The Release of AT&T Quickfire Phone
by Torres on Dec.04, 2008, under Mobile Phone
The recent release of AT&T Quickfire phone is causing a stir among mobile phone enthusiasts. It is the first mobile gadget launched that is specialized in text messaging. Let’s take a look at some of the features that are getting fans excited.
Qwerty keyboard.
The keypad on traditional mobile phones is small. As a result, text input is cumbersome and slow. It is also very difficult to key in commands or type text messages quickly. With the in-built Qwerty keyboard, the user can now input whatever they want into the gadget in just seconds.
Touch screen display.
In addition to the Qwerty keyboard, the Quickfire phone also has a touch screen display that will help with navigation. Choosing options from the icon menu has never been easier. No more scrolling up and down with arrow keys.
High speed 3G HSDPA networks.
Mounted on AT&T’s own high speed 3G HSDPA networks, the Quickfire phone is able to download data at great speeds. This is the backbone of the Quickfire mobile phone. Without a high speed connection, other features would be useless.
Music and video content download.
Using the Quickfire phone, users can download music directly from Napster mobile or eMusic mobile. Video content can also be downloaded from HBO mobile or ESPN. Such downloads are only possible with a high speed connection.
AT&T navigator.
The AT&T navigator is a useful feature, and is an alternative to GPS navigation systems. This feature provides useful information on traffic as well as directions. Directions can be provided by voice, so there is no need to hold on to the gadget while traveling. Maps and directions will be prominently displayed in graphical representations on the screen.
Physical appearance.
The Quickfire mobile phone comes in a shiny silver casing. At first glance, it looks very much like an ordinary smartphone. However, the screen can slide away, revealing a Qwerty keyboard in its interior.
Overall, the Quickfire phone looks simple and lightweight. It is not loaded with hefty features. Even the in-built camera is a lightweight one, offering just 1.3 megapixels. This makes the phone just good enough to take casual pictures, and it’s definitely not ready to replace a full featured digital camera.
However, it is rather amazing to see the number of features that have been packed into this mobile gadget. Traditionally, mobile phones can only be used for simple text messaging and viewing pictures or videos on a tiny screen. With the Quickfire phone, all that is about to change. Users can now use the phone to type and send lengthy text messages, download music, and enjoy full length videos on a much larger screen.
This looks like a gadget that will be most suitable for business executives who may need some basic communication features, but are not ready to fork out a hefty price for higher end gadgets. It even comes free if you are buying with a new service plan!
How to Save the World
by Torres on Dec.03, 2008, under Life Tips
- Driving less, walking more. Not only will you be saving the environment, you’ll be saving your heart as well. Bonus!
- Wanting less, appreciating more. Instead of wanting a big home you can’t afford, maybe you should settle for living in smaller home in a less expensive area. Enjoy your space more. By spending less money on mortgage, you’ll be saving more time. Time is life. Win/win.
- Talking less, listening more. We spend most of our time listening formulating our response. You’d be amazed how much people never really hear each other at all. Think about how your life can be improved by understanding people better. You’ll probably avoid a lot of unnecessary drama do to misunderstandings. When I do this, my wife gets mad at me less for not listening. That’s always nice. =)
- Buy things that are more expensive, but last longer. A double edged razor will last a lot longer than disposable razors. You’ll save money too. Use real dishes instead of plastic/paper. It may seem like a little more work to wash them, but it really isn’t. It takes more energy to mine that plastic, manufacture, package, distribute and purchase then it does to wash a dish. Rethink convenience.
- Spend more time being mindful. The more mindful we are, the more we’ll save. We often waste a lot of time rushing around, trying to do too many things at once. We try to print a report, make coffee, and talk on the phone at the same time. Doing this we run the risk of printing the wrong pages, accidentally forgetting the coffee filter and saying the wrong thing. We spend more time correcting ourselves than we would save simply being mindful.
- Less things. The more things we buy, the more we resources we take from the planet. The more we consume, the larger that debt becomes. Buying new clothes, appliances or phones isn’t really a bad thing. It’s our addiction to buy the newest and greatest each year or every few months that is dangerous. After all, that old thing has to go somewhere. And it’s probably in a landfill somewhere.
Focus on children’s health and mass media
by Torres on Dec.02, 2008, under Health Tips
A new study has revealed that spending a lot of time watching TV, playing video games and surfing the Web makes children more health problems.
The report found strong connections between media exposure and problems of childhood obesity and tobacco use. Nearly as strong was the link to early sexual behavior.
The studies, most conducted in the United States, largely focused on television, but some looked at video games, films, music, and computer and Internet use. Three quarters of them found that increased media viewing was associated with negative health outcomes.
