iPhone 5

It would take someone a few thousands of miles away from people to not know that Apple has unveiled its 6th iPhone.

Let me say something about the iPhone as an amateur observer of mobile tech.

First of all, I like the design. Sure it doesn't depart much from the previous iPhones 4 and 4S, but hell don't fix the unbroken. Furthermore I've had in my palms the iPhone's archrival the Galaxy S3 for quite some time and personally I think it's a tad too big for me. No way I could use the Samsung with a hand. Though I haven't held iPhone 5 yet, since it just got longer, than nothing much different from the 4S. And the quality, well, it's Apple, enough said.

Second, I like the display. Retina display. Much better than again, the S3. The S3 still looks a bit grainy from a comfortable distance. Even the iTouch bests S3 in this aspect IMO.

Third, the other stuff that are absent from the iPhone which I resent. No NFC, no wireless charging, no excessive camera features, no openness in sharing, and no Google Maps (the Apple Maps is shitty). Seriously while they do make a better phone, have the folks at Cupertino not heard of the S3 or even for that sake, Nokia Lumia 920?

I agree that Apple wants to stay simple while optimising every function it packs into the iPhone, but it won't hurt to up the game a little on fancy stuff. Nokia's 920 has got wireless charging, while we're still not sure that will actually work and if it does, will it do good, they've got people holding their cards from flying on the counters in Apple Stores. Not to mention the S3 which is currently the best smartphone I've ever tried.

But if Apple wants to make up to the missed stuff, let me suggest something. Openness. Let people choose their ringtones and alerts from Music, cut open a slot for SDcard, enable sharing via Bluetooth, and to top all that, cheaper accessories, especially since Apple has replaced the 30-pin connector with the new Lightning connector. USD29 for the adapter? What a rip-off.

On a side note, I still like Apple over the other brands, because of the experience, which is the only area Apple is in the lead.

September's first

OK, first of all, I didn't have enough with The Dark Knight Rises. I watched it again a few days after the opening with my friends, who later asked me to watch it again which was the third for me. Waste of money if the movie hasn't been so awesome.

Now about the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Aidilfitri became duller by year. This year was perhaps the worst one I had so far. I've had many  uneventful rayas like in 2004 when the heavy rain trapped us family in the village forcing us to extend the stay, with wet attire for the whole day. But it was fun. I had fun. We had much time to chat and enjoy the delicacies, sometimes while watching funny TV shows (yes, I see no wrong in keeping the TV on with guests around) and the kids playing around enjoying the raya like they should, while living up the raya mood.

But this year, everybody wanted to catch up with time as if there was no tomorrow. Everybody wanted to move fast to avoid the jams. Everybody didn't want to enjoy the many delicious foods for fear of fats. What the heck? This is raya, a once-a-year occasion. Enjoy yourselves, if you want to let loose, this is the time. I am still upset by the fact of how many hours spent on un-busy roads instead of visiting people and how few open houses I went to compared to the previous years.

 I think we forget what raya is all about; having joy and fun.