Sonos ZonePlayer S5 – Wireless Sound System
Posted on | May 31, 2010 | No Comments
Last Tuesday, when we were invited to EpiCentre at Marina Bay Sands, we had a chance to experience this really cool wireless sound system called Sonos ZonePlayer S5. The Sonos ZonePlayer S5 is an audio player that comes with five built-in speakers powered by five dedicated digital amplifiers, two tweeters, two midrange drivers and a subwoofer.
To set up, you simply have to connect the S5 to the router and and have a laptop or desktop connected to that same router. Once the set up is done, you can access the music that’s stored on your computer. When you are connected to the internet, you can also tune in to more than 25,000 internet radio stations, shows and podcasts. Also, it works with popular music services including Napster, Pandora and Rhapsody.
With the S5, you can play different music in different rooms. Your iPod Touch or iPhone can serve as a controller and you can select the music and adjust the volume in the different rooms all at once or room by room. All you have to do is to download a free app. There’s no need to dock your iPhone and you can continue to make calls or sms while listening to the music.
Sonos is solely distributed by Tat Chuan Acoustic Pte Ltd. The S5 can be purchased directly from the showroom located at The Adelphi #01-17 as well as at EpiCentre outlets at ION Orchard, Wheelock Place and Marina Bay Sands.
EpiCentre Store Opens at Marina Bay Sands
Posted on | May 29, 2010 | 1 Comment
To all the Apple fans out there – you can now shop for your favourite Apple products at EpiCentre’s new store in Marina Bay Sands. This is their 6th store in Singapore. The other five are at Wheelock, Suntec City, Bugis Junction, ION Orchard and 313 Somerset.

Regular customers of EpiCentre will know that customers who buy their MacBooks, iMacs or iPods from EpiCentre will entitle them to free membership which comes with an array of privileges within EpiCentre and many other lifestyle partners. Also, EpiCentre allows customers to trade-in their old Macs, PCs and iPods at a good value to offset their new equipment. EpiCentre also offers 30-days extended exchange period for purchases of many of its products.
Here are some of the key services of the store:
- EpiCentre has created a special service desk called iConcierge to assist its customers on-site with their needs. The iConcierge specialists will be able to provide a first level diagnosis on their Apple products and offer recommendations and assistance with both software and hardware issues.
- EpiCentre plans to offer special services such as loaning of equipment like wireless presenter, adapters, cables, speakers, pocket projectors, Skype phones and more. Details will be provided by the end of June.
So if you are planning on getting any Apple product, do head down to Marina Bay Sands!
Unwired 2010 Conference
Posted on | May 20, 2010 | No Comments
Interested to know more about mobile broadband scene in Singapore? Will Long Term Evolution (LTE) be the solution in the mobile broadband market?
Why not head down to Unwired 2010 Conference at SMU Admin Building on the 27 May 2010? UNWIRED 2010 is organised by Wowo Communications, a firm run by former journalist Alfred Siew, and a number of like-minded tech and media professionals in Singapore.
Backed by big players in the industry, the show is the first truly independent mobile and wireless event in the country, in that it does not place speakers based on a sponsorship basis.
For further details, visit http://www.amiando.com
Tele Atlas Maps and Location Content Power Sygic AURA’s 3D Navigation Experience in Malaysia and Singapore
Posted on | May 12, 2010 | No Comments
Sygic’s new 3D product delivers a futuristic, content-rich navigation experience for pedestrians and drivers today
Singapore, May 12, 2010 — Tele Atlas, the world leader in high quality digital maps and dynamic content, and Sygic, a navigation software company, have announced that Tele Atlas maps and content are the foundation of the recently launched 3D navigation product Sygic AURA, which is now available in Malaysia and Singapore.
Sygic AURA combines professional car navigation with a pedestrian-centric application so that both drivers and pedestrians have access to information about the world around them, including 3D visuals. The product is designed for users of high end smartphones and will be available for mobile users around the world.
