Gadget Checklist for Red Zone Camps

Even with the implementation of the pilot security zoning programme across 14 selected SAF camps, there are still demand for non camera devices. If you are posted to a green zone camp, congratulations. You can bring in your camera enabled smart phone to the designated green zone area while in camp.

For those of you who are posted to a camp that belongs to the red zone, it does not mean you are stuck with a Nokia "army" phone for the rest of your NS days. I have compiled a list of gadgets that you should be able to bring into your camp together with the cost.

Smart Phones:
1. Blackberry Bold 9780 Non Cam

• Cost around $200 for a used set depending on the condition
• Better battery life compared to the 9360
• Wide range of accessories available in the market (housing, battery)
• Comes with non USB wall charger that can be brought into SAF camps

2. Blackberry Curve 9360 Non Cam

• Cost around $380 for a brand new set without contract (mobilesquare/j2mobile)
• Shorter battery life compared to the 9780
• Comes with wall charger that has USB head which is not allowed in SAF camps by default
• Supports wireless tethering with BIS

3. Huawei Honor Non Cam

• Cost around  $350 without contract (mobilesquare/j2mobile)
• Decent battery life with the stock Android 2.3
• Comes with wall charger that has USB head which is not allowed in SAF camps by default
• Requires MSD sticker
• Supports wireless tethering

4. iNO One 

• Cost $268 (Y2K Accessories Trading)
• Shorter battery life compared to the Honor
• Comes with wall charger that has USB head which is not allowed in SAF camps by default
• Supports wireless tethering

Entertainment Devices:
1. PSP

• Cost $189 for a brand new PSP 3000 without accessories (qisahn)
• Cost around $150 for a used PSP 2000/3000 with accessories depending on the condition

2. iPod Touch 3rd Generation

• Cost around $200 for the 32GB model depending on the condition

Note:  

• If you are considering to get a Blackberry, do read up on the FAQs regarding BIS.
• To be eligible for the MSD sticker, there are some specific requirements. Do check with your unit's S2 branch before making your purchase.

Rooting My Huawei Honor Non Camera

With my Huawei Honor Non Camera updated to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), it is a lot more easier to root the device compared to when it was running on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).


Before you root your device, you should take note of the following.

• Rooting your device voids your warranty
• Only root the device at your own risk
• I am not responsible if your device got bricked in the process of rooting
• This guide is meant for Singapore Huawei Honor Non Camera running on Singapore's version of ICS

Prerequisites:

• Huawei Honor Non Camera phone running on ICS
• A PC with administrator permission to run batch file
• HiSuite properly installed on your PC
• Ability to follow simple instructions
• The need or curiosity for rooted Android applications

Instructions:

• Download the tool required for rooting your device here (mirror)
• Extract the file using a file archiver 
• Enable USB debugging on your Huawei Honor

• Connect your Huawei Honor to your PC
• Run "root-me.cmd" with administrator permission
• Press any key to continue with the rooting process

• Reboot your phone and enjoy your rooted Huawei Honor!

Upgrading My Huawei Honor Non Camera

The Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) update for Singapore's Huawei Honor Non Camera is finally out!

Download it here from Huawei's official website!

I am going to go through step by step on how to proceed with the upgrade.


Prerequisites:

• Huawei Honor Non Camera phone


• MicroSDHC memory card slotted into your Huawei Honor


• A Mac or a PC that can access the root directory of the memory card through your Huawei Honor


• Ability to follow simple instructions

Instructions:

1. Backing up your system data and applications

• Navigate your way to "All backup" and backup your desired system settings and applications.


• Use "Backup to SD" to backup your system settings


• Use "Applications" to backup your applications

2. Downloading the required files for the update

• Either download the required files from the official Huawei website or download it from the dropbox link Huawei provided


• Extract the content using a file archiver

3. Placing the correct files in the correct place (Part 1)

• Copy the "dload - Part 1 (Main package)" folder onto the root directory of your memory card


• Rename "dload - Part 1 (Main package)" to "dload"

4. Running the update on your phone (Part 1)

• Note: DO NOT INTERRUPT THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE AT ANY POINT OF TIME


• Navigate to "System Settings" > "Storage" > "Software Upgrade"  > "SD card Upgrade" > "Confirm"


• The phone will reboot itself once the update is completed

5. Placing the correct files in the correct place (Part 2)

• Delete the existing "dload" folder in your memory card


• Copy the "dload - Part 2 (Vendor Package)" folder onto the root directory of your memory card


• Rename "dload - Part 2 (Vendor Package)" to "dload"

6. Running the update on your phone (Part 2)

• Note: DO NOT INTERRUPT THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE AT ANY POINT OF TIME


• Navigate to "System Settings" > "Storage" > "Software Upgrade"  > "SD card Upgrade" > "Confirm"


• You will see a "OK!" once the update is completed


• Remove the battery from the phone


• Place it back in and boot it up

7. Restoring your system data and applications

• Navigate your way to "All backup" and restore your desired system settings and applications

Congratulations! You have completed upgrading your Huawei Honor to Android 4.0!

Before:

After:

Tired of Maintaining My Music Library

I am sure there is a point in time where one is just too sick and tired of maintaining their own digital music library collection. It could be due to limitations such as storage space and many others.

For my case, it is mainly due to the lack of time. I am serving NS, WHERE GOT TIME?

The solution to the problem? Simply listen to what everyone else is listening to by tuning to the local radio station! The thing is, Singapore's local radio stations are horrible. I am sure fellow Singaporeans will agree to this statement. They loop their playlist for like a whole month. I still remember listening to The Boys by SNSD every morning on 98.7FM during my internship period.

In order to find a playlist which I liked and allowed me to have some sort of control over, I turned to internet radio. Some popular internet radio websites includes shoutcast, jango and radio tuna. My internet radio of choice? 8tracks.

Here are a few of my favourite playlists:

Billboard goes Acoustic. from IanCarlo on 8tracks Radio.

mochimochi's oldschool CPop mix from MochiMochi on 8tracks Radio.

A Sword Girl, A Rock City Boy and A Basketball from The Sword Library on 8tracks Radio.

Best part of 8tracks? It has a android application which I can use on my Huawei Honor while I am in camp!

Smartphone users will be able to enjoy 8track's service on the go using 8tracks's mobile application which includes Android, iOS and Windows Phone support. Please do take note that the service uses mobile data. Since most of the new mobile subscription plans' data bundle by Singapore's service providers are limited to 2 GB per month, I do recommend keeping track of your own data usage to make sure that you do not exceed the amount of data entitled for your monthly subscription to avoid extra charges.

5570.4 MB out of the 12 GB data bundle used