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11-24-2008 Hilltopics: Volume 5, Issue 6 Hilltopics Staff

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Recommended Citation Hilltopics Staff, "Hilltopics: Volume 5, Issue 6" (2008). Hilltopics. 87. https://scholar.smu.edu/hilltopics/87

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Origins of the iPhone by James Justinic

Nearly two years ago, in January 2007, Apple fans gath- pability that many considered necessary to make the new ca- ered for the opening keynote address pabilities useful. Users also had to pay of CEO Steve Jobs. As always the case full price for the phone, a very differ- with Apple, no one knew for sure what ent concept in a market where the ser- to expect, but all the rumors pointed to vice provider subsidizes most phones. something big. After the routine pre- Additionally, the new offering did not sentation of facts and figures, the time support changing the battery, appli- came to reveal just what it was that they cations not written by Apple, sending had been developing. This is when the picture messages, copy & paste, or public caught the first glimpse of the synchronization with the type of serv- device we all now know as the iPhone. ers that many companies use. Apple Apple plugged the iPhone as a revo- attempted to downplay any shortcom- lutionary new device that combined a ings by emphasizing the many things phone, iPod, and Internet navigator, all the iPhone could do, even in some cas- in one device. Compared to most smart es explaining the reasons why the de- phones on the market at the time, the vice was better without some of these iPhone boasted some significant dif- so-called missing features. ferences. Instead of a keyboard, like The demand was evident when lines present on the Blackberry, it used its started forming outside of Apple and large touch screen as the primary AT&T stores. Extra personnel were method of user input. Mobile Internet called in to handle the volume of cus- browsers normally could only display tomers hoping to get their hands on an minimalistic versions of websites, but iPhone. Apple has manufactured more the iPhone had the ability to show most than enough, and anyone could walk in their full-size version. Finally, true into the stores and purchase one by to the companyʼs reputation, the new closing on release day. device was easy to use. The launch was a success, but there Even with these new features, some was still more potential. The iPhoneʼs were still skeptical. While there were capabilities were limited to what came some great new features, there were with the device and web applications, also some features missing that were and the Blackberry was still preferred present on most competing devices. by businesses. Finally, in March 2008, This first iPhone did not support the faster 3G networks, a ca- continued on page 3 Internet Culture: Thomas Dun- Music: Josh Boydston breaks Media: Ashley Howe takes a lap on micro-blog heavy- down some recent CD re- look at local broadcasting. weight Twitter. page 4 leases. page 6 page 2 Football: A season retrospec- tive by Josh Wood. page 5

