WWDC 2011 Hits The Downtown, Again

No doubt, very soon, the annually Apple WorldWide Developers Conference (WWDC 2011) is going to happen on this year right at San Francisco again, likewise, from 6 to 10 of June precisely. Apple named the headline of this splashy event as 'Join us for a preview of the future of iOS and Mac OS X'. Apparently, an evolutionary Mac OS X Lion and most probably the sneak peak of iOS 5 will be unveiled right at that moment. If you were a Apple developer and meet the attendence requirement and - of course, the most important - holding a 1,599 buck, have your time to grab the ticket right now which normally will be sold out in a second.

For anyone else, like it peers, it just the matter of time. Mark down your calender and stay tuned =)

David's Review: iOS 4.3, How Things Get Better?

Prologue
Pierced through a handful of the rumours and finally, iPad 2 was unveiled by our look-thinner-but-stiff-enough Steve Jobs last tuesday. Like what I wrote in my forecast and probably most of the Tech. guys did as well, the new iPad 2 is about a third thinner and over 10% lighter, yet speedier and more powerful than the original version, for many users, challenged their laptops as a digital tool. And it costs the same as the original. No doubt, iOS 4.3 hits its final release in iPad 2. It was apprently a big letdown for most of the developers without seeing any clue of iOS 5 SDK on the stage.

While it's evolutionary rather than revolutionary like the first model, the changes Apple has made are generally pleasing and positive. Its improvements, including front and rear cameras, compensate the few drawbacks and feature omissions that people found at the first generation of iPad. iPad 2 offers an excellent balance of size, functionality and price, not surprisingly, keeps Apple ahead in the tablet race.

However, the iPad 2 comes better but not prefect. Its cameras take mediocre still photos and Apple didn't even reveal their megapixel ratings. The company says they were designed for video, not still photography.

They did capture decent video in my tests, including high-definition video from the rear camera and video good enough from the front camera for satisfying video calling. But, for a company known for quality, which bundles a new still-photo app with the device, the cameras are disappointing. －Walt Mossberg, AllThingsDigital

In my view, unless you are desperate for the cameras or feel you are laboring under the greater bulk of the original model, I don't advise that iPad owners race to get the new version.

The Body: iOS 4.3
Okay, the protagionist of this entry is not about iPad 2 but iOS 4.3 itself instead. As you know, the final release of iOS 4.3 is available at iTunes on Wednesday prior to the first sales of iPad 2 on 11 March. Very soon, its brother with little bug-fixed iOS 4.3.1 revealed itself quietly too. Let's see what Apple software engineers had done in iOS 4.3:

About iOS 4.3 Software Update

This update contains new features and improvements, including the following:

• Personal Hotspot*
  Share iPhone 4 cellular data connection with up to 5 devices (combination of up to 3 Wi-Fi, 3 Bluetooth, and 1 USB)
• iTunes Home Sharing
  Play music, movies and TV shows from a shared iTunes library on a Mac or PC (requires iTunes 10.2)
• New AirPlay features**
  Play videos from the Photos app including the Camera Roll album, iTunes previews, enabled third-party apps and websites on Apple TV
  Play slideshows from Photos on Apple TV using transitions available on Apple TV
• Faster Safari performance with Apple Nitro JavaScript engine
• HD video out using the Apple Digital AV Adapter***
  View 720p HD videos from Videos app, iPod app, Photos, YouTube, Safari, Keynote, and enabled third-party apps on an HDMI display
• Ping features
  Push notifications for comments and follow requests
  Post and Like songs directly from the Now Playing screen
  Parental controls
• New Settings
  Messages setting for number of times to repeat an alert
  iPad side switch setting to lock screen rotation or mute audio notifications and sound effects
  Single tap conference call dialing with a pause to send a passcode
• Bug fixes

*Requires iPhone 4 with tethering data plan
**Requires Apple TV (2nd generation) running software version 4.2 or later
***iPhone 4, iPad, iPod touch (4th generation)

For information on the security content of this update, please visit:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Testing, Comparision
- The Changing in Setting Page:
A new Location Services Setting reveals in left side bar and the new setting for iPad side switch shows in General Setting Page.


Location Services Setting Page


- iPad side switch
In iOS 4.3, users are able to customize the switch on the side of your iPad to lock the screen rotation or mute the volume. Just configure the side switch in Settings.


