Microsoft Wireless Media Desktop 1000

What is that? You may asked. Well that is (or are) my wireless keyboard and mouse bought today from Challenger.

Why wireless keyboard and mouse?

Well, now that I have a 37" LCD TV, so is time to enjoy "BIG" screen. I connected my Asus G2P to my LCD and I have a huge screen. So need to sit further back therefore I need a wireless keyboard and mouse.

Photo from Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=111

The keyboard is slim and is a keyboard. Keys are nice to type and the mouse is a mouse. The wheel is a little sensitive. Other than that is working fine. I will try to play some game using the keyboard, mouse and the large screen.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,Media,Desktop,1000,Asus,G2P,keyboard,mouse,wireless,Challenger,LCD,TV,37",huge,slim,sensitive

My Omnia Experience

This is a mystery case, wonder why I never upload this blog. Anyway, better late then never.

Omnia means everything and this is the name for Samsung latest phone. It is also known as the iPhone killer.

That’s the marketing speech. Let’s get down to business on the phone features.

 

The box looks small, well not much to say about the box.  My set comes with the luxury items such as leather casing (more on that later), 2 stylus, screen protector.

Samsung is slightly taller and wider then the Sony-ericson K850.

Features:

The phone is using Windows Mobile 6.1. Samsung include TouchWiz. A widget in the Today screen which make it feels like iPhone. After 2 days of using it, I revert to Samsung scale down TouchWiz as it lighter to the OS.

Song/MP3/Video/DiVX

Omnia can play in 2 ways, first the Windows Media Player and the other is Samsung Touch player. Both more or less have the same features, so nothing to shout. Sound are decently good on my iTech Stereo Bluetooth. Another good feature of Mobile 6.1 is that the Bluetooth can automatically sent 0000 or 8888 to all Bluetooth headset, so you just need to pair the devices and Mobile 6.1 take cares of the communication and password.

GPS

Singapore version comes with Mapking which means it comes with Singapore and some major cities of Malaysia (so far tested on Johor and Kuala Lumpur). Point to take note: You need to change the map from Singapore to Malaysia should you cross the border (the car GPS can automatically change the maps without human intervention).

On the first start-up of the GPS, the lock on to the GPS can takes up to 15 minutes depending on location. However once lock on, the next start or cold start of GPS only takes a few seconds. The Mapking and my Holux GPS shows me about the same route from the Woodland Customs to Sengkang.

Camera

Omnia house a 5MP camera with auto face and smile detection. I quite like the smile detection feature as you only need to smile and the camera will snap the photo. Another great feature of the camera is the panorama feature, the photos will be automatically stitch so you do not need additional software for panorama photos. The final and last useful feature is the auto-tagging of GPS data into the photo. Once the GPS is lock on to the satellite, a small satellite will appear on the camera screen. After taking the photos the data will be included in the photo. In the thumbnail, a small earth icon will be display on the photos to indicate the photo been tag with GPS data. The data is store in the EXIF section of the photo.

Phone

The phone is normal Samsung phone features and also inherited all the bad things from other Samsung phone, the key weakness of Samsung phone was the reception and Omnia is bad when the MRT is moving. When you change the broadcast channel, the signal can drop to almost zero. But overall is a good phone.

Browsing

I quite like Opera 9.5 web browsing as compare to Internet Explorer. The one hand surfing is great and the speed is also fast if you running on HSDPA (the icon is 3G+). Another interesting feature of browsing is when you use Google Map, the map automatically zoom into you location. This is not the GPS signal but the phone provide broadcast station, so you can track you location using Google Map.

Summary

With 16GB and one hand touch/surf/usage, is almost everything I need.

Bad:

Everything that I touched has/have some bad experience and Omnia is no different. One the first day of using I “lost” the 16GB storage, but after resetting  a couple of times, the storage comes back by itself. During the new toys phase, the battery last me half day of heavy usage, but now the battery can last me one day, so this is great improvement as compare to N95 (which during new toy phase only last me 1 hours with wifi, GPS, MP3 on)

 

Technorati Tags: Samsung,omnia,Sony,Ericsson,K850i,i-900,Windows,Mobile,6.0,HSPDA,16GB,WiFi,GPS,MP3,Opera,iPhone,Killer,Mapking

Monster Cable

After installation of the rack and TV, the next best thing is to watch some movies on DVD and with the standard RCA cable that comes with my DVD shows some grain on my new Panansonic 27" LCD TV.

