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    iPhone 5 and iPad Mini scheduled for release on September 12

    Gadgets Team
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    iPhone 5 and iPad Mini scheduled for release on September 12

    Apple faithful, we have good news for you guys. iMore has managed to wrangle the official release date of both the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini from sources that have been proven accurate in the past. The official unveil will be on September 12, with new iPhone 5 units rolling out come September 21. While everything is still a rumor (nothing is confirmed until Apple’s announcement) the iPhone 5 is rumored to roll with a new dock connector, quad-core processor, as well as a larger screen. The new iPad Mini meanwhile is rumored to have a screen size of 7 to 8 inches and will feature a price point significantly lower than the iPad. Will the purported design that we reported on earlier be the actual one that Apple shows on September 12? We’ll found out later.

    Source: iMore

    Take your taste buds on an Asian tour at Banana Leaf

    Gadgets Team
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    Take your taste buds on an Asian tour at Banana Leaf

    Let’s take a quick break from our regular programming to share a blurb or two about something loved by tech enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike—food!

    We at Gadgets found an awesome place to fill your bellies if you’re into Southeast Asian cuisine. You can take your taste buds on a trip to Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam just by heading over to Banana Leaf.

    Banana Leaf lets you taste the richness of Southeast Asian culture as it offers a range of sweet, tangy and spicy dishes. They offer the finest dishes exhibiting the distinct, exotic flavors of each Southeast Asian country—Green Curry, Tom Yum Soup and Pad Thai from Thailand; Roti, Satay and Char Kuay Teow from Malaysia; Hainanese Chicken, Chili Crab and Laksa from Singapore; tasty Spring Rolls paired with fried rice from Vietnam; and Sambal and Goreng from Indonesia.

    Penang Char Kway Teow
    Stir Fried Crab with Spicy Golden Garlic
    Stir Fried Oat Prawns: Singaporean Style

    To get your dose of exotic Southeast Asian flavors, you can head on over to one of Banana Leaf’s restaurant outlets at The Podium, Greenbelt 3, TriNoma, Power Plant, Midtown, Greenhills Promenade, The Block at SM North EDSA, and The Terraces in Cebu.

    AVT navigation and multi-media devices showcased at 2012 PIMS

    Press Release
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    AVT navigation and multi-media devices showcased at 2012 PIMS

    AVT, a Filipino company pioneering in vehicle navigation and multi-media devices, will once again be showcasing a new range of products at the upcoming 4th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), to be held from August 16-19, 2012, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

    The latest model of the AVT personal navigation range, the AVT PN-504, will be launched at the event. Featuring a new high-resolution 5-inch LCD touchscreen, the AVT PN-504 is powered by the latest Atlas IV 533MHz CPU with a built-in high sensitivity GPS receiver that is quickly able to acquire a GPS fix in 3-minutes. In terms of functionality, the AVT PN-504 also serves as a multi-media player (MP3/MP4/WMA/WMV/AVI/3GP), a photo viewer, and offers extras such as a calculator, calendar and unit conversion.

    Beyond these technical specifications, the utility of the AVT PN-504 lies in the pre-loaded Advanced Philippine Map exclusively developed by iNAV. Unique to the AVT Navigator range is improved turn-by-turn navigation with (a) junction lane assist, with an enlarged view of where you need to make the turn; (b) 3D junction view, so you get a 3D guide of which lane you should take; (c) 3D buildings, to provide landmarks for better location identification; and (d) speed camera, to warn of approaching speed cams and avoid speed violations. All AVT PN devices come with free updates for two years, so that you can update your maps with the latest changes to the country’s road network.

    While smartphones and tablets now offer mapping services, a dedicated navigation device such as the AVT PN-504 is still offers advantages you do not need to pay for a broadband data plan and do not have to worry about battery drain.

    Exclusively for the 2012 Philippine International Motor Show, visitors to the AVT booth will be able to trade in their old navigation devices of whatever brand to receive very special discounts and freebies on various AVT PN models.

