Fake OutdatedPenangUncle blog?

sigh, I wish this could be April fool joke. But it is not. Someone is copying this blog exactly, even the nuffnang ads code as well. Most probably using machine or software to copy, but then they don't know that the nuffnang code depends on the address of the blog/website, so you could see error msg on the blog.

At the side bar:


Bottom of every post:


Floating unit:


From error message, I think you should notice the link to that fake blog.

Anyway, thanks to that blog, I am getting more traffic to this blog because many link links on that blog are still point back to this blog. So should I thanks to them?


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: I wrote this, do not copy!

What Name to Call Your Next Android Phone?

Samsung Galaxy S/Y/W/tab, Moto Razr abc, Xperia what, HTC One XYZ, what name to call your next android phone?

Here is a website that generate random name for your next android phone:
http://androidphonenamegenerator.com/

Basically it is just some random name generated based on current android phone's names, it still fun to take a look. :-)


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: saw this at http://techcrunch.com/2011/12/07/diy-android-phone-name-generator-be-your-own-confused-marketing-department/
pix source: http://androidphonenamegenerator.com/

Smartpet - Powered by Smartphone

Smartpet is designed by Bandai which created Tamagotchi, the famous keychain-sized virtual pet simulation game which sold over 76 million as of 2010.

Now, since it is called Smartpet, there should be a CPU inside it? Wrong. It uses Smartphone, a.k.a iPhone in this case to control it via an apps.

See the video demo of Smartpet:


More detail of Smartpet, again in Japanese, but the video is clearly show that how the Smartpet and iPhone with the apps works together.


The apps will be available on Mar 31, the robot dog body will be available one week after. The robot dog will be selling at ¥6,500 (~USD 79 or ~RM 240). I might get it if it accept android.
What do you think?


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: saw this at http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/helloworld/27678/?ref=rss

How Much Is Your new iPad?

Everyone knows that new iPads are selling at $499, $599, and $699 for Wi-Fi only, and $629, $729, and $829 for Wi-Fi+4G version, for 16GB, 32GB and 64GB respectively at US. It is speculated in Malaysia the price of new iPad will be same like iPad2 before reduce price, therefore RM 1499, RM 1799, RM 2099 for Wi-Fi only, and RM 1899, RM 2199, and RM 2499 for Wi-Fi+4G version.

However do you know how much it cost to manufacture your new iPad? Is your money worth it to buy the 64GB version?

Btw, I am just going to call the new iPad as iPad 2012 since it is not officially called iPad3.

Here is the breakdown cost of iPad 2012 from IHS iSuppli:


From the table above, Apple (and the telcos/distributors) are earning 58% from cheapest iPad 2012 (16GB Wi-Fi only) to 102% from most expensive iPad 2012 (64GB Wi-Fi+4G). Wow!
No wonder Apple's stock price is keep on claiming up, even with various issues on their product (antennate-gate) and now heat-gate (over heating issue on iPad 2012).

I think not only I should not buy iPad 2012, I should also buy some Apple's share. :-)


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
table source: IHS iSuppli

Build Apps without Knowing Programming

Everyone knows that apps are written by IT or programmer or engineers or someone that is good in computer programming language, but do you know what you can build apps without knowing all the knowledge? All you need is know what you want the apps does. The website will handle everything else.

TheAppBuilder is a company that provide this service. They will not charge anything until you decided to publish the apps to Google Market (Google Play), App Store, and WP MarketPlace. So you can play with the apps with your friends and family.

TheAppBuilder is now support iPhone, iPad, Android & Windows Phone.

The basic operation of TheAppBuilder is something like this:
1. Start building apps on TheAppBuilder.
2. Download the apps into your smartphone
3. The apps is actually the skeleton of the apps, which contains the special code and ID, which will be talking with cloud server.
4. The actual work is being done at cloud server, but you will see it in action on your smartphone.

The apps build with TheAppBuilder is therefore need internet connection all the time to work properly. Please note that internet connection is not always cheap in many countries and 99% of telco.

You can see the how-to guide here (very long video):


TheAppBuilder link:
http://www.theappbuilder.com/


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
video source: TheAppBuilder

new iPad3 A5X Processor - bigger is better?

I have post iPad3 new iPad teardown last week. Thanks to ChipWork, now we can see what is inside the A5X processor being use on ipad3 new iPad.

