Category: Technology

Smart vs. Globe Battle on iPhone 4S

Unbox did actual tests of both networks on two iPhone 4S’s.

Truth is I’m not surprised at all by the results. Smart Communications beat Globe Telecom 8 times to nil. Based on my personal experience, Smart’s 3G network is usually faster as compared to Globe’s, even at the heart of the Ayala Center in Makati, which is supposedly Globe’s home turf. Nevertheless, I just hope Smart could/had broaden its 3G wireless network coverage to include my hometown, in Tigbauan, Iloilo, as I’ll be spending my time there during the coming holidays.

Instapaper for Android

After more than a month tinkering with my Android device, the Samsung Galaxy S II (SGS2), I’ve come to the conclusion that the one app I missed the most about my iPhone is Instapaper.

From the mail app, Evernote, Twitter (Tweetbot), Facebook, to Feeddler (Google Reader) apps, you can easily send articles to read later (and even offline) via Instapaper. Alternatives like ReadItLater are great, but seamless integration with various other apps are wanting, and some articles, although obviously blog posts themselves, are not loading properly in ReadItLater.

To a lot of people, owning a smartphone means a lot of games. I consider myself to not belong to that “lot of people”. The only games I have on my smartphones are those that are really quick games like, the usual suspects like Fruit Ninja, Fling, MasterCode, Flight Control, and some card games like Poker, to pass the time away while waiting for something or someone like in waiting areas of airports, clinics, offices, restaurants and meetings. Read Further »

Why I Find Globe PowerSurf for Postpaid Subscribers a Fraud?

I have complained about how Globe’s PowerSurf for postpaid subscribers was so unrealiable. But that was even before my complete billing cycle was over. Now let me post a follow up on that experience.

First, let me describe the timeline of events during the time I was subscribed to PowerSurf99:

  • September 27, 2011 — subscribed to PowerSurf99;
  • October 12, 2011 — my billing cut-off for October 2011;
  • October 27, 2011 — PowerSurf99 auto-renewed in accordance with its terms;
  • November 12, 2011 — my billing cut-off for November 2011;

I’ve monitored my data usage using an iPhone app as well as the iPhone’s built-in settings and noted that I’ve consumed the 50MB allocation on October 13 for the September 27 subscription, and as early as November 5 for the October 27 subscription. Yet up until now, I haven’t received any text from Globe informing that I’ve reached my quota. Moreover, I’ve constantly inquired with 8888 about the status of my subscription and it responded with an explicit message that my subscription is still active. Continue reading Why I Find Globe PowerSurf for Postpaid Subscribers a Fraud?

Lytro Camera

A Lytro camera uses Light Field Photography (also known as plenoptic photography) which captures all the available light in a scene going in every direction. It works by breaking up the main image with a microlens over an image sensor. (Source: Wikipedia)

Engadget had hands-on experience with this Lytro camera. Check that out for more photos and videos.

Features of a plenoptic camera include: Check out the features list »

What Makes Globe’s PowerSurf So Unrealiable?

I was positive about Globe PowerSurf plans for postpaid subscribers when it came out. But then, I concluded that, 300MB per month is too much for my use.

So, I just availed of the 50MB plan instead last 27th of September 2011. I monitored my data usage using two crappy apps like DataUsagePro and DataMan, as well as via the iPhone’s settings.

16 days into the plan, I noted from my monitoring that I’ve reached my allocated data usage of 50MB, and now, 3 days after, I’m running around 75MB of usage.

Let’s check what the Globe’s FAQ say about this: Carry on »

Why I Bought a Kindle?

I used to own a first generation iPad, and I intend to get a replacement in the future. I currently own an iPhone. Both have (or at least used to have) the Kindle app. Likewise, I have Kindle applications installed in both my laptops.

Last Saturday, I bought a Kindle Keyboard (see photo above) — the 3rd generation Wifi 6″ E-Ink display Kindle with Special Offers and Sponsored Screensavers.

