The 2 Most-wanted Features of iPhone OS 3.0

The much long-awaited official iPhone OS 3.0 software update has released. I started my download at 18 Jun 2009, 1:10AM local date and time (http://twitter.com/cedric_chee/status/2209247111)



The following are the 2 most-wanted features of iPhone OS 3.0 that really works for Singapore iPhone 3G owners who have upgraded the OS to version 3.0 based on my own personal testings:

1. MMS
The iPhone 3G can finally send picture messages like any phone. It is confirmed Singtel carrier supporting MMS for iPhone 3G (http://twitter.com/cedric_chee/status/2210382720)



2. Internet Tethering
Tethering is sharing your 3G Internet connection with your computer via your iPhone 3G Bluetooth or USB connection. Tethering works like a charm with Singtel carrier! To enable 3G tethering on your iPhone 3G, go to Settings > General > Network. Look for the option "Internet Tethering". Set this option to "On". Next, choose tethering over USB or Bluetooth. Done. Now connect your iPhone to the computer. The computer will automatically detect a network connection on the USB port. It just works :)

Turn off your Wi-Fi or unplug your Ethernet to check how it works.

SingTel has confirmed to launch iPhone 3G on 22 Aug

Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), Southeast Asia's largest telecoms firm has confirmed will launch Apple third-generation (3G) iPhone in Singapore on 22 Aug 2008 (next Friday). I just received an email from SingTel with the subject "It's coming on 22 August 2008!". Here is an excerpt of the email:

Get ready, the Apple iPhone 3G hits our shores on 22 August!

Thanks for your patience; we will be bringing in both the 8 and 16GB versions with your choice of black or white.

At this stage we have not announced pricing, I will share it with you very shortly...

From blog: I.Z. Reloaded: Online Refreshments

This is an update to a post I did two days ago. According to 3 sources that I talked to yesterday, the iPhone 3G will be available in Singapore on August 22. There's more! Singtel customers can get the 8GB or the 16GB iPhone 3G for $0 upfront on one of the more expensive data plans (only on a 2 yr contract) while customers choosing the cheaper plans will have to pay a monthly fee for their data plans in addition to a monthly fee for the handset. Singtel may also be planning to give away free browsing (unlimited data) on all its iPhone 3G plans for the first month.

Singtel will reveal its iPhone 3G data plans and will make its August 22 launch date announcement next week and those of you who had made your iPhone reservations on the Singtel website will also receive more details via email sometime next week.

Just for your info, out of the three sources mentioned above, two of them revealed the date as August 22. The other simply say that Singtel customers will be among the first in Asia to get the iPhone 3G while interestingly pointing out that Bharti Airtel in India and Globe Telecom in Philippines, both invested by Singtel, have announced that they will sell the iPhone on August 22.

Update: It's confirmed and that means I was spot on! Singtel says it will launch iPhone on August 22!

According to The Straits Times:

SingTel will continue taking online reservations till 17 Aug 2008 (this Sunday). Those who have already made online reservations at SingTel's website will get first dibs on the iPhone. SingTel CEO, declined to say how much the device will cost or associated price plans customers will have to sign up for in order to get the iPhone, but customers can expect the iPhone's price to be 'subsidised'.

MediaCorp RAWclipx Beta Launch

Finally, MediaCorp RAWclipx moved into public Beta testing on podcast.sg. RAWclipx is a new online service to showcase never-before-seen videos of Singapore celebrities like Fiona Xie and Joanne Peh. RAWclipx is powered by ASP.NET 2.0, SQL Server 2005 database and Silverlight 1.1 for rich media streaming experience. RAWclipx is utilizing the User Generated Content (UGC) platform which is the same as the one being used in several other MediaCorp TV microsites such as SuperMummy, BeatBox 2007, Campus Yummy Hunt, SuperBand, The Showdown and so on. RAWclipx is developed by the web team in MediaCorp Pte Ltd (formerly known as MediaCorp Technologies). With just only 2 front-end developers, 2 back-end CMS developers and a web designer, it took them just less than 2 months to turn the idea to a real service. Congrats and good job to my fellow co-workers there. I am really proud of the team there.

This site unique feature is those videos can be downloaded to mobile devices. This site provide three different video download formats. Furthermore, this service allow members of the public to upload their videos. For your information, MediaCorp will upload up to 15 new videos on this site every week.

Here is an excerpt from the official media release issued by MediaCorp Corporate Communications:

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Caldecott Broadcast Centre? Where do you go for downloads of cool clips, or to upload your own to share with other Singaporeans?

Well, look no further than RAWclipx on podcast.sg which will be launched on July 28th to feature a smorgasbord of video offerings.

RAWclipx on podcast.sg will feature juicy off-air content, backed by MediaCorp’s immense star and media power.

Here’s a sampling of offerings:
i. Photo shoot images from MediaCorp’s wide variety of magazines
ii. Your favourite radio DJs in their studios and celebrity interviews
iii. Out-takes from your favourite TV shows
iv. Newscasters and reporters off camera
v. Unreleased footage of exclusive events such as the FHM Girl Next Door party

“We will have our own paparazzi; a spycam roving reporter sussing out what happens in between takes; what the stars wear and don’t wear; what they do; all the saucy details never before seen or heard,” said Timothy Goh, Vice President New Media Business and Customer Relationship Management.

