iPhone 7

iPhone 1 vs iPhone 7

I am generally not a fan of iPhone and perfectly fine with Android phones. However, last week, just out of curiosity, I went to purchase a iPhone 7 32GB with gold back cover. It was considerably more expensive than ordinary Android phones.  In China, the iPhone is hailed as a status symbol. I had some difficulty trying to get accustomed to iOS.

Here are my views after using it for 1 week. Of course, the points are made in comparison with Android phones. I could be wrong in my assessment as I am still trying to learn iOS.

The Bad:-
1. No FM radio. Radio has to be through apps and uses wifi or mobile data.
2. The mail was in sync with my gmail. The feel is different and there are more steps required in order to complete a task. For example; to delete email, there is no direct means, but to move it through trash.
3. No direct connection with the computer. To download or upload, I have to use iCloud or iTunes. For Android, I can read the files directly just by connecting it to a Windows base PC/laptop. Transfer of files are easy.
4. No Bluetooth connection with other Android phones. Connection could not be established.
5. Higher battery energy consumption. Faster drainage on battery.
6. Calendar events are not as refined under the month mode. In Android, I am able to see minor line and major line with each line representing an event.
7. More step to enable and disable mobile data.
8. Prefer Chrome than Safari.
9. The surface of the iPhone is smooth and is more prone to dropping. While it is nice to hold, I have ordered a plastic cover to improve handling.
10. I prefer the 3.5mm jack than the lightning jack for headphones.
11. No notification light unless user wants to make use of LED light meant for the hearing impaired.

The Good:-
1. GarageBand - I simply love this app from Apple. It is user friendly and interesting.
2. The silent button as a physical control over sound generated from iPhone. Ease to switch over rather than through software.
3. iPhone 7 has thumb security via the home button which allows access to the phone without security numbers or patterns.
4. Photo from the camera is good.

Other comments:-
1. The first generation of iPhone has black frontal finishes. Wonder what was so special about jet black or matt black finishes in iPhone 7. My other Android phones are black in colour.
2. Sony Android phones (certain models) have long been water resistance. Not sure what is so special about iPhone 7 water resistance capability.

KZ ZS3

KZ ZS3

I have also bought the KZ ZS3, an in-ear headphone for S$20. The main reason of purchase was the reasonable price of the headphone. It is convenient for travelling although in-ear headphone can be quite uncomfortable as there is no noise connection with the world outside which is unnatural. The headphone is biased towards low frequency. Music lovers who prefer base will enjoy it. It is a made in China headphone.

Audio Technica ATH AD700X

Audio Technica ATH AD700X

I bought this Headphone over at Comex 2016. Prior to purchasing this headphone, I tested several headphones which include the Sony MDR 1A, Sony XB750AP, Sony MDR Z7, Seinnheiser (not sure the model), Bose QC25, Armaggeddon Molotov 3 and Audio Technica (a few models).

I would say the Sony MDR 1A is impressive and it has a 40mm dynamic driver unit. The price at S$399 is quite expensive. The MDR Z7 has a price tag of more than S$800 in Singapore but performance wise, I would think it is comparable to MDR 1A. The Bose QC25 is also quite good but it is another expensive unit at S$429 with noise cancelling function. The QC25 is also light and suitable for travelling. The Armaggeddon Molotov 3 is impressive in its base sound and more importantly the price is only S$29. I almost bought this if not because of its colour (bright yellow, bright red and camouflage). This is meant to target the young. My test song was consistently Debbie Gibson "Out of the Blue" which has a good balance of bass, mid range vocal and treble.

Finally, I bought the Audio Technica ATH AD700X at S$158.

The good points of the AD700X :- 53mm driver unit (even bigger than the Sony MDR 1A). Frequency response is 5 to 30000 Hz. I find this a gimmick as the human hearing is only 20 to 20000 Hz and hearing deteriorates with age. The Price is fantastic. Good at mid to high pitch sound. Good Clarity. The earpads are in cotton fabric which is comfortable over time, but it could get hot with prolong listening. It has a 3m long cable.  Personally, I do not like PVC earpads that cover the whole ear.

