AppleCare Protection Plan for iPhone

The 1st iPhone was bricked. The 2nd iPhone’s screen glass was cracked. I pray that the 3rd iPhone will have a longer lifespan than the previous two…

Based on my experiences, no problem to claim warranty for Maxis iPhone. As long as the problem is covered by warranty, then they will fix iPhone for you.

Tip: Visit Maxis Centre with less customers to shorten your waiting time in queue. For iPhone problems, usually take 10-20 minutes to serve customer!

The waiting period is at least 4 weeks! And, you still need to pay for the monthly fee of Maxis iPhone package during the period.

Got brand new iPhone

Did I just say “fix”? No, Maxis does not fix iPhone but give you a new replacement unit (body only)!

I claimed iPhone warranty for 2 times and got back new iPhone each time! Each comes with own warranty card!

Extended iPhone warranty?

Since the iPhone is new, does it mean the warranty period got extended? Yes and No. I claimed warranty 2 times but got 2 different answer…

One said warranty period will be recalculated (read: extended); another told me that it is still only 1 year warranty from the date of my 1st iPhone purchase.

The only way to confirm it is to claim warranty after August 2010.. *touch wood* I don’t want to leave my iPhone again!

Non-Malaysian: You may buy the AppleCare Protection Plan for iPhone to extend iPhone warranty period.

Have you ever claimed iPhone warranty before?

Published on Facebook Software Engineering jobs, the position titled “Software Engineer, Growth – Malaysia (Contractor)”.

The Growth team is looking for experienced Software Engineers who can build and maintain services that are relied upon for growth-critical processes. This position is full-time and located in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

There are many job benefits to work in Facebook that make Malaysian IT staff jealous.

Apply jobs at Facebook

My two cents

It is interesting to see the Facebook development in Malaysia. Not sure if he/she is the 1st ever Facebook staff in Malaysia, though.

Currently, Malaysia has over 4 million (and growing) Facebook users, which is about 1% of Facebook active users.

Update: The new position could be working in the Facebook recently acquired 2 employees Malaysian company — Octazen. (thanks to everyone who tipped this!)

Hat Tip: Saad Kamal

Recently, my Streamyx connection always disconnect in the midnight (my working hour). Once it is about midnight, the connection will disconnect, reconnect, disconnect, reconnect.. every minute or two.

A very frustrating experience.

It only disconnects in the midnight. The broadband connection is fine in the day time and after 1am. It sounds weird but true.

I have no idea why the Streamyx connection only disconnects in the middle of night. A Cinderella inside!?

IF anyone has any idea, please tell me in the comment below. Thank you.

Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly said the company would study the viability of the plan carefully as it required a dedicated end-to-end system for the iPhone.

“Unlike normal GSM phone, the iPhone requires lots of after-sales service and a good support and customer service system,” he told reporters at a briefing of the company’s 2009 financial results.

– Bernama

My two cents

Still considering? Isn’t it a bit too late? Or, Celcom is afraid that their customer service is not good enough to handle iPhone users?

To myself, the statement of Celcom CEO sounds like jealousy, “We wish we got the iPhone deal too”.

What do you think?

The offer is valid till 26th March 2010, and for the 1st year registration only. You can register few years at once to save more.

Please note that only .NAME.MY and .MY domains are available for Malaysian individual registration. .COM.MY, .NET.MY and .ORG.MY required company registration number.

This is a chance to save you a few bucks on .MY domain registration (Malaysians only) but remember to calculate the domain name renewal cost too.

Do you have a .MY domain? Mine is http://LCF.MY

1st March 2010, DiGi announced that the iPhone deal is coming soon at http://www.digi.com.my/iphone/.

Despite the big “Soon.” word, DiGi did not real much information about their coming iPhone deals.

We only know that DiGi iPhone 3GS will be available within the first half of 2010. Period.

DiGi to offer cheaper iPhone 3GS?

