Here are the direct links FROM APPLE itself to iOS 4.1 for various iDevices:

iPhone

• iPhone 3G (4.1/8B117)
• iPhone 3GS (4.1/8B117)
• iPhone 4 (4.1/8B117)

iPod Touch

• iPod Touch 2G (4.1/8B117)
• iPod Touch 3G (4.1/8B117)
• iPod Touch 4G (4.1/8B117)

Source: iPod, iPhone and iPad Firmware Download

While I was in Vietnam over the weekends, my brother offered to help me get the Western Digital Elements Desktop 1TB harddrive from Comex 2010 at Bizgram stall. I am going to use the HDD for my MacBook Pro Time Machine backup.

Western Digital Elements

Western Digital Elements Portable 320GB- SGD$69.90
Western Digital Elements Portable 500GB- SGD$89.90
Western Digital Elements Portable 750GB- SGD$129.90
Western Digital Elements Portable 1TB – SGD$169.90

Western Digital Elements Desktop 1TB – SGD$109.90
Western Digital Elements Desktop 1.6TB – SGD$139.90
Western Digital Elements Desktop 2TB – SGD$169.90

Source: Western Digital Elements Pricelist

Western Digital My Passport/Book

Western Digital My Passport Essential 500GB – SGD$99.90
Western Digital My Passport Essential 750GB – SGD$139.90
Western Digital My Passport Essential 1TB – SGD$179.90

Western Digital My Book Essential 1TB – SGD$119.90
Western Digital My Book Essential 2TB – SGD$179.90

Source: Western Digital Pricelist

I prefer the WD Elements than WD My Book Essential simply because WD Elements is a no nonsense HDD, it does not include all those crap software like SmartWare within the HDD . It is just the HDD and nothing else. Also it is SGD$10 cheaper than Western Digital My Book Essential. Check out the comparison chart. I also prefer the Matt Black finish of the WD Elements than the Piano Black of WD My Book Essential.

Box Front

Box Contents

Matt Black

USB & Power Port

Power Indicator At The Back

Time Machine

SingTel has announced their price plans for OpenNet Fibre Internet connection. From tomorrow (1st September 2010), you can register your interest in the high-speed fibre services at www.singtel.com/exstream.

SingTel OpenNet Price Plans

If you ask me, it is still pretty expensive. I hope they will have a exPress 200 plan because exPress 150 plan is not really a huge jump from Starhub 100Mbps cable.

For more details, check out the press release:

Singapore, 31 August 2010 – Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) is pleased to announce today that it will be offering a comprehensive suite of affordable consumer and business applications on its high-speed fibre services to retail customers. SingTel will also offer carriage-based high-speed fibre services on a wholesale basis to retail service providers (RSPs).
…
Leveraging the Next Generation National Broadband Network (NGNBN) deployed by OpenNet and SingTel’s own extensive fibre infrastructure, SingTel will provide unparalleled service quality and speeds to both retail customers and wholesale to RSPs. Customers can look forward to a range of high-speed fibre services with downlink speeds of up to 200Mbps, uplink speeds of up to 100Mbps and international bandwidth of up to 25Mbps. SingTel’s fibre network is scalable and capable of providing even higher speeds in the future to meet the needs of our retail and wholesale customers.
…
SingTel will launch a high-speed fibre service, known as exStream, with downlink speeds of up to 200Mbps. Customers can choose from three new packages which are designed with relevant applications, and with consumers’ needs in mind to enhance their lifestyles at work, at home and at play.

With the exPress portal, customers can freely express their personalities as well as stay closer to their loved ones anytime, anywhere. They will enjoy features like unified messaging, online storage and sharing of multimedia content and high quality multi-party video chat.

With unified messaging, customers have single access to multiple social networking sites and enjoy chat aggregation. They can customise their exPress homescreen for easy access to their favourite multimedia content like news, videos, music etc – all on a single online web portal.

