Showing posts with label Non-Android. Show all posts

Social Experiment: 90 Days Without Facebook. Can YOU handle THAT?

We depart from the usual Android talk about gadgets and apps with this piece of news that caught my eye:


This is the story of a guy who had decided to forego the usual things that the modern human, especially us wired, techie folk, are accustomed to: Facebook, Twitter, Texting, and even Email. In this experiment, Jake Reilly lived without a mobile phone, no email, and did without all of his social networking accounts and profiles. Indeed, he lived just as an Amish person probably would have: disconnected.

Read more on the story HERE.

This certainly isn't the first time anyone tried to do a disconnect, and this may not be the last time. But it gives us wired folk reasons to rethink the way we live, don't you think?

I did try living with less Facebook and less online presence around the first weeks of 2012, and it was refreshing. In fact, I believe my life was made richer because I connected more, read more, and was able to enjoy life more, because of less connectivity.

So how about you? Will you be able to survive 90 Days without being connected to the rest of society?
Amish Project
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Nokia Fighting Its Descent Into Oblivion


We smartphone curmudgeons have been "prophesying" the death of Nokia as we know it. At this point, though, Nokia is alive and working on putting up a fight. On October 26 to 27, 2011, Nokia held the Nokia World conference in London, UK.

In Nokia World, Nokia's newest line of phones were unveiled, starting with the premium Smartphone line, the Nokia Lumia.

Nokia Lumia is Nokia's line of premium smartphones, powered by Windows Phone 7.5 Mango.

If you recall, Nokia and Microsoft inked a partnership late last year, causing tech pundits to speculate on a possible merger. This partnership gave rise to the Nokia Lumia line of premium smartphones. Leading this premium Nokia line is the Nokia Lumia 800. 

The Windows Phone OS has already found its following. Even Microsoft skeptics have found reasons to love the emerging OS.

Though, T3 has noted that Windows Phone isn't a formidable threat to the iOS, or the Android just yet.

We here at Android Alliance Philippines think all this innovation is all good. But nothing beats Open Source... And Google. Really.

With inspiration from GSM Arena.

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Photo Credits: Smart Movie Making
IT Industry News
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Random Android News: Alcatel Bargain, Odd Phenomenally Batt-Saving Phone, More Huawei Goodness


Three random things again for this morning:

Awesome News! The Alcatel OneTouch Blaze Glory is now permanently priced at Php 5,990. So this proves all the tech pundits who predicted that Alcatel would keep that price, absolutely right!

Weird News: Before I go on, I'd like to say that I am deliriously happy that I live in Kalibo, where the electricity failures aren't as dismal as in Iloilo. (Take that, PECO!)

Now, jab at PECO aside, for those who live in Iloilo and other places where blackouts make you want to go and hack a power plant to death, how about keeping an AA Battery-powered phone that will stay charged for 15 YEARS on a single AA Battery?


That's right, the SpareOne Phone will be the answer to your prayers (in between curses for your local electricity company, that is) when you're stuck in blackout and bored, or worse, stranded in a flood with no power and you need to call for help.

Talk time, once you use the AA Battery-powered phone, is at 10 hours. The 15 Years charge lasts only if you leave the phone unused.

Well, you can always charge the battery that comes with it once you use it up, or just get another, disposable AA battery.

Innovative, especially in this natural calamity-prone country.

China Android Brands Fighting For A Place In The Android Sun: Huawei ups its ante once more with the Huawei Honor, a high-powered Android slated to be priced at $50 less than the Sony Experia Arc, and $100 less than the Sony Experia Arc S. With specs like these:

  • 1.4GHz Snapdragon CPU/Adreno 205 GPU/Qualcomm MSM 8255T chipset
  • 512MB RAM
  • 4GB ROM

We doubt you'd be able to keep yourself from drooling over this. GSM Arena talks more about this unit.

That's it for another random moment here at Android Alliance Philippines!

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Photo Credits: 

Idea Credits: 
Alcatel OneTouch Blaze 918N
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Of SOPA and Piracy

A major event caused waves to rock the entire Internet and the wired people dependent on it for their information, entertainment, and even careers: the SOPA was introduced as a US Bill, and as an effect, websites the world over launched their own protests against the passage of this legislation into law.


While the law had good intentions, indeed, as "SOPA: An open letter to Washington from Artists and Creators" has pointed out, SOPA:

"...Could be easily abused against legitimate services [...]. These bills would allow entire websites to be blocked without due process, causing collateral damage to the legitimate users of the same services - artists and creators [...] who would be censored as a result."

