[MyAppleMenu] May 8, 2011

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Amazon Cloud Player Quietly Begins Working On iOS Devices! <http://techcrunch.com/2011/05/07/amazon-cloud-player-quietly-begins-working-on-ios-devices/>
MG Siegler, TechCrunch

If you visit Amazon’s Cloud Player through the Safari web browser on an iOS device, you’ll see that it does in fact now work. You’ll first hit a warning page telling you that your browser is not supported, but just ignore that. Click into the music in your drive and it will begin playing. It works flawlessly — even to the point where if you get a Push Notification or incoming call, the music will be paused.

**** Chinese Entrepreneurs See Apple's App Store As Entryway To Global Market <http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_18016884?source=most_viewed&nclick_check=1>
John Boudreau, San Jose Mercury News

While China has long been viewed as the outsourcer to the world, a growing number of startups here are using the App Store to become global companies almost overnight, without spending a small fortune on marketing and advertising. App developers in other countries are doing that as well, but the possibilities are liberating in China, where budding entrepreneurs have long been hobbled by government regulations and no access to venture capital.



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Why Don't We Love Our Intellectuals? <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/may/08/britain-public-intellectuals?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Fbooks%2Frss+%28Books%29>
 John Naughton, The Guardian

The fact that a nation that lives by its considerable wits should be in denial about its reliance on the life of the mind is truly weird. It's what led the historian of ideas Stefan Collini to postulate what he calls the "absence thesis".

**** Book Review: 'Tabloid City' By Pete Hamill <http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-ca-pete-hamill-20110508,0,1378584.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+features%2Fbooks+%28Los+Angeles+Times+-+Books%29>
Susan Salter Reynolds, Los Angeles Times

There's murder and mayhem in Pete Hamill's latest novel, "Tabloid City," but the real victim in his book is the print journalism that Hamill knows and loves so well. This ticking time bomb of a novel is about the end of a form of daily storytelling in which America's big cities are like small towns — their recognizable casts of characters, dramas and moral struggles playing out on a slightly bigger, more complex stage.

**** Embassytown By China Miéville – Review <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/may/08/embassytown-china-mieville-review?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Fbooks%2Frss+%28Books%29>
Ursula K Le Guin, The Guardian

China Miéville knows what kind of novel he's writing, calls it by its name, science fiction, and exhibits all the virtues that make it an intensely interesting form of literature. It's a joy to find this young author coming into his own, and bringing the craft of science fiction out of the backwaters where it's been caught lately between the regressive drag of publishers marketing to a "safe" readership and the bewildering promises of change and growth offered by postmodernism in all its forms and formlessness. Embassytown is a fully achieved work of art.



SingaporeSurf
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**** GE: "We Hear All Your Voices", Says PM Lee <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1127451/1/.html>
Chitra Rajaram, Channel NewsAsia

Speaking at a post-victory news conference after the General Election results were announced on Sunday, Mr Lee said voters had given the PAP a strong mandate but he is aware of the concerns and issues voters had put across.

Mr Lee called this a watershed election - one that has taken place in a very different world and a very different Singapore from five years ago. 

He said the election had heightened political consciousness and awareness among Singaporeans.

**** GE 2011 Roundup And Analysis <http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=6789>
Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net

The oppositions’ journey has only just begun. The real work has only just started. The next 5 years will be even more crucial than the previous 5 years. The opposition must make full use of the next 5 years to solidify its support, grow in strength, and become even more credible. Too much is at stake here. What has been achieved today is of utmost importance and it must be cherished and nurtured whatever the cost.

The PAP also has its work cut out. It must try to change its image, take care of Singapore’s needs, and win back support.

**** Groundwork, Good Candidates And Consistent Branding <http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/groundwork-good-candidates-and-consistent-branding/>
Au Waipang, Yawning Bread

A facile way to explain the SDP’s remarkable improvement would be to speak of its rebranding, and to think that its new candidates were what kicked that off. I don’t think it explains enough. I think the key move was actually its sustained investment in new media, allowing it to reach a new audience directly. Couple that with a party stand that combines substance with principled clarity, and it attracts a second look from citizens. It is this second look that has in turn attracted a new slate of candidates with good credentials, but I am not yet convinced that these new candidates have anywhere near the same traction and voter appeal that the Workers’ Party’s best candidates have.

The Workers’ Party has powerful branding as well. This is demonstrated in the way it crushed the SDA in a three-cornered contest in Punggol East, and in the way its performance was consistent in all constituencies where it contested. Everywhere, it was above 40 percent. That said, part of the reason was that it chose to fight in areas that it had spent years in retail politics, stretching from Nee Soon to Changi.

