BlackBerry Z10: Hands-On

Wow, looking good. I like the gestures. Navigating the UI can be handle using thumb only. NICE!



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source: pocketnow youtube channel

[Free Game] Sheep Jump 8-bit

If you are too young, you might don't know what is 8-bit. 8-bit was once rules the gaming world, where all the game are just 256-colors. No 3D, but we did enjoyed Wolfenstein 3D.

Sheep Jump is purposely made 8-bit. Have that kind of retro feel.

What Sheep Jump have to offer:
1. infinite amount playtime -> can't stop playing if you are addicted
2. endless level -> can't finish the game??????
3. unpredictable jumps -> the sheep or the player?
4. controlled physics -> who? God?
5. Global leaderboard -> I just want to enjoy this game, don't care the score at all
6. support multiple players -> you can compete with family/friends on same phone

Problems that I found on Sheep Jump:
1. you need to connect to internet to create player
2. must register in order to play
3. ads when you are connected to internet -> hate it, should ban apps with ads with any "free" name or keyword.
4. some users claimed that ads interfered with the game play.

Anyway, if you still interested, download it from Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.co.za.rainisfalling.SheepJump


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pix source: XDA

[Free apps] Spy Camera OS

Okay, OS is not Operating System, it is Open Source in this case.

Ever since smartphone come with decent camera, everyone keep on snapping photos with their smartphone, either Android, iPhone, WP, BB, etc. While stock camera apps and free and paid camera apps try to make you know that you are snapping a photos by creating a camera sound. However at some cases you just want to take the photo without anyone noticing it. Okay, you can change to mute to avoid people noticing it, but the preview on the screen already tell others that you are taking a photos. So how now?

Senior member of XDA created this camera apps, called Spy Camera OS.

As you can see from the picture below, the preview is very small.

Here is what Spy Camera OS will does:
1. Automatically mute the phone when apps start -> no camera sound, it will switch back to your existing setting after you exit the apps.
2. Take video -> even though author claimed that it is still experimental, I have tried it out, and it works!
3. Take photo with black screen -> now no one will knows you are taking photos, but problem is you don't know are you aiming correctly, this should work together with auto mode. Also take photo when touch the screen during black screen.
4. Auto mode -> take photo at the period that you set (1 photo every 1 to 10 seconds).
5. Hide the photo folder -> in case you still get caught, they can't find the photo.
6. Configure photo/video size upfront -> so that you don't run out of memory or taking a photo that is too blur.
7. Configure volume buttons to take photo/video/etc -> nice!
8. Face detection auto shot -> I tried, but it didn't works on me, can't recognize my face??????
9. Save to internal or external storage -> every apps should have this setting!

What are the things Spy Camera OS that missed out:
1. burst mode
2. make the preview transparent

XDA even make a review video of this apps:


To get it, go to Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jwork.spycamera


To feedback on this apps, go to this XDA forum thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1934513

If you are a developer and wanted to look at the code, here is the code (that's why it is Open Source):
https://bitbucket.org/jimmod/spycamera

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pix source: Spy Camera author

Waste Time Saturday

woohoo, I seldom do waste time post on weekend. Here you go. Did you know? facts. Waste time or not, it is up to you to decide.



Have a nice weekend!

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source: youtube!

[Free] Audacity - the real free audio editor

If you google (or bing or yahoo) for audio editor, you will find thousands of "free" audio editors, but how many of them are really free? I found out usually those free software are not really free. Some are time limited trial, some are feature limited and trying to sell you the full feature of the software for 9.90, 19.90, 29.90 or 39.90. However we shouldn't paying for just some simple software. Software usually should be free, except for business use.

I have been using Audacity for editing audio for many occasions, ringtones, audio for video, etc. When I checked the posts that I posted in the past, I noticed that I haven't share this software with you. So here you go:

Audacity Advantages:

1. It is completely free
2. It runs on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux
3. Live recording from microphone, line input, USB/Firewire, etc
4. Timer record, and sound activated recording
5. Multi-track recordings
6. Import and export many types of file (WAV, AIFF, AU, FLAC, OGG, MP2, MP3, AC3, M4A, AAC, WMA) - might need to install additional library
7. Supports 16, 24, 32-bits
8. Easy editing
9. Unlimited undo and redo
10. Automatic crash recovery
11. Lots of effects
12. Tons of plug-ins

