Apple Butterfly Keyboard Issue

The 2016 butterfly keyboard (or the scissor) suppose to be a better design as claimed by Apple. But there are many cases reported that the new keyboard is having issues, especially the space bar.

Petitions to request Apple replace defective keyboard

iPhone 6 Bending Issue is Known by Apple

Apple claimed that iPhone 6 bending is not an issue. (read here, 2014 news)

Not true. Apple knows that it is an issue. read here.

Compile Raspberry Pi Desktop Linux Kernel

Compile Raspberry Pi Desktop Linux Kernel

What is Raspberry Pi Desktop? Raspberry Pi Desktop is Raspbian OS, a Debian Linux specially made for Raspberry Pi. The desktop version is a port on x86, made it a lightweight desktop OS. (Note: RPi is an ARM platform)

Since RPi Desktop is Linux. This is a simple tutorial on how to compile Linux kernel.
There are many reasons why you need to recompile the linux kernel, but before you compile, you should know that recompile kernel need a lot of hard disk space (10Gb) and long waiting time (4 hours, depends on the machines).

1. Prerequisites to compile kernel
1b. Update firmware
2. Download the source
3. Kernel configuration
4. compile
5. install

Prerequisites

# apt-get install git fakeroot build-essential ncurses-dev xz-utils libssl-dev bc

Update firmware

# rpi-update (update firmware and kernel source?)

Download kernel source

Original Linux kernel from http://kernel.org/, Raspbian kernel source can be git clone from git://github.com/raspberrypi/linux.git. The clone size (with history) is quite large (about 3-4Gb), to save time and disk space use shallow clone (git 1.7 or above).

$ cd /usr/src
# git clone --depth 1 git://github.com/raspberrypi/linux.git (about 1.5Gb)
(The version I get 4.14.37.)
# cd linux; make nconfig
(or you can use the old # make menuconfig)

Configuration

The is the most difficult part, different machine, different user may need different configuration. The configuration will be save as .config file. There is a copy of the kernel config in /boot/config-. Can use it as a reference.
There are few thousands of items to be configured, I don't know all of them.
Compile
After configuration.

# make bzImage
# make modules
# make modules_install

(This will take a long time, may be 2-6 hours)

Installation

# make install

This will copy the kernel image to /boot directory, create the initrd image and update grub bootloader.
After this you can reboot, see if you can boot the new kernel successfully.

Compile PHP PostgreSQL undefined symbol lo_lseek64() error

Upgrade PHP with PostgreSQL connect support

My php installed on OS X doesn't have PostgreSQL connect support, I need an upgrade.
$ brew install php56 --with-postgresql [--with-httpd]
doesn't work for my, so I try to compile manually from source.

Download the source from php.net. For PREFIX, you can set it to your preferred location, the /usr/local/Cellar location is used by Homebrew.

$ ./configure --prefix=/usr/local/Cellar/php/7.2.2 --with-pgsql=/usr/local/Cellar/postgres/10.2

This compile successfully, but I am not replacing the old php on the system, the apache always load the old php version. I need libphp.so (libphp5.so or libphp7.so) for apache to locate the new php.

$ ./configure --prefix=/usr/local/Cellar/php/7.2.2 --with-pgsql=/usr/local/Cellar/postgres/10.2 --with-apxs2=`which apxs`
(apxs command is from Apache)
This fail.

There are 3 groups of undefined symbols

1. undefined symbol _lo_lseek64()
- error from PostgreSQL, some issue with the configuration, I link it to libpq.a to solve.
2. undefined symbol _SSL_XXX
- link openssl-1.1, which is an older version on my system
3. Disable GSSAPI on Postgresql
- $ brew edit postgresql, delete --with-gssapi
- $ brew reinstall postgresql

You might not experience all the 3 issues.

How to link the missing library?
$ edit php-7.2.2/Makefile
For a quick hack, I just add in MH_BUNDLE_FLAGS =
either -L/usr/local/Cellar/postgresql/10.2 -lpq or /usr/local/Cellar/postgresql/10.2/lib/libpq.a
openssl
-L/usr/local/Cellar/openssl@1.1/lib -lcrypto -lssl
or
/usr/local/Cellar/openssl@1.1/lib/libcryptio.a /usr/local/Cellar/openssl@1.1/lib/libssl.a

My system is Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks, Homebrew. I have tried compiling php-5.6 and php-7.2, both seems ok for me. I try php7.

