For years now I have been using Google Docs to collaborate with friends and colleagues. That means sharing a single document with multiple users who can all work on the same document on the same time. But frankly, Google Docs is just not as cool as Microsoft Office in terms of other features.

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Here’s why you might want to do it yourself instead of waiting for the Google update which could take weeks:

1. You get Flash on your phone – and suddenly the PC web is finally on your phone. iPad/iPhone lovers who still claim that Flash is no big deal can either ignore the reality or face up to the facts.

   Flash games will now finally work on our phones. Porn, which you should not watch, apparently will now work (I didn’t see any since I am like John Marsten, a married man).  My friend Alex who had to use an iPhone with a StarHub line to connect his laptop to the Web to check on his castles in Lord of Ultima needs to know that he can now do it on a smartphone without any laptop.

2. You can use your Nexus One as a mini 3G router (you could do this before but you had to root the phone) – which means your friends on laptops connect to your N1 over Wi-Fi and your N1 connects them to the Net over 3G.
3. You can now install your apps on the micro SD card, finally ending fears that we might run out of space for apps.

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It used to be such a pain to be living in Singapore as a gamer.

I remember wanting to play Meridien 59 – the first MMO game – but it would have cost me my life savings connecting to a US server over 14.4kbps dial-up.

When World of Warcraft launched in November 2004, I was among the first to buy a copy from Tec-drome at Sim Lim. Even though I was reviewing games for The New Paper, in those days the distributors didnt bring in MMOGs. Guild Wars, Star Wars Galaxies, Jump To Light Speed – all bought with my own money. But the bigger problem – World of Warcraft was only launched in the US, Aust and NZ. Even though Vivendi was HQed in Singapore for the APAC region, they bloody ignored us, amazingly on the grounds that they chose countries with stable Internet infrastructure. Hogwash, because there is no way we were worse off than ANZ in those days.

The simple reason is that we are too small a market. Thankfully, all that was required was an Australian or US address and our good old local Singapore credit card was accepted.

BUT THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW! …

Now you can play all your favourite Pop Cap Games for free, but only if you are in Singapore, Malaysia and possibly some other South-east Asian countries. PopCap – the guys behind casual game hits like Plants vs Zombies, Bejewelled, Feeding Frenzy, Zuma, Peggle and more – have launched a special beta just for this region.

Just go to www.popcap.com and the website automatically identifies your location based on your IP address and a pop-up window will appear to ask you to join the beta. When you are in the beta, you will be asked to download and install the PopCap World beta client and from there you can play the games.

I have no idea what is the business model but it looks like some social networking and games plan. But so far, everything has been going for free for me!

I wrote a piece for the Sunday Times published today about the emergence of the smartbooks – netbooks which use mobile processors and Linux/Google operating systems instead of the usual Wintel duopoly. I drafted the specs from the info provided and e-mailed it back to the computer company for them to confirm the specs. Everything was in order, except the OS part which the PR wanted me to
“pls state OS to be ‘comprising of a customer user interface layer, built on a custom Linux-based OS.”

In other words, a Linux OS. “That’s rubbish” was my response and I simply told him/her that the sentence was a total waste of valuable space on the newspaper. He/she said he/she did not understand why I used the word rubbish and went on to send me more info:

Q. What is the OS for Skylight and why did you choose it?
A. The Skylight User experience is comprised of a custom UI layer built on a custom Linux base OS.   The average user will not be aware that the OS is based on Linux.  We chose this approach because it provided the flexibility to deliver a simple, discoverable, and fun gadget based way of presenting web applications and media.

Q: Is this a Lenovo Operating System?

A: That depends on your definition of “Operating System”.   We have created a unique software stack optimized to achieve a specific user experience focused on web applications, media and cloud computing.    The focus of our investments have been on the User Interface layer.

Q: What did you base the OS on?

A: Lenovo’s Skylight Interface runs on Embedded Linux.  ThunderSoft is Lenovo’s Linux System Integrator.

Q: Are you working with a Linux distribution partner? Who is it?
A: Yes Thundersoft.  Lenovo recognized the value of running Linux as a base platform for the Skylight User Interface for everything from performance to extensive customization.   This allowed us to pick the best and most appropriate elements to solve the SmartBook equation.   An extensive team of partners along with internal development teams from Lenovo and Qualcomm worked together to pick, customize and create what we needed to provide a world-class solution.

Yes my friend. It is still a Linux OS.

A must-read for everyone.

Written by an ex-MS employee, this guy shares why Microsoft has become what he calls a “clumsy innovator” and why non of the “wow” gadgets coming out these last few years – Kindle, iPhone, Android, Facebook – is from the computing giant.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/opinion/04brass.html?pagewanted=1

I was just gushing down a bowl of extremely salty French Onion soup at TGIF near the Marriot Grand Hotel in Moscow where I am staying when I saw Jobs flashing the iPad in some Russian news channel. That was enough for me to spend the next 90 minutes watching Job’s keynote.

