Gadgets Magazine | The Philippines' First Tech-Lifestyle Magazine

Review: Nokia Lumia 710

-

28 Apr 2012

Everyone knows that Nokia lost its way with Symbian and their lack of vision for the future of their smartphones – while companies like Google and Apple pushed the boundaries of what smartphones are capable of, Nokia was content to tread the water and go with Symbian, with disastrous results. Now the company has seen the light, and has bounced back with brand new smartphones sporting Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango). Their recently released Lumia 710 is one such device, and is aimed at conquering the mid-end market.

Physically, the Lumia 710 looks like a throwback to the phone designs of old, with its rounded corners and chunky frame that measures in at 12.5mm. The Lumia 710’s navigation keys are a stark contrast when compared to its older brother, the Lumia 800, as the former uses actual physical keys as opposed to the latter’s capacitive controls integrated onto the display. Other controls include a volume rocker on the right side and a camera shortcut key located just below that. The USB port, power switch and 3.5mm jack are all located on top of the device. Like the Lumia 800, the Lumia 710 uses micro SIMs instead of full sized SIM cards, something that you’ll need to be aware of when you decide to get one.

The screen is a 3.7-inch capacitive screen capable of 16M colors and has a native resolution of 480 x 800. Under the hood, the Lumia 710 runs a single core 1.4 GHz Scorpion, Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon processor – a bit dated considering the number of dual-core and quad-core smartphones running around. Additionally, the Lumia 710 also packs a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash which can be accessed even if the device is locked.

Like we said earlier, the Lumia 710 runs Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) OS, with a few key additions. Nokia has found it fit to enhance the Windows Phone experience with three key apps – Nokia Drive, Music and Maps. Nokia Music does exactly what it sounds like – a hub for your music and playlists. Nokia Drive is the included navigation app for the Lumia series of phones, which gives you turn-by-turn navigation right on your Lumia device, which in our case is the Lumia 710. Nokia Maps is the go-to map application for Lumia devices.

Like Android and iOS, WP7 has its own hub for buying and trying apps. While the number of apps available in the Windows Marketplace pales in comparison to what’s available in Android and iOS, the mix of apps in the Windows Phone Marketplace is a good start with most well-known apps like YouTube and Angry Birds.

Nokia’s Lumia series come with the WP7 Mango update already pre-installed, so you won’t have to worry about upgrading it yourself. The Mango update brings a couple of new features to the fore, which includes location aware search and voice recognition.

Using the Lumia 710 is a bit of a change from the usual fare of smartphones that we get, simply because WP7 isn’t what you’d call an OS that’s widely used at this point. After using so many Android devices, I found the simplicity of the WP7 interface was a breath of fresh air, as most of the most commonly used social networking apps like Twitter and Facebook were already integrated into the different tiles that you use, which means you don’t need to open a separate application. Posting a status update to either FB or Twitter is as simple as going to the Me tile (located on the bottom of the live tiles by default) and posting from there. Posting pictures is pretty much the same deal – you can upload the picture you’ve taken to either FB or Twitter (or any other social network you’ve linked to your account) as soon as you press the shutter button, which means far fewer presses on the screen compared to Android.

Performance for the Lumia 710 is good – and even though the device uses a relatively older processor, (the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon processor used by the Lumia 710 has been in existence for a while) WP7 is optimized well enough that you really don’t notice a lot of slowdown when using the device. Battery life is about a day – not surprising since the device only uses a relatively small 1300 mAh battery.

Unfortunately, the Achilles heel of the Lumia 710 is the same thing that makes it so desirable: WP7. While WP7 is excellent on its own right, the lack of decently priced apps on the platform is kind of a letdown for potential users who want to migrate to Microsoft’s mobile OS offering. Apps like Instagram and Draw Something still hasn’t managed to make the jump to WP7, and the steep pricing of apps and games for WP7 is a bit of a turnoff, especially considering the relatively cheap apps available on iOS and Android.

The Nokia Lumia 710 ultimately isn’t a bad smartphone. It’s fast enough for most users, and is a device that’s capable of going against more established brands and devices in the category it swims in. The Nokia Lumia 710 is exclusively available to Smart subscribers via their limited edition Plan 1000 with a monthly amortization of Php 450 per month for 24 months.