$ ./configure --prefix=/usr/local/Cellar/php72/7.2.2_13 --with-mysqli=/usr/local/Cellar/mysql/5.6.25/bin/mysql_config --with-pdo-mysql=/usr/local/Cellar/mysql/5.6.25 --with-pgsql=/usr/local/Cellar/postgresql/10.2 --with-pdo-pgsql=/usr/local/Cellar/postgresql/10.2 --with-apxs2=`which apxs`
$ cp libs/libphp7.so /usr/local/libexec

$ edit /etc/apache2/httpd.conf
# LoadModule php5_module libexec/apache2/libphp5.so
LoadModule php5_module /usr/local/libexec/libphp5.so
LoadModule php7_module /usr/local/libexec/libphp7.so

$ sudo apachectl stop
$ sudo apachectl -M
...
rewrite_module (shared)
php5_module (shared)
php7_module (shared)
hfs_apple_module (shared)
Syntax OK
$ sudo apachectl start
$ curl http://localhost/php/phpinfo.php
()

PHP Version 7.2.2

PostgreSQL Support enabled

A Complain to Maxis Auto Upgrade

Is so much different in Maxis center of today and compare with 9 to 10 years ago.

About 10 years ago, I walk in to Maxis center, check for any offer for cheaper package than the 30 per month that I was having. Might not be something cheaper but may be more free calls. The attendance was so nice, help me to scan through my bills, so that he can suggest a mobile package for me.

I recall, even Digi has a similar service at that time, they advertised that mobile subscriber can go to their service center, their expert will find out what is the suitable package for the subscriber.

My mobile package is very old, is so old that the Maxis center people there don't even know there is such a pakcage, until they check through the computer. They told me the call rate is expensive, is not available anymore. They also told me that under rule and regulation, they have to keep the package as long as there are subscribers still subscribe to it. It make sense for me.

The Maxis expert (I am not sure he is the expert, but he do his job quite weell) scan through my bill and told me, even though my existing call rate is more expensive, but with my using habbit, the package that I was subscribing is the cheapest for me.

I keep using the 30 per month package. Later there are some better (sound better) packages like Surfmore 30. Same price, but with more (300(?) minutes) free calls. I was busy and lazy to walk in Maxis center to change my subscription package. I am happy with my existing package as long as it doesn't exceed my budget.

Recently Maxis 'upgrade' those old packages to a new one with added price. You can read from the discussion forum in lowyat.net here. They give extra data, but the price will generally increase from 30 to 38.

I walk in to Maxis center to file a complain. My argument is:
1. Maxis shouldn't change my package without my approval. Maxis argue that it is an upgrade.
2. Maxis can add in data for my subscription package, but Maxis shouldn't increase the price.

The customer service refuse to file a complain for me, until I told him that the Maxis CEO apologize last year which results from some unhappy customers. They promise to call me back and they didn't.

I look back to last year (April) incident again. As Maxis give special offer to those who want to opout from Maxis and switch to other mobile service provider for better package. Those loyal customers with Maxis for many years were not given the offer. When customer call in for the offer, Maxis reply is only selected customers are given for the offer.

The post about the incident came out on the social media, Maxis try to ignored it, and is like snowball getting bigger and bigger. You can read the story from here and here, Malaysians are angry with Maxis. You can find many other related posts.

I summerize a few points from the post, what went wrong:
1. Too much of delay for an official response
2. The solution provided misses the main complain completely
3. Attempts to explain things from the telcos point of view (and not at the customer point of view)

After 12 months time, I experience the same things. Not much improvements.

I look at the live video from Maxis (here), the Maxis CEO Morten (Morten Lundal) appearred to be impatient and not sincere at all.

Solve Rails Native Compile Issue

I seldom blog about issue on Windows, because I don't really have a Windows machine with me. This will be an exceptional case that I show how to solve a Rails' native compile issue.

