Bytes - Interesting New Apps

iPhone and iPad equipped fashionistas out there take note! Here are some interesting apps that you can download to your devices.

From Tod’s comes two apps for the iPhone and the iPad. The first, released in August last year is ‘My Life is in this Bag’, which allows users to enter and experience the world of Tod’s, and browse the various collections. The app is pretty cool as it interacts with the user in a dialogue fashion with six interesting women personas – a socialite, an intellectual, a globetrotter, a Mom, a Business Woman and an Art Dealer through the contents of their Tod’s iconic D bags.

The second app ‘An Italian Dream’launched recently in December brings users into the world of Tod’s craftsmanship and is in the form of a short film directed by Matthias Zentner and choreographed by Gianluca Shiavoni with 13 dancers from the ballet corps of Teatro all Scala. Through dance, they show the multiple steps in which a bag is created.

Another interesting one is an app called PocketDeals which is relevant if you are in Singapore. It shows you the latest deals in town on your iPhone.  Instead of browsing multiple websites for the latest fashion, automotive, travel, dining, home entertainment and gadget deals, you just browse by date, popularity, promotion or category. Shoppers can create a watchlist and list their favourite merchants so that you can watch out for particular deals. The app also uses an inbuilt GPS to locate your current vicinity. Some of the retailers currently actively engaged with offers on this app are TANGS, Metro, Estee Lauder, FJ Benjamin Group (which carries Raoul, Guess, Banana Republic, Gap, and many other fashion, timepiece and lifestyle brands), Video Ezy, Naumi Hotel and Royal China.

All above apps can be downloaded for free at the iTunes store.

- Elaine

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Buys - Top 10 Christmas Gift Ideas!

A ton of press releases on gift ideas have come our way, from practical to just plain frivolous. It has been a near impossible task trying to categorise them by price and function so instead I picked my top 10 favourites. If you have not thought of something that you want for yourself, loved one, close friend or boss then hopefully this list gives you some nice ideas: 


WHAT'S IN YOUR STOCKING? ...

GIFT #1 - Tickets to Perth, Western Australia for the family. Available at: Singapore Airlines Family Playtime or visit the Best of Perth Travel Deals. It may be somewhat of a warm weather welcome with Winter in reverse seasons in Australia but you can't deny the charms of this laid back city with its great outlying countryside, good wine, great food and just a lovely atmosphere that makes a retreat there so much more relaxing than spending it in bustling built up Hong Kong (at least for me). Highlight events include the East Perth Picnic in the Park, IGA Christmas Carol Pageant and the Christmas Nativity Event at Forrest Place in the City. Check event listings and dates out here.

GIFT #2 - You really do not want a gift that you can't use so I thought the 'Ta Da' Gift  was a pretty good idea. The TA DA Gift (available only in Hong Kong) is essentially a gift experience that is pegged to how much you want to spend - think HK$500 onwards. Beautifully packaged in a high quality glossy gift box, it has a gift card with a phone number to a concierge service where you can arrange to redeem the gift. 

Select from 6 different categories  of gifts for eg. a Zen gift is all about the spa, pampering and relaxation, a Life gift includes gifts like a Thai boxing class or Horseback riding experience,  a Delicious gift is all about gourmet goodies, an Excite gift spells kayaking, war games and the likes, an Escape gift lets the lucky recipient take a break from the norm, and gain a whole new perspective on Hong Kong via an outdoor camping trip or a sailing trip to an off shore island. And of course if budget is no issue, the Ultimate gift offers the crème de la crème of experiences and can go up to HK$15,000. All in all, there are over 200 different choices of activities and things to do, give and receive. See: The Ta Da List!

GIFT #3 - Holidays are the time for catching up on beauty sleep and my bedroom could use this cool gadget called the i.relax ZEN Aroma Diffuser available at all Oregon Scientific stores, SOGO and SEIBU in Hong Kong. You simply plug in your ipod or mp3 player and you get soothing music, mood effects via a a soft glowing night light and a diffuser that gives off different light fragrances, all coming together for a good night's sleep. Product details here! 

GIFT #4 - As an Apple advocate, I have to say I would not mind unwrapping this one from under the tree. We hear that iLife '11 is out as its the new OSX Lion! 


iLife '11 gives Mac users even better ways to create and share photos, movies and music. There are more slideshow templates, a chance for you to make Hollywood style movie trailers, a faster and better People Finder to locate your cast for your photo and video projects along with new templates for you to custom make your own books and cards. Available at HK$488 as an upgrade for existing users. See: Apple Store


If you liked the Snow Leopard OSX then the Lion promises to be mighty and will give you a better and louder roar. Inspired by many of the iPad's software innovations such as offering new ways to discover, install and automatically update desktop apps. It also introduces Launchpad, a new home for all of your Mac apps; system-wide support for full screen apps; and Mission Control, which unifies Exposé®, Dashboard, Spaces® and full screen apps into an innovative new view of everything running on your Mac, and allows you to instantly navigate anywhere.  Shipping next Summer, start getting into the queue! 

