I was reading an article about how today’s china is reprising her role of copying branded luxury consumer products - Copying the latest in technology, from cars to mobile phones (iPhones).

Some where in the article, it was mentioned that the all-important touch screen on the iPhone was actually a Chinese technology. And so I did some further investigations and came up with some more interesting facts!

What made iPhone so awesome is primarily due to its multi-touch interface. And the hardware that made that possible, among is many other components was the touch sensitive screen. Apple had contracted a German company called Balda AG, which is famous for making wireless-phone components for companies such as Nokia, to make the touch screens for the iPhone. Balda did not have the technology to make touch sensitive screens until it acquired a Chinese company called TPK Holding. It was TPK Holding which had developed the innovative glass-surfaced touch screen.

So where’s the Singapore link? Well…As of July 14, 2006, TPK Holdings Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Balda Investments Singapore Pte Ltd.

There you have it!

Back to the topic of China cloning technologies, I’m not all against them copying. All technologically developed nations like USA, Japan, South Korea copied from some where at some point in time. It’s part of the “learning” process.

In fact i think China has the capabilities to come out with inventions that would change the world. Case in point: The Chinese invented the wheel, paper and gun powder. Just imagine the world without the above 3 items.

Sources: China’s iClone, Apple’s Magic Touch Screen, Apple in touch with China

Tags: iPhone, China, touch-screen

… Why karaoke sucks

10. It gives bad singers the false impression that they can sing.

9. It gives good singers the false impression that someone that counts will hear them and give them the break they are looking for. This keeps them from getting a real break in the music industry!

8. It hurts our ears! Noise pollution!!

7. It gives people the false impression that they are cool. Karaoke is N-O-T cool!

6. It keeps people from getting a life.

5. Karaoke takes away peoples self respect by making a-s-s-e-s of themselves.

4. Not only is it torture to be forced to listen to no-talent singers, but it makes it even more horrible when the Karaoke version of a song differs from the original cut. Will the humiliation ever cease?

3. Because the mic stinks with other peoples skanky breath.

2. A person can’t just walk into a bar these days for a quiet drink and an old country song. Instead, their ears are subjected to what would be the equivalent to “Cletus the Karaoke Singing Jackass” on crack. Just say no Cletus! Just say no!

1. The number one reason why Karaoke sucks is….

Karaoke deprives live bands, comedians and other entertainers of work by providing a cheap sub-standard replacement for real talent!

Via Source

…When I sing Unchained Melody, I can move people, I kid you not, they leave in their droves. I think they are so moved by my dulcid tones, that they have to thrash off home to make love…More

One of the many cool things you can do with the iPhone:

Record your favourite TV shows using EyeTV, and watch them anywhere as long as you have internet connection!

Tags: iPhone, EyeTV, Wireless Streaming

Beautiful car.

Tags: Honda Crossroad

Upgraded to Wordpress 2.5

M16 Rifle Floor Lamp - Philippe Starck Guns Collection

Saw this at SPACE, Millenia Walk. Costs over 7K, but I want one…

This M16 Rifle Floor Lamp has a body in die cast aluminium with injection moulded polymer overprint and gold plated finish 18K. Matte black plasticized paper diffuser, silk screen gold printing inside, with subtle S+arck signature cross decoration.

My intent was to create objects to remind us that our state of well-being is the result of somebody else dying Philippe Starck
Black as colour of death
Crosses of our dead ones
Gold colour as ambition
War weapons; domestic weapons, bedside, table, living room weapons.
Aux Armes everywhere, as an ending…

Happiness is a hot gun…

Flos will donate twenty percent of the gross sales from the Guns Collection to the Freres des Hommes Europe Association, an organization that works the growth of local communities & their social structure in underdeveloped countries for the world.

See other lamps from the Philippe Starck Guns Collection

hello world.
iPhone

On Thursday morning, after alighting from the Company’s transport, I realised that I’ve dropped my wallet. By the time I went back, the bus has already left.

“What a way to start my morning..”.

I knew I had to call the transport company, and quick. So I went over to our HR department. I asked Elaine if she has the contact number of the transport company. She said she does, and immediately took out her mobile and started calling for me. She told the transport company’s boss to inform the driver for that particular shift to look out for me. She then said she will call me back when she has any updates from the boss. How kind of her!

15 minutes later, Elaine called back. She said someone had actually picked up my wallet, and had passed his name card to the bus driver. (Big relief!). At that moment I thought it was someone from our company. Anyway, Elaine advised me to look for the bus driver for the name card when he comes to pick us up for lunch.

So came lunch time. I got the name card from the bus driver. To my surprised, he’s from T-Systems!

Me: “Hi, is this Mr Chung?”

Mr Chung: “Yes, speaking.”

Me: “Hi. Ya, I’m the wallet guy.”

Mr Chung: “Oh it’s you ah!”.

(We both laughed)

Mr Chung told me that he had asked his HR executive to call up my University’s library department to track me down. (WOW!). Later, he said his HR executive was not at his desk. So he’ll get back to me as soon as he is back.

BIG relief. At least now I can eat my lunch in peace.

While at Hougang Mall for lunch, I received another call. This time it was from the HR executive. I asked him when and where can we meet up; and he told me that they are also going down to Hougang Mall for lunch! (Such coincidence!)

When I finally went to collect my wallet, I was kinda embarrassed - Mr Chung and all his colleagues were there - waiting for me! Then I tried to mask my embarrassment by thanking them profusely. Hahaha!

And the story doesn’t end here. The next morning, I received a call from OCBC Bank. They informed me that they had received a call reporting that my card was lost. And for security reasons, they have terminated my card and will send me a new one next week.

WOW! Who made that call?! Elaine? The bus driver? Mr Chung? Mr Chung’s HR executive? THANK YOU!

Once again: Thank you Elaine. Thank you Bus uncle. Thank you Mr Chung of T-Systems. Thank You Meng Wai of T-Systems!

And that’s how I met 4 really kind people and found my wallet. =)

This is so damn cool

Marinate

1. Rosemary
2. Basil
3. Garlic
4. Salt
5. Pepper
6. Tiny bit of sesame oil

Sauce

• Secret

Cook

1. Hot pan
2. Few drops of oil
3. Cook each side of the chops for about 40 to 50 seconds
4. Add in butter
5. Remove pork chops and use butter for sauce

Yes, this was our supper for the night :-)