I think this is so pretty pretty pleaseee!!
Brother should decorate his MacBook like this.. and maybe I should do so to mine too!

Source: etsy.com via Connie on Pinterest

Steve Jobs, you left a legacy

Credits to Things We Forget: Rest in Peace, Steve.

Woke up to the news of Steve Jobs passing away, one day after the introduction the iPhone 4S.

Looking back, about 4 years ago when I have gotten my first MacBook Pro, and since then ever, I have became a frantic Apple convert, true-blue Apple fan girl. That was before everyone around me has a MacBook in Singapore, so I am not definitely not one of those Apple convert out of peer pressure, maybe just "brother-pressure". My brother kinda encouraged me to buy and assured me how easy I would be able to get used to things. Glad I made that decision(: Since that day, there are 2 Macs at home, and even my parents are a little inclined towards using a Mac, though my home desktop is still a Windows.

Next apple product I've gotten was their iPod nano, in pretty lime green! They have it in my favorite colour so why not right? I am drawn to the aesthetics initially, however, the best thing about an iPod is the turn turn click wheel! Fast and easy to use user interface. Though I still won't call it the best mp3 player, in terms of sound quality, in the market, but it is the only one that does syncing with my iTunes so seamlessly. No more drag and drop, pretty album artwork, all ratings of songs rated with my iPod is synced, with smart playlists like recently added, recently played, top rated, ohhh and not to mention the lyrics function which supports dashboard widgets, iTunes add-ons etc...

And when Apple first came out with an iPhone. The one that is sold in US and never made it to Singapore, I wanted to get one. Tried to find ways to import it into Singapore to unlock it etc, but I guess it was all too expensive, didn't really get a chance to own it at all. Then came the iPhone 3G which finally arrived in Singapore, probably due to the bitterness I felt not owning an iPhone "2" I tried to convince myself over and over again that it is not the best phone out there. I chose to put my trust in an Android instead of an iOS. Although my Android didn't serve me that badly, I started feeling left out by friends and family members playing Angry birds on their iPhones. Oh, and cookie dozer too! I remembered how I kept searching on the Android's Market for this game, trying out all the different keywords combination, but it never did return any good news. Even till now, my Android Market still doesn't have that game, though it is officially out in the Android Market. (My Android is one of the first or second generation Android phones, thus a Market that can't be updated and is no longer able to support many apps.) 

When the Mac app store finally came up, I told myself that I need to get my hands on the Angry birds app, and ta-dah! I got it on running my 15-inch MacBook Pro. Full Size, so much better as compared to those playing it on their 3.5", not even 4" screens. HAHA. I was just happy though I never gotten even close to completing the game, I did not even complete the first 20 stages. I guess playing in on a Mac, with the Trackpad or the Magic mouse just lost its purpose and thrill in the whole game. 

And now as the iPhone 4S is out, (I was expecting an iPhone 5 frankly, plus who would want to own a 4S, and being mistaken as a 4? Then again people who own a 4, wanting to upgrade to a 4S knowing that there won't be a difference in the feel and appearance of your phone?) I am kinda disappointed that there is no iPhone 5. I have resisted various temptations of other HTC new releases like Sensation, Incredible S, even the Cha Cha with a full qwerty keyboard!, just to wait patiently for my iPhone 5. I told friends and family to stop me from buying any other phones till the iPhone 5 is out. But now, they came up with the 4S only, and first. After following the updates of @Macrumorslive on twitter in Apple's latest keynote event, I was left not very spurred on buying the 4S. Though I am looking forward to the iOS 5, but still an additional Siri doesn't really make the 4S more attractive than the 4. (Reminds me of Southpark episode of Humancentipad, where the Southpark Apple made a product that can read.) Hence, I dismissed that thought of owning an iPhone 4S, and to began my long and painful wait for the iPhone 5. 

