#SCREAM14 - StarHub Community Advocates Event 2014

October 24, 2014, 3:06 am

≫ Next: Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless Earbuds Review

≪ Previous: Buying A New Digital Piano: Yamaha P-255

Last night, I was invited to the StarHub Community Reunion Event for Advocates and Members - SCREAM for short. The annual event was held this year at MINT (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) the Museum of Toys. The entire collection belongs to Mr Chang Yang Fa, a Singapore citizen.

There are so many items there, you could easily have spent the whole day just looking and appreciating them. The curator, Richard, mentioned that most of these toys are mint and untouched, and only represents less than 10% of the owner's entire collection!

To the new generation kids, the toys may look ugly and dull. But to the older generations, these toys bring out the best of our play imagination and the craftsmanship of the makers.

During the event, I met Grace Tan, an award-winning blogger who publishes a book "Blogging for a Living" and conducts blogging workshops. She is approachable and humble considering her achievements in Singapore blogosphere.

The evening was filled with activities and game prizes to be won. In addition, we were given an exclusive preview of the redesigned website, and had the opportunity to give our comments and suggestions.

Many members, including myself, received an unexpected award for our contributions to the Community. It feels great to be recognised for the efforts put in. But as Grace aptly described, we're all just having fun doing what we love to do!

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Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless Earbuds Review

October 29, 2014, 5:47 pm

≫ Next: Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro: Hands-On Review For A Week

≪ Previous: #SCREAM14 - StarHub Community Advocates Event 2014

I have been reviewing Jabra products closely over the past years, so I have first hand experience on how their music products have evolved. As an audio lover, I find the earlier Jabra headsets are not that good for music enjoyment. This changed in 2012 when Jabra introduced the music-series headsets, bringing decades of experience of designing comfortable and reliable mono headsets into the new product lines.

I am excited to be one of the firsts in Singapore to receive and review the new Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless earbuds.

Pulse Monitor

With the popularity of wearable devices integrated with fitness and health monitoring functions, Jabra caught up with the trend in its own way. The Sport Pulse is the first music earbuds with built-in biometric heart rate monitor, tested to be up to 98% accurate against medical ECG machine. For music lovers working on a exercise regiment, this product eliminates the need for separate HRM equipment attached to your body.

To utilise the heart rate monitor feature, Jabra provides the free Sport Life app for Android and iOS. It displays the battery life, real-time heart rate, and lets you set your workout zone, training goal and offers real-time audio coaching. For instance, if you set running pace (e.g. 7 minutes per km) as your goal, the app will monitor and advise if you are too slow or too fast. If you set distance (e.g. 5km) as your goal, the app will announce the distance covered at intervals. You could also get on-demand voice updates by pressing the button on the left ear, or disable the voice updates if you find it distracting. The same button can also control the start-stop of the Sport Life monitoring.

The Sport Life app can give you an insight into your aerobic level with VO2 Max, resting heart rate, and help you balance the risk of overtraining with an Orthostatic heart rate test. The heart rate monitor module is currently certified to work with Endomondo, Runkeeper, Strava, MapMyFitness (according to website FAQ). I also tried with Runtastic and it recognises the Sport Pulse as HRM. For other apps, try to see if you can add the Pulse Smart as heart rate monitor. The Sport Life app only supports exporting of data but not import.

Apart from the heart rate monitor, I really like the Sport Pulse for the following reasons:
1. It does not look like a sports headset - great for use in any occasions.
2. It fits great, and the earwings don't drop off compared to Rox Wireless.
3. Good audio dynamics, with bass bias yet sufficient treble clarity and soundstaging.

Design and Fit

The Sport Pulse does not look like a sports headset, which means I could also use it for normal occasions.

The Sport Pulse design might look unusual, with an additional bulge below the speakers. This odd bulge actually sits comfortably against your ear walls and not noticeable when worn. On the left earbud, the bulge contains the heart rate monitor while the right earbud hides the micro USB connector. The silicone ear wings wrap the bulge, protecting the heart rate monitor and the USB connector.

The Sport Pulse is sweat-proof, storm-proof, and comes with various sizes for the ear wings and ear gels. They feel really comfortable and stay on my ears throughout my workout. Unlike the Rox Wireless, the Sport Pulse ear wings do not fall off as easily. Thumbs up for that!

Audio Quality

As a music lover, I have my demands for good audio reproduction across the audio spectrum. The Sport Pulse meets my demands. In fact, I love the audio enough to sell my Jabra Rox Wireless in favour of this new headset. Actually, the Rox produces more brilliant treble, while the Sport Pulse delivers better bass response. Though the treble is slightly veiled, it still retains the high-fidelity presented over a more spacious soundstage. Most importantly, the Sport Pulse wears more comfortably than Rox.

Multi-Device Pairing

Just like every Jabra premium audio product, the Sport Pulse supports pairing of up to 8 devices and supports 2 active connections at the same time where it auto switches between the devices when audio is detected. Like the Rox Wireless, it sometimes take a while to get the Bluetooth audio streamed from the smartphone.

Firmware Updates

I like that the official Jabra website displays important product updates prominently. A few weeks back, they advised on the Bluetooth settings display difference between iOS 7 and iOS 8. This round, they informed about new headset firmware available for download. Updating is easy: just plug the earphones via USB to the PC, run the downloaded software, and it will upload the new firmware within minutes. Current version: 3.8.0

Battery Life

The major drawback of this amazing headset is the battery life - just a humble 4.5 hours. But unless you really need to use the headset for 4.5 hours straight (for instance, during a marathon run, or a plane flight, or a coach ride), most of us urban dwellers should be able to find the next power source to charge before the battery goes flat. Having a shorter battery life means I can charge more frequently and get full charge in a shorter time. You can check the remaining battery life either on the Sport Life app or by pressing the volume button when the headset is idle.

When leaving it connected to the smartphone without music streaming, the headset can last for days, and will auto shut off if no devices are connected.

Conclusion: Jabra Gets Better

I wasn't expecting Jabra to pay much attention to the audio quality when they announced another sports-centric earbuds. I was so wrong. There is no more compromises between function and quality, and there is no need to buy multiple earphones for different purposes. The Sport Pulse is a fantastic headset for fitness and equally enjoyable for music listening. If you love to work out and has a ear for great audio feel, this headset will inspire you to work hard with adrenaline-pumping hi-fi sounds. If you don't really need the HRM feature, then I still recommend the Rox Wireless (which I have sold off in favour of Sport Pulse) for better audio and price value.

Specs

Wireless earbuds with Dolby sound enhancement
Biometric in-ear heart rate monitor (HRM)
Jabra Sport Life App for integrated training management

Rockport test: measures your VO2 max or aerobic capacity
Orthostatic heart rate test: assesses your training state to avert overtraining
Resting heart rate test: shows your fitness level and cardiovascular health

Control music and calls directly from inline
Driver: 6 mm
Sensitivity: 94 dB SPL with 1mW at 1KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Frequency: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
IP55 Certified, drop, strength, dirt, temperature and humidity tested
NFC for easy pairing
Battery: Up to 4.5 hours talk/music time, and up to 10 days standby time
Accessories: 4 sets of eargels, 4 sets of earwings, USB cable, fitclips
Weight: 16g

The Jabra Sport Pulse is available at all good electronic stores (Challenger, Apple Resellers, Stereo Electronics, Harvey Norman, etc.) in Singapore and at Jabra online store. Recommended retail price: S$298.

Reviewed by Chester Tan
Rating: 4.4 of 5

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Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro: Hands-On Review For A Week

November 10, 2014, 3:48 pm

≫ Next: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Review: Small and Powerful

≪ Previous: Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless Earbuds Review

The Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro officially announced its availability in Singapore on 30 Oct 2014. A few days later, I was provided with a unit to review the product first-hand and share my experience.

The new Yoga 3 Pro has generated a lot of interest, being the first consumer product sold with the latest Intel Core M Broadwell chip. In addition, Lenovo is the pioneer in designing a convertible laptop that folds 360-degrees, a concept which was initially met with skepticism by consumers but soon copied by other manufacturers. With the latest Yoga generation, Lenovo is once again at the forefront of innovating this multimode design.

Yoga 3 Pro Review Unit Specs

Processor: Intel dual-core Core M-70 (5Y70) 1.1GHz (2.6GHz with Turbo boost)
Graphics: integrated, Intel HD Graphics 5300
Memory: 8GB DDR3L RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD
OS: Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
Display: 13.3" QHD+ 3200x1800 touchscreen
Ports: 2x USB3.0, 1x USB2.0, Micro HDMI, 4-in-1 Card Reader, Audio Combo Jack
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit LAN (no Ethernet port)
Audio: JBL stereo speakers
Camera: 720p
Weight: 1.19kg
Dimension: 300 x 228 x 12.88mm
Published Battery Life: 9 hrs

First Ultrabook Using Intel Core M Processor

The new Yoga 3 Pro is fitted with the latest Intel Core M (Broadwell) processor. It is a big deal because this processor can be run without a fan (although Yoga 3 Pro has one, just to keep things cooler), allowing computer makers to design thinner and lighter devices. It also runs at a much lower power (4.5W) compared to previous Intel chips, potentially making devices much more battery-efficient. Based on benchmark test using PassMark Performance Test, the Yoga 3 Pro achieves up to 1493 points.

