Random "Artwork" - Value

Well, I did this piece of work by blending a few images together. It's not very well done, I was just experimenting and trying to do something to express...


Whether you get the meaning of this piece is not important. I'm just trying to let something out. The images I use were mostly not my own too.

Anyway, some may find this one "very dark" or eerie but actually, I prefers this kind of "theme" although I've been better and doing more "cute" stuffs.

I feel sometimes, if the subject is ugly then it should be shown in a way that "amplifies" the ugliness "in your face". Some things aren't nice but yet you shouldn't just ignore them.

Well, I've ranted enough. That's all :)

XU09 Hifi Headphone Amplifier Review

 

I recently got the Xu09 Hifi Headphone Amplifier from Lazada for SG$25, shipping is free.  It's a very basic amplifier that is pretty decent, doing what I expect it to.

I had wanted to get an amplifier for my desktop, since the maximum volume is so low. Then, I thought it'll be cool if I could use it with my phone as well. (Since I listen to music on it quite a lot), so I went for a portable one.

Packaging

The packaging is pretty bleh and looks cheap. I know the packaging have got nothing to do with the performance but since I do consider the unboxing experience, it counts.

Here is what is included in the box:

- 3.5mm to 3.5mm male to male cable 

- micro USB cable for charging

- XU09 Hifi Headphone Amplifier 

The specification of the amplifier.

Quick observation: It's height is about 2/3 of iPhone 7 plus. Width, is about 4/5 of iPhone 7 plus.

The Design and Build

The design of the amplifier is very simple and looks almost as cheap as its packaging. But at least the casing is solid metal (Aluminum I would guess). The sides and joints are nicely aligned and it's quite lightweight. The cables provided are quite long (at least 30-40cm), long enough for most use. But if you want to connect it from your CPU that is say under your desk, then you might need an extension.

I love the design of the "large" volume knob, I just have this thing that I want to turn it! LOL. But then the knob is pretty loose, so beware of accidental swipe, turning the volume up! (And yes, the max volume could make your ears hurt!)

 Yes, you didn't see wrongly, it does saying "Gharging"... -_-

Light indicator to show the amplifier is on. There is another light indicator at the back (at the charging port area) which will change according to the charging status.

Experience with the Product

Well, I only have this baby for a few days. I've tested it on my desktop running a cheap external sound card adaptor, Orico SC1. The sound card does nothing other than add a volume control, it does nothing to improve the sound quality in anyway nor does it boost the volume. 

The first thing I did was to check if the XU09 could increase the maximum volume of the output and it did! And it increases it by quite a lot. But my speakers were really average, turning up the volume leads to quite some distortions!

A pity I couldn't test out the real power of the amplifier. I usually just leave it at around 4-5.

I've also used it with my iPhone 7 plus with that STUPID lightning to 3.5mm adaptor which is so prone to intermittent or just simply not work at times. (I'll post about this in another post) But to be fair, I feel the 7 has slightly better music quality than the 6. Give and take, I guess.

Anyway, after a few, removing and replugging, I was able to get the amp to work with the iPhone. And then I realise ... I actually don't really need the amplifier for my phone ... I usually just leave the volume at about 40-60%. 

 Uh-oh...

The amplifier works well without statics even when charging. I've tried charging it and listening to music (both on iPhone and desktop) and there is no statics noise.

Battery life wise, it's as advertised, able to last around 8 hours, maybe a little more but definitely not more than 8.5 hours.

Charging time is about 2-3 hours.

After using the XU09 amp, I could tell a slight improvement in the bass and overall sound quality but it's mainly just boosting the volume. Afterall, it's something less than $30.

Overall Score:

 

First Experience buying from Lazada

 

 I recently bought my first purchase on Lazada app on my iPhone, and I'm going to share my experience with you guys.

I bought a 6 port charging hub and a USB-C to USB 3.0 adaptor from Wavlink and a headphone amp.

