Alienware, a leader in high performance gaming systems, recently launched their highly anticipated new gaming systems. I attended their launch event for their new gaming systems and got to see their latest Alienware 15 and Alienware 17 laptops and also for the first time in Singapore, the Alienware Alpha Console. With the new gaming devices added on to the Alienware family lineup, the Alienware 13, the Alienware Graphics Amplifier and the legendary Area 51 Desktop.

The Alienware suite of high performance gaming systems, making them a leader in the field of gaming systems. Gamers, whether amateur or professional gamers would find their suite of gaming devices enticing and attractive with their powerful technical specifications and build up. Oh, the new gaming systems looked pretty cool too!

Let me share with you the press release information on the Alienware latest gaming systems!

Futuristic designs for the new age of gaming

In line with Alienware’s commitment to superb gaming experience, the new Alienware laptops are designed to be thinner without compromising on performance. The recently launched Alienware 13 is by far Alienware’s thinnest laptop ever, and the new Alienware 15 and 17 are both more than 20 percent thinner than their predecessors. Built with elements such as copper, aluminum and aerospace-inspired carbon fiber-filled materials for a rigid and performance-focused mechanical design, the Alienware 13, 15 and 17 focus on components that matter to gamers. The laptops also have a premium full-size keyboard with reinforced metals for uniform typing feedback, ensuring comfortable travel and quick responsiveness for gamers in action.

Alienware 13 Touch Screen

Engineered for advanced gaming, and redefining the immersive gaming experience

Alienware pushes the boundaries of bringing gamers the best visuals of the future. Packed with the latest gaming technologies, gamers are now able to enjoy even the smallest of details and appreciate the most graphically stunning games. Despite its small frame, the Alienware 13 does not compromise on visual clarity, offering an optional display powering a 2,560×1,440 QHD resolution.

Alienware 15 Touch Screen

Alienware also presents its first Ultra HD 4K screen on a notebook with the Alienware 15, which also comes in FHD option. The optional Ultra HD panel boasts an impressive 3,840×2,160 resolution — 4x the base LCD option -– bringing users the ultimate visual revolution on their laptops. Gamers who demand a large screen will favour the Alienware 17 which prioritizes screen size and picture quality, providing gamers with wide, vivid viewing experience on a notebook. All three laptops also provide optional touchscreen technology for maximum usability.

Alienware 17

The new Alienware 15 and 17 are also packed with Intel Core i7 quad-core processors and NVIDIA GTX 980m graphics to deliver maximum graphics performance for even the most intensive games. The Alienware 17 offers a higher base graphics option and higher maximum CPU option than any other Alienware notebooks, promising supreme speed and performance as gamers immerse themselves in the action.

“For more than 40 years, Intel has invented and produced industry-leading microprocessor technology to power a wealth of devices, ranging from massive data centers and sleek 2in1 devices to smartphones and tablets. The close cooperation we have with partners like Dell enables us to bring these innovations to market and I would like to offer my heartiest congratulations to the Dell team on the launch of these cutting-edge devices,” said Sumner Lemon, Country Manager, Intel Malaysia and Singapore.

“With Moore’s Law celebrating its 50^th year anniversary this year, Intel is committed to driving the PC evolution even further through our ongoing collaboration with partners like Dell.”

The Alienware 13, 15 and 17 help gamers outpace their rivals with the latest performing networking technologies such as the Killer gigabit Ethernet and the Killer Wireless 802.11ac WiFi. Powered by Klipsch and Creative Soundblaster X-FI technologies, users will enjoy the best sound quality they need when playing their favourite videogames.

Amplifying the legendary gaming performance

When paired with the optional Alienware Graphics Amplifier featuring a desktop GPU of your choice, gamers now have the perfect solution for the full rush of ultimate gaming. The Alienware Graphics Amplifier boosts the already potent gaming performance of laptops, providing desktop graphics quality gaming at home. By simply rebooting, users can get lost in the vivid display and massive performance boost of desktop-class graphics. It also features four powered USB 3.0 ports, so gamers can have instant access to their favorite peripherals and output directly to their gaming displays. The latest Alienware 15 and 17 laptops includes an Intel Core i7 processor configuration that is automatically overclocked when paired with the Graphics Amplifier for a more complete system performance.