Now, my brother first broke the news of Steve Jobs passing away to me, it made me realised how, this could be  IS the last iPhone that is with that Steve Jobs *touch*. I am now inclined towards buying an iPhone 4S, not sure if it is to show my support and gratitude for him or do I really want to own this 4S. What if the iPhone 5 isn't as good or as phenomenal as Jobs always puts it? ): Indeed it is a tough decision to make. The iPhone 4S or to wait for the iPhone 5? I am kinda sick of waiting yet afraid that if I eventually bought the 4S, 5 launches as so much better a deal! It is the endless waiting and fearing cycle of Apple users. Always torn and trapped in between... 

Steve Jobs, was such a legacy in the world of music, then computers, and now the Tablets. Look at all that Samsung Galaxy Tab, Blackberry Playbook, Asus Transformers, Kindle Fire etc coming out in the market. And who is the initiator of all these? Him, The Steve Jobs. I guess Moore's law has really to thank him for being the great catalyst.   

Always remembering what a great speaker and presenter he is. I am gonna miss his presentations and keynote events, I remembered how I would always watch almost all of his keynotes events, even those when he introduced Macintosh long long ago. The way he delivers, the zeal and enthusiasm in his every carefully crafted word, is better than Phil Schiller, and Tim Cook? Haven quite watched him yet. 

Re-watched his Stanford Commencement Video (2005) again. Listening to the part where he talks about death, and having a total new revelation about things, knowing that now that he is there, up in heaven and he must be resting in peace.   

  

I guess he could feel himself reaching this final destination soon, explains the stepping down as Apple's CEO. Many of his eureka moments is shared by people all over the world, and with his passing, we have lost a great innovator, a great speaker and motivator. Yet we know that he has indeed left a legacy, and maybe now he is beginning another legacy up there in heaven.  

Credits to http://www.apple.com/stevejobs/

In memory of a simple black top and jeans wearing Steve Jobs. 

 

P.S. I think I will be buying a iPhone 4S and this has been one of the longest blogpost ever, dedicated to Steve Jobs. RIP. 

Fun wih Picasa for Mac (beta) on my MacBook Pro!

Here is what i did with Picasa.
(:
a small little review on Picasa.

Just having a little fun after downloading Picasa (for Mac) for free!
I am really glad that they came up wih Picasa for Mac.
I fondly remember the memories i had with Picasa a few years back when i was working with my home PC.

Finally got it on my Mac!

When i first got the software i was thinking that isn't this just another software like iPhoto?
But Picasa proved me wrong!
There are addition useful things like creating pictures collages,
(fast and easily! very very user-friendly)

Tabs to keep things in check and allowing your work to be done neatly.
This is especially appealing to people who dislike having to work with 1000 windows! (one example would be photoshop!)
*Something like tabbed browsing on a browser. Get the picture?
iPhoto isn't that bad, because you can't work with more than 1 photo at a time! ):

Allows for uploading of pictures into your blogger account!
This is what i just did!
This would definitely make me much more efficiently in uploading pictures for my monthly gatherings.
i have not tried uploading lots of pictures at once, but so far, there aren't any major glitches in my experience with Picasa 3 for Mac (beta).
Hope that things stay the way it is now.

oh, there is one down side of Picasa though.
It is unable to edit pictures from the iPhoto Library directly.
there is a need to make another copy of the picture.
Not quite Picasa's fault though, since iPhoto library stores only the read only files.
It is just one point that makes it more troublesome and space consuming to use Picasa.

No doubt, Picasa is good. i will still be using my iPhoto to import photos from my camera.
Editing will be done on iPhoto too.
Nevertheless, well done Google.

This logo below shows that i have uploaded this post from Picasa.

Macbook wheel

looking at how Apple once again come up with something WOW-ish.
*sense the sarcasm please*

Introducing the Revolutionary Macbook Wheel!
"To reduce energy use, Screen goes black after 4 seconds"



"I'll buy almost anything if it shiny and made by Apple!"
"I never really realised how much I hated keyboards until I saw this thing..."

oh and please listen carefully to how much it cost!

in case you are just wondering, i am still pretty much a Mac fan.

