Amazon Shutting Down Alexa Web Search Service
November 28, 2008
(ChattahBox) — Amazon quietly release some negative news during the Thanksgiving break – that they’re shutting down one of its web services – Alexa Web Search. On the Alexa Web Search site itself Amazon says the service has been “deprecated,” which is a fancy waying of saying it’s no longer supported. The service, is already closed to new customers, and existing users have until January 26, 2009 to move on to something else. Read more
A look at the new Mac Book
November 28, 2008
(ChattahBox) — Looks like Steve Jobs and his team down at Apple Corp have done it again. At first glance, the new Mac Book released this October of 2008 is exquisite. The design is meticulous in detail as one would expect from an Apple. The new Mac Book still adheres to the simple-yet-beautiful philosophy. The sculpted lines are still minimalist in character with the glossy display, the sunken keyboard design, and the non-mechanical magnetic latch still intact which are all inherited from its ancestor–the iBook G4.
Enough with drooling over the aesthetics. The main question is: “Does the Mac Book pack the goodies?” Apple had announced that it was bringing some exciting but still costly technology to the new Mac book. I thought Apple would have integrated Blue ray or some large capacity standard solid-state drives, but, unfortunately, there were none. Read more
Winona Ryder in middle of stolen jewelry controversy
November 28, 2008
Spain (ChattahBox) — Winona Ryder has found herself in a middle of another controversy but she may be an innocent (but perhaps naive) victim this time. Winona was in Madrid Sunday for a Marie Claire event. Marie Claire loaned Winona and outfit to wear which was accessorized with some bling in the form of a Bulgari bracelet and a ring to wear, worth $125,000 to wear to the shindig. Read more
Rosie O’Donnell’s special “Rosie Live” fails to impress
November 28, 2008
(ChattahBox) — Rosie O’Donnell’s pre Thanksgiving NBC special proved to be more turkey then viewers cared to consume. NBC had high hopes for the special and planned to expand the program into a series should viewers re-embrace the decades-old variety format. Other networks, too, were watching closely since several are developing variety shows of their own. However the network’s attempt to revive the primetime variety show failed to draw an audience Wednesday night, tying for the evening’s lowest-rated program. A mere 5 million viewers tuned in for the 8 p.m. premiere of “Rosie Live,” with the program earning a 1.2 preliminary adults 18-49 rating. The telecast matched ABC’s recently canceled “Pushing Daisies” as the night’s lowest-rated program on a major broadcast network. Read more
Can Pills Help To Prevent HIV Virus?
November 28, 2008
(ChattahBox) — The notoriously tricky and deceptive, HIV virus has left scientists frustrated for nearly two decades. The virus has eluded all efforts made by the scientists to find a vaccine. It has killed nearly 22 million people and has left another 32 million infected dreading them to fight against their death every day. Scientists have undertaken clinical trials to see if a new pill could preventatively block the virus and protect those who are not infected with it. Read more
Britney Spears Performs ”Womanizer” at Bambi Awards (Video & Photos)
November 28, 2008
Germany (ChattahBox) — Britney Spear gave her first live stage performance since her disappointing 2007 MTV VMAs last year. Brit attended Germany’s annual Bambi awards an annual television and media prize hosted by the Hubert Burda Media Group, where she received the gong for Best International Pop Star. Spears received her award from designer Karl Lagerfeld at the event on Thursday (Thurs27Nov08) before taking to the stage to thrill fans with a remixed version of her U.S. number one smash Womanizer. Read more
Scorned Couple Sienna Miller and Balthazar Getty reunite in England
November 28, 2008
(ChattahBox) — Wives in England can rejoice, because Sienna Miller may no longer be on the hunt for a new man. After kicking her heels up back home in England, Miller has reportedly reconciled with married boyfriend Balthazar Getty. The pair was rumored to have split earlier this month, with Miller confirming the break-up shortly afterward. But Getty flew in from the states on Wednesday to spend his Thanksgiving holiday with Sienna (insert your own stuffing the Turkey joke here). The pair were first spotted enjoying a lunch date in London on Thursday. Read more
California Police Pull Over Naked Drunken Driving Suspect
November 28, 2008
California (ChattahBox) — The California police were completely shocked to discover that the man they had stunned with a Taser was completely naked. The authorities had pulled over a drunken driving suspect and used a stun gun on his head and neck. They soon discovered that the man was completely naked.
According to the Police Officer, Stephen Colon, they were alerted by driver about a van that had just hit his car. When the officers pulled the van over, the driver was fumbling in the driver seat and refused to put up his hands.
The identity of the man was not disclosed and he is being tested for drugs and alcohol.
Hotel Staff Emerge As Heroes in Mumbai Attacks
November 28, 2008
Mumbai (ChattahBox) — Kanda Noroyaki, a Chef at the Japanese restaurant at the Taj, led guests to safety as they went trembling and screaming across the hotel. Another unnamed hotel maintenance staff was shot as he ushered guests into a service car and helped them reach a safe spot. The tales of such unnamed heroes are echoing throughout Mumbai and every guest at the hotels has stories to tell about each staff member who hid, shielded or evacuated their wealthy guests to safe spots.
Hotel staffs are familiar with every nook and corner of the hotel area. They also know the short cuts to safety and emergency exits as well. One of the guests at the Taj Hotel told Reuters, “Just imagine, they even served us food the first few hours. Only when the kitchens became out of bounds did they express regret for not being able to serve us food.” Read more
EU Competition Commissioner Threatens Drug Makers
November 28, 2008
(ChattahBox) — The EU Competition Commissioner, Neelie Kroes, accused drug makers of breaching anti-trust laws. Big drug companies are accused of abusing their patents by blocking or delaying generic drugs coming to the market that are more affordable to the consumers. She threatened that although it is an early case the commission will not hesitate to open anti-trust cases against the drug companies where there are indications of breach of anti-trust laws. Read more