Desktop gaming at a whole new level

The legendary Area-51 features an iconic new Triad functional design that exceeds gamers’ requirements for easy access to front and rear ports, providing DIY enthusiasts with an open and comfortable chassis design for future upgrades. It also optimizes airflow for exceptional heat dissipation that ensures maximum performance. Loaded with Intel’s latest six or eight core Haswell-E Core i7 K-series processors, graphics options from both AMD or NVIDIA, and up to 32GB of Quad Channel DDR4 memory, the Area-51 can support up to three full-length double-wise graphics cards to enable 11,520×2,160 resolution across triple Ultra HD 4K monitor providing users with superb speed and visuals for extreme gaming action.

Alienware Area 51

More than just a console

The Alienware Alpha brings the best of both worlds together by combining the freedom of PC gaming with the ease of a console. The exclusive Alienware user interface allows gamers to navigate all of Alpha’s core functions with the included Xbox 360 controller. Users can choose to launch Steam Big Picture, adjust core system and AlienFX settings and access their media – without needing a keyboard and mouse. Featuring the 4^th Gen Intel Core i7 Processors, graphics powered by a custom-built NVIDIA GeForce GTX GPU 2GB GDDR5, gamers can enjoy gaming on a big screen in 1080p Full HD beauty.

Alienware Alpha

Availability

• The Alienware 15is available now starting at SGD2,499
• The Alienware 17is available now starting at SGD2,699
• The Alienware 13is available now starting at SGD 1,999.
• The Alienware Graphics Amplifieris available now starting at SGD 418.99.
• The Alienware Area-51desktop is available now starting price at SGD3,999
• The Alienware Alpha console will be available from early March 2015 at a starting price of SGD1,699

* Information and pictures courtesy of Dell Singapore and cohn&wolfe XPR *

Today marks the first day of  the new year, the Year of the Goat! I would like to wish all my friends and followers

Happy Chinese Lunar New Year 2015!

Let’s all enjoy this festive period, a time for family reunion and friends gathering! May the Year of the Goat be a great year for all of you! Wishing all great health and prosperity for the Year of the Goat and may this year be like the River Hongbao 2015 CNY eve countdown fireworks, big and shining bright for you!

Today, 18th February 2015, it’s the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year. The eve is always an important day, for family reunion and gathering, enjoying the family dinner together. While some may have gone overseas for their holidays, or unable to spend their reunion dinner and gathering with their family since they are living overseas.

Let’s take the time to enjoy the festive Chinese Lunar New Year, welcoming the Year of the Goat tomorrow on 19th February 2015! It’s not just family reunion, this is also a time for friends gathering. Let this be a time for gatherings and reunions, I would try my best to catch up with family, relatives and friends.

Have a great and fun time at your family/relatives/friends reunion and gathering over the Chinese Lunar New Year festive period! Happy holidays too!

Something is brewing in the air by UE! Ladies and gentlemen, let me share with you an ongoing promotion by UE, it’s called Music in the Air! Between 15th January 2015 to 5th February 2015, you can stand a chance to win romantic Sky Dining prizes worth $400 when you purchase any Ultimate Ears speaker at EpiCentre!

Source: Logitech Facebook Page

Here’s what you have to do!

Purchase a UE BOOM or UE MINI BOOM bluetooth mobile speaker at any EpiCentre store in Singapore during the promotion period to qualify.

To participate in the lucky draw:

1. Fill in the entry form via this app
2. Keep your receipt as proof of purchase

Good luck and all the best folks!

This topic had been in my mind for the past few weeks, the year 2015 had just started not too long ago and at this stage, it is around the halfway mark of month of January 2015. In just a few weeks of 2015, I had first hand encounters of friends/colleagues who were not in the best of health conditions, some were major illness, some might be not so serious.

