[MyAppleMenu] Apr 21, 2010

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Apple Removes Teaching App From App Store, And Educators Complain <http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/apple-removes-teaching-app-from-app-store-and-educators-complain/?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Warren Buckleitner, New York Times

Apple generally makes news by publishing new apps, not by unpublishing them. But last week, it made some educators upset when it removed an app, Scratch Viewer, from the iTunes App Store.

Scratch Viewer was designed to let educators and others review a child’s work that was created on an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch using the Scratch programming language, which has become popular in many schools.

See Also: Apple Rejects Kid-Friendly Programming App [http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/apple-scratch-app/], by Brian X. Chen, Wired.

**** The Young App-rentices <http://www.fastcompany.com/1621539/teen-iphone-app-developers>
Addy Dugdale, Fast Company

Meet four minor App developers with major ideas. All age 16 or younger, they're part of a generation raised with multi-touch and social media, and they're cranking out profitable ideas for new devices and platforms as fast as manufacturers let them.

**** Free Spanning Sync 3.1 Update Adds Syncing Improvements <http://www.macworld.com/article/150756/2010/04/spanning_sync.html>
David Dahlquist, Macworld

Spanning Sync allows users to sync their iCal calendars and Address Book contacts with Google, making it possible to update your calendar via Google and re-sync it to your Macs, distribute calendar data via Google Apps, sync calendars between multiple computers, and more.

**** Tim Cook “Shocked” At iPad Demand, “Can’t Think Of A Single Thing A Netbook Does Well” <http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/20/tim-cook-netbooks-ipad/>
MG Siegler, TechCrunch

**** Apple Screwed Up Handling iPhone Gizmo-gate <http://www.pcworld.com/article/194637/apple_screwed_up_handling_iphone_gizmogate.html>
Jeff Bertolucci, PC World

Now, I know that some of you will accuse me of blaming the victim. But the fact is that Apple had an opportunity to plug the leak. Its paranoia contributed to a corporate culture that prevented it from doing so. Now its summer party has been ruined. Oh, well, there's always the next iPad.

**** The Apple Secrecy Machine <http://www.slate.com/id/2251431/?from=rss>
Jack Shafer, Slate Magazine

If the secrecy pixie dust that Apple sprinkles onto its products works best on people who already believe in Apple magic, then the real test of the company's marketing machine would be to drive the astronomically larger customer base of Windows users into the stores to buy iPads. To do that, the company would have to leave its secrecy comfort zone. It would have to be more forthcoming about what the product does and why you should buy it. And finally, if Apple's secrecy strategy is so effective, why don't more manufacturers ape it?

**** Is Apple's Spell Wearing Off? <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/is-apples-spell-wearing-off/?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Jenna Wortham, New York Times

Perhaps what is surprising is the utter delight and occasional vitriol permeating the reactions around the Web.

**** Inside The Numbers: Apple's Great Quarter <http://www.macworld.com/article/150758/2010/04/apple_q2_2010.html>
Jason Snell, Macworld

If you look at the overall revenue picture for the three lines, it’s clear that the Mac continues on an upward swing, while the iPod slowly trends down. The iPhone, meanwhile, is launching into the stratosphere.

**** Apple Downloads <http://www.red-sweater.com/blog/1194/apple-downloads>
Daniel Jalkut, Red Sweater Blog

I think the failure to update entries on Apple’s Mac downloads site is a consequence of staff at Apple being stretched thin.

**** Apple Promises More 'Extraordinary' Products As Profit Doubles <http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-21/apple-promises-more-extraordinary-products-as-profit-doubles.html>
Connie Guglielmo, Bloomberg

Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs, after saying profit almost doubled last quarter, tantalized investors with the promise of “extraordinary” new products that analysts say may include an overhauled Apple TV.

**** Adobe Scraps Work To Bring Flash Apps To iPhone <http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20003006-264.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=News-Apple>
Stephen Shankland, CNET News

What a difference two weeks and a few words of legalese can make to the future of a widely used programming technology.

In that span of time, Adobe has gone from touting its technology for building Flash applications that run on the iPhone to canceling future development of that technology.

**** Peace In The Home: Sharing An iPad With Your Spouse <http://www.tuaw.com/2010/04/20/peace-in-the-home-sharing-an-ipad-with-your-spouse/>
Michael Rose, TUAW



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** A Switch For The Google Age <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/a-switch-for-the-google-age/?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Ashlee Vance, New York Times



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** The Unmystical Joy Of Playing Catch <http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2010/04/20/playing_catch_open2010/index.html>
King Kaufman, Salon

Monuments of purple prose have been built to fathers and sons tossing the ball. The truth: It's just plain fun.

**** Little Green Men and Flying Saucers Are So Passé: New Ideas About Aliens <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/books/21book.html?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Dwight Garner, New York Times

Paul Davies’s new book, “The Eerie Silence: Renewing Our Search for Alien Intelligence,” is a birthday card of sorts to SETI, an appraisal and acknowledgment of the interesting (if quixotic) work the project has done thus far. It’s also a pointed wake-up call. Mr. Davies believes that SETI has grown conservative in its methods. He thinks we’re looking for alien life in all the wrong places, and in all the wrong ways.



SingaporeSurf
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**** Singapore Sting - Belfast Man Facing Fortnight Delay <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8632344.stm>
BBC News

Belfast-based journalist Paul Higgins, his partner and two children, face being stuck in a hotel in Singapore for a fortnight because of the ongoing volcanic disruption.