If you see an error from Rails on Windows system, something similar like this

c:> gem install son
...
ERROR: Error installing json:
ERROR: Failed to build gem native extension

The reason is, gem try to build native library to improve performance, but it was not able to do it on your Windows system.

The easiest is to install DevKit from http://rubyinstaller.org/downloads/. The DevKit will be installed at c:\DevKit. Just take note which DevKit to be installed, 32 bits or 64 bits.

Set Windows system PATH environment:
Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings
System Properties > Environment Variables > (Select Path and Edit...), add a new Path
c:\DevKit\bin

start a new command prompt (cmd):
c:> gem install json

You should be able to install json now.

Qualcomm bugs exposed nearly 1 billion Android devices

Qualcomm snapdragon cpu is a very popular ARM based SoC CPU used by many Android devices.

These are some of the popular mobile phone which use snapdragon:

Samsung Note 7, Snapdragon 820

OnePlus 3, Snapdragon 820

HTC 10, Snapdragon 820

Reference:

Qualcomm bugs expose nearly 1 billion Android devices to exploits, Extreme Tech.

Fighting with Ruby on Rails on old Snow Leopard

Finally I give it a try for Ruby on Rails. The first thing I want to do is install Ruby on Rails. According to the tutorial, I need ruby 1.9.3, then using ruby gem to install rails 2.3.2.

This is not a tutorial, but just show what doesn't works for me. You might not able to get you solution here.

There are a few ways to install Ruby on Rails on Mac OS X:
1. Use Gem on OS X system.
2. Homebrew
3. RVMß (this works for me)

Homebrew

Since then gem version (1.8.7) is a bit too old, I use homebrew to install.
$ brew install ruby
The gem came with ruby, use gem to install rails. Before install rails, I disable ruby document.
$ edit ~/.gemrc
install: --no-rdoc --no-ri
update: --no-rdoc --no-ri
gem: --no-ri
gem: --no-rdoc

$ export GEM_HOME=$HOME/.gems
$ export PATH=$GEM_HOME/bin:$PATH

This suppose to be the way, unfortunately I can't get homebrew to compile ruby on OS X 10.6.

Compile from source

I try to compile from downloaded source, both ruby-2.3.1, ruby-2.3.0 are unable to compile successfully on my OS X 10.6.3. So I compile ruby on another machine with OS X 10.9 Mavericks, and copy the binary to OS X 10.6. The binary can't execute properly.

This really drive me crazy.

I try to use the system gem to install rails, but since the gem version is too old, it can't install the later rails.

RVM, Ruby Version Manager

Try Install ruby on rail with rvm version 1.27.0
$ curl -L https://get.rvm.io | bash -s stable --auto-dotfiles --autolibs=enable --rails
OR just install ruby
$ curl -L https://get.rvm.io | bash -s stable --auto-dotfiles --autolibs=enable --ruby
Ok
Finally the RVM works. The binaries installed in $HOME/.rvm directory

Note:

After some time later, I try to install ruby with homebrew again, and it works! I don't know what changes or configuration I have done.

$ ruby -v
ruby 2.3.1p112
$ gem -v
2.6.4
$ rails -v
4.2.6

How to create embedded Java 8

What is embedded java? Embedded Java is not J2ME (Java Micro Edition), is a normal java runtime in smaller size, suitable to be installed in embedded system.

Normal Java runtime is about 80-100Mb in size. The compact embedded java can be as small as 11Mb.

Started with Java 8 (or 1.8), Java use jrecreate to generate embedded java for specific target platform. The targeting platform is for ARM Linux and x86 Linux. It can be generated on a host with Linux or Windows (prefer to have 1Gb or memory?).

My target platform is DNS-320 with fun_plug hack. It is an ARM cpu (ARMv5TE with soft floating point), 128Mb ram (Yes, is 128Mb). You can create target for Raspberry Pi (with hard floating point).

You need a Java (JDK or JRE) on the host system. After generated, you can just move over the embedded JRE to the target platform.

Download Embedded Java from Oracle technical network.

