Showing posts with label Samsung. Show all posts

Guess What Samsung Galaxy Beam Could Do?


Who needs a projector on the fly? I know students do. People who need to present to über-busy clients, in a 5 to 20-minute sliver of time that may be given to them, do so also. Seminars held in a paradise nestled deep into the mountainous boondocks where lugging a 3-lb laptop isn't exactly a happy thought, employees needing to commute from one branch to the other who need to travel light, these are the potential consumers of a portable projector.

With technology moving to pack greater functionality in smaller packages, handy projectors are now available for anyone wanting to snap them up. In fact, one may be able to buy one off of CDR-King. But who'd want one of those things, still clunky by all means, when one can have a projector right on their phones?

Yup. Someone thought about sticking a projector into a Samsung Galaxy. Enter the Samsung Galaxy Beam. One of PC Mag's picks for MWC 2012's 5 Best Phones.

Aside from the projector, here are the specs at a glance:
  • 8GB Internal Storage
  • 768MB RAM
  • 1 GHz CPU Speed, Dual-Core Cortex-A9
  • 5MP Cam, autofocus, LED Flash
Not super-stellar, given that the trend now leans towards Quad-Core, but not shoddy by any means, either. These could possibly qualify as mid-range specs, now that everything is bigger and faster in Android gadget hardware.

But when you think about the fact that you have a projector ready in your pockets, the relatively lower specs may be a good enough concession.

What do you think? Would you snap up one of these babies?

And by the way, this isn't the first time that Samsung gave a shot at creating a projector phone.

In-Depth Reviews Here:

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Photo Credits: GSM Arena
Android Gadget Overview
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Users Speak: The Samsung Galaxy SII


Samsung Galaxy SII: 2011's Phone of the Year for the T3 Gadget Awards. We at Android Alliance Ph found Samsung Galaxy SII users and give us their first-hand stories of their experiences with the Samsung Galaxy SII.

So, shall we?

First things first: What went into your decision to purchase your specific Android?        

RaF: It's the best competition to the iPhone the market has to offer.     

Achilles Tan:  I wanted to upgrade my original Android phone: the LG Optimus One, since it was too slow. I began looking for phones with better specs and stumbled upon Samusung Galaxy S2 on gsmarena.com.

What were your considerations?

RaF: Text, Call, Camera

Achilles Tan:  I was first impressed with the Processor speed which is 1.2ghz (Dual Core), and the camera was my second benchmark at 8.0 MP.

Price was a factor, but I wanted the phone (SII) really bad and gave myself reasons to rationalize buying it, though I wouldn't spend more than 30k for it.     
               
What were your options?           

RaF: SGS2, SGS1, iPhone4 (Not a chance that I'll get this), Nokia Something.

Achilles Tan:  It was this or the LG Optimus Black.

Why did you finally choose your specific Android?        

RaF: Friend gave me a good deal.            

Achilles Tan:  I was convinced with its performance and reviews. It was dubbed the iPhone killer and won the phone of the year award. So that stapled my decision to REALLY get this phone.          

What were your first impressions upon unboxing?        

RaF: Gotta love the big screen.

Achilles Tan:  It's so light!             

What did you like best about your Android?     

RaF: Alot of cheap/free apps.

Achilles Tan:  The SG S2 has everything I need in a phone and even more. I could watch videos in 720p!

What did you dislike the most?               

RaF: Short battery life, battery charging takes so long.

Achilles Tan:  Some minor glitches occasional phone reboots, but nothing that turned me off completely.            

Would you recommend this model?     

RaF: Yes

Achilles Tan:  Yes             

Any other thoughts?

RaF: SGS2 kicks Apple's ass anytime!

Achilles Tan:  I am eagerly waiting for ICS update for S2.


There you have it guys, the readers' first-hand review of the Samsung Galaxy SII. We'll have more of these in the coming days!

If you have questions or concerns regarding certain phone units, send them over at talk-to-us@androidalliance.ph.

