Kinji's Blog

The Big Comparision: Andorid OS vs iOS

2011-02-28T12:42:00.000+05:30

I planned to write this post as I used iPhone 3g for 2+ years got little bored and I do owe iPad since 2 months (which is awesome) and I recently got HTC desire with Android 2.2 froyo. So big question is which is better. This might serve as guide for all iOS users who wants to change to Android.

I will try to compare different topics one by one.

1st I will start with the topics where Android wins the battle.

Hardware: as I don't have latest iPhone 4 so can't compare directly so my knowledge is based on reviews and some time on friends phone. iPhone 4 is great but come for price. There is no cheaper way u can have so that is big negative. For android u can have something from 150$ to 700$ so u can find device of yr budget and few of them come with same specs as iPhone 4. Because of variety of device you can have your own identity unlike when everyone owns same device which is boring.

Keyboard: After using iOS keyboard for so long its difficult to switch to another type, that was I thought. But it was easy and I must say now after using android keyboard its works great for me.
Layout:- Its almost the same but with few welcome changes. Long press don't give weird character screen but have other keyboard (numbers and special characters) so you don't need to keep switching between ABC and 123 keyboard like iOS.
Spell check:- Everyone used to hate iOS keyboard for not remembering non standard words(hindi/gujarati) or short forms. Here android does very well remembering words once used. Even how you go about choosing different options, I cant describe that but its just awesome and I love it.

Notification and push:- Android wins all the way in this. Universal fact now. It is so irritating to get pop ups and everything stops and u have to press ok and go back to previous application. Its awesome how android notifies you in menu bar without disturbing what you are doing. One can just go for Android for this reason alone.

Personalization:- There is not much you can do if you have iOS device just rearrange icons and wall papers. Android comes with Widgets. you can have those on the screen for quick access and lots of info comes to you without opening any applications. I can compare this to DOS and Windows. iOS is like DOS, everything is listed and you have to go to each thing and check. Android is like window or OS X where there is app directory(program files) desktop and widgets makes it more usable but you have to set it up.

Physical keys:- Apart from usual power and volume key. iOS have just home button which makes things simple and after switching makes things complex in android but I got used to very fast and like it now. There are usually 4 keys on most android phones.
1. Home - which works same as iOS. Additional function I will compare in multitask
2. Menu - which I can say right click like features.You dont have find menu button which is located in different app in iOS and search for it. Everything is right there when you press this saves screen space and make life easy.
3. back key - Loved this. in iOS they have to provide back button and its anywhere on the screen but here its in same place so easy to go back and check so you dont have to keep searching on screen.
4. Search - This provide same thing what searchlight do in iOS. But dedicated key which works from any application you can have access to google, contacts, applications, mail, message. I use this alot.
Ofcouse as I said more button add more complexity but for my view its works better for me.

Android market and sync:- Not much difference between android market and iOS app store listing from device but when you press install in iOS it closes the application and start installing stuff while in android market it is shown in notification bar and you can keep on downloading different stuff.
While if you want to install something from computer Android do better job. You just have to go to their website and install and application is installed over the air compare to download it to itune and sync.

Multitasking:- I hate multitask in iOS which makes android winner. In iOS you have to double tap home and select other app which is fine but iOS never closes your application everyday you have to manually close it which was irritating. While android its long press to home button and that shows only last 8 applications and you can quickly switch. There are lots of memory manager also available which can help as android gives permission for apps to use this.

Haptic feedback:- Started loving this. Small thing but I don't know why apple is not including it. (you can add it by jailbreaking but thats all different story)

Open:- When you compare application in their app store and market, iOS is more about fun while android apps gives more of personalization and tweaks to their hardware. So overall android system looks more open and you can make it work how you like rather than just default way like iOS. Few things like FM radio and bluetooth file transfers which I like is available only in android devices. You can have more control over your device.

