• Screen Protector
• iPhone Cover

iPhone Accessories Voucher from Singtel

The reason why I forgot their existence was due to the fact that I have them on the very moment I bought the phone. Thanks to Singtel which gave me a $50 voucher to buy the iPhone casing and the screen protector film.

Even thought I have the iPhone screen protector on the touch screen, I don’t feel the phone is any less responsive.

And I really like my leather iPhone case. It looks stylish and at the same time very functional. Believe it or not, I was asked by a passenger(China nationality) across the aisle on my flight returning from China last month. Isn’t it where they make all these iPhone cases for the rest of the world!

Both iPhone accessories became part of my iPhone from the very first moment I used it. No wonder I took them for granted. Without the iPhone cover, it would not look as brand new after 6 months of heavy usage.

If you are going to get your iPhone, make sure you invest on a good casing and screen protector.

I am thinking of getting a bluetooth headset for my iPhone but really concerned about the iPhone bluetooth connectivity and voice quality.

What accessories have you bought for your iPhone? Write your list of iPhone accessories in the comment box below.

Lim Chee Guan and Kim Hock Guan win. Apple loses.

I was quite surprised that people, the non-geek and the non-techies included, are actually searching online for their favorite Chinese New Year food.

Shouldn’t they already known what and where to buy their favorite bakkwa?!

Here’s some of the more popular search phrases used by Bakkwa lovers:

• bak kwa singapore
• best bak kwa in singapore
• duck bak kua

Yes, people are searching for the new Duck Bak Kwa.

Who’s selling this novelty bak kwa?

Fragrance Bak Kwa used to sell them but I am not sure. If you know, write in the comment box below.

I still prefer Lim Chee Guan Bak Kwa & Kim Hock Guan Bak Kwa.

As for the iPad pricing, here it is…

iPad Price in Singapore

[Updated 25 July 2010]
**Prices in Singapore Dollar

[Updated 28 Jul 2010]
You can buy iPad online at Apple Singapore online store.

iPad 3G Singapore

As for the iPad 3G, none of the local telcos support the micro-SIM, so I believe pricing and availability of the iPad 3G in Singapore will largely depend on Singtel, Starhub and M1.

Initial Reactions to iPad

Apple sold more than 75 millions iPod and iPhone worldwide. I guess many of them will also buy the iPad. I will. The iPad 64GB. And I already know how I am going to really use it.

When I first viewed Steve Job’s keynote announcing the iPad and discovered about the affordable iPad price, my reaction posted on Facebook was…

“iPad… Why only $499? I want it now!”

“if you have an iPhone, Life Will Not be Complete Without the iPad!”

However, I also discovered that not everyone loves Apple products. Some of my Facebook friends said:

“iPad, No Multitasking, No Buy”

“guess it is just like iPhone .. just BIGGER”

“The iPad (the name is soooo =_=|||) is disappointing. No SD card slot, no drag-drop, no USB port, no flash (!), no camera…a whole lot of new accessories to buy. Will wait for the Android-powered tablets, Asus is coming up with one soon.”

MrBrown thinks “Apple’s iPad is a giant iPod Touch“.

And people are already mocking at the iPad – the other kind of pad?!

What do you have to say about the iPad?

Please leave a comment below.

In fact, I wrote this post using iPhone internet tethering on Singtel network. Now, I don’t have to mess around with the USB cable when connect my notebook to the internet via my iPhone.

If you’ve read my earlier post on iPhone Bluetooth Not Working, I had no luck trying to connect the iPhone to my VAIO laptop via Bluetooth internet tethering.

However, with my new MacBook Pro, it was a breeze connecting the iPhone 3GS. It was so easy and fast to use iPhone internet tethering.

Yes, I could not wait until the COMEX 2009 to get hold of the MacBook Pro with Snow Leopard OS. Anyway, the current version of OS X Leopard 10.5.8 is good enough for me.

I think I am an Apple fan now!

iPhone Internet Tethering via Bluetooth on Windows Vista

If you have trouble with Windows Vista Bluetooth device driver, you might want to try upgrading your iTunes to the latest version.

According to this Apple forum thread some people were successfully paired their iPhone with WIndows Vista laptop and connected to internet tethering over the Personal Area Network via Bluetooth.

The iPhone crippled bluetooth can use bluetooth earpiece or bluetooth headset.

iPhone does not support:

• Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
• Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
• Basic Imaging Profile (BIP)
• Basic Printing Profile (BPP)
• Cordless Telephony Profile (CTP)
• Device ID Profile (DID)
• Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN)
• Fax Profile (FAX)
• File Transfer Profile (FTP)
• General Audio/Video Distribution Profile (GAVDP)
• Generic Access Profile (GAP)
• Generic Object Exchange Profile (GOEP)
• Human Interface Device Profile (HID)
• Intercom Profile (ICP)
• Object Push Profile (OPP)
• Personal Area Networking Profile (PAN)
• Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP)
• Serial Port Profile (SPP)
• Service Discovery Application Profile (SDAP)
• SIM Access Profile (SAP,SIM)
• Synchronisation Profile (synch)
• Video Distribution Profile (vdp)
• Wireless Application Protocol Bearer (WAPB)

Source: iPhone’s Bluetooth is dumb, purposely crippled or both?

iPhone 3GS Bluetooth with Windows Vista

As for the new iPhone 3GS, Windows Vista may the the culprit that prevent proper communication over bluetooth. My Vista kept asking to look for “Bluetooth Peripheral Device”?! Apparently, Vista does not have a driver to support iPhone 3GS bluetooth profiles.

