[MyAppleMenu] Mar 12, 2009

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
====================================

**** Apple's New iPod Shuffle Mistake <http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=559>
by Kirk McElhearn, Kirville

While this new shuffle may be right for some, I’m sure that many users are going to complain about it.

**** Apple iPod Shuffle Tag Line: Stretching The Truth A Little? <http://www.thomas-fitzgerald.net/2009/03/11/apple-ipod-shuffle-tag-line-stretching-the-truth-a-little/>
by Thomas Fitzgerald

Well, if the whole speaking tracks thing sounds familiar, it’s because Apple’s own iPod nano has a similar feature called “spoken menus”.

**** New iPod Shuffle Requires Extra Adapter For Third-Party Headphones <http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/11/new-ipod-shuffle-requires-extra-adapter-for-third-party-headphon/>
by Nilay Patel, Engadget

Yes, Apple's cheapest iPod is now the most needlessly complex, and far from cost-effective if you want to use your own cans.

**** Is Apple About To Shuffle The Headphone Industry Again? <http://www.businessinsider.com/is-apple-about-to-shuffle-the-headphone-industry-again-2009-3>
by Dan Frommer, Silicon Alley Insider

Is Apple in the process of reinventing the way mainstream headphones are designed for the second time this decade?

**** iSynth Brings Microsoft's Powerful 3D Photo Viewer Photosynth To The iPhone <http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/03/11/isynth-brings-microsofts-powerful-3d-photo-viewer-photosynth-to-the-iphone/>
by Jason Kincaid, TechCrunch

Photosynth stitches together user-submitted photos of the same subject, allowing users to ‘fly-through’ the area by clicking on each successive photo. The technology works best in places and events with many user-submitted photos (popular Synths include the Taj Mahal and President Obama’s inauguration).

**** Another Take On Apple's New iPod Shuffle <http://www.macworld.com/article/139345/2009/03/shuffle_reaction.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Christopher Breen, Macworld

I’m trying to apply old iPod rules—one where the iPod is as flexible as Apple can make it—to a device that is clearly directed at a specific user—one who accepts it for what it is and nothing more.

**** Welcome To The 1980s&mdash;App Store Game Compilation Appears <http://cultofmac.com/welcome-to-the-1980s-app-store-game-compilation-appears/9475>
by Craig Grannell, Cult Of Mac

Compilations were the other thing that broke 1980s gaming in the UK, since almost every half-decent game ended up on a compilation eventually.

**** Ten Surprises - Good + Bad - In Apple's Third-Gen iPod Shuffle <http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/ten-surprises-good-bad-in-apples-third-gen-ipod-shuffle/>
by Jeremy Horwitz, iLounge

Though the prior-generation model was capable of playing individually synchronized podcasts, the new iPod shuffle supports sequential audio podcast synchronization—it can automatically synchronize a series of podcasts, rather than just specific episodes.

**** Apple Now Rejects iPhone Apps Because They 'Ridicule Public Figures' <http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2009/03/apple_now_rejects_iphone_apps_because_they_ridicule_public_figures-2.html>
by Jason Chen, Gizmodo

**** iTunes 8.1 Now Available For Download <http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/11/itunes-8-1-now-available-for-download/>
by Eric Silvka, MacRumors.com

"iTunes 8.1 is now faster and more responsive. You will enjoy noticeable improvements when working with large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, preparing to sync with iPod or iPhone, and optimizing photos for syncing."

**** Apple's War On Buttons <http://thekillfile.blogspot.com/2009/03/apple-war-on-buttons.html>
by The Killfile

The multi-function button on the new Shuffle is different. Playlists aren't a bonus feature (unless you're coming from an older Shuffle), but an essential part of the product for which there is no obvious path to discovery.

**** Apple Updates Front Row, Remote For iTunes 8.1 <http://www.macworld.com/article/139349/2009/03/frontrow.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Jim Dalymple, Macworld

**** New Apple iPod Shuffle: Don't Leave Work Early To Get It <http://www.pcworld.com/article/161108/new_apple_ipod_shuffle_dont_leave_work_early_to_get_it.html>
by Ginny Mies, PC World

I am baffled as to why Apple would announce immediate in-store availability, but not actually deliver.

**** Apple Cuts Down &quot;A Real Tree,&quot; Shuns Charity Apps <http://theappleblog.com/2009/03/11/apple-cuts-down-a-real-tree-shuns-charity-apps/>
by Darrell Etherington, The Apple Blog

In the email, Mokugift’s representative describes how Apple called them a week ago to inform them that A Real Tree would need to be altered or would be removed from the App Store. The reason given was that a new policy was in place prohibiting apps from claiming to do anything beyond themselves, and that any and all applications related to charity were also no longer permitted.