Now I will list where iOS wins and things I miss the most:-

Applications:- Variety of application that iOS provides gives it the edge in this area. When I compare iOS applications to android applications, iOS apps looks more polished (even facebook, twitter official apps). So iOS got variety and quality both.

Fragmentation:- There are not lots of iOS models available so everything looks great. While on Android tons of device with different processor, screen resolution and various other different specifications are in market which makes it confusing. This is typical OS X and windows type comparison which one cant say which is better but I think iOS wins with limited models.

Sync:- As I said earlier Android wins when it comes to app sync but for other than that (music, movies etc) iOS is great if you don't have problem using itunes. For media there are various applications available in market but generally I felt iOS was better.

Battery:- I am not too disappointed with android but i think iOS do better job conserving battery. I use smartphone lots so not much of the issue but all negative points listed about iOS just to create good battery life.

There are few other things:-

Hacking:-
iOS:- Apple just force you to hack into their software just by not providing unlock phone at first and not providing latest phone. You need to Jailbreak to do this. Process is simple but other than unlock not gives much tweaking options as their system will still remain closed.
Android:- While android natively gives lots permission to many things but you can root your phone to go into their roots and change few things and install custom ROM which can suits you but generally provide much more options. Not going too deep into this.
So hacking iOS mainly solves your unlocking issue while hacking android solves your memory issue for me.

Conclusion:- So as you can see there so no winner here but I was trying to list down positive and negative of both OS so you can choose from it.

Bottom line:-
-- If you want simple interface not much tweaking with lots of fun and have good budget go for iOS.
-- If you want lots of personalization and tweaking and phone that suits your budget go for android.
Both are great OS.

PS:- I might have missed lots of points. Please write in comments and I will keep on adding also questions are also welcome.

Snap from LaptopMag website.

FIFA World cup 2010 - Fantasy League

2010-06-08T12:16:00.004+05:30

And time for another Football World Cup 2010. Frankly after getting bored of overdose of cricket, I am looking forward to it and feeling the excitement now. First thing came to my mind was last FIFA world cup and how excited it was and we all friends were playing Fantasy football league, so it was more fun in that too.

So again this year thinking of playing fantasy league and as friends were checking out which one to join, initially we found all manager based/budget based leagues where we have select players and transfer etc etc and no one got time/knowledge for that stuff.

After taking help from google god, found atleast 5 fantasy league how we wanted just predicting the winner, I short listed to top 3. Nice to see variety in this too.

1. Official FIFA predictor game

Summary of rules: points will be awarded as percentile basis... obvious winners have less points so if u go out of way and predict other thing u get more points and there is joker for double point in each round...etc etc

check out all rules at

http://en.castrol.predictor.fifa.com/M/rules.mc?category=predictions

2. Super Sports Prediction

Summary of rules: This is simpler.. just predict the winner and get the points and with that predict the score line so get points on goals too. check out all rules at

http://fantasy.supersport.com/worldcupsuperscore/page/game_info.html

3. WCpool prediction game

Summary of rules: this is simplest... just points for correct prediction.. no other masala...

http://www.wcpool.com/rules.php

Let's see which one we decide and play... I am sure it will be fun. If you want to join the sub league email me. :)

World of Landline...

2010-05-12T13:50:00.003+05:30

After long time sitting in the office and relatively non busy day made me think out of the box, Thinking why the hell my cordless phone look the same since last 10-15 years?

Reason behind thinking-

All other electronics I use changed drastically over period of 10-15 years. TV - from huge box to smart sleek LCD, Computer - my 1st comp was 100 MHz, 600 MB HDD, 124 MB RAM and now my phone got way better config, Radio player, Cassette player, cell phone, AC, etc etc. So the point is everything changed not my cordless phone. Its still the same.
Telecom industry is ever growing, why didn't they do anything with landlines.
Did they finish their evolution life cycle?
Or its just the politics by telecom players to sell cell phone and other new things and phase out old things? Now I have to think there is absolutely no need for me to have landline.

