It’s no secret that I’m a geek, but even as a geek I usually only get excited about technology that is consumer-facing. I’m not a hardcore server enthusiast or networking guru. I don’t really get pumped up by load balancing algorithms or optimizing compilers. The technology I love most is the technology created to be enjoyed and used by the average consumer. That’s why I love Apple. The average consumer is Apple’s focus.

I mention this because I recently got excited about something that probably isn’t “average consumer” material. Maybe it will be one day as people begin to store their most precious possessions digitally, but it isn’t there yet. I got exited about redundant data storage. More specifically, I got excited about Drobo. If you want to know why, just watch the demo video. When it comes to the topic of redundant data storage, Drobo is hot, my friends.

I don’t care that RAID has existed for a long time and this isn’t a new idea. Drobo’s way of approaching the problem is so friendly and so simple that it just can’t fail. And when you pair Drobo with an AirPort Extreme you’ve really got something amazing.

Now if I could just scrape up an extra $500.

If you’re curious and want to know more, check out the Engadget review and the CrunchGear review.

I’ve kept this relatively quiet for a few weeks, but I figure with the iPhone being only three days away, there’s no harm in showing this now. This is the t-shirt I wore today. (If you don’t get it, you might want to brush up on your Unix commands, or just relax and accept the Dennis Miller Ratio in its full glory.)

While I was standing in line this evening at Target, one of the two guys in line in front of me conspicuously stared at my shirt, chuckled, and then quietly pointed it out to his friend, who also laughed. After mumbling back and forth, I heard his friend’s final response, “Three days, man. Just three days.”

I love this valley.

It is absolutely urgent that you view the iPhone Guided Tour that was posted by Apple yesterday. It will absolutely blow your mind.

The iPhone is a paradigm shift in user interface and usability. Don’t get distracted by the presentation itself, just watch how it’s used. Then compare that to the phone you’re used to.

I know you want one. I do too.

A friend of mine just pointed out this breathtaking demo video of a program called Photosynth. The demo was given at TED two months ago. It’s just under 8 minutes long, and I promise it’s worth your time. Here’s a preview of what you’ll see:

Using photos of oft-snapped subjects (like Notre Dame) scraped from around the Web, Photosynth creates breathtaking multidimensional spaces with zoom and navigation features that outstrip all expectation. Its architect, Blaise Aguera y Arcas, shows it off in this standing-ovation demo. Curious about that speck in corner? Dive into a freefall and watch as the speck becomes a gargoyle. With an unpleasant grimace. And an ant-sized chip in its lower left molar. “Perhaps the most amazing demo I’ve seen this year,” wrote Ethan Zuckerman, after TED2007. Indeed, Photosynth might utterly transform the way we manipulate and experience digital images.

It’s good to see Microsoft doing something really interesting and innovative. Or, in this case, at least buying something really interesting and innovative. Even if it ran on Linux before it was purchased, and now only runs on Windows. Hmm. Well, anyhow, props to Microsoft for snapping this one up. It’s an absolutely amazing piece of technology.

Apple is the company that makes the computer known as the Mac. The company is not called “Mac.” Thus:

– You cannot “order a computer from Mac.”
– You cannot “call Mac” about your recent order.
– You cannot hear about “what Mac just announced.”
– You cannot “watch Mac’s stock price.”

Please, call us Apple.

That is all.

I’ve long held the belief that John Gruber of DaringFireball.net is the C.S. Lewis of technology. His thought is so clear, well researched, and absolutely solidly correct that it is astounding. He’s changed my mind on various topics, and done so on more than one occasion. And he’s able to do it all with a bit of wit and occasional sarcasm that just sets the reader on fire. (Not to mention his targets.)

I hope you’ll trust that it’s much easier to understand how I feel if you read his writing yourself. To that end, I submit a recent article to you: Some Facts About AAC. Please, go check it out. It’s an absolutely immaculate article, and it gets at the heart of what excites me about Apple and even about technology in general.

I realized today that in almost all cases, the sort of ring I want my cell phone to use is related to the ambient noise in the room. If I’m in a quiet place, I want my phone to just vibrate, or ring very very quietly. If I’m in a club or a wedding reception, I not only want it to ring loudly, but I want it to vibrate too in case I can’t hear the ring. Medium noise levels usually call for medium-level rings. You get the idea. The problem is that I rarely remember to change my ring volume when I go from place to place. So I either miss a call because I couldn’t hear the phone ring, or I get embarrassed when it rings in church or something.

The phone could certainly combine this with factors like time of day, ambient light, and other pieces of data to make an even more intelligent decision. For instance, it’s really quiet while I’m sleeping, but it’s also dark and it’s also 3am. So just let me sleep.

Of course, the phone should have a way to change this, customize it, or override it, but I think overall it would be a really useful feature if it was done in an intelligent way.