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Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading ride hailing platform, recently announced that they will extend their Group Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) to all GrabHitch riders at no extra cost. The PAI for GrabHitch riders complements the personal motor insurance purchased individually by GrabHitch drivers.
GrabHitch is a social carpooling platform under the Grab platform, powered by everyday drivers, who are non-commercial, giving you a lift along the way to cover their petrol costs.
Reasons to GrabHitch
First introduced in 2015, GrabHitch is a rapidly growing carpool service that enables regular car owners to give fellow commuters a lift. Commuters choose GrabHitch for the following reasons:
Carpool for a greener future: Fully powered by everyday commuters, GrabHitch fares are not-for-profit. GrabHitch drivers go the extra mile because they believe carpooling is central to a green car-lite Singapore.
Community-building through carpooling: GrabHitch fosters community building and is a fun way for people to get to know those who live, work and play in the same neighbourhoods. Close to 80 per cent of GrabHitch drivers are working professionals who enjoy the social interaction and playing a part in contributing to a green future.
Perfect for those on a schedule and budget: GrabHitch rides can be scheduled in advance, giving commuters the certainty of a ride when they need one. As GrabHitch fares are not-for-profit, riders contribute a minimal sum as a way of sharing the cost of the journey with the driver. Fares are capped at $17, even if you travel from one end of of the island to the other.
Covered on every ride: Grab’s PAI for GrabHitch riders provides an additional layer of coverage to complement GrabHitch driver’s personal motor insurance. With this blanket coverage, riders can travel with greater peace of mind whenever they GrabHitch.
For those thinking of carpooling via GrabHitch, you can hitch a ride with a peace of mind and it would be good for community building and networking too!
* Information courtesy of Grab and Teneo Blue Rubicon *
Logitech recently launched their latest keyboard case for the fifth generation iPad. For owners of the the fifth generation iPad, this would definitely interest you! If I do own an iPad in the future, I am going to get the keyboard case from Logitech!
Let me share more details of this fifth generation iPad:
“The fifth-generation iPad is Apple’s most affordable iPad to date, but there’s still a learning curve typing on the new device if you’re used to a laptop or desktop keyboard,” said Moninder Jain, Managing Director, ASEAN and Vice-President for Logitech. “With four years of battery life, a lightweight design, and overall great typing experience, the Logitech SLIM FOLIO can help take your mobile computing to a new level, allowing you to enjoy laptop-like typing anywhere.”
Key Features
Laptop-like layout with iOS shortcuts: The Logitech SLIM FOLIO gives you comfortable and fast typing. The keys are large, well-spaced and stretched from edge-to-edge, so your hands won’t feel crowded. And, a full row of iOS shortcut keys put iPad control at your fingertip.
Flexible stand with magnetic lock: Lock your iPad in the perfect typing position, and type or browse on any surface, from your desk to your lap.
Slim and light protection: The folio is slim and light, and provides everyday protection in a streamlined design that doesn’t add extra bulk.
Four-year battery life: Thanks to a smart power management system and low-energy Bluetooth connection, the replaceable coin cell batteries last up to 4 years*.
Easy setup, reliable connection: Advanced Bluetooth Smart Technology provides a reliable energy-efficient connection that won’t drop.. Set up your connection one time and the Logitech SLIM FOLIO automatically connects every time you the iPad is in typing position.
Availability
The Logitech SLIM FOLIO is available for pre-order today at Logitech.com for a suggested retail price of $139.00, and will be available at retailers globally in June. For more information, please visit Logitech.com, our blog or connect with us on Facebook.
* Information and picture courtesy of Logitech and SPRG *
In my own personal technology writing adventures covering and writing in the field of Internet of Things (IoT), this particular maiden journey started in 2016, I was introduced to Greenwave Systems, the global managed services and Internet of Things (IoT) software leader, thanks to my friend Wee Wu of Neo Dimension who invited me to visit Greenwave Systems at CommunicAsia 2016 in Singapore.
It was an eye opener to know more about IoT software systems and how they had already started coming into our daily life without us realising it at times.
