Cant Access Certain Websites

Sometimes you cant access certain websites. This problem occurs while trying to browse other websites. There are hundred of possible reason but I want you to know the the most common cause of the problem. This is the antivirus which blocks some websites. Go to your antivirus setting and temporary turn it off. Try to browse to see if the problem already solved and if not you should uninstall it completely and restart your computer. 

Operating Systems

Operating system ABCs

 

An operating system or OS is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a computer operating system, a computer and software programs would be useless. In the picture to the right, is an example of Microsoft Windows XP, a popular operating system and what the box may look like if you were to visit a local retail store to purchase it.

Operating system types 

 

As computers have progressed and developed so have the operating systems. Below is a basic list of the different operating systems and a few examples of operating systems that fall into each of the categories. Many computer operating systems will fall into more than one of the below categories.

GUI - Short for Graphical User Interface, a GUI Operating System contains graphics and icons and is commonly navigated by using a computer mouse. See the GUI definition for a complete definition. Below are some examples of GUI Operating Systems.

• System 7.x

• Windows 98

• Windows CE

Multi-user - A multi-user operating system allows for multiple users to use the same computer at the same time and different times. See the multi-user definition for a complete definition for a complete definition. Below are some examples of multi-user operating systems.

• Linux

• Unix

• Windows 2000

Multiprocessing - An operating system capable of supporting and utilizing more than one computer processor. Below are some examples of multiprocessing operating systems.

• Linux

• Unix

• Windows 2000

Multitasking - An operating system that is capable of allowing multiple software processes to run at the same time. Below are some examples of multitasking operating systems.

• Unix

• Windows 2000

Multithreading - Operating systems that allow different parts of a software program to run concurrently. Operating systems that would fall into this category are:

• Linux

• Unix

• Windows 2000

Your account is Ready for the Gmail and Search Field Trial

I saw this email from Google in my Gmail this morning. This was for the Gmail and Search Field trial that I signed up for last week. As I did not get a reply on the same day, I kind of forgot about it.

Email from Google that my Gmail and Search Field trial is activated

You can search Google Drive from within Gmail Now

As shown in the screenshot, I can search my Google Drive along with what is sitting in my Gmail, but I noticed that the search does not include what is on Googles latest note-taking app, Google Keep.

Search for "Jim Rohn" return not only Gmail emails but also related documents on Google Drive

There are other features like searching for your events, receipts, flights and reservations but I will not talk about them in this short article. If you are interested in this field trial, you can sign up here.

How To Download Torrent Using Mobile Easily

We all know how to download torrent using IDM in PC, but today I am going to tell you how you can download torrents in your mobile. To download torrent in your mobile some prerequisites will be required. First of all, your phone must have internet facility. Secondly, you need UC browser in your phone. If you dont have UC browser installed in your mobile then search for the latest version of UC browser in web and install it your mobile.

Procedures to download torrent in your mobile:

1) First of all, download the .torrent file and keep in the memory of your phone. Or you can also copy the link of .torrent file and then you will not be required to download the .torrent file.

2) Open UC browser and go to zbigz.com .

3) Click the browse option present in the site and upload the .torrent file present in the memory of your phone. Or you can also paste the link of .torrent file that you have copied in step 1 in the appropriate area.

4) Click the go free button and it will start downloading the file in their server.

5) After it is fully uploaded, a green download button will appear. Click the green download button.

6) Select free download option to start your download.

7) UC browser will start downloading your file. You can pause and resume download anytime.

This trick is very good for users using java mobile. Android and Windows users can also use this technique but they have far more better option of downloading torrent as they support many torrent downloader clients. Enjoy downloading torrent using your mobile.

Change the layout of each static pages of blogger

You might have faced problem in changing the layout of each static pages in Blogger blog. We all want to design or build our blog like a professional one, but problem arises when we think of changing the layout of static pages. Google blogger has no feature for customizing each of the static pages uniquely. But some customization in HTML codes of the blog template may turn it to the possible. Before get in to this tutorial you should know the exact width of the main-wrapper. I will explain the whole process in the following.

Part I
To know the width of main-wrapper
1) Go to Template-----Edit HTML
2) Click on Expand Widget Templates
3) Search for #main-wrapper by pressing Ctrl+F
4) Under #main-wrapper find the width, the code will be like

#main-wrapper
{padding:0px 0px 0px 10px;width:380px;
float:left;
word-wrap:break-word;
overflow:hidden;
}

In my case the main-wrapper is of width 380px
Now lets come to the main tutorial

Part II
Follow the following steps to change the layout of static pages
In this tutorial i will only show the method of changing the background, size of main-wrapper and also some customization of header, footer and sidebar.
1) Follow up to step (2) of part I
2) Search for ]]></b:skin> by pressing Ctrl+F
3) Just bellow ]]></b:skin> paste the following codes

<b:if cond=data:blog.url == &quot;your static page url&quot;>
<style>
.header,.sidebar,.footer {display:none;}
#outer-wrapper {width: 660px; padding:0;}
#main-wrapper{background:url(background image url); width: 660px; margin: 0;}
</style>
</b:if>

4) Now change the highlighted yellow line with the URL of your static page
5) Change the highlighted green line with the URL of your background image, please note that the background image width should not be more than 380px (in my case) i.e., more than that of the main-wrapper width. Otherwise your page will not look good.
6) In the above codes I have kept header, sidebar and footer hidden. If you want any of them to show then simply delete the word from the codes.

This is all about the tutorial, to hide a sidebar or a footer from all static pages read the following tutorial                       

    Hide sidebar in all static pages of blogger blog

How To Attach File In Facebook

I have a conversation on my friend last week. He tried to attach a file on facebook chat box but he didnt know how. This is very easy and useful because you can attach a photos, videos, mp3, and any other documents only to your friend directly.

On the past few days, it is necessary to open full conversation to attach a file.Unlike now, you only have to click add files.
Follow these simple steps below to start sending a file to your facebook friends.

1. Click on Setting Icon > Add Files.
2. Choose Any files you want to attach.
3. Then wait after uploading has been done then press enter and done.

