This has nothing to do with my usual topics of discussion, but it is a great ad for the Newsday iPad application.

There is a new ad campaign being developed called "Offlining". The goal is to get people to dedicate time that is gadget-free - no blackberries, phones, ipads, ipods, etc. and just develop face to face relations with other people.

The newest ads in the campaign even invoke Yom Kippur and relate messages such as "You don't have to be Jewish to make amends for your tweets on Yom Kippur" (Lindsay Lohan), "You don't have to give up drunk dialing for Yom Kipur" (Mel Gibson), and "You don't have to be Jewish to atone for your texts on Yom Kipur" (Tiger Woods).

The Wall Street Journal has an article discussing the ban on bringing Apple iPads into Israel. The official reason for the ban by the Israeli government is that the iPad uses wifi technology that meets US standards, while Israel works with wifi that uses European standards. The US wifi is more powerful than the European wifi, and therefore Israel cannot allow in the iPad until it is reconfigured with European standards.

The WSJ article comments on that comparing it to other Apple products, and other US products that have wifi such as Blackberry phones and laptops that come fro the US with wifi and do not get banned or confiscated.

"This device's wireless strengths violate Israeli law and will overpower other wireless devices in Israel," ministry spokesman Yechiel Shavi said.

Mr. Shavi said once Apple releases a version of the device built according to European wireless specifications, the ban will be reversed. An Apple spokeswoman said the "iPad complies with international industry standards for Wi-Fi specifications."

The decision has left many scratching their heads. Travelers have been bringing laptops and cellphones configured to U.S. standards, including other Apple devices with the same wireless configuration, into Israel for years without incident. Some Israeli lawmakers alleged on Friday the decision undermines Israel's status as a global leader in the high-tech industry.

[...]

The ban has triggered an angry wave of criticism in Israel, as gadget-happy Israeli consumers fear they will once again be forced to watch with envy as the rest of the world enjoys the latest high-tech toy, as happened with Apple's iPhone which was released in Israel months after it debuted in the U.S. and Europe. Retailers who ordered shipments of the iPad fear their stock will be confiscated at customs.

Mr. Shavi, the ministry spokesman, said anyone who brought wireless devices configured to U.S. standards into Israel in the past should have declared them to customs officials and could have had their devices confiscated. But he didn't know of any incidents in which devices were confiscated.

Some technology experts have speculated the ban could have to do with fears that the more powerful wireless frequency used by American devices could interfere with Israeli military communications technology. Unlike MacBook computers, the iPad uses the same wireless chip as the iPhone, which has a radio receiver and transmitter.

Israel's government has in the past stood up to tech powerhouses. In 2003, the government temporarily suspended purchases of Microsoft Corp.'s software and openly encouraged open source alternatives due to a pricing dispute.

What is perhaps even more interesting, as the WSJ article itself doesn't really say much, is the comments on the article. Readers compare it to other situations and suggest all Israel is waiting for is some bribe money to the right officials, compare it to issues of peace making, and more, with some decent suggestions thrown in as well....

I don't use iPods and mp3 players much, and I am not too much into the gadget scene.

Ever since my son got an iPod for his bar mitzvah, it has really thrown me for a loop. I help him sync songs onto it.

I have one comment - for a company that is leading edge in making amazing products and software, they could have done a far better job with the itunes software. It is very confusing to figure out how to sync the songs and videos onto the iPod. I synced some video onto the iPod and now all the songs disappeared. It took me a dozen tries to figure out how to get a few video clips on the iPod.

I must say I have been very surprised and disappointed as to how confusing the iPod and iTunes system has been to figure out and use. Apple has always been so intuitive to use and this is so difficult.

This guy was spotted schnorring in shul with a wireless credit card machine for ultimate schnorring!

Hannuka gelt in the New York Times? A cool gift...

I recently wrote about a new, really cool product from Microsoft... Here is a funny, updated video about the same product...





Thanks, Shaya..

This is really cool. I think I want one!

and speaking about current events... there is a new GPS phone on the market, being marketed under the name Pharos - just in time for the Torah portions about the Egyptian Pharo(ah)...