Singapore iPhone Fan

The iPhone 4 has been available in Singapore for about a month. So far, all the people I know using iPhone 4 in Singapore do not complain about the antenna problem even without the bumper. In fact, I tried gripping the antennagate of the iPhone 4 to simulate the problem but was not able to so. It seems like the mobile phone network in Singapore is really better. So Singapore iPhone fans don’t have to worry about the iPhone 4 antenna problem if you plan to upgrade.

One thing that you may not know is that the SAR level (a measure of radio frequency energy that is absorbed by the body) of iPhone 4 is indeed higher than iPhone 3GS but it is lower than iPhone 3G. According to CNET reviews, the SAR of iPhone 4 is 1.17 w/kg compared to 0.79 w/kg for iPhone 3GS and 1.38 w/kg for iPhone 3. If you are concern about the radiation, better stay with iPhone 3GS.

Apple iPad is officially launched in Singapore today. You can buy the iPad in selected Apple resellers although you still cannot get if from the Apple Singapore online store. It was reported that people queueing up as early as 6am in EpiCentre at Orchard Road. At anytime, there are as many as 80 people there to take a peek at the iPad. The entry level iPad with 16GB and Wi-Fi model is selling at S$728.

The 3 telcos are not selling iPad but have released data plan for iPad. For example, SingTel has 2-year plan of $30.50 per month with 50GB free local data usage. M1 has unlimited plan at $36.38 per month with unlimited local data. No contract is required. Starhub is also offering iPad MaxMobile Ultimate plan at S$36.38 per month with unlimited local data usage and no contract. Short term prepaid plan is available from the 3 telcos. You can visit their respective website for more information.

For me, I am not going to buy this generation of iPad. I believe the next iPad will come with camera (preferably two) and I can make video call or Facetime. Just a final note. It is confirmed that iPhone 4 will be available in Singapore next week. Singapore iPhone Fan will be able to get the iPhone 4 white edition ahead of US counterpart.

Phones aren’t perfect. We’re not perfect. This was what Job Steve said in the press conference on 16 July. During his presentation, he showed that other smartphones also encounter the same problem as the latest iPhone 4 when the phone is held at certain position. It is a common problem and not peculiar to iPhone 4 new antenna design. However, he admitted that there was problem in the logic which indicates the strength of the signal. That problem is resolved in the new iOS. So, better upgrade your iPhone to iOS 4.0.1

To make iPhone Fans happy, Apple is giving all iPhone 4 owners a free bumper. If you bought a iPhone 4 but not happy with it, you can return it back within 30 days. This policy is valid till 30 Sep and they will re-evaluate the situation by then. So when the iPhone 4 is available in Singapore on 30 July, I wonder whether how SingTel, M1 and Starhub are going to implement it. Let’s wait for one and a half weeks to see.

By now, all the iPhone Fan must be aware about the iPhone 4 since Job Steve officially announced it 2 weeks ago in the WWDC. It is the greatest improvement since the launch of the first iPhone. I didn’t blog about it mainly because I was quite busy last 2 weeks, and also I found that there is nothing really unexpected. First of all, the prototype of iPhone 4 (see my earlier blog) was already reported weeks ago before the WWDC. So, everybody kind of knows how the new iPhone 4 looks like. Secondly, a number of improvements are from the iOS 4 (it is no longer called iPhone OS 4) which is already announced in early April (see my earlier blog).

For me, I am more excited about the iOS 4 which will be available on 21 June. With iOS 4, I will be able to multitask on my iPhone, create different folders to group my applications and read books using the iBook. So I am keeping my eye on Apple website so that I will be the first few to upgrade to iOS 4 once it is ready.

According to the latest news from Apple, the iPad will go on sale in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and Britain from 28 May. iPad will be available in Singapore in July. Singapore is among the nine countries (Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore) to get iPad in July.

To date, Apple has sold more than a million iPad since its launch. iPad took less than a month to reach one million sales whereas iPhone took nearly three months to sell one million units. It will be interesting to see how iPad sales in Singapore, given that iPhone 4.0 with all the new features, will probably be announced in July.

The biggest news about iPhone this week must be the The Next iPhone Uncover published by GIZMODO on 19 April. The phone was found in a bar in Redwood City and it is believed to be the prototype of the next generation of iPhone. It looks like a mini iPad. The size is about the dimensions is about the same as 3GS but is 3 grams heavier. Some of the new features are listed here:

• Front-facing video chat camera
• Improved regular back-camera (the lens is quite noticeably larger than the iPhone 3GS)
• Camera flash
• Micro-SIM instead of standard SIM (like the iPad)
• Improved display. It’s unclear if it’s the 960×640 display thrown around before—it certainly looks like it, with the “Connect to iTunes” screen displaying much higher resolution than on a 3GS.
• What looks to be a secondary mic for noise cancellation, at the top, next to the headphone jack
• Split buttons for volume
• Power, mute, and volume buttons are all metallic

Among the features, I like the front facing video chat camera(this is also a key feature that I find it missing in iPad). I believe many iPhone fans are also looking forward to this. The phone is also spotted with a bigger battery which logically gives a longer battery life. This is another thing that I wish for my 3GS.

With the official release of iPhone OS 4 in June and the past history of Apple launching 3 generations of iPhone in July, there is no doubt that we will be able to hear the good news very soon.

Remember I told you about ZAGG is giving free iPad every week till end of April? I registered every week at their website. Although I am not lucky enough to win an iPad yet, ZAGG has given me a discount voucher for 20% discount on all ZAGG products. So, no harm trying your luck.

Job Steve has just revealed the key features of iPhone OS 4.0, the fourth generation of iPhone operation system, on 8 April. Here are the 7 “Tentpole” features:

The iPhone OS 4.0 is available to developer now and will be available to public in June. However, only iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 3rd generation can be upgraded to the new OS. With the official announcement of iPhone OS 4.0, does it signal that iPhone 4.0 will be released very soon? Let’s wait and see.

Thinking of getting a iPad before it arrives in Singapore? From now till 1 May, ZAGG is giving away a iPad every week and a chance to get 50% off discount code. You just need to go to their website and enter your email address every week and you can be a lucky owner of the latest iPad. Good luck!

Line2 has released a iPhone application in US Apple App store that can add a second number to your iPhone. It allows you to call and receive phone call using a different mobile number via WiFi or Data package. You can have caller ID, call waiting, call transfer and even up to 20 people call conferencing. However, you cannot do SMS. The user interface is very similar to iPhone native interface.

It is free trial for 30 days and after that it is US$14.95 per month for unlimited call within US and Canada. With this application, you can switch to a lower price plan and save money on your phone bill. Unfortunately, it is not available in Singapore yet.