Having 2 major accidents in my current lifespan (and not planning to add more to this statistic), going through recovery and rehabilitation phase before. I can relate to the difficult journey if my friends had to go through it. I will not go into any details of some of the health issues that my friends were going through. If they are currently reading this post and they would probably knew that I had been chatting with them and wished the best for their recovery journey ahead.

You may be the richest/wealthiest person in the world with money and assets. The truth is no amount of money/wealth can buy your health back to its prime. We all want to have fun and enjoy, let us just be mindful and careful and to overdo things.

Stay Healthy and Be Healthy!

The iPhone 6 had been released for a few months and I finally managed to get hold of the new iPhone 6 64 GB Space Grey model not too long ago! I like the sleek design and size of the iPhone 6, however, it can be pretty slippery at times holding on the iPhone 6 and sometimes it slipped off my hands even though I am careful with it! Having a protective case for the iPhone 6 is definitely a good idea, let me share with you about the OtterBox ultra-protective cases for iPhone 6!

Before that, here’s a video to share with you about OtterBox -

OtterBox launched ultra-protective cases for iPhone 6, the latest cases to their collection! With different designs, colours and models, there is a OtterBox protective case for different levels of protection, fits for all occasions and lifestyles! Here are the OtterBox models for the iPhone 6

Commuter Series [RRP 49 SGD] is a sleek and sturdy two-piece case that protects from everyday bumps and drops.

Symmetry Series [RRP 49 SGD] is an ultra slim, stylish and pocket friendly case – with all of the protection you’d expect from OtterBox. Perfect for those who want protection, without compromising the sleek and slim look of their new iPhone. The best of both worlds!

Defender Series [RRP 69 RRP] is a triple-layer, ultra-rugged case built for the most adventurous types. With a built in screen protector, the case also has a protective membrane which covers the Touch ID, blocking debris, dust and grime – and a handy belt-clip holster hands-free and ‘not-to-miss moments’.

The cases come in a full spectrum of colours and will retail at the following prices:

iPhone 6 cases are now available at http://www.otterbox.asia/ or from selected local retailers.

The OtterBox case that I got as a gift was the Symmetry series, it is sleek, stylish and ultra slim, the best of both worlds without compromising safety and unique features of the iPhone 6. If you are looking for a protective phone cover for your iPhone 6, you can definitely consider OtterBox collection of ultra-protective cases for iPhone 6, there is a model suitable for everybody!

* Information, pictures and details courtesy of OtterBox and Ogilvy Public Relations *

The time of the year when everybody is busy adjusting back to working routine after a Christmas and New Year holiday break, while preparing for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, is the period when I am another year older again. I am very grateful and blessed to receive birthday well wishes and greetings on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, FB Messenger, from my family, relatives and friends. While there wasn’t much of a celebration, I had a quiet day, resting and listening/discussing photography.

Looking ahead of this year 2015, it’s going to be an even more challenging year (in my personal humble opinion) than previous 1-2 years for the economy. Running and helping out in the family business is going to be challenging for year 2015 and I hope to rise up to the occasion!

Photography is still a personal thing for me, doing it on a semi-professional/freelance basis when the time and job fits. I am looking at my personal photography projects for 2015 and you can read more about it here on my photojournalist site!

Sometimes in life, the more we search and seek, the more it will not appear. When we search and seek less, it appears to you. How will year 2015 turns out?

Last but not least, I want to thank everybody for their birthday well wishes, really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart that family, relatives and friends remembered me adding another digit to my lifespan

WD, a Western Digital company and a world leader in connected storage solutions, recently launched the WD My Passport Wireless, an easy to use Wi-Fi enabled storage drive that allows consumers to save, access and share content wirelessly with any smartphone, tablet, computer or other device. The WD’s My Passport line of portable hard drives is well known and reputable globally and the WD My Passport Wireless is a great addition to the My Passport family line of products.

