显示标签为“gadget”的博文。显示所有博文
显示标签为“gadget”的博文。显示所有博文

星期一, 十一月 21, 2011

Stylus vs. Touch

Stylus has been around for ages before multi-touch invades our daily lives. Nowadays all these tablets (aka iPad) and smart phones (aka iPhone) have touch, and seems like stylus has become one of those items in the museum of gadgetry, slowly becomes a forgotten memory in our human history. However, I for one has not forgotten about that.

I always want to be able to take note in a very flexible way in a meeting or whatsoever. There are all sorts of applications that I can think of! For instance, I can record the meeting / presentation / seminar while jogging down notes, taking pictures of something I see on the street and take note, found some internet that I could take note for later use in work, etc. Sadly, it seems stylus and multi-touch are not easy to co-exist. And, those gadgets (aka semi-smart phones that use stylus) are just too slow, too small, and too impotent for anything.

 HTC Flyer and Samsung Galaxy Note then caught my attention! Actually Samsung was my first choice because of its size - 5.3", which is just right. After checking some reviews and Youtube, I have decided to visit one of those stores to check it out. Yes, it is a very beautiful device with its huge AMOLED screen (for a smartphone it is huge!). However, the only function that I want - stylus function to be able to write and take note - with its so-called S Pen just not satisfying at all - it is not responsive, it is just weird!

As for the HTC Flyer, unfortunately I could not find anywhere in Shanghai where I can try out the product. So, all I can do is to rely on the reviews and YouTube video clips. Again, from the reviews the scribble function (as being called by HTC) just functioned badly - it is not writing on the paper, size is double, and hand writing is ugly.

After checking both of these devices available, I somehow come to a conclusion - intuitive writing like on a paper is still far from being achieved by current technology! One thing for sure, the paper has friction, and precision of writing can be freely controlled by our hand, gripping force, pressing force, etc. All these natural movements are still not able to be mapped digitally on these tablets, computers or smart phones. I so hope one day I do not need to take note on a paper in a meeting, and then forget about it because it is just to troublesome to digitize it!

星期四, 十月 06, 2011

我的東西

說起來很久沒有在這裡寫寫廢話了。生活中的廢話。來了上海近半年了。時間飛逝。太快了。很快很可能又要飛了。又要重新出發重新適應了。離開馬來西亞已經將近15年了。這些年來,我已經變成一個俗稱“nerd”的一種物體。我花了不少錢,給了不少“學費”,“收集”了不少“戰利品”。看看我是否能夠依據自己有限的記憶在每一個戰利品上標上一個買到的日子。



Sony Playstation Portable:我想應該是我在荷蘭工作時候買的第一台PSP 1000。那是在2005年末吧。這可是我第一臺超貴(當時來說)超炫的portable gadget。自此以後我經常都會把這一台機器帶在身上。今天我還保存著這一台機器。也許也是因為它,我開始對Sony的東西很感興趣。也自此以後,我成為了Playstation品牌的忠實支持者。過了好幾年,在2009年9月我到了香港工作,也因為如此才有機會去凌晨排隊購買PSP Go。對於這一台小巧玲瓏的PSP Go,我是非常喜歡,很可惜因為得不到該有的歡迎而終止生產了。然後,我的好友就在2010年送我這一台PSP 3000。至今我還會買和玩我喜歡的遊戲!

Nintendo Developer System:我可說是一個gamer。所以對於遊戲類的機器我還是很有興趣的。任天堂的portable gaming console也是我收集品之一。在2008年上海,因為某個有名的遊戲的關係, 我買了NDSL。其實我用這一台機器的頻率還算很高的。2011年回來上海后,我又入手了3DS。很可惜的是,3DS的遊戲目前為止還是太少了。所以,用它的機會不高。

Sony Reader:入手這一台機器已經將近4年了(就在上海)。它不知讓我節省了多少買書的煩惱。目前為止, 唯一每種不足的是,這一台機器還是看不了中文。還好,我都是愛看英文書籍的。

