Nexus 5 Review.

GENERAL	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions
		CDMA 800 / 1900 - North America version
	3G Network	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 / 900 - North America version
		HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100
	4G Network	LTE 700 / 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 / 2600 - North America version
		LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600
	SIM	Micro-SIM
	Announced	2013, October
	Status	Available. Released 2013, November

BODY	Dimensions	137.9 x 69.2 x 8.6 mm (5.43 x 2.72 x 0.34 in)
	Weight	130 g (4.59 oz)

DISPLAY	Type	True HD IPS Plus capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
	Size	1080 x 1920 pixels, 4.95 inches (~445 ppi pixel density)
	Multitouch	Yes
	Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3

SOUND	Alert types	Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones
	Loudspeaker	Yes
	3.5mm jack	Yes

MEMORY	Card slot	No
	Internal	16/32 GB, 2 GB RAM

DATA	GPRS	Class 12 (4+1/3+2/2+3/1+4 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
	EDGE	Class 12
	Speed	DC-HSDPA, 42 Mbps; HSDPA, 21 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps; LTE, Cat3, 50 Mbps UL, 100 Mbps DL
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi hotspot
	Bluetooth	Yes, v4.0 with A2DP
	NFC	Yes
	USB	Yes, microUSB (SlimPort) v2.0

CAMERA	Primary	8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, autofocus, optical image stabilization, LED flash
	Features	Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, photo sphere
	Video	Yes, 1080p@30fps
	Secondary	Yes, 1.3 MP

FEATURES	OS	Android OS, v4.4 (KitKat)
	Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800
	CPU	Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400
	GPU	Adreno 330
	Sensors	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
	Messaging	SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Mail, IM, RSS
	Browser	HTML5
	Radio	No
	GPS	Yes, with A-GPS support and GLONASS
	Java	Yes, via Java MIDP emulator
	Colors	Black, White
		- Wireless charging - SNS integration - Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic - MP4/H.264/H.263 player - MP3/WAV/eAAC+/AC3 player - Organizer - Image/video editor - Document editor - Google Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Calendar, Google Talk, Picasa - Voice memo/dial/commands - Predictive text input

BATTERY		Non-removable Li-Po 2300 mAh battery
	Stand-by	(2G) / Up to 300 h (3G)
	Talk time	(2G) / Up to 17 h (3G)

The phone just arrived in the mail today. the 32GB version costs $399 from the Google play store.

It runs on the new Google OS, KitKat, and has an IPS 5" screen.

Out of the Box. 

The Nexus 5 is not too big. Compared to my Xperia, it has a bigger screen, but still comfortable to hold and use. The Nexus 5 looks pretty plan and simple. However, it does feel very slippery. Even though it feels well built and not as plastic as it looks, the phone feels a little slippery, but not as bad that it will fall out of your hands easily. I've placed the phone on a slightly sloped surface and the phone slides around more than my Xperia.

On the left, there is a rocker for volume, on the right, there is a power button and the MicroSim Slot. On the top, there is a regular headphone jack and the bottom there is a Nano-USB slot.

I was quite disappointed that the Nexus 5 does not have a Micro-SD Card slot. So getting the 32GB seems essential, as I have quite a bit of music which I want to access without downloading constantly.

Nexus 5 seems to have all bells and whistles all modern phones should have.

1) Wireless Charging
2) Bluetooth 4.0
3) LTE
4) Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Display.

The IPS full HD screen is simply beautiful. 1080 x 1920 pixels, very sharp, very beautiful.

KitKat Android 4.4

Android 4.4 on Nexus 5 is smooth and fast. "Ok Google" is a phrase to use to get Nexus 5 to search Google, however, this does not work when the screen is off or phone is locked or in the middle of an app. I've tried using the voice recognition, and it works very well, but

Overall, Android 4.4 is like a better Jellybean, some minor improvements, and on Nexus 5, it seems to work well.

Camera

The 8MP camera is ok. The camera interface is like the one on Android 4.3, but with an added feature -- HDR.

