[MyAppleMenu] Dec 16, 2010

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Apple Issues Cinema Display Firmware Update <http://www.macworld.com/article/156431/2010/12/led_display_firmware_update.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Dan Moren, Macworld

**** Apple's iPad Luring Small Businesses <http://www.thestreet.com/story/10947821/1/apples-ipad-luring-small-businesses.html?puc=tsczacks&cm_ven=tsczacks>
Olivia Oran, The Street

While the grape fields of Northern California may be the last place you would expect to see one of tech's hottest-selling gadgets, that's not the case at Jordan Winery, where the company recently gave iPads to all 97 employees.

**** Apple iTunes Ping Playlist Editing: Hands On <http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2374358,00.asp>
Jeffrey L. Wilson, PC Magazine

**** 'Riven: The Sequel To Myst' Is Out: On The App Store Now <http://toucharcade.com/2010/12/15/riven-the-sequel-to-myst-is-out-on-the-app-store-now/>
Brad Nicholson, Touch Arcade

**** AirPlayer Lets You Stream Video From iOS To Mac <http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/12/airplayer-lets-you-stream-video-from-ios-to-mac/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Fgadgets%2Fmac+%28Wired%3A+Gadgets+-+Mac%29>
Charlie Sorrel, Wired

The app runs a Bonjour server on the Mac which identifies itself on the network as an AppleTV. Start it up and it shows up in your iDevice’s AirPlay list as a destination. Touch it and the video streams magically to your Mac.

**** Speeding Up Your Mac <http://www.macworld.com/article/156418/2010/12/speedier_mac.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Christopher Breen, Macworld

**** Daylite Touch For iPad Brings Project Management To Your Fingertips <http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/15/daylite-touch-for-ipad/>
Dave Caolo, TUAW

Much more than a task tracker, Daylite offers complete project management for individuals and large companies alike.

**** Apple Releases iTunes 10.1.1 <http://www.macworld.com/article/156417/2010/12/itunes_10_1_1.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Serenity Caldwell, Macworld

Among the issues fixed in iTunes 10.1.1: a problem where music videos weren’t playing properly on Macs with Nvidia GeForce 9400 or 9600 graphics cards; the program unexpectedly quitting when deleting a playlist with the iTunes Sidebar visible; iTunes crashing when syncing an iPod on PowerPC Macs; and music videos not syncing to an iPod, iPhone, or iPad.

**** iBooks 1.2 Now Available From The App Store <http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/15/ibooks-1-2-now-available-from-the-app-store/>
Dave Caolo, TUAW

First, it offers support for full illustrations (you know, just like real books). It will also create collections of your books and PDFs, which is quite nice.

**** Mac Orchard Closing Down <http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/15/mac-orchard-closing-down/>
Kelly Hodgkins, TUAW

**** Microsoft Updates Office, Communicator For Mac 2011 <http://www.macworld.com/article/156406/2010/12/office_for_mac_communicator_update.html?lsrc=rss_main>
David Chartier, Macworld

Office for Mac version 14.0.2 tackles a handful of stability and reliability improvements, which Microsoft detailed in a support document. In particular, Office would sometimes refuse to open compatible documents that were sent from a third-party application, and the new Outlook could crash when importing .pst files containing categories that did not have names.

**** Apple's iTunes 10.1.1 Update Causing Crashes Instead Of Fixing Them <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/12/15/itunes_10_1_1_update_causing_crashes_instead_of_fixing_them.html>
AppleInsider

Some users are reporting that updating to iTunes 10.1.1, which is supposed to resolve issues that could cause it to crash, causes iTunes to crash, leaving them unable to open the application.

**** iPhone 101: Save Extensions In Contacts <http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/15/iphone-101-save-extensions-in-contacts/>
Aron Trimble, TUAW

In order to input a pause in your contact's phone number, you need to open the contact for editing using either the Phone or Contacts app on your iPhone or iPod touch.

**** Apple's Priority Queue <http://amro.co/apples-priority-queue>
Amro Mousa

So I'm convinced Apple uses a Priority Queue to prioritize app reviews. I believe the following three factors greatly affect the priority assigned to an app submission.

**** Coming To Grips With Lugging An iPad <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/fashion/16ipad.html?ref=technology>
Jennifer 8. Lee, New York Times

Call it the male iPad dilemma: too large to slip into a pants pocket, too stiff to be curled up like a magazine and too precious to leave unprotected. With its rigid tablet shape, Apple’s iPad has raised an awkward consideration for many men: how to carry it in a manner that is practical and yet, well, masculine.

**** 2010′s iPad App Of The Year, Flipboard, Solidifies Its Crown With Massive Update <http://techcrunch.com/2010/12/15/flipboard/>
MG Siegler, TechCrunch

**** Not Really 'Made In China' <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704828104576021142902413796.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEADTop>
Andrew Batson, Wall Street Journal

The researchers say traditional ways of measuring global trade produce the number but fail to reflect the complexities of global commerce where the design, manufacturing and assembly of products often involve several countries.