So I when out to buy a better cable and found Monster. I purchase the THX Standard Composite Video AV Kit. It comes in 3 cables to send colour signal. The colour coded band on each cable for simple and error-free hookup. As per the guide:

- High-density double shielding for maximum rejection of RFI and EMI.

- 24k gold contacts for optimum signal transfer and corrosion resistance.

- Meets minimum THX® certification standards for proper system performance, reliability and ease of installation.

Features:
Although Monster Standard THX cable doesn't feature many of the advanced technologies found in our higher performance product lines, it still packs plenty of Monsterous features: higher quality gold tip connections, user-friendly features like color-coded connecters & ID labels for easy, error-free hookup, plus increase power handling of speaker cables to deliver the full dynamic range of explosions and crashes found in today's movies. And dig the stylish, futuristic connector deign inspired by Lucas film's Star Wars epics.

Technorati Tags: Monster,Standard,THX,Component,hgh-def

Panasonic LCD TV - TX-37L80H

The LCD TV sits in my iKea Besta LCD TV rack.

The delivery man delivered the LCD TV as promised on the 24th Dec and I have 5 years warranty for my set.

Specification

LCD Panel - aspect ratio is 16:9

Standby mode: 1W and average use mode : 158W

Connection terminal: AV1: RCA Pin x 2 for audio L-R and RCA Pin  x 1 for video

AV2: RCA Pin x 2 for audio L-R, RCA Pin x 1 for video and component  (Y, Pb/Cb and Pr/Cr)

AV3: RCA Pin x 2 for audio L-R and RCA Pin  x 1 for video, plus 1 Mini DIN 4 pin

Others: 2 x HDMI with RCA Pin x 2 and Monitor input (female)

Dimension

Including TV stand: 940 x 652 x 295 (mm)

TV set only: 940 x 611 x 110 (mm)

Weight: 20kg

 

Technorati Tags: Panasonic,LCD,TV,TX-37L80H,RCA,HDMI,Component,158w,audio,video,stand,AV1,AV2,AV3,monitor

Besta TV Rack from iKea

We bought the Besta TV Rack from iKea to put my new 37" LCD TV. The staff at iKea told me the rack can hold LCD TV up to 42". After shopping for lots of TV rack we found that the Besta TV rack is suitable for our same place as it also complement  our book rack which is also the same range from iKea.

Build the rack was quite easy as the instruction was straight forward as the guide is clear. It took me about an hour to assemble it and is fun.

 

As mention earlier, it is perfect fit to my existing book racks.The good thing about the TV rack is that all the cable can be hidden at the back of the rack.

Technorati Tags: ikea,besta,tv,rack,book,lcd,37"

National Geographic Store at VivoCity

Following are the photos taken at the National Geographic Store at Vivocity.  Photos taken using Samsung Omnia

Technorati Tags: National,Geographic,Vivo,City,Vivocity

Ways to use your phone camera

Surprise... That I put write on this topic as I am not really a cameraphone guy. The cameraphone (regardless of number of pixel, type of lens) is point-and-shoot and cannot compare to my other camera. BUT I do found some good usage of it, provided you point it at the right things.

Lately I quite forgetful on things (inspired by the movie Momento - about a man suffering from short-term memory loss uses his parariod camera to snap events to help him remember... you can find out more of the story from IMBD), so I start taking photos of:

• Where you parked  Now where’d you leave the car? B1? D4? If only you’d taken a photo of the nearest signpost, and maybe a few landmarks to boot. Take it from us: Losing your car in a crowded lot — especially when your boss insist in going in your car— is not fun.
• Your credit card,
• passport and/or driver’s license  If one of these documents goes missing while you’re traveling, you’re potentially screwed. Before you embark, take a snapshot of your license and/or passport, making sure the numbers are legible. If nothing else, you’ll have an easier time proving your identity and getting your documents replaced.
• Your hotel room number  Sounds nuts, I know, but remember: Hotels no longer put room numbers on room keys. If you’re the forgetful type, this beats stopping at the front desk to ask for your own room number.
• The label on the wine bottle  A client raves about the bottle of wine you shared over dinner. Snap a photo of the label (when he/she’s not looking, of course) so you can match it later, then send along a bottle (or even a case, if it’s a big client) to help seal the deal.
• Exotic food or art You need to turn of the flash to take the photo of the art and the name/explanation at the bottom of it in the museum.
• Business card scanner This is one of the best features of all Omnia. You snap a photo of the name card and it OCR it, no need to type it into outlook.