Sygic AURA provides end users with full 3D content displays including elevation, buildings and landscapes. The application leverages Tele Atlas maps and content including 2D City Maps, 3D Landmarks and Digital Elevation Models, which raise the clarity and reality of screen images and allow end users to see exactly where they are and easily find what they want. Additionally, Sygic AURA includes millions of points of interest (POIs) and pre-installed wiki information, including city guides, hotel information, images and more to enrich the end user’s turn-by-turn navigation experience and comfort during travelling. Sygic AURA also delivers a combination of social networking and community related features, including connected capabilities for real-time information to see a friend’s location or status and to look up weather information.
Demonstration of Sygic AURA on iPhone
More information including pricing and availability of Sygic’s AURA is available at Aura.Sygic.com (http://aura.sygic.com).
The 20th European Union Film Festival
Posted on | May 5, 2010 | No Comments
Last week, I was invited to the EUFF’s Blogger Movie Night which was held at the Spain Embassy and had the pleasure of watching Irina Palm from Luxembourg.
In this film, Marianne Faithfull starred as Maggie, a 50 year old grandmother who was desperate to find money to pay for her sick grandson’s surgery and decided to take up a job at nightclub which required her to masturbate men behind a wall with a hole.
Being someone from the older generation, she took up the job with much hesitation at first, and she did not tell her friends and family as she felt ashamed and feared their disapproval. However, she became so good at her job such that the boss decided to let her work under the pseudonym ‘Irina Palm’ where she could command a higher price. Subsequently, she found courage to tell her friends about her occupation and even told them that she was the best in this line in the area. With this newfound pride, she managed to confront her friend whom she knew had an affair with her dead husband, and it become apparent that Maggie thought that her friend’s affair with her own husband was more shameful than Maggie’s job.
Maggie’s son had a very close relationship with Maggie, and often stood on Maggie’s side when she had clashes with her daughter-in-law. It was clear that Maggie didn’t have a good relationship with her daughter-in-law. When Maggie gave a lump sum of 6000 to her son, her son feared that his mother did something silly or stupid for the money and followed her to her work place. After finding out about Maggie’s job, the son became enraged and felt ashamed that his mother had to work as a “whore”. Interestingly, it was the daughter-in-law who was more understanding and said that she felt really grateful to Maggie for what she was doing to help. The son subsequently accepted the situation and became thankful and appreciative of his mother.
Overall, the film was really interesting to watch and I really enjoyed it. I believe that the other films will be just as nice to watch.
This year, the EUFF will feature 17 critically acclaimed and award-winning films from some of the EU’s member countries and will run from 6 May to 16 May. Although Broken Embraces (6 May) from Spain is only open to invited guests, the show will be released in local cinemas on 13 May. Some other highlights of the festival include titles such as The Father of my Children (France), Unmade Beds (UK) and The Secret of Kells (Ireland). Tickets are available from Golden Village at $10 each.
website: http://euff.sg/
Mobile Marketing Association Releases New Version Of U.S. Consumer Best Practices For Cross-Carrier Mobile Content Services
Posted on | May 2, 2010 | No Comments
Version 5.0 guidelines provide the industry-standard reference for the mobile marketing ecosystem, including the four largest U.S. carriers
New York, London, UK, Singapore & Sao Paulo: April 29, 2010 – The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) (www.mmaglobal.com) released the latest version of its U.S. Consumer Best Practices (CBP) Guidelines for Cross-Carrier Mobile Content Services. The guidelines are the industry standard for cross-carrier mobile content services such as text messaging (SMS), multimedia messaging (MMS), shortcode programs, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and mobile Web.
Produced by the MMA’s CBP Committee, the new, version 5.0 guidelines provide measures of acceptable and unacceptable practices for all players in the U.S. ecosystem. The guidelines also serve as the benchmarks for the four largest U.S. wireless service providers – Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile USA – eliminating the need for brands, agencies and marketers to refer to four separate carrier playbooks.
Major updates and additions include:
- New guidelines for affiliate marketing for premium rate programs, with examples.
- New guidelines to ensure STOP and HELP keywords work in each program’s native language
- Updated guidelines to ensure clarity for all members of the mobile marketing ecosystem
Version 5.0 also features a new format for faster navigation, using tiered sections such as General Guidelines, Standard Rate, Premium Rate and Free to End User Programs. The new format includes “MMA IDs,” which make it easy to find related sections in previous versions.
