While it's exciting to see Apple update a major part of its hardware lines, I won't talk about the newly released hardware and their specifications etc - you can easily check that information on all tech sites right now. What I'll talk about is the way the buildup happens to these launches, leaving a lot of people excited and some, disappointed. If you're a regular Apple fan, you will know by now that Apple is highly secretive of its new products and makes no announcements ever of what it intends to launch. This has created a whole ecosystem that thrives on rumors, primary amongst them being sites like www.appleinsider.com, www.macrumors.com etc. In fact, these sites monitor all releases of products and help potential customers make informed decisions about buying Apple products. Like all Apple fans, I visit them regularly and keep a track of what they post. They were able to predict today's launch of new iMac's, Mac Pro and Cinema Displays well in advance. However, a few of their predictions were 100% wrong, a few things that were announced were never predicted and some of what they predicted turned out to be true. Here's an example : On 16th July 2010, www.macrumors.com predicted that the new iMac and Mac Pro range would get USB 3.0 and Firewire 1600. These are powerful features, when the new range was launched today, both these features were missing from the new models. Instead, the new iMac range got an upgraded graphics card, higher speed Ram and an advanced SDXC slot - none of which were predicted by any of the rumor mongers. The only part that these rumor sites got correct were that fact there updates were expected and the processors would be of higher speed - something that Moore predicted in the year 1965 Apple also launched the new Magic Trackpad today. No one was aware of this impending launch till a day before the launch when John Gruber predicted it. What these sites manage to do is raise expectations in the market place, build up the noise and create an environment where Apple fans go crazy. It's exciting to see these new products. However, it's disappointing to note that fake expectations raised by some of these free sites leave a bad taste. If Apple worked towards a better strategy of announcing new products will in advance, it would probably keep staunch customers satisfied. As far as I am concerned, I love the new iMac's. The 27" iMac with a faster quad core i5 processor, 1GB Graphics card upgraded from the previous 512 and a faster 1333 Mhz RAM for the same price I was willing to pay 2 weeks ago - sure !
May 26, 2010
Try out the new Moodle 2.0
Approximately 34 Million people in the world are Moodle users. What started as an effort to counter expensive proprietary Learning Management Solutions has today turned into the world's largest Open Source platform for educational purposes. Come July 20, 2010, Moodle will be releasing a version 2.0 of it's platform. There is excitement amongst all Moodle users because Ver 2.0 comes with huge number of changes in the core platform itself.
First off, the biggest pain in working in Moodle - Navigation - is completely revamped. Now, blocks can be placed anywhere on the page rather than being stuck on the left or right side. Within each block, links can be grouped and will collapse to provide easy access. There is core support for adding custom menus in themes.
Then, there is integration of external repository content. That means students and teachers can keep their files anywhere - in Google Docs, Flickr, Youtube etc and just import them into courses. As this feature is a plugin, developers can create more options to integrate any external repository.
Some other nice changes I've found are listed here :
Cohorts - Also known as "Site-wide groups", these are site-wide collections of users that can be enrolled into courses in one action, either manually or synchronised automatically
Comments block - like a shoutbox, allows comments to be added to any page. Great for student feedback.
Private files block - allows easy access to one's private file repository in Moodle (with quota support)
Blog - Support for comments on each blog entry.
Comments User comments (Glossaries, Databases, Blogs, etc) are now all consistently handled and displayed throughout Moodle. User activity reports will include all the comments made by that user
Messaging - All email sent by Moodle is now treated as a message
Navigation - Standard "Navigation" block on every page showing contexual links, while allowing you to jump elsewhere quickly
Of course, there are so many more improvements to the content creation tools and modules.
Here's a place you can try some of the basic features of Moodle 2.0 - http://qa.moodle.net/ , the login details are available on the page itself. Have fun !
Anil
Apr 28, 2010
Latest Nokia N8 and Apple iPhone’s lost !
