It was only 5 years ago that I bought my first Apple product – a 5th Generation iPod Classic. Following that was a white Macbook in 2007: inspired by Leo Laporte’s TWIT network I decided to give podcasting a try, and looking at available options it seemed that Garageband was the way to go. I enjoyed using that MacBook so much that when the iPhone came out in the UK and Japan I was desperate to get my hands on one, and within three hours of landing back in Japan in late 2008 I was in the Softbank Store, signing up for a 2 year contract.

Well that was it. I was hooked. Since then I’ve upgraded every year, paying hefty cancellation fees on old contracts in order to have the latest and greatest. The improvements in the iPhone have enabled me to do more each year …and I’m excited to think of where it might take us in the next 5 years.

Having an iPhone really has changed my life here in Tokyo. It means I can go anywhere without getting lost, I have all my data with me at all times, I’m potentially in touch with thousands of friends and family members around the world at all times, and I have access to any information I might need to do what I need to do. Whilst I’m sure this would make a big difference back home in the UK, here in Japan it’s like a lifeline (even more so now it can warn me when an earthquake is about to hit).

Oh, it also means I can broadcast marathons, and paint pretty pictures on the roads with GPS.

It’s for this that I’d like to personally show my appreciation to Steve for his vision and leadership, which has made a direct positive impact upon my life. His work has also served to revolutionise the mobile phone industry, something that was desperately needed here more than anywhere. I’d like to wish Steve all the best, and hope that his health improves fast now he’s able to focus more on getting well again.

This morning’s run, which spanned central Tokyo, took me first down the western side of the Imperial Palace, across to Roppongi, through Omotesando, then up to Shinjuku. The leaf is in Kagurazaka, and the start/finish point just by the entrance to Yasukuni Shrine.

All stats and interactive map on Runkeeper.

For other GPS art, including my Google+ logo, check out The Art Of Running.

Keep in touch with my tech exploits via Google+ or Twitter.

[UPDATE, Oct 6th 2011]

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Steve Jobs this morning. Little did I know when I created this tribute to Steve that only a few weeks later, he would no longer be with us.

Steve’s vision and passion has had a deep impact upon my life, and I shall be forever grateful for all that he gave to us.

From Steve’s 2005 Commencement Address at Stanford:

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”