Ich bin Klein mein Herz ist rein,
mein Popo ist schmutzig.
Ist das nicht putzig!

Im Augenblick des Zusammenkommens beginnt die Trennung.

Je stärker die Bindung, desto heftiger der Ruck, wenn sie reißt.

Mögen die Scharniere unserer Freundschaft nie rostig werden,
möge die Fallstricke des Bösen
nie um deine Türschwelle gespannt sein,
möge dein Geschirr so zahlreich sein,
dass du immer einen Teller für einen hungrigen Gast hast.

Mögest du immer einen Freund an deiner Seite haben,
der dir Vertrauen gibt,
wenn es dir an Licht und Kraft gebricht.

Und hier eine Menge Sprüche zum Nachdenken

Alles hat sein Für und Wieder.

Aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben.

Besser spät als nie!

Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm.

Ein gutes Gewissen ist ein sanftes Ruhekissen

Frisch gewagt, ist halb gewonnen.

Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall

Jedes Ding hat seine zwei Seiten.

Kleinvieh macht auch Mist

Lange Rede, kurzer Sinn.

Süße Träume wünsch ich Dir, wieso bist Du nicht bei mir? Meine Augen fallen zu, mein letzter Gedanke, der bist Du!

Siehst Du die Sterne, sie rappen nur für Dich. Ich Liebe nur Dich, wenn ich im Bett liege, träume ich, wie Du neben mir liegst.

Wenn du Nachts zum Himmel schaust und Dir dort ein Sternchen klaust, küss es lieb und denk an mich, denn dieses sternchen, das bin ich.

Ich könnte 1000 schöne Träume träumen, doch sie wären alle nicht die meinen. Ich mag alle nicht, denn Du bist in keinem! Du hast es mir nicht leicht gemacht, doch jetzt wünsch ich Dir eine gute Nacht! Süße Träume wünsch ich Dir!

Ein kleiner Fratz aus weiter Ferne schenkt Dir eine Hand voll Sterne, wünscht Dir eine gute Nacht, bis das Morgenland erwacht!

Leise liege ich in meinem Bett und denk an Dich. Siehst Du da draußen den kleinen Stern, der sagt Dir leise, ich habe Dich sehr gern! Sage Dir hier ganz still gute Nacht!

Nothing is better then a fine kaffee

The truth is that cats will make themselves comfortable anywhere. On a bed of coals, or atop Mount Doom, or hurtling through space at 99% of the speed of light, a cat will somehow find a way to curl up and doze off. So the idea of including a special place for your cat to sleep underneath a perfectly good cat bed (in this case a glass coffee table) seems redundant. But let’s be honest — are you going to let a little redundancy keep you from buying a cat hammock?

Alas, like most things worth having, the cat hammock is not real. Sure, there’s one somewhere in Japanese designer Case-Real’s warehouse, but I don’t think they’re going to let you have it.

I think I’m beginning to fall in love with Case-Real — they also designed this stunning amplifier from a few months back. Check out the other stuff on their site; maybe we can convince them to start getting it manufactured.

[via 1designperday and Geekologie]

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I sincerely hope some of you were able to sleep.  As I write this, I've been awake about 10 minutes.  The coffee is brewing, the dogs still cuddled up to the wife in bed.  It appears like any other Sunday.  But I know it's not.  Today is about realizing the goal.  It's about a game that means so much more to us than to them, and a rivalry that means more to them than to us.  37 1/2 years ago, the Great Soviet Bear came to Canada, and we didn't take him seriously.  The salt in the wounds came in this very city.  Then one man stood up to a nation of disillusioned hockey fans and changed history…

Phil Esposito didn't plan on giving a speech that would go down in history as one of Canada's most inspirational sports moments.  Johnny Esaw didn't cut him off, or try and prod with questions.  He was able to see that these guys weren't a bunch of bums, but that they were trying and yes the Russians were that good.  But if the nation could just get behind them, they could win and prove Canada was the superior hockey nation.

They want you to think this is like 1960 and 1980.  Their 'miracles'.  But we know better.  2 teams, the best professional players each country has.  One trying to embarrass the other by staking claim to our game.  Even some of the circumstances are similar.  In 1972, it was thought that Chicago Blackhawks goalie Tony Esposito would lead the way, but he was soon switched in favor of Ken Dryden.  Many people questioned the make up of that team.  But after the speech, the team went to Moscow, and despite losing game 5, won the 3 remaining games.

