The Starhub MaxMobile Prepaid bundle promotion includes a Huawei E1750 USB modem (HSDPA 7.2Mbps/HSUPA 5.6Mbps) and Prepaid SIM card plus 2 additional $6 top-up cards and it costs only $149. The Huawei E1750 USB Modem is priced at CNY800(about S$171) so I thought there must be a catch for Starhub to offer the 7.2Mbps mobile broadband prepaid bundle at such low price, S$149!

Maybe the Starhub E1750 is locked and cannot accept other service provider SIM cards.

Tested M1 Mobile Broadband SIM Card in Starhub Mobile Broadband Modem

So I set out to test my new Starhub mobile broadband modem, Huawei E1750, with my exisiting M1 Mobile Broadband SIM card which I have been using for the past 1 year in the M1’s Vodafone E220 USB Modem.

With the Vodafone E220 USB modem, all the settings were configured nicely for M1 SIM card so I have no idea how to configure it for the E1750. Luckily, after some googling I found the M1 settings at AlvinPoh.com.

Here’s the screen shots on the value to enter for the Starhub’s Huawei E1750 USB modem:

• Dial Number: *99#
• Username: ppp@aplus.at
• Password: ppp

Also, ensure that both CHAP and PAP are not selected in the Advanced settings.

Once connected, the DNS are:
- 202.65.244.31
- 202.65.247.32

The M1 mobile broadband SIM card can actually work with my new Starhub MaxMobile Prepaid modem!

Starhub MaxMobile USB Modem is Not Locked

So the Starhub E1750 USB modem is unlocked.

Confirmed.

How about Singtel Mobile Broadband?

Connection settings for Singtel Mobile Broadband:

1. Number to dial is *99#
2. DNS to use is 165.21.83.88 and 165.21.100.88
3. APN for Singtel is “internet”
4. Username =
5. Password =

Next week , when I get my hand on Singtel BBOM SIM card, I shall test it with the E1750. Or, maybe you have already tried it? Do leave your comment below.

Then I search on Google for Singtel iPhone 3GS and read about the Dow Jones Newswires on CNN Money.

CNN Money: SingTel To Offer iPhone 3GS In Singapore On July 10

Here’s why you want to own the new iPhone 3GS:

• 2X faster
• Video, edit it and share it
• 3-megapixel camera, auto-focus
• Voice control
• Digital compass and GPS
• Cut, copy, and paste words and photos, even between applications
• Landscape Keyboard
• Send MMS and forward one or more messages to others
• Internet tethering
• Spotlight searches everything in your iPhone
• and all those free apps from iTune Store

I talked to 3 of my friends who visited the IT Show 2009 and all said this year’s show is no different from last year – “just as crowded”. In fact, the organizer of the IT Show said that he expected more revenue this year because people waited since last December to make purchase at this year’s IT Show.

Ready to buy something? Digital cameras, netbooks, portable HDD, IBM laptops or the iMac 24-inch.

Go check out this IT Show 2009 Price List…

[Update 16 March 2009]
IT Show 2009 generated a record $58.5M – $4.5M more than last year! – The worst may be over? If you think figures don’t lie then start buying up Singapore stocks.

So, to encourage more discussion, I’ve created a Samsung Omnia thread at Zest.SG Latest Gadgets Forum.

Why Use a Forum?

I guess some people prefer to participate in a forum discussion instead of commenting on a blog.

One reason being that your post does not need the blog owner to approve it. You get to see your discussion on the Omnia phone immediately and other forum members can also response to your questions quickly.

You may also want to check out this other very popular Samsung Omnia Forum.

HDB Resale Price Rose 4.2% in Q3

I will be moving to a new HDB flat in Tampines very soon and have to sell away my current flat.

So an increase of 4.2% in HDB resale flat prices is good news to me. This seemingly small percentage increase could actually translate in to several thousands of dollar; more than enough to cover your property agent fees.

A 4.2% increase for a $300,000 flat will result in an additional $12,600.

Home Prices Index

Looking at the price index chart above, it seems unlikely that the HDB resale prices will continue to go up. If I don’t sell off my current flat quickly, I may “lose” money in 3 to 6 months’ time.

How to Market Your Own HDB Resale Flat

I intend to sell my flat without using the service of property agent.

I have done it before – about 20 years ago when I helped my dad to sell his 4-room flat at Telok Blangah Rise. At that time the buyer also did not use a property agent so I had to help both the buyer and the seller of the flat.

Here’s how I will market my resale flat:

• Put up a website to showcase my HDB resale flat
• List my property at major property portals
• Advertise at ST Property Classifield Ads

The first thing to do when you intend to sell your flat is to visit HDB website and learn what you need to do to “Selling Your Flat” on your own.

First you must go read the Seven iPhone Disappointments – quite a nasty review – It doesn’t sound like a usable phone. Also, a couple of iPhone users advised me against getting it. Instead, they recommended the new Samsung i900 Omnia.

Here’s a Samsung Omnia review – actually it’s a comparison:

iPhone 3G vs Samsung i900 vs HTC Touch Diamond

and the Samsung Omnia seems to be the obvious winner here.

