IndoPost.com Breaking News, Opinion, Indonesia and USA

What’s Inside an Intel Chip? World’ giant chip maker found design flaws in its newest microprocessor and prepared one billion dollar to recover the current fiscal year revenue drop of $300 million and pay the cost of repair and damage of $700 million

The giant computer chip company just announced that they have discovered design flaws in its newest microprocessor, the Intel 6 Series, or internal code-named as Cougar Point.   Intel is prepared to offer about one billion dollar to fix those affected microprocessor and potential revenue lost for the current fiscal year.  As Intel press release said “… reduce revenue by approximately $300 million ... Total cost to repair and replace affected materials and systems in the market is estimated to be $700 million.” 

The “Inside” chip maker also announced that they hope to deliver a re-design chipset to customers by the end of February and plan to recall all bad microprocessors by April.

Dying for chocolate? It’s going to be too expensive to consume chocolate or give as gifts

Chocolate experts from around the world have warned that consumers may have to pay extra money for a box of brown sweet stuffs in the next few years as the numbers of cocoa farmers continue to decrease.    According to dailymail.co.uk, the recent political turmoil in the Ivory Coast has caused many cocoa farmers to flee the country.  Ivory Coast is the world top chocolate producers and capturing about 40% of world market share.

Chocolate manufacturers have to pay more to acquire cocoa beans from farmers as prices continued to climb at 10% rate per month and recently prices have hit a 30 years high, reported dailymail.co.uk.   World market price for cocoa beans is around $3,720 per metric ton which matched the price in 1979 level.

Everybody in the world loves Apple and its various popular brands including iPhone, iPad, and iPod, but Singaporeans picked Singapore Airlines as the number one brand

Using sample of 17,000 people from Singapore, China, Britain, America, Germany, and South Korea, Clear marketing division of M&C Saatchi released a 56-page "Brand Desire" report this week.  On top of the lists are Apple and its various popular brands including iPhone, iPad, and iPod. 

At number two was Google the giant search company.  At number three was BMW the luxury cars maker.  Popular family company Disney was at number four.  Then it follows by Gucci, Microsoft, and IKEA.

In other part of the world, according to the report, each country behaves differently when they love certain brands.  For example, people in China selected BMW cars as the number one brand.  Singaporeans picked Singapore Airlines as the number one brand.

Click here to check out the full report (registration required, incl. email address).

America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data showing 105 million people of all ages in America have diabetes or prediabetes

According to data from America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 26 million people live in America have diabetes, while another 79 million people have  "prediabetes," or a total of 105 million people, reported HealthDay News.  Both diabetes and prediabetes can carry other diseases such as heart failure and stroke. 

CDC also reported that large numbers of people with diabetes are type 2.  The type 2 is considered as fatal because human body's cells could slowly lose sensitivity to insulin.

One interesting note from CDC was that a quarter of the 26 million people in America with diabetes (roughly close to 7 million people), or about 27%, do not aware if they have the disease.

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) says no to censor corporate emails in India, but okay to censor BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and public emails

Research In Motion (RIM) has denied India’s government request to censor corporate emails on all type of BlackBerry devices, reported reuters.com.  India government has pursued to censor all BlackBerry services in the country as there has been increasing threats from terrorists’ activities which utilize BlackBerry devices to plan attack. 

In order to prevent security threats, many countries in Asia including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, have demanded access and censor all BlackBerry services such as BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and public emails.  

Starting the new year of 2011, Indonesia’s government has asked BlackBerry maker to filter pornographic web content for over two million BlackBerry users in the world's most populous Muslim nation.

The giant search company Google is navigating its ship into South East Asia countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand) with over 600 million potential users and opening a new office in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

As Google had already been kicked out of China one year ago, the giant search company is now targeting South East Asia nations with over 600 million potential users, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.

While Google has several offices in more industrial Asia countries such as Japan, Singapore, and South Korea since 2007, this week marks the new beginning for the giant search company to reach all ASEAN nations with opening a new office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reported Dow Jones Newswires. 

