My Mi Smart Antibacterial Humidifier

If you stay inside aircon room for a prolong period of time, day after days, you probably facing dry skin issue. Hence, I was out to search for a humidifier recently.

After comparing few products from OSIM, Novita, etc. I bought one from MI Zone Store.
Too bad, I didn’t compare the newly launched uMist Aroma from OSIM, but even though, its water capacity of 1.5L is no way to match the Mi 4.5L that can last days 24/7... To support local brand, I bought their 1st gen uPure Water Purifier. In fact, their water filter cartridges are less costly than the Novita Faucel Water Purifier NP180.

Novita is the local company for many years, they have grown fast to today scale. I spoke to a young sales guy at Northpoint City, and found that he is a very competent staff. I’m moved to see they are now. I’m not a business man, I can’t comment much, but what kind of technologies to have in order to grow the company? If it is to sell the products to the public based on their interest and to their needs!

This wasn't my first-time buying Xiaomi products. I bought a Mi Portable Electric Air Compressor to inflate my car tyres conveniently anytime I need too, and an umbrella. Yes, they really got many household appliances, and range of other products that some aren't show in Singapore beside hand phones. In fact, when I intended to change my very old hand phone, its newly launched Mi 11 Lite 5G was under my consideration. Well, end up I didn't buy it before it’s available, as few other phones are out there at that time..

You can take a look from the link next, for the specifications of Mi Smart Antibacterial Humidifier.
It has the intelligent function to remote control via smartphone, it didn’t have a display to show the RH setting and readout. Although the sales guy at Mi store told me the default setting is at 60%, when use it, I found to be too humid.
Hence, I SIGN UP an account with Xiaomi, by using my email and set a password; it will than send you an email for authentication, and an account ID for you. Now you can add more smart devices from Xiaomi, let's get ready to thrill…
Wait, before that, we need to know how to set and reset the humidifier WI-FI. You can get ready easily by read and understand its simple buttons layout and operation, all by its instruction manual. And please search from YouTube to learn more on how to operate it.

This is my first smart device from Xiaomi. I installed Mi Home apps in my old phone. Launch the apps, follow its screen instructions and sign in. You must on your phone Location if I’m not wrong, connect the humidifier to your home router Wi-Fi network, you need to select the one ended without “5G”…, then connect its Wi-Fi SSID “Mi Smart Antibacterial Humidifier” to phone Wi-Fi. Select your room, set the constant humidity level to your liking, may be range between 50~60% is ideal. Etc, etc..

I tried a few times, when I sign out, the RH setting were difference from the time I left sometime; but it remains the setting 55% all time if I simply shutdown my old phone. To get back to see and check the actual room RH and my Constant humidity setting, I simply on my old phone and click its shortcut icon each time; unless to use a Hygrometer externally to check the actual RH value. For now, when my skin feels too humid and uncomfortable, I will blow some hot air awhile inside my small room by using a hair dryer. It’s quite effective, I don’t need to buy a dehumidifier for that!

You can install Mi Home Apps in Windows 10 as well, thru Google Apps emulator, please search the internet for detail instructions for that. Good news is, the upcoming Windows 11 will have a feature that can run Google Apps in it. Hence, I’ll wait to control my Mi Smart Antibacterial Humidifier thru my laptop PC next time, and no need to worry about security issue if there are any, I believe Windows defender will take care of it.

Some interesting info:
https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/question651.htm
“..If the relative humidity is low, we can feel much cooler than the actual temperature because our sweat evaporates easily, cooling us off. For example, if the air temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) and the relative humidity is zero percent, the air temperature feels like 69 degrees Fahrenheit (21 C) to our bodies. If the air temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 C) and the relative humidity is 100 percent, we feel like it's 80 degrees (27 C) out, and you start praying that you had the air conditioner serviced last fall.”

