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.
Related reading:
Who Sets The iPhone 3G S Upgrade Pricing, Apple or AT&T?
Let’s cut to the chase. Who sets the iPhone 3G S upgrade pricing, Apple or AT&T? Early adopters of iPhone 3G are finding out that they are not eligible for the advertised price until as early as July 12th, 2009. Instead of getting the $199/$299 price point, iPhone 3G early adopters have to pay $399/$499 for iPhone 3G S.
I called AT&T regarding their upgrade pricing policy, simply asking if they would give iPhone 3G early adopters a “24-day” reprieve. AT&T representative simply stated that they would not make any exceptions for iPhone 3G S because Apple mandated the upgrade pricing policy. According to another AT&T representative the iPhones are the only phones that AT&T can not make exceptions in the pricing.
I then called Apple regarding the upgrade pricing policy of iPhone 3G S. I was not surprised when an Apple representative said that AT&T is the one who set the upgrade pricing. Contradictory to the statement from AT&T representative, Apple does not have the authority to enforce the upgrade price.
So what is the problem here?
Early adopters who want to be the first to get the latest and greatest gadget often pays more. The price of the original iPhone was cut 69 days after its release. It caused a huge uproar.
It is not a problem to wait until July 12 to get the iPhone 3G S. It is only 24 days away for a $200 price difference. It is a problem when one company is pointing the finger to the other. AT&T says it’s Apple’s policy and Apple says it’s AT&T’s policy. Someone is definitely lying.
AT&T can easily gives their “loyal” customers a little break. After all, they only wants to get the shiny iPhone 3G S and stay with the carrier. In the past, customers could terminate their wireless phone service after the 11th month without having to pay any termination fees. Those days were long gone. AT&T is making money, hand over fist with iPhone service plan. Now they say that they couldn’t be more flexible because Apple’s mandate? It’s only 24 days, AT&T. You’re gonna keep those customers when you’re giving them the loyalty bonus. Maybe AT&T doesn’t care about keeping their customers happy. Is it true that AT&T won’t be happy until their customers are unhappy?
I don’t know who is telling the truth. The fact is that AT&T and Apple are contradicting each other.
It would be great if people in the United States refrain themselves from buying the iPhone 3G S until July 12. Obviously, it only happens in my fantasy.
I’d be calling AT&T again and call on their bluff, armed with the statement from Apple representative.
I’d suggest everyone to go to http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html and tell them what you think regarding the iPhone 3G S upgrade pricing policy.
iPhone 3G S: Early iPhone 3G Adopters Have To Pay $200 Extra.
Dear AT&T,
Haven’t you taken enough of my money? I’ve bought the original iPhone, then the iPhone 3G. Now you want me to pay extra for iPhone 3G S? In addition to that you want a new two-year contracts with it. Not to mention the upgrade and activation fee. You definitely suck, AT&T.
Call AT&T and tell them that you want the $199/$299 price or you’d go to Sprint and get Palm Pre!!!!
The Road Left Behind: May 2009
May 2009 has been a busy month and I’ve been posting less on this blog. I figured that I should post the stuff I’ve been meaning to post here.
- Google Wave
If you ain’t a developer, probably this won’t interest you for now. - Microsoft Bing
It’s definitely prettier than Google‘s homepage.
John C. Dvorak’s take on the name behind Microsoft Bing.
TechCrunch points out what “Bing” means in Chinese. - Muslim Clerics wants to regulate Facebook usage in Indonesia.
Seriously, they should regulate Google usage too, since apparently it can be used to find some naked pictures. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. - Palm Pre to hit the street on June 6th, 2009.
Welcome to Sprint Network. For $199.99 after rebate and service agreement.
Sprint Press Release.
Boy Genius Report reviews Palm Pre. - Palm Pre syncs Media with iTunes.
“DVD” Jon Lech Johansen’s take on this matter.
John Gruber weighs in on Palm Pre and iTunes syncing.
