iPad Unveiled

Apple unveils the iPad which looks like an oversized iPhone but with much more features.

Apple shows off the iPad at last

UNVEILED: Jobs showing off the new iPad during an Apple event in San Francisco yesterday. — AP

By CHONG JINN XIUNG intech@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: After weeks of speculation and anticipation by consumers and industry pundits, the worldwide wait ended when Apple chief executive Steve Jobs finally unveiled the iPad tablet computer in San Francisco yesterday.

The iPad is all that everyone has been anticipating it to be — a large-form tablet that is only 0.5in thick and weighs just 680g.

It features a big 9.7in LED backlit display (1,024 x 768-pixels) with multitouch capabilities and has a built-in accelerometer that allows the device to adjust the screen orientation either in portrait or landscape mode depending how the device is held.

The device runs on a custom 1GHz Apple A4 processor chip that handles both processing and graphics performance. It is also fully network capable with 802.11n WiFi and 3G connectivity.

It will ship with 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of Flash memory. Apple claims the device has up to 10 hours of battery life and that it can sit for a month on standby without needing a charge.

Interestingly the iPad syncs with a Mac or PC over the same 30-pin sync cable that the iPhone uses, so it can sync all your photos, music, videos and applications in the same manner.

Apple also said that all applications and files from the App Store, iTunes store and the newly announced iBookstore will automatically sync to a user’s iTunes library.

BRAND NEW: The much anticipated Apple iPad. — AP

The iPad doesn’t completely overhaul the iPhone’s touch-driven interface. It is still very much a touch-driven experience so just about anyone who’s used an iPhone will immediately be familiar with the iPad’s interface.

The works

Like a Swiss army knife, the device has a long list of functions that include web surfing, gaming, and reading e-books.

Confident in its web surfing capabilities, Jobs said web browsing on the iPad is like holding the Internet in the palm of your hands.

Users can browse entire webpages using Apple’s Safari browser on the iPad and employ the same finger gestures used on the iPhone to scroll up and down, or flick pictures and pages.

SIMILAR: The iPad has the same touchscreen driven interface as the iPhone. — AP

Leveraging on Apple’s large collection of existing applications, the iPad can readily run any native iPhone application from the App Store. The iPad can run them either in their native resolution of 320 x 480-pixels or scale up them up to fit the entire screen.

Apple had several developers to showcase their applications during its press event in San Francisco with Electronic Arts showing off an iPad-optimised Need for Speed: Shift car racing game.

Initial impressions show a rather smooth-running game with high-resolution graphics. Driving the cars in the game is by both touch and motion controls.

Other applications announced for the iPad include a new version of iWorks featuring Pages, Keynote and Numbers that allow users to create text documents, presentations and spreadsheets.

The three applications will be available separately through the App Store for US$9.99 (RM34) each.

March date

Giving the Amazon Kindle a run for its money, the iPad also functions as an e-book reader, courtesy of Apple’s new iBooks application. The iPad will use Apple’s new iBookstore that will feature books from major and independent publishers.

The iPad comes in two versions — one with WiFi and the other with both WiFi and 3G.

It will go on sale in late March, with prices starting at US$499 (RM1,697) for WiFi-only models and up to US$829 (RM2,818) for the WiFi- and 3G-enabled 64GB model.

There was no announcement at the San Francisco event about when the iPad will be available in Malaysia.

++++ www.apple.com/ipad/

http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2010/1/28/technology/20100128095723&sec=technology

IDola: Malaysian made PC

With the boom of netbooks around the world, Malaysians are steadily catching up to the digital age as netbooks are much more affordable than typical notebooks.

Most of the netbooks now are made by companies in the US and Taiwan(where it all started).

And it seems that now Malaysia has its own portable PC which is the iDola which is now in version 2. (I never heard of it before though)

New version of iDola portable PC unveiled

INFORMATION IN A SINGLE CLICK: Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Ministry officer Farawahida Kamarudin showing off the homegrown iDola portable PC. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The newest version of the homegrown iDola portable PC, developed by Mimos Bhd, brings information from the Internet directly to the user with just a single click, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili.

He said the intelligent Service Delivery Platform netbook spares users from having to use search engines as is normally required in conventional notebooks and netbook computers.

“The new innovation has given rise to the best local netbook and the ideal device for the roll out of the national broadband initiative,” he told a media briefing at the Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Ministry here.

Also present was Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

Ongkili said the iDola is equipped with the second version of the Mimos-developed Jemapoh software, which can also be deployed in desktops, notebooks and mobile phones.

“iDola has full-fledged PC features, 1GB RAM (upgradable to 2GB), 802.11 b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as IPv6 enhanced multicasting technology.

“Content is categorised based on icons, providing faster access to iDola’s multilingual content in three clicks,” Ongkili said.

He said the computer will help make broadband a utility and increase domestic broadband adoption.

“It will also enable the Government to deliver its e-services directly to the public. As such, it will enhance interaction between the Government and the people,” he said.

Ongkili said the product is still new and the ministry has yet to fix a specific price for it. But if the orders exceed 1,000 units, the price could be as low as RM900 a unit.

Second try

Rais said he will be asking Ongkili to brief the Cabinet on the advantages of the iDola v2 because the previous version did not meet the specifications required.

“This iDola v2 is more sosphistciated and attractive, and is something that can be considered by the Government,” he said, adding that he will update Prime Minister Seri Najib Tun Razak on the product before it is showcased at the Pekan Digital Exposition in Pahang this month.

Rais said he will also hold discussions with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) on how best to promote the product to the public.

“Mimos and SKMM can plan how best to market this model because we are confident it can open a new chapter on computer use among Malaysians,” he said.

He said the model will also help realise the Government’s goal of seeing schoolchidren and kampung committee members equipped with computers. — Bernama

http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2010/1/26/technology/20100126102306&sec=technology

Buy one car free another

Woot!

Buy one free one.

