Home » Tag: malaysia

Are we destined to only dream of Apple iPhone?

iphone 3g Are we destined to only dream of Apple iPhone?

I spent little time this weekend on iPhone and iPod Touch play the games, applications not realizing there you go my 1 hour. It is truth that ease to swallow… iPhone is addictive!! Or to be correct, iPhone applications that made this whole thing addictive. Unfortunately that is not mine (this post not coming this soon if I have one), but I wish that I’ll have one too. iPhone (and the app) is dang amusing!!

But, it’s odd, that good stuff hard to get . As we all aware off, iPhone won’t making its presence in Malaysia soon (or not at all), although it was speculated before that telcos such as Maxis & Celcom or even Digi are wooing Apple to be iPhone’s distributor sometime back. But no progress (and no comment from them too) since then. Our ‘smaller’ lucky neighbor has got taste of it… I’m wondering what makes this device available on certain countries and not in the other? Telcos or demand??

I have doubt if it would be due to the demand although I don’t have the figure.  iPhone can be seen being sold everywhere on the web. Just naming a few online marketplace that that you’re familiar, iPhone is available at eBay, Lelong, Mudah & Lowyat.net.

When iPhone first available here unofficially, it was ridicouly priced as much as over 3K. But thanks to demand & competetion, the price has slipped slightly lower. A quick check on Lelong which has the most iPhones, the Asia unlocked version is priced (quick grab price) as low as MYR2350 for 16GB. Pretty cheap right??

It is not a secret that Apple known to make a cut from telco’s profit from the iPhone. Iphone’s price is subsidized, but the potential buyer has to bear the cost with the contracts up to 2 years.  It is possible that the delay is caused by disagreement between 2 parties (Apple & telco) on the share and profit allocation between them.

The growing number of iPhone sales doesn’t mean ‘fat cheque’ for telcos. SingTel, which distributes the iPhone in Singapore, Australia, the Philippines and India, has lower profits because it was subsidising the device. Beside that, telcos must be assessing this iphone venture with more cautious, with the failure of iPhone business in India .It failed to appeal mobile phone users and penetrating the market dominated by Nokia although the main reason is lack of marketing effor by the Apple and its carrier partners, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone

If the deal with telcos failed to be finalized, Apple should favor seeling iPhone via its’s local Apple store, just like Apple Hong Kong store. As long as the price is lower than what grey market or ‘under water‘ offered and fully unlocked, Apple will have at least another fan in me.

I’ve no doubt about the creativeness of Malaysian to appeal for iPhone. Sign the petion online at petion.com. Say it loud, you want iPhone!!

Hope someone is listening and make the dream reality.


Admin 22 December 2008 gadget & hardware , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Dr Mahathir turns 83 – history slides by MSN

dr m Dr Mahathir turns 83 history slides by MSN
Photo: credit to chedet.com

I read chedet occasionally along with other politic blogs. Malaysian folks love politics!! -Zeitgeist 2008 say it.

Like it or not, this man has driven Malaysia to be among the most developing country in the Asian if not in the World.This is obviously a great achievement, although some of his actions drawn criticism and controversial.

He is going to turns 83 tomorrow (20 December), so I would like to wish you, ‘Happy Birthday Tun‘. Hope you’re in a great health condition!!

I’m just regular Malaysian citizen. I never vote for you or you party. I never awarded any projects. And I’m not wealthy too.

But I’m grateful of what I am today, partly because of your continuous effort started almost 3 decades ago. We, the new generation reaps the award today. May Allah bless you, and being forgiveness to any of your mistake before.

And here is the slide

Admin 19 December 2008 personal , , , 2 Comments

Where is Google??

2008 is almost end with only few days left. But 1 question remain unanswered. 

For local bloggers or those on IT industry are surely remember, once a breaking news about Google who in talk with MDEC (Gov IT arm) to setup office or data center in Malaysia. 

Nothing heard afterwards. Anyone know what is the progress?? 

With global eonomy crisis and with Google themselves laying offs employess , it could be the plan has been scrapped, regardless how best MDEC offer is.

Still, I hope to get it materialized..

Admin 19 December 2008 Malaysia Inc , , , 2 Comments

What is Maybank’s Pre-Autho transaction?

Last month, I have posted a brief review about Maybank Visa Debit Card which was just released at that time. I have no problem at all using it for offline sales.

For bloggers or internet marketers, one of the much awaited function on this card is, whether it can be used to activate your Paypal account or not. Unfortunately, Kak G has attempted to do this, it is not working. Looks like we still need those prepaid and debit cards available out there on the market.

There is one more thing that I would like you to pay attention if you’re card holder. If you fuel up at any petrol station by swapping your card at the pump machine itself, or booking hotel, Maybank will charge you extra, with line item called Pre-Autho in your transaction list. I seldom check my transaction online immediately after shopping, so was quite surprise (and mad) when I see this on my account.

I contact them immediately, and this is how their customer support respon. And I have since then get back the extra amount charged.

What do you think of this kind of process? Does it fair to us as consumer?? Let me know what you think.

Another thing that I notice too is that, when you’re swapping your card in the pump machine, you’re no longer needed to key in the PIN number, as compared to previous card. I feel insecure this way. So in case you card is stolen, you may lose your money easily and almost immediately before you manage to report it to Maybank.


Dear Mr….

Thank you for your email.

We wish to inform you that holding-of- funds for the following transaction will be done. This holding of funds will be reflected as “Pre Autho Debit” in your account statement:-

  • Hotel – Amount depends on the duration of stay whereby on check-in, pre-authorization amount will be charged. During check-out, the pre-authorization amount will be reversed and the actual amount will be charged.
  • Petrol transaction at the pump (outdoor) – Pre-authorization amount is RM150 but some petrol operators allow the cardholder to select the amount at the pump. Pre-authorization amount will be charged to customer’s banking account during the fill-up. The pre-authorization amount will be reversed back and the actual filled-up amount will be charged to customer’s bank account once the bank receives the actual filled-up amount from the acquiring bank. Averagepre-authorization holding day is 3 days.

Should you require any further assistance, you are welcome to contact our Customer Service Executives at telephone number 1 300 88 66 88 or 03-7844 3696 (overseas) 24 hours a day , 7 days a week.


Best regards,
R…
Maybank Group Customer Care


Admin 29 April 2008 Consumer, Promotion , , , , 13 Comments
Page 2 of 212