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"RaF" is a SAP-ABAP It Consultant currently based in Mandaluyong City.

Achilles Tan is an Android enthusiast, an active member of the Philippine Android Community, who works from home in an international IT Company. He is based in Iloilo City.

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Photo Credits: MobileSyrup
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Android Gadget Crush: Samsung Galaxy Fit


Even though Samsung became a market leader in mobile telephony thanks to the Android, I'm still not a big fan.

Save for four models:

I first saw the Samsung Galaxy Fit in Robinson's Pioneer in Metro Manila, and I'd have to say that the moment I laid eyes on it, I fell in-crush.

I found its "pregnant" profile very cute, and I felt like its hefty, fat looks suited me well.

I'm a fat person. And I'm proud of it.

This article is sounding so crazy-girly. But I digress.

However, what made me cross it off my wishlist are the specs:
  • 160 MB user-available Internal Storage
  • 280 MB RAM
  • 600MHz CPU speed

The Samsung Galaxy Y actually has better computing power at:
  • 180 MB user-available Internal Storage
  • 290 MB RAM
  • 830 MHz

However, the Galaxy Fit has these aces over the Samsung Galaxy Y:
  • 5MP Camera
  • DNSe sound enhancement
[Click HERE for the Comparison Table c/o GSM Arena]

Though all in all, the Samsung Galaxy Y is the better buy, if they'd slash the Php 9000 price tag to Php 5000, it'd become a more sensible buy.

Have a great Wednesday afternoon, Android Alliance Ph friends!

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Photo Credits: BroadbandGenie
Android Gadget Overview
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New Year's Eve: Time to Dream Big [Three BIG-spec'd Androids I'm Personally Attracted To]

 
It's New Year's Eve: the perfect time to look back, and also the perfect time to build new dreams.

When it comes to dreams, we're told to "dream big." And even if it doesn't seem reachable or budget-friendly at the moment, those big dreams have their purpose: they keep a person "hungry": willing to dream, willing to work, willing to reach out until they get what they want.

Thus, let's change the tone of our budget-conscious discussions on Android gadgets, and for today, DREAM BIG.

When it comes to Android phones, there's no other way to dream big than to think and consider the Android Superphones. Thanks to the Samsung Galaxy SII setting the trend of creating a smartphone to beat the iPhone, Android phone and tablet makers like Motorola, HTC and even LG are working hard to follow in the rubber marks that Samsung had left in the Android innovation pavement. Thus, expect that Androids will become more and more powerful as the days go by.

I'm actually a very practical girl. I prefer "doable" and "reachable" than the ostentatious. I do not see the point in owning a Php 20,000 phone, and I once swore that I would never spend more than Php 3,000 on a phone, because I got traumatized when my then-de rigueur 3310 got picked from my knapsack's back pocket. In front of a church, at that. But since then, innovation could no longer be contained, and now, I'm absolutely all for spending a reasonable amount on a good Android phone.

I still have my spending "set point," the maximum that I'd go for any phone. I still feel like it's too much to spend Php 25,000 and above on a phone, no matter how amazing it is, at the moment. So my strategy will be to wait until the prices drop as the companies release new models.

But price points notwithstanding, here are my personal picks for high-end SuperDroids:

Motorola Droid 3 -- One of the reasons why I'm not interested in a Samsung Galaxy SII is that I want to hold out for 4G/LTE. The technology is currently being implemented by Smart Communications, and I want to take advantage of that when it's fully rolled out in the country. If I choose the Samsung Galaxy SII as my "ultimate" Dream Droid, I may limit myself to 3G connectivity at around the same price. So as I was thinking about looking for the "Ultimate Androids" that I may want to purchase within 2 years' time, I decided on finding a 4G Android and putting it on a sort-of bucket list to think about and, well, pray for. I found this! And the next phone.