Two things struck me from the iPads launch today:

1. Apple is really going into a closed lock-down system.

   The iPad will be utilising Apple’s new 1GHz processor (Apple now totally owns the hardware and the OS).

   It also launched iWorks (competitor to MS Office) for US$9.99 for each of the spreadsheet, presentation and word processor software (called numbers, keynote and something else I cant remember) It also launched iBooks – an e-book reader and store.  With App Store and iTunes Music Store,  now Apple also owns the software and services platform.

   Apple struck a deal with AT&T for adding 3G at US$29.99 per month for unlimited access. So like the iPhone, you are stuck again with a specific telco. And my guess is the two will work together to lock-in consumers and share the money.

   It looks like the Apple way is increasingly becoming a closed, lock-down system. I dont like lock-down systems and it sure makes Microsoft (who only controlled the OS and the apps and tried with the browser) look like an angel in comparison.

2. Is the iPad simply a glorified smartphone?

   Yes, it did look cool watching Jobs spin the thing round, but what exactly is the Apple 1GHz processor? Early rumours are swirling that it is simply one of the many 1GHz ARM processors (ARM licences its processor tech to people like Nvidia and Qualcomm to make smartphone processors) around. The same architecture that powers the Google Nexus One smartphone. But can it be powerful enough to support a mini-laptop? In case you are still wondering why the iPad does not support the ability to run multiple apps at the same time, perhaps this is the answer!

Domino’s Pizza is back in Singapore and their first outlet is just 5 mins from my home. I urge everyone to order online at www.dominos.com.sg instead of calling them on the phone. Why? Because you can simply key-in the promo codes for amazing deals – like 2 pizzas for $25.80 nett – without physically having to show them your discount coupon. (They don’t check for coupons even though they are supposed to) Once you know the promo codes you can keep using them. The online ordering form is one of the best I have seen and extremely easy to navigate. And the pizzas always arrive on time (within 30 mins) and are piping hot!

Here they are, in order of best deals (in my opinion)

BT3OR SF7 – $39.80 for TWO large pizzas with EXTRA cheese (save $25.80)

BT5 OR SF6 – $25.80 for TWO regular pizzas (save $19.80)

SF 8 – FREE regular pizza when you buy a large one (save $22.80) Tuesday Only

SF 5 – 30% off any regular, large or xtra large pizza

I was so excited to unwrap my newly minted Nexus One which arrived at about 3pm today but I did not get a chance to mess around till an hour ago as I was outside. I was immediately impressed by its speed, cool looks and excellent touch feel. I immediately installed Hoiio and SMS Backup and Facebook to get my basic apps up and running. They were all working fine and I even listened to Amazon MP3 30 second free top hits previews. Then I went downstairs and out of the Wi-Fi zone and everything stopped working. I have tried everything I know, checked my settings three times, rebooted twice but 3G simply does not work. This is obviously a problem and I am very disappointed this did not work out of the box. Will be calling HTC for support real soon!

Update: OK i figured out the problem. The phone strangely does not set the access point settings automatically when you insert the SIM card, so it needs a manual configuration, for starhub users you need to go to settings>mobile networks>access point names>press menu>then press new apn then set apn as shinternet or as shwapint, 3G should work now.

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When you are a tech reporter, you get to play with any gadget or game that you want, most of the time. The problem with gadgets is that the yearning and desire is strongest when you can’t hold them, but since I get to test almost any gadget I am interested in, the desire is no longer to own the gadget but just to play with them for a week or two.

So when I sat down and asked myself what I would like for X’mas, I really had to think hard. But here’s what I think I would need:

(1) Time.
I want to rip all my DVDs, VCDs, convert my LDs plus convert my home video tapes into a digital format, and store them all in my 4-bay NAS. Sounds like a lot of time, which is what I really need but don’t have much of.

(2) A new mobile phone plan
Since my contract ended in October, I am going to switch from my 800 minutes plan with 0 GB free data  to 100 minutes plan with 12GB  free data. I am going to start using Hoiio or pfingo Bounce to make local calls to cut down on my mobile phone bill. Why pay 16.05cents per minute when I can get it for 3.8 cents per minute.

(3) A gaming laptop
I have many laptops but I think it’s time to get a 15.6-inch or 17-inch machine that can do everything including games. I have been testing the 17-inch Gateway P series and so far I am very pleased with it. The laptop does not overheat after hours of gameplay! Trying to see if prices will fall under $2,500.

(4) A sound system
The stereo speakers from my 40-inch Samsung TV really sucks and having done quite a few stories on hifi-systems at Audio House, I am convinced it’s time to get a good 5.1 sound system. I liked the Polk Audio speakers I tested the last time, will probably combine that with a Denon amp. Trying to get it all for about $2,000.

(5) A new phone for my wife
This is the toughest choice of all. It’s hard to figure out what women really wants, and that also applies to getting a phone for them. I think I’ll stick to a Sony Ericsson with a good camera. And no, I wont get her an iPhone.