Sunday, June 27, 2010

Malaysia Boleh? MAS shows us something A-OK.

While Apple iPad gradually floods everywhere of our life, something really ignite my mind with a question, is iPad really needed and useful? I think here is one of the proofs which show us that iPads have been popularly used in our Malaysia Airlines.

Let your fingers do the flying with MHkiosk

With MHkiosk, now you can access a full suit of services from Malaysia Airlines on the iPad, from booking a flight to finding out the status of your missing baggage. Taking advantage of the revolutionary iPad’s multi-touch screen and application designed for the device, the MHkiosk is easy and a joy to use.

With paperless booking and no administrative charges, it’s good for both the planet and your pocket too.

Features offered

  • Book a flight
  • Check in and choose your preferred seat*
  • Find out your flight status
  • Check flight arrival and departure times
  • Check the status of your lost baggage
  • Enjoy deals and offers exclusive to MHkiosk
MHkiosk snippets

Friday, June 25, 2010

iPhone 4 Launch Day Marred By Display & Signal Issues

The iPhone 4 was released into the grubby hands of Apple fanboys and girls in the selected countries today amidst long lines and clapping and cheering Apple Store staff. While it's not available here and we would have loved to give you a series of gadget-pornesque unboxing photos, these guys do it better anyway.

Well it's not all fun and games for the people who spent hours lining up for one of these phones, as launch day was marred by a few problems. Remember the beautiful retina display we were salivating over? Crystal clear picture making my iPhone 2G look like a 8bit console game? Well its been reported over at Engadget that 55% of new iPhone owners are experiencing a pale yellow spot in the bottom right corner, or even somewhere else on screen.

Even more worrying is that in the case of some iPhone 4's, which hand you hold it in determines the signal strength and subsequently if your call gets dropped or not! Apparently, due to the new design of the phone, holding it in your left palm will essentially bridge the 2 antennae, leading to a drop in calls. in the same poll 72% are experiencing a fluctuation in signal when they use their left hand (Not necessarily drop calls). Apparently, using the Apple "bumper" accessory makes everything a-ok again. I didn't believe this at first, but check out the video after the jump to see a demonstration from insanely great mac.

The figures may seem high, but don't fret. This poll was done in the most unscientific way possible, via the internet and Engadget. The numbers will be definitely WAY higher than what it really is, but the fact that the problems are present at all in a groundbreaking device can't help but worry me.While I don't think this problem is as common as they make it out to be, it's still a problem nonetheless.

Let's hope Apple fix the issues before the iPhone 4 lands on our shores.

(Source: Insanely Great Mac via Engadget (1) (2) )




Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Graphene chip could hit 1,000GHz, make your Core i7 feel totally inadequate- From MIT


8GHz (with the help of liquid nitrogen) not quick enough? Leave it to the folks at MIT to make sure your zaniest desires are well taken care of. As research forges ahead on graphene, carbon nanotubes and buckyballs (remember those?), gurus at the university have discovered a breakthrough that could eventually lead to microchips that make existing silicon-based CPUs weep. In fact, the research could lead to practical systems in the 500 to 1,000 gigahertz range. The magic all ties back to advancements on a graphene chip known as a frequency multiplier, and while the nitty-gritty of all this is far too complicated for the layperson to grasp, all you really need to know is this: finally, you can rest assured that you'll one day own a chip capable of handling Universe Simulation.

According to a report issued by the MIT news office last week, the research findings will be discussed in a paper in the May issue of Electron Device Letters. They also were described last week at the American Physical Society meeting by Tomas Palacios, assistant professor in MIT's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS).

Graphene is a form of pure carbon that was identified in 2004. It's essentially a one-atom-thick honeycomb lattice of carbon. Since the discovery of graphene, researchers at various institutions have been exploring possible uses for the substance. Palacios believes it will play a key role in future electronics.

While frequency multiplication technology is used in current electronics, these systems generate noisy signals and require significant filtering and power, according to the MIT news service. The graphene chip uses only a single transistor and its output is clean, requiring no filtering.

Palacios, the professor of EECS, said the technology could be commercialized in a year or two. The research is being funded by the MIT Institute for Soldier Nanotechnology and by the Interconnect Focus Center program, and is being followed both in the federal government and by private-sector chip companies.

Looking ahead, MIT's researchers are trying to develop a way to grow graphene wafers suitable for use in electronic manufacturing.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

6th MICSS Science Camp 2010


I wound up my second time MICSS Science Camp experience last week at Keat Hwa High School, Alor Setar. But this was a totally revolutionary experience for me as a team leader. Instead of striving prizes as a participant, I can fully indulged myself with the high spirit of learning and sharing science without any pressure.

