Test with moBlog

Hello, testing with moblog and posting from my HTC Touch Pro. edit: Let's see if this thing can edit posts as well.

Is it that much effort to design a nice GUI?

Come on China, we know you can cough out some impressive PMPs, but is it that hard to make a pretty GUI? Recently I read up on the Ainol V3000 and found out it comes with a 800x480 WVGA display, which is pretty much a first for a flash player. Eventually, I found a place selling it, but after watching the video of it in action, I was pretty much disgusted.

This is what sets major players like Samsung, Sony, iRiver, Archos and Cowon apart from those players. While none of them have been able to produced an equivalent player, their interface is still better looking than Ainol's pitiful looking interface. As much as I like the specifications of the player, and how it would really be handy to carry around, the interface is something I probably can't live with.

Hopefully someday one of those companies will produce an opensource PMP so they can let others do the work for them, and produce a pretty interface like HTC's TouchFlo or something similar.

STM Medium Phantom Review (Plus some pictures of small version)

The small version, and comes only in red. Hopefully STM will introduce more colors.


Medium! Only available in black.


Both bags side by side. There is a very slight difference, about 3-4cm difference between both bags.


The interior. The laptop section is designed to completely hide your laptop.


Very spacious design. The top is a little narrow, but the bottom is extremely spacious.


The frontal compartment for all your gadgets.

Overall, I think this is a pretty nice bag. If you want something versatile and allows easy access to your stuff in the bag, this will be a good choice. I picked the medium mainly because of the small difference in size, which can be found on STM's website.

Just got a Panasonic TZ3!

Are you a photographer? If you are, a small portable camera is always a must to carry around. There are always situations where your phone can't handle the situation, or you just need something with more reach.

A DSLR is just too big to carry around daily specially if you have tons of junk in your small bag, plus it's not very convenient for any candid/impromptu shots that you might find interesting. Most compact cameras do not have much reach, being very limited at 3x zoom, which is not really my style of photography. Thankfully Panasonic's TZ range of compact ultrazooms answered my call for a compact zoom camera with good reach, so when a good price came up for one of this, I grabbed it without too much hesitation. 7.2MP, 28-280mm equivalent, and an image stabilizing component, it's a very good camera! It does have its compromises due to the range (eg. slow lens due to dimensions), but after using it, it's not as bad as I thought. It's an excellent performer during the day, and decent for night shoots or group indoor shots.

If you're ever in need of a compact ultrazoom camera, look no further than a TZ series from Panasonic.

Is it time to redefine the UMPC category?

Lately, with the emerging popularity of the eeePC and its equivalents, is it time to merge the subnotebook category with the UMPC category? According the wikipedia, the UMPC category belongs to really small tablet form portables, like the Q1 and the ever popular Everun from Raondigital.

For some strange reason, with the introduction of the eeePC from ASUS, reviewers identified it as a UMPC. The eeePC for one does not have a tablet function or a touchscreen (Without any heavy modification), so should it not be in the sub notebook category? When manufacturers start to introduce touchscreen sub notebooks into the mainstream market, will it still be called a subnotebook? Kohjinsha was the first to introduce such subnotebooks, but wait, should it be called a UMPC since it comes with a touchscreen?

How about the new ASUS eeePC 1000h? The 10" screen, the 1.45kg weight, should it even be called a UMPC or a subnotebook? 9" screens are already pushing it, but what about the Sony famous TZ series with their 11.1" screens? It's lighter than the 1000h! For the convenience of all, perhaps it's time we should redefine the UMPC category.

Logitech VX Nano Tiny Review

A good mouse is essential for work and play, and for road warriors, size is very important as well. It cannot be too big, nor can it be too small for comfort. If for some reason you have totally ignored all the other Logitech VX Nano reviews on the web and do not own one, please reconsider your decision.


It's nice and small. The package comes with a small pouch, receiver, and 2xAAA batteries.


Yes, the receiver is TINY.


No seriously, it really IS tiny.


Top view of the mouse.

Because of its size, it might not be for everyone so try it at your store before committing. For me it's the right size, and I can use it very comfortably. The only problem with this mouse is the lack of a proper middle click. You can click on the wheel, but it doesn't feel natural. That aside, this mouse's battery life is very good, and the software from Logitech tells you the % of battery life left on your mouse, so you'll know when you need to keep a spare set of batteries with you.

Tucano Cobra Horizontal Limit Small (For 13.3" Macbooks)

A nice simple bag, nothing flashy, just the basics.


Don't be fooled, because the interior is very spacious. Designed for a 13.3" MacBook. I managed to squeeze in an umbrella, some folders for documents, my power adapter, and my mouse into that space.


This is the strap for the sling. It's easy to adjust and clings firmly.


Probably my favourite part of the bag. Easy to access gadget area with all your essential tiny gadgets, plus the ever useful compartment specially made for your mp3 player. Fits my Samsung YP-P2 nicely.


Zipper area for your other things that are just a wee bit bigger.

What can I say? I like the simplicity of the bag design, plus the well design accessory compartment. My only nitpick is the lack of a cellphone pouch on the sling itself. Other than that, the solid color, sturdy sling, makes this bag an excellent choice for daily commuting.