I'm still on Pinterest

This is so cute!

Source: lh5.googleusercontent.com via WSL on Pinterest

Yep..I'm still on Pinterest.

Not regular, only occassionally when I run out of things to do on the net..loads of stuff in there.  Still don't understand why and how it became a hit.  Probably just a case of hitting the right button suiting to the mindset of the current human clan i.e. see something you like and agree to..just re-pin and share.  No hassle..no typing..just Pin.

That's Pinterest.

Click HERE to see what I've Pinned so far :)

Charity via Earndit

I've blogged about how I linked my and Runkeeper app and Foursquare check-ins to the gym  to Earndit.

In case you missed it, or you didn't get what I was trying to say ... my Foursquare account is linked to my Earndit account, each time I check in to a gym or when I record a running activity on Runkeeper:  I earned Points.  These points can be used to redeem items, vouchers, discounts from participatin Earndit partners.


Each check in at the gym fetches 15 points.  I had about 2000 over points, no cost attached - Just Sweat :)

NOW..we can opt to donate our points for charity purposes, how brilliant is that!

Don't believe? Go HERE 

Who says all this checking in and mobile apps are of no use?

In just a few clicks..

I'm happy to annouce that I've contributed to a month of healthcare to 100 families in Guatemala - Go HERE to read about it.


500 points is worth about 33 gym visits  :P  That's around 23,000 total calories burnt assuming each BODYCOMBAT class burns about 700 calories.  The official Les Mills site (HERE) states that each class burns about 737 calories on average :)

Waze

"My current 'not so smart' phone can surf the net, can download games too, why should I get a smart phone"  I've asked this question a few times before I finally got the Iphone. Quite a few non converters have been asking me too.

Here's one example of what a non smart phone can't offer...

Just like how I answered to the questions.. a smart phone is not just a phone.  Apart from making calls and receiving sms, setting reminders.. with so many apps available and many many more to come, we can practically install exciting new features for different purposes every other day.

Waze is a new app that I installed recently. Waze is a community based traffic and navigation app that functions like Garmin but has more interactive and fun elements to it. And IT"S FREE!  

As with all other apps, there will be constant updates and improvements, it's still Free. Not a cent needed.   

As Ringgit said..those navigation devices business will have to close shop soon =P

Here are some screen shots and example from Waze.

This is what the map looks like. 

All those little heads with eyes are other fellow Wazers who were also online at the same time and travelling in the vicinity.  Those with a pacifiers are Baby Wazers..new users.  The blue car is me.  Other signs are hazards or traffic warnings posted by fellow wazers during that time.

You know what..Waze maps are automatically and constantly updated via active Waze users around the world as we drive around with Waze on. 

Pop up alerts will appear when other fellow Wazers post about the traffic jams in the area.  Apart from visual prompts, there should be voice prompts too..I have not heard any so far cos my music is always at the max :D

Besides traffic updates, fellow wazers can tip each other about road hazards like pot holes, stalled vehicles or even police traps...!

 

Another way to use Waze, is just take a browse at the list of reports before starting your journey..to see where the possible congestion are.

Cool eh?

I have yet to try using it for navigation function..it should work just fine I guess.

Loving it!


So with Waze I save hundreds may be thousands on navigation devices.
With RunKeeper I don't have to get a running watch to track distances n speed.
With Malaysian Insiders and BBC, I no longer need newspapers.
Email can be received and sent on the go.
Text messages (local and overseas) are free with WhatsApp messenger
Sending photos is also free and easy with WhatsApp.

Have I answered your questions?

Trust me,. there are lots more useful and important gdgets, some are free, the better ones costs some money, I'm currently satisfied with the free ones

New apps are being developed and launched everyday...it's impossible to catch up.

Waze was founded in 2009, according to a press release in June 2011 it was reaching 4 million users in 45 countries worldwide.  I can't find any information on how many users are there in Malaysia but there should be many, I joined a Waze group called "Petaling Jaya" to get alerts in this area :

It was created 15 months ago.
1274 members to date.
172 new users in the last month.
949 new activities in the last month.

That tells us something isn't it?


Privacy / Security issue?
Almost none, I'd say.  Only an email address and no other information needed during registration.  To be safe, just switch off the app when not using.  Most Wazers log on using a nickname. Linking Waze reports to Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare is only by choice.


Cool?

Me, Iphone Gaming

New game! 

I'm not a game freak by the way, there were only two games installed in my phone and I only play Trade Nations regularly. Last weekend was a long weekend, so I was randomly browsing through the app store and found this.  Brothers in Arms 2 : Global Front Line

Centuries ago, I used to play games like Dome, Tomb Raider, Metal Gear Solid, etc on PC or Play Station.  But with Iphone, the virtual pad / joystick stick with Gyroscope is so difficult :(

It's been days I've only got pass one sub-level. 

Each retry only lasted me seconds..and I'd be dead again and again and again.

Unlike those days, where I could just strike re-start and attempt over and over until I get through..all these Iphone games..they make you 'wait'!  

In this case, I have to wait 5 minutes before I can retry again.

Grrr... so frustrating and yet..I'm not giving up.   

Why I don't read the local news..

It's not that I'm so interested in the world news....

But..when I ran out of things to tap on my phone..especially when idling..stuck in traffic, waiting for someone, etc...I will catch up latest news.

BBC..is one quick and easy app.

Main news are segmented by Top Stories, US Cananda and then category e.g. Technology, Business, Science, etc.

Scroll further down..I can select by different regions, Sports, Entertainment, etc.

Very easy to use..and everything loads very quickly.

Only problem is..I will miss out on Malaysian News...only biggy Malaysian news will appear in BBC.