What’s Hot:

Fast, responsive
WP7 is easy to use and learn
Added Nokia services like Drive, Maps and Music
Deep Twitter and Facebook integration

What’s Not:

WP7 apps are priced higher than iOS and Android
Killer apps present on Android and iOS not present on WP7
Mediocre battery life

Bottomline:

If you’re in the market for a solid, dependable WP7 smartphone, you can’t do worse than a Lumia 710.

Buymeter: 3.5

Tech Specs

Operating System: Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango)
CPU: 1.4 GHz Scorpion, Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon processor
LCD size: 3.7-inch capacitive screen, 16M colors, 480 x 800 resolution
Physical Dimensions: 119 x 62.4 x 12.5 mm
Weight: 125.5 g
Band: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100

Globe Tatt Awards 2012

Gadgets Team

-

28 Apr 2012

0

Globe Tattoo, one of the country’s leading broadband providers recently launched Tatt Awards 2012, the first -ever awards platform recognizing social media or online personalities who have positively influenced and sparked changes in the world.

Last year, the event gathered and shone the limelight on technophiles, video vamps and passionate advocates of change. On its second year, Tatt Awards is set to honor a new batch of digital rockers. What’s more, the new Tatt Council, a group of renowned thought-leaders led by Dong Ronquillo, head of the Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business, will serve as judges to determine the winners in the different categories. The Council members include award-winning journalist and ABS-CBN News & Public Affairs social media pioneer Maria Ressa; YouTube sensation Mikey Bustos; TV Personality-columnist and style guru Tim Yap; Commissioner to the National Youth Commission and Outstanding student leader Gio Tingson; and Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP) Vice President Pao Peña to name a few.

What sets Tatt Awards from other web-centric awards is that it looks beyond mere statistics. It’s not a popularity contest, but a venue for acknowledging individuals who used the social media space to express an opinion, create inspiring works or ignite social change.

So who rocks your online world? Stay glued to www.tattawards.com for the official start of nominations.

Kindle Fire officially has 50% of the Android tablet market in the US

Technology

Gadgets Team

-

27 Apr 2012

0

Kindle Fire officially has 50% of the Android tablet market in the US

If we told you that a relatively stunted device (specs-wise) had a stranglehold on the Android tablet market in the US, would you believe us? Well, apparently that’s the reality in the US, where research company comScore has said that the Amazon Kindle Fire, a relatively low-specced device (when compared to other tablets) has grabbed 50% of the Android tablet in the US. What’s surprising is that this $199 tablet managed to achieve this feat in a span of only 4 months, edging out rival Samsung by a large margin (15.4%). The tablet game in the US is now effectively a two company race, with Amazon and Apple competing for customers’ hard earned cash. Other Android manufacturers like Asus, Samsung, Acer, Sony and Toshiba will now have to drop their prices to compete with Amazon’s rock bottom $199 pricing, a strategy that even Google is actively working towards.

Source: comScore

LG releases new IPS4 series of IPS monitors

Technology

Gadgets Team

-

27 Apr 2012

0

LG releases new IPS4 series of IPS monitors

LG is strengthening their monitor range by releasing their IPS4 series of IPS monitors that the company says deliver superb color reproduction, exceptional picture quality and unmatched color shift-free wide viewing. These new monitors use In-Plane Switching panels rather than the more common Twisted Nematic panels that’s used in regular monitors. Because of the IPS panels used in the new monitors, users get wide viewing-angles (178 degrees) without any color shift whether you’re sitting, standing or lying down. LG says regions in Asia will get first dibs once the product hits the stores in May, followed by Europe and North America.

Samsung outs 1.4GHz Exynos 4 Quad, will power Galaxy S III

Technology

Gadgets Team

-

27 Apr 2012

0

Samsung outs 1.4GHz Exynos 4 Quad, will power Galaxy S III

Wondering what kind of processor the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S III will carry? Wonder no more. Word is that the next Galaxy device (which would be the flagship Galaxy S III) would be equipped with the newly announced, quad-core 1.4GHz Exynos 4 processor. The new processor is pegged to be more power efficient than the previous generation of silicon (consumes 20% less) while delivering twice the performance. Samsung says that their new processor will be offered to other device manufacturers, and notes that the new processor is compatible pin-for-pin with the Exynos 4 Dual, allowing manufacturers who already use the Exynos 4 Dual to refresh their products with the newer processor with minimal fuss.

