On to the review:

The BlackBerry 9700 was announced last October 2009, and this is RIM’s second handset (next to the Curve 8520) that will sport a touch-sensitive optical trackpad instead of the problematic trackball. A very welcome move from RIM. Compared with the BlackBerry Bold 9000, the Bold 9700’s camera is upgraded to 3.15MP (from just 2.0MP) with Image Stabilization; weight is reduced to just 122g from 133g; the Bold 9700 supports GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 850/1900/2100, & HSDPA 1700/2100/900 — up to 3.6Mbps. Like the Bold 9000, Bold 9700 is also WiFi (802.11 b/g, UMA) enabled.

On the downside, internal storage for the Bold 9700 was reduced to just 256MB from Bold 9000’s 1GB. But, the Bold 9700 supports up to 16GB microSD expandable storage, while the Bold 9000 can only accommodate up to 8GB. The screen size got a little bit smaller at 2.44 inches, compared to the Bold 9000’s 2.6 inches.

GlobePH currently sells the BlackBerry Bold 9700 at PHP28,995 as a prepaid phonekit.

To participate in the auction, players must convert their play money into game credits for use in the monthly online auctions. The monthly auction, still hosted within the game site, will feature prizes up for grabs to the player that bids the highest number of game credits. The game is open to all players, but players must be registered to Smart Rewards to participate in the auction.

Dubbed as “B Free Day”, in line with Smart Bro’s partnership with the two premier collegiate sports leagues, which produced limited editions of Smart Bro Plug Its, dongles designed with the sports team monickers of UAAP and NCAA member schools. These are Adamson University, Ateneo, La Salle, FEU, National University, UE, UST and UP for UAAP. The NCAA member schools are College of St. Benilde (CSB), Jose Rizal University, Letran, Mapua, San Beda, San Sebastian, Philippine Christian University (on leave), and University of Perpetual Help.

“Supporting school sports is one of our advocacies as these provide positive entertainment and promote healthy competition among the youth. Giving away the dongles is our reward to them, in line with Smart Bro’s goal of delivering Internet for all,” explained Smart marketing group head Annie P. Naval.

Held at the Megatent in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, “B Free Day” thrilled the student crowd with back-to-back performances by popular rock bands Sandwich, Hale and Spongecola; raffle draws; and games and treats reminiscent of school fairs such as bail out jail booth, balloon darts, ball toss, back massages, burgers, beverages and other sponsors’ freebies—all beginning with the letter ‘b’.

Another popular section of “B Free” featured a remount of the successful Smart Bro Broadbandemonium – The Great SMART Bro Sale. The sale brought together major PC brands Acer, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Neo and Toshiba, which have bundled Smart Bro in some of their latest models, to give buyers the right equipment to enjoy the Internet with Smart Bro’s fast connectivity.

Smart Communications, Inc. recently launched its expanded HSPA network nationwide, from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to Digos, Davao del Sur—with many more cellsites expected to go live before 2009 ends. Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and other key cities are already covered with seamless, high-speed mobile broadband which provides a subscriber high speeds of up to 5.8Mbps, enabling Smart Bro subscribers to enjoy the fastest wireless broadband service when surfing the internet.

Thanks to the wonderful people of Havoc Digital (and Rogue) for the Press Pass!

Though SpeedTest.net is saying that I am currently located somewhere in UK(?).

We’re expecting some 300 bloggers and WiFi testers to show up at the SM City Marikina Cyberzone. Hope that all other SM Supermalls will provide Free WiFi access soon.

(photo courtesy of Melo Villareal)

Dell is leading the way in designing solutions to meet your needs at every stage of growth. Their latest Vostro model delivers affordable solutions to address basic computing tasks on any budget.

You can stay productive and focused on your business in the office, on the road, or at home. The Vostro A840 laptop delivers the technology you need to execute everyday business tasks no matter where you are. It’s compact and easy to take anywhere. Integrated Wi-Fi, modem, and Bluetooth options keep you connected and in sync for on-the-go collaboration. It is easy to deploy and manage for out-of-the-box productivity. And it is pre-configured with core office productivity applications and no annoying trialware.

Dell helps you avoid hardware failures with high quality industry-standard components and proven Intel technology. Designed for everyday mobile office computing, the Vostro A840 laptop is ready to take on the rigors of your business day and keep you looking professional. Dell will also provide you with services and support you need to help you remain on your business – not on your technology.

Dell Vostro A840 is just right for your growing businesses. It’s affordable, reliable and worry-free.

Through its Philippine subsidiary DELL Philippines, it is set to be accessible and be able to provide services to all Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs). And at this start of the year, DELL Philippines brings in good news with Dell Vostro A840 Bundling Promo. For every purchase of Dell Vostro A840, customer is entitled to (1) unit LG KP105.