For my case here, I use:

Embedded Java 1.8, ARM v5 with soft floating point (ejdk-8u33-fcs-linux-arm-sflt.gz).
OpenJDK 1.7 on Debian (32-bits), and build it on Debian 7 runs on Virtualbox VM (on Mac OS X).

Debian$ sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jre

Extract embedded java 1.8

Debian $ export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-1.7.0-openjdk-i386
Debian $ export EJDK=<target directory>
Debian $ cd ejdk1.8.0_33
Debian ejdk1.8.0_33 $ bin/jrecreate.sh --profile compact1 --dest compact1-minimal --vm minimal
Building JRE using Options {
...
target: linux_arm_sflt
vm: minimal
runtime: compact1 profile
debug: false
keep-debug-info: false
no-compression: false
dry-run: false
verbose: false
extension: []
}

Target JRE Size is 10,837 KB (on disk usage may be greater).
Embedded JRE created successfully

The size is 11Mb.

Debian$ du -sh compact1-minimal/.
11M compact1-minimal/.

I write a HelloWorld java to test.

$ cat > HelloWorld.java <<-EOF

public class HelloWorld {
public static void main(String args[]) {
System.out.println("Hello, world!");
}
}
EOF


$ javac HelloWorld.java
⇒ HelloWorld.class
$ java HelloWorld
Hello, world!

I move the hello world program and compact1-minimal to my target platform (the ARM Linux) /opt/java/ejre-1.8.

arm$ export JAVA_HOME=/opt/java/ejre-1.8
arm$ export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH

arm$ file HelloWorld.class
HelloWorld.class: compiled Java class data, version 49.0 (Java 1.5)

arm$ java -version
java version "1.8.0_33"
Java(TM) SE Embedded Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_33-b05, profile compact1, headless)
Java HotSpot(TM) Embedded Minimal VM (build 25.33-b05, mixed mode)

arm$ java HelloWorld
Hello, world!

Now you can create an embedded java 8 for Raspberry Pi.

Touch'n Go Dormant Card Issue

A few years back Touch'n Go given out a lot of free cards to the public, as a promotion of the Touch'n Go card, now they changed their strategy.

If your Touch'n Go card has not been used and top up for more than 12 months time, the card will be dormant (or suspended). Once the card has been dormant, you are not able to activate the card, the remaining amount can be claimed. Touch'n Go company will charge you RM5 as the processing fees, and it takes months time to get back the money.

The reason given by the company why they need to deactivate the unused card because their server performance is affected by those unused cards.

1. Why TNGSB needs to deactivate dormant card?
1. There is quite a number of dormant or inactive Touch 'n Go cards in our system. These dormant cards have caused unnecessary load that prevent the system from operating optimally, thus affecting our service level to all active users. By deactivating these non-active cards, we will be able to streamline our system to improve system efficiency and to provide good services to all our customers.

By today's standard, a few millions cards is not really a big issue for server processing. If the company can not handle the few millions cards, do you think they can handle millions of dollars?

If you compare the smart card policy with other Asian countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan or even China. All smart card in these countries can be activated easily, even you have stop using it for more than 12 months time.

Is not all bad move done by Touch'n Go company. They have done something better as well. They have migrated to a new web system. The old e-statement website is not working anymore. You need to register again with the new website (https://tngportal.touchngo.com.my/), you can only manage 1 card with the original website, but now you can manage more cards with the new website.

I don't think server processing is an issue. As a promotion for the Touch'n Go card, the card should be able to be reactivated as needed. This is just a policy issue for a lame reason.

My 2 cents on Apple Watch 2015

Apple is going to offer it's first smart watch, Apple Watch for their employee at 50 percent discount. May be Apple don't expect the Apple Watch sell very good in the market.

I am not too worried about the sales figure, Apple always has a group of fans and buyers. Let's wait till the next Apple event for the sales report.

I am going to talk about 2 things that I feel not right for Apple Watch.

I do not have an Apple Watch to try out, I just base on what I saw on the web.

1. Target Audience

Apple designer Jonathan Ive claimed that, "The Swiss watch industry is in trouble." (read here). Look at Apple Watch price range from USD400 to USD15,000 (here).

For lower price range Apple Watch, it may affected those quartz and electronic watch, especially those with some sport features like Suunto, Casio etc.

