I suggest you try both Sygic and Route 66 - both have trial versions.

Sygic worldwide map is 80 Euros, but you have the option of buying individual maps (South East Asia for 20 Euros). Route66 only provides a worldwide license, but it's USD 65.

I've never tried Sygic, but Route66 uses Navteq maps and my area is very updated (Google Map don't have my housing area). So far I have no issues with it and will buy Route66 when my trial license expires.

I have 1 complaint though - both Sygic and Route66 don't have Korea and Japan maps . What's with that? I can't use it when I go to Korea in Dec....

Unless you purchase your Note overseas, you should have Diochen Chinese Input installed.

Press and hold the text area, select Input Method, then select "Diochen input".

If you don't have it you can download any chinese IME from the Market.

My reception sucks when I set it to GSM only - I keep dropping calls. It's OK now that I've set it to Auto. I am not sure whether it's my phone issue or is generic across Samsung Note phones.

P.S. I'm also on stock ROM with Maxis line.

Well, your WiFi seems to be on the whole night.