[MyAppleMenu] Jun 9, 2011

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

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

**** iCloud Without Apple: Your Platform-agnostic Alternatives <http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/06/icloud-without-apple-your-platform-agnostic-alternativesicloud-without-apple-your-platform-agnostic-alternatives.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss>
Ryan Paul, Ars Technica

But what if you want similar service on different platforms? Can iCloud's features be hacked together from other existing offerings on the Web?

**** Apple Bans DUI Checkpoint Apps On iOS Devices <http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20070142-1/apple-bans-dui-checkpoint-apps-on-ios-devices/?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=News-Apple>
Dong Ngo, CNET

The new guidelines only apply to DUI checkpoints specifically; apps that pinpoint "speed traps," such as Trapster, are still available in the App Store. Note, however, that Apple only bans DUI checkpoints that are not published by law enforcement agencies, and in California, the law requires that the general locations of these checkpoints be made public in advance.

**** Automate Slimming And Sending PDF Files <http://www.macworld.com/article/160406/2011/06/slim_send_pdf.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Christopher Breen, Macworld

**** WWDC 2011 Journal, Day 2 <http://googlemac.blogspot.com/2011/06/wwdc-2011-journal-day-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OfficialGoogleMacBlog+%28Official+Google+Mac+Blog%29>
Mike Morton, Google

A few sessions had hiccups: A missing slide, a demo application not working. Presenters rolled with the punches. One cheerfully moved on with "imagine you saw a demo, and it was great!". (He got a round of applause.)

**** Richard Dreyfuss Reads The iTunes EULA <http://www.cnet.com/8301-30976_1-20068778-10348864.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Crave>
Rafe Needleman, CNET

**** You Don’t Profit In A Monopoly, You Work Harder : A Lesson From Apple <http://paramaggarwal.com/post/6004326725/you-dont-profit-in-a-monopoly-you-work-harder-a>
Param Aggarwal

A low price made it very lucrative to prospective buyers who didn’t have much idea how they were going to use this entirely new class of device. It was safe to try out this device solely on its ‘cool’ factor.

**** How Apple Can Make Money From Higher-Quality Songs <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/08/how-apple-makes-money-from-higher-quality-songs/?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Nick Bilton, New York Times

Why did Apple decide to provide the files in better audio quality than most downloads? Some analysts say it may be a smart way to make money.

**** Apple’s iCloud Punishes Honest iTunes Users With DRM <http://gigaom.com/2011/06/08/apple-icloud-drm/>
Janko Roettgers, GigaOM

Apple’s practice of serving up DRMed downloads to paying customers more than two years after the company announced with big fanfares that it would abandon DRM serves as an important reminder: Once businesses and consumers buy into a copy protection scheme, they’re gonna have a hard time getting rid of it.

**** iOS 5: Why Integrate Twitter And Not Facebook? <http://www.informationweek.com/news/230500065>
Eric Zeman, InformationWeek

They can't ignore one another, at least not for long. Users will demand it, eventually.

**** Why Apple Is Like A Zamboni: Startups React To iOS 5 <http://venturebeat.com/2011/06/08/apple-zamboni-ios-5/>
Anthony Ha, VentureBeat

Yes, the company unveiled a number of cool new features that consumers and developers will be able to tap into. On the other hand, Apple seemed pretty willing to build features that were inspired by and competitive with many of those developers.

**** Apple Starts To Wind Down The "iPod" Brand <http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-ipod-brand-2011-6>
Dan Frommer, BusinessInsider

Apple's new iOS 5 software for iPhones, shipping this fall, has many additions, but appears to have one notable subtraction: The music app is no longer called "iPod" -- it's just called "Music." There's a separate app for "Video," as on the iPad and iPod touch.

**** Mobile Future: Want Apple Way Or Google Wild Ride? <http://www.informationweek.com/news/global-cio/interviews/230500006>
Fritz Nelson, InformationWeek

**** Low Cost And Hi-Fi: Building A Player <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/technology/personaltech/09basics.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss>
Roy Furchgott, New York Times

The answer was a music server, a special computer built to store and play high-fidelity music. The problem is that they are costly — the better ones start at around $1,000 — and I am cheap.

But then I realized that a music server is just a hard drive and processor. Why not use an old computer to build a low-cost, high-fidelity music server?

