CNET Asia Community Blog Entry – Apple iTunes Finally Let You Sync Music Between Computers – yay or nay?

My new entry over at CNET Asia Community Blog is up. This week’s entry, “Apple iTunes Finally Let You Sync Music Between Computers – yay or nay?”. Click here for the full read.

DSLR Camera Remote for iPhone and iPod – Nikon Version Released

Image from onOne Software

Following the success with the Canon version of the DSLR Camera Remote for iPhone or iPod Touch, onOne Software released its latest version for Nikon users. The latest version features -

• Remotely fire your Canon EOS or Nikon DSLR camera
  with your iPhone or iPod Touch
• Remotely control the camera settings like
  shutter-speed, aperture, white-balance and more
• View images saved on the camera from your iPhone or iPod Touch
• Look through your camera’s viewfinder remotely
• Great for remote-firing at weddings, sporting events, for kids, and for self-portraits

There are currently two versions out, the Professional version (US$19.99) and the Lite version (US$1.99).  The Lite version only support the basic functions such as connecting to host computer, firing the camera, seeing post-view image, checking battery status and image remaining.  For another US$18, you’ll get all those fancy functions such as being able to adjust shutter speed, ISO, white-balance, exposure compensation, auto exposure bracketing, burst mode and more.

For more information (and there are tons), visit onOne Software’s product page.

Source – onOne Software’s product page

Apple to Launch Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard on 28 August 2009

[Update: 26 August 2009] You can order it at Apple Online Store now.

[25 August 2009] It’s official, Apple announced that the Mac OS X 10.6 will be available on 28 August 2009.  According to Macworld, “Snow Leopard will be available at the price of $29 for those customers upgrading from Leopard; a family pack of five licenses is available for $49. Users upgrading from earlier versions can buy the $169 Mac Box Set which also includes iLife ’09 and iWork ’09 or the five-user family pack for $229. Those who purchased a qualifying Mac on or after June 8, 2009 can take advantage of Apple’s $10 Snow Leopard Up-to-Date Program. All versions of Mac OS X Snow Leopard require an Intel processor, 1GB of memory, and 5GB of free disk space.”

[20 August 2009] According to an article on Macworld today, Apple might ship the new Mac OS X 10.6 code-named Snow Leopard as early as 28 August 2009.  Hopefully this is true as I’ve been waiting for this since it was announced.  Stay tuned.

Source – Macworld

iPhone App Review – Air Mouse Pro

Wow, imagine this, your iPhone as an Air Mouse. Check out this new app for the iPhone, definitely written for lazy people like me.  Gonna download it tonight and give it a try, do look pretty neat especially with the “type” function.

The great thing is that the app is now on major sale and only cost US$2.99 to try it out.  Some of the features of the app are listed below -

- Accelerometer based mouse
- Trackpad (full screen vertical and landscape modes)
- Media keys & Web keys
- Application notifications – Remote keyboard with modifier, function and arrow keys
- Programable hotkeys (can be set to run a program or keyboard combination)
- Scroll pad
- Multitouch gestures (scroll & right click)
- Password protection
- Custom sensitivity settings
- Foreign language keyboards
- Supports Bonjour or static IP
- No screen size limitation. Works with multiple monitors.
- And much, much more. View the demo video to see all that Mobile Air Mouse can do for you

For more info, check out their site here, http://www.mobileairmouse.com/

Source – revision3, MobileAirMouse

Rumored Apple Keynote Event on 9 September 2009 – Possible New iPods?

Multiple sources indicated that there might be a new release of the new generation of iPods with the possible inclusion of a camera and microphone.  Speculations indicated that the three possible versions are of 16, 32 and 64GB were a price tag of US$199, US$299 and US$399 respectively. Possible upgrade to iTunes 9 is said to be included as well.

As for the Apple Tablet, according to Gizmodo, “They went on to say that although the project (Apple Tablet) has been going on under various names between four and six years, the first prototype was built around the end of 2008. Adding, “The time to market from first prototype is generally 6-9 months.” That would place the device’s release date in this holiday season. (Think not) They then said, “There was a question of what OS the device would run, too.” So the chances of it being announced at the upcoming keynote event is highly unlikely.

Stay tuned for more.

Source – Gizmodo

iPhone 3GS (Import Version) – Hong Kong Street Price for Import Version

[Updated: 13 August 2009] The going rate for 16GB is HK$6,348 (US$814) whilst the 32GB is faring HK$7,358 (US$943) from http://www.cheaphk.com, TEL:3488-4804 FAX:3007-3425.