My cordless OHM Cyclone vacuum cleaner (SVC1021-L)

When I moved to my own house 20 years back, I bought a Toshiba vacuum cleaner (AC) and bought some extra filters and bags as well. Thinking that every home needs a vacuum cleaner. Tell you what, I hardly use it, may be 1 or 2 times per year only.

I also bought a Black & Decker car vacuum cleaner as well when I start to drive, but the suction really suck! I mean not powerful.

Hence, I had always think of buying a cordless portable handheld vacuum cleaner for car and for home. Hesitated for a few NiMH type over the time, but luckily didn’t wasted the money on to buying one that has short operating time.

Until I saw the Dyson V8 that can last 40 minutes per charge, but immediately scared off by its high price tab..

Just few weeks ago, I found this cordless OHM Cyclone vacuum cleaner (SVC1021-L) - $258 at Lot 1 Homefix; I never use any vacuum cleaner so frequently like this one, now use it happily at home and in my car, and carry to office as well! It can last 45 minutes per charge.

I strongly recommend this for you, trust me and go try it out yourself, you will never regret.

My Apple iPad 4

Finally bought the Apple iPad 4 last year when it was launched in Singapore. Had wanted to buy a tablet for quite sometimes, just to surf internet more conveniently, to read ZaoBao online, watch movies/ videos, etc…. I can do these without power on my Notebook PC; with tablet, it’s instantly anytime anyplace, iPad does provide this kind of wonderful and enjoyable experiences. For now, I use notebook PC for work, Android phone (SGN – will be using it until Note 3 is out after 4 Sept 2013 announcement) for daily communication, iPad for leisure and fun stuffs.

Why now? The past and phase out iPad 3 was not attracting enough due to overheat problem, its 30 pins connector, CPU not as powerfully for its Retina display, whereas iPad 4 with new Lightning connector, double CPU power and graphic processing speed, it should be much easier to drive the same Retina display. Most importantly, it’s able to play HD videos, movies much better than any other devices in the markets. Thus, I decided to get it and do not want to wait for the other possible new devices including Nexus 10 (FHD), Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 series, Windows Surface, 7.7 inch Toshiba AT270…

iPad and its iOS are quite simple to use, it operated extremely smoothly. I tried many time at Apple shop plus learning thru YouTube, the only short come is no expandable storage (micro SD cards), no interchangeable battery pack, etc… well may be next few versions, wait a bit longer may be hahahha! :D

Bought one original iPad cover and MIJ screen protector with it, mine is in white 64GB with WiFi and Cellular. Just after a few days, I bought a new casing to protect the iPad aluminum back, the OZAKI iCoat, in white colour as well from Funan DigitaLife Mall at Challenger. Quite a solid built quality, it can be positioned portrait and in landscape with few angle combinations by folding the front cover. Up till now, I still think I had made a right selection; as there are many casings/ covers floated in the market. http://ozakiverse.com/products/ipad/icoat-slim-y-plus

...later on, I found another casing from Moshi store: http://store.moshimonde.com/versacover-origami-case-ipad-white.html, VersaCover Origami Case for iPad, it did similarly like the OZAKI iCoat, very nice looks. Too bad, I have to wait until my iCoat turn bad to change… :)

Apple accessories are very expensive; I only bought the VGA cable and 30-Pins connector just few weeks ago.
Also bought an iPad Tripod Mount from Amazon, to mount it to my existing SLIK tripod, I can now surf the iPad without holding it. :))

But just recently, the holder joint accidently broken, luckily I use a string to hold it onto the tripod initially, if not the iPad will smash onto the floor, you can imagine how horrible it will be!! Later on I bought a Magic Arm with Super Clamp from local photo shop, modify the holder, clamp it to the tripod again, with this it’s even better now, I do not need to turn too much my head to look at the iPad screen anymore!!… quit similar to the item from Amazon...

My Samsung Galaxy Note (SGN)

My anticipated Android phone from Samsung finally launched one week ago here.

I got one with free flip cover, went to DOML for the screen protector and SLS for a 32 GB MicroSD card. Too bad, no car charger and original battery pack available yet..