Slimmest Yoga

With each new version, Lenovo Yoga series cuts the weight and thickness. The Yoga 3 Pro is probably the lightest and thinnest 13.3-inch laptop in the market, with much credit going to the new low-power mobile-friendly Intel Core M chip.

Watchband Hinge

The one feature that make the Yoga 3 Pro stand out is the unique watchband hinge, made up of over 800 individual components. This elaborate design provides a smooth step-less hinge support for the Yoga 3 Pro, ensuring the keyboard and display stays in place in whatever angle you adjust to. Interestingly, the hinge sparkles under basking light, further enhancing its visual appeal.

Here are some noteworthy features after going hands on for a week:

Weight

It is so light! It is so thin! This laptop can achieve what other laptops double the size and weight could.

Speed

The Yoga 3 Pro feels speedy. Cold boot and shut down is so fast, you don't even have time to take a sip of water. There was no uncomfortable lag when I open apps or tap an icon for action. I give credit to the massive 8GB RAM and the 256GB SSD. There was practically no sound coming out from the machine, except for a silent whirl when the processor kicks in during high CPU usage.

Battery Life

The Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro is not built for extensive media processing (music, photos, video), and more for mobile warriors who need to work on office productivity, like word processing, spreadsheets, presentation. With that in mind, the Yoga 3 Pro can achieve over 5 hours of usage for an average user, and past 7 hours if you select the Power Saver power plan and use the ultrabook sparingly. If you load the processor regularly, the Yoga 3 Pro can sustain up to around 3.5 hours. Putting it on standby doesn't drain the battery much, but if you don't use it over long periods of time, it's always better to shut it down, which takes less than 10 seconds anyway.

How good is the battery life? It all depends on your usage pattern, the brightness level of the LED screen, whether you set the Power Saver, whether you run apps that requires high CPU resources. But all I can say is that, I have never experienced such a reliable battery performance in such a slim and light computer. The Yoga 3 Pro is going to last you an entire day of office work and web browser surfing. It takes 3 hours to give a full charge, but just an hour's charge will bring the battery up to 50%.

Display and Resolution

Just like the Yoga 2 Pro, the Yoga 3 Pro has a 3200x1800 pixel QHD+ display. The touch screen is sensitive and responsive. The colour tone is skewed towards the warm side, looking natural without over-saturated. Images and text look sharp, viewing angles are excellent, without colour tone or contrast shifts.

However, the uncommon display resolution causes some font size inconsistency issues, as the Windows OS native display scaling is not compatible with all apps. So, some display text appears jaw-droppingly tiny, while menu icons could be impossibly small to select. Fingerprint smudges on the Gorilla glass panel are unavoidable.

Keyboard

The keyboard surface is laced with a dimple-pattern rubberized coating, which feels rather comfortable to rest on. The keyboard action distance is shorter than the usual Lenovo keyboard. But the mechanism is firm, responsive and the keys are sturdy and do not waver. And, it's backlit! Makes working in low light a breeze. The touchpad is sufficiently sized, equally responsive and smooth to the touch.

Lenovo has chosen to remove the dedicate Function keys, but you can still access them by pressing the combo "Fn" + number keys.

USB Port Charger

Lenovo has designed the charger port with standard USB connector. When not charging, you can use the connector as another USB port. The Lenovo charger uses a detachable but specially-designed USB cable, and the same charger can also be used to charge other USB devices as it outputs 2A current in either 20V (to charge the laptop) or 5.2V (to charge other mobile devices). However, I couldn't charge the laptop with other 2A 5V USB chargers.

Pre-installed Apps

Most consumers dislike bloatware, which slows down the devices. But I quite like the following Lenovo apps in the Yoga 3 Pro.

Lenovo Settings: dashboard to manage your ultrabook hardware. Use it to enable or disable camera, WiFi, monitor CPU temperature.

OneKey Optimizer (OKO): displays your remaining battery, cleans up memory and junk to improve performance.

Harmony: learns the apps you use to optimise system settings and suggests your commonly used apps against each mode. There isn't much customisation options for this app, and I don't see any critical benefits other than collecting usage information on each modes, telling me which modes I frequently use on my Yoga 3 Pro.

Phone Companion: connects to your smartphone wirelessly via Wi-Fi. From there, you can access your phone contents, call or text via the laptop. I didn't get it to work during my review period, but I think this feature has got good potential.

Among the other optional apps, I tried the Lenovo VeriFace Pro2, which is essentially a face recognition authentication tool to unlock the laptop. While it facilitates logging in at most times, the tool fails when there is insufficient lighting or when you disable the camera.

Sound Speakers

Yoga 3 Pro is fitted with JBL audio speakers and runs on Waves Maxx Audio, which changes the audio settings automatically based on the display mode (laptop, tent, stand, tablet). This is a good idea, as I like to boost the treble in laptop mode because the speakers are below the keyboard and sounds muffled. For tent mode, I tweak the treble lower since the speakers face towards the viewer.

The speaker audio quality is bright and sufficiently loud, producing sparkling trebles (with tendency to crack at loud volumes), warm mids and audible mid-high bass. It is certainly one of the better sounding laptops I've reviewed.

Camera

The camera captures up to 1280x720, and does not come with any advanced shoot settings nor any camera apps. A small white LED light appears next to the camera but is not strong enough to be a light source, so I reckon it's only an indicator that the camera is active.

Conclusion

The Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro is a beautiful ultrabook, with a unique watchband hinge that is hard to miss. Since this is the first ultrabook that uses the latest Intel Core M chip, subsequent launches from other computer makers are bound to use this ultrabook as a reference. Based on my week of usage, the Yoga 3 Pro delivers better performance than most of the average ultrabooks of previous Intel Core chips with similar clock speed. Thanks to the new Intel Core M processor, it is possible to run the Yoga 3 Pro longer in low-power state. Battery life could have been better to cater to more aggressive users, but not without gaining some bulk. For that, I think Lenovo has positioned this product pretty well: focusing primarily on the slim and light design, balanced with a respectable battery life, and a good hardware-software combination to ensure smooth and sleek performance worthy of its look.

The Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro is priced from S$2299. Visit Lenovo Singapore website for more details.

Reviewed by Chester Tan
Rating: 4 of 5

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Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Review: Small and Powerful

November 14, 2014, 4:32 pm

≫ Next: Watch-Looking Smartwatches Are Here

≪ Previous: Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro: Hands-On Review For A Week

When there are so many smartphone brands in the market, each brand must compete beyond the technical specs and create a unique identity. Sony Xperia has been focusing on the waterproof capabilities since the first Xperia Z. Now with the Z3 series, Sony has further improved on the weather and dust proof, and reinforced several more features that should interest the consumer market.

Here on hand for review is the Xperia Z3 Compact, a smaller copy of the new Xperia Z3. It comes in a 4.6-inch display, 1280x720 resolution, feather-light weight of 126g. The hardware is slightly toned down with 2GB RAM but otherwise uses the same 2.5GHz quad-core processor as the larger brother. Compared to the other brands with mini variants, Sony is brave to launch both sizes together to give consumers a choice from the start.

The overall design blueprint of the new Z3 does not deviate from the earlier Z-series. Sony calls it OmniBalance design, which is essentially applying a symmetrical outlook, from the front-rear glass plate to the placement of the signature power button. The Xperia Z3 Compact feels more comfortable than earlier versions. Its surrounding body frame is more rounded, the display glass reinforced with gloss plastic frame. The port covers are easier to remove and gets out of the way when I am accessing the ports.

At 4.6-inch IPS display and running 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801, the Z3 Compact is the most powerful small-screen Android phone today. That means a lot to consumers who wanted a smaller-screen phone without compromising the processor speed.

What other compelling reasons does Xperia Z3 Compact have to win over consumers? Here are some features that I think sets it apart from the other phones.

Waterproof and Dustproof

Certified IP65 and IP68, The Z3 Compact is the undisputed smartphone that can hold against the wet. Take it with you during a swim, or shower, or a run. Give it a wash after a good workout, but do wipe the screen clean as it can't work well if water is present. There is a pre-installed small app called Touch Block that locks your screen while the screen is active.

Camera-focused

Like the predecessors, the Xperia Z3 Compact has a dedicated camera shutter button which captures images conveniently. The 2-step button is easier to press than Lumia and the shutter response is rather quick. A hardware button also means you can take photos underwater when the touch screen fails to work.

The 20.7 MP camera is capable of capturing up to ISO 12800, and shoots 4K video. This means low-light photos are captured with relatively fast shutter speed and with good colour tones without colour noise artifacts. When zoomed in, the images look clean although lacks the resolution details found in larger sensor mirrorless or DSLR cameras, but I find the quality surpasses most smartphones in the market. The camera seems to be rather sensitive to light flare, as some images appear hazy.

In addition, the camera app contains a handful of unique shooting modes not found in any other brands. The AR shooting modes are fun to play with and offers hours of entertainment. The Multi-Camera mode allows another Xperia device or external Sony camera to be used as a second screen. The Timeshift Video mode allows me to pick several segments within a clip for slow-mo effect.

Unfortunately, running these advanced functions heat up the device really fast, and the camera will auto-close when overheated. In fact, the camera app auto-closes within 30 seconds if you leave it on. And like earlier models, the camer app defaults to Intelligent Auto+ mode, which captures in 8MP, not 20MP (only available when you shoot in Manual mode). It would be great if Sony allows the camera button to default to another shooting mode.

