mrbrown.com

the mrbrown show: SBL110 Day

Celebrate the sporting event of the century at mrbrownshow.com!

Looking for Shin Corp news

Found this on CNA using their search box, but funny, I did not see this two-day-old report on the site itself, even when I tried looking at the archives for the 15th, the 16th, and the of 17th of January 2007. Maybe I was looking in the wrong ChannelNewsAsia pages. Silly me.

Temasek Holdings accountable if Shin Corp deal fails: PM Lee

SINGAPORE : Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Temasek Holdings is accountable if its purchase of Thailand's Shin Corp fails.

He spoke in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Cebu.

Last year, Temasek Holdings led a $3.8 billion acquisition of Shin Corp - a deal which is now said to have dropped in value.

Mr Lee said it was a "commercial proposition", and if it did not work out, it would be "Temasek's fault and it has to answer for it".

Reiterating that it was not a government matter, he also said it was premature to talk about losses on the Shin Corp deal. - CNA /ls


Anyhoo, here is the longer IHT report and one from The Edge.

iLOL

Behold! The next iProduct! (click for larger version)

(From Ryland of a boy and his computer)

the mrbrown show: Formula One comes to Singapore

The F1 may be roaring into Singapore! Find out how the race turns out at mrbrownshow.com!

the mrbrown show: naked gun

A stand-off with an armed criminal off the waters of Singapore! At mrbrownshow.com.

You may want to apply for this job

Reader Desmond spotted this Want ad in the Classifieds on Saturday. Can't get any clearer than that. I like honesty in a job ad.

Thai tire commercial (Youtube)

You don't need to understand Thai to get this one.

Youtube text link

the mrbrown show: an editorial meeting

We take a peek into a editorial meeting in local newspaper at mrbrownshow.com.

Apple iPhone have EDGE leh

Update 3: Good reads by mobile and 3G expert, Tomi T Ahonen, in an open letter to Apple as to what the real killer app is (it ain't voice or music) and what Apple is up against in the mobile market (via Smart Mobs). And also Doc Searls has a bit of iPhone news from the future.

Update 2: Check out ktula's comments below for some corrections on my post about US carriers not having unlocked phones for sale.

Update 1: Popagandhi says those knocking the iPhone are missing the point. I think she just wants the iPhone to update her Twitter more often, hahaha!

You can almost hear the Mac faithful cream in their pants at the announcement of the Apple iPhone. What's not to like? The big screen iPod, the Multi-touch technology that lets you navigate with your fingers and resize an image with a pinching action, and the built-in WiFi. The phone is supposed to be running OS X even, though I am not sure what that means. You mean, really OS X or some kind of OS X lite?

For all the innovation that was certainly present in the unveiling of the iPhone, I have to say, even as a Mac addict, it was a little disappointing. Especially after the Steve Jobs drug I smoked with the others wore off.

For one thing, the iPhone battery life does not look so hot. More importantly, the iPhone battery does not look like something you can swap out. High-drain smart phones without the ability to swap batteries have another name: Bricks.

There was also no demo of the image quality on that 2 megapixel camera. Mobile phonecam users care about image quality. So it would be nice to know just how good the photos are on the iPhone. Instead of showing us all those lovely photos in the iPhone taken off some cute Asian chick's Mac iPhoto library.

Another thing that struck me was how such an innovative product is being launched in the such a mobile backwater like the US. Yes, I know this sounds shocking to hear. But we in Asia have been buying our phones unlocked since we started GSM, and in the US, many are still buying phones from telcos, with phone numbers locked in to these telcos. Only recently has the notion of being allowed to unlock the phone you bought from Cingular so that you can use same phone on Verizon's network, become legal.

I know, this is like Dark Ages liddat. Americans cannot go Sim Lim and just buy a phone and use it with any old telco they like. They have to throw away their Cingular phone to pick up another telco's phone if they switch plans. How quaint is that?

