Hong Kong

I arrived in Hong Kong around 6pm on a Sunday Night and its more than I expected. The streets were super busy with people well into the night. The stores were all cold with their AC cranked up and the streets were hot and humid. And there is sooo much free here to choose from. We are staying in a small USA hostel which is probably only 85 square feet, but thats what you get when its only $40 a night. There is free wifi though so I'm using that constantly to skype video chat and call. We bought a sim card for my mom through China Unicom which should would in China and Hong Kong. Hopefully I'll be calling people while I'm on the great wall of china! I'll be posting lots of pics on facebook!

Great Comment from fellow reader on why Blackberry is still made for success!

Comment by Anonymous reader:

Very nice description of all 3 phones. I don't know much about android phones, but I do agree with the professionalism of blackberrys and the amazing apps of a jailbroken iPhone.

However, I think you forgot to mention several aspects of the blackberry. I have one, and I absolutely love it. I wouldn't trade it in for an iPhone or any other phone, simply because I am so satisfied with it. I like to do simple things with my phone, like access email, SMS, use the internet browser, go on BBM. I also enjoy the use of simple and practical apps. I don't like having too many, because with too many it starts to feel "cluttered" and it takes longer to find the apps that you want to use right away. The blackberry does allow you to download a whole list of apps for free - most of which meet my needs such as Google maps, Movie listings, List-makers, Weather Network, Dictionary, Facebook, the News, YouTube. I don't need any fancy apps like simulated Golf games...cause let's be real, staring at a tiny screen is nothing like going to the driving range.

I like the blackberry because it is practical and user-friendly. It is easy to figure out how to use, and the touchpad of the Bold 9700 is just dreamy. So smooth and easy to control. The battery life of the phone is also pretty good. It can last over 2 days without being re-charged.

Another great aspect of a blackberry is the BBM. For people who don't have it, its just another chat room. But for those who do, they will understand just how handy it is and how well-used it is amongst people with a blackberry. I like BBM because you can reach people quickly, see if they have read your message, and keep a history of the conversation. The novelty of it is also quite exciting, and its a fun way to keep in touch with friends and acquiantances.

So if you are a practical person, always on the go, value efficiency, and need a phone to help facilitate your busy life and stay in touch with friends, then going with a blackberry won't disappoint you. However, if you like listening to music, watching videos, and playing with lots of different apps then perhaps the iPhone is better. The screen is larger and you will probably find more entertainment.

Overall its a personal choice. The type of phone you choose must reflect your personality.

Iphone, Blackberry or Android phones?

For all you smart phone lovers out there, this little blog is for you. Many people want the joy of having a cool new smartphone. Access to the web anywhere you want (if you have a data plan), having a camera, mp3 player, video player and phone all in one device. It's pretty sweet. However, many struggle to choose which of the big 3 you'll want. First, lets not forget about other great brands like Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Palm and Windows Mobile devices, etc. I've had experience with most of those and love the quality (remember Android is an operating system on the phone and has been added to many different smartphones such as Motorola phones). Those should also be considered as choices, but to keep this blog a decent length, I'll just be talking about the big three phone choices in the smartphone arena.

Blackberry

Blackberry is still huge in the business sector. Also sleek and sexy, blackberries are very popular among almost any age group. If you want a physical keyboard for texting, typing emails, etc, a blackberry is likely for you. Iphones don't have a physical keyboard and most of the android phone's don't either. Some android phones do have physical keyboards but I still think blackberry's physical keyboard is its greatest asset. However, the OS on the phone isn't as great as the other two especially since its not as easy to install you're own custom applications and such like a jailbroken iphone or open source android. Furthermore, web surfing is severely reduced since it lacks a touch screen (not including the storm, which isnt that great anyway). It is much slower to navigate and browse the web. However, if browsing the web is not important, and texting and typing is, blackberries may be for you.

I recommend blackberries to professionals too busy to really need all the other uses a smartphone can do and don't want to get involved in installing custom software and roms. As well, people that need a physical keyboard will love a blackberry.

Iphone

Sleek designs and impressive interfaces with many features, an iphone is a popular choice for many. The OS is good, however, it is very closed off by Apple to make sure they make all the money. The biggest bonus of the iphone is probably the apps and the ability to do nearly anything on it. It's touch screen is amazing and Im sure the Iphone 4 will amaze most. However, if you want a physical keyboard, then the iphone is not for you. The on screen keyboard is good though, and having one personally, I know I can type just as fast as most physical keyboard users. The interface is very very simple, but to truly use your iphone you NEED to jailbreak it. A jailbroken iphone makes a regular iphone pretty worthless. I wont get into much detail on jailbreaking as you can easily look it up on google. If you're willing to jailbreak (which is phenomenally easy), love touch screens and love to surf the net, watch videos and listen to music, the iphone is likely for you. Also, because they are so popular, its really easy to get feedback and help on how to do things as well as solve problems. Furthermore, apple's warranty and replacement policy is amazing. You can literally walk into apple, and get your iphone replaced right on the spot.

