While you can obviously set up a Yahoo! mail account with Mail on your iPad and avoid opening Safari altogether (and push too) Yahoo! is still stepping it up with a HTML5 enhanced version of Yahoo! Mail and it looks pretty.

From the Yahoo Mail blog:

• Faster and more reliable: If you’re offline, Yahoo! Mail uses local caching capabilities to help you access and search your messages even without an Internet connection.

• Smart: You can find and organize your messages using Full Search, personal folders and Smart Folders with messages from your most important contacts and optimized views for photos and file attachments.

• Feature Rich: View rich photo attachments in their full form, or as previews directly in the inbox view. Also includes a dual-pane view to make reading and organizing a breeze.

The new Yahoo! Mail experience will be available globally to anyone who has an iPad. So if you do have one, simply open up Safari and head on over to http://mail.yahoo.com to try it for yourself.

Hong Kong (and Asia) is a fragmented place for the big US internet brands. Yahoo Hong Kong is a monster here, but everyone uses MSN Messenger for instant messaging. eBay also falls second to Yahoo Auctions.

In terms of search engines, we here at the ‘Punch love to Google left-right-and-center, the Bing search does look quite sharp, but we can’t remember the last time we used Yahoo to search for something other than our own rankings.

So the new ComScore report that showcases the breakdown of the search engine market is quite interesting: Google has a mod-60% share (we thought it would be higher) Yahoo has a 17% share (we thought it would be lower) and Microsoft who was going to buy Yahoo not too long ago and launched their own search engine is already at 11%. This is just the US since we’re sure Baidu has a pretty big user base themselves.

Click on to read more and also answer our poll: Which search engine do you use?

BusinessInsider.com continues:

• Google domestic explicit core search market share was 65.8% in July, down slightly from 66.2% in June. Google domestic explicit core search volume growth of 16.9% Y/Y in July was an acceleration from June’s 12.7% growth and 2Q’s 9.1% growth.
• Yahoo! domestic explicit core search market share increased to 17.1% in July from 16.7% in June
• Microsoft sites’ domestic explicit core search market share stayed flat at 11.0% in July.
• Baidu’s share in China is 70.8% with Google at 27.3%.

Including this guy, Ben Huh, the CEO of the Cheezburger Network, who apparently is allergic to cats! And you can count even more Asians, if you include people from Japanese and Korean heritage.

On the list singer/actor and Green Hornet sidekick Jay Chou, senior software engineer at Facebook Haiping Zhao and Perry Chen who started Kickstarter, a crowd-sourcing investment site. Say what you will about the list, but these creative Asians are all mentioned in the same breath as Lady Gaga, James Cameron and Jamie Oliver.

See the full list here.

Yahoo! Hong Kong honored local companies for their innovate web presences at the annual “Yahoo! Emotive Brand Awards 2009-2010.” This is the 8th year that Yahoo! Hong Kong has organised the event with the first awards held in 2002.

Held at a packed Four Seasons ballroom awards where given out in 24 catagories to one major brand after another (check out the list of winners at the bottom of this article to see who won what).

Yahoo! Emotive Brand Awards encourages Internet users to vote for and give recognition to their favorite brands through the Yahoo! Hong Kong portal. Based on online polling results, the Yahoo! Emotive Brand Awards aims to pay tribute to local brands that demonstrate excellent brand value and are also able to establish close ties with their customers. The Awards also hopes to arouse public awareness and understanding about quality brands and services in an attempt to further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as International hub for business.

Yahoo! Inc Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Elisa Steele

Kicking of the event with a short speech was Jeremy Godfrey the Government Chief Information Officer, who was then followed up by Yahoo! Inc Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Elisa Steele  and Yahoo! Hong Kong Vice President and Managing Director Alfred Tsoi.

On hand to present awards were a number industry experts and luminaries that include; Eric Lam Lung, Assistant Director of Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) Assistant Director, Steven Lo Kit-shing, Chairman of South China Althetic Association Football Management Committee, together with his wife Canny Leung Chi-shan, who is the Executive Director of bma Entertainment Holdings Ltd and a famous writer; Mary Pandora Cheung, professional training and marketing expert; famous models Bianca Bai Xin-hui and Larisa Angela, top photographer Sunny Lau, and Crystal Choi Ka-yee, daughter of “King of Toy Manufacturing” Dr. Choi Chee Ming, J.P., and more.

