Apple Refreshes iPod line, Nano gets touch screen

Apple released today new versions of it's popular iPod product. The new iPod touch gets the latest technology of the iPhone 4. The iPod touch now comes equipped with Facetime, Apple's video conferencing technology, the awesome Retina display which makes the display of videos and games more sharp than ever and Game center which will let you play multiplayer games more easily. The iPod touch brings in more power with Apple's A4 processor, same processor found on the iPhone 4 and iPod, this makes multi-tasking, gaming and editing videos a lot faster compared to previous iPod touch models.


The iPod nano has also been refreshed, say good bye to the popular Apple scroll wheel, in comes the touch screen, the nano has been re-engineered to have a tiny touch screen which replaces the scroll wheel Apple iPods have been known for. We still have to wait and see how this works out.

In contrast to the rumors going around before the September 1 Apple event, there is no 7 inch iPad, not yet now, maybe in some other Apple release.

Cannon Cameras - Canon EOS 60D

Canon has released the successor to the popular Canon 5D digital SLR, the new EOS 60D. This is a major enhancement to Canon's long list of SLR cameras digital. The major upgrade found in the 60D over the 50D is the video capture capability. Aside from the video capture feature, the 60D also carries with it manual exposure functions which have made Canon cameras very popular with indie film makers.

Logitech Releases New Sexy 3 pc Speaker System

When it comes to pc speakers Logitech pc speakers have come a long way and have now come to the same level as Altec Lansing. Logitech has released it's latest pc speaker, the Logitech Speaker System Z623. It's a 3 piece system with 200 watts of power with super bass coming from it's 7 inch sub-woofer. The Z623 is not only a PC speaker, it has multiple inputs on it's back so you can connect your DVD player or audio device. And this system is THX certified, so you can expect a lot of good times with this system.

Apple iPod and iTunes Event Scheduled For September 1

Apple's music event has been confirmed to be earlier as previously scheduled, according to CNET's Crave blog, the event will be on September 1 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco and will be at about 10 PM Manila time.

It's event's like these that Apple usually will release new iPod's and other interesting hardware. Most anticipated is the Retina display and front facing camera to be applied on the iPod touch. Unfortunately Apple still hasn't come out with it's own cctv surveillance system :D which would be very interesting coming from Apple.

How to Install Flash on your Jailbroken iDevice

Good news to all you Flash fans, there is now a third party application called Frash, which you can install on your jailbroken iDevice. Here is how to install Frash on your iPhone/iPod Touch:

1. Open Cydia.
2. Tap Sources.
3. Tap edit.
4. Tap add.
5. Enter the URL http://repo.benm.at
6. Tap add source.
7. Search for Frash and tap install.

Once installed, you will need to reboot your device. Now, when you go to websites with Flash content you will be able to view some. Most of the Flash games still won't work but most of the Flash based menus seem to be working now.

iPad Mini To Be Announced This September

Rumors once again abound on what Apple will be announcing on September, the month the usually announce new product releases. One of the persistent rumors is that a smaller, probably 7" screen iPad (iPad mini?) will be released. No facts on this one yet, still just a rumor, we'll see in September.

How to Enable Multitasking and Homescreen Wallpaper on A Jailbroken iPod Touch 2G

For those of you who have a jailbroken iPod Touch 2G and want to enable multitasking and home screen wallpaper. Here are the steps:

1. Open Cydia
2. Download and install iFile from BigBoss systems.
3. In iFile, go to /, then System, then Library, then Core Services, then Springboard.app
4. Under Springboard, look for N72AP.plist, open N72AP.plist

To enable the home screen wallpaper:

1. Look for the following line:
accelerometer

2. Press edit at the top left hand corner
3. Below the of accelerometer, press enter and type the following line
homescreen-wallpaper


* Reboot your device for the changes to take effect.

To enable multitasking:


1. Look for the following line:

encode-aac


2. Below the of encode-aac, press enter and type the following line
multitasking


* Reboot your device for the changes to take effect.

The Expendables - Top Grossing Movie Over Last Weekend

Sylvester Stallone's movie "The Expendables" is the number one box office hit as of last weekend. The movie which was directed and also stars Sylvester Stallone is an action movie with a star studded cast which also includes Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren and Jason Statham to name a few. The estimated gross so far is at $35M in just about less than a week from its opening.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 Beta To Be Released to Public on Sept. 15

Microsoft is scheduled to release a Beta version of its popular Internet Explorer browser on September 15. The version is now at 9. Internet explorer has been overshadowed by very aggressive competitors like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. The past couple of years have shown that Internet explorer has been constantly losing market share, although Internet Explorer still holds majority of the market share at a little over 60%. And the past 2 months have shown Internet explorer gaining market share once again.

