Pakistani actor Veena Malik was injured in a car accident in Pakistan. Veena was travelling from Islamabad to Lahore.
The model-actress became famous in India and invited cleric's ire back home with her antics on the hit reality TV show 'Bigg Boss'.
Malik was branded "baigharat" (immoral) by Muslim clerics on national television in Pakistan for her behaviour on 'Bigg Boss' where she was seen getting cosy with both actor Ashmit Patel and model Hrishant Goswami.
But Malik's feisty stance against the criticism earned her praise from the liberal sections of Pakistani media and society.
Source:timesofindia
Monday, May 16, 2011
Would You Pay $20 Per Month for Google's Web-Only Laptop?
Need a laptop? Mainly for web stuff?
How does $20 per month sound?
That's the deal reportedly about to be announced by Google any moment now.
For your $20, you'll get a Chrome laptop - a cousin of the experimental CR-48 notebooks the company was handing out a few months ago (see Doug's review of one here).
It will be a cheap laptop, very close to disposable. It will run Chrome, and not a lot else. This is a laptop for the Facebook generation, aimed at people who are rarely out of range of a wifi signal, and happy to trust Google with all their data. Forever.
Data storage and webapps are included too. Your email, your photo storage, and thanks to yesterday's Google Music announcement, your audio storage will all be included too.
Since the laptop is effectively leased, rather than owned, you'll probably be able to trade it in for a new model every now and then.
There'll be no software updates to worry about, no data to move from machine to machine. Since it's all online anyway, it will just be a case of logging out on the old machine, and logging in on the new one.
Sounds too good to be true? Google has deep pockets, so it certainly has the money to set this up. And if it could entice enough people to start paying their monthly fee - well, that's a very nice income generator for years to come. The cell phone companies have already discovered that.
The only remaining question is the trickiest one: trust. Do you trust Google to look after all your stuff, securely and safely? Does $20 per month sound like a good deal to you?
(Via Forbes)
Xbox 360 Update Includes Support for New Disc Format and PayPal Integration
In about a week's time, owners of Microsoft's game console will have another way to pay for their Xbox Live memberships and DLC, when PayPal support happens by way of a spring update. If you're setting up through the Xbox accounts web site, you can already choose the popular payment service as a billing option but the update will let you do so on the console.
The timing's probably just a coincidence but PayPal integration looks especially attractive after the PlayStation Network fiasco that's exposed PS3 owners' personal info and payment information. Using PayPal means not having to enter your credit card information where it could be compromised by hackers and presumably also adds the benefit of that service's security measures and fraud protection.
The Xbox spring update will also get consoles ready for the previously discussed, new Xbox Game Disc (XGD3) format, which enables more storage on DVDs and better copy protection. GamePro says to expect the dashboard update to start rolling out on May 19th. In a post-PSNgate world, it'll be interesting to see if PayPal sees a spike in usage once the update's live.
Source: techland.time.com
The timing's probably just a coincidence but PayPal integration looks especially attractive after the PlayStation Network fiasco that's exposed PS3 owners' personal info and payment information. Using PayPal means not having to enter your credit card information where it could be compromised by hackers and presumably also adds the benefit of that service's security measures and fraud protection.
The Xbox spring update will also get consoles ready for the previously discussed, new Xbox Game Disc (XGD3) format, which enables more storage on DVDs and better copy protection. GamePro says to expect the dashboard update to start rolling out on May 19th. In a post-PSNgate world, it'll be interesting to see if PayPal sees a spike in usage once the update's live.
Source: techland.time.com
Twitpic Says Sorry for Copyright Confusion
Twitter image service Twitpic today apologized after an update to its terms and conditions implied that it claimed ownership of all images uploaded to its servers, and could sell them on without the original photographer's permission.
After a day of protest online, Twitpic rushed to amend its terms page, and said sorry to users on its blog. Company founder Noah Everett wrote:
"First off I want to apologize for that confusion and our lack of clarity. We've updated our terms again to be more clear and to also show that you still own your content."
So what do Twitpic's terms say now?
"You retain all ownership rights to Content uploaded to Twitpic. However, by submitting Content to Twitpic, you hereby grant Twitpic a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform the Content in connection with the Service and Twitpic's (and its successors' and affiliates') business..."
Everett says that's standard website legalease, a clause essential for any service that's distributing your stuff across the web on your behalf. It's also there to protect Twitpic users, some of whom have found their photos used by media organizations without permission.
The speed that news spreads via Twitter is also one of its greatest flaws, and Twitpic's biggest challenge now is ensuring that its blogged apology gets re-tweeted and linked as much as the problem terms and conditions page did in the first place.
Source: techland.time.com
After a day of protest online, Twitpic rushed to amend its terms page, and said sorry to users on its blog. Company founder Noah Everett wrote:
"First off I want to apologize for that confusion and our lack of clarity. We've updated our terms again to be more clear and to also show that you still own your content."
So what do Twitpic's terms say now?
"You retain all ownership rights to Content uploaded to Twitpic. However, by submitting Content to Twitpic, you hereby grant Twitpic a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform the Content in connection with the Service and Twitpic's (and its successors' and affiliates') business..."
Everett says that's standard website legalease, a clause essential for any service that's distributing your stuff across the web on your behalf. It's also there to protect Twitpic users, some of whom have found their photos used by media organizations without permission.
The speed that news spreads via Twitter is also one of its greatest flaws, and Twitpic's biggest challenge now is ensuring that its blogged apology gets re-tweeted and linked as much as the problem terms and conditions page did in the first place.
Source: techland.time.com
$1.53 Million USD - Worth of "Apple" Brand
Millward Brown has published the list of World’s Most Expensive Brands of 2011. This time we have great news for Apple lovers that Apple has beaten Google and took the first place in the World’s Most Expensive Brands List.
This research was done by the global brands agency Millward Brown. Annual BrandZ study of the world’s top 100 brands says that “The Apple’s brand is now worth $153 Million Approx, which is almost half of Apple’s market capitalization”.
Apple downs Google - World’s Most Expensive Brands 2011
Source: techmistry.com
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Microsoft to buy Skype for pricey $8.5 billion
Microsoft Corp plans to buy Internet phone service Skype for $8.5 billion in its biggest-ever acquisition, placing a rich bet on mobile and the Internet to try to best rivals such as Google Inc.
In a deal that took a month from offer to signing, the software company outbid Google and Facebook, which sources said offered to partner or buy Skype for $3 billion to $4 billion.
Microsoft's interest in the money-losing, but popular service highlights a need to gain new customers for its Windows and Office software. Skype has 145 million users on average each month and has gained favor among small business users.
But investors expressed skepticism over the deal, sending Microsoft shares down 0.62 percent to $25.67. If those losses hold, the software giant's market value -- already exceeded by Apple Inc last year -- will slip behind General Electric Co's and begin to approach IBM's.
Led by private equity firm Silver Lake, eBay Inc and other investors including the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Andreessen Horowitz, would make $5 billion, or three times their investment, a source familiar with the deal said.
Microsoft is putting more energy and resources into mobile and the Internet as the personal computer business underpinning its Windows and Office franchise appears to be under threat.
The Luxembourg-based company, which allows people to make calls at no charge, but has also developed premium services, would give Microsoft a foothold in the video-conferencing market as businesses shift to cheaper ways of communicating.
Skype delayed plans for an IPO that was expected to value the company at more than $3 billion. It looked tie-ups with Facebook and Google. Such a deal was expected to value Skype at $3 billion to $4 billion.
"It doesn't make sense at all as a financial investment," said Forrester Research analyst Andrew Bartels. "There's no way Microsoft is going to generate enough revenue and profit from Skype to compensate."
Source:newsdaily.com/
In a deal that took a month from offer to signing, the software company outbid Google and Facebook, which sources said offered to partner or buy Skype for $3 billion to $4 billion.
Microsoft's interest in the money-losing, but popular service highlights a need to gain new customers for its Windows and Office software. Skype has 145 million users on average each month and has gained favor among small business users.
But investors expressed skepticism over the deal, sending Microsoft shares down 0.62 percent to $25.67. If those losses hold, the software giant's market value -- already exceeded by Apple Inc last year -- will slip behind General Electric Co's and begin to approach IBM's.
Led by private equity firm Silver Lake, eBay Inc and other investors including the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Andreessen Horowitz, would make $5 billion, or three times their investment, a source familiar with the deal said.
Microsoft is putting more energy and resources into mobile and the Internet as the personal computer business underpinning its Windows and Office franchise appears to be under threat.
The Luxembourg-based company, which allows people to make calls at no charge, but has also developed premium services, would give Microsoft a foothold in the video-conferencing market as businesses shift to cheaper ways of communicating.
Skype delayed plans for an IPO that was expected to value the company at more than $3 billion. It looked tie-ups with Facebook and Google. Such a deal was expected to value Skype at $3 billion to $4 billion.