What they could have done

Provide additional feature in new cordless - take any cell phone OS as example.
My cordless phone system sucks. I can't figure out simple things from their menu. Saving and using address book is such pain.
Why cordless phone cost so much? Rs 2000 cell phone also have better features.

So why I am keeping my landline number?

It used to be price, for long talk it was cheaper but I think that gap is also over, point of fact I don't even know how much is the charge for landline phone call.
It's there since so long time, everyone got this number so just for that sack. (Although I never get any phone calls there)
Fax - till now cell phone cant take fax but there are alternatives like Fax to email etc and in few years fax system will phase out.
My net connection provider is landline phone company, but I think they provide without number too now so lets see.

So basically I can not find any reason to keep my landline number and time to say bye bye in near future unless they don't give something new. Or I have to accept the fact that it was old technology like floppy disc or cassette player and needed to phase out. R.I.P. LANDLINE PHONE.

Getting Bore of iPhone

2010-03-04T09:57:00.004+05:30

Since last few days I feel I am totally bored of iPhone, everyone must be wondering am I crazy because who gets bored of iPhone? but let me explain.

These days only thing I use on my iPhone is for Calls, SMS, Twitter, Facebook, IM. That covers 95% of usage, otherwise rest 5% I use for other apps. Makes me wonder I am not giving justice to its ability.

I used be crazy abt my iPhone. I don't try different stuff on it anymore, don't get so much time. I don't use it for long time compare to few months back. I used it for 2 years and now I feel it will start giving me problems and time for a change will come soon.

Now that makes me wonder now whenever I take new phone, should I go for iPhone again? Unlike getting my this one cheap in US, I have to spend lots of money for new one now. I been to Alfa yesterday after long time and saw different models and compared price found 2-3 great models for my liking in almost half the price compare to new iPhone. I don't feel too keen to keep the same phone and my nature is also to try new things unless Apple comes out with something very different this year but I doubt that.

So let me list things I surely need in my new phone

qwerty Keyboard - touch screen or physical
Wifi, Edge/3G,
Bigger screen
Contacts, Calendar, notes sync (update: which works with Mac)
Facebook, Twitter applications

Things I will be happy if can give all of above

Touch Screen - using iPhone for 2 years cant work with cursor or I can give it a try too
GPS(Maps)- I hope people start using it here
Good Camera
Evernote, Remote login, Sugersync, office and apps like those

So friends, please let me know your suggestions, which fits my above mentioned criteria.

Google wave - 1st impression

2009-10-01T21:52:00.008+05:30

Today I got invite for Google wave in the morning and that reminded me of getting invite of Gmail in early 2004 :) and almost after a year this news inspired me to update my almost dead blog with another post. Anything for Google GOD :) I hope this will change the way people converse over net.

I started using Google Wave but realized I need users to test anything.. it was like just messaging and chatting with myself. So gave away 8 invites to facebook/twitter friends within 10 min. But they did not receive email that time (not up till right now when I am writing this blog). So had to wait untill I see anyone in my contact list.

Finally I saw couple of people online I did my testing...

My Definition : Google wave is advance group chat + offline chat (threaded email) function

Like:

1st look is like normal group chat but with lot more feature like edit and reply to any thing in on going conversation to make it better.
Posting options - there are nice options like G+ where u can search and attach web result, image, video etc etc, attachment and gadget (youtube etc)
Playback feature - like u can play timeline to see which message came and reply and edits and feel like actual conversation
Reply to any message in between to avoid confusion due to multiple topic discussion
Can really change the way people group chat and make plans. New idea and I really liked it.

Dislike:

You can actually see what other person typing in real time (with irritating lag) including what he typed wrong and back spaced and retyped. Google should give option to disable it.
Lack of embedded option but i think this is early beta version. They will include it soon.
When more than 2 ppl in thread, things might get too confusing as anyone can edit anything and reply to any message in between so to track its difficult and confusing
Long threaded conversation looks dirty when you see overall picture
Little complicated for non techy person
Everyone needs to understand what it is like chat or email then only useful
Still needs to add lot more features (gadgets) like poll.