According to the recent AppleInsider news, a new iPhone model with new functionality and lower cost is expected in June 2010.

iPhone 4G, maybe?

DiGi iPhone availability date is close to June, could DiGi offer the latest iPhone (and cheaper)? We’ll see.

Switching to DiGi?

I planned to switch from Maxis to DiGi since last year. I’m now paying RM50 to Maxis each month for 500MB iData plan.

DiGi has a better offer of Internet Unlimited data plan (quota of 3GB) for only RM58/month, even though its 3G coverage is still limited (only EDGE in my home area).

My two cents

Competition is good for consumers. Like in Singapore, the more competitors the more affordable an iPhone is. I’m glad to see that Maxis is no longer the iPhone exclusive.

DiGi, surprise us with your coming iPhone deals!

For Malaysians & Singaporeans. Google will hold the annual Google Analytics Master Class in both Singapore (March 9, 2010) and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (March 11, 2010).

You will get tips and insights from web analytics professionals and Google Analytics speakers in the afternoon event. It’s FREE!

Related book: Google Analytics, 3rd Edition

The Google Analytics Master Class in Singapore will be held on Tuesday, 9 March 2010, 1.30pm – 6.00pm, at Meritus Mandarin Orchard, Ballroom 1. Get the map, agenda, and registration form here.

As for Kuala Lumpur, the event will be held on Thursday, 11 March 2010, from 1:30pm to 6pm, at Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Register here instead.

Since I am using Google Analytics to track my websites, I think I will be there (KL venue) to learn more tips to understand my blog readers (you!).

Will you be there too?

Now, the 2nd iPhone screen glass is cracked!

my apple iphone 3gs with a single line crack on screen glass

How did iPhone screen glass got crack?

Frankly, I have no idea. I just left the iPhone on my table while I was working on my iMac. When I picked up the iPhone, I noticed a line on the screen glass. Initially, I thought it was dusk or dirt but it is not!

“OMG! My iPhone screen glass is cracked!”

It was a single line crack in the center of the screen from top to bottom. The iPhone touch screen was still working fine, didn’t affected by the crack line.

Is iPhone screen glass covered by warranty?

Immediately, I googled for “iphone screen OR glass cracked” and, apparently, it is a common problem of Apple iPhone. There are many users got cracked iPhone screens (but still working), mostly caused by dropping the iPhone, which is not my case.

“Not user damaged” cracked iPhone glass is covered by Apple Warranty.

If you accidentally cracked your iPhone (the broken glass got more than ONE crack line), it is NOT covered by Apple Warranty. Apple could repair it for you at a cost of USD$200-$250.

Or, there are 3rd party services to fix the screen glass at a cost of USD$150-200.

Claim Maxis iPhone warranty for cracked iPhone

Learned from my previous bad experience at Maxis KLCC, this time I went to the Maxis Centre MidValley Gardens instead.

Waited half an hour for my turn. I handed the cracked glass iPhone to the Maxis staff and he checked for couple minutes, made a call to his “boss” then he told me that “It is user damaged and not covered by warranty.” The Apple fixing cost is as high as RM1,000! (you can get another iPhone!)

“What?!”

I told him that I didn’t drop iPhone or something dropped on the it. “It is not user damage.”

The staff picked up my iPhone and examine, very detail, again. He checked so carefully that I wished I got a magnifying glass to lend him.

No scratch on iPhone side

He couldn’t find any scratches on the iPhone sides. Then, he checked the iPhone warranty claim documentation.

At last, he told me that he will send my iPhone to claim warranty BUT no guarantee it will be rejected or not (?!).

The Maxis staff also showed me the iPhone screen glass warranty documentation with a few example of iPhone cracked glass. Glass with many crack lines like the following photo are not covered.

[photo by gregmote]

Mine is single crack line and fall in the category of “covered”.

I did erased all data and settings before hand my iPhone to Maxis, filled the Maxis Customer Repair Receipt Acknowledgement and the waiting time is 4-6 weeks.

