Seven million iPads have been sold already. Now the only thing the gizmo needs is a serious competitor. The latest company trying to get in a piece of this lucrative pic is Korean brand Samsung thanks to its Galaxy Tab. Officially launched in Thailand yesterday (Sep 30), the Galaxy Tab features a 7” TFT screen with multi-touch, two cameras for video conferencing and Android 2.2. This tablet can not only work on 3G but also make phone calls on the GSM system. B22,900 at Samsung retailers nationwide. Sa

Thanks to their well-curated exhibitions, bar and gallery WTF (Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-662-6246) already has plenty of art cred. Now its sorting out its kitchen. You can still have their down-home pizzas and fried rice but they’ve added snacks like platters of manchego cheese, roast radishes, almonds and olives, as well as mains like spicy smokey shrimp and chickpea and chorizo stew, and new desserts, too. Also check out their 3+1 promotion: chickpea and chorizo stew, spicy smokey shrimp, spinach salad and a carafe of house wine (B700).

Where to go in Thong Lor, after your cup of coffee or shopping spree, to get a live blood analysis or maybe a spot of botox? How about at the four-stories of high-tech health that make up the new Apex Head Center (208/1-3, Thong Lor Soi 8, Sukhumvit 55, 02-713-8331-2). Apart from body function checkups, and detoxification programs, it offers longer-term treatments including weight loss, nutrition, and age management programs. To help keep you focused on the task, boutique health care accommodation will be ready for holistic stays at this branch by the end of 2010.

For their Fall/ Winter collection, the folks at Mulberry run wild and rampant with dramatic takes on silhouettes and hardy handbags. All pieces are standouts for their gorgeous finishing and luxe materials but especially noteworthy is the “Loopy-Leopard” motif which runs through the ready-to-wear, footwear and accessories collection. It’s guaranteed to bring out the tigress in you and also pounces right onto the current global trend for big bold animal prints on everything. Available at Mulberry, (M/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9449).

1. Make sure you have accounts for all of these: Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin—the top three social networks. Facebook allows you to stay in the loop with friends and friends of friends while Twitter keeps you up to date on conversations, news and trends. Linked In is not so much fun, but it is an effective professional networking site that lets you get in touch with people around the world working in the same industry as you—a kind of social media resume.

2. A Facebook page is not the be all and end all of social media marketing. It’s just another tool. So consider having a wider presence covering media such as Youtube and Flickr, and link them together so that you end up with your own small media hub.

3. Be consistent with your name on all the social media channels you use so that when somebody googles your name, all related sites will appear together.

4. Get a Google account and create a Google Alert (www.google.com/alerts) with your name and your twitter name. Find out what people are saying about you!

5. Make sure your frequency in posting, writing, blogging and tweeting is consistent. Make it like a routine so people who follow you will know when to check back.

1. Your to-do list, plus your pet
Who cares when you plan to eat or poop, or when your cute new puppy does for that matter.

2. Bangkok traffic
No need to rant. We all live here we know the situation. Let’s make it more useful by actually telling people which road you’re stuck on so people can avoid it.

3. Real-time movie/play critique
A: You’re in the theater. Behave! Turn it off. B: Don’t spoil it for those who haven’t seen it yet.

4. Twitter
We know Twitter is great. That’s why we’re using it. You don’t need to remind us again.

5. Some ridiculously vague/abstract message
We’re not you. We don’t understand what the hell you’re talking about. We don’t care.

Axis Bar & Lounge Tuck into a medley of delicious canapés, an unlimited flow of champagne, premium wines, international beers along and even an oyster bar from 6-10pm. Indulge for $380 (Sep 24-25) and $580 (Sep 26). 4/F Mandarin Oriental Singapore, 5 Raffles Ave., 6885-3098.

Blue Potato An alfresco dining experience by the poolside, watch the live telecast of the action as you indulge in a barbeque dinner buffet, with a free flow of beer ($58) through Sep 26. There’s sizzling seafood and grilled meats, such as sea salt garlic crayfish, slow roasted lamb shoulder and paprika sirloin steak. 2/F Swissôtel Merchant Court, 20 Merchant Rd., 6239-1899.

