CLOSE X
Thursday, December 9, 2010
iPhone 5
If you've been wondering what to expect from iPhone 5, the next-generation, beyond an all-new and improved antenna, then let me share a few.It's easy to jailbreak your iPhone to run non-Apple approved applications. Here are 5 reasons why you might want to and you might want to think twice.TechRadar has compiled a roundup of some of the hottest rumored features that we may see in the iPhone 5. Here's a brief summary of what
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Jailbreakme
Jailbreakme 2.0, the new software app that lets iPhone and iPod touch owners running iOS4 use unrestricted applications, is released.
Monday, November 8, 2010
5 missing as Chinese fishing boat keels over in waters of S. Korea
Five people went missing after a Chinese fishing boat keeled over in waters off the west coast of South Korea earlier Monday, the consulate office of the Chinese Embassy to South Korea told Xinhua.
The accident took place at around 11:00 a.m. local time on Monday, some 38 miles northwest Gyeongnyeolbiyeol island, ChungCheongnam Province.
There were a total of 15 crew members on the fishing boat. Ten of them were rescued by a pass-by ship, five others went missing, the embassy said.
Local Coast Guard launched rescue operation by dispatching a 1, 500-ton patrol vessel, but it was obstacled by strong winds and huge waves.
The Coast Guard said the fishing boat was likely overturned by the waves, but further investigations are needed to find out the exact cause of the accident.
The Chinese Embassy has urged the South Korean side to make every effort to search and rescue the missing crew members.
The accident took place at around 11:00 a.m. local time on Monday, some 38 miles northwest Gyeongnyeolbiyeol island, ChungCheongnam Province.
There were a total of 15 crew members on the fishing boat. Ten of them were rescued by a pass-by ship, five others went missing, the embassy said.
Local Coast Guard launched rescue operation by dispatching a 1, 500-ton patrol vessel, but it was obstacled by strong winds and huge waves.
The Coast Guard said the fishing boat was likely overturned by the waves, but further investigations are needed to find out the exact cause of the accident.
The Chinese Embassy has urged the South Korean side to make every effort to search and rescue the missing crew members.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Do we still need daylight saving time?
For nearly a century, Americans have been springing forward and falling back, and this year will be no different. Come Sunday morning, we’ll be snuggled soundly in bed as the clocks fall back an hour. Daylight saving time is the autumnal gift that provides the proverbial snooze button to our circadian rhythm.
But whether or not we should get that extra sleep has spurred some passionate debate from many disparate groups.
To better understand the situation, it’s best to look at why we do this annual clock change each fall and spring. Agrarian cultures built their societies around sunlight, waking up with the sun to toil in the field and heading home as the sun lowered beneath the horizon. But the Industrial Revolution, and electricity in particular, brought the freedom to unshackle us from nature’s clock.
As far back as 1897, countries began instituting daylight saving time, adding an hour of sunlight to the day. This meant communities could be more productive — people could work longer, and when work was done it was still bright enough to run errands and stimulate the economy. The added daylight also meant more exposure to vitamin D and the added time for people to exercise outdoors.
Everyone from factories to retail shops embraced the change. Even candy makers supported the new system, figuring the extra hour of sunlight meant it would be safer for kids to go trick-or-treating on Halloween.
“It has several technical benefits as well,” explained Dr. David Prerau, author of "Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time," during a phone interview. “It’s been found to reduce energy usage by doing something called load smoothing” — separating out electrical loads throughout the day to better deal with the valleys and peaks of energy usage — “and so you’re going to generate energy more efficiently and therefore have less effects on pollution.”
A study by the U.S. Department of Transportation showed that the country's electricity usage is cut by 1 percent each day because of daylight saving time.
But not everyone is on board with the time shift.
