The TechBlogger

To welcome the Year of the Dragon, 313@somerset has come up with a fresh, innovative shopping experience with the launch of its 313 iDragon iPhone app yesterday. Using the free app, shoppers can use the app to locate and capture hidden “3-D” Jewels which can only be seen through the iDragon app. The app makes it possible to ‘capture’ the Jewel, which transforms into a special CNY promotion or instant gift within the 313@somerset mall.

I was invited down to give it a try, and managed to snag a free 3oz ice-cream from Maggie Moo’s that I redeemed at its B3 outlet.

Here is how it works:

• Download the 313 iDragon app from Apple Store, Singapore
• Head down to the Fashion Dragon installation located at the atrium of 313@somerset
• Launch the app and allow it to determine your location
• You will be able to see the 3-D Jewels if you are at or are near to the atrium
• Angle your iPhone around to get the Jewel of your choice into your sights
• Gently swing your iPhone forward to ‘capture’ it and view the promotion or instant gift

Quick tips:

• You are limited to three promotions or instant gifts per day
• You can choose to reject any promotions or instant gifts not to your liking; there is no penalty for doing so
• Each coupon that you accept comes with an individual expiry date
• Present the Jewels stored in the “Vault” section of the app to redeem the promotions or instant gifts
• Note: Remember to grab a free Maggie Moo’s ice-cream before it runs out!

I snagged a free Maggie Moo's 3oz ice-cream (I've already redeemed this!)

The Fashion Dragon installation located at the atrium of 313@somerset

iDragon app in action

The SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker produced huge sound from a diminutive form factor

Was invited down for a first hand preview of the new Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker at the ATLAS TripleOne Audiovisual Boutique  showroom @ Somerset Road last week. ATLAS Singapore is of course the local distributor of all Bose products in the country.

Well, CEO Michael Tien Wai Keong hosted myself and a trio of local bloggers to a demonstration of the first ever Bluetooth speakers from Bose inside the posh showroom. I must confess that we were bribed with some finger food that was unfortunately left to go cold as we were too busy pawing at the speaker.

Weighing 1.29kg, the Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker has a depth of just 4.8cm with its fold-out stand closed. While I don’t consider myself an audiophile in any sense of the word, I am nevertheless rather particular about my music. In the short span of time we spent with it, I must say that the Bose SoundLink produced giant-sized sound that truly belies its diminutive dimensions.

According to Michael, some of the unique characteristics of the SoundLink Wireless is as follows:

• Dual-opposing passive radiators: These move in conjunction with the transducers to improve audio performance
• Chrome-plated end caps: Protects against bumps and drops
• Bluetooth pairing list: History of six recently paired devices are remembered and automatically searched for
• USB mini port: For software update (I’ve never seen this in other portable speakers)
• Optional 12V car charger: Again, something new here.

Oh yes, the standard version of the SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker with nylon cover retails at S$549, while a premium model with dark brown leather cover will be offered for S$639. Accessory covers in various color are available separately for S$59 and S$99.

I’ll have the chance to review it shortly, so stay tuned.

The SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker as seen from the back

I was invited to attend the BlackBerry DevCon Asia 2011 held at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre last week. As you can imagine, one of the key topics for this year’s conference was developing for the PlayBook Tablet OS. In that vein, all participants were given a 16GB version of the PlayBook Tablet to help them get started.

BBM, Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter your way around DevCon

I eschewed the normal retail version of the PlayBook for a developer version that runs beta 2.0 version of the BlackBerry Tablet OS. Essentially, the developer version comes with the requisite binaries required to test apps targeting the next version of the OS.

Had to sign a one-page disclaimer, but that was completed very quickly. And despite various dire warnings of potential incompatibility with existing apps, it worked well for me – so far.

Because I had classes on Wednesday and Thursday, I only managed to attend one workshop session on Wednesday. Learned about developing for the PlayBook using the Native SDK (NDK) and gained a few nuggets of information.

