Samsung pays Apple $1 Billion in 5-cent coins

Sometime ago, I read about an upset bank customer banking in a large sum of money but in a small denomination, enough to create a hassle for the bank counting the entire amount. Today, someone or rather another party has beat that feat.

Samsung paid Apple $1 billion in 5-cent coins for the fine recently ruled against the South Korean company. 30 trucks arrived at Apple headquarters with the cash.

This happened two days ago (Sep 23).

Initially, the security company that protects the facility said the trucks were in the wrong place, but minutes later, Tim Cook (Apple CEO) received a call from Samsung CEO explaining that they will pay $1 billion dollars for the fine recently ruled against the South Korean company in this way.

The funny part is that the signed document does not specify a single payment method, so Samsung is entitled to send the creators of the iPhone their billion dollars in the way they deem best.

You can read about it here: Samsung pays Apple $1 Billion sending 30 trucks full of 5 cent coins

Apple gadgets for Mother's Day gifts

I read in The Star that 91% of mothers who took part in a survey said they wanted an iPad as a Mother's Day gift instead of fresh flowers. The survey conducted by TechBargains.com revealed that most mothers in the United States wished for the gadget. Many years ago, the gadget of desire would probably have been an ipod touch though this Apple gadget is still an object of desire for many.

The survey also showed that 59% said they would not spend more than US$50 (RM153.50) for gifts and 19% would not buy any gift for their mothers.

Apple's new iPad 3 goes on sale in 10 countries today

A friend across the Causeway in Singapore was mulling over whether to join the line and be one of the first people in Singapore to own Apple's new iPad.

Singapore is among the 10 countries that the new iPad goes on sale today, Friday. Other countries include the United States (but of course), Canada, France and Britain, with diehards lining up overnight in front of Apple stores in Munich, Paris, London, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The new iPad though not marketed as a revolutionary product like earlier versions are still being snapped up by Apple fans, or devotees rather. The iPad competes with Samsung Electronic's Galaxy and Motorola's Xyboard, among others.

Apple's new iPad, this third generation 4G-ready tablet computer is slightly heavier than its predecessors and comes with a more powerful CPU and screen and better camera.

A teardown of the new device shows key parts from Qualcomm, Broadcom, and Samsung Electronics as in previous versions.

Apple's new iPad proved to be another hot-seller, with hundreds queuing at stores across Asia to be the first to get their hands on the tablet computer as the company's share price hit $600.01 for the first time, easing back to $585.56 at Thursday's close. If you own a share of Apple stock, you could easily buy the new iPad and with change back. The stock is far more expensive than the $499 starting price for a Wi-Fi iPad.


Source: The Star..Apple touches record high as iPad 3 sales run hot

Best iPad Apps of 2011

Shopping these days does not involve just clothes, make-up, sports equipment, furniture. Shopping nowadays include buying of non-tangibles such as iPad apps.

New York Times compiled a list of the Best iPad apps of 2011. Check them out..Best iPad apps of 2011, from the perfect magazine to photo app to Jamie's recipes to music creation, etc..

Image source: NY Times

Apple celebrates Steve Jobs' Life

Apple retail stores across the US were closed October 19 so that everyone could watch the "celebration of Steve Jobs' life" memorial held at an outdoor amphitheater at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California. The extraordinary, beautiful and moving event lasted for about 90 minutes, and employees were able to watch video of it on a live webcast. The event was not opened to the public nor the news media.

Watch Tim Cook, Bill Campbell, Jony (Jonathan) Ive, Al Gore talk about Steve. See performances by Norah Jones and Coldplay. Watch the special event, highly-recommended.

Apple's iPhone draws hordes again

TOKYO/LONDON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters): Apple Inc's new iPhone debuted with a splash around the globe, spurring thousands to queue around city blocks and snap up the last gadget unveiled during co-founder Steve Jobs' life.

It has been reported that the number of units pre-ordered for the iPhone 4S far outnumbered that of its predecessor, the iPhone 4. TIME magazine has captured the frenzy at some Apple Stores as the phone goes on sale - the queues, the enthusiasm, the elation. All pictures here are borrowed from Time.com

London, Oct. 13, 2011
Fans wait outside the Apple Store on Regent Street in London on Oct. 13, 2011, for the launch of the iPhone 4S.

London, Oct. 14, 2011
Apple fans queue up for the debut of the iPhone 4S at the Apple Store in Covent Garden in central London on Oct. 14, 2011.

Tokyo, Oct. 14, 2011
A man wearing a mask of Apple founder Steve Jobs stands in line in front of an Apple Store in Tokyo to buy an iPhone 4S on Oct. 14, 2011.

