Zestful One

Cut the Rope now FREE on IE9!

Posted by IcedNyior on February 8, 2012  |  No Comments

Cut the Rope is one of my favourite games on the iPhone. Its a puzzle game where candy is tied on strings and you will have to manipulate and cut the strings to feed a green blob called "Om Nom". Apparently it has been downloaded over 60 MILLION times to date!

The great news today is that, instead of paying $0.99 (approx RM3~) at the AppStore (US link), you can now get it for FREE on PCs with Internet Explorer 9 installed.

Now I know that many people especially designers and web developers, may cringe at the mention of IE but as I wrote during the launch of IE9 beta back in Oct 2010, Microsoft has overhauled IE9 from the ground up and integrated it beautifully with Win 7.

Cut The Rope is playable directly from the web at www.cuttherope.ie, showcases the advanced and powerful HTML5 capabilities of Microsoft’s latest and most powerful web browser, Internet Explorer 9 (IE9).

ZeptoLab, the creators of Cut the Rope, collaborated with technology specialists at Pixel Lab and with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer Team, to deliver the game to online audiences with HTML5 technology and JavaScript. The developers discussed their technical approach to this project, and the challenges that they faced, in a short blog post including a video interview, which can be found at www.cuttherope.ie/dev/.

Eighteen (18) levels of the game are playable with most modern web browsers but seven (7) bonus levels are available exclusively to users who pin the game to their Windows taskbar with IE9.

Gamers that pin Cut the Rope to their Windows 7 taskbar, will find that IE9 takes on the look and feel of the game and unlocks unique levels not found in any previous versions of Cut the Rope. For further improvements, with the hardware acceleration enabled in IE9 and Windows 7, the game looks and feels just as rich and immersive as developers intended the game to be. This is the first of many games that Microsoft’s will be bringing to the web via IE9. Hot gaming titles such as Pirates Love Daisies, Disney’s Tron, and The World’s Biggest Pacman are all currently in the pipeline toward release with Windows 7 and IE9.

Microsoft’s IE9 can be downloaded at www.beautyoftheweb.com.

Cheap roaming calls while overseas? (Flexiroam Giveaway!)

Posted by IcedNyior on December 27, 2011  |  4 Comments

I’ve been blessed in 2011 to have travelled to many places throughout the year – Kota Kinabalu, Singapore, Penang, Hong Kong for a work trip, Malacca for my birthday trip and most recently, my first Euro trip to Venice, Rome and London.

The hustle and bustle of the Hong Kong streets

As a “seasoned traveller”, my habit is to usually research on the best prepaid multisim telco provider in the destination I was planning to travel. Now there are two problems with that :

1. I will not be able to receive incoming calls/texts to my Malaysia number (because I’ve swapped out the simcard).
2. But, if I don’t get a local sim, then I’m faced with a second problem, the ROAMING CHARGES!

When I was in Hong Kong, I bought a local sim for my personal number but I still had to use my work number and keep it active. And of course, it being a weekday, I received calls from clients and the office regarding work. Calls which I had to keep short and sweet.

The damage?

Yes, RM18.90 for 4 MINUTES of calls. That amounts to RM4.61/minute! How crazy is that? Not to mention that the credit limit you set on your phone bill is not applicable when you’re overseas? That means that you will continue racking up bills even though your credit limit is say, RM100. (Note: this applies to Maxis as of May 2011. I’m not sure if its still the case at the time you’re reading this or for other telcos).

Well unluckily for me (coz I found out too late), but luckily for you, there’s a service to solve that problem!

FlexiRoam (www.flexiroam.com) is a service that allows you to receive and make unlimited amount of calls to Malaysia without changing to a new international mobile number.

While you are overseas, calls made to your Malaysian mobile number will be forwarded by FlexiRoam to your foreign mobile SIM card which you can purchase locally at your destination country. This means Malaysian users do not need to inform their contacts of any new international mobile numbers.

Also, unlike services like Skype and the like *coughyeslifecough*, FlexiRoam does NOT require internet access, but leverages on the GSM network and is available in more than 200 countries such as China, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong (!), Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, United Kingdom and India.

And how much is this service? A mere RM10 a DAY for UNLIMITED incoming/outgoing calls!

(Can you tell how unfortunate I feel for paying RM18 for 4 friggin minutes?)

Signing up is FREE! Which means you can sign up, login and explore what FlexiRoam has to offer before committing some moolah. They also have helpful tips on the countries you are travelling to, for instance, did you know that Prepaid SIMs are not widely avaiable in Japan? Yea, I read that from their FAQ.

Also their service is quite flexible based on where and when you are travelling, you can buy passes for the whole duration of your travel, or just 1-2 days when you need it.

Updates: Flexiroam is now available for Singaporean users for SGD10 per day!

======GIVEAWAY======

Now the best part!

FlexiRoam has generously offered to giveaway 10 x RM50 FlexiRoam credit to you, my dear readers. That’s FIVE whole days of unlimited calling while overseas! Call your loved ones while you’re away, call your best friends to make them jealous, call your clients to settle work, call your hotel to make arrangements, call whomever you want.

Good luck!