一堆手機:自從我把Apple iPhone交給我媽用了后,我在香港2011年初就入手了Samsung Galaxy Tab。對於這一台“手機”我是褒多於貶的。然後,回來上海后,因為工作忙的要死的關係,大手機實在是不大方便的關係,我買了BlackBerry Bold。其實用起來還是OK的,但是可能我是太愛Android了,所以當我好友買了一台HTC ChaCha,我開心的不得了。

雖然說這一些東西都是死物,但對我來說是生活上一種樂趣的添加品。而且也是一種回憶的寄託-至少我記得哪裡買何時買。

星期四, 十二月 30, 2010

Review: Playstation Sound Bar

I bought this PS3 Surround Sound System about a month ago. Why? I love to use my Playstation 3 as a central media hub, i.e., playing TV series, movies, etc. The apartment comes with a HDTV (lucky me!), and sadly the stereo system of the TV is very bad. I am not an audiophile, yet I can tell the audio quality is bad! For instance, the dialog somehow is very low at the same time the background noise of the program could be so loud. In a way, I was always in a dilemma - turn up the volume to hear the dialog but it also turns up the background noise!



Finally, I think, "the hell with it" and got this sound bar. Am I happy about it? So far so good. What I appreciate from this sound bar is that it has this function that can boost up the dialog. I can now hear the dialog much clearer. And, I also appreciate that it only needs one cable to connect to the PS3 - an digital audio cable. At first, I was quite happy to see there was an auxiliary-in plug. I thought I could connect my Streamium Network Player, but apparently it could only be used with Playstation Portable. Perhaps, it is not a bad idea, but frankly I hardly use my PSP as a portable media player. And, it is not like iPod or iPhone that can play while being charged. Anyway, for its basic function as a sound bar system for Playstation 3, I think it functions perfectly well. Moreover, the price is very affordable for me - that really what counts the most important!

One last thing I like to mention is I really love the design and its dimension. It is not huge-ass like those sound bar that comes with Blu-ray functionality. It stays perfectly well on the table in front of the television - not blocking the view or not really in the way. And the remote control is certainly nicely done - size is right with all the important buttons. Well, I must say I do not regret of making such purchase. Basically I am a PS fanboy. I guess I love all the PS-related stuff, including that dreadful Move.

星期五, 十二月 24, 2010

Future does get better

After a year in Hong Kong, I keep on believing future does get better! As usual, a lot has happened in this one year - I have bought a number of lifeless yet fulfilling things, I have visited Taipei and Tokyo, my grandmother and grandfather passed away, and, I lost my direction in my career path because my vision is totally clouded by the management. I really love my job function, yet I hate the crap that comes "around" it. But, I guess that is the default side effects.

Anyway, I still hold this belief tight in my heart and brain! I am still fighting my way to find a brighter future - in this mess. I try not to dwell into my family's problems that much, I try not to be dragged down by this negative energy floating around in the office, I try not to be too clouded by short and sad vision. I am working on something now, which I think I really want to try out at least before I am too old for that! And, future does get better if this works out, or this opens my eyes further!



I love gadgets and technologies, and there is no secret in that. Last year my proud possession is Playstation 3. This year, I got my Macbook, Playstation Move, Playstation Soundbar, iPad (for my brother and parents - and they love it), and recently Samsung Galaxy Tab. And, I can say that 2010 proud possession of mine is the Tab! All these lifeless material stuff are actually milestones of my journey and my career.

I still have some dreams, and luckily for me, I still have a chance to fulfill those dreams, one by one. This year, I have the house renovated, and helped my brother a bit with his dreams, as well as the house. Owning a property is a dream come true, even though I am now actually a slave to that house. Now, another dream, will try to fulfill that in the coming two years! God bless everyone, and may 2011 brings prosper, health and wealth to everyone!

星期五, 八月 20, 2010

Playstation Move!!!!

今天是一个好天。我知道沙田新城市廣場现在一直都有搞Playstation Move的宣传活动。可惜一直没有机会去试玩,到今天。很巧的是,同事提议到新城市廣場lunch。而且很巧的是,要试玩必须要消费300港元以上才行,而我刚好为大家买了单。就这样,和我另一个男同事就浩浩荡荡的到试玩现场去!



