Japanese Currency Weakens on Talks About Intervention

Latest Today News

The Japanese yen declined today versus the euro and the Great Britain pound on the speculation that the policy makers would take measures to prevent the currency appreciation, which may hurt the nation’s recovery base on the exports. The currency rose against the US dollar.

The policy makers from the Ministry of Finance and Bank of Japan met to discuss financial markets, but it was told that they haven’t discussed the monetary policy at the meeting. The last time the policy maker intervened on March 16th 2004. The exporters said that they can receive profit as long as the yen remains below 92.90 per the dollar.

USD/JPY traded near 85.58 today as of 8:28 GMT. EUR/JPY traded at about 110.40, while GBP/JPY rose to 134.18.

Yuan Declines on Efforts of Chinese Policy Maker to Keep it Low

Latest Today News

The Chinese yuan fell today on the speculation that the signs of the deteriorating global economy may prompt the Chinese policy makers to limit the currency’s gains in order to prevent the damage to the exports, which the strong currency may cause.

The People’s Bank of China lowered today the daily reference rate by 0.36 percent to 6.8015 versus the dollar. The US officials stated that in the previous month the yuan was undervalued as the Chinese government keeps the currency rate artificially low to gain the unfair trading advantage.

USD/CNY traded at 6.7843 today as of 8:52 GMT after it opened at 6.7759 and jumped as high as 6.7940.

Samsung Galaxy S vs iPhone 4: Display Screens

Latest Today News

I got my hands today on the Samsung Galaxy S and the iPhone 4, and honestly, when comparing the display screens of both these phones, I was really confused on which to conclude with is the best!

(Click the image to enlarge)

iPhone 4 features one of the most advanced display screens with the Retina Display technology (SLCD), while on the other hand Samsung Galaxy S features a Super AMOLED display screen. But when holding both of them, you hardly make out which one should be crowned as the best among these two because both of them have the best, vibrant touchscreen I have ever seen!

Have you tried both of these devices together? Which one do you think has a better display? Samsung Galaxy S or iPhone 4?

Click the screenshot in the beginning for a closer look!

Unlock iPhone 3.1.3 Firmware with Redsn0w 0.9.4

Latest Today News

Redsn0w 0.9.4 download is now available to unlock iPhone 3.1.3 firmware – and also works as a jailbreak Phone 3.1.3tool.

The Dev Team released this tool at morning soon after the iPhone 3.1.3 update went live for public to update via iTunes. iPhone 3.1.3 update is more like a bug fix release which resolves some issues that were experienced in iPhone 3.1.2 firmware.

Unlock iPhone 3.1.3 Firmware

Redsn0w 0.9.4 can unlock and jailbreak iPhone 2G and iPhone 3G (doesn’t unlock 3G in the iPhone) and iPod Touch 1G and iPod Touch 2G models.

Download Redsn0w 0.9.4

You can download Redsn0w 0.9.4 from the following links

Download Redsn0w 0.9.4 for Windows

Download Redsn0w 0.9.4 for Mac

Jailbreak iOS 4.0.2 with Redsn0w for iPhone 3G, iPod Touch 2G

Latest Today News

Apple today released a patch (firmware update) iOS 4.0.2 to download which would fix the PDF exploit being used by JailbreakMe to jailbreak iOS 4.0.1 on iPhone 4, 3GS, 3G, iPod Touch 3G, 2G and iPad.

JailbreakMe is now not compatible with any of the above devices above, but you can still jailbreak iOS 4.0.2 on iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2G (non-MC model).

Taimur, from Redmond Pie, just tested on his iPhone 3G, that Redsn0w can still jailbreak iOS 4.0.2.

Jailbreak iOS 4.0.2 with Redsn0w (iPhone 3G, iPod Touch 2G)

Well, so folks, if you still have that good old iPhone 3G with you, you just got lucky as you can still jailbreak iOS 4.0.2 with Redsn0w, while others can’t.

iPhone Users Have More Sex Than Android Users

Latest Today News

After analyzing data from nearly 10,000 smartphone users, online dating website OkCupid has found what it says is "statistical proof that iPhone users aren't just getting [screwed] by Apple."

