THE PENDULUM
STYLE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009 // PAGE 15
Apple aims to redefine portable electronics
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Apple recently revamped its line of handheld technology while also slashing prices in an effort to reach a larger market.
Peter Bock
Reporter
Last week, Apple unveiled the next generation of
its popular iPod line to the public.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who was previously on
medical leave, returned to the Apple stage to announce
the company’s ambitions to stay on top of multiple
competitors.
The iPod Touch, created in 2007, was a part
of Apple’s decision to enter the gaming industry.
Because of the handheld machine’s inclusion of both
a higher processor and graphics card, the iPod Touch
is being touted as a better alternative to Sony’s PSP
and Nintendo’s DS.
During last week’s Apple event, developers showed
off some of their games including Madden NFL 2010,
Assassin’s Creed 2 and Nova, a Halo-inspired first
person shooter.
The showing further proved Apple's aspirations to
differentiate itself from its competitors through the
distribution of inexpensive, high-quality games.
Ultimately, the iPod Touch is supposed to create a
unique multimedia experience with multiple features
such as music, gaming, video and Web browsing.
In order to reach broader markets, Apple has
slashed prices, with models starting at $199 (8 GB) and
subsequent models at S299 (32 GB) and $399 (64 GB).
The iPod Nano was also revamped with new features,
such as a video camera, in hopes of competing with
Cisco Systems’ line of Flip Video players. In addition,
the Nano includes an FM radio, microphone, speaker,
pedometer and Voiceover capabilities.
Starting at S149 for the 8 GB model and $179 for
the If) GB version, Apple hopes to rejuvenate the Nano
line to capture the increasing market of pocket-sized
video recorders.
Although they only received marginal coverage at
the event, both Apple’s iPod classic model and Shuffle
featured Capacity bumps. The former included an
upgrade from 120 GB to 160 GB, maintaining its price
point of S249 while the iPod Shuffle received new
colors including pink, green and blue along with two
capacities, 2 GB ($59) and 4 GB ($79 or $99 special
edition).
Apple also released an update to its popular iTunes
store with the introduction of iTunes 9. One of the new
additions to the store includes iTunes LP, which Apple
hopes will boost the sale of digital albums.
The new LPs are being promoted as an immersive
experience in which the user can not only listen to
songs, but also view lyrics, band photos, performance
videos, liner notes and other bonus materials.
Furthermore, Apple has improved its distribution
of movies with the introduction of iTunes extras.
Certain movies on iTunes now come with bonus
features, establishing digital movies as a direct
alternative to DVDs. Apple insiders consider this
addition to the iTunes store necessary to the evolution
of digital media.
As a last measure of improvement, iTunes now
features home sharing and genius mixes. The former
allows users to automatically share libraries with up to
five authorized computers, granting t he ability to browse
and import music seamlessly from various computers.
The latter allows users to create mixes based upon
similarities in music, with the intent of creating
unique channels.
The introduction of next-generation iPods and
iTunes 9 helps demonstrate Apple’s continued
dominance in digital media and portable electronics
distribution.
MAJORS WITH MONEY
Science, math-oriented fields yield higher salaries
Rachel Southmayd
Reporter
At the conclusion of last Thursday's Call
to Honor ceremony, student body president
Justin Peterson challenged the class of 2013
to pursue careers they love, not just ones
that will make them the most money.
But in these tough economic times,
making money can come higher on the
priority list for some students. So what are
the “money majors” that an undergraduate
should pursue?
According to PayScale.com, seven out of
the 10 most lucrative majors have the word
“engineering” in the title. The remaining
three (economics, computer science and
physics) are also math-oriented fields of
study.
Elon’s newest freshman class has
maintained the tradition of entering with
three very popular majors: biology, business
and communications. A graduate with a
communications major can expect a starting
salary of about $38,700, a biology major will
start at around $39,500 and a business major
can anticipate a pay rate of about $42,900
with an administration concentration or
$42,300 with a management concentration.
