Apple withdraws from Macworld - this may be a good thing!

Wow, reading my daily apple blogs there's nothing else than "oh no, the world has come to an end" about the announcement of Apple that 2009 will probably be the last Macworld Expo they'll join. And to add more salt in the wound, 2009 won't see Jobs talking at the keynote. No, Phil Schiller will take the stage. Rumors abound about Steves' health again. To be honest, this has been coming for a while now, so people shouldn't be surprised. The timing sucks, that's true, but that's all the Apple way.

But here's the good part: instead of having a fixed schedule where Apple is kind of forced to show up with new products, from 2009 on, you'll probably have more "special events" dedicated to a single product, with probably more interaction with the public and developers.
 
There'll be no fixed schedule for product announcements. Apple will announce them whenever they feel they're ready. Which, to me is good.
 
And for the Macworld Expo 2009 keynote: Phil is a nice guy, and he also knows how to do great presentations. He is not Jobs, but he can be just as entertaining.

Now for the challenge: spot the repetition in his speech... Jobs has his "Boom!" thing.. What'll be Schillers knack?

First 3G network in North Korea


 
Orascom Telecom Holding has rolled out 3G in Pyongyang. Orascom is located in Egypt, and is a direct competitor to Vodafone Egypt. Orascom also has arranged a deal to rollout a network in Iraq. The Party states that this will enforce the friendly relationship between DPRK and Egypt.
 
Interestingly, Vodafone seems to be interested in buying Mobilink, which is a Pakistani Opco, owned by Orascom.

Geez, it's all spaghetti.

Spinal Tap: Christmas with the Devil

The elves are dressed in leather
And the angels are in chains
(Christmas with the Devil)
The sugar plums are rancid
And the stockings are in flames
(Christmas with the Devil)
There's a demon in my belly
And a gremlin in my brain
There's someone up the chimney hole
And Satan is his name
The rats ate all the presents
And the reindeer ran away
(Christmas with the Devil)
There'll be no Father Christmas
'Cause it's Evils holiday
(Christmas with the Devil)
No bells in Hell
No snow below-
Silent Night, Violent Night
So come all ye unfaithful
Don't be left out in the cold
You don't need no invitation, no...
Your ticket is your soul