Time to have some Jelly Bean!

While were busy sleeping an all last nigh, Google I/O 2012 kicked off and revealed loads of goodies that will come in the near future. Google introduced it's latest sweet treat mobile OS, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.


In a nutshell, Jelly Bean will offer Android users:

• Framerate has been increased to 60 FPS

• Vsync is enabled

• Triple Buffering is enabled.

• Text Input improvement

• Voice Typing no longer requires network connection

• Improved Voice search - time for Siri to hide?

• Resizeable Widgets - finally, I have been waiting for so long...

• Improvement to predictive keyboard

• 18 new input languages

• Improved CPU utilization - faster is better!

• Improved Accessibility for the blind

• Camera App update - pinch to view in film strip

• Android Beam update- Video sharing via NFC and NFC pairing by just bumping with NFC enabled device

• Notifications update - now able to make phone calls, view multiple emails, able to expand apps all within the notification shade overlay

• Revamped mobile search

• Google Now - gives you search result information at the right time.

• eg. map/direction searches gives you directions now with how much time to get there, estimated arrival time, etc.

4.1 update will be pushed to some devices like Galaxy Nexus, Nexus S by mid July 2012, so expect it to hit the rest of the newer devices running on ICS after that.

Just some numbers from Google boasting about Android; 1 million Android users are activated everyday up from 400,000.

Source1, Source2, Source3

Apple iOS 6 : There won't be changes?

So Apple announced not long about it's new flagship Operating System (OS) that will run on some of its current products in the future and the newer products that are yet to be released.

I may not be a fan of Apple and their products but I am a fan of technological advancements and what Apple used to dish out always fascinated me in many ways due to its innovation and creativity.


Instead of jumping straight to the bad, I think I will start of with the Goods about iOS 6.

• A better Siri - Siri gets an update (does everything get updated once a while?)

• Integrated Facebook (every other mobile OS has this?)

• Photo Steams (and this is suppose to be new when every other OS has it?)

• Overall App enhancement (standard with new versions of OS, things get updated...)

• Better Maps (got tired of paying Google and decided to make their own maps)

5 out of 5 recycled with 0 new innovations. Good job Apple cause millions will still end up buying your products thanks to millions of dollars spent on marketing and advertising, sigh...

But iOS 6 was a total bore and barely introduced anything outstandingly new at all. It was merely recycling what was readily available on other platforms and added a hint of Apple touch to it (not even improvement I might say) to make it look Apple-ish.

It like being sold Windows 2000 which is 95% the same Windows 98. Sad...


So, here is a nifty little article from Jaime Rivera that writes about Five Disappointments of iOS6.

1.    As of this year, it's no longer "ahead of its time

Back when Steve Jobs released the original iPhone in 2007, he said that the operating system was “at least five years ahead of its time”. If any of you were using the Motorola Q9h or BlackBerry Pearl that I was using back then, you’d agree with me in the fact that the guy was right. Sadly it seems that nobody at Apple remembers that any more. Those five years are up, and sadly nothing that was released at WWDC has prepared iOS to leap ahead of its time again. Today, a natural user interface is no longer a feature. It became mainstream years ago. Even feature phones have flick scrolling, Opera Mini for improved web browsing, and yeah, they’ve been doing music for a while now.

iOS 6 should’ve been about where the puck is going to be next. Siri, while superior in many ways to whatever other platforms currently do, is still half-baked. iPhone OS 1 made the phrase “ease-of-use” change in meaning half a decade ago, but today, the concept is no longer a selling point. So my question is, what’s next Apple? Your reluctance to change a legacy UI makes you, not look like you.

2.    Most of what it'll do, it won't do any better than others

When they’re timely, Apple is famous for launching products that define new standards. When they’re late, they usually leapfrog over competition with something dramatically better. iOS 6 is sadly nothing like that. Prettier maps are not necessarily the same as better maps. It doesn’t challenge the system to be any better than it already is. It’s just a late catch-up that’s great to have, but that won’t give you a reason to choose iOS over a competing platform.

Facebook Integration? Been there, done that with Windows Phone 7 or HTC Sense. FaceTime over cellular? Third party apps have been offering video calls over cellular long before the iPhone’s own manufacturer figured it out. These reasons are no longer big enough to stir any customer away from the competition.

3.    It still looks the same

Surely the wheel can evolve, but overall, it’s still just a wheel. With operating systems, that’s a different story. Can you imagine Microsoft launching a Windows Vista that still looked like Windows XP? The age difference between them is just five years, and still the user interface evolved for better or worse. The age difference between iPhone OS 1 and iOS 6 is exactly that, five years. Functionality has changed here and there, but eating chicken every day for the last half-a-decade must drive even some Apple employees crazy by now.

Even though I carry an iPhone 4S as one of my two daily drivers, I’ll admit that I’ve spent more time using HTC Sense on the One X that arrived on my doorstep a week ago, than this beta of iOS 6. I know this remark isn’t fair to all of you, since I know that for some people, what’s not broken shouldn’t be fixed, but my honest impression of iOS 6 is that I’m bored.

I do understand Apple’s purpose in keeping the grid of icons all over, but why not figure out some way to have UI profiles. If you’re a first-time user, you get the grid, and if you’re a power user, you can customize it differently. Hey, if Cydia could figure that out, I’m sure all those thousands of Apple Engineers can do better.

4.    It brings more fragmentation

I’ve got to hand it to Apple here. Users of legacy devices probably don’t get everything in future updates due to hardware limitations, but they at least get some of them. The problem is when this fragmentation is not justified by hardware limitations. For example, as of beta 1, Siri is not supported by the iPad 2, whose guts are almost identical to what we find powering the iPhone 4S. And if the iPhone 4 and 3GS are getting iOS 6, why isn’t the first-generation iPad getting it? None of these technical decisions make logical sense, unless you add dollars into the equation.

We have seen Apple change their minds as betas keep coming to developers, so let’s hope this is just another phase where they’ll lighten-up sooner or later.

5.    We’re stuck with it for at least another 18 months

Using a device that’s no longer ahead of its time, boring or no better than competitors isn’t easy in our times, but knowing that it won’t change for another 18 months is torture. Even if Apple released a new iPhone in the fall, which runs iOS 6 with some minor enhancements, nobody can switch phones every couple of months in this economy. Apple has slowly pushed users into adopting newer hardware just to get this new feature or that one, and it’s really not a good way to drive additional loyalty towards the platform.

It used to be exciting finding out what Apple has installed for the world and for competitors to follow/improve upon. But for the case of iOS 6, it seems to be a total flop selling recycled products to helpless Apple fans.

and No, I am not condemning Apple, I just expected more from the so call mobile/simplicity/innovative leader in the field.

Source1, Source2

Tweaking that Android device.

Finally decided to ditch that iPhone for an Android and want to get the best out of that smartphone running on Android OS or just frustrated over the "complexity" involved in tweaking your Android phone to run like a well oiled machine?

What ever it may be, getting an Android to function at its optimum capability does require some under the hood tweaks and tricks. Of course most smartphones or devices running on Android are great to use right out of the box, but a minor changes to its setting will go a long way in making you truly enjoy your device.

Users migrating from iPhone will generally be cursing on the complexity of an Android as Apple has made the iPhone regulate memory & apps very well on its own, making it simple to manage which is why there are still so many Apple fans. I do not blame the fans for liking simplicity but I for one prefers power and the freedom to manage it which can be found in using an Android.


To start it off, I have compiled a list of things that can be done in order to make your Android device purr like cat.

(Most of the tweaks below can be found under SETTINGS in your Android device unless stated otherwise)

• Manage your Display to get maximum eye candy without sacrificing battery life

• Adjust the Brightness of your screen (Settings > Display) by lowering it to reduce power consumption (raising it will of course drain more power).
• Turning on Auto Adjust Screen Brightness is a double edged sword as you let the phone decide on screen brightness based on the environment it is being used. In darker / low light places, the brightness will be jacked to near maximum to compensate, so be wary.
• With the Screen Timeout setting, you can set the time before you want your phone screen to dim out and turn off in order to save power. This helps to automatically turn off the screen quicker when no in use (if you did not manually click the power button to turn it off already). My suggestion is 30 seconds (1 minute if you must) before timeout as 15 barely lets you read anything before it timeouts.

• Tip: Using a 100% plain black coloured wallpaper/home screen/unlock screen does help to reduce power consumption.
• Instead of dimming itself to very low lightning in LCD, LED is able to off itself producing black colored darkness (light-less-ness), using less to no power at all on the black areas of the screen.
• Proven scientifically HERE 
• You can easily create a black background with MS paint.

• Wireless Connections and Data Packages

• You would be surprised how much battery wireless connection actually takes up from your phone.
• A smartphone with Data Package and Wifi turned off, can run almost a week before needing to recharge.
• Before you just leave Wifi permanently on (many do this to save on their data package) and this causes it to drain more battery everytime it is attempting to search for a another accessible Wifi network.
• If you know you are in a place with low or no Mobile Network or Wifi connection, make sure to deactivate your data network. This is because the antenna will use additional power each time it is attempting to search and connect to a network.
• Optionally, switch to Air Plane mode to off all wireless functions if you don't need a connection.
• Make sure to off Wifi tethering when done as it uses a lot of power and generates a good amount of heat too as it turns your phone into a mobile router.
• GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, S-Beam (Samsung only), etc are all wireless devices, so make sure to turn them off when not in use.

• You though Vibration function saves power?

• Only turn off the volume and vibrate on if you really need silence.
• Everytime the motor vibrates, it consumes power.
• Consider lowering your volume to the lowest possible and choosing a soft tone

• Sync-ing

• Your phone by default turns on Sync function which syncs apps online to get updates constantly or in a set time.
• This uses data each time and power too.
• So consider turning off sync and only turning it back on when you require it (eg. Play Store)
• Most applications come with a refresh function or button which you can use to cause it to refresh right then and there instead of constantly.

• Close Applications when not in use

• Most applications close when you exit from the app or with the back / home button.
• But some applications might linger in the background or remain partially running in the background when closed with the back button.
• Make sure to head to Settings>Applications>Active/Running Applications and close any apps hiding in the background that you are no longer using.
• Be careful not to close apps that you are not sure off as it may be needed by the phone and is part of the operating systems (prompt will appear if it is a key function).
• Restarting (or turning off then on) your phone will just restore any function, so don't worry if you closed something important.

• Keep your Wallpapar dead...

• Yes, it looks cute and cool to have a live wallpaper with objects moving around, snowing, glowing and pulsating.
• If you don't mind sacrificing a good 10% of your battery to it, then keep it on.
• But if you want to get more juice (processing and battery) out of your phone, please remove that dancing chicken wallpaper.

To sum it up shortly

• Set screen brightness
• Control and manage wireless connections
• Know when to turn off/on your wireless connections
• Vibrate only if you need to
• Kill apps running in the background
• Consider a plain black wallpaper (or at least non animated)
• Do NOT try plain White or bright colors as it consumes even more battery (white = 5x more)

Next, I will try to write on some cool applications that would compliment any Android device like how bacon goes with everything.

4 days till release. Take my money now!

*Update 29 May 2012

Celcom has finally unveiled their offer and promotions for this great phone.

Click HERE to jump on over to Celcom's direct S3 page.

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As mentioned in my earlier post, this awesome piece of smart phone is finally here, well almost that is (4 more days!). Just in time to empty that bank account of yours that should be filled with your hard earned month end salary.


What is confirmed so far?

• Will be released on 31 May 2012

• Samsung MY RRP price at RM2199.00

• DiGi is offering the phone for as low as RM999 for a 2 year contract.
• DiGi Info page
• DiGi Pre-order page 

• Based on the specs stated on DiGi's page, it seems Malaysians will be getting:
• 16GB internal memory with expandable microSDXC
• 4.8 inch Super AMOLED display instead of HD Super AMOLED.
• The rest of the specs seems as mentioned earlier during announcement.

• Available in 2 colours: 

• Marble White
• Pebble Blue (some sources claiming delay / shortage of this color)

(yup, there is nor standard black colour upon release which is a  very different direction from most phone releases. Might be released in the near future.)



Now, if all new phones were made with this level of innovation, I wouldn't be doing anything else but reading up on them and drooling over its release.

Samsung Galaxy S III

*Update 17 May 2012

Just a quick update on this awesome piece of smart phone. Every time I read more about this phone, I feel like buying it upon release but my S II is still serving me great, sigh at the dilemma... 

• Samsung Galaxy S III will be priced at RM 2199 upon release (same as S II when it was released)

• Malaysia will be getting the standard model with all stock specs (Exynos quad core, 1GB Ram, etc)

• There will be a media announcement / unveiling which will probably mention the official release date and price locally.

• Phone is rumored to be available as early as end of May 2012 (instead of early June 2012)

Still remember about me hoping for S III to have 2GB RAM instead of the 1GB? Well, Japan will have another version of this phone available with 2GB RAM but with a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm S4 processor instead of the stock Exynos quad-core. (A lowered core would supposedly give it better battery life and couple with 2GB RAM, it might work just as good as the quad with 1GB RAM.

Source1, Source2, Source3

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*Update 7 May 2012

For all those eyeing to get their hands on an S III, you will only have to wait for another month!

It is scheduled to be released in Malaysia early June 2012 (solid source right from Samsung's Regional Director). But I foresee issues of availability as the demand for this little piece of awesomeness is running high and supply would definitely run short.

and for those still having trouble deciding, here is another cool summarized table (courtesy of SoyaCincau) pitting S III with a wider range of smart phones currently in market.

On an overall, it is a good stand between One X and S III. If taking snapshots are your thing, then the One X would be your choice. S III seems to me as a better all rounder. My decision is still wobbly till I get my hands on a test model at their roadshow. 

Lets hope Samsung lives up to its expectations of delivering great smart phones.

Source1, Source2

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Tagline: designed for humans (so what we have been using is made for?)

For those that weren't aware, Samsung finally revealed their flagship phone today (around midnight for us). After being teased with posters and videos, the phone was ultimate revealed as Samsung Galaxy S III, follow up the successful Samsung Galaxy S II.

Since reviews on the phones are all over the internet like mushrooms after rain, I'll just keep it simple with a summary comparison table with similar smart phones in market currently (courtesy of SoyaCincau).

In terms of software, it is armed with an arsenal of apps made to make the phone more "living" and intuitive to use,

• S Voice - Voice Command feature (Siri's long lost sister, better half) (Video below)
• Smart Stay - Detects if you are using the screen and avoid dimming unnecessarily
• Smart Alert - Reminds you of what you missed as if you can't see it from the screen...
• Social/Sharing - S Beam (Content Sharing), Social Tag (tagging)
• And everything else Samsung decided to dish in since its such a power house.

 and all this built on top of  the latest Android's Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS).

S Voice in Action

This is how you test a voice command feature. Passes by recognizing a tongue twister easily and providing an awesome answer.

Packing quite a lot of hardware power, I was hoping for a little more such as 2GB RAM, better battery (with this much power, 2100mAh just won't provide enough sustained juice) and higher megapixel cameras. But on the overall, it is a phone that stands out above the rest of the phone on the market currently and for months to come. (running in the rumor mill is that iPhone 5 will be announced in the October 2012)


From the information flying around, looks like we will be able to get our hands on the phone by end of the month. Keep an eye out on Maxis, DIGI, Celcom, etc for any upcoming promos or deals on this awesome phone.

Guess I will be skipping this since my S II is still doing well....

Source1, Source2, Source3

Ready for the Next Galaxy from Samsung?

Almost 1 year since Samsung released Galaxy SII, they are now ready to bring another flagship smartphone that should be a cut above the rest.

Samsung has confirmed that they will be revealing the next Samsung Galaxy on May 3 at Samsung Unpacked event that is set to take place in London.

But nothing much is known, even the name of the smartphone or the specifications but we can be certain that Samsung will outfit the phone with some cool technology and high-end hardware like 1.5GHz quad-core Exynos with 1GB Ram, 12MP or higher rear cam, Super AMOLED Screen and so on.

There are some rumors going about such as ceramic casing for the phone (ceramic are light, durable, smooth & sratch resistant) to having wireless charging capability thanks to wireless energy transfer technology.

Time will tell as we draw closer to the date of the grand unveiling. So if you are planning on buying a new phone anytime soon, you might just want to wait a while and check out what surprises Samsung has installed for smartphone users.


Source1, Source2

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Ahh, finally I can try that new mobile game that everyone is talking,

and a message appears...

"You can either login with your Facebook account (and be able to play with all your friends on your friendlist with ease) or create a new account (and wait 3 years for the game to search for an unknown person who is randomly selected from all over the world just to play with you)."

Filling in my email and password, it would only be natural to enable the "remember me" option so I don't have to type everything again every time I want to use this application, unless I am practicing to get high score on Typershark....

Seriously, when one is presented with these options, majority of users will conveniently disregard the safety of their Facebook or other log in IDs. People just presume it is safe to log in via a 3rd party application and that their ID and password remains secure.

Needless to say, nothing is as it seems and thanks to Gareth Wright (click to jump to full article), it is stated that our log in details aren't so safe after all. The wonderful file containing the log in details just sits in the phone unprotected. Like turkeys on thanksgiving, it is just waiting to be sniffed up by malwares when plugged into a PC or such devices.

I ain't no programmer or hacker, but if this has been discovered and made known on the internet, I'm willing to bet my socks that evil forces are at work trying to exploit this before Facebook fixes this soon.

Time to change my Facebook password... again...