Monthly Archives: January 2010
The iPad: Is it worth it?
When I first heard the rumors that Apple were planning on releasing a Tablet in 2010, I was really expecting an ACTUAL tablet computer, running Mac OS X 10.6! Instead, we got a big ass iPod Touch with optional 3G.
Of course, Jobs did his usual Hocus Pocus and made the iPad (I still can’t get over the name! :S) sound “magical”. And to be honest, I did, and still kind of do, want one. But now I’m not so sure. Wouldn’t it be like buying a crippled Tablet? It’s features are just so LIMITED to be considered a Tablet!
No camera, no multitasking, no LED notification, no Adobe Flash support, no Mac OS X 10.6, no actual desktop, and no actual access to notebook applications (just second grade iPhone, iPod Touch apps).
This is the problem with the Apple Rumormill. We all get hyped up about all the possible things the mystery device might be able to do, and what we want it to do, and then it’s kind of a let down when it doesn’t live up to the hype. Although, for some people, the iPad meets and exceeds their expectations. I, for one, believe that a Tablet should be no smaller than 12-inches (15-inches ideally). That’s why I choose not to consider the iPad a Tablet, but an entirely different product with it’s own category.
So, what now?
- Will the iPad (worst name ever! ;p) take off? I don’t know.
- Is it a good buy? You decide. It all depends on your needs.
- Should you wait for the next revision*? Probably.
* The 2nd revision might be due in August along with the next MacBooks and MacBook Pros. But most probably, the next revision will be announced at an Apple event next January.
Apple’s iPad
So Apple finally unveiled their new tablet, conveniently called the iPad. It’s a cross between a MacBook and an iPhone. Its User Interface has been tweaked and improved, and a lot more applications have been introduced because of that.
Click on the following links to be redirected to their pages:
Features - Design – App Store – Gallery – Tech Specs – Pricing – Video
Here’s a little overview:
specifications:
- Display: 9.7 inch LED-backlit, IPS Display
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
- 0.5 inches thin
- Battery life: 10 hours / 30 day standby time
- Accelerometer and Compass
- Speaker, Microphone, and 30-pin connector
- WiFi 802.11n + Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR
- Processor: 1GHz Apple A4 chip
- Storage: 16-64GB Flash
- Full capacative multi-touch screen
- All iPhone and iPod Touch Applications will be compatible with the iPad
iBooks:
Now this, I LOVE. Thank God I didn’t go for a Kindle! The new iBooks app is a great, new way to read and buy books.1 Just download the app for free from the App Store, and you’ll be able to buy everything from classics to bestsellers from the built-in iBookstore. Once you’ve bought a book, it’s displayed on your Bookshelf. To read it, all you have to do is tap on it and it opens up. The high-resolution, LED-backlit screen displays everything in sharp, rich, color, so it’s very easy to read, even in low light.
Availability & Pricing (Kuwaiti Dinars*):
I think that the iPad is very well-priced. And considering the fact that it’s not tied to a specific region-limited data plan, I’m finding the iPad even more appealing. There are two models, a Wi-fi-only model and a Wi-Fi+3G model. The Wi-Fi models will start shipping in late March (In 60 days), and the Wi-fi+3G** models will begin shipping in April (In 90 days).
*Tax not included
** 3G data plan sold separately.
So there you have it, the iPad. I was disappointed that it was the only product unveiled today. No new iPhone 4G 
not even iLife 2010. I hated how the event lacked Ol’ Jobso’s signature “one more thing” moment *sigh*
Ah, well! ;p What do you guys think? I’m kind og counting the days till this thing comes out!
Take care and stay safe guys! 
Ready to meet Apple’s “latest creation”?
So, we’re just about 10 minutes away from the new Apple event titled “Come see out latest creation”, which is being held at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco, California.
Just a quick overview of what is expected to be unvelied at the event this evening:
1. iPhone 4.0 + iPhone OS 4.0 preview.
2. Apple MacBook Pros running in Intel’s Core i7.
3. iLife 2010.
4. Apple Tablet (iTablet, iSlate, Slate, MacBook Slate) running Mac OS X + iPhone OS hybrid.
5. iPhone for Verizon.
To follow Engadget’s live coverage of the event, please click here.
08:00AM – Hawaii
10:00AM – Pacific
11:00AM – Mountain
12:00PM – Central
01:00PM – Eastern
06:00PM – London
07:00PM – Paris
09:00PM – Moscow, Kuwait
03:00AM – Tokyo (January 28th)
Take care and stay safe guys,
Get those credit cards ready! ;p
Honor Students Graduation Ceramony at Kuwait University
I graduated from Kuwait University on June 25th 2009, but haven’t truly felt that I had graduated until today!
Under the patronage of his highness the Amir Al-Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait University organized the annual Graduation Ceramony for Honor Students (Class 39) for the academic year 2008/2009 at 10:30 this morning.
