The Galaxy i9000 S releases on monday in NZ and mine is on preorder. Hopefully it turns up on monday too! dan barely wait :)

Specs from: http://www.fonearena.com/blog/14160/samsung-galaxy-s-i9000-full-specifications.html :

Something I'm grappling with personally is the amount of time I spend on Twitter, Facebook and Linked-in. In particular Facebook when I'm at home in the evenings.

Yeah sure it's fun for a while but you get this distinct impression that because it's about you, you need to be constantly funny/clever/interesting in order to receive enough feedback to be bothered to keep on posting. So inherently it's changing what I write rather than being natural- and I wonder if it's just wasting my time in the end. It's not like I'm someone in the public limelight who would naturally attract a lot of people to them.

What brought this up for me was a good article on Simply Zesty on this topic called "Would anyone notice if I left twitter?". Worth the read if you question your time on social networking sites!

http://www.simplyzesty.com/social-media/notice-left-twitte/

Windows Phone 7 is released which means phones soon - Europe in october and november for the US - and I'm assuming before xmas for NZ too.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/09/01/windows_phone_7_rtm/

Interesting article (if a little under analysed) on InfoQ on Should EAs have an MBAs. Personally it's something I want to work towards, just once my kids are bit older :) This definitely helps establish credibility in the CxO space where an EA really needs to hold his own.

I'm now regularly using twitter for The Strategic Architect related updates and microblogging - you can find it on the right side of this blog or directly at the_strat_arch @ twitter.

I've been watching the Oracle purchase of Sun very carefully. My last company made significant investment into OpenESB (open source~ version of Sun JCAPS). I had advised against the investment given the Oracle purchase and it's uphappy history with open source.

Regarding this situation, going after Google for the Android VM may well be something that has Oracle good ground to do. But in end it's going to hurt Oracle big time in the open source community reputation wise.

Definitely one to keep watching. Some useful background reading at ARSTechnica:

http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2010/08/oracles-java-lawsuit-undermines-its-open-source-credibility.ars

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/08/oracle-sues-google-over-use-of-java-in-android-sdk.ars

The writing is on the wall with Windows Phone 7. It looks like Microsoft will be pushing huge with this new device into the consumer space later this year. It's a case of finally catching up to Apple. I've never been one to underestimate Microsoft when they have started behind - in fact in my experience this is where MS has been most lethal - just look at what happaned with Internet Explorer.

Some interesting links to consider regaring the Windows Phone 7, the launch and commentary around it:

Neowin is picking october for the launch:

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-windows-phone-7-in-october

Microsoft is setting up a dedicated gaming studio (MGS) specifically for the new platform:

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-to-open-a-new-gaming-studio-for-the-wp7-platform

Computerworld on the gamble MS is taking with Windows Phone 7 being focused on consumer rather than enterprise (not so black and white actually!):

http://blogs.computerworld.com/16622/windows_phone_7s_achilles_heel_no_enterprise_app_deployment_tool?page=1

The possibility of a launch event in Australia for late august:

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-phone-7-launch-events-rumored-for-late-august-asus-device-leak-and-more

Beyond Windows Mobile 7 - Project Menlo:

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-menlo-project-uncovered

Complete guide to windows phone 7 on engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/windows-phone-7-series-the-complete-guide/

I bought an iPad when they were released in NZ the other week. I couldn't help myself and my initial feeling is one of being very impressed with all the different things this device can do. I'll probably blog later on some of the cool things I'm doing with it, but in the mean time I'm looking at iPad mindmapping software and came across this good comparison site:

http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/mind-mapping-apps-for-the-ipad/

I'm thinking I will need some mindmapping software as I run around in my new job trying to absorb all the new information hitting my brain!

I'm also going to see what type of modelling / architecture software exists for the iPad.

Quick update to those who don't know - I've moved on from Mighty River Power and I am now working for Touchpoint Group as Managing Principal [Consultant].

Touchpoint is a NZ product company with a SaaS product specializing in online and interactive digital marketing solutions. Touchpoint has presences overseas and works with many big name brands in New Zealand.  

I will be working across a couple different areas - managing other consultants, helping direct design, product development and heavily involved with customers. Today was my first day and I've hit the deck running! Looking forward to the challenges ahead.

Touchpoints website is: http://www.touchpointgroup.com/

At WWDC 2010 Steve Jobs announced details of the new iPhone 4. As suggested on the iPhone 4G dissected post:

• Front-facing video chat camera (CHECK!)
• Improved regular back-camera (CHECK!)
• Camera flash (CHECK!)
• Micro-SIM instead of standard SIM (CHECK!)
• Improved display. (CHECK!)
• What looks to be a secondary mic for noise cancellation, at the top, next to the headphone jack. (CHECK!)
• Split buttons for volume (CHECK!)
• Power, mute, and volume buttons are all metallic (CHECK!)

Other facts:

• Hitting the US stores on June 24 - three weeks!
• Aluminosilicate glass - 20 times stiffer, 30 times harder than plastic
• 326 pixels per inch - 960x480 resolution. Finally a decent super res on a small device!
• Based on the A4 processor - Apples own after recent purchase of P.A. Semi
• Gyroscope and Accelerometers - Means measuring direction and angular momentum - much more useful for gamming interfaces
• Shots HD (720p) Hi Def video with direct youtube integration
• Significantly increased battery life - finally!!!

A good round up of the details on a Silicon Alley Insider article. Trying to find out when it hits NZ!