Michael Downing, a teacher at Tufts University and the author of “Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time,” says messing with the clock doesn’t really save energy. “Daylight saving is still a boon to purveyors of barbecue grills, sports and recreation equipment, and the petroleum industry, as gasoline consumption increases every time we increase the length of the daylight saving period,” Downing told MNN. “Give Americans an extra hour of after-dinner daylight, and they will go to the ballpark or the mall — but they won't walk there.”
Daylight saving time increases gasoline consumption, according to Downing. “It is a convenient and cynical substitute for a real energy conservation policy.”
There’s data to back him up. A report by the California Energy Commission’s Demand Analysis Office concluded that increasing daylight saving time “had little or no effect on energy consumption in California.”
Television networks aren’t fans of the time change either. The extra hour of daylight means less people are home to watch TV. Viewership ratings traditionally plunge each spring. Fox’s hit “American Idol” clocked in historic low ratings immediately following the time change in spring 2009. On average, prime time shows shed 10 percent of their viewers on the Monday after the clocks are changed.
“I think television networks would like it to be dark as soon as you left the office and headed home for the night,” Bill Gorman, of the website TV by the Numbers, told NPR. “And maybe it started raining or snowing a lot as soon as prime time began.”
It doesn’t look like those issues with springing forward and falling back will end soon. As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the U.S. Congress pushed daylight saving time three to four weeks deeper into the fall in an effort to combat growing energy problems.
That change has resulted in sunrises as late as 8:30 a.m. in some areas, causing unexpected ripple effects.
For example, it threw a wrench into the lifestyle of observant Jews whose morning synagogue services are predicated on the sun. In fact, Prerau points out, Israel has a relatively short daylight saving time compared to other countries. “If sunrise is late, religious Jews have to delay going to work or pray at work, neither of which is a desirable situation,” he says.
“If you don't like daylight saving time, you have plenty of options,” explains A.J. Jacobs, the bestselling author of “The Know-It-All.” He suggests moving to Arizona or Hawaii, states which don’t observe daylight saving time at all. “Parts of Indiana used to be DST-resistant as well, but I think they've since buckled.”
Even for those who do live in such states, life isn't simple. “It’s crazy. People forget about us not changing so they call at ridiculous times,” says Anita Atwell Seate, a doctoral student at the University of Arizona in Tucson. “But, on the upside, you don’t have to adjust your sleep schedule or your clocks.”
Is daylight saving time a fait accompli or will time ever just stand still? Downing doesn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. “Since 1966, every 20 years, Congress has given us another month of daylight saving. We're up to eight months now,” he says. “And there is every reason to believe that the [U.S.] Chamber of Commerce, the national lobby for convenience stores — which account for more than 80 percent of all gasoline sales in the country — and Congress will continue to press for extensions until we adopt year-round daylight saving. And then, why not spring forward in March or April and enjoy double daylight saving time?”
But whether or not we should get that extra sleep has spurred some passionate debate from many disparate groups.
To better understand the situation, it’s best to look at why we do this annual clock change each fall and spring. Agrarian cultures built their societies around sunlight, waking up with the sun to toil in the field and heading home as the sun lowered beneath the horizon. But the Industrial Revolution, and electricity in particular, brought the freedom to unshackle us from nature’s clock.
As far back as 1897, countries began instituting daylight saving time, adding an hour of sunlight to the day. This meant communities could be more productive — people could work longer, and when work was done it was still bright enough to run errands and stimulate the economy. The added daylight also meant more exposure to vitamin D and the added time for people to exercise outdoors.
Everyone from factories to retail shops embraced the change. Even candy makers supported the new system, figuring the extra hour of sunlight meant it would be safer for kids to go trick-or-treating on Halloween.
“It has several technical benefits as well,” explained Dr. David Prerau, author of "Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time," during a phone interview. “It’s been found to reduce energy usage by doing something called load smoothing” — separating out electrical loads throughout the day to better deal with the valleys and peaks of energy usage — “and so you’re going to generate energy more efficiently and therefore have less effects on pollution.”
