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    Toshiba Portege Z930: First impressions

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    Toshiba’s Z930 has just arrived at the office, and we’re here to give you our first impressions, before we go and do a full-on review. Out of the box, the first thing we noticed was the weight, or rather, the lack of it. It’s the lightest laptop I have ever had the pleasure of handling. Even now, there is a feeling of disbelief that I get whenever I pick the thing up. It feels like an empty shell. It’s a very fetching shade of “Business Grey and looks all business.” A quick tap of the power button, and the slim little ultrabook comes to life. Boot time is well under the 20-second mark from a cold start.

    The keys are nice and large, with pretty good travel for such a light device. To keep weight down, most of the laptop is plastic, so it does feel a little bendy and delicate. I am a little worried as to how it may fare in transit. The flex on the screen is a little worrying. It does have a magnesium frame, so it should do fine. Toshiba has always had a very solid track record with their devices, so I am willing to suspend judgement until i get some more time with the thing.

    I’ll be working hard, putting the Z930 through its paces, so hang on and wait for the full lab in our October issue.

    Facebook 5.0 for iOS is better, faster, stronger

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    We’ve had the Facebook app on our smartphones and tablets for quite some time, and updating it has just become second nature, just as every developer who has made an app for smartphones and tablets would know. But the latest update for Facebook for iOS is unique. According to the Facebook blog, “We’ve rebuilt the app from the ground up, so now the app opens much faster and your news feed and notifications load right when you open Facebook.”

    Do you get tired of swiping down every time you want to update your News Feed? There’s a banner at the top that shows the amount of new stories that have been posted to your News Feed, and you can just tap on your device to read them. Have you finished reading all the new things on your feed? Just tap again to go back to your News Feed. Opening and closing photos is now a lot easier too. “Tap on any photo and it opens right away. Pull down to close it with a single swipe.”

    “To solve (the constant evolution of the app), we came up with a different plan to let you use the newest features without requiring you to update the entire app: a ‘fallback’ renderer. When the news feed team designs a new type of story, Facebook for iOS downloads something it doesn’t quite understand. When we detect this, we use a ‘fallback’ renderer to show the pertinent information in the new story in a format the app already understands. In the meantime, we create a new custom renderer and have it ready for our next app update,” the Facebook development team said.

    Samsung Wireless Audio with Dock now available in the Philippines

    DA-E750

    Samsung Philippines has finally made their premium Wireless Audio with Dock line available to the Philippine market.

    DA-E650

    Composed of the top of the line DA-E750, the mid-range DA-E650 and the entry level DA-E550 and DA-E570, this line is the first in its class to come with a dual docking system that supports both the high-end Samsung Galaxy devices (S2, S3, Galaxy Note) and Apple iOS devices. Alternatively, users also have the option of connecting wirelessly via AllShare for Samsung products, AirPlay for iOS devices and Bluetooth for any Bluetooth enabled devices including laptops.

    DA-E570

    The DA-E750’s vacuum tube combined with the digital amplifier provides a warmer, more natural sound compared to conventional audio systems that use transistors while reducing unnecessary, harsh distortions. Its 2.1 channel system has a built-in subwoofer as well as Glass fiber+Phase Plug Type speaker that can produce 100 watts of crystal-clear sound with enhanced bass for a quality music experience.  The DA-E750 retails for PHP 29,990.00.

    DA-E550

    As of press time, Samsung has already began rolling out the audio docks to their dealers and is already available at the newly opened Samsung Concept Store in Robinsons Magnolia.

    Globe 4G LTE: Coming to you this September

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    In a move sure to please countless of Globe subscribers all over the country, the communications giant has just announced the imminent launch of their own 4g LTE service. Peter Bithos, Senior Adviser for Customer Business explains: “By September this year, it’s all systems go to launch the 4G LTE network of Globe… [We] will offer 4G LTE on a full range of mobile phones by the fourth quarter of this year.”

    This news comes in the middle of their current modernization program which aims to provide a more solid backbone for the increased number of mobile data users the LTE rollout will bring. Globe has laid an additional 12,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable to enable 4G LTE activation for majority of its cell sites and allow for the deployment of super fast mobile data speeds. The modernization will also ensure that Globe will be able to offer a constant, contiguous connection wherever subscribers go. The service will initially be available in key Makati residential and commercial areas. They also assure that the service will very rapidly be available throughout the metro and then the rest of the Philippines.