With the exCite service, customers can experience the world’s best video search engine allowing customers to find the widest range of online video content and stream them smoothly from sites like YouTube and Tudou. Customers can create their own entertainment channel and experience limitless internet content, right from their TV screen. exCite also gives customers access to Singapore’s first TV Apps Store, starting with a catalogue of over 30 TV games. The Store is based on an open TV platform enabling developers to easily create exciting applications. A gesture-based remote control and predictive text searches in English and Chinese offer easier navigation.

With exCite Home and exPlore Home bundled plans, customers will be the first in Singapore to watch pay TV programmes through fibre, while enjoying the benefits of the high-speed fibre services like the exPress portal. exPlore Home Sports also combines the best of mio TV Sports package, including the interactive applications with the high-speed fibre access as an integrated plan.

Full Press Release: SingTel launches comprehensive suite of entertainment, convergence and productivity applications on high-speed fibre services

After much hesitation, finally got a new graphics card to replace mine old Leadtek PX9800GX2 1GB DDR3 which gives me BSOD EVERY SINGLE TIME I run any 3D games. This problem occurred just after a year! RMA onced, but the problem came back to my RMAed set once my warranty is over! If I just use it normally (Programming/Internet/Work), it will work fine. But these task does not do justice to my Core 2 Quad with 8GB of RAM!

I thought that I am getting an iMac soon and will not need a graphics card, but after thinking for a few weeks, I think that is still a long way! I am guessing the iMac will be refreshed with a new design in September 2011 and that is the time I am going to get it!.

At first I wanted to get XFX Radeon HD 5830 1GB GDDR5 (SGD$299), but Fuewell at Sim Lim Square ran out of stock, so I ask the guy introduce me a graphics card with a budget of about SGD$300. He recommend me MSI N460GTX Cylone 768D5 (SGD$329) or Asus ENGTX460 TOP 768MD5 (SGD$319). Both come with 3 years warranty. In the end I chose MSI N460GTX Cylone 768D5 because the fan looks cooler! I paid by cash and I got SGD$4 off! So end up paying SGD$325. By the way, now you can pay NETS with no additional surcharge at Fuwell because they have manage to negotiate with NETS to keep the transaction fee low.

Box Front

Box Back

Box Contents

MSI N460GTX Cylone 768D5

Received my Apple iPhone 4 Bumpers (Black) from the iPhone 4 Case Program today. It was shipped on the 20th August 2010 and it took about 5 days to reach me. The Apple iPhone 4 Bumper is retailing for USD$29.

I can’t really find anything special about the bumper besides the metallic material used for the volume controls and power button. It does not protect the back which is major disadvantage.

Upon holding your iPhone 4 with the bumper on feels weird because the back somewhat feels concaving in. This is because of the extra height added to the edges of the iPhone 4. The bumper is not exactly tight fit and hence when pressing the sides of your iPhone felt a little squashy. Also the bumper adds some depth to all the buttons and connectors. For example, if you are using a L shaped headphone, chances are you might not be able to be able to plug in fully to the headphone jack.

My brother did say it somewhat solves the attenuation issue on his iPhone 4 when comparing it with the SwitchEasy Nude and of course both is compared using the dead grip.

My next case, Speck PixelSkin HD, is targeted to ship on the 20th September 2010 but I hope I can receive it way before that as this bumper was received 2 weeks earlier than the targeted date of 7th September 2010.

Check out my post on iPhone 4 Case Program if you need more information on the iPhone 4 cases from the iPhone 4 Case Program.

Packaging Front

Packaging Back

Headphone Jack

Side Buttons

My Incase Snap Case for iPhone 4 (Clear) from the iPhone 4 Case Program has arrived yesterday! Received a shipping notification from Apple on the 16th August 2010 and it took 4 days to reach my letterbox . Since this is a free case, it is being delivered by DHL Global Mail instead of DHL Express and hence the casing is placed in an envelope and delivered to your letterbox instead of your doorstep.

The Incase Snap Case for iPhone 4 is the most expensive case among the iPhone 4 Case Program, retailing for USD$34.95.