For the high price market, Apple has Apple Watch Edition series which cost more than USD10k. Since most people are not going to wear 2 watches at the same time, I don't think they will dumped their Rolex watch for Apple smart watch.

For a smart watch with additional function, the older smart watch will be outdated very soon, after Apple came out with new hardware and software.

2. The Watch Face

For me, the watch face is the biggest design flaw. The watch face must be round, not other shape. There are square, rectangle or diamond shape watches out there, but majority are still round in shape.

The moto360 looks like a better design in this category.

Conclusion

Apple Watch could be a fashion, but it will not be a classic, for now.

Reference:
Apple to offer Watch to employees at half price, CNet

A college math professor's April Fool prank 2015

How could I miss this. A math and computer science professor, Matthew Weathers make a video prank in his math class.

↵ Use original player

April Fools Video Prank in Math Class

By Matthew Weathers

YouTube

• 720p
• 360p

← Replay

X

i

YouTube here.

This is not his first time prank in his class.

Who says no one has humor in computer science?

The New MacBook 2015

The new MacBook 2015 is not a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro, it is 12-inch notebook, with retina display, it is even lighter than MacBook Air.

There are a few things you may need to know about the new MacBook:

1. Retina Display

12-inch retina display, with resolution 2304x1440. Is about 225 dpi.

2. Fanless

The new MacBook has no fan. It is just 5 watt power, really low power, that's why it doesn't need a fan.

3. Only 1 Adapter Interface

There is only 1 adapter, USB-C for charging, input and output. So you can't plug in the external storage and charge the notebook together, but you can get an external adapter, just pay more.

4. Other

The keyboard. Apple change the keyboard design from traditional scissor mechanism to butterfly mechanism. According to Apple, for older keyboard design, you need to hit the centre of the keyboard button, the new butterfly mechanism keyboard is more stable and more responsive.

5. The Apple Logo

The luminous Apple logo was replaced by a chromed Apple Logo. This is the least important, but this is not so “Apple-style” or “Job’s style". 

The Codebreaker Alan Turing

Alan Turing

Jun 7 2014 marks the 60th anniversary of Alan Turing's death.

All computer science students should know Alan Turing, he is generally known as the father of computer science. Alan Turing is a mathematician and computer scientist. The Turing machine created by Alan Turing for computing is the very first prototype of today's computer.

Alan Turing is a genius and a very smart mathematician, he helps the British and Alliance to decode the encrypted code from Germany during world war II. Winston Churchill said Turing make the single biggest contribution to Allied victory in WWII against Nazi Germany.

Alan Turing was prosecuted for homosexual activities in 1952, the British old society forbidden for such activities. He accepted the chemical injection (chemical castration) as alternative to prison.

Alan Turing died at 41 years old (year 1954), from cyanide poisoning. The incident was determined as suicide case, but his mother believed it was accidental. At year 2013, the British Queen granted a royal pardon to the code breaker hero who has contributed during world war II. Late is still better than none.

Reference:
Queen pardons wartime code breaking hero Alan Turing
Why Alan Turing is the father of Computer Science

A Day Out With Lowepro CompuDay Photo 250

This is just a simple review of the Lowepro CompuDay Photo 250 camera bag. This is not a new model, just happen that I got one to try out, I write a short review of it. I am not sure when Lowepro release this model, could be as early as year 2011.

I have used Lowepro Fastpack 200 before, but I should get the Fastpack 250, because Fastpack 250 is a notebook and camera bag. The Fastpack 200 just like Fastpack 250, but without the notebook compartment.

I like the Fastpack design, I can easily take out the camera from the side of the bag. If you think it is insecure, you may look for those camera backpack open from the back and not from the side.

I am looking for a bag for camera and notebook, I am eyeing on Lowepro fastpack 150, it is smaller but cheaper than fastpack 250. I happen to found another Lowepro bag which fit my needs, the CompuDay Photo 250.

By looking at the model name, you know this is a camera + computer bag, is used for a day out. After I have tried the bag, it is just nice for a day of casual traveling around the city. Before this, I was using a sling camera bag and another backpack for a sweater and a bottle of water.