Dolce Vita Michelin-starred chef Marco Pedrelli offers different menus every day through Sep 26. Choose from one of Chef Marco’s set menus featuring signature dishes such as “Branzino Alla Griglia,” grilled whole sea bass Italian style with baby spinach and sautéed potatoes, and “Saltimbocca,” veal scallopini with parma ham, porcini mushroom risotto, green asparagus and white wine glace. Enjoy three, four or five courses ($88, $118, $138). 5/F Mandarin Oriental Singapore, 5 Raffles Ave., 6885-3551.

Global Kitchen Enjoy the decadence of a champagne brunch within the race circuit on Sep 26 ($128) with a spread of over 80 international items and a free flow of Veuve Clicquot champagne and Tiger beer. 3/F Pan Pacific Singapore, Marina Square, 7 Raffles Blvd., 6826-8240.

Guy Savoy Executive chef Eric Bost is serving up a three-course lunch deal ($150) at Michelin-starred Guy Savoy with dishes such as oysters in iced gelee and American prime beef tenderloin with a grapefruit terrine and tea sauce. #02-01 Casino Level, Marina Bay Sands,10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8513.

MELT ~ The World Café Watch the races as you dine on miso Kurobuta pork, Asian-style lobster quesadilla and roasted crackling five-spiced pork belly through Sep 26. An international buffet lunch starts from $65, while dinner goes for $88. If you’re in a celebratory mood, top up your meal with unlimited flow of champagne, beer, wine and cocktails (from $148). For those who fancy a nibble after the race, there’s also a supper buffet served from 11pm-1am on Sep 26 ($68). 4/F Mandarin Oriental Singapore, 5 Raffles Ave., 6885-3084.

Santi This restaurant by Michelin star-studded Spanish chef Santi Santamaria will be offering two set lunch menus–six courses for $150 and seven courses for $210. Try Japanese tuna belly with anchovies and olives or octopus with beetroot and yogurt, available through Sep 26. #02-03 Casino Level, Marina Bay Sands,10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8501.

Table 66 Chef Vincent Teng has tied up with G.H.Mumm to create a special four-course set lunch or dinner ($98), served with champagne. So crack open the bubbly through Sep 26. 66 Tras St., 6225-6690.

Waku Ghin Chef Tetsuya Wakuda waltzes into town and launches a six-course lunch set ($250) at his Singapore outpost. Expect dishes that are lighter on the palate through Sep 26. #02-02 Casino Level, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8507.

The iconic Hollywood club Avalon will be opening its doors at Marina Bay Sands Crystal Pavilion to much anticipation early next year. And what better way to whet our appetites than with a music festival like no other (featuring the likes of The Chemical Brothers, who are in town for the first time). Here's the lowdown.

DAY 1

Who: Above & Beyond
Why: Looking for some euphoric and up-lifting trance? Above & Beyond—made up of Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki—are leaders of the genre. Having claimed fourth position on DJ Magazine’s Top 100 Poll in 2009 for the second year in a row, the British trio are world-renowned for their amazing live sets and imaginative music production.
Look out for… Strobe lights, hard-thumping bass-lines and trancey breakdowns that will send you into outer space.

Who: Steve Angello
Why: One third of the Swedish House Mafia, Steve Angello has been releasing raunchy dance hits under monikers like Buy Now and Who’s Who. With chart-toppers like “Not So Dirty,” “Sexy F***” and “Bodycrash” and his acclaimed remix of Eurythmics’ "Sweet Dreams" in late 2004, his releases have brought him to every A-lister’s attention.
Look out for… “One," a massive track released in June that has been making its way to the top of every producers’ remixing list: An instant floor-filler.
 

Who: Santigold
Why: The American singer-songwriter has been repeatedly compared to the likes of M.I.A, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Blondie for her onstage persona and 80s influenced reggae and electro pop vibes, so expect an energetic performance.
Look out for… Her quirky dress sense (look out, Lady Gaga), stage presence and, of course, her husky vocal prowess.
 

