Monday, October 27, 2008

Microsoft gets official with Windows Azure cloud OS, platform

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/433969825/

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Networking

Steve Ballmer himself first dropped word of this one earlier this month, but Microsoft has now finally gotten official about its new cloud computing operating system, and its name: Windows Azure. What's more, the OS is apparently just one component of Microsoft's larger Azure cloud computing platform, which will eventually be fully rolled out alongside Windows 7, and will encompass Microsoft's existing Live services, SQL services, and .NET services, among other things. If that's got you excited, you can find plenty more details at the link below, and even a few SDKs ready for downloading.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Microsoft gets official with Windows Azure cloud OS, platform originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More changes to Gmail contact manager

source: http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/more-changes-to-gmail-contact-manager.html
Posted by Benjamin Grol, Product Manager, Google Contacts

After hearing consistent feedback that you wanted more control over your contacts, we've changed the way Gmail suggests contacts to you. Up to this point, if you emailed someone five times, we'd automatically move them into My Contacts. Now, we'll no longer automatically add contacts to your My Contacts group. Instead, you can go to Suggested Contacts, select the contacts you'd like and move them into My Contacts. All of your contacts -- whether they're in My Contacts or Suggested Contacts -- will continue to show in auto-complete as you're composing messages.

As part of this change, we're moving previously auto-added contacts back into Suggested Contacts. Only contacts that you've edited, imported or added to a group will remain in My Contacts. This will provide everyone with a clean slate and, we hope, a better point for syncing contacts with mobile devices (for example with Android). We'll be rolling this change out to everyone over the next few days.

We realize there's a lot we can do to make Gmail contacts even more useful, and the feedback we received last time we updated the contact manager was helpful, so keep letting us know what you think.

Gmail for mobile: faster, smoother, and now in more languages

Source: http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/gmail-for-mobile-faster-smoother-and.html

Posted by Peter Baldwin, Software Engineer, Google mobile team

When I joined the Gmail for mobile team a year ago, the mobile client worked like a web application designed for networks that were always available. This was fine on a fast and reliable network, but when you hopped on the subway, network reliability could be a big problem. Today, we're happy to announce Gmail for mobile 2.0 for J2ME-supported and BlackBerry phones. For this version, we changed our fundamental assumption about the network. We re-thought every action that you might perform with the app and tried to solve for the case where there is no signal. We wanted to make the mobile client faster and more reliable and added some other new features along the way.

If you haven't tried Gmail on your phone in a while, try this new version and let us know what you think. Gmail for mobile 2.0 is designed to be more reliable in low signal areas and provides basic offline support for phones like the Nokia N95, Sony Ericsson W910i, and BlackBerry Curve. You can now log into multiple accounts (including both Gmail and Google Apps email accounts) at the same time. Switching between them is as easy as a few button clicks or just hitting + j on phones that have a QWERTY keyboard. We've also added support for multiple mobile drafts, undo (using the menu or the z shortcut), and sending mail in the background (no more staring at the "Sending..." dialog until it finally gets sent). Be sure to check the help page from Gmail for mobile's main menu for a list of all keyboard shortcuts.

To download Gmail for mobile version 2.0, just go to m.google.com/mail in your mobile browser.

Parlez-vous frança! is? ¿Ha bla usted español? Gmail for mobile 2.0 supports over 35 languages, and the application language will automatically match your phone's language setting.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Source: http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/picture-is-worth-thousand-words.html

Posted by Darren Lewis, Gmail engineer

Here on the Gmail team, we're always thinking of ways to help you communicate. Back in the day, we put chat right inside Gmail. Then along came group chat and more emoticons. And when we realized that late night communication had its downsides, we created a state-of-the-art lucidity test for after-hours email. Anyway, the black and white days of text-based emails have had their day. Following the evolutionary path blazed by colored labels, we present, in all their technicolor glory, emoticons in your mail.

No more will you have to settle for a ;) when you can have a

. Out with the "XOXO" and in with the

. And of course, when the bad news smells really bad,

transcends all words.