In case you are wondering which free iPhone 4 case to get from the iPhone 4 Case Program, check out my overview of the iPhone 4 Case Program.

The Incase Snap Case is pretty similar to the SwitchEasy Nude, but personally I prefer the Incase Snap Case just because it is easier to take out. The plastic of Incase Snap Case is also thicker than SwitchEasy Nude and I am pretty sure the back of both cases will be scratch easily. Both also displays the rainbow effect if you have a screen protector applied to the back of your iPhone 4.

The good thing about SwitchEasy Nude is that it comes with accessories, screen protectors, headphone jack protectors, 30 pin connector protectors and even a cleaning cloth. The Incase Snap Case only comes with a stand and I seriously doubt I will use it.

Apple Bumper will be the next case to be shipped. I received the shipping notification yesterday, 20th August 2010, and it will be delivered by 26th August 2010. No news yet of the Speck PixelSkin HD.

Packaging Front

Packaging Back

Side View

Top View

Bottom View

Yesterday was #NokiaBox Message #3. The task is unboxing of a gigantic box which contains 2 phones, the Nokia C6. I get to know the details before hand after seeing Mark’s post, Behind the Scenes #NokiaBox Unboxing at Times Square.

I met up with Simon from WOM World at Marina Bay Sands Hotel, it was my first time in the hotel itself. I was expecting the unboxing to be done at the river walk along the convention center. And I least expect the unboxing to be done at Marina Bay Sands SkyPark! I always wanted to go up but I can’t justify paying SGD$20 for it for non-hotel guest. Nevertheless I was surprise and happy that I can get to visit the SkyPark!

I took the lift to level 57 and once the door open, the film crew started filming me all the way till the unboxing is done, all in 1 continuous long shot.

#NokiaBox

Stool

Nokia C6

After removing the top cover, and within the box there is a stool which 2 boxes of Nokia C6 are resting on. Now the challenge is how to get into the box. Now, I didn’t realize that there is velcro along the side of the box, so the box can be dismantled rather easily.

After the whole unboxing, I got about 5 minutes to play with the phone and to give a first hand impression on it through a video interview. The phone felt solid and I like the material they use (plastic + rubber) so you will not have the feeling that the phone will slip out of the hands. The tactile feedback of the keyboard is great. The only thing I don’t like is that the first row of keys on the keyboard is too close to the edge which makes it difficult to type.

There is not much buzz about the Nokia C6 in Singapore. I didn’t know it was already available in Singapore till I ask Julian who is from Text100 and handles Nokia Singapore PR. He told me that the Nokia C6 is exclusive to M1 only. It retails for SGD$499 or SGD$98 for 2 years contract.

Sunset

Infinity Pool

There was another Singapore blogger, Kien Ming, who was suppose to be there with me but couldn’t make it because of work. So I have to do the unboxing alone.

I can see that WOM World (based in London) really put in a lot of effort in organizing it and making sure it happens. Impressed with what they can do, the logistics, video crew and even placing an advertising with my name in Straits Time Classified Ads.

Can’t wait for message #4! This is even a greater scale than the Nokia E75: Teach A Technophobe which I took part last year!

Enjoy the photos that I have taken so far for #NokiaBox.

Was finding a suitable replacement for my Creative EP-630i Stereo Headset. I considered Ultimate Ears SuperFi 5vi (SGD$299), Bose In-Ear Headphones (SGD$179) and Klipsch Image S4i (SGD$169) but eventually settled for the Klipsch Image S4i because it was recommended by my colleagues and it fits my budget. I like the 3-button remote control that comes with it and it works well on my iPhone 4.

Heard from my colleagues and surfing Hardware Zone forms that this quite difficult to find it in stores. So I stumbled upon Treoo and Bluetin that sells the Klipsch Image S4i. I eventually chose Treoo because it is cheaper and it doesn’t charge me extra for paying with my PayPal.

As it was my first time buying from them, I was kinda impatient and email them the following day after I ordered as my order status page is still being stuck in processing. The support is great, got back to me within a few hours on the same day.