We welcome submissions from all members of the SMU community. Letters to the editor should be up to 300 words in response to a previously published article. Contributions should be articles of up to 300-600 words on any topic or in response to another article. Please email your submission to [email protected] by Wednesday at 7:00 PM to be included in the following weekʼs publication. Spe- cial deadlines will be observed for breaking campus events. The opinions expressed in Hilltopics are those of the authors solely and do not reflect the beliefs of Hilltopics or any other entity. As such, Hilltopics does not publish anonymous articles. page 2 week of november 24, 2008 Local News is Bad News, Even When it’s Good News by Ashley Howe When I am watching TV and someone turns on the local 3. The stories are almost never relevant, enlightening, or news, I almost always want to get up and leave. I donʼt think useful. itʼs boring - I just think it is always poorly done and thrown Segments that are intended to help the viewer are always together like an essay at 4 AM. Of course, news happens fast, extremely obvious. A special on ʻhow to stretch your dollarʼ so thereʼs not always enough time to edit thoroughly. Howev- includes things like “cut back on things you donʼt really need” er, with news so readily available through other forms of me- and “use coupons.” A special on ʻstaying safe during the sum- dia, local news merʼ sug- shows may gests “using not survive s u n s c r e e n ” if they donʼt and “drinking improve the lots of water.” quality of Suggestions their presen- like this are tation. an insult to Just mo- the viewing ments ago, I public but will forced my- continue un- self to watch til these news some lo- teams stretch cal news and b e y o n d right away I their com- was reminded fort zones of the things and learn that make it to produce so difficult to s o m e t h i n g tolerate: of quality. 1. When As far as rel- the news evance goes, story is just just watch left without a the headline conclusion. news and ask For ex- yourself how ample, a much of it story stated actually per- that a man was shot in a rough neighborhood. Nearby chil- tains to you. I think you will find that when it does pertain to dren heard the gunfire. Rather than say who is suspected of you, you already knew about it from somewhere else. shooting him or what progress is being made on the investi- 4. The reporter is always shown on site, whether or not gation, the story just shows a young mother saying that she anything is happening. doesnʼt like her children to see violence and she might move Say, for instance, there has been a wreck on some obscure away. Wasnʼt the story about the man being shot? What hap- country highway one hundred miles away from Dallas. For pened to him? some unknown reason, the reporter dispatched all the way 2. The interviews of people never add anything to the out there so she can report on the wreck (which has been story. cleared hours ago) from in front of the bridge. As a viewer, Usually this is a misguided attempt at humanizing events I am not impressed that you are standing where something that happen all too often. In every common situation (car happened earlier. I have the capacity to visualize a bridge accident, beating, robbery) there is a very typical and ex- myself. I will be impressed if you actually catch something pected response that the involved parties will have. There is happening, hence the motion picture camera, not the Pola- a point at which these statements like- “I donʼt like to think roid. that someone can walk into my house and steal my TV and 5. Words are misspelled and mispronounced. get away with it”- donʼt even need to be included because Why is someone who canʼt pronounce ʻeconomicalʼ with they are so obvious. If the interview doesnʼt illuminate the the correct emphasis [on the -nom, not the –con] reading the story, youʼre either not asking the right questions, or you news? How does someone who writes captions for the videos should interview someone with more insight. I think most of not get fired when he writes “The Councilman Needs to be the time, the latter is a better suggestion. More ʻExceptingʼ”? I just saw a headline (Channel 8) that read week of november 24, 2008 page 3 iphone continued from page 1 verbatim: “Neighbors Upset at Teachers Flag.” The neigh- bors werenʼt objecting to a fl ag for some teachers union. They were upset that the teacher hung his American fl ag up- Apple provided a solution to both of these problems with the side down. Maybe it seems like Iʼm making too much of little release of an iPhone Software Development Kit and addition things, but if delivering the news is your job, shouldnʼt you of Microsoft Exchange support, the key to making business at least be able to do it right? use feasible. The update that made both these things pos- 6. Anchor is shown too much. sible was scheduled for July 2008, but that wasnʼt the only Some oversights just leave me speechless. Just a few days thing planned. At the developerʼs conference in June, Apple ago, WFAA news was running a story on a missing boy. The once again had a big announcement. The iPhone would now anchor (Gloria Campos) read the story and then held up the support 3G, include a GPS chip, and have a signifi cant drop poster with his picture and information. Rather than zoom in price. Lines formed again, but this time, those who waited in so the viewers actually have a chance at recognizing the were rewarded when stores couldnʼt stock enough phones to childʼs face, the cameraman kept the anchorʼs face at full satisfy the entire queue. frame and just showed her holding it. Brilliant, now weʼll fi nd iPhones are now readily available, and popping up every- him for sure! Also, why does the news play in a little box over where. However, there is still more work to be done. Some the anchorʼs shoulder? Why do we need to see the anchorʼs users complain about application crashes, and others still face? Is it so we can know how to feel about what we are wish for picture messages and copy & paste features, but watching? The anchor is not the most important part of the strides are being taken in the right direction. Apple devel- news! opers are hard at work tweaking the iPhone software, and All things aside, I can commend the sports anchor and the Apple recently lifted a non-disclosure agreement that pre- weatherman. Their segments are the only segments that are vented developers from discussing problems encountered ever delivered with fi nesse and expertise. The weatherman while writing applications. Both of these things will help the always knows his stuff and he never fumbles over names of iPhone climb to new heights. cities or which county is which. And the sports anchor is often Combined with the increasing popularity of the Mac, Apple the most passionate and knowledgeable of the news team. is developing a position of power where both products are Dale Hansen is an oratorical genius and excellent commen- causing people to take a closer look at its other off erings. In tator. His tirades against Jerry Jones this year have been a addition, the growing support of college students, who will source of constant entertainment and delight. At least the be partial to Apple products as they enter the work force, last half of the news is worth watching. may soon give Apple the dominance needed to defi ne how The problems with the news are so aggravating, though, we use technology for the next several decades. that I just watch the parts I like from the internet. If I actually James Justinic can be reached at [email protected] want to know anything else, I will read the Dallas Morning News. Most of my friends do the same, which leads me to believe that such poorly executed examples of the American press may not be around much longer. Ashley Howe can be reached at ahowe.smu.edu