The content will be refreshed every week and it promises surprises and the unexpected. But that is not all. Everyone can be part of the action and upload their “Aha” moments onto RAWclipx on podcast.sg.

"We embrace user generated content and want as many people as possible to upload and share...your fun, wacky moments... your singing debut...your school concert; upload and be part of this new exciting community” added Timothy Goh.

RAWclipx on podcast.sg will be different from most other UGC sites in that it allows for easy downloads onto mobile devices. It also offers RSS feeds and enables the public to comment on, and forward the clips. more.

In my own opinion, this is going to change the game in Singapore media scene forever. Forget about the Odex case. Check out why by referring to an analysis done by HubPages "Downloading unedited RAW videos in Singapore".

Singapore Announces Ported Creative Commons Licenses

Excerpt from the official press release, slated for July 27, 2008 release:

San Francisco, CA, USA and Singapore City, Singapore — July 27, 2008

Today Creative Commons Singapore announces the completion of the locally ported Creative Commons licensing suite. In close collaboration with Centre for Asia Pacific Technology Law & Policy (CAPTEL), the Creative Commons team in Singapore, led by Associate Professor Samtani Anil and Assistant Professor Giorgos Cheliotis, adapted the licenses both linguistically and legally to Singaporean national law. The Creative Commons licenses, now ported to 47 jurisdictions, enable authors, artists, scientists, and educators the choice of a flexible range of protections and freedoms in efforts to promote a voluntary “some rights reserved” approach to copyright.

The Singaporean Creative Commons licenses, available soon online, will be celebrated today in Singapore City at the International Symposium on Electronic Art. The event will also feature a panel, organized by CAPTEL and Creative Commons Singapore, to introduce the audience to key copyright issues in the digital age and also share tips for creators and users to avoid common pitfalls in the field of copyright law.

The panel will, in addition, explain the aims and philosophy of the Creative Commons initiative and the specific nature and uses of the Creative Commons licensing suite in Singapore. Stanford law professor and Creative Commons founder Lawrence Lessig will address the audience to commemorate the completion of the licenses.

Following the event, the CC Singapore team hopes to initiate a series of educational talks to explain the philosophy of Creative Commons and the practical ways in which users can implement the licenses.

Project Lead Samtani Anil adds, “We also believe the launch of the Singapore CC licenses will lead to a better appreciation of the ambit, contours, and limits of the existing copyright regime in Singapore in relation to the sharing and dissemination of culture and the advancement of innovation. This, we believe, will sensitize various stakeholders to the avenues that are open to them to share their works in accordance with their wishes and needs.”

The CC Singapore team is supported by team members Assistant Professor Warren Chik, Vinod Sabnani, Tham Kok Leong, Lam Chung Nian, Harish Pillay and Ankit Guglani.

15 ways to reduce fuel spendings

BY THE WAY... Are biofuels, like corn-based ethanol, new villains that drive food prices up and exacerbate world food shortages? Food for thought.

BY THE WAY... Spiralling fuel cost hikes are plunging airlines into a tailspin. Route cuts, aircraft redundancy and job losses are imminent.

BY THE WAY... In the East, Qantas says sayonara to Melbourne-Tokyo route.

BY THE WAY... Budget carrier Jetstar will end its service from Cairns to Osaka and Nagoya.

BY THE WAY... In the West, Continental Airlines is to shrink to survive record fuel prices.

BY THE WAY... After the kneejerk responses -- and the temporary blip -- how are Malaysians back home reacting to and coping with the latest fuel hikes?

BY THE WAY... The Abdullah Administration is launched into damage control mode, trying to justify why the fuel price should be immediate and not psyche-prepared for August as hyped previously.

BY THE WAY... Inflation, stagflation, then global recession? Not really in that particular order nowadays.

BY THE WAY... Here's a survival kit from TV Smith... of course your driving habits will end with differing mileage.

BY THE WAY BY THE WAY... New iPhone will launch in Singapore partnered with Singtel. The Real Cost of the iPhone 3G according to Singtel http://tinyurl.com/6y844l

4 months of continuously rollercoaster ride

It's been a rollercoaster ride for the past 4 months. Finally I got some free time to follow-up all my social networks. I have not touch any of these networks due to my other higher work & life priorities. Sometimes, I wish I have the time to spare for this. I have tried my best to manage myself & my time but it's difficult when you have several projects up to 3 running concurrently at the same point of time. Now, with all these had settled down, I could finally spend some time on every little things I have on hands. I am really tired but satisfied. Phew!

Leadership through Innovation & People - An executive conversation with Steve Ballmer

How can your company unlock the potential and power of human imagination for greater success? On May 23 2007, Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft was in Singapore to address this timely topic of leadership through innovation and people at the IDA Distinguished InfoComm Speaker Series.

