The Media Guru

S60 Touch UI

Oct 16, 2007

Today, Nokia announced its forthcoming S60 touch UI. It’s awesome, impressive &… iphonesque! It’s a bit too early to compare it to another well-known, uber-publicized & generally-hated multi-touch phone, since it was only a software demo, not a hardware demo… But we can trust Nokia to come up with a jack-of-all-trades that will blow up the competition (like the N95-8GB)!

In Brief: -
- Efficient and intuitive touch UI with haptics tactile feedback. In other words, the touchscreen allows the user to feel the virtual keys. So you can type or press keys without looking at the screen!
- Support for both fingers and a stylus. (I hope they will replicate the iPhone’s keyboard - with haptics feedback - then it would be even better than a real keyboard!)
- Full support for existing S60 3rd Edition apps! (of course, these apps can be enhanced to take advantage of the new touch UI)
- Motion-based "flip to silence" mode, where incoming calls can be quieted by flipping the phone on its face! (see the video!)
- Support for kinetic, proximity, orientation and light sensors. (Ha-ha! the Accelerometer!)
- UI Accelerator Toolkit enables developers to make "impressive" graphical effects. (I can hardly imagine how much you’ll be able to modify the themes!)
- Flash video support on the S60 browser - now you’ll be able to watch YouTube & browse Flash sites!
- Available to S60 device manufacturers "during 2008."

Here's the video of S60’s touch UI - DON’T MISS IT (6.4 MB):

It seems that the video of the touch UI has been copied upon the phone ad. :-/ (Coz it’s obvious no device can have such a “time lag.”)

Nokia Press Release - S60 smartphone software evolves to enrich the user experience
October 16, 2007
Expanding the platform with intuitive touch user interface, sensor technologies and complete web video experience

Symbian Smartphone Show, London, UK - As Internet is entering into the core of mobile experiences, Nokia continues to implement new innovations for S60 on Symbian OS(TM), the market leading smartphone software, to develop the best possible mobile experiences for people.

S60 will introduce new features that enhance the user experience and enable manufacturers, developers and operators to design new types of mobile devices, applications and services.

The touch user interface in S60 smartphone software offers licensees the opportunity to develop devices with a variety of input methods, whether it is a touch screen with a traditional keypad, touch screen with a QWERTY keyboard or touch screen alone, supporting both finger & stylus optimized input, in addition to the range of access options that already exist today.

S60 touch user interface comes with support for tactile feedback, which means that there is a physical pulse and feedback when the user taps on the screen. This provides better awareness of the device's response improving the user experience.

Existing S60 3rd Edition applications will run on touch enabled devices unmodified. Tools will be made available for developers to further optimize the touch experience of their applications.

From motion and orientation to proximity and light, sensor technology is expanding to new areas and shaping the future for mobiles. S60 brings sensor support to the platform as a generic solution enabling support for a range of sensors in S60 devices. These technologies open up a new kinetic world to the user and offer completely new opportunities for application and game developers.

Also, the new UI Accelerator toolkit will allow device manufacturers to develop rapidly and easily impressive graphical effects and new types of interactions, further increasing the user appeal and excitement.

S60 will be the first mobile software platform to deliver the complete Web video experience as Flash Video will be integrated with the Web Browser for S60. This allows people to view on the go Flash-enabled Web sites and Flash Video, such as YouTube, as they would do on their desktops.

Want more?
Engadget - Nokia S60 Touch Interface Announced
AllAboutSymbian.com - S60 Touch Interface Launched
Nokia - Press Release

UPDATE: N95 8GB REVIEW!!!!!!

Tackling Global Warming

Oct 15, 2007

Over the past few decades, global warming has been thrown into the spotlight as the world’s most pressing problem. We can no longer ignore it, & instead of contradicting ourselves over petty issues, it’s high time we take conclusive steps towards tackling global warming… as we may already be in the last quarter of the eleventh hour.

Key conclusions of UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007:
- Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.
- Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (human) greenhouse gas concentrations.
- Hotter temperatures and rises in sea level "would continue for centuries" even if greenhouse gas levels are stabilized, although the likely amount of temperature and sea level rise varies greatly depending on the fossil intensity of human activity during the next century.
- The probability that this is caused by natural climatic processes alone is less than 5%.
- World temperatures could rise by between 1.1 and 6.4 °C during the 21st century and that:
- Sea levels will probably rise by 18 to 59 cm.
- There is a confidence level >90% that there will be more frequent warm spells, heat waves and heavy rainfall.
- There is a confidence level >66% that there will be an increase in droughts, tropical cyclones and extreme high tides
- Both past and future anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions will continue to contribute to warming and sea level rise for more than a millennium.
- Global atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have increased markedly as a result of human activities since 1750 and now far exceed pre-industrial values over the past 650,000 years

From the IPCC’s report, it’s obvious that global warming is mainly due to human-related emissions of greenhouse gases. Although we have denying it for many years, and many still scoff off anthropogenic global warming as a mere theory, there is global awareness that climate change is taking place.