That was remarkable enough, but considering the political ramifications, the way the Russians tampered with the games through horrendous officiating, withholding food from the team, harassment of players, team officials and even fans.  None of that could stop those boys in white, with the red maple leaf.

The nation found a hero in the waning days of the summer of 1972.  Paul Henderson scored the winning goals in game 6, game 7 and of course, game 8.  He did so despite suffering a head injury in game 6 that surely left him with a concussion. 

Game 8 was the deciding match.  The stakes were clear.  This was more than just hockey, this was about establishing Canada as a nation on the world stage.  And in the dying moments of the game, Paul Henderson slid the puck past Vladislav Tretiak.  Today's game IS game 8.

They are going to tell us about their anniversary today.  They remind us how they are 'underdogs'.  They'll take shots, some innocent and funny, others baseless and mean spirited.  They'll attack our nation, our identity.  They say things some of them don't believe and some of them do.  And that's fine.  Battle brings out the beast in man.  I get that, as do we all.  But we ride into this battle confident that these guys have this incredible and relevant moment to draw on.  This isn't a round robin game.  They're not David, and we're not Goliath. 

Patrick Kane has gotten a ton of press for his comments about wanting to face Roberto Luongo.  Kane feels he has a book on Team Canada's goalie.  The press refer you to that game in the playoffs.  They have failed to mention however, that in 3 games against Chicago this season, Luongo has given up a total of 4 goals to the Blackhawks.  None of them to anyone with the surname Kane.  Better bring your book, Patrick.  You're going to need it.

There were many who doubted Roberto Luongo's ability to get Team Canada to this moment.  All he wanted was the opportunity.  Now, he has clearly taken the torch from Martin Brodeur and is ready for the game of his life.  He has experience, as the two World Championship gold medals prove.  But we know this is much bigger.  Luongo has waited his whole life for this moment.  I believe it's his time.  I believe it's our time.

The funny thing I see raised often is they say we have an inferiority complex.  The Russians too, raised this in their post-slaughter hissyfit in the press.  They say that, yet we know the truth.  They're insecure about hockey, and look for this as a moment to claim superiority after often seeing us beat them for it.  I get that.  But when the smoke clears today, the only way America sees gold around their necks is if they're actually capable of defeating a nation.  And as talented as they are, I don't see that happening.  Our house.  Our game.  Our time.

A lot of the talk today is going to be about revenge for taking gold in their house in 2002.  Interesting thing about those games in Salt Lake City.  America tied the record for most gold medals by a host nation that year.  This year, by virtue of a 3 gold medal haul yesterday, we have shattered that record and now sit tied with Norway and the USSR for most gold at one Winter Olympics.  A historic day, win or lose.  Roberto Luongo, Sidney Crosby and the rest of Team Canada are ready to take our nation to the top of the podium.

The one thing that's been great for me as a blogger has been actually being on the same team with some really great writers and bloggers.  This Olympics has a much different feel thanks to social media applications like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.  It's been fun to go on this ride with those that tomorrow, I once again call foe.

To the American hockey fans, and when I say that I mean those of you that live and breathe this glorious game, I hope that either way, you continue to show your passion for the game of hockey.  Should you win, relish the victory.  Should you lose, keep in mind true fans will not be the ones reveling in your misery.  These games can bring out the most heated emotional responses.  Many of us will say things in hindsight we may want to take back.  Within reason, I don't hold it against anyone.  Nature of the beast and all that…

The mind games have been played, sides chosen.  All that's left is to play the game now.  Drop the puck.

Tired of hearing about the Tea Parties? WaPo introduces the “Coffee Party”, which aims to “promote civility and inclusiveness in political discourse, engage the government not as an enemy but as the collective will of the people, push leaders to enact the progressive change for which 52.9 percent of the country voted in 2008.”
All fine. But where’s the liquor-based political discussion group?

Boake Moore is an IT solutions salesman by trade and also founded a non profit coffee company called Mission Grounds Gourmet Coffee -http://www.missiongrounds.com/ourphilosophy.php – the church coffee. It donates all its profits and proceeds to helping orphans and impoverished children. Helping orphans , the church coffee – www.missiongrounds.com/ourchildren.php can be found at Krogers and many churches. And its also the finest Tarrazu coffee coming from the volcanic area of Costa Rica coffee. www.missiongrounds.com

We think ebay tricks will help you!