I shared about my IoT learning experiences to Greenwave Systems at CommunicAsia 2016 in this article that I wrote in June 2016, after my visit and listening to Jim Hunter sharing and demonstration of the AXON Platform. For a recap of my sharing, please visit my article – AXON Platform by Greenwave Systems at CommunicAsia 2016.
Greenwave Systems was back for CommunicAsia 2017 and it was an honour to be invited back again to visit Greenwave Systems at CommunicAsia! I had the opportunity to write and continue my sharing on Greenwave Systems since the article coverage I wrote in 2016. Arriving at Greenwave Systems seminar room, it was great to meet Jim Hunter again, he’s the Chief Scientist and Technology Evangelist of Greenwave Systems. Jim gave me a run through with a detailed and interesting presentation on the AXON Platform and AXON Predict.
AXON Platform – B2C
Listening and watching Jim’s presentation AXON Platform, it was a very good refresher for me. I saw the demonstration of how the AXON Platform works during my visit to Greenwave Systems at CommunicAsia 2016. Therefore, I would not be writing too much in detail here because most of the references and notes were written inside my 2016 article coverage.
While I was listening to the presentation and watching the demonstration of the AXON Platform, I am also thinking about how smart and connected the various types of devices that we might have in our internet/technology connected home using the smartphone app, AXON Platform and using the common language of the AXON Platform, getting the non related techological devices to “talk, connect and work with each other”. I saw security alarms, security monitor cameras, bluetooth speakers, lighting systems, in action, using the AXON Platform to give instructions to them for it to be carried out, thus making the home smart and connected.
I was also thinking of which type of white goods (kitchen appliances) would be suitable to be connected and working with the AXON Platform whereby the home owner can give instructions to the white goods and get them ready when they reach their home. Some of the white goods could be coffee machine, electric kettle, microwave oven (if the home owner place the food inside before they leave the home).
The home of the future is moving towards a technologically smart and connected home and I feel AXON Platform can be the crucial element that brings both technology, products and consumers together in a home.
AXON Predict – B2B
Earlier, you have read on how the AXON Platform makes a difference and impact to the end consumer at home. Now, I am going to share on how AXON Platform extends into the other industries, on a Business to Business (B2B) level.
Greenwave Systems recently acquired Predixion Software, a data analytics company in February 2017. This would allow Greenwave Systems to offer real-time visual edge analytics solution called AXON Predict. This Greenwave Systems AXON Predict performs analytics “at” the edge, giving business owners a new dimension and arena to work with and on. With this level of advanced analytics, intelligence and information to the machines and sensors on every step of the network, the companies adopting the AXON Predict platform is able to take appopriate real-time action at the source of the input. Companies don’t have to wait for the information and intelligence to be pushed to the cloud for processing, saving up precious time and lowering asset management costs.
With AXON Predict working totgether within the Internet of Things (IoT), different businesses such as shipping/logistics industry, farming and windmill farms, are examples of companies using the power and technology of AXON Predict for their daily business operations. Check out the videos produced by Greenwave Systems below, on the AXON Predict and the some of the industries that are currently using their AXON Predict technology platform.
Any company or industry that utilises real time data analytics, intelligence and information gathering, is able to manage their businesses more effectively and efficiently, through cost savings, prevention, maintenance and forecasting.
“We’ve seen a real need for this in the market and our customers have affirmed our belief; smart devices often lack the ability to analyze real-time data at the source, causing latency, compliance and cost issues associated with data loss,” said Arkell. “We’re addressing this pain point head on by delivering intelligence to make devices and ordinary silicon smarter. Our analytics engine provides sharper insights and faster response times for our customers and helps them improve both their top and bottom line.”
Source: Greenwave Systems Press Release
With AXON Platfrom and AXON Predict, we can see where and how IoT is shaping, changing and impacting businesses and consumers. The world of IoT is very big and getting even bigger down the road in the next few years. How fast and how much have businesses (and also end consumers) adapt and adopt changes, innovations and disruptions through the IoT world?