Indeed, with a massive and sweeping law as the SOPA, worldwide censorship and a "Big Brother" state seems like a closer reality than ever before. And it was a good temporary victory for freedom of speech, indeed, when US legislators decided to review and revise the bill and delay a vote. It may be shelved, and the Internets can let out a good sigh of temporary relief, but it's not totally out of the radar, just yet.

Good laws will serve the best interests of the general public, they should only be crafted well, stated well, and implemented without abuse.

Good luck to that happening this side of Heaven.

In other news, tech pundits note that the feds may have gotten impatient with the SOPA's temporary defeat and went on and sacked MegaUpload:

Full Size Picture Here




What does this mean for the Internet-hooked public? If you're a torrent and downloads addict, then you better start deleting your "borrowed" files and start buying from iTunes, Amazon, or the other licensed digital downloads stores. It may cost you, but it will save you from massively catastrophic consequences such as these:

From CNet's Report

Take note: each of the 24 songs she downloaded would have cost her only $0.99, as even Jammie Thomas-Rasset, the defendant, was quick to point out. For a measly $23.76 she tried to avoid paying, she got a high-profile case, infamy, and a $1.5 MILLION DOLLAR fine. While the case is said to possibly drag for years, even a decade or so, still, the hassle, the energy spent, the money spent on the case: are all these really worth skipping iTunes/Amazon and turning to Limewire/Kazaa/Frostwire/Bittorrent?

Weigh your options before you torrent/download illegally.

Aren't you glad that the Android as an ecosystem is basically Open Source? :)

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More On Today's Stories:

SOPA:

Wikipedia on SOPA
Gizmodo: What Is SOPA?
SOPA: Shelved, But Not Dead
An open letter to Washington from Artists and Creators

MegaUpload Sacked:
Why Did the Feds Target Megaupload? And Why Now?

Woman Fined For Illegal Downloads:

Jammie Thomas hit with $1.5 million verdict
Woman fined to tune of $1.9 million for illegal downloads
Minnesota Mom Hit With $1.5 Million Fine for Downloading 24 Songs

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Photo Credits:

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With thanks to Karen Ang for the story inspiration/lead. :) Find Karen Ang here: 
Android Industry News
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Mobile Internet/3G Network Reviews [Tips for Android Users Who Use 3G]


This may not be a post that's purely about the Android, but nonetheless, I believe this is a topic that concerns a good number of Android users: 3G, HSDPA and other wireless Internet technology.

I won't launch into an all-out geek-out lecture on these Internet protocols, but I'm going to give a discussion that's suited for the consumer.

For those who want to know more about the mechanics behind 3G, HSDPA, HSPA+, 4G, LTE and the other wireless Internet technology mentioned on this post, the links lead to Wikipedia articles on these specific topics. 

All three giant networks (well, technically, just two now, after the Sun-Smart merger) have 3G, and Globe and Smart have HSPA+, which is essentially 3.5G or even labeled as 4G. The incoming technology that Smart Communications Inc. is working on rolling out is the LTE technology, which promises speeds that will make crying over a torrent download a thing of the past.

Disclaimer: I personally do not believe in downloading torrents, for moral and legal reasons.

For now, here are your 3G options:


As a subscriber based in Kalibo, Aklan, I chose Globe Tattoo and Sun Broadband Wireless as my 3G connectivity solutions. Why? Because these are the speeds I got from the three providers:

  • Sun Broadband Wireless: 2.20MBPS
  • Globe Tattoo: 1.54MBPS
  • SmartBro: 0.33MBPS

And, where I live is actually the host of a Smart Communications Tower, and one of the first areas to get HSPA+ access in the Aklan area when the Rocket Plug-It was launched. With the 3G service lagging behind the other two networks', guess why I chose the two providers that I had.

However, in Iloilo City, the service by these three providers now differs in quality. I have not checked the speed on these, but I noticed that in my area, which is the subdivision-filled suburbs closest to the northern town of Leganes, around 40 minutes from the city by public jeepney (and probably 20 minutes by car), the networks revert to EDGE, if I place my Android on "GSM/WCDMA Auto" mode. If I place Sun Cellular or Globe Tattoo on WCDMA mode, the signal is rather patchy. When I'm on the rooftop of my home, I get full signal. Inside, sheltered by earthquake-proof-thick walls, I have a headache finding signal for ANY of these networks.

