It was shocking news when I read the local paper report that Apple products cannot be sold at the IT Show 2012! Apple Australia that oversees Singapore market decided that it was damaging to Apple’s image when its products were sold at IT fairs.

It seems to be pure arrogance that motivates the ban on Apple resellers. Apple stands to lose millions of dollar of sale during the 4-day IT Show 2012.

However, I think Apple is trying to hurt their resellers so as to bolster its own online store sales in Singapore. Or Apple is about to open own store in Singapore. It’s a lose-lose for Apple, Apple resellers and more importantly Apple fans in Singapore.

What do you think?

Please comment below.

iPhone 4S will be available in Singapore on 28 October. This is the launch date posted on the official Singapore Apple Online Store web page. I reckon the local telcos, especially Singtel will be able to start sell the iPhone 4S on that date too.

You can find out more on the iPhone 4S Singapore launch date at this official Apple web page:

http://store.apple.com/sg/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone

No pricing of the new iPhone 4S in Singapore dollar yet, however, I expected the price of the iPhone 4S without contract to be same as iPhone 4. SGD888 for 16GB and SGD1,048 for the 32GB model.

At the time of writing, there is no news from any of the telcos: Singtel, Starhub or M1 on their official launch date of iPhone 4S in Singapore yet. Meanwhile, we just have to wait for a few more days for the confirmed date and pricing for the iPhone 4S plans.

I have been using the Galaxy S2 for about 2 months now. After spending about 2 years with the iPhone 3GS, I renewed my Singtel contract in July and got the Samsung Galaxy SII. To be very very honest, I don’t miss the iPhone!

I love the iPhone 3GS. That’s why I didn’t upgrade to a iPhone 4 when it was launched last year. I wanted a phone with better reception and longer battery life.

Better Reception & Longer Battery Life

Samsung Galaxy S2 gives me better reception and longer battery life. My phone calls didn’t get drop as often when going into the lift. And I don’t have to recharge the Galaxy S2 every 8 to 10 hours. I can use the Galaxy S2 for up to 2 days with recharging.

The Samsung interface for Andriod is ok. I got used to it within 2 days. Apple iOS is still superior in this aspect. Apple iPhone OS is a lot more intuitive.

Great Phone Camera

I like the quality of the photo taken by the Galaxy S2 8MP camera. It gives sharp picture in bright outdoor and usable photos in low-light enviroment. You can also adjust the exposure to compensate for extreme lighting condition. In addition, the camera app has built-in editor for you to crop your images.

Email App

I don’t like the email app. It is slow and not intuitive to use. So I do not download to read email messages unless I think it’s urgent and important. I rather access my email on my MacBook.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Many iPhone users complain about the limitation of sharing files over Bluetooth**. One reason I switch to an Andriod phone is because I wanted to try out first hand the advantage of using Bluetooth to transfer file. Honestly, after 2 months, I still don’t see myself using this Bluetooth transfer frequently – I only transferred via Bluetooth 3 times so far.

Why?

Because I used Dropbox. I find it more convenient to transfer files via Dropbox App between my Galaxy S2, iPad and MacBook.

**iPhone 3GS Bluetooth Not Working

It was announced last month that Singapore will get it’s Apple iPad 2 in April 2011. Finally, the iPad 2 was launched on April 29, 2011. The cheapest iPad 2, the 16GB WiFi model costs S$668 and the most expensive 64GB with 3G costs S$1,108.

There were rumours that the new iPad 2 price will be lower than that of the iPad in the initial launch due to the stronger Sing Dollar. But who’s complaining about the price? It’s the delay of the launch in Singapore that upset Apple fans in Singapore.

Apple to ship iPhone 5 in September?

According to a report at Yahoo Finance, iPhone 5 will be available in September 2011.

Now that the date of iPhone 5 is drawing near, will people wait to see what new features iPhone 5 has to offer before deciding whether to buy the iPad 2?

[Updated on 8 Mar, 2012] Apple announced today that new iPad, popularly known as iPad 3 and simple called the new iPad at today’s launch event. The good news is, the new iPad 3 Singapore release date is 16 Mar, 2012, same as in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong and Australia – definitely a good news for Apple fans.

I have been using the iPhone 3GS for more than 6 months now and I didn’t realize I have been using these essential iPhone accessories from day 1.

• 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.

The numbers are out. Bakkwa wins over iPhone in bringing more visitors to this blog. Before yesterday, more people come to this blog searching for iPhone. Now, I get more people looking for bakkwa. It’s confirmed that Singaporeans love the sweet barbecued pork more than their gadgets!

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.

The new Apple iPad was annouced on March 7, 2012. The new iPad, popular known as iPad 3 or iPad HD, will be available on 16 March 2012 in Singapore in both black and white color.

New iPad 3 Price same as the iPad 2

The prices for new iPad 3 priced at the same level as last year iPad 2 starting from US$499. Here’s the US prices all the new models…

New iPad 3 Singapore Price

For the first time since the launch of the iPad in 2010, Apple fans in Singapore is going to get the new iPad at the same time as the US and major European markets. You can pre-order your new iPad at Apple Singapore online from 8 March 2012.

http://www.apple.com/sg/

**Prices in Singapore Dollar

The price of the older iPad 2 has dropped significantly. You could get the iPad2 16GB for S$528 at the Apple Store online.

You can buy the new iPad online at Apple Singapore online store.

New iPad 3 in Singapore by Singtel, M1 & Starhub

If you are buying Wifi+4G models from Singtel, M1 or Starhub with a 2-year plan then you can expect a deep discount of $500 to $600 for the 64G model. Traditionally, Singtel is the first to launch new new models of iPad in Singapore, then follow by M1 and Starhub. So if you can’t wait to see and touch the new iPad then be sure to be the first to register for a Singtel iPad 3.

White iPad & Colorful Smart Covers

Initial Reactions to the 1st generation iPad

Apple sold 15 millions iPads in the first 9 months of the initial launch in April 2010 and generated US$9.5 billions in revenue.

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.

I finally managed to connect to iPhone internet tethering via Bluetooth on a MacBook Pro. It was pretty easy after performing the latest Software Update.

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.

I was disappointed to find out that the iPhone bluetooth is Not working as expected. This is the first phone with bluetooth which I owned that is not connecting with my PC. I have used Nokia and Sony Ericsson bluetooth to connect my PC and backup my phones. With iPhone, the only way is to use the USB cable to connect to your PC.

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?

Got my new iPhone 3GS on Saturday after queuing for more than 5 hours at Singtel Comcenter. This is my first iPhone, in fact, the first time in my life to own a smartphone. Within minutes of owning this phone, I was already making calls and sending MMS of a picture of the crowd outside Comcenter.

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!