Steve Jobs, Creator of iPad, iPod and iPhone was Gone

Jumat, 02 Desember 2011

Steve Jobs, Apple's founder as well as the man behind the creation of the iPhone, iPad, iPod, iMac, and iTunes, has died at the age of 56 years.

So far Apple has not been told Jobs the cause of death, although in recent years he was known to fight against pancreatic cancer and get a liver transplant.

"We are very sad to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today," a statement on Apple's board of directors. "Brilliance, passion, and Steve is a source of energy innovations that enrich our lives. The world becomes a more beautiful place because of Steve. Love administered greatest for his wife, Lorene, and their families. Our hearts are sympathetic to them and everyone who was touched by his work extraordinary. "

Apple Web page even today, Thursday (09/06/2011), decorated with photographs Jobs with the words "Steve Jobs 1955-2011."

When the image is clicked will show the text "Apple has lost a creative genius and visionary, and the world lost an extraordinary human being. Those who have ever known and worked with Steve has lost a good friend and inspiring mentor. Steve left the company that can only be made by him, but his spirit will always be the foundation for Apple. "

Jobs founded Apple Computer in 1976 and, together with his childhood friend, Steve Wozniak, he sold what was considered the world's first personal computer, the Apple II.

The technology industry observers said Jobs as a master creator, who sometimes equated with a Thomas Edison, who changed the way people use computers, enjoy music, and communicate.

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Barcelona are Superior to Real Madrid Because of their Creative Midfield

Bernd Schuster believes Barcelona have the slight edge over Real Madrid ahead of their La Liga meeting. The second Clasico league meeting of the season is likely to be the first of four clashes within the space of 18 days, including a Champions League semi-final tie.

Schuster told Marca: "Both teams are pretty equal at the back and up front. However, Barcelona are superior in midfield with the creativity of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. That makes them the better team at the moment."

He added: "Everyone knows that the season will be decided in the upcoming two weeks.

"This Saturday's match will be more important for Real Madrid than for Barcelona. If Barca lose, there won't be too much of a problem as they're still five points clear.

"I believe that Madrid have what it takes to beat Barcelona over one match, but I can't see them doing it over two games. Real are Barcelona's biggest rival both in Spain and in Europe."

The Camp Nou giants currently sit first in La Liga with 84 points from 31 games, while Real Madrid are eight points further adrift.

Source from : GOAL.com

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Argentine Soccer Star Lionel Messi Becomes Best Paid Player in History

We are surprised it took this long. The kid is not only a kind, charming gentleman, but simply put an artist, when it comes to playing fútbol.

According to France Football, one of the world’s leading soccer magazines, Leo earns a whopping $44.1-million a year in salary and endorsement income, sending Galaxy’s David Beckham to the #2 spot, as he earns 3.4 million less than the phenom.

Close to Messi and Beckham is Real Madrid and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, with a combined income of $40 million.

The rest of France Football Magazine top 10 money makers are Kaka (Real Madrid), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Ronaldinho (Flamengo), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan), Frank Lampard (Chelsea) and Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan).

One can only wonder why it took this long. Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham sure are great players, but the two combined are still far from the sheer elegance of Messi’s game; A video of Messi’s goals for any given week this year, looks like a compilation of the most remarkable goals of the last ten years.

Messi has a scandal-free career, a genuinely humble demeanor, and is a role model who leads by example. La Pulga Messi is not just the best player of the moment, but without a doubt the most complete player soccer has seen in a long, long time.

The internet is full of videos showcasing Leo’s skills and talents (feel free to post your favorites in the comment section below), we decided to just choose one goal, our favorite of 2011, from a few weeks ago against Arsenal.

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Valentino Rossi Has 'Fun' on 2012 Ducati Debut

Valentino Rossi got his first taste of Ducati's MotoGP future after trying an early version of the factory's 2012 machine at Jerez on Friday. The bike (pictured) was seen in full Marlboro race livery and one of the most obvious differences, over the present GP11, is the addition of a large 'slash-cut' exhaust by Rossi's right boot.

The 2012 rules will allow a maximum engine size of 1000cc, compared with 800cc at present, although cylinder bore restrictions will limit ultimate performance and it is not yet confirmed that all manufacturers will chose to use the full 1000cc available.

With the Ducati test team concentrating on developing this year's GP11, Rossi was supported by some of his race team mechanics and engineers for the GP12 test. The seven time MotoGP world champion took to the circuit a few minutes after 11:00am and did a first run of six laps.

With that outing having been completed with no problems, the work continued apace for the entire day, by the end of which Rossi had turned 50 laps. “I'm happy,” Rossi said after the test. “I like the GP12. In my opinion, it's more enjoyable, more fun to ride. It was the first time we had it on the track, so we had some work to do, but the engine is nicer.

“It's a lot of fun, and you can do some nice slides. It's the bike we'll ride next year, so it was very important - and also very nice - to be among the first to take it on the track.” Rossi won all but one of the 990cc MotoGP seasons, from 2002-2006, after which the premier-class made an unpopular switch to 800cc engines.

