Coug Center discussions: Music, Smartphones, etc.
by Craig Powers on Aug 4, 2010 5:07 AM PDT
Email
PrintComing off the success of the CougCenter beer post, I decided our little community may be ready to talk about things other than Cougar athletics. So, in the spirit of Lookout Landing, I offer up another off-topic post. Here are a few questions and feel free to bring up any of your own:
What bands/albums are in your regular musical rotation at the moment?
Who is your favorite musical artist of all time?
What do you think of Lady Gaga?
For me, I'll start it off by answering the first question. Right now, I am digging anything I can find from the band Blitzen Trapper. Here is a sample of their stuff, but one song really isn't enough, as their sound changes a little from song to song:
Finally, the real reason I made this post: I need some advice. I recently went swimming with my phone and am now in the market for a new one. I've got some budgetary restraints, so I've basically narrowed it down to two options. The Iphone 3GS (if I can even find it) and the Samsung Captivate.
The Captivate is an Android phone. Have many of you had experience with Android? What are your thoughts versus the Apple OS?
That's all for now. Discuss away baby birds.
This FanPost does not necessarily reflect the views of the site's writers or editors, who may not have verified its accuracy. It does, however, reflect the views of this particular fan, which is just as important as the views of our writers or editors.
96 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
As a loyal employee of the giant red V
I’d say your choices are whack :)
I’m a big fan of what Android’s doing. In a year or so, Apple will be the ones trying to catch up with their innovations.
I have the Verizon Moto Droid and I love it
I just updated it to the 2.2 version of the OS (Froyo!) and it’s better than ever. It’s simpler, smoother, faster, and has flash that works flawlessly (Take that apple!). If I were you, I’d pick the Iphone 4 or an Android. If you don’t want to spend that much on the Iphone 4 then I’d only go for an Android. Just my advice.
Same here
At this point, even if Verizon offered an iPhone I don’t think I’d take it. The Droid offers a pretty comparable number of apps (or, at least most of the essentials) and it has a slideout keyboard that I can’t live without.
I may look into the Droid 2 here under the guise of telling my wife, “hey, you can have my droid if you let me upgrade”.
A buddy of mine had an Android phone
He had it for nearly two years and the processing became so slow he had to get rid of it. I think if you’re comfortable with the notion of having to switch out your phone after 18 months then the Android is a really good option. Of course, they may have done something to fix this problem recently.
if the phone is two years old there's the problem
Android has really only been technologically relevant for about a year.
by BigWood! on Aug 4, 2010 10:03 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I love my HTC Droid Eris on Verizon
And I know it’s not nearly as good as the HTC Incredible or Motorola Droid X. I have not used the iPhone really at all, but given what I’ve heard from a lot of iPhone users — that data connections can be spotty and calls get dropped — I think I’ve got the right phone for me.
That said, Verizon is clearly the best service in Washington. Don’t know if that’s the case in Tennessee.
Wow, there is a blast from the past
Why do I know that name????
… (wikipedia)…
Oh yeah, it was popular in my youth group when I was at an influential age. I seem to remember a lot of jumping around when they came on.
I've been wondering aloud how Lady GaGa is famous for a while.
That chick is crazy.
To add to the more random questions, are there any video games that have come out in the past 2-3 months worth buying? My birthday is the 14th and my gf keeps asking me what I want. I have no idea. The last 3 games that I bought were Red Dead Redemption (loved it), Assassin’s Creed 2 (loved it), and Modern Warfare 2 (liked it). I also bought Batman: Arkham Asylum which is/was amazing. I’d recommend all of those games for anyone interested. I’ve rented Borderlands, and it was ok. Wolfenstein kind of sucked. Any other suggestions?
Oh, I might get crap for my “favorite band ever”, but I really dig Maroon 5. I know, I know. But everything they put out is good. Sure, it all sounds basically the same, and it’s either about breaking up or having sex, but I dig it regardless.
xbox, ps3, wii?
on the xbox, if you haven’t played Mass Effect 2, you’re seriously missing out. It might be the best game I’ve ever played.
I’ve also been enjoying this Limbo game on xbox live. totally worth the $15.
I’m playing NCAA for a few weeks until Metroid and Halo both come out….
also
if you haven’t played the first Bioshock game, that one’s also a masterpiece. Very engrossing storyline, cool weapon mechanics. It’s been out for a few years so you can probably get it for under $20. I’ve heard so-so reviews for the sequel. My wife bought it for me for Valentines Day and I haven’t booted it up yet.
