Introducing Samsung’s First Glass-Screen Folding Phone

As I was scrolling through my Instagram feed, I got fascinated with how the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip looks like. It reminded me of my old Nintendo Advance SP. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the bygone SP, it is a handheld game console that can fit inside your pocket. Imagine having a smartphone that you can fold inside your pocket!

Introducing Samsung’s first glass-screen folding phone called Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. You read that right. Its glass display is its biggest selling point! This smartphone is made from Samsung Ultra Thin Glass, which “sets you up for an epic view with a smooth flat screen”. Other folding phones in the market such as Huawei Mate X and Samsung Galaxy Fold have used plastic displays. Hence, the Z Flip feels more premium and fragile as compared to its predecessors. It is a full-screen smartphone that fits in your pocket!

Its 6.7-inch display collapses into half, which will turn any heads whenever you use it. Aside from its physical attributes, another headturner is its unbelievable price. It carries an expensive price tag of $55.50/month for 36 months or $1,998.00 for a 256 GB unit. You may also get it from Samsung’s partner merchants such as Singtel. Singtel’s Combo 2 allows you to get the Z Flip for a monthly fee of $42.90 or Combo 6 for $99.90 per month. These combos are tied to distinct Singtel plans.

It costs more than the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Plus. Would you believe that it easily sold out throughout the world despite its hefty price? Well, it is true!

Another battle with the manufacturing of the Galaxy Z Flip is the ongoing prevalence of the Coronavirus-19. Just weeks after the unveiling of the Z Flip, Samsung had to shutdown their plant in South Korea after an employee tested positive of the illness. COVID-19’s widespread is taking a toll on the global technology industry and other businesses who are heavily reliant on the Asian supply chain. Disruptions in manufacturing and limitations in travel impedes the success of the current technological scene. The same challenge is felt by the Apple company.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Apple said that it is likely to miss the quarterly revenue guidance due to the COVID-19, which affects the Chinese consumers and the production capabilities inside China. These are unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances that Samsung, Apple, and other businesses have to deal with these days.

Here is to hoping that we could all gradually recover soon!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Win $80K Advertising Grants For Your (SME) Business In This Elevator Pitch Competition

If you only have 1 minute, how would you convince someone next to you in an elevator to invest in your business? Share your pitch with us and you could win $80,000 in advertising grants organised by 99%SME*.

The Elevator Pitch

  1. Step 1: Similar to business, time is money. In 50 words, tell us why your business deserves to win the $80,000 advertising credits from 99%SME. In other words, make your pitch short and sweet.
  2. Step 2: Find something red that’s associated with your business and take a picture with it. It could be you holding something red that you are selling on our platform, or simply you decked in your lucky red shirt/dress hoping that you will be one of the lucky 3 submissions!
  3. Step 3: You are almost done. Simply post the picture with your pitch and post it on your Facebook account with the hashtag #99sme80kgrant. Lastly, don’t forget to set your post to public so that our judges can verify!

It’s really so simple. Here’s an example of how a picture can look like:

.

$80,000 Advertising Grants

The top 3 submissions will walk away with $80,000 of advertising grants from 99%SME, giving your business a leg up during this period. It includes the rare opportunity to work with professionals from Mediacorp to design the best marketing campaign for your business needs. For instance, it could be a tactical plan to boost product sales during this trying COVID-19 situation. Or it could be a targeted marketing pitch to increase your brand awareness so that it stands out amongst its competitors. With such an opportune marketing grant, you should really act first because the window is narrowing.

Contest Ends 20 March 2020, 2359H

Winners will be based on the following judging criteria, with an equal 50% weightage place on each factor:

  • Best submissions nominated by our panel of judges
  • Highest number of ‘likes’ on the Facebook post

Hurry and make sure you join the contest before 20 March 2020, 2359H! The 3 winners will have to be registered as 99%SME sellers to claim the advertising credits. For more information, please visit 99sme.sg/contest

*99%SME is co-founded by Singtel and DBS, with Mediacorp being its official media partner

 

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Australian dollar hits decade low against the Singdollar: S$1.00 = AUD1.11

The Australian dollar has declined against major currencies

The Australian dollar has dropped to its lowest level against the Singapore currency since September 2001.

The Singdollar is worth almost 25 per cent lesser than the Australian dollar in 2012 (SGD/AUD = 0.74), but has now climbed above the AUD amid the ongoing Coronavirus situation.

A search for the SGD/AUD pair on Google shows that the rate has hit 1.11, a rate making overseas travel in Australia cheaper.

The Aussie dollar is weaker this morning after it traded at a low of 1.11757 against the Singapore currency, according to xe.com. The slide could be due to a plunge in the crude oil prices as Saudi Arabia launches a price war against Russia.

Singaporea travellers are getting more value for money due to a weaker Australian dollar and with the favourable exchange rate, studying abroad in Australia would be more affordable.

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Amp Up You Look With These Hair Salons

As I celebrate one of the biggest company events of the year, I decided to reinvent my look. Firstly, I let the stylist cut my shoulder-length hair into a bob cut. Then, he dyed it by mixing the colors of Ash Blonde and Light Brown. I was in awe of the results! Simply cutting your hair short may result freshen up your look and how you feel about yourself!

On that note, here are some of the best salons that can help you with your hair makeover.

#1: BE SALON

In the institution that I work for, we believe that each learner is an individual who learns in uniquely from his or her peers. The same can be said with Be Salon. Be Salon believes that everyone’s hair is different. When it comes to maintenance, there is no one-style-fits-all! Hence, the stylists at Be Salon customize your treatments to fit your personal lifestyle and hair nature. Their individualized approach enable them to recommend the most suitable hair colors for you.

What’s more? Be Salon has free specialized consultations that will enable you to ask as many questions as you want within a given time. Taking a leap of faith is not scary after all, especially when your decisions are backed by hair stylists. You will be able to choose a treatment based on the expert’s advice. Furthermore, the expert will give you advice on how to take care of your hair at home.

This salon’s haircut starts from S$49 and the hair color starts from S$119. With complimentary beverages, head massages, and blankets, Be Salon’s service will pamper you beyond what you expected.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#2: SALON VIM

Endorsed by some of the most popular influencers, it goes without saying that Salon Vim is renowned in Singapore. It is best known for its hair coloring results. You see, Salon Vim is a flagship store of L’Oreal. It introduces mythic hair treatments, using powerful Mythic oil to deeply nourish and protect hair color.

Much like Be Salon, Salon Vim’s hair stylists give you their expert opinion to renew you with the most suitable hairstyle. No matter what style or color you want, Salon Vim will turn your dreams into reality. Haircut starts from S$60 for men and S$80 for women. Hair coloring starts from S$105. While, hair strengthening and hair perming rangers from S$200-S$320.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#3: CHEZ VOUS HAIR SALON

A few months ago, I have tried the Keratin treatment. This treatment enables you to have soft and shiny hair while retaining its volume. However, the salon I went to did not perform very well. The effects of the treatment did not last for long.

Enter Chez Vous Hair Salon! There is a reason why Chez Vous Hair Salon’s Hair Botox (about S$375) was named the Best Hair Treatment for Damaged Hair by Her World, Shape, CLEO, and many other industry insiders. Hair botox is an extensive keratin treatment, which is customized to your hair type and hair condition. Furthermore, those who have tried this said that it has incredible lasting effects.

Another thing that you will be have about is its aesthetics. Chez Vous Hideaway is Instragrammable due to its pop-up museum decor. Moreover, you will get to enjoy the complimentary scalp fix at their Relaxation Lounge. This is only for customers who arrive early! The early bird truly catches the early worm.

Sources: 1 & 2

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How To Choose The Best Stock Broker For You

Money does not come from trees! Choosing what is best for you should be influenced by strategic research on the available brokerage firms in the country. Consider these factors…

STICK TO THE BUDGET

It goes without saying that your performance in the stock market depends on your budget. If you want to start investing, but do not have thousands of dollars in your arsenal then, you can start with as little as S$1,000.

Say that you want to own stocks through the CDP (The Central Depository) then, you will have to set up a CDP securities account. The CDP account is operated by the Singapore Exchange. It provides integrated clearing, settlement, and depository facilities for customers in the Singapore securities market.

To be eligible to open an account, you must at least 18 years old and not an undischarged bankrupt. You can deal with as many brokerage firms as you want with one CDP account.

COMPARE THE BROKERAGE FEES

Brokerage firms allow you to buy and sell shares on the stock market. It is important to note that they charge you brokerage or commission fees for every transaction you make. When you buy shares, you get charged. When you sell shares, you get charged. These fees add up!

Most investors want to buy low and sell high. Expect to be charged commission fees multiple times by doing so. On the other hand, commission fees won’t make much difference to your if you just want to “park” your money.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCES ONLINE

Kids, there was a time when investors where required to call their brokers to deal with them directly. Do not get me started with how stock prices and other information were passed down! Those days are gone!

Nowadays, investors are blessed with online trading platforms that allow them to check stock prices and complete deals on the go. Some brokerage firms even have mobile applications.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

It is good to familiarize yourself with these online features before you open an account. For instance, day traders need to have a live and streaming data to get started. Choose a broker whose online features (e.g., daily news, company reports, or strategy guides) are suited to your lifestyle. Consider opening several trial accounts with many online brokers to immerse yourself with their service before signing up.

Sources: 1 & 2

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