Jayvee Fernandez on Technology and New Media in the Philippines

Dual SIM TORQUE F1 Metal at PHP 3,999.00

Jayvee — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:19:54 +0000

I’m intrigued with TORQUE’s latest flagship phone for a couple of reasons. In terms of its positioning, it’s supposed to be the classiest of the el cheapo dual SIM phones (LOL!). The mobile’s real estate is covered in metal with the familiar red and black F1 Ferrari colors in leather on the upper back of the device. So while Apple is enjoying its aluminum Macs and HTC is going the teflon route, TORQUE loves the cold embrace of metal. Curious too that this isn’t an official F1 release, but just like a lot of phones from China, this one mimics it quite well.

Read on for my first impressions and more photos.

At its price point, the TORQUE F1 Metal is for sure a solid buy, and I say that literally as the metal casing is quite heavy — heavy to be sturdy, but it will still be light enough for your pocket. If a phone could kill, this would be it. It would probably survive the fall from the way it feels on my hand. TORQUE has built a quick reputation in the affordable mobile market in the Philippines. This I think has nothing to do with the fact that Luis Manzano is their new endorser (John Lloyd Cruz endorses Cherry mobile).

The F1 Metal doesn’t lack in features as well. For about PHP 4,000 you get dual SIM capabilities, a 1.3MP camera, Bluetooth, FM Radio, a music player and GPRS for data. The package comes with two batteries (!!!) and a USB charger that can attach to a wall socket adaptor (included in package!).

A good buy if I do say so myself.

Demonstrating Spectograph: Sony VAIO Z series

Jayvee — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:28:05 +0000

Sony VAIO Z Series (VPCZ116GG/B) Specs

Last week I attended Sony’s VAIO launch and they revealed the availability of the new VAIO Z series. Sure, it’s great that we have product specs in press releases but it is double awesome that Rico is launching what I predict to be a valuable resource for tech bloggers. In the same way that we can embed YouTube videos, Spectograph allows you to embed product specs. That means you won’t need to copy + paste specs ever again!

Spectograph is the product of Rico Mossesgeld, founder and sole proprietor of Technogra.PH and Kiven Codamon.

Spectograph is still in beta.

Unpacking iPod Compatible JBL Radial speakers

Jayvee — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:38:28 +0000

Hello again. Part of my work salary is given in gift checks so what I end up doing is collect one year’s worth of GC’s every end of the year. So this is what I got from the list of things available. It’s way better than the ColorTunes speaker set I bought for PHP 2,000, obviously. The Radial is a monster, packing a great balance for low, mid and high frequencies. In fact the only bad thing I can say about it is that it’s expensive at about PHP 11,xxx.00. Yay for GC’s!

The Radial comes with 3 sets of input for 3.5mm, USB and the default iPod dock. It also comes with a remote.

Catching my attention with the Sony VAIO F series

Jayvee — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:08:06 +0000

Apparently there were three sets of launches yesterday — one for the morning shows, a mid-day “lunch launch” for the media and an evening with the online community. I made like a BLT and sandwiched myself into the noon event.

Great event. Sony launched the new VAIO line, which was shown in CES last year. Although the Z line is their highest tier unit that was showin on a rotating pedestal (main feature is the “speed” vs “stamina” switch turning your VAIO into a Crysis suit), the price point for me was too high at PHP 150,000.00 I’m currently running a VAIO CW prototype (that’s the sexy part — no serial number) which is stock fit for gaming. So the laptop that wow-ed me during the launch was their multimedia VAIO, the F series. The “F” stands for “F*ck you, I have a numerical keypad!” It’s bad ass.

8GB of stock RAM. Just look at it! Just look at it! And a GT330 video card to boot. It is very hard to find a laptop that is stock full of features that allows you to play games. At one point there’s always a compromise. Also, “gaming rigs” sold by most companies come in cheesy packaging. At least this F series is silent about it, preferring the elegant finish of Sony. Also … I cannot reiterate more how it has a numerical keypad!! It’s again, a silent way of saying this monster has a big screen.

I guess Sony’s biggest problem is the import taxation that makes their products more expensive in the Philippines. During the launch, “buying from Hong Kong” was brought up as the price differences are huge. The fact that most of these devices have international warranty also brings about a conundrum. Hm.

On a lighter note, the new Sony netbooks are now more eco-friendly as they don’t come shipped in a box. When you buy one, you get your VAIO in this cute eco-friendly bag.

The Epic Espresso Dessert

Jayvee — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:43:00 +0000

OK let’s take a break from tech. Here’s an epic dessert idea I came up with which I shared with Paolo Manzano of HWM during the Samsung OMNIA II seminar. This is a variation of a dessert idea where you drown a serving of ice cream with a shot of espresso. Paging Lori!

So the first thing you need to do is grind fresh coffee beans enough for one shot of espresso. Remember, just grind, but don’t press yet.

