Join Us at #mozilla-ph IRC Channel

Wow! I can’t remember the last time I actually had logged-in to an IRC network not until tonight. I got a message from the Mozilla Philippines Community Manager that the rest of the gang are online at #mozilla-ph but I was mobile that time.

The moment I logged into my desktop machine, I immediately searched for the chatroom using Mibbit. If you’re the type of person who’s always on the go but don’t have a laptop, then Mibbit is for you. It’s a web-based IRC client. To join us online, simply use the following settings in Mibbit:

Or, you may opt to install ChatZilla as an add-on to our favorite web browser, Firefox:

If want to be more sentimental, you can always download and install mIRC on your Windows machine.

Enjoy and see you all online! Join us and help improve Mozilla products the Filipino way.

New Technology Gives Philippine Ad Industry a Much Needed Make-over

Something new has just landed on Philippines’ shores, and it’s all set to drive things towards a more interesting direction.

In a world where the medium has become the message all on its own, the Philippine advertising industry has a new platform for brands to shine on.

Continue reading →

Jollibee Launches the HappyPlus Card

Last 12 Nov 2011, while ordering at Jollibee for lunch after my Saturday class, I noticed this device connected to the POS of the cashier:

happy-plus-card-reader-rfid

I asked her on what will it’s use be, as it looks similar to the Octopus Card RFID terminals we saw in Hong Kong when we went there last August. Her reply is that it will soon be utilized for a rewards program. Hmmm … sounds interesting.

Just this afternoon, I saw a post in Facebook about the HappyPlus card to be launched by the Jollibee Group next Monday, the 23rd of January 2012:

HappyPlus is some sort of a virtual wallet, that you may use in any of the Jollibee Group fastfood branch in Metro Manila (initially). All I wish is for the success of this endeavor. Hopefully, the same system will be used sooner or later in the MRT, buses, taxi cabs, or even at the cinema. Kudos to Jollibee group!

Speaking at the Junior <form> function() & .class (JFFC)

I was invited to be one of the speakers in the upcoming Junior <form> function() & .class Web Design Conference organized by the UST TomasinoWeb (TomWeb) and the Philippine Web Designers Organization (PWDO) on the 11th of February 2012 at the AMV-COA Multipurpose Hall at the University of Santo Tomas.

Junior <form> function() & .class (JFFC) will be the first web design conference for students in the Philippines, organized by UST TomasinoWeb (TomWeb) and the Philippine Web Designers Organization (PWDO). JFFC is the student counterpart of PWDO’s <form> function() & .class which is the first community-organized web design conference in Asia.

Visit http://tomasinoweb.org/jffc for details on how to register to this event (open to all students and students at heart).

jffcfront

My Favorite Android Honeycomb Apps

I had been using my Asus Eee Pad Transformer running Android 3.2.1 Honeycomb for quite some time now, and let me give you a rundown of my favorite useful apps to make my day-to-day life easier.

Evernote

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.evernote | Price: FREE

As of the moment, the primary use of my Asus Eee Pad Transformer is a substitute to my good old laptop computer whenever I am attending meetings, most especially if they are held outside of the office building (i.e. at client locations). Note-taking on the tablet is never the same, thanks to Evernote! I can insert pictures in my notes using the tablet’s built-in camera, or from the Gallery. Formatting text is never a hard task to accomplish in this app. Another plus in using Evernote is the ability to sync my notes with a desktop PC counterpart of the Android app. Now, how kewl will that be not to mention that this is a FREE app?

FlightBoard

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mobiata.flightboard | Price: PHP176.02

While reading the tweets of @naiaguy, I noticed that he/she/it is using this Android app that mimics the flight information display found at airports. True enough, there was this app called FlightBoard, which can tell you almost every single flight detail (Arrival, Departure, Destination, Origin, etc.) in major airports around the globe. This app actually relies from the feeds of FlightStats.com. Being in the aviation industry, I must say that the data presented by this app is 95% accurate.