Yet, the question that often pops up: Who needs a Kindle when you can read your e-books in your other existing mobile devices like the iPad?

First, let me just reiterate some “obvious” reasons — that which you’ll usually find in other blogs — why Kindle is better than the iPad to suit the bookworm in you: Carry on »

iPhone vs. BlackBerry

I own an iPhone 4 and recently — let’s just say — had a short affair with the BlackBerry Bold 9700. I know they’re not particularly the top of the line of their brands, taking into account that iPhone 5 may be announced in a couple of days.

So, this article is actually more about the hangups I had with my BlackBerry Bold 9700 experience as against that with the iPhone 4. Some points may not be applicable to other BlackBerry models like some touchscreen in the BB Torch line, but definitely some are very much relevant to all models.

First, let’s talk about what I liked about the BlackBerry:

  • Unified Inbox via the Messaging App. From Email, SMS, BBM message, Gtalk, Yahoo! Messenger, as well as Twitter and Facebook notifications — they are all there in one place. The Gtalk, YM, Twitter, and Facebook apps were developed by RIM (Research in Motion) itself, so they are seamlessly integrated into the Messaging app. The Messaging app also serves as the central notification center, which functionality is yet coming to iOS 5.
  • Longer Battery Life. As a second hand device, I still get more than two days of usage if Wifi is on (which I always use in the office and at home), and less than two days when it’s off (meaning I’m always on cellular data connection).

Quite a short list, really. Now let’s move on to where the BlackBerry is really getting into my nerves. This list is in random order, and as such may appear in whichever crosses my mind first: Continue Reading »

BeReader – Google Reader App for BlackBerry

When I’m out, in a coffee shop or somewhere, trying to kill time, I check my Twitter, Facebook, and of course Google Reader.

At first I thought I was glad there was a Google Reader client for BlackBerry — BeReader. But believe me, it just even added more to my disappointments about the device rather than impress me:

  • Too slow — no, very very slow!
  • US$ 9.99 for such a crappy app — no way!
  • You can’t select text nor click on links within the articles;
  • Navigating and switching between/among articles, feeds and/or folders (group of feeds) takes forever. Wait, did I already mention it was painstakingly slow?

By the way, I was using a BlackBerry Bold 9700.

300 MB is So Much for My Use

I’ve mentioned that I subscribed to Globe PowerSurf 299, which is 300 MB good for 30 days. I’ve also mentioned that I have wifi both at home and in the office.

Now 22 days have already passed and I have not used even half of the data usage I was allotted with. I’ve used so far 143.51 MB or 47.8%. I hope Globe Telecom could come up with a lower plan, say like 200 MB for a cheaper price.

UPDATE: Or perhaps, these PowerSurf plans are not for me at all. I have an iPhone 4 at plan 299, where I don’t have a use for that P299 credit (for I have an office-issued phone unlimited Globe-to-Globe). If I opt out of the PowerSurf 299, I could use that P299 credit for hit-and-run mobile browsing at P5 per 15-minutes.

I just hope that Globe instead have a per MB charging deductible from the regular plan. Or, better yet, carry on with the Powersurf plans but don’t charge it on top of the Monthly Service Fee (MSF). Charge it against the consumable amount instead.

Twitter is about Delivering the Message in 140 Characters

Twitter limits you to express your thoughts in 140 characters or less. It actually encourages (if not teaches) you to be more creative in delivering your message by limiting the number of characters — thus, the limited number of words — in each tweet. This is in fact in congruence with the declining attention span of users/readers/followers, especially with the vast amount of information available in this digital age.

With services like Twitlonger, Deck.ly and the likes, users are allowed to override this 140-character limitation by cutting the message into 140 characters but allow the inclusion of a link that points to a page containing the full message (besides advertisements). These services are even integrated in apps like UberSocial and Tweetdeck. See how it defeats the purpose »