Testimonial from Kannan Mahalingam

Kannan Mahalingam

Another of our customers recently wrote a review of our service and product. Interested to know what he thought? Here’s his review!

Kannan Mahalingam is the co-founder/CEO of myZantium Inc. The company is the creators of Wonga Bazaar: A Fantasy Financial Lab. We are very happy to have another high profile person thinking so highly of us! All credit goes to the TouristPads team including Joshua and Abigail!

For the non-finance savvy, Wonga Bazaar is a great beginner game for you. As described on their website, "Wonga Bazaar is an authentic, interactive and entertaining market ecosystem, just like the real world. It is for anyone who wants to explore and discover their financial identity and temperament. It is a fantasy marketplace where one can trade without boundaries and fear.

Wonga Bazaar was premised on the fact that there are no existing fantasy market simulators where one can fail and learn about one’s own financial temperament. "

Download the app and try it today!

Featured customers for month of September

We are proud to have Nina as our featured customer of the month because she simply love us! You can check out her kind testimonial mentioned earlier on our blog. Nina, from Germany.

Sarah and Nina

Sarah and Nina

Top 10 Reasons To Use iPad Kiosks At Your Event

Businesses are now aware of the benefits of using iPads. Businesses spend lots of money renting boothspaces at events. Your main objectives are to capture attention for your products and services, and to generate leads. Setting up an iPad kiosk would be the perfect way to achieve these objectives.

1. Increased traffic and interest at the booth. People love Apple products. The iPad is the best selling tablet in the world. Seeing an iPad will bring the curiosity out of people and they will take that extra minute to visit the booth.
2. Increased time at the booth. Once attracted to the booth, visitors will stay around longer than those without an iPad. It will be a great opportunity for your representatives to share information about the services and products of your company.
3. Increased engagement. With an iPad keeping visitors entertained, representatives will have more time to interact with your visitors. This beats just handing them some flyers, which we all know around 80% or more end up straight in the rubbish bin.
4. Opportunities to showcase services, products and websites. You can promote new apps, services, videos or music and most importantly, your website.
5. Conversion of booth traffic into online connections. Gather likes for your Facebook page and generate leads such as emails.
6. Creation of memories. Allow visitors to take pictures of themselves. It is a good form of interaction and it will leave wonderful memories of the event.
7. Security in heavy traffic. The iPad Kiosks can be mounted securely onto the floor. They are able to handle heavy traffic without fear of them toppling over or of damage to the iPads.
8. Outreach. Setting up an attractive booth is essential, and when complemented with a couple of elegant and beautiful kiosks, your booth is sure to steal the limelight.
9. Return on investment. Deploying iPad Kiosks could possibly give you an excellent ROI. Depending on the number of visitors, the cost of acquiring one visitor to the booth could be as low as a few cents. No additional manpower is required once the Kiosks are set up.
10. Environment. Say goodbye to flyers. Using iPad Kiosks ensure that there will be no paper waste generated.

iPad Kiosks at work

The beautiful new iPad

Visitors love the Kiosks

Customer testimonial

Here's what one customer had to say about our service: (taken from her comment on Facebook)

"Thank you TouristPads! The rented iPad was a great help to get around Singapore, even though I had already been to the city twice before! Excellent service, very happy with it and if I haven't bought an ipad for myself next time, I'm definitely coming back to rent one out.

Highly recommended!"

We exist to delight our customers, and we're glad to be of service!

Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix 2012

Sebastian Vettel

Fernando Alonso

Michael Schumacher

Lewis Hamilton

To all F1 fans, Sebastian Vettel needs no introduction. For the uninitiated, Sebastian Vettel is a German Formula One racing driver, currently driving for Red Bull Racing. He is the current World Champion, having won the championship in 2010 and 2011. The defending champion is currently fourth going into the upcoming race held in Singapore, and he is certainly gearing up to close the gap on Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Räikkönen who is currently ranked first, second and third respectively. Singapore is one of Vettel's favourite hunting ground, as he came in 2nd and 1st place in 2010 and 2011 respectively. This Championship is of great significance to Sebastian Vettel as winning it would complete a hat trick, a feat achieved only by Juan Manuel Fangio (1954-1957) and Michael Schumacher (2000-2004). It is also worth noting that Michael Suhumacher is the idol of Sebastian Vettel.