"The MMA Consumer Best Practices Guidelines continue to provide the industry-standard reference that every member of the mobile marketing ecosystem turns to when they need definitive answers for ensuring consistency and protecting the consumer experience,” said Kristine van Dillen, Director of Industry Initiatives and Partnerships for the MMA. “Through regular updates, the guidelines are designed to anticipate and address changing industry needs and opportunities while meeting two goals that haven’t changed since the first edition: ensuring consistency and protecting the consumer experience.”
The new guidelines are available at www.mmaglobal.com/bestpractices.pdf.
The MMA would like to thank the following member companies that participated in the CBP committee and were instrumental in the development of the new guidelines:
|
3C Interactive |
mBlox, Inc. |
Telcordia Technologies, Inc. |
|
4INFO, Inc. |
Mobile Messenger |
Telescope, Inc. |
|
AT&T Mobility |
Motricity |
Thumbplay Inc. |
|
BANGO |
MX Telecom |
T-Mobile USA |
|
Brightkite |
Neustar, Inc. |
Velti |
|
Buongiorno |
OpenMarket |
VeriSign, Inc. |
|
Cellfish Media LLC. |
Publicis NA |
Verizon Wireless |
|
Distributive Networks |
Snackable Media |
Virgin Mobile USA |
|
FOX Mobile Entertainment, |
Sprint-Nextel |
Wells Fargo Bank |
|
Lavalife Mobile |
Sybase, Inc. |
About the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA)
The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) is the premier global non-profit trade association established to lead the growth of mobile marketing and its associated technologies. The MMA is an action-oriented organization designed to clear obstacles to market development, establish mobile media guidelines and best practices for sustainable growth, and evangelize the use of the mobile channel. The more than 700 member companies, representing over forty countries around the globe, include all members of the mobile media ecosystem. The Mobile Marketing Association’s global headquarters are located in the United States and it has regional chapters including North America (NA), Europe (EUR), Latin America (LATAM), Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Asia Pacific (APAC) branches. For more information, please visit www.mmaglobal.com.
LG’s First Quad-Core Notebook Offers Extreme 3D Gaming Excitement
Posted on | March 12, 2010 | No Comments
New LG WIDEBOOK™ R590 boasts impressive performance powered by Intel Core i7 Processor and NVIDIA GeForce GT 230M
graphics chipset
Singapore, March 11, 2010 - LG Electronics (LG) announced its first quad-core processor notebook, the 15.6-inch LG WIDEBOOK™ R590.
The LG R590 packs the performance of a high-end desktop PC into a mobile chassis and includes a 1.73GHz Intel Core i7 processor with the PM55 Chipset, and a discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT230M with 1GB of dedicated DDR3 video memory. The combination provides the ultimate in portable performance and enables users to enjoy 3D games and full HD movies on the road.
The LG R590 achieves its performance with Intel’s Calpella Platform, which integrates the Core i7 processor and PM55 chipset, boosting performance by up to 112% over the Montevina platform for the Core 2 Duo processor.
The NVIDIA GeForce GT230M also enhances 3D graphics quality. According to tests using 3DMark06, this graphics chipset with 1G of DDR3 video memory offers a performance that is about eight times superior to that of Intel’s GMA 4500MHD. In addition, the WXGA+ high-resolution display running at a native resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels offers clear, crisp images.
The LG R590 is equipped with a full range of multimedia features to complete the ultimate entertainment experience. The LED-backlit 16:9 ratio LCD widescreen is embedded with two stereo speakers with SRS TruSurround HD, which offer a cinematic experience for 3D games and movies. A 1.3-megapixel webcam is included along with the You-Cam viewer for video chatting and conferencing.
Beyond the high-performance multimedia features, the LG R590 offers a stylish and sleek design to appeal to discerning consumers. The newest notebook offers a rich, glossy appearance with a UV-coated shiny white or crystal black finish. A row of backlit blue touch buttons also provides instant access to commonly-used functions and the soft touch of the exterior makes extended use more comfortable.
