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Parade: Sony Xperia Z

Archives

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31 May 2013

The Sony Xperia Z is the latest in the Xperia line of smartphones. Its screen is five inches and boasts a 1 080×1920-pixel resolution at 441 dpi. It also has a quad-core Krait 1.5GHz CPU, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory (expandable with microSD), all backed by the Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) OS. Photographers will enjoy the 13.1-megapixel back camera that is capable of Full HD photos and videos, and it also has a 2.2-megapixel front camera. It also has the Sony Mobile BRA VIA Engine 2, so you’ll be assured of a fast experience and high screen quality. Its 2330mAh Li-ion battery will net you up to 14-hours of talk time and 40-hours of music playback. On top of the stunning spec sheet, it also meets IP57 standards, meaning it’s both water and dust resistant.

PHP 32,490

First Published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013

Samsung continues its march to market dominance with the Galaxy S4 Mini

Archives

Ren Alcantara

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31 May 2013

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Samsung continues its march to market dominance with the Galaxy S4 Mini

If you’re an Android user, were sure at some point you considered the Samsung Galaxy S4. We’re also sure that many of you considered something else because the S4 is just so much phone to carry around. Samsung, in what seems like a brute-force strategy to flood the market with their admittedly awesome products has just announced the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini. After a quick leak online the other week, the S4 Mini has been made official. The mid-range smartphone follows the same design philosophy as the S III and S III Mini pair: A sort of mid-range flagship that has the obvious looks, and styling as the top-tier model, with a more modest spec sheet to appeal for those who want the feel of the company’s best, but aren’t necessarily looking for the performance. The S4 Mini will be retaining the parallel styling Samsung employed with the S III and S III Mini combo.

The S4 Mini is no slouch. It’s has a curiously large 4.3-inch display, which, if you’re keeping score, is actually larger than some other flagship screens, with a very acceptable Screen Density of 240 DPI. It’ll have a 1.7GHz Dual-core processor instead of the quad-or octa-core processor of the S4. All signs also point to the S4 Mini having a lot of the S4 software, such as the camera extras, calendar and organizational apps and the like. It will apparently also be offered in LTE, 3G and dual Sim models, though there seems to be no word on price just yet. Stay posted. We’ll give you more news as it comes in!

Relic: Ford Model T

Relic

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31 May 2013

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Ancient life was extremely difficult-you had to use your own two feet to get from Point A to Point B. No one knows exactly when or where the wheel was invented-but when it was, it made life a lot easier because technology had played its part into getting as much done with as little effort as possible. The wheel opened up all sorts of new opportunities, transporting people and goods all throughout the world for several thousand years, and indirectly leading to the invention of many other things as well.

Between the invention of the railroad and the invention of the automobile, the preferred forms of transport were ship, train, horse-drawn carriage, and of course, people’s own two feet. Inventing the automobile (which literally means “something that moves itself” in Greek), like many other inventions, was also a process that took centuries. Frenchman Nicolas Joseph Cugnot invented a steam-powered tricycle in 1769, and later on used that technology in two steam-powered tractors for the French army. However, the technological barriers, mostly involving water supply and steam pressure, made the invention impractical.

Many people tried inventing the automobile, but ended up running into technological limitations. The first automobile may have appeared around the turn of the 19th century in Richard Trevithick’s “Puffing Devil” road locomotive, but it failed to maintain sufficient steam pressure for long periods of time. In 1807, Joseph Nicephore Niepce (a major contributor to the invention of the camera), along with his brother Claude, invented one of the first internal combustion engines (a key part of the automobile) and called it the Pyrelophore. However, it was installed on a boat rather than an automobile. Swiss inventor Francois Isaac de Rivaz used his own variation of the internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, and it became the first land vehicle to be powered by an internal combustion engine. The Niepces used Lycopodium powder (dried spores ofthe Lycopodium plant), finely crushed coal dust and resin along with oil, while de Rivaz used the very common elements of hydrogen and oxygen. Neither panned out.

By the end of the 19th century, another Frenchman, Gustave Trouve, demonstrated a working three-wheeled automobile powered by electricity, which might have been the world’s first electric car. German engineers such as Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach and Siegfried Marcus were also working on inventing the automobile, but Karl Benz (of Mercedes-Benz fame) is widely acknowledged as the inventor of the automobile. Benz was granted a patent in 1879 for his version of the internal combustion engine. His Motorwagen was built in 1885, and was awarded the patent for its invention the next year. By late 1886, his invention was already on the road, and he sold 25 Benz vehicles between 1888 and 1893, when a fourth wheel was added to the automobile (previous models only had three).

Many versions of the automobile were made around the late 19th century, but since they were not mass produced, they were mainly sold to those who could afford one-until American industrialist Henry Ford came along and opened the novelty of the automobile to just about everyone.

Ford is an important name in American history-synonymous with America itself, in fact. The name Ford is not only important in the automobile industry, but also in business and industry. The Ford Model T came off of the assembly lines in 1908. Ford himself said of the car, “I will build a car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one-and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God’s great open spaces:’ Ford’s vision was revolutionary-there were no big highways on which to use his car, but he was thinking ahead.

Ford reduced the production time of a single automobile from 12 hours and 30 minutes to a mere 1 hour and 33 minutes, increasing productivity eightfold. A Ford Model T car came off of his assembly line every 15 minutes, thus creating so many automobiles that anyone could own one. For example, a factory worker could buy a Model T with four months of pay.

He based his production line on other business practices-Ford combined the assembly line style of mass production and interchangeable parts into creating one of the most efficient uses of technology in history. While increasing productivity, he also used less manpower, thus making him an efficient businessman. While creating mass-produced automobiles, Ford also created labor practices ahead of their time-he streamlined the division of labor by assigning each worker to a specific location of the plant, thus reducing accidents in the workplace.

Ford’s practices also had a profound effect in the American job market and American economics-he dictated that his cars were to be made by machines; that such machines could be used by unskilled workers; and workers had to be paid a living wage so that they could buy the products they make. Ford paid his workers USD 5 a day in 1914 (USD 110 today), which was unheard of at the time. Ford also instituted the 40-hour work week (8 hours a day) that most businesses follow today.