"It doesn't make sense at all as a financial investment," said Forrester Research analyst Andrew Bartels. "There's no way Microsoft is going to generate enough revenue and profit from Skype to compensate."
Source:newsdaily.com/
Get MS Office 2007 Enterprise for Free Forever
have been looking for free download but I was really annoyed to realize that all the links are giving a download link but it is not free they ask for registration to activate it. I have actually got a CD and I want you guys to enjoy it too for free.
Office Enterprise 2007 is the most complete Microsoft toolset provided for people who must collaborate with others and work with information efficiently, regardless of location or network status.
Office Enterprise 2007 builds on the strengths of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007, adding Microsoft Office Groove 2007 and Microsoft Office OneNote 2007, enabling people to collaborate and create, manage, and use information more efficiently. Here are the top 10 ways Office Enterprise 2007 can help you and your organization deliver better results faster.
Here we go with the download:
Download MS Office 2007 Part 1
Download MS Office 2007 Part 2
Following are the Top 10 Benefits of MS Office 2007
1. Work dynamically with others and share information from any location.
Because Office Groove 2007 is desktop software, you can share information and work with others within and across organizations from any location, even when you are not connected to the corporate network.
2. Share information with team members in real time.
Team members can simultaneously update files and team discussions shared in Office Groove 2007 workspaces. Also, Office OneNote 2007 helps people in different locations to work together in real time by providing a live sharing session. In the live session, multiple people can view and edit the same page of notes, as well as tasks, research, and brainstorming ideas, all at the same time.
3. Maximize value and accessibility of all information.
With Office OneNote 2007, you can consolidate disparate pieces of information, including handwritten notes, audio and video recordings, formatted documents, and still images, in one place. When saved to Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, this previously unstructured content becomes available to all as part of an official project record. You can easily access content using the advanced search capabilities in Office OneNote 2007 and Office SharePoint Server 2007, avoiding expensive duplication of work.
4.Work together to share and store information easily.
Together, Office Groove 2007, Office OneNote 2007, and Office SharePoint Server 2007 provide a comprehensive environment in which teams and organizations can work together and share information. Office Groove 2007 and Office OneNote 2007 provide a rich set of team collaboration tools for dynamic work. And Office SharePoint Server 2007 provides longer-term storage and access tools for workflow, completed documents, and other project records.
5. Automatically synchronize with team members.
There's no need to download information from Office Groove 2007 workspaces or Office OneNote 2007 notebooks before going offline, or to upload changes when reconnecting. Offline work is automatically synchronized among all team members when an Internet connection is obtained. You can continuously access and work with the most relevant project data, whether online or offline.
6. Keep up-to-date with notification of project changes.
In Office Groove 2007, you can monitor team member activity and changes to documents, gaining greater visibility of the most recent project information. Auditory and text alerts notify you of specific changes, eliminating the need to check for updates.
7. Improve efficiency of e-mail storage and bandwidth.
Office Groove 2007 and Office OneNote 2007 both help reduce e-mail storage needs by moving collaboration activities out of e-mail, eliminating the need to e-mail documents and helping your e-mail account to stay within its storage capacity. Also, Office Groove 2007 handles data synchronization efficiently. Only changes to files are sent, reducing bandwidth use and speeding up your exchange of information with team members.
8. Increase security of shared information.
When you use Office Groove 2007, you get advanced security protection with strong encryption, even on disconnected laptops and during data synchronization on wired and wireless networks. This security helps you keep intellectual property under your control.
9. Work with other Microsoft Office system software.
Office Enterprise 2007 integrates with other Microsoft Office system software, including Office SharePoint Server 2007, Microsoft Office Communicator 2007, and Microsoft Office InfoPath 2007. This integration enables you to work smoothly among these programs. For example, a team can use Office Communicator 2007 and Office OneNote 2007 together to add video and instant messaging content and capabilities to an Office OneNote 2007 live sharing session. Content created in Office Groove 2007 and Office OneNote 2007 can also be stored as a long-term project record in Office SharePoint Server 2007.
10. Reduce reliance on IT with self-service capabilities.
After initial setup within the organization, Office Groove 2007 can help you quickly set up and invite other team members into a more secure Groove 2007 workspace without needing assistance from IT, which means that dynamic teamwork and information sharing begins more quickly.
Office Enterprise 2007 is the most complete Microsoft toolset provided for people who must collaborate with others and work with information efficiently, regardless of location or network status.
Office Enterprise 2007 builds on the strengths of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007, adding Microsoft Office Groove 2007 and Microsoft Office OneNote 2007, enabling people to collaborate and create, manage, and use information more efficiently. Here are the top 10 ways Office Enterprise 2007 can help you and your organization deliver better results faster.
Here we go with the download:
Download MS Office 2007 Part 1
Download MS Office 2007 Part 2
Following are the Top 10 Benefits of MS Office 2007
1. Work dynamically with others and share information from any location.
Because Office Groove 2007 is desktop software, you can share information and work with others within and across organizations from any location, even when you are not connected to the corporate network.
2. Share information with team members in real time.
Team members can simultaneously update files and team discussions shared in Office Groove 2007 workspaces. Also, Office OneNote 2007 helps people in different locations to work together in real time by providing a live sharing session. In the live session, multiple people can view and edit the same page of notes, as well as tasks, research, and brainstorming ideas, all at the same time.
3. Maximize value and accessibility of all information.
With Office OneNote 2007, you can consolidate disparate pieces of information, including handwritten notes, audio and video recordings, formatted documents, and still images, in one place. When saved to Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, this previously unstructured content becomes available to all as part of an official project record. You can easily access content using the advanced search capabilities in Office OneNote 2007 and Office SharePoint Server 2007, avoiding expensive duplication of work.
4.Work together to share and store information easily.
Together, Office Groove 2007, Office OneNote 2007, and Office SharePoint Server 2007 provide a comprehensive environment in which teams and organizations can work together and share information. Office Groove 2007 and Office OneNote 2007 provide a rich set of team collaboration tools for dynamic work. And Office SharePoint Server 2007 provides longer-term storage and access tools for workflow, completed documents, and other project records.
5. Automatically synchronize with team members.
There's no need to download information from Office Groove 2007 workspaces or Office OneNote 2007 notebooks before going offline, or to upload changes when reconnecting. Offline work is automatically synchronized among all team members when an Internet connection is obtained. You can continuously access and work with the most relevant project data, whether online or offline.
6. Keep up-to-date with notification of project changes.
In Office Groove 2007, you can monitor team member activity and changes to documents, gaining greater visibility of the most recent project information. Auditory and text alerts notify you of specific changes, eliminating the need to check for updates.
7. Improve efficiency of e-mail storage and bandwidth.
Office Groove 2007 and Office OneNote 2007 both help reduce e-mail storage needs by moving collaboration activities out of e-mail, eliminating the need to e-mail documents and helping your e-mail account to stay within its storage capacity. Also, Office Groove 2007 handles data synchronization efficiently. Only changes to files are sent, reducing bandwidth use and speeding up your exchange of information with team members.
8. Increase security of shared information.
When you use Office Groove 2007, you get advanced security protection with strong encryption, even on disconnected laptops and during data synchronization on wired and wireless networks. This security helps you keep intellectual property under your control.
9. Work with other Microsoft Office system software.
Office Enterprise 2007 integrates with other Microsoft Office system software, including Office SharePoint Server 2007, Microsoft Office Communicator 2007, and Microsoft Office InfoPath 2007. This integration enables you to work smoothly among these programs. For example, a team can use Office Communicator 2007 and Office OneNote 2007 together to add video and instant messaging content and capabilities to an Office OneNote 2007 live sharing session. Content created in Office Groove 2007 and Office OneNote 2007 can also be stored as a long-term project record in Office SharePoint Server 2007.
10. Reduce reliance on IT with self-service capabilities.
After initial setup within the organization, Office Groove 2007 can help you quickly set up and invite other team members into a more secure Groove 2007 workspace without needing assistance from IT, which means that dynamic teamwork and information sharing begins more quickly.
Global Warming Will Affect Wi-Fi Signals, Say UK Scientists
Here's a side effect of global warming no one saw coming: it could negatively affect Wi-Fi signals. A report from the British Government's environmental department suggests that higher temperatures as a result of global warming will reduce the range of wireless signals, while storms brought on by climate change will similarly reduce the signals' reliability.
British Secretary of State for the Environment, Caroline Spelman, said while presenting the report:
If climate change threatens the quality of your signal, or you can't get it because of extreme fluctuations in temperature, then you will be disadvantaged, which is why we must address the question and just imagine in the height of an emergency if the communications system is down or adversely affected.
It's not only Wi-Fi that will be hit by climate change; the report also warns of the need to strengthen power cables to avoid sagging, to cover roads with a new surface to protect tarmac (crushed rocks, tar) from melting, and rail-tracks to be made heat-resistant to reduce the chance of buckling. Spelman predicts that £200 billion ($327 billion) will be spent improving infrastructure over the next five years to make these changes, but the question of how to weather-proof Wi-Fi signals remains—pun intended—up in the air.