The drivers will be racing at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, with a total of 61 laps covering 309.316 km. The race is held in the night, which is a novel event compared to the other circuits. Drivers mentioned that racing in the night gives a different experience with an increase in difficulty. They must display a higher level of performance but they are relishing the challenge.

F1 2012 Singapore Circuit Map

The tracks are now all sealed and prepared to welcome this event. At the same time, many booths are set up around these tracks to give tourists more information of this event as well as other useful information of Singapore. Tourists with access can drop by these booths on the event dates (21 - 23 Sep) up to 24 Sep 2012. We recommend tourists to visit the Singtel booth located near the Cenotaph, where you can view some race cars on display, use the on site iPads to find out more information about F1 and Singapore. You can also try finding our TouristPads icon on the displayed iPads and rent our iPad rental product!

Just like in the popular game "Daytona", the commentator would say, "Gentlemen, start your engines". You can take a sneak peak of the start this coming 21 Sep 2012!

Thomas from Austria

Thomas

Thomas took up our iPad rental service for 3 days and just like all our previous customers, he was happy with the service. He was seen sharing something on the iPad with his friend on their way to meet me. I asked him about it and he mentioned he needed directions. Instinctively, I blurted "gothere.sg, right?". He nodded with a smile. I was really glad that this iPad rental benefited him, even to the last min of the rental period. Unfortunately, they were in a rush and could not stick around for a chat. Nevertheless, he was nice enough to let me take a photo of him and we waved each other goodbye.

Swiss standard of living.

Andrew

Andrew is from Switzerland, the country Singapore aims to model. We are happy that Singapore has come a long way and this young nation is doing its best to achieve the "Swiss standard of living". If you study closely enough, both countries share some similarities, with compulsory military service, affectionately know as National Service (NS) in Singapore, on top of the list. In Singapore, the nation requires all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents who have reached the age of 18 to enroll in the military. They serve a 22- or 24-month period as Full Time National Servicemen (NSFs), either in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF), or the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Singapore is a multi racial and cultural nation, just like how Switzerland is made up of three main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, and Italian, to which the Romansh-speaking valleys are added. Although Bahasa Melayu (the Malay Language) is the nation's official language, speaking English is more than enough to get you around! Our nation's (unofficial) language, Singlish, somehow gives us the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity. TouristPads is started to allow tourists explore Singapore in depth. Our apps will help you get around easier powered by unlimited 3G on the go. So why wait? Hire our iPad rental service in Singapore and start enjoying the Swiss standard of living!

We are on Singapore Business Review!

We are very excited that our company, TouristPads is featured on Singapore Business Review (SBR). According to Krisana Gallezo, the journalist who interviewed Joshua, Singapore Business Review is the only local business magazine in Singapore guaranteed to reach senior decision makers in the top 1,700 companies. We are very blessed to have this opportunity and appreciate it wholeheartedly.


They are featuring us as a "Hot Startup" with the purpose to feature promising startups in town and at the end of the year, choose those to include in the "10 Startups to watch in 2013". We will do our best to be one of those come 2013. We will go out and get more tourists to hire our iPad rental service!

You can view the full article here.

Caleb, Abigail, Joshua

Joshua, Caleb, Abigail

Our beauties

Andy from Taiwan

Andy took up our iPad rental service and despite being a staunch supporter of hTC of Taiwan, he enjoyed the use of our TouristPad. If you have been to Taiwan, you will know that it is a food heaven, very much like what Singapore offers. While I personally love Taiwanese food and the night markets, nothing beats the multi-cultural and numerous variety of food you can find within Singapore. As usual, Andy found the transport and food guides the most useful. The food guide told him where to have the food, and the transport guide led the way. He also used the trip planning apps to do up his itinerary to Indonesia over the long weekend, which proved to be of great help. After all, all these are made easy, since he was holding onto the iOS 6 beta version, which could only be found on the new iPad!