On hand to pick up their award for “Top Celebrity Spokesperson Awards 2009-2010” were Charlene Choi, Cheuk-yin (one half of Canto-Pop group Twins) for Adidas and Joey Yung, Jo-yee for Broadway. Gillian Chung, Yan-tung (the other half of Twins) for Dr Reborn was unable to attend so the award was accepted by Charlene in her place.

The nomination list of brands and celebrity spokespersons for Yahoo! Emotive Brand Awards 2009-2010 was derived as a result of the interviews with a number of experienced marketing professionals, advertising experts, senior executives and other professionals from different sectors. These interviews were conducted by international market research firm Synovate commissioned by Yahoo! Hong Kong. After a series of screening exercises, a total of 359 outstanding brands and celebrity spokespersons were selected for public polling.

The Top 3 Yahoo! Emotive Brand Awards 2009-2010 (Winning Brands – Categories)

• Canon (Digital and Audio Visual)
• Cathay Pacific (Airline)
• Ocean Park (Entertainment)

The Top 3 Yahoo! Asia Emotive Brand Awards 2009-2010

• 7-Eleven (Retail Chain)
• Sony (Digital and Audio Visual)
• Sony Ericsson (Mobile Phone)

Top Celebrity Spokesperson Awards 2009-2010

• Charlene Choi, Cheuk-yin (Adidas)
• Joey Yung, Jo-yee (Broadway)
• Gillian Chung, Yan-tung (Dr Reborn)
• “Mannings sister” Winky Wong, Wan-ki (Mannings)

Yahoo! Emotive Brand Awards 2009-2010

Banking / Credit Card

• HSBC
• Hang Seng Bank
• VISA

Insurance

• AIA
• Manulife
• Prudential

Property Developer & Agent

• Centaline
• MTR Corporation
• Sun Hung Kai

Mobile/Internet Service

• 3 Hong Kong
• Netvigator
• SmarTone-Vodafone

Mobile Phone

• Apple iPhone
• Nokia
• Sony Ericsson

Digital & Audio Visual

• Apple
• Canon
• SONY

Automobile

• BMW
• Mercedes-Benz
• Toyota

Travel Agent

• EGL Tours
• Hong Thai Travel
• Wing On Travel

Airline

• Cathay Pacific
• Dragonair
• Japan Airlines

Entertainment

• AMC/ Broadway Cinema
• Hong Kong Disneyland
• Ocean Park

Restaurant

• Café de Coral
• McDonald’s
• Starbucks

Food/Beverage

• Calbee
• Nissin
• Vitasoy

Beauty Salon/Fitness Centre

• Angel Face
• Marie France Bodyline
• Sau San Tong

Cosmetics/Skin Care

• Shiseido
• SK-II
• The Body Shop

Personal Care

• Acuvue
• Johnson’s Baby
• Tempo

Health Care

• BRAND’S
• Nin Jiom
• OSIM

Watch & Jewelry

• Cartier
• Chow Tai Fook
• Chow Sang Sang

International Luxury Fashion Brand

• Gucci
• Louis Vuitton
• Prada

Retail Chain

• 7-Eleven
• JUSCO
• Mannings

Everyday/Sports Fashion

• Adidas
• H&M
• Nike

Brand with Corporate Conscience & Social Responsibility

• HSBC
• Hong Thai Travel
• MTR Corporation

Government Sector

• Fire Services Department
• Hong Kong Post
• ICAC

Logistics/Transportation

• KMB
• MTR Corporation
• New World First Bus/ City Bus

You’re no doubt, somewhat shocked about Google redirecting all their China traffic to Google.com.hk for uncensored search. What does this mean for the future of Google in China, internet search on the Mainland and Android usage for mobile phones.

We want to have a quick show of hands of what you think and posting your comments below:

We spoke to a mobile developer in Beijing (who remains in stealth mode) about his initial thoughts on how this will affect Android uptake in China.

Basically what our developer says is that this move on Google’s behalf most likely won’t stop/slow/destroy Android on the Mainland:

What does this mean for mainstream Android use in China?