Youtube Video: Samsung Omnia Review

I always wanted to get a Samsung. I am sick of Nokia! However, I am stuck with my existing phone because I still have more than 12 months contract on my current plan. The price of Samsumg Omnia without contract is pretty steep.

The Samsung Omnia looks good, isn’t it? In fact, it looks as cool as the iPhone. Here’s the Omnia specifications.

Samsung Omnia Specifications

**I particular like the idea of the 5MP auto-focus camera with flash, Divx/H.264 video and embedded GPS. Also the Samsung Omnia OS is Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, meaning a wide range of application software can be installed.

Update 28 Jul 2008: This blog is currently ranked Number 1 when you searched for omnia review at Google.com.sg. I really wish I could get hold of this phone and do a proper review. For more information on Omnia blogs, visit SamsungMobileBlog.com.sg

Update 9 October 2008: Thank you for all the comments. Please keep them coming. And for those who prefer to discuss using a forum, please visit Samsung Omnia Forum at http://www.zest.sg/forum/latest-gadgets-f17/samsung-omnia-t36.html

Samsung Omnia HD

Update 1 March 2009: Just got to know that Samsung launched a sequel to the Omnia. After some research on Google, I believe the new Samsung Omnia HD will be a winner. I will definitely like to lay my hand on it and test out the high-definition video recording and watching HD movie on-the-go.

According to a AFP article on iPhone 3G published at Yahoo news, the new iPhone 3G(8GB) will sell for US$199 and available in every country in the world.

When Can I Get iPhone 3G in Singapore

July 2008.

The official launch date is set in 11 July 2008. And Singapore should be one of the first countries in the world to get iPhone.

Why?

Because all major mobile phone manufacturers launch their new models in Singapore first. If iPhone 3G didn’t get here soon, Nokia, Sony, Samsung and LG will definitely come up with some iPhone-killer model to protect their market share.

Maybe, they will have a sample iPhone 3G at the PC Show 08 Singapore this Thursday.

More information on the new iPhone 3G:

• vnunet.com: Apple unveils iPhone 3G
• PCWorld: 5 Reasons to Buy the Apple iPhone 3G
• Apple.com

LG KS20 Smartphone Specifications

• 2.8″ screen wide
• 12.8mm thin
• 2:40h Talk Time long
• 118g light
• 3.6Mbps fast
• 2Mega pixel sharp
• Windows Mobile 6

Get the KS20 detailed specs here.

Check out this video clip(remixed) recorded at the LG KS20 Smartphone Launch Party in Singapore.

LG KS20 and Hot Babe’s Cool Nails at the Launch Party

And this is the orginal video recorded by izr3load3d

Here’s a LG KS20 review video:

This new little laptop designed and built by Quanta is getting it’s share of publicity at many top electronic gadgets and mobile PC portals.

Specifications:

• 1GHz Via C7M ULV processor
• 1GB RAM
• 400GB hard disk drive
• 7-inch display
• Integrated media acceleration
• Linpus Linux Lite OS

Linpus Linux OS in Action

Watch this video…

Find out more at the following links:

• Computerworld: New mini laptop to cost under $300
• Engadget: NorhTec prepping sub-$300 Linux-based laptop of its own
• Linuxdevice: Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux

The price was super affordable – IT Show special price at S$598 for a Eee PC 4G. This is the most affordable UMPC I’ve ever seen.

My first impression: the text is very readable on the 7″ screen and the keyboard is not too tiny for most Asian fingers.

At that low price for a fully functional laptop, I really wanted one and keep it by my side at all time – to work on the train, while waiting for appointment or when an idea struck and I just have to blog it.

How You Can Use The Eee PC

Watch the video below and you’ll know why I think this Eee PC is the perfect companion (I nearly want to call it the MacBook Air killer!).

Want to see how the Eee PC loaded with Windows XP performs?

Check out this video on Asus Eee PC review by Bill Myers:

Most mobile phones have screen resolution of 240 by 320 pixels. Smartphones give you bigger viewing area, in the case of iPhone the maximum resolution is 480 by 320 pixels. As for Internet tablet such as the Nokia N810, you’ll get a huge 800 by 480 pixels (screen 4.13″).

Display Resolution For Mobile Internet Devices

The 800 by 480 pixels may be the new standard for Mobile Internet Devices(MID). It is interesting to note that the wildly popular Eee PC also has a 800 by 480 resolution, 7″ screen.

I think the 800 by 480 pixel is a practical display size to view a web page. However, this resolution may not be possible on a 2″ display of a mobile phone; though it will be nice to have a display with 480 by 320 resolution on all mobile phones.

Making Your Web Page Mobile Device Friendly

Currently, the most popular screen resolution on most computer is 1024 by 768 pixels. Very likely, your Web page is designed for this 1024 by 768 XGA standard.

More and more people will be accessing the Internet using their mobile devices. So you’ll have to make your Web page viewable on a smaller screen. But how small?

For your new Web pages to reach the increasing number of mobile users, keep the most important message on your Web page to the first 640 by 480.

You may want to divide your page into not more than 2 columns with the more important content on the left hand side – content on the left and navigation on the right. Your left column should be less than 480 pixels, preferably between 320 to 450 pixels.