[MyAppleMenu] Apr 28, 2010

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** BBEdit 9.5 Brings Live Search Bar, Scripting Improvements <http://www.macworld.com/article/150870/2010/04/bbedit_95.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Dan Moren, Macworld

Chief among the new features is an in-window Live Search bar that searches as you type, highlighting any matches for the term you’ve entered. Newly enhanced script functionality lets you tie scripts to application or document events, such as quitting the program, opening or closing a document, and more. In addition, BBEdit 9.5 adds the ability to browse .zip files and enables a number of functions related to version control system Subversion, such as contextual menu options in the result list and project lists, and a new icon in project windows and disk browsers.

**** Mac Gems: TextExpander 3.0 <http://www.macworld.com/reviews/product/500866/review/textexpander_302.html?expand=true>
Kirk McElhearn, Macworld

TextExpander 3—particularly with the addition of syncing—is a worthwhile upgrade. Just be forewarned that it’ll take some time to set it up so it works just the way you want it to.

**** Mac Gems: TypeIt4Me 5.0 <http://www.macworld.com/reviews/product/464064/review/typeit4me_50.html?expand=true>
Kirk McElhearn, Macworld

TypeIt4Me has been around so long for a reason: It's a really useful utility that does what it says. If you want to give your fingers a rest, TypeIt4Me will help.

**** iTunes 9.1.1 Released <http://www.tuaw.com/2010/04/27/software-update-alert-itunes-9-1-1-released/>
Steven Sande, TUAW

**** Apple Buys Intrinsity, A Maker Of Fast Chips <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/technology/28apple.html?src=tptw>
Ashlee Vance and Brad Stone, New York Times

Apple wants the fastest chip for its mobile devices and has bought another chip maker to gain an edge over its competitors.

Apple has acquired a small Austin, Tex., company called Intrinsity, known for making zippy versions of a computer chip often found in mobile devices. The deal, which closed late last month and was confirmed by Apple on Tuesday, shows the company continuing to try to gain an edge in the mobile device market by purchasing technology and chip experts.

**** Apple Asked For 'Lost' iPhone Criminal Probe <http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2010/04/26/daily36.html>
Mary Duan, San Jose Business Journal

The criminal investigation into the purported theft of an apparent iPhone prototype came at the request of Apple Inc., officials said Tuesday.

**** Steve Jobs To Be Interviewed At D Conference <http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20003608-260.html?part=rss&amp;subj=news&amp;tag=2547-1_3-0-20>
Erica Ogg, CNET News.com

**** Now Apple Bans Tiger Woods Satire App. Does Big Media Care? <http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/04/apple-satire-ban-continues/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Ftechbiz%2Fmedia+%28Wired%3A+Techbiz+-+Media%29>
Ryan Singel, Wired

Making fun of Tiger Woods has become a national pastime after news of his extracurricular activities became public, but unlike nearly everything else in the world, there’s no app for that.

**** Apple Rejects Michael Wolff's iPhone App -- Because He Criticizes Steve Jobs? <http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-rejects-an-app-dedicated-to-michael-wolffs-columns-2010-4>
Jay Yarow , Business Insider

So, another case of an app being rejected for a seemingly arbitrary reason -- with no easy way to predict in advance that the app would have been rejected. Love Wolff or hate him, it's easy to see why developers get angry about fuzzy rules and fuzzier enforcement.

**** Apple's Endless Expanding App Universe <http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_18/b4176092984619.htm>
Peter Burrows, BusinessWeek

In 2008, Steve Jobs said, 'Let there be apps.' Now a cosmos full of companies and developers is bound by the laws of Apple—for better and worse.

**** Apple Needs To Do More To Keep Porn Off iPhones, Watchdog Group Says <http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/04/27/apple-iphones-porno-apps-stimulating-opposition-parents/>
Gene J. Koprowski, FOXNews.com

The socially conservative Parents Television Council (PTC) thinks a wealth of salacious apps are currently available for iPhone users -- things like "My Vibe," which converts the iPhone into a vibrator, and "Love Positions Free," which has drawings of couples having sex. The group has publicly demanded that Apple stop providing porn to children -- and clean up its act.

**** South Korea Lifts Its Ban On Apple's iPad <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703465204575208881106530858.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEFTTopNews>
Evan Ramstad, Wall Street Journal

The country's communications regulator on Tuesday said it wouldn't stop people from importing Apple Inc.'s iPad for personal use, ending a ban that early adopters in this tech-savvy country dubbed unfair. Some Korean tech Web sites had even started to publicly expose famous Koreans who had the gadget in apparent violation of the ban.

**** Jobs Was Right, The Apple iPad Truly Is Magical And Revolutionary <http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=3118>
Matthew Miller, ZDNet

You may have some limitations on capability compared to a “full PC”, but the user experience and these other “magical” elements are so much more compelling that they override much of that IMHO. In addition, developers will probably figure out ways to address any glaring needs. Not to mention, iPhone 4 will come out in the Fall and make the device better as well.

