First Glance at "4GEE"

Here is a short breakdown and a little simplified look at the 4G situation, these views are of my own.

So the role out of the 4GEE company and connection is essentially up and running and FUCK ME you better have a damn good job and fuck load of money to use this!

OK first things first, what is 4G?

Really fast internet access using your mobile, claiming up to 7 times faster than 3G which in turn would be about 4 times faster than H+ (a faster 3G not available on all networks).

What perks do you get with 4G?

Really fast internet.

Anything Else?

Not really no, however there are some but not related to 4G itself.

OK so looking at EE's website which besides being pretty and nicely done it did take me a while before I came across the tariff and my dear did I have a heart attack!!

Considering the UK is in a recession, how much do you really realistically want to spend on a contract?

Well you my friend will be stuck if you were expecting more internet access without the cost as the prices START at £36. These increase with how much data you want HOWEVER they do not offer unlimited 4G connection.

Now I am going to point out it does include UNLIMITED CALLS and TEXT on ALL tariffs. However, how many people are going to be able to afford these contracts realistically?

Starting at £36, all tariffs have unlimited calls and texts, we can focus on the price for like on other networks (24 month contracts basis unless stated otherwise):

O2

On and On - £36 - Unlimited calls and texts, 2GB data and a new phone 12 available

On and On - £36 - Unlimited calls and texts, 1GB data and a new phone 19 available

Sim only     - £20 - Unlimited calls and texts, 1GB Data (12 Months)

Vodaphone

£29-£37  - Unlimited calls and texts, 1GB data and a new phone 19+ available

(depending on phone)

Sim only  - Unlimited calls and texts, 1GB data (12 months)

Giff Gaff  - £25- (Sim only) - 1500 mins, Unlimited, texts and 3G (Monthly)

3 - Unlimited data, 2,000 minutes, 5,000 Three-to-Three minutes, 5,000 texts

Considering you can pretty much get unlimited internet access or adequate amount for around £36 a month from any other network on a sim only plan or with a phone why would you get this?

Easiest way is to weigh up the pros and cons as there are some brilliant pros but some disappointing cons too.

Pros

Unlimited Calls and Text - This extends to the EU as well and world Zone A so you will have no issues using your phone on holiday in Europe as they will come out of your inclusive minutes and texts!

DAMN FAST internet connection - download a full HD film in minutes or song in seconds!

New Phone - Every contract consists of a brand new phone! Samsung S3, Iphone 5, Huawei Ascend P1, Nokia Lumia 820, HTC One XL, and others available!

Tethering is ALLOWED! - With some phone companies they have a track on whether you are using your phone as a modem and tend to dislike you doing so.

Cons

Price range - Unrealistic for the masses particularly in this double dip recession where everyone is trying to save every penny.

Data Limitation - Although the average user uses very little (apparently ranging from 250-500mb) with the introduction of faster connection, people will be tempted to use more and thus require more data usage, which in turn (after they use up their usage) they will be stuck using the same as everyone else which is WIFI (except those with unlimited 3G) particularly when the promote the use of downloading HD stuff easily, 500MB is about an episode of your typical show.

No Sim Only Plan - Currently unavailable however it is coming to light that there is a possibility of a sim only tariff arriving soon.

Location Limitations - Only available in certain cities.

As most people (I hope) are thinking about this rationally, unless you are in these 11cities all the time, you won't actually be using or paying for a 4G connection but a normal 3G connection so it makes it redundant for the masses outside this area. Saying that they picked the cities with the wealthiest population, London, Liverpool, Manchester, etc.

With the limitations of the connection, you will use that 500mb up quickly with a faster connection as you will be more tempted to use it, and 3G is not exactly slow and if you have an S3 on O2 you will have experienced the use of H+ connection and how fast that is already (which by the way is fast enough to stream 720p HD). I am told H+ is also available with Vodafone.

So for the same price, you get a new phone, unlimited calls and texts but bigger data usage, slower connection but realistically adequate connection for social media sites and check emails for the general public. There are locations where 3G signal isn't great although having 4G isn't actually going to help as comparing to the coverage map on EE, O2 and Vodafone, the signal is roughly the same however experiences may vary.

My personal look on this is, there is no justification for switching over from your current provider to EE.

UNLESS you are loaded and have a lot of money to splash, then by all means. However for the likes of those on a budget (which I can only assume is a majority of people who will ever read this far) it is not worth spending another £10-£30 a month for a faster connection.

