Introducing the New Camry 2007

The new Camry is finally out in the market! Well, not quite - as last weekend was only the press launch, but orders are already streaming in and it looks like Toyota has unveiled another winner!

There are basically 3 variants for the Malaysian market - the 2.0E, 2.0G and 2.4. The 2.0E is the basic version, while the 2.0G comes with leather seats, electric seats, HID lights etc. The only differences compared to the 2.4 litre variant (apart from the larger engine) is the vehicle stability control (VSC), wood finishing and 17 inch rims.

What is missing is the push button ignition, which would have been classy.

Style wise, it is elegant and a worthy replacement for the previous model, incidentally America's favorite family sedan. Also, it is worthy to note that we are getting the Asian version, which has a less sportier profile compared to its American counterpart. While beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, it is said, this blogger prefers the distinguished lines available in our market - and I probably fit the targeted market profile too!

Kiss and Tell?

Footballers and tell-'em-all biographies don't really belong together. I mean imagine an honest scribe putting together a week in the life of a pro soccer player.

Monday morning 6am - wake up aching from Sunday night's gyrations on the dance floor - swears! Really ought to quit drinking quite so much... (healthy) breakfast of muffins and marmalade - ok, why not throw in a couple of Vienna Sausages and bacon, and maybe just a small beer...

8.13am - damn! The gaffer's standing by the doorway looking at his wriswatch - hope it's one of those cheap Taiwanese made ones - damn! One weeks wages fine for being late....

I think the point is evident to see. In order to sell copies, it's all about SENSATIONALIZATION! And that is an ugly word that means reality doesn't matter.

But the truth is, reality does matter. And despite the "honest" protestations of soccer agents worldwide, the damage can be widespread.

Enter Sir Alex's poorly timed book. In it, the old manager questions the intentions of supporters and the role they play. Ill-advised it may be, but I suspect that the gaffer knew little about it in the first place. If indeed those were his words, it would be less colorful and we all know that he is not one to mince his words when it comes to criticism. Trouble is, the damage has already been done. And for all he has done for the club, I wonder whether this is the beginning of the end for Sir Alex.

Security Flaw in RFID? Or just Plain Foolish?

This was posted in some papers about the vulnerability of German passports using RFID. It surprises me to think that such experts allow themselves to be quoted so ridiculously. Either they are not the expert they claim to be, or the opportunity to be featured on papers proved too much for their professional decencies.

Why shouldn't the passport be easily readable. For it to eventually work worldwide and end the constant wait at immigration lines at the airports, access to "read" needs to be universal. What the article also pointed out was that no information was actually tampered with and that the so-called expert made it a point to ensure that his passport was wrapped in an aluminum foil...

It is such alarmist attitudes that make news I suppose.