8 Awesome Keyboards for iPad

8 Awesome Keyboards for iPad:
Apple’s iPad has taken the tablet market by storm ever since it was released, selling millions of them in very less period. iPad has also hundreds of apps to customize like the iPhone. Most of us use the iPad for emails, web browsing, chatting and also social networking. But at the same time iPad has also gained popularity in the corporate world. But using the iPad for work is a bit difficult with typing documents, presentations etc using the on screen keyboard. Although the on screen keyboard performs well, for longer typing it is not suited and also it occupies almost half of the screen. In such cases you can get one of the external Bluetooth enabled keyboards for your iPad.
So here is a list of 8 best keyboard accessories for your iPad (2, 3 and 4 generations).

1. Apple wireless keyboard:

Although Apple Wireless Keyboard is not particularly made for iPad, it works well. The Bluetooth enabled keyboard works with Macs as well. Since this keyboard is designed for Macs, the keys are well spaced and easy to type. This is one of the best keyboards available for iPad, but does not come with a docking unit, you will have to use a separate dock with iPad.

2. Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard cover-

Ultrathin keyboard is a stylish, ultrathin aluminium screen cover that feels great and looks even better designed to complement your iPad. The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover securely attaches to your iPad, thanks to the clever magnetic clip. Aligned with the magnets built in the iPad’s frame, it draws tablet and cover irresistibly together. Instant On/Off automatically wakes your iPad when you open the cover and sends it to sleep when you close it and It is priced at $99.

3. Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad-

With the Solar Keyboard Folio, you don’t have to worry about battery or wires. The built-in Bluetooth keyboard draws its power from any type of light, both indoors and out. The Instant On/Off automatically wakes your iPad when you open the folio and sends it to sleep when you close it. The keyboard is priced at $129.99.

4. Zagg Zaggfolio:

Created with a stylish design and a durable microfiber lining, the ZAGGfolio is an impressively thin multi-function iPad keyboard case for Apple iPad 3 & 4. The folio is complete with a removable Bluetooth keyboard and a built-in stand system, ideal for on-the-go use.The ZAGGfolio is priced at 99.99€ for folio and keyboard and 69.99€ for the keyboard alone.

5. ZaggKeys Pro and Pro Plus:

The ZAGGkeys PRO and PROplus are ultra-thin Bluetooth keyboard accessories that accentuate the utility and convenience of the Apple iPad 2, 3 or 4, with the added benefit of backlit keys on the PROplus model.The lightweight and durable aluminium construction of the ZAGGkeys PRO and PROplus match the look and feel of the iPad. The keyboard is priced at 139.99€ for the PROplus version and 109.99€ for the PRO version.

6. ClamCase:

If you are looking to make your iPad look and work like a laptop or a netbook, then Clam Case is the best solution. It has a cover where you can slide you iPad and close it and look exactly like a laptop. But the main issue is the design and weight, if you are looking to carry it around, then its bulky. The keyboard is priced at $169 for the Pro version and $149 for the normal version.

7. Belkin Keyboard Folio case:

Belkin Keyboard Folio Case was originally designed for iPad 2 and comes with a folio cover and a keyboard. It is a smart keyboard case with a strong keyboard and a flexible set of versatile transforming shapes for everyday use. It is priced at $79.

8. Crux 360:

Crux360 for iPad features an all new snap in from the front design, which makes it very quick and easy to insert and remove your iPad. The new Crux360 also features a “window cover” on the back, which allows you to cover or uncover the Apple icon. It is compatible with various types of screen protectors. It is supported for iPad 2, 3 and 4 versions. Crux 360 is priced at $99.

Samsung unveils secretive smartphone SCH W789

Samsung looks to have taken the humming world of personalised tech gadgetry by surprise today by officially launching the highly rumored, but quite secretive, Samsung SCH-W789 Android-based flip phone in China on Wednesday. Samsung has simply branded the phone with its model number without giving it any personality, unlike the Samsung Galaxy smartphones that received attention akin to the birth of the Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and husband Prince Williams royal child in Britain recently.

Samsung SCH-W789 will be available for the China Telecom users for about $800. 

Features wise, Samsung SCH-W789 Android flip phone comes with dual 3.3 inch HVGA touch screen displays with the resolution of 320x480 pixels. It is running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system version and it is powered by a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Quad Core processor along with 1GB of RAM memory. It is a dual SIM device with CDMA + GSM support with dual-standby features. Connectivity features of the phone include Bluetooth, WiFi, Micro USB and GPS. It also boasts a relatively staid, when compared to HTC One, 5 mega pixel rear camera with LED flash. 

There is no information on the internal storage of the phone at the moment but it comes with microSD card slot to expend the memory. The phone is powered by a 1500 mAh battery and it comes with pre-loaded applications like Samsung Apps and Chat On messaging. 

It will be available on China Telecom for 4999 yuan (about $816). There is no word on whether the phone will be released in any other market globally but another Android flip phone that has been seen is the Samsung Galaxy Folder that might be launched globally. via Muhammad Zulqarnain Zulfi

Portable Solar Powered Mobile Phone Battery Charger

Although electricity is a ubiquitous and there are times when it is not possible at all to connect your equipment to an electrical outlet. The purpose of the KIWI-Powered U-passes is to provide energy to any type of mobile device.

You can connect this device to any source of energy, including the car’s cigarette lighter, USB port, an outlet or even solar power through photovoltaic cells leaflets. Once loaded, it has the ability to store this energy for at least 6 months.

Finally, in terms of connectors, this Swiss Army knife of the batteries can be connected to virtually any device. From phones, to MP3 players or any other gadget.

In terms of capacity, the KIWI U-Powered masi can get loads of 1000 and has the ability to charge 2000mAh. The price was another pleasant surprise is which is less than $ 50 USD.

iOS Goes Past Symbian in Mobile Smartphone OS Usage in the Philippines

Based on webpage visits monitored by Statcounter, this is how the top mobile operating systems fared in terms of usage in the Philippines in March 2013.

• Google Android - 42.8%
• Apple iOS - 23.9%
• Symbian OS/Series 40 - 22.2%
• BlackBerry - 1.4%
• Windows Phone - 0.6%

March marks a milestone for iOS in the Philippines, as it passed the combined Symbian OS/Series 40 usage for the  first time. 

