Getting Around NY
A friend from out of state said they have a hard time understanding the NY subway system and was intimidated by it. She always has questions about how we could possibly live without cars. Inspired by my previous post showing which cities have/are getting rail, I am posting NY’s Subway map. It doesn’t show the ferries, Path, buses, trains leaving Grand Central or Penn Station or Staten Island service but shows how easy it is to get around in NY. Or go to MTA for more info.
iPhone vs Blackberry vs ‘Droid vs Pre
I’m a blackberry. I want an iPhone. But iPhone does not have a real keyboard. And iPhone lacks BBM.
The Pre looks and acts like the iPhone with a keyboard but it “feels dumb.” I want Palm to do well, but they need to make a phone that actually feels sophisticated and less cheap. Make the touch screen less sugar coated and put it in a phone that feels like something substantial.
Android just weirds me out. The interface is wonky like some 1980’s thing-a-ma-jiggy. And I haven’t found a phone carrying the OS that feels good in my hands. Make the Android more comfortable.
The blackberry: BBM and a real keyboard. That’s pretty much all it has. The apps suck but you can get real business done on your eeny-weeny-teeny screen. (you can get a larger touch screen but, as every BB user will tell you, the Storm sucks sweaty balls). Develop a genuine cool factor and you’ll be cool again.
The iPhone has apps, iTunes and the cool factor. but your keyboard sucks. And don’t say “you will get used to it.” EVERY blackberry user that switches from BB to iPhone says “yeah.. this keyboard sucks.” And many switch BACK to the BB just to get the keyboard. The people who say “you will get used to it” have never owned an adult phone and need to stop using that lame argument. Get a real keyboard thrown in there, Mr. Jobs.
The”other smartphones.” They’re not real phones. Sorry, but there is a reason why these phones are market leaders used by professionals, militaries, and tech nerds. My advice to them is simple: create a super phone that no one can live without (ask any BB or iPhone user: we will both agree we cannot live without our phones).
I’m sticking to my BlackBerry until something changes. I have the Curve and I do not plan on doing ANY upgrades until
a) my phone falls in a bucket of water
b) my phone catches fire
c) my contract with Sprint expires completely (less than a year away. Although I have been happy with my service and I’m glad they keep their rates low considering AT&T, Verizon and Sprint essentially ALL carry the same damn level of service but Sprint decides to save their customers $50 per month on the unlimited plans)
In the meantime there is a year where a lot can happen. AT&T and Verizon can spend less on advertising and drop their rates. RIM could come out with a blackberry that has a real screen and real apps. Pre could make an adult version of itself. and Android could, well, be more human. And the iPhone could get an keyboard intended for adults who do real business.
Artist: Damien Hirst
I’m not getting in to the debate, i am just posting some of the work.
@Kara’s
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MICHAEL DONOVAN
917.474.8011
Info@MichaelDonovanPhotography.com
http://michaeldonovanphotography.com
Images Copyright © 2009 MichaelDonovanPhotography.com All Rights Reserved
Foster & Partners Break Ground on Virgin Galactic Spaceport
We are one step closer to finally seeing Virgin Galactic’s spaceport in the New Mexico desert! The ground was just broken so construction could begin. Get ready to start booking your flight to Mars soon…
PS: Thanks Richard Branson and friends, New Mexico might actually end up becoming a cool state now!
Burnham Pavilions by Zaha Hadid Architects & UNStudio
The temporary pavilions designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and UNStudio are coming to Millennium Park in Chicago soon. I hope all my friends back in Chi get the chance to enjoy them!
2 Blue Bars and 4 Red Stars!
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MICHAEL DONOVAN
917.474.8011
Info@MichaelDonovanPhotography.com
http://michaeldonovanphotography.com
Playboy
A few covers from the past
This was back when they were a bit more clever with their art direction. Anyone notice how their covers now look like they are competing with issues of Maxim from 2004 or Cosmo magazine?
Code X Yacht
Their [Code X] 47′ 7” catamaran has a daringly minimalist and mean origami-meets-Tie-fighter look to it and matches avant garde styling with equally cutting edge technology. As if the choice of power sources wasn’t enough the Bond-villain factor is upped even more by details such as touch screen control and a GPS-controlled ‘virtual anchor’ system that utilises the electric motors to maintain a stationary position regardless of wind or currents.
Enjoy more of this new yacht here
News About the New Site
You may recall I changed my site the other day. It turns out it was a GREAT idea! I’m already seeing that it is helping people see more work, it seems people are staying on it longer, and I’m getting more people contacting me. Now the pressure is on: how do I outperform this?
I just finished a shoot and a meeting and now I’m off to another meeting and another shoot followed some art receptions in Chelaea. I’ll keep thinking of ways to outdo myself throughout the rest of the day! 
see the new site>>>>http://michaeldonovanphotography.com
Images Copyright © 2009 MichaelDonovanPhotography.com All Rights Reserved
June Issue Has Arrived
When I say “Issue” I mean “Site.” I made a cleaner design this month since a few struggles with the navigation last month. I’m also playing with colors to communicate attitude whereas I used words last month.
the new site>> http://michaeldonovanphotography.com
Images Copyright © 2009 MichaelDonovanPhotography.com All Rights Reserved
New Money
If you haven’t heard, people are wanting to redesign the American Currency. I agree. Our bills just don’t say “United States of Fucking America!” We’re America- our bills should be cooler and more fly than any other country. Good design inspires and sets a mood. The current design says “remember getting ripped off by greedy assholes?”
So spread the word, little bird, and let’s get this ride moving! You can keep up to date here: http://richardsmith.posterous.com/
Architecture to Inspire
Here are a few out-of-this world but REAL projects I am most excited about at the moment:
Heerim Architects designed Full Moon for Baku, Azerbaijan
The Cloud designed by Nadim Karam
Manned Cloud is a flying hotel proposed by French designer Jean-Marie Massaud
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And while the above buildings stand a chance of getting built soon, here is fantasy building for my home, NYC:
It’s called The Dragonfly and would be an urban vertical farm on Roosevelt island. This is designed by Belgian architect, Vincent Callebaut.
It would be 132 floors and 600 vertical meters, be able to accommodate 28 agricultural fields for the production of fruit, vegetables, grains, meat and dairy. It would be ran from solar and wind power.
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