Sounds too good to be true?

Well you need to buy a luxury car to qualify and you only get a Kancil or Iswara but still free car!

Only problem is that you need to maintain the car insurance and road tax for both cars but seems like a good deal for big families.

The good part is you can opt for discounts if you don't need the extra car.

Nice!

Buy a luxury car and get a free Kancil or Iswara

GEORGE TOWN: An enterprising used-car dealer is offering a “buy one, get one free” package in conjunction with the Chinese New Year.

He is giving away a pre-owned Proton Iswara or Perodua Kancil with every purchase of a luxury car worth over RM100,000.

Good deal: A potential buyer inspecting the BMW which comes with a Kancil or Iswara in George Town yesterday.

The Sport Rim Auto spokesman, who did not want to be named, claimed that his was the first used-car dealership in the country to offer such a package.

“We pride ourselves in being a ‘car supermarket’ since we are the biggest used-car dealer in the north.

“Our company has been around for about 20 years. That’s why we can afford to have this promotion,” he said.

The spokesman added that many new user-car dealers mushroomed last year despite the sluggish economy and they had to keep ahead of the competition.

“So we have come up with this offer – it is no different from AirAsia’s novel low-fare campaign,” he said, adding that the promotion was only for this month.

He said to date, they had sold three BMWs.

“The response has been good because buyers also receive free insurance coverage for the first year,” he said.

Buyers who do not want the free cars will be given a discount in lieu, he added.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/10/nation/5445192&sec=nation

Good news to heart patients

Heart patients can have a safer heart surgery at IJM without going overseas.

IJN can now replace heart valves without open heart surgery

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Heart Institute (IJN) achieved another milestone by performing the first heart valve implant in Asia without the need for open surgery.

Known as transcathether aortic valve implantation (Tavi), the procedure allowed problematic valves in the aorta to be replaced with an articifial one by using a tube that is 6mm in diametre known as a cathether.

The tube is inserted either at the thigh area or below the left collar bone and then slid through arteries to the heart.

And the procedures has a 99% success rate.

“Patients, who have gone through Tavi, will be able to move around on the third day after the implant but they would be required to lie down during the first 24 hours,” said IJN medical director Datuk Seri Dr Robaayah Zambahari.

She was speaking to a press conference to announce the achievement at IJN here Friday.

The procedure, which uses a device called CoreValve, causes less trauma to body tissues and enables a faster recovery compared to the conventional open heart surgery as only incisions are made at certain areas to insert the tube.

Dr Robaayah was part of the team of IJN consultants that performed the procedure on the first patient, a 73-year-old man who suffered from severe narrowing of heart valves and a second patient, a 77-year-old man on November 25.

The third patient was National Laureate Datuk Shahnon Ahmad, 76 who was treated the next day.

The team included cardiologists Datuk Dr Rosli Mohd Ali, Dr Shaiful Azmi and cardiothoracic surgeons Datuk Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub, Dr Jeswant Dillon as well as anaesthesiologists Datuk Dr Mohamed Hassan Ariff and Dr Sharifah Suraya.

The procedure was assisted by Dr Ganesh Manoharan, a consultant interventional cardiologist from Ireland, who will also overlook the operations of the next 12 to 15 patients.

“The 12 to 15 patients are currently on the waiting list to be certified by IJN and the costs of their operation will be borne by IJN.

“After that, patients need to know that the CoreValve device will be RM112,000 while another RM10,000 will be needed for other operation costs,” she said, adding that she hoped the Health Ministry would offer support and subsidise the procedures for the public in future.

Dr Robaayah said there has yet to be any case of a patient’s body rejecting the artificial valve made out of a type of metal called Nitinol.

“The procedure takes an average time of 45 minutes to one and a half hours. We took about two and a half hours for the first patient because we were still learning about the procedure and wanted to be careful,” she said, adding that the method was only performed on high-risk patients such as the elderly, so far.

Dr Ganesh said local anaesthesia was used on the patients so that they remained awake during the procedure but did not feel any pain.

“It is not surprising to see patients smiling as we conduct the procedure on them,” he said.

“About 50 centres worldwide are applying this technology but it is more suitable for this region since Asian blood vessels are generally smaller,” Dr Ganesh added.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/4/nation/20091204162432&sec=nation

Astro Going HD

Astro finally announces the future prospects of going HD with detail this time and its coming out before end of the year(prays) but it seems that we need to upgrade our decoder and satellite dish to enjoy the benefits.

Hopefully to those who upgrade, there will be no rain distortion as there is a new satellite being launched.

Astro to go HD

If you have bought a HDTV and been complaining about the lack of high definition content from Astro, hold on to your horses because the company is set to introduce its HD service by the end of the year.

The company has been quietly upgrading its infrastructure, from cameras to launching the Measat 3A satellite, and is ready to roll out HD programming on its satellite network, said Paul Dale, Astro’s chief technology officer.

The HD channels that are going to be launched will be in 720p (1,280 x 720-pixels) which is the current HD broadcast standard. However, not all channels will be available in HD.

The first phase of the rollout will include popular channels, namely sports, documentaries and movie channels with more to come in the near future.

Details on the particular channels that will go HD will only be available at the launch date but it’s a given that the National Geographic and ESPN channels will be available in HD.

Local programming in HD is currently in the second phase of the plan and Astro is currently in the process of upgrading video cameras and other equipment.

To receive HD broadcast, consumers will be required to upgrade their TVs to HDTVs as well as change the current set-top box and satellite dish.

On top of the HD broadcasts, Astro is also working on a number of new services including a revamped channel guide and other new features.

The new set-top box will have a HDMI connection, composite outputs, Ethernet port, an USB port and even a digital audio output for 5.1-channel surround sound audio.

The Ethernet port on the set-top box even allows for the delivery of the video channels via the wired broadband connection although this, again, is in a future phase.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the new set-top box is that it comes with a high speed USB port so that you can connect any external hard disk to turn receiver into a digital recorder.