GIFT #5 - In the market for a phone? Vertu and BlackBerry have both launched new ones. The newest BlackBerry Bold 9780 smartphone is the first  smartphone to come with the new BlackBerry 6 operating system, that has a rich new user interface, a fast and powerful WebKit-based browser, broadly improved communications plus multimedia capabilities, and an incredibly useful Universal Search feature. It is also equipped with a high quality 5MP camera with 512 MB Flash memory and an expandable memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB of additional storage. Additional features of BlackBerry 6 include expanded messaging capabilities, a dedicated YouTube app, simplification of the management of social networking and RSS feeds (Social Feeds), and integrated access to BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. 

There is no doubt that you can't afford to lose a Vertu and their new Constellation Quest smartphone offers unparalleled luxury services and business tools with prices starting at S$9,900 onwards for the Brushed Stainless Steel with Black Leather (available early 2011) to the Yellow Gold, Sapphire keys version with Black leather at S$35,000. With the price tag comes a 24/7 Concierge service and an exclusive vertu.me email account. 

GIFT #6 - For that home party, present the host with a special collectible. Two  come to mind - the first is Mumm on Ice a.k.a G.H.Mumm Cordon Rouge, a special edition champagne launched for the holiday season that comes with a carrier tote that transforms into an ice bucket. Available in Hong Kong on 1 December at Wellcome and Jason's Market Place at HK$348. 

The next is Jacob Creek's new Sparkling Rose Moscato. I am a huge fan of muscat grapes and sweet wines, especially white. Yes, call me a peasant but I say that there is nothing lovelier than to sip icy cold moscato when you are chillin'. This one makes a good girlfriend gift not only because of looks but also quality and it has won a host of awards at the Australian wine shows. A value for money gift, available mid December from only HK$99 to HK$109 at selected outlets and retailers. Both drinks also available at selected outlets in Singapore, Beijing and Shanghai in the same period.  

GIFT #7 - I am tired of my boring old black luggage. So this release caught my eye. You are guaranteed to see your bright and bold coloured luggage come down that conveyor belt at the airport if you get any of these eye catching buys from  American Tourister this season. 

Two models, soft case Westlake (in 7 colours) and hard case F'Lite are being launched. Fully tested, these babies have passed the Drop, Jerk, Lock, Wheel and Tumble Test so whats there not to like? 

GIFT #8 - Impress that client or the boss with a trusty hamper. For lavish think H One and Sevva in Hong Kong, Cova in both Singapore and HK and The Link Home in Singapore. They have mastered the art of wowing the Taipan. 


At HK$988, this Appagamento hamper basket from H One comprising Pear Balsamic Vinegar, Black Truffle with Cheese Fonaue, Aged Parma Ham, homemade goodies including Chocolate Truffles, Cookies and Christmas Stollen, amongst others and a bottle of Prosecco, Zeta di Zardetto 2007  is not as expensive as I would have expected. Hampers go up to HK$8,888. Orders at (852) 2805 0638.  H one is at Shop 4008, Podium Level 4, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong.

At Cova in Singapore and Hong Kong, look out for 3 new cake designs, the Dolce Penguino (S$52 for 1 kg), the Chocolate and Cherries Logcake (S$48 for 1 kg) and the delightful Santa's Car (S$58 for 1kg) made from chocolate sponge mixed with butterscotch and gianduia cream.  Hampers abound at Cova where you can choose from 4 different prepacked designs or custom make your own. Prices start at only S$98. Call +65 6733 0777. 

7 beautifully packaged Hampers await at Sevva, mainly tableware gifts including French handcrafted silver and gold cutlery, napkin rings, exotic sugars, teas and honeys. Call +852 2537 1388 or go to Sevva. 

At The Link Home in Singapore, get your lovely ornaments custom packed into an elegant gift or choose from any of their exquisitely packaged hampers and gifts. 

GIFT #9 is the trusty Coffret Set. The prettiest by far this year are the ones from Crabtree and Evelyn. My favourites were the Vanity Cases (From S$85) and Hat Boxes (from S$95). The queues in Hong Kong rival the ones in LV and Chanel - just for a chance to get a whiff of the lovely smells coming from inside the store. 