Screen Rotation Lock Mode and Volume Mute Mode


- iTunes Home Sharing
A new Home Sharing function shows up at the setting page of iPod. Home Sharing is all about your music, videos, podcasts and more— if it's in your iTunes library on your Mac or PC, you can now play it on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch over a shared Wi-Fi network - it makes life easier. I did try with this new feature with my Mac, it worked fantastically without any complicated configuration. Awesome!


- Safari - Apple Nitro JavaScript Engine
The core update of iOS 4.3 as what Apple feverishly promote about - the much-expected improve in Safari - Nitro JavaScript Engine. By performing the SunSpider JavaScript Benchmark at both iOS 4.2.1 and iOS 4.3 on iPad, we got two radically different result: 8072.1ms and 3346.6ms respectively of the sum-up point in the same setting of testing environment. We do know the benckmark still the benchmark, sometime it doesn't really reflect its real performance. I have been tried with my iPad by browsing through several websites which having massive Javascript Framework in a period, I found it does make a sense with that benchmark point. The feeling of browsing through the website with faster response and higher stability was completely satisfied.


In addition, Personal Hotspot for iPhone user, Airplay and Airprint are also highlighting with iOS 4.3. However, unfortunately, I couldn't have the hand-on experience for that due to the limitation of testing devices.

The Bottom Line
With a sort of improvements, both exteriorly and interiorly, in iOS 4.3, it undoubtedly makes iOS devices go ever further and better. Nonetheless, the super-unstable Wifi connection in iPad/iPad 2 and the frequent crash-down of Safari/Apps due to unclear reason still exist around there without a critical fix.

As new contenders move into the field, Apple isn't likely to keep its 90% share of the booming tablet market. But the iPad 2 moves the goal posts, by being slimmer and lighter, boosting speed and power, and holding its price advantages, available apps and battery life. As of now, I can comfortably recommend it as the best tablet for average consumers.

David's Opinion: iPad 2's Rumour At Its Peak

It has been a busy week for both Apple Inc. and Tech. blogs. The rumour of the much-expected next generation of iPad - temporarily called it as the iPad 2, at its all time high during this week. It was not just about the Wall Street Journal officially unveiled the news of iPad 2 production according from a dependable source but also the executive of All Things Digital sputtered out the release date of iPad 2 will be exactly on next week 2 March with great ebullience.

Apparently, to those who care intensely about this kind of stuff – which would be pretty much everyone in the tech ecosystem – are pretty enjoying the hedonic treadmill of keep guessing and following the every single step that Apple trudged for its upcoming superb weapon.

In its last earnings calls, Apple said it had sold nearly 15 million iPads, since it went on sale last spring. It's no doubt that the next iPad 2 will going to burst out as an propulsive missile anew to the a-little-bit-shabby economy, especially those high-demanded emerging markets.

As one of tech. enthusiasts who keep pouring great attention with this matter, it would be kind of interesting for me to make a bet on iPad 2 in accordance with my own perspective. My personal prediction on iPad 2, how it build and how it looks like:

-Remains the same resolution of 9.7 inches screen, maybe higher contrast/better colour?
Reason: iPad 2 won't go for Retina Display which what iPhone 4 particularly have. Don't be fed up. (1) Imagine that the Retina Display hooks up with that 9.7inches screen, it will turn out to become an incredible 2048x1536 pixels resolution. So, here is the cheese: battery life or higher pixel? (2) Such a high resolution screen will further bring much more burden for developers to design the GUI of Apps and developers have been happily worked with that decent resolution, it obviously sounds like not really necessary. Unless Apple's talented engineers figure out the instant solutions for those both matters.

-Faster processor, bigger memory and slightly longer battery life?
Reason: No reason for that. It's a rule. People are suffering enough trauma of the crash-down with their Safari when they linked to an over-hundred-photo album in Facebook and an immediate shut-down when they accessed to their massive iBook.

-Thinner than its predecessor with more curvy design.
Reason: No reason too. People just foolishly fond of that.

-Front-facing camera with Facetime video support or maybe a high-pixel camera in behind?
Reason: Like its peer, Apple will going to build up an ever stronger relationship between all of its products. I had been talked about this in my previous post.

-Better and faster network support.
Reason: Market demand. It's impossible that a cutting-edge product just come along with a very old-fashioned connectivity support. Dual GSM-CDMA based system expected.