You can’t distribute the video on the hard disk though as each programme recorded is protected by DRM, so that it can only be viewed using the set-top box.

However, the video recording feature will not be available in the first stage of the rollout and will be enabled in a future firmware update.

The official consumer launch will be before the year-end.

http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2009/12/2/technology/20091202170727&sec=technology

MCA= Malaysia Copy Association?

Liow Tiong Lai's effort on making a promotional video for the 28th November EGM came under fire for copying Ma Ying-jeou's video. The video is below at the end of the post.

Liow under fire over Net clip

PETALING JAYA: The MCA crisis is not only making headlines in Malaysia, it has also become a hot news item in Taiwan.

Party vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and those aligned to him have been accused of being copycats in producing an Internet video clip similar to a campaign video of Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou.

The three-minute video clip, titled MCA MIRT 1128, is available on YouTube.

The content urged MCA central delegates to attend the Nov 28 extraordinary general meeting, which was later cancelled and replaced with a special briefing session.

Taiwanese news portal http://news.msn.com.tw also carried a story criticising the clip, saying Liow and his group had learned the worst from their Taiwanese counterpart, the Kuomintang (KMT).

Taiwanese television station TVBS also pointed out that Liow’s video had copied almost all the content from Ma’s video, and only replaced the word “Taiwan” with “MCA” and “kind” with “integrity”.

As at press time yesterday, the video has been viewed 14,898 times with 277 comments; with some users calling the MCA the Malaysia Copy Association.

Meanwhile, MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker challenged Liow to prove that 1,193 central delegates attended the Nov 28 briefing.

Ti said he would wait for Liow at the MCA headquarters at 11am on Friday to see the evidence.

In a press statement, he said Liow had failed to allow professional verification and an audit on the attendance as pledged earlier.

“Liow’s number of 1,193 central delegates does not tally with the figure confirmed by the Special Affairs Department under the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry that placed 547 central delegates attending the EGM,” he said.

He also asked Liow to be transparent and give an accounting of the amount he had received and spent.

Ti said Liow, the leader of the MCA Integrity Restoration Task Force (MIRT), must be reminded that he was slowly destroying himself and the party by walking away from his talk.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/1/nation/5211095&sec=nation

Beware of your Astro Technician

This is something written in the reader's section of the Star and it seemed a bit scary on how the info at Astro is easily

Astro’s apathy putting customers’ lives in danger

MY Astro service was giving me problems as there were no images. I called Astro Customer Services and they assured me that their technician would return my call.

They gave me the report number, saying that it was essential for the technician to quote the number before making an appointment with me and entering my premises.

The Astro technician called me and read back the report number and informed me when he would come by to check on the problems. I was comforted by that.

At the first scheduled appointment he did not show up. This caused me problems as I had taken a day’s leave for the technician.

I called the same technician and made another appointment for the next day. Again I took a day’s leave and fortunately, he showed up.

He quoted the report number. Astro Customer Services had assured me that the one who got the number correct would be the authorised technician.

He took several hours as in midway he had to go to get the remote as he claimed he had not brought it with him. Another full day went to waste.

He did some repairs and charged me a certain amount. But, then that night, my television programmes had technical problems again.

I called Astro and they said they did not know who the technician was that came to my place and assigned me a new technician. I had to apply for leave a third time.

The new technician said the previous technician was an intruder. My life and that of my children’s were actually at stake. Astro took the matter lightly.

The new technician even said he was aware of such an intruder but could not pinpoint the leak in Astro. He even mentioned the bogus technician’s name.

I was even further shocked when the technician told me that Astro was aware of the bogus technician who had done several dodgy jobs for Astro customers.

When I checked with Customer Services, they reluctantly admitted that they were aware of the bogus technician for some months now.

I am shocked that Astro did not take the necessary safety measures to safeguard its customers.

To make matters worse, Astro Customer Services personnel said they have to get approval from higher ups to reimburse the money I paid the bogus technician.

I had to take three days leave and had to live with the fact that my family and I could have been robbed, raped or even murdered as a result of Astro’s negligence.

It is pointless for Astro to keep raising their fees when they provide such bad service and put their customers’ lives at risk of danger. To add insult to injury, it does not seem to care.

WORRIED ASTRO CUSTOMER,

Petaling Jaya.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/1/focus/5211117&sec=focus

Philippines massacre: 22 bodies found in mass grave

With a total of 46 people dead, this is an incident which the people in the Philippines will never forget.

Philippines massacre: 22 bodies found in mass grave

AMPATUAN, Philippines: A few kilometres off the main highway, on a remote hilltop covered with waist-high grass, bodies lay with twisted hands reaching in the air.

They had been shot point-blank.

Nearby, bodies were being laid out under banana leaves Tuesday as police - their faces covered against the stench - unearthed a mass grave containing 22 victims from Monday's ambush on an election caravan.

The discovery brought the death toll to 46 -an unprecedented act of violence at the outset of the country's election season.

As many as five people remained unaccounted for.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency in Maguindanao and a neighboring southern province, sending extra troops and police to try to impose the rule of law.

"No effort will be spared to bring justice to the victims and hold the perpetrators accountable to the full limit of the law," she said.

Few think she will be successful in the impoverished, lawless region that has been outside the central government's reach for generations, and where warlords backed by private armies go by their own rules.

Authorities said the victims included at least 13 Filipino journalists from regional newspapers, TV and radio stations who were accompanying family members and supporters of a gubernatorial candidate out to file his nomination papers for May 2010 elections.

Noynoy Espina, vice chairman of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said as many as 20 journalists may have been in the convoy, based on reports from union chapters in the area.

The figures could not be immediately reconciled, but still the deaths marked "the largest single massacre of journalists ever," according to Paris-based Reporters Without Borders.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the "heinous crime committed in the context of a local election campaign" and hoped that "no effort will be spared to bring justice and to hold the perpetrators accountable," U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said at U.N. headquarters in New York.

