In addition to the 3g iPhone, here is a short list of the upcoming phones I am looking forward to:
SE Xpreia X1:
After the release of the iPhone, Sony Ericsson have thrown out their usual styling and gone back to the drawing board with their Xperia X1. How different is this phone from its siblings? Considering that only thing SE about it is the logo, as the X1 is powered by Windows Mobile and manufactured by HTC; it should be a significant shift from previous phones. Which could result in a good thing for hardcore SE fans, as they are throwing in every imaginable concept (multiple panels and navigation) into a fairly cooling looking phone. Truth be told, I honestly have no idea what the phone is capable of (outside of dialing/sms), but it looks pretty cool doing it. And with a name like the Xperia X1, it better live up to the hype.
More info [here]
Google Phone (et al):
Now this isn’t really a phone as much as it is the brains behind it.. Late last year, Google launched Android, their open-source (anyone can tinker away) platform for telephones. Android is the basis for the OHA (Open Handset Alliance), which is also in collaboration with 30 mobile/technology companies (which will bring the Gphone to life).
What this means for the actual consumers? We are getting a phone powered by Google; in which any inspiring programmer can change/add/create applications for the public. In essence, you would be able to buy a compatible android phone, and put together your own phone system (or download one) .
One of the first phones rumored to be released is the HTC Omni/Dream.. And seeing how HTC made the Xperia X1 (above) for SE, it should be a very interesting first attempt at a Google Phone.
More info [here]
Nokia Liam (e71)
Saving the best for last, the Nokia e71 is the successor to the e61i; the best Nokia phone I have used since the days of the 6110/6310i. In addition to having the same reliability, extended battery life and qwerty keyboard of its predecessor, its also rumored to have GPS, Wi-Fi, HSDPA, and 3.2 megapixel AF camera in addition to a faster processor in a slimmer case.
More info [here]
Posted by K.
The people from FASTtelco have responded to our post ‘FASTtelco hates bloggers’; We have included FT’s response (and our reply) below. As it is a fairly long post (contrary to usual 248am postings), you will need to click ‘Continue reading‘ for the rest of the post.
Continue reading ‘FASTtelco responds.’…
Before Kuwaitina .. I would have considered that one of the weirdest sandstorms I have ever seen. The dust went from maroon to orange to yellow to white and then decided to leave altogether.. Apparently it rained, which in turn brought the dust down.
Posted by K.
Kuwait city was just hit by a major sandstorm; the view from my office is starting to look like the ‘Armageddon’ poster.. Where is the rain we are supposed to be getting?
Remember a months back when we informed Fasttelco users that their personal information was being leaked by their ISP.
Well, their official response by their Marketing Manager, Ali Dervasi, was that our post is “propaganda” to further our “history of hostility against FASTtelco“.
Sorry to burst your conspiracy bubble .. but we don’t carry any ill will towards any companies, just their services (or lack thereof). As for our ‘propaganda’ post .. In addition to FTs users experiencing the issue (and posting screenshots), Google themselves confirmed that there was a problem. And our “history of hostility” is a direct result of FT’s poor service, which isn’t limited to the following: blocking sites, high prices, false advertising, security issues and all-around shitty ads.
FT needs to take a step back and reevaluate their services (and prices) before pointing fingers at its users. The other ISPs have stepped up their services and offerings (except for UCC, they are terrible). Reading reviews on blogs and through word-of-mouth, end customers are more aware of the alternatives available. Until FT fixes its issues, I continue using (and recommending) الخمطة بربع.
Link to original article [here]
Posted by K.
I just downloaded (bought) the new Madonna album from the Amazon MP3 Store; and its probably one of her better albums since Ray of Light in 98. Initially, I was going to write a long winded review talking about each track, then I realized that Vocals=Madonna and Production=Timbaland, Pharrel and Kanye West.
Yeah .. that pretty much sums it up.
She is also going to be stopping by Dubai on Nov.21st for the Hard Candy tour (good luck getting tickets).
Link to Hard Candy album on Amazon. [Here]
Link to Hard Candy tour news. [here]
Posted by K.
(Is it just me or does the album cover match the blog a little too much.)
I placed an order for an iPhone a week ago and thought something went wrong when I didn’t receive a tracking number after a few days (They usually ship them within a day). After checking the order status, I found out that the iPhone isn’t going to be shipped out until May 13th; which is almost a month after my initial order.
In addition to knowing Apple’s history of keeping quiet about new products and the pending rumors about the new iPhone .. I am guessing that the 3G iPhone is released next month. If this does turn out to be the new iPhone, I wouldn’t suggest purchasing one until the current unlock method is confirmed to be working.
Posted by K.
As some of you might have read on SomeContrast, Mishary posted pictures and information about the availability of new gasoline and diesel introduced at the Bayan Station. The prices are 120fils for pink gasoline and 100fils for orange diesel.