Hi, Candy -

I think the anchor you're seeing is not Derby's, but rather that of HOMAN MFG. CO of Cincinnati, Ohio. (in business 1847 - 1941; makers of pewter, Britannia metal and nickel silver goods until 1864, and electro-plated goods after 1864)

See the mark here:
Link (pages 109-110)

Even tho Homan apparently made pewter items, I would imagine that if the bottles are original to a silver plated set, the lids would be silver plated, as well. It is very possible that all the silver plating is gone, leaving the duller base metal exposed.

all the best,
-C-
 

• The term P & P means Postage Packaging Material and
  Handling cost. We try to provide our customers with good service
  consisting of quality packaging and fast dispatch (please see our
  feedback).
  
• This applies to customers in the USA only, all international
  edition books which are restricted from selling in the USA will
  not be on sale for customers in the USA.

*The estimated delivery time is based on the seller's dispatch time, the postal service selected, and when the seller receives cleared payment. Sellers are not responsible for shipping service transit times. Transit times may vary, particularly during peak periods.

Alles hat sein Für und Wieder.

Aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben.

Besser spät als nie!

Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm.

Ein gutes Gewissen ist ein sanftes Ruhekissen

Frisch gewagt, ist halb gewonnen.

Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall

Jedes Ding hat seine zwei Seiten.

Kleinvieh macht auch Mist

Lange Rede, kurzer Sinn.

Süße Träume wünsch ich Dir, wieso bist Du nicht bei mir? Meine Augen fallen zu, mein letzter Gedanke, der bist Du!

Siehst Du die Sterne, sie rappen nur für Dich. Ich Liebe nur Dich, wenn ich im Bett liege, träume ich, wie Du neben mir liegst.

Wenn du Nachts zum Himmel schaust und Dir dort ein Sternchen klaust, küss es lieb und denk an mich, denn dieses sternchen, das bin ich.

Ich könnte 1000 schöne Träume träumen, doch sie wären alle nicht die meinen. Ich mag alle nicht, denn Du bist in keinem! Du hast es mir nicht leicht gemacht, doch jetzt wünsch ich Dir eine gute Nacht! Süße Träume wünsch ich Dir!

Ein kleiner Fratz aus weiter Ferne schenkt Dir eine Hand voll Sterne, wünscht Dir eine gute Nacht, bis das Morgenland erwacht!

Leise liege ich in meinem Bett und denk an Dich. Siehst Du da draußen den kleinen Stern, der sagt Dir leise, ich habe Dich sehr gern! Sage Dir hier ganz still gute Nacht!

That Time Of The Month: The Best Period-Related iPad Jokes

Apple's iPad announcement earlier this afternoon prompted a score of WTFing across the internet, prompting many to ask, “Are there any women on Apple's marketing team?” Answer: Apparently not. (Period.)

From Twitter (for what it's worth, #iTampon is apparently the number three trending topic on the site.):

tjakabon: “It surfs the web AND stops the bleeding.”

Gelatobaby: And you can use the giant QWERTY keyboard to get your period on the #iPad!

CarolBlymire: Is #apple making an iPad for light-flow days? Just wondering…

Trish1981: iPad? Really? All I can say is, I'm sticking with Always, bitches.

tremendousnews: So I can say “That chick is on her iPad” and not be called a pig? Thank you Apple.

melissapierce: iPad has changed “the conversation” from how we use tech in context to how we use tech as Kotex. (who named this thing?)

TwittsMcGee: I haven't heard this many period jokes since I was forced to watch The View last month. #iPad

kathycacace: Okay, just one more. The iPad: protecting your data from embarrassing incidents.

Johnpapa: “64 gig iPad will forever be known as the heavy flow model.”

From the comments section of “Period Pieces”:

lady_justice: Did the prototype come with a belt?

Lymed: Does the Period Tracker app come free?

fauxfruit: If I order this, will my boyfriend and I have to worry if it comes late?

andBegorrah: If you and your friends all buy one, will they sync up?

boston_nj: Meh. I'll wait until they come out with the iDivaCup

morninggloria: Don't wear white jeans while using an iPad, and especially don't use an iPad in front of your crush. You're a teen magazine embarrassing moment waiting to happen.

ms negative the easy-going unicorn: someone needs to make a 'mysterious blue liquid stain on white' wallpaper for this.