Final take : Great idea, I like it, but I don't know how public will adopt.

Topic is still open to discuss and I will keep adding points to this.

F1 - Visa process

2008-06-25T06:13:00.002+05:30

Soooo True..... Something to think about (click to enlarge)
Source: Phdcomics

Steve Jobs keynote live from WWDC 2008

2008-06-09T21:13:00.008+05:30

Hi Friends,

Just pasting few links which I found for WWDC live blogs.
I will keep updating this blog post if I find anything more and interesting.

I will keep on updating till the event starts.
Very excited.....

Split your Expenses

2007-03-22T03:45:00.000+05:30

Sharing accomodations and expenses, is a way of living for most of the foreign students and legal workers from other countries in US. The trend is picking up in other countries as well. The worst part of staying in a group, is to maintain the bills and expenses. Usually each and everyone has turns to maintain bills and expenses. (Thanks to Microsoft Excel). The bills are given to the person who is handling the expenses and acts as the admin to maintain the same. The task is always hectic and being monetary many a times the admin comes into scrutiny for even small mistakes.

Now here is an automated Expense Management System Gyaati.com, which has been developed based on Web 2.0 concepts and open sourcing. The whole system is developed keeping in mind the needs of people who are sharing expenses aka accomodation but find it difficult to maintain and track the expenses. The system solely works on Social Networking (Or Can we term as Partner networking), where each and every user would register to the site and form a group (People who are sharing the expenses) in the same.

Any expenses by any one in the group, would be sent as a email notification to the other member of the group, for their approval. Once the Transaction is approved, the monetary transfer would be performed in person by the group members. Site provides the group members with tracking, based on approved, approval pending. And ofcourse a tab to Create aka logging in the expenses. One person, can be a part of many groups (One for accomodation sharing, One for Car pooling, one for Weekend Outings etc etc.). The expense sheets and data would be available only for the members of the group. Atmost care has been taken for even transaction types. Like equal splitting or different expense split among members. The second one usually comes in Hindu community when some members of the group have Non Vegeterian and some not.(Usual Problem I face :)) ). The other feature includes leaving messages for partners. Remember the stickies on the walls.

Source: Watblog

UPDATE : Recently I came across better and more sophisticated way of doing same thing on Bill Monk. Check out various options. I am sure you are going to love that site.

End of JPEG??????

2007-03-22T03:39:00.000+05:30

If reports are to be believed, global software behemoth Microsoft is to submit a new photo format to a standards organisation that could signal the end of the much loved JPEG format. The format that has been proposed by Microsoft. The format that has been propsed by Microsoft is called HD Photo, previously called Windows Media Photo and offers high quality images with better compression.

The JPEG format has been around for almost 15 years now. Modifications have been made to the format to keep it updated with the changing times.

Finally Philly Wi-Fi Network Goes Live

2007-01-12T21:48:00.000+05:30

After being selected to power Philadelphia's metropolitan Wi-Fi network some 15 months ago, EarthLink on Thursday made the first steps towards offering service by announcing it would allow for free access in the 15-square mile proof of concept area through January 21.

The area extends from the Schuylkill River to the west to the Delaware River to the east, and Center City and Old City to the south and Montgomery Avenue and the Kensington areas to the north. Speeds of up to 1 Mbps would be available.

Wireless-enabled laptops and desktops in the proof of concept area should be able to detect and connect to the wireless network "FeatherByEarthLink." Some customers could be eligible for a Wi-Fi modem, which would increase signal strength.

After the free period, "free access zones" would still exist in several areas, including Norris Square, Olney, Love Park and the Historic District. Those wishing to access the network outside of those areas will have to sign up for an account which runs $21.95 USD per month, the company said. The network offers download speeds up to 1 megabit per second.