I've used the camera but not as impressed as the one on Nokia 925 or 1020.


For its price, Nexus 5 is really value for money.

Rating 8/10 (Would be better if it had micro-SD slot and a better camera system)




-- Robin Low

Seamless Nanotechonlogy Bamboo Charcoal Smart Mens Briefs

These brand new Greenyarn Smart Mens Briefs are prelaunched and not for sale yet, but I've a pair to try out.

Containing Eco-fabric, these underwear are supposed have the following benefits:

Antibacterial and antifungal  Bamboo thrives naturally without using any pesticide and bamboo-carbon nano particles still retains its natural antibacterial and antifungal functions, bacteriostasis and deodorization. As Eco-fabric has natural antibiosis function, it should not cause any allergic reaction to the skin, unlike other fibers sterilized with antimicrobial agent. Breathable and dry Bamboo-carbon yarn has a cross-section filled with various micro-gaps and micro-holes, hence compared to other conventional fabric; it has better moisture absorption and ventilation. Eco-fabric products can absorb and disperse sweat fast, making them feel dry and comfortable. They also do not stick to skin during hot summer days. Thermal regulation Eco-fabric products not only feel cool during hot days, they also have great insulating effect of maintaining temperature in the cold. Absorption and emission of Far Infrared Radiation Bamboo-carbon nano particles can absorb far infrared radiation from the environment, and emit them to help in cell activation, promotes blood circulation and metabolism in the long run. De-odorizing As bamboo-carbon has porous structure. Eco-fabric can absorb and decompose benzene, phenol, methyl alcohol, and other harmful substances. Prevent static electricity buildup As bamboo-carbon nano particles are conductive, their presence in the fiber helps Eco-fabric prevent charge buildup. As a result, wearer of Eco-fabric products will not experience unnecessary static-electrical shock even in dry conditions. Green Using Eco-fabric generally will not cause any allergic reactions as Eco-fabric gets all its above properties from bamboo. Harmful chemicals are not used during production of Eco-fabric. Washable As the bamboo-carbon nano particles is distributed inside fibers rather than on their surface, Eco-fabric is washable without diminishing the effectiveness of the carbon powder's special qualities even after 50 washes.

But benefits or not, I've tried these underwear for a few days now, and here is the review.

Feel
These underwear feel like compression wear. They give you support but are not constricting. Unlike compression wear, you do not feel them at all. They are not boxer briefs and they provide great support for sports, yet you can hardly feel them.

Appearance.
It only comes in 1 color, dark grey, and I feel its fine as I don't really show my underwear. There are no brand logo on the outside, just a hashtag behind #BUMFONDLE, which describes how it feels -- so comfortable you want to touch that bum... Very basic and plain.

The underwear is of an average length, giving enough support for sports. It will not appear when you wear regular shorts.

Moisture Wicking.
These Briefs really do wick moisture very fast. They feel dry and make you feel dry after sweating a lot as well. They are also dry-fast.

These features makes the briefs great for traveling as they can be washed in the evening and hung dry and ready the next morning.

Comfort.

Having a seamless construction and made with no restrictive rubber, these briefs do not leave any stretch marks. For a person who travels a lot, this is an important feature as I do not feel uncomfortable even after prolonged use.

Antibacterial.

The antibacterial nature of these underwear makes them great for hiking and sports. After sweating a lot, and continuous use, I do not get rashes unlike using my regular cotton underwear.

Non-abrasive.
The seamless weave with 90% Eco-fabric is one of the lowest abrasive fabric that wicks moisture. Wet or dry, these briefs do not cause abrasion, which makes them great for long distance running.

Overall, I like these mens briefs, they are plain, simple and works.

They will be available at http://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/health_beauty  soon

-- Robin Low

Greenyarn Compression Socks

Compression socks -- socks with the right compression is definitely very useful and important for a certain group of people.

Compression socks are socks with the right compression zones. Unlike normal socks, compression socks do not have a tight cuff to hold the socks up. This is particularly useful for the various groups of people.