Since then I've been using it for a week, simply love it, for its gorgeous big screen (5.3"). It produces beautiful graphics, clear and detail texts even when zoom in and out, that makes internet surfing quite enjoyable with its in built web browser.

Fast response speed and smooth operation… only one or two click operations a bit lag, like, press the center main home button to unlock, press the close Notification screen horizontal bar at the bottom (unless you sweep the bar up or press the right back key)…

As first time using Android OS, I discovered many "new way" to operate it:

- Press right power button for 2 sec, select the "Data network mode" to activate (on) or deactivate (off) the data connection…
- Press center main home button for 2 sec to select the recent apps used, apps can be selected and reopened, and to use Task manager to "exit" the unclosed apps…
- Use the right back key to fully close the apps, so that it will not stay in the RAM…but if apps remains in the RAM, it can then reopen much faster.
- What inside the Event title can be read out with the alert ringtone from the Calendar appointment, need to enable the Text to speech function…
- To add a shortcut for a web site, left menu key/ more/ Add shortcut to Home. A touch of that icon will then bring to that web page…
- To select difference alert and notification ringtone for Calendar, try press left menu key at the Calendar view..., Setting/ Notification settings. This alert ringtone is difference from Settings/ Sound/ Notifications/ Notification ringtone, that's for the SMS, mails incoming message alert…

The most happy thing is I put the mini Agenda at the 1st home page, I can see my appointments straight after unlock the phone..., I still can't make a small date to be displayed at the top status indicator bar, as I wanted to save some screen space to put other frequent use apps icons at 1st home page… like, My files, Task manager, Setting, Camera, etc…. To see the date, I made one appointment for every day, eg."Goood morning, please wake up" with reminder alert, such that in the mini Agenda I can see the "Today's date"…

Many applications can be installed directly from the Android's Market, really a fantastic experience, here are some interesting and workable apps:
- OCBC Bank, even come in bar code reader to scan your bill detail…
- PPTV, LeTV, good enough for internet video watching…
- Sygic navigation (Paid), nice GUI and quite easy to use, but not that updated for Singapore map. http://www.sygic.com/en/android:buy-now
- Etc…

Others:
Fast GPS, good Wi-Fi connection, good camera and HD video recording, interesting S-Pen and its apps…, able to log in to my company email…

Samsung local SGN info and support:
http://www.samsung.com/sg/consumer/mobile-devices/smartphone/android-os/GT-N7000ZBAXSP/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&returnurl=

SAR value for GT-N7000: The highest SAR value for this model phone was 0.390 W/kg.

Local forum:
http://www.mobinauts.com/forum/40-google-android-phone/

Mobile01 forum:
http://www.mobile01.com/topiclist.php?f=568

GSMARENA:
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note-4135.php

Updates: 07/12/2011
My set front screen had glossy greenish stains all over it when viewed at certain angles under room lighting…
… it was due to the clear screen protector from DOML; emailed them and went down to get the refund. After that went down to Mobile Square at Far East Plaza to install a made in Korean brand, they have few brands and few types, I choose the clear type. Quite good enough, ...oil resistance, so less finger marks on the screen, no need to clean the screen that often now…

... still no original car charger available yet, but bought one extra battery from Jurong Point Samsung service centre.

Updates: 13/12/2011
... decided not to wait for the car charger for this SGN from Samsung, so use my HTC HD2 car charger instead (Output DC 5V 1A), no abnormal, 25mins will charge up 15%...

My Mini Bluetooth Keyboard

Wanted a mini Bluetooth keyboard for my living room PC that connected to Full HD TV for quite a long time, so that I can remotely do the typing at sofa when needed.

Was doing windows shopping and found this Rii Mini Bluetooth Keyboard with Backlight (RII 518) at Cyber Active Jurong Point, it’s more well built than other Bluetooth keyboards that I came across. Like its small size as I don’t do much typing works at the sofa; this keyboard feels great and can put on my sofa side table easily. Paring it to connect my Windows 7 Professional OS notebook PC is easy as well, no need to install software (This keyboard come with a small CD).