Source: Samsung

Review: Sony VAIO C Series (VPCCA1S1E)

GadgetsLab

Gadgets Team

-

27 Apr 2012

0

By Michelle Callanta-Toledo

Fruity bubbalicious. That’s the first thing that crossed my mind when I first beheld the pink Sony VAIO C. It looked like something Katy Perry and the rest of the California Girls would use and bring along (though it’s not exactly portable) as they set forth to Candyland. It’s definitely one ultra-feminine color for a notebook. But don’t worry guys, the Sony VAIO C also comes in a very neutral and masculine black and white (15.5-inch versions and comes with the option for a screen that can handle 1080p high-definition entertainment) as well as green and orange for the more effeminate.

The VAIO C Series also sports a rubber, machine-washable keyboard cover as well as a transparent overlay that scatter light all over the edges of the notebook and round the touchpad to create a rather subtle glow, which does prove somewhat useful for those who enjoy working in the dark. Of course, that’s a pretty cool feature to have for an entry-level machine. The form/fashion factor is definitely there despite its plastic-ky feel.

For connectivity, you’ve got a Gigabit Ethernet port, VGA and HDMI for video, and both USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports for data on the left. A memory card reader and physical wireless switch is in the front, while headphone and microphone jacks, twin USB 2.0 ports and a DVD writer are on the right.

Now despite its “hey look at me, look at me” design, the C series has an impressive “inside” as well thanks to a dual-core i5, which runs at 2.3GHz but can manage up to 2.9HGz with Intel’s Turbo Boost. It also has 320GB of storage and 4GB RAM alongside the bundled Windows 7 Home Premium.

This laptop is easy to use, especially if you’re the type who doesn’t ask way too much from it, save for a bit of speed when loading and logging onto the “cloud.” And you can’t really use it for too long without being near a power socket. On standby, the VAIO C only lasts about 4 hours. But it does have some other cool features such as the integrated HD webcam with a Sony Exmor sensor for good low-light performance. The systems also include Sony’s VAIO, Assist, and Web buttons that launch Sony’s Media Gallery and VAIO Care software and enable users to access the Web without waiting for a full Windows boot. It also has its own Imagination Studio Suite 2 VAIO Edition for editing, managing, and enhancing photos, videos, music, and more. And the systems can be used with Sony’s Remove keyboard technology so the notebooks can be used to drive other Sony devices like PlayStation 3 consoles or Bravia Internet-connected TVs.

All in all, I found the Sony VAIO C rather befitting of my more lively character. Even the rubber keyboard (which some may find uncomfortable to use) was something I found to be quirky and comfy. It may not be for everyone (design-wise) but hey, if you want to add a little more color into your technology, the Sony VAIO C series will do the job.

Specifications
Screen Size: 14-inch, 1366 x 768 glossy screen, Radeon HD 6470M Graphics
Memory: 4GB RAM, 320GB 5200rpm HDD
CPU & chipset: Intel Core i5-241M
Wireless used: Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g/n, BlueTooth
Weight: 2.45 kg
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
Warranty: 2 years
Price: Php 69,999

What’s Hot:
• Both Fun and neutral colors to choose from
• Rubber keyboard cover and backlit keyboard

What’s Not:
• Short battery life
• Not that portable

Bottomline:
Want something that will brighten your day (and night)? Give the Sony VAIO C series a go and make a shining statement.

Buy Meter: 8.0

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

Teaser: May goes on a mobile movement with Maja Salvador

Archives

Gadgets Team

-

27 Apr 2012

1

Teaser: May goes on a mobile movement with Maja Salvador

“This is the first time anyone’s ever made my light overheat,” Dan Yusay Harvey, the photographer exclaimed. “She’s really fast and really good,” my colleagues excitedly shared. “Every pose is a great shot.”

Of course, I just had to see for myself and wouldn’t you know, the girl really can MOVE.

