Wassup

Throw your hard drive away, Google’s Gdrive is arriving!!

2009-01-26T12:03:00.000-08:00

Search engine giant Google will soon launch a service that would enable users to access their personal computer from any internet connection making the desktop computer virtually redundant, predict technology experts.

The GDrive system will merge Google’s all existing web-based services to make them easier to use together. It could kill off the desktop computer, which relies on a powerful hard drive. Instead a user’s personal files and operating system could be stored on Google’s own servers and accessed via the internet.

“Throw your hard drive away, Google’s Gdrive is arriving in 2009,” the Telegraph quoted TG Daily, an American technology news website, as predicting.

The GDrive would make it possible to access and update information like emails, photographs, music, documents and spreadsheets from any device with an internet connection.

The novel system is being described as “cloud computing”, wherein the web rather than the hard drive is used as the place where information is stored. Google experts are said to have begun convincing the world of its benefits.

It is believed that the GDrive could “cause a major paradigm shift in how we use computers and bring Google one step closer to dethroning Windows on your desktop”.

However, there are some who think that trusting Google with so much personal or commercial data is dangerous, for information may not be as safe in the cloud as it is in a computer.

Peter Brown, of the Free Software Foundation charity, said: “Does it matter to you that someone can see everything on your computer? Does it matter that Google can be subpoenaed at any time to hand over all your data to the American government?”

A Google spokesman refused to confirm whether the GDrive launch was imminent.

Sony Ericsson W508 Walkman with "Shake and Gesture"

2009-01-14T20:10:00.000-08:00

This clamshell, which is a bit of a departure for Walkman devices, features quad-band GSM and single-band HSDPA, and a W508a variant that has quad-band GSM and triple-band HSDPA for our shores. Other notables include a 3.2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, video calling, and Exchange Activesync for some enterprise mail access.

In addition to Sony Ericsson's Walkman features SensMe and TrackID, the W508 also includes "Shake and Gesture" control that allows users to skip tracks with a flick of the hand or move the hand above to mute an incoming call or put the alarm clock on snooze without touching it. The W508 offers changeable Style-Up covers, so that users can change the mobile phone with their moods. It also has a 3.2 megapixel camera, HSDPA and 1GB M2 card.

The handset itself is a pretty standard flip, the keys are definitely not our favorite, but the screen is pure glory, job well done SE. The W508 is shipping in both Metal Grey and Poetic White with 4 sets of Style-up covers per color choice some time in Q2 2009.

Here comes iPod Touch Killer

2009-01-04T17:22:00.000-08:00

Most Apple aficionados would be hard-pressed to say that any player out there can really challenge the elegantly simplistic iPod Touch in the style department, but if there’s one that’s up to the challenge, it might be Cowon’s upcoming Curve S9. From the glinting chrome trim on its sides and the gentle arc of its rear panel, to the expansive 3.3-inch OLED screen on its face that melds seamlessly into the rest of its body, it’s clear that Cowon spent some serious time tweaking this thing for style, and we think it may be ready to topple the Cupertino giant.

The choice of materials on the S9 may bear some passing resemblance to its Apple competitor, but Cowon has also set it apart in a few distinct ways. Most significantly, the curved back plays with dimensions in a way few manufacturers have thought to try so far. The arc draws the eye away from the player’s plain rectangular top profile and more to the side, where the player looks like a sliver shaved off an enormous wheel of chrome. It’s simple, smooth, and – we expect – should reduce the pocket-poke-through factor of a traditional brick-like design.

Image Courtesy of Cowon

The S9’s display also stands out as a high point in its engineering. Though MP3 players (and car stereos, along with plenty of other gizmos) have harnessed monochrome OLED displays before, Cowon will be one of the first manufacturers to use the technology the same way TV manufacturers are beginning to – as a huge, full color display for video. Though it’s a hair smaller than Apple’s 3.5 incher, the S9’s OLED display should boast superior color reproduction, viewing angle and response speed, the same way OLED televisions like Sony’s XEL-1 do when stacked up against LCD and plasma competitors.

