of course iDid

As anyone who knows me could have easily guessed, I found myself at an Apple store this morning, just in time to pick up the new iPhone 4S — as one of the Apple staff said, "4S, 'For Steve.'" I also picked up the totally free, as in f-r-e-e 3GS, to replace our landline and my old 3G with the cracked screen.

I was lucky to join a very short line, but they said they had people camped out overnight and over 100 waiting when the doors opened at 8 a.m., two hours earlier than their normal opening hours. I got there around 9:30 a.m. or so.

I though I might just turn in the 3G somewhere for cash, as it could no longer function as a phone once I upgraded, but it turns out it's now an iPod. An iPod with a cracked screen, but hey, why not? The kid is overjoyed.

My old cracked but beloved 3G shares its wealth with the 3Gs

To everyone who can't get past the moniker 4S versus the number 5, it's time get over it. I've only had this thing a few hours and I'm very pleased with my belated birthday present to myself. I haven't even cracked the surface of all it can do, but it does make my 3G, which I have loved with a capital "L" seem like it's from another era.

I won't list all of the cool things, like iCloud, the Siri voice command, etc., etc., but the camera in this thing alone is worth the price. I haven't used a digital camera since I bought the 3G, but this camera is just so much better and jam-packed with lots of nifty features. I can't wait to fill up my cloud with lots of fun photos and video.

I'm sure this time next year the 5 will finally come out and make this baby seem slow, but I'm not looking to upgrade anytime soon. I love gadgets, but I don't always have to have the newest thing. I had the 3G for over three years, which is an eternity in the tech world.

Viva technology.

my iLife

I have owned and loved a lot of Apple products, many of them introduced by Steve Jobs.

Performa (mid-1990s) My first computer and it will always hold a place in my heart. I learned Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, and basically everything on this computer. I was introduced to video games (beyond Solitaire) like MYST and the Sims and Caesar 3. I lived in Brooklyn and went to New York City's first Apple Store in midtown and put in my order to have it delivered. It came in the hugest box I ever saw and I spent a very happy day unpacking it and setting it up.

Powerbook G3 (in 1998, the bronze "Lombard" edition) I was sick of desktop life and wanted to go portable - I have never gone back (at home — a desktop was unfortunately unavoidable at the office.) I bought this one way downtown at J&R Music World and carried it home on the subway, clutched tightly to my body.

Powerbook G4 titanium 17" (2004) I got this at an Apple store in Virginia (D.C. still doesn't have one) when my G3 powerbook was slowing down and my daughter arrived — perfect excuse to get a new computer and load it up with tons of new baby photos. I still think this design is one of Apple's most beautiful.

iPhone 3G (2008) I retired an MP3 player and my digital camera and just used the iPhone for everything. It's still an indispensable part of my daily life.

MacBook Pro 13" (2009) My lifeline, and faster and even more portable than the 17". I justified this new computer when I wanted to still be able to work on the computer during the evening, while my daughter was playing, but wanted to be able to sit on the couch, be in the same room with her, wherever she was at the moment.

iPad (2010) My daughter has ended up using this more than I do, but I do read books on it, check the internet, play games, etc.

iPhone 4s (In another week or so) I've been wanting to update my iPhone for quite a while — I cracked the glass a month or so ago when I dropped it in the garage. I want the better camera, iCloud, etc.

Honorable mention - how fabulous is iTunes? — I haven't bought a CD in years.

Thanks, Steve. For everything.

questions for a new millenium

How is Yankee Candle still in business?

Really?

Taking up the same mall real estate as the Apple Store and Aveda?

I'm really curious. Is it a front for something else? How do they make their rent?