iPHONE 3G BROUGHT TO YOU BY MAXIS

iPhone 3G was first released back in July 2008. After 8 months, finally the Apple's dear darling has arrived in our shore in the recent weeks. iPhone as it is always occur in many countries, can only be legally operates under a single telco provider. In Malaysia, the job of telco provider is handed over to none other than Digi Maxis. Understandably, Maxis is the largest mobile telco operator in Malaysia, so I am not surprise Apple grants them with the sole license in Malaysia.


According to an informant from Maxis itself, the iPhone 3G sold more than 1,800 units upon the first 3 days of release in a show exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. This number is not impressive but still a good track number to track considering the still underdeveloped and under-used 3G services in Malaysia. How many are willing to make a video calls I wonder? Here, I am not promoting anything about iPhone 3G or Maxis, but merely to inform and to share with you about these pieces of informations.


iPhone can be used to surf the web, listen to music, watch videos, download apps from App Store or even just to make calls and SMSes. Therefore, Maxis has formulate plans revolving iPhone 3G by introducing iValue plans for the customers. The plans are divided into four, depending on data usage, talk time, capacity and length of contract period.

iValue Plans from Maxis

iValue 1

Monthly RM 100 for 500MB data and 333 minutes of talk time
Airtime rate of 15sen/SMS rate of 10 sen
12 months contract - RM 1900 (8GB); RM 2290 (16GB)
24 months contract - RM 1510 (8GB); RM 1890 (16GB)

iValue 2
Monthly RM 155 for 1 GB data and 667 minutes of talk time
Airtime rate of 12sen/SMS rate of 10 sen
12 months contract - RM 1780 (8GB); RM 2160 (16GB)
24 months contract - RM 1260 (8GB); RM 1640 (16GB)

iValue 3
Monthly RM 250 for 2 GB data and 1500 minutes of talk time
Airtime rate of 10sen/SMS rate of 10 sen
12 months contract - RM 1490 (8GB); RM 1870 (16GB)
24 months contract - RM 680 (8GB); RM 1060 (16GB)

iValue 4
Monthly RM 375 for 3 GB data and 2500 minutes of talk time
Airtime rate of 10sen/SMS rate of 10 sen
12 months contract - RM 1080 (8GB); RM 1470 (16GB)
24 months contract - FREE (8GB); RM 260 (16GB)

Other extra plans offered by Maxis are those who are currently signed up to a Value Plus Plan; under which are Value Plus 80/150/250 and 500 only. In which the monthly commitment is applicable as the original plan offers and you have 6 months contract, with FREE 500MB data per month for 6 months. Price of the phones are RM 2540 for 8GB and RM 2960 for 16 GB.

Other informations you need to know:

• All iPhone 3G are subjected to a year warranty by Apple
• Talk times of domestic voice air times only
• Port-in (switching from other network) are only eligible for a 12 months contract
• The list of plans and pricing subjected to terms and conditions stated

So, are you iPhone 3G-ing? If so, get one now at any Maxis Centre. Too bad iPhone does not come with Digi!!

GREEN TEA OPEN LETTER TO McDONALD's MALAYSIA

To McDonald's Malaysia,

I am glad that I am your once a great lover for your burgers and those craving side dishes that you offered. No doubt over the years, I have greatly enjoy your food better than other fast food chain restaurant. McDonald's has become a brand name since its arrival for quite a time. However, due to the current economy climate and health conscious, I have decided to trim down my appetite for McD but nevertheless still enjoy it once in a while.

However, been observance of the current situation in McD, I can't help to notice that the food menu in your so-called McValue meals keep on rising in prices. It took one RM 7.95 roughly for a Medium McChicken burger set 12 months ago. However the price has been up for several times over the last 12 months. Today, with your current new pricing system, a Medium McChicken burger set costs about RM 9.35, which is an increase of about 17.6%. even Malaysia's inflation rate of roughly 8% does not match the significant rise on the price.

I'm glad that you are now having promotions on your lunch hour value meal and other coupon give-away with discounts. However, how many will be benifited from just going, walking or driving to McD during the lunch hour just for a RM 5.95 meal? How many are free during weekday just for your tempting promotion? How many will be crazily finish-up the whole coupons just for the sake of getting it at a discount price? The main questions here are not about I will be able to have my McD for lunch at the cheaper price or will I get more discount coupons. The main issue is why rise again despite doing so several times over the year.

Besides having an increase in price, I can't help to notice the shrinkage in size. The quality has decrease, as well as the quantity. That will not justify the rise in price or in order to save so much of the management cost. With a difficult economy condition, unemployments everywhere and the recent unknown-status-result-of-the-so-called-boycott-campaign; these will not seems to help McDonald's Malaysia as it may resulted many people from driving away from your store. I have seen significant reduction in number of peoples eating at one of your branch at Berjaya Times Square.

