Weeky Digg 01-15-2007 - Politically Insane Edition

Hello fellas and welcome back to yet another mindless entertainment of the Weekly Digg. As I hope everyone in the Pan handle of the dirty southern states are not freezing their butts of to death, also I would like to send shout out to the folks in the OK state hang tight or get some moonshine. Because you all going to need it for a few days to weather out the snowstorm. Anyhow this edition of the Weekly Digg I would like to start off with some comment response s from my infamous blog grinding down on the iPhone this past weekend. One thing was certain, that was one of my most view blog yet to date. And of course Kirk Sato himself did received some commendations and barrage of death threats, here is one of the few good ones

“Is this what we have to look forward to till June? pissy little fuckers that can't stand that apple makes good products, and feel they need to make their "why this product will fail" blog entry and share it... seriously, go fuck yourself.”

I believe this is a comment made by Dr. Grant Roberts . Well exactly what kind of doctor you’re professional of, obvious cursing at ramdom folks. Hey if you can’t write cursive you always speak of one right the nutty professor? So I responded to him in kindly of course with this, “I guess Mac fan like to curse a lot, so uncivilized unlike the phone”. Then I got inspired by this mad man and the thundering hypes of the iPhone, without further adieu I give you Politically Insane Edition

Politics of iPhone

What do you get when an unproven gadget for a mobile industry presenting by the best hype man in the tech industry, Steve Job? A 2 hours bonanza of how the iPhone would reinvent the wheel of course. If you don’t believe me check out the video.

Nevetheless, you can't say that iPhone is the greatest device since slice bread unless you test it in the field. So I give the full instruction of what you iPhone is capable of.

Multi-Purpose iPhone


Last but not least on the social commentary of the iPhone I turn to a great insight of the Colbert Report on the future of Apple, Inc. without the Computer in it. "You're still a nerd, even with a cool trendy haircut".

Wag the iPhone

This past year I've seen a fair share of crazy politicians on C-SPAN, for example the Net Nuetrality nemesis Sen. Ted Stevens aka the Tube guy. However my faith in the US politic has reach a new low today when this dude Rep. David Wu, made a great insight of the Bush administration comparing it to the Startrek politics. Nerd alert !!!

Crazy Klingon Politicians



Sex Bytes of the Week

So have you ever wonder what it means to be gay? Well if the Republicans have their ways of defining homosexuality for guys, it would be somewhat similiar to this definition.

10 reasons IPhone is going to be a Flop

Oh the dust storm of the wow factor at Macworld, yes the iPhone and Apple TV are indeed some new innovation from Apple (No longer Apple Computer, Inc). Hopefully with all intoxicating two hours key note on how Apple will be the new Sony. Plus Steve Job bending on declaration an all out war with everyone, not even mobile phone manufacturers were saved. So I waited patiently until all the cloud of Mac addicts would settled and I believe that everyone is really going to need a reality check on this little gadget here.





Sorry Steve Jobs, the honeymoon of hot air is over for the iPhone. I’m willing to bet that iPhone is heading toward the same direction just like the Zune. It's not that I’m sick of it already (well, maybe a bit), it's just time for Apple to answer some tough questions. Otherwise, it will be joining the ugly step children group just like the Zune, Sony PS3, and Segways. In the realm of "tech that looks absolutely amazing but is far too expensive for most people to even consider buying, Apple better be careful trying not to over hype this little sucker. So here is a few pointers iPhone will have to resolve before the product launch this coming June.

1. Form Factors: Have I seen you before ? Though iPhone is pretty and thin, but is it can be easily drop due to the lack of curves and slick finishing like the iPod. It’s definitely scratch prone device, additionally lacking a stylus or a traditional thumb board will sure put more unwanted smudge on the touch screen. So when was the last time you look at a screen filled with your thumb prints? Pretty disgusting right ? Perhaps Apple is specifically targeting non-professionals, as this is a largely untapped profitable market.

2. It’s the Service, Stupid: People might want the phone that Cingular has to offer, but in the long run it is the quality of the wireless product and services that keep customers (coverage, plan features, rates, etc.). Plus how much of quality content Apple will have to come up with to support the IPhone ecosystem? Better start making good friends with Youtube and Yahoo now. Perhaps the consumers in the US should get a second opinion from their futurist friends in Japan. After all they were enjoying this innovation with cutting edge technology for years prior the iPhone conception. Ultimately in the convergence arena of gadgets, it's the content that wins.


3. Kung Fu Texting: The number one usage for mobile around the world is still making phone calls and sending text messages. Have you ever tried power texting on a touch screen? I can assure you when doing a one handed kung fu texting on a touch screen, it pretty annoying. And how does one can do this on the iPhone? On its touchscreen? Let me know. So one-handed texting is out of question. I guess Steve Job is planning to have his peripheral partners begin selling yet another expensive bluetooth keyboard. Mind as well call it a PDA that play iTunes. Without a keyboard, this will be a titanic flop.


