GeekNUZ

Samsung Surpasses Motorola To Become #2 Mobile Supplier (Big Surprise)

Via Phone Scoop, one of my favorite mobile phone review sites:

Based on second quarter results, Samsung has surpassed Motorola to become the second-largest supplier of mobile handsets in the world. Up just under 50% compared to a year ago, Samsung shipped 37.4 million handsets, beating Motorola's predicted quarterly number of 35 million to 36 million. A portion of Samsung's success is based on finding a foothold in emerging markets, while attacking Motorola's declining position in Europe. Samsung ranks only behind Nokia, which remains the world's largest seller of handsets. Sony Ericsson places fourth and LG fifth in worldwide rankings.

Also, Samsung released a YouTube enabled mobile phone for Europe last week, the SGH-L760.  While LG announced this week a deal with Google that will get YouTube on their phones as well.  Full story at i4U.

Google Earth: Crisis In Darfur

If you are a Google Earth user, starting today you will be able to zoom in on all the carnage happening in Darfur.  The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum has teamed up with Google in an attempt to draw attention to what's happening in Sudan.  Users can zoom in to view destruction of villages and the location of displaced persons in refugee camps.  Here's Google's spin: "At Google, we believe technology can be a catalyst for education and action," Schrage [Google's vice president of global communications and public affairs] said. " 'Crisis in Darfur' will enable Google Earth users to visualize and learn about the destruction in Darfur as never before and join the museum's efforts in responding to this continuing international catastrophe."  Official site HERE.  Also check out www.savedarfur.org.

It's The End of The World As We Know It

A recent push by the SF Bay Area Red Cross for disaster preparedness has resulted in some nice works of creativity.  Two trompe l'oeil paintings depicting scenes of downtown SF destruction were strategically placed to demonstrate the aftermath of a natural disaster.  I think they make their points quite well.  The Red Cross also took out a phony ad on Craig's List  for a 2bdr/2br apartment in the Marina district for $1150 a month - what a steal!  Well, you decide.  Apparently it's estimated that only 6% of people in the Bay Area are prepared for the next 'Big One.'  Myself not included.  (Photos courtesy of WIRED)

China - World's Largest Brain Drain

According to a report by the Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing China has the world's most severe brain drain - approximately two-thirds of all students from China who study abroad since the 1980's do not return to their country of origin.  Read the accounts of four such former students via BBC.  China is a vast source for skilled professionals, especially for Western and European IT markets.  Photo courtesy of The Economist

Steve Jobs presents Apple's latest product (and political commentary) via MadTV

Spielberg In Possession of Stolen Painting

Unbeknownst to filmmaker Steven Spielberg, a Norman Rockwell painting, "The Russian Classroom," he had legitimately purchased 18 years ago turns out to be a stolen piece of work.  His staff apparently realized this after seeing an FBI theft notice.  He is now cooperating with the FBI "until its disposition can be determined."

New Fleet of Nuclear Warheads for US In 5 Years

Talk about poor timing: the US has announced that it is currently developing nuclear warheads that will replace (not add to) our existing arsenal.  The new missiles will replace the current Trident missiles used on submarines.  But at a time when we are avidly trying to deter Iran and North Korea from advancing their nuclear programs, is this sending a mixed message to the world?  (Continue reading via BBC)

Swiss Accidentally Invade Liechtenstein

A routine training exercise turned into an international event today as 170 Swiss infantry soldiers wandered off course into neighboring Liechtenstein.  Thankfully, both countries remained politically neutral and no military muscle was flexed by either side.  Via NYT.

Per one military spokesperson: "We've spoken to the authorities in Liechtenstein and it's not a problem,'' Daniel Reist told The Associated Press.

Taiwan Commemorates 60th Anniversary of "228"

Commemorative events are being held this week throughout Taiwan for what has come to be known as The "228 Incident." On February 28, 1947, the arrest of a cigarette vendor in Taipei led to large-scale protests by the native Taiwanese against the corruption and repression of Chiang Kai-shek's Chinese Nationalist government, which had come over from China after Japan's defeat by the Allied forces in 1945. Following the protests, troops that Chiang's government secretly sent from mainland China rounded up and executed an entire generation of leading figures, including students, lawyers, and doctors. Scholars estimate that up to 28,000 people lost their lives in the turmoil. During the "White Terror" of the subsequent years, the Nationalists ruled Taiwan under martial law, which ended only when democratization set in during the mid-1980s. The "228 Incident" remains a defining event in the political divide that exists in Taiwan today. Today, the majority of Taiwanese youth are unaware of these events do to historical revisionism on the part of the Nationalist party. For the first time this year Taiwanese school history text books will include explanations about "228."