It’s quite interesting to see that more and more Malaysia related iPhone applications are available for download from Apple Apps Store. The latest one that I see is this hitz.fm online radio.

The hitz.fm logo is shown when the application is launched.

Even though it is called hitz.fm, but there are actually 4 radio stations that you can find inside. Listening to one is simply tapping on the radio station name. Hope to see more radio stations in the future.

This how the screen looks like when launching hitz.fm radio. Sound quality is quite ok (128 kbps bitrate) and the streaming is quite smooth.

And this is the one for Era.

Really hoping to see more applications that are related to our Malaysia way of life. Government related apps perhaps. But I bet for government to jump on this band-wagon, it’s going to take many more years.

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Got iPhone? Now you can view my blog with the usual iPhone Apps look.

All the blog entries appears exactly the same as what you will see on computer, minus the extra stuffs that you see on the sidebar. This will make the page is lighter and faster to load.

Choosing the categories, you will see the usual iPhone dial look for drop down list.

And here are the blog entries related to My Cats.

Don’t like this look? You can always switch back to regular view.

So you own self hosted Wordpress blog and would like to have this also? Head to the WPtouch plugin page. Installing it is as easy as uploading the plugin and activating it.

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As I suspected in my previous entry, Maxis has already come out with a plan for existing iPhone 3G user to own iPhone 3GS.

No, it’s not a trade-in-your-old-iphone like what they had when launching iPhone 3G last time, but it’s a RM500 rebate off the full price iPhone 3GS, and there’s no contract bound to it. The RM500 rebate will be credited back to the monthly bill.

Tempting, but RM2490 (after rebate) for 32GB iPhone 3GS, I’ll pass.

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Was visiting Maxis website earlier just to check my phone bill, only when I noticed that the iPhone 3Gs is opened for booking already.

As I mentioned in my previous entry of iPhone 3GS, I kinda wondering on how Maxis will price this. But before that, lets look again at the price that I have to pay last time when getting iPhone with 24-months contract under iValue 1 plan.

And this is the same plan for iPhone 3Gs. Darn. Just RM100 extra, you get newer faster iPhone with double the storage (32GB). But this is what I expect already, and it always like that for Apple products. So I don’t really feel quite bad about it, but still, RM100 extra for faster large storage iPhone. (Darn again)

Lets just wait a few weeks, I bet there will be another campaign of trading your old iPhone 3G to get the newer iPhone 3GS ;)

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I just got the following SMS on my iPhone.

The text version of it.

The new iPhone OS3.0 software will be available on 18 June. As a valued Maxis iPhone customer, a complimentary installation CD will be sent to you for FREE. The updated software will enable your iPhone to MMS, copy and paste, perform call forwarding & voice recording and comes with Bahasa Malaysia capability. To find out more about the exciting new features, visit www.maxis.com.my/iPhone.

I guess this will be a good news to those iPhone users that don’t have Internet connection to download this new software. Call forwarding eh. Will test that one out soon.

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The release of iPhone OS 3.0 is just around the corner. Even though it is just another a week away (morning of 17th June in US is almost 18th June for Malaysia), I kinda feel so eager to start using this new OS for iPhone.

The article on Gizmodo website titled iPhone OS 3.0 Now Available in Torrent really moved me. I finished downloading it Tuesday, and last night I just convinced that I’m too impatient to wait the official release, and decided to install this on my iPhone. According to the article, this one is the golden master, which Apple will distribute next week. But if this is not the final one, I can always upgrade later next week ;)

There’s a page on Apple website listing out all the new features that OS 3.0 has got to offer. I hope that the topic of this entry has not misled you. I’m actually recapping those features with Malaysian iPhone user in mind. Let’s go through a few features that I feel like highlighting, shall we?

Home Screen

There are 3 different things that I notice on the Home Screen.

OS 2.2		OS 3.0

• The messaging icon no longer have the SMS text in it, as now it supports both SMS and MMS. Instead being called Text previously, now it is called Messages
• Icon for Stocks is also different, perhaps indicating that this is an enhanced Stocks App
• A new app called Voice Memos

MMS

This is the very first feature that I test as soon as the installation of OS 3.0 on my iPhone finished. The missing of this option previously is very uneasy. I guess the service is not like normal MMS service that we set up on any other phone where the setting can be obtained from Maxis website. Also, there’s no option of setting up the MMS parameters in iPhone.

