The Bieber magic continues to spread across all entertainment mediums leaving no stone unturned. Recently, Justin announced a biography chronicling his journey to fame and life on the road to date. It promises information about his love life and many exclusive new pictures of the Teen sensation. Below is a first look at the books cover.
Apple’s just unveiled their new iPad. It’s basically a cross between a Laptop and an iPhone. You can see all the glorious tiny details on Apple’s website (apple.com/ipad) but let’s discuss first impressions.
When Steve Jobs unveiled the beautiful, huge, ridiculously thin, touch screen device I got very excited. But then he started talking about what it did. It’s nothing groundbreaking. My first impression is of a glorified iPhone, minus the camera and GPS. I was hoping for a full blown touch screen computer, which would mean no more horrible keyboards and mice, just pure finger freedom. I was hoping to be shocked and make oooo, ahhh noises just like the moment the iPhone was revealed but there was none of that.
Don’t get me wrong, the device is great to look at, and probably fun to use but there is no must buy factor. If you have an iPhone or even an iTouch then there is no great appeal to the iPad. In fact, even if you don’t I would rather have an iPhone simply because it’s easier to cart around.
Maybe the problem is the huge hype, such intense hype that even if the iPad shot lasers it wouldn’t have lived up to it. I was practically expecting a unicorn to prance across the stage today, but I was disappointed.
We’ll have to wait and see if Apple has anything more up their sleeves, but for the time being, I’m not interested.
I’ve never been a fan of fantasy, for whatever reason, wizards and magic don’t do anything for me. However, when these stories are mixed with adventure, suspense, action and even a bit of comedy, I’m instantly glued to the pages – hungry for more.
Daniel Fox and the Jester’s Legacy is the story of a boy who dies and goes to the underworld. A world which is surprisingly like the one we live in today, but with fantastic creatures and a sinister undertone. As Daniel spends more time in the underworld, know as Arison, he begins to feel a great sense of purpose to his arrival. He must find what he is destined to do, and he must find it fast.
The book was written by sixteen year old Andy Peterson who was born in Chicago but now lives in Johannesburg. Peterson is Penguin – South Africa’s youngest author ever published. And why should he wait? His brilliant imagination and great sense of timing has this young author ready to compete with experienced authors across the country.
Not only is his first work easy reading, it’s a very original look at the afterlife and beyond. Peterson has managed to incorporate many themes into the story, giving this fantasy adventure a unique texture. From the pressures of having everything to the harsh world of thieves the story throws Daniel about the underworld. He’s left with just his wits to overcome great challenges far beyond his years.
Forgetting the amazing age of the author, this book is a must read for young fantasy lovers and even those who are looking to be engulfed by a world of adventure.
Along with the new iPods, Apple recently launched a new version of iTunes, iTunes 8. The new version looks very similar to the old version, but has a few new features that we’ve all been waiting for.
The biggest addition to the program is HD (High Definition) viewing. You can now download and watch HD T.V. shows using iTunes. When you buy the show you will also get an iPod ready version with the best settings for your iPod.
Another important background addition is in the accessibility department. It is now screen reader friendly on both Mac and PC. A screen reader basically helps disabled people to use the computer. It uses audio and/or Braille outputs to help the user to understand what is on the screen. It also works for iTunes content so that anybody can now purchase and download from iTunes.
Genius is Apple’s new playlist creator. You choose a song and click on the genius button and iTunes will create a playlist of other songs in your library that, ‘go great together.’ The sidebar will find music on the iTunes Store that goes with the song, helping you to find new music that you may like. It’s a nice addition but nothing groundbreaking.
On the visual side Apple has added two new elements. They have a new Visualiser with 3D spheres, ribbons and lights that move to the beat and they have Grid View. Grid View is just another way to look through your music. Your library will be displayed using the cover art of the albums. It looks great if you have all your album artwork, but if you don’t, this new feature will be of no use to you.
Although iTunes has not changed much at first glance it has taken a huge step forward, a step into the next generation of entertainment. And along with it they’ve given us a few extra features that can be used or ignored at your discretion.
I first came across the Spud series by accident. A few of my friends at school were excitedly talking about skipping a lesson and going with the librarian to a nearby shopping centre to see John van de Ruit. I had no idea who that was but when offered the opportunity to miss class I wasn’t going to say no.
I happily climbed in the car totally oblivious to what I was getting myself into. We arrived at the Exclusive Books and took our seat in front of John. He began talking about Spud and having stolen his diary, in my naive state I thought he really had stolen some kid’s diary and published it. It wasn’t until he started reading a section of the book that my curiosity sky rocketed. It was one of the wombat scenes. After a few annoying questions about whether the book was about him or not, I’m sure John must be so tired of answering that question, I was already plotting an ingenious plan to get the book ASAP. Needless to say I was hooked and eagerly awaited the second book. This time I managed to wangle a review copy out of the penguins (Penguin Publishers), of whom I’m growing very fond, for the third book.
It arrived early on launch day. I had a friend coming over for the day and was ready to get rid of him before my mother convinced me that that would be rude. The second my friend left I lunged into the book and devoured it page by page. All of my favourite characters are back for more zany adventures.
The book follows Spud’s third year of high school. Being a senior doesn’t make life any easier for Spud. With a new Malawian boy in their dorm, everybody pushing for prefect, and a whole term in a girls boarding school, Spud’s journey from boy to man is filled with fall off your chair laughing moments. These are best enjoyed away from the public eye. The last thing you need is for the funny farm to be after you.
The book definitely has a more mature tone, not only from Spud but from John as an author. The laughs are often more sophisticated but the right mix with slap stick is still there. What amazes me is the way John has matured the characters without loosing the humour. You notice it, but it doesn’t bother you. In fact it’s what keeps the story fresh.
It should be noted that for the first time the book really feels like it’s going somewhere from the start. By the time you reach the end, you’ll feel satisfied that the story has set a direction for the final book – something which was lacking in the last two books.
I really can’t fault the book. Whether it’s because I’m blinded by my fetish with the characters or my relation to the twists of life is yet to be seen. What I can say with 100% surety is this; the book holds a special quality of truth even though the storyline and characters can seem so outrages. The magic John puts into the book doesn’t seem formulated it feels real, and that’s something to be proud of.
Rating 10/10