The average modern child spends nearly 45 hours a week with television, movies, magazines, music, the Internet, cellphones and video games, the study reported. By comparison, children spend 17 hours a week with their parents on average and 30 hours a week in school, the study said.
Keeping an eye on children’s media use is tougher today, says Jane Brown, a journalism and mass communication professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill who was not involved in the report. In the past, families often watched TV together, and parents could easily change the channel or voice their disapproval. Today’s technology often isolates children, who may tune out their families to concentrate on a cellphone screen only they can see.
The report’s authors hope it will be taken to heart by parents, as well as educators, pediatricians and policymakers. They came up with suggestions for each group, and James P. Steyer, chief executive of Common Sense Media, suggested that parents get involved in what their children see, hear and play — and for how long.
Focus on World AIDS Day
by Torres on Dec.01, 2008, under news, world
Today is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Spotlighting the fact that 33 million people are living with the disease. Against a backdrop of HIV/AIDS infection rates that are rising at alarming levels in Jambi, activists and sex workers in Central Java, Yogyakarta and West Java commemorated World AIDS Day in different ways on Monday.
There were 2.7 million new infections in 2007 (the stats on which the report is based), and 2 million died of the virus. More than 1 million people are infected with HIV in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are among the voices calling for routine HIV testing of every American starting at age 13, because every year, about 20,000 new infections are caused by people who don’t realize they’re infected.
New Zealand Airbus A320 crashed in French
by Torres on Nov.28, 2008, under news, world
An Air New Zealand Airbus A320 crashed into the sea off the southwest coast of France when it was on a test flight on Thursday. Rescuers found two bodies from the Mediterranean Sea and five per ple were missing.
“Seven people were involved. We have recovered one dead body,” said a spokesman for the Pyrenees-Orientales prefecture. The French search and rescue team said there was little optimism any survivors would be found.
Witness reported that he saw the plane dive abruptly and plunge into the Mediterranean sea. “I could see it was an airliner because I saw two large engines. There was no fire, nothing,” the witness, a local policeman, told France Info radio.
WordPress Blog released new version 2.6.5
by Torres on Nov.27, 2008, under Computers and IT, Web Design
For WordPress blogger, it’s time to upgrade your program again. WordPress has announced the new Wordpress version 2.6.5. The release basically comes with bug fixes and security fixes.You can download the version 2.6.5 at WordPress.org.
From Wordpress:
WordPress 2.6.5 is immediately available and fixes one security problem and three bugs. We recommend everyone upgrade to this release.
The security issue is an XSS exploit discovered by Jeremias Reith that fortunately only affects IP-based virtual servers running on Apache 2.x. If you are interested only in the security fix, copy wp-includes/feed.php and wp-includes/version.php from the 2.6.5 release package.
Mumbai Terrorist Attacks Killed 100 People, Injure 900
by Torres on Nov.26, 2008, under news, world
Coordinated terror attacks struck the heart of Mumbai, India’s financial hub. Nearly 100 people have been killed and 900 injured. The attackers specifically targeted Britons and Americans, witnesses said. Officials said at least 200 people were wounded.
Fire spread through the luxury Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel, where terrorists were holding as many as 15 people hostage, the Press Trust of India reported. A little known Islamist group called the Deccan Mujahadeen claimed responsibility for the attacks, PTI said.
“The United States condemns this terrorist attack and we will continue to stand with the people of India in this time of tragedy,” White House press secretary Dana Perino said. “President Bush offers his condolences to the Indian people and the families of the innocent civilians killed and injured in the attacks.”
Nokia announced S40 powerhouse phone: 6260 Slide
by Torres on Nov.25, 2008, under Mobile Phone
Nokia has announced a new Series 40 cellphone – 6260 slide. It’s a really slick looking phone and I’m a big fan of sliders as opposed to the clamshell or flip phone style.
The Nokia 6260 supports the most common communication standards, like WCDMA, and GSM/EDGE. The user interface is the popular S40, and the 2.4-inch LCD display provides a 320×480 HVGA resolution. Much like any other Nokia handset, it has audio playback compatible with a few formats including MP3, AACC, MPEG4, and WMA. FM radio is also included, as well as a 5-megapixel camera that records videos at 15 frames per second.
There is, however, one downside to the Nokia 6260 slider that could be helped. While not everyone necessarily needs a keyboard in their smartphone, a touchscreen would make the device’s web-surfing experience so much better.
All in all, it looks like a great phone for the mobile shutterbug to snap pictures and share them with friends from their mobile device.
