Got the Sapido MB-1132 for NT$1,790 (~SGD$76.83). Thanks to my relative, Andy, who got it from Guang Hua Digital Plaza in Taiwan when he was there to attend Computex 2011.

The Sapido MB-1132 was recommended by Justin Lee and I was impressed by what it can do. In a nutshell, it can:

• Charge your USB devices
• Act as a router by plugging in a LAN cable with Internet connectivity to create a Wi-Fi hotspot
• Connect your iPhone/Android phone to it or even a 3G USB Dongle and it can create a Wi-Fi hotspot
• Re-broadcast Wi-Fi (eg: if you paid for Wi-Fi, login to the paid service using MB-1132 and re-broadcast your own Wi-Fi it so others can use it for free)
• Compact & lightweight, good for travelling

There is also a similar model called Sapido MB-1112 (N+ Mobile 3.75G Modem Router). It is identical to the Sapido MB-1132 except that the Sapido MB-1112 does not allow Internet sharing via iPhone/Android/3G Dongle. You have to put in a 3G SIM card in order to create a Wi-Fi hotspot.

I have not seen these devices at any computer stores yet (have not check Sim Lim Square), but checking their website, they do have an office in Singapore:

SAPIDO Singapore (Vasss Pte Ltd)
www.sapido.com.sg
9010, Tampines Street 93, #02-79, Singapore 528844
Tel: + 6789 8310 / 3131 9038
Fax: + 6788 3213

Box Front

Box Back

MB-1132 Front

MB-1132 Bottom

Didn’t know about this. This news was way back in March 2011.

nightsbridge, the distinctive four-storey retail podium along Singapore’s premier shopping belt is now fully leased with iconic American brand Abercrombie & Fitch taking up the prime corner unit.

Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) takes the first step into South East Asia and second in Asia after its’ foray into Japan in 2009 by opening a store at one of the most prominent shopping districts in the Asia and Singapore’s most pulsating shopping district – Orchard Road. Knightsbridge is a novel retail concept integrated within Singapore’s most fashionable hotel, Grand Park Orchard.

A&F’s flagship store in Singapore will command a space of approximately 21,000 square feet that spans over four-storeys. The store is slated to open for its Autum/Winter collection in the second half of 2011.

Abercrombie & Fitch, an Ohio-based Casual Luxury themed brand, promises to deliver the same ‘all-American’ experience – including the young, fun and good-looking ‘store models’ and the same merchandise that is found at its any other flagship stores around the world, reflecting their brand’s heritage, youth and sex appeal with a unique emphasis on quality and store experience.

“We think that South East Asia represents a great opportunity for the brand and Singapore makes a great fit,” said an A&F spokesperson. “Our launch in Singapore is answering an established enthusiasm for A&F, and giving our fan-base a place to go and live the brand.”

Abercrombie & Fitch, originally founded in 1892 as a store for sporting, hunting and outdoor gear, is known for its prominent customers in the past like Theodore Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway.

In their recent announcements, A&F revealed that they will be opening a total of six A&F flagships this year, which includes previously announced Paris and Madrid openings, as well as latest openings which will include Dusseldorf, Brussels, Dublin and Singapore – the only Asian city among the list.

“For Orchard Road to continue to be the premier shopping destination for locals and tourists, we need more interesting and iconic retail concepts and brands such as A&F to set foot in Singapore. The opening of the A&F flagship at Knightsbridge in Orchard Road will increase the vibrancy and quality of shopping experience in Singapore,” said Mr Allen Law, Director of Park Hotel Group.

Source: Abercrombie & Fitch Flagship Store In Singapore

The Promise (@wepromiseyou) is an AWESOME creative marketing campaign by PayPal. It is so personalized and targeted to individual bloggers.

The Promise (#promisekept) features four boys (Eugene, Nicholas, Erik and Josh) who are ordinary Singaporeans from different walks of life. They have banded together to create more awareness about issues that are close to their heart, one of which is online shopping. If you want to know more about the four boys, do check out their profiles and music videos on The Promise website at http://www.wepromiseyou.com/.

The video that they did for me is regarding my search for SwitchEasy CoverBuddy not long after iPad 2 is released in Singapore. I must say the video is very well done. Funniest moment is the comic strip where it says “Mother says: Always Take Good Care Of Your Things” LOL.

Do check out the other 20 videos by The Promise as well featuring other bloggers from Singapore as well as Malaysia.

Official Site: The Promise
Twitter: @wepromiseyou

On the night of the PC Show 2011, my brother called me and said the D-Link DGS-1008D (which I got back in IT Show 2009) switch in my room is spoilt and there is no power being supplied to it. Went back home, tested and verified that it is the case.

Went down the next day to PC Show 2011 again and got back the same switch, D-Link DGS-1008D switch, for SGD$85. I was expecting them to change the model number since it is totally a new design, but unfortunately it remains the same. This time I got 2 pieces instead of just 1 as I will be placing the additional switch in the living room to facilitate the switch to Fibre Internet.

Box Front View

8 Ports

Switch In My Room

Switch In The Living Room

My cable Internet contract is expiring and I will be switching over to Fibre Internet before 24th August 2011. As I do not have a Fibre Termination Point (TP) in my room, I can’t place the gateway in my room and hence I have to move it to the living room where the TP is located. In order to facilitate the move to Fibre Internet, I got the Belkin Home Series 4-Socket Surge Protector for SGD$25 from the PC Show 2011.

I am a strong believer of surge protection after my previous cable modem got fried. All my 24/7 switched-on devices like my modem, switches, router and NAS goes though Belkin Surge Protector. Since there are only 4 sockets (which is just nice for me) to fit 1x Switch, 1x Router, 1x Home Gateway and 1x NAS.

Box Front View

4-Socket Surge Protector

Fitting Into My Bluelounge Cable Box