Audacity is as good as professional, paid software. Therefore, go download it now:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/



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pix source:http://audacity.sourceforge.net

List of Online Banks that Pay PBA

PBA is Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang. It is the company to supplies waters to residents of Penang state. Since it is dealing with just residents of Penang state, some Malaysian banks decided not to provide the bill payment through their online banking. Fortunately there are less a handful of Malaysian banks that provide the bill payment of PBA. Here is the list:

Bank/PBA	link	Method of payment accepted	Note
PBA Website	http://www.pba.com.my/payment/login.asp	PFX	Only confirmed after 3 working days, therefore you should pay the bill at least 3 days before the due date.
PBA Prepaid	PBA link as above	FPX; pay to PBA customer service centers	Good for people that are out of town for a long period.
Public Bank	https://www2.pbebank.com/	Deduct from saving account	Not sure if can pay using credit card
HSBC	http://www.hsbc.com.my	Deduct from saving account	Confirmed cannot pay using credit card (I confirmed it! see this post)
Maybank	http://www.maybank2u.com.my	Deduct from saving account	Not sure if can pay using credit card
UOB	https://payonline.uob.com.my	Deduct from saving account	Not sure if can pay using credit card
BSN	http://www.mybsn.com.my	Deduct from saving account	Not sure if can pay using credit card
CIMB	http://www.cimbclicks.com.my	Deduct from saving account	Not sure if can pay using credit card
Bank Rakyat	https://www.irakyat.com.my	Deduct from saving account	Not sure if can pay using credit card
AmBank	https://ambank.amonline.com.my	Deduct from saving account	Not sure if can pay using credit card

Standard Charted was in the list until it stopped the bill payment for PBA on 2011. It is too bad, because I have been enjoy 0.5% cash back by paying the PBA bill using Standard Charted Credit Card.

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source: me me me

List of Mobile Apps of Banks in Singapore

Since I wrote about list of Mobile Apps of Banks in Malaysia, I wonder if I should write a list of Mobile Apps of Bank in Singapore.

Hence this list of Mobile Apps of Banks in Singapore, in no particular order (and features and other stuff are as of Jan 2013, iPad apps not included).

Banks	Android Apps	iOS Apps	Type of Transactions	Branches/ATM Locator	Others (+=pros; -=cons)
DBS	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry Bank Contacts	Yes	+IPO application
POSB	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry Bank Contacts	Yes	+IPO application
OCBC	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry Bank Contacts	Yes	+Scan bar code to pay bills (this is the best feature I have seen)
Citibank	link	link	Balance inquiry Share trading (US, SG, HK)	Yes (worldwide)	+Latest Citibank Singapore promotions +Share trading -Does not pay bills
UOB	link	link	Funds transfer Balance inquiry Bank Contacts	Yes	+Send money to anyone, even without UOB account, that can be withdraw from UOB ATM machines +Load calculator +Latest bank promotions -Does not pay bills
Maybank	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry Bank Contacts	Yes	+Fixed Deposit placement +Pay bills in Malaysia and Singapore +Latest Maybank Singapore promotions
CIMB	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry Bank Contacts	Yes	+Fixed Deposit placement +Load calculator -No Android apps
Standard Charted	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry Bank Contacts	Yes	+Latest bank promotions (on iOS only!) -Need Adobe Air installed -worst rating on Google Play (2.7 only! Any crappy games will get at least 3.0)
HSBC	link	link	n/a	n/a	No mobile apps for HSBC Singapore (and Malaysia), shame on you HSBC, because your slogan is World's Local Bank, oh wait, that explained? :P

I have created Playboard widget, if you want to save time, install Playboard (from Google Play) and go to this channel:

List of Mobile Apps of Banks in Singapore

The list is correct at the time I writing this (Jan 2013). Please leave a comment here or on PenangUncle FaceBook page:
1. if you found those that listed here that don't have mobile apps start to have mobile apps
2. other banks that I left out
3. Features that added/removed



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source: google google and google

Innovation or Waste Time?

Either is waste time or innovation, time will decide it. Good luck to the inventor!



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source: youtube!

Total Waste Time of 2012

Just how much time you wasted on YouTube on 2012? Just look at preview of each top 100 video on YouTube for 2012, you already wasted 20 minutes. :)



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source: youtube!

