First Look - iPad

I've a chance to "touch" this giant brother of iTouch, launched in US as iPad while here in NYC ;)  Yes, no doubt the WOW factor is there for the Apple gadget: Sleek, pretty design, clear display and the superb "multi-touch" look and feel, I am, unfortunately, not impress! Sorry folks of Apple, I'm not a fan of main stream goers, so I'm probably not too objective here ;)

The iPad I was "playing" in the computer store was well positioned such that I'm standing while "playing" with it on a table with a slight incline elevation. It looks rather alright facing down while "stretching" the screen with the fingers. I must say that it is quite a good feeling untill you start to type some text there. However, after the cool factor subsides, I began to wonder if this the only mode I can use this device effectively? Hope not, because if it is so, then very soon I'll have stiff neck and hand & finger ache! Besides, I feel it is not really practical to hold the iPad on one hand and stretch your fingers on the other, unless it is slightly smaller, maybe a iPad mini or something ;) Seriously, I'm suspecting that there is a usability flaw somewhere, unless or otherwise, the accessories like iPad stand or portable keypad is part of standard package but then it will not be cool anymore ;)

But again, for the price that Apple is marketing, it looks like pretty reasonable for the Apple fans to get one to add to their collectibles. Like it or not, these are money spinning opportunity for the industry.

Okay, this is just my short first look review and like I mentioned in the beginning, I may not be objective. Maybe one day I may becomes a fan myself  (but i doubt so) :) In the meantime, though it is not so cool, I'm happy and contented with a Netbook (long battery life and keyboard) and a smartphone (android).

Sleep...

"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." Psa4:8

You will never appreciate how sweet is sleep (even if it's just a few hours) untill you are deprive of one yourself. It's interesting to note that God has created human being and given him the ability to sleep so that he can recharge himself and think sensibly

I need to sleepzzzz now...... as I am not thinking sensibly now ;)

The Tale Of A Driver - Part 1

I remembered it was 1996 and I was 26 years old when I first got my driving licence. "Graduated" from BBDC (aka Bukit Batok Driving Centre), a 12-pointer, 1 sitting, 2.5 months to complete advanced theory, 25 compulsory circuit hours and practical exam. I did my basic theory a few years ago though but did not take up PDL immediately. (Sorry, when come to this subject, I think I need act proud a bit ;) )

Okay, let me continue my hall of "achievements". Total driven 2 cars in UK, 4 cars in SG and 2 rented cars in overseas. In terms of mileage, if I were to discount my 2 years (1996-98) stay in UK (although I drove in UK too), and started counting from 1999 and since then, I've never stop driving till today (other than overseas holiday, reservist trainings and I really can't recall any time else). As far as I can recall, my recent years (3yr (car b) + 4.5yr (car c) +2yr (car d)) mileage is on average around 40KM/year. I can't really recall my first 2.5yr (car a) mileage in SG, but let's assume it's 25KM/yr, therefore, my total mileage clocked on mother earth is at lest 442,500KM! (Ops, ops, let's stop the count here and not go into $$ spent on petrol and servicing and etc...)

In summary, my humble CV is as follows:

Name: Man@40s
Year of service :  14 years
Mileage clocked : 442,500KM
Skill : 12 years "Manual" mode; 2 year "Auto" mode
No of accidents : 2 minor, 3 trivial
Longest drive without stop : 3.5Hr
Furthest city driven from Singapore : Penang (Malaysia)
Fastest drive without stop : 300KM in 2.5Hr
Shortest drive without stop : ?
No of fine : Ops, don't ask!

A side effect of my above "track record" is that I becomes a truly "moron" when comes to taking buses and some new routes in SMRT.

Okay, alright, so much for my 'credential".  Now, I think, I, should truly "qualify" to write a tale or two of some driving stories but it's gonna be another posts as it's getting late. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you need my "service" :)

Book Review: iCon - Steve Jobs

Okay, I do enjoy reading biography....and this book is no difference  in it's ability to retain my interest that I managed to finish reading the book while on my tour to Tokyo/Osaka some 2 years ago.