Inside, the S9 gets more computational fortitude than yesterday’s laptops from a dual-core 500MHz CPU, and the feature-set to match, including a full Flash-based user interface, music, movie, picture and document capabilities, and even TV output. There’s also an accelerometer for games and other possibilities like gesture-based controls, plus Cowon’s feature-laden JetEffect equalizer, dynamic dictionary, Bluetooth, FM tuner, voice recorder, and T-DMB digital TV capability for regions that support it.

The OLED display also saves energy, extending battery life to a whopping 40 hours. And the touch-screen isn’t the cheap resistive type you find on most players, it’s capacitive, like the one on the iPod Touch, which allows for better clarity and more accurate input.

Ocarina - Turn your iphone into a flute!!

2009-01-02T17:10:00.000-08:00

Ocarina is the first true musical instrument created for the iPhone. Both experts and beginners will be amazed by this innovative player. Ocarina is sensitive to your breath, touch and movements, making it even more versatile than the original. Unlike other musical applications, there are no pre-compiled riffs so musicians will find unlimited opportunities for self-expression. Advanced options allow you to choose between diatonic, minor and harmonic scales. Or channel your favorite video game adventurer with Smule's Zeldarian mode.

Like most Smule products, Ocarina is a social application. Tap on the globe icon and you will see and hear other Ocarina players throughout the world. The globe view will highlight the source of the music. Rate your favorite performances so that others may benefit from your judgment. Name your Ocarina if you want listeners around the world to identify your performances. With this robust application beautiful music is created, appreciated and shared.

For inspiration and material for your next gig (or just to bug the guy in the next cubicle), visit Smule's Sheet Music Forum to share in the community and view scores ranging from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TIme, to Amazing Grace. Check it out!

In the Ocarina Forums, share your music, videos and performance tips, or find answers to your questions by members of our amazing ocarina.smule.com community.

Play The Ocarina

Blow into your microphone to play music

Hold down combinations of holes to change pitch

Tilt your phone to change vibrato rate and depth

Advanced users can change keys and modes, including C-Major and the new Zeldarian mode

Hear Melodies from Around the World

Tap the globe icon to hear Smule Ocarina players from around the world

Show love for your favorite melodies and listen to most loved melodies

Record and Share Your Melodies

Manually or automatically record your melodies while you're playing

Share your melodies with friends and family over email right from your phone

Archive and display your melodies on your own "My Ocarina" webpage

Making of Behka Mein Behka - Ghajini - Must see

2008-12-20T15:59:00.001-08:00

Shoe attack on Bush

2008-12-20T15:41:00.001-08:00

After The Crisis: A Parody of 15 Corporate Logos

2008-12-11T14:35:00.001-08:00

The 2008 crash is probably the most serious economic crisis we have faced after the Great Depression. Stock markets from around the world fell as much as 20% in a single week, dozens of banks either failed or were rescued by government and private instutitions, and companies started laying off employees as a consequence of the reduced demand.

We know how we entered into the crisis, but we don’t how, when, or how we will be getting out of it. Considering that issue, we decided to our little bit to help cheer everyone up by redoing the logos of some renowned companies …. after the crisis.

Bonus Logo

While Apple is probably one of the more stable companies in our economy, with a robust and diverse set of high-demand products… we just couldn’t resist this one.

Youngest samba dancer ever.

2008-12-11T08:34:00.000-08:00

Worst Hits in NFL

2008-12-05T20:25:00.000-08:00

Messi's amazing goal!!

2008-12-04T20:52:00.001-08:00

BEHKA | GHAJINI | FULL SONG | HQ

2008-12-03T22:25:00.000-08:00

Apple announces Top 10 iPhone App downloads of 2008

2008-12-03T22:15:00.000-08:00

source: mobilecrunch.com

With 2008 on the way out and right around 10,000 applications behind them, Apple has released a series of lists outlining which applications scored the most downloads since the App Store’s launch back in July.

The lists are separated by whether the the application is paid or free - first as an overall look, and then by each major category (games, entertainment, utilities, social networking, and music). While the overall top applications should come as no surprise to anybody who takes an occasional glance at the iPhone’s built-in top downloads page, there are a few interesting gems hidden in the categorically separated data.

