iSheep and Innovation
### Ask the Buffalo: Tech Questions, Innovation, and Audible Recommendations
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#### Are You Considered "iSheep" in Your Office?
The episode begins with Twitter user @MichaelSagna asking whether the TechnoBuffalo team considers themselves "iSheep," implying that they all use iPhones. Ashley addresses this question directly, clarifying that there is no such thing as "iSheep" at TechnoBuffalo. The office is evenly split between Android and iOS users.
Ashley shares her personal experience: she uses an iPhone 5s, while John switches between an HTC One and a Developer Edition of the Galaxy S4. He also has a soft spot for the LG G2. Ashley emphasizes that while she used to be an Android user, she respects both operating systems. She acknowledges that iOS has its issues, just like any other OS, but notes that Apple's perception in the market can sometimes lead people to believe there's a bias.
She explains that Android manufacturers like Samsung, HTC, LG, and others each receive their own news coverage, while Apple's entire ecosystem often gets covered as a single entity. This creates a balance in terms of media attention. Ashley clarifies that TechnoBuffalo does not focus exclusively on Apple but covers all relevant tech news.
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#### First Cell Phone: A Nostalgic Journey
Next, Twitter user @Zme asks about Ashley's first cell phone. Ashley reflects on her early days with mobile technology, recalling her first pager in the '90s. She remembers getting a colorful, tiny pager, which was considered super cool at the time.
Her first actual cell phone was the Samsung SP N400, a clamshell design that she found incredibly exciting. She loved how the screen remained visible even with the shell closed. After that, she upgraded to the Samsung MMA A880, which she describes as "ultra sleek and beautiful." She jokes about paying $360 for it on contract but emphasizes how much she cherished it.
Ashley continues her phone journey, mentioning her first Palm Pre in 2009, followed by an Evo 4G, Evo 3D, Galaxy S2, Evo LTE, and finally the iPhone 5. She has gone through a wide range of devices over the years, reflecting on how far mobile technology has come.
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#### Will We See Innovative Phones in the Future?
Twitter user @Allan asks whether we will see innovative phones in the future or just incremental improvements. Ashley shares her thoughts on innovation, noting that the term is often overused and loses its meaning as a result. She points to the iPad as Apple's most recent major innovation, which created an entirely new market segment.
She acknowledges that since the iPad, there haven't been many groundbreaking innovations in the phone industry. Wearables could be a potential area for future innovation, but she believes we're not quite there yet. Ashley also mentions Nest's thermostat as an example of meaningful innovation in a different category.
She concludes by saying that while major jumps in technology may take time—potentially 5 to 10 years—it is inevitable that we will see significant advancements in the future.
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#### A Quick Question: Are You Married?
Ashley then answers a quick question from Loa G asking whether she is married. She confirms that she is, mentioning her supportive husband who lets her spend money on gadgets and tech toys. She jokes about his tolerance for her "misbehavior" with gadgets and praises him for encouraging her passions.
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#### Sponsorship: Audible.com
The episode transitions into a sponsorship segment for audible.com, hosted by Ashley. She shares that she commutes 60 miles to TechnoBuffalo headquarters in Southern California and relies on audiobooks to keep her entertained during the long drive. She praises Audible as the largest audiobook site, offering over 100,000 titles across various genres.
Ashley highlights the newly released iPad app from Audible, which provides a beautifully designed interface for listening to books. She recommends "Snow Crash," her all-time favorite cyberpunk novel by Neil Stephenson, but also notes that there is something for everyone on the platform.
She encourages viewers to try Audible with a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook by visiting [audible.com/techno](https:// audible.com/techno).
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#### Closing Remarks
Ashley wraps up the episode by thanking the audience for watching and reminds viewers to give the show a thumbs-up if they enjoyed it. She also invites them to check out TechnoBuffalo.com for the latest tech news.
She then teases two other shows: "Ringers & Rants," where John vents about consumer technology issues, and "Rumor Roundup," which covers the latest tech rumors. She urges viewers to subscribe to the channel and explore these additional shows.
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This episode of *Ask the Buffalo* provides a mix of tech talk, personal anecdotes, and sponsorships, offering valuable insights for tech enthusiasts.