[MyAppleMenu] Nov 15, 2012

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
====================================
**** Siri Is A Gimmick And A Tease ****
<http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2012/11/siri_vs_google_the_search_company_s_voice_recognition_program_gets_closer.html>
Farhad Manjoo, Slate


> But Google Voice Search is getting close to fulfilling Apple’s broken promise.



**** How To Manage Passwords With Keychain Access ****
<http://www.macworld.com/article/2013756/how-to-manage-passwords-with-keychain-access.html>
Christopher Breen, Macworld


> Our Macs can store these passwords and, in many cases, automatically fill them in when needed. But there’s more to know about passwords and the Mac's ability to store them than the simple fact that they exist. Here's a quick guide to what you can—and can’t—do with OS X’s passwords.



**** How To Make Your Own Fusion Drive ****
<http://www.macworld.com/article/2014011/how-to-make-your-own-fusion-drive.html>
Albert Filice, Macworld



**** Http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/11/14/apple-to-distribute-another-25-billion-to-shareholders-via-thursday-dividend ****
<http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/11/14/apple-to-distribute-another-25-billion-to-shareholders-via-thursday-dividend>
Daniel Eran Dilger, AppleInsider


> Apple will pay shareholders its second dividend in 17 years tomorrow, distributing roughly $2.5 billion in $2.65 per share across the company's 935 million outstanding shares.



**** Not The iPad Mini. The iPad. ****
<http://tightwind.net/2012/11/the-ipad-mini/>
Kyle Baxter, TightWind


> But what is equally obvious to me after using it is not only do the benefits outweigh the costs for most people’s primary tasks, like browsing the web or reading email, but that it opens up entirely new contexts for where the iPad can be used, and thus opens up new uses.

The iPad classic is now a truck.


**** iTunes Match Renewals Begin: What You Need To Know ****
<http://www.imore.com/itunes-match-renewals-begin-what-you-need-know>
Allyson Kazmucha, IMore


> Early iTunes Match adopters are starting to receive notices that their iTunes Match subscriptions are being renewed, while others are getting emails from Apple stating their subscription couldn't renew due to problems with billing information. Confused? Confounded? Caught off-guard? Here's what you need to know!



**** Apple To Open First Store In South America ****
<http://www.slashgear.com/apple-to-open-first-store-in-south-america-14257083/>
Craig Lloyd, SlashGear


> Today, Apple has confirmed that they will be opening their first store in South American in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In an email sent to Brazilian press, Apple said that they’re looking forward to opening the new store in Brazil, where they “already have long standing customers,” and they “hope to win many more each day.”



**** First Look: 1Password 4 For iOS ****
<http://www.imore.com/first-look-1password-4-iphone-ipad>
Rene Ritchie, IMore


> 1Password 4 brings a simplified design language and experience to iOS, yet also manages to ramp up the power and convenience.



**** Apple Asks Developers To Stop Using ‘Memory’ In App Titles ****
<http://www.geek.com/articles/games/apple-asks-developers-to-stop-using-memory-in-app-titles-20121114/>
Matthew Humphries, Geek.com


> Ravensburger is a German gaming company that specializes in jigsaw puzzles, but has also expanded into other areas such as children’s books and games. The company owns the trademark to a board game called Memory and has demanded Apple stop offering apps that have the word ‘memory’ in their title or as a keyword associated with an app.

> It may seem ludicrous such a common word can be trademarked, but apparently this is a valid claim as Apple is now serving notices to app developers. The choice an infringing app developer has is to either rename their app or remove it from the App Store.

This doesn't seem right.


**** Resale Market For Apple iPads Is Booming ****
<http://www.indystar.com/article/20121114/BUSINESS/211140329/Resale-market-Apple-iPads-booming?nclick_check=1>
Heather Somerville, San Jose Mercury News


> The third-generation iPad, labeled obsolete by some customers annoyed with the quick release of its successor, is selling for more than $400 in some resale markets. Buyback websites have jumped at the chance to turn a healthy profit on the tablet.