Sling bag is not good for me. I pack everything in to this CompuDay Photo 250. After a day out, I am quite comfortable with it. This is what I packed into the bag, mainly a camera, a sweater, a 500ml water plus a few other gadget and accessories.

You can pack with plenty of things

The camera is placed at the side of the bag. Can fit in a full frame dSLR and a medium size lens (according to the sales). I am using it with a Nikon D90, it fit in tight with plenty of space for a larger lens.

The notebook compartment, I put in an iPad. It can fit in the 13-inch MacBook Air, or a 15-inch notebook.

Notebook compartment

More compartment

Rear view

Fit into the handle of the luggage. Not perfect, but it fits.

This is ideal for:
A casual day out. I will carry my dSLR more often with this bag.

This is not for:
If you are carrying extra lens, extra battery, battery charger. It still can fit in, but you may consider Fastpack 150 or Fastpack 250.

Lowepro website has a bag finder, help you to choose the right camera bag for you. I can find Fastpack 150AW, but unable to find this CompuDay Photo 250.

Note. This bag doesn't came with rain coat cover.

Beatbox S10 Review

Beatbox S10

You should heard about Beats Electronics as Apple to acquire Beats for USD3 billion.

I only found out recently that I have a Beats product, a portable speaker model Beatbox S10.

This is a portable, battery powered, bluetooth personal speaker. Very similar with the X-mini speaker, but the Beatbox is much cheaper. Amazon selling at less than USD20.

Packaging.It came with a small box, contain the speaker and charging cable. Very simple packaging.

Bluetooth.Bluetooth connection is easy, but I experience some difficulties to reconnect to the speaker, after disconnect.

Standalone player.It use microSD as memory storage. Since the speaker use the same button to control the volume and skip songs, I have some difficulties to adjust the sound volume. Press and hold control the volume, press and release to skip songs.

Battery life.After used for some time, I find the battery quality is not so good as company with X-mini. I am referring the quality as play back time and durability. The battery is not replaceable.

Sound quality.Sounds good, but I am not sensitive, so not much comment.

Usability.It is heavier than X-mini speaker, but very portable.

Average comment. With the price USD20, is a good buy, but don't expect it to last very long.

Taipei travel card service with roaming

from flickr

Taiwanese travel card, the EasyCard company is aggressive. After the announcement of working together with Singapore EZ-Link travel card, EasyCard to work with Hong Kong Octopus travelling card. One travelling card can be used in 3 cities (Taipei, Hong Kong and Singapore) in the future.

The idea is like telco roaming. You can use local register mobile phone in other countries, with roaming feature enable. With the "roaming" service, travellers don't have to get extra travelling card when they go to other country. There should be some technical issue to be solved, but the technical issues are not that difficult compare with the business decision.

The travelling card can be used for city train system (LRT, MRT), busses, parking or even used as a cash card to purchase goods. The payment are normally micro-payment. Malaysia has Touch'n Go card, Singapore has EZ-Link, Taipei has EasyCard (悠遊卡) and Hong Kong has Octopus card (八達通).

Malaysia Touch'n Go card can be used for parking, toll, LRT, Monorail, RapidKL bus, KTM train and ERL Train (train to KL International Airport). Touch'n Go card is not used for other payment system. In other countries like Hong Kong, Taipei and Singapore. The traveling card can be used as

Is convenience for consumer to travel by 1 card. As the travelling card can be used as payment card and cash card, there is still a lot of potential with travel card.

Reference:
悠遊卡搭香港八達通 有譜了

University of Malaya to stop issue hardcopy certificate?

Just read a news reported that University of Malaya (Malaya Universiti) has implemented the e-Scrolls digital certificates, will stop issued the official hardcopy of the certificate for the graduates. The students can apply the official certificate by paying certain amount of processing fees.

I always support using the information technology to simplified our work, but the university should always produce an official copy for the students. Is not the time for 100% using electronic documents yet. The processing fees for getting a official certificate should be reasonable.

Is good that the owner can printed out their own certificate. Most students will like to keep a copy of the official certificate. Most companies and university will not accept the electronic certificate, it troublesome for the graduates to apply job or further studies.