    Vehicle owners who are concerned about security and safety may also take a closer look at the AVT iSTAR, a portable tracking device that works on the GSM/GPRS networks and GPS satellites. It can be used to track and monitor your vehicle and even has a built-in microphone so you can listen in to conversations and sounds inside a tracked vehicle. It also has SOS/emergency alert, low battery alert, geo-fencing and mileage report features. Location can be checked by SMS or web apps.

    Finally, the AVT booth will also display customized multi-media systems for various vehicle models. These include custom head units for the Honda CRV and Civic; Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Sonata and Tucson; Subaru Forester and Legacy; Toyota Camry and Prado; and others.

    Visitors to the 2012 PIMS will enjoy very special prices on all AVT products, including the “trade-in” promo for navigation devices; hefty discounts on custom multi-media systems; as well as 0-interest on installment payments.

    AVT (which stands for Audio-Video Technology) specializes in premium audio-visual entertainment systems for mobile applications.  In addition to navigation systems, the company also carries a range of mobile tracking devices for vehicle and personal security.  AVT offers a wide range of in-car mobile electronics, including display monitors, DVD players, digital and analog terrestrial receivers, sound processor/high-power amplifiers, specialist speakers, and AV controllers and accessories to suit all types of in-vehicle installations.  Aside from consumer products that retail in car dealer accessories shops,

    AVT is also an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for many of the country’s leading car brands.   iNAV is a subsidiary company dedicated to providing mapping support exclusively for AVT navigation devices.

    This might be the new iPhone – supposed leaked parts assembled into complete body

    Gadgets Team
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    This might be the new iPhone – supposed leaked parts assembled into complete body

    As Apple gears up to unveil their new iPhone, it’s inevitable that parts will leak out of the various companies in China that have been tasked to build the new device. Repair shop iLab has supposedly gotten its hands on a majority of the major components of the new iPhone and has assembled it into a complete body. Of course, there are a lot of parts still missing which consist of the things that actually make the device work, which inlcude things like the internal motherboard. Nevertheless, the assembled device gives potential users an idea of what the new iPhone will look like. Of course, until the device has been officially released, you should take all of this with a grain of salt.

    [album: https://gadgetsmagazine.com.ph/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/[email protected]/Rumor Iphone5/]

    Source: 9to5Mac

    How all your iPhone apps can be hacked at once

    Gadgets Team
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    How all your iPhone apps can be hacked at once

    Apps are the heart and soul for any iDevice, whether you own an iPhone, an iPad, or an iPod Touch. Almost everything has an app nowadays; Apple users could barely imagine our lives without apps.

    But what would happen if hackers could use security flaws in certain apps to get into your device? Despite the increased, and (according to some) impenetrable security of the iOS, it could actually be good for hackers: many app developers do not put their own safeguards in place, depending on Apple exclusively for the security of their app.

    “Security is now an afterthought for many app developers,” said Jonathan Zdziarski, senior forensic scientist at viaForensics, in a presentation at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas on Thursday. “That means if you hack one, you can hack them all.”

    How exactly would a hacker get in? First, the hacker would have to steal your iPhone. With the device being such a hot item, this probably is relatively easy to do if the victim doesn’t keep track of their belongings. Second, they would have to discover and exploit an iOS vulnerability before Apple does, which is the hardest part of the whole process, but not unheard of. Last year, Charlie Miller managed to get into Apple’s iTunes store, one of the most fiercely protected apps; Apple yanked his developer’s license right after the incident.

    “This isn’t Chicken Little and the sky is falling,” Zdziarski told CNN Money. “But the message is if you don’t add your own security to your app, you’re highly susceptible.”

    For example, the PayPal app, which should be one of the most (if not the most) secure apps because it handles financial information, has a bug that allows a hacker to place malicious code in a stolen iPhone and get all the log-in information that a user enters. It’s unlikely because the hacker would need about 20 minutes with the iPhone to do it before handing the phone back to the owner. But the point is it’s possible—and it shouldn’t be.