Ford’s company also went back to the birthplace of the automobile, with Ford divisions popping up in France, England, Denmark, and Germany. Almost every company who produced automobiles also adopted Ford’s assembly line. By 1927, 15 million Model T cars had rolled off of his assembly lines, making Ford’s Ford Motor Company the biggest name in the automotive industry. The Model T is not just an automobile-it’s a lot more than that. It’s also a landmark of American and global culture, and contributed to the automobile industry (and industry in general) by utilizing the assembly line. Ford didn’t only make cars-he also made a difference in how business was conducted and how labor was done. In essence, Ford is the reason we drive in cars rather than use our own two feet to get us from Point A to Point B.

First published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013

Words by Jose Alvarez

Hi-Tech Places: Globe MK2 Data Center

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31 May 2013

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It was a regular day at the office, when we got a cryptic invite from Globe to check out a new facility somewhere down south. This alone would have been a strange invite, as it had precious little to go on, but to make matters stranger, the meeting place defined by the invite was a mall, and not anything we knew to be a globe facility. A third layer of mystery was added when we were also instructed to bring with us at least two IDs. A part of me wanted to skip the meet-up, buy a black outfit with matching gloves, a few hundred meters of rope and a climbing harness, follow the group to whatever facility they were going to be carted to, and see what kind of valuable loot I could find. As it turned out, it was a good thing I didn’t give in to that perfectly reasonable proposition. I would have failed miserably. We were off to see the Globe’s MK2 Data Center; a totally secure, state-of-the-art facility that handles backup and storage for many high-profile companies in the country today.

The morning of the event was rainy, and as I made my way to the designated meeting place, which immediately brought to mind that scene from Inception. I was really in the mood for a nice heist. Once the rest of the group arrived, we were asked to sign a form that dictated what we could and could not do, then we were shuffled off to Globe’s unmarked van, and driven to the location about five minutes away through Magallanes traffic. The facility itself was plain, with nothing on the facade to signify that it was anything more than some sort of corporate warehouse.

That illusion evaporated quickly as we moved from the shuttle to the nondescript lobby where they took our IDs, our pictures and issued us an RFID badge that gave us limited access to the belly of the beast.

Once everyone had their photos taken and received their badges, we moved through a metal detector, then a quick check of our baggage to see if we had any unsecure hardware that could be used for a quick bit of corporate espionage. Once cleared, we moved through the doors that separated the rest of the facility from the outside world. Where the outside was all dim lighting and a gray sky, the inside looked clean, white and sterile. Everything, down to the temperature of the facility is set and monitored constantly to provide the optimal operating environment for the hardware.

One of the first things the facility has to stop unauthorized intrusion is physical security. There is only one designated entry-point for the facility. The doors at this point is controlled via either biometric scanners, RFID tags or from the central security control room inside the facility itself. The entry points for each ofthe secure server areas are likewise sealed off, and have man traps inside which people are held before entering or exiting areas. The facility also has both roving and stationary guards to make sure everything is as it should be, 24×7. There are also security cameras located inside and outside the MK2, the feed of which is completely controllable from the same central control room that monitors doors and grants access to areas. The entire time we were there, we were being watched.

At no point (I think) were we ever out of sight of Big Brother. Once we had clearance (and a little bite to eat) we began the tour in earnest. We walked through the man traps to one ofthe climate-controlled server rooms. Inside, there were rows upon rows of racks, each one holding the most precious part of any business. The entire facility, we were told, was rated to withstand earthquakes, and is several meters above the flood line. The surrounding area had in the past, been under a few feet of water, but the facility itself just kept humming along. The rooms also had overhead cabling, to ease maintenance and keep it away from unwanted house guests that may make their way into the flooring. The entire area is well-lit, and should a tech be needed to patch a server problem up, there is access to both the front and rear of the rack.

While a business can rent a rack or set of racks, the facility also rents out floor space by area. These areas are usually then caged off and it is up to the client what they would like to do with the space. Some cages had desks, shelves for archived materials and telephones for use when there is a tech on-site. This layout is echoed across the other secure sections ofthe MK2, though they also have another area in which the floor is elevated off the ground, to allow for extra cooling should the client request it.

After the quick tour, we made our way through the same man trap as before, waited to get cleared by Big Brother, and moved back into the less secure hallway. On our way to the next point on the tour, we made a quick stop to the fire suppression room. In here were the tanks of liquid nitrogen that are used douse flames should a fire break out. Liquid nitrogen is inert, and will be much less likely to damage sensitive hardware than water or other chemicals.

From here, we went over to the main security room. Here, we got to take a look at the security footage from when we were walking around the other locations, as well as the views from any of the dozens of cameras set up all over the MK2 complex. It is also in this room that the security personnel have access to all the doors into and out of the sever rooms. If someone isn’t supposed to be somewhere, it is this room that makes sure they don’t get away.

From here, it was a quick stop to the main control center, where the facility’s basic functions are monitored. The team at the control room constantly checks the conditions of the server rooms. It is here that everything is closely watched. One of the most important things to a facility such as the MK2 Data Center is power. The facility draws power from two separate city grids, for redundancy, and has enough redundant generators and reserve fuel to power the facility for days at a time, depending on the total load the system is under at the moment. The generators are started up weekly, and given load monthly to make sure they can be brought online should the need arise. There are also backup batteries for shorter outages, and to keep the machines running should main grid power go out, while the generators are started up. This is also the room that monitors the temperature and humidity, and all the valves that control the fire suppression system.

The facility is a great source of pride for Globe Business. It allows them to offer this level of service that is at par with global standards. This levels the playing field, and allows SMEs to thrive, even prosper, in a market that would normally be dominated by businesses that are able to absorb the high CAPEX and OPEX of such a facility, with state of the art security, power and calamity preparedness. There are few places as high-tech as this. If you’ve got the bulk of your business’ data here, rest assured that nothing short of the Zombie Apocalypse will get you offline.

First published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013

Words by Ren Alcantara

Apps: 10 Must-Have Travel Apps

Apps

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31 May 2013

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With this handy app on your phone, you’ll save yourself the burden of lugging several volumes of travel books for all the places you want to visit. The great thing about the Triposo guides is that you can download the World Guide or select a guide by city. The app works offline and includes maps, recommends places of interest you may want to visit, and the best thing about it is that it is totally free.

