MacRyu – The Worst Mac Blog in Singapore, and Some Say the World

Stephen Colbert has an iPad…. Two months before everyone else!

Posted February 1st, 2010 by Ryu at 10:00 am in iPad. Comments

*Video sourced from Engadget*

This is just so freaking unfair.

The Apple iPad in Singapore? When and Where?

Posted January 29th, 2010 by Ryu at 5:19 am in Singapore and iPad. Comments

So yeah, the world finally has their God Tablet – the Apple iPad.

Most of the general predictions about a March shipping date are not exactly wrong, for the WIFI-only versions will ship in March, while the WIFI+3G versions, will sadly only be available from April.

Steve Jobs, during the keynote mentioned that their mobile data deals with international carriers will only be done in the June-July timeframe, which made many hearts skipped a beat when people outside the States thought they will only have their iPad earliest 6 months later.

Thankfully, that is definitely not the case.

While many have claimed that the 3G version of the iPad will be “locked” in a different sense due to the limited numbers of carriers who offer Micro SIMs (zilch in Singapore, in fact), but as a simple google search will show, the Micro SIM isn’t that different from a normal 3G GSM SIM. Desperados will easily be able to cut their full size 3G SIM to fit into a Micro SIM slot and have the SIM card work. Besides, I am almost very sure that the telcos will be ready with Micro SIMs and iPad data plans when the iPads are actually here. (Edit: Singtel PR has “no comments” about the future availability of Micro SIMs and iPad data plans)

Which brings us to another question – who will be selling the iPads? Will it be the Mac resellers, or the telcos?

Face it. We all hate the telcos. If the telcos could, they would squeeze us dry of every dollar and cent, for using very very very very little resources. Telcos are built this way. Singtel demostrated that with their iPhone sales, and only relented on their nonsensical pricing when M1 and Starhub came into the picture.

So when the good news that AT&T won’t be selling the 3G versions of the iPad with contracts, it is almost pretty clear that the same policy will applied to most of the developed world (can’t say the same for stupid Japan, which has a draconian policy for their mobile network management). My guess is that the telcos will be willing to sell you an iPad subsidized if you sign a mobile data contract with them, much like their infrequent MacBook deals where you get a free MacBook for every 3 year contract you sign with Singtel Broadband.

The Mac resellers, however, should still be the ones ultimately selling the iPads. This will also ensure a standard pricing of the device, unlike in the case of the iPhones where the telcos can price the iPhones to their liking.

However, It would not surprise me if the 3G versions are only available at Apple Premium Resellers though, something that will piss the hell out of my friend who works at probably the best non-APR Mac reseller shop in Singapore. After all, just look at the Apple resellers where you can find the iPhones. MI(Multimedia Integrated), Epicenter, etc. Need I say more?

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Apple Tablet March Launch with only 500k pieces to be produced per month

Posted January 27th, 2010 by Ryu at 11:21 pm in Rumors. Comments

As above. Latest tipoff. Expect shortages.

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Apple’s long-awaited Tablet (iSlate?) Event will be held on 27th Jan 2010

Posted January 19th, 2010 by Ryu at 2:08 am in Events. Comments

Which is 28th Jan 2010 early morning here.

Screenshot taken from Engadget, and you can read more about it here.

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Apple tablet/device (iSlate?) will reach consumers’ hands in late Feb

Posted January 18th, 2010 by Ryu at 12:17 am in Rumors. Comments

According to a source with one of the key suppliers of components for the Apple tablet/device, there will be enough units produced by late Feb that Apple might start fulfilling the earliest orders by late Feb. However, most consumers should only expect to get their hands on one earliest in March.

This falls in line with some of the other rumors we have been hearing so far, personally I will place my bet on this one.

Will you buy one if it is not released immediately after the (alleged) keynote on 26th Jan 2010?

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Singtel announces upgrade iFlexi plans with 12GB data bundle and 30 dollars data cap

Posted December 9th, 2009 by Ryu at 9:59 am in iPhone. Comments

As above! Fresh from the oven. ^_^

Now Singtel seems to have the best deal. Again.

Time to ditch the iOne+BBoM bundle plan.

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M1 and Starhub Price Plans

Posted December 7th, 2009 by Ryu at 2:16 pm in iPhone. Comments

iPhone is coming to M1 and Starhub from this coming Wednesday, 9th Dec 2009!

Prices are way better than Singtel’s, so those of you still waiting for a good deal it’s finally here! M1 stands out with better pricing for both the phones and the plans, plus a generous 10GB data bundle as compared to Starhub’s 1GB bundle. Both telcos also have data caps at $36 dollars and $48 dollars respectively.

M1 is definitely the better deal here, unless you already have an existing contract with Starhub (like poor me).

Here are the respectively links to the price plans: M1 and Starhub.

Edit: Someone posted a link to a Google Spreadsheet comparing all price plans of 3 telcos. Here’s it.