So raise your

and welcome in the colorful new world of Gmail

P.S. For those of you who love our chat smileys,
we've also added a whole new set for your enjoyment.

T-Mobile G1 Security Flaw Found, But It's All Under Control, People [Android]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/432072131/t+mobile-g1-security-flaw-found-but-its-all-under-control-people

A group of security researchers, including former NSA computer security expert Charles A. Miller, has discovered a security flaw in the G1's web browser. The flaw could allow a hacker to trick a G1 user into visiting a malicious website that could install some nasty bugs on the smartphone (or com). Google was made aware earlier this week, and is working to release a patch to fix the flaw, but Android's architecture inherently limits such a flaw's potential damage.

The flaw affects only the G1's browser, and the "sandbox" nature of Android limits the potential damage to only that one program. Interestingly, Miller is just now releasing the (admittedly limited) information to the press, stating that he feels smartphone users are not adequately aware of how risk-prone their devices can be. Google is a bit annoyed at Miller's forthrightness, implying that "they believed that Mr. Miller had violated an unwritten code between companies and researchers that is intended to give companies time to fix problems before they are publicized."

Google, T-Mobile, and HTC are all working together to fix the flaw, but Google is emphasizing that the overall security of the phone is just fine, and a patch will be released as soon as possible. [New York Times]

Dell Inspiron Mini 12 Officially the Biggest Netbook on the Block [Dell Inspiron Mini 12]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/433105811/dell-inspiron-mini-12-officially-the-biggest-netbook-on-the-block

A truly bizarre day to announce a new notebook, Dell's Inspiron Mini 12 is officially the most gargantuan netbook on the block. I wasn't exactly blown away by it when I scoped it briefly a couple months ago, but Laptop was sufficiently impressed in its more in-depth hands on to compare it to the MacBook Air and Voodoo Envy—but you know, 0.2 inches thicker, more ports and you know, a thousand dollars cheaper at only $599.

Under the hood, it's a standard netbook kit—1.6GHz Atom (though the more energy efficient next-gen one that lets it live for up to three hours on a 3-cell battery), smallish 40, 60 or 80GB hard drive, not a whole lotta RAM—though you've got a full-sized keyboard and 1280x800 12-inch screen. Unfortunately, it's only available with Vista at launch (which, also oddly, is only in Japan initially). Since Vista historically runs like garbage on these things, holding out through the late November debut here for the XP and Ubuntu variants coming by year's end would probably be more prudent.

That said, the Mini 12 is definitely an interesting little experiment from Dell—a mutant mashup of netbook and notebook that might hit some heretofore undiscovered sweet spot, or simply look verrry attractive to some given the current economic climate. Updat e: Full press release below—apparently it's a Twitter machine too:

Slim, Stylish and Well-Connected: Introducing the Dell Inspiron Mini 12

* New Addition to the Dell Inspiron Mini Line Expands Personalization Options
* Available First in Japan Through Bic Camera, Kojima and Sofmap Stores
* Includes Windows Vista Home Basic, Webcam and Bluetooth

ROUND ROCK, Texas—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dell today introduced the Inspiron™ Mini 12, a small, easy-to-carry Internet companion that you can fine tune to fit your specific needs and deeds. Like its counterpart the Inspiron Mini 9, the Mini 12 is ideal for teens, tweens, travelers and "Tweeters" to surf the Web1, chat with friends, blog, stream content, upload photos or enjoy online videos, music and games.

The Inspiron Mini 12 is available initially only in Japan through Bic Camera, Kojima and Sofmap stores and other retail outlets. It will launch online globally by late November with configurations starting under $600 (U.S.). Ubuntu and Windows XP® operating systems also will be available before the end of the year.