Trade statistics in both countries consider the iPhone a Chinese export to the U.S., even though it is entirely designed and owned by a U.S. company, and is made largely of parts produced in several Asian and European countries. China's contribution is the last step—assembling and shipping the phones.

**** Circus Ponies Brings NoteBook Note-taking App To iPad <http://www.macworld.com/article/156438/2010/12/circusponies_notebook_ios.html?lsrc=rss_main>
David Dahlquist, Macworld

Circus Ponies—a company, not actual circus ponies—has released a version of its Mac OS X note-taking app, NoteBook, for the iPad. NoteBook is a powerful note-taking tool that includes a full-featured outliner with multi-font text, and lets you add files, diagrams, and sketches to your notes.

**** The Art Of Disc Printing <http://www.macworld.com/article/156365/2010/12/dvdprinting.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Jay J. Nelson, Macworld

**** Mac App Store To Open On January 6 <http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/16/mac-app-store-to-open-on-january-6/>
Dave Caolo, TUAW

The store will be available in 90 countries and feature games, productivity apps and a whole lot more.



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** A Sherlock Holmes Tale That’s Hardly Elementary <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/books/16book.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss>
Janet Maslin, New York Times

“Perhaps the greatest of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries is this: that when we talk of him we invariably fall into the fancy of his existence,” T .S. Eliot wrote in a 1929 review of “The Complete Sherlock Holmes Short Stories.”

For an extreme example of what Eliot meant, consider “The Sherlockian,” a new novel predicated entirely on Holmes worship, Holmes mimicry, Holmes artifacts and assorted other forms of Holmesiana. Its smart young author, Graham Moore, has done much more than fall into the fancy of Holmes’s existence. He has fallen down a Holmes well.

**** The World's Best Living Travel Writer <http://www.salon.com/news/air_travel/index.html?story=/tech/col/smith/2010/12/15/john_gimlette_travel_writer>
Patrick Smith, Salon

Read John Gimlette and you'll want to go wherever he's talking about -- even frozen, rocky Newfoundland.

**** Fat Cookbooks <http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/70100/>
Jane Black, New York Magazine

How they got so hefty.



SingaporeSurf
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**** Jetstar Launches Controversial Singapore Hub <http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/jetstar-launches-controversial-singapore-hub-20101215-18xxr.html>
Andrew Heasley, Sydney Morning Herald

The plan to base the two airliners and crew in Singapore has drawn intense criticism from the Australian and International Pilots Association and some pilots, who claim Singapore-based crew would be working on Australian-registered planes with worse pay and conditions than their Australian counterparts.

**** Taiwan, Singapore Prepare To Forge Economic Partnership <http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?ID=201012150035&Type=aECO>
Focus Taiwan

**** Why Allow Distribution Of Fliers At MRT Stations? <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC101216-0000203/Why-allow-distribution-of-fliers-at-MRT-stations?>
Lee Kwok Weng, Today

Why are the transport authorities and train operators permitting what are essentially touts to operate inside MRT stations?

**** A Silly Place To Put A Table For Smokers <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC101216-0000200/A-silly-place-to-put-a-table-for-smokers>
Raymund Koh Joo Guan, Today

Obviously, little thought has gone into the planning of this food centre, with a smoking zone marked out just to meet requirements, rather than to reflect the spirit of the law, which is to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke.

**** That Cup Of Coffee Is Going To Cost You More <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC101216-0000224/That-cup-of-coffee-is-going-to-cost-you-more>
Leong Wee Keat, Today

Enjoying your cup of coffee at a neighbourhood store could cost more in the coming months, with prices of some brews going up by some 15 per cent.

**** Mah Bow Tan Notable Absentee In PAP's Latest CEC <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1099431/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

The ruling People's Action Party has released the names of those elected to its Central Executive Committee (CEC), with national development minister Mah Bow Tan being the notable absentee.

Mr Mah who was one of five members co-opted into the previous CEC two years ago, did not feature in the party's latest highest decision-making body - which was decided at a meeting on Wednesday.

**** Upskirt Pervert's Background Mysteriously Disappears From The Net <http://www.mrbrown.com/blog/2010/12/upskirt-perverts-background-mysteriously-disappears-from-the-net.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mrbrown+%28mrbrown%29>
mrbrown

It's almost as if the Soo Ee Hock in the papers is a totally different guy from the Soo Ee Hock who was a PBM-winning grassroots leader.