Another bug is that the camera app is not intelligent enough to detect single shot vs. burst shot. When I enable burst shot, the app will save photos under separate burst shot folders even though I took only one photo. The worst thing is that the filename for each set of burst photos start from zero, so I am unable to easily merge the files across multiple folders.

Despite, I like the Z3 Compact camera quality and shooting response. If you like your images to look naturally detailed, this is the Android phone to get.

Front-facing stereo speakers

Sony is one of the few smartphone makers that is convinced that stereo front-facing speakers is the way forward. Its audio quality is still not comparable to HTC but I do find improvements compared to Xperia Z2. The Z3 Compact has come closer as an ideal alternative to the HTC One M8.

Audio Processor

The Xperia smartphones have some of the more usable audio effects that don't mess up the audio. The Z3 Compact now supports the latest Sony Hi-Res USB audio product range. In addition, a new processor, DSEE HX, brightens up the high-range frequency and make the music sound better. The surround effects are pretty realistic though I won't use them as I prefer listening in original sound.

Record Screen

The Z3 Compact has a rare feature only available on rooted devices - the ability to record screen video. It can also record live video using the front camera within a small resizable window. This feature is extremely beneficial for creating tutorials or screen interaction guides.

Tap to Wake Up

LG was the first to introduce, then HTC included this in the One M8. Now Xperia Z3 Compact also has this. It's great to have this feature which allows me to wake up the devide conveniently.

Movie Creator

Many smartphone makers have recognized the innovative usefulness of HTC Zoe, and now Xperia Z3 Compact has also added video highlights creation feature. It does not have as much customisation options as HTC Zoe, but it's a good start, and I foresee Sony developing on this app over the next few Xperia iterations.

IPS Display

In today's smartphones, display quality is already a given. The Z3 Compact display resolution is merely 1280x720 but looks so good that I thought it was full HD. The viewing angle is wide and no colour shift, plus you can adjust white balance to your liking. Because of the smaller-sized screen, there are more pixels per inch and so on-screen text and images look smooth. But a lot of web content do not have mobile-optimised view mode so I find it a challenge to read the text in a small screen.

Battery Life

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact touts to provide 2 days of battery life with its 2600mAh battery when STAMINA mode is switched on. Such battery-saving mode basically reduces processing speed or reduces background processing whenever your phone is in standby. In most cases, this means you might not receive timely notifications. Fortunately for Xperia Z3 Compact, you can select which apps shall remain active during standby, thereby allowing your more important apps to continue pushing timely information to your device.

Status Bar Icons

I also love how I can customise the icons to display on the staus bar. This feature is already present in earlier Xperia models. This allows me to remove the icons of functions which I was turn on, for example, alarm, Bluetooth, STAMINA. I can even remove the clock if you prefer to use your own clock widget on the home screen.

Sony Ecosystem

With Sony's wide range of products across industries, it makes sense for Sony to establish an ecosystem to enable cross product interactions. Xperia continues to improve on this aspect, providing capability to use the Xperia Z3 Compact to play PlayStation 4 games remotely, creating apps platform to promote Sony Entertainment content (music, movies, video), providing hardware inter-compatibility with other Sony audio and camera products. Because of Sony's understanding of the importance of content, its Photo (Album), Music (Walkman) and Video (Movies) apps are one of the better-looking ones among the Android makers. Non-Sony supporters might be put off by such promotion, but I feel Sony manages to pull it off without giving too much bad taste. It doesn't give me the impression that they are forcing consumers to use these features if they choose not to.

Conclusion

Earlier this year when I was choosing between HTC One M8 and Sony Xperia Z2, it was a struggle to pick HTC One M8. This round, after reviewing the Xperia Z3 Compact, I have swung my vote towards the Sony, who has done a great job in improving the Xperia Z-series smartphone and giving confidence to consumers like myself. The UI is fluid without any unusual lag, the screen transition is snappy, the icons are clean and modern, the design is more life-proof. The short release cycle of a new Z-series has allowed Sony to catch up and deliver a solid smartphone, inside out. This is the smartphone to get if you want a powerful 4.6-inch Android device.

Specs

Weight: 129 g
Dimensions: 127 x 64.9 x 8.6 mm
Display: 4.6" HD (1280x720 pixels), TRILUMINOS™ Display, X-Reality™ engine
OS: Google Android 4.4 (KitKat)
Processor: Snapdragon 2.5 GHz Qualcomm Quad-core, Adreno 330 GPU
Memory: 2GB RAM, 16GB Internal, up to 128GB external microSD, SDXC supported
Camera: 20.7 MP rear camera, 2.2 MP front-facing camera, ISO 12800
Battery: 2600 mAh non-removable
Durability: Waterproof and dust tight (IP65 and IP68)
Network: GSM GPRS/EDGE (2G), UMTS HSPA (3G), LTE (4G)
Connectivity: aGPS, Bluetooth® 4.0, DLNA, NFC, GLONASS, USB 2.0, USB Tethering, Wi-Fi® and Wi-Fi Hotspot, ANT+
Sound: Sony 3D Surround Sound technology (VPT), Clear Audio+, xLoud™ Experience, DSEE HX, High-res audio, 3.5 mm audio jack with Digital Noise Cancelling (DNC)

Reviewed by Chester Tan
Rating: 4.2 of 5

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Watch-Looking Smartwatches Are Here

November 14, 2014, 7:30 pm

≫ Next: Jabra Move Wireless: Headphones Review

≪ Previous: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Review: Small and Powerful

For the longest time, smartwatches look like squarish mini-phones that don't blend in at all. My first close encounter with smartphones was the Sony SmartWatch 2 in Nov 2013.

It's about time someone designed a watch-looking smartwatch. This Christmas, we have 2 to choose from. The Motorola Moto 360 and LG G Watch R. The Moto 360 has a larger and distinctively round watch face while the LG G Watch R resembles closer to a sports watch with the traditional watch frame and bezel markings. Moto 360 looks spectacular as a dress watch, while the LG G Watch R is great as an everyday watch.

You can purchase the LG G Watch R at S$398 in Singapore retail outlets, while the Moto 360 is only available from overseas online stores.Whichever you choose, they are the best Christmas gifts you can give to your techie loved ones. So order before the stocks run out.

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Jabra Move Wireless: Headphones Review

November 16, 2014, 4:52 pm

≫ Next: HTC One M8 Camera Lens Scratch - and How to Fix It

≪ Previous: Watch-Looking Smartwatches Are Here

Jabra has launched another wireless headphones in Singapore. The Jabra Move Wireless takes after the Jabra REVO. It applies similar design style but stripped off some features, such as touch controls and foldable hinge. Material-wise, the Jabra Move is fitted with dirt-resistant fabric for the headband, matt plastic for the speaker cans, stainless steel headband sliders, leather-like ear cushions.

From afar, the Jabra Move exudes youthfulness. On hand, you can feel that it made for affordability, with lighter materials and less elaborate design elements. It comes with a generic black 3.5mm cable for wired pass-through audio with your device if the headphone runs out of battery. The audio cable does not have any in-line control nor mic for answering calls, which the REVO has. So if you want to use the Jabra Move for calls, you need to use it via Bluetooth.

The first thing that strikes me when I listened to the Jabra Move is its clear treble (though not spectacularly defined as more expensive cans like B&O Beoplay H6). The bass level mixes well in quiet environments, but it loses the impact when listening to music tracks with noisy vocal mix or under noisy environment, which is the case for any small-sized on-ear headphones. Sound staging is comfortable, with discernible instrument separation. Comparatively, the REVO is tuned with heavier mid-bass and tighter soundstage. Between the 2, I find the Jabra Move produces more faithful audio good for indoor use while I prefer Jabra REVO for its build quality, comfortable ear cushions and bass-bias audio balancing for outdoor use.

Like most Jabra wireless headsets, the wireless quality is good without any transmission distortion. When listening via direct audio cable, the Jabra Move loses all brilliance, sounding flat and lacks audio power. Use that only as a last resort.

And like most premium Jabra wireless headsets, the Jabra Move supports concurrent Bluetooth connectivity to 2 devices. What this means is that I could be streaming music from one device (tablet) and pick up a call from another device (smartphone) with incoming call. That's just so convenient.

Final Thoughts

The Jabra Move produces well-balanced audio quality - tangible bass, clear treble - which I enjoy when listening indoors. Its relatively small speaker size means it needs to contend the lower frequencies with the piercing highs. For that, I recommend this headphones for consumers who enjoys light genre music.

Specs

Speaker Size: 40mm
Sensitivity: 94dBSPL at 1kHz
Impedance: 29 Ohm
Frequency: 20Hz to 20kHz
Weight: 150g
Battery: 8 hours
Quality: HD Voice
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, pairs up to 8 devices, connects to 2 devices concurrently
Colours: Cobalt (Blue), Cayenne (Red), Coal (Black)
Retail Price: S$148

Reviewed by Chester Tan
Rating: 3.8 of 5

↧

HTC One M8 Camera Lens Scratch - and How to Fix It

November 21, 2014, 7:57 pm

≫ Next: Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 for Android: Unique Tablet Experience

≪ Previous: Jabra Move Wireless: Headphones Review

When I read about HTC One M8 users getting scratches on their camera lenses, I don't know it would happen to me.

