Smile4u Blog

Technology for Lazy People

samchin — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:34:40 +0000

Intel India flexes six-core muscle

samchin — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:02:49 +0000

The six-core processors allow Intel to further leapfrog smaller rival AMD technologically. After initial hiccups, AMD had just managed to roll out its quad-core processors earlier this year. The CPU market has traditionally been dominated by Intel but AMD, with its innovative Direct Connect Architecture, had been engaged in a battle for market share over the past two years. Both the firms had been undercutting each other in a brutal price war. Intel still retains a huge lead — in the server segment, the firm holds 86.2 per cent of the market, according to research firm IDC. The new generation processors is now expected to provide Intel with an average selling price boost as well

RCom launches prepaid BlackBerry services

samchin — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:46:51 +0000

Reliance Communications on Tuesday announced the launch of India’s first pre-paid BlackBerry services on GSM and CDMA models. The company has introduced two tariff plans — Plan Rs. 1,299 and Plan Rs. 1,599. In both the plans Reliance-to-Reliance mobile local and intra-circle calls are free

Rupee nears 47-mark…….

samchin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:46:45 +0000

After breaching the 46-mark on Monday, the rupee closed in on the 47-level against the dollar on Tuesday as strong demand for dollar continued amidst deepening concerns of capital outflows after a turmoil in U.S. financial markets.

The rupee closed at nearly 27-month low at 46.89/90, cheaper by 84 paise or 1.82 per cent.

The rupee had closed just 10 paise away from the 47-level at 46.9050/9150 on July 24, 2006.

Foreign exchange dealers said foreign banks and oil refiners heavily bought dollars in non-deliverable forward market amid low crude oil prices. The interbank foreign exchange market witnessed high volatility as the rupee fluctuated wildly between 46.18 and 46.98 on sustained dollar demand. — PTI

PSP……

samchin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:03:27 +0000

UTV’s Poi Solla Porom (U) is also praiseworthy for the sense and sensibility beneath the line of comedy.Its a story of seemingly uncaring children and responsible parents. A crisis stirs chords of affection and unity in the family. Sathyanathan (Nedumudi Venu) aspires to build a dream home for his wife and children with the money he gets after retirement, while son Uppilinathan (Karthik Kumar) is keen to go abroad. So, when an avaricious land broker (VMC Haneefa) gets him a piece of land and also allows the menacing Baby (Nasser), who is into illegal land deals, to occupy it, the family gets together to fight it out, matching fraud for fraud. Help comes to them in the form of Asif (Bosskey), Uppili’s girl friend Amritha (Piya) and her father, whom everyone calls ‘Daddy’ (Mouli).

Director Vijay deserves to be lauded for many aspects of PSP. One, of course, is the cast. Vijay brings out the best in Karthik Kumar, who looks every inch a software professional. He matches, and, at times, overtakes Parvin Dabas who did the part in KKG. Till date, no other director has used Karthik so well. Vying for top honours is Mouli who steals the show with a mind-blowing performance. In the part of ‘Daddy,’ posing as the rich man Varma from Dubai, he wins hands down. Again, it’s quite a break for Bosskey, who does a neat job as Asif, the man plotting to teach the villain a lesson. Underplay is the key and both Bosskey and Balaji (the secretary) emerge successful. New find Piya gets her expressions right though lip sync is an obvious problem. But Suchi’s (she’s dubbed for her) lively voice adds pep to Piya’s expressions. Boman Irani who did Nasser’s role in KKG showed how villainy can be funny … even likeable. Nasser as the land grabber isn’t far behind, but Irani is surely ahead. Nasser looks obese in PSP but it adds to the fun and Nedumudi Venu as Sathyanathan is natural, but again, he only comes a close second to Anupam Kher’s classic portrayal of Khosla Senior. Actor Rajesh who has lent voice for Venu is a definite value-addition.

Vijay’s dialogue, both humorous and thought-provoking, tickles the viewer almost throughout. Na. Muthukumar’s meaningful lyrics, the montage shots for the tracks and the tunes in general are highlights of M.G. Sreekumar’s music. But Gopisundar’s re-recording score is a little too loud for comfort. So, when the instruments fall silent in crucial scenes it’s a relief. If lighting can add to the fun, cinematographer Arvind Krishna’s does. The scene of the first meeting between Nasser and Venu, where the lighting is exaggeratedly eerie, is one such. Editing (Antony) is another satisfying aspect.

