Most people don’t live where they work, at least that’s what I would think.  Some people work across the lake, some work in different states, some work only blocks away.  People have to commute to work, and they use various modes of transportation.  Plane, train, automobile, bus, motorcycle or even a bicycle.  I live about 7 blocks away from work, so my commute is pretty much non-existant, and I don’t have too many options besides the 2 feet attached to me.  (It’s up a big hill so a bicycle isn’t really worth the effort).  Depending on costs of time, money, and effort people choose a specific method.  I am writing this post via Cingular’s HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access) network (coverage map) or their EDGE network, and I have already accomplished 3 work related tasks, checked in with my girlfriend, and checked out some news.  It is so great that I think this changes my needs!  I NEED to have this kind of internet access if I ever need to commute to work.

Seattle’s Sounder offers 802.11b/g wireless, but just not on the trains that go to Tacoma yet, but I hope they will do it very soon.  The pilot beta program also has 5 buses that go from Redmond to Seattle on Route 545 that has been running since December.  The Wi-Fi is currently free, and I hope that it stays that way when they continue the program.  If they were smart and wanted to charge, they should offer a commuter rate that ties into your monthly pass.  Anyway, I think this would make a lot of people re-examine their use of automobiles.  I can now work, or play, instead of fighting traffic and have gained time back!

 Anyone know of other cities with commuter sponsored Wi-Fi access points?

This week Red Bull purchased the Metrostars of Major League Soccer and changed their name to Redbull New York. Red Bull is well known for their creative marketing, which includes air races, sky diving, F1, Nascar, Raves and now soccer. While certainly not the first company to self brand a sports team, this is one of the first in the US and the first in the media capital of the world. The question is will fans embrace the new team or will they see this as corporate marketing gone too far? For my money Red Bull is a fantastic brand, that certainly follows through on its events, crazy ideas and marketing plans. If that energy extents to the soccer team then I am sure it will eventually a smashing success, I still can’t seem my self cheering Lets go Redbull, here we go redbull…some how it just doesn’t seem right.

Red Bull New York

I just got back after a week spent with the MSN team in Tokyo, this was my first trip to Japan and all I can say is WOW! Tokyo is like no place I have ever been before, talk about density, the city seems to simply extend forever, and when I say city I mean skyscrapers stretching as far as the eye can see. Given the density a couple of things really stood out to me:

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Thats right its a Plane!!! Alaska has cancelled flights left and right, rumor running around the airport is that the FTA is forcing them to cancel flights due to problems with pressurization. Alaska has had a ton of problems lately with their planes and these cancelations seems to be stemming from those issues. Luckly my flight is only two hours delayed, but the level of service from them is awful, heads up to other flying alaska you may have to build some flexibility into your plans. It continues to amaze me that Alaska opperates as a major airline and at times has trouble just keeping its planes running. Our plane eventually showed up, but it took them two hours just to move it over from the hanger, you would think that they would do some level of mechanical check on the plane and set up a back up plan if something goes wrong.

Apple is a brilliant designer and marketer, one area where this really shines through is their packaging. In this brilliant spoof, take a look at what the package would look like if Microsoft designed it. If Microsoft really wants to play in the consumer electronics space they need to rethink their design and marketing, and do it quick.