If you win the FIFA World Cup, you will like to keep the trophy and not just the photo of the trophy, right? I really hope they are not going to implement this that soon, think twice or more than twice.

Reference:
Oriental Daily.  马大以电子文凭取代纸本文凭　一纸文凭50令吉
Sinchew. 馬大7月起發電子文憑‧索紙本文憑須付費50

Apple WWDC Keynote 2014 Summary

This is just a dummy guide for WWDC14 keynote.

WWDC 2014 keynote is about preview of Mac OS X 10.10 and iOS 8.

Mac OS X 10.10

It will be name as Yosemite (Yoo-se-mee-tee). It will be available for free (the previous version Mavericks is free too).

What's new?
- Change the graphic user interface, more iOS look and feel. Integrate better with iOS too. Changes includes notification centre, spotlight move the the centre of the screen and more.
- iCloud works more like Dropbox, can sync as a folder on OS X.
- Safari browser with better performance in speed.
- Desktop can pick up phone call to your phone. (More than just picking up phone calls).

iOS 8

- QuickType with improved auto correct and prediction typing.
- iOS get into enterprise market.
- Share account with family members. Will asked for permission when purchase using the same credit card account. (A simple but good implementation)
- Improvement and localisation for China market.
- HealthKit for health application, HomeKit for smart home application.
- A new programming language, Swift. Swift can use existing Objective-C/C runtime.

Every time Apple introduced new software platform, there is a long list of improvement and added features. New iOS will be expected as new iPhone will came out every year. I don't expect Apple refresh the desktop OS (Mac OS X) so soon. The improvement on software like Safari browser and performance will be welcome.

Full keynote is available on Apple website, or you can take a look at WWDC 2014 keynote in 10 minutes.

Another good summary from The Verge YouTube channel.

Apple To Acquire Beats Electronics

Apple to acquire Beats Electronics for USD3 billion, the largest purchase after NeXT in 1996 (for USD429 million). Beats co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre will join Apple.

Apple has been criticised for not having any break through products after iPad. In another words, Apple has no interesting product yet under after Tim Cook as CEO.

Apple has acquired many companies during pass few years, but are smaller company with advance technology and potential talents eg. P.A. Semi, Placebase, Siri, C3 Technologies etc. From here you will notice Tim Cook's strategy different from Steve Jobs.

What type of company is Beats Electronics that worth Apple to dig out USD3 billion from their pocket? Beats Electronics produce audio product which co-founded by Jimmy Iovine and hip-hop producer Dr. Dre (Andre Young).

The marketing line for the Beats Electronics products is "People aren't hearing all the music, ... with Beats, people are going to hear what the artists hear ..." Beats has earphone, iPod docking speakers, bluetooth portable speaker (and more). Beats' product normally label with "beats by dr. dre".

Beats founded at year 2006. In year 2011, Taiwan mobile phone manufacturer HTC acquired 50.1% stake of Beats with USD309 million. Later HTC sold their shares in Beats, the deal make Beats value at USD1 billion. HTC invest in Beats to use Beats technology in their mobile phones.

Those early products from Beats are manufacture by Monster. You will notice a lot of the Beats products are label with Monster. In year 2012, Monster break-off with Bears as contract end, and becomes a competitor of Beats.

Beats also works together with HP. HP use Beats Audio system in HP notebook, it can be identified with red character with black colour background. HP has a dedicated page for its Beats Audio products (check here). Will Beats Audio still be using at HP's notebook after Apple's acquisition? I doubt it. Altec Lansing (or other speaker companies) should be benefited from this.

Beats has a portable mini speaker product manufacture by China, the beatbox S10 series. The beatbox looks like the X-mini portable speakers, but much cheaper. The beatbox makes X-mini speaker just an over priced product. If X-mini don't improved, it going to be killed by beatbox soon.

After than earphones and speaker, Beats has online music streaming service, Beats Music. There are analysis saying that Apple acquire Beats to improve its music business, especially the online music streaming service.

Is Beats audio device good? It "looks good and sounds good", the Beats audio speaker is "loud and clear". Does Beats worth the USD3 billion? Let's see how it goes.