LG KP105 is a bar phone with a colored monitor, FM radio capable, dual band and has a mobile tracker. Its suggested retail price is 1,999.00 pesos, but LG KP105 can be yours free when you buy Dell Vostro A840.

See flyers and posters for details.

You might want to know how to avail..

Promo Mechanics / Claiming Directions:

This promo is open to all buyers of Dell Vostro A840 laptops from January 15 – February 15, 2009 nationwide.

For every purchase of Dell Vostro A840, customer is entitled to one (1) unit of LG KP105 mobile phone.

To claim your free LG KP105 mobile phone, fax or email the following documents to First Tier Branding Solutions Inc.

Sales Invoice and Official Receipt

Cut out of the laptop’s serial number sticker found in the box

Valid ID (SSS, PRC, Driver’s license, Passport, etc.) and Contact Information

First Tier Brands contact information are as follows:

Tel Nos: (02) 856.2375 / (02) 383.1651

Mobile Phone: (0922) 836.5191

Fax No: (02) 856.2375

Email Address: dell.a840@gmail.com

Address: Unit 1610 BSA Suites Carlos Palanca Street

Legaspi Village, Makati City

Note: A customer representative will contact the claimant/s on claiming instructions.

For Metro Manila customers, please claim your mobile phones at First Tier Brands office. For provincial claimants, First Tier Brands will send the item via courier service. Delivery charges will apply and will be shouldered by the claimant.

All claims must be received on or before April15, 2009. Redemption period is until May 15, 2009 only.

Unclaimed mobile phones will be forfeited in favor of Dell Asia Pacific – Philippine Representative Office SMB Group with prior approval from DTI.

In case of disputes, Dell Asia Pacific’s decision in concurrence with DTI shall be final and non-negotiable.

All employees of Dell Asia Pacific, participating dealers and other promo partners/third parties, including their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity, are automatically disqualified from joining the promo.

Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 0067 Series OF 2009

People from Sky Broadband was there, too. And as TJ describes it: insanely fast! How fast was it, 12Mbps for a residential broadband.

All bloggers went home with gift certificates from Sky Cable — free installation and rental of Digibox, plus a quarter subscription to Sky Cable Gold at zero cost. Kewl, isn’t it?

(Some pics grabbed from Az — thanks Az!)

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Type a title of a song in Esnips.com and you will find tons of versions of the same song, in different formats. Clicking on a link will load the Flash-based media player of the website. Now, if you want to download a copy of the file, you can, but your will be needing iMesh.

Now, here’s a technique that I am using to download the MP3 files, without having to use (and install) iMesh:

1. Let’s say, the URL of the song I wish to download is
   http://www.esnips.com/doc/a56a0906-0f7f-4e6a-a241-1f3cdfaf7cb1/kundiman_ni_paraluman
2. Change the word ‘doc’ in the URL to ‘nsdoc‘.
3. Replace the song title or name with /ts_id/1205795172796/ns_flash/file88.mp3, in my example URL, I will have to remove ‘kundiman_ni_paraluman‘ and replace it with ‘/ts_id/1205795172796/ns_flash/file88.mp3′
4. Hit the {Enter} key, and you will be prompted to save the MP3 file. That easy.

If you were helped of this post, your “Thank you!” is accepted, but your PayPal donation is better.

Just book a flight online at http://www.flyseair.com and use the PROMO CODE RRBR35EE to avail of the 15% discount. The discount is valid only if you will buy the ticket online.

For inquiries and other concern with regards to this promo, please do not hesitate to leave a comment on this post. Thank you!

• TURFSITE5 — to celebrate five (05) fruitful years of TurfSitePH.net operations, get 15% off your total purchases at http://www.turfsiteph.net
• CSBMMA2008 — 15% discount that current and former CSB students & faculty members can enjoy at http://www.turfsiteph.net
• PWAG — members of the Philippine Web Accessibility Group or webmasters of websites certified by PWAG can avail of 20% discount (website hosting services) from http://www.turfsiteph.net
• MULTIPLY — Multiply.com members within my network can enjoy a 10% discount on all TurfSitePH.net services

What are you waiting for? Subscribe to TurfSitePH.net services now!

Azrael was there, and I personally handed-over to him his Internet Blackout book prize. Met also in the flesh was my long time acquitance Jay De Jesus (titikpilipino.com). BTW, the pic above was grabbed from Az, thanks Az! Hehehe ..

Da Who! Da who ang blogger na nagsilid ng isang dosenang Magnolia Flavored Tea sa kanyang bag? Clue: isa syang girl. Hehehe .. wala lang. Rose and I were laughing to our hearts’ out seeing her putting the iced tea bottles to her bag. Kakahiya. Yun lang!