The exclusive LG- Smart Pack is included to help keep the LG R590 running at peak performance and comprises the maintenance suite of Smart Indicator, Smart Recovery, and Smart Care to maintain an error-free notebook. A detachable Optical Disk Drive enables the notebook to be ultra light and increases mobility. An e-SATA port is provided for connectivity with current-generation hard drives and a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector makes it easy to integrate with modern displays.
The LG WIDEBOOK™ R590 is now available in Singapore at a recommended retail price of SG$2,399/-.
Specifications and Features
| Specifications |
LG WIDEBOOKTM LG R590 |
|
| Processor |
Intel® Core™ i7-820QM processor (1.73GHz, Turbo up to 3.06GHz / 1333MHz FSB L2 cache 8MB) |
|
| Operating System |
Windows 7 (Home Premium) |
|
| Chipset |
Intel PM55 |
|
| Sys. Memory |
Max. 4GB (DDR3 1333MHz, 32bit OS) |
|
| Intel® Turbo Memory |
None |
|
| Display |
15.6″ HD+ (1600*900) |
|
| Graphics |
GeForce GT 230M (w/ DDR3 1024MB) |
|
| Storage |
HDD |
Max. 500GB |
|
SSD (Option) |
None |
|
| ODD |
DVD Super-Multi Combo |
|
| Comm. |
Wireless |
Intel WiFiLink 5300AGN (3×3) |
|
WLAN Antenna |
Triple Hexa-band Antenna (Intel® WiFiLink 5300 only) |
|
|
Modem |
56kbps Modem (Option) |
|
|
LAN |
Gigabit Ethernet |
|
|
Bluetooth |
Yes (Bluetooth v2.1+EDR) |
|
|
TV-Tuner |
None |
|
|
3G |
Ready |
|
| Webcam |
1.3M w/ Stereo Mic. |
|
| Audio | HD Audio, SRS WOW HD, SRS TruSurround HD | |
| Security |
Kensington Lock, HDD Security |
|
| Input Device |
Keyboard |
Full Size 98 Key (w/ Numeric Keypad) |
|
Pointing Device |
Touch Pad w/ Scroll Function |
|
| Expansion Slot |
Multimedia Card Slot |
5-in-1 (xD, MMC, SD, MS, MS Pro) |
|
PC Card Slot |
Express /34 |
|
| Input/Output Port | HP Out, Mic In, USB (x3), e-SATA (combo w/ USB), HDMi, VGA, RJ45, RJ11, DC-In |
|
| Battery | 6Cell (Li-Ion / 2400mAh or 2200mAh) | |
| AC Adapter | 90W | |
| Software |
Pre-Installed |
- Pre-Installed
|
|
CD/DVD Titles |
|
|
| Port Replicator |
None |
|
| Dimensions (W x D x H) |
373 x 254 x 27.8, 35.2, 39.0 (mm) |
|
| Weight |
TBD |
|
(* marks the features available on selected models or configurations only.)
Answer 2 questions and stand a chance to win a sportHolster from Urban Tool!
Posted on | March 2, 2010 | No Comments
Great news guys! We are having a quiz to giveaway 2 sportHolsters from Urban Tool! Simply read our blog post on Urban Tool, answer 2 simple questions, and you may stand a chance to be a winner!
1. Urban Tool made its debut in Singapore in December 2009 and is the 5th store in Asia. True or false?
2. Urban Tool’s products are cleverly designed to hold most of your gadgets without the use of zippers and velcros, and are made from high quality materials. True or false?
Please email your answers and contact number to huiwen.zheng@theneodimension.com by 14 March 2010, 2359h. The 2 lucky winners will be randomly drawn from the pool of contestants with the correct answers. Winners will be notified via email and sms by 21 March 2010. Good luck!
Don’t know the answer? Read my previous blog post!!!!
Terms and conditions
1. Contestants are to submit their answers by 14 March 2010, 2359 h. Late submissions will not be considered.
2. In the event that a winner cannot be contacted, The Neo Dimension reserves the right to randomly select another winner.