Top Paid Apps (Overall):

Koi Pond
Texas Hold’em
Moto Chaser
Crash Bandicoot: Nitro Kart 3d
Super Monkey Ball
Cro-Mag Rally
Enigmo
Pocket Guitar
Recorder
iBeer

Of everything on that list, I’m really only surprised Super Monkey Ball didn’t rank higher. When the app store launched, it seemed that Super Monkey Ball was the face of iPhone gaming - then again, the fact that it was one of the more expensive games at launch might have hindered sales a bit. Congrats to Pangea Software on the double-win (Enigmo, Cro-Mag Rally). Feel free to buy me a yacht.

Also of note: If you want to make buckets of money as an iPhone developer, make games.

Top 10 Free Downloads (Overall)

Pandora Radio
Facebook
Tap Tap Revenge
Shazam
Labyrinth Lite Edition
Remote
Google Earth
Lightsaber Unleashed
AIM
Urbanspoon

Wow - Google Earth only launched on the iPhone 2 months ago, and it has already cracked the Top 10 free downloads?

Top Paid Games:

Texas Hold’em
Moto Chaser
Crash Bandicoot: Nitro Kart 3d
Super Monkey Ball
Cro-Mag Rally
Enigmo
Air Hockey
Bejeweled 2
Flick Bowling
Line Rider iRide

Top Free Games:

Tap Tap Revenge
Labyrinth Lite Edition
Sol Free Solitaire
iBowl
Pac-Man Lite
Touch Hockey:FS5
Cannon Challenge
Audi A4 Driving Challenge
Sudoku
reMovem

It’s no shocker to see Tap Tap Revenge at the top of the list, as it has a fairly constant level of buzz surrounding it. Sudoku is all the way down at number 9? Is the trend of 2007 (and 1892) finally fading out?

Top Paid Entertainment:

Koi Pond
iBeer
iChalky
Face Melter
iFish
TouchScan
What’s on TV?
Pocket Piano
Sketches
OneTap Movies

The fact that “TouchScan”, a 99 cent application that “scans the mind of two people at once and compares the brain waves recorded” by way of a fake on screen fingerprint scanner, made it all the way to #6 hurts my head. A lot.

Top Free Entertainment:

Remote
Lightsaber Unleashed
i.TV
BubbleWrap
Movies
iDoodle 2 lite
Showtimes
Now Playing
Scribble
Crazy Pumpkin

If nothing else, this shows how much pull a niche, holiday-themed application can have. “Crazy Pumpkin”, which just puts Jack-o-lantern faces on your iPhone’s screen, managed to get enough swing from a good run of coverage around Halloween to reach the top 10.

Top Paid Utilities:

Units (crossroad solutions)
A Level
Air Mouse
Fake Calls
Voice Record
Clinometer
Spell Check
Speed Dial
FileMagnet
iNetwork Speed Test

Top Free Utilities

Flashlight
myLite Flashlight
Say Who - Dialer
Units (TheMacBox)
Compass Free
Alarm Free
A Free Level
Molecules
Speed Test
myLighter

Hm - “Units” shows up on both the free and paid Top 10 lists, although they’re two different applications. I wonder if there is any confusion on the buyer’s end here?

Top Paid Social Networking:

MobileChat
BeejiveIM
Quip
Rooms - Your Mobile Chat Client
Twitterrific Premium
Flutter
Twittelator Pro
mBoxMail
Secrets
hiCard - Suite

Wow - BeeJiveIM not only broke the Top 10, but lands at #2? I’m not surprised because of the quality of the application - it’s quite good, actually - but because of the price: BeeJiveIM costs 16 bucks. In a market where hoards of people complain about 99 cent apps costing too much, that BeeJive has done so well is a bit of a shocker.

Top Free Social Networking:

Facebook
AIM
Myspace Mobile
IM+ Lite
Loopt
Fring
Palringo IM
Earthscape
Twitterrific
Avatar

That Facebook is beating Myspace shouldn’t be too amazing to anybody who has paid any attention over the last year or two.