Today certainly is a great day! I have known for a while there is a promotion event in Shatin New Town Plaza for Playstation Move. However, I just didn't have the chance to go and have trial, until today! Coincidentally, my colleagues suggested we have lunch in Shatin New Town Plaza. To try the Playstation Move, we need to have spent over HKD300, which I didn't know. And, very coincidentally, I paid for the lunch first. With that receipt, finally me and my colleague went to try out the damn thing in a very excited mood.

我们很异口同声的选了试玩"Time Crisis: Razing Storm"。结果一上手就不想停。这一只Move握在手里,手感不错,不会太轻(我担心太轻会有玩具的感觉),而且感觉上质量很不错。至于玩起来,Move的准确度和反应度还真的很不错(和某一个品牌比较是好多了!)。真的很不错,很好玩,很准确!我想我会再9月15号的时候入手!



Both of us made the same choice to try out the game "Time Crisis: Razing Storm". Eventually, we both didn't want to stop playing the game. It was very exciting and fun game. When I hold Move in my hand, it feels very fit, very smooth, and seamless. It is not too light (which I am worried it would make the thing feel more like a toy), and I do perceive the quality is good. Precision, responsiveness and sensitivity of the Move is just as good as I want it to be. To be fair though, the game is really about shoot it all, so, I just wave the thing and shoot like a mad man, but when I tried to point at something, it did point to where I want it to point. In conclusions, I will order one on 15 September 2010!

星期二, 八月 17, 2010

Everything is connected...

I always, always have problem with bringing work back home (well, you can of course argue that I shouldn't have done that, and tell that to my bosses). And, I already have two big external harddrive, yet, they are never sufficient, nor convenient. I have been struggling with myself, debating with myself if I should spend HKD 1000+ on something I might or might not need. And, that has been continued for almost 2 freaking months! Considering my salary is not high, freaking high living expense in Hong Kong, carrying huge debt on my shoulders, I need to be careful with what I am spending.



Then, two weeks ago on a Sunday, I have made the decision: "What the hell, just buy the damn thing and get over with it. You can spend some money you earn with your sweat and tears, literally!" Also, I am very depressed because of the getting-to-no-where work. In fact, I really hate bringing my heavy, clumsy, old-because-of-cost-cutting-that-they-give-me laptop back home for work every weekend. Do I regret of buying it? Up to now, no.

Buffalo Live 1-TB Network Attached Storage (NAS)
costs me about HKD1200. What it offers is really what I can use, either for entertainment or for work. OK, it is not that advanced that you can remotely access the storage from outside the home network (well, I read somewhere it could be done with some port forwarding setting on the router, but I am too lazy, at least not at this moment). Now, with this damn thing, I can store all my stuff (songs, TV shows, photos, etc.) and being accessed by my Macbook, Asus EEEPC, and PS3. It is the center of thing that connects everything I have. Even for work, I can just upload to it, and download at work or vice versa, without carrying the damn laptop or even the thumb drive. It is sufficiently convenient so far. Finally I could tell myself, I have spent my hard-earned money wisely!

星期三, 六月 16, 2010

Logitech Squeezebox Boom

I never had a (working) Hi-Fi stereo system that plays digital music. I never had a docking speaker. Well, somehow I am fortunate enough to get my hand on one of these so-called network music player, i.e., Logitech Squeezebox Boom. Logitech certainly is not my first choice, but certainly is a good choice out of no choice. Honestly, I would go after this Philips network music player or even Sony's.


Today is Hong Kong public holiday. Unfortunately I have a report to rush (not my fault I want to stress). So, despite of turning on the TV for background noise, I decided to give Logitech a trial. I have my own music library on my Mac and Asus. So, it is a logical step to stream music from these laptops to the player. Wonderfully, it works very well (thank God for that). Just a simple installation of the Squeezebox Server, without a lot of hectic configuration, it works! And, it works perfectly well. OK, we can debate about the sound quality, we can also criticize the lack of UI because of the small screen, but it can play my music library well by streaming. I am happy about that. Definitely can and will use it more often!

星期二, 六月 15, 2010

Are you ready to see 3D?

2D (even in HD) is so yesterday, at least it seems. All the big-ass companies such as LG, Samsung, Toshiba, Sharp, and of course Sony are now touting their asses off for 3D TVs, especially Sony. Its PlayStation 3 (i.e., my favorite machine of all time) is going to support 3D content (i.e., games and videos) with a small firmware update, starting from June 2010!


