Welcome to Singapore’s “Middle Lane Syndrome”, as I called it. It is a baffling daily phenomenon where heavy, slow-moving vehicles and casual cruisers alike converge in the centre, effectively turning a three-lane expressway into a congested two-lane bottleneck.

But this isn’t just bad driving etiquette; middle lane hogging has wider implications (see this story). Of course, this is not a phenomenon unique to Singapore. Other countries have the same issue, but probably not as prevalent from what I observed during my travels. Yet, if you sit back and look at the bigger picture, the middle lane is the perfect metaphor for the broader Singaporean psyche.

The “Kiasi” Comfort Zone
At its core, middle-lane hogging is driven by a deeply ingrained sense of “kiasi” (Hokkien for afraid to die), the quintessential Singaporean fear of losing out, or worse, getting penalised.

The right lane is too high-pressure; tailgaters will flash their high beams the millisecond you drop below the speed limit. Meanwhile, the leftmost lane is perceived as an absolute minefield. Drivers, even truckers, actively avoid it because they are terrified of getting trapped behind a merging bus, a container truck, or forced into an unexpected exit.

Compounding this is a distinct lack of situational awareness regarding bus lane hours. I observe many Singaporean drivers suffer from a phantom fear of the solid yellow line. Even at 11PM on a Saturday night, or on expressways where standard bus lane restrictions do not even apply, drivers will completely shun the left lane out of a paranoid, knee-jerk reflex that they might get slapped with a fine.

So, what do we do? We choose the perceived safety of the middle. It is the ultimate comfort zone. This behaviour, I feel, perfectly mirrors how many Singaporeans navigate life and career paths. We are conditioned to avoid the extremes.

We don’t want to be at the absolute back, but we are often too terrified of the exposure that comes with being at the very front. The middle lane represents the path of least resistance, a place where you can coast along without having to make difficult decisions, read the changing signs around you, or take bold risks. It is precisely why thinking out of the box is so rare in Singapore. I mean, when you are perfectly comfortable in the middle, why bother looking for a new route?

The Illusion of Convenience
Of course, defenders of the middle lane will offer seemingly practical justifications. “It makes it easier to overtake if someone slows down,” they will say, or “It gives me the flexibility to change to the right lane whenever I need to”.

Reality is actually quite different, as the shared article above suggests. When slow-moving vehicles hog the centre lane, it creates a dangerous ripple effect. Instead of a smooth flow of traffic, it forces faster, impatient drivers to weave erratically between lanes, fuelling road rage and aggressive behaviour.

Furthermore, by rendering the left lane useless, we are actively wasting infrastructure. We build expansive, multi-lane highways only to voluntarily reduce them to two functional lanes because we refuse to spread out. It is counter-intuitive, inefficient, and entirely self-inflicted.

Finding Speed in the Slow Lane
If we want to fix our expressways and by extension, our rigid mindset; we will need to learn to adapt. This is especially so given the continued onslaught of AI. Even government jobs are not the iron rice bowls they used to be (as some ex-GovTech people will attest).

Drivers need to overcome the stigma of the left lane. It isn’t a lane of shame for the slow or broken down; it is a vital part of the highway ecosystem. In fact, as any seasoned driver will tell you, because everyone is so busy crowding the middle, the leftmost lane might sometimes be the fastest, clearest run on the entire road. In fact, I have been using the “slow” lane quite often to overtake these middle lane hoggers.

Sometimes, stepping out of the crowd and embracing the lane everyone else is avoiding might just be the only way to actually get ahead. It’s time to leave the comfort of the middle lane behind – both on the tarmac and in life.

At 5.6mm thing and 165g light, Apple said it is a breakthrough design being the thinnest iPhone ever but more durable than any previous iPhone. While the device itself might be a marvel on its own, it feels more like a stepping stone toward something bigger: a foldable iPhone (P/S: above feature photo of foldable iPhone is generated using AI).

By focusing on creating the lightest and thinnest iPhone yet, Apple is likely preparing itself to tackle the added complexity of foldable designs. The balance between durability and portability will be key in any foldable iPhone, and the Air might be the testing ground for those advancements. Flexible displays require robust yet pliable materials, and the iPhone Air’s advancements suggest Apple might be inching closer to displays that can withstand folding without sacrificing quality.

Moreover, Apple has historically been cautious about adopting new technologies – preferring to wait until they are perfected before rolling out to the market. The iPhone Air’s display could be a precursor to Apple’s first flexible screens that meet its exacting standards.

Another key aspect of the iPhone Air is its use of new composite materials to achieve durability while reducing weight. Foldable devices are notorious for wear-and-tear issues, particularly at the hinge and along the fold line. And Apple’s work on the iPhone Air could be seen as a precursor to developing materials and structures robust enough to handle the stresses of hundred of thousands of folds without failure.

