I’ve had my ear to the ground for a quality tablet device for over 4 years. Here are a few thoughts to the role of a tablet device:

1. It’s not a replacement. A tablet is not a full-blown computer. It won’t replace powerful desktops. It’s not meant to.
2. The Multiple Screen Syndrome. Watching TV casually with my family means 2 Macs, a DVR, a cell phone & an iPhone. Considering that couch sitting laptop users have become the norm, there is opportunity to present a web / media device that fits into the room like a magazine or book would.
3. Personalized Apps. Think of apps as specific tools to get what you need done. Bringing the focus of developers on very specific apps is always good. It’s capitalism at work. Just look at how many Twitter apps the iPhone has encouraged. You can find an app that works the way you do, making your device more personal than a “Personal Computer”.
4. It Stops Working. What if a tablet is not meant as a work device? Instead, its focused on consuming. On a bus, in a car, on the couch. Do you really need to multitask on the go?
5. More Content, Less Ads. Using Facebook on the iPhone makes it refreshing to read, comment, and interact with your friends without the annoying friend suggestions & ads. Instead the focus is on the content.
6. Sense of Touch. Removing the keyboard and mouse barrier makes the device and content feel more like an extension of yourself.
7. Sync Versus Create. What if the goal is to remove extra gadgets. Especially gadgets that create. Cameras? I’ve got 4 in my house. Instead of putting a mediocre one in the tablet, why not wirelessly sync with great devices I already own?

Reducing distractions for better concentration.

Since I switched to an iPhone, I’d been mourning the notification setup of my old Palm Treo. Each calendar item, to-do, or phone call showing up on a nice little list. You could easily get to this list and check things off. Think of it as a little bulletin board that you can pull post its off of as you go through your day.

I liked this - but wasn’t able to get this type of feature form the current iPhone OS. Recently, I decided to stop fighting the iPhone’s notifications and embrace them. But I found my loophole in an interesting way.

Concepts:

1. The Home Screen is the Bulletin Board. Instead of a special area for reminders, the Apps themselves use a Badge (the little red icon number).
2. Think of each App as an inbox. If you don’t know about inbox zero, go read about it right now!
3. Noise = Distraction. After toying with the sound settings, I realized that (for me) the notifications don’t cause stress. I can read them as they happen or let them pile up and it’s fine. It’s the noise that bugs me. It’s like a little siren saying “I’m on fire! Unlock this phone and put me out!”. When the bells go off, my concentration goes out the window. This can widely differ from person to person, but noise is my single most derailment factor.
4. Shut off Sound Notifications. That’s right. I turned off all sounds for all apps except phone calls. Now my iPhone sits quietly on my desk, gently lighting for new notifications that can be read in a few seconds - or ignored for an hour if need be.
5. Phone calls are important. Currently, phone calls are the only noise my iPhone makes. I’ve switched gears so that SMS, Facebook, Twitter, and other notifications are always a passive way to talk to me. If you want my attention right now, call me. Otherwise, you’ll get put into an inbox and processed later (Remember: think Inbox Zero for the iPhone)

The results? I still check my phone as often as before. So far, I haven’t missed any thing important. My texts may be delayed 10-15 minutes. Big deal, right? Need me right now? Call Me.

Want to try it out? Here’s the skinny on how silence your iPhone:

Start by going to Settings > Sounds, then change all of these

• Silent = Vibrate “On”
• Ring = Vibrate “Off”
• Set the Ringer volume to a level that makes sense for you. It will keep this setting until you change it with the toggle. (Note: Talk volume is completely seperate, so it won’t be affected by this setting)
• Pick a Ringtone. I keep it on a non-alarming song snippet that isn’t easily recognized as a song. This way, I smile when the phone rings.
• New Text Message “Off”
• New Voicemail “Off”
• New Mail “Off”
• Sent Mail “Off”
• Lock Sounds “Off”
• Keyboard Clicks “Off”

Then, Head back over to Settings > Notifications

• Notifications “On”
• A list of Apps should appear for any Apps that have push notifications enabled.
• For each app choose
• Sound “Off”
• Badges “On”
• Alerts “On” (if you want it pushed as a popup notification)

My plans to overachieve via working from home were thwarted by the fact that my body interprets wearing slippers as a signal to mentally check out and not do anything productive. Add to this the intense craving for diet coke and a supply of only “real” soda kept on site for friends. After drinking 3 glasses, I’ve realized that this level of high-fructose corn syrup is the equivalent of 3 doses of bear tranquilizer.

C.S. Lewis (via annajoy)

Good thoughts on learning how to best deal with setting your own personal limits.

1. Strategic
2. Ideation
3. Futuristic
4. Connectedness
5. Learner

Nice suggestion from Seth Godin on coupling customer satisfaction with suggestions for improvement.

For all us web-workers. This is so true.

Following some sound advice, my new year habits will follow the 6 Changes method.

1. Re-establish date night every 2 weeks and start to treat my wife like the young lady I fell in love with.
2. Learn to process my thoughts through Journaling. Clear out the emotional cobwebs instead of stuffing them.
3. De-clutter my home & office. Keep only the things that inspire work, or help it get done.
4. Give some computer TLC. Turn off my computer nightly and clean it weekly.
5. Simplify my schedule to put the focus on people and shared activities, not mindless time in front of a screen-time.
6. Stop lying to be funny* (because it’s not funny)

The runners-up (maybe next year, little habits):

1. Document my one-frame funnies. Send them to a cartoonist.
2. Become a pro at 4 Wii sports.
3. Eating healthier. Choose real, unprocessed foods that you love.
4. Daily exercise. Choose an activity you enjoy.
5. Wake and Bed myself earlier. Get the quiet time where I can relax and find peace and realize only mischief happens after 10PM.

Seth’s Blog: Why ask why?