Vijay’s remake is as enjoyable as its Hindi counterpart. And in his urge to innovate, he introduces a few more sequences which go down well with the viewer. Kireedam, Vijay’s maiden effort, may not have fetched him the desired results. But this time round, he has understood the pulse of the audience even while sticking to his stand of providing standard fare. The makers should laugh their way to the bank. They deserve to.

SAROJA………

samchin — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:09:27 +0000

Director Venkat Prabhu who hit big time with his debut venture chennai28 has proved that he is not just a flash in a pan. His new film Saroja is a clean, fun-filled, family entertainer. Taking its title from the hit song saroja Saaman Nikaalo from his earlier film, Prabhu has blended all the commercial elements in a perfect mix. The result– an action thriller, produced by Amma Creations, is an absolute treat to watch

The film beginning with random shots of a chemical tanker speeding along the National Highway from Orissa; there’s a girl dancing in a nightclub accompanied by a singer (Yuvan) for the Cheeky Cheeky song. Cut to the city where Ajay Raj(Shiva), a TV serial star is engaged to pooja (Kajal Agarwal). There’s also GaneshKumar( Premji), a happy-go-lucky guy who falls in love with any girl he meets.

Jagapathy Babu (SPB Charan) is a married man with a nagging wife, a daughter and a younger brother RamBabu( Vaibhav) who has sacrificed his ladylove Pooja for Ajay. The four happen to be good friends, having a blast whenever they’re together. Once , they decide to go to Hydrabad to watch a cricket match. So with bags packed, the guys hit the road in the makeshift caravan set up by Ajay. However, things are not well at multimillionaire Vishwanath’s (Prakash Raj) household. His only daughter Saroja (Vega ) a Class 10 student is kidnapped by unidentified men.

Vishwanath’s best friend and police officer RaviChandran ( Jeyaram) comes to his rescue. Meanwhile, the road-trippers, after a minor accident, decide to return chennai, to catch the match on TV. But Ajay claims to know a shortcut to Hydrabad. They eventually land up at a desolate industrial estate– the hideout of the kidnapper Sampath, his henchmen and his girlfriend Kalyani ( Nikitha). The rest of the tale is about how the four save Saroja from the Villain’s clutches,which is narrated with twists and turns in a racy and enjoyable manner.

The foursome comprising Charan, Shiva, Vaibhav and Premji have done their part well and share perfect timing for comedy. Prakash Raj shines in his cameo. Jeyaram is the surprise packet who walks away with the laurels in a negative role. While new girl Vega fits the bill, Nikitha provides the glam quotient. However, the real hero is director Venkat Prabhu who deserves applause for his simple and honest narration minus frills. The film is imaginative and engrossing.

Yuvan Shankar’s songs are superb with the background score perfectly reflecting the mood of the film. Sakthi Saravanan’s brilliant cinematography is another highlight. Occasionally the pace is monotonous as it happens on a single locate, neverthless with its major plus points you cannot afford to miss the film.

India won the third ODI match:

samchin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:31:08 +0000

India did the near impossible at the Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, handing Sri Lanka only its 18th defeat in 67 ODIs at this venue and securing a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.India did it in partnerships. Man-of-the-Match M.S. Dhoni’s 80-ball 76 (8×4) and his alliances of 54 with Suresh Raina (53), and 67 with Rohit Sharma helped India score 237 for nine in 50 overs after winning the toss.Praveen Kumar and Zaheer Khan resumed their contract from Dambulla, reducing Sri Lanka’s reply to 40 for four: not nearly the point of no return — Mahela Jayawardene’s brave and brilliant 94 (111b, 6×4, 1×6) was far too good to be counted as merely raging against the dying of the light — but close enough.

Closing Ceremony of Beijing Olympics:

samchin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:26:49 +0000

“Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world. Athletes from 204 countries came to these dazzling venues and had us in awe with their talent. New stars were born. Stars from past Games amazed us again. We shared their joys and their tears, and we marvelled at their ability. We will long remember the achievements we witnessed here,” said Rogge in his address.

“One World, One Dream. The world today is in need of mutual understanding, inclusiveness, cooperation and harmonious development. The Beijing Olympic Games is a testimony of the fact that the world has its trust rested upon China. Owing to the Games, people have been united as one Olympic family, regardless of their nationalities, ethnic origins and cultural backgrounds. The IOC president passed it on to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, which will host the next Games in 2012.