It's AW10!

I know I'm going to sound grumpy. But if it takes much longer than a split-second for me to work out what your marketing email is talking about, either you've sent it to the wrong person or you've messed up the subject line. I'm assuming AW10 is autumn/winter 2010... but why should I need to assume?

Dedit order

I've just received an email about a Lloyds Cheuqe warning me that my Bank Account Statement Show Ј560.99 Dedit Order. Oh no! I've not written a cheuqe for a J560.99 dedit. I must CLICK HERE at once. Hold on… this isn't one of those spam emails, is it?






NB: Loving the 'smiley' in the subject line.

And the FBI said...

Here's a lovely spam email that claims to be from the FBI. I particularly liked the inconsistent use of capital letters and the appearance of phrases that definitely aren't in the FBI style guide. I've removed the alleged contact details but nothing else is changed.

ROBERT MUELLER III
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI.WASHINGTON DC.
FBI SEEKING TO WIRETAP INTERNET

ATTENTION:

We believe this notification meets you in a very good present state of mind and health. We the Federal bureau of investigation (FBI) Washington, DC in conjunction with some other relevant Investigation Agencies here in the United states of America have recently been informed through our Global intelligence monitoring network that you presently have a transaction going on with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as regards to your over-due contract payment which was fully endorsed in your favor accordingly.It might interest you to know that we have taken out time in screening through this project as stipulated on our protocol of operation and have finally confirmed that your contract payment is 100% genuine and hitch free from all facet and of which you have the lawful right to claim your fund without any further delay.Having said all this, we will further advise that you go ahead in dealing with the Central Bank office accordingly as we will be monitoring all their services wit h you as well as your corresponde

In addendum, also be informed that we recently had a meeting with the Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in the person of Lamido Sanusi along with some of the top officials of the Ministry regarding your case and they made us to understand that your file has been held in abase depending on when you personally come for the claim. They also told us that the only problem they are facing right now is that some unscrupulous element are using this project as an avenue to scam innocent people off their hard earned money by impersonating the Executive Governor and the Central Bank office.We were also made to understand that a lady with name Mrs. Joan C. Bailey from OHIO has already contacted them and also presented to them all the necessary documentations evidencing your claim purported to have been signed personally by you prior to the release of your contract fund but the Central Bank office did the wise.

They further informed us that we should warn our dear citizens who must have been informed of the contract payment which was awarded to them from the Central Bank of Nigeria, to be very careful prior to this irregularities so that they don't fall victim to this ugly circumstance. And should in case you are already dealing with anybody or office claiming to be from the Central Bankof Nigeria, you are further advised to STOP further contact with them in your best interest and then contact immediately the real office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) only with the below informations accordingly:

NAME: STEVE WALES
Tel:+234xxxxxxxxxxx
Email: stevewalesxxx@xxxxxxmail.com

You are therefore adviced to fill out your info and forward it to the office above for authorisation


YOUR FULL NAMES_________________________ _____________________

YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS_______________________ _________________

TELEPHONE/FAX NUMBERS_______________________ ___________________

OCCUPATION____________________ __________________________



NOTE:
In your best interest, any message and phone number that doesn't come from the above official email address and phone numbers should not be replied to and should be disregarded accordingly for security reasons. Meanwhile, we will advise that you contact the Central Bank office immediately with the above email address and request that they attend to your payment file as directed so as to enable you receive your contract fund accordingly.Ensure you follow all their procedure as may be required by them as that will further help hasten up the whole procedures as regards to the transfer of your fund to you as designated. Also have in mind that the Central Bank of Nigeria equally have their own protocol of operation as stipulated on their banking terms, so delay could be very dangerous. Once again, we will advise that you contact them with the above email address and make sure you forward to them all the necessary informations which they may require from you prior to the release o f your fund to you accordingly.

All modalities has already been worked out even before you were contacted and note that we will be monitoring all your dealings with them as you proceed so you don't have anything to worry about. All we require from you henceforth is an update so as to enable us be on track with you and the Central Bank of Nigeria. Without wasting much time, will want you to contact them immediately with the above email address so as to enable them attend to your case accordingly without any further delay as time is already running out.Should in case you need any more informations in regards to this notification,feel free to get back to us so that we can brief you more as we are here to guide you during and after this project has been completely perfected and you have received your contract fund as stated.Thank you very much for your anticipated co-operation in advance as we earnestly await your urgent response to this matter.

Best Regards,
Robert S. Mueller III
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D.C.
20535-0001, USA
Email:muellerxxxx@xxx .com

Santa's bringing tablets this Christmas

[Originally posted on TheFonecast.com]

Santa’s bringing tablets this Christmas – and I’m not talking about the plink-plink-fizz of Alka Seltzer. These are tablet computers… and they’re going to be everywhere.

It all started with the Apple iPad; a device so widely anticipated, the TV advertisements didn’t even need to say what it did. "What is iPad? iPad is thin…"

But now it’s having to share the limelight. The Samsung Galaxy Tab runs the rival Android OS and, unlike the Apple iPad, appears to have every model 3G-ready.

Then there are the new Binatone tablets. Archos tablets. And many, many iPad lookalikes from China. Plus potential new products – such as RIM’s rumoured BlackPad, along with LG, HP and Motorola tablet devices – still to come.

So… we’ve got the stock. But what about the demand?

Well, according to retailers, that’s there too.

DSGi chief executive John Browett expects the iPad to be a "winning product at Christmas" in Currys and PC World stores.

Glenn Lurie, president of AT&T's emerging devices division, says tablets could make laptops obsolete.

Best Buy’s Shawn Score says his company "will make tablets a focus" – and it wouldn’t be too surprising to find The Carphone Warehouse heading in a similar direction.

Cost could also play a big part. Not only are some of these WiFi-only tablets costing under £100, even the dearer 3G-equipped ones will look attractive when subsidised with a two-year mobile contract.

Overall, it looks like good news for the mobile industry. Whether it’s also good news for consumers isn’t so clear. After all, there’s still a chance that may of those tablet devices could end up in the same cupboard as electric candles and laser-guided scissors!