You can use ice cream for this, but in my case I made it more interesting and bought one of these from the Korean grocery store near my house. I don’t even know what these are called, but they’re yummy. Open the pack and cut it up into two pieces so that it fits into the bowl. Cut however you like. Stacking them together is fine too.

EDIT: The ice cream dessert bar is called PPANG TTO AH. Thanks to Min Kim for translating!

Next, make the espresso. The trick is to dump the espresso into the bowl, fresh from machine so that it stays hot. Prepare the bowl first and then make the shot. Then finally, pour the espresso into the bowl, spreading the heart around your ice cream.

Add some whipped cream and there you have it, “ice cream something something drowned in espresso!”

TADAH!

Samsung’s Corby Pro and showing off the rest of the family

Jayvee — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:45:27 +0000

Hi folks. Here it is. QWERTY is sexx-y! At least that’s what Samsung thinks, and they’re pushing this line, with the Corby Pro as their ace. Here’s a brief rundown + pricing of all of these units.

From left to right:
B3210 – PHP 6,990 (Corby TEXT)
B3310 – PHP 5,290 (their low end QWERTY for young people)
B5310 – PHP 11,990 (Corby Pro)
B3410 – PHP 7,590 (Corby Plus)

The Corby Pro is a sure best seller for this year as it is by far the most affordable mobile with a QWERTY layout, GPS and WiFi connectivity. You need to have a SIM card inserted for the phone’s wireless connections (WiFi) to work. Apart from the aesthetic difference, the cheaper Corby doesn’t have WiFi, has a 2MP camera (3MP for the CorbyPro), no 3G, and no GPS.

I like the Corby Pro, except for one thing (LOL).

The B3210 takes the form of a traditional Nokia and BlackBerry design but its pretty much the same thing under the hood. As the name suggests the Corby TEXT is really for the SMS savvy, removing the extra step of sliding up your phone to reveal a keypad. No WiFi here. No 3G too. Bummer. This phone would have rocked with WiFi (it uses EDGE).

The B3310 on the other hand is a very basic no 3G, no WiFi phone fit for the budget conscious.

The End of an Era, or maybe we’ve just set the bar too high

Jayvee — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:43:28 +0000

This is a piece I wrote for AppleGazette, waking up to the alarm clock that timed the launch of the Keynote presentation. I was groggy – that was almost three in the morning. But I figured my eyes will be widened by Steve’s amazing performance on stage. Sadly, the Keynote didn’t do as well as the coffee.

I’m sorry, Conan but despite my promise to you to stop being cynical, I can’t help it. And in this one case, I wish I was not. After watching the Internet show Steve present the iPad to the public, I froze and was taken to a temporary time warp to the day when Steve announced the iPod nano and the shuffle. Then it fast forward to the day he announced the iPhone. And when my quasi-Ebenezer moment was done, I came back to blog comments, analyses, and photos of the iPad and I realized one thing: all we are is dust in the wind and I’m getting old.

For the complete article, proceed here.

Battlefield Bad Company 2 BETA begins this week

Jayvee — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:21:14 +0000

In retaliation to Modern Warfare 2’s shortcomings. The game is out this March but beta for the Limited Edition begins this week! See you there!

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How to refund your Killers concert tickets

Jayvee — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:14:07 +0000

If you still don’t know, The Killers aren’t coming. Here’s the official statement.

Dear Partners,

As unfortunate as it is, the management of The Killers has just released the official announcement. The ASIAN Tour is canceled and awaiting new dates. We hope you can help us disseminate the information to the public. In the meantime, here is the refund schedule

THE KILLERS REFUND SCHEDULE

Please refund at the seller where you purchased your tickets.

For Ticketnet buyers, you may refund at the Ticketnet in Araneta Coliseum starting JAN 29 FRIDAY. Call 9115555.

For Ticketworld buyers, you may refund at the Ticketworld Head Office in Makati (7/F Vicente Madrigal Bldg, Ayala, Makati) starting JAN 25 MONDAY. Call 8919999.

For Odyssey & O Music buyers, you should refund at the branch where you purchased your tickets. Refunding begins on JAN 29 FRIDAY.

For purchases made in our Jupiter Makati and Shaw Mandaluyong offices, refunding begins on JAN 29 FRIDAY.

For purchases made through our authorized individual/corporate resellers, please contact your resellers for refund information.

Thank you very much for your support and appreciate your understanding.

Sincerely,

WWW & Saga Events

THE KILLERS OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

January 21, 2010
The Killers have been forced to cancel their appearances in Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Tokyo and Seoul due to unforeseen circumstances. The band deeply apologizes to their fans and hope to reschedule their shows in these cities soon. At this time the bands Australian appearances remain scheduled as planned. Here is the link of the official announcement on their website.

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LEGO Universe is coming this year!

Jayvee — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:20:47 +0000

Wow, I’d play this. Finally, after 2 years of delay, LEGO’s first massive multiplayer game is set to come out this 2010.

Jayvee Fernandez on Technology and New Media in the Philippines

Dual SIM TORQUE F1 Metal at PHP 3,999.00

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