Not forgetting, realistically, it costs little for them to allow people to use 4G, it is the development costs that they are trying to break even with by putting crazy prices on. (It has cost them £1.5 billion to develop).

According to Marketing Director of EE who was on Radio1, they're only asking for 10% premium back... I'll let you do the maths ;-)

Needless to say, people are being sceptical, some people are being enthusiastic and me... I'm being realistic, I cannot afford it and I'm still in a contract... for another year... and do not have issues with using wifi. The Pros for me were not necessities and as such does not justify the payment.

However this is all on first glance I would really like to know what you guys think! Please drop a comment down below so we can DISCUSS!!!!!!

As mentioned before this is only a quick overview and there may be things I left out therefore any comments are welcome. These views are of my own and was done during an evening of boredom. :P

All sites accessed on the 30/10/2012

EE.co.uk

o2.co.uk

Vodafone.co.uk

three.co.uk

giffgaff.com

So Where have I Been?

It's not a secret but I thought it was time I told every one the truth. It is a fact that there are some things about me some people may not know. *Cue spotlight*
I am...
Chinese! Shock horror!! And all the malarky!
So I've been away, simply because I've not been able to see anything, my eyes are too small, literally; can not even have contact lenses cos they're so small.
So anyway, I've had surgery to get them BIGGER!!! For free!! Yay!
Just kidding!
It wasn't to get my eyes bigger, that is just a side effect from the surgery. The thing is I have in-growing eyelashes, sciencey name : trichiasis.
This is where my eyelashes grow in the wrong direction and into my eye. Lucky for me, my hairs are so fine that they only cause irritation but with it means over time it would damage my eye soooo...


...Doc said I gotta have surgery. I actually never knew about it until I tried to get contact lenses where they not only said my eyes were too small and have to get them resized costing me around £33 for a single pair that were monthly ones that could only been worn upto 4 times... not really worth it ¬_¬"
That's when they noticed the streaks on my eye when they did the drip test. Next thing you know I'm in the hospital being told I have an extra row of eyelashes, sciencey name: "distichiasis".
So after about a year of waiting because the doctor who saw me wasn't sure how to do the surgery and having issues because of something to do with the skin at the corner of my eye being folded over more than normal people... What the hell is wrong with my face?!!
So I have too much skin around my eyes and also an extra layer of eyelashes, man my face has issues.


But I really wasn't too put off, the surgery is essentially something done by many Asian actors, pop stars and other people who want western eyes and since I actually had a proper reason for getting it done I didn't feel so vain... not saying I wasn't intrigued by the idea. Let's face it, if you had the chance to get something done for something you wanted done...well you would, wouldn't you?


But I will be annoyed if after this surgery; my eyes still irritated me ¬_¬"


So anyway, I have had my eyes under patches for a few days and now had them off for 3 days and I can honestly say.... I'm out of pain killers and they itch like hell, sting like hell and irritate me even more than the eyelashes did.
This better be worth it ¬_¬"
I will post a picture once it's all healed up and you'll be able to see the difference, if any.
Ta-ra!

Hmm... Hello, I'm Back!!!

Well it's been waaaay too long since I put something up but here it is :)

Been watching some interesting stuff on youtube and believe me when I say, there are some really good things out there to watch and some things that just make you think... W.... T....F....

Excuse the abbrev. Anyway, it's similar to watching Britain's Got Talent or Pop Idol when it is in the preliminary stages. The acts are terrible and then a real gem comes out of the shit that comes out the cow.

Also! They do TV Shows!! My god I had to revisit my childhood favourites! DragonballZ! Jackie Chan Adventures! Gundam Wing! And visit new ones like... Cannot actually think of any.

BUT new shows that have come to the screen that I highly recommend!

New Show in the UK!

2 Broke Girls, 2 American girls working as waitresses in a town cafe, one was rich, one was and isn't. Was-A-Rich-Girl played by Beth Behrs is a surprise character from an American show, showing a character that is a lot more down to earth and not such a blonde airhead. That alone pulled me into watching this show.

The Brunette Max Black played by Kat Dennings is a realist, in your face, hard-working character with a fiery-side that makes you appreciate her role in the show as they really do bounce off each other very well.

Now the show really isn't for kids. It's a bit like a ruder version of friends for those that don't know any other TV show. The show has a nice click to it with the girls trying to raise money to sell cupcakes and each episode essentially is another day seeing them trying to gain funds in the most hilarious ways.

Watch it on E4 or 4oD :)

Just a little summary, I'll let you watch it and decide what to think.

Anyway, the reason I've been out is because I've moved to a new home! Yaaaaaay!!!

Literally just got the internet about 4 hours ago. Been a difficult time, having spent some time in Scotland, Edinburgh, that was fun. Spent most of the time painting. Had a little trip back to uni to see some friends :) that was awesome :)

And... now here I am in my new humble abode!

Internet is terrible and the o2 signal for my mobile internet in this entire area is terrible. However the mobile signal is fine so all is well! :)

I will disclose my location via sign language....

Did you get that? Good :D

Tsonga!!

I thrilling match between Tsonga and Djokovic, an absolutely brilliant game with a poor finish, personally.

Tsonga at the Roland Garros French Open 2012, 2-1 up with a breakpoint and he loses his cool to give the point away.

Djokovic showed why he is the world number one by playing some masterful tennis with showing the weakness in Tsonga's game. However he was in a tight spot having almost lost the match at several points in the game.

However Tsonga was losing out to Djokovic's serves that played it wide to his back hand and hitting it wider on to his forehand which Tsonga ended up playing the ball high in the sky allowing Djokovic to smash the ball wherever he pleased.

It almost looked as if Djokovic fell asleep in the second and third.

Tsonga lost confidence in some rallies and maybe a little concentration after losing those match points in the fourth set.

Absolute disappointment on Tsongas face as he lost the match when he was so close to beating the world number one and moving on to the semi-finals was just upsetting... oh well!

Federer also played today against Del Potro having lost the first 2 sets but to come back with a 6-2 & 6-0.  With the final set, Del Potro really fights back but Federer's Aces give the Austrian a lift to win the final set with a 6-3 finish.

Oh the Jubilee! You cannot skip this! Ok amazing! though I have to say the performances yesterday weren't great but the heart and passion was burning through and what a lovely duet from Gary and Cheryl (she finally dropped the Cole if you didn't know, so don't call her Cheryl Cole... she won't reply).

Elton John, Stevie Wonders, absolutely brilliant classic people.

And today with the flight of the planes over Buckingham Palace, what a show! Makes you proud to have a Monarchy and be British and see such a performance. But what stood out was the choir singing on the boats with the Orchestra in the pouring rain and still singing their hearts out. It was respectable and admirable with real passion in their performance and their Singing in the Rain was so full of irony it was beautiful.

Films

Ok I'm going to just stretch myself out to talk about films in the making. As everyone who watched the little bits at the end in Captain America, The Hulk, Ironman/2 and Thor... We were given the clues that Avengers was going to happen. Also with the cameo of Agent Coulson in each film and Nick Fury. It kind of gave it away too. However not many people in England read comics, though with the rise of Marvel comic hero films, you know they have really been more in demand.

But Avengers 2 is not to be on screen until Captain America 2, Ironman 3 and possibly Thor 2.

Ironman was a definite favourite for me but The Hulk really stole the show at the end of the film with some hilarious stunts. Not too impressed either with the England releases, they never showed the Shawarma scene.

Madagascar 3 - Europe's Most Wanted

Madagascar was a brilliant film! It was different to the other animation films out there. I love how they've done the film so a new film could be added easily and making each film a stand alone film in themselves.

This one sees them going through Europe and trying to get back to their home in the Big Apple! Starring the lovely cast that has continuously made you laugh throughout all the Madagascar films, Ben Stiller (Alex the Lion), Jada Pinkett Smith (Gloria the Hippo), David Schwimmer (Melman the Giraffe), Chris Rock (Marty the Zebra)and Sacha Baron Cohen (King Julien!).

The Expendables 2

Would it be sexist to say it is the manliest film of all time. The first was badass, with a hardcore cast of Stallone, Lundgren, Li, Stathom, Terry and that other guy... Couture... With cameos made by Schwarzenegger and Willis. And man was it an awesome film, filled with fight scenes, explosions, explosions, more fight scenes and most importantly... no cheesy ending with some chick. Just pure awesomeness...

And now!! The same cast, which now now includes Schwarzenegger having a proper role, Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis and Jean Claude Van Damme....

this awesomeness... will blow your mind....

If this isn't a more manly film than anything, then there is no such thing as a man.

The Magic of Belle Isle - Morgan Freeman is back with a Gem.

If you've ever seen The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson, then you will love this film. From the makers of said film comes a movie that will once again move you with what seems to be a stunning performance once again from Mr Freeman. He plays an alcoholic writer who hits the wall and takes to a small lakeside cabin to try and grasp some kind of inspiration. How he gets it will be a journey to experience.

I can only speculate from the teaser trailers but I can comfortably say it should be amazing as with any Freeman performances.

Anyway, for a first one back that will be all.

Hope you have a nice day!

This has been an Andy production and I'm signing out!

Dragon!!! GRRR!!! 2012!!! Happy (Chinese) New Year!!!

So trying to use the line, "I guess they just say happy new year in China" was going to be lame anyway but then my other lame joke would have been but one worse.

So it is indeed the new year in the Chinese calendar month, which is completely different to the so called Mayan calendar which says the worlds end is near, but I'm happy with the Chinese one.

Why?

Because I'm technically a year older in this calendar than the western one. making me 24! Yay!

Simple explanation without all the details is... I just am.

Ask your local Chinese person, terms and conditions apply, any racial slurs and they have the right to kung-fu your arse! And yes when I say it, it is not racist.

Why do I feel like I'm about to be another Liverpool FC, racial discrimination case....?

Anyway, here's a few things to look forward to, keep this in mind when you notice at the end of the year, if at any point in time that anything I said came true:

Those, who are year of the Ox, watch what you eat, you don't want to over develop your love handles.

Those of the Horse, watch out for those Rats.

Snakes, check out the south blowing winds as they may spring life into your own.

Dragons, unfortunately, this isn't going to be your favourite year, things will happen up and down the country like a fast forwarded marathon.

Pigs, man you guys just need to take this year to chill, think over your work, your thoughts, don't rush into things ok?... good.

I should really do this in order...

Olympics will go smoothly and a HUGE government scandal will appear at the same time.

Should have prepared this a little better too....

Ah hell with it, I'm making this up anyway! Seriously, don't think about all this crap people say, psychics aren't psychics but someone who essentially performs inception with you know. They stick an idea in your head, and things that happen normally suddenly become bigger, more involved in your life, thus giving a different result to what would normally happen had you known about this hypothetical "thing" that should be life changing.

However I don't condemn those to see a psychic, if anything I think people should see them more.

"But uncle Andy, you just said don't believe them so much"

Yes I'm aware, but for those down in the dumps, they are really good for boosting your confidence and can really give a person a much needed positive outlook on life. The use of psychics takes the person and brings them up into a place of hope, giving a positive reinforcement of the mind, making them see more objectively and less subjectively to the things around them. Now come on, I didn't need a case study and a degree to know that.

Any who, so typical food was eaten, traditions of the old ways were mentioned but nor performed and you know what. It saddens me that we don't really do the old fashion thing of wearing the traditional clothing, going veggie on new years day, having dinner with extended family on new year eve, meeting other members of families for more money... no wait.... we still do that actually. Score!

Would be better if I was in Hong Kong, get a hell o a lot more relatives.

Just so you know, we celebrate for 2 weeks. The western world celebrates for a day.

Ours is awesome in comparison.

Though no one drinks so it goes back down to a crap one.

But a lovely day of family time and other things which make it all worth while having.

Not so good with explaining mushy stuff so I'll let you go with, Good luck with 2012 and I hope to still be posting these rants of crap at the end of the year.

I'm Andy Lai, signing off!

New Year, new stuff, same old setup, and this is gonna course a riot....

Hello Everybody, I'm sorry it has been so long, I suck at organising myself especially after a long holiday but look I'm back! Yay!!! Or nay...


Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and a better New Year than mine -.- Lets just say Oceana is a place I will NEVER go again, even if you dragged me in!!
Anyway I would like to start off this year with a lovely blog about....


....something different.


I was listening to Symphony Crack and the Madviolinist and thought, how many instruments have been able to cross genres.
The most used instruments in music now-a-days are the typical guitar, bass, piano, drums but a violin as a main instrument is not one that would normally be seen. Not since The Corrs have the violin been a huge part of commercial music or underground for that matter.However one man has proved that his work will not go unnoticed!
The Madviolinist and Symphony Crack work a lot on doing renditions of recent songs, their biggest role so far has been featuring in Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On. BUT their latest covers include Rhianna - We Found Love and Ellie Goulding - Lights.


This music breathes a new sound to all genre of music though it does focus on hip-hip, R'n'B and rock fusion. This is nothing new in terms of cross genre music to music lovers, but until you have heard what they do, you would not be able to appreciate the talent, the art and genius of their work. So below are some youtube links to their music.


Ellie Goulding - Lights


Rhianna - We Found Love


Lupe Fiasco - Show Goes On (FreeStyle)


Truly brilliant work, nothing far off from brilliance.


But continuing.
It's been half a year since my graduation, and I've yet to find the job I want and I may have mentioned, I'm definitely going to University again to do a masters should I not find a job.
But you know what really grinds my gears? Yeh I quoted Family Guy, This talk of immigrants taking all the jobs. Can you really blame the immigrants? They go through the same process as everyone else in applying for jobs, there is no advantage to an immigrant taking a job but knowing another language, if it is even relevant to the job and they're not the ones hiring people, they're the ones getting hired!
If you wanna complain, blame the people doing the hiring, if you want to blame someone, blame the government for letting so many don't shit on the little guy who just got through the border control!
Everyone's going through the same shit, so how about instead of pointing fingers you get off your ass and help each other out because, lets face it, the government ain't doing a great job.
OOOOhh no he didn't! Yes actually I did.... To be fair, again cannot completely shit of the government at the moment, it was the ones in the past that turn this country upside-down.
Now I want all you people to just stop for just a second! And Think.
Did you really think the government was going to be able to fix the country in a year or two? Did you really think something on a scale as big as the WHOLE COUNTRY was going to be sorted over night? NO!!!! We're soooo obsessed with things to be fixed straight away with our fast internet connection and social networking sites that give us updates about the world in an instant, that we expect the world to be fixed the same way.
SHUT UP!!! NO!!! The reason the government is going further into smush is partly to do with keeping the public happy, which means trying out quick fix options instead of slow progressive options that may take 5-10 years.
It's a bitch but Rome wasn't built in a day!
But I know people will say this and that about what the government did else where and such but your still pointing fingers, stop it!!! Put the finger down!!!
NOW!!!
Stop pointing fingers and help each other out, do what you can instead of sitting and complaining. Actions speak louder than words and in this day and age, action has done a lot more than words.... on a metaphorical level....
NOT saying democracy doesn't work before you all get arsey about it.


ANYWAY!!
Onto Football news.


Mark Hughes is new Manager of QPR.


Robbie Keane's popping over to Aston Villa.


Leeds Maybe linked with Emile Heskey.


And Finally
Liverpool having been beaten by Manchester City 3-0 in the league game, managed to pull back a 1-0 win over City in the semi-finals first leg of the Carling Cup. Second leg to be played at Anfield on the 28th Jan 2012, should be a good match. With the Skipper, Stevie G, back, the team has had a lift of not just confidence but better structure, the defence was brilliant, although some slip ups gave some close calls. In the second half, Man City had picked themselves up and were hammering away at the defence with a 75% possession rate, but with a formation of 9-1, it become difficult for City to really have a go. Spearing was taken off early with some injury to his thigh, said possibly his hamstring.... I have no idea where the hamstring is....
Balotelli was taken off with a possible ankle injury and was replaced.
Nasri had the best chance, with Aguero and Kolarov wasting chances  while Richards came in with a flying header only to be stopped by Reina's quick reaction.
Glen Johnsons tackle in the later half of the second half caused controversy as his two-legged tackle was not penalised on, what seemed to be, his win of the ball.
Gerrards penalty put Liverpool ahead after Agger was fouled in the penalty box by Savic. Hart went the right way but the power in the strike was enough to slip through Hart. Savic wasn't having the best day as he seemed to panic a lot once under pressure and dealing with Carroll's size became a problem.
Carroll is seen to have picked up and is gelling better with the team and had a pretty good game though there were still many instances of him giving the ball away.
With Kompany back for the second leg, this could be a tough one as Liverpool will need to push harder on the attack at a quicker pace. The game for Liverpool seemed to be mainly defensive but the penalty was definitely a perk that worked in their favour. Bellamy played a much more reserved role and had very few chances to attack with Downing and Henderson doing well.
Henderson played a little selfish on the attack but it was difficult not to be when the team was playing so reservedly. Both players made use of their pace to game the upper-hand at recovering the ball and taking advantage of the City players.
Richards had a very good game, with a couple of chances and with Silva out the flexibility of the team had dropped which brings to mind the likelihood of the Anfield game being much tougher.
Surely After this Mancini will be looking to go back to his usual starting XI.
More praise could not be given to the defence of Liverpool as Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson, with the late addition of Enrique and Carragher enabled Liverpool to leave the Etihad Stadium with a clean sheet. Pepe Reina was forced to make a few stops which left him in frustration as the defence did have sudden loss of concentration.








And that's all for today, I'm in a rush and have to go to work.
Leave your comments below and for any subject you want me to talk/ rant about and I shall see you all later!
I'm Andy Lai, Signing off!