XML FeedsGoogle Android Media Event - Nexus One Perhaps?
Since the leaked news that Google's staff were dogfooding a new mobile device running the Android 2.1 OS, rumours have been rampant that Google was going to sell a mobile phone direct to the public, unlocked and unsubsidised, fully open to any network. Google has repetitively stated they are not interested in entering the hardware market. The rumours may be validated, or squashed, soon; Google just announced they are holding an Android-related media event next Tuesday, January 5, at its Mountain View campus.
Images of the Nexus one Android 2.1 based phone along with a video demonstrating the interface have been leaked onto the net and I include them here.
While there are no official specifications on the new mobile, including the final name of the product, some information has been obtained. The Nexus One is 11.5mm thick with a 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED display touch screen. It is speculated that it could be running Qualcomm's 1GHz QSD 8250 “Snapdragon” processor, and has 512 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM with a 4 GB microSD card included, expandable to 32 GB. The built in camera has a 5-megapixel sensor, mechanical auto focus and LED flash. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, accelerometers and a compass are included. For an expanded list of specifications, visit the engadget website here.
Christmas - 2009
While Santa forgot to leave my new digital video camera under the tree, I still had a very nice Christmas. My Aunt rang mid-morning to invite me over for afternoon dinner. Beside my Aunt and Uncle, my cousins were there as well. I had a fun time playing with the children and their new toys; especially one little animated toy dog that I begged to be allow to take home.
Later in the evening I packed up some homemade goodies like my magical biscuit bars, dark and white chocolate candies, and my fruitcake and went to visit Sister #1 for a very nice visit. She put on a pot of coffee and we enjoyed my homemade goodies with a nice cup of coffee.
Yes, all in all it was a very nice Christmas.
Creme Drops
When I was growing up money was often a scarce commodity in our home. However, even with little money I can never remember not enjoying a Christmas, and was always overjoyed at finding what Santa had left under the tree for me. There was often just one or two gifts for each of us, but whatever was under the tree was more than enough.
At Christmas Dad would bring home a bag of creme drops for us as a treat. As I was out at the shops I found a small bag of creme drops and I decided that I wanted them just because it reminded me of Dad and past Christmases. My little bag of creme drops was nine ounces and cost one dollar. I remember the bag Dad use to bring home was much larger and while I have no idea how much he paid for them, I have a feeling it was much less than a dollar.
Last Goodbyes
I said the last goodbyes to my Aunt today. She was 89 years of age; a long life, but still too short for those who loved her. It is never easy to say goodbye to those we love, but death is a part of living. My Aunt was a beautiful woman, both on the inside and the outside. My Aunt loved to sing, and I can remember many times she would sing at the family gatherings. One year we had a Christmas gathering, and my Aunt stole the show with her singing of Christmas songs; it was a delight to hear her. While my Aunt is gone in body, her spirit will live on through our memories.
Magical Biscuit Bars
A popular favourite for the holidays is magical biscuit bars. They are magical both in the way they are made, and in the way they will disappear after you make them. These biscuits are so easy to make and they are simply scrumptious.
The Ingredients:
- 500 ml (2 cups) Graham cracker crumbs
- 180 ml (3/4 cup) melted butter
- 1 tin 396 g (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- semisweet chocolate chips
- flaked coconut
- chopped nuts (your choice)
Prepare a baking dish by lining the bottom with parchment paper. The parchment paper will make the removal of the biscuit bars easier. Add about three fourths of the butter to the Graham cracker crumbs and stir together. You can use either boxed cracker crumbs or make your own crumbs from whole crackers. Add additional butter to the Graham cracker crumbs until they are moistened and will hold together when pressed with the spoon. Spread the Graham cracker and butter mixture evenly along the bottom of the baking disk and press firmly to the pan. To make pressing the Graham crackers easier, use a bit of parchment paper and press on the parchment paper instead of directly on the Graham cracker crumbs; the Graham cracker butter mix will not stick to the parchment paper as it will to your fingers or a spoon.
The next step is to pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the Graham cracker crumbs. It is important to slowly pour the sweetened condensed milk back and forth and side to side over the crumbs and let it spread itself over the crumbs. If you try to spread the sweetened condense milk with a spoon you will pull the Graham crackers up from the bottom of the pan.
Next step is to add a layer of the chocolate chips on top of the sweetened condensed milk.
Next step is to add a layer of the flake coconut on top of the chocolate chips.
The next step is to add a layer of chopped nuts. I decided to add both walnuts and pecans to my magical biscuit bars. It is your choice as to what type of nuts to add.
You continue to repeat this layering of chocolate chips, flaked coconut, and chopped nuts until you have your dish full. I ended up doing three layers for my magical biscuit bars.
When you have your layering finished, gently pat the layers together and place the baking dish into a moderate oven set to 180°C, 350°F, gas mark 4, and allow to bake for approximately 25 minutes or until the top is a golden brown. Allow the pan to completely cool before attempting to cut the biscuit bars.
These biscuit bars will be a big hit with your holiday guests. I guarantee they will magically disappear in no time at all. You may have to bake a second batch just to have some for yourself.