In a nutshell, the NDK in its current state doesn’t support any of the GUI widgets that you will need for a typical application. (Which may explain the dearth of productivity apps) There is no doubt that it is a powerful platform for the creation of games using the C or C++ programming language, however. I was told that the initial release of graphical widgets will be in the “next few months.”

For now, I would only recommend the NDK for demanding games and apps; for a quick way to create good-looking apps for the PlayBook, use Adobe AIR or WebWorks.

On-site registration was done using the BlackBerry PlayBook

Attending a session on developing for the PlayBook using the Native SDK (NDK)

Due to the flooding and high levels of rain in Bangkok, RIM has decided that the BlackBerry DevCon Asia will be relocating to Singapore.

The conference will now be held at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre on the same dates (7-8 December 2011). RIM says it is committed to returning the DevCon Asia conference to Bangkok in the future.

Below is the official media alert that I received in my mailbox.

BlackBerry DevCon Asia – Relocation Announcement

Important Notice: Due to the current high levels of rain and flooding in Bangkok, Research In Motion® (RIM®) is relocating BlackBerry® DevCon Asia to Singapore. The dates for BlackBerry DevCon Asia remain the same, December 7-8, 2011, but the location has changed to Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore. Additional information on the venue in Singapore will follow soon, please check back for updates.

The decision to relocate BlackBerry DevCon Asia was made following advisories that warn of ongoing dangers related to the serious impact of rain and floods on the local infrastructure in Bangkok.

RIM apologizes to our current registrants for the late notice and inconvenience this may cause to get to the event. In case our registrants cannot attend the event in Singapore, RIM will fully refund any conference registration pass fees.

As registration for the event is still open (No more early bird price), this change of event may actually benefit local developers. You can read up more about BlackBerry DevCon Asia here.

Sony launched the “Sony Tablet” S at the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on Thursday this week. In case you’re not already aware, the Sony Tablet S comes equipped with Android 3.2 and is powered by the Nvidia Tegra2 processor.

Notable specifications include a 9.4-inch LED-backlit IPS screen at 1280×800, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth, a weight of 598grams, and a battery life of approximately 8 hours. There will be two models, the 16GB SGPT111JP/S and the 32GB SGPT112JP/S.

In addition, both models of the Sony Tablet S family incorporates built-in infrared remote control functionality, SD memory slot and a range of sensors such as 3 axis accelerometer, gyrosensor, digital compass, ambient light sensor.

Demonstrating the DLNA video capabilities of the Sony Tablet S

There is also two built-in camera, with the front one pegged as 0.3 megapixel and the rear one of 5.11 megapixel. Additional information supplied by Sony on its press release noted the its tablet is good for 31 hours of music, 6 hours of video, or 6.2 hours of web browsingn via Wi-Fi.

What struck me were the efforts made by Sony to differentiate its offering from other Android tablets out there. For example, the Sony Tablet S will be the first series of PlayStation certified tablets on which the original PlayStation games can be played. Moreover, much effort has been put in to ensure that it works with DLNA compatible devices for wireless video and audio streaming.

DLNA streaming via Wi-Fi

For example, to get video or music files to play on a pre-registered DLNA device, simply drag them to the appropriate device on the screen. A brief pause later, the video or music starts playing on the large-screen LCD TV or the wireless speaker. Indeed, there were a couple of yet-to-be-released Sony-branded speakers at the event to demonstrate the capabilities of the Sony Tablet S.

Available for pre-order

The 16GB and 32GB version of the Sony S Tablet will be priced at SG$668 and SG$798 respectively. They will be available in Singapore from end-October 2011, though you can pre-order them from here for a free gift (custom fit case) and a special offer for accessories.

More pictures of the event and tablet below.

The key design principals behind the Sony Tablet S

Sony Tablet S shown with (optional) docking station and keyboard

Media Player on the Sony Tablet S. You can "throw" videos and music playback to DLNA-compatible devices by simply dragging them there

A yet-to-be-released Sony-branded DLNA speaker in the background; it supports Wi-Fi and wired Ethernet

The hidden micro-USB port

The chassis of the Sony Tablet S is relatively uncluttered as you can see. At the bottom is the proprietary connector for optional the dock