Not that M'sian news are worth noting....

But..since I'm in Malaysia...I need to know if there's a biggy happening..like the recent mishap in Empire Gallery.

So..I tapped the Malaysian Insider app.

But...all I see is this..

By the time it loads..the traffic light already turned Green lor...

Y A W N.....

Who says Foursquare check-ins are waste of time?

Finally.

Here's a valid and relevant example of what Foursquare can earn for us.

I unlocked this on my 5th check in at The Bee on Thursday..

(Bummer..I forgot to capture the screen when I unlocked it, now it is back to the the original screen)

All sincere, simple and straight forward, just check in 5 times, no time limit, no hidden terms & conditions...unlike most loyalty programmes with expiry dates and etc.  

My 5 visits was done over a time period of a year may be more, I didn't even keep track of it myself.

As promised, I was rewarded with a cup of Cappuccino!  

The pic says it all..it's one of the best cappuccino I've ever had!  I'm not saying this just because it is free, trust me..coffee here is really really good!  I Love Bee =)

I've also been diligently checking into the gyms to earn pints via earndit Every gym check in via Foursquare earns 15 points.  Points collected entitles us to claim rewards!  It's that simple.  No cost attached.  Earndit is still relatively new in this region,  not too sure if the rewards will reach us but the developers assured that we can be part of Earndit regardless of where we are from,but some rewards may be only applicable to US only, in such cases points will be refunded.  Heck..it doesn't cost a cent to check in..so..Why Not? 

Earndit can also be linked to other apps like Runkeeper e.g. a 4.4 km run during the Shape Night Run earned me 27 points!  Yikes..I forgot to use Runkeeper at the park yesterday :(

Happy Checking In :)

Fun Run Done

I ran!  Without pain =)

Runkeeper

Unlike other races, I didn't stop to take any pictures this time. 

But..was kiasu enough to activate two tracking apps and my wrist watch..haha.   I

The Baby G stop watch clocked about 34 mins.  Sportypal above says 36: 36mins.  Runkeeper says 37 mins.  Makes sense..since I had to pause the gadgets one at a time ..haha,

Sportypal is a new app that I wanted to test.   It's more dynamic, where one can use it to record and track all kinds of activities  - running, cycling, sailing, horse riding. etc etc!  Not sure if I will continue to use it.  I wanted it mainly for it's Indoor workout function but it isn't available yet.   

The map has a hybrid version which Runkeeper doesn't have...more canggih in some sense.

Sportypal

..as you can see...its' just a very simple route around Precint 3 Putraya.  We didn't get to run on any of the famous Putrajaya Bridges..so no reason for me to stop for photography sessions.

Might as well concentrate on my running~

 really wanted to see how well the injury has healed.  All went well, almost ran the full distance without stopping.  Well, I did take short breaks when I felt some tightness but overall..I'm satisfied given the fact that I had not ran for three months.  

Sportypal

Let's see..(above and below)..speed was somewhat consistent at an average of 7-8 mins per / km.  Peaked at the 2nd and last km.  Slowest was when I stopped a few times towards the 30th mins (3rd km).

Runkeeper

Next run is Adidas King of The Road in end Oct.  16.8km on the NPE!  Woot...!

Hmm..I'd better start training...

iRun KL

iRun KL is the Iphone app for the recently concluded SCKLM.

First page is a countdown page by days right down to seconds to the Racd Day.  Other pages include Race and Race Pack Collection information which I think is quite redundant cos those are available on Facebook and the official websites.

The News page should be quite relevant but it wasn't regularly updated.  Not sure if it can be done but the App should carry latest update and announcements e.g. the sudden change in venue for the 10km category for example.  Or may be more information of trasnportation which is the main FAQ for all races.

The ME page is quite cool. Simple but cool.  It has the two most important information of a participant.
- The registration confirmation information - for race pack collection use
- The final result after the race

Well done SCKLM for doing up this app!  

As you can see, 'my' results were 2 hours 11 minutes and ranked 63 =P

I didn't run of course.  Well done to my substitute !

To Do List @ 4sq

Never really bothered to use the To Do List in Foursquare until today when I saw Fat Spoon Cafe appearing in the Nearby list while I was about to check into Jojo Little Kitchen in Damansara Uptown.  I've seen some friends checking into Fat Spoon recently in Facebook, so was curious.  Indeed, there were good reviews and comments in on Fat Spoon on Foursquare.

Damn...I gotta try this place. But I can be so forgetful..very likely I will forget all about it .  So..ta daa..this is when the Foursquare To Do List comes in useful.  It is meant for us to log down interesting places we must visit in the future. In fact, this is exactly, what I've wished for especially when it comes to food!

Ah....now, I won't forget.  And, next time when I run out of places to eat, all I have to do is whip out this page =')

By the way, I think Fat Spoon is quite awesome la.  Yes..even before I try it..I'm recommending it.

Check out the Facebook page if you don't believe me : http://www.facebook.com/fatspooncafe  I'm refraining from clicking Like until I visit and confirm that I really Like them :D

Omg..I wanna go I wanna go I wanna go I wanna go....

Anyone? Anyone?

SCKLM is in iTune!

So cool...



Now we can get latest news and update about the race from the app.

Not only tat, I think we can log, map and record our individual run during the race.

And of cos we can check our own individual timing from the app too.

*loves*

Msia vs. HK in iTunes

Do you see the diff?

4sq Badges

One of the reason why I still bother to check into 4sq ..

:D It's always nice to unlock a badge.  And they always come when you least expect it.

Well..we don't gain any benefits or goodies..it's just nice to get little surprises :-)