Lazada doesn't give me the option to combine shipment but since shipment for both are free, I don't really care. LOL.

Shipment Fee

It depends, but it ranges from $0 (free) to $6, from my observation. If you get their LiveUp membership for an annual fee. 

Speed of Delivery (5/5)

I paid on the 7th of December (yes, missing the double 12 sales, since I enjoy discount from the shop coupons).

7 Dec: Paid for items.

8 Dec: Packed and sent out.

10 Dec: Arrived at the Logistic facility

11 Dec: Departed from Country of Origin (China)

12 Dec: Arrived in Singapore, then to Local courier.

13 Dec: Received parcel in the morning. (About 9-10am)

I was surprised by the speed of delivery.

Anyway, for my second shipment (for the headphone amp), also from China, has yet to reach me but it has arrived in Singapore already. The delivery is super fast!

Condition of Parcel (4.5/5)

Nicely wrapped and protected, so much so, I've a difficult time opening it. The items are in almost perfect conditions with little dents or squashing.


Partner/Local Courier (4/5)

They engaged with CJ Logistic which I've never heard of. I do like their service, at least from the cheerful and friendly delivery woman. However, I do wish if they do SMS or email to inform ahead. I was a little caught by surprise. Lucky, I haven't leave for breakfast.


Price (3.5/5)

Well, I did checked out a few items (mainly earphones, chargers and cables) and some of them cost about the same or just a few dollars more expensive than Taobao (after you include the shipment fee from China to SG). But of course not all of those items have free delivery, so some of them would cost around $5-6 more than if you buy directly from Taobao.

But to be fair, they cost much cheaper than on Qoo10.

Overall: 4/5.

I've a good experience this time round and I'm looking forward to my headphone amp and of course, shopping on Lazada again.

An Anti Blue light "Challenge" - End

Well, I've to end the challenge today because I've changed my phone and the sales person applied a non-anti blue light screen protector for me. Well, my anti blue light protector was cracked at the top (not on the LCD screen), so out of good will, the sales person changed a new one for my new phone. He only have "normal" tempered glass protectors so he gave me that.

Anyway, well ... the results have been the same ... These anti bluelights screen protector helps a little in blocking out the blue light. I feel my eyes are less dry and I slept slightly better/easier.

An Anti Blue light "Challenge" Update 1

It has been more than a week since I started the "Anti Blue light "Challenge".

So now it's time I do some reporting back.

Well, firstly, I've to say that I didn't see much obvious improvements although I did feel my eyes are less dry and I can look at screens (both phones and PC) with less strain.

I haven't had an episode that my eyes were dry to the point I need to put my phone down or stop using my PC in the pass week. 

However, the screen protector does makes viewing less "fun". But of course it could be that I've gotten the size a little too big for my screen and I had to paste it over my screen instead of on it. So sometimes there'll be reflection (very slight) and at times, the darker scenes seems harder to make out.

But I guess there is some give and take. It's know that such screen protectors will affect viewing pleasure because they filtered out some of the blue colours.

Anyway, that's all for now!

How does the Lay's Kimchi, Wasabi and Cherry Blossom flavour chips taste like?

I've finally opened a packet of the Lay's chips to try, and it happened to be the Kimchi flavour one.

Although the packet seems quite big (70g), the content fill less than half the packet. It is very little actually. (I guess you can tell from the photo)

This is before I eat any of the chips! I swear!

The chips are pretty crashed due to the packing during shipment. The seller had not placed bubble wrap in the box to prevent the chips from being crashed. But oh well, I still manage to find a few "complete" chips.

The chips is slightly waved, which is quite different from the usual Lay's chips I had. But I do realised that their "special/seasonal" flavour chips are usually in waved form. Just saying.

Now to the taste. How it taste?

Ok, I exaggerated a little. The chips doesn't taste bad, but it doesn't taste like what it should be. It taste NOTHING like Kimchi.