Sony in Hong Kong has a series of event to promote this new 3D TV series. And, one of these activities was being held in Shatin New Town Plazza, which is a very convenient spot for me (on the way to my work). So, I took this opportunity to give it a try, a new 3D TV.


There are two types of 3D TV, as far as I know, one is with those notoriously-awful stereoscopic glasses (of which I have tried out in Sony booth) and the other one is glass-free 3D TV. After I tried out Sony with-glasses 3D TV, watching some football show, even only 1 minute, I could already feel uncomfortable. The glasses are not that uncomfortable, but definitely is a hassle. The problem is I think our brains, I mean human's brain, are not designed to interpret 3D information. That's why definitely need some time to get used to it. I got a bit nausea after watching it. And, frankly the effect was not that impressive - yeah I can see the depth in addition to height and width, but honestly the screen is small, and I don't feel I am really immersed in the TV show.

Anyway, I might be wrong. I mean 3D perhaps is good for gaming - imagine playing Gran Turismo on a big-screen 3D TV. I will reserve my opinion on 3D TV as it is now. One thing I am sure, I won't be using it to watch 2-hour movie in my home on my small-screen 3D TV.

星期四, 六月 10, 2010

Fruit from depression and conflicts

Work is not going anywhere, stressed like here, struggling endlessly. Life is full of debt, which needs my entire life to clear up. So, it raised a damn valid question why I would still spend that much money on this damn piece of crap Macbook.


It happened last Sunday, after gym. I was hoping to check out Lenovo A300. It grabbed my attention from a magazine I checked out in the gym a week before that. I hate my office laptop Dell - heavy and slow like hell. And, I need to work in the weekends, but I dislike bringing this heavy laptop home. So, this A300 certainly has raised my interest.

When I was standing in front of this piece of beauty in Fortress, all I kept thinking is the disaster I have encountered before back in Netherlands when I needed to move. Even though it is an all-in-one desktop, yet it is still a big piece of machine. I don't want to have this bulky junk with me all the time. Then, when I turned my head, I saw this piece of crap. It stroke me! I have been using Windows for all my life, and never have I had a chance to really try out Mac. So, after checking the price, and after about 30 minutes of standing there, debating with myself in my mind, I finally took out my credit card and brought this machine home. Do I regret it now? Honestly, I don't. I think, I need something to tell myself, "you have been working hard and you deserve this!"

Luckily, (nearly) all the software I need to work supported by Mac, except Minitab and (perhaps) SPSS. Hopefully I will find a solution to use those on Macbook soon.

星期一, 六月 07, 2010

星期日, 五月 02, 2010

iPad - does it live up to its name?

iPad, the infamous gadget of the world released by Apple to the human nation. No! I didn't buy it nor own it, nor I would ever think of buying one of these. Why not? I don't see a point of it, and well, it is just a very expensive toy.


I have had a chance to put my hands on one of these bad boys. So, does it live up to its expensive name? I must say, it is just like its small brother iPhone or iPod Touch, but much better. The responsiveness certainly is obviously improved. One touch on the icon, like a flash, it just appears and runs in front of you on the big-ass screen. One thing though that I found a bit weird is how spacious it looks on the "home" screen because the icons are so small, and they are not "crowded". I kinda miss that "crowded" feeling.

One thing I am sure is that it is definitely not designed to be used on the go (another point why I wouldn't get one of these). It is not light (no matter how the spec says). Imagine holding it one hand and using another hand to control on commute. It is a terrible disaster waiting to happen. As for the function e-book reader, which is one of the selling points for iPad, well I am not impressed enough to "wow!". I still enjoy my Sony e-Reader because of its compact size.

Anyway, and again, it is a very nice expensive toy, but definitely with restricted functionality. Unless you are the one who is Apple's fanboy or fangirl, then I think this toy can definitely make you smile in your dreams!

星期一, 一月 25, 2010

宅男的新闻世界!