-Bundle with iOS 4.3 system?
Reason: Apple has been spending plenty of time in iOS system beta testing with all the Apple developers since its first release. iOS 4.3 version is so far the latest version that we heard which much-anticipated will soon to be the final version for the iPad 2 with more interesting gesture control (4 to 5 fingers at a time?) and more personalized features (Personal hotspot, Airplay video support).

-One more thing?
Reason: It's Apple's culture and innovation, leading by its founder Jobs. It's always been the crucial factor that fascinates us. Apple will definitely show us something astonishing apart from the current state that we all already knew.


At least for me, the release date or the spec. of iPad 2 are not the major points that need to really concern about. Instead, the big speculation will be around whether Apple CEO Steve Jobs will appear or not in this should-coming announcement.

He is currently on leave to deal with ongoing health issues, although has been sighted all around Silicon Valley at various places. In addition, Jobs sat right next to President Barack Obama at a high-profile meet-the-tech-moguls dinner(The photo on the bottom) in the area last week.

There aren't right or wrong with all kind of frenzy over the next yardstick of the tablet market. When the warm invitation of the announcement rolls around, the familiar stage with our respected Jobs (Nope?) and the Apple-style-classical music, we will soon to know what exactly happened.

Apple Store New Year Surprise!

Calling out all the Apple fans in Malaysia! Apple Store Malaysia will going to burst out a spark on Friday, January 14 as a part of spicing up the upcoming Chinese New Year Festival. It supposes to be a sort of one-day-pricing-cut promotion for few of the Apple products. So, what are you waiting for? Leave your hands down, start planning your purchase list today! Grab off your favorite gadget right at this precious date.

Apple's Mac App Store Now Live With 1,000 Apps

Apple kept to their 90-days word—it's January 6th, and the Mac App Store is ready for your custom. There's over 1,000 apps—both free and paid-for—for Macs, with all that's needed is Snow Leopard and an iTunes account.

You'll have to download the software update Mac OS X v10.6.6 to install the App Store, and as expected, iLife '11 programs (iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand) are sold individually through there for $15 each, along with Pages, Keynote and Numbers for $20 and Aperture 3 for $80.

True, 1,000 apps isn't that many—but as with the iOS App Store, we expect that number will grow quickly. We're going to take a big look at the Mac App Store later today, but in the meantime let us know what you think of it all, via the comments field.

Apple's Mac App Store Opens for Business

CUPERTINO, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)— Apple® today announced that the Mac® App Store℠ is now open for business with more than 1,000 free and paid apps. The Mac App Store brings the revolutionary App Store experience to the Mac, so you can find great new apps, buy them using your iTunes® account, download and install them in just one step. The Mac App Store is available for Snow Leopard® users through Software Update as part of Mac OS® X v10.6.6.

"With more than 1,000 apps, the Mac App Store is off to a great start," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "We think users are going to love this innovative new way to discover and buy their favorite apps."

The Mac App Store offers apps in Education, Games, Graphics & Design, Lifestyle, Productivity, Utilities and other categories. Users can browse new and noteworthy apps, find out what's hot, see staff favorites, search categories and look up top charts for paid and free apps, as well as user ratings and reviews.

Entirely new apps, as well as current Mac favorites, are available from developers such as Autodesk, Ancestry.com and Boinx. iPhoto®, iMovie® and GarageBand® apps from Apple's popular iLife® ‘11 suite are available individually in the Mac App Store for $14.99 each, and Pages®, Keynote® and Numbers® apps from iWork® are available for $19.99 each. Aperture® 3, Apple's powerful photo editing and management software, is available for $79.99.

"We're delighted to bring our professional-grade paint and drawing app, Autodesk SketchBook Pro, to the Mac App Store on its first day of launch," said Carl Bass, Autodesk's CEO. "We've seen tremendous success on the Mac, iPhone and iPad with multiple apps. We're excited to offer SketchBook Pro on the Mac App Store so artists can easily create everything from quick sketches to high-quality artwork right on their Macs."

"By offering the Ancestry.com Family Tree Maker app on the Mac App Store, we're making it even easier for people to discover and access their family history," said Tim Sullivan, Ancestry.com's CEO. "The Mac App Store will drive a new generation of innovation on the Mac platform."

"We're thrilled to have our award-winning animation, video production and photography software available on the new Mac App Store," said Oliver Breidenbach, Boinx Software's CEO. "The Mac App Store makes it easier than ever for consumers to access all the innovative software designed for the Mac."