If you manage to connect using bluetooth for Internet tethering, leave a comment below.

[Update 18 Aug 2009] iPhone 3GS Bluetooth Internet Tethering
Managed to connect my MacBook Pro via bluetooth to iPhone internet tethering after performing latest software updates including the latest version of iTune 8.2.1 (6).

[Update 28 Jan 2010] Steve Jobs announced the Apple iPad yesterday. Will the iPad be another crippled device?

Everything on the new iPhone 3GS is fast & cool Except …

How to Switch iPhone to Silent Mode?

Switch your mobile phone to Silent Mode is a vitally important function and I expect Apple to make it really easy for me to switch the iPhone to Silent Mode.

To a iPhone noob like me, everything else was easy except for the fact that I could not make the iPhone to just vibrate and not ring. Even after nearly an hour trying out all the options in the Settings, I was still clueless!

Is it because I am too used to Nokia and Sony Ericsson?

I was too lazy to read the quick start or the user guide instead I text a friend for help and within minutes I got a reply:

“Slide the switch on the left side of the phone above the volume control”

Yes. It was that simple. Thank you Jeffrey!

For more information, visit Singtel website now.

What’s new are the BBOM Premium and Platinum plans (7.2Mbps/1.5Mbps):

• BBoM Plus – 1GB @ $19.90
• BBoM Premium – 10GB @ $29.90
• BBoM Platinum – 30GB @ $39.90

[Updated on 10 July 2009]

Then I search on Google for Singtel iPhone 3GS and read about the Dow Jones Newswires on CNN Money.

CNN Money: SingTel To Offer iPhone 3GS In Singapore On July 10

Here’s why you want to own the new iPhone 3GS:

• 2X faster
• Video, edit it and share it
• 3-megapixel camera, auto-focus
• Voice control
• Digital compass and GPS
• Cut, copy, and paste words and photos, even between applications
• Landscape Keyboard
• Send MMS and forward one or more messages to others
• Internet tethering
• Spotlight searches everything in your iPhone
• and all those free apps from iTune Store

Samsung Android Phone

I really want to know more about this new Samsung Android phone and how the i7500 compares with the HTC Magic.

Samsung i7500 Specifications

But both models are not officially available yet and there are very few reviews on these phones. Maybe the Samsung i7500 will be available at the PC Show 2009 at Suntec City next month.

“Comparing to the specs of i7500, I think HTC Magic is a waste of time…”

Even Youtube has not few good video on the new Samsung Android phone.

This video on the Samsung i7500 from Tech65.org probably the best preview I’ve seen so far.

If you come across any good Samsung i7500 review, please let me know and leave a comment below.

First you must go read the Seven iPhone Disappointments – quite a nasty review – It doesn’t sound like a usable phone. Also, a couple of iPhone users advised me against getting it. Instead, they recommended the new Samsung i900 Omnia.

Here’s a Samsung Omnia review – actually it’s a comparison:

iPhone 3G vs Samsung i900 vs HTC Touch Diamond

and the Samsung Omnia seems to be the obvious winner here.

Youtube Video: Samsung Omnia Review

I always wanted to get a Samsung. I am sick of Nokia! However, I am stuck with my existing phone because I still have more than 12 months contract on my current plan. The price of Samsumg Omnia without contract is pretty steep.

The Samsung Omnia looks good, isn’t it? In fact, it looks as cool as the iPhone. Here’s the Omnia specifications.

Samsung Omnia Specifications

**I particular like the idea of the 5MP auto-focus camera with flash, Divx/H.264 video and embedded GPS. Also the Samsung Omnia OS is Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, meaning a wide range of application software can be installed.

Update 28 Jul 2008: This blog is currently ranked Number 1 when you searched for omnia review at Google.com.sg. I really wish I could get hold of this phone and do a proper review. For more information on Omnia blogs, visit SamsungMobileBlog.com.sg

Update 9 October 2008: Thank you for all the comments. Please keep them coming. And for those who prefer to discuss using a forum, please visit Samsung Omnia Forum at http://www.zest.sg/forum/latest-gadgets-f17/samsung-omnia-t36.html

Samsung Omnia HD

Update 1 March 2009: Just got to know that Samsung launched a sequel to the Omnia. After some research on Google, I believe the new Samsung Omnia HD will be a winner. I will definitely like to lay my hand on it and test out the high-definition video recording and watching HD movie on-the-go.