Microsoft hasn't said too much about what we expected from version 9 and said that it will have more details during the Beta release on September 15.

Simplest Jailbreak Ever

If you own an iPod Touch, iPhone 4 or an iPad and you want to install third party applications, you're in luck, a new jailbreak app has been released for version 4.0 and 4.01 of the iPhone OS. The jailbreak is very simple, just go to http://jailbreakme.com using Safari web browser on your device. On the page, you will see a slider similar to when your device is locked which says "Start Jailbreak", slide this and the jailbreak process starts. Once the jailbreak is completed, the Cydia application will automatically be installed. I tried this on my iPod touch 2G and had no problems with the process. Let me know how it goes for you.

Jailbreaking Now Legal in the United States

On July 26, 2010, the US government gave an official statement that Jailbreaking your personal devices is now legal for educational purposes. This jailbreaking will have a great effect specially on Apple iPod touches and iPhones since Apple is very strict on controlling applications which can go into their devices through the Apple AppStore. If your iPod/iPhone is jailbroken, you can install third party apps without having to go through the AppStore. There are a lot of Jailbreaking techniques available now depending on the firmware of your device.

China UFO?

An unidentified flying object (UFO) caused the Xiaoshan Airport in Hangzhou China to stop operations last July 7. The UFO, not necessarily meaning "Aliens" is said have China military origins. There have been no official statements yet and the object is still under investigation.

iPhone 4 is Out in the US

Fans of Apple's latest iPhone release the iPhone 4 fell in line in all Apple stores and distributors in the States yesterday to be the first ones to get their hands on what looks to be a big improvement in the iPhone line. Some die hard fans had to wait for almost 6 hours before the actual opening of the stores. I checked the Best Buy web site and the iPhone 4 32 GB is available for $299 with a 2 year plan. The 16 GB model is $199.

Apple iOS4 Software Upgrade Now Available

Apple released today it's latest operating system for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The main new feature of the operating system is multi-tasking. That means running more than 1 application at a time.

According to Apple, the iOS4 will be compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G. Not all features are compatible with all devices. For example, multitasking is available only with iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS.

Aside from multitasking, here are the other new features:

Folders

With the folders feature, you can now organize similar applications by dragging and dropping their icons together, iOS4 will automatically create a folder and name the folder accordingly.

Improved E-Mail

For those of us who have multiple email accounts, the improved e-mail client of the iOS4 is now more organized. You can now see all your emails from different accounts in one in box, no need to switch between accounts. You can also organize email by threads and open attachments in 3rd Party apps (Applications not part of the basic iOS4 operating system, ex. PDF reader).

iBooks

iBooks, the bookstore application initially introduced in the iPad, now comes with the iOS4. With iBooks, you can now purchase books anytime of the day.

Custom Playlists

On the previous versions of the iPhone operating system, if you wanted to create a playlist you would have to iTunes on your computer, create the playlist, drag the needed songs and sync your iPhone/iPod. Now with the iOS4, you can create playlists anytime right on the iPhone or iPod touch.

Home Screen Wallpaper

This is the feature you will notice immediately after you upgrade. Instead of the boring black background in your home screen, you can now specify which wallpaper to use and see it on the home screen, not only in the lock screen.

The iOS4 is available for download now.

June 30 Special Non Working Holiday in the Philippines

June 30, Wednesday has been declared a special non working holiday by out going President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. June 30 will be the inauguration of President Elect Noynoy Aquino.

Bued Bridge Now Open to All Types of Vehicles

The Bued Bridge (Sometimes called the Sison Bridge) is now open to all types of vehicles. Repair of the bridge has been completed after almost 4 months. The bridge was destroyed due to the strong typhoons which hit the region in October and November last year. This will save a lot of time and a lot of car repairs since motorists will no longer have to pass the dry riverbed under the bridge.

Arroyo reopens major bridge in N. Luzon
By Johanna Morden
Inquirer Northern Luzon
First Posted 15:57:00 06/21/2010

Filed Under: Infrastructure, Pepeng, Flood, Road Transport
SISON, Pangasinan – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday opened the newly restored Bued bridge, which was damaged by Bued River’s heavy current during the onslaught of Typhoon “Pepeng” in October last year.