But it did.

I first noticed that images from my front camera looked soft. I used normal cloth to wipe off any grease, but no avail. Using my naked eye, I noticed "scratches", and I thought to myself: gone case.

Using a macro lens - Samsung NX30 with 60mm in my case - I realised how bad it looked.

But all was not lost. After googling around, it appears the "scratches" are just the lens coating, and all I needed was toothpaste and cotton bud to remove the layer.

Ta-da!

↧

Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 for Android: Unique Tablet Experience

November 23, 2014, 5:45 pm

≫ Next: Noontec Hammo: Headphones Review

≪ Previous: HTC One M8 Camera Lens Scratch - and How to Fix It

With more and more me-too identical products to crowd the marketplace, it is important to offer innovative products to stand out among the competitors, to boldly create where no one has done before. This requires courage and conviction. Lenovo has done it successfully for the YOGA foldable laptop series (fondly replicated by several other brands) and now has extended that commitment to the tablet.

A book-inspired design is not new. Sony tried that on the first Xperia S tablet, but it was not a all-out approach to mimic a book. For Lenovo, it applied a design that is largely familiar: a straightforward cylindrical base with ergonomics for holding. This design, first introduced in the first Lenovo tablet in 2013, remains largely unchanged in the latest Yoga Tablet 2. With its versatile flip stand, the Yoga Tablet 2 allows consumer to use it in multiple modes. Hold, stand, tilt, and a new mode, hang.

Apart from design, the other major difference in the Yoga Tablet 2 from the rest of the Android tablets is its unique user interface. At first look, one notices that its large 10-inch IPS Full HD display populates 6x4 app icons (plus another row of apps dock), which is a comfortable number to work with. While swiping down the notification bar, you would notice it is bare. Where are the setting icons? They appear when you swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

The next thing you might notice is that there is no apps drawer, just like iOS. So, all the apps installed on the Yoga Tablet 2 is in one of the home screen pages. I find that really convenient for new users to manage their apps in Android. New apps are aptly labelled with a "NEW" badge.

When you browse the device settings list, you will find an option to schedule the tablet to power off at a predetermined time. I think all tablets should have this option to save battery life, for sometimes we might forget to shut down the tablet after use, causing unnecessary battery drain.

You might also notice an icon at the lower left corner of the screen. That is the Multi Window icon, which allows up to 3 floating windows to be opened. The minimised windows appear as icons along side with the Multi Window icon, similar to Windows task bar. You can disable this feature under the settings if you don't need it. Sadly, it does not support a lot of apps to be that useful.

You would also notice an app notification appearing permanently in the notification list. The pre-installed Security HD app helps to keep the tablet running on optimal condition, and it does so by flushing cache, cleaning up residual files, managing app permissions, blocking ads. With the increased awareness of security issues, this app should set the user at ease and empower them to manage the app permissions.

Coupled with the Dolby Audio app, the tablet pumps clear and loud audio from the two front-facing stereo speakers. And just like the Windows Yoga, the Lenovo Smart Switch feature automatically selects the audio and display settings based on the Yoga mode it detects. But not all apps support the Dolby audio, like the Poweramp music app. When Dolby mode is disabled, the audio becomes weak and lacks punch.

The camera quality is nothing to shout about. While the images appear to produce accurate colour tones, they lack sharpness and details. The camera app comes with a few shooting modes like Panorama, Night, Macro, Speech Photo, and there are colour effect settings (like sepia, mono, negative). I won't brood over it since no one should be relying on bulky tablets to capture high quality images the way we expect from pocketable smartphones.

For battery life, Lenovo boasts that it can hit 18 hours. With a 9400mAh capacity, it is certainly not difficult at all. The Yoga Tablet 2 has the largest battery in a 10-inch tablet. I did not do any benchmark testing, but under normal usage, the battery seems to drain just about 5% per hour, which when extrapolated seems to fit the claims. A minor drawback of having a large battery: it takes 3 hours to fully charge the device with the provided 2A charger.

Throughout my 2-week review, I encountered instances where the tablet does not run quite smoothly. Sometimes it took a few seconds to wake up after pressing the power button. In some instances, the multi-window apps became unresponsive and I had to force-close them to regain control. Apart from that, the overall app-to-app response is speedy and does not feel as laggy as Samsung Galaxy Note tablets.

Summary

The Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 offers one of the most unique user experience for a tablet device. Unlike other generic-designed slates that are bent on achieving design records (e.g. thinnest, lightest, fastest, brightest), the Yoga Tablet 2 offers several use cases that really works. As a tablet with stand, it produces loud audio excellent for media consumption - watching video, listening to music, photo e-frame. As a tablet on hand, it offers a comfortable hold for long duration without feeling strenuous. As a tablet with hang mode, it is possible to use it at eye level by hanging it around the house. The large power button means you can turn on the device without a fuss. The Yoga Tablet 2 may not be the most powerful tablet, but it is the most comfortable tablet that you will enjoy.

Unique features:
- built-in stand that makes the tablet blend in with the modern home system
- built-in hook holder for hanging
- powerful stereo speakers for media enjoyment
- cylinder grip for comfortable long periods of use

Specs

Processor: Intel® Atom™ Z3745 Processor Quad-core 1.86GHz
Operating System: Android™ KitKat v4.4
Memory: RAM: 2GB LPDDR3
Storage: 16/32GB EMMC, Supporting Micro SD card up to 64GB
Display: 1920 x 1200 IPS display. 10-point multitouch
Weight: 619g
Audio: Front-facing large-chamber stereo speakers, Dolby® Audio, Wolfson® Master Hi-Fi™ audio processing
Battery: Li-ion 9600 mAh

Usage Time : Up to 18 hours
Standby Time : Up to 16 days

Integrated Cameras

Rear: 8MP f2.2 Auto-focus
Front: 1.6MP HD

Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, MiMo, Bluetooth® 4.0
Ports: Micro USB (OTG), 3.5 mm audio jack, Micro SD card
Sensors: G-Sensor, e-Compass, Ambient Light

The Yoga Tablet 2 is available at Lenovo Singapore online from S$599.

Reviewed by Chester Tan
Rating: 4 of 5

↧

Noontec Hammo: Headphones Review

November 28, 2014, 6:43 am

≫ Next: Lenovo A328: Budget Android Smartphone

≪ Previous: Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 for Android: Unique Tablet Experience

Noontec is not an established brand in Singapore, but has quite a presence in overseas market like the U.S., where their products are sold and reviewed extensively online.

The Hammo model has been on sale for over a year, and it's now available in Singapore, distributed by Sprint-Cass Singapore (Signeo). The Noontec Hammo is an over-the-ear stereo headphone with Surround Closed-Cavity Body (SCCB) acoustic technology, hypoallergenic earmuffs, and a high-sensitivity microphone for voice calls. It's priced at recommended retail price of S$149 and available at HMV, Mustafa, Lucky Store, Changi Aiport (T3 - Electronics Hub and T2 - iSound).

I find that the Hammo produces a relatively flat frequency response, with adequate bass presence, conservative highs, and prominent mids. Instrumentation sounds somewhat muddy and suffers from lingering reverbs. During busy music passages, each instrument pits against one another to make themselves heard.

Despite the sluggish and unexciting output, I think the headphones is capable of achieving a more dynamic audio quality. After applying equaliser adjustments - upping the bass and treble - the music turns out to be more dimensional. For listeners who prefer natural frequency delivery without exaggerated soundstaging, the Noontec Hammo is a capable pair of headphones.

The package comes with a hard case. The headphones can be folded for compact carrying, an excellent design which all large headphone makers should include. The overall build quality is quite good, though I am not so sure if the white plastic surface will be scratch and dirt resistant.

Product characteristics:

Adjustable headband
Piano crafting finish
Adaptive ear muffs made of protein cotton material
High sensitive cable microphone
Fold-up design
Flat and detachable audio cable
24k gold plated connector and OFC oxygen-free copper cable

Specs:

Driver diameter: 50mm
Frequency response:5~30,000 Hz
Sensitivity at 1 KHz 1mW: 105dB
Input impedance : 32Ω
Max power :100mW
Audio cable length: 1.2m
Weight:240g

Reviewed by Chester Tan
Rating: 3.5 of 5

↧

Lenovo A328: Budget Android Smartphone

December 1, 2014, 9:41 pm

≫ Next: Sony SmartBand Talk SWR30 Review: More Band, Less Watch

≪ Previous: Noontec Hammo: Headphones Review

There are a lot of cheap Android smartphones which you can buy for your aged relatives or young children, but in my recent visit at SITEX 2014, I decided to get the Lenovo A328 for $128 because:

1. The UI does not have a separate app drawer, which is similar to iOS and Xiaomi MIUI. This means the user won't be confused with where to look for their apps. (Similar observation when I reviewed the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2.)

2. It comes with a Security app that manages device permissions, cache and RAM. When the device starts to feel sluggish or low on storage, this app will flush out all the unwanted files. This will help to fix any basic performance issues for non-techie users.

Lenovo smartphones are primarily targeted for China market, hence the similar UI feature as Xiaomi MIUI. The A328 also comes with dual SIM slots.