Source: TIME.com
British Secretary of State for the Environment, Caroline Spelman, said while presenting the report:
If climate change threatens the quality of your signal, or you can't get it because of extreme fluctuations in temperature, then you will be disadvantaged, which is why we must address the question and just imagine in the height of an emergency if the communications system is down or adversely affected.
It's not only Wi-Fi that will be hit by climate change; the report also warns of the need to strengthen power cables to avoid sagging, to cover roads with a new surface to protect tarmac (crushed rocks, tar) from melting, and rail-tracks to be made heat-resistant to reduce the chance of buckling. Spelman predicts that £200 billion ($327 billion) will be spent improving infrastructure over the next five years to make these changes, but the question of how to weather-proof Wi-Fi signals remains—pun intended—up in the air.
Source: TIME.com
Google Announces Web Music Service, Movie Rentals and More
Google's 2011 developer conference kicked off today. Did you see the live blog? It's okay if you didn't. I'm not one of those How dare you not read everything I write! kinds of writers. I just kind of fell into this whole blogging thing a few years back after my career in modern dance was cut short due to my lack of talent, drive, ambition, coordination and so forth.
So here's what we've got.
Android Is Converging
Android on a tablet? Android on a phone? Soon it won't matter—they'll all run the same Android operating system known as Ice Cream Sandwich. "Our goal with Ice Cream Sandwich is to deliver one operating system that works everywhere, regardless of device," says Google. That's a good thing, as Android has a problem with "fragmentation" nowadays. More on that later.
Android Movies
You'll be able to rent a movie from the Android Market and stream it to any connected Android phone or tablet. Movie rentals will start at $1.99 and be viewable for 30 days (or 24 hours once you hit the play button). If you own a Motorola Xoom tablet, you can get movies today. Phones running Android 2.2 and up will get access to movies in a couple of weeks. You can also rent movies directly from the Android Market on the web starting today.
Google Music Beta
Google's long-rumored online music service is finally here. Well, almost here. It's being rolled out in a private beta for U.S. residents—click here to sign up. You can upload up to 20,000 songs to the service and then play them back from any connected Android device.
It'll automatically download frequently-played tracks to your phone or tablet, too. There's also a feature called Instant Mix that creates intelligent playlists much like Apple's "Genius" feature found within iTunes.
You can install a program called Music Manager on your Windows or Mac, which will automatically keep any tracks added to iTunes or Windows Media Player synchronized with Google Music, so it should be a fairly hands-off process. Google Music will be free while in beta—no word on future pricing.
Check out the video at the top of this post for more.
Devices to Be Upgraded to New Versions of Android Faster
Part of the problem with the current state of Android is that a new version with new features will get released, but your phone won't get the new version for months. Google's now working on making sure that devices in the future will be quickly upgraded to the latest version.
The company is working together with big-name wireless players "to adopt guidelines for how quickly devices are updated after a new platform release, and also for how long they will continue to be updated." Here's more:
"The founding partners are Verizon, HTC, Samsung, Sprint, Sony Ericsson, LG, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Motorola and AT&T, and we welcome others to join us. To start, we're jointly announcing that new devices from participating partners will receive the latest Android platform upgrades for 18 months after the device is first released, as long as the hardware allows."
That's good news for Android users. Seeing that most of us are stuck with the same phone for at least two years, these guidelines would ensure that we'd get the latest Android software in a timely manner. People have accused the carriers of dragging their feet on Android updates in order to get people to buy new phones instead, so this would hopefully put a stop to that.
Android Open Accessory and Android@Home Initiatives
Finally, some very cool technology was demonstrated that tied Android devices into other items we use every day.
The Android Open Accessory initiative provides a way for anyone to build something that can interface with an Android phone or tablet.
Google demonstrated an exercise bike that could communicate with an Android phone, and you'd have different workout apps on the phone itself that would communicate back and forth with the bike to relay calorie counts, different workout regimens, and stuff like that.
And the Android@Home initiative "allows Android apps to discover, connect and communicate with appliances and devices in your home." Google has partnered with a manufacturer of LED light bulbs that have the technology built right into them, so we may see those hit the market by the end of the year. You'd be able to control these light bulbs from your phone or tablet.
Google is also extending Android@Home into a music-based offering called Project Tungsten. You'd have a little web-connected box that'd plug into sets of speakers around your house and you could stream music to different rooms from your phone or tablet—using Google Music, of course.
Google even showed a cool proof-of-concept demo where you'd tap an RFID-enabled CD case against a Project Tungsten box, and all the tracks on that CD would become available in your Google Music library for instant streaming. Google would have to get the music industry on board with this—which could take forever—but I'm guessing the music industry wouldn't mind trying to sell a few more CDs, so it might actually get on board with this idea.
Source: Time.com
So here's what we've got.
Android Is Converging
Android on a tablet? Android on a phone? Soon it won't matter—they'll all run the same Android operating system known as Ice Cream Sandwich. "Our goal with Ice Cream Sandwich is to deliver one operating system that works everywhere, regardless of device," says Google. That's a good thing, as Android has a problem with "fragmentation" nowadays. More on that later.
Android Movies
You'll be able to rent a movie from the Android Market and stream it to any connected Android phone or tablet. Movie rentals will start at $1.99 and be viewable for 30 days (or 24 hours once you hit the play button). If you own a Motorola Xoom tablet, you can get movies today. Phones running Android 2.2 and up will get access to movies in a couple of weeks. You can also rent movies directly from the Android Market on the web starting today.
Google Music Beta
Google's long-rumored online music service is finally here. Well, almost here. It's being rolled out in a private beta for U.S. residents—click here to sign up. You can upload up to 20,000 songs to the service and then play them back from any connected Android device.
It'll automatically download frequently-played tracks to your phone or tablet, too. There's also a feature called Instant Mix that creates intelligent playlists much like Apple's "Genius" feature found within iTunes.
You can install a program called Music Manager on your Windows or Mac, which will automatically keep any tracks added to iTunes or Windows Media Player synchronized with Google Music, so it should be a fairly hands-off process. Google Music will be free while in beta—no word on future pricing.
Check out the video at the top of this post for more.
Devices to Be Upgraded to New Versions of Android Faster
Part of the problem with the current state of Android is that a new version with new features will get released, but your phone won't get the new version for months. Google's now working on making sure that devices in the future will be quickly upgraded to the latest version.
The company is working together with big-name wireless players "to adopt guidelines for how quickly devices are updated after a new platform release, and also for how long they will continue to be updated." Here's more:
"The founding partners are Verizon, HTC, Samsung, Sprint, Sony Ericsson, LG, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Motorola and AT&T, and we welcome others to join us. To start, we're jointly announcing that new devices from participating partners will receive the latest Android platform upgrades for 18 months after the device is first released, as long as the hardware allows."
That's good news for Android users. Seeing that most of us are stuck with the same phone for at least two years, these guidelines would ensure that we'd get the latest Android software in a timely manner. People have accused the carriers of dragging their feet on Android updates in order to get people to buy new phones instead, so this would hopefully put a stop to that.
Android Open Accessory and Android@Home Initiatives
Finally, some very cool technology was demonstrated that tied Android devices into other items we use every day.
The Android Open Accessory initiative provides a way for anyone to build something that can interface with an Android phone or tablet.
Google demonstrated an exercise bike that could communicate with an Android phone, and you'd have different workout apps on the phone itself that would communicate back and forth with the bike to relay calorie counts, different workout regimens, and stuff like that.
And the Android@Home initiative "allows Android apps to discover, connect and communicate with appliances and devices in your home." Google has partnered with a manufacturer of LED light bulbs that have the technology built right into them, so we may see those hit the market by the end of the year. You'd be able to control these light bulbs from your phone or tablet.
Google is also extending Android@Home into a music-based offering called Project Tungsten. You'd have a little web-connected box that'd plug into sets of speakers around your house and you could stream music to different rooms from your phone or tablet—using Google Music, of course.
Google even showed a cool proof-of-concept demo where you'd tap an RFID-enabled CD case against a Project Tungsten box, and all the tracks on that CD would become available in your Google Music library for instant streaming. Google would have to get the music industry on board with this—which could take forever—but I'm guessing the music industry wouldn't mind trying to sell a few more CDs, so it might actually get on board with this idea.
Source: Time.com
How to Find Landmines with iPhone
All joking aside, unexploded landmines pose serious, serious threats to post-war communities. In late 2010, it was reported at a UN Council meeting that 3,956 people died due to undetected explosives, without even taking into account the countless injuries and limbs lost in the aftermath. What's more is they debilitate entire communities, paralyzing its citizens out of fear.
That's where this new iPhone app, PETALS (pattern enhancement tool for assisting landmine sensing) comes in. In conflict areas, landmines are tracked with old fashioned metal detectors before being dug up. According to PETALS: "In current practice, operators must stop and inspect every contact that could be a landmine, which slows down the demining process significantly. Both these challenges are exacerbated by newer landmines with minimal metallic content."