The causes

There is only one cause behind global warming - emission of greenhouse gases by humans. All human activities directly & indirectly release greenhouse gases, the main source being combustion of fossil fuels and industrial processes.

The effects
No one can pretend to be ignorant of all extreme climatic changes that are occurring everywhere & of their devastating consequences.

- Frequent droughts in Africa & Asia are leading to widespread famine since people can no longer farm on arid land.

- Massive floods all around the world have caused property destruction, made millions homeless & hunger-stricken & triggered landslides.

- Tropical cyclones & hurricanes have doubled in intensity each year, while other regions are no longer being affected.

- Heat waves have become more frequent. Eleven of the twelve years in the period (1995-2006) rank among the top 12 warmest years in the instrumental record.

- Average Arctic temperatures have increased at almost twice the global average rate in the past 100 years, contributing to a rise of the sea-level. Mountain glaciers and snow cover have declined on average in both hemispheres.

- The worst affected have been the animal species. Unlike humans, they & their habitats cannot survive minor temperature changes. It is expected that 30% of all species will be extinct in 2050.

More profound consequences
Global warming has more complex repercussions that we can imagine, positive feedback being the most threatening of all. Positive feedback occurs when effects of global warming contribute directly to further global warming, leading to a vicious circle.

- Polar ice reflects sun rays back in space better than the sea. But with the retreating ice, more sea water is exposed, contributing to further global warming and thus more ice melting.

- Greater temperatures mean the oceans are becoming warmer, not only giving rise to further cyclones, but also killing coral polyps that cannot live in too warm waters. Polyps are essential in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, by converting it into carbonates (corals). No more polyps & the carbon level will rise. In the same way, the oceans absorb a major amount of carbon emissions - however this has lead to the oceans becoming more acidic - leading to the death of polyps and planktons that use photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. Planktons are also at the very bottom of the sea food chain.

- Siberian permafrost is melting, releasing the trapped greenhouse gas methane in the process.

- Sea level will rise exponentially, since not only the polar ice is melting, but also warmer temperatures mean that the oceans have a greater expansion.

- Although this is not certain to happen, global warming may disrupt the oceans thermohaline circulations, stopping the Gulf Stream & the North Atlantic drift. Any change in the circulation will stop the climate mechanism & we may end up with global cooling.

What can be done?
To cut back on global warming, there is only one solution - reduce carbon emissions. Easier said than done. With the world developing faster than ever, the ever-increasing energy needs can only be satisfied through fossil fuels. & the world’s largest polluters, the US, India & China, are not ready to comply with the Kyoto protocol and reduce their carbon emissions. Growth comes first, they say. & they have their own multinationals to back them - by heavily sponsoring climate change denial.

To coerce the world into reducing carbon emissions, it would need a massive change of attitude. Awareness of climate change & its effects should be extensively promoted everywhere - the recent endorsement of Al Gore & the IPCC by the Nobel Prize was a huge lift-up in the fight against global warming. Since industrialised nations are nowhere near reducing their carbon emissions than give up their riches to the poor, it’s up to the developing countries, mainly African & Asian countries to set up the example on how to tackle global warming - the key being sustainable development. If developing countries can continue their growth by reducing their carbon emission, other industrialised nations would have no other option than to follow suit.
This can be achieved in the following ways:

- Renewable energy should be heavily promoted as it has zero carbon emissions & is quite cost-effective. Since photovoltaic cells are becoming cheaper & more efficient every year, if everyone could fit them on houses & buildings it might be more than enough to provide for the entire electricity consumption. Similarly wind turbines could serve for the same purpose. The surplus electricity would be fed into the electricity grid & the fossil fuels may disappear from power production, the remaining power coming from hydroelectric & biomass power plants.

- Newer extraction of fossil fuels should be banned & existing facilities should consider closing their activities, thus promoting renewable energy.

- Hybrid vehicles should be encouraged - with the long-term objective of fully-electric powered & hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- All companies should aim at reducing the carbon footprints of all their products - by using local raw materials, using less transport, being more energy efficient.

- Individuals can also help by building energy-efficient houses, using energy-efficient products, buying local produce, producing less waste, recycling the waste & by switching to a vegetarian diet.

- Airplanes in a single flight emit as much carbon as a car does in a whole year. People should avoid using airplanes, & airplane manufacturers should research newer engines with minimal fuel consumption.
- Crops should have optimum yield & organic waste is to be converted into biomass fuel.