OkCupid tracked sexual activity (measured in number of partners) by smart phone brand. It found that, on average, a 30 year-old iPhone user has had twice as many sexual partners than an Android user of the same age. Thirty year-old BlackBerry users fall somewhere in the middle. See the chart below:

The online dating site's blog, OkTrends, says of the data: "We found this data as part of our general camera-efficacy analysis: we crossed all kinds of user behaviors with the camera models and found we had data on the number of sexual partners for 9,785 people with smart phones."

OkCupid also plotted a graph showing how the number of sexual partners varies according to smartphone brand and age. See chart below:

Phone retailer iPhone4u recently released the results of their own not-so-scientific study, which found that male iPhone users were luckier in love. As we wrote here, they reportedly surveyed 1,500 women and found that 54 percent of them said they would be more likely to date a man if he has an iPhone.

Apple TV To Become iTV, Get Apps

Latest Today News

The rumblings started as far back as 2007 -- that the seemingly doomed-from-the-start Apple TV would get a makeover into a screenless iPod touch with an HDMI port. Those rumors started making the rounds again around the launch of the iPad, but an iOS-based Apple TV was still nowhere to be seen. Now, our friends at Engadget claim to have an exclusive scoop on thenew Apple TV, which will get new hardware, a new OS and a new name -- the iTV. According to an anonymous source, the Intel innards will be replaced with the an A4 processor like that found in the iPhone 4 and iPad. The new device will run iOS, like the rest of the iDevice lineup, and will have more apps, although it's not clear if it will run iPhone and iPad apps or be restricted to iTV-exclusive code. 

All the news is not good, though. The new iTV apparently won't be able to playback high def 1080p or 1080i content. Instead, it will be limited to 720p

Jackie Evancho Youtube

Latest Today News

America's Got Talent

August 11, 2010

I still think America's Got Talent should have/was only obligated to take one act from the YouTube pool of contestants. Instead, they felt the need to move four acts to the next round, out of guilt? legal obligation? Who can say. But because they insisted on advancing four of these mediocre acts on, instead of just The One (*cough*Jackie Evancho*cough*), my guesses as to who would move on to the next level was proven partially wrong again. Not entirely wrong, just a quarter wrong. Which means most of my guesses were right. And I've got some tips for you to how you can choose yourself some America's Got Talent winners. Not all of them mind you, but a solid 75% of them.

For instance:

1. America loves a prodigy.

NBC

So, yes. I thought Maestro Alexander Bui's performance was boring. And calling himself "Maestro" is not only kinda pompous but brings to mind a particular Seinfeld character, and that makes me giggle. But, yes, he's supremely talented, and from last night's group of 12, he certainly deserved to move on to the next round. Next up, Maestro needs to play something that America can connect with.

2. A well-performed gross-out act can captivate America.

NBC

Dan Sperry (which, if you say it fast enough sounds an awful lot like "dance fairy," which he most certainly is not) is freaky. But that's kinda awesome when we're talking about pulling Pep-O-Mints with dental floss out of one's throat skin. If you didn't see it, trust us, it was kinda cool. Now he needs to bring the Big Gross-Out. Or at least some sort of gross-out that NBC can get past the FCC.

3. Oh, come on, I need to explain this to you?

NBC

Girl can sing. I'm not saying she doesn't also creep me out a little -- let's all be honest here, that voice is just not normal. What I am saying is: see #1 above: America loves a prodigy. And Jackie Evancho is a real prodigy. In case you were unclear.

4. I don't know, America loves Pat Benatar wannabes?

NBC

I had Cute Boy Cam Hodges on my list, but, alas, t'was not to be. Cam and Kristin Young were the acts that the judges had to choose between, and they went with Kristin. CONSPIRACY THEORY ALERT: I think they chose Kristin over Cam, not because she was all that much better than him, because she wasn't, but because they already have a surplus of Cute Boy singers. Anyway! Best of luck to ya, Kristin! Hope you don't have to compete against Jackie again any time soon!

Evolution of Dance

Latest Today News

They split the groups up weirdly on "America's Got Talent" -- and there was one surprising advancing act. Hint: it's NOTJackie Evancho.

Pup, Pizza Pat, Maestro Alexander Bui and Austin Anderson are the first group brought down. I'm rooting for Pat and Alexander, but who knows with the voting public? And the act advancing ... Alexander Bui. Piers is hilariously like, "I am SHOCKED!" It's a tad insulting to the other acts, but funny nonetheless.

Quick Change performs and it's pretty cool. I've seen them live at a minor league baseball game and they're fun. I especially like the changes under the glitter.

