Archive for December, 2011

First impression on Ice Cream Sandwich Beta

December 9th, 2011, posted in Computer, Phone review

Those who followed me on twitter would know that I am having my
examinations right now and is supperrrrr busy. LOL. Despite the fact that im studying, I manage to spent some time flashing a beta version of Google Android’s latest OS, Ice Cream Sandwich hehhee (:

Ok la, to be honest, the reason I flashed this OS because MIUI ROM has been acting up lately and the frequent hangs I get especially when I wake up in the morning with tons of messages and notifications annoys me. So….. yea.

Screenshot_2011-12-08-16-29-36 (1)

Ice Cream Sandwich will never be available officially on the Samsung Galaxy S BUT the huge community support on Xda-Developers forum enabled Galaxy S to be one of the very few phone to have a taste on this yummylicious dessert! The link is here

So here’s some first impression on this sleek new OS.

The UI is polished and fast due to its new hardware accelerated feature that allows the graphic processor to accelerate the user interface. By doing so, everything is super smooth babeh. For the first time, scrolling contacts on an Android phone is as smooth as iOS.

Screenshot_2011-12-09-23-31-33Screenshot_2011-12-09-23-31-44

The camera is also superbly quick. The zero shutter lag promised on Galaxy Nexus seems to be available on Galaxy S too! I mean, seriously, it is on par with IPhone 4s. (Even beats it to a certain extent)

I also notice that my 3G and WIFI signal seems to increased as compared to the MIUI ROM. It might be phone specific (cuz well yea, Galaxy S has lotsa problem) but it is definitely a plus point. I am able to use WIFI in my room without problem while using the MIUI ROM, it struggles to even get a decent connection

Another thing to note GPS, has also improved in the Ice Cream Sandwich. I use to struggle to even get a proper lock on the satellite but ICS allows the troubled Galaxy S to have lock in 30sec max!

app_gps_test_screen_02

The RAM management in ICS is nothing like I have seen before. Ive opened tons and tons of apps, but my memory remained at 80MB and above. We have this to thank to the new process manager. It will always free up RAM for new processes to take place and leaving some extra RAM to ensure smooth operation.

20111212162715

Another notable feature is the USB Storage Mode. When I hook up my phone to the laptop and mount the memory to it, I can still access the memory card from the phone and at the computer at the same time. That’s a nifty feature that deserves a mentioned. (:

Oh, this is my favorite, the Recent App feature. The recent app allows you to switch between application quickly and doubled as a task manager, when swiped left or right, will close selected application. Now, there have been doubts and debates on this task manager and many said that it IS NOT a task manager. It is. I have a video to prove. (ill update this space with the video soon) (:

 20111212162002

One more feature that I love the most is the ability to have folders on application docks. You can just drag and drop any apps on the dock and it will be grouped into folders.

Screenshot_2011-12-09-23-33-19

Web browsing seems to be quicker than other OS too. One thing to note, my Galaxy S is a single core processor thus it is STILL slow even with ICS.

Last but not least, the Auto Correct on ICS is as BITCHY as iOS. haha. Undeniably. (: It always DYAC (Damn You Auto Correct) for me. ICS calls this ‘Improved Spell Checking” haha. I called it DYAC!

Oh yea, I forgot to mention the most hyped about feature, Face Unlock or in Windows term Face Recognition. It sucks. The algorithm used to detect my face is not mature enough. Even if I move my face a little, it fails to recognize. Oh wells.

 Screenshot_2011-12-09-23-34-43

So here are the few features that deserves to be pointed out. It’s just a quick glance. I will have a better look at it after my exam and update this space with more notable features of ICS. This OS definitely live up to its hype unlike the announcement of iOS 5.

p.s: For those of you who’s been wondering, where are the software home,back and recent app button on the screen, well Galaxy S has hardware buttons, so the developers don’t see a reason to include that in the Galaxy S version, which is a good call. At least, we will have more usable real estate.

read more no comments

The Japanese Restaurant

December 3rd, 2011, posted in Events, Food, ©FoodStuff

P1040158

I was invited to the Japanese Restaurant to have my taste bud tantalize with the awesome scrumptious sushi, wide range of sashimi and of course Teppanyaki !

Located at Sunway Putra Hotel ( formerly the Legend Hotel. Beside The Mall), this hotel offers the best service and as you expected food. With that being said, the price for such exclusivity does not come cheap but is definitely bank for buck.

