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    Finding an organ donor is as easy as going online

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Finding an organ donor is as easy as going online

    Social media is doing more than just connecting old friends and family. It’s also doing more than just letting us voice out our opinions, our personal outrage, and even the trivialities of everyday living. Now, social media has become an effective means to save lives, whether it be a means to communicate during disaster (such as what happened during several of our typhoons) or to perhaps find another chance at life.

    Amit Gupta, an online entrepreneur suffering from acute leukemia, decided that he would not only use Twitter and Tumblr to keep his family and friends updated on his condition. Rather, he would use it to reach out to find a matching bone marrow donor, something we often see as a difficult task when portrayed in movies, where chances are slim and matching donors are far and few. Though no match has been found yet, he remains hopeful and grateful.

    One success story is that of Roxy Kurze who aired her pleas via a Facebook status which read: “Wishing a kidney would fall out of the sky so my husband can stop suffering… If anyone knows of a live donor with type O blood, PLEASE let me know.” She found a willing donor through a Facebook friend she’d met only once. Ricky Cisco willingly donated his kidney to Kurze’s husband.

    “I always wanted to be a hero, but I’m not very strong. I can’t lift anything, I can’t save people in traditional ways. I do have an extra kidney,” Cisco told The Daily Mail.

    While this method of finding a donor remains controversial as some people still feel that personal health and condition remain private, sometimes, when you or your loved one’s life is on the line, an invasion of privacy is a small price to pay for that second chance.

     

    Source: Huffington Post

    GarageBand now available for iPhone and iPod Touch

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    GarageBand now available for iPhone and iPod Touch

    The GarageBand app is no longer exclusive to the iPad, as Apple has recently announced support for both the iPhone and iPod Touch. Quite frankly, it’s about time.

    The app initially costs a mere USD 4.99 (approx Php 214), but the great news is that if you’ve already downloaded it on your iPad, migrating it to your other iOS device(s) is free. GarageBand is now primed to run on the iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod Touch (third and fourth generation).

    We initially published a feature on this great app in our June 2011 print issue, but just in case you didn’t get a chance to read it, GarageBand is without a doubt, a must-have app, whether you’re a seasoned musician or an enthusiast just looking to mess around. Examples of its user friendly features include Smart Instruments and auto-scaling which allows even those without any knowledge of musical theory to create music.

    Ready to finger rock? Grab it here

    Robotic-assisted eye surgery for better vision

    Gadgets Team
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    2
    Robotic-assisted eye surgery for better vision

    Eye surgery may arguably be one of the scariest types of surgery anyone has to undergo. There’s always that fear of losing your vision and the fact that you’re wide-eyed and awake for the entire procedure isn’t really all that comforting. Let’s add the human variable of malpractice and sheer human error.

    PhD researcher Thijs Meenink from the Eindhoven University of Technology hopes to minimize the anxiety from this type of procedure as well as the dangers and has developed a remote surgery system that takes the place of humanoid doctors. This smart eye-surgery robot will allow eye surgeons to operate with greater precision, even when the hand tremors start to kick in as they age. But don’t worry – the ophthalmologist has full control of the robot. It’s almost like the robotic-assisted surgery The Medical City launched last year, a treatment program that hopes to achieve better outcomes and less recovery time when it comes to invasive surgery.

     

    Source: Trendhunter

    Battlefield 3 is currently EA’s fastest selling game ever

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    Battlefield 3 is currently EA’s fastest selling game ever

     

    Electronic Arts has released a statement celebrating the success of Battlefield 3 – which has become the software developer’s fastest selling game ever. The first person shooter reportedly sold 5 million copies in its first week globally, after hitting store shelves last October 25th. Currently, Battlefield 3 now holds the record for the most initial sales in EA’s successful history, topping heavyweights in their lineup such as FIFA and Madden.

    Attributing the games success to high-scored reviews across all compatible platforms (PS3 / Xbox 360/PC) and via good ol’ word-of-mouth, EA is proud to report that their servers are now withstanding the massive volume of users logging on for the “superior multi-player experience”, after some initial problems.

    So, if you’re willing to dole out the cash, you might want to grab a copy. But don’t forget that Modern Warfare 3 is set for release on November 8.