Arroyo, who was accompanied by Public Works Secretary Victor Domingo, said the bridge’s repair was a priority since it is an important link between Northern Luzon and Metro Manila.

Arroyo said the bridge is vital to transport of goods and passengers to and from Northern Luzon.

When the bridge was damaged in October, vehicles going to La Union, the Ilocos provinces and the Cordillera had to take an alternative route passing through San Fabian, Pangasinan, adding more than an hour to the regular travel time to the north.

After the typhoon, a 145.854-meter single lane bridge was installed by the Department of Public Works and Highways on top of the Bued bridge to aid the continuous flow of traffic there.

Arroyo credited the DPWH for finishing the rehabilitation of the bridge within five months. The P120-million repair, which began on Jan. 4 and completed on June 13, was undertaken under the President’s Bridge Program.

Emil Sadain, DPWH assistant secretary for special bridges operations, said sections not damaged by floods were strengthened so the bridge could withstand the strong current in the Bued River during the typhoon season.

After opening the bridge, Ms Arroyo proceeded to Ilocos Sur to attend a gathering of local officials and the birthday celebration of Governor-elect Luis “Chavit” Singson.

Source

World Cup - Referee Not to be Included in Next Games

In one of my earlier posts, I talked about how the referees were deciding the FIFA World Cup's games instead of the players themselves. It turns out, the FIFA has also been noticing this. According to Yahoo Sports, Referee Koman Coulibaly was left out of the list for the next FIFA World Cup games.

Embattled ref to miss upcoming matches

PRETORIA, South Africa – Controversial referee Koman Coulibaly was left off FIFA’s list for the next batch of World Cup matches following the error that likely cost the United States a victory against Slovenia.

Yahoo! Sports revealed on Friday that Coulibaly was “highly unlikely” to take any further part in the tournament after being given a poor evaluation by assessors following his decision to disallow Maurice Edu’s 85th-minute goal. FIFA confirmed Sunday that Coulibaly will not play any part in Tuesday or Wednesday’s matches, which will include the USA’s critical Group C finale against Algeria.

Instead, as they step into the arena of Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday with their World Cup life at stake, the Americans will be officiated by a man who has just witnessed a combat far more brutal than any game in the tournament.

Belgian referee Frank De Bleeckere will prepare himself for the occasion by watching a DVD of the movie “Gladiator” before taking center stage in a game that decides the USA’s destiny – with a victory guaranteed to put the Americans through to the round of 16.

FIFA deliberately assigned De Bleeckere, a highly experienced and respected referee, to this game in response to the storm of controversy that came after the United States’ 2-2 draw with Slovenia. De Bleeckere has been in charge of big matches many times in the past, most notably a Champions League clash between Chelsea and Barcelona in 2006 which came a year after a pair of explosive matches between those European super clubs.

“I don’t look at reputation or anything that has gone before,” De Bleeckere said. “I will watch the previous games of USA and Algeria to help me understand their tactics and work on my positioning. But I will watch ‘Gladiator’ first.”

Referees at the tournament have come under heavy criticism after a series of bad calls compounded by a stubborn refusal to explain their actions publicly.

On Monday, the FIFA referee committee tried to go on a charm offensive by inviting the media to an open day but totally defeated the object of the exercise by refusing to answer questions about specific decisions.

Neither Coulibaly nor Stephane Lannoy – the French referee who erred in sending off Brazil’s Kaka against the Ivory Coast on Sunday – were present. Coulibaly’s assistant, Inacio Candido of Angola, was in attendance.

When asked if the controversy following the Edu no-goal had affected Coulibaly, Candido replied: “A referee is like a player. When they lose an opportunity to score a goal, they put it behind them.”

Source

Koman Coulibaly (born 4 July 1970) is a Malian football referee. He has been a full international referee for FIFA since 1999, and officiated his first international match on April 19, 2000, between Mali and Burkina Faso. Coulibaly is one of Mali's most experienced officials, having been selected for five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[1] He is best known for controversially disallowing a goal in the 2010 World Cup match between USA and Slovenia.

