[Browser] Opera Mini

I have a confession to make.

I installed Opera Mini merely to have a look on how Opera Web Pass works.

But I am pleased to report that Opera Mini has now became my default browser.

Why you may ask.

Let me just put it quick and sweet:

Main Pros

1. Save on data

I don't know how they did it, but somehow, surfing using Opera Mini uses very little data compared to other browsers.

According to Opera, data costs can be reduced to up to 90%.

From my own not so scientific real life comparison however, Opera Mini uses around 25% of the data that my stock browser normally used in a month. Not 90% but good enough for me.

For us who do not have an unlimited data plan, this works like magic.

2. Fast

Perhaps due the compression technique that Opera Mini uses, webpage rendering is relatively faster than stock browser and another browser that I was testing.


Main Cons

1. Mediocre Picture Quality

Perhaps also due to the trade off from the data compression technique, the picture quality is mediocre. If you do not enlarge any picture in the browser, they are fine. But if you need to enlarge them, it is advisable that you do not use Opera Mini.

Slight trade off for me.

2. Small Fonts

I need to set the font size to the largest setting to comfortably read on Opera Mini. And the testing was done on Samsung Galaxy S3.

3. You can't press back to exit

For some reason, if you press back till the end, instead of exiting, Opera Mni will merely go into background i.e. it is still running. You have to click the "exit" button, which brings us to the next problem.

4. No Exit button on default setting

Maybe Opera Mini intends to run all the time, that you need to specifically enable the "exit" button in the setting. To do so, go Setting > Advanced > press "On" for Exit Button.


Conclusion 

I would say despite the quirky cons here, the fact that it uses little data and still being awesomely fast wins it for me. As i said earlier, this is now my default browser.

Google Maps now available for Apple

iFans rejoice! For now you don't have to rely on some life threatening maps apps!!

Google has finally launched Google Maps for iPhone (click here), saving you the need to rely on the increasingly embarrassing Apple Maps.

With a proven track record, it is hoped that nobody dies in Australia due to reliance on Apple Maps.

Apple, don't you think its time for your maps to move over?

Australian Police: Apple Maps is life-threatening

Apple Maps is so bad that Australian Police thinks that it is life-threatening, reports BBC.

Why?

Because, Apple Maps may lead you to a place with searing heat with no water supply nearby.

According to Australian force, if you look for Mildura, Apple Maps will bring you to the middle of Murray Sunset National Park some 70 km away where the heat can rise up to 46 degree Celcius with no water supply in the park.

In that circumstance, stranded there might be potentially life-threatening.

The biggest question now is this - when will Apple swallows its pride and bite the bullet to drop Apple Maps? 

Lumia 920 and 820 are available in Malaysia

Lumia 920 and 820 are officially here in Malaysia!!

DiGi is the first telco that allows you to pre-order spanking new devices running the latest Windows 8 - Lumia 920 and Lumia 820, giving you a subsidy of up to RM900.00.

DiGi's Lumia 920

But the best thing is this - yesterday (6.12.2012), DiGi's facebook page asked its fans to wait and stay up till midnight for something big to be announced. And most people, this blogger included, thought that DiGi is finally activating their pre-registration page for iPhone 5. But some moment after it struck midnight, instead of iPhone 5, Lumia came online instead, sending legions of iFans (this blogger is not) into tears.

Recognizing iFans' frustration, DiGi finally activated iPhone 5 registration without much fanfare.

But leaving iPhone 5 aside, Lumia 920 represents the gamble of Nokia (and to some extent, Windows's mobile OS) to recapture the market share it once has. You would note that Nokia doesn't produce Android devices, only Windows (and to a lesser extent, Symbian). Will this gamble pay off? Looking at the specs of Lumia 920, I do hope that the answer is a yes.


Now, when will Maxis and Celcom announce their plans for Lumia?

iPhone 5 coming to Malaysia on 14th December 2012

The wait is finally over. iFans all over Malaysia can finally stop salivating and start throwing their money for the latest toy from Apple!

It has been announced by Apple that iPhone 5 will land on Malaysia on 14th December 2012.

And telcos in Malaysia wasted no time in allowing iFans to register their interest to be the very first to lay their dainty hands on iPhone 5. At press time, you may register your interest with Celcom or Maxis.

With Celcom, you may choose the color of your choice, as long as they are Black or White. Over at Maxis, you may even choose between 16GB, 32GB or 64Gb.

There is no registration of interest available from DiGi or U Mobile yet. DiGi merely has a "iPhone 5 coming soon" notice on their webpage.

However, this blogger is pretty sure that they will announce their own registration of interest or even offer their plans pretty soon.

If you are not a fan of getting tied down by any telco, you would just have to wait for iPhone 5 to land at Apple Store near you.

UPDATE 7.12.2012: You can now pre-order your iPhone 5 from DiGi here.