[MyAppleMenu] Jan 21, 2010

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** The War Between Apple And Google Has Just Begun <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/the-war-between-apple-and-google-has-just-begun/?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Nick Bilton, New York Times

Consumers are witnessing the beginning of a new war between computer companies. Instead of the Apple-Microsoft conflict of the early 1980s, this fight is taking place between Apple and Google.

**** Apple Sees New Money In Old Media <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703405704575015362653644260.html?mod=WSJ_business_whatsNews>
Yukari Iwatani Kane and Ethan Smith, Wall Street Journal

With the new tablet device that is debuting next week, Apple Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs is betting he can reshape businesses like textbooks, newspapers and television much the way his iPod revamped the music industry—and expand Apple's influence and revenue as a content middleman.

**** Google Is Now Apple’s Greatest Enemy: Here’s Why <http://mashable.com/2010/01/20/apple-microsoft-v-google/>
Mashable.com

Say hello to the new dynamic. It’s Apple + Microsoft vs. Google. May the new battle begin.

**** Apple Tries To Wrestle iPad Trademark Away From Fujitsu <http://www.macnn.com/articles/10/01/20/multiple.deadline.extensions.requested/>
MacNN

Apple is actively working to take the American "iPad" trademark away from Fujitsu, unearthed documents show. It was recently discovered that Apple is filing for the iPad name in Canada, Europe and Hong Kong, but that because of Fujitsu, the company cannot do so in the US. The Fujitsu iPAD is already a tangible product, a handheld device used by retail workers.

**** Apple Courts Publishers, While Kindle Adds Apps <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/technology/21reader.html?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Brad Stone and Motoko Rich, New York Times

It’s a formidable high-tech face-off: Amazon.com versus Apple for the hearts and minds of book publishers, authors and readers.

**** First Look: BumpTop Mac <http://www.macworld.com/article/145812/2010/01/firstlook_bumptop.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Lex Friedman, Macworld

The 3D OS X desktop software, newly available for Mac, sports some cool and shiny features.



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Digital Photo Frames Join The Social Scene <http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/digital-photo-frames-join-the-social-scene/?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Rik Fairlie, New York Times

A new digital photo frame provides an easy way to share photos, social networking updates, and RSS feeds.

**** Amazon Cracks Open The Kindle <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/amazon-cracks-open-the-kindle/?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Brad Stone, New York Times

Amazon.com is finally opening up the Kindle to developers. This has the potential to turn a popular single-purpose device into a more interesting and versatile gadget, limited only by the imagination of third-party programmers — and by what they can do with its monochrome e-ink screen.



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** James Patterson Inc. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/magazine/24patterson-t.html?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Jonathan Mahler, New York Times

Like most authors, James Patterson started out with one book, released in 1976, that he struggled to get published.

**** Of God And Gardens <http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/anthony-gottlieb/god-and-gardens>
Anthony Gottlieb, Intelligent Life Magazine

Believers have got into a tangle trying to fend off the likes of Richard Dawkins. And then there’s the problem of the horticultural parable.



SingaporeSurf
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**** SMRT: Why Priority Cabins Aren't Feasible <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC100121-0000022/SMRT--Why-priority-cabins-arent-feasible>
Bernadette Low, SMRT Corporation Ltd, Today

As the MRT system is designed to transport a large number of commuters, during peak hours, we optimise our resources to run trains according to scheduled service frequencies to meet demand. As such, it will not be possible to designate a special cabin for commuters with special needs without affecting train capacity and schedules.

**** 7: Logical Thinking? <http://sturmdesjahrhunderts.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/7-logical-thinking/>
Die Neue Welle

Logic doesn’t operate on “should”, it operates on “is”.

**** Election-year Largesse Unlikely <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_480156.html>
Fiona Chan, Straits Times

Despite this being a likely election year, next month's Budget looks set to be a more low-key affair than those of previous election years, with fewer handouts to please Singapore's voters. Economists expect this year's government spending plan to be generous, but more focused on laying the foundation for medium-term growth.

**** 圣淘沙IR开业后 每天料有上百巴士穿梭新马 <http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp100121_019.shtml>
赵琬仪, 联合早报

据旅游业者估计，圣淘沙名胜世界综合度假胜地的环球影城及赌场一开业，每天会有100至150è¾†å·´å£«ç©¿æ¢­æ–°åŠ å¡å’Œé©¬æ¥è¥¿äºšä¹‹é—´ï¼Œä»Žé©¬å›½å¾€è¿”çš„æ¸¸å®¢äººæ•°å¯è¶…è¿‡3000人。

**** 狮城首个大型综合娱乐城开幕 港澳旅游面临危机 <http://www.chinanews.com.cn/ga/ga-gamy/news/2010/01-21/2084508.shtml>
中国新闻网

**** Singapore: ‘Textbook Example” Of Repressive State <http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/01/20/singapore-textbook-example-repressive-state>
Human Rights Watch

"Singapore remains the textbook example of a politically repressive state," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Individuals who want to criticize or challenge the ruling party's hold on power can expect to face a life of harassment, lawsuits, and even prison."

Freedom to express views publicly continues to be largely limited to the tiny Speaker's Corner in the city-state, while any procession or assembly for a "cause-related activity" must have prior police approval under the Public Order Act of 2009.

**** Can Singapore Ever Integrate Mainland Chinese With No Sense Of The “Rule Of Law”? <http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/01/21/can-singapore-ever-integrate-mainland-chinese-with-no-sense-of-the-rule-of-law/>
Amanda Lian, The Temasek Review

**** Only Three Types Of Sand Need Licence For Export <http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/news_lite.php?id=470060>
Bernama

**** Do You Know What Does Your TV License Pay For? <http://www.myapplemenu.com/singapore/2010/01/21/IM120038/>
Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu

A lot have been said about the annual television license fee in the blogosphere. But before you add your voices to the mix, consider the following questions: 1. Do you know what are the television programming that are funded (entirely or partially) by your license fee? 2. Of these programmes, which are the ones you want the government to stop funding via license fee? Should Mediacorp continue to produce these programmes, and who will fund them?

There is no point, in my opinion, of crying for license fees to be reduced or removed without answering these two fundamental questions.

**** Returning To Singapore For Good In February <http://tedchenphoto.com/2010/01/21/returning-to-singapore-for-good-in-february/>
Ted Chen Photography

Believe me, I put in considerable amounts of time deciding whether I should return to Singapore. It was a painful decision. In every mental debate those points above would compel me to stick around longer, and yet there were other frustrations that could be solved by going back. Singapore’s a good place to live; I’ve come to appreciate it.