Yong Loo Lin School Of Medicine, White Coat Ceremony 2012

According to Wikipedia, "The white coat ceremony (WCC) is a relatively new ritual in some medical (both M.D. and D.O.), optometry, dental, chiropractic, occupational therapy, physical therapy, podiatric, pharmacy, physician assistant, and veterinary medical schools that marks the student's transition from the study of preclinical to clinical health sciences. At some schools, where students begin meeting patients early in their education, the white coat ceremony is held before the first year begins.


WCCs typically involve a formal "robing" or "cloaking" of students in white coats, the garb physicians have traditionally worn for over 100 years and other health professions have adopted."

TouristPads is indeed very privileged to be involved in this year's Yong Loo Lin School Of Medicine (YLL SOM), White Coat Ceremony 2012 held at the University Cultural Centre (UCC), National University Singapore (NUS). Our new iPads were engaged to take photographs of faculty, family and friends who were gracing the event. At the same time, we were given access to the (YLL SOM) Facebook page so that family and friends could post their wishes to these graduates. You can find more pictures and all the best wishes to these future doctors here.

Once again, congratulations to these outstanding students and we hope that they serve the community well in years to come!

Family and friends

Happy students

TouristPads at work

Wishes from dad

More wishes

Wishes from mum

Wallpaper City Guide by Phaidon

Singapore: Wallpaper* City Guide, is one of my personal favourite apps on our iPads available for rental to tourists when they visit Singapore. It is full of really gorgeous pictures of places of interest in Singapore, and, as you can see below, is tightly packed with up to date essential information, landmarks, hotels, shopping, sports, and what to do, to name a few features. For example, the essential information sections lists the numbers and addresses of useful places and services like the Tourist Office, Transportation Services, Emergency Numbers, Embassies, Postal Services, and Cost of Living indices.

Singapore Guide

The guide is conveniently integrated with Google Maps, so that every attraction they feature is mapped, and you can find you way around very easily from within the map since you can also locate yourself. In the picture below, you can see that KPO, a nice place to chill out with food and drinks, is plotted on the map together with my current location.

Maps integration

The app also features over 50 images optimised for our new iPad's Retina display of amazing architecture in Singapore. I've included a screenshot of how the photos are laid out and a picture of MBS.

Over 50 retina quality photos

MBS

Here's what the publisher, Phaidon,  has to say about the book:

Wallpaper* City Guides present a tightly edited, discreetly packaged list of the best a location has to offer the design conscious traveller. Here is a precise, informative, insider’s checklist of all you need to know about the world’s most intoxicating cities.

Whether you are staying for 48 hours or five days, visiting for business or a vacation, we’ve done the hard work for you, from finding the best restaurants, bars and hotels (including which rooms to request) to the most extraordinary stores and sites, and the most enticing architecture and design. Wallpaper* City Guides enable you to come away from your trip, however brief, with a real taste of the city’s landscape and the satisfaction you’ve seen all that you should.

In short, these guides act as a passport to the best the world has to offer.

All On iPad

Tomasz from Poland

Tomasz

Tomasz was very satisfied with our TouristPad. He even cheekily told me that he wrote down some of the apps so that he could download and continue using those as they rendered him great help during the 3 days rental. However, he was sad that those awesome apps were paid apps. I told him that TouristPads endeavor to deliver only the best apps to our customers, even if they came with a price. He replied he was glad that he got the chance to use those for the past 3 days. He mentioned that 3G is expensive here in Singapore, and that our iPad rental service would be beneficial to business, family and group travelers. He mentioned that he missed alcohol back home because they are cheap! Thankfully, food in Singapore is good and cheap, so these savings would be channeled to him having some drinks! 