A study by the U.S. Department of Transportation showed that the country's electricity usage is cut by 1 percent each day because of daylight saving time.
But not everyone is on board with the time shift.
Michael Downing, a teacher at Tufts University and the author of “Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time,” says messing with the clock doesn’t really save energy. “Daylight saving is still a boon to purveyors of barbecue grills, sports and recreation equipment, and the petroleum industry, as gasoline consumption increases every time we increase the length of the daylight saving period,” Downing told MNN. “Give Americans an extra hour of after-dinner daylight, and they will go to the ballpark or the mall — but they won't walk there.”
Daylight saving time increases gasoline consumption, according to Downing. “It is a convenient and cynical substitute for a real energy conservation policy.”
There’s data to back him up. A report by the California Energy Commission’s Demand Analysis Office concluded that increasing daylight saving time “had little or no effect on energy consumption in California.”
Television networks aren’t fans of the time change either. The extra hour of daylight means less people are home to watch TV. Viewership ratings traditionally plunge each spring. Fox’s hit “American Idol” clocked in historic low ratings immediately following the time change in spring 2009. On average, prime time shows shed 10 percent of their viewers on the Monday after the clocks are changed.
“I think television networks would like it to be dark as soon as you left the office and headed home for the night,” Bill Gorman, of the website TV by the Numbers, told NPR. “And maybe it started raining or snowing a lot as soon as prime time began.”
It doesn’t look like those issues with springing forward and falling back will end soon. As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the U.S. Congress pushed daylight saving time three to four weeks deeper into the fall in an effort to combat growing energy problems.
That change has resulted in sunrises as late as 8:30 a.m. in some areas, causing unexpected ripple effects.
For example, it threw a wrench into the lifestyle of observant Jews whose morning synagogue services are predicated on the sun. In fact, Prerau points out, Israel has a relatively short daylight saving time compared to other countries. “If sunrise is late, religious Jews have to delay going to work or pray at work, neither of which is a desirable situation,” he says.
“If you don't like daylight saving time, you have plenty of options,” explains A.J. Jacobs, the bestselling author of “The Know-It-All.” He suggests moving to Arizona or Hawaii, states which don’t observe daylight saving time at all. “Parts of Indiana used to be DST-resistant as well, but I think they've since buckled.”
Even for those who do live in such states, life isn't simple. “It’s crazy. People forget about us not changing so they call at ridiculous times,” says Anita Atwell Seate, a doctoral student at the University of Arizona in Tucson. “But, on the upside, you don’t have to adjust your sleep schedule or your clocks.”
Is daylight saving time a fait accompli or will time ever just stand still? Downing doesn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. “Since 1966, every 20 years, Congress has given us another month of daylight saving. We're up to eight months now,” he says. “And there is every reason to believe that the [U.S.] Chamber of Commerce, the national lobby for convenience stores — which account for more than 80 percent of all gasoline sales in the country — and Congress will continue to press for extensions until we adopt year-round daylight saving. And then, why not spring forward in March or April and enjoy double daylight saving time?”
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Basketball shoe sales skyrocket after NBA’s ban
LOS ANGELES Adam and Ryan Goldston designed their spring-loaded basketball shoes with the elite player in mind, hoping their products would eventually be worn and endorsed by the likes of Andrew Bynum and Blake Griffin.
But it was only when the National Basketball Association banned their $300 US shoes Oct. 19 because they might give players a competitive advantage — they’re supposed to instantly improve vertical leap — that sales “went through the roof,” say the 23-year-old Los Angeles twins.
“We sold more shoes the day they were banned than we did in the previous month, and that repeated daily for the rest of the week,” Adam Goldston said.
“It went crazy. We expected it to be a big story, but nothing like this. We sold out size 13s, and a lot of other sizes are on the verge of selling out. We went through a month’s worth of stock in a week.”
Was the NBA ban a stroke of luck, or marketing genius?