During the event, Mr. Ballmer shared his insights on how Singapore can compete in a digital economy and retain talents, as well as create a foundation for innovation to drive long term success. View the video coverage of the event below.

Updated Yesterday Microsoft Singapore Invitation

Yesterday invitation has updated to be known as "Heroes Happen Here Party". It's a party to celebrate the pre-launch of 3 new Microsoft products early next year including Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 & SQL Server 2008. Not forgotten is the new .NET 3.5 Framework. I guess this party would be pretty exciting judging on the event details below. Don't forget, register now ASAP (http://mseventsasia.com/heroes/party.asp). For those who will be joining, leave me a comment below. Woohoo!

Exclusive Invitation From Microsoft Singapore

I received an invitation from Microsoft Singapore last Thursday, Dec 6 for Visual Studio & .NET Framework Birthday Bash. For those of you who are interested, below are the details. To those who will be attending this bash, hope to see you there. Hope this help. Thanks.

MediaCorp StarAwards MS Silverlight Video Gallery Launched

Finally the waiting is over. We here at MediaCorp Technologies Web Team are pretty excited to launch StarAwards Video Gallery (http://starawards.mediacorptv.sg/videogallery.htm) developed using Microsoft Silverlight 1.0. To add to the excitements, this application has been showcased in Microsoft Silverlight Showcase site at www.silverlight.net/showcase. Look under Singapore category. Indeed, it is one of the first two Silverlight examples from Singapore. Congrats folks! Keep up the good job.

Backtrack a little, most of us here have been playing with Silverlight since the release candidate versions. Well, I have to say it's a good learning experience to me and to most of us who are part of it. Nevertheless, many bumps along the journey to bring us this far.

Also, not to forget under our belt, we have another web application, Campus Yummy Hunt develop using Silverlight 1.0 which is a online user-generated video gallery for a TV programme audition at http://yummyhunt.mediacorptv.sg/yummy/audition.htm. Moving forward, we are expecting more Silverlight Rich Internet Applications (RIA) will be released from our pipeline.

Therefore, keep following the light! ;-)

EZlink Card Customer Beware

Out of curiosity, I called the Translink enquiry line 1800-225-5663. It seems the undermentioned fact is absolutely true. Read on.

Translink charge one full fare plus 63 cents for second deduction if you tap (flash) at the bus front entrance door, but Translink willing to refund if complaint is lodged at the above number within 5 working days, regretably who is so free to go through the process. Therefore, it's better to avoid such a catch.

Helpful tips for those using EZlink card. To those who always use EZlink card, I would like to bring to your attention on local bus service provider. Usually, when you board the bus, you flash your EZlink card and move in towards the rear. Then, when you get down the bus, you flash your card again at the exit door (located at the middle of the bus). We all know that if we forget to flash the card, full fare will be deducted from the card.

Below is what the public does not know:

If you alight the bus from the front door (the entrance) and you flash your card while exiting without informing the bus driver, the card will capture another entrance fare instead of exit fare. What this means is that two full fares will be deducted from the card as no exit was being captured for the two entrances.

Here's the solution:

Go to the "big" machine (i.e machine for you to top up the card) located at the MRT stations.

1) Insert your EZlink card.

2) Press the function key "Check card".

3) Press the "more" button.

Doing these steps will show you your last 20 transactions. Included in each transaction is the information on the fare deducted, bus no, boarding time and the boarding and alighting point will be reflected on the screen.

I hope the above information does help you all. Please spread this information to people you know to prevent them from paying extra charges for nothing and burn a big hole in their pockets.

Last but not the least, call the hotline line: 1800-767-4333 when the incorrect fares are deducted. Thanks. :)

World Internet Summit

The world's Biggest Internet Business Event is Back to Malaysia - 10-12 Nov 2007 at Wisma MCA, Kuala Lumpur (http://my.srpl.net/wis/wis2007.htm). I can't join this year as I am still in Singapore. Let's see whether my bro will grab this opportunity so that I can view the recordings instead. ;-) Our affliate guy, Ewen Chia also 1 of the panelist. This gotta be damn kewl!

Singapore Fireworks 2007 @ Marina Bay

Exciting & tiring day for yesterday & today. Yesterday, I went to the fireworks show by the Spain team with my co-workers. We met at CityLink mall in City Hall. My friends from KL, Malaysia who are here for vacation also joined us. IMO, this year fireworks show by the Spain team is much better than all the 4 team shows from Singapore, New Caledonia, Italy & France. Check out my flickr for the photos.

Today show from China is not that impressive compare to yesterday show. For yesterday show, we watched from the center of the Esplanade bridge. Today, we watch from Marina Bay while enjoying steamboat there. For today show, I think it is not that good. Could be because we are watching it from far.

Day 0: Silverlight Knowledge Sharing

This will be my first post of a series of the same post focusing on sharing my real work experience using Silverlight to prototype rich web application in my current company. As of now, I have prototyped for a video player with playlist for a video gallery for use in several microwebsites. Besides this, I have also did a prototype for a draggable multi-video streaming views for Singapore National Day Parade live web cast website. I will post the details in the next post.