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    Review: Asus O!Play Gallery

    Gadgets Team
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    Review: Asus O!Play Gallery

    [This review originally appeared in the November 2011 issue of Gadgets Magazine]

    By Roni Callanta

    Hitting your local movie theater to catch a flick has become quite a task nowadays. There is lining up and/or booking reservations, and sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get to sit in front of that one kid who always seems to be kicking your seat from behind.

    How would you want to enjoy high-definition entertainment that supports all major media formats without requiring any additional software right at the comfort of your own home?

    The Asus O!Play Gallery HD media player does just that, enabling its users to enjoy HD entertainment on television, as well as a streaming function O!Direct exclusively from Asus.

    At first, I did catch myself in a panic—seeing all of the wires and cables of the O!Play Gallery. They all looked like alien life forms to me but when I was able to figure it out, I ended up being cooped up in my room for a whole day.

    The beauty of the O!Play is that it features updated specs and can stream all sorts of video and audio content in both wired and wireless modes.

    Users can store all sorts of media content right on the player and another fun bonus is  that apart from the high-speed USB 3.0 connection interface available, the O!Play can also be upgraded to feature a 3.5-inch hard drive via an internal SATA 6Gbps port.

    The O!Play can playback content directly from memory cards and its software is built to work with online entertainment services such as YouTube, various online TV stations and radio streams, Flickr, Picasa and others—a home entertainment center that is perfect for video, photos and music.

    Packing the latest USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s devices and support for 7.1-channel Dolby TrueHD audio, connectivity with the iPhone and iPod is made possible with the O!Play, which can be displayed in full HD on an HDTV. In addition, transferring files from a PC and /or laptop to the O!Play Gallery is made easier and faster.

    The O!Play Gallery also has other features such as Full HD 1080p and Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel support via an HDMI connection, a Gracenote software interface (when an optional 3.5-inch hard disk is installed), compatibility with a wide range of media formats including ISO files and iPod/iPhone Full HD streaming support.

    With the O!Play Gallery, I doubt one will hit the movie theaters anytime soon. HD entertainment at home is just too good.

    SPECIFICATIONS

    File Systems: FAT 16/32, NTFS, HFS/HFST, ext3, Power (DC) input, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB/eSATA combo, LAN port (10/100Mbps), HDMI

    I/O Ports: Composite AV, Component, Optical digital (S/PDIF), Coaxial digital (S/PDIF), CF card reader, SD/MMC card reader, MS/MS-Duo card reader

    Dimensions: 230.0mm x 178.0mm x 60.5mm

    Weight: 720g

    WHAT’S HOT:
    Supports all major media formats including formats for iPhone and iPod

    WHAT’S NOT:
    Lags on command

    BOTTOMLINE:
    Impressive purchase for the HD entertainment junkie

    BUY METER: 8.6

    Fashion and lifestyle bloggers flock Bloggers United 3

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Fashion and lifestyle bloggers flock Bloggers United 3

    Bloggers and fashion enthusiasts were rounded up at the Greenview Events Place yesterday for the third edition of Bloggers United.

    Bloggers United is primarily a fashion bazaar, but it’s also a convention for all fashion and lifestyle bloggers. Recognized style bloggers such as Lissa Kahayon, Laureen Uy, Camille Co and Kryz Uy were present during the event, sporting their trendy ensembles.

    Sponsors of the event conducted games and raffle draws, giving away merchandise to lucky attendees. Globe Tattoo (its primary event partner), Raffles Design Institute, Clear, Colgate, Pinkbox, Maybelline, ETC and Canon were just some of the sponsors that gave away free items during the program.

    Of course, since we at Gadgets believe that there is technology in everything—even in fashion and lifestyle—we were also there to support the event. Bloggers who approached our booth and signed up for our upcoming Good Blog Awards were able to get some of our back issues for free.

    Facebook gives users the power to vote on privacy changes

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    Facebook gives users the power to vote on privacy changes

    If you’ve always complained how Facebook doesn’t respect your opinion on privacy issues, well, this story is for you. The company is just about ready to adopt a new “Statement of Rights and Responsibilities” and data use policy for users, but it’s giving regular blokes the chance to make their voices be heard. Any registered Facebook user can use Facebook’s Site Governance Vote app to let the social networking company know what you want – the old privacy policies or the new, proposed one. For the vote to be binding, 30% of registered users need to have taken part in the vote, which by our estimation, is around 250 million users out of the 900 million that Facebook claims is registered to their site. If you want to review the new, proposed policies before voting, you can check them out here (https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10151810470550301). The app is located here (https://www.facebook.com/fbsitegovernance/app_130362963766777). Remember, if you don’t vote on the changes and the results don’t appease you, you don’t have the right to complain. Voting has been opened, and will run until June 8, 2012 at 9:00 am (PDT).