    Short film predicts the future of Augmented Reality eyewear

    Gadgets Team
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    Short film predicts the future of Augmented Reality eyewear

    You’ve read about Augmented Reality (AR) eyewear in the works—like Google Glass and the pair that Oakley‘s been working on—and we’ve only just imagined how awesome they’ll be when they hit the market. But we stumbled upon something over at SlashGear that sheds a new light on the power and potential of AR eyewear.

    Sight, a short film by Daniel Lazo and Eran May-raz, explores the possibilities that AR glasses can offer, and based on this awesome Sci-Fi short, some of these possibilities are pretty creepy.

    Image Source: Here.

    Gaming exec call Windows 8 “a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space”

    Gadgets Team
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    While a lot people are excited for Windows 8, there’s a lot of people in the PC gaming space that’s less than thrilled with the prospect of coding around the Metro UI. Specifically, Valve’s Gabe Newell has gone on record and has called Windows 8 “a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space” and has also said that “we’re going to lose some of the top-tier PC [original equipment manufacturers]. They’ll exit the market. I think margins are going to be destroyed for a bunch of people.”

    So what makes Windows 8 such a bad thing for gaming? Well, some people say it’s because Windows 8 doesn’t really have all the nuts and bolts that previous Windows versions had. Some are in the opinion that Windows 8 is a whole new operating system built for tablets and touch devices that has a Windows 7 emulator tacked onto it. We’ll have to wait and see if Windows 8 does turn out to be a blight on the PC gaming population, but for now, we’re hoping that Microsoft will address the concerns of Newell and millions of other gamers worldwide.

    Source: VentureBeat

    Apple considering stake in Twitter

    Gadgets Team
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    Apple considering stake in Twitter

    Here’s some interesting news out of Cupertino – Apple is supposedly looking at making a strategic investment in Twitter. The New York Times has reported that Apple is supposedly looking at an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars. Apple’s investment makes sense – social media is fast becoming an important factor in user purchases, which include gadgets and apps. A strategic stake in Twitter will allow it to compete in a more equal footing when compared to its competitors – Google has Google+ and Microsoft has a strategic partnership with Facebook. If the rumors prove to be true, Apple would be in a position to further expand its brand image and brand awareness using Twitter’s accumulated user base, something that should threaten both Google and Microsoft.

    Source: New York Times

     

    Original Final Fantasy gets released on Google Play Store

    Gadgets Team
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    Original Final Fantasy gets released on Google Play Store

    The first ever Final Fantasy RPG has been officially released on the Google Play store. Yes, children of the 90’s (teens of the 80’s, you’re invited too) you can now relive the adventures of the warriors of light as they set out on a quest to restore the crystals to their former luster.

    The Android version of the original NES game has been upgraded with better sprite graphics (think SNES quality). The game itself retails for $6.99 (or about Php 430.34) so it’s a bit expensive. But then again, this is the original Final Fantasy, and we’re pretty sure this game will keep you occupied for a while once you do decide to buy it. Be warned, it’s a 46.39MB download and requires approximately 240MB of available memory, so plan accordingly.

    Source: Google Play Store

    Lenovo IdeaPad K1 gets officially gets ICS

    Gadgets Team
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    Lenovo IdeaPad K1 gets officially gets ICS

    Are you a proud owner of a Lenovo IdeaPad K1 and have been longing for some ICS love? Fret not, as Lenovo has officially outed their ICS upgrade for their venerable Android tablet. There’s a catch though – the ICS upgrade is a basic, vanilla OS, which means if you’ve fallen in love with Lenovo’s customizations such as the launcher, pre-installed Apps and their own appstore, then you might not want to go through with the upgrade. You’ll also be deleting all the data on the slate as well, so think it over carefully. If you have decided to make the jump to ICS, you can head on over here for the full install guide.