I'm on Xbox. I have a Wii but rarely use it.
My son plays it when he’s here to visit, and when we get drunk and have people over, Wii Sports is semi-entertaining. Other than that, it’s all Xbox all the time.
I didn’t mention NCAA, I kind of feel dumb for omitting it. In hindsight I figure it was probably obvious that I had it. I digress.
I’ve heard good things about the first Bioshock and Mass Effect 1 & 2. I’m not a big RPG guy, though, so I might have trouble getting into either. I thought Fallout 3 was fun but it got old after a while.
Why oh why does Gears of War 3 have to come out in April?? That’s so long.
by Kyle Rancourt on Aug 4, 2010 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions
i'm with you on the wii
i pre-ordered metroid and that game will mark the first time i’ve turned the machine on in over a year.
mass effect is an action rpg. there were some criticisms of it that the class system and weapons/armor customization is tedious and confusing (i wasn’t confused, but since i’m awesome….). Mass Effect 2 is an action game in every sense. You do level up and get better weapons, but there’s not a lot of RPG in it at all. If you go to IGN and search “Mass Effect in five minutes”, you’ll be ready for ME2. There’s some bonus acheivements and easter eggs for importing your ME1 character to ME2, but it’s up to the user whether that’s worth the 40 hours ME1 takes.
cut me off
Bioshock isn’t really an RPG. Its an FPS with customizable weapons. If you liked Gears, you’ll love Bioshock.
I bought Fallout 3 a few months ago when Amazon put it on their game of the day deal for $20. It’s still in shrinkwrap. The length of that game is intimidating.
Careful.
I don’t know how old your son is, but you might want to separate your sentences next time, haha.
My son plays it when he’s here to visit, and when we get drunk and have people over, Wii Sports is semi-entertaining.
Because the way you have that worded, one might assume that you get drunk with your son. That may be the case, but my guess is to the contrary.
Bahahaha I didn't even think about that.
My son is 9, so, I hope he isn’t getting drunk with us.
Seriously though, baseball on Wii is hard, and drunk? Damn near impossible. Hilarity ensues every time, though.
by Kyle Rancourt on Aug 4, 2010 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions
So, this is what I hear learned about you on this thread.
You are really up to date on video games — when your son comes over you start drinking then bust out the Wii — all while listening to Maroon 5. When can me and my son come over?
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
what freakin happened to my subject line?
what I hear learned
It sounds like a different language.
It should say, "what I have learned…My bad.
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
Come over any time.
We drink Jameson and Captain Morgan. Not mixed, because…well, actually, I don’t have a clue as to why not. That sounds delicious.
by Kyle Rancourt on Aug 4, 2010 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions
You son is hardcore drinking the hard stuff straight up. Haha
My son just drinks whole milk straight up, but man can he down it for a 21 month old.
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
I will most certainly give you crap for Maroon 5.
I cannot stand them.
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
Twitter!
by Craig Powers on Aug 4, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
they played on Glen Terrell Mall my first night in Pullman in 1997
they were known as Kara’s Flowers back then and were kind of a mall-punk band.
they were talking a lot of trash that UCLA would beat us the next day. Then Leon Bender happened.
What phone did you have?
I have had the 3GS for a year now, and I love it. I can’t say I love AT&T as much, but the service issues are not as bad as people make it out to be. I am not a Mac person at all but the iPhone really opened my eyes the the brilliant simplicity of apple. I have seen the new droids and based on 5-10 minutes with them, I would recommend those as well.
by spencer peaty on Aug 4, 2010 11:25 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
My answers.
1. Right now I’m listening to Julieta Venegas, Belanova, Juanes… among other latin pop music.
2. Don’t have a favorite music group of all time. I reserve most of my fandom to sports and not music.
3. I don’t know how I would rate Lady Gaga as a true singing talent, but the music she produces is catchy and has a great sound and beat. Worth the hype.
4. I have an ordinary cellphone that calls people, texts SMS, and can take really low quality pictures. Not much else. I’ve never felt the impulse to buy a hightech phone.
My answers.
