September 19th, 2007

Techcrunch40

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Techcrunch already has a great coverage of the Techcrunch40 event so it is pointless for me to repeat here. Beside, I was busy running around, speaking to people, catching up with old friends and making a lot of new ones and not really paying attention.

So instead, I will cover a few companies I saw which I really like.

maxroam.jpg1. First on my list is Cubic Telecom. Okay, I like them (no sorry, I love them) not only because Pat Phelan reads my blog but they have a killer idea. Imagine having a sim card that gives you numbers up to 50 countries; no more carrying multiple sims and phones for different country; Then imagine anyone can call you on any of those numbers (paying local or international calls charges as appropriate) but more important, you, the recipient pays only local charges. NO MORE ROAMING CHARGES!

How many of us who travel around often get hit with a $1,000 roaming bill? Imaging all of that all gone, with all the multiple sim cards! I love them so much that I got 5 simcards from Pat. I can sending this sim to someone :-) And don’t get me started with what they going to do with their own branded phones and wifi.

It is pretty sad that most people in the audience don’t really get them since they aren’t web 2.0. But if there is an billion dollar idea from the event, this is it! Simple technology (little technology risks), high-entry barrier (this cannot by two guys in a garage, not with at least 20 years of telco experience between them), great business proposition and a clear path to profitability.

2. MusicShake has the killer presentation on day one. I was dozing off due to jetlag and their showy presentation puts me off initially. Then I hear the music, I open my eye and my jaw dropped.

When they say that they have a tool that allows anyone, even without music background, to create music, they really meant it. The demo blew the audience totally away.

Nevertheless, I am a bit skeptical that they will be big. Although it does not requires any music background to create music, there is a lot of trial and error so it is extremely time consuming. It is a cool tool of cos, but like Comic Life, I probably use it once or twice and forget about it.

3. XTR3D makes me wonder why they aren’t at Wired Nextfest. Using a camera to capture hand gestures, it translate the hand gestures into inputs. It is difficult to explain it (already failed the elevator pitch) without seeing it in action so here is the demo

I missed a few presentations as I was running around but I was told Powerset and Mint are really good. The feedback is that Powerset seem to have a very smart team of people who knows what they are doing, considering they are taking on Google with a nature language search, sound like a good thing to have. And Mint, well, won the US$50,000 award. Congratulations!

Incidentally, I am crushing in at Andreas Weigend house the last few days. I have a lot of fun with all the conversations we have the last few days. Thank you!

ps: I finally managed to shake hand with Marc Andreessen! After all these years!

September 14th, 2007

In Los Angles

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Just checked into Westin Bonaventure Hotel in LA.

I like to meet the genius who put the ethernet connector on the table far away from any wall power plug.

And United Airs tried to charge me US$191 to make a slight change (30mins earlier flight) for a US$204.80 ticket. Good Lord!

September 13th, 2007

Packing for LA

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mybook.jpgAlmost done packing my luggage and preparing to leave for LA. The last week was really busy for me as I was running around doing errands, meeting people, and making sure things still go on while I am away.

Speaking of errands, I bought a NAS 500Gb MyBook yesterday. A minute after it is booted up, I got SSHD running (courtesy of Martin Hinner). I tested compiling some stuff on it and the CPU is really slow. But on the other hand, I have a shell :-) I will play with it more when I am back.

Oh and wave to Michael Everson who just fly in yesterday. He is in Indonesia the last couple of days doing some Javanese scripts and now in Singapore with Uli Kozok working on another Indonesian script. We have wonderful sashima dinner yesterday and man, I am still full from last night.

August 3rd, 2007

Going to Los Angeles and Bay Area

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I will be flying into Los Angeles on 13th Sept to attend the Wired NextFest.

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Then I will fly to San Francisco on 16th Sept to attend Techcrunch20.

After Techcrunch20 ended on 18th, I intend to stay on in the Bay Area for a few more days to catch up with friends and hopefully making new friends. I should be back in Singapore by 23rd Sept.

This is the first time I am going to these sort of geek conferences as an “investor” (Thymos Capital). The feeling is kind of different.

If you happened to be around during those dates or you know someone I should meet, please drop me an email at james@seng.sg.

April 21st, 2007

Customer Service @ Immigration

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This trip to Beijing, I notice the immigration counter has a new device (above). Yep, you can give instant feedback of the officer who is serving you. Customer Service @ Immigration. Wow! Guess Beijing is taking Olympic 2008 very seriously, making sure they have the best in front of the visitors.

Anyway, it is a refreshing compared to what I get when I go US, finger print and 100% (what you mean it is random?) full check, every time.

April 18th, 2007

Transit in Hong Kong

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Just arrived in Hong Kong and taking a super red-eye (3am) flight to Beijing. Don’t have a choice…only way to make it to my meeting in time. :-(

April 5th, 2007

Strange Encounter

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silver-ang.JPGAs the plane was about to land, I notice the pretty air stewardess sitting opposite me have a very interesting name. So I compliment her name, made some small talks and bid her farewell.

After my meetings, I suddenly wonder what would turn up when I google her.. Turn out she is one of the project superstar finalist in 2005, Silver Ang. That was totally unexpected.

ps: Yes, I watch very little TV.

February 28th, 2007

Afterthoughts of APRICOT 2007

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I didnt stay for the whole APRICOT 2007 this time as I am needed back in Singapore. On the other hand, the most useful meetings I get out of APRICOT are the side meetings that is usually held just before APRICOT 2007.

Anyway, here are some notes from APRICOT 2007.

1. I was surprised to hear that Area Sensor Network was a very hot topic in APAN. Maybe I need to pay a little attention.

2. ASN are running out (just like IPv4 address). RIRs already trying to get people to migrate from the 16 bits to the 32 bits ASN. Luckily, the transition is going to be as complex as IPv4 to IPv6.

3. For some unknown reasons, a lot of developing country are falling over themselves to host Internet Governance Forum.

4. Oh yea, Marc Blanchet, my co-chair of the IDN Working Group at IETF started his blog. :-)

I have my own thoughts on these issues but perhaps another day.

February 24th, 2007

In Bali

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Just arrived in Bali for APRICOT 2007. More specifically, for the side events in APRICOT 2007 since I normally dont participate in the conference itself.

Also check into the same hotel I stayed when I was here 2 years ago when I was doing site survey to select the host for APRICOT 2007. I am glad APIA decided to pick Bali (altho I jumped a little after the bombing incident last year) cos Indonesia really needs this right now.

But I have faith in the local host APJII and I am sure they will do an excellent job.

December 14th, 2006

On to Korea

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I took my family back home over the weekend thinking I could be back in KL on Monday. A phone call later, meetings lined up and there goes my weekend. When I was thinking whether to go back to KL on Tuesday, I come down with a fever. Arghh. I missed a very important meeting (Very sorry!!).

More meetings later, I end up on a flight to Korea tonight. I am worried if the cold weather will make my fever worst…Hope I get some good rest later.