LilSpitfire: Later in the year they will be releasing the companion tablet pen, the Ipon.

Vesuvius At Home (I believe in peace, bitch): But what if the cute boys see me shopping for one? What if my dad has to take me??

NellMood: It's so beautiful when an electronics company finally becomes a woman…

Cinnamoncanuck: @NellMood: Aunt Flo will be so happy! Reply

soykatrina: Eh, I prefer the CVS brand. A few bucks less but does the same thing…

vlvtjones: So will iffy Wifi coverage be called iSpotting?

morninggloria: Can I get a scented iPad for when my data feels not-so-fresh?

Mary McCarthyite: Everyone, just try to Stay(free) calm and Poise(d). It's Always nice to see a new product on the market. I Depend on Apple to come up with great ideas. Maybe we're taking this out of Kotex.

Lymed: Somebody give the iPad a Red Bull, because it ain't no good without wings.

andBegorrah: Are you there, God? It's me, Marketing.

NellMood: iPads are for 8th graders. I'm waiting for the iTampon, because I prefer to do all my interneting from inside my vagina.

BicSharpie: Hopefully it will help people deal with the 24-hour news cycle.

(Image Credit: Brad Stephenson)

Earlier: 8 Reasons Women Should Be Excited For Apple's “iPad”

Related: Apple's iPad Name Not the First Choice for Women. Period. [Fast Company]

Send an email to Latoya, the author of this post, at latoya@racialicious.com.

Yes, I know that iPad analysis abounds in abnormal amounts right now. But still, now that it’s out, now that we know what it can and cannot do, one cannot help but think about its future. Is it going to be a hit? Is it going to be a failure? Is it good enough as it is, or will Apple need to change something to make it work?

iPad’s biggest problem is time, or lack thereof. I’m not talking about the passing of time; I’m talking about the time every user allocates to different activities each day.

It’s going to be very hard to find enough time to use the iPad. When you’re at home or at work, you’re going to use your computer. When you’re on the go, you have your smartphone. If you’re on a train or a plane and need to do some work, you can use a laptop. When you’re doing something else, such as running, well, then your attention is focused on that. When, exactly, are you going to use the iPad?

Check out your schedule. What do you do during the day? I spend at least 9-10 hours in front of my computer, working (if I were working on any other job, I still probably wouldn’t be able to use the iPad). I spend an hour or two training; add a couple of coffees or a beer with friends, perhaps a movie, or a night out at the concert, and the rest is sleep. I simply don’t see when I’d be able to pick up the iPad. The way I live my life right now, it’d be collecting dust.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that the iPad is not useful. It’s great for delivering all kinds of content, as I already wrote. But great might not be enough.

This is why Steve Jobs pointed out so many times during his keynote that the iPad is better: better at browsing, better at sending e-mails, better at reading books. Unfortunately, even if that’s true, it’s not that much better. If you’re sitting at your computer, will you go fetch the iPad to send some e-mails on it? I don’t think so. Will you play on your iPad if you have a PlayStation? Ask your kid, I’m sure he/she knows the answer.

Now, if we had 48 hours in one day, the iPad would be a fantastic device. All those long walks at the beach you’re currently not taking because you have no time, all those times when you simply have nothing better to do, you’d fire up your iPad. But if you’re in Apple’s target demographic for the iPad, chances are you haven’t been bored or had too much free time on your hands in weeks.

I can think of only one activity in which the iPad really excels, and that’s book reading. But in that department, iPad competes against the less expensive Kindle, Nook, a bunch of other e-book readers, and, yes, physical books. It’s not exactly an easy road ahead, is it?

I’ve already discussed content versus activity: The iPad is not so much about creating or working, it’s about consuming content. Right now, Apple has its iBookstore, a deal with The New York Times, a couple of games and an SDK, waiting for developers to create applications. But I’m not sure any of those, except the book store, are enough to make you need the iPad (Yes, you may want it, but do you need it?)

If Apple wants to turn that want into need, it needs to sell content, not the device, because we don’t have the time for another device. The way I look at it, in the future, the iPad should be free if you buy, for example, a two-year subscription to a magazine, or a couple of seasons of a TV series. Right now, its price point is way too steep for those kind of deals. If Apple manages to pick up enough partners to sell us great content on the iPad, then the iPad has a chance. But it won’t happen right away. The iPad’s time is coming, but it may be very far ahead.

