Why I am not buying iPhone5

International Student Day

I have been using iPhone 3Gs for the past 7 or so years, unlocked and jailbroken on U.S. T-Mobile network.

I would buy a $100 worth of prepaid credit and would get 1000 minutes for that. 1000 minutes would last me at least half a year, if not more.

Having traveled in countries where wireless data costs up to 5 times less than in U.S. (India, Russia, Lithuania), I do appreciate having data while I am on the road. Using iPhone 3Gs on 3G speed was great!

Data is T-Mobile's weak link in the U.S. because I can only get EDGE (2G) speeds in Santa Monica. Besides 2G being slow, T-Mobile is expensive for data as well - $50 per month for "unlimited data" which is at 2G speeds. So I am starting to fall out of love with T-Mo, and starting to look for something better.

For GSM in U.S. there are only T-Mobile and AT&T. Yes, there are some MVNO that ride on coattails of T-Mo but then you are still stuck at 2G. AT&T network has H2O where $100 buys you 2000 minutes (5c per minute) with 30c per megabyte for data. Validity is one year. So that might be my choice for my 3Gs when the credits with T-Mo expire.

Enter iPhone 5. People are abandoning ship of their perfectly good iPhone 4 and 4s to have the current ultimate status symbol - iPhone 5.

As we all know there will be iPhone 5s (or 6), 7, 8, 9... You know the story. But what was best last year, it is still good now, and for the next couple years.

Now is the time to pick old 4s up for a song - I just bought 64GB iPhone 4s for Verizon network for $400 shipped.

For my needs iPhone must be jailbroken and unlocked (then I can use it on either GSM (T-Mo or H20) or CMDA Verizon network). Sprint also has a 3G (and upcoming 4G) networks, but I have heard way more complains about Sprint than anyone else, so I crossed them off the list for my use.

Verizon network is one of the best networks in U.S., and it is one of the most expensive too. However, there are MVNO that use Verizon and are reasonably priced. My choice would be PagePlus Cellular.

As I am not using LTE iPhone 5, I don't need to pay for it. 3G is plenty fast for my use if needed, I usually get data through WiFi anyways.

So save the money and get a used iPhone 4 or 4s. It still has plenty of life left.

Is Scully running Apple again?

There are too many iPhones to choose from.

There are 4, 4s, and now 5 (which comes in 3 flavors).

Enough! Steve is rolling in his grave from all this.

Just make one iPhone, call it "iPhone LTE" and be done with it. Yes, put a multi-band chip into it so it supports all of them (and multiple antennas too) and that's it.

Oh, and one more thing...

I don't mind a new cable, but I do hate the new SIM chip in 5. In places like India you will never be able to find one. So iPhone 5 is no go for me. I am sticking to 3Gs and will upgrade to 4 in the future. At least I will be able to find local SIMs for it, and if not - I can use the SIM cutter.

What recession?

Lawrys Prime Rib carver with $50,000 cart

I have heard people complain about the economy. Slowing sales, less money, business on the rocks.

When I visited Lawrys last week there was none of that. People were lining up for a fancy dinner, money in hand. What is Lawrys secret?

To me it is obvious - it is all about quality.

Quality of meats, quality of service, quality of environment. Even bathrooms were pristine.

People appreciate and reward quality. You don't need 1000 customers that pay $6 when you can have 100 who pay $60. And while I usually get disappointed with a "bargain burger" and never have it again, a prime rib at Lawrys is a memorable experience.

The service was superb - the waitress was attentive and funny, giving us good advise and best service. The meats were fabulous and portions were enormous; I was very satisfied afterwards.

I observed the clientele - most were having "occasion" parties (happy birthday was sung numerous times), but I felt that those people will come back again. Would I go back again? Maybe in another 20 years. For now I think Fogo de Chao across the street is more to my liking for beef. But I will always appreciate the way I am treated at Lawrys.

Buying what you can use for long time

Mom's Pies in Julian - all about quality

Usually you get what you pay for, unless you buy a "luxury" product, when sometimes you can get short changed. But you knew that before you bought in, right?

Let's look at my favorite things - computers and cameras.

I usually try to buy the most computer I can afford. Most of the time that is middle of the line with the best screen. I usually add more memory, and more storage (once RAM & HD prices reach my range). My old Fujitsu laptop had its memory quadrupled to 4GB from original 1GB, hard drive was increased from original 80GB to 200GB. The computer was useful till then the fan died (replaced once) and then battery failed. I felt I got my moneys worth with 5 years of service.

Cameras - I purchased Canon 5D when it just came out. I shot it for 3 years till mirror felt off. Canon fixed it, but my trust into the camera was shattered, and I bought 1Ds mark 3. 1Ds felt much more solid, and I never had any reliability issues with it. I still use it when I need a big camera, but the progress of technology made me start using a smaller camera (Ricoh GXR with M mount module). Lately, Ricoh electronic viewfinder broke, and I might be going back for something more sturdy, like my 1Ds. Yeah, it is heavy, but it is strong and reliable. That is worth its price in gold.

Conclusion - buy the best you can afford, and the products will serve you well. Buy something that is just "good enough" - and you will be buying again and again to replace a product that does not live up to your expectations.

Car costs killing you? Ride scooter instead!

Santa Monica's finest at training

Car repair costs eating up your budget? Parking costs are killing you? Gas costs are draining your budget? Insurance price is strangling you? Spend less by riding a scooter!

Weather in L.A. is ideal for 2 wheelers, especially if you just need something to get around town.

If you don't know how to ride one, scooter is the simplest. Gears are usually automatic, and there is plenty of pep. I have had Honda Elite 80, and now I have Kymco People 150. Both work, both are reliable and both are easy on your valet.

I have purchased Kymco People 150 through craigslist for a song, and the scooter had only 2500 on the odometer. Although the model is from 2004, it must have spent most of its time parked. The previous owner replaced the battery, tires and did his own oil changes. That's what you want - scooter in good working condition with not too many miles.

Next thing is a license. In California you need M1 class license for 2 wheeled vehicles with 150cc or bigger or M2 for under 150cc engines. Basically, once you have an M1 license for you scooter, you could ride a biggest hog you could buy. I said you can, not that you should. Actually, it is an easy way to get a motorcycle license without actually knowing how to ride a big bike. There are companies in L.A. that rent small bikes just for license exams.

Before you get a license, you need to pass the written exam and get a learners permit. With learners permit you can ride your scooter by yourself during daytime. And once you pass the practical test, you can ride it at night and with a passenger.

Practical exam involves riding in a straight line, then turning into a fairly tight circle and riding it at slow speed without touching the ground with your feet. After couple laps, you come out straight again. Next test is weaving between cones, then entering the circle, couple laps, then exiting and weaving between cones again.

If you not sure if you can do it, you can take a training class run by the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. I have leaned through the program to ride a motorcycle - to work the clutch and gears, safety strategies. That sure helps to "survive" in L.A. car-centric street culture.

The license rules are as of right now, and I am sure they will change in the future. Check with DMV and see what the current rules are. Right now scooter and motorcycle license is pretty easy to get, and it is good for as long as you keep your license up to date.