GIFT #10 - And finally ... If you have not already bought the all in one latest Nespresso Latissima that we earlier recommended then this is definitely THE time! And to top it off three new limited edition flavours join the ever growing cache of gourmet tastes. Gift a few tubes of Vanilla Variation with its rich and velvety aromas of vanilla and the mellow flavour of the Livanto Grand Cru,  Caramel Variation, that evokes the creaminess of soft toffee and Almond Variation, a melt-in-the-mouth blend that evokes the mellow taste of Amaretti biscuits.


- Elaine

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Bytes - Mac plus iPod Offer from Apple

Its true what they say about the Mac. Once converted, no one ever goes back to the PC. Well, if you have been itching to get one then do so before 7 September because if you, or a family member or friend is a student, teacher in University or attending a Polytechnic, Junior College or Institute of Technical Education in Singapore, you get a discounted iPod touch with every Mac purchase plus what Mac calls an 'education discount' that parents can also enjoy.

More info at:

http://store.apple.com/sg/browse/campaigns/back_to_school?mco=MTc5NzY5OTg%20

Better still if you head to Nubox, an Apple Premium Reseller that has just opened a brand new store,Nubox@Tampines on 20 August (which is TOMORROW!) you get to enjoy a number of special offers and promotions available in this new store.

First 50 customers who purchase a Mac will receive a 320GB hard disk, a $20 voucher, a sleeve or mouse, a palm guard and a keyboard protector. A complimentary Dexim silicon case will also be given for the purchase of any type of iPod.

- Elaine

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Breaking News and Bytes - iPhone 4 available this Friday

Christmas has come early this year with the crazy rush happening two Fridays ago in July, first for the coveted iPad and now for the iPhone 4. Rejoin the queue as the iPhone 4 arrives in 17 more countries including Singapore and Hong Kong THIS Friday!

Featuring FaceTime, video calls are going to be the norm in phone communications. Apple’s new Retina display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone will result in stunning text, images and video whilst a beautiful all-new design casing of glass and stainless steel will make this the thinnest and most attractive smartphone in the world.

The 5 megapixel camera comes with an LED flash, HD 720p video recording, Apple’s A4 processor, a 3-axis gyro and up to 40 percent longer talk time. Available in HK at a suggested retail price of HK$4,988 for the 16GB and HK$5,888 for the 32GB model through Apple’s online store (http://store.apple.com/hk/). A new iPhone 3GS 8GB model will be available later in the year for just HK$4,088.

- Elaine

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Breaking News - iPad out in HK and SG on 23 July, Friday!

The wait ends officially on Friday because you will be able to pick yours up in HK or SG on Friday, 23 July. Browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch™ user interface. iPad is 0.5 inches thin and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.*

All the iPad models will be available from July 23 in 9 more countries including Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore for a suggested retail price of HK$3,888 for the 16GB model, HK$4,888 for the 16 GB + 3G model, HK$4,688 for the 32GB model, HK$5,688 for the 32 GB + 3G mode, HK$5,488 for the 64GB model and HK$6,488 for the 64GB + 3G model.

- Elaine 

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Bling – Tiffany's iPhone App For All Your Diamond Emergencies

Haven't we all got experienced those unexpected diamond emergencies at some time in our SimplyFab lives? When you just need that bling info - or that bling - right NOW? But you’re on the move. You're a busy woman, but that diamond just can't wait! Trust Tiffany to come up with an app that every woman needs! - The Tiffany And Co. Engagement Ring Finder, the jeweller’s first iPhone application!

The app arms you with essential tools for selecting the perfect Tiffany diamond engagement ring, from viewing the range of styles to learning about the qualities of Tiffany diamonds. The app includes an accurate Ring Sizer, the first tool of its kind from a jeweler, that lets you figure out your ring size – just place one of your rings directly on the screen and align it with the correct circle in the guide, and voila! You got your size right. You also get to browse the jeweller’s diamond collection according to shape, setting, metal or design, all shown true-to-size. Each style can also be viewed with diamonds of six different carat sizes. What’s more, you can eyeball the rings' details, and save or share your favorites. The latter is absolutely useful 'cos you can just forward it to the husband if he’s out looking for lunch and in the vicinity of a Tiffany outlet. How convenient is that for grocery shopping??

To access the Tiffany Ring Finder: http://itunes.apple.com/app/tiffany-co-engagement-ring/id375427126?mt=8

- by Ee Waun

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Bytes - iPhone 4 available END JULY in Hong Kong and Singapore!