To get the Mac App Store, download the Mac OS X v10.6.6 Software Update or visit www.apple.com/mac/app-store. To find out more about developing for the Mac App Store visit developer.apple.com/programs/mac.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Source: Gizmodo

Apple 'Back to the Mac': What can we prospect of?

Once again, Steve and his fellow team members wound up the 'Back to the Mac' event at an unique day of 20/10/2010 morning. I should say, the protogonist of this thread is going to be totally different. I'm not going to extol how amazing and gratifying of the new Macbook Air. Nor I'm trying to acclaim the glamorous sneak peek of the upcoming major release: Mac OS X Lion. Instead, I would like to sputter out how those crucial steps, which Apple currently working on, will drastically change our daily life strides. Of course, within the confine of my own perspective and conjecture.

First of all, in order to uncover the ultimate secret behind the Apple, let's list down what Apple going to surprise us after the 'Back to the Mac' annoucements:
-Mac Apps Store
-Mac OS X Lion with tons of new features mimicking from iOS
-FaceTime between Mac and iPhone as well as iPod
-An ever user-friendly and powerful iLife 11'

Alright, those are the major factors that I gonna concentrate on throughout my following analysis. As we know, in retrospect, after the successful releases of iPhone, iPods and of course iPad, Apple was hopping from a dying Apple Computer (Personal Computer-based company) to today Apple lnc. which all of its products incessantly flood everywhere of our lives.

Guess what? Ok, fancy a scenario something like that: You were a Windows user. But one day, you were enamored of the fascinating iPhone and you got one into your pocket. Since then, you were enjoying happily of downloading tons of Apps through iTunes 10' and next figured out that it was quite unsatisfying to sync your iPhone with Windows Edition of iTunes 10' as there are not available iPhoto, iCal and so forth to get things prefect. Soon, it turned out that: You bought a Macbook and cast away your Windows. All the stuffs went well afterwards before you stumbled across iPad. It dawned on you that you 'might' need a iPad to fit a gap between the Macbook and iPhone (Steve: Exactly you need). You know, especially when you were hypnotized by the privilege of tracking the stock market or get your stuffs done just by laying at the sofa. Undoubtedly, you added it into your order list. Wait a minute, what's next? Sorry for the little bit fussy story(Ok..I know I'm over bragged about that) but I guess the following gadgets will come to mind are: Macbook Air, AppleTV, iMac, iPods..what else?

Perhaps, some of you may resonate with me, maybe not. Whatever, what I was trying to convey is not how those rich people spending their money. I just wanna simply unveil the Apple's knack of enthralling us into its world in reality. And it's astonishingly effective. Apple creates a kindred 'connection bridge' between all of its products. We are always able to share, sync and reorganize our files, music, video, Apps between its various products without any effort. It provides us a sense of mobility, flexibility and accessibility of our important data. Moreover, the upcoming AirPlay, FaceTime on Mac, Mac OS X Lion and so on will further enchance customers' experience of the connection bridge. AirPlay for sharing file wirelessly without complicated configuration, FaceTime for 'face to face' connecting with your friends ad lib, no matter you're in toliet using your iPhone to show how bad you're or in the kitchens using your iPhone to teach him how to cook whereas he's doing his assignment with Mac in the room. It will be not surprise to divine a new iPad with FaceTime intergrated coming soon. Mac OS X Lion, mimicking a sort of impressive features from iOS, consumers will have the sense of familiarity when switching between iOS and Mac and it turns out to become the ever-user-friendly operating system. As a result, it's obvious that that 'connection bridge' indirectly(or directly) coax the consumers into embracing all of its products en masse and people just foolishly follow it. Ok, the first point, check.

"We have been improving it with every major release. We're very happpy with the Snow Leopard. But we know how to take it ever further." Steve Jobs

Next, Apps Store. It's no doubt that Apps Store has led Apple toward a lion's share of market since it announced. 'Over 7 Billion Apps had been downloaded from Apps Store', there doesn't exist any corporation in the world is able to stack up against Apple at this point. Apps Store is feverishly successful and now Apple brings it to Mac. But why? What actually Apps Store benefits us?