Download the app to your mobile device, then forward your confirmation mails from the airlines and hotels, and the app will automatically generate a digital diary on your mobile device. Use ttie app to plan your day-to-day activities for a very well-organized vacation. You can download the app for free (with ads) or purchase it for an ad-free experience.

Exchanging money while traveling can be daunting; you’re never sure where you can get the most favorable exchange rates. If you know what the prevailing exchange rate is, you have the choice of converting your money to the local currency at the airport, hotel or at a money changer elsewhere. The good thing about this app is that it retains the most recent rate, so you can still make your currency conversions even when you don’t have an internet connection.

Document your trip, add photos and videos, geo-tag them then write blog entries about each leg of your trip, then export to Facebook and share with your friends. (PHP 145.46 for iOS; PHP 160.83 for Android).

Having your important files on hand while you are on the road is a great advantage. With Dropbox installed on your mobile device, you don’t need to bring back-up copies of your files. The app is free to download, and you get 2GB storage for free, but you can add more storage by purchasing more space or get rewarded with free space when friends you invite to Dropboxcreate an account.

Knowing the weather conditions at your destination can help you prepare for any eventuality. There are a lot of weather apps available but I still like AccuWeather. It is simple to use, and allows for multiple locations so you can track the weather from your starting location to any destination.

This is a great app not only for business travelers. Use Expensify to keep track of your purchases and transactions by using the Smartscan feature of the app and you immediately have a digital back-up of your expense receipts. The app can also pull details of the transaction and keep track of your expenses. Add the mileage of your odometer and it automatically adds your spending on gas. At the end of your journey, you can select which transactions to include in your expense report and voila!-a no-sweat PDF travel expense report emailed to you.

For an investment of PHP 145.46, you can minimize the jetlag with the help of this app. All you need to do is enter your flight information departure location, date and time; destination and time of arrival and sleep patterns-what time you usually go to bed and wake up, and if you want to take melatonin during your flight and it will make recommendations on what you should do before, during and after your long flight, so you can enjoy your vacation and come back ready to jump back to work without feeling the lethargic and out of sync.

It’s not always easy to figure out how much tip to leave when you’re in a foreign country. Not only can the tipping custom be different, there’s the added currency exchange factor. With the Tipping Bird app, all you need to do is select a country and it will recommend how much to tip for typical situations. You can also convert the amount to your own currency so you know how much you are spending for tips.

This is another app you must always have in your mobile device. It does not always translate what you say perfectly but it will help you make yourself be understood when you are in a foreign country. It sure beats frantically looking for words in a phrase book. Plus the voice recognition feature of this app is enough reason for you to install it in your phone. In situations where you have difficulty making yourself understood, just speak your phrase to the app and it will say the translation in the language you choose.

First published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013

Compiled by Presy Alba

Everything Apple: 8 Reasons to Travel with your iPhone

Everything Apple

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31 May 2013

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Everything Apple: 8 Reasons to Travel with your iPhone

As Packing Checklist

Being organized and making sure that you have everything important packed is critical to the success of your trip. Just imagine if you realize you forgot to bring your prescription medicines or your reading glasses when you reach your hotel, or if you forgot to pack your chargers. If you are in a metropolitan area, you can get replacements, but it may mean spending time to obtain them-time that you could have spent enjoying your vacation. To avoid this hassle, download a checklist or packing app and check off all the important items as you put them into your luggage.

As Document Repository

Before you depart, if you want to go paperless or carry back-up, load all of your travel documents including images of your passport, visa, e-ticket, travel insurance, hotel reservations and other pertinent documents onto your iPhone. You can use your phone’s Camera app to take photos of your travel documents or you can transfer PDF files from your computer and view them using the free PDF viewer app.

As Travel Assistant

Using your iPhone’s browser to check-in to your flight at least 24 hours before departure via the web check-in facility of your chosen airline can make your travel to the airport less stressful and less of a cliff hanger, especially when you find yourself stuck in traffic on the way to the airport. With your boarding pass already on hand, even if you arrive at the check-in counter less than an hour before your flight, you can just drop off your bags and then take a relaxing stroll to your departure gate with no worries.

If you’re meeting up with other people from another flight, you can download a flight status app so you can get accurate updates of arrival and departure times of flights at a particular airport.

Apps such as Expedia, iHotel, Booking. com, or Orbitz can help you arrange and organize your hotel bookings and even bundle entertainment and transportation with your reservation. To ensure that you select a hotel that you will be comfortable in, install the TripAdvisor app and always check the comments and feedback from previous guests. This way there will be no surprises and no disappointments.

You can also use your iPhone to find restaurants near your hotel or to look for food specialties of the locale. Trying outthe delicacies and specialties ofthe locale adds to the total travel experience.

As Tour Guide and Navigator

Maps on your iPhone can direct you to your final destination turn for turn if necessary. Having City Maps specific to your location can also be helpful, especially when you cannot connect to the Internet while traveling.

Loading travel guide apps specific to your city of choice can provide you with additional information about points of interest or activities that can make your vacation more enjoyable. Having a travel guide will also keep from cultural and social blunders. Loading transport guides for your city of choice could be handy if you decide to take the rail system to explore the city and be one ofthe locals. Traveling by mass transit is the fastest way to go around the city. However, it is important that you know where to get on and get off so you don’t waste time trying to figure out where you are, and backtracking. This way you will see more places of interests and pursue more activities.

Before you leave for your vacation, check the web ifthere are walking tour audio files available for the cities in your itinerary. Going on walking tours such as the ones you find on Rick Steves’ website (www.ricksteves.com) for European destinations are fun, informative and, more importantly, free. Load the audio files into your iTunes library and take a fun-filled guided tour as you walk around the tourist spot of your choice.

As Documenter/Journal

The camera onboard the iPhone takes pretty good photos and videos. Paired with an app such as aNote (Awesome Note) or Evernote, you can write a travel journal complete with photos and make your vacation memoirs truly awesome.

With the photo stream feature on your Photos app, you can immediately share your vacation photos with friends and family. You may also opt to immediately post to your Facebook page so that your wide network of friends are up to date on your travel activities.

As Time Keeper

Keeping track of time and time zones can be crucial when travelling across continents. Installing a world traveller clock on your iPhone can help you keep your time zones straight. Having an alarm clock on your phone will help you wake up early and be on time for the activities you’ve scheduled for the day.

