Peace of Mind Organizing

My latest toy

20 October 2008

I know that new technology is supposed to enhance productivity. That’s usually why I buy it. But if you’ve ever purchased a new computer, you know that setting up and getting used to the new technology can really eat up time.

I bought some new technology last Friday and it’s really hampered my productivity. Not because it’s been tough to set up (it hasn’t), but because it’s so darn fun. Yep, I bought the second-generation iPod Touch. When he introduced it last month, Apple CEO Steve Jobs called it “The Funnest iPod ever.” He’s right. I really liked my old classic iPod (it’s my second). But this one is way funner, if you’ll pardon the grammar.

Here’s a photo (from Apple’s website):

But fun isn’t why I bought it. Really. The iPod Touch is pretty much just like the elegant iPhone, without the phone or the camera. I like my Samsung T629 slide phone and I like my cell phone provider, T-Mobile, and wasn’t willing to switch to AT&T. What I wanted was not to replace my phone, but rather to replace my Palm TX handheld, which had stopped being willing to sync with my computer.

With the iPod Touch, I can carry with me my calendar and contacts, which sync automatically from my MacBook, through my home’s wireless network. So if I add an appointment either on my computer or on my iPod (say, at a client’s home), it automatically syncs to the other device. No longer will I be rushing to sync as I’m supposed to be walking out the door. It’s a great thing.

I was able to effortlessly import all my data from Palm Desktop, so there was no time lost there. So how has my new technology hampered my productivity? It’s all about the apps, baby. The iPhone apps you’ve read about also work on the iPod Touch, so I’ve been busy searching the app store for useful (and/or fun) applications to download right into my little iPod Touch. I have my coveted knitting row counter (called StitchMinder); a memory game (Matches Plus); a dice game (Five Dice), that allows me to shake the iPod to roll the dice; and the popular restaurant finder, Urbanspoon. I know there’s much more to come.

Once the iPod Touch starts enhancing my productivity, as I know it will, I’ll write about it here.

Tagged with: apple, ipod, productivity, technology, time management

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