iOS 9 and Apple Maps →

I mapped my way to several familiar destinations to gauge whether the trains and routes Maps suggested were the quickest and most efficient ways to end up at my destination, and they were. Bonus time-saving feature: Apple Maps shows you where subway entrances are in flyover mode, which is incredibly useful. Grand Central Terminal has several entrances, but if you don’t know where the closest one is, you could end up walking several blocks out of the way. Now entrances are helpfully marked “Entrances” (so simple, so necessary) in Maps.

photo courtesy of Macworld

If there's one thing I'm excited about iOS 9 this year, it's the HUGE improvment to Apple Maps. Now how about you start unbundling all these app updates from their respective OS updates so we can see a steady upgrade / bug fix over the months instead of waiting a year? Or better yet, installing a operating system update just for app bug fixes. Thanks!

One of the Best April Fools

If you're like me, today is just one of those days where I lay off of the internet. Traditionally, Google has some of the best jokes and this year, it's pretty awesome. Check out the Pokemon Challenge below using Google Maps! http://youtu.be/4YMD6xELI_k

To Upgrade or not Upgrade...iOS 6

Today marks the day Apple rolls out its sixth iteration of iOS. Touted to have award-winning features, its one pitfall, as many have already pointed out, is its replacement of Google's Maps. Granted, Apple did "lease" Maps from Google and that contract expired last year but Apple's new substitute is far from complete. Take it from me, if you rely on transit maps and a specific set of trustworthy data points, you might be better off sticking to iOS 5.

But the simple fact is: When you buy an iOS 6 device, you get a worse experience for search and no ability to get transit directions out of the box, both of which are significant downgrades from iOS 5.

via Anil Dash

A Beautiful 10K by the Bay!

After yesterday's 30 minute run on the treadmill, I felt good for another, longer run. I figured out a good route along the bay and plus, Adelle and I could enjoy some San Diego sun. Running from our apartment and finally getting on the Embarcadero, we set out at a good relaxed pace for 3.1 miles.

When we reached our turn around point, we took a quick break, then started our way back. Watching the Garmin, I noticed that Adelle and I ended up running the second half at a slightly slower pace which was a let down, but hey, we have nine weeks right?! I was able to snap this quick pic of Adelle wearing her San Diego Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Long sleeve training tech shirt and the awesome weather that we got to enjoy! Check it! I was also able to take a quick picture of the Petco Park from the new pedestrian bridge that goes from the stadium to the Hilton. Good stuff all around!

Now what stinks is the GPS readings and recordings. Compare the two maps below and you'll notice that the Garmin Edge 500 didn't "find" me right away even though it said that it captured my location and the sporadic mapping through downtown is a little off. More or less, with the data from Google Maps, my Garmin Edge 500 and my Nike+ Pedometer, I ran a solid 10K.

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Taking it in Stride

Putting on the running shoes that I was so excited for at the beginning of the month was a little harder than I originally thought. To be honest, I haven't ran / jogged / or even exercised since January 6th. Getting home from commuting, or arriving at the hotel exhausted from a day of flying around the cold and wintry midwest / east coast, and just getting back into the groove usually kills the mood. The only mood it doesn't kill is going out for some dinner and grabbing a drink. Bad I know especially for the workout that I need to be having. Discipline is key for sure, but I'll admit it here, as I might have before, flying sure does take it out of you.

Well, today, I did it! I put on the shoes, and embarrassingly, although not as bad as originally thought it would be, put on the only shorts I have here in San Diego.Yes, they are my Tri Shorts made by 2XU which are a blue tinged with purple. They call it Royal Blue so whatever. I didn't have a sport sweat tee so a white tee sufficed. Definitely heavier but I put on the headsets and went out. Here's a rough sketch of the route and when I ended up taking a picture at the stop point, RunKeeper Pro, unknowingly to me, paused the workout. I didn't realize it until I got back to the apartment.

Check out the amazing day though!

Check out the map down below. I took a cut up and over the San Diego Convention Center to do some stares which definitely added a small component to the early part of the workout. Good stuff all and in all!

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