Ducati is the first team to let its MotoGP race riders try a 2012 bike, with Rossi's team-mate Nicky Hayden (the 2006 world champion) due to ride the GP12 at Jerez tomorrow (Saturday).

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Formula 1 Gossip and Rumours from International Media

Red Bull are unlikely to be using their Kers power boost system in Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix, where the circuit has the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar. Technical chief Adrian Newey admits the Milton Keynes-based team is finding it hard to come to grips with the device.

Interlagos, the Sao Paulo track that stages the F1 Brazilian GP, is to make changes following the death of a driver in a truck race earlier this month. A section of stand will be removed to enable the addition of a slow-down area on the outside of the high-speed corner leading to the main straight.

The Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi is also making changes after being severely criticised for a lack of overtaking opportunities. Chief executive Richard Cregan confirmed alterations between turns 6 and 9 will be completed before November's penultimate round of the 2011 F1 championship.

Paul di Resta claims he was hit several times by tyre "marbles" during the Malaysian GP. "In the middle of a fast corner, these lumps of rubber would be smacking into my hands as I turned the wheel," said the Force India driver. Tyre manufacturer Pirelli have responded by pointing out they were specifically instructed to provide tyres that degrade more quickly.

Nick Heidfeld's third-place finish in Malaysia means the German driver now holds the record for the most podium finishes without a win. Heidfeld has finished second or third 13 times, one more than previous record-holder Stefan Johansson. Ferrari is planning immediate action after their cars finished fifth and sixth in Malaysia. "We need to introduce some developments as soon as we can, maybe from the next race in China," team principal Stefano Domenicali is quoted as saying.

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How Would the Lakers Match Up with San Antonio?

This is the last thing the Lakers should be reading or discussing. They're in the midst of a five-game losing streak. They aren't even sure whether they'll finish as a No. 2 seed or drop down to No. 4. And they've demonstrated such a riddling amount of inconsistency, that it's plausible they wouldn't even advance this far in the postseason to see such an outcome.

So why on Earth am I analyzing how the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs would match up in the playoffs? Give me a break. The Lakers will turn things around. They just have to prove that they will. As Kobe Bryant said, "Everybody wants to put the nail in the coffin, but we've been there before and it doesn't bother us."

That's why it's plausible that the Lakers and Spurs matchup Tuesday at Staples Center won't be the last time they meet this season. The Lakers can take care of their responsibilities, secure the No. 2 seed and meet the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. Or they may end the season on a seven-game losing streak, drop down to No. 4 and face a tougher road by playing the Spurs in the West semifinals. Either way, it would be one great series.

"I love those guys, but at the same time, I want to beat the hell out of them," Bryant said of the Spurs. "But I have a lot of a lot of respect for what they do and how they do it."

After the jump, I size up how each team could win.

Why the Lakers would beat the Spurs in the playoffs: The Lakers and Spurs have shared similar success, with the Lakers winning five NBA championships in the last decade and San Antonio three. The Lakers have often mentioned that the preparation for a playoff series is easier when they're familiar with the opponent. Obviously that history also applies to San Antonio, but here's where the Lakers have the edge: The Lakers have met the Spurs in the postseason this decade five times, and the Lakers have won four of those series.

This season, the Lakers have shown how that familiarity can pay off. There's no doubt that future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan has taken a backseat this season, willing to sacrifice his offensive production so he can facilitate a more up-tempo offense that runs through Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. But the Lakers have taken Duncan out of his comfort zone this season, with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol helping to limit Duncan to 12 points on five-of-26 shooting in three meetings.

The Lakers' stiff defense hasn't applied only to Duncan. In their 1-2 regular season series with the Spurs, the Lakers have held San Antonio to an average of 89.66 points a game. That included poor shooting nights for Ginobili (three of 12) and Richard Jefferson (six of 14) in the Lakers' 97-82 loss Dec. 28, for Ginobili (five of 17) in the Lakers' 89-88 loss Feb. 3 and for Ginobili (three of 10), Parker (six of 14) and Jefferson (zero of three) in the Lakers' 99-83 victory March 6. The Lakers' defensive presence was a large reason they went 17-1 after the All-Star break and it could be a huge if they were to overcome San Antonio's homecourt advantage and sixth-best offense, averaging 103.83 points a game.

Why the Lakers would lose to the Spurs in the playoffs: The Lakers' effort in stifling Duncan has had little correlation to actual victories. For example, Duncan finished with a one-of-seven clip in two games this season, but one came in the Lakers' 97-82 loss Dec. 28 and the other came in the Lakers' 99-83 victory March 6. Their defense in general also did very little to stop San Antonio. That's because the Lakers performed abysmally on the offensive end.

The Lakers' 35.4% clip in their double-digit loss to September mostly pointed to Bryant shooting eight of 27, but only Bynum and Matt Barnes shot above 50%. Bryant also shot only five of 18 in the Lakers' one-point loss in February. Surely, two of the Lakers' games against the Spurs came when L.A.'s chemistry wasn't as sharp as it was after the All-Star break, showing why the Lakers blew out the Spurs so drastically. But the Spurs are quite familiar with the Lakers and could disrupt them enough offensively at least to cost them a game in the series. Considering that the Spurs would have homecourt advantage and own a two-game winning streak at Staples Center indicates they're capable of stealing a road game, that would be a lethal combination.