Indeed, Apple has filed patents in recent years for self-healing materials and advanced hinge mechanisms, further indicating its interest in foldable designs. The lightweight materials, such as titanium frame (which exceeds stringent bend strength requirements according to Apple) and Ceramic Shield, used in the iPhone Air could be the foundation for future foldables.

A foldable iPhone wouldn’t just require hardware changes—it would need software to match. For instance, foldables often offer split-screen functionality and seamless transitions between folded and unfolded states. Apple’s work on dynamic software experiences, such as Liquid Glass design with smooth transitions, in the upcoming iOS 26 (and probably future iOS) could be another sign that the company is laying the groundwork for a foldable future.

Historically, Apple has taken a deliberate and incremental approach to new product categories. Before launching the Apple Watch, Apple first focused on health and fitness features in the iPhone and the Health app. Similarly, before the iPad Pro, Apple introduced multitasking features to iOS. The iPhone Air might follow this pattern—an intermediate step that allows Apple to perfect the technologies that will eventually power a foldable iPhone.

Foldable smartphones have gained much traction in recent years, with Samsung leading the charge through its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series. Chinese smartphone makers, like Honor and Oppo, have caught up with South Korean electronic giant, and in some respects outdone the chaebol. Apple has been seen lagging behind. But Apple doesn’t follow trends; it usually reshapes them.

Historically, Apple has often avoided rushing into new product categories or genres. In fact, it has a history of entering markets only when it feels it can deliver a superior experience (just think about the original iPhone). The iPhone Air might be Apple’s way of signalling that it’s getting closer to entering the foldable race.

While the iPhone Air may not fold, it’s not difficult to imagine it as a stepping stone toward that future. If and when Apple does enter the foldable market, it’s likely to do so with a device that redefines what foldables can be. For now, the iPhone Air feels like a tantalising prelude to that eventual fold.

There was a time when Apple’s keynote events felt exciting, inspiring, and unpredictable. These days, Apple events run like Swiss clockwork: impeccably efficient yet as predictable as the sunrise.

Since the iPhone 5 launch in 2012, subsequent iPhone unveilings have consistently occurred in September. The only exception was during the pandemic in 2020, when the iPhone 12 series debuted in October via livestream.

If you’ve been following the rumor mill, you already know what to expect this time around. The event will likely showcase the iPhone 17 lineup, featuring the usual 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. There’s even talk of a new iPhone Air—an incredibly thin device rumored to be just 5.5mm thick. Alongside the iPhones, we can expect the Apple Watch Series 11 and possibly the Apple Watch Ultra 3 (considering there were no updates last year). And let’s not forget the potential unveiling of AirPods Pro 3.

You don’t need to be Nostradamus to predict Apple’s September announcements. With incremental upgrades and relentless leaks year after year, the thrill of new iPhones has faded—light-years away from the buzz I felt at my first iPhone launch in 2012. Back then, the excitement was palpable. Even the launch of the Apple Watch in 2015 stirred intrigue, though it eventually settled into the same predictable upgrade cycle as the iPhone.

Last year, Apple introduced the Vision Pro, its take on a virtual reality (VR) headset. While it sparked some hype, it failed to ignite the kind of buzz Apple once commanded. As a luxury product, it was never going to achieve mass adoption.

The truth is, Apple hasn’t redefined or disrupted a product category since the Apple Watch. Yes, there were smartwatches before the Apple Watch, but Apple’s seamless integration of watchOS with iOS made it the gold standard, leaving competitors in the dust. Apple achieved something similar with AirPods in 2016, albeit to a lesser extent. But once again, competitors followed.

Lately, it feels like Apple is playing catch-up. The foldable iPhone remains conspicuously absent, even as Chinese tech companies like Oppo and Honor (see my Honor Magic V5 review) challenge Samsung in this space. The usual argument is that Apple isn’t the first to enter a category—it’s the one that redefines or revolutionises it.

Yet, consider Siri. When it launched in 2011, it was the first widely available virtual assistant on a smartphone, prompting competitors like Microsoft’s Cortana and Amazon’s Alexa to follow suit. Fast forward to today, and Siri—now rebranded as ‘Apple Intelligence’—is stumbling under the weight of its own name. Despite Apple’s partnership with AI poster child OpenAI, Siri remains underwhelming. Advertisements for Siri or Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16 have quietly faded into the background.

Meanwhile, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are doubling down on artificial intelligence, aggressively hiring AI researchers and experts while aggressively expanding their data centres. Apple, by comparison, seems passive. A New York Times report revealed that Apple’s then CFO Luca Maestri slashed the AI chip budget in 2023, despite CEO Tim Cook’s approval to increase it. Apple later claimed the budget had grown “over time,” but offered no specifics—hardly reassuring in a race where catching up gets harder every day.

Some might argue that Apple is playing the long game, ensuring its AI offerings are better than the competition’s before rolling them out. But if Apple Intelligence was being advertised and then quietly shelved, it suggests something went wrong along the way.