Groups I have been recently listening to:
-Phoenix
-MGMT
-30 Seconds to Mars
-The Temper Trap
-Brandon Flowers (vocalist for The Killers)
Favorite All-time Artists:
-Jack Johnson
-Pearl Jam
-Blink 182/Angels & Airwaves
-Sunny Day Real Estate
-Jay Z
-& many others
Lady Gaga
I don’t own any of her music. She kids of scares me. She seems kind of manly. I think the version of Paparazzi this 11 year old kid does is better. It is pretty awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxDlC7YV5is
Phone:
Don’t ask me, I don’t even have a smart phone. I have had the same company work phone for 4 years. Texting on it sucks.
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
If you like Charlize Theron...
you will like this Brandon Flowers music video. Good song, Good Video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AhU12zC8fc
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
Brandon Flowers (vocalist for The Killers)
I’ll be honest: Its his voice that makes me really dislike the Killers. Something about it just bothers me.
I really like the Killers' latest album.
Don’t love the earlier stuff.
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
Twitter!
I have a feeling this may be a bad time to bring up
That ‘Mr. Brightside’ is my favorite song of all time. ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’ is somewhere not too far behind.
Hot Fuss is a Top 5 album of all time in my opinion as well. Sam’s Town was extremely hit or miss, but I thought it was unfairly knocked by most people. Day and Age was a better album end to end than Sam’s Town, but I think the Killers know they’re never going to top their debut.
I love me some MGMT.
Although I prefer the first album to the second. Maybe if I was on acid I would appreciate the second more.
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
Twitter!
by Craig Powers on Aug 5, 2010 5:15 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I know.
On a couple songs on their knew album I thought they sound like you need to be on acid or something. Not that I know what it is like to use acid, but the songs sounded just trippy. By the way, trippy is not in spell check.
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
yes yes yes
I’ve listened to ‘Kids’ about 10,000 times and it hasn’t gotten old. I feel like something is wrong my brain, because practically every song I love gets kind of old after a while. But it just keeps rolling along.
Did anyone notice?
On the right hand side where it says CougCenter.com on facebook it shows a picture of Jim Moore “The Go 2 Guy.” I didn’t know he followed this fine website. Great Wazzu Alum.
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
If we had official friends of the blog
Jim would be one. Great dude.
by Jeff Nusser on Aug 4, 2010 6:04 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
favorite band: Black Crowes.
for any other crowes fans out there they just released “Croweology”, which is a re-release of 20 of some of their best songs. sort of a greatest hitsalbum , but the songs are rearranged and done accoustically. haven’t heard it yet but can’t wait.
Heavy rotation in the ipod these days:
Harlem Shakes
My Morning Jacket
Common Market
Justin Townes Earl
Stevie Wonder
Fav Band ever: depends on when you ask me. Right this moment, its The Who. Ever see The Kids are Alright? wow.
I dont play video games (all thumbs here)
I cant afford a smart phone. At least, not without getting rid of internet or sat TV. The lady has me on a budget, god bless her.
Judging from the amount of mobile posts here
And from the mobile hits the site gets, a ton of us have smartphones. I’ve had a BB and now a Droid. I love the Android OS. Its fast, multitasks, and does all I need it to.
I don’t know much about the iPhone (boo, ATT), but I feel like Google is going to be running laps around them in the OS department soon, if they aren’t already.
by Brian Floyd on Aug 4, 2010 5:45 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Or, in short, just listen to BigWood.
by Brian Floyd on Aug 4, 2010 5:46 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I got the Captivate.
Played with it for 20 minutes at the store and was hooked.
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
Twitter!
I might also suggest that you take a look at the Galaxy S
I have heard a lot of good things about it and it looks pretty amazing.
http://galaxys.samsungmobile.com/
You know, after further review, The Captivate and Galaxy S are the same phone...
I’m just going to wish that I didn’t post that and maybe it will disappear…
Yes my phone says "Galaxy S" on the back.
Apparently Android 2.2 comes out for it in September. Adobe Flash!
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
Twitter!
Also, the phone is new and finding cases is a bitch.
Ordered one on Amazon and the expected delivery date was “September 8 – November 12.” I’m glad they make thier orders easy to cancel.
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
Twitter!
They really wanted to sell me one!
They also tried to sell me a SD card – the phone comes with a 16 GB one.
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
Twitter!
I bet you that they sell Wazzu phone cases for it -- NOT!
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
Big boooo on AT&T
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
Answers
Currently listening to
B.o.B
Eminem
Greatest of All Time
Jay-Z
Lady Gaga
creeps the hell outta me. My English 101 teacher this last year was obsessed with her (and he was a guy). We got a 45 minute rant on how some Evergreen writer was being unfair. He wrote a letter to the editor about it and it got published.
