The new Samsung GALAXY S5 with LTE & Gear2 Review (Part 1)

In this modern day and age, one simply can’t live without the usage of technology. And plus, it’s not every day where you get to try out gadgets that you’re super interested in! So when I received an email inviting me to do a tech review for the new Samsung GALAXY S5 LTE &Samsung Gear 2, I gave the biggest YES! Well, slightly smaller than the one on my wedding day….. just slightly =)

As there are just so many features to the 2 gadgets, I’ll be doing a 2 part blog post for these products. Are you ready for part 1? Let’s go….

As I’m currently using the Samsung GALAXY Note 3 with LTE, making the change to the GALAXY S5 LTE is a breeze for me. So when I was told to attend product training at the Samsung office, I didn’t think that there will be much for me to learn. But boy was I wrong!! I’m sure everyone is aware of some brands that make very minimal technological advancements when they launch their new models, Samsung is definitely not one of them! Every single launch seemed to have a very clear aim and objective. And as for the GALAXY S5 LTE, the objective is to build a smart, sleek & functional phone that is dedicated to Health & Fitness!

Even though I have been using my GALAXY Note 3 with LTE for a few months, having to switch to a new phone can be quite a pain. But the staff at Samsung shared that there is this app developed that helps users to switch from one phone to another with ease. What I mean is that all your data from your original phone will be transferred over to the new one. And the best part is that you do not need to do any backup at all.

Smart Switch App

The full transfer  took me only 10 minutes!

This app also supports the switch from Apple or Blackberry devices.

Click here for more information!

Now, before I go into the health functions, I have to start off talking about the wonderful built-in camera. This camera totally blew me away!!

Let’s have a look at the specs of the camera:

16 Mega Pixel + 2 Mega Pixel Front Facing Camera, 4X Digital Zoom, LED Flash, Auto Focus, Real Time HDR (Rich Tone), Selective Focus, Dual Camera, Panorama Shot & the list goes on…

With its advanced Real Time HDR, the GALAXY S5 LTE is capable of reproducing natural light and colour with striking intensity in any circumstances

Apart from how clear the photos are, I really love the Selective Focus function. This function allows you to take photos with a good amount of depth of field.

Here’s what I mean..

What is even more amazing is while you’re taking the photo, the camera intelligently captures more than what you require, so that you can further choose the correct focus to tell your story.

Near focus

Far focus

Pan focus

Ultra-Power Saving Mode

The other function of the phone that I found really useful is the Ultra-Power Saving mode function. I believe everyone has encountered a time when you’re down to your last 10% battery life and there’s no charging unit within reach. What’s worse is that you’re still very much in need of your phone. When I’m down to 10% of my battery life, I’m usually in panic mode!! I’ll turn off my wifi, Bluetooth functions and try all means to preserve the little that I’m left with.

 But with the new UltraPower Saving mode function, this is what the phone will do for you.

1) Your phone will enter grayscale mode. (Colours, apparently consumes a huge amount of battery life)

2) Your phone will limit you to only 6 functions. Yes, you can still choose Facebook & Instagram!

3) You can then enjoy up to 30 hours' of standby time 

Heart rate sensor 

Now on the health function of the new GALAXY S5 LTE, I’m really impressed that a phone can have a built-in heart rate sensor! Unlike the Phyode W/Me, that takes quite a number of minutes to measure your heart rate, the Samsung GALAXY S5 LTE takes just around 10 seconds to do the job!

IP67 Rating (Water & Dust Protection)

Photo credit: Samsung.com

Recognising the demands of a dynamic lifestyle, the GALAXY S5 LTE was engineered to take on life without compromising the experience. This phone has qualified protection from water & dust (IP67)!! I am really impressed with the phone being able to be submerged into water for up to 30 minutes and still survive! I didn't do this to my phone of course! 

Found a video showing how well the phone is surviving underwater. Click here to watch!

There are many other functions that I really love about the GALAXY S5 LTE but I’ll stop here for today and bring your attention to the Samsung Gear 2. 

Before we go into the functions of this amazing gadget, here are some of the specs:

Display: 1.63” 16M colours(320x320) Full touch (C-type) SUPER AMOLED Screen

Weight: 68grams

Processor: 1.0 GHz Dual Core

Platform: TIZEN

Camera: 2 Mega Pixel Camera (Auto Focus, Macro Focus, Sound & Shot, etc.)

Additional Features: Make & Receive Calls, Standalone music player, Alarm, Sleep tracker, etc.

Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, WatchON^TM

Sensor: Heart Rate, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, IrLED

Battery Life: Up to 6 days

For more information about Samsung Gear2 Specs, click here.

When I first bought my Nike Fuelband SE, I was pretty impressed by the design and functions of the band. It was able to tell me the time, number of steps I took as well as to set daily goals. I was then impressed by some of the gadgets that EpiCentre got me to review. But for the Samsung Gear 2, this thing made my jaw drop. Here’s why…

I was telling the product manager of Polar that if there’s a device that can:

1) allow users to take their heart rate measurements accurately without the chest strap

2) store music & connect to a Bluetooth earpiece

3) count the number of steps I take a day

4) track my sleep, and that will be the perfect gadget!

Well guess what guys, the Samsung Gear 2 can do all of the following and more!

Sleep Tracker

Before the Samsung Gear 2, I’ve never done any sleep tracking before. So this was the first function that I had to try out.

Here’s my result on my 1^st sleep tracking night.

I was asleep for 7hrs 8mins & was motionless for 86% of the time! I was pretty glad to know that I do not move around that much during my sleep and I’m always very recharged when I wake up every morning.

Heart Rate Sensor

The built-in Heart Rate Sensor located at the back of the Gear 2 can] determine your heart rate

The Samsung Gear 2 has a built in Hear Rate Sensor that is really important for a fitness enthusiast like me. I wear this watch during my gym trainings & cardio sessions so that I can monitor my heart rate and ensure it is in the optimal training zone!

When I do not have my phone with me, I will periodically check my clients’ heart rates in between sets, to make sure that every training session with them is effective & enriching.

My choice is clear!

So that’s all for part 1 of my Samsung GALAXY S5 LTE& Gear 2 review. Please stay tuned for part 2 and until then, stay fit & healthy!

Journey to Manhunt Singapore 2014 (Part 4)

It had been pretty quiet for my Manhunt journey the past few months and being caught up with work, family, conducting personal trainings and some random shoots every now and then, I sometimes forget that I'm still a contestant in Manhunt Singapore 2014.

So after the long wait, we were finally called for our very first studio photoshoot. Every contestant is given a one hour time slot, and that includes make up & styling. Yes you didn't read wrongly, the time has come for us to put on some powder on our faces!

I was scheduled to do my shoot on 12 May 2014 at 4pm. That's 2 days after the Quincy Hotel filming. This is the first time I hve to prepare my physique for back to back shoots and it was quite an experience. Not exactly knowing how to do it, I just had to trial and error. After all, if you never try, you'll never know right?

So arriving at 4pm, I was able to see the contestant before me in action. There was also a large TV screen showing all the photos taken earlier in the day.

As the photos for this shoot are not out yet, here are some of the behind the scene shots taken by our beloved Jon.

Make up & styling:

For this first studio shoot,our photographer, Richard Chen, wants all contestants to be shot in 3 styles.

1st Style
Attire: Manhunt Tank + Jeans
Concept: Personal/Freestyle

I was told to just be natural and get into different poses that I'm most comfortable with.

2nd Style
Attire: Jeans
Concept: Dark Forest

This was a really interesting concept because we were told to portray vulnerability & sadness in the shots but yet still looking classy and poise at the same time. The photos shown here do not have the effects of the lighting so please stay tuned for the actual ones that will be out soon.

Getting the effects tested before we start

3rd Style
Attire: Waveline Trunks
Concept: Samurai/Warrior

This is the one style that I had to most trouble with. Haven't done anything like this before, I must stay that this is really quite an experience. However, regardless of how to photos turned out to be, I'm glad that I have the opportunity to try different things. I still hope that the actual photos will turn out to be great!

So these are all the photos I have to share with you and also the experience that I've had. Feel free to share your thoughts about the shoot!

Till the next post, take care & God bless!

Our Staycation at Quincy Hotel Singapore (10May2014)

In a highly stressful society like Singapore, everybody needs to take some time off to unwind every now and then. Limaran and I were honoured to be selected by Quincy hotel for their upcoming commercial. On top of that, we were given a free one night stay! So read on as I'll show you what happened during that 2D1N stay at the Quincy hotel.

We arrived at Quincy Hotel at around 1pm and we had to change to our 1st segment's outfit for filming already. Limaran and I have done quite a number of photoshoots before but it was our first time filming. We were so excited and nervous at the same time, not knowing if we'll be able to meet the hotel's expectation.

Just before filming.. So excited

There were quite a number of guests having their meals at the restaurant and some of them were being affected due to the big amount of space that had to be cordoned off for the filming process. So sorry to disturb your meal guys.

The 1st segment was the breakfast scene and we were supposed to just enjoy our meals as they filmed us. Of course there were a few gestures done to make it look more lively but apart from that, it was pretty easy! =)

Caught playing with our phones during the break! #firstworldproblem

After the 1st segment, we had to quickly change to our "Check in" outfit.

Did someone say strike your best pose?!

2nd Segment was done just outside the hotel, showcasing the beautiful facade of Quincy Hotel. It was about 2.30pm and the sun wasn't showing us any mercy at all! 

Limaran looking absolutely gorgeous

We then had a 1 hour break while the team went around to film the facilities that the hotel had to offer. And of course, we went back to the room to sleep!

Had some time for selfies too!

We did a room scene but sadly didn't manage to capture the 'behind the scene' moments. The hotel manager did take a panoramic view of us in the room. DRINKING WINE!!

Next was Art Jamming session, a programme that couples get to do when they have their staycation on Saturdays. There are so many interesting concepts of this hotel which I will touch on at the later part of this blog.

It was our first time painting together

Nicely painted by this cute couple!

The dinner scene was next and we were back at the restaurant for this segment. There was quite a wide selection at the counters and we were starving!! So how? Whack lah!!!

Quincy Hotel settles your every meal!

2 more scenes before the filming was done; gym & movie by the pool. We didn't manage to get any photos from these 2 scenes too so remember to watch out for the video.

The evening can't end without a photo with the beautiful Ericia, the person responsible for getting us on board this project! Thanks Ericia!

We woke up really late the next morning and had a quick breakfast before heading to the gym & pool!

Here are some photos of our room:

Some photos of the facilities:

And of course, a STRONG pool view! =)

Quincy Hotel offers a Qool Weekend experience where it is an all inclusive package. All you need to pay is the room fee and everything else is included:

- Welcome drinks
- Mini Bar
- Lunch, Dinner+Cocktail & Day 2's Breakfast (the restaurant's counter will have snacks & refreshments all day, includes pastries by Dean & DeLuca)
- Afternoon Programme: Art Jamming
- Evening Programme: Movie by the pool

Limaran and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at Quincy Hotel! If you're considering a staycation weekend where all your meals and activities are planned for, Qunicy Hotel will be the perfect choice for you!

Click here to find out more & start planning for your staycation today!

Till the next post..Take care & God bless!