Do you have an opinion about... politics, music, class, television, football, shopping, intramurals, fraternities,

movies, tests, the Mavs, sex, restaurants, religion, sororities, driving, study abroad, Umphrey Lee, fashion, news,

the war, parking, technology, magazines, bars, baseball, the weather, professors, the Mustang Band, dating, books,

nightclubs, Texas, the Daily Campus, pets, club sports, or anything else ? we’re listening at [email protected] page 4 week of november 24, 2008 The Invisible Tweeter by Thomas Dunlap When I was just a wee highschooler I got an internship was still left with the problem that no one was following me. (through quite a bit of nepotism) at a record label. This in- What incentive should I have to post updates? The answer ternship lasted only a week or two before I was let go. Ap- should be none. What rational person would talk about what parently there was actually no work to be done there and theyʼre doing to no one? Apparently I am not a rational be- they decided having too many interns was annoying. Any- ing because I discovered that I absolutely love twittering to ways that week or two was long enough for me to decide that to myself. Of course I like trying to be witty in @responses to my two bosses were pretty much the coolest people ever and strangers but Iʼve been having just as much fun examining my I followed them on various solcial sites for a while. I mention own actions. Thereʼs something incredibly affirming about this only because maybe a year after that one of my previous seeing your status in writing. Not just in writing I guess. I bosses was posting updates on an average of 5 per hour about donʼt think saving a word document would be very satisfying. something called Is it the possibility “twittering.” At of people seeing it? first I thought he Maybe thatʼs it. I was just incredibly think it is in some excited or enthu- way tied to the mi- siastic. After all, nutiae of it. I was sure he led about the coolest When you get life anyone could a phone call and ever live. This someone asks you shouldnʼt have what youʼre do- been a stretch. But ing you have to day after day? And say “oh nothing.” then he started de- even though may- claring that twit- be youʼre watching tering was the fu- Venture Bros. com- ture. It took me mentaries and eat- about a year to find ing some popcorn. out what twittering But on Twitter this really was and then is just the type probably another of activity people few months and are encouraged to the endorsement write. We are sup- of various hipsters posed to revel in to convince me the little details of that I should be in- our day. The only terested in check- problem I see with ing it out. I know this system is that a lot of bloggers it implies that we have been making have become so excellent use of disconnected from Twitter for a while those tiny details now but Iʼve really that we must take only considered it for personal use. ourselves out of that moment and type up a virtual update to enjoy those small pleasures. Instead of asking myself what The first thing I realized when i signed into my twitter ac- the point of talking to no one is it seems that my twitter ex- count was, “I donʼt know anyone here.” I canʼt think of any perience has led me to the question “If I do something and real analogy. It wasnʼt like walking into some awkward mixer no one sees me, does it mean anything?” party because at least everybody there should theoretically have something in common (going to a new school, job etc.) That said, Iʼm still going to keep using Twitter and youʼre and it wasnʼt like being in an empty room because TONS of more than welcome to stop by and give my tweets meaning. people are twittering constantly. I quickly found a couple Username: Spladow of people I was internet acquaintances with and began fol- Thomas is a senior english major and can be reached lowing some of their friends who I deemed interesting but I at [email protected] week of november 24, 2008 page 5 SMU Football: A New Hope by Josh Wood If you just glanced at SMU Footballʼs overall record for the win percentage. The advantage here is that any hype is good 2008 season, you would most likely be under the impres- exposure for a program in need of some positive press. To sion that we stink…and that the possibility of this programʼs hear some encouraging discussion about SMU football was resuscitation from the NCAA “Death Penalty” is hopeless. quite refreshing, regardless of the brevity of said discus- These reactions are somewhat justifiable; two or three wins sion. total in two seasons doesnʼt exactly elicit confidence in our beloved Mustangs. I believe I speak for all of Mustang Nation Youth of the Team: Sure, you could construe the term when I ask: Just what exactly “youth” as a euphemism for went wrong? Surely there was lack of experience, and you some catastrophic event on would be correct. Our team which to blame our poor sea- this year was VERY young. I son—something simple that remember some of the nega- answers the question posed tive reaction to the news that above and satisfies our need two true freshman, Bo Levi- for closure. Unfortunately, Mitchell and Logan Turner, there is no such simple an- had higher roster spots than swer, because nothing went the proven but ill-fitting Jus- wrong this season! Here are tin Willis. Coach Jones made some key issues regarding the the gutsy yet very necessary 2008 season that may have decision to start his personal initially seemed disadvanta- recruits and other younger geous but ultimately revealed players immediately, which their silver lining. doesnʼt translate into fan- appeasing wins early on. Of The 2007 Season: It is im- course the benefits of this portant to consider the past, decision outweigh the nega- and where the SMU Mustangs tives—when it matters most are coming from. To put it (read: the next few seasons), very lightly, 2007 was a disap- our team will have a great deal pointing season. We started of game day experience, which the year off with bowl hopes will certainly lead to wins. and some momentum, only to end with one win and head I know it sounds really coaching vacancy. The up- hokey, but the night is al- side of that season is this: the ways darkest before the dawn. young players that survived With such significant changes that baptism by fire emerged occurring within our football with a chip on their shoulder, program, from a new-look hungry to prove themselves. coaching staff to a brand new Oh, and lets not forget that playbook to a chic throwback new coach they found… jersey aesthetic, things are certainly going to seem worse Preseason Hype: I believe before they get better. By fol- we all got a little caught up in this one. Donʼt get me wrong; lowing this logic, you can see why a one or two win season the off-season acquisition of June Jones was huge. SMU (or already has me excited about next year. that wealthy group of boosters actually paying his colossal Josh Wood is a senior electrical engineering major and can salary) is getting its moneyʼs worth; Coach Jonesʼ superior be reached at [email protected] ability to turn programs around and reputation as a stellar recruiter will surely allow the ʻStangs to get over the hump— in time. Unfortunately, everyoneʼs expectations for the 2008 season far exceeded even the mighty Coach Jones. The “June Cometh” ads and general hype might have filled the seats very early on, but all of that quickly fizzled, much like our page 6 week of november 24, 2008