To put these results into perspective, they do not represent mobile device sales, but online usage. Symbian OS and Series 40 phones accounted for over 40% of online usage in 2012, and the decline of Symbian usage corresponds to the gains made in Android and iOS usage. 

BlackBerry usage has remained constant while Windows Phone usage has maintained its slow increase.

HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S 4 Battery Life

GSM Arena has completed battery life tests on the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S 4. These two phone represent what is the cutting edge in Android hardware today, with Qualcomm S600 processors and 1080p displays. Both phones have larger batteries than the phones they replace, with the HTC One carrying a 2300 mAh unit and the Samsung Galaxy S 4 coming with a 2600 mAh battery.

The results of the endurance tests on these two phones is pretty amazing.

Talk Time

Sony Xperia Z - 16 hours and 3 minutes

LG Optimus G - 15 hours and 30 minutes
Samsung Galaxy S 4 - 13 hours and 53 minutes
HTC One - 13 hours and 38 minutes

Samsung Galaxy S III - 10 hours and 15 minutes

Apple iPhone 5 - 8 hours and 42 minutes

The quad core Qualcomm S600 on the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S 4 does not appear to be as efficient in this task as the Qualcomm S 4 processor on the Sony and LG phones.

Web Browsing

HTC One - 9 hours 58 minutes
Apple iPhone 5 - 9 hours and 56 minutes

Samsung Galaxy S4 - 8 hours and 42 minutes
Sony Xperia Z - 6 hours and  27 minutes

Samsung Galaxy S III - 6 hours and 37 minutes

LG Optimus G - 5 hours and 15 minutes

The HTC One is impressive in a statistical tie with the Apple iPhone 5. Samsungs Super AMOLED technology is not efficient in web browsing tests which predominantly use white or light colored backgrounds, but the Galaxy S 4 does well enough in this test. The Qualcomm S600 equipped phones seem to be a lot more efficient than the Qualcomm S 4 handsets in this test. 

Video Playback

Samsung Galaxy S 4 - 10 hours and 16 minutes
Apple iPhone 5 - 10 hours and 12 minutes

HTC One - 10 hours and 2 minutes
Samsung Galaxy S III - 9 hours and 27 minutes

LG Optimus G - 7 hours and 30 minutes

Sony Xperia Z - 5 hours and 39 minutes

The Samsung Galaxy S 4, Apple iPhone 5 and HTC One are a statistical tie for first place. The Qualcomm S600 equipped phones seem to be a lot more efficient than the Qualcomm S 4 handsets in this test. 

Standby (with 1 hour of calls, video playback and web browsing per day)

Samsung Galaxy S 4 - 63 hours
Apple iPhone 5 - 51 hours
Samsung Galaxy S III - 50 hours
HTC One - 48 hours
Sony Xperia Z - 48 hours
LG Optimus G - 45 hours

While the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S 4 have been neck and neck the whole way, the Galaxy S 4 leaves the HTC One is standby time. Having tested several Android 4.1 and 4.2 Rsayas, Android 4.2 seems to be much more power efficient on standby mode. The HTC One is running Android 4.1, while the Galaxy S 4 is running Android 4.2. A HTC update might improve the HTC Ones standby performance.


Source: GSM Arena

Common Broadband Problems and Fixes

come a long way from the days of dial-up net access with its lose service and broadband connections are now the example for lots of people around the globe. While lots of of the issues that dial-up users suffered through when utilizing their modems have been solved by the presence of an always-on connection, broadband modems and wireless routers can still cause headaches from time to time.

If you are facing a controversy together with your broadband connection & its source is not immediately obvious, take a glance at these broadband issues & fixes to help you to narrow down the issue:

Rule out remote issues.

Instead of being speedy to jump to the conclusion that you have got a local issue when you are unable to access a website, first decide with certainty that the trouble is not with the remote servers that you are trying to connect to. Even if the issue shows itself when visiting over site, it pays to be thorough before moving on to the next step.

Using your Windows command line, type ping google.com and hit the enter button. This will have your computer try to exchange tiny packets of knowledge with a popular web-site that you can trust is online and obtainable. If the ping shows as successful then you know that your computer is communicating with remote servers successfully; if not, you can assume the trouble is a bit closer to home.

Peripheral firmware trouble.
 more complicated machines that they serve, peripherals are computers , jogging their own operating method & so subject to the same glitches & issues that they regularly see on our PC. If the application operating your modem or router is acting up, there is sure fix: the power cycle.

Not  as fun to do as it is to say, power running basically means cutting power to the offending devices for a minute or, then plugging them back in. This will permit your modem & router to reboot, restarting all on-board application & resolving any related issues.

wiring for unexpected problems

It is a common scenario: a controversy with a web connection leads us to check every facet of our network over and over again, only to find that the ethernet cable in the router had wiggled lose. While they regularly try to persuade ourselves that the issue could not be that simple, it often is. Whether you have children, pets or even a window open wide to permit a powerful breeze, wires and cables tend to get shifted around under any circumstances.

While it may appear redundant, always take the time to make sure that each necessary hard connection is solid & that all wires & cables are where they ought to be; even in case you solve only a single case of net trouble in every attempts this way, you are bound to save yourself both time & frustration!

Firewall

Sometimes the issue can be found right in front of you! Routers and modems are often painted as the bad guys in problematic net scenarios, but often the trouble can be a application issue on the computer itself. Given its nature, common piece of application that can add to connection issues is your firewall. While firewall application does a great job of monitoring and defending against undesirable connections between your computer and the outside world, the wrong settings can have your firewall blocking even you.

If you have only recently installed or updated your firewall and have subsequently faced a defective connection, the issue is  definitely there. Double-check your settings to be positive that they are correct and think about switching to an simpler firewall solution in case you don not need all of the complicated bells and whistles.

When all else fails, contact your ISP

Your net service provider depends on a staggering amount of infrastructure to keep you connected and is subject to technical issues of its own from time to time. If you have thoroughly checked each potential issue area but continue to come up empty-handed, contacting your ISP for technical support and service information is the next obvious step.

Google Nexus 4 price at just US 299

Google has officially announced the  LG built Nexus 4.   The Nexus 4 is built around a 4.7 screen has a 1280×768 resolution at 320ppi, the same display used in LG’s skinned Optimus G.  It also has the Optimus’s Krait-based Snapdragon S4Pro SoC.  Like the Optimus G, it comes with 2GB of system memory and a 2100mAh battery. It has an 8MP primary camera and a 1.3 MP secondary camera. It comes out of the box with Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean).