"Our goal is clear: build a state-of-the-art wireless network across Philadelphia's 135 square miles," EarthLink's municipal networks head Donald Berryman said. "A key to doing this is gathering valuable feedback and insights from users of the network as construction continues."

Source : betanews.; localtechwire

Optical illusion : Rainbow and waterfall

2006-12-28T20:32:00.000+05:30

This optical illusion relies on a principle called "Chromatic Adaptation".

An object may be viewed under various conditions. For example, it may be illuminated by the sunlight, the light of a fire, or a harsh electric light. In all of these situations, the visual system indicates that the object has the same color: an apple always appears red, whether viewed at night or during the day. This feature of the visual system is called chromatic adaptation.

Have you ever entered a movie theater on a sunny afternoon? The room probably appeared completely dark but as your visual system adjusted to the reduced level of light you were able to see better after a few moments.

This "adaptation mechanism" allows our eyes to recover from an oversensitivity to a particular stimuli. "Chromatic adaptation" occurs when our eyes adjust to certain color stimuli. Chromatic adaptation is one of the more easily fooled aspects of vision, and is prone to some of the most spectacular optical illusions.

Original Rainbow and Waterfall Picture

Funny Animation - very creative

2006-12-13T05:03:00.000+05:30

Insane Ski gliding

2006-12-10T08:28:00.000+05:30

Website to watch : bug me not - Goowy

2006-12-09T10:13:00.000+05:30

You're browsing the web and you click a link to an article on a site (let's say nytimes.com) but instead of getting the article you get a screen asking you to login or register. Infuriated at the idea of pointlessly registering for yet another site you turn to your good buddy bugmenot.com
I am sure you must be tired and came across many times like that where you have just register to get excess. Just visit www.bugmenot.com you will find login for most of the sites.
Bypass compulsory registration and save your time and annoying spam in your mailbox.

Another one I found something different style of email - a virtual desktop. Cool one. Check out www.goowy.com. it gives you everything you need in a fresh, simple package, including an instant messenger that lets you chat with your buddies from any network, powerful e-mail, contacts & calendar, customized news, rss, minis, file storage, sharing & finally some fun games when you just want to relax.
I feel its too cool. I guess google should look at that side and learn something or just buy that site or technology.

Enjoy those two sites. Enjoy. leave a comment about both.

The worst day of my life

2006-12-08T20:40:00.000+05:30

A little guy is sitting at the bar just staring at his drink for half an hour when this big trouble-making truck driver steps next to him, grabs his drink and gulps it down in one swig. The poor little guy starts crying.

"Come on man, I was just giving you a hard time," says the truck driver. "I'll buy you another drink. I just can't stand to see a man crying."

This is the worst day of my life," says the little guy between sobs. "I can't do anything right. I overslept and was late to an important meeting, so my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car was stolen and I have no insurance. I grabbed a cab home but after the cab left, I discovered my wallet was still in the cab. At home I found my wife in bed with the gardener. So I came to this bar trying to work up the courage to put an end to my life. And then you show up and drink the damn poison."

New impressive Indian Ads

2006-12-05T20:34:00.000+05:30

I was just searching for new indian ads as I am always a big fan of those ads. Just found some cool ones from company webchatney. so listing them. I am sure you will love it.

