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In this Developer Feature series, Spiffy talks to up-and-coming developers to learn what makes them tick. This time around, we have Steve Sng, the CEO and founder of startup LoveByte, a young growing company with the aim of bringing couples closer using technology. 1) Describe yourself in three words. Determined, competitive, problem-solver. 2) What motivated you to start LoveByte? There isn’t a beautiful story behind LoveByte. It was an entirely different product back in 2010 (it was an online search collaboration website similar to Socl - http://www.so.cl/) and it didn’t take off. So my mentor and I were thinking of how to pivot the failed product. Probably because both of us love our girlfriend a lot, we decided to pivot it into an app for couples to “collaborate” and share things privately online. But the first version wasn’t good either. It was a web app and it didn’t stick. So we pivoted it into a mobile app, and that’s what the current LoveByte is. ...

Lumia 930 now available in Singapore The latest innovation beautifully integrates the best of Microsoft and Lumia Microsoft today announced the availability of the Lumia 930 with Windows Phone 8.1 in Singapore at a recommended retail price of SGD789, a device which integrates the best of Microsoft and Lumia to deliver the ultimate video and imaging experience on a smartphone. Lumia 930 packs a rich suite of differentiating applications and services into a beautifully crafted design with metallic details and vibrant new colours, while keeping content like photos, videos and documents in sync across Windows Phone, PC, tablet and Xbox devices. ...

On July 6th, Microsoft Singapore welcomed over 400 kids and their family members to a special YouthSpark Kids Camp. This camp is part of the WeSpeakCode movement to promote coding as the second language of the Asia Pacific region. During the camp, kids are invited to take part in a variety of activities, such as the “Hour of Code” which teaches kids to code their first programs and “Glimpse into the Future” which provides a rare look into the latest Microsoft technologies powering the future. My little niece acted as my special field reporter as I observed the camp through her eyes. During registration, participants with Microsoft devices were rewarded with a specially designed WeSpeakCode t-shirt. Kids were encouraged to explore and learn about the various devices and technologies that are sprinkled all over the Microsoft Singapore office. My niece enjoyed the various activities immensely, and she was very interested in finding out how all of the different technologies and devices worked together. To commemorate the event, my niece took a picture with her parents at the photo booth. Thank you Microsoft Singapore for hosting a fantastic Youth Spark Kids Camp. My niece is looking forward to the next WeSpeakCode event! What do you think of Youth Spark Kids Camp? You can share your experiences in the comments below and tag all event photos with #WeSpeakCode and #YouthSpark.

The Nokia Lumia 635 was launched in Singapore on the 14th of June, 2014. Recently, I had the opportunity to check out this low-cost device - a pioneer of the next version of Windows Phone (8.1). Setting Up I was pleasantly surprised at the upgraded out-of-box experience that comes with Windows Phone 8.1. The cellular network setup that used to be separate from the initial setup has now been merged, and the overall setup process has been simplified. I ran a restore from my Nokia Lumia 1020 which quickly brought back all my accounts, contacts, apps and customization options (even backgrounds and tiles) in less than 10 minutes. The Lumia 635 I got came with OS version 8.10.12382.878 which is the latest publicly available version of Windows Phone to the public. ...

As someone who’s been fortunate enough to have a foot in two rather different worlds - the local startup ecosystem and the local music scene - I’ve found some curious similarities. When I speak to startups in my course of work managing the Microsoft BizSpark programme in Singapore, I often joke that a musician in Singapore is very similar to an entrepreneur in Singapore - the only small difference is that as an entrepreneur, there’s at least a chance for you to make your money back. ...

The Surface Pro 3 Media Event on the 27th of June also revealed some information about the Xbox One and Windows Phone in Singapore. Here are some interesting information regarding the three that I gathered from asking around. Xbox One The Xbox One will be released in Singapore on the 23rd of September. It will be available for purchase on the online Microsoft Store, with (S$739) and without the Kinect (S$639). Consumers will be able to pre-order the Xbox One - though no news on pre-order bonuses, if any. The delayed launch of the Xbox One was due to customizations that had to be made in order to cater to the country. This is because the Xbox One is not just a gaming device - it’s an all-rounded entertainment device. Stay-tuned for the pre-order which may reward locals for waiting. Post-launch, we should see games by Microsoft (343i - like Halo Master Chief Collection, etc) launching on the same day in Singapore. Not sure if partners (like EA) will release on the same day as well or if games will have a staggered release. Integration with local providers is being worked on. The Xbox One has many upcoming exclusive games as shown in the recent E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo). Did you know: The Xbox One can control the TV (e.g. power, volume) via HDMI? Windows Phone The Nokia Lumia 930 will be launched in July. Nokia device releases are usually on Saturdays - meaning the Lumia 930 will likely go live on the 5th, 12th, 19th, or 26th of July. Windows Phone 8.1 will be rolled out some time in Q3 2014 (1st July to 30th September). SensorCore will only be available to the Nokia Lumia 635, 930, and 1520 - and future Lumias- but not earlier models of Nokia Lumia. Fragmentation is not expected from this as SensorCore is very niche, and developers can make an app work with or without it (e.g. Bing Health & Fitness app) Surface Pro 3 Students can get an educational 10% discount off the Surface Pro 3 from the online Microsoft Store. No plans for any trade-in promotion. Will be available at Challenger, Newstead, and Harvey Norman - pre-orders from them start 4th July (already available at the online Microsoft Store). Check out the Surface Pro 3 Fact Sheet for more information.

Meet Surface Pro 3, the tablet that can replace your laptop. Wrapped in magnesium and loaded with a 12-inch ClearType Full HD display, 4th-generation Intel® Core™ processor and up to 8 GB of RAM in a sleek frame — just 9.1mm thin and 800g — with up to nine hours of Web-browsing battery life, Surface Pro 3 has all the power, performance and mobility of a laptop in an incredibly lightweight, versatile form. The thinnest and lightest member of the Surface Pro family, Surface Pro 3 features a large and beautiful 2160x1440 2K color-calibrated screen and 3:2 aspect ratio with multitouch input, so you can swipe, pinch and drag whenever you need. The improved optional Surface Pro Type Cover and more adjustable, continuous kickstand will transform your device experience from tablet to laptop in a snap. Surface Pro Type Cover features a double-fold hinge enabling you to magnetically lock it to the display’s lower bezel, keeping everything steady so you can work just as comfortably on your lap as you do at your desk. With a full-size USB 3.0 port, microSD card reader and Mini DisplayPort, you can quickly transfer files and easily connect peripherals like external displays. And with the optional Surface Ethernet Adapter, you can instantly connect your Surface to a wired Ethernet network with transfer rates of up to 1 Gbps [1]. The custom Surface Pen, crafted with a solid, polished aluminum finish, was designed to look and feel like an actual fountain pen to give you a natural writing experience. Use Surface Pen to organically mark presentations, sign documents or create art in apps like Fresh Paint. A click of Surface Pen opens OneNote, so you can capture your thoughts instantaneously — and your work is automatically saved. Double-click the back of Surface Pen to instantly capture a screenshot of whatever’s on your screen [2]. And with our sophisticated Palm Block technology, you can rest your hand as you write without unintended inputs and marks. When it’s time to have some fun, Surface Pro 3’s bright 12-inch ClearType Full HD display, Dolby® Audio-enhanced sound and doubled Wi-Fi speeds are up to the task. Prop up your Surface via its continuous kickstand for your perfect viewing angle, and enjoy Surface Pro 3’s front-facing speakers, now 45 percent louder for an even better audio experience. Need to quickly capture a photo or video chat with your friends? Surface Pro 3 now features two 5MP cameras capable of capturing 1080p HD video, so capturing stills or video has never been easier. With Windows 8.1 Pro [3], Surface Pro 3 is capable of running all your Windows software, including Microsoft Office and Windows Store apps, including custom line-of-business apps for enterprises and business owners. Surface Pro 3 is available with an Intel® Core™ i3, i5 or i7 processor with up to 512 GB of storage and up to 8 GB of RAM [4]. At launch, we have announced that BMW Group, the Coca-Cola Company and LVMH Group have already committed to deploying Surface Pro 3 in their respective organizations, leading the way in transforming the way companies do business. This fact speaks to Surface Pro 3’s suitability for business needs. ...

What’s ‘Appening is a series of lists by Microsoft Singapore detailing some must-have apps for your Windows 8 or Windows Phone device. Do check them out and discover some hot new apps! It’s time for kick-off! Whether you call it soccer, football, or the “beautiful game”, the sport where 11 players on each side kick a little ball around a grass field and try to get it into large woven nets at either end of the field is back again this year with its biggest and most exciting global event—the World Cup! If you’ve never heard of the game, the way we’ve described it may not sound very exciting, but rest assured that no other soccer competition in the world is more anticipated than this once-in-four-years mega-event. But as countries of the world put forth their best feet to win the grand title of World Cup champion, we’d rather hunker down in our living room with our Windows and Windows Phone devices, where the view is better and more personal, and where there are great apps to make the experience exceptional. Are you ready for the kick-off? ...

You may have heard by now that Microsoft announced on Tuesday updates to OneDrive that include: an increase in the amount of free storage available to customers, reduced prices for paid storage, and added value for customers who have an Office 365 subscription. A breakdown of the updates is included below: Free storage will increase from 7 GB to 15 GB Storage bundled with Office 365 subscriptions will increase to 1 TB S$9.80/month or $98.00/year for Office 365 Personal S$13.80/month or $138.00/year for Office 365 Home (up to 5 PCs or Macs) S$108.00/4yr for University Note: Monthly pricing only available via microsoftstore.com Storage prices will be reduced worldwide. Plans are now: S$3.00/month for 100 GB of storage Lastly, OneDrive users who refer friends will still receive up to 5 GB (in 500 MB increments) for each friend who accepts an invitation. Additionally, OneDrive will give you 3 GB just for activating the camera backup feature on your smartphone. All of these updates will take effect in the next month. Current subscribers will be automatically be moved to the lower prices. Additional details can be found on the OneDrive blog.

Walkabout Singapore - 13th June Walkabout Singapore is an annual open house for technology companies in Singapore where the public is given an opportunity to interact with the hottest startups and tech giants, such as Microsoft, Facebook, and Twitter. Since its successful inaugural edition in 2012, Walkabout Singapore has grew by leaps and bounds with its 3rd edition offering 80 open houses, 25 special events, and a rockin’ afterparty at Kyo. ...