Now we have the Evolution of Dance, which is also awesome. It's too bad this was so short because in the original YouTube video he does a lot more dances.

The next group is Dylan Plummer, Dan Sperry and Booker Forte. It should probably be Dan Sperry out of this group. And then it is. Yeah, that's cool. He deserves a chance to do a bigger trick.

 The next performance is the Taiwanese Whitney Houston, Lin Yu-Chun with "I Will Always Love You," a song I personally detest. But the vocal is impressive. 

The next group of contestants is Ryan Rodriguez and Jackie Evancho. Oh, well. Duh. Can we just skip this one? Who thinks he will beat the little girl with the big voice? Nobody. Yeah. Howie asks Jackie to sing a note after she advances, thus hopefully quieting the rumors that she is lip-syncing.

Plutonic, Cam Hodges and Kristina Young are the last group. I hope it's Plutonic that goes through, but at least Kristina should go home before the judges' pick. And then Plutonic goes home first! Did not see that coming at all. Well, Cam should advance then.

After the judges deliberate, Howie sends Cam through, then Sharon sends through Kristina (which surprises me) and then Piers picks Kristina?!  Wow, that is a surprise!  Huh.

So next week is a Wild Card show where they are bringing back Michael Grasso, Connor Doran, Swing Shift Side Show, Kruti Dance Academy, Michael Lipari and Ashleigh Dejon, the Hot Shot Tap Dancers, RNG, CJ Dippa, Harmonica Pierre, Anna and Patryk, Doogie Horner and Rudi Macaggi. Drats, I thought we were onto the semi-finals. Fooled again!  

And in case you missed it, here's Jackie's performance from last night:  

Williams College

Latest Today News

Small private college ranked best in U.S.-report

(Reuters Life!) - A small private Massachusetts college ranked first in a report on the best U.S. colleges in 2010, beating Ivy League contenders such as Harvard and Yale.

Williams College, with about 2,200 students, nudged past Princeton and Amherst, which came in second and third on the list compiled by Forbes.com.

The United States Military Academy at West Point and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology rounded out the top five, while Harvard came in at No. 8 and Yale just slipped into the top 10.

"It's always gratifying to be considered among the top institutions in the county," said William Wagner, the dean of faculty at Williams College.

Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP) in Washington D.C. compiled the list, its third, after considering the cost of tuition, the salaries of graduates and students' experiences.

They also looked at how many faculty and students go on to win Rhodes Scholarships or Nobel Prizes, and used data from websites such as RateMyProfessors.com and MyPlan.com to gauge how satisfied students were with their educational experiences.

"Colleges that don't saddle students with a lot of debt and places with small class sizes, rank higher," said David Ewalt, deputy editor at Forbes. "If you compare this year's top ten to last year's top ten, they're very close." said Ewalt.

The highest ranked public university is the University of Virginia, which was No. 44.

"There is a certain amount of, 'you get what you pay for.' Private schools can push class sizes down. There are some wonderful public universities. But private schools tend to do very well on the list," said Ewalt.

The Forbes/CCAP report only looked at nine percent of the 6,600 accredited institutions in the U.S.

Google SEO Book

Latest Today News

We all know that Webmasters Tools by Google are here to help webmasters in every inch of their website career, but did you know there is a Google SEO book available?

I never did, until my friend tweeted about it. Well, there is nothing new in this book but simply the basics covering every aspect of the Search Engine Optimization. This e-book has been named as “SEO for Beginners”.

In this book you can find out about all the terminologies, and important things taking part and organizing the whole SEO setup, but from Google’s aspect.

In this book some basic questions are also well answered, like:

• Can Google index your site?
• What are Robots and what Robot.txt means?
• What is really controlling Google indexes ?
• Robots.txt vs. Meta tags 9
• How to controlling caching and snippets?

Or if you are searching the ways to Increasing visibility of your content, some best practices are also mentioned by Google itself.

Download Making the Most of Your Content – A Publisher’s Guide to the Web – PDF file

Latest Today News

I’m sure none of you like to lose all your post that just wrote because of a power failure or computer crash.

Previously, Windows Live Writer had this auto-save feature enabled by default which would automatically save changes made to our articles after every 3 minutes. But they have left this option unchecked (disabled) in the latest Live Writer release.

This can be enabled by following the steps given below, because you never know when it might come in handy.