Despite all this, it is not a high end phone. The Google Nexus 4 is not designed to compete with the LG Optimus G or even the Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC One X. Google dropped LTE support and priced it is a mid-level phone. You also have to a choice between 8 GB or 16GB of storage, without a MicroSD slot. 

While that is a bit disappointing, the price of US$299 for the 8 GB model and US$349 for the 16 GB model easily make up for the absence of LTE. Google is leaving LTE and the high end to its OEM partners. If LTE is a must, the LG Optimus G is the LTE version of the Google Nexus 4.

I wont complain though. I expect to see this phone hit the local markets at below 18K. Not bad for a quad core 4.7-inch HD phone. With local carriers LTE coverage being limited and no phone LTE plans being offered in the Philippines, the Google Nexus 4 is tailor fitted for the Philippine market.

Asus VivoTab Smart ME400c A Full Windows PC in a Tablet

Tablets with with full PC versions of Windows are nothing new. They have been around for some time, and for the most part have served a niche market. Windows 7 was not the best tablet operating system, and hence was the choice for a few enterprise clients who had to run full x86 PC software on a tablet form factor. Intel processors were also power hungry, giving this Windows tablets short battery life.

Enter Windows 8 and Intels new Clover Trail Processors. Windows 8 gives you a user interface and apps which are optimized for tablets. At the same time you can also run your old PC software. The best of both worlds.  Intels new Clover Trail Processors have enough power to run a full Windows operating system and at the same time provide 8-9 hours of battery life.

While several of these devices have been released in the Philippines, the new Windows 8 powered Asus VivoTab Smart ME400c really make me take notice. This tablet is selling for just Php25,999 with 64 GB of internal storage. This is a really good price for a 64 GB tablet, and given that Windows 8 occupies a fair amount of space a 64 GB tablet is really pretty much compulsory for a tablet with a full PC operating system inside. You can also expand storage via a microSD card slot. Asus also bundles this tablet with 32 GB of Asus Cloud Storage for 36 months.

The Asus VivoTab Smart ME400c has a 10.1-inch display with a HD (1366 x 768 pixel resolution) display. Inside is an Intel Atom Z2760 dual core processor and backed-up by 2 GB of RAM.  For connectivity you have WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI, and a MicroUSB port. This tablet also comes with a 8 MP primary camera and a front facing 2 MP camera. Asus promises that you will get up to 9.5 hours of battery life with its new Windows 8 Tab.

Asus VivoTab Smart ME400c is almost as slim as an Apple iPad 4, at 9.7 mm, but the real bonus is that it is a lot lighter at just 1.28 pounds (an iPad 4 weighs in at 1.44 pounds).

A stylus and keyboard are available for the Asus VivoTab Smart ME400c, but I have not seen them yet locally, so I have no word on pricing.

Windows Phone has had a hard time gaining any traction. Windows RT tablets looks like they will get killed off by their full PC OS packing siblings. But I think Windows 8 tablets, might be able to break into the Android-iOS duopoly in a big way.

Samsung Galaxy S 4 Plans Globe Telecom at Plan 1799 versus Smart Data Plan 2000

Globe Telecom will give you a Galaxy S 4 at Plan 1799 for a 24 month lock-in and Php4,800 cash. Bundle in Unlimited Data and you will have Php1,101 a month consumable for calls and SMS.

The closest Plan from Smart is Data Plan 2000. At this plan you can get a Samsung Galaxy S 4 with a 24 month contract for Php4,000.

Total commitment under the contact: 

Globe - Php47,976

Smart - Php52,000

Consumable:

Globe - Php1,101. Globe to Globe calls @Php6.50 per minute, and other local calls @Php7.50 per minute. SMS a Php1.00.  The consumable can be converted to other bundles like unlimited call and test with the Globe network.

Smart - 150 minutes of calls and 200 SMS to all networks. Calls in excess of 150 minutes at @Php5.09 per minute or Smart to Smart calls, and other local calls @Php6.11 per minute. SMS a Php1.00. 

Unli Data:

Globe - LTE

Smart - LTE until June 30, 2013. Not certain if there will be an additional charge after that.

All-in-all total cost is cheaper with Globe, the consumable aspect of the plan is more flexible and can be converted to thing like unlimited calls and text or other bundles and LTE is a certainty. Smart offers lower per minute and SMS rates.

LG Optimus G2 spotted at Bluetooth SIG and in benchmarks

Its been six months since the LG Optimus G was released and it seems we have already come across its successor. The Optimus G2, as it is being called, was spotted getting its Bluetooth certification at the Bluetooth SIG and also in AnTuTu benchmark scores.

The benchmark scores reveal three variants of the G2, the F320K, F320L and F340L. The F320K has a 1.5GHz processor and runs on Android 4.1.2. The other two run on a 2GHz processor, which is most likely the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 as it is the only processor that can clock that high as of now. The last two models run on Android 4.2.2 instead.

Interestingly, the F320L, despite the 2GHz processor, scores lower than the F320K in AnTuTu.

Other than the processor, it is being said that the G2 will have a 5.0-inch, 1920 x 1080 resolution display, 13 megapixel rear camera and 2.1 megapixel front camera. Hopefully, more information about this device will surface soon.

Source

Nokia Lumia 920 Finally Here!

The phone which a lot of you have been waiting for is finally officially here: the Nokia Lumia 920. I am not sure what the suggested retail price is, but the Nokia Lumia 920 can be had for Php25,750. Yup, this is with a full manufacturers warranty.

This Nokia Lumia 920 is the current king of Windows Phones. Putting this phone on the top of the Windows 8 Pack is the combination of a 4.5-inch HD (768 x 1280) PureMotion HD+ display with clear black technology, a 8MP primary camera with Carl Zeiss Optics and optical image stabilization, and finally an LTE chip. 

This is the first smartphone with optical image stabilization. GSMArena explains how all this works. A gyroscope is used to detect the motion of the phone and the whole optical assembly moves in the opposite direction to cancel out the movement. That happens 500 times a second.