But here's more. The Spurs' bench has proven vastly superior to the Lakers'. San Antonio boasts George Hill (17.3 points on 56% shooting in his last seven games) and three-point specialists in Matt Bonner and Gary Neal, who have been instrumental to the team's league-leading 39.9% shooting from three-point range. The Lakers can count on only Lamar Odom off the bench, which also features a cold-shooting Shannon Brown, a tentative Steve Blake and a previously aggressive Matt Barnes, who hasn't looked the same since returning last month from surgery on his right knee. That's why it comes as no surprise that Jackson removed his reserves in the Lakers' win in March after they allowed San Antonio to creep back into contention.

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How Would the Lakers Match Up with San Antonio?

This is the last thing the Lakers should be reading or discussing. They're in the midst of a five-game losing streak. They aren't even sure whether they'll finish as a No. 2 seed or drop down to No. 4. And they've demonstrated such a riddling amount of inconsistency, that it's plausible they wouldn't even advance this far in the postseason to see such an outcome.

So why on Earth am I analyzing how the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs would match up in the playoffs? Give me a break. The Lakers will turn things around. They just have to prove that they will. As Kobe Bryant said, "Everybody wants to put the nail in the coffin, but we've been there before and it doesn't bother us."

That's why it's plausible that the Lakers and Spurs matchup Tuesday at Staples Center won't be the last time they meet this season. The Lakers can take care of their responsibilities, secure the No. 2 seed and meet the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. Or they may end the season on a seven-game losing streak, drop down to No. 4 and face a tougher road by playing the Spurs in the West semifinals. Either way, it would be one great series.

"I love those guys, but at the same time, I want to beat the hell out of them," Bryant said of the Spurs. "But I have a lot of a lot of respect for what they do and how they do it."

After the jump, I size up how each team could win.

Why the Lakers would beat the Spurs in the playoffs: The Lakers and Spurs have shared similar success, with the Lakers winning five NBA championships in the last decade and San Antonio three. The Lakers have often mentioned that the preparation for a playoff series is easier when they're familiar with the opponent. Obviously that history also applies to San Antonio, but here's where the Lakers have the edge: The Lakers have met the Spurs in the postseason this decade five times, and the Lakers have won four of those series.

This season, the Lakers have shown how that familiarity can pay off. There's no doubt that future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan has taken a backseat this season, willing to sacrifice his offensive production so he can facilitate a more up-tempo offense that runs through Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. But the Lakers have taken Duncan out of his comfort zone this season, with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol helping to limit Duncan to 12 points on five-of-26 shooting in three meetings.

The Lakers' stiff defense hasn't applied only to Duncan. In their 1-2 regular season series with the Spurs, the Lakers have held San Antonio to an average of 89.66 points a game. That included poor shooting nights for Ginobili (three of 12) and Richard Jefferson (six of 14) in the Lakers' 97-82 loss Dec. 28, for Ginobili (five of 17) in the Lakers' 89-88 loss Feb. 3 and for Ginobili (three of 10), Parker (six of 14) and Jefferson (zero of three) in the Lakers' 99-83 victory March 6. The Lakers' defensive presence was a large reason they went 17-1 after the All-Star break and it could be a huge if they were to overcome San Antonio's homecourt advantage and sixth-best offense, averaging 103.83 points a game.

Why the Lakers would lose to the Spurs in the playoffs: The Lakers' effort in stifling Duncan has had little correlation to actual victories. For example, Duncan finished with a one-of-seven clip in two games this season, but one came in the Lakers' 97-82 loss Dec. 28 and the other came in the Lakers' 99-83 victory March 6. Their defense in general also did very little to stop San Antonio. That's because the Lakers performed abysmally on the offensive end.

The Lakers' 35.4% clip in their double-digit loss to September mostly pointed to Bryant shooting eight of 27, but only Bynum and Matt Barnes shot above 50%. Bryant also shot only five of 18 in the Lakers' one-point loss in February. Surely, two of the Lakers' games against the Spurs came when L.A.'s chemistry wasn't as sharp as it was after the All-Star break, showing why the Lakers blew out the Spurs so drastically. But the Spurs are quite familiar with the Lakers and could disrupt them enough offensively at least to cost them a game in the series. Considering that the Spurs would have homecourt advantage and own a two-game winning streak at Staples Center indicates they're capable of stealing a road game, that would be a lethal combination.

But here's more. The Spurs' bench has proven vastly superior to the Lakers'. San Antonio boasts George Hill (17.3 points on 56% shooting in his last seven games) and three-point specialists in Matt Bonner and Gary Neal, who have been instrumental to the team's league-leading 39.9% shooting from three-point range. The Lakers can count on only Lamar Odom off the bench, which also features a cold-shooting Shannon Brown, a tentative Steve Blake and a previously aggressive Matt Barnes, who hasn't looked the same since returning last month from surgery on his right knee. That's why it comes as no surprise that Jackson removed his reserves in the Lakers' win in March after they allowed San Antonio to creep back into contention.

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