Who: Steve Aoki
Why: The unofficial head-honcho of hipster culture; with a collection of rocking electro tunes you can't find on iTunes. With his label Dim Mak growing in notoriety with a stable of unstable artists like Bloody Beetroots, Klaxons and MSTRKRFT (check them live, they are insane), Steve Aoki is the go to guy for a wicked party.
Look out for… Him pouring liquor down the throats of already inebriated partygoers on the front row while the music mixes by itself.

DAY 2

Who: Make the Girl Dance
Why: Because the French duo can make the girls do more than dance, according to their music video “Baby, Baby, Baby” where French girls walk naked down the streets of Paris. Greg Kozo and Pierre Mathieu are the culprits behind such escapades and they have plenty of ear-pleasing electro dance offerings.
Look out for… Bodysurfing, pushing and shoving; and some random beaver pouring liquor down your throat and claiming not to be Steve Aoki.
 

Who: The Chemical Brothers
Why: Formed by British DJs Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons in the 90s, The Chemical Brothers have been instrumental in raising the quality of dance music for years. It was their 1997 album Dig Your Own Hole which got everybody talking and subsequently cannon-balled them to worldwide fame. “Block Rockin’ Beats” was a dance-floor slayer, while “Setting Sun,” featuring the vocals of Noel Gallagher, got rumor mills spinning that he was going to leave the rock band Oasis. Then came “Hey Boy Hey Girl” off their 1999 album Surrender, which defined their iconic sound.
Look out for… Big basslines, instantly recognizable hooks and a geeky guy with long hair.
 

Who: Empire of the Sun
Why: The Australian 80s synth-rock-inspired duo are known for their outrageous costumes and even more stunning live performances. Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore are Empire of the Sun, who garnered international acclaim with their 2008 debut album Walking on a Dream which went platinum in Australia.
Look out for… 80s garb, big hair and face paint.

Rave on at Avalon at Large Presents Go! on Sep 23-24. Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6225-6005. $85-4,488 from www.avalonatlarge.com.

Fab’s Cycle
#01-53 Nankin Row, China Square Central, 3 Pickering St., 6720-8845.
Italian owner Fabrizio believes in creating a personable environment for anyone with a passion for bikes. He stocks or orders bikes from brands such as Kazam, Raleigh, Bionicon, Fuji and Corsair, and also components and accessories from Shimano, Brooks and Holdfast. You can also get cycling-related apparel here. The services are vast and affordable, ranging from full-scale overhauls to small repairs. They’ll even build long-lasting wheels for you from scratch.

Gee Hin Chan
#01-06/07/10/11 Waterloo Centre, Blk 261 Waterloo St., 6337-2948.
While the Crank Arm Steady team prefers to do up their bikes themselves, they still require repairs. For this, they turn to Gee Hin Chian, which stocks components from Japanese brands such as Cat Eye, Panaracer and Shimano. It is a well-known stop for cycling enthusiasts because everything you need to build your bike from scratch can be found here, including forks, seatposts, stems, shifters, derailleurs, crank sets and wheels.

TR Bikes
#01-107 Blk. 7 Jalan Batu, 6345-5085.
Newbies from all over the region have been known to take the first step towards fixie riding at TR Bikes, under guidance from owner Lynten Ong. One of the distributors for renowned custom builders such as Retrotec and Aherne Cycles, TR Bikes also collaborates with an extensive list of suppliers and delivers to anywhere you care to name.

Fixed Gear London

Packed with awe-inspiring photos of the latest tricks and kit, this site shows why the UK continues to set fixie trends around the globe.

People’s Bike

This popular site showcases the latest scene in China. Though founded by expats, the community is now all-inclusive. Besides their now annual Alleycat Races, they also schedule regular bicycle polo games.

Urban Fixed Gear

Despite being based in the US, this online magazine features fixed gear riders from all over the world, including Asia. Check out, amongst other things, the funky Taiwanese girls.