If you are still holding on to your Nokia N8 with its revolutionary camera, this really is probably the phone for you. If you the camera on a phone is a major consideration, you should really take a long look at this phone. 

We wrote more about the Nokia Lumia 920 in a previous post at this link. 

HTC One X 64 GB

The HTC One X+, an update to the HTC One X is here. The HTC One X+ has the Samsung Galaxy S III in its sights. 

HTC has improved the HTC One X+ by giving it a larger 2100 mAh battery, which is 300 mAh larger than the 1800 mAh in the HTC One X. This matches the battery on the Samsung Galaxy S III. To make up for a absence of MicroSD card slot, HTC now offer two models of the HTC One X+. One with 32 GB like the older One X, and the other with 64 GB. 

HTC has also upped the performance of the HTC One X+ by increasing the speed of the processor to 1.7 GHz from 1.5 GHz. 

The HTC One X+ also comes with a new red accented theme (like the Sensation XE) and comes out of the box with Android 4.1.1, Jelly Bean.

The official price of the HTC One X+ is a hefty Php32,800, but at CMK Cellphones it is selling for just Php27,900 for the 64 GB model. This is just Php2.400 higher than the Php25,500 selling price of the older One X. With a larger battery, more storage and a faster processor, the One X+ looks like a better deal the the One X.

The Samsung Galaxy S III has now gone down in price, so it costs just as much as a Galaxy S III. What do you think? Will the One X+ be able to take some of the Galaxy S IIIs sales?

Iron Man is the Hero HTC Deserves HTC Spends 1B for Ad Campaign With Robert Downey Jr

HTC is taking a knocking in the smartphone department from Apple and Samsung (hey, at least theyre not BlackBerry), but it looks like theyre ready to fight back with a helping hand: Iron Man. Robert Downy, Jr. is the face of HTCs new ad campaign, entitled "Change," which theyre spending $1 billion on for the next two to three years.

What are the best kind of commercials? The ones that make you laugh. Before we continue, a quick game of riddle-me-this: What does "HTC" stand for?

Yeah, didnt think you would know. HTC knows you dont know either. So, their RDJ commercials play on just that: the HTC acronym, and RDJs quest to offer alternatives (like, "Hold This Cat," "Humongous Tinfoil Catamaran," and, "Hipster Troll Car-wash").

The ads are set to start airing Aug. 15, but theres a teaser for the campaign up now that you can check out below. [via Venture Beat]

Dell XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook

Dell has released its own Windows 8 centric laptop, the Dell XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook.  Lenovo used the traditional Tablet PC for factor for its ThinkPad Edge 230su and Sony used the less familiar but not innovative slider design for its Sony Vaio Duo. Dell, well they did something different using a new type of swivel mount. 

All three laptops allow for the use of the device as both a laptop and tablet. Dells solution is the most novel. Dell also calls their device an Ultrabook.

The Dell XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook weighs in at 3.3 pounds which meets Intel standards for an Ultrabook, but its 0.95 inches in thickness does not. That is a minor point. Its price of Php65,990 is not. That is some serious money.

But the Dell XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook specifications seem to be enough to justify the hefty price. The laptops 12.5-inch display is a Full HD (1920 x 1080) display, the Intel Core i5-3317U processor is powerful enough and the 4 GB of RAM is sufficient. Also is comes with a SSD drive, a 128 GB unit being equipped on the 65K unit. For this much money, I would have like double the RAM and storage. Battery life in real world tests is a tad over 5 hours.

After looking at three new offerings designed around Windows 8,  all are expensive. The Dell XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook actually compares pretty well price wise comparing favorable with thins like a 13-inch MacBook Air (Php57,990), with the 8K difference being justified by the Full HD display. 

If you want a new touch oriented Windows 8 laptop, this is the best of the three I have seen so far.

     

LG Optimus G versus Google Nexus 4

The LG Optimus G and Google Nexus 4 are essentially the same phone. Both phones are powerful quad-core Androids with large 4.7-inch HD displays.  The Optimus G was LGs flagship phone for 2012. The Nexus 4 is a modified Optimus G manufactuer for, and sold under the Google brand. The Optimus G is selling for as low as Php24,500, with an official warranty. The Nexus 4 can be had for a few thousand less at Php21,250, also with an official warranty.

What does the LG Optimus G give you for the additional 3K or so.  

1. The Optimus G has more internal storage at 32 GB, as against the Nexus 4s 16 GB. This is important since neither phone has a microSD card slot.

2. The Optimus G has a LTE radio, while the Nexus 4 is limited to HSPA.

3. The Optimus G has dedicated capacitative buttons, so the screen is not occupied by the home, back and multi-tasking buttons. The Nexus 4 uses on screen buttons, effectively making its screen smaller. I thin on screen buttons are cool though.

Despite being cheaper, the Nexus 4 has on advantage. Being Googles top of the line phone, it gets software updates faster.

Which is better? It depends. If you want LTE or more storage, the Optimus G is the obvious choice. If these two dont matter, saving a few thousand is never a bad thing.

Samsung Galaxy S IV Teaser Video First of a Series

Samsung Mobile has posted a teaser video for its Galaxy S IV, which will be launched on March 14, 2013.  Yawn...

Nothing in the video gives us any hint of what the phone looks like, or creates any sense of excitement in mu opinion. Let us hope that the next installments of this teaser video series are more interesting. 

Globe Tattoo MediaPad

Globe is offering the Huawei MediaPad under its Tatoo brand. The Huawei MediaPad is a 7-inch Android tablet which has HSDPA connectivity. The MediaPad is a pretty current device with a HD display (720 x 1280) display and powered by a 1.2 GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 1 GB of RAM. The operating system installed out of the box is Android 3.2, Honeycomb, but it is upgradeable to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich.

The MediaPad has 8 GB of internal storage, 5.8 GB of which is user available. While 5.8 GB is not much for a tablet, storage is expandable via a MicroSD card.  The MediaPad also come with a 5 MP primary camera and a 1.3 MP secondary camera. Connectivity options are good, with the MediaPad being equipped with Bluetooth, a HDMI port (to plug it into your LCD TV) and USB-on-the-Go (so you can plug USB Flash Drives into the tablet via an adapter). 

