[MyAppleMenu] Mar 25, 2010

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Happy Birthday: Mac OS X Turns Nine <http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/happy_birthday_mac_os_x_turns_nine/>
Bryan Chaffin, The Mac Observer

It seems appropriate to us to offer Mac OS X a birthday shoutout, as it was on this day in 2001 that Apple officially shipped Mac OS X 10.0. After a multi-month public beta, Apple released the final version on a Saturday, with small-scale events at its CompUSA Stores-within-a-Store.

**** Say Goodbye To The iPod <http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2010/03/24/say-goodbye-to-the-ipod.aspx>
Tim Beyers, Motley Fool

I also get the sense that consumers have shifted expectations for what mobile devices can (and should) do, and they're increasingly confident Apple can deliver.

iPod Touch, iPad, iPhone. That's enough number of different models to replace the iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, and iPod Classic.

**** Developers, Websites Respond To iPhone App Payola Story <http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/03/app-review-payola-reaction/>
Brian X. Chen, Wired News

The iPhone community has reacted strongly to the news that some app review sites have pay-to-play policies.

**** Army Officials Get VIP Tour Of Apple, Talk Mobile Tech <http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/03/army-officials-get-vip-tour-of-apple-talk-mobile-tech.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss>
Chris Foresman, Ars Technica

The US Army's top tech heads met at Apple's Cupertino headquarters earlier this month to discuss the use of Apple technologies in military applications. The meeting is part of a larger initiative from RDECOM to leverage existing consumer technology for use in a "tactical environment."

**** Mariner's MacJournal Comes To The iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/150048/2010/03/macjournal_iphone.html>
David Chartier, Macworld

Mariner Software’s MacJournal has long been an “iPhoto for journaling.” It's a powerful text editor that features support for multiple journals, blogging, rich media, and MobileMe sync, along with a healthy dose of iLife integration. But one realm into which it hadn't ventured is that of the iPhone—until now.

**** Ding! Mail. OMG! It’s Steve Jobs. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/25/technology/25apple.html>
Brad Stone, New York Times

Apple is a notoriously secretive company. Its few public statements are dissected by its knowledgeable fans with the vigor of forensic experts. But Mr. Jobs sometimes takes a more intimate approach to information-sharing — and when his e-mail messages pop up on the computer screens of random fans and critics, they can inspire ecstasy and awe.

**** Apple iBookstore Bestsellers To Match Amazon's Price <http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/03/24/some.ipad.book.prices.to.match.kindles/>
Electronista

Many titles on Apple's iBookstore will carry the same price as their Amazon Kindle equivalents when the store and the iPad go live on April 3rd, a leak may have confirmed today. A pre-release look at the store has 27 of the 32 top books costing $10, or the same as a typical Kindle book. The current list seen by AppAdvice has just one $13 title.

**** Update Fixes Final Cut Studio 2009 Problems <http://www.macworld.com/article/150066/2010/03/proapps_udpate.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Marco Tabini, Macworld

Pro Applications Update 2010-01 includes 24 bug fixes and improvements for five different applications.

**** On Apple's Board, Fewer Independent Voices <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704266504575141933921476048.html?mod=googlenews_wsj>
Yukari Iwatani Kane and Joann S. Lublin, Wall Street Journal

The death of Apple Inc. director Jerome York last week has left the company with fewer independent voices, putting it in conflict with its own board's rules and renewing concerns about the board's ability to oversee strong-willed Chairman and Chief Executive Steve Jobs.

Apple's time frame for finding a new board member, and even whether it will seek one, are unclear. Apple directors haven't hired a search firm to recruit a new director, but the Cupertino, Calif., company typically prefers to tap its own network and conduct its own search, industry recruiters said. An Apple spokesman declined to comment.

**** 10 Ways Apple Could Use The iPhone As A Weapon <http://www.eweek.com/c/a/IT-Management/10-Ways-Apple-Could-Use-the-iPhone-As-a-Weapon-790036/?kc=rss>
Don Reisinger, eWeek

Whether AT&T, Google and customers like it or not, the iPhone is an extremely important device in today's mobile market. The product has single-handedly revitalized AT&T's business, changed the mobile market and ensured that consumer desire will always in some way be determined by the products Apple puts out. That kind of power can have far-reaching effects. And it means that Apple could capitalize on its standing in the marketplace and use the iPhone to impose its will.

**** Three Tips For Classical (and Other) Music And iTunes <http://www.macworld.com/article/147241/2010/03/classical_music_tips.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Kirk McElhearn, Macworld

**** Smartphone Motion Patent’s Authors Are Google, Apple Engineers <http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20100325/smartphone-motion-patent’s-authors-are-google-apple-engineers/>
John Paczkowski, Wall Street Journal



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Online Social Networks Bridge Gaps For Chronically Ill <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/25/technology/25disable.html?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Clare Cain Miller, New York Times

For many people, social networks are a place for idle chatter about what they made for dinner or sharing cute pictures of their pets. But for people living with chronic diseases or disabilities, they play a more vital role.



SingaporeSurf
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**** SDP's Worst Fears About Sheng Siong Come True <http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/3528-sdps-worst-fears-about-sheng-siong-come-true>
Singapore Democrat Party

The Singapore Democrats voiced out strongly against the move precisely because we were concerned that Sheng Siong would hike rentals for stallholders. Our worst fears have been confirmed.

