One of the most useful (and free!) applications that I found for the iPhone is the Public Radio tuner. It aggregates the streaming audio from public radio stations from around the country into one, easy to use, interface. Most importantly, both of Hawaii’s stations are available to listen to on my daily bus commute to work.
With the iPhone, I’ve come to expect a 3G signal just like I expect clean air, clean water, and a dial tone. I pay my monthly bill and in return, I expect to have my internet connection wherever I go. I plug in my headset as I walk down to the bus stop and the latest news is delivered via the iPhone. I board the bus and and the experience seamlessly transfers to my city & county limousine. However, as I enter the urban core at the intersection of Kapiolani and Kaheka, my listening experience is suddenly and inexplicably shattered. Without fail, the stream is broken and I suffer sporadic coverage throughout the remaining 1 mile of my ride.
If I were in some outlying area or even in a concentration of tall buildings, I could understand this problem. However, this stretch of road runs through the commercial center of town. There are literally hundreds of businesses operating and thousands of employees working in this area. Hello AT&T, can you explain where my signal went? The most ironic aspect of this outage is that the public radio broadcast emanates from within this area!
While this service disruption is annoying, I find it more emblematic of my personal dilemma. How do I fit technology into my everyday life when something as simple as a radio signal can’t be relied on? I want to embrace the online experience. I want to be wired but if I can’t get a signal in the middle of town, is this lifestyle really ready for prime time?
So That's Life?
Ticket to Ride
01/28/2009One of the most useful (and free!) applications that I found for the iPhone is the Public Radio tuner. It aggregates the streaming audio from public radio stations from around the country into one, easy to use, interface. Most importantly, both of Hawaii’s stations are available to listen to on my daily bus commute to work.
With the iPhone, I’ve come to expect a 3G signal just like I expect clean air, clean water, and a dial tone. I pay my monthly bill and in return, I expect to have my internet connection wherever I go. I plug in my headset as I walk down to the bus stop and the latest news is delivered via the iPhone. I board the bus and and the experience seamlessly transfers to my city & county limousine. However, as I enter the urban core at the intersection of Kapiolani and Kaheka, my listening experience is suddenly and inexplicably shattered. Without fail, the stream is broken and I suffer sporadic coverage throughout the remaining 1 mile of my ride.
If I were in some outlying area or even in a concentration of tall buildings, I could understand this problem. However, this stretch of road runs through the commercial center of town. There are literally hundreds of businesses operating and thousands of employees working in this area. Hello AT&T, can you explain where my signal went? The most ironic aspect of this outage is that the public radio broadcast emanates from within this area!
While this service disruption is annoying, I find it more emblematic of my personal dilemma. How do I fit technology into my everyday life when something as simple as a radio signal can’t be relied on? I want to embrace the online experience. I want to be wired but if I can’t get a signal in the middle of town, is this lifestyle really ready for prime time?
Posted in Blogroll, commentary, tech | Tagged AT&T, commentary, tech, wifi | 2 Comments »