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    Consumer electronics and technology most viewed web page category on mobile

    As further proof of Filipinos being inherent techies, Effective Measure, the leading provider of digital media planning solutions in emerging markets, today reported that Consumer Electronics and Technology websites in Philippines were the most viewed on mobile devices. The firm reported that 12% of web pages in this category were viewed on mobile devices in September, a 7% increase from the all ‘All Categories’ monthly average.

    Effective Measure SEA Regional Director, Russell Conrad, said, “Consumer Electronic sites performed well above all categories, highlighting the Filipino audience’s keen interest in electronic products. “With almost 40% of Filipinos polled saying they access the Internet from their mobile phones, we expect to see a steady increase in page views from mobile across more categories looking ahead – in line the increasing popularity of newly released smartphones such as iPhone 4S. As most Filipinos users regard themselves as ‘Mavens’ – inquisitive, information seekers, mobile-friendly content will be warmly welcomed if made easily available and engaging,” said Conrad.

     

    Review: HP G42T

     

    By: JC Ansis

    Are you looking for something that’s packed with everything you need and nothing you don’t? If the answer is “yes,” I advise you to keep reading. Hewlett Packard (HP) has been pushing laptops in the recent months, and one of their amazing releases is the HP G42T. This new low-cost yet powerful laptop promises both productivity and entertainment for mid-level consumers.

    The HP G42T is powered by a Core i5 processor and comes equipped with the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium OS. It has ample memory with 2GB RAM (supports up to 8GB) and a 500GB hard-disk capacity. For display, the HP G42T has a 14-inch high-definition LED screen boasting a 16:9 display aspect ratio and a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.

    It measures 1.24 inches thin and weighs 2.2 kg, heavy enough if you intend to bang someone on the head with it. The notebook’s HP imprint-finish, fingerprint-less design features a textured non-gloss body that looks/feels nice and doesn’t pick up scratches like glossy plastic does. The unit I tested was cloaked in prism-patterned biscotti, but the HP G42T is also available in shell white or silver color.

    The laptop comes with the standard 6-cell Li-ion battery and has plenty of bloatware to keep you busy right out of the box. It’s outfitted with Altec Lansing speakers and a DVD burner for your entertainment needs. Visible on the sides are the usual ports: stereo headphone-out, microphone-in, three USB 2.0 ports and a LAN port. It also has a VGA connector and an HDMI port.

    The HP G42T allows you to stay connected to the Internet with its unsurprising Wi-Fi capability, for those times you feel the itch to tweet or update your Facebook account when hanging out in malls. The built-in web camera and digital microphone are perfect for Skype conversations. I didn’t have a hard time getting acquainted with it, using the laptop was nothing but easy breezy. Writing this review on a full-sized, ergonomic keyboard with flush touchpad was a comfortable typing experience.

    With the G42T, HP has again provided the public with another “nothing fancy, just reliable” product with features designed to make your computing seamless. Style and impressive performance are its strong points. And it’s quite affordable, too, no need to shatter the bank while indulging yourself. The HP G42T looks elegantly subtle and functions fast enough for people who just want to browse the web, check emails and keep in touch.

    What’s Hot:

    • Classy design/aesthetic
    • Complete PC functionality
    • Reliable performance

    What’s Not:

    • A tad heavy

     

    Bottomline:
    The HP G42T is a notebook that not only looks good but does good as well.

     

    Tech Specs
    OS: Windows 7 starter
    Processor: Intel core i3-350m
    Memory: 4gb of DDR3
    Display: 14-inch led display
    Graphics: Intel HD

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

    New malware targets Mac OS X

    If there’s one thing Mac users like shoving into Windows users’ faces is that their devices rarely ever get infected with viruses and malware. Well, those days are ending, as there’s currently more and more threats being detected that specifically guns for Mac users, including the newly discovered piece of malware called Flashback. This nasty little bug is a Trojan and pretends to be an update to Adobe Flash, and once in a device goes after the automatic update functionality of XProtect, the anti-malware software built-in to OS X. Once disabled, the device won’t be able to receive updates and virus definitions and leaves the device wide open for further infection. What’s disturbing is that this is a common tactic of malware writers and might mean that a host of more lethal and effective bugs are on the way to exploit the vulnerable PCs left wide open by Flashback.

    If you think your Mac is infected by this little bug, you can go here to try and remove it yourself, though be warned, the steps are not for the faint of heart.