It is unlikely that Android will be withdrawn for China. I mean, what other alternative is there? iPhone? Symbian? WinMobile? Android is also more of a standard than a product. So one can see it more akin to HTML than to an actual product. Google is the source for Android but its really more a building block that developers and handset manufacturers can build on top of and in some ways modify for their own needs.

Do you think Baidu will build an OS?

I don’t think that it will build an OS like Chrome or Windows but it may develop a standard or even its own browser in the future. OS development is hard work and other than Linux, one would need to start almost from scratch.

How does this affectt Chinese Android developers?

For international release the potential piracy. I think they will continue to develop until they see an indication that its all a dead end and we do not see that at this time.

Will this affect Shanzhai phone developers?

The whole concept of Shanzhai is that they are somewhat underground anyway. I don’t think it will and in fact may even spur more development as the traditional tech companies opt for more risk free alternatives.

Will major Chinese phone makers that use Android be moving back to Windows?

I don’t think any at this point but I hear that Windows 7 Mobile is going to be pretty good or at least an improvement from the past. If anything, companies will just extend into windows alongside what they offer now.

Still not enough information on Google’s free Chrome OS that would be used to power netbooks and tablet computers that is supposed to come out later this year that taps into the whole family of Google’s cloud computing offerings including search.

UPDATE: MARCH 26, 2010

A senior executive from HTC just got back to us with their personal take on what this might mean for Android phones in the future:

Will Google’s withdrawal from China hurt Android growth there?
Since Google is the owner and initiator of the Android platform and applications, (it will) of course impact the growth of Android acceptance in (the) China market, there may be some obstacles on the path to freely promote Android market in the future.

What is HTC’s stance on Android now?
HTC is neutral to the pull out of Google from China market, HTC is committed to promote Android product lines in other Asian regions.

Do you think this will affect Android’s growth in China?
It really depends on Google’s position and China government policy as well as China users acceptance on Android market and devices.

Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited today introduced fashionable new additions to its range of PC headsets designed for music listening, online multi-player gaming, and hands-free web chats as well as VoIP calls on MSN Messenger and Skype.

DR-350USB: Designed for audio excellence

With the supplied USB cable, the DR-350USB headset offers users crisp, clear sound by eliminating noise from the PC through digital transmission via a USB connection. The DR-350USB also features a microphone muting function, which is extremely useful when one is engaged in a video conference call with multiple participants or during multi-player game sessions. On top of that, the DR-350USB offers the same benefits as the DR-320DPV, boasting a 30mm driver unit, built-in microphone and a detachable voice tube for comfort and convenience. The DR-350USB is available in three classic colors of Black, Gold and Red. (pictured above)

• Price: HK$398
• Availability: Now

DR-320DPV: Designed for PC gamers and music lovers

The DR-320DPV is a chic headset primed for convenience, versatile to suit both PC gamers and music lovers. Featuring a built-in microphone and a detachable voice tube, the headset provides robust and clear voice transmissions for Internet chats and multi-player PC gaming, and also allows users to easily detach the voice tube to use the headset flexibly as a pair of music headphones. Comfortably fitted with large 30mm driver unit and conveniently equipped with volume control, users can enjoy extended periods of PC gaming and music listening without having to continuously adjust the headset. The DR-320DPV is available in striking colors of Gold, Blue, Red and Black.

• Price: HK$298
• Availability: Now

DR-310DPV: Designed to be seen

The lightweight DR-310DPV headband appeals to females in four soft, chic colors in white, pink, silver and green. Featuring a cleverly designed inline microphone, DR-310DPV users can conveniently and stylishly make VoIP calls and Internet chat anywhere, anytime.

• Price: HK$238
• Availability: Now

The new range of Sony headsets DR-350USB, DR-320DPV and DR-310DPV are available from mid March 2010.

Google Buzz

Not into Twitter? Want to try micro-blogging? Google has jumped into the ring with Buzz. If you use Gmail in Hong Kong you have most likely seen it this morning – let us know what you think. You can follow us via our Gmail account if you like. Some love it. Some hate it. And, some are scared of it. More here.