By the way, I am now hooked by the game RushHour (is free and you can download it from www.fredvonk.eu)

LiveJournal Tags: credit card,omnia,hotel room,memento,rushhour,business card,scanner,wine,label,car park,forgetful,signpost,boss,food,art,name

Day 1: Singapore - Hong Kong

We took our flight from Changi, Singapore to Hong Kong. At Changi while waiting, we took some photos at the "garden"

The magical ball. When you "kick" the balls will move.

Drawing (more like tracing) the arts from the wooden plate.

Orchid at display

Flickr Tags: Orchid,Changi,Hong Kong,Singapore,Flowers,Fun at ariport

My travel site

As promised earlier in the 2008, I will do up my travel site but due to other commitment I am not able to. I guess I just need to put it in my blog and explain each trip and the events/places I visited.

So where do I start? I guess is easier to start from the last and move backward to the first. The places I been to are as follows:

• Hong Kong Free and Easy with Disneyland
• Mahapalipuram (I think so) - in Chennai
• Taman Negara (I already done that)
• Winter and Skiing Experience in South Korea
• Wondering in China
• Others Singapore adventures
• Star Wars
• Singapore Zoo
• DHL Balloon
• Star Cruise Virgo

Well that will keep me occupied for at least some time. 

So next stop Hong Kong......

Confirmation

I was officially confirmed by my company today (www.ecnet.com). Is been six months since I joined ECnet as Senior Product Manager. So far, I think I performed as per expectation.

In NYK (my last job), I do less work but much happier. I am happy at ECnet but something is still missing. Not too sure what is the missing piece. Can't complaint about the salary as it is what I excepted during the interview, so what is missing?

In term of work, I able to get into it fast as I already have the experience and know-how to perform the job. In term of education, I guessed I am able to catch up with the work so not the education too. In term of colleague, some are fun, some are serious, some are great, so is not the work relationship too. Hmmmm........ so what is missing?

Maybe I missed the smell of new cars but now I have more projects to keep me occupied to miss anything.

Comparing Omnia with Canon EF50 and EF-S 18-85mm (with Marco filter)

I took the same space marines with my trusted Canon and with the following lens - EF50 and EF-S 18-85mm with Marco filter.

What is the macro filter:

The outcome from 50mm (this is actually the eye-level lens)

and from the 18-85mm with macro filter at 85mm

 

at 56mm

Conclusion, I think I will be using the 18-85mm with macro filter more.  Next project...... is to photograph my whole collections of all my Warhammer stuff.

Technorati Tags: warhammer,canon,slr,50,mm,50mm,EF,EF-S,18,85,18-85mm. space marines,macro,filter

Leather Casing for Omnia

Technorati Tags: Samsung,Omnia,leather,casing,protection,carrying,case,stylus

Yesterday I bought this leather protection/carrying case for Omnia and it fits pretty nicely, also comes with a to slot in the stylus that comes with the set. It cost about SGD18 but after some hard bargaining I got it for SGD15.

How good is Omnia - Marco (Part 2)

Technorati Tags: Samsung,Photo,Warhammer,Warhammer 40000,Warhammer 40K,SCN,25mm,Games Workshop,Marco,Omnia

  Yesterday (8th Oct, 2008) I tried again with my Omnia with white light using Marco mode and the result was much better. I set it to Macro, no flash and scene to SCN.

The model is 25mm Space Marine from Games Workshop, painted on Sunday.

 

How good is Omnia - Marco

I am testing the macro feature of Omnia camera and my comments are:

a. You need to be extremely hand steady else your outcome will be shaken

b. Too much grain in the auto mode (I guess the system is using high ISO as I off the flash)

Omnia - Firmware upgrade (HH3)

The following programs are not compatible with the new rom HH3 update:

a. Microsoft Reader

b. Currency Convertor

I guessed both program using the older mobile .NET framework as when I tried to install the .NET framework, it said the newer framework is already installed.