3. Prize collection will be at 10 Sinaran Drive, #02-60 Square 2 (beside Novena MRT).
4. The Neo Dimension and Urban Tool reserve the right to change the prize without prior notice.
5. In the event of a dispute, The Neo Dimension’s decision remains final.
Urban Tool – Wear Your Entertainment
Posted on | March 2, 2010 | 1 Comment
You want to go for a run at East Coast Park. You want to bring your iPod along so that you can listen to it while you run. You will need to carry your mobile phone with you. You will need your water bottle to hydrate. You will need a towel to dry yourself. How about some cash, house keys, and ez-link card?
Alright so you can drive there and leave some of the things in your car. But you still need to carry your car keys and you hate to have things jiggling in your pockets while you run.
If you feel this way, you might be glad to know that Urban Tool has the perfect solution for you.
Ergonomically designed to fit most bodies, the sportHolster is the perfect answer to the scenario above. The sportHolster has pockets for your MP3 player, mobile phone, and even a key hook so that you won’t lose your keys while you work out.
sportHolster is made from high quality, water-resistant and lightweight materials (polyamide and lyrca) and is available in 3 sizes (small, medium, and large).
Urban Tool is based in Vienna, Austria, and is popular for their innovative designs. Urban Tool made its debut in Singapore in December 2009, making it the 5th store in Asia. What I like about their stuff is that most of the pockets are designed such that they can hold your gadgets without the use of zippers and velcros. Also, the material used to make their products feels really light and durable. Other than the sportHolster, they also have lots of other products for casual and even business use. For iPod and iPhone users, Urban Tool has recently launched ihipHolster and icaseBelt where you can hook up your gadget to the connector that’s discreetly built into one of the compartments and access the play/stop/pause buttons that are embedded on the bag which is really convenient.
It is difficult to tell you guys how great the products are. You got to experience it for yourself to find out. Head down to the store at 10 Sinaran Drive, #02-60 Square 2 (beside Novena MRT) to try out the bags or check out the global website www.urbantool.com. Readers of The Neo Dimension can enjoy a 10% discount at the store!
Tiger Airway IPO Fact Sheet
Posted on | January 16, 2010 | No Comments
ISSUE STATISTICS
Offer size: 155.556m new shares + 9.599m vendor shares
Placement Tranche – 152.769m shares
Price: S$1.65 (Maximum Offer Price)
NAV per share (post-IPO): S$0.285
Historical PE: n.a.
Market Cap (post-IPO): S$891.0m
Open: 13 Jan 2010
Close: 18 Jan 2010, 8.00am
Price Determination: 18 Jan 2010
Trading: 22 Jan 2010 (on “ready” basis)
Lead Manager: Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, DBS
Revenue S$m yoy % chg
FY08 303.8 +77.3%
FY09 378.0 +24.4%
Net profit S$m
FY08 9.9 .
FY09 (50.8)
Background
Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd (Tiger Air) is a low-fare, low-cost airline focused on Asia and Australasia. It currently operates out of three bases in Singapore, Melbourne and Adelaide. Tiger Air aims to maximise profitability by developing a portfolio of routes with consistently high passenger load factors and carefully managing capacity. The airline operates a fleet of 17 Airbus A320 family aircraft and has committed to purchase additional Airbus A320s, which will increase the size of its fleet to 68 by Dec 15.
Tiger Air derives its operating revenues mainly from passenger seat sales, accounting for 97.8% and 95.1% of total revenues for FY07 and FY08, respectively. Ancillary revenues are generated through additional products and services such as additional baggage services, seat selector fees, in-flight sale of beverages, food and merchandise, as well as commissions earned through the distribution of travel insurance, accommodation and car rental services.
Tiger Air also charges a convenience fee for most reservations made through its website.
Use of Proceeds
Based on the maximum offer price, Tiger Air intends to use the proceeds for funding the equity portion of its planned acquisition of Airbus A320 aircraft and the associated aircraft pre-delivery payments (S$166m), establishing new operating bases (S$10m), repayment of all outstanding short-term loans (S$50.4m) and working capital (S$20.4m).
Disclaimer: This blog post contains time-sensitive information. Readers are advised to seek professional consultation before making any investment decision. The Neo Dimension will not be liable for any investment loss made in this offer.