1) People with poor blood circulation on the feet. People with diabetes or other kinds of disorders. Having no restrictive cuffs, compression socks will not restrict blood flow. Having the right compression on the right place, the socks will stay on the feet while providing the right compression to allow blood to flow.

2) People with swollen feet. With no restrictive cuff, it is easier to wear these socks, some women who are pregnant may experience swollen feet and these compression socks can be put on more easily and fit well.

This pair of Compression socks however has more features than other compression socks. Greenyarn compression socks are 200 needle count cushion base and contain Eco-fabric. Eco-fabric is a material that is embedded with nano-particles of bamboo charcoal, allowing it to be deodorizing, antibacterial, absorbs and emits far-infrared energy and promotes blood circulation and metabolism.

The 200 needle count 3-D knitting makes the whole base of the sock -- the grey portion -- cushioned with fine tiny knitted "springs" unlike regular socks which are 96 or 120 needle count, these "springs" are not like regular rings which gets flatten after prolonged use. The cushioning and comfort lasts the whole day.

As I travel a lot, on the air and on the road, I can probably wear the same pair of socks for up to 36 hours. With a cushioned sole, I'm sure many travelers will also agree with the need of having an odor free, comfortable, nonrestrictive socks which wicks moisture quickly.

I personally am not suffering from any disease or illness, nor are my feet swollen. But when I travel for long distances, these are the socks of choice for my travels.

Currently, it is available at CEO Concept Stores in Malaysia. (Penang)

You can find them here.

-- Robin Low

Battle of the Men Facial Wash

L’Oreal Paris Men Expert  Volcano Red Foam Facial Wash 

This is one of  the newer facial wash from L'Oreal and it contains Volcano Red Foam Volcanic Mineral Extract to penetrates pore. Does it really work?

Well, I bought it to try it out. 

The smell is rather pleasant and apparently, the red gel lathers up pretty easily to give a pinkish foam. I expected a scrub like consistency, however the red volcanic ash particles can't be felt at all. So this is not a scrub. 

It removes excess oil on the face well and it washes off easily without leaving an annoying layer behind. Overall, it is a pleasant experience, the cap is easily opened with one hand, it closes tight and the whole product is rather well built.

Garnier Men TurboLight Oil Control Icy Scrub

This is one of my favorite scrub. I've bought a few tubes of this in 2012, and it is a first blackhead removing scrub with citrus scent because of lemon extract.

The particles in the scrub is rather big and hard. I feel that this is definitely effective in removing black heads, however, it feels definitely too effective and I do not use this more than once a day as scrubs are usually not to be used too often as they may give micro-cuts which may make any skin condition worse.

I tend to use this at the end of the day to wash off the dirt in the clogged pores. I like the refreshing tingling sensation as it contains Menthol. Washing my face with this definitely can keep me refreshed!

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So which Facial wash is better?

I've tried L'Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic face wash before but I do not like it overall as it does not seem to be very effective in keeping your face clean for long.

L’Oreal Paris Men Expert Volcano Red Foam facial wash seems to be be easy to apply, easy to wash off and it keeps your face oil free for a longer time. Compared to TurboLight Oil Control Icy Scrub, there was no scrub particles, but yet it still feels like it is pretty effective in cleaning the pores.

TurboLight Oil Control Icy Scrub has Menthol and that refreshing sensation after the wash. I like feeling the particles of the scrub.

Overall, after trying the two facial wash after different conditions, I still preferred TurboLight Oil Control Icy Scrub. The Volcano Red Foam did not feel enough to remove oils, especially after sports. Although TurboLight Oil Control Icy Scrub has large particle, I like the feel of the facial scrub when washing my face and the cooling sensation after the wash.

I guess I would still use just regular foaming facial wash in the morning and other times of the day, and use TurboLight Oil Control Icy Scrub when I get home at the end of the day.

