Entries Tagged 'Inbox' ↓
March 11th, 2009 — Inbox
Digital downloads has always been a sore point for the music industry, though entities like the iTunes Music Store, and now Nokia’s Music Store, are rapidly gaining popularity. iTunes however, faces a potential setback as it appears that a group of Chinese hackers have apparently cracked the algorithm that generates the individual codes found on iTunes gift certificates.
These certificates are being sold for dirt cheap, with US$200 value certs being hocked off for as low as RMB18 (roughly equivalent to just US$2.60). The seller admits that the codes being sold using key-generators sold by the hackers themselves. Buyers pay the sellers, who then instant message the code(s) over to the purchaser.
Either that, or the codes sold were actually paid for by stolen credit card information to begin with.
If the algorithm has really been cracked, the issue is easily solved by replacing it with a new one, though that also requires Apple to consider legitimate gift cards already circulating in the market. This doesn’t appear to be a new problem though, as similar codes have been circulating as early as 6 months back, and only attracting more attention thanks to increasing competition among the sellers as well as a rapid drop in selling price.
March 11th, 2009 — Inbox
In my mind, Microsoft Hardware makes some excellent stuff; keyboards and mice that cost a little more than most, but usually with better build quality and an eye to details that help make the user experience a better one. Today, that vision has received the equivalent of a swift kick to the crotch, thanks to the Microsoft Hardware team deciding that it would be a good idea to venture into the realm of laptop cooling add-ons alongside such luminaries in the overpriced accessories line i.e. Targus, Belkin and Logitech.
The Microsoft Notebook Cooling Base may be slim and portable, and while it comes with a cable clip and is USB powered, this just reeks of Microsoft trying to charge through the nose for something thats produced for really cheap while also boasting negligible benefit, if any. Even better, the Notebook Cooling Base with an asking price of US$29.95, can easily be replaced by something as simple as a book, or just about anything that props your laptop up from the table for better air circulation. Heck, with a few spare parts, some wire and a couple of minutes, you could easily build something that works as well for so much less.
Next question: is the thing Microsoft Vista-capable, or Vista-ready?
February 6th, 2009 — Inbox
In the previous post, we noted that the HTC Dream would finally be making its way to Singapore. In an exclusive deal with HTC, SingTel happens to be the only telco in the region to bring in the Dream, similar to what happened with the iPhone 3G. And since SingTel also happens to own Australian telco Optus, the HTC Dream’ll also be made available there as well.
A tipster alerted us to the Optus website already showing a product page for the HTC Dream, along with corresponding price plans, though actual availability is yet unknown. Unfortunately though, Singaporeans are out of luck, as the only reference to the Dream we could find at this point was the press release. On the other hand though, our sources say that SingTel price plans for the HTC Dream should be made available within the next couple of weeks, probably before the end of February.
As for the other Singapore telcos (M1 and StarHub), much like what happened with the iPhone 3G, it’s probably a long shot that the HTC Dream will be made available to either one. Then again, if you really can’t wait, enterprising individuals are already selling the HTC Dream, albeit badged as the T-Mobile G1. Online retailer Expansys Singapore for example, lists the T-Mobile G1 as being available for a cool S$1349.
Alternatively, you can always pick up an Android developer unlocked device, the Android Dev Phone 1. Dev Phones are fully unlocked, letting you use any SIM card in the device, as well as being able to flash custom Andriod builds that work with the unlocked bootloader, which doesn’t enforce signed system images. The device goes for US$399, with free shipping in the United States, but is also available in 18 other countries including Singapore, though shipping charges apply. Also, you’ll need to sign up as an Android developer for a small fee before you can buy a Dev Phone.