    Source: Lenovo

    Zuckerburg speaks out against Facebook phone rumors: “It Wouldn’t Make Sense For Us To Make A Phone”

    Gadgets Team
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    Zuckerburg speaks out against Facebook phone rumors: “It Wouldn’t Make Sense For Us To Make A Phone”

    Those of you hoping for Facebook to officially make their own phone? Yeah, you guys better sit down. In their earnings call earlier this week, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg has officially spoken out against the rumors that keep circulating that they are going to make their own phone. The statement above came right after an analyst asked the Facebook CEO about their mobile strategy. If you remember, there have been attempts to fully integrate Facebook into the smartphone experience (HTC’s ChaCha come to mind) but there hasn’t been a fully realized smartphone built from the ground up by Facebook as of yet. So why all the persistent rumors? Well, it’s possible that Facebook is developing a mobile platform that would leverage other people’s hardware and their software, though that’s a bit of a stretch – it really doesn’t make sense for the company to jump into an already crowded smartphone OS market. There could be another possibility – Zuckerburg may be fibbing just a little bit to keep their competitors guessing as to what they’re actually up to.

    Source: Business Insider

    Healthway offers an exciting way to get your executive check-up with HealthCheQ

    Gadgets Team
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    Healthway offers an exciting way to get your executive check-up with HealthCheQ

    Can’t squeeze your annual health check-up into your work schedule and fast-paced lifestyle? Healthway Medical has a solution especially designed for executives and practically anyone who needs to take a break from work and time to monitor their health.

    Launched yesterday at the Nurture Spa in Tagaytay, Healthway’s HealthCheQ goes the extra mile to give you a total wellness experience. HealthCheQ does away with your normal, tedious medical check-up at the hospital with a fun and relaxing getaway to a resort, spa or hotel. This makes checking on your health seem like something to look forward to. Since it’s also some sort of vacation, you won’t hesitate to invest time on your annual executive check-up.

    At PHP 15,000, you can get your check-up and a free overnight stay at one of the HealthCheQ partner hotels, spas, and resorts to give you the relaxation you need for a full wellness experience. These partners include Acacia Hotel, Midas Hotel & Casino, the Manila Hotel, The Bellevue Hotel, B Hotel, Club Balai Isabel and Nurture Spa.

    The HealthCheQ package includes complete diagnostics, lab tests such as Blood and Urine examinations, imaging studies, specialized examinations such as Treadmill Stress Tests, and a comprehensive physical evaluation—all performed within half a day. The program guarantees result turnovers within 24 hours.

    The package also includes transferrable gift checks covering an array of medical services—including Intense Diamond Peel and oral prophylaxis—that you can share with your family and friends. It also includes a Wellness Visa that entitles you to a free consultation from one of Healthway’s Primary Care physicians and a gift certificate worth PHP 200 of AB Pharma products.

    What’s great about HealthCheQ is it incorporates technology for your convenience. According to Healthway Medical president Dr. Eleanor Tan, you can book appointments and give your feedback through Healthway’s instant messaging system, through the texting hotline (0920-WOW-HWAY), or through phone (751-4929). Best of all, the databases of each clinic are fully networked, so you and your doctor can have easy access to your check-up records at any branch.

    Healthway Medical President Dr. Eleanor Tan at the HealthCheQ launch

    During the launch at the Nurture Spa, media guests were treated to massages and body scanning services, and were given a tour of the rooms, facilities and services offered in the Nurture Spa. Dr. Tan, Healthway Vice President for Sales and Marketing Carmie de Leon, and other key officers from Healthway Medical and its partners were present at the event.

    Healthway Medical officers with media guests
    Media guests being treated to a massage

    You can avail of Healthway medical services at any of its branches in Alabang Town Center, Festival Supermall, Shangri-La Plaza, Market! Market!, Robinson’s Place Manila, Greenbelt 5, and The Block at SM North EDSA. For more information on HealthCheQ, you can visit its official website.

    Smart unveils Freedom Plan, first post-paid plan without a MSF

    Gadgets Team
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    Smart unveils Freedom Plan, first post-paid plan without a MSF

    Smart has achieved another first today, as the telecom company has just unveiled their Freedom Plan, the first ever post-paid plan that doesn’t include a monthly service fee – you know, that dreaded monthly fee that you have to pay regardless even if you don’t consume that much. Smart’s Freedom plan changes all of that – it’s a post-paid plan that acts and feels like pre-paid. Confused? Let us explain.