**** Apple Asks Developers About App Legal Issues <http://www.informationweek.com/news/development/mobility/230500081>
Thomas Claburn, InformationWeek

After prompting developers to agree to the newly updated iOS developer agreement, one that encompasses the legal issues related to the upcoming launch of the company's iCloud service, Apple is presenting developers who access iTunesConnect, its app management service, with a web submission form titled iCloud Legal Information. The question posted is, "Do you have any apps that may have a legal issue?"

While it's likely Apple's questions about the legal status of apps have been motivated by the situation with Lodsys, there are other patent litigants making claims against Apple developers--MacroSolve, for example--and other legal issues that Apple has to deal with. So this may be merely a new business process designed to keep Apple's lawyers informed about legal issues faced by developers.

**** Apple Threatens Wireless Industry Group For Daring To List Out Other App Stores <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110607/10430514593/apple-threatens-wireless-industry-group-daring-to-list-out-other-app-stores.shtml>
TechDirt

**** Adjust Time Period For Hard-disk Sleep In OS X <http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20070163-263.html>
Topher Kessler, CNET

**** Apple Upgrades Leave Bitter Taste <http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/may/21/apple-upgrades-itunes-version?cat=money&type=article>
Rupert Jones, The Guardian

If you go out and buy an iPhone 4 or the latest iPod shuffle, iPod nano or iPod touch, you won't be able to use it unless you have the latest version of iTunes (iTunes 10) on your computer. No problem, you think – it's simply a case of downloading it from Apple's website. But I've just made a rather unpleasant discovery: "older" Mac computers are unable to run the latest version of iTunes. And I'm not alone; it's a problem that has sparked fury among Apple users across the world.

**** “It Just Works.” <http://techcrunch.com/2011/06/08/apple-icloud-google-cloud/>
MG Siegler, TechCrunch

Amid all the big announcements at this year’s WWDC keynote, there was an undercurrent that was subtle, but important.

“It just works.” Steve Jobs kept saying this over and over again on stage. When Jobs does this, it’s never an accident. It’s a message.

**** How Apple Feeds Its Army Of App Makers <http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_25/b4233039336374.htm>
Peter Burrows, BusinessWeek

Freelance developers such as Stone tend to be an idealistic, egalitarian bunch, suspicious of big companies intent on telling them, or consumers, what to do. And yet Apple has expertly played on their pragmatism—programming tools are slick and simple to use, for example. The main reason there are so many more apps available for Apple products is that there are more ways for developers to make money on them.

**** Apple's OS X And Virtualization: A Missed Opportunity <http://www.zdnet.com/blog/perlow/apples-os-x-and-virtualization-a-missed-opportunity/17488>
Jason Perlow, ZDNet

The datacenter appears to run on… wait for it… wait for it… the suspense is killing me… HP Proliants. With HP external storage enclosures, NetApp NAS filers and TeraData storage appliances, at least from what can be observed in the title photo of this article and in various stills extracted from Apple’s WWDC keynote video.

Must everything Apple uses run OS X?

**** Incredible Machine Comes To iPad Via Original Designers <http://www.macnn.com/articles/11/06/09/game.center.support.60.levels.original.music/>
MacNN

The Incredible Machine, an venerable computer game that has been around since the early 90s and which has been named one of the best games of all time, has made the move to a touch-interface by debuting on the iPad in a remade version created by the original designers and now published by Disney.

**** Apple Backs Down On In-app Purchasing Rules, Allows Lower Prices For Out-of-app Purchases <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/06/09/apple_backs_down_on_in_app_purchasing_rules_allows_lower_prices_for_out_of_app_purchases.html>
Sam Oliver, AppleInsider

Apple's new rules, detailed in section 11.14 of the App Store Review Guidelines, make it clear that approved iOS software "can read or play approved content (specifically magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video) that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app," provided there is no link to purchase that content elsewhere at a lower price. "Apple will not receive any portion of the revenues for approved content that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app."

**** Mac Troubleshooting FAQ: iCal And Mail <http://www.macworld.com/article/159704/2011/05/troubleshoot_Mail_Address_Book_iCal.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Christopher Breen, Macworld

**** Reeder For Mac Now Available On Mac App Store <http://www.tuaw.com/2011/06/09/reeder-for-mac-now-available-on-mac-app-store/>
Chris Rawson, TUAW

Reeder, a popular Google Reader client on iOS, is now out of beta and available on the Mac App Store. While the beta version of Reeder for the Mac was free to test, the 1.0 release will set you back US$9.99, more than twice the price of the iPad version.