The beauty of this keyboard is that it’s able to connect many type of devices and smart phones, here is its specifications:

Work with iPad1 iPad 2/ iPod touch
Work with Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0/ 6.1 or later system mobile phone
Work with Nokia Symbian S60 system mobile phone
Work with iPhone (built-in iPhone OS 4.0)

Work with Android system mobile phone
Work with personal PC and HDPC
Work with Sony PS3 player
Good choice for typing email or chatting
Build-in rechargeable Li-ion battery, supports USB charging
Available in AZERTY, QWERTY, QWERTZ with 66 keys

Though it is able to connect to my HTC HD2 Windows Mobile 6.5 phone, but some character could not be typed out at screen, eg. @ #$..., however, this does not bother me, as I’m eying my next smart phone, which is either a Samsung Galaxy Note (May be before end of 2011), or the Galaxy SIII (To be out in the middle of 2012), all two are Android smart phones (-large screen size!) which should works well with this keyboard! :))

Info from the following links:
Rii Mini Bluetooth Keyboard with Backlight (RII 518):
http://riitek.en.made-in-china.com/product/lMOEQJwDgbUL/China-Rii-Mini-Bluetooth-Keyboad-With-Backlight-Rii-518-.html
Samsung Galaxy Notes:
http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxynote/note/index.html?type=find
http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=568&t=2331573&m=s&s=20&p=1
Samsung Galaxy SIII:
http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=568&t=2354584&last=30741669
http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=568&t=2366714&p=1

My multi-functions pen – STAEDTLER avant-garde light

My frequent carry multi-function stylus pens Pilot Pentopia had fail me for a while. Hence this is my new multi-function pen but without the stylus, a STAEDTLER avant-garde light 927AGL-G (champagne-gold).

I use the STAEDTLER elance ball point pen before and have very good impression, so it only take a short time for me to decide its multi-functions pen, some more it comes with champagne-gold colour… match well with my newly owned Rolex Air-King, as both have the champagne gold essential colour. :))

Bought it from UIMAX at Jurong Point Shopping Centre, it has a black, a red ink ballpoint pens and a 0.5mm mechanical pencil. Cost S$30 plus, quite a good price for a made in Japan product, although not that sturdy during operation compared to some branded and more expensive pens, but it’s light, for a daily carry multi-functions pen, it serve me well!

STAEDTLER info:
http://www.jp.staedtler.com/

STAEDTLER avant-garde light 927AGL-G:
http://www.jp.staedtler.com/avant_garde_light_eng_jp.Staedtler?ActiveID=102899

STAEDTLER elance:
http://www.staedtler.com/elance_gb.Staedtler?ActiveID=2259

My Rolex’s Air-King

I have hunting one for quite sometimes, each times I went there, I will enter to check it out, but it’s not available, last evening after work, same again I went there, to my surprise there is one…

It is a pre owned Rolex Air-King, it looks gorgeous and seems like fate, the bracelet fit just nice to my wrist, although I wanted a silver dial, but this champagne colour looks so beautiful and like very new to me. After check the details with opening the back cover for authentication, I bought it.

Here are the details:

Model: 14000, W Series (1995)

Movement: Automatic, 27 Jewels

Caliber: 3000

Crystal: Sapphire

Dial: Champagne

Crown: Screw-down

Bezel: Stainless steel

Bracelet: SS Oyster bracelet

Lug Width: 19mm

Diameter: 34mm

Thickness: 12mm

Depth Rating: 100m

Some links for reference:
http://www.oysterworld.de/automatic-movements.html
http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Air%20King
http://www.timeandgems.com/A-Little-Rolex-Air-King-History_b_17.html

Rolex FAQ & FACTS
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=8478 

Local forum:
http://www.sg-roc.com/