In order to get the MediaPad from Globe, you have to subscribe to a unlimited data plan. With a Php999 per month data plan you can get the Huawei MediaPad for Php10,990. This is not a bad deal since you can expect to pay at least 17K for a HSDPA enabled tablet. Globe Telecom will also allow you to pay the Php10,990 over a period of 12-months at zero interest, making the package more affordable. You will be locked into Globe for 24-months on Plan 999. 

How to Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7

How to Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7:
Windows 8, the latest OS from Microsoft, was released in October last year and has come up with mixed reactions. While many users were satisfied with Windows 8, many did not like the way Microsoft changed the start menu and removed the start button. After the release of Windows 8, most of the new laptops and desktops are shipping with Windows 8 as the primary OS.
Now, you have purchased your new laptop or desktop running Windows 8 and used for quite some time now and is not satisfied with the performance, then you can downgrade to Windows 7. Some PCs come with a feature called Downgrade Rights, which means you can downgrade to Windows 7 from Windows 8 without having to format the drive and ending up losing all data.

What are Downgrade Rights?

Downgrade rights are an end-user right, documented in the Software License Terms that customers accept upon first running Windows software. These are mainly for businesses who buy new PCs that come with Windows 8 installed, but are not ready for the transition yet. Such businesses can downgrade to Windows 7 and also upgrade back to Windows 8 when they are ready to use it.
These rights are available to PCs which comes with Windows 8 and not for users who have upgraded to Windows 8 using the promo offer. So it is basically only Windows 8 Pro OEM users.

What is offered in Downgrade rights?

The customer can:

• Purchase a PC with Windows 8 Pro preinstalled.
• Downgrade—at no additional cost—to Windows 7 Professional.
• Move to Windows 8 Pro at the appropriate time. The system is licensed and ready for conversion.

OEM versions of Windows 8 eligible for downgrade include;

Windows 8 Pro includes downgrade rights to:

• Windows 7 Professional
• Windows Vista Business

How to Downgrade to Windows 7 from Windows 8:

The actual downgrade process is tricky and not a straight forward one. You first need to take a system recovery disk for your existing Windows 8 in case you want to bring it back to Windows 8 in future. Once done, you need to enable legacy boot. You will need a Windows 7 Professional DVD. Insert the Windows 7 disk and boot it. Now install Windows 7, you might need to enter the license key to go past the installation. Here you can enter any used Windows 7 key since activation does not happen here.
Now wait for the install process to complete. Once the process is complete, your PC might show activation failed message or it will not be activated. This is because you have used a key which is already in use. For getting a new key, you need to call up Microsoft support and explain to them about your downgrade rights. This might require you to validate your purchases or exiting Windows 8 keys.
Once this is validated, you will receive a new activation key for Windows 7. You will need to do this for all PCs which you have downgraded. You can install back Windows 8 anytime using the recovery disk or the recovery partition.
Thanks HowToGeek for this tip.

Extreme Endurance Test Nokia Lumia 900

Extreme Endurance Test Nokia Lumia 900 | If you are familiar with models of old nokia phones, such as: 6310, 5110, or 3310 are legendary, then you must agree that Nokias products are priority factors and resilient.

However, along with the growing sophistication of mobile phone products today, and increasingly concentrated on the design of Nokia full touch such as: the Lumia series, the question that arises is whether Nokia is still promoting factors durable and resilient in their product?


Your curiosity will be answered by the CNET test the durability of the Lumia 900, through a series of extreme tests, such as frozen in the fridge freezer, oven baked via and also hit with a hammer. 

Lenovo A800 A good value for money 4 5 inch Android phone

Yesterday I took a look at the newly released Lenovo S720, which feels a tab bit expensive, but Lenovo has released another 4.5-inch Android, the Lenovo A800, and this one hits all the right cords. The Lenovo A800 is priced at Php6,999, or 3K less than Lenovo S720. 

For the lower price, the A800 gets a downgraded display, a 4.5-inch FWVGA (480 x 854) display instead of the qHD (540 x 960) display on the S720. The camera on the A800 is a 5 MP unit, instead of the 8 MP unit in the S720. You also loose the front camera. The A800 is also a bit thicker and heavier than the S720.

The rest of the specifications are the same, with Android 4.0.4 on board, dual SIM capability, 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB of internal storage, a MicroSD card slot and a 2000 mAh battery. As a "bonus" the A800 has a faster 1.2 GHz dual core processor than the 1.0 GHz processor on the A720. Both phones use MediaTek chipsets.

At the lower price point, it is Php500 cheaper than the MyPhone A888. The MyPhone has a higher resolution qHD display, but the a A800 has a larger battery (2000 mAh versus 1700 mAh). It is a though choice between these two.

The A800 costs Php700 more than a Cherry Mobile Flame, but the A800 has a a larger battery and a more powerful processor and graphics. 

Competition also comes from the Cherry Mobile Blaze and SkyFire, but the 1500 mAh battery in those phones, combined with large 4.7-inch displays means poor battery life. The A800 would be well worth the additional Php500 to Php1,000 as compared to these two.

It not a clear win, but with a 7K budget, the Cherry Mobile Flame, MyPhone A888 and the Lenovo A800 are the best three choices. 

Share Videos on Twitter with Vine for iPhone

Twitter has announced a new app for iPhone, Vine, which allows you to share short videos on Twitter. It is a free mobile service that lets you capture and share short looping videos of 6 seconds or less. There are many third party tools to share videos on Twitter, but now with Vine you can directly embed them on Twitter. You can easily create short, beautiful, looping videos in a simple and fun way for your friends and family to see.
Although you don’t need a Twitter account to use Vine, but signing up is a little quicker if you do.
 
Features of Vine;

• Unlimited uploads and free
• Instantly post videos on Vine, then share to Twitter and Facebook
• Find, follow, and interact with people close to you
• Explore trending posts, featured hashtags and editor’s picks

Vine supports iPhone 3GS and higher. It is also compatible with iPod. Vine will be launched to other mobile platforms as well.
Download Vine

Samsung Galaxy Grand I9082 versus Lenovo S890

Two new mid-priced 5-inch Android phones were recently launched in the Philippines. The Samsung Galaxy Grand I9082 versus Lenovo S890. The Samsung Galaxy Grand I9082 can be had for Php16,800 while the Lenovo S890 is priced much lower at Php12,800.