Interestingly, although I can't find where is the book now but as I recall back, I'm still able to share 3 takeaways that I remembered.

1. Although Steve is an international iconic figure accredited much to his charismatic personality and his aesthetics taste in product design, he may not be an easy person to work with in real life. At least not before his recent bout of illness.

2. Being a successful leader is not necessarily the most capable person in the team. Most people know that the brain and the know-how behind the first apple computer is actually Steve Wozniak but it's Steve Jobs who brings the Mac to the new heights. Like it or not, this has happen many times in real life everywhere. Talk about Apple, people remember Jobs, not Wozniak (the forgotten Steve).

3. Apple's board room is an extremely "political" place. Period.


Although, I'm not too certain about the authors' creditability of their research of Steve Jobs (since it's highlighted that it's still considered an unathorised biography) , I think this is still a very readable book, if you just want to dig into the mind behind the man who turnaround Apple Inc with it's the latest sleight of killer designer gadgets like iPod, iPhone and the latest iPad.....

I would recommend this book to readers who simply love both techs and business life!

New York, New York! (A Prelude)

In just another 2 weeks time, Cat and myself  will be embarking on a trip to the land of Big Apple (and the nearby cities). I'm quite excited about this trip although I leave most of the planning to Cat who is even more excited than me ;)

This will be the first time we are having a really DIY free-n-easy trip. Although it's not necessary $-savers this way, it provides a lot more flexibility in terms of how we can control the itinerary and the pace....we manage to also include 2 concerts and 1 opera in this trip too.

So far, most of the major booking has been done online and we are now left with excursion trip out to the Niagara Fall. I've plugin the details to Google Calendar...

Okay, So much for now.....

New Sound System - Philips SoundBar 2351

Today, I finally replaced my faulty Sony Theatre System that comes with Subwoofer and 5-way speakers with an integrated all-in-one Sound System from Phillips.

Click here for details

The setup is pretty straight forward. However, I've lost the FM radio connectivity (for the time being) as my starhub cable point is also tap out to connect to my cable modem as I've decided to move the modem and wireless router to the living area so that I have better coverage for the whole house.

          
Anyhow, the feeling is great as it has been a long time since credible sound came out from that part of my house.  I would like to spend some time next enjoying good music from my CD collections :)

Me, Mine & I (MMI) Syndrome

Living in a hectic and competitive Singapore today, many of us, if I were to quantify, perhaps including myself to some extend has developed some form of MMI syndrome one way or another. Such behaviours are largely amplified in area like driving, esp. parking, finding seats at public eatery place like hawker centres, food courts and indiscreet rumblings in places like cinema, library, etc....

What concerned me most, without me sounding judgmental, is a general lack of self-consciousness  in some people when conducting themselves in public domains.....

I can remember vividly, a few occasions (not just once) whereby after circling my car in the busy car-park for sometime, and finally spotted a couple walking towards their car, I stopped the car and waited with much delights and reliefs. What follows though, is much to my surprise (and anguish) , the driver, probably sensing that someone is waiting for him, can actually take his own sweet time to load his bags of groceries into the boot, slowly get into the car, start-up the engine, play around with his mobile for a while, talking to his girlfriend or wife, and then finally, (if I were to add, reluctantly) drive his car out of the parking lot after some good 5 minutes or so!

*Sigh*, I'm no saint myself, but I think a basic principle I would follow is at least for whatever thing I do, make sure I do not cause inconvenience to others. That means, if I need to park my car illegally (not that I'm encouraging that ;) ) , make sure I don't obstruct other cars. If I need to talk loudly in public places (why should I huh?) , make sure there are nobody nearby, etc....

Be thoughtful today, and send the MMI away!  In a sense, if everyone play their little part, and be more self-conscious, we can fight the MMI syndrome and becomes more civic in public places.