iPhone Update 2.2.1 - Part 2

After waiting three and a half hours for my phone to sync I took at a look at Task Manager; Chrome was using 99% of the processor time and had locked iTunes out completely. With Chrome dead the sync finished in about 30 seconds and I now have a working phone, complete with applications, music, podcasts and movies.

iPhone Update 2.2.1

I installed today the iPhone software update released on Tuesday. This
normally simple process was blighted by a problem and for a while my
phone rested brick-like on the desk as I struggled to get iTunes to
recognise it. A download and install of iTunes cured the problem, but
the backup was not successfully restored so I am running without
applications, music or video until I can get home and re-sync with my
desktop.

Work emails are still getting through, of course.

Empty Train

Well, not quite, but there are an unheard-of three empty seats in my
carriage. This would not have happened last year. Evidence of downturn?

Items of Interest

A couple of things worth mentioning. 

• PZ Myers has a very interesting post on the compatibility of science and religion: link,
• Ben Goldacre is lecturing on bad science at the LSE this week: link.

Speeches

I didn't watch Barack Obama's inauguration last night, but I have read the text of his speech. You can find it here and it is worth reading because it represents a complete change from the Bush administration, as we all hoped it would. 

VAT Reductions and Inflation

I blogged earlier this month about the Government's VAT reduction (link) and why I thought it was actually quite a cunning move. My main argument was that it would lower inflation giving the Bank of England more room to cut interest rates, and it seems that the Trasury (link) agrees:

"The reduction in inflation is obviously welcome - a big reduction down to 3.1% - reflecting in particular, as the Office for National Statistics has said this morning, the VAT cut before Christmas."

Chief financial secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Timms

Afternoon Tea

With little to do on a Sunday afternoon, Susie and I are in
Southampton at the Royal Bar of the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel for
afternoon tea. Sandwiches, cakes, scones and tea - very civilized.

I wonder if there might be time for cocktails?

UPDATE: There wasn't time for cocktails. Next month, maybe...

Shirts

Has anyone tried made to measure shirts (link) from M&S? I'm thinking about it...

Fire and Pizza

Dinner this evening with friends at Fire and Stone in Covent Garden.
The food was pretty good but the service was rather slow. If you are
ever tempted to try pizza with black pudding and Cumberland sausage,
my advice would be to breathe deeply until sense returns, then order
something else.

More Bad Science

Ben Goldacre has a great list (link) of last year's bad science stories. 

The Ultimate Mobile Device

The iPhone is pretty good, but here is the list of  things I would like to see on my next next-gen phone/device:

• Active assistance - the device knows where I am, where my next appointment is and how I like to travel; it should alert me when it is time to leave, then offer me a route, call a taxi, buy my train tickets and check me in at the airport.
• External display - alongside the display built-in to the device, I want to be able to use a set of video goggles (something like this) so that I can read emails, check my route, watch a film or catch up on the news without holding the device. 
• Additional hardware - I want to be able to use a wireless keyboard (like this one) and mouse so that  I can work at something approaching normal speed when I am away from my desk.
• Communication and archive - I want the option to record much or all that I see (with the goggles) or hear with the ability to archive this data remotely, search it by time/location, and replay it.
• High-speed internet access - wifi is pretty good, but for most mobile purposes it isn't good enough, so the device should have WiMAX-capability, or something similar.
• Finally, the device has to run for 12 hours a day for at least 3 days without needing a charge.

Much of this would be possible, in a limited form, using existing hardware and services, but I want it to work quickly and seamlessly without me having to really think about it; I don't want to have to assemble my own system and spend hours making it work - I want Apple to do all the hard stuff so that I just have to give them money.

Slightly Cold

I am working today from home and the temperature outside is -2; there is still a thick frost on the grass so I'll be staying in pretty much all day.

Haunted? I think not...

In an example of thought-free programming, Living are offering "Most Haunted Live - The Search for Evil" (link). Apparently, the seven shows culminate in a confrontation with a Demon; should be worth a peek.

Mysteries Galore

The Sun's main headline this morning is "UFO Hits Wind Turbine". Is
that really news? Surely they could have found something more
interesting about which to write?

On the other hand, maybe they just know their readership really well,
which says something pretty uncomplimentary about the average Sun
reader, I think.

Ticket Barriers

The new ticket barriers at Waterloo station are now working but there
do not seem to have been any changes in ticket inspection policies; if
anything, there are more South West Trains employees than normal on
the platforms, presumably to check that nobody is confused by there
wondrous new technology.

The ticket barriers have readers both for conventional paper tickets
and RFID cards but SWT's concourse notices still say that they do not
accept Oyster cards - maybe they have a new system on the way? More
research needed on my part, I think. I'll post an update with this
vital information if I discover anything useful.

Temporary VAT Reduction

I am not a big fan of the current Labour administration and neither am I an expert in economics, but I can't help thinking that the much-ridiculed reduction in VAT may, in fact, have been a damn cunning plan. Why? Let me explain my thinking.

Firstly, reducing VAT by 2.5% has quite a large effect on the rate of inflation, meaning that the Bank of England now has even more scope, should it need it, to reduce interest rates; a modest price cut will have almost no effect on people's spending, but a further reduction in mortgage rates might well have a big effect.

Secondly, as 2009 rolls on and the spectre of deflation looms ever larger, the Government now has a modest tool for re-inflating the economy; a 2.5% hike in VAT will doubtless have no more real effect on spending than the recent reduction, but it might give a useful boost to inflation at a time when other options are limited.

I might well be wrong about this, but I think the VAT cut is actually
quite a neat move. Whether or not it works or is sufficient, is a
different question, of course.

Frost and Cold

The worst part is the walk across Waterloo bridge; the wind blows
along the river, turning what would have been a brisk chilly stroll
into a freezing hell against which normal clothes are unable to
protect. Hats, gloves and scarves are vital, but a fairly serious coat
is also a good idea, backed-up by heated boots and insulated trousers;
in extreme cases, a taxi is advised.

Snow

The last couple of weeks have been pretty cold in Hampshire but today
there was heavy snow falling on the M27 as I drove to the station;
From the train, it looks like much of Southern England has had a
light dusting. Conditions are not quite Arctic, but the walk to the
office could be rather chilly.