Obtaining an ad\ anced degree can be the
key to unlocking the big bucks in a career.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports
that graduates with a master's degree can
earn up to $400,000 more in their lifetime
than graduates who only have a bachelor’s
degree.
The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health also has a list of the
careers with the highest stress levels.
Nursing majors may start at $54,900 a year,
but their job ranks at No. 2 on the most
stressful job list. Teaching ranks at number
four, but with a starting salary of only
536,200, many may not see the pay as worth
the price.
There is, of course, more to many careers
than just the number on the paycheck.
PayScale.com also has a list of the 10 most
rewarding jobs.
Clergymen rank at No. 1 for job
satisfaction, where 67.2 percent report being
“very happy” in their profession. Education
again appears on this list, with a “very
happy” rating of 52.6 percent.
A college student’s choice of major
should not be dictated by facts and figures
alone said Ross Wade, assistant director of
career services, who works in the School of
Communications.
“The most important thing to consider
when deciding where to work are your own
personal values, you know, what's important
to you,” Wade said.
Values include factors like location,
prestige of the position and types of people
that will need to be dealt with on a day-to-
day basis. Job-seekers should also search
for a position that plays to their strengths.
“It’s important to find a career whose day-
to-day tasks mask your personal strengths,”
Wade said. “It should be about impro\ ing the
skills you already have, not about learning
new ones.”
Wade said having a long-range plan can
be a big help as well.
“.'Asking, ‘Where do I want to be in five
years? Ten years?' is something everyone
should do when they start looking for their
first job," Wade said.
If facts and figures are the only variables
examined, leaving personal interests out
of the equation, an industrial engineering
major could be a good bet. Industrial
engineers have a $57,100 starting salary and
a 48.4 percent “very happy" rating.
LUtimately, a major choice should be
carefully thought through, taking a variety
of factors into account and made under the
careful guidance of an academic advi.ser
and a career center counselor.
Mentoring program aids
freshmen in keeping faith
Camille DeMere
Multimedia Editor
When junior Julia Smith first stepped on campus, she knew
her freshman jitters were of a slightly different flavor than the
majority.
“I was scared about entering college as a Christian and losing
my faith," she said.
She's not the only one. According to a 2007 Lifeway Research
study, about 70 percent of undergrads stop attending church
during their college years. And some of those stop subscribing to
a religious belief or philosophy entirely.
But Smith, the Faith and Integrity intern at the Truitt Center,
said she believes that with a helping hand from upperclassmen,
freshmen won’t have to feel overwhelmed and can find their
religious home at Elon.
At a Sunday dinner discussion sponsored by the Truitt Center,
juniors and seniors shared their experiences from freshman year
and from the community they’ve found on campus.
“Before Elon, 1 knew no one who was not a Christian,” senior
Molly Costigan said. “I’ve enjoyed talking with different people
about what they think and why.”
Three freshmen attended the dinner, all expressing worry
about navigating the 12 different religious and spiritual groups on
campus, in addition to off-campus churches and College Chapel.
Freshman Tara Corbett grew up in New Jersey where her
Presbyterian family was a minority. But four years ago when her
family moved to North Carolina, she got back in touch with the
Presbyterian community. Corbett is faced with another confusion,
though. Elon has no Presbyterian worship group.
Costigan suggested that she give other groups a chance, because
members of all denominations are welcome.
“Groups don't really get into the details of theology,” she said.
“It’s more about the fellowship.”
LU LOCAL
CO
Billy Sugarfix
Summer's Tempests
The Light Pines
Demos
MEDIUM
Greymarket
Some Orbits Will Never
Decay
Ed Hale
Ballad on Third Avenue
Hoots & Hellmouth
The Holy Pen Secret
HEAVY
Ciam
Anonymous
The Great Bandini
s/r
Wild Beasts
Two Dancers
LIGHTHOUSE SHOWS COMING UP
Friday is Battle of the Bands, co-hosted
with SUB.
At 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 at Fted Collar,
Tippsy Bachanalls, Shine River and My
name is John Mictiael will play.