**** iOS 5 Additions Force Some Developers To Think Different <http://www.macworld.com/article/160414/2011/06/ios_app_replacements.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Dan Frakes, Macworld

With iOS 5, potential “victims” of these new features include one of the most popular reading services, a couple entire genres of apps, and a standout utility.

**** On The Job <http://macgroup.org/blog/2011/06/09/on-the-job/>
Chita Hunter, MacNews

On the Job is time tracking and invoice generating software that is very straight-forward and easy to use.

**** Will iTunes Match Let Apple See Your Pirated Music? <http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/editors/26863/>
Erica Naone, Technology Review

In some cases, this means that labels and artists are getting paid for pirated tracks; in others, they'll get paid twice for a song a user bought once.

**** Anime Studio Debut 8 And Anime Studio Pro 8 Released <http://www.macworld.com/article/160436/2011/06/anime.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Jackie Dove, Macworld

Smith Micro has released a pair of animation program upgrades that cater to both novices and pros. Anime Studio Debut 8, a simple program targeted to novice users, hobbylists, and animation enthusiasts, offers a number of professional-level features in an easy-to-understand format. The Anime Studio Pro 8 upgrade, for professional artists and animators, expands that program by adding a slate of new tools and capabilities.

**** The Two Faces Of Lion <http://tidbits.com/article/12237?rss>
Glenn Fleishman, TidBITS

It’s not so much that Lion borrows from iOS. It’s rather that Apple has figured out the quintessence of what makes iOS eminently approachable for people for whom the classic desktop interface will never work. Which is most people.



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

**** Empty Trash. Buy Milk. Forge History. <http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2011/06/05/empty_trash_buy_milk_forge_history/?page=full>
Gal Beckerman, Boston Globe

To trace the great arcs of civilization, historians tap the humble list.



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

**** For Her Son’s Bright Future <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/06/for-her-sons-bright-future/>
The Online Citizen

**** Printing Glitch In Some Singapore Passports <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1134073/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

In a press release on Wednesday evening, the ICA said the passports were among a total of 1,280 passports that could be affected. The ICA is contacting those who have been issued with such affected passports to arrange for the documents to be examined and verified. All affected passports will be corrected on the spot.

**** Workers' Party Co-opts Two Aljunied MPs Into Its CEC <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110609-0000368/Workers-Party-co-opts-two-Aljunied-MPs-into-its-CEC>
Today

After capturing Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) at the recent polls, the Workers' Party has now pushed up two members of the victorious team into its Central Executive Council (CEC), the party's highest decision-making body.

**** Freedom Of Information Act Yet To Come Down With The Rain <http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/freedom-of-information-act-yet-to-come-down-with-the-rain/>
Au Waipang, Yawning Bread

**** Communists 'Saved' Singapore From Corruption <http://opinion.globaltimes.cn/commentary/2011-06/663218.html>
Ding Gang, Global Times

Authoritarianism leads to tyranny, and tyranny causes revolution, according to traditional Western political theory. But the link breaks in Singapore. Its authoritarianism hasn't caused revolution and transparent authoritarianism is more efficient than a multi-party parliamentary system. This has become the basis of the People's Action Party's long-term rule.

**** Tan Kin Lian: Suggestions Are Within The Constitution <http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/tan-kin-lian-suggestions-within-constitution-070349818.html>
Alicia Wong, Yahoo!

He acknowledged that there "will be limitations" on what is disclosed in the report but it "should be possible to allay the concerns of the people" without negatively impacting national interest.

**** Former DPM Tony Tan’s Foreign-talent-first Singaporeans-second University Admission Policy <http://furrybrowndog.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/former-dpm-tony-tans-foreign-talent-first-singaporeans-second-university-admission-policy/>
Furry Brown Dog

In other words, if one is looking to blame any minister for the huge influx of foreign students in local Singapore universities and the huge brain drain of polytechnic graduates who leave for overseas university education (who are unfairly penalised due to consideration of ‘O’ Level grades), DPM Tony Tan appears to be the minister responsible.

In his quest to ensure the Singapore economy had enough graduates to keep it going and while also trying to boost local university standards and international appeal, DPM Tony Tan set in motion the policy which discriminated against local students in favour of foreign students who, in some apparent cases are not able to qualify for their own country’s competitive university entrance exams.

