Was invited to the Sony Walkman Z Series Launch held at Helipad yesterday. The first product to be launched under the new Walkman Z Series is the Sony Walkman Digital Media Players Z1050 (microsite).

For a music player, the Sony Walkman Z1050 packed some solid specifications:

• Nvidia Tegra 2 1GHz (Dual Core)
• 512MB RAM
• 4.3″, TFT color display with white LED-backlight, WQVGA(800 x 480 Pixels)
• Built-in FM Tuner
• 16GB Storage Capacity
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, WiFi IEEE 802.11b/g/n
• GPS/Accelerometer/Magnetometer
• HDMI Micro/3.5mm Audio Jack/Proprietary Connector (WM-Port)
• Android Version 2.3 (Gingerbread) Operating System
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 70.9 x 134.4 x 11.1 (mm)
• Weight: 156g
• Battery Life (Music): 20 Hours
• Battery Life (Video): 5 Hours

It can be considered an Android Phone without the phone and camera functionality. Yeap, you read it right, there is no camera in the Sony Walkman Z1050 which is perfect for National Service (NS) people as well as military related organisations.

Despite it comes with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), it will be upgradable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) later this year.

The main selling point of the Sony Walkman Z1050 is of course the audio quality. First up is the new S-Master MX digital amplifier which is a unique technology by Sony that reduces noise levels and distortion to enhance your music. There are another 3 audio technologies (Clear Bass, Clear Stereo and Digital Sound Enchantment Engine (DSEE)) that improves the audio quality. With the Sony Walkman Z1050, you also get a pair of EX headphones (Engadget’s comment mentioned it might be the EX300).

The xLOUD speaker system within the device produces pretty clear and loud sound when playing audio files, but when it comes to video, the audio from the video playback was very soft.

The Sony Walkman Z1050 supports Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), you can simply stream your music, videos and photos to any DLNA-compatible TVs, PCs or home audio system.

There are 2 downsides of the Sony Walkman Z1050. The first is the price, it will be retailing for SGD$429 which is incredibly steep. Apple iPod Touch (32GB) (current generation) is only retailing for SGD$428.

I seriously have no idea how Sony is going to market this. The only selling point to justify the steep price is the sound quality. I am not an audiophile person, but my fellow tech bloggers told me that the audio quality is pretty good, definitely better than Apple iPod Touch.

The second downside is the use of proprietary connector for syncing and charging? Seriously? The proprietary port is also known as the Walkman Port (WM-Port). It is a USB 2.0 compliant 22-pin connector which is used for syncing and charging the device. The package does include a USB to WM-Port cable (duh), but I just don’t understand why can’t they use Micro USB.

Sony Walkman Z1050

Sony Walkman Z1050 – Micro HDMI, Dedicated Music Button, Volume Buttons

Sony Walkman Z1050 – 3.5mm Audio Jack, Proprietary Connector (WM-Port)

Sony Walkman Z1050 – xLOUD

Sony Walkman Z1050 – Cover Art

Sony Walkman Z1050 – Visualizer

Sony Walkman Z1050 – Equalizer

I was invited to the blogger event for the launch of ESET NOD32 Antivirus 5 & ESET Smart Security 5 last week at Screening Room.

I am a huge fan of ESET NOD32 and have been using it since v2. All my computers and even my mom’s office computers are protected by NOD32. It is fast, real fast and does not take up much disk space at all because of the use of assembly language in the products.

Other competitors started with a bloated antivirus software and try to un-bloat it because these days no one wants a bloated antivirus software to bog down their computer while ESET starts off with a lightweight antivirus. This give ESET a significant competitive advantage.

The CTO of ESET, Pavol Luka, was there as well. He was working for ESET since the 1990s before he entered university. He left ESET to pursue his education and joined back again upon graduation. He does coding and did some coding for NOD32 Antivirus v2. So he know his stuff well!

Pavol Luka (ESET CTO) and I

If you are wondering how the company got its name ESET, it is named after an Egyptian goddess, Isis.

NOD32 got its name from a TV medical drama series in Czechoslovakia back in 1977, titled, Nemocnica na Okraji Disku (Hospital at the End of the City) and 32 means 32-bit which they release it back in 2003 for Windows (before that it was just named NOD for MS-DOS).

ESET Smart Security 5 and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 5 offer various new and improved features including:

• ESET Live Grid, cloud-based reputation and protection technology
• New Removable Media Control, with more granular control of external devices
• Parental Control (ESET Smart Security 5 only)
• Advanced Host-based Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS)
• Gamer Mode

ESET Smart Security 5 Box

ESET Smart Security 5 Box Contents

Another reason why I am using NOD32 AntiVirus for my mom’s office because the prices are very reasonable.

The prices of ESET NOD32 Antivirus 5 & Smart Security 5 are as follows:
ESET NOD32 Antivirus 5

• 1 User, 1 Year- SGD$29
• 1 User, 2 Years – SGD$45
• 3 Users, 1 Year – SGD$49
• 3 Users, 2 Years – SGD$75

ESET Smart Security 5

• 1 User, 1 Year- SGD$39
• 1 User, 2 Years – SGD$59
• 3 Users, 1 Year – SGD$59
• 3 Users, 2 Years – SGD$89

You can get 1 user (for 1 or 2 years) and 3 users (for 1 or 2 years) off the shelves at most computer stores, but if you need more customization like 5 users for 2 years, you need to get them from the distributor which is Version 2 in Singapore via their online store.