我不算是一个很称职的宅男,至少我还是会出门。但我更不算是一个潮男,因为我穿着简陋,对潮流不敏感。我热爱游戏电玩,但对玩偶塑像冷感。我戴着一幅黑框厚镜,但我很喜欢到健身房运动。我喜欢漫画, 但是不会疯狂沉迷,而且我还喜欢阅读一些怪怪的non-fictions。所以,总的来说,我不算一个称职的宅男。一般宅男,我想是挺封闭的,不谙世故。我热爱游戏和一些high-tech玩意的一切。所以,我会经常(每一天)都看看听听这一类新闻。也算是因为这一类的嗜好,让我能在工作上有一些意想不到的帮助。
I don't really have what it takes to be a total "otaku", at least I still go out from time to time. But, I won't call myself a trendy man, because I don't have any sense of fashion trends. I love gaming, but I am not into those figurines. I am wearing a thick black-frame glasses, but I still like to sport in gym. I love manga, but I won't be addicted. In fact, I still like to read those "weird" non-fictions. So, in conclusions, I don't really have what it takes to be a total "otaku". In general, an "otaku" is quite self-contained and not really care what's going on around them. I love gaming and those high-tech gadgets, and that's why I pay a lot of attention to these related news. I guess this is also a kind of hobby, which somehow surprisingly help a bit in my work.


我现在都在听Podcast,一大堆有关电玩和high-tech玩意的podcast。这绝对为我每天一大早6点钟到8点钟的一段时间提供了不少娱乐。资讯充足,而且娱乐性爆满。我尤其喜欢IGNPodcast BeyondGameScoop!。最近也喜欢上了PSNation PodcastGamespotHotspot。我想,我开始很适应国外的幽默。
Nowadays, I listen to podcast related to gaming and high-tech gadgets. This certainly has made my boring 6am till 8am daily journey less boring and more informative. I especially enjoy IGN's Podcast Beyond and Gamescoop!. Lately I also kinda liking PSNation Podcast and Gamespot's Hotspot. I think I am now quite accustomed to those foreigners' senses of humor.

我现在每一天都会阅读RSS,这也成为我每一天工作的一部分。Google Reader肯定在这一方面帮了我不少忙。每一天都帮我收集了不少有趣和有用的信息。而且运用我的HTC Hero和3G,我还能再路上阅读这一些信息。真的很不错的一个渠道。我每一天都会看到一些非常有趣的新闻。而且一些新闻会让我有所期待。让明天会更有趣。我一直都认为,我们人每一天都必须在沉闷和常规的生活里寻找一些期待的小事,要不然会很没劲的。
Of course, I also read RSS daily (and has become part of my job too). Google Reader is certainly a great tool for me to gather all these news. In fact, I can use my HTC Hero and 3G to read these news on the go. It certainly is a very informative and useful channel. Everyday I can read some very amazing news, some of which I would very much look forwards to. It makes tomorrow so much more interesting. I always think, we need to find some minor things in our daily routine lives that we look forwards to, otherwise, we won't feel that energetic for tomorrow.

星期六, 一月 02, 2010

In retrospect - 2009 - Purchase version

虽然我很穷,但是我还是很奢侈。也许是需要一些心灵上的安抚,也许可以说是我的嗜好。也许,这也是我越来越穷的原因。无论如何,我还是很喜欢这一些high-tech gadgets! 2008年我也花了不少钱。2009年可以说是我花钱花得最开心的一年(不是因为我很有,而是因为物有所值)。
Yes, I am damn broke, yet I am still extravagant. Perhaps, I just need some materialistic gadgets to fulfill my spiritual void. Perhaps, this is also the main reason why I am getting poorer by the day. Anyway, I still like all these high-tech gadgets. In 2008, I have spent quite amount of cash on gadgets. 2009 is perhaps the year that I am most happy with my purchase because they worth it


六月左右 (around June) Philips Tapster: 它让我摆脱了线的困扰,让我能真正的享受到什么叫做自由。它也是我目前来说为一个能让我满意的飞利浦产品!
It frees me from cables, it lets me really enjoy the freedom of entertainment. It certainly is the most satisfying Philips product that I have purchased thus far.