The PETALS app seeks to minimize the potential for human error by taking out as much of the guesswork as it possibly can. Rather than relying on a deminer's memory and retention of the metallic patterns in the ground, the app sketches things out, helping them determine two pivotal questions: 1) Is there a mine present? and 2) Where is the mine located? An admirable and much needed undertaking, if there ever was one.
Source: gizmodo.com
That's where this new iPhone app, PETALS (pattern enhancement tool for assisting landmine sensing) comes in. In conflict areas, landmines are tracked with old fashioned metal detectors before being dug up. According to PETALS: "In current practice, operators must stop and inspect every contact that could be a landmine, which slows down the demining process significantly. Both these challenges are exacerbated by newer landmines with minimal metallic content."
The PETALS app seeks to minimize the potential for human error by taking out as much of the guesswork as it possibly can. Rather than relying on a deminer's memory and retention of the metallic patterns in the ground, the app sketches things out, helping them determine two pivotal questions: 1) Is there a mine present? and 2) Where is the mine located? An admirable and much needed undertaking, if there ever was one.
Source: gizmodo.com
Bristol Palin to star in reality series on Bio
NEW YORK - The Bio Channel is giving Bristol Palin a reality series.
The network said Monday that Palin will star in a 10-episode series. She is the daughter of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and a former contestant on "Dancing With the Stars."
The new series will follow her move from Alaska to Los Angeles with her son, Tripp, to work at a small charity.
The single mom will live with actor brothers Kyle and Christopher Massey. The network says Kyle Massey is a fellow "Dancing" contestant and good friend.
Besides reality TV, the 20-year-old Palin has earned hundreds of thousands of dollars as a spokeswoman working to prevent teen pregnancy.
Her as-yet-untitled series is slated to air in late 2011. (AP)
The network said Monday that Palin will star in a 10-episode series. She is the daughter of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and a former contestant on "Dancing With the Stars."
The new series will follow her move from Alaska to Los Angeles with her son, Tripp, to work at a small charity.
The single mom will live with actor brothers Kyle and Christopher Massey. The network says Kyle Massey is a fellow "Dancing" contestant and good friend.
Besides reality TV, the 20-year-old Palin has earned hundreds of thousands of dollars as a spokeswoman working to prevent teen pregnancy.
Her as-yet-untitled series is slated to air in late 2011. (AP)
Google Raise Objections to Draft India Internet Rules
NEW DELHI—Google Inc. told Indian regulators in a confidential February memo that the nation's tough proposed restrictions on Internet content could present serious problems for the company and others hoping to tap a promising growth market. The regulations were enacted last month little-changed despite Google's input. Google's concerns, laid out in a memo reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, add to criticism from civil rights advocates who say the new rules amount to a crackdown on free speech on the Web.
In the memo, Google said regulations on Internet companies "play a crucial role in determining how free a medium of communication the Internet will be for the world's peoples, especially the millions of Indians who are increasingly making use of it in their everyday lives."
Among other things, the rules require websites to remove objectionable content including anything "grossly harmful" or "harassing." They require Internet service providers and social-networking sites to offer terms-of-service agreements with users that bar certain types of content. The websites also are responsible for removing content that goes out of bounds within 36 hours of being notified by government authorities.
A spokesman for India's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said the agency conducted a thorough review of public comments on a draft of the rules. The spokesman said the agency will issue a "clarification" soon to address concerns free-speech advocates have raised in recent weeks.
A Google spokeswoman declined to comment on the new rules.
Internet companies broadly see India as a potentially massive market. Estimates differ, but industry groups already say India is one of the world's top Internet markets, with a user base of between 80 million to 100 million people. In a study last year, boutique investment bank Caris & Co. predicted India will have 180 million to 200 million Internet users by 2015.
Google's under-the-radar lobbying effort in India offers a sharp contrast to the high-profile and public approach the company took in China last year when it protested censorship of it search service. Google wound up redirecting Chinese users to an uncensored version of its Web search in Hong Kong.
India presented a different situation. There isn't the same kind of outright censorship or widespread blocking of sites as in China, but companies like Google face demands from police and government authorities to remove content deemed offensive, such as material that disparages leading politicians or religious figures.
A person familiar with the company's thinking said Google was unhappy that the final Indian rules didn't address its concerns but believes the new regulatory framework is still an improvement from earlier, when it faced takedown requests with no specific guidelines on what content was considered out of bounds.
Apar Gupta, a New Delhi-based attorney and cyber law expert who submitted his own complaint about the draft rules, said the government made only "cursory changes" based on input from outside parties. "This wasn't an open, consultative process. The changes between the finalized version and the initial draft weren't explained," he said, and the final rules were quietly published on a government Web site with no announcement.
Google's Orkut social networking site had about 14 million visitors in March, making it India's sixth most popular site, according to ViziSense, a company that tracks online metrics in India. Facebook Inc.'s service is the third most visited site with 35.2 million users in March. A Facebook India spokeswoman couldn't be reached for comment.
Internet companies have made no public statements about the regulations thus far, but Google and some others submitted confidential comments on the draft rules in the weeks leading up to their enactment. The spokesman for India's communications ministry said the government would keep correspondence with companies confidential but that the companies were free to offer public feedback on the new rules.
Google's memo shows that the company sought changes aimed at limiting its potential liability for hosting objectionable content posted by third parties. For example, the company wanted to eliminate a section of the draft rules that outlawed specific categories of content and replace it with a more general ban on material that "violates any law for the time being in force." The final rules banned any material that is "grossly harmful, harassing, blasphemous" as well as anything "ethnically objectionable" or "disparaging" or that "impersonate(s) another person."
The company argued that such specific categories are "too prescriptive" and may not be illegal under any Indian statute.
Google also said it was "troubled" by a provision that said an Internet company "shall not itself host or publish or edit or store" banned categories of content. Google argued that this wording could expose the company to liability for material posted by third parties, potentially causing it "great harm" and contradicting the Information Technology Act of 2008, the law on which the new regulations are based. Regulators slightly tweaked that provision but didn't strike it from the final rules.
Google sought to remove a provision in the rules that said an Internet company must take down objectionable content after "obtaining actual knowledge by itself" of the material or being notified by government authorities.
The company wanted to change the provision so that companies don't have responsibilities to decide what content is legal or illegal but rather need to respond to a written notice from "a court of law or other legally empowered public authority." The final rules made a minor tweak to the draft wording but didn't take Google's suggestion.
In its memo, also commended India for putting in place the 2008 law, saying it was "a step forward in advancing the cause of protecting the future of the Internet economy."
Source: WSJ.com
In the memo, Google said regulations on Internet companies "play a crucial role in determining how free a medium of communication the Internet will be for the world's peoples, especially the millions of Indians who are increasingly making use of it in their everyday lives."
Among other things, the rules require websites to remove objectionable content including anything "grossly harmful" or "harassing." They require Internet service providers and social-networking sites to offer terms-of-service agreements with users that bar certain types of content. The websites also are responsible for removing content that goes out of bounds within 36 hours of being notified by government authorities.
A spokesman for India's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said the agency conducted a thorough review of public comments on a draft of the rules. The spokesman said the agency will issue a "clarification" soon to address concerns free-speech advocates have raised in recent weeks.
A Google spokeswoman declined to comment on the new rules.
Internet companies broadly see India as a potentially massive market. Estimates differ, but industry groups already say India is one of the world's top Internet markets, with a user base of between 80 million to 100 million people. In a study last year, boutique investment bank Caris & Co. predicted India will have 180 million to 200 million Internet users by 2015.
Google's under-the-radar lobbying effort in India offers a sharp contrast to the high-profile and public approach the company took in China last year when it protested censorship of it search service. Google wound up redirecting Chinese users to an uncensored version of its Web search in Hong Kong.
India presented a different situation. There isn't the same kind of outright censorship or widespread blocking of sites as in China, but companies like Google face demands from police and government authorities to remove content deemed offensive, such as material that disparages leading politicians or religious figures.
A person familiar with the company's thinking said Google was unhappy that the final Indian rules didn't address its concerns but believes the new regulatory framework is still an improvement from earlier, when it faced takedown requests with no specific guidelines on what content was considered out of bounds.
Apar Gupta, a New Delhi-based attorney and cyber law expert who submitted his own complaint about the draft rules, said the government made only "cursory changes" based on input from outside parties. "This wasn't an open, consultative process. The changes between the finalized version and the initial draft weren't explained," he said, and the final rules were quietly published on a government Web site with no announcement.
Google's Orkut social networking site had about 14 million visitors in March, making it India's sixth most popular site, according to ViziSense, a company that tracks online metrics in India. Facebook Inc.'s service is the third most visited site with 35.2 million users in March. A Facebook India spokeswoman couldn't be reached for comment.