“Probably a little bit of both,” said David Carter, executive director of the USC Sports Business Institute. “I thought it was fascinating. Can you get a better marketing shot in the arm than the authority in the sport saying your product is advantageous?”
Probably not.
“We were transparent with the NBA — we told them everything — and they concluded that someone wearing our shoes would have a competitive advantage,” Ryan Goldston said. “It’s the ultimate validation. It proves the shoes we created really work.”
They won’t for NBA players, nor will they for college teams that have other apparel or shoe contracts. But that’s OK with the Goldstons, who helped Van Nuys Montclair Prep win the 2005 Southern Section 4-A basketball title and made the 2005-06 USC team as walk-ons.
There are plenty of gym rats who would gladly shell out $300 for sleek-looking high-tops that could be the difference between getting to the rim and dunking on a playground adversary, between getting scored on and swatting a shot away and proclaiming, “Get that weak ... out of my kitchen!”
But it was only when the National Basketball Association banned their $300 US shoes Oct. 19 because they might give players a competitive advantage — they’re supposed to instantly improve vertical leap — that sales “went through the roof,” say the 23-year-old Los Angeles twins.
“We sold more shoes the day they were banned than we did in the previous month, and that repeated daily for the rest of the week,” Adam Goldston said.
“It went crazy. We expected it to be a big story, but nothing like this. We sold out size 13s, and a lot of other sizes are on the verge of selling out. We went through a month’s worth of stock in a week.”
Was the NBA ban a stroke of luck, or marketing genius?
“Probably a little bit of both,” said David Carter, executive director of the USC Sports Business Institute. “I thought it was fascinating. Can you get a better marketing shot in the arm than the authority in the sport saying your product is advantageous?”
Probably not.
“We were transparent with the NBA — we told them everything — and they concluded that someone wearing our shoes would have a competitive advantage,” Ryan Goldston said. “It’s the ultimate validation. It proves the shoes we created really work.”
They won’t for NBA players, nor will they for college teams that have other apparel or shoe contracts. But that’s OK with the Goldstons, who helped Van Nuys Montclair Prep win the 2005 Southern Section 4-A basketball title and made the 2005-06 USC team as walk-ons.
There are plenty of gym rats who would gladly shell out $300 for sleek-looking high-tops that could be the difference between getting to the rim and dunking on a playground adversary, between getting scored on and swatting a shot away and proclaiming, “Get that weak ... out of my kitchen!”
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Lewis Hamilton happy to chase for Formula 1 world title
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton believes having to come from behind in the title race could work to his advantage.
The Briton trails leader Ferrari's Fernando Alonso by 21 points with two races of the season remaining.
"We are excited, we have everything to gain and not too much to lose," Hamilton told BBC Breakfast.
"Generally in any sport, and even in football if you are running up the field and you have the ball, it's worse being chased than it is to chase."
One of the most exciting seasons in Formula 1 history continues on Sunday with the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
Five drivers still have a mathematical chance of winning the title, with defending champion Jenson Button of McLaren the furthest adrift at 42 points behind leader Alonso.
Red Bull driver Mark Webber lies second, 11 points behind the Spaniard, while his team-mate Sebastian Vettel is fourth, 25 points off the lead.
I'd rather Webber take the title as he is getting old and comes across as a nice guy, but I don't think he is as good a driver as Alonso
LongChop
Third-placed Hamilton ended a disappointing run with second place at the Korean Grand Prix on 24 October and still believes he can land his second title.
"I'm going into these last two to give it my all and I do believe I can win it," added Hamilton. "If I didn't then I shouldn't be sitting here, I'd be at home sitting with my legs up.
"My team know that I never give up and I feel that transcends through the whole team. We are still in the fight for the last two races. It's still possible."
Hamilton thanked his fans for supporting him through thick and thin in a topsy-turvy season.
His aggressive driving style attracted criticism after he crashed out of the Italian and Singapore races in September.