Official Sites

• ESET
• ESET NO32
• ESET Smart Security
• ESET Online Store

mig33 is about to unveil a new Developer program for developers and brands that want to build social games and apps for her 50 million registered users and thriving virtual economy.

mig33 Developer Program Launch

About mig33 Developer Program

The Developer Program is a joint initiative by our company, and also both East Asian social networking services: Japan’s GREE and China’s Tencent QQ, valued at USD$2.5 billion and $43 billion.

The launching event will be attended by our CEO and co-founder Steven Goh; our Vice President of Business Development Chris Chandler; and Director, Head of International Alliance Division at GREE Daisuke Kobayashi.

Developers and partners alike will gain a better insight into our basic technical architecture, the Developer Program, and the opportunities made available by our partnership with GREE.

Developer Program Launch

Date: 20th July 2011
Venue: Chijmes Hall, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore
Time: 5pm – 8pm

If you are a developer or have interest in apps whether it is business or development related, feel free to drop by.

You can RSVP over at Flickevents.

Looking forward to seeing you guys there!

PS: The Javascript code in the image above is real, try it out and see what is the output. It is written by my senior Software Engineer Timothee.

Copy and paste the code below in Firebug or Chrome Developer Tools:

n=17260027;s='';do{s+=String.fromCharCode((n&63)+50)}while(n>>>=6);s;

This is the 3rd time SingTel has launch an iPhone, the first being the iPhone 3G and second being the iPhone 3GS. They got it right this time!

The location was at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre (Hall F) instead of the the usual SingTel Comcenter. As this is a proper convention center, the space is huge and it is fully air-conditioned. This time round, it is strictly by appointment basis and no walked in is allowed. They are a few “layers” of security to make sure that happens. Even if your appointment is at 3am but you came at 11pm, they will make you queue up under the 3am queue. As long as people followed by their appointment timing, things will be smooth.

Left is 12am Queue. Right is 3am Queue

I reached there about 9.30pm and the queue was not that long which is a good sign. At 10pm they are let into the hall to process the necessary paper work. Once that is done, they will get a queue number and they are free to roam around the hall (including going to the toilet) while listening to the DJ’s music and live performance by a local band named, 53A. Glenn Ong was the host this year, he has been hosting all 3 iPhone launches. He saw me playing with my iPad and when I let him played with it, he is convinced that he is going to get one!

Trade-in Booths

Liftstyle App Booth

There are small booths around the hall ranging from displaying SingTel’s exclusive localized mobile applications to iPhone 4 accessories and even trade-in booths. All these are done before the midnight launch of the iPhone 4. So when the clock strikes 12, all you have to do is wait for your queue number to be called, get your iPhone 4 and pay it!

Counters

There are a total of 80 counters there this year which is much more than previous iPhone launches. Once the clock strikes midnight, the black curtain covering all the 80 counters were lifted! It was a pleasant surprise as I expected it to be some iPhone 4 display!

Technically it should not take you more than 1 hour from queuing to walking out with your iPhone 4 in your hands. I hope SingTel will keep to the same arrangement when iPhone 5 is launched next year.

1st 10 Customers Who Queue For The 1am Slow

Instead of the 1st three who will get coverage from the press, this time round it will be the 1st ten customers.

The 2 major complains I have is that the music is way too loud, it makes it difficult for the Customer Service Officer (CSO) to listen to what their customers are saying and also the light should be brighter as I heard some mid-aged people complaining the light is too dim for them to see clearly.

<rant>Marina Bay Sands is not drivers friendly as the parking charges are way too expensive. SGD$8/hour and capped at SGD$24/day. I have to park at Marina Square which is only SGD$2.14 per entry and walked all the way to Marina Bay Sands and back which adds up to like 6KM in total. To those people taking MRT, the nearest MRT is either Marina Bay or City Hall and the walking distance from the MRT stations are equally far! Maybe next time the location can be changed to Suntec City or even Singapore Expo!</rant>

Bloggers

More Photos

Videos

For more videos, check out the official SingTel iPhone Team YouTube channel.

Here is the official word from SingTel on what to expect from the launch of iPhone 4 tonight and over the weekends:

SingTel has chosen a new and bigger venue to launch the new iPhone 4 this year at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre. We are selling the phones at a centralised location so that all customers with appointments can buy their phones from one place conveniently. The larger venue also allows customers to be entertained by interactive demo zones where they can access and learn about SingTel’s latest mobile apps ranging from navigation to shopping apps. Customers can also enjoy food and beverages, plus song and dance performances.

To provide customers with a convenient and great iPhone 4 shopping experience, SingTel is using an appointment system. Customers chose from 13 time slots spread over 2 days (30 and 31 July) to purchase their iPhone 4. This provides an overall faster transaction time in a conducive shopping environment, better crowd control and also minimizes queuing time. The timeslots start from 12am – 9pm (30 July) and 11am – 9pm (31 July).

Customers will only be served based on their pre-appointed timeslots and are advised to arrive within that window period to avoid extended queuing time. As stocks are very limited, we regret that we are unable to accept any walk-in customers.

Customers can visit the SingTel iPhone 4 bulletin board http://www.singtel.com/iphone4 for more updates.

We thank our customers for their support and understanding.

See you all there at Marina Bay Sands tonight!