But before I go on to the next Dream Droid, I want to say one more main reason why I put this on the top of my list:

I chose this phone because of the Slide-Out Keyboard. As I just mentioned in my recent comprehensive review of the Cherry Mobile Nova, I am re-realizing that I hate texting for long periods on a touchscreen phone. I seriously need a physical keyboard, and by Seriously, I mean SERIOUSLY. So when I came across the Moto Droid 3, I was happy to have found a better, 4G model similar to my first slide-out keyboard "crush," the HTC Desire Z.

HTC Amaze -- While everyone else is obsessed by the HTC Sensation XE because it is among the Beats-branded Androids of HTC, I'm yawning. I'm not impressed because of one major thing: it's just not powerful enough. While the HTC Sensation XE has 1.5GHz CPU speed/768MB RAM/4GB ROM size/1GB user-available Internal Storage, the HTC Amaze has, to pun around, more amazing specs at 1.5GHz CPU speed/1GB RAM/16GB ROM size. Imagine the difference. Plus, it has an HSDPA speed of up to 42MBPS. Can you say "whoa" with me? Here's a side-by-side GSMArena Comparison chart so you can see why I'm amazed.

Samsung Galaxy Note -- While I'm not into the Samsung Galaxy SII, I'm really going goo-goo eyes over the Samsung Galaxy Note. For one, it is marketed as a tablet/phone hybrid with a stylus and some functions for note-taking and journaling. I'm more attracted to the S-Pen than anything else on this unit. But I'm also happy at the fact that: It is LTE, it is wide enough for handy browsing, reading and note-taking, and, it's not as chunky as the Samsung Galaxy Tab(lets). The real draw for me is really on the fact that it has handwriting support. It doesn't hurt that it's on Gorilla Glass, either.

Will I be able to buy all three Androids within the next three years? I'm not sure. I'd settle for either the Moto Droid 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Note, actually. Either way, I'm not in a hurry. My Android journey is only beginning, after all. :-)

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Photo Credits: Xylker.com
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A Little Bit Of Randomness: Tech News From Around The World


Just three random things I found on the Internet today:

IBM is working on THE computer we've been dreaming of/dreading much: the computer which will be controlled by your mind. Whether or not it will be the machine that will control you, or you being able to control a super-machine leaves more questions than creating fascinating solutions:

  • Would you be happy knowing that a sensor of some sort MAY be embedded into your body?
  • Would you be comfortable with opening garage doors with your mind?

And the killer:
  • Would you be happy to have Google AdSense delivered to your thoughts, customized according to your preferences?




Found as a viral share: Google, Facebook and virtually any website that's huge on the Internet is customizing your search results to your preferences, region, among other factors. Is that a good thing, or a bad thing? This TED video may help you decide.

If you haven't heard of how Apple is suing Android phone makers from continent to continent, then you were living under a rock, or we were talking about Android gadgets too much. Apple has had a temporary win when it caused the halt of Samsung Galaxy Tab sales in Australia, though it eventually lost when Australian courts decided in Samsung's favor. and now, HTC will be banned from America starting next year, unless it changes one tiny but *very crucial* UI experience feature. Way to go, Apple.



And as a bonus: have you heard of this customizable Toyota Car? Instead of paint, it'll feature a screen just like your HTC, LG, Cherry Mobile or... iPhone.

Enjoy your Wednesday! Four days to go before Christmas Eve!

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The 12 Days Of Christmas Android Alliance Ph Special: Day 1 -- Top Three Cheapest 3G-Capable Android Phones


Today officially marks the 12th Day before Christmas. From now to December 25, we'll be featuring one Android phone model, up until the very day when Christ's birth is celebrated. While most (if not all) of your Christmas presents would have been opened and enjoyed by the 25th, any day is always a good day to think about an Android machine. Plus, post-Christmas and post-New Year sales and price drops will abound, not to mention that most employees will be getting their 13th Month Pay. From now until the end of January may well be a great time to think about upgrading your Android, or even getting your first Android.