To compare how big is A5X, here are A4 and A5 die photo as well:

Apple A4 Polysilicon Die Photo = 7.3 mm x 7.3 mm

Apple A5 Polysilicon Die Photo – 10.09 mm x 12.15 mm

And finally, Apple A5X Polysilicon Die Photo – 12.90 mm x 12.79 mm

Yes, it is really huge, it is even bigger than dual core Sandy Bridge (Sandy Bridge-H-2 and Sandy Bridge-M-2).

ChipWorks even make two high resolution images of A5X for wallpaper:

–> Download high resolution A5X image for wallpaper (1200 px)

–> Download 2056 px tall version

I wonder if the huge silicon contribute to new iPad heating issue?

Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
all pictures courtesy of http://www.chipworks.com

Earth Hour Promotions That Is Not Earth Friendly

While I try my best to just keep my posts to PC, Smartphone, websites and any related to technology, I just can't reject to post this picture.

Anything can be commercialize, in this case the Earth Hour. A restaurant in KL is doing a Earth Hour Set at Earth Hour day.


Questions:

1. How are you going to eat with lights off during Earth Hour? Well, it might be candle light dinner.
2. How does eating smoked salmon help Earth Hour? The salmon already smoked, I am helping the Earth to clean it up.
3. How does eating Ocean Bass help Earth Hour? These fishes are shitting all over the ocean, I am doing my part to wipe it out.
4. How does eating chicken help Earth Hour? Chicken are a very noisy species, it cause sound pollution.

What do you do during that Earth Hour? Shut the light? 

Well, I am not going to do that. Because I am saving the electricity everyday, I am not going to switch off light on that hour because everyone is doing that. The power stations going to burn the same amount of coal/gas/any non-renewable energy even you all switch off the light! 

If you really want to help the Earth, do switch off the light and electrical appliances that you not longer needed, everyday. And also do recycle/reuse/renew.

DO NOT DO IT only at Earth Hour only that has been commercialized.

Every hour is Earth Hour, save the planet!

Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
pix source: http://www.foodpromotions.com.my/2012/03/earth-hour-set-menu.html

Colorblind Assistant

This is a free software which original objective is to help color blind people to identify the color that they see on computer screen. Not only the color name, the software also provide RGB values and HTML color code. This is very useful for logo/icon/website design as well, because sometime when I want to change color on my blog to a color that I seen on other website, I cannot find the exact color. With this software, I can find it out quickly. It also works for animations and movies.

Colorblind Assistant is compatible with all Windows, but best on XP, Vista and Windows 7.

To download, go to the webpage:
http://www.achronism.com/indexadv.php#Software


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: saw it at http://www.raymond.cc/blog/colorblind-assistant/
picture courtesy of http://www.achronism.com/

OCBC Online Banking Failed

I like to do a lot of things online. Banking, transfer fund, pay bills, buy stuffs, file tax and renew passport, etc etc. Yes, I wrote a post on renew passport online, check out the link here:
http://outdatedpenanguncle.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-renew-malaysian-passport-online.html

At the other day, I wanted to pay my wife's insurance premium (Great Eastern Life/GEL). I remember OCBC Malaysia Internet Banking has that service, or at least I  saw it on OCBC Malaysia Internet Banking website. And thinking of to utilize my OCBC credit card that offer cash back on any purchase, I would save a few RM from the premium payment.

So I login to OCBC Malaysia Internet Banking website, add the Great Eastern Life as my payee. After successful add it, I want to pay for it. Therefore click on "Bill Payment" -> To Owner Account Registered Payee". Huh? Why it is not there, I can see only the electricity bill which I added earlier.

So I go back to my payee list to check again. Click on "View/Delete Payee", the GEL is there. Okay, go back to "Bill Payment" -> To Owner Account Registered Payee", still not there.

Okay, try Non Registered Payee. "Bill Payment" -> To Non Registered Payee". I can see GEL can be pay.


So I click next, but I get this:

I can't proceed somehow, if you read the snapshot carefully, at last line, it says "Only Available for Credit Card Holders (1075)". HUH? If it is available for credit card only, why I still can pay for it?

Alright, time to talk to real people. Call up OCBC, after explaining my problem, the phone banking personnel told me that GEL payment only available for customers with saving or checking account only. Why I asked. She said it is GEL's policy, they only accept payment from saving or checking account. Then I suggest them to fix their website, or at least let customer know upfront that GEL payment only available for blah blah blah only. She told me that she will note this down. However I am not sure how long for them to fix it, one week, one month, one quarter or one year?