Gadget Review : Energizer XP2000 Powerpack

Posted by IcedNyior on April 7, 2011  |  4 Comments

I’ve been using this Energizer Energi To Go XPal XP2000 for more than a year now I think. Yea, yea slowpoke, I know!

I’m actually quite surprised that a lot of people are not aware of this thing. There are actually a couple of different brands for power packs/external battery pack but I choose Energizer because it is a reputable brand. You don’t want to buy a cheap power pack only to plug it into your expensive smartphone and spoil it!

I initially bought this for my iPhone 3Gs and HTC Desire but I’m always lending out to friends to charge their blackberries and Nokias. The Charger also works for the iPhone 4. I did notice once that when I plugged it into a friend’s 3Gs, it stated that the accessory is not compatible but that was fixed by re-plugging it.

It claims to contain 1x charge for smartphones and 3x charges for normal (dumb?) phones. I’m sorry I forgot to test out exactly how much power it contains. The pic above shows the size in comparison to the name card/ business card box on the left.

I’m not sure how much it is overseas but its RM120 (or so) in Malaysia. I’ve seen it in shops like AllIT and IT hypermart (in e@curve). The charger comes fully pre-charged out of the box. Oh, I must give a shoutout to the All IT store in Ikano where I asked the guy if the iPhone can be charged and he actually took it out of the box to test it on my phone.

Package Contents

• XP2000
• USB Charging Cable
• Cell Phone Tips – Mini USB, Micro USB, Nokia, Samsung, LG, Apple 30 pin
• User Manual
• Welcome Card
• Travel pouch

As you can see, you will receive 6 charger tips for various types of phones. Don’t fret if you are missing any of the charger tips. After buying the Power pack, register your product at EnergizerPowerPacks.com/my and you can order FREE replacements for life! I believe you are limited to 2 tips a year.

I tried ordering a MicroUSB tip last year before my first year was over. I only had to pay for International Shipping – can’t remember how much exactly but it was quite cheap (as in under RM15) if I’m not mistaken. As you can see, it is well packed in a sturdy box and sent via airmail along with a small brochure of their newest products.

Tech Specifications

• Battery Cell : Lithium Polymer
• Power Capacity : 2000 mAh
• Rated Input : DC 5V, Max 500 mA
• Rated Output : DC 5V, Max 500 mA
• Recharge Time : ~4 hrs
• Weight : 0.16lbd/ 0.07 kg
• Dimensions : 3.34 x 2.28 x 0.51 Inches / 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.3 CM

All in all this is a great product. In fact, a lot of my friends have bought this after they seen/borrowed it from me. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Footnotes :

i) Energizer should totally pay me for influencing a lot of friends to buy

ii) Maybe I should start charging for usage of this battery pack. lol

Theme Change : Koi

Posted by IcedNyior on November 15, 2010  |  2 Comments

Yea, new theme again. As usual, its another free theme,this time by the good people at http://themify.me titled “Koi”. Finished setting up the widgets over the weekend. Tell me what you guys think, are there errors, etc.

Looking forward to your feedback!

Trying out Google Sketchup

Posted by IcedNyior on September 28, 2009  |  9 Comments

I saw Azmanishak’s post about ‘Buat Perabut Rumah‘ using Google Sketchup and thought I’d give it a try. Its been a while since I used any 3d software. Last being 3D Studio Max back in college.

So I downloaded Google SketchUp 7 (its FREE!) and watched some training vids before starting. Basically, it has functions such as extrude (pull out, pull in), move, rotate, scale and resize.

So after playing with it and getting use to it for about an hr, i came up with this rough 3d image of my room. Its incomplete. So far i just finished the bed, table, documents cabinet and the curtains.

This is how my actual room looks like. Sorry about the mess. Hehe! Also instead of the laundry basket under the table, i have a file cabinet.

What do you think? Getting there ey? :P

My digital photos are here (& how to get yours for free!)

Posted by IcedNyior on September 16, 2009  |  4 Comments

A few days ago, I wrote this post titled [Tutorial] Print Digital Photos online with EOE that showed you a step by step method on how to get your digital photos printed online at EOE’s website and sent straight to your doorstep.

A few days after I have made my order, I got my package. Its a nicely wrapped 50pcs of 4R photos and 2 pcs of 8R photos. As you can see, I printed a lot of my graduation photos – since they were all digital photos and I wanted a hard copy.

Each 4R print only costs RM0.30 and each 8R photos is RM6 each. Also you get free delivery when you make orders above RM35. Basically you can just collect all your digital photos from your friends and print about RM120 pcs to get free delivery.

So, How to get yours free?

If you are a Blogger, EOE online invites you to review and write about their service. In return, you will get to print some photos for FREE. Yes you heard me, FREE. They will even post it your your house. Awesome right? I wish more companies did this

Check out : www.EOE.com.my to find out more :D

New Look, New Theme

Posted by IcedNyior on September 14, 2009  |  7 Comments

Found this really nice theme online – Simple Balance 2.2.1 by Alex Cristache(credits in footer) and decided that my birthday is sometime this month, it was time for a fresh new look for my blog as well :D

This is probably the 3rd or 4th design so far. I only lightly tweaked this theme. Didn’t change much because I like how it looks already. Just added some extra queries to eliminate certain categories and also added a leaderboard ad.

