You MUST know this before you order the iPhone 5!

DudeInternet, Kuwait, Technology, Telecomm 11 Comments

If you haven’t ordered it by now, it would be important for you to know that there are 3 different models to choose from. One GSM models and one CDMA  + GSM combination.

The one that will work in Asia and Kuwait would be the A1429 GSM Model (+ future LTE compatibility maybe  -the A1428 USA (GSM and LTE) would work on GSM but not maybe not LTE – future network to be available in Kuwait) !  However the only thing is that it is not clear how to differentiate between the two models when ordering, especially if you are ordering from the UK store.

I would recommend calling them up to verify that the model is the A1429 GSM version (not CDMA). I would also recommend waiting to hear more from the local carriers, as it would not be wise to invest in handsets that would not support the LTE network that would be available in the coming months in Kuwait (Hopefully). 

I didn’t order it yet and decided to wait to try it out. Not ready to part with my HTC One X yet. 

Price wise? Its not very wise to buy it from the UK apple store since you’ll be paying 100 GBP in VAT which i feel is too much and adds an extra 40 KD to the price of the phone.  Is there any other store you tried buying from ? I hear Hong Kongs apple store are the cheapest, but we would need a HK mail forwarding company. Did anyone try buying from there? 

Sources:

A great article on the different iPhone 5 Versions:

ExtremeTech

Viaddress – Not as advertised?!

DudeInternet, Shopping 3 Comments

I’ve been looking for shipping forwarders to replace Aramex. I’ve tried borderlinx, and I love it, as well as aonther company I was told about a couple of days ago called Viaddress. The only problem with them is that I already lost a day due to the fact that they don’t update their inventory, my package arrived and was signed for over 12 hours ago but nothing shows on their website!

They also have a concierge service that doesn’t seem to work (Link isn’t clickable) as well as  the fact that they don’t reply to twitter mentions or helpdesk requests. I think i just my order :/

ShopandShip is a lost cause now, they take forever to ship, Items are stuck in customs all the time and their extra (clearance fees) are unjustifiable for me. 

I tried this instead of MyUS. But i think MyUS is the way to go from here 🙁

Has anyone tried Viaddress?? I’ve been hearing some good stuff about NYbox.com and MyUS.com, NYbox seems to be cheaper and without subscription charges. Do you have any recommendations ?

I’ll keep updating this post once there are any changes!

UPDATE 1 (12-Sep 9:20 AM)

They replied to my email and apparently it will take 1-2 days for it to appear on the list:

Customer Service, Sep 12 02:18 am (EDT):

”

Hi Yousef,

We receive thousands of packages on daily basis, and we usually mark them as “Arrived” within 1 to 2 business days.

If you have already added the tracking number(s) for the item(s) you’re expecting to your Viaddress account, please allow 1 to 2 business days (Not including weekends) for your package to be located and marked as “Arrived” on your Viaddress account.

Once your package(s) is located and marked as “Arrived” on your Viaddress account, you will receive a notification email informing you that your item was marked as “Arrived”, so you can proceed to make the payment for the shipping fees to have your packages forwarded to you.

Also, at this time our Concierge Service is not available due to current improvements in the Concierge Department, however, you can still use Viaddress to forward any packages that you can purchase on your own from any US merchant.

The Concierge Service will be available in the near future, and we will keep you posted when it becomes available again. We’ll send out updates on this through our Monthly news letter.

For now, you can try the following:

1- Find another merchant that will accept your international credit card or your PayPal payment for the item(s) you wish to purchase.

2- Try to get a credit card with your US address provided by Viaddress as the billing address.

3- Contact your credit card issuer and request that a secondary address be added to your card. Use your Viaddress US address as your secondary address. Most credit card companies will allow this.

We hope that you can figure a way to purchase the item(s) you want and we are sorry for the inconvenience.

Let me know if you have any other concerns. Thank you

Best Regards,

Customer Service
www.Viaddress.com
www.facebook.com/viaddress
www.twitter.com/viaddress

“

A Land line without restrictions!

DudeInternet, Technology, Telecomm 4 Comments

Ever wanted to have a landline, but also want to have it portable and not want to bear the cost of using  a mobile phone + have internet?

 

Mada now have a new ISDN service which they gave us to try out. 

Its pretty cool, especially for small businesses, that want both the portability of working at home and yet have their business lines with them where they go. However cost wise it might be a little too expensive (i’ll have a price breakdown below).  In my area in Egaila I got around 8 Mbps of internet speed and a crisp phone line audio. 

The only downside of the service is that you have (or pay for) internet which is the expensive part about it. 

The line costs you 30/year which is same as what you have to pay for a normal landline (+60 KD installation – I think). However you have to pay for an internet subscription to be able to utilize the landline functionality. I.e. you have to pay 30 + either 90 KD for 3 months or 240 for a year, which is a little too expensive IF you already have an internet connection. (if you don’t have one and want internet as well its a good deal) however if like me I already paid for 2 years worth of internet from FastTelco paying for an additional 10 Mbps (variable rate) connection is a little expensive. 

NB: You also have to check if your area is covered and that they provide you with good enough throughput (they have a limited-time return policy + geographical area coverage map to give you a heads up if your area is covered before subscribing to the service).

Who should get this? 

1. You don’t have a fixed landline and you make a lot of local calls

2. You need an internet connection and you don’t have DSL or DSL speed is restricted by the poor copper cables

3. You’re a small business and would like to work from home in the weekends.

How it would be better ?

It would be perfect if they give you two devices! One (the biscuit) portable hotspot and the Mada Soho on the same subscription. I.e. at work you use the fixed hotspot connected to your phone and when you go home/cafe switch that off (call forward the landline number) and use the biscuit portable hotspot, it would be the perfect small business combination!

McDonalds Need some Quality Control!

DudeFood, General Leave a Comment

I used to love having McFlurries every now and then, however now its just toooo messy!

 

The cap keeps falling off and isn’t secure on the paper cup, putting it in a cup holder and running a speed bump would mean the spoon would fall right off after the cap would tip off!

Where is your quality control McDonalds?

McFlurries for me are now officially McMessy – and i’m not loving it, McDonalds Kuwait :  please fix this.. 

Gunnars, what are they and why you should have them!

DudeEducation, General, Internet, Must Haves!, Technology 4 Comments

I bought myself a pair as well as Nasser from Blog37, we both like ’em and they do actually work as advertised. Overall its a little more tolerable to stare into your computer screen for more than 12 hours!

Build quality is good, although the frame seems a little cheap, and I would’ve liked it if the model we ordered was a little bigger so that you do don’t have to tilt your head down when using a tablet/phone. Packaging was a little cheap too. But I don’t care, as long as it does what advertised i’m happy, and it does work! First day with it at work I let a couple of people try it and most of them liked it!

For More information and models, check out www.gunnars.com

Great offer on DSLR Camera Bag!

DudeBloggers, General, Kuwait, Photography, Promotions, Shopping 1 Comment

I always wanted a camera bag that would fit my laptop or at least my ipad with all my lenses inside and I wanted it for a fair price!

The other day i was with my wife and kids at Geant Hypermarket in 360 Mall and found this great bag for a good price (or at least i think its is compared to all the other bags i saw).

Here are some more pics of all the different angles on the bag  (Click the thumbnail for larger viewing!)

[shashin type=”photo” id=”15008,15015,15016,15017,15009,15010,15018,15002,15006,15004,15005,15011″ size=”small” columns=”max” order=”user” position=”center” crop=”y”]

How much is all this for ?  —> 14.900 KWD !