Wide-Eyed With. . .Boredom?

At this year’s MacWorld conference, the annual gathering of Apple users and tech industry watchers of all shapes and sizes, Tony Bennett serenaded attendees with a rendition of “The Best is Yet to Come,” among other favorites. The forward-looking song title didn’t seem to match the crowd’s tepid reaction to Apple VP Phil Schiller’s keynote address (partially due to CEO Steve Jobs’ first absence from MacWorld since 1997). According to CNN.com, Apple’s planned changes for the year include:

A price increase for new song downloads on ITunes for $1.29
A $2,800 17-inch notebook with a more powerful battery
Upgrades to the iLife and iWork software suites

So it seems from the event coverage that people didn’t seem too thrilled with this year’s offerings. A price hike, a faster toy, some more bells and whistles. . . nothing like 2007′s iPhone announcement, which sent the conference-goers into a rousing cheer. Other major Apple products and services announced during keynote addresses included iTunes (2001) and the iPod Shuffle (2005).

Ok so there may not have been any brand new gagdets from these technological innovators, but c’mon people. . .these upgrades include facial recognition software and GPS geotagging that will allow you to sort your pictures in new ways. An iPhone application that allows you to remotely run a presentation from your phone. Those cheesy commercials where some schmo is lounging in garish swim trunks while he works on the beach. . .THAT is becoming reality faster than you can say “Who even uses CDs anymore?” A 6 pound computer with a 17 inch monitor? Incredible.

So before we get all eye-rolling and ho-hum about cutting-edge technology for the masses. . take a step back to think about how Apple and technology in general have changed our lives in the past few years. Having to commit to plans instead of using the cell to flake out (one major one that comes to mind!). .

Think, too, about the jobs that technology has created. Even the jobs that Steve Jobs himself has created. If you’re looking to continue riding this technology wave (and it will be around for awhile), check out InformationTechnologyCrossing, DBACrossing, or CPlusCPlusCrossing. Don’t forget about our Free Trial–no free iTunes download included.

Tags: changes, MacWorld, Phil Schiller, Steve Jobs, technology, upgrades

Happy 2010!

Nope, we meant it. Because what you start doing tomorrow will affect where you are at this time next year. Look, it’s been a hell of a year for all of us. Jobs are tight, the economy’s going south in general and there are a lot of things to worry about. We get it.

But regardless of where you are, or aren’t, giving up is not an option. Yea, New Year’s resolutions are basically BS, but that doesn’t mean you can’t focus on a tempered, determined goal to be in a better place by this time next year than you are now. It’s easy to feel clobbered and stuck, but at least reassess where you are and what you’ve got to offer. We’re likely to see one of the grandest jobs programs to hit this country in 70 years and all that that implies.  Therefore, there are likely to be remarkable opportunities out there that haven’t existed before. And we don’t care how old you are, you’ve got to know Americans don’t quit when things get tough.

Seriously, look around you. Whether it’s all of this technology, the Internet, services or public service, something you’re really good at but never pursued or somehow bettering yourself (and your resume). . . do something!

Wake up whenever you want tomorrow, grab some breakfast (or lunch) and take some time to have yourself a serious think. You’re pretty much the only one who can make where you are at the beginning of 2010 better than where you are now. Don’t zombie through another year of same old. Being stuck has a nasty way of sticking with you…

Thank you to everyone who’s been reading our blog and for the great e-mails and questions. Look for more in 2009. (See? We knew what year it was…)

Happy New Year!

EmploymentCrossing.com

Tags: job programs, new jobs, new start, New Year, New Year's resolution, public service, sticking with it, technology, zombies