    Source: Sophos, F-Secure

     

     

    Microsoft gets touchy feely with their Touch Mouse

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    Only Microsoft would look at a mouse and say, this thing doesn’t do enough and then subsequently release a new, improved version that points, clicks AND reads your finger gestures. Dubbed the Microsoft Touch Mouse, this new take on the venerable pointing device adds multi-finger touch functionality that gives users more control and will ultimately improve their productivity.

    • One finger lets people manage individual documents or pages by flicking to quickly scroll, pan and tilt, and one thumb lets people move back or forward through a Web browser.
    • Two fingers manage windows, letting people maximize, minimize, snap and restore them.
    • Three fingers let people navigate their whole desktop, showing instant viewer or clearing their desktop.

    The new mouse also incorporate’s Microsoft’s Blue Track tech, which enables users to use the mouse on almost any surface imaginable (except clear glass). Additional features include an ambidextrous design providing comfort and durability in both hands, five customizable buttons, which grant easy and quick access to favoritetasks; a snap-in nano transceiver that gives its users the option to leave the transceiver plugged into the computer or conveniently store it in the bottom of the mouse; 2.4GHz wireless technology, and up to 18 months of hassle-free navigation.

     

    Razer joins the cloud – outs first cloud based storage for settings in peripherals

    Did you ever take your Razer stuff with you to a LAN place or a tournament and wanted to tweak your settings but couldn’t? Well, that sort of thing is soon to be a thing of the past, as Razer has outed Synapse 2.0, their cloud based storage system for their peripherals. Razer owners now have a means to access their device settings on any PC, be it a loaner device in a LAN place or your assigned PC in tournament play. In addition, the new service automatically downloads all the latest firmware updates to their line of devices, so owners won’t have to deal with updating their stuff themselves. Right now the service is still in closed beta and only applies to their Naga line of gaming mice, but the company says that they’ll be making the service available on future devices. Find out more from http://www.razerzone.com/synapse2.

    Sarisarisounds gives you nothing but OPM online

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    If video killed the radio star then the internet is definitely a God-send to resurrect radio back from the dead, making it bolder and edgier than ever. One online radio station to check out is Sari-Sari Sounds.com, a station that plays nothing but “Original Filipino Music” as Protégé aka Jon Uriarte of Fliptop Battle League and Audible MCs fame so eloquently shares as you click on the online stream and you are welcomed into the wonderful world of OPM.

    The station is on 24/7 and while all of the music is mostly underground and indie, everything is definitely homegrown. The online station also includes a variety of talk shows (schedules can be seen right on the page as well as blogs, photos, and even podcasts of previous shows) and are aired during times where you’re probably stuck in front of a computer and online somewhere, be it at work or at home. And since there’s really not much censorship online, you can expect a less inhibited take on certain issues as well as the expressing of opinions. Truly a refreshing albeit liberated way of sharing what our local talent has to offer.

    So if you’ve just about exhausted your iPod and you want to listen to something more homegrown, tune in to sarisarisounds.com for that original Filipino goodness.

    Dell opens new concept store in SM Megamall

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    If you’re wondering what Dell has been up to lately, you’ll be happy to know that you can check out their newest products at their newly opened concept store in the Cyberzone in SM Megamall.

    The new store is a collaboration between Dell Philippines and Accent Micro and showcases all the newest products from the tech company from their notebooks, smartphones, tablets and monitors. If you’re the area, go and give them a little looksie, won’t you?

    Huawei outs 7-inch dual-core Android 3.2 MediaPad tablet

    The local tablet is getting crowded, with global ICT provider throwing their hat into the ring with their 7-inch MediaPad tablet. Huawei’s foray into the local Honeycomb tablet market looks promising – the MediaPad is powered by Qualcomm’s 1.2GHz dual-core processor (which marks the first time we’ve actually seen a Honeycomb tablet running something other than NVIDIA’s Tegra 2), measures in at only 10.5mm thick and tips the scales at 390g. Connectivity wise, the MediaPad has all the bases covered – WiFi, Bluetooth and HSPA+ almost guarantees that you’ll be able to stay online where ever you go.

    “With the Huawei MediaPad, we are demonstrating yet again that design, functionality and performance are within anyone’s reach. The 7-inch tablet remains the preferred size for portability, and Android Honeycomb 3.2 is dedicated to enhance the full potential of 7-inch tablets. Huawei is very pleased to be the first to offer this package to consumers globally and most especially here in the Philippines.” said Zack Zhangxiang, Device Group Head of Huawei Philippines. “The MediaPad opens up new worlds of entertainment for consumers by removing the barriers to tablet ownership, enabling access to a truly high-quality mobile entertainment experience.”