Due to high cost of infrastructure for land-lines, in recent years most of Asia countries rely on mobile technology to access Internet.  According to Dow Jones Newswires, Internet penetration via mobile is considered very high in South East Asia nations, for example, almost everyone has a cellphone in Malaysia.

America’s phone users can pay $20 to Google as the giant search company will help to transfer users' existing phone numbers to Google Voice

Mobile and land-line phone users in America can now request to transfer their existing phone numbers and move to Google Voice.  This type of process will take only 24 hours.  Users must make sure if there is no penalty in their mobile service plan before move to Google.  Phone providers usually restrict users to cancel their contract before the term expired.  As soon as they have transferred to Google users, can utilize all Google Voice’s features such as callers filter, voice to text, etc. 

As per Google blog, only existing Google Voice users can request to transfer their phone numbers.  Google Voice service is only available for users who live in America.

Amazon.com’s division AmazonTote to expand into grocery sector with no minimum delivery sizes and free delivery to customers’ doorstep in a reusable tote bag

The largest ecommerce company in the planet, Amazon.com, is planning a new type of service to delivery grocery stuffs to customers’ doorstep in a reusable tote bag with no minimum delivery sizes, as per a report by top financial website FT.com.  

The free weekly delivery service which is also known as AmazonTote has been in trials since last summer.  AmazonTote’s initial trials have been just for clients live in its hometown Seattle area (state of Washington), including zipcodes 98004, 98005, 98006, 98007, 98008, 98033, 98039, 98040, 98052, 98102, 98103, 98105, 98107, 98109, 98112, 98115, 98117, 98119, 98125, 98133, 98199. 

Inside the AmazonTote bag could include household items such as health and beauty products, baby diapers, personal care products, groceries stuffs, electronics, books, apparels, etc.

(Screenshot: AmazonTote)

Almost two-thirds of grant money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and sponsored by billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates and rocker Bono had gone to unknown bank accounts

Citing investigators for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, AP reported that the global health grant money had gone to fake documents and bad bookkeeping. 

The global fund has collected over $21.7 billion sponsored by celebrities and billionaires including Microsoft founder Bill Gates and rocker Bono of U2. 

Investigators found a large number of donated prescription drugs that were supposedly to be free, but had been re-sold on the black market.

Sleeping with animals or being licked by domestic pets or kissing pets (i.e., dogs, cats) are not recommended for people with weakened immune systems as animals could transmit illnesses to human

A research study co-authored by Dr. Bruno Chomel at University of California School of Veterinary Medicine at Davis found house pets including dogs, cats, could transmit illness to its owners.  The study found many domestic pets carry parasites, bacteria, or viruses and can easily pass to human as they slept with their dogs or cats.  Other potential harmful acts for human include kissing their pets or being licked by their pets. 

The study also found that people with weakened immune systems have higher risk for getting illness from their pets.  According to HealthDay News, high risks victims include elderly, kids under 5 year-old, people with HIV/AIDS, and cancer patients. 

In order to prevent the transmitted disease, experts urged pet owners to keep their animals free of fleas and ticks and have regular check-up with their veterinarian.    Also, to reduce life-threatening illness, researchers asked pet owners to limit kissing their cats or dogs and sleeping with them.

High calories breakfast includes bread, eggs, sausages, butter, and marmalade, will not help people to consume less food later in the day but make them fat

Based on sample of 380 people (100 people with normal weight and 280 over-weight patients), a team of researchers at the Else-Kroner-Fresenius Center of Nutritional Medicine in Munich, German, guided by Dr. Volker Schusdziarra, found big breakfast will not help people to consume less food later in the day. 

Researchers urged people to cut back on high calories food consumed for breakfast. 

Citing nutritionists in the study which is published in the Nutrition Journal, msnbc.com reported people eat the same amount of food during lunch and dinner, while they already had a big breakfast.