IoT, Big Data, Analytics, AR, VR, MR – Which of them is/are the next revolution?
On this segment, it’s more of my personal thoughts and views of IoT after visiting Greenwave Systems at CommunicAsia 2017, recapping on AXON Platform and learning about their AXON Predict.
During this period of time from 2016 to 2017 (at the point of time when this article was written) when I was just touching the tip of the iceberg of this huge IoT world, I also saw the world of AR, VR and MR. I also attended a presentation and panel discussion on “F1 Technology and the Impact on Healthcare”.The revolution and evolution of technology is riding and coming faster to you than you can imagine.
Internet of Things is the next growth area, revolutionising business and their outreach towards their customers with technology, connectivity and gadgets. This growth area is estimated to be worth a potential of $14.4 trillion for companies worldwide (Source: Salesforce)
Internet of Things, connecting people, connecting technology, connecting eco-systems between people, devices and technology. Is the Internet of Things a whole new world out there or is it a world growing more connected?
1 year later, I am continuing to learn, experience, write and share on the world of IoT. Seth Godin recently wrote an article (dated 12th June 2017) about accelerating revolutions where he spoke on IoT, revolutions are accelerating, the impacts, the pace and changes to culture and lifestyle with technology.
We’re living right now in the connection revolution, one powered by the internet, in which people connect to people, computers connect to computers and our culture changes ever faster, daily.
The world of IoT is already upon us, whether we like it or not, it will help us, it will also affect us, in work, in our daily life. The growth of IoT will only grow and expand even faster.
In my humble personal opinion, views and thoughts, I see the next revolution of IoT in the areas of data – huge raw data, information and intelligence, followed by the data analytics, through our various cloud networks (storage, processing, analytics) and 5G telecommunication mobile networks.
After learning about AXON Predict during CommunicAsia 2017, my view is that they are already ahead of the current IoT trends and revolution. Although AXON Predict is currently more suitable for businesses and industries (B2B level), I am thinking whether it could reach the end consumer level? Would there be a day when the end consumer is also able to tap on the technological platform of AXON Predict?
The IoT world, the revolution, the changes, disruption, we can change, adapt and adopt, embrace and grow with IoT helping us to lead a better life and doing our work more efficiently and effectively.
Welcome to the world of IoT, if you haven’t heard of this term.
* I would like to thank Greenwave Systems and Ying Communications for the invitation to visit during CommunicAsia 2017 *
Ultimate Ears recently launched “Bring Music To Life”, a new global brand campaign celebrating the power of music and how they transform things/people.
For fans of Ultimate Ears, an award winning wireless Bluetooth speakers, there are three bold and creative original illustrations coming to life on the Ultimate Ears by internationally renowned graffiti duo Bicicleta Sam Freio. This campaign brings together music and art to the Ultimate Ears wireless Bluetooth speakers.
Keep a lookout for this global campaign!
“Music has the power to enhance, energize and connect people, and you feel this whenever you turn the speaker on,” said Moninder Jain, Managing Director, ASEAN & India Region and Vice President at Logitech. “The belief that you can spontaneously transform any moment with music – anytime, anywhere – is at the heart of every experience from Ultimate Ears. We don’t just make speakers, we bring music to life.”
New limited edition Second Street Collection
Fans of Ultimate Ears, take note! The newest limited edition Second Street Collection is here!
The Second Street Collection will launch globally with eight new patterns and colours for Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 and Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM.
Cityscape and Urban Zebra showcase bold geometrics and stark, graphic patterns in neutral tones inspired by the monolithic structures in the urban landscape.
After Hours and Marina embody a classic palette of red and blue turned up to an electrifying intensity.
Midnight Garden, Stone, Cashmere and Lilac feature soft, warm and vaguely luminous tones inspired by the hazy light of spring.
Pricing and Availability
The Second Street Collection from Ultimate Ears is expected to be available in select countries globally beginning in June 2017 for suggested retail prices of SGD $249.00 for BOOM 2 and SGD $399.00 for MEGABOOM. Pattern and colour availability will vary by country.