**** Rais: It Is Malaysia’s Right To Express Displeasure <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/16/nation/7633406&sec=nation>
The Star

The Government has done the right thing by protesting over the unjustified comments made against the Malaysian leadership and situation in the country, said information, communications and culture minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

“It is our right to express our views and disappointment over the comments made by a neighbour because to say a person is less competent is very rude,” he said.

**** Andrew Kuan Possible GE Independent Candidate <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC101216-0000250/Andrew-Kuan-possible-GE-independent-candidate>
Ong Dai Lin, Today

The former JTC Corporation group chief financial officer said on Facebook that he was "preparing for 2011 GE as an independent candidate" and asked for comments on "what others have to say".

When contacted, though, he preferred to wait till the "fresh new year" to say more. He would only add - without saying if it could be a possible election slogan - that he wanted "Clearer Accountability, Responsibility and Equality for a better Singapore - CARE for a better Singapore".

**** Time Is Ripe For Full-time MPs <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC101216-0000218/Time-is-ripe-for-full-time-MPs>
Errol Goodenough, Today

No MP will end up in the poorhouse by choosing to switch to full-time representation.

On the contrary, working full-time will not only endear the incumbent to residents but also provide daily first-hand insight into the problems faced by town council personnel and grassroots leaders.

**** Online Videos: When MDA Will Use Classification <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_614285.html>
Amy Chua, Media Development Authority, Straits Times

The Media Development Authority (MDA) has generally taken a 'light- touch' approach with regard to the Internet and not mandated that all Internet content providers (ICPs) send their uploaded films to MDA for classification. This is also the case with Mr See, whose blog has several films that have not been submitted to MDA.

The MDA will, however, direct ICPs to submit films - for which there may be content concerns - to it for classification, if such films are raised to its attention. ICPs who are unsure should similarly submit their films to MDA.

**** Wikileaks : PAP Govt's Disdain For Everyone Else Exposed.... <http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2010/12/wikileaks-pap-govts-disdain-for.html>
Diary Of A Singaporean Mind

It takes a kind of callousness and arrogence to behave is such a manner. That the PAP govt lack respect for ordinary citizens has been widely felt....they regard the ordinary Singaporeans they lead as lacking in talent, motivation and intelligence compared with the people they want to import. They merely extended this behavior in their dealing with foreign leaders.

**** 乌节路最后的 杂货店 <http://www.zaobao.com.sg/fk/fk101216_004.shtml>
李喜梅, 联合早报

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**** A Tale Of Two Singapores <http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4434-a-tale-of-two-singapores>
Singapore Democrat Party

We must tell the PAP enough is enough - the unbridled avarice and obsession with material wealth is hurting our society and will be our undoing. Singaporeans deserve better. They need a more equitable and egalitarian system, one where we can live in dignity and not as second-class citizens.

**** Much Ado Over Idle Chat <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/16/nation/7627520&sec=nation>
Mergawati Zulfakar, The Star

It is only natural to get upset if your own neighbour talks bad behind your back just when you think you are having a wonderful relation. Some quarters in Wisma Putra felt a strong and clear message ought to be sent to Singapore, thus the summon and the protest note.

Singapore, in turn, could have easily defused the situation if only Yeo had just picked up the phone and talked with his Kuala Lumpur counterpart, Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, before delivery of any protest note.

**** Property Sector Accounts For 51% Of Singapore Banks' Loans <http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/business/2010-12/16/c_13651507.htm>
Xinhua

Singapore banks' exposure to the property sector has doubled from 24 percent of total loans in 1991 to 51 percent as at September 2010, but banks in Singapore face low risks of default.

**** Cambodia Slammed In Latest WikiLeak Cables <http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010121545410/National-news/cambodia-slammed-in-latest-wikileak-cables.html>
Phnom Penh Post

Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew said Cambodia should not have been accepted into ASEAN due to its lack of shared values with the bloc’s founding members, according to a secret diplomatic cable released yesterday by the website WikiLeaks.

**** Straits Times: Willing Bedfellows Of The State <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/12/straits-times-willing-bedfellows-of-the-state/>
The Online Citizen

After careful scrutiny, one can only come to the conclusion that SPH and ST do believe that being pro-Singapore and being pro-PAP are both one and the same. One can also argue that even the recent ‘fair and favourable’ reporting by ST of opposition parties is because PAP is now singing a different tune, that opposition parties have made their contribution to national debate.

**** We'll Adopt "Light Touch" Approach For Online Videos : MDA <http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/2010/12/well-adopt-light-touch-approach-for.html>
Martyn See, Only "Objective" And "Factual" Political Films Please, We're Singaporeans

Section 14 is a handy tool to use when the authorities wishes to act on films (or people) which they deem to be "against public interests". For example, they may selectively choose to conduct raids on a private screening of an anti-Lee Kuan Yew film.

Or, on occasions when the police raid a person's home for an illegal activity or possessions (such as gambling or drugs), they may also charge the owner with possession of unlicensed films.