    HTC takes top honors in the US, beats Samsung and Apple

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    HTC takes top honors in the US, beats Samsung and Apple

    While Samsung may be doing the jiggy because of their solid performance around the world this quarter, HTC is doing a little dance of its own. Research firm Canalys has just released a report saying that the Taiwanese brand has bested both Sammy and Apple when it comes to smartphones, with HTC delivering 5.7 million smartphones – a ways off from Apple’s 4.6 million and Samsung’s 4.9 million. ‘However you count it, HTC has become a deserved leader in the US smart phone market,’ said Palo Alto-based Canalys Vice President and Principal Analyst, Chris Jones. ‘This is an awesome achievement for HTC, which has built a premium brand in a highly competitive market in just a few short years. It now has a strong range of 4G Android products, with devices ranged by each of the major carriers, and offers some of the most compelling and differentiated products found on the platform today.’

    The report also states that RIM, once a formidable market leader in the US is slipping rapidly with its volumes declining 58% from a year ago and its US market share slipping from 24% in Q3 2010 to just 9% in Q3 2011. It’s not all red ink however, as the Canadian firm managed to grow 59% in EMEA and 56% in APAC over a year ago, largely driven by the popularity of its BBM service.

    Source: Canalys

    Anonymous takes on Mexican drug cartel

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Anonymous takes on Mexican drug cartel

    Say what you want about Anonymous, but when these guys pick a fight, they don’t back down. TNW reports that Anonymous Mexico is going up against one of the most dangerous drug cartels in the world, Los Zetas. Spurred by a kidnapping incident of one of their own (if this video is to be believed) a spokesman for the group says that if the hostage is not released, the group will start to publicly name and shame policemen, politician, judges and other people connected to the cartel.

    If Anonymous Mexico are taking on the Los Zetas, they risk a lot more than just an internet flame war. Back in September, Los Zetas killed a man and a woman and then hung them on a bridge as a warning to social media users not to criticise Mexican drug cartels on the internet. A sign reading ‘This is going to happen to all those posting funny things on the internet, You better (expletive) pay attention. I’m about to get you’, was left beside the bodies. Anonymous Mexico has already fired the first shots, and have defaced a website belonging to a politician who many believe has close ties to the drug cartel. If Anonymous Mexico is willing to wage war on Los Zetas on the internet, let’s hope that they’re using more than just one proxy.

    Source: TNW

    Guy makes homemade LEGO clock, warms our nerd hearts

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Guy makes homemade LEGO clock, warms our nerd hearts

    LEGOs have been used to make many things – homages to geek culture, cities and now, a fully functional mechanical clock. Made by Hans Anderson, the Time Twister clock looks simple but is incredibly complex. Powered by two LEGO Mindstorms NXT micro-computers chatting over Bluetooth, the Time Twister tells time in a completely awesome and hypnotic way, while noisily telling you that yes, it’s now 10:00 and you’re already late for your appointment. Mr. Anderson managed this impressive feat of nerdery by making the two LEGO Mindstorms bricks communicate via Bluetooth. Seriously, pictures won’t do this thing any justice, it’s best if you just watch the video of it in action:

    Source: Tilted Twister

    Halloween costume is a functioning Nikon DSLR

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Halloween costume is a functioning Nikon DSLR

    If you think you’re Halloween costume is cool, you might want to see what this guy did first.

    Tyler Card created a fully functional Nikon DSLR costume – and by functional, we mean that it can actually shoot photos that can be viewed on an “LCD display”. Modeled after the Nikon D3, the body is made of scrap cardboard taped together, with a plastic bucket that acts as the “lens”, which actually conceals and contains a real Nikon DSLR. The “LCD” on the other hand is salvaged from an old Dell laptop screen. According to Tyler, his costume is also equipped with a wireless transmitter for off-camera flash.

    Pretty cool. How does your costume compare to this?

     

    Thai floods will raise prices of gadgets that use HDDs

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Thai floods will raise prices of gadgets that use HDDs

    We told you guys a couple of days ago that flooding in Thailand was the disrupting supply the global supply of HDDs. Now it seems that the floods will also contribute to the rising prices of gadgets and devices that use HDDs, which include notebooks and basically any gadget that uses HDD for storage. Marketwatch reports that Acer has said that  it is raising PC and notebook prices as hard-drive prices rise. IHS iSupply has estimated that worldwide shipments of hard drives could fall by 30% during the last three months of the year, which would also contribute to the rise of prices for HDDs and any gadget that utilizes it for storage. Our advice is to buy whatever gadget you’re eyeing now to avoid paying for higher prices when the December comes.

