There's still a need for low tech mobile phones

For who you may ask? Obviously, for the ones who don't really need a mobile phone but need a mobile phone. Ok, let me not confuse you and get to the point. An interesting read on Wales Online prompted me to blog this topic as to whether an 8-year-old should have a mobile phone. More than a third of Welsh children own a mobile phone by the age of eight, according to the report. While doing my research, I also read another article on The New Paper (26 Jan 09) by Murali on the same topic. He said that he and his wife have been debating if they should give their 8-year-old daughter a mobile phone. But the question is of course, does she really need one? Several other questions followed through on his mind about how is his daughter going to take care of it because already she loses her erasers and pencils on a daily basis and a phone is alot more expensive. In the end, he and his wife decided to buy a cheap phone (for something for less than $50). They will also make sure that it doesn't have high specs, no gimmicks, no trendy designs, no camera etc. In simple terms, a phone to make calls in case of an emergency. I agree with Murali, kids these days are really busy coping with studies, having to attend tuition classes and other curricular activities after school. No harm giving them a low tech mobile phone, it will help parents communicate easily with their busy kids to know about their whereabouts. Anyway, do we still have low tech mobile phones? Hmm... something to think about.

Reference:

Source for picture: T3Mag.com

Source for article: Wales Online

The New Paper, 26 Jan 09

Does copyright still exist?

More people are recording concerts despite event organisers reiterating not to do so. This was reported in The Sunday Times (29 Mar 09). Organisers said that it's hard to enforce the policy especially, when mobile phones and cameras are high-tech these days. I agree with the organisers because, you can almost do anything with the latest devices especially when they are getting smaller in size and bigger/more advance in specs. It is definitely hard to control over these issues. The article said that within hours after a concert, the videos get uploaded on You Tube. If is was the case, why would someone pay $100 over bucks to watch a concert? Downloading songs are also readily available at just one click on your computers. Mostly teenagers download songs from the internet to plug in to their MP3 players. Despite music producers stressing not to download songs but buy the original CD instead, there are many people who still continue to do so. A minority may still abide by these rules, but it is a very small percentage. How can we protect copyright issues and online privacy? This has been a prolonging issue which organisers have minimum control on.

Reference:

Source for picture: MP3 player

Source for article: The Sunday Times, 29 Mar 09

IPOS (copyright)

You Tube

Online Privacy

Download MP3 songs

Fashion meets Technology

If you're buying a new mobile phone or a laptop, which is more important to you? Is it the technology of the device or the trendy design? Do trendy designs appeal to the masses? Take a look at HP Vivienne Tam notebook (picture, left) designed to look like a clutch bag, the handpainted peony motif costs $1,099 - $300 more than its plain black cover. To gauge consumers' sentiment about paying the premium prices, The Straits Times-Digital Life conducted a straw poll of 30 people from 21 to 40 years old. The findings showed that the majority view such gizmos as utilitarian devices and, as such, are unwilling to pay a premium for extra sleek and chic versions. Other trendy designers will include fashion label Dolce & Gabbana when it teamed up with Motorola in 2006 to create the gold Razr V3i phone. LG worked with Prada on their first cellphone three years ago and they sold more than 1 million units. Another chic design would be Giorgio Armani-Samsung touchscreen cellphone. Although, there may be some people who go for both design and technology, report mentioned that majority of Singaporeans prefer/opt for good specifications rather than trendy designs or something that is more value for money.

Reference:

Source for picture: Gizmodo.com

Source for articles:

http://www.flickr.com/

http://www.blog.tmcnet.com/

www.pradaphonebylg.com

Slumdog Millionaire's Oscar Awards - Did the media overplay?

