is the best tablet on the market. If one already has an iPad 2, then don’t buy it unless one has $800 burning a hole in one’s pocket. What about me? I have an iPad 1. I’m sorely tempted, but I think I could last another year. Hopefully by then there’ll be a reason to get it for LTE in Europe.

My experience at the 2011 BSA conference

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I was recently asked to write a piece for an upcoming edition of Speaking Out, the BSA newsletter. Here it is:

Last September, I spent a long weekend in Durham at the BSA national conference. As a first time conference attendee, I went to it not knowing what to really expect. I signed up to go mostly because I’d heard from otherpeople who stammer (mostly through the internet) that going to a national conference was an experience they cherish and highly recommend. But I was still apprehensive. How many new people would I meet? How many times would I have to introduce myself? Whom would I talk to over the weekend? Would I have a good time? But I packed my bags, got on a train at Kings Cross and 3 hours later found myself checked in to a private room in Collingwood College, Durham University. 

It was Friday evening and people were just starting to wrap-up with dinner. I was met by Norbert who made sure I got a plate of hot (and very good) food that I ate, sharing awkward conversation with a few people I didn’t know. I finished up and headed down to the bar, still a little nervous. But the rest of the evening was exhilarating! Everyone wanted to say hello, strangers became friends;I loosened up and had a great time. We had to be told to leave because the bar was closing. 

Saturday was filled with workshops and presentations. Feeling much more comfortable in my surroundings, I picked the ones that sounded most interesting to me. I went in with an open mind, learned a few new things and experienced some great speakers, who just happened to be people who stammered. I got the opportunity to learn some singing techniques and even lay on a bed of nails! We were treated to a great lunch and an even better dinner, where I made more friends. Some after dinner activities had been planned for us that included some lovely folk music, daredevil acts by Bob Adams and finally a raffle. I was a lucky winner and walked away with a lovely painting of The King’s Speech. 

When I woke the next morning, I could barely believe it was Sunday already and very nearly time to head back to London. The day started with an incredible speech by Harry Dhillon, an advanced Toastmaster. Hearing him inspired me to join a club myself. Lunch (again, excellent) was followed by some closing remarks and an opportunity for the rest of us to get up in front of an audience and say a few words. I stood up and expressed my gratitude to everyone in attendance for an incredible 2 days. I came in not knowing what to expect, but left with many new friends and a feeling of pride at being a person who stammers.

BSA Conference, Durham

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Last September, I spent a long weekend in Durham at the BSA national conference. As a first time conference attendee, I went it not knowing what to really expect. I signed up to go mostly because I’d heard from other stammerers (mostly through the internet) that going to a national conference was an experience they cherish and highly recommend. But I was still apprehensive. How many new people would I meet? How many times would I have to introduce myself? Whom would I talk to over the weekend? Would I have a good time? But I packed my bags, got on a train at Kings Cross and 3 hours later found myself checked in to a private room in Collingwood College, Durham University.

It was Friday evening and people were just starting to wrap-up with dinner. I was met by Norbert who made sure I got a plate a hot (and very good) food that I ate, sharing awkward conversation with a few people I didn’t know. I finished up and headed down to the bar, still a little nervous. But the rest of the evening was exhilarating! Everyone wanted to say hello, strangers became friends, I loosened up and had a great time. We had to be told to leave because the bar was closing.

Saturday was filled with workshops and presentations. Feeling much more comfortable in my surroundings, I picked the ones that sounded most interesting to me. I went in with an open mind, learned a few new things and experienced some great speakers, who just happened to be people who stammered. I got the opportunity to learn some singing techniques and even lay on a bed of nails! We were treated to a great lunch and an even better dinner, where I made more friends. Some after dinner activities had been planned for us that included some lovely folk music, daredevil acts by Bob Adams and finally a raffle. I was a lucky winner and walked away with a lovely painting of The King’s Speech.

The next morning, I could barely believe it was Sunday already and very nearly time to head back to London. They day started with an incredible speech by Harry Dhillon, an advanced Toastmaster. Hearing him inspired me to join a club myself. Lunch (again, excellent) was followed by some closing remarks and an opportunity for the rest of us to get up in front of an audience and say a few words. I stood up and expressed my gratitude to everyone in attendance for an incredible 2 days. I came in not knowing what to expect, but left with many new friends and a feeling of pride at being a person who stammers.