Meaning, I don’t have iPhone during the coming Chinese New Year.

With my bad luck with iPhone 3GS, now I wish I could buy the Applecare Protection Plan for iPhone, which is not available in Malaysia.

I bet many webmasters are not aware that it has been a month and a week passed in 2010. Many sites are still sticking to copyright year 2009 or earlier in the footer.

Twitter and MySpace have updated their copyright year after Feb 1st, 2010. Google Blogs Network, haven’t.

Here is another list of top Malaysia sites which haven’t update their copyright year in footer:

1. Berita Harian Online — news site. 2009.
2. The Malaysia Insider — news site. 2009.
3. Kosmo! Online — news site. 2008!
4. Lowyat.NET — tech news & community. 2009.
5. CIMBClicks — online banking. 2009.
6. Maybank2u — online banking. 2008!
7. Maxis — mobile phone services provider. 2009.
8. Celcom — mobile phone services provider. 2009.
9. Lelong — auction & online shopping. 2008!

If you happen to know their webmaster, ask them to update their website’s footer. Also, kindly remind any webmaster you know to check their footer too!

[photo by Horia Varian]

Tip: Click here to scan for Windows Registry Errors and Optimize PC performance

The message warned me that my online banking account will be terminated if do not “secure” it by following the link.

WE ARE IMPROVING OUR ACCOUNT SECURITY TO PROTECT AND SERVE YOU BETTER. ALL CUSTOMERS ARE REQUIRED TO IMMEDIATELY SECURE THEIR ONLINE ACCOUNT BELOW AS UNSECURED ACCOUNTS WILL BE TERMINATED TILL FURTHER NOTICE. THIS PROCESS IS MANDATORY.

Of course, it is a scam.

How did I know it is a scam?

• The email is not sent from official site, in this case: Maybank2u.com
• Bank will NEVER send email to customer regarding account problem.
• The link is not official site.
• No contact information included in the message.

Most modern web browsers nowadays also automatically block suspicious website.

However, people might still get cheated if they happen to receive the scam email right after they done an online transaction. That’s quite tricky.

Always be alert.

Have you received similar email before? How did you deal with it?

Maybank2u mobile online banking website

The mobile site (http://mobile.maybank2u.com.my) is still in beta version and will be tested for 3 months. The functionality is limited with only 3 main menu items:

• Account summary — allows you to check your Maybank accounts.
• Transfer — allows you to transfer money to your own account, favorite 3rd party account, and favorite interbank GIRO transfer. No option to transfer funds to new bank account.
• Payment — allows you to make bill payments (hire purchases and credit cards only), and credit card payments.

Maybank2u mobile works well on my iPhone. Does it work on your phone’s web browser?

My two cents

It is good to know that the local bank is putting their effort to make online banking available to mobile users. The Maybank2u mobile is simple but handy when you need fast access to your bank account.

What do you think?

Together with the media were Gregony Wade, Managing Director and Calvin Wee, Marketing Manager of Research In Motion (RIM), Southeast Asia. RIM has been awarded as the Fortune’s World’s No.1 Fastest Growing Company 2009.

Blackberry Bold 9700

• Memory: 256MB storage, 256MB RAM
• Expandable memory: supports up to 32GB microSD card
• Battery: up to 6 hours talk time, up to 21 days standby time
• Display: 2.44″, 480 x 360 pixels
• Camera: 3.2MP camera with auto focus, image stabilization, flash and 2x digital zoom
• Connection: Bluetooth, WiFi
• GPS: integrated GPS with A-GPS ready
• Video format supported: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV9
• Audio format supported: AAC, AMR, MP3, WMA
• Size: 109 x 60 x 14.1mm
• Weight: 122g

Recommended Retail Price: MYR$2,300

What’s new about Blackberry Bold 9700 over Bold 9000?

Blackberry Bold 9700 is the revised version of Bold 9000 (read my previous review here). It is slimmer and less weight.

