iOS 4 for iPhone and iTouch is here

So far the only way to have multitasking on iPhone, iTouch and iPad's was by jailbreaking iOS. Finally multitasking comes into existence on a "non-jailbroken" iPhone and iTouch's with iOS 4 being released today. Although it took me close to an hour ( I am guessing server overload ) to download this 579 MB update through iTunes, it installed on my iPhone and works without a glich.

Though multitasking is the biggest selling point on this release of iOS, it also includes -

• Folders to organize apps
• Unified inbox and ability to arrange emails by thread
• iBooks and sync between various Apple devices
• 5x digital zoom, geo-location tagging and tap to focus 
• Places and Faces just like iPhotos
• Finally you get to set your wallpaper!
• Spell check with suggestions
• Bluetooth support for keyboards 
• Playlists on iPod

Most of these features are NOT new to the world of smart phones and have been around for few years now. Although these features have been available on jail broken iPhones few months from when the iPhone has been out in the market, it took iOS two years to come up with a support for video camera and close to three and half years to come up with multitasking. 

Apple say there are over a 100 new features that are available on iOS 4. I shall post updates if I notice any new worth mentioning features over the next few days. In the mean time try out the upgrade!

TEDxHouston 2010

Yesterday June the 12th 2010 I had an opportunity to attend a TEDx conference here in Houston. TED is a global platform devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. TEDx is a locally organized event that focuses on individuals and innovation in various cities. For the first time in 2010, TEDxHouston introduced Houston’s most fascinating thinkers and doers to a world stage.


The conference started off with a talk from Dr Brene Brown on a concept called "Wholeheartedness" - a concept on how to develop the courage, connection and compassion to accept ourselves with the imperfections we have in our lives. Dan Phillips taking about the Phoenix Commotion, his construction company that builds affordable houses from reclaimed and recycled materials. Gracie Cavnar - President & CEO Recipe for Success Foundation that specializes in bringing under control the widespread epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States by obesity prevention through nutrition education to school kids. Rick Pal of  Air Generate an Indian taking on the concept of "Jugad" meaning to excel with frugality - which is most likely the case with emerging markets in most developing countries. Dr. Rebecca Richards-Kortum and Dr. Maria Oden speaking on how they inspire bio-med students at Rice University to come up with low cost, maintenance medical equipments that are used to treat millions in African and Caribbean countries. Dr. David Eagleman spoke about "possibilism" and known and unknown uncertainties in our life. Dr Stephen Klineberg spoke about how Houston is one of the top racially diverse cities in the United States and the propective advantages of having no one single majority race between the White, Blacks, Hispanics and Asians. Dr. Klineberg's talk reminded of Russel Peters stand up comedy on the world is mixing. For the complete list of speakers please click here. The archives of yesterdays presentations will soon be published on TEDxHouston.


Over all it was a great lineup of speaker, with each one of them sharing their experiences on how they contribute to the changes in the community around us. The message was very evident and simple - contributing to the community around us always starts small, with each one of us trying to make the place around us a better place to live. The pattern was pretty evident - each accomplished speaker had started out small and over time have progressed to make huge impact to not just the community around us but to communities across various countries of the world.


Kudos to Culture Pilot that organized this event - It was one of the most professionally organized events I have ever attended. The event was extremely well organized by them.  Not only will I be applying to attend TEDxHouston 2011, but will also love to volunteer and be part of the team that organizes the next TEDx event. 

5 things that I would have liked to see at Apple's WWDC

1. OS X 10.7
   What's next after OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard? When would we get to see OS X 10.7? It would have been good to see the future road map of OS X. iOS 4 the one that runs on iPhone and iPad took away all the attention.
   
   
2. iTunes on the cloud
   Apple bought a music on the cloud company by name Lala (http://www.lala.com) and shut it down on 31st May 2010 - a week before WWDC. I was thinking Jobs would come-up with an announcement of iTunes on the cloud concept. That did not happen!
   
   
3.  iPhone on Verizon or Sprint 
   All of us have been wondering when iPhone is going to be available on any other network that AT&T in the US. That is going to be a HUGE game changer to stockholders and subscribers like wise. When is that going to happen? 2011? 2012???
   
   
4. iTouch and iPad with a camera and an internal microphone
   Why will Apple not build iTouch with a internal microphone...that can turn iTouch to a phone with Wi-Fi available almost everywhere with say Skype or Vonage? A camera would also be good to have on a iTouch. Is this a marketing strategy to ensure that iPhone sales are not taken away by iTouch? I am guessing "Yes"
   
   
5. Mac Mini? Mac TV? Mac Air?
   What is the future road map for these products? Any upgrades at all?

Hello, World!

Well, doesn't look like Facebook's "What's on your mind?" window is any more the best repository for all my thought (at all times) as and when they come on my mind... so trying to relocate to my own space to share my thought...Will be good to hear from others as I continue to share my thoughts here.

Cheers!