Steve, come to Asia first. We will buy your iPhone like there is no tomorrow, and you don't have to partner with the likes of Cingular here to sell one. Because we can do this cool thing called buy unlocked phones.

And for all it's connectivity, iPhone only comes with Wifi and EDGE. EDGE? Hello? US customers like their mobile broadband slower, is it? Steve Jobs made a passing reference to 3G in his keynote (akan datang, he said), but EDGE? I will wait for version 2, thank you (but if you give me the first iPhone free, I won't say no, lah).

And then there is the price. US$499 for the 4gb model, with a 2-year plan? That's about S$800 to S$1000 if you get it here, with a plan. Expensive leh. Sure, got iPod built in etc, but still, a lot of moolah, ok? Not that it would stop us from splurging (cf. what we paid for iPod in the early days), but it is still not going to be cheap. God help you if you try to buy this without a plan.

The iPhone is going to be launched in June 2007 in the US, and 2008 (didn't say which part of 2008, ok) in Asia. That is a long time in mobile phone terms. With the average replacement cycle of 6 to 12 months in Asia, you probably will have two other phones before you get to buy a first generation iPhone. But then, at that price, you probably have to save your pennies, and not buy phones for 6 to 12 months in order to afford one. So maybe Steve Jobs was helping you to be able to buy one, by making us wait that long in Asia.

Maybe I am just jealous. Rant here rant there. And when it comes, I am sure I will want one too. But we are hardened and cynical mobile phone users here, and we have Sim Lim to buy gadgets from.

Now if you will excuse me, I go to Apple's site again to drool over the iPhone.

Meanwhile, you may wish to read this oldie but goodie post: The Apple Product Life Cycle

the mrbrown show: closing down sale

Don't miss out on our last of the last sale at mrbrownshow.com!

the wtf show (video): first look at Nokia N93i and N76

Two days ago, we checked out the Nokia N93i and the N76, view the wtf show video at mrbrownshow.com! Even got Youtube version!

the mrbrown show: the yellow box

Looks like the yellow box may not be enough, at mrbrownshow.com.

the mrbrown show: rocket man

Meet the rocket man at mrbrownshow.com.

Isaac's first day at nursery

I know I haven't been blogging as much but you know, when you are buried in work all week (and the occasional game of DOTA — ooh, look! Two new heroes and snow!), you just want to either watch your DVDs or spend time with the kids. Even reading newspaper coverage about the retirement of the Minister-cum-Secretary General of the Singapore National Trades Union Congress elicited only a sigh and a chuckle from tired old me. Maybe numb until no feeling liao (raise GST ah? Ok lor...). Flipping page upon page of gushing tributes and adoration from every minister, unionist, and their mothers. I had to order my teh-orh kosong.

That is why I like the microblogging that Twitter lets me do (if only I can make my Twitters into blog posts for others to link to and comment on, that would be nice). And also the whole mobile video and Youtube thing, because sometimes, a video says a thousand words.

Like this gem my wife took of Isaac at his first day at nursery. Isaac does not seem to have problems adjusting to his new gig at nursery. Because we were clueless parents who did not know that at 3 years old, he was too old for playschool (we found out, like, one week before playschool reopened), there was a mad rush to find him a place in a nursery nearby.

Thank goodness there were places at this one. What to do, we never went through this with his older sister Faith, because she went to an Early Intervention Programme for autistic kids and then to Special School. So now we know how the schooling system for regular kids works.

When we went there to enrol him, the principal told us it was already Day 2 of the new school year, and they were putting the kids through orientation in order to transition them properly, to get them used to the longer hours and not having mommy/maid around. So the principal was wondering if it might be better if he joined in the next batch.

I come from a heritage of going to pre-school late. Mom preferred to let me go late, and I joined a little house church kindergarten during mid-term in K1. I only spent 1.5 years in kindergarten. So I really didn't think the boy would be scarred or lose out going to nursery later.