Top Paid Music:

PocketGuitar
Drum Kit
Ocarina
Pianist
Band
Tuner Internet Radio
Beat Maker
Guitar Toolkit
Harmonica
Guitarist

Top Free Music:

Pandora Radio
Shazam
AOL Radio
Midomi
Mini Piano
iheart Radio
MixMeister Scratch
FlyCast Mobile Radio
Last.FM
DigiDrummer Lite

Not quite sure what to make of it, but it’s interesting to note: the vast majority (9 out of 10) of the top paid music apps are for making music, while the majority (7 out of 10) of the top free music apps are purposed for listening to music.

30 Websites that you should bookmark

2008-12-03T21:58:00.000-08:00

Top 10:

1. beFunky - Awesome web app that turns images to cartoonized paintings and videos to cartoons.

2. DisplayWars - Incredibly simple tool that helps lots of people. Want to buy a new screen? DisaplyWars lets you compare screen sizes by mapping one display size on top of the other. For smaller items see SizeEasy.

3. DocSyncer - Synchronize office documents in your ‘My Documents’ folder with Google Docs account.

4. JotYou - By using this service you can send messages to others so they get them only when they are in the area you specify. [Video]

5. Keybr - Online keyboard to practice your touch typing skills.

6. Mint - The simplest way to manage your finances. More about Mint.

7. Numbr - Free disposable phone numbers.

8. PDFHammer - Merge, edit and rearrange PDF documents online.

9. PhoneSpell - Ever wondered if you phone number spells something memorable ? PhoneSpell will find it out.

10. SecondRotation / BuyMyTronics - Want to cash in on your old iPod ? Or mobile phone ? Both of these services will buy your old (broken) gadget, regardless of its condition.

Other

11. BeamIt - Send pictures, music, videos, docs or any other file to your cellphone.

12. BooksInMyPhone - Download and read copyright-free books on a mobile phone. Comes with its own book reader.

13. CallTheFuture - Schedule text messages and get them delivered (as a voicemail) on any desired date in the future.

14. CameraSummary - Extracts so called EXIF data from the images. Shows what model of digicam was used, image creation date and time, resolution settings, location and so on.

15. CanYouRunIt - One-click web app that inspects your PC’s hardware and software settings to determine whether or not it meets gaming requirements for a game of your choice.

16. CellSwapper - Transfer your current mobile contract to someone else. Or get a free plan with only a short term contract.

17. CivilAnswers - Free legal assistance.

18. ControlC - This small cross-platform (Win, Mac, Linux) monitors your clipboard and saves everything online.

19. Definr - Incredibly fast online dictionary. It takes abt 14 ms to lookup a word.

20. Drop.io - By far the coolest service for private file collaboration and transfers. Add files by email, send voice messages from phone, etc.

21. File-Destructor 2 - Generates files (Doc, PDF, … ) that look genuine but won’t launch properly. Basically, it’s a tool that helps you put all the blame on your “faulty computer”.

22. File-encryptor - Secure encryption tool to freely encrypt/decrypt sensitive files online. Quite handy for sending over sensitive files.

23. FlashPhone - Free flash-based SIP-softphone. Simply add your SIP account and you’re good to go. No need to install anything.

24. Google Mobilizer - Makes your fav. websites mobile friendly. Must-have for your mobile bookmarks.

25. GetMyFBIfile - Here you can generate letter templates that you can use to request for a free copy of your FBI file.

26. LetterMeLater - Offers one feature that your email doesn’t have, ‘the ability to schedule when an email should be sent’. Coolest part about, you can use it directly from your email program (GMail, Outlook, etc.).

27. Mailbucket - Finally, a tool to help you forward emails to your feedreader.

28. Mobical - Over-the-air mobilebackup and restore service. Backup phone contacts, calendar, bookmarks and settings.

29. MoDazzle - Access Facebook, LinkedIn and dozens of other web services (weather, stock quotes, etc.) via email or mobile text messaging. Update Facebook ’status’, get un-read messages from Facebook inbox, get someone’s profile info from LinkedIn, and lots more.

30. Nanoscan - Super fast yet compehensive online virus scanner.

The Blackberry Storm - An iPhone 'Killer'?