Grab recently celebrated their fifth anniversary milestone on 5th June 2017. They have also launched a “Moving SEA Together” report, highlighting the company’s growth across Southeast Asia. I had been following on their progress and expansion in the past year since Echelon Asia Summit 2016 and got to know them more from then on. Their progress, updates and expansion are pretty remarkable and amazing in this short period of time. From my coverage of Grab after Echelon Asia Summit 2016, I shared a few of their updates, progress and expansion over this period of time.
Grab today has up to 2.5 million rides daily, the largest ride-hailing platform, thus making them the preferred app for drivers and passengers use in Southeast Asia. Grab is now in 55 cities across Southeast Asia and their app has been downloaded onto over 45 million devices, a growth of 3X from June 2016.
The expansion of Grab goes beyond ride hailing, with their build up of their consumer platform that encompasses transport and mobile payments. GrabPay, their proprietary mobile payments solution is projected to grow even bigger than before. This expansion would be a very interesting development and I am keen to observe how fast and far it can grow.
GrabNow
A new service, born from Grab business innovation, that digitises the street hailing experience. This new service would first be available in Jakarta, passengers can flag down a GrabBike driver on the street, book a ride with the same driver immediately and pay via the Grab app.
I would like to share the following key information and details from their “Moving SEA Together” report:
“As Grab’s business has grown, the scale of problems we are solving has grown with it. We are an active contributor to solving Southeast Asia’s fundamental issues: congestion, jobs, trust in and access to the digital economy. These issues affect SEA’s long-term economic growth and Grab is very much committed to investing in our region. The only way to make meaningful long-term impact is to be laser focused on the important, everyday services to consumers: a more efficient transport network and wider access to cashless payments.
The ‘Moving SEA Together’ report is so meaningful to my co-founder Ling and I, because it affirms our belief that a homegrown startup can make a difference in the world, as long as we focus on doing the right thing. Every decision we make is guided by how best we can solve a local problem, and how it will benefit people and the wider community. We’ve been blessed with help from so many people – fellow Grabbers, drivers, agents, customers and investors – who put their faith in us, and encouraged us to always work towards big audacious goals. You can call us crazy, but perhaps Grab is a place for people who believe that what they do will improve lives through technology,” said Anthony Tan, Group CEO and Co-founder, Grab.
Report Findings: Five Years of Moving SEA Together
The ‘Moving SEA Together’ report shows how Grab has built a track record of solving local problems over the last five years, and changed its drivers’ and passengers’ lives in meaningful ways.
Making commuting easier and safer for passengers
On average, Grab commuters reach their destinations in less than half the time (52% reduction in travel time on average) compared to public transport options in their cities. The greatest time-savings come from the Philippines (70% reduction in travel times) and Indonesia (64%), with both countries having thriving – yet highly congested – capital cities. With Grab’s new GrabNow service, passengers can shave even more time off their commute.
Grab has also made commuting safer for its millions of passengers by consistently raising the bar for safety in the ride-hailing space. Grab traffic accident rates are on average 5 times lower than the country average, with those numbers jumping up to 6 times safer in Vietnam and Malaysia. This focus on making transport more convenient and safer in SEA’s rapidly developing cities has resonated with people, with the number of Grab app downloads growing 360% year-on-year since 2013.
Improving drivers’ earning potential
Grab driver-partners earn on average one-third (32%) more on a per hour basis compared to average worker wages across all of Grab’s markets. Driver-partner incomes have been strongest in Vietnam (55% more than average wages), Malaysia (48%) and the Philippines (35%). With 70% of Southeast Asians still lacking basic internet access[1], the Grab app with Grab micro financed phones made it possible for many driver-partners to first experience the power of the internet – bridging the digital divide. Grab has assisted in opening bank accounts for more than two-thirds of its driver-partners (640,000 people), introducing them to banking and other financial services for the very first time in their lives.
Nearly 1 million driver partners (more than 930,000) now rely on the Grab platform for income to their families. The number of drivers has grown 340% year-on-year since 2013. In Indonesia, year-on-year growth stands at a whopping 574%.