Dozens of gunmen intercepted the caravan as it traveled on a two-lane highway that cuts across vast open tracts of land and banana groves, police said.

They took some of the people to the grassy area, where the killings started.

Authorities found 24 bullet-riddled bodies sprawled on the ground next to five abandoned vehicles.

Police, aided by a backhoe, worked most of Tuesday to extricate the bodies from the mass grave.

All had been shot multiple times and were dumped on top of one another. One was a pregnant woman.

Grieving relatives helped identify their loved ones before they were given the bodies, covered by banana leaves, for burial.

The gubernatorial candidate, Ismael Mangudadatu, was not in the convoy because he had received death threats.

He accused a powerful political rival from the Amputuan clan of carrying out the killings.

Mangudadatu's wife, Genalyn, and his two sisters, were among the dead, he said.

In all, 21 women and 25 men died, said military spokesman Col. Jonathan Ponce.

Mangudadatu said four witnesses in his protection, whom he refused to identify, had told him the convoy was stopped by gunmen loyal to Andal Ampatuan Jr., a town mayor and rival, to prevent Mangudadatu's family from filing election papers.

"It was really planned because they had already dug a huge hole (for the bodies)," Mangudadatu said.

He said there were reports from the area that the militia had been blocking the road for a few days.

The Ampatuans, who have ruled one of the nation's poorest regions since 2001, could not be reached for comment.

Arroyo's peace adviser Jesus Dureza said he met Tuesday with Andal Ampatuan, the family's patriarch, and received assurances that his family would cooperate in the investigation.

It was not clear how far Arroyo's administration would go in trying to force the provincial warlords to give up their weapons and private armies.

But Maguindanao's provincial police chief and three other officers were relieved of duty and confined to camp after they were reported to have been seen with the pro-government militiamen who stopped the convoy, police said.

Such militiamen are meant to act as an auxiliary force mobilised by the police or military to fight rebels and criminals, but often they act as private enforcers of local warlords.

Much of the southern island of Mindanao, including Maguindanao province, used to be ruled by fiercely independent sultans who fought Spanish and American colonisers.

The political dynasties of the Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus behave in a much similar way - ruling by force, unopposed in their turfs with little outside interference.

Julkipli Wadi, a professor of Islamic studies at the University of the Philippines, said he doubted the national government's resolve in trimming the powers of political dynasties like the Ampatuans because they deliver votes during elections.

"Because of the absence of viable political institutions, powerful men are taking over," he said.

"Big political forces and personalities in the national government are sustaining the warlords, especially during election time, because they rely on big families for their votes." -- AP

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/25/nation/20091125091356&sec=nation

Coming Soon: AstroHD?

I'm pretty sure that most of us here have (or going to have) an HD TV.

The only problem is that most of us have only enough budget to spare to buy an original DVD and considering the fact that Blu-Ray Discs are the only True HD which we can obtain legally, there seems to be a limited number in choices when it comes to HD content.

Thankfully, Astro is finally announcing that it is going to release Astro HD by next month.
(but you need at least a new decoder)

Hopefully by then, we have better content and less rain disruptions.
(if we use the same satellite disc, we are going to have the same problems again)

http://www.measat.com/services_broadcasting_hdtv.html

Astro’s high definition future

PAY television operator Astro All Asia Networks, whose TV household penetration rate in Malaysia is almost reaching 50%, is aware that one size doesn’t fit all despite catering to the mass market.

Its customer spectrum ranges from the so-called “digital natives” to the rural population. At the same time, it has to cater to the needs of a complex, “Truly Asia” marketplace that is also becoming more educated, more well-travelled, more sophisticated and more demanding.

How does it plan to deal with these challenges? The answer: innovation in technology and content.

Datuk Rohana Rozhan ... ‘The whole idea is to evolve our technology and our platform so that we’re always ahead of consumer trends.’

Astro TV chief executive officer Datuk Rohana Rozhan says business as usual is no longer an option.

“We can’t just stick to one form of TV, which is linear TV, and serve one group of people the more mass we become. At the same time, we cannot forget our top-end customers who demand more of us. So we need both breadth and depth,” she tells StarBizWeek in an interview.

“In addition, we cannot ignore new media anymore. How content is consumed in the future is something that we have to be prepared for. Otherwise, in 10 years’ time or maybe less, when my son (who is currently 15 years old) becomes a customer of Astro, Astro will be irrelevant. So that’s how we look at the next phase where we want to go.”

Astro is evolving its content to include mobile and online content. Recently, it collaborated with Maxis to launch Malaysia’s first made-for-mobile entertainment series.

By next month Astro will launch high-definition (HD) TV, and in the first half of next year, it will re-introduce the personal video recorder (PVR), the satellite technology’s answer to video on demand.

“The whole idea,” Rohana says, “is to evolve our technology and our platform so that we’re always ahead of consumer trends.”

She is tight-lipped about the details of the HDTV launch, though she would say that customers would have to pay to enjoy HD content.

While declining to reveal the model being used by Astro, Rohana talks about those in overseas markets. “Some operators give you the same content in SD (standard definition) or in HD. Should you decide to take the content in HD, you pay extra.

“Some will also launch unique channels which have content you cannot have in SD. There may also be a window play, meaning earlier-release content. Even that you have to pay a la carte or per package for unique channels. We can pick and choose as to how we’ll launch HD in Malaysia.”

Astro, she adds, will come up with an economic commercial model for HD subscribers.

There are already 1.2 million Astro subscribers with flat-screen or high-definition TVs, she says. “The only HD content that’s available in Malaysia is Blu-ray and it’s far too expensive. Astro has decided that there’s a demand for HD products.”

On PVR, Rohana says Astro has 116 channels but some customers still complain there’s nothing to watch at particular times. The PVR, coupled with an improved electronic programme guide, will help to ensure there’s always something for subscribers to watch.