2008-11-30T22:18:00.000-08:00

Source: www.tuaw.com

I use an iPhone 3G as my day-to-day cell phone, mobile email and SMS device and to watch videos, listen to music and generally be entertained while waiting at the doctor's office, in line for a movie or when I need to kill some time. As many of you also know, there's another company out there besides Apple who's had a pretty tight hold on the "smart" phone market until recently, especially when it comes to mobile email and generally taking care of business as a professional on-the-go. That company, of course, is RIM and their device is the Blackberry.

As of last Friday, RIM has released a new Blackberry they consider a potential "iPhone Killer" or, at the very least, a serious competitor for the iPhone -- the Blackberry Storm. As a Blackberry user prior to switching to the iPhone, I was of course very interested in seeing if the Storm would, in fact, offer any sort of competition to the iPhone. So, to find out, I got a Storm last Friday and spent the weekend using it alongside my iPhone to see how both devices compare when performing many of the tasks I use on a daily basis.

What follows is by no means scientific, nor is it an in-depth review of the Storm. I'll leave that to Engadget.These are just my observations and impressions as an iPhone and Mac user when also using a Storm to accomplish the same tasks.Size and Weight: The "official" dimensions of the Blackberry Storm are 4.43"(L) x 2.45" (W) x .55" (D) and weight of 5.5 oz. The iPhone 3G comes in at 4.5" (L) x 2.4" (W) x .48" (D) and 4.7 oz. Putting the stats aside, the Storm also feels quite a bit heavier than the iPhone 3G, although about the same as the original iPhone. Regardless of the weight and size differences, neither device are particularly difficult to carry in a pocket or attached to a belt.

However, over the months I've gotten used to the iPhone's dimensions, so the Storm seemed a bit awkward, especially when turning it to enable landscape mode. It's also a bit slippery to hold, even with its textured metal battery cover. The iPhone 3G's slimmer design makes it slightly easier to hold onto, at least for me. I'm sure with more use of the Storm, the awkwardness will most likely fade. Still, as this is a device you use in your hand almost exclusively, it would be nice if it was comfortable, even upon first picking it up.

Email / General Text Entry: As email is what Blackberries are known for, it was interesting to see how the Storm stood up when compared to the iPhone. Setting up my various email accounts on the Storm using Verizon's BIS system was very easy and my email was up and running in a few minutes. Compared to the iPhone, which takes quite a bit more text entry of account particulars to get email to function, the Storm was the clear winner.

However, once the accounts were all set up on both devices, composing email or text messages was another matter entirely. Even though I'm a former Blackberry user, I had very little trouble adapting to the iPhone's way of entering text. Sure, I'm not as fast using it as I was using a Blackberry with a full Qwerty keyboard, but I can go relatively quickly. Sadly, the Storm made my text entry speed grind to a halt.

Entering text on the Storm is a painful process. When the device is in portrait mode, you must use a smaller keyboard that doesn't provide a full Qwerty experience. On top of that. you are forced to use RIM's "Sure Type" technology and can't even enable "Multi-Tap."

Perhaps its just me, but I hate "Sure Type." I much prefer "Multi-Tap" and have at least some speed when using it. I'm not sure why RIM decided to only allow "Sure Type" when in portrait mode, but I hope that changes in a subsequent software update. Or they provide a full Qwerty keyboard in portrait mode, which I would love. Until then, I was only able to achieve adequate text entry speed by using the Storm in landscape mode.

Even then, text entry is far less capable than on the iPhone. Sure, on the iPhone I occasionally hit the wrong key. But on the Storm, it was almost a constant. Having to click down on the button to make it read, while seemingly a good idea to RIM's engineers, made it more difficult to enter text. It did not provide the same "feel" as having actual keys to press. Instead, it just made it more difficult.

Accuracy was also an issue. Perhaps with more practice I will be able to strike the correct keys more frequently. But until then, it's a chore and a seemingly steep learning curve not present when I first started using the iPhone. On the iPhone, I was able to start entering text quite quickly after only a few minutes and have steadily increased my speed and accuracy while using the device on a daily basis for several months.

Phone / Network: I'm not a Verizon lover. Nor do I have a particular fondness for AT&T. If the iPhone wasn't an AT&T exclusive, I wouldn't be on AT&T and would probably still be using a Blackberry on T-Mobile. However, whatever my personal bias against Verizon, their commercials don't lie. Their network is excellent. Everywhere I went in Los Angeles over the weekend, I had a very strong signal on the Storm. I was able to make calls the first time I dialed and those calls did not subsequently drop while I drove through parts of the city.

