iPhone and gas prices
I’ve had my new iPhone 3G for almost a week now and I totally love it. It’s easy to carry in your pocket and works flawlessly. I’m particularly impressed with the way the applications work together, and don’t under-estimate the usefulness of the GPS, even if it doesn’t do full turn-by-turn directions yet.
Here’s an example. I have an app from the app store that helps the undecided amongst of us to pick somewhere to eat. Well first off, it bases its suggestions on your local position, then, once you have selected a restaurant, in a single click you can read reviews, phone for reservations, or click on the address to locate it on a Google map. One more click and you have instant directions from where you are to where you need to go. And if you are still unsure of the route, your location will highlight on the map as you drive, making it instantly clear when you need to make that turn; although use a passenger for this please - no gawking at the map whilst you drive.
Sure, the skeptical amongst you might say, I can google all that. Indeed you can, but using the large-font, easy-to-read iPhone screens are much easier than a web browser on any smart phone. Further, there isn’t any typing into the browser navbar or Google search box, just selecting from carefully presented choices. Another example is the dedicated eBay iPhone app: Night and day easier than using the eBay web site.
I think such context-sensitive menu selections and application presentation is going to replace the dumb, already archaic browser methodology.
And onto gas prices. I was actually pleased when prices recently soared to $4.70 a gallon at the pump. What, am I an idiot? No.. I just like to think I think longer term than a lot of folks. Witness how such prices began to turn large SUV drivers into pariahs, increased sales of hybrids, increased ridesharing and use of public transport, and generally forced us to consider our driving options more intelligently. So I was very dismayed when prices dropped back don to their current $4.00, here in California. It’s business as usual for SUV drivers, and “gee, we don’t have to think about saving fuel or alternative energy anymore”.
If I had my way I’d hike gas up to $8 a gallon. What am I nuts? No. We have to feel the pain. We have to feel compelled, cornered even, into changing our future energy usage and generation. We aren’t moving fast enough on our own initiative, so we obviously need to feel a boot up our backsides. Americans seem to work best in a crisis situation - you don’t do to well when the easy route lures you like a devil on your shoulder. “Go on, take the Hummer, $4 isn’t that bad! Fuel came down didn’t it, so there isn’t a gas shortage after all. Yeah, drill in ANWR.” Unfortunately this sweet-talking little devil is drowning out the angel (I always picture a mini Al Gore) on our other shoulder: “Buy a hybrid. Invest in alternative energy. Write your congressman to combat oil industry lobbyists.”
Draining every oil reserve we can get to, no matter what the cost (dollar and environment), is short-term thinking. We should be thinking our way into the future with renewable energy sources, whilst we still have a habitable planet to drill on.