Americans are urged to support moms to breast-feed newborns for at least six months as benefits of breast-feeding include higher immune systems and higher IQs

America's top level of health ministry or more popular as Surgeon General has urged Americans to support mothers breast-feeding newborns for at least six months.  In recent years, medical studies found breast-feeding could help babies to develop immunity and protect them from illnesses.   The benefits for babies include developing higher immune systems to tackle diarrhea, ear infection, and pneumonia, as reported by reuters.com.   Other recent studies also believe breast-feeding babies could have higher IQs. 

This week marks the starting point as America’s Surgeon General Regina Benjamin has initiated guidelines for American moms and their communities to continue supporting breast-feeding newborns.  While at the same time reuters.com also reported that only 1 out of 10 newborns were breast-fed exclusively for six months in America.

Nintendo 3DS handheld videogame system (no need for special glasses) is coming to America on March 27 for $249.99 with about 30 software titles

Nintendo DS handheld is one of the most popular videogame systems during the past seven years.  The first Nintendo DS was launch in America in late November 2004.  According to wikipedia.org, Nintendo had sold over 135.58 million units of the double-screen handheld system by the end of September 2010.

The gaming system will soon be available in 3D format, as users do not need to wear special glasses.  The new 3D handheld will be launch in Japan on February 26, reported wsj.com. 

American fans will have to wait until March 27.   During the launch date, the 3D handheld will be available in two colors, Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black.  Each will cost $249.99.  Citing Nintendo, wsj.com reported that during the launch date, there will be about 30 software titles ready for stores in America (incl. a new 3D "Nintendogs" games).

(Screenshot: Nintendo)

The world largest mobile devices company Apple announced all time high record revenue of $26.74 billion and sold 16.24 million iPhones, 19.45 million iPods, and 7.33 million iPads from October to December 2010

The world most valuable technology company Apple posted a new record high of total revenue for October to December 2010, with a total of $26.74 billion.  The company also has a new record of total net profit of $6 billion for the last three months of 2010. 

According to the giant tech press release, during the last three months of past holiday season, Steve Jobs’s company has sold 16.24 million iPhones, 19.45 million iPods, and 7.33 million iPads.

The side effects of long hours of playing video games for school kids, include high anxiety, depression, bad grades, and social phobia

Using data from 3,034 kids who were in grades 3, 4, 7 and 8 in Singapore, for duration of two years, a team of researchers found long hours of playing video games are bad for children health conditions.  School kids who played video games for over 31 hours per week could see symptoms such as increase risks of high anxiety, depression, bad grades, and social phobia.  The research study was published by the journal Pediatrics.  

Playing too much video games are almost identical to gambling addicts, reported bloomberg.com.  Citing Douglas A. Gentile, the research team leader at Iowa State University in Ames, bloomberg.com wrote “Although children who are depressed may retreat into gaming, the gaming increases the depression.”   While at the same time, researchers also found kids who discontinued playing long hours of video games could lower their depression levels, high anxiety, and social phobia.

Cigarettes smoking could damage human DNA within minutes of inhaling with the side-effect of lung cancer

A team of researchers guided by Stephen S. Hecht at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis found that cigarettes smoking could ruin human DNA within minutes of inhaling, reported HealthDay News. 

Researchers found polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) mechanism which can trigger cancer cells in smoker’s body to react within 15 to 30 minutes after inhaling. 

The present research used data from 12 volunteer smokers. 

Researchers were surprised with the speed of the lethal DNA on human body.  The speed was almost similar to injecting PAH into a body’s bloodstream.

Former California governator Schwarzenegger terminated over $200 million during his 7 years public service in the largest state in America

The 63-year-old former California governator ("governor" and "terminator") Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, which started the job on November 17, 2003 until early January 2011 has terminated over $200 million during his 7 years public service, reported Reuters. 

The total cost of governorship from his pocket include expenses for special private planes round-trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento, lost income from movie contracts in Hollywood, etc. 

Citing Austria’s newspaper Krone via Reuters, the former governor of California said "But I'm not sorry. It was more than worth it.”  However, Schwarzenegger insisted that losing family time was the most difficult to repair during his public service in Sacramento.