Using the multiple alarm capability of the app will let you stay on track with your schedule of activities throughout the day.

As Cost Counter

Jotting down all your expenses with the help of a spreadsheet app or an expense tracker can benefit you two ways. First, you will always know how much cash you still have in your wallet, and second, you will never forget any expense if you need to liquidate your spending at the end of your trip.

As Entertainment Center

Music, videos, and games in your iPhone will keep you entertained during the long hours of waiting in the airport terminals, waiting in line at the immigration lane or when you can’t find good entertainment while on the plane.

First published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013

Words by Presy Alba

Wellness: A Cool Way to Relax

Gadgets Team

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31 May 2013

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Established in 2005, the BlueWater Day Spa offers some of the most innovative treatments, advanced therapy techniques and procedures that enhance one’s health and well-being through the wonders of massage therapy.

The ambiance is very serene, just as how you’d expect a spa to look and feel. The color palette, soothing design elements and conceptual interiors have all been carefully constructed to ensure that you can already experience the tranquil vi be even as you enter the facility.

Among the prime offerings of the BlueWater Day Spa are the exclusive massage treatments that were personally introduced to the personnel by world-renowned trainer and teacher Ranjeet Kour. Ms. Kour visited the Philippines and shared four treatments that highlight the importance Spa Theatre of massage therapy in maintaining good health and well-being for specific needs. The Colonic Massage benefits the colon by cleansing it along with the digestive system. Eman’s Massage, meanwhile, regulates the functions of the internal organs. Infant Massage is specifically designed for newborn babies, while Pregnancy Massage helps pregnant women cope with physical and chemical changes in the body.

BlueWater Day Spa makes sure that their personnel undergo training in prestigious institutions in spa operations both locally and abroad so that they have ample knowledge on the latest, most effective treatments and techniques in spa therapy. With a pool of trained massage therapists and the latest spa technology, you can be assured of quality professional service at BlueWater Day Spa.

What’s most interesting about BlueWater Day Spa is its spa theater. We know it sounds a bit odd, but it’s actually pretty cool. The area looks like your typical movie theater with a huge screen fronted by rows of reclining chairs. The purpose of this facility is to allow you to enjoy a spa treatment while watching a movie with your companions. We believe that BlueWater Day Spa has reached the pinnacle of coolness with this innovative offering, and we think you should drop by with your buddies and try it out for yourselves.

BlueWater Day Spa now has six branches located at Ortigas, Makati, Eastwood, Capitol Hills, Tomas Morato and Cotabato City. For more information, head over to www.bluewaterdayspa.com.

First published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013

Words by Racine Anne Castro

Music Corner: Music On the Go

Arts Entertainment

Gadgets Team

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31 May 2013

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Vacation may be nearing its end, but for pseudo-adventurous geeks like us, the summer experience is never over until we set off on an exciting trip on the open road. We spend loads of time in preparation for the perfect voyage, and what spells perfection better than cruising in your vehicle with your favorite album or playlist booming through the speakers? It’s always good to have your music with you when you’re on a trip, which is why in this month’s Music Corner, we give you a quick list of things you might want to pack in your ruck to take your music out on the road.

Music Player

Although many smartphones and feature phones have built-in music players and a microSD card slot for storage expansion, it’s always best to have a dedicated device for streaming music, like an MP3 player. This preserves your phone’s battery, which you will direly need in case of an emergency during the trip.

Audio Jack or Bluetooth Adapter

An MP3 player can be used both for personal listening and collective listening, so if you want the entire population of the vehicle to listen to the playlist you’ve prepared, an audio jack that connects your music player to the vehicle’s sound system will definitely come in handy. If the car supports a Bluetooth connection, you’ll be able to stream your music directly from your musicplaying device if it has Bluetooth, or via a compatible Bluetooth adapter if it doesn’t. With these accessories, you’ll be able to blast your tunes through the car speakers loud enough for everyone to hear.

Earphones

If you’re not up to listening to the Bieber tracks that your traveling companions apparently enjoy and haven’t been getting enough of for the last couple of hours, a nice, snug pair of earphones in your pack might come in handy. This way, you’ll be able to tune out the car’s speakers and relish the ride listening to the music that you actually enjoy.

Bluetooth Headphones

Fumbling with wires is a taxing experience, especially when you’re trying so hard to feel cozy inside a car full of people. Wires connecting one device to another can be very limiting, which is why you might want to bring along a Bluetooth headset so that you can keep an ear on your music no matter how unruly and uncomfortable things get inside the vehicle.

Protective Cases

Say you’re headed to the beach and you want to bring your MP3 player or mobile device along with you so you can listen to your favorite summer album while you bask in the sun. A waterproof case will definitely keep your music player nice and dry so you won’t have to worry about keeping the shore-side splashes away from your dear device. The same goes for ruggedized cases that keep your device safe from the perils of blows and drops that you may encounter along the way.

Mobile Charger

You will definitely need one of these babies when you want to take your music along with you on the open road. A music player-whether it’s a dedicated MP3 player or a mobile device-will run out of battery after five to six hours of constant use. If you want to enjoy non-stop feel-good music during long trips, a mobile charger will help you juice up your music player for continuous play.

Don’t forget to pack your favorite songs, albums and artists (and probably an on-the-road playlist as well) in your music player to turn your summer road trip from a mere long drive into an absolutely gratifying musical adventure.

First published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013

Words by Racine Anne Castro

Snapshots: The Camcorder’s Pace

Arts Entertainment

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31 May 2013

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As a teenager, I had this belief that I had an inner Spielberg just waiting to break out of its shell. I wanted to take videos of anything and everything and turn them into little movies. I started out with simple stuff, like recording my friends’ antics and the events that transpired during our free periods in school. Back then I only had my uncle’s camcorder to use, and it became my trusty weapon of choice for taking candid videos. Nowadays, though, I use point-and-shoot cameras for that purpose. On our trip to Subic, however, I was given a camcorder to use for documentation, and I was reminded of how much I missed using one.

These days, it’s hard to come up with a good reason to use a camcorder and choose it over other types of digital cameras. Point-and-shoot cameras are much more portable and convenient to use, and DSLRs and mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras give you more room for creative control since you can shoot using an array of lenses. Moreover, the number of digital cameras that can shoot in high definition is also increasing. Even smartphones and some mobile devices have Full HD video recording capabilities and can produce sharp, vibrant images and video clips. Using camcorders-even the pocket models like the Sony Bloggie and the Kodak Playsport-just doesn’t seem to make sense today, and the reasons to buy one are diminishing by the minute.