Video Games
Off topic but I have no idea why you guys are wasting your time with a NCAA 11 dynasty when what we should be starting is a CoD MW2 clan.
That B.o.B. album is excellent
Came out of nowhere. Never thought I’d hear Rivers Cuomo signing on a hip hop track.
Answers
Artists:
Eminem
B.o.B
Bob Marley
Third Eye Blind
Blink 182
Albums:
Recovery (Eminem)
The Adventures Of Bobby Ray (B.o.B)
Maya (M.I.A.)
Streets Of Gold (3OH!3)
Malice In Wonderland (Snoop Dogg)
Favorite Of All Time:
Eminem
What Do I Think Of Lady Gaga:
I think she is creative but creepy. I like some of her songs.
September 4th, 4:45 PM, ESPN
I really like the B.O.B album
He has an interesting style in his music. Kind of a mix of everything.
I'm not allowed to do the ipod thing at work
So mostly I just listen to whatever Pandora tells me to. It ends up being a lot of:
White Stripes
Black Keys
Regina Spektor
Iron & Wine
Jimi Hendrix
Led Zeppelin
… and a bunch of bands I sort of know but wouldn’t otherwise listen to, like Cake, BNL, Stephen Lynch, Rolling Stones, Weird Al, Johnny Cash, and the Strokes. Don’t ask me how Pandora does it, I don’t know what half those bands are doing there either.
Favorite all time is probably either White Stripes, Matchbox 20 (though more for memories than musical quality), the Killers, Collective Soul, or Weezer (though I’m not a big fan of their newer stuff).
Lady Gaga is scary but my wife likes her. I guess I’d have to say she’s edgy, confident, and has tremendous upside potential.
Love the Black Keys.
They did a great hip-hop album under the name Blakroc. A well-done rock/rap synergy with some really good names, and even features a little Ol’ Dirty Bastard (Wu Tang Clan) from beyond the grave.
I'm a full-on music dork
so feel free to dismiss me.
Current Rotation:
Bonnie Prince Billy – Wonder Show of the World
Ariel Pink – Before Today (“Round and Round” is the summer jam rocking my brain right now)
Unwound – Challenge for a Civilized Society
Eric Bachmann – To the Races
Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die
Big Star – Radio City
Buck 65 – Man Overboard
Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood – Nancy & Lee
Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be
Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot…Son of Chico Dusty
All-time favorite:
Coug alum Talkdemonic. Kinda cheating because he’s an old friend. If I had to choose impartially, I guess I’d go with my holy trinity: Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Ghostface Killah.
Lady Gaga
is better than Katy Perry but sucks compared to Robyn.
Phones
should still be rotary dial with the curly cords. My wife wants to jump into this whole smart-phone thing, which leaves me feeling bewildered and slightly emasculated.
My question:
Who are your least favorite artists/musicians?
My unholy trinity: the fkkn Eagles, Pink Floyd and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Oh my, cockle...your unholy trinity is EXACTLY the same as mine (I may add the Grateful Dead in there)
Current Rotation:
The XX- The XX
Magnolia Soundtrack
Maria McKee – You Gotta Sin to Get Saved
Yo la Tengo- Electropura
All time favorite artist:
Paul Westerberg/The Replacements
All time favorite album:
The Jayhawks— Hollywood Town Hall
Lady gaga
Don’t know, don’t care to.
Phones
T-Mobile Dash, which I had to use as it integrated with my company’s web outlook. Biggest POS ever. Looking to migrate over to iPhone this autumn
And you, sir
hit the nail on the head with YLT and the ‘Mats. Also, I forgot how good that Maria McKee album was until you mentioned it. I put it on today after I hadn’t heard it in at least a decade.
Current music picks
Macklemore – Language of my world and The Unplanned Mixtape
Common Market – Tobacco Road/Black Patch War
Aseop Rock – None Shall Pass
Acacia Strain – Wormwood
All Time Favorite:
Led Zeppelin or Himsa
Lady Gaga?…that dude creeps me out.
And I fully intend on gettting the new T-Mobile Vibrant that has the Android OS. It’s the Galaxy S series that ATT and Sprint also have a phone on. I love the Android OS…but I hear awesome things about the new Windows Mobile OS that’s coming soon.