Anyway, the Japanese Restaurant Head Chef, Lau Yeou Shin and his kitchen brigade prepares nearly 60 dishes for you to enjoy. They usually refresh their menus 4 times a week.

So let’s get down to what they have to offer.

P1040101

This is where their fresh sashimi’s are prepared and placed. All the sashimi’s are hand made, prepared on the spot and is definitely fresh. I have tasted the salmon and indeed it is fresh. The taste has nothing to shout about, but the key point here is that it is fresh.

Here are the list of sashimi’s :

Freshly cut salmon, maguro (tuna), hamachi (yellowtail), cuttlefish, butterfish, oysters, tiger prawns and half shell scallops

P1040107

P1040114

Now this is the highlight of the place! They have their own teppayaki kitchen where you are free to pick anything you want and they will prepare it for you on the spot. This is such an enjoyment because normally we are not able to choose what we want for our teppayaki. But this time around, I can gobble down the whole lot of variety of foods there!

P1040116P1040111

They also prepare wide range of Robatayaki ( grilled items)

P1040115

The list of grilled items are : sanma, saba, oysters, shisamo, quail eggs, sweet corn, unagi, bacon rolls, shiitake and cocktail sausages

Another highlight of this place is also the sushi bar! The sushi’s here are also prepared fresh on the spot the maintain freshness. Besides they also prepare sushi’s that are considered the ‘premium’ ones where you usually need to pay a hefty price in a normal Japanese restaurant. But since THIS IS A BUFFET, you get to enjoy them without hesitating!

photo: Charisow.com

To be honest, the sushi is fresh but it lacks the “ommph”. The rice is not as sticky as it should be and would ‘break’ into pieces.

P1040105

P1040133

These are the assorted ‘side dishes’ that you normally find in a Japanese restaurant menu. The cold tofu, anchovies, lady finger, you name it, its here. I particularly love the cold tofu as it tasted really soft, fresh and is not too salty as compared to others.

P1040132

There are other main course which I did not try as sushi and teppayaki alone making me bloated. I am no Rebecca Saw yo! Haha (: But anyway, these are the main course that are offered by the Japanese Restaurant.

Garlic Fried Rice, Chicken Katsu, Chicken Teriyaki, Stir-fried Black Pepper Udon, Cabbage Rolls, Stuffed Mushrooms, Grilled Stingray with Miso Paste, Stuffed Crabs, Japanese Style Braised Beef with Radish, Grilled Squid with Cheese Sauce, Lamb with Miso Sauce, Braised Beef Balls and Seafood Gyoza, in addition to Yaki Ramen, Yaki Udon (fried noodles) and Yaki Gohan (fried rice)

What is a meal without dessert and thankfully the Japanese Restaurant has one! They have wide range of cakes and pastries and of course ICE CREAM! (:

P1040143P1040144P1040140P1040141

The desserts are just all about right. I liked some but hated some but my favourite was the Green Tea Ice Cream. The green tea is just evident in the ice cream. You can taste every single cold dripping green tea in it. Was definably heaven! For the rest, I wouldn’t’ comment much. It might not fit my taste bud, but who knows you may like it

Pumpkin Pudding, Warabi Mochi, Soybean Cheesecake, Green Tea Ice Cream with Red Bean Paste, Assorted Jellies and Fruit Custards, fresh cut mixed fruits, assortment of French Pastries and oriental-inspired sweets such as the thirst-quenching Longan with Honey Sea Coconut and Snow Fungus andLotus Paste Pancakes..

All in all, for RM82++ for Adult and RM41++ for kids, I really think it is bang for bucks. Firstly, you get fresh sushi’s and sashimi’s prepared on the spot. Secondly, you get to gobble down all the teppayaki items and brag about it. HAH! Bring your friend to other teppayaki outlet and brag! Smile with tongue out What more can you ask from a Japanese restaurant? The green tea ice cream tops it all up. This gets 3.5 star out of 5 from me.

Operation hours are from 12 noon – 2.30pm for lunch and 6.30pm – 10.30pm for dinner. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and for lunch on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. If you’d like to make a reservation, kindly call 03-4042 9888 (ext. 1011) OR email enquirysph@sunwayhotels.com

read more no comments