Beauty and the Geek

Published 11:27 pm Monday, October 20, 2008

Google vs. Apple: Google and T-Mobile have teamed up to out-iPhone Apple’s do-it-all device. The G1 debuts Wednesday and high-tech columnist Walter Mossberg has been putting it to the test.

The G1 does some things better than the iPhone, like make a call easily, and does some things the iPhone doesn’t do, like copy and paste text in e-mails. It’s cheaper than the iPhone and its battery lasts longer, too. Advantage: Google.

Then again, the iPhone syncs seamlessly with your Mac or PC where the G1 won’t sync any of your calendars, contacts, songs or documents with anything at all. Its interface is clunky. It doesn’t take long to use up the memory. And it’s way chunk-aayy compared with the sleek, sexy iPhone. Advantage: Apple.

If Google thinks it can dial its way to communication domination, it oughta call Microsoft and ask how many of its iPod-killing Zunes are sitting in the warehouse.

Mr. Blackwell, RIP: Fans of cutting celebrity criticism mourn the demise of designer Mr. Blackwell, best known for his zingers on stars’ fashion flops since 1960. In his honor, we spotlight these three pithy gems.

Of Elizabeth Taylor: “Looks like two small boys fighting under a mink blanket.”

Of Martha Stewart: “She dresses like the centerfold for the Farmer’s Almanac.”

Of Amy Winehouse: “Exploding beehives above, tacky polka-dots below, she’s part ’50s carhop horror.”

— Kurt Batdorf, Herald staff