Internet companies have made no public statements about the regulations thus far, but Google and some others submitted confidential comments on the draft rules in the weeks leading up to their enactment. The spokesman for India's communications ministry said the government would keep correspondence with companies confidential but that the companies were free to offer public feedback on the new rules.
Google's memo shows that the company sought changes aimed at limiting its potential liability for hosting objectionable content posted by third parties. For example, the company wanted to eliminate a section of the draft rules that outlawed specific categories of content and replace it with a more general ban on material that "violates any law for the time being in force." The final rules banned any material that is "grossly harmful, harassing, blasphemous" as well as anything "ethnically objectionable" or "disparaging" or that "impersonate(s) another person."
The company argued that such specific categories are "too prescriptive" and may not be illegal under any Indian statute.
Google also said it was "troubled" by a provision that said an Internet company "shall not itself host or publish or edit or store" banned categories of content. Google argued that this wording could expose the company to liability for material posted by third parties, potentially causing it "great harm" and contradicting the Information Technology Act of 2008, the law on which the new regulations are based. Regulators slightly tweaked that provision but didn't strike it from the final rules.
Google sought to remove a provision in the rules that said an Internet company must take down objectionable content after "obtaining actual knowledge by itself" of the material or being notified by government authorities.
The company wanted to change the provision so that companies don't have responsibilities to decide what content is legal or illegal but rather need to respond to a written notice from "a court of law or other legally empowered public authority." The final rules made a minor tweak to the draft wording but didn't take Google's suggestion.
In its memo, also commended India for putting in place the 2008 law, saying it was "a step forward in advancing the cause of protecting the future of the Internet economy."
Source: WSJ.com
Google to launch online music service?
NEW YORK: Internet giant Google could launch an online music service as early as Tuesday to rival Amazon's "cloud" service, which allows users to store digital music online, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper said on Monday that Google, like Amazon, has yet to secure licenses from the major record companies, and would limit users to a "streaming mode" to prevent piracy.
The new service, expected to be announced at an annual developers conference in San Francisco, would initially be launched in a testing phase, only becoming accessible to the public at a later date, the Journal said.
The newspaper also reported that Apple is currently in talks with major record companies to launch a far more ambitious service than either that offered by Amazon or the new service planned by Google.
Amazon unveiled a service in late March that allows users to store their digital music online and play it on a computer or an Android device. With Cloud Drive and Cloud Player, users can upload digital music, photos, videos and documents to Amazon servers and access the files through Web browsers or phones and tablet computers running Google's Android software.
Music bought from Amazon.com or Apple's iTunes or from a personal collection is held in a digital "music locker" on the Internet and can be accessed from computers running Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Chrome Web browsers. -The News
Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper said on Monday that Google, like Amazon, has yet to secure licenses from the major record companies, and would limit users to a "streaming mode" to prevent piracy.
The new service, expected to be announced at an annual developers conference in San Francisco, would initially be launched in a testing phase, only becoming accessible to the public at a later date, the Journal said.
The newspaper also reported that Apple is currently in talks with major record companies to launch a far more ambitious service than either that offered by Amazon or the new service planned by Google.
Amazon unveiled a service in late March that allows users to store their digital music online and play it on a computer or an Android device. With Cloud Drive and Cloud Player, users can upload digital music, photos, videos and documents to Amazon servers and access the files through Web browsers or phones and tablet computers running Google's Android software.
Music bought from Amazon.com or Apple's iTunes or from a personal collection is held in a digital "music locker" on the Internet and can be accessed from computers running Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Chrome Web browsers. -The News
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
FiiK electric skateboard has ABS braking system
Sometimes you come across a product that makes you sit back and go "FiiK". You have seen electric skateboards, off road skateboards, even all terrain boards, but a combination of fun, technology, design and street cred has always been elusive. Two brothers on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia have managed to meld these elements together with their electricskateboards.
your credit card will be charged the annual membership fee of $77.
The company is called FiiK "Future Is In Knowledge", a nod to their ongoing design refinement which began over 10 years ago with a small two stroke motor strapped to a plank of wood. The product has evolved into a skateboard with a magnetic motor, a digital wireless throttle control system, ABS braking system and a ton of urban chic.
There are a number of different Fiik boards to cater for different types of riders and terrain. According to Fusionskate, an authorized retailer of FiiK, the most popular board is the retro styled, red striped "Street Surfer" and it is easy to see why. This board produces high speeds on the black top with a maximum speed of 37 km/h (23 mph). It has aluminum rimmed, off road pneumatic tires with plenty of grip allowing you to take the board places a traditional skateboard can only dream about, such as tearing up grassy embankments and surfing the hard packed sand at the beach.
The board can also be equipped with super heavy duty tires – larger tires with grippy oversized tread to tackle dry dirt tracks and mulchy off road terrain. The board has an optional lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery giving you a range of around 30 km (22 miles) or 1.5 hours of runtime. A short wheelbase allows tighter turns, while the hardwood deck is concave for better traction while on board.
FiiK manufacture a range of other boards with a variety of deck shapes and more traditional poly-urethane wheels geared towards the street and skatepark. These boards have smaller and lighter battery packs with a short wheelbase for maneuverability. Others have a long wheelbase giving a surfing or snowboarding sensation with a deeper concave deck to give greater control while carving up the road. There is also a range for younger children, light enough to carry on public transport and to use as a regular skateboard if the battery runs flat.
How do you stop this Fiiking thing
The electric skateboards are all controlled by a handgun like device using digital wireless technology. There are 3 speed settings to allow for all skill levels, and the ability to limit the top speed for novice riders. Incorporating a stepless throttle control, the rider pulls the trigger towards them to start moving and away from them to slow down and stop. All the FiiK boards have an ABS braking system to allow the rider to slow down without the wheels locking and potentially throwing the rider off.
The FiiK battery
The FiiK electric skateboards have a sealed lead acid battery as standard that can be upgraded to a more expensive lithium iron phosphate pack. Sealed lead acid batteries are a cost effective solution that can deliver great acceleration and torque when fully charged but they do have limitations compared to LiFePO4. There are large differences in weight and size – in regards to the FiiK lithium batteries, 3.8 kg (8.4 lb) compared to 13 kg (28.6 lb) and the lithium batteries are over four times smaller.
Other benefits are an extended run time, more torque, faster acceleration and a longer lifespan – 2,000 recharges compared to 500 with no charge memory problems. There is a quick charger in development that promises to drop the charging time from flat currently at 5 to 6 hours down to under 2 hours.
The FiiK Street Surfer with lithium iron phosphate battery retails for US$1600.
Source: gizmag
your credit card will be charged the annual membership fee of $77.
The company is called FiiK "Future Is In Knowledge", a nod to their ongoing design refinement which began over 10 years ago with a small two stroke motor strapped to a plank of wood. The product has evolved into a skateboard with a magnetic motor, a digital wireless throttle control system, ABS braking system and a ton of urban chic.
There are a number of different Fiik boards to cater for different types of riders and terrain. According to Fusionskate, an authorized retailer of FiiK, the most popular board is the retro styled, red striped "Street Surfer" and it is easy to see why. This board produces high speeds on the black top with a maximum speed of 37 km/h (23 mph). It has aluminum rimmed, off road pneumatic tires with plenty of grip allowing you to take the board places a traditional skateboard can only dream about, such as tearing up grassy embankments and surfing the hard packed sand at the beach.
The board can also be equipped with super heavy duty tires – larger tires with grippy oversized tread to tackle dry dirt tracks and mulchy off road terrain. The board has an optional lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery giving you a range of around 30 km (22 miles) or 1.5 hours of runtime. A short wheelbase allows tighter turns, while the hardwood deck is concave for better traction while on board.
FiiK manufacture a range of other boards with a variety of deck shapes and more traditional poly-urethane wheels geared towards the street and skatepark. These boards have smaller and lighter battery packs with a short wheelbase for maneuverability. Others have a long wheelbase giving a surfing or snowboarding sensation with a deeper concave deck to give greater control while carving up the road. There is also a range for younger children, light enough to carry on public transport and to use as a regular skateboard if the battery runs flat.
How do you stop this Fiiking thing
The electric skateboards are all controlled by a handgun like device using digital wireless technology. There are 3 speed settings to allow for all skill levels, and the ability to limit the top speed for novice riders. Incorporating a stepless throttle control, the rider pulls the trigger towards them to start moving and away from them to slow down and stop. All the FiiK boards have an ABS braking system to allow the rider to slow down without the wheels locking and potentially throwing the rider off.
The FiiK battery
The FiiK electric skateboards have a sealed lead acid battery as standard that can be upgraded to a more expensive lithium iron phosphate pack. Sealed lead acid batteries are a cost effective solution that can deliver great acceleration and torque when fully charged but they do have limitations compared to LiFePO4. There are large differences in weight and size – in regards to the FiiK lithium batteries, 3.8 kg (8.4 lb) compared to 13 kg (28.6 lb) and the lithium batteries are over four times smaller.