Please OCBC, other banks will list down clearly which payee can be pay by credit card and/or saving/checking account, example Standard Charted:

It is so clear that only deposit (saving/checking) account that can pay these few payee. So customers will not be confused.

At the end, I have to pay through Public Bank, because Standard Charted cannot pay to GEL. Btw, I can pay using my Public Bank credit card.


Another thing that bug me is that GEL is now part of OCBC, so why I can't pay using OCBC credit card?

OCBC, please fix this.



Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: I wrote this!

Angry Birds Space is finally here!

Angry Birds Space is finally here!

See the story how Angry Birds Space started:


Example of the game play:


Available on all platform (iOS, Android, PC, MacOS). I am going to get it on Android and PC, hehehe.

Check out this website, the GUI is cool!
http://space.angrybirds.com/launch/


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: angrybirds.com

How to Renew Malaysian Passport Online

Note 1: this post is applicable to Malaysian only.
Note 2: online renew only applicable to Malaysian that already have a passport. If you never have a Malaysian passport before, you still have to go to the office.
Note 3 (May 16, 2013): for application over the counter, Immigration Department has issued a new regulation for the photo, however the online application website didn't update the photo requirement, please contact Immigration Department before you want to apply through online. The document:
http://www.imi.gov.my/images/Pengumuman/2013/Policarb2013/Spesifikasi%20gambar%20BM%2008052013.pdf

Wow, this is one of the things that I tried before my physical friends (all my FB friends are real person, ahem). I have been asking around at office these few days, no one actually have renew their Malaysian Passport online before. Most of them still go through the counters and only a few of them used the kiosk at the Immigration Office for renewing their Malaysian Passport. Therefore I want to share my experience on renewing Malaysian Passport online.

Here are the steps:

1. Go to the official Immigration Department of Malaysia website
   http://www.imi.gov.my/
2. Scroll down to the column on right hand side to look for "Application for Renewal of Passport (MyOnline Passport), click on it which will bring up a new tab/windows (browser/windows settings dependent). Since the website has been updated, ignore the first picture, focus on 2nd and 3rd pictures. On the menu right below the title, move your mouse over "ONLINE SERVICE" or "PERKHIDMATAN ATAS TALIAN", click on "MyOnline Passport".
   
   
   
   
3. The first page of the website listed out all the expectations and requirements, such as:
• Online payment only available for credit card. Direct Debit facilities (FPX) is not available at the moment) [As of Apr 2012]
• Passport photo requirements (bg colors, dimension, etc)
• Other terms and conditions (fee, etc)
4. Make sure you understand all the requirements and click "Agree" button at bottom of the page.
5. Choose the category for above or under 18 years old, then fill-in your existing passport and Malaysian IC (identity) number. Passport type and IC category will be automatically detected by the website.
   
6. Click "Search" to look for your existing passport. Things that I note:
• Passport that not going to be expire soon (few months) will not show up
• Passport that already being renewed (old one being void by the department) will not show up as well
7. Wait for it to load and then check all your information in there is correct. I am not showing a picture here because it is too long and too many personal info. :-)
8. Update any info if needed and
• choose if you want to renew for 2 years (RM100) or 5 years (RM300)
• at which branch you want to pick up the new passport (you are not allow to change once the application being process, so be careful)
9. Proceed to payment. If I still remember correctly, Bank Islam pages will pop up and you can fill in your credit card number. 
10. The credit card payment processing may take a while, be patient and do not click "back" button on your browser.
11. After payment successfully go through, you will get to this page:
    
    
12. Print the receipt and bring along to the office to pick up your new passport.
• According to snapshot above, I can pick up the new passport at exact 2 hours after the payment go through. 
• I am the 5th person to renew online and selected to pick up new passport at Georgetown branch. Looks like online renew is getting more popularity. :-)
13. Go to the branch that you selected after that stated time in the receipt.
• Take your queue number from information counter
• Put your old passport and receipt at that passport collection counter
• Wait for the officer to call your number after:
• find your new passport
• void your old passport
• Sign on the new passport and you are done, new passport is in your hand (as well as the old passport which has been cut to void it)

I was skeptical at first, but after getting my new passport in less than 15 minutes at the Immigration Office, I strongly believe that (some) government departments are effective (include Immigration Office and Tax Office). :P

That's it, my experience with Renew Malaysian Passport Online. Hope this post can help you to go through  the process of renewing your Malaysian Passport.
Good luck!

