Yearly Archives: 2014

Business, Human Interest, International, Technology, The Media

SAMSUNG, APPLE, NOKIA TO ‘KILL’ FRONT-FACING CAMERAS ON THEIR SMARTPHONES

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imageSilicon Valley, California – Three of the world’s largest manufacturers of smartphones – Samsung, Apple and Nokia — jointly announced today that they are eliminating the front-facing camera (FFC) feature in all their future products beginning this year.

FFCs are cameras on the front of smartphones and other mobile devices that enable users to take selfies and initiate two-way video chats.

The manufacturers reached this decision after a firestorm erupted on social (and other) media following the announcement by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) that it has officially classified taking selfies as a mental disorder.  APA called it ‘selfitis.’

Speaking on behalf of the three manufacturers, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that “the mobile phone industry has a social responsibility to keep their products health conscious.  We are more concerned about the health of our customers, more than the profits we generate from our gadgets.”

Meanwhile, the APA defended its use of the term ‘selfitis’ to describe the new mental disorder.  Critics have pointed out that ‘itis’ indicates an inflammation, more than an addiction.  APA said that it used the correct terminology because in so many ways, selfitis is an inflammation of the ego.

 

Film and TV, The Media

JIMMY FALLON, SETH MEYERS TO RETIRE IN 2044

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Letterman, Fallon, Meyers
Letterman, Fallon, Meyers

New York City, New York- This week is turning out to be “retirement week”  for television late-night talk show hosts, with David Letterman announcing that he will retire as host of the “Late Show” come 2015.  Letterman made the announcement during a taping of his CBS show on Thursday. He has been host of the show since 1993, when he moved to CBS after his former network, NBC, opted to hire Jay Leno to take over the “Tonight Show” when longtime host Johnny Carson retired.

Following Letterman’s announcement, both Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers announced that they will be retiring in 2044.   Fallon, 39, is currently the host of the “Tonight Show,” taking over the reins from Jay Leno who retired early after hosting the show for 22 years. Meyers, 40, is host of  “Late Night With Seth Meyers.”  Fallon and Meyers said that their announcement will give the NBC television network ample time to line up their respective replacements when they reach retirement age.

Walters, left, and Rivers
Walters, left, and Rivers

Meanwhile, two of the most recognizable women faces on television, Barbara Walters, 84, and Joan Rivers, 80, have said they have no immediate plans of retiring. “Women age more gracefully than men, so I am have no plans of stepping down any time soon,” Rivers said.  Walters told reporters that “women have the staying power and I will keep on going, and going.”

 

International, Politics, Science and Environment, Sports, The Media

BILL CLINTON ENDORSES MANNY PACQUIAO FOR PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT

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Clinton with Pacquiao
Clinton with Pacquiao

Las Vegas, Nevada – Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao had an unexpected visitor this week during his training session for his upcoming rematch with Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas. The visitor? Former President Bill Clinton.

Clinton has never made secret his admiration for the Filipino boxer who also happens to be a member of the Philippine House of Representatives. Pacquiao is the incumbent elected representative of his hometown of Sarangani.

During the 30-minute visit, Clinton and Pacquiao discussed a wide range of issues, from the future of the boxing sport to the Clinton Global Initiative to Philippine politics.

At the end of the private meeting, Clinton announced that he was betting his dollar on Pacquiao and predicted that the Filipino boxer will regain the title he lost by a controversial judges’ decision to Bradley. The Pacquiao-Bradley2 match will take place April 12 at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas.

Clinton also made another surprising announcement: that he was endorsing Pacquiao’s candidacy for the 2016 Philippine presidential elections.

Several months ago, The Adobo Chronicles broke the story about Pacquiao’s quest to succeed President NoyNoy Aquino whose term expires in 2016.

Political analysts are in agreement that because of Pacquiao’s enormous popularity among the Filipino people, he could win the elections hands down on his own, but they also agree that the endorsement by the equally popular Clinton would put Pacquiao way over the top in the 2016 political contest.

Presumptive 2016 presidential candidate, incumbent Vice President Jejomar Binay, has yet to comment on the Clinton endorsement of Pacquiao.