Sadly, AT&T's performance was not nearly as good. Granted, they've made improvements to their network in the time the iPhone has been available. But still, I experienced dropped calls or, at several points during the day, the inability to make a call at all due to poor network signal or no service entirely. The Storm, on the other hand, performed flawlessly and had none of these issues.

The iPhone's 3G coverage was also spotty. Several times during the weekend I was unable to get a 3G signal and had to use the Edge network to check something via the web browser, at greatly reduced speed, or navigate with Google Maps. Conversely, the Storm. which uses Verizon's EVDO network, had none of these issues. Whenever I didn't have a 3G signal, EVDO was available on the Storm. Speed test results, when comparing the Storm's EVDO to the iPhone's 3G, showed the Storm as the clear winner as well.

Multi-Media / Sync: Both the iPhone 3G and the Storm can play music, video and take photos. The Storm can also record video, which the iPhone inexplicably lacks. Still, even with the Storm's greater number of megapixels (3.2 versus the iPhone's 2.0), the photos it takes are not vastly superior to the iPhone's. They have slightly better contrast but still appear a bit washed out.

And the lag experienced when taking pictures with the Storm means you have to hold the Storm quite a long time before the picture is actually taken. Something that will surely spoil pictures quite often if you forget and move the Storm too soon. The iPhone, however, takes pictures quickly and its camera, while not great, takes passable photos. The Storm's built-in flash is also a nice addition, but not something I really missed when using the iPhone, so it doesn't really help the Storm's case here.

For music and video, there's really no comparison. The iPhone, with its tight integration with iTunes, is a superior music and video player. Getting songs and videos on the iPhone is extremely easy and they look and sound very good. While the audio and video quality of the Storm is mostly comparable to the iPhone, the way you get music and video on it is far more convoluted -- especially if you don't happen to have a Windows machine around.

Fortunately, you can use the Storm as a USB mass storage device and drag and drop music and video files onto it. However, only non-DRM files will work. So if you've purchased music or video from the iTunes store, you can't play it on the Storm.

You can supposedly also use Pocketmac's software to sync some data with the Storm -- although in my limited testing over the weekend, it did not work as expected. I need to investigate this further and in the meantime will use the USB method or a Windows machine for music and video. I also did not test the Storm with VMWare Fusion or Parallels, but I will and report back my findings.

Sadly, the USB method does not help when you want to put contacts from Apple's Address Book or your iCal calendars on the Storm. For that, I used Google's Sync tool for the Blackberry in combination withBusySync and the Address Book to CSV converter and was then able to sync my Google calendar and contacts to the Storm.

This works fine if you happen to use Google for your contacts and calendar or want to take the time to configure all the extra software you need to accomplish it. But if not, and if you can't get Pocketmac to work, you're stuck entering everything on the Storm manually, with no reliable and non-convoluted way to sync with your Mac.

There are rumors of new software that will sync Macs with Blackberries like the Storm. However, until its released, there are a still a few methods and work-arounds to accomplish it. But none of the methods or work-arounds matches the simplicity of the iPhone -- especially for Mac users.

Conclusion: So, is the Blackberry Storm an "iPhone Killer"? I don't think its so much a "Killer" as a worthy competitor late to the contest. It does have quite a few good things going for it, especially the Verizon network. But the iPhone's ease of use, integration with other Apple software like iTunes and its overall design, give it the edge over the Storm.

Do I wish the iPhone was a better phone, had better 3G coverage, recorded video and was easier to setup email? Of course. But I use the iPhone as more than a phone, so with that in mind, its a better and more well-rounded device for me. In the end, the iPhone, like most Apple products, is just easier and more pleasant to use.

The Storm, as a first generation device, still has a lot of room for improvement. But then again, so did the first generation of the iPhone -- which was not without its share of issues. Perhaps with time, and some updates to the software, the Storm will improve and one day equal, or even surpass, the iPhone? Anythings possible. Until then, unless you just love the Blackberry and have to have the latest device and/or are already a Verizon customer, you should probably just stick with the iPhone.