4.You don’t want Your Phone to be an Open Platform: This is a deal breaker for Steve Jobs, one Apple is late in the game with its "Smart-Phone" platforms. Two the market has already been flooded with other proven long term invested platform. (eg .Palm OS, Windows Mobile, and Symbian). Additionally these platforms are open to the end-user to developed and use third party applications without a hitch to their respective cellular network. Yes all the current smart-phones are capable of dispensing malicious application to the cell network. However at the end of the day it's the omnipresent layers of communication hardwares that win. Sorry Apple, if your mobile OS can wreck havoc the entire West Coast cell network into a coma, then you have no business getting into the mobile handset industry.

5. Jack of All Trades: Is the master of none, Convergence devices are only pretty in concept and only suited for some people. Also the compromises that you have to make in order to just carry one device most result in a undesirable response. Are people willing to give up their ultrahip Moto phones, which fit anywhere stealthy in their pocket? So that they can carry an 8GB digital storage camera phone. Oh wait may be I'm thinking about the Nokia N Series. It is yet to be seen that the consumers are willing to trade in their old 30-60 GB IPod for a Jack of all trades Apple Branded mobile device.

6. Proprietary is for Losers: One Lesson Apple should learn is from Sony, the list of gigantic flop from that company is longer than an Empire state building, from Betamax all the way to UMD. Why only limits the consumer to the iTune download only? If I cannot add my personal movies and Music collection from DVD and CD, who cares how great it will look on this touch screen if my hands are tied to rebuy everything.

7.Unforgetable Experience for One Time:
Yes the launch of iPod undoubtedly were the biggest technological marvel back in 2001. Because it was the first MP3 device to solve all the majors problems with the portable players, such as the lack of storage capacity in both Flash memory and Hard disk in those days. However those are not even an issue today. Also IPod won the hearts of the consumer with their dial navigation versus other cumbersome navigation systems from the manufacturer in the past. However in the handset business there are already an answer to those prayers a while back ago, they call it the Crackberry. So do you have the sand to take your touch screen on with those addictive little buttons, Steve?

8. It's Data Not Voice:With the rise of VOIP, the traditional voice business is heading to a dooming sunset. Also the lack of 3G support might merely be for a political reason, as the fact that Cingular's 3G coverage still has gaping holes outside of major U.S. cities. However Sprint has no problem with their mass deployment of EVDO network which is significantly faster than the Cingular network.The 3G question is very important to those who want to stream video and audio to their phone at any time without wardriving for a hotspot. Only if you're restricted to Wi-Fi hot spot to get your data and not using it in the backseat of a car, on the train, or sitting on a park bench. This will lose appeal quickly to the mobile professionals.

9. Total cost of ownership: The price of the ownership will be higher than the price tag for the mobile operator. 600 dollars are still pretty steep for a phone. Also what kind of user maintenance is required? Obviously the battery of this phone will only last for two years just like the service agreement. So the consumer will want the next generation of iPhone right away ? Even if the iPhone wears three hats, at the end Cingular will realized that it is too costly keeping it around in the long run for its consumers. You all know what happen to the Nokia Communicator right.

10. Experience: Samsung, Motorola, and Nokia have scoured the world's design schools and hired artists on three continents to keep their phones looking good. Motorola has recently revived its fortunes with design of the Razr. KDDI, a Japanese carrier, has a design showcase in the teen shopping area of Tokyo just to be close to trends. Apple, in other words, won't be competing against rather dullish, unstylish companies like the old Compaq. The handset companies move pretty quick and put out new models every few weeks. Perhaps Apple, Inc. should research the consumer behavior more thoroughly on the mobile market before diving in for an embarrassment.

Run Robotic Forest Run

Asimo Running at 2007 CES

I'm a little scared. Next thing you know, robots will be chasing humans with knives...

Best Place to Work in America

Apparently this company is getting over a million application per year for 4000 jobs. With all the perks they provide, it brings me to the pre-bubble nostalgia of sacrificing high cost excess for creativity.


     

Ways to Blow up Identity Card's RFID Chips

In October, the U.S. State Department began issuing biometric "ePassports" that contain a radio frequency identification tag under the back cover. The tiny chip holds the usual passport data, including a digital photo. The motive behind adding the chips is ostensibly good: to combat counterfeiting and illegal immigration. However the good intention of big brother omnipresence backlash faster than a crack whip. A German hacker quickly found a way to crack the encryption. With a laptop and a chip reader he bought for $200, he was able to steal data from an encrypted RFID tag, potentially allowing him to clone an ePassport. And it's not just Americans who are at risk. Twenty-seven countries (mostly in Europe) that participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program are required by U.S. law to issue the new electronic passports to their citizens. The Dutch and British media have already reported major security flaws in the new IDs. Despites an obvious flaw in the chip encryption scheme, the US State Department will push the RFID passport program mandating all passport with always -on radio frequency identification chips by January 1. This will making it easy for officials and hackers alike to grab your personal stats.

