Apple announces 128GB iPad

January 30, 2013

The high-capacity version is nearly 2-½ times the price of the base model. — Reuters pic

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 30 — Apple Inc said yesterday that it will sell a version of its iPad tablet computer with 128 gigabytes of storage, which is twice the capacity of its existing models.

Apple, which has sold more than 120 million iPads so far, said that the new iPad will go on sale February 5, in black or white, for a suggested retail price of US$799 (RM2,400) for the iPad with just Wi-Fi model, and US$929 for the version that also has a cellular wireless connection. - Reuters

Coupon Domino's Pizza Malaysia Valid Until 31 January 2013

Water Woes In Klang Valley: Governments (Federal & State) Faults or SYABAS?

Every night, we the innocent consumers were informed by TV3, RTM, Astro Awani, Bernama, Utusan, Berita Harian, The Star, The New Strait Times and many other controlled electronis and print medias that the current water shortage in Klang Valley was due to stubbornness of Selangor state government to allow the Langat 2 Project from taking place. Thus, causing the water could not be supplied to many areas as raw water supply has been interrupted.

The reason or may be an excuse that has been reported seemed to be one sided. That is the news from the Federal Government and the party who is given the task for supplying and managing the water resources in Selangor, SYABAS.

Another side of the story which came from the State Government tells a completely different version. The state argued that the problems are due to the negligence of SYABAS. A press release by the Mentei Besar of Selangor said that the damage of water pumps at SYABAS' water plants in Wangsa Maju and Pudu Hulu Baru were the culprits for the problems. Poor maintenance of the crucial machines that supplying the basic needs of humans! Then SYABAS came out with an excuse, the pumps were operating more than its capacity for a long period.

Hello SYABAS! Do you think the people are stupid hah? What did you do with our money you have collected every month???

Goodbye netbooks: Asus and Acer to cease production

NEW YORK, Jan 3 — Netbooks, the small, low-cost mobile PCs that Steve Jobs famously ridiculed as he unveiled the first iPad back in 2010, are officially no more. The two remaining manufacturers, Asus and Acer, have both issued statements claiming that the end of 2012 also marks the end of production for the once much-hyped mini-laptops.

Acer is to cease production of its netbooks. — Picture courtesy of Acer

Launched to great fanfare in 2007, netbooks were seen by many in the industry as the missing link between the smartphone and the traditional computer — something that had the true portability of a phone but that packed a productivity punch more in tune with a laptop. They boasted a low-power Intel Atom processor, a 10-inch low-resolution screen and a stripped-down version of Windows as an operating system and as a result, as well as being smaller, they were much cheaper than a full-size laptop computer.

By 2009 the devices had become so popular that every one of the world's leading PC manufacturers, from HP to Sony and Toshiba, had their own range. Many experts and tech journalists were claiming it was only a matter of time before Apple was forced to launch its own netbook if it wanted to survive. Analysts were predicting that by the end of the year 45 million devices would be sold. ABI Research went as far as to suggest that by 2013 netbooks would sell in quantities of 139 million a year.

But what actually happened is that full-sized laptops became more powerful, lighter and cheaper, and in 2010 Apple released the iPad.

During the launch presentation, Jobs explained that there is room for a third device in people's lives — one that occupies the space between a smartphone and a laptop computer — but to be able to occupy that space, it has to be better than both devices at browsing the web, sharing photos, watching videos, reading e-books and gaming. 

"If there's going to be a third category of device it is going to have to be better at doing these types of tasks than a laptop or a smartphone; otherwise it has no reason for being. Now, some people have thought 'that's a netbook!' The problem is that netbooks aren't better at anything. They're slow, they have low-quality displays, and they run clunky old PC software. So they're not better than a laptop at anything, they're just cheaper. They are just cheap laptops. And we don't think that they're a third category of device," he said.

A little over two years later, Apple has sold over 100 million iPads, and all of the world's leading computer makers are now selling their own tablets and convertible PC devices. — AFP-Relaxnews

Youth Communication Package / Pakej Komunikasi Belia

Prime Minister, YAB Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak during his 2013 Budget speech last year announced the Youth Communication Package or Pakej Komunikasi Belia (PKB). The PKB entails that Malaysian youths aged between 21 to 30 and earn below RM3,000.00 a month will qualify for a RM200.00 rebate on the purchases of smartphones.

Several days ago, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) published on its website that the price of smartphone is capped at RM500.00. A selection of smartphone models was also displayed.

The imposition of the cap has attracted many negative comments from country's top politicians including the Youth Head of UMNO and Barisan Nasional, YB Khairy Jamaluddin. He said there shouldn't be any cap on the smartphone price. The oppositions even sarcastically said that the move was to help businesses clear up their old stocks and obselete models.

Responding to the comments, the Government has made a U-turn. Yesterday 2 January 2013, the Cabinet decided to remove the RM500.00 cap. The RM200.00 PKB rebate is now available for any purchase of smartphones irregardless of its price. MCMC in its immediate statement stated that the purchase has to be made at shop Kedai Harga Patut (shops that are selling phones with a reasonable price).

In my personal view, the removal of the RM500.00 is an unwise decision. Even the PKB itself should not have been announced in the first place. I truly understand the aim of the Government is to increase the literacy of internet, information, communication and technology among youths and it is a noble step. But, I am of the opinion that the budget should be channelled to a more effective programs such as improve the broadband access and coverage in rural areas by building more infrastructures. As we are fully aware, most of the rural areas are neglected by profit hungry telcos. Telcos are more aggressive in cities, towns and business areas. This is where government's social obligation comes in. To telcos, rural areas are just their CSR!.

By lifting the cap, it sends a signal that the Government are not spending money on the right group. If youths or youths' parents/families could afford to buy an expensive and rich featured smartphone, why should the Government subsidise it. More over, they payment of rebate will open the flood gate for abuse and exploitative actions if not properly carried out.

The 'first come first serve' basis will actually make the matter more worse. Most of the youths who are staying in the cities and towns are highly ICT literate and always keep up to date with the latest news. But for those youths in the rural areas, they may receive the information and news much later than their counterparts living in the cities. Some maybe do not know what the PKB is all about at all!

As it is still early to do 'things right', I really hope the Government agencies will put in effective ways, means, measures and controls during the implementation to ensure the objectives of PKB are met.

To Malaysian Youths, hurry up to register yourselves. This is a 'life time opportunity' to own a smartphone at a discounted price. Whatever smartphone model of your choice, use the phone with extra 'smart'. Do not be fooled by telcos as internet data price is really expensive. Otherwise you will be forced to revert to your 'dumb phone'!

The 'first come first serve' is available at MCMC website at http://www.skmm.gov.my.

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