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. 

HTC dream or (Google Android)

Google Android. The new mobile OS! (:

cute logo it has.

on first look: not too bad.

However if you start staring at it for too long, especially with the full qwerty keypad exposed, it seriously doesn't look too appealing.

and of course if you were to placed it beside this beautiful thing called an iPhone, hmm... compare it for yourself. i shall not comment too much.

However, upon looking at the white version, maybe it looks quite pretty once again.
oh, but there isn't the white one in Singapore i think, i don't seem to see it anywhere on Singtel's website.

The front view looks sleek,
BUT did you all notice that thing curving out at the end of the phone? It makes the side view looks so bulky and in my opinion obiang-ish. Maybe this design was inspired by those oldies phone. Who knows? Retro feel probably?

Enough complains about the hardware, as we look into the software, yeah not bad. Has lots of potential for improvement as more developers starts developing applications on this platform. Up till now, i think there are only less than 50apps available. (in contrast, look at the iPhone Apps store!) i really should stop comparing both of them! its quite unfair to compare a gen1 android phone with a gen2 iPhone huh?
However not to worry, Google has taken measures to encourage developers to build their apps on the Android platform.

One application that i find it extremely interesting would be the bar code scanner thing.
Take a picture of the bar code and it will automatically help you locate places that sells this certain product and compare prices for you! Cool eh?
For instance,
Walk into 7/11,
Scan Snoopy potato chips, *beep beep*, $1.40 at 7/11 Searching.... $1.20 at Cheers - 10m to your left. Walk out of 7/11, turn left into Cheers. Purchase Snoopy potato chips happily, Get out of Cheers, Grinning like an idiot 'cause you just saved 20cents!
Woohoo! what a great application!
But of course, as this application is only in its initial stage, it won't be available in Singapore yet. and even so, in the US, the database is not complete. Many items were not found yet. Thus, room for improvement! But definitely an innovative one! (:

Another application would be a phone Wikipedia.
Just imagine having Wiki in your phone.

Next would be something that iPhone is seriously lacking!
A search function for all your applications. (: this is one big plus!
In an iPhone, you will need to manually look through your 10pages of applications in order to find a single application that you want to use.
Think about the amount of time wasted!
With Google Android, you are able to find applications fast and efficiently, without having to memorise which page, which column or which row is your application at!
I was just wondering how can Apple miss out such a good feature?
Since their Macs have such an efficient spotlight system, why isn't it implemented on their iPhone too?

Another Google Android plus point: 3.2MP camera.
Same as my K800i now, so at least i wont feel like a downgrading of Camera quality. (ok, but don't be mistaken. i am not going to buy it.)

Sound quality wise, i read that it is quite normal. Normal as in iPhone's sound quality is normal too.

However for videos, Google Android doesn't include its own Media player to play videos. So you will have to download an app for video playback. Other than that, the video size is a lot smaller than an iPhone. Its physical screen size is already smaller than that of an iPhone, and yet during video playback, only about 3 quarters of the Android's screen is being used. So eventually the enjoyment you get when viewing video on an Android would be reduced.

For a first gen phone, it is quite remarkable.
Especially for people who are frequent google, google maps and gmail users.
Lots of potential for further improvement. Hopefully the Android OS can be packaged in a more appealing manner. Hopefully we will get to see other hardwares or companies carrying Android platform. This hardware might be one big deterrence point. Typing with the qwerty keypad is especially uncomfortable with the presence of the fat sidebar.

Touch screen via Heat sensor,
but of course there isn't multi-touch which is exclusive to an iPhone! (:

This post is obviously very much a comparison between HTC dream and an iPhone. 'cause the only phone i know best is the iPhone.

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.

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.

drawing lewis structure with Microsoft Word

was doing my Cm1101 assignment,
which is due on monday 12 midnight!!!
so, i attempted to draw Lewis Structure with Microsoft Word:mac.
It sucks ok,
don't bother trying.
This was the final product:

it was so ugly unsatisfactory that i have decided to take the extra step to download ChemSketch 11.0.
don't worry, its not illegal. FREEWARE! (if its illegal i won't be as dumb as to post it up here right?)
oh, but damn the ChemSketch, it is not compatible with Mac though.
but obviously my darling MacBookPro can handle this :D

finally. done downloading.
gotta start learning how to use ChemSketch!
i tell you, it is seriously not user friendly la! ):

oh gosh, i still have to think of how on earth am i going to draw the MO diagram?!!
with Microsoft Word:mac?!
i will try.