**** Google Publishes Government Requests.... <http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2010/04/google-publishes-government-requests.html>
Diary of A Singaporean Mind

There were 62 data requests from Singapore to provide information about users of Google's services and products.

**** Lift Upgrading In Opposition Wards On Track <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_517029.html>
Lawrence Pak, Housing & Development Board, Straits Times

This standard process for all LUP projects will generally require several months, depending on the complexity of the solution. The board understands that residents look forward to the completion of LUP work and we will speed up works where possible.

**** MT Weighting Could Be Cut <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_517143.html>
Sandra Davie, Straits Times

The high weighting given to mother tongue languages in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is now under review and could be reduced. Education minister Ng Eng Hen says his ministry is studying whether it is educationally sound for mother tongue language performance to count for so much at the Primary 6 level.

**** Could Singapore Have Done More? <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100421-0000101/Could-Singapore-have-done-more?>
Esther Ng, Today

In Singapore, some have asked: Could the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have done the same? Some observers felt that by not doing so, Singapore lost an opportunity to showcase itself as a welcoming destination. In fact, some hotels increased prices as the flight cancellations chaos unfolded.

**** Don't Call Us, Period <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100421-0000037/Dont-call-us,-period>
Richard Hartung, Today

Consumer frustration with unwanted telemarketing calls is rising. While that irritation may still be more in coffee-shop conversations and online blogs than the mainstream media, the unrelenting increase in the number of calls is clearly creating inconvenience and annoyance for many.

**** æ–°åŠ å¡è´§å¸å‡å€¼â€œå…ˆè¡Œä¸€æ­¥â€çš„æ™ºæ…§ <http://star.news.sohu.com/20100421/n271643112.shtml>
周浩, 上海商报

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**** Singaporeans Now Fatter, Taller And Heavier: Study <http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2010-04/20/c_13259416.htm>
Xinhua

Singaporeans are getting fatter, taller and broader at the shoulders than two decades ago, a new study showed.

**** Fewer Long Weekends In 2011 <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_517282.html>
Wendy Lim, Straits Times

Five out of the 11 public holidays will fall on a Friday or a Sunday next year, according to the schedule of public holidays in 2011 released by the Ministry of Manpower on Wednesday.

**** Transport Fares Reduction: For Better Or For Worse? <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/04/transport-fares-reduction-for-better-or-for-worse/>
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen

Perhaps it is best summarised as “some pay more, some pay less, but always earn more.” Make sense?

**** When Is A Fare Hike A Fare Cut? <http://www.pressrun.net/weblog/2010/04/when-is-a-fare-hike-a-fare-cut.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rana+%28Blowin%27+In+The+Wind%29>
Blowin' In The Wind

Actually, it's hard to compare the new fares with what we pay now.

**** Of Policies & Contradictions <http://nabbedd.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/of-policies-contradictions/>
It's All About Amelioration

**** SDP To PMO: Leave Bukit Panjang As A Single-seat Constituency <http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/3633-sdp-to-pmo-leave-bukit-panjang-as-a-single-seat-constituency>
Singapore Democrat Party

The SDP has written to the Prime Minister's Office calling on for Bukit Panjang to remain as a Single-Member Constituency (SMC) so that the party can challenge the incumbent PAP MP Dr Teo Ho Pin in the ward in the upcoming general elections.

It is obvious that stallholders and residents in the estate are deeply unhappy about the recent takeover and shocking rent hike of the Fajar market by Sheng Siong. Dr Teo has refused to step in and stop the supermarket chain from profiteering from the residents.

**** Final Cut Server Update Contains A Pair Of Fixes <http://www.macworld.com/article/150762/2010/04/finalcutserver152.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Philip Michaels, Macworld

An update to Final Cut Server released Tuesday offers up a pair of fixes for the asset management tool that integrates with its Final Cut Pro video editing application.

**** Advantageous For The PAP To Leave Bukit Panjang As It Is <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/04/advantageous-for-the-pap-to-leave-bukit-panjang-as-it-is/>
Ravi Philemon, The Online Citizen

It is quite obvious that SDP and PAP have taken polar positions on the issue of the wet market takeover and the subsequent wet market stalls rental hikes by Sheng Siong Supermarket in Bukit Panjang.

If the Bukit Panjang SMC is left intact as it currently is, it will not only be an opportunity for the voters there to decide to support or reject the current MP and his performance, but it will also be a perfect opportunity for the current government to bring home its point (if SDP loses) that Singaporeans have indeed rejected the SDP.

**** Public Transport Secuterity Command <http://www.fateha.net/2010/04/public-transport-secuterity-command.html>
Lips Don't Lie

**** Top 5 Food Picks From Singapore's Most Notorious Red Light <http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/none/5-food-picks-geylang-singapore-779422>
CNNGo

Satisfy more than one craving in Geylang, Singapore's most infamous red light district, with these food picks.

**** Art, Expression And Singapore <http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24331:art-expression-and-singapore&catid=32:life&Itemid=68>
McM Santamaria, Business Mirror

Singapore may be seen less as an island (or, more correctly, a group of islands) and more as an artifact. Artifacts are constructed, perpetuated and given meaning by the human mind. Singapore today is a testament to what the human mind can achieve. Few places in this part of Asia may be compared with Singapore, which I visited recently courtesy of the Singapore Tourism Board.