So, to open our 12 Days of Christmas series with a bang, we're giving you the Top 3 Cheapest Android Phones.

If you wonder why these picks aren't actually the market's cheapest models, here is the one single standard for the brands and models that made it to this list:

The Android phone has to have 3G. Androids make no sense if they're WiFi-only. They just don't. Why? For one, being able to use your Android as a Portable WiFi Hotspot is a major feature. Also, downloads from the Android Market, and even basic online navigation is much faster on a 3G connection. So if you were to enjoy your Android to the maximum, you're going to have to choose one with 3G/HSDPA.

However, for those who don't mind using a WiFi-only Android, as long as it's the market's cheapest, we're going to feature the Top 3 Cheapest WiFi-Only Androids in a future post in this series.

Ready? Here you go:

#3 Php 5,499 SRP -- It's a Tie!

Cherry Mobile Cosmo

  • ROM: 512MB (User-available Internal Storage is around 150 to 170MB)
  • RAM: 256MB
  • Processor: Qualcomm MSM7227, 600 MHz
  • 3.2” HVGA Capacitive Touchscreen
  • Android Froyo 2.2
  • 2MP Camera

Alcatel OneTouch Blaze 906

  • User-available Internal Storage: 200MB
  • RAM: N/A
  • Processor: N/A
  • 2.8" TFT Resistive Touchscreen
  • Android Froyo 2.2
  • 2MP Camera

#2 Php 4,990 -- Samsung Galaxy Y

  • User-available Internal Storage:180 MB
  • RAM: 290 MB
  • Processor: ARMv6, 830 MHz
  • 3.0" TFT Capacitative Touchscreen
  • Android Gingerbread 2.3
  • 2MP Camera

#1 Php 4,799 -- Alcatel OneTouch Blaze Duo 890D

  • User-available Internal Storage:150 MB
  • RAM: N/A
  • Processor: MTK6516, 420 MHz
  • 2.8" TFT Resistive Touchscreen
  • Android Froyo 2.2
  • 2MP Camera
  • Dual SIM

The Samsung Galaxy Y is offered at that rate when you buy it via Smart Rewards, as we mentioned before. Cherry Mobile Cosmo and the Alcatel OneTouch phones are on special sale rates. Cherry Mobile Cosmo's price may stay that way, because Cherry Mobile has the tendency to keep their sale prices as the new price of their phone models after the sale seasons.

Alcatel, on the other hand, keeps their phones at sale prices for months, though they do revert to regular price after.

So if you're on the market for good, 3G-Capable Androids, these are the most affordable options the market has to offer!

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Photo Credits: Best Christmas Gift For
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Android Gadget Review: A Closer Look At The Samsung Galaxy Y

Samsung Galaxy Y is probably the market's best-priced, best-spec'd entry-level Android as of the moment.

Boasting of 830MHz of processing speed, 290MB of RAM and 180MB of user-available memory, this Android baby actually has better chops than upper mid-range models released a few months ago. Those models are still at the Php 8,000 to Php 12,000 price point, and their computing power is nowhere near this Php 5,990 Android.

Samsung Galaxy Y retails for a range of Php 4000 online and up to Php 5,990 for Smart-locked prepaid units. As we mentioned, you may avail of the Samsung Galaxy Y for only Php 4,990 using 1000 of your Smart Rewards points.

Some of those who have availed of their retention plans in their respective carriers sell the Samsung Galaxy Y for cheaper than market rates. Others are online sellers who opt to sell their units at rates that are closest to factory price. There are even users who sell their used units online. Some may even throw in awesome freebies like unlimited Open VPN access. All you need to do is to make a quick search through Sulit.com.ph, and even TipidCP.com and you'll be able to find a range of prices for this phone.

If you're not keen on buying online, there are mall shops that sell the Samsung Galaxy Y at lower rates. Previously, we spotted the Samsung Galaxy Y at Multicom in Robinsons Pioneer retailing for Php 5,880. Since that was back in the last weeks of October 2011, prices may have changed by now.