Facebook Chat

Not only do 100 million people access Facebook on their mobile devices, but now you can instant message your friends outside of Facebook. Looks like Facebook is pulling it out and sticking it wherever you go now. So if you use IM clients like iChat, Pidgin, Adium, Miranda and others you can now chat to your Facebook friends from there.  More here.

iPad iTalk

The online chatter leading up to the iPad launch was loud, and now 2 weeks after its still as loud as ever. Here are some of the stories that we’ve been reading today about the iPad:

• The feud between Apple and Adobe over Flash intensifies because of the iPad
• What some apps might look like on the iPad
• Hulu might launch on the iPad, and the rumor that Hulu are opening offices in China might mean coverage for us in Asia

D’oh! Can you believe it’s been 20 years since Homer, Marge, Maggie, Lisa and Bart first entered our lives? Some of you reading Neonpunch were probably little kids when the yellow-colored family hit the airwaves in 1990 and dug the show for its basic Bart awesomeness. As you grew and as the show gained popularity, its in-jokes and adult comedy shone through to make it the most sucessful animated TV series of all time.

So, to celebrate 20 years, here is a desktop app that takes The Simpsons to a new level in awesome. Play digital tricks on your friends and invite them to compete with you to see who becomes the Prince O’Pranks. Have Homer keep you virtual company on your desktop while you work or play. Get updates on the latest and greatest episodes and info from your favorite TV show.

Your whole desktop becomes a Simpsons interface with Homer walking around showing you pranks you can play on your Facebook friends. Add your friends in and, while they have the Simpsons interface up, you can attack them with Duff Beer Bombs, Itchy and Scratchy bombs, Radiation sticks, baby bottles and more.

You’ll need Adobe Air and a Facebook account and you’re all ready to go!

…and all the expats let out a huge sigh of relief, and probably tons of upscale Hong Kong island restaurants as well!

Openrice.com, the mega-popular Top 10 Hong Kong website for finding and reviewing restaurants, just launched in English and is decidedly more upper class looking than the Chinese version. Since a fair percentage of reviews in the Chinese version were in English, they had instant content to pull over to the all-English version, so you get a good look at restaurants like Cova from 2006.

With more focus on Western and European restaurants, the English version still brings you location-based dining by district, reviews and lots of photos. Sure, it’s not as eloquent and Web 2.0 as some of the ones in the U.S., but it’s still the best we have for now! You’ll also find coupons, reviews, recipes, forums and food news as well.

And yes, they have an iPhone and Android enhanced version of their site, so you can check out the higher-rated restaurants based on district when you are actually standing on the street with your mobile phone.

Hey, they know who’s reading their site when the 3 main categories are: French, American and Central!

Keanu Reeves is doing it. So is Ridley Scott. Web series are being created by some big name Hollywood talent! Offering viewers just a tidbit at a time – teasing them into loyalty with short form narratives (typically four to eight minutes) in a serial format (ten to thirty “webisodes”) each. And now we can put Hong Kong on the map for having its very own high-end web series too, in the thriller: Lumina.

KoldCast TV has selected Lumina to launch KoldCast TV’s International channel because it is “a thrilling fairytale about love, longing and greed… a timeless story that just so happens to be taking place in Hong Kong.” Thanks Christopher Nolan, for making us appear more than just a place for cheap chop sockey flicks!

Lumina writer and director Jennifer Thym is grateful for the opportunity to be seen by an international audience and states:

“Web series is still a burgeoning medium, and KoldCast’s strategy of being selective about its programming and pro-active about marketing is exactly what the field needs right now. I’m so excited that LUMINA is now on their slate – it’s a big step for a new Hong Kong production like ours!”

The storyline features a stressed-out workaholic (played by the beautiful JuJu Chan) who discovers a dark power within herself and flirts with a new life in a dangerous secret-world. And you thought it would be about tai-tai’s talking or gangsters killing.

The biggest and most interesting thing is that they are filming this using The Red One camera. We didn’t even know they had any here. We’ve posted about The Red One before but we are impressed that a local web series is shooting high-res for this. This means they have potential to stream this through your PS3 to your HD-TV and it’ll look super sharp. The other cool thing is that its bi-lingual, so its both in English and Cantonese with Chinese and Western actors playing parts together.

New webisodes will air every Monday and the series is free to view on www.koldcast.tv and on www.luminaseries.com. We have the trailer for you below: