Video Review – iPhone 3GS vs Nokia N97: Browser Comparison
Well, think you have enough with the iPhone 3GS reviews, hmm… me too. Always love those comparison videos where they pitch one phone against another. Be it on the UI, the media player or the browser, always fun to check them out. This vid from therevivedone features the duel between the Apple iPhone 3GS and the Nokia N97, bet you can tell that the iPhone wins out without even watching the vid given the processor, but nonetheless a nicely done vid, enjoy.
Source – therevivedone
HK71Green Manifesto
There has never been a time like now, when we free people had so much freedom of speech. There has never been a time like now, when freedom of speech are suppressed and crushed under totalitarian regimes, from Iran to China.
Luckily, technology helps, like Iran: Twitter had maintain a lifeline to protesters on their Green Revolution, while video streaming allow the world to witness the conflict. Good citizens in China had make use of technology and develop techniques to penetrate the so called “Great Fire Wall of China”, allowing communication and information flow to continue. However, with the increasing pressure for control from totalitarian regimes everywhere, freedom of speech online is at greater peril than ever before.
And, don’t think this is far away from you. What is happening to Iranians and Mainland Chinese can happen to you and me. The cutoff of most internet services to and from Iran now, can happen here. The introduction of Green Dam on computers in China can happen here, if our lousy government decide to give in to conservative pressure and licence the software, all in the name of “protect our children from filthy online content”. Even the filtering on the “Great Fire Wall of China” can happen here, if we are not vigilant.
In 1946, Martin Niemöller said:
===
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.
===
It rings true to this day. Why speak out for online freedom of speech? Because we still can, and we have moral obligation to speak out while we can. Because helping Iranians and Mainland Chinese are just like helping yourself. Walk with us on July 1st in protest against oppression of Freedom of Speech, wear green garment to show our support to Chinese and Iranians, who sacrifice their freedom and lives for the greater good.
Defend Information Freedom, Promote Democracy and Human Rights. The fight starts from your computer. Be the change you wish to see in the world! We will see you at the Victoria Park, on July 1st, 3 p.m.!
Official Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/-HK71Green/97967773855
Official Twitter handle: http://twitter.com/hk71green
Website: http://hk71green.com
Extracted from HK71Green, come support them.
The Sims 3 Review
Image from theSims3.com
Sims, the one gaming dynasty that won’t give in, and EA delivers in the newest Sim game, Sims 3. Will this game live up to it’s predecessor’s reputation, or will it be a most likely forgotten chapter in the history of the Sims?
One positive note in this game is the newly improved neighborhood mode, where players can just zoom in and out of their houses and into the new neighborhood view, without tolerating long transition screens when the Sims move from one building to another. This function also allows more versatility in movement for Sims since with the open roads and bird-eye view mode, the car rides just seem a lot more interesting. The lots in the game also seem more blended into the environment, where in Sims 2 each house was like an isolated area from each family this game offers more freedom in relation to the transition from house to neighborhood.
Another positive thing about the game is maintaining most of the features from Sims 2 but introduce them in a completely different style. Careers in Sims 2 were just drive to work, work, end of work. Now in Sims 3, you have more sub-choices to choose during your work time, such as slacking off, meeting your co-workers and the good-old suck up to the boss. Another concept greatly introduced is the relationships bars for making friends. In Sims 2, you could literally make someone go from an acquaintance to being your best friend in 1 day in game time. Now the bar moves at a more steady rate, no more 10 day friendships.
The sexual content in this game has not changed much from the previous games. Kissing and such is kept at an appropriate level in the game, not much references in the game are made towards sexual content. Violence in the game is also kept the same, with no physical confrontation more than hidden fights and pokes.
The one thing that this game lacks is an attractive environment that would draw the user completely into the game. The graphics just aren’t that amazing, not the graphics that make you feel you are inside the game, right in the shoes of the very Sim you are controlling. Compared to the environment in the Sims 2 game, the graphics look a little more roughed than the skin and environment of the previous game.
Evaluation:
Graphics: The graphical engine is Sims 3 is nothing to be amazed with, but with a game riding on this much reputation and expectations of an excellent Sim game, the graphics are a disappointment.
Gameplay: The new neighborhood mode keeps gameplay streamlined instead of enduring long loading screens. The gameplay now also allows more decisions to be made in the Sim’s lives, making the player feel more involved with their Sim’s lives than before.
Sexual/Violence content: For a Sim game, the Sims 3 offers no new progressions in romantic areas and the violence in the games are still just two Sims going at it in a big cloud of dust that covers everything.
New features: Sims 3 literally takes the old game and turns everything new and exotic by using the exact same features. The new relationship bars and the increased interaction with the Sims and outside environments feels as if the player is inside the screen.
Overall, this is an extraordinary game, one that is worthy to live up to the reputation of the “Sims” franchise, with every new generation bringing something new to the table. Needless to say, Sims 3 is the one that has truly shocked and awed.
Final Grade: A-
Apple Released MacBook Air SMC Firmware Update
On Monday, Apple released the new MacBook Air SMC Firmware Update which adds compatibility for the latest service replacement batteries.
For more information, please visit http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2368.
Source – Apple
TEXT100 Global Blogger Survey
TEXT100 is launching their global blogger survey results tonight and I am happy to be sitting on their panel discussion for the related findings. If you happened to be in the neighborhood, come on over and check it out.
Date: 25 June 2009
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Venuw: Lenovo Hong Kong Ltd., Function Room 1&2, 23/F Lincoln House, Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, Hong Kong
For more info, check out TEXT100′s site.
Adobe Releases Photoshop Lightroom v2.4 and Camera RAW 5.4
According to Adobe, the following were updated for Lightroom 2.4
- Additional camera support for several new camera models including the Nikon D5000 and Canon EOS 500D (Digital Rebel T1i)
- Several corrections for issues introduced by previous Lightroom 2 releases which includes the following -
- Web galleries with a Collection Title of six characters would not export or upload
- The crop aspect ratio could revert to the last selected ratio even when reset to original
- The crop aspect ratio in Quick Develop could be lost after a crop adjustment
- The crop aspect ratio lock could be lost after an orientation switch
- Images could preview incorrectly when imported using the MTP/PTP USB protocol
- Sony .ARW files may not have been recognized by Lightroom’s import dialog
- The Japanese language configuration of Lightroom on Mac OS X 10.5 could fail to switch to the print module if the HP B9180 was set as the default printer
- Metadata options that are intended for use were dimmed incorrectly when exporting DNG files
- The Japanese language configuration of Lightroom on Mac OS X was missing a shortcut for “Zoom Out”
- Several translation and shortcut corrections were made for the eight additional languages introduced with Lightroom 2.3
For details and download link, go to Adobe’s download page, link here.
As for Camera RAW 5.4, a number of new cameras were added to the update. One thing to note though is that the Camera Raw 5.4 plug-in is not compatible with versions of Photoshop earlier than Photoshop CS4. Hmm…..
For the full read on the Camera RAW 5.4, check out the readme link here.
Hong Kong – Mac OS X Snow Leopard Up-to-Date Program
Image from Apple
This from Apple Hong Hong,
Mac OS X Snow Leopard refines the elegant Mac OS X user experience with lots of little touches and performance improvements that will make using your Mac even more enjoyable. It also includes a few big foundation technologies designed to tap the power of today’s computer hardware and provide a strong base for innovation. If you’ve purchased a qualifying computer or Xserve on or after June 8, 2009 that does not include Mac OS X Snow Leopard, you can upgrade to Mac OS X Snow Leopard for HK$80.*
This program ends December 26, 2009. Your completed order form must be postmarked or faxed within 90 days of the date of your purchase of a qualifying computer or Xserve (described in this offer) or by December 26, 2009, whichever is earlier.
Expected Product Availability: September 2009
Source - Apple Hong Hong
Three Hong Kong is Updating all iPhones 3G with MMS
Just received a SMS from Three Hong Kong saying that they will activate my MMS account before 26 June. The SMS also stated that iPhone 3.0 OS will be ready for download for locals in Hong Kong from 1am onwards on 18 June 2009. WOOT.
Are We Ready for iPhone 3.0? Two More Days to Go
Extracted from my CNET Asia Blog.
Mark your calendar if you haven’t , two more days to go before the launch of iPhone 3.0 OS. If you don’t own an iPhone, quit reading. If you do, apart from just sitting here waiting, start wondering what the new OS would do good for you.