    Source: Facebook

    Toshiba, Asus and Acer tipped to show Windows 8 tablets this COMPUTEX, surprises no one

    Gadgets Team
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    2
    Toshiba, Asus and Acer tipped to show Windows 8 tablets this COMPUTEX, surprises no one

    When we went to COMPUTEX last year, the show floor was absolutely covered in Android tablets. This year, it seems that the same will be true, with a key difference – a majority of the tablets shown during the show will bear Microsoft’s latest OS, Windows 8. According to a report in Bloomberg, a person familiar with the matter said that Acer, Asus and Toshiba would show their Windows 8 tablet offerings during the Taipei show, which will be running on different ARM chips. Unlike the PC space, there are numerous companies vying for mobile chip dominance, a list that includes current PC chip leader Intel, NVIDIA, Samsung, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments. Nevertheless, we’ll be on hand for COMPUTEX tomorrow and we’ll be trying to get our eyes on the devices listed above. Stay tuned folks.

    Source: Bloomberg

    Half of the world are software pirates, according to study

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Half of the world are software pirates, according to study

    A new study made by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) have found that almost half of computer users admit that they’ve pirated software. The report, BSA’s ninth annual Global Software Piracy Study, asked 15,000 computer users from 33 countries around the world the question “how often do you acquire pirated software or software that is not fully licensed?” and sheds insight on the piracy habits of people. The report says that  57% of global PC users use and acquire pirated software which is an increase from 42% in 2011. Unsurprisingly, the report says that piracy rates are highest in emerging markets.

    “The users who say they pirate software most frequently are disproportionately young and male — and they install more software of all types on their computers than do infrequent pirates or non-pirates,” the report says. “This year’s survey finds that frequent pirates — people who admit they acquire unlicensed software all of the time, most of the time, or occasionally — also are the most voracious software users. They report installing 55 percent more programs of all types on their computers than do non-pirates. This gives them an outsized impact on the global piracy rate.”

    Unfortunately, the report doesn’t recognize the link between high prices of software to global piracy, and the need to make pricing tiers to help curb piracy. A report done by the Social Science Research Council concludes that media piracy can’t be halted by stringent enforcement of IP, and describes the issue as more of a global pricing problem. It makes sense if you think about it – a piece of software that’s priced at $60 in the US isn’t a viable purchase in poor, developing nations like the Philippines, so most of the time people pirate software instead of buying it.

    Source: BSA

    Windows 8 Release Preview now available for download

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    Windows 8 Release Preview now available for download

    Microsoft has announced that a release preview for their next generation OS, Windows 8, is now available for download. Release Preview is the last step before the company sends the final code (or when it is released tomanufacturing RTM) to the public, which means all the major functionality of the OS will be present for users to enjoy. Microsoft has also announced that they will be rolling out a Windows Upgrade Offer program that will be released in 131 markets which allows users who purchase eligible Windows 7 PCs that are preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate and include a matching and valid OEM Certificate of Authenticity through January 31, 2013 to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 (U.S.) when the new OS is generally available. So if you bought a Windows 7 machine in the past few months, don’t worry – upgrading to Windows 8 won’t cost you an arm or a leg. You can grab the Windows 8 Release Preview here.

    Source: Windows Team Blog

    Nokia Asha 202 now shipping in the Philippines

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    Nokia Asha 202 now shipping in the Philippines

    Heads up, lovers of all things dual-sim’ed and affordable – Nokia has told us that their Asha 202 feature phone has just gone on sale all over the country. If you’re wondering what an Asha 202 is, well, let us refresh your memory, dear readers – it’s a compact feature phone made by Nokia that’s capable of handling two sims at the same time yet can still deliver a pleasurable web browsing experience by compressing the data efficiently via Nokia’s web browser. The new device also comes pre-loaded with games like Need For Speed The Run and Bejeweled. The Asha 202 is priced at an affordable Php 3,550.

     

    Skyrim Dawnguard trailer is now up

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    Skyrim Dawnguard trailer is now up

    Finally, a month after Bethesda announced that they would release the first add-on for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the official trailer for Skyrim Dawnguard is now up on the web.