This occasion inadvertently hit my mind to recall the story of Palm OS. Eight years before, Palm OS was the most famous and popular mobile platform as well as PDA platform in the world. I was in part of it. User friendly GUI, stable and secure operating system, more important, a sea of applications and developers flourished the splendid moment of Palm OS at that time. Thinking back, it's weird but fact that people always eager to get more functions in a single device even they will never use it. Apple knows what consumer needs. The announcement of Apps Store apparently stuffed up the hunger of that psychological phenomenon.

Apple released the SDK(Software Development Kit) of iOS to developers once the the first generation of iPhone had been unveiled. In a short time, thousands of software developers were obsessed by the relatively easiest coding system and the best way to distribute their earnest applications. Low cost and less effort. They flocked toward it to be the first to trigger the handsome income from the Apps Store. Vice versa, the consumer segment. Instead of spending much of time to keep 'googling' the apps that they eager to have. Thanks for the developers, with the tremendous amount of apps exist in Apps Store, consumers are able to choose and grab their beloved apps just by tapping few simple clicks on a neat and well-organized list. As you can see, it's not just benefit in the particular fraction of the whole progress, but it works out with a win-win situation for both consumer and developer.

In the same case, we can easily to foresee that Mac Apps Store will going to weave another fairy tale in the IT market. Mac Apps Store will be another threshold to reinvent/subvert the new/traditional way of purchasing a software. It will going to be rampant, historical and people will inevitably thrill about it. So, what are you waiting for? Be the first to earn a bucket of asset and pop up your apps in the top ten list!



In corollary, Apple is now getting better and overwhelmingly dress all its rivals down. Apple drives by its creativity, innovation, fresh angle of view and so forth. Apple was no longer just a technologic manufacturer. You know, it's Apple, not an ordinary apple. Apple has already become a fashion brand - it creates a contagious phenomenon or a sence of superiority which billions of 'Fans' take great relish in its products and bindly/foolishly follow it. People could hardly immune for that. Still, it makes people feel good with it!



Last, what's next for Apple? This, this or this? Check it out :)

(Photo source: Engadget)

Fake iTunes Receipt

Are you guys holding an iTunes Account? Did you come across a 'weird' iTunes Receipt hit to your email box while you don't even purchase anything in iTunes Store? Whatever, here is a story about my dad who received a fake iTunes Receipt few days before.

My dad do have a iTunes Account. He didn't make any order in iTunes Store (He didn't even input his credit card number when he registered for the account). Strangely, he received a 'look-alike' official iTunes Order Receipt from 'do_not_reply@itunes.com' stated that he had successfully ordered 'Whatever You Like' (Sweat..==) which cost a total 834.99SGD.

Here is the screen shot:

Without any hesitation, my dad lodged an report about that issue to Apple SG and of course the Apple SG Customer Support simply brought us out from the puzzle afterwards.

Here is the reply from Apple SG:


The spam is getting to flood everywhere in the internet world. The mentioned story tells us that don't be anxious at first when come to this kind of matter. Validate it and ensure what was really going on, everything should be work out OK.

iPad refresh due first quarter of 2011 (Really?!)

Despite the usual denial from Apple, it seems as though they are on target to release the sequel to this years biggest tablet, the iPad.

Some of the Taiwan based component suppliers of Apple revealed they believer the shipments for the second-gen iPad will begin next year, according to DigiTimes. With that in mind, it would indicate to us that Apple will announce the iPad at the end of Q1 2011.

DigiTimes publication reported that four iPad suppliers, TPK Touch Solutions, Wintek, Cando and Chimel Innolux were in the process of completing validation by Apple for "ultra-thin, glass-based touch panels". With those terms used, it would seem that the next-gen iPad could've been on the treadmill this last few months and maybe lost some weight, maybe starting to look a bit thinner too.

There was a report a week ago, based on a conversation with an "Apple insider" that stated they were releasing a new version of the iPad for the holiday season. It would include a video camera for it's video conferencing over Wifi, FaceTime. The Apple insider added: "A version of the tablet device with a built-in video camera and support for the new FaceTime video conferencing standard has already progressed to the advanced testing stages, according to a person with proven knowledge of Apple's future product plans".

He also noted: "The publication also noted that "although Apple's historical product cycles would beg to differ, that person familiar with the company's plans claims that as of last month, there was an ambitious push inside Apple to verify the refresh for a possible launch ahead of this year's holiday shopping season."