MakeMyTrip - Chidiya Udi
Ah, childhood. Little bratty babies playing cute games and making everything fly. Circa 2005...wishful thinking no more.
Click to find out how everyone can fly

MakeMyTrip - Chalo Lanka
Hanuman being the faithful sidekick to ram arrives to inform him of the capture of his beloved. Hold on though..that doesn’t look like Sita at all!
Click to find out what is in his heart

MakeMyTrip - Moving Train
Empty trains and upset dacoits. What could have reversed the law of land, we wonder! Could those innumerable planes dotting the skies have anything to do with it? Yes, it's likely. The Moving Train, is the latest viral for MakeMyTrip.com to have emerged from within the ranks of Webchutney is both inspired and dedicated to the most cult Indian tale of recent times.
Click to find out gabbars new problem

Microsoft Outlook - Don't be udas
The flash video starts with a Pankaj Udaas cartoon singing "Bade dino ke baad.." And he keep's repeasting the same line till someone from the audience asks.. "Bade dino ke baad kya??" .. Then he says.. "kya?" and slowly whispers "Chitthi Aayi hai" and start playing his harmonium wildly!
Click to find out Don't be udas campaign by microsoft

Some other Old ones just listing youtube links for them
Peugeot
Happy Dent Mint Ad
Coca-cola- baal ki dukan
Shampoo Ad
Coca-cola-Panch
Airtel
Dairy Milk
Coca-cola - Aamir Khan - yara da tashan

As of now just listing these. If you know some other cool and funny ad mail me or leave a link in a comment i will list it on my blog.

Enjoy....

Source : webchatney, Youtube

Convert any file format to almost any other format

2006-12-04T11:13:00.000+05:30

Forget about all those "Save As" feature (in Microsoft word/Google's Writely/Office 2007 etc..
A simple solution is handy.

Zamzar - a web-based file conversion application handles almost all sorts of file conversions.
For e.g.
Image conversion - bmp to jpeg/gif/tiff/ps and vice versa
Music formats - ac3 to aac/au/mp3/m4a/ogg/wav and vice versa
Video formats - avi to wav/mp3/gif/mpg and more..and of course vice versa
Document formats - doc to png/html/pdf/ps/txt and more..and more.

How does Zamzar works?

All you need to do is:

Upload the file
Select the conversion format,
and Enter your email id

The only issue with Zamzar is it's limitation on upload size - i.e. only 100MBs size is allowed, but I hope they will look into this in future.
Overall, a damn cool application

Source : Zamzar, Ashish Sinha Blog

Tired of spam in your mail box?

2006-12-04T08:18:00.000+05:30

Maybe you want to sign up for a site which requires that you provide an e-mail address to send a validation e-mail to. And maybe you don't want to give up your real e-mail address and end up on a bunch of spam lists.

there is a tendency among web sites to ask for your e-mail in order to track you down somehow or keep statistics of their own. For example, want to download something? give us your e-mail! This doesn't seem so bad at first but wait a minute! Giving away your address lets them know where they can reach you. And unfortunately a great deal of them takes advantage of that. For starters they decide to subscribe you to their mailing list, sending your their daily or weekly newsletter. Others sell your address to marketing firms which in turn use it to promote their customers' products.

In the end you end up with a dozen or so e-mails a day in your Inbox that you don't care and never asked for. What can you do?

I came across two website which can help you and escape from such situation.

www.dodgeit.com This website gives you every email adress without saying you it is used by someone. When you are asked for your e-mail, give a random abc@dodgeit.com. No registration required! After that, visit dodgeit.com and check your e-mail (still without any registration or password). you just have to search it for abc or your expected email content.
www.10minutemail.com you will be given a temporary e-mail address. Any e-mails sent to that address will show up automatically on the web page. You can read them, click on links, and even reply to them. The e-mail address will expire after 10 minutes.

So difference between two sites will be

Dodgeit will give u email ID with email ID of your choice and will be there on the server for 7 days and by searching anyone can see the information in the mail
10minutemail gives you a unique email ID but it will be deleted in 10 minutes.

So basically you will use this email IDs when you just require once to register with some site once and just click on the link to verify and to avoid spam in the future.

Enjoy. Happy Spam free mail now on.

Update : Other email sites I like from normal Yahoo or Gmail

Goowy
it gives you everything you need in a fresh, simple package, including an instant messenger that lets you chat with your buddies from any network, powerful e-mail, contacts & calendar, customized news, rss, minis, file storage, sharing & finally some fun games when you just want to relax.