    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an open-world action-fantasy RPG and the fifth installment in The Elder Scrolls series, which was first released way back in 1994. At Skyrim, you can take on challenging quests and embark on an adventure in mystic lands.

    The Dawnguard add-on features a vampire lord who seeks the Elder Scrolls in order to obtain its powers to bring forth darkness on earth so that he and his fellow vampires can roam the earth without burning. You have the option to team up with these creeps or with their hunters–the Dawnguard.

    Bethesda, publisher of The Elder Scrolls series, refers to Dawnguard as an add-on or an expansion pack, not a DLC. Dawnguard will be available within the next couple of months for Xbox 360. The PC and PS3 versions will be released 30 days after it goes live for Xbox users. It is worth 1600 Microsoft Points or $20.

    Below is the Dawnguard trailer, and from the looks of it, we have a lot to look forward to.

    PS Vita gets a YouTube app

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    PS Vita gets a YouTube app

    Owners of the PS Vita will be happy about this news, and those considering getting one might have yet another reason to do so. Sony has apparently announced that in addition to its Facebook and Twitter apps, it will also be getting a YouTube app by the end of the month. Since the Vita’s built-in browser can’t handle Flash or HTML5, users are currently unable to watch YouTube videos on the device. Indeed, it seems the console’s large 5-inch touchscreen would be a great place to surf YouTube while on-the-go. Unfortunately, there aren’t much details yet about the news.

    Agent 47 is back

    Ren Alcantara
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    0
    Agent 47 is back

    The strong, silent wetworks specialist 47 is back for the fifth installment of the Hitman franchise. Dubbed “Hitman: Absolution,” the game will take a different story path from past Hitman games. Where once 47 was out on the hunt, taking contracts, this script has him on the run, and struggling to uncover the truth behind the betrayal that cost him his livelihood, and the reason everyone is out to get him.

    Along with changes to the heart of the story, gameplay will be a little different from the previous titles. There is more of a focus on action and shooting, but the game does its part to help the player along, with bullet time-esque abilities and a skill that allows 47 to see the predicted path of patrolling characters. Despite the greater focus on action, however, the developers were careful to say that series veterans will not be disappointed. They have made sure that there are still ways to achieve the ultimate rank of “Silent Assassin,” as in the earlier titles, and that there is still enough openness in the game environment for players to be creative with their hits. The fun starts on the 2oth of November, so start stretching your trigger fingers, and head over to www.hitman.com for more teaser-trailers.

    First Impressions: Fanny Wang 3001

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    First Impressions: Fanny Wang 3001

     

    One of the high-end headphone models from a company called Fanny Wang came into our office just recently—the 3001 Over Ear Headphones with Active Noise Cancelling. We don’t have its exact SRP in the Philippines yet, but according to internet sources it belongs somewhere in the somewhat pricey US $400 range (about Php 16,800).

    First and foremost, the headphones’ build and construction is very high-quality—everything from ear cushions to ear cups to headband to overall design. The 3001 is slightly bulky and a little on the heavy side with circular ear cups (as opposed to oblong-shaped ones) that make the headphones even larger. The headband is wide and sturdy as well as collapsible and adjustable. What really struck me upon first inspection, however, is its unique rubber matte exterior with a texture design that is supposedly unique to Fanny Wang. The headphones were incredibly comfortable to wear and probably the most comfortable ones I’ve ever tried.

    The package came with a detachable cord that featured a microphone, a remote control panel, and a Duo Jack to allow another person to plug in their headphones and listen to the same music. It also came with two AAA batteries that needed to be loaded into the right ear cup in order to power the active noise cancelling and the bass boost. Other accessories included were a hard foam carry case and some audio adaptors.

    That’s all we’re going to leave you with for now. If you want to know what we thought of its sound quality and its active noise cancelling and bass boost features, you’ll have to catch our upcoming review in the July 2012 issue.

    Google introduces Chrombox, the first Chrome OS desktop

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Google introduces Chrombox, the first Chrome OS desktop

    Introducing the Chromebox—Google and Samsung’s new desktop computer based on Google’s cloud-based operating system called Chrome OS that provides only access to the web and nothing else. It features the same cloud-centric focus as last year’s Chromebooks except in a compact desktop configuration where you’ll need to connect your own mouse, keyboard, monitor, and such. You can also attach external HDDs via USB for additional storage.

    Compared to the original Chromebooks, the Chromebox has better performance featuring an Intel Celeron 1.9 Ghz processor, 4 GB f RAM, a 16 GB Solid State Drive (SSD), 6 USB ports, Bluetooth, an on-board mono speaker, Wi-Fi, 1 DVI port, and 2 display ports that can handle two high-resolution monitors at once. It might not be much, but keep in mind that Chrome OS is a light-weight operating system and most of the work and storage is carried out in the cloud.