Thanksgiving Day turkey Recipes
by Torres on Nov.24, 2008, under Life Tips
With the week economy, preparing nutritious meals for Thanksgiving day may seem more challenging than ever. But Here’s a radical idea: Thanksgiving day turkey.
Turkey is an inexpensive, nutritious alternative to higher-priced items such as steak, fish and seafood, and it is a more healthful option than chicken. In fact, turkey thighs and drumsticks have 30 percent less fat and fewer calories than the same chicken parts. And while many consumers may think of it only around Thanksgiving time-or as a hamburger substitute-turkey is an ingredient that works well in many tasty and nutritious recipes. (continue reading…)
Study: Exercise and Sleep May Reduce Cancer Risk
by Torres on Nov.24, 2008, under Health Tips, news
A new study reported that regular exercise or physical activity can help sufferers in the fight against cancer.
It has been discovered that regular exercise can help to bring down the risk of cancer in women by 20 percent in a study done by the National Cancer Institue. The fact that exercise has many positive effects on your body such as body weight, immune system functions and hormone functions makes researchers believe that exercise is extremely helpful in reducing the risk of cancer even though there hasn’t been an association between exercise and cancer that has been proven.
Dr. Susan Boolbol says, “This is one of the first studies that has shown that in women who do not have a history of breast cancer, they can actually reduce their risk by exercising.” (continue reading…)
Jeff Hardy was found unconscious this morning
by Torres on Nov.23, 2008, under news
WWE.com reported that Jaff Hardy was found unconscious in stairwell at his hotel in boston this morning. And he has been rushed to a nearby hospital. But we have no further details at this time.
The brief announcement noted that due to privacy issues, WWE is not releasing the name of the hospital.
Hardy was scheduled to face Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov for the WWE title at tonight’s PPV.
We’ll have an update on things as soon as we get them and since we’re bound to receive emails on this, at time of writing I have no idea on whether this is anything other than an angle. Speculating otherwise would be pointless.
6 Seconds To Relax
by Torres on Nov.22, 2008, under Life Tips
Ever have one of those days when it seems there’s not a minute to catch your breath, let alone meditate or relax? A day when you feel like the proverbial busy bee, with no time to admire the fragrant flowers you’re landing on?
Leo has given us some wise ways to relax, simplify, and take life more slowly, but you might still find it tricky to always put these suggestions to use. Or, perhaps for you, some days flow smoothly, but there are still some – or many – during which taking a break feels impossible.
On those days, instead of an evening, an hour, or even 15 minutes to relax, could you spare 6 seconds? (continue reading…)
Tips: How to make your work productive and happy
by Torres on Nov.20, 2008, under Life Tips
With the economic depression, the unemployment rate jumps to highest point and people are working under increasing pressure. As a result, more people show great concern for making their works to be more engaged and satisfied. Follow these tips and you’ll see your work life improve. And that improvement will trickle into the rest of your life too.
1. Drop Unnecessary Activities
By making a concrete list of what really matters to you, you may discover you’re devoting too much time to activities that aren’t a priority, and you can adjust your schedule accordingly. Since having a baby, Al-Ramahi says he and his wife have become much more efficient in managing their time — cutting back on television, for example.
If at all possible, Fortgang recommends dropping any commitments and pursuits that don’t make your top-five list, because “unnecessary activities keep you away from the things that matter to you.” (continue reading…)
Microsoft to Release Virus Protection Software for Windows
by Torres on Nov.19, 2008, under Computers and IT, news
Microsoft announced to release free anti-malware protection to consumers by the second half of 2009.
Currently codenamed Morro, the new program will be completely free. Microsoft’s aim is to “[..]focus on getting the majority of consumers the essential protection they need by providing comprehensive, real-time anti-malware protection, covering such threats as viruses, spyware, rootkits, trojans, and other emerging threats, in a single, focused solution.”
And then there’s last month’s software report by NPD, which showed Live OneCare actually outselling McAffee Virusscan. It’s done fairly well in terms of sales, so why change now? (continue reading…)
Microsoft released New Xbox Experience Today
by Torres on Nov.19, 2008, under Computers and IT, news
The New Xbox Experience officially has been released by Microsoft today. This is a real big milestone for the Xbox 360 as it reinvented itself in several directions with this software update. However, all Xbox users who successfully applied to the preview program by submitting their valid console ID will be getting the update over the next few hours.
Netflix announced today that its streaming movies and TV service would be debuting at no additional cost to current Xbox gold and Netflix subscribers along with the NXE update. This isn’t the first time we have heard of streaming Netflix over the Xbox 360. The streaming service was announced in July when details of the NXE update first started circulating. (continue reading…)