Gabmail
Send video mail in 3 clicks. Worth checking out. no need of registration and very easy to use tool.

Pookmail
Pookmail is somewhat similar to dodgeit. if you are bored or want some advance option you can use pookmail

Tempmail
Another brother of that catagory temp mail.

Mailinator
Another option to avoide spam

Twenty20 - India v.s South Africa - FULL MATCH

2006-12-03T13:17:00.000+05:30

Finally India won something
check out full match here

Enjoy. and hope for the best for india's cricketing future.

Statue attack sparks Hindu riots in Mumbai

2006-11-30T19:48:00.000+05:30

Thousands of low-caste Hindus attacked police, vehicles and shut shops in India's financial hub Mumbai on Thursday to protest against the desecration of a statue of their leader and founder of the constitution.

Violence also flared in several towns across the western state of Maharashtra, where protesters burnt buses and threw stones at passing traffic, injuring dozens of people.

Protesters said they were angry that a statue of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a low-caste Hindu who authored India's democratic constitution that prohibits caste-based discrimination, had been damaged on Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh state.

"We want police to arrest those who broke Baba Saheb's (Ambedkar's) statue. Otherwise, we will burn Maharashtra," a man shouted at reporters before being dragged away by police in Mumbai. Ambedkar was born in Maharashtra and Mumbai is the capital.

"There are reports of some sporadic incidents. However, things are under control," said Arup Pattnaik, Mumbai police joint commissioner.

But huge groups carrying posters and banners were seen closing shops and clashing with police in several areas of the city.

Witnesses said police used batons and fired tear gas shells to disperse unruly mobs in the city's Worli, Bandra and Chembur neighbourhoods. Police denied the reports but added "several" people had been arrested. Curfews were imposed in some towns.

Source : Reuters

Live burning train video

Online Indian News TV : IBN 7

Other Link to news : Rediff, Hindu, Hidustan Times, NDTV
Images : Rediff

Apple Mac Tablet PC and other products in Mid 2007

2006-11-27T10:40:00.000+05:30

Apple researchers have built a full working prototype of a Mac tablet PC and three Companies in Taiwan are now costing a product for a potential launch in mid 2007.

Sources in Taiwan have said that the focus has been more on the home and the education environment than the enterprise marketplace. Several months ago It was told that Apple was exploring a neat new device that is basically a touch screen that links to various source devices including a brand new media centre that Apple is planning to launch next year.

The Mac tablet has been designed to handle third party applications such as home automation software that will allow users to control lighting, audio, entertainment devices and security feeds. It also acts as a full blown PC has wireless linking for a new generation of Wireless Hi Fi speakers that are currently being tested by Apple.

One set of speakers which are similar in size to the small Bose speakers have been developed by an Australian Company.

The new MAC tablet has Intel processors as well as a docking station that allows the device to link to screens with HDMI input. The docking station also has additional memo0ry capability so that users can stream content to either the tablet PC or the docking station or directly to a media centre if one is being used.

During the past year Apple has lodged several touch screen patents. They have also lodged patents for wireless devices. However three patents according to sources have been lodged by third part Companies who are licensing technology to Apple.

Quanta and Hon Hai Precision Industry are Taiwanese Companies that make notebooks and other devices for Apple. Both have signed confidentiality agreements with Apple for the Tablet Mac.

Source : SmartHouse, Engadget

Happy Thanks Giving

2006-11-23T10:30:00.000+05:30

Hello Friends,

Happy Thanks Giving. Well who cares!!!! Enjoy your holidays. Enjoy shopping and some free time.
So thinking of that i have added few links on the right side of the blog.

Topics:

Black Friday Deals
Online TV links
Online Radio links
Today's Quote

Check it out and give me more links for above topics so I can add that to list and make a better database for everyone.

Again, Enjoy your holidays......