Fun with Comic Life! :D

Finally got my hands on Comic Life !
:D

Explored around, letting the creative juice flow!
it has certainly kept me entertained for the past 3 hours.

My first try:

Second try:

(i had a hard time trying to get the heart shape done. The original heart shape given in the template is too "thin", and correcting it was a very difficult task! )

Comic Life is available on Windows platform too!

Next target: Comic Life Magiq~

mac christmas advertisements

I can do anything


Tree Trimming

those waiting for Starhub to bring in iPhone? don't bother!

The million dollar question, "When will Starhub bring in the iPhone?"
is finally answered.

and the answer is not looking too good for me. ):

"...Singapore's second largest mobile operator will not be able to bring the gadget in this year.

But the telco is continuing 'dialogue with Apple', he said adding, 'At this particular point in time we cannot be specific when we will have it in our stores... they (Apple) have their priorities signing on distributors.'"

-continue reading here

damn that Starhub.
Shouldn't have signed up student plan with them,
if not for their unlimited sms, i wouldn't have bothered getting a line that has such poor reception in the East.
So now, Starhub has said that iPhone is not coming this Christmas,
there goes my birthday and Christmas present.
yucks la!
and this further confirmed the email that Singtel sent me earlier is true!


haiz. How? what's my next step?
i am formulating plan B already!
actually plan C is out too!
(: hee.
see how it goes la.
damn Starhub!
spoil my wonderful day la.

China is getting better at COPYING! iOrange!

An iPhone look alike - iOrgane.
Look here for the video.
Guess what is the last line in the video?
"Apple? No, this is Orange!"
said in a proud arrogant tone!
i am utterly disgusted.
the standard of English is bad!
"this is so cool, writing message with finger hand."
手指 ah?
I am wondering whether iOrgane is supposed to be spelled as iOrange.

oh, but i guess i really have to salute China for their fast and efficient copying!
they never fail to copy good things fast.
but their browser looks lousy still,
probably they were unsuccessful in trying to imitate safari.

credits

i love my desktop background! :D (or wallpaper in PC terms.)

it is beautiful and i love it so. :D

Singtel offers is tempting me to get an iPhone again!

these are parts of the email that they sent me.
(currently i am a Starhub user.)


it is really tempting.
haven done my long term calculations and "damage" that will be incurred.
my contract with Starhub is not even close to an end. ):
There will also be loss in value of the plan,
ie number of free smses which is an extremely important point for me to consider.
plus the subscription fee is doubled of mine.
some may argue that there is data bundled, but how much would I use?
I will restrict myself from spending unnecessarily on data, instead i will try to use wifi for everything.
2 months free subscription.
but my starhub gave me 6 months free.
even up to now, my monthly phone bill is still free.
haiz. ): shall not think about it too much.
concentrate on my studies first.
I promise, by the end of this year, I will own an iPhone.
(provided that i do well for my studies la. iPhone is my form of motivation! HAHA!)

i want an iPhone once again!

Yeah!
I am one contradictory person.
Now, i have decided yes, i want an iPhone again.

Regarding my previous entry,
I have to make several amendments of the bad side of iPhone.

Firstly, I realised that iPhone can forward sms.
Secondly, it can send message to multi recipients.
Furthermore, iPhone sms appears in a bubble chat state.
Which means that you can easily see what did you reply previously without having to exit the message that you are reading just to check.
(look at the video below for a clearer picture of what i meant.)
(i realised that they cut the video shorter. rahhs. the long version is no longer available.)
Thirdly, there is handwriting recognition technology for chinese characters.
without a stylus, with only the use of your finger. (:
so that i can practise writing chinese!
hehe. (:

even with all that hype about mobileme not being able to push their emails and notifications fast enough,
I am still supportive of getting and iPhone.
Apology emails have already been sent out to all mobileme users, and Apple is apologetic over the use of the word "push" anyway. therefore, End of Story. Apple is forgiven. (:
if it was microsoft, it can never be forgiven man. :P

alrights, here is the shorter video. make do with it ba. (:



*edited* i am told that iPhone can transfer SIM contacts! so I am once again wrong about the previous post!
the last strongest reason that is keeping me from buying an iPhone is its ability to forward smses!?
can anyone please try it and tell me if it works?
THANKS A MILLION!