List of Mobile Apps of Banks in Malaysia

As I moved into Android world (since I got my SGS2, well, I have been playing with Android apps with Android emulators, Jar of Beans, pokki, and bluestacks), I found there are endless of Android apps. Number of free apps on iOS was king, but then was taken over by Android since 2011 or 2012, does not matter now.

Android apps (apk) was not being regulated like iOS, therefore we should always only install apps from Google Play and apps developer only. I was thinking to start using mobile banking apps on my SGS2, therefore doing some research. Hence this list of Mobile Apps of Banks in Malaysia, in no particular order (and features and other stuff are as of Jan 2013, iPad apps not included).

Banks	Android Apps	iOS Apps	Type of Transactions	Branches/ATM Locator	Others (+=pros; -=cons)
Citibank	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry	Yes (across Asia)	+Latest Citibank Malaysia promotions
Maybank	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry Prepaid reloads Bank Contacts	No	+Loan calculator -Android user complained the apps logout when apps goes to background
CIMB	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry Prepaid reloads Bank Contacts	Yes	+Fixed Deposit placement +Gold Investment +Load calculator -Transactions allowed on one account only, does not works for other accounts that you have with CIMB
Standard Charted	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry Bank Contacts	Yes	-Android users complained long loading time -Need Adobe Air installed -confusion on the apps name (it is called Breeze - a known detergent brand in Malaysia :P)
Hong Leong	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry Bank Contacts	Yes	+Bank promotions +PEx (send money to others via their mobile numbers) -rated 2.8 on Google Play -can't pay bills
OCBC	link	link	n/a	n/a	No mobile apps for OCBC Malaysia! (They do have for Singapore)
Public Bank	link	link	n/a	n/a	No mobile apps for Public Bank! (Only Share Investment apps, search for "PB Sharelink" in Google Play/iTunes)
RHB	link	link	Funds transfer Pay bills Balance inquiry Bank Contacts	Yes	+Bank promotions
Affin Bank	link	link	n/a	n/a	No mobile apps for Affin Bank
Alliance Bank	link	link	n/a	n/a	No mobile apps for Alliance Bank (there is a share investment apps on iTunes, no Android - shame on you!)
Ambank	link	link	n/a	n/a	No mobile apps for AmBank
HSBC	link	link	n/a	n/a	No mobile apps for HSBC Malaysia
UOB	link	link	n/a	n/a	No mobile apps for UOB Malaysia
Bank Islam	link	link	Bank Contacts	Yes	+Bank promotions  +Prayer times (for Muslim) -can't check balance -can't do funds transfer -can't pay bills
Bank Rakyat BSN Agro Bank Bank Muamalat	link	link	n/a	n/a	No mobile apps for these banks

I have created Playboard widget, if you want to save time, install Playboard (from Google Play) and go to this channel:

List of Mobile Apps of Banks in Malaysia

The list is correct at the time I writing this (Jan 2013). Please leave a comment here or on PenangUncle FaceBook page:
1. if you found those that listed here that don't have mobile apps start to have mobile apps
2. other banks that I left out
3. Features that added/removed



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source: google google and google

First Waste Time Video of 2013

It has been more than a month I post waste time video. Now here is one, this is a advanced version of useless machine.



Here are the useless machines in the past:
http://outdatedpenanguncle.blogspot.com/2010/05/useless-machine-series-01.html
http://outdatedpenanguncle.blogspot.com/2010/05/useless-machine-series-02.html
http://outdatedpenanguncle.blogspot.com/2010/05/useless-machine-series-03.html
http://outdatedpenanguncle.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-waste-8mins-on-tuesday.html

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source: world wide TV channel - youtube!

[Free Apps] Pleco - The Best Chinese Dictionary

Pleco has been in business for very long time. I know about Pleco when I was using my HTC Touch Elfin, that is Windows Mobile OS. Pleco has been on WinMo, Palm OS, iOS and now Android.

It is very good tool for students, as well as people that just started to learn Chinese. The reason is Pleco support pinyin input. So for those that lazy to write, as long as you know the pronunciation of the Chinese character or words, just type the pinyin. Example:

You should install Pleco now, it is because handwriting input module is free for now (Android only!), until Jun 30th this year. This module usually cost USD $14.95. I have checked, this module is not free on iOS. So iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch only can key-in pinyin or Zhuyin (for traditional Chinese - HK, Taiwan). Muahahaha. The handwriting module is for you to keep after the offer ended, Pleco will issue you a code that you can download it again for free if you move other a newer Android phone in future (example: Samsung Galaxy S4?)