The camcorder is no longer the user’s faithful tool for everyday shooting needs. Rick Broida of CNET couldn’t have said it any better: “The ‘problem’ with any camcorder is that it’s one more thing to buy, one more thing to learn, and one more thing to bring along:’ People today see the camcorder as merely an extra gadget to lug around. Your camera phone is already in your pocket, and it’s much, much easier for to whip out for capturing incidental moments on the go. Also, because we are currently thriving in the culture of sharing via social media, and since smartphones, tablets, and an increasing number of digital cameras have built-in connectivity to Wi-Fi and apps that can provide direct access to Face book or lnstagram, the rusty ol’ camcorder is once again ruled out.

So what edge does a camcorder have over other cameras? Does having one still make sense? Is there still a market for it? Though many may disagree, there are still a handful of advantages that camcorders have over DSLRs, point-and-shoot cameras and everything in between when it comes to video recording, depending on what you want to do with your video while you’re shooting or after you’ve finished recording it.

The point-and-shoot camera is definitely the winner in the portability and ease-of-use categories. However, camcorders usually have greater, more powerful optical zoom than compact and bridge cameras as well, allowing you to capture videos from afar without compromising quality. Camcorders also provide more recording options compared to pointand– shoot cameras. Manual focus and manual exposure controls are examples of this. In contrast to point-and-shoot models, camcorders also have better audio capture and a provision for an external microphone in majority of the models and brands.

DSLRs have manual focus and manual exposure controls like some midand high-tier camcorders, but the thing with DSLRs is that they have terrible rolling shutter problems. Rolling shutter-for those who haven’t done their Googling yet-is a method of image acquisition in which the entire sensor is not exposed in one go. Rather, rolling shutter exposes different parts of the sensor at different points in time, which means that the top and bottom parts of the sensor are capturing different moments in time. It is the method by which most videos on DSLRs, compact cameras, and mobile devices are captured. Rolling shutter can cause various effects on the video, including wobble; skew: smear and “partial exposure.” Rolling shutter occurs in CMOS sensors-the type of sensor found in most DSLRs. CCD camcorders don’t have rolling shutter, thus eliminating the unwanted effects produced by the said system.

In terms of sensor size, however, most camcorders are at the losing end. Camcorders generally have smaller sensors, which means that they yield very little control over depth offield and they have poorer low-light performance compared to DSLRs.

Nevertheless, with the right amount of light, in most cases, camcorders usually produce sharper, more vivid videos. AF performance and zoom speed is also faster in camcorders compared to other cameras, since they are purposefully made for quick and easy shooting. Camcorders are also built for shooting lengthy videos, which is why they come with longstanding battery life, as well as a nifty hand strap that makes the device well suited for extended use. Most camcorders also have hefty internal memory in addition to a provision for an SD card or a memory stick.

Even as digital imaging technology progresses in other cameras, a handful of features found in the camcorder still give it a semblance of superiority in some areas. Yet, it all comes down to purpose. DSLRs are preferred by professional users since they offer more creative control overall with lens options and a pool of in-camera adjustments. For everyday shooting and sharing on the web, smartphones, tablets, and point-and-shoot cameras are the ultimate portable pals.

The trusty ol’ camcorder has its own market, too-those who use its ability to shoot lengthy videos, its optical zoom capability, and all its other features combined to their advantage. The existence of a market for this particular device is just one reason I can think of as to why they should stick around a little longer, even if every other type of camera is unceasingly moving forward.

First published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013

Words by Racine Anne Castro

Feature: Capping off your Summer Vacay at Camayan Beach Resort

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31 May 2013

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Feature: Capping off your Summer Vacay at Camayan Beach Resort

The resort hosts a total of 85 guest suites-44 Superior rooms, 38 Deluxe rooms, and 3 spacious suites (Executive and Captain)-to keep you and your family or your buddies nice and cozy during your stay. The Superior Rooms are ideal for families who are on vacation with the kids. This type of room contains two queen-size beds, a mini-bar, a TV set, air conditioning, Wi-Fi connectivity and a nice terrace. The Deluxe rooms are slightly bigger than the Superior rooms and feature individual terraces. The Executive and Captain suites, meanwhile, are perfect for those who want to enjoy more space. One suite contains a bedroom with a king-size bed, a walk-in closet, a bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub, a living room, a kitchenette, along with all the standard amenities that the resort has to offer. The Executive suite even has a wrap-around balcony where guests can relish a breathtaking view of the sunset on the beach.

The heart of Camayan Beach Resort is the beach front. There, guests can take a leisurely swim in Subic Bay, sunbathe, or even play rousing games like beach volley and Frisbee on the shore. At dusk, beach-goers will be able to swim with the waves while bathing in the light of the magnificent
sunset.

Apart from swimming and playing beach sports along the shore, there are tons of other things to do at Camayan. Various water activities are on hand for guests to try out. There’s snorkelling, kayaking, and you can even have a friendly competition with your pals at water gladiator. Don’t have the right gear? At the Dive Shop, there’s an abundance of live vests, snorkelling masks and goggles to make sure you’re suited up for an thrilling water adventure. Once you’ve dried off from your dip in the ocean, you and some friends can hang out by the pool table or have a friendly table tennis match to round off the day.

For those who want to revel in the bay without dipping in, a cruise on board the Adventurer One is just what you might want to give a go. This hourlong
ride into the sunset is just one of the many great ways to conclude your fun-filled day at the
beach.

The adventurous types will be thrilled to know that they can also take bike rides in the mangrove forest and book horseback riding sessions over
at El Kabayo, which is merely a quick drive away from the resort. If you’re not up for much of an adventure, though, you can get a taste of Camayan’s massage services, which includes soothing Asian healing techniques that can help you relax and boost your vitality.

