LETS US LAUGH ONE MORE TIME... AND THERE WILL BE MORE COMING TO YOUR WAY.....

First of all, why I put a question mark at the last of the title because this is still in beta version but all the iPhone software developer can start to download the beta version of SDK for iPhone 3.0 through iPhone Developer Program

Before I go into the new features and updates for the new iPhone OS, iPhone 3.0, I would like to share my opinion after watching the presentation.

When the iPhone first generation came out, it really created a very huge shock to the mobile phone market, majority not because of its OS but its multi touch screen feature and accelerometer. These were the brand new feature on mobile phone when it was 2 years ago. When the 2nd generation of iPhone, iPhone 3G came out, it gives slightly improve from the 1st generation, majority is the 3G feature and the OS update. But on March 17, Apple was introducing a new generation of iPhone OS and it is really impressive. It starts to change my mind that whether I should get a iPhone at the future.

First, let's take a look of new feature for iPhone 3.0 SDK and what will happen for the future developement of the application. I am standing at the point of view as a handphone user but not a iPhone supporter.

1. In App Purchase
This idea is seriously attractive to the developement company. Basically, the idea is when you need to get new additional levels, items and features on the games, you can just purchase the items you want directly through the application and it makes the whole process faster and easier rather than go through iTunes Store and do it step by step. This new feature will just simply handle it all. So maybe this will attract more company to join in and develope more and more application for iPhone but it will be quite costy to play games.

2. Peer to Peer Connectivity
By adding multi player feature into your game, you can now play the games with your friends through peer to peer network connection and Bluetooth. This feature will not be just limit to games but it also enable for other application. Will it be better than Nokia N-Gage platform? We will see...

3. Apple Push Notification Service
This is seriously brilliant after a 6 month developement from Apple by redesign the whole server architecture. So now, they introduce this service. Let's take an example to make it simple. Usually, if you are running a instant messenger on your mobile phone, you can receive the messages when you are turn on the program but if you quit the program, the connection between server with your phone will break. It is possible to run the program at the background but it will cause the battery life drops significantly. To solve this battery life issue, apple come out this idea and it can ensure that you still can receive the service without running the application. The data will go through the apple server from the service provider and send it to your phone by sms. Brilliant isn't it? Seriously I am not a iPhone supporter but this new feature is really impressed me.

4. Maps
Will we feel sometime that the google map feature is just not enough and has the room of improvement? Here is the great new for the developers and users. The developers can embed maps into your applications by using the new Map Kit framework. It works with the Google Mobile Maps Service and features panning and zooming, custom annotations, current location and geocoding.

5. Accessories
For now, usually iPhone and iPod Touch users will just dock their devices with speakers but with the new feature available by new SDK, the speaker company can just add in more features like putting new applications that can enhance the experience with playback the songs through the speakers, like putting equalizer, visualizer and so on. During the presentation, the LifeScan by Johnson & Johnson company introduced a new equipment that can help diabetic to control and maintain their health. The equipment can connect to iPhone by using the connector and it will transfer the reading from the equipment to iPhone and analyze it. This is just more than a mobile phone can do and it will bring a lot of benefits to the patients. Brilliant idea once again.

6. iPod Library Access
Feel boring for the soundtracks during the moment of playing games? With updated Media Player framework, you can access your itunes library to play, repeat and shuffle songs or whole playlists, or create sequences of songs on your games and applications.


Beside these features, 1000 new APIs are prepared for developers. Developers will have the tools to enable in-app purchases — like subscriptions, additional game levels, and new content. They can also create apps that connect peer to peer via Bluetooth, communicate with hardware accessories, and use the Apple Push Notification service to provide alerts. Nothing is impossible with this new SDK.

After a briefly look for this SDK, now is the moment to get into the new iPhone OS, iPhone 3.0. 100 more new features are been added into it to make it better. The most exciting feature is cut, copy and paste feature.

I found this screenshot from a CrunchGear that show the procedure for copy and paste.

After you double tap on the text area, you can select a region that you wish to cut or copy. You can just resize the region pretty easily by holding the blue bar and draging at the same time.


The undo feature is even more awesome. I don't have any idea that which way can be better as what apple come out with, simply just shake the phone then the option will appear.

Another great feature is spotlight. It is a search engine that allow you to search all the files and applications in your phone and email inbox. Just simply press the home button when you are at the home screen or just switch your home screen to the most left page then it will show the search bar there. Spotlight is also one of the famous and useful feature that built in the Mac OS. I am really glad to see that because I am also a mac user.

I am afraid that I can't stop writing this post if I want to clearly explain all the features. Something i am wondering about is how the Bluetooth function will be improved? What I know so far is it can support to stereo Bluetooth headset and link to other devices but does it possible to transfer data through the built in Bluetooth? How about video recording feature?

