Samsung has gone nuts!!!

If you crave the connectivity offered by the Samsung Galaxy Camera but don't want to sacrifice image quality or photo capabilities, you are the poster child for the Samsung Galaxy NX. With built-in 3G/4G LTE and Wi-Fi, Samsung envisions it as the "always connected" camera, but really, I'd be happy with just connected enough -- as I suspect many of the people interested in this camera would be -- but which most manufacturers still haven't mastered. And from a connectedness standpoint, the Galaxy NX does everything but make calls.

And it really does seem like the best of all possible worlds for more advanced photographers. It incorporates the same sensor as the NX300, complete with hybrid phase-detection/contrast autofocus systems, the same electronic viewfinder as the NX20, and it supports a reasonable selection of fast and/or inexpensive lenses that makes it flexible for a variety of users. The system could use at least one fast telephoto zoom, however.

Though it uses a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, Samsung supplements it with the same DRIMe IV imaging processor as in the NX300. (It also has 16GB built-in memory.) That should provide speedier image processing than on the Galaxy Camera. It seems like Samsung has learned some lessons from the earlier model as well. The huge battery and grip with a thumb rest on the back contrasts with the Galaxy Camera's relatively poor battery life and lack of place for your right thumb.

I'm still not completely sold on the idea of Android-driven cameras, but Android, combined with Samsung's willingness to open-source its camera API really opens up the potential of the camera in ways I can't begin to imagine.

One downside: it's really big. Of course, that's inescapable given the 4.8-inch LCD, APS-C sensor, and built-in EVF. (Plus, it's annoying that for such a big camera it uses microSD cards, and that they're inconveniently located in the battery compartment.) Also, many of Samsung's best lenses are relatively big and heavy, given that ILCs were intended to be smaller than dSLRs. But it can act as a hotspot, which makes the idea of toting it around it a little more palatable, at least for pros. One question I have is what happens to performance when you use the camera and the hotspot simultaneously. If you can.

Another potential downside is the lack of physical controls. While a chunk of potential buyers for this camera will just be looking for APS-C-quality photos and videos, another group -- say, people like me who need a high-quality camera for live-blogging and event photography -- really, really like our physical controls, and the i-Function design only partly mitigates their absence. I have to say, though, this is the first instance in which the i-Function architecture makes a lot of sense and finally seems like a strategic move on Samsung's part. In previous models, which do have physical controls, it always seemed so superfluous.

It also remains to be seen what kind of integration off-the-shelf Android apps have with the camera. As my review-twin Josh Goldman discovered while testing the Galaxy Camera, they vary with respect to how they operate. For example, most camera apps use some sort of pinch-based zooming; what happens when they encounter a mechanical zoom lens? The units we got to play with weren't yet cell-connected.

The beginning of the end.

In my view this incident is the major cause of Pakistan's reputation around the world.
The Daniel Pearl incident:

The world has come to know Daniel Pearl as the Wall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in early 2002, just four months after 9/11. Since then, he has been remembered as a symbol of hope: a man who built bridges between diverse cultures as a writer and a musician.

Pearl was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and grew up in Los Angeles, California where he demonstrated an insatiable curiosity for music, academics and sports. A gifted writer from a very young age, Pearl's aptitude for journalism became apparent as a student at Stanford University where he co-founded the student newspaper Stanford Commentary. After graduating, he wrote for regional papers before joining The Wall Street Journal in 1990.

In October of 2000, Pearl and his wife moved to Bombay, India where he became the South Asia Bureau Chief for The Wall Street Journal. From Bombay, Pearl covered many issues, including the "war on terrorism," occasionally venturing to Pakistan. He was retracing the steps of "shoe bomber" Richard Reid and hoped to meet with Sheik Gilani, a spiritual leader, when he was abducted in Karachi on January 23, 2002. For weeks, millions of people around the world—from heads of state to religious leaders and ordinary individuals—rallied for Pearl’s release. Several weeks elapsed without word of his fate, until the unthinkable reality became clear. Pearl's captors beheaded him and posted the video on the Internet. In his final words, Pearl declared "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish." His tragic murder was confirmed on February 21, 2002.