MobileSheets

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.zubersoft.mobilesheets | Price: PHP220.13

During weekends and during my free time, music is my favorite past time aside from using computers. But with the advent of technology, such as MIDI and PDF, I was able to get rid of the bulky clear books I bring every time I will play during the holy mass. All I need to bring now is my Asus Eee Pad Transfomer, loaded with all the music sheets I need while serving during the holy mass. MobileSheets allows you to catalogue your music sheets in image file formats such as JPG, PNG, and GIF or even in PDF. One kewl feature of this app is that it has a built-in Metronome, as well as the ability to attach an audio file alongside the music sheet(s). It also has an “auto scroll” feature that minimizes the tapping on your tablet’s screen during performances. If you’re an Android tablet owner and is also a musician, you should have this app in your device.

Mozilla Firefox for Android

https://market.android.com/details?id=org.mozilla.firefox | Price: FREE

Mozilla recently launched the most awesome version of Firefox for Mobile – the one for Android devices. I should say, aside from loving your very own, this is the most responsive version of Firefox that I had tried and tested on an Android Honeycomb device. Please check this blog post of mine regarding Mozilla Firefox for Android.

Tablet Talk

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.apdroid.tabtalk | Price: PHP131.90

Weeks after using my Asus Eee Pad Transformer, you will have this feeling of being envious with Samsung Galaxy Tab users – they have the freedom to play with an Android tablet and use the same device for their GSM communication needs (read as SMS). Just recently, I found out about this app, which just cost the same amount of Philippine Peso you will spend for a cup of glorified coffee in cafes that enables you to sync your Android mobile phone SMS messages into your Android tablet; and actually lets you send SMS from your Android tablet, which is connected via Bluetooth to your Android mobile phone. This app comes in handy, most especially if you’re in business meetings – they will think that you’re taking down notes, but actually you’re exchanging SMS with your friends as you’re bored already with the meeting :-)

Twitter for Android

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.twitter.android | Price: FREE

Question:
What will your mobile-internet-connected life will look like without Twitter?

Answer:
Senseless!

So far, those are the Android Honeycomb apps that I frequently use and are truly my favorites. Will update the list from time to time, so be sure to check out here more often.

How to Insert Ñ or ñ in Asus Eee Pad Transformer?

If you’re like me who sometimes doesn’t care reading about the device manual or Getting Started guide, here’s a quick info on how to insert an Ñ or ñ using your Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101:

With the Android Keyboard activated, PRESS & HOLD the letter N/n and several accented versions of that letter will appear. It’s rather tricky, as you will need to slide your way up from the letter N/n to that accented letter(s).

Twitter has a New Look!

Noticed that the web interface of Twitter is now like what their Android app looks like. Kewl! At first, I thought I was accessing a mobile website – the tweet box has been transferred from the center of the page to the left side pane. There is now also some sore of a “reading pane” at the right side of the screen. Noticed the Connect and Discover tabs?

Why I Am Proud to be a Mozillian?!

The Mozilla Story will tell it all about …

Beta-Testing the Smart-LTE 4G Technology

Just came back from the Smart Jump Experience Center at SM Megamall to claim my package:

What’s inside the package? The LTE device (Huawei E392), a Quick User Guide, and a Smart Bro SIM Pack:

I am one of the chosen few to beta test Smart Evolution …

SMART-LTE, or Long Term Evolution, represents 4G technology, the latest in broadband tech. This groundbreaking innovation can handle blistering download speeds up to 42 Mbps. Its low latency rate also makes it ideal for streaming HD video, online games, video conferencing, and other high bandwidth apps.

Thank you very much to Smart Communications for this privilege! Please do check my blog from time to time as I post the results of my LTE test around the difference places in Metro Manila.

Huawei Launches MediaPad

World’s first 7-inch Android 3.2 Honeycomb Dual-Core Tablet

MediaPad is set to transform consumers’ entertainment experience

Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today launched the Huawei MediaPad, the world’s first 7-inch Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet. The MediaPad is a complete entertainment powerhouse driven by Qualcomm’s dual-core 1.2GHz processor, supported by Google Android Market.