It's strange that days after Apple claimed that it's latest iPhone prototype was lost / stolen, Nokia has claimed the same for its new Nokia N8. It's also strange that Apples lost iPhone found it's way to a blog site www.gizmodo.com and Nokia's N8 found it's way to another site www.mobile-review.com. What are the chances of 2 such prototypes being lost almost around the same time, then being found by almost similar review sites ? Gizmodo stripped the iPhone open and did a through review of the new iPhone, you can read it here. This lead to an immediate jump is Apple share prices ! However, apple wasn't too happy, they fired the employee who lost it, chased the gizmodo editor to return the phone and the cops raided the gizmodo editors office! Mobile-review on the other hand gave the lost Nokia N8 to a person who probably didn't know much, his review wasn't received well by anyone. Instead of fighting the issue, Nokia raised a sad note on one of its site and decided to fight back by actually launching the phone . If you actually go into details, Nokia's N8 might be a much better phone than the new iPhone. It supports a 12 MP camera and can record video in 720p HD. Thats a first for a good phone. It has larger storage capacity and it looks nice too. The iPhone, on the other hand, just gets some missing features like an additional front facing camera, split buttons for volume control and a better quality microphone. That's the difference between Apple and Nokia. The bold strategy of Apple and the review of it's new iPhone caused a spike in it's share prices while Nokia's shares dropped as soon as reviews of its new phone were released. It's not just about the phone, its about the hype and Apple knows how to create that. Here are some pics and interesting stuff for the two phones : [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="448" caption="Nokia N8"]<img title="Nokia N8" src="
" alt="" width="448" height="384" />[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="New iPhone"]<img title="New iPhone" src="
" alt="" width="500" height="333" />[/caption] Watch this video prepared on the new Nokia N8 using it's inbuilt camera : Nokia N8 sample video from Nokia Conversations on Vimeo.
" alt="" width="448" height="384" />[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="New iPhone"]<img title="New iPhone" src=" " alt="" width="500" height="333" />[/caption] Watch this video prepared on the new Nokia N8 using it's inbuilt camera : Nokia N8 sample video from Nokia Conversations on Vimeo.Apr 22, 2010
Mac : How to hide finder menu bar
On Mac’s snow leopard (or most other OS X versions), the finder menu bar on top of the screen is fixed and can’t be hidden.
This is not a flaw or shortcoming, its been designed that ways because the finder menu bar turns into an open application’s menu bar so in most cases it is required. However, there are some applications like Firefox or Apple Mail where I really don’t need the menu bar. Removing the menu bar in such applications actual gives me valuable screen real estate that I like to use.
I’ve found a cool way to customise applications on the mac so that finder menu bar remains hidden while those applications are being used. It works perfectly, the bar appears when the mouse pointer is moved to the top edge of the screen and hides when the screen is in use.
Here’s a small video of how you can change your apps to do the same , before you try it, I suggest you backup the Info.plist file that is edited in the video
Apr 18, 2010
3G and wireless broadband coming to India soon
Finally, the auction of spectrum required to launch 3G services in India is being held. The Governments decision to delay the auction by over a year and half seems to be yielding results. In the seventh day of bidding, the minimum revenue from the spectrum sale has already crossed over $5 billion. This does not include the value the govt. will earn from the auction of spectrum for broadband wireless services. The online auction could last one more week, eventually, the govt. could end up richer by $7 to 8 billion from the sale. Most telecom operators in the fray for 3G spectrum have already upgraded their equipment to meet 3G standards. After paying the hugh license fee, each operator would like to start generating revenues as quickly as possible. They could easily launch services within 3 - 4 months of receiving their licenses, which means by Sept - Oct 2010, India would see proper 3G services across the country. 3G allows high speed data to be transferred through GSM / CDMA compatible phones. Besides voice calls, 3G users can make video calls, watch TV on their handsets, access high speed internet to receive emails or download music tracks etc. Operators can expect higher revenue per user ( RPU ) which is the basis of their stock valuation. Along with the launch, there will be additional revenue generation from sale of 3G compatible handsets. It will also create a hugh market for second hand 2G phones that will get pushed to smaller towns and villages. With the launch of Broadband Wireless Internet, for the first time, Internet users across India will not be dependent on messy cables and poor infrastructure. Also, average broadband speeds are expected to increase from the 256Kbps now to over 1Mbps. With easy wi-fi access and high speeds, India's broadband internet users are expected to double within the next 2 years.
