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Smart Nation: 4 New And Awesome Ways Technology Can Help Singaporeans Save Time

This article was originally on GET.com at: Smart Nation: 4 New And Awesome Ways Technology Can Help Singaporeans Save Time

We may not be the best at things in the realm of IT but there exist compelling reasons why we should upgrade our IT skills. Besides being one of the top in-demand skills that will boost your employability in Singapore, we can't deny the role it plays in edging Singapore towards becoming a 'smart nation', can we? Technology is certainly permeating our everyday life, and it can be draining at times.

Having said that, all of us can surely benefit from advancements in technology when initiatives make use of it to make life a tad bit easier for us. Here, we at GET.com are excited to share with you 4 new and awesome ways we can use technology to help us save some time.

4 New & Awesome Ways You Can Use Technology To Save Time

1. Tap On Free Wi-Fi, Charge Phone & Download E-Books At Bus Stop

While we've seen an increase in phone charging points made available to the public in recent times, the latest kid on the block is this spanking new bus stop nestled all the way in western Singapore, Jurong East Central to be precise.

Here, you can enjoy free Wi-Fi, download e-books, charge your mobile phones and more while waiting for the bus. According to a news report, these features will be operating for a year starting in August 2016.

2. Top Up EZ-Link Cards The Contactless Way

It's great to go cashless, but it's even better now for those of you who, like me, have to routinely top up our EZ-Link cards. If you haven't heard, those with UOB debit cards and UOB credit cards can top up their EZ-Link cards at all General Ticketing Machines (GTM) without any additional processing fees.

Ears up, those of you who are already on or hopping onto the mobile payment bandwagon! From now till 31 December, you can earn $1 rebate when you top up $40 with your UOB MasterCard/Visa Cards; or $2 rebate when you top up $40 with your UOB MasterCard/Visa Cards on UOB Mighty/Apple Pay.

Personally, I gave this a shot with Apple Pay and I am incredibly amazed at how speedy and easy the transaction was. It took literally just seconds!

Any annoying T&Cs you should take note of? The rebates are limited to the first 20,000 eligible UOB MasterCard Cardmembers and the first 20,000 eligible UOB Visa Cardmembers who made a single top-up amounting to $40 at the GTM. Also, each eligible cardmember will be limited to only 1 cash rebate per month.

Don't have a UOB card? You might want to wait it out till 1 January 2017 then, although I'm not certain whether other banks will roll out the rebates promotion. According to Channel NewsAsia, cardmembers of all other local and foreign-issued cards will also be able to use the service then.

3. Bank Conversationally From Mobile Messaging App

Wait, what? Yes, you can engage in banking services as though you're chatting with a friend by the end of 2016 if you're a DBS customer as DBS will be rolling out conversational banking in mobile messaging apps.

Those who bank with DBS can track their expenses, make payments, and manage their money across accounts with this new initiative that makes use of impressive conversational AI technology. Click here to see how this works.

4. Get "Face-To-Face" Assistance From Bank Tellers Through Live-Video Streaming

Your eyes didn't play tricks on you, POSB will be launching the pilot of POSB Video Teller Machines (VTMs) in Singapore. These VTMs will be able to provide consumers with round-the-clock branch banking services, coupled with the choice of "face-to-face" assistance from bank tellers via live-video streaming.

Besides basic things like balance enquiries, update of particulars, statement requests, these POSB VTMs can also hand out internet banking security tokens and debit cards right away - all without you having to run a trip to the bank branch as you normally would. Now, that's great because nobody likes queuing (well, except for freebies and new food fads of course).

Be patient and wait for the VTMs' full suite of capabilities to run by the end of the year. POSB VTMs are currently in the pilot stage, with the first located at POSB ITE College branch at 2 Ang Mo Kio Drive. If you're psyched to give this a try, note that you can access the machine with selected functions from 10am to 2pm (weekdays) and 10am to 1pm (Saturdays).

What do you think? Share your comments with us below!

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