    Source: Marketwatch 

    RIM offers corporate customers a free PlayBook when they buy two devices

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    RIM offers corporate customers a free PlayBook when they buy two devices

    Want a PlayBook? Or two? Or three? You’re in luck – All Things D is reporting that the company is putting the PlayBook up for a buy two get one sale for the enterprise market. While the offer is enticing, you gotta wonder what state the sales of PlayBooks are currently in – after all, RIM conducted a 50% off internal PlayBook sale for Rodgers employees just a couple of weeks ago. PlayBooks aren’t exactly flying off the shelves, as All Things D reports that RIM only managed to ship 500,000 units in their first quarter (when it was first launched), which dwindled down to 200,000 units for the second. It’s probably safe to say that we’ll see more deals for the device when the holidays roll in, but it still remains to be seen if RIM will go down HP’s TouchPad fire sale route.

    Source: All Things D, RIM

    Review: Sony VAIO S (VPCSB16FG)

    Gadgets Team
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    3
    Review: Sony VAIO S (VPCSB16FG)

    The Sony VAIO S is a greatly overlooked notebook in a saturated market – it is definitely primed to command the attention of consumers looking for a new laptop.

    Once set down on a table, users will spend a few minutes admiring the sleek and minimalist design of this new addition to the S Series line. Its polished magnesium body sports aluminum palm rests that denote a sense of class, combined with a touch of style. Not only is its exterior expertly designed, but it’s wonderfully lightweight, weighing in at mere 1.72 kg. This VAIO laptop is an ideal choice for those who are constantly on the move and want something portable and suave.

    Opening the lid of its remarkably thin and flat chassis reveals the 13.3-inch wide TFT color display and its ergonomic backlit keyboard. The chiclet-type workspace is great for long hours of typing – they are evenly spaced and respond accurately. However, what makes the workspace truly amazing is its ambient light sensor, which lights up the keys automatically in places with low light, making it perfect for those that like to burn the midnight oil.

    Below the beloved keyboard is the gesture supported touchpad, and while the texture is smooth and inviting, some might find the buttons a little awkward to use. Sony positioned the clickers at the very edge of the laptop’s body, embedding it into the casing itself, which makes it difficult to operate at times.

    On the left hand side, a physical switch to turn the WiFi on/off can be found, along with the DVD SuperMulti Drive and headphone jack, which was blended in so well with the rest of the exterior that they were actually quite tricky to spot. On the right side of the notebook, you’ll find all of the connectivity options and ports: two USB 2.0, one SuperSpeed USB 3.0, SD Memory card reader, memory stick slot, Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI and VGA.

    This laptop’s unique feature is its Dynamic Hybrid Graphics System, which provides a physical control located above the keyboard to allow users to switch between SPEED and STAMINA modes without having to restart the laptop. As the name implies, SPEED promotes greater performance, utilizing its AMD Radeon HD 6470M to process graphics. Toggling to STAMINA signals the laptop to use its Intel HD Graphics card and tells the software’s power manager to use its “balanced” settings, which is useful when users need to conserve battery life when they’re not performing graphic heavy tasks.

    When on SPEED mode, the Sony S Series might awaken the slumbering gamer within you. This laptop was able to handle recent titles such as Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood and Dragon Age 2 on recommended settings without any hiccups. Furthermore, HD streaming was also smooth and fluid on the notebook’s TFT LED backlit display with a resolution of 1366×768, producing vibrant images and causing no frustrations even when in a brightly lit room.

    What’s under the hood? Running on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, the Sony VPCSB16FG is equipped with a second generation Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB RAM expandable up to 8GB, and 320GB of storage. With that kind of power, this laptop handled both mundane operations and multi-tasking effectively and efficiently.

    With a touted battery life of up to 6 hours that can be extended up to 12 hours with an optional battery accessory, the Sony VAIO S (VPCSB16FG) will be getting its share of the limelight in a market that is saturated with a multitude of models to choose from. The ability to switch graphics dynamically without having to restart is a great option to have. This lightweight laptop comes equipped with impressive hardware and will definitely make heads turn.

     

    What’s Hot:

    –          dynamic graphic switching
    –          excellent backlit keyboard
    –          thin and light

    What’s Not:

    –          awkward touchpad placement
    –          physical buttons feel flimsy
     

    Buy Meter: 9.0

    Conclusion:

    In a nutshell, the Sony VAIO S (VPCSB16FG) is one of the best laptops out in the market. It’s solidly built, lightweight and packs a lot of processing power. Its stellar performance can appeal to just about anybody, making it a fabulous choice for those that are looking to purchase a new notebook.