5 reasons why i want an iPhone no more ):

I suddenly had the urge to discourage myself from buying an iPhone.
I have found some pretty good reasons as to why iPhone isn't very suitable for me.

1. Apple users are too cool for nails.
Singapore famous blogger, Xiaxue said this sentence.
yet, i am one who likes keeping nails.
To sacrifice my nails for an iPhone?
No, really impossible.
yet, i tried typing on iPod touch with not that long nails, and it wasn't very obstructing though.

2. iPhone doesn't have MMS capabilities
Sadly, with an iPhone, I will not be able to share my beautiful pictures with my friends and family.
In addition to that, if I can't even receive MMS, then I would not be able to receive any other photos from the SPF with respect to another Toilet Break incident.
In times of emergency, a lack of this function would be highly critical as it may threaten my life and the lives of many Singaporeans. okie, it may sound overly seriously. but yeah. :P
However, I heard that there is this installer file which i can download to be able to send/receive MMS.

3. iPhone cannot transfer contacts from SIM card
I m not sure how true is this but this statement is made by liyong.
I tried to look up on the internet regarding this statement, but most of the searches returned no useful information.
Nevertheless, I think that this is the problem of a 2.5G iPhone.
Since the 2.5G iPhone is exclusively available only to AT&T users(or SIM cards), which in other words means that the iPhone needs to be unlocked before it can be used by other SIM cards, it is possible that the unloaking of SIM card is "incomplete" or there are glitches along the way, resulting in its inability to transfer contacts.
However, i am a mac user! (:
and my phone contacts are all sync into my MacBook Pro's Address Book.
So not a problem for me, as I can simply sync my iPhone with my MBP and DONE!
as simple as that. (: my MBP rocks!

4. iPhone effectively does not have a Bluetooth file transfer function
The iPhone is equipped with Bluetooth, but only for answering calls.
Your iPhone can only pair up with your bluetooth headset so that you can answer calls using your cordless bluetooth headset.
The Bluetoth function does not allow you to do any file tranfer.
As Apple is strongly against piracy, I suppose this is one of the ways to curb users from sharing files illegally.
However, by doing this Apple has compromised on the user's ability to send or receive pictures from their friend's phone.
With iPhone's 2.0 Megapixels camera, shouldn't their users have the right to better quality pictures through file transfer?
iPhone users can't just live with the lousy quality pictures in their phones.
Furthermore, there is no memory card whatsoever,
so the only way to transfer good/better quality pictures is through a computer?
or probably wirelessly.

5. iPhone can't forward SMSes.
Frustrating isn't it?
unable to forward SMS?
What a joke!
Hello, in this era, even the most basic phone has the ability to forward a SMS!
Initally i couldn't believe that Apple can actually be smart enough to forget such an important feature!
To make things worse, users cannot send a message to mutiple users.
Plus, not being able to forward sms, you will have to retype your message if you want to send your message to more than one person!
Like WOW!
hahaha what a joke right?
it is so uncomplementary to my unlimited SMS from starhub!
In a nutshell, Apple has done a really bad job in not making sending SMS friendly for its users.
Even though the QWERTY multi-touch keyboard is oh-so-great, Apple still should not punish their users by making them type repeatedly!
Yet, to stay optimistic, and to stand on Apple's side, I see it as a secret method that Apple is using to train its users into perfect typing on their iPhone multi touch QWERTY keyboard.

haiz. my conclusion?
I will think twice before buying my "saw it, love it, and must get it" iPhone.
):

my loyal K800i has stayed with me for almost two years.
the longest ever phone that I ever had.
So far iPhone is the only hope that I have in replacing my K800i.
the only phone that will not seem like a downgrade (in my opinion).
Hopes seems rather dashed the more i look at the down side of iPhone.
Will I continue supporting Apple?
Answers will be revealed in Dec 2008...