(Photo: wikipedia.org)

Blueberries contain bioactive compounds dubbed as nthocyanins and can reduce the risk of high blood pressure

A joint research between University of East Anglia and Harvard University found regularly eating blueberries could reduce risk of high blood pressure.  The latest study was based on sample of 134,000 women and 47,000 men for duration of 14 years and will soon be published in February issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  Citing Prof Aedin Cassidy at University of East Anglia’s Medical School, indiatimes.com reported that the team of researchers found bioactive compounds in blueberries dubbed as nthocyanins which can guard against high blood pressure.

Microsoft’s secret sauce for the past holiday season sales: 1.9 million Xbox 360 in December and 8 million Kinects in the first 60 days

The market share of Microsoft's Xbox 360 games console continues to perform well during the past six months.  Citing data from NPD Group, seattlepi.com reported that the giant software company sold 1.9 million units of Xbox 360 in December 2010. 

Young and old gamers also bought Xbox's new hand-free controller Kinect.  According to the latest data, the software company has sold over 8 million Kinects during the first 60 days since launch in early November 2010. 

The popular Redmond-based Microsoft blogger seattlepi.com also reported that total revenue from Xbox division could surpass $1.6 billion in December alone.

BlackBerry says okay to Indian government to get access to BBM and public email services

BlackBerry smartphone maker Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM) will let Indian government to look into its BBM messenger services and public email services, reported wsj.com.  Due to national security concerns (incl. terrorism acts), Indian government previously has set January 31 as the deadline to cut off BlackBerry services in the country.  While Indian government will be free to access public email, according to wsj.com the latest move by RIM will limit access to corporate email services.

Too much sitting in front of a computer, playing video games, or sitting in a couch watching TV linked to heart disease and death risk

A medical study by a team of researchers at University College London which was based on data collected from 4,512 adults found that TV, computers, video games, linked to heart problems, reported HealthDay News. The study found that a person sitting and spent over four hours per day using a computer, playing video games, or sitting in a couch watching TV doubles risk of heart disease including suffer a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and death risk.  In order to keep healthy lifestyle, the team of researchers recommends limiting the amount of time spent sitting in front of computer and staying away from watching too much TV.

 

South Korean director Park Chan-Wook shoots first cinema-standard film with Apple iPhone mobile camera

The world largest mobile device company Apple could soon become Hollywood camera maker as well.  One of the top movie directors in South Korea, Park Chan-Wook, revealed that his latest movie title "Night Fishing" was filmed on Apple iPhone, reported AFP. 

Citing the South Korean director, AFP reported that the 30-minute film just needed 80 man-powers with a total cost of about $133,000 and 10 days to shoot.  The movie will soon be available in about 10 cinemas in South Korea starting January 27, 2011.

Not Halal: Indonesia’s government has urged BlackBerry smartphone maker to filter pornographic websites content for over two million users

While Indonesia government is still working out with RIM BlackBerry to monitor BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) since last summer, this week the government has urged the popular smartphone maker to censor pornographic websites for mobile users.  

According wsj.com, Indonesia's Information Ministry has threatened to ban access to Internet browsing for over two million BlackBerry users.   As one of the largest BlackBerry users’ base in Asia, Indonesia with strict pornography laws and as the world most populous Muslim nation has continued to filter Internet pornography via Internet-service providers (ISP) for broadband and phone-line users. 

Chemistry and biology researchers may help detect Alzheimer’s, cancer, and other diseases by using combination of simple human blood tests and synthetic molecules

A combo between man-made molecules and simple human blood tests could identify popular diseases including Alzheimer’s and cancer.  A recent study conducted by Thomas Kodadek, PhD and a team of researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Florida, experienced blood tests with thousands of man-made molecules which also known as peptoids, reported webmd.com.  The lab tests to search for diseases using peptoids may help doctors to detect Alzheimer’s, cancer, and other diseases long before symptoms occur.

