Apple's Newest Gadget - The iPad

Yesterday Apple announced the upcoming release of their newest product, the iPad. The iPad is a tablet computer that will connect to the internet via Wi-Fi or cellular 3G networks. It is compatible with all working iPhone apps, so everything you've downloaded to your iTunes account will work right out of the box. Yep, that includes the ever popular games, guides, and real estate applications! The iPad also includes a new application, iBooks. This virtual bookstore and reader will compete with Amazon's Kindle.

I'm a self-proclaimed Mac, so this news excites me. But I'm not sure why I would need the iPad. Oh sure, I know why I want one, I'm just not sure I need one. My days are spent in front of a PC (at work) and when I go home I use my iPod Touch to listen to music and my Macbook to play games and surf the web.

Of course, if I traveled more I could see the appeal. Connect to the internet, read email, watch videos, read a book; all of this available on a tablet with a screen size as big as piece of letter paper. No more squinting at a little phone or iPod screen. Sure, it doesn't have MS Word or Excel, but you can use Google Docs for that; and access them anytime, anywhere.

I have to hand it to Apple, every new gadget seems to bring us one step closer to the Star Trek future I thought the new century would usher into existence. I for one am personally looking forward to the iJetPack and iFlyCar. Beam me up, Scotty!

The Draw of Newport

Working with buyers, not only from Newport, but from throughout the world is the most rewarding aspect of being a realtor. I am fortunate to work with a company that lists a wide variety of properties in a city that promotes art, history, sailing, and culture. From the spectrum of large estates such as my listing of Berry Hill, where one family has held the property as stewards since the day it was completed in 1887 to the smaller cottages near the waterfront and scattered throughout the city from the Broadway area to the Fifth Ward, there are Victorian and Colonial homes, condominiums and contemporary homes along the Ocean Drive.

The architecture varies. The areas do also. We have “The Point” where one sees old sea captains’ homes. We have “Historic Hill” encompassing large federal colonials, gambrel colonials, Victorian homes, Trinity Church where one can do the Historic Walking Tour proceeding from stanchion to stanchion reading and exploring the history of Newport. We have The Fifth Ward where homes vary in architecture and sit on neighborhood-friendly streets within walking distance to town and the waterfront. We have Bellevue Avenue with its Gilded Age grand homes, beautiful gardens, and Newport Mansions preserved by The Preservation Society, Newport Restoration Foundation, and private owners.

The buyers vary also. Newport draws the artists and artisans with its galleries and Newport Art Museum. It draws those interested in history and literature with the Redwood Library, The Historical Society and others. It particularly draws in the sailors who participate in racing and regattas with The New York Yacht Club, Ida Lewis Yacht Club, and Newport Yacht Club.

As a member of the Newport City Council I have traveled to visit our sister cities in Kinsale, Ireland; Shimoda, Japan; Imperia, Italy; and Skiathos, Greece. I go to promote my city. I have worked to sponsor programs to allow students to participate in a student exchange program to learn of other cultures and peoples in other areas of the world, many who will visit Newport in years to come.

There is satisfaction in knowing that the clients who buy here have chosen to come here, as I did. They will become part of what makes Newport special. In some ways it is a village where neighbor recognizes neighbor. In other ways it is an exciting sailing community recognized throughout the world as “the sailing capital.” The people are as diversified as the properties. It is joyous. It is never boring.

Help Haiti

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. Lives were lost, children orphaned, and homes destroyed.

Here are a few ways you can donate to aid recovery efforts:

Text

• Text “HAITI” to 90999 to make a $10.00 donation to the American Red Cross.
• Text “YELE” to 501501 to make a $5.00 donation to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts. Yele is a grassroots organization started by musician Wyclef Jean, a native of Haiti.
• Text "HAITI" to 45678 to make a $5.00 donation to the Salvation Army.

Online

• Google has a page set up so you can donate directly to UNICEF and CARE. CBS News also has a list of charitable organizations that offer aid to Haiti.