No Wonder Research in Motion is Doing Badly
Research in Mition, the maker of Blackberry phones is not doing well according to this on the BBC. Unless of course, you consider a $125million loss to be doing well.
But after trying one of their products for free, which O2 were kind enough to give me I can understand why sales are falling.
For a start the keyboard has been designed by someone, who gives the impression he’s never done any substantial typing on a proper computer. Good design always builds on what your customers expect. As an example, supposing a car manufacturer proved that left-hand-drive cars were safer and then said it wouldn’t make right hand drive ones for the UK. Would they sell any?
As an example here, I wanted to enter the @ sign, which is above the P. Which in itself, is a pretty strange place to put it! But then with a small keyboard that might have been the only place they have left.
So you’d think that you would use Shift followed by P to enter it! But no, it’s Alt followed by P. If that is logical to someone with forty-plus years experience of a computer and sixty years of typing starting on a sit-up-and-beg Imperial, then I’m a Chinaman. (By the way, is it allowed to use that phrase today from the past. It is only descriptive and I could have used the alternative form of Dutchman!)
If I taken the trouble to check that the keyboard was so strange, I wouldn’t have had one. No wonder they aren’t selling to well. Perhaps this keyboard means that new users aren’t impressed. I’m not!
In the day I used it, I never managed to send a text message, although I did receive a few and read them. On my Nokia 6310i, I just hit one button, choose Reply and I’m replying.
Others may like their Blackberries, but it is definitely not for me, so I’ll stick with the Nokia 6310i.
I know that doesn’t take pictures, but I have a little and battered Nikon Coolpix in my pocket to do that and also act as a visual aide-memoire.
I’ve Got Myself A Blackberry
Not a fruit, but one of those new-fangled phones.
Quite frankly I’m not impressed!
Lessons From the Patrice Muamba Incident
Note that I’m calling it an incident, as hopefully after today’s hopefully promising news, things may get a lot better.
One of the reasons, I can call it an incident, may turn out to be the fact, that according to the Evening Standard a cardiologist was in the East Stand at White Hart Lane and he knew what was happening to poor Patrice, so he just told the Stewards, that he was going onto the pitch and did it! He also persuaded the paramedics to take Patrice to the London Chest Hospital, where they had the facilities to deal with such a serious heart attack. He even accompanied the footballer in the ambulance. Isn’t that what we think, we should expect from a doctor?
Someone, who was a friend of a friend, wasn’t so lucky. He had a heart attack in the stand at a football match and the paramedics were unable to revive him. Perhaps, with help from a cardiologist, they might have succeeded. But my friend did say that he was well into his seventies and had already had one major heart attack and would have probably preferred to go out, watching his team.
So what are the chances of the right doctor being at the ground.
About ten years ago, I was in the circle of the theatre at Cambridge with C, when a rather worried usher asked if there was a doctor in the house. Whether there was a conference on, but out of about a hundred or so, she got at least ten doctors to come forward. I don’t know what happened afterwards, but hopefully they managed between them.
But White Hart Lane has a capacity of 50,000 or so and that greatly increases the odds of the right doctor being available. And as the incident happened in front of him that helped too.
I am not saying Patrice was lucky, as to go through what he has is terrible, but can we increase the chances of getting the right sort of assistance in public events and even spaces.
For instance, the cardiologist was a season ticket holder and because of modern electronic ticketing, they could have found out he was at the game. So you can envisage systems, where doctors with particular specialities are texted, if something serious happens. I can remember the day when Luc Nillis broke his leg at Portman Road, as it was in front of me. Would his treatment have been better, if they’d managed to find an orthopaedic consultant or two in the crowd of 20,000? They may have done, but I don’t know!
It does strike me that this could be an application for a smart phone!
A Question Answered
A few weeks, ago I asked how scammers got your phone number and other details.
The Sunday Times answers the question today and says it all down to corrupt Indian call centre workers, who sell the details for two pence a shot. Surely, I’m worth more than that?
If that is the case, we need a nice EU Law, which says that data from individuals of a particular company, must only be held and accessed in that country.
Companies might moan, but all we would need to do was boycott the moaning companies. As it is, I try to avoid companies with overseas call centres. And that would include Spanish, German or French companies, that have their call centre, where they are head-quartered.
Riding the New Bus for London
I finally caught up with the New Bus for London this afternoon. As I got to my stop to go to Islington, it was going the other way towards Hackney, so I got on the next 38 and asked the driver to ‘Follow that bus!’ Which of course he did, as all 38s go the same way. If there had been a bit of congestion and he’d manage to overtake my intended ride, I’d have just hopped-off one bus and hopped-on the other.
But we were held up and so a couple of stops before the turn around at Hackney Central, I disembarked and crossed the road to the Victoria-bound stop. Twenty minutes later and LT2 arrived.
I immediately went upstairs and the first thing you notice is how light and airy the inside is.
Upstairs on a New Bus for London
Colours are best described as classy and more subtle than most other buses, but light is good with LED downlighters everywhere. The windows are wide and aligned with the seats, as this view shows.
Wide Windows on the New Bus for London
Lincolns Inn Fields can be seen through the windows. Note too, the generous leg-room, compared to some other buses.
As we progressed towards Victoria I took a lot of pictures from the right hand side, with my elbow resting on the window frame, just like the gent in the previous picture is doing.
Hugh Myddelton Looks On
I wonder what Sir Hugh would have thought of it all.
Whatever the bus may be it is a superb place to film central London. I don’t think that the tours will be pleased as routes like the 38, will offer a similar experience for the price of a normal bus fare. How long before someone starts offering a smart phone app, that provides a running commentary, based on GPS. Or could the app tap into a signal from the bus to keep everything in sync?