The PVR has a pause, stop, rewind and forward functionality, and subscribers can programme ahead what TV show to record. Rohana says the PVR has a hard disk storage of 160 hours.

On the differences between the latest PVR system and its predecessor, the discontinued Astro Max, she says: “This will be the first deployment of a new kind of PVR with many of the world’s largest broadcasters to follow Astro throughout 2010. In order to bring this next-generation PVR, Astro has fully licensed all the best-in-class technologies to deliver the world’s best PVR experience. This is a key difference to the Astro Max.”

Rohana says Astro is also working with all its channel providers and “fundamentally shifting its infrastructure to ensure that the PVR accurately records the programmes you want and provides detailed information around them.”

Another difference from the Astro Max system is the push functionality, which can be used as an up-selling tool for Astro.

“If I know you like CSI, I can download on a push basis the whole Season 200 of CSI and put it on your box. When you come home, I can say: ‘Hey, guess what? I have the whole Season 200 of CSI. Do you want to buy it?’ So, either you decide what you want to record, or we intuitively try to cater to what you want,” she says.

Astro is planning a major drive to change its relationship with customers from a transactional relationship to “a real relationship,” she says.

“We will understand what you like. If you like Oasis (an Astro channel with programming catering to Islamic values) and you plan to perform the haj, we’ll download a whole series on ibadah haji onto your box. And there’ll be a message that says we’ve downloaded this series of 12 episodes and asks you whether you want it.”

The HD set-top boxes, to be introduced by year-end, will only be for HD, but an external hard disc for PVR can be added. Next year it will introduce HD/PVR set-top boxes.

Regarding HD content, Rohana says it’s Astro’s aspiration to widen local content in HD. “To merit HD, it has to be a big-ticket item drawing high viewership. Malaysians will experience HD through football, for example, because 70% of our customers take up the sports package,” she points out. Sports is one of the strong pillars of HD; the others being Hollywood blockbusters and programmes like National Geographic.

Rohana says this year, total content cost is about 35% of its revenue. Every year, Astro spends about equally in international content, sports and local content.

While she wouldn’t say what percentage of local content cost would be allocated for HD, she says Astro increases its local content investment every year.

Rohana says all its programme producers will have to gear up for HD. “HD is end-to-end delivery, starting from the content. The camera that shoots that content has to be HD. The make-up they put has to be for HD because the clarity is much better.”

Astro is also using technology to attract more advertising ringgit. Rohana says Astro is already helping advertisers in packaging complete advertising and sponsorship propositions.

“Our people are well-trained to package the right proposition to advertisers. But if the advertisers want independence, we are working with technology in order to provide that,” she says.

“This new research rating system is far superior in every sense from its accuracy to tracking the viewing habits of the viewers. This means that we’ll be able to know which contents work better and which promotions, including TV commercials, work best.”

Asked when she expects this system to be ready, Rohana says: “As soon as possible.”

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/21/business/5144262&sec=business

Everyoneconnects: Biggest karaoke session a blast

The event on the 21st Nov was featured in the news.

Biggest karaoke session a blast

KUALA LUMPUR: Over 5,000 party goers sang along to the catchy beat of Through My Window — a song that set the nation abuzz since its debut — in what has been billed as the biggest “karaoke session” in Jalan Bukit Bintang.

The song was performed by local band Bunkface to an energetic crowd who rocked along yesterday — complete with dummy microphones — despite the rain.

Come rain or shine: Over 5,000 revellers braved the rain Saturday to rock along with local bands and celebrities at Telekom Malaysia’s Through My Window campaign in Jalan Bukit Bintang.

The crowd sportingly took part in various activities showing off their dancing and singing moves in the event hosted by radio deejays JJ and Ean of the Hitz.FM Morning Crew.

Singers Shila, Reshmonu, Dafi, Mila and Tomok were among the local celebrities who made their appearance.

Customer service executive Siti Mariah Abu Bakar, 25, said the campaign was a brilliant way to get people to come together.

“It’s a good pop song. It actually brought people together when they discussed it online and in public,” she said.

Account executive Nooraziyan Abdul Rahman, 25, came all the way from Shah Alam with 15 friends to see artiste Tomok perform the Malay version of Through My Window.

“At first, I didn’t know anything about the campaign but the song got me hooked to find out more about it,” she said.

The campaign, organised by Telekom Malaysia Berhad, was aimed at getting Malaysians to connect, communicate and collaborate.

Telekom Malaysia group marketing vice-president Sherene Azura Azli told The Star that the whole idea for the Through My Window campaign was to engage the public in the digital lifestyle.

“The campaign combines both old and new media to enable the public to experience this lifestyle. Telekom Malaysia also regards its customers as ‘collaborators’ who are the real force behind the company.

“It’s all about the company positioning itself to connect people everywhere in the country, as evident through its services,” she said.

The song has attracted 3.9 million mentions on the Internet, over 6,600 video and audio up­­loads on its site www.everyoneconnects.net and 1,433 tweets on Twitter since it’s Oct 19 debut.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/22/nation/5162572&sec=nation

Teoh's autopsy completed. Hope they uncover the truth soon.

Teoh's second autopsy completed, reburied Tuesday

KUALA LUMPUR: The second autopsy on Teoh Beng Hock’s remains had been completed but the results will most likely be disclosed when the inquest into his death resumes on Dec 9.

Teoh’s sister Teoh Lee Lan said the family was given a short briefing after the autopsy at the Sungai Buloh Hospital by Thai forensic pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanansunand, but it was too technical for them to understand.

“We do not know the results, or when it will be revealed. Please be patient and wait for the inquest to resume on Dec 9,” she told reporters.

Lee Lan confirmed that her brother’s remains would be reburied on Tuesday at the Nirvana Memorial Garden in Semenyih.

