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Technology
My iPad 2 ordered from the Hong Kong Apple Store arrived today, a whopping 4 days ahead of schedule. It took exactly 2 weeks, and I couldn’t be happier, because I wouldn’t otherwise be able to get one at retail shops with all the professional queue-ers who make a living buying and selling iPads and iPhones. As of today, the Apple Store online still lists all iPad 2s as “Currently Unavailable.” Another reason I’m thankful for mine.
The iPad 2 just became available in the Hong Kong Apple Store online a little after 1AM. The waiting time for delivery is 1-2 weeks, the same as the US store, which is perfectly acceptable, considering I won’t have to pay inflated prices that all the other HK people had to prior to this. I can’t wait to read the news on the crowd that will be/are in line at the different brick-and-mortar venues fighting for the limited number of iPad 2s at each location later today. I use “fighting” not lightly, because we all know how aggressive HK people can be when they want something.
[Update] Only one hour after I placed my order, I went back in the Apple Store online and ALL iPad 2s are showing “Currently Unavailable.” Could the generous limit of 5 iPad 2s per order have something to do with it? After all, the secondary market for Apple products is huge here, so enterprising individuals and companies might be maximizing each order.
Wow, I guess now I shouldn’t complain that my order will ship on May 16th, a little more than 2 weeks from today.
iPhone app developers hated the tightly controlled Apple approval process. But for users, we should be thankful Apple stood by its rigorous screening from the get-go, so we don’t have to worry about reading headlines like this:
Google pulls 21 apps in Android malware scare
…Once downloaded, the apps root the user’s device using a method like rageagainstthecage, then use an Android executable file (APK) to nab user and device data, such as your mobile provider and user ID. Finally, the app acts as a wide-open backdoor for your device to quietly download more malicious code…
At least 50,000 people already downloaded the apps. If I were an Android user, I’d be petrified.
Only a few weeks ago I was showing my sister on her iPhone our mom’s home in Honolulu in Street View. She asked if we can do it in Hong Kong and I told her no. Just last week I learned that Street View now works in Hong Kong, and it looks great on the iPhone. Here’s the address of the building that collapsed in January. Obviously, the Google van drove by before the catastrophe. There won’t be a building when the van goes by again.
55 Ma Tau Wai Road, Kowloon (It’s the old building right next to Bank of China)
I put my Roomba to work for the very first time today. I bought it yesterday and let it fully charge overnight. It turns out to be the smartest, most adorable vacuum cleaner ever. It has no trouble going in and out of the bathroom and kitchen, even though they have a ledge. Yet, it knows not to climb the ledge to the balcony. Since my home is small, the Roomba cleans every room many times with ease. The only trouble I have is that sometimes it gets stuck on the base of the barstool. But when it does, it stops immediately, until I move the stool slightly out of the way, then it starts roaming again. Finally, when it’s running out of juice, it docks itself back to the charger. Right after, I checked over with a dust mop and the cloth was clean, not even a strand of hair on it. Then I mopped the floor with water, and the water in the bucket was clean, too. This is the most happy I am with a home appliance, so much that I already threw away my old vacuum.
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Just received my Roomba 530 today. Let’s say it’s a housewarming gift for myself, so that I don’t have to do any vacuuming. It’s pricey at HK$3,280, especially compared to some China-made robotic vacuums that look eerily like Roomba at half the price. But I also did enough research prior to know that just cause it looks the same doesn’t mean it works the same. My customer’s wife bought a generic one through her credit card promo, and said that it got stuck under a furniture but kept running till it toasted itself, all the while they were away. I hope my Roomba is smarter than that. If not, I can set Virtual Walls (came with two) to block off areas that are off-limit to Roomba. Right now, it’s sitting in the corner tugged in its Home Base charging for the very first time. I’ll be able to put it to the test when I get up tomorrow.
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