Anyway, the iPhone 3.0 is still in beta version now. It still can be improved by apple before it release on this coming summer. So I hope that other mobile phone platform like Symbian, Window Mobile and others can come out something great as well to fight with Apple. Let's see how the thing will change in this summer....

I went to Suntec City last week for the IT Fair. Seriously I was planning to buy a external harddisk with bigger storage and considering to get a new headphone to replace my existing Atlec Lansing headphone.

I bought a new Seagate 1TB FreeAgent Xtreme Desktop with USB, FIrewire400 and eSata connector. I don't really concern about eSata connector. What I really want and more concern about is the Firewire connection. Although it only come with Firewire400 version, which mean it can support up to 400Mbps, slightly slower than USB2.0. Because of the MacBook only come with 2 USB ports, it makes me to buy the new external harddisk with firewire connector so I can simply use my Firewire to connect my harddisk meanwhile I can save one more USB port for other purpose.

The 1TB harddisk is solved all my problem. Recently I was burned a lot of my data into DVDs and it was really troublesome and wasting a lot of DVDs. I burned around 30 pieces of DVDs for my movies, pictures and other documents. In order to solve my problem more efficent rather than burning data into disc, another larger storage space of harddisk is required. The Seagate FreeAgent Xtreme is really cool. The cover is in Black color and the Seagate logo will glow when you turn it on. Wanted to get the silver color version but it is come without firewire.


It costed me $229. Although it is costed me a lot of money but I am happy to get it because I can just simply put everything into it. Now I already used more than 300GB.

Beside the external harddisk, another thing I bought is the Audio Technica headphone. I was only considering to get one at the beginning but the offer that was really attractive. The original price of the headphone is nearly $60 but after the 10% discount, it only cost me around $50.


Audio-Technica ATH-SJ3
After one week of using this headphone, what I can say is it is really worth my every cents for spending on this new baby. The sound quality is superb for the range and the look is quite stylish. I bought a white color version. It is also fold-able for me to bring anywhere conveniently.

The mid and high frequencies response is awesome and it is better than my another Sony Headphone because this is more focus on music meanwhile the Sony is more concern on movie surround sound. The bass i think it is also not a issue because so far it gives me quite a satisfied performance. The driver of SJ3 is same with my Sony headphone, which is coming with 40mm driver.

Here is the specification regarding to the headphone:

SPECIFICATIONS
TYPE	Dynamic
DRIVER DIAMETER	40 mm
MAGNET	Neodymium
FREQUENCY RESPONSE	10 - 23,000Hz
MAXIMUM INPUT POWER	500mW
OUTPUT SOUND LEVEL	114 dB/mW
IMPEDANCE	32Ω
WEIGHT	135 g
CABLE	1.2m /OFC/ Y-type
CONNECTOR	3.5 mm mini stereo, gold-plated
COLOUR	ATH-SJ3 BK (Black), ATH-SJ3 WH (White)

---

Information from Audio-Technica South East Asia

So, I spent around $280 in this IT show. Although that was really a lot but these are seriously great deal.

Forgot to mention, I was went back once again on Sunday, the last day of the show to survey the price for 1GB mp3 player but the price was slightly expensive than malaysia. The funny part is because at the moment was fully crowded by people so the management of the IT fair suggested that people should return in an hour. What I feel is the way of them to control the crowd can be improved and I don't really think people will really return within an hour because you can hardly move in the place. Although the economy crisis is still existing but what i can see from this event is singaporeans will still spend their money for what they want and somemore there really offered a lot of great deals.

This is a very interesting video and it shows a lot of possible futuristic technologies like electronic paper, handset and so on. This is brought to us by Microsoft Office Lab.

Just for laugh, once again...

Top 10 Most Expensive Accidents in History

Throughout history, humans have always been prone to accidents. Some, such as the exotic car crashes seen on this page, can be very expensive. But that ' s trivial compared to the truly expensive accidents. An accident is defined as "an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss". Our aim is to list the top 10 most expensive accidents in the history of the world as measured in dollars.

This includes property damage and expenses incurred related to the accident such as cleanup and industry losses. Many of these accidents involve casualties which obviously cannot be measured in dollar terms. Each life lost is priceless and is not factored into the equation. Deliberate actions such as war or terrorism and natural disasters do not qualify as accidents and therefore are not included in this list.

# 10. Titanic - $150 Million

The sinking of the Titanic is possibly the most famous accident in the world. But it barely makes our list of top 10 most expensive. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage and was considered to be the most luxurious ocean liner ever built. Over 1,500 people lost their lives when the ship ran into an iceberg and sunk in frigid waters. The ship cost $7 million to build ($150 million in today ' s dollars).


# 9. Tanker Truck vs Bridge - $358 Million

On August 26, 2004, a car collided with a tanker truck containing 32,000 liters of fuel on the Wiehltal Bridge in Germany . The tanker crashed through the guardrail and fell 90 feet off the A4 Autobahn resulting in a huge explosion and fire which destroyed the load-bearing ability of the bridge. Temporary repairs cost $40 million and the cost to replace the bridge is estimated at $318 Million.