I have had the best luck with Sun Broadband Wireless and Globe Tattoo, but Globe really reverts to EDGE and won't respond when put on "WCDMA Only" mode. With Sun Broadband Wireless, I get a good-enough 1-bar to 2-bar signal when I'm at a good angle away from the window.

With Sun Broadband Wireless, signal is great around this time, and I'm having a fast, pain-free time surfing as of the moment. But I find it odd because last night, which was a Friday, I was having a hard time getting a consistent signal at around 2 to 3AM.

In the city area, especially in the Jaro/Javellana area, I tried a SmartBro connection, also with my Android. It was a pain around 9PM to midnight, providing only EDGE access. Then, when it hit around 1AM, it switched to HSDPA and gave an awesome surfing and download time, that two computers were able to share the connection. The speed lasted until morning. Is this because of SmartBro's Off-Peak promo? I'm not exactly sure, but in my experience, this is what happened.

In 2011 to today, I've traveled and stayed with different areas in the Visayas and in Metro Manila. And here are my observations:

  • Makati, Metro Manila: Sun Cellular's signal practically dies when you're somewhere in the upper storeys of the buildings there. So, I was able to use only Globe Tattoo with my Cherry Mobile Nova in the RCBC Plaza/Cityland Tower area. I was on a 20+ floor.
  • Quezon City, Metro Manila, bordering Manila (Galas, QC area): Globe Tattoo was great, but you have to set it on "WCDMA Only" because unless you do, it switches from GPRS to EDGE to 3G to HSDPA, it's crazy.
    • In this same area, Sun Broadband Wireless was also awesome, giving better speeds and more signal stability than Globe.
  • Kalibo, Aklan: Globe Tattoo is great as a weekday option, especially if you're on prepaid. With its SuperSurf 5-day package, you will get 5 days of access and a SuperFree Weekend bonus. But what makes it a better weekday option is that it's faster on the weekdays but a pain in the butt on the weekends, though, compared to Sun Broadband Wireless, data transfer is more reliable on this.
    • Sun Broadband Wireless, on the other hand, is better as a weekend option because its speeds are not as good as Globe Tattoo's on the weekdays, BUT this is the fastest weekend connection. Maybe it's the fact that not a lot of people have learned to trust Sun Broadband Wireless in Kalibo, Aklan just yet.
    • SmartBro is a very slow *3G* option in Kalibo, Aklan, whatever day of the week. (I'm sorry, Smart Communications friends.)
  • On The Way To Caticlan, Aklan, from Kalibo, Aklan: I have yet to try SmartBro while traveling, but I've tried Globe Tattoo and Sun Broadband Wireless. 
    • Sun Broadband Wireless: Hopeless on the road. SBW, as I've been told by Sun Cellular Kalibo's Service Center reps, only has 3G and HSDPA technology in Kalibo, Aklan. Outside of Kalibo, Sun Cellular only provides 2G, even in Boracay.
    • Globe Tattoo is awesome, providing GPRS connection in certain areas, so you can still update in places where there is signal. Then when you arrive in Caticlan, all is smooth-sailing from there.
  • Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan: 
    • Leave your SmartBro at home, you'll just have the urge to throw it into the ocean. If you did make the mistake of using a SmartBro connection, the best times to use it would be 6AM to just before noon. Afternoons will also give you good-enough speeds, but forget it from evenings to early mornings. My reference point is my experience back in Summer of 2011, when they launched the LTE. (LTE is a different matter, because when I tried it on their launch, it was truly, truly amazing.) I believe that I may have experienced this kind of service because of Smart Communications' service upgrades in making way for LTE technology.
    • As mentioned, there is no 3G for Sun Broadband Wireless anywhere outside Kalibo, Aklan, so leave your Sun Broadband Wireless dongle at home, as well.
    • Globe Tattoo is awesome on the island, though there are days when signal dies (take note: dies the whole day long), and since the banks there are served by ONLY a Globe Telecom connection, good luck squeezing money out of an ATM when this happens. I experienced a dead Globe Telecom signal around twice while living on the island, and these happened in June, the start of the typhoon season. I do recall that the signal blackout happened right after a strong storm.
I have only tried prepaid connections, so far, and the most economical of options is, indeed, Sun Broadband Wireless. With Php 250 for 7 days of use for Sun Broadband Wireless, vs. Php 220 for 5 days for Globe Tattoo (actually Php 225 to Php 230, because you need to leave at least Php 5.00 to use the service) and Php 200 for 5 days for SmartBro (Php 201 to Php 205, in reality, as you need to maintain Php 1.00 to use the connection/account), you get:
  • Sun Broadband Wireless: Php 35.71
  • SmartBro (Php 201): Php 40.20
  • Globe Tattoo (Php 225): Php 45
Per day of use. If you go postpaid, here are the monthly rates:


Sun Cellular's reps told me that speeds are better when you're a PostPaid subscriber vs. when you're a regular, prepaid user. We'll see, and I'll let you know when I do get one.