Teoh’s body was exhumed on Saturday after the inquest into his death ordered a second post-mortem, after Dr Pornthip testified that his likely cause of death was homicide and not suicide.

Teoh was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam on Shah Alam on July 16 after being questioned by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).

The commission’s Selangor office is on the 14th floor of the same building.

The autopsy started at noon after the pathologists spent the morning discussing and performing X-ray and CT scans on the body.

The autopsy, carried out by Sungai Buloh Hospital’s Pathology and Forensics Department chief Dr Shahidan Md Noor, was completed by 3.15pm.

Besides Dr Pornthip, who is engaged by the Selangor state government, others observing the autopsy were British forensic pathologist Prof Peter Vanezis, who is appointed by the MACC, and pathologists from the first autopsy Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim and Dr Prashant Naresh Samberkar.

Dr K. Saravanan assisted by taking photographs of the post-mortem.

Lee Lan, together with her brother Beng Kee and parents Teoh Leng Hwee and Teng Shuw Hor, had arrived at the hospital at 8.30am.

Gobind Singh Deo, counsel for Teoh’s family, said no time limit was set for the autopsy.

“There is no pressure for them to finish by a certain time. What is important is that it is done thoroughly, and all aspects that can raise any doubts be addressed,” he said.

He also thanked the police for responding quickly to Dr Pornthip’s complaints that she had been followed on Friday and Saturday by providing escorts.

“To those following her, come forward and let us know who you are. Don’t be cowards,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/22/nation/20091122123043&sec=nation

Teoh Beng Hock's body is due for a second autopsy to day to determine the truth once and for all.

Strangely enough, the person who wrote this article sound likes 'Teoh Beng Hock' at first glance.

Teoh’s body exhumed for second autopsy today

By TEH ENG HOCK

KAJANG: Teoh Beng Hock’s body was exhumed yesterday and will undergo the second autopsy today.

His body, said to be in good condition, was sent to the Sungai Buloh Hospital where it was subjected to X-ray and CT scan.

The exhumation at the Nirvana Memorial Garden in Semenyih began at 10.40am after family members conducted prayers which started at 9am.

Teoh’s grave was cordoned off using a high white canvas, obscuring the view of some 40 pressmen and onlookers.

His body was identified by his siblings Teoh Lee Lan and Teoh Beng Kee.

The casket was then wrapped up in plastic sheets before it was placed in a hearse and sent to the Sungai Buloh Hospital, where Teoh’s parents were waiting.

It is learnt that Soh Cher Wei, who went through a marriage ceremony with Teoh after his death, stayed home as she is six months’ pregnant with his child.

The exhumation was observed by Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojan­asunand and Sungai Buloh Hospital chief pathologist Dr Shahidan Md Noor.

Teoh’s body was exhumed on the orders of the coroner after his family requested for the second autopsy to be conducted.

The request came soon after Dr Pornthip testified at his death inquest that the likely cause of death was homicide and not suicide.

She had testified that there was an 80% probability that Beng Hock was tortured and strangled.

Teoh was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, here on July 16 after being questioned by the Selangor branch of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission.

The commission’s Selangor office is on the 14th floor of the same building.

Lee Lan earlier told newsmen that her heart felt heavy about the exhumation but her family hoped the second post-mortem would reveal her brother’s cause of death.

“We are prepared to find out the truth,” she said.

Gobind Singh Deo, counsel for Teoh’s family, said: “As far as I can tell, the body looked like it was in good condition. But I am a lawyer, not a doctor, so we’ll see what the experts say.”

He said that there were six pathologists present including Dr Pornthip.

“Dr Pornthip was here to observe the exhumation. We don’t want any complaints later,” said Gobind.

He said the post-mortem would be conducted at 9.30am today.

“I was told they hope to get it done by early afternoon,” he said.

Gobind added that he did not see anyone from the commission, saying they “should have sent a representative”.

Also present were Teoh’s boss Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang and Selangor state executive councillor Ronnie Liu.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/22/nation/5161513&sec=nation

A contest by The Star newspaper. For Malaysians only.

Modern Warfare 2 up for grabs

Here is your chance to get into the thick of the action as a soldier in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

All you have to do is answer a simple question and complete the tie breaker to win a copy of Modern Warfare 2 (PS3 or Xbox 360) courtesy of Gamer’s Hideout by answering

Submit your entries by Nov 30 to techcentral@istar.com.my with the subject “Modern Warfare 2 contest.” Only one entry per contestant, thank you.

Multiple entries will be disqualified. Don’t forget to include your full name as per MyKad, MyKad number, address and contact number.

1. How many characters do you get to actively play in Modern Warfare 2? a. 5 b. 4 c. 3 d. 2

2. Tie breaker: Infinity Ward almost dropped the Call of Duty label from the Modern Warfare title. In 25 words or less tell us why it should or should not do that.

Rules & Regulations:

1. This contest is open to all residents of Malaysia.

2. Prize is not exchangeable for cash and the organiser reserves the right to exchange the prize with that of a similar value without prior notice.

3. Staff of Star Publications (M) Bhd or its affiliate companies and their immediate families are not eligible to participate.

4. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained.

5. The winner will be notified via e-mail.

6. The prize will only be mailed if the winner is from outside the Klang Valley. TechCentral will not be liable for damage and/or loss during the transit.

7. For more information, please e-mail us at techcentral@istar.com.my

http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2009/11/13/prodit/20091113164851&sec=prodit

Hope that MACC keep up the good work

MACC nabs six Kota Tinggi Umno division members

JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained six Kota Tinggi Umno division members, including its Youth chief, for allegedly trying to bribe three former Youth committee members with about RM40,000.

The members, aged between 30 and 40, were detained at about 2am on Friday at a committee member’s house here after the suspects had allegedly tried to coax the committee member to withdraw his resignation.

It is learnt that the suspects tried to do so after 18 committee members from the division’s Youth wing resigned last week claiming a loss of confidence in the Youth chief’s leadership.