That’s why our May “Mobile Browsing” issue couldn’t have chosen a better covergirl than the lovely and high-spirited Maja Salvador, who ushers in the latest tech goodies as well as lifestyle must-haves. Get the latest apps and learn more about the technology that is LTE.

Watch out for the May issue coming out real soon!

HP Z1 Workstation unveiled, Intel Xeon powered workstation without the bulk

Gadgets Team

-

26 Apr 2012

0

HP Z1 Workstation unveiled, Intel Xeon powered workstation without the bulk

Workstations aren’t your run-of-the-mill desktop. These devices are made to crunch serious numbers, and are usually used for heavy-duty video editing, 3D graphics and design applications. Because of the demanding environment they swim in, workstations are usually stuffed with all the best peripherals and components money can buy, and as a result are very expensive and extremely bulky. That’s not the case with the newly unveiled HP Z1 Workstation – this particular workstation manages to cram in all the latest technologies – like an Intel Xeon processor, NVIDIA Quadro graphics and multiple ports and HDD into a space that’s usually associated with smaller all-in-one PCs.

The HP Z1 also uses a highly modular design, which allows for easy upgrades without tools when the already impressive hardware contained within the Z1 isn’t enough. The display on the Z1 is a 27-inch, diagonal wide LED that uses IPS panel for accurate color reproduction (in the Z1’s case, it supports 1 billion colors) and wide viewing angles. The Z1 is also able to take a variety of storage types, from 7.2K and 10K SATA, SSD, Optional RAID configurations, a multimedia card reader and a slot loading Blu-ray writer. HP also says that the bundled Remote Graphics Software allows people to connect to the workstation to manipulate and check files inside the device.

Of course, the device is going to cost you a pretty penny – the HP Z1 Workstation will retail for around Php 89,990 per unit in the Philippines which could rise quickly depending on the configuration used on the device.

Intel officially releases Ivy Bridge

Technology

Gadgets Team

-

26 Apr 2012

1

It was a long time coming, but here it is. Intel announced yesterday that they’ve officially released their third generation quad-core processors, codenamed Ivy Bridge. The new processor architecture has a number of new technologies associated with them, which includes a new 22nm manufacturing process, 3-D tri-gate transistor technology and new graphics architecture. The company says that the new architecture has increased the performance of HD media and 3-D graphics, as well as significant processor performance – which is pretty much the norm for the product release. We’ve gotten our own notebook with Ivy Bridge (care of the Asus N56V) so you’ll see what we think of the new processors soon enough.

Sony PS Vita gets a Skype app

Archives

Gadgets Team

-

26 Apr 2012

0

As if the Sony PS Vita wasn’t cool enough, it just recently gained another feature when an official Skype app was added to its arsenal. The app works the same way as the smartphone version, allowing free Skype-to-Skype voice calls and video calls, but its user interface seems to be slightly modified to better fit that of PS Vita. I guess it’s a good thing that Sony decided to put the front-facing camera on the PS Vita in the first place, and users can even use the rear camera (although we can’t seem to imagine how that would be suitable for face-to-face video calls). Users can pause a game, take a call, and then return right back to the game without any problems, and the app runs in background mode so incoming calls won’t interrupt your activities. All in all, this is a nifty +1 for the Sony PS Vita.

Koss Striva headphones stream music directly from the Internet

Archives

Gadgets Team

-

26 Apr 2012

0

Koss Striva headphones stream music directly from the Internet

The Koss Striva Pro over-ear headphones and the Striva Tap in-ear earphones are far from the usual headsets we know of. They work wirelessly and come equipped with battery-powered microprocessor chips and Wi-Fi connectivity that allow its users to stream music directly from the internet, allowing them to listen to pretty much any internet radio station. The Striva Pro has a control switch on the side for volume adjustments and for surfing through the thousands of channels out there, and you can always pre-configure it on the computer using the included music management software to set up your choice of stations. With the new MyKoss server, users will be able to get content from a number of free audio streams. If you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection at hand, the Koss Striva headphones come with a “matchbook-sized” Content Access Point that will supposedly enable you to create some sort of Wi-Fi hub so you can listen wirelessly wherever you may be.

The Koss Striva Tap is priced at US $500 (approximately Php 21,000), while the Striva Pro is surprisingly priced cheaper at US $450 (approximately Php 18,900).