Wikipedia

It seems the sentiment is the same on Twitter:

andrewgooding: In a historic first, FIFA referee Koman Coulibaly accepted today's Man of the Match award for his defensive efforts for the Slovenia squad

williamfleitch:I think Koman Coulibaly should be happy his awful call went against the U.S., rather than, say, Colombia.

LBetanzo: USA: Koman Coulibaly Out Through Wednesday: Which is essentially just a hair away from sharing a towncar with Nico... http://bit.ly/9ZhZA7

fifawcnews: Koman Coulibaly Out Through Wednesday: Which is essentially just a hair away from sharing a towncar with Nicolas A... http://bit.ly/b5GdQY

twiddlesticker: Koman Coulibaly removed from FIFA's referee list in disgrace after the U.S.-Slovenia travesty (not his first). Success!


Former student at the Faculté des Sciences Juridiques et Économiques Koman Coulibaly has been busy since he started his referee career in 1993. He received his FIFA badge at the early age of 28.

Africa Cup
Coulibaly holds the record of 5 appearances in African Cups with fellow Mail referee Drissa Traoré. Coulibaly was selected for the Africa Cup of nations in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. He got the final of that last one.
And there were many many more matches, see his palmares.

South Africa
Coulibaly is selected for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Source

Still on Twitter:

thomasknudson
Good riddance to bad ref http://bit.ly/dyGTpF go USA!

UtahPress
U.S.-Slovenia referee Koman Coulibaly left out of next World Cup matches: Soccer's governing body left World Cup r... http://bit.ly/9hOfAq

russakoffrules
Sure, Koman Coulibaly blew it. But for the U.S., that may actually be a good thing. http://bit.ly/9iVvy0

bargains_us
world-cup: World Cup: Koman Coulibaly Benched Through Wednesday - Globe and Mail: Los Angeles TimesWorld Cup: Koma... http://bit.ly/drZv2j

russakoffrules
Sure, Koman Coulibaly blew it. But for the U.S., that may actually be a good thing. http://bit.ly/9iVvy0

lotsofjobs

Tom Pfingsten: What Koman Coulibaly's Blown Call Says About Us http://bit.ly/d3OLGq

LA Lakers' Victory Parade Set For Tomorrow

The LA Lakers will be celebrating their game 7 win which ultimately gave them the 2010 NBA championship in tomorrow's victory parade. The parade, which will be a lot simpler than previous parades to save on cost, will start at the Staple's center down Figueroa Street to the edge of the University of Southern California campus. Most of downtown LA will be closed for this parade.

World Cup - Are Referees Deciding the Games Instead of the Players?

The image of the on going World Cup tournament is getting tainted, not by the players or the teams but by the referees officiating the games. There has been an increasing number of cases of bad calls which ultimately might have altered the outcome of the game. The latest in such cases was the controversial call made by a French referee, Stephane Lannoy which sent off Brazil’s Kaka during last Sunday's game. Kaka was given a second yellow card when Ivory Coast’s Kader Keita accidentally bumped into him and Kaka held his ground to fend off the incoming Keita.

Kaka who was supposed to be the forerunner of Brazil's game on Friday against Portugal will not be able to suit up because of the suspension. Too bad that the games are being decided by the referees and not the players.

Who is Kaka?

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite born 22 April 1982, commonly known as Kaká, is a Brazilian football midfielder who currently plays for Real Madrid C.F. and the Brazilian national team. He started his footballing career at the age of eight, when he began playing for a local club. At the time, he also played tennis, and it was not until he moved on to São Paulo FC and signed his first professional contract with the club at the age of fifteen that he chose to focus on football. In 2003 he joined A.C. Milan for a fee of €8.5 million. While at Milan, Kaká won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 2007. In addition to his contributions on the pitch, Kaká is known for his humanitarian work. In 2004, by the time of his appointment, he became the youngest ambassador of the United Nations' World Food Programme.

Wikipedia

Apparently Twitter agrees that the call against Kaka was not the correct one:

JASMINEVILLEGAS: #kaka #kaka #kaka #1

paulocoelho: Injustice is part of the game & life. But a victory washes the wounds Bravo #Kaka #worldcup

taytorswift13 That #CIV player was just jealous that Kaka is way hotter than him, and tried to get a gorgeous face off the field.

World Cup - Paraguay leads Group F after 2 games

In the on going World Cup 2010, Paraguay currently holds the lead in group F. 2 games into the tournament, Paraguay currently has scored 4 points, with 1 win and 1 draw.