If you’re already through with the multitude of activities at the resort, you can still find lots of things to do at the neighboring water marine park,
Ocean Adventure. The Dolphin Friends Show is one of the main attractions of the park. During the show, visitors get to watch the dolphins swim, jump and interact with humans, as well as learn about the wonders of their species. Apart from the dolphin show, you can also catch a herd of
sea lions doing amazing stunts at the Sea Lion Marine Patrol Show. Walk on the Wild is another interesting presentation where you can learn basic survival skills in the jungle and the various animals that live in the wild, such as the bat, the sea eagle, and the slithery python. Visitors can also explore the marvellous marine environment within the Subic Bay and the South China Sea without actually submerging into its depths right inside the Ocean Discovery Aquarium. Ocean Adventure is also home to a learning center where kids and adults alike can discover fun and interesting facts about marine life and the creatures that thrive in the wild.

Spending the day trying out all these exciting activities can be exhausting and can certainly make one hungry. Luckily, Camayan has its own restaurant inside the resort where guests can gorge on some of the most mouthwatering dishes in the locale. The Reef-which is what the restaurant is called-is also home to The Sand Bar, where you and your buddies can grab a drink after a long day of adventure. At night, guests can drink and dine to the pulsing bongos and ethnic tunes of Camayan’s resident band, Kawangis ng Tribo.

On top of everything, both Camayan Beach Resort and Ocean Adventure have gift shops where you can buy adorable sea creature plush toys and
other souvenirs to take home to your friends and family.
It’s not too late to go to the beach and have an incredible vacation and water-world adventure! Book a reservation at Camayan Beach Resort while
the sunny season is still in session. Visit www.camayanbeachresort.com for more details.

Cover Story: On the Road Again

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31 May 2013

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We like our labs. They are comfy, routine and predictable. Therein lies Its greatest strength, in that we give them everyday scenarios, and its greatness weakness. Since the gadgets don’t get pushed to their limits. Once a year, however, we break out of the deep, dark dungeon that is the Gadgets Magazine lab, and venture out into the open road, in order to give you, our dear readers, the kind of use these devices would face in the hands of a serious road warrior. This year, we took a whole arsenal of devices on onto the asphalt, and into the sun, sand and surf to really get our hands and toys dirty.

Our destination for this Installment of the Roadtrip were the sunny shores of Camayan Beach Resort in Subic. The venue was about150 KM away, which, while not a particularly long drive. Is still quite a trip compared to our daily commutes to and from home. This allowed us to test devices in the car, along with their battery life under constant use, a small camp site, for portability, the beach, for all you looking for quick bask, and for all you water babies in the very ocean. Along the way, we made a few important stops and got to try a bunch of activities, In case there are still some of you there looking for something to do for the next long weekend. We even managed to squeeze in a little fun time in between taking shots, writing and trying out all the activities the venue had to offer. We came back victorious, a little sunburnt, but no worse for the wear, and with a nice story to tell. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Gadgets Magazine Roadtrip.

The trip started with a quick familiarization with our rides. We had two vehicles: the 2×4 and 4×4 variants of the 2012-2013 Car Awards Group Philippines’ Best Midsize-Crossover, the Hyundai Santa Fe, for the duration of the adventure. It had been decided early on that the boys would be taking the 2×4, with our Associate Editor Ren at the helm, and the girls would be taking the 4×4 with our COO Mika acting as Pilot. We also had a lot of luggage ranging from our personal things to what we determined to be more gadgets than any of us could pay for with a year’s pay. Once everything and everyone was loaded in, we plotted the best way to our destination, and set off.

The city drive was a rather short one, but took us through some of the tighter parts of Northern Metro Manila. We had just started to settle in, queuing our playlists, catching up on sleep and striking up conversation, when we found ourselves out of the tight roads of QC and on the vast expanse of the NLEX. This signaled the start of the long-ish drive, so we let our Santa Fes stretch their legs a little.

The girls wasted no time taking selfies, making the most of the roomy passenger compartments to pose as creatively as possible. Our Junior
Editor, Racine, was tasked to document the whole trip (When she wasn’t sleeping) and she managed to capture some rather interesting footage of the first part of the trip. After about half an hour, we made it to the first few stops before arriving at our destination, Petron Marilao. We parked the SUVs, gave a little-stretch and made our way to breakfast.

While having our meal we went over the plans for the rest of the trip, and after a few quick photos, and one or two bottles of energy drinks, and several bags of chips from Petron’s convenience store, we were again on our merry way.

Everyone was enjoying the time away from office by catching up on some reading, listening to tunes on one of the many music devices we had, or just napping. All the cameras we brought along received more than an adequate amount of testing, thanks to the beautiful wide, open spaces we were driving through. Since we were driving two vehicles, we were even able to manage a few rolling beauty shots along the long stretches of highway through which we were driving.

Part way through the drive, Ren was having a little trouble staying alert on account of his co-pilot. Artist JP, taking the opportunity to catch a few stray Zs. Fortunately, the Santa Fe’s excellent audio system, coupled a loud, upbeat playlist from the Cherry Mobile Flair made up for the lapse, and both vehicles just kept knocking back the kilometers.

Road safety begins with the car you are driving. Before going on a road trip, it is best to bring your car to your favorite casa or trusted mechanic just to check if everything is in good running order. Here’s a quick list of things you need to check before setting off on, our adventure.

Tires

Tire pressure
Tire wear
Spare tire

Engine

Air filter element
Fan belt
Power steering belt
Alternator belt
Air conditioner belt
Upper radiator hose
Lower radiator hose

Engine Fluids

Engine oil
Brake fluid
Transmission fluid
Clutch fluid
Gear oil
Power steering fluid
Radiator coolant
Window washer

Battery

Battery fluid
Battery terminals

Lights

Headlights
Signal lights
Brake lights
Hazard lights
Fog lights
Third brake light
Light gauges

Under Chassis

Tire rod ends
Upper ball joints’
Lower ball joints
Cross joints
Shock absorbers
Axle boots

Accessories

Wiper blades
Hom
Basic tools
Tire jack
Early warning device

Driving is fun, but if you have to get up before the crack of dawn and then get plopped behind the wheel for a four-hour trip, the odds are stacked against you. Lucky for us, we had two Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs, the 2013-2013 Car Awards Group lnc’s Best Midsize crossover as our ride for the trip that made the drive more enjoyable.

