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Category Archives: Reviews

Skyway E-Pass is So 1990’s

Remember the yesteryears when you buy something online (read as buy something over the telephone line) and the telemarketer will accept such order then processes it manually in the background? Well, that’s the same kind of service you will get with Skyway O&M Corporation’s (SOMCO) E-Pass.

epass

The E-Pass tag kit now is cheaper as compared years ago – PHP2,100 that includes PHP400 worth of load (plus PHP40 if you’re to purchase it using a credit/debit card at Shell Magallanes – paging DTI!). Now, the tricky part of which is loading the E-Pass tag which leaves you with three (03) options: (1) Drive thru any of the E-Pass offices; (2) Buy the prepaid load at selected establishments (like Shell Magallanes); or (3) Enroll your credit (or debit) card for automatic or manual replenishment. All of the three (03) options have the same denominator: HASSLE.

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Alcatel OneTouch Blaze 990 Review

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Alcatel has the distinction of introducing the polyphonic ring tones to the Philippine shores not so long ago. Alcatel is back 100% introducing its line of Android phones. I was given the opportunity to review the Alcatel OneTouch Blaze 990, and here goes:

Specifications:

  • Released on Aug 2011
  • Display Type: TFT 262k colour landscape display capacitive touch
  • Dimensions: 116mm x 62.2mm x 12.2mm
  • Weight: 144g
  • OS: Android 2.2 (Froyo)
  • Processor: 600MHz
  • Network & Data Connectivity: 2G / 3G / GSM / HSDPA / 802.11 b/g WiFi & WiFi Hotspot capability / Bluetooth v3.0 with A2DP / microUSB v2.0
  • Main Camera: 5MP autofocus with LED flash (2592 pixels x 1944 pixels) & geo-tagging
  • Battery: Li-Ion 1300 mAh (up to 550 hours standby; up to 06 hours talk time)

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Upgrading BlackBerry Bold 9700 to OS6

Yesterday, I got a copy of the leaked BlackBerry OS6 for the Bold 9700 device courtesy of BBGeeks.com. (If you missed to download a copy of the OS update, you may download it here). The BlackBerry OS6 boosts some of the following cool features:

  • Faster, Richer Web Browser
  • Social Feeds and Views
  • Universal Search
  • Engaging Multimedia
  • Simple Setup
  • Intuitive, Fluid Design

I am still at awe on how fast my Bold 9700 unit now after the upgrade and with the features listed above. Will write a full review of the BlackBerry OS6 within the weekend. For the time being, here are some of the screenshots of the BlackBerry OS6 running on my Bold 9700:

The Home Screen of my BlackBerry Bold 9700 running OS6

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The Cafe Mediterranean Experience: FAIL

Every once in a while, the boss treats the Management Team to lunch outside the office (we provide free meals to all of our employees and guests at the staff lounge). Today, the group decided to try something different — we went to The Cafe Mediterranean at Resorts World Manila (in front of NAIA Terminal 3 inside what was left of Villamor Air Base, Pasay City).

It was 10 of us in the group; and me, together with the boss went ahead of the pack to reserve seats and place our initial orders: 04 Greca Pizzas — it was around 1130H then. Minutes later, the rest of the team arrived. We were, I think, their first customers for the day (as the waiter told us that they had just opened by 1100H today). The waiter took our individual orders. Since I am not a fan of Greek food and veggies, I opted to have spaghetti bolognese and bottomless iced tea — while the rest of the team settled for salads & other house specialties. The waiter informed me that it will take around 15 minutes for the spaghetti to be served, and I joke that even if it takes 30 minutes, no problem with me — as it is the only thing in their menu that I will eat.

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Review: Nikon Coolpix L110

Just acquired a Nikon Coolpix L110 two weeks ago from Kim Lato. The Coolpix L110 is not a DSLR, but it’s body is similar to one. Actually, this camera falls under the category of a compact digital, and others say of a “super zoom”.

Two factors made us decide to acquire the Nikon Coolpix L110 on top of the competitor’s super zooms (that of Panasonic’s and Sony’s) — value for money and it’s 15x wide optical zoom.

The listed price of the Nikon Coolpix L110 (black) at Kimstore is PHP13,000 but when we checked at SM Appliance Center, it’s on order basis with a tag of PHP28,000. Kimstore wins!