At first glance, the lower priced Lenovo S890 actually looks like the better overall choice. The Lenovo S890 has a 5-inch qHD (540 x 960) display which results in a 220 pixel per inch density. The Samsung Galaxy Grand I9082 has a lower resolution 5-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display which gives you a 187 pixel per inch density. The Lenovo S890 has a larger 2250 mAh battery, as compared to the 2100 mAh battery of the Samsung. The Lenovo S890 is also a tad bit slimmer and more compact package. 

On closer inspection, the Samsung has its own set of advantage, having 8 GB internal storage as against the 4 GB in the Lenovo S890. Since both phones have MicroSD card slots, this is not a decisive advantage. The Samsung Galaxy Grand I9082 has a better front camera, a 2 MP unit, as against the Lenovos S890 VGA camera. The Samsung Galaxy Grand I9082 can also capture 1080p video while the Lenovo S890 is limited to 720p video. Now this is something you should realy consider. Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Grand I9082 has a faster HSPA radio.

Basically, it is a tough between these two, but I would pick the Lenovo S890 because of the sharper screen. 

Understanding the Post PC Phenomenon Apple iPad versus 11 inch MacBook Air

This...

...or this.

This post was inspire by Joanna Stern and Kevin Tofels discussion on Twitter.

The worse than expected decline in the sales of traditional desktop and laptop computers has spurred a lot of debate on the Web recently. What is the culprit? It really is not too hard to understand. A comparison of two products will explain this phenomenon easily enough. Lets compare the Apple iPad 64 GB with the 11.6-inch Apple MacBook Air 64 GB.

Price. The iPad WiFi 64 GB will cost you Php33,900 at the local Apple Store. The 11.6-inch MacBook Air 64 GB will set you back Php46,990. In this first round, the iPad wins the day by a cool 13K.  The question is, can the 11.6-inch MacBook Air 64 GB make up for a 13K deficit?

Winner: iPad

Display. The iPad 64 GB has a 9.7-inch display as opposed to the 11.6-inch display, and following the bigger is better theory, the 11.6-inch MacBook Air wins that aspect of this category. But this is only part of the story. The smaller iPad display has a sharp 2048 x 1536 resolution display, against the 11.6-inch MacBook Air 1366 x 768 display. Overall, I think most of you will agree, the higher resolution gives the iPad the edge. 

Winner: iPad

Portability. The 11.6-inch MacBook Air is "razor" thin being just 0.67-inches at the thickest point. It is also terribly light at 2.5 pounds. Still, this feels thick and heavy compared to the iPads 0.37-inches and 1.44 pounds.

Winner: iPad

Battery Life. The 11.6-inch MacBook Air has a battery that will last up to five hours. The iPad will run up to 10-hours on a single charge.

Winner: iPad

Apps. The iPad App Store has over 300,000 dedicated iPad apps. Apple does not post on its website how many apps there are in it MacBook App Store. Two years ago, there were 30,000. I think it is fair to say, the iPad has more available apps.

Winner: iPad

Keyboard. The MacBook Air has a nice keyboard. The iPad has none out of the box. You can add a keyboard to the iPad, but it still wont be as nice as the keyboard on the MacBook Air.

Winner: MacBook Air

Score: 

Apple iPad 64 GB: 5

11.6-inch Apple MacBook Air 64 GB: 1

Many of you will point out that there are other things I should look at like USB or Thurderbolt ports. Other will see I should give the iPad another win for having more and better cameras or having an LTE option available. I think, most of the market sees it my way, with the six categories I selected being what most buyers will consider.

Smart Communications offers the Samsung Galaxy S4 for Pre Order Sort off

Smart Communications now has a pre-order page up for the Samsung Galaxy S4. But do not get too excited. No details are provided as to what plan the Galaxy S4 will be offered at, when it will be available and whether Smart will be offering the Exynos 5 (i9500) or Qualcomm (i9505) version.

Starmobile Crystal Another low cost qHD Android Phone

The are a lot of low cost mid-sized Android handsets being released in the local market. One of the latest offerings is the Starmobile Crystal. The Crystal has a 4.5-inch qHD (540 x 960) display and is powered by a dual core 1 GHz ARM-Cortex A9 processor, on a MediaTek MTK 6577 chipset. The phone also sports a 8 MP primary camera and  a 2MP front camera. The battery is a 1700 mAh unit.

The other specifications are typical for this class of phone with Android 4.0 for an operating system, dual SIM capability, 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB of storage expandable via a MicroSD slot, WiFi, HSPA, AGP and other features you find on Android smartphones. 

The Starmobile Crystal closest direct competition is probably the Cherry Mobile Flame. Both phones sport 4.5-inch displays. The Flame is powered by a Qualcomm S4 Play chipset, which the Crytsal has a more powerful MediaTek chipset. Mainly the PowerVR SGX531 graphics on th Crystal is probably better mated to the the qHD display, as against the Adreno 203 on the Flame.

While higher megapixels do not necessarily mean better image quality, the Crystal also has the advantage here with an 8 MP primary camera and  a 2MP front camera, as against a 5 MP primary camera and  a VGA front camera. You should not expect too much from the cameras of entry level phones.

The Cherry Mobile Flame has a slightly larger battery, an 1800 mAh unit as against the 1700 mAh unit on the Starmobile Crystal. Price is where the two vary a lot, with the Cherry Mobile Flame being priced at Php6,299, while the Starmobile Crystal is priced at Php7,990. Given the difference in their price points, both phones offer  good value for what they offer.

Other phones in the same price range are the Cloudfone Thrill 430x, and the Cherry Mobile Blaze and  Skyfire. 

The Cloudfone Thrill 430x will appeal to those who value the large battery and are willing to live with the bulk and weight (I fall in this camp).  I am not too fond of the Cherry Mobile Skyfire and Blaze because of smaller 1500 mAh batteries.  It is pretty though choosing between the Cherry Mobil Flame and Starmobile Crystal. 

Samsung Galaxy Win i8552 This S lookalike will be a win for Samsung

Samsung has released a new handset in the Philippine market, the Samsung Galaxy Win i8552. The new offering is a mid-level dial SIM Android which I found selling for as low as Php14690 with an official warranty.