Sources said that the mass resignation prompted the suspects to hold “negotiations” with three of those who had resigned to prevent an election in the division’s Youth wing.

It is believed that one of the three members had contacted MACC on the matter before cooperating to trap the suspects while the bribe took place.

The suspects were detained at the Ayer Molek prison before being brought for questioning at the state MACC headquarters here.

Kota Tinggi Umno division chief Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said he heard of the arrests and was told that they were all from the division’s Youth wing.

“I will leave the investigations to the MACC. I hope that the truth will come out,” he said.

Johor MACC chief Simi Abdul Ghani declined to comment on the matter when contacted.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/20/nation/20091120174947&sec=nation

Note to EPF members

Have you named your informed EPF about who to get your savings just in case something happens?

Campaign to get EPF members to nominate beneficiaries

KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is launching a campaign to remind members to nominate beneficiaries for their savings.

Its general manager for public relations, Nik Affendi Jaafar, said the campaign was necessary considering that only 23 percent of the 12.4 million EPF members had nominated their beneficiaries.

"As your nomination determines who will receive your EPF savings, it can offer some financial protection to your family should death suddenly occur.

"Nomination will not only ensure speedy payment to your family, but will also help to spare your loved ones unnecessary suffering," he said in a statement here Sunday.

He said it was also vital for members to review their nomination of EPF beneficiaries from time to time to ensure that it was up to date.

"This is especially important if you experience any major life changes, such as marriage, divorce or birth of your children," he added.

According to Nik Affendi, without a nomination, members' next-of-kin would be required to produce documents, such as Letter of Administration, Letter of Probate or Distribution Order, from the relevant authorities to substantiate their claims.

The process of obtaining these documents would be time consuming and sometimes costly, as a fee was often imposed by the issuing authorities, he added.

Nik Affendi said that to nominate, members would need to only fill the KWSP 4 form and submit the completed form to any EPF branches, adding that the form could be obtained at any EPF branches or downloaded from the EPF website at www.kwsp.gov.my.

In the case of Muslim members, the beneficiary named would act as an administrator (wasi) who would be responsible for distributing the savings in accordance with Faraid Law, he added.

The campaign, to be held from Nov 16 to Dec 21, involves running of advertisements through the radio and in newspapers to remind EPF members to nominate and update their EPF nomination. - Bernama

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/15/nation/20091115161537&sec=nation

The effort by the Opposition to scrap this project has failed but should we be rejoicing or worry about the consequences?

Motion to scrap bridge to Sumatra rejected

MALACCA: After much debate, a motion by the opposition to cancel the proposed RM44bil Malacca-Sumatra bridge project was rejected through a vote among the assemblymen at the Malacca State Assembly yesterday.

Khoo Phoay Tiong (Ayer Keroh – DAP), who moved the motion, said the bridge was impractical and could end up being a white elephant and a financial burden.

“Although it is said to be a private venture, the state would eventually be burdened with the cost because it had endorsed it,” he said, adding that the money could be used to upgrade the state’s ferry terminal and airport instead.

Tey Kok Kiew (Bandar Hilir – DAP) queried the accuracy of the forecasted economic benefits of the bridge project, noting that the estimation of 15,000 vehicles using the bridge daily and toll collection ranging from RM266 to RM301 as an inaccurate forecast.

He also questioned the danger of locating the bridge some 100km from Indonesia’s earthquake zone.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam clarified that the project would be a private initiative between China’s Axim Bank and local consortium Malacca Straits Development.

“The bank had agreed to finance up to 85% for the construction of the US$13bil (RM44bil) bridge with the local company having to bear the remaining 15% of the cost,” he said, adding that the idea for a bridge between Malaysia and Indonesia was mooted by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“We live in a shrinking world today and the bridge will not only bring economic benefits but also improve relations between our two countries,” he said.

Meanwhile, during the break, Mohd Ali confirmed that the state had notified the Economic Planning Unit of the proposed project and the progress between the two parties.

The proposed bridge, spanning some 37km, would link Malacca’s Telok Gong in Alor Gajah to Sumatra’s Pulau Rupat, Dumai and Pekan Baru.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/13/nation/5101514&sec=nation

Women with bigger breasts found to be smarter

Sounds weird doesn't it.

But I guess it's true that if you marry a rich person then divorce, you can get half of their property.

Hmm. Does that mean they are not stupid after all?

A STUDY conducted in the United States showed that women with big breasts are not necessarily less intelligent than those who are less endowed.

Quoting a Singapore newspaper article, Sin Chew Daily said women with bigger breasts were found to be smarter instead.

It said the study was conducted in Chicago to find out whether the size of a woman’s bust affected her brain power.

The study, involving 1,200 women, was conducted by a female researcher. The subjects were divided into five groups, from extra small to extra big.

The report said it was possible such women were smarter due to the higher level of female hormones that could result in better development in the brain.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/12/nation/5092076&sec=nation

For those who have pirated VCDs

Heads up.

The government is taking action if you have 3 pirated VCDs although I'm skeptical about how they are going to enforce that when some of the 'originals' sold in supermarkets have the Original logo but the company producing it does not give copyright to the makers.

(You usually see this in old anime VCDs)

Owners of pirated VCDs, beware

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government is considering taking action against the owner of even one pirated video compact disc although it is meant for private use, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“Under the law now, any person who has one pirated VCD is not guilty, but if the person owns more than three, action can be taken.

“My personal view is that if a person owns one pirated VCD it is already an offence,” he said after opening the World Intellectual Property Organisation Seminar Malaysia on the creative industry here yesterday.

Ismail Sabri said the Copyright Act would be amended comprehensively to rectify weaknesses as well as to ensure the country’s intellectual property law system was current, besides promoting the growth of the creative industry.

“If we are to protect the creativity of film producers, music composers and the like, we must not only educate people but also mete out stiff penalties,” said Ismail Sabri.