Android

Android is an operating system that runs on many new smartphones. Some have physical keyboards and touch screens and some just have touchscreens. It is open source so you can easily install custom roms and many free apps that can make your smartphone device you're most valuable piece of technology. It's kind of in between the blackberry and iphone. Many new phones are coming out with android and I have heard nothing but good reviews. These include many of the new snapdragon processor smartphones (1 GHz speed) and will likely continue to grow. I personally have never really used an android phone but I would love to get one. They are just as sleek and sexy as both the iphone or blackberry. It might however take a little more skill to open up the android device versus the iphone as they still aren't as popular, but if you're willing to google a bit more, you can pretty much do anything you want with your android device that an iphone or blackberry can do.

I recommend android phones to users that want to maximize smartphone usability and aren't afraid to install custom roms and such. Also, if you need a physical keyboard, many android phones can provide this for you as well. Surfing on the web is phenomenal as well due to the touch screen interfaces.

Personally, I have an Iphone 3GS and I will likely upgrade to Iphone 4. However, I'd love to try out android phones but the best ones aren't yet on my provider rogers. But I do love all smartphones!!

Please comment!

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010

So the FIFA World Cup of Soccer has been going on for a few days and I've had the pleasure of watching most of the games. Although some games have been spectacular like the Germany vs Australia game, many have seemed to be very cautiously played games with little to no chances and few goals. A good example of this was the match today between Portugal and the Ivory Coast. Both teams are filled with talent highlighted with such stars as Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba but finished in a 0-0 draw that was a disappointment in my eyes. Although there were clear attempts to attack the net, the defence stood strong and blocked many shots and cut down many runs.

It seems this world cup is a much more defensive game at least thus far. Perhaps teams are just nervous about giving up a goal on a potential counter attack. I truly hope this changes as the caliber of players is clear and beautiful goals can be created by them to give power to their nation. This was best shown by the many goals in the 4-0 beating of Australia by Germany. I loved Klosse's goal. The man alway's scores with his head.

Also, I feel like the new ball might be making a huge difference. The fact that it swerves so much may have been designed that way to fool goal keepers, but instead its making it harder for players to play their shots exactly where they want it to be. We can see this in the many free kick misses. I love free kick goals but have yet to see one!!

If you have any thoughts, leave a comment!

PS. Drogba playing with a broken arm..what a HERO!

What the hell happened on Lost??!

Best explanation of Lost I have read can be found at http://spaceandtime.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/the-best-lost-finale-explanation/

Basically..

1. EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED ON THE ISLAND ACTUALLY HAPPENED:

2. THE FLASH-SIDEWAYS UNIVERSE WAS THE IN-BETWEEN (PURGATORY) BEFORE FINAL REST

3. THE ISLAND IS “THE FIRST ISLAND”, AND A DAMN MYSTERIOUS PLACE

Read more at the link above!

Minidisplay to HDMI adapters that support audio for new macbook pros!

Hey so Apple sells tons of accessories for much more than they can be found at other places. They also make tons of products that require these accessories because of their proprietary technology. Best example would be the Apple Ipad that doesn't even have a usb port and therefore all accessories like keyboards and camera need to be purchased direct from Apple. Truly ingenious on their part but a horrible thing for consumers. Anyway, I was looking at getting an minidisplay to hdmi adapter that supported audio for my new macbook pro 13 inch. Sadly, even the one from the apple store didnt even support audio and was $40 bucks. Luckily for me, ebay saved me tons of money. I was able to order one from Hong Kong and have already proven it does support audio for only $8 total. Huge saving and less money to apple while keeping more to myself. Always a good thing. Heres the link: http://bit.ly/dhPUZf

You can find many more sellers or equally working adapters. Just google and you'll be directed to forums with ppl verifying that the adapter will work. Best of luck to saving you money and getting you the goals you want at fractions of the cost

Activision Does Not Mess Around?

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "abuse@rogers.com" <abuse@rogers.com>
To: XXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Fri, May 28, 2010 8:32:37 AM
Subject: Rogers EUA Management Team Notice

Dear XXXXXXXXX

Rogers Cable (Rogers) has received a notice stating that activities associated with your IP address are infringing copyright in material(s) owned or exclusively licensed by others.

The full notice is appended to this e-mail below.