I was deeply moved by the speech of Prof. Abdullah Suliman Al-Fuhaid, the President of Kuwait University. His words of encouragement were inspiring. I literally can’t find the words to describe how I felt, and continue to feel this very minute! :p
The ceremony was progressing flawlessly, that is until a student tripped on the legs of one of the towering spotlights, sending it diving head first towards the unexacting guests in the audience. You could actually here the ascending gasps of the horrified guests who witnessed the incident. Thankfully the team that was responsible for the lighting, as well as several staff members, were able to gain control of the spotlight as it lost its balance, and the audience members managed to escape unscathed by the homicidal spotlight. Il7imdillah, no one was hurt and the ceremony continued gracefully and cheerfully.
The University also planned a special gift for the Emir, which was a portrait composed of porcelain squares which was assembled one by one by the students. The portrait also had the names of all the honor students carved into its golden frame. A very thoughtful and sentimental gift.
I would like to congratulate my fellow students and peers on their achievements, and wish them the best of luck in all their future endeavors. Congratulations class of 2009! WOOHOO!!! 
Side note: the graduation ceramony for the enitre graduated student body will be held later this March, God willing.
Take care and stay safe
The 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®
I finally got around to fixing my sleeping patterns. Went to sleep at 7:30 pm last night and woke up around 4:30 am. Yippe. ;p I decided to check out the Screen Actors Guild Awards. I caught the last 20 minutes of the live broadcast on TNT’s live broadcast through Justin.tv. The award ceremony was more laid-back, relaxed, and not as elaborate as the Golden Globes or the Oscars.
For information about who won on the button to be
redirected to the official website of the Screen Actors Guild Award.
Take care and stay safe
Have a great day everyone!
Apple Jan. 27th Event: Come see our latest creation.
As most of you probably know by now, Apple’s hosting an event on January 27th. Conveniently and conspicuously titled “Come see our latest creation”, the event will focus the iPhone 4.0 OS (and probably iPhone 4G preview), iLife 2010, and possibly the rumored iTablet/iSlate!
Click here to checkout a “Rumor Roundup” post over at Engadget.
Here’s just a little taste of what the sizzling rumors include: a 9.7 inch Kindle DX sized tablet will be unveiled, a 22-inch touchscreen iMac is said to be planned, and rumors of a redesigned, more eco-friendly aluminum iPhone 4G are also flying around.
Til then, take care and stay safe guys
Have a good one 
P.S. this post is dedicated to applemaniac! ;p
The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards®
So, I couldn’t sleep last night, and decided to check my e-mail and download progress, transfer some files over to my hard drives, untangle the wires behind my TV! ;p While checking Yahoo! news I was reminded that the Golden Globes was on! I instantly started Googling for sites that were streaming the NBC hosted 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards® and found a few. The award show was fun; not too boring. I especially appreciated the part where Martin Scorsese was recognized for his directorial achievement and awarded with the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
Click on the above link to be redirected to the
Official Website of the Annual Golden Globe Awards®
To see who WON click on the above link
Take care and stay safe people,
See you at the movies! :p
Aid in Haiti Relief
It’s been almost six days since a 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, leaving the city in utter chaos and killing up to 50,000 people (estimated by the Red Cross). Hundreds of thousands more are either injured, homeless, or missing family and friends.
How You Can Help:
From financial donations to raising your hands in prayer, you can do your part to help our brothers and sisters in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
click on the following button to make a direct monetary
donation to the American Red Cross through the Apple iTunes Store
Or
Click on the following links to
Support Disaster Relief in Haiti Through:
The International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
And remember, it is our solidarity that gives us the credibility and power to make changes, it is through the knowledge of our histories that we find strength and understanding, it is our tolerance that helps us reach peace and tranquility, and it is through our respect for one another that we find reverence and admiration.
Take care and stay safe world,
Peace on Earth.
Bands Worth Knowing: Regency Buck
I was first introduced to the Scottish “Electronica” band Regency Buck back in 2002 (which was 8 years ago; yikes! :S), when I caught their most recognized song, “Deliverance (Free to change your mind)”, on an episode of Smallville. I instantly fell in love with the band, and endeavored to find that song, which latched on to my brain and refused to let go. After about an hour of fruitless googling, I decided to call it quits.
I, of course, was frustrated. I found the song on youtube, but it wasn’t that clear. The Album was sold out on Amazon, and iTunes didn’t even have the band listed; and not that I condone the illegal downloading of music, but I even tried searching for it on LimeWire to no avail. After that I just decided to stop. And as the years passed by I forgot about the song.
A few months ago, I was sifting through a couple of online forums I stumbled upon while aimlessly surfing the net, and there it was! Regency Buck’s album ‘Deliverance’ [Advance CD] just waiting to be downloaded! I was ecstatic! I actually called up a friend, who didn’t even know about the whole story and started yelling “I FOUND IT!”. The poor guy, who was blindsided by my unexpected enthusiasm, preceded to congratulate me, not knowing what he was congratulating me for. :p
Sadly, ‘Deliverance’ was their first and last album. ;/
And so, an adventure.. eight years in the making.. ends on a happy note.
Take care and stay safe