On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy Y's retail for only Php 5,500 at 5th Avenue in Trinoma. One of the better deals the metro has to offer so far.

The Samsung Galaxy Y Experience

Look and Feel

The Samsung Galaxy Y hardly feels like an Android that costs only Php 5,000 to Php 6,000. In fact, you may be able to say that it's like a miniature of a Samsung Galaxy SII. It doesn't feel cheap at all. The screen is crisp, clear, and has vivid colors.

It helps that it comes with a textured metal back cover. While other Androids may come in plastic back covers, the metal makes the Samsung Galaxy Y feel pretty luxurious.

The small size also comes as an attraction. Mid-range Android models are usually at 110cm up. The Samsung Galaxy Y comes at 104cm. On paper, this doesn't seem like a big difference. But when you hold a 110cm Android side by side with a Samsung Galaxy Y, you will note the difference. And if you're a girl, you may squeal in delight at this phone's cute form.

Navigation

The Samsung Galaxy Y is a multi-touch Android phone, so it works just like any other Android. One thing it has over the other models in the market is that it is powered by Android 2.3, Gingerbread. The Gingerbread UI is definitely an upgrade to the Froyo: with colors for the menus (Froyo is monochromatic black/gray, for the menus and settings only), better widgets, better Notifications area (there is a built-in power bar on the Notifications area in the Samsung Galaxy Y), the experience is degrees better than when you're on a Froyo-powered Android.

Navigation is just like any other touch-screen Android, so if you've been on an Android , whether Donut, Eclair, Froyo, or Gingerbread, most likely wouldn't have much of an adjustment.

Swiping through the apps is different from the Froyo, as the layout of the apps collection is oriented in a horizontal manner. But just like in Froyo, you will be able to drag and drop apps from the app collection and onto a dashboard.

As for physical buttons, there are two located on the phone: the Power button, which is a slim but long key on the top-left side of the phone, and the Navigation button, which is located on the bottom-center of the phone. Flanking the Navigation button are two soft keys: the Home softkey on the left and the Cancel softkey on the right.

The Navigation button allows the user to access his recent activities when he long-presses on the said button. The Navigation button also brings him back to the dashboard. Another function of this button is to activate the phone if it has gone to sleep, unlike in other phones that may make use of the Power button. The Cancel and Home button serve similar purposes as in other Androids: the Home button brings up the Settings menu and other administrative options, while the Cancel button either cancels actions or brings the user back to a previous menu or out of an app.

The keyboard is a distinct implementation by Samsung. Even big-fingered people may find it a pleasure to type on because of the excellent spacing and design of the keys.

The Verdict

An Android is an Android, whatever brand or model it is. There may be a few differences in the UI, the implementation, and the hardware, but the experience is similar across brands and models.

The Samsung Galaxy Y is no different. Given its specs and its make, it makes for a great Android experience, even in a small package. Because the Samsung Galaxy Y is powered by Gingerbread, those who are on Froyo may experience a bit of OS envy. The colors are attractive; the speed and data management are awesome.

On the other hand, we said that there is no perfect gadget. And I do have a couple of complaints. Truth be told, I wasn't particularly impressed with the Gingerbread's horizontal layout of the apps. I prefer that it be arranged vertically, as in Froyo (or the iOS). Was this an attempt at differentiating the Android from the iOS? We could only speculate.

According to friends who have more experience on the Gingerbread, the only way to change the orientation of how to navigate through the apps would be to install another launcher or even change the ROM (the OS, not ROM size) of your unit. A maneuver that most regular phone users wouldn't even think about doing. So if you're really antsy about the orientation of the apps, read up on how to install launchers or changing your Samsung Galaxy Y's ROM.

As for other dissatisfactions, I also noticed that the graphics of the icons in the application collection area tend to look and feel gaudy. Lastly, I don't like the fact that the Navigation key isn't a trackpad or even just a trackball. A static Navigation button just doesn't feel right on an Android.