Developing a more efficient transport network
Increasingly, Grab is broadening its services to new modes of transportation that cater to moving groups of people together, such as carpooling options which bring down fares of point-to-point travel. These options will be key to solving issues of congestion and pollution in Southeast Asia’s megacities. Its carpooling options GrabShare and GrabHitch have already started easing congestion and reducing air pollution. Grab saves an estimated almost 3.2 million kilograms in carbon emissions every year, by offering carpooling options and further optimising our booking system. This is equivalent to the amount of CO2 emitted by desk lights for 9,268 children to study in a year – and that’s assuming they keep the lights on 24/7!
[1] Google and Temasek (2016), E-conomy SEA: Unlocking the $200 billion digital opportunity in Southeast Asia.
Moving ahead for Grab in the near future
Safer driving experience with telematics programme expansion
Grab is expanding their telematics initiative (initial purpose was to reduce speeding) beyond monitoring speeding and looking into indicators for safe driving, hard braking, sudden acceleration and dangerous swerving. Combining machine learning and predictive analytics, this would greatly enhance Grab drivers driving more safely with weekly reports of their safety scores to them. This is currently launched in Singapore and will be progressively rolled out to other countries in the region. If you are a Grab customer, this would be of great news to you!
GrabChat
A messaging service that has helped and impacted both Grab drivers and passengers. 8 in 10 passengers cancel less when they use GrabChat, as they can easily inform their driver on where they are using template messages like “I’m here” or “Ok coming over now”.
This would be great news for passengers traveling to different countries in Southeast Asia and wanting to book a Grab ride. Grab now has auto-translation of template messages in 5 languages (Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu, Simplified Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese), to cater to regional travellers. 80% of all GrabChat messages already use the template text messages, which ensures safe, one-tap texting for drivers.
On Grab 5th Anniversary milestone, they have grew and expanded a lot, along with innovation, solving problems and coming up with innovative solutions along their journey. Congrats to Grab on your 5th Anniversary, looking forward to more updates, developments, growth and expansion news!
If you like to know more about Grab, do visit their website http://www.grab.com and download their Grab app if you haven’t!
* Information and details courtesy of Grab Singapore and Teneo Blue Rubicon *
I took a 3 days break, from Saturday 10th to Monday 12th June. No, I didn’t travel overseas for a holiday, although I wish to go for a short trip out of Singapore and get away from this rat race + high pressure cooker + too much rubbish at times happening. I just stayed at home and didn’t go out anywhere over the weekend and today Monday, except to buy food, went to my auntie’s home and fetch my mum from the airport.
Things hit me in both physically and emotionally, I was just recently physically drained and emotionally drained, probably due to both happening concurrently. A number of factors, finding and strategising ways in this challenging and difficult economic climate. Emotionally because there are some things that I cannot say out here, only very very few people know what is happening.
I need to reorganise myself in many ways, to plan and utilise my time, for personal photography, marketing, collaboration and partnerships for my photography business, to build side businesses to ensure additional sources of income in lieu of changing and disrupting world economy.
My tech and business articles writing on this site has slowed down, don’t worry, I am slowly writing and publishing them as many as I am able to handle. There are some priority articles to publish first e.g. tech review articles, B2B articles etc etc.
3 days of doing nothing, it does help, to rest and recharge. This allows me to plan and carry on forward ahead, as the Chinese saying goes, “taking a rest, is for taking a longer journey ahead”.
I need and I want to commit to less things/events/commitments, sometimes I wish friends can understand why I want to do less things/events/commitments, yet they do not want and do not wish to understand. I only want to commit to those things that I want to do within my time, my means and my commitments.
These are the spaces whereby I express and write down a lot of my thoughts, feelings and emotions. It’s different from people who rants on Facebook wall everyday. Probably Twitter and Instagram are my two other spaces whereby I share more updates.
I do need a short travel break overseas, to get away from Singapore for a few days to recharge and rejuvenate. It might be start to restart my travel photography projects.
