Got a message today that Hiarcs’ Mac Chess Explorer is finally available:
At last, after a very long wait, it has finally come for us to check out.
It comes bundled with Hiarcs 14 and costs US$59.95 for the single-core version, and US$99.95 for the Deep Hiarcs (multi-core/multi-processor version).
By the way, there’s also the PC Chess Explorer. But what the heck, we’re only interested in Mac here, right? Continue reading Hiarcs’ Mac Chess Explorer is Now Available
DocScanner app for iOS devices is the number one example of a mobile app whose update has gone bad — indeed very bad.
When we talk about software updates (or upgrades), generally we expect improvements from the old version, may they be major enhancements in the interface and the whole software experience or just simple tweaks like bug fixes and/or patches.
But not in the case of DocScanner. In the Apple iTunes Store alone, the customer ratings has gone from a 4-5 stars to 1 star since the update from version 5.x.x to 6.0.x.
Before the update to version 6, DocScanner is one app I used to brag to peers and demonstrate the power of a smartphone, especially the iPhone. But now that great app is gone.
From my experience, here are the factors that convinced me this was the worst update ever: Check out the factors after the jump »
Sometimes I wonder, is it the end of the world yet?
I like music, and it could cover a wide range of genre. Depending on the mood, my taste for music could touch on country, rock, punk, pop, blues, hiphop, jazz, R&B, even classical and religious music. But most often, really, my mood leans toward being a little melodramatic.
Love songs are usually written and/or dedicated to a special someone, a parent, a child, a friend — just anyone close to your heart, someone you like the most, but NOT, really, not someone you should hate like the least.
And yet, the latter is the theme of the song, “Kunin Mo Na Ang Lahat Sa Akin”, originally by Jeremiah and recently revived by Angeline Quinto for the ABS-CBN program “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin”.
This music video alone has already garnered 1.5 million views and 2 thousand likes on Youtube. Check out the video after the jump »
Was trying to log in to the Life At 5 Mbps website earlier, and I was greeted by this banner in the homepage:
By the way, the homepage I’m referring to is now redirected to consumable.skybroadband.com.ph.
It appears that Sky Broadband is now offering double the 5Mbps I’m currently subscribed to — at 10Mbps, but at a P300.00 premium, or a total of P1,299.00 per month. But check out the speeds I’m actually getting »
Advocates of anti-mining movements assert that host communities do not profit from mining activities in their area. That is not especially true in the case of Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp. and Taganito Mining Corp. (both are subsidiaries of Nickel Asia Corporation), and other “responsible” mining companies in the country.
Below are the ads aired in various local TV stations in the country:
Smart Communications’ Freedom Plan is a postpaid plan but without the minimum monthly service fee (MSF). In other words, you only pay for what you actually used. For me, this is like a prepaid sim without load expiration, but without the worry of where to reload. This is perfect for my iPad (Wifi + 3G), especially that I have wifi both at home and in the office, and I only need to use 3G connectivity when I’m out.
Applying for the plan, according to the official webpage, is as easy as showing your face at any Smart Wireless Center and present a valid ID. But talk about false advertising. Here are additional important details you need to know that are absent from their website and/or ads: Check them out!»
One day, my Kindle Keyboard came out of the bag with its screen showing that it’s in USB Drive Mode:
Note that it’s not connected via USB to power socket or computer whatsoever. Connecting the device, however, to the computer, either in a Mac or PC, the computer cannot recognize the device. It’s not in the ‘My Computer’ nor in the Finder. Contune Reading »
BusinessWorld reports ‘SEC completes draft measure for exchange-traded funds‘. SEC is then moving to solicit public comments before finalizing the measure.
I have always welcomed the idea of ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds) in the local bourse. Think about it, no more minimum holding periods nor sales load to worry about when buying and selling ETF stocks in the local stock exchange, except of course for the usual minimal fees and taxes.
In my opinion, this is a more liquid type of investment than regular mutual funds or UITF’s in a sense that you can sell your shares anytime without worrying about minimum holding periods and their corresponding charges. Besides, this is still a managed fund, thus you need not devote any more time in research for stocks to pick.
You might also want to read the 5 Things You Need to Know About Exchange Traded Funds.
There are a lot of resources, particularly blogs, that compare returns from different types of Mutual Funds, and even UITF’s (Unit Investment Trust Funds), over different time periods. For example, try reading ‘The Best Performing Mutual Funds In The Last 3-5 Years‘.
Reviewing these numbers before investing to a new fund is a good exercise for it will give you better perspective at which fund you want to bet your money on. These return numbers are a “look back” at how the funds were managed, and thus performed, in the last 3 or 5 years. Continue reading Comparing Mutual Fund Returns
I have been looking for an inexpensive (i.e., sub-Php1,000) portable speaker system for office use that could deliver soft audible music when played during office hours, but could also deliver loud-enough audio for everybody to enjoy tracks after office hours.
Then, I happened to bump into this Divoom Iris-02 at Switch in Park Square 1.
The speakers were small they can easily fit in your bag, and yet can deliver a level of sound loud enough they can startle everyone in the office if dialed to full volume. They are powered by USB, so they can deliver up to 10 times as loud the sound of normal built-in laptop speakers.
The speakers have no subwoofer, so they can’t really replicate the sound of a true stereo system. But then, you are not in a party, instead in an office trying to enjoy music while being ‘busy’ at work.
The official product page provides the complete features and specifications as follows: See the features and specifications after the break »