    As of this writing, Globe execs have not released word regarding pricing, but we should have all the details in a few short weeks.

    Watch Matchbox Twenty’s new music video in 360 degrees!

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    Shot with GoPano Plus, the band’s new interactive music video, She’s So Mean, actually gives you a 360 degree view of the Rob Thomas and the gang performing the song.

    “We wanted to take a different approach for a behind-the-video piece,” Atlantic Records digital marketer Thanh Nguyen tells Mashable. “GoPano’s technology allows users to immerse themselves into the content and gives them a sense of control in regards to viewership.”

    To switch viewing angles, all you have to do is click and move your mouse around the video. Go ahead and try it out HERE!

    If you want to view and create videos like She’s So Mean, you can head on over to the App Store and get the GoPano app on your iPhone.

    Source: Mashable

    Image Source: Here.

     

    Logitech set to unleash washable keyboard later this month

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    Eating snacks while typing can sometimes lead to a big mess that could harm our PC. We’re pretty sure that almost all of us have spilled juice on our keyboards or ate bread while typing, allowing the crumbs to fall. Oftentimes, the fallen crumbs get tucked away into the keys and the space under the edges of the trackpad. You’d have to clean it. But since you can’t clean most electronic devices by hosing it down with water, you’d have to use alternative methods, like thoroughly dusting the dirt off the device.

    Logitech introduces an extremely easier solution to your messy situation—the Washable Keyboard K310. It’s basically a normal plug-and-play keyboard that you can soak in water when it gets dirty.

    The device has drainage holes at the back that easily let out water and let in air to dry. The characters on the keys won’t rub away after cleaning because they are laser-printed and UV-coated. According to Engadget, the keys can reportedly last for up to five million keystrokes each. Although the keyboard itself can be submerged in up to 11 inches of water, you have to remember to keep the USB connector nice and dry to be able to use it.

    The Logitech Washable Keyboard K310 is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, and is expected to be available in the U.S. later this month at an SRP of  USD$39.99. No word yet on whether it will be made available in the Philippines as well. But we know some of you would love to get your hands on one of these nifty (and squeaky clean) keyboards.

    Source: Mashable, Engadget, Yahoo! News

    Nokia Asha 311 now available in the Philippines, touchscreen display for only Php 5,650

    Nokia has given us a heads up that their adorably affordable Asha 311 touchscreen phone should now be hitting retail in the Philippines. This particular device is fully capable of mobile data (3.5G), WiFi and is equipped with a 3-inch touchscreen display. A 1GHz processor powers the entire experience, which incidentally also allows the Asha 311 to run mobile games. Nokia has pegged the local price of the Asha 311 at only Php 5,650 so a purchase shouldn’t put that much of a dent in your checkbook.

     

    Android powered Nikon Coolpix S800c official, costs $350

    Seems like the initial leak for Nikon’s Coolpix S800c Android powered camera was correct, and now the Japanese firm has made it official. The Nikon Coolpix S800c boasts a 10x optical zoom lens, built-in GPS module for geotagging duties, a 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, 3.5-inch OLED WVGA touchscreen display and Android 2.3.

    The addition of Android 2.3 into the mix means that you can immediately upload your photos from the phone to the internet to the social network of your choice, or if that’s not possible, wirelessly transfer said images to your smartphone. The camera is also capable of full HD 1080p recording, so you won’t need to bring along a camcorder to take videos of you nailing that dive into that green lagoon. We’re not entirely sure if you can use Google’s Play store with this particular Android device, but we’re sure we’ll find out in the coming months. The Nikon Coolpix S800c will hit the states next month with an SRP of $349.99 (Php 14778), unfortunately there’s no word how much this particular device will retail for when it comes to the Philippines.