……. to be continued.
iPhone App: The Expensive SlingPlayer Mobile
Apparently the people at Sling Media doesn’t want to sell much of the highly anticipated SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone. Confidently and uniformly priced at $29.99, SlingPlayer Mobile is available for BlackBerry, Palm, Symbian and Windows Mobile in addition to the iPhone.
With such price point, Sling Media will have a tougher time to sell the app. SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone supports streaming only on Wi-Fi, while it supports streaming on 3G connections on other platforms.
More info on SlingPlayer Mobile http://slingmedia.com/go/spm
SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone http://slingmedia.com/go/iphone
SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone is available at iTunes Store.
Dream Theater: Mike Portnoy Explains The Deluxe Box Set.
In the latest money grab scheme venture, Dream Theater and Roadrunner Records are releasing a special “Black Clouds & Silver Linings” Deluxe Collector’s Edition Box Set.
Mike Portnoy explains why hardcore Dream Theater fans (suckers) should spend their hard-earned money on the box set. Watch the video here.
The box set includes the “Black Clouds & Silver Linings”3-Disc Limited Edition, Limited Edition Audiophile 180-Gram Double LP Set with Exclusive Artwork from Hugh Syme, exclusive Dream Theater mouse pad (WOW! – endsarc), BC&SL Litograph and BC&SL “Producer’s Edition” Disc Includes Isolated Audio Tracks of the Entire Album.
The “Producer’s Edition” Disc contains separate audio tracks that can be mixed and re-mixed. Just like what Nine Inch Nails had given their fans, but Dream Theater and Roadrunner Records are making the fans coughing up some money for the tracks.
OK, that’s enough wisecracks from me.
“Black Clouds & Silver Linings” is available on:
- Vinyl LP
- CD – album only
- Three-disc, special-edition CD – includes the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs.
- Digital downloads
“Black Clouds & Silver Linings” | June 23rd, 2009
01. A Nightmare to Remember
02. A Rite of Passage
03. Wither
04. The Shattered Fortress
05. The Best of Times
06. The Count of Tuscany
Click the artwork above for the hi-res version of the cover art.
Black Clouds & Silver Linings Pre-Order
Dream Theater’s Latest Progressive Metal Masterpiece
Includes “A Rite Of Passage” & “Wither”
Dream Theater return with Over 70 Minutes of New MusicDELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION BOX SET: $132.00 | Mike Portnoy explains the Box Set
Pre-order this configuration and receive an exclusive code to download 5 of the newly recorded cover songs. 1 track per week will be released, beginning on 5/19, leading up to album release. You’ll hear them first!
- Find a SILVER TICKET and Win a MEET & GREET with the Band!
- 3-CD Special Edition Set Includes Album, Instrumental Mixes and 6 Newly Recorded Cover Songs
- Limited Edition Audiophile 180-Gram Double LP Set with Exclusive Artwork from Hugh Syme
- Black Clouds & Silver Linings “Producer’s Edition” Disc Includes Isolated Audio Tracks of the Entire Album (This Bonus Disc Only Available in this Set)
- Limited Edition, Numbered Lithograph by Legendary Artist Hugh Syme. 100 Lucky Winners will Find a Litho Personally Signed by the Artist!
- Computer Mouse Pad, Exclusively Available with Box Set
- Packaged in a Silver Foil Embossed Black Velvet Box.
SPECIAL EDITION: $21.99
Dream Theater’s Latest Progressive Metal Masterpiece in a 3-CD Deluxe Edition includes:
- 6 Newly Recorded Cover Songs
- Instrumental Mixes of the Entire Album
- Expanded Artwork and Packaging
DOUBLE LP: $27.49
180-Gram Double LP Set: The vinyl is of the highest audiophile quality and pressed in Germany.STANDARD: $15.99
Dream Theater return with Over 70 Minutes of New Music
Image courtesy of Dream Theater and Roadrunner Records.