Can you hear my iPhone now? The largest America’s wireless carrier Verizon Wireless will announce CDMA iPhone 4 in New York City on Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Verizon Wireless’s rival AT&T Inc.'s exclusive hold on iPhone deal with the world largest mobile device company, Apple, will end within days.  According to wsj.com, America’s top wireless carrier in America, Verizon, will announce CDMA iPhone 4 on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, in New York City.

While Verizon Wireless is busy marketing its new 4G LTE technology for American phone subscribers, the iPhone handset offer from Verizon will open up the door for phone subscribers to pick the network that carries their popular smartphone.  The price war between AT&T and Verizon Wireless could help consumers with pricing options and could save money on monthly basis and long term contract (usually min. 2 years).

High abortion rate in New York City: 41% of all pregnancies ended in abortion, compared to America's average of 23%

Religious leaders met in New York City on Thursday to discuss the recent data from health department showing high abortion rate in the largest city in America. The average abortion rate was 41% in 2009.  Among New York City five boroughs, Bronx has the highest percentage in abortions at 46%, reported CBS New York. 

According to ABC News, the abortion rate in NYC was at 46% in 1998, so the latest data was slightly lower than 12 years ago.   Religious leaders believe the current rate is still very high compared to the national average of 23%. 

Among all races in New York City, Blacks' abortion rate was the highest at 59.8%.  Here is a list of abortion rate by race group in 2009:

• Blacks 59.8%
• Hispanics 41.3%
• Asians 22.7%
• Whites 20.4%

China is the top contender to build California high-speed rail system which will span from Los Angeles to Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area

Several nations in the world are interested to build California high-speed rail mega project.  The most populous state in America passed a bond measure to fund the mega project for about $10 billion in 2008 election. However, the high-speed rail system project could cost about $50 billion.  With federal stimulus funds, California may still need cash from other sources. 

Transportation experts believe one of the top contenders is China, as reported by sacbee.com.  With its powerful financial and technological advantages in rail system, China can help California to build and maintain the state high-speed rail system for a long run.

New record sales for 2010 holiday season: ecommerce reached $32.6 billion, an increase of 12% from one year ago, as Cyber Monday sales (Nov 29) hit over $1 billion

Based on data from November to December 2010 collected by web research company comScore, reported that buyers had spent over $32.6 billion on ecommerce during the 2010 holiday season, compared to 2009 which was totaled $29.1 billion. This was a new record for online sales in Internet history and scoring a 12% increase from one year ago.

Online sales for this past holiday season’s Cyber Monday on November 29, 2010, hit over $1 billion, compared to 2009 total of $887 million (an increase of 16%).  Green Monday (December 13) also has a big sales day with $954 million, compared to one year ago which was at $854 million (an increase of 12%).

 
(Table: comScore)

Return to glory: more films, sitcoms, and commercials were produced in Los Angeles in December 2010 than one year ago

Los Angeles got merrier in December as more films, sitcoms, and commercials were produced in the second most populous city in America.  Citing data provided by FilmL.A. Inc., a nonprofit local group, which was published by latimes.com show permitted shoots for studios in the city of Angels increased 37% in December 2010 than one year ago.  Permitted shoots for a weekly basis in Hollywood area include recent popular sitcoms such as The Event, True Blood, etc.

Three-way tied: smartphone operating system share in America from June to November 2010 include Apple iOS (28.6%), RIM BlackBerry (26.1%), and Google Android (25.8%)

The giant mobile device company Apple still controls smartphone usages in America from June to November 2010.  Apple iOS runs on several popular mobile products include iPhone, iPad, and iPod.  For the month of November 2010, Apple iOS captured 28.6% OS share in America, as reported by nielsen.com.

Since January 2010, America’s consumers continue to like Google Android OS.  The mobile OS provided by giant search Google are mostly sold by Verizon Wireless.  According to nielsen.com, Android OS captured 25.8% share in November.

The one time king of smartphone OS RIM BlackBerry continues to drop its market share since early 2010.  Based on the latest data from nielsen.com, BlackBerry captured only 26.1% share in November 2010. Compared to the month of June the popular OS has 33.9% share (a drop of 7.8% within the past six months).

 
(Chart: nielsen.com)