3. Its warranty is backed by Lenovo itself, unlike other dodgy brands. The other branded budget smartphone is Samsung, but it doesn't have the first 2 advantages. However, Samsung definitely has a better after-sales support as there are a lot more service centres, while Lenovo service centre for smartphone is only at Funan IT Mall.

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Post by Music.Photo.Life.

↧

Sony SmartBand Talk SWR30 Review: More Band, Less Watch

December 2, 2014, 5:29 pm

≫ Next: Logitech X300 Wireless Stereo Speaker Review

≪ Previous: Lenovo A328: Budget Android Smartphone

What have you been doing with your life? Let Sony SmartBand Talk help you log it. The SWR30 is basically a SmartBand with Talk features, a hybrid of a fitness band and a full-fledged smartwatch. The strap feels really comfortable against the skin and it felt next to nothing when I wear it. The device is waterproof and dustproof with IP65 and IP68 rating, so you can wear it while you bathe or swim and most certainly when you sleep.

It has a 1.4-inch E-ink display which doesn't require backlight to see the screen, though I'd wish it had an optional backlight which I could activate in the dark, similar to what digital watches had. A drawback of E-Ink display is ghosting, where the previous screen appears faintly. The device automatically refreshes the display by "flashing". The big plus point is that you can see the display in any lighting conditions during the day.

As the name suggests, The SWR30 has talk features, which means it has a speaker and mic, supporting HD Voice quality. Speaker quality is sufficient for indoors but not so audible outdoors. With Voice Control app installed, you can even speak to the SmartBand Talk to retrieve some information. Its commands are limited to time, weather, schedule, set alarm and timers, calls, unread messages. The app seems to be able to recognise local accent, although uncommon words will not be recognised My daughter had a fun time playing with this feature.

Its built-in accelerometer and altimeter sensor will detect the type of activity you are doing (walking, running, stationery, etc.), and stats will be presented in the Lifelog app. The Lifelog app also tracks activities that you do on the phone, including how long you use the Internet, listen to music, watch video, what photos you took. With the latest firmware update on 29 Nov, sleep tracking is supported.

Analysing the statistics offers me an insight of my daily activities and usage behaviour. From the collage below, you can see that I do not spend much time on watching video, and do not play a single game on my phone. The browsing activity is skewed due to the app monitoring the HTC BlinkFeed background updates.

The SWR30 works with all Android devices. Once you install the SmartBand Talk app from Google Play Store, you can customise and sync the settings to the band. There are apps which you can install, albeit limited. As of now, it is not possible to change the watch face. The interaction with the band is limited to hard-tapping the device. Mind you, there is no touch-screen capability, it merely detects the touch impact to change the display.

Like any decent wearable device, it notifies me of any notification from the paired device when my phone is not with me. But the only purpose of the SmartBand Talk is to alert you of events. It does not store notification history. After a while, the event will disappear from the device, without any indication that you ever had any notification, and neither is there any notification list to retrieve. So, if you happen to miss out any incoming notifications on the SmartBand Talk and ignores it, you will not be able to see from the SmartBand Talk moments later what events you have missed. You have to refer to your smartphone. This certainly creates some insecurity, as I have indeed experienced missed notification while on the move, as I did not feel the vibration on the SmartBand Talk.

The advertised battery life is 3 days per charge, but over the review period, I am consistently getting just 1.5 days. The battery indicator is embedded in the activity details page, and if you missed the low battery indicator, there is no other indication on the watch face. Once I was caught off-guard when the battery level dropped to 5%. Fortunately, it takes less than an hour to give it a full charge. 20 minutes is all it takes to fill it above 50% which could last you an entire day. The SmartBand Talk can be charged using the standard micro USB cable: no need for any dock!

Conclusion

I have enjoyed wearing the Sony SmartBand Talk throughout the review period. I find that it offers 2 main purposes for me: to track my activity, and to notify me of my smartphone events. I like how light and comfortable it wears on my wrist. I don't fancy using it to make calls, as it is just too flashy and I lose privacy of conversation over the speakerphone. The other installable apps merely provides some geek factor to the device, as the functions are extremely limiting given the device uses E-ink which is essentially monochrome, is not touch screen, and does not support any scrolling to display more information than it can fill within the display. There are potential for Sony to update the firmware to improve on some features. For me, I would love to see some on-screen indicator that I have missed notifications, and the ability to see a brief list of the notifications I have missed from the device.

You will enjoy the SmartBand Talk if you want a fitness band but not a full-fledged smartwatch. Sony faces intense competition from the other more established fitness brands, who are starting to incorporate basic smartwatch functions similar to SmartBand Talk, but the latter might be able to win some votes if Sony can update the core capabilities to improve on the smartwatch functions.

Specs

Screen: 1.4in e-paper 288x128
Processor: 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4
Battery: 70mAh
Connectivity: Bluetooth, NFC
Compatibility: Any device running Android 4.4+, requires Smartband Talk app
Dimensions: 47.5 x 22.3 x 9.5mm
Weight: 24g
Water & Dust Resistance: IP65 and IP68
Wristband length: 232mm for S/M, 255mm for L
Colours: Black, White, Red, Blue, Pink, Lime
Recommended Retail Price: S$228

Reviewed by Chester Tan
Rating: 3.6 of 5

↧

Logitech X300 Wireless Stereo Speaker Review

December 7, 2014, 4:39 pm

≫ Next: Magnat Carrier, Magnat Board, Magnet Stickers: Review

≪ Previous: Sony SmartBand Talk SWR30 Review: More Band, Less Watch

I recall the euphoria when I first heard the Logitech Mini Boombox Speakers. Then I reviewed the UE Mobile Boombox, which I thought sounded similar to the former. This time round, I took on the Logitech X300, which comes with a few design improvements to make the product stand out among the competitors.

It's not just about the audio quality

Let's be realistic. You cannot expect audiophile quality from small speakers. What it offers is an attractive unique design, tough rubbery coat and rigid speaker grille that screams durability. The X300 pumps audio via two front-facing angled speaker drivers and two side-facing passive subwoofers. The result is a more filling sound compared to the usual blocky speakers.

And just like the UE Mobile Boombox, you will find 3 buttons on the top of the speaker to control volume and for Bluetooth pairing. You can also use 3.5mm audio cables to play music if your device does not support Bluetooth.

It's really about the audio quality

Let's also be realistic. You cannot expect a consumer to part money for an audio product that does not sound good enough. Without any audio equalizer adjustment, the X300 delivers a warm open sound, with reasonable bass and shy treble. Run it through a graphic equalizer (I used Poweramp for Android) and the potential is unleashed. Boost the 100Hz and 12KHz should do the trick to bring out the hidden bass and treble sparkle. Highly recommended if you don't fancy the flat sound.

Compared to the Mini Boombox and UE Mini Boombox, the X300 produces less distortion. Where I have experienced buzzing frequency playing piano tracks on the earlier speakers, I get no such annoyance on the X300. I am also getting louder volume from the X300 compared to the UE Mini Boombox, but when it gets too loud for the X300 to handle, its internal audio processor kicks in, resulting in occasional suppression of volume. I noticed it occurring frequently when I apply custom equalizer.

The major quibble I have is that the power button is hard to locate, indicated only with the power icon flushed with the surface. I would have preferred a hardware button like the UE Mobile Boombox. Some people might be put off by the relatively short battery life, but it's convenient to charge using standard micro USB.

Conclusion

At S$99, the X300 performs within expectations relative to the product price point and design characteristics. I am surprised as how good it can sound when I apply custom equalizer settings, as the speaker can well handle the increased bass and treble boost. This speaker is a great companion for listening music or watching movies from your portable devices. It is loud enough for closed-door events, and is a splendid product as gifts for your music-loving friends (I did buy one myself, ready to be wrapped up for gifting).

Specs

Dimensions: 69 x 152 x 71 mm
Weight: 335g
Battery life: 5 hours
Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, 10m wireless range
Wired Connectivity: 3.5mm audio cable
Voice Profile: Bluetooth-Hands-Free Profile (HFP1.6)

Reviewed by Chester Tan
Rating: 3.9 of 5

↧

Magnat Carrier, Magnat Board, Magnet Stickers: Review

December 10, 2014, 5:18 pm

≫ Next: Piano Spa 7: New Album by Chester Tan and Bevlyn Khoo

≪ Previous: Logitech X300 Wireless Stereo Speaker Review

The Magnat team from Hong Kong contacted me to review their latest innovation. Magnat is a newly launched brand, offering storage solutions to carry your devices and belongings in an organised manner using magnets. The products are designed in Singapore and Hong Kong, assembled in China.

The Magnat range of products are:

Magnat Carrier

This is the flagship product. I'd like to see it as more of a premium laptop case than a normal sling bag. Inside the full-unzipped bag, there is a padded slot which fits a 12-inch size tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Note PRO 12.2, or 11-inch ultrabook laptops. You will also find several compartments to store other small loose items.

The star feature of the carrier is the interior board fitted with patent-pending magnetic technology. This board allows you to stick your metallic belongings onto it, and stays in place when you open up the carrier. The board has a velvety surface so that your belongings will not be scratched by it. Can you imagine without the magnetic board, all these items would be kept inside a zipper compartment, running the risk of scratches due to items rubbing against one another?

For items that do not have metal parts, you can use a Magnat sticker (the carrier comes with a free pack), or just stick some metal on it, like paper clips or SIM card slot pin, though these are less effective due to the small contact area. You can also use other magnets to hold paper items just like a notice board.

