Category: Uncategorized

Apple gives everyone free month due to MobileMe problems

Just got an email from Apple apologizing for all the screw ups in Mobile Me’s launch. As a result I’m getting an extra month free. Not bad, considering I haven’t even begun to use the service just yet.

MobileMe services are now available.
We have recently completed the transition from .Mac to MobileMe. Unfortunately, it was a lot rockier than we had hoped.
Although core services such as Mail, iDisk, Sync, Back to My Mac, and Gallery went relatively smoothly, the new MobileMe web applications had lots of problems initially. Fortunately we have worked through those problems and the web apps are now up and running.
Another snag we have run into is our use of the word “push” in describing everything under the MobileMe umbrella. While all email, contact or calendar changes on the iPhone and the web apps are immediately synced to and from the MobileMe “cloud,” changes made on a PC or Mac take up to 15 minutes to sync with the cloud and your other devices. So even though things are indeed instantly pushed to and from your iPhone and the web apps today, we are going to stop using the word “push” until it is near-instant on PCs and Macs, too.
We want to apologize to our loyal customers and express our appreciation for their patience by giving all current subscribers an automatic 30-day extension to their MobileMe subscription free of charge. Your extension will be reflected in your account settings within the next few weeks.
We hope you enjoy your new suite of web applications at me.com, in addition to keeping your iPhone and iPod touch wirelessly in sync with these new web applications and your Mac or PC.
Thank you,
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My iPhone Apps

My iPhone screen is getting filled up pretty quickly with all the cool new applications. At the moment I have:

  • Tuner (my favorite radio app but still lacking a few features)
  • VisuaRadio/Allradio (no search makes it difficult to use)
  • AOL Radio (best radio interface)
  • Last.fm (need to add more content to my last.fm profile)
  • Virgin Radio (just one station but quick access to it)
  • Mandarin Phrase Book
  • AIM
  • Remote Control
  • Currency convertor
  • Twitteriffic
  • NY Times
  • WeatherBug (gives you radar snapshots)
  • Imaze (game)
  • Cube Runner (game)
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Sudan promises to do what it is accused of doing if people persist in saying they have done it already.

Sudan reacted with anger today to the International Criminal Court’s indictment for war crimes in the Dafur region. Sudan promised to turn Darfur “into a graveyard” after President al-Bashir was accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. In addition, the UN also withdrew nonessential staff, and international peacekeepers were put on high alert, in anticipation of reprisals from government-run militias.

“Man developed in Africa. He has not continued to do so there.”–PJ O’Rourke.

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DC's new gun rules announced for handgun owners

The Post is reporting on the new gun control regulations in the District of Columbia following the Supreme Court decision invalidating the District’s handgun ban. There will be a limit to 1 gun per person for the first 90 days while they sort through the process.

Gun owners will have to

pass vision test

pass written tests,

provide a photo with their application to register a gun, and

submit their weapon for ballistics testing.

Guns will also still require trigger locks.

DC’s gun ban was basically ineffective. Drug crimes and easy access to weapons in Virginia and Maryland (literally only a mile away) resulted in 1000s of guns in DC and a horrible murder rate back in the 90s. While it has mellowed somewhat, the District still have a very high violent crime rate. Many police actually tell victims in DC ‘you should buy a gun’ eventhough it was illegal.

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Are iPhone launches the new Woodstocks, Burning Man?

One of the odder things that’s been occurring with iPhone launches (and to a lesser extent, new versions of OSX) is the almost ’social’ aspects of the event where techies and even some non-techies show up and make a day (and a night) of the wait. If you read stories on blogs and in the newspapers you’ll find dozens of examples of people showing up who don’t even want to buy one, but just want to be part of the experience.

Reminds me of the time I bought the original OSX operating system from the Apple store in Soho, New York. The line stretch around the block in two directions, and for hours we had fashion models and ‘beautiful people’ heading to clubs and parties that would come up to us and ask questions. “What club are you in line for? What restaurant has this wait?” They were quite fearful that they were missing out on the new new thing. Their fears were alleviated when we had to reply ‘we’re waiting in line for new computer software.’ They all sort of smirked and went on their way.

One guy said ‘you should wait in line for Microsoft because I have stock in them.’ At the time, APPL was trading for about $20. Split adjusted it is now well over $400. Guess he should have noticed and listened to the mob.

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