**** The Singapore Slink <http://www.economist.com/node/21518820>
J.c., The Economist

The strange thing is that the countries actually did sign a joint extradition-and-defence agreement in 2007. But then the Indonesian parliament refused to ratify it, claiming that the defence pact would compromise Indonesia’s security by giving Singapore the right to conduct military exercises in Indonesian airspace and maritime territory. Some critics have charged that lawmakers blocked the extradition treaty so that Singapore could remain a safe haven for the sort of Indonesian corruption suspects who donate to their campaigns—or even a refugee for themselves. An interesting statistic could support the latter claim: In 2010, 37.7% of all Indonesians named corruption suspects by the KPK were current or former members of parliament, according to Indonesia Corruption Watch.

**** Singapore's 'Rising Inflation Possible Cause Of Concern' <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_677869.html>
Aaron Low, Straits Times

**** Presidential Election Likely To Be Held After mid-August, Say Observers <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1134114/1/.html>
Tan Weizhen, Today

The protagonists are gradually emerging, but observers expect the Presidential Election showdown to still be months away, possibly sometime in the last two weeks of August. 

The election must be held by August 31 and observers noted that certain periods between now and then can safely be ruled out, leaving only a couple of windows of opportunity.

**** Singapore's GIC Strengthens Focus On Emerging Markets <http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/singapores-gic-strengthens-focusemerging-markets/438473/>
Devjyot Ghoshal, Business Standard

**** A Central Park For Singapore As A Solution To Floods? <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110609-0000321/A-Central-Park-for-Singapore-as-a-solution-to-floods>
Ong Dai Lin, Today

New York has Central Park. Now, the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) is eyeing a local version for Singapore's shopping belt as a long-term solution to the floods in the district.

**** 刘程强：设议员办事处接见选民 工人党未决定租用组屋底层 <http://www.zaobao.com.sg/sp/sp110609_022.shtml>
林慧慧, 联合早报

工人党秘书长刘程强说，他们还未决定是否要向建屋发展局租用组屋底层空间来设立议员办事处接见选民，主要顾虑点是建设办事处所需的庞大费用，以及建成后当局是否允许他们利用设施主办工人党或基层活动，他们正在等建屋局对疑问作出答复。

åˆ˜ç¨‹å¼ºæ˜¨æ™šæ˜¯åœ¨å‹¿æ´›è“„æ°´æ± è·¯ç¬¬713座组屋底层接见选民前，对记者说：“我们不想浪费资源，要是每个星期只用一次，这岂不成了白象。要是可以，我们希望（办事处）能主办党或者基层活动……（国家发展部）现在确实是作出政策U转，不过在我看来好像只是转了一半。”

**** Flashback: Tan Cheng Bock, George Yeo Clash Over Immigration <http://thesatayclub.net/2011/06/flashback-tan-cheng-bock-george-yeo-clash-over-immigration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=flashback-tan-cheng-bock-george-yeo-clash-over-immigration>
Nigel Tan, The Satay Club

However, immigration is unlikely to be made into an election issue at the upcoming Presidential Election, mainly because the President does not have a direct role in shaping public policy. However, the Parliamentary exchanges between Dr Tan and Mr Yeo – outdated as they may be – could serve as a useful indication of where the respective candidates stand on an issue that remains as a top priority for most voters.

**** Incoming Fare Increases <http://singaporedesk.blogspot.com/2011/06/incoming-fare-increases.html>
Singapore Notes

They actually say it in print, "it ensures operators can earn enough to improving service". Highest paid SMRT CEO Saw Phaik Hwa, 55, was rewarded with $1.67 million in 2009, and her gem of a comment on the state of the transportation system was “We've yet to push people into the train”. Look like the push from 66.6% to 60.1% is not enough to change things for the better.

**** 为何乘地铁不能携带电视机？ <http://www.zaobao.com.sg/yl/yl110609_008.shtml>
郑秀凤, 联合早报

ä¸ºä»€ä¹ˆå…¶ä»–å¤§å°ç›¸ç­‰çš„æ—…è¡Œç®±éƒ½èƒ½é€šè¡Œæ— é˜»ï¼Œè€Œè£…æœ‰ç”µè§†æœºçš„ç®±å­å°±ä¸èƒ½é€šè¿‡ï¼Ÿç”µè§†æœºæ˜¯å±é™©ç‰©å“å—ï¼Ÿ

**** Singapore Will Stand By Iran In IAEA: Singaporean President <http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=242148>
Tehran Times

The Singaporean president has said that his country will stand by the Islamic Republic of Iran in the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international organizations.