Introducing the Suzuki Kizashi

Mobility

Mika Fernandez-David

-

26 Apr 2012

0

Japanese car distributor Suzuki Philippines, Inc. formally introduced its new flagship model today, the Suzuki Kizashi, targeted for the discriminating and sophisticated executive class market.

Powered by a 2.4 litre gasoline powered engine coupled with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with 6-speed manual mode, the Kizashi promises 180 horse power @ 6,000 rpm and 230 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.

As expected from of this class, the Kizashi comes loaded with safety as well as smart technology. This CBU from Japan comes an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), a six airbag system, 3-point seatbelts for all 5 passengers, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), as well as Suzuki’s proprietary Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) body to ensure that occupants’ safety in case of a crash. It is also equipped with a keyless entry and start system with Intelligent Key and anti theft alarm; high capacity dual mufflers for silent operation; and an integrated audio system with USB connectivity and 6 speakers.

The Kizashi is available in three colors: Snow White Pearl; Super Black Pearl; and Premium Silver Metallic, and can be yours for only Php 1,288,000.

Symantec’s 2012 State of Mobility survey shows adoption of custom mobile solutions for business top priority for business

Technology

Gadgets Team

-

26 Apr 2012

0

Symantec’s 2012 State of Mobility survey shows adoption of custom mobile solutions for business top priority for business

Symantec has released their 2012 State of Mobility Survey earlier today which takes the pulse of the mobile landscape across organizations in the Philippines. The results of the survey is telling – 72% of the organizations polled has admitted to at least discussing the deployment of a custom mobile application with 20% currently implementing or have already implemented custom mobile apps.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t apprehension when it comes to mobile apps and enterprise. Of the respondents polled, 45% said that mobility is extremely challenging and a further 45% says that they have identified mobile devices as their top three IT risks, thanks to expanding BYOD policies in IT.

Gadgets Giveaway: Jay Park live in Manila

Gadgets Team

-

26 Apr 2012

7

We are giving away 2 tickets to 5 lucky people for MCA’s Jay Park live in Manila happening on May 5, 2012, 7pm at Venice Piazza Mckinley Hill!

Just follow these easy steps:

Fill up this form

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Winners will be generated via Random.org and will be notified via e-mail

Improve your sitting posture and relieve back stress with BackJoy, now available in the Philippines

Gadgets Team

-

25 Apr 2012

0

Improve your sitting posture and relieve back stress with BackJoy, now available in the Philippines

In essence, the BackJoy sitting product is a medical device that aims to change the way people sit by shifting the user’s center of gravity to the front of the body, which removes harmful pressure from the spine and back area and improves posture. In truth, many people spend most of their days sitting down and tend to develop improper posture, thus causing back problems. The device can be used virtually anywhere you sit, such as at work or in the car, and although at first glance it might seem like one of those gimmicks often seen on home shopping networks, it’s actually been endorsed by multiple members of the medical community—including neurologists, nurses, and chiropractic physicians.

BackJoy has been brought to the Philippines by Ryan Koh, the same person who brought the Crocs brand into the country. In fact, the top layer of the BackJoy sitting device is made from the same material that Crocs shoes are made from. The event to officially launch the product was held just today and involved a very informative talk on the product’s benefits by the highly accomplished Dr. Barry Kluner, a licenced Chiropractor from Canada who specializes in postural and spinal distortion among others. The BackJoy sitting device is the world’s first and only “orthotic” tool for your back, and it works by “floating” the user’s pelvis over both hard and soft sitting surfaces, acting as a natural shock absorber, shifting the pelvis into the neutral position and thus adjusting the spine into the proper “S” shape. This leads to good posture, better blood circulation, and less back pressure. Attendees of the event were given a chance to try it out and see the difference for themselves.

BackJoy is a company that aims to change the way the world sits, stands, and sleeps, and they’re currently developing products to aid in each of those areas. You can check out BackJoy at select branches of the The Travel Club (Trinoma, Shangri-La Mall, Rockwell, Newport Mall, and Alabang), and ROX (Bonifacio High Street, Marquee Mall, and Cebu). You can also visit www.backjoy.com for more information. The Backjoy Posture+ version of the sitting device sells for Php 2,990.