With Globe Tattoo, I believe there's a Fair Use Policy in place: when a user hits 800MB in bandwidth, the service is automatically cut off, but will resume 24 hours later. So if you're a heavy video downloader or watcher, you may want to monitor your Globe Tattoo use. For Postpaid Globe Tattoo, I believe, and I recall reading from Plurk friends' timelines (including the post of the actual error message on the last link) that it doesn't have the 800MB Bandwidth cap that the prepaid version has.

We hope you find this as a good guide in what 3G/HSDPA to use with your 3G-Enabled Android device. When Smart Communications' LTE finally gets opened to the public, that will be another story.

Smart Communications is the only company to moving provide LTE in the country, by the way, and with their demo launched in Boracay in Summer 2011, it promises to be awesome, indeed, and truly worth the wait.

With that, get ready to get your 4G Android Device come 2012/2013!

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Photo Credits: iTechy
Globe Tattoo
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Obscene Price Drop: The Nokia 3310 A Decade Later


Yesterday, one of the biggest tech surprises greeted me when I went out to meet friends in Iloilo City: the Nokia 3310, once a premium, sought-after, popular phone, now costs only Php 190.

I lusted after the Nokia 3310 back in the years 2000 to 2001, when I was in my 4th year of high school, and about to graduate. I remember that when it debuted on the market, it cost Php 11,000. Within months, the price had dropped to Php 8,000. My mother got my unit for around a few hundred pesos shy of Php 8,000. By the year 2004, the 3310 was picked off of my bag, while I was walking towards SM City Iloilo.

Today, a little over a decade later, the thing that cost almost as much as a Cherry Mobile Magnum, HTC Wildfire S, a couple of Samsung Galaxy Y's, now only costs as much as a month's worth of Sun Cellular's Power Text Unlimited 200. Or but 50 pesos more than a month's worth of Text Unlimited for both Sun Cellular and Talk and Text*. Imagine that.

As to its durability, I'm not so sure about that. I'm thinking about getting one before I go back to where I live, mid-January.

Last year, when I was still based in Iloilo City, the 3310 had cost around Php 490 to Php 590. Today, they dropped the prices to such an obscene level, presumably because no one who can afford better phones would want to buy a 3310 anymore.

With Cherry Mobile, Torque and MyPhone offering *brand new* DUAL-SIM phones ranging from Php 700 to Php 2,000, who, in his right mind, would even still consider a 3310, in this day and age?

Well, ideas are popping up in my mind, but I believe, this obscene price drop bodes good news for quite a lot of people:
  • People who were held back from joining the texting populace, like the blue collar workers, the household help, and other people from lower-income circles now have access to mobile phones. They can now buy the phones they need to text friends and family!
  • People who hire household help need not think twice about purchasing mobile phone units for their staff. At these prices, who would think twice?
  • Events organizers, office managers and other people who need a massive number of phones can easily allocate a budget for 10 to 20 units. Come elections, it would be a fast and easy ordeal to deploy 20 units of 3310s. Ten units will cost only Php 1,900, while 20 units will cost Php 3,800.

This also means bad news for certain circles:
  • Bad elements will now have faster, easier access to mobile phones. Maybe it would be a great idea for shop owners to register the IMEI's of the phone units purchased for their companies, or to keep a registry of bulk purchases.
  • This means that those who are in the market to buy phones will now have to think twice about whether in 10 years' time, they'll see their units for sale at a little more than 1/100th of its original price.

The first concern may be a very legitimate one, and the authorities should actually be on the lookout for crimes aided by the ease of purchase of mobile phones. The second one is nothing but mere vanity, but for those who are concerned, the phone brands I've seen that were knocked off the most, or sold at these rates were Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Motorola. Take note that these are 100% similar to the original units, since these are still GSM/2G phones, and not like the Chinaphones/Smartphone copies: these look like their knockoffs, but the software that powers these are clearly Chinaphone OS'.