十月左右 (around October) 16G PSPGo: 我喜欢我的PSP。近五年了,我还是非常enjoy我的PSP。PSPGo的小巧轻盈,清晰的画面,让我对它爱不释手!
I love my PSP. After almost five years, I still enjoy my PSP very much. And, this PSPGo, its compact light size, and clear image display makes me love it even more.

十一月左右 (around November) HTC Hero: 我决定买了这一台Android的手机,原因很简单,我要一个3G号码,也想要体验一下Android。目前来说,我很喜欢,虽然它还是有瑕疵。
I have decided to buy this Android-powered mobile phone. Simple reasons, I want a 3G number, and I want to experience Android. Up to now, I like it, even though it has some flaws.

十二月左右 (around December) 250G PS3 Slim: 这是我最满意的一个产品。除了游戏外,我已经用它当作我家的一个media center。太棒了!而且我的PSPGo也有一个大哥哥了!
This is the most satisfying purchase I have made. In addition to gaming, I also use it as a media center for my home now. It is really a great product! Now, my PSPGo has a big brother!

星期二, 十二月 15, 2009

The best purchase so far!

圣诞节来啦!我又当了自己的圣诞老人,给自己买了新的玩意。其实现在我正在完成其中的两个梦(至少今年想要完成的),一个是一件装修好的房子(好话钱呀!),另一个是拥有一台Playstation 3! 而第三个梦想是把这一台PS3摆入这一间装修好的房子。很可惜这个梦想是很难实现的。也不知道什么时候能实现。反正现在在香港工作了,也算达成了自己在2009年里的一个目标。

Christmas is coming soon,and I have become my own Santa Clause yet once again. I bought myself another man toy. Actually, I am fulfilling two of my dreams in this year, one is to have a renovated huose (which is cruelly money consuming), and the other one is to have a Playstation 3. Unfortunately, my another dream - to put this PS3 into my newly nicely renovated house - is yet to be achieved, and extremely hard. Anyhow, the dream of coming to HK to work has been achieved so far.


对于PS3,我只能说太棒了!也可以说是我这一两年来买得最开心也是最不后悔的一次!它能提供的功能实在是太多了(先不谈游戏)。首先它能够成为我家的一个多媒体系统,能够支持不同格式的视频。然后就是它能用来上网和朋友联系,而且也能上Home,索尼自身的一个虚拟空间,还蛮有趣的。 最棒的还是它的游戏,几乎每一个都是顶级的制作。以后有机会再跟大家分享。更棒的是有些游戏支持网上和其他人玩和互动。反正,就是一台很值得的机器-250G内存硬盘,支持无线上网,还有就是(我目前不会去用的)蓝光系统。当然还有就是它支持高清!

As for PS3, I must say it is a wonderful piece of machine. And, I must say this is the best and not-regrettable purchase that I have ever made in these 2 years. It just provides a lot of functions and features (let alone the wide variety of triple-A games). First of all, it has slowly become the central of home media device for me, it supports all sorts of video formats. Then, I can go online to communicate with friends, and try out the Playstation Home (a virtual world from Sony). Of course the most fantastic of all is the games selection, which I am happy to share with you all some other time. Anyway, it is a fantastic machine with 250G hard drive, Wi-Fi support, and Blu-ray player (which I haven't really used yet). And of course, it supports HD!

星期六, 十一月 14, 2009

Hero? Or, Zero?

最后的最后,我还是决定了申请一台HTC HERO,用Smartone Vodafone的3G系统。机器虽然是“免费”的,但是每一个必须缴交244港币(无限上网,千分的电话时间)。用了几个星期后,觉得还可以接受。Android的系统刚用起来的时候还不是很习惯的。但是一段时间后,你会开始接受它的好处,比如说全新的7个界面让你完全自由的customize。这一个feature我还是挺喜欢的。要我投诉的话,就是手机的输入“键盘”,感觉上没有iPhone的灵敏。而且,好像还挺难操作的。而且,可能由于时时刻刻都3G的原因,电池很快就会消耗掉。但是,Android提供的app,有一些还是非常好用的,好像一个app能让我所在的地方附近找吃的,喝的,玩的,非常方便。


At last, I got myself a HTC HERO from SmartOne Vodafone. I am using its 3G system nowadays. Yeah, the machine is "free", but it costs me HKD244, which includes unlimited Internet access and thousands minutes of free talk. After few weeks of using the machine, I think it is still quite satisfying. The Android system is quite OK, it has some features that I like, such as 7 interface that allows me to freely customize. Some of the apps are quite useful, one of which allows me to locate the restaurants, etc. nearby where I am in real time. One thing I want to complain about the machine is the input "keypad". I don't think it is responsive enough, compared to iPhone. Moreover, the battery power is consumed quite quickly probably because of the 24-hour 3G. In overall, so far, I like it.