Bold 9700 has twice of RAM. A better camera with higher megapixel, auto focus and image stabilization.

However, the build in storage has been cut from 1GB (Bold 9000) to only 256MB. You needs a microSD card to expand the storage.

First impression of Blackberry Bold 9700

The new Bold 9700 is light. The design is sleeker and sexier.

One major changes that you could notice is the use of trackpad, instead of trackball in Bold 9000. With trackpad, no more stuck trackball problem. The trackpad navigation is surprisingly smooth and fast response time.

I also love the back design of Bold 9700 which move the camera and flash to top of the phone, instead of the center at the back of Bold 9000.

Blackberry Storm2 9520

• Memory: 256MB flash memory, 2GB eMMC
• Expandable memory: supports up to 16GB microSD card
• Battery: up to 5 hours talk time, up to 12.7 days standby time (GSM)
• Display: 3.25″, 480 x 360 pixels
• Camera: 3.2MP camera with auto focus, image stabilization, flash and 2x digital zoom
• Keyboard: One screen portrait/landscape keyboard with SureType technology and multi-tap
• Connection: Bluetooth, WiFi
• GPS: integrated GPS with A-GPS ready
• Video format supported: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV9
• Audio format supported: AAC, AMR, MP3, WMA
• Size: 109 x 60 x 14.1mm
• Weight: 122g

Recommended Retail Price: MYR$2,500 (availability: Feb 2010)

What’s new about Blackberry Storm2 over Storm?

Comparing to BB Storm, Storm2 now supports WiFi (at last..)! Storm2 also has more build in storage. Touch screen input has been enhanced.

First impression of Blackberry Storm2

The Storm2 has a stylist all black design. The size might slightly bigger for small hands but fit in my palm just well. The touchscreen is sensitive and responsive.

Unlike iPhone’s tapping, on Storm/Storm2 you touch to select and press to “click” an item on screen. It gives the “feeling” of QWERTY keypad.

As far as I tested, thumb is the best finger to type on Storm2 because I need to press rather hard to type…which, also means I need to hold Storm2 with two hands when typing.

Clarification: I am a Apple iPhone user.

Maybe, I can be trained to type much better on Storm2 if I get a chance to play the gadget a little more time.

App World Malaysia?

App World is the official app store for Blackberry users. But it is not available for Malaysians although we have many BB users here. When can we get it?

Bad news.

No date for App World in Malaysia yet. That’s the answer we got from Gregony Wade, Managing Director, RIM Southeast Asia.

Over to You

Are you a Blackberry user? What’s the pro/con of BB? Would you get the new Blackberry smartphone?

IT Helpdesk job vacancy available in Cyberjaya for fresh grads.

Position: IT Helpdesk
Location: Scope International, Bukit Jalil, & Anway IT Services, Cyberjaya
Salary: RM2000
Exp: Freshers (prefer Chinese who are able to speak mandarin and english)
Training: Provided for all (1 month)
Working Date: 5 days a week
Working Time: 8 hours a day (anytime as long as you work for 8 hours a day)
Work Description: Generally is dealing with client enquiries. Remote access the server + monitor the server and conduct troubleshoot when necessary.
Employment type: 12 months contract (after 12 months contract will be convert into the permanent status or extant contract. Depend on the candidates will)

Interested please contact Brianna Song.

In conjunction with the Christmas and New Year celebration, starting from 21st December 2009 until 15th January 2010, WD will give away various cool new products each week. Participants are required to write in on why they would like to give that particular WD product as a gift to ONE of their friends on Facebook. The entries with the best reason will each win (One for themselves and one for their friend) the featured WD product.

This is chance to get a free storage gadget for your dearest friend and yourself.

If you can, which Western Digital product you want and for whom?

[hat tip: Alex Ooi]

[image credit: paris_b's twitpic]

Someone spotted this car with the car number plate “WTF1″. Yes, W-T-F. But in this case, it is not the acronym of “What The F*ck?”.