For years, I’ve worn the label of “Apple fanboy”. I’ve been using Apple computers since 1998, back when the world was dominated by Windows. My cupboard is filled with Apple memorabilia (T-shirts, bottles, pens and etc) and some of its old products (my only regret: not buying Apple stock).

I really hope Apple gets its mojo back again. But even as Apple’s financial health has never been better—with record revenue growth—its recent track record is concerning. I hope Tim Cook isn’t following the path of Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s former CEO, who oversaw incredible growth and profits during his tenure, but missed out on the industry trend towards mobile, search, and cloud computing back then.

As 9 September approaches, I’m holding out hope to drop my jaw in awe and not stifle a yawn in disappointment. Prove me wrong, Apple.

I quipped to my wife: “Singaporeans do not know how to stop.”

It’s the same on the road. You know those go-straight-turn-right lanes? If a car gets stuck behind one turning right, the driver will quickly switch lanes—even when the car ahead is already completing its turn. Ironically, they probably waste more time switching lanes, but the perceived delay is unbearable.

Our national anthem, Majulah Singapura (Onward Singapore), embodies the spirit of progress—a mantra ingrained in Singapore since independence. But Singapore is like a bird with widespread wings but no claws; it cannot even perch on branches to rest.

While SG60 should be a celebration of our achievements, it’s also an opportunity for reflection. During the recent National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong remarked: “We’ve come a long way, but we cannot stand still.” Yet standing still is something Singaporeans almost never do. PM Wong doesn’t need to remind us; we’ve mastered the art of perpetual motion.

In my observations, Singaporeans rarely pause. We don’t stop to smell the flowers, listen to the birds, or admire the sunset. Instead, we hurry from one place to another, as if our lives depend on it.

Douglas Toh, a journalist from The Edge Singapore, aptly noted that Singaporeans are “first world in everything but behaviour.” I believe this stems from a siege mentality. We’ve been taught that as a tiny nation with no natural resources, we must work harder, move faster, and stay ahead to survive.

No doubt, survival is crucial. But as Captain B from Pixar’s Wall-E poignantly said: “I don’t want to survive. I want to live!” Indeed, Singaporeans must learn to live—not just survive. Survival is part of living, but living is so much more.

Even in organisations, survival mode often hinders progress. Companies too consumed by daily struggles fail to plan for the future. They move forward but remain stagnant.

Of course, we shouldn’t rest on our laurels. With rapid advancements in AI and technology, keeping pace is essential. Yet sometimes, the best way to move forward is to stop—to review the past, take stock of the present, and strategise for the future.

Migratory birds rest at designated stops to refuel before continuing their journey. Even Formula 1 cars require pit stops to win races. Singaporeans must learn to do the same.

Majulah Singapura—onward we go. But let us remember: progress isn’t just about moving forward. Sometimes, knowing when to pause is the first step toward taking a greater leap.

As you probably know, Samsung just has unveiled its latest foldable smartphones with the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4. Design wise, they both do not differ much from its predecessors. Instead, there are only incremental upgrades. Something Apple has always been doing for years with each new generation of smartphones. So, Samsung fans, it might be time to swallow your pride and admit it…

For the new Flip4, it looks almost like the Flip3. But it looks slightly more square-ish on its edges instead of curved. The hinge is a wee bit smaller and the display crease slightly less sightly.

The foldable main display continues to be a 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz variable refresh rate, while the secondary cover display stays at 1.9 inches. Even the rear dual-camera system remains largely unchanged apart for the main 12-megapixel (MP) rear camera having large pixel sizes. Both 12MP ultra-wide-angle rear camera and 10MP selfie camera remain the same.

In the inside, the Flip4 now comes with the latest Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip, a larger battery of 3,700mAh (up from 3,300mAh of Flip3) and faster 25W wired charging.

For the new Fold4, it is the same story. It has a thinner bezel, slimmer hinge and slightly sleeker. But otherwise, it has the same design. It still comes with a 6.2-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch foldable display. Both displays have a 120Hz variable refresh rate.

Upgrades are in the inside again with a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip with 12GB of RAM and storage starting from 256GB to 1TB. However, it does get a better 50MP main camera, a longer 3x telephoto camera.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 will be available in four colours of Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold and Blue with pricing starting from S$1,398 (128GB) to S$1,748 (512GB). It is also available in a Bespoke Edition with 75 possible combinations of customisation.

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 will come in four colours of Graygreen, Beige, Phantom Black and Burgundy. Pricing starts from S$2,398 (256GB) to S$2,938 (1TB).

Both foldable smartphones will be available in Singapore starting on Sep 2 10am. Pre-order (get it at Shopee) starts now.

So, should you be getting the latest Samsung foldable smartphones? Well, I can only say for sure when I get to review them. For now, if you are using the previous generations of Flip and Fold, you probably might want to hold.