Sygic GPS Navigation (MY & SG) for iPad

Sygic is a professional turn-by-turn GPS Navigation app. Now is available at iTunes app store with new reduced price @ USD12.99 (was USD49.99 last month). What a steal!

So, I have decided to give it a try on my iPad2. BTW, this is my fourth GPS system after Mapking (HP iPaq PDA), Papago M7 (iPhone 2G) and Papago X5 (HTC Legend).

Sygic GPS app is loading pretty fast and automatically turn-on the iPad built in GPS module. To my surprise, the GPS locking is very fast, way faster than my previous Papago M7 & X5. The GUI and resolution are pretty neat on the large HD LCD screen. Nice, I don't see any pixelation and I hate pixelation. The user interface is kind of straight forward. If you have prior experience on GPS device, this is no brainer. Overall, it is value for money.

Here is my summary on Sygic;

(+)

- Relative easy to use.

- Cheaper than Papago HD (USD29.99).

- Nice GUI.

- HD resolution, perfect for iPad.

- Fast GPS locking.

- Fast routing & rerouting.

- Map turning on Navigation mode is almost instant vs Papago ~2s.

- Voice Navigation is clear and sharp. Better than Papago M7 & X5.

(-)

- The map details and POI are less superior than Malfreemap used by Papago & Mapking. Malfreemap rules....

- No junction view vs Papago M7 & X5.

- No details available when touch on POI icons. Very surprise to see this feature omitted. I hope Sygic will enable this feature in future software update.

- 3D map is only for big cities like KL & Singapore.

SwitchEasy Canvas for iPad2 Review

Yippy. Received this shipment on 12-May. Retailed at USD49.99 (http://www.switcheasy.com/products/CANVAS_iPad2/). This package came with the full body protection folio case, anti static LCD screen protector, headphone jack & 30-pin connector protectors and Microfiber cloth. Yes, everything you need to protect your iPad2. The case itself can transforms into a stand for iPad2 and also support Auto On/Off feature, cool... The Apple's smart cover is cool, light and compact. But I found some flaws, the inner protection layer will get dirty when flip inside out to become a stand. The dirts will transfer onto your LCD screen when you close it. Second, no protection to the back of Al body (could be Apple intention to showcase the piece of engineering work rather than cover it). Third the magnetic hinges will cause scratches on the contact area of the Al body in long run.

Back to CANVAS, it is gorgeous looking case and robust enough to protect your iPad2. Yes, I must say it adds some size and weight but I don't mind at all as long as it does the job. Frankly speaking, my iPad2 was naked for 1 week and too scary for me to bring it around the house without any protection, sigh...

For those looking for a great protection case for iPad2, this one is highly recommended.

Look at the workmanship quality... darn great.

Full body protection case. Robust built quality.

Supports Auto On/Off feature. Flip open to turn on the iPad2. When you close the case, it will automatically put iPad2 into sleep mode.

Cool stand feature...

iPad2 @ Launching Day - 29 Apr 2011

Would you queue for days or hours to buy something? Hmmm.... I did that today. Am I crazy?

I arrived at the shopping mall about 8:10am and to my surprise I am no:8 (lucky no). I thought it going to be a long long queue. Perhaps the heavy rain since the early morning help.

We got to queue outside of the shopping mall. The security guards do not allow us to enter the shopping mall until 10am.

At 10:05am, Switch @ BM Jaya Jusco. We were told to fill in the order form before the payment counter. I opts for 64GB 3G iPad2, black in color, highest spec model.

Finally...

Unboxing iPad2... One thing I like about Apple is the simplicity, from the packaging material to the device itself.

You need to hold, see and touch in order to appreciate and experience the new iPad2. Two words, Marvelous Product!

Currently under setup... stay tuned.

Updates on 7-May-2011:

As promised, I am going to provide some updates on my iPad2. I have playing with it for the last 1 week. Let's start with some positive notes.

(+) ~ not in particular order;

• Very light. Yup, just slightly above 600g vs my HP 8440p EliteBook at about 2kg (a dinosaur by comparison).
• Very compact size. Very suitable for mobility.
• Instance ON. I like it. No need to wait Mr Windows to boot up anymore.
• Long battery life. Rated for 10hrs. Make most notebooks a shame.
• Very vibrant LCD screen. Sharper and clearer than my HP 8440p EliteBook. Good for Internet, games and multimedia.
• Tons of Apps available, simply superb. Must take control before burn my wallet.
• Out of box with about 90% battery level. Ready to roll.
• Gorgeous and robust design. Nice to hold & see.
• Although the 9.7" LCD is not the biggest in the market, but it serves the purpose well. No problem to view text at all. No wonder Sxmsxng 7" Tablet not able to survive the battle.
• Make my day at home. Serve 92.1% of my need. If you do a lot of Internet, Email, multimedia and games, think no more > dump your PC/Notebook.

(-) ~ not in particular order;

• No built in SD card reader.
• Cannot expand the storage memory. My suggestion to buy higher storage capacity where you can afford. Otherwise you will regret later.
• The LCD screen always smudge with finger prints.
• The front and back camera picture quality just average, not the best.
• Just like iPhone & iPod, internal battery is not user changeable.
• The device is so gorgeous. Need to find a "protection skin". Screen protection and body cover are not cheap.
• Cannot play MKV HD movie file by default video player. You need to buy Apps like AVPlayerHD (USD 2.99 or RM9) to do the job. Playing SD movie on iPad is no no, just like showing normal SD TV channel on your Full HD TV.
• Even at max 64GB storage capacity (actually usable only at 59GB), is never enough if you have a lot of HD movies. Imagine 1 MKV movie file size can be ranges from 4GB-8GB.
• Speaker quality is just so so. Still looking around for a better Bluetooth Speaker. Let me know if you have any recommendation.
• My current car charger for iPhone is not working for iPad. iPad car charger is rated at 2.1A, almost double than iPhone.
• If you do a lot of office work, like MS Excels, MS PowerPoint, Programming, AutoCAD and etc. This device just not suite you.
• The LCD screen suffers some light bleeding at the screen edge. This is only obvious if you are displaying dark images at low light environment.