Nokia had a teaser setup at Pavilion, KL with the cryptic message “Be here – 090109 @ 7 PM”. It’s the launch of their newest phone, the XpressMusic 5800 and I got the invite last week. I didn’t think I could make it, coz I had something going on at 5 pm, but I managed to hitch a ride with Horng and got there before it started.
This is Reta – bumped into her while registering as a Nokia Insider at the booth. She was there as Media. I first met her way back in 2005.
There was ample time for camwhoring since the event didn’t start at 7 pm sharp. L-R: Reta, Suanie, the thorn amongst roses, Erna. Fate had me running into Erna at the worst possible place. Hush Erna. 😉
This is Huei Juin, who works just beside my condo! Huei, we go dinner next week k?
The Nokia 5800 XPM launch started off with a bang, with confetti flying all over the place followed by a wonderful performance by a troupe playing with various ad hoc percussion instruments like steel buckets, tins and so forth. It’s different and energetic and had the crowd dancing along to the beats.
Vlasta Berka, the GM of Nokia Malaysia himself went on stage to introduce the features of the new Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. It retails at RM 1,499 and features a 3.2″ touchscreen with vibrating feedback. It also comes with a 3.2 MP camera. However, the best thing about this deal is that Nokia is giving away 1,000 DRM free songs for free with the phone!
Nokia events are very, very well organized and they treat the guests well. The representatives invited the media to Michelangelo’s and I ended up going with them coz I saw Reta and Huei. I didn’t realize they were there as media.
I spotted Kevin and sat next to him for 15 minutes before Suanie called me and asked me where the hell I was. I said I’m in Michelangelo’s. She told me everyone was at La Bodega. Oops…
It turns out the Nokia Insiders (bloggers) were scheduled to be at La Bodega instead. The press conference for media was at Michelangelo’s. Oh well, best of both worlds. Heh!
Nokia was kind enough to provide us with free flow beer, drinks and tapas throughout the night. The event was really very well organized, and they made sure we were all well fed and not in danger of dying from thirst.
There was also a huge platter of seafood paella for each table and the staff made sure that plate after plate of tapas came in quick succession.
Whenever a significant amount of bloggers congregate, camwhoring sessions are inevitable. Cindy Tey – I have made it a point to take a photo with her in every event that we meet. 😉
This is Ee Von from Text100.
I attempt to self-camwhore with a dSLR. I can’t do it, it’s too heavy. I noticed Jamie can do it like a pro though, and so can Yee Hou.
Jamie! I swear, she looks just like someone in the film industry, but I can’t recall whom. Check out the tabula rasa pass and the guy behind us.
Zoe! I need an external flash for my dSLR, I don’t think the built in one is up to the task.
Nokia gave us each a goodie bag with stickers, a rain poncho, a zip up pouch that I can use as a toiletries bag while traveling and a metal box with a heart shaped item inside.
It’s a 2 GB USB drive with a lanyard!
Best schwag ever. =D
Thanks to David Lian of Text100 for getting me the invite. Cheers!
P/S – I am proud to announce that I did not break my New Year’s resolution. There were jugs and jugs of beer and most of the people around me were indulging, much to my chagrin. I wasn’t tempted though and I swear to God, my lips never touched a drop of the amber fluid during the event. I drank six glasses of OJ instead. 🙂
and there i was hoping you’d secretly take a swipe at the larger of beer sitting right in front of you, so that i could take a photo you red-handed and make it the best blog material ever 😉
good on ya! 6 glases of OJ – plenty of antioxdant
hey! i really like the Nokia heartshape USB. it is sooo cute!!
if it wasn’t for my other obligations, i would have joined you guys at La Bodega.
Did you just stop drinking for a month only or totally quit ir?
Lucky I followed Nigel and found you guys there. lol
hey bro, glad to meet you that day…din have chance to greet all the guys from nuffnang…totally forgot to ask for a miss call since i left my number with you…mind if u do so??
HB, Kudos on sticking to your new year’s resolution, for whatever reasons it may be 🙂
I so love the Nokia USB!!!!! Wish I could have one myself 🙁
good to see you there! =)
Wow..Nokia sure goto a lot of trouble for the launch of this mobile phone. They must be expecting to sell a sh*tload of these. I guess they see the value of inviting bloggers to the launch, alongside the regular media. Hope it pays off for them.
1) DRM-free! i.e. without DRM. songs include those by madonna, etc
2) yeehou damn noob at pouring beer
3) i love the heart-shaped usb stick
4) am proud to report that huai bin totally stuck to his resolution of not drinking. must be esp hard for him cos we were all drinking, and some were being devils 😛 good job hb 😉
was an awesome event!
i was damn full that night..thanks to NOKIA~!!!
totally agree with ky haha
I only saw you at events-lah. What you talking? Was that in another life?
:p
You said: I wasn’t tempted though and I swear to God, my lips never touched a drop of the amber fluid during the event. I drank six glasses of OJ instead. 🙂
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I am so relieved & proud of you….
keep it up…..
omg HB youre back! 😀
keep up the good work! don’t drink dee… hahaha! can?! Worst Dare Ever. =P
HB, I really like pics of these lovely women and the way the pics present them well. Are they on MySpace or Facebook? My cousin like to know. He is single not bad looking and great dancer got BA degree too.
Like last entry of Ajisen and didn’t know there so many in Australia and one in New York. My parents now know of it went to Fremont one and enjoyed it very much. Thanks for sharing infor.
Good for you HB. If you manage to do it this month, I will get you a bottle of Godiva Dark Liquer next time (For you to drink in many times, not just one chomp ok?). Can you buy it in Malaysia?
That heart shape USB is cute! I want one too although I already have four USB with me now. 😛
suanie : what to do … YH innocent looking boy maa…
Wow you make OJ sounds like the next new liquor in town! Kudos…
Nokia’s event is always very nice, good job for keeping the resolution and keep it up. I need to cut down on my alcohol intake too.
You’ll get use to camwhoring with your dslr once u get a hang of it.
nice meeting u too! =D
sure sure! but later the week can? cos deadlinessss..i is dying!! or lunch..anytime oso can!! =D
The heart-shaped USB PenDrive looks nice ha!
btw, I cant log in using Movable Type Account.
Is there any problem there??
hi huai bin,
would u make a review for this model?
thanks
Very impressed re drinking OJ all night.
2GB usb? ah what a top showbag!
wow. the heart shaped usb damn cute leh! 🙂
Wow! Thank for sharing this whole event. I’ve missed the chance to attend.. sigh.. 🙁
I like the heart-shaped pendrive! 🙂
nice event…im not invited but managed to i pass by the event! ahhaha:P
Increase Flash strength from inside the settings menu.
If you haven’t already done so, remove the hood (the inverted plastic ring on the tip of your lens) if you don’t think you’ll need it the shadow you see at the bottom of the pics with flash is caused by your lens’s length. and possibly the hood so remove it if you don’t need it.
If you think the camera is heavy now, you DON’T want to get an external flash.
shouldn’t have gotten an SLR cause you want to be more discrete when you take your photos for your blog.
Thought I commented the first time but didn’t.
So noooob wan! LOL (when you accidentally went with the Media’s)