**** GE: SPP Lina Chiam Set To Enter Parliament As Chiam See Tong Bows Out <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1127460/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

The margin of loss makes Mrs Lina Chiam eligible for a seat in the next parliament as a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament.

She told reporters at Potong Pasir that it is still up the SPP to decide if she will take up the NCMP seat, and if she does, it means there'll still be a Chiam in parliament despite the exit of her husband Chiam See Tong, who was the MP for Potong Pasir since wresting it from the PAP in 1984.

**** WP Establishes Itself As Singapore’s Premier Opposition Party <http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=6795>
Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net

The WP strategy has been to remain aloof from the other parties and instead focus on two very specific areas — intra-party capacity building, and grassroots work. They are not at the forefront of internet engagement and also not as sharp to rebut PAP’s policies like the SDP, but this has not stopped them from becoming what they are today. Other opposition parties now have increased incentive to look closely at the WP model and study how it has led to electoral success.

**** GE: Aljunied Win A Political Landmark, Says WP's Low <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1127466/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang has described his victory in Aljunied GRC as a political landmark in Singapore.

He said: "This is a political landmark in Singapore. You have cast doubts and fears and taken a leap of faith. Your votes tell us that Singapore is not just an economic success...but (also) your home. Your votes tell us that Singapore wants to mature as a democracy and tell the government that you want a responsible, inclusive and transparent government."

**** GE: Smiles Despite The Tears As SPP Loses Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1127468/1/.html>
Han Wei Chou, Channel NewsAsia

"They give 43 percent is very good," said Mr Chiam as camera flashes from a swarm of photographers sporadically lit up the school's darkened driveway. 

**** GE: Nicole Seah Urges Singaporeans To Come Together As One Country <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1127473/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

Nicole Seah, the NSP Candidate who contested in Marine Parade GRC, has urged Singaporeans to come together as one country and work to build the future Singaporeans want.

**** Many Reasons To Be Happy <http://www.choongyong.com/2011/05/08/many-reasons-to-be-happy/>
Koh Choong Yong

I stay in Sengkang, and I will still stay in Sengkang. Hope that I can make more friends in the days to come, and in 5 years’ time, if Sengkang West SMC still exists, I want to be able to return and stand in Sengkang West. I am happy for the many friends that I have made over the course of the campaign, and I want to continue to make more friends here.

**** My Journey Continues On <http://yeejj.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/my-journey-continues-on/>
Yee Jenn Jong

My journey has just begun. It will not stop with this narrow defeat. In whatever capacities available to me, whether as an active citizen or through the political processes, I will continue to push for improvements to our political system so that there will be a fairer Singapore, there will be true democracy and there will be channels where your voices will be effectively heard. I will continue to propose ideas which I believe can improve our lives and better shape our economy.

**** What Do You Think Of The Election Results? <http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-do-you-think-of-election-results.html>
Gilbert Koh, Mr Wang Says So

Hsien Loong, I hope that your apology was sincere. And that you're really going to change things and make things better for Singaporeans. If you do, then I promise to tell my blog readers all about it, as loudly as I can.

**** 'Minister-specific Strategy Did Not Work' <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110508-0000049/Minister-specific-strategy-did-not-work>
Shamir Osman, Today

The NSP had picked on the policies of senior minister Goh Chok Tong, national development minister Mah Bow Tan and manpower minister Gan Kim Yong. While that strategy did not pay any dividends in parliamentary seats, Ms Hazel Poa said a key part of their battle was to encourage more people to enter Opposition politics.

**** Where Do Chee And The SDP Go From Here? <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110508-0000065/Where-do-Chee-and-the-SDP-go-from-here?>
Cheow Xinyi, Today

Claiming credit for the opening up of Singapore's political space, Dr Chee said the SDP managed to get the Government to give Singaporeans a Speakers' Corner and introduce more liberalised rules in recent years. "That's one step ahead, and we've managed to achieve that so we want to make sure that Singaporeans make use of that space to build up a public consciousness about their political freedoms," he said, citing the use of "workshops, seminars and rallies that you can conduct at Speakers' Corner."

"We want to make full use of that first and then we think of the next step on how we can move the process forward."

**** 'Distinct Shift' In Political Landscape, Says PM Lee <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110508-0000054/Distinct-shift-in-political-landscape,-says-PM-Lee>
Leong Wee Keat, Today

Not only has social media had "a much bigger" impact compared to five years ago, many Singaporeans also desire more alternative voices in Parliament and want to see the People's Action Party (PAP) adopt a different style and approach in keeping with the new generation, said Mr Lee at the party's post-results press conference early this morning.