Because of the rising in price, I have decided to so-called 'boycott' your products for the next 3 months starting on 21 February 2009, 12 AM. This is to see whether another price increase will happen again during the period as I have seen for the last 3-6 months ago. For your information, I have not had any McDonald's for the past 35 days since the Chinese New Years holiday. Thanks for your new pricing system, I will continue not to have McD.

I do hope in the next months to come, no price increases will be seen again. Do remember that you are different from Starbucks. Starbucks uses foreign imported coffee beans and have free WIFI and good services but you are not. Unless you are telling me that your McChicken is from USA or unless you improved on your sour-face workers!!

Thanks for listening or rather reading,
BERNARD GREEN TEA

Two - Zero - Zero - Eight

I woke up this morning with so much things in my head. I had a handful of vivid dreams that I don't seems to remember. Human's sleeping pattern is unique. We have a cycle of sleep that roughly last for an hour and a half which consists of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage and non-REM. The REM ends with a bang, a roughly 5-10 minutes of our dream which may or may not be remembered, which is triggered by a brain structure called pons.

Nope, in this post, we are not talking about sleeps and dreams. Just that I want to enlight you that one of the dreams that I have was very much related to what had happen this year. That was the day when I became The Joker. Yes, in 2008, I become The Joker. Anyway, how's your been? Two-zero-zero-eight is another year that will be flying away in the next hours. So, lets recap my 2008 in my very own rendition.

2008 - THE YEAR IN RECAP by GreenTea
Come....it's all about FOOD AND DRINKS, FILMS, MUSICS, BLOGGINGS @ Green Tea, GADGETS, TVs and ISSUES

THE BEST COFFEE CHAIN
Need to say any more? Starbucks Coffee - enjoy Mocha Frappucino with whipped cream on top while surfing the Internet

THE BEST DESSERT SHOP
Need to say again? MOF@ Japanese Sweets and Coffees - enjoy their signature kakigori, imo and sundae with their good taste and natural sweetie red bean paste

THE BEST FAST FOOD CHAIN
Tough call but I am still putting my money on McDonald - the best thing is try to say this in within 4 seconds..."Two all beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese prickle onion and a sesame seed bun"

THE BEST PIZZERIA Tough call too but while Papa John's is still a juvenile, this year it belongs to Pizza Hut

THE BEST REVIEWED MOVIE
The Dark Knight - a monster hit of Batman saga

THE WORST REVIEWED MOVIE
It's truly Disaster Movie...one word, disastrous

THE BEST CHARACTER IN A MOVIE
The Joker and runner up is Tony Stark

THE BEST CINEMA CHAIN
Golden Screen Cinema especially the one in Pavilion and Berjaya Times Square

THE BEST SONG
"Viva La Vida" - a cheeky rhythmic and infusion of God-smack lyrics by COLDPLAY

THE MOST PLAYED SONG "
Apologize" - an addiction to its special and creative tune and lyrics by ONE REPUBLIC

THE BEST ALBUM
The Soundtrack of Mamma Mia! -a blend of feel good Abba's megahits fueling the Broadway show

THE MOST COMMENTED POST
"I Got Robbed" - 04/12/2008

THE BEST POST
"Nokia Nuffnang Silent Halloween Rocks" - 07/11/2008

THE MOST AMAZING POST
"Top Innovations of the Year" - 15/12/2008

THE BEST MOBILE PHONE COMPANY
Sony Ericsson still ahead of Nokia, although Nokia is coming in quick this year

THE BEST LAPTOP/COMPUTER COMPANY
Apple iMac, with their MacBook - too bad it is not so compatible with me

THE BEST CAR COMPANY
Toyota - good track record and it continues

THE BEST MP3 and MP4
Apple or Sony...Apple iPod I guess. You still frenzy about iPod

THE BEST TV SERIES
House MD...House is wacky as always

THE BEST NEW TV SERIES
Fringe...I love Olivia Dunham


THE TOP 5 Serious Issues
#1 - The Barisan Nasional failed to secure 2/3 majority in Parliament and at the same time lost 5 states to the Opposition

#2 -
Barack Obama becomes the first Black-American president, trashing John McCain for a Democrat sweet victory

#3 - Lehmans Brothers collapse while AIG and Iceland in blink of bankruptcy - a global economical meltdown

#4 - The high and low of oil price at global market - US$ 145 and US$ 40. In Malaysia, the flip-flop government increased 70 cents of oil price in one shot but took several reduction to bring it down

#5 - Peace never been there - South Ossetia pounded by Georgia, Gaza Strip bombed by Israel, pirates looming attack in Somalia, protests in Thailand, never-ending war in Iraq

Well, I guess that's all for now. Looks like New Year 2009 is within hours to go. so, the author of Green Tea World!! would like to wish you readers and Inniters

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY NEW YEAR 2009 (The Christmas mood is still on) HAPPY NEW YEAR and GOD BLESS

WHEN MONEYS RUN OUT...Scream!!!!

In this economic climate, survival is what it matters. The situation in global economic recession is unlikely to improve in the next few months. But this year we keep on hearing one common thing ever said by our government; since this year, 2008 had started to roll in - CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLES.... Because they need to change your lifestyles....

No more McDonalds please, but instead change to Ramli Burger, a burger whom Lord Spectre will definitely enjoy it, so why can't you?

No more Starbucks Coffee, but instead change to normal Kopi-O kao kao...original in Ah Pek coffee shops and I should state that not Old Town okay...

No more ColdStorage, but instead shop at your nearest U.O. or Mydin where you can always get cheap stuff for very cheap quality? I'm not sure...

No more driving Aston Martin or BMW, but instead put your faith on Proton, and please don't drive the way James Bond did, by destroying it very early in the movie...there goes the DBS...

But there were more funny news once you flipped open your local dailies these days. Laughing myself out when I read it few days ago; laugh as it there are no tomorrows to laugh. I was reading from newspaper from The Star, I found several things that make me want to laugh as loud as possible. This is an excerpt I found from Prasys' site, with even some grammar error here and there on The Star's article. Shame on you The Star, you were supposed to show good example of English to the Malaysian. But since they screwed up, merely it shows that no one is perfect anyway.

Simply blunt and in rush to write a legendary article!!

Anyway!! The authority of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) has been so generous by giving out 10% discount on toll fee soon. Wait! Don't start jumping around first...10% is not a huge figure...imagine your usual travel will cost about RM 40 by travelling north. Now after the reduction, it cost RM 36. It is as similar as if you drive pass the toll, they will give you free chicken-rice, one box RM4. The strangest thing is that the reduction only applied from midnight to 7 in the morning. So the authority wants to follow the suit of the mobile operators - peak and non-peak hour. It seems that they are also encouraging Malaysian to travel on the highway in the wee hour. Extra caution and buck up rear seatbelt when you drive, for not only you may have high risk of getting accidents, you will likely to experience road robbery and even some spooky unseen stuff as well.

Quoting from Malaysiakini.com;

"The 10% discount - they are treating us like beggars"

"Higher risk of highway robberies. The breakdown services take longer to arrive (should a breakdown happen). You won't be able to see potholes."

"It is totally irresponsible of Plus to encourage Malaysians to travel past midnight in order to enjoy a 10% discount. As Malaysians are badly affected by the high cost of living, they will go to any length to save a few ringgit."

"Remember that not all of the highway is fully lighted at night to making driving safe. I wonder if the Malaysian Institute for Road Safety (Miros) has been consulted on this move by Plus."

On another front, it seems like there is the possibility that the oil price will go down again. The question is how much this time. When they increased the price back in June, it was done so drastically that they raised up more than 70 cents in one shot, a raise that requires few months and several reductions to occur to bring it back down to its recently RM 2.00 per litre, although the price should have been some where RM1.70. The reduction is likely to occur this end of November, according to some sources. Why burden yourself and makes it so confusing when you can just reduce it to your desire level in one shot rather than requiring several announcement. Thanks to the confusion and thanks for your time, boss Shahrir!!

It's Time For A Cheaper Oil?

With world market in turmoil, where stock markets are heading no way but to the south and heading into doom, there is some good news nevertheless. The oil price has cracked down to a low level again. Probably due to the fear of lower in demand for oil due to economy recession, strengthening of US Dollar and lack in confidence over the global economy, the price of a barrel of oil is also going down. In fact, the oil price is now at 17-months low of barely on the ground of US$ 6o per barrel.

Pretty much a reference from a post on August...here

OIL PRICE on Monday - US$ 63.22,
RINGGIT vs US DOLLAR - US$ 1 = RM 3.61
1 BARREL of OIL = 159 litres of oil
(all resources from Yahoo!)

Therefore you have, RM228.22 per barrel/159 litres

So you have the production cost of RM 1.4354 per litre

Then, we have other things that also involved in it that we called

THE OTHER COSTS = Transportation + Storage + Commission + Miscellaneous

In Malaysia, the "Other Costs" = RM 0.32

Therefore, the oil price in a petrol station is

PRICE AT PUMP = PRODUCTION + OTHERS

The price at pump is RM 1.7554

But, the government is so generous to subsidy 30 cents for each litre

YOU PAY = RM 1.4554!! way way cheaper than now!!

But in the recent announcement, the government decided not to reduced the oil price exceeding 15 cents to avoid sudden major loss in petrol station or kiosk owners. Then, it was announced the price will be lowered pending on the discussion by the cabinet. See, simply another act of flip-flopping. Consumers deserve a lower oil price if the global market price is in decrease.

RM 1.45 is way cheaper than the time when drastic measure to raise up till RM 2.70 back in June. That move is simply illogical if you think back now, don't there? So, where's my money?

What If The Economy Slumps....

In the wake of the recent economical recession, I think it is time for us to realize one thing - everyone is vulnerable to these kind of economical slump. It started when banks are unable to move their trust fund, unable to settle for morgage in porperties; thus the crisis of subprime and credit which had begun last year seems to have much of its toll now. People have many name for it, "credit crunch" or "subprime crisis". Many experts earlier this year believed that the crisis might not long enough to give the impact to the rest of the globe. However, one by one bank is calling for S.O.S. sign. Coupled with the fact that the oil price had reached the record high in the middle of the year. Once in June-July it rocketted all the way to US$ 140+. The US Dollar continued to weaken against most major currencies. Earlier this year, Euro reached its record peak against the greenback. Even when they said it won't last long, we were pretty much had to endure a high oil and food prices worldwide. Due to the soaring price of fuel and food products, Malaysia's August inflation rate this year reached record 8.4%. That was the first half of the year.....

Then came the second part which proved to be extremely challenging and the real economic recession is pretty much on the verge to happen now. 

• The oil price somehow made an U-turn from the record high to slide down almost one-third of its record high to settle at the south point of US$90. Some claimed it was due to much better politically climate in the major oil field in Middle East. Some thought it maybe due to lower demand following sky-high oil price and also due to strengthening US dollar recently.
• Not only that, the subprime and credit crisis deepened. Not only that it prolonged but it had made many major giants calling for help and protection from bankruptcy. AIG, one of the biggest issurance company and Lehmans Brothers, US major powerhouse in banking are calling for help. Banks worldwide are unable to refinance their debts. The first victim due to these global financial meltdown which triggered the whole thing was The Northern Rock of England which now had their assets under the government protection. Also affected with the global meltdown are Merrill Lynch, Bradford & Bingley, Fortis and the list just goes on.... (Here for more)
  
• Iceland is on the verge to become the first "national bankruptcy" due to the global financial meltdown. All the three banks in Iceland; Glitnir, Landsbanki and Kaupthing were handed over to the Financial Supervisory Authority (government) where they were burdened by heavy debts. Iceland is in economic turnmoil, with the currency Icelandic Krona had declined severely that is only beaten by the most severe Zimbabwean dollar. Following the take-over of the three banks, 1 Krona was traded at € 340, worst ever in the history, while the inflation hit 14%!! Just today, the Icelandic Stock Exchange plungged more than 77% following three-days halt of trading!! (Here for more)
  
• The US Government passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, with some US$ 700 billion will be injected into the market to allow liquidity. The British government also injected some US$ 100 billion into the market; while the Russian did the same with some US$ 36 billion into the market. When the first attempt to bring forward the plan, the stock market at first got panicked and the response was negative, The Dow Jones Index saw a massive drop of 777-points in a single day trading which is a record!! Then yesterday, the index climbed back more than 900 points. On October 10, the Dow Jones Index (US) dropped below 7900 (a 5 year low) but rebounded back more than 900 points on Monday October 13 in the "Manic Monday".
  

Considering how volatile the markets are now, there is no letdown in guard since the economical recession is on its meltdown and it hurts the financial sector badly. Fortunately, Malaysian banking system is still strong for at least now. However, we should start to consider the options and ways to survive after this. The global impact may anytime affecting the Malaysian directly. Let's hope we are not like the Icelandic for this moment. If our bank system and financial sector collapsed, imagine that you will have to pay more for your mortgage, house loan, car loan, basically every loan and saving accounts you have may evaporate fast.

Well, I think we really need to save more of our penny now. Save it for the rainy day people say. 

Don't get a house if you can't really pay the loan.

Don't drive a big car if you can't afford.

Don't eat or drink from super-duper fancy restaurant.

.....Except McDonald's restaurant that have a pretty model posing in front of their restaurant 

Don't go travel so much if you can't afford.

So, we need to change our lifestyles now!!!

In that case, no more Starbucks until further notice!!

T_T