Under section 4(d) of the Rogers Yahoo! Hi-Speed Internet End User Agreement (EUA) and Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), you are prohibited from using the Rogers Yahoo! Hi-Speed Internet service to engage in illegal activities, including activities that infringe copyright. Copies of our EUA and AUP are available at:

http://na.edit.client.yahoo.com/rogers/show_static?.form=terms&.intl=ca

Where there has been a violation of our EUA and/or AUP, including the unauthorized distribution of copyright-protected material, Rogers has the right to take appropriate action against you.

If you have any questions about the attached copyright notice, please contact the sender of the notice using the contact information provided in the notice. Please do not reply to this e-mail.

We trust you will comply with our policies and all applicable laws in using the Rogers Yahoo! Hi-Speed Internet service.

Rogers EUA Management Team
Sincerely,

EUA Management Team
Rogers Yahoo Hi-Speed Internet

http://info.yahoo.com/legal/ca/rogers/terms/all/
01411573



-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Mark Ishikawa
BayTSP.com Inc.
PO Box 1314 - Los Gatos, CA 95031
Phone:: 408-341-2305 fax:: 408-341-2399
activision@copyright-compliance.com

E-mail: mailto:activision@copyright-compliance.com?subject=RE%3A%20Notice%20ID%3A%20290%2D6535727%20Activision%20Foreign%20Notice

Notice ID: 290-653XXXX

ISP: Rogers Cable Communications Inc.
BayTSP Reference Number: 290-653XXXX
IP Address: 174.XXX.XXX
Date of Infringement: 17 May 2010 23:10:12 GMT

Dear Rogers Cable Communications Inc.:

BayTSP represents the intellectual property interests of Activision that publish interactive games for video game consoles, personal computers, handheld devices and the Internet in the United States and in other countries. BayTSP is authorized to act on behalf of Activision whose copyright and other intellectual property rights it believes to be infringed as described herein.

BayTSP is providing this letter of notification to make Rogers Cable Communications Inc. aware that the IP Address identified below is using the services and systems of Rogers Cable Communications Inc. to infringe the exclusive copyright and other rights of one or more Activison works. This notice is addressed to you as the agent designated by Rogers Cable Communications Inc. to receive notifications of claimed infringement.

Through the Berne Convention and other international treaties covering intellectual property rights, BayTSP believes that its members' rights in such entertainment software products are entitled to the full protection of the intellectual property law as well as other relevant laws of your country.

Based on the information at its disposal on 17 May 2010 23:10:12 GMT, BayTSP has a good faith belief that the subscriber using the IP address 174.1XX.X.XX is infringing the copyright rights of one or more Activision works by copying and distributing unauthorized copies of game products (through peer-to-peer or similar software/services), in violation of applicable copyright laws, through internet access that Rogers Cable Communications Inc. provides directly to the 174.1XX.X.XX or through a downstream provider that purchases this access for 174.1XX.X.XX. The copyrighted works that have been infringed include but are not limited to:

Title: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Notice ID: 290-6535727
Infringement Source: BitTorrent
Infringement Timestamp: 17 May 2010 23:10:12 GMT
Infringement Last Documented: 17 May 2010 23:10:12 GMT
Infringer Username:
Infringing Filename: Call.of.Duty.Modern.Warfare.2.PROPER-SKIDROW
Infringing Filesize: 11887427091
Infringer IP Address: 174.1XX.X.XX
Infringer DNS Name: CPE00XXXcfeaXXX-CM001ac318f962.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com
Infringer Port ID: 0
Infringer Bay ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



The unauthorized copies of game product are listed and/or identified thereon by their titles or variations thereof, game-related listings/references/descriptions, or depictions of game-related artwork. Such copies, titles, game-related listings/references/descriptions, depictions, and material that is the subject of infringing activities are hereinafter referred to as "Infringing Material."

Given this infringing activity by 174.1XX.X.XX, BayTSP urges Rogers Cable Communications Inc. to cooperate with its efforts to protect the intellectual property rights of its members companies and immediately do the following:

1. Notify the account holder of the Infringing Material.
2. Remove, or disable access to, the Infringing Material detailed above.
3. Take appropriate action against the account holder under your Abuse Policy/Terms of Service Agreement, including termination of a repeat offender.

Please inform us whether you will remove or disable access to the Infringing Material as requested. Rogers Cable Communications Inc. or the account holder may contact BayTSP at the above-listed contact details, with email preferred. Please include the above-noted Reference Number in the subject line of all email correspondence.

Thank you for your cooperation and prompt response in this matter.

Sincerely,

Mark Ishikawa
BayTSP.com Inc.
PO Box 1314 - Los Gatos, CA 95031
Phone:: 408-341-2305 fax:: 408-341-2399
activision@copyright-compliance.com