I use my house mate’s Nokia 5800 XpressMusic for testing as well, and the result is…

…it works already on Maxis. While in the US, AT&T will only offer MMS service late summer. I guess this is a thumbs up to Maxis of having this ready just before the new OS arrived, even the crappy 3G connection speed that I’m getting is still bothering me.

So, I’m able to send MMS. What about receiving one? Well, lets test that as well.

Yeap. MMS features seems to be working fine with the iPhone OS 3.0 on Maxis network already.

More on messaging

Every iPhone user must already feeling the pain of not able to delete individual SMS message last time, as well as forwarding any SMS received. This has been fixed in OS 3.0. You can now delete individual message, or forward it, and it works on both SMS and MMS.

New Languages & Countries

Malaysia wasn’t even in the list of countries that iPhone will launch at the time OS 2.2 is out. And when it’s out, the best time zone location that we can select is Singapore. Now Kuala Lumpur is already in the list.

You can also change the language of the whole iPhone itself to Bahasa Melayu.

And this is how it looks like when Bahasa Melayu is used. Hhhmmm. ‘Messages’ is still called SMS. It should be Mesej instead ;)

iPhone is using software based intelligence keyboard where it predicts, suggests and correct words as you type. This feature works well when typing in English last time, but how often that I write SMS in English ;) I end up having this feature turned off previously as it’s really annoying suggesting unrelated words when you are typing in Malay. And you can’t change to Malay language as well as it’s not available. Not anymore. OS 3.0 now offers Malay language as one of the keyboards language that you can choose.

Once Malay language selected, you can choose Bahasa Melayu as the keyboard language whenever you need to type something.

Not quite sure who that Apple consulted when adding the Malay language feature in OS 3.0, but the Space button is called Spais and Return button is called Kembali. Well, ok lar!

Cut, Copy & Paste

This is another mostly awaited feature, which also a big pain in the previous OS of not able to do this. I tested this feature, and like it very much

Spotlight Search

Originally introduced in MacOS, now this feature is available on iPhone OS 3.0 too.

This will search everything on your iPhone of the items matching the search text that you type. What to be included in the search results can be customized from the setting.

Internet Tethering

One of the feature that I enjoy a lot on Windows Mobile platform (when using HTC Touch Pro last time) is using the phone as the modem. That time I have unlimited data plan with my Maxis Value 50, and I’ve been using it as modem to connect to the Internet when I’m on the move.

Can we do the same on iPhone? Nope! Unless you jailbreak your phone and install one of the third party application. I think this feature is vital. With the data plan that we have with Maxis iValue or iData, there’s no way that we will full utilize that just on iPhone. Fear no more my friend as OS 3.0 now offers Internet Tethering – sharing your Internet connection on iPhone with your laptop or desktop via Bluetooth or USB.

The same article that I mentioned earlier at the beginning of this post suggests that AT&T will only offer tethering only by end of this summer, and via a special data plan. I hope it’s not the case with Maxis, and lets test it just to make sure.

Tethering can be enabled at the Settings -> General -> Network.

Once enabled, your Windows should detect a new hardware now. In Windows XP it is detected as Apple Mobile Device Ethernet.

Once the driver is installed, iPhone is treated as another Local Area Network connection, and once connected, your laptop or desktop is connected to the Internet already.

And on your iPhone, there will be a flashing bar at the top of the screen with the text Internet Tethering

This bar will be shown everywhere, I guess as a visual alert that the Internet connection of the iPhone is being shared by your laptop or desktop.

Final words

With all of these new features introduced, I do believe that iPhone will now become a worth piece of device to own. Furthermore, the slashing down of the price of 8GB iPhone 3G (with the introduction of 16GB and 32GB iPhone 3G S) will definitely attract more new iPhone users. So what I’m eagerly waiting for next is how Maxis will offer this, and what’s the price will be ;)

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I was too sleepy to follow up Gizmodo’s Live Blog covering the Apple WWDC 2009 that starts 1am Malaysia time. I was only following the first 1/2 hour of it.

Woke up at 5:30am since Oyen making noise to get out of the room. After that, first thing that I do is to go to my PC to see what I have missed. So, anything new on iPhone? Yes. Apple launched a new model – iPhone 3G S, where S stands for speed.