I listen to NPR and news radio.
Yeah. I’m that guy….
Which is probably why my favorites are older bands like Pink Floyd, Metallica and Rage Against the Machine.
As for Lady Gaga, I’ve been to a handful of weddings in the last few months, and the party at the receptions don’t start when they play disco any more…. Personally, since I don’t take music as seriously as some, I enjoy it for what it is. Fun, sometimes kitchy dance music. Her personally? I make a deliberate effort to not give a crap about actors, singers, bands, pro athletes, etc. Not always perfect in that regard, but I make a very real effort.
Re: the phone, I’m glad you’re asking, because I’ve had a Blackberry for almost 2 years now, and am ready to replace it as well. Part of the issue I’m having is my service provider (I hate you Sprint!), and I’m thinking I’ll be switching to Verizon. I do know that I won’t be getting another Blackberry.
I had Sprint before I switched to Verizon (a few years ago)
Night and day coverage and customer service. The only knock on Verizon is the lack of the iPhone, but that may change next year.
Every other year
my wife and I get new phones for Christmas, so I’ll start looking in earnest around Thanksgiving. I’ll probably go with one of the phones with the Android platform.
By Christmas, I'm guessing there will be new Android phones.
You really can’t go wrong with the Android OS either.
There are going to be limited edition R2D2 version of the Droid 2
if that doesn’t make anyone want to switch to Verizon, I don’t know what will….
they started pushing August 3rd
so should be soon
if it hasn't been pushed to your device
i’m pretty sure you can go to http://www.verizonwireless.com/droidsupport and get it there.
I know it comes out for my phone in September!
Can’t wait for Adobe Flash!
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
Twitter!
that's the Droid X
Which is the better phone as long as you don’t need a physical keyboard
The touch keyboard took a little getting used to
But now I’m glad I have it. I didn’t like the fact that the Moto Droid felt like a brick in my hands.
by Jeff Nusser on Aug 10, 2010 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions
In the coming years Droid will probably dominate the iPhone,
because Apple took to long to join Verizon. Verizon has a lot more money. Read this article, it gives good insight.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38635041/ns/technology_and_science-wireless
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
Apple has always been content
to be a niche player, as long as they can control both the hardware and software elements, and get the money from both. There is a huge (and so far growing) number of consumers that swear by Apple products, and will continue to regardless of what else might be available. As long as the iPhone is on par with other offerings, the Apple loyalists will continue to buy Apple products, whether it’s dominant or not.
That said, you’re 100% right in that they’ve missed an opportunity with their LONG exclusivity with AT&T.
by TiltingRight on Aug 10, 2010 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Apple is all about control
And I don’t mean that in a bad way, because I love Apple products. But they want to be able to call the shots, and AT&T just feels lucky to have Apple on its side. So Apple can pretty much do what it wants, how it wants.
It is kind of like the Big12(10) and Texas.
Texas (Apple) wants to be able to call the shots and the Big12 (AT&T) feels luck to have Texas (Apple), but I wouldn’t call UT a niche. Haha. That is when the other conferences will pass the Big12 like the Droid and others products will dominate Apple. I am not bashing Apple by the way, I agree Apple does makes great products. I just liked the analogy. Maybe, UT wants to eventually become a niche like Notre Dame?
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
It is getting to the point where it's bad
Apple seems like they’re starting to rub people the wrong way with how they control every aspect of their products. Developers are hamstrung with the Apple dev environment and Apple is very controlling about how 3rd party apps are done. Add all that to the antenna deal, and the subsequent mess the press conference was, and people are starting to get upset with Apple.
There will always be people like this though
Fair warning, this is really innappropriate for small children, work, those with sensetive dispositions, and generally all social situations. But it is funny.
I love that.
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
Twitter!
by Craig Powers on Aug 10, 2010 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Thats some funny stuff.
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
That is hilarious.
I think we need to make an xtranormal movie about something. Hmmmm …
by Jeff Nusser on Aug 12, 2010 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Focustensity.
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time." - Brian Fantana
My current music recommendation
Oberhofer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC5FqgVLfUA
The singer is a pretty young guy (19 or 20) out of Tacoma, and their (his?) music is awesome. I have no idea if they are going to sign with a major label and actually put out a CD, but their EP is available online if you e-mail them.
Best part is when I e-mailed them to get the EP Brad actually responded in person to say thanks. Which is pretty f-ing awesome.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
