Smartphones Represent 40% US Mobile Phones

Smartphones now representing 40 percent of all mobile phones in the U.S., according Nielsen, reports Giga OM

"Forty percent of mobile consumers over 18 in the U.S. now have smartphones, according to July 2011 data from Nielsen. Android is the most popular operating system, with 40 percent of mobile consumers reporting they have a smartphone with an Android OS. Apple’s iOS is in second place, with 28 percent."

Read full Nielsen report

Greetings of Eid ul-Fitr 2011

To muslims all over the world,

Ar-Raina Family

wishing you

joy, prosperity

and peace

on

Eid ul-Fitr

For the information of nonmuslims,muslims celebrate 'Eid ul Fitr on the first day of Shawwal - the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, following the month of Ramadhan (in which the revelation started and ended 20+ years later, and which is also the month of fasting). Following a Lunar calendar, Muslims mark the beginning of the month with the sighting of the new crescent.

The month long fasting of Ramadan culminates into the festival of 'Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking). It is a festival of joy, family reunion and thanksgiving to Almighty God. The giving of a special charity for this occasion is obligatory. This is known as Zakat. Muslims dress in holiday attire, attend a special community prayer in the morning, and visit friends and relatives. Greetings of "'Eid mubarak," or "a blessed 'Eid" are exchanged.

Report Corruption And Bribes Using Bribespot

“The app itself makes sense. It is easy to explain.”
said Artas Bartas

MobileActive.org reports about BRIBESPOT, a mobile application for andriod (iphone version will be expected in October) that allows people to submit reports of corruption and bribes.

According to Artas Bartas and the team of developers of Bribespot, this application aims, "To visualize the corruption that is happening, to act as facilitators on the technical side, and to make as many aware of the service as possible. Second, Bribespot wants to make it easy for others to act upon Bribespot information, such as anti-corruption organization or investigative journalists."

"Bribespot adoption and use has been widespread in Lithuania. Bribespot staff are based in the country and the service has received media attention. There are also many active users in Romania, where the service has been picked up by blogs and web portals. In Romania, many people use the app regularly, Bartas said, which might indicate persistent issues of corruption."

"One example from Lithuania is posted on the Bribespot site, in which an individual was asked for 200 USD for a speeding infraction. Another example from Poland reports a bribe for 25 EUR: Traffic cop stopped car. Suggested "half the fine" but first made sure his radiotelephone was off."

I think Bribespot is a very useful application to curb the prevalence of corruption and bribery.

Read full report

SELAMAT HARI RAYA ALDILFITRI 2011

Ar-Raina Family

KAMI, KELUARGA AR-RAINA

MENGUCAPKAN
SELAMAT HARI RAYA ALDILFITRI
KEPADA
KAUM KELUARGA, JIRAN TETANGGA,
SAHABAT HANDAI,
KENALAN DAN SEMUA
MUSLIMIN MUSLIMAT
DAN POHON
MAAF ZAHIR BATIN.

MARILAH KITA BERSYUKUR
KEHADRAT ALLAH SWT
KERANA TELAH MENYEMPURNAKAN
IBADAH PUASA
DAN KINI
BERSUKA RIA MENYAMBUT RAYA

SEMOGA SILATURRAHIM
DIPERERATKAN
SERTA
PERPADUAN UMMAH
DIPERKUKUHAN,
AMIN.

The World's Smallest Monkey

The smallest monkey in the world is pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea) which can be found in Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Bolivia and some places of Peru. This monkey grows to a height of 11 to 15 cm and has a 17-22 cm long tail. It weighs only 120 to 190 grams; and weighs only 15 grams at the time of birth.

Pygmy marmosets live 11-12 years in the wild, but in zoos, they live into their early twenties. Marmosets often live in groups made up of an adult pair and its offspring; ranging from 2-6 members. Young marmosets typically remain in the group until after 2 consecutive birth cycles.

Read more on the world's smallest animals.

How technology fuelled Britain's first 21st century riot

Its very sad and disheartening to know that violence has erupted in several parts of London as rioters looted and set fire to buildings and cars. Technology has played an important part in these events.

The Telegraph reported that" the Tottenhem riots were orchestrated by teenage gang members who used the latest mobile phone technology to incite and film the looting and violence.

The disorder was captured second-by-second on Twitter with rioters so caught up in the frenzy of destruction they thought nothing of posting incriminating pictures of themselves stealing from ransacked shops.

Gang members used Blackberry smart-phones designed as a communications tool for high-flying executives to organise the mayhem.

The Blackberry phone, one of the first devices to offer mobile email, was once the preserve of business leaders and political aides but has become increasingly popular with members of urban gangs and teenagers."

Read full report

15 Great Ways To Lose Weight Fast

Want to lose weight fast? It's easy to say goodbye to 10 pounds of unwanted fat with these easy diet tips. Just pay attention to what you eat and be sure to have good tasting, fresh and healthy food including snacks, fill up on vegetables and keep your taste buds happy with fruit.

No need to make sacrifices! Just follow these simple guidelines to lose your first 10 pounds, last 10 pounds or give your weight loss program a boost when it seems to have stuttered to a halt. This is a balanced and flexible plan that you can use for as long as you want.

1. Keep a note of everything that you eat and drink. You do not need to estimate calories. Just write down what it was that you had and the approximate quantity. You will find that being more aware of what you are eating helps you to plan healthy meals and snacks.

2. Halve your intake of all pure or added fats. This means using half as much butter or spread on your bread, toast, muffins and potatoes; half the usual amount of mayonnaise or sauce on your salad; and half the oil in the frypan every time.

3. Limit treats containing sugar to three times per week. This includes chocolate, ice cream, desserts, cake, pastries, cookies, etc.

4. Include a lower fat source of protein at most meals: chicken, fish, beans, cottage cheese, or low fat yogurt. Have eggs, nuts and red meat occasionally but not every day.

5. Plan at least one lunch and dinner every week without meat or cheese. Build those meals around whole grains, vegetables and beans to increase fiber and reduce fat.

6. Reduce the fat content in your milk products. If you are currently drinking whole milk, reduce to 2% fat. From 2% reduce to 1%. Choose lower fat cheese and yogurt. When you buy yogurt, also check that it does not contain sugar.

7. Have at least two servings of fruit every day. This can be for dessert or snacks. Choose fruit that is in season.

8. Drink water instead of sodas, juices, milky drinks or alcohol. Avoid diet soda - the sweet taste only encourages you to crave sugar. Hot water with a slice of lemon can be very refreshing in the morning.

9. Include at least two servings of vegetables at lunch and dinner. If you are getting hungry, have more.

10. Eat slowly. The body is slow to register when you are full and it is easy to eat too much if you are racing through your meals.

11. Grated carrot makes a great snack. You will find that a grated carrot is much more filling than a whole carrot. Strange but true.

12. Use whole grains wherever possible. The fiber will give you a fuller feeling and also help your digestion.

13. Choose food that you can chew. Again this will increase your fiber intake, and the act of chewing will make you feel more satisfied too. This means eating fruit instead of drinking juice. If you have soup, make sure it is chunky.

14. Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. Plan your shopping too - make a list of what you need and stick to it. If you just grab something when you are feeling hungry, you will probably choose high calorie food.

15. Always switch off the TV when you eat. That includes snacks as well as meals. Studies have proved that we eat larger portions in front of the TV, probably because we are much less aware of what we are eating. When you eat, only eat if you want to lose weight fast.