Let me share with you some key and important features of the WD My Passport Wireless from the media press release ~

The My Passport Wireless drive broadcasts its own wireless network that allows up to eight devices to connect at the same time and access any content stored on the drive. Available in 1TB or 2TB models, users now have the ability to store and access up to hundreds of hours of movies and music, as well photos and other digital files, from their smartphones and tablets that are typically limited by minimal storage capacity.

The portable wireless drive features Wireless N with MIMO technology for enhanced wireless performance so that users can access and transfer files quickly, as well as stream up to four HD videos simultaneously. The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to six hours of continuous streaming and up to 20 hours of standby power making the drive a perfect travel companion.

With the My Passport Wireless drive users have anywhere, anytime access to their favorite digital content by using WD’s award winning WD My Cloud® mobile app for iOS® or Android™ mobile devices. The WD My Cloud mobile app easily connects to a My Passport Wireless drive for simple product setup, and once setup the mobile app provides intuitive navigation, sharing and playback of the drive’s content. The WD My Cloud app also helps unify all of a users’ content under a single app and user interface, by allowing access to content on the My Passport Wireless drive, the WD My Cloud family of personal cloud storage, and on major public cloud services such as Dropbox™, OneDrive™ and Google Drive™ from just one app.

In additional to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, the portable wireless storage drive is an ideal companion for cameras with its integrated SD card slot. Whether shooting large commercial photography and video production or just taking photos and videos of the family while on vacation, the My Passport Wireless drive will never let you miss a moment because your memory cards are full. The built-in SD card slot lets users copy their content from the SD card to the My Passport Wireless drive to make room for more memorable moments. Additionally, with integrated FTP, the drive connects to compatible wireless cameras so that users can automatically transfer photos from their cameras to the drive as they are taking them.

Price and Availability

The My Passport Wireless drive is currently available at select Singapore retailers and online at the wdstore.com. MSRP is $299 SGD for 1 TB and $399 for 2 TB. The WD My Cloud mobile app currently is available for download for free from the App Store™ and Google Play™.

Review

I was loaned the WD My Passport Wireless 2TB for a review and I brought it overseas for my Hokkaido Photographers Invitation Program 2014. The WD My Passport Wireless 2TB was used with my iPad 3^rd Generation that I brought to Hokkaido.

The SD card slot was very useful and handy for photographers/travellers to slot in and transfer the photos from the SD card to WD My Passport Wireless. You have the option to continue keeping the photos inside the SD card and not to erase them. In this way, you can ensure that you have dual back up, one is on the SD card and the other back up is inside the WD My Passport Wireless portable storage solution.

Photographers and travellers, in my personal opinion, would like the WD My Passport Wireless a lot. It’s easy to back up the photos from the SD card into the portable drive and it is also a portable storage that can store your other data/information etc. The WD My Cloud mobile app allows you to check that all your photos from the SD card are downloaded into the WD My Passport Wireless.

The main drawback in my opinion for the WD My Passport Wireless 2TB is the size (thickness). While it is not bulky or heavy, the thickness of the WD My Passport Wireless 2TB is not that ideal. The WD My Passport Wireless 1TB might be a better choice in terms of design and portability.

If you are not too concerned with the thickness of the WD My Passport Wireless or you can manage your portable storage with the 1TB size portable drive, the WD My Passport Wireless 2TB is definitely a worthy consideration for photographers/travellers and business owners too.

* I would like to thank WD Singapore and Ogilvy Public Relations for the loan of the WD My Passport Wireless for the review and providing the information/details of the WD My Passport Wireless. Pictures courtesy of WD website. *

GlobalWebIndex (GWI), a market research company specialising in online consumer behaviour, was in Singapore, in November 2014 to give a presentation on mobile networking trends and the boom with the younger generation. I was there during their lunch presentation and went away with interesting insights and information on the mobile networking trends.

When we talked about mobile networking, it has grown and evolved along with the boom of social networking worldwide. Mobile networking is booming!