Other benefits are an extended run time, more torque, faster acceleration and a longer lifespan – 2,000 recharges compared to 500 with no charge memory problems. There is a quick charger in development that promises to drop the charging time from flat currently at 5 to 6 hours down to under 2 hours.
The FiiK Street Surfer with lithium iron phosphate battery retails for US$1600.
Source: gizmag
Beauty of Swat Valley - Mahudand Lake
Mahudand Lake ("Lake of Fishes") is a lake about 40 km from Kalam, in Pakistan's upper Ushu Valley. It is accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle, and is a good location for fishing. This valley lies in the North of Kalam, is famous not only among nature lovers, and escapists but also the exotic trout fish hunters. The valley can be accessed through an un-metalled road from Kalam in a four by four (4x4) vehicle.
After driving for about four to five hours from the vast valley of kalam, you will enter the wonderful and spectacular valley of Mahodand where the small lakes, towering trees and sprawling pastures welcome you. The valley is long and wide and touches Chitral boundary in the extreme North. There is proper track through which trekkers can either reach Shandoor Top or Gazar in Chitral. Several spectacular waterfalls reinforce the beauty of the valley. They are of different lengths and sizes. The greater the size, the greater the sound that echoes throughout the valley.
In a nutshell, Mahodand valley is a process and artistic gift of nature for those who love nature, meditate and identify their creator through His creation. The spectacular landscapes, the canopy of tall cedar trees, the vast pastures, the roaring waterfalls, the shimmering lakes, the sky touching mountains, and the exotic fragrance of wild flowers and herbs leave such strong imprints on the mind that the visitor is always in search of other opportunity to become one with nature again.
Mahudand Lake Gallery
After driving for about four to five hours from the vast valley of kalam, you will enter the wonderful and spectacular valley of Mahodand where the small lakes, towering trees and sprawling pastures welcome you. The valley is long and wide and touches Chitral boundary in the extreme North. There is proper track through which trekkers can either reach Shandoor Top or Gazar in Chitral. Several spectacular waterfalls reinforce the beauty of the valley. They are of different lengths and sizes. The greater the size, the greater the sound that echoes throughout the valley.
In a nutshell, Mahodand valley is a process and artistic gift of nature for those who love nature, meditate and identify their creator through His creation. The spectacular landscapes, the canopy of tall cedar trees, the vast pastures, the roaring waterfalls, the shimmering lakes, the sky touching mountains, and the exotic fragrance of wild flowers and herbs leave such strong imprints on the mind that the visitor is always in search of other opportunity to become one with nature again.
Mahudand Lake Gallery
Wateen USB Drivers Download
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Wateen USB software
Wateen USB software
Save yourself the misery and get the real facts on smoking
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Stained fingers. Bad breath. Sore throat. Hacking cough. Noxious clothes. Need more reasons to avoid smoking? How about lung cancer, weak bones, stomach ulcers and dry, wrinkled skin? These aren't even half of the unfortunate side effects of smoking,
and yet thousands of teenagers continue to take up this unsavoury habit every day. Unfortunately, too little information about the dangers of smoking often combines with a sense of invincibility to fool these teens into thinking that they aren't doing anything harmful. Save yourself the misery and get the real facts on smoking.
Inside a Cigarette
A lot of teens truly believe that cigarettes aren't bad for their health, but cigarettes are loaded with over 4,000 chemicals. At least 10% of these ingredients are carcinogenic, which means that there are more than 40 cancer causing chemicals rolled up in each cigarette. Just a few of the chemicals you'll find inside of a cigarette include:
* Acetone, a common ingredient in nail polish remover.
* Ammonia, a common component in household cleaning products.
* Arsenic, a poison that can be lethal.
* DDT, a chemical so harmful it has been banned from most insect repellents.
* Formalin, a chemical used to preserve human remains.
* Nitro benzene, a chemical commonly added to petrol.
* Nicotine, the substance that makes smoking addictive.
Don't Even Start
A lot of teens start smoking because they believe it makes them seem more mature, or because they believe that it helps them relax. Unfortunately these teens don't realise that smoking is addictive, so rather than relaxing they become slaves to their cigarettes. If you don't smoke, don't start and you will save yourself:
* The energy of running for a new pack every time you have a craving.
* A future full of ill health.
* A drawer full of beauty products to hide the adverse affects of smoking.
* Huge dry cleaning bills to get the stink of smoke out of your clothes.
* Many nights out in the cold once the smoking ban comes into force.
Stained fingers. Bad breath. Sore throat. Hacking cough. Noxious clothes. Need more reasons to avoid smoking? How about lung cancer, weak bones, stomach ulcers and dry, wrinkled skin? These aren't even half of the unfortunate side effects of smoking,
and yet thousands of teenagers continue to take up this unsavoury habit every day. Unfortunately, too little information about the dangers of smoking often combines with a sense of invincibility to fool these teens into thinking that they aren't doing anything harmful. Save yourself the misery and get the real facts on smoking.
Inside a Cigarette
A lot of teens truly believe that cigarettes aren't bad for their health, but cigarettes are loaded with over 4,000 chemicals. At least 10% of these ingredients are carcinogenic, which means that there are more than 40 cancer causing chemicals rolled up in each cigarette. Just a few of the chemicals you'll find inside of a cigarette include:
* Acetone, a common ingredient in nail polish remover.
* Ammonia, a common component in household cleaning products.
* Arsenic, a poison that can be lethal.
* DDT, a chemical so harmful it has been banned from most insect repellents.
* Formalin, a chemical used to preserve human remains.
* Nitro benzene, a chemical commonly added to petrol.
* Nicotine, the substance that makes smoking addictive.
Don't Even Start
A lot of teens start smoking because they believe it makes them seem more mature, or because they believe that it helps them relax. Unfortunately these teens don't realise that smoking is addictive, so rather than relaxing they become slaves to their cigarettes. If you don't smoke, don't start and you will save yourself:
* The energy of running for a new pack every time you have a craving.
* A future full of ill health.
* A drawer full of beauty products to hide the adverse affects of smoking.
* Huge dry cleaning bills to get the stink of smoke out of your clothes.
* Many nights out in the cold once the smoking ban comes into force.
Yacht builders are keen to cater to the different tastes - Source BBC
Sat on a sun-dappled deck of a 60-foot yacht sipping an iced-coffee and smoking a cigarette, Gordon Hui looks pleased with himself.He has good reason.Mr Hui, the boss of the Asia operations of UK yacht-builder Sunseeker,
is poised to seal a massive deal worth potentially up to 20m pounds ($33m) to sell five yachts - two over a 100 feet (30m) - to a mainland Chinese customer.
"They've done their research. They are just coming to talk delivery times," he says in between meeting prospective customers at the Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show.
Mr Hui says the market in China for the deep-hulled, handcrafted luxury yachts that Sunseeker produces in Poole, Dorset has ballooned from "nothing" two years ago.
Since then Sunseeker, which makes 230 boats a year, has sold around 25 yachts to Chinese customers.
Taste for luxury
China's seemingly insatiable appetite for luxury is a boon for yacht-builders, and other makers of luxury goods, at a time when traditional markets in Europe and the US are struggling.
"They get the watch, they get the flashy car and then they get a yacht," says Silva Yim, the Hong Kong-based dealer for Princess Yachts, a UK company based in Plymouth.
But it is not all smooth sailing in China for the predominantly European makers of these rich man's toys.
No-one doubts that China's billionaires have deep enough pockets and a taste for ostentation that a super-yacht amply satisfies.
But high taxes, onerous regulation and a lack of suitable marinas and berths may limit the industry's expansion.
Yacht builders also face emerging competition from local upstarts keen to get a slice of this lucrative market.
Nestled among the Italian and UK-made yachts at the Hong Kong boat show were several Chinese-made vessels.
Karaoke dens
Yacht builders are keen to cater to the different tastes of their Chinese clients.
Mr Yim, of Princess Yachts which is now owned by LVMH Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton, says that the Chinese like to use their yachts for relatively short periods at the weekend with the family or to entertain clients.
He adds that open deck areas are smaller as Chinese are not usually devotees of sun-bathing and water sports.
Instead they prefer more inside space to host their guests.
One recent client asked for the master bedroom to be turned into a karaoke parlour, notes Mr Yim.
Not quite Monte Carlo
Despite an 18,000km coastline, extended trips around the Chinese coast are difficult because there are strict rules on where private boats can sail.
Boat owners require special permits to travel on their yachts from province-to-province and large yachts are treated as commercial ships.
There is also a lack of marinas and the ones that do exist are hardly Monte Carlo standard.
"Once China opens up its coastline, it will become like a new French Riviera," says Albert Wu, general manager of the Gold Coast yacht club.
Demand for yachts is also growing despite a 43% tax on boats imported into China - although many buy and keep their vessels in Hong Kong to avoid paying the duty.