星期日, 十月 04, 2009

Quick Review: PSPGo Software

终于花了几天的时间真正的玩玩PSPGo。试了一试它的一些新的功能,比如说蓝牙听歌之类的。真的觉得蓝牙听歌很方便,完全解决了耳机线的限制和麻烦。我尝试了“心境感应”(SensMe)的功能。它是一种能让你可以根据自己的心情创建播放列表。我觉得还挺新颖的,而且播放的曲目真的可以很符合不同的心情。不错的功能。我现在已经开始用PSPGo来听歌了。至于Media Go(娛樂管理器),我觉得好烂!太烂了!如果索尼打算用Media Go来跟苹果iTunes比拚的话,差太远了!首先,界面完全没有premium的感觉,粗制烂造。而且不知道为什么,把东西导入PSPGo要那么长的时间,完全不能理喻。希望索尼尽快解决这一个问题。还好,游戏下载和导入速度还可以。用PSPGo来上PSN速度还能接受,下载速度也可以,但是还是需要改进。索尼,快快解决Media Go的问题吧!


So finally, I have spent some time with the PSPGo. I can try out some of its new features, such as A2DP (i.e., Bluetooth audio). I love this feature. Nowadays I only use Bluetooth to listen to music. The wireless certainly has freed me from the cables or cords of headphones. I also tried SensMe, which is is a proprietary music mood and tempo detection system. It certainly functions well. The music tempo it has chosen (according to different mood channels) certainly fit the mood. I nowadays use this to listen to music, instead of my iPhone. Now, lets talk about Media Go. If Sony is trying to use this to compete with Apple's iTunes, there is no way in hell Sony is going to beat Apple. Its interface sucks, it certainly does not give me a feeling of premium. Moreover, I have no idea why the transfer of video and music to PSPGo can be so damn slow, really slow. Luckily, the transfer speed of games to PSPGo is still acceptable. I really hope Sony can solve this problem as soon as possible. I also have used PSPGo to access PSN. The speed of access and download is certainly quite acceptable, surprisingly. I guess the poor performance of Media Go on PSPGo is because it is not designed specifically for PSPGo, and so Sony you'd better solved this problem soon!

星期五, 十月 02, 2009

Quick Review: PSPGo Hardware

这是第2天了。当我拿着这一台PSPGo,肯定可以感觉到跟PSP-X000的不同--轻盈,优雅,时代,性感。这一台机器比起以往的model较为轻和小是一个不争的事实。拿着它来玩游戏时,我还很担心很容易脱手,而且也担心因为analog nub的设计和位置会让我的手很不舒服。玩了一阵子后,很庆幸我的担心是多余的。加上它的buttons加上了一种有弹性的感觉,让触感更为舒服。而且,它的荧幕很清晰,跟我的PSP-1000比较可以看到很明显的分别。这么说吧,在硬体的人类工程学上来说,索尼这一次是做对了!但是嘛,在软件上来说,真的还有待进步。对于这一点我是很失望的。这一个我下一次深入研究后再分享吧。总的来说,在硬体上,我是爱上了它,而软件上来说,我还要看索尼怎么应对。


This is my 2nd day of having this lovely piece of gadget. When I am holding this gadget, I certainly can feel the difference it has from the older models (PSP-X000) -- light, elegant, modern, and sexy. PSPGo is certainly lighter and smaller than its predecessor brothers. When I am playing game on this gadget, at first I was worried that the location and new design of the analog nub might make me feel uncomfortable. However, after a second, I know my worries are unnecessary. In fact, its new buttons design with some added springy feature gives the whole control another level of comfort. In addition, the screen display is so much better than my PSP-1000. In short, from the ergonomic point of view, PSPGo certainly has hit the right points. However, from the software point of view, I think I have to say I am sorry I am very disappointed. I will share with you after some more digging with this gadget on the software part. Anyway, on the hardware side, I love this gadget. I just hope Sony will come up with some improvements soon for the software.