Two days before his abduction, Pearl learned that his wife, Mariane, was expecting a baby boy; he chose the name Adam for their son. In May, three months after his murder, Mariane gave birth to Adam.

Pearl's family and friends established the Daniel Pearl Foundation to carry on his legacy, using journalism, music and dialogue to address the root causes of the hatred that took his life.

This incident became famous  all around the world, due to which Pakistanis now are known as terrorists.The wounds of this incident are to deep to be recovered and we Pakistanis have to suffer this all along now.

By: M Zeeshan Ayub

The Immortals

Its a fight for their country, not yours!

Lets be honest now, there is no such thing as end of terrorism. This group has grown so much that they can be found anywhere in the world. They are smart and therefore deadly. I'll say that by helping USA in Afghan war, which was done by ZIa Ul Haq, was one of the major mistakes the Pakistani Government made and we are still paying for it.
The terrorist organization has split in so many that now tracing them is nearly impossible, and therefore adds to the threat. The smaller groups might fight with each other, but they unite at one point: destroying the infidels (that's what they call USA).
This mistake has led to some major disasters not just in Pakistan but all around the world.
Pick up a newspaper and you will definitely find some terrorism around.
The point that is to be stated here is that if you trying to end terrorism be hopeless, because it's something impossible, however, we can defend our territory against this.
Terrorism is like a virus, once it plagues the system it is not possible to kill, but you can always limit its effects. The medicines you take to cure this virus (international interference) also have its side effects, one living example of it is Afghanistan. The U.S military has taken control over Afghanistan since 2001. The country is now no more the same after the happenings of 9/11. Angered by the actions of USA and how they changed their country, they spread around the world to keep a strong hold. People just couldn't understand why? They had the answer to it and a legitimate one. Their country was invaded by others, and now they do the same to all others. You might cry over the situation in Palestine, but you will never notice that these guys also had home and they have every right to be angry upon it. I am not saying, though, that their actions to cope with their actions are legitimate, but their anger is.
You know how feels like when someone takes something that defines you away from you?
You say they should have hope to get their country back. Here is the thing, they did have hope, but now as we are hopeless about ending terrorism, they got hopeless that they will get their country back and this what made them IMMORTALS.
The article is not in favor of terrorism or such kind of violent acts. It's just the truth to the world that you would hate it when others rule over you.

By: Zeeshan Ayub

Why are we falling apart!

Recently, me and my classmates were having a discussion about that why India and Pakistan were separated. We asked our teacher about it, and she said that was because Muslims and Hindus can not live together. With that she also continued to say how sad she was that Pakistan turned out be an Islamic republic, but hardly any anyone respected the religion here. She also said that the education over here is so poor that all the parents are now sending their children in O'/A' Levels schools. Many students did not get the hidden message, but those who did knew how heartbreaking and shameful it was, that for so many years Great Britain ruled the subcontinent, and today when they they are gone we still pay them to educate our children. 

There is nothing immoral about seeking education for your child in an O'/A' level school, but it is rather distressing that our own eduction system (matriculation) has no value in front of us, and this is due to corruption, low budgeting etc. Why is it that our Higher Education Commission (HEC) never gets the budget they want and need?

I am very sorry to say that even our education ministers are not literate. All the educational degrees they have are fake or not right for the job. Do they even think what effect it puts on our great nation. Today, Pakistan still stands in the same situation as it was in 1947. The only difference is that now we are fighting for no reason, except may be for the pleasure of it. At least, at that time we all fought for a true aim, the motive to have a separate identity and look what we have done to that!!! Nothing but making the situation worse day by day. 

I don't know why, still, I sit in this country. May be I am expect it to change, it probably can, may be the leaders will finally understand how cruel they are towards this country and will think to change it, may be the people will finally have a reason. 

