Technology – Page 17

Liveblogging with the Liveblog Plugin for WordPress

I thought I’ve missed it when I was scrounging for a liveblog plugin when the Istanbul 2012 World Chess Olympiad was about to start.

It appears I didn’t, because Automattic’s Liveblog plugin was released sometime last weekend only. Check out this video that explains what this plugin is all about:

[wpvideo tWpw6nCt w=480 h=269]

This Liveblog plugin could be a great blog extension if you’re covering live events, or just simply want to post one sentence updates to an event like the Chess Olympiad (which is a 2-week event).

I haven’t tested the plugin extensively yet, but, nevertheless, I just would like to point out some of my issues/concerns about it: Continue reading Liveblogging with the Liveblog Plugin for WordPress

DocScanner App – The Worst Update Ever in Mobile App History

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 »

Sky Broadband 10Mbps Advantage Plan

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 »

The Truth About Smart’s Freedom Plan

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!»

Kindle Keyboard (3rd Gen) Stuck in USB Drive Mode

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 »

The Divoom Iris-02 Speaker System Review

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 »

Direct Messages (DM) in Twitter apps

‘Direct Messages’ in Twitter is as important as ‘Mentions’, yet it does not enjoy the same conspicuousness to facilitate quick access as the latter in the official iOS and Android apps.

In order to get to the Direct Messages section you need to go to Me >> and then Direct Messages. If you are new to the app, you might not be able to find it at all.

Good thing there are a lot of better alternative Twitter apps for iOS devices, case in point: Tweetbot, that give as much importance to Direct Messages.

As for Android users, well, good luck with finding a really good Twitter client alternative in the first place. Otherwise, you’re stuck with the official Twitter app.

When Twitter’s ‘t.co’ Expands Rather Than Shortens Links

In the beginning, people flocked to Twitter because of its one simple but great feature: to publish each thought or message in 140 characters. In some instances that feature proved to be a constraint, but that’s really where creativity comes into play. While sharing links, long URL’s[1. URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, which is usually the permanent link you find in your browser’s address bar when browsing the web.] posed even more challenges. That’s when URL shorteners came into being, Tinyurl was one of the first (if not the first) of its kind.

Then on June 2011, Twitter rolled out its very own (and) automatic link shortening feature/service — t.co. The “root” domain name itself is limited to only 4 characters (including the dot) so it sure could produce shorter links. In its blog post, Twitter promised links as short as 19 total characters (including the ‘http://‘ prefix).

The good thing about t.co is that link shortening is automatic. There’s no need anymore to go to the website of the URL shortening service, convert the link to its shortened form and pasting the same to Twitter. Instead, just paste any URL, regardless of length, to your Twitter post, and that will only eventually cost you 19 or 20 characters from expressing the complete message. Continue Reading »

Payphone

I suppose nostalgia just hit me. Saw this payphone sitting idly at the corner of the mall. Makes one wonder, when was the last time you used a payphone?

I doubt it if kids of today (maybe even the adults in their early 20’s) do still know what you mean if you say you’re gonna call “collect”. Do they even know the concept of an “operator”?

Blame it on the iPhone I used to take this picture.