I-S Magazine Singapore

I-S Magazine

We are very pleased to announce that all our TouristPads are now preloaded with the latest digital copies of I-S Magazine Singapore. I-S Magazine Singapore is a product of Asia City Media Group, which provides city living and lifestyle content and marketing solutions. Being the first to introduce city living magazines to Asia, they have adopted the concept of free-distribution publications in the region. We'd like to thank Asia City Media Group for reaching out to us and allowing us to load their publications onto our TouristPads for tourists to access when they visit Singapore.

We are delighted that we participated in an interview with their editor, and we are looking forward to be featured on their website and/or publications.

We took a quick peek at their website and 4 features caught our attention:

1. New Openings. This page shows the most interesting new establishments and happenings in Singapore.
2. Happy Hour Finder. Who says Happy Hour can only be found at certain time of the day? With their Happy Hour Clock, you can find a Happy Hour any time of day.
3. Top 10 Things to Do in Singapore. On a monthly basis, this segment will provide readers on what's happening the current month, so that you can be part of the action.
4. Singapore's Best Set Lunches. With deals under S$40 to above $100, just go take your pick according to your budget!

Tourists renting our TouristPads will be able to access these great magazines and guides from now on! Our iPad rental service will delight you, and now with I-S Magazines, you get even greater value.

Neshan and Daniel from Denmark

Neshan and Daniel

Neshan and Daniel are friends visiting Singapore. They are Danish, and it is our pleasure to rent them our TouristPads, our first 2 customers from Denmark. They were impressed by the service from the start, especially with unlimited connectivity with 3G on the go. I could see that they are particularly interested in finding out more about our transportation system, as they wanted to get to places in the shortest time possible. They liked the fact that the MRT map is clearly pictured on our iPads, and that the SG Nextbus app keeps them informed of the waiting time. I went on and introduced the Hungry app to them as I wanted them to try our best local food at reasonable prices. Apparently, they are food hunters too, and had traveled to Chinatown the day before to taste one of the best chicken rice found over there. Sensing that I could be taking up their precious time in exploring Singapore, I summed up the use of the other apps as soon as possible and wished them a good stay in Singapore. Fortunately, I remembered that I wanted to take a photo of them with our iPads, which they enthusiastically obliged. =)

iOS 6 on TouristPads

Here's a sneak look at iOS 6 on the new iPad and what are the cool features that it brings which will be of use to the tourists renting our TouristPads.

Maps

First, let's take a look at maps. You will notice on our TouristPads that the Transport tab now has the rebooted Maps app from Apple:

Transport category

Apple Maps has replaced Google Maps as the native maps app in iOS, and I must say it looks prettier now. The icons indicating roads, train stations, restaurants, hotels, museums, to name a few, have a much better design compared to Google Maps'. There's a 3D mode where you can see the map in perspective, which should help you find your way around even better. Better than a physical map, this map actually shows you where you are all the time. Never get lost again. Now even better!

We have taken a screen shot of the new Maps App:

Maps

Facetime, over cellular

Facetime over cellular is also exclusively available on the new iPad (3rd generation). Tourists will be able to use their Facetime account to (video) call their loved ones on Apple's networks without the use of Wi-Fi, which means that you can now make calls anytime, anywhere back home using FaceTime. Note that with Skype preloaded, you can also make phone calls via Skype on 3G cellular anytime anywhere with your Skype account to any number in the world. Say byebye to roaming mobile costs when you use our iPad rental service for your stay in Singapore.

FaceTime

Personal Hotspot

Tourists who bring along their laptops and other smart devices are going to love their rental for this. Personal Hotspot is now enabled on our TouristPads, which would allow you to connect all your devices to the internet through the wireless hotspot on our new iPads. No more fretting about finding a wireless hotspot at your hotel, or on the go anywhere in Singapore. Comes with all our rentals!

Personal Hotspot

Gothere, the best way.

Even as a local living in Singapore for a quarter century, I must admit I still do not know how to get to many places in Singapore. I still remembered the days when technology wasn't that advanced and every time we wanted to go out, we would memorize which train/bus to take, where to alight and change transportation. Then, I held a little blue notebook around, jotting down important bus service numbers as well as major landmarks to help me find my way. I am glad to say, those days are over! These days, Singaporeans are so blessed with a smart device on hand and 3G on the go, they could simply find their way with just a few touches on their mobile screens. Moreover, they are many apps that are created just to give you directions to your desired destination.