So what's a security-conscious citizen like me will do? Though it is inevitable that Uncle Sam want to track everyone like cattle's, however there are still ways to make this method a bit more inconvenient for them. So I went around and do some research for devising a best plan to disable the RFID chips without burning up your passport all together. But be careful - tampering with a passport is punishable by 25 years in prison in the US. Not to mention the "special " custom search, with rubber gloves. If you're getting paranoid about strangers slurping up you identity ? Here 's what you can do about it.

Water Treatment

1 "Accidentally" leaving your passport in the jeans you just put in the washer won't work. You're more likely to ruin you passport than the chip. Plus in the near future there will plenty more of RFID water resistance type.

Nuking

2 Forget about nuking it in the microwave, long term exposure to the nuking session could cause the chips burst into flames, leaving scorch marks. Besides ruining you passport with permanent nasty burnt smell.

Hammer Time
3 The best approach? Hammer time. Hitting the chip with a blunt, hard object should disable it. A nonworking RFID doesn't invalidate the passport. So you can still use it.

Best Solution

Hammer Time + 10 second Nuking Session, this will ensure that you've properly destroyed the actual storage unit within the chip itself. A brief microwave session also help electrocuting the power supply circuit. So what will you have left at the end, is a non working RFID passport with all your paper trail information intact. Besides this will give some work for your local custom agent to do typing the information and do their job.

Weekly Digg 01-07-2007

Alright folks the infamous Weekly Digg is back with a vengeance for this 2007 edition ! So you can expect more of these outrageous theme varieties throughout each weeks. So enough said let's get Diggin.

Weekly Digg "The Anti-Feminism Edition"

Women know your limits

A excellent scientific based film that will enable a woman to learn her rightful place in society. Women know your limits! Satire involved for the idiots out there who take it seriously. So watch this with caution.



How to be a perfect girlfriend
A funny little video that helps women understand the overly simplistic nature of men and our primal instincts like hunting. Here is the clip

The Proper Way to Beat Your Islamic Wife

If you've ever wondered how to beat your Islamic wife without fear of Allah's punishment, this cleric explains it on video. Better follow this instruction or it's eternal damnation without jihad credits.



So according to the Koran you can beat your wife if
1) no bruises
2) no bleeding
3) not on the face
4) not in front of the children
5) if she doesn't get hurt

Well, if you can beat someone without hurting them let me know. Allah will give you props.

Sex Bytes of the Week

Finally Web 2.0 crowd sourcing is coming to the realm of sex, here is a Wiki for how-to resource devoted entirely to everyone favorite pass time, boning. They even offer to pay people to write articles. Check it out, cool articles.



WikiAfterDark

New Series to Watch God, Inc.

Awesome new comedy series on YouTube, about life in the corporate offices of God. "What if all the problems on earth were not caused by a spiteful deity, or karma, or fate, but just office politics and the Peter Principle?". Here is the pilot episode.

OpenBeacon - Open source RFID

Today I ran into some nifty news in the RFID business front, apparently in the realm of cutting edge tracking logistics 2.0. Open source still manage finding its way advancing collaboration of creativity among the tech community. Though this platform might not yet be ready for the enterprise prime time, however it's worth a good look.
OpenBeacon is an open source wireless tracking system for following people around buildings got its first public use last week at the Chaos Communication Congress in Berlin. The creators of the Open Beacon system sold the RFID tags at US$13 each to attendees who volunteered to be tracked during the four-day event. Also Open Beacon worked with partners to create a three dimensional model of the conference center and anyone could use touch-screen monitors that displayed the location of attendees on the model. Touching an attendee on the screen displayed a profile that the person could voluntarily add.

This Initiative is a free design for an active RFID device which operates in the 2.4GHz ISM band. Open Beacon uses chips from Nordic Semiconductor ASA that transmit and receive over the 2.4GHz frequency, which is available for unlicensed use in many countries. The device contains a unique serial number, but may have other information. OpenBeacon is designed as a transceiver device and therefore both transmits and receives radio waves. The intention of this project is to offer a wide range of use cases such as visitor or item tracking and wireless remote control with a free self-contained and low-cost RFID design.

One of the greatest strength in OpenBeacon tag comparing to other Wi-Fi based active RFID tracking system is longer battery life by transmit and then sleep, cutting back on power consumption. The devices could run for several months before requiring a new battery. Plus both hardware and software are open source which make this alternative considerably attractive in term of pricing comparing to other real time tracking RFID system.

One of the possible real life application is crowd control, like the seasonal pilgrimage of Mecca. The identities wouldn't be important but crowd control monitors could note when many of the tagged pilgrims converge in one spot, implying that potentially many other untagged people are also in the same area, and then they could work to divert or otherwise alleviate the congestion.

U.S. Army Buys 30 New Simulators

In an effort to save money on gas, the U.S. Army has spent $50 million on 30 new M-1 tanks and M-2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle SIMULATORS, which use advanced VR to copy everything but "the smell of being inside of a tank." Also crazy suicide bomber is not included in this version, however the future upgrade probably will knock out those issues