     

     

    SPECIFICATIONS
    Dimensions (WxHxD) – 331 x 23.9 x 224.5mm
    Weight: 1.72kg
    Processor:  Intel® Core™ i5-2410M Processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.90 GHz
    Display: 13.3-inch wide (WXGA: 1366×768) TFT color display (VAIO Display Plus, LED backlight)
    Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
    Memory/Storage:4GB DDR3 SDRAM (8GB max)320GB HD
    Optical drive: DVD SuperMulti Drive
    Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6470M/Intel HD Graphics 3000, 512MB DDR3 VRAM
    Backlit keyboard
    Connectivity/Ports: two USB 2.0, SuperSpeed USB 3.0, HDMI, SD Memory Card Slot, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
    Webcam 0.3 megapixels
    Battery life up to 6 hours, 12 hours with optional battery
     
     
    [This review originally appeared in the August 2011 issue of Gadgets Magazine]

    Review: Popcorn Hour A210

    Gadgets Team
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    3
    Review: Popcorn Hour A210

    Not all media streamers are made equal. Just like any gadget out in the market, media streamers come in a variety of models and features, from the basic, USB streamer to more complicated NAS (network attached storage) capable models. Made by Syabas in Hongkong, the Popcorn Hour A210 delivers all you’d ever want in a media streamer – even if the experience is slightly unhinged by a less than friendly UI.

    There’s not much to say about styling when it comes to digital streamers – they’re usually just boxes with fans and few physical controls, and aside from Apple’s own take on the segment, visually boring. The Popcorn Hour A210 follows that particular design mantra, though it does look better than its competitors. The A210 uses a nice brushed metal material for its outer housing which gives the unit better heat dissipating qualities and a better aesthetic overall.


    When it comes to connectivity, the A210 has it all. It has a whole suite of connections that range from standard definition (composite, component and RCA jacks for audio) as well as HD (HDMI). There’s an Ethernet port thrown in for home network integration too. USB connections are also provided, and the A210 can reliably play content contained in thumb drives and HDDs.

    While the A210 can play media from external sources, it’s perfectly capable of taking both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch HDDs for storage and playback. Putting the drives into the device is easy enough, and the drive caddy is designed in such a way that even the most novice of users can figure out how to do it.

    When talking about media streamers, one of the main things that people look for is file compatibility. You’ll be happy to know then, that the A210 can literally play almost every file currently out – .MKV, .MOV, .WMV – if it’s an audio or movie file and it has a dot and acronyms, you can bet that this baby can play it. It’s even capable of playing 3D Blu-ray files and a myriad of 3D video, so it’s the streamer to have if you already have a 3D capable HD TV.

    Video quality is fantastic for the A210, especially if you already have a properly calibrated TV. Images just seem to pop out at you, and everything just…looks better. Obviously lower bitrates and badly encoded movies will still look like garbage, but even decently encoded movies look fantastic on the A210. Audio pretty much follows the same trend as video – simply put, we were blown away. The A210 has support for the latest lossless audio codecs and the results is fantastic sound with every movie you play, from the running gun battles of the action classic HEAT, to the rousing sounds of the Imperial March in Star Wars.

    Probably the only fault we can see with the A210 is its simplistic menu system. Items are listed via their text file names, and you’re also shown the subfolders of whatever media you’re accessing (either through the internal HDD or external USB). Compared to the elegance of Apple’s GUI, the A210 looks primitive in comparison, but then again, the A210 is far more capable than Cupertino’s offering, so there’s that.

    There are also a number of additional features for the A210, like advanced networking features, being able to stream videos directly from networked PCs and downloading torrents and the like, but unfortunately using them isn’t as easy as pressing play. You’ll definitely have to dive into the manual a bit to properly use them (and even learn a few networking tricks along the way). Amateurs need not apply.

    But in the end, the Popcorn Hour A210 is a great media content streamer. Sure, it’s simplistic menus and more complicated features need a bit of learning, but you’ll also be getting a streamer that’s able to play almost any file imaginable with excellent picture quality and unbelievable sound. The Popcorn Hour A210 retails for Php 11,500.

    What’s Hot:

    Able to play almost all media files currently out
    Excellent picture and sound quality
    Has support for both standard and hi-definition setups
    Supports 3D

     

    What’s Not:

    Simplistic menus
    Novices will have a hard time setting up the advanced features of the device

    Bottomline:

    Simply put, the Popcorn Hour A210 is probably one of the best media streamers we’ve ever had the
    pleasure of testing. Grab it if you can.

    Buymeter: 9.0

     

    Samsung outships Apple and Nokia

    Gadgets Team
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    2
    Samsung outships Apple and Nokia

    Samsung has topped the list of international shipments in Q3 2011, followed by Apple in second, with Nokia coming in at third.