“Mobile networking is booming – 40% of global internet users are now doing this, rising to 46% in APAC. Worldwide, the size of the messaging audience has grown by 40% in the last two years” – GlobalWebIndex

My interest in mobile networking comes from a few areas, my interest in social media networking, the usage of mobile networking apps and how mobile networking would impact future consumer/business activities. There were a number of mobile networking apps available and each of them were used differently for work and leisure. I used WhatsApp for mobile networking in Singapore, WeChat for mobile networking with friends/colleagues in Singapore, China and Taiwan due to the nature of my business and work.

Mobile messaging is rising and expanding very quickly, it’s free, easy to use and connect with people in your country and worldwide. One of the mobile messaging apps that had witnessed a remarkable growth is WeChat. They experienced significant growth with an active user base increase of 156% globally, and a staggering 499% in Singapore between Q1 2014 to Q3 to 2014. WeChat’s dominant position in the mobile messaging arena is a strong presence of 23% of the world’s internet users and 39% within the APAC region, actively using the WeChat app.

It was very interesting to view the profiles and trends of WeChat users in Singapore. With the growth of mobile networking in Singapore and the influence among the younger generation in Singapore, it will be interesting to see how business and brands tap on them together with the usage of social networking platforms.

* Information, figures and details courtesy of GlobalWebIndex and Ogilvy Public Relations Singapore *

First and foremost, Happy New Year 2015!

As the new year 2015 begins today, we also recap and reflect on our past year 2014. The year 2014 for me was an interesting and eventful year for me and I won’t be breaking it down into what happened each month in the year 2014, whether things/events that happened in my life, my photojournalism and photography/travel explorations, or even my social media adventures.

For a recap, you can follow the links below to go back in time to the year 2014 and read some of my happenings/adventures!

- Photojournalism adventures/stories

- Photography portfolio ~ 500px and Photography Collections ~ Flickr

- Facebook Page

- Where I write my most inner most thoughts and also tech news

Reflecting back on my year 2014, some key highlights will be a change of career, going into my family business, working there and   taking a number of portfolios along with leadership/management roles. While it is a totally different industry, work and society experiences accumulated over the years of working does help e.g. marketing, sales, branding, awareness social media, networking etc etc. Looking ahead for the year 2015, A New Hope, A New Year, time to bring the business to greater heights!

A quick summary on my photography adventures in 2014, just by looking through my Flickr 2014 collections, the year 2014 had been very good to me in what I went out to photograph. My photography goals/plans/projects for the year 2014 was kind of off track and I only managed to complete my advanced lighting strobist photography projects, 1 goal completed out of 4 photography goals for 2014. However, I had a very interesting and fruitful photography year 2014 with me reaching the peak in November 2014 for the Hokkaido Photographers Invitation Program. It was my biggest photography/travel portfolio till date and I was very happy and proud to be part of it!

Count My Blessings

This is also a (and constant) reminder to myself not to take things for granted and be thankful for the blessings showered upon me in many different ways, from the help/gratitude of friends and organisations that believe and trust in me, allowing me to do, learn and enjoy things in life and career.

I would like to say a big Thank You from the bottom of my heart to all those people/organisations that helped me out and blessed me in one way or another in the Year 2014!

Before the year 2014 ended, there was an incident whereby I was driving and my back right tyre punctured while driving on the expressway. For everything in life, there is always a first time and it was frightening to have that tyre puncture while driving on the expressway. The situation could have gotten worse if it was the front tyre and I really count my blessings. My old primary school classmate Michael said to me when I met him in the night of my tyre puncture incident for a coffee session that it could have been a different outcome and I won’t be having coffee session with him.

Having a few number of serious accidents in my lifespan till date today, I was very lucky to get away with the tyre puncture incident while driving on the expressway. I am blessed and grateful to avoid any more accidents.

Fate

Fate, so mysterious, so magical. It brings people into your life from all over the world. Meeting you was Fate.

I am not sure how many people really follow me here on my personal site, nevertheless, I would like to, thank everybody reading my stories, wishing you all a Happy New Year 2015! Good luck and all the best for 2015! May the Force Be With You!