**** The iPad's Polarizing Effect <http://db.tidbits.com/article/11232?rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tidbits_main+%28TidBITS%3A+Mac+News+for+the+Rest+of+Us%29>
Glenn Fleishman, TidBITS

Then it struck me: my sunglasses. I removed them, and the iPad was, of course, just fine. The polarized sunglasses I was wearing had performed a neat trick of the light.

**** WWDC 2010 Officially Announced <http://www.tuaw.com/2010/04/28/wwdc-2010-officially-announced/>
Dave Caolo, TUAW

At long last, the wait is over. Apple has officially announced WWDC 2010. The "center of the app universe" will take place from June 7th - 11th at Moscone West in sunny San Francisco, California.

This is not a new OS X year but it is a big new iPhone OS device year and the conference schedule reflects that emphasis.

**** Did Microsoft Just Step In To Help HTC Fight Apple? Or Are They After Android Too? <http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/28/microsoft-htc-android-apple-patents/>
MG Siegler, TechCrunch

Yes, the software giant, which makes the rival Windows Mobile (and soon Windows Phone 7) phone software has announced a deal with HTC that allows them to license their patented technology.

**** Adobe Clutches Chance To Bury Steve Jobs 'Hog' Insult <http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/04/23/apple_and_adobe_together_again/>
Cade Metz, The Register

After calling Flash a "CPU hog," Steve Jobs has given Adobe the chance to live down this now famous insult. And Adobe is taking it.

**** Apple Acquires Mobile Search Company Siri <http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2010/04/apple-acquires-mobile-search-company-siri/1>
Ed Baig, USA Today

Apple has acquired Siri, maker of a dutiful voice-activated "virtual personal assistant" iPhone app. The clever app, which I first saw at the All Things Digital conference last May and reviewed here in February, elevates mobile search to a whole new level. It is meant to help you plan things. Bark out "I need a taxi" and Siri will deliver nearby options. Ask it to remind you to send flowers to your mom for Mother's Day and the app will send an email at the right time to jog your memory. Siri comes out of SRI International's Artificial Intelligence project.



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** The Data-Driven Life <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/magazine/02self-measurement-t.html?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Gary Wolf, New York Times

What happens when technology can calculate and analyze every quotidian thing that happened to you today.



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** A Fresh Batch Of Spices For True Indian Flavors <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/dining/28feed.html?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Alex Witchel, New York Times

When I make my annual pilgrimage to Kalustyan’s, the hub of international spices on Lexington Avenue near 28th Street, I tend to stockpile, ending up with so much Imperial Hot Curry Powder that by the time I get around to using it three years later, I could coat chicken nuggets with it and toddlers wouldn’t blink an eye.

**** Master Of Revels <http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2010/05/03/100503crat_atlarge_lahr?currentPage=all>
John Lahr, New Yorker

Neil Simon’s comic empire.

**** The Perils Of Meeting Your Favourite Writers <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/apr/28/perils-meeting-favourite-authors-al-kennedy?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Fbooks%2Frss+%28Books%29>
AL Kennedy, The Guardian

You've been tremendously intimate with them long before you first say hello. This is a recipe for a disturbing experience.



SingaporeSurf
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**** NCMPs And NMPs; Structural Limitations Or Liberating Agents? <http://antineodem.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/ncmp-nmps-structural-limitations-or-liberating-agents/>
The Anti Neo-Democracy Theorist

We might have to take a wait and see approach, rather than celebrate or bemoan too early on such constitutional changes.

**** Rebranding Singapore <http://www.portfolio.com/business-travel/2010/04/27/rebranding-singapore-with-opening-of-marina-bay-sands-resort>
Betsy Pisik, Portfolio.com

Despite Singaporeans' concerns about gambling-related crime and addiction, the casinos are likely to act as a powerful stimulant for the already-strong regional economy: Casinos are exceptionally labor-intensive at all education and skill levels, while unemployment in Singapore is just 2 percent.

**** Singapore Exports Its Government Expertise In Urban Planning <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/business/global/28urban.html?src=busln>
Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop, New York Times

For Singapore, a city-state of five million with few natural resources and one of the highest population densities in the world, it is another chance for its companies to cash in on decades of government investment in urban planning.

**** Johor To Stop Selling Water To Singapore From Skudai Plant Next Year <http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=493953>
Bernama

Johor will stop the sale of raw water to Singapore from the Skudai water treatment plant here upon the expiry of the related agreement next year, menteri besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said.

**** S'pore Will Continue To Put Fluoride In Drinking Water Supply: Khaw <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1052918/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

Health minister Khaw Boon Wan says Singapore will continue to put fluoride in its drinking water supply as it is an effective way to fight tooth decay.

**** Singapore And The Perils Of Political Domination <http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/the-asia-file/singapore-and-the-perils-of-political-domination>
Ben Bland, Asian Correspondent

How do you encourage more alternative voices in politically staid Singapore? If you were to ask one of Singapore's small band of civil society activists and opposition politicians, they would probably tell you the key was ending censorship of the media (direct and indirect), relaxing wide-ranging restrictions on political activity and making the city-state's electoral system more fair.