**** To All PAP Voters… <http://kirstenhan.me/2011/05/08/a-message-to-all-who-voted-pap/>
Funny Little World

I hope that the PAP was sincere with their apologies and promises to do better. I hope that they will not go right back to their old ways once they return to Parliament and government. I hope that they will use their 2/3 majority responsibly, and not just bulldoze through any policy they see fit without caring about the views and opinions of the people they are supposed to represent. I hope that they will remember that they are our servants, not our masters.

**** Election Results : Joy, Sadness And Optimism <http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2011/05/election-results-joy-sadness-and.html>
Diary Of A Singapore Mind

Overall, the outcome is something that the opposition can build on to move the Singapore govt towards more balanced policies that will prioritise benefits for Singaporeans. The vote swing hopefully will be a wakeup call for the PAP to start a process of reform within itself and make significant changes to CPF, public housing, healthcare, transport and address the problem of rising income gap. I'm not  certain if the PAP will do that or just fall back to its "business as usual" mode...it will be a big mistake for them to ignore the clear signal that has been sent.

**** 团结党指行动党候选人“冷静日”在面簿上留言 吴明盛：陈佩玲犯规但不报警 <http://www.zaobao.com.sg/sp/sp110508_061.shtml>
陈宇昕, 联合早报

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**** I Am Responsible For The Failures: NSP Chief <http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/am-responsible-failures-nsp-chief-211847513.html>
Fann Sim, Yahoo!

"I'm not happy with this election's results," National Solidarity Party (NSP) chief Goh Meng Seng said. Though claiming personal responsibility for the party's losses, he cited the short time to work the ground and "lopsided" media coverage of the party as contributing factors.

**** Breaking The GRC Stronghold <http://geekisnewblack.blogspot.com/2011/05/breaking-grc-stronghold.html>
Geek Is The New Black

What tips could the opposition parties glean from this election?

**** Loss Of Foreign Minister <http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2011/05/loss-of-foreign-minister.html>
Tan Kin Lian

**** My 6 Hour Tour Of Duty As A Polling Agent <http://harishpillay.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/my-6-hour-tour-of-duty-as-a-polling-agent/>
Harish Pillay, Life One Degree North, One-O-Three Degrees East

I signed up to help out the Singapore People’s Party – Chaim See Tong’s party – to be their polling agent at one of Bishan Toa Payoh GRC’s polling centers. I just placed my name on one that had an open slot and it happened to be Pierce Secondary School.

**** Tin Pei Ling’s Entry Into Parliament: An Insult To Singaporean Politics <http://rachelzeng.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/1205/>
Rachel Zeng

I am rather unhappy that she has gotten in so easily. She displays no exceptional intellect or passion to serve the people. I have watched her rally speeches and tried to see why she was chosen as a candidate but I still cannot see any value in her candidacy.  She is simply not impressive.

**** Opposition Makes Inroads In Singapore <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/world/asia/08singapore.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss>
Seth Mydans, New York Times

As public counting of the votes ran deep into the night, constituency by constituency, it became evident that many opposition candidates had made strong challenges even in constituencies they had lost and that the overall percentage of votes won by the ruling party was declining.

The ruling party faced voter discontent over inflation and a growing imbalance of wealth as well as resistance to an influx of foreign workers. The online campaigns gave new voice to public discontent over the P.A.P.’s monopoly on power.

**** Singapore Leader Admits Change In Political Scene <http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hSfGsqTqFiH7j3QxiSR1Zjqzz46w?docId=CNG.2371a7e83ea72afc6b3b4dc89f6ae521.231>
Bernice Han, AFP

**** Groundwork, Good Candidates And Consistent Branding, Part 2 <http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/groundwork-good-candidates-and-consistent-branding-part-2/>
Au Waipang, Yawning Bread

Analysts have known for a while that the readiness to vote for an opposition party increases with educational level, though not any Tom, Dick and Harry opposition will do. Give voters a strong candidate or good party branding and they are relatively easy for the opposition to win over. Educational level correlates with income and housing type. One therefore sees this effect in places like Mountbatten and Holland-Bukit Timah where, even the absence of long-term groundwork, opposition candidates/parties got a noticeable boost.

**** Singapore Opposition Makes Historic Gains <http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ac59d4aa-7924-11e0-b655-00144feabdc0.html>
Kevin Brown, Financial Times

The prime minister conceded that many voters had backed the opposition because they wanted “to see more opposition voices in parliament to check the PAP government”. He added: “We hear your voice. The PAP will learn from this election and put right what is wrong.”

Political analysts said the main outcome of the election was likely to be a change in the style and approach of the PAP, which sought to engage much more closely with voters during this campaign than in the past. The fresh approach included a greater willingness to debate with opposition candidates, and an unprecedented “apology” from the prime minister for any mistakes the PAP might have made in its five decades in power.