He said the amendment would also involve action to be taken against owners of business premises who allowed their premises to be used for illegal activities. — Bernama

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/12/nation/5093325&sec=nation

Broadband Kentucky style

A broadband success story. I wish that our government would do this sooner.

Broadband lessons from Kentucky

  
PUTRAJAYA: What does the US state of Kentucky have in common with our state of Kedah? Would it be chicken platters — the famous American fried variety and our ayam goreng?

Yes, but the answer is also that both are mostly rural and their communities depend on the manufacturing industry for their livelihood.

Being a rural state, Kentucky had little in terms of technology and its economy was centered on manufacturing. But as the manufacturing industry waned in early 2000, the state had to start looking at how to sustain its economy.

Then in 2004 the Connected Nation, a US-based non-profit organisation, started its ICT (information and communications technology) initiative in the state.

“What we do is make people’s lives easier and more productive through technology,” said Brian Mefford, the chairman and CEO of Connected Nation.

“We work with the ICT industry and local communities to make computers, broadband and useful software applications available and relevant to everyone.”

When it started, Kentucky had a population of 4.2 million and 60% of the homes had Internet speeds of about 200Kbps (kilobits per second). That’s slow considering 1Mbps (megabit per second) is the norm for bearable websurfing.

“But at that time, 200Kbps was the US Federal Communications Commission minimum for fast web service,” said Mefford. “ And IT jobs in the state were declining by 6.4% per year.”

Connected Nation then partnered with federal, state and local governments, as well as major hardware and software vendors such as Microsoft and Dell, to create an effective plan for boosting broadband infrastructure and PC ownership in Kentucky.

Ready to help

Now, Mefford said, 95% of Kentuckians — including 546,000 new households — enjoy high-speed broadband Internet access. He did not have detailed figures at hand.

But according to broadband speed testing and survey website Speed Matters (http://bit.ly/3ulGEn), 55% of Kentuckians now experience broadband speeds of up to 6Mbps (megabits per second) and a further 26% of the population has access to speeds of up to 25Mbps.

Speed Matters is a project of the Communications Workers of America, a union representing 700,000 workers in communications, media, airlines, manufacturing, and public service.

Connected Nation’s chief strategy was to bring together the leaders from each sector, such as agriculture and manufacturing, to ascertain the best way to implement broadband technology.

It also had regular meetings to answer the people’s questions on broadband and to show how the technology would improve their lives and livelihood.

Since then, Connected Nation has started bridging the “digital divide” in other US states and even has some on-going projects in India. The divide refers to the gap between the technology haves and have-nots.

Mefford is confident a similar approach will boost broadband infrastructure and take up in Kedah and the other rural states in this country.

“We believe our strategies will work and we are keen to share our experiences with your government and ICT sector,” he said. “Obviously each country and market is different but the overall concept remains the same.”

Computers and broadband are vital for the progression of a nation’s communities, especially the rural, towards building a knowledge-based economy, Mefford added.

He was speaking to In.Tech on the sidelines of the 21st MSC Malaysia Implementation Council Meeting in Putrajaya on Monday.

Bumps in the road

Connected Nation, however, is taking flak from certain quarters for its Kentucky initiative and its subsequent efforts to boost broadband in the other US states.

Public Knowledge, a Washington, D.C.-based public interest group working to defend US citizens’ rights in the emerging digital culture, is a vociferous critic of Connecton Nation.

Art Brodsky, communications director of Public Knowledge, lashed out at Connected Nation in his January 2008 blog (www.publicknowledge.org/node/1334).

He accused Connected Nation of being “nothing more than a sales force and front group for (US telco) AT&T paid for by the telecommunications industry and by state and federal governments that has achieved far more in publicity than it has in actual accomplishment.”

For that, Brodsky has been both supported and criticised by readers of his blog.

If the group is nothing more than a shill for AT&T, “why do other broadband providers, like the Kentucky cable association and Comcast Cable, support it?” said Robert D. Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, in the comments section of Brodsky’s blog.

Atkinson said Brodsky appears to have gone after Connected Nation because its mission is not to promote inter-modal competition, spur municipal broadband, or help “mom and pop” ISPs (Internet service providers) — all goals (that) Public Knowledge supports.

“Connected Nation’s goal is simpler: To get broadband to as many people as possible,” commented Atkinson.

http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2009/11/10/technology/20091110165341&sec=technology

Malaysia makes history with China

A first for both countries, China's president Hu Jintao is coming to visit.

Chinese president to visit Malaysia Tuesday

PETALING JAYA: Chinese President Hu Jintao arrives in Malaysia Tuesday, the first visit by a Chinese head of state in 15 years, marking yet another milestone in the development of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The President, who will be accompanied by his wife Liu Yongqing, a 140-member official entourage and a 80-member press corp, is on his first state visit to the country at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

The highlight of his official visit, which is a first by a Chinese head of state in 15 years, will be a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Wednesday to discuss issues relating to bilateral cooperation.

It is understood that among others, discussions would center on the “cementing” of various agreements and issues already raised between Najib and Hu, and with other Chinese leaders during Najib’s visit to China in June, particularly on investments and trade.

Bilateral trade between Malaysia and China had risen to US$39.06bil (RM132.86bil) in 2008, a 10.3% increased from the figure in 2007, and China is now Malaysia’s fourth largest trading partner.

Recent reports had also speculated that the Malaysian government was to announce the issuance of an operating permit for the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd (ICBC) to coincide with the visit, making it the second Chinese bank after Bank of China.

The visit, also comes at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries.

Hu - whose last visit to Malaysia was in 2002 when he was vice-president - will be given an official welcome at the Parliament Square, followed by an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Istana Negara and a state banquet.

He is also expected to attend a lunch hosted by Najib on Wednesday before leaving for Singapore to attend the 17th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/9/nation/20091109160127&sec=nation