Alright, the whole story starting with a ruthless twelve-hour bus traveling. Diverging from the previous MICSS Science Camp which more focused on particular science field, "Shine like the sun" is the theme of 6th MICSS Science Camp. This unusual theme began to dawn on me that there would going to show us something difference.

First of all, it was the time to let all the participants warmed up for the exciting five-day science camp. As usual, participants divided into few groups and each groups in charged by a team leader. After went through the formal introducation, I got the strong intention to lead my team to be the most co-operative and enthusiastic team. This idea came to realization when the energy of my team members was feverishly ablaze in the warm-up game with overwhelming performance. Yup, this was just the start of 6th MICSS Science Camp.

Team Three, We were number one!
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The next morning was the major session of the science camp - renowned professor's lecture. And this year, we were in such a pleasure to welcome Prof. Jiun-Huei Wu from National Taiwan University, Prof. Chi-Ching Chang from MingDao University and Prof. Bei-Chang Yan from National Cheng Kung University. Prof. Jiun-Huei Wu was the right first to hit the stage. His tremendous personal fascination immediately captivated all of us fully dug into his lecture. He brought along the hottest 3D technology in his presentation to provide us with a visually innovative experience of enjoying presentation. Yet, the theme of his lecture covering from the origin of universe to the discovery of dark matter absolutely was my favorite taste! Excellent!


Excursion was the new program that available in 6th MICSS Science Camp. We had a wonderful journey hopping from Alor Setar harbor to Rice Museum and gathering at Rice Mill. Obviously, meaningful but exhausted.

Rice Museum

Alor Setar harbor
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Next, Prof. Chi-Ching Chang took over the second stage. Before his lecture started, I approached toward him to seize on this opportunity to thanks for his zeal to assist my secondary school (Chong Hwa High School) develop the solar power energy. You're simply awesome. At the beginning of his lecture, he talked about the history and the development of solar energy and very sorry that it really made me slowly snored to glory at that time. But things came better when he mentioned the "important part" of his lecture: holography technology! And yet he also proposed to bring holography technology in collaborate with solar power to reinvent an ever-better solar power battery! Indeed, this futuristic idea indisputably made a deep impression to me and I found there are something new to me to go with^^

Prof. Chi-Ching Chang & Me

Third, our honorable Prof. Bei-Chang Yan. He was more willing to talk about the precise attitude of probing science rather than extending to the recondite academic field - Yes,I think most of the youth need that. Here got an interesting website to recall back his lecture: 杨倍昌的家


Definitely, Dr.Chong's "Show Time" was invaluable and indispensable to the science camp. Once again, Dr.Chong brought along his favorite water rocket workshop spiced up our interest of learning science. His humorous and engaging speech simply made all the participants burst out laughing throughout the workshop. Science is not just limited in books. Dr.Chong was so energetic to hast around to ensure us fully enjoyed the fun of playing water rocket and super giant size bubble. Robin, Dr.Chong really need your help :D .The absence of the star-gazing party really put a damper on me - I think most of you were also holding the same disappointment.

Dr.Chong: "Our USM water rocket record is 3mins 37secs! Wao!!"

Dr.Chong: "3,2,1,0..MICSS Science Camp go!!"

Dr.Chong with his Super Bubble!
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Team leaders and Prof. Jiun-Huei Wu,Prof. Chi-Ching Chang.
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In the last session of science camp: poster presentation. Participants gradually became vehement and proactive in poster preparation. Without the pressure of preparing poster, I enjoyed the joyfulness of conveying my prespective and criticism to participants in order to make their poster as competitive as possible. Participants' creativity and potential were fully ablaze in this platform.


Overall, I was glad to witness that my team ended up with one silver medal and one experiment award. (I thought they can be better :P). You guys were so impressive to me. By the way, one of my secondary school representative- Jiunn Hao won one silver medal, you made us proud!^^

Ultimately, 6th MICSS Science Camp, where amazing happen. It was a platform to gather a sea of young talents who holding the same interest in science. Thus, throughout the camp we were given the chance to learn and even discuss various recent scientific issues and topics each others and also with inspirational and idealistic scientists. We were able to explore and discuss together these issues which were not bounded by any textbook syllabus or tests assessments, but as the endless research of the pure science. These have somehow strengthened our fundamental knowledge in science, and also giving us a best chance to truely explore yourself in science research. One month plus later, I will be one of the Malaysia representative to Asian Science Camp 2010 at Mumbai, India. I am undergoing a tough preparation for it at this moment. Wish all the best to me!