I find small items are more effective in keeping in place. You might want to position heavier or larger items at the lower part of the board. Also, items with large metallic surface areas stick better. As much as I find it a novelty to stick as many items as I could on the board, things will not stay in place permanently. Say, if you throw your carrier around, or drop your carrier, items may move out of place.

The Magnat Carrier is travel-friendly, allowing you can hook it through the luggage handle. It comes with a detachable padded sling. I expect the bag to be larger, but I think the current size is most appropriate, as it is not really a messenger sling bag. You also wouldn't want the bag to be so big that compromises the firmness of the carrier.

The Magnat Carrier comes in 7 colour combinations, and priced at US$79.90.

Magnat Board

The Magnat Board is a standalone product that works just like the Magnat Carrier board. It is larger and like the Magnat Carrier, has a velvety surface to protect your belongings.

I can't really use the board to store items in a haversack or a sling bag because the moment I pull out the board, items with weaker stick will drop out of the board and into the bag. However, I find it useful to keep things in place in hard briefcases or travel luggages. It's also useful for the table top as I keep metallic items in place, for instance, prevent screws from rolling whenever I do some minor handy work.

You can choose from 6 colours: green, grey, orange, purple, rose, turquoise. Priced at US$53.90

Magnat Sticker

If you want your item to stick on the Magnat board but is not metallic, you can apply the item with the Magnat Sticker. It's really strong and can hold most items under direct contact. If there is a material in between the board and the sticker, it becomes less effective and the item could still fall off the board.

Each pack of Magnat Sticker costs US$5.

Conclusion

After owning Magat products, it changes the whole mindset of the belongings you want to carry around. My current namecard holder is made of leather, and I would be looking out for a metal card holder so that it can stick to the board. Similarly, I will now tend to carry pens with metal parts.

Magnat products will help you organise your items better, especially if you have a lot of small items that tend to get lost inside your bag compartments. In the case of the Magnat Carrier, you would want to stick your tablet or computer accessories like cables and USB flash drives for convenient access, plus stationery like pens and paper clips. On the flip side, if you don't have many things to stick around, then it might not seem to be that useful.

The manufacturing quality is good for this first-run (they are hand-assembled), so if you are keen to get one for yourself or for gifting, you can save 10% with this coupon code chestertan-btfs5t2e (valid till 31 Jan 2015) when you purchase from the Magnat website.

Reviewed by Chester Tan
Rating: 4 of 5

Disclaimer: The products are provided for review without the need to return.

↧

Piano Spa 7: New Album by Chester Tan and Bevlyn Khoo

December 11, 2014, 7:19 pm

≫ Next: Christmas Gift Guide 2014

≪ Previous: Magnat Carrier, Magnat Board, Magnet Stickers: Review

After 3 years since Piano Spa 6, I have finally released a brand new 30-track piano album.

For the longest time, James Kang from Warner Music Singapore has been urging me to continue producing the Piano Spa series. Finally, in late Dec 2013, I said yes, but not before I found a collaborator.

While working on the last Piano Spa album in 2011, I met Bevlyn and developed a mutual appreciation for each other's talents. So, while planning Piano Spa 7, I asked her if she would be keen to write piano music.

Photo: Chester Tan

Bevlyn is an experienced songwriter who understands the musical style that I was looking for in Piano Spa 7. Her compositions are melodious, catchy, and it has been a great delight producing her songs.

This album has a few special elements that I would like to mention.

Track Listing

Instead of splitting the tracks based on artists which I did for previous albums, I mixed both artists tracks across all 3 CDs. Rather than random or patterned assignment, I allocated the tracks according to the alphabets of her name. This means B is for track 2, E is for track 5, V is for track 22, and so on. Since there are 2 Os, I assigned the last track of the album, track 30, to her.

For James

A long time friend, Joyce, spoke fondly of her dad, James, who was a great fan of my music. He passed away in 2012. I dedicate the song, Leaving James, in memory of him, for his loving family.

Melody and Brad

When I heard of the successful proposal by Brad to good friend Melody in Venice on March 2014, I was inspired to write the song, Our Promise to Love, based on the famous Italian opera aria "Nessun Dorma", the most romantic and passionate classical song of all time.

Melody is the subject of my numerous portraiture works a few years back, and I am heartened to watch her grow out of her teens into maturity and grace, and now a successful influencer of beauty and lifestyle.

Album Out Now

I have been composing for the Piano Spa series since 2005, producing over 100 tracks in 5 albums. I enjoy writing piano music because I find solace in writing them. Every song describes a part of my life, and each Piano Spa album is my music diary. Piano Spa 7, available in iTunes and in stores (Popular, That CD Shop, HMV).

Piano Spa 7 Track Listing

CD1
1. Moonlight Waves
2. After the Rain
3. Don’t Say Goodbye
4. Gentle Giant
5. Alone Again
6. The Lost Memory
7. Devotion of the Heart
8. The Piccadilly Waltz
9. On The Seventh
10. The Final Dedication

CD2
1. After All
2. Dusty Road to Beijing
3. I Hear Your Heart
4. August
5. Ripples of Life
6. Lost in My Sorrow
7. Our Sunken Prayers
8. Sweet Bed
9. Living a Lie
10. Breathing

CD3
1. Winter Sun
2. From Now On
3. Chiffon Stars
4. By The Esplanade
5. Hush Hush Birdland
6. Our Promise To Love
7. Leaving James
8. The Hesitant Road
9. Together Apart
10. Wonder World

All tracks composed, arranged and performed by Chester Tan except the following:
CD1 tracks 2, 5, 8, CD2 tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, CD3 tracks 2, 5, 10 composed by Bevlyn Khoo, piano arranged and performed by Bevlyn Khoo, additional arrangements by Chester Tan.

Bevlyn Khoo, Chester Tan. Photo: Philip Sim

↧

Christmas Gift Guide 2014

December 12, 2014, 4:17 pm

≫ Next: OPPO N3 or R5 Contest: It's Yours to Win!

≪ Previous: Piano Spa 7: New Album by Chester Tan and Bevlyn Khoo

This is the first time I have created a Christmas Gift Guide for my blog readers, because in recent months I have reviewed a handful of really excellent products that don't break the bank, that are affordable as gifts this holiday season. In case you feel extravagant, I have also included my recommendations for pricier items.

All these products are personally reviewed over the past months. Prices indicated are recommended retail price, so the street price could be lower. For each product, there is a link to the actual review article, so do read on for a more detailed coverage on why I like the products.

Below S$100

TOP PICK! Logitech K480 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard (S$59)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/10/logitech-K480-bluetooth-keyboard.html

This is the best gift that you can ever give to someone who owns more than 1 device, which is practically everyone. Just this one keyboard is all he/she needs to use with many devices. And even ladies love this! Go read my review to be convinced!

Logitech X300 Mobile Wireless Stereo Speaker (S$99)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/12/logitech-x300-wireless-stereo-speaker.html

I apologise for keep recommending Logitech products, but the truth is that their products are reliable, practical and affordable. In addition, I have personally reviewed them and therefore they make it to this list. The X300 has a practical design of angled speakers and a pleasant audio quality that easily fills the living room with music. Another of my favourites for gifting. In fact, I actually did buy this for gifting!

Logitech M235 Wireless Mouse (S$29)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/04/logitech-2014-colour-collection-m235-wireless-mouse.html

After using this for more than 6 months, I have to say that the wireless response is as good as wired. The colours are attractive, I'm sure you can find one that fits your recipient. The size is small for ladies hands, but if you prefer a larger size, there are other Logitech mice models to choose from.

Mi In-Ear Headphones (S$20)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/06/mi-headphones-best-overall-value.html

As my review turns out, this is the best value earphones ever. Give this to anyone who loves music, provided you manage to buy one through the website. So good, I bought one for keeps.

Mi Power Bank (S$14)
http://www.mi.com/sg/mipowerbank10400/

I did not write a review for this product, but I bought one myself and it is a premium-designed power bank made of aluminium casing, at 10400mAh for just S$14. Again, good luck in getting one from Mi website.

Piano Spa 7 (S$19)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/12/piano-spa-7-new-album-by-chester-tan.html

This is my latest piano instrumental CD album. I produced this 30-track album, now in its seventh series. This album features local singer-songwriter Bevlyn Khoo's original piano compositions, her first time writing this genre. Available in CD at Popular, HMV, That CD Shop, or downloads via iTunes.

$100-300

Jabra ROX Wireless (S$168)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/05/jabra-rox-wireless-review.html

This is one of the best sounding wireless in-ear headphones I have tried. So good that I bought over the review unit. That is, until I tried the next Jabra earphones, which is...

Jabra Sport PULSE (S$298)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/10/jabra-sport-pulse-wireless-earbuds.html

If the recipient is a fitness enthusiast, then this is the best gift for him/her. Solid sound quality, built-in real-time heart rate monitor, weather-proof. I too bought this review unit over.

Sony SBH80 (S$158)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/07/sony-sbh80-wireless-stereo-bluetooth.html

This earphones audio quality is not as boomsy as the Jabra ROX, but this scores high points from me for its comfort. The earbuds weigh next to nothing, and the neck band does not move around at all. It also has buttons on each side of the cable for dedicated controls.

