Galaxy S II for RM799 at the Maxis Launch Event

Got an email from Maxis. RM 799 for Galaxy S II... Only for one day.. hmm.. At first I thought, OK!! I must go que up... However, the catch is, a new 3G data plan have to be registered. And this got me thinking... 

Which means to get this, you have to subscribe monthly :

- Value Plus 50 (Minimum) - RM 50 

- 3GB data plan (for 24 months) - RM 88 

Am now using Maxis value plus 50 + 500Mb plan for my Galaxy S package last year. (RM 50 + RM 58 - RM 10 rebate = RM 98 monthly)

To qualify for a promotion priced SGSII, I need to fork out additional RM 40 per month. RM 40 x 24 = RM 960. Which means the total cost to own this is RM 1,759 if I que up at the launch and "HOPE" to be one of the first 300 customer. 

I might as well get RM 1,799 for the phone and maintain my current package... I only pay RM 40 extra one time...  heheheh.. No Que, No hassle... Furthermore, I don't need additional data up to 3GB on my phone network, I'd already say YES to a much faster option for that. HAHAHA!

Apple Keyboard pairing with iPhone/iPad/iPad2

Punching away on the iPad on screen keyboard proves to be smooth and effortless, however those with shiny pink manicured nails or those using lots of symbols and special characters will find the keyboard quite limited. Not to mention the keyboard takes up nearly half the screen.

What you need? If you own an iMac, just use the same Keyboard. If you got one for your birthday, Happy Birthday! Else, you can easily get it from any authorized apple store.

Pairing the Bluetooth Wireless Mac Keyboard is super easy

Step 1: Turn on the keyboard.
- If it's new, go to step 2
- If you paired this before with iMac or other device, remove the battery, reinsert it and go to step 2

Step 2: In the iPad or any iOS, Go to > General > Bluetooth and turn it ON.
You will see the Apple Wireless Keyboard as "Not Paired"

Step 3: Tap on the Apple Wireless Keyboard to start the pairing process. a 4 digit PIN code will be prompted. Just key in the PIN code on the keyboard and press Enter.

DONE! You will see the Apple Wireless Keyboard labelled as Connected. 

Open up your favorite app and start typing. It is a whole new experience as the on screen keyboard is no longer popping up blocking screen real estates....

ENJOY!!!

Samsung's Solar Powered Notebook/Netbook!

Since May 11th, Twitters and Blogs have been flooded with news about Samsung's Solar Powered Notebooks due to Samsung's unveiling of a netbook (Samsung NC215) at the Africa Regional Forum in Nairobi.

The netbook is supposed to be completely usable off the grid and just needs the sun to charge its batteries. Imagine using this notebook in remote places, while traveling and even around town without the extra weight of adapters like the other netbooks.

Thanks to Samsung's notebook brand manager Mr KM Chew for allowing me to take a few pictures. More about the capabilities are still strictly under lock and key. 

The netbook. Easily spotted with the large solar panel covering the whole front cover.

The top cover/screen is not made any more thicker than normal netbooks.

On the right, the usual notebook lock, VGA out, USB ports and Audio ports

Netbook sized keyboard, island keys, nice layout

On the left, power for quick charging, RJ45 port and USB

You saw it first on JL's Gadget Blog!

Yes Reload Cards

Yes came up with yet another new and easier way to reload. Reload Cards! They are in the form of scratch cards which are no stranger to most prepaid users in Malaysia. I decided to drop by my nearest Yes Retail Store and get one. It's available in RM 100, RM 50, RM 30 an RM 10. (Nice collectible colours too!)

Visit : http://www.yes.my/v2/say-yes/reload-card.do for more info

The steps are simple !

STEP 1 : Get a Yes Reload Card
- scratch to reveal Activation Code

STEP 2 : Login to www.yes.my/reload 

- Enter Yes ID and Activation Code

STEP 3 : Say YOU ARE WELCOME
- When you see the THANK YOU page... You are DONE!

Updates:iPad2 jailbreak 4.3, 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3 untethered or tethered.

As of today, there are NO jailbreak out there for iPad2 4.3 /4.3.x yet. Many people out there mixed up the 4.3.x jailbreak for iPad, iPhone4 thinking that it will work the same with iPad2. However... it is almost there... Let's see what are the updates.