    No price has been set for the device, though we’d estimate it to fall in roughly in the 18-24K range once it hits.

    Put the pedal to the metal at Speedlab’s Grand EB and Trackday

    By Chris Kho / Kotse.com

    Quit racing on the streets as Speedlab, with Kotse.com and Gadgets Magazine, takes the high-revving action to the track. Sign up now for Speedlab’s Grand EB and Trackday at the 2011 Outdoor Autofest happening onOctober 29 to 30, 2011 at the Clark International Speedway (CIS).

    The 2011 Outdoor Autofest is also host to Ridexhibit and Swapmeet, which will showcase the hottest rides, latest products, and best services all in one big event. For the latest updates, visit the official 2011 Outdoor Autofest Facebook Page.

    Grand Prix Weekend

    The two-day event gives speed junkies the full-on experience of a grand prix weekend forhalf the price of a regular trackday. Running on the track’s short course, Saturday’s whole-day open practice session allows drivers to get enough track time to hone in their skill and lets the teams adjust the car’s suspension and engine set-up to squeeze out the fastest lap. Each run will consist of a 15-minute session where cars will be released on track in groups of 10. Free practice will begin promptly at 8:00 am and end by 5:00 pm. This lets everyone drive to their heart’s content, so we’re all hyped up for racing on Sunday!

    On race day, drivers race against the clock in timed solo runs. Competing in different classes according to time brackets, each competitor only gets three laps to put down the fastest lap time, so Saturday’s practice and car set-up will surely come into play. Time to put the pedal to the metal as the quickest time in each class wins.

    Big prizes await the winners, with Dynapack Dyno GC’s from Speedlab, Kooltec GC’s, and Speedlab T-shirts at stake! First 15 registrants will also get Bosch SuperBright Bulbs and Bosch Platinum Fusion Spark Plugs, while all participants get a FREE pair of Kotse.com stickers.

    Registration

    To join, simply submit the registration form, deposit the corresponding entry fees, and e-mail the deposit slip to[email protected]. Car clubs can avail of a special group rates for up to 15 drivers.

    Download the registration form by clicking on the link:

    Speedlab Grand EB and Trackday Registration Form

    All participants must carry a valid driver’s license, and bring with them a copy of registration form and entry fee payment. All competing vehicles must also go through technical inspection for safety and classification.

    Trackday Guidelines

    1. CAR PREPARATION. Make sure your car is safe and well-maintained, as it must be able to pass a technical inspection on tires, suspension, steering and brakes.
    2. SAFETY. All vehicles must at least be fitted with a standard three-point belt or better. Remove all loose objects from the vehicle to prevent injury. All drivers are required to wear a safety helmet. Bring your own if you have one, otherwise, a limited number will be available for rent from the track.

    Trackday Schedule

    Free Practice: October 29, 2011 (Saturday)
    07:00 am Registration
    08:00 am Track opens
    05:00 pm Track closes
       
    Race Day: October 30, 2011 (Sunday)
    07:00 am Two-hour warm up session
    09:00 am End of warm up session
    09:15 am Start of official competition Solo Runs
    05:00 pm Awarding

     

    Trackday Entry Fees

    Early Bird Registrants (On or before October 27, 2011)
    Single Entry P 1,500
    Kotse.com Car Clubs (for  10 to 15 entries) P 15,000
       
    On-site Registration
    Single Entry P 2,000
    Kotse.com Car Clubs (for  10 to 15 entries) P 20,000

     

    Original post can be found >HERE<


    Samsung has shipped more smartphones than Nokia and Apple

    Seems like the execs at Samsung has a reason to smile today – the Wall Street Journal reports that Samsung has shipped more than 20 million smartphones in their last quarter (that ended Sept. 30). The WSJ cited a “person familiar with the situation” as the source of the information, which if it’s true, means that the Korean electronics giant has surpassed Apple and Nokia and has become the biggest cellphone manufacturer by volume. With the holidays looming in the horizon and the recently announced Galaxy Nexus, it seems that that number is only set to increase before the year ends.

    Source: Wall Street Journal

     

    Make everything a touchscreen with Omnitouch

    There’s a reason why touchscreen devices stay a certain size – creating large, complicated touch displays are prohibitively expensive. Scientists from Carnegie Mellon Human Interaction Institute however, has found a way to make large touchscreens a reality on literally any surface you think of.