WTF is the prefix 3 letters of current car registration number in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At the time I am writing, the latest car registration number is “WTF2178″.

Meaning, there are now 2,178 WTFs on the road in Malaysia now.

Few years ago, Malaysia’s neighbor, encounter similar car number plate “problem” when S-E-X will be the prefix for their vehicle registration numbers. Then, Singapore banned vowels in the middle of number plates to prevent SEX on Singapore’s road.

If you could get a “fancy” car number plate, what would it be?

For Malaysians. The last PIKOM PC Fair of the year will be started at the end of November to December 2009. Here are the pcfair venues in the different states of Malaysia:

26-28 November 2009 (11:00am – 9:00pm)

• Dewan Merdeka, Seri Manjung

 27-29 November 2009 (11:00am – 9:00pm)

• Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail, Kluang
• Alor Star Mall, Alor Star
• Terminal One Shopping Centre, Seremban

 4-6 December 2009 (11:00am – 9:00pm)

• KL Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur
• Penang International Sports Arena (PISA), Penang
• Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), Melaka

 11-13 December 2009 (11:00am – 9:00pm)

• Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Johor Bahru
• Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh, Perak
• LG Car Park Exhibition Hall, 1Borneo, Kota Kinabalu
• Dewan Suarah, Bintulu

Have you marked your calendar? Too bad, I cannot join you guys at KLCC PC Fair.

I have to attend my best friend’s wedding during the weekend. I wanted to get some promotion price lists to check the price of external hard drives.

What would you want to buy at this coming PC Fair?

I withdrew the PayPal money at Nov 2, 2009 and received in my Public Bank account at Nov 5, 2009. 4 working days. I withdrew more than RM400, so there is no extra fee.

Surname? Name?

When you are adding bank account to PayPal account, PayPal fixed the “surname” field according to your account information. The “surname” might be your name.

It doesn’t matter. Don’t worry.

Just make sure your full name is there, no matter how they arrange your name. Example: “Surname Name” or “Name Surname”.

A reader also reported that she received PayPal money, even only submitted partial of her full name (missing middle name)!

Read my previous post “How to withdraw PayPal money to any Malaysia bank accounts?“

Read on to find out how to do that.

A bit background…

In 2004, PayPal starts to accept Malaysian registrations. No withdrawal options for Malaysians that time.

3 years later, 2007, PayPal allows Malaysians to withdraw PayPal money to their credit card, debit card, or prepaid cards.

2 years later, in the middle of October 2009, PayPal started to support Malaysia Ringgit currency and updated the user policy (paypal login required).

Shortly after, the end of October 2009, PayPal officially allows PayPal money withdrawal to Malaysia bank accounts! A feature that we have waited for 6 years!

What’s the big deal?

Now, Malaysians can send & receive PayPal money in Malaysia Ringgit (MYR) currency, and withdraw PayPal money to local bank accounts!

Meaning, you can sell your stuff online and let PayPal handle the payment transactions, local or International! It truly opens a new door to Malaysia e-commerce business!

Note: Malaysians still cannot top-up their PayPal accounts from their bank accounts.

How to add Malaysia bank account to PayPal?

1. Login your PayPal account. Under “My Account” tab, click “Profile” then click “Add/Edit Bank Account“.
2. At the new page “Add a bank account in Malaysia“. You need to fill in your name, bank name, bank routing code, and your bank account number.

   

   Updated: Don’t need to worry about the fixed “Surname” in the form. Just make sure your full name is included. The name’s arrangement (Surname Name or Name Surname) doesn’t matter. Click here for more information.

   Tip: click on the “Details” link to find out your bank’s routing code

3. After you are done, you will be asked to review the details. Click “Add Bank Account” button if everything is correct.
4. You are done!

How to withdraw PayPal money to Malaysia bank account?

1. In your PayPal account, click on “Withdraw” under “My Account” tab. Then, click “Withdraw to your bank account” link under the options.