CD Reviews: Friendly Fires and Kyle Andrews by Joshua Boydston

Friendly Fires record, something Iʼm sure we will all be hoping for. Friendly Fires Key Tracks: “Jump In The Pool” “Paris” “White Diamonds” This newest buzz band out of England has more than 9.0/10 lived up to its hype with its self- titled debut. Friendly Fires are crafting a unique sound, mixing equal parts electronica, Kyle Andrews shoegaze, and indie-dance rock, both refreshing and inter- Real Blasty esting. Sounding a little more abstract than MGMT, yet more You may have not heard of Kyle Andrews yet, but you are pop grounded than Cut Copy, we have Friendly Fires striking sure to hear more and more from him in the future, and many a perfect balance and dazzling the entire way. The first single of us are being first introduced to him with his newest release, and opening track “Jump In The Pool” feels both spacey and Real Blasty. The record is light and fun, drizzled with electronic immediate, piano, dizzy demanding synths, and attention but a thick pre- allowing you cise beat. to explore It is a plea- for yourself. surable lis- The jan- ten, but Kyle gly guitars manages to and heavy lose himself synth cre- on several ate a watery occasions. backdrop to The record the musings opens with of plunging the superb into a new “Sushi,” an life, the ideal ode to hip- soundtrack sters, with to rebirth. a glowing The jittery rhythm and groove of “In irresistible The Hospital” melody as dares you not well. The to shimmy, song hooks with “White on to you D i a m o n d s ” and wonʼt sounding like a modern recreation of “Tainted Love,” both let go. Up next is the almost equally stellar “Naked in New haunting and alluring, and also featuring a chorus that grabs York,” adding acoustic guitar to the electronic backdrop, on to you and wonʼt let go. “On Board” canʼt help but draw slowly building before imploding into the loud, blistering comparisons to the Rapture, yet they twist the sound into chorus. We find Kyle at his most introspective and delicate something of their own. The wispy “Photobooth” will have with “Polar Bear,” as radiant as snow and just as gorgeous. you both nodding your head and tapping your feet, with the The tracks following the first three tend to hit and miss. blipping, shaky “Skeleton Boy” having you do more of the With “Tennessee Torture Dream,” Kyle sounds like a dance same. Friendly Fires really hit their stride with the anthem rock Conor Oberst, and he gets a little gritty with “Waver- “Paris,” a song of promises and hopes of a better life, the ing Between the Real and the Abstract.” However, in between luscious chorus, bouncy synth, and quick beat forming the we see Kyle getting a little formulaic (“Put Your Hands Up”), perfect compliment to the songʼs message. This debut has an too noisy (“Blow It Out”), and even a little boring (“Take It to overall tone of hope and new life, something that I believe we Heart”). The last highlight of the album comes with “Cut and are all full of. Sometimes this music will hit you at the perfect Paste,” a well-crafted pop song with just enough sparkle. We moment, and when it does it is such a surreal experience. can see that Kyle has some talent, but he will definitely need Friendly Fires arenʼt so much creating music as they are cre- to polish his skills a little bit before making that next step ating moments, and with continual growth and experimenta- towards fame. Sometimes Real Blasty comes off real boring, tion, we may find these boys creating the perfect dance rock but he shows that he can definitely blast off with songs like week of november 24, 2008 page 7