Update: 20/2/2013 - Jabatan Imigresen's website has been updated, I am putting new pictures on where to access the online renew system.

Update: 25/2/2013 - I helped my father to renew his passport on Sunday (24/2/2013) and fetch him to the Pulau Pinang (Seberang Jaya) branch to pick his new passport. We waited for less than hour before he could get his new passport. Probably it was Monday, too many people went to apply or renew passport. However I am happy that my father is now convinced that online renew passport is very convenient. :)
He also recommended my mother to do online renew next time before her passport expire. :)


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post. +1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful. Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: This is my personal experience!

new Apple TV 3rd gen Teardown

iFixIt must be quite busy recently, after new iPad teardown, they quickly done their work on new Apple TV (3rd generation).

Apple TV works great at US and some countries, but not suitable for Malaysia, because the broadband speed here is way too slow that it should be call "slow"band. :P

Contrary to new iPad which is very difficult to repair, this Apple TV get 8/10 from iFixIt, which mean very easy to repair.

Anyway, here is the teardown:

If you prefer to read at iFixIt website, click on link below:
Apple TV 3rd Generation Teardown

Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: iFixIt

Another Free 500GB of Storage

I have posted about a Free 500GB of Storage, now there is another one, which actually is from a file server.

File Factory is giving out free 500GB of storage. There trick is you have to download it in full every 90 days to keep it on File Factory server, meaning the file has to be downloaded successfully, if I read it correctly.

It is better than Jumbo File in term of file size limit, which is 2GB, compare to 1GB limit on Jumbo File.

Depends on your need, this could be a good method to temporary store some huge files.

To sign up free account, go to this link:
http://www.filefactory.com


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: I wrote this la.

Windows Explorer that Remembers

I did post about Explorer++ which become my favorite Windows Explorer. However, recently I have change my mind. Sorry Explorer++, not because you are not nice, but I have found other Windows Explorer that meet my needs. I like to open many windows, not only multiple of tabs in Chrome or FireFox, but Windows Explorer as well. There are a few Windows Explorer replacement that has multi tabs, but I don't think all of them can match Q-dir.

Q-dir not only allow up to 4 windows within the same windows, but I can open many more tabs in each windows. Best of all, I can save the state, so that after a Windows reboot, I can quickly recover my works, without need to look into the paths.

Usually after reboot, we have to open Windows Explorer, click on my documents and then search and search and search, which is very troublesome. With Q-dir, I just need to reload the previous state and it will open back all the windows and tabs and at the paths when I saved it.

Another advantage of the save state feature is I can upgrade Q-dir whenever I feel like to do it. Just save state and then upgrade, open the new version and load state again. I can quickly go back to business.

Why I like to open so many windows? Because I can quickly go back to my manga or music or movie or documents or anything, without need to navigate through the paths all over again. It will be there as long as I save the state.

Q-dir is freeware and now it also support Windows 8. Another thing I like about Q-dir is it available as portable from the official website.

There is one bug however. When I switch between "Restore down" or "Maximum", then windows does not refresh, sometime I don't see some of the files. But I can press Alt+F11 to restart it, it will remember the state before restart. So I don't need to worry too much of losing the paths/windows/tabs.

To download Q-dir, go to this link:
http://www.softwareok.com/?Download=Q-Dir
There is options on 32/64 bits and installer or portable. Personally I use 64bits portable version.


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
pix source: http://www.softwareok.com

How to Recover or Repair Windows 7 Aero Feature

At the other day, I was working with many windows, and suddenly my laptop screen just flash and flick and flash again and the Aero features gone and I get the basic Windows 7 colors. When I say "many windows", I really mean it:

• 3 Windows Explorer windows
• one X2 Windows Explorer
• one Q-Dir Windows Explorer
• MS Outlook with 5 or more emails opened
• one notepad
• IE with 5 tabs opened
• Chrome with about 70 tabs [crazy]
• FireFox with 3 tabs and Scrapbook is download a page
• MS OneNote
• MS Powerpoint
• MS Words with 3 words documents opened
• Windows Live Messenger
• and other windows that I can't recall

So to recover the Aero feature on Windows 7, I tried all the methods that recommended by famous websites and forums, I listed them here so that you can try your luck first with this list:

• Method 1: Click Windows button and type "Aero" in "Search programs and files" box, click on "Find and fix problems with transparency and otehr visual effects", click "yes" for permission, click "next" to let it troubleshoot and fix the problem. It should fix whatever problem it can find. [however this don't fix my problem]
• Method 2:  Refresh Index Score, select a high-contrast theme and then select your previously saved theme that has Aero  [this don't fix my problem]
• Method 3:  Restart Desktop Windows Manager by execute these 2 lines in command prompt (with admin permission)  [this don't fix my problem]
• net stop uxsms
• net start uxsms
• Method 4:  Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Performance > Settings > Visual Effects. Choose the "Adjust for best performance", wait for it to change the windows style and then choose "Adjust for best appearance" and wait for it again.  [this don't fix my problem]

All above and many others steps I tried, but all of didn't work for me, so final step and the best one I would think:
1. Save all the works
2. Close all the windows
3. Restart

Yes, after restart Windows 7, everything back to normal with Aero feature.

Next time when I see this problem, I will just go for a restart, it could be much much faster than trying out all the methods listed above. :-)


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: I wrote this with research on google, heheh

new iPad Teardown

iFixIt very quickly got their on the ipad3 new iPad. Even them also being confused with iPad3 or new iPad, evident, the link they also put as iPad3. iFixIt gave iPad3 new iPad of 2/10 repairability, meaning it is almost cannot be fix. :D


To read it on iFixIt, go this link:
iPad 3 new iPad 4G Teardown



Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: iFixIt

Turn on Car GPS on a Airplane

I wonder how much time you and I already spend on waste time posts on this blog, but who cares. Here is another waste time post, cost you less than 1 minutes and 20 seconds, not including the time to load this page and the video. :P

What happen if you turn on a car GPS navigation system on a airplane? You will get this:

Well, usually the on-flight infortainment system should have similar stuffs, but don't have the zoom in map like in car GPS. I might give it a try as well when I take a flight next time. :P


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: http://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/qo4pr/ever_wondered_what_a_gps_does_when_you_turn_it_on/

Something Wrong with Facebook?

The other day I have problem login into Facebook on Chrome, the the page just could not refresh even though other websites just refresh nicely on Chrome. So I changes to FireFox, was able to login to Facebook, but see something like below picture, the date and time just NaNNaNNaN.


It might be just the "Notifications" only, so I go to a group that I created, and see this:


Okay, might be my account, so I go to check out some Singapore local artist facebook page, and still get NaNNaNNaN.


Okay, probably my network problem. I just leave it and try it tomorrow. Then I login in again in next day and still get the same thing.

Oh well, probably Nyan Cat has slip into my laptop? :P




Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: I saw it, I write it

Samsung Galaxy W Service Manual

This is a service manual for Samsung Galaxy W (GT-I8150):



Or view/download it at google docs:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bw-SawS5x43KMDc5ODJkMGEtNWVmOC00NDhhLWI1MGQtMTQ2MjkzMDM5MTJk

Why do I post this? It is because I bought this phone for my wife and I am the service guy for the phone. Settings and apps, I will have to answer her questions and requests.

Warning: Service your Samsung Galaxy W at your own risk. Do not try it unless you know what is the risk. The best method to fix your SGW is to service it at Samsung authorized service center.

Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: the manual is posted by XDA member at:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1472623

This Might Happen to Your AppleTV

Apple TV with SIRI, that would be very convenient to use, you no longer need to find the 'always-missing-in-action' remote. Or is it?




Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: saw it at YouTube!

Nook Tablet Teardown 2

Time for another teardown. Teardown, however is "unboxing" at XDA. Well, whatever, take apart stuffs is always one of my favorite pastimes during secondary and high school time.

Here is the video:

First part of the video is really the unboxing. Teardown start at time 1:30.

The iFixIt version of Nook Tablet teardown:
http://outdatedpenanguncle.blogspot.com/2011/11/nook-tablet-teardown.html


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: XDA

Convert YouTube Video into Classic Black and White

hmm......Sunday, what shall we do? How about have some fun with YouTube video?

theartistifier.com have made an interesting thing with the website. What we need to do is paste the YouTube URL into the text box in the middle and click Artistify, see picture:

Watch one of my sample:
http://www.theartistifier.com/view_12507
The original youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDGlgH_ZsrY

Have fun!
http://www.theartistifier.com/

Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: saw this while surfing wild wild web

Get To Know Your Computer Better

No, it is not a date. You will not go out to movie and restaurant or jogging or hiking with your computer to know your computer better.

All you need is Speccy free version.

What went well?
1. While CPUz only give you the hardware information, Speccy give you even more detail of the hardware
2. While "System Information" on Windows give you the geeky information, Speccy can give you even more. (I really don't give the damn about Conflicts or DMA or IRQs information anyway)
3. It is free.
4. Portable version available from the official website (Portable version from unknown source could be dangerous!)
5. Made by the same company that created CCleaner.
6. Save the result into XML or text file.

I downloaded the portable version (link at end of post) and give it a try. It take a while to grab all the data, probably 1/2 minutes or more.


The summary is quite simple, just showing the type of OS, CPU, RAM, Motherboards, etc. The CPU temperature is being update on the fly.


Click on the items on left column or the blue color link on right column will give you more detail, I mean the really in-depth details.

One thing that catch my attention, is the Uptime and Downtime. The longest Uptime I ever have on my laptop is more than 20days, meaning I never ever reboot the laptop for more than 20 days! That is what I like about Sandy Bridge with Windows 7, I don't need to reboot so often compare to older version of Windows. All I need to do is either put it to sleep or hibernate mode.


Of course you can buy the Home or Business edition, which will cost US$19.95 and US$34.95, but I don't think it is necessary for normal usage since the information from free version is way too much already.

Download installation version:
http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download/standard

Download portable version:
http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download/portable


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: I wrote this!

Why I Still Not Buying New iPad

new iPad is finally announced by Apple. So what is the big deal?
1. new iPad display has 2x of the resolution, and it is retina display, same like iPhone4/4S
2. new iPad is 4G, via LTE
3. new iPad has Bluetooth 4.0 [for lower power maybe?]
4. new iPad now has 5MP primary camera [iPad2 with sucky 0.7MP only]

Okay, why I still not buying new iPad even though it is so good.
1. new iPad cannot make phone call
    Yes, you can argue that we can use Skype, FaceTime, Tango, etc to make phone call with other iPad/iPhone/Android, but I still can't use new iPad to call my grand parent which still using conventional wired telephone.

2. Typing on new iPad still sucks
    In fact, typing on any capacitive screen is sucks. The best keyboard is still the original computer keyboard, where you can feel it and no need to look a the keyboard during typing. If you ask about touch screen keyboard, then resistive screen is the best one, it is because it is based on pressure, so I will not type the wrong key. On capacitive screen (on new iPad and almost all new touch screen smartphones), I have to lift the finger up to not to touch the screen, and typing in this condition sucks

3. I don't like iOS interface
    Has the interface change since the very first version of iOS? Well, it changed a bit from generation to generation, which folders, and you can organize it. Unless you jail break it, which many people prefer not to, you will stuck with same old interface that has pages and pages of square icons. Boring! The best mobile device interface is on Windows Mobile, where the choices are endless. I can change to HTC Flo, or Resco, or SPB, and many more type of launchers. Too bad Microsoft killed WM.

4. new iPad is still limited to internal memory
    64GB is too little for a guy like me. I store pictures, musics, movies, and anything that I can throw in. If I can add external SD card, it will not full fill my need, but it will help a bit. All iPad do not support external SD card, sad. You can argue that we can use cloud, but that will cost a lot of money if too much data being stream between cloud and iPad.

5. New iPad is bulky
    It is the best tablet but I still can't fit it into my pocket. Samsung Galaxy Note still okay to fit in, but not iPad.

6. new iPad is suitable for casual web surfing and games only
    New iPad is not suitable for series games and serious blogger like me. I did tried blogging on another tablet (Dell SL, touch screen with Windows 7), but it sucks big time. I can write articles and switch windows and continue writing without any problem. Also if I break the keyboard and mouse while playing games, I can replace them, nice and cheap. If I break the new iPad, that's it, new iPad is break.


Summary, this is just my 2-cent. Do not buy new iPad because you think want to buy one or someone told you to buy one.
However there will be many people still line-up at Apple Store to buy iPad3 new iPad soon.


update: I found this YouTube video with some dude rant about iPad3 new iPad (warning - not safe for kids):



Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: I wrote this!
new iPad picture credit of gsmarena.com

p/s: Originally I wrote the article with "iPad3" name, but later found out it is call "new iPad" now, therefore "new iPad"

Free 500GB of Storage

With many cloud storage service providing "some" GB of storage, from pathetic 2GB (many) to 25GB (skydrive), or 50GB (Box.com), these still not enough for some. Here is one that offer much more, JumboFiles offers 500GB.



What went well?
1. 500GB, that is 10x of box.com with promotion.
2. File size limit at 1GB, the best of other cloud storage support up to 100MB only.
3. Provide short and full URL for each of the files
4. Uploader that support resume upload (for Windows only). Many web based uploader will time out.
5. Simple and no-nonsense interface.
6. No restrictions on parallel downloads (can download as many files as you want at the same time), better than many file server.
7. No download limit for hourly/daily/etc. The limit is your local hard disk space.
8. Resume-able download.
9. No waiting time for download.
10. Support Download Managers or Accelerators
11. Upload up to 10 files at a time.
12. Minimum ads at the moment, since it is still new.
13. No captcha for download.
14. Support FTP upload.
15. Support remote URL upload, meaning you can transfer files from other server to JumboFiles without need to download it first into your local hard disk drive.


What can be done better?
1. No mobile apps
2. Does not automatically sync between devices (because no mobile apps).
3. Not sure about security of the files that being store here.
4. At least 1 download in last 30-180 days for free users to keep the file at JumboFiles. Read the faq.

Register here:
JumboFiles

Other note:
JumboFiles looks a bit like file servers that usually being use for sharing pirated stuffs, but you can made all files not available publicly, therefore should not violate any law(?). Please check your local authority to confirm.


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: I found this while surfing the wild wild web :P

Playable 404

Usually when we landed at page 404, it will be some not-so-fun experience, because the page we are looking for are not there anymore. There was also some companies that have their 404 page with some nice graphics, however this one is the best, so far.

HeyZap is a new start up game company, they made their 404 page into a game.

Aim with mouse and move with W, A, S, D key.

Go to this link for the game now, hehe:
http://heyzap.com/404


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: saw it at techcrunch

Downloading Speed

The other day I was downloading the Windows 8 Consumer Preview ISO, I could not help to noticed that the downloading speed I got. 9MB/s!



Well, it is not on any Malaysian wired or wireless broadband. I can't tell you now. :P

Anyway Microsoft is all in betting on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, so they will make sure everyone will get a copy of Windows 8. I would think they are setting up a lot of servers to allow more Internet users to download it.

Another snapshot (almost there!):


All wireless broadband service providers in Malaysia will throttle the speed to super slow after maxing out the cap. I heard the Unifi of Telekom Malaysia is offering no cap, for now. Read this "for now". So eventually Unifi contract will have cap as well. The fastest Unifi package for home users is 20Mbps, that translate to 2.5MB/s only, so the downloading speed I showed above is not Unifi as well, hehe.

Lets us vote for a better future.
Malaysian! Please register as voter now!
Go to SPR (Election Commission of Malaysia) offices or post office! Yes, post office!

For those already registered as voter, please check in link below to make sure your details and voting area:
http://daftarj.spr.gov.my/


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: I wrote this rant! I don't know how this post ended up being a bit political. :P

Waste Time Monday

How can I miss out Monday for posting waste time post? Now here is one for you.

Quadrotors Robots being programmed to perform James Bond theme


One step closer to Sky Net? ;-)


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: youtube for waste time!

Reset Windows 7 without re-install Windows 7

Usually for home users, the best way to fix the problematic Windows is to format the hard disk and re-install everything, all over again. Good that you will get the brand new PC/laptop feel after all steps are down. Bad is too much time wasted.
As for corporate users, the IT usually tell you to re-build the system, which is a nicer term for format and re-install. Well, they might use same imaging software to duplicate the hard image since corporate PCs are always standard build. But it take times to recover all your emails and other stuffs.

How to avoid all these? Use RefreshPC to recover everything back to default setting, safely, claimed by the author of the software, not me. heheh.

Here is what it is written on the website:
RefreshPC is a very easy to use and safe utility for fixing misconfigurations in your services and in the registry itself.