Edit Again: RT @mrbrown: iPhone Wars: Starhub just upped their data plans from 1GB to 12GB to beat M1’s 10GB.

P.S. MacRyu.com is not dead. I’m just busy. ^_^ Will be back with new posts in early 2010.

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Macworld “What’s ‘64-bit’ in Snow Leopard?”

Posted August 20th, 2009 by Ryu at 10:09 am in Snow Leopard. Comments

Finally, an article that makes sense and addresses the nonsensical complaints from freaking idiots that “Snow Leopard isn’t 64-bit because it doesn’t run the 64-bit kernel”.

http://www.macworld.com/article/142379/2009/08/snow_leopard_64_bit.html?lsrc=rss_weblogs_macuser

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Product Review: Targus USB Hub for Mac “(Why I think) Targus believes that Mac users are suckers for anything made from White Plastic”

Posted August 19th, 2009 by Ryu at 1:16 pm in Product Reviews.

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Let me say this once and for all – USB hubs are generic devices. There are only two different types of USB Hubs, powered and unpowered. And the only difference between them is the inclusion of a power adapter, resulting in a higher price for the powered ones. The Targus USB Hub is obviously a portable type unpowered USB hub, so I’m not going to talk about the more-than-four-ports-and-powered hubs.

Let’s start with the price. On their official site it’s listed as 29.99USD, which translates to about 45SGD.

It looks like this.

It’s slightly bulky, is white. Looks portable. Sort of. Relatively simple design. Angles slightly the 4 ports so that bigger connectors MIGHT fit.

Now for my review.

Targus has on their website this following line;

“Stylish – This USB hub is designed explicitly for Mac users, with form and function to meet your needs and match your lifestyle.”

Really? How does the white plastic and the wraparound cable reflect a Mac user’s lifestyle? I don’t ever remember Mac users being the only people who will like all their accessories to be white, or require a wraparound cable in their USB hub?

What Targus seems to be saying here is this; “Mac users are suckers who will buy anything that’s made from white plastic, even if it’s priced way higher than everything else.” and thus charges a premium for something that does not offer additional value.

I could at least understand if Targus’ other non-Mac specific USB hubs are similarly priced, but no. They have a much smaller and portable USB hub that’s priced around 16SGD(price in Challenger). Better portability, same number of ports. What reason do they have to charge 3 times that amount for their USB Hub for Mac? FUCKING WHITE PLASTIC.

Maybe I can play devil’s advocate for a while. Maybe Targus truly believes that all Mac users should have a unique style, and should only be seen outside working on a MacBook Pro ladled with white accessories. Maybe Targus believes that Mac users will look cool doing that. Maybe Targus thinks that a Starbucks filled with humans wearing black turtlenecks and typing on a MacBook connected to dozens of white plastic accessories will be a superb scene. Maybe Targus thinks that Mac users are lemmings.

What do you think?

Even if they were going for the Apple white look, what many macs have white parts on them in the current Apple lineup? 2. Since last december only the old MacBook and the Mac Mini. And I believe their whole Targus for Mac range came out late last year or early this year. Maybe they should redesign their products to have the aluminum look.

Even then, no pass.

I won’t cough up the cash for one.

Verdict? Buy it if you are a sucker for white plastic accessories.

P.S. I don’t feel the same way about some of the other Targus for Mac accessories though. Will review some of them soon.

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MacNUS App Reviews Series No. 1 – iGV

Posted August 18th, 2009 by Ryu at 2:59 pm in iPhone App Reviews. Comments

I will be starting a iPhone/iPod Touch app review series with this post. Thought of doing this since a very very long time ago, but never really managed to kick myself in the back enough for me to actually sit up and type something.

So there are way too many iPhone/iPod Touch app review sites out there. How will mine be different?

Simple. My reviews for apps will be short, and hopefully, straight to the point. They will also be mostly about local(Singapore-based) apps. If the app is good it’s good. If it sucks I will say so and not try to be “political” like other sites where they come up with a “pros” and “cons” thingy when it’s freaking obvious that the app sucks and has no “pros” at all.

So here goes.

FIrst app of the series is iGV. I’ve been keeping this on my iPhone for a very long time, and finally decided to delete it totally recently.

This app sucks big time. It might have gathered quite a bit of response and popularity at its launch for being one of the first apps to service the local cinema goers, but it’s far from being useful.

Bad Points?

1. The online ticket reservation feature doesn’t work the 10 times I’ve tried it. (crashes)

2. The app itself is slow, requires way too much ram to work. 8 out of 10 times I tried launching it it quits because there’s not enough ram.

This is nonsensical coming from an app that serves nothing much more than as a short movie review/cinema showtimes app.

Golden Village should either hire someone else, or stop bothering. FlickTouch Gold is a much better app for my local movie needs.

Verdict? Avoid crap.

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