Win an iPad: Enter Mashable’s Tweet-to-Win Contest.

Well, here we go again. Apple might have stolen all the headlines yesterday with the iPad, but as we've already noted, that name has been in dispute since September — and it doesn't look like Fujitsu, which has been selling its own iPad since 2002, is going to back down. “It's our understanding that the name is ours,” Fujitsu PR director Masahiro Yamane told the New York Times. Maybe, but it's not quite that simple. Here's the deal: Fujitsu applied for the “iPad” mark in 2003, specifically covering handheld devices used in retail. (The Fujitsu iPad is a $2,000 Windows CE point-of-sale device.) Along the way, the application got bogged down because a company called Mag-Tek had already registered IPAD for its line of PIN-entry keypads, and Fujitsu's application was listed as “abandoned” in April of 2009. The notice of abandonment apparently woke someone at Fujitsu up, because the company then asked the Trademark Office to re-open the application, arguing that Mag-Tek's IPAD had nothing to do with the Fujitsu iPad. The USPTO agreed, re-opened the application, and the process continued until September, when the iPad application was published so other trademark holders could oppose registration. That's when Apple signaled that it wasn't so happy about things — and filed its own “iPad” trademark application using a shell company called “IP Application Development.”

Phew — still with us? That leaves us at now, with Mag-Tek selling the IPAD under a valid, registered trademark, Fujitsu selling an iPad with a pending trademark application, and Apple sucking all the air out of the room with the launch of the iPad and no US trademark at all. We'll be honest: we'd always simply discounted rumors Apple would call it the iPad, because this is kind of a mess. Apple can't just take “iPad” from Fujitsu because it really wants the name — it's likely going to have to argue that “iPad” is confusingly similar to “iPod,” while still trying to register “iPad” on its own and telling the Trademark Office that it won't be confusing to people looking for the Mag-Tek device, or the Siemens “iPad” motor trademark, or potentially even Coconut Grove's trademarked iPad bras. Of course, all these problems can be solved with the direct application of cash and some nice ambient media attention, so it's likely we'll see some friendly joint PR from Apple and Fujitsu along with an agreement to share the name sometime before Apple's formal opposition is due on February 28. That's pretty much what happened when Apple bit the “iPhone” name from Cisco, anyway. But still — why can't Apple ever learn to have these conversations ahead of time?

Ich weiss noch an die Zeit wie unser Flohtaxi noch niedlich war.
Das Hundekissen war vor andertalb Jahren noch
viel zu gross für unseren WauWau.
Das praktische war, das wir das Hundekissen einfach abwischen
konnten, wenn wir mal nicht schnell genug mit unserem Flohzirkus an der frischen Luft waren.
Das waren schon gute Zeiten.

Ich war jetzt beim Esprit Lagerverkauf in Ratingen. Die KlamottenAnziehsachen|Kleidung} dort sind toll.
Etwas Durchsetzungenvermögen ist das schon gefragt bei den ganzen Hausfrauen
das ist dort ein ganz schöner Theater und ich war begeisert das ein oder
andere Schnäppchen zu machen.

Eine kleine SprücheSammlung Weisheiten

Lange Rede, kurzer Sinn.

Wir geben den Kühen Futter,
dafür geben sie uns Milch und Butter.

Ein Esel, der Bücher trägt,
ist noch lange kein Doktor.

Was wäre Nike ohne Air,
was wär der Gummi ohne Bär,
was wär der Bleistift ohne Mine,
was wär der Zug nur ohne Schiene,
was wäre Becker ohne Stich,
was wäre ich nur ohne dich!
Danke das es dich gibt!

Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König.

Der Tag beginnt so,
wie Du ihn dir macht und endet so,
wie und wann Du es willst.

Um das Wunderbare zu erlangen,
muss man das Unvorstellbare denken.

Apple’s third-generation iPod Touch and iPhone 3G and 3GS are the leading contenders in the Wi-Fi media players and smartphones market. These popular devices are not only about playing music and games, making phone calls, and running applications, they’re about elegant style, ease of use, and speed.

When you compare and contrast the iPhone and iPod Touch, there is little difference between the outside design features of the two, and though under their hood they both share similar robust features, there are some significant differences that you should consider in deciding which one to purchase.