What’s good? well…. maybe
- cut, copy and paste;
- MMS (hmm… can your carrier handle that?);
- tethering – act as modem to your Mac or PC so to be able to share internet connection (only if you’re that mobile);
- find my phone (gee, this is a joke…. only if you’re subscribed to MobileMe);
- HTTP-based streaming audio and video (isn’t your iPhone slow enough?);
- full GPS (again, we hit the speed issue here); and
- Bluetooth muti-player gaming capabilities (no comment on that one).
As for what’s bad….. my only concern is how the laggy would the iPhone 3G be with the new 3.0 OS. Guess we will find out in two days.
Latest Price – Nokia N97
Latest price on the street is HK$4,980 (US$638) for HK local version, no plan/contract. For more info, check out 栢力電子公司, 九龍深水埗鴨寮街210號地下 (G/F, 210 Ap Liu Street in Shamshuipo).
If you don’t know it, the official launch is tonight (16 June), at 9:35pm. Check out major launching parties over at CSL1010 shop in Cause Way Bay.
First 2 Forward – 17 June 2009
First 2 Forward is…
Two top creative directors. Five rounds of competition. One event that reveals the freshest, funniest, and freakin’ coolest stuff from around the Web.
Join us the third Wednesday of every month to find out who’s got the hottest links in Hong Kong.
First 2 Forward is a spin-off event of Web Wednesday, the No. 1 community for Asian Digerati. (http://www.webwednesday.asia)
First 2 Forward就是由城中兩位出色的創意總監，進行五個回合的激戰，誓要以
比賽將於每個月的第三個星期三舉行，想知道哪一位參加者能夠找到最多網上人氣連結？立即參加就可以！
First 2 Forward是由亞洲首屈一指的數碼媒體組織Web Wednesday策動，想知更多關於這個組織的資料，請即登入http://www.webwednesday.asia
First 2 Forward – Match#1
Wednesday, June 17
Thierry Halbroth, Sr CD, McCann Erickson
Vs.
Mark Ringer, ECD, TBWA\Tequila
It’s like a TV game show. It’s like a creative team show n’ tell. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.
Don’t miss this fun new event that reveals the freshest, funniest, and freakin’ coolest stuff from around the Web.
Come and cheer for your favorite contestant and help decide who wins!
Prizes from Adobe!
The winner takes home Adobe Creative Suite 4 Premium. The runner-up gets Photoshop Lightroom 2.
Free admission. Discounted drinks!
First 2 Forward – Match #1
2009年6月17日
這個比賽就好像電視遊戲節目一樣，由兩位參加者進行比賽，內容與網上資料有關，保證你前所未見！
得勝者將可獲贈由Adobe送出的免費軟件！
誰勝誰負由你主宰！
為你心愛的參賽者打氣，為賽果投下決定性的一票。
免費入場
CNET Asia Community Blog Entry – The Real Deal with iPhone 3GS
My new entry over at CNET Asia Community Blog is up. This week’s entry, “The Real Deal with iPhone 3GS”. Click here for the full read.
……Consider this, you’ve got an iPhone 3G sometime ago and STILL stuck with that God knows how long contract with the mobile carrier. Here comes the announcement of the all new iPhone 3GS in which the same mobile carrier is probably gonna end up carrying, so how are you gonna go about getting the new iPhone 3GS? Well, first thing is I don’t think the mobile carrier is gonna let you trade in with your iPhone 3G and next thing you know is that if you want the 3GS that bad, you probably will end up with another 24 months tapped on top of your current contract. If your carrier is as crappy as AT&T, I wish you all the best. Another thing to consider is that should Apple decides to launch a new iPhone every 18 to 24 months, you probably will be stuck with the same mobile carrier for the next decade or so or end up paying a hefty fee for the upgrade……
Video Review – Palm Pre’s Email, Apps and OS
Can’t wait to see the all new Palm Pre? check out this 20 minutes of coverage on the soon to be released Palm Pre’s email, web and OS from phonedog. Once again Noah from phonedog did a great review on the phone.
Source – phonedog
My Gears – Nikon Porter Bag for My Panasonic Lumix LX3 & Canon Powershot G10
The Nikon Porter Bag
With the Panasonic LX3
With the Canon G10
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