Back to managing my time, priorities, photography and business well. The past few months had been some good learning life lessons, on how much I am able to handle and prioritising the areas that I should focus on. One step at a time, to learn, improve from mistakes, new knowledge, skills and experiences.
Today, you have a number of computers at home, maybe a combination of a desktop and a laptop, some of you could have more than that. You have one mouse for every computer and that can be quite a handful if you have a number of computers on your desk.
Would you like to have a high tech and powerful mouse that can control up to three computers seamlessly? Yes, now you can do it, with Logitech Flow, a ground breaking new software that allows you to seamlessly control up to three computers with one mouse! The Logitech Flow is compatible with Logitech flagship mice, the Logitech MX Master 2S and Logitech MX Anywhere 2S.
Let me share with you more information on the Logitech Flow, Logitech MX Master 2S and Logitech MX Anywhere 2S:
“One computer used to be enough” but we’ve moved into an era where roughly one in 10 people are working across multiple computers at the same time” said Moninder Jain, Managing Director ASEAN and Vice-President for Logitech “Using multiple computers can help you avoid distractions and speed up processor intensive operations but working across multiple computers can be a hassle. That’s where Logitech Flow comes in With Flow and a new MX mouse you can enhance your productivity —for instance, copying and pasting files from one computer to another — helping you become more precise and focused in the multi computer world”
Logitech Flow
It is available as a free download, as part of the Logitech Options software. Armed with the Logitech MX Mice, user can seamlessly control up to three computers with one mouse, even copy and paste documents, images and content between the three computers.
Logitech MX Master 2S Key Features
Logitech FLOW: Seamlessly control multiple devices at the same time and even copy-paste content and documents between those computers.**
Darkfield™ High Precision Tracking: Track on almost any surface with flawless control, even glass, with up to 4,000 dots per inch.
Rechargeable Battery: Plug MX Master 2S into your computer using the micro-USB charging cable and get enough power for a full day of usage in only three minutes with a full charge that can last up to 70 days.***
Unique Scrolling Experience: Scroll through Web pages faster and easier with a speed-adaptive scroll wheel that auto-shifts from click-to-click to hyper-fast scroll.
Comfortable Shape: Crafted to fit your hand, this comfortable mobile mouse provides the control you need at home, at work or on the go.
Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Key Features
Logitech FLOW: Seamlessly control multiple devices at the same time and even copy-paste content and documents between those computers.**
Darkfield™ High Precision Tracking: Track on almost any surface with flawless control, even glass, with up to 4,000 dots per inch.
Rechargeable Battery: Plug MX Anywhere 2S into your computer using the micro-USB charging cable and get enough power for a full day of usage in only three minutes with a full charge that can last up to 70 days.***
Unique Scrolling Experience: Scroll through Web pages faster and easier with a speed-adaptive scroll wheel that auto-shifts from click-to-click to hyper-fast scroll.
Comfortable Shape: Crafted to fit your hand, this comfortable mobile mouse provides the control you need at home, at work or on the go.
Notes:
** Requires Logitech® Options™ software, available for download at www.logitech.com/options.
***Battery life may vary based on user and computing conditions.
Pricing and Availability
The new mice are expected to be available in June at Logitech.com and select retail stores. The Logitech MX Master 2S are priced at $149 and the Logitech MX Anywhere 2S for $129.
One new additional mouse that is compatible with Logitech Flow is the Logitech M585 Multi-Device which is available at Logitech.com and select retail stores for $49. This highly productive wireless mouse features dual connectivity, ultra precise scrolling and a curved design.
* Information and pictures courtesy of Logitech Singapore and SPRG *
The fast high octane driving action of Formula One (F1) and healthcare, how can these two sectors be interlinked or working together in our world of technology advancements in both medical and technology fields? If we only based it on looking on paper figures and stories alone, and not in-depth into them, sports racing technology in F1 doesn’t have a perfect 1.0 correlation with the healthcare industry.