Despite the serious objections, the HDB allowed the sales of the wet markets in Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok and Serangoon to go through.  In particular, stallholders at the Fajar Market in Bukit Panjang with the support of residents in the area appealed to their PAP member of parliament Dr Teo Ho Pin to stop the sale, but to no avail.

**** New Yishun Hospital To Open First Phase Next Monday <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100325-0000089/New-Yishun-hospital-to-open-first-phase-next-Monday>
Today

The specialist outpatient clinics at the new Khoo Teck Puat Hospital open this Monday - and so that nearby residents can familiarise themselves with the place, the hospital is holding an open house on Sunday.

**** No Lack Of Credible Election Candidates <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_506018.html>
Paul Chan, Straits Times

The daunting amount of multiple deposits in GRC wards creates a stumbling block to small political parties. How may parties can afford the huge amount from their party funds in the first place?

If the ruling party changes the rules to peg the amount of election deposit on the basis of 'one man, one vote for one ward', regardless of whether it is a single ward or GRC ward, the ground will be more even.

**** Questions About Town Council Fee Hikes <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_506020.html>
Chua Poh Suan, Straits Times

If other town councils were able to arrange lift upgrading earlier and so avoid higher maintenance costs, why the delay in Jurong? If other town councils can delay their fee increases considering the economic situation, why not Aljunied and Jurong? Perhaps these two town councils should review their operational management and efficiency.

**** Banning Walkovers Unfair <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_506015.html>
Kong Siong Kwong, Straits Times

Why should walkovers be banned? What about being fair to the only nominee who is also Singaporean and entitled to his rights? It is inequitable to insist that this one candidate must be voted on and secure more than 50 per cent of the votes cast in order to establish that he has the support of constituents.

**** Government Should Act Earlier <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_506359.html>
Joyce Teo, Straits Times

The government has to shoulder some of the blame for the short supply of land and high property prices, said Mr Simon Cheong, president of the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (Redas), yesterday.

**** Was Iron Dome Defense System Actually Built For Singapore? <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1159036.html>
Yossi Melman, Ha'aretz

A Paris-based online magazine covering intelligence and security issues this week called Singapore one of the most important customers of Israel's defense industry, laying bare the active, though secret, relationship between Israel and Singapore that began more than 40 years ago - a statement that comes after years in which Israel censored all local articles on the subject. 

Even more interesting is the possibility the article raises that Iron Dome was designed first and foremost for the benefit of Singapore - not for the protection of Sderot and the southern communities in Israel that suffered from Qassam rocket attacks and mortar fire for seven years and are still suffering (though Iron Dome is not capable of intercepting mortar shells).

**** 昇菘五湿巴刹摊位租金下月调高30％　摊贩大叹吃不消 <http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp100325_008.shtml>
赖诗琳, 联合早报

昇菘超市下月起，调高五个湿巴刹摊位租金30％。摊贩感叹涨幅太大，管理层则解释说，当初买下巴刹时并没有将房地产税考虑在内，如今为了维持下去只好调高租金。

尽管昇菘超市总经理林福星表示，调高租金是逼不得已，摊贩还是大喊租金涨幅太大，接下来的生意将难以维持。好些选择走一步看一步，先签一年合约再打算；一些则决定不续约，另找谋生处。

**** 东部和东北部或出现至少三新单选区 <http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp100325_001.shtml>
蔡添成, 联合早报

如果拿目前的选区范围地图来比较，很明显的选区范围检讨委员会主要将在东部和东北部划分出至少三个新的单选区。而从选民人数和选举局最近所公布的各集选区的投票区数目来看，一般认为规模较大的集选区如白沙—榜鹅集选区和淡滨尼集选区之间；阿裕尼集选区和东海岸集选区之间；西海岸集选区和裕廊集选区之间；以及丹戎巴葛和惹兰勿刹集选区之间，都有可能划出新的单选区。

**** On Providing Public Transport For The Disabled <http://singaporeaspirations.blogspot.com/2010/03/on-providing-public-transport-for.html>
Singapore Aspirations

**** The <i>Truth</i> About Housing Affordability In Singapore..... <http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2010/03/housing-affordability-in-singapore-few.html>
Diary of A Singaporean Mind

**** Sheng Shiong’s Extortionate Increase: A Failure Of Political Representation <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/03/toc-editorial-sheng-siong-extortionate-increase-failure-of-political-representation/>
Ng E-Jay, The Online Citizen

Sheng Siong completed the business transaction because it knew that with its new monopolistic position, it could raise prices to maintain its bottom line without losing market share to competitors.

The Members of Parliament of the constituencies in which those wet markets are located ignored the obvious warning signs and failed to speak out on behalf of residents and stallholders who voiced legitimate concerns about possible price increases — fears that have now been fully realized.

**** Govt Rebuts REDAS President's Comments, Defends Reserve Price System <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1045835/1/.html>
May Wong, Channel NewsAsia

The Ministry of National Development (MND) has defended its Reserve Price system for state land tenders, and disagrees that it has constrained market forces in Singapore.