With the speed that technology is developing, buyers wonder what's a good measure for upgrading or buying their phones: How often, at what rate, how soon after release, those kinds of things. Let's answer this question tomorrow!

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*30 Days of Unlimited TEXT for Talk and Text, at Php 150: Text U150 to 4545

Photo Credits: Nattstad via Google Images

Note: My apologies for answering the parting question a day after the "tomorrow" I promised. Here it is. Enjoy! :)
Filipino Androids
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How To Choose Christmas Gifts For Your Loved Ones

 
It's the height of Christmas cheer, and we're sure that everyone is thinking about what to get for ones you love. We know that there could be moments when it would get pretty tough to choose presents for people you care about, so to help you on your gift-giving quest, we'll give you tips how to choose gifts, for the different people in your life. While we here at Android Alliance Ph are definitely 100% Android, just for the day, just for this season, this post will be something that transcends the Android.

In the days to come, ramping up for Christmas, we have Android gadget specials to help you figure out what to give your techie (and Android-loving) loved ones. In the meantime, our gift-giving tips:

1. For those who have everything (boss, wealthy parents, wealthy friends): Something thoughtful, possibly one of their "favorite things," something you've made or something you've written/composed/drawn/painted.

Most of us may have that one person who may really have everything. And this is probably the type of person most difficult to get presents for. Thus, gifts that are more personal, gifts in which you've put more thought into the purchase/creation of, may well be in order.

Does your teacher/boss/mom or dad have a hobby? Do they collect mugs, journal, or create scrapbooks? Their hobbies and preoccupations could be good starting points for gift-giving.

2. For the significant other: Skip the clichés and go for things that are more meaningful. Skip the roses, the chocolates, the stuffed animals. Put more thought into your gifts: observe your Significant Other and get them something that's really close to their hearts.

Like with the first tip, look into your S.O.'s hobbies, habits, and even observe them closely when you guys are out window shopping. Did you catch her look longingly at a scarf then muse about how she'll eventually buy it for herself? Take mental notes (or even actual, albeit surreptitious ones using your Android and a Todo List) and get that for your girl this Christmas.

The same thing works the other way around. Does he always look at bikes, watches or phones? You don't need to get the actual thing if it's out of your budget. You can get a part, a miniature version, or an accessory of your guy's obsession. Bikes would be convenient to buy parts for, really expensive items would be cute to get minatures for, and gadgets like phones and laptops would be good and practical to get accessories for.

In general, thoughtful, personal and creative gifts are those that really warm the heart and impart the meaning of Christmas to friends, family and those closest to our hearts. When we give them gifts that have been given thought, effort and understanding into the choosing process, we communicate how much they mean to us.

So as the song goes, "Give love on Christmas day." To take off from that:


Give something that shows your love on Christmas day!

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Photo Credits: Crazy Frankenstein
Christmas 2011
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Cherry Mobile Q70 (Quad SIM) Is On Sale!

Image by Cherry Mobile

Cherry Mobile is one of the Philippines’ trailblazing brands in the mobile phone industry. Who would have known that the Philippines’ entrepreneurs will finally put up its very own cellphone brands and be successful at it? Cherry Mobile did it, and succeeded.

One of the biggest draws of the Cherry Mobile brand is its multi-SIM phone models. While China phones definitely rock the market with similar offerings, nothing beats the consistency and consumer care that Cherry Mobile offers.

From dual SIM to triple SIM, the Filipino mobile phone consumers grabbed Cherry Mobile’s offerings straight off the shelves. Recently, they’ve launched another offering that will up the ante: the quadruple-SIM phone.

The Cherry Mobile Q70 is capable of accommodating and powering 4 SIM Cards. If, for some reason you have FOUR whole SIM cards that you use and are dumbfounded as to how to maximize them all, this is your solution

And lucky for you, Cherry Mobile has it on sale! And luckier for you if you had your salary yesterday! Since August 15th, up to today, August 16th, the quadruple-SIM Cherry Mobile Q70 will be up for grabs for only Php 2,999, giving you great savings from its list price of Php 3,499. So hurry, grab one today!

The Cherry Mobile Q70 is equipped, not only with Quad SIM, but also with Mobile TV, Dual Camera, Cherry Mail (push mail via GPRS), Bluetooth, wireless FM radio and even Data Security.
Cherry Mobile
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