**** Mini Me - Why I'm Moving To The iPad Mini ****
<http://www.madebymark.com/madebymark/2012/11/8/mini-me-why-im-giving-up-my-full-sized-ipad-for-the-mini.html>
MadeByMark.com


> With its smaller size, the iPad mini is a more intimate, more personal device. It feels good in my hands. It fits.



**** Rampant Abuse Of Push Notifications Is Ruining Them For All Developers ****
<http://blog.anylistapp.com/2012/11/push-notifications/>
Jeff Hunter, AnyList


> The abuse of push notifications is spreading across the App Store. As a result, users are starting to reflexively reject app requests to send push notifications.



**** Siri Versus Google Voice Search: Fight! ****
<http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/11/siri-versus-google-voice-search-fight/>
Jacqui Cheng, Ars Technica



**** Public Radio Group Finds iOS 6 Bandwidth Use Bug ****
<http://tidbits.com/article/13400?rss>
Glenn Fleishman, TidBITS


> PRX was asked by This American Life for help in figuring out a spike in bandwidth bills in October, and found a similar problem in its own logs. It isolated the behavior to ensure its own streaming apps weren’t at fault. Its analysis shows that apps that rely on iOS frameworks to handle networked audio streaming in iOS 6.0 make multiple overlapping requests for audio that substantially increase the total number of bytes downloaded. The blog entry noted that a 30 MB podcast consumed 100 MB to downloaded, an exact ratio (30 MB taking 100 MB) that TidBITS and its readers have seen as well.

Also:
• <a href="http://labs.prx.org/2012/11/14/ios-6-0-devours-data-plans-causes-cdn-overages/">iOS 6.0 Causes CDN Overages</a> (PRX Labs): There appears to be a system-wide problem with the AV Foundation framework in iOS 6.0.0, resulting in significantly higher data costs to iPhone users and internet distributors. Users who have not done so should immediately upgrade iOS 6.0.0 devices to iOS 6.0.1, which we can confirm appears to fix the issue on Wifi.


**** Adding Subscribers To Your Photo Streams ****
<http://www.macworld.com/article/2013828/adding-subscribers-to-your-photo-streams.html>
Christopher Breen, Macworld






The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** 3 Things Self-Taught Developers Missed ****
<http://geekindex.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/3-things-self-taught-developers-missed/>
Ryan O'Neill, The Geek Index






MyAppleMenu Reader
====================================
**** Books Do Furnish A Mind ****
<http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2012/11/books_do_furnish_a_mind.html>
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times


> Authors like Updike and Roth used to be celebrities. The New York Times fiction best sellers used to be reputable. The well-dressed undergraduate might have a good paperback secreted somewhere about his person. Now there is no longer a pocket not occupied by something electronic. In coffee shops, students who once leaned intently over novels now lean hypnotized over cell phones.



**** Camera Obscura ****
<http://www.thesmartset.com/article/article11141201.aspx>
Morgan Meis, The Smart Set


> The camera never lies, so we’ve been altering photographs to suit our needs since the invention of photography itself.






SingaporeSurf
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**** No Quota For Local Music On Radio: Dr Yaacob ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1237456/1/.html>
Saifulbahri Ismail, Channel NewsAsia


> Dr Yaacob said there is not a strong library of broadcast-quality local music at this time.



**** “I Find This Argument Highly Insulting And Hugely Dangerous” ****
<http://sonofadud.com/2012/11/15/1122/>
Kenneth Jeyaretnam, Rethinking The Rice Bowl


> And make no mistake that the implication is that even if the government has acted unconstitutionality_  yes, that’s right,  when the government <i>has</i> broken the constitution, you can’t challenge that if it is a constitutional breach that affects all Singaporeans or a race or group of which you are not a member. Because you need to prove personal damage to be considered to have Locus Standi.



**** No Plans To Refuse Renewal Of PR Re-entry Permit: Grace Fu ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1237387/1/.html>
S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia


> The government has no plans at this point of time to consider not renewing the re-entry permit after one has held permanent resident (PR) status for a stipulated number of years.



**** No Road Tax Reduction For Recent ERP Hikes, Says Transport Minister Lui ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1237373/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia


> He explained ERP rates are adjusted generally by a dollar when traffic speeds fall outside the optimal range of 45 to 65 kilometres per hour.



**** Replacing All Circle Line Cables Expected To Cost S$14m To S$15m ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1237378/1/.html>
Hetty Musfirah, Channel NewsAsia


> Replacing all the cables on the Circle Line is expected to cost between $14 and $15 million says Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo.

> As part of lessons learnt, higher grade cables may also be installed for the upcoming new lines.

"May"?


**** Singapore Hit By Sex Scandals Involving Teachers In Blow To Its Strait-laced Reputation ****
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/singapore-hit-by-sex-scandals-involving-teachers-in-blow-to-its-strait-laced-reputation/2012/11/15/c738cc3a-2ef5-11e2-b631-2aad9d9c73ac_story.html>
Associated Press


> In a country known for its orderliness and strict laws where even jay-walking and public spitting are punishable offenses, the scandals are raising questions about whether the government — in its hugely successful efforts to control political dissidence and crime — has ignored declining moral and social standards.

> In a country known for its orderliness and strict laws where even jay-walking and public spitting are punishable offenses, the scandals are raising questions about whether the government — in its hugely successful efforts to control political dissidence and crime — has ignored declining moral and social standards.



**** MND To SDP: Housing System Only Needs "Fine-tuning" ****
<http://yoursdp.org/news/2012-11-15-5450>
Singaore Democratic Party


> With prices escalating to alarming levels, the situation requires more than "fine-tuning". The fact that the National Development Minister Mr Khaw Boon Wan adopts such an outlook shows just how out of touch the PAP Government is with the housing problems Singaporeans face.



**** Some HDB Blocks Will Not Be Offered Lift Upgrading Programme ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1237361/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia


> MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Zainudin Nordin had asked the minister in Parliament whether the ministry would review the basis of its computation of the cost per benefiting housing unit. 

> But Mr Lee said it will not be appropriate for HDB to change the basis of its computation, as the programme is nearing the end.



**** Providing Staircase Bomb Shelters In HDB Will Incur High Maintenance Costs ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1237366/1/.html>
Hetty Musfirah, Channel NewsAsia


> Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Mr Lee said for HDB to do likewise requires it to fully enclose its staircases. The need for 24 hour (mechanical) ventilation will incur high maintenance costs.



**** Downtown Line Stage 2 On Track For Completion In 2015 ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1237370/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia


> "LTA is taking measures to keep the overall DTL 2 project on schedule. For instance, it is working with the contractors at these stretches to extend projects hours, when and where possible. LTA is also exploring the feasibility of shortening the period of installation for track work, and electrical and mechanical works," he said.

Let's hope we are not cutting corners, and have problems when the line is opened.


**** NWC's Recommendations Depend On Economic Situation: Tan Chuan-Jin ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1237355/1/.html>
S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia


> Mr Tan said: "This year there has been a slight deviation in specifying not just in quantitative terms but in specific dollar terms. Whether this becomes a norm depends on how we see the situation unfolding in the coming years. If there continues to be a need for that, I think the NWC would consider in future whether to specify a quantum. As with all things, we would look at the situation to see how the income progresses at the different levels."



**** “邻避”在狮城 ****
<http://news.hexun.com/2012-11-15/147980027.html>
国际先驱导报 


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> æžœç„¶ï¼Œæ‰§æ”¿å…šåŽæ¥åœ¨è¿™ä¸ªåŒºå¾—ç¥¨çŽ‡éžå¸¸ä½Žã€‚è¿™ä¸€ç»“æžœä¼¼ä¹Žä»¤æ”¿åºœåœ¨ä»ŠåŽå¤„ç†æ­¤ç±»äº‹ä»¶æ—¶å˜å¾—æŠ•é¼ å¿Œå™¨ï¼Œâ€œé‚»é¿â€äº‹ä»¶åˆ™æ— å½¢ä¸­å¾—åˆ°é¼“èˆžï¼Œåœ¨ä»Šå¹´æŽ¥äºŒè¿žä¸‰åœ°å‘ç”Ÿã€‚



**** Singapore Amends Death Penalty Law To Exempt Some Offences ****
<http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-14/singapore-amends-death-penalty-law-to-exempt-some-offences>
Sharon Chen, Bloomberg


> Singapore has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes. Still, the city state has been criticized by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International for maintaining the death penalty even as more than two-thirds of countries worldwide have abolished it in law or in practice.



**** Human Rghts In Singapore: Always Derogated (Part 2) ****
<http://rodsjournal.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/human-rghts-in-singapore-always-derogated-part-2/>
Roderick's Journal



**** å¯¹å¤–æ´åŠ©ï¼Œä¸å¦¨å­¦å­¦æ–°åŠ å¡ ****
<http://comment.dbw.cn/system/2012/11/15/054371366.shtml>
东北网



**** Parliament: Replies That Never Answer The Question? ****
<http://leongszehian.com/?p=2043>
Leong Sze Hian


> Cleaners pay increased? Don’t know?



**** Is SDP’s Housing Proposal Ahead Of Its Time? ****
<http://sgthinker.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/is-sdps-housing-proposal-ahead-of-its-time/>
Sgthinker



**** Why Was My Son There? ****
<http://singaporedesk.blogspot.sg/2012/11/why-was-my-son-there.html>
Singapore Notes


> This is one post that has to be simple, in case someone misses the point. Private Dominique Sarron Lee was put in harm's way unnecessarily, and he died. Let's make it clearer, he was killed.

> More disturbing, Professor Lim Tow Keang who chaired the Committee of Inquiry said: "We're quite sure asthma is not the cause of death." In other words, the inhalation of zinc chloride fumes from six smoke grenades could have killed any other healthy son, brother or male relative.



**** GDP Growth Forecast To Register A Mere 1.8% ****
<http://sbr.com.sg/economy/news/gdp-growth-forecast-register-mere-18>
Singapore Business Review



**** Unnecessary Death Of NSmen ****
<http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2012/11/unnecessary-death-of-nsmen.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+MySingaporeNews+(My+Singapore+News)>
Chua Chin Leng, My Singapore News


> The SAF is a highly professional army with more than 50 years of history and training accidents to remind and caution every officer in the field not to make silly mistakes. And silly mistakes are still being made with the lost of lives. Unbelieveable! Unacceptable.



**** Housing Choices Alone Do Not Ensure Enough CPF For Retirement ****
<http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=7846>
Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net



**** Many Unanswered Questions, Says Mum ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC121115-0000062/Many-unanswered-questions,-says-Mum>
Tan Weizhen And Amanda Lee, Today


> Mdm Seah, who was briefed by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on the Committee of Inquiry (COI) findings yesterday, said that the ministry did not provide the full findings to her.

> She said: "There are still so many unanswered questions. I wanted to know why the officer threw six grenades instead of two and why the safety officer did not stop him."



**** Drug Trafficking: Why S'pore Cannot Adopt 'Discretionary Sentencing Approach' ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC121115-0000044/Drug-trafficking--Why-Spore-cannot-adopt-discretionary-sentencing-approach>
Amir Hussain, Today


> "Set out the criteria (for discretion) and I promise you the drug lords will design the criteria in accordance to satisfy the criterion we set out and (send) as many couriers as you wish fitting the criterion," Mr Shanmugam explained.



**** Students From Low-income Families Making Progress Through Education ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC121115-0000024/Students-from-low-income-families-making-progress-through-education>
Amanda Lee, Today


> Instead of focusing on the fact that six in 10 students in the top primary schools live in private housing, consider a broader definition of social mobility, according to Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Education) Hawazi Daipi.

> About one in two students from families of low socio-economic status (SES) - the bottom one-third - score results within the top two-thirds at the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), he said. About one in six students from these families score in the top one third at the PSLE, and this proportion has remained "stable" in the last decade.



**** All Public Housing Estates Now Have Barrier-free Accessibility. ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1237234/1/.html>
Olive Siong, Channel NewsAsia


> Close to all public sector buildings highly frequented by the general public, like hospitals, polyclinics, markets and hawker centres, have also met the basic level of barrier-free accessibility.