*edited* updated version here! :D

Singtel tapping on the iPhone Frenzy for marketing purposes?

I was randomly checking out on how to do go about reserving an iPhone without having to go down and queue for it onthe first day of its launch in Singapore.

And to my horror, I chanced upon this blog which once again confirmed my constant belief that Singtel is as inefficient as it used to be.

A summary of what the blog entry:

Firstly, this person, like i was, excitingly went into the Singtel iPhone reservation website.
(You can click on the link. although i strongly advise you not to, as you will realise how stupid you actually are and how much precious time you have actually wasted after clicking on the link. Just continue reading on first.)

So this was what was shown on the main page.

(Click to enlarge)

So this person clicked Yes.

Directed to the next page.

Where have to go through all the hussle filling in your correct details and information.

Whne you finally click NEXT, thinking all that trouble is finally over,
and you will see the confirmation of your iPhone reservation.

However, Singtel will disappoint you by showing you this page:

"Currently iPhones can only be reserved at at your local hello! store.
Please don't forget to bring your personal identification documents..."

It just make you feel cheated.
All the good fifteen minutes was wasted?!

I feel like saying, HELLO hello! stores.
Why was this page set up int he first page huh?
Stop doing illogically things to waste Singaporeans' time can?
Don't you know how busy and hectic a Singaporean's life can be?
Time to grown up Singtel.

Furthermore, many will be asking this question,
"Will Singtel be the only one that will get the iPhone?"
My answer is " No! to a certain extent."

Singtel may get to be the sole distributor.
Or they may just get to be the first mobile operator to bring iPhone into Singapore. But the iPhone will never get to be as exclusive as it was when it was first launched in US.
This is because Singapore forbids the locking of SIM cards to a certain mobile operator.
So no worries.
Everybody do not need to switch the inefficient Singtel.
(provided that everybody wants a 3GiPhone.)
But I don't see why anybody wouldn't want it. At least not now.

3G iPhone unveiled! (:

Oh my god!
3G iPhone finally unveiled!
Like what macrumors has predicted, the new 3G iPhone is launched at WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) 2008 Keynote!

To watch the WWDC video, click here.
(QuickTime required! (:)
(and the video takes a bit long to load. everyone is in apple's website now!)

For those interested in iPhone only,
you need to skip the first 1hour.
Forward all the way to the back.
I am still watching the video now.
will do a update later. (:

Apple rocks! (:

iSHOP free photo shoot! *photos!*

This is the pictures post of the free photo shoot!
i'm loving mac! (: whee!!

the scratching show demo!Free make up!
M.A.C Cosmetics
Photo shoot time (:
looks pro huh?first shot.
so boring right?
Testing only la!
normal again.
normal too.
bleah!
sticking tongue! :P
looking up!
looking away (:
and what's with my brother's eyes!
so small! :P
Fly me to the moon! (:
superman! (:
normal (:
my brother looks sad.
he says that i am abusing him!
see child abuse! :P
:P
sweet huh?!
can smell rising jealousy among my brother's secret admirer.
our favourite and most unoriginal pose!
say cheese! (:

if you look at the two pictures carefully,
there is actually a difference in focus.
this one-focus is on the hands.
this one focus its on the face.
Must be the Canon EOS magic! (:
covered face!:P
enlarged.
no longer covered!

these are most of the photos! (:
didn't post up all of them.
waiting patiently for the postcards to arrive! (:
will post it up after getting them! (:

BIG BIG SMILE!
:D

iSHOP free photo shoot! (: a MUST GO!

free photo shoot at iSHOP!
@ cineleisure. (:
iPhoto demostration.

went with my darling brother, who is now known as my xiao boyfriend.

I will post up the photos later as it is taking quite a long time to load!