"The support that I've had is incredible," he said. "They can never know just how much I appreciate it. I'm out there giving it all.
"I know I've had some odd races and not the best results but that's life, we all make mistakes."
The Briton trails leader Ferrari's Fernando Alonso by 21 points with two races of the season remaining.
"We are excited, we have everything to gain and not too much to lose," Hamilton told BBC Breakfast.
"Generally in any sport, and even in football if you are running up the field and you have the ball, it's worse being chased than it is to chase."
One of the most exciting seasons in Formula 1 history continues on Sunday with the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
Five drivers still have a mathematical chance of winning the title, with defending champion Jenson Button of McLaren the furthest adrift at 42 points behind leader Alonso.
Red Bull driver Mark Webber lies second, 11 points behind the Spaniard, while his team-mate Sebastian Vettel is fourth, 25 points off the lead.
I'd rather Webber take the title as he is getting old and comes across as a nice guy, but I don't think he is as good a driver as Alonso
LongChop
Third-placed Hamilton ended a disappointing run with second place at the Korean Grand Prix on 24 October and still believes he can land his second title.
"I'm going into these last two to give it my all and I do believe I can win it," added Hamilton. "If I didn't then I shouldn't be sitting here, I'd be at home sitting with my legs up.
"My team know that I never give up and I feel that transcends through the whole team. We are still in the fight for the last two races. It's still possible."
Hamilton thanked his fans for supporting him through thick and thin in a topsy-turvy season.
His aggressive driving style attracted criticism after he crashed out of the Italian and Singapore races in September.
"The support that I've had is incredible," he said. "They can never know just how much I appreciate it. I'm out there giving it all.
"I know I've had some odd races and not the best results but that's life, we all make mistakes."
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Would You Buy A Camaro If Its Interior Looked Like THIS?
Although the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro won an interior design award, the Spies can't figure out why.
Don't get us wrong, it is a nice throwback, old-school look with a contemporary spin. But when you start feeling around that you realize the Camaro's interior is not all that great.
Granted, it was a step in the right direction compared to other General Motors
interiors of yore.
But leave it to a Bulgarian firm, Vilner, who took it upon itself to revamp the Camaro's interior and make it a bit more upscale.
With that said, take a look at our cover shot down below and let us know if the stock Camaro's interior looked anything like this, would you want one?
Let us know in the comments down below.
Vilner, who recently took it upon themselves to redo the interior of a Hennessey SRT600 Grand Cherokee, has now unleashed their interior-modifying skills on the new Camaro. Thank God, because it most definitely needs some fancy-pants stuff like this on the inside in order to take on the Mustang.
For this project, Vilner took a Silver Ice V6 Camaro and then added its own special magic to the seats, dash, ceiling, and all the rest. Instead of the common black plastic and leather found in most Camaros, Vilner's pony car wears "nubuck, aged nappa, and chrome" in its passenger compartment...
Don't get us wrong, it is a nice throwback, old-school look with a contemporary spin. But when you start feeling around that you realize the Camaro's interior is not all that great.
Granted, it was a step in the right direction compared to other General Motors
interiors of yore.
But leave it to a Bulgarian firm, Vilner, who took it upon itself to revamp the Camaro's interior and make it a bit more upscale.
With that said, take a look at our cover shot down below and let us know if the stock Camaro's interior looked anything like this, would you want one?
Let us know in the comments down below.
Vilner, who recently took it upon themselves to redo the interior of a Hennessey SRT600 Grand Cherokee, has now unleashed their interior-modifying skills on the new Camaro. Thank God, because it most definitely needs some fancy-pants stuff like this on the inside in order to take on the Mustang.
For this project, Vilner took a Silver Ice V6 Camaro and then added its own special magic to the seats, dash, ceiling, and all the rest. Instead of the common black plastic and leather found in most Camaros, Vilner's pony car wears "nubuck, aged nappa, and chrome" in its passenger compartment...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)