**** Analysis: Singapore May Now Have To Tackle Income Gap <http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/08/us-singapore-elections-idUSTRE7470G720110508>
Saeed Azhar And Kevin Lim, Reuters

Pressure may mount on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to introduce policies that lift wages for low-income workers, make housing more affordable and limit the influx of foreigners after a less than sweet election victory.

However, analysts said any changes on the margins are unlikely to threaten Singapore's status as one of the world's most friendly places to do business and as Asia's major wealth management center.

**** George Yeo Loss Saddens ASEAN Leaders <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1127531/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

Senior minister S Jayakumar, who is representing prime minister Lee Hsien Loong at the summit, said: "Nearly everyone I spoke to - ministers and the leaders - were saddened and disappointed, and surprised to know that foreign minister George Yeo has lost. 

Although Mr Yeo will not be representing Singapore as foreign minister, Professor Jayakumar described him as having immense talent and did not discount the possibility of Mr Yeo being given another role.

**** Politician Tin Pei Ling Faces Facebook Petition Trouble <http://www.penn-olson.com/2011/05/08/tin-pei-ling-facebook-petition/>
Penn Olson

We spotted at least 5 Facebook pages ranging from 7,000 likes to 40,000 likes wanting her out of the parliament. The reasons vary.

**** It's Safer In The Matrix <http://singaporedesk.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-safer-in-matrix.html>
Singapore Notes

In this toxic policy of the private sector linked HDB pricing, Mah is like the drug peddler who gives free shots to get one hooked. Fearful of the pangs of withdrawal, the addicted will refuse the horrors of the cold turkey cure. Suddenly, the status quo appears more desirable than the alternative.

**** GE: Tin Pei Ling "A Factor" For Weak Results, Says SM Goh <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1127545/1/.html>
Timothy Ouyang, Channel NewsAsia

Senior minister Goh Chok Tong said the negative publicity around Ms Tin Pei Ling was one factor to the People's Action Party's (PAP) weaker performance at Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC). "We knew that she was young but we know that she will grow. I think that's the key."

"In politics, it's transcient. We have five years. If after five years, Tin Pei Ling remains what she is, then of course, she would still be a factor at the next election. But at this stage, looking at her action, in three years time, she would be a different Tin Pei Ling".

**** GE: S'poreans View WP As Rational, Responsible & Credible, Says Low <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1127541/1/.html>
Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia

Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang said: "Singaporeans have looked up to the Workers' Party as a rational, responsible and credible party. They have responded to the approach of politics which I have taken, that we should not oppose for the sake of opposition although we are the opposition. I also do not believe that we should do grand standing by trying to show people that we are very confrontational just because we are the opposition; we will confront when necessary."

**** WP’s Low Calls For Smooth Aljunied Handover <http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/wp-low-calls-smooth-aljunied-handover-111816314.html;_ylt=AiJsZ8b3FHsIV883kEJ5Yvyiqdt_;_ylu=X3oDMTNkYzRsNjN0BHBrZwM3ZTA1ZDdiZi0yYTk3LTM1MWQtYTA1NS04MmY1ZDQ4ZDNkNDUEcG9zAzEEc2VjA01lZGlhRmVhdHVyZWRMaXN0BHZlcgMzODExYmJkMi03OTZkLTExZTAtOGY1Zi0wZjUwMjRlNTk0ZjQ-;_ylg=X3oDMTJoMjIxdnBkBGludGwDc2cEbGFuZwNlbi1zZwRwc3RhaWQDMjI5MDRlY2EtZTU2Yy0zN2ZlLWEwM2ItODU3ZGVkNWEwYmY0BHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3>
Liyana Low, Yahoo!

Newly minted Aljunied GRC Member of Parliament-elect Low Thia Khiang has called for a smooth transition of the ward into Workers' Party hands.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday morning, Low said that one of the things he's concerned about is the handover of town council management and that he hopes there isn't "any sabotage."

He said when he was first elected in 1991 in Hougang SMC, the managing agent told him he had to find a new office within 45 days to run his town council because the PAP didn't allow him to use the current office space. While he managed to build himself an office within the stipulated 45-day period, he said the opposition MPs of then-Nee Soon Central and Bukit Batok SMCs in 1991 actually ran their town council in a container office. He claimed it was the PAP's way of "punishing" residents for voting them into Parliament.

"I would like to know if I need to do the same thing again when taking over the Aljunied town council. I want to know if there's a difference in the Singapore 20 years ago and now," he said.

**** Potong Pasir, My Kind Of Town <http://alvinology.com/2011/05/08/potong-pasir-my-kind-of-town/>
Alvinology

Regardless, of which party you voted for, I encourage all Singaporeans to get your picture taken at the “Welcome to Potong Pasir” signboard with Mr Chiam See Tong‘s smiling face within the next few days.