London, Oct. 14, 2011
An Apple fan poses with all the iPhone 4S mobile phones she bought at the Apple Store on Regent Street in central London on Oct. 14, 2011.

London, Oct. 14, 2011
Luke Peters holds the new iPhone 4S outside the Apple Store in Covent Garden, London, on Oct. 14, 2011.

London, Oct. 14, 2011
Carmen Shippy, far left, the first person in line to buy the newly released iPhone 4S at an Apple Store in Clarendon, Va., high-fives staff as she leaves the store on Oct. 14, 2011.

Are you contemplating getting one too?

Steve Jobs: 1955 - 2011

iSad. That sums up my feelings today and probably of millions around the world from news of the passing of Steve Jobs, Apple Chairman, co-founder, visionary and more. He died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 56.

A look at Steve Jobs' career..

Steve Jobs' life in photos -
TIME's gallery of The Long, Extraordinary Career of Steve Jobs

The Spiritual side of Steve Jobs

Apple's passionate pitchman


Steve Jobs' top 5 showman moments. You have got to watch him make this 2005 Stanford Commencement Address. It was rare enough for Jobs to accept a public-speaking engagement. More surprising was that he used it to share some of the most personal details of his life. Inspiring.


Did you ever meet Jobs? How did he change your life? Are you a die-hard Apple fan? Share your story with CNN in their Steve Jobs and You column. The best stories get featured on the site like these.

Web mourns Jobs' death, finds inspiration in his life

Tribute
On October 5, 2011, Apple announced that its visionary founder had died. "We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today," the company said. "Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve."

He will be missed.

Rest in Peace, Steve Jobs.


Sources:
- CNN.com
- TIME.com
- YouTube

Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO

The inevitable has arrived. Steve Jobs is leaving Apple as CEO.

(CNN) -- It's a moment many tech fans hoped never would come: Steve Jobs' resignation from the helm of Apple, which he co-founded from his family garage in 1976.

As that news hit early Wednesday evening on the East Coast, people rushed to online social networks to mourn the apparent end of Jobs' career; talk about what this means for the future of Apple products like the iPhone; and wish him good health.

"The end of an era!" one Twitter user wrote.

"I pray it's not bc (because) of his health," said another.
Continue reading on CNN..

Watch video of Apple milestones..




Source: CNN

Steve Jobs launches Apple's new iPad 2

Contrary to speculation that Steve Jobs might not be unveiling iPad 2 due to his leave of absence, Jobs did take the stage to pitch Apple’s new iPad 2 as reported by NY Times.

SAN FRANCISCO — Steven P. Jobs, Apple’s chief executive, interrupted his medical leave to introduce the company’s much-anticipated new iPad, a thinner, faster and lighter version of its popular tablet computer that will sell at the same price as the original models. More..

Introducing the iPad 2..from the Apple website..

The iPad 2 comes in black and white.

A choice of 10 different colors..

Watch video of the launch by Steve Jobs, Mar 2
Watch the iPad 2 video..
See the Smart Cover in action
Appeal of iPad 2 Is a Matter of Emotions, NY Times

Sources:
- NY Times
- Apple, Inc.

iPhone - Useful Tips and Tricks

Everywhere you turn to, some article or story about the iPhone is bound to pop up. In Malaysia, the iPhone is not officially on sale. Yeah, we still live on trees! Just the other day, a friend was ranting away that even Botswana is on the list of countries scheduled to have the iPhone on sale. No offence to Botswana.

Our First World neighbour, Singapore, has already been having it for months. I got someone there to check up on the price. A 3G 8Gb iPhone is tagged at S$348 and a 16Gb unit S$508. Both inclusive of a two-year contract with subscription at S$56. It is illegal to sell without a subscription. However, there have been Malaysians bringing in the phone without a subscription. Eh?

Everyday on Twitter, there would be a few tweets about the iPhone. Below are two good articles on the how-to's. You may already know all or most of them but useful for newbies.

10 useful iPhone tips & tricks
101 Most Essential iPhone Apps of 2008

Steve Wozniak, Geek Of The Month

I just read an interview with Steve Wozniak, Youbentmywookie.com's first Geek Of The Month. This is Part 1 of a two-part interview.

Steve Wozniak, (I'm sure you recognise the name), is co-founder of Apple Computer (now Apple Inc.). He is also known as the "Other Steve" (Steve Jobs being the other one) as well as other nicknames including "The Woz", "Wonderful Wizard of Woz" and "iWoz".

Other than autobiographies and biographies, I find that interviews too provide some knowledge about significant individuals, people who have impacted the world, our lives. These accounts give us the whys and the wherefores of the events, situations and personalities that we would not have known otherwise.

If you are interested, here is the interview with Steve Wozniak.