What's New in the Tech World?

Gadgets seems to be "in" these days. Mobile phones which used to be big became smaller and it has now evolved into something called the "smartphone". Smartphones varies in sizes but the latest Samsung Note 2 has a 5.5" size screen. Is it a phone or a tablet? The answer is up to ones individual perception.

What else is new .......

Is notebook computers becoming a thing in the past with the upcoming market of Tablet computers? Has been hearing so much about iOS and Android bickering and trying their best to upstage one another. Quietly, Microsoft (or maybe not so quietly) released its newest OS - Windows 8. With W8, M tries to enter the tablet market and maybe out do the previous two.

Anyone out there tried W8 yet? I recently purchased a 11.1" notebook which runs on W8. Liked it so far. Apart from its new UI, it is basically like any other Windows OS. Understand that it is based on W7 which is by far the most stable Microsoft OS to date? Is it true?

But whatever it is in the tech world out there, I believe it would benefit all of us consumers out there.

One day would come when "beam me up Scotty" is no longer from a movie but a reality. Scary but kind of looking forward to it.

.... moving on....

Haven't posted anything for a long time. Don't like posting up stuff without pictures as "they" said, "Pictures paints a thousand words." Let's move on.

My iPhone plan with DiGi ended on 2nd April 2012 after 2 long years. With that I took opportunity to jump into another plan with a spanking new phone - HTC One X. Thus I bid adieu to the good old iOS and welcomes the Android. No, I have put it wrongly. Android is not new to me as I already own a Android Tablet (see previous post). So, far I'm loving the new phone but too lazy to post up any photos of it. Please google it if you need to know what it looks like.

Another preoccupation - my new healthy hobby. Actually haven't started yet. Just got myself a folding bike. Pricey but nothing like my gadgets. makes me poorer by RM740/-. Not a big bike but just a humble 20" bike for leisure cycling around my taman. Since it is foldable, can also bring it along to other tamans to cycle. Looking forward for my daughter to grow bigger so can cycle together. The bike I got is the Raleigh Ugo. There's a story behind this - earlier I bought a similar one (as in type and NOT brand/quality) from Giant Hypermarket. Cost RM249 but the quality is very poor. A lot of things is below par. Back tyre went flat on the second day so I decided to returned it and be refunded. For replacement, that's how I got the Ugo. Being wiser, I got the Ugo from a bicycle retail shop in USJ.



Let's get fit!!!!!

Go green.

My buying habit is at it again! This time, BIG time!!!

I recently sold of both my cars (Perodua Kelisa 2002 and Honda City 2007) to buy the Toyota Prius. Loving the car as each day goes by. Initially I find the shape a little "off" but one tends to grow to like it.

Driving style seems to have changed too. I am now becoming less aggressive with the fuel consumption as the main concern (unless I'm late for an appointment of course). My average fuel consumption I am getting is about 5 litres/100km. Technically it should be about 3.8 litres/100km.

My Story with Yes 4G

I have gotten into Yes 4G "trap".

Sometime back when Yes 4G was launched, they were offering people to sign-up and choose your preferred 018-Xxxxxxxxx number. No payment was require

d. So I think..... why not? Let's see how it works. That time there was no UniFi for me yet. Not that I have to pay anything at the moment. I knew I only need to start paying upon activating the account.

However, when Yes Life app came to the iPhone, I installed it and started playing around with it not realising that the account became activated. Was until a couple of days back when I was toying with the idea to use Yes 4G service to replace my poor DiGi 3G service when my contract ends, I check my account status online. Lo and behold! I owe them RM119+ (RM30 min per month)!!!!

So, decision was to either to cut the line or continue. After some research, I found that the service is pretty promising therefore I decided to continue. To continue and pay with out a device???

I went to SenQ and got myself a Huddle Modem (cost me RM399) and after paying what I owe to Yes, I manage to get online. Speed was astounding especially when your modem shows green color signal strength. Faster if not equivalent to UniFi VIP5.