Today, the youth of Pakistan are feeling the pain that Pakistan is suffering from, and they are ready to demand for a change. However, this revolutionary business may not last long if the people don't show true determination towards their goal as there are many bumps on this road, like there were in 1947.

If anyone asks me about the future of Pakistan today, my answer is going to be in the side of the darkness, because we need to face our problems rather than sugar coating them from the top and showing the world that we are doing the best, when truthfully it is the bear minimum.

I think that one of the most major problem we are facing since the partition is lack of motivation and passion for our country. Our leaders are pathetic and we our selves are the worst as we don't have UNITY, FAITH and even DISCIPLINE, the three basic qualities Quaid-e-Azam said every Pakistani should have. But it is very sad to say that we have none of them. It is not late to change we can still make it if we want to, but now it will be ten times more challenging for us as the world has gone far ahead racing on a Ferrari and we are still a mile behind on horse back!

Zeeshan Ayub.

The end beckons.

“Pens down. Invigilators please start collecting the papers.” A loud voice boomed across the hall. I threw my pen away and exhaled loudly, exhausted. I stretched my fingers and grimaced at the soreness.

A young woman, wrapped tightly in a scarf, gave me a thin, highly creepy, smile as she took away my paper. Her smile triggered alarms and my brain informed me she was going to take my paper, hide in a dark corner and tear it, never to be seen again. I shuddered.

We all sat still, waiting.

‘Tick.’

I glared at the clock, daring it to go any slower. My fingers drummed the table in impatience. My eyes surveyed the limited view for the thousandth time. The same windows, the same out stretched hall with rows of chairs laid out, the same darned chirping chick hidden somewhere, still annoying me till I was ready to pluck every feather off its tiny body.

‘Tock.’

I gave a low groan of frustration. It seemed time had taken my dare seriously and won it too.

“Candidates thank you for your cooperation. You may leave the hall in an orderly fashion. Row one please move towards the exits.” A loud monotonous voice called out.

‘Tick.’

I put my head in my hands. I was oh so luckily seated in Row 23. This was going to take ages and right now even that seemed like an impossible occurrence. Invigilators were cruel, cruel minions sent straight from Hell to torture us poor souls.

‘Tock.’

I looked to my neighbor and grinned at the sight. His eyes were drawn wide trying to count the rows laid out next to us, probably for something to do.

‘Tick.’

“Row 11 please stand up and leave.” The voice almost seemed bored to tears. Just like every other person in this cursed building!

I slowly began to scratch nonexistent itches, pluck out invisible flecks of dust off my uniform and read my ID card till I had it memorized.

‘Tock.’

“Row 23 leave for the exits.” The voice called. I almost went hysterical due to the sudden relief and delight I felt. I got off my seat, grabbed my pencil box and strode purposefully towards the door. I moved as fast as I could without running.

Bursting out of the examination hall for the last time, I breathed in deeply. It smelled like freedom.

At last! Independence was here!

I could now freely get bored and sleep my days away. How absolutely exciting!

Ciao, Ilma Zuberi.

P.S= Follow and leave comments please :D

Life is an art of death!