    Strategy Analytics, a market research firm, reports shipment figures of 27.8 million smartphones for Samsung, 17.1 million for Apple and 16.8 million for Nokia. This currently places Samsung at dominating 23.8-percent of the international smartphone market, which researchers attribute to the “elegant  hardware designs” and increasing popularity of Android

    On another note however, Strategy Analytics, states that “Apple’s growth during the third quarter was affected by consumers and operators awaiting the launch of the new iPhone 4S in the fourth quarter, volatile economic conditions in several key countries, and tougher competition from Samsung’s popular Galaxy S2 model.”

    It will be interesting to see the market’s development in the near future, especially with the recent release of the Nokia Lumia 800, impending rumors of an iPhone 5, and the possibility of flexible displays in Samsung devices by next year.

    Facebook will roll out ‘Trusted Friends’ security feature to help you get in your hacked account

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Facebook will roll out ‘Trusted Friends’ security feature to help you get in your hacked account

    Here’s a change in Facebook we can get behind: the mammoth social network is now planning to implement a new feature that will help peopel who’ve been locked out of their account back into it. Dubbed as Trusted Friends, the new security feature solicits the help of three to five trusted friends to help you get back into your account if it’s ever compromised. The new security feature basically gives a set of codes to your trusted friends that they’ll relay back to you to allow you to access your account. This is especially helpful to people who’ve just fallen prey to identity theft, since it usually follows that your primary email account would also be compromised, along with your social networks. It’s also a handy tool for people who’ve forgotten the password to the email they’ve used to sign up with Facebook.

    Source: Facebook

     

    Smart rewards encourages you to relax, take a break.

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Smart rewards encourages you to relax, take a break.

    Delight in an unforgettable beach escapade with SMART Rewards’ exclusive 10% discount offer for every 2-night stay at Boracay Terraces.

     

    Rain or shine, everyone deserves some “me” time. Just lounging at the pool, dipping in the hot tub, sipping some icy beverage or getting a reinvigorating massage can make the stress fade away. By spending days off or holidays at favorite spas, gyms, or resorts, you can get that much-needed and well-deserved escape.

    Marvel at the beauty of Coron Island in Palawan with SMART Rewards’ 10% discount for every 2-night stay at Coron Gateway Hotel and Suites.

    Enriching “me” time for its loyal users, Smart lets subscribers enjoy their time off with unique privileges that let them get the most out of their vacations. At the finest resorts and other top establishments, they can pamper themselves even more with discounts and freebies exclusively available through Smart Rewards.

    Escape from the hustle and bustle of Manila and enjoy some “me” time at Microtel Eagle Ridge in Cavite with a 30% discount on room rates from SMART Rewards.

    Qualified Smart Gold and Smart Buddy subscribers can enjoy special privileges by joining Smart Rewards just by texting “REWARDS” to 9800, while Smart Bro subs can sign up at the Smart Web Connect website at http://smart.com.ph/connect. To avail exclusive gifts such as discounts or free items at their favorite vacation spots, subscribers should simply text “COUPON <Code #>” to 9800. Over a dozen participating resorts and hotels across the country await subscribers who wish to redeem their Smart Rewards discount coupons.

    Accommodation arrangements and purchases can be enjoyed for less, thanks to Smart Rewards. The Alegre Beach Resort and Spa in Cebu provides subscribers a 40% discount on room rates, Oasis Hotel in Pampanga offers 10% off on cash purchases, and Boracay Terraces Resort and Coron Gateway Hotel and Suites give 10% off for every 2-night stay.

    Subscribers can chill out in Tagaytay with SMART Rewards’ 20% off deal at Residence Inn.

    Microtel hotels are included in the rewards program as well, with Microtel Boracay giving the vacationers a huge 50% discount on room rates; Microtel hotels in Baguio, Batangas, Cabanatuan, Cavite, Mall of Asia, Puerto Princesa and Tarlac giving 30% off on room rates; and Microtel Davao offering 20% discount on room rates.

    SMART Rewards offers 20% discount on entrance fees at the Zoobic Safari for an affordable and thrilling safari experience.

    Smart Rewards subscribers can also get 20% off on entrance fees to fun recreational spots such as Zoobic Zafari in Subic, Zoocobia Fun Zoo in Clark, Paradizoo Theme Park in Tagaytay, and Residence Inn in Tagaytay.

    Families and friends can enjoy de-stressing together, rain or shine, by redeeming their Smart Rewards coupons at these cool and relaxing hotels and theme parks. Smart Rewards are replete with relevant and exclusive gifts that will appeal to the busy urbanite, making that special “me” time even more rewarding.

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