Other interesting info is that the www.onemotoring.com.my on the traffic camera can't be loaded, not sure why. Before upgrading, I can view the traffic cam. The updated rom still cannot play WMA on touch player but you can play it using Windows Media (so not a big deal).

As for web scrolling with media playing in the background, the scrolling becomes too slow. Might be caused by my bluetooth headset, have not tried on the wired headset.

Other features found:

a. The main menu nows come with 2 page and one shortcuts page. You cannot change the mainmenu links but you can add/remove links from the shortcut.

b. GPS detection is now faster from cold start before it takes about 10 to 15 minutes (while moving) and nows is about 5 to 10 minutes (while moving)

c. Smart Reader still the same but notice the OCR is a little faster (no time tested as do not have the previous testing timing), just guts feeling.

Best of both world

I upgraded my Omnia to the latest ROM and also downloaded SPB Mobile Shell v 2.1, With SPB you have the HTC style ease of use TODAY screen and power of Omnia.

With SPB you have the following at one glance:

a. Battery level
b. Summary of events such as SMS, missed called, emails and signal strength
c. Weather and digital/analog clock - when you press the clock, you will alarms and other time zone. The weather will give you weekly weather forecast
d. You also have all you appointment in the Today

Beside the above, you can also make calls or close it to go back to Omnia Today screen.

So far, it is behaving as stated in the manual. Will try more features today such as menu customisation, etc. More review after a few more days of usage.

Motorola S9 Review

Motorola S9 Active Bluetooth Headset

Package:

I got the David Beckham set which comes with the headset, travelling charger, carrying case, extra ear bud and exercise armband carrying case (can fit my Samsung Omnia and most MP3). I guess the armband carry case is more for iPod Touch.

Usage:

The headset is very light and very comfortable to wear as compare to my old iTech headset, is like wearing nothing. When wearing my old iTech, you can feel the heat as it covers the entire ear.

Buttons:

- Left: The controls are volume up/down (denotes with -/+) and answer call or talk buttons

- Right: You have the Prev/Next button and sitting in the middle is the Play/Pause/Stop

The buttons are soft touch, which means that you need to just feel it and is touch. Each touch will be acknowledged with a beep. You must get used to the position as all buttons are cramp into a very small place so those with big fingers might touch the wrong buttons.

Built quality:

The set is very light and comfortable to wear. However, those with bigger head might find it a little uncomfortable. Pairing the device with my Samsung Omnia is piece of cake, just press the Answer button on S9 and search it on the Omnia, the rest is handle by Omnia. On the Nokia, you might need to key in the passcode.

Bad news: S9 does not pair with other MP3 bluetooth dongle such as iTech, however you can pair it with TEN iPod dongle. I have sent my problems to Motorola and hopefully they can give me an answer (more update on this once I have a solution)

Sound wise is normal with a flat bass, I guess it might be my phone. As for music, you can hear soft music even in noisy environment. I set my phone volume to 60% and the sound from S9 is hearable.

Making calls is easy, just dial and when connected you will hear it on the left speaker. Not sure why the right speaker is mute…. Maybe another question for Motorola. I am not sure where the mic is but you just need to talk normally, however the receiver did complaint that my voice is a little soft and lots of background voice (I am trying it on the train).

Summary:

- Pro: Light and comfortable, easy to use, good for active lifestyle

- Con: Cannot connect to Bluetooth dongle. Buttons too small.

Technorati Tags: Omnia,S9,Motorola,Bluetooth,Pairing,active

A day in the port with my family

On the 20th June, 2008, we had a different kind of outing. This is part of my son (Shao Heng) school project. The project is called Follow Parent To Work.

Since that I have resigned, I called Mr Lingam of my ex-company to help me in arranging the visit to the port.

The plan was to visit one of the world largest RORO (Roll On/Roll Off) vessel. In this case, it is the Leader class vessel. However due to some timing issues, we only manage to board the smaller version of the Leader class.

Thank you Victor of California for showing us around the vessel.

 

This is Lingam with us.