In the air... What's next?

As high quality recording devices get smaller and smaller, the possibilities of where to hang them from get's even more exciting.

I'd like to see the version of this where I can control it from any Android device over 3G without a range limit. Meaning my Android device here in Qatar is doing the controlling of the plan over Egypt.

Oh and yes, it will have to be Solar powered so can stay in flight perpetually without needing to ever make a landing. See http://english.aljazeera.net/video/europe/2010/07/201077151014692989.html

Pakistan 3G spectrum auctions to take place in three to four months

Pakistan third generation, or 3G, spectrum will be auctioned in the next three to four months, the Daily Times reported on its website Tuesday, citing Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Chairman Dr Muhammad Yaseen, speaking at a seminar entitled Demand for 3G and Beyond.

"We (the PTA) will offer cellular operators spectrum as they are already license holders of the regulator but they are not bound to launch 3G or 4G because we will give them a choice, so it's up to them," the website quoted him as saying.

Would be good to finally see 3G happening in Pakistan. The interesting parts for me will be how they phase out the coverage for such a relatively large country. I'm guessing the major cities like Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi will be priority with poorer areas coming later.

Another exciting trend to monitor will be apps and services and the introduction (or increase) of the latest smartphones. Pakistan has lots of talented developers for which we would have seen their skills mainly on the web until now. Will be great to see how the mobile app market will grow with more great high-end mobile apps for iPhone, Android etc for the local market.

A major factor in the uptake of 3G services will be pricing of course with the average disposable income amount less than many other countries who have 3G networks.

Elmo from Sesame Street has an iPhone App

My colleagues and friends will testify to how much i'm fond of muppets. Elmo was always a personal favourite back in the days.

Coolest thing about Sesame Street is that they always manage to maintain their appeal somehow. Watch this video and see how easy it is to create a monster. Ingenious!

Read the Mashable post also that discusses how the app is built for iPhone/iPod Touch and aimed at kids.

Would you buy your kid an iPhone or even let them play with yours?

Ovi Maps + Interactive + Big Arrow + London

Nokia, a bit late to the game on making thier maps finally free, although a nice stunt I must admit publicity wise.

Being able to send a text and seeing it posted on a huge arrow sign hanging from a crane in central London is quite interesting, I wonder though if there was a Nokia team sitting somewhere moderating all the spammers and kids posting rude messages :-)

Man in Tree

Taken from the New Media HQ window at Al Jazeera. If you look closely you'll notice a man in the tree sitting on a branch (like a bird) cutting some other branches.

Why did I blog this? 

Well, the picture was taken on an colleagues iPhone while we were working and it certainly distracted and amused us for a while :-)

Google Nexus One Vs. iPhone

I guess if you're a happy iPhone user like myself and looking to switch to the Nexus One, you'll probably want to consult a comparison chart like this one.

Although a comparison of features will be useful, ultimately I feel most iPhone users will simply be looking for something that is amazingly user friendly. Certainly the iPhone's UI or user interface is something that places the iPhone a few notches above the rest.

"Twitter" is the most popular English word of 2009

Being limited to strict formats did wonders for the sonnet and haiku.  One wonders where this highly impractical word-limit will lead as the future unfolds.

Here are the top 7 in the 2009 list:

1. Twitter — The ability to encapsulate human thought in 140 characters

2. Obama — The word stem transforms into scores of new words like ObamaCare

3. H1N1 — The formal (and politically correct) name for Swine Flu

4. Stimulus — The $800 billion aid package meant to help mend the US economy

5. Vampire — Vampires are very much en vogue, now the symbol of unrequited love

6. 2.0 — The 2.0 suffix is attached to the next generation of everything

7. Deficit — Lessons from history are dire warnings here

$3.2 million dollar iPhone

I would have thought the Middle East would be the first region to produce something like this but I guess the Dubai Debt news we've been seeing recently puts these kind of projects on the back burner.

For someone to even attempt something crazy like this shows how much the iPhone stands out from it's competitors. I can't imagine someone doing the same on a Nokia N95 or and LG.

"The man behind the bedazzler was Stuart Hughes. First he covered it in 22 cts gold plating, then slapped on a total of 190 diamonds – 136 on the front, 53 flawless diamonds on the logo, and one big ol’ 7.1 cts diamond replacing the home button."

iPhone launches in China with no WIFI

WIFI was apparently temporarily banned in Beijing when the first batch were manufactured, so the next batch should get WIFI back.

I wonder how popular these expensive WIFI'less devices will prove to be. You can buy an unlocked 3GS with WIFI for 20% cheaper. We have to also bear in mind the huge population of China, so even a fraction of the user base could potentially mean massive sales figures for Apple and China Unicom.

An iPhone Hack to Make A High Quality Zooming Video Camera

For reasons of shooting video i've always preferred the Nokia N95 over the iPhone for obvious reasons. But watching this video totally changes the perspective on what's possible on the iPhone (albeit by hacking at this point in time).

Yet another development that makes the iPhone a step closer to being the one device that's all you ever need in your daily routine.

An interesting quote from TechCrunch:
"...none of these workarounds have been authorized or otherwise approved by Apple, but to see the quality and the possibilities with the iPhone 3GS really makes you think — what if Apple did approve this?"