All the above solutions will only lead to a gradual decrease in carbon emissions. Among the more radical ones include carbon sequestration by removing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere through natural & artificial processes. Natural sequestration occurs when plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen & store the carbon in the form as biomass. By using GM high-carbon-capture plants, we can substantially reduce the carbon dioxide level & then release it gradually when the plants decay naturally. Artificial sequestration includes direct injection of carbon dioxide into oceans where they will be stored in liquid form under high pressure. Geological sequestration involves injecting carbon into underground geological formations like unused oil fields, saline aquifers and unminable coal seams. All these solutions may appear far-fetched, but in a dire situation, any solution is a good solution.

Is it enough?
Unfortunately, humans have tampered too much with the environment. Even if in the future, we do manage to reduce carbon emissions to year 2000 levels, global warming will still occur since the mechanism has already been started - & can’t be stopped. Better late than never. Reducing carbon-emissions and adopting an environment-friendly lifestyle will definitely help - the ultimate goal being a zero-emissions economy. However, the biggest hurdle is the lack of global consensus on this problem. Until everyone agrees to take drastic steps, we will have to prepare ourselves to face the consequences of global warming… the survival of the fittest.

LOL, this “little” article is my little contribution towards Blog Action Day 2007! On the 15th October 2007, all bloggers around the world will share a common goal - blogging on the environment. I sincerely hope that the Blog Action Day will definitely raise awareness of key issues affecting our world.
If you’ve got any comments, suggestions, ideas or views, feel free to express it. :P

England 14 - 9 France

Oct 14, 2007

The epic Rugby Union World Cup 2007 semi-final match between the two Northern Hemisphere heavyweights England & France turned out to be a highly thrilling match in which each team could turn the tide into their favour at any instant…

England made an explosive start by taking the lead in just 78 seconds. Andy Gomarsall clipped a box-kick down the line and Damien Traille, usually a centre but playing out of position at full-back, dithered as the ball skittered along near the touchline. When it popped up Traille momentarily slipped and Lewsey latched onto the ball before blasting over and through the Frenchman to score.
Wilkinson, whose kicking has been below par in France, missed the tricky conversion, with the ball snaking left of the posts as it has done all too often for the England's fly-half's satisfaction all tournament.

It was a stunning start for the champions but France were determined not to lose to England in the semi-finals twice in a row and they tried to hit back by playing with width and pace. England, who beat Les Bleus 24-7 last time round, repelled a series of attacks before a large slice of luck helped France get on the board. Beauxis tried a hugely ambitious drop-goal from near his own 10m line which was partly charged down by the towering Simon Shaw.
Serge Betsen picked up the loose ball and when England infringed at the ruck, fly-half Beauxis drilled over the penalty to make it 5-3 after 7 min.

And when the massive Andy Sheridan, so impressive in the quarter-final win against Australia, was penalised for not taking the bind at a scrum, Beauxis edged France into the lead (5-6). With 21-year-old Beauxis missing three long-range drop-goal attempts for the hosts and Wilkinson off target with a similar attempt for England, France were only a point clear at the half-time.
The hosts edged further ahead after 44 min through Beauxis' third penalty after England again infringed at a ruck but the visitors soon hit back through Wilkinson's boot.
Dan Hipkiss, on as a replacement for Lewsey after the Wasps man appeared to pull a hamstring, made a break to initiate a surging attack and when France fell offside Wilkinson landed his 50th World Cup penalty to make it 8-9. Jonny Wilkinson was back!

France brought on the mercurial Frederic Michalak with half an hour to go but his first contribution was to miss a drop-goal from right in front of the posts.
England came agonisingly close to going back into the lead after an hour but Wilkinson's right-foot drop-goal came cannoning back off the woodwork.

After that it was an infinite period of phases & throws, with both teams coming within 5 m of a try but unfortunately they both made mistakes at the crucial moment.

England were struggling to get out of their half, France occupying it for around 14 min. With 5 min left on the clock, Jason Robinson’s electric run forced France’s Dimitri Szarzewski to make an illegal tackle around the neck, leading to a penalty in front of the posts. Wilkinson did not miss. England 11-9 France.
Both teams stepped up their plays, with England now occupying France’s territory. The English players were buying time by keeping the ball & by extending the phases. The inevitable had to happen. On the 78th min, Jonny Wilkinson lined up for a drop-goal & he struck gold again. The 30,000-strong England contingent went wild, courtesy of a man who again lived up to his reputation for never letting them down. England 14-9 France.
It was a do-or-die situation for France. If they made a try, they would be level with England. The hosts threw everything at the champions in a series of desperate late attacks, but it was a little too late…
ENGLAND ARE IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!!!

ENGLAND - 14
Try: Lewsey
Penalties: Wilkinson - 2
Drop-goals: Wilkinson

FRANCE - 9
Penalties: Beauxis - 3

[via BBC Sports]