Soundblaster ROAR SR20 (S$199)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/05/sound-blaster-roar-sr20-wireless-speaker-review.html

This is the best value wireless speaker for 2014. If you want a great quality speakers for less than S$200, this is the one to get. But if you have a budget of S$300, then I will recommend...

Bose SoundLink Mini (S$299)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/01/bose-soundlink-mini-bluetooth-speaker.html

Whenever I publish a speaker review, someone would ask me, "How does xxx compare to SoundLink Mini?" My answer would always be: cannot compare. The kind of subwoofer bass it delivers is beyond physics. If you needed a portable speaker with the kind of Hi-Fi subwoofer feel, this will satisfy you.

ASUS Zenfone 5 (from S$199)
http://store.asus.com/sg/category/B3178

I did not review the Zenfone 5 variant, but after experiencing the Zenfone 6, I have the same conclusion. It has excellent build quality and reliable UI performance. I already recommended to a handful of my peers and they have bought this instead of Xiaomi Redmi, which may be cheaper but does not work as reliably.

$300-600

ASUS Zenfone 6 (S$329)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/07/asus-zenfone-6-review.html

This is a 6-inch beauty, one of the best-built value-for-money 6-inch smartphone.

Bose QC20 Noise-Cancelling Earphones (S$499)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/02/bose-qc20-noise-cancelling-earphones.html

I was never a fan of Bose, until I reviewed some of their latest audio products this year. The QC20 has such amazing noise-cancelling features that I have never experienced before. It sounded exactly like a sound-proof room. It is expensive, but it is worth it. Get this for your globe-trotting friends who needed a sound-isolating earphones to save their sanity on the plane.

ASUS Padfone S (Phone S$449, Tablet Dock S$199)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/10/asus-padfone-s-lte-review-great-value.html

I have reviewed the Padfone series devices since its first version. With the latest Padfone S, you can finally own this amazing innovation at a lower price. This the gadget to get for your friends who need to work on both a phone and a tablet.

$600 and beyond

OK, if you have a budget for more than $600, you probably won't need a guide because the sky's the limit. But there is this one product that I must mention, that I personally really like.

B&O Beoplay H6 (S$648)
http://musicphotolife.blogspot.sg/2014/05/beoplay-h6-headphones-review.html

If there was an audio product which I could indulge in without regard on the price or rationality, this would be it. With spectacular treble delivery, these cans are for instrumentals, vocals, orchestral, elevating your listening enjoyment. This is class.

Happy Shopping!

I hope you find this guide useful for your shopping. If I were to receive any of these items for my Christmas, I would be elated. Similarly, these are the items I would buy for gifts, especially the below-$100 items.

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OPPO N3 or R5 Contest: It's Yours to Win!

December 15, 2014, 10:40 pm

≫ Next: 10 Features You Will Love on the Plantronics BackBeat PRO Wireless Headphones

≪ Previous: Christmas Gift Guide 2014

Gadgets with unique selling features always get me excited. OPPO has announced 2 new smartphones and both have features you won't find anywhere else. What are they? OPPO R5 is the thinnest smartphone ever, at 4.85mm, and it's so tough, you can use it as a hammer. Check the below video! OPPO N3 is the first smartphone with auto-rotation camera lens.

They have such good specs, I really don't even need to ask for a review unit to decide that I WANT ONE! And so I'm gonna win one of these, or BOTH of these, smartphones, without paying a cent. FREE!

And so can you! Just do what #OPPOSG wants you to do: share a post on your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, about the new smartphones.

"If I had the #OPPON3, I'd snap a photo of..."

"The #OPPOR5 is thinner than..."

Your post must contain the hashtags of #OPPOSG and the product that you want to win.

What are you waiting for? Contest ends on 31 December 2014!

OPPO N3 (Image courtesy of OPPO Singapore)

(I don't get paid to promote the contest, but if you ask me why I'm so enthu about sharing, read the first sentence.)

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10 Features You Will Love on the Plantronics BackBeat PRO Wireless Headphones

December 20, 2014, 7:56 pm

≫ Next: GateKeeper: Auto-Lock & Unlock Your Computer When You Walk Away

≪ Previous: OPPO N3 or R5 Contest: It's Yours to Win!

Plantronics is getting serious in quality audio headphones with the recent launch of the BackBeat PRO in Singapore. Having reviewed several Plantronics products over the months, I am happy that Plantronics now have headphones that satisfy the listeners who enjoy the Plantronics kind of audio quality.

As the name suggests, it aims at offering professional-grade audio quality to the consumers. And this one headphones alone has all the features that any on-the-go music lovers will ever need. It's like the swiss army knife of headphones. How so? Here are 10 features you will love on the BackBeat PRO.

Wireless? Check.

The BackBeat PRO connects wirelessly to your device via the latest Bluetooth 4.0. It even supports Class 1 Bluetooth, meaning it can connect up to 100 metres with devices supporting Class 1. In comparison, the standard distance for most devices is 10 metres. Not many devices come with Class 1, but it's still a swell feature for those who do. A fantastic reason to get the BackBeat PRO.

Pairing is also made easy with NFC. Just tap the device to the BackBeat PRO to initiate pairing.

Wired? Check.

If the BackBeat PRO battery runs out, which is like impossible (unless you forget to charge it), you can use it with a wired cable with in-line mic for voice calls.

Battery Life? Check.

The BackBeat PRO can play music for 24 hours straight! If I need to watch Star Wars marathon, I would be glad this headphones could last through the 6 movies in one charge.

Active Noise Cancellation? Check.

The inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC) allows you to isolate ambient noise and let you enjoy music even at lower volumes. The BackBeat PRO ANC work effectively in reducing low-frequency humming noises. It does not eliminate high-frequency sounds, neither does it kill human chatter. While it is not the mot effective ANC I've reviewed, it is still a good feature to remove the irritating rumbling sounds of airplanes, trains, buses.

Listen to ambient mode without removing headphones? Check.

If you need to listen to ambient noise, say, when ordering food at the counter, just press a button and the BackBeat PRO activates OpenMic(TM) to let you hear your surroundings. You can even adjust the sensitivity of the mic to increase the volume of the surrounding sound. Hmm, thinking aloud, it is a rather cool feature to eavesdrop. Finally, I can have Batman's hypersonic hearing technology! Well, almost.

Music Controls? Check.

The BackBeat PRO uses a large fly-by-wire dial that goes around the right speaker circumference to let you control the volume, which is so much sleeker than the 2-button rocker. Skipping tracks is controlled on the left ear. Press the huge round button on the left speaker to manually-pause tracks, and the right speaker to take calls.

Answer Calls? Check.

You can pick up calls or make calls with the BackBeat PRO without ever touching the phone.

Music auto-pause? Check.

STAR FEATURE! Plantronics is seriously pampering us music listeners. Imagine: all you do is to take the headphones off your ears, and the music pauses automatically! Place it back to your ears and the music continues where it's left off.

Comfort? Check.

The BackBeat PRO is heavy, but feels comfortable on my head. Its large ear cushions cup over your ears so you feel no strain against the ears. The speakers can be twisted 90-degrees inwards so when you remove them and wear it around your neck, they can turn towards your body and not stick out like a neck brace.

Protective case? Check.

The included pouch is made of tough nylon on the outside and purple velvet material on the inside, ensuring your precious headphones are well-protected.

Audio quality

With the ANC turned off, the BackBeat PRO delivers sparkling crystal treble, more open sounding bass. When the ANC is turned on, the bass immediately sounded compressed, less reverberating, and lacks roominess, although it becomes cleaner and more detailed. I prefer listening with ANC off, as it produces a more natural sounding warm bass and less processed treble. If you are listening to loud tracks, I find the ANC offers little effect to eliminate the surrounding noise.

Waterproof? Who are you kidding?

I have never heard of any on-ear headphones that can battle the elements. The BackBeat PRO is no exception. Get an in-ear headphones like the excellent Plantronics BackBeat GO 2 for your active lifestyle, but keep the BackBeat PRO for your passive moments.

Conclusion

The Plantronics BackBeat PRO is every inch an awesome multi-functional headphones. It's got loads of practical features, the buttons and knobs are well-placed, I can easily access them without looking. The headphones feel so comfortable even after long hours of use, the ANC eliminates some ambient noise, its battery life is jaw-dropping long. There is no noise leak, so you can turn up the volume in libraries.

Retailing in Singapore for S$379, available at all good electronics stores.

Specs

Speakers: 40mm dynamic drivers
Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth v4.0 + EDR - A2DP for audio streaming, AVRCP for music controls, Hands-free v1.6 for wideband, and Headset v1.2,
Wireless Coverage: Up to 100 meters/330 feet from phone or tablet with Class 1 Bluetooth
Audio Codec: aptX® low latency codec, AAC codec
Multi-Point Connectivity: Simultaneously connect two Bluetooth devices (2H2S)
Noise-cancellation: Controllable Active Noise Canceling (ANC) plus Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and dual microphones
Wired: 1.2m 3.5mm cable with in-line control
Power: Up to 24 hours of listening time, Up to 21 days standby time, Up to 180 days in DeepSleep mode
Charge Time: Up to 3 hours
Weight: 340 grams
Others: NFC Pairing, Voice Alerts
In the box: BackBeat PRO headphones, 3.5mm audio cable, USB charge cable, premium pouch

Reviewed by Chester Tan
Rating: 4.3 of 5

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GateKeeper: Auto-Lock & Unlock Your Computer When You Walk Away

December 21, 2014, 4:39 pm

≫ Next: Christmas Dinner Theme Deco With Disposables

≪ Previous: 10 Features You Will Love on the Plantronics BackBeat PRO Wireless Headphones

Bluetooth proximity devices are a dime a dozen, but Gatekeeper GK-Chain offers something more. Other than the usual tracking of valuables offered by the likes of Protag, the GK-Chain automatically locks your Windows or MacOS computer when you are away from your desk. The Gatekeeper creator, CoolCAD Electronics, sent me a unit all the way from US for my review.