    The device measuring only 19 x 19 x 3.3 cm and weighing 1.2 kg is available for US $329 (about Php 13,800). Google and Samsung also introduced a more powerful Series 5 550 Chromebook that costs US $449 for the Wi-Fi model and US $ 549 for the 3G-enabled model.

     

    Humble Indie Bundle V assembles indie game bestsellers, best bundle ever

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    Humble Indie Bundle V assembles indie game bestsellers, best bundle ever

    Hey, remember the Humble Bundle? That fantastic gaming bundle where they bring you awesome indie games at the price you set? Well, it’s back, and it’s bringing along indie game hard hitters to play. The current bundle includes titles like Amnesia: Dark Descent, Psychonauts, LIMBO, Superbrothers: Sword and Sorcery EP. If you beat the average price (which is at $7.55 right now), you’ll also be getting the amazing platforming game, Bastion. You’ll also be getting the awesome soundtracks of said with your purchase, along with the warm, fuzzy feeling of helping out gamers as your purchase also help out the EFF and Child’s Play, a charity for gamers by gamers. So what are you waiting for, go check it out now.

     

    More teasers from Asus for COMPUTEX, dual-boot tablets, possible dual-touchscreens?

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    More teasers from Asus for COMPUTEX, dual-boot tablets, possible dual-touchscreens?

    It’s two days before June 4 kiddies, and Asus has once again decided to tease some of the features of the products that’ll come out in COMPUTEX. The firm has outed two teaser videos that we’ve conveniently linked below. The first one is pretty easy to guess – they’ll probably release a dual-booting tablet (or notebook, which doesn’t seem likely) that will be able to use Android and Windows 8, as both will be able to run on ARM chips that modern tablets favor. The second one is much tougher, maybe a dual-touchscreen layout for a notebook or hybrid device? Maybe an ultrabook that has a capacitive screen on the back to make it double as a tablet? Don’t worry folks, we’ll be there once they make the unveil, and will be liveblogging the event so you won’t miss out.

    Source: Asus

    Review: Alcatel One Touch 990

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    Review: Alcatel One Touch 990

    [This review originally appeared in the November 2011 issue of Gadgets Magazine]

    By Roni Callanta

    Almost everyone I know has a Facebook and/or Twitter account. Nowadays, it is all about being able to manage your social networking sites right at the palm of your hand. And that’s where the smartphone sashays right in.

    Sporting a seemingly similar physique to the iPhone, the Alcatel One Touch 990 catches your eye with its sleek and stylish exterior. Quite an impressive look to a brand that is fresh in the smartphone game.

    Packing Android 2.2, WiFi, HSDPA connectivity and a 3.5-inch capacitive screen, the smartphone allows you to display images with large and sharp resolution (320×480).

    Photo and video-taking are made convenient with its 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and autofocus, and an additional sensor on the front for video conferencing.

    Not only does the One Touch 990 have similar exterior features to the iPhone, but it also has almost the same interface—navigation is made just as easy with a few swipes of your thumb from top to bottom, left to right.

    The One Touch 990 packs your basic smartphone necessities such as Google Chrome, (Opera Mini – surf the Internet with Google Chrome and Opera Mini browsers), instant messengers, push e-mail and various social networking sites, as well as an FM radio and an assisted GPS.

    With only 200 MB of internal memory space, packing the smartphone up is only made possible with a microSD card slot that can carry up to 32GB.

    Despite the Alcatel One Touch 990 being relatively new in the smartphone business, it gets the job done when it comes to your browsing, Facebook and Twitter needs.

    SPECIFICATIONS
    Operating System: Android Froyo 2.2
    CPU: 600 MHz processor
    LCD Size: 3.5” capacitive touch 262k
    Resolution: 320 x 480
    Physical Dimensions: 116 x 62.2 x 12.2 mm
    Weight: 140g
    Band: 2G – GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, 3G – HSDPA 900 / 2100

    WHAT’S HOT:
    Similar iPhone physique and interface
    Optical trackpad
    Reasonably priced
    Facebook button for easy share

    WHAT’S NOT:
    Faulty touch-sensitive controls
    Lags on command
    Small touchscreen keypad

    BOTTOMLINE:
    The Alcatel One Touch 990 displays your basic needs in social networking sites at a reasonable price.

    BUY METER:  8


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