Have you watched the movie, 'Slumdog Millionaire'? Otherwise, catch a quick trailer. A simple story line - A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers. Although, this movie won 7 awards at the British Acadamy of Film and Television Arts Awards 2009 (BAFTA) from the 11 categories it was nominated in, it was faced with many allegations in the media mentioning that the producers and distributors paid the Indian child actors cheap wages and have not been concerned with their welfare. The guardian reported a statement released by director Danny Boyle and producer Christian Colson defending themselves against allegations that they exploited child actors, in the latest round of controversy to hit the Oscar-tipped British film, Variety reports. Compared to blockbuster movies such as The Dark Knight, Batman, Superman, Brokeback Mountain or Titanic where producers spend millions and millions of dollars on its setting and production, my question is how did a simple story like 'Slumdog Millionaire' create so much of hype even before the movie was released? Apart from the fact that the movie was solely produced in Mumbai and taken at the slums with never seen faces before, what contributed to the movie's success? A review in The Internet Movie Database (IMDB) said that MPAA was wrong to give R rating as there are more offensive movies than Slumdog Millionaire. Could be possible that the reactions of the public on the allegations be part of the movie's big win today? Many critics commented that the movie was good but not outstanding to deserve the Oscar. In an article on The Financial Express, it reported that critics felt the movie sells India's poverty to West and some others had raised objections to the word 'slumdog' on grounds that people living in Indian slums were being referred to as 'dogs'. Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has said that the poverty highlighted in the movie is a "reality" and wondered why people in India tend to become cynical when something good is happening. Whatever the reasons, the Oscars could not have been possible for Slumdog Millionaire without the media's quick reactions to such critics, allegations and movie reviews. Do take note that this is just one example of how powerful the media is!

Reference:

Trailer: www.youtube.com

Sources:

Wikipedia

The guardian

Variety reports

IMDB

MPAA

The Financial Express

Blame Twitter or Fame Twitter

It's unbelievable! Everyone seems to be on Twitter. Celebrities, Top Leaders, President, Monks and even service industries are creating the hype in Twitter. Jennifer Aniston ended her relationship with boyfriend, John Mayer (picture, left) because he is obsessed with Twitter. Apparently, Mayer spends hours updating his Twitter and doesn't spend time with her. Celebrity Twit No 2, Ashton Kutcher has delighted his Twitter page followers by posting a revealing picture of his wife Demi Moore. Kutcher and Moore are big fans of Twitter and they use the micro-blogging site to keep fans regularly updated about their relationship. America's new president, Mr Barack Obama also uses Twitter to communicate with his followers. Service industries for example, Dell uses Twitter to communicate with its customers, in other words, attending to immediate queries and receive feedback almost immediately. Buddhist Monks say 'twitter can lead to happiness', I read this interesting article on News Blaze. Lama Sumati Marut helps his followers stay mindful of how to be happy with his free daily "Dharma Twitters." Just three years since the launch of Twitter, it has become phenomenal with its restrictions to type not more than 140 words. According to the report, roughly Twitter's total membership is around 6 million and the number of monthly visitors at 55 million, Compete.com has ranked Twitter as the third largest social network in the world (MySpace is second and Facebook is headed up the list in the number one slot). I think it's amazing how Twitter has interests millions of people but there's also something to think about... with all these new and intriguing online communications, will people stop communicating lesser to one another, just like how my friend shared a joke with me recently: Her colleague who's sitting in front of her, went on Twitter to ask her, "How are you this morning, where shall we go for lunch today?" She was surprised and said, if this was the case, then there could be some day that people might forget talking to each other.

Reference:

Source for Picture: US Magazine

Source for Article:

TODAY, 26 Mar 09

NewsBlaze

Compete.com

MySpace

Facebook

A new media platform

It is a known fact that Singapore is a modernised country but a recent article in My Paper proved that Singapore is also going big on online communications especially amongst the youth. Three in five said they had blogged or read another blogger's post in the past month. It turned out that youngsters are capable of multi-tasking while online, like engaging in instant messaging and listening to music at the same time. A young entrepreneur, Ian Lim (picture, right) has found a new online communication tool, 'vlogCRUSH' - A home-grown interactive video blogging website. In other words, a new platform to the communications arena. Mr Lim has plans to license the platform to local telcos and media companies for a start. The online communications has become an important tool for not only the younger generation but even for the slightly mature group. In a survey conducted recently, it was noted that more people aged above 35 are blogging these days. They are equally involved in online communications such as Facebook and Twitter. Personally, it is about time they get themselves involved in online communications, otherwise, they won't be able to interact and connect actively with the younger generation or their own children for that matter.

Reference:

Image & Article: The Straits Times, March 25, Pg 19

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