[7 June 2009] Prices dropped following 3HK’s announcement of the official launch on 10 July.  Street price for imported 16GB version now HK$6,680 (US$856) and for the 32GB, HK$7,680 (US$985).

[30 June 2009] Wow, the prices jetted back up this week.  Latest 16GB version going for HK$8,398 (US$1,076) and HK$9,668 (US$1,239) for 32GB (available from http://www.cheaphk.com, TEL:3488-4804 FAX:3007-3425)

[24 June 2009] Two days, what a difference it made.  With the influx of imported iPhone 3GS, the prices dropped drastically today.  The 16GB version of iPhone 3GS is faring HK$5,500 (US$705) whilst the 32GB at HK$6,800 (US872).

[23 June 2009] They’re here in Hong Kong, just 3 days after the offical launch in US, the iPhone 3GS 16GB import version finally made it here.  Take a wide guess on the price tag……

HK$8,500 (US$1,090) for 16GB version….ouch.

Next Mac OS X Version – Snow Leopard Close to Release

Image from Apple

With the release of the Developer Preview seed, build 10A432, as well known as the Golden Master for 10.6 today, we can expect the release of the newest version of the Mac OS X Snow Leopard sometime next month.  Stay tuned.

Source – GearLive

CNET Asia Community Blog Entry – Falling in Love All Again with Pocket Informant for iPhone

My new entry over at CNET Asia Community Blog is up. This week’s entry, “Falling in Love All Again with Pocket Informant for iPhone”. Click here for the full read.

First Look Video – Bodega (App Store) for Mac

Caught this video from SoldierKnowsBest on Bodega, an iPhone/iPod App Store look-a-like for Mac applications.  Well, there isn’t a lot of apps on Bodega as of now but I’m sure this concept would be catching.  Check out this review video from SoldierKnowsBest.

Product link – Bodega (http://appbodega.com/)

Source – SoldierKnowsBest

Video Review – iPhone 3GS vs HTC Hero

Awesome versus video of the iPhone 3GS and the HTC Hero from phonedog.com.  Check out this 10 minutes long video, enjoy.

I don’t regret getting my iPhone 3GS.

Source – phonedog

My Gears + Review – Sony Ericsson HBH-IS800 on iPhone 3Gs

Ever since I got my iPhone 3Gs, been wanting to get a new pair of Bluetooth headset to listen to my podcasts as my Plantronics Voyager 855 finally gave up on me (the connection on the detachable earpiece cable worn off), though still work on mono.  Been shopping around this past weekend and didn’t do much research into what the newest BT headsets have to offer (now this is dumb).

The design of the Sony Ericsson HBH-IS800 caught my eyes and I ditched out the dough right away, purely shopping on impulse and this is where the problem starts…..(only apply to iPhone 3G or 3Gs)

For the sound quality, the HBH-IS800 is considered one of the best BT headsets I’ve used (Plantronics Voyager 855, Philips SBH7100, Jabra BT8010 and Plantronics Pulsar 590A). The design is neat and clean with one button controlling practically everything, see pic below.

The headset comes with a clip for you to add onto the headset cable so to allow you to clip it to your shirt collar or jacket.

So the sound quality is good and the design neat, what’s the catch then….

My Gears – MiLi Power Pack for iPhone 3GS

Been looking for a backup power pack for my iPhone 3GS and found the MiLi Power Pack for HK$398 (US$51).  This pack is stuffed with 2000mAh and it last a whole day when attached to my iPhone 3GS with 1/4 capacity left after 18-hours day.  It served a a cradle (can sync) while charging.  Another great feature of the MiLi Power Pack is that you have the ability to use its “OUT” port to charge most external USB compatible devices. Really nice.

Basic specs provided by MiLi-

• weight: 79.5g
• standby time: up to 390 hours
• talktime: 6.5 hours on 3G phone and 13.5 hours on 2G
• internet time: 6.5 hours surfing on 3G and 8 hours on Wi-Fi
• audio playtime: up to 31 hours
• video playtime: up to 9 hours
• 4 LED buton to indicate battery level

iPhone 3GS Review Coming Soon

Gonna take a week long to seriously test out the iPhone 3GS before I give you the lown down on the new version and the new OS.  Check back.

Two things noticed so far -

• The iPhone 3GS is a lot faster than the 3G version
• It does get warm fairly fast while surfing, serious overheat issues

My Gears – iPhone 3GS is in DA House

Will update more later tonight, still updating the iPhone and installing apps.  So far the camera do look sweet and the speed a tibit faster.

Stay tuned.