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The top 5 things I do LESS of… now that I have the Maxis WiFi Modem

February 28th, 2011

Earlier I have listed the top 5 things I have done more with the existence of Maxis WiFi Modem.

Well, here’s another list, which is the top 5 things I’m doing less now.

1) Less dependent on wired Internet/broadband

The most basic necessity for a programmer (or for all Malaysians for that matter because they have most friends on social networks) at home will be a wired Internet or broadband. Most will regard this as the Streamyx.


Image credit : LifeHacker

With the advance of technology where we get mobile broadband, the WiFi modem and WiFi hotspots, shifted the rooting of users to their homes to the outdoors.

Thus, we are gradually being less dependent on the wired Internet at home.

2) Less using of mobile phone to surf the internet

Internet with Mobile phones or smartphones also was not very popular until recently with devices like iPhones, BlackBerries and Androids.

The truth is, it is the smartphone that first made me less dependent on wired internet.
However, with a Wifi Modem like Maxis E5832, unknowingly, I have also been using less of the smartphone (than I averagely do).
An extra alternative will dilute all others. There are more ways to get connected now.

3) Less TV and less sleep!

Non-internet hours for entertainment used to come from television.
Again, with a semi-conscious mind, one will grab a gadget such as the iPad, netbook or other tablets to play games or check their Twitter or Facebook accounts.


Image credit : TipB

Besides that, reading on the iPad before bed also becomes a norm, although such habits will affect sleep.

4) Less requests for the free WiFi password

Free WiFi hotspots can be found in most food establishments nowadays. However, some are secured WiFi points and only their patrons can use it, because they have to REQUEST for the passwords from their waiters/waitresses.

If you are as unfortunate as me, most of the time I have trouble getting connected to them or once connected, it is as if I’m on dialup connection!
By bringing along the WiFi modem, not only do I need not request for the WiFi password and less dependent on them, I can even share the WiFi with my friends.

5) Less worry on the better mobile data plans that will come along

It is a known fact that the competition among the telcos is tough. Every once in a while, a provider will come up with another enticing package which is of better value for your money.

But then again, you need to know that some of them requires contracts ranging from a few months to 2 years!
Honestly, I almost signed up for fiber optics broadband, but the 24 months contract is not what I’m keen with at all.

The Maxis WiFi Modem though, allows me to be less worry about a better data package coming along the way. So long that the new one is not a contractual plan, I can terminate Maxis data plan, reuse the WiFi modem, and just put in another SIM card!
The only drawback is to purchase the WiFi modem at RM 380.
If you do your calculations right, that probably could be a good price in the long run.

Disclosure:
This post is in participation of Maxis10 Reviewers Programme, where 10 reviewers are given devices to use for a specific period of time to provide a fair and honest review to their readers.
Although it is my best effort to provide an honest review, the ultimate judgement is yours to make.

To follow the Maxis10 reviews and discussion:
Twitter
Facebook

More Maxis WiFi Modem and Apple iPad Reviews
Maxis10 Review – Apple iPad and Wifi Modem E5832
Using the Maxis WiFi Modem E5832
Maxis WiFi Modem E5832 Broadband Manager
Maxis WiFi Modem E5832 Speed & Signal Strength
The top 5 things I do MORE of… now that I have the Maxis WiFi Modem
The top 5 things I do LESS of… now that I have the Maxis WiFi Modem
Apple iPad with Maxis WiFi Modem top usage
Apple iPad evaluation from a Android user
Apple iPad with Maxis WiFi Modem E5832 review – Conclusion

Gadgets, Malaysia, Review , , , , , ,

The top 5 things I do MORE of… now that I have the Maxis WiFi Modem

February 28th, 2011

With the company of Maxis WiFi Modem E5832, which means the availability of constant WiFi and Internet connection, my typical routines has slightly changed.

Here’s the top 5 things I can/need to do more because of having the WiFi Modem.

1) More internet use
Malaysians got famous last year for having the most friends on social networks, with an average of 233 friends, and also spend the most time using social media — an average of nine hours a week.

With WiFi Modem like these, it’s just gonna upped maintain our top ranking. My estimate is average 14 hours a week from the 9 hours weekly.
Play catch up, world! 🙂

2) Mobility! (second with tablet use)
WiFi anywhere means you can go anywhere without the worry of getting out of touch with the world.
As long as you get the mobile data signal, you have the Internet with you.

Even if you’re in Taman Negara or a desert.

