…All hype and a pretty face, but not as faithful as Brian Krakow.

It’s tempting, because I don’t want to switch from T-Mobile. But I can’t handle even a one-year contract renewal, let alone two. Also there’s no multitouch. Also iPhone apps are more comprehensive. But I wouldn’t need to get the Nexus One jailbroken before moving abroad. Also the camera + video quality is way higher on the Nexus, and seeing as that’s my thesis topic, it might be smart to use it. The total cost of a new Nexus + early contract cancellation after six months = $380, with an ~$80/mo. phone plan. The iPhone 3gs 16GB would total $340 after a six-month cancellation, and about the same cost per month for AT&T’s plan. But the coverage is much spottier, the network gets held up and ATT customer service is booty.

A post I found on a Gizmodo comment string sums up my feelings, and totally makes me laugh. We are all so spoiled, after all:

I still don’t know if I want one. This has been the most frustrating gadget decision time in my life.

I just know that if I get one in the spring on Verizon, Apple will immediately release a new and fantastic iPhone on Verizon which I will want even more.

The Android apps are severely lacking in interface/functionality compared to iPhone apps. So frustrating.

Furthermore I bet Apple will refuse to improve the new iPhone’s screen resolution/quality since they don’t want to make compatibility issues with apps.

Why is this so hard?

We have a new site, for all the living room portraits and monologues: studiocrux.com. Check it out, and if you’re interested in coming over for a portrait, or a video, or both, let me know.

Reposted from an email.

**Researching eGovernment 2.0 requesting your participation**

The Kogod School of Business at American University and the National University of Ireland, Galway, are collaborating on a research project that investigates the value of federal government web sites. Professors Murray Scott and William DeLone are leading the project; they are particularly interested in the value created in recent initiatives designed to promote citizen engagement and participation.
The researchers would very much appreciate your support by following the link below and completing the survey. The survey should not take any longer than 15 minutes of your time and can be found at: http://govsurvey.nuigalway.ie

The researchers can be contacted with any questions or comments at murray.scott@nuigalway.ie or wdelone@american.edu

Hat tip to Hillz for the link.

I made the big time: my hastily-written Peru article on wireless internet in rural areas is now cross-posted on my director Henry Jenkin’s blog. Read it and weep. Or, you know, get bored and do something else.

I’m not one, but I appreciate the sentiment. [c/o == @daleochase]

Don’t know how I feel about the term “mixed reality”, but I liked the timeline element in The Future of Mobile:

Courtesy @mocom2020

Lima is awash with fog, at least here on the coast. The patio of my friend’s apartment is supposed to overlook the ocean; instead, you can see maybe 100 feet in front of you during the day, and maybe 20 feet in front of you at night. I had more great food today (see below) and tomorrow is the last Dia de Leisure before our campo extravaganza (part one, the easy part: Cajamarca). We’ll be staying in the capital city and traveling daily to two or three villages a few hours away to interview local entrepreneurs who’ve had telecom centers (“internet cabins”) in their villages, as well as the end users who actually learn and use the computers, and the local authorities and NGO partners who’ve helped with training and implementation. Who wants some alpaca accessories? Speak now.

Oh and by “we,” I mean me and M., my hired gun. Ok not really. No guns here. Only swords. M. is a very nice Peruvian photo/video guy who will be helping with the interviews and such, since my Spanish is no bueno. It’s also generally a good idea for una mujer to travel with un hombre, particularly in the jungle. (Thanks to ADK for that important insight.)

What else. I’m sitting alone in P.’s house, having turned down a group date to the movies with his wife and her coworkers. Turned out it was better to stay home, since I ended up puking up all the delicious gelato I ate. P., meanwhile, is on a 15-hour bus ride to Cajamarca (he couldn’t get the same flight deal I got) for an ICT conference happening this week. Their apartamento is beautiful and the cats are sweet. Outside, traffic sounds. Endless honking.

Have I mentioned the crazy drivers? Oh man. If there is one thing I would never like to do again, it’s get into a car in Lima. Or be a pedestrian in Lima. Seriously. You have no idea.

Blackberry blogging later, I guess, if I can get the BB Meta Blog app to stop giving me strange Javascript errors. Ciao.