Well, we all can sit here and debate the existence of knowledge about an upcoming product, with the millions sold in iPad's, Apple would be crazy not to release another. So the questions are, will it look the same? will it include a camera? will it be lighter/smaller? will it cook and clean for me?

The usual questions will be answered very soon. By the way, products' improvement always be a good idea to go with but not the case for a guy who just got his iPad in hot hands now @@ (Ok, it's me)

Source: TweakTown

Steve Jobs - Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

Steve Jobs, one of the world's most influential people, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple and of Pixar animation studios. Today, I am not once again intend to talk about his splendid achievements or his successful company, but sharing something extraordinary. He had been selected as the Stanford University commencement speaker in 2005. And no doubt, his inspiring lecture is what I desire to share with you all today.

Actually, I saw this video in two years before when I was in 17years old. At that time, I really couldn't understand what Steve Jobs was going to tell us. But something slowly began to dawn on me I gradually realized the essence of his lecture when I saw it again at TED.com recently.

Let's spend some precious moment to dig into his lecture:

Here are some inspiring sentences reveal in his lecture:

Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it is was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later. Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something, your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart. Even when it leads you off the well worn path and that will make all the difference.

Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. You've got to find what you love. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle.

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.

His absolutely inspiring talk ignited my mind with urdent inquiry. It lead me the precious moment to once again contemplate every strides of my life. Whenever life comes with a sort of setback and somehow depressed, those inspiration always again and again drive me back to the right road - Always stay hungry to desire to know more, always stay foolish to dare to dream the future. Don't lose faith.

Wish all dude will get inspiring with this video as well. Remember, time is limited. Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

iPad is going to burst into World-Wide!(Finally)

After delayed for a month in order to sort out their domestic customers, Apple is finally ready to ship iPad to international destinations. Eager users in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK can now look forward to their spanking new Apple iPad on Friday, May 28; according to a statement from the company:

Customers can pre-order all iPad models from Apple’s online store in all nine countries beginning on Monday, May 10. In the US, Apple has already sold over one million iPads and customers have downloaded over 12 million apps from the App Store, as well as over 1.5 million ebooks from the new iBookstore.

Yes,folks, if you are staying one of the short-listed countries, you will be able to pre-order your lovely iPad start from May 10.

Interestingly, the news release also mentioned that Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore would receive their iPad in July. Our country is still not in list – when come to Malaysia, Apple? - but the prospect of getting one in Singapore is very attractive indeed, wish the price will not push us down after the crazy conversion of currency. Guess this D.I.Y MicroSIM conversion might come in handy, after all.

Yes! That's iPad

Yup, all the chaotic rumour of the Apple new tablet pc finally burst from mist into light after Steve Jobs feverishly wound up the Apple special announcement few days ago. That's iPad.
Obviously, like what Steve Jobs claimed at the annoucement, iPad is the new category between the smartphone and notebook.

"People think that netbook will replenish the gap between smartphone and notebook, but it's wrong at all. Netbook doesn't got any function surpass smartphone or notebook, it's just only cheap and low performance."

"In order to completely fill up this gap, the device must be got something better than what smartphone and notebook can do. That's iPad." Steve Jobs.

Yup, definitely, after a short introduction, Steve Jobs guided a demo to provide an overview of the new iPad. What you can imagine is, you will be able tackle all the ordinary task by just handling a plate that lesser than 1kg, laying at the sofa, enjoying the incredible feeling of using the gorgeous iPad. In addition, Steve Jobs comfirmed that iPad will be available in the market in March and April (3G version) with a starting price USD499.

Thus, back to the most important question, what actually iPad got?

-9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
-1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
-1GHz Apple A4 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip
-Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music
-16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive
-Wifi + 3G
-Build in speaker & 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
-iPad will work with almost all of the apps designed for the iPhone, 140,000 apps are ready

In accordance with the demo, that 1Ghz Apple A4 easily cope with all the tasks work that working in iPad, everything seem fast and smooth. Hand with the iPad, you will be able to experience a wonderful feelling in watching the movie, listening the music, surfing the internet, enjoying the games and also reading the fictions. Moreover, iPad support to the iWork as well, in other word, one can conveniently finish their iWork tasks without a Macbook.


Apple iPad: http://www.apple.com/ipad

To sum up, iPad seem apparently fulfill the gap between the smartphone and notebook. However, every bean has its black, that's not far-fetched to say that a majority of Apple fans, including me, are disappointed with the new iPad.