Being mobile is also using your laptop/netbook/pad/tablets other than in your home or office. Other than smartphones, which you would probably pair it with a data plan, the other devices either uses the network cable or WiFi connection.
The Apple iPad provided with this Maxis10 review suits perfectly for cases when you do not have WiFi or a smartphone with data plan (because then you are most likely able to tether) at the outdoors.

With the WiFi modem, you only need another device with WiFi connectivity, and you’re free to roam.

3) Internet Sharing

Lower end mobile broadband modem allows a single PC to connect to the internet.
Maxis WiFi Modem E5832 allows up to FIVE devices to connect to it via WiFi.

Now to my friends who need it, I can just give them my WiFi pin, and we can share connectivity to the Internet.

4) Get better Internet Speed

Who doesn’t want high-speed broadband?


Image Credit : MyLot

Before you got me wrong, it is not that you need not to wait for YouTube videos to load intermittently. That still happens, but there are occasions especially with good coverage that the speed is above 2 Mbps.

The best speed test I’ve got from Maxis network was 3509kbps. This allows me to know at the very least the best performance I can expect from Maxis’s network.

5) Track data usage

The only thing that I have to do more with this WiFi Modem and which is also the most annoying is this – the need to track data usage.

Depending on the data package you signed up, you only have that much volume of data to use every month. Of course, you can always top up or purchase extra bandwidth, but the best of course would be to have an unlimited data plan.
Unlimited data plan isn’t available from Maxis at the moment. (There used to be one, but has been stopped for new users.)

There are two ways to track data usage. There is a program that comes with the WiFi modem that can be installed to your computer, and THAT data tracking will only track usage by that particular computer.

To track the cumulative data used on Maxis network, you need to register yourself at http://www.mylaunchpad.com.my/ and view it from the portal.

So there you are, some things that I am doing more with Maxis WiFi Modem. It isn’t really life-changing yet, but that’s one of the possible alternatives to broadband connectivity.

Disclosure:
This post is in participation of Maxis10 Reviewers Programme, where 10 reviewers are given devices to use for a specific period of time to provide a fair and honest review to their readers.
Although it is my best effort to provide an honest review, the ultimate judgement is yours to make.

To follow the Maxis10 reviews and discussion:
Twitter
Facebook

More Maxis WiFi Modem and Apple iPad Reviews
Maxis10 Review – Apple iPad and Wifi Modem E5832
Using the Maxis WiFi Modem E5832
Maxis WiFi Modem E5832 Broadband Manager
Maxis WiFi Modem E5832 Speed & Signal Strength
The top 5 things I do MORE of… now that I have the Maxis WiFi Modem
The top 5 things I do LESS of… now that I have the Maxis WiFi Modem
Apple iPad with Maxis WiFi Modem top usage
Apple iPad evaluation from a Android user
Apple iPad with Maxis WiFi Modem E5832 review – Conclusion

Gadgets, Malaysia, Review , , , , , ,

Oscars 2011 Free iPad Apps

February 27th, 2011

Excited with the Oscars or Academy Awards? Want to watch it online?
Learn how at the end of this post.

Here, on the other hand, are three apps that you can install to your iPad.

Award’s Guide

Award’s Guide is a stunning companion that allows users to cast an eye over those that have been recognized by the Academy for their excellence in the film industry. Peruse one of Hollywood’s most glamorous nights with “Awards Guide: The Oscars®”.

This app is said to be the best Oscars® resource available for iOS.

It has a comprehensive database of every winner and nominee from the Oscars® inaugural year in 1929 right up to today.

Vanity Fair Hollywood: Oscar’s Edition

Vanity Fair’s Oscars App has a distinctive prediction features, although it depends on app users to provide such data as statistics.
On first use, it will take a short while to download such data.

This app is also extremely pleasing aesthetically on the iPad.

You have quick access to each film’s trailer/movie preview and also cast votes as predictions for the winners by categories.

The Oscars®

The Oscars® is the official app for The Oscars and The Academy from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

However, this app is actually made for iPhone and iPod touch. Thus when you run it with iPad, it’s actually smaller but you can double the viewing size.

You can make a prediction in each category, compare with your group of friends and share your picks through Facebook, Twitter, text and email. Real-time scoring lets you see how you scored against your group and the rest of the community.

At times where The Oscar’s events are not happening you can find out about all the other official Academy events, and get the latest Academy news and updates throughout the year.

Watch The Oscar’s Online
You can watch the Academy Awards on ABC or stream it online live from the Associated Press AP Live site starting at 6pm ET.
Associated Press AP Live Facebook page will also stream it online.

Events, Internet, Movies , , , ,