# 8. MetroLink Crash - $500 Million

On September 12, 2008, in what was one of the worst train crashes in California history, 25 people were killed when a Metrolink commuter train crashed head-on into a Union Pacific freight train in Los Angeles . It is thought that the Metrolink train may have run through a red signal while the conductor was busy text messaging. Wrongful death lawsuits are expected to cause $500 million in losses for Metrolink.


# 7. B-2 Bomber Crash - $1.4 Billion

Here we have our first billion dollar accident (and we ' re only #7 on the list). This B-2 stealth bomber crashed shortly after taking off from an air base in Guam on February 23, 2008. Investigators blamed distorted data in the flight control computers caused by moisture in the system. This resulted in the aircraft making a sudden nose-up move which made the B-2 stall and crash. This was 1 of only 21 ever built and was the most expensive aviation accident in history. Both pilots were able to eject to safety.

# 6. Exxon Valdez - $2.5 Billion

The Exxon Valdez oil spill was not a large one in relation to the world ' s biggest oil spills, but it was a costly one due to the remote location of Prince William Sound (accessible only by helicopter and boat). On March 24, 1989, 10.8 million gallons of oil was spilled when the ship ' s master, Joseph Hazelwood, left the controls and the ship crashed into a Reef. The cleanup cost Exxon $2.5 billion.


# 5. Piper Alpha Oil Rig - $3.4 Billion

The world ' s worst off-shore oil disaster. At one time, it was the world ' s single largest oil producer, spewing out 317,000 barrels of oil per day. On July 6, 1988, as part of routine maintenance, technicians removed and checked safety valves which were essential in preventing dangerous build-up of liquid gas. There were 100 identical safety valves which were checked. Unfortunately, the technicians made a mistake and forgot to replace one of them. At 10 PM that same night, a technician pressed a start button for the liquid gas pumps and the world ' s most expensive oil rig accident was set in motion.

Within 2 hours, the 300 foot platform was engulfed in flames. It eventually collapsed, killing 167 workers and resulting in $3.4 Billion in damages.


# 4. Challenger Explosion - $5.5 Billion

The Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed 73 seconds after takeoff due on January 28, 1986 due to a faulty O-ring. It failed to seal one of the joints, allowing pressurized gas to reach the outside. This in turn caused the external tank to dump its payload of liquid hydrogen causing a massive explosion. The cost of replacing the Space Shuttle was $2 billion in 1986 ($4.5 billion in today ' s dollars). The cost of investigation, problem correction, and replacement of lost equipment cost $450 million from 1986-1987 ($1 Billion in today ' s dollars).


# 3. Prestige Oil Spill - $12 Billion

On November 13, 2002, the Prestige oil tanker was carrying 77,000 tons of heavy fuel oil when one of its twelve tanks burst during a storm off Galicia , Spain . Fearing that the ship would sink, the captain called for help from Spanish rescue workers, expecting them to take the ship into harbour. However, pressure from local authorities forced the captain to steer the ship away from the coast. The captain tried to get help from the French and Portuguese authorities, but they too ordered the ship away from their shores. The storm eventually took its toll on the ship resulting in the tanker splitting in half and releasing 20 million gallons oil into the sea.

According to a report by the Pontevedra Economist Board, the total cleanup cost $12 billion.


# 2. Space Shuttle Columbia - $13 Billion

The Space Shuttle Columbia was the first space worthy shuttle in NASA ' s orbital fleet. It was destroyed during re-entry over Texas on February 1, 2003 after a hole was punctured in one of the wings during launch 16 days earlier. The original cost of the shuttle was $2 Billion in 1978. That comes out to $6.3 Billion in today ' s dollars. $500 million was spent on the investigation, making it the costliest aircraft accident investigation in history. The search and recovery of debris cost $300 million.

In the end, the total cost of the accident (not including replacement of the shuttle) came out to $13 Billion according to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.


# 1. Chernobyl - $200 Billion

On April 26, 1986, the world witnessed the costliest accident in history. The Chernobyl disaster has been called the biggest socio-economic catastrophe in peacetime history. 50% of the area of Ukraine is in some way contaminated. Over 200,000 people had to be evacuated and resettled while 1.7 million people were directly affected by the disaster. The death toll attributed to Chernobyl , including people who died from cancer years later, is estimated at 125,000. The total costs including cleanup, resettlement, and compensation to victims has been estimated to be roughly $200 Billion. The cost of a new steel shelter for the Chernobyl nuclear plant will cost $2 billion alone. The accident was officially attributed to power plant operators who violated plant procedures and were ignorant of the safety requirements needed.

My friend introduced this to me recently and it is seriously funny. Just for laugh...