How To Auto Save in Windows Live Writer

1. Go to Tools from the top menu and select Options.

2. From the left side, select Editing.

3. The first option you will see at right side will be of auto-save feature.

4. Check “Automatically save drafts every” and enter the number of minutes below after which it is suppose to auto save. I kept it to 2 minutes.

5. Click OK to close the Options window.

Now Windows Live writer will automatically your post after every 2 minutes (or whatever minutes you entered).

Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 Release Date and Availability

Latest Today News

Kinect for Xbox 360 release date and availability has also been announced at today’s E3 2010 Xbox 360 keynote. Microsoft has already managed to steal the show today with their announcement and demo of Microsoft Kinetic.

Microsoft Kinetic will complete change the face of console gaming once it hits the market! Read more after the break for the release date and availability of Microsoft Kinect.

Microsoft Kinect Release Date

Kinect will be releasing on November 4th to the retail stores near you! Even the rumoured Xbox 360 + Kinect bundle will hit the stores on the same day!

Microsoft Kinect Price

Pricing has not been revealed at E3. It will be announced soemtime before Kinect is released to the market!

Windows Live Messenger 2010 Leaked

Latest Today News

Windows Live Messenger 2010 is a part of theWindows Live Essentials 4 that we will be seeing soon by Microsoft. This is something all Windows users look forward to every year.

Windows Live Essentials 4 is still under private beta testing, but it has now leaked over the web and available for download.

This leaked build is only for a few users allowed to beta test the apps, but a patch has been created which would allow you to atleast try out the nextWindows Live messenger 2010.

This is still an early release and many features may differ as the final version approaches, but the main new feature in this release is the social and expanded contacts view.

Rest I’d leave for you to explore and try. Download links given below.

Download Windows Live Messenger 2010, Messenger Patch

Windows Live Essentials 4 (Full Installer)

Windows Live Messenger 2010 Patch

[Via Sizlopedia]

PSP2 Specs Leaked: Touchscreen, Dual Cameras, Powerful Processor

Latest Today News

PSP2 seems to have joined the rumours slate for E3 2010. A latest report by VG247 reveals that PSP2release date won’t be very near, infact not in 2010 at all.

There is 99 percent chances that Sony will NOT announce the PSP2 at E3 this year. PSP2 is expected to ship early next year. Several specs have been leaked which may make it to the Sony PSP2.

PSP2 Specifications

The PSP2 specs that have been found so far which would be making it to the final product are as follows:

• Dual cameras
• Touchscreen display with physical standard controls
• No physical media like the PSP Go.
• Probably will come with 3G.
• Will be powered by a four-core processor! That is half of what PS3 is powered by!

PSP2 Release Date

There are several speculations of when the PSP2 will start shipping. If the games are aimed for the end of 2010, then PSP2 is expected in early 2011 – probably at Gamescom or TGS.

[Via Gizmodo]

Rand Weakens on Slower Manufacturing Growth

Latest Today News

The South African rand dropped versus the US dollar today, following yesterday’s decline, on the speculation that the growth of the manufacturing output slowed in South Africa.

The manufacturing growth fell to 6.7 percent in June, compared to 7.9 percent in May. The strikes continue to threaten the nation’s economic stability as about 31,000 workers from the automotive industry went to the strike to demand the higher wages.

USD/ZAR rose from 7.200 to 7.254 today as of 8:24 GMT after jumping as high as 7.283.

Aussie Weakens on Reduced Demand for Riskier Assets

Latest Today News

The Australian dollar fell today as the signs of the slower economic growth, particularly in the US and China, damped the demand for the riskier currencies.

The Federal Open Market Committee said in the statementafter its meeting that “the pace of economic recovery is likely to be more modest in the near term than had been anticipated”, significantly reducing hopes for the strong economic recovery in the US and in the whole world. China’ government was trying to cool the nation’s overheated economy and its attempts seem to bring some fruit. The slower economic growth in China isn’t very particularly good for Australia, as China is Australia’s largest trading partner.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.6 percent yesterday, while the MSCI World Index dropped 1.1 percent and the MSCI Asia-Pacific Index of regional shares slid 0.8 percent. The markets don’t look very favorable for the currencies linked to the growth, including the Aussie.

AUD/USD traded at 0.9082 today as of 1:51 GMT. EUR/AUD traded near 1.4432, while AUD/JPY traded at about 77.54.