Well, there’s still no front camera, but the phone supports HSPDA network already. No change on the look itself (I repeat, still no front camera…. grrrr….), only things are 2x faster on the inside.

This new iPhone will be shipped to Malaysia July 9th. That’s a month from now. Kinda wondering how Maxis will offer this to its subsriber. I bet there will be more stupid plans that will be introduced, like trade in your old iPhone 3G, change your plan to “iValue Speed” for example.

Is it worth an upgrade for me? Well, they have 16GB and 32GB version now, but do I need that much space? Well just wait for more reviews about this then I’ll revisit the thought of upgrading ;) At least software update to iPhone OS 3.0 is something to look forward.

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Hell yes. Finally, Skype for iPhone is released, and is available to be downloaded from App Store.

Now, getting in touch with Skype user is easier and can be done anywhere when you are on mobile. Too bad voice call only can be made on WIFI connection. I just don’t understand Apple for asking that restriction.

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The day that I’m waiting for has come, after waiting for a week from the that that I book my iPhone. My collection time slot is 2pm-6pm at KL Convention Centre. I thought it will be chaotic here, with massive crowd, but it turned out there are more Maxis staffs compared to people that come for iPhone collection.

And just look at collection hall. Only a few people hang around to see the iPhone demonstration on the stage. The rest are really Maxis staffs working on this day.

Well, there’s this interesting group of Maxis staffs here on the way out. They will basically applause each and every person that walk out with iPhone in the hand, cheering them up. Sorry, the photo is really blurry as I take this while I’m walking out.

Despite of the rumors not to buy iPhone first as new model will come out soon, well, this is something that I’ve been waiting so long, and something that I’m so eager to get one. But unlocked iPhone 3G is available so long already on the black market. That’s the thing. When I want to get thing, I really want something that is properly released. Anyhow, here is the bag that I got today from collecting my iPhone.

And here is my new white 16GB iPhone, and a free t-shirt that Maxis gives. The thing about Apple’s handheld product is, the body always have glossy finish that can easily scratch. Like it or not, you have to invest at buying a case for your handheld product, and cases for Apple products are not always cheap.

The one that I’m buying is Griffin’s Nu Form case. I guess this is the one that attracts me most. It doesn’t add the bulk to the iPhone that much and the case looks pretty neat.

And here is the iPhone 3G’s box ripped open.

The content of iPhone 3G box (not as much as you think)

• iPhone itself
• Stereo headset with mic
• USB charger
• Dock connector to USB cable
• Various documentations
• Apple logo sticker (I still have another one from my iPod Classic box unused)
• Cleaning cloth
• SIM ejector tool

The thing about touch screen device is, it is always like finger print magnet. Meaning, you have to always have the cleaning cloth with you to wipe out those oily finger prints. But as soon as you start touching the screen again, then you have to repeat the same thing again – wiping off those oily fingerprints.

Also, the touch screen seems so delicate where it needs some kind of protector to protect those expensive screen from getting scratched. And this is another thing that I have to invest for my iPhone.

So, I’m getting Power Support Anti-Glare Film Set for my iPhone 3G. Apart from eliminating glare on the screen, this film resists smudges and fingerprints. Really. Your fingerprints doesn’t really stick on this film. But good thing comes with a price. This one costs me RM68. DOH!!

So here is my new iPhone 3G next to my previous HTC Touch Pro. Quite a few people asks me what I will do with my HTC TP? Well. I’m keeping it ;) iPhone and Windows Mobile is 2 different worlds. There are things that works best on Windows Mobile device that iPhone can’t replicate.

Finally, as what I always do when getting a new mobile phone, here is my updated phone timeline. As always, I kinda wondering what will be next ;)

Nokia 3210		Nokia 8310		Nokia 6610		Nokia 3650		Nokia 6600		O2 Xda II mini
Nokia N95		HTC Touch Pro		Apple iPhone 3G

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Well, it’s official now that iPhone 3G is here in Malaysia. That is quite a long wait for some of us (including me). Now on Apple’s website, Malaysia has been included in the countries that have iPhone available.

Well I can’t wait for tomorrow too, where I will be collecting my iPhone.

The night seems to run slower than usual tonight.

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