In fact, it taste like, Tomato flavoured chips. And yes, it's NOT SPICY at all.
So obviously I'm disappointed, because I'm a huge fan of Kimchi.

I guess I'm better off taking a spoon of Kimchi with a piece of potato chip.
It would taste closer to what I expect.

Cherry Blossom

While I'm excited about this flavour ... because it seems so "sweet, fantasy and romanctic" ... it turned out to be AWFUL!! I mean it! It taste so bad, my family just has 1-2 pieces each and then tied the packing up!!

I've a hard time trying to describe the taste - it's ... it reminds me of some kind of fragrance scent used in some cheap hotel. It has little bit of that and then toward the end, a faint sour after taste. Just weird!


Wasabi 

I didn't take a photo of the wasabi flavoured chips but the amount is similar to the Cherry Blossom one above and the texture of the chips is the same too.

This one turned out to be my favourite of the 3 flavours I've tried so far. It has that Wasabi taste BUT it neither too spicy nor pungent!

Which means, even those who can't take the pungent or spiciness of wasabi can eat this chip!

More exotic Lay's chips flavours!!

I guessed I've mentioned in my earlier posts that I wish to try as many flavours of Lay's potato chips as possible!

I recently came across several new flavours while shopping online. So I ordered them when there was a promotion!

Wasabi Flavour

Hmm... this is not new. I've seen many other brands selling Wasabi chips, but oh well, since I've never tried it, I just get it as well.


Kimchi Flavour

I love Kimchi, so when I saw a chips with this flavour, I just have to get it!! I hope it taste good...


Matcha Flavour

 Even though I drink Matcha and most tea, I usually don't enjoy things in Matcha flavour! I've tried some Matcha cake that taste like crap, hence I stay away from Matcha flvoured food. So I'm not to eager to try this one.

Cherry Blossom (sakura) Flavour

Ok, I've to leave this to the last because its what that excite me the most! I've never tasted anything with Cherry Blossom flavour so this will be the first!!

Anyway, this is all flavours I've gotten. I've yet to try any of them, but I'll definitely update about how they taste.

Are Anti Blue light Screen Protectors really useful? An Anti Blue light "Challenge".

As mentioned in my previous post, I've bought some anti blue light screen protectors from Taobao. The reason I bought them was simple - to protect my eyes from the "harmful" blue light. Well, I've to use "harmful" (with the inverted commas) because there are different "arguments" from different "experts" with different views on such "anti-blue light" products and the effects of blue light on the human eyes.

 

No, you won't lose your eyeball due to blue light exposure

Some experts believe that blue lights are harmful to the eyes, some thinks more research are needed to prove that. You can read about these on this Business Insider US article by Kevin Loria:
Computer glasses that claim to protect your eyes from screens are selling like crazy, but they probably aren’t doing you much good

However, one things is clear. Blue light can affect your sleep. It delays the brain from producing Melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate circadian rhythm and helps us fall asleep.

So yeah, this could be the cause of my really bad sleep pattern and habit. (Although it's probably just one of the reasons)

Anyway, since I've gotten the screen protectors (although for the wrong reasons), I might as well try it out. Who knows, maybe they does helps.



But firstly, I'd like to briefly mention the "conditions" that led to me getting these anti-blue light screen protectors.

- Dry eyes (5-6 times a week)
- Headaches (rarely if I stop usage after my eyes feels dry)
- Difficulty sleeping (always feeling "so awake")


What I plan to do:

I'll be applying anti blue light screen protectors to all the screens I use very often (phone and computer LCD), other than my Television. And I'll see if I feel any differences.



But before that, I must determine if the screen protectors I bought really does have anti blue light abilities (filtering or blocking them).


Since, I do not have the torch for blue light testing, the only way I could test the screen protectors is to place them against blue colour on the screen and see if the blue darkens.
 

Source

It's not so obvious in the photo, but I do see a slight "darkening" in the blue colour when I place the screen protector over the blue area. This protector may not have very high filtering ability but it does have a little at least.

I've tested both the screen protectors for my PC and phone, and my spectacles.

 Here is my phone, "geared" with the new anti Blue light protectors.

And my PC with its new "spectacles".

I won't be updating daily for this "challenge" but I'll when something interesting happens.

Shuo Tu (硕图) Selfie Stick with Tripod, Remote Shutter and Mirror

Although I don't really enjoy taking selfie, my family does. Actually, it's just my mother. LOL. But she has her way to make us all take together with her.

Anyway, the old selfie stick we have is faulty. It is not able to take a picture even though we had connected it with the audio jack. We could only use a camera shutter via Bluetooth, which drains battery like a running tap.

My mother requested a new selfie stick since she is planning to go on a trip with her friends and would like to take a truck of photos. I decided that since she would probably want to be taking many different kinds of photos - scenery, food, naked ... blah, I might as well throw in a tripod, a shutter and as many angle as possible. Anyway, a tripod would be good if I decided to do a challenge (like the 1 week Challenge to Improve Reaction time ) that requires video.

This the one I picked. This cost about SG$13 (You probably can't get one at time price with a tripod from any local or local online store, not even on secondhand platform like Carousell). I've initially wanted to get another selfie stick that cost more but comes with everything here plus built in Bluetooth and free portable"spotlight". However, I'd have to ship via sensitive shipment due to the batteries.

Yes, you NEED TO take note of these kind of things when buying from Taobao. (I had the seller take out the batteries from the remote shutter, just in case) Although some kind sellers might remind you, some just doesn't care and you might end up having your items retain at custom and/or needing to pay fine.


Packaging

The selfie stick comes with a plain box, that looks quite nice actually. (sorry about the orientation)

There are some instructions printed on the back of the box. This selfie stick requires at least IOS5.0 and above and Android  4.3 and above.

For IOS, you just need to connect the given 3.5mm plug into your audio jack. For Android, you might need to do some setting. I don't have an android system you've to set Volume buttons to capture or take photos.

If the stick doesn't work with your system after changing the settings or there is no option to do that, they recommend 3rd party apps like Camera 360.

There are more detailed instructions in a small booklet included. But it's all in Chinese.

 

 Weight and Ease of Use

The rod is made of Aluminum and is very light. The handle is covered with a layer of sponge that is really good to hold. The button is positioned well and easy to press.

The mirror, however looks kinda ugly and has scratches on it. I don't think it'll work well in helping you gauge the composition of the photo. (Yes, that's what it is suppose to do)

Portability and Size 

 

The stick is design with practicality and portability in mind. They have specially made a slot for the 3.5mm plug to avoid it being left dangling and to keep it in place.

Most of the compartments are foldable, so as to making it more portable and take up lesser space. The length (from handle to tip) when "fully folded" is about 25cm, while when fully extended, the stick can go up to 1m.

The phone holder is extremely tight and can be a little difficult to get your phone out from it. This also means that your phone is well secured and wouldn't be slipping out easily. When fully stretched, it can accommodate my iPhone 6 Plus without a problem and I believe it MIGHT BE (with much forcing) able to hold a smaller tablet as well.

 
The clipper is also able to rotate 270 degrees and bend to the sides as well, making it possible to take both portrait and landscape photos. However, you do have to bend the main joint to a certain angle before you can turn the clipper sideways. Not a big deal though.

Tripod

The metal tripod stand is slightly on the heavier side, it is heavier that the selfie stick itself, but I guess it needs the weight for stability.

The tripod screws itself nicely into the hole at the bottom of the selfie stick. I've tried it with the selfie stick fully extended and it feels stable and doesn't wobble. 

I've yet to try the remote shutter because it doesn't have battery. But I do not intend to try it too as I've a remote shutter of my own.

Overall, I'm happy with my new selfie stick, I don't know about mum yet... Maybe I'll update after she comes back from her trip.

Overall Score: 4.5/5