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Courtesy of dk99 of Blog2U, I was invited to a sneak preview of the iPhone 2.0 at iShop21 over at Cineleisure on Friday (25th July) night. These sets are not brought in for sale, but for the Bak2U to test their PhoneBAK mobile phone anti-theft software written for the iPhone. (Read more about PhoneBAK and which other types of phones it supports here.) For those who read my blog frequently, they would know I am no fan of Apple. However I still had to see the phone for myself and see what so great about this thing every one is talking about. And now, this is not a review, just a write up on the parts I have tested. Firstly, let me say I am not very familiar with the interface and Malique had to guide me on it. And for a first time user like me, it really isn’t too difficult to use at all once you get the hang of it. Anyway, I am not too interested in all the features of the iPhone except the Safari browser since many of the other features – music player, phone, GPS etc – are already available in other phone. I did play around a little with the Wifi though once I discovered it’s connected, I decided not to make a fool of myself and left it alone. After all, the password for the connection has already been entered. I think I saw both Malique and Chillycraps took some pictures with the camera and they appeared to be pretty alright on screen. Back to the browser. I must say I am damned impressed with it. The rendering is so much better than Opera Mini on the Blackberry 8820 and the touchscreen interface which allows me to expand a selected portion of the screen is wonderful. It is very fast and very responsive. (I guess all the Apple Fanbois didn’t need to be told this, but it’s for the benefit of those who never heard about it.) |
 Picture courtesy of Michael Cheng |
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However, I also discover that Flash media doesn’t work on it, and java applet support seems to be absent. I wanted to try out the Internet Banking sites to see if I can get as far as the login screen but to no avail because the applet didn’t load. I must say I am a little disappointed by that. Anyway, since I don’t know if there are settings in Safari which I am unaware of (or whether it is possible for some add-ins tbe be installed), don’t start flaming me already, alright? Also, dk99 told me that Youtube videos plays natively on it and if that is true, then it’s browser is way better than the Blackberry. Still, that’s no way compare as the iPhone 2.0 I get to touch has a 8GB Flash Drive while most other mobiles usually comes with a pathetic amount of Flash memory installed. Next, the physical aspect of the device. Sleek, light (I suspect it was even lighter than the older generation) and very elegant. It fits nicely into the hand. Unfortunately, everyone of us has a difficulty typing URLs into the browser and indeed like Now, let’s move on to what I didn’t like. Just one thing: the battery. It is still built in which means you can’t buy a spare to go with the phone. While it maybe argued that the battery may last pretty long on its own, I still like the flexibility of using one battery and leaving one to charge. Beyond that, I have nothing more to talk about, since I can’t hold on to the phone for long while other people are trying, but you can read up Wishbone‘s write up here. |
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Author: Grievous
July 25th – System Administrator Appreciation Day
It is System Adminstrator Appreciation Day today. Let me re-dedicate this song from deadtroll.com to all the System Administrators out there doing a thankless and unappreciated job everyday.
Movies: Hancock & Wanted
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As I was on leave today, I went to watch “Hancock” at GV Marina. I would have watched it at GV Jurong Point, but the first show clash with my meet up with my friend (who is also my insurance agent), and the second one is at 10pm. As we already know from watching the trailers, Hancock (Will Smith) is this drunkard, bad ass hero that goes around Los Angeles dealing with the crime and the problems. Unfortunately, when getting the job done, Hancock’s methods usually caused the city a large amount of money in damage. As a result, the people of LA are very upset with his vigilantism even though Hancock participation has kept the crime rate in check. The story revolves around how PR Executive Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), in gratitude of being saved from certain death by Hancock, take it upon himself to help Hancock remake his image. To do so, Ray set up for Hancock a series of steps to take in order regain the trust and appreciation of the very people he is saving and protecting, and as a result also led Hancock to re-discover something about his true self. How do I like the movie? Well, just like any movie where you get Morgan Freeman, most Will Smith movies can never be too bad. While I did enjoy the early part of the movie very much as it was quite funny looking, especially that part where the criminals Hancock put in jail confronted him when he went to prison. However, I felt it to be a little dry at the middle part when he became our usual prim and proper hero and I definitely didn’t quite like the ending. |
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On a scale of 1 – 5, I’ll give 4 for entertainment, 3.5 for story and 3 for ending. And yes, there’s a short “after credits”… if it can be called that as it is shown before the names of the cast. And by the way, even though in the end Ray did achieve his objective into remaking Hancock, I doubt a real life Ray would have any luck in remaking the image of certain Community |
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I watched “Wanted” two or three weeks ago, also at GV Marina with an old friend who didn’t have much time to meet up with friends ever since he has gotten married. The story revolves around Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy), the rare mega-loser you probably won’t find among your acquaintance or in your office. Wesley’s life begin to change when he met Fox (Angelina Jolie), who inducted him into a Fraternity of assassins with special powers run by Sloan (Morgan Freeman). Wesley was told of his real ‘identity’ and was subjected to a series of devilish training to succeed the position of and to avenge his father he never knew. As you have seen in the trailers, Wesley would ultimately learn the special skill – curve the bullet (sort of like Obi-Wan and Yoda training Luke Skywalker in the Force kinda stuff). He would then go on to meet his destiny – getting the mission to kill his father’s killer – Cross (Thomas Kretschmann), a former member of the Fraternity. What do I think of the movie? Well, grossly over-hyped and too much blasted computer graphics! The only redeeming quality of the show, as I jokingly told chaosdingo some time back, is the view of Angelina Jolie’s back and butt crack as she comes out the bath (though I think the freaking tattoo sucks but I am not Brad Pitt so what the heck.). Anyway, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie more than make up in acting what is lacking in substance and it is not too often I see Morgan Freeman in the kind of role he plays in this movie. |
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On a scale of 1 – 5, I’ll give 3.5 for entertainment, 3.5 for storyline and 3 for ending. While there is an unexpected twist almost near the end of the movie, it wasn’t so much of a shock or a novelty. If you won’t consider it spoilers, I would like to say I considered it a tribute to Star Wars. On thinking back, if there is anything to learn from this movie, it would be not to be too trusting to what is apparent or circumstantial and unverifiable. You won’t know when you might end up getting stabbed in the back or being used to further another person’s agenda. Anyway, when one considers that tragic ending (watch it to find out!), it is certainly wiser for one to leave and to stand on one’s own principles, even if that means facing and fighting the very Fraternity he once believed in and is a part of. |
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Ban of Brothers
I saw this funny banner on dk’s blog today, and found it to be quite funny. I’ll repost it to share some ‘joy’.