Why Android and the NOT iOS?

I was actually contemplating getting the ipad3 when it comes to the stores. What changed my mind? I've talked to a friend and he convinced me how good/powerful the Transformer was as compared to the ipad.

Personally, I think the ipad is a wonderful machine. Especially if you do not intent to fool around much with the operating system. On the other hand, Android operating system allows you for more flexibility if you are one who likes to "hack" into stuff.

I am still learning the android system. So far it has been fun. BTW, I also owned a China Pad. comes with Android 2.1 but was pretty awful to use. The touchscreen sensitivity is horrible. Fortunately, I was successful in upgrading it to Android 2.2 a.k.a. Froyo a couple of days back. The sensitivity of the screen is much improved. However I am unable to sign-in with my google account. Why?? Only time and more hacking will tell.

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer (TF101)

This is my new toy. It's an Android Tablet Computer. What makes it stand out amongst other tablet in the market is it's keyboard dock!

New Toy

Watch out for this space....

My new toy is coming ........

unifi

My unifi system is all set up and running. One would normally ask, "How is it? Fast?" It is still too soon to call for verdict but so far so good is all I can say. Check out below:-

Ok? Acceptable? I am enjoying clear TV reception anyways.... hahahahahah!!!

HSBB

Hi. Seems like I start every post with something along the line of "long time since last post". Well, it's true right? Anyway, I will be having my Unifi HSBB installed tomorrow. Maybe that would change the frequency of my post?? Or I could be too caught up with streaming. Nyak-nyak-nyak.

Will post up on the speed of the HSBB when all is properly set up.

So, until then...........

iPhone 4

It's out! It's out! The iPhone 4 by Apple is out!!!

It is about time especially with the "leaked" and the "stolen" iPhone 4G some not too long ago. All the specifications are as expected. No real surprise there but definitely an interesting toy to own.

Now, when will it arrive in Malaysia shores?? Hopefully the yellow telco will come out with an attractive package with it. Even an option for those whom have got the iPhone 3GS with DiGi (1 month plus ago) and locked with a 2 year contract :(

If not, then the bright side is, I would not be close to this iPhone 4 baby anytime soon.

Oh well, life's like that.....

For the time being, I look forward for a facelift to my iPhone 3GS with the coming OS4 update.

p.s. the iPad is REALLY a cool toy too don't you think???

iPhone OS, Android, Windows Mobile & Symbian

I have personally tried everyone of the OS stated in the title of this post except for the Android. In fact there was another - Palm - which I deliberately left out as it is already out of contention, I believe.

What would be your choice? I find the iPhone OS is very stable and user friendly. Looking at it reminds me too of the Palm platform which is kind of similar with the icons arranged in grids.

Windows mobile is actually quite good but one needs to be ready for it sometimes "hangs". Symbian too is decent but I have experience my phone "hanging" as well.

But to make a fair comparison, one needs to look into the hardware as well for newer gadgets would normally be using a faster processor.

These are my thought on the smartphone OS war.

Comparison - Revisited

Previously I've made a comparison between two different broadband service. Today, I shall review the same service (by DiGi) using a different modem at a same location. Hopefully this post will get the attention of DiGi :)

Firstly, let me just say that I am not against or disappointed with DiGi service. I think their service is excellent but I am hoping that the would bring their Turbo 3G service to Putra Heights faster (Lat 3° 0'37.30"N; Long 101°34'44.91"E).

Okay, here goes.....

I tried the broadband service with my USB modem on my notebook and the results are:-












Next, I use the iPhone as a modem and this is what I got:-


I wonder why the difference? Is the reception from the USB modem superior? Even when in office, the 3G signal from the iPhone will fluctuate quite frequently to Edge speed BUT it is more stable with the USB modem.

Anyone with any answers or thoughts, do feel free to comment.