The News:

* With a starting weight of only 2.72 lbs.1 and only 0.92 in. thick1, current standard features on the Inspiron Mini 12 include:
o Windows Vista® Home Basic, built-in webcam, 1GB of RAM and a choice of 60 GB or 80 GB hard drive1, providing ample capacity for mobile applications, content creation and storage.
o Built-in Bluetooth® and 802.11b/g wireless.
o A sharp 12.1-inch WXGA display, offering wider viewing angles and exceptional brightness.
* Dell provides a variety of service offerings and add-on options to help ensure devices are easy to use and maintain optimal performance, including:
o Dell Support Center: Quickly access Dell service and support from an icon on your desktop that provides automated fixes, software upgrades and tools to help keep your system up-to-date and running efficiently.
o DellConnect™ Remote Assis! tance1: Dell experts help diagnose and solve PC problems via an Internet connection (available only on Windows-based systems).

If you are on Twitter and would like to join the conversation about the Inspiron Mini 12, follow www.twitter.com/hashtags, type your comment and end your tweet with #mini12.

[BusinessWire, Laptop]

10-inch Mini 1000 appears on HP website

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/432888101/

Filed under: Laptops

HP's obviously getting ready to expand its netbook line beyond the well-received Mini-Note 2133 -- the company recently started teasing the Vivienne Tam Digital Clutch, and now images and pricing for a "Mini 1000" have appeared on the HP shopping site. As expected, the new rig is basically a non-glam version of the Digital Clutch, and specs appear to be right in line with what we've seen: 10-inch screen, sub-1-inch thickness, and 2.25-pound starting weight -- and we're guessing the Mini 1000 also gets the upgrade to an Intel Atom over the 2133's VIA C7-M. Not bad at all for a starting price tag of $399 -- hopefully we'll find out a lot more soon.

[Via jkOnTheRun]

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Dell launches the Inspiron Mini 12

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/433093201/

Filed under: Laptops

We knew more Inspiron Minis were in the works, and Dell's just officially announced the next member of the family, the Inspiron Mini 12. Yep, the same machine we first spotted all the way back in June, and nothing much has changed in the meantime -- you're looking at either a 1.3GHz Atom Z520 or 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor (a step up from the usual 1.6GHz Atom N270), up to an 80GB drive, 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth / WiFi, and that 12-inch, 1280 x 800 display, all in a 2.72-pound package less than one inch thick. The bad news? It's Japan-only for now, but it'll hit the States late next month with a starting price under $600. That's a pretty hot price / performance ratio on paper -- if this thing performs like it should, it could potentially take away sales from more full-featured ultraportables like the Envy 133 and the MacBook Air. We'll see how it goes -- the netbook market suddenly got interesting again, eh?

Read - Dell announcement
Read - Laptop hands-on
Read - APC hands-on
Read - Dell Q+A

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Sunday, October 26, 2008

GoGo In-Flight Internet Service

2.8 mbps down and 269 kbps up - IMPRESSED

Fwd: Google Alert - +"augustine fou" +"mrm worldwide"

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Date: Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Subject: Google Alert - +"augustine fou" +"mrm worldwide"
To: augustine.fou2@gmail.com

Google Web Alert for: +"augustine fou" +"mrm worldwide"

Make Digital Work for Your Customers - ClickZ
Oct 23, 2008 ... Dr. Augustine Fou is currently SVP of digital strategy at MRM Worldwide. He has over 12 years of Internet strategy consulting experience and ...

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The village that disappeared (Two visions of Arcadia)

October 25, 2008

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The village that disappeared (Two visions of Arcadia)

Stuart Franklin

Thomas Cole's 1834 painting of Arcadia © Thomas Cole

January last year I travelled to a remote part of Greece called Arcadia. To the ancient Greeks Arcadia was a rural utopian idyll where rustics lazed happily in the countryside, in a land of plenty. Returning 5000 years later to the same region of Greece was quite a different experience. Instead of a bucolic green landscape, I found one devastated by the relentless hunt for fossil fuels. 60% of Greece's electricity is derived from lignite (brown coal). This involves stripping away whole landscapes – fields, villages, whatever, to get at the stuff to feed the nearby power station. What I found in Megalopolis was Greece's second largest lignite mine, where the village of Anthohori was simply wiped off the map by bulldozers digging ever further into the earth to feed coal to the fire.