So here it is to those people who really want to find out what life means.
A few days back, Tim Macharthy (A fictional character), was walking down the main boulevard road, when suddenly he stopped and turned around.
He was looking at something and he kept gazing it for few minutes. They were dried leaves from a tree- which looked almost 200 years old. Tim wondered how a tree was loosing leaves in the spring season. He just stood there and watched every leaf fall from that tree. He didn't notice that it was almost 6pm and he had been watching this tree for 4 hours. He just couldn't get it.
He saw an old man just sitting on the bench right next to the tree. Tim was anxious so he walked up to him and said "Well I guess you are observing the same thing as I am". The old man replied with a small laugh "Well indeed I am observing the same thing, but from a different aspect". Tim looked at the old man's reaction on every leaf that fall from the the tree. "Life should be cherished you know." said the old man in a sad voice. "I am confused sir. I mean why is this tree loosing its leaves in spring and the others aren't?" said Tim in a very puzzled voice. The old man cleared his throat and said "Life is an art, an art created by death. It makes it so colourful and interesting that we involve ourselves so much, forgetting that behind these colours lies the fear, the fear of death."
Tim replied "Well sir if we know that death is always there so why does it not come and get us?"
Old man replied in a very serious tone "Because death is clever, more than you think it is. It always makes you love life like anything." Tim joined the sentence by saying "And when that love is on the extreme point, death shows up?" The old man smiled and said "No son. As I said, death is more cunning than you think. The moment when you take that love to extreme, death just gives you a smile and that smile is still covered with happiness and joy, but the very next morning when you wake up, you find out that you are the death!" "We are the death? How?" asked Tim. "That's because you never notice that when you are enjoying the moment of that love, your life turns to be death for the other."
Tim figured it out, he stood up and watched the tree and then the old man. The old men said one more thing before Tim left. He said "The next morning when you find that you were death. Then you understand the art of it, and then it takes you away" The old man died on every leaf that that fell from that tree, and from the next day Tim didn't see the old man nor a leaf on that tree.
The point of this short story is to understand the true meaning of life and death. Life is like a good word for death. Its like painting a black and white picture because no matter how many colors you add, the picture was originally black and white. Its just the deeper layer that gives this scary fearful creature a good look. No one else knows it. Its just you who knows, but you are just too scared to admit it.
Zeeshan Ayub.

You are never alone!

I have heard so many congratulate me on growing up without siblings. On never having my toys broken in my childhood. A whiny sister stealing all my attention. A brother constantly annoying you with his stupid pranks. Those war like situations over the last cookie. Over having to share your room with someone.

Most people think being an only child has so many advantages; parents spoiling you, getting whatever you want and the best of all things. What many don’t realize is that being the only child does indeed have an overwhelming side effect.

Loneliness.

Being the only one I have taught myself how to be alone. I would spend my days playing by myself when I was a child, drawing and made up games my allies. However, my main occupation is and was reading.

I surrounded myself with hundreds of these paper friends, three bookshelf full. My life filled with my bed, my book and myself. The thrill and rush I get when buying a book, when entering a bookstore and finding myself in that quiet, the musty scent of those pages fraught with magic, wonder, excitement and a world beyond my reach, it’s like no other feeling.

I usually have the house to myself too in the afternoons, as both my parents are hard at work. Sometimes the quiet, the silence, it would get to me. I would never miss a day of school when I could, I still don’t. I surrounded myself with enough friends to let myself think that I’m not alone. I’m a very trusting person and sometimes I found myself at a situation where despite having many ‘friends’, I was still indeed very much alone.

Being scared of that feeling, I tended to attach myself to many and think of them as life. But today, I learned the difference between whose shoulder I could cry on and who I could just laugh with. You might think that those who just make you smile are your best of friends, but that is indeed not true.

You will cross roads with many who make you laugh endlessly. Those you go have various lunches with, see movies with, you spend every day with. But many of those are there to do just that, no more. They aren’t there when the problems start. They don’t care about how you feel. They aren’t the ones who notice when you are hurt inside as long as you smile at them, no matter how fake that smile is. If, however, you do tell them? They might pat your back and give you a small hug with a few words. They might make you feel happy, but are not the ones to make you warm.

The other kind is what you need to cherish. The ones who after a day out make you content and whole. The ones who hug you, furiously tell you that you are the best person in the world and make you believe it if you are down. Those who you think of when something bad happens. Those who know that something is indeed wrong. Those who you know will never leave you behind.

I realize now who the latter in my life are. I realize now how much they mean to me. I realize now that I can never truly live up to what they have done for me.

And after realizing that, I know I’ll never truly be alone.

Ilma Zuberi.