   Note: It will take 2-3 business days to process the PayPal to Bank transaction. Withdrawal over RM400 is free of charge. If less than RM400 is withdrawn, PayPal will charge you RM3.00.

2. At the new page “Withdraw funds“, enter the amount in USD you want to withdraw and select the destination bank account.

   

   Tip: Click on the “Currency converter” link to check the current PayPal currency conversation rate.

   Click on “Continue” button to review your withdrawal information.

3. At the next page, make sure everything is correct before you click on the “Submit” button.

   PayPal charge RM15 if the funds are returned because your bank information is incorrect or does not match!

   After you clicked on the “Submit” button. Your withdrawal request is pending to process.

4. Wait 2-3 business day and the PayPal money should be in your selected Malaysia bank account! Cha-ching!

Related books:

• “PayPal For Dummies” listing at Amazon.com
• “Pro PayPal E-Commerce (Expert’s Voice)” listing at Amazon.com

My two cents

PayPal is the most popular and most affordable online merchant service in the world. It is secure and safe.

It is FREE to set up a PayPal account to accept online payment (including credit cards). Fees are applied ONLY when you accept a payment.

Now every Malaysians can do e-commerce business at home, in your pajamas!

Click here to sign up your PayPal account, FREE.

Update: I have received PayPal money in my Malaysia bank account. Click here for more information.

Questions about PayPal? Ask in the comment and I shall reply you.

I reached Maxis tower at 3.00pm (Oct 10, 2009). Took a queue number “866″. Number of customers waiting was 14, as printed on the queue ticket.

Waited 1 hour more for my turn, I almost dozed off at the customer waiting area. The staff who attended me wanted to troubleshooting the bricked iPhone, and the time needed was one and a half hour!

“What?! You need one and half hour to troubleshoot a bricked iPhone?! It is dead! Dead!”, I shout in my mind. I had no choice but to leave the iPhone in Maxis tower and go back 1 & 1/2 hour later.

6.00pm. I back to Maxis tower and the staff told me what I expected 90 minutes ago, “I could not switch on the iPhone at all.” He told me that I would get a replacement unit.

When he tried to fill the repair form for me, the server jammed. Waited for server recovery. After everything was done, it’s already 6.30pm.

I spent 3 & 1/2 hour to make a warranty claiming request for my Maxis iPhone 3Gs.

The staff told me that I would get a new iPhone unit in one or two weeks, depends on the stock availability.

*crossing my fingers*

What’s your worst customer service nightmare?

More Information:

• Mophie Juice Pack Case and Rechargeable Battery for iPhone 3G, 3GS listing at Amazon.com
• iFrogz Luxe Case for iPhone 3G, 3GS listing at Amazon.com
• Case-Mate Screen Protector Film 3 Pack for iPhone 3G, 3GS listing at Amazon.com

All you need to do is visit Yahoo! Malaysia or Youreka website and spot a colored ticket.

Yahoo! YOUREKA!: I found a red ticket. In fact, you could NEVER miss it! It’s so easy!

Register online and you’ll receive a confirmation e-mail that you can exchange for a corresponding Tag to redeem a special premium from Yahoo! and Adidas.

If you are lucky, you may end up exchanging for a very limited purple tag that gives you a chance to participate in the YOUREKA! Finale Event and stand a chance to win an Apple iPod Touch and Apple Macbook Air!

The first YOUREKA! hunt pit-stop is at Adidas. Red tag holders will receive 10% off Adidas products and free Adidas premiums.

Date: 31 October (Saturday) & 1st November (Sunday), 2009
Time: 12:00noon to 9:00pm
Venue: Adidas Flagship Store at The Gardens Midvalley City.

My two cents

YOUREKA! is too easy to participate and I don’t think it is a “treasure hunting” contest.

Everyone who visit the YOUREKA! could spot the colored ticket and claim your tag, then get discount from the selected shops. That’s no brainer.

By the way, the web design of Yahoo! YOUREKA! reminded me about The Million Dollar Homepage.