The bad points of the AD700X:- Heavy (at 265g, it is heavier than MDR 1A) and big size. Not suitable for travelling. Not very strong at low frequency level. Plastic components.

Other features:- Open Air Feature. (See photo). The box says designed and engineered in Japan.

Brie Cheese from France

Brie Cheese

Brie Cheese with mold

I wanted to taste what a Brie Cheese is like and bought this Ile De France brand cheese. It tastes salty and resemble cheddar but is not so tasty. It has also a slight mushroom taste. The Brie cheese has the penicillium roqueforti mold which makes it unique. On the surface of the cheese is a white layer of mold and within the cheese, there are black spots.

It costs S$7.95 for 125 gram and it was produced in France.

Guangzhou Part 13 - Some Toys

I bought these toys in Guangzhou. There were bought at Guangzhou Toys Wholesale market, which is located at Yi De Road 一德路. The Audi RS6 cost me RMB35 (S$7.35) which was reasonably priced. I had also bought a Ferrari F12 at the same price. These are die-cast model with plastic interior and a scale of 1/24. They come with 3 batteries which will produce engine sound and headlights blinks. They are pretty decent in quality considering that most toys nowadays are manufactured in China. There were bigger toys for sale but I was limited by weight and the trouble to carry them back.

The tintin and snowy come in a set for RMB30 (S$6.30). The set comes with Thomson and Thomson, Haddock and Prof Calculus. I think the shop charged me quite high as I only requested for 1 set. Being a wholesale market, the more sets purchased make the price cheaper. But I still think it is worth it.

Audi RS6 Diecast

Tintin and Snowy

Yi De Road Toys Wholesale Market

Guangzhou Part 12 - A simple meal

A simple meal purchased from Aeon Supermarket. It is a local lotus leaf glutinous rice with pork. Cost about RMB 7. It has strong lotus leaf taste and is delicious. I ate this together with some noodle and a Japanese rice roll with nori and down with pineapple beer. A satisfactory dinner at this price.

 

I like the taste of this pineapple beer at a price of RMB2.70

Guangzhou Part 11 - 新会陈皮 (Xin Hui Orange Peel)

Guangzhou city of 新会 is famous for 陈皮 (citrus orange peel). When I was a small child, my grandmother used to prepare orange peel through drying . The local orange is however not the same species as the 陈皮 of 新会. As a young boy, I was always wondering what my grandmother was doing.

There was a story that a Southern Chinese had won the praises of a China Empress through the use of orange peel from 新会 as a medical treatment for the Empress sickness. Upon consuming the product, the Empress sickness has improved. This event created a demand and agricultural expansion for growth of this special orange called 茶枝柑。

陈皮 is a famous product in Guangzhou. Even the local museum has a preserved specimen of this orange. According to the display, "the drug (陈皮) is used for moving qi (the inner energy), fortifying the stomach, drying dampness, resolving phlegm, down bearing qi and reliving vomiting."

陈皮 specimen in Guangzhou Museum

The local supermarkets have this product easy available.

The citrus peel or 陈皮 available in a Guangzhou supermarket (right cabinet)

I have chronic sinus problems for many years. My nose would get infected easily and there would be nasal discharge due to the mucus produced. This mucus would drain down my throat causing irritation and cough. Normally, I would need anti-histamine and anti-biotic to treat this illness. However, recently, I found that common antibiotics is of not much effectiveness, probably due to resistance from the bacteria causing the infection.

On the last second day prior to my departure from Guangzhou, I made an impromptu stopover at 体育西路 station, just a station before the station of my hotel. There is an Aeon supermarket just next to the station. I was just casually looking around when out of a sudden, a local lady was speaking to 2 Asians. From the conversation, the local lady who was speaking in Cantonese, vouched to the 2 Asians that the 陈皮 displayed at the shelve was a very good product and solved her sore throat ailment for many years. The 2 Asians, a young gentlemen from Thailand and his girlfriend from South Korea, was replying that they are looking for a gift to buy for their parents. He was replying in mandarin (Thai Chinese). In the end, I bought a bottle of the 陈皮 with some skepticism. From an after thought, it was quite an unique situation; a local Guangzhou resident speaking to a couple of Thai and South Korean, with me (another foreigner) purchasing the product.