**** Apple's Silence Feeds Talk Of New Gadget <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123672009081687801.html>
by Yukari Iwatani Kane, Wall Street Journal

With chief executive Steve Jobs out on medical leave, Apple Inc. hasn't announced a major new product this year. That has freed the rumor mill to churn about what new gadgets the company may be preparing to launch.

**** Review: Things For Mac And iPhone <http://www.neowin.net/news/software/09/03/12/review-things-for-mac-and-iphone>
by Jonathan Steele, Neowin.net

**** Playing To Win Big On The iTunes App Store <http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/12488/randd/playing-to-win-big-on-the-itunes-app-store>
by Marie Boran, Silicon Republic

At just 20 years of age, Steven Troughton-Smith is a student of digital-media engineering at Dublin City University, and also a successful developer of iPhone applications for Apple’s iTunes App Store.

**** Hackintoshing Can Be Fun, But You Better Be Ready For It <http://www.suntimes.com/business/1473468,ihnatko-apple-mac-pc-hackintosh-031209.article>
by Andy Ihnatko, Chicago Sun-Times

Boy, how things have changed. Installing Mac OS X on this Dell Mini 9 wasn’t as simple as installing it on a Mac, but it was far easier than many of my experiences installing Windows. The Hackintosh community has three years of experience under its belt. Specific machines (like the Mini 9) that can run Mac OS X graciously have been identified and the techniques and software to make it happen have become increasingly simple and sophisticated.

**** Mac Mini 2009 Edition <http://www.macworld.com/article/139336/2009/03/mac_mini_2009.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Dan Frakes, Macworld

The new Mac mini models provide the most significant upgrades to the line yet, offering slightly better CPU performance, considerably improved video capabilities, increased expandability, and better wireless technology. The result is that for the first time, the Mac mini is a computer that’s truly capable of handling the iLife suite.

**** Pixie <http://www.insidemacgames.com/reviews/view.php?ID=1025>
by Franklin Pride, Inside Mac Games

Pixie is a clone that definitely does not measure up to its 1996 counterpart. It takes a few steps back on difficulty and has almost nothing tactical about it.



The Tomorrow Weblog
====================================

**** GrandCentral To (Finally) Launch As Google Voice. It's Very, Very Good. <http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/03/11/grand-central-to-finally-launch-as-google-voice-its-very-very-good/>
by Leena Rao, TechCrunch



MyAppleMenu Reader
====================================

**** Voyage Of A Girl Moored In Brooklyn <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/books/12paul.html?_r=1>
by Felicia R. Lee, New York Times

Paule Marshall’s coming-of-age novel, “Brown Girl, Brownstones,” put her on the map 50 years ago with a new kind of coming-of-age story, that of a second-generation West Indian girl in Brooklyn. Now, at 79, she is on tour for her latest book, “Triangular Road” (Basic Civitas Books), a slim memoir recounting her beginnings as a writer, listening to the casually poetic language of women like her mother, and how the search for her own voice took her to far-flung places.

**** Missouri Chinese: Two Cultures Claim This Chicken <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/dining/11cashew.html?ref=style>
by John T. Edge, New York Times

Cashew chicken, in the form first cooked by Mr. Leong nearly a half-century ago, is not the stir-fry served by many Chinese-American restaurants. Around Springfield, cashew chicken — deep-fried chicken chunks in a brown slurry of soy sauce, oyster sauce and stock, scattered with green onions and halved cashews — is the culinary common denominator. It’s a weeknight dinner, bought from a drive-through. It’s a weekday plate lunch, accompanied by fried rice and an egg roll.

**** When Men Lose Their Jobs <http://www.slate.com/id/2213485/?from=rss>
by Emily Bazelon, Slate

Could they be doing more around the house?



SingaporeSurf
====================================

**** STOMP: Now You Can Show Your Ignorance To The Whole World <http://www.mrbrown.com/blog/2009/03/stomp-now-you-can-show-your-ignorance-to-the-whole-world.html>
by mrbrown

I don't know which is worse. The ignorance of Singapore history or the ignorance of the various meanings of the word "Gay".

**** Tax Havens Likely To Be Target Of G-20 Nations <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/business/worldbusiness/12tax.html?_r=1&ref=worldbusiness>
by Matthew Saltmarsh, New York Times

**** Panel To Examine Child's Fall <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_348898.html>
by Kimberly Spykerman, Straits Times

The Tanjong Pagar Town Council announced on Wednesday plans to appoint an independent panel to investigate the fall of Siti Nur Aini, 7, who plunged four storeys through a gap in a metal railing at her home on Sunday afternoon.

