Microsoft Surface - New Era of Computing

I heard buzz about this Microsoft Surface computing for several days, but by chance found the Microsoft link for the Surface-computing web. I guess this is the change what we expect from the computing world; there are lots of hopes about new computers made up of neurons for fast response or use of optical technology for hasty data transfer. At least we have something new to try out soon. Surface computing!!! I’m wondering how it feels. When I first saw the new Apple iPhone which is going to be released on June 29th, there is a fundamental similarity between Microsoft Surface and Apple iPhone. Both of them actually trying to provide real time feeling actually touch , not touch of a button. Its like computers and techs we saw in Sci-Fi’s. New Era of technology.

Wanna know more about the Microsoft Surface.......

Microsoft Surface represents a fundamental change in the way we interact with digital content. With Surface, we can actually grab data with our hands, and move information between objects with natural gestures and touch. Surface features a 30-inch tabletop display whose unique abilities allow for several people to work independently or simultaneously. All without using a mouse or a keyboard.

While the first Microsoft Surface units won’t hit the market until winter 2007, over the coming months you’ll have opportunity to get hands on with surface at a host of events.

SIGGRAPH Conference, San Diego, CA August 5-9, 2007.

Read more?
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/

Apple iPhone - Available on June 29th, 2007

What will happened if I’m not using Tmobile and not in a situation of a 2 year contract for Tmobile plan, I wanna definitely buy this monstrous phone, Apple iPhone. The phone is expected to come out in June 29th 2007 in USA, Europe in the fourth QTR and Asia in 2008 and it will be available exclusively on Cingular for $499 on a two-year contract for the 4GB version and $599 for the 8GB version.

The Apple iPhone is not just a phone - it is a phone, music player, video player, internet device, and camera all in one. Like its Apple iPod Nano and iPod video cousins, the iPhone is slim and sleek at just 11.6mm thick, 2.4-inches wide, and 4.5-inches tall.

Steve Jobs has such confidence in the new iPhone that he has said he wants to sell over 10 million of them by 2008. I think he's setting his sights a little low, and project that Apple will sell over 10 million iPhones in less than 6 months. With the following that Apple has, and the fact that this device has been rumored about and anticipated for almost four years now, it shouldn't be too far out of the realm of possiblity.
iPod Features:
The Apple iPhone is a widescreen iPod that features touch screen controls that allow you to enjoy all your content, including audiobooks, music, TV shows, and movies. It features an amazing 3.5-inch widescreen display, and allows you to sync content from your iTunes library on your PC or Mac, making that content also accessible with just the touch of a finger.

iPhone users will be able to scroll through songs, artists, albums, and playlists with just a flick of a finger. One cool new feature of this function is the display of album artwork - you can now use Cover Flow to browse your music library by album artwork for the first time on an iPod.

Kyle XY - ABC Family Sci-Fi series

A few weeks ago, I saw a post at Indika's blog regarding an exciting dram series (I guess it is Sci-Fi) called "Roswell High". So I thought its better to mention another one, which is popular in US these days. One good thing about this is you can even watch it for free using the streaming. Its called Kyle XY and if u r at US, u can see it on every Monday at 7pm (I guess this is the correct time, check your local ABCFamily TV guide for more info) on ABC Family TV channel. If you wanna watch it online, here's the link for ABC Family watch site. Nim and me started with the "Kyle XY series one" I guess after the first episode. But I missed lot of episodes due to my working schedule, Nim never miss any :) Fortunately before the second series starts, ABC Family channel repeated the "series one" last Sunday, one after another.

So what is Kyle XY????

"A teenage boy is found wandering alone. He has no name. He has no past. As innocent as a newborn, he doesn't speak and he seems to look at the world as if for the first time. With no place else to take him, the police send him to juvenile hall where he's given the name Kyle. It's obvious that Kyle isn't like the other kids, but when it's discovered that he has no bellybutton, an administrator begins to realize just how different Kyle might be. He calls in Nicole Trager, a kind-hearted social worker, to help with the case. Sensing something special about Kyle, Nicole takes him home, much to the chagrin of her husband, teenage daughter and boisterous young son.

Settling into the Trager's busy household isn't easy. There is so much Kyle doesn't know, and yet he demonstrates amazing abilities no one can explain. His talents are just the tip of the mystery, and the questions are just starting to grow: Who is Kyle? Where did he come from? Who is the man watching him?

Every day, Kyle encounters something new.....music, a pretty neighbor, a wild party, danger, lies, jealousy, humor, touch, trust, love. And each day, the Tragers think they are getting to know him. But the mystery surrounding Kyle is just beginning."

Wanna read more about Kyle XY?

Money, Others, and Me

Today I just thought, why we earn (and specially save) money? Whether it is Sri Lankan rupees, US Dollars, Euros, Yens.......whatever, I guess this is what I think about it (say my perspective)

For happiness?
Extra lavishness?
For upcoming success?
Outdo the others! (Relations or friends)
Feel the comfort?
Life along peace & harmony (except happiness)
Healthier life (why money for this? I guess just to pay the bills. Simple it is)
Give helping hands (first we need to be stand to give others hand)
To be stand with less helping hands
See the unseen (purely to visit the places we never did so, nothing else!)
Be on the safer side (no worries)
Feel protected
Reach un-reached (goals)
Realize dreams

But what others think (and say) about it?
Selfishness
That's what the others think. I'm speechless

Prof. V.K. Samaranayake passes away – this salute is for you professor

Well-known Emeritus Professor of Computer Science, V.K. Samaranayake has passed away on the night of 6th June 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden.

This is shocking news; he was the founder of the BIT (Bachelor of Information Technology- External) program at the University of Colombo (UCSC). Thanks to him lots of people, including me got the opportunity to step into the IT world. Specially because of the knowledge I gained from the BIT let me to perform exceptionally in my internal undergraduate program at the University of peradeniya to get the exclusive computer science special entrance (just a 13 computer specials students out of 100+ computer students from the faculty)
Prof. V.K. Samaranayake, was the founder Director, University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) of the University of Colombo, and Chairman of Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka,
Late Prof. V.K. Samaranayake was a Fellow of the Harvard Information Infrastructure Project and the National Center for Digital Government of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He is also a Post Graduate holder of the University of Kalaniya.
In the field of IT he has pioneered work on IT Policy, Legal Infrastructure, EDI/E-Commerce, Security, Internet Technology, Computer Awareness and IT Education. He was actively involved in the formulation of the ISO 10646 standard for Sinhalese Characters and in the development of multilingual web sites. He has also been instrumental in helping to apply computers in many areas of governance, including in national elections. He also actively extended his contribution in implementing the 'Nanasala' concept in to a reality.
The Government of Sri Lanka has honoured Prof. Samaranayake for his contribution towards IT by the award of Vidya Prasadini in 1997 and the national honour Vidya Jyothi in 1998. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has presented its President's Award for International Cooperation to Prof. Samaranayake in 1996 in recognition of his contribution.
His remains will be brought to Sri Lanka and funeral arrangements will take place in Colombo

Special Note: Here's pic of the BIT batch photo, at the front seated Prof V.K Samaranayake, and me at the 3rd row standing in the middle (rounded circle marked)

LTTE bunkers made up of sacks of rice - Vedio

Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley gained exclusive
access with the Sri Lankan military