I paid SGD$152.10 for it as they are having a promotion, now there are back to SGD$169. I also paid an additional SGD$3 for registered mail and it was shipped on Friday and I received it yesterday as SingPost is closed during the weekends.

When I open the package I was surprise to find it being bubble wrapped, thumbs up for the effort!

Bubble Wrap

Front View

Back View

Contents

Klipsch Image S4i

3-Button Remote

With My iPhone 4

Took part in a Nokia contest organised by WOM World which involves blogger from London, New York, India and Singapore. I have no idea what is it at the moment. The only clue I get is 2 messages. All will be unfold next week! Keeping my fingers cross, hope I can win a Nokia N8!

Message #1

Classified Ads

Published on the Straits Time Classified Ads Page 2 on 11th August 2010.

Message #2

Nokia Box

SanDisk 2GB Thumbdrive

Delivered directly from London by DHL and I received it today, 13th August 2010. In the box is a thumbdrive containing this video:

PS: They got my Twitter handle wrongly, it should be @gamerz not @game!

WOM World: #NokiaBox – What do you C?

I did not have a good first time encounter with Standard Chartered because they rejected my credit card application!! I am pretty sure it is not my salary but rather the number of months (about 6 months) I have work since I graduated. But nevertheless, I re-applied last week again and hopefully this time it will get approved.

Signage

I was invited to the Standard Chartered Breeze Bloggers Meet organised by Qais Consulting. The event was held at Boathouse Fullerton. I was there early as usual about 1 hour early and most of the staff from SCB are already there and the reception table has been set up.

Microsoft Arc Mouse

The door gift is extremely generous, the most generous I have ever received. It is a Microsoft Arc Mouse!

Jack

Jack, the magician, was there to entertain us before the event starts and it was the first time I am seeing a close up magic and I was totally amazed!

Menu

Main Course

You may be wondering what is Breeze, here is the text from the official website:

Breeze is a whole new way of banking that lets you manage your money like never before. Enjoy the flexibility of customising how you see, move and keep track of your money. That’s right – we put you back in control of your bank account! Best of all, we do it in a language that you can understand.

The focus of the event was Breeze for the desktop’s browser. Breeze on iPhone has been available for a few weeks in the Apple’s App Store and an iPad version is coming soon.

This is the first time I have seen Breeze in action, I have not tried Breeze on iPhone before that as I do not have an SCB account. But I will definitely get one savings account soon after seeing Breeze.

Breeze for the desktop’s browser is like iBanking 2.0. It is built using Adobe Flex and hence the whole site is in Flash. I have not seen much changes to the iBanking website of OCBC or POSB/DBS ever since I started using iBanking. Upon seeing Breeze, I think the local banks have a lot of catching up to do with regards to iBanking.

Here is a demo of it in action:

Breeze allows you to have:

• a calendar view of your transactions by week or by month
• eStatements which they will keep for 12 months
• the ability to send bank cheques
• pay bills and that includes credit card bills from other banks! No more queuing up at AXS!
• wishlist that provide you with a virtual saving plan. This is a pretty unique feature.
• reminders for payment. SMS reminder is in the pipeline, but for now, it will only remind you if you login to Breeze.

The only downside of Breeze is that you can’t print certain pages and copy certain text as the site is in Flash.

You can check out Standard Chartered Breeze’s YouTube Channel for more videos. I am trying to obtain some screen capture of Breeze so that you can see the UI clearer. I will update this post when I got the screenshots.

I Have/I Own

Calendar View

Payment History

Did You Know

• Breeze lays claim to the world’s first iPhone bank cheque service.
• SCB is the first bank in Singapore to let you pay any bank’s credit card bill online
• Breeze brings you access to over 300 billing organizations
• Social media constitutes a major part of the bank’s efforts to promote Breeze
• Standard Chartered was behind the “Breeze of Magic” YouTube video shot at the M1′s iPhone 4 launch

More Photos

You can check out Kevin Lim’s photos from the event as well.