I would like to share with you my favourite - the gothere.sg app. This app not only offers accurate details on how to get to places, it is also kind enough to offer the user many alternative routes with the approximate cost and time! This will allow the user to choose the best way, according to the time and money on hand.

Just arrived in Singapore and wondering what's the best way to get to Esplanade? To save the trouble, why not just pre-book our iPad rental service and we will hand deliver a TouristPad to you once you exit the custom gates. From there, you can gothere, the best way.

Chope!

Travelers visiting Singapore will get curious when they see "free" tissue packets, ez-link cards and even umbrellas found on seats in hawker centres, and the occasional in fast food chains. Are Singaporeans generous? We are not Santa Claus, but we certainly have a peculiar culture. Commonly known as "Chope", which means to reserve a seat in Singapore slang, ingenious Singaporeans would use some of these "tools" to occupy seats while they go and buy their food, which could possibly deny other patrons a seat. Do not be surprised if you get told off by a local if you are found occupying their "chope-d" seats! Well, today I am not here to talk about how to reserve a seat in hawker centres, but to introduce you a method on how to "chope" your place in some of the finest restaurants serving delicious food right here in Singapore.

And very aptly, we use the "Chope" app, which can be found on our TouristPads. Based on your location, you can search for recommendations nearby, or any new establishments which might surprise you. Hungry for a particular cuisine? This app allows you to key in the type of food you are craving for and within specific locations, so the nearest one might just be a stone's throw away.

So what are you waiting for? "Chope" our iPad rental service and you can start "chope-ing" seats the easy and right way!

9 August - Singapore's National Day

In 3 days' time, it will be Singapore's National Day. The logo is known as the "Orchidstar". As mentioned on the official website of NDP 2012, the logo is inspired by our national flower, "Vanda Miss Joaquim" orchid. The theme for National Day Parade (NDP) 2012 is “Loving Singapore, Our Home”.

Not known to many, Singapore is only 47 years old this coming Thursday. Her development and rapid growth is considered to be a miracle given her limited natural resources and small population. Against the odds, Singapore managed to emerge as an International Financial Hub as well as a leading research centre for Science and Technology.

I have been hearing sounds of explosions these few days leading up to National Day. What's happening? These sounds of explosion bring excitement to the hearts of the locals because they know fireworks are being displayed at the NDP preview which is held at the floating platform at Marina Bay. Don't worry if you missed the chance to view these fireworks. The most spectacular ones will be on display this coming Thursday. The best of all, you can find both free and paid viewing options here.

For tourists coming to Singapore during this period, you have made a great decision. So why not take up our iPad rental service, and you can get to these viewing points effortlessly, take some epic shots of fireworks and share these memorable sights with family and friends back home via social media with our unlimited 3G services, all using the new iPad we have for you.

Things to do in Singapore #2: Shopping at Haji Lane

Taking the fashion route

After getting enough of Orchard Road and its all-too-familiar shopping brands, I decided to check out an interesting clothing district tucked away in a narrow alley of the Bugis area. Haji Lane. This tiny lane has become a much raved about destination thanks to its one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories and quirky store concepts. My favourite would have to be The Blog Shop, a two-storey store dedicated to selling independent designer labels at extremely reasonable prices. Find a wide array of edgy, vintage and modern apparel, as well as rings.

Haji lane

Not only for female fashionistas, Haji Lane also caters to males with its punk rock and classic menswear, offered by Sup Clothing and White Room respectively.

Even though Haji Lane is a little hard to find, our iPads will have you there in 6 minutes from Bugis MRT Station! If you’ve got more time to kill, walk around Arab Street to get a more cultural experience. Beautiful fabrics and batik, rattan products, carpets and little trinkets can be found along rows of colourful shophouses. There is also a hint of nightlife here as several Mediterranean restaurants offer shisha, best described as inhaling (usually fruity) favoured air.