Yes, F1 sports racing have sports athletes in peak physical and mental condition, through body monitoring through sensors. The F1 drivers are always taken care of in the healthcare segment, ensuring their peak condition to compete in a very competitive, dangerous yet controlled sporting environment. In this segment, healthcare provisions and standards play a very integral part to the F1 sports racing industry.
Therefore, the current technology used in F1 can be applied in our healthcare industry, in our everyday life, in medical institutions such as hospitals and clinics, for everybody who needs the medical services. Beyond the F1 sports industry, it’s about how F1 technology can be transferred across to the healthcare industry in general, how and where to apply them, that can a wide area to discuss and work on from both sides of the F1 and healthcare practitioners.
At a recent SGInnovate Forum titled “F1 Technology and the Impact on Healthcare” that I attended, there were interesting presentations and discussions by the speakers present during the panel discussion.
Moderator
Steve Leonard, Founding CEO, SGInnovate
Panelists
– Dr Adam Hill, Chief Medical Officer, McLaren Applied Technologies
– Mr Chua Chee Yong, Director Planning Group, Integrated Health Information Systems Pte Ltd (IHIS), Head IT Strategy and Planning, MOH Singapore
– Dr Sophia Chew, Cardiac Anaesthetist, Singapore General Hospital
During the forum event, there were interesting presentations and topics brought up by the audience during the panel discussion. While I am unable to share everything here in my article, I was able to connect the dots across supposedly very different industries and practices.
My prior professional experience in financial advisory (having to learn a bit on medical terms, conditions and medical related matters because of the areas in life insurance and medical insurance), my personal interest in F1 because I am a fan of motorsports, being a patient myself (from getting operated on my injuries and having to follow up with my specialist doctor yearly for now) and finally a technology enthusiast that consumes different forms of data and information on the internet/social media.
With my wide areas of experiences and interests, I didn’t get too lost during the panel discussion, considering that I am not a professional in the medical, IT or data analytics industries.
The professional expertise from the Formula One industries, analysing and collecting data and information from the racing drivers, weather conditions, racing conditions, thereafter, producing crucial and important information for future racing competitions. All these are very useful and this particular expertise can be transferred across into the medical field and applied there. It is much easier for a B2B approach (Business to Business) transfer of expertise and technology than a B2C approach (Business to Consumer) who may not be able to understand the complexity and technicality of the entire process.
However, we human beings, face aging, illness, body wear and tear over time. While the human race may not see it that closely related at this current juncture in time, maybe in the future, medical records of patients can be stored confidentially and safely, the patient’s medical records can be accessed by the patient themselves or when they visit other doctors in other medical institutions. How long will this take? Your guess is as good as mine.
During the panel discussion, one of the guests brought up a question on health insurance, in relation to the forum discussion topic. On this topic, with my prior professional experience in the financial advisory industry, I can understand and relate to this particular question posed. I am not going to write it down in detail here, it can be a lengthy discussion and can be an article long in content. For health insurance premiums to change, if insurance companies have access to more customers health information and data, there could be a possibility. However, there are a lot more factors to consider before this could even be a possibility in the future.
F1 Technology and Healthcare might not seem like the best partnership on paper, yet the expertise and technology behind F1 can be transferred and applied in the healthcare industry. This is a great example of how technology can impact and improve our life, although it is not so obvious and easy to understand, from the end consumer perspective.
Students, youths and NSFs take note! There is a new mobile plan that you can “level up” on your Singtel’s Youth Combo plans and data add-ons! Singtel recently launched its new LVL UP plan for youths and this is something that you can look at!
We live in a highly internet and social media connected society today, with smartphones and mobile data playing a key part in our life, communicating with family, relatives and friends, reading stories/news, finding information and watching entertainment/videos on our smartphones.
What are some of the key highlights of this new LVL UP plan? Let me share the information below:
Youths who sign up for a LVL UP Youth Combo 3 plan will automatically receive Combo 4 talk-time, data and SMS benefits and more. They will only have to pay S$62.90 to enjoy 5GB of local data, 400 talk-time minutes, unlimited SMS, free Youth and Campus calls, and unlimited use of Singtel WiFi. They can even take their optional data add-on to the next level and receive DataX3 for the price of DataX2, to get up to 11GB of data every month.
Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Singapore, Singtel, said, “LVL UP is tailored to our youths’ connectivity needs and data consumption habits. With LVL UP, we are stretching their dollar and giving them great value on what matters to them – they can now enjoy their favourite on-the-go online activities without having to watch their data counter.”
LVL UP is available on Youth Combo 2 and Youth Combo 3 plans for new and re-contracting youth customers. Students aged 26 and below with a valid student pass, and NSFs with an 11B identity card, are eligible for LVL UP plans. They can sign up at all Singtel Shops and Singtel Exclusive Retailers or via www.singtel.com/youth.
* Information courtesy of Singtel Corporate Communications *
In the early morning hours of 2nd June 2017, a new month has just started, reflecting back, 5 months have just passed, it seems like a flash at times. There were times when there were so many thoughts, words, feelings and emotions going through my mind, heart and soul. It was very difficult to write or share it out. I do not believe in typing out essays on my personal Facebook wall, I do not want to do it too. Typing it out in 140 characters on Twitter proved to be very challenging since I got to summarise everything into a few 140 characters posts. Therefore, sometimes and many a times, bits and pieces were posted on my Twitter and my Instagram.
Life is precious, be grateful and thankful
First thing first, handling two passing ons in my extended family tree in a period of six months is totally not ideal at all. I didn’t share it on Facebook, I shared it on Twitter, a few weeks back, I rushed back to attend my younger paternal cousin’s funeral in Malaysia, he suddenly passed away due to an illness. To be honest, I was totally shocked. This wasn’t the type of gathering that I thought I would be meeting my relatives again. Life is so unpredictable, unexpected and so fragile. Life is precious, be grateful and thankful. Not to forget, eat and live healthy too!
At a recent gathering with uni friends, they were all celebrating something wonderful and happy in their life, I am really happy for them. As for me, I had to deal with two passing ons in the past six months, I just don’t have the happy celebrations at this time. Slowly, things would start to turn better as times goes by.
Economy – more slow and difficult times ahead
The economy is still slow and difficult, personally, it’s not getting easier, echoed by a few friends running their own small / medium sized businesses.
This is a crucial period to change, adapt, innovate, improve and learn new skills and knowledge. We have to be prepared for consistent slow levels of growth in the years/decades ahead as Singapore enters into a mature economy.
Hopefully, the economy is able to steady the ship in 2018 and we have adapted to the slow economic growth for the next era ahead.
Running my photography business – still a long long long journey ahead
For the record, in case you forgotten what I wrote earlier in the past few months, I had established and registered a photography business at the start of 2017. For those who kept asking me what I am doing when I already told you what I had started, please read the paragraph again, and also revisit and read the following articles:
Currently, a one person operation, taking on almost everything from top to bottom. Running out of words to describe the type and amount of work that I have to do. It’s still a long long long journey ahead.
The business is moving very slowly since it’s still very new (regardless of my number of years of freelance photography). Competition and market saturation is very intense in a small country and economy like Singapore, like many of the other industries and businesses in Singapore.
Always thinking out and beyond the box, innovating and challenging myself, to learn and improve in as many areas as possible, not just photography skills and knowledge.
Learning to Say NO
Sometimes, I have to learn and say NO more often. Slowly, I am getting there. There are times whereby my kindness, giving and willingness to help have be more abused than before.
I want to reserve my kindness, giving and willingness to help for those who really need help and support.
Personal thoughts
I don’t rant on my personal Facebook wall, I can be a very private person even though I can talk and chat a lot with people. I sometimes share bits and pieces of my thoughts on Twitter and Instagram.
Even if I wrote this article, friends also don’t visit my website and read. Sometimes, I just don’t want to repeat something that I already wrote and shared earlier. Sometimes, I just don’t wish to talk more about private things unless necessary.
My patience with people has been very thin and my tolerance for bullshit is almost zero.
To everybody that read my whole article up till this sentence, thank you for reading my rants, thoughts, feelings and heartaches.