Made in China
From a distance, the 86-feet Accelera looks like the other Italian, US and British made yachts on display at the boat show, with its sleek hull and sharp lines.
But made at a shipyard in Zhuhai, a mainland Chinese city about two hours from Hong Kong, it costs HK$6.8m (£0.5m; $0.9m) - less than a third of the price of its international rivals.
Samuel Wong, executive director of the company that built the boat, says he chose Accelera as the company's brand name because "it sounded Italian".
His father's shipyard used to build fishing and houseboats but Mr Wong believes his new approach will pay off as the existing international super-yacht brands are not yet well established in China.
"The engine and electronics are the same as the international brands - it's our labour costs that are cheap," he says.
Inside the yacht, which boasts a karaoke lounge complete with a disco glitter ball, it smells synthetic and compares poorly to the glossy interiors of its European rivals.
But Mr Wong and the half a dozen other Chinese yacht builders that have sprung up are a tangible example of China's move away from mass production into higher value goods.
Bumper purchase
The buyer of Mr Hui's five Sunseeker yachts, Frankie Chan, is matter-of-fact about their bumper purchase when I contact him by phone.
Mr Chan is the vice president of Oursjia, a members-only luxury rental company based in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.
The company looked into to buying the yachts just three months ago in response to demands from some of their 500,000 clients.
They pay a membership fee of 20,000 yuan (£1,900; $3000), which gives them access to rent a car from the company's fleet of 3,000 luxury vehicles and or items from a range of designer furniture.
It estimates that 50,000 of its clients are potential users of the yachts, which come with their own captain and crew provided by Sunseeker.
And, it appears super-yachts are not the only items on their clients' wish lists.
"My boss is flying to Europe next week to inquire about buying a private jet," Mr Chan says.
Source: BBC
is poised to seal a massive deal worth potentially up to 20m pounds ($33m) to sell five yachts - two over a 100 feet (30m) - to a mainland Chinese customer.
"They've done their research. They are just coming to talk delivery times," he says in between meeting prospective customers at the Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show.
Mr Hui says the market in China for the deep-hulled, handcrafted luxury yachts that Sunseeker produces in Poole, Dorset has ballooned from "nothing" two years ago.
Since then Sunseeker, which makes 230 boats a year, has sold around 25 yachts to Chinese customers.
Taste for luxury
China's seemingly insatiable appetite for luxury is a boon for yacht-builders, and other makers of luxury goods, at a time when traditional markets in Europe and the US are struggling.
"They get the watch, they get the flashy car and then they get a yacht," says Silva Yim, the Hong Kong-based dealer for Princess Yachts, a UK company based in Plymouth.
But it is not all smooth sailing in China for the predominantly European makers of these rich man's toys.
No-one doubts that China's billionaires have deep enough pockets and a taste for ostentation that a super-yacht amply satisfies.
But high taxes, onerous regulation and a lack of suitable marinas and berths may limit the industry's expansion.
Yacht builders also face emerging competition from local upstarts keen to get a slice of this lucrative market.
Nestled among the Italian and UK-made yachts at the Hong Kong boat show were several Chinese-made vessels.
Karaoke dens
Yacht builders are keen to cater to the different tastes of their Chinese clients.
Mr Yim, of Princess Yachts which is now owned by LVMH Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton, says that the Chinese like to use their yachts for relatively short periods at the weekend with the family or to entertain clients.
He adds that open deck areas are smaller as Chinese are not usually devotees of sun-bathing and water sports.
Instead they prefer more inside space to host their guests.
One recent client asked for the master bedroom to be turned into a karaoke parlour, notes Mr Yim.
Not quite Monte Carlo
Despite an 18,000km coastline, extended trips around the Chinese coast are difficult because there are strict rules on where private boats can sail.
Boat owners require special permits to travel on their yachts from province-to-province and large yachts are treated as commercial ships.
There is also a lack of marinas and the ones that do exist are hardly Monte Carlo standard.
"Once China opens up its coastline, it will become like a new French Riviera," says Albert Wu, general manager of the Gold Coast yacht club.
Demand for yachts is also growing despite a 43% tax on boats imported into China - although many buy and keep their vessels in Hong Kong to avoid paying the duty.
Made in China
From a distance, the 86-feet Accelera looks like the other Italian, US and British made yachts on display at the boat show, with its sleek hull and sharp lines.
But made at a shipyard in Zhuhai, a mainland Chinese city about two hours from Hong Kong, it costs HK$6.8m (£0.5m; $0.9m) - less than a third of the price of its international rivals.
Samuel Wong, executive director of the company that built the boat, says he chose Accelera as the company's brand name because "it sounded Italian".
His father's shipyard used to build fishing and houseboats but Mr Wong believes his new approach will pay off as the existing international super-yacht brands are not yet well established in China.
"The engine and electronics are the same as the international brands - it's our labour costs that are cheap," he says.
Inside the yacht, which boasts a karaoke lounge complete with a disco glitter ball, it smells synthetic and compares poorly to the glossy interiors of its European rivals.
But Mr Wong and the half a dozen other Chinese yacht builders that have sprung up are a tangible example of China's move away from mass production into higher value goods.
Bumper purchase
The buyer of Mr Hui's five Sunseeker yachts, Frankie Chan, is matter-of-fact about their bumper purchase when I contact him by phone.
Mr Chan is the vice president of Oursjia, a members-only luxury rental company based in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.
The company looked into to buying the yachts just three months ago in response to demands from some of their 500,000 clients.
They pay a membership fee of 20,000 yuan (£1,900; $3000), which gives them access to rent a car from the company's fleet of 3,000 luxury vehicles and or items from a range of designer furniture.
It estimates that 50,000 of its clients are potential users of the yachts, which come with their own captain and crew provided by Sunseeker.
And, it appears super-yachts are not the only items on their clients' wish lists.
"My boss is flying to Europe next week to inquire about buying a private jet," Mr Chan says.
Source: BBC
Osama mission agreed 10 years ago by US, Pak
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LONDON: The US and Pakistan struck a secret deal almost a decade ago permitting a US operation against Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil, British daily newspaper report quoted.
The deal was struck between the military leader General Pervez Musharraf and President George Bush after Bin Laden escaped US forces in the mountains of Tora Bora in late 2001, British newspaper reported quoting retired Pakistani and US officials.
Under its terms, Pakistan would allow US forces to conduct a unilateral raid inside Pakistan in search of Bin Laden, his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and the al Qaeda No3. Afterwards, both sides agreed, Pakistan would vociferously protest the incursion.
"There was an agreement between Bush and Musharraf that if we knew where Osama was, we were going to come and get him," said a former senior US official with knowledge of counterterrorism operations. "The Pakistanis would put up a hue and cry, but they wouldn't stop us."-The News
LONDON: The US and Pakistan struck a secret deal almost a decade ago permitting a US operation against Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil, British daily newspaper report quoted.
The deal was struck between the military leader General Pervez Musharraf and President George Bush after Bin Laden escaped US forces in the mountains of Tora Bora in late 2001, British newspaper reported quoting retired Pakistani and US officials.
Under its terms, Pakistan would allow US forces to conduct a unilateral raid inside Pakistan in search of Bin Laden, his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and the al Qaeda No3. Afterwards, both sides agreed, Pakistan would vociferously protest the incursion.
"There was an agreement between Bush and Musharraf that if we knew where Osama was, we were going to come and get him," said a former senior US official with knowledge of counterterrorism operations. "The Pakistanis would put up a hue and cry, but they wouldn't stop us."-The News
Monday, May 2, 2011
World Gold rates off record, silver slides on Osama bin Laden
LONDON (Reuters) - Gold prices slipped from record highs on Monday and silver was on track for its biggest one-day loss since December 2008 after news that al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in a U.S.-led operation in Pakistan.
Spot gold fell to nearly $1,540 an ounce after earlier hitting a fresh record high at $1,575.79. By 1044 GMT it had recovered to $1,556.20 an ounce against $1,563.65 late in New York on Friday.
Silver was bid at $45,36 an ounce against $47,80, having earlier fallen as low as $43,04.
Oil and gold fell as news of the death stripped out some of the risk premium that has been underpinning commodity prices, while the dollar rebounded from three-year lows, further pressuring gold, and stock markets climbed.
Silver tumbled as much as 10 percent, its steepest fall since late 2008, hit by a stronger dollar, increased margins for futures trading and a technical overhang after a 170 percent rally over the last 12 months to a record high last week.
"News about Osama and the 13 percent margin increase -- the second in a week -- hit the market at the worst possible time," said Ole Hansen, senior manager at Saxo Bank. "Also, (there was) news Friday evening that professionals scaled back silver exposure by 26 percent as of last Tuesday."
"We are seeing volatility at an unprecedented level here and the fight between the bulls and bears has entered an interesting stage," he said, adding; "I like gold. Just a switch from silver to gold could lend support."