The nice and well-spoken lady principal at the kindergarten made me conscious of my English. Wait she think I teach my son the broken English how? I made sure my grammar is the all correct type and enunciated my words more than usual.

Just as the principal told us about the transition details, my son wanders off into the corridor and I see him walking towards the uniformed kids being led to their classes, two by two, and he is shouting, "Hey kids! Where are ya goin'?"

Wah lau, the accent. Must be too many Wiggles DVDs.

So much for shyness or him needing any kind of transition.

So on the first day of school, he dons the uniform, his old man is $700 poorer (first term's fees, miscellaneous fees, deposit, and we wonder why people aren't having babies), and off he goes to nursery to play.

And in this case, to sing and dance. Mommy shot this video with her N73 (note to self: teach her to shoot in the correct orientation or Papa will have to spend time rotating and cropping her videos), and damn, I wish I was there to see it.

(Youtube text link)

Moron applies for job in Dubai, gets famous online

Web developer Amir Saffar of Canada will probably not get a job in Singapore too, if this email exchange he had with a head of a design agency in Dubai is any indication of his attitudes. There might have been a second email sent by Amir asking about salaries, but still, there is no excuse how quickly his manner degenerates.

Behold! How not to apply for a job in Dubai:

From: Amir Saffar
Sent: 02 December 2006 01:22
To: Amir Saffar
Subject: multimediator/web designer position
Amir Saffar

To Whom It May Concern:
I am a web developer/designer with experience in designing corporate, commercial, retail, and business web systems. With more than 6 years experience designing Internet/multimedia systems professionally in a production environment, I could be a valuable asset to your web design and multimedia team.
Managing projects, task delegation, and client relations have been necessary skills at my previous employment positions. These have always been tasks that I excel at and enjoy.
My experience in web site consultation critiquing usability, functionality, aesthetics, and search engine placement can help clients with their existing web content by introducing them to innovative and cost-effective solutions.

My enthusiasm, creativity, communication skills and ability to work without supervision are my strong points. I have extensive design experience using Flash, Dreamweaver, HTML, CSS, VB, C#, SQL, Photoshop, Illustrator, QuarkXPress, 3dsMax, and other programs. I would be able to create a dynamic company presence for you on the Internet.

I am currently on vacation for two months in the region. Since I have a Canadian passport, traveling to the UAE would not be an issue for me at all. I also have to mention that since I have lived in a multicultural country and because of my background, I have been trained to work with people who have different cultures and backgrounds. Therefore I hope my experience in this field could be a valuable asset to your company.
I would welcome an opportunity to discuss my qualifications and experience in greater detail. I am available for an interview at your convenience.

——————————————–

Mike Platts wrote:
Hi Amir
Thanks for sending us your CV - we’d certainly be interested in speaking with you. Just to clarify, are you planning to visit Dubai during your vacation? If not, perhaps we can arrange to speak over the phone.
Regards,
Mike Platts
Creative Partner, North55 Dubai

——————————————–

From: Amir Saffar
Sent: 11 December 2006 00:18
To: Mike Platts
Subject: RE: hi again
Hi again,
I guess people work for free in Dubai. Am I correct!??

take care
Amir

——————————————–

Mike Platts wrote:

Sorry, you’ve completely lost me there…how did I imply that people ‘work for free’ in Dubai?
Mike.

——————————————–

From: Amir Saffar
To: Mike Platts
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2006 9:11 PM
Subject: RE: hi again

it’s very simple Mike. You are interested in my profile and i wanted to know how much you were able to pay. no response means: you either can’t pay that much,
or you only hire indians and pakistanis who don’t ask for a good salary.
but dude, i am neither indian or paki and i have never worked for less than
2000 usd/month. You got it now!?