“Sushi.” He might have me hooked, but he still needs to reel me in. Key Tracks: “Sushi” “Naked In New York” “Polar Bear” 7.4/10

Bands You Should Know:

The Silent Years The Silent Years have just as much passion and talent for creating sprawling rock songs as they do crafting delicate, gorgeous acoustic ditties. Both melodic and enchanting, their songs will dance in your mind for days, and you wonʼt mind a bit. Songs like “Black Hole,” “The Worldʼs Worst Birth- day Gift,” and “Someone to Keep Us Warm” are sure to warm you up and leave you wanting more For fans of: The Dears, Fleet Foxes, Blitzen Trapper

No Age This LA-based duo is cranking out fuzzy, distorted jams like nobodyʼs business. After the critically acclaimed release of Weird Rippers in 2007 and endorsements from bands like Radiohead and Deerhunter, No Age was signed to Sub Pop Records and unleashed Nouns upon us earlier this year, chocked full of raucous, hazy songs. Check out No Age at their finest in “Eraser,” “Sleeper Hold,” and “Brain Burner.” For Fans Of: Sonic Youth, Deerhunter, Times New Viking

White Rabbits This six-piece indie rock band out of Brooklyn is sure to have you hopping and bouncing along to every song. With three singers and two drummers, each song is layered and complex, but still sounds uniform. In addition to their stel- lar sounds, they are heralded for their live shows, featur- ing unique cover songs and high-energy performances from each member. Be sure to check out “The Plot” and “While We Go Dancing.” For Fans Of: Spoon, Sunset Rubdown, Yeasayer

Joshua Boydston is a freshman psychology major and can be reached at [email protected] page 8 week of november 24, 2008

SMU v. Southern Miss Saturday, November 29, 2008 3:00 PM Gerald Ford Stadium

Thumbs up: •Basketball season is upon us! Upcoming Events: •Celebration of lights to look for- ward to • November 29 Football vs. Southern Miss Itʼs easier to look fashionable Ford Stadium when itʼs not 90 degrees outside. • Happy Holidays from the Hilltop- December 4 A Service of Nine Lessons ics editorial board! and Carols •New X-Box Live Experience just in Perkins Chapel time for fi nals. December 5 Basketball vs. Texas A&M Thumbs down: Moody Coliseum •Pundits comparing Obama to Lin- December 7 Celebration of Lights coln. Donʼt jinx him! Dallas Hall Lawn •The deluge of Christmas cheer (i.e. advertisements) began before December 13 December Graduation Thanksgiving this year. Ceremony •The inevitable wave of sickness that will hit right before fi nals.

Hilltopics Staff SMU Totally Ficticious Fact: Cody Meador: Editor-in-Chief Ashley Howe: Managing Editor Thomas Dunlap & Josh Wood: Graphics Editors It takes a month to put the Christmas lights Andrew Shaw: Distribution Manager up on the trees in front of Dallas Hall because Beth Anderson: Copy Editor squirrels keep running off with the bulbs. If Michael Sheetz: Copy Editor you see one of the little buggers, please chase James Justinic: Webmaster Adrienne Yim: Business Manager it down and take it to the Blanton building for your reward.

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