Apple iPad

My wife and I bought an ipad 2 for our beloved children as exposure to them to the IT world. Apple iPad 2 is an upgraded and Wi-Fi enabled version of the earlier iPad. Apple iPad 2 has Wi-fi enabled connectivity and it is designed primary to browse internet, managing email and social networking. Apple iPad 2 is good for playing games or doing any fun activities with the help of many iPad 2 apps available on iTunes store. Our children really enjoy playing with the gadget.

The new feature for this Apple iPad 2 is the device has 9.7 inch LED monitor that allows crisp and clear viewing capabilities. In addition, its LED monitor also has multi-touch capability just like earlier iPad version.

When we talk about the processor, Apple iPad 2 is powered by 1 GHz dual-core Apple A5 chip and comes with three different memory configurations (16GB, 32GB, 64GB). Ours is only 16GB model due to our strict budget during that time.

There are other notable features that make this model a powerful tool not just for games and fun activities but also for business applications such as the followings:

• 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Two side facing cameras
• Ambient light sensor
• Digital compass
• Long battery life (over 24 hours)

iPad 2 is designed to be thinner and lighter if compared to original iPad. Moreover, it has more accessories available for attachment to this device.

Should you interested to know further about iPad, please visit http://www.apple.com/ipad/

ADT Security Services

ADT is one of the biggest security companies in the United States, and has been in operation for more 130 years. It has gained prominence for its wide selection of security devices and several monitoring stations. ADT’s business is not limited to residential setting as they are also catering to the commercial and government sectors. The company is one the leaders of the industry, earning the trusts of millions of customers across the country.

  

ADT’s strengths are its technologically advance and extensive security system. The company does not limit the customers when it comes to choosing home security solutions. Aside from their existing phone line or broadband monitoring plan, ADT has also recognized the benefits of a cellular based system. Thus, the company offers this technology to those who are interested, along with security packages that integrate home automation system.

The company has thousands of authorized dealers that homeowners can request for an ADT security system almost anywhere in the country. ADT even provides same day installation or scheduled installation based on the availability of the home owner. One reason why ADT has stayed in the business for so long is its commitment to providing quality customer service. Customers of the company are given the chance to voice out their concerns and issues via channels like phone or email at any time of the day.

                                                             

Another unique strategy implemented by ADT is to allow customers to use the security system for six months, and give them their money back if they feel unsatisfied with the system. Other privileges include free system installation for customers who are moving houses. ADT is currently not a do it yourself system provider. It is recommended for to those who desire quick and professionally done system installation. The website points out that the free equipment is one of the best features about setting up a home security system with ADT.

Because of its dominance, ADT’s position in the top home security system ranking is always been challenged. The website review points out that the company needs to continually improve its service and find a way to match the low monthly prices currently with competitors.

Visit ADT for details http://www.adt.my/en/index.aspx?page=home

Canon Digital Camera 7D

I have been exposed to the world of digital photography somewhere in 2009 when I bought one beginner entry digital camera which is Canon 500D. After I attended basic digital camera conducted by Canon Malaysia and started to familiarize with every function constructed for Canon 500D, I realized that the affection to move from beginner level to another level of entry is very critical. This feeling has become stronger when Canon Malaysia launches its new model Canon 7D digital camera for amateur and professional level customers.

The Canon 7D is the digital SLR that many Canon fans have been waiting for, with a list of new features that the lineup has needed to take on cameras like the Nikon D300. The new Canon 7D has a brand new 18-megapixel APS-C sensor with a 1.6x crop factor. Each pixel is 4.3 microns in size, though Canon Malaysia says that with their gapless microlenses, the new sensor gathers plenty of light.

Since it is designed for speed, with dual DIGIC 4 chips to speed processing of these large 14-bit files, as well as keep up with the shutter's 8-frame-per-second top speed. This feature is crucial for those who are involved or interested in high speed photography especially motor or car racing photography. Even the sensor had to be tweaked to enable such speed, with an 8-channel readout to more quickly draw the image off the sensor. The Canon 7D's buffer also can handle up to 94 JPEGs at top speed, or 15 RAW images.

For its part, the Canon 7D's shutter mechanism is rated at 150,000 cycles, and it is the same design used by the 1D-series of Canon digital SLRs. Exposure Value (EV) compensation can be expanded to five stops in either direction, and the ISO ranges from 100 to 6,400, with an expanded setting up to 12,800. The Canon 7D also sports an HD movie mode that will capture full HD at 30p.

I also found that the built-in flash Canon 7D has a wider range to handle up to 15mm wide-angle lenses, like the new EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, and the flash can also serve as the remote commander for up to three groups of flashes, another first for Canon.