Greece. Megalopolis. The Santa Maria church. The last building left in the village of Anthohori. Picture taken in 2007. © Stuart Franklin/Magnum Photos

All that remained when I got to village was the church of Santa Maria fifteen feet up on a pedestal of earth after the rest of the village was demolished. Why was it there? Because the mining teams were too superstitious to knock it down in case God's wrath enflamed them. God's wrath is an interesting concept when considering climate change and such matters. Before the 19th century (even today in some places) any severe storm or earthquake was blamed on God's anger at the people. Luckily science stepped in and recognized there may be other reasons for hurricanes – such as climate cycles maybe exacerbated by our own irresponsible use of fossil fuels. But not in time to save Arcadia...

Links
» Stuart Franklin's Magnum Portfolio
» Stuart Franklin's Books (in the Magnum Store)

Saturday, October 25, 2008

What is Pepsi thinking?

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheDieline/~3/430862354/what-is-pepsi-t.html

Pepsi has announced that they are undergoing a drastic relaunching of their branding and packaging to bring "new life" to their flagship brands. The most dramatic element is a redesign of the Pepsi Globe logo, which for some reason is now supposed to represent a smile.

"Pepsi's Chief Marketing Officer Dave Burwick set the tone for the change at a meeting of Pepsi bottlers when he said "If we don't change quickly, we run the risk of being a footnote to history," according to Beverage Digest.

PepsiCo Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi told BD she didn't expect the changes to immediately stop the decline of Pepsi CSDs in the face of a difficult economy, but she expects the initiative to slow the decline until it eventually flattens out.

BD also reported that the changes generally excited bottlers, and that Frank Cooper, vice president of sparkling brands, promised to help bottlers convert their fleet to display the new Pepsi Imagery, which is due to hit the market late this year or in early 2009." via BevNet

What are they thinking? Seriously, this is a big step backwards in my opinion. With the change to the classic Pepsi globle logo, it looks like a cheap knockoff brand. I don't get it, just how is this supposed to increase or even sustain sales in a dwindling economy? Your thoughts?

Tesla's 4-door, all-electric Model S sports sedan gets pictured

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/431358960/

Filed under: Transportation

We knew good and well it was on the way, but now we're bubbling over with excitement. The forthcoming Model S -- an all-electric, five passenger sports sedan that will ride on a platform developed entirely by Tesla -- has apparently been revealed. Of course, there's still a real possibility that the image you're drooling on above isn't a finalized look, but Road & Track has a pretty good record to fall back on. We're also hearing that the 2010-bound whip will get around 240 miles per charge while still doing the zero to sixty in under six ticks, and the $60,000 base price just makes it all the more appealing. For those with a thing for rear bumpers, check out Autoblog's link below for a sneak peek of the fanny.

Read - Road & Track writeup
Read - Sneak peek of the rear

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Dell preloading music mixes, CinemaNow movies, world again asks "Why?"

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/431431585/

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

When Dell started pre-loading digital copies of Iron Man in new systems for $19, we didn't think that was very enticing, but at least it was a pretty good movie, right? Quite possibly encouraged by thousands of accidental purchases (we kid, sort of), Dell's announced two new content pre-loading partnerships -- Universal Music Group and CinemaNow. The music comes in 50 and 100 song bundles starting at $25, but at least it's DRM-free, so if you don't mind a mega mix chosen entirely by Dell it's not all evil. CinemaNow, though, offers $25 and up bundles including (among other flicks) world-renown classics like The Fast and the Furious and the Matrix sequels. Fear.

Read - Universal Music Group
Read - CinemaNow

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Friday, October 24, 2008

Use the T-Mobile G1 Without Activating It [T-mobile G1]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/430782975/use-the-t+mobile-g1-without-activating-it

If you don't wanna spring for the two-year contract or wait out the 90 days 'til T-Mobile will unlock the G1 for you, getting it going without actually activating it is remarkably easy. Just snag an active T-Mobile SIM card from a friend (or foe), pop it in to get through the setup process, and after enabling Wi-Fi, you can drop it like it's hot. 'Course, it won't make any phone calls, but that's not why you wanted a G1 anyway, right? [Love for Biz via Ubergizmo]

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