This is how the old theme looks like – left pic. Click for full size screenshot. It was Smashing Theme by Design Disease (http://wp-themes.designdisease.com). Right screenshot is how it looks like currently (might be slightly changed in the future.

So what do you think? Comments & feedback is much appreciated :D

[Tutorial] Print Digital Photos online with EOE

Posted by IcedNyior on September 5, 2009  |  1 Comment

I was surfing around the other day and came across this site that allows you to print your digital photos online. All you have to do is upload the photos, choose what size you want, and then make payment. Then they will send all the printed photos to your address.

So I decided to try it out and write a short tutorial as well :D Hope you guys find this helpful

Step One

Go to www.eoe.com.my and click the REGISTER button on the top. This is a standard login, so just fill in your details and reply the confirmation email.

Step Two

Look at the top and click on Shopping then e-Print and you will see this page. Click to enlarge

[Download] Kristinia Debarge – Goodbye

Posted by IcedNyior on June 1, 2009  |  No Comments

I got stuck on this song since I first heard it on Yahoo Launchcast a few weeks back. And now the local radio stations have started playing it. So I thought that you guys might want to download it :D

Am I supposed to put my life on hold
Because you don’t know how to act,
And you don’t know where your life is going?
Am I supposed to be torn apart,
Broken-hearted, in a corner crying ’bout it,
Pardon me if I don’t show it

I don’t care, if I never see you again, I’ll be alright.
Take this final piece of advice, and get yourself together,
But either way, baby I’m gone.

I’m so over it, I’ve been there and back.
Changed all my numbers, and just in case you’re wondering,
I got that new "I’m a single girl" swag,
Got me with my girls and we’re singing it.sing!

Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye
Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye

Cut my hair cause it reminded me of you,
I know you like the long ‘do, had to switch my attitude up.
Thinking of changing up how I ride, no more on the passengers side,
Too bad you miss out on the way that I drive it

I don’t care, if I never see you again, I’ll be alright.
Take this final piece of advice, and get yourself together,
But either way, baby I’m gone. Oohh.

I’m so over it, I’ve been there and back.
Changed all my numbers, and just in case you’re wondering,
I got that new "I’m a single girl" swag,
Got me with my girls and we’re singing it.sing!

Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye
Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye

Hey Hey Hey, Hey Hey Hey, He He Hey, Goodbye.

I’m so over it, I’ve been there and back.
Changed all my numbers, and just in case you’re wondering,
I got that new "I’m a single girl" swag,
Got me with my girls and we’re singing it.sing!

Na Na Na Na (hey), Na Na Na Na (hey), Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye
Na Na Na Na (hey), Na Na Na Na (hey), Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye
Na Na Na Na (hey), Na Na Na Na (hey), Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye
Na Na Na Na (hey), Na Na Na Na (hey), Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye

Download (rapidshare) : [download id='25']

[Download] NKOTB ft Lady Gaga – Big Girl Now + lyrics

Posted by IcedNyior on May 14, 2009  |  5 Comments

I never would have thought that New Kids on the Block would collaborate with Lady Gaga and come up with this kind of songs. I’ve always associated NKOTB with love songs with touching lyrics in romantic settings.

This song has a nice twist to it. Download links after the lyrics. Enjoy!

I’m a big boy, you’re a big girl now, now, now…
I’m a big girl, you’re a big boy now, now, now…

Back in the day, when you were young (It was fun)
Little girl, didn’t think you were the one (Now, here I come)
Your sexy walk, your sexy talk (That’s what’s up)
Little girl, you’re clearly not the same kid from the block

I ain’t that little girl no more, not no more, that’s for sure
Boy, your get ass out on the floor, lets explore, lets explore

Chorus:
You know I like the way you move it (move it)
Girl, you’re all grown up and now you’re ready to let it go
Wanna be a big girl ’bout to prove it (prove it)
With a body like that, you’ve got a grown man ready to blow

I’m a big boy, you’re a big girl now, now, now
I’m a big girl, you’re a big boy now, now, now

Back in the day, when I was young (Kinda dumb)
But I always knew I’d be the one (Now, here you come)
Gonna get you wet, gonna make you sweat (Girl, I bet)
Gonna give you something you ain’t never gonna forget

You ain’t no little girl no more, no, that’s for sure, yup, booty like oh…
Wanna work it like a big girl, lets explore
Now, drop it to the floor, baby, get more

Chorus 2x

I’m a big boy, you’re a big girl now, now, now
I’m a big girl, you’re a big boy now, now, now
I’m a big boy, you’re a big girl now, now, now
I’m a big girl, you’re a big boy now, now, now

I’ve been waiting too long for you to get naughty
Beat this, spank me daddy, come on touch my body

See that good things come to those who wait
Come take me on before it’s too late

Oh… Baby, oh yeah, you know I like the way…

Chorus 2x

Hey, hey, hey… Hey, hey, hey…
A grown man ready to blow…

[download id="24"]