Apple iPhone 3Gs

Folks, I am ashamed to say that once again I've succumbed to my weakness. This time is the iPhone 3Gs. In a way you can blame DiGi's marketing but my weak "flesh" is mainly to be blamed. I got the i138 package from DiGi. That means apart from the price of the phone, I am paying RM138 + 5% monthly for my phone bill. This price includes 450 minutes of calls and other freebies. It also comes with an unlimited data plan capped to 3GB for turbo 3G speed. The phone cost comes to RM1090 after subsidy. Worth it?

Danielle @ 3 Months 3 Weeks Old in a Restaurant

Danielle in Restaurant (3mths 3 weeks old)

Shopping at eBay

After a break, I am back at shopping via eBay again. So, what did I buy this time? I bought a leather casing for my new toy, N86, I bought a replacement battery for my wife's handphone (cannot find a replacement in Malaysia already as it was obsolete already - Mitsubishi M330) and another accessory for the N86, a car charger.

I normally buy only items which is low in value to minimize my risk. Most of the times the items are VERY cheap and the postage cost more than the item itself.

I like the last purchase best - the car charger. Cost me about RM11. Postage is free for this item. It will be shipped from the UK. Cool?

The danger about shopping online apart from fraud is getting carried away. It is so easy to click away..........

Anyway, to date, I'm still waiting for my leather casing and car charger to arrive.

Nokia N86 8MP

I've lost!!!!

I have succumbed to my weakness once again :( Got myself a Nokia N86 8MP. It is a phone with an awesome camera function OR a camera which can make calls.

How to justify this purchase? Well the other day, my old phone acted up on me. Hanged really BAD until I needed to do a hard reset to get it to work again. So, lost all my contacts which is not in the SIM ... sigh..

N86 has all the functions which I want/need e.g. good camera function, WiFi, 3G, GPS and etc. If I feel like it, will review it in another post.

....off to play with the new toy.........

DiGi Broadband

I have just recently cancelled my subscription with Celcom Broadband. Not that it is not good. It is just that there is another which is faster and cheaper. However, Celcom would still be the champion for coverage to my experience.

Now, what about DiGi Broadband? Well, the speed I get at locations where 3G signal is available is much faster than the former. See for yourself......

Compare this with the results from my earlier post when I first got the Celcom Broadband .....

http://techcrazee.blogspot.com/2008/10/comparison.html

Currently I am really pleased with this DiGi Broadband. Wonder how long it will last giving such fast speed and cheap price. Oh, haven't I mention that I am now paying less too. For the first year, I am paying less by RM20 per month. (Celcom - RM68/mth; DiGi - RM48/mth after auto debit RM5 discount and RM5 modem rebate)

New Arrival to the Family

Despite all the runnings here and there, our daughter, Danielle Annabelle Sek An Ling arrived safely into our arms on 17th June 2009, 7.35pm. She weighs 3.34kg which is considered a slightly "big" baby.

Both mommy and baby are fine and we are all adjusting to the new environment.

End of 50-50 Vision Reign

There goes my eyesight :( I haven't been doing much reading lately. Mostly is because my attention span over any lengthy article with words (only) is very short. I cannot seem to concentrate. Lately it got worse. I found that the words are blurr or I would have to put the text further from my eyes.

Yup, I have what "they" called it long sightedness. Or in other language - Rabun Dekat - which means cannot see near clearly. Normally this kind of defect is labled as "old age". So, it is double *sigh*.

With my new pair of "eyes", I hope my quality of life will change for the better :)

Name for a Baby Girl

What would be a nice name for my coming baby girl? Any suggestion out there?

Personally, I am very much leaning towards "Danielle". Many would say I am just lazy to think of names and resort to using the feminine version of my own name. Hahahaha.... that may be true. Nevertheless, I think it is a good name. I like my name anyway :)

So, anyone out there reading this have any suggestion, please feel free to give your two cents worth (or more if you like).