**** Party Plans On Track For Last Train Ride To Tanjong Pagar <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/6/9/nation/8866099&sec=nation>
Straits Times

When the KTM Berhad train pulls into the Tanjong Pagar railway station for the last time on June 30, close to 70 passengers will be on board in party hats and popping bottles of champagne. Friends and history buffs Jerome Lim, 46, Clarissa Tan, 39, and Pooja Makhijani, 33, are organising a sending-off party of sorts on board the train to commemorate the historic occasion.

**** Man Killed In Ang Mo Kio Park: Why Police Patrols Missing? Part 2 <http://rogerpoh.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/man-killed-in-ang-mo-kio-park-why-police-patrols-missing-part-2/>
Spotlight On Singapore

Crime occurs because of an opportunity to commit it and get away with it. In Singapore such opportunities are in abundance. 

**** 吕德耀：理工生年长与残疾者 å°†é€æ­¥äº«æœ‰è½¦èµ„ä¼˜æƒ  <http://www.zaobao.com.sg/sp/sp110609_019.shtml>
李静仪, 联合早报

**** Faces Of The Railway: The Last Station Master At Bukit Timah <http://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/faces-of-the-railway-the-last-station-master-at-bukit-timah/>
The Long And Winding Road

Working tirelessly through the day to keep the stretch of the Malayan Railway passing from Woodlands through to Tanjong Pagar safe is a quiet and unassuming gentleman by the name of Encik Atan.

**** Presidential Hopefuls Can Learn From Worker’s Party <http://newnation.sg/2011/06/presidential-candidates-should-learn-from-workers-party/>
Terence Lee, New Nation

But here’s the deal: Whichever candidate that comes across as the most independent-minded and sensible stands a good chance of winning.

**** Flash Floods In Singapore: PUB’s Actions Too Little Too Late? <http://asiancorrespondent.com/56953/flash-floods-in-singapore-pubs-actions-too-little-too-late/>
Asian Correspondent

The effort to deepen the canal, which will commence by the end of this year, is perhaps too little too late when such instances of flash floods had been reported as early as 2009. A 15-year-old teenage boy unfortunately lost his life as he fell into an uncovered drain on Wednesday.

**** Singapore's Temasek Chief Likely To Step Down In August - FT <http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/09/temasek-ceo-idUSL3E7H907Z20110609>
Reuters

The chief executive of Singapore's state investor Temasek Holdings , Ho Ching, is likely to step down in August, Financial Times reported on Thursday citing sources familiar with the matter.

**** Hawker Food Remains Affordable In April: CASE Survey <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1134176/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

According to a survey by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), hawker food remains affordable in April. The survey showed that 54 per cent of the stalls sold cooked food at S$2.50 or lower.

**** è¢«è¯¯è¯»çš„æ–°åŠ å¡ç‰ˆé«˜è–ªå…»å»‰ <http://roll.sohu.com/20110609/n309713753.shtml>
杨沐语, 黑龙江晨报

åœ¨å›½å®¶ç»æµŽæ¡ä»¶è®¸å¯çš„æƒ…å†µä¸‹ï¼Œé€‚å½“å¢žåŠ å®˜åä¿¸ç¦„ï¼Œæé«˜å…¶ç‰©è´¨ç”Ÿæ´»ï¼Œæ˜¯å¿…è¦çš„ï¼Œä½†å¦‚æžœæŠŠå®ƒä½œä¸ºé˜²è´ªå…»å»‰æ‰‹æ®µï¼Œè®¤ä¸ºâ€œç¦„åŽšåˆ™äººçŸ¥è‡ªé‡â€ï¼Œè¿™ä¾¿é™·å…¥äº†è®¤è¯†è¯¯åŒºã€‚

**** Inflation Tipped To Rise With Singapore's Strong Growth <http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=592781>
Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah, Bernama

**** Jayakumar Rules Out Contesting In Presidential Election <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1134223/1/.html>
S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia

Prof Jayakumar said it would be good if Singaporeans, especially candidates, are clear about the role of the president - what he can do and what he cannot do. "Otherwise, there may be wrong expectations about the role of the president, and we should avoid that," he added.

**** Take A Stand In Pink <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/06/take-a-stand-in-pink/>
Ho Rui An, The Online Citizen

**** CPF: An Ever Moving Target? <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/06/cpf-an-ever-moving-target/>
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen