Is your phone secretly listening you? NO!

I have been hearing people telling me that they are suspecting their phones are listening to them because they have been seeing creepy advertisements appearing on their phones with pinpoint accuracy despite them saying they never performed a search on that subject. My immediate response is IMPOSSIBLE! These technology giants e.g. Google, Facebook and Microsoft just have too much information on us, huge enough and yet still growing, to profile us and possibly know us or our partners better than ourselves know ourselves or people around you.

From advertising to data mining, do we need regulation or legislation? An interesting an hour discussion over this topic below.

How to buy gym pass using ActiveSG app?

ActiveSG is a national initiative from the Singapore government to encourage all to stay healthy and keeping fit. Membership registration is free for all Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents! To add onto the sweetness of this programme, one should receive FREE ActiveSG $100 upon membership verification (valid for a limited period) which can be used to join programmes like gym, swimming pools, and so on.

This post is a guide on how to buy gym pass using the new ActiveSG app (based on Android). Do scroll all the way down for a tip from me!

Screen when you tap on Buy followed by Gym Pass

Scroll down and look for Single Entry pass

Add Single Entry pass to cart

Switch to your cart to complete payment (10 minutes to complete transaction)

Present and scan QR code (deliberately masked out) to enter ActiveSG gym
(SCREENSHOT your QR Code now and I will tell you why later)

You will find yourself checked-in under the My Booking & Passes section

Present and scan QR code (deliberately masked out) to exit ActiveSG gym
(SCREENSHOT your QR Code now and I will tell you why later)

TIP

The version prior to April 2019 app upgrade was so much simpler to use (at least from my point of view). Back then, entry to gym is as simple as just launching one's VCard QR Code and all the necessary will be taken care of. Miss this one step approach? Here comes a tip!

The next time you wish to enter into an ActiveSG gym, you may simply scan the first QR code you screenshot and $2.50 will automatically be deducted from your account. Likewise, you may simply scan the second QR code you screenshot to exit. This should save you some "clicks".

Special Achievement Award to Chew Chor Meng

Chew Chor Meng is awarded the Special Achievement Award in the recent Star Awards 2019 event. Watch below for Chew's heartfelt speech that moved so many to tears.

How to make Samsung Pay work for SimplyGo?

If you have been reading the mainstream media or the social media, it is likely that you would have heard of SimplyGo - an initiative by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), a partnership between LTA and TransitLink to enables commuters to use their credit or debit cards with contactless function for transport fare payments. Mobile devices linked to Mastercard i.e. Apple Pay/ Fitbit Pay/ Google Pay/ Samsung Pay are also supported. The need for upfront top-ups is no longer required and your train and bus fares will be processed and charged to your credit or debit card bill. Visa is expected to be accepted only from the the second half of 2019 onwards.

This post is pertaining to how to get Samsung Pay to work for SimplyGo (tested on Samsung Note 9)

1. Add Mastercard to Samsung Pay as per usual.
2. Set Default NFC method to "Android operating system".
   

1. On the Apps screen, tap Settings > Connections > NFC and payment.
2. Tap on the 3 dots on the top right corner then Default NFC method.
3. Choose Android operating system.
   
3. Set "Samsung Pay" as the default mobile payment service.
   

1. On the "NFC and payment" screen, tap on "Tap and pay".
2. Choose Samsung Pay.
4. Travel with Samsung Pay.
1. Make sure NFC is enabled.
2. Make sure phone screen is OFF.
3. Tap on card reader.

For more information on the use of SimplyGo, please visit SimplyGo FAQ page.

WhatsApp - Block and Stop Adding to Random Groups

Ever getting annoyed by strangers adding you in some random WhatsApp groups? I feel for you!

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature gradually globally that will allow you to control who can add you in groups.

To enable it, go to Settings in your app, then tap Account > Privacy > Groups and select one of three options: "Nobody", "My Contacts", or "Everyone". "Nobody" means you'll have to approve joining every group to which you're invited, and "My Contacts" means only users you have in your address book can add you to groups.

In cases whereby the person adding you to a group is unable to add you into group, the person will be prompted to send a private invite through an individual chat, giving you the choice of joining the group. The invite will expire in three days.

» New Privacy Settings for Groups | WhatsApp Blog

Baby Mine (Dumbo) - With Lyrics

To coincide with the current movie screening of Disney's Dumbo, I present you the main song for Dumbo. Enjoy!

Lyrics

Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head, close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine

Little one when you play
Don't you mind what they say
Let your eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine

If they knew all about you
They'd end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for
The right to hold you

From your head to your toes
You're not much, heaven knows
But you are so precious to me
Sweet as can be, baby of mine

Oh, baby of mine
Oh, baby of mine
Oh, baby of mine

LTA's Official MRT Map (current and future)

[28 Oct 22] LTA's Official MRT Map 2022

The below is LTA's official MRT map that includes both current and future train network.

Train System Map

Lines in operation

1. North South Line
2. East West Line
3. North East Line
4. Circle Line
5. Downtime Line
6. Bukit Panjang, Sengkang & Punggol LRT

Future lines (names and numbering subject to changes)

1. Thomson-East Coast Line
2. Downtime Line 3 Extension
3. North East Line Extension
4. Circle Line 6
5. Jurong Region Line
6. Cross Island Line

Go-Jek drama in Singapore over $7

Yet another Go-Jek drama in Singapore and this time over $7 discrepancy between driver and passenger. The fare, was $14.10 when the passenger booked the trip, and surged to $21.10 on the driver's app. My comment on this - 钱难赚 (money hard to earn)!

In case you are curious on an earlier Go-Jek drama which happened a couple of months back showing a passenger accusing driver of kidnapping her, watch below.

WhatsApp: "Your phone number is banned from using WhatsApp. Contact support for help"

If you found youself banned from using WhatsApp and am seeing "Your phone number is banned from using WhatsApp. Contact support for help" message, this could be due to you using a modified version of WhatsApp.

WhatsApp has a clause on its Acceptable Use Policy pointing out that using a modded version could cause harm to fellow WhatsApp users. If you are banned, you will need to first uninstall the modded app, download and install the official WhatsApp. If you still find yourself banned, email WhatsApp to have your case looked into.

Women paying more than Men

Popular Daily Show host, Trevor Noah, created a YouTube video highlighting women pay more than men for identical product or services. Watch the below video and judge for yourself.

I agree.

Haemin Sunim: "How to Accept Yourself in a World Striving for Perfection" | Talks at Google

Watch Haemin Sunim talks about self-care, discussing that only by accepting yourself - and the flaws which make you who you are - can you have compassionate and fulfilling relationships at home and work.

If you find Haemin Sunim sharing interesting, you may read more about his teachings by reading his books.