In re: Walmart entering Africa?

“Wal-Mart is eyeing Africa, and has decided to start its push into the continent by offering $4.1 billion for South Africa’s third biggest retailer, Massmart, reports Reuters. … Wal-Mart’s bid comes as South Africa has sought to elevate its profile as a nation primed for investment… Analysts told Reuters that Wal-Mart’s offer is “a big vote of confidence for the South African retail economy and for South Africa” but that a Wal-Mart takeover will have a notable impact on pricing and competition between South African retailers.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68Q0RA20100927

While I have mixed feelings on Walmart and their impact on communities, employees and some other things I see this as probably a good thing for South Africa which during my visit this year seemed like a country ready to step up (I was really impressed despite their problems, the way they ran the world cup.).

In re: iPhone amazing for blind as well?

I have seen a lot of technology for the blind, and I can safely say that the iPhone represents the most revolutionary thing to happen to the blind for at least the last ten years. Fifteen or twenty years brings us back to the Braille ‘n Speak, which I loved in the same way, so have a hard time choosing the greater. In my more excitable moments, I consider the iPhone as the greatest thing to have ever happened to the blind, and it may prove so. Time will tell.

via My First Week with the iPhoneBehind the Curtain | Behind the Curtain.

Thought this was a great post by a blind iPhone user on his experience with the iPhone and its voiceover / accessibility features and how amazing it is.  Gotta admit I hadn’t noticed the features when they were first added to the phone, but then I came across a David Pogue post that mentioned the voiceover and having it read PDFs, so I tested it out, and while annoying to have to access all the voiceover features or none (I just wanted to have it read a PDF) I was amazed that my phone, that I slip into my pock can read a document out loud and it sounded good.  Anyway check it out,  great look at the features and what he is using it for.  (also shouldn’t they add SMS read aloud as an option outside of accessibility, how useful would that be while driving).