I initially thought that this would be a step-up from the current green gasoline, ultra (98 octane). It turns out that someone (insert big name) requested that Kuwait should introduce Euro-Spec petrol (environmentally friendly); and KNPC agreed. Afterwards KNPC realized that their refineries are not ready for producing Euro-Spec petrol, so they imported it from the Q8 system in Europe; hence the higher costs.
The pink gasoline (Ultra-Euro) is 95 octane (lower than green) and the orange diesel is most likely the same as the Kuwaiti garden variety. The only unproven benefit if used on our engines is lower emissions.
Link to SomeContrast. [Here]
Link to Al-Watan (arabic article). [Here]
Posted by K.
We would like to take some time off from eating burgers and posting YouTube videos to wish our good friend Marzouq congratulations on getting engaged. It feels like just yesterday we were sitting in the diwaniya discussing the realities of life and eating machboos diyay while wondering why anyone would get married at such a young age. The allure of the single life with its motorcycles and Friday breakfasts has faded.. leaving us alone in our diwaniyas with an xbox unable to play hi-def content.
May your pants be passed upon others to slide and crash on.
Posted by K
Update: This was just an April Fool’s prank
For those of you following up on this years F1 races; Applebees with Renault, is going to be airing all F1 races at 8.30pm on the day of the race (at all locations). In addition to winning prizes during each race at Applebees Bneid Al-Gar; you can also enter the draw to win a Renault Clio RS.
The first race of the season in Melbourne, Australia will be airing at 8:30 pm at Applebees on Sunday 16th March.
Good to see that local companies are local race-oriented events.
More information at the Facebook group [Here]
Posted by K.
Last week we wrote about the issue Fasttelco users were having with their private information being publicly available online. Cnet/News.com have published an article covering this subject and this is the result of the user (36o/Abdulaziz), who reported the issue on the forum and then passed on the details of the glitch to Google. Apparently, Google have contacted Fasttelco and offered their services to help resolve the issue.
Hopefully some good can come from this and Fasttelco will reevaluate their users security (a price cut and promised speeds would be do wonders too).
Cnet / News.com article [here]
Our original post [here]
Posted by K.
Thanks Abdulaziz
Once again, the view from my office looks as if I am staring into an hourglass. I tried to take a picture of the weather outside but every picture ended up looking like this:
Nibaq explained it best:
Desert: A dry, often sandy region of little rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation.
Fubuki: Japanese for snow storm
Link [here]
-Posted by K.
Some readers in the forum have been experiencing account access issues when using Fasttelco. When you login into a website (FaceBook, Gmail, Forum), it informs you that you have been logged out and then you have access to someone else’s account (and vice versa). There are screenshots in the forum of a user being redirected to several different gmail accounts and even gaining access to post under different user-names.
If you are unable to use another ISP to access your sensitive information, I suggest using a proxy, vpn or anonymizer (such as Tor) to bypass the Fasttelco cache server. For those who already logged into sensitive websites; login using a different ISP (or the methods suggested) and change your password.
This is most likely due to the Fasttelco cache server (which stores information locally to speed/conserve bandwidth) incorrectly passing data. If you are a user of Fasttelco, call up the help desk and demand that the cache server be disabled until they can fix it.
Link to the topics [here] [here] [here]
Thanks 36o!
-Posted by K.
With the writer striker almost over, the big question is “when are shows coming back?”. Luckily TvGuide has a list of what is in store for us.
Some highlights:
24
Season 7 likely postponed until January ‘09.
Desperate Housewives
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
Grey’s Anatomy
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.
Heroes
No new episodes expected until fall.
Lost
Six pre-strike episodes remain. Six additional episodes could air this season.
Nip/Tuck
Season 5 concludes Feb. 19. Production on the show’s eight-episode sixth season expected to start up this summer. Airdate TBD.
Prison Break
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.
Saturday Night Live
Could be back on the air as early as Feb. 16.
Overall most shows will not be returning till fall or later, others will release their pre-strike shows and begin production soon. [Link]
Posted by Nibaq
The writers strike is unofficially over, a few weeks before the Oscars.
Seeing how there is tons of news covering the issue, I am going to keep this simple and concise:
- Writers should start getting back to work by Monday.
- Most shows would begin writing scripts and reworking the storylines.
- It would take 6 - 8 weeks to get up and running.
- For those continuing the season: Expect 4 - 6 episodes left, airing in April (late) - May.
- Other networks may scrap the season and begin production for next season (Aug - Sep).
The writers strike has also affected Movies, as most scripts were placed on hold. Expect production to resume; with releases (Da Vinci code 2) showing up sometime in the Winter.
More information can be found [here].
Posted by K.