星期四, 十月 01, 2009

Gifts from PSPGo Launch Event

早!今天一起床首先就是先洗衣服。然后就是将PSPGo的赠品拿出来看看。虽然都是什么贵重的东西,但还是挺有用的,一把雨伞,一件T-shirt,一张200元的PSN卡,一些accessories,还有一个所谓的cardholder。


Good morning. After woke up, firt thing I did was doing the laundry. Then, I checked all those gifts from the PSPGo Launch Event. Nothing seriously valuable, but could be useful -- one umbrella, one T-shirt, one 200HKD PSN card, some accessories, and one cardholder.

Crazy first time - PSPGo Midnight Launch in Hong Kong!

是的,我还是去了,而且很幸运(或不幸)的竟然让我拿到199号(因为只有首200名才能在这一个launch event买到附送赠品的PSPGo。排了将近2个小时,我想只是一种经验吧,因为想深一层,这是一个不可理喻的行为--排队花钱。回到房间已经是2点了。明天再给你们看看什么赠品吧。晚安。

注:在现场发现了一个胖嘟嘟的11虽小男孩自己在排队。我就跟他聊了起来。他说,他妈妈在酒店当清洁女工,爸爸在大陆打工。所以他一个人排队,妈妈会在下班了3点钟来接他。但是整个event其实在1点半左右就结束了。结果他就坐在一个角落等。让我觉得很难过,很想留下来陪他。希望他没事。


Yes, I went eventually. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on how you see it) I got number 199. Only first 200 people can buy the PSPGo at the launch event, and they will be given a number of free gifts (will show you guys tomorrow what they are). Stood in line for almost 2 hours. If you think about it, it was a silly or stupid behaviour -- queue up to spend money. However, I think it is an interesting experience. It was about 2am when I got back to my apartment, so exhausted. Good night.

Note: I met a young cute fatty 11-year-old boy in the launch event. He was queuing up alone. So I chatted him up. He told me his mother was working as a cleaner in the hotel currently, and his father was working in Mainland China. His mother will come and pick him up around 3am, when she got off work. And, the event ended before 2am. So, he told me he will wait for his mother at one corner. It made me feel worried and sad. I wanted to accompany him. I felt bad I didn't. I wish him well... I really do...

星期五, 八月 28, 2009

豆浆机-我的第一次

小孩是的记忆是,弄豆浆(水)是一件很繁重的事情。我还记得看到妈子用一个很大的布做成的一个包,来包着一大堆的黄豆,然后使劲地压呀搓的,好像誓死要把所有的豆水挤出来。昨天我自己尝试用一下这一台风靡整个中国的豆浆机。首先,黄豆必须浸泡隔夜。然后,(妈子说的)要把所有的黄豆“皮”去掉。这一项工程挺大的。我花了足足差不多半小时在能把半碗不到的黄豆去皮。接下来的功夫就简单多了。将适量的黄豆和水放进这一台机器里(也能加上冰糖),然后盖上盖,选择“豆浆”,只要等个十几二十分钟吧,黄豆就变成香喷喷的豆浆。可见科技的发达实在能让很多工作简单起来。


I still remember when I was very young, making soy bean milk is an utmost troublesome task. I still remember I saw my mother use a big white cloth, wrapping those soy beans, and pressed with all the energy she has to squeeze out the milk from the soy beans. Yesterday, I tried to make some soy bean milk using this machine, which has become so popular in China. As usual, the soy beans must be soaked overnight. Then, the next task is a challenging one. According to my mother, those beans must be de-skin, cause those "skins" are not good for health. I spent like 30 minutes or so trying to clean the skin of every single bean. The following task is so much easier. Just pour the beans and water (also some sugar if you want) in the container, put on the lid, press "soy bean milk", wait for about 20 minutes or so (or less than that), then you got your warm tasty soy bean. The technology definitely has made our lives easier!