These flaws are not dealbreakers for me, however. Take into consideration the fact that this Android can be had for anywhere from Php 4,000 to Php 5,990, at 800MHz/290MB RAM/180MB ROM, on Gingerbread, this is already a great deal, even a steal. And if you get your hands on this baby (for  free!) either through Sun Cellular's Plan 350 or Smart Communications' Plan 349, guess how much sweeter that deal would be?

In short, there is no wonder why this phone keeps getting sold out in Smart Communications and Sun Cellular outlets nationwide: it delivers a phenomenal bang for your buck, all in a cute, compact, even mini package.

Tomorrow, we'll be discussing the Samsung Galaxy Y on Plan 499 on Globe. Watch out for that one!



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Related:Y for Young – A Review of the Galaxy Y Netphone

Photo Credits: Animetric's World
Android Gadget Review
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Sale Watch: What's Happening This Christmas



It’s already December next week, and we’re sure that we’re all excited about the sales that are coming our way. While we’re still populating our comprehensive table of Cherry Mobile Android Phones, we thought it’d be great to alert you on what’s bound to happen this Christmas month.
  • Cherry Mobile has already published its “12 Cherrys of Christmas” price list. If you recall from Cherry Mobile’s promotions last year, they put on promo one Cherry Mobile phone a day, ramping up the sales until they finally released premium phones for a steal. This year, we’re waiting with bated breath, as they may put Cherry Mobile Androids on sale.
  • Even if Cherry Mobile Androids are NOT on sale, they’ve already bumped down the prices to affordable price points. So if you’re no longer in the mood to wait for the Droids to plummet to possibly obscene prices, check out Cherry Mobile’s Droid catalog.
  • The Samsung Galaxy Y has been put on Smart Communications and Sun Cellular’s best plans. On Plan 349 for Smart and Plan 350 for Sun, getting yourself a Droid has now gotten more sensible.


These are the Droid sales we've caught so far; we’ll keep gathering what we can find as the days hurtle into Christmas.

Watch out for more sales and bargain updates!

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Affordable Androids
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Bargain Hunter: Samsung Galaxy Y


Two things about the Samsung Galaxy Y for you Android Fanatics today: A bargain and the Samsung Galaxy Y Netphone Edition.

The Samsung Galaxy Y, or Samsung Galaxy Young, is an entry-level Samsung phone designed to serve the basic needs of Android users, with a price that’s also at the baseline. These are the specs of the Samsung Galaxy Y: 

  • Android OS v.2.3.5 (Gingerbread)
  • 256MB RAM
  • 832MHz CPU
  • 160MB Internal Memory

If you’re about to turn your nose up at these specs, wait till you read the price of the Samsung Galaxy Y that we saw in Robinsons Pioneer.

Five-thousand, eight-hundred eighty pesos. That’s right, the openline Samsung Galaxy Y we saw at MultiCom is less than Php 6,000. 

However, for nothing  more than Php 110 extra, you get to tether your Samsung Galaxy Y to the SmartNet system. 

Yup, you read right. Smart Communications is selling the Samsung Galaxy Y at only Php 5,990 on Prepaid, and you get to use the SmartNet network for free until December 31, 2011. Remember that though SmartNet may be made available for other users to use on non-Netphone Androids, so far, only Smart Communications Consultant Jayvee Fernandez has been able to get his hands on the SmartNet app. Not only that, there are rumors that Smart will only give access to SmartNet for free on its Netphone models, and may charge non-Netphone users certain fees for the use of the system. Thus, if you want to get the most out of a Samsung Galaxy Y as a Netphone, it’s no biggie to spring an extra Php 110 for SmartNet access, right?

But if you prefer to save the Php 110, and Robinsons Pioneer is accessible to you, head on over to MultiCom for the cheapest Samsung Galaxy Y we’ve seen so far. If you find something cheaper, do let us know!

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