The CME Group Inc, parent of the Chicago Board of Trade, said on Thursday it would raise maintenance margins for COMEX 5000 Silver futures by 13,2 percent to $10 750 per contract from $9 500 effective Friday, April 29.
This is the second rise this week following a 9,2 percent margin increase on Monday, making it more expensive for silver speculators to trade in.
Data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission showed speculators cut bullish bets in COMEX silver futures and options to the lowest since early February.
SPECTACULR FALL
Some traders put down silver's spectacular fall to an unwinding of a short gold-silver ratio position, compounded by automated stop-loss orders.
The gold-silver ratio, used to measure the number of silver ounces needed to buy an ounce of gold, rebounded to about 35 from below 32, its lowest level since the early 1980s.
"There is nothing from a fundamental perspective to cause a fall this large. Silver has been the most rapidly appreciating of the metals in the past months and if there was one that looked a bit frothy it was silver," said Ben Westmore, commodities economist at National Australia Bank.
"This is mostly technical. We expect silver to be in relatively close step with gold and while both have risen strongly, silver may have moved a bit too far ahead."
Markets across large parts of Asia and much of Europe were closed for May Day and Labour day holidays, reducing the number of market participants and making for volatile trade.
While gold initially fell more than $5 an ounce after news of bin Laden's death, traders expect its bull trend to remain intact given the macroeconomic and political environment.
The metal remains supported by concerns over the financial health of some euro zone economies, worries over the U.S. budget deficit, and ultra-accommodative U.S. monetary policy.
While the stronger dollar is keeping the metal under pressure, gold has shown in recents years that it can rise in line with the dollar if other factors are supportive enough.
Platinum was at $1 856 an ounce versus $1 864,25, while palladium was at $780,98 versus $789,35.
Spot gold fell to nearly $1,540 an ounce after earlier hitting a fresh record high at $1,575.79. By 1044 GMT it had recovered to $1,556.20 an ounce against $1,563.65 late in New York on Friday.
Silver was bid at $45,36 an ounce against $47,80, having earlier fallen as low as $43,04.
Oil and gold fell as news of the death stripped out some of the risk premium that has been underpinning commodity prices, while the dollar rebounded from three-year lows, further pressuring gold, and stock markets climbed.
Silver tumbled as much as 10 percent, its steepest fall since late 2008, hit by a stronger dollar, increased margins for futures trading and a technical overhang after a 170 percent rally over the last 12 months to a record high last week.
"News about Osama and the 13 percent margin increase -- the second in a week -- hit the market at the worst possible time," said Ole Hansen, senior manager at Saxo Bank. "Also, (there was) news Friday evening that professionals scaled back silver exposure by 26 percent as of last Tuesday."
"We are seeing volatility at an unprecedented level here and the fight between the bulls and bears has entered an interesting stage," he said, adding; "I like gold. Just a switch from silver to gold could lend support."
The CME Group Inc, parent of the Chicago Board of Trade, said on Thursday it would raise maintenance margins for COMEX 5000 Silver futures by 13,2 percent to $10 750 per contract from $9 500 effective Friday, April 29.
This is the second rise this week following a 9,2 percent margin increase on Monday, making it more expensive for silver speculators to trade in.
Data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission showed speculators cut bullish bets in COMEX silver futures and options to the lowest since early February.
SPECTACULR FALL
Some traders put down silver's spectacular fall to an unwinding of a short gold-silver ratio position, compounded by automated stop-loss orders.
The gold-silver ratio, used to measure the number of silver ounces needed to buy an ounce of gold, rebounded to about 35 from below 32, its lowest level since the early 1980s.
"There is nothing from a fundamental perspective to cause a fall this large. Silver has been the most rapidly appreciating of the metals in the past months and if there was one that looked a bit frothy it was silver," said Ben Westmore, commodities economist at National Australia Bank.
"This is mostly technical. We expect silver to be in relatively close step with gold and while both have risen strongly, silver may have moved a bit too far ahead."
Markets across large parts of Asia and much of Europe were closed for May Day and Labour day holidays, reducing the number of market participants and making for volatile trade.
While gold initially fell more than $5 an ounce after news of bin Laden's death, traders expect its bull trend to remain intact given the macroeconomic and political environment.
The metal remains supported by concerns over the financial health of some euro zone economies, worries over the U.S. budget deficit, and ultra-accommodative U.S. monetary policy.
While the stronger dollar is keeping the metal under pressure, gold has shown in recents years that it can rise in line with the dollar if other factors are supportive enough.
Platinum was at $1 856 an ounce versus $1 864,25, while palladium was at $780,98 versus $789,35.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
U.S.-led operation killed Osama bin Laden, Obama says
Mr. Obama said the United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam: "Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of Muslims. His demise should be welcome by all who believe in peace and human dignity."
Mr. bin Laden's death comes almost a decade after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.
A crowd of hundreds gathered outside the White House to celebrate, chanting, “USA, USA.” Former U.S. president George W. Bush called the killing a "momentous achievement."
Officials have long believed Mr. bin Laden, the most wanted man in the world, was hiding a mountainous region along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Mr. bin Laden was killed at a compound inside Pakistan. Having the body may help convince any doubters that he is really dead.
Mr. Obama reaffirmed the United States' partnership with Pakistan, where relations have been strained over the course of the war on terror.
"Tonight, I called President (Asif Ali) Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts," he said. "They agree this is a good and historic day for both of our nations."
"The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores. … Yet as a country we will never tolerate our security being theatened."
The impact of bin Laden’s death could ripple across the Afghanistan/Pakistan region, where his al-Qaeda network still maintains training camps that produce some of the suicide bombers and fighters who continue to attack western forces in Afghanistan.
Only last week, the NATO-led forces here said they killed a senior al-Qaeda leader in the eastern Afghan province of Kunar, which borders Pakistan. Officials said Abu Hafs al-Najdi, also known as Abdul Ghani, directed killings against tribal leaders and American troops.
Bin Laden operated training camps in Afghanistan and held sway over Taliban leaders during their brief oppressive rule here. His death may not diminish the Taliban insurgency, which portrays itself as an Afghan nationalist jihad against foreign invaders, and could inspire a new spasm of violence in reaction to what they will likely call the martyrdom of a Muslim idol.
The Saudi-born al-Qaeda leader became both the face of global terrorism and a symbol of the futile efforts to seek it out and fight it.
While his death is a victory for the anti-terror crusade by the U.S. and its allies, it's unlikely his demise will end the now-fractured network of terror cells that reaches across the world.
Counter-terror experts have noted al-Qaeda has grown into a more fragmented movement, its violent ideas having been franchised over to local allies who can operate without a central, larger-than-life figurehead leader.
“Al-Qaeda is an organization that evolved into an ideology, with Osama bin Laden's message receiving widespread attention in the Muslim world,” said Peter Bergen, one of the rare Western journalists who has met Mr. bin Laden in person.
“Clearly, the ideology will survive Osama bin Laden's death.”
Al-Qaeda has farmed out attacks to regional players in East Africa, Asia, the Caucasus and the Middle East, local radical partners it inspired and funded over the years, said Rohan Gunaratna, author of Al Qaeda: Global Network of Terror.
“It will be a messy blow to the main al-Qaeda structure but the threat of terrorism will continue.”
At the same time, there are other examples of terrorist groups losing momentum after the capture of their charismatic leader.
After Turkey seized Abdullah Ocalan of the Kurdistan Workers Party, an initial wave of retaliatory attacks eventually petered and his supporters ended their armed campaign. In Peru, the arrest of Abimael Guzman Reymoso of the Shining Path decimated the violent Maoist movement.
Mr. bin Laden reached out to various associated groups, such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the Philippines, Jemaah Islamiah, elsewhere in southeast Asia, the Salafi Group in Algeria and other insurgents in Indonesia and Yemen. These groups provided not only a striking capacity but also training facilities, filling in for the loss of al-Qaeda's camps in Afghanistan.
“These groups play an equally important role. We are seeing terrorist capability in the regional, local Islamic radical groups,” Mr. Gunaratna said.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaeda has been severely crippled, losing its sanctuary in Afghanistan. Top operational planners have been captured -- such as Khalid Sheikh Mohammed -- or killed, such as Muhammad Atef. More than 3,000 alleged members or supporters have been arrested, many of whom are now languishing in indefinite detention at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The U.S. and its allies have seized massive caches of weapons, handbooks and, more importantly, computers, videotapes and other electronics such as satellite and cellular phones that can be examined to retrace their former owners' activities and whereabouts.
Financial regulators have frozen tens of millions of dollars in assets from individuals and groups alleged to be raising funds for terrorism.
But al-Qaeda's brand of terror hasn't been put out of business. It has been accused of having a hand in everything from deadly 2002 bombings in Bali that left hundreds dead to the recent uprisings in Libya and Yemen to last week's bombing in Marrakesh, which killed 15 people in the usually peaceful country's deadliest attack since 2003.
Resource:http://www.theglobeandmail.com
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