Jini Computer

Amazing and ridiculous at the same time, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are banning Blackberry services for all BB users, even if bought from Etisalat, UAE’s major telecom.

But why? Many don’t seem to understand the issue, well I’ll try to explain in very simple terms. When using email, chat and browsing, typically all mobile data travels through 3G or Edge networks which the likes of Etisalat owns, since all the data is going through them, then they can snoop whenever they like on the email and messages used on the phone.

All 3G smart phones like iPhone and Blackberry would have to use this network, however the Blackberry adds another security layer on top of the normal data stream that is sent through the network, which is called the Blackberry service. It is that service that allows instant alerts on new emails and messages, but it’s the same service that the UAE and Saudi governments have tried to snoop on 3 years ago but failed, so what do they decide to do? Ban the Blackberry altogether!

This story shows that these governments, law and enforcement, do in fact snoop on our phone calls and Internet usage without our knowledge, I guess in one hand it’s good for national security but on the other hand it is a clear invasion of privacy.

To be fair, Etisalat has offered it’s customers iPhones, Samsung Galaxy S or Nokia N72, N97 as a substitutes for their Blackberry.

But what’s going to happen to all corporate users who got their BBs from their companies?

Not to mention the visitors who will be shocked to know that their phone is useless there.

Etisalat offers free iPhones to Blackberry subscribers

UAE crackdown on BlackBerry services to extend to foreign visitors

As of now this is a rumor, but a very strong one, the Nikon D95 that should update the D90, and the budget D3100 that updates the not too old D3000.

Being a Nikon D40 and a Sigma 18-250 lens owner, I am looking to upgrade my camera that I bought 3 years ago, I’ve learnt much about DSLR photography, and I am putting on my wish list the following:

• Higher frame rate, D40 does 2.5fps, D95 should do 6fps and the D3100 3fps
• Full HD 1080p video shooting, my poor camera cannot do this, both the D95 and D3100 should be able to shoot 1080p HD movies
• Better ISO sensitivity and low noise in high ISOs, I would think the D95 should shine here
• Better auto focus, D40 has only 3 points/areas, while the D3100 is rumored to have 12 AF points while the D95 would have 39 AF points, sweet.

Price wise the D3100 should be in the same price bracket as the D3000, but the D95 is said to cost $1200 just for the body.

more details at nikonrumors.com