Peace

Kinjal

Apple 'iPhone'

2006-11-21T21:13:00.000+05:30

The long-rumored arrival of a hybrid mobile phone and iPod music player from Apple Computer Inc. has morphed from a question of "If" to "When" among fans and analysts.

Since Apple's introduction of the iPod five years ago, the company has sold more than 67 million of the devices and more than 1.5 billion songs from its iTunes online music store.

Now, Chief Executive Steve Jobs and Apple are poised to roll out what has been dubbed the "iPhone," perhaps as soon as January next year at the Macworld conference that kicks off every new year, analysts say.

"From a technical standpoint, the phone is pretty much done," said American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu. "It's a big endeavor and we believe it's beyond speculation."

"There is a lot of buzz," said Gartner analyst Mike McGuire. "But there are also a lot of things in the way that make it difficult. Which carrier and the like they use are not trivial challenges."

Jobs and Apple are famously tight-lipped about unannounced products. But company Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer did hint about a possible mobile phone with iPod-like functions during a conference call with analysts in July to discuss third-quarter financial results.

"We don't think that the phones that are available today make the best music players," he said. "We think the iPod is. But over time, that is likely to change. And we're not sitting around doing nothing."

"The key challenge here is if they were doing it, it has to be a very good phone and a good extension or subset of the iPod and iTunes software," McGuire said. "It's not just music. It would have to be a good media device."

Source : Reuters
Note : Above image is not actual Iphone. Other suggested images on Apple Iphone Blog

Karate Baby Video

2006-11-19T20:55:00.000+05:30

This baby is gonna kick some butts when he grows old...
Check out this really funny video

Karate Baby - video powered by Metacafe

Guru (2006 film)

2006-11-18T01:42:00.000+05:30

Intro: Guru is a forthcoming Hindi film to be directed by Mani Ratnam. It stars Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Madhavan and Vidya Balan in pivotal roles. The movie also stars Mithun Chakraborty in a supporting role and Mallika Sherawat in a cameo role. The movie will also be dubbed in Tamil and Telugu. The film's score and soundtrack will be composed by A. R. Rahman.

Production: Directed by Mani Ratnam, who has written the script with Suhasini Mani Ratnam and Vijay Krishna Acharya, Guru is said to be a mature love story. Shooting for the film took place in Turkey( www.arkproduction.com ) and Badami, Karnataka, as well as in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The music is composed by A.R. Rahman, with lyrics by Gulzar. Cinematography for the film is handled by Rajiv Menon. Current reports state that the film is based on the life of India's biggest petrochemicals tycoon, Dhirubhai Ambani. It is also rumoured that 'Guru' has been inspired from the Hollywood flick, 'The Aviator' starring Leonardo Di Caprio.

Music:A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Gulzar. An audio launch for the film was held on November 5, 2006 and was attended by the cast of Guru along with other celebrities. The audio CD and audio casette's of the film were subsequently released on November 18, 2006 under the label of Sony BMG.

Music Tracks:
* Barso Re - Shreya Ghoshal & Uday Mazumdar
* Tere Bina - A. R. Rahman & Chinmayee
* Yammo Yammo - Bappi Lahiri & K. S. Chithra
* Maiyya Maiyya - Mariam Taller, Chinmayee & Keerthi
* Ey Hairathe - Hariharan & Alka Yagnik
* Baazi Laga - Udit Narayan, Madhushree, Shweta & Bhargavi Pillai
* Jaage Hain - K. S. Chithra, A. R. Rahman & Madras Chorale Group
Listem to them here

My 2 cents: Just listening to them for the first time. Not that impressed. May be Mani ratnam and A R Rahman gave me lots of hope. They are not catchy. Few songs have touch of Gujarati songs which sounds awesome and different all together. I hope after watching a movie I start liking it.

Listen to the songs and leave a comment.

Check out the trailer:

Sources : Wikipedia, Music india online