What iPad doesn't got:
-Any video output option? iPad come with iWork and Keynote, but there are lack of video output? How can one use a iPad to show one's work?
-Cannot add with extra memory? The same problem arose in iPhone, Apple products always lack of the extra memory option for the heavy users.
-Is just a bigger size of iPhone(iPod touch)? Is it there got any extra reason for a iPhone users to get a iPad?
-How can a mobile OS compare with a PC OS? People usually eager to get more and more function at such a similiar price with a notebook, but iPad has limited in its mobile OS.
-More and more, welcome to discuss~

Apple Unveiled Its New Announcement!

Yes folks -- the rumors are true. Apple is holding an announcement on January 27th to show off something the company is calling their "latest creation." The proceedings will take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco, and will get underway at 10AM Pacific.

Obviously, we are ready for a show with all about the "creation", will we be able to see the long-rumored Apple Tablet which Apple aiming for the art devotee? or a new iPhone 4.0 OS plus with "creation"? Well, I presume that I am not the only ones for wild speculation, but the inclusion of splatter paint and the use of the word "creation" could indicate that Apple will really dig into a new realm of innovation. And the question always be the first appear in Apple's enthusiasts' mind: Will Steve Jobs carry on this announcement? Feel free to generate your own kooky concepts in comments^^

What Apple said for Microsoft Windows 7?

Finally, after a long period of using that troublesome Vista and several time of beta edition , Microsoft's next generation operating system- Windows 7 had unveiled itself on 22 October 2009.

Well,no doubt, as the long-term rival on this cutthroat operating system market , Apple revealed some advertisement to "celebrate" the coming of Windows 7, let's check out on them!







Seems to me,"Trust Me!" Haha ,Apple seem really fearful to the Windows 7 then.
Haha,indisputably, really a funny advertisment that Apple done^^

Steve Back!

Just no more than twenty-four hours ago,Steve Jobs - the spirit person of the Apple,came back to our familiar stage and gave us an awesome presentation again on the Apple "It's only Rock and Roll"event.

In the video,we can apparently to see that,all the attendants burst out a long and fervent applause when Steve Jobs first time revealed on the public event since the five months ago.

I am very happy to be here today with you all.

Firstly,Steve Jobs made a short speech to interpret what was happened during his five months.He made a surgey of changing the liver which given by a generous young person who died in a car crash.

I hope all of us can be a generous person and like to become organ's donor.

After he came across this experience,he appealed all of us to devote into the charity and be a organ's donator.

I like to take the moment and thanks all the people in Apple community for the heart-felt support that I got to,it's really memorize.

Steve Jobs felt very grateful of all the people's support and the Apple's team still made a incredible results during this tough period.As you can see,Steve Jobs was entirely became thinner than before again and his hoarse sound.However,He still exerted a tremendous fascination and made an inspired talk to us.Next,Steve Jobs carried on the introduction of the next generation iPod.

As a conclude,Apple unveiled those updates or products today:

>Revised the iPod touch prices and announced 64GB edition with fully support OpenGL 2.0
>Revealed iPod Classic 160GB edition again, 249USD
>New colourful iPod shuffle,2GB 59USD,4GB 79USD.
>5th generation iPod Nano with intergrated video camera,microphone and FM radio.
8GB 149 USD,16GB 179USD
>Lastest firmware for iPhone,iPhone OS 3.1 released today.
>iTunes 9 online.

more details and specification just check out to its offical website: Apple.com

Hooray!I get that Mac OS X Snow Leopard today!

The Apple next generation operating system - Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard had been finally announced on 28 August after a long period time of rumoring.No doubt,as a Apple user and fans,I made a deal with it.After a few day of shipping delay,I could not help wondering when I found out that it already arrived to my home today!Let's rock!

Here are some open-box pictures~



Yup,still simple~that's Apple style^^


As an operating system which Apple reckon on to against to its rival - Microsoft Windows 7, how better could it be?Stay tune and wait for my exciting review after I complete the installation and fully testing it^^

Stanford publish free iPhone course on iTunes

Quote from AppleInsider:
Stanford University will be publishing video podcasts and slides from its popular "iPhone Application Programming" course on iTunes U for free to the general public, beginning this week.

"There's a lot of interest in the iPhone," said Brent Izutsu, Stanford's project manager for Stanford on iTunes U. "This course provides an excellent opportunity for us to show the breadth and depth of our curriculum and the innovation of our students."

