iSwitch: Stand A Chance To Win 1 Year Free Electricity For Your Household While Paying Less For Your Electricity Bill When You Switch To iSwitch.

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With the first phase of the Open Electricity Market (OEM) rolled-out on 1st November, households with postal codes that begin from 58 – 78 now have the opportunity to switch electricity providers. This means that you can now choose plans from electricity retailers like iSwitch instead of getting your power supply from SP Group alone, very much like choosing a mobile phone plan.

However, with the many retailers that debuted with the launch of OEM, it may be very confusing to select the right plan for your household. To make things simpler for consumers, iSwitch will be promoting the two most popular price plans – Fixed Price Plan and Discount Off Regulated Tariff (DOT).

  • Fixed Price Plan – Paying a fixed rate for electricity throughout your contract term with your selected retailer.
  • DOT – Enjoying a fixed discount off the existing tariff during your contract term.

Why Choose iSwitch?

iSwitch offers a seamless switching process, and for those who wishes to switch to iSwitch, the application process can be easily done online. Simply select the plan of your choice, fill up all information needed in the application process and the iSwitch team will do the rest. This online sign up takes less than 2 minutes to complete!

iSwitch prides themselves in excellent customer service where they have a dedicated team for consumers to contact them through email, hotline and Facebook for those that happen to face any issues during application. Customer service is an important core in their business so you can set your mind at ease knowing you have a trusted retailer to rely on.

For those of you who wish to be play a part in environmental sustainability, this is for you!  iSwitch is committed in carbon footprint reduction. Consumers who sign up through its website can proudly claim to use Green Certified Electricity at no additional cost. If you are wondering how they do that, iSwitch programme, ‘iSwitch2Green’, monitors your energy usage and calculates the amount of carbon emissions your household is responsible for. After doing so, they would then buy Carbon credits issued by United Nations certified projects on your behalf. In addition, iSwitch also goes green by offering only paperless billing where consumers are notified every month via email. For those who are keen to sign up with an environmentally friendly retailer that promotes green certified energy, iSwitch is one of the few to consider.

iSwitch Fixed/DOT Price Plans

iSwitch offers a comprehensive range of price plans with flexible contract periods, and if you are intending to make the switch, here are some price plans which may interest you:

Super Saver Discount (24 Months)

Enjoy 21% discount on your regulated tariff with the Super Saver Discount plan. This discount is limited to a 24 Months contract. Here is an example of how much you would save if you selected this option over a 24 Months period:

iPromo – iPad (36 Months)

iPromo – iPad is a time limited plan by iSwitch. The 1st 500 sign ups in Zone 1,2,3 and 4 get a complimentary iPad and 5% (exc. GST) Discount Off Regulated Tariff! If you have been eyeing for an iPad, you should consider this unique and time limited plan! As of now, the plan is still available for sign ups, so fastest fingers first!

‘Chope’ The Rate (24 Months)

A Fixed Rate plan offers a lower rate of $0.1720/kWh (exc. GST) / $0.18404/kWh (inc. GST)  for 24 Months.

All plans that iSwitch offers require a 1-month bill equivalent security deposit. iSwitch absorbs transmission loss and also absorbs carbon tax!

For those who sign up with iSwitch online, your plan also comes with a free green certified electricity at no cost, a free air-condition servicing and a free AIA Personal Accident Protection plan. Those who make payment through POSB Everyday Card would also get a 1% rebate.

Multiple Payment Options

Payment for your iSwitch plans can be easily made with the multiple payment options they offer such as AXS kiosks, credit or debit cards, or even GIRO, whichever suit your needs.