**** It Is Efficient, Say Principals <http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,195413,00.html?>
by Veena Bharwani, New Paper

An education ministry spokesman said that schools need to keep track of staff members to ensure that student activities are looked after and classes are attended to. But schools have the liberty to decide how they want to keep track of their teachers.

**** Here's The Principle: Lead By Example <http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,195409,00.html?>
by S Murali, New Paper

If you believe in something, shouldn't you lead by example?

**** 'Leave Election To Another Time' <http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,195424,00.html?>
by Lediati Tan, New Paper

Focus on the economy. Now is not the time for politics.

These are the views of an overwhelming number of Singaporeans polled by The New Paper.

**** Another Day, Another Death. <http://iwtfbbqed.livejournal.com/27367.html>
by Most Of The Time

The intercom blasted to life, ordering us out of the MRT through the driver's cabin. Through it, we heard the distinct siren of an ambulance. We knew what had happened.

**** “以客为先”的理念太落后 <http://www.zaobao.com/yl/yl090312_506.shtml>
by 穆军, 联合早报

å‡ å¹´å‰ï¼Œæ—¶ä»»äººåŠ›éƒ¨é•¿çš„é»„æ°¸å®åŒ»ç”Ÿé¢å¯¹ä½Žè¿·çš„æ–°åŠ å¡æœåŠ¡æ°´å¹³ï¼Œè‡ªå˜²è¯´æ–°åŠ å¡äººæ²¡æœ‰æœåŠ¡DNAï¼Œå‡ å¹´è¿‡åŽ»ï¼Œè¨€çŠ¹åœ¨è€³ã€‚å¦‚ä»Šç»å¹´ç´¯æœˆï¼Œå±€åŠ¿å˜åŒ–ï¼Œéš¾é“æˆ‘ä»¬è¿˜æ²¡æœ‰è­¦é†’ï¼Ÿ

**** Dr Allan Ooi's Farewell Letter And Last Words Before Hs Death: Questions For SAF To Answer <http://wayangparty.com/?p=6191>
by Eugene Yeo, The Wayang Party Club

We need to know what exactly happen so that we will not see a repeat of such tragedies again.

**** 经济暗淡　国际性电影节难办？ 第22å±Šæ–°åŠ å¡å›½é™…ç”µå½±èŠ‚ä¸‹æœˆå¼€å¹• <http://www.zaobao.com/fk/fk090312_501.shtml>
by æŽäº¦ç­ , 联合早报

经济前景乌云密布，办“国际性”的电影节是不是困难重重？

**** Animal Welfare Groups Oppose Whale Sharks At Singapore Casino <http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jmI6k03vIJ59AngrfaklUihgTh3g>
by AFP

Seven local and international animal welfare groups have launched an online campaign opposing plans by a Singapore casino developer to import whale sharks for its planned oceanarium.

**** CPF Interest Rate For Special, Medisave An Retirement Accounts (SMRA) From 1 April 2009 To 30 Jne 2009 <http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/CPF/News/News-Release/N_12Mar2009.htm>
by CPF Board, Singapore Government

**** 2 Singaporean Members Of JI Released, Says Home Affairs Ministry <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/414842/1/.html>
by Channel NewsAsia

The Ministry of Home Affairs said Mohamed Ellias Mohamed Khan and Ja'afar Mistooki were released on January 5 this year.

Both men were arrested in December 2001 and detained under the ISA in January 2002 for their involvement in the JI's plans to mount terrorist attacks against several targets in Singapore.

**** Shameless SPH Forced To Publish Dr Allan Ooi's Farewell Letter With A Different Spin To Mislead The Public And To Save Its Own Ass!! <http://wayangparty.com/?p=6229>
by Eugene Yeo, The Wayang Party Club

Sin Ming chose to leave out the most critical sentence of Dr Ooi’s letter - “That (work) was certainly the main cause of the severing of ties“. At that time of his departure, Dr Ooi was very angry at SAF purportedly for not allowing him to break his bond, not because he was heart-broken. Shame on Sin Ming to attempting to pull a wool over our eyes again to smear the poor doctor who is unable to defend himself!

**** SPH Cuts Staff Pay By Between 2% And 10% <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/414845/1/.html>
by Channel NewsAsia

Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) is cutting the pay of its 3,000 staff by between 2% and 10% from next month. SPH said in a statement that the actual pay cut will depend on each staff's current pay package.

Channel NewsAsia is published by MediaCorp, who has joint operations with SPH in television and newspaper operations.