To my pleasant surprise, the 陈皮 is good in treating my cough. My nose is still infected, but it soothes the throat and reduce irritation of the throat. There is less cough and phlegm. Being a natural product, it should not have side effects if there is no over-consumption. A piece of the 陈皮 a day is sufficient for its medicinal properties to take effect. Do note that this is an authentic aged 陈皮.  A highly recommended product for a person who has ENT ailment. Just hope that I could buy another bottle.

 

Guangzhou Part 10 - Luo / Law / Loh Ancestors Hall 良溪罗氏大宗祠

Following my earlier post:-- http://e21s.blogspot.sg/2016/07/guangzhou-part-6-luo-law-loh-ancestors.html

Some more photographs taken from within 罗氏大宗祠.

Photographs are all rights reserved.

History and Introduction to Liang Xi Village

Natural Lightings

Bricks and Walls from Year 1707



History of 罗氏

 

 

 

 

Guangzhou Part 9 - Interesting Bronze Sculpture

These Sculptures are located in Shamian Island and I found them interesting. First sculpture shows a street hawker selling malt candy to 2 children. I used to enjoy the sticky malt candy when I was a child. It is interesting to see the container of the malt candy. Second piece shows a Chinese using a abacus (珠算) sitting with a foreigner. The abacus is an unique calculator used in trade and sale of goods. The last interesting sculpture is the transformation of the modern Chinese lady. The artist seems to feel that the modern lady has shorter pants and a tighter blouse.

 

Guangzhou Part 8 - Shamian Island

Shamian (沙面） Island - It is an island because of a 30m width canal that separates the main land and this parcel of land. The island is connected via bridges.

The island is unique as it was considered prime land given to the British and French under concession during the 19th and early 20th century (under Qing dynasty). A great dishonor to the Chinese as the island was of strategic importance during the Opium wars with the foreigners. A reflection of the weak Qing dynasty, which was subsequently over thrown by Mr Sun Yat-Sen. The historical lessons had thus taught many Chinese of the need to protect herself against foreign intervention and bullying, which could be seen from current China strategic positioning in foreign affairs and policies involving territorial disputes. Since the Opium wars, what a reversal of fortune for the British and French. Vice versa for the Chinese.

There are many historical bridges and buildings in Shamian Island. The most interesting is the British bridge built in 1861. The buildings are also of architectural significance showing British/French design dated back to 19/20th century. They were well preserved and treated as Gazette buildings when the rest of the cities redeveloped. There are also many old trees along the canal. Now, we can see the local residents dancing and practicing Taichi in several locations around the island. Shamian island can be reached by using the Guangzhou subway train line 1 or line 6 and alight at 黄沙站 (huang sha station). Get out of the station from Exit F and walk about 10 minutes south to the island.

The former British Bridge built in 1861. The overhead structure is now an expressway.

Shamian Island on the left

 

Guangzhou Part 7 - Chinese Game 陆战棋

陆战棋

Terrain Map of the Game

When I was a Primary School student, I was good at this game (literally means Army Game) .  Each piece can represent a Captain, Lieutenant, a hand grenade, a mine, a Commander, a foot soldier etc. Each piece is placed in the printed box on the plastic terrain map provided. Back then the pieces was carved out of wood. Now it is in plastic.

I am so glad that I purchased this game set in a supermart in Guangzhou China for RMB24 (S$5.10). The objective of the game is to secure the State Flag (which is also represented in piece). The games pieces are placed downward so that each player does not know the placement strategy of the soldiers and explosive. A referee will look at the pieces of the red and blue sides to determine who will be the winner in each move. The State Flag is secured by pushing the soldiers forward to overcome the enemy force. For example, a Captain of the blue side will win against a Lieutenant of the red side. However, only humans and hand grenade can move. A mine and State flag will not be able to move. Humans can be killed by hand grenade or a mine, regardless of rank.

There is a strategy to win the game as many young players will simply put their junior soldiers in the frontline. Of course, there is an element of luck too.

I will keep this game in excellent condition as a memory of my childhood.