Sterling Declines as Confidence of Consumers Wanes

Latest Today News

The Great Britain pound declined today against the US dollar and the Japanese yen as the concerns about the possible slowdown of the nation’s economic growth weakened the currency.

The Nationwide consumer confidence index dropped to 56 in July from the previous value of 63. The median forecast value was 60. The pound was also weakened as the forecast of the Federal Reserveabout the slower US economic growth increased the concerns about the global economic recovery.

GBP/USD dropped from 1.5849 to 1.5776 today as of 8:54 GMT, while GBP/JPY fell from 135.43 to 134.40.

Mark Dayton

Latest Today News

Mark Dayton wins Democratic nomination for governor in Minnesota, US

Mark Dayton narrowly won Minnesota's Democratic primary for governor, barely escaping political death and taking a large step toward a remarkable political comeback.

But although the Associated Press called the race for Dayton early Wednesday, State House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher -- who held a strong lead in early returns for most of the night -- has refused to concede. Dayton’s margin, which stands at close to 1,500 votes of about 413,000 counted, could still trigger an automatic recount under state election laws.

watch pretty little liars episode 10

Latest Today News

Free Onlinee Watch Pretty Little Liars Episode 10 

: Pretty Little Liars Watch Episode 10 online, this episode is called Keep your loved ones. In the middle of the season in the final PLL, the girls prepare for the worst, they think that “A” can easily crash a campaign that they will attend. Death and Alison got a bit more serious, as the FBI prefers to work after new evidence was found. Meanwhile, Hana is necessary to control their habits of business transactions, as she and her financial problems.

Pretty Little Liars bags major awards in the price of the latest Teen Choice. This show has won the choice of the TV series of the summer, while Lucy Hale and Ian Harding won the election were TV stars. Pretty Little Liars credits Ian Harding star largely on the success of this show on ABC Family willingness to take risks and did want to come again and again. This show is morally questionable for certain situations, especially the teacher-student relationship. Ian Smith, who plays a teacher has a nice discrete PLL with Aria, Lucy Hale played minor.

Harding was a quote from TV Guide that the charming small Liars pushes the limits, but the fact of a sincere way. Despite the show of the cumbersome Harding said: “What’s so special about this show that has played such a situation, which seems to be wrong or morally questionable, but they play with heart, and you should find that everything.

Fantasia Sextape Video

Latest Today News

Fantasia Barrino sextape is bittersweet, and could get her sued, according to North Carolina law.  Fantasia Barrino’s sex tape video scandal with a married man is enough to not only land the man a hefty alimony payment to his soon to be ex-wife, but also enough for the jilted woman to get some of Fantasia’s assets, too.

Fantasia Barrino is an American Idol winner, and is best known for her song “Bittersweet.” That’s where the irony lays.

The scandal comes at the heels of the Montana Fishburne scandal, and also the possibility of a Jaimee Foxx scandal.

Under North Carolina law, the man’s wife can sue Fantasia for “alienation of affection” if she can prove that Fantasia is the reason for the unraveling of her marriage.  Of course, the former Idol winner and North Carolina native denies the allegations are true.

Dan Sperry

Latest Today News

Dan Sperry Magic Trick on America’s Got Talent

Well, Dan Sperry was definitely the spectacle of the night. He’s so much better than Murray the magician who already made it through. Dan Sperry is a bit freaky, but that’s kind of the point. That trick was awesome to watch. I wonder what else he has to perform.

In case you missed the video of Dan Sperry, you can check out his YouTube audition below. It’s better than the live one since it’s one camera angle (better for magic) and because you don’t have to see Howie and Sharon off their rocker.

Ramadan in 2010

Latest Today News

Ramadan in 2010 will start on Wednesday, the11th of August and will continue for 30 days until Thursday, the 9th of September.

Based on sightability in North America, in 2010 Ramadan will start in North America a day later - on Thursday, the 12th of August.

Note that in the Muslim calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Ramadan on the sunset of Tuesday, the 10th of August.

Although Ramadan is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, since the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. This difference means Ramadan moves in the Gregorian calendar approximately 11 days every year. The date of Ramadan may also vary from country to country depending on whether the moon has been sighted or not.

The dates provided here are based on the dates adopted by the Fiqh Council of North America for the celebration of Ramadan. Note that these dates are based on astronomical calculations to affirm each date, and not on the actual sighting of the moon with the naked eyes. This approach is accepted by many, but is still being hotly debated.