With higher consumer spending and revenues in the govt's coffers, the telecom sector will provide a boost to the nation's economy !
With higher consumer spending and revenues in the govt's coffers, the telecom sector will provide a boost to the nation's economy !
Mar 30, 2010
Help ! I need an Ipad !
Yes, I really really need an Ipad.Why ?What do mean why ?
I need it to be happy. Don't you need things in life to be happy ?
Why do you need that fancy watch around your wrist when your mobile perfectly shows you the same time ?
Why do you need to go out and eat dinner in a fancy restaurant when you can just as well eat at home ?
Why do need that large SUV when a tiny Suzuki can get you around ? You need happiness in life, you need things in life to be happy and the Ipad is just that thing for Apple lovers. Why do I love Apple ?
I'm not answering that. That's like asking why do most people love a BMW when it comes to cars. I need the iPad because it colors match my Macbook Pro. I need the iPad because its so cool. I need it because Apple's made it. I need it to be happy. I'll figure out what it does after I get it.
How many people own an Apple TV ? I do, that too in India. Even most Apple fans won't remember the disastrous Apple TV products. They never sold, never took off and were not useful, till recently. For the first couple of years that I owned an Apple TV, it was a prestigious device to own, nothing more. It worked well, but offered no revolutionary feature. Then, slowly, Apple added Flickr to in. Now, I can just watch my photo albums on the TV using the Apple TV remote. In another upgrade to the Apple TV software, 3 years after its launch, Apple added Internet Radio to it. Wow ! Now the Apple TV rocks !
Even if the iPad doesn't offer some crazy, breakthrough features today, it will some day and I'll love it then. Today, I just need to have it. Unfortunately, the iPad might cost me over $999. You see, it's launching in the US on 3rd April. Without pre-orders, its expected to be on shelves from 12th April. I happen to be in the US from 8 to 15th April. I'm sure I could have picked one up have but my wife travels with me. Sighhh.... I'll have to negotiate hard with her to get it. That means an iPad for me and an iPhone for her. Too much. Maybe an iPhone won't make her happy and I'll just get the iPad, keeping my fingers crossed. I have some more tricks up my arm to negotiate with her. I could buy the iPad for, then use it for her too :) If anyone can help, I really need an iPad ! All idea's welcome, even if they're crazy !
I need it to be happy. Don't you need things in life to be happy ?
Why do you need that fancy watch around your wrist when your mobile perfectly shows you the same time ?
Why do you need to go out and eat dinner in a fancy restaurant when you can just as well eat at home ?
Why do need that large SUV when a tiny Suzuki can get you around ? You need happiness in life, you need things in life to be happy and the Ipad is just that thing for Apple lovers. Why do I love Apple ?
I'm not answering that. That's like asking why do most people love a BMW when it comes to cars. I need the iPad because it colors match my Macbook Pro. I need the iPad because its so cool. I need it because Apple's made it. I need it to be happy. I'll figure out what it does after I get it.
How many people own an Apple TV ? I do, that too in India. Even most Apple fans won't remember the disastrous Apple TV products. They never sold, never took off and were not useful, till recently. For the first couple of years that I owned an Apple TV, it was a prestigious device to own, nothing more. It worked well, but offered no revolutionary feature. Then, slowly, Apple added Flickr to in. Now, I can just watch my photo albums on the TV using the Apple TV remote. In another upgrade to the Apple TV software, 3 years after its launch, Apple added Internet Radio to it. Wow ! Now the Apple TV rocks !
Even if the iPad doesn't offer some crazy, breakthrough features today, it will some day and I'll love it then. Today, I just need to have it. Unfortunately, the iPad might cost me over $999. You see, it's launching in the US on 3rd April. Without pre-orders, its expected to be on shelves from 12th April. I happen to be in the US from 8 to 15th April. I'm sure I could have picked one up have but my wife travels with me. Sighhh.... I'll have to negotiate hard with her to get it. That means an iPad for me and an iPhone for her. Too much. Maybe an iPhone won't make her happy and I'll just get the iPad, keeping my fingers crossed. I have some more tricks up my arm to negotiate with her. I could buy the iPad for, then use it for her too :) If anyone can help, I really need an iPad ! All idea's welcome, even if they're crazy !
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