Other new features that I found in Canon 7D include an electronic level, a RAW button, and a new Multi-function button for quick, programmable access to various functions. Additional to that the new 19-point autofocus system, complete with a new LCD viewfinder display overlay, complete with a grid, eliminates the need for interchangeable screens.

please visit canon website:

http://www.canon.com.my/home

Apple iPhone 4s

My wife has surprised me with a new iPhone 4S as a birthday gift for my 36 years anniversary. Previously, I was the Samsung smart phone user and really familiar with the gadget. I started to explore the features of iPhone 4S and concluded that Apple iPhone 4S 16GB is designed to bring smartphone technology rich with advanced features (this is before the launching of iPhone 5). The model continues to provide advanced retina display and relies on powerful two cores A5 chip which delivers up to two times of the power and seven times faster graphics over prior model. As a result, iPhone 4S provides long battery life and rich user experiences.

Additional to that, Apple installed a lot of system applications and user friendly software on iPhone 4S and additional applications can be loaded via Apple iTunes online store. There is section dedicated specifically for the iPhone 4S and some of the application free and for special features application, user need to spend some money to buy it.

Other notable iPhone 4S features are:

• Retina Display - iPhone 4S has very high screen resolution with 3.5 inch display
• AirPrint - you can print, share, email document with AirPrint feature of the model
• Multitasking - user can run multiple applications on the phone without taxing iPhone 4S
• HD Video Recording & Editing - HD recoding is now possible with this model
• FaceTime Video Calling - video calls made available with this version of iPhone.

The iPhone 4S has three sets of sensors including Accelerometer, Three–Axis Gyro, Ambient & Proximity light sensors which makes this model is much more aware of its surroundings.

The iPhone 4S has an improved dual antenna. It is designed in such a way as to let iPhone to choose between two depending on the cellular signal it receives from the cell towers. These two antennas wrap around the sides of the iPhone 4S  smartphone.

The iPhone 4S has more advanced camera if compared to prior versions of the iPhone smartphone. It has camera which is capable of shooting 8MP still images and recording videos of up to 1080p at 30 frames/sec.

The iPhone 4S relies on A5 chip based on dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore CPU. This chip is created with NEON SIMD accelerator and dual-core PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU.

Own yours at http://www.apple.com/iphone/

Product Approval and Repository System (PARS)

BNM has introduced new system called PARS in order to automate and simplify the product approval processes amongst the IBIs.  PARS is a system that facilitates online submission of existing and new Islamic Banking Products for approval via a secured web-based system. It is also a repository that contains the details of all Islamic banking products of IBIs.

The purpose of the application of PARS is to allow IBI users to interactively submit the product application using a web based application via the Internet. The application is user friendly and the user will be guided by the software driven mechanism.

In this application, users can submit new product application, save the application for work-in progress, update product information as well as reviewing application history. Each user will be assigned with access user id, password and access level which will enable him/her to conduct transactions within the system securely.

PARS has various functions which include the following:

i.    APPLICATION

Inside PARS the user will be able to see Application function. Application function enables user to key in data under several categories such as New Product, Variation and One-time Submission. Users need to determine what category they are looking for before they start key in the information.  IBI have to apply all these categories products to BNM to approve before they can launch and use the product.

ii.  NOTIFICATION

PARS also allows user to make a notification to BNM on a particular product. The notification function includes Withdrawal, Termination and Implementation Date. User can withdraw products that have been submitted to Approval Officer or BNM. User can also terminate products that have been approved by BNM. User can notify BNM on the proposed implementation date or change to a new date before launching a new product.

iii. MY TASKS

PARS has personalized the user activities through My Task functions. It consists of Saved Form, Correspondence and Returned Consultation.

·         Saved Form function enables user to save any work done in which the application form is yet to be completed and can be continued later. User can view and continue to fill up form by choosing file name in the Saved Form menu list.

·         Correspondence function enables user to view the product or modify the product information after corresponding with the Approval Officer.

·         Returned Consultation provides user the function to view the product that has been corresponded by Consultant as per user request.

iv.  STATUS

For easy monitoring, PARS has provided the user with Status function. Through Status function, it will display the status of product submission whether the product is currently with Approval Officer, BNM or Consultant.

v.  UTILITIES

User can use the utilities function to view the application history of the submitted product. Hence, the utilities function provides facility to change user password and to update user personal data. 

vi.  GUIDELINES

To keep the user in line with the direction and uphold the standardization in procedures, PARS has giving the user to access it thru Guidelines function.  Guidelines function provides a link for the user to view or upload relevant issued by BNM.

vii.  BULLETIN

To keep up to date with BNM, PARS has allowed the user to reach the information via Buletin function. User can view the bulletin function that has been uploaded by BNM for sharing information purposes that may consist of announcement or information on IBI products.

viii.  FEEDBACK

Two communications flat forms between the user and BNM is available through Feedback function. User can provide any comment or feedback to BNM by filling up the feedback from provided.

ix.  LOGOUT

For security purpose, user should log out from PARS properly. All the above functions enable IBI to manage the product accordingly.

If you have your own password, you could access the website thru:

https://sys1.bnm.gov.my/PARS/