RefreshPC will do the following:
Reduce errors in the Event Viewer
Fix service misconfigurations that may be causing problems including slow boots.
Clean your temporary folders.
Reset key registry entries back to their default values.
The best part is it is Freeware.

RefreshPC works on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. 64bit and 32bit versions.

Yes, I read that, FREE. Anyway, I don't have a problem on my Windows 7, yet, so I have not try it. However, if you decided to for the format and re-install thing, why not give this a try before doing the format and re-install. If it still bad, just go ahead with format; but if it is fixed, you save a lot of time!


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: originally saw at http://www.portablesoft.org/refreshpc-portable/
pix source: http://www.xp-smoker.com

Download Windows 8 Consumer Preview ISO for free

Yes, Windows 8 is still free for download and install. I am sure Microsoft going to charge it once they officially launch it. Windows 7 for example, now is cost about US$ 119.99 to US$219.99. So you can figure it out once Windows 8 is ready for retail.

Last year there was a release for Windows 8, it was beta if not mistaken. Now Windows 8 is at Consumer Preview version, so I think it should be quite stable with some bugs, which is expected. Hey, even iOS also have bugs.

To download it, go the links below for English and Chinese (Simplified Chinese only) versions:

English

64-bit (x64)                    Download (3.3 GB)                    Sha 1 hash — 1288519C5035BCAC83CBFA23A33038CCF5522749

32-bit (x86)                    Download (2.5 GB)                    Sha 1 hash — E91ED665B01A46F4344C36D9D88C8BF78E9A1B39

Product Key:   DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J

Chinese (Simplified)

64-bit (x64)                    Download (3.4 GB)                    Sha 1 hash — DF69B851F9A81DECBB16648CC452461894416EB0

32-bit (x86)                    Download (2.6 GB)                    Sha 1 hash — E29A2072745A48C14A1C2E5A61F5230841BEDB45

Product Key:   DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J

The product key will be needed for activation, make sure you copy it down at somewhere.

For other version, go to this link:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso

For the same page in Chinese, go to this link:
http://windows.microsoft.com/zh-CN/windows-8/iso

So far only English, Simplified Chinese, French, German and Japanese versions are available. Looks like Microsoft knows about potential of China, that's why Simplified Chinese version come out together with other versions.

Here are some basic requirement for Windows 8:
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device or higher
To use touch, you need a tablet or monitor that supports multitouch
To access Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768
To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768

I already downloaded the 64-bit English version, but I will not install it directly. I will install on VirtualBox, but before that, I need to clean up my SSD again, which is always has less than 10GB of free space. :P

Note: Do take note of the file size of each ISO, it will take a very long time for slow speed connection.


Update [June 9, 2012]: Windows 8 Release Preview ISO - this is the latest release
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
source: Research via google, you know what I mean. :)
pix source: from Microsoft

Using WIFI to access files on Smartphone

Wired or bluetooth, that is only option to access the files on your smartphone from your PC or laptop. While transfer speed over bluetooth is super slow compare to wired method, wired method does not sounds cool. Recently I found an apps that allow me to access the files on my smartphone using WIFI. As we know WIFI speed can reach up to a few Mbps (don't be fool by advertisement of 11Mbps or 54Mbps or 300Mbps), file transfer would be as smooth as 7-11's smoothies.

Introducing WIFI Remote Access Basic. Yes, it is free.

All you need to do is download this apps into your smartphone, install it, turn on the WIFI on your smartphone and get the IP number on the apps.

Then on laptop or PC, using IE (6, 7, or 9) [other web browsers might have problem] to open that same IP to access the files on your smartphone!

Photos view:

There is also a premium version which cost US$7.99 which includes FTP, text message support and remote control of smartphone.

Too bad this apps only available for Windows Mobile 6.0, 6.1 and 6.5 only. Not available for WP7/7.5,  Android and iOS yet.

Who says Windows Mobile is obsolete? :P

Opps...... Not to forget the link to the apps:
http://www.julien-manici.com/windows_mobile_wifi_remote_access/
Look for the blue color "Download" button after "Add a comment" on above link.


Like this if you are FB user and you think this post is useful. The button is at top right of content of this post.
+1 this post if you are Google+ users and you think this post is useful.
Hope you will enjoy this post, subscribe to my RSS or mailing list or follow me on blogger or twitter. :)
pix source: http://www.julien-manici.com/windows_mobile_wifi_remote_access/