To easily track your usage and bills, iSwitch allows its consumers to log in personally into their iSwitch accounts or the iSwitch Mobile App to check them on the go.

iSwitch Rewards

Besides enjoying cost savings from your plan, iSwitch also have a point rewards system where you can earn points to receive rebates on your bill. Some examples where you can earn points would be selecting GIRO as a payment method which would let you earn 25 points (equivalent to $2.50) or renewing your plan (100 points or $10). Referring a friend will instantly earn you SGD 50 rebate off your electricity bill (limited to the first 500 referrals).

iSwitch ‘Switch & Win’ Campaign

In conjunction with the nationwide roll-out of OEM, iSwitch has launched a campaign for those who sign up with iSwitch would stand a chance to walk away with 1 year of free electricity. For those who think this is only for those in Zone 1, do not be disheartened as ‘Switch & Win’ would be selecting a winner from all 4 zones, that means there would be 4 winners! All sign-ups made between 1st November 2018 to 30th June 2019 will automatically be in the running to qualify for this promotion, so switch and win today!

For more information about ‘Switch & Win’ campaign, click here.

iSwitch, Your Electricity Retailer

iSwitch aims to place their consumers in the forefront, by providing as many lifestyle perks as they can like those in their price plans. For those who are intending to change to an electricity retailer but do not have an opportunity to due to the different zones, do keep iSwitch in mind as they would not disappoint with its deals and savings. And for those who falls under Zone 1 and wish to join iSwitch now, you may head over to their website to check out the savings, promotions and plans that they are currently offering!

For more information on iSwitch, do visit their website – https://iswitch.com.sg/residential/, or their Facebook page.

 

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Will You Buy The World’s First Foldable Phone?

by  in Phones & Utilities
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It came as a surprise to many when a barely known tech company introduced the world’s first foldable phone. The future of smartphone is upon us as Royole Corporation launched FlexPai in Beijing. Royale Corporation is a relatively new company, which was founded by Stanford engineering graduates in 2012. It will go down in history as the company who conquered the “foldable phone” race ahead from Samsung and Huawei.

For the digital savvy Singaporeans who are interested in acquiring their own FlexPai, here are its specifications. FlexPai boasts its “virtually unbreakable and extremely durable screen”, which can be bent for over 200,000 times. This smartphone can be folded like a paper or a wallet to display various small screens: in the front, back, and spine. While it is folded, you can receive incoming calls or take photos from front and back screens. The spine is where the notifications will show. Its 7.8-inch display resembles a tablet when fully unfolded.

You may be wondering if it can take some Instagrammable shots. To tell you frankly, it has two cameras with 20 and 16 megapixels. You can bend it to capture objects and subjects at unique angles. Other features include having a microSD slot, a fingerprint reader, a Snapdragon 8-series chip, and a USB-C port. Furthermore, it is running on an Android 9.0 based Water OS.

See this latest handset in action as you watch the following demo.

As with many first models, this pioneer handset is far from being perfect. Royole needs to address some glitches. For instance, it should offer a sleek design which does not have visible fold marks when straightened out. There should be seamless switch between front and back displays. Furthermore, it is a bulky device that is about 50% heavier than Note 9 and the iPhone XS Max.

Nonetheless, Royole’s foldable product encourages other tech companies to provide different experiences to the Millennial consumers. While consumers in China can purchase a consumer edition FlexPai today, global consumers can pre-order the developer version online. The 6 GB model with 128 GB storage is available to consumers for $1,588 (about S$2182), while the 8 GB model with 256 GB costs $1,759 (about S$2417). These devices are expected to be shipped by December.

With all these information in mind, I am excited to see the foldable products that well-known tech companies will launch soon (e.g., Samsung Galaxy F).

Sources: 1 & 2

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How To Get The Most Out Of Your Pricey Laptop

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The average lifespan of a laptop is between two to four years. Due to the many mishaps that can happen throughout the course of time, it is not uncommon for a machine to last for less than a year.

If you are not on-board with the idea of shelling out thousands to replace your laptop then, you must take certain precautions to maximize its lifespan. May the following tips help your circumstance.

LET ME FREEZE YOU

Unbeknownst to many, overheating is among the top reasons why laptops fail. Snuggling up in your bed with your trusty laptop as you watch your favorite movies sounds divine! However, your lap is not the best place to use this machine. Any soft or uneven surfaces can block the vents and restrict the airflow. It is recommended to work on a hard and smooth surface or to use a laptop support.

ADD MORE RAM

Random-access memory or RAM stores data and machine code that is currently being used. It works like your short-term or working memory. You can rely more on the system that pulls the data afresh from the hard drive once you upgrade your RAM. You see, reducing your hard drive activity reduces the power consumption. Other performance benefits will be quickly seen upon adding more RAM.

KEEP IT CLEAN

It comes as no surprise that a clean laptop will last longer than a filthy one. Unless you are working in a highly sanitized room, every laptop can come in contact with dust and dirt on a daily basis. Left to linger long enough, these unfriendly substances can suffocate the hardware of your laptop. Doing so will reduce its performance or contribute to a component’s premature demise.

UPGRADE TO SSD

Bid farewell to moving parts by switching to an SSD and using flash data memory to store your data. If possible, this upgrade will immediately make your laptop more energy efficient. Aside from its benefits surrounding your laptop’s battery life, an SSD can deliver a faster performance. Furthermore, it removes problems associated with fragmentation.

UPDATE YOUR SYSTEM REGULARLY

Whether you are a computer geek or not, it takes a few clicks of the mouse to update your operating software. Do not hesitate to update your current system once a notification comes up! Remember that no operating system or program is perfect. Hence, every upgrade includes new features and solutions to previous issues.

Aside from patching up some issues, keeping your software updated reduces the chances of security exploits. Maximize your security by regularly running anti-virus and anti-malware scanners. Less malware and junk supports a smooth running system.

SHIELD THE OUTSIDE

Modern technology has led to the introduction of smaller, thinner, and lighter laptops. This means that these machines are more susceptible to damage from spills and drops. Extend the life of your device by providing laptop covers and screen protectors. A tumble off your desk or a scratch against the wall can be shielded thru a powerful hard-shell or soft-shell case. Just ensure that your protection does not obstruct the laptop’s cooling system.

SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE

Multitasking is a necessity in today’s revolving world. It may sounds nice, but running several programs at once puts a significant load on the processor. This further creates more power consumption. So, stretch your battery’s life and take care of your laptop by simplifying your activities.

As much as possible, stick to one application at a time. Close any additional programs when typing a document. For instance, I only use Notepad when writing a draft for my articles. How about for listening to music? Instead of streaming some tunes, you can use the locally stored songs. Streaming media over Wi-Fi uses the laptop’s wireless radio and other components. Less is more.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Apple Company’s Most Expensive Fails

by  in Phones & Utilities
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Despite how devoted you are to Apple and its products, your beloved company has its flaws. It is far from perfect! Even the most luxurious iPhone of all time has its decent share of criticism from its first buyers. Thus, this list will shed a light to its darkest paths.

1980: APPLE III

Imagine being instructed to lift and drop your computer about 6 inches to reset the chips that are coming out of the circuit board. It sounds ridiculous to perform this task at a time where Genius Bars exist. However, Apple III users were madly disappointed in the 80’s. You see, Apple III was plagued with hardware issues including faulty circuit boards and heating issues. The company had to recall every existing machine on the market (about 14,000 units). Then, the machine was re-marketed with new parts a year later.

1983: THE LISA

Every possible list of Apple flops will include “The Lisa”. Released in 1983, the Apple Lisa was known for being the first commercial computer to be sold with a graphical user interface and a mouse. The main drawback of this machine is its insane price-tag of US$9,995 (about S$13,700).

The steep price proved to be unreachable for many customers! It only sold 100,000 units before the model was discontinued. Furthermore, Apple released one of its most iconic products in 1984. This product is none other than the first Macintosh computer.

1993: MACINTOSH TV

The Macintosh TV was a failed product attempt that launched in 1993. On paper, combining a computer hardware with the experience of watching a television sounds like a great idea. However, they were not able to execute it well.

The Macintosh TV resembled a Macintosh LC 500 series computer with a TV tuner card. Users were able to hook it up to a cable line or an antenna. The major problem is: you cannot use the television while using the computer. As expected, Apple only sold 10,000 Macintosh TVs. The product was discontinued in three months time.

1993: NEWTON MESSAGEPAD

When your product gets mocked by a cartoon as popular as The Simpsons, you will realize what type of impact you evoke on your users. Take Apple’s Newton MessagePad as an example. The company’s take on the PDA was innovative, but it was pretty expensive. It retailed for S$700 (S$960) in 1993. Moreover, its handwriting recognition feature rarely works!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

When Steve Jobs returned in the late 90’s, he focused much of his energy on phones and tablets. You will see this pan out throughout the years.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Switching To An Electricity Retailer? Here’s What You Need To Consider

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Since April this year, households in Jurong have been able to choose who they wish to buy electricity from, thanks to the soft launch of Open Electricity Market by the Energy Market Authority. One early adopter who exercised his choice to switch to an electricity retailer is Mr Luqman Haniff, a 30-year old with seven family members staying with him. We share about his journey here.

1. Household Electricity Consumption

One of the first things to look at before switching to a retailer is to find out more about your past electricity usage. That was exactly how Mr Haniff started off his Open Electricity Market journey. By looking through his past electricity bills, he was able to estimate how much his electricity bill would come up to if he were to pay by the regulated tariff or by the rate offered by electricity retailers. This helped him to choose a price plan that best suit his household’s needs.

What is the regulated tariff?

Let us take a look at how the regulated tariff is derived. The regulated tariff is reviewed every quarter by SP Group and approved by the Energy Market Authority (EMA). It consists of two key components – fuel cost and non-fuel cost. Fuel cost reflects the cost of imported natural gas while the non-fuel cost reflects the cost of generating and delivering electricity to homes. Below is a snapshot of the historical tariff rates.

Electricity retailers’ standard price plans

On the other hand, electricity retailers are free to customise their price plans according to their business strategies, current market conditions and the level of competition in the market. That said, the two main types of standard price plans are:

      • Fixed Price Plan– You pay a fixed rate throughout the duration of the contract. This rate may be higher or lower than the regulated tariff.
      • Discount Off the Regulated Tariff Plan – You enjoy a discount off the regulated tariff throughout the duration of the contract.The rate may change every quarter in tandem with the prevailing regulated tariff.

Besides visiting the retailers’ websites to check on their offers, Mr Haniff made use of the Price Comparison Tool on the Open Electricity Market website to compare the different standard price plans offered by retailers. Like him, you can make use of this tool to help you decide on the plan that would be most suitable for you.

2. Consumer Needs

Different households use electricity differently and may also have different ways of managing their electricity expenses. For instance, a family who prefers to keep their electricity bills as stable as possible may find the Fixed Price Plan more suited for them since they could better manage their overall household expenses.

On the other hand, another family may consider going with the Discount Off the Regulated Tariff Plan if they prefer the certainty of enjoying savings no matter how the regulated tariff changes.

Before Making the Switch…

Now that you are almost on your way to signing up with a retailer, do take note of the following as well:

Fact Sheet

Before you sign up for a plan, your electricity retailer will provide a Fact Sheet which summarises key contractual terms of your preferred price plan such as:

  • Contract duration
  • Type of price plan
  • Rate offered by the electricity retailer
  • Payment terms
  • Early termination charges, if any

Ask the retailer to explain any terms and conditions that you are unsure of.

Consumer Advisory

Electricity retailers will also need to obtain your acknowledgement on a Consumer Advisory notice which outlines what you need to be aware of before signing the contract.

Promotions and freebies

To draw more customers, electricity retailers may offer freebies such as vouchers and cash rebates. While they may entice you to sign up with them, one thing to remember is that these freebies are usually a once-off benefit. Hence, it is always better to think long-term and make sure you stand to benefit from switching to a retailer in the longer run.

From the get-go, there seems to be a wide range of standard price plans offered by electricity retailers. However, upon closer examination, the plans mainly differ in terms of contract duration and rates and come with different sets of terms and conditions.

As you review your choices, find out about your electricity consumption patterns, compare the different standard price plans by using our check-list and finally, be sure to take note of the things to consider before making the switch. You will be well on your way to benefit from Open Electricity Market, just like how Mr Haniff did!

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