If you must have it before everyone else then get your new iPhone 4 from the US, France, Germany, Japan and the UK on June 24. Pre-orders start Tuesday, June 15 from the Apple Online Store or reserve an iPhone 4 to pick up at an Apple Retail Store there. Wait a few weeks till end July and get it in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

What's there not to like? This penultimate in phone technology and design has FaceTime Video Calling, Retina Display, 5 Megapixel Camera and HD Video Recording, it offers the highest resolution display ever built into a phone, resulting in super crisp text, images and video. Enjoy up to 40 percent longer talk time and a beautiful all-new design of glass and stainless steel that makes it the thinnest smartphone in the world. Equipped with iOS 4, the newest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, this includes over 100 new features and 1500 new APIs for developers. iOS 4 features Multitasking, Folders, enhanced Mail, deeper Enterprise support and Apple’s new iAd mobile advertising platform.

Like the iPad, the new iBooks® app will be available for iPhone 4 as a free download from the App Store and includes Apple’s new iBookstore which will sync your current place in a book, along with any bookmarks, highlights and notes you have created, between copies of the same book on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch®. iBooks users can also now read and store PDFs right in iBooks. There are now over 60,000 books available in the iBookstore, and users have downloaded over five million books in the first two months.

Available in either black or white, the phone will cost US$199 for the 16GB model and US$299 for the 32GB model. iMovie for iPhone will be available on the App Store for just US$4.99. Note that these are the US prices excluding tax.

- Elaine

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Bytes - BookArc for the iPad!

Upside down, Right way up, on your side ... whatever your favourite position, we have discovered new ways for iPad geeks out there to display your new baby especially from a Mac only accessories retailer, Twelve South!

Love their definitive mantra "We are not just Mac Friendly.. We are Mac Only!". The brand caters only to Mac users and declares, "we feel it’s time to stop settling for PC accessories that are painted white and passed off as "Mac compatible". They launch 12 unique and innovative, must-have Mac accessories each year that are designed to protect and personalize Macs, improve Mac performance and enhance the Mac experience. One of their innovations this year is a display accessory they call the BookArc that gives you a choice of four different positions to display your iPad.

In “work mode,” iPad sits at an angle in both portrait and landscape positions, and provides access to the home button. In “storage mode” iPad sits upright in both portrait and landscape positions, perfect for charging and using your iPad as a stylish photo frame. No matter what position you’re in, you always have access to the charging port. You can view movies, photos and apps in widescreen, the way they’re meant to be seen, something other iPad docks can’t do. Place iPad in BookArc and pair it with the Apple Wireless Keyboard. You’ll have an instant work station for tackling spreadsheets in Numbers and taming your inbox in Mail. Or use landscape position to view those amazing vacation photos, movies or your favorite online webisodes.

Charging the iPad is easy because BookArc is elevated to give you plenty of room to connect and charge your iPad at rest or play. When you’re ready to go, disconnect the cable and you’re on your way. Buy yours online at: http://www.twelvesouth.com/

- Elaine 

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Buys - Quirky but Useful Fathers' Day Gifts

Quirky but useful gift ideas that we have received for Fathers Day (20 June). Have a look at our picks ....

RAINBOW CLOCK - no more fumbling in the night for glasses to scrutinise the time as this clock from Oregon Scientific at HK$898 has a sharp amber digital display against a black screen that enables him to read the time clearly from a distance. There is an outdoor temperature display for those who live in a seasonal climate and the clock creates mood lighting in the bedroom at night via a light that runs in loops just like having a vivid rainbow in the bedroom or it can also be set to a still mode. If he likes to go to bed with music in the background, the clock connects to the iPod and most Mp3 players. In the morning, he can opt for the radio alarm to wake him or a selection of 8 sounds from nature - the sound of the breeze, ocean waves, bird chirpings, rustling trees etc. See: http://hk.oregonscientific.com/eng/cat-Time-and-Weather-sub-Designer-Clocks-prod-Rainbow-Clock-.html

NIKE + iPOD SPORTS KIT - your man likes to run or walk or gym. Whatever it is, his iPod and Nikes can now team up allowing him to literally see the minutes tick by, watch the miles unfold and hear real-time voice feedback. All to his favorite music — including his power song - the one song that always gets him through the home stretch. Nike+ iPod Sport Kit only S$55 at www.apple.com/sg/ipodnano

HOGAN Tees - I recently read a book on colour therapy that says that colour has an influence on how you are perceived. Red for passionate, Blue for calm and collected, White for purity and trustworthiness and the list goes on. Colour code his day with these newly launched Summer tees from Hogan. See: www.hoganworld.com

And our unrivaled favourite is definitely this one: The TODS MAN BAG. -  this definitely takes a certain kind of guy to carry off this bag as part of his wardrobe no matter how metrosexually inclined he is. This lightweight calf leather hand carry in canary yellow makes a bold and 'ballsy' statement for the man who dares! See: www.tods.com

- Elaine

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