Compare and Contrast: iPhone and iPod Touch Have Similar Features

Both the iPhone and iPod Touch have the following features in common:

• Both share Apple’s 3.0 operating system which features touch technology; cut, copy and pasting; landscape keyboard typing, spotlight search features, and Wi-Fi access, which makes them essentially a computer in the palm of your hand. Touch and accelerometer technology by the way provides for smooth and easy navigation on the devices, enabling users to zoom in and out on images and webpages, and use titling and other hand movements to play games and other similar applications.

• Both include the following default applications: Safari web browser; Calendar, Internet Mail, Address Book; YouTube video player, Calculator, Notes, Photo Browser, Stocks reporting, Weather reporting; Clock, GPS Maps, Voice Memo, Nike + iPod exercise tracking support, and an iPod music player app.

• You can sync both devices to Apple’s iTunes software (for both Mac and Windows PC) to add and remove songs, videos, photos, and other data files. The entire process is fairly automatic, and with an Apple MobileMe account you can sync information to the devices wirelessly.

• The iTunes App Store features 5,000+ applications specifically designed mostly by third party developers to run on both devices.

• Both devices feature voice-control technology to navigate music playback with spoken commands. This is done on the devices themselves or through the remote mic on the earphones that come with the devices. (Note: only the 32GB and 64GB models of iPod Touch come with voice control.)

The iPod Touch

The third generation iPod Touch comes in three models: 8GB ($199), 32GB ($299), and 64GB ($399). These models can hold from 1,750 to 14,000 songs, 10,000 to 90,000 photos, and up to 30 hours music and 6 hours of video playback time. However, these stats depend a lot on how you use the device and what other data files you have stored on them. Plus, in my average use of both both the iPod Touch and the iPhone 3G, the battery usage isn’t that great. So get accustomed to daily charging.

No Phone

Of course, the iPod Touch models do not come with a phone or instant messaging. However, there are several third party apps like AIM that enable users to use instant messaging on the touch. And there are a few hacks, such as one that involves using Skype,  for making phone calls on the touch. Though of course you still need a Wi-Fi connection and a remote microphone on say the earphone cord to make the calls.

WiFi But No 3G

The iPod Touch does not require an AT&T phone or WiFi contract to use it, which saves you well over $700 per year. As with the iPhone, the iPod Touch has built-in WiFi capability but it does not have what’s called 3G access, which only comes with the iPhone 3G and 3GS. So basically, if the places you travel to and frequent have WiFi servers, you should be okay with Internet access on the device. For instance, McDonald’s now provides free Wi-Fi connections, as do many colleges and universities. With 3G capability, however, you pretty much have connections to the Internet nearly everywhere AT&T provide the services.

No Camera or Video Cam

The iPod Touch also lacks a camera and video recorder. This has been a huge criticism of the device, and many critics think that a digital camera should have been included with the third generation touch. More than likely the fourth gen will finally get this feature.

iPhone 3G and 3GS

The latest version of the iPhone comes in two models: the iPhone 3G 8GB (from $99), 16GB (from $199) and the 32GB (from $299) The price variances are also based on a required two-year wireless service contract with AT&T, starting at $69.99 per month. AT&T subsidizes the iPhone, which attributes to its lower cost than the iPod Touch. You can purchase an iPhone without an AT&T service contract, but it will cost you between $499 and $699. See rate plans. You will also want to check the availability of AT&T services in your area for the terms of 3G service, signal strength, bandwidth speeds, and phone rates.

Phone and Instant Messaging

Of course the iPhone does include a full service phone and AT&T instant messaging. Rates for messaging are $5 per month for 200 messages, $15 per month for 1500 messages, or $20 per month for unlimited SMS messages. There’s also higher cost family packages. But again, as stated above, there are applications for the iPhone that do instant messaging for free, such as IM+Lite.

The voice technology of the iPhone 3GS also extends to voice dialing so that you can make voice commands to call someone in your list of contacts or to dial a specific number.

Wi-Fi, 3G, and EDGE Connectivity

With the AT&T service plan, each of the iPhone models comes with wireless Internet and network connections. So in places where you get free or paid Wi-Fi connections, your iPhone is automatically connected. If however you are in a location with no Wi-Fi or free Wi-Fi, you can connect to the Internet through AT&T‘s 3G and EDGE wireless connection services. The 3G connection is about is even faster than traditional Wi-Fi connection speeds, while the EDGE connection is slow as a turtle.