Photos are taken with a Canon EOS.
Free Make up session given for females. In case the males start screaming unfair!
you can get a free hairdo "makeover", if you are thick skinned enough to ask for it.
(definition of "makeover" a little hair spray on you hair?)
however being a little thick skinned is worth it, as at the end of the day,
you can get a pretty young lady to do your hair for you! (:

ladies, in case you are wondering what sort of make up they are using and whether your skin will corrode at the end of the day.
No worries man, cause apple always gives the best they can!
They actually use M.A.C cosmetics.
not any other cheapo silky girl cosmetics, but M.A.C!

i highly suspect that there is pun intended.
yes, MAC uses MAC!
see the link?
aiyah, never mind if you don't! :P

oh ya, and the hair spray they use is the l'oreal one. (:
smells nice!
haha. my brother wasn't thick skinned enough to go and ask for a hairspray though.
lousy brother!
he didn't even want to accompany me for the photo shoot!
BUT fortunately the Apple salesperson managed to persuade him.
Thumbs up uP UP for the salesperson!
They are friendly people. (:

OH! there is one thing that they really should improve on,
THERE IS NO MIRROR TO CHECK IF YOU ARE SHUAI OR CHIO ENOUGH BEFORE THE SHOOT!

haha!! the only mirror that they have is the one at the make up area.

at the end of the whole photo shoot,
you will get 4 postcards/2 greeting cards.
(obviously made by iPhoto. You get to design and personalise them.)
i think this is where the iPhoto demostration is suppose to come in,
however i feel that it is not very demo-ish la.
we get to do everything ourselves,
they didn't do much of a demo for us la.
(Probably cause my brother and I aren't mac noobs. :P)

We also get a CD with all our 22 photos burnt in them!
I am not sure how many photos can people take.
The female photographer was saying, "Come on guys, one last shot!"
Yet, we ended up taking so so many more shots! (:
HAHA!!
i think the photographer like our last pose very much! (:
Happy! :D

other than the free photo shoot,
you can get to see a "scratch show"! (:
not bad la, cause i am not quite a fan of this genre of music.
Nevertheless its cool to be a own DJ! even at home! (:

I was hesitating whether to post this up, as i do not wish to have people rushing for this great deal, causing a long queue!
However, i have decided to be nice, so there you go:

free photo shoot on the 7th, 8th, 21st and 22nd June.
until 8pm! (not sure what time it starts though!)
At Cineleisure iSHOP.

and i'm GOING AGAIN!
loyal MAC supporter! (:

microsoft/apple?

hey, i have created his microsoft or apple poll. (:
do it ya. (:

it won't take much of your time one.
less than 1 minute (:


oh ya, the poll is on your right!

Microsoft Windows 7- how long will it take to come true?

pretty cool video huh?
multi touch on windows too.

what really amazed me is the smooth transition of the GPS.
and also the piano keyboard.

however, Apple can do it too.

Rumored that it will only be out in year 2010.
And by that time, Apple would have already come up with something even more fantastic.

When asked if Apple might come up with something better,
the Microsoft spokesperson response was,
"There's a lot in Windows 7, and our goal's got to be, with our hardware partners, to produce fantastic PCs. ...
We'll sell 270m PCs a year, and Apple will sell 10m.
Apple is fantastically successful, and so are we."
[quoted]


wow, full of confidence huh?
we shall see how it goes.
and please not let your definition of fantastic PCs be limited to the boundaries.
like how Windows Vista has disappointed many.

for the time being, i am still standing on Apple's side.
Mac supporter.
But not those that Queen Blogger, Xiaxue, has described as arrogant and stuff,
but i am just a mild supporter of Mac.
(probably due to the lousier alternative. :P)

Nevertheless, looking forward to the battle.
Battle between OS!

and i promise, if Microsoft can do a better job,
i will change sides immediately! (:

just realised that my Apple and Microsoft posts are one after another.

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference

Will the next generation iPhone be out?

Results will be unveiled on
9 June.
in San Francisco.

overwhelming excitement lingers in me.