Mumbai Terror attack. Its effect on US Media

2008-11-30T21:59:00.000-08:00

The Mumbai horror was played big time in the US media but nowhere more so than on the 24-hour newsnetwork CNN, which had minute-by-minute updates on the most audacious strike by terrorists India has ever seen.

What may have begun as a result of a slow news week because of the Thanksgiving holidays starting Wednesday soon turned out to be virtually the sole focus of the network soon after the first hour of the crisis. The network was quick to spot the potentially enormous implications of the unfolding events in the city.

For quite a few hours it had to depend upon its sister network CNN-IBN for the visuals of the frenzied goings on with holiday anchors stepping in to provide as broad a perspective as possible. For the first eight to 10 hours the sheer momentum of the story was driven by the seemingly random nature of gunfire by the terrorists.

But as it began to become clearer that the terrorists were working to a specific plan of singling out Westerners, mainly Americans and Britons, CNN latched on to the angle. Its experts began developing the perspective that what was different about these attacks, apart from the fact that they were not hit-and-run bombings, was that for the first time. Americans were becoming a target in India.

While the story would have cornered significant airtime on its intrinsic importance, what kept the US media focused were the possibilities of American casualties. Another angle that was introduced later was how seriously the crisis may strain India-Pakistan relations and present the incoming President Barack Obama with his first foreign policy and national security challenge. The convergence of American casualties and impending challenge for Obama also seemed to kept the US media in thrall of the Mumbai attacks.

CNN International New Delhi correspondent Sara Sidner, who is normally not seen in CNN's US specific broadcast, became a household name reporting from close to Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel and getting into an occasionally hairy situation with frequent gunfire. While throughout Wednesday and Thursday CNN's preoccupation remained with the overall story, by Friday the deaths of American citizens ensured that they would stick with the story.

Overall, the Mumbai attacks, although not as large as some of the earlier ones in terms of the sheer fatalities, may have the distinction of the longest lasting news event on US networks after 9/11. While initially, it may have been more by default than design but soon enough American media realized how big the attacks were.

The New York Times appeared to be slow to get off the ground in the initial hours of the attacks but the paper soon started putting out detailed updates on its highly popular website. Interestingly, initially the paper even sought out contributions from Mumbai directly to its website in an acknowledgement of the interest in the goings on 10,000 miles away.

By Friday evening, CNN's terrorism expert Peter Bergen was already deeply immersed in analyzing the events to the extent of naming Dawood Ibrahim, a former Mumbai gangster who first went to Dubai and then to Pakistan creating a huge crime empire, as a possible lead player in the planning of the Mumbai attacks.

Overall, the US media, feeling somewhat lost in the aftermath of intensely acrimonious albeit hugely historic electioneering that elected Obama, found in the Mumbai attacks a riveting story that went on for nearly 60 hours.

Ghajini - Rahman and Aamir back together

2008-11-30T19:00:00.000-08:00

After the stupendous success of lagaan, Aamir and rahman come together for Ghajini. And they dont dissappoint at all, as usual with rahman songs, the songs grow on you slowly. Guzarish is an instant catchy tune. Behka is a modern tune which promises to be quite modern in the picturization too. Karthik does it again for rahman in this track with his awesome and immaculate rendition. And the promos for this song are simply outstanding. Kaise mujhe is an haunting number and the instrumental too scores well. Watch out for benny who rendered this song. This guy is going places. Aye bachhu and latoo are peppy tracks with female solo. One can easily guess, one of the song is an item song by jiah khan and the other is an intro song for asin (esp. ppl who saw tamil/telugu version). Expectations are rising really high as everyone is eager to see how the movie gonna be as its coming from the perfectionist ... AAMIR!!

Following are the list of tracks from the album for reference:

1. Aye Bachchu - Suzanne
2. Bekha - Karthik
3. Gujarish - Javed Ali, Sonu Nigam
4. Kaise Muhje - Benny Dayal, Shreya Ghosal
5. Kaise Muhje - Intrumental
6. Latoo - Shreya Ghosal

Lyrics can be obtained @ http://www.lyricsduniya.com/2008/11/ghajini-aamir-khan-hindi-song-lyrics/