Now, on to the review proper …

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BlackBerry Bold 9700

Last 29 Jan 2010, GlobePH finally delivered my BlackBerry Bold 9700 — thanks to their Loyalty Program. A month prior to the delivery, I was advised that I am entitled to a BlackBerry Bold 9000. I inquired when will the BlackBerry Bold 9700 will be available locally, and was told end of January 2010 (that was in December 2009). Come the first week of January 2010, I was advised that I will be given a BlackBerry Bold 9700 instead. Kewl!

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.

BlackBerry Bold 9700 BlackBerry Bold 9700 vs Nokia E63

HP Mini 2133 Battery Tests

Less than a month ago, I “upgraded” my HP Mini 2133 from Microsoft Windows Vista Basic to Windows XP with Service Pack 3. The overall responsiveness of the netbook has improved, though it seems that the battery consumption is a little bit higher. I made another partition to accommodate Windows 7 Beta. Here are the results of my HP Mini 2133 battery stress test experiment:

Total Charging Time: 01 hour, 55 minutes, & 17.6 seconds

I fired up the anti-virus software to scan the hard drive while the netbook is unplugged from the power outlet.

Windows XP SP 3 Usage Time: 01 hour & 33 minutes (low battery prompt goes on at 01 hour & 19 minutes of usage)

Windows 7 Beta (Build 7000) Usage Time: 01 hour & 33 minutes (low battery prompt goes on at 01 hour & 27 minutes of usage)

I remember having used the HP Mini 2133 for full two (02) hours when it was still using Windows Vista Basic. Wondering what’s draining the battery fast in Windows XP & Windows 7.

Internet Dial-up Using Smart 3G & LG KU250

lg-ku250.jpgYesterday, I dropped by Smart Wireless Center in SM Mall of Asia to renew my Smart Broadband contract (huh?! you may say, but Smart Bro is serving me good for my personal use). As a token of their gratitude, they gave me an LG KU250 Prepaid Phone Kit (costs around Php5,000 and it is 3G). I always wanted to try connecting to the internet via a PC/laptop and a mobile phone. I am NOT successful with GlobePH, so I wanted to try this time with Smart.

The Customer Service Agent at MOA gave me the dial-up number *99***1#, so I immediately created a dial-up connection with this number once I reached home. First try, nah! It didn’t worked. Called their Customer Service Hotline, and gave me a new dial-up number *99# — still does not worked. Then finally, a second call to their Hotline, the CS Agent told me that I need to install the LG PC Suite to use 3G dial-up.

So I tried to install the LG KU250 PC Suite using the mini-CD-ROM provided, but the next problem I encountered is that the LG USB Modem Driver provided is NOT Windows XP Certified — it won’t install on my PC (running Windows XP 2nd Edition with SP3). Surfed the internet and landed on a possible solution. Tried re-installing the USB Modem Driver, and wallah! It worked!

Now, here’s the settings in the LG PC Suite that worked my way connecting to the internet via 3G:

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My Windows XP Internet Connection status tells me that I have a 115.2Kbps connection, but speedtest.net reached somewhere between 250Kbps to 350Kbps.

[Review] Dream Journal The Very Best of TrueFaith 1993-2007

The much-awaited compilation album of TrueFaith band is finally out (made available just three days ago). Consist of thirty-four (34) songs in two discs, this album is a must-have for all Faithfools out there.

Included in the album are re-mastered hits like:

(Disc 1) Perfect, Love Stings, Everything She Wore, How Much I Feel, Ambon, Sa Puso Ko, Huwag Nalang Kaya, Muntik Nang Maabot Ang Langit, Shotgun Baby Bang! Bang!, Pure, Kahapon, Silence Of The Heart, Alaala, Baliw, Kundi Rin Lang Ikaw, Bukas Liligaya Din Ako, Hi, Ika’y Mamahalin.
(Disc 2) Enjoy, Alam, Get It On, (Awit Para) Sa Kanya, Kung O.K. Lang Sa Iyo, Minsan (Lang Ako Umibig), Sumasarap Ang Gising, Basta-Basta, Ngumiti Ka Lang, Deadma, Mistake Number 3, Dahil Ikaw, Sayang Ang Lahat,
Cross My Heart, Araw’t Gabi, Isang Pangarap Lamang.

How I wished that they had released a 3 CD compilation instead of 2 only. They missed to include my personal favorites Goodbye, God Bless and Sugar Kisses, but nonetheless, this is an awesome album!

Go, grab your (original) copies now.