Switching from the Samsung Galaxy S5 (Android) to the iPhone 6 (iOS), and I'm not looking back

iPhone 6 vs Samsung Galaxy S5

It's been a few days now that I've made the switch from the Samsung Galaxy S5 to the new Apple iPhone 6 (4.7"). And I can honestly say I will not be looking back. So long Android, it was good knowing you, but I am making the switch to Apple. For perspective, I've been a loyal Android user for the past several years. My last phones have been a Motorola Droid HD, Samsung Galaxy S4, and finally a Samsung Galaxy S5 (all on the Verizon network). So why the change of heart? I feel the iPhone 6 is truly the tipping point for Apple. Apple finally adopted all of the features that kept me a loyal Android user for many years (large screen, custom keyboards), while maintaining their amazing design and sleek operating system. Basically whatever advantages Droid phones had in the past have all been adopted (or copied depending on your perspective) by Apple. But, I'll let the courts and lawyers sort that out. The fact of the matter is that the iPhone 6 truly represents the best overall smart phone. Is it perfect? Far from it, but it really is the best all around phone on the market.


What makes the iPhone 6 so great (for a former Galaxy S5 user)...

• "It just works"... it may sound cliche but there really isn't a better way to describe using an iPhone. Everything runs buttery smooth and apps open instantaneously. No lag, no waiting, no apps crashing. It really is refreshing to have a phone that responds instantaneously to every input. To see for yourself just how fast the iPhone 6 is check out this speed test. 
• Hasta la vista bloatware... Finally, I don't have to deal with updating NFL Mobile, Verizon Cloud, ISIS Mobile Wallet, ChatOn and the dozens of other useless apps forced on you by both Samsung and Verizon.
• Hello iMessage... I'm an avid texter and there were few things more agonizing than waiting... and waiting... for a text message to go through only to find out that your, "message failed to send." iMessage uses WiFi to seamlessly send messages to other iPhone users (which 95% of my friends and family are). 
• The cool touch of aluminum... Just holding an iPhone in your hand and you immediately realize the benefits of a metal phone. All of the Samsung Galaxy phones felt like cheap plastic toys while the iPhone feels like a quality piece of fine jewelry.
• A fingerprint scanner that I actually use... The fingerprint scanner on the iPhone is so effective and accurate that it's actually quicker to unlock your phone using your fingerprint than it is to swipe across the screen. The fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy... well I wouldn't know... I never used it.
• Superior apps... The quality of the apps you find on iOS are markedly superior to their counterparts on Android. Not only do they run smoother and faster, they also look better. This doesn't come as much of a surprise as any app developer will tell you creating an app for unified and consistent iPhone ecosystem is much simpler than the fragmented Android operating system.
• May I update your OS?... Apple issues a new operating and you update your phone. Simple. With Android on the other hand, if you want the latest operating system your best bet is to buy a new phone.

Of course not everything is milk and honey in the land of Apple. Here's what I miss about Android...

• Better integration with Google Services... You can still access GMail, Google Maps, Google Now, etc. on your iPhone but it just doesn't work as well. And since Apple won't allow you to select a default app you are stuck using Safari and Apple maps (I prefer Chrome and Google Maps)
• Better notification bar... The notification bar on Android phones was an extremely useful and polished tool that allowed you to not only receive notifications, but to also respond to emails, get traffic updates, and control apps. The iPhone notification bar I feel is a work in progress. 

... and that's about it. There are a few other minor things like apps WiFi-matic which would automatically turn your WiFi off to conserve your battery but they are all pretty minor and nothing I can't live without.

ShockWave Rowing Class at Equinox Review... One of the best group fitness classes you can take at a gym

I consider the Shockwave rowing class at Equinox one of the best group exercise classes you can take at a gym. Granted, it's not for everyone, but if you enjoy a little friendly competition then this class will be one of the best workouts of your life.

What is Shockwave? Basically it's a circuit training class with multiple stations but with an added twist. One of the stations is a rowing station. And instead of exercising for time, everyone at the rowing station has to complete a set distance (typically 200m, 300m, or 400m). Everyone else at the other stations has to keep going until the last rower finishes. What makes the class really interesting is that the instructor records the fastest times for the men and women. Now you have an added incentive to row all out so you can have the fastest time in the class. For those of you that are competitive in nature expect to leave the class completely exhausted and on the verge of vomiting.

Initial Impression of the New Samsung Galaxy S5....

The new Samsung Galaxy S5 is a bust. The S5 is basically the S4 with some minor upgrades and the addition of superfluous features like a finger print scanner and a heart rate monitor, both of which are just marketing gimmicks.

As a current owner of a Samsung Galaxy S4, I was intrigued to see what improvements the S5 would offer over the S4, but I really don't see any reason to upgrade. The only improvement of value is the new camera, which apparently takes better photos. But I don't think the camera alone offers enough justification to upgrade. Everything else that Samsung touts as improvements are really just novelties that never work properly and no one ever really uses.  

What is the Best Phone Service for a Small Business... Republic Wireless

If you are a new small business owner then you are probably looking for phone service that is cost effective (aka cheap), easy to use, and flexible. Well look no further, Republic Wireless might be best the solution for your small business telephone needs.

Four Reasons why you should consider Republic Wireless for your Small Business telephone line (instead of the phone/cable company or VoIP)...

1. Republic Wireless is dirt CHEAP. They offer plans as low as $5 a month which includes unlimited calling and text messaging! There is no way the phone or cable company is gong to beat that price; even with a bundle package. That's even cheaper than VoIP plans like Vonage or BasicTalk.
2. Republic Wireless includes all of the features you need, caller ID, voice-mail, call waiting, phone log, and much, much more.
3. Since your Republic Wireless phone is actually a cel phone your small business is completely mobile*. You can take calls from anywhere; on the road, at home, or even on the beach. You will never be constrained to a single location.
4. You can utilize the convenience of text messaging. Again, since your phone is a cel phone, you have the added benefit of being able to send and receive text messages. You can't do that with a regular phone line or even a VoIP plan. As you know fewer and fewer people are actually making phone calls and are sending text messages instead. Having the ability to send text messages makes it easier to communicate with your customers and clients.  

So how does it work? How can Republic Wireless offer a phone line with all of these features for so cheap?

The phones used by Republic Wireless are "hybrid" phones. Similar to hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius, Republic phones can use either Sprint's cellular network or your local WiFi network. Since most people spend the vast majority of their time connected to a WiFi network, which is much cheaper to use than a cellular network, Republic Wireless passes the savings on to its customers. 

What are the drawbacks?

1. You have to buy the phone upfront. Currently this will set you back $149 to purchase a phone compatible with the Republic Wireless hybrid network. Considering you can easily save $40/month on phone service this investment will pay for itself in less than a year.
2. To reap the maximum benefits you need a WiFi network. This shouldn't be too much of an issue considering the ubiquitous nature of WiFi these days. Keep in mind, you don't have to have WiFi, but if you want to use the $5/month plan you will. If you don't have WiFi you can upgrade to the $10/month plan which includes cellular coverage from Sprint.
3. Republic Wireless has limited coverage cel phone coverage. Check their website to see if they have coverage in your area. Of course this won't be an issue if you intend to use your phone on a WiFi network exclusively.
4. Call quality may not be on par with a land line or VoIP. This may or may not be a deal breaker for you. Fortunately Republic offers a 30 day risk free trial so you can test the phone for yourself and determine if it meets your needs.
5. You can't select your phone number. Currently Republic assigns numbers at random based on the address on your account. 

* Note: To be completely mobile you will need to have at least the $10/month plan which includes cellular coverage from Sprint. The $5/month plan only includes WiFi coverage.  

Ice Skating Downtown Los Angeles, LA Live vs Pershing Square, Where to ice skate

If you want to enjoy ice skating in downtown Los Angeles for the holidays you have two options: LA Live or Pershing Square. If you're having a hard time deciding where to ice skate here is a comparison of the two venues...

Ice Skating at LA Live
Pros:

• Unlimited skating
• Larger rink with longer laps
• More festive atmosphere and a beautiful Christmas tree in the middle of the ice
• You can start and stop when you please

Cons

• More people with less space to maneuver
• More out of control skaters
• Cheap plastic rental skates will kill your feet and have dull blades (they are a hard plastic and similar to ski boots)
• Ice quality isn't as good
• $3 more than Pershing Square ($13)

Ice Skating at Pershing Square
Pros:

• Fewer people, more room to maneuver
• Quality of ice is better
• Higher quality rental skates are more comfortable and have sharper blades (they are made from leather with real laces)
• $3 cheaper than LA Live ($10)

Cons

• Smaller rink
• Not as festive atmosphere
• Skate sessions are only one hour long and are on a set schedule. So you have to coordinate your start time.

LA Live

The Palm Court in the Alexandria Hotel

The other night I stumbled upon a hidden gem in Downtown Los Angeles. The Palm Court ballroom in the lobby of the Alexandria Hotel.

Learn more about the history of the Palm Court here... http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Court_(Alexandria_Hotel)