The package comes with a USB lock, the receiver key, keyring, 2x CR2032 batteries. The receiver requires only 1 battery which is rated to last about 3-6 months, while the other is a replacement. To start using the gadget, you have to pry open the back of the GateKeeper Key. Mine took a bit of effort to open: the Key case is secured by hook-catches all around, and one of them refuses to budge. The casing is already flexing precariously when I tried to use some force and I do not want to risk breaking the case even before I start using the GK-Chain. Finally, the hook gave way and freed the rear casing. After inserting the battery and snapping back the case, I was on my way. There is no power button for the Key, so if you decide not to use the Key for extended period, you have to remove the battery.

To get the GK Chain to work on your mobile devices, install the GateKeeper Android iOS app (look for developer CoolCAD Electronics). Then follow the on-screen instructions to pair the Key. This will provide with the proximity feature to track your smartphones. This tracking feature can work without the USB Lock, but then you would have missed the star feature.

To get the USB Lock to work, insert it into the USB port of your computer, install the software downloaded from the GateKeeper website download page, register the Key with the USB Lock, adjust the lock distance and other settings. Check the online user manual for detailed steps.

Auto-Lock Feature

Simply carry the GateKeeper Key and walk away from from the computer. Moments later, your computer will automatically lock. When you walk back to the computer, the computer will automatically unlock. An alternative method is to disable auto-unlock, which means you would require the Key and a valid password to log on to your computer - 2-factor authentication.

This is such a convenient feature for computer users who do not have the habit of locking the computer (although it is as easy as pressing Win+L) before leaving the desk. And even so, it may be a hassle to always re-enter the password when you are back at your desk. This device eliminates these repetitive yet important security task.

Note that with the GateKeeper installed, it is not possible to manually lock the computer when you are at it. When you do, the USB Lock will detect your GateKeeper Key and auto-unlocks again. You also can remove the USB Lock any time and the computer will lose the auto-lock capability.

During my review, the GateKeeper does not always work. Even when I am at my desk, the computer will occasionally auto-lock. Other times, when I return to my desk, it does not auto-unlock until moments later. This sporadic behaviour may cause irritation to consumers, and I hope this reliability can be fixed via firmware or software updates. As of now, the simple way to resolve the issue of the Key detection problem is to remove the USB Lock and log in normally.

It would be good if the USB Lock does not stick out of the USB port, so that laptop users need not remove it during transportation.

Valuables Tracking Feature

For this feature, there are a few ways to make it work. When the GateKeeper Key is paired to a smartphone, the smartphone will trigger an audible alert when the Key is out of range. You can also locate the Key via the smartphone app and the Key will make beeping sounds. I also find that you can pair multiple smartphone apps to the same Key.

When testing the GateKeeper app across several smartphones, the proximity detection does not work consistently. I get the best consistent connection with the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, intermittent on-and-off connection on the HTC One M8. On the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, it worked initially, but after 10 minutes, the Key eluded the smartphone detection. Then, after an hour, the phone somehow detected the Key again, and remained connected since.

I also find the Key alarm is relatively soft. The alarm is pleasant when placed in open area, like on the desk. But if you put the Key in your bag or your pocket, it becomes almost inaudible unless in a quiet environment. If the alarm cannot be easily heard, then it would be difficult to locate the Key if one wants to find it. It would be good if user can set the alarm volume to suit the needs.

Conclusion

The GateKeeper GK-Chain with USB Key offers much-needed convenience to enforce computer security. If you value your privacy, this is a highly recommended product to automate the locking of your computer while you are away. The tracking of valuables feature does not work quite well with the smartphones I tested, but it's a nice-to-have capability which I personally won't rely on. The Protag offers a more comprehensive loss-tracking solution.

The GateKeeper retails at US$49.99 and charges US$15 for worldwide shipping (US$5 within USA). http://www.gkchain.com/

Specs

Computer compatibility: Windows 7 and above, Mac OS X
Mobile compatibility: Android 4.3 and above, iOS 7.0 and above
Battery Life: 3 - 6 months (CR2032H Battery)
Wireless: Bluetooth 4.0
Wireless Range: 0 - 100 feet
Security: AES Encryption for wireless data interactions
Size: 45 x 25 x 7mm
Weight: 10 grams

Reviewed by Chester Tan
Rating: 3.5 of 5

Disclaimer: The products are provided for review without the need to return.

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Christmas Dinner Theme Deco With Disposables

December 22, 2014, 6:35 pm

≫ Next: Christmas (and Birthday) Gift Rewards for My Social Media Influence

≪ Previous: GateKeeper: Auto-Lock & Unlock Your Computer When You Walk Away

Our office department organised a Christmas dinner within the office premise and the committee went all out to make it an awesomely classy dinner setting. To capture the set up process, we placed a video-capture device at the corner.

Timelapse with Framlapse

Technology has pampered us so much. Years ago, this would only be possible with a professional camera with interval frame capture or record in normal speed video format, run it through video editing software, and converting to a viewable format, which could take hours.

Today, all it takes is a smartphone and a free app. For this, I choose Framelapse for Android devices. After configuring the desired time lapse speed, I mounted the smartphone on a tripod and let it run. Once I hit the stop button, the video is ready instantly to be replayed.

A 2-hour time lapse capture drains about 50% of my HTC One M8, so do plug in a portable battery if you needed a longer capture.

To complete the video presentation, I further processed the 2 separate timelapse videos with Windows Movie Maker, added titles and credits, inserted music.

Dinner Deco

My favourite hack for the event is the dining set. They look like real silver and ceramic, but are actually made of plastic!

Look out for this in Fairprice supermarket.

Table cloth, candles and table deco are from IKEA. Notice the TV display? We even plugged in an iPad and run an app to simulate the fireplace complete with simulated audio.

We also bought festive ribbons from DAISO to soften the corporate-looking chairs.

Includes table menu to really enhance the dining experience.

Food catering from Fostre, tasty food but they came very late, almost ruining the event.

Fortunately, we kept our guests occupied with pre-dinner cocktail.

Let's start dinner!

Christmas songs played in the background through the Logitech X300, impressing the guests with its small size but loud volume. Its colour goes well with the Christmas theme too!

Almost everything we used for the event is disposables, except for the wine glasses. We worked that around by offering them as parting gifts. After the event, we salvaged most of the deco items that were not soiled and planned to reuse for our next event.

Awesome work from the committee members, who actually have F&B experience from their previous jobs, hence the impeccably detailed planning. Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

Photos shot with Samsung NX1000.

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Christmas (and Birthday) Gift Rewards for My Social Media Influence

December 23, 2014, 8:56 am

≫ Next: This Cheap Smartwatch Phone Works Like Samsung Galaxy Gear S

≪ Previous: Christmas Dinner Theme Deco With Disposables

It is extremely rewarding when brands and agencies recognise my value in engaging in social media and send little gift gestures.

This year, Logitech sent me their flagship Wireless Living Room keyboard, K830, with trackpad and backlit keys.

Microsoft Lumia surprised me with an elaborate Christmas box containing chocolates, Lumia 635 4G/LTE smartphone and a hologram kit! When I slot the phone into the viewer and played the special video, the hologram displays the animated Christmas message. So lovely!

And today, I attended the OPPO R5 roadshow at Vivo City to test the hardiness of the R5 by using it to crack open walnuts. After winning the first round by scoring the highest points, I went to the second round for a lucky draw. I picked the white ball which won me the OPPO R5! Granted, OPPO did not actually prepare this smartphone as my Christmas gift, but I received it from them because they invited me to the event which gave me the chance to win it.

My number of followers may be relatively few, my site hits may not be substantial (9,000 page views per month - not a lot ya), but I realise I have many silent followers who read my articles yet do not engage in social media. I was surprised as I was talking to some of them about some products and they say, "Ya, I read it in your blog."

From my observation, I get a lot of likes for posts that celebrate success or heartwarming events, for instance, when I receive music awards, or wedding anniversary (this one garnered over 200 likes!). But when it comes to blog articles, followers are selective in their "likes". And, when I mix personal success with tech products (e.g. winning the OPPO R5 as my birthday gift), my "like" numbers go up.

What drives me to blog about gadgets and products, are these silent followers who value my opinions, who are passively influenced by my blog articles. And so I believe in injecting personal experiences on the products so that they understand how these products improves quality of lives. And that is why I only write reviews of products after I have done hands-on.

For brand companies and PR agencies who believe in my influence (Klout score 62 as at 23 Dec 2014), thank you for your support for the past years. For some who just started engaging me this year, I'm privileged to try your products and share to my readers.

Merry Christmas to all, and Happy Birthday to me.

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