At on point, the bus was fairly clear and I was able to look at the seats.
Upstairs Seats on a New Bus for London
They are comfortable and shaped to give good lumbar support. As I have said the legroom is good and you don’t feel crushed in because of the large windows and the ability to rest your arm on the window sill. You could also put a small bag underneath a lot of the seats. Compare this seat with that on the standard Wright product, that is very common in London.
The Seat on a Standard Wright Bus
The New Bus for London certainly has a better seat, with better support and if you’re on the window side, you have somewhere to rest one arm.
After a time I was able to move up-front.
Up Front on a New Bus for London
The view is again good and there is the usual grab rail beloved of kids of all ages. Strangely, I suspect that you might get better pictures from the side of the bus, due to the wide and deep windows.
As we progressed through London, the most astounding thing, was that everybody was looking at the bus.
Eros From a New Bus for London
Quite a few of the crowds on Eros were photographing the bus. As I think was this lady.
Caught in the Act
But we were outside Fortnums, so she might have been photographing the shop. At Victoria the cameras were out again.
The New Bus for London at Victoria
It’s when you see it here, you realise that the bus is only marginally bigger than the standard buses. Although, on the roads, the curves make it look bigger.
Soon we were off again and i took this picture of a visiting Pole in the back seat of the top deck.
On the Back Seat of the New Bus for London
On the old Routemasters and the RT’s before them, this seat was always popular for a cuddle. I suspect that it will get used for the same purpose on this bus.
I should say, that as someone, who is a bit weak down the left hand side, I didn’t find the stairs too difficult. In fact because there are two staircases, you use the one most convenient to where you are sitting. So I suspect on a crowded bus, you’d probably get off quicker and a lot easier. They are certainly no more difficult to use than those on the standard London buses. The picture shows the front staircase.
The Front Staircase on the New Bus for London
I think they might be a bit wider too. This picture was taken from the window seat just behind the staircase, which I think could be one of the best seats to take pictures from the bus.
So how do people like the bus?
I did talk to a few people and they were generally enthusiastic. Many too, were taking pictures on their phones or like me, had cameras with them.
Finally, I got off the bus and walked the short distance home.
But this couple were in a hurry and hopped on the bus, whilst it was stuck at the traffic lights.
Hopping On a New Bus for London
So will the hop-on/hop-off facility work? It seems to be what Londoners want. It will help me, as often when I walk round the corner to get a 38 to Islington, one is stuck at the traffic lights, so it might save me a couple of minutes waiting for the next one.
To summarise, I think that the designers have generally got it right. The bus is light and airey, the windows give good visibility out, the staircases are easy, the open platform appears to be working and the driver I spoke to liked the bus, which is surely important.
Quite a few men, seemed to be interested in the technical details like the hybrid power system, which gives the bus very good fuel consumption. When did you last discuss how your bus or train worked with someone?
Only one lady thought there might not be enough spaces for buggies, but she did like the seats and the big windows!
Another passenger didn’t like the new smell, as I didn’t on the journey to Victoria, but that will go away in a couple of weeks.
I think my biggest conclusion about the bus is summed up in a quote by David Hockney.
Art has to move you and design does not, unless it’s a good design for a bus.
There would even be space on the top deck for a dachshund under the seat.
Do Some Phone Apps Invade Privacy?
This question is asked in an article in The Sunday Times today.
I can’t say I’m bothered as my Nokia 6310i can’t run apps.
However, if you search the Internet with the title of this post or something like it, you’ll find a lot of people are worried, that your privacy is being invaded.
But not mine!
Are Virgin Media the Worst Junk Mailers?
Every few weeks, I get one of these through the post, delivered by the Royal Mail.
Unwanted Mail from Virgin Media
I have registered with the Mail Preference Service and I do have sign which says No Junk Mail. But the mail is addressed to the Occupier, which is apparently not covered by any rules. Perhaps, I should send it on to the Occupy London people.
Virgin shouldn’t really worry, as except for their trains, I don’t and won’t use any of their products. And anyway Virgin Media is expensive.
How Do Scammers Get Your Phone Number?
I’ve had my phone number here for about six months. Usually once, a day, I’m hold I have had an accident, my Windows computer needs fixing or some other scam. I say that the phone is registered with the Telephone Preference Service and usually say that if they’re telling me I have an accident, then would they please get lost. They usualy hang up pretty sharpish.
But how did they get my number and a name to go with it?
Few people have that link except my friends and the others probably include, BT, my bank, John Lewis and a couple of other shops, and perhaps a few on-line shops and couriers.
So who got a nice kickback from the scammers to give them my phone number and name and address?
After all, a verified name must be worth a few bob. so it is worth paying for.
It would be nice to find some little tow-rag, who has sold a few names and give them a few months in one of Her Majesty’s Prisons. That would surely encourage the others!
The App List
The Sunday Times today has a section called The App List. As I don’t even have a smart phone, should I ask for a refund?
Should we revert to the original nickname of mobile phones of a poserphone for smart phones?
Are Our Policemen This Dim?
It is being reported that the Metropolitan Police spent £35,000 in the last two years ringing the speaking clock. I know it is important that they time everything correctly for the purposes of evidence, but surely, in most cases they have a mobile phone handy. My twenty-year-old phone gives the time very accurately. The only excuse would be that they need to put down the time to the nearest second. And I can’t believe that is necessary.
They also spent £200,000 on directory enquiries. I have spent nothing in the last five years or so, as I always use 118500 on the Internet.
There may be operational reasons why they need to call directory enquiries, but surely the police could have a better internal system, which gave them more information.
It all goes to illustrate how inefficient our public services are and that they waste money our money all the time.
The Anonymous Widower 