Amir

——————————————–

Mike Platts wrote:

Jesus, that’s some chip you’ve got on your shoulder there pal. Before the email I received on 11th December, I’d only gotten one from you - the first, which included your CV. As far as I can see, it didn’t mention money. If you sent another after that, then sorry, but I didn’t get it, which is why I didn’t reply.
Anyway, it’s all worked out well. I wouldn’t want a bigotted arsehole like you working with us, and I’m sure that the Indians and Pakis who work at North55 - most of whom earn more than US$2,000 a month, some by a factor of three - are glad that they won’t have to put up with your small-minded bullshit either. The Brits, South Africans and Canadians will probably be pretty cock-a-hoop too.
Best of luck finding a job in Dubai - I’m sure you’ll get exactly the kind of position you deserve.
Cheers,
Mike

——————————————–

From: Amir Saffar
To: Mike Platts
Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 10:39 PM
Subject: got it?

i’m sending this e-mail twice. i wanna make sure you get it this time!!

2000 USD/month is a joke bro. I got paid that much when I graduated from College/without any exp.
I’m pretty sure most of you guys work at coffee shops when you finish your work at the studio.
What doesn’t make sense to me is, why would a guy from N America or Europe want to work for that amount. Perhaps you’ve had a low paid job back home and you are satisfied with 2000 USD! weren’t you a cleaner/or a security guard…Mike!?

——————————————–

From: Mike Platts
To: Amir Saffar
Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2006 1:41 AM
Subject: Fw: got it?
You really are an irritating little troll aren’t you? You can barely write English, and you seem to have a problem reading it too. So I’ll break it down for you: not. wanted. here.
Now fuck off.
All the best,
Mike.
PS - I’ve taking the liberty of copying some of my colleagues in the industry here, just in case they too should have the misfortune of hearing from you. I’m sure they’d be kind enough to forward it on to their pals, too, and with any luck you’ll be back fucking moose in time for Christmas. (Oh, and by the way, if you’re such hot shit, why the reluctance to include a link to any of your work in your CV? So you’ve got six years’ experience - big deal. You don’t seem to have been able to hold down a job for too long - or were they short-term cleaner/security guard contracts?)

———————————————–

From: Amir Saffar
To: Mike Platts
Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2006 11:06 AM
Subject: Re:

by the way,
Mike you were either a
1. Security Guard
2. Cleaner
3. On Welfare
4. had a criminal background, so you couldn’t get a job back home
5. a bad designer who never worked for a real company. One of those guys who is a pain in the ass in the production team.

who knows, maybe one day you’ll be working for people like me if you ever decide to return to Europe or N America. * I guess would lose the job within 3 months.

good luck Mike.

———————————————————-

[Mike] wrote:

Congratulations - you’re famous:
http://www.chrisdiclerico.com/2006/12/17/how-not-to-get-a-job/
http://www.flipblogspot.com/2006/12/17/amir-saffar-and-north55

Much Love,

Mike.

———————————————-

From Amir Saffar:

Don’t you really have anything else to do, other than forwording useless e-mails to other people and writting a blog. Dude, if you work at a pro company, you don’t even have time to drink coffee. you are not a pro!! that’s it. and your e-mails are going to the garbage bin from now.

take care

Nokia N93i and the slim N76!

Wow. I'll tell you guys more when the event I am at is over. The N76 looks sweet, man.

the mrbrown show: guess that show contest 2 review

The answers to our second epic TV theme contest, Mr Tan and I talk cock about the 30 TV shows we teased you with at mrbrownshow.com.

the mrbrown show: party time

A party needs a name, so help choose one at mrbrownshow.com.

the mrbrown show: drilling platform of wondrous dreams and feelings

You will cry! You will laugh! You will weep! Check out our $1.50 drama production promoting the marine industry in Singapore, at mrbrownshow.com, done without the $1.5-million-dollar sponsorship that Channel 8 got for their new drama series.

the mrbrown show: the rain report

Our reporter braves the rain to tell you the real story at mrbrownshow.com.