Camera and Video Recorder

Both the iPhone 3G and 3GS include a digital camera. The 3G has a 2 megapixel sensor while the 3GS modal has 3 megapixels, plus autofocusing and photo geotagging, which keeps track of the locations where you shot images using the iPhone‘s camera. iPhone 3GS also includes built-in video recording, for a clear 30 frames per second capturing.

The 3G iPhone does not include a video recorder; however, there are a few third party applications, such as Qik that Nancy listed in her article The Top 7 Apple iPhone Complaints & Some Simple Solutions, that can be used on the 3G model that provide reasonable video recording capabilities.

Though I can’t vouch for it personally, the iPhone 3GS also has greater performance whereby applications open faster and there’s increased Internet speed. The 3GS also comes with a Compass which “re-orients maps to match the direction you’re facing.“

Advantages and Disadvantages

Perhaps the number one factor in determining which device you should purchase is price. The extra $360-$700 AT&T service fee may be the best reason for not getting the iPhone. If you don’t make many mobile phone calls, the iPod Touch makes for a great mini computer and media player without the monthly service costs of a smartphone.

However, if you’re already paying for a mobile phone service plan, the extra $30 or more a month for 3G access on the iPhone can be very convenient, for it means that in most cities throughout the country you will have Internet access nearly everywhere you go. With the built-in Maps app, 3G networking provides good, but not full fledged, GPS mapping for when you need driving or walking directions.

The additional camera and video recorder may also be worth the extra costs of the iPhone because it means carrying around one or two less devices in order to grab candid camera and video shots. The imaging features on the iPhone also connect with hundreds of additional applications that can’t of course be used with iPod Touch. There are applications, such as the Best Camera App, that really enhance the image making capabilities of the iPhone which Jackson previously showcased in his article The Best Free Alternatives To Top Commercial iPhone Photography Apps.

What’s Your Feedback?

So MUO readers and existing iPhone and iPod Touch users, what suggestions do you have for those considering purchasing one of these devices? Are you a former iPod Touch user who upgraded to the iPhone? Why? Are you an iPhone user who regrets your purchase? Give us your feedback.

Causecast:

February 14 is just around the corner and you know what that means - love is in the air. There are lots of ways to declare your love this Valentine's Day, but the reality is few gifts have a lasting impact. This year, why not make your display of affection a gift that not only shows how much you care, but also a gift that gives back. Whether you want to buy an extravagant present or you've only got a few bucks to spare, whether you're shopping for your romantic interest or your grandmother, you can find a gift that gives back for everyone in your life and make the world just that much brighter while you're at it.

Here's our countdown of the top ten Valentine's Day gifts for a cause:

A Peek Inside A Noby Noby Boy Meeting Reveals So Much

Who knew that the creation of the iPhone and iPod Touch version of Keita Takahashi's Noby Noby Boy was the outcome of product meetings, focused consumer research and plush executives chanting “iPhone! iPod Touch! iPod Touch! iPhone! iPod Touch! iPhone!!”

That's the cold, profit-driven reality behind Noby Noby Boy's journey to the iPhone, sadly. A bunch of knitted and cotton-stuffed suits trying to target the kindergarten crowd and party people of the world, dazzling them with crazy Boy toys. Curse this industry!

At least we'll benefit from the zany set of mini-apps that let us stretch and shrink Boy, then snap pictures and include them in the iPhone spin-off of the PlayStation Network game. Truth be told, Noby Noby Boy for the iPhone looks like a hell of a lot of fun, even less of a game than the PlayStation 3 original.

Namco Bandai execs, you've figured me out. I'm a party person and I want some Noby Noby Boy on my phone. Here's another look.

In summary, iPhone! iPod Touch! iPod Touch! iPhone! iPod Touch! iPhone!!

Namco Bandai Games iPhone Channel

Send an email to Michael McWhertor, the author of this post, at mike@kotaku.com.

@Steve B,
I have used Flash to view embedded web content almost 3 yrs. now. I started with Nokia Symbian phones, watching YouTube in the browser of my Nokia N95-2. It was far from painless, and was in fact a joyful experience.