    Here’s the gist of it: Smart’s Freedom plan is basically a post-paid plan that only bills you for what you use. So for example, you used about 150 pesos worth of text and 200 bucks of calls at the end of the month, you pay only Php 350 when the bill comes. It’s that simple. Users are initially capped at Php 600 a month – if you want to get more credit, you need to pay off whatever you’ve already consumed to get your bill below Php 600 to get the service running again. You also don’t need to present numerous documentation to get your Freedom Plan running – just present 1 valid ID and you’re good to go.

    Smart has also created special pricing buckets for Freedom Plan so users have the option of just using services that are relevant to them. For example, I’m not big on texting – I’m more of a calling kinda guy, so I’ll go for the Call to All bucket for 250 bucks, which gives me 100 mins of calls to Smart and other networks. And if that’s the only thing I consume, I’ll only be paying Php 250 a month – no more, no less. The entire Smart service bucket list can be found be here.

    Smart has also revealed that people will be able to upgrade their payment cap after a few months if they prefer, provided they have a solid track record of payment for a set number of months, which makes sense. The plan is a compromise between Smart and their potential subscriber, which is, to be honest, an excellent tradeoff – the plan doesn’t have the traditional boundaries or obligations that normal postpaid plans have, and the price cap is low enough that Smart isn’t exposed to unnecessary financial risks. Smart is actually being pretty smart here (pardon the pun) as they are playing to their strengths as a leader in pre-paid.

    Smart’s Freedom Plan is currently being offered as a SIM plan only, no device bundles for now, though that’s not entirely out of the picture, though it’s difficult to imagine how the company will offer the Freedom Plan without a MSF in that sort of setup.

    Malware could work its way into your BIOS

    Gadgets Team
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    Malware could work its way into your BIOS

    For those who don’t know what the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) is, it’s the most important part of your computer. It is the first code run by a PC when powered on, and controls every aspect of your computer—motherboard, RAM, CPU, hard drives, optical drives, keyboards, mice—everything that makes a computer work.

    Now imagine what would happen if malware attacked this vital part of your computer. According to Jonathan Brossard, founder of the French security consultancy Toucan System, “You would need to flash all the devices simultaneously. It would be very difficult to do. The cost of recovery is probably higher than the cost of the laptop. It’s probably best to just get rid of the computer.”

    “Flashing” refers to overwriting the data on read-only memory (ROM) modules present in an electronic device with new data. This is generally not recommended unless there is a serious problem with a module. If there is a problem with the BIOS, the most important module in a computer, then the problem is serious enough to warrant Brossard’s suggestion.

    This malware, called “Rakshasa” after a demon in Hindu mythology, is completely theoretical. However, Brossard acknowledges the fact that it may one day be used to attack computers. It is basically a permanent backdoor into a PC, and even if the BIOS is disinfected, something else will become infected, making it impossible to completely disinfect the system.

    “The whole point of this research is to undetectably and untraceably backdoor the hardware,” Brossard says. “What this shows is that it’s basically not practical to secure a PC at all, due to legacy architecture. Because computers go through so many hands before they’re delivered to you, there’s a serious concern that anyone could backdoor the computer without your knowledge.”

    Unit Portables offers stylish and nifty laptop and tablet bags

    Gadgets Team
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    Unit Portables offers stylish and nifty laptop and tablet bags

    Made by Swedish company Unit Portables, these multifunctional laptop bags were designed to merge urban street style with functionality.

    These bags are equipped with two detachable pouches called “units” where you can stash your cables and chargers. Each one has a built-in protective sleeve that can fit your 13”-15” laptop. Plus, these bags are extra roomy, so you can still pack some school or office supplies.

    Tablet bags that can be attached to the main bags are also available, but are sold separately. Each laptop and tablet bag is available in black, green, red and beige.

    You can order these nifty bags at AVA.ph. The main bags cost PHP 4,500 while the tablet bags are priced at PHP 1,650. If you want to know more about the items that Unit Portables offers, you can head on over to their official site.

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