May 15 : i0n1c has mentioned via his Twitter that he will no longer give exploits for free. (i0n1c, the guy behind iOS 4.3.3 / 4.3.2 / 4.3.1 untethered jailbreak flavor for all iOS devices except iPad 2)


May : Comex is expected to release a userland jailbreak, JailbreakMe 3.0 may be, to jailbreak iPad 2.


April 28 : iPad 2 jailbreak with A5-2Lib02 is fake.


April 4 : Redsn0w Untethered Jailbreak Release Addresses iOS 4.3.1, But iPad 2 Owners Must Wait


April : no word from the Chronic Dev Team on whether Greenpois0n will jailbreak iOS 4.3.2 or the current 4.3.1. So, to be on the safe side, stay with iOS 4.3 firmware.


April : http://www.ultrasn0w.ca/2011/04/jailbreak-ipad-2-432-almost-done.html Tweeted by @veeence


March : comex successfully developed using JailbreakMe2.0 in the first week of the iPad2 release but was mysteriously fixed by Apple in 4.3.1. Comex will not release the jailbreak for 4.3 yet as there were some legal implication. 


Sources : 
http://greenpois0n.com 
http://www.ultrasn0w.ca
http://www.limera1n.cc
http://twitter.com/#!/sn0wbreezenews

NFC - Coming soon to Android Froyo + MicroSD Slots

I got to test a NFC conversion for Samsung Galaxy S. It is using a Micro SD Card that transmit radio frequency, equiped with 4Gb internal memory (to replace your current SD Card) and a back cover that has an antenna built in to amplify the radio signal. 

So basically, NFC made possible in any Android phone today... (iPhone5 still thinking of launching it with NFC capability or not)

Check this site out : http://www.vivotech.com/products/vivo_nfc/index.asp 


In short, good news to Android brothers, we can have NFC offshelf to use with our existing phone if needed. 


-------------------------


Geeky term : Near field communication, or NFC, is a set of short-range wireless technologies, typically requiring a distance of 4 cm or less. NFC operates at 13.56 MHz and at rates ranging from 106 kbit/s to 848 kbit/s


Well, basically, it is like Touch and Go. However, Touch and Go is Passive NFC with very limited usage. Just passing some info around when detected. An initiator needs to detect and power the passive NFC.


Active NFC are both powered. It can connect as peer to peer and do more than just receiving some bunch of binary data. It can be used for file transfer, business card transfer and even sending and receiving photos. 


Usage ? Mostly these days, people will use it for :
- Payment 
- Identity 
- Electronic Keys
- Social Networking
- Gaming in near future?


Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication

Voice calls and SMS possible on iPod Touch/iPad !!!

iPod Touch is just an iPhone that can't make phone calls/SMS. This statement is no longer valid! iPad2 Wi-Fi units, iPod Touch now can make, receive phone calls and SMS... all this made possible by Yes Life!


Previously, I did a review on Yes Life for PC... <here>








       

Now, Yes Life is available on iOS. So it is possible to be used on any touch enabled iDevice with WiFi capabilities. (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad)


Available now in AppStore : http://itunes.apple.com/my/app/yes-life-for-ios/id428716630?mt=8  FOR FREE!!

That means, my iPod Touch is not just a gaming device or music player ? It can now make calls too?
> YES! Just need a Wi-Fi connection and a Yes account, and you are SET!

What are the charges ?
> 9 Cents per minute for Calls / 9 Cents per SMS

So what? Just like Skype?
> It is like Skype except that you have your 018 number that friends can reach you anywhere in the world at local rate, and you can call from anywhere in the world at 9cents per minute to any Malaysian number too!

Yes Life running on iPad2, iPod Touch and iPhone4. The SMS on iPad2 is sent and received via Yes Life login via Yes ID. Friends can contact me either via Yes ID directly or using my 018 number.

iPod Touch (left) now can be used as a phone with a Wi-Fi connection. Just hook this up with a Yes Huddle to get 4G speeds for Data, Voice and SMS! Now which is the thinnest i'Phone' around?

Making a call from Yes Life on iPad2 to iPhone on normal GSM number

Calling from iPod Touch to iPhone's Yes Life.