    Source: Nikon

    The New Media awards ‘Digital Heroes’ of the Habagat calamity

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    Pioneer digital marketing site The New Media (TNM) held its first ever The New Media Digital Heroes Awards. The first batch of awardees are individuals and organizations who used social media to help out during the recent Habagat flood. They are:

    • Mahar Lagmay (Project NOAH)
    • DOST_Pagasa Twitter Team
    • MMDA Twitter Team
    • Aileen Apolo, Google and Google Volunteers
    • Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III, PCDSPO
    • Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigal Valte
    • Rosario Juan, #RescuePH and #Relief PH
    • Tonyo Cruz, #RescuePH and #Relief PH
    • JP Loh, #RescuePH and #Relief PH

    These awardees were key figures who used various online channels including Twitter, Facebook, and Google Docs to mobilize and lead rescue and relief efforts to aid the families that were struck by the disaster.

    TNM hopes that through this event, they will be able to inspire more Filipino netizens to use technology and social media as a positive driving force, especially during a calamity.

     

    Instacube: A living canvas for your Instagram photos

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    For those of you who would like to take pictures of your breakfast, lunch, dinner (and probably other things as well), frame it and show it to your friends wherever you go, there’s the Instacube. According to Wired, “It’s got all the basics—wireless, touchscreen, flash memory—packaged up to look like the [Instagram] app. In fact, the package is a big part of the attraction. If digital photo frames seem like they’re not “in” anymore, it may be because so many are unattractive with a poor user interface. Instacube aims to change that with a slick, straight-from-Instagram interface and a stylish box.”

    Although it’s only a Kickstarter project right now, it aims to become a reality by March 2013. The project just started today, and already has over 800 backers and over $90,000 raised towards its goal. “Liberating Instagram photos from your smart device, Instacube feeds your favorite images wirelessly at 3x the size,” the project page says. The first 1,000 backers will receive an Instacube for $100, and everyone else can get one for $150. What you get is a display that matches the 600-square-pixels size of Instagram photos and toggles through different feeds, based on friends or hashtags. The frame runs an Android operating system, so developers will be able to play around with it too.

    LG launches first 84-inch Ultra Definition 4K TV in Korea

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    Looks like the next big thing in TVs will be 4K displays, or as LG likes to call them, ultra definition displays. The Korean company has just unveiled their own 4K display in Korea earlier today. This 84-inch behemoth uses LG’s triple XD image engine, which compliments the TV’s eye popping 3840×2160 native resolution. This particular TV also boasts 3D functionality, and sports LG’s Smart TV functionality. It also uses LG’s Smart Remote, and LG promises that this particular device has access to multitude of apps available to LG’s Smart TVs. No local availability has been set yet, so Toshiba’s RZ1 can still sleep soundly tonight.

     

    New BlackBerry prepaid kits from Globe

    To respond to the growing demand of BlackBerry phones among prepaid users, RIM and Globe team up once again to offer prepaid bundles featuring two BlackBerry models—the Curve 9220 and the Curve 8520.

    The Curve 9220 package comes with a free BlackBerry smartphone skin, a Globe prepaid SIM, and free three months of subscription to BlackBerry Chat, giving users unlimited access to BlackBerry Messenger (BBM). You can avail of this package for PHP 9,990.

    The BlackBerry Curve 8520 package costs only PHP 6,990 and comes with two smartphone skins, a Globe prepaid SIM, and free three months subscription to BlackBerry Chat.

    Globe prepaid subscribers who avail of these bundles from participating Globe stores can also get PHP 100 worth of load for calls, texts, and data services for free. These prepaid kits are available in selected Globe stores and authorized distributors nationwide until November 30, 2012.

    Here’s an interesting sneak peek at the new iPhone

    We here at Gadgets aren’t all that into speculating about the new releases without solid evidence, but this one just has to be shared. It’s a pretty convincing Apple promotional video for the iPhone, and though we have our suspicions, we have a feeling this might be legit. We’ll just have to wait and see if it happens the way this ad says. Hit this LINK to watch the video for yourself and tell us what you think.

    Huawei Ascend G300 arriving in the Philippines this week

    Huawei has given us a heads-up that their Ascend G300 will be arriving at stores this week. This particular smartphone brings a 4-inch IPS display to the fore, along with a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) that will be upgraded to ICS sometime this year. From the specs of the Ascend G300, it seems like this Android device will slot into the low-mid end of the market, unfortunately Huawei has not provided us with a solid price for this particular unit. We’ll be updating this post once they reply to our queries.