Deuts.NET – Page 20 – Personal rumblings on tech and stuff

The curious case of disappearing data minutes in Smart #Flexitime

I was resubscribed to Smart Flexitime 100 this week. Yes, silly me — I didn’t learn from my experience about the depleting data minutes faster than real time use. But more than the hurried diminution of data minutes during use of Smart’s (Smart Communications Inc.) internet, what irks me the most is the continued depletion of data minutes even when their internet is not in use — at all!

I was using my Smart Bro sim for the last two days while subscribed to Flexitime 100 and plugged to my 3G Wifi modem router, the Huawei E355 — a batteryless pocket wifi that can only be powered when plugged in a running USB slot: Continue reading The curious case of disappearing data minutes in Smart #Flexitime

The reasons you should buy a Subaru XV (Crosstrek)

Just a disclaimer, I own a Subaru XV. Even though I bought one last year, I still scrounge the internet, particularly Youtube, for the latest about the Subaru XV. Perhaps I’m just trying to reaffirm to myself that I made the right choice.

Yet, if you’re in the market for a new car, you should give the Subaru XV (or Subaru XV Crosstrek in the US) a serious consideration. Autotrader listed down the reasons you should buy one. They have separate videos for the 2014 and 2015 versions, which you may watch below:

Watch the 5 reasons to buy the 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek »

Sun Cellular’s ‘Surf Net Mega’ is for heavy users?

Here’s one of Sun Cellular’s broadband offers:

Sun Cellular, are you sure this is for heavy users? Click on image to enlarge.

Seriously, what were you thinking Sun Cellular? Or, perhaps, more appropriately — what were you smoking? Do you even think these plans are for heavy users? Will the maximum of 1,250 MB be good for 30 days to heavy users?

Perhaps, you have a different definition for ‘heavy users’.

But now I question your understanding of your business.

The Smart Bro Flexitime Data Minutes that deplete faster than real time use

The Smart Bro Flexitime offers allow you to take full control of your time and enjoy every surfing minute.

The main feature of this offer is it’s basically internet charged by the minute — not by blocks of 15 minutes nor by volume. It is good for people who like to do ‘hit-and-run’ when it comes to internet use.

I subscribed to Smart Bro’s Flexitime 100, which allowed me 15 hours of internet access valid for 7 days. This subscription costs P100, and should translate to 900 minutes of data. Continue reading The Smart Bro Flexitime Data Minutes that deplete faster than real time use

VW scandal, new iPhones reviews, 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, First Gentleman

Volkswagen (VW) emission test scandal

Some people refer to it as Dieaselgate, and Volkswagen’s stock fell by as much as 38% in two days on issues of cheating on its 11 million cars’ emission tests.

Now, that leaves VW’s CEO’s position in question. Continue reading VW scandal, new iPhones reviews, 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, First Gentleman

The (almost) two decades old graduated tax table that defies inflation

Back in 2008 (7 years ago!), I called for a major revamp of the ‘then’ decade old and obsolete tax law, specifically for the part pertaining to individual income taxes. Since then, minor revisions were made, like the exemption of minimum wage earners and adjusting the 13th month pay and other benefits ceiling excluded from the computation of gross income.

[Read: Rappler—Aquino signs law raising tax exemption cap for bonuses.]

NIRC of 1997 — National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 book July 2009 Edition by Danilo A. Duncano. This book may need revisions, but not as much as that of the law itself.

Yet, the gist of individual income taxation remains, that is — the (almost) two decades old graduated tax table that defies inflation. Continue reading The (almost) two decades old graduated tax table that defies inflation

Knockoffs are nowhere near the real deal

GooPhone is one of those Android device manufacturers that make clones of the iPhone. With the recent unveiling of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, GooPhone has come out with the GooPhone I6S, which is the same size and form factor as that of the iPhone 6S and made to appear to run iOS 8.

Here is the video review of the GooPhone I6S for reference:

http://youtu.be/byNGVYya9JE

I have tried customizing an Android device (a Samsung Galaxy S2) before, changing the launcher and icons to make it look like the latest iPhone. Then, after spending quite a number of hours customizing its appearance, it struck me–no matter how much time I spend on customization, no matter the extent of every detail I copy, it is still an Android device pretending to be an iPhone.

So, heed my advice: if you want an iPhone for a smartphone, save and spend on an iPhone. Custom-making an Android device to make it look like an iPhone is just a pathetic way of showing how much you really want an iPhone. After all, knockoffs are nowhere near the real deal.

The role of technology in chess and cheating

At the start of the 2015 World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, where security was tight so that watches and pens were not allowed in the playing hall, GM Hikaru Nakamura of USA tweeted:

[tweet https://twitter.com/GMHikaru/status/642007269387866112]

I beg to differ. The proliferation of cheating in chess tournaments was brought about by the level of sophistication in our technology today, so that watches (or smartwatches for that matter) and even pens can be used to cheat in chess games. Thus, it is not cheating per se that forced players to part with their watches and pens during games. Instead, it is advancements in technology that made cheating more accessible, thus thrust tournament organizers to be stricter about their rules.

2015 (Chess) World Cup is happening in Baku, Azerbaijan

The 2015 Chess World Cup is happening in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, from 10th September to 5th October. It is a 128-player knock out event where the top two players qualifies for the Candidates tournament next year, the qualifying tournament for the World Championship.

Continue with the knockout pairings tree»

Make Space for iPad Pro — the 12.9-inch Apple tablet

Stayed really late last night to watch the Apple Event on my Apple TV. After the boring discussions about the Apple Watch, Tim Cook eventually introduced the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPad Pro during an Apple media event in San Francisco, California, September 9, 2015. Reuters/Beck Diefenbach

At 12.9-inch diagonal size, the screen is much like most laptops there currently are in the market. I surmise it is now positioned to take on the laptop market this time. That is, if those who consider replacing their work laptop with the iPad Pro are not deterred by the idea of expending additional dough for the Smart Keyboard and/or Apple Pencil.

Quick specs of the iPad Pro after the jump»