-- Robin Low

Labrador Park

I've been to Labrador Park years ago, and very recently, and it had changed quite a bit. The whole park area is very nice with a great waterfront and some nice old military outposts to explore, however, I feel like there is a large part of our heritage is being destroyed constantly.

Firstly, some of the great stuff for people who do not care about heritage. This park is very nice and cool. Lots of shade from trees, and about a 500m walk from the Labrador Park MRT station. (Without shelter)

There are some trails where you can see previously build structures that defend the country from the Japanese during WWII, and a nice waterfront, for people to cycle. As a park, this is a nice place to visit, nice sunset views, great sea breeze, and relatively accessible.

The park is near the ultra rich waterfront living areas in Keppel Bay, the previously (and probably currently) very busy port area where you get large container trucks driving right outside your small condos that cost millions because you have a water view and perhaps the locality near Keppel Club, where you can park your Yatch in case you need to get out of the country fast after doing something illegal.

However, like many other Heritage locations or Nature locations, I do feel that having a nice mangrove shore, destroying it and building a boardwalk, replanting a few mangrove trees back -- does not really make it a nature reserve.

Many historic sites, Raffles Landing, Merlion, Long Ya Men Rock, countless more -- have been moved for commercial buildings, hotels and other profitable businesses. The marina barrage has closed up the Singapore river, and I'm sure in years to come, future generations will ask, "How did Raffles come into our reservoir?"

Building replicas of the Merlion and Long Ya Men is what Singapore try to do to keep these Iconic places which was a symbol of Singapore years ago. I'm sure discerning visitors will enjoy the real thing, rather than a replica, and it is impossible to always have the newest attractions as in time, they will also get old.

I'm sure if other countries would agree, China would take down parts of the Great Wall for condos, and move it else where, the other world wonders will be sold to become hotel, restaurants and the replicas relocated elsewhere.

That said, the government seemed to want to open the tunnels at one point, and air-conditioning is set up, but the whole place seems abandoned, and wonder how many millions are spent. Some tunnels are sealed up and I'm sure the government wants it to be a tourist attraction, but failed as the area was not developed yet, and since they have to make everything profitable, decided to close it indefinitely.

The vegetation and plants are overgrown in some locations now, and the tunnels are sealed, many guns that were used to defend Singapore was missing, (Why no replicas?) and what's worse, the renovations used were very unsightly, and I feel that the contractors removed much of the pre WWII relics and probably disposed them away. The whole area from a WWII standpoint seems incomplete, rebuilt, and -- FAKE.

I guess that is why there are no tourists coming. Good Try, Good waste of funds. But as a park, good park to come to and enjoy the waterfront.

-- Robin Low

Fruitvale Station - Movie Review

Fruitvale Station.

This movie is based on a true story of Oscar Grant, a young man who was killed by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle at the Oakland, California Fruitvale Bay Area Rapid Transit Station (BART).

Oscar is a man down on his luck and probably had some bad decisions in his life, but after his daughter was born, decides to clean up his life.

This is not a long movie, and it takes place on the last day of 2008. The movie follows the last day of the life of Oscar as he met a series of events which actually builds his character up and makes you feel for the character.

The interaction between the character felt very real and you can feel the joy and mischievousness of Oscar and his experience on the last day. There was several humorous parts, and even though you may already know the ending, you will still feel the outrage that such an incident could happen.

Oscar's mom told him to take public transportation when he goes to watch the fireworks and he followed her instructions, but unfortunately he met an enemy from prison and had a scuffle. The fight was not even the severe as may know, the train was very crowded (during new years) and no weapons were involved. But the transit police came and tried to arrest people involved in the fight.

Then the whole ending came as an officer claimed he mistook his gun for a tazer, shot Oscar and killed him.

The movie was very well directed and indeed, very very sad. Several people in the cinema cried, and many people swore not to take public transportation again.

The pacing of the movie was a little slow at the start, but if does get you to know the characters and their struggles before the abrupt end.

I'm not a love story fan or a sob story fan but it is a Great Movie. (But may make you sad the whole day)

Overall: 9/10

-- Robin Low