CBS news reported that Iranian Government appeared to have succesfully blocked access to Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. Maybe they would get rid off all modern technologies and go back to the 13th Century. Before you do that dear Iranian Government, please let the Iranians who value progress and advancement out of your obsolete way of thinking. Here’s what you should do. Get everyone who have the same ideal like you do into the same area and built walls to surround you. Keep everyone else out, I can surely say that the world will leave you be.
Heroic Los Angeles Mayor Wastes Money on Lakers Celebration Parade.
Apparently common sense is absent when it comes to faux-pride. City of Los Angeles does not have the money to spare and yet the heroic L.A. Mayor Tony Villar approved the burning of money that Los Angeles desperately needs for other services.
Los Angeles Police Department had to mobilize any officers they could have to keep watchful eyes on the parade. By the way, they are all on overtime for this parade.
Why should City of Los Angeles pay half of the parade cost? Kobe Bryant should pay for the parade cost. After all, he is the one who desperately wanted this championship. Los Angeles Lakers Organization should pick up 100% of the celebration tab.
Has anyone forgotten last Sunday when numbers of so-called “Lakers fans” disturbing the peace shortly after their team won the NBA championship?
Los Angeles is facing greater issues financially and the Mayor Tony Villar is wasting more money.
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iTunes App Store: Application Rating
With the official release of iPhone OS 3.0, Apple has added ratings to iPhone Apps.
For example, search for “nin: access” in the iTunes App Store. It will show the ratings for the apps if available.
Many has speculated that Apple would ease the App-submission process once the rating system is well implemented.
Twitter: Freedom of Information in One Hundred and Forty Characters or Less at a Time.
Founded in 1996, Twitter.com has seen its ups and down in the technology community. Mirroring the Short Message Service (SMS), a tweet allows only maximum of 140 characters in one message.
Twitter has now become a a near-real time news conduit for the world. Does anyone remember when then Presidential Candidate Barack Obama was actively using Twitter on the campaign trail? He even utilized Twitter to announced his Vice-Presidential choice. That was back in 2008.
Also in 2008, Twitter became the de facto news medium in Mumbai attacks.
In January 2009, the first image of the downed US Airways Flight 1549 was transmitted through Twitter.
In June 2006 Twitter once again became the method of choice in communicating with countries outside Iran. Iranian government effectively cut off the communication pipelines to the world after allegation of fraud in the Iranian Presidential Election. Major news media were critized of failing to report the event in Iran. People were getting the news through Twitter instead of CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, etc.
Twitter has become an important news medium. Forget Ashton Kutcher and Oprah!
Twitter: Freedom of Information in One Hundred and Forty Characters or Less at a Time.
WordPress App is now iPhone OS 3.0 Compliant
The good folks at WordPress.org has uploaded the iPhone OS 3.0 compatible WordPress App.
It will be available soon on iTunes App Store.
I have been running the beta version of WordPress App for more than a week and it has been great.
AT&T Revises Upgrade Pricing For iPhone 3G Early Adopters
AT&T announces today that iPhone 3G early adopters will get the $199 and $299 pricing for iPhone 3G S starting June 18th, 2009. In an open letter and YouTube Video, AT&T explains the change in the upgrade policy.
AT&T was flooded with complaints from iPhone 3G early adopters for their upgrade policy. The iPhone 3G was originally released on July 11th, 2008and early adopters are only 23 days away from fulfilling their first 12 months of their 2-year contract. According to AT&T, iPhone customers who spend more than $99 a month per line generally are eligible for an upgrade between 12 and 18 months into their contract.
AT&T iPhone 3G S Upgrade Eligibility Announcement
All of that said, we’ve been listening to our customers. And since many of our iPhone 3G customers are early adopters and literally weeks shy of being upgrade eligible due to iPhone 3G S launching 11 months after iPhone 3G, we’re extending the window of upgrade eligibility for a limited time.
“We’re now pleased to offer our iPhone 3G customers who are upgrade eligible in July, August or September 2009 our best upgrade pricing, beginning Thursday, June 18.”
AT&T could have handled this matter better earlier. For example, most day-one iPhone 3G customers are eligible for upgrade pricing on July 12th, 2009. AT&T could have given them the upgrade pricing but still extend their contract based on the July 12 date.
Previously I contacted AT&T regarding their upgrade pricing policy and an AT&T representative stated that the iPhones are the only phone AT&T does not have control over pricing, including the upgrade pricing. At&T representative was adamant that Apple mandated the iPhone pricing policy. I contacted Apple shortly after, and an Apple representative said that it is up to AT&T discretions to set the upgrade policy. AT&T subsidizes iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S prices.
I do not know who tells the truth, but AT&T and Apple representatives were telling me two conflicting statement. Personally I tend to think that AT&T representative was not stating the fact.
iPhone OS 3.0 is Officially Released
June 17th, 2009 (U.S. date – June 18th in some other countries.)
Apple release iPhone OS 3.0 for iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPod touch (1st and 2nd gen). iPhone OS 3.0 is available at no extra cost for the iPhone and iPhone 3G, while it costs $9.95 for the iPod touch.
To obtain iPhone OS 3.0 for iPhone:
- Install iTunes 8.2 (minimum requirement), download it from http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/.
- Connect the iPhone/iPhone 3G to the computer and launch iTunes.
- Sync your iPhone/iPhone 3G, this way iTunes will backup your files.
- Import all photo from iPhone/iPhone 3G using iPhoto/Image Capture/Aperture or Microsoft Scanner and Camera Wizard.
- Select the iPhone/iPhone 3G and click on “Check for Update”
- iTunes will automatically download iPhone OS 3.0 and start the installation.
To obtain OS 3.0 for iPod touch:
- Install iTunes 8.2 (minimum requirement), download it from http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/.
- Connect the iPod touch to the computer and launch iTunes.
- Sync your iPod touch, this way iTunes will backup your files.
- Select the iPod touch and click on “Check for Update,” when prompted you can choose to purchase OS 3.0 through iTunes Store
Prices are based on iTunes Store United States. Prices varies in different countries.