Stanford was one of the first universities to embrace iTunes U. At its launch, Stanford Provost John Etchemendy said, "From its earliest days, Stanford has sought to serve the public by sharing the knowledge generated by our faculty and students. Our partnership with Apple and iTunes U provides a creative and innovative way to engage millions of people with our teaching, learning and research and share the experience of intellectual exploration and discovery that defines our university."

Its offical website: http://itunes.stanford.edu/ Let's check out for it.

Apple bought 100 million 8Gb NAND flash chips from Samsung!

100 million 8Gb NAND flash chips?Yes, that's true.This news was reported by the DigiTimes just few days ago.According to DigiTimes, this order will effect a lot to the NAND flash chips market and soar up the NAND flash chips price all of a sudden.

"Apple has reportedly placed orders for 100 million 8Gb NAND flash chips mostly with Samsung Electronics, which is likely to cause a supply shortage, according to sources at downstream suppliers. Nokia and Sony recently also began building their NAND flash inventories, further tightening supply, the sources added."

Whatever, back to the topic, why Apple would do a big deal such like this?Seem like a next generation large storage iPhone or iPod can be expected to reveal soon at the upcoming WWDC 2009.

Apple Macbook Mini - April Fools' Day?

It is not surprised that the rumors about what new product will the Apple reveal on the upcoming WWDC 2009 were starting spreading again.How about this time?They were looking for a tiny sub-notebook will be released by the Apple - Macbook Mini.Netbook?It is actually not the first time that the Apple Fans talking about the Apple netbook,but why again?The answer is here:

Right,it is a screenshot captured from one of the Russia's computer magazine.It is obviously contents with all the Russian words,but it is not important-look at the only picture at there.Apple Macbook Mini,from that picture,it's seem like a smaller and thinner edition Macbook Air.According to the rumor,the Apple Macbook Mini will come with Intel Atom z740 1.83Ghz、2GB DDR3 800、64GB SSD、Nvidia mcp79 533Mhz、10.4 inch (1280 X768) LCD Screen and also Bluetooth,USB,Wifi functions as well.

Is it real?I think there are not one can be determine the answer before the WWDC 2009 had been exhibited.

The date of WWDC 2009 announced today!

Just according to the Apple offical website , the date of the annually Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2009 (WWDC 2009) had been confirmed and finally announced today.
Same with the picture,WWDC 2009 will be hold on at the same place with last year-San Francisco,during June 8~12.No doubt,the theme of WWDC 2009 mostly will be talk around the Apple next generation OS - MacOS X 10.6 Show Leopard and iPhone 3.0.I think it will be surely come out a lot of rumors about them in the coming days after this announcement.Is possible that Steve Jobs will come back to the stage for his show?Let's looking torward to it!

iPhone 3.0 - A revolution to iPhone again

Just one day past,Apple had announced their new iPhone System-iPhone OS 3.0, a big update since the last 2.0 version.Apparently,it will be a great news to the iPhone users.

Well,what had been Apple done for the new iPhone 3.0?Just for some security update?Or a regretful update for all the iPhone users?I think Apple is obviously doesn't think to do that so.Let's check out what had the iPhone system change now.

As conclusion,there had eight most important change that Apple done in iPhone 3.0.
1)The MacOS's search engine-Spotlight is completely move to iPhone now.iPhone users can just search what the file they needed as fast as like search a mail on GMail.
2)Support to the Bluetooth A2DP and the P2P transfer data function.
3)SMS on the iPhone finally can be direct forward and delete one on one.(Just a simple function that mostly mobile phone can do that,why iPhone need wait to the 3.0 version?)
4)More horizontal showing function support.Many iPhone program can be using in the horizontal in iPhone 3.0.
5)Cut,Copy and Paste.After one year and one year expectation,finally reveal this very very common function on the iPhone now.
6)Undo function.What an another silly common function finally been update now.
7)MMS support.Nothing to say,I think even the lowest mobile phone can do that too a period of time.
8)Note sync function.iPhone users can easily sync their subscriptions on iPhone with their Mac.

As a result,iPhone 3.0 finally succeed changed out many common function that many iPhone users waiting for.Such as MMS,copy and paste,sms forward function.iPhone 3.0 already start testing now,iPhone Programmer can download its beta version today and the final released version will be reveal on this summer.