    They do this using a device called Omnitouch, a device that they developed in cooperation with Microsoft. Omnitouch uses a small, pico projector and a short range depth camera (similar to a Kinect) to project images to with full multi-touch capability on whatever surface you can think of. Right now the system isn’t as refined as we would like, with the device being a proof of concept gadget as of now, but if they manage to shrink the technology to a point where it wouldn’t be so bulky (the device rests on a user’s shoulder and is pretty noticeable) then they could be on to something big. There’s a video of the device working on YouTube so you’ll better visualize what we’re talking about.

    Source: Tom’s Guide

    SHARP celebrates 30 years in the Philippines

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    SHARP’s Annual Dealers’ Convention today was not just any other event – it was also the springboard to celebrate the company’s 30 year presence in the Philippines and 100 years worldwide.

    What makes SHARP’s relationship to our country memorable is their decision to remain despite the turbulent socio-political climate brought about by martial law and the EDSA Revolution in 1986. The local subsidiary was still relatively new during that time, and so it was a courageous decision to stick it out, which is why today’s convention was aptly named: “Through Thick & Thin”.

    Today, SHARP embarks on a mission to go green, and they are exploring providing solar power in the Philippines. Currently, a Cepalco operated farm in Cagayan is the first solar farm in the country, utilizing SHARP’s poly-crystalline silicon (PSC) solar panels. From this initial step, the company hopes to begin a journey to make photovoltaic technology more efficient and accessible locally.

    On a smaller scale, SHARP brings its eco-friendly solutions to the home as well, with appliances such as air purifiers and refrigerators equipped with Plasmacluster Ion technology, which battle harmful elements in the air. Moreover, one of their flagship products this year is the power efficient 70-inch Quattron 735 series, which is currently the largest LCD television in the Philippines. It is equipped with Sharp’s new UV2A technology – the first to have the “proprietary RGB+Y” technology that translates advanced picture quality and color accuracy.

    The festivities were held in the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. Visiting guests included Mr. Koji Domoto, Group Deputy General Manager of Sharp ASEAN Group and Managing Director of Sharp Electronics Malaysia (SEM); Mr. Naotaka Ohtsuka, Group Deputy General Manager, Health and Environment Systems Group and Division General Manager of Refrigerator System Division; and Mr. Hiroshi Kawana, Manager, LCD Digital Systems Division 3 of the Audio-Visual Systems Group .

     

    Organize your wishlist with Nuji

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    What with Christmas just around the corner and with wishlists that just keep getting longer and longer with all the amazing stuff you can easily “Google,” one would think they’d need a more organized way to remember all the stuff you want to buy for later. (Like me, I’ve bookmarked about a dozen sites.)

    Now all your wishlist can be as organized as it should be with Nuji. The invite-only site allows you to: Save the products you want, follow others with similar tastes, and get updates from the stores you like.

    With this, you need not buy on impulse lest you’re afraid you might forget to buy it later on. And with this, you can take the time to learn more about the product and the brand – truly a must-have quality for today’s more practical and smart consumer.

    Transformer Prime unveiled by Asus head honcho Jonney Shih

    via Engadget

    Just after a day of being teased in a teaser video, Asus head honcho and overall awesome guy Jonney Shih has revealed the next generation of their transformer line of tablets, the Transformer Prime at AsiaD. Engadget reports that the new device will be running a quad-core chip made by NVIDIA (which is more than likely Kal-El), 10-inch display, mini-HDMI port and a 14.5-hour battery, among other things. The device will still be able to take a keyboard, much like its older Transformer sibling and about 8.3 thick. Jonney has promised November 9 as the official unveiling,  and will probably ship with Honeycomb, though the chances of the device getting some sweet, Ice Cream Sandwich loving is pretty high.

    Source: Engadget

    Sophos: Siri leaves your iPhone 4S vulnerable to other people’s voice commands – even when it’s locked

    Siri, Cupertino’s latest and greatest innovation since they decided to stick i in everything they make undoubtedly makes lives easier for folks. It (she?) may also leave your iPhone 4S vulnerable to other people’s voice commands, even when you’ve managed to lock the phone. Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant at Sophos has discovered that Siri is set to accept voice commands by default even if you’ve already locked the device.

    Graham writes on the company’s Naked Security blog that he managed to write an email and a text message with a locked device solely through Siri. “They could have chosen to implement Siri securely, but instead they decided to default to a mode which is more about impressing your buddies than securing your calendar and email system”, he writes.

    There’s an easy way to fix this though – you just need to go to Settings/General/Passcode Lock on your iPhone 4S, and make sure that the “Siri” option is set to “Off”.

    Source: Sophos