Quick specifications:

• Dual SIM
• Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
• 4.7-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display
• 8 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.2 GHz quad core Qualcomm S200
• Adreno 203 graphics
• 5 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• VGA front camera
• HSPA
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2000 mAh battery

The new offering is interesting enough. It is powered by Qualcomms entry level quad core chipset, the S200. This humble chipset will be enough to push past 10000 AnTuTu benchmark points. Basically, fast enough for most people. The main issue for some will be that the Qualcomm S200 limits video capture to 720p.  For the money, it would have been nice to at least have a higher resolution qHD display. 

At almost 15K, this phone faces some stiff competition.

In terms of power, quickly coming to mind are the O+ 8.15 and the MyPhone A919i Duo. The O+ 8.15 which offers a 5-inch HD display (720 x 1280) and a more powerful quad core processor and also has dual sim capability for a lower Php12,990. The O+ 8.15 beats the Galaxy Win in every category at a lower price. The MyPhone A919i Duo which has similar internals to the O+ 8.15 but with less built in storage.

The closest direct competition for the Galaxy Win is probably the Php7,990 Cherry Mobile Skyfire 2.0 which has a 4.5-inch qHD (540 x 960) display and the same Qualcomm internals as the Galaxy Win.

For those looking for a ultra stylish handset at the price. the 6.5 mm thin Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra sports a sharp 4.65-inch AMOLED HD (720 x 1280) display. This is certainly the most stylish phone available for P13,990.

The Galaxy Win is a nice enough phone. But in my opinion you do pay a premium price for the Samsung branding. Still, I think this phone will be a "Win" for Samsung. It will sell well. It looks like a Galaxy S III or S 4, has dual SIM capability and most importantly, for the typical consumer has Samsung branding.

HTC Desire X

If you read the news, you know that HTC has its back to the wall. Its flagship HTC One X was the best smartphone in the world for one month, until the Samsung Galaxy S III was released. Its mid-level One V, pummeled by a whole gaggle of dual core Sony Xperia handsets,  did not win hearts and minds in its attempt the resurrect the Glory days of the HTC Hero and Legend. 

HTC has a reworked One X, the One X+ to take the fight to the Galaxy S III. But HTCs most successful phone was the HTC Desire, and HTC plans to use this name to win back the mid-level, with the HTC Desire X. 

The HTC Desire X is an excellent handset and is now available for as low a Php13,750 with an official HTC Warranty. Available at about 1K more than the HTC One V, it really is a replacement of the HTC One V. It comes with a larger 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800 display) which, with 50% more RAM at 768 MB, and comes with dual core power 1 GHz processor with Adreno 203 graphics. The battery has also gotten a boost in size, with a 1650 mAh unit crammed into the thin 9.3 mm frame. Thankfully, the battery is user replaceable. Internal storage is the same 4GB, expandable via a MicroSD card.

It comes out of the box with Android 4.0.4 and all the usually bells in whistles in a mid-level phone. The only thing missing from the package is a front camera and HD video capture. Yep, despite the dual core processor, the HTC Desire X only supports 480p video capture (the HTC One V supports 720p). The 5MP camera also supports less features the one found on the One V. Still, overall I like it more than the HTC One V. It also looks like it is good enough to put the pressure on the mid-level Sony Xperias.

LG Optimus L3 II

When LG released its original Optimus L3 phone in 2012, I wondered if anyone would buy these Android phones with there small 3.2-inch displays and low 240 x 320 pixel resolution display.  The 240 x 320 display was particularly disappointing, since it is below the original 2009 Android specification of a 320 x 480 resolution. Consequently, a fair number of apps do not display properly on lower resolutions. Still, people must be buying these phones, since LG has launched a second generation of these entry level devices. 

The second generation Optimus L3 phones bump up processor speed to 1 GHz and internal storage up to 4GB.  Two versions have been released, with the one supporting a single SIM priced at Php4,990 and a dual SIM version at Php5,490.

The LG Optimus L3 is a reminder of what entry level Android phones would be like if we did not see the rise of the Philippine branded ODM phones and Chinese manufacturers like Huawei and ZTE. If you are looking for an entry level Android phones, I would start with the Huawei Ascend Y300, and  if you need a dual SIM Android, I would look at one of the newer Alcatel, Cherry Mobile or MyPhone offerings.

Samsung Galaxy Grand I9082

With all the emphasis on high resolution displays who though we would ever see this. Three years ago, Dell launched the Streak. It was a well built phone with a large 5-inch screen with a WVGA display (480 x 800). The product developed a small following, but it was for from a success. Fast forward to 2012 and smaller OEM and ODM manufacturers start manufacturing large 5-inch phones with WVGA displays to keep the cost down.  In the local market, we have seen the 5-inch monsters with the Sharp SH530U, Cherry Mobile Titan and MyPhone A919. Following this up last month were the even larger 5.2-inch Cherry Mobile Cruize and Cherry Mobile Omega.

Now Samsung is on board with the Samsung Galaxy Grand. The Galaxy Grand is a mid-priced 5-inch Smartphone with a WVGA display. Some may say that Samsung actually set this trend with its own Galaxy Note series, but in the past two years, Samsung offerings (like most other Android manufacturers) have correlated size with price. Cheap phones came with 2.8-inch displays and as the displays got larger, the prices got higher. The Galaxy Grand is priced at just Php16,840, breaking this trend. 

The Galaxy Grand, has a powerful enough device with a dual core 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex 9 processor and 1 GB of RAM. The phone comes with 8 GB of internal storage expandable via a microSD card, an 8 MP primary camera and a 2 MP front camera. A 2100 mAh battery powers this beast. For an operating system, it has Android 4.1.2 "Jelly Bean" on board.  To keep costs down the chipset has been outsourced to a third party, and graphics are provided via Broadcomm VideoCore IV graphics.

Samsungs entry into lower cost large screen smartphone market will inevitably compel other manufacturers to follow, and 2013 might see a year when the profile the typical of an Android smartphone becomes a 5-inch smartphone, with flagships having 1080p displays, with lower price offerings coming with 720p displays, qHD displays and WVGA displays.