More muahahaha after checking on pleco.com:
Audio Pronunciation (male) module - free on Android; $9.95 on iOS -> muahahahaha
Audio Pronunciation (male) module - free on Android; $9.95 on iOS -> muahahahaha
Flashcard system - free on Android, $14.95 on iOS -> muahahahaha

Unlike other dictionary apps which one dictionary per apps, Pleco support multiple dictionaries. CC-CEDICT Chinese-English Dictionary is the default dictionary. The list of free dictionary that you can download and add to Pleco:
Unihan Database (extended)
Adsotrans Chinese-English Dictionary
LDC English-Chinese Wordlist
HanDeDict Chinese-German Dictionary
DeHanDict German-Chinese Dictionary
CFDICT Chinese-French Dictionary

Pleco also offer license transfer from one OS to another within 1 year of license purchased. So if you regret that you bought the lousy iPhone, don't worry about Pleco dictionary, you can email Pleco so that you can have the same dictionary on Android, without any extra changes (if not mistaken).


Caution: Pleco need to download additional files (most probably the default dictionary) during first run, make sure you are on WiFi or unlimited data plan.

Right now Pleco has 2 version on Google Play, the one with "CN" in front is for China that cannot download paid apps. I installed the normal version on my SGS2, works perfectly.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pleco.chinesesystem
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pleco.chinesesystem.cn

It also reported works on CyanogenMod and other popular ROMs.You can download it from Pleco website:
http://www.pleco.com/getandroid



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pix source: Pleco.com and Google Play

[Free Game] SiliBili

Your Apple fanboy friends always show off 3D games on their iPhone/iPod/iPad and you still wonder why you choose Android at first place? Don't doubt it anymore, you made the right choice. SGS2 is almost 2 years old device, but Samsung going to release Jelly Bean for it. For those that already flash with alternative ROMs, you know that SGS2 is capable of running Jelly Beans without any hiccup. Therefore, time to laugh at your friends who has to queue up at Apple store every year to buy a new device.

Here is a 3D game that you can impress the Apple fanboy:

I am too lazy to explain the game, you can read it at Google Play. Watch the featured video.


This link is to the Google Play (Lite version):
SiliBili Lite

If you are really hooked with the game, consider buying full version to support the developer.
SiliBili (Full version)


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pix source: Google Play

[free] BluMind - Mind Mapping Software

Tony Buzan invented Mind Mapping. I had the opportunity to attend one of his talk while he was in Penang few years ago. I also attended mind mapping course which trained by the trainer trained by Tony Buzan. Anyway, using papers and pens seems like not too environment friendly. Therefore using software on PC would be the better choice. Tony Buzan's company does offers mind mapping software, but is very costly.

Even though there is free version, but with limited function. If you want more functions, then you have to buy home/student version which cost 49 pound.

Luckily (as always :) ), there is a few mind mapping software that is totally free that we can use.

I am using BluMind these few days for my work. BluMind has installer or portable version. I always like portable version of any software.

Thanks to many the contributed, BluMind has many translated language, including Hindi, Japanese, Chinese (both type), Korean, and many Europe language. It can export to pictures (PNG, JPEG, BMP, etc) and CSV. Also can add icons, add remarks, progress mark. There is a timer, which I think is very good for time keeping, because with limited time, human brain usually will works faster.

Get your BluMind today:
http://blumind.org/


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pix source: blumind.org

Ubuntu for Phones

Ubuntu is going into Phones. What is the mean? More and more developers are dumping PC and going into mobile. The Ubuntu is running on Android.

Cut the crap, jump to 1:55 to see the demo.



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source: youtube!

Sailfish OS

Sailfish OS is another mobile OS based on meego. Meego was abandoned by Nokia and then Intel some time back. Some ex-employee of Nokia continue work on meego and came out with Sailfish OS.

Here is the demo of Sailfish OS


update: previous video was not working, replace with this one.

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source: youtube!

Happy New Year 2013

Happy New Year everyone!
Have a great 2013 ahead!