The Santa Fe’s powerplant is a highly-efficient 2.2L that had heaps of power on-tap. It’s six-speed automatic transmission had no trouble getting us up to speed, with more to spare as we were overtaking vehicles that were clearly in no hurry to get where they were going. Electronic Stabilization kept the Santa Fe rock-steady even during the tightest turns. It even gave us three steering feedback options for just the right amount of feel while we re on our way out of the Metro, and once we had hit the high speeds of the NLEX. This made the SUV drive like a much smaller car than it actually was.

Among the many conveniences the Santa Fe had to offer (and possibly the one we enjoyed most) was cruise control. Dead-easy to set, accurate and quick to override, the cruise control on the SUV made the seemingly endless stretch of the SCTEX much more bearable. You don’t realize how tiring a gas pedal is until you have had to step on it at about constant pressure for a couple of hours at a time.

The comforts don’t stop there. The Santa Fe had separate rear climate controls to make sure everyone in the car was a happy camper, no matter how hot the summer sun got. This made the trip seem a lot shorter, and kept anyone from feeling a little hot under the collar.

We had the pleasure of using two variants of the Santa Fe. The 2×4 variant came in Titanium Silver, while the 4×4 variant came in Vanilla White .

While we had it great in the 2×4 variant of the Santa Fe, the girls had an even better time in the 4×4. Mika, while driving, didn’t have to worry about any cumbersome keys. All she needed was the key fob to unlock the car, and once inside, the engine started with the push of a button. Backing up and getting into parking spaces was a breeze with the integrated sensors and rear-view camera and the electric parking brake. The Santa Fe even makes getting into and out of the driver’s seat so much easier by moving the seat backwards once the ignition is killed, giving the driver more room to get settled.

The 4×4 variant also gave the girls a huge, panoramic sunroof to enjoy the sun, even before we hit the beach, and they could blast out tunes with the handy touch screen audio system. Once in the seat, power seats for both driver and front passenger make even the longest drives comfortable.

Although both variants of the Santa Fe are fitted with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability program (ESP) as well as dual front airbags, the girls were equipped with tad more security as the 4×4 variant comes with additional side and curtain airbags. Another interesting nugget featured in the 4×4 variant is how the driver’s seat automatically adjusts when you turn off the engine and open the door. This made it way easier for Mika to step out of the car when we had to stop over.

The drive to Subic and back was a lot more leisurely than we expected. For that, we have our gentle, but mighty road machine, the Hyundai Santa Fe, to thank.

The rest of the drive went uneventfully. We made another quick stop to top up on diesel, and grab a snack from the convenience store. We then sat patiently as the kilometers ticked by. We were driving at a very leisurely pa~nd just under three hours after our departure, we found ourselves In Sublc.We had a quick bite at Lighthouse, took a few shots of the scenery, and the rest of the way to Camayan Beach Resort.

There, we wasted little time. We grabbed a quick lunch, and immediately started our first activity: a quick afternoon camp. We off-loaded the necessary camping gear and hoofed it to a nice, shady, secluded, part of the beach, just by the forest line. There, we pitched a tent, and populated It with what we at the office thought to be appropriate camping equipment (mobile Wi-Fi, a laptop, music; that sort of thing) and proceeded to rough it as smoothly as possible.

Some of us got a little extra work, others were able to test photo gear, and others took an early nap in the cool shade of the tent. While this wasn’t hardcore camping at the very least, It was a lot of fun, particularly for those of us whose idea of camping is using their laptops unplugged.

Camping. It’s one of the few things one can do to kick back and enjoy the great outdoors, feel small and reconnect with your monkey roots. This is a tech magazine, though, so while all that is a great way be all nature-y, our own experience outdoors was less “Man, Woman, Wild” and a little more “Troop Beverly Hills:’ We didn’t really have much time to pitch camp, we condensed the adventure into the sun-lit hours of the time we were at the venue. One of the things to bare in mind even as you prepare for an adventure that involves camping, is to know your hardware. Unpack it, deploy, repack and redo. You don’t want to be out in the wilderness, possibly in the driving rain, trying to get a tent up before you freeze. All the things we had, from the tent to earth mats and sleeping bags, had all been tested in the past. Even the five minutes it took to raise the tent was already far too long for some members
of the team .

One of the most important things to consider when traveling in general, and camping in particular is the importance of cutting down weight. If you can bring a tool or device that can accomplish more than one task, that’s one device less you have to carry along. This keeps weight and bulk at a minimum, while still making sure you have the important things covered. It is worth noting, however, that important things should have redundancies; the extra weight is worth it. If your important”doubled up” tool or device fails, you’ll still have a working one on which to fall back. Take for example flashlights. A phone will serve as an adequate flashlight for most circumstances, but if your phones gives up the ghost while on the trip, you’ll be down a communication device and a light. Just use your discretion to figure out what things are important enough to keep redundant.

When camping, climbing or generally challenging yourself in the great outdoors, don’t scrimp on equipment. Sure, there are some great deals out
there, but don’t stake your well-being on less if you can afford more. Sure, a 25 Peso ox cutter will cut rope, make tinder and slice more or less anything
you need it to, but if you were in a dire situation (which tend to happen when we don’t expect them, otherwise we would have just stayed home), would you rather have a box cutter, or an actual, field-proven knife?

Our camp was to serve as a hub for the shots to be taken in the “beach” a section of the trip, so apart from making sure our devices were charged before
leaving outlets behind, I made sure we had several power packs to charge our hardware. Power packs can be a lifesaver when you’re out. Your phone is more likely to run out of juice than get busted up beyond use. Both dedicated GPS devices and phones with GPS require a lot of power to run, so it’s not a bad idea to have a few hours of extra power handy (though it wouldn’t hurt to bring a map).

There is so much more to cover for even a quick camping trip, so don’t take this as a comprehensive guide, but rather a start to getting things organized. This general strategy has worked well for me over the years, and should prove a short but effective set of guidelines for your own trips.

THE THREE Ps ON THE BEACH

PACK
Obviously, you wouldn’t want to drag your whole vacation luggage along with you to the shore. While you’re in your car, cottage, or hotel room, plan what you want to take along with you to the beach. Pack your towel, extra clothes, swimming gear, and other belongings in a plastic or straw bag to
keep them in one place, all clean and dry.

Remember to pack some sandals and flip-flops. Nothing beats the feel of the smooth sand on your bare feet, but you never know when you might need
‘em. We, for instance, pulled out our favorite Crocs footwear to shield our feet from the hot afternoon sand as we walked along the shores of the beach.