But the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), which seems to have accepted that some Singaporeans are becoming digruntled with its near-total domination of politics and public discourse, has another solution: more gerrymandering.

**** Overreaction? Or Under-Reaction On Issues That Matter? <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/04/overreaction-or-under-reaction-on-issues-that-matter/>
Stephanie Chok, The Online Citizen

Invisibility. It appears that this is the most successful way for low-income foreign workers to ‘integrate’.

**** Govt To Take Fundamental Re-look At Real Estate Industry <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1052925/1/.html>
Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia

The government is taking a "fundamental re-look" at the entire real estate industry. Speaking in Parliament, national development Minister Mah Bow Tan said this includes strengthening measures to curb unscrupulous practices and abuses.

**** Clarify Distance-based Travel Fares Please ... <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC100428-0000070/Clarify-distance-based-travel-fares-please-,,,>
Phua Kok Hee, Today

So far, details of the new distance-based fares are very sketchy.

**** NMP Argues Against NCMP Scheme <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100428-0000121/NMP-argues-against-NCMP-scheme>
Leong Wee Keat, Today

Nominated member of Parliament Calvin Cheng's passionate opposition against more Non-Constituency MPs - a day after the Constitution was amended to allow more into Parliament - was greeted with some surprise yesterday.

**** Debate Over Cooling Off Day <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100428-0000120/Debate-over-Cooling-Off-Day>
Leong Wee Keat, Today

It was the last inclusion the Government made when it was revising the electoral rules, and it drew the biggest debate yesterday.

**** Govt Measures Were Not Intended To Stop Price Rise, Says Minister <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100428-0000062/Govt-measures-were-not-intended-to-stop-price-rise,-says-minister>
Esther Ng, Today

When the government introduced measures to cool the property market in February, the steps were not intended to stop prices from rising.  Instead, they were calibrated to temper exuberance in the market and pre-empt a property bubble from forming, minister for national development Mah Bow Tan told Parliament yesterday.

**** Are Hollow Arguments, Noise? <http://callantham.org/blog/2010/4/27/are-hollow-arguments-noise.html>
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp

The lack of quality arguments from PAP MPs, and NMPs alike leads me to think that we have bigger things to worry about than increasing the number of NMPs and NCMPs in Parliament, especially if the existing system allowed the likes of Zaqy Mohamad, Ho Geok Choo, and Calvin Cheng into Parliament.

**** SDP Calls On High Court To Look Into PAP Abuse Of The Law <http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/3652--sdp-calls-on-high-court-to-look-into-pap-abuse-of-the-law>
Singapore Democrat Party

The abuse of the law and law enforcement agencies by the PAP to crush legitimate political activity and for its own political interests must be addressed by the High Court.

Judges must take a serious look into the matter which runs to the very heart of our constitution and provide sound reasoning for dismissing the appeals if they do so.

**** Beyond Words <http://benjamincheah.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/beyond-words/>
Benjamin Cheah, Thinker, Writer, Magus, Man

**** Singapore May See 'Steep' Inflation Gains, Central Bank Says <http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-28/singapore-may-see-steep-inflation-gains-central-bank-says.html>
Shamim Adam, Bloomberg

Singapore’s inflation gains may become “steep” in coming quarters as improvements in the city- state’s labor market boost wages and businesses pass on higher costs to consumers, the central bank said.

The consumer price index may rise 4 percent by the fourth quarter, accelerating from March’s 1.6 percent gain, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, or MAS, said in a twice-yearly review today. Growth drivers are likely to be “intact” and the level of economic activity will probably be “sustained at a high level,” according to the report.

**** Too Good To Be True? <http://pngapore.blogspot.com/2010/04/baker-has-gotten-bigger.html>
Times They Are A-Changin'

**** Never Mind What The People Think <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/04/never-mind-what-the-people-think/>
Callan Tham, The Online Citizen

Mr Sin’s decision to withhold information from his constituents is why they protested vehemently, and Mr Sin chose to see the consequence of his actions as the cause and justification for his decision. This is circular logic, stemming from the arrogance that permeates throughout the PAP government, whose policies Mr Sin would defend because they believe it is right.

**** Good News, Bad News? <http://callantham.org/blog/2010/4/28/good-news-bad-news.html>
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp

**** The Singapore Alternative <http://www.pressrun.net/weblog/2010/04/the-singapore-alternative.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rana+%28Blowin%27+In+The+Wind%29>
Blowin' In The Wind

How do you reconcile such self-censorship with Singapore's widely praised education system?

**** Film Fest's Audience Shrinks <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_520213.html>
Straits Times

Money woes, the late distribution of programme booklets and insufficient publicity plagued the recently ended 23rd edition of the Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF), according to the festival organisers.

**** Malaysia Vs. Singapore <http://maikisthere.blogspot.com/2006/08/malaysia-vs-singapore.html>
Wah Lau Blog By Maik

Malaysians might live a slower life, are according to her self-proclaimed less efficient but they see themselves as more humble and friendly than their Singaporean neighbors.