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

Everyone should visit this website!

CLICK HERE!
This is the new Windows Live Messenger on you mobile website.
All the animations are so cute! :D
I had a great laugh!
navigate and explore around!

Join the Wii Dishwashing Fever!

does it makes your desire to get a Wii even stronger?

iPhone frantics singaporeans should read this!

Singapore Gets IPhone, but No Visual Voicemail or ITunes

Sumner Lemon, IDG News Service

Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) will start sales of Apple's iPhone 3G handset at midnight tonight local time but users who buy the phones won't get support for visual voicemail or access to videos and music sold on the iTunes Store.

"On launch, customers will not be able to buy content from the iTunes store. However, they will be able to buy applications from the Apple application store," SingTel said, adding that visual voicemail will not be offered in Singapore.

The iPhone 3G will be available for free to Singaporean customers who sign a two-year contract that costs S$205 (US$145) per month, including 1,500 minutes of outgoing talk time and 3G bytes of data access. The cheapest plan for new subscribers costs S$348 for the 8G-byte iPhone 3G and S$508 for the 16G-byte model, and requires them to sign a two-year contract that costs S$56 per month and includes 200 minutes of outgoing talk time and 1G byte of data.

The operator did not offer an explanation for why visual voicemail, one of the iPhone 3G's standout features, will not be offered. A Singaporean version of the iTunes Store has never been offered by Apple despite the popularity of the iPod and other products here, likely a reflection of the Southeast Asian city-state's small population of 4.5 million people.

The iPhone 3G handsets that will go on sale in Singapore appear to be unlocked, and could be used with networks belonging to other local operators. "It may work but you may not enjoy the same iPhone experience as SingTel only supports iPhone 3G devices that are connected to SingTel's network," the operator said, without specifying what specific advantage its own network will offer over others.

Although the iPhone 3G is already available in 22 countries, SingTel hopes to recreate the media attention that followed the handset's July launch in the U.S. An invitation sent out to reporters invited them to a "special launch ceremony," to be held at midnight tonight and attended by the operator's top executives, that will include the first local sale of an iPhone 3G.

Such ceremonies have become a common occurrence when the iPhone 3G is launched, being repeated in several different markets where these events brought out local Apple enthusiasts as well as media.

Source

know what to expect.
this is not gonna be as fantastic as what Steve Jobs has described.

How much is Singtel selling the iPhone

Basically its
$568 for 8GB
$728 for 16GB!

Provided that you get those cheaper plans or upgrade your current plan to a broadband plan.

You cannot get and iPhone without having a plan.

Three new data plans introduced by Singtel specially tailored for the iPhone:
(all prices with GST)

iFlexi Value - $56 - 300 MB Data - 200 Mins Outgoing Voice - 500 SMS
iFlexi Plus - $95 - 500 MB Data - 500 Mins Outgoing Voice - 500 SMS
iFlexi Premium - $205 - 1500 MB Data - 1500 Mins Outgoing Voice - 1500 SMS

Additional data usage charged at 1cent for each 2KB extra. These plans also come with 3 value added services free (Voicemail, roaming and Caller ID)

Handset price (varies depending on the price plan)

Plan 8GB 16GB (this is to be read as a table form)
--------------------------------------------------
iFlexi Value $348 $508
iFlexi Plus $49 $208
iFlexi Premium Free! Free!
above info from here.

woah. the iFlexi Premium is so tempting. (just because of the free iPhone.)
if anyone of you know of anyone who wants to purchase that plan but do not want the iPhone, then please tell me! I am willing to buy it from that person! :D

Anyway, sources have shown that Starhub and M1 users will only be able to get the iPhone at the end of the year. ):

rahhs.. anyway, i don't think i will be getting it as soon as it is out.
I am waiting till nov/dec at least.
after my exams ba! :D
I am still loving my brown K800i.
but i think it is starting to hate me. ):

my new chat widget- Plugoo

You can now chat with me using my blog!
I have this new Chat widget Plugoo on the sidebar below my chatbox.

With this widget, i can reply to anyone who talks to me on my blog via MSN.
:D

Try talking to me! (:

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! (: 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.