If you’re a geek like us, we know you’re definitely going to bring at least two or three gadgets with you to the beach. May they be cameras, smartphones,
or tablets, they are definitely going to run out of battery at some point, especially if you forgot to charge them in the car (like me, unfortunately). It’s a great idea to pack a power bank in your beach bag in case you need that extra juice for your devices. Being the ever-ready gadgeteers that we are, we took the Mili Power Rover with us to the shore, and we were able to extend the life of any device we had that was in danger of battery drainage.

PROTECT
Before you run around the beach in your trunks, watershorts or swimsuits, be sure your skin is protected. Use some sunblock to keep your skin safe from the rays of the scorching summer sun. Whether you’re male or female, it is vital to protect your skin from the harmful effects of too much sun. Ren even put on some skin protection cream from Lab Series to seal his skin from possible
damage.

After making sure that your body is protected, you need to check if the gadgets that you’re taking with you to the shore are safeguarded from the
elements of the beach. When you know you’re going to the shore or near a body of water, it’s best to bring along splash- and sand-proof devices. In our trip, we took the splash-proof Sony Xperia Tablet S so we could take pictures and videos of the horizon and share them instantly via lnstagram
or the Facebook app even when we’re near the water. If you don’t have any weather-sealed gadgets, though, it’d best if you seal your precious devices in
a waterproof case that’ll keep them nice and dry (and functional, too).

PARTY!
Remember why you’re there in the first place: To have a blast! When preparing for a trip to the beach, always remember to bring whatever
you need to have a fun beach party with your friends, colleagues and family. Frisbees, beach balls, plastic shovels and pails: these are all great things to
bring along to have a great time in the sun with your best buds.

Watersports are the main reason we go to the beach. They are a lot of fun but carry a little bit of risk. Keep the following in mind so you have a worry-free time splashing around with the waves.

Don’t swim alone
You may have the urge to go soul-searching by yourself in the company of marine life. But we’re telling you now that it’s better to have somebody
around. Have a buddy with you so that you have someone watching your back and call help for emergency in case anything bad happens.

Wear proper gear
Make sure that your gear is a proper fit. Check your masks and life vest to see if it’s a snug fit. You wouldn’t want salt water to seep into a poorly fitted mask. Not only would salt water hurt your eyes, but you also wouldn’t be able to see
the fishes!

If you’re a beginner in snorkeling, it’s also best to try out your snorkeling gear in shallow water first. Practice breathing through the snorkel, and make sure that you are comfortable breathing through it.

Don’t touch marine life
Remember that not all sea creatures are as friendly as SpongeBob and Patrick. Some sea creatures might sting, or bite if they sense you are a threat.

Be aware of your surroundings
It is not safe to snorkel in areas with strong current. You risk getting pulled into the sea, or get washed on the shore. Check your surroundings and make
sure you are comfortable with the current. If you decide to swim in shallow water, you should also lookout for harsh rocks, corals, and rough surfaces. It is common for snorkelers to end up with cuts when they don’t survey the area properly, so tread the water carefully .

Any adventure at a great location, with wonderful people always ends far too soon. Such was the case for this trip. Even as morning came, and we were all packed for the trip home, none of us wanted to leave. It was a wonderful time out of the office, and even though there was a lot of work, everyone had a really fun time. The work part of the Gadgets Roadtrip was a success, and that was great. The fact that we all had a wonderful experience was just the icing on top. Everyone was tired, but it wets all worth it. As we made our way back to tile office, thoughts already drifted to the next installment of the Roadtrip and the new adventures we had yet to have.

Parade: Divoom iTour Wow Portable Speaker

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30 May 2013

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Parade: Divoom iTour Wow Portable Speaker

Taking your music anywhere has just become a lot easier with the iTour Wow, and you don’t even need an MP3 player to do so-it has an FM radio function so you can catch the latest hits on the radio. Want to listen to your own tunes? You can do that as well-it has Passive Oscillation Bass technology, which produces a deeper and more powerful bass. It even has an SD card reader so you can make it into a wireless speaker and share your music with anyone, anywhere. You can enjoy any type of music with its built-in micro-drivers and frequency between 1 00-20,000Hz. The device comes in black, white, red, orange, blue, green, or pink.

PHP 1,550

First Published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013.

Parade: Divoom iFit-1 Portable Speaker

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30 May 2013

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Is your smartphone’s, laptop’s, tablet’s, or MP3 player’s speaker not loud enough? The iFit-1 portable speaker can solve that issue for you, and you can even bring it along with you for your friends and family to listen to and enjoy at gatherings. At only 80 x 60 x 32mm, it’s small enough to fit in any bag or even a large pants pocket. There is a sliding stand for your phone so you can browse the Internet, check your email, or play games as you listen to your favorite music. You can enjoy your music for up to six hours on the device as it packs a 300mAh battery, and all you need to charge it is to plug it into any USB outlet.

PHP 900

First Published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013.

Parade: Crocs Retro Slingback Flat Women’s Shoes

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30 May 2013

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Parade: Crocs Retro Slingback Flat Women’s Shoes

Maybe you miss the 70s, or you like 70s fashion-the Retro Sling back Flat has
comfort, old-school appeal and a classic style to make it feel like you have
literally stepped into a time machine. The Retro Sling back Flat is inspired by
70s-era running shoes, and its sling back style is so that you can have a more
secure fit. It has the same Croslite material for lightweight cushioning to add
that additional comfort. It also has a rubber herringbone outsole for improved
traction and durability.

PHP2,720

First Published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013.

Parade: Crocs Beach Line Boat Shoe for Men

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30 May 2013

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Parade: Crocs Beach Line Boat Shoe for Men

Crocs aren’t just for women and children. Men, too, can get in on the fun with
the Beach Line Boat Shoe! Also sporting the same lightweight properties as
their children’s and women’s counterparts, these shoes also come in different
colors, so you can match any of your outfits or wear your favorite color. It is
made out of fully molded Croslite material, so you won’t have to worry about
any discomfort when you’re doing anything on the beach. It also has the same
extra grip and traction as the other shoes as well-so you can do any beach or
boating activity and not have to worry about it being slippery when wet.

PHP4,590

First Published in Gadgets Magazine, May 2013.