I am now using the Nokia N900, which runs the desktop Flash plugin gracefully. I have yet to have Flash damage my device or ruin my battery life. All it has done is allow me more access to the content, applications, and games available all over the web that most n.eophyte mobile users assume are inaccessible from a mobile without an added application. Last.fm and Pandora in the browser? Check! Most embedded video sites played right in the browser, with all coming soon? Got 'em! Farmville right in the browser! You got it! The list goes on and on…

So when Steve Jobs tells you how multitasking, Flash, or anything else will mess up the user experience, he really means something else. It will mess up his scheme to fleece consumers, allowing them to bypass the App Store. It will also expose Apple as immature in its development of processor and battery management, since everyone else is able to implement Flash and exceed the supposed standard for mobile browsing set by the iPhone according to the media. If Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and HTC can do it, why can't Apple?

A criminologist from England's University of Leicester claims his research shows that UK burglars are switching to mugging because cheap Chinese imports have crashed the market for used DVD players and other pawnables:

“Cheap labour in China has had an impact on the type of crime that's committed in the UK and the type of goods that are stolen today. Gradually, the prices of such goods has fallen so low as to they almost have no resale value. If you can buy a DVD player for £19.99, it's simply not worth stealing…”

“While DVD players for example, got cheaper, certain consumer items became smaller and were very, very expensive and sought after and so the latest mobile phone, or the latest ipod, which people carry about them, have become targets for robbers.”

It is these expensive, personal items, which are the most attractive to thieves today as they still retain value and can therefore be sold on, igniting a career change for criminals from the more traditional household burglaries to personal muggings.

Burglars Have Changed Their 'Shopping List', New Research Reveals

The iPod product line is a masterpiece of design. Sleek, stylish, and very fragile toys.

A single scratch, a broken glass, or malfunctioning hardware quickly destroy that fleeting beauty. Worse still, you find out that your warranty is up or doesn’t cover the damage.

Repairs for expensive toys never come cheap. Or do they? What if you could undo the damage yourself for a small percentage of the cost?

I have compiled a collection of sites that provide tutorials on how to fix various damages and problems that are typical for the iPod, including hard drive, battery, and LCD replacement. You will find iPod repair help for different iPod generations, iPod Touch, iPod Mini, iPod Photo, iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle, and even the iPhone or your Mac.

Warning: MakeUseOf is not liable for damages caused by iPod repair that you do yourself. If you decide to do it yourself, follow the instructions carefully, but do so at your own risk.

iFixit

As the screenshot below reveals, iFixit provides manuals for the iPod, iPhone and Mac. From the iPod product line the original device, the iPod Nano, iPod Mini, iPod Shuffle, and iPod Touch are covered, including different generations of each item.

Once you have tracked down your device, you’ll see an overview of available information.

The “Step-By-Step Guides” address specific issues and how to fix them.

The “Teardown” explains how to open your device and examine its inner beauty. This is also helpful if you need to replace single parts, for example the battery. Generally, each step of the guide also has user comments with questions or further information on what may or may not work as described.

“Related Questions” come from the “Answers” category of the website. If you’re having an issue that has not yet been described, you may find a hint in this section.

The “Troubleshooting” guides help you to track down the origin of your problem and finally you may need “Parts” to perform your own iPod repair. Here is a list of all Troubleshooting Guides.

ipodrepair

This site is mostly interested in selling you parts. However, they have produced PDF tutorials that show how to disassemble the iPod 3rd and 4th generation, the iPod Mini, and the iPhone 1st generation (2G) and 3G. A video is available for the iPhone 3G.

Sometimes it helps to consider several guides for the same procedure, as they may highlight different details in the text and images.

Do-it-yourself repair descriptions in pictures and text are all good. However, nothing beats a video, which reveals all the subtle details and difficulties of using tools and fixing devices.

ifixipodsfast

“I Fix iPods Fast” provides Video iPod repair Tutorials for the iPod Video, iPod Photo, iPod Mini, and iPod 3rd and 4th generation. More models are listed, but no videos are available, yet.

There is a list of available video tutorials in each iPod category and below each video you’ll find a summary of its content, a warning in case it’s especially difficult, and tools needed.

Further assistance may be provided at FixYa, a sited dedicated to free product support. You may also find help on wikiHow, Instructables, and YouTube.

Did you ever successfully fix your iPod? Which resources did you use?

Image credits: ugaldew